(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Attain to the Resurrection of the Dead
More than merely coming forth from the grave (although that is termed “resurrection,” also); Joseph Smith more accurately referred to this as an achievement following exaltation: “[Y]ou have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power (TPJS, 346).”1 Arising from the grave does not mean one has “attained to the resurrection of the dead,” nor holds the keys of resurrection.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Babylon
Her king is equated to Lucifer, who says, I will be like the Most High (Isaiah 6:6)…. ... And he prophesies about the destruction of Babylon, the head of gold that holds sway over all else.”3 1 “King Benjamin’s Self Reliance,” Jan. 23, 2014, blog post.2 Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion, 14–16.3 500th Year Reformation Talk Five, 3–4, Sandy, UT, Sept. 7, 2018, transcript of recording.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Blessings
King Benjamin explained this process of keeping commandments, receiving blessings, and remaining in God’s debt in Mosiah 1:8–9.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: For Ever
When the term “mansion” was used in King James-ian English, it meant “a temporary stop” or what modern language would term a “motel.”
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob each separately held a covenant with God; therefore, He was their God, and they were His son (see 1 Chronicles 8:21; 2 Kings 4:47).
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: How Great Things
How is an exercise in what one needs to do and how one comes about linking to, and participating in, what ultimately is the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.1 “The archaic expression how great things is found in the King James Bible (six times), as in Mark 5:19 KJV (and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee [Mark 2:24]).
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: If You Love Me
The current King James translation was based on the recognition that the canon of scripture had closed and revelation had ended.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Jesus Christ as the Father
And all these will also be children of Father Ahman.”2 Though Christ is a glorified, eternal God, reigning in Heaven and holding the power to exist from eternity to eternity, king Benjamin is informed by an angel that He will condescend to dwell in a tabernacle of clay (Mosiah 1:14).
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Law of Moses
From Moses to John, they were unchanged.2 King Benjamin explains something which ought to give everyone pause: Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses (Mosiah 1:16). ... King Benjamin was reminded by the angel that the purpose of the law of Moses was not to redeem anyone — it was merely a way to keep the people busy.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Mansion
Centuries later, the King James Version was influenced by the Latin translation and the word mansio retained its English cognate meaning of mansion from Latin mansionem (nominative mansio) “a staying, a remaining, night quarters, station.”
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Melchizedek
And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the King of Heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of Peace. ... The first is Malki (מַלְכִּי), meaning “king,” and Zadok (צֶדֶֿק), meaning “righteous;” Malki Tzedek or Malki Zedek (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶֿק) can mean “righteous king” or “king of righteousness.”3 As a comparison, the Dead Sea Scrolls portray their “Teacher of Righteousness” as Moreh Zedek. ... [but it was the power of] a king & a priest to the most high god. ... Administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.”4 Melchizedek was a king, and he was a high priest of the Most High God after the Order of the Son of God, i.e., a king and a priest. ... Christ is the Great King and the Great High Priest.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Melchizedek Priesthood
All the prophets had the Melchizedek priesthood and were ordained by God himself” (TPJS, 180–181).3 When viewed not as a name but as a title, Melchizedek is a compound of two words: Malki (king) and Zadok (righteous) which means and is a reference to the “King of Righteousness,” who is Jesus Christ, who possesses all Priesthood. ... Melchizedek priesthood or the priesthood of the King of Righteousness, viewed in this light, is the authentic Holy Order after the Order of the Son of God.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Names of God in Scripture
Rock of Heaven And the Lord said, Blessed is he through whose seed Messiah shall come, for he says, I am the Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity (Genesis 4:20).28 Savior This title comes from the Old French word sauver (keep [safe], protect, redeem) and the Latin salvare (make safe, secure) and is a translation of the Greek word sōtēr (σωτήρ), which means “savior, deliverer, the one who extends salvation.”29 “The Father’s testimony is that our salvation comes through Christ.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Pharaoh
Over time, however, this title came to mean a “king” or “tyrant” who controlled people.1 Given the Egyptian preoccupation with the afterlife, the name is likely related to an expectation for the eternities and not merely a description of the office held in mortality.2 1 “Keep the Covenant: Do the Work” Sept. 30, 2018, 3, transcript of talk.2Eighteen Verses, 61n44.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Prophet
Priests may preside and kings may rule, but the prophet’s voice is always crying repentance.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Rights Belonging to the Fathers
He was the “father” over all mankind and in that capacity was a “king” or a “ruler,” though he exercised that right given to him as did Adam — as a father-figure and not as a tyrant.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Rock
In vision, Enoch saw and heard the Lord declare: I am the Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven (Genesis 4:20).2 “The ‘rock’ upon which we build is the Father, Son and holy ghost.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Salem
The Hebrew is shâlêm (שׁלם), “peace.”1 Salem is used consistently throughout the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (see Genesis 7:14,20; Psalms 76:1), and the Book of Mormon confirms that Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem (Alma 10:2), which may be interpreted as a land of peace. ... Joseph Smith said that the word salem should be correctly rendered shalom, meaning peace.2 “It is understood by many by reading [Hebrews 1:17] that Melchesedeck was king of some country or nation on the earth, but it was not so. ... In the original it reads king of Shaloam, which signifies king of peace or righteousness, and not of any country or nation.”3 “Salem is designed for a Hebrew term. ... It should be Shiloam, which signifies righteousness and peace.”4 “Since the King James Version of the New Testament comes from Greek manuscripts, the transliteration of Σαλήμ (given as Salem) in [Hebrews 1:17] is correct.”5See also MELCHIZEDEK. 1Strong’s Concordance, H8004, G4532.2 Instructions to Scripture Committee, May 31, 2018.3WJS, 246, 244, spelling in the original; JSP, Journals Vol. 3:85–86.4TPJS, 321, spelling in the original; WJS, 244, 246; JSP, Journals Vol. 3:85.5WJS, 302n4.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Self-Reliance
King Benjamin struck the perfect balance on the subject of self-reliance. ... King Benjamin refused to tax or oppress his people, although he could have done so as the monarch. ... Long before Christ would do so, king Benjamin freed men from slavery. ... For the sake of the impoverished, king Benjamin taught his people to give to beggars. ... According to king Benjamin, all are beggars (see Mosiah 2).
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Signs of the Times
Matthew tells of “wise men” who studied the scriptures, watched the signs in the Heavens, recognized a “star” that testified of the birth of the Messiah or newborn “king of the Jews,” traveled a great distance (perhaps as long as two years) to worship Him, facilitated fulfilling prophecy by their presence in Jerusalem, and were visited by God in a dream. ... Despite all the wise men were able to know, they did not know where to find the newborn king.
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Unspeakable
Christian scriptures declare, It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 4:1).
(Teachings and Commandments) Glossary: Zion
While the Jews, Christians, saints, and philosophers look to constantly replenish themselves from the east (see Isaiah 1:6), God will begin His work quietly in the mountains of the west (see T&C 58:3).15 1A Man Without Doubt, 183; TPJS362; WJS, 363–365, 401n12; WWJ2:388.2 “All or Nothing, 6,” Nov. 6, 2016, blog post.3 “All or Nothing, 6,” Nov. 6, 2016, blog post.4 “Authority And Abuse,” Sept. 21, 2016, Part 2, blog post.5 “Opening Remarks,” Covenant of Christ Conference, Boise, Idaho, Sept. 3, 2017, 3.6 “Zion Will Come,” April 10, 2016, 18, transcript of talk.7 “King Benjamin’s Self Reliance,” Jan. 23, 2014, blog post.8 “The Mission of Elijah Reconsidered,” paper, Oct. 14, 2011, 12.9 “The Mission of Elijah Reconsidered,” paper, Oct. 14, 2011, 16.10 “Things to Keep Us Awake,” expanded paper of address given in St.