TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE TOPICS

1 Table of Contents

2 Preface

5 Quick Overview of the Levels

9 Telestial Level

14 Terrestrial Level

19 Celestial Level

23 Doctrine of Christ

28 Multiple Mortal Probations

35 Conclusion

36 Appendices

37 Appendix 1 Real Life Stories of those who

Experienced Ascending to Level Two

46 Appendix 2 Real Life Stories of those who

Experienced Ascending to Level Three
 PREFACE

WHO AM I?

I am just a regular guy who loves to study the Gospel of

Jesus Christ. My parents were converted and baptized into the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (hereafter referred to
as the LDS Church) when I was but five years old. For the next
75 years I was a constant attendee at said Church.

A little more of my resume. At age 18, I attended Brigham

Young University. As Freshmen we were required to take a
religion course, and I chose Religion 111, Introduction to the
Book of Mormon. After one month of classes the first test was
given in that course, and I received my first and only “F” that I
ever received in my seven years of university work.

Foolishly I had not read the textbook in preference to

studying for the other courses. Immediately upon receiving that
mark I retired to my apartment and began for the first time to
read the Book of Mormon. I did not get through first Nephi
before I felt that that book was either of God or a fraud and
decided to ask God to know the truth. Upon kneeling in earnest
prayer I received what I learned later was a Baptism of Fire that
went from head to feet and stayed with me the rest of the day.

I have since received many reassurances that Jesus is the

Savior, that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet, and that the Gospel
of Jesus Christ is the only way to gain salvation. I developed a
love of the scriptures. I served a mission in the Northern
California Mission and have served two additional missions as
well as serving as a Bishop; served on three Stake High Councils;
was a scoutmaster in three different wards; was a Gospel
Doctrine teacher in those wards; served in various callings with
the Young Men; and served as a Temple Worker for sixteen years.

When the Salt Lake Temple was closed for “refitting” on

December 28, 2019 and upon my release, I wanted to know what
The Lord would have me do. After praying for two and a half
months, The Lord answered me by telling me to write a book on
THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. He helped me to finish it in less
than a month whereupon I had 50 copies printed with the intent
of distributing them to family members and friends which I did.

The book consisted of the following:

The Doctrine of Christ as taught by Jesus Christ when living

among the Jews,
Doctrine of Christ as taught by Jesus Christ as a resurrected
being to the Nephites and ultimately to us,
How the Book of Mormon teaches the Fullness of the Gospel
through the lives of numerous individuals,
Doctrine of Christ as described in the Old Testament and the
Pearl of Great Price,
Conference talks regarding the Doctrine of Christ during the
past 45 years,
The Doctrine of Christ as revealed in the Temple allegory,
Six people’s experience of receiving the Baptism of Fire and
Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

It was a surprise that I had almost no comments on the

books that were handed out. Two individuals that responded in
writing accused me of being an apostate. I was shocked as
most of the book consisted of scriptures. One of the individuals
wrote many pages refuting the doctrine and handed his pages to
the Bishop who called me in to explain what I created. I spent 40
minutes explaining the book which he did not have nor had he
read it. At the end of the meeting he gave me a gag order that I
was not to discuss any of it with anybody in the Ward. I was
perplexed and saddened because 9 of my family members were
in the ward. The next week I was summoned to meet with the
Stake President, and I reasoned that this was not going to go
well.

The Stake President had received the same pages that the
Bishop gave him and he did not want to read the book, instead
he gave me the same gag order to talk with no one in the Stake
about anything in the book. It was so unbelievable that I handed
him my resignation letter which I had previously written feeling
there was nothing good to come from the meeting.

After completing the book, The Lord led me to a true

messenger who explained many things concerning the present
condition of the LDS Church, and the reason that I and many
others with ideas concerning things not taught in the Church,
even though they are scripturally based and were taught by
Joseph Smith, were somehow a threat to the present Church. I
have since gained a much greater understanding of the doctrines
of the true New and Everlasting Covenant which is contained in
the scriptures.

Some of this greater understanding is contained in this

book, and it is my hope that as one reads and prays concerning
the material, it will prove to be an awakening to the individual
thereby providing a means for further ascension during this
eternal round.
OVERVIEW OF LEVELS OF ASCENSION

What is meant by ascension? In the 1828 Webster’s

Dictionary it is defined as, “The act of ascending; a rising. It is
frequently applied to the visible elevation of our Savior to
Heaven”. The LDS Bible Dictionary defines ascension as, “The
formal departure of the Risen Savior from the earth 40 days after
His resurrection”.

For members of the LDS Church the pattern of ascent and

descent are told in the scriptures. In Abraham 3:23-26 it talks of
a pre-existent state of souls who were to descend from a
glorious existence to an earth to be tested, and if proved worthy
they then could ascend to obtain a more glorious existence.
Hence, the reason we are here is to strive to ascend.

Biblical scriptures continue to tell the story of ascent and

descent. When wickedness prevailed on the earth and as the
world descended from righteousness, the Lord destroyed the
wicked, but “lifted up” the righteous (Gen. 7:17). Joseph, son of
Jacob, descended into a pit, but was lifted up or ascended to
command Egypt. Jacob’s posterity descended into slavery only
to ascend to the High Mountain with an opportunity to be in the
presence of God. Jonah descended to the belly of a whale
eventually to ascend and deliver his message. In the Book of
Mormon, King Lamoni, who had descended spiritually, gave his
heart and soul to The Lord and ascended to see his Savior.

Jesus Himself condescends from “The Word made

flesh” (John 1:14), to be born in a manger in the lowliest of
circumstances, then to rise triumphant as a King riding into
Jerusalem on a donkey with people paying respect. He then
condescends allowing Himself to be stripped of honor and
clothing, whipped, spit upon; then to be “lifted up” on the cross.
Further, Christ then condescends to go to the Spirit Prison, and
eventually ascends to His Father to obtain His rewards. These
actions by the Son of God should not be ignored by any of us
who are looking for the greatest rewards that God can give. It
should tell us that if we desire to be raised up or ascend, that
during our mortal probation we will undoubtedly experience the
afflictions and trials necessary for us to be perfected.

In Gen. 28:12 Jacob has a dream (vision) of a ladder from

heaven and of angels ascending and descending. We need to
explore the meaning of this vision to understand the various
levels of ascension. An angel is defined as a messenger of The
Lord. They could be clothed as a mortal, a resurrected being, a
spirit, or a translated being. There are also devils’ angels, and
Satan and his angels do mimic the Lord’s actions; however, we
will not cover the dark side in this writing.

If these righteous angels have the opportunity to ascend

and descend even as Jesus did, it becomes important for us to
understand the purposes and levels of ascension. Let’s begin
by describing the levels. According to the scriptures, Paul
names two levels in 1Cor. 15:40 as Celestial and Terrestrial, but
in verse 41 he indicates three levels. The more complete listing
appears in D&C 76 where it identifies the third level as Telestial.
So level one is a Telestial glory, level two is a Terrestrial glory, and
level three is a Celestial glory. There may be higher levels which
we are not at this time privileged to know of, so we will be
content to explore these three .

As previously noted in Abraham 3:23-26, the purpose of

ascending is to gain glory. Glory is described in D&C 93:36 as
light and truth and intelligence. The opposite of light and truth
would be darkness. It is assumed that all intelligences would be
attracted to light, and therefore would want to ascend. However,
the lord of darkness derails individuals changing their desires for
light.

Continuing in Abraham 3:23-26, the dialogue goes:

“God says, These I will make my rulers; for He stood among
those that were spirits, and He saw that they were good…” How
did they receive the judgment that they were good? Were they
tested on another earth, because it is hard to be tested in the
presence of God. So Abraham was one that was chosen
because he had proved himself; and in verse 27 another who
had proved himself worthy in other lives to be chosen was, “one
like the Son of Man”.

Alma 13:1-9 is a discourse concerning what went on before

becoming a mortal on this earth. We refer to this as a pre-
existence or a pre-life, and it helps us to understand how
Abraham and Jesus Christ had proved themselves worthy to be
chosen. Verse one indicates that in this pre-life The Lord gave
commandments to His children and He ordained Priests to teach
people. How did they receive this special ordination? Verse
three explains that they were called and prepared before this
earth was created, and it was because of their exceeding faith
and good works when they were LEFT (out of the presence of
God) to choose good or evil.

So some chose good and exercised great faith and received

a preparatory redemption which carried over to their next
mortality (see Multiple Mortal Probations beginning on page 28).
Verse four tells about those who would reject the Spirit of God
because of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their
minds even though they all started out on equal footing in
previous lives.

We continue to see that same thing happening as we live in

this mortality. There exists both good and evil. As a mortal
exercising our agency we are free to choose which course of
action we will take in many situations. Depending upon our faith
and diligence we can be called and chosen by God to ascend to
the higher levels to perform greater works, or we might be left to
continue making the same unwise decisions in a lower level or a
Telestial earth as a mortal again and again for long time. (see
Multiple Mortal Probations).

So as Heavenly Father and Mother once went through this

process and choose to ascend, they are making it possible for
their children to have the same opportunity to choose to ascend.
The extent of ascension we are told in the scriptures is to
becoming like them. In the King Follett discourse Joseph Smith
made this declaration:

“When you climb a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and
ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; so it is with the
principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on
until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great
while after you have passed through the veil before you will have
learned them. It is not to be comprehended in this world; it will
be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond
the grave.”
 LEVEL ONE — THE TELESTIAL GLORY

Being born here on this earth represents a telestial life.

Satan is the ruler in this hell or telestial world. This life presents
tests to find if we will exercise faith necessary to find our way to
ascend to a Terrestrial level.

One of the best examples that show this is found in the

beginning of the book of Mormon (1 Nephi 8) where Lehi had a
vision of the tree of life. He first saw a dark and dreary
wilderness and was led about by a man dressed in a white robe.
This was Lehi’s experience during his years with the Jewish
religion up to that time. The man in a white robe was Satan.
Upon praying Lehi was led to the tree of life which many feel
represents Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of God is given to all mortals as they are born into
this world. Some equate it to our conscience, and it motivates
our behaviors toward good choices. It can be dimmed through
poor choices. It is also likened to light which grows brighter as
one follows it. It is the light that emanates from God that lights
every man and can grow brighter as one connects or obeys it.
The greatest intensity comes as one receives the Gift of the Holy
Ghost. This is given when one is obedient to the Doctrine of
Christ (broken heart and a contrite spirit) and receive the Baptism
of water, Fire, and Holy Ghost. God has given all mankind
agency to act for themselves.

During this first level or Telestial experience one utilizes their

agency in various activities of mortal life such as eating, sleeping,
working, learning, socializing, etc. Some use their agency to do
positive or good things, while others attempt to take advantage
of people by doing negative or bad things. Many seem to go
through this mortal experience somewhat benign doing no good,
yet doing no evil.

————————————————————
Please excuse a personal experience that helped me to
better understand what I have written above. About two years
ago, I had an open vision relating to this. I was told to write it
down. I titled it the parable of the escalator. It goes like this:

I saw a huge multistory building. People were entering this

building on the first floor in which there was a multiplicity of
things to do. In addition to the floors above, there was a
basement. I then noticed that there was a escalator; however, it
only went one way, down. In order to get to the upper floors one
had to climb up the downward escalator.

Some parents wanted to get their children off the first floor, and
to do this, they led their children over to the downward escalator
and had to teach them how to climb up. The reason they wanted
to get to the second floor was to obtain more knowledge and
less temptations. Unfortunately, there were some parents stuck
in the basement (Babylon) who also allowed their children to
roam there. These individuals can escape up the escalator if
someone (missionaries) point the way and teach them how to
climb. Missionaries were also on the ground floor to lead people
to the second floor.

Although there are many who have found their way to the second
floor and find joy staying there and making friends; some feel that
there is more to experience on the next floor up, and that the
sacrifices of ascending up the downward escalator and perhaps
losing friends and even some family members is worth the
challenge and begin climbing.

The climb to the third floor must be accomplished through a

great desire and a total submission to a voice that leads them
ever upward. The climb is steep and narrow and one only
completes the climb by being strictly obedient to the voice which
has become a beacon of light to that individual.

At both the second and third floors there are certain tasks to
perform and because of these tasks and sacrifices, many either
pause or get back on the downward escalator to lower, more
comfortable levels.

If one is totally obedient to the voice, on the third floor and desire
with all their heart to meet the voice, they then climb the
escalator to the fourth floor, where they will meet the one who
was leading them upward. They will meet the person face-to-
face and find exceeding joy!

This joy is everlasting and can only be lost if one rejects or denies
all they have experienced. If that is the case, there is a one-way
elevator on the fourth floor that goes down nonstop to the sub-
basement (perdition).

———————————————————

This first level of ascension is described in the scriptures as

the telestial glory. This is talked about in D&C 76:81-90.

“And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that
of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the
glory of the moon in the firmament. These are they who
received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus.
These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. These are they who
are thrust down to hell. These are they who shall not be
redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord,
even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished His work. These are
they who received not of His fulness in the eternal world, but of
the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the Terrestrial; And the
Terrestrial through the ministration of the Celestial. And also the
telestial receive it of the administering of angels who are
appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be
ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of salvation.
And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial,
which surpasses all understanding; And no man know it except
him to whom God has revealed it.”

This explains the glory of the telestial; however, it does not

fully identify the individuals who will inhabit a telestial kingdom.
This is explained in the next verses beginning with D&C
76:99-106.

“For these are they who say they are of Paul, and of Apollos, and
of Cephas. These are they who say they are of one and some of
another—some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses,
and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and
some of Enoch; But receive not the gospel, neither the
testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting
covenant. Last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered
with the saints, to be caught up unto the Church of the Firstborn,
and received into the cloud. These are they who are liars, and
sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever
loves and makes a lie. These are they who suffer the wrath of
God on earth. These are they who suffer the vengeance of
eternal fire. These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer
the wrath of the Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when
Christ shall have subdued all enemies under His feet, and shall
have perfected His work.”

To summarize this level it consists of a large proportion of

the earth’s inhabitants. They failed to seek out how to ascend to
the second level. The key is to live the new and everlasting
covenant described in D&C 22 and 39. Unless one is Baptized of
water, fire, and the Holy Ghost, they are not SAVED until they
have ascended to level two. This Telestial glory consists of
individuals who were just plain bad as well as those who were
engaged in good service, but were blinded by the precepts of
men (i.e, those of Paul, Apollo, etc.)

Viewing the Children of Israel (the Lord’s people) during the

time of Moses gives us a glimpse of a group of people who were
given opportunities to ascend. They had the privilege of
ascending the Mountain of the Lord, but would not. They would
rather have a prophet tell them what the Lord wants; hence, the
High Priesthood was taken away from the children of Israel, and
they were given the preparatory gospel and the lesser Priesthood
which does not save people. The baptism of water administered
by the Aaronic Priesthood is not a saving ordinance. This pattern
has been repeated many times with the Lord’s peoples both in
the book of Mormon as well as in today’s society.
LEVEL TWO— THE TERRESTRIAL GLORY

The second level of ascension is the Terrestrial Glory. This

level is presided over by the Lord Jesus Christ. Those individuals
meeting the minimum requirement are candidates for this level.
The minimum requirement is the new and everlasting covenant or
the Doctrine of Christ which is stated by the resurrected Christ in
3 Nephi 9:17-20:

“And as many as have received me, to them have I given to

become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall
believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and
in me the law of Moses fulfilled. I am the light and the life of the
world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And
ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea,
your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I
will accept none of your sacrifices and burnt offerings. And ye
shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite
spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a
contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost,
even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of
their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost,
and they knew it not.” (The reason they knew it not was
because they did not know what to call it; however they knew
that they were redeemed, they spoke with tongues, saw angels,
and were encircled by fire).

Those meeting the above requirement and ascending to the

second level are able to receive the following great blessings as
described in the scriptures:

1. They become the sons and daughters of Christ.

2. They receive a new name, even the name of Christ.
3. They receive a remission of their sins.
4. They receive the first order of the Melchizedek Priesthood
also known as the Apostolic Priesthood.
5. They become members of the Church of Christ.
6. They have the opportunity to be tutored by angels on how
to advance to level three.
7. They will receive the Gifts of the Spirits.
8. Their blood is changed. They shall be numbered among the
House of Israel.
9. They are delivered from the bondage of sin.
10. They are able to attend the Wedding Feast.
11. They become the wheat described in the Parable of the
wheat and tares.
12. They receive great joy.

Each of the above are noted in the following scriptures:

Mosiah 5:7-9, the people present during King Benjamin’s address

that received the new covenant became 1. the sons and
daughters of Christ, and 2. received the new name of Christ”.

Mosiah 4:3, they 3. received a remission of their sins.

3 Nephi 11:19-22 After Nephi and the twelve obeyed the

covenant (Doctrine of Christ, verses 32,35,39,40), they 4.
received the power necessary to baptize people into this second
level.

3 Nephi 27:5-8 After the disciples baptized people they 5.

became members of The Church of Christ. Also see D&C 20:1,
38, 61, 68, 70,71, 80, 81.

Helaman 5:48 The 300 that received the Baptism of Fire and
Baptism of the Holy Ghost were 6. ministered unto by angels.
Alma 9:21 After a people, “Having been visited by the Spirit of
God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken
unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy,
and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, 7. the gift of
speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of
the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation…”

Joseph Smith said that the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a
gentile is to 8. purge out the old blood and make him actually of
the seed of Abraham. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
pp.149-150). 3 Nephi 16:13 = “But if the gentiles will repent and
return unto me, saith The Father, behold they shall be numbered
among my people, O house of Israel”.

Mosiah 5:2 “And they all cried with one voice, saying: yea, we
believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also,
we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the
Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in
our hearts, that 9. we have no more disposition to do evil, but to
do good continually”.

Matt. 25:1-12 and D&C 45:56-57 The parable of the ten virgins
indicate that the wise received the truth and have taken the Holy
Spirit for their guide (The Gift of the Holy Ghost), 10. They were
able to attend the Wedding Feast.

D&C 86 The Lord explains the parable of the wheat and tares.
He says “the field is the world, and the apostles were the sowers
of the seed; And after they have fallen asleep, Satan soweth the
tares; and wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the
church into the wilderness. But behold, in the last days, even
now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the
blade is springing up and is yet tender—Pluck not up the tares
while the blade is yet tender, lest you destroy the wheat also.
Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the
harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from
among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold
and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to
be burned. 11. The wheat is currently being gathered out
through the Doctrine of Christ.

Helaman 5:44 As they were in the midst of a flaming fire, “they

were filled with 12 that joy which is unspeakable and full of
glory.”

The baptism of water must be done by a person who has

been ordained to the First Order of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
The confirmation of that baptism comes when the baptized
person receives the Baptism of Fire, Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

This order of the Priesthood is not always on the earth.

There must be an open dispensation for this to take place (See
D&C 84:21), and a person that is authorized with the Fullness of
the Priesthood to administer the baptism. The Aaronic
Priesthood can administer the preparatory priesthood, that which
the children of Israel had; however, that baptism was not a saving
ordinance.

The LDS Church lost the one person that had the keys of
the Kingdom and the Fulness of the Priesthood when Joseph
Smith was murdered, (D&C 132:7) as there is no record of The
Lord conferring those keys upon anybody else. If the church
members would have faithfully completed the House of the Lord
in Nauvoo the Lord had promised the saints two important
things: (1) He would have restored the Fullness of the Priesthood
to the church and (2) the saints would not have been moved out
of Nauvoo. (see D&C 124:28, 45).

So after Joseph was murdered we had essentially a closed

dispensation with no one that had the Fulness of the Priesthood.
The LDS Church believes that Brigham Young was given the
Keys; however, in his own words, “I am no prophet, I am more of
a yankee guesser”. (JD 5:77)

Since The Lord specifically stated that the Keys of the

Kingdom were committed to Joseph Smith for the dispensation
of the gospel for the last times (D&C 27:13), they were not given
to any one else and Joseph still retains them. There are other
scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants that indicate that
Joseph will return and open another dispensation with his keys.

One of these is what the Lord calls the parable of

redemption contained in D&C 101:43-62. To be redeemed
something has to be established, then lost, then be reclaimed or
brought back. Such was the case of Zion which was established
in 1829, then lost in 1832 when the church was under
condemnation, then the Lord took His name out of the church in
1834. A servant (Verse 55) will return and reclaim Zion in these
last days. D&C 103:21 tells us that that servant is Joseph Smith
in his second appearance.

Prayer is a key to demonstrate the humility needed to bring

the powers of heaven. Enos is a good example to show this trait.
In Enos (verse 3) he reports that his soul hungered, and he
kneeled down and cried in MIGHTY PRAYER—all the day long
and into the night. The Lord did answer him, and he received a
remission of his sins.

Lehi received his Baptism of Fire and Baptism of the Holy

Ghost after “praying with all his heart in behalf of his people”.

Although this ordinance seems very simple, it requires a lot

of work. The work required is to soften our hearts, and seek to
know what the Lord will require of us in order to prepare us to
receive the Baptism of Fire and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost
 LEVEL THREE — CELESTIAL GLORY

The third level of ascension is known as the Celestial Glory.

This glory is presided over by God The Father. Nephi (2 Nephi
32:1-6) explains what one must do after one ascends to the
second level by following and complying with the Doctrine of
Christ to then qualify to go to the next level:

“And now, my brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in

your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have
entered in by the way. But behold, why do ye ponder these
things in your hearts?

Do Ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had

received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of
angels? And now how could ye speak with the tongue of angels
save it were by the Holy Ghost?

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they

speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast
upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell
you all things what ye should do.

Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot

understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye
knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must
perish in the dark.

For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way,
and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what
ye should do.
Behold, this is the Doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more
doctrine given until after He shall manifest Himself unto you in
the flesh. And when He shall manifest Himself unto you in the
flesh, the things which He shall say unto you shall ye observe to
do.”

Nephi plainly explains that after being Baptized by Fire and

Baptized by the Holy Ghost one’s responsibility is then to ask the
Father concerning their next steps, and then to follow and do
them. Another way of saying this is to seek after revelation,
receive it, and then to follow it.

It seem that one of the requirements to receive revelation is

to have charity. Moroni claims, “And except ye have charity ye
can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God.” (Moroni 10:21)
It seems each of those who did ascend to this level were
blessed with this gift as they immediately became concerned for
others.

Those qualifying for this level are talked about in D&C

76:53-70:

“And who overcome by faith and are sealed up by the Holy

Spirit of Promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those
who are just and true.
They are they who are the Church of the Firstborn.
They are they into whose hands the Father has given all
things
They are they who are priests and kings, who have received
of his fulness, and of his glory;
They are priests of the Most High, after the order of
Melchizedek, which is after the order of Enoch, which is after the
order of the Only Begotten Son.
They are gods, even the sons of God—Wherefore, all things
are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to
come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.
 They shall overcome all things. Wherefore, let no man
glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all
enemies under his feet.
These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ
forever and ever.
These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he
shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his
people.
These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection.
These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of
the just.
These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto
the city of the living God, the Heavenly place, the holiest of all.
These are they who have come to an innumerable company
of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of
the Firstborn.
These are they whose names are written in heaven, where
God and Christ are the judge of all.
These are they who are just men made perfect through
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant who wrought out this
perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.
These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is
that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose
glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.”

In the scriptures some of those who are said to have

ascended to this level by going to the High Mountain or the
seventh heaven are Moses (see Moses 1); Isaiah (see the book
Ascension of Isaiah); Joseph Smith (see D&C 137) who went to
the seventh heaven; Paul who went to the third heaven and
more; Nephi (1 Nephi 11:1); Enoch (Moses 7:23); Abraham
(Apocalypse of Abraham); Phil Davis, (see
TheDoctrineofChrist.com, Phil Davis podcasts, “The Baptism of
the Holy Ghost & Second Comforter Experience).
 Those invited to the High Mountain receive their calling
and election made sure. They become gods and goddesses,
Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses. The men receive the
second order of Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal order.
The women receive the Matriarchal Priesthood. These orders of
the priesthood must be given by permission of the Father by
ordination and sealing.
 DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

After discussing the levels of accession and recognizing the

truths contained therein, the large question to any individual
becomes, “Does one want to ascend to a higher level?” If the
answer to that query is “YES”, then an accompanying question
is, “How does one ascend?” To answer that question one needs
to go to the scriptures.

Jesus had a night visit with a Pharisee (someone high in the

Jewish religion) who wanted to learn more about what Jesus was
doing. Here is the interaction: (John 3:3-7)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is
old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be
born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said
unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

To better understand being born again, we go to the book of

Mormon to someone who was born again of the Spirit. In
Mosiah 27, Alma the younger had become a “wicked and
idolatrous man” and was leading the people away from the Lord.
After much prayer by his father as well as the people of God, an
angel appeared to him striking him dumb and for two days and
two nights he suffered the judgments of God being wracked and
tormented. After prayers and fasting by the people, he was
released from the torment and he stood up and spoke to the
people. These are his words about being born again:
“I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the
Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me:
Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations,
kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of
God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of
righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and
daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless
they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. I
say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast off; and
this I know, because I was like to be cast off. Nevertheless, after
wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the
Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting
burning, and I am born of God.”

The book of Mormon is replete with examples of peoples

being born again using what Nephi explains (in 2 Nephi 31) as the
Doctrine of Christ. First he shows how Jesus leads the way by
being baptized by water, then He receives the Holy Ghost. Nephi
continues in verses 13 and 17, that to enter the gate that leads to
eternal life, one must be Baptized by Water, Fire, and the Holy
Ghost.

In Mosish 3-5, King Benjamin helped his people to become

born again by declaring the words of an angel to them. Three
hundred Lamanites and Nephite dissenters received the Baptism
of Fire and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost told about in Helaman
5.

As previously reviewed on page 14, the resurrected Christ

tells us what is needed to acquire the Baptism of Fire, Baptism of
the Holy Ghost in 3 Nephi 9:17,20.

“And as many as have received me, to them have I given to

become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall
believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and
in me is the law of Moses fulfilled. And ye shall offer for a
sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso
cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will
I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the
Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their
conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and
they knew it not.”

These individuals didn’t know what to call it; however, they

knew something had happened. They were encircled by fire ,
spoke in tongues, and were visited by angels. Other examples
are Enos, whose mighty prayer all day and into the night resulted
in his redemption. King Lamoni, who was willing to give his all
was rewarded with salvation through the Doctrine of Christ. King
Lamoni’s Father had a similar experience.

After Christ’s appearance to the Nephites, they formed the

Church of Christ and those who “did truly repent of their sins,
were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the
Holy Ghost.” (4 Nephi 1:1)

Mormon, in talking to the saints in the last days, invites us to

repent, believe in Christ, and be, “baptized, first with Water, then
with Fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our
Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall
be well with you in the day of judgment.” (Mormon 7:8-10)

Moroni 6:1-4 describes that people were not baptized “save

they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it. Neither
did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a
broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church
that they truly repented of all their sins. And none were received
unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ,
having a determination to serve him to the end. And after they
had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and
cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered
among the people of the Church of Christ.”

The Doctrine and Covenants also speak of being born of the

Water, Fire and the Holy Ghost. See D&C 5:16, 19:31, 20:41,
33:11, 39:6. Most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints believe they have received that baptism with
the command to “Receive the Holy Ghost”. There is a problem =
the above scriptures were given prior to 1832 when the Church of
Christ was condemned (see D&C 84:54-57). In May, 1834 the
Lord took His name out of the Church, and it became The
Church of the Latter Day Saints (see the inscription on the
Kirtland Temple).

Christ gave the saints the opportunity to again receive “the

fullness of the priesthood, (D&C 124:28)” if they would build Him
a House within a certain time frame. But if they failed they would
be rejected as a church (verse 32) and would receive cursings
(verse 48). The Nauvoo temple was never completed, and the
LDS church is still under condemnation without the “fullness of
the Priesthood”.

Like the children of Israel during Moses time and continuing

to 33 AD, the Lord cursed them by taking away the fullness of the
Priesthood, but allowing them to retain the lesser or Aaronic
Priesthood. Without the Higher Priesthood they and the LDS
Church cannot bestow the Baptism of Fire/Baptism of the Holy
Ghost.

The difference between the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood

and the greater or Melchizedek Priesthood can be seen in 3
Nephi 1:23 and 7:19-20 where Nephi the son of Nephi baptized
people, cast out devils, raised his brother from the dead, and did
many miracles with the lesser priesthood. Then in 3 Nephi 11:21
Jesus Christ gave Nephi greater power to baptize people after
Christ ascended again into heaven. This greater or Melchizedek
Priesthood is necessary to follow the exact words as outlined by
the Savior in 3 Nephi 11: 25, 26, & 27.

Then, after speaking of His Doctrine (the Doctrine of Christ)

in 3 Nephi 11:28, 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, & 40; Jesus told the
multitude in 12:1-2 that He had given the power and authority to
Nephi and the twelve to baptize with water, and after they were
baptized by the disciples that had the authority that He gave
them, that He (Jesus) would baptize the people with Fire and the
Holy Ghost.

These scriptures clearly show the following requisites

involved in the Doctrine of Christ.

1. An individual makes a covenant with God of a broken

heart and contrite spirit that they are willing to give their will
completely to God, and God’s covenant to the individual is
that He will baptize them with Fire and the Holy Ghost.

2. The Higher authority is necessary for the baptism to be

approved.

3. The correct words must be used in the prayer (“Having

authority given me of Jesus Christ…”)

4. This can only be accomplished when there are mortals

on the earth that have the Higher Priesthood.

Therefore to summarize, in order to ascend from level one to

any of the higher levels, one must follow the Doctrine of Christ as
JESUS CHRIST has outlined it in the scriptures.
 MULTIPLE MORTAL PROBATIONS

This book on the levels of ascension would not be complete

without a discussion of a doctrine called Multiple Mortal
Probations. This is thought by many as a mystery of God, and
therefore should not be talked about. In the bible dictionary a
mystery is “a spiritual truth that was once hidden but now is
revealed, and that, without special revelation, would have
remained unknown”.

Alma talks about mysteries in Alma 12:9-10:

“It is given to many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless
they are laid under strict command that they shall not impart only
according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the
children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they
give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the
same receiveth the lessor portion of the word; and he that will
not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the
word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until
he know them in full.”

Additionally, in 1 Nephi 10:19:

“For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of
God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy
Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in
times of old, as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the
Lord is one eternal round.”

The Doctrine of Multiple Mortal Probations (hereafter noted

as MMP) is NOT reincarnation as believed by many far east
peoples. It IS living more than one mortal life. The purpose is
to fulfill the plan of God, to grow in light and truth, and to repent
of our character flaws by exercising greater faith until we are
saved in the Kingdom of the Father.
 Although the scriptures denoting MMP are fragmentary, they
can paint a beautiful picture of God’s great mercy when viewed
as a whole. As one reads the scriptures, the term resurrection
appears many times. There are two kinds of resurrection; one is
to return to another mortality, and the other is to gain immortality
to “go out no more”.

“To go out no more” is found in five scriptures in the book of

Mormon and New Testament. This phrase suggests the idea that
there are multiple times we have been judged by God, and sent
out to learn and progress further. If we have chosen good, and
upon passing through all our tribulations and tests, after, however
many times it takes to fulfill the terms of our ascension, we are
judged at the great and last day and “received into the Kingdom
of the Father to go out no more.” See the following scriptures:
Revelation 3:12
Alma 7:25
Alma 29:17
Helaman 3:29-30
3 Nephi 28:40

Speaking of the first kind of resurrection (to another

mortality), D&C 88:15-16 says:
“And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the
resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.”

This says that when a spirit receives a mortal body they then
have a soul. Because of the atonement (see verse 14) the soul
can be redeemed to begin a new birth in innocence for further
growth, this the resurrection of the dead to another mortal
probation until the final resurrection unto a celestial immortal
body. Hence there are two kinds of resurrection, one to another
mortality and one to immortality to “go out no more.”
 Those that do not make it that far (celestial immortality) then
D&C 88:21-24 tells of places where additional mortal probations
can occur for those who could not abide the law of Christ (the
Terrestrial or the Telestial glories).

What about those who did not make it to the New

Jerusalem during the millennium and are in the Spirit Prison?
Continuing in D&C 88:99 :
“And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second
trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ’s
at His coming; who have received their part in that prison which
is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be
judged according to men in the flesh.”

The meaning of the phrase “and to be judged according to

men in the flesh” are those who are freed from prison and are
being redeemed into another mortal life. This is also talked about
in 1 Peter 3:19, 4:6 concerning those who were disobedient
during the days of Noah. When these souls repent they can be
redeemed through the atonement of Christ; however, they must
assert the Doctrine (Law) of Christ in the flesh and must receive a
mortal body to do that. Additional mortalities provide
opportunity to exercise faith necessary to receive and abide by
higher laws, even to the extent of ascending to the Father.

D&C 88:100-101 talks about those who were not able to

abide a Terrestrial law and did not yet accept the gospel in the
Spirit Prison. These spirits must wait in prison until 1,000 years
have ended before they can live again on another earth.

Finally D&C 88:102 tells of a last group who are those spirits
who have no redemption and await the final judgment at the
great and last day. They remain filthy still. Alma 12:18 talks
about them:
“Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no
redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to
God’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more
corruption”.

“No more corruption” means no more mortal lives.

Returning to D&C 88:101; we learn that this group will

have a chance to live again when the 1,000 years are ended.
Understanding that this group has not progressed as much as
those who lived during the millennium they can have a short time
as announced in D&C 29:22 when the Lord will spare a little
season after the millennium. This final season of mortality on the
earth is the last chance to be saved in the Kingdom of the Father
in this eternal round.

Then those who did not qualify for the Celestial Kingdom
and cannot go to the Terrestrial Kingdom because the 1,000
years has ended, and cannot go to the Telestial Kingdom
because the earth has ended and received its’ Celestial Glory,
then according to D&C 88:32, “they shall be quickened” or
promised another mortal probation. They shall “return again to
their own place”, which is living again on a new earth in its
telestial state. These are those who have no willingness to
receive any more than what they have received, and perhaps
they will (and have) continued in these telestial states for several
earths, never willing to receive more, but not sent to outer
darkness either. This state that they want to continue in is
referred to in the scriptures as “endless”, “everlasting”, and
“eternal” damnation. (Mosiah 16:11, Helaman 12:26)

This is not to be confused with God’s punishment for sons

of perdition in outer darkness which is endless and eternal
punishment. Endless and eternal are God’s names. Their
punishment is to “rise no more” (2 Nephi 9:7). If these spirits
(souls) will rise no more, it suggests that they have risen multiple
times before. Lucifer having risen to great heights, then due to
his qualifying as a son of perdition will not have the opportunity
to rise again as stated in verse 8.

Damnation to a Terrestrial state through the exercise of

agency can also be endless, everlasting, and eternal. Think of
the angels constantly surrounding God worshipping Him. These
have not ascended to a higher level.

Did Joseph Smith say anything about additional mortalities?

He made several inferences that lead one to believe he did. One
that is frequently quoted has Joseph saying:
“Would to God I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could
tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there
are men upon this stand who would want to take my life.”

Joseph’s Patriarchal Blessing says he will “stand upon the

earth” and also “see thy Redeemer come in the clouds of
Heaven”. This means he will return as a mortal.

D&C 103”15-21 verifies that Joseph will return to lead the

exodus to Zion. Resurrected beings are not “raised up”; they
descend down from heaven. For Christ to “raise up” a man unto
his people, they will be born as a mortal on earth.

Parley P. Pratt upon hearing of the death of Joseph Smith

and praying to know what was to happen to the saints, had a
revelation. The Spirit said to me, “Lift up your head and rejoice;
for behold! it is well with my servants Joseph and Hyrum. My
servant Joseph still holds the keys of my kingdom in this
dispensation, and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the
flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed”. This is a sure
sign that Joseph will have another mortality.
 D&C 76:58-59, talking about celestial individuals, “All things
are theirs whether life or death”. Interesting that a celestial
person could choose “death” again.

Alma 40:5 says “Now whether there shall be one time, or a

second time, or a third time, that men shall come forth from the
dead, it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it
sufficeth me to know that this is the case—that there is a time
appointed that all shall rise from the dead”.

Other scriptures which give indication of additional mortal

lives include:

John 9:2 A man born blind was healed by Jesus. The

apostles asked, “who did sin this man or his parents that he was
born blind?” (Did he sin in a previous mortality?)

Luke 9: 18-19 The jews believed in MMP. Jesus

asked the apostles, “Whom say the people that I am? They
answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others
say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

John 3:4 = When Nicodemus asked Jesus “How can a

man be born again?” Jesus did not correct him.

Closely examining the Parable of redemption of Zion

the Lord commands his servant (D&C 103:21) Joseph Smith to
take the strength of His house and with power scatter the
watchmen, throw down their tower, and reclaim the lands
purchased in Jackson County, Missouri. This will be done when
Joseph returns in the flesh. (D&C 105:13-16).

3 Nephi 21: 10 = Joseph would be marred and healed.

“But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore
they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of
them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my
wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.”

Enoch 61:17 = “And with this Son of Man shall they

dwell, eat, lie down, and rise up, for ever and ever.”

D&C 107:42-43 = Seth was Perfect = only one man

was perfect = Seth was Jesus Christ.

JST Gen. 14:25-26, 33, 36, 40 = Melchizedek was

Jesus Christ.

Heber C. Kimball = “Joseph always told us we would have to

pass by sentinels that are placed between us and our Father and
God. Then, of course, we are conducted along from this
probation to other probations, or from one dispensation to an-
other, by those who conducted those dispensations”. (JD 6:63)

Heber C Kimball = “What I do not today, when the sun goes

down, I lay down to sleep, which is typical of death; and in the
morning I rise up and commerce my work where I left it yester-
day. That course is typical of the probations we take”. (JD 4:329)

Other individuals adding to this discussion would be

Brigham Young. “This I say is the greatest secret of the hereafter,
to continue in the lives forever and forever, which is the greatest
of all the gifts God has ever bestowed upon his children”. (JD
18:260)

This Doctrine of Multiple Mortal Probations shows the love

and the great mercy of God who allows his children endless
opportunities to ascend if they so desire.
 CONCLUSION

This book describes the different levels that a soul may

ascend to, in accordance to God’s Law. Through a study of the
scriptures it is evident that there are available to men and
women, three levels that they may ascend to during this
probation: a Telestial glory, a Terrestrial glory, and a Celestial
glory.

They first of all descended from a pre-existent life in order to

ascend to one of the glories listed above. Through the agency
God has given each individual and through the Doctrine of Christ,
all have the opportunity to rise to a glorious resurrection.

Because of the difficulty of becoming perfect like our

Heavenly parents, they have provided for their children the
opportunity to live multiple times in a mortal life to get rid of their
character flaws.

The scriptures show that mortals have attained to levels two

and three during their probation on this earth. The following
appendices describe real life stories in which individuals
ascended to these levels.

It is hoped that those investigating this work, through

sincere study and prayer, desiring to know truth, will be able to
gain the knowledge and desire necessary to ascend to a
Celestial glory.
 APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1

REAL LIFE STORIES OF THOSE WHO

EXPERIENCED ASCENDING TO
LEVEL TWO

APPENDIX 2

REAL LIFE STORIES OF THOSE WHO

EXPERIENCED ASCENDING TO
LEVEL THREE
 APPENDIX 1

REAL LIFE STORIES OF THOSE WHO

EXPERIENCED ASCENDING TO LEVEL TWO

A. Lorenzo Snow’s Baptism of Fire (From “Biography and Family

Record of Lorenzo Snow”, by Eliza R. Snow, p. 8-9).

I was baptized by Elder John Boynton, then one of the Twelve

Apostles, June, 1836, in Kirtland, Ohio. Previous to accepting the
ordinance of baptism, in my investigations of the principles taught
by the Latter-day Saints, which I proved, by comparison, to be the
same as those mentioned in the New Testament taught by Christ
and His Apostles, I was thoroughly convinced that obedience to
those principles would impart miraculous powers, manifestations
and revelations. With sanguine expectation of this result, I
received baptism and the ordinance of laying on of hands by one
professed to have divine authority; and, having thus yielded
obedience to these ordinances, I was in constant expectation of
the fulfillment of the promise of the reception of the Holy Ghost.

The manifestation did not immediately follow my baptism, as I

had expected, but, although the time was deferred, when I did
receive it, its realization was more perfect, tangible and
miraculous than even my strongest hopes had led me to
anticipate.
Some two or three weeks after I was baptized, one day while
engaged in my studies, I began to reflect upon the fact that I had
not obtained a knowledge of the truth of the work—that I had not
realized the fulfillment of the promise, “he that doeth my will shall
know of the doctrine,” and I began to feel very uneasy. I laid my
books, left my house, and wandered around through the fields
under the oppressive influence of a gloomy, disconsolate spirit,
while an indescribable cloud of darkness seemed to envelope me.
I had been accustomed, at the close of day, to retire for secret
prayer, to a grove a short distance from my lodgings, but at this
time I felt no inclination to do so. The spirit of prayer had
departed and the heavens seemed like brass over my head. At
length, realizing that the usual time had come for secret prayer, I
concluded I would not forego my evening service, and, as a matter
of formality, knelt as I was in the habit of doing, and in my
accustomed retired place, but not feeling as I was wont to feel.

I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, than I heard a

sound, just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes, and
immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely
enveloping my whole person, filling me, from the crown of my
head to the soles of my feet, and O, the joy and happiness I felt!
No language can describe the almost instantaneous transition
from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness into a
refulgence of light and knowledge, as it was at that time imparted
to my understanding. I then received a perfect knowledge that
God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the
restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel.

It was a complete baptism—a tangible immersion in the

heavenly principle or element, the Holy Ghost: and even more
real and physical in its effects upon every part of my system than
the immersion by water; dispelling forever, so long as reason and
memory last, all possibility of doubt or fear in relation of the fact
handed down to us historically, that the “Babe of Bethlehem” is
truly the Son of God; also the fact that He is now being revealed to
the children of men, and communicating knowledge, the same as
in the Apostolic times. I was perfectly satisfied, as well I might be,
for my expectations were more than realized, I think I may safely
say in an infinite degree.

I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of the blissful
enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes
before the celestial element which filled and surrounded me began
gradually to withdraw. On arising from my kneeling posture, with
my heart swelling with gratitude to God, beyond the power of
expression, I felt—I knew that He had conferred on me what only
an omnipotent being can confer—that which is of greater value
than all the wealth and honors worlds can bestow. That night, as I
retired to rest, the same wonderful manifestations were repeated,
and continued to be for several successive nights. The sweet
remembrance of those glorious experiences, from that time to the
present, bring them fresh before me, imparting an inspiring
influence which pervades my whole being, and I trust will to the
close of my earthly existence.

B. Wife of Parley P. Pratt (Autobiography of Parley P.

Pratt).

My dear wife had now lived to accomplish her destiny; and when
the child was dressed, and she had looked upon it and
embraced it, she ceased to live in the flesh. Her death happened
about three hours after the birth of this child of promise. A few
days previous to her death she had a vision in open day while
sitting in her room. She was overwhelmed or immersed in a pillar
of fire, which seemed to fill the whole room, as if it would
consume it and all things therein; and the Spirit whispered to her
mind, saying: “Thou art baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.” It
also intimated to her that she should have the privilege of
departing from this world of sorrow and pain, and of going to
the Paradise of rest as soon as she had fulfilled the prophecy in
relation to the promised son. This vision was repeated on the next
day at the same hour, viz: twelve o’clock. She was overwhelmed
with a joy and peace indescribable, and seemed changed in her
whole nature from that time forth.

C. (NAME WITHHELD) Lectures on Charity, JOURNEY

DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. p. 98

From my experience shared below I learned that there are three

parts to baptism. Baptism of water, baptism of fire, and baptism
of the Holy Ghost. While the baptism of fire always
accompanies the baptism of the Holy Ghost, one may have
multiple baptisms of fire before receiving the baptism of fire and
the Holy Ghost; an event not a process.

In my own pride, I assumed that previous baptisms of fire

indicated that I had already received the baptism of fire and the
Holy Ghost. When I humbled myself enough to ask in prayer, I
was shocked when I was told that I had not. In a more humbled
state I knelt and made a covenant with God giving him permission
to give me whatever experiences I needed to receive the baptism
of fire and the Holy Ghost and putting everything upon the alter.
Everything in my life changed over the next six months as the
Lord gave me a broken heart and contrite spirit, which process
actually started at least 15 years earlier.

I was awakened one morning and asked by the Spirit, ‘what are
you willing to sacrifice?’ After presenting my sacrifice to the Lord,
the spirit impressed
upon me that I would be offering a prayer that day and that I
needed to prepare for it. Although I didn’t know why or when, I
was instructed to prepare by studying about the day of Pentecost.

That evening, I had been invited to a celebration of Pentecost. As I

listened to a BYU professor present on that event, my heart began
to burn. So mightily did the spirit impress upon me the necessity
of offering the prayer at that time, it eclipsed the awkwardness of
interrupting the program. However, before I could ask the woman
sitting next to me who organized the event, she leaned over to me
and asked if I would offer a prayer. I was not the only one being
given instructions by the spirit that night.

As I knelt down, the direction of the spirit escalated my feelings of

discomfort when I was told to raise my hands above my head and
cry out unto the Lord in front of a room of people, most of whom I
did not know. The first thirty seconds was a prayer of preparation,
then as the spirit completely took over it transitioned to a prayer
of revelation.

The fire in my heart engulfed my entire body. Then it was as if a

sword was lunged deep into my chest and part of me started to
die. And then it was like I took hold of two high voltage electrical
power lines as I felt electricity coursing throughout my body. The
spirit spoke mightily to me, ‘you are receiving the baptism of fire
and the Holy Ghost.’

Never had I experienced anything so powerful or overwhelming.

The woman sitting next to me said, ‘I feel electricity coming off of
you.’ As the evening continued so did the intensity of the
experience and I felt an almost imperceptible spark of rebirth
begin which became more powerful as the evening wore on and it
seemed to slowly switch places with the feeling of the death of the
natural man.
The experience continued until I returned home and fell asleep.

When I awakened the next morning, I was not the same man as
the prior morning. Every cell in my body cried out together that I
had been born again a son of God. As I opened the scriptures, the
spiritual thoughts, ideas, and impressions that came into my
mind, which the day before seemed like turning on the kitchen
faucet now was like turning on multiple fire hoses. As I knelt in
prayer, the two-way connection with heaven that usually took
great effort, struggle, time and intensity seemed to come almost
instantly. The next day as well as all following days I was still a
changed man, one who had been reborn. The temptations which
had seemed so powerful, now had lost their persuasion. My life
has never been the same and I owe everything to sweet Jesus.

D. Being prepared by the Savior (NAME WITHHELD) Lectures

on Charity, JOURNEY DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. p. 94-96
As an ex-convict with a third-grade education, I was really hoping
to put my past behind me. I grew up in the Florida penal system,
and decided that I wanted more out this life than rides in cop cars
and prison bars. After meeting my wife, we bounced around a bit
until we ended up in Utah. Living in Utah for me meant getting a
fresh start, and for a while life was good. I had been working on
my career for a little over four years. There were a few obstacles to
overcome, but I had finally started to gain some serious
momentum. All my time, energy, and focus was geared towards
getting my business off the ground. Houses, cars, clothes,
expensive vacations, and eating at fancy restaurants was all I
cared about. My eye was

definitely single to the glory of the almighty dollar. Then, within a

3-week period, it was all taken away. I was completely devastated.
I felt like I had had the wind knocked out of me. For 13 years I had
been the bread winner for my family, and now here I was—jobless,
broke, and humiliated. Everything I had worked for was gone in
the blink of an eye. I had to file for bankruptcy, and foreclose on
my houses. The last kick in the gut was watching my favorite car
being towed away by the repo man. On my way home one day,
while driving, the accumulation of everything had finally
overtaken me. I pulled up to a red light, looked down at the floor
and started crying uncontrollably. I honestly didn’t know if I’d be
able to drive home. I even thought about driving my car into a
tree. All the pride that I had stored in my heart throughout my life
was gone. And then it happened! For the first time in my life I
actually heard the voice of The Lord. It wasn’t just a feeling, but
an actual audible voice in my mind. In a split second I had gone
from wanting to kill myself, to having a complete feeling of peace
wash over me. He told me that he was humbling me. Not because
he was angry with me, or because he was punishing me. But
because he was preparing me. In that moment I felt how much the
Savior loved me. No matter what trials I would face I knew He
would be right there by my side. My hardened heart was finally
broken, and my spirit was contrite!

I’ve also dealt with issues of lust, drug addiction, and anger all my
life, and because of this I felt I was never worthy enough to feel
the love of God. I was always that person who would arrive to
church late so that no one would see me skip out on taking
sacrament. No matter how hard I tried to change, I would always
find myself drifting back into my weaknesses. It was like trying to
climb the same mountain only to be knocked down to the bottom
over and over again. Sometimes I would get to the top (or at least

what I thought was the top) and be able to breathe some fresh air,
but it would never last long. I would eventually fall to the bottom
again. The frustration of failing every time lead me to throwing in
the towel. I wanted out of the church, and my marriage. I knew I’d
never be this picture-perfect Mormon guy who ends up getting
called to the bishopric; and in my mind, because of that, the
chances of an eternal family seemed impossible. So what was the
point of even trying anymore? It wasn’t until The Lord got my
attention by removing all my distractions that I was finally able to
focus. I was finally humble enough to come before The Lord and
tell Him I can’t do this without you. I have no income, my life is in
shambles, and my weaknesses have complete control over me.
From there on out I placed everything I had, everything I was, and
everything I ever will be on an alter before The Lord. I took my
sins to Him and said I can’t remove these out of my life if you
don’t help me. I’m ready to submit to your will, and place you
above everyone and everything in my life.

Fast forward a few months to where one of the most amazing

experiences I had ever gone through occurred right in my tiny
apartment. As I was reading the scriptures I felt the strongest
impression to get down and pray. But I was told to make sure all
the windows and blinds were closed first. As I closed the last one
in the kitchen, I tried to make my way to the living room carpet so
that I could pray on my knees. But, I was brought down right
there by the kitchen sink. As soon as I hit the floor three heavenly
beings appeared right before me. They immediately laid their
hands upon me, and for almost ten minutes straight I felt fire and
electricity surge throughout my entire body. I began to scream
and cry at the top of my lungs as this wave of energy passed
through me over and over again! It felt like an atomic bomb of
love and forgiveness had just exploded inside my heart. It was the
most beautiful and exhilarating experience I had ever gone

through up until that point. After the event had ended the three
Heavenly beings disappeared, and I was left to myself shivering
and convulsing on the kitchen floor. I was told that I had just
received the baptism of fire, and the gift of The Holy Ghost! As I
laid there in bewilderment, the understanding that I had just been
washed clean of all my sins had finally started to sink in. I had
racked up quite a number of offenses against The Lord throughout
my time here on this earth, and never thought that I would
actually achieve something so precious as complete forgiveness. A
new heart was placed inside of me that housed The Holy Ghost.
My desire to do evil was gone. The event was so severe that it took
me almost 4 days to recover. Now, this doesn’t mean that
afterwards I was perfect, but I was definitely in the process of
being perfected. The old me was laid to rest that day and I was
made new through the blood of The Lamb.

E. PAUL CONFERS THE HOLY GHOST (ACTS 19:1-7)

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul

having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: finding
certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy
Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so
much as heard whether be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And
they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily
baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people,
that they should believe on him which should come after him, that
is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and
prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.
 APPENDIX 2

REAL LIFE STORIES OF THOSE WHO

EXPERIENCED ASCENDING TO LEVEL THREE

The story of Isaiah as he ascended to the

Seventh Heaven as related in the Book of the
Ascension of Isaiah (Condensed).

Isaiah is led on a supernatural tour of each of the

seven heavens in his spirit guided by an angel.
He noted that at each level of heaven it was more
glorious and when he arrived at the seventh
heaven he met Jesus Christ at his throne. After
some discourse and noting that a robe was
waiting for Isaiah for a later time; he then watched
Jesus Christ descending through the 7 heavens
one at a time. At each level Christ, though he
was God, went unnoticed by the angels as he
descended.

This vision corresponds to Isaiah 6 in the New

Testament and is verification to the Prophet that
he had his calling and election assured and had
ascended to level three.

Moses Ascended to the throne of God and

spoke with Him face-to-face (Moses 1:1-42)

Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high

mountain and he saw and talked with Him face-
to-face. The Lord showed him the worlds He had
created, allowed Moses to have an experience
with Satan, then sealed up Moses (verse 25) with
the High Priesthood that would enable Moses to
deliver the children of Israel.

Enoch was High and Lifted up (Moses

7:20-24)

Enoch talked with the Lord as the Lord showed

him all the inhabitants of the earth. He also
showed Enoch, Zion that he would be a part of in
the process of time. Enoch got his people
prepared to walk with God, and he and his
people were translated.
Nephi was caught away into an exceeding
High Mountain and was shown many things
(1 Nephi 11-15)

Nephi was shown what his father saw concerning

the Tree of Life, was shown the birth of the Savior,
His ministry, the land of promise, the difference
between the Church of the Lamb of God and the
church of the devil that was set up among the
Gentiles, was shown the end of the world, and he
saw that Lehi’s seed should receive the gospel
through the righteous Gentiles.

Abraham asked the Lord “wilt thou give me

this land for an everlasting inheritance?” (see
Gen. 15:9-10) After that question (see the
Apocalypse of Abraham), Abraham is told to
offer sacrifice), Abraham saw in vision the days
of Christ as he was escorted to the seventh
heaven by the Angel Jahoel where God revealed
great things to the Prophet.
Phil Davis’ spiritual experience of going to the
Throne of God (doctrineofchrist.com, podcast
of Mar. 1, 2021; The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
and Second Comforter Experience. Begin at
1:21:15).

Phil relates how he was taken on a journey

through the heavens to the throne of God where
he visited with Jesus Christ. He first was asked
by the Savior, What is wanted? Phil responded
that he wanted to feel the prints of the nails in his
hands and feet. After that the Lord asked, What
is wanted? Next Phil wanted to be shone what
the Lord went through to complete the atonement
and so Phil describes in detail both as a first
person participant and a third person participant
what Jesus Christ went through in both the
Garden of Gethsemane and on through to His
death on the cross.