The Light of Christ . . . is what exactly?

2020 has been a great year for our family, full of miracles and choices that from an outside observer would seem absolute lunacy. Prior to the starting of 2020 I had been struggling for 7 ½ years. I was at a great paying job where for some reason I was hated for doing my job. I was in fear every day I went to work. My whole body would tense up when others were around. It was like being locked in a room with an unfamiliar and very vicious dog unsure of what was going to trigger an attack. And that dog did attack, and to often.  It got bad enough I feared for my life and would carry an audio recorder with me so if actual violence occurred I could have some form of proof.   I would pray in personal, couple and family prayer that My heart would be softened and that my coworkers would be blessed. My work Life was very dark for me.

I was reading my scriptures individually, as a family and as a couple. I was going to church, fulfilling callings, performing home teaching and ministering assignments, and even dutifully having family home evening which I lead and initiated each week as Husbands should. I was attending the temple regularly and I was preparing and taking names each time. I was still feeling God’s love, I was still having near daily revelation. I was not alone, but my work life was absolutely miserable. 

At the end of 2019 things drastically changed. I felt inspired that I was done.  I was going to change careers. I had a new heading and I was spending all of my free time working towards that goal. Doing things I had never imagined that I would even learn about. Only to reach the last stage of that preparation to receive my finial certification when I was denied that opportunity because of the pandemic. 

Things started to change drastically at work, on the first of January 2020. There was no change of personnel. I have no idea what the catalyst was, but my body no longer tensed up,. I didn’t feel the need to carry the recorder anymore.  I was calm and unafraid.  Then a call came to my phone, at my desk, at work, inquiring if I would be interested in a job. The same kind of job I was already doing, only near Goldendale. I had interviewed for many jobs over the last 3 years, but would always get to the interview and feel it was not what the lord wanted and turn it down. Which was really hard because I knew how bad things were for me at my job at the time. And well I’m here now, so you know the end of that story.

Today I am going to talk about struggles and light, specifically the struggle between Good and Evil and the Light of Christ. I pray that the spirit will be here today. The term, “Light of Christ” is only found in the scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. Yet it is a term that is used throughout Christendom and although referred to by many different names is taught throughout the Bible. We even have record of Jesus Christ himself teaching about it, and since he is the master teacher I will start first with his words.

In the end of 1832 the Prophet Joseph smith was under attack from members inside the church living in Missouri, or Zion as it had been designated by the Lord. He was greatly troubled because of these attacks. In these circumstance he meet with 8 other high Priests and received the revelation now recorder as Section 88 of the doctrine and covenants and commonly referred to as the “olive leaf . . . . plucked from the Tree of Paradise” as it was described by the prophet.

I think it is interesting that Joseph Smith referred to this revelation in that way. In some Hebrew traditions the Olive tree is the representation of the tree of life. In Revelations we learn that the Tree of Life exist in the, "midst of the Paradise of God" (Revelations 2:&). In the Saviors words about the Light of Christ he says that the Light of Christ , “ giveth life to all things “ (D&C 88:13)  Mormon teaches, as you may remember from you reading this week, that the Light of Christ is how we should judge between Good and Evil.

In the Garden of Eden there were two tree. The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil. It was not the tree of right and wrong. It was of knowledge of Good, which is another name for God. Christ's birth was the Good Tidings brought by the angels to the shepherds, Jesus is the Good Shepard, and It was Christ that taught the rich young man that, "No one is good except god alone."(Mark 10:18) and as Mormon declared “all things which are good cometh of Christ;” (7:24). The term Evil here is translated from the Hebrew word Ra and means, "willful disobedience of God and his intentions for human beings." So it is possible that both trees of the garden represent distinct aspects of the Light of Christ.

Even Eve taught about the Light of Christ without calling it by names as recorded in Moses 5:11 -

Were it not for our transgression we . . . never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

In section 88 Christ starts by letting Joseph know, despite all his troubles, he is on the right path and then says he is sending in some help.

3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.

4 This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;

5 Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son—

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ.

Growing up in the church I remember many lessons on the Light of Christ, but it confuses me that they never seemed to incorporate this teaching from the savior himself.

Elder Marion G. Romney helped fill in some of my gaps in understanding of the Light of Christ. He taught that there are actually  3 distinct phases to the, “Light of Christ”

“The first one is the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world;

The second phase is the gift of the Holy Ghost;

And the third is the more sure word of prophecy.”

This 3rd phase is the one the Lord spoke of in section 88. Which makes sense since all present where already members of the church and well acquainted with the gift of the Holy Ghost. We also hear it referred to as having ones “Calling and election made sure”, or as Christ termed it the Holy Spirit of promise, the “Other” or “Second Comforter”. It, “is the promise which (the Lord) give(s) . . . of eternal life, even the glory of the Celestial kingdom"

I find it interesting that Christ describes his qualifications to give this message:

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

It makes me feel like he describing how he because one with and a source of the Light of Christ. It was not because he was blessed to be born spiritually and physically of god, although he was. It was not because he was chosen and agreed to be the linchpin of the Father’s plan in the celestial courts above, although he was. It was because he suffered and endured such trials that he qualified to have such mastery and oneness with the light of Christ that he became The Christ.

Christ goes on to teach that the Light of Christ “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space” (88:12) It is how the Sun, moon, stars, and earth where created and continue to operate. Speaking of that, Our Son Devon was baptized yesterday and I would like, with his permission to share something that happened in his Baptismal interview. The Bishop asked if he knew that Jesus Loves him. Devon responded, "Well yea, He made this whole world for us, what else says love like that". The Light of Christ is the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things., (88:7-10, 13) 

The Light of Christ might sound like the 4th member of the godhead, but the Light of Christ is not a personage at all. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints we know that God the Father and Jesus Christ have glorified perfected physical bodies and the Holy Ghost a spirit body, and none can literally be everywhere. The Light of Christ is how they fill the immensity of space and are through all things and in all things. It is how they are all knowing  and even how they are all powerful. If we want to become like God, then it is essential for us to grow in the Light of Christ.

So how do we use the Light of Christ to judge between Good an Evil? Mormon explains in chapter 7 of Moroni:

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ (or the Light of Christ) is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

 If we would follow this council think how drastically different our lives would be. Think of how different our choices would be. Think how our priorities would change.

Mormon continues by says that although the Light of Christ is given to everyone that enters into the world, we are still required to “search diligently” to be able to make proper use of it in judging Good and evil. Do you search diligently in the light of Christ? It is also interesting that he suggest that it is by searching diligently in the Light of Christ that we can become, “a child of Christ.” This phrase makes me think of how Christ taught the Nephites at the Temple in Bountiful that after we are baptized we need to, "become as a little child".  After Baptism you are confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints and commanded to Receive the Holy Ghost. If received, this gift will guide you in what you should do to gain more light. What sort of things will the Holy Ghost direct you to do to increase in the Light of Christ?

The Third and Last reference that uses the exact phrase Light of Christ is found in Alma 28. Here Mormon finishes his abridgment of the Missionary labors of Ammon and his brothers, or the sons of Mosiah. If you remember their missions included being put in prison, fighting off bandits, civil wars , and the slaughter of many of the saints because the had believed in the words of the Sons of Mosiah's. With this in mind Mormon shares this:

14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life. (Alma 28)

Christ gives a nice summary of how his Laborers in the vineyard interact with the Light of Christ in section 50 of the Doctrine of Covenants.

26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.

27 Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.

28 But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and cleansed from all sin.

29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.

 I know that "he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) I know that despite how dark and foreboding the world might become around us, that we can, like Ammon and so many before us, receive the Joy of Celestial glory here in the Flesh, and its fullness for all eternity, that we might hear the Master speak to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" It is by increasing in the Light of Christ that we will become like and one with the Savior and one with the Father. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Ministering - Why?

I remember as a young man sitting in the priesthood session of conference a speaker shared about his Bishops Interview as he was turning 12 years old and would be eligible to receive the Aaron Priesthood. That interview lasted hours as the Bishop opened the scriptures and what would become his new role as newly ordained Deacon. I sat at the edge of my seat wishing I had had a similar experience. I waited with baited breath for the Speaker to share more about this singular experience. The Bishop quoted from D&C section 13 which contained the words of John the Baptist to Joseph and Oliver. He said, 

D&C 13 

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I ^aconfer the ^bPriesthood of Aaron, which holds the ^ckeys of the ministering of ^dangels, and of the gospel of ^erepentance, and of ^fbaptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the ^gsons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in ^hrighteousness.

The speaker focused on the words the "Keys of the Ministering Angels" and how although he had not yet received the priesthood of Aaron, he truly felt that day that he had been ministered unto by an Angle of the Lord. That experience comes to mind every-time I hear those words and although there implications have changed over the years I still feel a surging well spring of the spirit each time I hear them.  

Recently in Companionship study with my wife that same phrase was quoted and a very different lesson was taught to me and the Spirit focused my attention on a work I had never given much thought to. The word was "Keys" 

I knew that John the baptist was not just referring to being ministered to by angels but also ministering as angles. So why did he prefaces that statement with "Keys"

Who holds those Keys and what are they part of the Aaronic Priesthood? I did not realize this till very recently that phrase is really talking about the role of the Bishop which is an office of the Aaronic priesthood. The bishop is the one that coordinates and directs and holds the keys of the ministering of angles.

Around this same time in my daily book of Mormon study I had just finished the book of 2 Nephi Found in the early part of the Book of Mormon. Those last three chapters hold great significance in my growth of the gospel. They lay out perfectly in Nephi's plainness, the Doctrine of Christ; not just his understanding of them, but the words that God the Father and Jesus Christ used to instruct him in the Doctrine of Christ. 

2 Nephi 31 

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father ^agive the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, ^bfollow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall ^afollow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no ^bhypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real ^cintent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are ^dwilling to take upon you the ^ename of Christ, by ^fbaptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the ^gbaptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the ^htongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Nephi explains that after one receives the Holy Ghost then you recovery the Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost. and that as a result you can speak with the tongue of Angles.

Nephi recognizes that his listeners and probably his future readers are confused by this speaking with the tongue of angles and clarifies his meaning.

2 Nephi 32

2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had ^areceived the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the ^btongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

3 ^aAngels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, ^bfeast upon the ^cwords of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will ^dtell you all things what ye should do.

4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ^aask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will ^ashow unto you all things what ye should do.

6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ,

D&C 7

4 And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring ^asouls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my ^bkingdom.

5 I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater ^awork yet among men than what he has before done.

6 Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ^aministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be ^bheirs of salvation who dwell on the earth.

7 And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will ^agive this power and the ^bkeysof this ministry until I come.

2 Nephi 31 

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father ^agive the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, ^bfollow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall ^afollow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no ^bhypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real ^cintent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are ^dwilling to take upon you the ^ename of Christ, by ^fbaptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the ^gbaptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the ^htongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

3 Nephi 9

18 I am the ^alight and the life of the world. I am ^bAlpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

19 And ye shall offer up unto me ^ano 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 your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a ^asacrifice 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 ^bbaptize 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.

21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring ^aredemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

22 Therefore, whoso ^arepenteth and cometh unto me ^bas a ^clittle child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have ^dlaid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.

Which holds the keys of the ministering of angels - Wait what?

In companionship study we have been reading Sheri Dew’s newest book about President Nelson and it was talking about the restoration of the priesthood and quoted D&C 13.

 1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

The phrase, “which holds the keys of the ministering of angels” stood out particularly to me this go around. It is not something we discuss much about but often use it as a WOW factor for teaching the young men and talk about how that is to be ministered to by angles and to be a ministering angle. Bishops now this phrase might have greater meaning to them now that they control the wards ministering efforts. All that being said; that was not what struck me.

 In my morning reading of the Book of Mormon I was reading in two of my favorite chapters in 2 Nephi 31-32 which focus on the Doctrine of Christ which is one of my most focused-on subjects of the last decade of my life. In 2 Nephi 31:31-14 it reads:

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

In 2 Nephi 32:1-3 it reads:

1 And now, behold, my beloved 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?

2 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?

3 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.

So my question is, “How could John the Baptist restore the Aaronic Priesthood and the ‘keys of the ministering of angels’ if he wasn’t also restoring the Power to give the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

My first thoughts afterwards were that how interesting if John the Baptist who during his mortal life was only permitted to perform the baptism of Water was given the restoration role of giving all parts of Baptism meaning, water, Spirit, and fire. How could he give the keys of the ministering of angles unless he had the power to give the gift of the Holy Ghost. Note in both excerpts from 2 Nephi that it consistently uses the word “receive” to signify how you are baptized by the Holy Ghost and Fire. Some might argue that the Baptism of Spirit and the Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost are two separate things, but that does not appear to be the case to me here.

I think it really boils down to the preceding words of ‘Keys of.’ The Bishop which is an Aaronic Priesthood office is the one who gives permission for the ordinance of Laying on of hands to be performed. Even though if he is a literal descendant of Aaron, he could hold the position without holding the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is interesting that then it would be true that the keys to access to the gate are held in their entire in the Aaronic priesthood, but the authority is only partly so which is a different way of looking at things.

That being said; it would stand to say that John the Baptist did indeed restore all the 'keys' for entry into the gate of all three types of baptism. He even declared who had authority to perform the baptism of Spirit just as a bishop does today.

As an aside our evening scripture study with the kids happened to be one of the illustrated scripture stories from the new testament and had a picture of Jesus in front of an alter with a sacrifice on fire. It once again related the Fire part of baptism back to Christ where being born by Blood, spoken to Adam by Christ in the Book of Moses, correlates to the baptism of Fire spoken of in multiple place by Christ.

Where is the Power of the Priesthood in the Book of Mormon?

     In my reading of the Book of Mormon I have noticed on several occasions an interesting phrase in place of where I would expect to find the term Priesthood or a related term. The phrase is the, “power of the Holy Ghost”

     We talk about the influence of the Holy Ghost, the gift pf the Holy Ghost, and we mention the Power of the Holy Ghost, but how is it related to priesthood?

     Just out of curiosity, I searched for the word Priesthood in the book of Mormon and found that it is only used in two chapters of Alma by Alma the younger. Since the measure of the word of God is two or three witnesses, I wondered where the other witnesses were to the people of the Book of Mormon?

The offices of the Church are mentioned other places, but not the priesthood, authority, or power thereof in the Book of Mormon. For example, when Moroni gives his explanation in Moroni 3 about:

1 The manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained priests and teachers—

He states how this was done.

4 And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them.

     In the next two chapters he lays out the sacramental prayers but, unlike ordinances specific to the Melchizedek priesthood only, no mention of priesthood authority is made. Another interesting point in this regard is that it says that Elders and priests administer of the sacrament with no mention of Deacons or Teachers being involved. Deacons were not included in the instructions on ordination, but Teachers were; so it is interesting that Teachers are left out of this discussion of sacramental administration.

     Another phrase that Alma uses much more frequently for the Priesthood is, “Holy order.” Of the 18 occurrences of, “Holy order” found in the Bok of Mormon all but two are used by Alma the younger. Focusing on the two remaining occurrence we see something interesting. Jacob uses the phrase in 2 Nephi 6:2

 2 Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things.

     Here Jacob indicates he was ordained and consecrated by Nephi, because Nephi being thought of as a King and protector held this right. Just as Mosiah the younger held this role prior to the commencement of the reign of the Judges. We don’t consecrate priests or teachers or any other priesthood office except for what occurs in the Temple during the washing and anointing and since the setting for Jacobs comments is the Temple this comment makes sense in this regard. Alma the younger was made chief Judge and there being no longer a King was given this responsibility of High Priest. Yet he gives up the role of Chief Judge to preach full time which could have been seen as him giving up his right to the position of High Priest and the general elimination of that role, as we see the people of Ammonihah seam to make that claime in Alma 8:12

12 And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.

The other occurrence outside of Alma in the book of Mormon is found in the Book of Ether but are actually from Moroni in chapter 12 verse 10

 10 Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God.

     Called by faith to the Priesthood, not laying of hands, not by those in authority, not by keys, but by faith?

     I first thought this was just because Alma was the head of the Church, yet Alma the elder never talks about priesthood. When Christ comes to the Americas and establishes his church he never talks about the priesthood either. If the priesthood is so important to the restoration of the gospel, why is it missing from the Book of Mormon.

     The occurrences in Alma are cryptic and seam more of a way to tie Alma back to the great king and High priests of old, Melchizedek to justify his claim of being called of God.

Perhaps the ‘Keys’ of the Priesthood is the proper term to search, yet it yields only one occurrence in the book of Mormon. That reference is to Zoram the servant of Laban holding the keys to the treasure where the brass plates are and has no reference to the Priesthood.

     The priesthood seams only connected with the Church and its authority and the Book of Mormon by itself seems to question the use of the terms keys and priesthood.

     It turns out the best term to find the priesthood in the Book of Mormon is the word ‘authority’.

Authority is the word Christ uses in teaching how to baptize in 3 Nephi 11.

25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

      Authority is the word used by Alma the elder when he baptized in the waters of Mormon in Mosiah 18.

13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.

     It is interesting to me that both these examples of Baptism indicate that it is done by Authority, and the modern day language is as follows as found in D&C 20

73 The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

     Today we are commissioned by Christ by being Called of God and having authority of Jesus Christ to baptize.

     Authority is what Alma the elder uses when talking about Confirmation:

17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.

     Authority is what Alma the elder uses when talking about Ordination:

18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

     Authority is what Alma the elder uses to teach about how Priests are to teach:

26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.

      Note that they will have power and authority by being strong in the Spirit, which seems to tie us back to Moroni and how priest and teacher are ordained by the power of the Holy Ghost. Alma the Elder often couples Authority with the word Power.

Moroni makes an interesting challenge regarding the three witnesses and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in Either 5:

3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.

4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.

5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God.

6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.

This is often viewed only as a prophecy of the three witness to the book of Mormon, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer, and it is a prophecy of that. I believe it is more than just that, as the scriptures regularly exist in layers of meaning. There are two sets of three witnesses spoken of here. The three previously mentioned and the three that make up what we know today as the God Head.