Recently McKay Platt shared a number of parables of Jesus that Joseph Smith related to Israel’s gathering. Drawing upon McKay’s list, this paper explores prophetic meanings of the Savior’s parable through Joseph Smith’s comments and additional light from the continuing Restoration.
Jesus taught many parables to His disciples and others of His day. Those reading these parables drew conclusions that teach principles of conduct in daily life. What is less understood is the Savior’s use of parables as prophetic instruments foretelling what He planned to accomplish, both then and now.
Some parables relate to the gathering of Israel in the last days. The first parable of Jesus refers to the Savior gathering His people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
The Gathering as a Great Mystery
In a revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord refers to the gathering of Israel as a “great mystery.”
“. . . Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery, for behold, I will gather them as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts. Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely.
Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repents and comes unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declares more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. Therefore, he is not of my church . . .” (Joseph Smith History 10:18-19, see D&C 10: 65-7, emphasis added).
The Lord expressed His intention to explain to the gentiles the “great mystery” hidden in this parable. His explanation of this revelation seems to traverse through various unrelated topics. A conclusion of this nature reflects the difference between our limited knowledge in relation to the Savior’s more comprehensive understanding.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and returns not there but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing to which I sent it . . .” (RE Isaiah 20:2, emphasis added).
When a person travels to a destination where a foreign language is spoken, they seek assistance from those familiar with the language. If the Lord’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours, the wisest course is to seek counsel from those most familiar with the language spoken by the Lord. That is not scholars or academic commentators steeped in historical content and religious dogma. Those who write scripture and know the Lord as a consequence of their humility and diligence are most familiar with His language and ways.
The metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks beneath her wings is the mystery the Lord is unfolding to Joseph Smith and those reading this revelation. Presumably, when Joseph Smith becomes familiar with the revelation he is in position to expound on the Lord’s application in this parable.
The Savior says it is always His intent to gather His people to Himself as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Consider how a hen gathers her chicks to her.
Hen’s nestle close to the ground barely opening their wings and chicks push their way through the hens wing feathers and body feathers to find warmth and refuge. The hen may call to her brood but the brood must respond to the hen and gather beneath her wings.
In the same manner a hen calls to her chicks, the Savior calls to us to gather to him. His calls to us are not by compulsory means. The Lord speaks by way of invitation.
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood; only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul; without hypocrisy and without guile; reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the holy ghost, and then showing forth afterward an increase of love toward him whom you have reproved (lest he esteem you to be his enemy), that he may know that your faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death; your bowels also being full of charity toward all men, and to the household of faith; and virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Then shall your confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrines of the Priesthood shall distill upon your soul as the dews from heaven. The holy ghost shall be your constant companion, and your scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth, and your dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto you for ever and ever” (RE T&C 139:6, emphasis added).
The Lord never works by compulsion. His methods apply persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness and pure knowledge. Never compulsion. It is impossible for a hen to remain nestled close to the ground with wings partially spread if she is anxiously trying to herd her chicks under her wings. Her chicks are drawn to her as she exemplifies the above attributes. She and the Lord provide refuge but we and the chicks must seek shelter of our own volition. We and the chicks are invited to come to receive warmth and protection with the promise we will “partake of the waters of life freely.” What are the waters of life the righteous “freely” partake of?
“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these who are arrayed in white robes? And from where did they come? And I [John] said unto him, Sir, you know. And he [the elder] said to me, These are they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; therefore, are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (RE Revelation 2:16, emphasis added).
In the Book of Revelation, RE, John was asked by an elder who the people dressed in white robes were in John’s vision. John responds by describing those who sought to be gathered under the Lord’s metaphorical wings. They suffer “great tribulation” and their robes are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb of God. They sit before God’s throne and God dwells among them. These are the waters of life freely offered to those willing to gather. Their redemption is not casual or simple, but due to their steadfastness and devotion to Him in adversity.
The Testimony of Saint John provides additional light on the waters of life freely offered to those who gather to the Lord.
“Jesus replied, I have been sent by God, and if you recognized who now asks you to give a drink of water, you would gladly do so and ask me in turn for the gift of living water. The woman responded to him, Sir, you have nothing to reach the water, and the well is deep, so how can you suggest you could offer living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, to whom God gave this well, who drank here with his children, and he watered his cattle from this source? Jesus answered her, Whoever drinks water from this well will thirst again, but whoever drinks from the living water which I shall give him shall live from eternity to eternity, for the Source in me will be the power to rise upward forever, worlds without end” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 4:3, emphasis added).
The Lord’s servants speak His words. His choice of words in this revelation are precise and deliberate. To understand this mystery and partake of the “waters of life freely,” it is essential to pay strict attention to related verses expanding on what the Lord is saying. Paying attention only to His words without consideration of what He has said in other scripture references keeps the mystery hidden from casual readers. For this reason it’s important to establish the proper context by reviewing a larger portion of the text and identifying related references. What follows are two verses from Joseph Smith History associated with the previous quotation:
“Joseph Smith History 10:18-19 “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came unto my own and my own received me not. I am the light [ensign, flag, standard bearer, rallying point] which shines in darkness [inviting people to gather for refuge in Christ] and the darkness comprehends it not.
In a world where spiritual darkness prevails, people seeking light are drawn to light.[1] Those who embrace the light become sons and daughters of God.
“Hearken, and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the great I Am, even Jesus Christ, the Light and the Life of the world, a light which shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends it not, the same which came in the meridian of time unto my own and my own received me not. But to as many as received me gave I power to become my sons [and daughters, see T&C 17:1], and even so will I give unto as many as receive me, power to become my sons.
And verily, verily I say unto you, he that receives my gospel receives me. And he that receives not my gospel receives not me. And this is my gospel: repentance, and baptism by water, and then comes the baptism of fire and the holy ghost, yea, even the Comforter, which shows all things and teaches the peaceable things of the kingdom” (RE T&C 23:1-2, emphasis added).
Those who become the Savior’s children do so by receiving His gospel. His gospel is repentance, baptism by water, baptism by fire and the holy ghost who then reveals to them all things and teaches those who receive His gospel the “peaceable things of the kingdom.” The peaceable things of the kingdom encapsulate many other blessings from the Lord.
“Hearken, O you people of my church, and you elders listen together and hear my voice whilst it is called today, and harden not your hearts, for verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Light and the Life of the world, a light that shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends it not. I came unto my own and my own received me not, but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles and to become the sons of God, and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.
And even so, I have sent mine everlasting covenant unto the world, to be a light to the world and to be a standard [ensign] for my people, and for the gentiles to seek to it,[2] and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me[3] [Aaronic Priesthood, Spirit of Elias]. Wherefore, come you all unto it [like a hen gathers her chicks] and with him that comes I will reason, as with men in days of old, and I will show unto you my strong reasoning. Wherefore, hearken all of you together and let me show it unto you, even my wisdom [Heavenly Mother, RE Proverbs 1:38], the wisdom of him whom you say is the God of Enoch and his brethren, who were separated from the earth and were reserved unto myself [translated], a city reserved until a day of righteousness shall come — a day which was sought for by all holy men, and they found it not because of wickedness and abominations, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, but obtained a promise that they should find it and see it in their flesh.[4]
Wherefore hearken, and I will reason with you, and I will speak unto you and prophesy as unto men in days of old. And I will show it plainly, as I showed it unto my disciples as I stood before them in the flesh and spoke unto them, saying, As you have asked of me concerning these signs of my coming, in the day when I shall come in my glory in the clouds of Heaven, to fulfill the promises that I have made unto your fathers, for as you have looked upon the long absence of your spirits from your bodies to be a bondage, I will show unto you how the day of redemption shall come, and also the restoration of the scattered Israel” (RE T&C 31:2-4, emphasis added).
Those who receive the Lord’s everlasting covenant are empowered to do miracles, and His offer of covenant is delivered by a messenger preparing the way, or Elias before the coming of Christ in His glory. Enoch and his followers were shown their day of deliverance and signs preceding the Second Coming of Christ. The covenant is the rallying point and like in the days of Enoch, the gentiles who receive the covenant achieve a day of righteousness sought by all holy men. Seekers of righteousness are strangers and pilgrims in days of wickedness and abominations. They are the righteous among wickedness, rewarded by God with a promise they one day they will find a place of righteousness and peace. Where they are no longer strangers. They were promised they would see that day while in the flesh.
Those gentiles heeding the Lord by honoring His covenant are invited to hear the Lord’s reasoning by conversing with the Lord and hearing His prophecies regarding the His fulfillment of His promises, His Second Coming, their day of redemption and the gathering of Israel.
The gathering of Israel is relevant to both gentiles and the scattered tribes of Israel. The gentiles assist in gathering Israel and those who repent are numbered among the Lord’s covenant people.[5] The scattered tribes of Israel are those whom the Lord promised their Patriarchal Father’s covenant blessings. Those blessings will be passed to descendants of the righteous Father’s.
In the revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord informs the gentiles there are “Other sheep” or children not of the same fold or tribe as the gentiles. Had they given thought to the notion Israel had been scattered throughout the Earth and isles of the sea it would have made perfect sense. Unfortunately it is human nature to have difficulty conceptualizing God has other children to care for beyond our society. The gathering of Israel is the reunion of all tribes under Israel’s covenant or the familial assembly of God’s people.
. . . I am he who said, Other sheep [children, people] have I which are not of this fold, unto my disciples, and many [disciples and followers] there were that understood me not. And I will show unto this people [gentiles] that I had other sheep, and that they were a branch of the house of Jacob [Israel]. And I will bring to light their [Lehites] marvelous works [scripture] which they [Lehites] did in my [the Lord’s] name, yea, and I will also bring to light my gospel which was ministered unto them. And behold, they [Lehite Patriarchal Fathers] who brought forth the “marvelous works” shall not deny that which you have received [Nephite Patriarchal Fathers attest in support of the record, four angels?[6]] but they [angels, Patriarchal Father’s, Spirit of Elijah][7] shall build it up and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine[8], yea, and the only doctrine which is in me.
After stating He has “other sheep not of this fold,” the Savior was aware His disciples and followers failed to understand He spoke of Israel’s scattered tribes. The only other people with whom the Jews were familiar are gentiles. Consequently, the Jews concluded the Savior must refer to the gentiles.
Returning to the gentiles of Joseph Smith’s day, the Lord explains how He intends to save both gentiles and Israel. Addressing latter-day gentiles, the Lord says He will reveal to the gentiles a group from Israel who occupied this land prior to gentiles inhabiting it. It is a record of a branch of Israel whose authors accomplished many “marvelous works” in the Lord’s name in their day.
The Lord explains to the gentiles He will bring to light the “marvelous works” performed by His disciples in this land. How was the Lord to accomplish this? Through a written record of Lehi’s people. In this record the Lord reveals to the gentiles His gospel as it was taught to the Nephites, descendants of Joseph of Egypt.
Those who wrote the record are prophets who communed with Christ and were given marvelous revelations from the Lord and Holy Ghost. Their record chronicles the covenants the Lord made with righteous Nephite Fathers. Included in the Lord’s covenants are promises their posterity would inherit blessings throughout faithful generations. The Lord intends to show the gentiles how He has made those covenants throughout the history of this Earth. The blessings remain intact as long as covenant terms are honored.
Terms of the covenant are detailed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Doctrine of Christ.
“ . . . Now this is the commandment: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the holy ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily I say unto you, this is my gospel (3 Nephi 12:5).
The Lord defines “My gospel” in modern times:
And verily, verily I say unto you, He that receives my gospel receives me. And he that receives not my gospel receives not me. And this is my gospel: repentance, and baptism by water, and then comes the baptism of fire and the holy ghost, yea, even the Comforter, which shows all things and teaches the peaceable things of the kingdom[9] (T&C 23:2).
For the gentiles to have hope of duplicating “marvelous works” like Lehite Fathers did in the Lord’s name, they must become familiar with the Lord’s gospel and doctrine. They were introduced in the Lehite record given to Joseph Smith and expounded upon by the Lord to Joseph thereafter.
“And this I do that I may establish my gospel [10], that there may not be so much contention. Yea, Satan does stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine, and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them. Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery, for behold, I will gather them as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts. Yea, if they will come, they may [like a hen opens her wings to receive her chicks, but the chicks must choose to come], and partake of the waters of life freely”[11]
The Lord is averse to contention.[12] He intends to eliminate contention by shedding greater light on His doctrine and gospel. The Savior informs modern gentiles their problems are primarily caused by their neglect and misinterpretation of the scriptures. He says the reason they fail to understand what God has given them is because they “wrested the scriptures,” which means “twisting, or turning aside or perverting judgment or justice.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia-Wrest).
The Lord intends to rectify the wresting of scripture with additional light. By increasing the number of witnesses to His gospel and doctrine, the Lord eliminates contention and exposes falsehoods presented as true beliefs.
“Therefore your [Joseph of Egypt] offspring will write, and Judah’s offspring will write. The Lord says: The things your offspring write, and the things Judah’s offspring write, will grow together in order to expose false doctrines, settle disputes, and establish peace among your offspring and bring them, in the last days, to understanding their ancestors and comprehending My covenants. 13The Lord said: His [Joseph Smith’s] weakness will be made strong. My work will then begin among all My people. I’ll restore you, O house of Israel” (CofC 2 Nephi 2:12, emphasis added).
The Lord intends to restore His gospel and doctrine by promoting a union between the records of Judah and Joseph. As these records “grow together” the Lord adds layers of written witnesses attesting to the veracity of the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ. The Lord’s work of gathering begins with the combination of the records of Judah and Joseph and adding to the canon with modern revelation.
The work begins with an expansion of written witnesses of the Savior and His gospel and doctrine. When Elijah comes and the conduit between Heaven and Earth is established, the Patriarchal Fathers descend down the portal to minister to mortal “heirs of salvation”[13] or “chosen vessels”[14] to vicariously share the witness of the Fathers who arrive to direct the reclamation of their posterity.
One point of contention among churches is who is sanctioned by the Lord to represent Him. In this revelation to Joseph Smith, the Savior clearly defines His church and those who may claim membership in it.
Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repents and comes unto me, the same is my church [working their way under the wings of “Immanuel”]. Whosoever declares more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. Therefore, he is not of my church.”
The perquisite to membership in the Lord’s church is repentance and turning to Christ through compliance to His gospel and doctrine. Those are His requirements and anyone claiming more or less than this “is not of my church.” People may claim membership in the Savior’s church by familial tradition or by compliance to man-made rules and ordinances. But the only qualifications stated by the Lord is repentance and turning to Him in the manner stated in His gospel and doctrine. Any variation on those themes exemplify “wresting the scriptures” and disqualify those who alter the Lord’s definition of His church.
This is not a comprehensive study of this subject, but a springboard into what Joseph Smith and the modern resumption of the Restoration have added. Hereafter the exploration of added light given by the Lord to His latter-day servants is our next objective.
[1] “All kingdoms have a law given, and there are many kingdoms, for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or lesser kingdom. And unto every kingdom is given a law, and unto every law there are certain bounds also, and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified, for intelligence cleaves unto intelligence, wisdom receives wisdom, truth embraces truth, virtue loves virtue, light cleaves unto light, mercy has compassion on mercy and claims her own, justice continues its course and claims its own, judgment goes before the face of him who sits upon the throne and governs and executes all things. He comprehends all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him, and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things, and all things are by him, and of him, even God, for ever and ever” (RE T&C 86:6, emphasis added).
[2] “ . . . And in that day, there shall be a root of Jesse who shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious” (RE Isaiah 5:4, emphasis added).
“Question: What is the Root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter [Isa. 5:4]?Answer: Behold, thus says the Lord: It is a descendant of Jesse as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the Priesthood and the keys of the Kingdom, for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last day” (RE T&C 129:3, emphasis added).
[3] “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant whom you delight in. Behold, he shall come, says the Lord of Hosts. But who may endure the day of his coming? . . .” (RE Malachi 1:6, emphasis added).
[4] “ . . . 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 and all your city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom. 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).
[5] “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. And they’ll become a blessed family in the promised land forever. They won’t be enslaved anymore, and the house of Israel won’t be embarrassed anymore . . .” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:25, emphasis added).
“ . . . And he [root of Jesse] shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah [Israel], from the four corners of the earth [see RE T&C 74:8]. The envy also of Ephraim [righteous gentiles] shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah [Israel] shall be cut off. Ephraim [righteous gentiles] shall not envy Judah [Israel] and Judah [Israel] shall not vex Ephraim [righteous gentiles]. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west, they shall spoil them of the east together, they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon shall obey them . . .” (RE Isaiah 5:5, emphasis added).
[6] “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).
The arrival of the four angels is concurrent with the time the “ensign” or conduit opens allowing Elijah and the Patriarchal Fathers to descend to minister to faithful mortals.
“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. And this is going to happen in the top of the mountains” (Zion, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.32-33, emphasis added).
[7] “Almost everything about the Gospel plan is a process and not an event. Most people most of the time are only working through the process. A great deal of the scriptures has been written by those who have been through the process and who are trying to give mankind instructions of how to repeat it in their own lives” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Gospel, p.667, emphasis added).
[8] “Listen carefully to what I tell you: I will declare to you My doctrine. This is My doctrine, and it is the doctrine that the Father has given to Me: I testify of the Father, and the Father testifies of Me, and the Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and Me. I also testify the Father commands all people everywhere to repent and believe in Me. And anyone who believes in Me and is baptized will be saved, and they are who will inherit God’s kingdom. But anyone who doesn’t believe in Me and isn’t baptized will be damned. In truth I tell you this is My doctrine, and I testify of it from the Father. Anyone who believes in Me also believes in the Father, and the Father will testify to them of Me, since He will visit them with fire and with the Holy Ghost. In this way the Father will testify of Me, and the Holy Ghost will testify to them of the Father and Me, because the Father and I and the Holy Ghost are united as one. In addition, I say to you: You must repent and become as a little child and be baptized in My name, or under no circumstance can you receive these things. And again, I say to you: You must repent and be baptized in My name and become as a little child, or under no circumstances can you inherit God’s kingdom. In truth I tell you this is My doctrine. Whoever builds on this builds on My rock, and the gates of hell will not prevail against them. And those who declare more or less than this and establish it as My doctrine advocate evil and are not built upon My rock, but are built on a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive them when the floods come and the wind pounds them. Therefore go to this people and declare to the farthest reaches of the earth the words that I’ve spoken” (C of C, 3 Nephi 5:9, emphasis added).
[9] “ . . . When they had reiterated the same words Jesus had spoken, not varying from what Jesus had said, they knelt down once more and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus. And they prayed for what they most desired: they asked for the Holy Ghost to be given to them. After they had prayed for this, they went down to the water’s edge; and the crowd followed them. Then Nephi went down into the water and was baptized. And he came up out of the water and began to baptize, and he baptized all those Jesus had chosen. When they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost fell upon them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire. And they were surrounded by what seemed to be fire, which came down from heaven. The crowd witnessed it and testified of it. Angels came down from heaven and ministered to them. While the angels were ministering to the disciples, Jesus came and stood in the middle of them and ministered to them . . .” (CofC, 3 Nephi 9:2, emphasis added).
[10] “Jesus Christ defines His gospel in the Book of Mormon: Behold, I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you: that I came into the world to do the will of my Father because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross. And after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, I might draw all men unto me — that as I have been lifted up by men, even so should men be lifted up by the Father to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. And for this cause have I been lifted up. Therefore, according to the power of the Father, I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. And it shall come to pass that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled, and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father. And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men, and for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given; and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words. And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom, therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the holy ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily I say unto you, this is my gospel (3 Nephi 12:5). He defines it in modern times as: And verily, verily I say unto you, He that receives my gospel receives me. And he that receives not my gospel receives not me. And this is my gospel: repentance, and baptism by water, and then comes the baptism of fire and the holy ghost, yea, even the Comforter, which shows all things and teaches the peaceable things of the kingdom (T&C 23:2).
[11] “The Lord spoke to me again, saying: 6 Because this people are ungrateful for the gentle waters of Shiloah [possibly “peace” or “abundance”], and admire Rezin and Remaliah’s son, 7know this, the Lord will bring to them a flood of violent water from the Euphrates, indeed, the king of Assyria and his army [type for the anti-Christ]. He’ll [Assyrian King] flood over the riverbanks, 8 like a flash flood upon Judah, reaching up to the neck [Hezekiah, type for the last days Davidic king]. Surely the wings of Immanuel will stretch out as wide as the land. 9Even if you people gather together people, you’ll too be broken into pieces. Listen, those who are in distant lands: Even if you prepare for battle, you’ll be broken into pieces; you may prepare for battle, but you’ll be broken in pieces! 10Though you prepare your battle strategy, it will be defeated; though you make your plans, they won’t stand, because God is with us” (COC 2 Nephi 9:8, emphasis added).
[12] “In truth I tell you: Anyone who welcomes the spirit of conflict doesn’t follow Me, but is following the accuser, who’s the father of conflict. He incites people to angrily fight with each other. 30This isn’t My doctrine, to incite angry fighting by people. But this is My doctrine, everything like that should end” (CofC, 3 Nephi 5:8, emphasis added).
[13] “. . . Therefore, I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel. He shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth . . .” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History Part 13:19, emphasis added).
[14] “ . . . And neither have angels stopped ministering to mankind. 30They are obedient to Him, to minister according to His commands, revealing themselves to those of strong faith and of a firm mind in every form of godliness. 31The responsibility of their ministry is to call people to repentance, and to fulfill and do the work of the Father’s covenants that He’s made to mankind, to prepare the way among people by declaring Christ’s word to the Lord’s chosen vessels, so they can bear testimony of Him. 32And by doing this, the Lord God prepares the way for the remainder of mankind to have faith in Christ, so the Holy Ghost can have a place in their hearts according to the power of the Holy Ghost. This is how the Father vindicates the covenants He’s made to mankind…” (CofC, Moroni 7:6, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
11/11/2024
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