A question was asked, “What would be a sign the Spirit of Elijah has been given by the Lord?” The reply was, “More records.” Why was this a correct response? Joseph Smith provided the following explanation of the powers associated with the Spirit of Elijah:
“The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 386). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition, emphasis added).
The Spirit of Elijah arrives with extraordinary powers from the Melchizedek Priesthood. Holding the key to revelation is the key to additional scripture. Scripture is the record of God’s revelation and instruction to man. The Spirit of Elijah renews this power to a dispensation head enabling them to create and aggregate scripture.
“Despite what the Holy Order is not, it is important to understand. Most of our scriptures are the writings of members of the Holy Order. The Order must return. This talk is to confirm God is vindicating His promises, whether the world takes any notice or not” (Holy Order Part 2, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.4, emphasis added).
The Book of Mormon contains prophecies of how records come to light when the Spirit of Elijah and the Melchizedek Priesthood are renewed to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Not only will the coming of Elijah turn the hearts of the children to their Father’s in Heaven, Elijah’s return provides a reason why mortal man turns to the covenant Father’s and the hearts of the Heavenly Father’s turn to their children. Accompanying subtle, but miraculous events will openly manifest God’s power with a trove of records testifying of God’s dealings with mankind. Unedited and unredacted records correcting and affirming sacred records previously altered by mankind.
“And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren and also the book of the Lamb of God which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren. And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books which came forth by the power of the Lamb from the gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews [often a synonym for Israel in the Book of Mormon] who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records which thou hast seen among the gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them, and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world, and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved. And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Wherefore, they both shall be established in one, for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth. And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the gentiles. And after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the gentiles and also unto the Jews; and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
And it shall come to pass that if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks, and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they [gentiles] shall be numbered among the seed of thy father [Lehi]. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land for ever. They shall be no more brought down into captivity, and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded. And that great pit which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church — which was founded by the Devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell — yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God, not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end. For behold, this is according to the captivity of the Devil, and also according to the justice of God, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before him” (RE 1 Nephi 3:24-25, emphasis added).
Other Books
The “other books” spoken of have a profound effect on all mankind. They come by the “power of the Lamb” from the gentiles to the remnant of Laman and Lemuel and to Israel presumably in a linear order. Eventually all who heed the content of the other books are “convinced” the testimony of Christ’s Biblical Apostles are true. They make known the “plain and precious things” taken from the records by the great and abominable church of the Devil.[1]
The plain and precious things removed from the record of the Lord’s Apostles and the Lord’s covenants with Israel are restored in the “other books.” Additional records affirm the original apostolic text and testify the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and Savior of the world and all mankind must come to Him to be saved. The words of the Lamb of God are combined with the record of Lehi’s seed and the record of the Lamb’s Apostles in one record, in “The New Covenants,” in fulfillment of the angels words to Nephi.[2]
When the words of the Lamb of God come forth by His power to the gentiles, the gentiles who heed His words have scales of ignorance and deception shed from their eyes. False doctrines are exposed and the “plain and most precious things” restored. If the gentiles resist hardening their hearts against the new revelations from “other books” they will be numbered among Lehi’s seed and Israel and be blessed upon the promised land forever.
The following are comments from Denver Snuffer regarding the “Other Books.”
“Nephi received an extended tutorial from an angel that resulted in prophecy about events now happening. The prophecy mentions “other books” that would come by the power of the Lamb of God to the gentiles. 1 Ne. 3:24
At the time the Book of Mormon was translated and published in 1829-1830 there was nothing available to help Joseph Smith and early believers understand what these “other books” would include. Work on the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible would not begin until June 1830. Work on the Book of Abraham would not begin until July 1835. Neither of these would be finished for many years following the Book of Momon translation and publication. Yet the Nephi prophecy anticipated both of these, and more. The Teachings & Commandments include two centuries of additional material provided by the power of the Lamb of God to the gentiles from 1820 to 2019.
The purpose of these other books is to convince three groups of today’s people. Nephi explains they are: “unto the convincing of the gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.” These “other books” are to first persuade the gentiles, so they will undertake the effort required to bring them to the other two groups.
The second group are “the remnant of the seed of my brethren” or the Native American descendants living today. Although a poor effort has been attempted in the past, we [gentiles] are today actively working to bring these records to the second group.
The third group are “the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth.” Essentially no effort has been made in the past to accomplish this work. But we [gentiles] are now also actively working to accomplish this as well.
The objective of the records is explained by Nephi: “These last records which thou hast seen among the gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them, and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world, and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved.”
There needed to be a Savior. The Jewish Messiah was and is the only one who can save all mankind. The twelve apostles who accompanied Him in His mortality at Jerusalem testified that He lived, sacrificed His life, and rose from the grave. He promised to likewise raise all mankind from the grave and reverse the fall of Adam. They testified that His blood was shed for all sin, and to fully reconcile mankind to God.
Just as Nephi foretold, “other books” not only confirm the testimony of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, but also make known many plain and precious things that have been removed from existing scripture. The Book of Mormon and “other books” combine to restore plain and precious truths we need to understand. They help us awaken and arise, and flee from the coming wrath” (“Other Books,” Denver Snuffer Jr., blogpost April 18, 2021, emphasis added).
How the “Other Books” Come Forth by the Power of the Lamb
In the prior quote, Denver explains, “These “other books” are to first persuade the gentiles, so they will undertake the effort required to bring to the other two groups” the “plain and precious things” that were lost. If the Lord’s priority is to first persuade the gentiles with the other books, part of His persuasive effort includes how the “power of the Lamb” is manifest in the process of bringing forth the words of the Lamb of God.
The Savior spoke of the time the angel’s prophecy to Nephi is fulfilled. It was given to the seed of Lehi’s survivors, following Christ’s Resurrection.
“And verily I say unto you, I [Jesus Christ] give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place, that I shall gather in from their long dispersion my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion. And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign: for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you — and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself and by the power of the holy ghost, which shall be given unto you of the Father — shall be made known unto the gentiles, that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them, verily, verily I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father and shall come forth of the Father from them unto you — for it is wisdom in the Father that they [gentiles] should be established in this land and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel — therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the gentiles unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity — for thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the gentiles, that he may shew forth his power unto the gentiles for this cause, that the gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel — and when these things come to pass, that thy seed shall begin to know these things, it shall be a sign unto them that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel. And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths, for that which had not been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
For in that day [last days], for my sake, shall the Father work a work which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them [gentiles], and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. 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 shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. Therefore, it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the gentiles, it shall be done even as Moses said — They shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant . . .” (RE 3 Nephi 9:11-12, emphasis added).
The emergence of the “other books” spoken of by the angel to Nephi is part of the “great and marvelous work” the Father performs among the gentiles. The “other books” are sent to descendants of Lehi as a sign to them the Father has commenced His work.
The gentiles delivering the records of Judah and Joseph with the “other books” to descendants of Lehi is a sign to them and eventually Israel, there is also a sign given to the gentiles. One last sign to repent and be joined with Lehi’s seed to be with Israel. Refusing to do so cuts the gentiles off in fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy.
The sign given to the gentiles is a servant sent by the Father to deliver the words of Christ to the gentiles. Acknowledging and accepting the Lord’s servant has always been the test.
“The test for mankind is always the same. It is no different now than when Adam, Enoch, Noah, or Abraham were here. It is no different now than when Christ was here. When the Lord commissions a member of the Holy Order to declare His message, some will hear and be numbered as His sheep. The rest will reject the warning and forfeit accordingly. It has always been necessary for mankind to face and choose the truth while being confronted with widespread and relentless lies” (Holy Order Part 2, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.23, emphasis added).
The test for mankind is always to discern between true and false witnesses. If it were easy, the Savior would have been embraced rather than murdered. The Lord’s servants are not hidden from those to whom they are sent. Although the Lord’s servants reluctantly identify themselves, they primarily rely on the content of their message to validate their role as the Lord’s messengers.
“The prophecy is also found in Acts 3:22-23: “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” [That prophet is Christ. This does not mean Christ will come again, only “His words” are mentioned. He may send someone with His words.] “Those who will not believe my words, who am Jesus Christ, they shall be cut off.” [The angel Moroni said to Joseph, “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.” When He sends His words those who ignore them will be cut off. I teach what He has told me to teach.]” (Snuffer, Denver. Preserving the Restoration, pp.147-148, emphasis added, Mill Creek Press).
The words of Christ [“other books”], and teachings of the servant are a witness to the seed of Lehi and Israel. But the effort of the gentiles to take the teachings of Christ to these people is also a sign the Father has commenced His work.
"Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles….” Not their “book,” but their “works.” Not their book, which has been brought out in 1830, but the “works” to bring the Doctrine of Christ to them. Someone [the servant and a few who receive him] must establish repentance, declare Christ’s doctrine, and baptize by the authority of Christ, to have people then baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost. These are the works. “…shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because "Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles….” Not their “book,” but their “works.” For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles . . ." That prophet is Christ. His words are what I have spoken to you today. We must all respond to His words, because if we will not, we will be cut off from among the people” (Snuffer Jr., Denver C.. The Teachings of Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Volume 2: 40 Years in Mormonism 2013-2014: Kindle Edition (The Teachings of Denver C. Snuffer Jr. Readers Edition Series) (p. 299-300, emphasis added). Restoration Archives. Kindle Edition).
Words alone are insufficient to persuade or “convince” the gentiles, the seed of Lehi and the remnant of Israel. For these three groups to be convinced requires God’s power to be manifest in “word, power, and deed.” The “other books” provide the “plain and precious things” removed from the records currently in our possession. The power comes when a number of gentiles receive the Lord’s servant, repenting, are baptized by the authority of Christ, receive the baptism by fire and the holy ghost and declare Christ’s doctrine to the three groups mentioned by the angel to Nephi. When a small number of righteous people (see Jacob 3:26) unite to exemplify these precepts and the three groups witness the power of God descend upon them (see RE 1 Nephi 3:28), “kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them [doctrine of Christ] shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider” fulfilled (see RE 3 Nephi 9:11, Isaiah 19:1).
The Due Time of the Lord
Joseph Smith spoke a future day when obstacles in his day impeding their progress would be removed. Their ignorance, superstition, and bigotry would dissipate like the eventual cleansing of mountain stream of mire and dirt:
“But I beg leave to say unto you, brethren, that ignorance, superstition and bigotry placing itself where it ought not, is oftentimes in the way of the prosperity of this Church; like the torrent of rain from the mountains, that floods the most pure and crystal stream with mire, and dirt, and filthiness, and obscures everything that was clear before, and all rushes along in one general deluge; but time weathers tide; and notwithstanding we are rolled in the mire of the flood for the time being, the next surge peradventure, as time rolls on, may bring to us the fountain as clear as crystal, and as pure as snow; while the filthiness, flood-wood and rubbish is left and purged out by the way” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 155, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
The advancement of the people in Joseph Smith’s day was being impeded by their traditions, ignorance, superstitions and bigotry. In spite of their “weaknesses, Joseph Smith foretold of a day when those obstacles would be removed and the teachings of Christ would flow like a clear, crystal stream purged from filthiness, flood-wood and rubbish.
Joseph Smith referred to the “due time of the Lord” as the last days, days he would not live to see.[3] Joseph Smith also said, “. . . All things concerning Zion will come to pass in the due time of the Lord.[4] Joseph first addresses the necessity of purging wickedness taking place among the Lord’s people.
“I cannot learn from any communication by the Spirit to me, that Zion has forfeited her claim to a celestial crown, notwithstanding the Lord has caused her to be thus afflicted, except it may be some individuals, who have walked in disobedience, and forsaken the new covenant; all such will be made manifest by their works in due time. I have always expected that Zion would suffer some affliction, from what I could learn from the commandments which have been given. But I would remind you of a certain clause in one which says, that after much tribulation cometh the blessing. By this, and also others, and also one received of late, I know that Zion, in the due time of the Lord, will be redeemed; but how many will be the days of purification, tribulation, and affliction, the Lord has kept hid from my eyes; and when I inquire concerning this subject, the voice of the Lord is: Be still, and know that I am God; all those who suffer for my name shall reign with me, and he that layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 35-36, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
The “due time of the Lord” is defined by Joseph Smith as the last days. It points to a series of events designed to enlighten and sanctify His people in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Among those events are references pointing to a flood of revelations, or “other books.”
“And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. And behold, the book shall be sealed, and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof. Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people; wherefore, the book shall be kept from them. But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto another. But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book, for the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof. And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the housetops, and they shall be read by the power of Christ. And all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be, even unto the end of the earth. Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it, save it be that three witnesses shall behold it by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein. And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men. For the Lord God hath said that the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good will he establish his word; and woe be unto him that rejecteth the word of God . . . Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time, for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work. Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men. For behold, I am God, and I am a God of miracles, and I will shew unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and for ever, and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (RE 2 Nephi 11:19, emphasis added)
The sealed portion of the Book of Mormon is withheld from the gentiles because of the wickedness and abominations among them. A partial version of the text is given to the gentiles as a test by the Lord to see if the gentiles will repent and return to Christ. If the gentiles fulfill their commitment to the Lord, they will receive the sealed portion of the record. If they fail, the sealed portion is withheld from them to their own condemnation.
“And now there cannot be written in this book even an hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people. But behold, the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people from the gentiles, according to the words which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people, and Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first to try their faith, and if it should so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation. Behold, I were about to write them all, which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith of my people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me. Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people for the space of three days, and after that, he did shew himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them” (RE 3 Nephi 12:1, emphasis added).
The sealed portion of the Book of Mormon was withheld from the gentiles of Joseph Smith’s day because of wickedness and abominations among them. The gentiles of Joseph’s day were given access to the “lesser portion” of the record with a conditional promise. The promise to the gentiles is contingent on their believing and accepting the lesser portion of the record. For the gentiles to successfully deliver the record to descendants of Lehi and Israel, they would have to repent and receive the lesser portion of the Book of Mormon to be endowed with “word, power, and deed”.
The standard set by the Lord for the gentiles was clarified by the Lord through Moroni:
“ . . . Behold, I [Moroni] have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw. And there never was greater things made manifest than that which was made manifest unto the brother of Jared. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to write them, and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up. And he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore, I have sealed up the interpreters according to the commandment of the Lord. For the Lord said unto me, They shall not go forth unto the gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity and become clean before the Lord. And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father of the heavens, and of the earth, and all things that in them are . . . He that will not believe my words will not believe me, that I am. And he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father. I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Come unto me, O ye gentiles, and I will shew unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief. Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you because of unbelief. Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you — yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name with a broken heart and a contrite spirit — then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel. And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed. Therefore, when ye shall receive this record, ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land. Therefore, repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name. For he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And signs shall follow them that believe in my name. And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold, it is I that hath spoken it. Amen” (RE Ether 1:19, emphasis added).
The revelations of John are far more than John’s words in the New Covenant. According to the angel ministering to Nephi, John the Beloved was a keeper of records. Both of his own writings as well as the writings of others.
“And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying, Look. And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and the angel said unto me, Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Behold, he [the apostle] shall see and write the remainder of these things, yea, and also many things which have been; and he shall also write concerning the end of the world. Wherefore, the things which he [the apostle] shall write are just and true; and behold, they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew. And at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain, and pure, and most precious, and easy to the understanding of all men. And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see. But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write, for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them. And also others who have been, to them hath he shewn all things, and they have written them. And they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.
And I, Nephi, heard and bear record that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel. And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw. Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, and I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw. And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me. And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen” (RE 1 Nephi 3:30-31, emphasis added).
The gentiles must embrace the lesser portion of the Book of Mormon brought to light by Joseph Smith. They must repent and become sanctified as the brother of Jared in order to claim their spiritual inheritance of the greater portion of the Book of Mormon, the record of the brother of Jared including the greatest things made known to any man. The “other books” will include accounts to guide the gentiles, the descendants of Lehi and the scattered of Israel out of darkness, into light.
It is John the Beloved’s divine commission to “restore all things” and “gather Israel”.[5] Only when the gentiles cease to take these matters lightly will the Lord reveal from Heaven the “plain and precious things” withheld from us because of iniquity and abomination among us. The gentiles and Israel must repent and come to Christ with a broken heart and contrite spirit to claim this divine covenant of promise. The restoration of the Holy Order makes possible the ability of the gentiles to carry things to the seed of Lehi and Israel.
[1] “And I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them. And the angel said unto me, Knowest thou the meaning of the book? And I said, I know not. And he said, Behold, it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew — and I, Nephi, beheld it. And he said unto me, The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets. And it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many. Nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the gentiles. And the angel of the Lord said unto me, Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew. And when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew, it contained the fullness of the gospel of the Lamb, of whom the twelve apostles bare record; and they bare record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God. Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the gentiles, according to the truth which is in God. And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb from the Jews unto the gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is the most abominable of all other churches. For behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and most precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God. And after these plain and precious things were taken away, it goeth forth unto all the nations of the gentiles” (RE 1 Nephi 3:21, emphasis added).
[2] Restoration Edition, New Covenant, November 25, 2019
[3] “Let us take the Book of Mormon, which a man took and hid in his field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last days, or in due time; let us behold it coming forth out of the ground, which is indeed accounted the least of all seeds, but behold it branching forth, yea, even towering, with lofty branches, and God-like majesty until it, like the mustard seed, becomes the greatest of all herbs. And it is truth, and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, and righteousness begins to look down from heaven and God is sending down His powers, gifts and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof” (TPJS., p.98, emphasis added).
[4] Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, Dean C. Jessel, p.306.
[5] “Question: What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation [Rev. 3:13]?Answer: We are to understand that it was a mission and an ordinance for him [John the Beloved] to gather the tribes of Israel. Behold, this is Elias who, as it is written, must come and restore all things” (RE T&C 74:14, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
4/16/24