Three Full Generations Washed White

1 Nephi 12:11 - 18 , NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 17

 And the angel said unto me, Look. And I looked and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness, and their garments were white, even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me, These are made white in the blood of the Lamb because of their faith in him. And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness. And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth gathered together. And the angel said unto me, Behold thy seed and also the seed of thy brethren. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the people of my seed gathered together in multitudes against the seed of my brethren, and they were gathered together to battle. And the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw, yea, even the river of which he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell. And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the Devil which blindeth the eyes and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost. And the large and spacious building which thy father saw is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God and Messiah who is the Lamb of God, of whom the holy ghost beareth record from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and for ever.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 3 par. 17

And the angel said unto me, Look. And I looked and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness, and their garments were white, even like unto the Lamb of Elohim. And the angel said unto me, These are made white in the blood of the Lamb because of their faith in him. And I, Nefi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness. And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth gathered together. And the angel said unto me, Behold your seed and also the seed of your brothers. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the people of my seed gathered together in multitudes against the seed of my brothers, and they were gathered together to battle. And the angel spoke unto me, saying, Behold the fountain of filthy water which your father saw, yes, even the river of which he spoke; and the depths thereof are the depths of She’ol. And the mists of darkness are the temptations of HaSatan which blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men and lead them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost. And the large and spacious building which your father saw is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf  divides them, yes, even the sword of the justice of the Elohe Kedem and Mashiach who is the Lamb of Elohim, of whom the Ruach HaKodesh bears record from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and for ever.

At the beginning of this paragraph is evidence of what we discussed before that exceedingly many have been able to have their garments washed and made white.

Nephi is very careful to point this out. 

Not only did he state that they were a righteous people he specifically stated that their garments were white like unto the Lamb of God.

Again, we have the following from the glossary of terms concerning garments being made white.

Their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb (Alma 10:1). “To have white garments is to have the blood and sins of your generation removed from you; 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.”(Garments Washed White, Glossary of Gospel Terms, Teachings and Commandments)

Could it be said of these three generations of individuals that the countenance of the Lord smiled upon them as well as the Lord's countenance had smiled upon the twelve disciples when He first came among them?

As we look at the situation of these three generations can we consider the following from the prophet Mormon?

And if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the holy ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity. For if he have not charity, he is nothing; wherefore, he must needs have charity. And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all. For all things must fail, but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth for ever. And whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with them. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified, even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:44 - 48, NC Moroni 7 par. 9)

Is what Mormon is describing in any way related to the experience of the three full generations here in the Americas following the visit of the resurrected Lord?

When Nephi declares that the garments of these three generations were white even like unto the Lamb of God does that mean that these folks when they had their garments washed white could declare that when He, Christ, appeared they knew Him because they were like Him?

According to Mormon, is the possession of charity the way to be made pure even as He, the Lord is pure?

Does Mormon equate the possession of charity and being made pure even as the Lord is pure with becoming sons of God?

How does Mormon state that one comes to possess charity?

If one must become a true follower of Jesus Christ in order for the Father to bestow charity upon them then how does one become a true follower of Jesus Christ?

What occurred immediately following the Lord's departure from these people that allowed them to become true followers of Jesus Christ?

And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold, the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them and did truly repent of their sins were baptized in the name of Jesus, and they did also receive the holy ghost. And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites; and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore, there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free and partakers of the Heavenly gift.(4 Nephi 1:1 - 3, NC 4 Nephi 1 par. 1)

Does the above have the appearance of all the people of the land coming and partaking of the Doctrine of Christ?

Christ declared His doctrine to the Nephites when He first appeared to them following His resurrection.

What did Nephi declare concerning the Holy Ghost, which is part of the Doctrine of Christ?

And now behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the holy ghost, ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the holy ghost? Angels speak by the power of the holy ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them, it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock. Wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the holy ghost, it will shew unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.(2 Nephi 32:1 - 6, NC 2 Nephi 14 par. 1)

Let's look again, from the glossary of terms, how the Holy Ghost is instrumental in an individual being made pure or becoming sanctified.

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.”

It would appear that there was no magic performed by the Savior when he visited the peoples of the Americas following His resurrection.

It appears to me that their sanctification came as a result of their individual application of the Doctrine of Christ.

My present understanding is that it was their individual reception and companionship of the Holy Ghost following authorized baptism that facilitated their being made holy; the Holy Ghost showed them all things that they should do until Christ manifested Himself to them individually in the flesh and they began to observe the things that He began to teach them.

Was it the companionship of the Holy Ghost that caused them to deal justly with one another and caused them to get rid of all contentions and disputations?

Why does the inspired scriptural account only speak of all things in common following total conversion, an end to all disputations, and dealing justly with one another?

From reading the account above, doesn't it appear that having all things in common was a side effect of these people living after the manner of happiness?

If the initial push to get to this equality and peace was to start with all things in common wouldn't the scriptures state as much?

If such is the case would it be improper to try to have all things in common before experiencing the conversion these folks experienced?

In the entire book of 4th Nephi we have the account of what Nephi is seeing here in vision.

Here is part.

And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, until the seventy and ninth year had passed away. Yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus whom he had chosen had all gone to the paradise of God — save it were the three who should tarry. And there were other disciples ordained in their stead, and also many of that generation which had passed away. And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people; and there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness. And surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor no murderers, neither were there Lamanites nor no manner of -ites, but they were in one the children of Christ and heirs to the kingdom of God. And how blessed were they, for the Lord did bless them in all their doings, yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away. And the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land. (4 Nephi 1:14 - 18, NC 4 Nephi 1 par. 3)

From this account in 4 Nephi we read that they all individually had the love of God dwelling in their hearts.

Is it possible that this "love of God" dwelling in their hearts is the very same charity Mormon was describing? 

What kind of society exists among a group of individuals who for three complete generations had their garments made white because of their faith in Jesus Christ; who had the love of God dwelling in their hearts?

There have only been two societies in recorded history that became Zion. Because of the age of the world at the time, both were taken into heaven. We have very little to help us understand why these two succeeded. Apart from describing them as of “one heart, one mind, and no poor among them” we know little else. But perhaps that is one of the most important things we can know about them. Maybe the point is that nothing and no-one stood out as remarkable or different within the community. There were no heroes and no villains, no rich and poor, no Shakespearian plot lines of betrayal, intrigue, ambition, conflict and envy. There was no adultery, theft, robbery, murder, immorality and drunkenness. In other words, nothing to entertain us, because all our stories, movies, music, novels, television plots and social media are based upon and captivated by everything that is missing from these societies. 

The centuries-long period of peace described in the Book of Mormon occupies only a few short pages in 4 Nephi. Their society was marked by the presence of peace, the absence of conflict, and abiding stability. This is what they attained: “[T]here were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore, there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free and partakers of the Heavenly gift.” Because there was no future ministry for them to perform, their Zion society was not taken to heaven. Because the world was not yet ready for the Lord to return in judgment, neither Enoch nor Melchizedek returned with their people to fall on their necks and kiss them.  These people were most remarkable for what they lacked. How they grew to lack these divisions, contentions and disputes is described in very few, simple words: “[T]hey did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft, both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord. And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people in all the land.” 

What were the names of the leaders? We don’t know because apparently there were none. Who were their great teachers? Again, we don’t know because they were not identified. Who governed: apparently no one. They had things in common, obeyed God’s commandments, and spent time praying and hearing the word of the Lord. They were so very unlike us. To make the point clear for us, the record of these people explains, “there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people; and there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness.” All the negatives were missing because the love of God dwelt in their hearts. Something else describes them, “And surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.” Consider those words carefully. You cannot be happier than by allowing the love of God to dwell in you. The happiest people who have ever lived did so by the profound peace they displayed, equality they shared, fairness they showed one another, and love of God in their hearts. This is a description of our social opposites. Reviewing the Answer to the Prayer for Covenant, the Covenant and the recent parable of the Master’s House shows that the Lord is pleading for us to become this. It is not easy. It will require civilizing the uncivilized. However, it is necessary to become the wise virgins and the invited guests wearing the wedding garment. ("Civilization", Denver Snuffer, 2018, pgs. 22 - 23)

As we look at what Nephi is pointing out to us here in his vision with the added benefit of having the actual record of the people involved could we learn something important for today?

What righteousness is required in order to establish a society of peace?

Do we have anything, any group of people, now in existence at this present time who have the love of God dwelling in their hearts or in other words have had the Father bestow this charity upon them because they are true followers of His Son?

How would an individual initiate for themselves the process of becoming a true follower of Jesus Christ in order to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost to purify them in order to be able to dwell with such a group as Nephi saw?

Where could an individual go to partake of the Doctrine of Christ to initiate this process?

I know where anyone can go to partake of the Doctrine of Christ.

They can visit bornofwater.org and request baptism from someone who has been given authority from Jesus Christ to perform the ordinance.

The only requirement is for an individual to believe the Doctrine of Christ as Christ declared it to the Nephites when He came following His resurrection.

The ordinance is performed to allow an individual to connect to Christ.  There is no organization to join.

At this moment in history I believe that understanding and doing what these three generations of people did is the only path to peace for any group of people small or large in the world.

It is precisely because they became true followers of Jesus Christ and had this charity "the love of God" that dwelt in their hearts that they were able to live together in peace without envy and strife, without tumults and whoredoms, without lying and murders or any manner of lasciviousness.

The actions of the "love of God" or charity are opposite to those listed above.  

The actions of those who possess charity, because they are pure like Christ is pure having their garments made white with His blood, bring about a society where all are made free and made partakers of the Heavenly gift.