Jesus' First Prophecy

I have written extensively about the word of God because I love His words and they have made all the difference in my life. There is one aspect of His words that I have not written about as often--that is-- his words are always associated with prophecy. 

In the Book of Mormon we see both the Spirit of Revelation (gaining personal revelation of the truthfulness of what has been revealed and recorded) and the Spirit of Prophecy (the testimony of Jesus where everything comes together in Christ, including the prophecies of Jesus) spoken of by Alma (Alma 5:46-47), the Sons of Mosiah (Alma 17:2-3), and others, always associated with receiving the word of God. Also the gift of prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit that he has blessed me with and because of this gift I have been able, as King Benjamin said, to "have great views of that which is to come" (Mosiah 5:1-3).

In this post I want to focus on Jesus' prophecies concerning the House of Israel in 3 Nephi 20, and then follow it with a post concerning His second prophecy concerning the Gentiles in 3 Nephi 21. 

These are the same prophecies given by Nephi and all pertain to the Lord's great and marvelous work (1 Nephi 14:7). Nephi's prophecies are found in 1 Nephi 12-22 and then in 2 Nephi 30. Nephi's sequence in 2 Nephi 30 depicts: 

1) the coming forth of the Book of Mormon among the Gentiles and their carrying it to the Lamanites (2 Nephi 30:3); 

2) the Lamanites, or Lehi's descendants, coming to know Christ and to know that they are descendants of Jews (2 Nephi 30:3); 

3) the Lamanites becoming a delightsome people within the space of a few generations (2 Nephi 30:6); 

4) a beginning of belief in Christ among scattered Jews and a beginning of their gathering (2 Nephi 30:7); 

5) the Lord's work among all nations of the earth to restore his people (the House of Israel) (2 Nephi 30:8); 

6) a great division among the people, leading to the destruction of the wicked (unrepentant) and the deliverance of the Lord's people according to divine justice (2 Nephi 30:9-10); 

7) peace restored to the earth (2 Nephi 30:11-15); 

8) the revelation of all secrets pertaining to the nations of the earth and to the Lord's revelations (2 Nephi 30)16-18); and 

9) the millennial era (2 Nephi 30:18).  

Nephi's sequence thus serves as yet another witness of the Lord's great and marvelous work, and sets the stage for the Christ prophecies in 3 Nephi 16, 20 & 21).

Mormon pronounces, in connection with the great and marvelous work, "Wo be unto him that will not hearken unto the words of Jesus, and also to them whom he hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day; and it would be better for them if they had not been born." (3 Nephi 28:34). The Lord will complete His great and marvelous work, but for some it will be great and terrible (3 Nephi 28:31-33).

Jesus' prophecies in 3 Nephi 20 and 21 serve as a key not only to Nephi's sequence but to all scriptures about the last days. Jesus shows that the judgments of God in the last days fall primarily on the wicked Gentiles. The people of God who incur His wrath at that time are not the house of Israel, the Jews, 10 tribes or Lehi's descendants, but the Ephraimite Gentiles--us!

Jesus' prophecies are not given chronologically like Nephi's, but are structured nevertheless, using a chiastic structure and deal with events conceptually rather than chronologically. A chiastic structure, or chiasm, is an ancient literary device that sets off the words of a passage in climactic parallels leading to a central idea.

Third Nephi 20:10 through 21:29 contains two consecutive prophecies about the last days that Jesus gives to the Nephites. Both deal essentially with the same subject. The first deals primarily with the House of Israel coming to believe the words of God, and the second deals primarily with the Gentiles who do not believe the words of God. This is also the reason for the division prophesied by Nephi, those who believe His words on one hand, and those who do not believe His words on the other. There is no question, we as the Lord's people in these last days, are identified with the Gentiles and not the House of Israel. It is from us that the gospel is taken because we reject the fulness of His gospel, and given to the House of Israel--the Jews, 10 Tribes and Lehi's descendants (3 Nephi 16:10-12). 

In this post I will write about Jesus' first prophecy and follow it up with a subsequent post concerning Jesus' second prophecy.

The order of events varies in Jesus' prophecies, but that is not important because they are not chronologies. The second prophecy for the most part repeats what the first contains. Together they are a twofold witness of major events of the last days and they come from the Savior Himself.

Let's look at Jesus’ first prophecy found in 3 Nephi 20:10-46. Note the 'h' in the chiastic structure. It is the highlight of the parallel surrounding events in a-g.

 

a--Jesus fulfills the Father’s commandment concerning the house of Israel (20:10b)

 

  b—The prophecies of Isaiah will be fulfilled (20:11)

 

    c—The Father’s covenant with the house of Israel is fulfilled by their gathering from throughout the earth, their knowing the Lord their God, and their receiving a land of inheritance (20:12-14)

 

      d—The Gentiles do not repent after receiving the Lord’s blessing (20:15)

 

        e—The house of Israel treads down the Gentiles (20:16-20)

 

          f—The house of Israel is established in fulfillment of the Lord’s covenant with Jacob; the New Jerusalem; the powers of heaven and the Lord abide in their midst (20:21-22)

 

            g—Moses testifies of Jesus Christ (20:23ac)

 

              h—All who will not hear the words of Christ will be cut off from among the Lord’s people (20:23d)

 

            g—The prophets from Samuel testify of Jesus Christ (20:24)

 

          f—The Gentiles receive the Holy Ghost in fulfillment of the Father’s covenant with Abraham after the house of Israel defaults; they are mighty above all (20:25-27c)

 

        e—The Gentiles scatter the house of Israel (20:27d-28a)

 

      d—The Gentiles harden their hearts after receiving the fullness of the gospel (20:28b)

 

    c—The Lord’s covenant with his people is fulfilled by their gathering together, receiving a land of inheritance, and believing in Jesus Christ (20:29-31)

 

  b—The prophecies of Isaiah will be fulfilled (20:32-45; compare Isa. 52:1-15)

 

a—Jesus reiterates the Father’s commandment to him about his people (20:46)

         

Jesus' first prophecy emphasizes what happens to the house of Israel, or more specifically, the first prophecy deals with the Lord fulfilling his covenant with the House of Israel (3 Nephi 20:12, 22, 25-27, 29, 46). The Gentiles (us) feature in the prophecy only so far as we receive an opportunity to be blessed under the covenant. The Gentiles (us) do enjoy this blessing for a time, but in the end, many harden their hearts against the word (3 Nephi 20:27-28). At that point the House of Israel treads down the wicked (3 Nephi 20:15-17). The idea of permanence in the promised land, which the Lord's fulfillment of the covenant exemplifies, we find only in connection with the House of Israel.

At the center of the structure ('h') appear the words of Christ (3 Nephi 20:23). Many refuse to hear his words and are cut off from his people (compare 3 Nephi 21:11). Thus, it is against the words of Christ, even the new words that are revealed by the Lord's servant (see 3 Nephi 21:9). In this context keep in mind that the Book of Mormon contains less than a hundredth part of Jesus' words to the Nephites; the remainder are written on the large plates of Nephi (3 Nephi 26:6-8). Other ancient records yet to come forth also contain the words of Christ, whether spoken directly or through the Lord's prophets (1 Nephi 14:20-26; Ether 4:4-17).

The House of Israel reacts differently to the words of Christ. They come to believe in Christ and to know Him (3 Nephi 20:13, 30-31). As the House of Israel accepts Christ, the people gather together to the lands of their inheritance (3 Nephi 20:13-14, 29). At that time the wicked Gentiles suffer the Lord's justice (3 Nephi 20:13-22). The Gentiles are destroyed after they reject the words of Christ, which they reject after enjoying the blessings of the Gospel and after having additional words of God given to them (compare 3 Nephi 16:10-16; 26:6-11; Ether 4:8-9).

A further contrast between the Gentiles and the House of Israel is shown by the Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 20:27). When the House of Israel accepts the Gospel, however, and then establishes the New and Old Jerusalem, Christ himself and the powers of heaven dwell in their midst (3 Nephi 20:22). This represents a higher reality than prevails among the Gentiles and brings to mind Jesus' statement that "they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice--that I should not manifest myself to them save it were by the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 15:23). Of course, Jesus is here speaking of the Gentiles as a people, not as individuals, for there are individual Gentiles who do hear the voice of God through His words.

Jesus also quotes Isaiah in this first prophecy which have to do with the fulfillment of the Father's covenant with the House of Israel (3 Nephi 20:12, 46). To that end the Father will "bare his holy arm in the eyes of all nations" (3 Nephi 20:35; compare Isaiah 52:10, emphasis added). In the same context, Jesus cites Isaiah's prophecies about the Lord's servant. The servant declares the Lord's message to the kings and nations of the earth (3 Nephi 20:40-45); compare Isaiah 52:7, 11-15). The Lord's servant or arm, is directly instrumental in converting the House of Israel to the Gospel of Christ (3 Nephi 20L30-45). When the House of Israel comes to know their Redeemer, as a result of good tidings being preached to them, they exit Babylon, embark on an exodus and gather to the lands of their inheritance (3 Nephi 20:32-42; compare Isaiah 52:1-3, 6-12).

Only those Gentiles who believe the words of God and repent will be numbered among the House of Israel (3 Nephi 16:13).

Jesus' first prophecy also clarifies something about which Nephi's sequence is not clear--the coming forth of the words of Christ. They are the deciding factor in the Lord's acceptance again of the House of Israel and his cutting off the Gentiles. The chiastic structure of Jesus' prophecy highlights and contrasts events that otherwise would not stand out as so significant. It highlights the polarization of peoples of which Nephi calls an irrevocable division. While Nephi was not allowed to speak of the exodus or the Lord's servant, Jesus' is. Nephi did however, insert two chapters of Isaiah into his record which speak of both (Isaiah 48 & 49).

The message to us, the Ephramite Gentiles is both clear and frightening, and which is either joy or sorrow. On which side of the division do you want to find yourself? Those who believe the words of God or those who do not? 

It is important to note, that these prophecies come directly from Christ. To dismiss them because you do not hear them from the pulpit is the very reason Christ made sure they were included in the Book of Mormon--for you to find them for yourselves by searching His words and believing them. He makes it clear what will happen if you do not search and believe His words! 

As His Father said "Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him" (3 Nephi 11:7).

Jesus's Second Prophecy 

The Nehor Letters

I wrote a series of letters after the manner of CS Lewis' Screwtape Letters called the Goodman Letters. Here is another one from Nehor to his devil assistant Korihor.

Dear Korihor, 

Masterful use of Mr. Renlund's talk that he gave in Mormon Conference this last October (2022). Getting Bishop Christensen of the PL 3rd ward, to use it against M in their Tithing Declaration, as an attempt to shut him up, was genius on your part. M is a danger to us because he is one of the Enemy's Watchmen. Fortunately you are doing an excellent job of keeping the other ward members from searching the Enemy's words and causing them to persecute M. They are so dumbed-down that they cannot distinguish the Enemy's words from our Master's. But to your credit and by using your gift of using our Master's illusions you have them believing they are actually using the Enemy's words.

Renlund's talk is such an aid to our cause and because our Master was so influential in getting the Mormon Church leaders to require their talks be used in classrooms and their Sacrament meetings, we have the advantage. Renlund's talk will be accepted as gospel in other wards as well. Keep tempting them to believe these talks are actually the Enemy's words. All our Master has to do is to distort the Enemy's words to cause those who are ignorant of the Enemy's words to be led by us. Brilliant!

There was a time, however, when we thought the Mormon leadership would actually use the Enemy's words as their sole curriculum. They talked a lot about teaching as the Enemy taught, but our Master helped them see that they would lose their influence if they went through with it. And of course thinking they would lose their influence was enough to keep them from using their scriptures. They love those seats at their conferences, and I am delighted how they quote each other and use each other's initials.

You also need to be complimented on getting M's elders quorum leader to release M as an instructor. Those armed with the Enemy's so called sword of truth we cannot influence, but we can influence those who interact with them in their ward. Keep them focused on M's beard, the fact that he is a lawyer and was chastised by Bishop Christensen, and keep them away from his blog which I will not name here should this letter fall into our Enemies' hands. Because the Enemy's words are found in him,  we have no influence on M, but we can hope that the persecution from his so called friends and brothers will cause him to not be filled with the Enemy's love for them. 

Keep the quorum leadership using instructors who unwittingly teach our Master's distortions and cause them to err in the Enemy's doctrine and commandments. Keep those ward members active and religious and they will remain ignorant of our Enemy's words and they will be bound by the chains of hell. M will influence a few, but not enough for our Master to care. He has the majority right where He wants them--ignorant, unaware and self-righteous. 

Nehor

Nehor was referring to M's post The "P" Word.

https://www.owlofthedesert.com/blog. 

Which all should read. I would like to make a few other observations about this post.

1) The problem with staying in lanes is that you can't get off the road because it would require that you change lanes. Those in the HOV lane, or more accurately, the VIP lane, have little hope of going anywhere unless they are humbled and brought low, or in other words, change lanes. 

Isaiah's description is the best.

Exalted > humbled & brought low.

Humble > Exalted

2) "No power or influence 

can or ought to be maintained 

by virtue of the priesthood,

only by persuasion, 

by long-suffering, 

by gentleness and 

meekness, and 

by love unfeigned;

By kindness, 

and pure knowledge, 

which shall greatly 

enlarge the soul 

without hypocrisy, 

and without guile—

Reproving betimes 

with sharpness, 

when moved upon 

by the Holy Ghost; 

and then showing 

forth afterwards 

an increase of love 

toward him whom 

thou hast reproved, 

lest he esteem thee 

to be his enemy;

That he may know 

that thy faithfulness 

is stronger than 

the cords of death" (D&C 121:41-44).

3) Otherwise it is amen 

to the priesthood or 

authority of that man (D&C 121:37).

4) Let Isaiah set the record straight:

"Their watchmen are altogether blind and unaware; all of them are but dumb watchdogs unable to bark, lolling seers fond of slumber. Gluttonous dogs, and insatiable, such indeed are insensible shepherds. They are all diverted to their own way, every one after his own advantage. Come, [they say,] let us get wine and have our fill of liquor. (The wine in this case is self deception.) For tomorrow will be like today, only far better!” (Isaiah 56:10–12).

“Because of this my Lord said to me, Go and appoint a watchman who will report what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6).

“I have appointed watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall not be silent day or night. You who call upon Jehovah, let not up nor give him respite till he reestablishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned in the earth” (Isaiah 62:6).

“Hark! Your watchmen lift up their voice; as one they cry out for joy: for they shall see eye to eye when Jehovah reestablishes Zion” (Isaiah 52:8).

5) And Isaiah again to those who call themselves prophets:

"Present your case,' says Jehovah; 

'Submit your evidence,' 

says the King of Jacob. 

'Let them come forward 

and recount to us 

their prophecies of 

events (endtime) heretofore. 

What were they? 

Tell us, that we may 

examine them and know 

whether they were fulfilled. 

Or predict the future for us: 

Tell us of events to 

come hereafter, so that 

we may know you are gods

(or even prophets). 

Perform something good or evil 

at which we will be dazzled 

and all stand in awe. 

It is clear you are 

of no account, 

that your works 

amount to nothing; 

whoever accepts you 

is himself an abomination'" 

(Isaiah 41:21-24).  

6) If there is a lane they should be in it is the the prophecy lane. 

7) In this church, you only have to believe the truth. Find out what the truth is. (Henry Eyring Sr.)

8) “An amazing, shocking thing has occurred in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely and the priests rule by their own authority. And my people love it that way. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:30–31)

9) Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life

commences with a “man” dressed in a white robe who “bade me follow him” (1 Nephi 8:5–6; emphasis added). Instead of leading Lehi to the Tree of Life, however, he led him into “a dark and dreary waste.” That barren darkness soon became so intolerable as to cause Lehi “to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me” (1 Nephi 8:8). Only then did he see the “tree whose fruit was desirable to make one happy,” which “filled my soul with exceedingly great joy” (1 Nephi 8:10–12). Because no precedent exists of a servant of God who asks someone to follow him into a dark and dreary waste, that “man” was no angel, and that place was not where Lehi found the Tree of Life. Only when he called upon God directly—independent of the white-robed man who led him—did he partake of the fruit of the tree.

10). Look to the Lord and Live

I am grateful to the Lord for sending M as a Watchman in these days just prior to Christ's second coming.

Ordained By God To Teach

After Alma teaches us the Plan of Redemption in Alma 12, he says:

1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these (second) commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people (Alma 13:1 emphasis added).

This is significant on so many levels. 

1) God gave these second commandments 

2) God ordained priests

3) He did so after His holy order

4) Which was after the order of His Son

5) (why?) To teach these things 

6) (what things?) what Alma taught 

7) what did Alma teach? (See Alma 12) 

It is also significant for what is not written. This priesthood is not ecclesiastical! It is not about keys or authority or hierarchy. It is about teaching by authority what God wants taught and why. Alma says further:

2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption" (Alma 13:2 emphasis added) .

What does Alma mean by "after the order of his Son?" It is God's priesthood which is also after the order of Christ, so it belongs to the order of God the Father which, even though prepared from the foundation of the world, is without beginning or end. It is the same priesthood sought for by Abraham to bless the lives of others (Abraham 1:2).

Redemption comes in and through Christ who at the time Alma is recording this, had not yet come, but as you will see it also applies to His second coming. Look forward to Christ and we look forward to redemption and deliverance.

Let's go back to what Alma taught about the plan of redemption. 

"But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;

Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest" (Alma 12:33-35).

Note the similarities between Christ's plan of redemption and the priesthood after the manner of his Son. To receive this priesthood, one must have great faith, repent and desire to teach others. The priesthood is then used to teach His plan of redemption--repent and harden not your hearts. 

And what does Alma say we hardened our hearts against? 

His word, which those ordained by God must have or they cannot teach His plan of redemption. We look forward to receiving His mercy and to entering into His rest. And only those who teach His plan of redemption are called by God. Anyone who does not teach His plan of redemption is not called of God.

For further evidence of this truth let's continue in Alma 13. 

3 And this is the manner 

after which they were ordained—

being called and prepared 

from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their 

exceeding faith and good works; 

in the first place being left 

to choose good or evil; 

therefore they having chosen good, 

and exercising exceedingly great faith, 

are called with a holy calling, yea, 

with that holy calling 

which was prepared with, 

and according to, 

a preparatory redemption for such.

So who is called of God? Anyone who chooses good and exercises great faith, who hardens not his or her heart, who receives His words and repents. 

"Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God" (D&C 11:3-4).

Alma's words about priesthood and teaching now become clearer.

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds (Alma 12:9-11), while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

Called on account of their faith.

5 Or in fine (another way of saying), in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

Those who are called are those who would no harden their hearts.

6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—

Called and ordained by God to teach His commandments. 

7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—

His priesthood is not ecclesiastical. 

8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—

9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

Once a teacher always a teacher desiring all to receive His love and mercy. But Alma is not finished. He has more to tell us about this high priesthood and who is qualified to receive it.

10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

And so He called them and then sanctified  them.

11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

And then Alma's prayer for us.

13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.

14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever. 

We can now understand better what priesthood Melchizedek has. Hint. It is not the Melchizedek Priesthood. 

15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

This is the same priesthood sought for by Abraham (Abraham 1:2) and that through this priesthood he could bless the lives of others with greater peace, rest and happiness. This is the same priesthood we should seek. 

16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;

18 But Melchizedek 

having exercised mighty faith, and received the office 

of the high priesthood 

according to the holy order of God, 

did preach repentance 

unto his people. And behold, 

they did repent; and 

Melchizedek did establish peace 

in the land in his days; 

therefore he was called 

the prince of peace, 

for he was the king of Salem; 

and he did reign under his father.

19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.

Now we know why we call it the Melchizedek Priesthood. Hopefully you see it now as the Lord wants us to see it. Alma is still not finished, however, being the example of one who is ordained of God and called to this Holy Priesthood to teach others.

20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.

21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;

Alma is doing what he does best--teaching us the word of God so that we too may taste as he has tasted and be redeemed by the Lord. Once he accepted that priesthood to teach he had no other objective but to proclaim the good news to all within the sound of his voice. He adds his voice to the voice of the Lord and to the mouth of angels.

22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.

23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.

Alma hints that those who are not comfortable in Babylon are more likely to hear the words of God.

24 For behold, angels (and others like me) are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;

28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.

30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death.

31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.

We have more to look forward to if we but receive what we have.

One last comparison between Alma, angels and those called and ordained by God, Alma says, they are called on account of their exceeding great faith. Compare this to D&C 121 where the Lord says:

"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man" (D&C 121:34-37).

Perhaps this is why the Lord calls to His Holy Priesthood only those who receive His words, repent, have great faith, and desire all to repent and receive His mercy. In this there can only be righteousness. 

Q: "Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? 

A: To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth" (D&C 50:13-14 emphasis added).

Born of the Word

“…except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

I have often wondered why Paul didn’t just say Faith comes by hearing the word of God, and have concluded that the double emphasis on ‘hearing’ means we must ‘hear’ the word as the Lord intended we ‘hear’ it. This emphasis on ‘hearing’ the word of God is why the Lord spoke in parables. Also I’ve wondered why it does not say anything about faith comes by reading the word of God. 

Reading and hearing are different experiences. We can read and not hear, but we do not have a chance to hear if we do not read His written words. Faith does not come by simply reading the word of God. We must ‘hear’ it in order to develop faith. The concept of ‘hearing’ the word of God comes from several scriptures, and is related to hearing the voice of God through His word. (D&C 18:34-36) 

The Savior, in telling us why He uses parables, says: ” For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matt. 13:12-13 JS Translation).

The Savior then references Isaiah, “which saith, by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matt. 12:14-15; Isa. 6:9-10). 

The Savior then gives, as the first parable, the parable of the sower as well as the interpretation of it, and yet hearers do not hear and perceive. I have heard the parable of the sower taught many times in gospel doctrine classes where the emphasis is put on the soil, where more often than not, class members and teachers like to think that we are the good soil. 

Ask what is it that he wants you to hear and perceive? It is the sower (Christ) who is sowing the seed (the word of God). Some hear the word and understand it not; some hear the word and receive it with joy, but persecution arises because of the word and they are offended; others receive the word of God but the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and they become unfruitful. Others receive the word and nourish it and understand it and it beareth fruit. In other words the seed (word of God) is found in those that receive it, and when it is nourished, the word brings forth the fruit (not the person). Obstacles to Receiving the Word of God

Remember that He said that He is the vine and we are the branches and the branches cannot of themselves bring forth fruit. This is further illustrated in the Allegory of the Olive Tree found in Jacob 5 (which relates to the parable of the sower), where the servant tells the Lord that certain branches had overcome the root and had began to take ‘strength unto themselves’ and had become corrupted. (vs. 48) This is precisely the problem when we start to believe we are the good soil and it is because of us that the seed grows—an excellent example of hearing but not understanding and seeing but not perceiving. 

The power is in the word, which is the Spirit of Jesus Christ (D&C 84:45). Note that the Lord ‘nourishes His vineyard by sowing His seed (the word of God), and we are told in Jacob 5:71 that we are in the time where the Lord has nourished the vineyard (sown His word) for the last time. See also 1 Timothy 4:6; Alma 32:37 and Moroni 6:4. Again this is made clear in Alma 32 wherein “…if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to experiment upon my words, and exerciseth a particle of faith….” (vs 27). 

The seed is the word, and through the experiment you will know that the seed is good, if you don’t cast it out because of your unbelief. You will know that it (the word/seed) is good because it will begin to grow within you, “for it beginneth to enlarge” your soul and ”it beginneth to lighten” your understanding and ”it beginneth to be delicious unto” you. (vs 30) Again notice that while we need to nourish the seed, it is not us that are good, but the word of God, and that we are to be nourished by the good word of God. (Moroni 6:4) 

By planting an apple seed, one could expect that it would grow into an apple tree, but what kind of tree does the word of God (the seed) grow into? In scripture there are several allegories concerning a tree, Zenos’ allegory of the olive tree (Jacob 5) being the most descriptive, even though there are also allegories concerning trees in Isaiah (Isaiah 11) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:15-20). Paul and Nephi also use the olive tree imagery. But the message is that the tree is both a people and a record of God’s word that come together to bear fruit, i.e, a celestial people. The Lord nourishes His trees (peoples) in His vineyard with His word. The trees (peoples) that bring forth good fruit have themselves received His word and use His word to nourish themselves, and by doing so they become a ‘precious people’ or celestial people. 

A brief summary of Alma 32 will show how the Lord uses the allegory of a tree to typify His word. Alma likens God’s word to a seed: the seed is nourished and grows into a tree. (Alma 32:28-37) If the tree is not cared for, it may decay and even die. (Alma 32:38-40) But if one nourishes it well, “looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.” (Alma 32:41) 

The tree’s fruit is “most precious”—the result of faith, diligence, patience, and long suffering in nourishing the word of God. (Alma 32:42-43). We as a people are to be nourished continually by the good word of God, and so the word increases our faith in Christ and in His words, and we desire to receive more, and as we do so, our faith in Christ and His words continues to grow, until we are changed by the word (by Christ) and partake of the precious fruit, i.e., become the precious fruit. 

Jacob, following Zenos’ allegory of the olive tree places the emphasis on the word of God: “For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire? Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?” (Jacob 6:7-8) 

Another metaphor which describes the same process as planting the word of God as a seed, is being born of the word. Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except (one) be born again, (one) cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). Being born to see refers to the process by which a person reads and hears the word of God, and through the power of the word, is able to see and understand the things of God and to know they are true. 

This can also be likened to a fetus in the womb, quickened with life, but liable to perish, unless born of the water and of the spirit. On the other hand those who have been baptized and confirmed, but have not had true faith in Christ through His words, who are not repenting, are stillborn and must be brought to life by the powers of the Spirit, which is His word. Without being quickened with life, we are likely to hear and not understand—use reason and human understanding rather than receiving His word and letting it work in us, thereby receiving His spirit which giveth life and leads to faith and repentance. 

We learn but are never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Receiving light allows us to receive more light, but if we do not continue in the light and ‘continueth to receive, from (us) shall be taken even that (we have).’ 

A similar imagery is that of Christ being the vine. Christ says: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch (person, people) in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me (and in His words which is His light and His spirit), and I in you (is the word of God found in you?). As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5; see also John 15:6-11). 

The formula for faith coming by hearing the word of God, and thereby receiving it, is found in Mosiah 3. King Benjamin has just spoken the words which had been delivered to him by an angel of God, the people had fallen to the earth seeing themselves in their lost and fallen state, and exercising faith in Christ, received a remission of their sins. King Benjamin then “again opened his mouth and began to speak unto them saying: My friends and my brethern, my kindred and my people, I would again call your attention, that you may hear and understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto you.” (These are God’s words delivered to Benjamin by the angel.) vs. 4 “For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God (coming through the word of God) at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state—I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life…. I say, that this is the man that receiveth salvation, through the atonement…. And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.” vs. 5-8 

So the combination of the knowledge of the Goodness of God and the knowledge of our worthless and fallen state is the formula for putting our faith in Christ. 

This is what Mormon and Paul described as godly sorrow (“sorrowing unto repentance, because of the goodness of God”), which is the only sorrow that results in repentance (“godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation”). (Mormon 2:13; 2 Cor. 7:9-10) Through His words I have come to experience what George MacDonald said: “Is my faith so little that I cling to the deeds I do, calling them good because I am afraid to see the evil in me? Yet it is only through seeing the evil in me that I can exercise faith to see the good in Him.” 

This is the effect that Godly sorrow has on us. King Benjamin then gives the scriptural definition of what it means to endure to the end: “And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true (Mosiah 4:11-12).