53 Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, [ Can you imagine being at this great meeting? With this assembly what do we know? That Each of these men are alive at the same time. They were taught the gospel first hand from Adam who was there in the garden from the beginning. They were all given the higher priesthood from Adam personally. Fact we often over look is that Adam taught the gospel himself - he taught it from first hand experience ] with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, [ Why only include the righteous? Because he was going to teach them sacred things. ] into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing. [ If you were going to give the last blessing or your final words to your children what would you tell them? What is really important right. From time to time we can receive an Apostolic Blessing as we receive in General or stake conference from time to time. What is the purpose of an Apostolic blessing? One of the greatest meetings ever held was the meeting Adam called of his righteous posterity (see D&C 107:53–57). sometime prior to the Second Coming of the Savior, a similar meeting will again be held in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman (see D&C 78; 116). Verses 53 through 55 of section 107 came from a blessing given by Joseph Smith Jr. to his father on 18 December 1833 (see Smith, Teachings, pp. 38–39). ]

54 And the Lord appeared unto them, [ So The Savior and creator of the world is in their presence here at this meeting. What can we concur from that? That it must be of some importance. ] and they rose up and blessed Adam, [ something to think about who is the they here that did the blessing? ] and called him Michael, [ Why did they call him Michael? In Hebrew the name means “Who is like God.” Because they had been taught or were being taught (if the Lord was the one who was giving the blessing then maybe they were being taught) that his name was Michael and he was part of the creation. D&C27:11 Why is it important to understand that Adam and Michael are the same person? Because he Adam or Michael received those keys in the Creation, according to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who added, “Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next” (Teachings, pp. 157–58). ] the prince, the archangel. [ What do we know about Adam or Michael the arcangel? READ FROM Bruce R McConkie - As Michael, the archangel, Adam led the forces of God against the armies of Lucifer in the War in Heaven. There he was known as Michael, literally one “who is like God.” Indeed, “by his diligence and obedience there, as one of the spirit sons of God, he attained a stature and power second only to that of Christ, the Firstborn. Michael was directly involved in the preparation of the physical world in which he and his posterity would undergo a mortal probation.“Christ and Mary, Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, and a host of mighty men and equally glorious women comprised that group of ‘the noble and great ones,’ to whom the Lord Jesus said: ‘We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell.’ (Abr. 3:22–24;) This we know: Christ, under the Father, is the Creator; Michael, his companion and associate, presided over much of the creative work; and with them, as Abraham saw, were many of the noble and great ones.” 3

READ - The Prophet Joseph Smith also taught that “the Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Gen. 1:26, 27, 28.” 4; Alma 13:3; 2 Ne. 24:12; D&C 76:25–27 ]

55 And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.

56 And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted [ Prophesied ] whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation.

57 These things were all written in the book of Enoch, [ Remember from verse 53 Enoch was at that meeting. So he made a record of what he saw and herd. Why don't we have the Book of Enoch today? These things are purposly hidden from men until satan is bound. see 2 Ne. 30:16-18, D&C 88:108 ] and are to be testified of in due time.

 

Abraham was well aware that this meeting had taken place. So let's look at his account of what transpired.

1 IN the land of the Chaldeans, [ Where are we talking about what part of the world as we know it today? The Chaldeans were people who lived in southern Babylonia which would be the southern part of Iraq today. sometimes the term “Chaldeans” is used to refer to Babylonians in general, but normally it refers to a specific semi-nomadic tribe that lived in the southern part of Babylon. The land of the Chaldeans was the southern portion of Babylon or Mesopotamia. It was generally thought to be an area about 400 miles long and 100 miles wide alongside of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Ur today would be Iraq, and the town would be the modern town of Mugheir which is about 150 mile inland and about 875 miles from Egypt. See Gen 11:31] at the residence of my fathers, [ To put things in perspective - do we know where that is at in todays world? in Ur (Abr 2:1) (modern day Tell al-Muqayyar), Abraham's "home town," is located in southern Iraq, 200-220 miles southeast of Baghdad, halfway to the Persian Gulf). The ruins of Ur were discovered and first excavated in 1854-55 by British consul J.E. Taylor. In Abraham's day, What do we know about the city from its ruins? Ur was the wealthiest city in Mesopotamia, with a complex system of government and a well-developed system of commerce; trade routes joined Ur with other great towns to the north and the south. Writing was in common use (e.g., issuing of receipts, and making contracts). Schools trained people for religious, commercial, and governmental work. The curriculum included mathematics, language, geography, botany, and drawing. The city had streets, a drain system, two-story houses, a great temple tower (called a ziggurat), and various other evidences of a highly developed civilization. ] I, Abraham, [ NOTE: According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was born under the name Abram in the city of Ur in Babylonia in the year 1948 from Creation (circa 1800 BCE). He was the son of Terach, an idol merchant, but from his early childhood, he questioned the faith of his father and sought the truth. He came to believe that the entire universe was the work of a single Creator, and he began to teach this belief to others. source: Judaism 101] saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence; [ What is Abraham suggesting here? If he stays there too long the outcome does not look to be in his favor. Either they will kill him, or he might get beaten down to adopt their ways over time. Even the strongest can have a breaking point. How does this apply to us? sometime we need to get out os a bad situtation, we need to choose friends wisely.

Orson F. Whitney gave important insight: "What was the purpose of Abraham's call? Why was he taken out of his own country and from his father's house and promised that he should become a great nation? It was because Mesopotamia was steeped in idolatry, and the time had arrived for the founding of a pure lineage through which the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior, would come into the world. Abraham was required to separate himself from his idolatrous surroundings, that he might establish such a lineage. The strict laws given to Israel, Abraham's descendants, had as their object the preservation in purity of the lineage of our Lord" (Elder's Journal, 17 June 1924, as quoted in Mark E. Petersen, Abraham, Friend of God, 58. See also John Taylor, in JD, 24:125 and Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:246, 249-50).]

2 And, finding there was greater happiness [ What is the happiness that the world enjoys? What does it mean the greater happiness? knowledge that we are in full compliance with the "Plan of Happiness" which includes eternal marriage - live together forever with your family in the presence of God. ] and peace and rest for me, [ How does one find true peace in this life? the knowledge that he had received those blessings, received the ordinances] I sought for the blessings of the fathers, [ What are the blessings of the fathers? The blessing of the Fathers is the Priesthood. D&C 107:40, 53;

What is he looking for exactly? The Priesthood , but more specifically the fullness of the endowment. Interesting point that shows that even among the apostate idle worshippers (which Abraham's father was) there was knowledge about Priesthood, the endowment and Abraham deliberately set out to get it, following the prescribed requirements. This special knowledge had direct temple bearing, for Abraham states that through it one could become 'a father of many nations. so what he really went for was to get the Sealing Endowment "Marvin Jensen Layton south Stake Priesthood Ldrshp Training

Now where did the writings of Abraham come from? The papriys scrolls that came into Joseph Smith's possession.

Have you ever wondered what was information on the endowment doing in the scrolls in the first place?

] and the right [ At this point in time how well known was the knowledge of the priesthood? It was well know; and was tried to be replicted; but Abraham understands that he has to receive priesthood rights from someone who has them. The Egyptians feined the priesthood since they did not have it see vs 27; they had seen it power with examples like the city of Enoch ] whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; [ so what does Abraham tell us about how we obtain these rights priesthood powers? Through ordination. He wants the sealing power for himself as well as his family. So that the lives of his posterity could be blessed as well. ] having been myself a follower of righteousness, [ What is Abraham suggesting here with the words having been a follower of righteousiness - what is he suggesting that he is missing? Abraham knows that just living righteously is not enough to receive all of the rights, powers and knowledge of God. In other words there is only so far that you can go by just being good.] desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, [ What opportunities come to us when we have obtained greater knowledge? We live our lives differently; we see things different; we act differently we become different. ] and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, [ What is the greater knowledge that he was seeking? He wanted to know more about God and his characteristics, you know this things which Adam knew and had taught but had been lost to his father. And where do we get the greater knowledge from God? Throught the sealing ordinances of the Temple. He wanted the knowledge that his fore father's had about the temple. (see D&C 43:16-17; D&C 105:11-12; D&C 132:19)] and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, [ What is another way of saying that? To understand the assignements that God would have me complete. ] I became a rightful heir, [ How did this take place? Through receiving the ordinances of the Temple and priesthood.] a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers. [ What is the right belonging to the Fathers he is speaking about here? Joseph Smith "Adam received the priesthood in the creation, before the world was formed" Teachings 157; President Benson "The order of the priesthood spoken of in the scriptures is often referred to as the patriarchal order because it came from father to son" The order of descent from Adam - D &C 107:40-53]

3 It [ Which is what exactly? the office of High priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood ] was conferred upon me [ How did he get it? Through confirmation. From whom did he get it? D&C 84:14-16 Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek Why not from his father? because his father had turned away from righteousness v5 they could not confer the priesthood upon Abraham ] from the fathers; it [ The Priesthood of God. ] came down from the fathers, [ Who was the first to receive the priesthood on the earth? Adam ,When did Adam receive the Priesthood? received it during the creation. Teachings 157 ] from the beginning of time, [ Adam was the first High Priest Moses 6:67 and of coarse God is as well in the premortal world. ] yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, [ so what do we learn about the priesthood here? The priesthood was around since the beginning before the earth was created and organized. See Alma 13:3 ] down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me.

4 I [ Who? Abraham ] sought for mine appointment [ = the designation by virtue of a vested power of a person to enjoy an estate ] unto the Priesthood [ Why does he use the word appointment with the Lord? See vs 18 he is recapping his life here, his appointment with the Lord was made while he was on the altar being sacrificed. So he is looking for the fulfillment and the receipt of the promised blessings of the priesthood. Remember his father was not worthy to give hime those blessings - so he had to go elsewhere to get them. ] according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed. [ Note that it is an appointment with a special reference to what? His seed. So we know exactly what he is talking about - In other words he wanted the Patriarchal Priesthood and he is looking for the sealing ordinances. The same appointment that was given to Adam - see Moses 6:1-7]

5 My fathers, [ or my extened family] having turned from their righteousness, [ What does this imply? implying that they were once righteous since they turned from it. They were now worshipping the 4 idol Gods mentioned in vs 6] and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, [ Which were what exactly? they had taken up the Canaanite and Egyptian customs] utterly refused to hearken to my voice; [ Who is my voice? Abraham. NOTE: Jewish tradition also states that Abram tried to convince his father, Terach, of the folly of idol worship. One day, when Abram was left alone to mind the store, he took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He placed the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned and asked what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one smashed all the other ones." His father said, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power. They can't do anything." Abram replied, "Then why do you worship them?" source: Judaism 101 ]

6 For their hearts [ At that time (Egyptian era) what does the heart symbolize? To the Egyptians and during Abrahams time the heart was symbolic as the seat of thought ] were set to do evil, and were wholly [ completely committed ] turned to the god of Elkenah, [and "the priest of Elkenah," who also does double duty as "the priest of Pharaoh." see vs 7. The principal evils involved in the worship of this and the other "heathen" gods are idolatry and child sacrifice. ] and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; [What were the things that the Egyptians wanted most? First, how to stop dying. The Egyptians were really bothered by the fact that people kept dying no matter how much they wanted or how hard they tried to slay alive. The Egyptians were intensely Interested in how to gain immortality.The second problem was closely related to it, and that was: once you are dead, what are you going to do? Sitting around on clouds strumming harps did not appeal to them. They felt the only way to be was as God--grand, powerful, majestic. so they set out to find out how to do it. Their ancient legends told of men who had been able to hold in abeyance the forces of physical death, gain control over the earth, and build a city In which the gods came down and dwelt. This, of course, was a historical corruption of the achievements of Enoch and the people of Zion.One of the major reasons the Egyptians failed was because they would recognize no God but their own and no priesthood but their own--and they had neither, so they kept falling. ]

7 Therefore [ as a result of or because they had set their hearts to do evil; this was done by design - see verse 6 ] they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen [ What is the signifigance of turning away their hearts? It means that they moved away from what they did have; they left that which was righteous for that which was heathen or unrighteous. So they did have the truth but turned away from it.

What was to gain by turning away from righteousiness, away from the truths, away from the Priesthood? We will see later that not all could hold the Priesthood, so they tried to copy or duplictae as they could. They called upon the God's of the underworld to deliver them, and so from there they gained access to power - while not the power of God; but power to do many things. This did not require them to be obedient to the laws of God either. When you look at whom they were sacrificing you can see that there was an opportunity to abuse the power to select those who would be placed upon the altar. Those that opposed them.

What did they think that they would gain through sacrifice? The idea was that since they did not have the real priesthood power they thought that there was a way to harness it. or they used the same approach that they used for everything else that they were successful at - they kept at it, they tried harder. They thought there was a way some how to appease the Gods, and when they did they too would have all of the keys to eternal life.

What is the lesson in life for us here? That the Lord has his laws and commandments and ordinances and that there is only one proper way to get them - adherience to Gods laws. ] in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, [ What do you think he means when he refers to them as dumb idols? literally; God talks to man but these are literally deaf and dumb without the capacity to speak or communicate ] and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah. [ Why Abraham? because he was speaking out against them. see verse 5 'They utterly refused to hearken to my voice" so under the guise of religious worship they devised a plan to have Abraham sacrificed at the hands of the priest of the Pharaoh ] The priest of Elkenah was also the priest of Pharaoh.

8 Now, at this time it was the custom of the priest of Pharaoh, [ the common practice at the time. The priest of the Pharaoh was the one choosen by the King or the Pharaoh to look after the God's who were believed to inhabit the temples that were built. There were a few priests selected at a time and served in a rotation so to speak - they served for a few months had a few months off then were back again at their job. ] the king of Egypt, to offer up upon the altar which was built in the land of Chaldea, [ his home town ] for the offering unto these strange gods, men, women, and children. [ What is the convienence in who is to be offered? looks like no one was exempt from the sacrificial offerring ]