In the pre-mortal councils in Heaven, God the Father was present. All humankind, of this world and countless others beyond, were in attendance. A plan was presented, a seed of thought and ambition planted. It was proposed that mankind might share in the power and glory that was then currently only possessed in its fullness by the Father. This, no doubt, opened the door for imagination and lofty desires of a greater more fulfilling existence.
These lofty desires may have led way to foolish imaginations of what could be outside of any perceived "constraints" "imposed" by the Lord. Constraints such as, the need for work, personal worthiness, the proposed imposition of pain, sorrow, despair, the prospect that some would fall, etc. and all of the other ills that surround mortal existence. Another imposition would have been perceived in the requirement to attain this glory would be to abide by the selfless, "identity stifling" Celestial Order (law).
These fears then gave rise to a group of spirits whose mortal counterparts are ironically titled "King-men". King-men in the scriptures come in two categories (typifying their then pre-existent adversaries). The first category (group A) are those who wish to be ruled absolutely and wish for all others to be ruled likewise. They believe that certain provisions are entitled to all people regardless of personal effort or previous rights of ownership. They seek unmolested security in the livelihood and social situation willing (possibly unknowing) to accept the inherent captivity that would follow ("Make us a king"). The second category (group B) are those who seek to aggrandize themselves and exalt themselves above all others believing themselves to be superior to the masses. To emphasis the delusions of group B, group A then chooses those who will rule over them and who better to do this than the very people who claim to have the specific qualities and attributes (such as charisma, charm, strong personal character, determination, strength and sophistry) required to perform such a task and are willing and able to execute the perceived power and authority granted unto them to its uttermost.
Likewise was the situation in the pre-mortal realm. The difference there, was the rebellious spirits were in the presence of God the Eternal Father in whom there is no unrighteousness, no shadow of turning, no guile, and no obvious assertion of dominion imposed on those not willing to live according to Celestial Law other than the promise of "a place of their own". This band of rebels comprising one third part of the hosts of heaven had deceived themselves. Yet, this deception was done in the presence of perfection. So the self deception was done in a manner that leaves them without excuse. They consiously chose one over the other.
What was the choice they made? A choice of trust, of leadership, of effort versus reward. They chose what they believed was the enduring path. They perceived weakness in the Father that did not exist. They saw greatness, authority, power and charisma in the leader of their choice (both sides did). One side saw leadership in Lucifer, the other saw it in the Father of all and in His first begotten in the spirt, Jesus Christ (to be the Only Begotten in the flesh). So, what is this weakness referred to? How could they look upon the Father and see anything other than perfection. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ask yourself, what is power? What is authority? From whence does it come? How is it to be exercised? Your answers will reveal your current understanding. God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ advocate a certain perspective. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by meekness and gentleness and by love un feigned. By kindness and pure knowledge which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile. Reproving betimes with sharpness (exactness) when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, then showing forth afterward, an increase of love, toward him whom those hast reproved, least he esteem thee to be his enemy. Let thy bowels also be filled with charity toward all men, and toward the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God (D&C 121).
Jesus Christ in His sermon on the mount proclaimed the meek, the humble, the broken hearted, the grateful, the peacemaker and all others alike unto these (those who are akin to the humble, meek, and submissive children) as the greatest among us. As the inheritors of the earth and of the Kingdom of God, His heaven and glory. So, for God to extol these attributes as the ones that lead to the glories of eternity, and that the glories of eternity are enjoyed as one becomes as our Father in Heaven, one can only postulate that God the Father Himself, possesses these characteristics and attributes in their full and perfect state or at least these attributes lead one on a path to the realm of being where one possesses the god-like attributes unto perfection. As such, the rebellious in the pre-mortal realm must have seen this as weakness and sought to monopolize upon this perception. Else group A would have fallen in line because they would not jeopardize their situation unless they saw victory in their cause, obviously blinded by their desires and the foolish imaginations of their hearts, mingled with fear.
With this muted, perverted perception of true power, one cannot see the true nature of God nor his greatness. They are in direct opposition to one another and are therefore hidden from view. This is also seen in the Pharisees and Scribes in the days of Christ. They could not perceive of His infinite worth and greatness because their chosen definition of what greatness is, was in direct opposition to that of the Saviors example and teachings. They were no doubt confused by the greatness of His works coupled with the perceived limitations of His example and teaching to leave them no alternatives other than forsake all that they believed they are and were to become and succumb to the inevitability that Jesus truly was the Christ, or to vanquish the pain of such a character altering decision and slay the Savior of our souls. Seeing the light shine in their eyes and imploring the ether to engulf them once again in the perceived comfort of darkness.
I wonder what it would have been like to see the Lord empty the temple of the unrighteous men. How did He do it? What was the manner of His speech and action? Furthermore, following the treatise herein proposed, how was this ejection perceived by the Scribes and Pharisees? It must have confused them greatly. I wonder if it caused them great inner debate and turmoil which may have only fueled the desire to return to their previous, unmolested, erroneous perception of power and authority. Or if it caused some lone "fence sitters" to believe, in the 11th hour.
This misconception of true power is alive and well. Rare is the scene where one is praised, honored, and followed for their meekness, humility, and self-discipline. Power and authority are often perceived in the cynical, bold, arrogant, and self-promoted. It is true, power is present in that individual but it typically isn't wholly wielded by the will of the individual. More likely they are reactionary in a subtle, crafty, calculated manner, willing to be acted upon to get gain. And those who perceive and up hold this power are seeking to be ruled (or to rule by proxy), not led.
Contrast this to the individual who, through self-discipline, clean hands and a pure heart, consciously conforms himself, decision by decision, act by act, to the will of the Father.
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