1 Nephi 15:21 - 30, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 5
And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream? What meaneth the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God, and that whoso would hearken unto the word of God and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always, in all things. And they said unto me, What meaneth the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separateth the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end.
The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 4 par. 5
And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying, What is the meaning of this thing which our father saw in a dream? What is the meaning of the tree which he saw? And I said unto them, It was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the rod of iron which our father saw that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of Elohim, and that whoever would hearken unto the word of Elohim and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nefi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of yhwh; yes, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of Elohim and remember to keep his mitzvot always, in all things. And they said unto me, What is the meaning of the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was tum’ah; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the uncleanness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf which separates the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the k’doshim of Elohim. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful Gehinnom which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of Elohim did also divide the wicked from the righteous, and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascends up unto Elohim for ever and ever and has no end.
Is this conversation between Nephi and his brothers a separate conversation from the ones Nephi had with them earlier where they were pacified and humbled?
If so, what is the context for Nephi's brothers asking Nephi these questions?
Are they angry or is it possible they are genuinely curious at the moment?
In their present humbled and pacified state is it possible that the previous words of their father Lehi are troubling them?
And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord. And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent that they would hearken to his words, in that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them. And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak as he dwelt in a tent in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things which cannot be written upon these plates. (1 Nephi 8:36 - 38, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 13)
Should I be pacified in my own life and let words that have been spoken by those sent by God, like Lehi and Nephi, trouble me?
What were Alma's words to his son Corianton?
And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins by denying the justice of God, but do you let the justice of God and his mercy, and his long-suffering, have full sway in your heart, but let it bring you down to the dust in humility. And now, my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way; declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you, yea, even according to my words. Amen. (Alma 42:29 - 31, NC Alma 19 par. 17)
Aren't the things Nephi is sharing with his brothers here meant to communicate to them Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins by denying the justice of God, but do you let the justice of God and his mercy, and his long-suffering, have full sway in your heart, but let it bring you down to the dust in humility?
Don't the themes of the tree of life and the iron rod and the fountain of filthy water address the justice and mercy and long-suffering of God?
With these themes being repeated again and again in the Book of Mormon, would it be beneficial for me to consider these themes?
What about Nephi's statement of the tree of life?
Is this theme of the tree of life a theme that connects the entire human family from the beginning of the earth until the end?
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 (Jacob 5:49-50). 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", Denver Snuffer, Covenant of Christ Conference, Boise Idaho, Sept. 03, 2017, pg. 3)
If I understand this correctly, the family of God is represented by the tree of life.
When was the family of God or tree of life originally established on this earth?
Who were the first "children" of God or the first individuals to partake of the fruit of the tree of life on this earth during this round of creation?
What do the scriptures declare?
And it came to pass when the Lord had spoken with Adam our father that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the spirit of God descended upon him. And thus he was born of the spirit and became quickened in the inner man. And he heard a voice out of Heaven saying, You are baptized with fire and with the holy ghost. This is the record of the Father and the Son, from henceforth and for ever. And you are after the Order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity. Behold, you are one in me, a son of God. And thus may all become my sons. Amen. (Moses 6:64 - 68, OC Genesis 4 par. 10)
Do we have here a record of the word of God Himself, speaking to a mortal on the earth and declaring to that mortal that they are one of His children?
Did this declaration by the Father to mortal Adam create the family of God in this earth for the first time in this round of creation?
Was Adam alone in this?
I don't believe so.
And in that day the holy ghost fell upon Adam, which bore record of the Father and the Son, saying, I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and for ever, that as you have fallen, you may be redeemed — and all mankind, even as many as choose. And in that day, Adam blessed God, and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying, Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again, in my flesh I shall see God. And Eve his wife heard all these things and was glad, saying, Were it not for our transgression, we should never had seed, and should never had known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God gives unto all the obedient. And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. (Moses 5:9 - 12, OC Genesis 3 par. 4)
Can it be reasonably stated that the scriptures testify that the family of God or tree of life was created for the first time with Adam and Eve?
My present understanding is that Adam and Eve became the parents, in the family of God, to all of their descendants who likewise received the same "gospel" or, in other words, promises that Adam and Eve received directly from the mouth of God, because of their repentance and heed to the words of God to them given through Adam and Eve.
Remember the above: And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.
Stated more simply, Adam and Eve ministered the word of God to their children after they themselves received God's words and promises and were sent by God to their children. Most of their physical children rejected their words but a residue who received the word of God through them and responded and repented and received the very same experiences and promises as Adam and Eve now became their children in more than just a physical sense. They became their children in the line of the family of God.
This is the same principle as the promise given to Abraham.
... And I will bless them through your name; for as many as receive this gospel shall be called after your name and shall be accounted your seed, and shall rise up and bless you, as unto their Father... (Abraham 2:6 - 11, T&C 145, Abraham 3 par. 1)
All who became part of the family of God on the earth had promises given to them by God's own voice out of the heavens just like those who had received the promises before them.
As I presently understand it, this is what the dispensation of Adam consisted of; the original family of God on the earth. (the tree of life) This family of God continued uninterrupted from Adam down to Melchizedek or Shem the son of Noah.
After Shem there was a general apostacy and Abraham became the first to arise out of generations of apostacy and re-establish this original order or family of God, obtaining for himself the original promises given to the fathers beginning with Adam, by God's own voice out of the heavens, again on the earth, which order continued uninterrupted from Abraham to Joseph the son of Jacob, renamed Israel, who was sold into Egypt and possibly to Ephraim the son of Joseph.
My present understanding is that this original dispensation, the family of God, is represented by the tree of life; which dispensation or the tree of life will be re-established before the end of the final dispensation on this earth in this creation cycle.
Adam was given the first dispensation, and he patterned it after the order of Heaven.
Abraham was also given a dispensation, which he patterned after Adam’s dispensation.
Moses was given a dispensation, but established a different pattern for the children of Israel according to the hardness of their hearts, which dispensation John the Baptist brought to a lawful close.
Jesus Christ began a new dispensation which he patterned in a manner to reflect Abraham’s family, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob mirrored in Peter, James [Jacob], and John; the twelve tribes led by twelve sons of Jacob reflected by the twelve disciples; the seventy children of Jacob who entered Egypt at the time of father Joseph reflected by the seventy. And thus, Christ used his right to honor the family of Abraham.
Joseph Smith Jr. was given a dispensation, which he organized to honor the pattern Christ established.
Such is the right and privilege granted to those who stand at the head of dispensations of the gospel.
Adam, when given dominion over the whole earth by the word of God, received the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.
The Order of this Priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed to whom the promises were made. This Order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner:
From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the age of sixty-nine years, and was blessed by him three years previous to his (Adam’s) death, and received the promise of God, by his father, that his posterity should be the chosen of the Lord, and that they should be preserved unto the end of the earth, because he (Seth) was a perfect man. And his likeness was the express likeness of his father’s, insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his father in all things and could be distinguished from him only by his age.
Enos was ordained at the age of one hundred and thirty-four years and four months by the hand of Adam.
God called upon Cainan in the wilderness in the fortieth year of his age, and he met Adam in journeying to the place Shedolamak. He was eighty-seven years old when he received his ordination.
Mahalalel was four hundred and ninety-six years and seven days old when he was ordained by the hand of Adam, who also blessed him.
Jared was two hundred years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam, who also blessed him.
Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam, and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him. And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated.
Methuselah was one hundred years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam.
Lamech was thirty-two years old when he was ordained under the hand of Seth.
Noah was ten years old when he was ordained under the hand of Methuselah.
Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him, I have set you to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of you, and you are a prince over them for ever.
And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation, and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the holy ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation. These things were all written in the Book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time.
Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also — or in other words, at the end of the world, the final dispensation will restore again the pattern of the first, or Adam’s, dispensation. (T&C 154)
If we take what Lehi and Nephi have shared concerning the tree of life, is it possible to see the above reflected in what they taught about the tree of life?
And it came to pass, after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof, and beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also, for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. And as I cast my eyes around about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, and I beheld a river of water and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit. And I looked to behold from whence it came, and I saw the head thereof a little way off. And at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi, and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also. And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river that perhaps I might see them. And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit. (1 Nephi 8:8 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 2 pars. 8 - 9)
Lehi describes that partaking of the fruit of the tree of life was desireable to make one happy. He further declared that as he partook it filled his soul with exceeding great joy.
Could these effects on the soul of an individual, explained by Lehi, be reasonably connected to the effects on the soul that an individual experiences when they partake of the the fruit of or, in other words, become part of the family of God?
Do we have a possible example of an individual who repents and becomes part of the family of God and the effects such an action brings upon their soul?
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now as my mind catched hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart, O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who art in the gall of bitterness and art encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy and what marvelous light I did behold! Yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pains. Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there can be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as was my pains.
Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy. Yea, and methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there. But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God. Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance, that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste, that they might also be born of God and be filled with the holy ghost. (Alma 36:17 - 24, NC Alma 17 pars. 4 - 5)
The above is Alma the Younger's account to his son Helaman concerning what he, Alma, had experienced.
Do Alma's words mirror Lehi's words?
Is it important for us to have the record of Alma apparently experiencing the same thing as Lehi?
Lehi also declared that after partaking of the fruit he desired that his family might also come and partake.
Could that be likened to wanting his family to also become a part of the family of God so as to experience it's fruits?
Did Alma experience the same feelings?
And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart — yea, with great anxiety even unto pain — that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance, but that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the holy spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering, having faith on the Lord, having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life, having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest. And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death. And Alma spake many more words unto the people which are not written in this book. (Alma 13:27 - 31, NC Alma 10 par. 4)
Was the Prophet Joseph speaking about those who are part of the family of God when he declared the following?
A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 174)
Lehi declared that he beckoned to his family and said unto them with a loud voice that they should come and partake of the fruit.
Do we see this same feeling and action manifest with Alma?
Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people. Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption — that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might be no more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish, for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life. Yea, I know that he allotteth unto men — yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable — according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men, or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless, but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. (Alma 29:1 - 5, NC Alma 15 par. 12)
Do we see Alma's desire to cry with a loud voice and beckon all to come and partake of the fruit of the tree of life?
Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceeding great joy in the fruits of my labors. For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen. Therefore, they do know of these things of which I have spoken as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God. And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions. Yea, God has delivered me from prisons, and from bonds, and from death. Yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me. And I know that he will raise me up at the last day to dwell with him in glory. Yea, and I will praise him for ever, for he has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea, and he led them by his power into the promised land. Yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time. Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem. And he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time, even down to the present day. And I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity. But behold, my son, this is not all, for ye ought to know as I do know that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God, ye shall prosper in the land. And ye ought to know also that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God, ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word. (Alma 36:25 - 30, NC Alma 17 par. 6)
Is it possible to see here in Alma's words to his son Helaman a mirroring of the experiences of Lehi and Nephi with respect to beckoning to others to partake of the fruit of the tree of life or, in other words, to become part of the family of God and experience the fruits of that connection?
Should it be any surprise to us that Alma goes into a discussion at great length, (Alma 32, NC Alma 16 pars. 26 - 30) concerning how to come and partake of the fruit of the tree of life or in other words how to become part of the family of God and partake of the fruit of that association?
Should it be any surprise to us that Alma thoroughly understood the order of the family of God or the tree of life? (Alma 13:1 - 20, NC Alma 9 par. 10 - Alma 10 par. 2)
By considering that the tree of life might be a representation of the family of God on the earth, would that give new and greater meaning to what Nephi declared in his vision concerning those who came and partook of the fruit or became part of the family?
And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. But to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron. And they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree...(1 Nephi 8:29 - 35, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 12)
What type of reverence and praise is associated with falling down and then partaking of the fruit?
Who would be present for someone to feel that they should fall down and worship?
And after he had said these words, he said unto me, Look. And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God a going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him. And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron which my father had seen was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life, which waters are a representation of the love of God. And I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God. (1 Nephi 11:24 - 25, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 10)
Who represents God's love to all of the world or, in other words, God's love for entire the human family?
... For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, NC John 2 par. 2)
Could it be appropriately stated that Christ is the foundation of the tree of life or the family of God?
What did Christ declare to His disciples?
I am the true vine or head of the Father’s family, and my Father is the husbandman over that family. Every branch connected to me that does not produce fruit, he will remove, and every branch that produces fruit he will prune back so that it produces better fruit. You will bear fruit if you follow the things I have taught you. Stay connected to me as part of the Heavenly family, and I will nourish you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit if it is not connected to the vine, neither will you be able to bear fruit unless you remain connected with me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He that stays connected to me, and I to him, will be abundantly fruitful; but without the connection to me you will perish. If a man loses his connection with me, he is merely a withered branch; and men take the withered branches, cut them away and burn them. If you stay connected to me, and my words live in you, you will ask according to my will, and you will be given the ability to accomplish my will. It will please and vindicate my Father if you produce abundant fruit, and that will prove you follow me. Just like the Father has loved me, I have in turn likewise loved you. Therefore, remain connected with me and my love will be with you. If you practice my teachings you will always remain connected with me; just as I have kept my Father’s teachings and have remained connected with him. (John 15:1 - 10, Teachings and Commandments Section 171, Testimony of St John 10 par. 17)
If the tree of life is a representation of the family of God on the earth would that explain why it is impossible for someone to take fruit from the tree to give to others?
Isn't it impossible for anyone to experience the fruit of being part of the family of God on the earth unless they come and fall down before the True Vine, Jesus Christ, and are adopted into the family of God?
There is way more that could be said concerning this subject but maybe this is sufficient to spark a curiosity to look into the matter.
If I seriously look at my own present condition, is it possible for me to ask myself, am I part of the family of God and experiencing the fruit associated with that relationship?
Have I heard the voice of God speaking from the heavens, declaring that I am now His son?
If I am not yet a part of that family don't I find myself in the same situation as Laman and Lemuel in this part of the Book of Mormon record; outside of that blessed relationship and in need of repentance?
One question the Book of Mormon answers very clearly is the question of whether an individual needs to be part of an institution or organization to be brought into the family of God.
Was Lehi brought into the family of God or, in other words, did Lehi partake of the fruit of the tree of life due to being in or a part of any organization or institution?
How about Nephi?
Weren't their journeys to and actions to partake of the fruit of the tree of life or to become part of the family of God individual undertakings?
Is this something that I ought to seriously consider?
Can anyone on the earth deny me from partaking of the fruit of the tree of life or, in other words, becoming part of the family of God and experiencing that fruit if I exercise faith in Christ and seek to connect to Him, the True Vine, as an individual?
Isn't He, Christ, the keeper of that gate?
O my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally minded is death and to be spiritually minded is life eternal. O my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you, for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness, but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteousness. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel, and he employeth no servant there. And there is none other way save it be by the gate, for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. And whoso knocketh, to him will he open. And the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich — who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches — yea, they are they whom he despiseth. And save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them; but the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them for ever, yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. (2 Nephi 9:39 - 43, NC 2 Nephi 6 par. 11)
If Christ is the keeper of the gate and He employs no servants to keep the gate then if anyone declares that they have authority to bar my passage through the gate can I write them off as charlatans and liars?
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