Apostles

     An apostle is an ordained disciple with power from before the creation to preach the gospel of Christ, to baptize in His name, and to build God's kingdom in love. They have power to perform miracles. They must follow the prophet, no boast, heal the sick, have faith in Christ, and preach repentance. They are called to bring us back to God. We will be judged by them in the last days.

*Apostles of the New Testament: Simon Peter and Andrew(brothers), James and John(brothers, sons of Zebedee, Sons of Thunder), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew(tax collector), James(son of Alphaeus), Lebaeus Thaddaeus, Simon(Zelotes, Caramite), Judas Iscariot, *Judas(brother of James)

*Matt 4:19, Mark 1:17 - Apostles are fishers of men, followers of Christ

*Matt 10:1, Luke 9:1 - Apostles have power against unclean spirits to cast them out, to heal(cure) all sickness and disease, authority over devils

*Matt 10, Luke 9 - counsel to apostles to preach to lost sheep, to perform miracles

*Matt 16:19 - Apostles have the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever they bind/loose on earth will be bound/loosed in heaven

*Matt 19:28, Luke 22:30, 1 Nephi 12:9, D&C 29:12 - The Twelve at Jerusalem with Christ will be with Him at the Resurrection, clothed in robes of righteousness, to judge the 12 tribes of Israel

*Mark 3:14 - Twelve ordained by Christ to be with Him and to preach

*Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus sent them 2 by 2, preach repentance & heal the sick

*Mark 16:14-15 - Appeared to them/chastised them for unbelief after death, sent to preach the gospel

*Luke 5:11 - Apostles "they forsook all and followed him."

*Luke 6:13 - Also called apostles, disciples

*Luke 11:49 - God sends prophets and apostles to His people, some are persecuted and slain

*Luke 24:47-48 - Apostles are witnesses and preachers of repentance and remission of sins

*John 1:40 - Apostles gathered each other to Christ

*John 15:16 - Christ chose apostles, they did not choose Him, He ordained them to bring forth fruit, power that whatever they asked for was given.

*Acts 1:21-26 - Choosing new apostle to replace Judas

*Acts 4:33 - The apostles had great grace and great power with witness of resurrection

*Acts 10:39-42 - Apostles are witnesses of Christ's life - in big and little things

*Acts 14:14 - Paul & Barnabas' new apostles - perform miracles.

*1 Cor 12:27-31 - Apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, governments, diversities of tongues - all are found in the true church - seek the best gifts

*Gal 1:1 - Paul is an apostle of God - not of/by men, v 19 - spent time with 2 other apostles

*Eph 2:19-20 - the "household"(church, sons and daughters of God) is built on a foundation of apostles, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone

*Eph 4:11-15 - Apostles: perfect the saints to unity of faith, knowledge of the Savior, stable, firm in our faith, speak truth in love, grow up in Christ

*1 Tim 2:7, 2 Tim 1:11-13 - Paul's witness of his own calling to be an apostle - ordained, taught in truth and faith - he will not be ashamed of His calling but continue in faith & love of Christ

*1 Nephi 1:10 - Lehi sees 12 apostles in a vision

*3 Nephi 12:1 - Jesus calls and ordains 12 apostles, gives them power to baptize

*4 Nephi 1:14 - 100 years after Christ appeared, all original apostles had died(save 3), others had been ordained in their stead, love continued

*D&C 1:14 - You will be cut off unless you heed the prophets' and apostles' voices

*D&C 18:26-29 - Apostles are called to preach the gospel unto the Gentile and the Jew, and every creature - they are those who desire to take His name with full purpose of heart

*D&C 20:2 - Joseph Smith, Jr, was ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, 1st elder of church, 21:1 - JSJ called to be an apostle, seer, translator, prophet, elder through will of God and grace of Christ

*D&C 27:12 - Twelve apostles of latter-day saints ordained by Peter, James, and John

*D&C 52:9 - When you preach, stick to words of prophet and apostles and power of Holy Ghost

*D&C 64:39 - You will know who true apostles and prophets are despite what some claim

*D&C 84:63-75 - Apostles are Christ's friends, called to preach all those who believe on their words and are baptized will have the Holy Ghost - signs that follow those who believe: wonderful works, cast out devils, heal sick, blind, deaf, dumb, be immune to poison(especially snake venom) - but they should not boast. Those who do not believe in their words cannot inherit the kingdom.

*D&C 102:30 - Organization, rules regarding decisions of apostles

*D&C 107:23-24 - Twelve apostles are called to be traveling counselors or special witnesses of Christ in all the world, equal to power and authority of First Presidency

*D&C 107:33, 35, 58 - preach, build church, regulate, first to the Gentile and the Jew, ordain, set apart officers of Church

*D&C 112:14-33 - Directions to the Twelve: "Arise, and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me and feed my sheep." Do not exalt yourselves or rebel against Joseph(for God is with him). First Presidency(Joseph, Hyrum, Sydney), President of Twelve with keys to open all places to preach the gospel: Thomas B Marsh. The Lord is with them, an "effectual door" will open for them. Whoever receives/believes the Lord, will believe/receive the Twelve and vice versa. Vengeance will come to those who have professed to know the Lord and have blasphemed against Him in His house. Purify your hearts and then go preach the gospel. He that believeth and is baptized will be saved. The power of the priesthood is given to the Twelve in the last days for the last time, it is the same power given since the creation. Cleanse your hearts and garments so blood of generation is not on your hands.

*AoF 6 - We believe in apostles - the same organization as the primitive church

*Titus 1:1 - Paul was an apostle, according to the faith of God's elect

*3 Nephi 12:25-34 - Counsel to the Twelve to preach the gospel, letting God take care of their needs

*Mormon 3:19 - We will be judged by the Twelve Nephite apostles and the twelve Jerusalem apostles

*Mormon 9:22 - Christ counseled apostles(all disciples) to go preach His gospel

*D&C 20:38 - "An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize."

*D&C 136:3 - Camp of Israel organized under the direction of the twelve

God, Privilege of Seeing

 The privilege of seeing God comes mainly from a pure heart - one that has love, faith, virtue, and confidence. Every privilege of seeing God is accompanied by the power of the Spirit, as well as a witness of Christ and who He is. If you keep your heart pure, obey the commandments, you will also see God, whether now or later, but you will have "all goodness" pass before your eyes - much like the wonder and testimony of a rainbow after the rain.

*Gen 32:30 - Jacob saw God face to face and his life was preserved(given power to sustain his presence)

*Ex 3:6 - Moses was afraid to look upon God - God came for deliverance and the promised land

*Ex 19:11 - The Lord will come down in the sight of all people

*Ex 19:21 - Stop people from being in the Lord's presence who are not ready, do not have the strength(Spirit, given power to sustain his presence - Gen 32:30)

*Ex 24:9-13 - Moses and leaders and 70 saw God, ate and drank with Him. Moses given instruction - clear as the very heavens

*Ex 33:11 - The Lord spake to Moses face to face, "as a friend" - "Not a prophet in Israel since Moses whom the Lord knew face to face" - Num 12:8, Deut 34:10

*Ex 33:17-23 - When people are not worthy, they cannot see the Lord's face or they will perish

*Judges 13:22 - Manoah and wife(Samson's parents) see an angel of the Lord(they feared death for "seeing God")

*1 King 11:9 - Solomon turned his heart from God even after seeing Him twice(uh oh)

*Job 19:26 - Job knows his Redeemer lives, he will see Him, even after death(resurrection)

*Moses 5:10 - Adam knew that in this life he would have joy and again "in the flesh"(resurrection)see God.

*Isa 6:5-10 - Isaiah sees the Lord, repents, is forgiven and made clean, volunteers to serve

*Matt 5:8, 3 Ne 12:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."

*Matt 11:27 - footnote, only the Father and Son truly know each other, those who see the Son see the Father also.

*John 1:18, 6:46, D&C 67:11 - No one sees God without: 1)having Him witness of His Son 2)Being quickened by the Spirit of God

*John 5:37 - The Father bears witness of the Son

*John 14:18 - "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

*John 14:18 - They who love God and keep the commandments will have the privilege of seeing Him.

*Acts 7:56 - Stephen sees God the Father and the Son while persecuted, before being stoned to death.

*Heb 12:14 - "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

*1 John 3:2 - We are in His image

*Rev 1:17-18 - Christ is He that liveth that was dead, He holds the keys of hell and death

*2 Ne 11:2-7 - Both Jacob and Nephi saw their redeemer, act as witnesses, delight in sharing and testifying. Seeing God = a testimony of creation and plan of salvation, rejoice in it and share it.

*Alma 19:13 - Lamoni receives light of everlasting life and sees the Redeemer - became a witness

*Ether 3:13-15, 20 - The Brother of Jared sees God because of faith, witness of His image, gained perfect knowledge, he could not be kept within the veil

*D&C 35:21(50:45) - You shall hear His voice adn see Him, know that He is - be purified.

*D&C 58:8 - Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, glory follows much tribulation

*D&C 76:23-24 - Joseph and Sydney saw the Father and Son, heard the voice bear witness, saw visions, came to know that we are sons and daughters of God

*D&C 76:116-118 - Privilege of seeing God is you must love God, purify yourselves, have power of the Spirit

*D&C 84:20-22 - You need the power of ordinances/priesthood in order to see God and live through it.

*D&C 88:68 - Sanctify yourselves, minds single to God, and you will see Him - it will be in His own time, in His own way, according to His own will

*D&C 93:1 - "Every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments shall see my face and know that I am"

*D&C 97:16 - He will manifest himself in the temple to the pure in heart

*D&C 110 - Joseph and Oliver see Christ at the Kirtland temple, they were clean before Him

*D&C 136:3 - Interpreting John 14:23 - the appearance of Father and Son was real, the idea that they dwell in a man's heart is false

*Moses 1:2 - Moses saw God face-to-face, talked with Him, had glory so could endure His presence

*Moses 1:5 - No man can behold all His glory and remain in the flesh

*Moses 1:11 - Saw God with his spiritual eyes, with His glory was transfigured to behold His face

*Moses 6:39 - Enoch had walked with God, fear came on others who saw and heard Enoch

*Moses 7:4, 59 - Enoch saw God, spoke with Him face-to-face, saw visions then saw Him ascend to the Father

*Abr 3:11-12 -  Abraham saw God, talked face-to-face, was shown all creations(God layed hands on his eyes)

*JSH 1:17 - Joseph Smith sees God the Father and Jesus Christ, speaks with them, sins are forgiven

*Ex 20:18 -  Some people turn down the privilege of seeing Him(children of Israel)

*Ex 33:18-20 - You can ask for the privilege of seeing Him, one way of seeing His - all His goodness passes before you

*Psalms 27:8 - Seek for the privilege of seeing Him

*Psalms 95:10-11 - Those who err in their hearts and do not know His ways, cannot see Him

*Ezek 1:28 - Ezekiel compares the appearance of the Lord like a rainbow in the sky after rain.

*1 Tim 6:16 - The Lord dwells in a light no man can see or approach

*Heb 3:11 - The Lord stops those who are not worthy to enter His presence

*1 John 4:20 - You need to love God to see Him *1 Ne 1:8 - Lehi sees God *D&C 76:12 - Power of the Spirit opened eyes and understanding in order to see and know the things of God

*D&C 84:24 - When you harden your heart, you cannot endure His presence

*D&C 121:45 - In order to be in His presence: charity, virtue, confidence, doctrine of the priesthood.

God, Manifestations of

 The manifestations of God can take many forms: cloud, light, fire, scriptures, face-to-face in the flesh, visions, voice - by His own or His servants, angels, miracles, His presence, His power, His Spirit...all manifestations come because of the glory and power of God, accompanied by the Spirit and love and the ultimate testimony that He is, that He lives, and that He loves His children. Be worthy of the Spirit, have faith, build and visit temples and God will be manifested unto you.

*Gen 5:24 - Enoch walked with God(Enoch was taken, removed to God's bosom)

*Gen 32:30 - Jacob sees God face to face. Peniel = the face of God

*Ex 16:10, Num 12:5 - The Lord appeared to the children of Israel in a cloud. Ex 19:9 - the cloud was a witness so they'd believe Moses.

*Ex 24:10 - Moses and Elders of Israel all saw God, Moses went separately to speak Him.

*Dan 2:28 - God manifests himself through dreams and visions

*Matt 3:17 - God as a voice from heaven, bearing witness of His Son - Mark 9:7 - cloud and voice

*Mark 12:26 - God spoke to Moses through the burning bush.

*John 1:14 - Jesus manifested himself in the flesh, "dwelt among us"

*John 6:46 - Unless a man is "of God" he cannot see Him.

*John 14:21 - "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." -obedience, love, manifestations with God

*Acts 7:56 - Stephen sees the heavens open, sees God and Jesus

*1 Tim 3:16 - Mystery of Godliness is "manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

*Rev 19:12 - Manifested as a flame of fire, many crowns on His head, name written that no one knew

*1 Nephi 1:8, Alma 36:22 - Both Lehi and Alma saw God sitting on his throne with angels sining and praising

*2 Nephi 2:4 - Jacob saw God in his youth - as blessed as those who are with Him in the flesh - whether you see God in the flesh or in Spirit through visions - it is the same because the Spirit is the same.

*2 Nephi 11:2 - Both Nephi and Isaiah saw the Redeemer - wrote about it - delightful words

*Mosiah 15:1 - God(Christ) would manifest himself on earth to redeem His people

*Alma 19:6 - When Ammon was "carried away in God" the dark veil of unbelief was cast away, the light of the Glory of God, His goodness, infused joy to His soul, dispelling all darkness, and the light of everlasting life was lit in his soul - so much so that it had overcome his natural frame

*3 Nephi 11:8-10 - Jesus manifests himself to the Nephites.

*Ether 3:12-16 - Because of the Brother of Jared faith, Christ brought him into His presence and showed Himself to him, bearing witness of Himself and how we were made in His image.

*Ether 12:39 - Moroni spoke with Jesus face to face

*D&C 34:7 - The Lord will manifest himself for the 2nd Coming and come in a cloud with power and great glory.

*D&C 76:23-24 - Joseph Smith and others saw Christ and God, heard His voice and His testimony

*D&C 84:5 - Build a temple, God's glory will be manifest

*D&C 110:2 - Christ manifests himself at the Kirtland temple.

*D&C 133:20 - When Christ comes again, He will manifest Himself all over the world, v. 25 - He shall be in the midst of His people and reign overall, v. 46-53 - description of His Second Coming

*Moses 1:2 -Moses talked with God face-to-face, glory was upon him so he could endure God's presence

*Abraham 2:5-11 - The Lord appears to Abraham and Lot - counsels and blesses them, Abr 3:11

*JSH 1:17 - Joseph sees God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks with them

*Ex 19:19, 20-22 -  Moses spoke with God, heard his voice

*Deut 4:12, 36, 5:24, 9:10 - God often manifests himself simply through his voice, written word, scripture(9:10 written finger), Rev 12:10

*1 King 8:10 - The Lord often uses a cloud to manifest himself

*Isaiah 9:6 - Christ manifests himself as a child, counselor, mighty God, Prince of Peace

*Ezekiel 10:4,18 - Glory of the Lord manifested itself as a bright light

*Zach 14:4 - The Lord will manifest himself again at the Second Coming - the Mount of Olives

*Luke 7:16 - Prophets testify of his manifestations

*Heb 1:1 - God manifests himself through the voice of His prophets

*3 Nephi 7:21 - God manifests himself through His Spirit

*Mormon 9:15 - God manifests himself through miracles

*D&C 109:37 - Glory=manifestations(presence, power, the Spirit, miracles)

*D&C 130:22 - God has a body, part of His glory, part of His power to manifest himself