Israel Awakes and Arises - Part 1

          The last paper posted on this website explains why the Gentiles approach to the last days should be with a degree of humility. The metaphor of two ships passing in opposing directions describes the covenant transition from the Gentiles to Israel. This is the final transition before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Israel remains in its scattered state throughout Gentile nations until the Gentiles reject the offer of covenant from the Lord because of the precepts of men. [1]

“And when that day shall come shall a remnant [of Israel] be scattered among all [Gentile] nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the love of men shall wax cold and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they [Gentiles] receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men” (RE T&C 31:6; emphasis added).

The precepts of men among even Restoration Gentiles blinds them from recognizing the “fullness of my gospel.” Joseph Smith was unable to restore the gospel to its fullness prior to his death. The Gentiles at the end of the “times of the Gentiles fullness” reject the Lord’s offer of covenant and the Lord. There will be few Gentiles who recognize the gospel fullness and become numbered with Lehi’s descendants in the house of Israel. Referring to Gentiles and the Lord’s offer of covenant Joseph Smith said:

“Thus after this chosen family [Israel] had rejected Christ and His proposals, the heralds of salvation [disciples of Christ] said to them, "Lo we turn unto the Gentiles"; and the Gentiles received the covenant, and were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off; but the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the Saints, and have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established (see Isaiah 24:5); and have become high-minded, and have not feared; therefore, but few of them [Gentiles] will be gathered with the chosen family [Israel]. Have not the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of the Gentiles, provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw His Holy Spirit from them, and send forth His judgments to scourge them for their wickedness? This is certainly the case” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 13-14; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Joseph Smith observed the Gentile condition, after the Jews rejected the Gospel. The covenant was taken to the Gentiles and the Gentiles initially accepted the Lord’s offer of covenant. Eventually the Gentiles “departed the faith,” by braking the covenant the Lord made with Gentile father’s. Their descendants became “high-minded,” refusing to honor covenant terms. The Gentiles abandoned their promises and lost respect for the Lord’s covenant.

          The Jews rejected Jesus at the conclusion of Israel’s opportunity but Joseph Smith observed the promises of the Lord to their Patriarchal Father’s would not be forgotten or discarded. The Lord honors the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because the ancient fathers secured promises from God because of their righteousness. In the day when their posterity becomes righteous, Joseph Smith stated God’s promise would be fulfilled to Israel in “another day limited in David.”

“Christ, in the days of His flesh, proposed to make a covenant with them [Israel], but they rejected Him and His proposals, and in consequence thereof, they [Israel] were broken off, and no covenant was made with them at that time. But their unbelief has not rendered the promise of God of none effect: no, for there was another day limited in David, which was the day of His power; and then His people, Israel, should be a willing people;—and He would write His law in their hearts, and print it in their thoughts [mind of the Father, RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 5:2-3]; their sins and their iniquities He would remember no more” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 13; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition. [2]

In the days of Christ, the Lord offered Jews a covenant they rejected when they crucified their Savior. Israel was cut-off from the Lord’s offer of covenant. Ancient Israel’s rejection of the covenant did not nullify covenant blessings from righteous latter-day Israel. Joseph Smith said the covenant and attendant blessings are restored to descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the last days.

          Unlike their progenitors in the Savior’s day, the day comes when a descendant of David after his name from his lineage rises to receive the Spirit of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood. Ancient David never accomplished this in his day, according to Joseph Smith.

“Although [anciently] David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 389; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Failing to obtain the Spirit of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood prevented ancient David from sealing his kingdom [Spirit of Elijah]  to him in his lifetime. David’s kingdom is taken from him and given to his namesake and descendant from his lineage. The latter-day David obtains the kingdom of ancient David because he obtains the Spirit of Elijah  and the fullness of the Priesthood. That is the day of latter-day David’s power because He is endowed with power from Heaven. [3]

          As ancient David united and reigned over ancient Israel, latter-day David reunites scattered Israel in preparation for the reign of the “King of Kings,” Jesus Christ. Included with Israel are repentant Gentiles numbered with Lehi’s seed in this land. Modern Israel differs from ancient Israel because their lineage is not purely literal. Modern Israel is comprised of people who repent and believe in Jesus Christ, regardless of literal lineage.

“Now, my dear people [descendants of Lehi], I [Nephi] wish to talk to you. I don’t want to let you think you are more righteous than the Gentiles will be. Unless you keep God’s commandments, you’ll all likewise be lost. And because of the words provided to you, don’t conclude the Gentiles will be completely destroyed. I tell you: All the Gentiles who repent are the Lord’s covenant people, and all the Jews who refuse to repent will be rejected. The Lord only covenants with those who repent and believe in His Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.

Now I wish to prophesy a little more about the Jews and Gentiles. After the book [Covenant of Christ] I’ve mentioned appears, and is set down in writing for the Gentiles, and is sealed up again to the Lord, there will be many [Gentiles] who will believe the words that are written. And they’ll take the words to the remnant of our descendants [Lehi’s posterity], who will then know about us, that we came from Jerusalem, and they descend from the Jews. And the gospel of Jesus Christ will be taught to them; so they will be restored to the knowledge of their forefathers and also to knowledge of Jesus Christ, knowledge that their ancestors had among them. Then they’ll rejoice since they’ll know it’s a blessing to them from the hand of God. Their blindness will begin to be removed from their eyes. And after only a few generations they’ll become a pure and delightful people. The scattered Jews [Israel] will also begin to believe in the Messiah, and they’ll begin to gather together on the land. And all who believe in Christ will become a delightful people.

The Lord God will begin His work among people of all nations, tribes, and languages, to bring about His people’s [Israel’s] restoration upon the earth. And with righteousness He’ll judge the needy, and with justice decide matters for the poor. He’ll [the Lord] control the earth with words from His mouth [through His servant, David], and with His breath [expelled when His word’s are spoken] He’ll slay the wicked [because they rebel against His servant who speaks to them]. For it will soon be time when the Lord God will cause a great division among the people, and He’ll destroy the wicked. [4]And He’ll spare His people, even if He needs to use fire to destroy the wicked. [5]And righteousness will be His belt, and faithfulness the sash around His waist. Wolves will live beside lambs, leopards will lay beside goats; and the calf, young lion, and yearling together, and a little child will lead them. And the cow will eat beside the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play at the cobra’s lair, and a young child will put his hand in the viper’s nest [millennium]. They’ll neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, because the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord like the waters cover the sea. So the true history of all nations will be made known; indeed, everything will be made known to mankind. There isn’t anything secret that won’t be revealed, and there isn’t any hidden event that won’t be shown in the light. And there isn’t anything sealed [hidden by man] on earth that won’t be unsealed [exposed]. Therefore all things that have happened to mankind will, at that time, be revealed. And Satan won’t have power over people’s hearts anymore, for a long time. Now, my dear people, I finish my words” (CofC 2 Nephi 12:11-13; emphasis added).

Nephi explains the Lord’s criteria for being numbered among Israel. It has little to do with literal lineage and everything to do with repentance and following the Savior. Neither Gentile or literal Israelite qualify for covenant blessings unless they repent and come to Christ.

          Nephi explains this distinction to his descendants who follow because his assessment casts a negative shadow over how few Gentiles repent and come to Christ. Nephi refers to repentant Gentiles as “many” but he has seen the beginning to the end. Given the outcome Nephi cautions his descendants not to assume they receive a pass on repentance and coming to Christ because of their lineage. There will be few Gentiles carrying the Covenant of Christ to Nephi’s descendants. Heirs of Lehi receive the record and repent, obtaining the Gospel fullness from the Gentiles with a miraculous outcome:

“. . . who will then know about us [Nephi and their forefathers], that we came from Jerusalem, and they descend from the Jews [Israel]. And the gospel of Jesus Christ will be taught to them; so they will be restored to the knowledge of their [Patriarchal] forefathers and to knowledge of Jesus Christ, knowledge that their ancestors had among them. Then they’ll rejoice since they’ll know it’s a blessing to them from the hand of God. Their blindness will begin to be removed from their eyes. And after only a few generations they’ll become a pure and delightful people” (Ibid).

The Covenant of Christ removes “scales” of false traditions from their understanding. Restoring Lehi’s seed to a knowledge of their righteous fathers who covenanted with the Lord leads Lehi’s descendants to have faith and become righteous in the few generations following.

          Having repented and washed themselves in the Savior’s blood, descendants of Lehi with assistance from repentant Gentiles gather the scattered of Israel. They repent and become a “delightsome people.” This ushers in the millennial era when the knowledge of the Lord floods the earth and peace reigns between man and beast.

          Using Nephi’s prophetic conclusions with Joseph Smith’s prophecy of “another day limited in David,” when Israel will be a “willing people,” it is possible to assemble an explanation of the latter-day David called to accomplish these tasks.

          Like prior references, the millennial era is addressed by Isaiah in a chapter quoted by Nephi to Joseph Smith. Isaiah’s words are like those of Nephi, probably influenced by Isaiah. Referring to the millennial era Isaiah says: 

“. . . And he [Christ] [6]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 [instrument of punishment] of his mouth [truth, revelation], and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness [“the powers of Heaven can only be controlled nor handled on the principles of righteousness,” RE T&C 139:5] shall be the girdle of his 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.[7] And in that day [last days], there shall be a root of Jesse [8] who shall stand for an ensign [9] of the people; to it shall the gentiles seek, and his [David] rest shall be glorious” (RE Isaiah 5:4; emphasis added).

Christ judges the earth as described by Isaiah and Nephi. [10] The judgment comes after the “root of Jesse” raises an “ensign” to which repentant Gentiles are drawn and the “rest” of the “root of Jesse” is glorious because he ushers in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Lord’s Millennial reign.

Identifying the Root of Jesse in Prophecy

          Isaiah’s metaphor explained in RE T&C 129 does more than explain his metaphor for Israel. It is a chronology for the rise of prophetic figures. The metaphor begins with Israel being cutting off from the nourishment it received from the life-giving elements of the “stem” or tree stump [Christ], and root [“root of Jesse,”].

In nature, when a tree is cut down but the stump remains alive with roots intact the stump restores the upper portion that is lost. The restoration process combines the efforts of the stump [Christ] and the “root of Jesse” [Spirit of Elijah, Holy Order] to send a “rod” or sucker from the stump. This three-step process metaphorically represents the efforts of three individuals, Jesus, Joseph Smith [rod, restoration], and the “root of Jesse.”  The graft [Spirit of Elijah] from the “root of Jesse” into the “rod” causes the rod or water sprout from the stump to bear fruit. Chronologically, the graft into the “rod” by the “root of Jesse” is the last step before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ when Israel is fruitful.

          In Nephi’s prophecy of the latter-day Gentiles the Lord removes the blindness of the Gentiles in “word”, “power”, and “in person.” [11] These categories represent the “rod” as the Spirit of Elias, the “root” as the Spirit of Elijah, and the “stem” as the Spirit of Messiah. Placing names to each represents Joseph Smith as Elias, the Lord’s latter-day servant David as the Spirit of Elijah, and Jesus Christ as the Spirit of Messiah or Second Coming of the Savior.

          The rise and awakening of Israel is embodied in these individuals as well. Joseph Smith as an Elias prepared the way with the introduction of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. David concludes the Gentile covenant opportunity by introducing the Covenant of Christ in modern English so Gentiles who are “in darkness” have no excuse for rejecting the Gospel fullness because they are deceived by the precepts [12] of men.

          When the Lord sends David with His words in greater clarity at the close of the Gentile covenant, the Gentiles who repent and follow the Savior’s words turn to Lehi’s descendants. Lehi’s descendants become righteous in “not many generations” and Gentiles are joined to Israel through a shared inheritance with them.

Lehi’s descendants repent and recognize the hand of God delivers to them the religion of their righteous Patriarchal Fathers. Assisted by believing Gentiles a division begins between believers and those who do not believe. Believers among Gentile nations separate from non-believers, like wheat separated from chaff.

          The great separation occurs as knowledge flowing from the East porch of the Temple in Zion floods the Earth. Eventually the disparity between the righteous and wicked become pronounced. The Lord preserves His people by removing wickedness from earth. Infighting amongst themselves and burning at His return provide earth’s cleansing.

This is a broad summary of events leading to Israel’s gathering in the last days. Part 2 provides greater depth of these events.

[1] “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [Israel] that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land [of their inheritance after the Gentiles are displaced], and feed [light, truth, revelation] them upon the mountains [of the Lord’s house where the Temple is] of Israel by the rivers [water is life, it is the water offered the Samaritan woman by Jesus] , and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture [after they are gathered], and upon the high mountains of Israel [ascend to the top of the mountain so the Lord may teach them to walk in His ways] shall their fold be. There shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat [abundant] pasture shall they feed [receive light and truth] upon the mountains of Israel. I [the Lord through His servant] will feed my flock [revelation and ascension toward God] and I will cause them to lie down [enter the Lord’s rest], says the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost [Israel and truth], and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up [seal, Spirit of Elijah] that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. But I will destroy the fat [prosperous] and the strong [powerful], I will feed them with judgment [God’s wrath].

And as for you, O my flock [Israel], thus says the Lord God: Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he-goats. Does it seem a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? And to have drunk of the deep waters, but you must foul the residue with your feet? And as for my flock, they eat that which you have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which you have fouled with your feet [Ezekiel’s way of accusing those claiming to care for the Lord’s flock by nourishing themselves (knowledge) and fouling the food and water with their corruption of the word of God. Remember, the beginning of the chapter is directed to the shepherds in Israel saying: “. . . Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock].

Therefore, thus says the Lord God unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle [shepherds of Israel] and between the lean cattle [the flock]. Because you [shepherds of Israel] have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased [those in need of knowledge unto repentance] with your horns [power to compel], until you have scattered them abroad, therefore will I save my flock [Israel], and they shall no more be a prey [for the shepherd of Israel to feed off of through tithes and the precepts of men]. And I will judge between cattle and cattle [the Lord establishes equality between men in Israel]” (RE Ezekiel 17:7-9; emphasis added).

“President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel—said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church—that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls—applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall—that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 270; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief [“fullness of the Gospel” breaks forth among those (Gentiles) who sit in darkness, RE T&C 31:6], and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation rests upon the children of Zion, even all, and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon [and Covenant of Christ], and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet [heirs of salvation] for their Father’s kingdom. Otherwise, there remains a scourge [sad experience] and a judgment [God’s wrath] to be poured out upon the children of Zion, for shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Truly, truly I say unto you, Nay” (RE T&C 82:20; emphasis added).

[2] “And I [the Lord] will set up one shepherd over them [Israel] and he shall feed them [teach], even my servant David. He [David] shall feed them and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince [to the “King of Kings”] among them. I the Lord have spoken it [the Lord’s word will never pass away unfulfilled].

And I [the Lord] will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts [unrepentant and wicked] to cease out of the land; and they [Israel] shall dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep [no fear] in the woods. And I will make them [Israel] and the places round about my hill [New Jerusalem] a blessing, and I will cause the shower to come down in his season. There shall be showers of blessing [“in your seed…, shall all the families of the earth be blessed. . .” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 3:1). And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the Lord [“. . . every man might speak in the name of the God, the Lord. . .” (RE T&C 54:4] when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them [shepherds of Israel]. And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen [Gentiles], neither shall the beast of the land devour them, but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid [the Lord defends them]. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen [Gentiles] anymore. Thus shall they know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord God. And you, my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men; and I am your God, says the Lord God” (RE Ezekiel 17:10-11; emphasis added).

[3] “Now Melchizedek was a man of faith who wrought righteousness. And when a child, he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, it being after the Order of the Son of God, which Order came not by man, nor the will of men, neither by father nor mother, neither by beginning of days nor end of years, but of God. And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.

For God, having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself that everyone being ordained after this Order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course, to put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God, to do all things according to his will, according to his command subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this Order of God, were translated and taken up into Heaven.

And now Melchizedek was a priest of this Order, therefore he obtained peace in Salem and was called the Prince of Peace. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained Heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world, and has said and sworn with an oath that the heavens and the earth should come together, and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the King of Heaven by his people — or in other words, the King of Peace” (RE Genesis 7:18-20; emphasis added).

[4] “Then the Angel told me: You’ve seen that if the Gentiles repent, it will turn out well for them. You also know about the Lord’s covenants with the house of Israel. And you’ve also heard that whoever [Gentile or Israelite] doesn’t repent must perish. As a result, if the Gentiles harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, I will afflict them. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting — one way or the other — either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:26; emphasis added).

“At that time, to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them [Gentiles]. There will be many who won’t believe it, although a man [Lord’s servant] 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 [because of the precepts of men]. 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 [“. . . with His breath He’ll slay the wicked”], and I Am Jesus Christ, which the Father will give and empower [Spirit of Elijah] that servant to set before the Gentiles, it will result exactly as Moses said: They will be cut off from My people [Israel] who are part of the covenant. And then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob [descendants of Lehi], will rise up from them [Gentiles]. And you’ll be mixed in with them who will outnumber you. You’ll be among them like a lion [predator] among his prey in the forest, and as a young lion [strong, energetic predator] among the flocks of sheep [those who rely on the precepts of men], who moves unopposed to take down [the prey] and tear to pieces [metaphor for how truth destroys false precepts of men as well as literal destruction of those refusing to repent]. Your hand [Lehi’s descendants] 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 [remove all “arms of flesh” in whom the Gentiles trust]. 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” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:12; emphasis added).

“After a half-century of reading, studying and teaching the Book of Mormon I had no real appreciation for how focused its text was. Covenant of Christ has changed my view entirely. The text is not just focused, but it was tightly composed to deliver a very specific warning to the present generation.

The “war chapters” which seemed almost superfluous before, are a clearly integral part of the prophecy. All of the destruction included in the narrative are to illustrate how destruction awaits us if we fail to worship the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ.

The Lord sent Alma to Ammonihah to preach repentance. The people not only rejected his message, but they also then killed his converts and burned the believers’ scriptures. Shortly afterward, they were destroyed. “Lamanite armies entered the outskirts of the land from the wilderness side, coming right into the city of Ammonihah, where they began to kill the people and destroy the city. Before the Nephites could raise an adequate army to drive them from the land, they had killed the people in the city of Ammonihah, as well as some in the outskirts of Noah, taking others as prisoners and left into the wilderness.” Alma 11:1-2. Their destruction was surgical. The attack was focused, limited, and resulted in only the loss of Ammonihah. Other cities visited by Alma and in which there were believing converts were spared.

The account of Ammonihah is included in the text, like all the other accounts of violence, death, enslavement and deliverance, to warn us by the example of what the Lord has done before. We are foolish to ignore the plain message to us in Covenant of Christ” (Discussing the Covenant of Christ podcast, Denver Snuffer Jr., 11/24/2024; emphasis added).

[5] “Nevertheless, after the Gentiles are benefited by the record of the Jews [Bible], and the Lord has blessed the Gentiles and set them up as an example of belief, and Jacob’s [Israel] descendants have been carried in their arms and their daughters have been carried on their shoulders — these references are physical, since that is the nature of the Lord’s covenants with our fathers. And it refers to our future and all the others from the house of Israel. It also means that, after the entire house of Israel has been scattered [because of their covenant rejection] and brought to ruin, the Lord God will raise up a powerful nation among the Gentiles, here on this land, and our [Lehi’s] descendants will be scattered by them. After our descendants are scattered, the Lord God will proceed with an amazing work among the Gentiles that will be very valuable to our descendants. So it’s compared to them being cared for by the Gentiles and carried in their arms and on their shoulders. And it will also be valuable to the Gentiles — not only to them but to the entire house of Israel — to reveal and restore the covenants that the Father of heaven made with Abraham, having told him: All the families [Israel and Gentile] of the earth will be blessed through your descendants. And I want you to know, my brothers, that the families of the earth can’t be blessed unless He shows His power [Spirit of Elijah, fullness of the Priesthood] to all nations. Therefore the Lord God will proceed to uncover His restored truths in the sight of people from every nation, to restore again His covenants and His gospel to those who are from the house of Israel. As a result, He’ll bring them back out of captivity — they’ll be gathered to the lands they first inherited, and they’ll be brought out of confusion and darkness, and they’ll know the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.

And the murderous guilt of that utterly wicked church [all religions teaching false precepts of men] — the whore [because they sell themselves for money, popularity and power] of the entire earth — will come back upon their own heads, because they’ll fight among themselves. The swords they wield will fall upon their own heads, and they’ll be drunk with their own blood. And every nation that fights against you, O house of Israel, will be turned against each other. They’ll fall into the pit they dug to ensnare the Lord’s people [Israel]. Those who fight against Zion will be destroyed. And the great whore that’s corrupted and perverted the right ways of the Lord — that utterly wicked church — will tumble to the dust, and its fall will be complete. The prophet has said: The time is quickly coming that Satan will no longer have power over mankind’s hearts [millennial reign of Christ]. The time is soon coming that the proud and those who do evil will be like straw; and the time is coming that they will certainly be burned. Indeed, the time is soon coming when the full extent of God’s wrath will be [surgically] poured out on all mankind, since He won’t allow the wicked to destroy the righteous. Therefore He’ll keep the righteous safe by His power, even if it means that the full extent of His wrath must come while the righteous are preserved by God destroying their enemies by fire. Therefore the righteous don’t need to be afraid, because the prophet has said: They will be saved, even if it requires fire. My brothers, these things are coming soon; there will be blood, fire, and smoke here, covering the face of this land. It will happen to mortal people in this life if they reject the Holy One of Israel [and His servant]. However the righteous won’t be destroyed, because those who fight against Zion are who will be cut off.

And the Lord will absolutely prepare the way for His people. He’ll fulfill the words of Moses, when he said: A prophet will the Lord your God raise up for you, like unto me. You’re to hear Him [“. . . whether by my voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (RE T&C 54:7)] in all things whatsoever He’ll teach you. And then everyone who won’t follow that prophet [Lord’s servant] will be cut off from among the people [Israel]. Now I declare to you that this prophet that Moses spoke about was the Holy One of Israel [the Savior’s words given by the Father to His servant to deliver to the Gentiles]. Given that, He’ll [the Lord through His servant] execute judgment in righteousness. The righteous don’t need to be afraid because they aren’t the ones to be brought to ruin. Instead, it’s the accuser’s kingdom built up by people, and established among those living on earth, that will fall. The time will soon come when the churches built up for profit, built up to gain power over mankind, built up to become popular in the world, and those that try to gratify the lusts of the people and desire worldly things and indulge in all kinds of iniquity — in short, all those that belong to the accuser’s kingdom — they’re the ones who need to be afraid, tremble, and shake. They’re the ones who will be thrown low in the dust. They’re the ones who will be burned up like straw. This is according to the prophet’s words. The time will soon come when the righteous will be cared for like well-fed calves, and the Holy One of Israel will rule in dominion, strength, power, and great glory. He’ll gather His children from the four quarters of the earth [this work is done by four Patriarchal Fathers, see RE T&C 74:8] and will count His sheep, and they will know Him. And they’ll constitute one fold [Israel] with one Shepherd [David]; He’ll feed His sheep [truth, light, revelation] and they’ll find security in Him [David is a faithful vassal to the Lord, King of Kings, the preeminent Suzerain]. Because of His [David’s] people’s righteousness [“. . . Then I saw the power of the Lamb of God descend upon the holy ones of the Lamb’s congregation (repentant Gentiles) and upon the Lord’s covenant people (Israel), who were scattered across the earth. They were armed with righteousness and God’s power in great glory” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:28] Satan won’t have any power. He won’t be let loose for many years [one thousand years] since he won’t have any influence in people’s hearts, because they’ll live in righteousness and the Holy One of Israel will rule [dominion is returned to the Savior at Adam-Ondi-Ahman]. Now I tell you all these things will happen here in this world [mortality]. But people of every nation, tribe, and language will abide safely with the Holy One of Israel if they only repent.

Now I’ll finish, because I don’t dare say anything more about this. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to trust that the things written on the brass plates are true which testifies that every person must obey God’s commandments. Therefore you shouldn’t think my father and I are the only ones who have testified and taught this. That being the case, if you’re obedient to the commandments and stay faithful to the end, you’ll be saved on the last day. And so it is. Amen” (CofC 1 Nephi 7:3-6; emphasis added).

[6] “Question: Who is the stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah [Isa. 5:4]?Answer: Truly thus says the Lord: It is Christ” (RE T&C 129:1; emphasis added).

[7] “Afterward, he brought me again unto the door of the house, and behold, waters [metaphor for knowledge] issued out from under the threshold of the house [Temple] eastward — for the forefront of the house stood toward the east — and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house at the south side of the altar. Then he brought me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way outside unto the outer gate by the way that looks eastward; and behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters (the waters were to the ankles). Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters (the waters were to the knees). Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through (the waters were to the loins). Afterward he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass over, for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river [of knowledge] that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man [Ezekiel], have you seen this?

Then he brought me and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees [Isaiah’s metaphor for people] on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea — which, being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed [truth restored]. And it shall come to pass that everything that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live. And there shall be a very great multitude of fish [“I’ll shall make you fishers of men”] because these waters shall come there, for they [mankind when they repent] shall be healed. And everything shall live where the river [knowledge of the Lord] comes. And it shall come to pass that the fishers [angels, Lord’s servants] shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim. They shall be a place to spread forth nets [gather Israel]; their fish [those who repent] shall be according to their kinds [tribes], as the fish [people] of the great sea, exceedingly many. But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed [places where the Lord’s knowledge is refused]; they shall be given to salt [Lot’s wife, Sodom and Gomorrah, desolation].

And by the river, upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for food — whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed. It shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary [Temple]; and the fruit thereof shall be for food [sustenance of the word], and the leaf thereof for medicine [Savior comes with healing in His wings].

Thus says the Lord God: This shall be the border whereby you [Israel] shall inherit the land [lands of promise], according to the twelve tribes of Israel — Joseph [of Egypt’s posterity] shall have two portions, and you [Israel] shall inherit it, one as well as another — concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it unto your  [Patriarchal] fathers; and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance” (RE Ezekiel 21:58-62; emphasis added).

“And Enoch wept and cried unto the Lord again, saying, When shall the earth rest? And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father, and he called unto the Lord, saying, Will you not come again upon the earth? For inasmuch as you are God, and I know you, and you have sworn unto me and commanded me that I should ask in the name of your Only Begotten, you have made me, and given unto me a right to your throne, and not of myself, but through your own grace. Wherefore, I ask you if you will not come again on the earth. And the Lord said unto Enoch, As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah. And the day shall come that the earth shall rest. But before that day, the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth. And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve. And righteousness will I send down out of Heaven. Truth will I send forth out of the earth to bear testimony of my Only Begotten, his resurrection from the dead, yea, and also the resurrection of all men. And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out my own elect from the four quarters of the earth unto a place which I shall prepare, a holy city, that my people may gird up their loins and be looking forth for the time of my coming. For there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Then shall you [Enoch] and all your city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom [because they know one another]. And they shall see us, and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; and there shall be my abode. And it shall be Zion which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made, and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest” (RE Genesis 4:22; emphasis added).

[8] “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 [David’s father] as well as of Joseph [of Egypt], unto whom rightly belongs the [fullness of the through Joseph, birthright] Priesthood and the keys of the Kingdom [throne of Israel through David], for an ensign and for the gathering of my people [Israel, “another day in David] in the last day” (RE T&C 129:3; emphasis added).

[9] “The “ensign” that is prophesied to be established—in the context, in the meaning of that

day—had reference to a zodiacal, a constellation, a depiction of the heavens themselves. So,

when an ensign is going to be reared and it’s going to tell you about how to walk in the

paths of God, this is talking about something very, very different than what most of us today

would envision. Zion is going to be a connection between heaven and earth. And at that

place, you will learn of the God of Jacob's ways, and you will walk in His paths—because Heaven and earth will be connected, and the stairway connecting the two will be open. And

the heavens and the earth will be reunited again [the reason we fall upon the necks of Enoch’s people when they return to earth. We know one another]. And this is going to happen in the top of

the mountains” (Zion, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.32-33; emphasis added).

[10] “The Lord God will begin His work among people of all nations, tribes, and languages, to bring about His people’s restoration upon the earth [root of Jesse holds the keys for this]. And with righteousness He’ll [Christ] judge the needy, and with justice decide matters for the poor. He’ll control the earth with words from His mouth, and with His breath He’ll slay the wicked. For it will soon be time when the Lord God will cause a great division among the people, and He’ll destroy the wicked. And He’ll spare His people, even if He needs to use fire to destroy the wicked. . .” (CofC 2 Nephi 12:13; emphasis added).

[11] “If the Gentiles then obey the Lamb of God, He’ll reveal Himself to them in word and power and in person, in order to remove barriers to their belief, and if they don’t harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, they’ll be included with your father’s descendants — indeed, they’ll be included as part of the house of Israel. . . ” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:25; emphasis added)

[12] “If you believe this Doctrine of Christ, you are required to be baptized and then declare

Christ’s Doctrine to others.

The first time I was visited by the Lord, He showed me just how significant baptism is to

abide the day of His return. He showed me baptism is of central importance to preparing

for His return.

What He revealed did not seem to involve the baptism offered by the LDS Church. At the

time I was a devout Latter-day Saint and did not understand how that could be possible. He

revealed future events, and therefore for me to understand, more time needed to pass. The

things I saw did not appear to give any greater meaning to baptism offered by the LDS

church than baptism by any other denomination.

I have since come to understand that the form of baptism in the LDS church has been

changed, and no longer conforms to the Doctrine of Christ. Like all other churches, that

institution declares both more and less than Christ’s doctrine, and claims to establish it as

His.

In the intervening years I have come to see that the baptism offered by you, this people,

appears to be the only one offered on earth that meets the requirements of what I was

shown by the Lord years ago. For this reason it is important for us to baptize as many as

will accept the Doctrine of Christ” (Doctrine of Christ, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.2; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

April 8, 2026

Israel Awakes and Arises Part 1.pdf

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