Come Unto Christ
Moroni 7-8, 10
In these last chapters, Moroni includes several epistles from his father, Mormon. In these documents, Mormon explains how to judge between good and evil, the importance of faith, hope and charity, that little children are saved through Christ’s Atonement, that the Holy Ghost testifies of all truth, and that spiritual gifts follow those who come unto Christ.
Mormon addresses his epistle to the members of the church who are ‘peacable followers of Christ’
How are we the peacable followers of Christ of our dispensation?
By allowing the atonement to work in our lives to the extent that we make peace because we are at peace within ourselves. Even though the world is in turmoil around us, we have an inner peace through Christ Jesus.
Moroni 7
5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their aworks ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
6 For behold, God hath said a man being aevil cannot do that which is good; for if he boffereth a gift, or cprayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real dintent it profiteth him nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
8 For behold, if a man being aevil giveth a gift, he doeth it bgrudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with areal intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Have you ever found yourself doing something you thought was right, but doing it because you "had" to? Did you ever keep a commandment of God with an attitude of resentment or self-righteousness, or even because you expected some immediate personal benefit? I suppose most of us have had this experience. Do you remember your feelings on such occasions? Do you think such feelings will be ignored by a Father in Heaven who gave us the willpower we call agency? Don't such feelings tell us something about the desires of our hearts? under the law of God we are accountable for our feelings and desires as well as our acts. Evil thoughts and desires will be punished. Acts that seem to be good bring blessings only when they are done with real and righteous intent. On the positive side, we will be blessed for the righteous desires of our hearts even though some outside circumstance has made it impossible for us to carry those desires into action.1985-86 Devotional and Fireside Speeches, 29, 31)
In the world we live in today, good is called evil and evil called good all about us. Mormon knew this would be the case and gave us this council to guide us:
12 Wherefore, all things which are agood cometh of God; and that which is bevil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to csin, and to do that which is evil continually
16 For behold, the aSpirit of Christ is given to every bman, that he may cknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do aevil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
Mormon told his listeners that they could lay hold upon every good thing through their faith, for a good thing comes through Christ. God declared to prophets that Christ would come and that there were various ways that good things were manifest: “Wherefore..men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.” (v23-25)
Mormon continued.. people were saved by faith in Christ, becoming His sons and His daughters. Without faith, the saving ordinances are not performed, angels do not minister, and individuals are not fit to be numbered among the people of the Church.
Such faith cannot be obtained without hope. Hope motivates us to do things and is a necessary companion of faith. Through the humility required to obtain hope and faith, one is also able to obtain the essential quality for salvation, charity. Charity is the pure love of Christ, and without it, we are nothing.
In a world where many Christian churches emphasize that salvation comes only through faith and the grace of God, Mormon tells us differently. Faith, hope and Charity are all required for salvation. Because hope for eternal life produces works, individuals will be judged according to their works. Through faith we gain the ordinances prerequisite for salvation. However, after we receive all of the ordinances and do all of the works, it is the grace of God that prepares and purifies us for salvation.
Chapter 8
This Chapter also contains an epistle by Mormon- this concerning the baptism of little children. Mormon testifies to his son that those who suppose that little children need baptism are “in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity.” (v14)
What are the reasons Mormon gives as to why children do not need baptism?
They are not capable of committing sin- satan has no power to tempt them
the atonement of Christ has paid for their transgressions- God knowing that many little children would not live to the age of accountability, provided for their salvation through the atonement, without the necessity of baptism. Not to have provided for these little children would have rendered God a partial God.
little children cannot repent- repentance includes the recognition of sin, a remorse for mistakes, and a restitution for the damage or hurt that has been done. Until the child matures enough to be able to do this, he is not accountable
Where is it revealed to us the age of accountability?
D&C 68:27
27 And their children shall be abaptized for the bremission of their sins when ceight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands
Moroni 8
8 aListen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the bwhole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little cchildren are dwhole, for they are not capable of committing esin; wherefore the curse of fAdam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of gcircumcision is done away in me.
JST 17
11 And I will establish a covenant of circumcision with thee, and it shall be my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations; that thou mayest know for ever that children are not accountable before me until they are eight years old.
Prior to the Savior’s advent, circumcision at 8 days typified the principle that children are not accountable until they are eight years old. When the atonement was accomplished, circumcision, like the Mosiac law, was done away with.
Chapter 10
As Moroni closes this record, he does so with “ a few words by way of exhortation”
What does the word exhort mean?
to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently.
What does Moroni exhort us to do?
“Remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men” (verse 3).
This provides a perspective that spans time and races, and causes us to realize that God is a personal and lovng individual who has been dealing with humanity for their salvation since time began on this planet. Pondering adds the dimension of the feelings of the soul so that heart and mind are combined in an effort to understand.
“Ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true” (verse 4).
Nephi said, “ If ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ.” (2 Ne 33:10) The proof of the book of mormon’s truthfulness is open only to the view of all who perform this test in a very specific way- with a sincere heart and real intent. when these conditions are met, a direct communication from God through the Holy Ghost will occur.
“Deny not the power of God” (verse 7).
If we seek a testimony of the Book of Mormon, we must be open to the idea that God will speak, the heavens will open and that God will grant us wisdom and truth.
“Deny not the gifts of God” (verse 8).
The power and gifts of God are real. They should be sought after and acquired. The Saints of God in all ages are eligible for these privileges.
“Remember that every good gift cometh of Christ” (verse 18).
By the grace of God — following devotion, faith, and obedience on man's part — certain special spiritual blessings called gifts of the Spirit are bestowed upon men. Their receipt is always predicated upon obedience to law, but because they are freely available to all the obedient, they are called gifts. They are signs and miracles reserved for the faithful and for none else.
f. “Remember that [Christ] is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (verse 19).
g. “Remember these things [that Moroni has written]” (verse 27).
All the major writers of the Book of Mormon have testified their writings, and this sacred volume of scripture is true. In regards to the Book of Mormon, if we do not remember these things, our salvation itself is at stake.
h. “Come unto Christ” (verse 30).
The power unto life and salvation is in Christ the person, not the programs, procedures or policies of the church. It is Him who extends the invitation to change our ways, forsake the worldly, and partake of His divine nature, to be saved.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
“The Savior said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14:27).
“I submit to you, that may be one of the Savior’s commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord’s merciful heart. I can tell you this as a parent: as concerned as I would be if somewhere in their lives one of my children were seriously troubled or unhappy or disobedient, nevertheless I would be infinitely more devastated if I felt that at such a time that child could not trust me to help or thought his or her interest was unimportant to me or unsafe in my care. In that same spirit, I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands or trust in his commandments” (“Come unto Me,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 19).
Looking over this past year and all that we have studied in the Book of Mormon, is this not what each and every writer has encouraged us to do? Come unto Christ ? They saw our day. They knew us. They knew that it is only through Christ Jesus that we find our salvation and exaltation. They knew- and those of you who have risen to the challenge of reading and studying this book, written by the hand of Mormon and Moroni for our day, know too. The spirit has testified it over and over to you as you read the pages.
I add my testimony. I know God lives. I know He has a plan. I knowthat plan included sending His son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. I know that Jesus is my savior, my redeemer, my brother and friend; and it is only in and through Him that salvation comes. His gospel has been restored to the earth and I am privileged to have it in my life.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
To Keep Them in the right way
To Keep Them in the Right Way
Moroni 1-6
The Book of Moroni was written by Moroni after his father’s death- probably about 15-35 years after the battle at Cumorah. Moroni was wandering “whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life” (v3), He thought that the book of Ether would be his last writings, but because he had not yet perished, he wrote a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day" (v4).
The first six chapters of Moroni deal with procedures and practices of the Church in Moroni’s day. It seems almost ordinary to us, as active members of the Latter-day church because these procedures and practices are similar to ours today. Because of that, we sometimes tend to skim over these chapters in search for more exciting material.
Clearly, Moroni thought this information was important, however, or he would not have put forth the effort to include it in the Nephite record. Consider Moroni’s words:
Mormon 8
34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.
35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
36 And I know that ye do awalk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not blift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of cvery fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts
If Moroni saw our day, did he not see modern Christianity. Would he not then, have great concern and interest in telling us the correct procedures for such basic practices as conferring the Holy Ghost, ordaining to offices in the priesthood, administering the sacrament, ordinations and church meetings?
Moroni 2 & 3
These chapters clarify the doctrine of authority.
The world of Christianity often teaches that one obtains authority in the ministry through a divinity degree or simply through a desire to serve.
Moroni taught:
Moroni 2
1 The words of Christ, which he spake unto his adisciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them—
2 And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall acall on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have bpower that to him upon whom ye shall lay your chands, dye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles.
Moroni 3
1 The manner which the disciples, who were called the aelders of the church, bordained cpriests and teachers—
2 After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they alaid their hands upon them, and said:
3 In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest, (or, if he be a ateacher) I ordain you to be a teacher, to preach repentance and bremission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen.
4 And after this manner did they aordain priests and teachers, according to the bgifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the cpower of the Holy Ghost, which was in them
Though brief, these chapters in Moroni are a witness to the unchanging nature of the gospel. One obtains authority to act in the ministry through ordination by the power of the Holy Ghost by those with authority from Jesus Christ.
Moroni 4 & 5 - Sacramental Prayers
Likewise, if Moroni looked forward to our day and observed a typical Christian Sabbath, he must have been amazed at the multitude of apostate practices surrounding the holy, yet simple ordinance of the sacrament as practiced in various Christian churches.
Moroni gives us the sacramental prayers and gives his testimony of them: "...wherefore we know the manner to be true" (Moroni 4:1).
WE take the sacrament in remembrance of either the body or the blood of the Son, Jesus Christ that we might always remember Him.
Why is it so important to always remember Him?
It was the Nephite’s lack of ability to do this that ultimately led to their destruction.
How do people ‘begin to forget?’ How did Laman and Lemuel forget that they had seen an angel? How did the Nephites who had seen the sign of the savior’s birth forget that they had seen a day, a night and a day as if they were one day? How did the people of Zarahemla forget the words of King Benjamin?
It may not be a matter of forgetting the actual events or words spoken, perhaps it is a matter of forgetting the spiritual significance of that experience. How else are we continually reminded to keep His commandments in order to have His spirit with us always?
o President Spencer W. Kimball:
"When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be remember. Because all of you have made covenants--you know what to do and you know how to do it--our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day, to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they 'may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them.' Nobody should ever forget to go to sacrament meeting. Remember is the word. Remember is the program." (quoted in Studies In Scripture, 8:286)
Moroni 6 - Nourishing New Members
Moroni 6
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and acleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the bchurch of Christ; and their cnames were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually dwatchful unto prayer, erelying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "NOURISH" THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH?
§ The words "nourish" and "new" almost seem to go together. A new baby requires care and nourishment or it will not survive. A new plant needs close care and nourishment or it will wither. A new employee needs attention and constant instruction in order to master the job.
§ President Gordon B. Hinckley: "With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with 'the good word of God' (Moroni 6:4)." (Ensign, May 1997, p47)
§ President Gordon B. Hinckley: "The greatest tragedy in the Church...is the loss of those who join the Church and then fall away. With very few exceptions it need not happen. I am convinced that almost universally those who are baptized by the missionaries have been taught sufficiently to have received knowledge and testimony sufficiently to warrant their baptism. But it is not an easy thing to make the transition incident to joining this Church. It means cutting old ties. It means leaving friends. It may mean setting aside cherished beliefs. It may require a change of habits and a suppression of appetites. In so many cases it means loneliness and even fear of the unknown. There must be nurturing and strengthening during this difficult season of a convert's life. A tremendous price has been paid for his presence in the Church. The long efforts of the missionaries and the cost of their service, the separation from old relationship and the trauma associated with this makes it imperative that these precious souls be welcomed, reassured, helped in their times of weakness, praised for what they do, given responsibility under which they may grow strong, and encouraged and thanked for all they do." (Ensign, Oct 1987)
WHAT CAN WE DO TO FOLLOW PRESIDENT HINCKLEY'S COUNSEL?
“Have you ever gone to sacrament meeting, stood at the back of the hall for ten or fifteen minutes before the meeting began, watched people come in and sit down, and noticed who looked like he might be all alone? Have you ever watched for somebody sitting all by himself? Did you ever have enough compassion and spirit of fellowshipping to go sit down by that person and say, “ I’m so- and-so and you’re who?” Did you get acquainted with that person and make them feel at home? Did you go through the meetings with him? That’s as much a part of missionary work for this time and circumstances as to accept a full-time mission when the call comes.” (Studies in the Scripture 8:290)
The same can be applied to all members of the church. Are not all our names taken by the church- those born under the covenant of Celestial marriage as well as those baptized members and converts as well? We are remembered, by name, by our church leaders in order that we can be spritually ministered to and encouraged to live the gospel, that we might be consistently mindful of the need for prayer, and to more faithfully rely upon the arm of the Lord. We are not told, specifically what programs were employed by the Nephite Church in order to accomplish this. In the latter-day church, the home teaching and visiting teaching programs assist in this purpose. As we are going about those assignments, can we honestly say that we are accomplishing these goals? Are we truly ministering to those under our stewardship?
Moroni 1-6
The Book of Moroni was written by Moroni after his father’s death- probably about 15-35 years after the battle at Cumorah. Moroni was wandering “whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life” (v3), He thought that the book of Ether would be his last writings, but because he had not yet perished, he wrote a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day" (v4).
The first six chapters of Moroni deal with procedures and practices of the Church in Moroni’s day. It seems almost ordinary to us, as active members of the Latter-day church because these procedures and practices are similar to ours today. Because of that, we sometimes tend to skim over these chapters in search for more exciting material.
Clearly, Moroni thought this information was important, however, or he would not have put forth the effort to include it in the Nephite record. Consider Moroni’s words:
Mormon 8
34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.
35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
36 And I know that ye do awalk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not blift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of cvery fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts
If Moroni saw our day, did he not see modern Christianity. Would he not then, have great concern and interest in telling us the correct procedures for such basic practices as conferring the Holy Ghost, ordaining to offices in the priesthood, administering the sacrament, ordinations and church meetings?
Moroni 2 & 3
These chapters clarify the doctrine of authority.
The world of Christianity often teaches that one obtains authority in the ministry through a divinity degree or simply through a desire to serve.
Moroni taught:
Moroni 2
1 The words of Christ, which he spake unto his adisciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them—
2 And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall acall on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have bpower that to him upon whom ye shall lay your chands, dye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles.
Moroni 3
1 The manner which the disciples, who were called the aelders of the church, bordained cpriests and teachers—
2 After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they alaid their hands upon them, and said:
3 In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest, (or, if he be a ateacher) I ordain you to be a teacher, to preach repentance and bremission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen.
4 And after this manner did they aordain priests and teachers, according to the bgifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the cpower of the Holy Ghost, which was in them
Though brief, these chapters in Moroni are a witness to the unchanging nature of the gospel. One obtains authority to act in the ministry through ordination by the power of the Holy Ghost by those with authority from Jesus Christ.
Moroni 4 & 5 - Sacramental Prayers
Likewise, if Moroni looked forward to our day and observed a typical Christian Sabbath, he must have been amazed at the multitude of apostate practices surrounding the holy, yet simple ordinance of the sacrament as practiced in various Christian churches.
Moroni gives us the sacramental prayers and gives his testimony of them: "...wherefore we know the manner to be true" (Moroni 4:1).
WE take the sacrament in remembrance of either the body or the blood of the Son, Jesus Christ that we might always remember Him.
Why is it so important to always remember Him?
It was the Nephite’s lack of ability to do this that ultimately led to their destruction.
How do people ‘begin to forget?’ How did Laman and Lemuel forget that they had seen an angel? How did the Nephites who had seen the sign of the savior’s birth forget that they had seen a day, a night and a day as if they were one day? How did the people of Zarahemla forget the words of King Benjamin?
It may not be a matter of forgetting the actual events or words spoken, perhaps it is a matter of forgetting the spiritual significance of that experience. How else are we continually reminded to keep His commandments in order to have His spirit with us always?
o President Spencer W. Kimball:
"When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be remember. Because all of you have made covenants--you know what to do and you know how to do it--our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day, to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they 'may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them.' Nobody should ever forget to go to sacrament meeting. Remember is the word. Remember is the program." (quoted in Studies In Scripture, 8:286)
Moroni 6 - Nourishing New Members
Moroni 6
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and acleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the bchurch of Christ; and their cnames were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually dwatchful unto prayer, erelying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "NOURISH" THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH?
§ The words "nourish" and "new" almost seem to go together. A new baby requires care and nourishment or it will not survive. A new plant needs close care and nourishment or it will wither. A new employee needs attention and constant instruction in order to master the job.
§ President Gordon B. Hinckley: "With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with 'the good word of God' (Moroni 6:4)." (Ensign, May 1997, p47)
§ President Gordon B. Hinckley: "The greatest tragedy in the Church...is the loss of those who join the Church and then fall away. With very few exceptions it need not happen. I am convinced that almost universally those who are baptized by the missionaries have been taught sufficiently to have received knowledge and testimony sufficiently to warrant their baptism. But it is not an easy thing to make the transition incident to joining this Church. It means cutting old ties. It means leaving friends. It may mean setting aside cherished beliefs. It may require a change of habits and a suppression of appetites. In so many cases it means loneliness and even fear of the unknown. There must be nurturing and strengthening during this difficult season of a convert's life. A tremendous price has been paid for his presence in the Church. The long efforts of the missionaries and the cost of their service, the separation from old relationship and the trauma associated with this makes it imperative that these precious souls be welcomed, reassured, helped in their times of weakness, praised for what they do, given responsibility under which they may grow strong, and encouraged and thanked for all they do." (Ensign, Oct 1987)
WHAT CAN WE DO TO FOLLOW PRESIDENT HINCKLEY'S COUNSEL?
“Have you ever gone to sacrament meeting, stood at the back of the hall for ten or fifteen minutes before the meeting began, watched people come in and sit down, and noticed who looked like he might be all alone? Have you ever watched for somebody sitting all by himself? Did you ever have enough compassion and spirit of fellowshipping to go sit down by that person and say, “ I’m so- and-so and you’re who?” Did you get acquainted with that person and make them feel at home? Did you go through the meetings with him? That’s as much a part of missionary work for this time and circumstances as to accept a full-time mission when the call comes.” (Studies in the Scripture 8:290)
The same can be applied to all members of the church. Are not all our names taken by the church- those born under the covenant of Celestial marriage as well as those baptized members and converts as well? We are remembered, by name, by our church leaders in order that we can be spritually ministered to and encouraged to live the gospel, that we might be consistently mindful of the need for prayer, and to more faithfully rely upon the arm of the Lord. We are not told, specifically what programs were employed by the Nephite Church in order to accomplish this. In the latter-day church, the home teaching and visiting teaching programs assist in this purpose. As we are going about those assignments, can we honestly say that we are accomplishing these goals? Are we truly ministering to those under our stewardship?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Never Has Man Believed in Me as thou Hast
Never Has Man Believed in Me As Thou Hast
Ether 1-6
At the conclusion of the last great battle between the Nephites and Lamanites at Cumorrah, all the Nephites were destroyed save but 24 souls, among them Mormon and his son Moroni. These 24 Nephites escaped to the land southward but were eventually hunted down and killed by the Lamanites. As was the custom, Mormon handed the plates down to Moroni. Moroni finished his father’s record, then, as directed by his father, included the Book of Ether, a record of the Jaredite people, discovered by the people of Limhi ( 24 plates engraved on pure gold) when unsuccessfully searching for Zarahemla, translated by the prophet Mosiah, and included with the other records that Mormon had access to when abridging the history of the Nephites. Mormon noted, when abridging the book of Mosiah, that the Jaredite history would be included later in his record for “ all people should know the things which are written in this account.” ( Mosiah 28:18).
Moroni found, as had Mosiah, that the Jaredite plates contained a history that extended from the creation of Adam to the time of Ether, the last Jaredite prophet. He chose to begin his abridgement with the formation of the Jaredite colony at the time of the Tower of Babel, knowing, that a record of the earlier period would already be available in the Bible at the time when the Book of Mormon would come forth.
Moroni’s abridgment of Ether’s record devotes a third of its total space to the first generation of Jaredite history- the time of Jared and his brother and the successful establishment of their colony in the New World. This is what we will be covering today.
The book of Ether covers about 1500 years of Jaredite history. It is “intended to serve as a second witness of yet another society whose experience parallels that of the Nephites. Both groups were brought to the same promised land by the hand of the Lord. Both were commanded to keep records. Both prospered when righteous, were cursed when wicked, and were destroyed when they were beyond repentance. Both rejected the prophets, and discovered when it was everlastingly too late that those prophets’ predictions of destruction were literally being fulfilled..More important, the experiences of both civilizations bear testimony to the reality of Jesus Christ.” ( DCBM 4:259)
The account begins at the Time of the Tower of Babel, which is traditionally believed to be in Mesopotamia ( modern-day Iraq). Two great leaders are prominent at the beginning of the account- Jared and his brother, who is called in Moroni’s record: the brother of Jared. There is no suggestion in Moroni’s abridgment why he is known by this name. Perhaps his name was not recorded in Ether’s 24 plates, or perhaps that is what he was actually called. However, thanks to modern day revelation, we know the brother of Jared’s true name. ( Studies In the Scripture 8:247)
While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door, he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, ‘The name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me.’ Elder William F. Cahoon … heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (George Reynolds, “The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, 1 May 1892, 282).
After the great flood, the people migrated from the east to the land of Shinar . “ Being still all ‘of one language and of one speech’ they resolved to build themselves there ‘a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven’, for the twofold purpose of making themselves “ a name” and lest they ‘be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ (Edersheim, Bible History, Old Testament p 43) Essentially, this was their way of rebelling. It was the descendants of Noah’s divine role to re-people the earth. By building this great city, to stay unified, they set out to frustrate this plan. The vary nature of the city and tower was to defy God. By gathering all material forces into one common center would have led to universal despotism and to universal idolatry. The name “Babel” literally means God’s gate. This is a temple that
they are building to try to get to heaven without going through the proper channels.);
Thus, the Lord saw fit to arrest this grand attempt at man’s rebellion and confounded their language which accomplished His great purpose of scattering the people. Most scholars agree that this confounding of the language was a gradual process. It was at this time that Jared went to his brother with a request:
Ether 1
34 And the abrother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord, Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not bunderstand our words.
35 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the alanguage of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded.
36 Then Jared said unto his brother: Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our afriends, that he confound not their language.
37 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon their friends and their families also, that they were not confounded
“While the people were being scattered upon all the face of the earth, Jared prevailed upon his brother to once again in faith seek a blessing from the Lord. Their desire was that, if they had to leave their present homeland, they be led to a choice land of inheritance.” ( DCBM 4:264)
I.The Lord grants the requests of the brother of Jared
Ether 1
40 And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother of Jared, and ahad compassion upon him, and said unto him:
41 Go to and gather together thy aflocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the bseed of the earth of every kind; and cthy dfamilies; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy efriends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.
42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt ago at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go bbefore thee into a land which is cchoice above all the lands of the earth.
43 And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And athere shall be none bgreater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.
Through this experience, what have you learned about the difference between praying to the Lord and Crying unto the Lord?
The Lord answers prayers because of continued faith and obedience. Crying to the Lord requires much more than just asking. It requires faith, pondering and a life of righteousness, as exemplified by the brother of Jared.
Pres. Spencer W. Kimball
“Great decisions must be made by most of us. The Lord has provided a way for these answers. If the question is which school, what occupation, where to live, whom to marry, or such other vital questions, you should do all that is possible to solve it. Too often, like Oliver Cowdery, we want our answers without effort.. There must be works with faith. How futile it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but the Lord will help us to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain things we have learned.. Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason.” (Prayer, New Era, March 1978, pp16-17)
II. The Jaredites begin their journey to the promised land
The Lord promised to lead Jared’s people to a promised land, choice above all other lands. This promise was conditional, however, just as it was to Lehi’s family and just as it is to us today.
Ether 2
8 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 forever, should aserve him, the true and only God, or they should be bswept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be aswept off when the fulness of his bwrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are cripened in iniquity.
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be aswept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the bfulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are cswept off.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye aGentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the bwrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be afree from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but bserve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.
Freedom from bondage and captivity is assured by the Lord, but only on principles of righteousness. The entire Book of Mormon , as an account of the jaredites, Mulekites, and Nephites , stands as a living testimony of the truthfulness of these conditional promises and prophecies.
Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith
“ These passages of scripture from the Book of Mormon are true; this nation is not exeimpt, and the people, if they continue to pursue the course of evil and ungodliness that they are now treading, shall eventually be punished. If they continue to disregard the warning voice of the Lord, deny their Redeemer, turn from his gospel unto fables and false theories, and rebel against all that he has through his servants in this day declred fro the salvation of man; and if they increase in the practice of iniquity, I want to say to you, that if they do these things, the judgments of the Lord will come upon this land, and this nation will not be saved; we will not be spared from war, from famine, from pestilence and finally from destruction, as a nation.
“Therefore, I call upon the people, not only Latter-Day Saints but to all throughout the whole land, to repent of their sins and to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Redeemer and the God of this land. Turn from your evil ways, repent fo your sins and receive the fullness of the gospel through the waters of baptism and obedience, that the judgments which sall be poured out upon the ungodly may pass you by. “ ( Doctrines of Salvation 3:321-22)
After the many preparations were made, this colony set out on it’s journey covering much land and some water before reaching the great sea which divideth the lands. Here, they pitched their tents, named the place Moriancumer and dwelt in tents by the seashore for the space of four years.
At the end of the four years, the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared and chastened him for the space of three hours. Why?
14 And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and atalked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and bchastened him because he remembered not to ccall upon the name of the Lord
Considering what we know about Mahonri, it seems pretty unlikely that a man of his spiritual stature would suddenly stop praying, so, what do you think this verse could mean?
Perhaps he had not fully followed and carried out the councils of the Lord he had already received.
Perhaps his prayers had become more casual or routine
Perhaps they had tarried by the seashore too long.
There is danger in pausing too long in one place when we need to be moving onward, forward and upward.
Robert D. Hales
So often we are tentative and don’t move forward with conviction. We feel our way along, as if we were afraid in the dark. It is so much better to turn on the light of faith and move ahead with energy and commitment.
If our course is wrong, we will quickly recognize it and make the necessary adjustments. But if we pursue a course tentatively and indecisively, it is difficult to know whether it is right or wrong in time to correct it.
The Lord said, “I would thou wert cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15).
We should decide now to make our decisions prayerfully and then move forward with faith, energy, and determination.
(Robert D. Hales, “Ten Axioms to Guide Your Life,” Liahona, Feb 2007, 34–39)
Ether 2
16 And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of abarges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the binstructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water.
17 And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly atight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.
After the barges were built, what kind of problems were anticipated by Mahonri?
Air to breathe, light to see by
The Lord gave Mahonri specific instructions about how to solve the breathing issue. What was His response to the light issue?
23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have awindows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire
What does the Lord expect of us in solving our problems?
Harold B. Lee:
“Then the Lord went away and left him alone. It was as though the Lord were saying to him, ‘Look, I gave you a mind to think with, and I gave you agency to use it. Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then, after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you.’ This is the principle in action. If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek. …When we are situated that we cannot get anything to help ourselves, then we may call upon the Lord and His servants who can do all. But it is our duty to do what we can within our own power. That is a tremendous principle. In order to teach young people how to approach the Lord and how to prepare to receive what the Lord has promised for those who are faithful, we must teach them these fundamental steps. After Moroni had read this great experience of the brother of Jared, he added: ‘. . . wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.’ (Ether 12:6.)” (Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 243-5)
III. The brother of Jared sees Jesus Christ
Mahonri’s solution was a great one, yet, it still required divine intervention. Mahonri went up into the mountain and moltened 16 small stones, that were transparent. He carried them to the top of the mountain and again beseeched the Lord
Ether 3
4And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all apower, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy bfinger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have clight while we shall cross the sea.
5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which alooks small unto the understanding of men.
6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the aLord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his bfinger. And the cveil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared dfell down before the Lord, for he was struck with efear.
Mahonri was shocked that the Lord’s finger appeared to be tangible and physical. However, the Lord would not actually take on his mortal body for another 2000 years. This experience verifies the principle that a man’s spirit is in the likeness of his physical person.
Ether 3
9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me aflesh and blood; and never has man come before me with bsuch exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?
10 And he answered: Nay; Lord, ashow thyself unto me.
11 And the Lord said unto him: aBelievest thou the words which I shall speak?
12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and acanst not lie.
13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord ashowed himself unto him, and said: bBecause thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my cpresence; therefore I dshow myself unto you.
14 Behold, I am he who was aprepared from the foundation of the world to bredeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the cFather and the Son. In me shall all mankind have dlife, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my esons and my daughters.
15 And never have I ashowed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man bbelieved in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own cimage? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image
This is a statement I have always had a very difficult time understanding. Hadn’t the Lord appeared to and spoken with Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Noah ? What are your thoughts on these verses?
perhaps the Lord’s appearance to earlier prophets had not been with that same fullness.
perhaps the Lord had never HAD to show himself unto man before. Mahonri’s faith was so great, he could not be kept from within the veil- the Lord could not withhold anything from him. Christ was saying to the brother of Jared, ‘Never have I showed myself unto man in this manner, without my volition, driven solely by the faith of the beholder.’ As a rule, prophets are invited into the presence of the Lord, are bidden to enter his presence by him and only with his sanction. The brother of Jared, on the other hand, seems to have thrust himself through the veil, not as an unwelcome guest but perhaps technically as an uninvited one.
perhaps Mahonri was the first to see the Lord Jesus’ physical body as he would be during his mortal ministry
perhaps Mahonri was the first to whom Jehovah manifested himself as Jesus Christ, the Son. Before this, he made himself known by speaking in the language and person of the Father, by divine investiture of authority.
maybe the Lord is referring only to the Jaredite dispensation
IV. Moroni seals up the writings of the brother of Jared
Mahonri’s faith was then supplanted by a perfect knowledge. He had seen the Lord and because of his faith, was shown all things from the beginning of the world.
Mahonri was instructed to write down what he had seen, yet was to reveal it to no man. It was to be sealed up. The Lord then gave Mahonri two stones to be sealed up along with the record, which in his own due time would magnify to the eyes of men the things that Mahonri would write.
Ether 4
1 And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out of the amount from the presence of the Lord, and bwrite the things which he had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of men cuntil after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people.
2 And after Christ truly had showed himself unto his people he commanded that they should be made manifest.
3 And now, after that, they have all dwindled in unbelief; and there is anone save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should bhide them up again in the earth.
4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the avery things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were bgreater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
What kinds of things will we eventually get to know from the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon?
Bruce R. McConkie
“ When, during the Millennium the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon is translated, it will give an account of life in preexistence; of the creation of all things; of the Fall and the Atonement and the Second Coming; of temple ordinances in their fullness; of the ministry and mission of translated beings; of life in the spirit world, in both paradise and hell; of the kingdoms of glory to be inhabited by resurrected beings, and many such things.” ( Doctrines of the Restoration, p. 277)
What can we do today to have the same kinds of experiences as Mahonri and many other sanctified individuals?
Kenneth W. Anderson
The use of the word "unfolding" (Ether 4:7) verifies an orderly gaining of faith and gradual sanctification process. Learning to live the principles of the gospel and receive instructive revelation from the Holy Ghost does not happen all at once. It is a growing and maturing process just as it was for the brother of Jared. However, the same sanctifying and revelatory process is available to the Saints today. For "he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true" (v 11). [The Book of Mormon: Fourth Nephi through Moroni, from Zion to Destruction, 38]
Bruce R. McConkie
“From these revelations we learn that there are no limitations placed upon any of us. revelations are not reserved for a limited few or for those called to positions of importance in the Church. It is not position in the Church that confers spiritual gifts. It is not being a bishop, a stake
president, or an apostle that makes revelation and salvation available. These are high and holy callings which open the door to the privilege of great service among men. But it is not a call to a special office that opens the windows of revelation to a truth seeker. Rather it is personal righteousness; it is keeping the commandments; it is seeking the Lord while he may be found. God is no respecter of persons. He will give revelation to me and to you on the same terms and conditions. I can see what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw in the vision of the degrees of glory -- and so can you. I can entertain angels and see God, I can receive an outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit -- and so can you.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1969, p. 82
V. The Jaredites travel to the promised land
In Chapter 6 verses 1-12, Moroni continues the record of the Jaredites as they journeyed to the promised land. We can liken this journey to the promised land to our journey through life
1. Just as the Lord caused the stones in the barges to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women and children, He has given us the light of Christ, the Holy Ghost, prophets, seers and revelators to guide us in the darkness of the world.
2. When the Jaredites prepared all they could for their journey, they put their full trust in the Lord that He would get them to the promised Land. We too must show this same kind of trust in the Lord. Some day we will be able to look over our lives and see that all things happened for our benefit and learning.
3. As the winds blew and the Jaredites were driven forth, they sang praises unto the Lord. We too can give praise to the Lord through word, song and by setting our hearts to righteousness.
4. When the Jaredites arrived in the promised land, they bowed themselves down, in humility and thanked the Lord for his tender mercies . By setting our hearts upon righteousness, we can be chosen to receive tender mercies from the Lord: the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I testify to you that the Lord loves you. He is very aware of each of you and your personal circumstances. He has blessings waiting in abundance if we show forth our faith.
Jeffrey R. Holland
“The brother of Jared may not have had great belief in himself, but his belief in God was unprecedented. In that there is hope for us all. His faith was without doubt or limit..Once and for all it was declared that ordinary people with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of unbelief and enter the realms of eternity” ( Christ and the New Covenant[1997],29)
Ether 1-6
At the conclusion of the last great battle between the Nephites and Lamanites at Cumorrah, all the Nephites were destroyed save but 24 souls, among them Mormon and his son Moroni. These 24 Nephites escaped to the land southward but were eventually hunted down and killed by the Lamanites. As was the custom, Mormon handed the plates down to Moroni. Moroni finished his father’s record, then, as directed by his father, included the Book of Ether, a record of the Jaredite people, discovered by the people of Limhi ( 24 plates engraved on pure gold) when unsuccessfully searching for Zarahemla, translated by the prophet Mosiah, and included with the other records that Mormon had access to when abridging the history of the Nephites. Mormon noted, when abridging the book of Mosiah, that the Jaredite history would be included later in his record for “ all people should know the things which are written in this account.” ( Mosiah 28:18).
Moroni found, as had Mosiah, that the Jaredite plates contained a history that extended from the creation of Adam to the time of Ether, the last Jaredite prophet. He chose to begin his abridgement with the formation of the Jaredite colony at the time of the Tower of Babel, knowing, that a record of the earlier period would already be available in the Bible at the time when the Book of Mormon would come forth.
Moroni’s abridgment of Ether’s record devotes a third of its total space to the first generation of Jaredite history- the time of Jared and his brother and the successful establishment of their colony in the New World. This is what we will be covering today.
The book of Ether covers about 1500 years of Jaredite history. It is “intended to serve as a second witness of yet another society whose experience parallels that of the Nephites. Both groups were brought to the same promised land by the hand of the Lord. Both were commanded to keep records. Both prospered when righteous, were cursed when wicked, and were destroyed when they were beyond repentance. Both rejected the prophets, and discovered when it was everlastingly too late that those prophets’ predictions of destruction were literally being fulfilled..More important, the experiences of both civilizations bear testimony to the reality of Jesus Christ.” ( DCBM 4:259)
The account begins at the Time of the Tower of Babel, which is traditionally believed to be in Mesopotamia ( modern-day Iraq). Two great leaders are prominent at the beginning of the account- Jared and his brother, who is called in Moroni’s record: the brother of Jared. There is no suggestion in Moroni’s abridgment why he is known by this name. Perhaps his name was not recorded in Ether’s 24 plates, or perhaps that is what he was actually called. However, thanks to modern day revelation, we know the brother of Jared’s true name. ( Studies In the Scripture 8:247)
While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door, he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, ‘The name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me.’ Elder William F. Cahoon … heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (George Reynolds, “The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, 1 May 1892, 282).
After the great flood, the people migrated from the east to the land of Shinar . “ Being still all ‘of one language and of one speech’ they resolved to build themselves there ‘a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven’, for the twofold purpose of making themselves “ a name” and lest they ‘be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ (Edersheim, Bible History, Old Testament p 43) Essentially, this was their way of rebelling. It was the descendants of Noah’s divine role to re-people the earth. By building this great city, to stay unified, they set out to frustrate this plan. The vary nature of the city and tower was to defy God. By gathering all material forces into one common center would have led to universal despotism and to universal idolatry. The name “Babel” literally means God’s gate. This is a temple that
they are building to try to get to heaven without going through the proper channels.);
Thus, the Lord saw fit to arrest this grand attempt at man’s rebellion and confounded their language which accomplished His great purpose of scattering the people. Most scholars agree that this confounding of the language was a gradual process. It was at this time that Jared went to his brother with a request:
Ether 1
34 And the abrother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord, Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not bunderstand our words.
35 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the alanguage of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded.
36 Then Jared said unto his brother: Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our afriends, that he confound not their language.
37 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon their friends and their families also, that they were not confounded
“While the people were being scattered upon all the face of the earth, Jared prevailed upon his brother to once again in faith seek a blessing from the Lord. Their desire was that, if they had to leave their present homeland, they be led to a choice land of inheritance.” ( DCBM 4:264)
I.The Lord grants the requests of the brother of Jared
Ether 1
40 And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother of Jared, and ahad compassion upon him, and said unto him:
41 Go to and gather together thy aflocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the bseed of the earth of every kind; and cthy dfamilies; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy efriends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.
42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt ago at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go bbefore thee into a land which is cchoice above all the lands of the earth.
43 And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And athere shall be none bgreater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.
Through this experience, what have you learned about the difference between praying to the Lord and Crying unto the Lord?
The Lord answers prayers because of continued faith and obedience. Crying to the Lord requires much more than just asking. It requires faith, pondering and a life of righteousness, as exemplified by the brother of Jared.
Pres. Spencer W. Kimball
“Great decisions must be made by most of us. The Lord has provided a way for these answers. If the question is which school, what occupation, where to live, whom to marry, or such other vital questions, you should do all that is possible to solve it. Too often, like Oliver Cowdery, we want our answers without effort.. There must be works with faith. How futile it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but the Lord will help us to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain things we have learned.. Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason.” (Prayer, New Era, March 1978, pp16-17)
II. The Jaredites begin their journey to the promised land
The Lord promised to lead Jared’s people to a promised land, choice above all other lands. This promise was conditional, however, just as it was to Lehi’s family and just as it is to us today.
Ether 2
8 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 forever, should aserve him, the true and only God, or they should be bswept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be aswept off when the fulness of his bwrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are cripened in iniquity.
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be aswept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the bfulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are cswept off.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye aGentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the bwrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be afree from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but bserve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.
Freedom from bondage and captivity is assured by the Lord, but only on principles of righteousness. The entire Book of Mormon , as an account of the jaredites, Mulekites, and Nephites , stands as a living testimony of the truthfulness of these conditional promises and prophecies.
Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith
“ These passages of scripture from the Book of Mormon are true; this nation is not exeimpt, and the people, if they continue to pursue the course of evil and ungodliness that they are now treading, shall eventually be punished. If they continue to disregard the warning voice of the Lord, deny their Redeemer, turn from his gospel unto fables and false theories, and rebel against all that he has through his servants in this day declred fro the salvation of man; and if they increase in the practice of iniquity, I want to say to you, that if they do these things, the judgments of the Lord will come upon this land, and this nation will not be saved; we will not be spared from war, from famine, from pestilence and finally from destruction, as a nation.
“Therefore, I call upon the people, not only Latter-Day Saints but to all throughout the whole land, to repent of their sins and to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Redeemer and the God of this land. Turn from your evil ways, repent fo your sins and receive the fullness of the gospel through the waters of baptism and obedience, that the judgments which sall be poured out upon the ungodly may pass you by. “ ( Doctrines of Salvation 3:321-22)
After the many preparations were made, this colony set out on it’s journey covering much land and some water before reaching the great sea which divideth the lands. Here, they pitched their tents, named the place Moriancumer and dwelt in tents by the seashore for the space of four years.
At the end of the four years, the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared and chastened him for the space of three hours. Why?
14 And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and atalked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and bchastened him because he remembered not to ccall upon the name of the Lord
Considering what we know about Mahonri, it seems pretty unlikely that a man of his spiritual stature would suddenly stop praying, so, what do you think this verse could mean?
Perhaps he had not fully followed and carried out the councils of the Lord he had already received.
Perhaps his prayers had become more casual or routine
Perhaps they had tarried by the seashore too long.
There is danger in pausing too long in one place when we need to be moving onward, forward and upward.
Robert D. Hales
So often we are tentative and don’t move forward with conviction. We feel our way along, as if we were afraid in the dark. It is so much better to turn on the light of faith and move ahead with energy and commitment.
If our course is wrong, we will quickly recognize it and make the necessary adjustments. But if we pursue a course tentatively and indecisively, it is difficult to know whether it is right or wrong in time to correct it.
The Lord said, “I would thou wert cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15).
We should decide now to make our decisions prayerfully and then move forward with faith, energy, and determination.
(Robert D. Hales, “Ten Axioms to Guide Your Life,” Liahona, Feb 2007, 34–39)
Ether 2
16 And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of abarges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the binstructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water.
17 And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly atight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.
After the barges were built, what kind of problems were anticipated by Mahonri?
Air to breathe, light to see by
The Lord gave Mahonri specific instructions about how to solve the breathing issue. What was His response to the light issue?
23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have awindows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire
What does the Lord expect of us in solving our problems?
Harold B. Lee:
“Then the Lord went away and left him alone. It was as though the Lord were saying to him, ‘Look, I gave you a mind to think with, and I gave you agency to use it. Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then, after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you.’ This is the principle in action. If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek. …When we are situated that we cannot get anything to help ourselves, then we may call upon the Lord and His servants who can do all. But it is our duty to do what we can within our own power. That is a tremendous principle. In order to teach young people how to approach the Lord and how to prepare to receive what the Lord has promised for those who are faithful, we must teach them these fundamental steps. After Moroni had read this great experience of the brother of Jared, he added: ‘. . . wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.’ (Ether 12:6.)” (Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 243-5)
III. The brother of Jared sees Jesus Christ
Mahonri’s solution was a great one, yet, it still required divine intervention. Mahonri went up into the mountain and moltened 16 small stones, that were transparent. He carried them to the top of the mountain and again beseeched the Lord
Ether 3
4And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all apower, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy bfinger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have clight while we shall cross the sea.
5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which alooks small unto the understanding of men.
6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the aLord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his bfinger. And the cveil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared dfell down before the Lord, for he was struck with efear.
Mahonri was shocked that the Lord’s finger appeared to be tangible and physical. However, the Lord would not actually take on his mortal body for another 2000 years. This experience verifies the principle that a man’s spirit is in the likeness of his physical person.
Ether 3
9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me aflesh and blood; and never has man come before me with bsuch exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?
10 And he answered: Nay; Lord, ashow thyself unto me.
11 And the Lord said unto him: aBelievest thou the words which I shall speak?
12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and acanst not lie.
13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord ashowed himself unto him, and said: bBecause thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my cpresence; therefore I dshow myself unto you.
14 Behold, I am he who was aprepared from the foundation of the world to bredeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the cFather and the Son. In me shall all mankind have dlife, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my esons and my daughters.
15 And never have I ashowed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man bbelieved in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own cimage? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image
This is a statement I have always had a very difficult time understanding. Hadn’t the Lord appeared to and spoken with Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Noah ? What are your thoughts on these verses?
perhaps the Lord’s appearance to earlier prophets had not been with that same fullness.
perhaps the Lord had never HAD to show himself unto man before. Mahonri’s faith was so great, he could not be kept from within the veil- the Lord could not withhold anything from him. Christ was saying to the brother of Jared, ‘Never have I showed myself unto man in this manner, without my volition, driven solely by the faith of the beholder.’ As a rule, prophets are invited into the presence of the Lord, are bidden to enter his presence by him and only with his sanction. The brother of Jared, on the other hand, seems to have thrust himself through the veil, not as an unwelcome guest but perhaps technically as an uninvited one.
perhaps Mahonri was the first to see the Lord Jesus’ physical body as he would be during his mortal ministry
perhaps Mahonri was the first to whom Jehovah manifested himself as Jesus Christ, the Son. Before this, he made himself known by speaking in the language and person of the Father, by divine investiture of authority.
maybe the Lord is referring only to the Jaredite dispensation
IV. Moroni seals up the writings of the brother of Jared
Mahonri’s faith was then supplanted by a perfect knowledge. He had seen the Lord and because of his faith, was shown all things from the beginning of the world.
Mahonri was instructed to write down what he had seen, yet was to reveal it to no man. It was to be sealed up. The Lord then gave Mahonri two stones to be sealed up along with the record, which in his own due time would magnify to the eyes of men the things that Mahonri would write.
Ether 4
1 And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out of the amount from the presence of the Lord, and bwrite the things which he had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of men cuntil after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people.
2 And after Christ truly had showed himself unto his people he commanded that they should be made manifest.
3 And now, after that, they have all dwindled in unbelief; and there is anone save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should bhide them up again in the earth.
4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the avery things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were bgreater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
What kinds of things will we eventually get to know from the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon?
Bruce R. McConkie
“ When, during the Millennium the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon is translated, it will give an account of life in preexistence; of the creation of all things; of the Fall and the Atonement and the Second Coming; of temple ordinances in their fullness; of the ministry and mission of translated beings; of life in the spirit world, in both paradise and hell; of the kingdoms of glory to be inhabited by resurrected beings, and many such things.” ( Doctrines of the Restoration, p. 277)
What can we do today to have the same kinds of experiences as Mahonri and many other sanctified individuals?
Kenneth W. Anderson
The use of the word "unfolding" (Ether 4:7) verifies an orderly gaining of faith and gradual sanctification process. Learning to live the principles of the gospel and receive instructive revelation from the Holy Ghost does not happen all at once. It is a growing and maturing process just as it was for the brother of Jared. However, the same sanctifying and revelatory process is available to the Saints today. For "he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true" (v 11). [The Book of Mormon: Fourth Nephi through Moroni, from Zion to Destruction, 38]
Bruce R. McConkie
“From these revelations we learn that there are no limitations placed upon any of us. revelations are not reserved for a limited few or for those called to positions of importance in the Church. It is not position in the Church that confers spiritual gifts. It is not being a bishop, a stake
president, or an apostle that makes revelation and salvation available. These are high and holy callings which open the door to the privilege of great service among men. But it is not a call to a special office that opens the windows of revelation to a truth seeker. Rather it is personal righteousness; it is keeping the commandments; it is seeking the Lord while he may be found. God is no respecter of persons. He will give revelation to me and to you on the same terms and conditions. I can see what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw in the vision of the degrees of glory -- and so can you. I can entertain angels and see God, I can receive an outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit -- and so can you.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1969, p. 82
V. The Jaredites travel to the promised land
In Chapter 6 verses 1-12, Moroni continues the record of the Jaredites as they journeyed to the promised land. We can liken this journey to the promised land to our journey through life
1. Just as the Lord caused the stones in the barges to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women and children, He has given us the light of Christ, the Holy Ghost, prophets, seers and revelators to guide us in the darkness of the world.
2. When the Jaredites prepared all they could for their journey, they put their full trust in the Lord that He would get them to the promised Land. We too must show this same kind of trust in the Lord. Some day we will be able to look over our lives and see that all things happened for our benefit and learning.
3. As the winds blew and the Jaredites were driven forth, they sang praises unto the Lord. We too can give praise to the Lord through word, song and by setting our hearts to righteousness.
4. When the Jaredites arrived in the promised land, they bowed themselves down, in humility and thanked the Lord for his tender mercies . By setting our hearts upon righteousness, we can be chosen to receive tender mercies from the Lord: the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I testify to you that the Lord loves you. He is very aware of each of you and your personal circumstances. He has blessings waiting in abundance if we show forth our faith.
Jeffrey R. Holland
“The brother of Jared may not have had great belief in himself, but his belief in God was unprecedented. In that there is hope for us all. His faith was without doubt or limit..Once and for all it was declared that ordinary people with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of unbelief and enter the realms of eternity” ( Christ and the New Covenant[1997],29)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
How Could Ye Have Departed From the Ways of the Lord?
How Could Ye Have Departed From the Ways of the Lord?
Mormon 1-6
Immediately after the Savior left the Americas, his disciples formed the one true church of Christ. They preached the gospel to all the people and eventually all were baptized and received the Holy Ghost. The people waxed strong and multiplied exceedingly fast. They were filled with charity, the pure love of Christ, they sought to build and lift people and lighten the burdens of others. This people rose above the pettiness of attainments, station and public applause but instead gloried in the accomplishments of others, and mourned with those who had cause to mourn. Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. They were a Zion people. Just as the inhabitants of the city of Enoch were and just those who live during the millennium will be.
Two hundred years later, there began to be among them those lifted up in pride who wore costly apparel, fine pearls, and all the fine things of the earth. They began to be divided into classes and build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ. They cast the prophets into prison; they hardened their hearts and taught their children to hate the people of God. In a manner of 40 years, the wicked outnumbered the righteous.
Secret combinations were again formed among the people. Soon the Nephites also became proud in their hearts because of their exceeding riches and soon became wicked like unto their brethren the Lamanites. The loss of humility, the loss of unity, and the growth of greed and hardness of heart of the people were what led to their ultimate destruction and spiritual death.
We discuss today what have to be among the most tragic chapters contained within this book of scripture.
Jeffrey R. Holland:
“In one of the loneliest scenes in scriptural history, a silent, war-weary soldier looked out
across time and the unspeakable tragedy his family and followers faced. Mormon, the man destined before the world was formed to abridge and summarize the Nephite story—and in so doing to have his name forever immortalized with this additional testament of Jesus Christ—surveyed the casualties of a nation that had turned from the Lord.” (Christ and the New Covenant, p. 317))
Mormon was an incredible man. Like Nephi of old, he was large in stature while still a young man. He was entrusted with the sacred pates at the tender age of ten. He became a living witness of Christ’s divinity at age fifteen and called to lead the Nephite armies. Mormon had a profound and deep love for his people even though they had departed from the ways of the Lord. Mormon received the sure word of prophecy early on meaning that his calling and election had been made sure. Knowing this, He endeavored to preach to his people. However, the Lord forbade him from doing so. The people had willfully rebelled against their God and sinned against the light.
During this time, there began to be war between the Nephites and the Lamanites which the Nephites were victorious and slayed many Lamanites. Even when the Lamanites withdrew their design and there was peace in the land, wickedness still prevailed to the point that the Lord removed his beloved disciples. After this, the work of miracles and healings ceased. There were no gifts from the Lord and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any because of their wickedness and unbelief.
Our time is not so wicked that the Lord has removed his disciples and the Holy Ghost from us, yet, we do live in a very wicked world. How can we maintain our faith and personal righteousness in such a world?
In the year 327, the Lamanites came upon Mormon’s army with exceedingly great power. So much so that the Nephite army was frightened and would not fight, but retreated in stead. As they retreated to the major cities, they gathered in their people to form strongholds.
Regardless of the impending battles, the Nephites would not repent of their evil doings. As a result, there was blood and carnage spread throughout all the face of the land, both on the part of the Lamanites and the Nephites. There was much mourning and lamentation because those things which had been prophesied by Samuel had come to pass. No man could keep that which was his for the thieves, robbers, murderers, magic art and witchcraft which was in the land.
When Mormon saw their lamenting, his heart rejoiced. Why?
Mormon 2:12
12 And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their amourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would bagain become a righteous people.
Mormon’s joy was not long lasting, however
Mormon 2:13-14
13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their asorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the bsorrowing of the cdamned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take dhappiness in sin.
14 And they did not come unto Jesus with broken ahearts and contrite spirits, but they did bcurse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives
What is the difference between “sorrowing..unto repentance” and “the sorrowing of the damned”?
Elder Orson Pratt
“There are different kinds of sorrow. Thieves, robbers, murderers, adulterers, etc., are frequently sorrowful because they have been detected in the crimes they have committed. They are not sorrowful because they have sinned against God, or because they have injured others; but they are sorry because their crimes have been exposed, or that they have been prevented from a realization of the happiness which they anticipated. This is the sorrow of the world; and it is of the same nature as the sorrowing of the evil spirits in hell: they are sorry when they fail to accomplish their malicious designs against God and His people. This kind of sorrow worketh death.
But the sorrow that is acceptable in the sight of God is that which leads to true repentance, or reformation of conduct; it is that sorrow which arises not only through fear of punishment, but through a proper sense of the evil consequences of sin; it is that sorrow which arises from a knowledge of our own unworthiness and from a contrast of our own degraded and fallen condition with the mercy, goodness and holiness of God. We are sorry that we should ever have condescended to evil. We are sorry that we should have rendered ourselves so unworthy before God.. These, and many other good things are the results of Godly sorrow for sin. This is repentance not in word, but in deed: this si the sorrow with which the heavens are pleased.” ( “True Repentance” in Orson Pratt: Writings of an Apostle, pp31-31).
16 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and forty and fifth year the Nephites did begin to flee before the Lamanites; and they were pursued until they came even to the land of Jashon, before it was possible to stop them in their retreat.
17 And now, the city of Jashon was near the aland where Ammaron had bdeposited the records unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed. And behold I had gone according to the word of Ammaron, and taken the cplates of Nephi, and did make a record according to the words of Ammaron.
18 And upon the plates of Nephi I did make a full account of all the wickedness and abominations; but upon athese plates I did forbear to make a full account of their wickedness and abominations, for behold, a continual scene of wickedness and abominations has been before mine eyes ever since I have been sufficient to behold the ways of man
19 And wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be alifted up at the last day
Can you imagine what it was like to be Mormon? He was so often a lone voice of reason and righteousness. Yet, he remained strong and maintained hope under extreme adverse conditions.
Verse 19 alludes to how he was able to do this. He had received the sure word of prophecy
D&C 131:5
5 (May 17th, 1843.) The more sure word of aprophecy means a man’s knowing that he is bsealed up unto ceternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood
“ The Prophet Joseph Smith often urged the Saints “to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it” ( Teachings, p. 299)
“ One receives these blessings only after, as Joseph taught, “ the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all Hazards. ( Teachings, p. 150) The realization that these blessings were his most assuredly kept Mormon from becoming overcome with sorrow or debilitated with discouragement and also provided the spiritual strength he most needed to continue to succor and serve an unresponsive, unappreciative, hardened, and iniquitous people. ( BMDC 4:219)
Mormon 2:27-29
27 And my heart did sorrow because of this the great calamity of my people, because of their wickedness and their abominations. But behold, we did go forth against the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadianton, until we had again taken possession of the lands of our inheritance.
28 And the *three hundred and forty and ninth year had passed away. And in the three hundred and fiftieth year we made a treaty with the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadianton, in which we did get the lands of our inheritance divided.
29 And the Lamanites did give unto us the land anorthward, yea, even to the bnarrow passage which led into the land southward. And we did give unto the Lamanites all the land southward.
Mormon3
8 And in the *three hundred and sixty and second year they did come down aagain to battle. And we did beat them again, and did slay a great number of them, and their dead were cast into the sea.
9 And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to aboast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies.
10 And they did aswear by the heavens, and also by the throne of God, that they bwould go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land.
11 And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly arefuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination.
12 Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the alove of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was bwithout faith, because of the chardness of their hearts.
13 And athrice have I delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and they have repented not of their sins.
14 And when they had sworn by all that had been aforbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:
15 aVengeance is mine, and I will brepay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth.
16 And it came to pass that I utterly refused to go up against mine enemies; and I did even as the Lord had commanded me; and I did stand as an idle witness to manifest unto the world the things which I saw and heard, according to the manifestations of the Spirit which had testified of things to come.
Their wickedness, their boastings and blasphemies, their oaths of vengeance, their failure to acknowledge and depend on the strength of the Lord- all reasons Mormon felt compelled to step down as their military leader and leave them to their own strength.
In verses 17-22, Moroni addresses us of the latter day directly. He tells us the purpose for which the record was kept and preserved. What are the reasons he gives?
a. “That ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ … to be judged of your works” (Mormon 3:20).
b. “That ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mormon 3:21; see also Mormon 5:15).
c. To provide a witness “that Jesus [is] the very Christ and the very God” (Mormon 3:21; see also Mormon 5:14).
d. To “persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent” (Mormon 3:22).
From the beginning of the Nephite and Lamanite wars, the Nephite leaders counseled: Defense, not offense, and compassion, not annihilation, should be the motivating forces of their fighting. The Nephites of Mormon’s day would have nothing to do with this philosophy and as a result
Mormon 4:4
the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them.
“Lusting for each other’s blood, both sides became depraved. Nearly a millennium before Mormon recorded the culmination of hostilities between Nephites and Lamanites. Nephi could boldly state that the invading house of Israel was more righteous than the prior inhabitants: “ This people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fullness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them..unto their destruction and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it:” ( 1 Ne 17:35)
By contrast, to Mormon “the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished: ( Morm 4:5) for in his day he could discern no people who would qualify as righteous.” (Studies in Scripture Book of Mormon 8:235)
What does it mean, it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished?
As was the case with the Nephites, so often is it the case that God does not have to personally curse, condemn, or punish the wicked; their actions and associations produce natural consequences that in and of themselves become severe punishments. Many of the destructions, plagues, and atrocities that come upon the world are a direct result of the wickedness of man. C. S. Lewis insightfully observed: ‘The possibility of pain is inherent in the very existence of a world where souls can meet. When souls become wicked they will certainly use this possibility to hurt one another; and this, perhaps, accounts for four-fifths of the suffering of men. It is men, not God, who have produced racks, whips, prisons, slavery, guns, bayonets, and bombs; it is by human avarice or human stupidity, not by the churlishness of nature, that we have poverty and overwork.' (The Problem of Pain, p. 89.)” (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 228))
The Lamanites and Nephites fought ghastly battles, slaughtering women and children; but in their campaign of 367 , the Nephites, furious because of the enemy’s atrocities, drove out the invading and occupying forces of the Lamanites. The next attack of the Lamanites in 375, marked the point of no return for the genocidal war. ( Morm 4:18) Overwhelming the pivotal stronghold of Desolation once more, the Lamanites quickly drove forward. Despite a repetition of wartime atrocities against their families, the Nephites were so utterly terrorized that they fled, leaving all behind ( Morm 4:19-22) Under these circumstances, Mormon retrieved the records that Ammaron had deposited, but we may suppose that he had already abridged much of Nephite history from the various records while he was a nonparticipant in the battles from 362-375. He completed the abridgment and hid away his source records just before the final battle.
Mormon was not deluded. He realized that the Nephites had not changed, yet his compassion led him to accept command once more. As Mormon and his armies swept by cities, they gathered Nephites into their retreating hosts. Many inhabitants would not believe that the Lamanites sought complete extermination of their enemies. However, the Nephite cities were soon obliterated ( Morm 5:4-5) Mormon’s fuller account of these years on the plates of Nephi must have sickened him, and he summarizes only briefly for his modern audience. During these bleak days following the renewal of war in 375, the events described in Mormon’s epistle to Moroni, recorded in Moroni 9, likely took place, for both there and in Mormon 5:16-18, Mormon lamented the moral, social and spiritual degeneration of the Nephites. Their failure to repent left them as chaff blown on the wind, or as a storm-tossed ship without a rudder. Then, the prophet-historian again addresses his latter day audience directing us to repent or to face destruction by a remnant of the seed of Jacob(Morm 5:24)
Mormon’s account of the horrifying end of the war is brief- only 15 verses. His epistle to the Lamanite king set the battlefield: Cumorah. (6:1-3) The year was 384, the seventy-third year of Mormon’s life. The entire populace, the full spectrum of age and physical strength, awaited the attack of the imposing Lamanite army (6:7-8); as they did so, they experienced “ that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked” (Mormon 6:7)
In the fierce fighting that ensued, Mormon himself was wounded and left for dead amid his army. (6:10) The battle arrangements of the Nephites called for a general for every ten thousand combatants. Mromon named thirteen Nephite generals, including Mormon and Moroni, and noted “ that there were ten more who did fall by the sword.” (6:15) Every group of ten thousand was slaughtered, usually with their generals. Of the Nephite multitude, numbering roughly 230,000, that fought at Cumorah- and the Nephite host was dwarfed by the “greatness of the Lamanite numbers”- only 24 people survived, “ and also a few who had escaped into the south countries and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites ( Mormon 6:15).
After briefly recording the outcome of the battle, Mormon lamented the insane destruction of his people. They simply refused to repent and to obey God’s laws.
Mormon 6
17 aO ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
18 Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I amourn your loss.
19 O ye afair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have bfallen!
20 But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
21 And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become aincorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you.
22 O that ye had repented before this great adestruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, bknoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his cjustice and dmercy.
After the battle of Cumorah, the Lamanites hunted down the remaining 24 Nephites and killed all but Moroni. The Nephite nation was thus completely destroyed.
We know that the Nephites were destroyed because of their wickedness. We can avoid the same outcome by studying the contributing factors of their downfall. These chapters outline the destruction of their civilization pretty clearly
Tremendous prosperity brought unrighteous pride and haughtiness. The people forgot the source of their prosperity.
Elder F. Burton Howard
“much of today’s society, including members of the Church, must also confront the dangers of materialism. We may use our income to purchase automobiles, boats, cabins, computers, expensive home entertainment systems, and power-driven machines of all kinds. We fill our leisure time with the use of many things.
Some equate the good life with economic prosperity and believe that consumption brings contentment. But the effort to achieve prosperity often prevents consideration of the great questions of life, including asking ourselves when enough is enough—and when it is too much. We sometimes discover too late that God’s greatest gifts cannot be purchased with money (F. Burton Howard, “Overcoming the World,” Ensign, Sep 1996, 9)
Pride fostered the disintegration of unity among the people, both economically and socially.
The children of God have more in common than they have differences. And even the differences can be seen as an opportunity. God will help us see a difference in someone else not as a source of irritation but as a contribution. The Lord can help you see and value what another person brings which you lack. More than once the Lord has helped me see His kindness in giving me association with someone whose difference from me was just the help I needed. That has been the Lord’s way of adding something I lacked to serve Him better.
That leads to another principle of unity. It is to speak well of each other. Think of the last time you were asked what you thought about how someone else was doing in your family or in the Church. It happened to me more than once in the past week. Now, there are times we must judge others. Sometimes we are required to pronounce such judgments. But more often we can make a choice. For instance, suppose someone asks you what you think of the new bishop.
Henry B. Eyring, “Our Hearts Knit as One,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 68–71
Satan used class differentiation and social stratification as tools not only to foster enmity between groups of people but also to encourage greed.
For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.” (Morm. 8:34–37.)
Notice that the Lord does not stress the usual iniquities of crime and immorality, of atheism and lawlessness. Instead he stresses the intolerance, the lack of charity, and the vanity that exist in our present world. He warns us against pride, envy, arrogance, and malice. As the prophet predicted, we do not persecute the poor; we simply tend to ignore them and forget them.
Mormon is writing about the church-going, church-building, so-called Christians, and not the unbelievers. The unbelievers are the subject of the next chapter of Mormon’s message. I am concerned about some of our prosperous people who are beginning to criticize the poor for being poor. Some of our own church members believe that only shiftless, lazy people remain poor in this prosperous day and age and that welfare is necessary only to sustain those who are not competent enough to work. They simply do not realize the unexpected problems and expenses that can suddenly come to any one of us. On one occasion the Church came to my aid when I was sick and helpless to help myself, and I was truly grateful that it did.
(Theodore M. Burton, “A Disease Called Pride,” Ensign, Mar 1971, 26)
4. People’s hearts were hardened; the true church was continually rejected, and sacred things such as the sacrament and other ordinances were trifled with.
D. Todd Christopherson
“Some say dress and hair don’t matter—they say it’s what’s inside that counts. I believe that it is what’s inside a person that truly counts, but that’s what worries me. Casual dress at holy places and events is a message about what is inside a person. It may be pride or rebellion or something else, but at a minimum it says, “I don’t get it. I don’t understand the difference between the sacred and the profane.”
In that condition people are easily drawn away from the Lord. They do not appreciate the value of what they have. I worry about them. Unless they can gain some understanding and capture some feeling for sacred things, they are at risk of eventually losing all that matters most. You are a Saint of the great latter-day dispensation—look the part. (D. Todd Christofferson, “A Sense of the Sacred,” Liahona, Jun 2006, 28–31).
5. Children were purposely taught to hate righteousness
Russell Nelson
“Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Liahona, May 2008, 7–10)
Although we live in a time of great wickedness, we must not be part of it. By following Mormon’s example of steadfastness and faith, and by studying the records he so carefully preserved, we can withstand the evil influences of our day and provide an example of courage and hope for others.
Mormon 1-6
Immediately after the Savior left the Americas, his disciples formed the one true church of Christ. They preached the gospel to all the people and eventually all were baptized and received the Holy Ghost. The people waxed strong and multiplied exceedingly fast. They were filled with charity, the pure love of Christ, they sought to build and lift people and lighten the burdens of others. This people rose above the pettiness of attainments, station and public applause but instead gloried in the accomplishments of others, and mourned with those who had cause to mourn. Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. They were a Zion people. Just as the inhabitants of the city of Enoch were and just those who live during the millennium will be.
Two hundred years later, there began to be among them those lifted up in pride who wore costly apparel, fine pearls, and all the fine things of the earth. They began to be divided into classes and build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ. They cast the prophets into prison; they hardened their hearts and taught their children to hate the people of God. In a manner of 40 years, the wicked outnumbered the righteous.
Secret combinations were again formed among the people. Soon the Nephites also became proud in their hearts because of their exceeding riches and soon became wicked like unto their brethren the Lamanites. The loss of humility, the loss of unity, and the growth of greed and hardness of heart of the people were what led to their ultimate destruction and spiritual death.
We discuss today what have to be among the most tragic chapters contained within this book of scripture.
Jeffrey R. Holland:
“In one of the loneliest scenes in scriptural history, a silent, war-weary soldier looked out
across time and the unspeakable tragedy his family and followers faced. Mormon, the man destined before the world was formed to abridge and summarize the Nephite story—and in so doing to have his name forever immortalized with this additional testament of Jesus Christ—surveyed the casualties of a nation that had turned from the Lord.” (Christ and the New Covenant, p. 317))
Mormon was an incredible man. Like Nephi of old, he was large in stature while still a young man. He was entrusted with the sacred pates at the tender age of ten. He became a living witness of Christ’s divinity at age fifteen and called to lead the Nephite armies. Mormon had a profound and deep love for his people even though they had departed from the ways of the Lord. Mormon received the sure word of prophecy early on meaning that his calling and election had been made sure. Knowing this, He endeavored to preach to his people. However, the Lord forbade him from doing so. The people had willfully rebelled against their God and sinned against the light.
During this time, there began to be war between the Nephites and the Lamanites which the Nephites were victorious and slayed many Lamanites. Even when the Lamanites withdrew their design and there was peace in the land, wickedness still prevailed to the point that the Lord removed his beloved disciples. After this, the work of miracles and healings ceased. There were no gifts from the Lord and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any because of their wickedness and unbelief.
Our time is not so wicked that the Lord has removed his disciples and the Holy Ghost from us, yet, we do live in a very wicked world. How can we maintain our faith and personal righteousness in such a world?
In the year 327, the Lamanites came upon Mormon’s army with exceedingly great power. So much so that the Nephite army was frightened and would not fight, but retreated in stead. As they retreated to the major cities, they gathered in their people to form strongholds.
Regardless of the impending battles, the Nephites would not repent of their evil doings. As a result, there was blood and carnage spread throughout all the face of the land, both on the part of the Lamanites and the Nephites. There was much mourning and lamentation because those things which had been prophesied by Samuel had come to pass. No man could keep that which was his for the thieves, robbers, murderers, magic art and witchcraft which was in the land.
When Mormon saw their lamenting, his heart rejoiced. Why?
Mormon 2:12
12 And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their amourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would bagain become a righteous people.
Mormon’s joy was not long lasting, however
Mormon 2:13-14
13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their asorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the bsorrowing of the cdamned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take dhappiness in sin.
14 And they did not come unto Jesus with broken ahearts and contrite spirits, but they did bcurse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives
What is the difference between “sorrowing..unto repentance” and “the sorrowing of the damned”?
Elder Orson Pratt
“There are different kinds of sorrow. Thieves, robbers, murderers, adulterers, etc., are frequently sorrowful because they have been detected in the crimes they have committed. They are not sorrowful because they have sinned against God, or because they have injured others; but they are sorry because their crimes have been exposed, or that they have been prevented from a realization of the happiness which they anticipated. This is the sorrow of the world; and it is of the same nature as the sorrowing of the evil spirits in hell: they are sorry when they fail to accomplish their malicious designs against God and His people. This kind of sorrow worketh death.
But the sorrow that is acceptable in the sight of God is that which leads to true repentance, or reformation of conduct; it is that sorrow which arises not only through fear of punishment, but through a proper sense of the evil consequences of sin; it is that sorrow which arises from a knowledge of our own unworthiness and from a contrast of our own degraded and fallen condition with the mercy, goodness and holiness of God. We are sorry that we should ever have condescended to evil. We are sorry that we should have rendered ourselves so unworthy before God.. These, and many other good things are the results of Godly sorrow for sin. This is repentance not in word, but in deed: this si the sorrow with which the heavens are pleased.” ( “True Repentance” in Orson Pratt: Writings of an Apostle, pp31-31).
16 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and forty and fifth year the Nephites did begin to flee before the Lamanites; and they were pursued until they came even to the land of Jashon, before it was possible to stop them in their retreat.
17 And now, the city of Jashon was near the aland where Ammaron had bdeposited the records unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed. And behold I had gone according to the word of Ammaron, and taken the cplates of Nephi, and did make a record according to the words of Ammaron.
18 And upon the plates of Nephi I did make a full account of all the wickedness and abominations; but upon athese plates I did forbear to make a full account of their wickedness and abominations, for behold, a continual scene of wickedness and abominations has been before mine eyes ever since I have been sufficient to behold the ways of man
19 And wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be alifted up at the last day
Can you imagine what it was like to be Mormon? He was so often a lone voice of reason and righteousness. Yet, he remained strong and maintained hope under extreme adverse conditions.
Verse 19 alludes to how he was able to do this. He had received the sure word of prophecy
D&C 131:5
5 (May 17th, 1843.) The more sure word of aprophecy means a man’s knowing that he is bsealed up unto ceternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood
“ The Prophet Joseph Smith often urged the Saints “to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it” ( Teachings, p. 299)
“ One receives these blessings only after, as Joseph taught, “ the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all Hazards. ( Teachings, p. 150) The realization that these blessings were his most assuredly kept Mormon from becoming overcome with sorrow or debilitated with discouragement and also provided the spiritual strength he most needed to continue to succor and serve an unresponsive, unappreciative, hardened, and iniquitous people. ( BMDC 4:219)
Mormon 2:27-29
27 And my heart did sorrow because of this the great calamity of my people, because of their wickedness and their abominations. But behold, we did go forth against the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadianton, until we had again taken possession of the lands of our inheritance.
28 And the *three hundred and forty and ninth year had passed away. And in the three hundred and fiftieth year we made a treaty with the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadianton, in which we did get the lands of our inheritance divided.
29 And the Lamanites did give unto us the land anorthward, yea, even to the bnarrow passage which led into the land southward. And we did give unto the Lamanites all the land southward.
Mormon3
8 And in the *three hundred and sixty and second year they did come down aagain to battle. And we did beat them again, and did slay a great number of them, and their dead were cast into the sea.
9 And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to aboast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies.
10 And they did aswear by the heavens, and also by the throne of God, that they bwould go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land.
11 And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly arefuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination.
12 Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the alove of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was bwithout faith, because of the chardness of their hearts.
13 And athrice have I delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and they have repented not of their sins.
14 And when they had sworn by all that had been aforbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:
15 aVengeance is mine, and I will brepay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth.
16 And it came to pass that I utterly refused to go up against mine enemies; and I did even as the Lord had commanded me; and I did stand as an idle witness to manifest unto the world the things which I saw and heard, according to the manifestations of the Spirit which had testified of things to come.
Their wickedness, their boastings and blasphemies, their oaths of vengeance, their failure to acknowledge and depend on the strength of the Lord- all reasons Mormon felt compelled to step down as their military leader and leave them to their own strength.
In verses 17-22, Moroni addresses us of the latter day directly. He tells us the purpose for which the record was kept and preserved. What are the reasons he gives?
a. “That ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ … to be judged of your works” (Mormon 3:20).
b. “That ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mormon 3:21; see also Mormon 5:15).
c. To provide a witness “that Jesus [is] the very Christ and the very God” (Mormon 3:21; see also Mormon 5:14).
d. To “persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent” (Mormon 3:22).
From the beginning of the Nephite and Lamanite wars, the Nephite leaders counseled: Defense, not offense, and compassion, not annihilation, should be the motivating forces of their fighting. The Nephites of Mormon’s day would have nothing to do with this philosophy and as a result
Mormon 4:4
the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them.
“Lusting for each other’s blood, both sides became depraved. Nearly a millennium before Mormon recorded the culmination of hostilities between Nephites and Lamanites. Nephi could boldly state that the invading house of Israel was more righteous than the prior inhabitants: “ This people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fullness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them..unto their destruction and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it:” ( 1 Ne 17:35)
By contrast, to Mormon “the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished: ( Morm 4:5) for in his day he could discern no people who would qualify as righteous.” (Studies in Scripture Book of Mormon 8:235)
What does it mean, it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished?
As was the case with the Nephites, so often is it the case that God does not have to personally curse, condemn, or punish the wicked; their actions and associations produce natural consequences that in and of themselves become severe punishments. Many of the destructions, plagues, and atrocities that come upon the world are a direct result of the wickedness of man. C. S. Lewis insightfully observed: ‘The possibility of pain is inherent in the very existence of a world where souls can meet. When souls become wicked they will certainly use this possibility to hurt one another; and this, perhaps, accounts for four-fifths of the suffering of men. It is men, not God, who have produced racks, whips, prisons, slavery, guns, bayonets, and bombs; it is by human avarice or human stupidity, not by the churlishness of nature, that we have poverty and overwork.' (The Problem of Pain, p. 89.)” (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 228))
The Lamanites and Nephites fought ghastly battles, slaughtering women and children; but in their campaign of 367 , the Nephites, furious because of the enemy’s atrocities, drove out the invading and occupying forces of the Lamanites. The next attack of the Lamanites in 375, marked the point of no return for the genocidal war. ( Morm 4:18) Overwhelming the pivotal stronghold of Desolation once more, the Lamanites quickly drove forward. Despite a repetition of wartime atrocities against their families, the Nephites were so utterly terrorized that they fled, leaving all behind ( Morm 4:19-22) Under these circumstances, Mormon retrieved the records that Ammaron had deposited, but we may suppose that he had already abridged much of Nephite history from the various records while he was a nonparticipant in the battles from 362-375. He completed the abridgment and hid away his source records just before the final battle.
Mormon was not deluded. He realized that the Nephites had not changed, yet his compassion led him to accept command once more. As Mormon and his armies swept by cities, they gathered Nephites into their retreating hosts. Many inhabitants would not believe that the Lamanites sought complete extermination of their enemies. However, the Nephite cities were soon obliterated ( Morm 5:4-5) Mormon’s fuller account of these years on the plates of Nephi must have sickened him, and he summarizes only briefly for his modern audience. During these bleak days following the renewal of war in 375, the events described in Mormon’s epistle to Moroni, recorded in Moroni 9, likely took place, for both there and in Mormon 5:16-18, Mormon lamented the moral, social and spiritual degeneration of the Nephites. Their failure to repent left them as chaff blown on the wind, or as a storm-tossed ship without a rudder. Then, the prophet-historian again addresses his latter day audience directing us to repent or to face destruction by a remnant of the seed of Jacob(Morm 5:24)
Mormon’s account of the horrifying end of the war is brief- only 15 verses. His epistle to the Lamanite king set the battlefield: Cumorah. (6:1-3) The year was 384, the seventy-third year of Mormon’s life. The entire populace, the full spectrum of age and physical strength, awaited the attack of the imposing Lamanite army (6:7-8); as they did so, they experienced “ that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked” (Mormon 6:7)
In the fierce fighting that ensued, Mormon himself was wounded and left for dead amid his army. (6:10) The battle arrangements of the Nephites called for a general for every ten thousand combatants. Mromon named thirteen Nephite generals, including Mormon and Moroni, and noted “ that there were ten more who did fall by the sword.” (6:15) Every group of ten thousand was slaughtered, usually with their generals. Of the Nephite multitude, numbering roughly 230,000, that fought at Cumorah- and the Nephite host was dwarfed by the “greatness of the Lamanite numbers”- only 24 people survived, “ and also a few who had escaped into the south countries and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites ( Mormon 6:15).
After briefly recording the outcome of the battle, Mormon lamented the insane destruction of his people. They simply refused to repent and to obey God’s laws.
Mormon 6
17 aO ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
18 Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I amourn your loss.
19 O ye afair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have bfallen!
20 But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
21 And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become aincorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you.
22 O that ye had repented before this great adestruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, bknoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his cjustice and dmercy.
After the battle of Cumorah, the Lamanites hunted down the remaining 24 Nephites and killed all but Moroni. The Nephite nation was thus completely destroyed.
We know that the Nephites were destroyed because of their wickedness. We can avoid the same outcome by studying the contributing factors of their downfall. These chapters outline the destruction of their civilization pretty clearly
Tremendous prosperity brought unrighteous pride and haughtiness. The people forgot the source of their prosperity.
Elder F. Burton Howard
“much of today’s society, including members of the Church, must also confront the dangers of materialism. We may use our income to purchase automobiles, boats, cabins, computers, expensive home entertainment systems, and power-driven machines of all kinds. We fill our leisure time with the use of many things.
Some equate the good life with economic prosperity and believe that consumption brings contentment. But the effort to achieve prosperity often prevents consideration of the great questions of life, including asking ourselves when enough is enough—and when it is too much. We sometimes discover too late that God’s greatest gifts cannot be purchased with money (F. Burton Howard, “Overcoming the World,” Ensign, Sep 1996, 9)
Pride fostered the disintegration of unity among the people, both economically and socially.
The children of God have more in common than they have differences. And even the differences can be seen as an opportunity. God will help us see a difference in someone else not as a source of irritation but as a contribution. The Lord can help you see and value what another person brings which you lack. More than once the Lord has helped me see His kindness in giving me association with someone whose difference from me was just the help I needed. That has been the Lord’s way of adding something I lacked to serve Him better.
That leads to another principle of unity. It is to speak well of each other. Think of the last time you were asked what you thought about how someone else was doing in your family or in the Church. It happened to me more than once in the past week. Now, there are times we must judge others. Sometimes we are required to pronounce such judgments. But more often we can make a choice. For instance, suppose someone asks you what you think of the new bishop.
Henry B. Eyring, “Our Hearts Knit as One,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 68–71
Satan used class differentiation and social stratification as tools not only to foster enmity between groups of people but also to encourage greed.
For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.” (Morm. 8:34–37.)
Notice that the Lord does not stress the usual iniquities of crime and immorality, of atheism and lawlessness. Instead he stresses the intolerance, the lack of charity, and the vanity that exist in our present world. He warns us against pride, envy, arrogance, and malice. As the prophet predicted, we do not persecute the poor; we simply tend to ignore them and forget them.
Mormon is writing about the church-going, church-building, so-called Christians, and not the unbelievers. The unbelievers are the subject of the next chapter of Mormon’s message. I am concerned about some of our prosperous people who are beginning to criticize the poor for being poor. Some of our own church members believe that only shiftless, lazy people remain poor in this prosperous day and age and that welfare is necessary only to sustain those who are not competent enough to work. They simply do not realize the unexpected problems and expenses that can suddenly come to any one of us. On one occasion the Church came to my aid when I was sick and helpless to help myself, and I was truly grateful that it did.
(Theodore M. Burton, “A Disease Called Pride,” Ensign, Mar 1971, 26)
4. People’s hearts were hardened; the true church was continually rejected, and sacred things such as the sacrament and other ordinances were trifled with.
D. Todd Christopherson
“Some say dress and hair don’t matter—they say it’s what’s inside that counts. I believe that it is what’s inside a person that truly counts, but that’s what worries me. Casual dress at holy places and events is a message about what is inside a person. It may be pride or rebellion or something else, but at a minimum it says, “I don’t get it. I don’t understand the difference between the sacred and the profane.”
In that condition people are easily drawn away from the Lord. They do not appreciate the value of what they have. I worry about them. Unless they can gain some understanding and capture some feeling for sacred things, they are at risk of eventually losing all that matters most. You are a Saint of the great latter-day dispensation—look the part. (D. Todd Christofferson, “A Sense of the Sacred,” Liahona, Jun 2006, 28–31).
5. Children were purposely taught to hate righteousness
Russell Nelson
“Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Liahona, May 2008, 7–10)
Although we live in a time of great wickedness, we must not be part of it. By following Mormon’s example of steadfastness and faith, and by studying the records he so carefully preserved, we can withstand the evil influences of our day and provide an example of courage and hope for others.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
He Did Expound All Things Unto Them
“He Did Expound All Things Unto Them”
3 Nephi 22-26
As members of the Lord’s true church on earth today, we believe that we lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven with him before we were born into our earthly tabernacle.
It was there, in this pre-existence that “the most marvelous system ever devised for administering salvation to all men in all nations in all ages “ ( Millennial Messiah p. 182) was planned.
Israel, the Lord’s chosen people, were a congregation set apart. These were the Father’s spirit children who acquired a talent for spirituality, who chose to heed the divine word then given, and who sought, above their fellows, to do good and work righteousness. These were all foreordained to be born in the house of Israel. They earned the right to be born as the Lord’s people and have the privilege, on a preferential basis, of believing and obeying the word of truth. Believing blood, the blood of Abraham, flows in their veins. They are the ones of whom Jesus Said, “ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.( John 10:27)
(Millennial Messiah p.182-3)
Moses said, “ When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” (Duet. 32:8-9) Jehovah said to Israel anciently, “ If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (Ex. 19:5-6) For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord they God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth (Duet. 7:6; 14:2). Peter said to Israel in his day: “ Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) (Millennial Messiah p. 183)
Adam was sent by the Father first, to be the father of all living; Noah also was sent , and became the father of all living from his day onward; and Abraham came to be the father of the faithful, the father of all who believe and obey the gospel from his day onward as long as the earth shall stand. The seed of Abraham, then the seed of Isaac, and then the seed of Jacob comprise the chosen people, a people who will first save themselves and who then offer salvation to all men.
From Jacob were formed the 12 tribes of Israel, who were scattered because they apostatized; they broke the Ten Commandments; they rejected the prophets and seers; they forsook their covenants; because they became as the world. Because of their iniquities, the Lord let Israel suffer and live and be as the world. They were carried into captivity by other nations and spread far and wide with ten of the tribes becoming lost.
Ephraim is the presiding tribe in Israel. He plays the chief role in both the scattering and the gathering of the Chosen seed. It is his privilege to lay the foundation for the Second coming, a part that has already commenced.
Speaking of the day of gathering and of the people who should bring it to pass, Moses said: “Joseph..shall push the people together to the ends of the earth.” The tribe of Joseph shall do it! And who is Joseph? Moses continues: “ And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Thus, if Israel is to be scattered in all nations upon all the face of the earth; if she is to be gathered by the tribe of Joseph; if Ephraim has the birthright and is the presiding tribe; if the other tribes are to receive their blessings from Ephraim-then Ephraim must also be in all nations upon all the face of the earth, and Ephraim must be the first tribe to gather in the last days. And so it is. (Millennial Messiah 190-191)
We learned last week of the preceding events of this gathering:
There would be a free nation raised up in America where the Gospel would be restored among the Gentiles.
The Lord would perform a marvelous work and wonder in bringing forth the Book of Mormon
The Lord would raise up a servant, a prophet to accomplish his work that would be marred because of them, but the Lord would heal him.
In October 2008 General Conference , Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the quorum of the twelve apostles quoted Joseph Smith as saying, “ The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society course of study, 2007], 186).
This great task of gathering Israel in the latter days to build Zion is ours. This is what the Savior speaks about as he quotes Isaiah chapter 54 in 3 Nephi Chapter 22.
The Savior begins this beautiful poem by describing his relationship with his covenant people as that of a husband and wife.
3 Nephi 22: 1-2
1 And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O abarren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into bsinging, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the cdesolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy astakes;
Here scattered Israel is referred to as the children of the desolate. while the members of the church ate the children of the married wife. The numbers to be gathered are great-Israel’s conversion, gathering, and return to the lands of her inheritance will require strong, enlarged stakes in Zion. Scattered Israel will gather in such numbers as to be so huge as to cause any prior miracles to pale in comparison.
With this in mind, what is our responsibility as members of the church, of gathered Ephraim, in enlarging the place of thy tent and strengthening thy stakes?
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion..
“.. Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony and promotes family solidarity and individual righteousness” (“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 2, 4).
What can we do individually and as families to ensure that our stakes are a refuge and a defense against evil?
4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to ashame; for thou shalt forget the bshame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the creproach of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5 For thy maker, thy ahusband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel—the God of the whole earth shall he be called
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “The imagery of Jehovah as bridegroom and Israel as bride is among the most commonly used metaphors in scripture, being used by the Lord and his prophets to describe the relationship between Deity and the children of the covenant.
What does this metaphor tell you about how the Lord feels about his covenant people?
7 For a small moment have I aforsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Christ has, on occasion, been rightfully angry with backsliding Israel, but that has always been brief and temporary—’a small moment.’ Compassion and mercy always return and prevail in a most reassuring way. The mountains and the hills may disappear. The water of the great seas may dry up. … But the Lord’s kindness and peace will never be taken from his covenant people. He has sworn with a heavenly oath that he will not be wroth with them forever” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 290).
11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy astones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
13 And aall thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the bpeace of thy children.
Even in the midst and aftermath of great affliction, the Lord will shower material and spiritual blessings on Israel, including those jewels and precious metals that will be used to build the New Jerusalem ( Christ and the New Covenant, 291)
“Zion shall begin to be built before the time of Christ’s second coming in glory. The Saints who are gathered in all nations shall live for a season in love and peace ( despite the degenerative condition of the world) prior to the Millennium. Because of the goodness of those who have given themselves fully to the Lord and his cause, their meetings shall be Pentecostal outpourings; the Spirit of God shall truly burn like a fire in their hearts. Prophecy and revelation and healings and angelic ministrations shall abound, for the faith of the Saints shall have rent the damning veil of unbelief and opened the heavens to the gifts and wonders enjoyed by the former-day Saints. And these spiritual experiences shall be multiplied immeasurably after the glorious return of the Master. When wickedness and enmity shall have been removed from this earth, there will be no end to the truths to be taught, the miracles to be performed, the outpourings to be enjoyed. DCBM 4:156)
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the aservants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “ No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, till it has penetrated every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” ( History of the Church, 4:540)
After Jesus quoted these great prophecies, He said to the people, “Ye ought to search these things” ( 3 Nephi 23:1).
3 Nephi 23
1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to asearch these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of bIsaiah.
2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; atherefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.
3 And all things that he spake have been and ashall be, even according to the words which he spake.
We have heard much lately of studying and reading the scriptures, in stake conference as well as general conference. Those of you who have taken on this challenge know the benefits from doing so. Your life changes immeasurably.
Here, the Savior is very specific in commanding the Nephites, and those who read their record to search the words of Isaiah diligently. Why is it so important for us to do this?
Bruce R. McConkie:
If our eternal salvation depends upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully
and truly as Nephi understood them – and who shall say that such is not the case! – how shall we fare in that great day when with Nephi we shall stand before the pleasing bar of Him who said: Great are the words of Isaiah? It just may be that my salvation (and yours also!) does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them. For that matter, why should either Nephi or Isaiah know anything that is withheld from us? Does not that God who is no respecter of persons treat all his children alike? Has he not given us his promise and recited to us the terms and conditions of his law pursuant to which he will reveal to us what he has revealed to them? Bruce R. McConkie, Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah, Ensign, Oct 1973, p. 78.
Victor L. Ludlow:
Isaiah, when facing a difficult teaching situation, did not use the parable as a tool; instead, he veiled his message in clouds of symbolism, poetry, and complex terminology. In other words, instead of speaking at a simple level and letting his listeners build upon that foundation, Isaiah
spoke at a high intellectual and spiritual level, thus challenging or even forcing his listeners to attain that level before they could begin to understand his words. Isaiah was not only difficult, he was deliberately difficult. We must study his words, wrestle with them, and ponder them at great length before his powerful, sublime teachings begin to emerge and inspire us. Because of this, it is easy to become discouraged and give up before we begin to understand his message. However, through serious and prayerful study, when we finally grasp the language and ideas of a particular chapter until they not only make sense, but enlighten and inspire as well, we realize that we have arrived at a profound level of understanding. Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet, 134-135)
The Savior also commanded the people to “ Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things” . The prophets all testify of Jesus Christ. By studying their words, our testimonies are strengthened of Him.
6 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not.
7 And it came to pass that he said unto aNephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.
8 And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:
9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant aSamuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were bmany csaints who should darise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?
10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.
11 And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not awritten this thing, that many bsaints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?
12 And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.
13 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be awritten; therefore it was written according as he commanded.
14 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had aexpounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should bteach the things which he had expounded unto them.
Why was it so important for the people to include the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the resurrection?
(Neal A. Maxwell:
“The resurrected Jesus made a special point of ensuring that this glorious event—witnessed alike on two hemispheres, and in which all mortals have an inexpressibly important and personal stake—was likewise carefully recorded. In fact, Jesus, noting the neglect of Samuel's prophecy, commanded that it be written. (See 3 Nephi 23:9-11.) No wonder, for He anticipated the subsequent reactions to the reality of the resurrection, such as those of the Athenians to Paul's preaching: ‘And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.’ (Acts 17:32.) Jesus, the Jehovah of the Old Testament (who had been so careful to see that much lesser facts were carefully established in the mouths of two or three witnesses), insisted that the two central facts of human history, the atonement and the resurrection, be carefully established in the pages of the two great written witnesses of Him and the resurrection. Such careful correlation and amplified attesting would surely not surprise previous prophets—nor should it us. The above is not recited just to note how reassuringly tidy the restored gospel is, nor how impressively exacting about facts the Lord is. Instead, one should ask, ‘What knowledge does the world need to have more than the sure testimony and evidence that Jesus is the Christ and that His atonement actually accomplished God's great plan of redemption, whereby mankind will be blessed with immortality?’ In a world filled increasingly with drift, disbelief, and despair, what more welcome ‘good news’ could be given?” (Plain and Precious Things, p. 30))
Jesus also commanded the people to write some of the words of the prophet Malachi. Why were these words absent from the Nephite’s record?
Malachi was an Old Testament Prophet who lived nearly 200 years after Lehi left Jerusalem.
Why are these chapters particularly important to us?
They deal with the second coming of the Lord
3 Nephi 24
1 And it came to pass that he commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Father unto Malachi—Behold, I will asend my bmessenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly ccome to his temple, even the dmessenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts
Who is the messenger that the Father is referring to?
One may fairly ask, “If John was the Elias of Christ’s First Coming, then who was the
Elias of Christ’s Second Coming? Was it John the Baptist? Was it Joseph Smith?” The answer is
found in the D&C, I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the
world…and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me (DC 45:9). This is
according to the restorative functions of the doctrine of Elias, for there were many angels who
brought their keys back to the earth to establish the everlasting covenant in preparation for the Lord’s Second Coming. Bruce R. McConkie said, “Who is the promised Elias who was to come and restore all things?…Was it one man? Certainly not. Many angelic ministrants have been sent from the courts of glory to confer keys and powers, to commit their dispensations and glories again to men on earth…it is apparent that no one messenger has carried the whole burden of the restoration.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 221)
Joseph Smith:
“The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, and 4 in the Old Testament. These chapters contain significant doctrinal material that reveals much concerning the Lord's coming. Perhaps that is why the Lord directed that they be written in the Nephite record, and perhaps it is why Mormon was inspired to include them in his Book of Mormon abridgment for us. Because of the fragmented nature of the material in Malachi 3 and 4, in which a diverse variety of topics is discussed in short (sometimes unconnected) segments, this section appears to be a collection of utterances—a quote book—and not a continuous prophecy. Perhaps some of the brief quotations may not even be those of Malachi himself. Elder Bruce R. McConkie suggested that Malachi was quoting (specifically in Mal. 4:1-2) from the words of the ancient
prophet Zenos, whose writings were contained on the plates of brass but are not found in the Bible as it stands today. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Doctrinal Restoration, Studies in Scriptures, 8:197-198, 206.) holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all.” (Teachings, p. 340)
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine aordinances, and have not kept them. bReturn unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In atithes and bofferings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the cwindows of heaven, and pour you out a dblessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the adevourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Why does the Lord require us to pay tithes and offerings?
(LeGrand Richards:
“In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, September 11, 1831, the Lord made very plain the importance of observing the law of tithing: ‘Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.’ (D&C 64:23.) How could one's conscience not burn within him upon the coming of the Son of Man, if he realized that he had made no contribution to the expense of establishing God's kingdom in the earth. Especially would this be so when one realizes that all that he has, he obtained from the Lord, who created the earth and the fulness thereof, and who gave us our lives and our being upon this earth, with a promise that we might inherit the earth eternally, if we are faithful.
Should we, then, not be willing to pay something for such an inheritance? It is not uncommon for a man in this life to pay money for ten to twenty-five years to purchase a small plot of ground for his use while he lives upon the earth. Should he be less interested in acquiring an eternal inheritance?” ( A Marvelous Work And A Wonder, p. 368-9)
3 Nephi 25
5 Behold, I will send you aElijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful bday of the Lord;
6 And he shall aturn the heart of the bfathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and csmite the earth with a curse.
What is the purpose of Elijah’s mission?
Elijah will reveal unto men the priesthood. He will bring again the sealing power and authorize mortals to use the priesthood to bind on earth and seal everlastingly in the heavens.
Elijah shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers. He shall reveal the covenants of the fathers ( Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) in relation to the children. What were the promises? The continuation of the family unit in eternity- of posterity in numbers as the dust of the earth and the stars of the firmament- of eternal increase and of the consequent glory, and honor and exaltation.
Elijah shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. His coming will unite families in this life and in eternity. Because he comes, all the ordinances of salvation and exaltation shall be binding on earth and in heaven, both for the living and the dead. The tremendous amount of family history work being done in the church and out is a testament to the spirit of Elijah at work.
Elijah’s coming will keep the earth from being smitten with a curse and from being utterly wasted at our Lord’s return. If the sealing power was not given to men, there would be no harvest of saved souls when the Lord reaps in his fields. Thus the vineyard would be cursed, it would be wasted, it would have failed to serve the useful purpose for which it was created.
“ Keep in mind this: that when the full measure of Elijah’s mission is understood, that the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children. It applies just as much on this side of the veil as it does on the other side of the veil. If we neglect our families here in having family home night and we fail in our responsibilities here, how could we feel that we are doing our full duty in turning the hearts of our children to their fathers..so, the hearts of you fathers and mothers must be turned to your children right now if you have the true spirit of Elijah, and not think that it applies merely to those who are beyond the veil. Let your hearts be turned to your children, and teach your children but you must do it when they are young enough to be properly schooled. If you are neglecting your family home evening, you are neglecting your genealogy research work. ( Priesthood Genealogy Seminar, 1973, quoted in Leaun G. Otten and C. Max Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the D&C, 2 vols. [ Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982], 1:16.)
3 Nephi 26
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small.
2 And he saith: aThese scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations.
3 And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the atime that he should come in his bglory—yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the celements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be dwrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away;
4 And even unto the agreat and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall bstand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
The Lord expounds all things unto the Nephites- from the creation until the second coming. This information is available to us as well, through the holy scriptures. By prayer and personal revelation, we too, can have all things expounded unto us.
In his record, Mormon included only the lesser part of what Jesus taught the people. This was done to try our faith- that we put forth the personal effort to receive the fullness.
President Spencer W. Kimball
I have had many people ask me through the years, ‘When do you think we will get the balance of the Book of Mormon records?’ And I have said, ‘How many in the congregation would like to read the sealed portion of the plates?’ And almost always there is a 100-percent response. And then I ask the same congregation, ‘How many of you have read the part that has been opened to us?’ And there are many who have not read the Book of Mormon, the unsealed portion. We are quite often looking for the spectacular, the unobtainable. I have found many people who want to live the higher laws when they do not live the lower laws” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 531–32).
The Savior showed us the importance of the scriptures by quoting them, commanding the people to search them, and adding to them. As we search, ponder and pray about the scriptures, we will understand them more deeply and be able to teach them to others more effectively.
3 Nephi 22-26
As members of the Lord’s true church on earth today, we believe that we lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven with him before we were born into our earthly tabernacle.
It was there, in this pre-existence that “the most marvelous system ever devised for administering salvation to all men in all nations in all ages “ ( Millennial Messiah p. 182) was planned.
Israel, the Lord’s chosen people, were a congregation set apart. These were the Father’s spirit children who acquired a talent for spirituality, who chose to heed the divine word then given, and who sought, above their fellows, to do good and work righteousness. These were all foreordained to be born in the house of Israel. They earned the right to be born as the Lord’s people and have the privilege, on a preferential basis, of believing and obeying the word of truth. Believing blood, the blood of Abraham, flows in their veins. They are the ones of whom Jesus Said, “ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.( John 10:27)
(Millennial Messiah p.182-3)
Moses said, “ When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” (Duet. 32:8-9) Jehovah said to Israel anciently, “ If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (Ex. 19:5-6) For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord they God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth (Duet. 7:6; 14:2). Peter said to Israel in his day: “ Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) (Millennial Messiah p. 183)
Adam was sent by the Father first, to be the father of all living; Noah also was sent , and became the father of all living from his day onward; and Abraham came to be the father of the faithful, the father of all who believe and obey the gospel from his day onward as long as the earth shall stand. The seed of Abraham, then the seed of Isaac, and then the seed of Jacob comprise the chosen people, a people who will first save themselves and who then offer salvation to all men.
From Jacob were formed the 12 tribes of Israel, who were scattered because they apostatized; they broke the Ten Commandments; they rejected the prophets and seers; they forsook their covenants; because they became as the world. Because of their iniquities, the Lord let Israel suffer and live and be as the world. They were carried into captivity by other nations and spread far and wide with ten of the tribes becoming lost.
Ephraim is the presiding tribe in Israel. He plays the chief role in both the scattering and the gathering of the Chosen seed. It is his privilege to lay the foundation for the Second coming, a part that has already commenced.
Speaking of the day of gathering and of the people who should bring it to pass, Moses said: “Joseph..shall push the people together to the ends of the earth.” The tribe of Joseph shall do it! And who is Joseph? Moses continues: “ And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Thus, if Israel is to be scattered in all nations upon all the face of the earth; if she is to be gathered by the tribe of Joseph; if Ephraim has the birthright and is the presiding tribe; if the other tribes are to receive their blessings from Ephraim-then Ephraim must also be in all nations upon all the face of the earth, and Ephraim must be the first tribe to gather in the last days. And so it is. (Millennial Messiah 190-191)
We learned last week of the preceding events of this gathering:
There would be a free nation raised up in America where the Gospel would be restored among the Gentiles.
The Lord would perform a marvelous work and wonder in bringing forth the Book of Mormon
The Lord would raise up a servant, a prophet to accomplish his work that would be marred because of them, but the Lord would heal him.
In October 2008 General Conference , Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the quorum of the twelve apostles quoted Joseph Smith as saying, “ The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society course of study, 2007], 186).
This great task of gathering Israel in the latter days to build Zion is ours. This is what the Savior speaks about as he quotes Isaiah chapter 54 in 3 Nephi Chapter 22.
The Savior begins this beautiful poem by describing his relationship with his covenant people as that of a husband and wife.
3 Nephi 22: 1-2
1 And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O abarren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into bsinging, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the cdesolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy astakes;
Here scattered Israel is referred to as the children of the desolate. while the members of the church ate the children of the married wife. The numbers to be gathered are great-Israel’s conversion, gathering, and return to the lands of her inheritance will require strong, enlarged stakes in Zion. Scattered Israel will gather in such numbers as to be so huge as to cause any prior miracles to pale in comparison.
With this in mind, what is our responsibility as members of the church, of gathered Ephraim, in enlarging the place of thy tent and strengthening thy stakes?
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion..
“.. Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony and promotes family solidarity and individual righteousness” (“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 2, 4).
What can we do individually and as families to ensure that our stakes are a refuge and a defense against evil?
4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to ashame; for thou shalt forget the bshame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the creproach of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5 For thy maker, thy ahusband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel—the God of the whole earth shall he be called
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “The imagery of Jehovah as bridegroom and Israel as bride is among the most commonly used metaphors in scripture, being used by the Lord and his prophets to describe the relationship between Deity and the children of the covenant.
What does this metaphor tell you about how the Lord feels about his covenant people?
7 For a small moment have I aforsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Christ has, on occasion, been rightfully angry with backsliding Israel, but that has always been brief and temporary—’a small moment.’ Compassion and mercy always return and prevail in a most reassuring way. The mountains and the hills may disappear. The water of the great seas may dry up. … But the Lord’s kindness and peace will never be taken from his covenant people. He has sworn with a heavenly oath that he will not be wroth with them forever” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 290).
11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy astones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
13 And aall thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the bpeace of thy children.
Even in the midst and aftermath of great affliction, the Lord will shower material and spiritual blessings on Israel, including those jewels and precious metals that will be used to build the New Jerusalem ( Christ and the New Covenant, 291)
“Zion shall begin to be built before the time of Christ’s second coming in glory. The Saints who are gathered in all nations shall live for a season in love and peace ( despite the degenerative condition of the world) prior to the Millennium. Because of the goodness of those who have given themselves fully to the Lord and his cause, their meetings shall be Pentecostal outpourings; the Spirit of God shall truly burn like a fire in their hearts. Prophecy and revelation and healings and angelic ministrations shall abound, for the faith of the Saints shall have rent the damning veil of unbelief and opened the heavens to the gifts and wonders enjoyed by the former-day Saints. And these spiritual experiences shall be multiplied immeasurably after the glorious return of the Master. When wickedness and enmity shall have been removed from this earth, there will be no end to the truths to be taught, the miracles to be performed, the outpourings to be enjoyed. DCBM 4:156)
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the aservants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “ No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, till it has penetrated every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” ( History of the Church, 4:540)
After Jesus quoted these great prophecies, He said to the people, “Ye ought to search these things” ( 3 Nephi 23:1).
3 Nephi 23
1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to asearch these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of bIsaiah.
2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; atherefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.
3 And all things that he spake have been and ashall be, even according to the words which he spake.
We have heard much lately of studying and reading the scriptures, in stake conference as well as general conference. Those of you who have taken on this challenge know the benefits from doing so. Your life changes immeasurably.
Here, the Savior is very specific in commanding the Nephites, and those who read their record to search the words of Isaiah diligently. Why is it so important for us to do this?
Bruce R. McConkie:
If our eternal salvation depends upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully
and truly as Nephi understood them – and who shall say that such is not the case! – how shall we fare in that great day when with Nephi we shall stand before the pleasing bar of Him who said: Great are the words of Isaiah? It just may be that my salvation (and yours also!) does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them. For that matter, why should either Nephi or Isaiah know anything that is withheld from us? Does not that God who is no respecter of persons treat all his children alike? Has he not given us his promise and recited to us the terms and conditions of his law pursuant to which he will reveal to us what he has revealed to them? Bruce R. McConkie, Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah, Ensign, Oct 1973, p. 78.
Victor L. Ludlow:
Isaiah, when facing a difficult teaching situation, did not use the parable as a tool; instead, he veiled his message in clouds of symbolism, poetry, and complex terminology. In other words, instead of speaking at a simple level and letting his listeners build upon that foundation, Isaiah
spoke at a high intellectual and spiritual level, thus challenging or even forcing his listeners to attain that level before they could begin to understand his words. Isaiah was not only difficult, he was deliberately difficult. We must study his words, wrestle with them, and ponder them at great length before his powerful, sublime teachings begin to emerge and inspire us. Because of this, it is easy to become discouraged and give up before we begin to understand his message. However, through serious and prayerful study, when we finally grasp the language and ideas of a particular chapter until they not only make sense, but enlighten and inspire as well, we realize that we have arrived at a profound level of understanding. Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet, 134-135)
The Savior also commanded the people to “ Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things” . The prophets all testify of Jesus Christ. By studying their words, our testimonies are strengthened of Him.
6 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not.
7 And it came to pass that he said unto aNephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.
8 And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:
9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant aSamuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were bmany csaints who should darise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?
10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.
11 And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not awritten this thing, that many bsaints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?
12 And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.
13 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be awritten; therefore it was written according as he commanded.
14 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had aexpounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should bteach the things which he had expounded unto them.
Why was it so important for the people to include the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the resurrection?
(Neal A. Maxwell:
“The resurrected Jesus made a special point of ensuring that this glorious event—witnessed alike on two hemispheres, and in which all mortals have an inexpressibly important and personal stake—was likewise carefully recorded. In fact, Jesus, noting the neglect of Samuel's prophecy, commanded that it be written. (See 3 Nephi 23:9-11.) No wonder, for He anticipated the subsequent reactions to the reality of the resurrection, such as those of the Athenians to Paul's preaching: ‘And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.’ (Acts 17:32.) Jesus, the Jehovah of the Old Testament (who had been so careful to see that much lesser facts were carefully established in the mouths of two or three witnesses), insisted that the two central facts of human history, the atonement and the resurrection, be carefully established in the pages of the two great written witnesses of Him and the resurrection. Such careful correlation and amplified attesting would surely not surprise previous prophets—nor should it us. The above is not recited just to note how reassuringly tidy the restored gospel is, nor how impressively exacting about facts the Lord is. Instead, one should ask, ‘What knowledge does the world need to have more than the sure testimony and evidence that Jesus is the Christ and that His atonement actually accomplished God's great plan of redemption, whereby mankind will be blessed with immortality?’ In a world filled increasingly with drift, disbelief, and despair, what more welcome ‘good news’ could be given?” (Plain and Precious Things, p. 30))
Jesus also commanded the people to write some of the words of the prophet Malachi. Why were these words absent from the Nephite’s record?
Malachi was an Old Testament Prophet who lived nearly 200 years after Lehi left Jerusalem.
Why are these chapters particularly important to us?
They deal with the second coming of the Lord
3 Nephi 24
1 And it came to pass that he commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Father unto Malachi—Behold, I will asend my bmessenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly ccome to his temple, even the dmessenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts
Who is the messenger that the Father is referring to?
One may fairly ask, “If John was the Elias of Christ’s First Coming, then who was the
Elias of Christ’s Second Coming? Was it John the Baptist? Was it Joseph Smith?” The answer is
found in the D&C, I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the
world…and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me (DC 45:9). This is
according to the restorative functions of the doctrine of Elias, for there were many angels who
brought their keys back to the earth to establish the everlasting covenant in preparation for the Lord’s Second Coming. Bruce R. McConkie said, “Who is the promised Elias who was to come and restore all things?…Was it one man? Certainly not. Many angelic ministrants have been sent from the courts of glory to confer keys and powers, to commit their dispensations and glories again to men on earth…it is apparent that no one messenger has carried the whole burden of the restoration.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 221)
Joseph Smith:
“The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, and 4 in the Old Testament. These chapters contain significant doctrinal material that reveals much concerning the Lord's coming. Perhaps that is why the Lord directed that they be written in the Nephite record, and perhaps it is why Mormon was inspired to include them in his Book of Mormon abridgment for us. Because of the fragmented nature of the material in Malachi 3 and 4, in which a diverse variety of topics is discussed in short (sometimes unconnected) segments, this section appears to be a collection of utterances—a quote book—and not a continuous prophecy. Perhaps some of the brief quotations may not even be those of Malachi himself. Elder Bruce R. McConkie suggested that Malachi was quoting (specifically in Mal. 4:1-2) from the words of the ancient
prophet Zenos, whose writings were contained on the plates of brass but are not found in the Bible as it stands today. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Doctrinal Restoration, Studies in Scriptures, 8:197-198, 206.) holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all.” (Teachings, p. 340)
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine aordinances, and have not kept them. bReturn unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In atithes and bofferings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the cwindows of heaven, and pour you out a dblessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the adevourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Why does the Lord require us to pay tithes and offerings?
(LeGrand Richards:
“In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, September 11, 1831, the Lord made very plain the importance of observing the law of tithing: ‘Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.’ (D&C 64:23.) How could one's conscience not burn within him upon the coming of the Son of Man, if he realized that he had made no contribution to the expense of establishing God's kingdom in the earth. Especially would this be so when one realizes that all that he has, he obtained from the Lord, who created the earth and the fulness thereof, and who gave us our lives and our being upon this earth, with a promise that we might inherit the earth eternally, if we are faithful.
Should we, then, not be willing to pay something for such an inheritance? It is not uncommon for a man in this life to pay money for ten to twenty-five years to purchase a small plot of ground for his use while he lives upon the earth. Should he be less interested in acquiring an eternal inheritance?” ( A Marvelous Work And A Wonder, p. 368-9)
3 Nephi 25
5 Behold, I will send you aElijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful bday of the Lord;
6 And he shall aturn the heart of the bfathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and csmite the earth with a curse.
What is the purpose of Elijah’s mission?
Elijah will reveal unto men the priesthood. He will bring again the sealing power and authorize mortals to use the priesthood to bind on earth and seal everlastingly in the heavens.
Elijah shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers. He shall reveal the covenants of the fathers ( Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) in relation to the children. What were the promises? The continuation of the family unit in eternity- of posterity in numbers as the dust of the earth and the stars of the firmament- of eternal increase and of the consequent glory, and honor and exaltation.
Elijah shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. His coming will unite families in this life and in eternity. Because he comes, all the ordinances of salvation and exaltation shall be binding on earth and in heaven, both for the living and the dead. The tremendous amount of family history work being done in the church and out is a testament to the spirit of Elijah at work.
Elijah’s coming will keep the earth from being smitten with a curse and from being utterly wasted at our Lord’s return. If the sealing power was not given to men, there would be no harvest of saved souls when the Lord reaps in his fields. Thus the vineyard would be cursed, it would be wasted, it would have failed to serve the useful purpose for which it was created.
“ Keep in mind this: that when the full measure of Elijah’s mission is understood, that the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children. It applies just as much on this side of the veil as it does on the other side of the veil. If we neglect our families here in having family home night and we fail in our responsibilities here, how could we feel that we are doing our full duty in turning the hearts of our children to their fathers..so, the hearts of you fathers and mothers must be turned to your children right now if you have the true spirit of Elijah, and not think that it applies merely to those who are beyond the veil. Let your hearts be turned to your children, and teach your children but you must do it when they are young enough to be properly schooled. If you are neglecting your family home evening, you are neglecting your genealogy research work. ( Priesthood Genealogy Seminar, 1973, quoted in Leaun G. Otten and C. Max Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the D&C, 2 vols. [ Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982], 1:16.)
3 Nephi 26
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small.
2 And he saith: aThese scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations.
3 And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the atime that he should come in his bglory—yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the celements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be dwrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away;
4 And even unto the agreat and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall bstand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
The Lord expounds all things unto the Nephites- from the creation until the second coming. This information is available to us as well, through the holy scriptures. By prayer and personal revelation, we too, can have all things expounded unto us.
In his record, Mormon included only the lesser part of what Jesus taught the people. This was done to try our faith- that we put forth the personal effort to receive the fullness.
President Spencer W. Kimball
I have had many people ask me through the years, ‘When do you think we will get the balance of the Book of Mormon records?’ And I have said, ‘How many in the congregation would like to read the sealed portion of the plates?’ And almost always there is a 100-percent response. And then I ask the same congregation, ‘How many of you have read the part that has been opened to us?’ And there are many who have not read the Book of Mormon, the unsealed portion. We are quite often looking for the spectacular, the unobtainable. I have found many people who want to live the higher laws when they do not live the lower laws” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 531–32).
The Savior showed us the importance of the scriptures by quoting them, commanding the people to search them, and adding to them. As we search, ponder and pray about the scriptures, we will understand them more deeply and be able to teach them to others more effectively.
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