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

Out of Captivity, Part V

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

D&C 65 [RE] contains "laws which…are sufficient for both here and in the New Jerusalem.” So we can be sure that whatever we are told in that revelation will apply when the New Jerusalem is actually built or being built. In other words, these are not lower laws that bring condemnation and death. Among the many laws in that revelation, it says, "Thou shalt not take thy brother's garment, thou shalt pay for that which thou shalt receive of thy brother." While that particular commandment is perfectly consistent with everything else the Lord has commanded, something about it bothered me at first. Maybe I’m very different from other people but, in my mind, it was kind of out of place. The revelation already commanded the saints to not steal so it appeared redundant. And, for a revelation that talks a lot about consecration, that one part seemed a bit overly concerned with trade and economic gain. What’s the deal?

Directly before that commandment, it says, “Thou shalt stand in the place of thy stewardship.” When taken in context, this is a new thought so, unless this statement is supposed to stand completely alone and unrelated to the rest of the revelation (unlikely, in my opinion), our stewardship is somehow related to the idea of paying our brother for his garment. What is our stewardship? If you go a bit further back in the revelation, we find a clue. “I will consecrate the riches of the Gentiles unto my people which are of the House of Israel.” That is a fantastic description of the Gentile stewardship that is prophesied throughout the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture. This relates to the major Book of Mormon theme of the Gentiles delivering the Gospel to the Lamanites and assisting in gathering in the rest of Israel. We are rich while Israel is poor, pertaining to the knowledge of spiritual things. Thus the need to consecrate our riches unto them (or risk getting drunk off of our riches).

As Gentiles (of the tribe of Ephraim), we have a stewardship. It is to bring the Gospel to the Lamanites (of the tribe of Manasseh, who is Ephraim's brother). This land is already promised, by covenant, to the Lamanites since they are descendants of Lehi. We Gentiles are seeking a covenant upon this land. Those who hold title to this land (i.e. Lamanites) are still around, even if they are not currently exercising their rights upon the land. That means they will necessarily be involved if any of this covenant land gets promised to Gentiles. If, in scripture, a garment is related to a covenant status, whose garment do we seek to wear as a covenant people? If we want to be established upon this land of promise, are we not seeking the garment of our brethren, the Lamanites? Are we not aiming to be numbered among the seed of Lehi? So the big question is, are we seeking to take our brother's garment without paying for it? Of course, such an act would go against the laws pertaining to the New Jerusalem. What exactly would be the payment? What could we possibly offer to Lehi’s family that would be an acceptable payment for permanent residence on their land they have a promise to by covenant?

According to its title page, the Book of Mormon was “written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel…to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God…which is to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the LORD hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the LORD, that they are not cast off forever.” An acceptable payment to Lehi’s family, so that we may justly receive our “brother’s garment,” may be as simple as showing them the great things the Lord did for their fathers, teaching them the covenants of the Lord, and letting them know that they are not cast off forever. We have a stewardship. We have the Book of Mormon in our possession. We can indeed “pay for that which [we] shalt receive of [our] brother.” All of this can and should be done, “by the gift of God,” if we are not of little faith.

Part VI | Part VII

An Invitation to Go to Work

Out of Captivity, Part IV

Part I | Part II | Part III

In the Lectures on Faith, Lecture First, we learn that faith is “the principle of action in all intelligent beings…that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action.” We also learn that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power, also, in all intelligent beings.” While the fact that faith is a principle of power certainly applies to us, as intelligent beings, we know that “it is by reason of this principle of power, existing in the Deity, that all created things exist.” In other words, God is the ultimate source of all power. Not us.

If you combine those things about faith with the idea that “men are free according to the flesh” (2 Nephi 1 [RE]) and that “ye are free to act for yourselves” (2 Nephi 4 [RE]), then it seems apparent that faith, as far as we are concerned, is a principle of our action and also a principle of God’s power. We act according to truth and God empowers the act. But the act necessarily comes before the power is given. Remember that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 6 [RE]) and “ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 4 [RE]). Denver Snuffer, in his talk on covenants, said:

Only God can, or does, ordain covenants. We do not make covenants. Covenants come as a consequence of God's will, and only as a consequence of God's will. We can accept them, or we can reject them, but we cannot create them. He does. Our participation is limited to, acceptance of, or rejection of, what he offers. The way in which we accept the covenants, is set out in Doctrine and Covenants section 130: 20, which states: “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” Therefore what is important for you to understand and learn is what the relevant law requires of you. Because the way in which you accept the covenant offered to you is by learning the principle or the law upon which the blessing you seek is predicated. Then having learned what the law ordains, you follow through by obeying it…God alone makes the covenant. We accept it by abiding the conditions…God can make a covenant which you can fulfill by your performance. God can offer you something, but it's up to you to accept it. You accept it by what you do. It's not enough to say, “Yea Lord, I'll go out and do as I'm bidden.” Instead you must actually do it. Because it is only through doing that the covenant is kept by you. It is only through doing the covenant is able to be empowered sufficiently to give you the blessing which a law has been established to allow you to lay ahold. You can't get there without God offering you the covenant and you accepting God’s invitation. (emphasis mine)

If you can believe what is being proclaimed these days, later this year there will be an opportunity to accept the Book of Mormon as a covenant. If what I quoted above is true, accepting such a covenant will require going and doing according to the law contained in the Book of Mormon. Of course, there are a lot of things in the Book of Mormon. Allow me to bring up one thing in particular that shows up many times.

In the Book of Mormon, basically every other prophecy says that the Gentiles will someday deliver the Gospel to the Lamanites. If we accept the Book of Mormon as a covenant, I would no longer feel it appropriate to idly look forward to the fulfillment of those prophecies when some Gentiles actually go and do what they need to do. In the same covenants talk I quoted above, Denver also said:

There has to be preparation made [to fulfill the Lord’s covenants]. These things require some effort to be made here, in order to prepare for His return. If there is no one here who is willing to engage in what's necessary to bring this to pass (because everyone looks around and expects someone else to do it), then you're neglecting the duty that's devolving upon you. Those who have been assigned to come down in this day, in order to honor the fathers, and honor the Lord, by allowing the covenants that have been made to be fulfilled, have some responsibility to finish and fulfill the promised work.

We have been reminded numerous times that nothing can be claimed until the work has actually been done. No matter what happens in September; whether we raise our hands in a sustaining vote, sign a document, or bow our heads and say yes; we cannot make any claims if we haven’t done anything. It’s the difference between covenanting to sacrifice and covenanting by sacrifice. When will we go and do? Whenever that day comes, we are assured that that is when the “things hoped for” will be realized and the “things not seen” will be made visible. The witness will come after that trial of faith and the Lord will be able to continue His work to fulfill His covenants.

Part V | Part VI | Part VII

An Invitation to Go to Work