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...When Adam learned that the way back to God’s presence was through Jesus Christ and that he should be baptized “in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men” (Moses 6:52), he was baptized (see Moses 6:64). Then “the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.
“And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;
“And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.
“Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen” (Moses 6:65–68).
These events clearly show that even in Adam’s time the Savior’s central role in the plan was known and that compliance with divine instruction and participation in prescribed priesthood ordinances was required to be born of God. To become once again a child of God requires a change from a state of sin to a state of righteousness, becoming a new creature, as it were (see Mosiah 27:25–26). The result can be that we, like Adam, are permitted to enjoy the presence of God.
In order for Adam to fulfill his role as patriarch of the human family and provide ordinances for their salvation, it was necessary for him to hold the priesthood with all its attendant keys. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that Adam stood next to Christ in priesthood authority relative to those who have lived on earth: “How have we come at the Priesthood in the last days? It came down in regular succession. Peter, James, and John had it given to them and they gave it to others. Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next” (Teachings, 158). Adam “held its keys from generation to generation” with “Adam receiving his Presidency and authority from the Lord” (Teachings, 169; see also D&C 78:15–16). “The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority. … He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him,” said Joseph Smith (Teachings, 157).
What Modern Revelation Teaches about Adam
Whoa!
“And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;
“And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.
“Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen” (Moses 6:65–68).
These events clearly show that even in Adam’s time the Savior’s central role in the plan was known and that compliance with divine instruction and participation in prescribed priesthood ordinances was required to be born of God. To become once again a child of God requires a change from a state of sin to a state of righteousness, becoming a new creature, as it were (see Mosiah 27:25–26). The result can be that we, like Adam, are permitted to enjoy the presence of God.
In order for Adam to fulfill his role as patriarch of the human family and provide ordinances for their salvation, it was necessary for him to hold the priesthood with all its attendant keys. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that Adam stood next to Christ in priesthood authority relative to those who have lived on earth: “How have we come at the Priesthood in the last days? It came down in regular succession. Peter, James, and John had it given to them and they gave it to others. Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next” (Teachings, 158). Adam “held its keys from generation to generation” with “Adam receiving his Presidency and authority from the Lord” (Teachings, 169; see also D&C 78:15–16). “The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority. … He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him,” said Joseph Smith (Teachings, 157).
What Modern Revelation Teaches about Adam
Whoa!
