128:11 Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both ass=hlgree>as well for the dead ass=hlgree>as for the living.

 128:12 Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life-- The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance wass=hlblue>as instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead.

 128:13 Consequently, the baptismal font wass=hlblue>as instituted ass=hlgree>as a similitude of the grave, and wass=hlblue>as commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to ass=hlblue>assemble, to show forth the living and the dead, and that all things may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another-- that which is earthly conforming to that which is heavenly, ass=hlgree>as Paul hath declared, 1 Corinthians 15:46, 47, and 48:

 128:14 Howbeit that wass=hlblue>as not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. ass=hlgree>As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and ass=hlgree>as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And ass=hlgree>as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consist in the key of knowledge.

 128:15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me ass=hlblue>assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, ass=hlgree>as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, ass=hlgree>as Paul says concerning the fathers-- that they without us cannot be made perfect-- neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

 128:16 And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?

 128:17 And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

 128:18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose ass=hlgree>as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other-- and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

 128:19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! ass=hlgree>As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!

 128:20 And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets-- the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared ass=hlgree>as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves ass=hlgree>as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times!

 128:21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!

 128:22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world wass=hlblue>as, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

 128:23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seass=hlblue>as and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!

 128:24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit ass=hlgree>as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them ass=hlgree>as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, ass=hlgree>as a church and a people, and ass=hlgree>as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

 128:25 Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, ass=hlgree>as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend,

 129:1 There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones--

 129:2 For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, ass=hlgree>as ye see me have.