Doctrine of The Holy Order

I’ve been looking for online commentary on Denver Snuffer’s latest paper entitled, “The Holy Order, Part 2,” which he delivered at the Remnant Eclipse Conference in New York on Sunday 7 April 2024. Finding none yet online, I will offer a few early thoughts of my own in this post and over the next several posts. I look forward to reading future online commentary from others, hopefully about the doctrine presented about the Fulness of the Priesthood.

Although I did not attend the conference, I have read the paper twice and viewed the video presentation once. The paper is 71 pages. The video presentation is over three hours. I anticipate reviewing both several times more before I finish this series. I share these thoughts with a clear nod to Denver as the originator of the doctrine taught, which he clearly attributes to revelation from the Lord. I have learned much from this paper already. This post and several anticipated future posts represent an attempt on my part to understand it better.

This is the first in a Series

As Denver said in the introduction, referring to footnote 9 of the first talk: “I’ve noticed when something new is added, there are those who start discussing it as if it were their own insight—even when they have never said one word about it until after they first learn of it from me.” Let me be unequivocally clear. What I share in these next few posts reflects material I have learned from Denver.

For reference, part one of the talk, delivered in October of 2017, can be found here or here. The doctrine contained in both papers is clearly different from orthodox teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you have never read Denver’s material before, you may find it heretical. If you are new to the teachings of Denver Snuffer, consider the following:

• Denver’s website
• Wikipedia entry on Denver
• Restoration Archives
• Amazon Author Page
• Your own Google Search

Biography of Denver Snuffer

As a biographical nutshell modified from his 2012 book, Passing the Heavenly Gift, Denver is an attorney living in Sandy, Utah. He has a Juris Doctor from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. He was admitted to practice law in 1980 in Utah, and remains a practicing attorney. A convert to the LDS faith in 1973 when 19 years old, he remained an active member of the LDS Church for 40 years until he was excommunicated in 2013 for refusing to withdraw “Passing the Heavenly Gift” from publication.

He served on the High Council, taught Gospel Doctrine and Priesthood classes for twenty-one years in Wards in Pleasant Grove, Alpine and Sandy, Utah. He instructed Graduate Institute classes at the University of Utah College of Law, and instructed at the BYU Education Week for three years. He is the author of seven earlier books, The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil, Nephi’s Isaiah, Eighteen Verses, Beloved Enos, Ten Parables, Come, Let Us Adore Him, and Removing the Condemnation. He has now published sixteen books containing original material, literally millions of words.

Focus on the Doctrine of Christ, not on Denver

Other online biographical sketches of Denver tend to emphasize some of the more controversial aspects of the last twelve to fifteen years as fellowships of believers began to organize and conferences were held. I like to focus on what I see as Denver’s primary role today: to clarify doctrines that were lost from the original restoration and to continue that restoration with additional doctrine. As several others have done, I met with and interviewed Denver to satisfy my own curiosity about the man and to get to know him a little better.

As Denver has said numerous times, we should focus on the content of the material presented, especially in the Ten Talks, instead of focusing on the man. Nevertheless, and although I have never heard him declare it, I consider Denver much more of a prophet, seer and revelator than Russell M. Nelson or any of the other fifteen Brethren who lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have also written in the past that I consider Denver to be The Davidic Servant. But as he has said, nobody can claim the title until the work is completed.

The Opening Paragraph Focuses on Christ

I love the opening paragraph of the paper: “Salvation comes through Jesus Christ. He was assigned the role of Redeemer before the foundation of the world. Resurrection is only available through Jesus Christ. Forgiveness of sins is only possible because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. This paper is about how from time to time Christ sends authority and order into this world, for His purposes. How He chooses to establish order does not change His essential, central, and singular role as our Savior.”

Can there be any doubt right from the start that our focus should be on Christ? We are reminded of His role as our Redeemer and Savior. It is only through Christ that we can obtain resurrection and be forgiven of our sins. Repentance is only possible because of His atoning sacrifice in the garden and on the cross. We are then introduced to the idea that we will be discussing authority and order that Christ establishes for His purposes. At the end of page one, Denver states that this paper will clarify the phrase “Fullness of the Priesthood,” which I tried to understand and explain back in 2014 in this post.

This Doctrine Cannot be Publicly Explained

“The fullness of the Priesthood, including the rites of the Holy Order, is not something that has ever been or can be publicly explained in complete detail. The fullness of the Priesthood is different from the fullness of the Gospel. The Book of Mormon contains the ‘fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’ The fullness of the Gospel was intended openly for everyone. In contrast, the ‘fullness of the Priesthood’ (which is the Holy Order after the Order of the Son of God) is not something that was restored to the church Joseph Smith organized, nor is it publicly available, nor is it intended for everyone. It may serve everyone, but will never be held by everyone.”

I’m not going to comment on every paragraph but this one from page two is so good I just had to include it. Note how the point is made that the church Joseph Smith organized did not and does not contain the fullness of the priesthood. There is also a clear distinction made that this priesthood will never be held by everyone. That should be obvious, but it is also clearly stated that this order, this priesthood, is not publicly available. This infers, and clarifies that some priesthood can ONLY be received directly from the Lord. As far as I know, that is not at all included in the doctrines accepted or taught by the LDS Church.

True Doctrine, Understood, Changes Behavior

This paper is so rich in doctrine it is probably going to take me months to fully absorb it. I am so grateful to have received it. Even if nobody reads my posts on the subject, I know I will grow as I study and share what I learn. I only hope I can find the time between work and family responsibilities to devote the time this paper deserves. Denver stated that he worked on it for over a year. I am certain the work he referred to was more than just drafting and editing. I suggest we ask ourselves if the Lord was directly involved in this paper. I am already convinced of that fact. I clearly see the hand of the Lord in this.

God bless us as we study and absorb the truths and doctrines contained in this paper. Like Nephi, I am pondering what I have read and heard. I am making it a matter of prayer. Quoting Boyd K Packer, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” I am in need of changing my behavior. I have been focusing too much on my career and the concerns of making a living. I believe understanding this doctrine will bring about a paradigm shift in my thinking and my focus in life. Thanks be to God for this pure doctrine delivered courageously by the Servant of the Lord.