The Book of Melchisedec II

The War Against Salem

1And their were many king of other nations who had been stirred up by the conspirators, even those who had hearkened unto the whisperings of the priests who followed Belial, gathered their armies together in secret counsel.

2And they assembled themselves in the lands surrounding the valley of Salem, saying one unto another that the city must be overthrown lest its righteousness spread among the nations.

3For the rulers of those lands feared the covenant which governed the people of Salem.

4Because the example of Zion caused many among their own people to question the pride and oppression of their kings.

5Therefore they determined in their hearts that the city of Salem must be destroyed.

6And they gathered their armies from many lands.

7And they marched toward the valley of Salem with the intent to overthrow the city and scatter its inhabitants.

8And when the inhabitants of Salem heard that armies were approaching from many directions they were troubled in their hearts.

9For they were not a people who trusted in the strength of weapons nor in the power of armies.

10For their strength lay in righteousness and in the covenant which they had made before the Lord God even the Great Jehovah.

11And the elders of the city assembled themselves together and came unto Melchisedec seeking counsel.

12And they said unto him:

13Behold the nations gather themselves against us.

14What shall we do that Zion may be preserved?

15And Melchisedec answered them saying:

16Let us seek the Lord.

17For Zion is not established by the wisdom of men but by the covenant of God.

18And if we remain faithful the Lord shall defend this people.

19And Melchisedec entered into the sanctuary of the Most High.

20And he bowed himself before the altar of Jehovah.

21And he sought the Lord with mighty prayer and supplication.

22Saying:

23O Jehovah, thou who art the God of heaven and earth, and the keeper of the covenant of the fathers, behold the nations gather themselves together against thy people.

24Thou hast established Zion among this nation according to thy word.

25Wilt thou suffer the wicked to destroy the work which thou hast begun?

26Wilt thou permit the enemies of righteousness to triumph over the covenant which thou hast restored among this people?

27For we are but servants before thee.

28And we trust not in the strength of arms but in thy mercy and thy power.

29And it came to pass that while Melchisedec prayed the Spirit of the Lord was with him.

30And the word of Jehovah came unto him saying:

31My servant Melchisedec, thou hast been faithful in the covenant which I have given unto thee.

32Thou hast taught this people to walk in humility, equity, and righteousness.

33Therefore Zion shall not fall by the hand of the wicked.

34For the covenant of righteousness is stronger than the armies of men.

35And the power of heaven is greater than the weapons of kings and those who seek thine destruction.

36Therefore stand firm in the Holy Order which I have established among this people.

37And fear not the threats of the nations.

38For I will defend Zion.

39Therefore, I will cause confusion among the armies of the wicked.

40And their wisdom shall turn unto foolishness before them.

41Yea, their strength shall fail them.

42And behold the counsel of their kings shall be broken.

43Now when Melchisedec heard these words he rose from prayer strengthened with confidence and trust in the Lord His God.

44And he returned unto the people of Salem and spoke unto them saying:

45Fear not the armies of the nations.

46For the Lord hath spoken that Zion shall be preserved.

47Therefore remain faithful in the covenant.

48Let no pride arise among you.

49Let the needs of thy neighbor continue to be remembered among you.

50Let the law of consecration remain in your hearts.

51Thus the people were strengthened by the words of Melchisedec.

52And they continued in fasting and prayer before the Lord.

53Now the armies of the kings entered the valley which surrounded the city of Salem.

54And the kings who had formed the alliance began to accuse one another of treachery.

55For suspicion entered into their hearts.

56Their captains contended among themselves concerning leadership.

57And the unity of their armies was broken.

58Their soldiers began to quarrel one with another.

59And confusion spread among the camps of the invading armies.

60Now because of this great confusion the kings turned against one another.

61Yea, and their armies fought among themselves in the valley.

62And great fear came upon them.

63And their alliance was scattered.

64Therefore, they fled from the valley in disorder.

65And thus the Lord delivered the city of Salem without great battle.

66And the inhabitants of Salem gave thanks unto the Most High.

67For they perceived that it was the hand of Jehovah which had defended them.

68Thus, the nations round about heard of these things.

69And they were astonied.

70Saying one unto another:

71Surely the God of heaven defendeth this city.

72For Zion is established among that people.

Melchisedec’s Vision of the Lamb and the Servant

1Behold, after the Lord had delivered the city of Salem from the armies of the nations, Melchisedec sought the Lord again in prayer.

2For his heart desired to understand more perfectly the mysteries of redemption and the purpose of the Holy Order which had been committed unto him.

3Therefore Melchisedec went alone into the mountains east of the city, where he had often sought the Lord.

4There he fasted and prayed many days.

5And while in mighty prayer the heavens were opened unto him.

6And the Spirit of the Lord appeared unto him.

7And he beheld in vision the works of God among the children of men.

8And the voice of Lord came unto him saying:

9Behold, my servant Melchisedec, thou hast sought to know the mysteries of my kingdom.

10Therefore I will show unto thee the things which must come to pass among the children of men.

11And Melchisedec beheld the earth in its generations.

12And he saw the pride and rebellion of mankind.

13And he saw that because of sin the children of men were cut off from the presence of God.

14Therefore he cried unto the Lord saying:

15O Jehovah, how shall the children of men be Saved from their fallen state?

16And the Lord said unto him:

17Behold the Lamb of God.

18And Melchisedec saw in vision One who would come among the children of men.

19And this One was meek and lowly of heart.

20And He would suffer many afflictions for the sake of the world.

21And Melchisedec saw that this Lamb would offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin.

22Even as the lambs which were offered upon the altar in the law of sacrifice.

23And the Lord said unto him:

24This is the Only Begotten whom hath been prepared from the foundation and councils of this world.

25Through Him salvation shall come unto all mankind.

26For by His sacrifice the bands of death shall be broken.

27And all men shall be raised again.

28And Melchisedec saw that through the Lamb the door of salvation would be opened unto all.

29And the Lord said unto him:

30Salvation cometh unto all through the Lamb.

31For all shall rise again through His power.

32But redemption cometh only unto those who receive the covenant.

33For they must repent and come unto me.

34And they must enter into the Holy Order which is after the order of the Son.

35And Melchisedec beheld also another vision.

36For he saw a servant whom the Lord would raise up among the children of men.

37Yea this servant would labor to gather the people of God.

38And he would bring again Zion among the nations.

39Yet the servant would suffer affliction and rejection.

40And his appearance would be marred before many.

41For many would esteem him not.

42And the Lord said unto Melchisedec:

43This is the servant of whom the prophets shall speak.

44And he shall labor in the power of the Holy Order.

45For the Holy Order is established under the authority of the Redeemer.

46And those who are called into this order minister among the children of men.

47That they may bring souls unto repentance and prepare them to receive redemption.

48And Melchisedec saw also the pattern of the great atonement.

49And he beheld two goats presented before the Lord.

50And the one was slain upon the altar as a sacrifice for sin.

51And the other bore away the sins of the people into the wilderness.

52And the Lord said unto him:

53These things are a pattern of redemption.

54For the Lamb shall be the sacrifice for sin.

55And the servant shall labor among the children of men to gather the righteous and redeem Zion.

56And the Lord continued saying:

57Many times shall my servants condescend among the children of men.

58For they shall come down among their brethren to labor in humility and sacrifice.

59Even as the Lamb Himself shall condescend to dwell among mankind.

60And Melchisedec beheld that the work of redemption would continue throughout the generations of the earth.

61And the Holy Order would remain among the righteous.

62And servants of God would be raised up in many ages to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

63And the Lord said unto Melchisedec:

64Write these things which thou hast seen.

65For they shall be a witness unto future generations.

66And the prophets shall speak of these things in days to come.

67Yea, Zion shall yet be redeemed.

68And the covenant of God shall not fail among the children of men.

69Now when the vision closed Melchisedec bowed himself in gratitude before the Lord.

70And he marveled at the mercy and wisdom of God.

71For he understood that the Holy Order which he held was part of the great work of redemption which Jehovah had prepared from the beginning.

The Heavenly Council and the Judgment of Belial

1Therefore, after Melchisedec had beheld the vision of the Lamb and of the servant who should labor among the children of men, his spirit was carried still further in the visions of God.

2The heavens were opened before him, and he beheld the councils of eternity which had been prepared before the foundation of the world.

3For behold he saw the hosts of heaven assembled together in great glory before the throne of the Most High.

4And their number was beyond the reckoning of men.

5They were clothed in light and in the glory of God.

6Now Melchisedec perceived that these were the sons of God who had stood before the Lord in the beginning.

7And among them were many who had been prepared to labor among the children of men.

8Thus saith the Lord:

9Behold the council of heaven which was held before the world was formed.

10For these are they whom I knew before they came into this mortality.

11And among them were those called Prophets Seers and revelators yea these souls were among the most righteous that have walked from mortality to mortality and from immortality to immortality.

12And they were chosen because of their exceeding faith and righteousness.

13Yea they were prepared to be rulers and servants among the nations of the earth.

14Now Melchisedec beheld that among these spirits were those who would come forth to establish righteousness among the children of men.

15They were ordained to labor in the Holy Order after the order of the Son.

16And Melchisedec saw that many of those who stood in that council would come to the earth in different generations.

17For they would minister among the children of men.

18That the covenant of God might be preserved upon the earth.

19Thus saith the Lord unto Melchisedec:

20These are the sons of God yea even the sons of light.

21For they delight in righteousness and seek to bring my children back into my presence.

22But Melchisedec saw also another host.

23And they were darkened in countenance.

24Yea their hearts were hardened in rebellion.

25And among them stood one who sought dominion over the spirits of men.

26And his name was Belial.

27Now Belial delighted in stirring the hearts of men with pride and ambition.

28now behold he sought continually to overthrow the covenant of God among the children of men.

29And the Lord said unto Melchisedec:

30Behold the adversary who seeketh to destroy Zion.

31For he stirreth the kings of the earth and the rulers of nations.

32That they may contend against righteousness.

33And Melchisedec saw that Belial gathered unto himself many spirits yea and even souls who followed him.

34And they became the sons of darkness.

35Now these sons of darkness labored continually to deceive the nations.

36And Melchisedec beheld that throughout the generations of the earth there would be contention between the sons of God and the sons of Belial.

37For the sons of God would seek to establish Zion.

38And the sons of Belial would seek to overthrow it.

39Therefore the Lord declared in the council of heaven:

40The day shall come when the works of Belial shall be judged.

41And his dominion shall be broken.

42Yea the covenant of God shall prevail among the children of men.

43And Melchisedec saw that Zion would rise and fall among many generations.

44For the hearts of men would sometimes remember the covenant.

45But at other times they would fall again into pride.

46The Lord continued and said unto him:

47Nevertheless the covenant which I established from the beginning shall not fail.

48For I will raise up servants in every generation.

49For they shall labor in the Holy Order after the order of the Son.

50And they shall prepare the people for the redemption of Zion.

51Now Melchisedec saw that in the latter days the work of redemption would increase greatly upon the earth.

52And servants of God would arise among the nations.

53That they would call the people unto repentance.

54That they would gather the righteous from the four quarters of the earth.

55And the covenant of Zion would again be established among the children of men.

56Therefore Melchisedec beheld that the sons of darkness would also increase in those days.

57And they would seek to overthrow the work of God.

58Nevertheless the Lord declared:

59Zion shall be redeemed in my own due time.

60For I the Lord defend my covenant.

61And the power of the Lamb shall prevail over the kingdoms of the earth.

62Yea the servants of the Holy Order shall prepare the way.

63The sons of light shall gather together.

64And the dominion of Belial shall come to an end.

65Affer hearing these words Melchisedec rejoiced in hearing these words from the Lord.

66And he delighted in the Holy One of Isreal and rejoiced in his great plan of salvation and redemption.

67For he perceived that the work of redemption stretched from the beginning of the world unto the end thereof.

68And that the Holy Order had again been established among his people in the land of Salem.

69And again the Lord commanded him saying:

70Write the things which thou hast seen.

71That the righteous in future generations may understand the purposes of God.

The Spread of the Holy Order

1Now after Melchisedec had beheld the heavenly councils and the visions concerning the redemption of Zion, he returned again unto the sanctuary of the Most High in the city of Salem.

2And the Spirit of the Lord was indwelling in him, and the wisdom of heaven was given unto him concerning the deeper order of the covenant which the Lord had established among the children of men.

3Melchisedec assembled the high priests and the elders of the city together within the inner courts of the sanctuary.

4And he spoke unto them saying:

5My brethren, the Holy Order which the Lord hath restored among this people is greater than the order of kings and greater than the authority of nations.

6For this order was prepared before the foundation of the world and was established in heaven before the earth was formed.

7And the Lord revealed unto Melchisedec that the fulness of this order was not given unto man alone.

8But it was ordained that man and woman together should receive the covenant thereof.

9For the Lord had declared in the beginning that it was not good that man should be alone.

10And that the fulness of the covenant should be established in the union of a man and a woman who were bound together before God.

11And Melchisedec taught them saying:

12The power of the Holy Order is made perfect when a man and a woman become one flesh before the Lord.

13For the covenant of God is not given that men should walk alone in righteousness.

14But that families should be established in the covenant of heaven.

15And when a man and a woman enter into this covenant with pure hearts they become one in purpose, one in mind, one in strength, and one in love before the Lord.

16And the Lord revealed unto Melchisedec that such unions were to be sealed by the authority of the Holy Order.

17That their covenant should endure beyond the days of mortality.

18Even from eternity to eternity.

19From everlasting to everlasting.

20From time to time.

21And from condescension to condescension.

22For the Lord showed unto Melchisedec that the children of God would pass through many seasons of labor and ministry among the nations.

23And that those who were sealed in the covenant of the Holy Order would not be separated in the purposes of God.

24But would return again together in the work of redemption.

25And the Lord declared that this covenant was called after the name of the Son.

26For the Holy Order was established under the authority of the Son of God.

27And the Son was prepared from the foundation of the world to bring redemption unto all that would receive it.

28Yea the servants of the Holy Order labored under that authority to redeem Zion among the righteous.

29Now Melchisedec taught the elders saying:

30When a man and a woman enter into this covenant they are pronounced before heaven as king and queen, priest and priestess unto the Most High.

31And they become stewards of the covenant of God among the people.

32Therefore they labor together in unity to establish righteousness among their households and among the nation.

33And these covenants were performed in the sanctuaries of the Lord.

34For the sanctuary was the place where heaven and earth were joined together.

35And there the sacred ordinances of the Holy Order were administered.

36Yea Melchisedec instructed the priests concerning these sacred ceremonies.

37And he taught them the ordinances of covenant and endowment which prepared the people to walk before God.

38For the Spirit of the Lord, which dwelt in Melchisedec, bore witness of these things.

39For the Holy Spirit of Promise was upon him.

40Yea that Spirit carried the authority of the sealing power of heaven.

41And by that power covenants made in righteousness were bound upon the earth and sealed in heaven.

42And Melchisedec taught them that this order had been known among the righteous in former generations.

43For Enoch had established such a covenant among his people.

44Through that order the city of Enoch had walked in unity and holiness before the Lord.

45And Melchisedec desired that the same order should flourish among the people of Salem.

46Therefore many families entered into the covenant of the Holy Order.

47And they labored together in righteousness.

48Yea and Zion flourished among them.

49Nevertheless the Lord revealed unto Melchisedec that these sacred teachings would not remain upon the earth in their fulness.

50For in the generations to come the pride of men would cause these ordinances to be forgotten.

51And the covenant of the Holy Order would become hidden among the nations.

52Now behold Melchisedec saw again in vision that the Lord would raise up a servant in the latter days to restore these sacred things.

53And that servant would be mighty in faith and young in age.

54And through him the Lord would begin again the work of gathering and redeeming Zion.

55Yea the foundations of the covenant would be laid again among the children of men.

56And the sealing power of heaven would be restored upon the earth.

57Therefore families would again be bound together in the covenant of eternity.

58And those who had been sealed in righteousness would recognize one another again in the purposes of God.

59For the covenant of the Holy Order cannot be broken by death nor by the passing of generations.

60And the Lord declared that those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise shall remain united in the work of redemption.

61From eternity to eternity.

62From everlasting to everlasting.

63From time to time.

64And from condescension to condescension.

65And Melchisedec recorded these teachings among the sacred records of Salem.

66for the purpose that the righteous in future generations might understand the covenant of the Holy Order and the purposes of God concerning the redemption of Zion.

The Translation of Salem

1And it came to pass that after many years the people of Salem continued in righteousness before the Lord.

2Yea the covenant of Zion remained among them.

3And the inhabitants thereof walked in humility and remembered continually the law of consecration which had been established among them.

4For behold the Holy Order did flourish among the people of Salem

5Even the high priests did laborer continually to teach the covenant of the Most High.

6And Melchisedec went forth among many nations together with those who were ordained in the Holy Order.

7Yea they traveled into many lands proclaiming the covenant of righteousness.

8For they taught the people concerning the Holy Order which had been established from the foundation of the world.

9And they declared unto the nations that the covenant of Zion required humility, repentance, and the remembrance of the poor.

10Nevertheless many of the nations hardened their hearts against these teachings.

11For the rulers of those lands loved power and dominion more than righteousness.

12And the people feared the loss of their riches and traditions.

13Therefore they rejected the covenant of the Holy Order.

14Yet among those nations there were some whose hearts were softened.

15And these received the teachings of Melchisedec.

16And they entered into the covenant of the Holy Order.

17And they established families in righteousness according to the covenant of the Lord.

18And thus the knowledge of the Holy Order began to spread among certain people of the earth.

19And it came to pass that the righteousness of the city of Salem increased continually.

20And the hearts of the inhabitants were knit together in unity and love.

21Yea there was no contention among them.

22Neither were there poor among them.

23And the Spirit of the Lord had condescended upon the city and its people.

24Now Melchisedec perceived that the people had become sanctified before God.

25For their hearts were pure and their covenant was firm.

26And the Lord revealed unto Melchisedec that the time had come for the city of Salem to be preserved from the wickedness which would arise among the nations.

27And the word of Jehovah came unto him saying:

28My servant Melchisedec, behold this people have become holy before me.

29For they have walked in righteousness and have remembered my covenant.

30Therefore I will preserve them from the corruption of the world.

31And I will take this city unto myself.

32Even as I did with the city of Enoch in former days.

33And they shall dwell in a place prepared for them.

34Where the power of death shall not have dominion.

35Neither shall sickness nor sorrow afflict them.

36And they shall continue in the covenant of the Holy Order.

37Until the time appointed for the redemption of Zion.

38And Melchisedec bowed himself before the Lord and gave thanks for the mercy of God.

39And the people were prepared according to the word of Jehovah.

40And it came to pass that the city of Salem was taken up from the earth.

41And the inhabitants thereof were preserved by the power of God.

42And they were translated into a sphere of glory where they continued in righteousness before the Lord.

43Nevertheless certain among the high priests of the Holy Order were commanded to remain upon the earth.

44And they were instructed to carry the knowledge of the covenant among the nations.

45And some were appointed to tarry among the generations of men.

46And others were commanded to return again in different times to labor among the children of men.

47For the Lord declared that the redemption of Zion would require many servants who would come forth in different ages of the world.

48And those who had been part of the covenant of Salem would recognize one another again in the purposes of God.

49And the land where the city of Salem had stood was preserved according to the commandment of the Lord.

50For it was prepared that in a future day the people of that city would return again.

51And Zion would be established upon the earth in its fullness.

52Yea the covenant of the Holy Order would flourish again among the righteous.

53And thus the record of Melchisedec and the city of Salem came to an end.

54And the High Priests of the Holy Order preserved these writings that future generations might understand the covenant of God and the purposes of the Holy Order among the children of men.