I Beheld Other Books

 1 Nephi 13:38 - 42, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 24

And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren and also the book of the Lamb of God which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren. And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books which came forth by the power of the Lamb from the gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records which thou hast seen among the gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them, and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world, and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved. And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Wherefore, they both shall be established in one, for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth. And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the gentiles. And after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the gentiles and also unto the Jews; and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 3 par. 24

And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brothers and also the book of the Lamb of Elohim which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Y’hudi, that it came forth from the Goyim unto the remnant of the seed of my brothers. And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books which came forth by the power of the Lamb from the Goyim unto them, unto the convincing of the Goyim, and the remnant of the seed of my brothers, and also the Y’hudim who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve emissaries of the Lamb are true. And the angel spoke unto me, saying, These last records which you have seen among the Goyim shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve emissaries of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them, and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people that the Lamb of Elohim is the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world, and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved. And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of your seed, as well as in the records of the twelve emissaries of the Lamb.  Wherefore, they both shall be established in one, for there is one Elohim and one Shepherd over all the earth. And the time comes that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Y’hudim and also unto the Goyim. And after he has manifested himself unto the Y’hudim and also unto the Goyim, then he shall manifest himself unto the Goyim and also unto the Y’hudim; and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

My present understanding of the context of Nephi's statements concerning all of the other books that he witnessed would come forth to the remnant of the seed of his brethren from the gentiles reckons chronologically from the coming forth of the New Testament ( the book of the Lamb of God) to the named remnant and on forward in time.

There is a question in my mind concerning the description of the New Testament or any other book for that matter "coming forth" from the gentiles.

What is meant or rather what is entailed in a book "coming forth" from the gentiles?

When the early gentiles first arrived here in the Americas and secured this land as a land of promise for themselves as Nephi declared, at that point did they qualify for the book of the Lamb of God to "come forth" from them to the remnant of Nephi's brothers' seed?

Can something "come forth" from one person, or one group, or one nation to another person, or another group, or another nation merely because the first person or group possesses it?

When the Lord decrees as He does here that something from Him (here it is a record) will "come forth" from a certain person, or group, or nation to another does the first party so to speak have to qualify in order for that thing to "come forth" from them?

Was it because the early gentiles had humbled themselves before God, even though they were in a condition of "stumbling", that they qualified to "bring forth" the book of the Lamb of God to the remnants of Nephi's brothers'?

The reason I have these questions is because of what the Lord declared to the Nephites when He visited them in the Americas following His resurrection.

And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place, that I shall gather in from their long dispersion my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion. And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign: for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you — and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself and by the power of the holy ghost, which shall be given unto you of the Father — shall be made known unto the gentiles, that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them, verily, verily I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father and shall come forth of the Father from them unto you — for it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel — therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the gentiles unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity — for thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the gentiles, that he may shew forth his power unto the gentiles for this cause, that the gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel — and when these things come to pass, that thy seed shall begin to know these things, it shall be a sign unto them that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel. And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths, for that which had not been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they consider. (3 Nephi 21:1 - 8, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 11)

As I presently understand it, part of the sign the Lord gave to the Nephites for the remnant of their descendants in the last days to know that the works of the Father had already commenced was that the works that their descendants would witness among the gentiles would be the same works being wrought by the Lord among the Nephites when He visited them.

Is it by doing the "works" that are consistent with the teachings contained in the available records that the Lord sends to the children of men that a group qualifies for a record to "come forth" from them to another group?

In Third Nephi chapter 21, the Lord talked about some things that become exceptionally relevant in light of what we’ve covered today.
And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that [you] may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and…establish again among them my Zion [this is addressing all of those various remnants, wherever that they may be found, so long as they are some residue of the house of Israel]. And behold, this is the [sign] which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles [see, the Gentiles had to first receive some things] that they [the Gentiles] may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them [the Gentiles]. Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them [some constituent group of Gentiles] of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you… (3 Nephi 21:1-3)
It can’t come from any source other than from the Father—the Father and Christ being one—the authority to minister and to deliver it coming from Them, the power to baptize being brought forth from some remnant of the Gentiles who care to bear it.
For it is wisdom in the Father that they [the Gentiles] should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted [with this people] with his people, O house of Israel. (Ibid, vs. 4)
“O house of Israel” is much more. “O house of Israel” is that same inclusive of all bits and remnants, wherever they may be found. I talked about covenants when we were in Centerville and about the fulfillment of the covenants. All of the covenants which apply to people scattered everywhere, all of those included within the previous remnants—they need to be gathered into one constituent group.
Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles… (Ibid, vs. 5, emphasis added)— 
Not their “book”; their works. Not their “book”; the works: bringing to pass the Doctrine of Christ, establishing repentance, declaring and baptizing by the authority of Christ, having people visited by fire and the Holy Ghost—these are the works. These are the works. 
…shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles. (Ibid, vs. 5-6, emphasis added) 
That’s what He needs now to do. That’s what He intends to do—if you will receive it. 
For this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel. (Ibid, vs. 6, emphasis added)
You can’t get there except through the power of the doctrine and the power of the ordinance that God has given, in the way that is has been given, performed with the exactness, fidelity, and language that has been given to us by Christ Himself. 
When these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he…made unto the people who are of the house of Israel. (Ibid, vs. 7)
All of them. It’s a witness that His work has commenced. ("108:Renewal, Part 2", Denver Snuffer Podcast, 21 March 2020)

From the above is it reasonable to consider that a group may not have a book (record) "come forth" from them to another group by simply presenting the record in their possession to the other group?

Are the "works" of a group being consistent with the teachings of the records the Lord allows them to possess what allows the records that group possesses to "come forth" to others?

One Book of Mormon example that comes to mind is that of Ammon.

Were Ammon's works consistent with the teachings of the records He possessed?

Was it the observation by the Lamanites of the works that Ammon performed among them what allowed the word of God to "come forth" from Ammon to the Lamanites?

Did the people of king Lamoni recognize God's words because Ammon's works witnessed of them?

When the early gentiles humbled themselves before God were they performing "works" that were consistent with the teachings contained in the book of the Lamb of God?

Remember the book of the Lamb of God was incomplete and many plain and precious things had been removed but it still testified of Christ and of salvation through Him.

Did the early gentiles live in accordance with the teachings they had in their possession at the time?

As we move forward in time chronologically from the coming forth of the New Testament from the early gentiles how can we determine what books or records are identified with these "other books"?

Remember that Nephi declares that all of these books came forth by the power of the Lamb and These last records which thou hast seen among the gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them, and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world, and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved. And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb.

As we look at records that have come forth, if we measure them with the above criteria can we ascertain the identities of at least some of these "other books"?

Also, if these "other books" are also to "come forth" from the gentiles to the remnant of Nephi's brothers, and if we adopt the above view as the way in which a book or record will "come forth" from one group to another as we consider the "other books" Nephi sees here, would we be able to determine if there is work that is left to be done by the gentiles with respect to these "other books"?

If we look at the introduction to the Book of Mormon can we ascertain that the Book of Mormon is indeed one of the "other books"?

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. (Book of Mormon Title Page, NC Book of Mormon Dedication)

By this dedication written by Moroni can we determine that this record came forth by the power of the Lamb and that it is sent to establish the truthfulness of the the book of the Lamb of God and to make known the plain and precious things that were taken from the book of the Lamb?

If we accept that this "other book" has been gifted to the gentiles then how would we know if this "other book" has "come forth" from the gentiles to the Jews and the Lamanites who are the remnant of Nephi's brothers?

What have been the "works" of the group of gentiles who initially received this "other book"?

What does the Father say concerning their "works"?

But woe, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the gentiles, for — notwithstanding that they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people who are of the house of Israel, and my people who are of the house of Israel have been cast out from among them and have been trodden under feet by them; and because of the mercies of the Father unto the gentiles, and also the judgments of the Father upon my people who are of the house of Israel — verily, verily I say unto you that after all this — and I have caused my people who are of the house of Israel to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a byword among them — and, thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations, and if they shall do all these things, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, Behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fullness of my gospel from among them. And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will shew unto thee, O house of Israel, that the gentiles shall not have power over you, but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fullness of my gospel. But if the gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold, they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel. And I will not suffer my people who are of the house of Israel to go through among them and tread them down, saith the Father. But if they will not turn unto me and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them — yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel — that they shall go through among them and shall tread them down and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden underfoot of my people, O house of Israel. (3 Nephi 16:8 - 15, NC 3 Nephi 7 par. 5)

The Father sees that the initial group of gentiles who receive this "other book" sin against the gospel of Christ, reject the fullness of His gospel, are lifted up in pride above all the people of the whole earth, are filled with all manner of lyings, deceits, mischiefs, hypocrisy, murders, priestcrafts, whoredoms, and secret abominations.

Are any of these "works" the Father sees among this group of gentiles consistent with the teachings contained in this "other book", the Book of Mormon, that this group possesses?

If their "works" are not consistent with the "other book" they possess, the Book of Mormon, is it possible for this "other book" to "come forth" from them to the remnant of Nephi's brothers' seed?

Again, is it possible for something God has given to one group to "come forth" from that group to another group just by way of the first group possessing the thing given from God and saying to the second group, "here it is"?

Do any of Christ's words bear out that such a course of action, merely presenting the Book of Mormon to the Lamanites, can complete the labor of having the Book of Mormon "come forth" from the gentiles to the remnant of Laman and Lemuel?

Is it possible that the work to fulfill what Nephi is seeing in vision here of this "other book", the Book of Mormon, to "come forth" from the gentiles is still a future work?

What would that mean for me if I desire to participate in the work of the Book of Mormon coming forth from the gentiles to the remnant of Nephi's brothers?

Can I mock at the failures of the past gentiles or do I need to seriously look inside myself and repent and bring forth "good works"?

Is it possible that the following words of the Lord to the past gentiles also apply to me now?

And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation rests upon the children of Zion, even all, and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon, and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom. Otherwise, there remains a scourge and a judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion, for shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, verily I say unto you, nay. (D&C 84:54 - 59, T&C 82:20)

Would "good works" be considered "fruit meet for their (my) Father's kingdom"?

Wouldn't it be a very serious matter for me to look inward and determine if my present "works" are consistent with the teachings contained in the Book of Mormon?

If my present "works" are not consistent with the teachings of the Book of Mormon am I not under condemnation and in need of repentance?

Having read of the scourges and judgments the Lord poured out upon the past gentiles who treated lightly the Book of Mormon do I wish to escape the same fate?

Is it possible for me, a single individual, through bringing forth "works" that match those "works" accomplished among the Nephites at the time of the Lord's coming to them, to accomplish a work of allowing this "other book" to "come forth" from the gentiles?

Was Ammon a single individual among king Lamoni's people?

Was Abinadi a single individual among king Noah's people?

Was Alma, the repentant priest of king Noah, a single individual among the people of king Noah?

What did the "works" of these single individuals set in motion?

Can God work His works using single individuals still today?

Should I consider these things seriously?

since Nephi mentions other books plural could we consider other records that have come forth to the gentiles by the power of the Lamb?

Again, what does it mean for a book or record to come forth by the power of the Lamb?

Consider the following look into the word "translate" with respect to the Book of Abraham brought forth by the Prophet Joseph.

Since Joseph Smith did not explain how the text was “translated” that issue is left to conjecture.  The entire debate between Egyptian scholars and apologists centers on the translation process. However, Joseph Smith did not use the term “translation” as would a scholar. 

One example illustrates the difference: While Oliver Cowdery was the scribe during the Book of Mormon translation, he and Joseph discussed whether the Apostle John died or continued on earth. The question was answered by a revelation. The written account in our scriptures about the answer includes this explanation: “A revelation given to Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829, when they desired to know whether John, the beloved disciple, tarried on earth. Translated from parchment, written and hid up by himself.”  Joseph did not have the parchment. Therefore, there was no parchment source for the revelation. It came by Joseph Smith receiving it from God through “the Urim and Thummim.” Sidney Rigdon arrived in Fayette during December 1830, as the Bible revision was already underway. The project involved editing and correcting the Bible. That project was also consistently referred to as a “translation” of the Bible, even though it would more correctly be called an inspired revision. On December 7, 1830 the commandment was given to Sidney Rigdon, “you shall write for him, and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in my own bosom, to the salvation of my own elect[.]” 

This helps explain what the term “translated” meant for the Bible revision project. It clearly refers to something different than how the term is generally used and understood. When Enoch’s City was taken to heaven, it is described as being “translated” or a “translation.” For Enoch, “translated” meant moving someone from earth into heaven and changing him or her so they could survive there.  This meaning can also be understood and used for the “translation” of the parchment of John. It means taking something recorded and preserved in heaven and moving it back to the earth, where it had been lost. 

I think that the word “translated” as it refers to the Book of Abraham should be understood in this sense. It was something recorded in heaven and was moved back to the earth, where it had been lost. Regardless of whether or not conveying Abraham’s testimony from heaven back to the earth required a surviving papyrus scroll, that question is not as important as the accuracy and truthfulness of the Book of Abraham account that originated with father Abraham. Only if the text is true, accurate, and legitimately Abraham’s would it be worthy for canonizing as scripture. Joseph Smith clearly intended for the Book of Abraham to be scripture. ("The Religion of the Fathers", Denver Snuffer, Religion of the Fathers Conference, March 2021, pgs. 18 - 19)

My present understanding from the above explanation of the Lord's use of the term "translate" or "translated" or "translation" is that any time the Lord, by His power or in other words by revelation from Him, takes a record that is preserved in heaven and moves it to earth, where it had been lost, that constitutes the Lord bringing forth something by the power of the Lamb.

If we look at the inspired revision of the Bible by the Prophet Joseph, which was called a "translation" of the Bible by the Lord, and we look at the Book of Moses, which was revealed by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph, and we look at the Book of Abraham, which was also a "translation" as the Lord determined, can we say that all of these "other books" were brought forth to the Prophet Joseph by the power of the Lamb?

What teachings are contained in these "other books"?

How would I be able to determine if my "works" are consistent with the teachings contained in these "other books" so that I may be a part of the labor to make sure that these "other books" "come forth" from the gentiles to the remnant of Nephi's brothers?

Belief is only possible by receiving the truth. It is important to have the truth in order to acquire belief. The Lord commanded Joseph Smith to revise the Bible in order to permit belief, or correct understanding. One of the corrections Joseph made was to the exchange between Jesus and the lawyers. Luke was revised to now read, “Woe unto you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge, the fullness of the scriptures. You enter not in yourselves into the kingdom, and those who were entering in, you hindered.” Without the “fullness of the scriptures” it is impossible to have belief. 

Truth is the key of knowledge. Joseph Smith’s revision of the Bible was designed to restore the Bible to read, “even as they are in [God’s] own bosom, to the salvation of [God’s] elect.” From the command to commence the corrected Bible project until the command to publish it, Joseph’s inspired revision was referred to in fourteen revelations.  The revised Bible was quoted exclusively in Lectures on Faith. The Bible revision was essential for people to have belief. Without it, the saints would dwindle in unbelief because they lacked the truths God intended to be known and accepted by His followers. Joseph Smith knew this and warned about how crucial it was for the revised Bible (which he called the “fullness of the scriptures”) to be published for believers. In an October 1831 Conference he taught the saints, “God had often sealed up the Heavens because of covetousness in the church. Said the Lord would cut his work short in righteousness and except the church receive the fullness of the scriptures they would yet fall.”...  

The prayer and the effort to recover the fullness of the scriptures pleased the Lord. He answered by commending the recovery and accepting the scriptures. His Answer to Prayer for Covenant states, in part: [T]he records in the form you have of the Old Covenants, given from Adam until Moses and from Moses to John, are of great worth and can serve my purposes, and are acceptable for this time. The records of my apostles containing my New Covenants were to contain the fullness of my gospel, but during the formation of the great and abominable church, many parts were discarded and other parts were altered. False brethren who did not fear me intended to corrupt and to pervert the right way, to blind the eyes and harden the hearts of others, in order to obtain power and authority over them. Conspiracies have corrupted the records, beginning among the Jews, and again following the time of my apostles, and yet again following the time of Joseph and Hyrum. As you have labored with the records you have witnessed the alterations and insertions, and your effort to recover them pleases me and is of great worth.

Ours are the only scriptures approved by God as “sufficient for the labor now underway.” However, the Lord stopped short of endorsing them as without flaws. “The records you have gathered as scriptures yet lack many of my words, have errors throughout, and contain things that are not of me, because the records you used in your labors have not been maintained nor guarded against the cunning plans of false brethren who have been deceived by Satan.” The Lord explained: “what you have gathered as scriptures are acceptable to me for this time and contain many plain and precious things. Nevertheless, whoso is enlightened by the spirit shall obtain the greater benefit, because you need not think they contain all my words nor that more will not be given, for there are many things yet to be restored unto my people. … There will yet be records restored from all the tribes, that will be gathered again into one, and also as I have said, there is some truth in the Apocrypha, including the Pseudepigrapha and scrolls recovered at Nag Hammadi, and other New Testament texts uncovered since the time of Joseph Smith, and findings at Qumran, and there are other records yet to be recovered; and whoso is enlightened by the spirit shall obtain benefit by their careful study.” 

We have the best available, but they are to be understood through the power of the spirit. The Lord has declared they are: “sent forth to be my warning to the world, my comfort to the faithful, my counsel to the meek, my reproof to the proud, my rebuke to the contentious, and my condemnation of the wicked.”

Our scriptures will do no good if they are not read or studied. We, like all other restoration churches and groups, can also dwindle in unbelief. Unlike the many existing and past restoration believers, we must fight against falling into unbelief.("The Religion of the Fathers", Denver Snuffer, Religion of the Fathers Conference, March 2021, pgs. 5 - 8)

My present understanding is that I personally must read and study the scriptures God has approved and conform my personal "works" to these "other books"  if I am ever going to be able to be a part of the work the Lord, through Nephi, set forth for the gentiles to have these " other books" "come forth" from them.

Now, I have another question with respect to restoration.

Would I be able to tell that a restoration is under way by the "other books" the Lord sends forth or inversely would I be able to tell that a restoration has lapsed into apostasy if the Lord has ceased to send forth "other books"?

The reason I ask this is because since the deaths of the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum there have been no "other books" brought forth and the Father's appraisal of the gentile church that received the "other books" He sent forth through the Prophet Joseph is a very low appraisal.

The Prophet Mormon stated the following in the Book of Mormon that I believe is very sobering and applies here.

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)

My present understanding is that during the life of the Prophet Joseph and following his death those gentiles who received these things, as a body, did not believe them and so the greater things, even "other books" were withheld.

I have some exceedingly wonderful news, however.

I believe that the Father has again begun to send forth "other books" by the power of the Lamb or in like manner of the "translations" that allowed what is preserved in heaven to be brought back to earth where it had been lost.

Why would this occur?

I believe that it is occurring precisely because a group of gentiles has decided to repent so that the restoration the Lord began through Joseph may resume.

Allow me to elaborate.

The following is a revelation to the Prophet Joseph wherein the Lord gives a promise of restoring a record that had been lost.

And it shall come to pass that if you are faithful, you shall receive the fullness of the record of John. I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness, for if you keep my commandments, you shall receive of his fullness and be glorified in me as I am glorified in the Father. Therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace. (D&C 93:18 - 20, T&C 93 par. 7)

Why did the Lord promise that through fidelity to His commandments He would restore to His people the record of John in its fullness?

If we were to receive the fullness of the record of John would it contain teachings that would show us how to worship and what we worship?

Would the teachings contained in the fullness of the record of John show us how to come unto the Father in the name of Christ and receive of His fullness?

Would this lost record show us what it means to receive grace for grace?

In January 2017 the Lord revealed this lost record again through another prophet Denver Snuffer and by doing so He sent forth another one of the "other books" that Nephi saw here in vision.

The record is preserved in the Teachings and Commandments in section 171 titled The Testimony of St. John.

Doesn't the pattern for the restoration of The Testimony of St. John follow the pattern of "translation" that was followed to restore the Book of Mormon, the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, and the Fullness of the Scriptures; which is the inspired revision of the Bible?

All of these "other books" were revealed, "translated", from heaven by the power of the Lamb.  

All of these "other books" establish the truth of the first mentioned record among the gentiles even the book of the Lamb of God.

All of these "other books" restored plain and precious truths that were removed from the book of the Lamb of God by the great and abominable church of the devil.

All of these "other books" establish that there is one Shepherd over all the earth.

I also witness that by the Lord beginning again to send forth "other books" to the gentiles that He has given a sign that He has set His hand again the second time to redeem His people Israel.

Isn't that the purpose for everything He does; to vindicate His promises to the ancient Fathers that the religion and understanding had by the Fathers in the beginning should at the end be restored in its fullness in order to restore Israel? 

The Lord revealed this promise in July of 2017.

There will yet be records restored from all the tribes, that will be gathered again into one, and also as I have said, there is some truth in the Apocrypha, including the Pseudepigrapha and scrolls recovered at Nag Hammadi, and other New Testament texts uncovered since the time of Joseph Smith, and findings at Qumran, and there are other records yet to be recovered; and whoso is enlightened by the spirit shall obtain benefit by their careful study. (T&C 157 par. 47)

Is it reasonable to assume from the Lord's statement above that there will be further "translations" of records from all of the tribes that will be gathered in one with the "other books" already sent from heaven?

Now could we take a quick look at how all of this above relates to the following statement Nephi made at this point in the vision?

And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the gentiles. And after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the gentiles and also unto the Jews; and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

How is it consistent with the Lord's purposes that the Lord manifests Himself first to the Jews and then to the gentiles and the to the gentiles and also unto the Jews?

What is accomplished by making the first last and the last first?

This theme of converting Gentiles, through their repentance, from their status as “Gentiles” into a new status of being part of the “house of Israel” is one of the major themes of the Book of Mormon—because the Book of Mormon was intended to come forth in the last days as a text to cry repentance out of the dust, and those who respond change from being “Gentile” into being “numbered among the house of Israel” and to be “numbered among the people of Jacob.” The distinction between Israel and Jacob is the difference between Jacob, the birth name of the man who, through covenant-status, altered from the old name of Jacob into the new name of Israel. The use of the name Jacob and the use of the name Israel signifies not only that the Gentiles are gonna become covenant-status as Israel, but also reckoned as if they were directly from the blood of Jacob and (in that last quote) numbered among Joseph, the descendants of Joseph—so that in the last days when the Gentiles come aboard, they come aboard under the “house of Joseph” in order to bring the message of salvation to the rest of the house of Israel, among whom they are numbered. 

Though they may have come last in being numbered among Israel, in the last days they are turned into the first, and from their status as the first of the restored covenant of Israel people, they then are charged with taking the message to reclaim the other covenant people and bringing the message to them. 

But if the Jews reject the message, or if the remnant of Nephi—the remnant on this land—reject the message, then they're cast off, meaning they lose their covenant status. And so, the obligation of those last days’ Gentiles who repent and accept the covenant and come in unto the Lord is to (#1) recognize their status and to (#2) take the message out. 

But all of this changes somewhat the way in which the prophecy should be read. Because the Gentiles who come aboard become numbered among Israel/become numbered among Jacob/become numbered among Joseph—all of whom are Father Jacob (renamed Israel) or his son Joseph. Those individuals are the ones that are prophesied to build the New Jerusalem. If Gentiles are gonna assist in that work, it will be Gentiles who are not yet numbered among the house of Israel. And if “my people Jacob” are to build the New Jerusalem, any Gentile who is numbered among the house of Jacob is going to be the people who build the New Jerusalem, and Gentiles will assist them. It changes the interpretation as soon as a Gentile becomes numbered among the house of Israel/numbered among the people of Jacob. The prophecy about the people of Jacob and the descendants of Jacob building the New Jerusalem means that the interpretation— correctly—is that it’s covenant Gentiles numbered among that house who will do so. And if Gentiles are going to assist them, then the Gentiles are those that have yet to enter into the covenant ("123:Numbered Among", Denver Snuffer Podcast, 6 September 2020)

If I understand it correctly Nephi is being shown that it was always in the Lord's heart to bring the repentant gentiles into the House of Israel through covenant in the last days and then charge them with the task of recovering the other covenant people; those who still are part of the promises unless they reject the message.

Would it be reasonable to assume from what we have looked at that taking the message to reclaim the other covenant people and bringing the message to them, entails working "works" consistent with the teachings and doctrine contained in the "other books" we have received so that the other covenant people recognize the message through our "works"; that's how the message will "come forth" from us to them?

Isn't this a very serious undertaking?

A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination be aware of, because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God than the vain imagination of the human heart? None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.  How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations: too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of his will from before the foundation of the world, to hold the keys of the mysteries of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation until now, of which some have tasted a little, and which many of them are to be poured down from Heaven upon the heads of babes, yea, the weak, obscure, and despisable ones of this earth. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 137, T&C 138 pars. 18 - 19)

If the promises made to recover Israel are truly God's promises, and I believe they are, then what great condemnation is brought upon me by myself if, after having received such great things from God, I choose to trifle with other individuals' souls by not performing the duty devolving upon me to live so that my "works" are consistent with the teachings in the "other books" so that the teachings in those "other books" may "come forth" from the adopted gentiles, me being one of them, to these other covenant groups that God has promised to restore?

Sometimes, to me, what the Book of Mormon has to say is terrifying when I see where I am at compared to where I ought to be.

I give great thanks to the Lord for providing me with repentance and I know that I must trust in Him for help to do what I ought to do.