Elijah And the Family: Family Unity in Eternity

Elijah and the Family

Family Unity in Eternity

VOLUME 1

By

Mark Dee Van Wagoner

Copyright 2013 by Mark Dee Van Wagoner

All rights reserved

Published by Elijah Publishing Company at Smashwords

P.O. Box 910508

St. George, Utah 84790

U.S.A.

Telephone: (435) 628-7310

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without specific written permission from the publisher. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law, under Title 17, U.S. Code, International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This work is not associated with or an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed within this work are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or any other entity.

DEDICATION PAGE

This book is dedicated to the HONEST IN HEART!

15 But that which fell on the good ground are they, who receive the word in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep what they hear, and bring forth fruit with patience.

(Luke 8:15, JST.)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

2 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

(John 1:1-3.)

The HONEST IN HEART will detect that which is true and that which is false.

(Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1996, p.82.)

What does it mean to be HONEST IN HEART? It describes an individual who is open to truth, who will evaluate information or people without prejudice.

(Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, November 1988, p.15.)

This book is dedicated to the following whose lives have exemplified being Honest In Heart:

Fred and Alice Day Welchoff

L. Natalie Welchoff Van Wagoner

Elma Peacock Van Wagoner Miller

James E. and Leona Crawford Peacock

WARNING—DISCLAIMER

Families are forever! GOD intends that families prepare themselves for an everlasting life with Him. This book helps us to do that. This book is designed to provide information of a religious nature and includes a relationship with family tree activities. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are students of the scriptures and seek to enlighten the reader on matters that have eternal consequences.

This book may cause the reader to change their point of view on life and may alter future plans. It may require painful changes and sacrifices. Friends and relatives may distance themselves from you. You may feel inadequate at times, but after a period of persistent resolve, you will be touched with a confident feeling that you are doing the right thing in putting your life in order.

It is not the books purpose to provide all of the available information on the subject matter covered, but instead to compliment, amplify and supplement with other material. The reader must be engaged in their own way.

This work contains coverage of important information everyone should understand and have knowledge of. What the reader does with this information is their personal choice, their free agency, but it is important. It is a book of warning!

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both typographical and in content. Therefore, this book should be used only as a general guide to help steer the reader to a greater sense of commitment to God and spiritual values and preparation.

This book contains information that is current only up to the printing date and may be revised at a later date.

The purpose of this book is to teach, motivate, enlighten, educate and inspire. The author and ELIJAH PUBLISHING COMPANY shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any claim of loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Family In Heaven

Chapter 2 First Family: Adam and Eve

Chapter 3 Abrahamic Covenant

Chapter 4 The Rock of Revelation

Chapter 5 Daniel’s Prophecy

Chapter 6 The Fulness of Times

Chapter 7 Elijah and His Mission

Chapter 8 The Spirit of Elijah

Chapter 9 Research and Family Tree

Chapter 10 Temples: An Overview

Chapter 11 Baptism For The Dead

Chapter 12 The Church Organized

Chapter 13 Today’s Family

Chapter 14 Family: A Shield of Faith

Chapter 15 Where Do You Stand?

Chapter 16 Spiritual Preparation

Chapter 17 Author’s Closing Remarks

Appendix A Articles of Faith

Appendix B Internet (Website) References

Appendix C Comparative Religion

Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

This book is all about family: Gods family. This includes yours and mine---every family. God, our Heavenly Father, is a loving Father and His Glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. In our Pre-Mortal state where we all lived as one united family, we were presented a plan, through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. whereby God’s Spiritual Family, his children, were given the opportunity to come to this life, gain a physical body and to prepare ourselves to keep His commandments and prove ourselves worthy to return to His presence.

Remember, God loved us so he sent His Son.

Many ask: What is life really all about? Where did we come from? What is the purpose of this life? When we die, what happens to us? Christians believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of Our Heavenly Father. He lives today. But what about us, will we be with friends and loved ones in life after death? And what part does the Old Testament Prophet Elijah play in God’s Eternal Plan for us and how does his mission relate to God’s Family?

This is a book with eternal consequences and answers the above questions and stresses the need to consider carefully if we want to live with God and His Son, Jesus Christ after we leave this life. It is an individual choice requiring commitment and obedience to eternal laws through righteous living.

There is added urgency to this book, as we draw closer to the Second Coming of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Certainly, as you read these pages, you will see my attempt to alert you, warn you, if you will, to the coming trials and tribulations the world will be going through. This book points out the preparation we should be going through if we are truly Christians. We need to prepare ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually for the coming months and years as we will be tested as never before. Today’s headlines are disturbing and shocking. The trend seems to be away from morality, away from God, toward things like same-sex marriage, legalized marijuana and no accountability for our actions. Political groups appear to be abandoning God and his teachings, forgetting morals. No holds barred. If it feels good, then do it: it is acceptable.

The writer assumes the reader has a belief in an Eternal Being who we refer to as Our Father in Heaven and this is not limited to just Christians. As we look at God’s great creations, the Universe, the Earth and all living things, we see an extraordinary organization governed by laws and order. Nothing has been left to chance. It is a great, masterful work of achievement.

Christian believers know that God’s Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected and lives even now. Some question the reality of life after death. This book helps our understanding of this and other wonders of God and the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. It explains the Eternal Plan of Happiness God has for all His children, past, present and future.

The important mission of Elijah, the Prophet, advances the gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s purposes are perfectly planned and executed. This book is centered in the Eternal Plan of Happiness for God’s spiritual children through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Mission of Elijah is explained. This includes the necessity of family tree research of our loved ones as a result of Elijah’s restoration of certain priesthood sealing keys and powers, thus assuring family unity in eternity. It begs the reader to search ones personal, spiritual soul and determine where you stand in your relationship with God.

The world needs to change. We need to change. Over the decades, the world has been slipping into self-destruction. We accommodate special interest groups at the expense of offending God by serious violations of His revealed standards of conduct which He has not changed. We need to return to God’s standards, His commandments. Do you think He is proud of our record in keeping His commandments or by man’s changing them without His approval?

We live in a very, very wicked world, so evil a time as never before known by human kind. The earth, as predicted, is being tossed to and fro like an unguided ship on a stormy sea. Never in the history of the world have there been such wickedness, selfishness and corruption. It exceeds the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. The violation of God’s commandments and laws are at an all-time high. There seems to be no guilt, no shame, no holds barred, in violating God’s Standards. Some seem quick and proud to be rebellious, defiant and as a willing participant in evil. False witness is the order of the day. Things will never be the same again, as in the good old days.

The standards of decency have hit rock bottom, an all time low. Too many of us are sitting on the sidelines watching, doing nothing about the direction we are going or the conditions in the world, even though we know our own lives are impacted.

What will change our course? Maybe nothing! What we need is for the honest in heart to step forward, stand up and be counted. How is this to be done? By repenting, setting examples and living righteously and keeping all of God’s commandments. Not embracing mans!

Where do we start? IN THE FAMILY! This is where we have the most influence and where family traditions and standards influence.

Elijah, the ancient prophet, never tasted death (2 Kings 2:11). He has a significant Mission from Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ relating to the human family.

We declare that Elijah, the Prophet, has returned to the earth to unite families in fulfillment of Malachi’s promise:

5 Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

(Malachi 4:5-6.)

This book explains the ATONEMENT, Elijah’s Mission and what it means to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. This impacts the need for family history and genealogical research. The best place to start is your own immediate family. There is also an abundance of related religious history of significance showing God’s relationship with man and the importance of the family to Heavenly Parents.

Robert Booth, Genealogy Expert Supreme in Saint George, Utah, said Family History is the placing of people into family and historical context, with stories, historical, political, economic, social, facts, etc. We often find these in personal histories, history books, new items, and publications by others that clarify what is happening around the subject people we are studying. Family histories put the flesh on the bones.

Genealogy is the study of names, dates, places, and relationships.

It is challenging and rewarding and is the number one hobby for internet users. A Maritz Marketing poll indicates that 60% of Americans say they are somewhat interested in tracing their family history. Tracing our ancestors back as far as possible has brought many people great satisfaction and pleasure. Each individual ancestral relative previously unknown and genealogically discovered provides its own special moment. The discovery of genealogical records rich with valuable information provides a magnetic lure of the art of genealogy. Otherwise, this information would remain unknown or untouched or lost.

Alex Haley, author of the masterpiece book ROOTS, stated:

A nation’s history is only the selective histories of all its people. It is only through an unfolding of the people’s history that a nation’s culture can be studied in its fullest meaning.

(Jessie Carney Smith, ed., Ethnic Genealogy, A Research Guide, Westport: Greenwood Press, 1983, Foreword.)

He wrote further:

My book ROOTS likely would never have been realized without conscious assistance from some living family elders and, I truly believe, and unconscious inspiration from ancestors in their graves. Oral history, the telling and retelling of family stories, was practiced throughout my family’s generations; the elders fed the interest of their children and grandchildren in continuing the tradition this is how the stories finally reached me.

(Jessie Carney Smith, ed., Ethnic Genealogy, A Research Guide, Westport: Green Press, 1983 Forward.)

And this on the family:

In every conceivable manner, the family is our link to our past, and the bridge to our future.

Remember: You have to know your own history to know yourself. We are the sum total of our ancestors who are members of our family.

A serious approach to seeking one’s roots requires disciplined dedication to a pursuit that brings a sense of fulfillment as one’s ancestors becomes real, live people.

This book is important for our times. It yells out for honest men and women to take an active part in combating wickedness, to change the trend to what is happening in the world. It requires courage and action! We need to seek out our dead ancestors and complete family histories.

The religious overtones of this book comes from the historical context and intents to inspire, educate, inform, motivate, and teach about God’s Plan of Happiness, which is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

ELIJAH AND THE FAMILY is unique. Elijah, the Prophet, performed an important mission impacting every human being, especially the family unit. His mission covers three dispensations: (1) in Old Testament times, (2) in the Meridian of Times, and (3) in our day, which is the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. But his mission impacts all dispensations of the earth and will extend into the millennium.

This book is NOT for everyone. It is dedicated to the honest in heart; therefore, some readers will be uncomfortable with its content and premise. There is an army of critics who will protest this work. Fault finding is the order of the day and human beings fight the spiritual things of God because they lack spiritual understanding.

There is purpose for our existence and our future is certain. God knew we would face challenges when He placed us here. He knew we would be less than perfect and He prepared a way for us to overcome by providing a Savior. Because of the ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ, everyone has the assurance of salvation or life after death. But not all of God’s children will receive equal glory or rewards. And that is what this book is about: to teach about Elijah and prepare the honest in heart to reach the highest rewards and blessings possible by keeping God’s commandments. Through the Atonement and Elijah’s mission, we will realize lofty rewards individually and in family units.

The ATONEMENT has existed from the beginning, but was triggered as a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The ATONEMENT demonstrates the love Heavenly Father has for each of us. Through his sacrifice, Jesus Christ took upon himself the sins of all mankind. We may never fully understand or comprehend how the ATONEMENT works, but it is essential for our return to God’s presence.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:16-17.)

This book is about truth revealed by holy writ and by the principle of modern revelation. It is about life, yours, mine, and anyone who has or who will live on this earth!

Everyone has three important stages of existence or estates. Our first estate was in Pre-Earth Life with Heavenly Parents. God approved a plan to send His Son to ransom us from sin. Jesus unselfish act is called the ATONEMENT. Our second estate is called Mortality or Earth Life. Because of the ATONEMENT, everyone who has or will live on this earth, will die and inherit a third estate called Post-Mortal Life or Immortality, including those who never heard of Jesus Christ. In other words, everyone will receive salvation regardless of the life lived. Those who live exemplary, righteous lives will be blessed with a condition called Eternal Life. Eternal Life is to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We will be judged and awarded a glory or a mansion based on the life we live. (See: John 14:2 and 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 40-42.)

There are three great events that have or will occur in all of eternity according to Bruce R. McConkie and they are: (1) The creation of the heavens and earth, of man and all forms of life, (2) The fall of man (Adam and Eve), which includes all forms of life and the earth, and (3) The infinite and eternal atonement, which ransoms man and all living things, as well as the earth, from a fallen state, so salvation is provided to earth and all living things, thus completing God’s eternal plans.

These three pillars of eternity are woven together into one grand tapestry known as the eternal plan of salvation. Its center core is that of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and is the heart of revealed religion. Salvation is in Christ and it brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

It is through the creation, the fall and the atonement through which the purposes of God are accomplished, being divine and eternal. The ATONEMENT applies to everyone regardless of when they lived or will live or their religious beliefs or knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Elijah contributes important, essential elements in bringing together the living and dead through the restoration of important priesthood sealing powers that are recognized in heaven and on earth, thus making eternity