“Simple Means” - Part 3 : “Due Time of the Lord”

          In Teachings and Commandments 82 the Lord condemned “the children of Zion, even all.” Note the Lord didn’t limit His condemnation to the weakest of saints. Children of Zion are presumed to be the pinnacle of righteousness at the time of this revelation. Those inhabiting Zion must be “of one heart, one mind, dwelt in righteousness, and there was no poor among them.” [1] The closest to qualifying as “children of Zion” fell short of the Lord’s standard and were condemned by Him. A condemnation never revoked by the Lord.

          This is a consequence of their unbelief, treating lightly the “new covenant” of the Book of Mormon and “former commandments.” The Covenant of Christ is added to the list for last days Gentiles because the Lord speaks more plainly to them in their own words in this edition. Seemingly “simple means” but profoundly important because it is one that removes barriers to their understanding of the truth.

“But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy according to my plainness, in the which I know that no man can err. Nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled, men shall know of a surety at the times when they shall come to pass; wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men. And he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly and confine the words unto mine own people [Nephi’s descendants]. For I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days [note his certainty because he witnessed these things and the outcome], for in that day [Isaiah’s phrase signaling the last days] shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them” (CofC 2 Nephi 11:3; emphasis added).

Nephi is an eyewitness of the last days. From his vantage point he sees future events in a manner “no man can err.” His observation isn’t limited to his people. “All men” means all men, particularly when his words are in plain English. He knows they are worthwhile for all men but is aware some lack appreciation for their worth. Among non-believers are those aware of the records origins, but remain blinded by their vanity. They fail to appreciate profound meaning the records contain. Instead of enlightenment and humility, Gentiles receiving the record have their minds darkened because “they come not to me” [the Father]. [2] 

          The Book of Mormon and former commandments were given to the early saints initially. The Covenant of Christ is now added to the canon of scripture. Additional light contained in these scriptures enlighten and bless those who give diligent heed to their words. Neglect of added light leads to vanity, unbelief, and darkness. Vanity, in that those receiving it extol the virtue of receiving it over others, but treat the content lightly. Unbelief, because they refuse to embrace light in the records. The Gentiles in the last days believe possession of the record is sufficient for salvation. They ignore responsibility added light brings whether they receive it or not.

          Nephi saw our day and explained the greatness of the obstacles the Gentiles create; blocking their way from understanding truth when manifest to them plainly.

“But the Gentiles will proudly view themselves as superior and will have stumbled because they have a great stumbling block: They build up to themselves many churches, but they have no faith in God’s power and miracles. They praise themselves — their own wisdom and knowledge — in their preaching, so they can make money and oppress the poor. Many churches will be established, causing envy, antagonism, and malice. And there will also be secret conspiracies, as in former times, using the accuser’s plan for conspiracies, because he’s involved in the foundation of all these things [many churches and secret conspiracies]— the foundation [primary support] of murder and works of darkness — and he leads them by the neck with a strong rope at the start made of flax, until he enslaves them with his strong ropes forever.” [3] (CofC 2 Nephi 11:15; emphasis added).

The first line of this verse speaks volumes about latter-day Gentiles.

“But the Gentiles will proudly view themselves as superior. . .” 

What is the basis of the Gentiles superior feelings? Many churches are unwilling to co-exist with one another. According to Nephi’s observations, they are self-impressed with their knowledge and wisdom. Their preaching has an undercurrent focusing on money without concern for the poor. The competitive nature of churches leads to “envy, antagonism, and malice” toward one another. In the presence of these satanic feelings there is little room for faith in God’s power and miracles. Faith is absent because it sets a bar higher than teachers and parishioners care to aspire to.

          The love of money is the root of all evil [4] including “secret conspiracies” leading to “murder and works of darkness.” There is nearly an inexhaustible supply of examples of corruption altering Divine doctrines, concealing child abuse, adultery, and embezzlement. The undercurrent through all of this are false traditions binding hearts of generations to institutions supporting every type of corruption. In doing so, these institutions become natural opposition to God and an obstacle to the salvation of mankind.

          We are more effective at diagnosing the ills of others and the institutions they support turning a blind eye to the corruption of our own hearts. Vanity comes into play because we believe there is redeeming value knowing something others are ignorant of. As if knowledge alone is sufficient for God to favor us. It is an open buffet of causes for one to choose from, virtue signaling they are better than others. They criticize when others lack commitment to their cause of choice. Once our selection is made, we exalt ourselves because we know Joseph Smith never practiced polygamy and institutions opposing that view commit historical malpractice to argue Joseph did otherwise. No matter what side of the argument we choose, neither brings salvation. We persist on focusing strictly on our favored cause because we believe there is redemption in knowing we are right.

          One might be focused on claims of authority or succession of priesthood keys, or some cause providing us with a sense of moral superiority over less enlightened souls. One particularly toxic belief is the perception we are spiritually advanced over others who perceive they are more enlightened than those God calls to His work. We see the weakness of His servants with a critical eye, [5] not realizing those weaknesses are familiar because they have residence in us. The reality is weakness and humility qualify the person for their reliance on God. If the Lord is revealing their weakness to them so they can be humble, they are in the perfect position for a call to His work. Weakness spawns humility and faith, encouraging their submission to the Lord. They are reliant and loyal to him.

          Regardless of the merits of those causes we choose to espouse, there is one cause not to be neglected. There are extraordinary consequences of being “cut-off” from the Lord’s people, Israel if we fail to repent.

“Just as I spoke about convincing the Jews that Jesus really is the Messiah, it’s also necessary for the Gentiles to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, and that He’ll reveal Himself by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who believe in Him — to people of every nation, tribe, and language — performing powerful miracles, signs, and amazing things among mankind according to their faith. . . But in the last days or in the time of the Gentiles, every nation of Gentiles and Jews — both those who come upon this land and those who live on other lands, indeed, on every land throughout the earth — will be drunk with iniquity and all kinds of abominations. And when that day arrives, the Lord of Hosts will send thunder, and earthquakes, and loud noises, and storms, and tempests, and uncontrolled fires. And all the nations that fight against Zion and interfere with her will be like a mere dream of the nighttime. It will be to them like a hungry man who dreams that he ate his fill, but when he wakes up he remains hungry [unsatisfied, unfulfilled]. Or like a thirsty man who dreams he gets a drink, but when he wakes up he’s still thirsty and starving and he craves relief. Yes, this is how it will be for all the people who fight against Mount Zion. Those of you who commit iniquity, stop and marvel; you’ll cry out and wail. You’ll be drunk, but not with wine [iniquity]; you’ll stagger, but not with hard liquor. The Lord has poured out a spirit of deep sleep upon you [loss of spiritual enlightenment]. You’ve closed your eyes and rejected the prophets, and He’s taken away your teachers and seers because of your iniquity. [6]

Then the Lord God will bring forward for you the words of a book, and the words will be from those who have died. The book will be sealed, and a revelation from God from the beginning to the end of the world will be in the book. And because of what’s sealed up, the sealed things won’t be made known while people remain wicked and practice abominations. So the book will be kept from them” (CofC 2 Nephi 11:12; emphasis added).

Ancient Israel was offered a covenant by the Lord in the days of Moses. Events in those days were extraordinary and miraculous. God’s power was openly manifest in blessing Israel and cursing Gentiles.

          In this passage of Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi, the Lord’s desire to bring all mankind to Him is apparent. All mankind needs redemption. Their redemption is inseparably connected to the Savior. As in ancient Israel, God intends to bolster faith throughout the world. [7] While in bondage in Egypt, Israel’s faith was increased as God’s hand in their lives became openly manifest. First in calling a servant to nurture faith in Christ, then expanding faith translates into greater manifestations of divine power.

          God’s powerful manifestations during Israel’s bondage blessed the oppressed and cursed the oppressors. The roles have reversed, modern Gentiles are blind to their bondage in modern Babylon. They are enslaved by the cares of this world, Satan’s dominion. [8] The Lord and His servant lead those who repent from all nations and tribes in the manner He led Israel from Egyptian bondage.

“He’ll reveal Himself by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who believe in Him — to people of every nation, tribe, and language — performing powerful miracles, signs, and amazing things among mankind according to their faith. . .” (Ibid).

Nephi observes when the Lord performs His work the world is immersed in wickedness. Darkness prevails because it is under the bondage of sin. We know the world is in bondage because “they come not unto me,” [the Lord]. [9]

          Like Moses’ day, the Lord calls His servant to bear testimony of Christ by revealing the Savior’s words. As their faith in God grows His power is incrementally manifest to bless His people and lead them from spiritual bondage. When these events occur the world is dark and people are generally wicked. [10]

“will be drunk with iniquity and all kinds of abominations. . .” (Ibid).

The intoxication of mankind is not limited to consuming strong drinks. It is their willingness to engage in sin. Entropy from the fall of Adam is not limited to degradation of our physical bodies. It includes spiritual entropy [11] when mankind neglects preserving their spiritual well-being by “feasting on the words of Christ.” [12] Amid darkness a light breaks to expose wickedness and promote faith among Gentiles a final time.

“And when that day shall come shall a remnant [of Israel] 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 [Isaiah’s reference to the last days] 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 [post Joseph Smith’s Restoration], 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. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in diverse places and many desolations. Yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword one against another and they will kill one another” (RE T&C 31:6-7; emphasis added).

This revelation addresses the end of the Lord’s covenant offer to the Gentiles. The light breaking among them is the fullness of the gospel. The Gentiles reject it because of established precepts evolving over time with little or no basis in truth.

When Nephi refers to Isaiah’s reference to a sealed book given to a learned man [RE Isaiah 9:1-3], he applies a phrase different from “fullness of the Gentiles,” alluding to the same time. The phrase is “due time of the Lord” in the original Book of Mormon and RE Book of Mormon. The verbiage changes in the Covenant of Christ. It doesn’t alter the meaning but affects our ability to identify references relating to the subject. It is important to be aware of the difference for this reason. The Covenant of Christ says:

“. . . But the book will be given to a man [Joseph Smith], and he’ll write down the words of the book, the words of those who have died, and he’ll dictate these words to another [Oliver Cowdery]. But he must not dictate the sealed words [suggesting Joseph Smith has written the full translation or the point would be moot.] or give the book to anyone else since the book will be sealed by God’s power. And the sealed revelation — which discloses all things, from the foundation of the world to its end — are to be left in the book until the Lord determines it’s the proper time [due time] for them to be revealed. Eventually the words of the book that were sealed will be read upon the housetops, and they’ll be read by the power of Christ. Everything will be revealed to mankind, everything that’s ever happened among mankind and everything that will happen, all the way to the end of the earth. . .” (CoC 2 Nephi 11:19; emphasis added).

The description of the book after it is given to a man in the Covenant of Christ adds an interesting distinction, absent in the original translation. After the book is given to the man [Joseph Smith], the man writes the words of the book, then dictates the words to another man, Oliver Cowdery. The distinction is subtle and intriguing. Why would Joseph Smith write the words of the book and then dictate those words to another man?

          The purpose of the Covenant of Christ was to speak plainly to the Gentiles in their language. The book given to Joseph Smith was sealed but he wrote it and dictated a portion to Oliver currently in our possession. This implies Joseph Smith translated the account in its entirety, including the sealed portion. Joseph dictated the portion to be given the Gentiles, returning the sealed portion with the written translation by Joseph Smith for the Lord’s keeping. This is an interesting proposition considering the Savior’s explanation of the role the Book of Mormon [Covenant of Christ] plays in the Lord’s effort to entice and test the Gentiles, inviting them to come to Christ. Jesus explained:

“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 get this first to test their faith, if they believe this record, then greater things will be added to them. If they refuse to believe this record, then the greater things will be withheld from them to their condemnation [may refer to the condemnation of the church in RE T&C 82:20]. 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. . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 12:1; emphasis added).

The original Book of Mormon was not a complete record. The portion allotted to the Gentiles by the Lord is a test for those who believe the record. If faithful, the sealed portion revealing all things is given later. If the Lord’s people reject the portion given them, sealed portions will be withheld from them to their condemnation. Two hundred years after Joseph Smith began the Restoration and the sealed portion remains withheld to our condemnation. Since Lehi’s descendants have not embraced the record given the Gentiles, the sealed portion resolves all questions for them, persuading them to embrace covenant promises the Lord made with their Patriarchal Father’s.

          The idea Joseph Smith translated the complete record and returned both accounts for the Lord’s keeping until both accounts are revealed in the Lord’s “proper time” or “due time.” For this to be accomplished, some Gentiles must repent. They must become sanctified like the brother of Jared. [13] This is how the Lord fulfills His prophecies in the last days by “simple means.”

[1] “And from that time forth there were wars and bloodsheds among them, but the Lord came and dwelled with his people and they dwelled in righteousness. The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains and upon the high places, and did flourish. And the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart, and of one mind, and dwelled in righteousness, and there was no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days that he built a city that was called the city of holiness, even Zion” (RE Genesis 4:14; emphasis added).

[2] “And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life, for you shall live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatever is truth is light, and whatever is light is spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ. And the spirit gives light to every man that comes into the world, and the spirit enlightens every man through the world that hearkens to the voice of the spirit, and everyone that hearkens to the voice of the spirit comes unto God, even the Father. And the Father teaches him of the covenant which the Father has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for yours only, but for the sake of the whole world.

And the whole world lies in sin and groans under darkness and under the bondage of sin, and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me, for whoever comes not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoever receives not my voice is not acquainted with my voice and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groans under sin and darkness, even now” (RE T&C 82:18-19; emphasis added).

[3] “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” (CofC Alma 9:3; emphasis added).

[4] “But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (RE 1 Timothy 1:16; emphasis added).

[5] “. . . Aaronic Priesthood is exceptionally durable, fortunately, unlike Melchizedek

Priesthood (which can only be exercised with extraordinary care and delicacy—the

purpose of Melchizedek Priesthood being, as I talked about in Orem, to bless; the purpose

of Aaronic Priesthood being to condemn, and to judge, and to set a law by which men can

condemn themselves). Having the authority to do that to yourself is remarkably durable

and used with great regularity. And those that have it generally abide by so lesser a law that

they wind up judging and condemning one another and parading before God as a… as a… a

march of fools, yelling and yammering, pointing and blaming, complaining and bitching

about what everyone else's inadequacies are. The purpose of Melchizedek Priesthood is to

sound the signal: “Know ye the Lord.” And eventually, that sermon will be heard by enough

that there will be none left who need to be told, “Know ye the Lord,” for they shall all know

Him. And everyone will take up with Him their concerns and not with one another” (A Broken Heart, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.8; emphasis added).

[6] “Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This who is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I, that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like him that treads in the winevat?  have trodden the winepress alone, and of the people there was none with me [Atonement of Christ]; for I will tread them in my anger and trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment [those who close their eyes by rejecting His prophets. For their rebellion the Lord removes their teachers and seers]. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come. And I [the Lord] looked and there was none to help, and I wondered that there was none to uphold [because they reject the Lord and His servants]; therefore, my own arm [appendage, extension of the Lord, His servant] brought salvation unto me, and my fury [God’s wrath upon those who refuse truth and repentance], it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in my anger and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth” (RE Isaiah 24:2; emphasis added).

“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 [all mankind], for truly the voice of the Lord is unto all men [“. . . whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (RE T&C 54:7)], 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, 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 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, 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. [see T&C 74:8]

Wherefore, the voice of the Lord is unto the end of the earth [through His servants], 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 shall be revealed [appendage or servant of Christ]. 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, for they [those who close their eyes to the prophets] have strayed from my ordinances [see RE Isaiah 7:1] and have broken my everlasting covenant. 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).

“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 [“arm of the Lord”] will be led by My hand; therefore they [unbelieving Gentiles] 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 [covenant people Israel], will rise up from them. 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. 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 will cause your failure. I’ll expose the fraud of those in authority, and your trusted institutions will lose everyone’s loyalty. False prophets and false ministers will be brought to shame and humiliation. All lying, deceiving, envying, strife, priestcraft, and whoredoms will come to an end. At that time, says the Father, I’ll cut down anyone who won’t repent and draw near to My Beloved Son to preserve My people, the house of Israel. I’ll take vengeance and unleash My fierce anger on all the unbelieving, beyond anything they expect” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:12; emphasis added).

“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 [Lehi’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. And the great pit dug for them by that utterly wicked church, which the accuser and his followers founded so that he could take people’s souls down to hell — that great pit dug for people’s destruction will be filled with those who dug it, to their complete destruction, says the Lamb of God — not the destruction of the soul, but throwing it into that endless hell [remorse of conscience]. This is according to the accuser’s imprisonment, and according to God’s justice as well, upon all those who insist on doing wicked and corrupt things in God’s sight.

Then the Angel told me: You’ve seen that if the Gentiles repent, it will turn out well for them. You also know about the Lord’s covenants with the house of Israel. And you’ve also heard that whoever doesn’t repent must perish. As a result, if the Gentiles harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, I will afflict them [“sad experience”]. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting [sealing power]— one way or the other — either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal [“according to God’s justice” ; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement [“imprisonment”] which I’ve spoken about” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:25-26; emphasis added).

[7] “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. . . And again, truly I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, for I, the Lord, am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter to persons and will that all men shall know that the day speedily comes; the hour is not yet, but is nearly at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth and the Devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also, the Lord shall have power over his saints [great division between the Lord’s people and the accuser’s dominion], and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world” (RE T&C 54: 4&6; emphasis added).

[8] “Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the Powers of Heaven [Patriarchal Fathers] and that the Powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but when we undertake to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the Heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen” (RE T&C 139:5; emphasis added).

[9] “And the whole world lies in sin and groans under darkness and under the bondage of sin, and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me, for whoever comes not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoever receives not my voice is not acquainted with my voice and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groans under sin and darkness, even now” (RE T&C 82:19; emphasis added).

[10] “Wherefore, I [Enoch] ask you if you will not come again on the earth. And the Lord said unto Enoch, As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah. And the day shall come that the earth shall rest. But before that day, the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth. And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve. And righteousness will I send down out of Heaven. Truth will I send forth out of the earth to bear testimony of my Only Begotten, his resurrection from the dead, yea, and also the resurrection of all men. And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out my own elect from the four quarters of the earth unto a place which I shall prepare, a holy city, that my people may gird up their loins and be looking forth for the time of my coming. For there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Then shall you 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).

[11] “. . . The Spirit of the Lord won’t always help mankind fight temptation. And when the Spirit stops helping mankind fight temptation, a rapid destruction will come, and this distresses my soul” (CofC 2 Nephi 11:11; emphasis added).

[12] “Now, my dear people, I believe you’re wondering a little in your hearts about what you should do after you’ve entered through the way. But why do you wonder over these things in your hearts? Don’t you remember I told you that after you had received the Holy Ghost, you could speak the words of angels? Now, how could you speak the message of the angels unless you did it by the Holy Ghost? Angels [mortal and immortal] speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; as a result, they speak Christ’s words. Therefore I told you: Feast on Christ’s words — because the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do. After I’ve said these words, if you can’t understand them, it will be because you don’t ask or knock. Consequently, you aren’t brought into the light but are certain to perish in the dark. I tell you again, if you will enter through the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you everything you should do. This is Christ’s doctrine. No more doctrine will be given until after He visits you here on earth. Once He shows Himself to you here on earth, you must obey what He tells you” (CofC 2 Nephi 14:1; emphasis added).

[13] “Now after they’ve [Lehi’s descendants] all dwindled in unbelief and only Lamanites remain, who have rejected Christ’s gospel — I’ve been commanded to hide them away again in the ground. I’ve written on these plates the very things Jared’s brother saw. Greater things were never revealed than those things revealed to Jared’s brother. Therefore the Lord has commanded me to write them down and I’ve written them [even as Joseph Smith wrote them, following a long-established pattern]. He also commanded me to seal them up under His care. He has also commanded me to protect the ability to translate them, so I’ve sealed the Interpreters according to the Lord’s commandment. The Lord told me: They must not go to the Gentiles until they repent of their iniquity and become clean before the Lord. The Lord said: When they exercise faith in Me, just as Jared’s brother did, so that they become sanctified in Me, then I’ll show them the things Jared’s brother saw, even providing all My revelations to them. This is what Jesus Christ said, who’s the Son of God the Father of the heavens and the earth, and everything in them” (CofC Ether 1:17; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

6/11/26

Simple Means Part 3.pdf

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