Israel Awakes and Arises - Part 6 : Personal Representation Before the Lord

          From the beginning of the Restoration through Joseph Smith the Lord stated His intended objectives for mankind and how He guides the willing:

“Wherefore, I, the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph and spoke unto him from Heaven, and gave him commandment, and also gave commandments to others that they should proclaim these things unto the world. And all this that it might be fulfilled which was written by the prophets: the weak things of the world should come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world, that faith also might increase in the earth, that my everlasting covenant might be established, that the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world and before kings and rulers. Behold, I am God and have spoken it” (RE T&C 54:4; emphasis added).

Anticipating a forthcoming “calamity” afflicting mankind, God called a prophet, Joseph Smith and spoke to him. As preparation for the calamities God gave Joseph and others a command to warn earth’s inhabitants of its approaching arrival. Before the above statement the Lord addressed the nature of the calamities befalling mankind in the last days.

“Hearken, O you people of my church, says the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men. Yea, truly I say, hearken you people from afar, and you that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together, for truly the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape. And there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated. And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops and their secret acts shall be revealed, [1] and the voice of warning shall be unto all people by the mouth of my disciples whom I have chosen in these last days. They [His disciples] shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I, the Lord, have commanded them.

Behold, this is my authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Wherefore, fear and tremble, O you people, for what I, the Lord, have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. And truly I say unto you that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in Heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious, [2] yea, truly, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure, unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his works, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.

Wherefore, the voice of the Lord [through His servants] 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 [the Lord’s appendage or servant] shall be revealed. And the day comes that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people [Israel], for they have strayed from my ordinances and have broken my everlasting covenant [one must have the ordinances and everlasting covenant before breaking them]. 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 54:1-3; emphasis added).

Why is the Lord’s anger kindled toward mankind on earth? His anger is unrestrained and ready to be poured out because His people, [those who have His ordinances and everlasting covenant] are immersed in latter-day Babylon. The Lord’s definition of Babylon is “spiritual wickedness.” [3] 

          In addition to being immersed in the cares of the world, the Gentiles incite the Lord’s anger by their indifference toward His warning through His servants. He declares their authority to represent Him and the content of their message confirms its veracity by the Spirit of God. Mankind throughout the earth treats His words with contempt.

          Modern Gentiles are condemned for their unwillingness to receive the Lord’s commandments and their criticism of those He calls in weakness. God’s justice is not merely a function of His subjective judgment. It’s a function of our judgment. Justice demands we be judged by the same standard we judge others. [4] When we ignore the Lord’s warning through His servants, we mock them and Him.  Mockery of God who sacrifices exaltation to condescend and reclaim us by suffering for our sins is sufficient justification for pouring out His wrath “without measure.”

          When the Lord exposes His “arm,” [servant] is the time when His mortal surrogate [dispensation head, Holy Order member] brings to light words of Christ. His servant and others assist in warning the world of rapidly approaching calamities bringing about the fall of latter-day Babylon. [5] 

          What makes this time unique from past efforts of harvesting righteous people is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Moses alluded to by the Savior in 3 Nephi:

“I’ll establish My people, O house of Israel. I’ll establish you in this land [America’s] to vindicate the covenant I made with your father Jacob [Israel]; that includes a New Jerusalem. And the Powers of heaven [Patriarchal Fathers] [6] will help you, and I’ll [Christ] also be helping you. I Am [Jesus Christ] [7] the one Moses described, saying: The Lord God will raise up a prophet to you from your brethren, like me; listen to whatever He’ll say to you. And it will follow that every soul who will not hear that prophet will be cut off from among the people [Israel]. Truthfully I say to you: All the prophets from Samuel [anointed king David] and those following after, as many as have prophesied, have testified of Me. And now you are the children of the prophets, and part of the house of Israel, and you have part in the covenant the Father made with your fathers, when He promised to Abraham: Through your posterity all the families of the earth will be blessed. The Father has raised Me [Jesus] up before all men and sent Me to you covenant children first, to bless you and turn you from your sin. Now this blessing to you is to keep the Father’s covenant He made with Abraham [not just Jacob], saying: Through your posterity all the families of the earth will be blessed. The Holy Ghost will be poured out on the Gentiles through Me, and this blessing given to the Gentiles will give them power to scatter My people, the house of Israel. However after they [Gentiles] receive the fullness of My gospel, then if they harden their hearts against Me, I’ll cause them to experience the same fate of being scattered [as the Gentiles did to Lehi’s descendants], says the Father. I’ll remember the covenant I made with My people. I’ve covenanted with them that I would bring them back together at the right time; I’ll give them back the land of their ancestors as their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land for them forever, says the Father” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:8; emphasis added).

The Lord acknowledges He is the prophet Moses refers to in the prophecy foretelling the cutting-off of those who refuse to hear the words of Christ. The literal fulfillment of the prophecy described in the following chapter is not the reappearance of the Savior, post-resurrection. Moses prophecy is not fulfilled by the Savior, but His servant [His arm to be revealed] delivering the words of Christ.

“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 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 [Lehi’s descendants], a remnant of the house of Jacob, 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 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 [the Gentiles]. 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 [precepts of men] will cause your failure [every arm of flesh in whom they trust fails]. 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).

When the Lord reveals his latter-day servant to the Gentiles, it is their last opportunity to repent and heed His servant or be “cut-off” from Israel. Discerning the Lord’s servant when the Lord reveals His words through him is difficult for the Gentiles. Particularly when we read the Lord’s description of His servants in His preface:

“These commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they [His servants] might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred, it might be made known; and inasmuch as they sought wisdom, it might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned, they might be chastened that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble, they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time, after they having received the record of the Nephites. Yea, even my servant Joseph might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also, those to whom these commandments were given might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth with which I, the Lord, am well pleased — speaking unto the church collectively and not individually. For I, the Lord, cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven, and he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received. For my spirit shall not always strive with man, says the Lord of Hosts” (RE T&C 54:5; emphasis added).

The Savior’s description of His servants in the last days is far from glowing, far from perfection. The weakness and frailties of His servants are a trial for Gentiles and for the Lord’s servants. The Lord’s servants are sent as beings in process of becoming like Him. Mocking, persecuting and finding fault because of God given weakness exposes the Gentiles lack of mercy. In turn our harsh judgment of His servants turns to our condemnation in our judgment before God. [8] At that point God cuts-off unbelieving Gentiles from His people, Israel. The judgments God warned of in the beginning of His preface upon the Gentiles follows thereafter.

The Role of Mosiah, the Son of Benjamin

          When contemplating the subject of priesthood, it is best understood in the context of representation before the Lord. Under the “greater priesthood,” everyone is invited to ascend the proverbial “mount” to personally represent themselves before God. [9] 

          God withdrew Moses and the greater priesthood from Israel and replaced it with the law of Moses; an Aaronic covenant linked to Moses’ elder brother and his posterity. The priesthood of Aaron was a strategic retreat for Israel in their representation before God. Israel personally called upon God directly in prayer but once a year the high priest [no capital letters] of the Aaronic order entered the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice for his sins and the sins of the people. Theoretically this priesthood is preparatory in the hope of elevating Israel back to the greater priesthood. From a practical perspective, after people were offered the greater priesthood and refused, the offer of covenant was never renewed for that generation. [10] In the Aaronic priesthood order the Lord assumes the role of King over Israel and the high priest represents himself and the people vicariously.

          When priests of the Aaronic order [Samuel’s sons] became corrupt in Samuel’s day, elders of Israel requested a mortal king as a solution for their corruption. Following the example of Gentile kingdoms, Israel’s religious leaders preferred the Gentile model of governance.

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel, unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, you are old, and your sons walk not in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us, like all the [Gentile] nations. But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Listen unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done, since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, in which they have forsaken me and served other gods [the same accusation made against latter-day Gentiles], so do they also unto you. Now therefore listen unto their voice. Nevertheless, yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them” (RE 1 Samuel 4:2; emphasis added).

Prior to their request for a king by Israel’s elders, the Lord served as Israel’s king. Replacing the Lord with a mortal monarch placed an additional person between the Lord and Israel. Another level of strategic retreat creating greater distance in representation between God and mankind. Samuel became a Melchizedek High Priest; the king presides as judge over temporal affairs and high priests of the Aaronic order serve at the king’s direction.

          In the last days the original Priesthood held by Adam must return prior to the Second Coming. The regression of Israel must be reversed to restore the original Priesthood order:

“And Adam listened unto the voice of God and called upon his sons to repent. And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son, and he called his name Seth. And Adam glorified the name of God, for he said, God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel whom Cain slew. And God revealed himself unto Seth, and he rebelled not, but offered an acceptable sacrifice like unto his brother Abel. And to him also was born a son, and he called his name Enos. And then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord, and the Lord blessed them. And a book of remembrance was kept, in which was recorded in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration. And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled. Now this same Priesthood which was in the beginning shall be in the end of the world also (now this prophecy Adam spoke as he was moved upon by the holy ghost) . . .” (RE Genesis 3:14; emphasis added).

The greater priesthood held by Adam must return in the last days. The process of this priesthoods return is represented in the reigns of three Nephite kings. The process reverses Israel’s regression restoring personal representation before the Lord in the days of Adam. The return process began with Mosiah; a Nephite king and seer that wrought righteousness among his people, providing greater knowledge of God and His mysteries.

          Benjamin, Mosiah’s son, at the direction of an angel led his people from being presided over by the king to spiritual rebirth and adoption into the family of Christ. With the direction and power of an angel [Patriarchal Father], Benjamin introduced the people at the metaphorical veil [the people gathered around the temple] where they received further light and knowledge by conversing through the veil with Heavenly ministrants following their repentance. [11]

          The second Mosiah, son of Benjamin, ended the reign of kings and introduced a representative form of government where every person had an equal voice in the governance of the people. [12] The burden of responsibility on the shoulders of the king was shared by the people. Subjects of Mosiah were prepared to accept personal responsibility when they repented and were adopted into the family of Christ by covenant. The Spirit of the Lord is the Spirit of liberty. The example of Mosiah’s altering the governance of the people to common consent is a literal example of the Savior’s words:

“Then Jesus addressed those Jews who believed on him, Only if you continue to follow my teachings will you be my students indeed, because you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. The leaders interrupted to claim, We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been slaves to any man. Why do you say we will become free? Jesus answered them, In the name of Father Ahman I say unto you, Whoever misses the mark is the slave of errors. And such a slave will not be allowed to be within Abraham’s house in the resurrection, but the Son will remain part of God’s Family forever” (RE T&C 171 Testimony of Saint John 6:18; emphasis added).

Mosiah, the son of Benjamin continued his reign over the people of Zarahemla until his death. In preparation for the transition in government, the Lord through Mosiah appointed Alma the younger as Chief Judge and High Priest. Thereafter a system of judges prevailed and every man shared responsibility for the affairs of the people equally.

          The reign of the three Nephite kings collectively illustrates the process of reversing the decline of religious society following the Lord’s withdrawal of Moses and the greater Priesthood. Each step in the decline moved mankind further away from personal representation before the Lord. The three kings of Zarahemla through righteousness restored it.

          The reversal or upward turn in the priesthood chiasm began with righteous kings and seers with the aid of prophets preaching righteousness to those who heeded their teachings. [13] Because of continual preaching of righteousness and faith in Christ the Nephites defeated the Lamanites and prospered in the land.

          We live in similar circumstances and the Davidic king [arm of the Lord] mentioned by Joseph Smith and addressed in part 2 of this series accomplishes the same for a remnant of Gentiles and Israel in the last days. In the beginning of this paper we addressed what the Lord intends to accomplish. His objectives are performed by flawed individuals humbling themselves before Him and submitting their will to His. The Davidic king is pre-imminent above His servants, but like His master, the servant of all. [14]

[1] “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 [Gazelam was a name given to Joseph Smith in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is unclear if it referred to the seer mentioned in the Covenant of Christ with a different spelling] that will bring their dark acts into the light, so I can expose for the people who serve Me the errors, depravity, and abominations of the earlier believers who fell into secret wickedness and dark works. And now, my son, these Directors were prepared to accomplish the prophecies of God, which He committed to have happen, saying: I’ll expose to public view, out of darkness into light, all their secret offenses and their abominations. And unless they repent, I’ll destroy them and annihilate them from the earth. And I’ll bring to light all their secrets and abominations to every nation who will inhabit the land after this. And now, my son, we see they didn’t repent; therefore they’ve been removed. And so far God’s word has been fulfilled; indeed, their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness and revealed to us.

And now, my son, I command you to not publish all their oaths, covenants, and agreements used in their secret abominations; indeed, you must continue protecting this people from all their signs and conspiracies, so they don’t learn them, so they can’t risk falling into darkness as well, and also be destroyed. Remember, there’s a curse on all this land that any people who choose darkness until they’re fully ripe in iniquity, will be destroyed by God’s power. That being the case, I don’t want this people to be destroyed. So you must protect this people from these secret plans of their oaths and covenants. And only reveal to them the wickedness, murders, and abominations. You must teach them to reject and regard such wickedness, abominations, and murders with disgust. You must also teach them the reason those people were destroyed was due to their wickedness, abominations, and murders. Indeed, they murdered all the Lord’s prophets who came among them to condemn their iniquities. And the blood of those they murdered cried out to the Lord their God for vengeance upon their murderers. As a result, God’s judgments were imposed upon those who practiced that darkness and were part of the secret conspiracies. And may the land be cursed forever against those who work in darkness, to their utter destruction, unless they repent before they’re fully ripe.

Now, my son, remember the words that I’ve spoken to you. Don’t entrust those secret plans to this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred for sin and iniquity. Preach to them repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and humble in heart. Teach them to resist every temptation of the accuser with their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them never to grow tired of doing good, but to be meek and humble in heart — because then they’ll find rest for their souls. Remember, my son, and learn wisdom while you’re young; indeed, learn to keep God’s commandments while you’re young. Cry to God in prayer — in all that you do — for help, strength, and comfort; and do everything you do for the Lord. And no matter where you go, go with the Lord. Direct all your thoughts to the Lord and always place your heart’s desires on the Lord. Consult the Lord in everything you do, and He’ll direct you for good. When you lie down at night, lie down directing your thoughts and feelings to the Lord, asking Him to watch over you in your sleep. When you get up in the morning, let your heart be full of thanks to God. And if you always do these things, you’ll be lifted up on the last day” (CofC Alma 17:12-14; emphasis added).

*Gazelem is only mentioned once in the Covenant of Christ. He lived amongst a wicked people that we know nothing of. The record of his ministry is likely preserved in the sealed portion of the Covenant of Christ.

[2] “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).

[3] “Yea, truly I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go out of Babylon, gather yourselves [spiritual Israel] out from among the [Gentile] nations, from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other. Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off, unto the islands of the sea. Send forth unto foreign lands, call upon all nations, firstly upon the gentiles [their dispensation is ending] and then upon the Jews [Judah’s dispensation is beginning]. And behold and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people [Israel] may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about. Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom. Behold and lo, the Bridegroom comes, go out to meet him; prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Let them therefore which are among the gentiles flee unto Zion, and let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains [nations] of the Lord’s house. Go out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon. But truly thus says the Lord: Let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you; and he that goes, let him not look back [as in Sodom and Gomorrah], so that sudden destruction won't come upon him” (RE T&C 58:2; emphasis added).

[4] “Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people: Judge not unrighteously, that you be not judged, but judge righteous judgment; for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again” (RE Matthew 3:40; emphasis added).

“And now, to prevent you from being destroyed, the Lord has sent His angel to visit many of His people, instructing them to come and solemnly warn you: Repent! Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon. Not many days from now the Son of God will come in His glory. His glory will be the glory of the Father’s Only Begotten: full of grace, fairness, truth, patience, mercy, and long-suffering, and quick to hear His people’s cries and answer their prayers. He is coming to redeem those who are baptized as a sign of repentance, through faith in His name. Therefore get ready for the coming Lord, because the time is near when everyone will reap a reward for their works based upon what they’ve been: If they’ve been righteous, they’ll receive salvation through the power and redemption of Jesus Christ. But if they’ve been evil, they’ll receive damnation through the power and captivity of the accuser. This is the angel’s message to you. Now, my cherished people (because you are my people and you should be cherished), you must produce evidence of your repentance, because your hearts remain hardened against God’s word, and you’re now a lost and fallen people” (CofC Alma 7:6; emphasis added).

“He who receives you, receives me. And he who receives me, receives him who sent me. He that receives a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he that receives a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, truly I say unto you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (RE Matthew 5:8).

[5] “Then the lord of the vineyard sent his servant [the arm of the Lord], and the servant went and did as the lord had commanded him and brought a few other servants. And the lord of the vineyard told them: Get started and work hard in the vineyard. This is the last time I’ll tend my vineyard — the end is near and the harvest is coming quickly. If you work hard with me, you’ll have joy in the fruit that I’ll harvest for myself at the end of the growing season” (CofC Jacob 3:26; emphasis added).

[6] “A title referring to a specific group [of righteous men] with status on the other side of the veil; a proper noun, not just an abstraction. In the afterlife there are different rungs on Jacob’s ladder where different Powers are fixed: Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim — they may all be called Powers of Heaven. These Powers [righteous men] have no desire to control or compel others to rise on Jacob’s ladder [“without compulsory means” RE T&C 139:6]. Each rung is a developmental stage of growth through which all must pass if they want to ascend nearer to God. Each individual on Jacob’s ladder should be moving toward perfection” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Powers of Heaven, p.248; emphasis added).

[7] “. . . Then the leaders of the Jews said to him, Now we know that you are possessed by a devil. Abraham is dead, along with the prophets who were God’s chosen. Yet you claim, If a man awaits direction from you, he shall not be overtaken by death through the eons. Do you claim you are greater than our father Abraham who was overtaken by death, greater than the prophets who are dead? Is there no limit to your vainglory? Jesus replied, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing. It is my Father who honors me, the one who you falsely claim is your God. Unlike me, you do not know him. If I were to say, I do not know him, I would be as much of a liar as you are when you falsely claim him as your God. I not only know him, but I watch for his words like a sentinel always awaiting his direction. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad. Then the leaders of the Jews mocked him saying, You are not yet fifty years old, and yet you claim to have seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, In the name of Father Ahman I say unto you, Before Abraham was, he knew me as I am. . .” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:20; emphasis added).

[8] “And I [Moroni] said to Him: Lord, the Gentiles will ridicule these things because of our weakness in writing; You’ve made us powerful in speaking, by faith; however, You haven’t made us powerful in writing. You’ve made this people able to speak great things because of the Holy Ghost, which You’ve given them. Yet You’ve made us able to write only a little because of the difficulty of inscribing and You haven’t made us gifted in composing like Jared’s brother. You endowed the things he wrote with power, just as You are, to such a degree as to overpower the people who read them. You’ve also inspired our sermons to be powerful and great, so that we can’t even write them. Therefore when we write, we see only our weakness and hesitate because of the contrast in our writing. I’m afraid the Gentiles will mock our record.

When I had said this, the Lord told me: Fools mock, but they will mourn. And My grace is sufficient for the meek, so that they won’t find an excuse in your weaknesses. If people come to Me, I’ll show them their weaknesses. I give people weaknesses so they can be humble. And My grace is sufficient for all people who humble themselves before Me. If they humble themselves before Me and have faith in Me, then I’ll make weak things become strong for them. I’ll show the Gentiles their weaknesses. I’ll show them that faith, hope, and charity lead to Me, the Source of all righteousness.

Having heard these words, I was comforted and said: O Lord, may Your righteous will be done. . .” (RE Ether 5:25-29; emphasis added).[]]

[9] “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 [His presence]— while in the wilderness” (RE T&C 82:12-14; emphasis added).

[10] “. . . “The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out judgments and

destructions.” (TPJS p.322) [So the Mosaic law was given and the priesthood was accommodated in order to

pour out judgments and destruction. This helps explain a great deal about the lower portion, or

Aaronic/Levitical priesthood.]

If you go to Doctrine and Covenants section 1 [preface to the Doctrine& Covenants] there is this interesting set of verses beginning with verse eight: "And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure—Unto the day when the Lord shall come to

recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the

measure which he has measured to his fellow man." [These are all negative. These are all sealing

up unto destruction. These are all condemnations. These are all in a word, Aaronic. But

remember the Aaronic priesthood is not without hope, because within it is the power to baptize,

which is an ordinance of hope. But primarily the purpose of the Aaronic priesthood is to

condemn. When you think of condemning, therefore, you should think of Aaronic authority.]

[11] “As this vision closed [dedication of the Kirtland Temple], the Heavens were again opened to their view, and they saw and beheld, and were endowed with knowledge from the beginning of this creation to the ends thereof. And they were shown unspeakable things from the sealed record of Heaven, which man is not capable of making known, but must be revealed by the Powers of Heaven. They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time [Patriarchal Fathers, Powers of Heaven], showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge, even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous.” (RE T&C 157:30-31; emphasis added).

[12] “When Mosiah had done this, he sent a message across the land, asking the people who they wanted as the next king. And the people voted and said: We want your son Aaron to govern as our king. But he had left for the land of Nephi; so the kingdom couldn’t be conferred on him. Besides, Aaron declined the kingdom anyway, and none of Mosiah’s other sons were willing to take upon themselves the kingdom, either. Therefore king Mosiah again sent a written message, asking: My people or my brothers and sisters — because I consider you to be that — I want you to think carefully about what you decide. You want to have a king. But I tell you that the one to whom the kingdom rightly belongs has declined and won’t assume control of the kingdom. Now if someone else is appointed in his place, I’m afraid that conflicts would arise among you. And who knows if my son, to whom the kingdom does belong, might become angry and draw away part of the people to follow him — causing wars and conflicts among you, which would lead to loss of life and turning away from the Lord’s way, destroying many souls. So let’s be wise and think carefully about these things. Because we don’t have any right to destroy my son or anyone else who might be appointed in his place. If my son were to go back to being prideful and to his prior foolishness, he would change what he decided and claim his right to the kingdom, which would lead in turn to many sins. So let’s be wise, look to the future, and do what will bring peace to this people. Now I’ll be your king for the rest of my days.

Nevertheless, let’s appoint judges to judge this people according to our law, and we’ll reorganize society. We’ll appoint wise men to be judges who will judge the people according to God’s commandments. Now it’s better for a man to be judged by God than by man — because God’s judgments are always just, but mankind’s judgments aren’t always appropriate and fair. Therefore if it were possible for you to always have righteous men as your kings, who would establish God’s laws and judge this people according to His commandments, if you could always have men for your kings who would act just like my father Benjamin did for us — I tell you that if this could always be the case, then it would be fine for kings to rule us. I myself have labored with all my strength to teach you God’s commandments and establish peace throughout the land, so there wouldn’t be any wars, conflicts, theft, plunder, murder, or any kind of iniquity. And I’ve punished whoever has committed iniquity according to the crime they’ve committed and according to the law our forefathers gave us.

Now I’m telling you that because not all men are just, it isn’t good for you to have kings rule over you. Because one wicked king causes so much iniquity to be committed and so much destruction! Remember king Noah, his wickedness and abominations, and the resulting wickedness and abominations of his people. What great destruction fell upon them! Because of their iniquities they were also brought into slavery. If it hadn’t been for the intervention of their all-wise Creator — because of their sincere repentance — they would have inevitably remained in slavery until now. But He rescued them because they humbled themselves before Him; because they prayed humbly to Him, He rescued them from slavery. And this is how the Lord’s power is manifest in all cases among mankind, extending the arm of mercy toward those who put their trust in Him.

Now I tell you: You can’t remove an iniquitous king from power without terrible conflict, bloodshed, and killing. Because he has his friends in iniquity, and he keeps his guards around him, and he violates the laws of those who have ruled in righteousness before him, and he ignores God’s commandments. He enacts laws and forces them on his people — laws made according to his own wickedness. And he executes whoever doesn’t obey his laws. He sends armies against anyone who disobeys him; and if he can, he’ll kill them. And so an unrighteous king corrupts and perverts the ways of all righteousness. Now I tell you: Such abominations are avoidable.

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. Now 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.

And 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. Now 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. And 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. I’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 [accountable] for them. I tell you: The sins of many people have resulted from their kings’ iniquities; therefore their iniquities are their king’s responsibility.

I 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. . .” (CofC Mosiah 13:2-8; emphasis added).

“Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech, and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. But their minds were blinded, for until this day remains the same veil, untaken away in the reading of the old covenant, which veil is done away in Christ; but even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when their heart shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord” (RE 2 Corinthians 1:11; emphasis added).

[13] “They attacked us, the Nephites, many times in battle. But our kings and leaders were faithful to the Lord and they taught the people the Lord’s ways. So we successfully resisted the Lamanites and removed them from our lands, began fortifying our cities, and defending all the land we inherited. We greatly increased in numbers and spread across the land and became very rich in gold, silver, and valuables; in fine woodworking, buildings, and clever devices; in iron, copper, brass, and steel; making all kinds of tools to till the ground and weapons as well — sharp, pointed arrows, quivers, light spears, and heavy spears — and prepared for war. Because we were prepared to fight the Lamanites, they didn’t succeed against us. But the Lord’s warning to our fathers was verified, which said: To the degree you keep My commandments, you’ll prosper in the land.

The Lord’s prophets sternly warned the Nephites according to God’s word, that if they didn’t keep the commandments but fell into transgression, they would be removed from the earth. Therefore, the prophets, priests, and teachers taught continually, patiently urging the people to be diligent. They taught the Law of Moses and the purpose behind it, persuading them to anticipate Christ and believe in Him who was to come as if He had already come. This is how they taught them. By teaching this to penetrate their hearts with the word and continually urging them to repent, they prevented them from being destroyed” (CofC Jarom 1:4-5; emphasis added).

[14] “. . . My people, all who have gathered and can hear the words I speak to you today, I haven’t called you here to trifle with what I will say. Rather, I want you to listen carefully and not just with your ears, but also with your hearts. By doing so, you’ll be able to comprehend God’s mysteries, and I can help you see His grace. I haven’t commanded you to come up here to threaten you, or to have you think that I’m more than a mortal man. I’m like you, dealing with all kinds of infirmities in body and mind. Nevertheless, I’ve been chosen by this people, consecrated by my father, and allowed by the Lord to be a ruler and king over this people. I’ve been watched over and helped by His unmatched power to serve you with all the power, mind, and strength the Lord has granted to me. I tell you that I’ve been permitted, up to now, to spend my days in your service. I haven’t wanted gold, silver, or anything of value from you. I haven’t allowed you to be imprisoned in dungeons or to enslave each other or to murder, plunder, steal, or commit adultery. I haven’t allowed you to commit any kind of wickedness. I’ve taught you to keep the Lord’s commandments in everything He’s commanded you. I’ve even worked with my own hands to serve you so you wouldn’t be burdened with taxes, and so nothing difficult or distressing to bear would be imposed upon you — and today you know everything I’ve said to be true. But, my people, I haven’t done these things to boast, nor do I tell you this to complain about you. I tell you this so you know I can answer before God today with a clear conscience. Now I told you I had spent my days in your service, but I don’t say that to brag, for I’ve only been in the service of God” (CofC Mosiah 1:7; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

5/11/26

Israel Awakes and Arises Part 6.pdf

Download PDF • 773KB