One Eternal Round

1 Nephi 10:17 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 3:5


And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the holy ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God — and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come — I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things by the power of the holy ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men, for he is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. And the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find, and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded to them by the power of the holy ghost, as well in this time as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment seat of God, and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off for ever. And the holy ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things and deny them not.

TSJ 3:5

And it came to pass after I, Nefi, having heard all the words of
my father concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also
the things which he spoke by the power of the Ruach HaKodesh,
which power he received by faith on the Son of Elohim — and the
Son of Elohim was the Mashiach who should come — I, Nefi, was
desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things
by the power of the Ruach HaKodesh, which is the gift of Elohim
unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in
the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men,
for he is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. And the way
is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be
that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeks
shall find, and the mysteries of Elohim shall be unfolded to them
by the power of the Ruach HaKodesh, as well in this time as in times
of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the
course of yhwh is one eternal round. Therefore remember, O man,
for all your doings you shall be brought into judgment. Wherefore,
if you have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then
you are found unclean before the judgment seat of Elohim, and no
unclean thing can dwell with Elohim; wherefore, you must be cast
off for ever. And the Ruach HaKodesh gives authority that I should
speak these things and deny them not.

The phrase "the course of the Lord is one eternal round." is a curious phrase isn't it?

I've been considering for a bit what my understanding is of what Nephi is saying here.

I am beginning to believe that everything in the Book of Mormon is chock full of meaning and can and should be delved into but in this one paragraph I believe that Nephi is talking about something huge.

First, Nephi speaks of a way that is prepared from the foundation of the world.

What is the definition of "the world?"

What is the "foundation" of  "the world"?

What is Nephi speaking of in this paragraph that is the "way that is prepared"?

The following is from the Prophet Joseph and I believe it is promising us the same thing as what Nephi is promising here.

Every man lives for himself. Adam was made to open the way of the world, and for dressing
the garden. Noah was born to save seed of everything, when the earth was washed of its
wickedness by the flood; and the Son of God came into the world to redeem it from the fall. But
except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. This eternal truth settles the
question of all men’s religion. A man may be saved, after the judgment, in the terrestrial kingdom,
or in the telestial kingdom, but he can never see the celestial kingdom of God, without being born
of the water and the Spirit. He may receive a glory like unto the moon, [i.e., of which the light
of the moon is typical], or a star, [i.e., of which the light of the stars is typical], but he can never
come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an
innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are
written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to
Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, unless he becomes as a little child, and is taught by the
Spirit of God. Wherefore, we again say, search the revelations of God; study the prophecies,
and rejoice that God grants unto the world Seers and Prophets. They are they who saw the
mysteries of godliness; they saw the flood before it came; they saw angels ascending and
descending upon a ladder that reached from earth to heaven; they saw the stone cut out of the mountain, which filled the whole earth; they saw the Son of God come from the regions of bliss and dwell with men on earth; they saw the deliverer come out of Zion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob; they saw the glory of the Lord when he showed the transfiguration of the earth on the mount; they saw every mountain laid low and every valley exalted when the Lord was taking vengeance upon the wicked; they saw truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven in the last days, before the Lord came the second time to gather His elect; they saw the end of wickedness on earth, and the Sabbath of creation crowned with peace; they saw the end of the glorious thousand years, when Satan was loosed for a little season; they saw the day of judgment when all men received according to their works, and they saw the heaven and the earth flee away to make room for the city of God, when the righteous receive an inheritance in eternity. And, fellow sojourners upon earth, it is your privilege to purify yourselves and come up to the same glory, and see for yourselves, and know for yourselves. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 12 - 13)

Doesn't this statement from the Prophet Joseph demonstrate a difference between "the world" and "the earth"?

As I understand this statement, every time Joseph speaks of "the earth" he is referring to the dirt and rock planet we live on; i.e. the earth was washed of its wickedness.

Every time Joseph speaks of "the world" he is speaking of things that pertain to the human family; i.e. the Son of God came into the world to redeem it from the fall.

If "the world" is the human family then what is "the foundation" of the human family?

Joseph states that Adam was made to open the way of the world or the human family.

Does that mean that "the foundation" for the human family was prepared before Adam?

What do the scriptures have to say about what occurred before Adam?

And I, the Lord God, spoke unto Moses, saying, That Satan whom you have commanded in the name of my Only Begotten is the same who was from the beginning. And he came before me, saying, Behold, I, send me. I will be your Son and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost. And surely I will do it. Wherefore, give me your honor. But behold, my Beloved Son, who was my beloved and chosen from the beginning, said unto me, Father, your will be done, and the glory be yours for ever. Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also that I should give unto him my own power, by the power of my Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down. And he became Satan, yea, even the Devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not listen unto my voice. (Moses 4:1 - 4, OC Genesis 2 par. 15)

We have another account of this event in the book of Revelation.

And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was delivered, ready to devour her child after it was born. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred sixty years. And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against Michael. And the dragon prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman — who was the church of God — who had been delivered of her pains and brought forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ; neither was there place found in Heaven for the great dragon who was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and also called Satan, who deceives the whole world, he who was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now has come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night; for they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O Heavens, and you that dwell in them. (Revelation  ,  NC Revelation 4 pars. 2-4)

Was the foundation for the human family laid when Christ was chosen and sustained by the children of God to be a Savior for all that would be created by His hand?

I believe so.

Was it at the laying of the foundation that Lucifer, who now has the title of Satan, which means accuser, was cast out?

Let's remember this because it relates to Nephi's later statement of one eternal round.

If Nephi is laying out "the way" which has been prepared from the foundation of the human family for all who repent and come unto God, or the time the scriptures tell us of when the Lord was chosen as Savior, then is this "way" important for us to consider?

Does "the way" apply to all who have ever lived, all who live now, and all who will ever live?

As I understand it, Nephi equates "the way" with seeking and finding and having the mysteries of God unfolded to us.

Nephi declares that this "way" or process is accomplished by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in this time as in times of old and as well in times of old as in times to come.

Doesn't Nephi's statement cover all individuals past present and future?

I explained in the previous post what my understanding of the power of the Holy Ghost is.

If I am correct in my understanding, then it was established before the creation of the earth, or from the foundation of the human family, that by turning to God (repentance) and seeking for His mysteries, that the Holy Spirit (the mind of God) would act upon the spirit of any individual seeker, past, present, or future, and activate the Holy Ghost within them to the unfolding of all of the mysteries of God; line by line and precept by precept here a little and there a little until the mysteries would be unfolded completely to them. 

We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 51)

Could it be said that the above statement by the Prophet Joseph is what Nephi is telling us?

Nephi declares something that is associated with "the way".  We could say it is the flip side of "the way".

Nephi cautions, "Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment seat of God, and no unclean thing can dwell with God;"

Nephi uses the word "wickedly" when he cautions us about what we have sought to do during our days of our probation. 

What does the word "wicked" mean?

How do we know if we are being "wicked" or if we are seeking to do "wickedly" during our probation?

This is how the Lord defined wickedness.

And the whole world lies in sin and groans under darkness and under the bondage of sin, and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me, for whoever comes not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoever receives not my voice is not acquainted with my voice and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groans under sin and darkness, even now. (D&C 84:49 - 53, T&C 82 par. 19)

As I understand it, the Lord is declaring that we are acting wickedly in our probation if we are not coming to Him and receiving His voice.

He says that this is the criteria for knowing the righteous from the wicked.

Does this give more weight to what Nephi declared to his brothers that they were not keeping the commandments of God because they refused to approach God and receive from Him?

Is Nephi declaring then that "the way" is the only manner in which an individual can become clean before God at the judgment seat?

If we are not following "the way" prepared from the foundation of the human family then aren't we following something else?

If this is correct, then how important is it for us each to seek out the mysteries of God by the power of the Holy Ghost?

Nephi also states here that if we are unclean or have sought to do wickedly (followed something else) that, "no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off for ever."

What does Nephi mean about being cast off for ever?

This is where we come to that curious phrase "one eternal round".

What is the meaning of "wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

And what does this phrase have to do with what Nephi is talking about here?

The Lectures on Faith teach concerning God's unchangeableness and how that characteristic allows men to exercise faith in God unto salvation.

Thirdly, that he changes not, neither is there variableness with him, but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, today, and for ever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation. ( T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 3 par. 15)

So what is it that does not change as Nephi speaks about being cast off for ever?

For example:

Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation, wherefore, it is more express than other scriptures that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men altogether for my name’s glory. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know, even as my apostles. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest, for behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it? For behold, I am Endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is Endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore —
     Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.   
     Endless punishment is God’s punishment.   (D&C 19:5 - 12, T&C 4 pars. 2 - 4)

The Lord revealed that Eternal punishment and Endless punishment refer to a type of punishment not a punishment of eternal and endless duration.

If Eternal and Endless punishment is not a reference to a duration of time then how could someone be cast off for ever?

How are we to look at what Nephi declared about being cast off for ever?

This relates to the unchangeableness of God and the eternal round.

There is no beginning, and there is no end; it is one eternal round.1 “This round of creation is only part of the cycle. We are part of endless cycles. Now. Today matters a great deal. Therefore, what you do here matters, infinitely and eternally. Set aside doubts, and have faith. It is the only way to change your eternal destiny. We should all want to be baptized and to be cleansed from sin. But, the prototype of the saved man requires more. We may only receive limited grace in this life, but we must hold fast. We cannot receive more if we will not receive all that is offered us now. If we will receive what is offered now, we will be added upon for ever and for ever (Abraham 6:2). In other words, we move up the ladder by our heed and diligence in this cycle of creation. As we do, we will have so much the advantage in the next cycle.”2Men and women can choose to move upward and be added upon, or they can choose to remain as they are, worlds without end. Now is part of eternity. Though mortal, all live in eternity and ought to take this opportunity seriously. The scriptures speak of things that happened “before the foundation of the world” or “in the first place” or “from the foundation of the world.” These statements make it clear that what went on prior to this creation matters and affects mankind now. In the same way, what one accepts in this life, by his heed and diligence, affects what comes after. The course all are on has been ordained by God and is one eternal round (Alma 5:5; 17:8; JSH 10:2; T&C 18:1). Even if someone has proven himself before, he must prove himself again, now.
God has been at this a long time. Christ has been involved in many repeated cycles of creation. Moses was told: And by the word of my power have I created them, who is my Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth. And worlds without number have I created, and I also created them for my own purpose; and by the same I created them, who is my Only Begotten [It is endless, and it is cyclical.] For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power, and there are many that now stand, and numberless are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them (Genesis 1:6). This is God’s great work. It has been going through cycles of creation, fall, redemption, judgment, and re-creation for ever. It is endless. Many unnumbered worlds have been, now are, and will yet be. The Lord told Moses just how vast this process is: These are many and they cannot be numbered unto man, but they are numbered unto me for they are mine. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come. And there is no end to my works, neither to my words (Genesis 1: 7). This is a continual, endless cycle, worlds without end. Man falls into the cold realm of the temporal but is returned again to the spiritual. The process allows incremental development based on choices. When any cycle begins, man is spirit. When it is underway, man is temporal and physical. But when a cycle ends, man is spirit again. Humanity is nearing another turn of the wheel when wickedness ends. As modern revelation describes it, For the hour is nigh and the day is soon at hand when the earth will be ripe, and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble, and I will burn them up, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth…. For I will reveal myself from Heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand (T&C 9:3). Then, when the thousand years are ended and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season, and the end shall come, and the Heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new Heaven and a new earth (T&C 9:7). The cycle repeats, but nothing is lost. The old passes away, but everything is kept to be used again, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air and the fishes of the sea, and not one hair neither mote shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of my hand (T&C 9:7).  (T&C, Glossary of Terms, One Eternal Round)
If men and women will receive what is offered now, they will be added upon for ever and for ever. In other words, each person moves up the ladder by his or her heed and diligence in this cycle of creation. As they do, they will have so much the advantage in the next cycle. They can choose to move upward and be added upon or choose to remain as they are, worlds without end. Now is part of eternity. Though mortal, man lives in eternity and ought to take this opportunity seriously. The scriptures speak of things that happened before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:4; Testimony of John 9:20; T&C 138:19) or in the first place (Mosiah 1:9; Alma 9:10) or from the foundation of the world (Matthew 7:8; T&C 138:19; Revelation 6:11). These statements make it clear that what went on before “this creation” did matter and do affect mankind now. In the same way, what is accepted in this life by one’s heed and diligence affects what comes after. This current course of life has been ordained by God and is one eternal round (LOF 3:15; T&C 2:1; JSH 10:2). Even if one has proven before, he must prove himself again, now. God has been at this a long time. Christ has been involved in many repeated cycles of creation. God’s great work has been going through cycles of creation, fall, redemption, judgment, and re-creation for ever. It is endless. Many unnumbered worlds have been, now are, and will yet be. This is a continual, endless cycle, worlds without end. “Ever notice how the pre-earth and the Millennium seem alike? Ever wonder what worlds without end means? Ever considered how God’s work never ends, and yet it has definite increments separating one cycle from the next? God’s works are endless. We are His greatest work. He intends to give us immortality and eventual eternal life. How long it will require depends on how long it takes us to become like the prototype of the saved man.” (T&C Glossary of Terms, Worlds Without End)
As a cycle of creation is finished and all are brought before the judgment seat of God, those who are unclean are cast off.
Another cycle of creation comes and we are all allowed to participate again with the opportunity to come to God and receive His voice.
If we do not do so during our probation then, we end up being unclean again when we are brought before the judgment seat of God following that creation cycle.  If we are unclean, we must be cast off again.
Nephi, as I understand him, is telling us that no matter how many creation cycles, eternal rounds, we pass through, if we appear before the judgment seat of God unclean we will be cast off. 
That is unchangeable.
What does that mean as far as the opportunity here and now in this creation cycle to do what Nephi is doing and approach God?
If what we gain here can help us in the next cycle then isn't it incumbent upon us to use our probation now to approach God?
In just a few sentences Nephi gives us so much to think about and so much that pertains to both past and future creation cycles in addition to this present one.
This is huge!
Nephi completes this thought by declaring that these words have been spoken by the authority of the Holy Ghost.
Doesn't that mean that these words are God's words and that they are binding upon us?