His Hand Is Stretched Out Still

The pre-eminent doctrine of the Book of Mormon is that only Christ can save you and that you must repent and seek his face for redemption from the fall.  It is the message of all the major prophet-writers.  It is the message of all true prophets.  It is the message of the Book of Mormon over and over again.  The Lord works with individuals to prepare them in all things to be presented at the veil and enter his presence.  In spite of that persistent message we, as a people, fail to see that book as an invitation to us personally.  We have no hope that this opportunity is available to us (Ether 12:32).    

This is an indictment of how sick our culture is, and how misleading our traditions are.  To bring up these ideas stirs up contention and discomfort among some of our best people.  Satan has great hold upon our hearts because we wrest the scriptures and do not understand these things (D&C 10:63).  Our misunderstanding, and non-acceptance of these ideas is the overarching reason we are condemned of God (D&C 84:54-57).  In these, if in no other principles set forth in the Book of Mormon, we are guilty of unbelief.  We must do according to that which is written (ibid.).

Our temple rites should inform our interpretation of the Book of Mormon message.  If you consider yourself the individual to whom the temple drama is aiming its instruction, it is clear that your commission is to persist on the path that leads back to the presence of the Lord.  That path will ultimately require you to consecrate your whole soul to God (Omni 1:26).  True messengers will come to instruct you how this is to be done.  When you fully comply, you will be prepared in all things and the Lord will make his abode with you (John 14:23).

Christ was commanded by the Father to prophesy concerning the rejection of the fulness of the gospel in the last days (3 Ne. 16:10).  To interpret this prophecy as somehow referring to those Gentiles who refuse to be baptized members of the Church is at best incomplete.  Rather, the way in which the Gentiles have rejected "the fulness of my gospel" is by a rejection of the doctrines that we must repent and seek the face of the Lord.  It is because of unbelief that the fulness is being rejected.  And yet strangely, the Gentiles "shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth" (ibid.).    

What is it about our heritage that has discouraged such a search for God?  Of all the people on the earth, we who have a knowledge of the restoration and the Book of Mormon should be seeking the face of God.  When in our history did our present mentality begin robbing us of truth?  Why have we somehow been conditioned to believe such a search is inappropriate or fanatical?  3 Ne. 16:10 contains some helpful ideas.  Satan surely looks with pleasure upon our traditions and laughs.

God be praised for extending to the Gentiles another opportunity to receive the fulness of the gospel (D&C 45:28-30).  If it will not be accepted, it will be because men remain blinded by the traditions of men (ibid.).  For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

The Fulness of the Gospel

Long ago a remnant of Jews was "scattered among all nations" (D&C 45:16-24).  Christ prophesied this would happen.  When this dispensation opened, they remained in their scattered condition.  That group remains scattered today, and will so remain, until “the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (D&C 45:24-25). 

Before the times of the Gentiles were to be fulfilled, however, the Lord said he would make a last effort to extend unto them the fullness of the gospel.

“And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.

“And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.

“And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel;

“But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

“And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

“And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.

“But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die.

“And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another” (D&C 45:26-33).

The "times of the Gentiles is come in."  When the fullness has been offered and rejected, the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled.  That rejection will be a prelude to the “overflowing scourge,” and the “desolating sickness” that shall cover the land.  Christ will spare his disciples, but the wicked will be destroyed.

This prophecy ties in with the prophecy Joseph Smith later gave on 23 July 1837 that I mentioned earlier (This Day in History). 

These things ought to be considered and should provide us encouragement to take our discipleship seriously.  

The Prophet Abinadi, Part 3

The Prophet Abinadi, Part 3

Continuing with Mosiah 11:21-25

Abinadi prophesies that Noah and his people will be destroyed.  The Lord will “deliver them into the hands of their enemies,” and “they shall be brought into bondage,” and “I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies” (vv. 21-24).  This was the prophecy given to him of the Lord to utter.  It was easy to be understood by all who would hear.  Whether or not they understood how it was to be accomplished, Abinadi’s prophecy made the king and his priests angry precisely because they clearly understood what the message was. 

Prophecy is not always this clear or easy to interpret before the prophesied event actually occurs, but once the event has happened it is apparent that it had been foretold by prophecy.  There is a reason for this.  Despite a perfect knowledge of all that is, was, and ever will be, the Lord must preserve the agency of man, and not allow prophecy to control the event (D&C 130:7).  “Therefore, having some difficulty in attaching specific meaning to the prophecy is exactly in keeping with prophecy's traditional way of communicating an event” (Snuffer).

When it comes to a message of repentance however, and in communicating the necessary consequences for rejecting such a message, the Lord, in mercy, will always be very clear. 

The Lord has been clear with us in the last days, just as he has in the past.  The Book of Mormon has provided us with clear prophecies for our own day.  3 Ne. 16 contains what Hugh Nibley called the “great warning” and “great prophecy” of the Book of Mormon.  The scriptures to which he referred are rarely considered.

“But wo, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles – for notwithstanding they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people who are of the house of Israel; and my people who are of the house of Israel have been cast out from among them, and have been trodden under feet by them;

“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fullness of my gospel from among them” (3 Ne 16:8, 10).

The Lord says that the Father commanded him to say these things.  The prophets prophesy declaring “thus saith the Lord.”  Here we have the Lord himself prophesying declaring thus “saith the Father.”  The prophecy states that “when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel” (you can’t sin against the gospel unless you’ve got the gospel), “and shall reject the fullness of my gospel,” the “fullness” will be brought from among them.  What does this mean?  Has this prophecy uttered by Christ been fulfilled?  If not, will it at some point be fulfilled?  If not, why not?  Is it because the Gentiles won’t be “filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy,” but with honesty, truth, and virtue?  Take a look around. 

The prophecy goes on to say:

“But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.

“And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father.

“But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel” (vv. 13-15).

Whether or not this occurs is dependent upon the willingness of the Gentiles to “repent and return unto [Christ], saith the Father.”  Though the word “if” appears, granting unto the Gentiles a choice in the matter, Christ goes on to say that it is only after the house of Israel (the seed of Lehi) has been given “this land for their inheritance” that the words of the Prophet Isaiah “shall be fulfilled” (vv. 16-17).      

Now back to Abinadi.  There were two major consequences the people would face if they rejected the message to repent.  The first is what we’ve already covered: they would be brought into bondage and smitten by their enemies.  The other consequence of their failure to repent is that “when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries,” and “I will not hear their prayers.”

In another place the Lord uses slightly different words to clarify the same intended consequence of Israel failing to repent:

“And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear” (Isa. 1:15).

Many books have been written, and many talks have been given in an attempt to help us all make some revelatory breakthrough.  Too many of us are wondering why we can’t seem to get an answer from heaven, and think that if we eat more peas and shave every day it will do the trick.  Good ideas are helpful, especially if based upon formulas given by the Lord in scripture (you might find a basis for eating peas in D&C 89, for example.  You’ll have a harder time backing up modern Mormon culture with the scriptures, however).  But unless you are willing to consider the reality of “your minds” being “darkened,” good ideas get you nowhere (D&C84:54).  The heavens will remain as brass over your head. 

Are the revelations given to Joseph Smith about “the children of Zion” being “under condemnation” true (D&C 84:54-58)?  That sounds serious.  Is it serious?  President Benson believed that revelation applied to the saints in his day.  Can you prevail upon God for answers if your mind is darkened, or if you are under condemnation?  Or “when ye spread forth your hands” will he hide his eyes from you?  How might we first prevail upon God to remove the condemnation?  Have you ever asked God if you are really under condemnation?  Where much is given much is required (D&C 82:3).

Why is it our common, shared experience to say our rote and vain prayers and wonder if revelation is real in our day?  To wonder whether visions are real, and if angels really do visit men and women (Moro. 7:36-37)?  Just read early church history for one week and you’ll decide there’s an appreciable difference in the experiences of Joseph and his companions and ours today.  It’s a frustrating and inviting experience.  It should bother you.  It’s good to let it bother you.  Let it bother you unto repentance and faith in Christ, and not unto destruction.  If these ideas bother you and cripple your spirituality, then discard them.  If these ideas bother you and motivate you to repent and return to Christ, then know that it is of God. 

The Holy Ghost can teach us the truth of all things (Moro. 10:5).  Even the light of Christ, which has been given to all men, will guide you into all truth.  We should follow that light back to His presence.