Shewn All Things

 1 Nephi 14:18 - 30, NC 1 Nephi 3 pars. 30 - 31

 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying, Look. And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and the angel said unto me, Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things, yea, and also many things which have been; and he shall also write concerning the end of the world. Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold, they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew. And at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain, and pure, and most precious, and easy to the understanding of all men. And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see. But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write, for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them. And also others who have been, to them hath he shewn all things, and they have written them. And they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.   And I, Nephi, heard and bear record that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel. And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw. Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, and I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw. And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me. And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 3 pars. 30 - 32

And it came to pass that the angel spoke unto me, saying, Look. And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and the angel said unto me, Behold one of the twelve emissaries of the Lamb. Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things, yes, and also many things which have been; and he shall also write concerning the end of the world. Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold, they are written in the book which you beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Y’hudi. And at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Y’hudi, or at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Y’hudi, the things which were written were plain, and pure, and most precious, and easy to the understanding of all men. And behold, the things which this emissary of the Lamb shall write are many things which you have seen; and behold, the remainder shall you see. But the things which you shall see hereafter you shall not write, for Adonai yhwh has ordained the emissary of the Lamb of Elohim that he should write them. And also others who have been, to them has he shown all things, and they have written them. And they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of yhwh, unto the house of Isra’el.  And I, Nefi, heard and bear record that the name of the emissary of the Lamb was Yochanan, according to the word of the angel. And behold, I, Nefi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw. Wherefore, the things which I have written suffice me, and I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw. And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of yhwh did make them known unto me. And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen. 

I would like to consider the following statement from the above two paragraphs in this post.

And also others who have been, to them hath he shewn all things, and they have written them. And they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.

As mentioned in the past, our little Book of Mormon study group considers that every single phrase coming to us from the Book of Mormon has a purpose intended by God to give us instruction and to point our minds to search out greater understanding.

If this was not so, and engraving on metal plates was so difficult a process then, why take the time to engrave and record that others have also been shown all things and recorded there visions?

If not to teach about something important, why make a seemingly offhanded comment like that?

I want to express my gratitude to God for what Nephi was allowed to share from his vision here. As I mentioned before, I consider this a high point of the Book of Mormon.

My question from Nephi's statement here, I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw,  is, is it possible that there is a more fulsome account of Nephi's vision recorded somewhere else which is likewise sealed up to come forth in purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb?

Given what is included in his account of his vision here and subjects that he touches on, can you imagine what would be contained in a full account?

Is it possible for us to identify others in our present scriptures, who like Nephi here, have received from the Father a vision of all things?

Can we learn anything from being made aware that others also saw these things and recorded what they saw and sealed those records up?

Wouldn't it at the very least inform us that we ought to seek to be a part of the house of Israel so that in the own due time of the Lord those records would come forth in their purity to us as well?

My present understanding of Nephi's statement here, I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw,  is that Lehi was shown all things as well as Nephi.

Are there writings of Lehi that we do not presently have?

And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams. And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account. But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father upon plates which I have made with mine own hands. Wherefore, after that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life. (1 Nephi 1:16 - 17, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 4)

Who else?

And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh. Wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and shew it to no man. And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them and shall seal them up that no one can interpret them, for ye shall write them in a language that they cannot be read. And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write. For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded. Wherefore, I will cause, in mine own due time, that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write. And when the Lord had said these words, he shewed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be. And the Lord withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth. For the Lord had said unto him in times before that if he would believe in him, that he could shew unto him all things, it should be shewn unto him. Therefore, the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could shew him all things. (Ether 3:21 - 26, NC Ether 1 par. 15)

So we have the brother of Jared now.

What about the following?

O ye wicked, and perverse, and stiffnecked people, why have you built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God, for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled. Behold, the Lord hath shewn unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shewn you unto me, and I know your doing, and I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts. And there are none, save a few only, who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquity. And your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies? Because of the praise of the world? Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick, and the afflicted to pass by you and notice them not? Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain? And cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground for vengeance upon your heads? Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you, and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer. (Mormon 8:33 - 41, NC Mormon 4 par. 5)

Moroni was finishing the record of his father Mormon and he declared at the very first that he had finished talking about the Nephites so those he is speaking to in this paragraph are the future gentiles who would read the Book of Mormon.

Moroni declared that Christ had shown us to him.

Does that sound like a part of a vision Moroni received of all things, just like Nephi?

How about Ether?

Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come — after it should be destroyed, it should be built up again, an holy city unto the Lord (wherefore, it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in a time of old, but it should be built up again and become a holy city of the Lord, and it should be built up unto the house of Israel) and that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there. Wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph, that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph, that he should perish not.  Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land, and it shall be a land of their inheritance. And they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord like unto the Jerusalem of old. And they shall no more be confounded until the end come, when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. And they shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old and the inhabitants thereof; blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. And they are they who were scattered, and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, There are they who were first who shall be last, and there are they who were last who shall be first.  And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether. But they esteemed him as naught and cast him out. And he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth, viewing the things which should come upon the people. And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock, he made the remainder of this record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people by night. (Ether 13:4 - 14, NC Ether 6 pars. 2 - 4)

What about Jacob, Nephi's brother?

Jacob quoted the allegory of Zenos that describes the workings of the Lord of the vineyard from the beginning of the world until the end, or the destruction of the wicked.  That most certainly is an allegory that covers a vision of all things.

Then Jacob declares the following.

And now behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy, that the things which this prophet Zenos spake concerning the house of Israel, in the which he likened them unto a tame olive tree, must surely come to pass. And in the day that he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power to nourish and prune his vineyard. And after that, the end soon cometh. And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard, and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place. And the world shall be burned with fire. And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long. And they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people, but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God. (Jacob 6:1 - 4, NC Jacob 4 par. 1)

Isn't Jacob, who is on the Lord's errand, able to testify of what Zenos spoke because he, Jacob, has seen the very same thing from the beginning to the end?

Now here is a recording from Nephi about Joseph who was sold into Egypt.

And now I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt. For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us and our future generations, and they are written upon the plates of brass.(2 Nephi 4:1 - 2, NC 2 Nephi 3 par. 1)

How inclusive is "all his seed"?

Are there folks living who are seed of Joseph today?

How would Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, be able to prophesy concerning all his seed unless he had seen all his seed?

What about Moses?

And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, he cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all the face of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the spirit of God. And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul whom he beheld not. And he discerned them by the spirit of God, and their numbers were great, even as numberless as the sand upon the seashore. And he beheld many lands, and each land was called earth, and there were inhabitants upon the face thereof. And it came to pass that Moses called upon God, saying, Show me, I pray you, why these things are so and by whom you made them. And behold, the glory of God was upon Moses, that Moses stood in the presence of God, and he talked with him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses, For my own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remains in me. And by the word of my power have I created them, who is my Only Begotten Son, full of grace and truth. And worlds without number have I created, and I also created them for my own purpose; and by the same I created them, who is my Only Begotten. And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many. But only an account of this earth and the inhabitants thereof give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds which have passed away by the word of my power, and there are many also which now stand, and numberless are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them. (Moses 1:27 - 35, OC Genesis 1 par. 6)

What about the prophet Isaiah?

This is what the Lord declared to the Nephites concerning the words of Isaiah.

And now behold, I say unto you that ye had ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel. Therefore, it must needs be that he must speak also to the gentiles. And all things that he spake hath been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore, give heed to my words. Write the things which I have told you, and, according to the time and the will of the Father, they shall go forth unto the gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words, and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. (3 Nephi 23:1 - 5, NC 3 Nephi 10 par. 4)

If what Isaiah spake hath been and shall be, doesn't that point to Isaiah having received the same vision as Nephi?

What about the prophet Joseph?

As this vision closed, the Heavens were again opened to their view, and they saw and beheld, and were endowed with knowledge from the beginning of this creation to the ends thereof. And they were shown unspeakable things from the sealed record of Heaven, which man is not capable of making known, but must be revealed by the Powers of Heaven. (T&C 157 par. 30)

Is there any new scriptural record existing right at this moment that might match the above records from previous scripture?

On the 13th of February 2003 I saw the Lord coming in His glory. At first a sign appeared in the heavens, a light emanating from a single point and turning first this way and that. All the world saw it, and men debated over its meaning. At length the light turned upon us and within it was the Lord, showing His glory, with concourses of angels and the hosts of Heaven following in His wake.  And when we saw that it was the Lord we rejoiced and were filled with joy. I turned to my wife and said, Look, it is Christ!, and she said, Yes, it is! And we were filled with joy and peace of mind, for the long awaited day of the Lord had come.  But others were filled with dread. They feared and lamented and wanted the mountains to cover them and hide them from His presence, for he was clothed in red and came in judgment. And Christian ministers knew they had taught falsely and that their faith could not save — and they begged for relief from the Saints.  This caused me to marvel at how this could be. It was given unto me to understand that without the ordinances of salvation through the authorized ministers of the gospel it was not possible for men to shed their sins. And they could not look upon a just and holy Being without being racked with torment and guilt for their sins. And they pled with the Saints to minister to them, but we could not, for we were constrained by the spirit and were forbidden to do so. For this was the day of judgment which the Lord had in His heart, and he was now come to preach His own sermon, clothed in red, and to deliver those who waited on Him and to convict and condemn those who had not.  I write this in my own hand and bear solemn testimony that it is true. Amen. When I had finished recording the foregoing account I replied to the Lord that it was not complete and that I could give a much fuller account. The Lord replied, When the time comes to bear testimony of this, these are the words you shall use. And many other things were told to me that cannot be written. (T&C 160 pars. 1 - 6)

This above account is from a literal living prophet today, Denver Snuffer.

I am convinced from my personal perusal of the scriptures that we could go on and on presenting evidence and examples from the scriptures of those who have been shown the vision of all things but I believe the above is sufficient, for now, to demonstrate the point of what Nephi declared.

Should we take notice of this idea of others in addition to Nephi being shown all things by the Lord, being that these accounts populate every volume of scripture not just the Book of Mormon?

Can we see any patterns, even with the limited examples above, as to why the Lord would show someone a vision of all things?

What did the Prophet Joseph declare concerning the things which he had received from the Lord in vision?

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)

And the following.

God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 149)

Do we see time and time again in these accounts the statements that they cannot write more or it is not capable for man to make the things known, etc.?

According to the Prophet Joseph the things God deems prudent to reveal, God reveals those things by the power of the holy ghost, which God bestows on those who love him and purifieth themselves before him.

The Lord further stated concerning Joseph and Oliver's vision of all things in the Kirtland temple as follows.

And they were unable to take it in; therefore, they were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit, to bring all things to their remembrance, even the Record of Heaven which would abide in them. Amen and Amen. (T&C 159 par. 32)

What they saw, they had pray and ask to comprehend it by the power of the spirit.

If the Record of Heaven is required to understand these things or in other words the power of the holy ghost, then what did these individuals do to receive that power?

If God must bestow the power of the holy ghost or the Record of Heaven upon someone, how does one purify themselves before God in order to have the power of the holy ghost bestowed upon them? 

What does it mean to be pure before God?

Is it possible to impose our cultural definition of purity onto this action of purifying oneself and therefore obscure it's real definition?

Can someone be pure even if they are not virtuous?

Was Nephi pure?

Was it virtuous of Nephi to kill Laban?

Was Ammon pure?

Was it virtuous of Ammon to kill some Lamanites and cut off the arms of others?

Was Elijah pure?

Was it virtuous of Elijah to make fun of the priests of Baal and to kill them?

Was Abraham pure?

Was it virtuous of Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice?

Does the idea of God being the one to confer the holy ghost upon someone hold up to what is taught in scripture?

... And the Father said, Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also the voice of the Son came unto me, saying, He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the holy ghost like unto me. Wherefore, follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ by baptism — yea, by following your Lord and Savior down into the water according to his word — behold, then shall ye receive the holy ghost. Yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the holy ghost, and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. (2 Nephi 31:5 - 13, NC 2 Nephi 13 par. 2)

Not only does Nephi declare that it is indeed the Father who bestows the holy ghost upon those who follow the path of His Son by being baptized, he also declares that the person receiving baptism must consent to be baptized with the following attributes in order for the Father to bestow such a gift.

A person must follow the Son with full purpose of heart, act no hypocrisy and no deception before God, have real intent, and repent.

What individuals invariably act with full purpose of heart, real intent and without any hypocrisy or deception?

Do children possess these qualities?

Is it possible that a person who acts to follow Christ with the above attributes, could be considered child like?

My present understanding is that all who have been shewn all things by the Lord received baptism; following the example of the Lord with the above attributes so that the Father would bestow upon them the holy ghost.

Nephi states further on that a person must continue in the path they have begun, that path of following the Son through baptism, by feasting upon the words of Christ.

Nephi then declares the following concerning the words of Christ.

...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)

Doesn't Nephi declare that angels speak the words of Christ?

Nephi equates speaking the words of Christ to speaking by the power of the holy ghost.

Nephi declares that the words of Christ will tell us all things what we should do.

Is it possible that the purity that is required before God in order for God to bestow upon you the holy ghost is the purity of our intent and desire to ask and our absolute willingness to obey God's words whatever they may be to us?

Is God capable of seeing if such things exist in our hearts?

For Nephi, weren't God's words to him, or in other words the words of Christ to him, in a dark Jerusalem street a command to kill Laban?

If Nephi had not been obedient to God's words would he have remained pure before God?

Am I placed in a unique life circumstance where I have opportunities to ask God for direction and act with real intent upon His answers to me in order to work for good within my family and my neighborhood and circle of influence however big or little that may be?

How big was Nephi's circle of influence at the time he received this vision of all things?

Is God able to test my real intent this way within the confines of my family and neighborhood?

Is God able to see whether I will act any hypocrisy or deception as I interact with my family and my neighbors?

In my own personal unique life circumstance is God able to see if I will ask for and feast upon the words of Christ?

What is possible that the words of Christ will tell me to do in order to bless my family and my neighbors?

If I am not obedient to those words of Christ would I be able to consider myself pure before God?

Don't the scriptures point out that I should expect to have my intentions, my desires, and my resolve  tested by real life experiences?

Will I be required to sacrifice in order to demonstrate my real intent?

Is it possible for me to declare that I have arrived at the point that I am pure before God?

Does the brother of Jared provide us any direction in this?

And it came to pass that the brother of Jared — now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight — therefore the brother of Jared went forth unto the mount which they called the mount Shelem because of its exceeding heighth, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass. And he did carry them in his hands up on the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying, O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee, for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the Heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee — because of the Fall, our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires. Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity and hath driven us forth, and for this many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness, but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock. And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man. Therefore, touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness, and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to shew forth great power which looks small unto the understanding of men. (Ether 3:1 - 5, NC Ether 1 par. 11)

If I understand correctly, by the time the brother of Jared arrived to this point he had moved Mt. Zerin by faith, he had spoken with the Lord in a cloud and had received multiple answers to his mighty prayers or his crying out to God.  Yet here we see him approaching the Lord, pleading with the Lord not to be angry, confessing his unworthiness before the Lord, and asking the Lord for mercy.

Wasn't it the Lord, not the Brother of Jared, who recognized purity in the brother of Jared's heart?

How long must I be proven before God can declare that I am pure?

How long was Nephi tested?

I have given my opinion before in this blog that I believe that the account contained in the Book of Mormon is very condensed and I believe that Nephi proved himself for at the very least many many months or quite possibly multiple years before he had proven himself worthy before God, having feasted upon and been obedient to the words of Christ in all things he was required to accomplish, before he received this vision.

Should I consider that no matter how long it takes, if I am faithful, the time will come according to the Lord's perfect knowledge of my heart where He will be able to declare my purity?

Is such an idea in any way maybe related to the following?

They were they who received the testimony of Jesus and believed on his name, were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he hath given, that by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the holy ghost by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, and who overcome by faith and are sealed by that Holy Spirit of Promise, which the Father sheddeth forth upon all those who are just and true.(D&C 76:51 - 53, T&C 69 par. 10)

Is it possible that for those who have personally arisen and come to this point that Jesus can testify of their purity before God. (i.e. They receive Jesus Christ's testimony before the Father that they are pure.)

I consider this following declaration of Nephi to be of utmost importance in his walking the path to purify himself before God.

And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us.... (1 Nephi 5:20 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 23)

I am sure that my thoughts on purifying ourselves before God in order to have the power of the holy ghost to be able to be shewn all things are very incomplete.

I trust, however that if anything I am sharing is correct that the Lord can open up and clarify and completely teach these principles to anyone who will earnestly look into the matter.

One last question for this post, why should we seek to receive or be shewn all things by the Lord?

The Prophet Joseph said that such a thing is possible for even the least saint as soon as they are able to bear it.

I would like to refer back to what the Prophet Joseph declared as shared earlier in the post.

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.

My present understanding is that the pattern for redemption from the fall lies in coming to the point, as Nephi has here, of being purified before God. Then that God grants that purified person the privilege of seeing and knowing these things for themselves by the power and manifestations of the spirit in mortality so that they are able to bear God's presence in the world of glory.

The Lord revealed this above principle to the prophet Joseph as follows.

And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abides the law of a celestial kingdom, for it fills the measure of its creation and transgresses not the law. Wherefore, it shall be sanctified. Yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again and shall abide the power by which it is quickened. And the righteous shall inherit it, for notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body, even you shall receive your bodies. And your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. You who are quickened by a portion of the Celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fullness. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fullness. And also, they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fullness. And they who remain, shall also be quickened. Nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. For what does it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. (D&C 88:25 - 33, T&C 86 par. 4)

When an individual receives visions and revelations, that which is Celestial, which is unlawful for man to utter or man is incapable of making it known to another man, and they are faithful to those things they receive, that individual is quickened by a portion of the Celestial glory.

Having been thus quickened by a portion of the Celestial glory here in mortality they qualify to receive a fullness of the Celestial glory when they rise again a spiritual body.

My present understanding is that those who receive such Celestial things are laid under a strict burden.

And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying, It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart — only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word. And he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God, until they know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the Devil and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. (Alma 12:9 - 11, NC Alma 9 par. 3) 

No wonder Nephi here is commanded that he must write no more of what he will be shown to this point.

He is imparting only that portion of the word, God is granting unto us according to the heed and diligence we are giving to the word of God at this point.

That shouldn't matter to us though should it?

Don't we personally have access through walking on the same path Nephi walked upon to the very same vision of all things?

I hope to walk in that path, with real intent to follow the Son of God, that I might be purified before God and have the power of the holy ghost bestowed upon me just like Nephi and all others who have arrived at this point.

I would invite anyone who may be anywhere in the earth to begin the path if they have not already to enter into the path.  Follow the Son of God with full purpose of heart into the waters of baptism, acting no hypocrisy and not deception before God.  

Believe in the Doctrine of Christ found here. https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/5

Then you may go here https://bornofwater.org/ and request baptism from one who has authority directly from Christ to baptize you.  

They will come and perform the ordinance for free and you will then have entered into the path.