3. b. incongruity between a situation developed in a drama and the accompanying words or actions that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play —called also dramatic irony, tragic irony
For those who may not know, the church has excommunicated the man named Denver C. Snuffer Jr. I’m sure you’ve heard his name on here a few times. I have been pondering the situation and I have a few thoughts I’d like to share about the Drama that has been unfolding before our eyes.
As many of you know, at the time of Moses, Israel lost the higher priesthood because, “they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence.”
And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel; (D&C 84:18–26)
The prophet Joseph spoke of the Aaronic Priesthood in this manner:
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.
It makes sense that the Melchizedek represents blessings, and the Aaronic Cursings. Covenants have both, well efficacious covenants do.
Denver has been speaking along the Mormon Corridor if you haven’t already heard. In his latest discourse on Priesthood he stated the following about the Aaronic Priesthood:
If you go to Doctrine and Covenants section 1 there is this interesting set of verses beginning with verse eight: “And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure—Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.” [These are all negative. These are all sealing up unto destruction. These are all condemnations. These are all in a word, Aaronic. But remember the Aaronic priesthood is not without hope, because within it is the power to baptize, which is an ordinance of hope. But primarily the purpose of the Aaronic priesthood is to condemn. When you think of condemning, therefore, you should think of Aaronic authority.] p 18
Many have stated their belief in Denver having a divine commission from the Lord, it is a serious matter that should be pondered. Is the Lord declaring truth through Denver?
Denver continues,
…when the Lord puts in motion His hand and begins to declare the truth again by His servants, and He offers a message that needs to be received, but it is not received by those to whom it is offered, the results are: “they refused to receive the blessing or knowledge that is offered to them, and therefore they will be damned.” Damned in the sense they hedge up the way, they limit the ability of God to confer upon them what they might have received. They partake of the sufferings of the damned, because the pain of the mind is exquisite when they realize that they have not laid hold upon what God freely offered to give unto them. And therefore they are their own condemner and they are their own judge.
Continuing: “The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law.”
Note that! Can you imagine?! If the children of Israel in that day, were cursed by God because they said Moses must talk to God and not us, how much greater must be the damnation upon those who say, you must not talk to God because we have one who does so for you! Who preach: you’re not entitled to receive anything beyond the bonds of your limited position, in this beehive we’ve constructed! Damnable heresy! Doctrines of devils! Propounded by those who are purveyors of a false priestcraft! Unauthorized by God! Unsanctioned by Him! They suffer not themselves to enter in, and they will hedge up the way if you will heed them. There is no man on his own errand in this world, who can offer to you salvation. But if God sends a message you better heed it, even if you find it difficult to hear.
Continuing: “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 fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings.” [This is because the Aaronic portion only holds limited authority and is given for judgments and destruction. The Melchizedek is given instead for blessing and giving life. When someone claims to hold Melchizedek priesthood but they use it in order to offer up judgment, and condemnation, control, compulsion, and authority over the souls of men, you can mark it as a sign that they hold no such authority. If they refuse to constrain themselves, to use persuasion only, and gentleness and meekness then you know by that sign alone that you are listening to an Aaronic and not a Melchizedek authority (if they have authority at all). Because the office and the authority and the keys of the Melchizedek is given by God to a man to bless, to enlighten, to raise you up8 by bringing to you light and truth, which is the glory of God, or intelligence. (See D&C 93: 36.)
Continuing: “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.” [Because once again there is always an underlying genealogical function. It is always going to become familial by restoring a broken family tie. It has always been “turning the hearts of the children back to the fathers.” The final father in that chain being Adam, the first man.] p 19-20
Wowzers! That’s powerful! It reminds me of a post from Denver a while back about the events transpiring in his life.
There are laws ordained before the foundation of the world. The church must act in accordance with one law, and I must act in accordance with another for the purposes of the Lord to be fulfilled. Don’t think you can foresee what the Lord has already ordained. It will follow His pattern, and there will be consequences. Be of good cheer. I am.
I have been of good cheer. I find the letter from Denver appealing his excommunication to have some very interesting phrasing and I thought I might type it here for you all to read.
I have honored my covenants. I was and am worthy of a Temple Recommend. There is nothing amiss in my behavior involving my family, the community, or church. I have written an honest account of what our history might look like if viewed from the perspective of scripture and prophecy. In it I make no conclusions, merely suggesting a different possible narrative. On almost every topic I leave it to the reader to decide after bringing out a “tie” in the material. The book has helped dozens, perhaps, hundreds, of individuals retain their membership. It is an inspiring book and has done actual good for many wounded individuals.
The course of events makes it clear that the Stake, the Seventy and the Twelve have all been involved and bear some responsibility for this outcome. I need to afford the First Presidency the opportunity to bear responsibility as well. Therefore I am appealing the decision to you.
I would appreciate it if you would consider reversing the outcome. But if not then you should add your own “Amen” to this proceeding. This is an important moment in the restoration. I hope you take it with the appropriate seriousness required by the trust given you, the importance of restraint by those holding priesthood office, and the measure required of you in judgement by the Lord.
Could it be that Denver is wresting the authority from the appointed hierarchy as did John the Baptist? “John wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power and the glory from the Jews by the holy anointing and decree of heaven.” That’s from The Teachings the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 276. Could the “amen” given from the First Presidency actually be an “Amen to the priesthood or the authority of [those men]?
That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. (D&C 121:36–37)
These are all in a word,Aaronic. It reminds us that we should follow the counsel from the Savior
Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgment For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (JST Matt 7:1–2)
So now we are left with a choice. Was Denver rightfully excommunicated? Was the judgement just? If so, then Denver needs to repent. If the judgement was unjust and unrighteous then the Stake, the Seventy, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the First Presidency have condemned themselves. They will receive the judgement they have judged, and the measure they have met. It is tragic irony.
It sounds like the stuff foretold by prophets long ago. Is it any wonder why they could not resist speaking of our day.
For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. (3 Nephi 21:9)
3. b. incongruity between a situation developed in a drama and the accompanying words or actions that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play —called also dramatic irony, tragic irony
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