Paul exhorts us to make our Calling & Election sure. This is that sealing power spoken of by Paul in other places (See Ephesians 1:13-14):
In whom ye also trusted, that after ye heard the work of truth; the gospel of salvation, in whom also after that he believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory.) that we may be sealed up unto the day of redemption. This principle ought (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed any thing to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve & even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them. For the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, ‘Know ye the Lord?’ for all shall know him (who remain) from the least to the greatest. How is this to be done? It is to be done by this sealing power & the other comforter spoken of which will be manifest by Revelation.
There are two comforters spoken of; [one] is the Holy Ghost the same as given on the day of Pentecost and that all Saints receive after faith Repentance & Baptism. This first comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind enlightening the understanding & storing the intellect with present knowledge of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham than one that is a gentile though it may not have half as much visible effect upon the body for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham it is calm and serene and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile is to purge out the old blood and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost, in such a case there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body & visible to the eye than upon an Israelite, while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence.
The other comforter spoken of is a subject of general interest and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins and is baptized for the remission of his sins and received the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands) which is the first Comforter then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness and living by every word of God and the Lord will soon say to him, ‘Son, thou shalt be exalted & c.” When the Lord has thoroughly proved him and finds that the man is determined to serve him at all hazard, then the man will find his calling and election made sure. Then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter which the Lord has promised the saints as is recorded in the testimony of St John in the 14th chapter from the 12th to the 27th verses. Note verses 16, 17, 18, 21, and 23:
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
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.
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more or less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter, than when any man obtains this last Comforter he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time and even he will manifest the Father unto him and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him and the Lord will teach him face to face and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, and this is the state and place the Ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious vision: Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St Paul in the third heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general Assembly and Church of the First Born & c. (Joseph Smith, June 27, 1839, “Williard Richards Pocket Companion,” Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat & Cook, pp. 4-5)
I spent the day [Tuesday, 3 May 1842] in the upper part of the store, that is in my private office * * * in council with General James Adams, of Springfield, Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Bishops Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, and President Brigham Young and Elders Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, instructing them in the principles and order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchizedek Priesthood, setting forth the order pertaining to the Ancient of Days, and all those plans and principles by which any one is enabled to secure the fullness of those blessing which have been prepared for the Church of the Firstborn, and come up and abide in the presence of the Eloheim in the eternal worlds. In this council was instituted the ancient order of things for the first time in these last days. And the communications I made to this council were of things spiritual, and to be received only by the spiritual minded: and there was nothing made known to these men but what will be made known to all the Saints of the last days, so soon as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is prepared to communicate them, even to the weakest of the Saints; therefore let the Saints be diligent in building the Temple, and all houses which they have been, or shall hereafter be, commanded of God to build; and wait their time with patience in all meekness, faith, perseverance unto the end, knowing assuredly that all these things referred to in this council are always governed by the principle of revelation. (Joseph Smith, May 4, 1842, TPJS, p. 237; DHC 5:1-2)
It is one thing to receive knowledge by the voice of God, (‘This is my beloved Son’ & c.) and another to know that you yourself will be saved, to have a positive promise of your own salvation is making your Calling and Election sure, viz. the voice of Jesus saying, “My beloved, thou shalt have eternal life.” Brethren never cease struggling until you get this evidence. Take heed both before and after obtaining this more sure word of Prophecy. (Joseph Smith, June 11, 1843, “Howard and Martha Coray notebook,” Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat & Cook, p. 208)
He [Brigham Young] also remarked that if any in the Church had the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood, he did not know it. For any person to have the fullness of that priesthood, he must be a king and priest. A person may have a portion of that priesthood, the same as governors or judges of England have power from the king to transact business; but that does not make them kings of England. A person may be anointed king and priest long before he receives his kingdom. (Joseph Smith’s record of a meeting with the Quorum of the Twelve in Philadelphia, Sunday August 6, 1843, DHC 5:527)
Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election made sure. (Joseph Smith, August 13, 1843, TPJS, p. 321)
What was the power of Melchizedek? Was it not [the] Priesthood of Aaron & c. — a king and a priest to the most high God. A perfect law of Theocracy holding keys of power and blessings stood as God to give laws to the people. Administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam, kingly powers of anointing —
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He shall send Elijah — law revealed to Moses in Horeb—never was revealed to the Children of Israel and he shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. — anointing and sealing—called, elected, and made sure — without father & c. — a priesthood which holds the priesthood by right from the Eternal Gods. (Joseph Smith, 27 August 1843, “Joseph Smith Diary by Willard Richards,” Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat & Cook, p. 244)
That [Priesthood] of Melchizedek who had still greater power even power of an endless life of which was our Lord Jesus Christ which also Abraham obtained by the offering of his son Isaac which was not the power of a Prophet nor apostle nor Patriarch only but of [a] King and Priest to God, to open the windows of Heaven and pour out the peace & Law of endless life to man & No man can attain to the Joint Heirship with Jesus Christ without being administered to by one having the same power & Authority of Melchizedek. (Joseph Smith, August 27, 1843, “Franklin D. Richards ‘Scriptural Items,’” Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat & Cook, p. 245)
The Prophet Joseph Smith] then read the 7th chapt. Hebrews. Salem is designed for a Hebrew term. It should be Shiloam, which signifies righteousness and peace: as it is, it is nothing—neither Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, nor any other language.
I say to all those who are disposed to set up stakes for the Almighty, You will come short of the glory of God.
To become a joint heir of the heirship of the Son, one must put away all his false traditions.
I prophesy and bear record this morning that all the combined powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot ever overthrow or overcome this boy, for I have a promise from the eternal God.
If I have sinned, I have sinned outwardly; but surely I have contemplated the things of God.
Respecting the Melchizedek Priesthood, the sectarians never professed to have it; consequently they never could save any one, and would all be damned together. There was an Episcopal priest who said he had the priesthood of Aaron, but had not the priesthood of Melchizedek and I bear testimony that I never have found the man who claimed the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The power of the Melchizedek priesthood is to have the power of “endless lives;” for the everlasting covenant cannot be broken.
The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out judgments and destructions.
The sectarian world are going to hell by hundreds, by thousands and by millions.
There are three grand orders of priesthood referred to here.
1st. The King of Shiloam (Salem) had power and authority over that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless life. Angels desire to look into it, but they have set up too many stakes. God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law from Moses.
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law.
What was the power of Melchizedek? ‘Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.
Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a priesthood.
Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.
“Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually.” The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right from the eternal God, and not by descent from father and mother; and that priesthood is as eternal as God Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.
The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal authority. Go to and finish the temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood.
The 3rd is what is called the Levitical Priesthood, consisting of priests to administer in outward ordinance, made without an oath; but the Priesthood of Melchizedek is by an oath and covenant.
The Holy Ghost is God’s messenger to administer in all those priesthoods.
Jesus Christ is the heir of this Kingdom—the only begotten of the Father according to the flesh, and holds the keys over all this world.
Men have to suffer that they may come upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the heavens.
I know a man that has been caught up to the third heavens, and can say, with Paul, that we have seen and heard things that are not lawful to utter. (Prophet Joseph Smith, August 27, 1843, TPJS, 321-323; DHC, 5:554-556)
I [Joseph Smith] told them I wanted an exploration of all that mountain country. Perhaps it would be best to go direct to Santa Fe. “Send twenty-five men: let them preach the Gospel wherever they go. Let that man go that can raise $500, a good horse and mule, a double barrel gun, one barrel rifle, and the other smooth bore, a saddle and bridle, a pair of revolving pistols, bowie knife, and a good sabre. Appoint a leader, and let them beat up for volunteers. I want every man that goes to be a king and a priest. When he gets on the mountains he may want to talk with his God; when with the savage nations have power to govern, &c. (Joseph Smith, referring to the fact that some men in the Church had indeed been anointed and sealed “kings and priests,” February 23, 1844, DHC 6:224)
Those who . . . come here [the Nauvoo Temple] and have received their washing & anointing will [later, if faithful], be ordained Kings & Priests, and will then have received the fullness of the Priesthood, all that can be given on earth. For Brother Joseph said he had given us all that could be given to man on the earth. (Heber C. Kimball Journal, kept by William Clayton, 26 December 1845, Church Archives, Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat & Cook, p. 304)
It will be seen by the above diagram that there are kingdoms of all sizes, an infinite variety to suit all grades of merit and ability. The chosen vessels unto God are the kings and priests that are placed at the head of these kingdoms. These have received their washings and anointings in the temple of God on this earth; they have been chosen, ordained, and anointed kings and priests, to reign as such in the resurrection of the just. Such as have not received the fulness of the priesthood, (for the fulness of the priesthood includes the authority of both king and priest) and have not been anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown. Many are called to enjoy a celestial glory, yet few are chosen to wear a celestial crown, or rather, to be rulers in the celestial kingdom. (Orson Hyde, “A Diagram of the Kingdom of God.” Millennial Star 9:23, January 15, 1847)
There are but few here who received the endowment that was given in the Temple at Kirtland; many of those who did receive it are dead, quite a number are turned away, for the apostasy was very great in those days considering the number of the people, hence there are but few now with us who partook of that endowment. There are still other endowments that were given to a very few in Nauvoo, and which we do not give here at present, but which will be given to the faithful when that Temple is finished, if not before. (Heber C. Kimball, April 6, 1863, JD 10:163)
Anointings, Sealings & Endowments December 26th, 1866
The subject of the Endowments and Second Anointing was presented when President Young said that the order of the Second Anointing was for the persons to be anointed to be clothed in their priestly robes, the man upon the right hand and wife or wives upon the left hand. The administrator may be dressed in his usual clothing or in his priestly robes as he may see fit. The meeting should be opened by prayer, then the administrator should anoint the man a King and Priest unto the Most High God. Then he should anoint his wife or wives Queens and Priestess[es] unto her husband. There should be but one man anointing at any one meeting. If more than one man is anointed in a day, they should come together and open by prayer as though there had not been any meeting before and thus continue to the end.
President Young said when a woman was anointed a Queen to a good man and he died and the woman was sealed to another man for time it was not necessary for her to be anointed a Queen again, but if she was anointed a Queen to a man who was not worthy of a wife and she is sealed to another man she should be anointed a Queen unto him. When a good man dies and his wives have not been anointed Queens unto him, they may be anointed Queens to him after his death without a proxy. (Diary of Wilford Woodruff, December 26, 1866)
Signs & Second Anointing January 2nd, 1867
It was decided by President Young that we dress and offer up the signs of the Holy Priesthood before we give the second anointing, and only anoint one man and his wives in one day at one place. (Diary of Wilford Woodruff, January 2, 1867)
Second Anointings February 26th, 1867
It was the mind of President Young that we should not anoint only one man and his family at one meeting. If any other women are to be anointed to another man it must be at a separate meeting. There may [be] two meetings in a day at one place. (Diary of Wilford Woodruff, February 26, 1867)