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.

Thou Shalt Construct a Ship

 1 Nephi 17:4 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par 13 - 15

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.
And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Arise and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. And I said, Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shewn unto me? And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 13 - 15

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.
And it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of yhwh came unto me, saying, Arise and get you into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto yhwh. And it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto me, saying, You shall construct a ship after the manner which I shall show you, that I may carry your people across these waters. And I said, yhwh, where shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which you have shown unto me? And it came to pass that yhwh told me where I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

I recently had the opportunity to listen to two individuals presenting scriptural messages.  Both presentations resonated with me and I am in agreement presently with their conclusions. 

I believe that at least part of the content of the first presentation fits very well with this part of the Book of Mormon record.

There are six times in scripture, three times in the Old Covenants and three times in the New Covenants, that the story shows up of a father figure saving his family by crossing a “water.”  Noah, the brother of Jared, Joshua, Lehi, and the Lord Himself, also each save a “family” by crossing a “water” and establishing them in a “promised land.” Although the imagery varies somewhat, the big idea is always the same.  The fact that this theme is used in the time when the religion of the fathers was practiced, and again in the time of the old covenants, and then once more after after the law of Moses was fulfilled, suggests that the process is not obsolete. And the fact that the process is described over and over again – in many different dispensations – implies that it’s always the way that God uses to save his people whenever there is one on Earth who has patriarchal authority... 

Now, it’s true that these six scriptural accounts of water-crossings don’t contain every element that every other of the accounts contains. There is some overlap, and then there are some unique bits that only certain of the stories have. But when we bring together the isolated bits of information from the different accounts, then a pretty complete picture emerges of what the process looks like – and, here’s the important thing, what the process will look like in our day, when there is again one on Earth with patriarchal duties. 

Six accounts are nice, but Jewish custom requires a seventh in the series. Collect all seven, you get a menorah! A Tree of Life.   

Here's an example of the kind of overlap that I’m talking about. Noah saved three categories of beings aboard the ark: unclean beasts, clean beasts, and humans. And Jacob crossed the Jordan, after his labors, bringing in his wake three categories of beings: flocks, servants, and family. In both cases, the three groups serve as figurative descriptions of the families that these men helped to save in the Kingdom of God. Families with members that showed varying levels of faithfulness. These accounts of water-crossings suggest that three tiers of individuals are always saved as part of the patriarch’s family. 

The Lord specifically directed Noah to make the ark with three levels. “With lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.” So…, first class, business class, and steerage. Steerage is where you keep the steers – those without the capacity to reproduce. Or if you don’t like that joke, there are those who can “sing” the song of redeeming love, those who “speak” with the tongue of angels, and on the bottom deck you find your “dumb” asses. I hope my stall has a window. There are also three levels represented in the Ark of the Covenant. If you look for it, you’ll find it. And by the way, it is called the Ark of The Covenant, so that tells you the price of a ticket. 

Now, speaking of arks. In three of the accounts of the water-crossing, the father figures are directed to build arks or boats. The brother of Jared, Noah, and Lehi all built boats in order to get to either a promised land, or in the case of Noah, a land that had been swept clean by the flood. In either telling, the land on the other side of the “flood” is a good place to be, free from many of the worries of the place they left – and boats were how you got there. A part of me wishes that this meant that in our day some five-star cruise ship will carry us all off to an island paradise with white sandy beaches and fruity drinks. But that’s not gonna happen. Alas! There is no boat in our day. But there is a conveyance.

There’s a reason that Noah’s ark came to rest on the top of a mountain. It’s foreshadowing. It’s to draw an equivalence with the latter-day temple that will be built in the top of the mountains. I don’t doubt for a minute the historical reality of the voyages of Noah, and the brother of Jared, and Lehi. But their stories are written, as with Jacob’s story, to convey multiple meanings. Their boats really were boats, but they also symbolized temples. And, in a sense, the latter-day temple in the top of the mountains will also be a boat: a starship, if you will, where those that enter in will be taught to walk in God’s heavenly paths. Here are a couple of fairly authoritative commentators, talking about what lies ahead.

 “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, 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.” The paths of God lie in the heavens. So, if you’re going to learn to walk in His paths, you are going to have to learn how to walk in the heavens. (Isaiah 2: 2-3, and D.S. podcast 14, “The Heavens”) ("Crossing Guards," Gordon Platt, Celebrating 40 Years-March 1, 2023-Provo Utah, pgs. 3 - 4)

Is it possible that the above explains a couple of reasons for the following parts in the record?

... And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters...

And

And it came to pass that they did worship the Lord and did go forth with me, and we did work timbers of curious workmanship. And the Lord did shew me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of man, but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shewn unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men. (1 Nephi 18:1 - 2, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 24)

Isn't it interesting that although Nephi and his brothers are commanded to build the ship it is the Lord declaring clearly that He is the one accomplishing the labor of carrying Lehi's company across the waters?

Is that consistent with the pattern the Lord uses to do His own work of accomplishing His promises to the ancient Fathers through working with and prospering the labors of faithful individuals working cooperatively with Him?

Are there varying levels of faithfulness in this migrating company?

Is it possible that there is sacred symbolism crafted into the timbers of curious workmanship?

What does it mean that they did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men?

I used to believe that statement applied to building a ship that was advanced technologically.  Now I wonder if the statement has a reference, as well, to building something that was a sacred space.

Is it possible that is why Nephi declared that the Lord showed him from time to time after what manner he should work the timbers of the ship?

Is this event similar to the events of the migration of the brother of Jared and his group?

In the record of the brother of Jared and his group we read, concerning their crossing in the barges,

... And they did sing praises unto the Lord, yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long. And when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth, and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them. And they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.... (Ether 6:8 - 13, NC Ether 3 par. 4)

Was the Lord only interested in getting this group of people physically across the ocean?

What was involved in "singing praises unto the Lord"?

Is it possible that there is more to the meaning of the statement "And they did have light continually", than that they just had physical light?

When the Lord touched the eyes of the blind while on the earth they were able to see.

The Lord has revealed recently

I desire to heal you from an awful state of blindness so that you may see clearly my will, to do it. I promised to bring unto you much of my gospel through the Book of Mormon and to provide you with the means to obtain a fullness of my gospel, and I have done this; yet you refuse to receive the truth, even when it is given unto you in plainness. How can you who pursue the truth yet remain unable to behold your own weakness before me? (T&C 157 par. 16)

Is it possible that the Lord used the event of the crossing of the Jaredites to heal them from an awful state of blindness to see clearly His will, to do it when they arrived in the promised land?

Is it possible that because the Lord touched the stones the stones showed forth more than just physical light?

Is it possible that "singing unto the Lord" involved participation in sacred ordinances and ritual that had to be performed in sacred space?

Is it possible that the barges of the brother of Jared had been crafted with timbers of curious workmanship in order to be sacred spaces where the Lord could give the occupants light and where authorized ordinances could be performed?

In the scripture record is it possible to detect that the Lord is trying to do more than just move faithful people to a different place?

O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said, If ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land, but if ye keep not his commandments, ye shall be cut off from his presence. And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations. (Alma 37:13 - 14, NC Alma 17 par. 9)

Doesn't Alma, speaking to his son Helaman, consider that "prospering in the land" is being able to come into the presence of God?

Does God desire to simply have a group of faithful people moved from one place to a promised land only to remain cut off from His presence?

Isn't obedience to the commandments of God required to come into His presence in order to "prosper in the land"?

Doesn't God impart His commandments in sacred ordinances and ritual as well as in the scriptures?

The most useful and obedient servants of the Lord have been those who have been exposed to the greatest understanding of His eternal role. The opening paragraph of Abraham’s book is a direct statement of the relationship between knowledge and obedience. 

From the first generation, the Patriarchs used ritual to convey a great body of information (a theatrical revelation) to initiates. The Book of Abraham itself appears to be a ritual text. 

...the book of Abraham, far from being merely a diverting or edifying history, is a discourse on divine authority, which also is the theme of the three facsimiles. The [explanation] to the three plates make it perfectly clear that they are meant as diagrammatic or formulaic aids to an understanding of the subject of priesthood on earth. (Hugh Nibley, An Approach to the Book of Abraham, p. 178) 

Enoch’s account (now in Genesis of the Restoration Edition of Scriptures) also appears to be a ritual text. Hugh Nibley calls Enoch, 

...the great initiate who becomes the great initiator... He adds: His is the independent intelligence always seeking further light and knowledge. He is the great observer and recorder of all things in heaven and earth, of which God grants him perfect knowledge. The great learner, he is also the great teacher: Enoch the Initiator into the higher mysteries of...faith and secrets of the universe; Enoch the Scribe, keeper of the records, instructor in the ordinances, aware of all times and places, studying and transmitting the record of the race with intimate concern for all generations to come. He offers the faithful their greatest treasure of knowledge. He is the seer who conveys to men the mind and will of the Lord. (Enoch the Prophet, p. 19, 21)

The religion of the Fathers cannot be adequately conveyed if it is separated from ritualized knowledge. By using symbol, movement, gesture, dress, architecture, sound, orientation, and setting, it is possible to embed light and truth in a way to engage the mind, spirit, and heart of mankind. The temple can be the house in which it is possible to stretch the mind of man both upward and downward by the things presented there. “The temple itself was but a copy of the heavenly temple, the liturgy on earth a shadow of the worship of the angels” (Margaret Barker, The Great Angel, p. 118). 

It is through covenant-forming ordinances—including rituals—that the power of Godliness has been manifested to mankind. The order of the House of God has and ever will be the same, even after Christ comes, and after the termination of the thousand years it will be the same, and we shall finally roll into the Celestial Kingdom of God and enjoy it forever (T&C 117:4). 

When writing from a dungeon in Missouri, Joseph Smith’s reflection on what is needed to save souls clarifies the function of a temple: 

...because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God. 

…None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations: too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of his will from before the foundation of the world, to hold the keys of the [mystery] of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation until now, of which some have tasted a little, and which many of them are to be poured [out] from Heaven upon the heads of babes, yea, the weak, obscure, and despisable ones of this earth. (T&C 138:18-19) 

Accordingly, there is always going to be a temple when the Holy Order is present in its fullest manifestation. Abraham also is directly associated with temple ritual. As Nibley explained,

 “There is a wealth of tradition now being zealously studied to show that the temple ordinances really go back to the beginning, as Joseph Smith declared. The four names associated with the tradition are those of Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and Elijah” (Temple and Cosmos, p. 78). 

To return a complete Restoration, a temple will be required. As the Lord revealed to Joseph, a temple is always required of God’s people: 

For your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments [in]...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. (T&C 141:12) ("The Religion of the Fathers", Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Aravada Springs, Nevada 27 March 2021, pgs. 47 - 48)

Is it possible that the timbers of curious workmanship contained symbols,  architecture, and created a setting that when combined with movement, gestures, dress, sound, and orientation were intended to imbed light and truth in a manner to engage the minds and hearts of those on the ship duringthe water crossing?

Did God intend that a space be created that their minds could be stretched both upwards and downwards by the things that would be presented to those on the ship?

If such could have been the case would all of these things have been prepared in the wisdom of the Lord in order to impart the Lord's commandments to them through ritual and ordinance during the voyage so that through obedience they would be able to "prosper in the land" when they arrived?

Is it possible that "prospering in the land" is related to these words from the Lord?

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)

Is it necessary to participate in sacred ordinances and ritual in a sacred space in order to be gathered as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings in order to come into the presence of God and prosper in the land?

Are we seeing, in these migration records, the creation, by the Lord's direction, of sacred space in order for the migrants to receive light and participate in sacred ordinances and ritual while they are traveling across the waters in order to be able to obey the commandments of God and prosper in the land upon their arrival by entering into His presence?

Was Nephi being directed to build a floating temple?

Do we have another example here in the Book of Mormon record where it might be possible that something very sacred is being hidden right in plain sight?

Arise and Get Thee Into the Mountain

1 Nephi 17:4 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par 13 - 15

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.
And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Arise and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. And I said, Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shewn unto me? And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 13 - 15

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.
And it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of yhwh came unto me, saying, Arise and get you into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto yhwh. And it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto me, saying, You shall construct a ship after the manner which I shall show you, that I may carry your people across these waters. And I said, yhwh, where shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which you have shown unto me? And it came to pass that yhwh told me where I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

It is interesting to me to consider how the Lord in His wisdom prepares things to nourish His children as they are obedient to Him and cooperate with Him as He goes about doing His work to fulfill the promises He has made to the ancient fathers.

My present understanding is that Lehi's migration was a fulfillment of a promise that was made to Joseph who was sold into Egypt through his father Jacob (renamed Israel by the Lord) in a final blessing.

Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall. The archers have severely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him; but his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), even by the God of your father who shall help you, and by the Almighty who shall bless you with blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. (Genesis 49:22 - 26, OC Genesis 12 par. 29)

My understanding is that Lehi was a descendant of Joseph and Lehi's branch ran over the wall to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills (the Americas).

And now Joseph, my last born whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee for ever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed. For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins, and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph. Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord that, out of the fruit of his loins, the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel, not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord, that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days in the spirit of power unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light, yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom. (2 Nephi 3:3 - 5, NC 2 Nephi 2 par. 2)

His family, like his ancestor Joseph, was separate from their brethren; having left the land of Jerusalem to cross the many waters.

The record that Lehi's righteous descendants left is calculated to save the rest of the House of Israel by breaking into pieces the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw; all of the corrupt influences permeating the entire world which began with the kingdom of Babylon; which influences still hold sway today. 

Since the Lord obviously gave this promise to Joseph through his father Jacob at least a millennia before the promise was put in motion, when did the Lord begin to prepare the land of Bountiful for Lehi's group so that they would not perish?

Was the preparation of Bountiful begun when the promise was given?

How did the Lord keep the land Bountiful from becoming completely overrun by others before Lehi's company arrived?

I have seen some evidence that persuades me that there were others living in the land Bountiful when Lehi's group arrived but am I correct in my understanding of the record that there were not great multitudes of people at that time in that area?

Why these questions?

What other promises has the Lord made to the original Fathers that are yet to be fulfilled?

For the sake of the promises to the fathers will I labor with you as a people, and not because of you, for you have not yet become what you must be to live together in peace. If you will hearken to my words, I will make you my people and my words will give you peace. Even a single soul who stirs up the hearts of others to anger can destroy the peace of all my people. Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. (T&C 157 par. 19)

What other things has the Lord prepared to nourish an obedient group of believers who desire to cooperate with the Lord as He goes about doing His work now?

What about the land where Zion will be established?

The very day all the prophets have look forward to, from the beginning of the days of Adam
down till now, (as we looked at in Centerville) are upon us. You doubt God can bring this to
pass? You doubt what I have been talking about since we began in Boise, and have now arrived
here? If God can send someone to declare these things to you, in the confidence and the faith and
the knowledge that I'm speaking to you on His errand, and I can do it in this room, in this
building housing a casino, in this city built on gambling and desperation, salvation comes to you
today by the word of God. You doubt God cannot make a holy place somewhere that has not
been trodden under the foot of the Gentiles? You doubt that God cannot bring to pass His work
in culminating the ages? Have the faith of a grain of mustard seed, because it is coming, it is
going to happen, and if you lack the faith, you will not be invited. (Forty Years in Mormonism, Lecture 8, "A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit", Denversnuffer.com, Downloads, pg. 274)

These words from the Lord were spoken as the Lord was again beginning to extend His hand again the second time to the Gentiles in order to recover His house the House of Israel.

Where is this place that God has kept that will become a holy place and has not been trodden under the foot of the Gentiles?

My present understanding is that it will require work and effort by those who would dwell there to cause it to be a fruitful place but it has been prepared nonetheless.

When did the Lord first prepare this land?

From the days of Adam when the promise was originally made?

What things must be completed in order for the Lord's promises to the original Fathers to be vindicated?

What work will a cooperative group of individuals be willing and required to do in order to have the blessing of working alongside the Lord?

If I understand it correctly, this all applies to right here and right now in world history so it concerns me if I desire to have the blessing of being involved in the Lord's work and if I desire to live so that I might be invited to go to a place of peace with my family.

How long is "many days"?

Would the Lord be aware of how long it would take, or in other words how much time would be appropriate, for the group to recover from "many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all"?

Was the Lord in a hurry to get Nephi to build a ship?

Is the Lord in a rush to get His work done?

I used to believe so.  I really viewed in my mind that the flight of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem all the way to the Americas was a frantic push, required by the Lord, only interrupted by the wanderings in the wilderness due to disobedience.

My present understanding is completely opposite.

I believe the following.

I think the “Answer to the Prayer for Covenant” is the Lord pleading with us to take the time to talk through our differences. There is nothing in those words of counsel that require us to quickly resolve matters. Quite the opposite. The “Answer” is filled with instruction to us about the process, leaving the result to be obtained eventually—through a respectful process, no matter how much time may be needed. To the extent the Lord cares about time at all, He warns us against “haste.” ("The Religion of the Fathers," Denver Snuffer, 27 Mar. 2021, pg. 43)

My present understanding of the new revelation titled "Answer to Prayer for Covenant", found in the Teachings and Commandments section 157, is that it contains many commandments given to whoever comprises the group of people today who the Lord is working with to bring about His purposes in vindicating His promises to the early Fathers.

I believe now that the Lord is very serious about His work being done with a willing heart but not in haste which He declared brings pestilence.

Is this in any way related to what King Benjamin declared here?

...And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order, for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize. Therefore, all things must be done in order... (Mosiah 4:26 - 30, NC Mosiah 2 par. 6)

If such is the case, what constitutes doing things in wisdom and order?

I don't believe that the Lord is okay with purposely dawdling or wasting the time He gives to accomplish a work.

He declared the following to those who were in Nauvoo concerning the building of the Nauvoo temple.

For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they my saints may be baptized for those who are dead; for this ordinance belongs to my house and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty wherein you are not able to build a house unto me. But I command you, all you my saints, to build a house unto me, and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me, and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me. But behold, at the end of this appointment, your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me. And if you do not these things, at the end of the appointment you shall be rejected as a church with your dead, says the Lord your God. For verily I say unto you that after you have had sufficient time to build a house unto me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongs, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me, for therein are the keys of the Holy Priesthood ordained that you may receive honor and glory. And after this time, your baptisms for the dead by those who are scattered abroad are not acceptable unto me, says the Lord. For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem — those places which I have appointed for refuge — shall be the places for the baptisms for your dead. (D&C 124:29 - 36, T&C 141 par. 11)

The sad history of Nauvoo is that they ran out the clock and did not complete the temple in the sufficient time that was given.

They were moved out of their place.  The Lord rejected the church with their dead just as He said He would.

So how did the Lord determine what was sufficient time?

Please consider the following.

There are no private lives. Every life counts. Your private devotions are more important than your public notice. The salt which preserves may be unknown, likely is unknown, to most people. But if you are the salt, then your private life of devotion to the Lord is saving the lives of many others. The angels want to begin the harvest. They are impatient to begin reaping and cutting down the wicked now. (D&C 86: 5.) There is only time given because of a few who deserve more time to grow in faith before the harvest begins. (D&C 86: 6-7.) Your growth is all that is keeping the harvest from beginning now. Therefore, how you proceed has consequences far beyond your own life.
When wheat is ripe it will be protected. When tares are ripe they will be burned. But the tender plants worthy of preservation are the only ones allowed more time. (D&C 86: 4.) I advocate for them and realize how tenuous a position humanity itself is in at present. But you are the ones in the balance and for whom time is granted. How much longer no one knows, but your sins are not private. Your repentance is critical to all of creation. Do not think your life is your own. All of us have a share in your good works. ("3 Nephi 12:13," Denversnuffer.com, 8/Oct./2010)

Does the Lord measure "sufficient time" by the actions of some few tender plants that are developing into wheat?

Should this be something I consider very seriously as I look at my own repentance or lack of it?

Does the Lord know that this life brings setbacks and is full of failures that are all a part of the mortal condition?

Do these things, the failures and the setbacks, count against those who have been given "sufficient time"?

What about the following?

There is a process that is underway. People are increasingly accusing, opposing, and fighting with one another without good cause. It is as if they are submitting themselves to listen to obey the spirit of Satan (or the spirit of strife, envy, jarring, accusing). That course is not going to change. I hope it may plateau for a season. There are things we have to do, and we need something other than chaos and warfare, in order to accomplish the things that we need to achieve. But I believe when the command is given, that we’re going to have to act with alacrity if we are going to be able to fulfill the covenants and the obligations that have been promised by God and handed to us to do. (The Book of Mormon Holds the Covenant Pattern for the Full Restoration, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., 22 September 2019, pg. 27)

What does it mean to act with alacrity when the command is given?

Does that represent haste or hurry?

Should I feel fear or a need to rush when I consider the term alacrity?

Please consider the following,

We’re not going to arrive where we need to arrive if we perceive ourselves as unequal, if we think of ourselves as greater and lesser, if we don’t think of ourselves as simply common servants, inadequate as we may be, to a Lord who loved and sacrificed Himself for our redemption. He is worthy. We can do our best and we can make a lot of mistakes along the way. Joseph did his best and it just didn’t work out. But what would have happened if the people, in July of 1840 when no commandment had yet been given, rose up and with alacrity decided that they were going to labor for the accomplishment of the task that Joseph was telling them was coming? What would have happened had the money raised and donated for the temple not been diverted by the temple committee to their own purposes? What would have happened if the lumber sent down from the Wisconsin mission been used for the construction of the temple rather than being diverted for the homes of the leading citizens? What would have happened if instead of God requiring yanking on the reins to pull the bit in the mouth of the horse of the restoration, what would have happened if all that was needed was for the reins to be lightly put on the neck of the horse of the restoration, to guide it where it needed to go? Horses are so sensitive that when a fly lands on their skin they can twitch to remove it. The people of the restoration are nowhere near as sensitive to what God would have them do, then or now, as is a horse. ( Remembering the Covenants, Denver Snuffer, 4 August 2018, pg. 6)

If we look at alacrity in the context of the above statement, doesn't it represent more of a cheerful willingness to respond to God's commands than a rushed response to God's command?

Is it possible that the fear associated with a rushed response to the Lord's commands is the root of causing pestilence?

If such were the case, would that be related to what the Lord declared here?

And now verily I say unto you that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold, I will make it known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments. But, unto him that keeps my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my Kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water springing up unto everlasting life. And now behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints — that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which brings pestilence. (D&C 63:22 - 24, T&C 50 par. 6)

Is it possible that the "sufficient time" the Lord gives is whatever time is necessary for the Lord to determine if there are sufficient tender plants worthy of preservation?

Is it possible that "sufficient time" is whatever time is necessary for those tender plants, who respond with alacrity, to pass through whatever failures and setbacks this mortal existence incurs to reach the point where they become wheat and are able to cooperatively work alongside the Lord as He completes His work to vindicate His promises to the Fathers?

If the Lord is going about to do His work now, at this very time in the history of the world, should such thoughts be of critical importance to me personally?

Should I be ever asking myself, Am I working daily works that qualify me to be a tender plant acting with alacrity?

If I, by my actions, qualify as a tender plant, responding with alacrity, will I be given "sufficient time" to complete whatever the Lord commands me to do personally without a need for me to run faster than I have the strength or a need for me to feel fear?

Is it possible for tender plants acting with alacrity in responding to the commandments of the Lord to be filled with full confidence and to be at peace regardless of what is happening all around them?

I have wondered it the command that Nephi was given after the many days to "arise and get thee into the mountain" is part of what Nephi declared here?

...And upon the wings of his spirit hath my body been carried away up on exceeding high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things — yea, even too great for man — therefore I was bidden that I should not write them. (2 Nephi 4:17 - 25, NC 2 Nephi 3 par. 7)

We have already addressed the subject of these exceedingly high mountains in this previous post An Exceedingly High Mountain

I wonder how many times the Lord visited and taught Nephi in such places?

This is what the Lord has declared about such places.

But know also that I can do my work at any time, for I have sacred space above, and can do my work despite earth and hell. The wickedness of men has not prevented my will, but only kept the wicked from what they might have received. (T&C 157 par. 40)

During such an event Nephi is given the command by the Lord to build a ship.

Is it because Nephi had always responded to the commandments of the Lord with alacrity that he had the confidence to build a ship and only felt to ask where to go to find ore to construct the tools to build the ship?

Did Nephi feel confident that he had "sufficient time" to build the ship?

When Nephi went "into" the mountain the record states that he "cried" unto the Lord.

What am I to learn from that event?

What does it mean to cry unto the Lord?

Is it the same as praying?

The following is from the Glossary of Terms found in the back of the Teachings and Commandments.

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.1 Amulek’s sermon to the Zoramites advises them eight times to cry unto God (see Alma 16:35).2 In these examples the petitions to God are not called “prayer,” but are called “crying” to Him.3Yea, 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). ("Cry Unto the Lord," Glossary of Gospel Terms, Teachings and Commandments)

I believe the above.

My present understanding from the record is that Nephi comprehended his desperate and lowly position.

I believe that anyone who is shown the reality of God's great unfathomable work comes to that understanding.

Consider the following.

And it came to pass that Moses looked and beheld the world upon which he was created. And as Moses beheld the world, and the ends thereof, and all the children of men who are and who were created, of the same he greatly marveled and wondered. And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his glory was not upon him, and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth. And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before he did again receive his natural strength like unto man. And he said unto himself, Now for this once I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed. But now my eyes have beheld God — but not my natural eyes, but my spiritual, for my natural eyes could not have beheld, for I should have withered and died in his presence. But his glory was upon me and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him. (Moses 1:8 - 11, OC Genesis 1 par. 2)

I also believe that anyone who has been moved upon by the Holy Spirit after hearing the message of God sent to them by an authorized messenger understands their own nothingness.

As an example.

And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began, from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king: how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen. And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state, and also the plan of redemption which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name. And since man had fallen, he could not merit anything of himself. But the sufferings and death of Christ atoneth for their sins, through faith and repentance, etc., and that he breaketh the bands of death that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory. And Aaron did expound all these things unto the king. And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said, What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his spirit that I may be filled with joy? That I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him, If thou desirest this thing, if thou will bow down before God — yea, if thou repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
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 22:12 - 18, NC Alma 13 pars. 9 - 10)

So, I believe that I must ask myself this question.  

Do I truly understand my own nothingness and my desperate situation?

Can I ever look at a time in my life where I have felt this way?

Is this fearfulness; to understand my nothingness and my desperate situation?

How can I come to the point where I can "cry" unto God?

Is this also something that ought to be on my mind continually?

If I come to the point where I am able to "cry" unto the Lord, would that qualify me as a tender plant, at that moment in time, worthy of preservation?

Would it be incumbent upon me to live my life in a way so as to retain that understanding?

How would I do that?

Can I find examples of that in the scriptures?

Is coming to the point of being able to "cry" to the Lord a way for me to eliminate fear from my life?

Is being able to be in a situation where I can constantly "cry" unto the Lord a situation that will allow me "sufficient" time to cooperate with and work alongside the Lord while He goes about working His works?

My present understanding is that the record is literally pouring out all of these things for our consideration.