The Salt of the Earth

Nephi sets the stage for us early on in his writing (1 Ne. 10:11-14; and 13:3, 4, 10, 12-17, 19, 23, 25-26, 29-35, 38-40, 42).  He makes it clear who the Gentiles are.  We're then able to follow the prophecies about that people from that point on.  

When I read the biography of Bruce McConkie by his son Joseph a few years back, I noticed that the book began by introducing Elder McConkie's roots.  The author gives us details about Elder McConkie's parents, and his parents' parents.  It's nice to know a little more about the main character of the book by tracing the line a bit.  This is typical of most biographies that have been written about leaders of the Church.  You're always going to get a little background about the family.  

Nephi gives us the brief, but very clear genealogical background required for us to understand the identity and primary role of those who are called "Gentiles" throughout the entire book.  The verses mentioned above are the beginning pieces of the picture.  It is a picture that is developed fully only when considering the entirety of the Book of Mormon text.  

Whether or not we can now accept that the Book of Mormon is a prophecy about and warning to us, we can begin by considering the resurrected Lord's teachings to Lehi's descendants who were spared destruction at the time of Christ's death.  You can read the entire chapter for the context, but consider these words:

"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" (3 Ne. 16:13-15).

Skimming over these verses makes it easy to maintain a belief that the term Gentiles isn't talking about us.  It is too easy for us to assume that when those heathen Gentiles repent they will then be numbered among the Church.  That's not what this is talking about, however.

When in modern revelation the Lord repeats phrases he has previously used we should listen up.  In our day the Lord has given us further light to understand the records we possess.  On 16 December 1833 he revealed to the Prophet:

"When men are called unto mine everlasting gospel, and covenant with an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the salt of the earth and the savor of men;

"They are called to be the savor of men; therefore, if that salt of the earth lose its savor, behold, it is thenceforth good for nothing only to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men" (D&C 101:39-40).

How can the Gentiles about whom Christ is prophesying in 3 Nephi "be as salt that hath lost its savor," if those Gentiles have not been "called" and have not made "covenants" by the proper authority?  Those Gentiles who have never been "called," have thus never been "accounted" as the "salt of the earth and the savor of men."  If the Gentiles about whom Christ is prophesying are indeed those who have been "called unto mine everlasting gospel," and who "covenant with an everlasting covenant" to obey it, how is it that they will, according to the words of Christ given unto Him by the Father, need to "repent and return unto me?"  

When you consider the Book of Mormon in truth and with honesty, you begin to realize that you have many more questions than you thought you had answers.  You need these questions.  They lead you to Christ. 

I've focused almost wholly on us, and the role we have to play, and our identity, and how the Book of Mormon is a warning to us.  We should remember the book's preeminent purpose.  It will show the remnant "what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever" (Title Page).  It was also given that the Gentiles might be convinced that "Jesus is the Christ" (ibid.).  We can only fulfill our role when we properly understand it.

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.