1 Nephi 12:7 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 16
And I also saw and bear record that the holy ghost fell upon twelve others, and they were ordained of God and chosen. And the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who were chosen to minister unto thy seed. And he said unto me, Thou remembereth the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Behold, they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them, for ye are of the house of Israel; and these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And behold, they are righteous for ever, for because of their faith in the Lamb of God, their garments are made white in his blood.
The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 3 par. 16
And I also saw and bear record that the Ruach HaKodesh fell upon twelve others, and they were ordained of Elohim and chosen. And the angel spoke unto me, saying, Behold the twelve talmidim of the Lamb, who were chosen to minister unto your seed. And he said unto me, You remember the twelve emissaries of the Lamb. Behold, they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Isra’el. Wherefore, the twelve servants of your seed shall be judged of them, for you are of the house of Isra’el; and these twelve servants whom you behold shall judge your seed. And behold, they are righteous for ever, for because of their faith in the Lamb of Elohim, their garments are made white in his blood.
I have always been blind to things that have been right in front of my face and I believe what Nephi is leaving here in this description is a help to me concerning something that I have had right in front of my face in the Book of Mormon but have never connected the dots.
For this I am exceedingly grateful to Nephi.
Also, I am learning little by little that I have for soooo long compartmentalized teachings contained in the separate books of scriptures instead of viewing them all together which makes them understandable.
As an example of what I am talking about please consider the following.
And I have given unto you another law and commandment, wherefore teach it unto your children: that all men everywhere must repent or they can by no means inherit the kingdom of God; for no unclean thing can dwell there or dwell in his presence, for in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name. And the name of his Only Begotten is the Son Ahman, a righteous judge who shall come in the meridian of time. Therefore, I give unto you a commandment to teach these things freely unto your children, saying that by reason of transgression comes the Fall, which fall brings death. And inasmuch as you were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit whom I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so, you must be born again into the kingdom of Heaven of water, and of the spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of my Only Begotten, that you may be sanctified from all sin and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory. For by the water you keep the commandment, by the spirit you are justified, and by the blood you are sanctified... (Moses 6:56 - 63, OC Genesis 4 par. 9)
I had considered that I understood what it meant that all need to be born of water and the spirit in order to be born again into the kingdom of Heaven but I had confusion as to what it meant to be cleansed by the blood of the Only Begotten.
What would that look like?
What is entailed in that?
I believe that my confusion stemmed from the fact that I considered this principle of being cleansed by the blood of the Only Begotten taught here alone and apart from what the other scriptures said about the matter.
I did not realize until I began to take the Book of Mormon more seriously than I have in the past that the Book of Mormon has a tremendous amount to teach on one being cleansed by the blood of Christ.
Since the Book of Mormon contains a fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is it any wonder that Nephi would take the opportunity here to point to an event that clearly demonstrates what the Lord was declaring to Adam from the beginning; an event that clearly demonstrates the Doctrine of Christ as well as the end result of the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost?
And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son whose name was Jonas, and also Mathoni, and Mathonihah his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah — now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen — and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude. And behold, the multitude was so great that they did cause that they should be separated into twelve bodies, and the twelve did teach the multitude. And behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. And the disciples did pray unto the Father also in the name of Jesus. And it came to pass that they arose and ministered unto the people. And when they had ministered them same words which Jesus had spoken, nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken, behold, they knelt again and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus; and they did pray for that which they most desired. And they desired that the holy ghost should be given unto them. And when they had thus prayed, they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them. And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water and was baptized. And he came up out of the water and began to baptize, and he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen. And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the holy ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the holy ghost and with fire. And behold, they were encircled about as if it were fire, and it came down from Heaven, and the multitude did witness it and do bear record. And angels did come down out of Heaven and did minister unto them. And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and ministered unto them. And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth. And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray. And behold, they began to pray, and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God.(3 Nephi 19:4 - 18, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 2)
In this account we can clearly see two parts of what God described to Adam happening to the twelve Nephi saw in vision here; being born of water and of the spirit.
Is this the part of the vision Nephi saw when he declared, "I also saw and bear record that the holy ghost fell upon twelve others,"?
The account continues
And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue without ceasing to pray unto him. And they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire. And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him, and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them. And behold, they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus. And behold, the whiteness thereof did exceed all whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof. And Jesus said unto them, Pray on. Nevertheless, they did not cease to pray. And he turned from them again and went a little way off, and bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed again unto the Father, saying, Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified these whom I have chosen because of their faith; and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. Father, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given unto me out of the world because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them. And when Jesus had spoken these words, he came again unto his disciples, and behold, they did pray steadfastly without ceasing unto him; and he did smile upon them again, and behold, they were white, even as Jesus. (3 Nephi 19:24 - 30, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 4)
Do we see here in this event the twelve disciples chosen by the Lord being cleansed by the blood of the Only Begotten after having been born anew of water and of the spirit?
Is this what Nephi saw and the angel described when the angel declared to Nephi, "And behold, they are righteous for ever, for because of their faith in the Lamb of God, their garments are made white in his blood."?
The Lord Himself declared to His Father here, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified these whom I have chosen because of their faith."
Is this event similar to what Moses experienced as witnessed by those who saw him after descending from the mount?
And it came to pass when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of testimony in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. And Moses called unto them. And Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him, and Moses talked with them. And afterward, all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And until Moses was done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the veil off until he came out. And he came out and spoke unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. And Moses put the veil upon his face again until he went in to speak with the Lord.(Exodus 34:29 - 35, OC Exodus 19 par. 1)
When Moses descended and the skin of his face shown could it be said concerning Moses that the countenance of the Lord had smiled upon him and that because of his faith in the Only Begotten he was purified?
Was this event with Moses in like manner of the Nephite disciples the washing of Moses' garments in the blood of the Only Begotten making him righteous forever?
Is any of this related to the parable the Lord delivered while sojourning here in mortality?
And Jesus answered the people again, and spoke unto them in parables, and said, The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king who made a marriage for his son. And when the marriage was ready, he sent forth his servants to call them that were bid to the wedding; and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bid, Behold, I have prepared my oxen, and my fatlings have been killed, and my dinner is ready, and all things are prepared; therefore, come unto the marriage. But they made light of the servants and went their ways — one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. And the remnant took his servants, and treated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard that his servants were dead, he was angry. And he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were bid were not worthy. Go therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all, as many as they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he said unto him, Friend, how did you come in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king unto his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take and cast him away into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are called, but few chosen; wherefore, all do not have on the wedding garment. (Matthew 22:1 - 14, NC Matthew 10 pars. 17 - 19)
As we look at this parable what does it mean that both bad and good were ultimately invited to attend the wedding?
Who are the servants bidding the bad and the good to come?
How would I recognize a "servant" bidding me to come from the highway to the prepared wedding?
Are the "servants" going into the highways bidding both the bad and good to come to the wedding related to what the Lord declared to His Father while He was among the Nephites?
I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. Father, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given unto me out of the world because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
When an individual is purified, when the countenance of the Lord has smiled upon them, is it their job to go out to the highways and invite all, the bad and the good, to come to the wedding feast?
Is that how I might recognize one of the servants because they have been sanctified by Christ?
What does it mean to be sanctified?
What was it that was happening to the twelve Nephite disciples Nephi saw in vision?
In the Teachings and Commandments glossary of terms referring to "sanctification" we read the following.
Sanctification
The baptism of fire and the holy ghost is for sanctification. It is done upon the body and the Spirit within each person. The work of this “baptism of fire” is always sanctification. It brings the recipient into greater contact with God. The end of that increasing contact is to receive the Son, through whose blood all can be sanctified (see Genesis 4:9). Once sanctified, one is prepared for the presence of the Father (see Alma 21:3; 1 Nephi 3:5). It is the companionship of the Spirit that makes one justified by leading him or her to do what is right. It is the resulting application of Christ’s blood on one’s behalf that sanctifies (see Genesis 4:9). One cannot receive sanctification without first receiving baptism and then also the holy ghost. “In effect, you receive holiness through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. This in turn makes your own spirit holy.” Man is unworthy to enter into God’s presence and, therefore, requires a power higher than his own from which to borrow purity. This purifying agent is the holy ghost (see 3 Nephi 9:3–4). Christ will administer the final rites and confer the final blessings only upon the pure (see 3 Nephi 9:4–5). The reference to “blood” as sanctifying is a reference to the Lord (see Genesis 4:9). He alone sanctifies. Christ sanctifies mankind; they don’t sanctify themselves. “To be purified, to be sanctified by the Lamb — removing from you, and taking upon Himself the responsibility to answer for whatever failings you have — this is not ritual purity. This is purity in fact. To be sanctified is to be qualified to stand in the presence of God without sin, clean of all blood and sin — righteous forever. He is Christ’s, and Christ is the Father’s, and all that each of them will be is the same; for we shall see Him as He is, because we will be like Him. To be like Him is to be sanctified.” (Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of Terms, Sanctification)
Were the 12 Nephite disciples described as being like unto Christ during this event?
At the feast where do the guests get a wedding garment?
Who gives them a wedding garment to wear before the King?
Is the act of receiving a wedding garment the action of being purified or sanctified through faith on the Only Begotten?
Would this action be preceded by baptism of both water and the spirit?
Is being baptized the manner in which those on the highways respond to the invitation to come to the wedding?
Would such a course follow the pattern given to Adam in the beginning which was then demonstrated by the twelve disciples at the coming of the Lord to the Nephites who Nephi saw in vision?
Are these things part of the original religion of the Fathers?
Is this why the Prophet Joseph taught the following?
You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Savior says, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 314)
If we look again at the steps the twelve disciples of the Lord among the Nephites took didn't they follow this pattern with the intent of receiving the Holy Ghost?
Is this what allowed the purification or the washing of their garments to take place?
Why is Nephi so specific to point out this event to us in his vision?
Is it important that we study and understand this important event and see what the Lord intends to perform upon all who truly exercise faith in Him unto salvation?
When Alma was speaking to the church in Zarahemla he taught the following.
And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your own countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption? To stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord saying unto you in that day, Come unto me, ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth — or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord at that day and say, Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth — and that he will save you? Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God? I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the Devil? I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white. Yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins. (Alma 5:14 - 21, NC Alma 3 par. 3)
Didn't Alma use the same terms and phrases that Nephi used and the Lord; garments washed white, purified from all stain through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people?
Is what Alma taught here equivalent to Nephi's words "they are righteous for ever, for because of their faith in the Lamb of God, their garments are made white in his blood."
The Glossary of Terms in the Teachings and Commandments speaks of "white garments".
White Garments
To have the blood and sins of one’s generation removed from him; to be purified; to be sanctified by the Lamb — removing from the individual and taking upon Himself the responsibility to answer for whatever failings he has. This is not ritual purity. This is purity in fact. Therefore, they were called after this Holy Order and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. Now they, after being sanctified by the holy ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence. And there were many, an exceeding great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God (Alma 10:1). This describes those who are qualified to stand in the presence of God without sin; they are clean of all blood and sin — righteous for ever. “He is Christ’s, and Christ is the Father’s, and all that each of them will be is the same; for we shall see Him as He is, because we will be like Him. To be like Him is to be sanctified.” These people are sanctified by the holy ghost as a result of having their garments made white. They are pure and spotless before God. This is the reason they can enter His presence. He has accepted them because, just like Him, they are without sin. They were not perfected by their own acts. The earlier reference to their repentance makes that clear. They become pure and spotless before God because they have done what was asked of them to become clean. They have repented. “Christ sanctifies us, we don’t sanctify ourselves. Our ‘righteousness’ is borrowed from Him. It can be symbolized in this way. He provides a white robe, we put it on, and then He looks upon the whiteness and purity of the robe we received from Him and treats us as if the borrowed robe is our condition. We owe Him for that. He is willing to proceed with us as if we merited the robe.(Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of Terms, White Garments)
If we are to take the words of Alma seriously then do we need to consider that in order for us to be saved we must have the same type of cleansing that happened to the Nephite disciples happen to us; to have our garments washed white through the blood of the Lamb of God?
Is such a course even possible for most individuals or is it reserved for a select few?
Does the fact that the Lord declared in the parable that the "servants" called to both the bad and the good mean that such things are possible for all?
What does Alma have to say on the matter?
Now as I said concerning the Holy Order, or this High Priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God. And it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish. Therefore, they were called after this Holy Order and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. Now they, after being sanctified by the holy ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence. And there were many, an exceeding great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God. And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest. Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same Order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the High Priesthood for ever. And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes — yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed. Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his Order, or it being his Order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. (Alma 13:10 - 16, NC Alma 10 par. 1)
Does the fact that Alma declared that there were many, an exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God, give us confidence that even though we may be the bad who are bid to come from the highway to the wedding that we too can receive a wedding garment?
On a side note,
Is this related to "priesthood"?
When we talk of the Holy Order are we talking about "priesthood"?
If we are talking about "priesthood" when we are talking about the Holy Order, then if one has not experienced their garments being washed white because of their faith in the Only Begotten can they truthfully say that they are part of the Holy Order or that they possess that "priesthood"?
Does this make "priesthood" appear to be more like an association with the Lord and God than some kind of control or office?
Would that mean that men women and children, if they are made pure and enter into the rest of the Lord, can all possess "priesthood"?
Back to the post.
There are prophecies of a future time when a New Jerusalem will be built up and the Old Jerusalem as well.
Ether prophesied something important about those who will inhabit those blessed places.
Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land, and it shall be a land of their inheritance. And they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord like unto the Jerusalem of old. And they shall no more be confounded until the end come, when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. And they shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old and the inhabitants thereof; blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. And they are they who were scattered, and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, There are they who were first who shall be last, and there are they who were last who shall be first.(Ether 13:8 - 12, NC Ether 6 par. 3)
What did Ether prophesy concerning the inhabitants?If all the inhabitants of both the old and new Jerusalem have their garments washed white then would that mean that the countenance of the Lord smiles down upon each and every inhabitant of those two places?
If all who dwell in the old and new Jerusalem's have their garments white through the blood of the Lamb and are able to stand in God's presence wouldn't that mean that they all had entered into the rest of the Lord or in other words they know the Lord personally from the least to the greatest?
