Come Unto Christ

Reading: Moroni 7-10

We are going to press forward and start our discussion today in chapter 8 of Moroni.  These last three chapters contain things that are curious to me to include in the last pages of The Book of Mormon, and again asking the question: “Why is this included in The Book of Mormon? Especially in the last pages?” makes a profitable study.

Chapter 8 is a letter that Moroni received from his father Mormon, years ago, when he was newly called to the ministry of Christ.  The two men were in separate parts of the warring land and Mormon had learned that the people with Moroni were, among other sinful practices, were baptizing very little children. In prime example, Mormon went right to the Lord for answers.

Issues with Infant Baptism

Moroni 8:7-9

Children are whole.  While infants are subject to physical death, they are protected from spiritual death for a time.  (D&C 93:38-40)

38 Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God.

 39 And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.

 40 But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.

Moroni 8:10-12

Little children and not accountable.  Parents are accountable for teaching them the right.

Parents in Zion have the special responsibility of teaching and training their children in righteousness. They are to be taught “to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old.” Otherwise, the Lord declared, “the sin be upon the heads of the parents” (D&C 68:25). This teaching is to be done before a child reaches the age of accountability, and while innocent and sin-free. This is protected time for parents to teach the principles and ordinances of salvation to their children without interference from Satan. It is a time to dress them in armor in preparation for the battle against sin. When this preparation time is neglected, they are left vulnerable to the enemy. To permit a child to enter into that period of his life when he will be buffeted and tempted by the evil one, without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and an understanding of the basic principles of the gospel, is to set him adrift in a world of wickedness. During these formative, innocent years, a child may learn wrong behavior; but such is not the result of Satan’s temptations, but comes from the wrong teachings and the bad example of others. In this context, the Savior’s harsh judgment of adults who offend children is better understood, wherein he said, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” (Luke 17:2).  Elder Merlin Lybbert, “The Special Status of Children,” April 1994.

Moroni 8:19, 22, 24

Little children cannot repent.  They have not sinned (even if they have done something wrong, the condemnation is on the responsible party), so there is nothing to repent of.  Both little children and they who are without the law are not accountable until they understand the law.

Why it mocks God and his plan

Moroni 8:14-16, 20

·      Denies the mercies of Christ

·      “Setteth at naught the atonement and power of redemption”

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THIS INFORMAITON ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM?  IS THERE MORE TO LEARN THAN JUST THE INCORRECTNESS OF INFANT BAPTISM?

·      Bring peace to parents

·      Bring instruction to parents

·      Understand the condition of people without the law or who are just coming into the law (those who are baptized are spiritually like little children)

·      Understand the atonement

·      Confirm that the Lord knows all (age of accountability, lawlessness, individual capability for accountability)

·      The importance of the complete truth

·      Man is not to counsel God on doctrinal practices

·      The importance of receiving revelation from God

·      God has a plan: faith, hope and charity

 Why faith, hope, charity is necessary and in opposition of infant baptism/lawless

Moroni 8:25-26 (how to access the plan)

·      Repentance and faith >>> Baptism and fulfilling commandments >>> remission of sins >>> meekness and lowliness of heart >>> visitation of the Holy Ghost >>> Hope and perfect love >>> endure with diligence and prayer

·      Verse 14 - Those who think children need baptism are without faith (in Christ), hope (in the resurrection) and charity (love for themselves and others).  Without understanding these principles, deviations from them are man-made and prideful as any other definition given besides revelation is man placing his thoughts above God.

In the second to the last chapter Moroni chooses not to insert another great doctrinal discourse, but shows the antithesis of or the effects of the lack of true doctrine, specifically, faith, hope and charity.  Despair and depravity are the effect of man placing themselves above others and above God.

Moroni 9:3-5

The people partake in extremely wicked practices, including canabalism, rape, torture, and much more.  In short, Moroni says they were “without principle and past feeling.”

So, it comes to the last chapter.  What are we to do with this information and all the information included within the whole book?

Moroni 10:3-5

This whole record is to show how merciful the Lord hath been to his children.  Does that mean all good things have happened?  No. Much of the book is filled with murder and war and contention.  But the lessons are learned in how the people got through those rough and awful times by relying on the merits of Christ, or how they did not get through them because they did not rely on Christ.  So, if you really want a personal witness that these people prospered with the Lord and that they fell without Him, and know that the same can happen with you, ask God, with a sincere heart (you really want to know).  So, you can read about it, you can receive a witness of it’s truthfulness, but here’s the clincher: you have to pray with real intent.

WHAT IS REAL INTENT?

What do you intend to do with the witness?  “What are you intentions with my daughter?”  Can you imagine receiving a witness and not doing anything about it?  There are some serious consequences that would follow receiving a witness but not doing anything.  We come to the point at the end of the year to ask this question of what we have learned.  What are your intentions with the feelings you have felt and the knowledge and wisdom you have gained and the hunger you’ve felt enlightened and want to know more?

• Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles commented on Moroni’s promise of having “real intent”: “Moroni did not promise a manifestation of the Holy Ghost to those who seek to know the truth of the Book of Mormon for hypothetical or academic reasons, even if they ‘ask with a sincere heart.’ The promise of Moroni is for those who are committed in their hearts to act upon the manifestation if it is received. Prayers based on any other reason have no promise because they are not made ‘with real intent’” (Pure in Heart [1988], 19–20).

Moroni helps us along with how to identify answers and receive direction to act.  In the verses 6-19, he lists the gifts of the spirit to help us recognize good things (in ourselves and in others) and therefore recognize their author:

V6 – everything that is good comes from Christ

V8 – the gifts of God are given to men to profit them – to help them with their intentions

V9-17 – some of the gifts of God to watch for: teaching the word of wisdom, to teach knowledge, to have faith, to be healed, to work mighty miracles, to prophesy, to behold angels, to speak tongues.

V17 – the gifts come “according as he will” he could mean both the giver and the receiver.

This list of gifts is also in the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants, so that it appears in Moroni lends importance.

Knowing how the spirit guides us and knowing “these things” (The Book of Mormon) makes us accountable for the information.  What is the purpose of knowing these things?  To help us come unto Christ.

Moroni 10:32-34

Notice that the word grace is used five times in two verses.  Remember that the definition of Grace is, “an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts. However, grace cannot suffice without total effort on the part of the recipient.”

You initiate the coming, and you shall receive grace. He will claim you, his grace will be sufficient for you, by His grace you will become sanctified and perfected IN HIM.

This is the testament and covenant, of Jesus Christ.

Wait a second, we missed a couple things

Reading: Moroni 1-6

Moroni thought he was done writing in The Book of Mormon, but had felt otherwise.  The things he included in the first few chapters are interesting ones to include, but necessary to the governance of the church and performance of ordinances.

Moroni 1:4:

Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.

Chapter 2
Moroni uses only 3 verses to establish that the 12 disciples were given the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the Melchizedek Priesthood.  In doing so, he declares that the authority from God, comes from God only, not what man takes upon himself.

Chapter 3
Not only is the Melchizedek Priesthood established for the governance and blessing of the church, but the Aaronic Priesthood, (the priesthood that prepares a man to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood), is established as well.  Within these to priesthoods are varying callings and  privileges to care for people, and administer ordinances which help people to live their lives so that they may return to live with God.

Chapter 4 and 5
These two chapters contain the prayers that are said over the sacrament, the bread and water.  While the administration of the sacrament is referred to in The Book of Mormon, the actual words of the prayers are not written.  Moroni is prompted to include the words exact words, which are the same words that were revealed to Joseph Smith to use and are the same words we use today.

Chapter 6
Moroni informs us of the importance and significance of baptism and meeting together with others who have been baptized. That together we can follow through with our commitment to the Savior.  We can know each other, and by knowing we can help each other, teach each other, be examples for each other and learn from the examples of others.  We are in this together.  Thank goodness!  And the meetings are led by the Holy Ghost, which is even more of a comfort:

9 And their meetings were aconducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the bpower of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.

My favorite verse in chapter 6 is this:
 8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.

As OFTEN as we repent (with real intent - meaning we will do our best to change) we will be forgiven!! What good news!

Faith, Hope and Charity

Reading: Ether 12-13

This is one of my favorite chapters in The Book of Mormon, because I learn about the importance of faith, hope and charity.  The gifts and characteristics are more than just the word, they are action and a way of being and Moroni helps us understand why.  I had an intense (or what seemed intense to me at the time anyway) period of study about charity. It was one of those times I can say that I truly hungered to know what charity was and the subject consumed my personal study.  I learned so much then, but every time I read Ether 12 and Moroni 7, I learn even more! I love it!

During this study, I learned that there are more than one meaning to these gifts and other gifts talked about within the chapter.

In chapters 7-11 we read about the downfall of a great nation because of wickedness.  Because of this, Ether was called to preach repentance and give a voice of warning. Moroni used Ether's teaching as a platform to educate us about three principle doctrines of the gospel.

Ether 12:3-5

He prophesies things which they did not believe BECAUSE THEY SAW THEM NOT.

Ether then beings a discussion of the first principle of the gospel: faith, that you don't have to see to believe.

Ether 12:6-9

When you think of trial of faith, what do you think of?

Elder Scott says it's not just a difficult time of life or hard circumstances, but whether or not you act on a prompting or not.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that sometimes “the trial of [our] faith” is simply a matter of exercising our faith: “You can learn to use faith more effectively by applying this principle taught by Moroni: ‘Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith’ [Ether 12:6; italics added]. Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2003, 79; or Ensign, May 2003, 76).

I have a tendency to think of trials of faith as the really big, life-changing trials, but Elder Scott says they are the everyday impressions we get, that unless we follow, we would have no witness of its importance.  Perhaps the every day tests of faith, impressions and such, are the foundation and even dictation of how well we do in our more difficult trials of faith.

Moroni lists a number of examples from the scriptures of people who received a witness of Christ after a trial of faith. And then he expresses a trial of his own faith by trying to understand why the Lord would have them write these things in weakness.

Ether 12:22-25

As I read this I realized that the trial concerning writing is intended for different groups of people:

For Moroni: he knows there are more perfect words that convey stronger sand more whole messages, but they are commanded to use the plates and a lesser language.  He must have wondered why?

For us: there are many things we understand about The Book of Mormon, but it only comes with frequent reading and study. Moroni tells us that if we had the record in Hebrew, it would be perfect, but that wouldn't be a test of our faith would it?

But Moroni worries that this weakness will make the record too vulnerable and prompt mockery.  The Lord tells him that this too has a purpose:

Ether 12:26-28

I love the statement, "fools mock, but they shall mourn; my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness."  The bible dictionary defines grace as "the enabling power that allows men to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts."  So, after the meek have expended efforts to understand the doctrines of Christ, His grace will help them know what they do not understand, so that they will not take advantage of Moroni's weakness in writing.  That is, the weak, or those who are willing and ready to learn, will not take advantage of Moroni's (and other Book of Mormon prophets) weakness in writing.

Also, here is a great definition of "meekness" by Bishop H. David Burton of the Presiding Bishopric 

“Meekness is vital to becoming more Christlike. Without it one cannot develop other important virtues. Mormon indicated, ‘None is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart’ (Moroni 7:44). Acquiring meekness is a process. We are asked to ‘take up [the] cross daily’ (Luke 9:23). Our lifting should not be an occasional exercise. More meekness does not translate to weakness, but ‘it is
the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness. It reflects certitude, strength, serenity; it reflects a healthy self-esteem and a genuine self-control’ (Neal A. Maxwell, “Meekly Drenched in Destiny,” in Brigham Young University 1982–83 Fireside and Devotional Speeches [1983], 2). More meekness will allow us to be tutored by the Spirit” (in Conference Report Oct. 2004, 104–5; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 99). 

What weakness is the Lord talking about in verse 27?

Up until this point in my life, I always took this scripture very personally and assumed that my personal, individual weaknesses were the subject. I have learned that it can be about that, but also about the general weakness of man that comes with being in a fallen state. It was pointed out to me that in fact the Lord refers to weakness in this verse, as singular and not plural.  This helps make more sense of the meaning of this verse and the verse following it.  It never really made sense to me that the Lord would give us weaknesses, they just come inherently or by choice. Elder Maxwell states this well:

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of how the Lord can help us overcome our weaknesses. “When we read in the scriptures of man’s ‘weakness,’ this term includes the generic but necessary weakness inherent in the general human condition in which the flesh has such an incessant impact upon the spirit (see Ether 12:28–29). Weakness likewise includes, however, our specific, individual weaknesses, which we are expected to overcome (see D&C 66:3; Jacob 4:7). Life has a way of exposing these weaknesses” (Lord, Increase Our Faith [1994], 84).

Then, in vs 28, he tells us how to overcome our weakness (our fallen nature/human condition): by obtaining faith, hope and charity.

In the next set of scriptures Moroni restates the doctrines the Lord mentions:

Faith - Ether 12:29-31

Hope - Ether 12:32

Elder Holland helps us understand the connection and meaning of these crucial doctrines by quoting Moroni 7:42 in his book

“If a man have faith [in Christ and his atonement] he must needs [as a consequence] have hope [in the promise of the Resurrection, because the two are inextricable linked]; for without faith [in Christ’s atonement] there cannot be any hope [in the Resurrection.].” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 334–35).

Then those two lead to a desire for charity - Ether 12:33-35

This was a very great discovery for me, as have tried to delineate the definitions of each word. However I also discovered that these doctrines are usually not distinct from one another, but play a supportive role. As Elder Maxwell explains:

 “Unsurprisingly the triad of faith, hope, and charity, which brings us to Christ, has strong and converging linkage: faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, hope is in His atonement, and charity is the ‘pure love of Christ’ (see Ether 12:28; Moroni 7:47). Each of these attributes qualifies us for the celestial kingdom (see Moroni 10:20–21; Ether 12:34). Each, first of all, requires us to be meek and lowly (see Moroni 7:39, 43).  Faith and hope are constantly interactive and may not always be precisely distinguished or sequenced. Though not perfect knowledge either, hope’s enlivened expectations are ‘with surety’ true (Ether 12:4; see also Romans 8:24; Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21). In the geometry of restored theology, hope has a greater circumference than faith. If faith increases, the perimeter of hope stretches correspondingly” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 45; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 35).

Elder Jeffry R. Holland defines and explains charity and how it applies doubly in our lives (it's a long quote, but a really, really, really good one):

“The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ,’ however, is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not.’ It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up . . . , not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.’ It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth.’ It is that charity—his pure love for us—without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of his love at the last day—the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise—surely it shall be well with them.
 “This does not in any way minimize the commandment that we are to try to acquire this kind of love for one another. . . . We should try to be more constant and unfailing, more longsuffering and kind, less envious and puffed up in our relationships with others. As Christ lived so should we live, and as Christ loved so should we love. But the ‘pure love of Christ’ Mormon spoke of is precisely that—Christ’s love. With that divine gift, that redeeming bestowal, we have everything; without it we have nothing and ultimately are nothing, except in the end ‘devils [and] angels to a devil.’ [2 Nephi 9:9.]
“Life has its share of fears and failures. Sometimes things fall short. Sometimes people fail us, or economies or businesses or governments fail us. But one thing in time or eternity does not fail us—the pure love of Christ. . . .
 “Thus, the miracle of Christ’s charity both saves and changes us. His atoning love saves us from death and hell as well as from carnal, sensual, and devilish behavior. That redeeming love also transforms the soul, lifting it above fallen standards to something far more noble, far more holy. Wherefore, we must ‘cleave unto charity’—Christ’s pure love of us and our determined effort toward pure love of him and all others—for without it we are nothing, and our plan for eternal happiness is utterly wasted. Without the redeeming love of Christ in our lives, all other qualities—even virtuous qualities and exemplary good works—fall short of salvation and joy” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 336–37). 

Elder Marvin J. Ashton give a great definition of the charity we should have:

“Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of [putting others down] repulsive.
“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or
remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 24; or Ensign, May 1992, 18–19).

Moroni then puts these three doctrines into action by praying for the Gentiles to have charity. But then the lord gives a curious response:

Ether 12:36-38

Why wouldn't it matter to Moroni if the Gentiles have charity or not?

Because where Moroni's salvation is concerned, he is demonstrating what he needs to be in order for exaltation.  That where salvation is concerned, every man needs to work out their own salvation, and if other people do not have charity for weakness of men who are trying to be obedient to the Lord's command, they will be accountable for that. Moroni, in a display of charity, prays for the Gentiles to have grace (the enabling power to salvation) so that even though they might mock, they would find the way to salvation.

Ether 12:36-38 happens to be the scripture that Hyrum Smith read right before making the journey to Carthage Jail, at which they would be assassinated. 

Faith, hope and charity are spiritual gifts.  To some, they are given without asking, but for most, Moroni gives us this counsel (Moroni 7:46):

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;

There is a hymn (#169) called "As Now We Take the Sacrament" which has this line: "We contemplate thy lasting grace, thy boundless charity." The Savior's charity is not bound.  He loves knowing everything about us, not judging us for what we are or are not now.  We on the other hand, perhaps have bounded charity.  That is, we try to have charity for even hard-to-love people, but doing so is difficult for us because we go by only what we have experienced and witnessed. We do not often think of or know the capacity, capabilities and potential of who we are trying to love.  That is why we should pray for it.  Because Jesus knows and will help us understand and help us love.  Even, and especially, hard-to-love people (including ourselves).

"Great power, which looks small to the understanding of man"

Reading: Ether 1-6

There were some different things that I picked up on as I read through chapters 1-6, that I hadn't picked up on before. Perhaps it's because so much attention is put on the brother of jared seeing the Savior (spirit body of the Savior), as is right.  But these little things are worth mentioning, or they are at least things that I want to remember.  So I'll list them here:

Chapter 1
v 1 - The account of the Jaredites takes place around 2,200 B.C. which is around the time of Noah and before Moses.

v3-5 - We don't have all of the record of the Jaredites because Moroni abridged it and put what we needed to have in The Book of Mormon. Moroni indicates that a record of the creation and Adam and Eve is written on the plates of Ether, but since those subject would be covered in The Bible, Moroni did not include that information.  It is significant that he mentions this old account, witnessing that the creation and Adam and Eve are indeed fact.

v33-37 - At the time of the tower of Babel, Jared was some sort of ruler and his brother a prophet.  The people were so wicked that the Lord was going to confound the languages of the people.  But after prayer and pleading, He did not confound the language of Jared, his brother, their families and select friends (enough to fill eight boats).

v 38-43 - A Noah-like command was given to Jared and his brother to bring animals (male and female) and seeds with them to the promised land.

Chapter 2
v1-4 - A Moses-like experience of the Lord communicating with the brother of Jared/people in a cloud and leading them through the wilderness.

v5-12 - The Lord spends a good amount of time telling this group of people about the importance of the land of promise that they will inherit.  He does not mention the word covenant, but these words are used in other scriptures and defines the Abrahamic Covenant.  That is, in order to inherit this covenant land, you promise to repent and serve God is vs 8:

And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should aserve him, the true and only God, or they should be bswept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.

v14-16 - The group was on the seashore for four years, and at the end of four years the Lord called the brother of Jared to repentance for not calling on him.  In Sunday School, the question was asked, why the brother of Jared, a prophet of the Lord, would forget to call on the Lord.  There were different postulations, but what I think is interesting is the fact that after going through a repentance process the Lord calls on the brother of Jared to  do something incredibly difficult, time-consuming, challenging and amazing.  It's almost like Jared had to go through a refining point of rededicating himself to the Lord in order to have the dedication to built eight barges that he had no idea how to do.  This idea gives me hope, that my weaknesses are really supposed to refine me.  That while I have shame and guilt for my mistakes, if I let them get me down so that I am despairing and hopeless, I will not be productive in the process of refinement.  But, if I let the correction I receive work in me and the let the Spirit help me understand that my correction is a process, not a final judgment, I move along the path of life with a little more wisdom and am open to direction for small things and great things. As the Lord said to the brother of Jared after his correction (v16) "go to work and build." President Hinckley said something similar:

“I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 16).

v 18-25 After building the boats, the brother of Jared had a few questions.  How are we going to breathe? How are we going to steer? How are we going to see without light?  The Lord answered some of his questions directly and other he told the brother of Jared to look for the answers himself and seek confirmation.  This is the story of our lives and relationship with the Lord.  Sometimes He gives answers quickly, sometimes we've got to do a little more work for the answers and stay open to revelation.

Chapter 3
v1-5 When the brother of Jared finds 16 clear stones and has the idea (that probably came be revelation) that if the Lord can touch them they will give off light, he offers the most simple and genuine prayer of humility and faith:

 2 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

 3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.

 4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.

 5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

My favorite verse is vs. 5.  "O Lord, though canst do this." I have a feeling that this statement was offered with a "but thy will be done" attitude.  But it was the following sentence that really caught my attention this time through.  "We know that thou are able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men."  Sixteen small rocks that were illuminated by the Lord's spirit body hand.  Seemingly such small things, but great power behind the process of doing this.  I had a great experience pondering all the seemingly small miracles in my life, but then considering they are really the great works of the Lord. But this statement seems to be the gate of faith where not only does the Lord show himself (spirit body) to the brother of Jared, but he is shown the great vision of life.

v6-16 - The brother of Jared learned some integral doctrines, that are for us to learn as well, one of the most important being: our bodies are like the body of the Lord.

One last thing before I end:
Chapter 6:8-9

8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
 9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

While traveling by boat, with no sails, strong winds blew to propel this group of people toward the promised land.  It was not easy, it was a long time (344 days), the people had no control over directions or steering.  Through this episode of uncontrollability, the people praised the Lord, thanked the Lord continuously. The wind that seemed to be so violent and opposing, was actually the force that brought them to the promised land.  And so it is, and should be with our lives.

The purpose of The Book of Mormon

Note: I missed posting on time last week due to the holiday weekend, but posted on Mormon 1-6 today also. See post before this one, or click on the link.

Reading: Mormon 7-9

The last three chapters in Mormon are authored by him and his son, Moroni.  Chapter 7 is Mormon’s last testimony and plea to the modern day remnant of the Lamanite people.  Chapters 8-9, are Moroni’s first words to written in The Book of Mormon.  He lets us know why The Book of Mormon was written for our day and what behaviors and trends we need to avoid.

Moroni witnesses the death of his father and all of his other kin and people, so what he has to say to us is very heartfelt and even anguished because he has witnessed the consequences of turning away from righteousness.  Not only is his plea poignant because of his circumstance, but because he knows what issues we will face:

Mormon 8:34-35  (he has seen our day)

We will begin the major portion of our reading in chapter 7, where Mormon speaks directly to the seed of the Lamanites in the future, but is applicable to all of us.

Mormon 7:2-6
• The first things that Mormon wants to make clear is that the Lamanites are of the house of Israel and that they should know their fathers.  In other words, they come from a covenant people.  Now, if I were a person first reading this statement, I would imagine that it wouldn’t mean very much to (especially because I have only recently begun to understand the significance, or even cared to really know).  But at the very least, this message says: “you belong to something,” “here is something that you should know about yourself.”
• He assures them they can be part of that covenant through repentance and accessing the atonement of Jesus Christ.
• As we talked about a few weeks ago, should they partake of this covenant they would receive more direction and hope.

Then Mormon talks about how they can know what their part of the covenant consists of:
WHAT FEELINGS OR EXPERIENCES DO YOU HAVE REGARDING THE BOOK OF MORMON AND BIBLE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER?

Mormon 7:8-10
• Laying hold upon the gospel of Christ
• The gospel of Christ is found in The Bible and The Book of Mormon
• Those who believe the Bible will believe The Book of Mormon
• The Book of Mormon is meant to establish the truth of The Bible.
o This is an interesting way to think about The Book of Mormon.  Think about President Benson commanding that we need to flood the earth with The Book of Mormon.  While it is an extraordinary book on its own, it is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” implying that it verifies and witnesses to the events of the Old and New Testament of Christ.
• Note that in the chapter heading it says “All who believe the Bible will also believe the Book of Mormon.”  How many people do you think believe the Bible?  33% of Americans believe The Bible is the literal or actual word of God, other believe it’s just a book of folk tales or stories written by man. (Gallup Poll)

In the next chapter, Moroni continues to talk about the importance of The Book of Mormon and how it is treated:
Mormon 8:12-17
In these verses, Moroni talks a lot about not condemning the book itself, or the writers of The Book of Mormon for their imperfections.

SO, WHAT IMPERFECTIONS IS MORONI REFERRING TO?  WHAT DOES HE MEAN FOR US TO KNOW BY HIS STATEMENT?
• He is humble and apologizing personally?
• Suggests that if there are faults found, that we should learn from them, not condemn them. (Mor 9:31)
• He recognizes that the people of The Book of Mormon have made many mistakes as all people do.
• He admits that reformed Egyptian is not adequate to communicate all that has been written. (Also in Mor 9)
• He even says in verse 17 that to their estimation, there is no fault, but perhaps there are faults for reasons that only the Lord knows.

Whatever the reason is, those who condemn The Book of Mormon will be judged rashly:
Mormon 8:18-22
• Those who say “prove it to me!” will be smitten
• Those who judge rashly will be judged rashly themselves, but that is God’s right to do. Especially if people are criticizing for the sake of criticizing – finding things wrong just to prove themselves right.
• Their criticisms will be in vain, because the work of the Lord will roll on.
• Ether 12:26   “Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;”  Despite the imperfections, The Book of Mormon will be received by the meek.
• The meek will know the purpose of The Book of Mormon and will put themselves in line to “know greater things than these”:

Joseph Fielding Smith: “I would like to call your attention to one thing in the Book of Mormon. The Lord has promised us greater knowledge, greater understanding than we find in the Book of Mormon, when we are prepared to receive it. When the brother of Jared went upon the mount to have the Lord touch stones to give them light to light their way across the great ocean, the Lord revealed to him the history of this world from the beginning of it to the end. We do not have it. …Now the Lord has placed us on probation as members of the Church. He has given us the Book of Mormon, which is the lesser part, to build up our faith through our obedience to the counsels which it contains, and when we ourselves, members of the Church, are willing to keep the commandments as they have been given to us and show our faith as the Nephites did for a short period of time, then the Lord is ready to bring forth the other record and give it to us, but we are not ready now to receive it. Why? Because we have not lived up to the requirements in this probationary state in the reading of the record which had been given to us and in following its counsels.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, pp. 19-20)

Moroni continues to talk about The Book of Mormon by informing us when it will come forth, which will be in a day when churches will be defiled and their leaders will be lifted up in pride.  There will be wars, earthquakes, pollutions, etc.  After describing these horrible scenes, he pinpoints what our problems as a people are in a very stinging observation:

Mormon 8:36-37
• Walk in the pride of your hearts (fine apparel, envyings, iniquities
• Ye do love money more than ye do the poor and needy, sick and afflicted

HOW DO WE CHANGE THAT?  HOW CAN WE LOVE THE POOR, THE NEEDY, SICK AND AFFLICTED MORE THAN MONEY?  IS IT REALLY MONEY HE’S TALKING ABOUT?

Moroni addresses chapter 9 to those who do not believe in Christ.  He covers three different groups of people, or perhaps the same group with a number of issues: Those who do not believe in Christ, those who do not believe in revelation and those who do not believe in miracles.  All three of these topics are addressed in the scriptures and are evident in their very existence.

Mormon 9:1-4
• Right away give them a warning that if they do not believe in Christ in this life, they will believe when they are standing at the judgment bar before him. Scare tactic? No, just reality.
• When at the judgment bar, they will be racked with a “consciousness of guilt.” President Kimball made an interesting statement on what a “consciousness of guilt” is.

“As repentance gets under way, there must be a deep consciousness of guilt, and in that consciousness of guilt may come suffering to the mind, the spirit, and sometimes even to the body. In order to live with themselves, people who transgress must follow one or the other of two alternatives. The one is to sear their conscience or dull their sensitivity with mental tranquilizers so that their transgression may be continued. Those who choose this alternative eventually become calloused and lose their desire to repent. The other alternative is to permit remorse to lead one to total sorrow, then to repentance, and finally on to eventual forgiveness.
“Remember this, that forgiveness can never come without repentance. And repentance can never come until one has bared his soul and admitted his actions without excuses or rationalizations. He must admit
to himself that he has sinned, without the slightest minimization of the offense or rationalizing of its seriousness, or without soft-pedaling its gravity. He must admit that his sin is as big as it really is and not call a pound an ounce. Those persons who choose to meet the issue and transform their lives may find repentance the harder road at first, but they will find it the infinitely more desirable path as they taste of its fruits” (“The Gospel of Repentance,” Ensign, Oct. 1982, 4).

Those who do not believe in revelation:
Mormon 9:7-9
• Note that all the things he listed in verse 7 are different kinds of revelation.
• If you don’t believe in revelation, you must not be reading the scriptures
• In the scriptures we find that God is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

HOW DO YOU RECONCILE A GOD THAT DOES NOT CHANGE, BUT GIVES REVELATION THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING?  For example: The Book of Mormon as addition scriptures to The Bible, or all worthy males being able to hold the priesthood after years of not being able to do so.
• God is unchangeable because he knows everything in it’s proper place and time.  He reveals to us more information as we need it.  Just because it’s something we haven’t known doesn’t make HIM changeable.

Moroni connects the unchangeableness of God to the ability to do miracles:
Those who do not believe in miracles.
Mormon 9:15-20
• If miracles happened when Christ was on the earth, why should miracles stop, just because he’s not on the earth.  If he is unchangeable there will always be miracles.  He gave the example of Christ’s apostles performing miracles, which happened by the power of the priesthood, which can exist on earth without the presence of Christ.
• If miracles cease it’s because nobody believes, because what good would the miracles be?

Mormon 9:21-25 talks about how to receive personal miracles:
• Verse 21 defines personal miracles: believing in Christ, doubting nothing, ask and it will be granted.
• So, Christ told his apostles to preach the gospel so that people would believe and experience the miracles wrought by faith.
• Then miracles will come, i.e. casting out devils, testimony, etc.

The bottom line is in verse 26, read to them.
WHO THINKS THEY ARE BETTER THAN THE LORD?  Even if you don’t believe in a God right now, it’s worth consideration. You don’t have much to lose.

Moroni adds this great plea to sum up:
READ Mormon 9:27-29

27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

 28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.

 29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.


The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Christ.  It's purpose is to prove that there really was a Christ and that he has a gospel that contains all truths that will bring us joy in this life and unspeakable joy in the next.  The very existence of The Bible and The Book of Mormon confirms to us that continuing revelation comes from God from himself and through his servants, the prophets.  When that revelation is believed there are miracles on a personal level and on a larger level.

No hope, but have faith and charity

 Reading: Mormon 1-6

I have so much sympathy for Mormon.  He is called to such a great calling - compiling all the plates into one Book that will come forth in a generation far in the future - and yet he witnesses such sad destruction among his own people.  I don't like to think that so many people died because we needed a warning, but it seems to be the case here and intensifies Mormon's desire to warn future generations.  One of the most interesting thing about Mormon is his ability to endure to the end in performing service for people who are just not good people.  This makes me think about many people who for one reason or another do not accept the gospel that we should love even thought they reject something so precious to us.  Mormon is a great example of how to interact with such people.


In chapter 1, Mormon stayed among the people, even though they were very wicked people:

16 And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had willfully rebelled against their God; and the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land, because of their iniquity.
 17 But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake.

In chapter 2, Mormon began to be excited because it seemed that the Nephites wanted to change their ways and showed inclination towards repentance, but their repentance was not sincere.  They were just sick of the destruction and living miserably.  They tried to change, but their attempt to change did not include Jesus Christ, so their change did not amount to the joy they were thinking.

10 And it came to pass that the Nephites began to repent of their iniquity, and began to cry even as had been prophesied by Samuel the prophet; for behold no man could akeep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land.
 11 Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi.
 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 again become a righteous people.
 13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.
 14 And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives.
 15 And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually; for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open drebellion against their God, and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land. And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away.

In Chapter 3, the Lord, in his mercy and grace, allowed Mormon to preach to the people one more time, giving them yet another chance, but it was in vain:

2 And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be aspared.
 3 And I did cry unto this people, but it was ain vain; and they did bnot realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God.

Mormon continues to lead them in military attempts.  But he says that he was without hope of success because they had not repented.

1 And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies, for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions.
 2 But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them.

Because he witnessed such destruction, he offered a plea that would be read in generations to come that the same mistakes would be avoided. Ch 6:

 17 O 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 fair 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 incorruptible 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 destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy.

Reading these passages reminded me of some verses in 2 Nephi 33.  Where Nephi, in some of his last words, identified with the same emotions that Mormon had and teaches us how to act when people we care about reject the gospel.

7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.
 8 I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.
 9 I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

Nephi could not have hope for the Jew or the Gentile because by their actions of agency, they were not qualifying themselves for eternal life, or living with God again.  Hope in this situation seems based upon reality, the fact that even though Christ can save them, they are not choosing to be saved.  But then he says, that even though he doesn't have hope based on their actions, he still have faith in Christ, that the power is available to "meet many soul spotless at his judgment-seat."  But even greater that that, I think, is the fact that Nephi can have charity for them.  That is, he can love them like Christ loves them.  I know I don't understand all that charity encompasses because I am not a perfect being who can see beginning from end.  But I imagine that charity includes being patient for a person to "come to themselves" like the prodigal son.  It might include respecting their agency, and loving what you can about a person even though you might not agree with everything they say or do.  It probably includes not judging them based on just what you know, but trusting that Christ knows their whole story.

This doctrine and these examples have changed my life and how I see myself and other people.  I am eternally grateful.

The Name of Christ and the Power of Using It and Not Using It

Reading: 3 Nephi 27-28; 4 Nephi

After the Savior left the disciples to teach His gospel, an issue came up that they decided to fast and pray about.  In answer to their pleadings, Jesus Christ appeared to them again:

3 Nephi 27:2-5
There are two points here that are worth discussing before we talk about what the Savior wanted the name of his church to be:
1. There were disputations among the people
2. The Lord asked: why do you need to murmur and dispute about this issue?
3. Have they not read the scriptures (answers come in the scriptures)
These things are significant because the name of a church is an important thing, but Jesus told them they shouldn't be fighting about it, especially because the answer is in the scriptures!

The doctrine of taking on the name of Christ:
3 Nephi 27:6-10
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TAKE UPON US THE NAME OF CHRIST?
• Take the name of Christ AND endure to the end
• Whatever you do, do it in the name of Christ and the church will be blessed for his sake
• Take on the name of Christ is building yourself upon his gospel
• If ye call upon the Father in his name, he will hear you.
• If we are built upon His gospel, the Father will show forth his own works
The scriptures are replete with declarations that the name of Jesus Christ is “the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men.” ( Moses 6:52; see also  Acts 4:12;  2 Ne. 25:20;  2 Ne. 31:21;  Mosiah 3:17.)
o Moses 6:52 And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.
o John 6:66-69 -  66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Elder Oaks talks about the meaning of “taking upon us the name of Christ” in the sacrament prayer.  He points out that we witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ which indicates that something else needs to happen in order to actually take upon us the name of Christ:

1. It causes us to renew the covenant we made in the waters of baptism to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and serve him to the end.
2. We also take upon us his name as we publicly profess our belief in him, as we fulfill our obligations as members of his Church, and as we do the work of his kingdom.
3. But there is something beyond these familiar meanings, because what we witness is not that we take upon us his name but that we are willing to do so. In this sense, our witness relates to some future event or status whose attainment is not self-assumed, but depends on the authority or initiative of the Savior himself.
4. Scriptural references to the name of Jesus Christ often signify the authority of Jesus Christ. In that sense, our willingness to take upon us his name signifies our willingness to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ in the sacred ordinances of the temple, and to receive the highest blessings available through his authority when he chooses to confer them upon us.
5. Finally, our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ affirms our commitment to do all that we can to be counted among those whom he will choose to stand at his right hand and be called by his name at the last day. In this sacred sense, our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ constitutes our declaration of candidacy for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (D&C 14:7.) “Taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ,” Oaks, April 1985

When I consider the importance of doing things in the name of Christ and the power it invokes, I tend to approach my prayers a little more carefully, because I would not want to offend God by flippantly or thoughtlessly thanking or asking for things in the name of His beloved Son.

His name wouldn't mean anything if it were not for the gospel as He explains it:
3 Nephi 27:13-15
• Submission to the will of the Father (v13)
• The gospel is the atonement (v14)
• Resurrection v(14-15)
• Judgment (v14-15)

As a part of the gospel, what do we do to access the atonement?
3 Nephi 27:16-17
• Repentance
• Baptism
• Endure to the end
• Vs 20 adds “sanctified by the Holy Ghost”
• Vs 22, reward for obedience

In verses 23-26 The Savior confirms that those who read these words will be judged by them.

Chapter 28
The Savior's 12 disciples are good examples of those who have taken these words and lived by them.  In this chapter, we discover the desires of the 12 Nephite disciples; nine desire to live with Christ after their mortal ministry and three don’t want their ministry to end.  These three are infamously coined “the three Nephites” within in the church.  I realize there are many faith-promoting stories about the 3 Nephites, but 3 Nephi 28:25-28 indicates that we won't know the names of the three and we won't know who they are.  So, why is it the account of the three translated Nephites was included in The Book of Mormon?

3 Nephi 28:1-5; 6-10; 11-15
WHAT DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL DO WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE?
• Individual attention: He asked them ONE BY ONE: What is it that ye desire of me?  How would you answer this question?
• Communication with the Savior: he knows our thoughts and our hearts.  Why do we have to ask/pray then? For our learning and growth.
• Connecting the testaments and individualizing the gospel: informed of John the Beloved’s same desire and D&C 7 also notifies us that Peter desired what the nine desired.  Both were appropriate because “both joy in that which ye have desired.”
• There is no competition between desires, what you get is appropriate for you, what another gets is appropriate for them.
• This seems to be a good example of “asking not amiss,”  “for thou shalt not ask for that which is contrary to my will,” (see Helaman 7).  I suspect that their desires were prompted by aligning themselves with the Lord, or a spiritual prompting to ask these particular things.
• The fact that these three were translated illustrates the power that Christ has over life and death, pain and sickness and temptations (v8-9)
a. Translated beings never taste of death or endure the pains of death (3 Nephi 28:7–8, 38).
b. When the Savior comes in His glory, they will be “changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality” (3 Nephi 28:8).
c. Except for the sorrow they feel for the sins of the world, they do not experience pain or sorrow (3 Nephi 28:9, 38).
d. They help people become converted to the Lord (3 Nephi 28:9, 18, 23, 29–30). They had the “convincing power of God” to do “great and marvelous works.”
e. They cannot be killed or harmed in any way (3 Nephi 28:19–22).
f. Satan cannot tempt them or have any power over them (3 Nephi 28:39).
g. They remain in a translated state until the Judgment Day, when they will be resurrected and received into the kingdom of God (3 Nephi 28:40).
• Incredible display of charity: to work as long as necessary to “bring the souls of men unto [Christ], while the world shall stand.”
• (v 10) Helping the Lord accomplish his work brings fullness of joy.  The Lord gets joy from doing the work his Father gave him and the Father receives joy from his work.
• Because of their desire, they were granted the ability to see unspeakable things. Which things are not recorded for us, to try our faith and desires.

3 Nephi 28:34-35 Mormons summation of the Lord’s visit: Please believe in Christ, if you don't, it would be better that you had not been born.  Pretty serious stuff both for those who are learning and those who are preaching.

The Nephites take this messages to heart and people throughout all the land were converted (those who saw the Savior were only a small portion of the Nephites).  All were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.  In 4 Nephi we learn that the people lived in peace for 200 years after the Savior’s visit.  And here is the reason why:

4 Nephi 1:15
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

This begs the question: How much do we love God?  When I am frustrated with my children and bring contention, is God my first thought.  Honestly, no. But it comes shortly after contention and I'm so glad He forgives me when I ask and try harder.

Speaking of contention, that is the reason the Nephite, after 200 years began to deteriorate from peace.  The Sunday School manual gives a good list of the reasons why, from 4 Nephi 1:

a. Division and the creation of classes (4 Nephi 1:20, 26, 35)
b. Pride and greed because of riches (4 Nephi 1:23–25, 41, 43; see also 3 Nephi 27:32)
c. Churches that professed to know Christ but denied most of His gospel (4 Nephi 1:26–29, 34)
d. Churches built up to help people get gain (4 Nephi 1:26–29, 41)
e. Hard-heartedness (4 Nephi 1:31)
f. Persecution of Christ’s followers (4 Nephi 1:29–34)
g. Parents teaching children not to believe in Christ (4 Nephi 1:38)
h. Parents teaching children to hate (4 Nephi 1:39)
i. Secret combinations (4 Nephi 1:42, 46)

Lesser and Greater Things

Reading: 3 Nephi 22-26

There are a few things that are always talked about in these chapters: 1) Jesus tells the Nephites (and us) that we are to search the words of Isaiah - good counsel, 2) Jesus reminds Nephi that some of Samuel's (a prior prophet) prophecies were not written down and he commands them to write them (many lessons on journaling), and 3) the peace that the people begin to experience because of Jesus' visit.  All great topics.

I am always curious though about why Jesus quotes the prophets Isaiah and Malachi.  In fact the quotations from Malachi are in all four of the standard works (books of scripture) used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They must be pretty important.  These quotations are about the gathering of Israel, paying tithing, Elijah returning before the second coming of the Lord and more.  Why do we need to know all this stuff?

First off, we are told that we don't have ALL the information (3 Ne 26:8-11):

8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
 9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
 11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.

We don't have all the information because the Lord wanted to try our faith.  Not knowing the answers to everything, but still persisting in belief is a trial, to me anyway.  I think it is especially a trial right now because the demand to know everything is very high.  We want to know everything about a scandal, everything about disasters that happen, everything in politics, we want answers for behaviors, answers for health issues and it's frustrating to not get the answers!  But will you believe anyway?  Will you believe that there is a promise to know everything?  If we can believe the "lesser things" then the "greater things" will be made manifest.  Can we be satisfied with not knowing everything?  I hope so.  Here are some of the lesser things taught in the chapters the Savior quotes:

Tithing:  Can we live the law of tithing?
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee?  In tithes and offerings." 3 Nephi 24:8-12


Sealing by the power of the priesthood of the Son of God: Can we be obedient enough to be worthy of a temple sealing (wether you have the option or not to have a spouse, are you worthy of it?)

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." 3 Ne 25

Search the prophets: Can we search the scriptures daily and know what modern prophets have told us and do we follow their teachings?

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah." 3 Ne 23:1-5

He mentions many more things we can do, but these three things and others in the books of scripture He says are "lesser things" compared to what we can know.  So if we cannot do these lesser things, there may be some adjustments to be made.  I think he tells us these things because accompanying this information is information about judgment and the second coming.  So, if we had any questions on how to prepare for that great event, we now know what lesser things we need to do in order to prepare for greater things.  And I'm going to take a guess that when the Lord says "greater" it's greater than we can comprehend. We have nothing bad to lose by trying to live these principles.

Understanding the Point of Gathering Israel

Reading: 3 Nephi 16, 20-21

  

We have been reading and discussing the Savior’s visit to the Nephite people.  Mormon included quite a lot of doctrine that the Savior taught the Nephites, but we are told not everything was recorded.  What was recorded also went through the screening process of Mormon.  So the 22 chapters that we do have must be extremely important!  Of the 22 chapters that span Christ’s visit, seven of those chapters, nearly a third of our record of His visit, are dedicated to the scattering and gathering of Israel and the last days.  We had better figure out why.

First we need to define some terms and do a little review of events and meanings:

There are two main groups of people in the house of Israel that the Savior talks about in regards to their scattering and gathering: the Jews and the Gentiles

The Jews are defined as those having the lineage of Judah and also those who claim to belong to that nationality.  For instance: Lehi is from the lineage of Joseph (one of the ten lost tribes), but he claims himself a Jew because he is from Jerusalem.

The Gentiles are pretty much anybody who is not a Jew, which means a Gentile can be someone from the other 11 tribes.  For instance, Joseph Smith is declared to be from the pure line of Ephraim, but because he belonged to a Gentile nation, is considered a Gentile (and is therefore the prophesied Gentile to bring forth The Book of Mormon).

Throughout our reading today, we will discover that there are believing Gentiles and unbelieving Gentiles.  Those who believe are adopted into the House of Israel, but may still be called Gentiles.

Elder Russell M. Nelson summarized the scattering well

As descendants of Abraham, the tribes of ancient Israel had access to priesthood authority and blessings of the gospel, but eventually the people rebelled. They killed the prophets and were punished by the Lord. Ten tribes were carried captive into Assyria. From there they became lost to the records of mankind. (Obviously, the ten tribes are not lost to the Lord.) Two remaining tribes continued a short time and then, because of their rebellion, were taken captive into Babylon. 5 When they returned, they were favored of the Lord, but again they honored Him not. They rejected and vilified Him. A loving but grieving Father vowed, “I will scatter you among the heathen,” 6 and that He did—into all nations.  “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,”  Oct 2006, Ensign.

Abraham received the covenant personally and then The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, that this same covenant would be offered to his posterity and the offering of such a covenant would gather them together again.

Why was it necessary to make a covenant that a gathering would take place?  If the Lord wanted to gather people, couldn’t he do it without making a covenant to Abraham?

• A covenant is an acknowledgement from God to His people and an acknowledgement of God from people.
• The testimony of holy writ is that whenever the Lord has a people that he acknowledges as his own, that acknowledgement comes in the form of a covenant. “Our Destiny, The Call and Election of the House of Israel,” Millet, Robert L., McConkie, Joseph Fielding, pg 85.
• Covenant comes with education/revelation
• It is a system of worship
• Gives direction and hope
• Education about God
• It is a family affair
• Covenants come because of righteousness
• Evidence that there is a plan for individuals and groups of people
• Provides accountability and responsibility

It is, in fact, the loss of these covenants and their attendant blessings from the Biblical record that caused and continues to cause so much stumbling and misdirection.
Covenants are the plain and precious truths that the Savior restores throughout The Book of Mormon and most definitively in his visit to the New World:

·      He begins his visit with instruction about baptism: the first covenant we make, followed with the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us keep that covenant and more

·      He introduces the sacrament to help people remember their covenants and the author of covenants

·      He sets apart and confers the blessing of the Priesthood, another covenant.

·      It has been theorized that all that he teaches the people during his visit leads up to the temple covenants, though the actual covenants are not recorded

To further emphasize the importance of Jesus Christ and covenants:

·      The title page of The Book of Mormon says its purpose is for “the House of Israel to know the covenants of the Lord; that they are not cast off forever.”

·      Malachi 3:1 called Christ “the messenger of the covenant”

He proclaims Himself THE messenger that Moses prophesied about and indicates what being part of a covenant people means:

According to this passage, what is the opportunity or blessing of being a child of the covenant?

3 Nephi 20:23-26

·      Being a child of the covenant give you a change to turn from your iniquities, by being given directions from the doctrines of the gospel.

·      Verses 23-24 are quoted in all of our standard works

·      Through the Nephites, the whole world will be blessed

So, a gathering needs to occur in order for all the people of the earth (ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL) to know what the covenants of the Lord are, to make those promises so everyone can have chances to turn from iniquity by using the only mediator who can expiate our wrongs.

Let’s get some information then, about the scattering and gathering to help us know what to look for and do.

The beginning of the scattering of Israel started around 975 B.C.

Is the scattering over?

Sometimes we mistakenly suppose that because the restoration of the gospel formally began with the Church’s organization in 1830, the apostasy ended at the same time.  The first ray of light does not chase away the darkness of night; it simply stands as a harbinger of more light to come.  At the present time many aspects of the apostasy are alive and well.  They hold sway in every sphere of mortal activity that does not enjoy the full influence of gospel light.  So it is with the scattering of Israel: it did not end at the moment that the great labor of the gathering began.  The remnant of Jacob is at this very moment of time still being scattered.

Similarly, the assault on the concept of a covenant people has not ended.  Like all other aspects of the apostasy, it is alive and well.  In various shades of darkness it creeps into the thinking of the Latter-day Saint people.  We need to be reminded that should we as a people lose either our understanding of the covenant God made with our ancient father or our faith in its application and relevance today, then we will lose with it its train of attendants – revelation, prophets, priesthood, and temple blessings. Such is the lesson of history. “Our Destiny, The Call and Election of the House of Israel,” Millet, Robert L., McConkie, Joseph Fielding, pg13.

Who is doing the scattering?  Non-believing Gentiles.  The gentiles have a dual role to play in this plan of scattering and gathering.

3 Ne 16:7-9

·      “their” = believing Gentiles (v7)

·      v 8 talks about unbelieving Gentiles

·      v8 mentions scattering, which refers to physical scattering, but mostly spiritual scattering

·      BUT he causes the scattering for a reason – to make us humble and teachable!

The other role Gentiles play:

3 Ne 21:1-7

·      “you” = Nephites

·      “them” = Gentiles (believing)

·      The Book of Mormon will come forth from the Gentiles that the Lord may “show forth his power unto the Gentiles,” “so that they may repent and be baptized and know the true points of doctrine.”

·      The gentiles are, after all from the House of Israel and have believing blood.

·      The Book of Mormon is used as a tool of gathering and also as a sign of the COMMENCEMENT of gathering

3 Ne 21:9-10 about Joseph Smith.  Remember the Title Page of The Book of Mormon mentioned that it will “come forth in due time by way of the Gentile.”

What does the gathering mean?  Just as the scattering was a physical and spiritual event, the gathering will be a spiritual and physical gathering.  Prophets and apostles today have indicated that we are to gather to the lands we are already in.  Spiritual gathering is happening now.  Let’s read about what that means.

3 Ne 20:11-12  gathering = fulfilling covenant (Abrahamic and individual). You can be gathered and feel gathered even if it’s just you and the Lord.  But there is great strength when there is a group of people with the same belief and goal that you belong to.

The Lord tells us shat happens when covenants are fulfilled:

3 Ne 16:11-12  covenant = Gentiles (unbelievers) shall not overpower you.

            3 Ne 20:27  the Holy Ghost makes them mighty above all.

27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.

At this point the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled

3 Ne 20:40-41

·      Because of the covenants that provide all the things listed on the board, people will say “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings.”

o   “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace,” refers to those who spread the Lord’s gospel, but that it more specifically refers to the Savior Himself: “These familiar passages, written first by Isaiah but spoken of and inspired by Jehovah himself, are often applied to anyone—especially missionaries—who bring the good tidings of the gospel and publish peace to the souls of men. There is nothing inappropriate about such an application, but it is important to realize—as the prophet Abinadi did—that in its purest form and original sense, this psalm of appreciation applies specifically to Christ. It is he and only he who ultimately brings the good tidings of salvation. Only through him is true, lasting peace published. To Zion, in both the old and new Jerusalems, it is Christ who declares, ‘Thy God reigneth!’ It is his feet upon the mountain of redemption that are beautiful’ [3 Nephi 20:40]” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 286).

·      

And then we will get to work!  We are to remain clean and share the covenants the Lord has made and will fulfill so that others will receive the hope and direction that is possible for them.