THE GREAT PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH, ETC. 249 upon him. But could grant his re- was conferred upon individuals, they did quest? No, he could not. What answer not have the power to confer it upon oth- did Elijah make him? He said, thou hast ers, unless through special command of asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou the Lord. And Elijah knew that if - seest me when I am taken from thee, it isha could see him when he was ascend- shall be so unto thee; but if not it shall ing, that his prayer would be answered. not be so. How did Elijah know that? Why? Because the Melchizedek - Because he knew that the Melchizedek hood holds the keys of the mysteries and Priesthood holds the keys of the myster- the revelations of God. ies and the revelations of God; and that This is a principle on that point; and if he could see him as he ascended, it it may be of use to you elders, that would be an evidence to him that the you may comprehend the position, that Lord had granted his request, although they occupied. That was associated in he himself had not power to grant it, El- part with the Mosaic , but isha would then know that his prayer only in part. But when came was heard. Those other prophets, who he introduced the Melchizedek Priest- knew that Elijah was to be translated, hood in an organized form, and restored went and stood to view the event afar the Gospel. But those men did not re- off; I do not suppose that they saw any- store the Gospel. But let me show you thing of Elijah as he was being taken that are acquainted with the history of up into heaven. But he was taken up, the , they had a great and Elisha saw the manner in which he many more revelations in regard to these went, and cried out, "My father, my fa- things upon this continent than they had ther, the chariot of Israel, and the horse- upon the continent of Asia. And they men thereof." And how did he see them? had the Gospel and administered in the God had conferred upon him that priest- ordinances and talked about the coming hood by which he was enabled to see of , still they administered in the them. Elijah threw down his mantle laws of until the coming of Christ; as he ascended, which Elisha took up and yet at the same time they did have and started off alone, his "head" hav- the Gospel and an organization of that ing been translated. But he had re- Gospel in part and ordinances among ceived the answer to his prayer; and ap- them different from what they had on proaching the banks of the Jordan, with the other continent before Christ came. the mantle that had been left him he You that are acquainted with the Book of smote the waters saying, "Where is the Mormon will find these things in it; and Lord God of Elijah?" And when he did if you have not found them, hunt them so they parted as they had done at the up, and you will find what I say in rela- command of Elijah, and Elisha passed tion to this matter is true. over. And God was with him, manifest- Very well. When Jesus came he ing his power through him, as he had had been looked forward to by all done through his predecessor. I speak of the prophets since the world was, and this as a certain principle and I speak of it had been prophesied about him it now for the information of you elders, that he would come to redeem the that they did not have then an organized world and offer himself as a sacri- Melchizedek Priesthood, but that if it fice, as an atonement for the sins of the world, of which there were