Prophetic Significance of the Covenant of Christ : The Gentile Crossroad

          Note for those beginning to read this paper: The content of this paper will provide light and increased understanding relative to the effort applied to contemplate the references provided.

          Following the recent conference in Boise, Idaho, I spoke with a friend to discuss our impressions from Denver’s talk. My friend raised a question I had not contemplated but found profoundly important.

          Given the nature of Denver’s last two talks, my friend asked, “What is the underlying theme?” The question has lingered in my thoughts since his question was posed. When the prior two talks are placed in the context of the sustaining vote for the Covenant of Christ some clarity began emerging.

          For years a prophetic pattern has been emerging charting a course for latter-day events. Covenant history follows a pattern of distinct beginnings and ends to successive dispensations. The first was the Lord’s offer of covenant to Israel through Moses.[1] The Lord withdrew His offer of covenant to them following their crucifixion of Jesus. Through His disciples the Lord offered the Gentiles the covenant.[2] The Gentiles accepted the Lord’s offer of covenant initially but succeeding generations withdrew from honoring covenant terms and the covenant was terminated by their neglect.[3]

          With the commencement of the second half of covenant history the Gentile offer of covenant was renewed a second time through Joseph Smith. The Priesthood fullness was given to Joseph and his brother Hyrum but withdrawn from the Church of Jesus Christ prior to the Nauvoo Temple construction.[4] As Judaism continued under the Aaronic covenant or law of Moses until John the Baptist, the lesser covenant has continued with something less than a Priesthood fullness for two hundred years following the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Claims of a continuing fullness of the Priesthood remain to this day but the expanding fruits of continuous revelation and expanding righteousness over two hundred years are absent, as is substantive progress toward establishing Zion. Expanding institutional wealth and membership through focus groups, marketing and ad campaigns replaced divine guidance.[5] The gospel of Jesus Christ has been reduced from “Be ye perfect”[6] to “be ye fully tithed and recommend worthy.”  

          John the Baptist was sent to “wrest the kingdom” from the Jews by divine commission in preparation for the Savior and extend an offer of covenant renewal with the Jews. If the pattern of covenant offer and withdrawal continues as in past dispensations, we stand at the twilight of the last offer of covenant renewal to the Gentiles.[7] This is known as the “fullness of the Gentiles.”[8] When the final offer of covenant ends for the Gentiles, it follows the established pattern of God sending a servant [an Elias like John the Baptist][9] [It would be a mistake to overlook footnote 9] to prepare for the Lord’s offer covenant to the Gentiles one last time.[10]

          For a loving God who genuinely desires to save all mankind but refuses to violate agency, it is essential to provide Your children with every incentive and opportunity to choose You [God the Father] by covenant. It is logical to offer guidance clearly written in the Gentiles own language. The Covenant of Christ leads to that end. The language of the original Book of Mormon is in the Biblical verbiage from a bygone era. Though many immersed themselves in this language, there remains confusion among the Gentiles about much written in old English translations.

          The introduction of the Covenant of Christ offers explanations in modern English and communicates the lateness of the hour for the Gentile dispensation. Jesus Christ and His teachings were a last witness to the Jews prior to the end of their dispensation. In like manner, the Lord sends a final witness to the Gentiles to gather as many as will repent and come to Christ and be united with Israel. Because the Savior fulfilled His mortal mission among the Jews in the meridian of time, the servant sent to the Gentiles at the end of their dispensation acts vicariously on His behalf.

The Covenant of Christ is the “Urim and Thummim” for the Scriptures

“There is no vision or concept revealed by God to the mind of man that cannot be discussed using the language of the Book of Mormon. The hidden mysteries the Book of Mormon anticipates are endless. It is filled with hints, types, shadows and descriptions of the greatest truths God will ever reveal to man. But we are not a grateful enough audience yet to see what it contains. It is a Urim and Thummim, to give us revelation as we explore its meanings. As Isaiah put it, “the vision of all” is found in the words of this book. (Isa. 29: 11.)” (Snuffer, Denver C. Jr.. Eighteen Verses (pp. 333-334, emphasis added).

The Book of Mormon from Joseph Smith was intended to metaphorically be a “Urim and Thummim” for the Gentiles seeking light and knowledge. It illuminates all scripture if we have eyes that seek and ponder.[11]

          The Covenant of Christ magnifies the Book of Mormon by speaking to Gentiles in modern English rather than older, more traditional English of the Bible. There are numerous examples of this throughout the Lord’s love letter to the Gentiles if one is willing to prayerfully scrutinize the content. This paper intends to provide examples of the added light by focusing on two chapters from the Savior’s teachings in 3 Nephi.

The Savior’s Prophetic Commentary Foretelling Our Day

          The Savior prefaced the words He was about to speak to His disciples and those present to witness His great miracles.

“. . . When Jesus had finished praying, He went back to the disciples and said to them: I’ve never seen such great faith as yours among the Jews. Therefore I couldn’t show them such great miracles because of their unbelief. Truly I say to you: None of them saw such great things as you’ve seen, neither have they heard such great things as you’ve heard” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:5, emphasis added).    

The faith of those present at the time the Savior appeared to the Nephites exceeded anything the Lord witnessed among His Jewish disciples. Because of the depth of their faith, the Lord taught and showed them mysterious things. Their faith qualified them for greater depth and a small portion of what they witnessed is shared with us.

“And now not even one percent of what Jesus taught the people can be written in this book. But the plates of Nephi contain most of what He taught the people. I’ve written these few things He taught the people, intending for them to be brought back to this people from the Gentiles, as Jesus has explained. After they [the Gentiles] get this first to test their faith, if they believe this record, then greater things will be added to them [Restoration Scriptures, Testimony of Saint John, writings and revelations of Denver Snuffer Jr., Covenant of Christ]. If they [the Gentiles] refuse to believe this record, then the greater things will be withheld from them to their condemnation. I was about to write everything that was engraved on the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbids it, saying: I’ll test the faith of My people [those who truly believe this record]. Therefore I’m writing only the things I’ve been commanded to write by the Lord. Now I will finish this by adding what I’ve been commanded to write. Therefore I want you to know the Lord truly taught the people for three days. After that, He showed Himself to them frequently: breaking bread with them, blessing it, and giving it to them” (C of C 3 Nephi 12:1, emphasis added).

Addressing the question of faith, the latter-day Gentiles are not as faith filled as survivors to whom the Lord “showed Himself to them frequently.” Those present at the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites had greater faith and received the full measure of what the Savior taught. The Covenant of Christ offers more than the original Book of Mormon but nothing close to what the Savior taught the people of Nephi. The “less than one percent” the Lord shares with us in the Covenant of Christ is closer to “one percent” in the original text. Both remain a test for the Gentiles to lift their faith to receive greater things.[12]

          Nothing I write is exhaustive. It is only intended to “prime the pump” of contemplation and encourage personal exploration of the Covenant of Christ. Together we will be tested by the Lord to see if we gain sufficient faith to receive greater things.

Covenant of Christ 3 Nephi 9:6-10 [Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 20]

“Then He commanded the crowd of people to stop praying, and His disciples as well. But He commanded them to continue praying in their hearts [“always remember Him and keep His commandments He has given them, so they can always have His Spirit to be with them, C of C Moroni 4:3]. And He commanded them to get up and stand on their feet. They arose and stood on their feet. Then He broke bread again and blessed it and gave it to the disciples to eat.[13] [I suggest this footnote not be passed over] When they had eaten, He commanded them [the disciples] to break bread and give it to the large crowd of people. When they had given it to the people, He also gave them wine to drink and commanded them to give it to the people. Now no bread or wine had been brought by the disciples, or by the people either. [the sacrament emblems were provided by the Savior, a higher sacrament] But He truly gave them bread to eat and wine to drink. He said to them: Anyone who eats this bread eats of My body to their soul. And anyone who drinks this wine drinks of My blood to their soul. And their soul will never be hungry or thirsty but will be filled.[14] When the people had all eaten and drunk, they were filled with the Spirit. And they cried out loudly as one,[15] giving glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard.

When they had all given glory to Jesus, He said to them: Now I’ll fulfill the commandment of the Father to Me regarding this people, who are a remnant of the house of Israel. You remember I spoke to you about when Isaiah’s words will be fulfilled. You can see they’re written down and you have them. Therefore study them carefully. In truth I tell you: When they’re fulfilled, then the covenant the Father has made for His people, O house of Israel, is also fulfilled. Then the remnant scattered throughout the earth will be gathered in from the east, west, south, and north. They’ll be brought to know the Lord their God who has redeemed them. And the Father has commanded Me to give you this land as your inheritance. I tell you that if the Gentiles don’t repent after the blessing they will receive after having scattered My people, then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob will rise up from them. You’ll [descendants of Lehi] be mixed in with them [the Gentiles], who will outnumber you. You’ll [Lehi’s descendants] be among them [the Gentiles] like a lion among his prey in the forest, and as a young lion [faithful, valiant, strong, aggressive, powerful] among the flocks of sheep [trust in the arm of flesh, RE T&C 54:4], who moves unopposed to take down and tear to pieces [display overwhelming power over those who oppose but fear them]. Your [Lord’s] hand [servant, David] will be against your [Israel’s] opponents and all your enemies will be cut down [fulfillment of the Moses prophecy, they shall be cut-off from among Israel, C of C 3 Nephi 9:12]. I’ll then [after all opposition is removed] gather My people together [Israel] like a farmer harvesting grain to the storehouse [RE T&C 82:20], for I’ll empower those of the Father’s covenant with iron horns and brass hooves to beat down many people [C of C 1 Nephi 3:25-26, 28, 3 Nephi 9:12]. I’ll use their wealth [the wealth of those who oppose the Lord] to honor the Lord [by fulfilling His will] and take their [opposition to the Lord] property [reclaim Israel’s inheritance, C of C 1 Nephi 3:26] for the Lord of the whole earth. And I Am [the Lord] the one who does it [by empowering His people who are outnumbered]. The sword of My justice [RE T&C 54:2-3], says the Father [3 Nephi 9:11], will then threaten them [the Lord’s opposition]. And unless they repent, it will strike them [C of C 3 Nephi 9:11], says the Father, including all the Gentile nations [C of C 1 Nephi 3:29].

I’ll [the Lord, I Am] establish My people, O house of Israel. I’ll [the Lord] establish you [Lehi’s descendants] in this land [America’s] to vindicate the covenant I [the Lord, I Am] made with your father Jacob [Israel]; that includes a New Jerusalem [C of C 3 Nephi 10:1]. And the Powers of heaven [16] [Patriarchal Fathers to whom God has made promises to them and their posterity] will help you [C of C 3 Nephi 9:2, 10:1, note the difference between “power” and “powers of Heaven,” RE T&C 74:8],  and I’ll also be helping you [3 Nephi 10:1]. I Am 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. Truthfully I say to you: All the prophets from Samuel [Savior begins with the prophet who anointed David king of Israel initiating the royal lineage among men] 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 [Israel and Gentile] of the earth will be blessed. The Father has raised Me [the Savior] up before all men and sent Me to you covenant children first [first shall be last], to bless you [Israel by covenant] and turn you from your sin. Now this blessing to you is to keep the Father’s covenant He made with Abraham, saying: Through your posterity all the families of the earth [Israel and the Gentiles, Judah and Joseph] 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 [the Gentiles] receive the fullness of My gospel [through Joseph Smith and his spokesman, C of C 2 Nephi 2:4&6], then if they [the Gentiles] harden their hearts against Me, I’ll cause them to experience the same fate of being scattered [C of C 1 Nephi 3:26], says the Father. I’ll remember the covenant I made with My people [Israel]. 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 [as the Gentiles who now occupy it are removed], which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land for them forever, says the Father.

The time will come when the fullness of My gospel will be preached to them [C of C 3 Nephi 9:11]. And they will believe in Me, that I Am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and they [Israel including repentant Gentiles] will pray to the Father in My name. Then their lookouts [“watchman,” RE Ezekiel 1:11] will sing [song of redeeming love, C of C Alma 3:5] the same message together as a chorus, agreeing eye to eye [New Jerusalem, Zion, C of C 3 Nephi 10:1]. Then the Father will gather them together again and give Jerusalem to them as an inherited land. Then they’ll break out in joyful song, singing together with all the scattered remnants from Jerusalem, for the Father has brought comfort [to His people, RE John 9:8, RE T&C 171, Testimony of St. John 10:11]: He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Father has vindicated His covenant for all to witness, and everyone to the ends of the earth will see He has saved His people [C of C 3 Nephi 9:11]. And the Father and I are united as one. Then this prophecy will be fulfilled: Wake up, wake up again and dress yourself with strength, O Zion [RE T&C 129:4]. Put on your clean garments [purification, taking upon themselves the countenance of the Lord], O Jerusalem, the holy city. From now on none of the faithless or uncircumcised will try to enter [non-covenant people]. Shake all the dust off yourself, stand up and then rest [C of C 2 Nephi 9:21], O Jerusalem. Take the chains off your neck [C of C Alma 9:3], O imprisoned daughter of Zion [Jerusalem]. For the Lord declares: You’ve sold yourselves for nothing and you’ll be set free without charge.

For I declare to you that My people [Israel] will know My name [C of C Mosiah 1:2], and on that day they’ll recognize I Am [Christ] the one who told you about this. And then they’ll say: How beautiful shall His presence [Christ] be upon the mountains [Isaiah’s metaphor for nations]! For He [the Savior] brings good news, announces peace, proclaims deliverance, brings salvation, and declares to Zion: Your God reigns! And then the shout will be heard: Depart, depart, get yourself out of there [Babylon, RE Isaiah 6:20], and don’t touch anything unclean, get away and be clean before you receive the sacred rites of the Lord [RE Isaiah 18:8]. But you can’t act in haste [RE T&C 50:6], nor run faster than your ability [RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History Part 10:8], for the Lord will lead you [C of C Jacob 5:72] and the God of Israel will move you along. You’ll see that My  [Christ’s] servant [C of C 3 Nephi 9:12] will proceed wisely, He’ll be exalted and extolled, and be above others [RE Isaiah 5:4]. People are astonished at Your appearance [common, RE Isaiah 19:2], Your suffering was greater than any man can endure,[17] for it would kill all other men — so He’ll cleanse many nations. The kings will be at a loss for words not knowing what to say because of Him, for they’ll see what they were never told, and be forced to consider what they never expected. Now I promise you: All these things will happen exactly as the Father has commanded Me to declare. This will conform to the Father’s covenant with His people; and Jerusalem will again be inhabited by My people, as a land of their inheritance” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:6-10, emphasis added).

The Savior’s prophecy of the last days is stated scripturally in 3 Nephi 9 in the Covenant of Christ. Its literal fulfillment is explained in C of C 3 Nephi 10. The Savior fulfilled the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah during His mortal ministry. In the last days, His suffering servant will be healed by Him who suffered more than any man. Whether the healing is deliverance from those who persecute and hate the Lord’s servant, or refers to the salvation and resurrection the Lord offers those who repent remains unclear and unknown to all but the Lord and His servant.

            If you’ve taken the time to carefully examine the references provided in this paper the significance of the Covenant of Christ and its greater relevance provides greater clarity for prophetic events in our day.

[1] “Now, this, Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God, but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence. Therefore, the Lord, in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into his rest — which rest is the fullness of his glory — while in the wilderness.

Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also. And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels, and the preparatory gospel, which gospel is the gospel of repentance, and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron, among the children of Israel, until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the holy ghost from his mother’s womb. For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power: to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power” (RE T&C 82:12-14, emphasis added).

[2] “And the next day, they entered into Caesarea, and Cornelius waited for them and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that had come together. And he said unto them, You know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without objection, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore, for what intent you have sent for me. And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house. And behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter — he is lodged in the house of one Simon, a tanner by the seaside — who, when he comes, shall speak unto you. Immediately therefore I sent to you, and you have done well that you have come. Now therefore are we all here, present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God.

[3] Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that fears him and works righteousness is accepted with him . . .” (RE Acts 6:6-7, emphasis added). 

“Thus after this chosen family had rejected Christ and His proposals, the heralds of salvation 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 were established (see Isaiah 24:5); and have become high-minded, and have not feared; therefore, but few of them will be gathered with the chosen family. 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 sent forth His judgement to scourge them for their wickedness? This is certainly the case” (TPJS., pp.13-14, emphasis added).

[4] “. . . For there is not place found on the earth that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he has taken away, even the fullness of the Priesthood” (RE T&C 141:10, emphasis added).

[5] “The Lord God Almighty has said: Woe, woe, woe to the wise, the well educated, and the rich who are prideful to their very center, and to all those who preach false doctrines, practice whoredoms, worship idols, and corrupt and pervert the Lord’s right way! They will be thrown down to hell.

“Woe to those who disregard the just for something of no value and loudly condemn what’s good and say it’s worthless, because the time is soon coming when the Lord God will visit the inhabitants of the earth in judgment. And when they’re fully ripe in iniquity, they will be destroyed. However, the Lord of Hosts has said, if the inhabitants of the earth repent of their wickedness and abominations, they won’t be destroyed. But that powerful and utterly wicked church — the whore of all the earth — will fall to the ground in ruins; and its fall will be impressive. Indeed, the accuser’s kingdom must shake. And those who belong to it must be motivated to repent, or the accuser will grab them with his everlasting chains and they’ll become angry and be lost, since at that time he’ll rage in mankind’s hearts and cause them to be angry against all that is good. And he’ll pacify others, lulling them into worldly security, so that they’ll say: Everything is fine in Zion; in fact, Zion is prospering. Everything is fine! And so the accuser swindles them and leads them away carefully down to hell. And he beguiles others, telling them: There’s no hell. He says to them: I’m not the accuser — because there isn’t one. This is how he whispers in their ears until he imprisons them with his awful chains, from which there’s no rescue. They’re imprisoned by death and hell and the accuser; and all those who have been captured by these will stand before God’s throne and be judged according to their works. From there they’ll go to the place prepared for them — a fiery lake that burns like lava, which is endless torment [remorse of conscience]. Therefore, woe to those who are at ease in Zion!

Woe to those who cry out: Everything is fine! Woe to those who follow the worthless teachings of men and deny God’s power and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Woe to those who say: We’ve received enough of the truth and we don’t need any more. In short, woe to all those who shake with anger because of God’s truth. Because those built on God’s rock are glad to receive truth. But those built on a sandy foundation are afraid of falling” (C of C 2 Nephi 12:4, emphasis added).

[6] “The Law also says for you to love your neighbor, and lets you even hate your enemy. But now I say to you: Love your enemies also, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you, so you may become the children of your Father who is in heaven, for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Therefore everything ordained anciently under the Law of Moses has all been fulfilled through Me. Those prior things are over and I implement these new things. Therefore I want you to be perfect, just as I or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (C of C 3 Nephi 5:31, emphasis added).

[7] “And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all 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 receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled . . .” (RE T&C 31:6-7, emphasis added).

[8] “And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all 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 receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled . . .” (RE T&C 31:6-7, emphasis added).

[9] “ . . . But I was informed that this office [the office John the Baptist ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to] did not extend to the laying on of hands for the giving of the Holy Ghost; that that office was a greater work, and was to be given afterward; but that my ordination was a preparatory work, or a going before, which was the spirit of Elias; for the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for the greater, which was the case with John the Baptist . . . , If he [John the Baptist] had been an impostor, he might have gone to work beyond his bounds, and undertook to have performed ordinances which did not belong to that office and calling, under the spirit of Elias . . . , What I want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you saying, “I have the spirit of Elias,” you can know whether he be true or false; for any man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elias, he will not transcend his bounds. John did not transcend his bounds, but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office; and every portion of the great building should be prepared right and assigned to its proper place; and it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not, or we may be likely deceived. That person who holds the keys of Elias hath a preparatory work. But if I spend much more time in conversing about the spirit of Elias, I shall not have time to do justice to the spirit and power of Elijah. This is the Elias spoken of in the last days, and here is the rock upon which many split, thinking the time was past in the days of John and Christ, and no more to be. But the spirit of Elias was revealed to me, and I know it is true; therefore I speak with boldness, for I know verily my doctrine is true” (TPJS., pp.383-386, emphasis added).

Joseph Smith’s exposition on the Spirits of Elias, Elijah and Messiah are intended to educate the audience so they can discern between the differences of power in the offices. His apparent objective centered on preparing his audience [preparation is Aaronic and associated with the Spirit of Elias] to avoid being deceived in the last days. The majority of Joseph’s time is spent on the Spirit of Elias emphasizing a person acting as a latter-day Elias will done transcend beyond the bounds the Lord set for that office. March 10, 1844 was the date this sermon was given, four months prior to his death [June 27, 1844]. One should contemplate why at this late date in Joseph Smith’s ministry did he dwell on his calling as a latter-day Elias? Why did Joseph repeatedly link his remarks to the importance of avoiding deception? Why did Joseph emphasize and elaborate more fully on the first two Spirits [Elias, and Elijah], setting aside the subject of the Spirit of Messiah for a later time? Given Joseph Smith’s extensive knowledge of scripture with the accompanying commentary from Heaven, does anyone doubt Joseph Smith knew and understood his role and the fate of the church of Jesus Christ he founded? Is it curious at this late date Joseph Smith emphasized his role as a latter-day Elias who “would not transcend his bounds,” to send the message that anyone claiming authority beyond what he claimed could be both detected and rejected by those devoted to Joseph Smith and his teachings? Joseph Smith did receive additional power but according to RE T&C 141:10, any claims by Joseph Smith’s successors to a Priesthood fullness would be going beyond bounds set by the Lord. In effect, Joseph Smith’s successors claim to hold Priesthood keys from him should be limited to his keys as a latter-day Elias. Like Israel after Moses and the removal of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the law of Moses, (a lesser Aaronic office) is all that prevailed after Joseph Smith was removed by the Lord. Anyone claiming more than this is by their own actions and false or naïve representations qualify as someone who transcends the bounds set by the Lord and is a false leader and servant of the Accuser. Is this why Joseph Smith’s warning at this late date should echo through following generations? Was Joseph Smith establishing the framework for understanding what the Covenant of Christ describes as: “ . . . that powerful and utterly wicked church — the whore of all the earth — will fall to the ground in ruins; and its fall will be impressive . . .” (C of C 2 Nephi 12:4, emphasis added). In support of the conclusion only the Aaronic, spirit of Elias survived Joseph Smith are two quotes from Denver Snuffer:

“As an aside, D&C 128 is a letter Joseph Smith wrote in Nauvoo. It is late in his ministry. He wrote it while in hiding in Nauvoo. He was trying to stay in contact with the Saints. I make no reference to this in Passing the Heavenly Gift, but it is another example, just as it is a glaring omission from the last testimony of Oliver Cowdery that Joseph also makes no mention of Elijah‘s appearance in his letter (now Section 128). In the list of the angelic ministrants who came to Joseph Smith in his letter composed in 1842, six years after the appearance of Elijah in the Kirtland Temple, Elijah is not mentioned. Likewise, throughout the Nauvoo time period up to 1844, Joseph refers to Elijah‘s coming as a future, not a past event. If the return of Elijah is a still future event in 1842, 1843, and 1844, then the appearance of Elijah in the Kirtland Temple cannot fulfill the promised mission of Elijah” (The Spirit of Elijah Reconsidered, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.22, emphasis added).

Also the following footnote from the same paper:

“All those ordained in the church are reminded of the ―oath and covenant of the Priesthood‖ found at D&C 84: 33-39. This oath makes all who hold the church‘s two priesthoods responsible for becoming ―sons of Aaron‖ and ―sons of Moses‖—both of whom are of Levi [Aaronic, Levitical]” (The Spirit of Elijah Reconsidered, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.36, emphasis added).

The two previous quotes affirm that claims beyond that of the Aaronic, Spirit of Elias by any organization or institution claiming authority from Joseph Smith is by Joseph’s standard, false.

[10] “At that time, to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them [the Gentiles]. There will be many who won’t believe it, although a man will tell it to them. But the ministry of My servant will be led by My hand; therefore they won’t be able to harm his work, although he’ll be opposed and discredited by them. Yet I’ll support him; I’ll show them My wisdom is greater than the accuser’s deceitful scheming. Therefore those who won’t believe in My words, and I Am Jesus Christ, which the Father will give and empower that servant to set before the Gentiles, it will result exactly as Moses said: They will be cut off from My people who are part of the covenant. And then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob, will rise up from them . . .” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:12, emphasis added).

[11] “Not many days after his death, Laman, Lemuel, and Ishmael’s sons were angry with me because of the Lord’s warnings and correction that I was inspired to tell them based on His word. I taught them many things, as my father did before he died. Much of what was said is written on my other plates, since more historical details are written on them. But on these plates I only write the things within my soul and quotes of the scriptures from the brass plates. My soul delights in the scriptures, and I ponder upon them and write them for my children’s instruction and benefit. My soul rejoices in the things of the Lord, and I continually ponder in my heart what God has shown and told me” (C of C 2 Nephi 3:6, emphasis added).

[12] “Alma began to elaborate, saying: Many people are given knowledge of God’s mysteries; however, they’re placed under a strict command to only discuss that part of His word He allows to be given to mankind, corresponding to their obedience and diligence given to Him. Those who harden their hearts receive less of His word. Those who don’t harden their hearts are given a greater part of His word, until they understand God’s mysteries. They can be given God’s mysteries until everything is fully known. However those who harden their hearts are given less of His word, until they know nothing about His mysteries. Then the accuser captures them and leads them by his will down to destruction. This is what the chains of hell mean” (C of C Alma 9:3, emphasis added).

[13] The crowd consisted of two groups, the disciples of Christ and the general body of witnesses. When the Savior first institutes the sacrament ordinance, He commands His disciples to provide the bread and wine. When the wine and bread were provided by the disciples, Jesus broke the bread and blessed both the bread and wine. The Lord then administered the sacrament to the disciples and then commanded the disciples to deliver it to the multitude.

The second sacramental ordinance had subtle differences from the first due to events occurring between the two sacraments. Following the first sacrament, the Savior touched each of the disciples giving them power to give the Holy Ghost [C of C 3 Nephi 8:10]. The Savior then ascended to the Father in a cloud. Following the Savior’s ascension the people gathered those who were not present on the first day in anticipation of the Savior’s return. These events are a type for the gathering of Israel in the last days. It begins with a small group and expands in successive, expanding waves.

On the second day the multitude had grown and the disciples divided the multitude into twelve groups [symbolic of the gathering of the twelve tribes of Israel]. The disciples taught the words ministered by Jesus on the first day exactly as He had taught them. When the disciples completed teaching the Savior’s words they admonished the multitude to kneel and pray to the Father in the name of Jesus [C of C 3 Nephi 9:2]. The disciples of Jesus knelt and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus as well, but the disciples prayers were to receive “what they desired most.” [C of C 3 Nephi 9:2]. Prior to His ascension to the Father, the Savior touched each of the twelve disciples enabling them to give the power of the Holy Ghost to others. Before exercising that power it appears the disciples needed to “receive the Holy Ghost” themselves. This being their hearts desire, the disciples went to the water’s edge and Nephi and the other disciples were baptized. When the twelve disciples were baptized and all had come out of the water they “were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” In addition to being filled with the Holy Ghost and fire, the disciples were surrounded by a pillar of fire sanctifying them in preparation for angels ministering to them. [C of C 3 Nephi 9:2]. The meaning of these events could be the subject of a paper on their own. The pillar of fire represents the Spirit of Elijah, the opening of a portal between Heaven and Earth, the “ensign” the “root of Jesse” has authority to open [RE T&C 129:3], the ministration of the Patriarchal Fathers to their covenant children on earth [Powers of Heaven, A Glossary of Gospel Terms], the restoring the record of Heaven of the twelve disciples from within them [C of C 3 Nephi 9:5, RE T&C 157:30] , the adoption of the twelve disciples into the family of Jesus Christ {C of C Mosiah 3:2], the beginning of the Savior “I will be with them as well” [CofC 3 Nephi 10:1] .” All of these things are foretold as types to be repeated in the last days. These events are the beginning of Priesthood empowerment [RE T&C 141:10] when God shares His power with the righteous on earth. [C of C 1 Nephi 3:28, RE T&C 129:4, RE Genesis 7:18-19]. In addition to angels ministering to the disciples when the fiery pillar surrounds them, Jesus appears in their midst to offer commentary of these events in His prayer to the Father. The Savior thanks the Father for giving the Holy Ghost to His disciples because the Father hears their prayers and the Father sees the disciples are now praying to their spiritual Father, Jesus Christ because He is now with them [C of C 3 Nephi 9:3]. Jesus prays to the Father on behalf of His disciples and those who believe the disciples when they teach the multitude. As the disciples continued their prayers to the Savior by the power of the Holy Ghost, the Savior blessed the disciples so they could have the Savior within them and be one with Him and the Father [C of C 3 Nephi 9:4, RE T&C 110 Lectures on Faith 5:2]. As the disciples continued their prayer, they began to take upon themselves the Lord’s countenance. They became as exceedingly white as the Savior [RE T&C 36:5]. The Savior returned to His prayer to the Father, thanking Him for purifying His disciples and explaining the nature of these events to all who read this record. In addition to the Savior blessing and purifying His disciples, the Lord extends His blessing and purification to all who heed His disciples and their teachings. Those who receive His servants may attain unto the same blessing [RE T&C 54:7]. These events are preliminary to receiving the second sacrament, one in which the Savior provides the emblems and ministers personally to those who are purified in Him and given power to give to others in the multitude the Holy Ghost and sacred emblems from Christ.

[14] Spirit of Elijah, RE 1 Kings 4:4-5

[15] C of C 3 Nephi 9:3, RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith 5:2, C of C Mosiah 2:1-2, 3:1

[16] “A title referring to a specific group [of righteous individuals] 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 [righteous individuals] are fixed: Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim — they may all be called Powers of Heaven. These Powers [righteous individuals] have no desire to control or compel others [like God, “without compulsory means,” RE T&C 139:6] to rise on Jacob’s ladder. 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).

[17] When the Savior quotes this passage in C of C 3 Nephi 9:10 it is Isaiah’s reference to the Savior.  When the Savior alters this prophecy to apply to His servant in 3 Nephi 9:12, it supports the notion that His servant who brings forth the words of Christ in the last days acts a proxy who suffers like the Savior but is healed from his suffering by the Lord.

Scott Roderick

9/18/2025

Prophetic Significance of the Covenant of Christ.pdf

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