The following are excerpts from the book “The Voice of the Seventh Angel”.
The world is divided into two powers
The world is divided into two powers, whose standards have been set up from the beginning, and during the past six thousand years the character of all mankind has been determined, and will be judged according to their works and by the ensign under which they have enlisted.
Beings of a telestial order can never practice a celestial law in righteousness, until they have kept all the former commandments, or those which constitute the terrestrial law.
What are the names of the standards which represent the two powers? One is the gospel of the Son of God, bringing in the order of heaven, and the reign of peace and righteousness. The other is the order of secret abominations—the mode of governing mankind by the means of terrible oaths and by the law of force (arms). The one differs from the other, not only in spirit, but also in the system of their respective governments,—the former representing the true spirit of liberty and freedom; the latter binds the soul with wicked oaths. The one is united on the principle of love to God, and the welfare of all his creatures; the other has a unity built upon the most wicked and abominable oaths, which are nothing more than a Satanic substitute for the order of heaven.
What are we to understand by the gospel of the Son of God? It is a divine law which gives to everyone an opportunity to obtain a knowledge of God, and to lay hold of eternal life.
What is the order of the Son of Perdition or that gospel which is not a gospel? It is a system of rules and degrees administered by wicked oaths; destroying manhood and making them slaves to some promised great secret, which is in reality a great flattery and a lie. It chains freedom, blights the mind, binds the soul, destroys the earth, and secures eternal death; yea, under its withering influence mankind have been cursed from the beginning.
Then the institution of the law of eternal life and the period of probation, comprehends the grand question of man’s development this ability to choose his future? Yes, in this point of time divided off from eternal duration, this law was placed before all mankind, giving each an opportunity to obtain everlasting life or death.
Freedom Required to Restore Gospel
We are to understand that as the Romish Church was a terrible barrier to freedom and liberty, it became necessary to curtail her power; or, the pure and simple principles which had been taught by the Son of God could no more have place among the people—hence, the discovery of the Western Continent, and the immigration of the oppressed and the persecuted, and the declaration of American independence, were great and mighty steps, which made it possible to restore the Everlasting Gospel again to the inhabitants of the earth in all its native simplicity and glory—thus preparing the way for that glorious reign of peace and righteousness by the Father and the Son.
What is the abomination that maketh desolate? It is the power and works of secret combinations, which are incompatible with the spirit of freedom, and subversive of the regulations and power of all true governments and must inevitably bring destruction.
Every law of each kingdom of glory, can only be practiced in righteousness by beings of the same order
Then during the seven thousand years it will be determined and fixed who will be able and worthy to judge and govern this earth, with all the inhabitants thereof eternally? Yes, and who shall dwell in the presence of God and nearest the eternal throne of that kingdom which breaketh in pieces all other kingdoms. Or in other words it will be determined who shall receive a Celestial or Terrestrial, or Telestial glory. Also, those who cannot abide a kingdom of glory; which will cause an eternal separation between the beings of light and glory, and those beings who love darkness rather than light.
Then the worlds have been judged and rewarded all through the six thousand years? Yes, but during the seven thousand years a final decision will be reached, or the Supreme Court will be in session.
There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of this world upon which all blessings are predicated and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
In your church covenant of April 6th 1830 certain blessings were promised on conditions that you comply with the requirements then given,—that is to heed all my words and commandments which I have given unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.
In 1832 you were called upon to repent and remember the new covenant, even, the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given you, not only to say but to do according to that which I have written; at that time the whole church was under condemnation, because they treated lightly the things they had received.
Again in 1834 the promise of 1830 is reiterated with a decree, that inasmuch as you will harken to observe all the words; which I the Lord God shall speak unto you ye shall prevail against mine enemies until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given to the Saints to possess it forever and ever; but inasmuch as ye keep not my commandments and harken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against you.
Do you at this time as a people expect a deliverance from God? If so, you must comply with the terms, they remain the same as when given.
I will ask you this question, have you as a people ever treated lightly the former commandments since you came to dwell in these valleys? Have you ever laid aside the new covenant even the Book of Mormon and took counsel of man? Why is it that you are in bondage? Why is it that mine enemies have power over you? Is it not because you have tried to accomplish the latter commandments, and did not keep all the former ones, or those given previous to September 1832? Or is it not because you left the foundation work, (commandments) undone and commenced at the top, to put on the spire first before the body (people) were ready to receive it? Have you not tried a celestial law to place it in a telestial kingdom, for to be practiced by telestial beings, yea, by some who cannot even abide a telestial law? In this are ye justified? Who is the author of this confusion?
Remember every law of each kingdom of glory, can only be practiced in righteousness by beings of the same order and ability, viz. beings of a telestial order can never practice a celestial law in righteousness, until they have kept all the former commandments, or those which constitute the terrestrial law (the laws of my church). You as a people have not endured these laws and commandments, consequently, are not yet established upon My Rock and the gates of hell prevail against you.
You were commanded to endure in the church laws to the end, or to the coming of the Son of Man, but instead of doing this you took the counsel of man, and began to practice the celestial law, without a proper preparation and before you were commanded as a people, you have brought down the highest degree of the celestial glory on the telestial plain and even below it in many instances— and what is the result? Has it lifted you as a people or even as individuals to that highest celestial level, or have you, by doing these things, brought upon you sorrow, bondage, and death?
You will find that all the former commandments—the first as well as the intermediate laws—the telestial and terrestrial, must be kept and fulfilled, before you can accomplish the celestial; for it is impossible for you to keep the higher before you have kept the lower, and is it not reasonable that such is the true order of advancement?
You must step up to the level of these laws and not seek to bring the laws of glory, even the highest degree, down to your level (no matter who may have given you such counsel), because each of these laws of glory are happiness and life to those, only, who are able to abide them in whatever degree.
The command is given by the Son—Be ye therefore perfect, even as the Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Then, is it possible for man to become perfect as God is perfect? Yes, otherwise the invitation would be nothing less than a grand mockery to all intelligent beings.
What is the standard of Perfection? It consists in a complete understanding of that principle by which all things are known and governed whether in heaven or on earth or throughout the immensity of space beyond which point there is nothing more to be known. It also consists in an element which is more beautiful and stronger than the power that knowledge can give—It is that of perfect Love. These two attributes are inseparably joined together and constitute the grand moving power by which all things and all worlds are controlled.
What will be the glory and employment of perfect beings? It consists in handling the powers of the heavens and earths and ruling the inhabitants thereof; and in teaching mankind the law of happiness and the order of eternal life. The joy of the Father is the obedience of his Only-Begotten Son, and the glory of the Son is to do the will of the Father being at one with him in all his light and love and glory.
What is the glory of those beings who are only perfect in part? They are made partakers of the celestial blessings, even as the moon receiveth her light from the sun, and their happiness and employment consists in administering blessings to those who are less perfect; and also in the execution of the law going forth from Zion and in declaring the word of the Lord, who reigns in Jerusalem.
What is the glory and employment of the beings who are found less perfect? It is represented by the light of the stars and their occupations are just as diversified, even as you behold the world of mankind at the present hour and their joy and happiness consists in the administration of the Law of Zion, by the angels of heaven—Let it be understood that in this explanation is comprehended, the complete establishment of the order of heaven and the government of God over all the earth to stand forever and ever.