Hard to Be Understood Save a Man Should Inquire of the Lord

 1 Nephi 15:1 - 5, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 1

And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away in the spirit and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them; for he truly spake many great things unto them which were hard to be understood save a man should inquire of the Lord. And they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought. And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men. And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all because of the destructions of my people, for I had beheld their fall.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 1

And it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had been carried away in the spirit and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that I beheld my brothers, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them; for he truly spoke many great things unto them which were hard to be understood except a man should inquire of yhwh. And they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto yhwh as they ought. And now I, Nefi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men. And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that my afflictions were great above all because of the destructions of my people, for I had beheld their fall.

For me, when I am presented with a godly principle where I am lacking quite badly because of my own actions, it is hard to address.

My understanding is that I am lacking exceedingly in all godly principles because of my own actions but this one weighs on me more than most right now.

If I look honestly at my life and I reflect on my present exceedingly limited understanding of godliness, I must confess that for an overwhelming majority of the time I find myself in just this condition; disputing concerning the things which have been spoken unto me by authorized servants in the scriptures and in person because in the hardness of my own heart I have not looked unto the Lord as I ought to have done for understanding of things which are hard to be understood save I should inquire of the Lord.

As I write this post I would point out that what I am sharing is something I am trying to look at in a way of repentance for me.  I believe that what I find will do me no good except I put it into action.

I presently understand that the above statement of putting things into action applies to all parts of the gospel, but for me presently, this matter it feels even more acute.

I guess the first question I would ask, for myself, is what does it mean to really and truly look unto the Lord?

What qualities and characteristics are involved in living a life of performing such an action?

Obviously Nephi has been doing just that.

If I look back right now on Nephi's experience to this point can I pick up on things that I have passed over?

Is this the first recorded event of Nephi's looking unto the Lord so to speak?

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless, being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I cried unto the Lord. And behold, he did visit me and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his holy spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words. But behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words. And being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, I cried unto the Lord for them. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently with lowliness of heart. And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper and shall be led to a land of promise, yea, even a land which I have prepared for you, a land which is choice above all other lands. And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed to stir them up in the ways of remembrance. (1 Nephi 2:16 - 24, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 9)

Did Nephi's journey of looking unto the Lord come because of his great desires to know of the mysteries of God?

If so, do I possess the same desire or am I content with where I am at?

What would be the definition of the mysteries of God?

That knowledge which is hidden from the world and only made available through revelation to the faithful. Much of such knowledge may be learned but is not to be taught. One will have to apply the process of learning the mysteries in one’s life if he or she intends to learn the mysteries themselves. The scriptures tell us how to get the “mysteries of God.” Learning these mysteries is the fullness of Christ’s Gospel. There is a system by which men learn the mysteries of heaven and are saved. That system is set out in Alma 9:7: first, angels are sent to prepare men and women; second, they are allowed to behold the Lord’s glory; then they converse with the Lord, at which point they are taught the things that have been prepared from the foundation of the earth for their salvation. All of this is driven by the man or woman’s faith, repentance, and holy works. Joseph Smith said, I advise all to go on to perfection and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of godliness…. [As for myself] it has always been my province to dig up hidden mysteries, new things, for my hearers. This is the Book of Mormon theme. Search deeper, and find God. Ask that you may know the mysteries of God. That is a commandment. Although given to Oliver Cowdery, it is a principle that is applicable to all of mankind (see T&C 3:3). The claim that one should stay away from the mysteries of God is false. Refusing to follow the command to ask that you may know the mysteries of God (JSH 13:26) denies the power of godliness and opposes the doctrine of salvation. It is anti-Christ. “We make our own mysteries; we are not meant to be kept in darkness, and the mysteries of heaven will be unfolded to us as we make an effort to understand them.” Christ said that the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are understood only by those who have been initiated and given that understanding (see Matthew 7:2). Mysteries can also be defined as solemn ceremonial ordinances or rituals which take place in a special setting. “Mysteries (from the Greek, mystērion, μυστήριον)…[are] confided only to the initiated and not to be communicated by them to ordinary mortals.” (Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of Terms, "Mysteries of God")

Did Nephi spend his days walking around alone or sitting around reading and pondering the things of God to manifest his desire to know these mysteries?

I don't believe so.

I do believe that Nephi took time to be alone and ponder and meditate but I do not believe that he was neglectful of his daily labors necessary for his and his family's maintenance.

My present understanding is that any individual may perform all of the responsible duties of life that require time and effort and still have and act on this same desire to know the mysteries of God.

The priests that Alma the elder ordained were taught to perform the necessary labors of life to support themselves and their families and in addition to that perform their responsibilities to teach, thus showing their desire to know the mysteries of God.

And he commanded them that they should observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God. And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support. And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also as often as it was in their power to assemble themselves together. And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support, but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God. (Mosiah 18:23 - 26, NC Mosiah 9 par. 10)

If I understand it correctly it was precisely because the priests worked to support themselves and their families and in addition to that spent additional time to do whatever was necessary to teach that they qualified to have knowledge of God (would that be considered knowledge of His mysteries?).

They were given grace which allowed them to wax strong in the spirit.

So how is one able to manifest their desires to know the mysteries of God while they are required to labor for their support?

Is the following one example of being able to do just that?

Well, my Stake President asked me a few weeks ago about whether I was praying at the time I had one of the encounters he and I were discussing, and I said, ‘It's not a fair question. I'll wake up in the morning and I start to pray. Throughout the day, I will take care of a thousand things. And whenever I am free, my mind will revert back to the prayer, and we'll continue the dialogue. And it goes on all day. There's not a moment in my life in which I am not being prayerful. And so the answer to his question is, I suppose, yes I was praying. Because there's hardly a moment when I'm idle, when I am not praying.” Prayer, scripture study, laboring to know God, all go together. (Be of Good Cheer, Be of Good Courage, Denver Snuffer, 9-10-13, Lecture 1 Boise, Idaho, pg 8)

Is it possible for God to make things "jump out at us" as we think about and ponder upon principles and teachings of the gospel as we work and interact with people?

Is it possible that in the daily living of life, during work and other moments of interaction with people, that these necessary actions allow us an insight into the character of God that we can receive in no other way?

This is what the Lord said recently concerning this principle.

You pray each time you partake of the sacrament to always have my spirit to be with you. And what is my spirit? It is to love one another as I have loved you. Do my works and you will know my doctrine, for you will uncover hidden mysteries by obedience to these things that can be uncovered in no other way. This is the way I will restore knowledge to my people. If you return good for evil, you will cleanse yourself and know the joy of your Master. You call me Lord, and do well to regard me so, but to know your Lord is to love one another. Flee from the cares and longings that belong to Babylon, obtain a new heart, for you have all been wounded. In me you will find peace, and through me will come Zion, a place of peace and safety. (T&C 157 par. 51)

Is it possible to do His works without interacting with other people?

As we interact with people will we have opportunities to return good for evil?

Is knowing the joy of our Master a mystery, or in other words, something that is hidden from the world at present?

Is the Lord revealing here a way in which one might uncover, through obedient action, a mystery of godliness?

Doesn't the Lord declare here in so many words that it is only through the daily living of life and interacting with others (ie. family, neighbors, acquaintances, strangers) in our daily labors, that by doing His works in our interactions with these other folks, we uncover hidden mysteries because we are being obedient?

Is part of fleeing the cares and longings that belong to Babylon achieved by daily doing His works among those who are in our own small spheres of influence?

Especially at this moment in history, is finding peace in the Lord a mystery or something that is hidden from the rest of the world?

Is it possible that the required daily tasks of living, which produce opportunities for us to do the Savior's works while we necessarily interact with others, are given to us precisely for us to demonstrate our desire to know the mysteries of God?

Is it possible that the priests Alma ordained received grace and grew and waxed strong in the spirit and grew in the knowledge of God precisely because their daily labors to support themselves afforded them the opportunities to interact with and show grace to others on a daily basis?

Hasn't the Lord revealed that we receive grace for grace, or in other words, we receive grace from Him as we give grace to others?

Was it through this obedience that these priests uncovered hidden mysteries that can be uncovered in no other way so that the Lord restored knowledge to them as His people?

Is it possible that this is one way in which Nephi demonstrated his great desire to receive knowledge of God by his giving of grace, during his daily labors, to those who he interacted with in his sphere of influence? 

Does the record bear out that Nephi's actions followed this course of giving grace to others?

If this is a true principle, would I do well to keep this front and center on my mind as I daily labor and interact with others?

If I am obedient in this principle could it be said that I am looking to the Lord as I ought because I am looking to His example in seeking to do His works in my daily relationships with everyone around me?

As, incomplete as my understanding is, I still believe the above to be a crucial part in looking to the Lord as I ought.

Nephi also declares that he cried unto the Lord.

What does that mean?  

What is entailed in crying to the Lord? 

Is crying unto the Lord different than prayer?

There is a difference between praying and crying to God. A petitioner who cries comprehends his desperate and lowly position. It is used eleven times in the Ether chapters to describe the brother of Jared. Amulek’s sermon to the Zoramites advises them eight times to cry unto God (see Alma 16:35). In these examples the petitions to God are not called “prayer,” but are called “crying” to Him. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you (Alma 16:35). For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night because of them. And I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry (2 Nephi 15:1). (Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of Terms, "Cry Unto the Lord")

Do I really comprehend my desperate and lowly position before God?

In a prior talk we looked at Mormon 9: 2-5. We considered the reaction people will have in the

last day of judgment. Those verses describe what it will be like to stand in the presence of a just and holy being while unprepared. They will feel awful, even condemned. However, I pointed out

in that passage God does nothing other than exist. The disappointment in the mind of man is so

exquisite that Joseph Smith compares it to a lake of fire and brimstone.

Therefore, God “in His wrath” simply withdrew from ancient Israel. He took a step back because

the people Moses led were not suited to be in His presence. Therefore, God withdrawing is how

His “wrath” manifests itself. If He withdraws from you, that should be felt keenly as an absence

and rejection.

The incident referred to in modern revelation about Israel’s rejection (section 84), is set out in

Exodus chapter 20, beginning at verse 18: "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the

lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it,

they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will

hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for

God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the

people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was."

The Israelites Moses led did not want to encounter Him. This was not because God’s presence is

so terrible it drives men from Him. That cannot be true because Moses approached Him, Joseph,

Abraham, Isaiah all approached Him. However, God’s presence makes every man evaluate who

and what they are. Although we can lie to ourselves about how good we are, when the measuring

stick used is God, we are unable to deceive ourselves. When the comparison is to God, all of us

come short. Even when the Lord testifies to you that your sins are forgiven, you still recognize

you fall short. To the extent a man has confidence in the presence of the Lord it is wholly derived

from Him. He must strengthen you, because if He does not, we would all retire in shame. (A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit, Denver Snuffer, 7-25-14, Lecture 8, Las Vegas, Nevada, pgs. 1-2)

If I do not comprehend this can I cry to God?

I don't believe so.

If I have any portion of a thought that I am doing better than others are doing, or in other words, if I am comparing my actions to the actions of others can I ever come to a real understanding of my desperate situation?

This text in Ether chapter 3 is probably the best single text in existence to study about gaining the

knowledge of God, and the process by which it is gained. Most importantly, it exposes the

attitude possessed by the person who comes back to be redeemed. It tells you, not directly, it tells

you indirectly by telling you what the brother of Jared did. Go thou and do likewise.

Everything that you have been put through, and every challenge that you have been given, and

every weakness that you possess, have all been given to you in a studied way to bring you,

hopefully, to your knees. To bring you, hopefully, to feel the chastening hand of God, so that

you, in your day, in your circumstance, can look upon it all as a gift, because it surely is.

"I give unto men weakness that they may come unto me, and if they humble themselves and come

unto me, I'll make weak things strong." That is also in the book of Ether. It is an aside in which

Moroni was complaining that the Gentiles were not going to believe his book. Moroni feared the

Gentiles were not going to believe this record but would notice its weaknesses.

Ether chapter 12 verse 26: "And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools

mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no

advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness."

[That's unavoidable. That's an inevitability. You stand in the presence of a just and holy being,

you will realize your weaknesses. You are going to recognize what you lack.]

"I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that

humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me,

then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

How do weak things become strong? Not by fighting a battle you are going to lose. It is by

appreciating as the brother of Jared did, the fact that none of us can come into the presence of

God without feeling keenly this scripture. "Fools mock, but they shall mourn." This is Christ

speaking. "I give unto men weakness,[for one purpose], I give unto them weakness that they may

be strong."

That anvil you are dragging around was given to you by God as a gift. Don't curse it. Pray for

God to come and lift it. You are never going to be able to get far carrying it anyway. You may

not even be able to lift it, but in the economy of God, that is a gift. A gift! Not for you to act

upon, nor to surrender to, but for you to fight against in humility and meekness and to say, "I'm

not winning. I haven't won. It goes on and on, and yet still I fight against it."

When will you finally come to Him and cry out? When, in the bitter anguish of your soul, like

Joseph Smith in Liberty jail, will you cry out, "How long must I endure this? How long do I have

to suffer from the abuse of the guards? How long do I have to sit inside a gated room, in a

dungeon, to hear stories about the rape of the people who followed me? And the murder of the

people that believed what I was teaching?"

How long did Joseph's heart break in Liberty Jail? He emerged from that ordeal a fundamentally

different man than the one who went in....

Turn to Luke chapter 18, because there the Lord pretty much tells you how He evaluates whether

someone has purified themselves before Him. This is a parable the Lord gives found in chapter

18 of Luke, telling about those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous.

Beginning at verse 10. "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the

other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am

not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the

week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so

much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that

exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

God can only exalt the meek, because only the meek can be trusted. This is what it means to

sanctify yourself. Our idea of purity and Christ's idea of purity are based on very different

criteria. Why is meekness required of a God, by a God? What would happen if God Himself

were not patient, willing to suffer abuse and be rejected? What would happen if God were

egotistical? What would happen if God did not return blessings for cursings? What would

happen if God were not exactly what He preached in the Sermon on the Mount? What if God did

not bless those who despitefully used and abused Him? What would happen if God did not

submit Himself to fall into the hands of wicked men to be despised and rejected? And then to be

killed in shame, hanging naked on a cross, in full view of the world, while people spit upon Him,

and mocked Him and ridiculed Him, and saying, "If you really are what you say you are, come

down from the cross, then we will believe." (40 Years in Mormonism Lecture Series, A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit, Denver Snuffer, 7-25-14, Lecture 8, Las Vegas, Nevada, pgs. 268 - 269, 276)

How do I arrive at the situation where I am able to see clearly my desperate and lowly position so that my heart will be broken and my spirit will be contrite?

There are examples of just such occurrences in the scriptures and in every instance that I can find, the persons involved all "cried".

King Benjamin's people 

And now it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold, they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them; and they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying, O have mercy and apply the atoning blood of Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins and our hearts may be purified! For we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who created Heaven and earth and all things, who shall come down among the children of men. (Mosiah 4:1 - 2, NC Mosiah 2 par. 1)

King Lamoni

And it came to pass that after he had said all these things and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words. And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying, O Lord, have mercy, according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me and my people. And now when he had said this, he fell unto the earth as if he were dead. And it came to pass that his servants took him, and carried him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed. And he lay as if he were dead for the space of two days and two nights; and his wife, and his sons, and his daughters mourned over him after the manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting his loss.(Alma 18:40 - 43, NC Alma 12 par. 17)

King Lamoni's father

And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord upon his knees, yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying, O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God, and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me? And I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead. (Alma 22:17 - 18, NC Alma 13 par. 10)

Those at the prison who had come to kill Nephi and Lehi the sons of Helaman

And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shook the earth, yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, and behold, they saw that they were encircled about (yea, every soul) by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them, yea, they were encircled about, yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the holy spirit of God did come down from Heaven and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. (Helaman 5:42 - 45, NC Helaman 2 par. 25)

I'm sure there are many more but the above examples I believe, are sufficient to demonstrate that what resulted from the broken hearts and contrite spirits, or in other words seeing there desperate and lowly situation before God led to crying unto God.

If I understand correctly the examples above, these folks arrived to the point where they were able to cry out to God because the words of the messages that authorized servants delivered convicted them in their hearts so that they acted.

If I am to truthfully consider my reaction to a message sent from God through an authorized servant I have to declare that I have not yet allowed the message to break my heart like the accounts above show.

So I'm not there yet.

This is something I do have to figure out for myself unless I am content to remain in my darkened state.

The reason I express these things is that I believe Nephi when he writes he truly spake many great things unto them which were hard to be understood save a man should inquire of the Lord concerning the things that Lehi taught to all of his sons.

My son is presently taking the Restoration Edition of the Book of Mormon and translating it into Danish.

We have visited many times about different terms and how to translate them to Danish while keeping a correct meaning for the word.

We discussed the other night that mortal languages are so very weak in being able to express meaning for the things of God. (The reason for the discussion was that in Danish one word is used to express both the term "just" and the term "righteous" which are not the same and also the word in Danish used to express "sin" is also used to express "iniquity" which is also not the same. The same is true for "faith" and "belief" in the Danish language.)

I do believe presently that there are many many things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that are hard to be understood except the Lord through the holy spirit gives the correct interpretation of it.

I also presently believe that there are many many things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that do not have words in the mortal languages that can express them.

For me, this presents new meaning to the following.

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)

Is it possible that the reason it is not possible for man to make these things known is not because of some magic shutting their mouths but because there are no words or concepts available in the mortal realm to express them?

This is the new revelation in T&C 157 where the Lord gave a replacement revelation for section 110 of the D&C.

In this revelation we see something interesting.

On the third day of April 1836, Joseph and Oliver were in the temple in Kirtland, Ohio. The veil was taken from their minds and the eyes of their understanding were opened. They saw the Lord in his glory standing above them and the breastwork of the pulpit; and under his feet appeared as it were a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

I am the Alpha and the Omega; I am he who was slain, I am he who lives; I am your advocate with the Father.

Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me, therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice. Let the hearts of your brethren also rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. For behold, I have accepted this house and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.

Behold and see: The hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings that shall be poured out and the endowment with which my servants will be endowed in this house. Behold, the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessings I shall pour out upon my people. Even so. Amen.

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.

They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time, showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge, even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous.

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. (D&C 110:1 - 11, T&C 157 pars. 26 - 32)

We see that Joseph and Oliver were shown things that are not capable for man to make them known.

We see that Joseph and Oliver could not take in the vision and so the were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit.

Would that be the same as things, "hard to be understood save a man should inquire of the Lord"?

Nephi declared that he pondered continually upon the things of the Lord or the things he had been shown.

Is it because of this same principle that what he received he, Nephi, was unable to take it in so he was continually pondering upon those things in order for the power of the spirit to give him comprehension?

How hard was it or rather how much work was required by Nephi to put into words what he was commanded to put into words from his vision?

Is this principle operative in the following explanation?

There are at least three stages in the process of restoring knowledge. The first stage is to receive it, but that’s just receiving it. Receiving it is not the same thing as the second stage, which is to comprehend it. It is possible that a man receive something without understanding what it was that he had received. Time and careful and solemn and ponderous thoughts are required to untangle what has been received in order to comprehend what it is that you have been given. But it is altogether something of a different order of magnitude, completely separate from that, to teach it. You can receive it, you can comprehend it, but you may not be able to teach it. When it finally does get taught, undoubtedly it will be taught in the manner that Joseph Smith was beginning to work on in Nauvoo that he never finished, at the time that he was taken. That is, by ceremony, by covenant. And this, too, by something given by God, and it to be established in a house that is acceptable to him. (Denver Snuffer Podcast, #35: Temple Part 3, September 16, 2018)

Is it possible that this principle is involved in what the Prophet Joseph declared here?

It is my meditation all the day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make

the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 296)

If there are not words that exist to express concepts, ideas, events, etc. that are shown to a faithful mortal individual does that not present an immense burden for that faithful mortal to try and communicate even the smallest of such things, those things that are lawful and meet to be communicated, to other mortals?

Is it any wonder that many things included in the gospel of Jesus Christ, even when they are lawful to be expressed, still would be hard to be understood save a man should inquire of the Lord?

I have to ask myself how many times in the past and even now have I interpreted things that have been  said or recorded in scripture, concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ, incorrectly because of my inability to comprehend what has been delivered?

If I speak exclusively to other mortals and inquire of them the meaning of things would any other mortal have the capacity to explain things correctly except they speak by the power of the Holy Ghost?

Even then, if I did not receive them by the power of the holy ghost would I be able to comprehend them?

Do I also have the further complication in my own life of looking at the meaning of words and phrases etc. through the lenses of my own life experience, education, and family and cultural traditions?

Except for the Lord being able to cut through this other complication by the power of the spirit, would I really be able at all on my own to come to a correct comprehension of what the Lord has commanded others to communicate to the world?

Will the Lord ever act against my agency?

If I do not look to Him and inquire of Him will he be able to give me proper comprehension of His gospel?

I am certain there is so much more to this conversation and I am also sure that at best my present understanding of this topic is sadly insufficient.

I do feel however, with Nephi's words a call for me to repent and I will trust in the words of the Lord that if I will do his works I will come to know (I believe that also means comprehend) His doctrine.

He Shall See and Write The Remainder

  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. 

Here we have Nephi purposely recording the name of an individual and associating that individual with an ordained endeavor to write something.

Should that cause me to stop and think, "Maybe I should look into this"?

We know from Nephi that this apostle of the Lamb is named John.

Why would Nephi be compelled by the Spirit to engraven John's name on the plates?

My present understanding explained in a previous post, "A Book Carried Forth Among the Gentiles", is that 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.   is a statement that is referring to the New Testament.

Would I gain any insight by looking into the book of Revelation in the New Testament, written by John the Revelator, one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb?

If such a study would be beneficial, then I would like to look into the book of Revelation.  However, I would like to carefully consider the words of the Prophet Joseph with respect to the revelation given to John the Revelator.

The subject I intend to speak upon this morning is one that I have seldom touched upon since I commenced my ministry in the Church. It is a subject of great speculation, as well amongst the elders of this Church, as among the divines of the day: it is in relation to the beasts spoken of by John the Revelator. I have seldom spoken from the revelations; but as my subject is a constant source of speculation amongst the elders, causing a division of sentiment and opinion in relation to it, I now do it in order that division and differences of opinion may be done away with, and not that correct knowledge on the subject is so much needed at the present time. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 287)

I agree that the speculation of the things written of by John the Revelator in his book in the New Testament has caused a great division of sentiment and opinion even among my small circle of friends and family throughout my life.  

I do believe that, for me, I would be best to follow the following counsel when I consider the words of John the Revelator.

Let me cover one more matter and that is this idea of prophecy and interpreting prophecy. I know that there are elaborate efforts made to parse the scriptures and come up with the meaning, the interpretation, even the timing of certain things that the Lord has now begun or that He intends to accomplish in short order. In Isaiah chapter 48, the description is given of how prophecy works. 

 “I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.” The word “suddenly” can be rendered surprisingly. Suddenly can be in an unexpected way. Suddenly can be, ‘you got caught off guard.’ I declared what I was going to do, I did it, and you got caught off guard. “Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I showed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. Thou hast heard, see all this; and wilt not ye declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.” 

You didn’t know them. I declared them. I accomplish them, and I told you about them beforehand, and it happened suddenly and you didn’t expect it to happen. Why is that? Because the way in which the Lord intends to accomplish what He is going to accomplish is not going to be in the way that will permit you to say, “I and my idol have been hard at work to accomplish this great thing.” No man gets to take credit for that. It’s got to be surprising and unexpected in order for the Lord, once it happens, to say “this was what I had in my heart and I have done it.” If we knew how and when the Lord was going to accomplish, how and what He was going to accomplish, we would stand a chance of preventing it. Or, we might make commerce out of it by profiting from it. Therefore, the way in which He will accomplish it will be according to His will, at His timing, for His purposes, without the control of man and with man always saying “that was sudden, that was surprising, that was unanticipated.” 

He can send that Galilean carpenter’s son into the world and have the world take no note of Him. Or, a farm boy from upstate New York to declare the Lord has opened the heavens. Everyone can react in bemused humor or with insults and scorn, ultimately fearing the one He sends enough to kill him and those that would follow him. But God will nevertheless accomplish all He has promised. (Q&A Boise Conference talk, Denver Snuffer, 11/ Sept./2016, pgs. 7 - 8)

The Lord told Isaiah that is the way it would work when He called Isaiah to testify to the nations.

Then said I, Woe is unto me, for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. And he laid upon my mouth and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed — but they understand not; and, See ye indeed — but they perceived not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he said, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, and the Lord have removed men far away; for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it there shall be a tenth, and they shall return and shall be eaten as a teil tree and as an oak, whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves, so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. (2 Nephi 16:5 - 13, NC 2 Nephi 9 par. 2)

Isaiah was informed by the Lord that the people would not understand what Isaiah had been sent to declare until it had been fulfilled; the cities wasted without inhabitant etc.

Then those that remained would be able to look back and see that the Lord's words of prophesy through Isaiah had been vindicated.

I would consider with this principle that if I am serious, and faithful, and take time, and exercise deep and ponderous thought, that I will be shown by scripture what the Lord prophesied He would accomplish when His works are accomplished.

This is a way, I believe, in which the scriptures have the capacity to make one wise.

I believe that the Lord is able to make things spring off of the pages of the scriptures, so to speak, in the eyes of folks who are faithfully obedient to Him, which things allow those individuals to become oriented to where they are and where they fit in with whatever work the Lord is performing.  The words of prophecy in scripture become a confirmation to them of what the Lord has accomplished after the Lord has accomplished His work. The prophetic words from scripture confirm that the Lord knew all along what would be accomplished.

May I share one example, of which I am a living witness?

And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth: a woman, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And the woman, being with child, cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered. And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne. (Revelation 12:1 - 2, 5, NC Revelation 4 par. 1)

The above has always been a very great mystery to me as I have heard about the above verse, read interpretations of it, and considered it myself.

What would John mean when he declared that there was a great sign in heaven in likeness of things on the earth?

What would constitute a sign in the heavens?

What do the scriptures say concerning the moon and the stars and their creation?

And I, God, said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night. And let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And I, God, made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. And the greater light was the sun, and the lesser light was the moon. And the stars also were made even according to my word. And I, God, set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and the sun to rule over the day, and the moon to rule over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And I, God, saw that all things which I had made were good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14 - 19, Moses 2:14 - 19, OC Genesis 2 par. 6)

This is what Abraham recorded about them.

And the Gods organized the lights in the expanse of the heaven, and caused them to divide the day from the night, and organized them to be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years, and organized them to be for lights in the expanse of the heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And the Gods organized the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night; with the lesser light, he set the stars also. And the Gods set them in the expanse of the heavens, to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to cause to divide the light from the darkness. And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed. And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning that it was night. And it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that it was day. And it was the fourth time.(Abraham 4:14 - 19, T&C 145, Abraham 7 par. 5)

And I would invite you to consider the following.

Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.” (Jeremiah 31:35-36.)

If you look up in the morning sky, right now you can see Orion on the Eastern horizon. That's been true, twice a year, since the beginning. It's been true that all of the ordinances ordained by God in the heavens have remained true from the day that He set them there until today. They are so well- established, they are so regular, they are so permanent, and they are so far beyond the ability of man to touch, alter, or destroy, that the only way to have an apostasy from those ordinances, from our perspective, is for you to forget what knowledge is there written in the heavens. But the Lord wrote it there. It remains there. Knowledge about it is still part of what is to be restored.  

Well, the definition of salvation or life eternal given in John 17:3: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” This is the knowledge of the Lord that he's talking about here. This is the day that Jeremiah prophesies. No one needs to say know the Lord, for they shall all know me from the least until the greatest. This is what the Gospel was intended to restore, offer, promise, suggest to each one of us.  

The ordinances in the heavens are referred to in Genesis 1:14: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.” [He sets this up in order to communicate things. If you go back to the book of Abraham 4:14:] “And the Gods organized the lights in the expanse of the heaven, and caused them to divide the day from the night; and organized them to be for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years; And organized them to be for lights in the expanse of the heaven to give light upon the earth; and it was so. And the Gods organized the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; with the lesser light they set the stars also; And the Gods set them in the expanse of the heavens, to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to cause to divide the light from the darkness. And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed.  And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning that it was night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that it was day; and it was the fourth time.” This is not a bunch of gratuitous language. This is describing something that took place with absolutely deliberate intent. Everything that is written in scripture and all of the ordinances that were ordained upon the earth and in the heavens were reckoned from the position of the earth. It's not that the ancients were ignorant of what is going on in the heavens. Instead they viewed the heavens as being a testimony given to us on the earth. It is geocentric, that is, viewed only from the surface of the earth that allows you to see this testimony which has been written. From the surface of the earth, the sun occupies a space - even though the sun is over 100 times larger than the earth - in the firmament that is exactly the same as the space in the firmament that is occupied by the moon, although the moon is 1/6 the size of the earth. From the surface of the earth they are identical in size. So much so, that when you put them on the ecliptic as they are located, one can block out the other entirely in an eclipse. All of these things were ordained by God to testify in the heavens and about Him and about His work. Those things are bearing testimony, and they are telling you something. And who knows if we will ever get to restoring that part of the Gospel. But they are designed to be understood. (40 Years in Mormonism Lectures, Lecture 2 - Faith, Denver Snuffer, pgs. 27 - 28)

If  the celestial bodies are for signs as well as seasons and days and years then is it possible that John was speaking of a sign in the stars that signified an event was occurring on the earth?

Do we have any scriptural example of such a possibility?

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the child that is born the Messiah of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him...(Matthew 2:1 - 6, NC Matthew 1 par. 6)

Were the Nephites given a sign in heaven that the Lord was born?

How about even after the Lord's birth?

And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also; and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from Heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen, imagining up some vain thing in their hearts: that it was wrought by men and by the power of the Devil to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people. And thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing. (3 Nephi 2:1 - 2, NC 3 Nephi 1 par. 8)

Is it possible that when the Lord undertakes to do a work among men that He has set an abundance of signs in the heavens and timed them to appear precisely when the work is being undertaken?

Wouldn't such a witness be completely outside of the control of men to either pollute or manipulate?

If the Lord is performing a work today among the children of men would we expect to witness some or many of these signs in the heavens?

Are we told that some of those signs in the heavens include the sun being darkened and the moon turning to blood?

I would invite anyone who is interested to read the following series of blog posts from the blog below.

https://www.totheremnant.com/2015/05/scripture-in-heavens-part-1-blood-moon.html

This series of blog posts addresses the signs in the heavens that started to really occur with great frequency only recently, as I presently understand.

During the time the blood moon tetrad, God's perfect witness, was taking place as described in the series of posts linked to above, another sign occurred in the stars concerning this woman John recorded.

https://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/2016/clothed_with_sun.html

This sign coincided with the offering, for the first time in the last days, of an authorized covenant from God; extended to every man woman and child on the earth and initially accepted by a small group of repentant gentiles in Boise, Idaho September 03, 2017.

This event, the extension of an authorized covenant, began the steps or in other words birthed the beginning of the kingdom of God again on the earth.

What occurred on the earth had a heavenly witness, precisely as the earthly event was taking place,  manifesting that the event was ordained of God .  This witness confirmed that God had it in His heart all along to extend an authorized covenant to again begin to graft in to the House of Israel and begin to bring forth His kingdom again on the earth.

The Lord revealed His plan for our day approximately three thousand years ago.  We now begin fulfilling  that ancient prophecy. Our current struggles were foreseen and foretold: The Lord of the whole earth considered destroying all the wicked, but His servant pled for Him to grant more time (Jacob5:49-50). 

The Lord of the whole earth hearkened to His servant and decreed that He would spare it, and would labor within His vineyard a final time in our day (Id.,v.51).

The Lord determined long ago He would use a covenant to graft back people who had become wild and bitter, and connect them to the original roots of the tree of life, or in other words restore a people in our day to His covenant.

The covenant offered today is from God and is the first step required to restore the family of God or tree of life on the earth. It will change the lost, wild and bitter fruit and begin to recover them and turn their hearts to the fathers. This will connect those who are living today, with the natural roots or those Fathers who still hold rights under the original covenant.(Id.,v.52-54). (Opening Remarks, Covenant of Christ Conference, Denver Snuffer, Boise, Idaho, September 03, 2017, pg. 2)

John saw this event and prophesied concerning it and gave us a sign, that had been ordained in the heavens, to look for when this event would be accomplished.

The timing of this event was established by the Lord. It came about according to His will. It came about because of the repentance of a small group of gentiles seeking to restore His words to as accurate a record as possible.  It came about because He intends to vindicate His words to the ancient Fathers. 

No one in the group who initially came together to recover the restoration scriptures was aware of or had any control over what the Lord intended to accomplish.  All involved acted according to their agency and no one could have anticipated what the results of such a labor would bring.

I am a living witness to these events. As weak as is my accounting of what occurred and as weak as is my explanation of the signs in the heavens that both preceded and continue to occur, these events have nonetheless occurred and prophecy has been fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled.

It is my present understanding that the world need not take notice of the witness the Lord sends in whatever form He sends it.  His only responsibility is to send a witness.  As has happened throughout the history of the human family, the Lord goes about performing a work among the children of men for the benefit of the whole world but it passes by unnoticed by an overwhelming majority of the human family. 

As weak as it is, this is my witness of just one example of scripture (more specifically for this post the words of John the Revelator) confirming, after the fact, that a prophecy has been fulfilled.

I would expect this confirmation to continue to occur because of the following statement from the Prophet Joseph.

There is a grand difference and distinction between the visions and figures spoken of by the ancient prophets, and those spoken of in the revelations of John. The things which John saw had no allusion to the scenes of the days of Adam, Enoch, Abraham or Jesus, only so far as is plainly represented by John, and clearly set forth by him. John saw that only which was lying in futurity and which was shortly to come to pass. See Rev. 1:1-3,7 which is a key to the whole subject: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 289)

I read in the book Revelation that there are other heavenly signs John saw which were in the likeness of events happening on the earth.

If, as the Prophet Joseph declared, what John saw pertains to futurity then we ought to expect to be able to confirm many future events still with the prophetic words of John.

Now, I do believe that it is possible for anyone who arises and approaches God in the very same way Nephi and all of the others have approached God to see all things and thereby be able to look at the prophecies given by other prophets and see in those prophecies what they have seen themselves.

This is why I believe that the Prophet Joseph was able to declare the following.

The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 290)

I believe this is also why Nephi used Isaiah so extensively as he testified concerning the House of Israel and the end times.  He, Nephi, was forbidden to speak plainly concerning what he had seen beyond this point but there was no restriction given for using the words of Isaiah to further describe what he saw and what John the Revelator wrote.

If we desire to know plainly the things that were written by John, which things he was ordained to write, the Book of Mormon shows us plainly the path we must tread in to get to that point.

I do believe that the book of Revelation written by John also contains more than just confirming prophecy.

I want to precede what I will share here with another statement.

I am sure that my present understanding of things is at best woefully incomplete but even more likely flawed and incorrect.  So what I will share I do not put forward as "this is verily truth".  This is something that I have ruminated on and I believe that if I will repent my understanding will become much clearer.

This is also not meant as speculation concerning anything in the book of Revelation this is my consideration of a topic which as I said is at best incomplete but most likely wrong.

I present this as an example that the book of Revelation contains more than just confirming prophecy.

I presently believe that there is content in the book of Revelation that combined with other scripture bears witness to a principle that the Prophet Joseph taught.

Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 346 - 347)

This teaching is reflected in what is taught here.

There are seven stages of development through which God’s children must pass. It is not all to be done in this life. Christ is the “prototype of the saved man,” and He qualified by passing through these stages of development. We should not be surprised that the Heavenly Mother was responsible for planning and creating these developmental opportunities for Her children. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars, she hath killed her beasts, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also furnished her table… 

When any of us arrive at the end of the journey through the seven rungs of Jacob’s ladder, we will discover that the Mother was present throughout that journey. She declared: “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment.” She is present all along the way through the seven pillars. This recognition of the Heavenly Mother requires wisdom. (Our Divine Parents, Denver Snuffer, pg. 24)

We are informed in the Testimony of St John concerning Christ as follows.

I am telling you these things to save you. John was a brilliant light sent from above, and you were willing to hear and acknowledge him for a short while. But there is even a greater reason than John’s words to believe what I teach: As I complete the journey to finish the Father’s path, those final steps will plainly testify of me.(The Testimony of St John 5 par. 7)

Christ's mortality was intended to provide for him the final developmental opportunity to become the Father.

At the time of His final Passover here the Lord and the Father testified as follows.

Now I confront the final trial on my path, and what should I say? Father, save me from the difficulties I now face? When this is the reason I have come into the world. Father, let all honor be given to you. Then a voice from Heaven said, Every thing you have done has honored me, and every thing you will yet do will also honor me. The people nearby also heard the voice, but some thought it was thunder. Others thought an angel spoke to him. Jesus explained, You did not hear this voice for my benefit, but you heard it for your benefit. The time has come for me to complete the work required of me, to intercede for the world. And the accuser will lose all his power. Because of the sacrifice of his life that the Son of Man is to make, he will rise up and rescue all mankind. He said this to explain how important his death was to save others. The people who heard this asked him, When we consult the scriptures they claim that the Messiah will live forever. Why do you say the Son of Man must sacrifice his life? Who are you talking about? Then Jesus said to them, Only a little time remains for the light who is now here. Learn how to live while the light remains, otherwise darkness will overcome you. Without the light you will fall into error. While you are near the light, believe in the light, so that you can become the children of light. Jesus said this, abruptly departed, and then avoided them. (The Testimony of St John 9 par. 4)

This final developmental trial on the path to become the Father also ensured that all things created by Christ would be saved from the accuser's power.

How did the Lord come to the point where He had the authority and capacity to perform this final task?

Men descend from Christ. Christ founded the family of men and is accountable for them. He was placed in that position to enable Him to atone for any failure on their part.  Through Adam “sin entered the world” and death was imposed upon all mankind. Jesus Christ, one greater than Adam, made Himself responsible for all mankind’s failures and transgressions. Through the obedience of Jesus Christ all mankind were justified and “made righteous.” The Father made mankind Christ’s posterity. This was necessary to qualify Christ as “the last Adam.” Christ was the rightful “heir of all things” because He always stood at the head. (Our Divine Parents, Denver Snuffer, pg. 37)

We are informed here, as I presently understand, that Christ was made the father of mankind as the last Adam, or as I understand it the Adam of the previous eternal round.  He stood at the head.

If we look at the teachings of the Prophet Joseph, they tell us of the meeting that will be held when Adam again sits in the presence of Son Ahman, or in other words Adam Ondi Ahman, and we see an important detail.

Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council.  This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 157)

Why would Adam retain his standing as head of the human family?

Would that enable him to, in the next round of creation, be called to be the Son of God?

Would that allow him to be the rightful “heir of all things” because He always stood at the head.?

Is being an Adam one of the developmental opportunities that brings an individual to the final part of the path with the authority to confront the final task that will save all things created under their hands?

Now what does any of this have to do with the book of Revelation?

In the book of Genesis, part of what used to be known as the book of Moses, we read the following.

And I, the Lord God, spoke unto Moses, saying, That Satan whom you have commanded in the name of my Only Begotten is the same who was from the beginning. And he came before me, saying, Behold, I, send me. I will be your Son and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost. And surely I will do it. Wherefore, give me your honor. But behold, my Beloved Son, who was my beloved and chosen from the beginning, said unto me, Father, your will be done, and the glory be yours for ever. Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also that I should give unto him my own power, by the power of my Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down. And he became Satan, yea, even the Devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not listen unto my voice. (Moses 4:1 - 4, OC Genesis 2 par. 15)

The accuser, as I presently understand it, was cast down at the beginning of this round of creation by Christ.

If I take the Prophet Joseph at his word concerning the words of John the Revelator as follows.

The things which John saw had no allusion to the scenes of the days of Adam, Enoch, Abraham or Jesus, only so far as is plainly represented by John, and clearly set forth by him. John saw that only which was lying in futurity and which was shortly to come to pass. See Rev. 1:1-3,7 which is a key to the whole subject: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;

And I apply these following words as well.

As modern revelation describes it,

“For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth. …For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.”

Then,

“when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth for but a little season; And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.”

As one ends, another begins. The cycle repeats, but nothing is lost. The old passes away, but everything is kept to be used again, “both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand.”

It all continues on in one eternal round, worlds without end.

When men are judged and condemned they are sent away into “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” They go away and cannot ascend to God’s presence, because where God is “they cannot come, for they have no power.” But, God cautions us, “remember that all my judgments are not given unto men; and as the words have gone forth out of my mouth even so shall they be fulfilled, that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first, in all things whatsoever I have created by the world of my power, which is the power of my Spirit.” God set out how this cycle begins and ends: “For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal—First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work—Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed.”

So, in the first place before this world was organized from an already existing and previously used prior creation, the condition was “spiritual.” But it fell and became the temporal place where we presently reside; though patterned after the earlier world where we used to live while in its spiritual state. Its present condition will be destroyed and returned again to a spiritual state. It will be “quickened” and no longer the cold place it is today.

Have you ever noticed how the descriptions of the pre-earth organization and the Millennium seem alike? Have you ever wondered what “worlds without end” means? Have you ever considered how God’s work “never ends” and yet it has definite increments separating things from one cycle and the next? (96:One Eternal Round, Denver Snuffer Podcast, December 08, 2019)

And I throw in Nephi's words concerning John as well.

...and he shall also write concerning the end of the world.

All of the above applied to the following in the book of Revelation:

And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against Michael. And the dragon prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman — who was the church of God — who had been delivered of her pains and brought forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ; neither was there place found in Heaven for the great dragon who was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and also called Satan, who deceives the whole world, he who was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:7 - 9, NC Revelation 4 par. 3)

Is it possible that this war in Heaven John witnessed is future to the time of Christ as Joseph declared?

Is it possible that Michael, who was the last Adam (the Adam of this round of creation) as head of the human family and the rightful heir, now qualifies to be called the Only Begotten and casts down the accuser during the foundations of the human family (the end of this present world, or in other words this present human family), for the round of creation to come?

Is this presented to us in the book of Revelation to witness of Gods' continuous unending works which He testified of to Moses?

Even if my present understanding is in any way correct, I still consider that these things are way over the horizon and are not critical to be completely understood in order to complete the work and fight the fight now underway.

Even if this is a partially correct appraisal of things, I find it useful only as further confirmation, recorded in scripture by John the Revelator, that witnesses to us that God's works are one eternal round and the developmental opportunities have been established by Wisdom for all Her children to go from a lesser capacity to a greater capacity through successive cycles of creation and judgment.

With just these two examples, I am inclined to believe that Nephi was commanded to disclose to us that John the Beloved had writings that ought to be prayerfully and thoughtfully considered by folks who are obedient to the words of Christ.

I believe John's recorded words contain great value for the righteous.