The Book of Mormon is a partial account, approximately one percent of the record for descendants of Joseph of Egypt’s people. It is not a history, but an abridgment containing historical accounts that are not comprehensive. The record contains those things which the Lord deemed “expedient” for the Gentiles and the seed of Joseph to know in the last days.
“The Lord also told me: I’ll give your descendants also a prophet [Joseph Smith] and make a spokesman [someone who speaks for Joseph Smith when Israel is gathered[1]] for him. I’ll inspire the one to write the record of your descendants [Joseph Smith] to bless your offspring. And that spokesman will declare that record. The words he’ll [Joseph Smith] write will be the words that, in My wisdom, I consider important for your offspring to read. It will be as if your descendants [Joseph of Egypt’s] called out to them from the dust, because I know their faith. They’ll call out the need for repentance from the dust for their brothers and sisters many generations after they’ve died.
Their words will go forth in a way that is a direct, clear message [Covenant of Christ][2]. Because of their [those who call from the dust] faith, their words will go from Me to their brothers and sisters who are your [Joseph of Egypt’s] offspring. I’ll make the simplicity of their words [Covenant of Christ] result in strong faith as they learn about the covenant I made with your fathers.
Now, my son Joseph [Lehi’s son, Joseph], this is how my forefather [Joseph of Egypt] prophesied. Therefore you are blessed because of this covenant, since your descendants won’t be destroyed, because they’ll listen to the words of the book [like latter-day descendants of his brothers, Laman and Lemuel]. And one powerful among them [spokesman for Joseph Smith?] will rise up and do much good in what he says and does, acting as an instrument in God’s hands with great faith to accomplish wonderful results in God’s sight, to bring a significant restoration for the house of Israel including your brothers descendants. You are blessed, Joseph [Lehi’s son]. And because you are young, listen to the words of your brother Nephi, and your life will unfold according to what I’ve spoken. Never forget the words of your dying father Amen” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 3:18-25, emphasis added).
The contents of the Book of Mormon are those things in the Lord’s wisdom should be read by Gentiles and Joseph of Egypt’s posterity. When the spokesman for Joseph Smith declares these things, their words go forth “in a direct, clear message.” The Covenant of Christ facilitates this outcome.
In the last days there will be a person, (likely the spokesman for Joseph Smith), who is “among” the seed of Lehi’s son Joseph.[3] He will be powerful, doing much good in what he says and does. He is an instrument in the Lord’s hands with great faith who accomplishes wonderful things. Principally to restore Israel with added emphasis on the children of his brothers, Laman and Lemuel. Lehi promised the descendants of Laman and Lemuel would be righteous in the last days.[4]
Many of the details were previously covered in earlier parts of this paper. One underlying theme prevalent throughout the Covenant of Christ and the earliest days of the Bible is the subject of secret combinations or Satan’s counter covenants with man to murder, get gain and become powerful. These unholy covenants are addressed throughout much of the Covenant of Christ. It is the Lord’s wisdom to make their existence and presence known to the Gentiles, the posterity of Joseph of Egypt and the house of Israel in the last days.
The Enticing, Beautifully Ornate Book of Secret Combinations
In preparation for writing Part 4 on secret combinations and their role in the last days, I spent time contemplating the subject. In response to those reflections I was shown in a dream a coverless, backed, black book with exceedingly white pages and beautifully ornate black print. I felt drawn to the contents of the book in a way surprising to me. The feeling was palpable and frightening. I attempted to give the book away to a woman who refused it. Fearing I might succumb to the temptation of secret works of darkness, the counsel of Alma the younger to his son, Helaman came to mind.
“Now I’ll tell you about those 24 plates: You must keep them safe, so that the mysteries and their dark, secret schemes, the conspiracies of those people who were destroyed, can be revealed to this nation. They will need to hear about all their murders, robberies, plundering, wickedness, and abominations. And you must preserve these Directors. When the Lord saw His people began to fall into dark acts and to commit secret murders and abominations, the Lord warned that if they didn’t repent, they would be altogether annihilated from the earth. The Lord said: I’ll prepare a stone for My servant Gazelem that will bring their dark acts into the light, so I can expose for the people who serve Me the errors, depravity, and abominations of the earlier believers who fell into secret wickedness and dark works. And now, my son, these Directors were prepared to accomplish the prophecies of God, which He committed to have happen, saying: I’ll expose to public view, out of darkness into light, all their secret offenses and their abominations. And unless they repent, I’ll destroy them and annihilate them from the earth. And I’ll bring to light all their secrets and abominations to every nation who will inhabit the land after this. And now, my son, we see they didn’t repent; therefore they’ve been removed. And so far God’s word has been fulfilled; indeed, their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness and revealed to us.
And now, my son, I command you to not publish all their oaths, covenants and agreements used in their secret abominations; indeed, you must continue protecting this people from all their signs and conspiracies, so they don’t learn them, so they can’t risk falling into darkness as well, and also be destroyed. Remember, there’s a curse on all this land that any people who choose darkness until they’re fully ripe in iniquity, will be destroyed by God’s power. That being the case, I don’t want this people to be destroyed. So you must protect this people from these secret plans of their oaths and covenants. And only reveal to them the wickedness, murders and abominations. You must teach them to reject and regard such wickedness, abominations, and murders with disgust. Indeed, they murdered all the Lord’s prophets who came among them to condemn their iniquities. And the blood of those they murdered cried out to the Lord their God for vengeance upon their murderers. As a result, God’s judgments were imposed upon those who practiced that darkness and were part of the secret conspiracies. And may the land be cursed forever against those who work in darkness, to their utter destruction, unless they repent before they’re fully ripe.
Now, my son, remember the words that I’ve spoken to you. Don’t entrust those secret plans to this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred for sin and iniquity. Preach to them repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and humble in heart. Teach them to resist every temptation of the accuser with their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them never to grow tired of doing good, but to be meek and humble in heart – because then they’ll find rest for their souls . . .” (Covenant of Christ, Alma 37:21-34, emphasis added).
Being familiar with Alma the younger’s counsel to his son, Helaman, when the woman returned the book to me I resolved it must be destroyed and I awoke from the dream.
In the account of Nephi and Lehi, we find the success of their preaching to the Lamanites relieved much of the anxiety felt by the Nephites who lost half their land to the Lamanites in war. Repentant Lamanites restored the lands taken in conquest to the Nephites. This led to an extended period of peace and prosperity among Nephites and Lamanites.
“They became very rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; they accumulated gold, silver, and precious metals, both in the south and north. Now the land to the south was called Lehi [descendants of Joseph]; and to the north was called was called Muloch [descendants of Judah], after Zedekiah’s son. Because the Lord originally led Muloch to settle the land to the North and Lehi settled the south. There was a variety of gold, silver, and precious ores in both areas. The skilled workmen refined a variety of metals resulting in their wealth. Others raised grain in abundance, both in the north and in the south. The population grew and society was strong in the land. They raised many flocks and herds, providing many fattened calves. Their women worked hard and made thread, all kinds of cloth, woven linen, and a variety of material to clothe themselves. And so the 64th year ended in peace. In the 65th year, they also had great joy and peace and continual preaching and many prophecies about the future. And so ended the 65th year.
In the 66th year of the judges’ rule, Cezoram was murdered by an unidentified person while the judgment seat was his. That same year his son, who had been appointed by the people to replace his father, was also murdered. And so ended the 66th year. At the start of the 67th year, the people began to grow very wicked again. The Lord had blessed them with material possessions for so long that they were never angry, started a war, or caused any bloodshed. Therefore they began acquiring wealth and status so they could think of themselves as better than the next person. Then secret murders started, and people started robbing and stealing to make money. Now the murderers and thieves were from that gang started by Kishcumen and Gaddianton. There were many, even among the Nephites, who joined Gaddianton’s gang. But there were far more among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. They were called Gaddianton robbers and murderers. They were the ones who murdered the chief judge Cezoram and his son while responsible for the judgment seat. But they went unidentified” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:9-19, emphasis added).
Prosperity, pride, and covetousness provide the perfect seed bed for the rise of secret combinations. Affluence, when it becomes the sole focus of society breeds covetousness, envy and a desire for power. During the initial stages of prosperity those objectives are attained through ingenuity and hard work. When prosperous times mature, the populace sees only the fruits of hard work and seek short cuts to acquire those privileges. Of course, it doesn’t help that those who reach rarified levels of prosperity look for ways to flaunt their success. Larger ornate homes, expensive cars, luxury ships, jewelry and fancy clothes. Acquiring material wealth becomes the scoreboard for success, particularly in the contemporary world. Even for churches.[5] The more you acquire, the greater your perceived success and increase in your influence.
The quest for prosperity is the carrot Satan dangled before the Lamanites and Nephites. When robbers appeared, the two groups chose extraordinarily different paths in response.
“When the Lamanites discovered there were robbers among them, they were dismayed. They used every means within their ability to find and execute them. But Satan inspired most of the Nephites to join with those gangs of robbers and commit themselves through covenants and oaths, promising to protect and defend one another no matter the circumstances they were caught in, so they could escape punishment for their murders, robberies and thefts.
They used their secret signs and words to identify any fellow gang member who had made the covenant. It didn’t matter what crime his fellow gang member committed, he would be protected by the other gang members. They were able to murder, rob, steal, and commit whoredoms and all kinds of evil, violating the laws of the land and laws of God also. Anyone who belonged to their gang and revealed their wickedness and corruption to the world was to be tried, not according to their country’s laws, but according to the rules of their gang society, which had been established by Gaddianton and Kishcumen. Now these were the secret oaths and covenants Alma commanded his son not to make public, to prevent the resulting destruction” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:20-25, emphasis added).
Lamanite reaction to secret combinations was diametrically opposite to the reaction of the Nephites. The Lamanites were distressed at the presence of secret combinations among their people. In contrast, the Nephites embraced the secret society and their consent to do evil without suffering consequences for their actions. The secret society was completely untethered from truth, justice, and any form of morality. Ignoring the Lord’s declaration “what you sow, is what ye reap” and “whosoever lives by the sword, dies by it”; secret combinations is a subversion of Godly principles. Rather than offer freedom and life eternal, secret societies make captives of those who embrace their secret covenants and oaths. They are the proverbial house of cards that falls when they are exposed.
From a latter-day perspective, the Lamanites refusing to submit to the secret society are the type for repentant descendants of Lehi. The Nephites are the type for latter-day Gentiles. The Lamanites were blessed by God for their resistance to the secret society while the Nephites were cursed.
“All these iniquities erupted in just a few years, with most of it beginning in the 67th year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites. They increased their iniquities in the 68th year, while the righteous mourned and agonized over it. And so the Nephites [last days Gentiles][6] began to fall away in unbelief and grow increasingly in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites grew increasingly in their knowledge of God; they obeyed His ordinances and commandments and walked uprightly in truth before Him. But the Spirit of the Lord began withdrawing from the Nephites because of the wickedness and hardness of their hearts. On the other hand the Lord began to pour out His Spirit on the Lamanites because they were willing and readily believed in His word.
The Lamanites hunted the secret society of Gaddianton’s robbers. And they preached God’s word among the most wicked of them, so this gang of robbers was completely destroyed among the Lamanites. On the other hand, the Nephites built them up and supported them, beginning with the most wicked of them, until they spread over the entire Nephite territory and had persuaded most of the righteous, until they started adopting their scheme and sharing their spoils and participated in the secret murders and conspiracies. This resulted in the complete control of the government with resulting oppression and exploitation of the poor, the meek, and the humble followers of God. They were in an awful state and ripening for everlasting destruction. And so ended the 68th year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:32-41, emphasis added).
Should there be any question of the legitimacy of this account as a type for the last days Gentiles; consider the words of Moroni directed specifically to the Gentiles of our day.
“I Moroni am not writing the details of their oaths and conspiracies, since it has been revealed to me that they exist among all people; and they exist among the Lamanites. And they’ve brought about the people’s destruction, whom I’m now writing about, as well as the Nephites’ destruction. Any nation that upholds such secret conspiracies, to get power and wealth, until they spread throughout the nation, will be destroyed.[7] Because the Lord won’t permit the blood of His holy ones, which will be shed by them, to always cry out to him from the ground for vengeance without avenging them. Therefore, you Gentiles, it’s God’s wisdom for you to be shown these things, so you’ll repent of your sins and not allow these murderous conspiracies, that are always set up for power and money, to control you, so that you won’t provoke your own destruction. Indeed, the sword of the justice of the Eternal God will fall upon you, to your ruin and destruction, if you allow these things to continue. Therefore the Lord commands you, when you see these things come among you, to wake up to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret society that’s come into existence among you. Woe to this conspiracy on account of the blood of those who have been killed; they cry out from the dust for vengeance upon it, and upon those who make and support it.
Indeed, whoever builds it up hopes to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries. These conspiracies bring about everyone’s destruction since they’re built up by the accuser, who’s the father of all lies. He’s the same liar who deceived our first parents, who caused people from the start to commit murder. He’s hardened people’s hearts so that they’ve murdered the prophets, stoned them, and banished them. As a result, I’ve been commanded to write these things so evil can be ended. And so the time will come when Satan won’t have any power over people’s hearts, so they can be persuaded to always do good and come to the Source of all righteousness and be saved” (Covenant of Christ, Ether 8:20-26, emphasis added).
Moroni extends words of warning to Latter-day Gentiles in clear, unmistakable terms. His words are not based on “if” these combinations will be among the Gentiles but “when”.
The body count attributed to secret combinations today exceeds by a large margin most atrocities in history. Absolving individuals from taking responsibility for their sexual activity has led to the deaths of sixty million unborn children, the most sacred, innocent, and holy of all. Promoted and funded by the federal government and expanding profits of Planned Parenthood through organ and tissue sales.[8]
The war in Ukraine has led to the death of approximately six hundred thousand Ukrainian souls, nearly an entire generation of citizens of that country. Was it a coincidence the United States instigated a regime change and then enriched a U.S. presidential family with millions of dollars through influence peddling. Who then became the same president who crossed the line set by Russia to propose Ukraine, (a border state to Russia), to become a member of NATO. An act like the Cuban missile crisis during the Kennedy administration. Not to mention the many thousands who lost their lives on the Russian side. Regardless of nationality, they are all God’s children and the Lord will not hold those guiltless who use His children as cannon fodder for political and economic gain.
The number of estimated Covid 19 deaths, (one of which was my sister), estimated at seventeen million people. An illness created with tax funded gain-of-function research leading to record profits for pharmaceutical companies producing an untested, ineffectual vaccine endorsed by political, religious and media institutions. Those who resisted vaccination or questioned the efficacy of the popular solution were persecuted and denied the privilege of earning a livelihood. Credible professional’s offering viable alternatives were cancelled by the press while their cowardly peers compromised their principles out of fear of persecution and ostracization.
The hypocrisy of the overwhelming majority of research and medical professionals who’s complicity was purchased with promises of maintaining or increasing funding for research grants or generous participation in pharmaceutical largesse flowing from the federal government. The same government who amassed deficits as far as the eye can see and the human mind lacks the capacity to comprehend.
A Justice department that buries evidence of crimes in the false narrative of “ongoing investigations”. The likelihood of Jeffrey Epstein dying in prison under curious circumstances was as predictable as the sun rising in the east. The names of wealthy, prominent and politically powerful people will one day be exposed to their everlasting shame. Nothing currently hidden will remain so. The Lord sheds light on all things when He is present.[9]
These are the most recent offenses before God. And where can He find justice in this world, let alone the most blessed countries on this Earth. Are those who are complicit in these acts, enriching themselves through the death and suffering of innocent people denied justice. A just God will not sit idly by while these conspiracies spend time covering their murders, sins, and vain ambitions. Moroni’s warning will be ignored at the peril of latter-day Gentiles who occupy this land.
“Indeed, whoever builds it up hopes to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries. These conspiracies bring about everyone’s destruction since they’re built up by the accuser, who’s the father of all lies. He’s the same liar who deceived our first parents, who caused people from the start to commit murder. He’s hardened people’s hearts so that they’ve murdered the prophets, stoned them, and banished them. As a result, I’ve been commanded to write these things so evil can be ended. And so the time will come when Satan won’t have any power over people’s hearts, so they can be persuaded to always do good and come to the Source of all righteousness and be saved” (Covenant of Christ, Ether 8:25-26, emphasis added).
As a second witness to Moroni’s warning, we have the modern testimony and warning from the Savior who echo’s the last prophet in the Covenant of Christ.
“Now, hear the words of the Lord to those who receive this covenant this day:
All you who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto me, and been baptized in my name, and have received a remission of your sins, and received the holy ghost, are now numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. I say to you:
Teach your children to honor me. Seek to recover the lost sheep remnant of this land and of Israel and no longer forsake them. Bring them unto me and teach them of my ways, to walk in them.
And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching.[10]
I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time,[11] and this shall be a land of promise to you as your inheritance from me.
The earth will yield its increase, and you will flourish upon the mountains and upon the hills, and the wicked will not come against you because the fear of the Lord will be with you.
I will visit my house, which the remnant of my people shall build, and I will dwell therein, to be among you,[12] and no one will need to say, Know ye the Lord, for you all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.[13]
I will teach you things that have been hidden from the foundation of the world and your understanding will reach unto Heaven.[14]
And you shall be called the children of the Most High God, and I will preserve you against the harvest.
And the angels sent to harvest the world will gather the wicked into bundles to be burned,[15] but will pass over you as my peculiar treasure.[16]
But if you do not honor me, nor seek to recover my people Israel, nor teach your children to honor me[17], nor care for the poor among you, nor help lighten one another’s burdens, then you have no promise from me and I will raise up other people who will honor and serve me, and give unto them this land, and if they repent, I will abide with them”
The time is now far spent, therefore labor with me[18] and do not forsake my covenant to perform it; study my words and let them be the standard for your faith, and I will add thereto many treasures. Love one another and you will be mine,[19] and I will preserve you, and raise you up, and abide with you for ever.[20] Amen” (RE T&C 158:9-20, emphasis added).
[1] “Therefore your offspring will write, and Judah’s offspring will write. The Lord says: The things your [Joseph of Egypt] offspring write, and the things Judah’s offspring write, will grow together in order to expose false doctrines, settle disputes, and establish peace among your offspring and bring them, in the last days, to understanding their ancestors and comprehending My covenants. The Lord said: His [Joseph Smith] weakness will be made strong. My work will then begin among all My people. I’ll restore you, O house of Israel” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 3:
[2] “Last post began comparing two versions of the same materials. Here is how the Book of Mormon originally read in that last post: “I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom. For it is because that ye are cast out — that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty — that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.” Alma 16:24
Here is how the same thing is stated in Covenant of Christ: “I tell you: It benefits you to have been kicked out of your synagogues, to humble you so you can learn wisdom; because wisdom must be learned. It’s because you’re rejected and despised by others in your community, due to your great poverty, that you’re humble of heart. You’ve been forced to be humble.”
Compare: “I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues,” with “I tell you: It benefits you to have been kicked out of your synagogues,” and ask if one is more clear than the other. Clearly “I say unto you” does not sound like we talk with one another today. “I tell you” conveys the same information in familiar language in use today. As the sentence continues, “it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues” is an obtuse way to convey an idea for any modern average reader. How might an average reader interpret this? Is it clearly stated? Does it become any more clear when put: “It benefits you to have been kicked out of your synagogues,”
As it continues we read: “For it is because that ye are cast out — that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty — that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.” It is an awkward structure with an insert interrupting the sentence flow. Does its contents communicate clearly to your mind as you read it? Is it improved when restated: “It’s because you’re rejected and despised by others in your community, due to your great poverty, that you’re humble of heart. You’ve been forced to be humble.”
Both versions contain the identical content, but one is in language foreign to modern speech. It separates the reader by the language, whereas the restatement could be something you would hear said today.
Covenant of Christ speaks to a reader today in words used in everyday conversation. That is its purpose. That is what it accomplishes. Its value for the youth in particular cannot be overstated” (Discuss Covenant of Christ, Part 10 blogpost, Denver Snuffer Jr., September 4, 2024, emphasis added).
[3] “Lehi continued in verse 2 Nephi 3:23: “Wherefore, because of this covenant” [the one with Joseph of Egypt], “he” [the son of Lehi] “is blessed, for his” [Lehi’s son] “seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book. And there shall rise up one mighty among them” [The “words of the book” is the book recovered by Joseph Smith’s hand; the Book of Mormon. Another called “mighty” will be “among” them. The word “among” does not require him to be a descendant of Lehi. It only requires the “mighty” one to be among or sent to them. A minister who understands the Book of Mormon and preaches it with strong conviction could fulfill this promise. But someone will someday accomplish this mission, other than Joseph Smith.]” (Preserving the Restoration, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.112, emphasis added).
[4] “After my father had finished speaking to Laman’s children, he had Lemuel’s children brought to him, telling them: My sons and daughters, who are the children of my second son, I’m giving you the same blessing I gave Laman’s children; therefore your posterity won’t be completely destroyed, and in the end, your descendants will be blessed” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 4:9, emphasis added).
[5] “ . . . But that powerful and utterly wicked church – the whore of all the earth – will fall to the ground in ruins; and its fall will be impressive. Indeed, the accuser’s kingdom must shake. And those who belong to it must be motivated to repent, or the accuser will grab them with his everlasting chains and they’ll say: Everything is fine in Zion; in fact, Zion is prospering. Everything is fine! And so the accuser swindles them and leads them away carefully down to hell. And he beguiles others, telling them: There’s no hell. He says to them: I’m not the accuser – because there isn’t one. This is how he whispers in their ears until he imprisons them with his awful chains, from which there’s no rescue. They’re imprisoned by death and hell and the accuser; and all those who have been captured by these will stand before God’s throne and be judged according to their works. From there they’ll go to the place prepared for them – a fiery lake that burns like lava, which is endless torment. Therefore, woe to those who are at ease in Zion!” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 28:16-24, emphasis added).
[6] ”Language of scriptures description of the events now underway calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. This process with the spirit withdrawing, will end on this continent, as two prior civilizations ended in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked. The covenant, if it is kept, will prevent you from losing light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. The time will come when you will be astonished at the gulf between the light and truth you will comprehend and the darkness of mind of the world. Be charitable and patient and labor to reach others. They will judge you harshly, but nevertheless be kind to them. They’re going to grow to fear you, but that’s only part of how darkness responds to light. Give them no reason to fear you. The time will come for us to gather, but between now and then, be leaven. Preserve the world. Be salt. Preserve the world, even if it hates you” (Closing Remarks- Covenant of Christ Conference, Denver Snuffer Jr., 9/3/2017, p.1).
[7] “And thus with the sword and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn. And with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed has made a full end of all nations, that the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies.
Wherefore, stand in holy places and be not moved until the day of the Lord come, for behold, it comes quickly, says the Lord. Amen” (RE T&C 85:3-4).
[8] “In the last few weeks a great alarm has been raised about a viral pandemic. It illustrates something about all nations and institutions: Although they may seem durable, they are all vulnerable and easily destroyed by very simple means. Like locusts destroying crops of Egypt in the story of Exodus, great societies are shaken through the smallest of means. We know there will come “an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land” for the Lord has told us beforehand, so that when it comes we will not be overtaken. This current unrest illustrates what will happen one day soon. Being forewarned gives us the opportunity to prepare. But our society suffers most from evils we inflict upon ourselves. It is estimated that in January and February of this year the greatest cause of death in the United States has come from one of our great evils of abortion. An estimated 141,000 abortions in those two months, added to the estimated 51,000,000 slain since 1973. Abortion is the leading cause of death in the US. By tolerating this mass killing we are not unlike those who anciently killed their children sacrificing them to the false god Molech. The Lord repeatedly condemned this: “And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Again, you shall say to the children of Israel, Whoever he is, of the children of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that gives any of his seed unto Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people because he has given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do in any way hide their eyes from the man when he gives of his seed unto Molech and kill him not, then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go whoring after him to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.” “that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.” “to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech, which I commanded them not;” What kind of a society allows killing 51,000,000 innocent children to continue uninterrupted over 47 years? As we have been told, “Nevertheless, when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men you should observe to uphold; otherwise, whatever is less than these comes of evil.” We have elected and upheld men and women who have tolerated this obscenity for 47 years. The United States will be punished for this. By and by you will see the “chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed has made a full end of all nations.” That full end of nations will include the US. And so we have an opportunity to prepare, if we will heed the Lord’s counsel.” (The Heavens are Open (And Therefore We Have Work To Do), © Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. 2020, pp. 1-2, emphasis added).
[9] “ . . . And the Lord said unto Enoch, As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah. And the day shall come that the earth shall rest. But before that day, the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth. And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve. And righteousness will I send down out of Heaven. Truth will I send forth out of the earth to bear testimony of my Only Begotten, his resurrection from the dead, yea, and also the resurrection of all men. And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out my own elect from the four quarters of the earth unto a place which I shall prepare, a holy city, that my people may gird up their loins and be looking forth for the time of my coming. For there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Then shall you and all your city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom. And they shall see us, and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; and there shall be my abode. And it shall be Zion which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made, and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest” (RE Genesis 4:22, emphasis added).
[10] “After great losses, many deaths, and terrible suffering, the people chosen by the Lord withdrew and departed from the mountain. After four and five generations, the Lord again brought some few back to the pass and again told them to stay at the mouth of the pass and wait on Him. But again there were those who tired of waiting, for they could see in the distance the glory of the Fathers and they desired to be there. These, being overtaken by their zeal, did not wait, but moved into the pass where again the beast killed or hurt them.
Among those who waited, however, was a man who knelt and prayed, and waited patiently for his Lord. After a great time, the Lord came to this man and took him by the hand and led him into the pass where the great beast guarded the way. As the Lord led, however, the beast was ever occupied with attacking others, and therefore its back was turned to the Lord and the man. And so they passed by unnoticed, safely to the top. The Lord sent the man to the Fathers who, when they saw the man, inquired of him, How came you to be here and yet mortal; the last who came here were brothers who had been slain, and you are yet alive? And the man answered, I waited on the Lord and he brought me here safely” (RE T&C 163:3-4, emphasis added).
“I recently had a vision that began as a dream. In it I was traveling in a small car up a mountain road. The road was steep, but straight, and it grew steeper as it climbed upward. On the left side of the road there was a railroad track running parallel. As we drove the small car upward, I noticed a sharp bend in the railroad tracks ahead that interrupted the otherwise straight course of the line. I saw a train approaching from uphill in the distance coming downhill rapidly, and it seemed to be going far too fast to safely negotiate the sharp bend in the tracks. The small car we drove was not quite to the bend when the rushing train hit the bend, leapt from the tracks, and violently crashed in front of us. Our little car narrowly escaped a collision, as the train’s wreckage spread about. As the small car continued upward, the train crash worsened, at first beside the car, and then as we accelerated, closely behind us. The little car got ahead of the continuing wreck of the moving train and I could see the train was full of passengers who, uphill from the wreckage, were enjoying themselves. They were paying no attention to the disaster already befalling their train. We began to shout out the windows of our car, trying to warn the occupants in the doomed train, but they gave no heed. They laughed and partied aboard the train with no concern for their impending destruction. I could see the wreckage behind me in the mirror as the violence of the wreck threw shattered railcars about, some onto the road behind us, making the road now impassable. We were powerless to save those aboard the train because they would not hear the warnings we shouted to them.
As we reached the top of the mountain, the last of the train went by and I stopped the little car. We got out and stood in the roadway looking down the mountain and watched as the last of the train was destroyed. While mourning over the many lives that had been lost, I awoke from the dream and sat up on my bed, but the vision continued.
I next saw in the distance, beyond the wreckage, an overpowering flood, as if it was a great fire, consuming and destroying all the country, coming from the east. Although we had survived the train wreck, it appeared certain we would all be killed in the coming flood. I looked about for any sign of hope we might survive and noticed beside the roadway a great rock with an opening. I led the small party to the rock and discovered the opening was for a cavern that went upward within the shelter of the rock. We entered the cave, and climbed upward. Inside the cavity of the rock our small group waited as the flood approached, unsure whether we would live or die. The noise of the destruction outside was deafening as the flood approached, and then the opening of the cavern went black and we were left in complete silence and darkness. We waited. In a few moments the light returned, but silence remained. After a few more moments our small group emerged from the rock’s cavern to see what had transpired with the world.
The scene of destruction was astounding. The entire landscape was transformed. It was destroyed. The wrecked train, the tracks, and the road had all been consumed. Everything appeared barren. Then suddenly new life began to spring forth in the widespread desolation. Barren trunks brought out new limbs, blossoms, and leaves. Flowers sprang from the earth. As we watched, the earth was quickly transformed, and in a short time the denuded desolation was full of life, beauty, and fertility, much greater than before the flood of fire had destroyed the landscape.
At this point the vision ended and I was given the interpretation: The train is the false religions of the world. The occupants of the small car are those who repent and accept baptism. The protective rock with the cavern is Christ.
[11] “But in the last days or in the time of the Gentiles, every nation of Gentiles and jews – both those who come upon this land and those who live on other lands, indeed, on every land throughout the earth – will be drunk with iniquity and all kinds of abominations. And when that day arrives, the Lord of Hosts will send thunder, and earthquakes, and loud noises, and storms, and tempests, and uncontrolled fires.
And all the nations that fight against Zion and interfere with her will be like a mere dream of the nighttime . . .
But he must not dictate the sealed words or give the book to anyone else since the book will be sealed by God’s power. And the sealed revelation – which discloses all things, from the foundation of the world to its end – are to be left in the book until the Lord determines [“the own due time of the Lord”, RE 2 Nephi 11:19] it’s the proper time for them to be revealed. Eventually the words of the book that were sealed will be read upon the housetops, and they’ll be read by the power of Christ. Everything will be revealed to mankind, everything that’s ever happened among mankind and everything that will happen, all the way to the end of the earth . . . Don’t do anything with the sealed things; I’ll reveal them at the right time [“my own due time”, RE 2 Nephi 11:20] I’ll show mankind I’m able to do my own work” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 11:1-2, 19-20, emphasis added).
[12] “But if the Gentiles repent and hearken to My words and don’t harden their hearts, I’ll establish My congregation among them. And they will enter the covenant and be included with the remnant of Jacob, to whom I’ve given this land as their inheritance. They will join with My people, the remnant of Jacob, to whom I’ve given this land as their inheritance. They will join with My people, the remnant of Jacob, to whom I’ve given this land as their inheritance. They will join with My people, the remnant of Jacob, and all those of the house of Israel who come, so they can build a city that will be called the New Jerusalem. Then they will join with My people who are scattered throughout the land so they can be brought in together to the New Jerusalem. Then the Powers of heaven [angels, Patriarchal Fathers] will come down among them, and I will be with them as well. Then the Father’s work will be underway, when this gospel is preached among the remnant of this people . . .” (Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 10:22-26, emphasis added).
[13] “Wherefore, I, the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph and spoke unto him from Heaven, and gave him commandment, and also gave commandments to others that they should proclaim these things unto the world. And all this that it might be fulfilled which was written by the prophets: the weak things of the world should come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world, that faith also might increase in the earth, that my everlasting covenant might be established, that the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world and before kings and rulers. Behold, I am God and have spoken it” (RE T&C 54:4, emphasis added).
[14] “I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto them who fear me, and delight to honor them who serve me in righteousness and in truth. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory, and unto them will I reveal all my mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom. From days of old and for ages to come will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will, concerning all things to come. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I shew them, even the things of many generations. Their wisdom shall be great and their understanding reach to Heaven, and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my spirit will I enlighten them and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will, yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man” (RE T&C 69:2, emphasis added).
“But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he shewed unto us, which surpasseth all understanding, in glory, and in might, and in dominion, which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the spirit, and are not lawful for men to utter, neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the holy ghost, which God bestows on those who love him and purifieth themselves before him, to whom he grants the privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves, that through the power and manifestation of the spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory.
And to God and the Lamb be glory, and honor, and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen (RE T&C 69:29-30, emphasis added).
[15] “Question: What are we to understand by the four angels spoken of by John, 7th chapter and 1st verse of Revelation [Rev. 2:13]?Answer: We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy. These are they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness (RE T&C 74:8, emphasis added).
[16] “Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise him, O you servants of the Lord. You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. Sing praises unto his name, for it is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods” (RE Psalms 135:1, emphasis added).
[17] “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning, and God having redeemed man from the Fall, man became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one comes and takes away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.
But verily I say unto you, my servant Frederick, you have continued under this condemnation. You have not taught your children light and truth according to the commandments, and that wicked one has power as yet over you, and this is the cause of your affliction. And now a commandment I give unto you, and if you will be delivered, you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house.
Verily I say unto my servant Sidney that in some things he has not kept the commandments concerning his children. Therefore, firstly set in order your house.
And verily I say unto my servant Joseph, or in other words I will call you friends, for you are my friends and you shall have an inheritance with me. I called you servants for the world’s sake, and you are their servants for my sake. And now verily I say unto you, Joseph, you have not kept the commandments and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord. Your family must needs repent and forsake some things and give more earnest heed unto your sayings or be removed out of their place. What I say unto one, I say to all. Pray always, lest that wicked one have power in you and remove you out of your place” (RE T&C 93:11-14, emphasis added).
[18] “Then the lord of vineyard sent his servant, and the servant went and did as the lord had commanded him and brought a few other servants. And the lord of the vineyard told them: Get started and work hard in the vineyard. This is the last time I’ll tend my vineyard – the end is near and the harvest is coming quickly. If you work hard with me, you’ll have joy in the fruit that I’ll harvest for myself at the end of the growing season.
Then the servants went ahead and worked hard, and the lord of the vineyard also worked with them. And they obeyed the lord of the vineyard’s direction in all things. And original fruit again grew in the vineyard, and the original branches began to grow and produce abundantly, and the wild branches began to be cut off and thrown out of the vineyard and the lord had saved the good for himself, so the trees had again produced the original fruit. And they became like one body and the fruit was equally good; and the lord of the vineyard had saved the original fruit for himself, which was most valuable to him from the beginning.
When the lord of the vineyard saw his fruit was good and his vineyard was no longer corrupt, he called up his servants and told them: We’ve tended my vineyard for the last time. You see I’ve followed my plans and have saved the original fruit, so it’s good just like it was in the beginning. And your are blessed since you’ve been diligent in working with me in my vineyard and have followed my instructions – and it has produced the original fruit for me again, so that my vineyard is no longer corrupt and the bad is thrown away – and you’ll celebrate with me over my vineyard’s fruit. I’ll store my vineyard’s fruit for myself for a long time as we prepare for the end of the growing season, which is coming quickly. I’ve tended my vineyard for the last time and pruned, tilled, and fertilized it. Therefore I’ll store the fruit for myself for a long time, as I had planned. And when the time comes that evil fruit again grows in my vineyard, then I’ll have the good and bad gathered, and I’ll store the good for myself and throw the bad away into its own place. And the final season ends, and it will be time for my vineyard to be burned with fire” (Covenant of Christ, Jacob 3:70-77, emphasis added).
[19] “Therefore, when he had gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God should be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall immediately glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me, and as I said unto the Jews — Where I go, you cannot come — so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you: that you love one another — as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples — if you have love one to another” (RE John 9:5, emphasis added).
“I give you a new commandment, That you love one another. Love each other as I have loved you. If you have love for each other it will be a sign that will identify you to all mankind as my followers” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:7, emphasis added).
[20] “And it came to pass that Enoch talked with the Lord. And he said unto the Lord, Surely Zion shall dwell in safety for ever. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed. And it came to pass that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth. And he beheld, and lo, Zion in process of time was taken up into Heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Behold my abode for ever. And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people who were the sons of Adam. And they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it were the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black and had not place among them. And after Zion was taken up into Heaven, Enoch beheld, and lo, all the nations of the earth were before him, and there came generation upon generation. And Enoch was high and lifted up, even in the bosom of the Father and the Son of Man” (RE Genesis 4:15, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
9/3/2024
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