| 1098 on a subject that seems now to many to be wrapped in obscurity and involved in mystery. It has been remarked frequently that we are in eternity, and that we have now begun to live for ever. A great many are at a loss to understand how it is that we have begun to live for ever, and how we are connected with eternity. The remarks are certainly novel; and in order to get at the subject, it will be necessary for us to investigate in some measure the meaning of the word eternity. I do not know but that on entering upon this subject, I should have to take notice of certain remarks made by me last Sabbath in relation to the everlasting unchangeable principles of the gospel; but as every principle pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal, it all has a relevancy to the subject about which we are now speaking.-The same principles that now exist in relation to the gospel, existed in the varions [various] dispensations, that have been in being in the different ages of the world; they existed in the days of Moses, and in Enoch's day, and in the days of Adam; and they existed in eternity, in the mind of God, before this world rolled into existence, or the morning stars sung together, or the sons of God shouted for joy. When we speak of these things, we have reference, not so much to our existence here on the earth, as we have with regard to principle; principles relative to our coming into existence in this time, to live upon the face of the world a few years.
But although we came into existence here, we existed thousands of ages before we came here; we only came here to live on this stage of action, wherein we are to work out our probation, and to prepare ourselves for the eternal courts of glory and a celestial kingdom of God. Time is a short space, between, or in eternity. Eternity existed before time was, and will exist when time will cease; and so did we. It takes the body and the spirit to make the soul of man, or man a "living soul." Jesus existed thousands of years before he came here; and so did we, a body was prepared him; and a body has been prepared for us; and although the body may be killed or die, the spirit cannot, and as Jesus lived before he had his body; he lived also after his body was slain and inanimate. He had power to lay down his life or body and power to take it up again, and where did his power exist if he was dead? Our Savior spoke on a certain occasion, on the last great day of the feast, and said "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live, and he that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." But what has become of those that were then in existence who heard and believed these things, and to whom he did then address himself?-Are they living in their tabernacles, here upon the earth? Or, have they not, long since slept with their Fathers, and their bodies have mouldered [moldered] with their mother earth, to wait for the resurrection of the dead. This is the precise situation of those individuals, and yet our Savior made use of the same kind of language with regard to eternity, or living for ever, says he, "He that liveth and believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and he that liveth and believeth shall never die."
There is faith and power connected with the gospel of Jesus Christ, whereby the sleeping dead shall burst the barriers of the tomb as Jesus did. "He that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die" They have begun to live a life that is eternal, they have got in possession of eternal principles. They have partaken of the everlasting priesthood which is eternal;-without beginning of days or end of years.-They have become familiar with eternal things, and understand matters pertaining to their future destiny, and are in possession of an exalted glory. They have become familiar with all these things and consequently their life is hid with Christ in God; Christ lives and he in them, and they in him. Though he is dead, he ever liveth to make intercession for us, and all who partake of the same spirit, live to him and for him and to and for eternity, or in eternal glory; and if other bodies should die as his did, they will be where Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob are waiting for the resurrection of their bodies. "For God is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live unto him."
There is something peculiar in regard to these things, and something that is difficult, to convey right ideas of to man. It is not an easy task, to define, or unfold to man the relationship we have to God, and how it is that our life is hid with Christ in God, as we exist in the glory of the eternal world.
When our bodies molder in the dust, what is it but a sleep for a little while, what says the scriptures, they speak of the sleep of death, the body seems to be worn out, the weary wheels of life stand still, and the body crumbles to the dust; but the spirit possesses life, and mingles with those intelligencies [intelligences] that exist in the eternal world, these persons having the everlasting priesthood still continue to exist and roll forward the great designs of Jehovah. Abraham died so says the scriptures, yet Abraham lives, and long after the time his body mouldered [moldered] in the dust, we find that Lazarus was seen in his bosom.
We read of Adam or Michael if you please, of Gabriel and some others. Who was Michael?
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