Ye Shall Be Led Towards The Promised Land

1 Nephi 17:11 - 18, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 16

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make bellows, wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts. And after I had made bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire. For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not. And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments. Wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led. Yea, and the Lord said also that after ye have arrived to the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God, and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction, yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence. And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying, Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters. And thus my brethren did complain against me and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship, neither would they believe that I were instructed of the Lord.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 1 par. 16

And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did make bellows, with which to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts. And after I had made bellows, that I might have the means to blow the fire, I did strike two stones 
together that I might make fire. For yhwh had not thus far allowed that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make your food become sweet, that you cook it not.  
And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that you shall keep my mitzvot. Wherefore, inasmuch as you shall keep my mitzvot, you shall be led towards the promised land; and you shall know that it is by me that you are led. Yes, and yhwh said also that after you have arrived to the promised land, you shall know that I, yhwh, am Elohim, and that I, yhwh, 
did deliver you from destruction, yes, that I did bring you out of  the land of Yerushalayim. Wherefore, I, Nefi, did strive to keep the mitzvot of yhwh, and I did exhort my brothers to faithfulness and diligence. And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. And when my brothers saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying, Our brother is a fool, for he thinks that he can build a ship; yes, and he also thinks that he can cross these great waters. And thus my brothers did complain against me and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship, neither would they believe that I was instructed of yhwh.

I am very interested in Nephi's statement here in the scriptural record.

For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire as we journeyed in the wilderness, for he said, I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not. And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments. Wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

What was entailed in the Lord becoming their light in the wilderness?

What did that look like?

How exactly did the Lord prepare the way before them?

Were there other events, not included in the record, that occurred as well as what is recorded that also contributed to their knowing that they were being led by the Lord?

Is this event, described here by Nephi, a parallel to other journeyings of a people God has determined to work with as They patiently bring those people through a wilderness towards a better place?

What about the Jaredites?

...thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward, and there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the land of the earth...And it came to pass that when they had come down into the valley of Nimrod, the Lord came down and talked with the brother of Jared. And he was in a cloud, and the brother of Jared saw him not. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness and did build barges in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord. And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people. And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and for ever should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fullness of his wrath should come upon them. (Ether 1:42 - 43, 2:4 - 8, NC Ether 1 par. 4, par. 6)

What about the Israelites coming out of Egypt?

And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, for God said, Lest perhaps the people repent when they see war and they return to Egypt. But God led the people about through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had the children of Israel solemnly swear, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.

And they took their journey from Succoth and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, to go by day and night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. (Exodus 13:17 - 22, OC Exodus 8 pars. 9 - 10)

What about the Nephites who followed king Mosiah into the wilderness?

Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla. For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi — and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him into the wilderness — and it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord. And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla. And they discovered a people who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla, and also, Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass, which contained the record of the Jews. (Omni 1:12 - 14, NC Omni 1 par. 6)

What about the people with Alma who were baptized at the waters of Mormon?

Now Alma having been warned of the Lord that the armies of king Noah would come upon them and had made it known to his people, therefore they gathered together their flocks, and took of their grain, and departed into the wilderness before the armies of king Noah. And the Lord did strengthen them, that the people of king Noah could not overtake them to destroy them. And they fled eight days’ journey into the wilderness, and they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant land, a land of pure water. And they pitched their tents, and began to till the ground, and began to build buildings, etc. Yea, they were industrious and did labor exceedingly. (Mosiah 23:1 - 5, NC Mosiah 11 par. 1)

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying, Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me. And I will covenant with this my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage. And this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them, that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying, Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. And he said unto Alma, Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.

Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the nighttime gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the nighttime were they gathering their flocks together. And in the morning, the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites; yea, and all their taskmasters were in a profound sleep. And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness. And when they had traveled all day, they pitched their tents in a valley; and they called the name of the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness. Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage — for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God. And they gave thanks to God — yea, all their men, and all their women, and all their children that could speak, lifted their voices in the praises of their God.

And now the Lord said unto Alma, Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awoke and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land. And I will stop the Lamanites in this valley, that they come no further in pursuit of this people. And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley and took their journey into the wilderness. And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days, they arrived to the land of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah did also receive them with joy. (Mosiah 24:13 - 25, NC Mosiah 11 pars. 9 - 12)

Aren't there striking similarities in all of these migrations?

Didn't all of the above migrations involve the groups traveling through completely unfamiliar territory?

Don't all the accounts talk about being led by God's power; "I will be your light in the wilderness", "I will prepare the way before you", "the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel.", "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, to go by day and night", " they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness","I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage."?

I understand that these are "historical" accounts of God's deliverance of faithful peoples in the past but is it possible that these accounts have an a added purpose of focusing our minds on "how great things" the Lord has done?

Are these patterns that show us how the Lord might work to lead a repentant people out of bondage and wickedness in the future?

Can we find any examples in the scriptures where the Lord talks about a cloud of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night, and being led by the power of His arm at a time future to the above historical accounts?

What about Isaiah's words used by Nephi to describe his prophecy of the last days?

In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, them that are left in Zion and remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy, everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all, the glory of Zion shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain. (2 Nephi 14:2 - 6, NC 2 Nephi 8 par. 10)

What about one of Ezekiel's prophecies of the last days concerning Israel?

As I live, says the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out will I rule over you. And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein you are scattered with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face — as I pled with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, says the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant, and I will purge out from among you the rebels and them that transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel, and you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 20:33 - 38, OC Ezekiel 9 par. 8)

What about these words of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph concerning the redemption of Zion following the failure of Zion's camp to re-establish the early church members to their lands in Missouri?

Behold, I say unto you that the redemption of Zion must needs come by power, therefore I will raise up unto my people a man who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel, for you are the children of Israel and of the seed of Abraham, and you must needs be led out of bondage by power and with a stretched out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be. Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers, my Angel shall go up before you, but not my presence. But I say unto you, my Angel shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time you shall possess the goodly land. (D&C 103:15 - 20, T&C 104 par. 4)

Is it possible that in the last days as the Lord leads a meek and penitent group of people out from an existing society and to a place of peace, He will do so following the pattern He has followed before whenever He has led a people out from bondage?

Before continuing I want to say again, as I have said before, that what I am expressing in this blog, what I presently understand, what I find compelling personally, and what makes sense to me, is at the very best incomplete if it happens to be correct at all, but most probably it is a compound of incorrect assumptions and other thinking errors.  My only thought in sharing these ideas is to hopefully cause folks to become curious to look into the Book of Mormon in a serious thoughtful way for themselves and let God inform them what the message of the book is. 

I have wondered many times, and I wonder again now if I have conjured up in my mind "This is what the scriptures are showing" and then I think about how to parse the scriptures to fit into the shape I have conjured up in my mind.  This is only one of the many reasons I would consider it dangerous to consider anything I share here without imposing a great amount of skepticism on what I have to say.

I do hope that with time and experience, I can demonstrate sufficient patient diligence to God so that They, in Their mercy, might be willing to make my views of their message more clear so that I can come to a proper understanding of Their works.

Now, to continue:

Is it reasonable to conclude from the scriptural accounts of the Lord leading groups of people out to a promised land in the past that the people being led out were at first living inside wicked societies and were in bondage to one degree or another?

Is it reasonable to conclude that things had gotten to the point in those societies that the societies were in need of fundamental repentance or destruction?

Did the Lord send messengers to testify of Him and to invite folks generally in those societies to repent?

When general repentance did not occur, what did the Lord do with a small portion of people who did repent?

Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited, and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes. He ruleth high in the Heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool. And he loveth them who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers; and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt. And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod, for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent flying fiery serpents among them; and after they were bitten, he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform were to look. And because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished. And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses and also against God. Nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise. (1 Nephi 17:36 - 42, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 20)

Do the historical accounts of the Lord's deliverance of faithful peoples match the cycle that Nephi describes here above?

Is it possible that this repeating cycle that Nephi referred to here and what we find in the scriptural record is what we should expect for the gathering of the last days Zion?

Are we presently in a position of bondage living among a wicked society?

If there is a pattern, then would that entail God first sending a messenger to declare repentance?

When God sent messengers in the past to declare repentance did they come from inside or outside of the established and recognized institutions and religions of the society?

As examples: Lehi, Abinadi, Alma the Younger, Samuel the Lamanite, Jesus, Jeremiah, Joseph Smith, etc. Where any of these messengers inside of the established and recognized institutions and religions of their societies?

How did anyone who responded to the message of repentance know that the messengers had authority from God?

Was the message they were sent by God to deliver accepted generally by the population of the society or even by the established and recognized religions in the society?

For those who did accept the message of repentance God had sent, what was required of them to become a people who God was committed to working with in spite of their failings and need to change?

Is it possible that the following is a prophecy about our present day?

For in that day, for my sake, shall the Father work a work which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them, and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore, they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. Therefore, it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the gentiles, it shall be done even as Moses said — They shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant...(3 Nephi 21:9 - 11, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 12)

Is it possible that this event the Lord prophesied of to the Nephites is what Nephi is referring to here?

And it shall come to pass that if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks, and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land for ever. They shall be no more brought down into captivity, and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded. And that great pit which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church — which was founded by the Devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell — yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God, not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end. For behold, this is according to the captivity of the Devil, and also according to the justice of God, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before him. (1 Nephi 14:1 - 4, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 25)

If the Lord sends a messenger to declare a message of repentance is that a great and a marvelous work?

By sending a message of repentance is the Lord manifesting Himself in power and in very deed to take away stumbling blocks or in other words false ideas and incorrect traditions?

Both Nephi and the Lord speak in covenantal language:

"they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel", " They shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant."

If we look in the scriptural record, is it possible to detect that when the Lord goes about to lead a people out from wickedness and bondage He extends a covenant to that group?

Is this part of a pattern of deliverance?

Is it possible that such events have occurred and continue to occur right now?

I witness that these events have occurred and continue to occur right now.  You can read my living witness of these events here. The House of Israel Shall No More Be Confounded

Just for conversation's sake, if my present understanding happens to be correct how would the Lord deliver a repentant group of people from present bondage in a wicked society?

Is there any place in the entire earth that is uninhabited or rather free from the rule of a currently existing nation?

What would it look like for the Lord to lead a group of repentant folk out of our presently collapsing society?

How would they know that they are being led out by the power and by the arm of the Lord?

Where would they go?

Would they be traveling through completely unfamiliar territory?

Ether prophesied of a place that will be established in the latter days; a holy city.

Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come — after it should be destroyed, it should be built up again, an holy city unto the Lord (wherefore, it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in a time of old, but it should be built up again and become a holy city of the Lord, and it should be built up unto the house of Israel) and that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there. Wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph, that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph, that he should perish not.

Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land, and it shall be a land of their inheritance. And they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord like unto the Jerusalem of old. And they shall no more be confounded until the end come, when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. And they shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old and the inhabitants thereof; blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. And they are they who were scattered, and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, There are they who were first who shall be last, and there are they who were last who shall be first. (Ether 13:4 - 12, NC Ether 6 pars. 2 - 3)

Is it possible for the Lord to establish a New Jerusalem, a righteous place of peace, in the midst of such wickedness as we presently witness?

It is foretold in both the Bible and Book of Mormon and is part of the Mormon belief about events that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. The location of the city is believed by most Mormons to be fixed in Independence, Missouri. From other revelations, Biblical prophecies, and teachings of Joseph Smith there is reason to doubt that location.1 Zion, the New Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of God all relate to each other and will be developed and functioning in the last generation before the Lord returns. If this does not happen, the whole earth will be cursed (see T&C 151:13; see also 3 Nephi 10:1; T&C 31:14; Genesis 4:22–23).2 There is a new and different meaning in Christ’s Book of Mormon prophecy to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 10:2) that has come about because of recent events. Previously, Christ’s words seemed to foretell that the lost and scattered remnants would build the Lord’s House and the New Jerusalem; now it appears that there are covenant-receiving gentiles who are included — gentiles who repent and hearken to Christ’s words and do not harden their hearts will be brought into covenant as His people. Christ mentions three distinct bodies. First, those who have accepted the covenant and are numbered among the remnant of Jacob to whom Christ gave this land for their inheritance. Second, the lost descendants of the remnant of Jacob on this land who will repent and return. Third, as many from the House of Israel who will repent and return. These three will build a city that shall be called the New Jerusalem and will come to know God while gathering and laboring to build it. Then they will go out to assist all of God’s people in their lost and forgotten state, to be awakened to the work of God and gathered as one body of believers. And all who have any of the blood of Abraham, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, will come to be taught in the New Jerusalem. There the Power of Heaven will come down to be among them; the angels (and Enoch with his ten thousands) will come down; the Ancient of Days, or Adam (the first father), and Christ, also, will be in the midst of His people (see 3 Nephi 10:1). (T&C Glossary of Gospel Terms, "New Jerusalem")

How will such things be possible?

Is it reasonable to state that we presently find ourselves in a wilderness according to righteousness as a society?

If I happen to be correct in my present understanding that the Lord has sent a messenger with His message of repentance and at very least a small group of individuals has accepted the message (received it), how would the Lord go about to begin working with that group to eventually "lead them out"?

Zion is something that has only been accomplished in the known history of the world by two communities. It is prophesied that there will be a third. What is to be created is something so foreign to this world, that there is nothing in the world to use to judge how we are doing. 

Even the scriptures do not give a blueprint to follow. If they contained the necessary information, Zion would have been established long ago. God alone will establish Zion. His instructions are vital and necessary for us. Once He instructs us, the Scriptures can then be used to confirm that His direction to us now is consistent with what He prophesied, covenanted and promised would happen. But the path to Zion is to be found only by following God’s immediate commands to us. 

That is how He will bring it. He will lead us there. There is no magic, there is no sprinkling fairy dust that will take you to where God is. It does not and cannot happen that way. He will lead us, teach us, command us, guide us, but we have to be the ones who become what He commands. We have to be the ones who do what he bids us do. 

The greatest instruction that I know to have been given by God at any time, to any generation, is a rule of community found in the Sermon on the Mount and in the Sermon at Bountiful. Now we have the Answer to the Prayer for Covenant, that not only resonates with the message of those two sermons but applies it directly to us in our peculiar circumstances, to fix our peculiar defects and urges us to be more like Him. (Boise Conference Address (Opening Remarks) Covenant of Christ Conference Egyptian Theater Boise, Idaho, September 3, 2017 by Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pg. 3)

Is it possible that the Sermon on the Mount and Sermon at Bountiful could be considered the first directions and messages given by God as a "liahona" to this small group of individuals to begin guiding them out of this society through completely unfamiliar territory towards a promised land of a city of peace?

Is it possible that God’s immediate commands to said small group of individuals could be considered the same as the writing on the liahona changing from time to time according to the diligence and head that small group gives to what the Lord gave in His initial directions in the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon at Bountiful?

Are there tasks that must be completed as part of such a journey, such as taking what the Lord is now offering to both the descendants of Lehi here in the Americas and the Jews; both groups comprised of children of promise?

Is it possible that for such a group of people the principles of their success in travel mirror the same principles as Lehi's group?

And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director, or our fathers called it Liahona, which is (being interpreted) a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God. Therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. Therefore, they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgression.

And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow. For as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal), they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. (Alma 37:38 - 45, NC Alma 17 pars. 15 - 16)

I expressed in the previous post "Thou Shalt Construct a Ship" that I now wonder if both the Jaredite and Nephite passages over the many waters occurred inside of floating temples, sacred space, the Lord commanded them to build in order to teach them things and perform authorized ordinances that would give them power to approach Him.

Would such a thing be mirrored for a modern-day group of individuals being led out of our present society? 

The Lord revealed some things to the prophet Joseph concerning the temple He had commanded the saints in Nauvoo to build in 1841 and gave them sufficient time to complete the task or be rejected as a church with their dead.

And again, verily I say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me except you perform them in a house which you have built to my name? For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was. Therefore, verily I say unto you that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, and honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name. (D&C 124:37 - 39, T&C 141 par. 12)

As I presently understand from the above declaration by the Lord, if a temple that the Lord commands to be built is built in the way He commands that it be built and then He comes to it and accepts it as His house and dwells there then that house becomes a place where those repentant folks receive washings, and anointings, and baptisms for the dead, and solemn assemblies, and memorials for their sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and oracles, and conversations, and statutes, and judgments for the beginning of of the revelations and the foundation of Zion.

Would such things received in sacred space by a small group of individuals represent receiving God's immediate commands?

By receiving such things in a temple the Lord has commanded and accepted and where the Lord dwells personally, would such a group of individuals know that it is by the Lord that they are being led?

Would such things be indicative of such a group of people being led by His power and by His outstretched arm?

Just for clarification:

I've been using the phrase "small group of individuals" because it seems to be the reality not because it is exclusionary or what the Lord would desire.

I believe that the Lord would love for everyone to receive and respond to His message of repentance and be led out from our present predicament but for the entire history of the earth, an overwhelming majority of the human family have rejected His outstretched hand.

My present understanding is that this is the reason for the Lord's lamenting here in the scriptures.

The Lord said unto Enoch, Behold these, your brethren, they are the workmanship of my own hands; and I gave unto them their intelligence, and in the Garden of Eden man had agency. And unto your brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should serve me, their God. But behold, they are without affection and they hate their own blood. And the fire of my indignation is kindled against them, and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them. Behold, I am God, Man of Holiness is my name, Man of Counsel is my name, and Endless and Eternal is my name also. Wherefore, I can stretch forth my hands and hold all the creations which I have made, and my eye can pierce them also. And among all the workmanship of my hands, there has not been so great wickedness as among your brethren. But behold, their sins shall be upon the heads of their fathers. Satan shall be their master, and misery shall be their doom, and the whole Heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of my hands. Why should not the Heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer? But behold, these whom your eyes are upon shall perish in the floods, and behold, I will shut them up. A prison have I prepared for them. And he whom I have chosen has pled before my face; wherefore, he suffers for their sins, inasmuch as they will repent, in the day that my Chosen shall return unto me; and until that day, they shall be in torment. Wherefore, for this shall the Heavens weep, yea, and all the workmanship of my hands. ""(Moses 7:32 - 40, NC Genesis 4 par. 7)

And here.

And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear and did witness of it, saying, O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, O ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you! And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel who have fallen! Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem as ye that have fallen, yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not! O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart! But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers. (3 Nephi 10:3 - 7, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 9)

And this is what Nephi saw concerning those who would respond to the Lord in the latter days.

And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters, and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters. Nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together in multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth. And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory. (1 Nephi 14:11 - 14, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 28)

Back to the post.

If the presence of the Lord were to abide at a temple that He has accepted what would that look like?

Is it possible that His abiding presence would in any way resemble the following?

And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all, the glory of Zion shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain.

If the Lord commands a temple to be built and it is accomplished even as he has declared that it must be accomplished and those who are willing to receive Him are allowed by Him to enter in and receive all that He declared is the foundation of Zion would they not be approaching the destination of the promised land of a city of peace even as Lehi's group arrived in the Americas on their floating temple?

What were Isaiah's words concerning the established latter-day Zion?

And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.(2 Nephi 12:2 - 4, NC 2 Nephi 8 par. 4)

Who is it who will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks?

And it shall come to pass among the wicked that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety, and there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven, and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible, wherefore we cannot stand. And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion singing with songs of everlasting joy. (D&C 45:68 - 71, T&C 31 par. 15)

As I presently understand it, only those who have been led out because they have received the Lord's message of repentance delivered by His servant who He has sent and have responded and gone through the journey of leaving this society through diligent obedience to God's immediate commandments to them and have received the foundational knowledge that must be given by God to a penitent people in a temple that God has commanded to be built and then has accepted and the Lord abides there in order for the Lord to establish Zion will complete the journey to the promised land of a city of peace.

My present opinion is that those who, through all hazards, complete the journey will be well aware that it is the Lord who has gone before them and led them out and been their light and prepared the way before them in the wilderness and has led them to the promised land by His power and outstretched arm.

They will praise and honor Him for leading and protecting them.

In that day it will be the Lord who will be glorified for establishing Zion, a city of peace where the people of God will dwell.

It is His work.  Only He can accomplish it.

There is so very much that ought to be looked at concerning this subject and this blog is so completely insufficient in even touching on the glorious migration the Lord has in His heart for a penitent, meek, and diligent group of people.

This migration is a migration that leaves Babylon and fulfills Nebuchadnezzar's dream that Daniel interpreted where all of the ideas, philosophies, economies, and so forth of Babylon will, at last, be completely obliterated by the Lord establishing His kingdom, without hands because it is He who is accomplishing the task, through leading out a few humble followers and going before them as their light and in His power to bring them to the promised land of Zion.

All are invited to participate.