Isaiah : Part 7-C Walking in the Footprints From the Past
- scottrode
- Sep 19
- 44 min read
*This paper is longer than usual because of the numerous footnotes. If you are less interested in the deeper dive, ignore the footnotes. If you’re interested in a more in-depth explanation, take the time to explore the references provided.
Isaiah’s approach to prophecy is poetry in a legal document applying historical religious precedence like an attorney for the law of Moses. He is a servant of the Lord and master of His word. Separating those who make and worship idols from those who worship the living God. Isaiah delivers the following words from the Lord:
“. . . Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is none else; I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure . . .” (RE Isaiah 15:21, emphasis added).
The Lord issues the admonition to remember “things of old” because He instructs us through Isaiah’s prophecies by recounting things of old as examples for future events.
I recall many years ago hearing a quote attributed to Harold B. Lee stating:
“Repetition is the soul of learning.”
In repeatedly remembering the past, we become informed of our future. Certain characteristics and events are redundant in the unfolding present.
In the last part of the Isaiah series our future is foretold by the Lord and Isaiah if we are familiar with the Lord’s words and works. There is no reason to be surprised by future events because “the thing that has been shall be, and that which is done is that which shall be done.”[1] Feasting on the words of Christ[2] instructs and informs our faith. Feasting on “the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do.”[3]
At the end of part 7-B king Mosiah the first who reigned over Zarahemla was introduced. The first Mosiah fled from their original homeland, Nephi, establishing a pattern for fleeing latter-day Babylon. Those circumstances inform us how our flight from modern Babylon unfolds. The Lord’s method of choosing those fleeing prior to the Lamanite invasion was a matter of self-selection. The Lord’s voice was to “all who will hear, may hear.”[4]
“I’m Amaleki, Abinadom’s son. I’ll tell you something about Mosiah, who was made king over Zarahemla. He was warned by the Lord to flee from the land of Nephi — and all those who were willing to respond to the Lord’s voice [Mosiah][5] were also warned to go with him into the wilderness. And he did what the Lord commanded him, and all those who were willing to respond to the Lord’s voice went into the wilderness. They were led by continual preaching and prophesying and were constantly admonished by God’s word. They were led through the wilderness by His power [gift and power of God,[6] Urim and Thummim], until they came down to the land called Zarahemla. There they discovered a people who were called Zarahemla’s people. Now Zarahemla’s people rejoiced greatly and so did Zarahemla, because the Lord had sent Mosiah’s people with the brass plates containing the record of the Jews” (C of C Omni 1:6, emphasis added).
Mosiah and those who fled with him were descendants of Joseph of Egypt.[7] They wandered in the wilderness until the Lord led them to the land of Zarahemla and the Mulochites.
The Mulochites fled Jerusalem at the time Babylon invaded and carried captives into Babylon. The Mulochites were named for Muloch, the only surviving son of Zedekiah, king of Judah. Through Muloch the right to the throne [Jesse] was preserved.
“. . . I tell you Abraham wasn’t the only one who knew of these things, there were many before Abraham’s time who were called by the Order of God, according to the Holy Order of His Son, and this was to show to the people thousands of years before His coming that redemption was available to them. Now I want you to know that ever since Abraham’s time there have been many prophets who have testified about this. The prophet Zenos testified boldly — and for that he was killed — and Zenoch, Ezaias, Isaiah, and Jeremiah as well. Jeremiah was the same prophet who testified about Jerusalem’s destruction. We’ve learned Jerusalem was destroyed according to Jeremiah’s words. So why won’t the Son of God come according to his prophecy? Will you argue Jerusalem wasn’t destroyed? Will you say Zedekiah’s sons weren’t killed, all except for Muloch? Indeed, can’t you see Zedekiah’s descendants are here [Jesse] and they were led from the land of Jerusalem? . . .” (C of C Helaman 3:9, emphasis added).
When Mosiah arrived in Zarahemla it began a reunion between Joseph and Judah [Jesse]. This is a type for events Nephi described to Joseph Smith and foretold by Isaiah in RE Isaiah 5:5:
“And it shall come to pass in that day [last days] that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time[8] to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he [root of Jesse] shall set up an ensign [9]for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah, from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off. Ephraim shall not envy Judah [because of Judah’s right to the throne] and Judah shall not vex Ephraim [because of the birthright, until then considered competing claims] . . .” (RE Isaiah 5:5, emphasis added).
The account of Mosiah and his people [Joseph] uniting with the people of Zarahemla [Jesse] is more than coincidence. The Covenant of Christ is the version of the Book of Mormon directed to the latter-day Gentiles converted into modern English.[10] The accounts of Mosiah the first, Benjamin, and Mosiah the second follows a pattern of royal succession in parts of these papers discussing Isaiah. In addition to reviewing past events, as a type and following the right side chiasm explained by Denver Snuffer, we understand the pattern of ascension that begins with the “rod” who is “partly” a descendant of Jesse and Ephraim from Joseph of Egypt.
By aligning in parallel Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes to Mosiah 1, Benjamin, and Mosiah 2, we see the latter-day roles of the “rod” [Spirit of Elias], the “root of Jesse” [the Spirit of Elijah], leading to the “Stem of Jesse” [Spirit of Messiah].
Cyrus, Mosiah 1, and Joseph Smith
The Spirit of Elias is a preparatory work laying the foundation for a greater work to follow. John the Baptist was identified by Isaiah and Jesus as the Elias sent to prepare for the Savior’s mortal ministry. John the Baptist ordained Joseph Smith to do the same for the “root of Jesse.”
The Spirit of Elias is associated with the Aaronic Priesthood and has specific boundaries those acting in this capacity will not violate. That is part of how those who hear an Elias figure discern if they are truly acting in the capacity of an Elias.[11]
Cyrus, Mosiah 1, and Joseph Smith exemplify elements of the Spirit of Elias in degrees. Cyrus role was not literal but a type assigned by Isaiah’s description of him using the same language applied to John the Baptist.[12]
Mosiah 1 provides the most detailed example of Elias and parallels Cyrus deliverance of the Jews from Babylonian captivity by leading descendants of Joseph out of the land Nephi.
Joseph Smith was ordained by John the Baptist, as a resurrected angelic ministrant. This ordination included the ministry of angels[13] and authority to lay the foundation for the Restored Gospel, Lord’s church, and a foundation for Zion and the New Jerusalem.
When divided into specific categories of Spirits of Elias, Elijah and Messiah, it is possible to assign specific elements to each of the Spirits. In the Spirit of Elias we find the presence of specific practices and characteristics unique to the three Spirits.
Spokesman
In the prophecy of Joseph of Egypt, it was foretold that Moses and Joseph Smith would each have spokesmen.[14] Moses spokesman would be his elder brother, Aaron[15] and the spokesman for Joseph Smith remained unnamed. Moses pled with the Lord to give him a spokesman because he considered himself “slow of speech.”[16] To be “slow of speech” does not imply an impediment. Denver Snuffer suggests something altogether different:
“And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; (that doesn‘t mean what you think it means) wherefore am I thy servant?” He is not slow of speech. He was a brilliant man; he was an articulate man. He was a capable man. He wrote the record. He is envisioned as the Great Scribe. He is thought, he is the one that brings wisdom, that brings knowledge. He is “slow of speech” because, quite frankly, he’s rather think about it than talk about it. He would rather consider it than speak about it. He would rather be left alone than to be made public. He would rather have his privacy and his family than he would to minister to people who don‘t give a damn about what he has to say, and who think that he is a wild man come among them, because he has no business delivering the message” (The Mission of Elijah Reconsidered, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.10, emphasis added).
Moses had the record of Enoch and his claim to be “slow of speech” before the Lord was a likely reference to the same claim made by the great prophet representing the Spirit of Elijah. Moses, being the meekest[17] of all men was humble and self-deprecating before the Lord. Presuming Denver’s explanation of Enoch being “slow of speech” applied in the same manner to Moses; the question raised is why have a spokesmen for capable men who knew God and were familiar with His ways?
The answer lies not in their inability or inhibition about speaking. It is rooted in the difficulty in receiving great knowledge and being limited in the portion the Lord allows His servants to share with the others
.
“Alma began to elaborate, saying: Many people are given knowledge of God’s mysteries; however, they’re placed under a strict command to only discuss that part of His word He allows to be given to mankind, corresponding to their obedience and diligence given to Him. Those who harden their hearts receive less of His word. Those who don’t harden their hearts are given a greater part of His word, until they understand God’s mysteries. They can be given God’s mysteries until everything is fully known. However those who harden their hearts are given less of His word, until they know nothing about His mysteries. Then the accuser captures them and leads them by his will down to destruction. This is what the chains of hell mean” (C of C Alma 9:3, emphasis added).
Those who humbly, meekly seek the Lord find Him. When they do it involves receiving greater light and knowledge. With knowledge comes responsibility because what is revealed as a blessing to some becomes a curse to others if unprepared.
The act of assigning a spokesman is associated with the Aaronic Priesthood because the Lord and His servant communicate only the depth of knowledge appropriate to the spokesman and those to whom they speak. Heavenly Mother is responsible for wisely distributing the Father’s knowledge to their children.[18] How their children receive it blesses or condemns them.
Moses taught plainly to Israel why they should seek the Melchizedek Priesthood and they rejected the Lord’s offer of covenant. In doing so they closed their opportunity to be reintroduced into God’s presence.
“And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
Now, this, Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God, but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence. Therefore, the Lord, in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into his rest — which rest is the fullness of his glory — while in the wilderness.
Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also . . .” (RE T&C 82:12-14, emphasis added).
The broad view of these events is the prophet, Moses, taught these principles to Israel and sought diligently to “sanctify his people,” a requirement to obtain this Priesthood. Moses obtained these blessings but was limited in what he shared with Israel. When Israel fell short in their efforts to become sanctified, Moses and the Priesthood were withdrawn from them and a lesser, Aaronic law remained.
It should be noted that Joseph Smith shared a similar fate to that of Moses. Unlike Moses, Joseph Smith was martyred for his teachings which mirror that of Moses. Since the time of Joseph Smith the teachings regarding the “greater priesthood” providing the opportunity to return to God’s presence in this life have faded from the church claiming to be guardians of the Restoration orthodoxy.
“Although the teaching of Christ as the Second Comforter was taught by it is now one of the teachings that has dwindled from LDSteachining, church apostle Dallin Oaks denounced the teaching of mortals needing to see the Lord as “a tactic of the adversary.”[19] Following that, the LDS Church removed a footnote from their King James Version John 14:16 which previously referred to Jesus Christ and replaced it with a reference to the “Holy Ghost.”[20] At the time I wrote the book, The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil (in 2006), the text explained orthodox LDS belief. Since then, however, that sect has abandoned the teaching. If that book were written today by a faithful member of that church, it would have to be revised to reflect the church’s changed view. By leaving the text unchanged, it provides a current example of continuing dwindling in unbelief. Changing belief into unbelief happens very quickly. The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil was published in 2006, and the doctrine was denounced as a “tactic of the adversary” by an LDS apostle in an official church meeting in 2015— only nine years later” ( Snuffer Jr., Denver C. . Religion of the Fathers: Context for the Book of Abraham (p. 106, emphasis added). Restoration Archive LLC. Kindle Edition.
It is evident this teaching was rejected by those claiming to be guardians of Joseph Smith’s orthodoxy, but sufficient evidence exists to support that the offer of covenant was rejected earlier, like Israel. In consequence of their rejection, Joseph Smith and the Priesthood was removed, like Israel.[21]
Israel rejected the “greater priesthood” when offered by the Lord through Moses. Jesus taught his disciples many things they could not understand until after His resurrection.[22] Joseph Smith expressed frustration over the difficulty he experienced in attempting to teach “greater priesthood” principles.
“Had I inspiration, revelation, and lungs to communicate what my soul has contemplated in times past, there is not a soul in this congregation but would go to their homes and shut their mouths in everlasting silence on religion till they had learned something” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 366, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
Joseph Smith’s attempts to “sanctify his people” like Moses, fell short and he and the Priesthood fullness were withdrawn. Two hundred years have passed and those claiming Joseph Smith’s legacy abandoned many of Joseph’s teachings. Instead of a growing body of revelation as in Joseph Smith’s day, institutions claiming to succeed him now claim modern revelation by reduction and redaction of his teachings. The growing body of revelation died with Joseph Smith.
It is no coincidence the Lord called a servant outside the established institution to declare what Moses, Jesus, and Joseph Smith did. Fittingly, the invitation came in the form of a book: “The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through The Veil.” According to Joseph of Egypt, Joseph Smith wrote the record of Joseph and Joseph Smith’s spokesman declares it in preparation for Israel’s gathering.[23]
The spokesmen for Joseph Smith and Moses were not given for the benefit of those who already knew God. The spokesmen are Aaronic and assist in preparing those who are beckoned to become sanctified and come to the Fullness of the Priesthood [Spirit of Elijah]. They provide a filter between what the men of God fully knew and what the Lord wisely allows them to share with the less initiated.
Spiritual Training Wheels For Beginners
Joseph Smith said the following regarding the Spirit of Elias:
“The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, holding the keys of the power of Elias, it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 385, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition).
In Samuel’s warning to the elders of Israel regarding their request for a king, the prophet concluded with the final warning:
“ . . . And you shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you, and the Lord will not hear you in that day" (RE 1 Samuel 4:3).
Priesthood is about representation before the Lord. The Fall of Adam removed Adam and Eve from God’s presence. After the Fall, the Lord instituted a process whereby mankind could choose their standing before God. The Spirit of Elias is rooted in vicarious representation before the Lord. The Aaronic high priest would enter the temple and offer sacrifice for his sins and the sins of Israel on an altar to atone for their collective sins.
Under this preparatory law, we use the Lord’s name when praying because He has standing before God and the Father will hear us because of His standing. In the Lord’s wisdom, we hope to one day receive a new name from Him that gives us personal standing before the Savior. The new name is a “keyword” used to approach the Lord for greater light and knowledge.[24] A new name opens a connection to Heaven allowing us to converse with the Lord through the veil. This privilege is reserved for those who heed the Lord’s servant on Earth and “sanctify themselves” through repentance with a covenant.[25]
The Spirit of Messiah is when the Lord has tested the faith of a disciple and determined they are sufficiently prepared to be sanctified and enter His presence.[26]
The Spirit of Elias is the beginning of this process of preparation. When the elders of Israel approached the Lord through Samuel and requested a mortal king, it was a further regression from the Lord’s presence. The Lord refused to hear Israel’s prayers directly because they chose a mortal man as king in opposition to their loyalty and faith in Him.
To reverse this regression from the Lord, the Lord mercifully offered physical tools to assist Israel in their return to Him. David was given Gad the seer and Samuel and Nathan.
A seer was given a seer stone referred to as a “Urim and Thummim”[27] or in the Covenant of Christ, “interpreters.” In the Covenant of Christ, use of this instrument was often veiled by the phrase, “gift and power of God.”[28]
The Covenant of Christ is the most complete resource for understanding the use of this physical instrument and its purpose.
“Now he [Mosiah 2] translated the plates using those two stones fastened into the two rims of a frame for spectacles. These things had been prepared from the beginning and handed down for generations for the purpose of translating languages. And the hand of the Lord had preserved them to expose the iniquities and abominations of His people to any people who would inhabit the land. And whoever has this instrument has always been called a seer” (RE Mosiah 12:3, emphasis added)
Ammon gave further explanation to Limhi regarding this instrument and the role of a seer.
“Ammon then replied: I can confidently inform you, king, about a man who’s able to translate the records. He possesses the means that allow him to see and translate ancient records, and this ability is a gift from God. These things are known as Interpreters, and no man can look into them unless God commands him to do so, in order to prevent him from seeing something he shouldn’t see and perishing. Whoever is commanded to look in them is called a seer. The king in Zarahemla is the one who’s been commanded to perform these tasks; he’s been given this special gift from God. The king declared that a seer is greater than a prophet [by this statement some conclude this to mean a seer is a higher priesthood. Limhi is uninitiated, uninformed and the source of this statement]. Ammon explained that a seer is both a revelator and a prophet. No one can have a greater gift unless they possess God’s power, which is impossible, but a man can receive great power from God. A seer can know about the past and the future; the Interpreters can reveal everything — hidden secrets can be revealed, and unknown things can be uncovered. A seer can discover the unknown and reveal things that would otherwise remain unknown to us. This is how God has established a way for mankind to perform great miracles through faith; therefore seers are a benefit to their fellow men [although still vicarious representation, Aaronic]” (C of C Mosiah 5:13, emphasis added).
The “interpreters” are more than tools for translation. They are used to reveal hidden things about the past, present, and future, the definition of truth.[29]
The Urim and Thummim was a physical instrument given to a servant of God so the people would not be completely cut-off from communication with Him. David had Gad the seer, Hezekiah used the words of David, Gad, and Samuel as guides for “setting in order the house of God.” The Lord provided the interpreters to Mosiah 1 to translate records, assist in teaching the people of Zarahemla their language, discover the works of secret combinations and wickedness among his people, inquire of the Lord on important matters to learn His will. They were passed to Benjamin, Mosiah 2, Alma, and Helaman.
When the Lord began the last Gentile dispensation, it began with the Urim and Thummim given to Joseph Smith. There will be an abundance of records to be delivered and translated by the “gift and power of God” when Israel gathers. The “interpreter’s” will be useful in understanding foreign languages and teaching a common language in Zion so all may converse with one another. Given the abundant warnings regarding the presence of secret combinations in the last days, a Urim and Thummim will be beneficial.[30]
The interpreters appear to be hidden but present in all circumstances where the Lord attempts to lift a people from corruption and sin in the earliest stages.
Physical Instruments Are Aaronic Serving as Tools to Build Faith and Lead Mankind to God
Instruments like the “rod of Aaron,”[31] the Liahona[32] and the interpreters[33] are given by God to encourage faith in mankind and lead them closer to Him. As people repent, covenant with God and feast on His word, the scriptures replace the instruments for instruction, people are given “new names” by the Lord so they can converse with the Lord through the veil and enter His presence.
Mosiah 1 led a Nephite exodus out of the land of Nephi. Righteous descendants of Joseph are led by God to Zarahemla and the people of Muloch. The people of Zarahemla are from Jesse [Judah] and choose to unite, appointing Mosiah 1 their king and seer. The people of Zarahemla learn Mosiah’s language, are reintroduced to God and the scriptures. This is a type for the latter-day gathering of Israel and their union with repentant Gentiles in the Spirit of Elias.
Benjamin continues in the righteous traditions established by his father, Mosiah 1. Near the end of his reign and ministry, Benjamin is visited by an angel and given instructions on how to lead his people through the right of adoption into the family of Christ, receiving the new name of Jesus Christ. This is the type for the Spirit of Elijah we now seek.
Following Benjamin, Mosiah 2 leads the people to a second phase of representation before the Lord. At the conclusion of his ministry, Mosiah 2 is compelled to change the form of government and representation before God.[34] His sons refuse the throne and Mosiah 2 changes the government to a system of judges and the people assume personal responsibility for governance matters. This is the last stage of the Spirit of Elijah where individuals assume their own representation before the Lord.
Overlay The Reign of Kings Over Isaiah 5 and The Type For Israel’s Latter-day Gathering Emerges
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse [Joseph Smith], and a branch shall grow out of his roots [root of Jesse]. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him — the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord — and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears, but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his [Jesus Christ] loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. And in that day, there shall be a root of Jesse who shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious” (RE Isaiah 5:4-5, emphasis added).
Similar to the union between the peoples of Mosiah and Zarahemla, Isaiah foretells a day when the “root of Jesse” raises an “ensign” to which the Gentiles gather. The appearance of the “root of Jesse,” and the raising of the “ensign” presages the time when descendants of Lehi begin to “know these things” in the Covenant of Christ and come to realize the Father has commenced fulfilling His promises to descendants of the Patriarchal Fathers.[35]
Nephi appeared to Joseph Smith September of 1823. In the course of his appearance Nephi quoted several prophecies from the Old and New Covenants. Among those quoted, Nephi mentioned Isaiah 11 [Isaiah 5:3-5] and Acts 3:22-23 [RE Acts 2:3, the Moses Prophecy, Deuteronomy 6:2-4]. After quoting these prophecies to Joseph Smith, Nephi said:
“. . . that that prophet was Christ, but the day had not yet come when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people, but soon would come . . .” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History, Part 3:4, emphasis added).
Two hundred years have passed since Nephi appeared to Joseph Smith reciting these prophecies. Over the course of this time few contemplate the possibility the fulfillment of these prophecies are in process as this paper is written. Joseph Smith as the Gentile Elias has laid the foundation for a greater work. They pay lip service to his work while they dismantle it. The Gentiles claiming Joseph Smith’s authority are as confident in their claims as the Jews were when they crucified their God. The “root of Jesse” has testified of the divinity of Joseph Smith’s work. The manifestation of the Spirit of Elijah comes next restoring a fiery pillar from Heaven to Earth. The Patriarchal Father’s descend through the pillar to commence fulfilling promises made to them by the Father of Heaven.[36] It is my belief we are at the crossroads[37] of when the Lord’s servants deliver His words to the Gentiles and those who will not receive them are cut-off.[38]
[1] ““ . . . The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done, and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It has been already of old time, which was before us . . .” (RE Ecclesiastes 1:1, emphasis added).
[2] “ . . . Therefore I told you: Feast on Christ’s words — because the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do. After I’ve said these words, if you can’t understand them, it will be because you don’t ask or knock. Consequently, you aren’t brought into the light but are certain to perish in the dark. I tell you again, if you will enter through the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you everything you should do. This is Christ’s doctrine. No more doctrine will be given until after He visits you here on earth. Once He shows Himself to you here on earth, you must obey what He tells you” (C of C 2 Nephi 14:1, emphasis added).
[3] “Now, my dear people, I believe you’re wondering a little in your hearts about what you should do after you’ve entered through the way. But why do you wonder over these things in your hearts? Don’t you remember I told you that after you had received the Holy Ghost, you could speak the words of angels? Now, how could you speak the message of the angels unless you did it by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; as a result, they speak Christ’s words. Therefore I told you: Feast on Christ’s words — because the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do. After I’ve said these words, if you can’t understand them, it will be because you don’t ask or knock. Consequently, you aren’t brought into the light but are certain to perish in the dark. I tell you again, if you will enter through the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you everything you should do . . .” (C of C 2 Nephi 14:1, emphasis added).
[4] “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 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, 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 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 the great which shall fall” (RE T&C 54:3, emphasis added).
[5] “Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. 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. For behold and lo, the Lord is God and the spirit bears record, and the record is true, and the truth abides for ever and ever. Amen” (RE T&C 54:7, emphasis added).
[6] “Zarahemla’s people and Mosiah’s people united, and Mosiah was accepted as their king. During Mosiah’s rule, a large stone containing engravings was brought to him and he translated the engravings by God’s gift and power . . .” (Omni 1:19, emphasis added).
“Now Limhi was again very pleased upon learning from Ammon that king Benjamin had a gift from God that let him interpret such engravings . . .” (C of C Mosiah 9:33, emphasis added).
[7] “. . . All of Zarahemla’s people were included as Nephites, because Nephi’s descendants governed the kingdom” (C of C Mosiah 11:15, emphasis added).
[8] “ . . . When He sets about a second time to recover His people, that will be the very last time the Lord’s servants will go out in His power to tend and prune His vineyard — following that, the end will happen quickly . . .” (C of C Jacob 4:1, emphasis added).
[9] “Question: What is the Root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter [Isa. 5:4]?Answer: Behold, thus says the Lord: It is a descendant of Jesse as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the Priesthood and the keys of the Kingdom, for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last day” (RE T&C 129:3, emphasis added).
“The ensign Isaiah prophesied refers to a zodiacal map, or to the constellations overhead. This is a depiction of the heavens themselves. The ensign to be reared will tell those in Zion how to walk in the paths of God, through the heavens, back into God’s presence. Zion will be a connection between heaven and earth, where those living will learn the ways of the God of Jacob. They will walk in His paths. Heaven and earth will be connected. The stairway connecting the two will be opened. The heavens and the earth will be reunited. This will happen in the top of the mountains” (Snuffer, Denver. Preserving the Restoration, p.277, emphasis added). Mill Creek Press. Kindle Edition.
[10] “I made thousands of changes to the text in order to render it in the final form. I believe that all of the changes were attributable to the Lord and is specifically for the reason He stated to me on the Winter Solstice: “But this has a different purpose. This is to help a new generation to understand the content to help with the Lord’s return.” It has been a rework under Divine direction to accomplish that purpose. All of the restatements of the text are designed to sharpen the reader’s focus on those things most important for preparing a generation for the Lord’s return. Therefore I recognize that the text speaks a message now that was out of focus in the earlier text and therefore greatly sharpens the warning to us. The war chapters that seemed so random before are now aimed directly at us. We are now shown how selective and precise the destruction of the wicked has occurred in the people on this land who ripened in iniquity and failed to heed the God of this land.
The text is now ours. To either heed or reject. To parse into segments that ignore the direct and threatening warning sharpened in the restatement in modern English, or to give heed and realize the Lord will “in His wrath” do again what has happened before on this land.
This is a work that belongs to the Lord, because as He has stated: “There is as much Divine attention and assistance in getting this new version completed as before.”
I would never dare to make any change to anything the Lord has provided to us as scripture. It would take such gall and foolishness that I could not consider it. But, inasmuch as the Lord had condescended to speak with me, I will obey and do as He directs. And I will also confirm and testify the Lord has stated to me, and I have faithfully recorded His word that: “I labored alongside you in this work. My word is truth. My word is spirit. As you worked with the text I gave you my word and it is to be kept as it was given. My word carries with it the power of truth, and you are not called to alter it, but are to defend it. As you have considered comments from others you have feared man more than me. The corruption of scripture has been caused by men fearing others and failing to heed my word. You were told to update the language, and that included restating my doctrine, sacrament and baptismal prayers but you hesitated and needed to be commanded to do so. Let your work of updating the language now end with the words I have given you.
Publish it for the people to read. Then, have the voice of the people determine if they will accept it as my Covenant, as they will be judged by their voice on this matter.”
I will, therefore, defend it, just as I have been commanded to do. The accountability for the text rests with me. Although I will pass your email and this response along to the others who have worked on it, the overwhelming rewrite was my responsibility and was accomplished between December 10, 2023 and the Summer Solstice of 2024. Those were happenstance dates that I didn’t take any notice of until it was later pointed out to me by one of the others working on the project.
If there are questions or complaints I think I owe the responsibility to defend the text” (Discussing Covenant of Christ Podcast, Denver Snuffer Jr., November 24, 2024, emphasis added).
[11] “What I want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you, saying, "I have the spirit of Elias," you can know whether he be true or false; for any man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elias, he will not transcend his bounds” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 385-386, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
[12] “The voice of him that cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it” (RE Isaiah 14:1, emphasis added).
[13] “We still continued the work of translation when, in the ensuing month (May, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins as we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from Heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying unto us, Upon you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. And this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. He said this Aaronic priesthood had not the power of laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter, and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and afterward that he should baptize me. Accordingly, we went and were baptized. I baptized him first and afterward he baptized me, after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic priesthood. And afterward he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same priesthood, for so we were commanded.
The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this priesthood upon us said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James [Jacob], and John, who held the keys of the priesthood of Melchizedek, which priesthood, he said, should in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first elder of the church and he the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine that we were baptized and ordained under the hand of the messenger” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History Part 14:1-2, emphasis added).
[14] “The Lord also told me [Joseph of Egypt]: I’ll give your descendants also a prophet and make a spokesman for him. I’ll inspire the one to write the record of your descendants to bless your offspring. And that spokesman will declare that record. The words he’ll write will be the words that, in My wisdom, I consider important for your offspring to read. It will be as if your descendants called out to them from the dust, because I know their faith. 20They’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. 21Because of their faith, their words will go from Me to their brothers and sisters who are your offspring. I’ll make the simplicity of their words result in strong faith as they learn about the covenant I made with your fathers” (C of C 2 Nephi 2:6, emphasis added).
[15] “And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now nor since you have spoken unto your servant, but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I ask you, by the hand of him whom you will send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also behold, he comes forth to meet you; and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. And you shall speak unto him and put words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. And he shall be your spokesman unto the people, and he shall be, even he shall be to you instead of a mouth, and you shall be to him instead of God. And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do signs” (RE Exodus 2:7, emphasis added).
[16] “And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now nor since you have spoken unto your servant, but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I ask you, by the hand of him whom you will send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also behold, he comes forth to meet you; and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. And you shall speak unto him and put words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. And he shall be your spokesman unto the people, and he shall be, even he shall be to you instead of a mouth, and you shall be to him instead of God. And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do signs” (RE Exodus 2:7, emphasis added).
[17] “And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men who were upon the face of the earth . . .” (RE Numbers 7:22, emphasis added).
[18] “Our scriptures speak carefully about the existence and importance of a Heavenly Mother: a Divine Female whose greatest attribute is to bestow wisdom upon the whole of this creation . . .” (Our Divine Parents, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.1, emphasis added).
[19] 257 “As part of the meeting, the following question and answer was covered: “Another claim is that the Church [of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] is not teaching what is necessary for exaltation. For example, some say that only those who see the face of Jesus Christ in mortality will receive Celestial Glory.” Dallin H. Oakes: “of course, all of the righteous desire to see the face of our Savior, but the suggestion that this must happen in mortality is a familiar tactic of the adversary.” This event was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube (see “Boise Rescue,” June 13, 2015, www.youtube.com.
[20] 258 “The John 14:16 KJV footnote in the LDS Scriptures used to reference: TG Jesus Christ, Second Comforter.” That was changed and now reads: “TG Holy Ghost, Comforter.” (The reference to “TG” is to the Topical Guide in the LDS publication.)
[21] “ . . . For there is not place found on the earth that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he has taken away, even the fullness of the Priesthood” (RE T&C 141:10, emphasis added).
[22] “Jesus knew the Father had empowered him to have dominion over all things because he had been sent by the Father to redeem the world, then to return to the Father once he departed from the world. And so Jesus arose from supper and removed his cloak and took a towel as an apron. And he poured water into a basin, and he began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he wore as an apron. When he came to Simon Peter, Peter objected, saying, Lord, why do you wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, You will not understand this now, but will later come to understand this ordinance is necessary. Peter said to him, You do not need to wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I do not wash your feet then you cannot rise up to be with me, for it is a required ordinance to be with me. Simon Peter still did not understand and said to him, Lord, if you must then don’t just wash my feet, but finish the ordinance also on my hands and head. Jesus replied, Those whose hands and head have been washed only need to receive washing of their feet, and are clean from the blood and sins of this world. You whom I have washed today are clean, but not all of you. Now the ceremonies of the Jews under their law required them to wash, but Jesus washed for a higher purpose. And he knew who would betray him. Therefore he said, Not all of you are clean” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:2, emphasis added).
“. . . Believe me that I am one with the Father, and the Father is one with me; but if you do not, at least believe through these works. In the name of Father Ahman I declare to you, the individual who trusts me, what I have accomplished he will also. Followers will also accomplish the greater works I do next. Followers will also finish the path, as I am now concluding, at the place my Father dwells. As he helps me, I will help you, and you will accomplish what I have along with the greater sacrifice I have yet to finish. And whatever you shall ask in my name, I will answer, so that the Father may be glorified by the honor shown his Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will answer” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:10, emphasis added).
[23] “The Lord also told me: I’ll give your descendants also a prophet and make a spokesman for him. I’ll inspire the one to write the record of your descendants to bless your offspring. And that spokesman will declare that record. The words he’ll write will be the words that, in My wisdom, I consider important for your offspring to read. It will be as if your descendants 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. Because of their faith, their words will go from Me to their brothers and sisters who are your offspring. I’ll make the simplicity of their words result in strong faith as they learn about the covenant I made with your fathers” (C of C 2 Nephi 2:6, emphasis added).
[24] “The name of Jacob was given by man (his father); the name of Israel was given by God (his Heavenly Father). God giving someone a new name is a profound event. It signifies that person has a newness of life with Him. Receiving a new name from God also marks entry into His family, for when God gives a name, He is adopting into His family. He names someone because they belong to Him” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, New Name, p.218, emphasis added).
“Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known;
And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word” (LDS D&C 130:10-11, emphasis added).
“The name of Jacob was given by man (his father). But the name of Israel was given by God (his Heavenly Father). God giving someone a new name is a profound event. It signifies that person has a newness of life with Him. Receiving a new name from God also marks entry into His family, for when God gives a name He is adopting into His family. He names someone because they belong to Him” (Snuffer Jr., Denver C.. Nephi's Isaiah, p.77 . Mill Creek Press).
[25] “Now these are the words king Benjamin hoped to hear from them. Therefore he told them: You’ve said the words I wanted to hear, and the covenant you’ve made is a righteous covenant. Now because of the covenant you’ve made, you’ll be called the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. Today, He has spiritually begotten you. You’ve said your hearts have changed through faith in His name. As a result, you’re born of Him and have become His sons and daughters. You’re now free under His wings, and there’s no other Savior under whose wings you can be sheltered. There’s no other name given through which salvation comes. Therefore all of you who have made the covenant with God to be obedient for the remainder of your lives, take upon yourselves the name of Christ. Those who do this will be found at the right hand of God and will answer to the name of Christ” (C of C Mosiah 3:2, emphasis added).
[26] “Now as I Moroni told you I couldn’t make a full account of this record, therefore it’s enough for me to say Jesus showed Himself to this man in the Spirit, in the same way and in the same bodily form as He showed Himself to the Nephites. He ministered to him just as He ministered to the Nephites — and He did this to let this man understand He was God because of the many great things the Lord revealed to him. Because of this man’s knowledge, he couldn’t be kept from seeing inside the veil. And he saw Jesus’ finger, and when he saw it, fear came over him and he fell down, because he knew it was the Lord’s finger. His faith was replaced by knowledge, since he knew without any doubt. So because he had this perfect knowledge of God, he couldn’t be kept outside the veil. Therefore he saw Jesus, and Jesus ministered to him” (C of C Ether 1:14, emphasis added).
[27] “. . . And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim. And they shall be upon Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. And Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually” (RE Exodus 15:4, emphasis added).
“These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found. Therefore were they as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them that they should not eat of the most holy things until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim” (RE Ezra 1:12, emphasis added).
[28] “Zarahemla’s people and Mosiah’s people united, and Mosiah was accepted as their king. During Mosiah’s rule, a large stone containing engravings was brought to him and he translated the engravings by God’s gift and power. They gave an account of a man named Coriantumr and his slaughtered people. This Coriantumr was discovered by Zarahemla’s people and he lived with them for nine months. The stone also mentioned Coriantumr’s ancestors — that the earliest ones had come from the tower when the Lord confused the people’s language. But the Lord’s justice resulted in severe judgments on them, and their bones lay scattered in the land northward” (C of C Omni 1:8, emphasis added)
[29] “ . . . and truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come . . .” (RE T&C 93:8, emphasis added).
[30] “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” (C of C Alma 17:12, emphasis added).
[31] “Now this is not all your gift, for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron. Behold, it has told you many things. Behold, there is no other power save the power of God that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you. Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God, and you shall hold it in your hands and do marvelous works, and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God, and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it. Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore, ask in faith” (RE T&C Joseph Smith History Part 13:22, emphasis added).
[32] “Now, my son, I want to discuss the thing our forefathers called a ball or Director — or rather, they called it Liahona, which translates to a compass — that the Lord provided. And no one can accomplish such intricate workmanship. It was provided to point the way for our ancestors to travel in the wilderness. And it worked for them based on their faith in God. As a result, if they had faith to believe God would make the pins point the way to go, then it happened. Therefore they saw this miracle, and many other miracles, performed by God’s power day after day. However, even though those miracles let them accomplish miraculous things, they happened by ordinary methods and they got lazy, took it for granted, and neglected to exercise their faith and diligence. So then the miracles stopped, and they didn’t make progress in their journey. Then they wandered in the wilderness, no longer traveling a direct path, and suffered hunger and thirst due to their faithlessness” (C of C Alma 17:15, emphasis added).
“Behold, I say unto you that you must rely upon my [the Lord’s] word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim which were given to the brother of Jared on the mount when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the marvelous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness on the borders of the Red Sea. And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History Part 15:1, emphasis added).
[33] “ . . . I’ve written on these plates the very things Jared’s brother saw. Greater things were never revealed than those things revealed to Jared’s brother. Therefore the Lord has commanded me to write them down and I’ve written them. He also commanded me to seal them up under His care. He has also commanded me to protect the ability to translate them, so I’ve sealed the Interpreters according to the Lord’s commandment. The Lord told me: They must not go to the Gentiles until they repent of their iniquity and become clean before the Lord. The Lord said: When they [Gentiles] exercise faith in Me, just as Jared’s brother did, so that they become sanctified in Me, then I’ll show them the things Jared’s brother saw, even providing all My revelations to them. This is what Jesus Christ said, who’s the Son of God the Father of the heavens and the earth, and everything in them” (C of C Ether 1:17, emphasis added).
[34] “Therefore choose for yourselves judges by your vote, so that you can be judged according to the laws that have been established by our forefathers, which are good and were given to them by the Lord. 26Now it’s not common for the majority of the people to want anything contrary to what’s right, but it’s common for the minority to want what isn’t right. So you must observe this principle and make it your law, to do your business by the majority vote of the people.
27And if the time comes that the majority of the people choose iniquity, then that is when God’s judgments will fall upon you and He’ll cause great destruction, just like He’s done upon this land up until now. 28Now if you have judges and they don’t judge you according to the law that’s been given, you can make them be judged by a higher judge. 29And if your higher judges don’t make righteous judgments, you must cause a small number of your lower judges to convene, and they should then judge your higher judges based upon the vote of the people. 30I’ve commanded you to do these things to respect the Lord; I’ve commanded you to do these things and to not have a king, and if these people commit sins and iniquities, they will be responsible for them. 31I tell you: The sins of many people have resulted from their kings’ iniquities; therefore their iniquities are their king’s responsibility.
32I don’t want there to be any more inequality in this land, especially among my people. But I want this land to be a land of liberty and for everyone to enjoy their rights and privileges equally, so long as the Lord sees fit to allow us to live and to possess the land as an inheritance, and for as long as any of our descendants are on the land. 33King Mosiah wrote many more things to them, explaining all the trials and troubles of a righteous king: the worrying for his people and the people’s complaints to their king; he explained it all to them. 34He told them these things shouldn’t be like this, but the responsibility should rest on everyone and everyone should do their part. 35He also explained the disadvantages they labored under by having an unrighteous king rule over them: 36the risks of iniquities and abominations, and the wars, conflicts, slaughter, theft, plunder, whoredoms, and all kinds of sin which can’t all be named, telling them these things should be avoided by them, that they were directly contrary to God’s commandments” (C of C Mosiah 13:7-9, emphasis added).
[35] “I tell you the truth. And I’ll give you a sign to identify the time when these things are about to happen, when I will gather My people, the house of Israel, from their long-scattered state, and will again establish My Zion among them. This is the sign for you: When the things that I’m declaring to you now and after this by the power of the Holy Ghost that are given to you by the Father are then revealed to the Gentiles, and taken as a message through them to you, that is when the Father’s covenant is being fulfilled . . .” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:11, emphasis added)
[36] “And because He’s done this, my dear people, have miracles stopped? I tell you: No. And neither have angels stopped ministering to mankind. They are obedient to Him, to minister according to His commands, revealing themselves to those of strong faith and of a firm mind in every form of godliness. The responsibility of their ministry is to call people to repentance, and to fulfill and do the work of the Father’s covenants that He’s made to mankind, to prepare the way among people by declaring Christ’s word to the Lord’s chosen vessels, so they can bear testimony of Him. And by doing this, the Lord God prepares the way for the remainder of mankind to have faith in Christ, so the Holy Ghost can have a place in their hearts according to the power of the Holy Ghost. This is how the Father vindicates the covenants He’s made to mankind. Christ has said: If you have faith in Me, you’ll have power to do whatever I consider needed and proper. And He’s said to everyone on earth: Repent and come to Me and be baptized in My name and have faith in Me, so you can be saved” (C of C Moroni 7:6, emphasis added).
“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).
[37] “We have yet to take the Spirit of Elias seriously enough to move on to receive something further. But we are now facing a crossroads in which it may be possible to restore again and continue the work and move forward. Moving forward successfully however, will require the Spirit of Elijah. This time the Spirit of Elijah is not to prepare a people so that they might ascend into heaven but instead to prepare a people so that those who come will not utterly destroy them. There must be a people prepared to endure the burning that is to come. Just as Enoch’s people were prepared, shielded and brought worthy to ascend so as not to be destroyed by the flood, the Spirit of Elijah must prepare people in order for them to endure the day that is coming that shall burn the wicked as stubble. That will be people living in a place of peace and they will be the only people who are not at war one with another. They will be people who accept a body of teachings and allow them to govern their daily walk; both with each other and with God, so that they receive “commandments, not a few” and “revelations in their day” because that is what the people of Zion must necessarily be willing to do” (Things to Keep Us awake at Night, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.14, emphasis added).
[38] “At that time, to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them [the Gentiles]. There will be many 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; 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. And then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob, will rise up from them [the Gentiles]. And you’ll be mixed in with them who will outnumber you. You’ll be among them like a lion among his prey in the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who moves unopposed to take down and tear to pieces. Your hand will be against your opponents and all your enemies will be cut down. Yes, woe to the Gentiles unless they repent: For when that day comes, says the Father, I’ll take away your strength from you, and I’ll destroy your security. Your cities will fall and I’ll break open your guarded borders. Your sciences and learning will turn into foolishness, and your false beliefs will cause your failure. I’ll expose the fraud of those in authority, and your trusted institutions will lose everyone’s loyalty. False prophets and false ministers will be brought to shame and humiliation. All lying, deceiving, envying, strife, priestcraft, and whoredoms will come to an end. At that time, says the Father, I’ll cut down anyone who won’t repent and draw near to My Beloved Son to preserve My people, the house of Israel. I’ll take vengeance and unleash My fierce anger on all the unbelieving, beyond anything they expect” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:12, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
9/10/2025
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