From Doctrinal New Testament Commentary - Bruce R. McConkie
Revelation 1:6; 6. Hath made us kings and priests] "Holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood have power to press forward in righteousness, living by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, magnifying their callings, going from grace to grace, until through the fulness of the ordinances of the temple they receive the fulness of the priesthood and are ordained kings and priests. Those so attaining shall have exaltation and be kings, priests, rulers, and lords in their respective spheres in the eternal kingdoms of the great King who is God our Father." (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 425.) Those of whom John is here writing had already gained their rank and status as kings and priests, as have many also in the dispensation of the fulness of times. "John said he was a king." (Teachings, p. 375.)
Revelation 1:6; Unto God and his Father] In one of the crowning sermons of his ministry, delivered June 16, 1844, just eleven days before his martyrdom, the Prophet Joseph Smith read as a text, Revelation 1:6, and announced: "It is altogether correct in the translation." Then he proceeded with great power to consider the subject of a plurality of Gods. He quoted a number of Biblical passages and used his text verse to show there was "a God above the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." He said that all the faithful saints shall "come to dwell in unity, and in all the glory and everlasting burning of the Gods; and then we shall see as we are seen, and be as our God and he as his Father. I want to reason a little on this subject. I learned it by translating the papyrus which is now in my house.
Revelation 1:6; "I learned a testimony concerning Abraham, and he reasoned concerning the God of heaven. 'In order to do that,' said he, 'suppose we have two facts: that supposes another fact may exist—two men on the earth, one wiser than the other, would logically show that another who is wiser than the wisest may exist. Intelligences exist one above another, so that there is no end to them.'
Revelation 1:6; "If Abraham reasoned thus—If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that he had a Father also. Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son? Whenever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? And everything comes in this way. Paul says that which is earthly is in the likeness of that which is heavenly. Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that he had a Father also? I despise the idea of being scared to death at such a doctrine, for the Bible is full of it.
Revelation 1:6; "I want you to pay particular attention to what I am saying. Jesus said that the Father wrought precisely in the same way as his Father had done before him. As the Father had done before? He laid down his life, and took it up the same as his Father had done before. He did as he was sent, to lay down his life and take it up again; and then was committed unto him the keys. I know it is good reasoning." (Teachings, pp. 369-376.)
Revelation 2:17; The hidden manna] The bread of life, the good word of God, the doctrines of Him who is the Bread of Life—all of which is hidden from the carnal mind. Those who eat thereof shall never hunger more; eternal life is their eventual inheritance.
Revelation 2:17; A white stone . .. a new name] When this earth becomes a celestial sphere, "Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known; And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word." (D&C 130:10-11.) See Revelation 21:9-27.
