D&C 121 Paraphrase

Denver Snuffer, in his book, Come, Let Us Adore Him, provided a paraphrase of Joseph Smith's D&C 121: 34-36 (now T&C 139:5-7). Below is the original, followed by Denver's paraphrase. I think both men sublimely capture the intention. But like all other scriptures, they are best understood when experienced. . . .

"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the Powers of Heaven and that the Powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but when we undertake to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the Heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood; only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul; without hypocrisy and without guile; reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the holy ghost, and then showing forth afterward an increase of love toward him whom you have reproved (lest he esteem you to be his enemy), that he may know that your faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death; your bowels also being full of charity toward all men, and to the household of faith; and virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Then shall your confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrines of the Priesthood shall distill upon your soul as the dews from heaven. The holy ghost shall be your constant companion, and your scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth, and your dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto you for ever and ever. The ends of the earth shall inquire after your name, and fools shall have you in derision, and hell shall rage against you, while the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under your hand. And your people shall never be turned against you by the testimony of traitors, and although their influence shall cast you into trouble, and into bars and walls, you shall be had in honor. And but for a small moment, and your voice shall be more terrible in the midst of your enemies than the fierce lion, because of your righteousness, and your God shall stand by you for ever and ever." (D&C 121: 34-36, T&C 139:5-7)

"Although the Lord invites all to come to Him, only a few will accept the invitation to come. You may wonder why; but it is because men are unwilling to accept what is offered. They want authority in this world. They want praise and honor from men. They cannot accept His invitation until they lay all such things aside and realize that any honor, any authority, any power comes only from heaven. Without a connection to heaven there is no power, no authority and no honor. Heavenly power or authority can only be exercised by fully mirroring the will of heaven, and never by acting independent of that will. Man’s own will cannot, does not, and never will be allowed to govern. Even though someone may be ordained to hold priesthood, called to an office, or given the right to decide matters in the Church, that does not empower them to contradict the will of heaven. Men cannot substitute their desire for heaven’s; because whenever they do that, the acts they perform while only pretending to follow heaven will condemn them. They use the name of God in vain anytime they follow their own desire, while falsely claiming they are doing heaven’s will. Men who try to conceal their sins, who in their pride claim authority over others, who claim the right to control or manipulate others, whose ambitions set their agenda, cannot and do not conform to heaven’s will. Heaven itself withdraws from such men, and when it does they have absolutely no priesthood authority or power. Such men are left to themselves, and oftentimes they seek to exercise yet more control, more authority, and more feigned priesthood rights over the humble who suffer under their claimed presiding authority. When such ambitious men subjugate these humble Saints, they are fighting against God. They will come to learn too late for their own salvation that they have been on their own errand all along, and not the Lord’s. Unfortunately almost all men fall victim to this false illusion of control over others. As soon as someone believes they have been given the authority of heaven, they almost immediately begin to abuse their fellow man with claims about the right to control, manipulate or coerce them. This is why so very few have ever really accepted His invitation to come unto Him. There really is no authority in the priesthood He gives to men. The priesthood is an invitation to come and learn to persuade others by the power of example, to convince others by the things which you will endure for their sake, to show love without pretense and without calling attention to yourself. It is an invitation to service. It is an invitation to seek after heaven itself. When someone accepts that invitation, and meekly submits to the gentle influence of the Holy Spirit, they will learn more by showing kindness to their fellow man than they can ever learn through any other means. Such men will rebuke others only on those occasions when heaven would rebuke; but even then they will immediately show increased love. They will not fail to show unceasing love, even to those who required a sharp word. Such men always show love to others as the most important part of their example. Such men will convince those to whom they minister that they would give their lives to save them because their love is so strong. Anyone who is in contact with heaven will love all their fellow men. They will meditate night and day upon the things of heaven. They will be able to enter into God’s own presence because their lives are so lived that heaven willingly accompanies them. They will deserve residence in heaven, and therefore heaven will take up residence with them. God will be their companion. Love will be theirs because they will never try to control, dominate or subdue others. Because of their love, the power of heaven (which is love) will be with them forever and ever. (Paraphrase)

This Priesthood draws me in. 

Denver's book can be purchased here.