“Do As You Have Seen Me Do” Part 3 - Membership Vs. Discipleship

          The Savior stated plainly the path we follow to return to the presence of the Father and Son. It was given to Jesus by the Father and presented by Jesus as the Savior’s doctrine.

“Listen carefully to what I tell you: I will declare to you My doctrine. This is My doctrine, and it is the doctrine that the Father has given to Me: I testify of the Father, and the Father testifies of Me, and the Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and Me. I also testify the Father commands all people everywhere to repent and believe in Me. And anyone who believes in Me and is baptized will be saved, and they are who will inherit God’s kingdom. But anyone who doesn’t believe in Me and isn’t baptized will be damned. In truth I tell you this is My doctrine, and I testify of it from the Father. Anyone who believes in Me also believes in the Father, and the Father will testify to them of Me, since He will visit them with fire and with the Holy Ghost. In this way the Father will testify of Me, and the Holy Ghost will testify to them of the Father and Me, because the Father and I and the Holy Ghost are united as one. In addition, I say to you: You must repent and become as a little child and be baptized in My name, or under no circumstance can you receive these things. And again, I say to you: You must repent and be baptized in My name and become as a little child, or under no circumstances can you inherit God’s kingdom. In truth I tell you this is My doctrine. Whoever builds on this builds on My rock, and the gates of hell will not prevail against them. And those who declare more or less than this and establish it as My doctrine advocate evil and are not built upon My rock, but are built on a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive them when the floods come and the wind pounds them. Therefore go to this people and declare to the farthest reaches of the earth the words that I’ve spoken” (CofC 3 Nephi 5:9, emphasis added).

Summarizing the Savior’s doctrine creates a check list of actions the Father requires of us. The actions are:

1.     Believe in Christ and have faith to:

2.     Repent.

3.     Become as a little child.

4.     Be baptized in Jesus’ name.

5.     Receive the Father’s testimony of the Son through the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost.

Those complying with the Doctrine of Christ are precisely built on “My rock.” Their spiritual foundation is immovable and “the gates of hell will not prevail against them,” nor “floods” and “winds” of adversity.

          The caveat given by the Savior is anyone who teaches more or less than these things are built on the foundation of sand and swept away to hell, where the gates remain open to receive them.

          Reviewing this list of actionable items, gaining access to God’s kingdom appears not to be difficult. The Doctrine of Christ appears easily attainable. Repent and refrain from sinning, humble ourselves like a little child, be baptized and receive the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost.

          In the faith tradition many grew up with, the general presumption was this checklist was completed at eight years old. Thereafter one need only endure to the end. What is perplexing is absence of the fruits of complying with the Lord’s doctrine in scripture. In the Absence of these fruits, how may one be reassured their foundation is built on the rock of Christ?

The Nephite Ministry of Christ Illustrates the Pattern and Process

          As the Savior’s ministry to the Nephite survivors concluded, He was about to return to the Father. Jesus imparted His final words to the congregation by blessing and healing them.

“When Jesus had said these words, He again looked around at the crowd of people and said to them: It’s time for Me to leave. I can tell you’re weak, and that right now you can’t understand everything the Father commanded Me to say to you. So go to your homes and ponder what I’ve said and ask the Father in My name to help you understand, and prepare your minds for tomorrow, and I’ll come back to you. But right now I’m returning to the Father, and to also show Myself to the lost tribes of Israel, who were never lost to the Father, for He knows where He has led them.

When Jesus had said this, He again looked around at the people, who were in tears and looking steadily at Him, as if they wanted to ask Him to remain a little longer with them. He said to them: My heart is full of compassion for you. Are there any of you who are sick? Bring them here. Are there any of you who are lame, blind, crippled, injured, leprous, or infirm, deaf, or that suffer from anything? Bring them here and I’ll heal them, because of the compassion I feel for you; My heart is full of mercy. Yes, I can see you want Me to show you what I did for your fellow Israelites at Jerusalem, since I see you have faith enough to let Me heal you.

When He had said this, the whole crowd together, brought to Him everyone who was sick, suffering, crippled, blind, mute, or unwell in any way; and He healed every one of them as they were brought up to Him. All of them, including both those who had been healed and those who were healthy, bowed down at His feet and worshiped Him. And everyone who was able to come, despite the size of the crowd, kissed His feet, bathing His feet with their tears” (CofC 3 Nephi 8:5, emphasis added).

Before departing from them, the Savior was filled with compassion. He instructed them to gather the infirm to Him to be healed. When all were cured of their afflictions they bowed and worshipped Him. All who were able came forward, kissing His feet and bathing them with their tears.

          When everyone had come forward, the Lord commanded the congregation to bring their children forward and seat them on the ground before Him. Jesus stood in the midst of the children and commanded the crowd to kneel on the ground. When all had knelt, Jesus lamented over the wickedness of Israel. The Savior knelt before the Father and prayed for the crowd of people.

“After He said this, He also knelt on the ground. And He prayed to the Father, and what He prayed can’t be written. Those that heard Him testified about it; and they testified to the following: The eye has never seen and the ear has never heard such great and awe-inspiring things we saw and heard Jesus speak to the Father. And no tongue can speak, neither can anyone write, neither can people’s hearts conceive such great and astonishing things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak. No one can conceive of the joy that filled our souls when we heard Him pray to the Father for us” (CofC 3 Nephi 8:4, emphasis added).

There are phrases used in the Book of Mormon and Covenant of Christ calling our attention to accounts where they appear. This quote uses one of them. In the Book of Mormon the phrase is “great and marvelous work.” In the Covenant of Christ the phrase is changed to “great and awe-inspiring.”

The preceding verse provides an example of what the Lord considers “great and awe-inspiring.” This catch phrase points to words and events so inspiring they are beyond the capacity of mortal expression. Those words spoken by Jesus cannot be written or explained to others. They have to be experienced personally. The closest Nephi could come in this account to communicating the profundity of the experience is to summarize with the phrase, “great and awe-inspiring.”

When Nephi records the account of the Savior’s ministry regarding future events, the prophet incorporates the same phrase to explain future events in the last days. The servant fulfilling the prophecy is identified by the Savior as His proxy in its fulfillment in the last days events.

The Savior does so when the Lord adapts a Messianic prophecy from Isaiah to describe the work of His servant:

“You’ll see that My servant will proceed wisely, He’ll be exalted and extolled, and be above others [Isaiah 52:13]. People are astonished at Your appearance, Your suffering was greater than any man can endure, for it would kill all other men — so He’ll cleanse many nations. The kings will be at a loss for words not knowing what to say because of Him, for they’ll see what they were never told, and be forced to consider what they never expected [Isaiah 52:15]. Now I promise you: All these things will happen exactly as the Father has commanded Me to declare. This will conform to the Father’s covenant with His people; and Jerusalem will again be inhabited by My people, as a land of their inheritance” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:9-10, emphasis added).

The servant in Isaiah suffers “more than any man” and so the Savior is the servant Isaiah refers to in this prophecy. But the Savior said of Isaiah’s prophecies:

“. . . And everything he prophesied has happened, or will happen, precisely as he foretold . . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 10:4, emphasis added).

Or the Book of Mormon version:

“And all things have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake” (RE Book of Mormon 10:4, emphasis added).

There is a subtle difference between the two versions, but the Book of Mormon account suggests a repetition of events supported by the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi when He applies the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah to the Lord’s last days servant:

“At that time, to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them. There will be many [Gentiles] who won’t believe it, although a man will tell it to them. But the ministry of My servant will be led by My hand [appendage or extension of the Lord]; therefore they won’t be able to harm his work, although he’ll be opposed and discredited by them. Yet I’ll support him; I’ll show them My wisdom is greater than the accuser’s deceitful scheming. Therefore those who won’t believe in My words, and I Am Jesus Christ, which the Father will give and empower that servant to set before the Gentiles, it will result exactly as Moses said: They will be cut off from My people who are part of the covenant [Israel]. . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:12, emphasis added).

Like the words Jesus prayed for the Nephites, the servant bringing forth words of Christ performs “a great and awe-inspiring work” among the Gentiles. The work the servant performs causes kings to be at a loss for words [events they witness are unspeakable, like the Savior’s prayer] because they witness events they were never told would occur.

          When the Savior adapts a Messianic reference from Isaiah to describe the servant [“But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil” (B of M 3 Nephi 21:10] it implies the servant acts as a proxy for the Lord in fulfilling this prophecy.

          Additional evidence that the Lord’s servant is a proxy for the Lord in fulfilling the prophecy is His explanation of Moses’ prophecy of a servant the Lord raises up.

“. . . I Am [Christ] the one Moses described, saying: The Lord God will raise up a prophet to you from your brethren, like me; listen to whatever He’ll say to you. And it will follow that every soul who will not hear that prophet will be cut off from among the people [Israel] . . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:8, emphasis added).

In this passage the Savior identifies Himself as the servant the Lord raises up. In the subsequent chapter we see the prophecy of Moses fulfilled by a servant who brings forth the Savior’s words when unrepentant Gentiles are “cut-off” from Israel.

“Therefore those who won’t believe in My words, and I Am Jesus Christ, which the Father will give and empower that servant to set before the Gentiles, it will result exactly as Moses said: They [Gentiles] will be cut off from My people [Israel] who are part of the covenant” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:12, emphasis added).

The first impression of the Savior’s words regarding Moses’ prophecy leads one to conclude Jesus is the servant fulfilling the prophecy. Continuing on, the Savior’s explanation of Moses’ prophecy introduces a subtle distinction, a correction of the original assumption. Moses’ prophecy is not fulfilled by Christ. It is fulfilled when the Father raises up a servant bringing to light more of Christ’s words.

          The prophecy of Moses is expanded in the Teachings and Commandments:

“Wherefore, the voice of the Lord is unto the end of the earth, that all that will hear may hear: Prepare yourselves, prepare for that which is to come, for the Lord is near and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in Heaven and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth, and the arm [servant, appendage] of the Lord shall be revealed. And the day comes that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people [Israel], for they have strayed from my ordinances and have broken my everlasting covenant. They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walks in his own way and after the image of his own [idol] god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol which waxes old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon[1] the great which shall fall” (RE T&C 54:3, emphasis added).

The Lord’s wrath is about to be “poured out without measure”[2] upon the wicked when His arm or servant is revealed. In the Lord’s revelation to Joseph Smith He extends His authority to His servants. In addition to the Lord’s personal voice, His servants, His prophets and apostles who deliver His words carry equal credibility with the Lord. The revelation concludes with the following declaration:

“ . . . What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself. And though the heaven and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same . . .” (RE T&C 54:3, emphasis added). 

When the Lord’s servant is revealed, the servant referred to in Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 9:12 acts as the Lord’s proxy by declaring words of Christ to the Gentiles. As the crucifixion of the Savior closed the dispensation begun by Moses, the voice of His servant closes the dispensation started by Joseph Smith.[3] When the Gentile fullness is closed, the servant of Christ leads a small number of repentant Gentiles to the seed of Lehi and assists them in establishing the New Jerusalem. Thereafter Israel gathers.[4]

Many Gentiles reject the Father’s work, though a man declares Christ’s words to them. Their rejection of the servant and the words of Christ condemn unrepentant Gentiles as the Jews rejected Jesus and His teachings. Those who resist hardening their hearts against the servant and Lord’s words learn “true points of My doctrine,” discussed in this paper.

“. . .The covenant requires this record to come from the Gentiles, so the Gentiles will understand His direct involvement. Then the Gentiles, provided they don’t harden their hearts, will be able to repent and come to Me and be baptized in My name and know the true points of My doctrine [the subject of this paper], so they [repentant Gentiles] can be included with My people, the house of Israel. When these things happen, and your [Lehi’s] descendants begin to know these things, it will be a sign to let them know the Father’s work is underway, to fulfill the covenant He made to everyone who’s part of the house of Israel . . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:11, emphasis added). 

The servant of Christ is the Lord’s instrument in fulfilling the prophecy of Moses. His teachings separate unrepentant Gentiles from Israel. As a proxy for Christ, the servant closes the Gentile covenant initiated by Joseph Smith and opens a new covenant dispensation for Israel.[5] The new dispensation is the Father’s work of fulfilling His promises to the Patriarchal Fathers who ascended to the presence of God in mortality.

          The “great and awe-inspiring work” of the Father in the last days is accomplished by a servant who walks the Father’s path as did the Savior. He is not equal to the Savior but one who follows the Savior’s admonition to “Do the things you have seen me do.” The prophecies explained by Jesus to the Nephites are fulfilled by the servant at the Lord’s direction.

          The practical significance of this exercise is to understand the servant does for a small number of Gentiles and eventually all of Israel what the resurrected Lord did for the Nephite survivors. His ministry laid the foundation for over three hundred years of righteous generations. Unlike Enoch and Melchizedek, the Savior’s righteous fruit for the Father’s kingdom remained on earth. Rather than men ascending to Heaven, Heaven comes down to dwell with man on earth.

          The Savior spent a great deal of time speaking about His Doctrine the Father had given Him. The doctrines were explained in simplicity, but comprehending the Savior’s teachings is best understood by examining how the doctrine was practiced during His Nephite ministry and the ministry of His servants.

[1] “Yea, truly I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go out of Babylon, gather yourselves out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other . . . Go out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon. But truly thus says the Lord: Let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you; and he that goes, let him not look back, so that sudden destruction won't come upon him” (RE T&C 58:2, emphasis added).

[2] “Behold, this is my [the Lord’s] authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Wherefore, fear and tremble, O you people, for what I, the Lord, have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. And truly I say unto you that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in Heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious, yea, truly, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure, unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his works, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man” (RE T&C 54:2, emphasis added).

[3] “And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. 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 shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, 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 diverse 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” (RE T&C 31:6-7, emphasis added).

[4] “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 [Gentiles who repent] 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 [Gentiles] 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 [Patriarchal Fathers, Spirit of Elijah, sealing power] will come down among them, and I [Christ] 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. Truly I say to you: At that time, the Father’s work will be taught among the scattered portion of My people, even the tribes that have been lost, whom the Father led away out of Jerusalem. The Father will work with My scattered people, to enable them to come to Me, so they can call on the Father in My name. Truly the work of the Father will be underway in all nations, clearing the way to let His people be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. They will go out from all nations. And they won’t go hastily or at a run, because I will go in front of them, says the Father, and I will guard them from behind” (CofC 3 Nephi 10:1, emphasis added).

[5] “ . . . In the name of Father Ahman I testify there is a new dispensation begun. You must accept the ordinances of this new Light or you cannot hope to progress to know God.

Nicodemus said to him, If I believe this, can I ascend in this life, or will it be accomplished only in the afterlife? Jesus answered, In the name of Father Ahman I say to you, Except you receive the ordinance of baptism to join the new dispensation, and thereby forsake your sins and receive forgiveness and an outpouring of the Spirit, you will not ascend to God’s presence in this life or the life to come. All who are devoted to the ambitions of the flesh remain imprisoned by the flesh, and those who are born anew through the ordinances, receive the Spirit of Truth, and are able to know the record of Heaven by the Spirit of Truth. Do not question if what I say is true because the Spirit of Truth confers light, knowledge, and understanding of the mysteries of Heaven within every soul who receives it . . . In the name of Father Ahman I confirm what was told by John the Baptist and I have begun a work that comes from Heaven. But you who lead Israel fight against it and you refuse to humble yourselves. If I offered you a position of respect and authority, as you now hold, you would believe. But because I testify only of heavenly things that require faith and sacrifice, you refuse to believe? I tell you, if you want to ascend to the Heavenly Council, you must first acknowledge and give heed to the messengers sent by them . . Father Ahman loves the world, and like father Abraham, Father Ahman will allow His Son to become an offering for sin. Whoever believes and follows His Son will not be lost, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe and follow His Son will escape the limitations of sin. The faithless are condemned already because they refuse to believe and obey the Only Begotten Son of God. Every thing about my assignment, which I am now performing, was foretold by the prophets sent earlier to teach Israel, for they all testified of me. They told you I would come, and I am now here doing what was prophesied, but you refuse to see it happening. Enough is underway that rejecting it means you prefer darkness to light. Humble yourself and admit the prophets foretold the very things now underway; repent and be baptized and the Spirit of Truth will open your eyes. If you want greater light, you will obey this instruction. If you refuse, then you never meant it when you greeted me as an enlightened heavenly guide” (RE T&C 171 Testimony of Saint John 2:1-4, emphasis added).

 Scott Roderick

7/7/2025

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