1 Nephi 13:34 - 37, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 23
And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying, Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after I have visited the remnant of the house of Israel (and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed of thy father), wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment and smitten them by the hand of the gentiles, and after that the gentiles do stumble exceedingly because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which has been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb, I will be merciful unto the gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them in mine own power much of my gospel which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb. For behold, saith the Lamb, I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious. And after thy seed shall be destroyed and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up to come forth unto the gentiles by the gift and power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation. And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the holy ghost. And if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb. Yea, whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be!
The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 3 par. 23
And it came to pass that the angel of yhwh spoke unto me, saying, Behold, says the Lamb of Elohim, after I have visited the remnant of the house of Isra’el (and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed of your father), wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment and smitten them by the hand of the Goyim, and after that the Goyim do stumble exceedingly because of the most plain and precious parts of the besorah of the Lamb which has been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, says the Lamb, I will be merciful unto the Goyim in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them in my own power much of my besorah which shall be plain and precious, says the Lamb. For behold, says the Lamb, I will manifest myself unto your seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious. And after your seed shall be destroyed and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of your brothers, behold, these things shall be hid up to come forth unto the Goyim by the gift and power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my besorah, says the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation. And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Tziyon at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Ruach HaKodesh. And if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb. Yes, whoever shall publish shalom, yes, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be!
We were gifted a book titled Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes "Cultural Studies in the Gospels" authored by Kenneth E. Bailey.
This book has been really good for me to come to understand how limited my view is of the life of Christ and of His gospel; this stemming from my own "western" Christian cultural traditions and biases.
A statement that really rang true to me is found on page 166. Here the author is including a quotation from a James Matthews.
Because we have come to terms with our own society, the total word of God has to be declared to us by another.
For me, this matches with the following.
Obviously the Gods of Mormonism view Their role as all-inclusive. The entire world and all mankind belong to Them. Their global audience has received and recorded sacred words directly from the Gods’ “one” mouth. We have no way to define the extent to which that has happened. Nor do we have any concept of the number of sacred records that exist somewhere among unknown others, nor any idea what truths they were given that we lack. ("Other Sheep Indeed", Denver Snuffer, Sunstone Symposium 2017, pages 1 - 4)
My present understanding of everything related to what I thought in the past was a total and complete comprehension of the gospel of Jesus Christ is changing.
I feel to give thanks to God for Their mercy in condescending to speak to all cultures all over the world.
That allows me the opportunity to hear their points of view and their cultural input which includes what has been revealed to them.
This experience allows me to broaden my view and open my mind to greater possibilities.
This experience has also taken fear out of my life; fear of being "infected" by "false ideas".
I have asked myself how this has affected my personal view of what constitutes an "authorized" source of truth.
Is it possible that the real test of this life for every living individual is the challenge of personally finding and implementing truth that comes from God from wherever the source may come no matter which person, tradition, or culture presents it?
Is it possible for a person who is open to light, who is thoughtful and patient, who is obedient and meek to be able to detect truth or the lack of it in anything they hear or see or read from other cultures, traditions, or religions that are not their own?
Is it possible for such an individual to find truth from God even in secular sources; sources that use secular language or terms to describe ideas or principles?
I believe it is possible for such a person to find truth in both situations.
Now the question that pertains to me is "Am I willing to become such a person; one who is open, thoughtful, patient, obedient and meek?"
What about the Book of Mormon?
If I am open to having the Book of Mormon teach me instead of reading my culture and tradition into the book can I rely on the message of the Book of Mormon to be a standard against which I may measure any message I see or hear or read to see if there is some or much truth in what is presented?
How damaging is it to me if I only allow a message to inform me if it fits my cultural, traditional, or religious views?
I know this conversation above is maybe a little off topic for the second part of this post but I do believe it relates.
In a new covenant the Lord extended to anyone who desires to become a part of His covenant people on the earth again one of the following questions is asked by the Lord.
First: Do you believe all the words of the Lord which have been read to you this day, and know them to be true and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who has condescended to provide them to you, and do you covenant with Him to cease to do evil and to seek to continually do good? (T&C 158 par. 2)
Anytime the Lord brings forth anything to a people (He condescends to provide His words to them) by His power isn't that merciful?
Doesn't that represent an invitation from the Lord to draw near to Him?
Doesn't He send forth His words to the children of men to allow them to understand the terms and conditions for coming back into His presence?
Isn't it infinitely merciful of the Lord to invite the gentiles to come in and participate in His work to vindicate His promises to the Fathers because their participation in His work will allow them, the gentiles, to be adopted into the Family of God?
As we look at the introduction to the Book of Mormon is it possible to see that the Lord there is inviting the gentiles to do just that; participate in His work?
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites which are a remnant of the house of Israel and also to Jew and gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation. Written, and sealed, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof; sealed up by the hand of Moroni and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
An abridgment taken from The Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, which were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven: which is to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel how great things the Lord hath done for their fathers, and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off for ever. And also to the convincing of the Jew and gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of Christ.
MORONI (Book of Mormon Title Page, NC Book of Mormon Dedication)
Aren't these things brought forth to the gentiles so that the gentiles have what is needed to declare them to the Lamanites, the Jews, and other gentiles?
As the Lord brings the Book of Mormon forth by His power what does it mean that He will bring forth much of His gospel?
Why does it say "much" of His gospel but not "all" of His gospel?
What is included in "all" of Christs gospel?
How does the Book of Mormon containing "much" of His gospel which is plain and precious square with the Lord's later statement here, And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation.?
Is it possible to see in the text that not all of the gospel of Christ is included but His rock and salvation are?
Just after Nephi declares that the Holy Ghost will show you all things what you should do until Christ shall appear personally unto you he states the following.
And now I, Nephi, cannot say more. The spirit stoppeth mine utterance and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men. For they will not search knowledge nor understand great knowledge when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.(2 Nephi 32:7 , NC 2 Nephi 14 par. 2)
Do Nephi's words create an invitation for us to search knowledge and come to understand great knowledge that he, Nephi has experienced but is not allowed to share?
Is this an example of "much" of the gospel of Christ given in plainness but not "all"?
What about the experiences of the Nephites with the Lord?
And now there cannot be written in this book even an hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people. But behold, the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people, and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people from the gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first to try their faith, and if it should so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation. Behold, I were about to write them all, which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith of my people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me. Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people for the space of three days, and after that, he did shew himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them. (3 Nephi 26:6 - 13, NC 3 Nephi 12 par. 1)
Is this an invitation to believe the plain and precious "much" part of the gospel of the Lamb so that we may receive the greater things that will eventually lead to receiving "all" of the gospel of the Lamb?
How about the brother of Jared's visionary experience?
And now, after that they have all dwindled in unbelief and there is none save it be the Lamanites — and they have rejected the gospel of Christ — therefore I am commanded that I should hide them up again in the earth. Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw. And there never was greater things made manifest than that which was made manifest unto the brother of Jared. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to write them, and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up. And he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore, I have sealed up the interpreters according to the commandment of the Lord. For the Lord said unto me, They shall not go forth unto the gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity and become clean before the Lord. And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father of the heavens, and of the earth, and all things that in them are. (Ether 4:3 - 7, NC Ether 1 par. 17)
Is this an invitation to us to become clean before the Lord in order to have all of the revelations of the Lord revealed unto us just like the brother of Jared?
Is there a pattern here?
Early in the text we learn that our faith, like our scriptures, is unfinished, and to anticipate a flood of additional sacred texts to help remove our ignorance. The portion of the Book of Mormon translated by Joseph Smith is carefully censored, with its greater content withheld. ("Other Sheep Indeed", Denver Snuffer, Sunstone Symposium 2017, pages 1 - 4)
Is it possible that the above examples, plus the many more that have not been shared here, were what the Prophet Joseph had in mind when he declared the following?
I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.
—the Prophet Joseph Smith, speaking to the Nauvoo City Council and members of the quorum of the twelve apostles on November 28, 1841.
(Book of Mormon Introduction, NC Book of Mormon Introduction)
Is it possible that he, Joseph, meant that anyone who heeded the invitations given in the carefully censored sections of the Book of Mormon by applying the openly revealed gospel contained there while seeking after the greater things that are promised would come into the presence of God as a result of their search?
Wouldn't the above approach follow the pattern explained by the Prophet Joseph below?
But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he shewed unto us, which surpasseth all understanding, in glory, and in might, and in dominion, which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the spirit, and are not lawful for men to utter, neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the holy ghost, which God bestows on those who love him and purifieth themselves before him, to whom he grants the privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves, that through the power and manifestation of the spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory.(D&C 76:114 - 118, T&C 69 par. 29)
Isn't the Book of Mormon set up in order to invite and show people how to accomplish what Joseph taught here?
The Hebrew Church “came unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant.” What did they learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? Is it written? No. What they learned has not been and could not have been written. What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just? It was the established order of the kingdom of God: The keys of power and
knowledge were with them to communicate to the Saints.(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 325)
Doesn't the Book of Mormon message, if believed, lead those who would be Saints to come to an association with an innumerable company of angels, Jesus Christ the Mediator, and God the Father in order to receive the parts of Christ's gospel that cannot be written; the established order of the kingdom of God and the keys of power and knowledge?
Is this why the Lord declares that even though the Book of Mormon does not contain "all" of His gospel the "much" of His gospel that is contained is His rock and His salvation?
Consider the following declaration of Helaman to his sons Nephi and Lehi.
O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people. Yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world. And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom in the city of Ammonihah, for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance. Therefore, he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation, that when the Devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:9 - 12, NC Helaman 2 par. 17)
In this concise statement of Helaman to his two sons we see the rock and salvation of Christ's gospel.
We must be saved through Christ redeeming us "from" our sins because of our repentance which brings us into contact with the angels who further preach repentance which brings us to the power of the Redeemer or in other words into the presence of the Lord which having arrived at that point establishes us upon a rock or foundation that is sure and cannot fall regardless of the shafts, and the hail, and the whirlwinds, and the mighty storm of the adversary that shall beat upon us.
I wrote an entire post on this statement very close to the beginning of this blog.
I won't cover that again here.
Is it possible to see in the recorded lives of the authors of the Book of Mormon the pattern described by Helaman to his sons?
Is it very evident to see the rock and salvation of Christ in the Book of Mormon?
This last part of the paragraph that Nephi records is interesting to me.
And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the holy ghost. And if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb. Yea, whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be!
Who is Nephi referring to here?
Is Nephi referring only to those who were alive at the initial coming forth of the Book of Mormon who sought to bring forth Zion?
In Nephi's view what would qualify an individual to be a member of that blessed group?
We talked in the previous post "Three Full Generations Washed White" what appears to be the requirements for individuals to establish a society of peace.
Would we know that an individual belongs to the blessed group seeking to bring forth Zion because they are following in the same path as those three full generations of Nephites following the Lord's visit to them?
Nephi declares that that group possess the gift and power of the holy ghost.
Would I be able to recognize someone in that blessed group because they are working by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost?
What is entailed in working through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost?
Is it this blessed group of people Nephi is referring to who are publishing peace, yea, tidings of great joy or in other words is Nephi saying that this blessed group is the group who are publishing peace and tidings of great joy?
What does it mean to publish peace and tidings of great joy?
Who is able to declare such things?
Is it a coincidence that Abinadi later on gives a detailed definition of the type of people that Nephi is pointing to here?
What did Abinadi teach?
And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you that when his soul has been made an offering for sin, he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed? Behold, I say unto you that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord, I say unto you that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you that these are his seed, or they are heirs of the kingdom of God. For these are they whose sins he hath borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed? Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy that has not fallen into transgression? (I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began.) I say unto you that they are his seed. And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation and said unto Zion, Thy God reigneth. And oh how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet. And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that art still publishing peace. And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and for ever! (Mosiah 15: 10 - 17, NC Mosiah 8 par. 8)
Does Abinadi identify those who publish peace, those whose feet are beautiful upon the mountains, as being all the holy prophets who open their mouth to prophesy?
Is prophesy a gift of the Holy Ghost?
If someone is prophesying are they working by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost?
Does Abinadi link prophets to Christ's seed?
Does one first believe the words of the prophets and become Christ's seed and then continue faithful and become prophets?
Do we see this pattern at the very beginning of the Book of Mormon with Lehi on page one?
Is it possible for us all to follow the patterns presented in the Book of Mormon and, through Christ, by believing the words of His prophets first become His seed and then become His prophets who open their mouths to prophesy to others because He has put a word in our mouths?
Is this what is meant to seek to bring forth Zion at that day?
Is it those who become holy prophets, are they the individuals who yearn for Zion?
Did the Prophet Joseph seek to bring forth Zion?
What did the Lord say concerning him?
Wherefore, meaning the church, you shall give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receives them walking in all holiness before me, for his word you shall receive as if from my own mouth in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you, yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you and cause the heavens to shake for your good and his name’s glory, for thus says the Lord God: Him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good, and his diligence I know and his prayers I have heard, yea, his weeping for Zion I have seen and I will cause that he shall mourn for her no longer, for his days of rejoicing are come unto the remission of his sins and the manifestations of my blessings upon his works. For behold, I will bless all those who labor in my vineyard with a mighty blessing and they shall believe on his words which are given him through me by the Comforter, which manifests that Jesus was crucified by sinful men for the sins of the world, yea, for the remission of sins unto the contrite heart. (D&C 21:4 - 9, T&C Section 1, Joseph Smith History, Part 18 par. 4)
Here, even though Joseph did not live to be a part of Zion doesn't the Lord acknowledge Joseph's receiving the Lord's inspiration to move forward Zion and Joseph's weeping for Zion?
Doesn't the Lord declare that He will bless all those who labor in His vineyard?
Are those who labor in His vineyard seeking to bring forth Zion?
In order to labor in the Lord's vineyard would one need to be able to publish peace and tidings of great joy?
The Lord declares that those who seek to labor in His vineyard will believe the words that the Lord gave to Joseph through the Comforter.
Is that related to someone, Joseph, working by the power and gifts of the Holy Ghost (the Comforter) prophesying of Christ just like Abinadi pointed out that the holy prophets do?
Does such an event match what Abinadi taught about the holy prophets prophesying and others believing their words?
Is the pattern Nephi and Abinadi pointed out to us in the Book of Mormon being followed here with Joseph and those who believe his words given by Christ through the power of the Comforter?
If I believe the words of Joseph given to him by Christ by the power of the Comforter and I become a child of Christ and then seek to labor in His vineyard, is it possible if I am faithful and diligent that I may find myself in the blesses group Nephi is talking about here?
What constitutes the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb?
Is it the same as the kingdom or family of God?
We talked about the family of God at length close to the beginning of this blog in the post titled "The Family of God".
There is too much to cover to cover it again here but it is available in the earlier post.
I really do wish that I was a better communicator. I am not saying this for effect I'm saying it because I know it is true. My grammar and my sentence structure everything is lacking. Because of these things it is hard for me to type what is going through my mind on these subjects being presented.
What is presented here by Nephi is so big that I find it impossible to get around it all to try to even communicate what questions and ideas come to my mind.
Even if we just take one part, Nephi stating that such and such group is blessed and then centuries later Abinadi gives a detailed definition of who belongs to that group, isn't it possible to see even with just this one thing that the Book of Mormon was brought forth by the power of the Lamb and that it is His merciful gift to the gentiles and to all the world?
Just suppose that in this one thing a pattern is revealing itself here. What countless and tremendous patterns still remain hidden in plain sight in this divine book?
Isn't it worth the investigation to discover them?
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