There Shall Be Many

2 Nephi 12 [all references are to the Restoration Edition] says:

Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of hosts, for notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me. Nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me, for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long saith the Lord God of hosts.

But behold, there shall be many at that day, when I shall proceed to do a marvellous work among them that I may remember my covenants which I have made unto the children of men, that I may set my hand again the second time to recover my people which are of the house of Israel, and also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember your seed, and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed. And my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth for a standard unto my people which are of the house of Israel.

…

For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth and be written unto the Gentiles and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed. And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem and that they are descendants of the Jews. And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them, wherefore they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ which was had among their fathers.

Despite the “many” Gentiles who will not take the Gospel of Jesus Christ seriously and will say, “Eat, drink, and be merry,” there will also be “many” Gentiles who will take the Gospel seriously. These “many” Gentiles will carry the words which are written to the descendants of Lehi and Nephi. Those descendants will come to the knowledge of their fathers and to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The term “many” is, of course, relative. “Many” in one sense is only a few in another. Here’s what I think. Guessing how many people there are that belong to the remnant of Jacob that need to have the words of scripture carried to them, the Lord probably needs labor from just about everyone who has a real desire to preserve the restoration. There aren’t exactly tons of people who truly believe in the restoration. But I’d say that, with all of us in the movement combined, we do qualify as “many,” even if it’s just barely. We are all called to the work or at least we all have the chance to be called to the work.

In Denver Snuffer’s transcript of his talk in the St. George Doctrine of Christ conference, he announced the following revisions made to some verses of scripture:

Original text is shown below in black print, and revised replacement text in red print and cross-out showing deletions revealed by the Lord:

Alma [14]:

…that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time ye go out of

this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal

world.

…the same spirit you hearken to obey while living in the flesh shall, upon

your death, have the same power to influence you to hearken unto that spirit

in the next life.

3 Nephi [7]:

…the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice,

…the Gentiles should not at that time hear my voice,

3 Nephi [9]:

So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews, …

So great faith as yours have I never seen among all the Jews, …

Ether 1:

And never has man come before me with such exceeding faith…

And none of those now living have come before me with such exceeding

faith…

Ether 1:

And never have I shewed myself unto man whom I have created for never

has man...

And to none of those now living whom I created have I appeared, for none

have …

D&C 31:

And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your

bodies.

And again, hard liquor is not for the belly, but for the washing of your

bodies.

Testimony of John 5:

And the Jewish Passover feast was approaching.

And the feast was approaching

While I believe each of those revisions helps us to understand the context in which it is found, I also believe that all seven of those revisions, when grouped together, are telling us Gentiles something very important.

The Alma 14 and 3 Nephi 7 revisions go together. If we Gentiles can hear the Lord’s voice, are we indeed hearkening to His voice? Which Spirit will have power to influence us to hearken to Him in the next life (see The Testimony of John for a lot on that topic)? For the 3 Nephi 9 revision, the Savior can say something similar to us if we can just hearken to Him in this life, believe what He says, and then do what He says as the Nephite disciples did. Remember it was the Nephite disciples to whom Jesus spoke those words after the glorious endowment they received because they obeyed His commandments at the earliest opportunity. The example of those disciples is not something to be jealous of. It is something to emulate. The revisions to Ether show us the huge opportunity in front of us. I have no reason to doubt the Lord’s appearing to many in this movement. and those appearances are meaningful, I’m sure. But I don’t believe what the brother of Jared typifies has been fulfilled in our day yet. The brother of Jared wanted to give light to those in darkness - those who needed to cross the everlasting gulf of misery and woe that separated them from the promised land. He was endowed with great power and knowledge to be able to do that, both literally and figuratively. There is no reason we cannot do that today. Related to that, the sons of Mosiah, whose work typifies the great and marvelous work of the last days, were collectively “comforted” by the Spirit of the Lord in preparation for their mission. We have that same unique opportunity today to receive that Comforter as a group of Gentiles, to prepare us for the work to which we can all be called. The D&C 31 revision reminds me of the washings that happened in the Kirtland temple. Perhaps it is hinting at what the Lord expects to have happen so that we are properly prepared. Finally, the Testimony of John 5 revision reminds us that the wedding feast is indeed approaching. All are invited, and those who will hearken to the King are specifically commissioned to bring everyone who will come to it. If we refuse to come, there will certainly be consequences.

“Many are called, but few are chosen.” That is how it has gone throughout pretty much all of scriptural history. But it sounds like the Lord hopes to change that to, “Many are called, and many are chosen.” It comes down to this: If you don’t believe you are called, then you will certainly not be chosen. But if you believe in the restoration and follow the Doctrine of Christ, you have assuredly been called, assuming you desire to do the work (and if the Doctrine of Christ includes having charity, you ought to have that desire). Be believing. All things are possible to him that believeth.

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There are two efforts that relate to preaching the Gospel to Native Americans that are seeking out those with similar desires (that I am aware of): A committee to help support missionary work among Native Americans and an invitation to preach to the Hopi tribe. If you are aware of any other efforts that are casting a wide net to find like-minded individuals, please share them in the comments.

An Invitation to Go to Work

Out of Captivity

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII

[If you haven’t already read the “Out of Captivity” series that immediately precedes this post, I highly recommend that you do to understand the background of this invitation]

I will be on the Hopi Indian reservation in north-eastern Arizona during the weekend of September 23rd and 24th for the purpose of teaching the Gospel. I imagine I would arrive there as early as the 22nd and perhaps leave as late as the 25th. I will probably find a campground nearby to sleep each night I’m there. I would like to invite anyone who feels a similar desire to join me. If you are interested in joining me in preaching to the Hopi that weekend, please send an email to missiontothehopi@gmail.com and I will create a Google email group so we can discuss the effort and plan whatever needs to be planned. Of course you are free to not do that and show up that weekend anyway. I anticipate that there will be many questions about this mission so I hope to address at least some of them here.

I don’t intend to control anything that will happen that weekend. Thankfully, I am in charge of absolutely nobody and, while I may have brought up the idea to do this specific thing, nobody needs to listen to me. I’m sure the Spirit will guide each person in what they need to do. Of course, that doesn’t automatically mean the complete lack of organization on the part of those that participate.

I don’t know what the work will actually look like, I don’t know if it will require any subsequent visits, and I don’t know if it will require any money. I know very little about what is going to be accomplished there. I have ideas and hopes about some of those things and I know others will have ideas as well. For those who wish to join me as equals in this endeavor, we will be able to talk about our ideas, pray about them, and make decisions over the next several months.

I don’t believe this mission is any sort of exclusive opportunity. The Lord is very clear that anyone who has desires to serve is called to the work. I’m sure there will be other missionary efforts in other parts of the world. I hope this is just one of many efforts in the work of the Lord. There is absolutely no reason to judge or condemn anyone who doesn’t want to participate, including those who are opposed to this endeavor.

While I may have hopes about what this mission can accomplish, I make no assumptions about the outcome. Enos and Ammon both had righteous desires to preach to the Lamanites and I’m certain they both acted in faith. The former didn’t see any success while the latter saw lots of success. My desire is to do good and invite people to follow Jesus. People need Him. The way people respond to the work does not define my reason for doing this. While I would certainly rejoice if anyone accepts the message, I will be happy just to spread the good news.

I don’t know if the Hopi are descended from anyone in the Book of Mormon and I don’t know if this mission will fulfill any prophecy whatsoever. The Lord can worry about that. Honestly, those things don’t matter nearly as much as the fact that the people on the Hopi reservation are children of God who need redemption. The people are the focus. Prophecies will take care of themselves as we follow Christ and love and serve people.

There are probably many good points people could make that would show the folly of this missionary effort. Make no mistake: They would be right. I am weak and this is a weak effort. Just like the mission of Ammon and his brethren, this mission is a bad idea (Alma 14 [RE]). It is an idea so dumb and bad that hardly anyone would ever think it could possibly be useful. Yet I remain convinced that we need more ideas like it. It is my experience that the Spirit often inspires “bad” ideas that go against conventional wisdom. It was certainly a “dumb” idea when many of us started seeking for more knowledge of God outside of mainstream religion. So I hope everyone follows the dumb and bad ideas they receive through inspiration that lead them and others to believe in Christ.

St. John 2 [RE] says, “The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth, so is every one who is born of the Spirit.”

Out of Captivity, Part VII

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI

The story of Jesus’ visit to the Nephites may be instructive to us today. Allow me to present distinct elements of His ministry among the Nephites, each with a brief description.

It began with a very personal manifestation of the Son of God (3 Nephi 5 [All references are to the Restoration Edition]). Jesus showed Himself to the Nephites and ministered to them on an individual level.

Jesus chose servants to minister (3 Nephi 5). Nephi and eleven others were chosen to baptize and teach the people.

Jesus taught His doctrine, which included His commandments (3 Nephi 5, 6, & 7). He clearly explained His doctrine of repentance, baptism, and becoming as a little child. He followed up by explaining the fulness of His doctrine, the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus explained how something different was now underway (3 Nephi 7). People were confused about the Law of Moses being done away. He explained how that was possible and how He had always been the One to look to.

Jesus prophesied many things, with a particular focus on the restoration of Israel through the ministration of the Gentiles (3 Nephi 7). He told the Nephites about the existence of other sheep, or rather, other tribes of Israel that will be ministered to and will eventually be gathered in. He explained that the Gentiles will receive the records of the Nephites in order to teach Israel.

The people were not ready to understand Jesus’ message (3 Nephi 8). The people were weak in their minds and were thus unprepared to receive what Jesus offered them.

A ritual ordinance was demonstrated to the people so that they would know what to do (3 Nephi 8) Jesus used their little children to show the people what He wanted to have happen and to show what was possible for them to receive.

Jesus departed for a season (3 Nephi 8). He left the people and went to His Father for their sakes. Apparently some waiting time was necessary due to their lack of preparation.

Servants worked tirelessly to prepare people for when Jesus would return (3 Nephi 9). Jesus promised He would come the next day. Many people were impressed to spend a great deal of time and energy preparing people to be where Jesus wanted them to be.

Many people came to the right place at the right time but they were greeted by only messengers at first (3 Nephi 9). I don’t know if anyone was disappointed when they got to the appointed place, but Jesus wasn’t there yet and the people were taught by those who were chosen by Jesus.

The words of Jesus were repeated in their original form with no deviation (3 Nephi 9). There can be no doubt that the very best efforts were made to preserve exactly what Jesus taught the previous day. Fidelity to His word was very important because the salvation of everyone depended on the doctrine being exactly correct.

The commandments of Jesus were not only said with exactness, but also done with exactness (3 Nephi 9). Directly after the disciples taught exactly as Jesus taught, they were baptized exactly as Jesus commanded the previous day.

The very things that Jesus promised would happen did happen (3 Nephi 9). The Holy Ghost fell upon the disciples and they were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.

Unimaginable blessings were poured out (3 Nephi 9). The heavens were opened as angels descended to minister, Jesus Himself appeared in the midst of them, and a miraculous and indescribable endowment was given to the disciples.

Let us now see how these same elements have been introduced in these latter-days.

It began with a very personal manifestation of the Son of God (Joseph Smith - History). To start the dispensation of the latter-days, God the Father and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith and ministered to him.

Jesus chose servants to minister (Joseph Smith - History, D&C 1). Joseph Smith, among others, were called to receive revelations and teach the people.

Jesus taught His doctrine, which included His commandments (3 Nephi 5, 6, & 7). To teach us His doctrine, He gave us the same words He gave to the Nephites.

Jesus explained how something different was now underway (D&C 4). Everything revealed in the latter-day dispensation is meant to build up His church and not to destroy it. It is all meant to get people to look to Him and to prepare people to receive Him when He comes again.

Jesus prophesied many things, with a particular focus on the restoration of Israel through the ministration of the Gentiles (1 Nephi 3; 3 Nephi 9). The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are filled with a lot of knowledge about the gathering of Israel and the stewardship of the Gentiles.

The people were not ready to understand Jesus’ message (D&C 37 & 49). The early saints had numerous problems that prevented them from receiving everything that the Lord was offering.

A ritual ordinance was demonstrated to the people so that they would know what to do (D&C 40). An endowment was given in the Kirtland temple and Joseph Smith instituted the original ritual form that the LDS Church inherited. These things demonstrate to the saints the things that they are expected to do in this life.

Jesus departed for a season (2 Nephi 12; 3 Nephi 7; Mormon 4; D&C 27, 37, & 49). The early saints lost the chance to receive the Lord’s fulness and would have to wait for a time before He would present another opportunity.

Servants worked, are working, and will work tirelessly to prepare people for when Jesus will return (D&C 37; The Train). We are now caught up with the present. This work of preparation is happening now. How will we respond? Were any of the Nephites annoyed when they were woken from their sleep by those telling people where Christ would be the next day? Did anyone stay in bed?

Many people will come to the right place at the right time but they will be greeted by only messengers at first (D&C 27). The scriptures are clear that we must receive the Lord’s servants in order to receive the Lord. Were any Nephites disappointed when they went to Bountiful and only found twelve men claiming to have the words of Jesus? Did anyone leave because of their disappointment?

The words of Jesus will be repeated in their original form with no deviation (3 Nephi 5; D&C 27, 33, 49, 77, 85, & 88). The work of preserving the words of the Lord as they were revealed is going on right now and anyone can offer their assistance to this work. It is hoped that the product of this effort will be the words of Jesus with no deviation. When the Nephite disciples taught the Lord’s words, did the Nephites value those words as if they were spoken by the Lord Himself? Will we value His words as if they were spoken by the Lord Himself?

The commandments of Jesus will not only be said with exactness, but also be done with exactness (Jacob 3). Once we have accurately preserved the words of the Lord we can set about going and doing whatever the Lord has commanded. Everything will be in vain until this step is taken. The Nephite disciples obeyed Jesus’ command to be baptized at the earliest opportunity after they had taught the people His exact words. In fact, it was the obedience to Jesus’ commands that allowed Him to appear in their midst. How long will we wait to obey Jesus’ commands after we faithfully preserve His words?

The very things that Jesus promised would happen will happen (1 Nephi 3 & 7; D&C 21 & 100). If what the Lord commands is actually done, His promises will be fulfilled. The Gentiles who repent will have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will not leave His servants comfortless, the great and marvelous work of the Lord will begin, and He will make bare His arm in the eyes of all the nations. Ultimately Israel will be restored according to the Lord’s covenants. These things have to happen if some Gentiles repent and obey. The Lord is bound to do what He says.

Unimaginable blessings will be poured out (Malachi; 2 Corinthians; D&C 23 & 27). The restoration of Israel seems to be only the beginning of the great and marvelous work God will do in these last days. The blessings that will be given are currently incomprehensible.

There seems to be many parallels between the Nephites back then and us in our day. Will we be at least as faithful to what we receive as the Nephites were to what they received? The Lord needs a people who will repent and act in faith. He has a plan for getting people out of captivity. The entire world can benefit from what He is trying to do. It is my prayer that we can shake off our unbelief and false traditions and receive everything the Lord has to offer. We must fearlessly move forward. The Lord will grant unto us our righteous desires if we believe and obey His words, which are true and faithful.

I say unto you Ezra and Northrop, Open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. For verily, verily I say unto you that ye are called to lift up your voices as with the sound of a trump to declare my gospel unto a crooked and a perverse generation, for behold, the field is white already to harvest, and it is the eleventh hour, and for the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard. And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit and there is none which doeth good save it is a few only and they do err in many instances because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.

And verily, verily I say unto you that this church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness, and even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me and hearken unto my voice.

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you that the field is white already to harvest, wherefore thrust in thy sickle and reap with all thy might, mind, and strength. Open thy mouth and it shall be filled and thou shalt become even as Nephi of old who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness, yea, open thy mouth and spare not and thou shalt be laden with sheaves upon thy back, for lo, I am with you. Yea, open thy mouth and it shall be filled saying, Repent, repent and prepare ye the way of the Lord and make his path strait for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, yea, repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins, yea, be baptized even by water and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost.

Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, This is my gospel and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved. And upon this Rock I will build my church, yea, upon this Rock ye are built and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against you. And ye shall remember the church Articles and Covenants to keep them. And whoso having faith, ye shall confirm in my church by the laying on of the hands and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them. And the Book of Mormon and the Holy Scriptures are given of me for thine instruction and the power of my spirit quickeneth all things. Wherefore be faithful praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you that ye may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom, for behold, verily, verily I say unto you that I come quickly. Even so. Amen. (D&C 117)

An Invitation to Go to Work