Continued from “Entering the Holy Order (Part 2)”
It is also worth observing that entering the divine presence is a blessing belonging to the priesthood we hold, and it is a privilege that will amplify our blessings, add to our exaltation hereafter, and most probably gain us eternal blessings and divine advantages that will bless us forever.
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (D&C 130:18-19.)
Even though entire cities have been ushered into the presence of Christ, and hundreds of years have passed where translation was the rule, rather than the exception within them, it is probably a true statement that relatively few people have, in the history of the world, obtained this grand outcome in their lives. But, it is also undeniable that God has placed upon our shoulders, the stewards of the latter-days, the requirement to build Zion before Christ will return in glory; and Zion will consist of literally hundreds of thousands of men and women who have seen God and entered His Holy Order. From their midst 144,000 missionaries will depart. We can only assume this missionary army will not be the entire citizenry of Zion, but a mere fraction of it.
None of us can look around with clear vision and not see the horror and depravity of our world, nor can we mistake the signs that define the times in which we live. Nobody can say with certainty when the end will come, but we can say with absolute certainty that there have never been greater signs than today, and that they will continue to escalate in gut-wrenching intensity until we humble ourselves, build Zion, and receive our Messiah.
Brother John
(“Entering the Holy Order” was paraphrased from The Triumph of Zion, Pontius, pages 173-179)
© May 2011, John M. Pontius, all rights reserved. Non-commercial reproduction permitted
UnBlogmysoul 
Just a few thoughts.
First, in D&C 84 the Lord states: “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.”
I want to point out that this may refer to either the blessing of being translated (a semi-permanent state)or of occasionally being transfigured (a very temporary terrestrial state enabling the personal ministering of God). Most of the prophets and other godly men and woman throughout the ages were not translated, rather they were periodically transfigured. At this time, the gift of occasional transfiguration is the rule, not the exception. However, the time is certainly not far distant when this will be reversed, when those who qualify will be translated rather than being temporarily transfigured.
Second, I offer it as my opinion that the grand counsel at Adam-ondi-Ahman will occur before the City of ZION is built wherein God will make bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations. Jesus Christ is the King of ZION. The coming of the King predates the building of the King’s city. Mortals who attend this counsel will be transfigured for that event. However, it is likely that this event will be the hinge when translation begins to be the rule, rather than transfiguration.
Most Latter Day Saints who attend will not be General Authorities, although most of the GAs will be there. All those who have a divine mission preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man will be present to receive their commissions. Some will be blessed and anointed for certain callings. After that event, this nuclear core of righteous men and woman will constitute the seed of ZION; neither Satan nor any worldly force will have any power to mar any of these, except to the degree required by divine law wherein they must suffer in order to make intercession for the lesser saints over whom they have stewardship–this is the price that many will pay in order to make the ascent to translation. There is a lot more to say about this, but I think I had better end here.
Brother Jared
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I’m beginning to wonder how “off” my thinking with regard to AOA is… maybe not totally “off” but considering the adjustment that I’ve made concerning Zion recently I’m wondering about how AOA really will be. After just reading the words of John Taylor in Gospel Kingdom, pg. 217 (too long to quote here) I’m wondering if my timeline is even correct… it almost sounds here that this meeting will usher in the Millenium. I’ve been under the impression that AOA was the “first” of the “Second Comings.”
Another interesting thing… the Church at large will not know of it and you will only be there by invitation. My PB says (and again, I only share this because of complete anonymity) Surely you will be present at Adam-ondi-Ahman, when He and your ancient father Adam are present. Why in the world would I be invited to such an event? My husband has had no major callings in Church and, although active and completely moral, can be a bit agnostic at times. He questions things – subjects that make people think, “Don’t go there.” I was just under the impression it was a “priesthood leadership” type deal.
Any input would be welcomed. 🙂
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I also have had questions about Adam-Ondi-Ahman and its relationship to Zion. This certainly isn’t gospel doctrine, but my own opinion based on my own studies: In the first council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman that took place 3 years prior to Adam’s death, he(Adam)called together all of his righteous posterity into the valley of Adam-Ondi-Ahman to bestow his last blessing upon them. While there, the Lord appeared and placed Adam in his rightful stead as the Patriarch and prince of the human family. The second council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman seems like it will be very similar in alot of respects to the first one. Adam’s righteous posterity(all of them) will once again be present at this council. I might be wrong, but I feel it will take place at the same location as the first council. In this second council it seems there will be a reversal of roles; instead of the Lord coming to place Adam at the head, Adam(the Ancient of Days) will place Christ at the head(Dan.7:9-14). Every one that has ever held keys will pass them back to Adam,and Adam will pass them back to Christ. At this time Satan’s kingship will be taken from him and Christ will be rightfully instated as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I have always heard that the world will not know when this event takes place.This used to baffle me because I always wondered how hundreds of millions of people could be gathered together in one location for such a meeting and the world be ignorant of it. In light of the truths that you present in your book “The Triumph of Zion”, I can now see how this is possible. It seems to me that this council will take place in the city of Zion where only the sanctified can come. We know from the scriptures that the wicked will be fearful of Zion and cannot come near it. I’ve also heard that this will be on of the very last signs of the times to take place before the Second Coming. Like I said, all of this is just my opinion based on my own personal studies. I feel alot like Pearl that I would love to hear more about your thoughts on this subject 🙂 Thanks again brother John for sharing truths that help us realize how exciting and beautiful the gospel really is. Brother C.
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Just wanted to thank you again (I feel like a broken record) – I just finished your most recent fireside recording on your website – http://www.followingthelight.org and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. The thoughts that I dared not think you expounded upon… thank you.
My earliest thoughts about translation was that it must be necessary to be present at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. I haven’t heard you talk about AOA much yet. (I surely hope you will continue to post more public firesides on your website! I don’t care if they are all repeats… just the turn of a phrase can change everything.)
What are your thoughts on Adam-Ondi-Ahman? Is translation a part of that meeting also?
Thank you for all you are and all you do.
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