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.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Behold My Joy is Full
Behold My Joy is Full
3 Nephi 17-19
I am excited to get to discuss these chapters today- they are among my favorite in the Book of Mormon. The reason I like them so much is they give us insight to Jesus as a very personal, kind, merciful, loving Savior. We know that his appearance to the Nephites foreshadows the Millenial appearance when he will come with healing in his wings to prepare for the ultimate triumph of the plan of salvation..
Jesus has been with the Nephites giving them the fullness of the gospel. He has instructed them in the higher law that is to be lived now that the law of Moses has been fulfilled In him.
3 Nephi 17
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my atime is at hand.
2 I aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and bprepare your minds for the cmorrow, and I come unto you again
How would pondering help prepare the Nephites for what Jesus would teach them the following day?
Marvin J. Ashton
Pondering means to weigh mentally, to think deeply about, to meditate. By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we read the scriptures, our hearts and minds are touched. If we use the gift to ponder, we can take these eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate them into our daily actions. (Marvin J. Ashton, “‘There Are Many Gifts’,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 20).
Pondering is an action- one which we must take the initiative in if we expect to glean the reward. It is an outward expression of a desire for further light and knowledge from our Father.
Catherine Thomas
The Lord reminded us of the place our agency has in our receiving spiritual growth and blessing. We may understand spiritual experience too passively, waiting for something to happen to
us. Perhaps we wait too patiently for the arrival of the spiritual blessings we need. We may not realize that many blessings require, initially, acts of will on our part, a labor in the spirit, a setting aside of time: cleansing of selfish purpose from the heart, submission, envisioning the blessing, thanks in anticipation of receiving the blessing. God gave us agency, and it may have more power than we have used. Studies in Scripture, 8:182-83
3 Nephi 17
4 But now I ago unto the Father, and also to bshow myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not clost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with acompassion towards you.
The savior was filled with compassion and empathy for all those who suffered from any ailment: physical, spiritual and emotional. He knew exactly what they felt. How? Because he had experienced it. “His compassion and mercy had been thoroughly perfected in Gethsemane and on Golgotha as he partook of the “bitter cup”. DCBM 4:115. As Alma had prophesied, because of his suffering by accomplishing the atonement, Christ knew perfectly how to succor his people.
7 Have ye any that are asick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will cheal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your afaith is bsufficient that I should heal you.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their ablind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did akiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.
*********Show Video Here *******
The Lord healed the Nephites because of their faith, because the Nephites wanted to be a part of what he had done in Jerusalem, because of His great love for them and because in order to be equal in spiritual things, it is necessary to be equal in temporal things.
11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their alittle children should be brought.
12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.
13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should akneel down upon the ground.
What is the significance of asking for the little children to be brought to Him?
The Savior’s love for little children is not only evidence of his divine compassion but was also symbolic of the requirements for the gospel.
Matt 18:3
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little achildren, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we are all able to put off the natural man and become as little children- literally born again as the spiritual sons and daughters of Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 3:19
19 For the anatural bman is an cenemy to God, and has been from the dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he eyields to the enticings of the Holy fSpirit, and gputteth off the hnatural man and becometh a isaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a jchild, ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Jesus commanded the multitude to kneel upon the ground prior to Him offering the prayer to His father. Why is kneeling a significant part of the prayer process?
Kneeling allows you to completely focus on what is being said. It is not an ordinary position. It shows your willingness to humble yourself before the Father. You are more receptive. You are alert and waiting.
14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am atroubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also aknelt upon the earth; and behold he bprayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The aeye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
Why could the things that Jesus spoke unto the Father not be recorded?
“The reason that words cannot describe such prayers is not that they are secret, but rather that mortal language cannot adequately capture the language of the Spirit. “ DCBM 4:117
18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the ajoy of the multitude that they were overcome.
19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.
20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And anow behold, my joy is full.
As children, we have a natural desire to please our parents and make them happy. How do we do this? By being obedient. The same is true with our relationship with our Father In heaven and his son Jesus Christ. Their joy is full when we exercise faith to action which leads to repentance and the bringing of our brothers and sisters to the gospel.
21 And when he had said these words, he awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and aencircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
25 And the multitude did see and ahear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.
(“Can we imagine anything more lovely, more touching, and more glorious, than this scene must have been? Can we conceive the joy that must have filled the hearts of these Nephites as they beheld the angels of Heaven descending from the Courts of Glory and ministering to their little ones? How deep must have been their love for the Savior. Who had brought these blessings to them? How strong must have grown their faith in Him? We cannot recall a circumstance in recorded history that draws Earth nearer to Heaven than this, or that seems to bind the ties so strongly that unite the Powers of Eternity with the children of mortality.” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 7, p. 175))
When Nephi tells us that the angels ministered unto the children, what does that mean?
Hugh Nibley
“When angels come and minister, what they do is bring the word. That’s what their ministry is, to bring the word, so they come and talk with us. But minister is a two-way road. You talk back and forth. It’s not just a vision or revelation-they come to chat and discuss. That’s what ministry is-to take care of you, to explain things to you, to satisfy you. “ ( Teachings of the Book of Mormon 3:364)
Can you imagine the powerful witnesses these children made of the Savior to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren? Not to mention to all those who read the Book of Mormon?
After the Savior blessed the children, He instituted the sacrament among the Nephites. What specifically do we learn about the sacrament from 3 Ne 18:1-11?
a. The sacrament must be blessed and passed by those who have been ordained to do so (3 Nephi 18:5).
b. The sacrament is to be administered to all worthy members of the Church (3 Nephi 18:5, 11).
c. The bread and wine represent the body and blood of the Savior (3 Nephi 18:7, 11; see also D&C 27:2, noting that today we use water instead of wine).
Why did the Savior institute the Sacrament?
As sacrifice was thus to cease with the occurrence of the great event toward which it pointed, there must needs be a new ordinance to replace it, an ordinance which also would center the attention of the saints on the infinite and eternal atonement. And so Jesus…initiated the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Sacrifice stopped and sacrament started. It was the end of the old era, the beginning of the new. Sacrifice looked forward to the shed blood and bruised flesh of the Lamb of God. The sacrament was to be in remembrance of his spilt blood and broken flesh, the emblems, bread and wine, typifying such as completely as had the shedding of the
blood of animals in their days. Bruce R. McConkie, DNTC, 1:719-20)
What is the purpose of the sacrament?
To renew our covenants
Which covenants are we renewing?
According to our latter-day prophets and leaders, when you partake of the sacrament you renew whatever covenants you have made with the Lord. For example, if you have been baptized only, that is the covenant you renew. If you have received the Melchizedek Priesthood, you also renew that part of the oath and covenant related to your having received that priesthood. If you have received your endowment, you also renew the covenants associated with it. Further, if you have been sealed, you also renew that covenant. In other words, when you partake of the sacrament, you renew all the covenants you have made with the Lord. John E. MacKay, Ensign, Mar 1995, 66)
President Spencer W. Kimball elaborated on this theme: “Remembering covenants prevents apostasy. That is the real purpose of the sacrament, to keep us from forgetting, to help us to remember … [that which we have] covenanted at the water’s edge or at the sacrament table and in the temple.” 3 President Kimball further said: “The Savior emphasized that the tangible bread and water of the Sacrament were to remind us continually of the sacrifice he made for us and for renewal of our covenants of righteousness. … If a person, not a member of the Church, is in the congregation, we do not forbid him partaking of [the sacrament], but would properly advise that the sacrament is for the renewing of covenants. And, since he has not made the true covenant of baptism or temple covenant, he is exempt.” 4
The Sacrament is the ordinance that allows us to remember all other ordinances we have participated in and made covenants in. Because it is an ordinance, preparations should be made prior to participating in it.
What should we do to prepare ourselves to receive the sacrament?
If we were planning to attend a great banquet where the finest foods available would be served, we would go hungry, with an appetite. If not, the food would not be at all tempting or attractive to us, nor would it do us good.
The same is true of the sacrament table. We must come hungering and thirsting after righteousness and spiritual growth. This requires the act of reviewing our lives, repenting of our sins and misdeeds, having a broken heart and contrite spirit.
When we do this, the Savior promises us that we will have His spirit to be with us always.
Elder Melvin J. Ballard
“ No man goes away from this Church and becomes apostate in a week, nor in a month. It is a slow process. The one thing that would make for the safety of every man and woman would be to appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day. We would not get very far away in a week- not so far away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not rectify wrongs we may have done.”
It is a tremendous blessing to be able to partake of the Sacrament each week. It is the most important reason we come to church. By doing so, we stir our hearts to remembrance the love the Savior has for us and His intense desire to have us return to Him.
Jesus also instructs the Nephites on prayer, family prayer, and how transgressors and dealt with in the kingdom. He then lays his hands upon the disciples he has chosen and sets them apart to minister to the people.
3 Nephi 18
37 And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the Disciples bare record that he gave them apower to give the bHoly Ghost. And I will show unto you chereafter that this record is true.
38 And it came to pass that when Jesus had touched them all, there came a acloud and overshadowed the multitude that they could not see Jesus.
39 And while they were overshadowed he adeparted from them, and ascended into heaven. And the Disciples saw and did bear record that he ascended again into heaven.
3 Nephi 19
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every man did take his wife and his children and did return to his own home.
2 And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the amorrow unto the multitude.
3 Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude
Hugh Nibley: “Now there's a reminder of that exciting passage from Thycidides where it says ‘that night, no man slept.’ It's like Christmas Eve-the tremendous excitement about the great thing that's going to happen tomorrow. Everybody is rushing around spreading the news: The Lord has finally come. He's going to be here tomorrow…The multitude dispersed. Everybody went home, but they didn't go to bed…A great thing is going to happen; we're going to receive a great gift tomorrow. We're going to get the gospel tomorrow. They're all excited about it. As I said, not a man slept.” (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, lecture 85, p. 355))
The next day, Nephi and the remainder of the twelve ( names are mentioned in verse 4) went among the people. They divided them into smaller groups of 12 where they taught the people and prayed with them.
What did the Nephites specifically pray for? Why?
9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the aHoly Ghost should be given unto them.
(Jeffrey R. Holland: “As Christ had not yet appeared to them for this second day (and
because the Father and Son could not permanently be with them—or us—in a telestial world), the next best companionship came from that member of the Godhead who can be with mortals permanently—the Holy Ghost. In their ministry these newly called apostles could not always have the daily, physical presence of the Savior with them. Nevertheless, because they were to lead the Church of Jesus Christ in righteousness and be witnesses of his name throughout the Nephite world, they would surely need the prompting, the protection, the revelation, and the comfort of that One who is the spiritual extension and telestial representative of the Father and the Son. In our own time the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked wherein The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differed from other religions of the day. He replied that the distinction lay in ‘the gift of the Holy Ghost’ and that all other considerations ‘were contained in that gift.’ In light of these experiences—ancient or modern, Old World or New—perhaps all disciples of Christ, all members of his true Church, should pray for the influence and guidance of the Holy Ghost as that heavenly gift ‘which they most desire.’” (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 278)
Ed J. Pinegar
“Why would the Nephites desire the Holy Ghost so fervently? Elder Parley P. Pratt answered this question when he described the extraordinary characteristics of this remarkable power: The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual
man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.’ (Key to Theology, 1978, pp. 101-2)” (Especially for Missionaries, vol. 4, p. 2-3))
10 And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them.
11 And it came to pass that Nephi went down ainto the water and was bbaptized.
12 And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.
13 And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come aup out of the water, the bHoly Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
14 And behold, they were aencircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
15 And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them
Why was it necessary for Nephi and the twelve to be baptized again?
After the crucifixion of the Savior there came a new order of things. The law of Moses came to an end, and with it, sacrifice of animals ceased, and the fulness of the gospel was ushered in. Therefore in this new order it became necessary for all those who had been previously baptized to be baptized again. Therefore in the new order, Jesus commanded Nephi to be baptized and also the other brethren of the twelve. Following this all of the people were baptized. The conferring of the gift of the Holy Ghost would naturally follow, except in the case of those who had been previously baptized and confirmed. Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:96-97. We have a similar condition in this dispensation. The Prophet
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized by command of the Angel John the Baptist. Several others were baptized before the organization of the Church. However, on the day the church was organized, all who had been previously baptized were baptized again, not for the remission of sins, but for entrance into the Church. In each case the reason was the same. IBID, 3:205-206.)
When Jesus appears among them, he instructs them to kneel and pray . He then went a little way off from them to pray alone. He prayed to the Father in behalf of the people that all who were worthy might receive the Holy Ghost.
How does this prayer compare to the great intercessory prayer Christ gave before His Crucifixion?
We get a clarification in these verses that we do not get in the New Testament.
(Jeffrey R. Holland: “That is, of course, a variation on the great intercessory prayer
Christ offered for his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion in the Old World, praying that his followers might be unified with the Father and the Son, as well as with each other, and be taken from the adverse temptations and evil influences of the world. (Jn 17) From the Savior's language, we see clearly it is the Holy Ghost that provides such unity.” (Christ and the New Covenant, p. 280))
3 Nephi 19
32 And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be awritten by man the words which he prayed.
33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their ahearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed.
34 Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be auttered by man.
35 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them: aSo great bfaith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great cmiracles, because of their dunbelief.
36 Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard.
(“This greater ability of the Nephites to receive the gospel is shown also in the fact that in the New Testament there are about forty parables which Jesus used because so many of the Jews were slow to perceive spiritual things, whereas in 3 Nephi Jesus used no parables among the Nephites because he was able to give them the gospel in direct and plainly spoken words.” (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 29)
The greater our faith, the greater the spiritual outpourings. Let us strive for that level of faith in the latter days that we might be blessed as the Nephites of old.
3 Nephi 17-19
I am excited to get to discuss these chapters today- they are among my favorite in the Book of Mormon. The reason I like them so much is they give us insight to Jesus as a very personal, kind, merciful, loving Savior. We know that his appearance to the Nephites foreshadows the Millenial appearance when he will come with healing in his wings to prepare for the ultimate triumph of the plan of salvation..
Jesus has been with the Nephites giving them the fullness of the gospel. He has instructed them in the higher law that is to be lived now that the law of Moses has been fulfilled In him.
3 Nephi 17
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my atime is at hand.
2 I aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and bprepare your minds for the cmorrow, and I come unto you again
How would pondering help prepare the Nephites for what Jesus would teach them the following day?
Marvin J. Ashton
Pondering means to weigh mentally, to think deeply about, to meditate. By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we read the scriptures, our hearts and minds are touched. If we use the gift to ponder, we can take these eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate them into our daily actions. (Marvin J. Ashton, “‘There Are Many Gifts’,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 20).
Pondering is an action- one which we must take the initiative in if we expect to glean the reward. It is an outward expression of a desire for further light and knowledge from our Father.
Catherine Thomas
The Lord reminded us of the place our agency has in our receiving spiritual growth and blessing. We may understand spiritual experience too passively, waiting for something to happen to
us. Perhaps we wait too patiently for the arrival of the spiritual blessings we need. We may not realize that many blessings require, initially, acts of will on our part, a labor in the spirit, a setting aside of time: cleansing of selfish purpose from the heart, submission, envisioning the blessing, thanks in anticipation of receiving the blessing. God gave us agency, and it may have more power than we have used. Studies in Scripture, 8:182-83
3 Nephi 17
4 But now I ago unto the Father, and also to bshow myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not clost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with acompassion towards you.
The savior was filled with compassion and empathy for all those who suffered from any ailment: physical, spiritual and emotional. He knew exactly what they felt. How? Because he had experienced it. “His compassion and mercy had been thoroughly perfected in Gethsemane and on Golgotha as he partook of the “bitter cup”. DCBM 4:115. As Alma had prophesied, because of his suffering by accomplishing the atonement, Christ knew perfectly how to succor his people.
7 Have ye any that are asick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will cheal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your afaith is bsufficient that I should heal you.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their ablind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did akiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.
*********Show Video Here *******
The Lord healed the Nephites because of their faith, because the Nephites wanted to be a part of what he had done in Jerusalem, because of His great love for them and because in order to be equal in spiritual things, it is necessary to be equal in temporal things.
11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their alittle children should be brought.
12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.
13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should akneel down upon the ground.
What is the significance of asking for the little children to be brought to Him?
The Savior’s love for little children is not only evidence of his divine compassion but was also symbolic of the requirements for the gospel.
Matt 18:3
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little achildren, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we are all able to put off the natural man and become as little children- literally born again as the spiritual sons and daughters of Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 3:19
19 For the anatural bman is an cenemy to God, and has been from the dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he eyields to the enticings of the Holy fSpirit, and gputteth off the hnatural man and becometh a isaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a jchild, ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Jesus commanded the multitude to kneel upon the ground prior to Him offering the prayer to His father. Why is kneeling a significant part of the prayer process?
Kneeling allows you to completely focus on what is being said. It is not an ordinary position. It shows your willingness to humble yourself before the Father. You are more receptive. You are alert and waiting.
14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am atroubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also aknelt upon the earth; and behold he bprayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The aeye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
Why could the things that Jesus spoke unto the Father not be recorded?
“The reason that words cannot describe such prayers is not that they are secret, but rather that mortal language cannot adequately capture the language of the Spirit. “ DCBM 4:117
18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the ajoy of the multitude that they were overcome.
19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.
20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And anow behold, my joy is full.
As children, we have a natural desire to please our parents and make them happy. How do we do this? By being obedient. The same is true with our relationship with our Father In heaven and his son Jesus Christ. Their joy is full when we exercise faith to action which leads to repentance and the bringing of our brothers and sisters to the gospel.
21 And when he had said these words, he awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and aencircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
25 And the multitude did see and ahear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.
(“Can we imagine anything more lovely, more touching, and more glorious, than this scene must have been? Can we conceive the joy that must have filled the hearts of these Nephites as they beheld the angels of Heaven descending from the Courts of Glory and ministering to their little ones? How deep must have been their love for the Savior. Who had brought these blessings to them? How strong must have grown their faith in Him? We cannot recall a circumstance in recorded history that draws Earth nearer to Heaven than this, or that seems to bind the ties so strongly that unite the Powers of Eternity with the children of mortality.” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 7, p. 175))
When Nephi tells us that the angels ministered unto the children, what does that mean?
Hugh Nibley
“When angels come and minister, what they do is bring the word. That’s what their ministry is, to bring the word, so they come and talk with us. But minister is a two-way road. You talk back and forth. It’s not just a vision or revelation-they come to chat and discuss. That’s what ministry is-to take care of you, to explain things to you, to satisfy you. “ ( Teachings of the Book of Mormon 3:364)
Can you imagine the powerful witnesses these children made of the Savior to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren? Not to mention to all those who read the Book of Mormon?
After the Savior blessed the children, He instituted the sacrament among the Nephites. What specifically do we learn about the sacrament from 3 Ne 18:1-11?
a. The sacrament must be blessed and passed by those who have been ordained to do so (3 Nephi 18:5).
b. The sacrament is to be administered to all worthy members of the Church (3 Nephi 18:5, 11).
c. The bread and wine represent the body and blood of the Savior (3 Nephi 18:7, 11; see also D&C 27:2, noting that today we use water instead of wine).
Why did the Savior institute the Sacrament?
As sacrifice was thus to cease with the occurrence of the great event toward which it pointed, there must needs be a new ordinance to replace it, an ordinance which also would center the attention of the saints on the infinite and eternal atonement. And so Jesus…initiated the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Sacrifice stopped and sacrament started. It was the end of the old era, the beginning of the new. Sacrifice looked forward to the shed blood and bruised flesh of the Lamb of God. The sacrament was to be in remembrance of his spilt blood and broken flesh, the emblems, bread and wine, typifying such as completely as had the shedding of the
blood of animals in their days. Bruce R. McConkie, DNTC, 1:719-20)
What is the purpose of the sacrament?
To renew our covenants
Which covenants are we renewing?
According to our latter-day prophets and leaders, when you partake of the sacrament you renew whatever covenants you have made with the Lord. For example, if you have been baptized only, that is the covenant you renew. If you have received the Melchizedek Priesthood, you also renew that part of the oath and covenant related to your having received that priesthood. If you have received your endowment, you also renew the covenants associated with it. Further, if you have been sealed, you also renew that covenant. In other words, when you partake of the sacrament, you renew all the covenants you have made with the Lord. John E. MacKay, Ensign, Mar 1995, 66)
President Spencer W. Kimball elaborated on this theme: “Remembering covenants prevents apostasy. That is the real purpose of the sacrament, to keep us from forgetting, to help us to remember … [that which we have] covenanted at the water’s edge or at the sacrament table and in the temple.” 3 President Kimball further said: “The Savior emphasized that the tangible bread and water of the Sacrament were to remind us continually of the sacrifice he made for us and for renewal of our covenants of righteousness. … If a person, not a member of the Church, is in the congregation, we do not forbid him partaking of [the sacrament], but would properly advise that the sacrament is for the renewing of covenants. And, since he has not made the true covenant of baptism or temple covenant, he is exempt.” 4
The Sacrament is the ordinance that allows us to remember all other ordinances we have participated in and made covenants in. Because it is an ordinance, preparations should be made prior to participating in it.
What should we do to prepare ourselves to receive the sacrament?
If we were planning to attend a great banquet where the finest foods available would be served, we would go hungry, with an appetite. If not, the food would not be at all tempting or attractive to us, nor would it do us good.
The same is true of the sacrament table. We must come hungering and thirsting after righteousness and spiritual growth. This requires the act of reviewing our lives, repenting of our sins and misdeeds, having a broken heart and contrite spirit.
When we do this, the Savior promises us that we will have His spirit to be with us always.
Elder Melvin J. Ballard
“ No man goes away from this Church and becomes apostate in a week, nor in a month. It is a slow process. The one thing that would make for the safety of every man and woman would be to appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day. We would not get very far away in a week- not so far away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not rectify wrongs we may have done.”
It is a tremendous blessing to be able to partake of the Sacrament each week. It is the most important reason we come to church. By doing so, we stir our hearts to remembrance the love the Savior has for us and His intense desire to have us return to Him.
Jesus also instructs the Nephites on prayer, family prayer, and how transgressors and dealt with in the kingdom. He then lays his hands upon the disciples he has chosen and sets them apart to minister to the people.
3 Nephi 18
37 And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the Disciples bare record that he gave them apower to give the bHoly Ghost. And I will show unto you chereafter that this record is true.
38 And it came to pass that when Jesus had touched them all, there came a acloud and overshadowed the multitude that they could not see Jesus.
39 And while they were overshadowed he adeparted from them, and ascended into heaven. And the Disciples saw and did bear record that he ascended again into heaven.
3 Nephi 19
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every man did take his wife and his children and did return to his own home.
2 And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the amorrow unto the multitude.
3 Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude
Hugh Nibley: “Now there's a reminder of that exciting passage from Thycidides where it says ‘that night, no man slept.’ It's like Christmas Eve-the tremendous excitement about the great thing that's going to happen tomorrow. Everybody is rushing around spreading the news: The Lord has finally come. He's going to be here tomorrow…The multitude dispersed. Everybody went home, but they didn't go to bed…A great thing is going to happen; we're going to receive a great gift tomorrow. We're going to get the gospel tomorrow. They're all excited about it. As I said, not a man slept.” (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, lecture 85, p. 355))
The next day, Nephi and the remainder of the twelve ( names are mentioned in verse 4) went among the people. They divided them into smaller groups of 12 where they taught the people and prayed with them.
What did the Nephites specifically pray for? Why?
9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the aHoly Ghost should be given unto them.
(Jeffrey R. Holland: “As Christ had not yet appeared to them for this second day (and
because the Father and Son could not permanently be with them—or us—in a telestial world), the next best companionship came from that member of the Godhead who can be with mortals permanently—the Holy Ghost. In their ministry these newly called apostles could not always have the daily, physical presence of the Savior with them. Nevertheless, because they were to lead the Church of Jesus Christ in righteousness and be witnesses of his name throughout the Nephite world, they would surely need the prompting, the protection, the revelation, and the comfort of that One who is the spiritual extension and telestial representative of the Father and the Son. In our own time the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked wherein The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differed from other religions of the day. He replied that the distinction lay in ‘the gift of the Holy Ghost’ and that all other considerations ‘were contained in that gift.’ In light of these experiences—ancient or modern, Old World or New—perhaps all disciples of Christ, all members of his true Church, should pray for the influence and guidance of the Holy Ghost as that heavenly gift ‘which they most desire.’” (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 278)
Ed J. Pinegar
“Why would the Nephites desire the Holy Ghost so fervently? Elder Parley P. Pratt answered this question when he described the extraordinary characteristics of this remarkable power: The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual
man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.’ (Key to Theology, 1978, pp. 101-2)” (Especially for Missionaries, vol. 4, p. 2-3))
10 And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them.
11 And it came to pass that Nephi went down ainto the water and was bbaptized.
12 And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.
13 And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come aup out of the water, the bHoly Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
14 And behold, they were aencircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
15 And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them
Why was it necessary for Nephi and the twelve to be baptized again?
After the crucifixion of the Savior there came a new order of things. The law of Moses came to an end, and with it, sacrifice of animals ceased, and the fulness of the gospel was ushered in. Therefore in this new order it became necessary for all those who had been previously baptized to be baptized again. Therefore in the new order, Jesus commanded Nephi to be baptized and also the other brethren of the twelve. Following this all of the people were baptized. The conferring of the gift of the Holy Ghost would naturally follow, except in the case of those who had been previously baptized and confirmed. Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:96-97. We have a similar condition in this dispensation. The Prophet
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized by command of the Angel John the Baptist. Several others were baptized before the organization of the Church. However, on the day the church was organized, all who had been previously baptized were baptized again, not for the remission of sins, but for entrance into the Church. In each case the reason was the same. IBID, 3:205-206.)
When Jesus appears among them, he instructs them to kneel and pray . He then went a little way off from them to pray alone. He prayed to the Father in behalf of the people that all who were worthy might receive the Holy Ghost.
How does this prayer compare to the great intercessory prayer Christ gave before His Crucifixion?
We get a clarification in these verses that we do not get in the New Testament.
(Jeffrey R. Holland: “That is, of course, a variation on the great intercessory prayer
Christ offered for his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion in the Old World, praying that his followers might be unified with the Father and the Son, as well as with each other, and be taken from the adverse temptations and evil influences of the world. (Jn 17) From the Savior's language, we see clearly it is the Holy Ghost that provides such unity.” (Christ and the New Covenant, p. 280))
3 Nephi 19
32 And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be awritten by man the words which he prayed.
33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their ahearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed.
34 Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be auttered by man.
35 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them: aSo great bfaith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great cmiracles, because of their dunbelief.
36 Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard.
(“This greater ability of the Nephites to receive the gospel is shown also in the fact that in the New Testament there are about forty parables which Jesus used because so many of the Jews were slow to perceive spiritual things, whereas in 3 Nephi Jesus used no parables among the Nephites because he was able to give them the gospel in direct and plainly spoken words.” (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 29)
The greater our faith, the greater the spiritual outpourings. Let us strive for that level of faith in the latter days that we might be blessed as the Nephites of old.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Whosover Will Come, Him I will receive
Whosoever Will Come, Him I will receive
3 Nephi 8-11
These chapters are the most important Mormon gives to us. They describe the coming of the resurrected Lord to the people of Nephi. It is the event that all other events are referenced to. It is what the people have looked forward to from the time their fathers left Jerusalem. This is the apex of the Book of Mormon.
How else would Mormon begin to describe these events than by bearing his testimony of the truthfulness of this record. What he is about to describe REALLY happened. He knows it happened because a prophet of God, a just man, Nephi, has recorded it. Mormon bears testimony of a true event recorded by a true man.
The people of Nephi had received the sign of the savior’s birth, just as Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied. Thirty three years had passed since that sign had been given some of the people began to look with great earnest for the signs of his death- three days of darkness covering the land. Some of the people were involved in great disputations and doubtings.
Which category do you find yourself in as we, in the latter days, look for the signs we have been promised before Christ returns?
3 Nephi 8
5 And it came to pass in the a*thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great bstorm, such an one as never had been known in all the land.
6 And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible athunder, insomuch that it did bshake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder.
7 And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land.
These events are not only the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecy( Helaman Chapter 14) , but also the fulfillment of the prophet Zenos’ prophecies ( 1 Ne 10:10-12)
The reason that these chapters are specifically of interest to us today is that the coming of the Atoning Messiah in the meridian of time to the Nephites is typilogically similar to the coming of the Triumphant Messiah in the latter days to us. Just as His coming to the Nephites was preceded by great destruction, so it will be when he appears again.
Ezra Taft Benson: “In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 6-7 as taken from Latterday Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 407)
What are we doing to prepare ourselves and our families for these promised events?
Nephi describes tempests, whirlwhinds, thundering, lightening, cities destroyed by fire, sunk in the depths of the sea, storms, quakings, rocks being rent in twain. Nothing like this had ever been experienced by this people. All the destruction continued for the space of 3 hours before the darkness that had been prophesied of came and spread across the land.
In the latter days we will also see a great storm of overflowing rain and great hailstones ( Ezek. 38:22), thunderings and lighnings ( Rev. 8:5), the waves of the sea will heave themselves beyond their bounds ( D&C 88:90), the valleys shall be exalted and the mountains made low ( Isaiah 40:4), so many will lose their lives that seven months shall the house of Israel be in burying them ( Ezek 39:12), Whirlwinds shall take some away as stubble ( Isa 40:24), and the sun shall be darkened ( D&C 29:14)
3 Nephi 8
20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could afeel the bvapor of darkness;
21 And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all;
22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.
23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and ahowling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
24 And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented abefore this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been bburned in that great city Zarahemla.
25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city aMoronihah. And thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible
What can we learn by the reaction of those who survived this great destruction?
How often and in how many ways must the Lord say it before we will believe His words?- Follow the prophet. Repent, and turn to me.
What will it take for us to humble ourselves to the point that we are prepared to receive our Lord? Will we be among the mourning because it took great desctruction, severe trials, and the loss of loved ones to accomplish this purpose?
3 Nephi 9
1 And it came to pass that there was a avoice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth, upon all the face of this land, crying:
2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall arepent; for the devil blaugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!
Over the next few verses, the Lord recounts in detail the fate of each Nephite city that had been destroyed and makes it very clear that HE is responsible for this destruction.
· great city Zarahemla have I aburned with fire
· great city Moroni have I caused to be asunk in the depths of the sea,
· great city aMoronihah have I covered with earth
· the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk
What reason did the Lord give for the destruction?
3 Nephi 9
12 And amany great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
13 O all ye that are aspared because ye were more brighteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may cheal you?
Bruce R. McConkie:
“When we say that only the righteous shall abide the day; when we say that there shall be an entire separation between the righteous and the wicked in that day—we must take into account the fact that there are no perfect men. All men fall short of divine standards; none attain the high state of excellence manifest in the life of the Lord Jesus; even the most faithful saints commit sin and live in some degree after the manner of the world. But such worldly works as remain with the righteous shall be burned so that the saints themselves may be saved. The burning that destroys every corruptible thing is the same burning that cleanses the righteous. Evil and sin and dross will be burned out of their souls because they qualify to abide the day, even though all their works have not been as those of Enoch and Elijah. If only perfect
people were saved, there would be only one saved soul—the Lord Jesus. Millennial Messiah, 543-544)
The voice continues by saying:
3 Nephi 9
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will acome unto me ye shall have beternal life. Behold, mine carm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I acreated the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. bI am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
So that there is no mistake of whose voice they are hearing, the savior identifies himself and entreats them multiple times, come unto me.
What do we do today to accept His invitation?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: “ ‘Come,’ [Christ] says lovingly. ‘Come, follow me.’ Wherever you are going, first come and see what I do, see where and how I spend my time. Learn of me, walk with me, talk with me, believe. Listen to me pray. In turn you will find answers to your own prayers. God will bring rest to your souls. Come, follow me” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 88; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 65).
3 Nephi 9
17 And as many as have received me, to them have I agiven to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me bredemption cometh, and cin me is the dlaw of Moses fulfilled.
J. Reuben Clark: “It is difficult for us today to realize the tremendous revolution involved in altering the ritualism of the Law of Moses into the humble and lowly concept of worship, not with the sacrificial blood of animals, but with this broken heart and contrite spirit of the worshiper…[Animal sacrifice] was always a vicarious sacrifice, apparently with little actual sacrifice except for the value of the animal sacrificed, by the individuals themselves, to cancel the debit, so to speak, against their lives and living in the eyes of the Almighty One. The sinner seemingly, in general, took on no obligation and considered himself under no obligation to abandon his sins, but took on only the obligation to offer sacrifice therefore. But under the new covenant that came in with Christ, the sinner must offer the sacrifice out of his own life, not by offering the blood of some other creature; he must give up his sins, he must repent, he himself must make the sacrifice.” (Behold the Lamb of God, pp. 107-9 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 406-7))
No longer does the Lord require us to sacrifice animals, he requires us to sacrifice the animal in us.
Many hours passed away in silence before the people heard the voice of the Lord again. When He finally spoke, what analogy did he use to describe His yearning to gather His people?
3 Nephi 10
4 O ye people of these agreat cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I bgathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have cnourished you.
5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O aye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
6 O ye house of Israel whom I have aspared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and breturn unto me with full purpose of cheart.
From the Book of Mormon Symposium Series: “The image of the hen calling after her chickens to come to the shelter and safety of her wings portrays the love of the Savior, his desire to nourish his children, to keep them safe from their common enemy, Satan, to shelter them from the storms of life, to give them the opportunity to grow and fulfill the promise of their nature. The image suggests other ideas as well. The chickens have strayed away from the hen. They have been lured from safety by their desire for adventure or rebellion, out into the tempting world where danger lurks beside every step. The hen calls to her chickens, but they must come of their own volition. They are not forced under her wings; they are invited, even urged, but they must exercise their own agency. In using this metaphor, the Lord designates his call to those of the fallen cities, who are descendants of Jacob, and to those of the house of Israel, who live at Jerusalem, establishing the right of the Savior to issue the call to repentance-they
are his people who owe him obedience. And his use of the three verbs: ‘how oft have I gathered you; ... how oft would I have gathered you; ... how oft will I gather you’ emphasizes his timeless call to repentance-past, present, and future. The Savior's love is always there. His arms are always extended in mercy as long as there is any hope for his children to return to him. The true nature of repentance is not a test, not an indulgence, but a gift of love. It is one that we must take-it cannot be forced upon us.” (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 79))
After calling the people to repent and come unto Him, Christ ceased speaking to the people. Three days of mourning passed. Then, the darkenss dispersed, the noise and destruction stopped and the people’s sadness turned into joy. The more righteous part of the people had been spared.
3 Nephi 10:12
and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared—
Pres. Henry B. Eyring
There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety, and there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. Those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety (Henry B. Eyring, “Safety in Counsel,” Liahona, Jun 2008, 2–7).
3 Nephi 10
14 And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him asearch them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by btempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the copening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
15 Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were aslain because they testified of these things.
(“Up to the very moment when the terrible destruction began, the unbelievers were sure that the prophets had been wrong. They must have thought the prophets were negative, gloomy, and out of touch with reality. Then suddenly, in one great disastrous moment it became clear just how much in touch with reality the prophets had been. Unfortunately for tens of thousands of those who had previously scoffed, there was no time to reevaluate their skepticism. Is it that much different in our own day? We have been amply warned of the impending judgment, which
will be every bit as terrible and devastating as that which occurred in AD 34. (See DC 29:14-21; 43:19- 25; 45:39-42; 88:87-91; 133:41-49) Yet the world at large either ignores such warnings or condescendingly views the prophets as religious fanatics who are out of touch with the real world. In the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord warned: ‘And the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people’ (D&C 1:14. Italics added.). Note also Mormon’s solemn words: ‘And now, whoso readeth, let him understand’ (v. 14).” (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 393))
3 Nephi 11
1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude agathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land bBountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the cgreat and marvelous change which had taken place.
2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the asign had been given concerning his death.
3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a avoice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a bsmall voice it did cpierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
What kind of background noise to we have to put up with today as we attempt to get spiritual impressions from heaven?
Boyd K. Packer
The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyrics blasted through amplifiers while lights flash psychedelic colors, characterizes the drug culture. Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth.
Doctors even say that our physical sense of hearing can be permanently damaged by all of this noise.
This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.
The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.
Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit. (Boyd K. Packer, “Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 21)
Will we be able to hear the small voice over the volume of our lives?
4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they aunderstood it not.
5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did aopen their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
It is our responsibility to create an environment where we can hear the voice, open our ears and look steadfastly toward heaven from whence the voice came.
6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
7 Behold my aBeloved Son, bin whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they asaw a Man bdescending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter bcup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in ctaking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the dwill of the Father in all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude afell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been bprophesied among them that Christ should cshow himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
13 And it came to pass that the aLord spake unto them saying:
14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may athrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may bfeel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the cGod of Israel, and the God of the whole dearth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
Jeffrey R. Holland: “At that invitation, the entire multitude went forth ‘one by one,’ thrusting their hands into his side and feeling the prints of the nails in his hands and feet. Even though the power of the Resurrection could have—and undoubtedly one day will have— completely
restored and made new the wounds from the crucifixion, nevertheless Christ chose to retain those wounds for a purpose, including for his appearance in the last days when he will show those marks and reveal that he was wounded ‘in the house of [his] friends’ (D&C 45:52). The wounds in his hands, feet, and side are signs that in mortality painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect, signs that tribulation is not evidence that God does not love us. It is a significant and hopeful fact that it is the wounded Christ who comes to our rescue. He who bears the scars of sacrifice, the lesions of love, the emblems of humility and forgiveness is the Captain of our Soul. That evidence of pain in mortality is undoubtedly intended to give courage to others who are also hurt and wounded by life, perhaps even in the house of their friends. In spite of the size of the great multitude, Christ nevertheless took time for each one to have that personal experience.” (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 259)
Christ comes personally to each of us. He has no favorites. he is “the keeper of the gate..the Holy One of Israel and he employeth no servant there.” (2 Nephi 9:41) He will personally talk with you and bring you in.
Hugh Nibley
“ He doesn’t stand on the balcony and wave his hand and say “bless you, children” to over a million people, and that takes care of them. No, he’s very personal. Everyone gets this private, individual attention here. “ ( Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon 3:342)
I testify that Jesus is the Christ, that he suffered in Gethsemane and at Calvary for me and for you. I testify that he is the Son of God, the creator of this Earth, our Redeemer. I testify that in a day not far from today He will come clothed in power and great glory with all the holy angels. And if we are prepared, we will go out to meet him. He will know us individually. He will call us by name and we will feel the tremendous love He has for each of us.
May we continually prepare for that day, searching the scriptures, following the prophets and repenting and turning to Him whose gospel this is is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
3 Nephi 8-11
These chapters are the most important Mormon gives to us. They describe the coming of the resurrected Lord to the people of Nephi. It is the event that all other events are referenced to. It is what the people have looked forward to from the time their fathers left Jerusalem. This is the apex of the Book of Mormon.
How else would Mormon begin to describe these events than by bearing his testimony of the truthfulness of this record. What he is about to describe REALLY happened. He knows it happened because a prophet of God, a just man, Nephi, has recorded it. Mormon bears testimony of a true event recorded by a true man.
The people of Nephi had received the sign of the savior’s birth, just as Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied. Thirty three years had passed since that sign had been given some of the people began to look with great earnest for the signs of his death- three days of darkness covering the land. Some of the people were involved in great disputations and doubtings.
Which category do you find yourself in as we, in the latter days, look for the signs we have been promised before Christ returns?
3 Nephi 8
5 And it came to pass in the a*thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great bstorm, such an one as never had been known in all the land.
6 And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible athunder, insomuch that it did bshake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder.
7 And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land.
These events are not only the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecy( Helaman Chapter 14) , but also the fulfillment of the prophet Zenos’ prophecies ( 1 Ne 10:10-12)
The reason that these chapters are specifically of interest to us today is that the coming of the Atoning Messiah in the meridian of time to the Nephites is typilogically similar to the coming of the Triumphant Messiah in the latter days to us. Just as His coming to the Nephites was preceded by great destruction, so it will be when he appears again.
Ezra Taft Benson: “In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 6-7 as taken from Latterday Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 407)
What are we doing to prepare ourselves and our families for these promised events?
Nephi describes tempests, whirlwhinds, thundering, lightening, cities destroyed by fire, sunk in the depths of the sea, storms, quakings, rocks being rent in twain. Nothing like this had ever been experienced by this people. All the destruction continued for the space of 3 hours before the darkness that had been prophesied of came and spread across the land.
In the latter days we will also see a great storm of overflowing rain and great hailstones ( Ezek. 38:22), thunderings and lighnings ( Rev. 8:5), the waves of the sea will heave themselves beyond their bounds ( D&C 88:90), the valleys shall be exalted and the mountains made low ( Isaiah 40:4), so many will lose their lives that seven months shall the house of Israel be in burying them ( Ezek 39:12), Whirlwinds shall take some away as stubble ( Isa 40:24), and the sun shall be darkened ( D&C 29:14)
3 Nephi 8
20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could afeel the bvapor of darkness;
21 And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all;
22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.
23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and ahowling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
24 And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented abefore this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been bburned in that great city Zarahemla.
25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city aMoronihah. And thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible
What can we learn by the reaction of those who survived this great destruction?
How often and in how many ways must the Lord say it before we will believe His words?- Follow the prophet. Repent, and turn to me.
What will it take for us to humble ourselves to the point that we are prepared to receive our Lord? Will we be among the mourning because it took great desctruction, severe trials, and the loss of loved ones to accomplish this purpose?
3 Nephi 9
1 And it came to pass that there was a avoice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth, upon all the face of this land, crying:
2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall arepent; for the devil blaugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!
Over the next few verses, the Lord recounts in detail the fate of each Nephite city that had been destroyed and makes it very clear that HE is responsible for this destruction.
· great city Zarahemla have I aburned with fire
· great city Moroni have I caused to be asunk in the depths of the sea,
· great city aMoronihah have I covered with earth
· the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk
What reason did the Lord give for the destruction?
3 Nephi 9
12 And amany great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
13 O all ye that are aspared because ye were more brighteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may cheal you?
Bruce R. McConkie:
“When we say that only the righteous shall abide the day; when we say that there shall be an entire separation between the righteous and the wicked in that day—we must take into account the fact that there are no perfect men. All men fall short of divine standards; none attain the high state of excellence manifest in the life of the Lord Jesus; even the most faithful saints commit sin and live in some degree after the manner of the world. But such worldly works as remain with the righteous shall be burned so that the saints themselves may be saved. The burning that destroys every corruptible thing is the same burning that cleanses the righteous. Evil and sin and dross will be burned out of their souls because they qualify to abide the day, even though all their works have not been as those of Enoch and Elijah. If only perfect
people were saved, there would be only one saved soul—the Lord Jesus. Millennial Messiah, 543-544)
The voice continues by saying:
3 Nephi 9
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will acome unto me ye shall have beternal life. Behold, mine carm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I acreated the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. bI am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
So that there is no mistake of whose voice they are hearing, the savior identifies himself and entreats them multiple times, come unto me.
What do we do today to accept His invitation?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: “ ‘Come,’ [Christ] says lovingly. ‘Come, follow me.’ Wherever you are going, first come and see what I do, see where and how I spend my time. Learn of me, walk with me, talk with me, believe. Listen to me pray. In turn you will find answers to your own prayers. God will bring rest to your souls. Come, follow me” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 88; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 65).
3 Nephi 9
17 And as many as have received me, to them have I agiven to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me bredemption cometh, and cin me is the dlaw of Moses fulfilled.
J. Reuben Clark: “It is difficult for us today to realize the tremendous revolution involved in altering the ritualism of the Law of Moses into the humble and lowly concept of worship, not with the sacrificial blood of animals, but with this broken heart and contrite spirit of the worshiper…[Animal sacrifice] was always a vicarious sacrifice, apparently with little actual sacrifice except for the value of the animal sacrificed, by the individuals themselves, to cancel the debit, so to speak, against their lives and living in the eyes of the Almighty One. The sinner seemingly, in general, took on no obligation and considered himself under no obligation to abandon his sins, but took on only the obligation to offer sacrifice therefore. But under the new covenant that came in with Christ, the sinner must offer the sacrifice out of his own life, not by offering the blood of some other creature; he must give up his sins, he must repent, he himself must make the sacrifice.” (Behold the Lamb of God, pp. 107-9 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 406-7))
No longer does the Lord require us to sacrifice animals, he requires us to sacrifice the animal in us.
Many hours passed away in silence before the people heard the voice of the Lord again. When He finally spoke, what analogy did he use to describe His yearning to gather His people?
3 Nephi 10
4 O ye people of these agreat cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I bgathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have cnourished you.
5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O aye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
6 O ye house of Israel whom I have aspared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and breturn unto me with full purpose of cheart.
From the Book of Mormon Symposium Series: “The image of the hen calling after her chickens to come to the shelter and safety of her wings portrays the love of the Savior, his desire to nourish his children, to keep them safe from their common enemy, Satan, to shelter them from the storms of life, to give them the opportunity to grow and fulfill the promise of their nature. The image suggests other ideas as well. The chickens have strayed away from the hen. They have been lured from safety by their desire for adventure or rebellion, out into the tempting world where danger lurks beside every step. The hen calls to her chickens, but they must come of their own volition. They are not forced under her wings; they are invited, even urged, but they must exercise their own agency. In using this metaphor, the Lord designates his call to those of the fallen cities, who are descendants of Jacob, and to those of the house of Israel, who live at Jerusalem, establishing the right of the Savior to issue the call to repentance-they
are his people who owe him obedience. And his use of the three verbs: ‘how oft have I gathered you; ... how oft would I have gathered you; ... how oft will I gather you’ emphasizes his timeless call to repentance-past, present, and future. The Savior's love is always there. His arms are always extended in mercy as long as there is any hope for his children to return to him. The true nature of repentance is not a test, not an indulgence, but a gift of love. It is one that we must take-it cannot be forced upon us.” (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 79))
After calling the people to repent and come unto Him, Christ ceased speaking to the people. Three days of mourning passed. Then, the darkenss dispersed, the noise and destruction stopped and the people’s sadness turned into joy. The more righteous part of the people had been spared.
3 Nephi 10:12
and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared—
Pres. Henry B. Eyring
There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety, and there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. Those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety (Henry B. Eyring, “Safety in Counsel,” Liahona, Jun 2008, 2–7).
3 Nephi 10
14 And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him asearch them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by btempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the copening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
15 Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were aslain because they testified of these things.
(“Up to the very moment when the terrible destruction began, the unbelievers were sure that the prophets had been wrong. They must have thought the prophets were negative, gloomy, and out of touch with reality. Then suddenly, in one great disastrous moment it became clear just how much in touch with reality the prophets had been. Unfortunately for tens of thousands of those who had previously scoffed, there was no time to reevaluate their skepticism. Is it that much different in our own day? We have been amply warned of the impending judgment, which
will be every bit as terrible and devastating as that which occurred in AD 34. (See DC 29:14-21; 43:19- 25; 45:39-42; 88:87-91; 133:41-49) Yet the world at large either ignores such warnings or condescendingly views the prophets as religious fanatics who are out of touch with the real world. In the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord warned: ‘And the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people’ (D&C 1:14. Italics added.). Note also Mormon’s solemn words: ‘And now, whoso readeth, let him understand’ (v. 14).” (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 393))
3 Nephi 11
1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude agathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land bBountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the cgreat and marvelous change which had taken place.
2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the asign had been given concerning his death.
3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a avoice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a bsmall voice it did cpierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
What kind of background noise to we have to put up with today as we attempt to get spiritual impressions from heaven?
Boyd K. Packer
The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyrics blasted through amplifiers while lights flash psychedelic colors, characterizes the drug culture. Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth.
Doctors even say that our physical sense of hearing can be permanently damaged by all of this noise.
This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.
The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.
Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit. (Boyd K. Packer, “Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 21)
Will we be able to hear the small voice over the volume of our lives?
4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they aunderstood it not.
5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did aopen their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
It is our responsibility to create an environment where we can hear the voice, open our ears and look steadfastly toward heaven from whence the voice came.
6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
7 Behold my aBeloved Son, bin whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they asaw a Man bdescending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter bcup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in ctaking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the dwill of the Father in all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude afell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been bprophesied among them that Christ should cshow himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
13 And it came to pass that the aLord spake unto them saying:
14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may athrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may bfeel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the cGod of Israel, and the God of the whole dearth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
Jeffrey R. Holland: “At that invitation, the entire multitude went forth ‘one by one,’ thrusting their hands into his side and feeling the prints of the nails in his hands and feet. Even though the power of the Resurrection could have—and undoubtedly one day will have— completely
restored and made new the wounds from the crucifixion, nevertheless Christ chose to retain those wounds for a purpose, including for his appearance in the last days when he will show those marks and reveal that he was wounded ‘in the house of [his] friends’ (D&C 45:52). The wounds in his hands, feet, and side are signs that in mortality painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect, signs that tribulation is not evidence that God does not love us. It is a significant and hopeful fact that it is the wounded Christ who comes to our rescue. He who bears the scars of sacrifice, the lesions of love, the emblems of humility and forgiveness is the Captain of our Soul. That evidence of pain in mortality is undoubtedly intended to give courage to others who are also hurt and wounded by life, perhaps even in the house of their friends. In spite of the size of the great multitude, Christ nevertheless took time for each one to have that personal experience.” (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 259)
Christ comes personally to each of us. He has no favorites. he is “the keeper of the gate..the Holy One of Israel and he employeth no servant there.” (2 Nephi 9:41) He will personally talk with you and bring you in.
Hugh Nibley
“ He doesn’t stand on the balcony and wave his hand and say “bless you, children” to over a million people, and that takes care of them. No, he’s very personal. Everyone gets this private, individual attention here. “ ( Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon 3:342)
I testify that Jesus is the Christ, that he suffered in Gethsemane and at Calvary for me and for you. I testify that he is the Son of God, the creator of this Earth, our Redeemer. I testify that in a day not far from today He will come clothed in power and great glory with all the holy angels. And if we are prepared, we will go out to meet him. He will know us individually. He will call us by name and we will feel the tremendous love He has for each of us.
May we continually prepare for that day, searching the scriptures, following the prophets and repenting and turning to Him whose gospel this is is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
