Teachings of the Doctrine of Eternal Lives

About the Book

On Amazon, you are limited to SOFTCOVER edition only. The book is also available in HARDCOVER but you may need to search a bit to find it.

Teachings of the Doctrine of Eternal Lives speaks in a voice that is unfamiliar to many modern readers. Yet earlier generations of Latter-day Saints would have heard these words and ideas often, pioneer Saints were well acquainted with these doctrines as taught by the apostles and prophets of the early Restoration.

Over time, many of these early teachings have faded from common discourse. While fragments remain in scripture and scattered sermons, much of the doctrinal framework declared during the founding years of the Restoration is rarely encountered today.

Drawing from scripture and the recorded words of early Restoration prophets, apostles, and scholars, this book collects and organizes doctrines that shaped the worldview of the earliest Saints—truths they embraced with faith and enthusiasm.

Hugh Nibley frequently explored many of these doctrines during his career and his his observations are also included as additional witnesses to the theological vision.

Throughout this work, readers encounter these teachings largely in the original words of those who first declared them—from scripture and from the writings and sermons of prophets, apostles, and Latter-day Saint scholars.

Why "Anonymous?"

The reason for omitting this compiler's name is simple. His words do not occur anywhere in the book, except in the preface where he explains why his name has no business in the text.

The doctrines presented here are not the product of a single author. They are sacred truths revealed by God to His prophets and apostles through the gift and power of revelation. The compiler has gathered these teachings from a lifetime of study.

Because these truths originate from revelation, claiming personal authorship would distract from their true source. These are not the words of the compiler, but the words of Heaven—assembled so readers may rediscover doctrines once spoken clearly during the early days of the Restoration.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mysteries
Revelation
Prayer: The Key to Greater Knowledge
The Second Comforter
Joseph and Brigham Knew More than They Could Teach
On the Potter’s Wheel Again
From Grace to Grace
From Exaltation to Exaltation
Eternal Progression—Eternal Lives
Culminating Ordinances
Treasures in the Heavens
Tried in All Things
Born Again
To Go No More Out
Kingdoms of Glory and the Seven Heavens
Joseph Smith and Brigham Young
Joseph Brigham, and Heber Will Finish Their Work
Joseph Smith and Some Thought-Provoking Possibilities
Elijah and John the Baptist
Elias, Elijah, Noah, and John the Baptist
God Himself Shall Come Down
God May Reside in the Bodies of Some Great Men
Servants Who May Be Instances of God’s Condescension
The Law of Cause and Effect
The Pistis Sophia
Man: Diversity Among Men and Spirits
Universal Salvation
The Gods
Godliness
The Head God and Godhead
The Father
The Son
The Holy Ghost
Resurrected Beings
Man Is One with God
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are One God
Doing the Works of (a) Christ
Adam and Eve
Kings and Priests in the Last Days
Second Death Excerpts from Orson F. Whitney’s Epic Poem “Elias”
Excerpts from Sermons of Joseph Smith
James Adams Funeral Sermon 1843
King Follett Funeral Sermon 1844
Plurality of Gods Sermon 1844
Excerpts from Sermons of Brigham Young
Excerpts from Sermons of Heber C. Kimball
The Paracletes
Excerpts from 2 Esdras (Also known as 4 Ezra)
Excerpts from Hugh Nibley
Teachings of the Pearl of Great Price:
Lectures 3-22
The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment
An Approach to the Book of Abraham
One Eternal Round
Final Thoughts
Index