Ok Here is a topic I have been recently coming accross quite a bit... (Note: :pow I in no way doubt or wish to create doubt as to the truthfullness of either the Gospel or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The "Inner Church" or the "Church of the Firstborn"
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"They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given. That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who aovercome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things - They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God - Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's." p386 (Also this appears to be a quote from D&C 76:51-59...){Bold is Mine} |
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In the 5th volume of the Journal of Discourses Ephraimites are exposed to a bit of esoteric history - the foundation of a secret second "inner church" by Joseph the Seer called "The Church of the Firstborn". We are told that this secret inner church was founded in 1836, not 1830, and at Nauvoo, not Fayette. We are also told that Brigham Young was at its founding (he was not present at the founding of Joseph's first "outer Church" of April 6, 1830. |
This reminds me of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the people of Cumran (spelling?). I wish I could say more off the top of my head, but they sound like one of those off beat groups, however, I am sure LDS_forever will see this and do some research. Wish I could, but have pressing matters, sorry.
Wanlorn, Perhaps I could put my two cents in. You wrote...(I found more relevant information here: https://essenes.crosswinds.net/JSjd5.htm (I will not reproduce for copyright purposes...) Though the group posting this information the "Order of Nazorean Essenes" is most obviously not the "Church of the Firstborn," they have done their homework...
(I know they are not the church because they teach a vegetarian gospel... D&C 49:18-19, and they claim to have translated the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon... the Oracles or Moroni)
Does anyone know anything about this?
It is interesting as the Church teaches that baptism is the door to the Celestial path ... perhaps the church is the "outer court" of the Temple? ... and that after the Temple there is a Higher Law yet?) Let's consider the "Essenes" first. Their founder was born Sept. 6, 1955! His real name is Davied Asia Israel. He spent at least 5 years in Utah, and studied the doctrines of the church quite extensively, and may have been a member, although it is not for certain. He did however take certain docrtines from the church to add to his new Order. He studied all different kinds of religious doctrines, in his 48 years. And with all the Gnostic writtings he studied, all helped to form their beliefs.
Now as to the Church of the Firstborn, and the secret inner Church! these are simply a matter of semantics among the early leaders of the Church. The Church was organized April 6, 1830. However, it was not fully organized until 1836, when the 12 Apostles were Ordained. They also were given their Temple endowments at that time, which made them members of the Church of the Firstborn, IF THEY ARE SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE! All members who have had all their Temple endowments, will be members of the Church of the Firstborn. But we must all be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, which will happen sometime before the Judgement. Hence the term Outer Church, signifing those who have just been Baptized and received the Holy Ghost. And those who have had their Endowments, as the Inner Church. As I said it is simply a matter of semantics. The church does not use these terms today. Hope this helps....
Whew, Thank you for your input on this topic...
Another popular comment that I have found is that the Church of the Firstborn are these of they who have had their calling an election made sure, and have recieved of the fullness of the Gospel...
Offtopic but, Whew, if you update your profile with your location and country flag you will get rid of the frog... There is a line in the profile that says something like "change to get rid of the frog"... |
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Hence the term Outer Church, signifing those who have just been Baptized and received the Holy Ghost. And those who have had their Endowments, as the Inner Church. As I said it is simply a matter of semantics. The church does not use these terms today. Hope this helps.... |