The Confluence of Prophetic Events - The Gravity of the Moment

          The last paper was titled, “The Lord Reveals His Arm to the Gentiles.” The body of the paper was introductory to the Lord’s actual revelation of His “Arm” or His servant sent to the Gentiles. At the conclusion of the paper several links were provided to a YouTube video of Denver Snuffer’s talk: “The Holy Order, Part 3, Adoption” with the associated transcript.

          In Denver’s talk he describes three ascending levels of understanding applying to all who hear or read his remarks:

“I have previously explained that it is one thing to receive a revelation,

another to take it in and comprehend it, and an altogether greater challenge to

teach it. . .” (The Holy Order, Part 3-Adoption, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.62, emphasis added).

Receiving a revelation has a dual meaning. When God reveals new knowledge to His servant it is a “revelation.” The person receiving the revelation is a “chosen vessel,” [1] an “heir of salvation,” [2] and a messenger of God to his people.

          The Lord commissions His servant to deliver His word to those who receive the servant. People are left to decide if the servant does truly represent God. If they believe the messenger serves God, they must accept revelation delivered by Him.

          Receiving the words of the Lord’s servant is the first phase mentioned by Denver. Receiving the revelation is not comprehending what the servant reveals from the Lord. This requires contemplation and prayer to receive greater light and knowledge. [3] Knowing something does not translate to comprehending its content or prophetic relevance to our time.

          Knowing something beyond what is generally understood is not salvific. For example, understanding Joseph Smith never practiced polygamy has wide ranging implications for those turning from the traditional LDS narrative. It is important to understand because it speaks to Joseph Smith’s integrity and Joseph’s devotion to his wife, Emma. It has implications regarding succession of authority. This raises questions regarding the motives of those who originated the established narrative.

          Answers to these questions are important, but the answers are important only if they teach us what Joseph Smith established and what refutes traditional authoritative claims. We need greater depth of understanding to comprehend revelations given to the world by Joseph Smith. Questions of authority are settled by modern claims declaring “We have priesthood keys and there is nothing to see here” beyond their narrative.

          Our focus needs to be on what saves. Knowing something of flaws in established traditions does not save us. We need comprehensive understanding if we are to save ourselves and others. We must advance to the third level if we hope to teach others to save themselves.

Confluence of Prophetic Events

          The Lord is currently revealing His arm and has been for over a decade. Progress in revealing His arm occurred in relative anonymity to the world’s population. Much of what Joseph Smith sought to accomplish has been and continues to be pursued. A major part of recognizing the Lord’s hand in these events is contingent on the level of our understanding of scriptures, teachings of Joseph Smith, and recognizing the Lord’s teachings as declared by his servant.

          It is incumbent upon us to understand prophetic implications for our day. As greater light is revealed, the power of opposition grows. The day when the “arm of the Lord is revealed” is associated with the Lord’s wrath poured out without measure.

“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.

Wherefore, the voice of the Lord [4] is unto the end of the earth, that all that will hear may hear: Prepare yourselves, prepare for that which is to come, for the Lord is near and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in Heaven and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth, and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed. And the day comes that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people, for they [Lord’s people] have strayed from my ordinances 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 54:2-3; emphasis added).

Concurrent with the Lord’s wrath pouring out on earth without measure is the Lord revealing His arm to the world. This declaration is the Lord’s warning to those who have ears to hear. The Lord seeks to awaken us and prepare for His coming wrath and return. Recipients of His wrath, are the rebellious rejecting His voice, His servants voice and the words of His prophets and apostles. They will be “cut off from among the people” of the Lord.

          At the conclusion of Denver’s remarks in part 3 of the Holy Order talk he provides a ten-item list for all to contemplate. If you believe the Lord’s “arm” is revealed, ignoring the ten items leads to grave consequences as it did in Nauvoo. Among the ten items, number eight emphasizes the attitude in which these items should be received and acknowledged:

1. Before it can be firmly established, we will need a temple.

2. Once established in a formal ordinance, it must not be changed.

3. Although it is likely to be conferred by the adoption of only a few, that

will be enough to save not only them but also all their kin.

4. Beyond the members and their kin, when it is here, anyone who receives

a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward. And

all who receive a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall

receive a righteous man’s reward.

5. Therefore, there is no difference in God’s eyes between a member of the

Holy Order and the residue of the righteous. All will be preserved at the

Lord’s return.

6. The purpose of re-establishing the Holy Order is to prevent the total

destruction of mankind at the Lord’s return in glory”

7. Aspiring to advantages over your fellow man is not only unbecoming and

offensive to God; it is the reason mankind has lost the Holy Order in

prior generations.

8. We must begin to fear God and soberly acknowledge the peril we face at

the Lord’s return if we reject these things, as the former saints did during

the time of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

9. Just as God has taken down in an orderly manner the establishment of

the restoration begun through Joseph, He has also begun in an orderly

manner to recommence the restoration by sending messengers, authority,

revelation, and light to guide His continuing work.

10. Like everything that benefits and sustains mankind, the Holy Order

belongs to God and is entrusted to us only to further God’s purposes,

not to gratify any person’s vanity, ambition or desires” (The Holy Order, Part 3-Adoption, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.64-65, emphasis added).

God is merciful, kind, and loving. Our faith in those attributes may lead to our complacency in taking His warning to prepare seriously. Approaching events have more dire consequences for us than at any time in the world’s history. Including the flood of Noah.

Number 9 in Denver’s list notes God has systemically dismantled what Joseph Smith began but was co-opted by those claiming his legacy. As innovations on God’s revelations to Joseph Smith continue, God is taking steps to restore Joseph Smith’s objectives to prepare mankind for the Savior’s Second Coming. This preparation by Denver’s account includes, “. . . sending messengers, authority, revelation, and light to guide His continuing work.”

Surveying the prophetic landscape of events foretold, there is an organized manner the Lord follows in His preparations for His return. The challenge in considering these events is to recognize both positive and negative consequences as each prophecy is fulfilled. The reason for dual consideration is two kingdoms are in process of being constructed. Joseph Smith explained this principle:

“The doctrine of eternal judgments belongs to the first principles of the Gospel, in the last days. In relation to the kingdom of God, the devil always sets up his kingdom at the very same time in opposition to God” [5] (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 415, emphasis added). Kindle Edition.

As God methodically constructs His kingdom in preparation for His return, the Accuser mimic’s the Lord’s organization and practices. Lehi taught this principle to his sons prior to his passing.

“Now, my sons, I tell you these things to help and instruct you. Because there is a God and He has created all things: the heavens, the earth, and everything that’s in them, both things to act and things to be acted upon. And to bring about His eternal plans in His purpose for mankind — after He had created our first parents and the animals of the field and the birds of the air and, in short, all created things — there had to be a contrast: the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life, the one sweet and the other bitter. Therefore the Lord God gave mankind the ability to choose; [6]but people couldn’t choose unless they were presented with a decision to make” (CofC 2 Nephi 1:8; emphasis added).

The first step in the Lord’s orderly resumption of Joseph Smith’s Restoration is to call a servant as a messenger delivering the words of Christ. [7] (As a sidenote, events referenced hereafter are a sample, not comprehensive in relation to the body of prophecy in scripture.)

          In His Nephite ministry, Jesus described a series of events fulfilling prophecies of Isaiah and Moses. Events associated with prophetic fulfillments are described by the Lord as:

“At that time, to advance My cause [among the Gentiles], the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them [Gentiles]. . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:12; emphasis added).

The “great and awe-inspiring work” begins with the Father calling a servant and empowering him to deliver words of Christ to the Gentiles. The work described is “great and awe-inspiring” in the Lord’s view, but “many” Gentiles will reject it, seeking to oppose and discredit him. The Lord’s servant meets similar opposition to what was described by Joseph Smith in his day:

“My enemies say that I have been a true prophet. Why, I had rather be a fallen true prophet than a false prophet. When a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet. False prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost the very chosen ones” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 414-415, emphasis added). Kindle Edition.

Opposition to the Lord’s servant is subtle because the Accuser’s strategy is to avoid sharp contrast between those who serve him and the Lord’s servants. Slight but meaningful variations on the truth appeal to carnal, sensual, and devilish minds. [8] Truth is more palatable when diluted by convoluted demands requiring less. Truth requires sacrifice leading to holiness. [9] Without sacrifice there is no power to save. [10] Without sacrifice we are ill-prepared for God’s presence and subsequent burning upon His return.

          The “awe-inspiring work” initiated by the Father begins with the work of a servant. Introduction of the Lord’s words by him makes acceptance of the servant’s revelations consequential to the Gentiles globally.

“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. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting — one way or the other — either to convince them [Gentiles], resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:26; emphasis added).

The “great and awe-inspiring work” described by Christ to the Nephites expounds clearly adverse consequences for the Gentiles who choose poorly.

“. . . 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. 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 [remnant of Jacob] 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 [Gentiles] 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).

There is sufficient evidence for those with eyes to see, the Lord has revealed His arm and continues today in real time. His warning to the Gentiles to prepare was revealed to Joseph Smith 195 years ago. Long enough for the precepts of men to dilute, ignore, or forget what Joseph Smith restored. [11]

What the Last Days Servant has Revealed

The following list is a summary. The list comprises material events:

·       The Covenant of Christ- This version of the Book of Mormon is the Lord plainly stating in modern language the blessings and peril of living in this land. If contrary to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, covenant curses unto destruction are imposed. Everyone arriving in this land must repent and turn to Christ. In response to covenant compliance, blessings are pronounced. God never compels anyone but does warn of consequences for those who rebel against Him. The Covenant of Christ is a line in the sand for modern Gentiles. A blunt declaration and warning to those rejecting His words delivered by His servant.

·       Restoring knowledge of the Holy Order- There have been three talks explaining details of the Holy Order. From God’s servant we began the process explained by him in the last Holy Order 3 talk. We have yet to demonstrate comprehension on this subject let alone sufficient understanding to teach it. For most, we remain at the initial revelation stage. Comprehending what we’ve been told should come with the prophetic gravity of a sledgehammer regarding the ramifications of this revelation. The consequences of ignorance of these teachings are literally life and death. The Lord through Malachi warns mankind He intends to send Elijah before His coming and the burning of the earth. “After telling me [Joseph Smith] these things he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He [Nephi] first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi [Mal. 1:6–8], and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy [Mal. 1:9–11], though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as reads in our books, he quoted it thus: For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly, shall burn as stubble; for they [the Lord and His entourage] that cometh shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [ancestors] nor branch [posterity]. And again he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah the prophet [Holy Order, Priesthood of Enoch] before the coming of the great [reunion with Christ and the Fathers] and dreadful [proud and rebellious are burned] day of the Lord. He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children [through adoption] the promises [covenant blessings] made to the [Patriarchal] fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers [fall upon one another and kiss one another’s necks]; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming [because this encompasses the Lord’s objective]” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 3:4). [12] Elijah opens the portal between heaven and earth and the role of the patriarchal fathers in the salvation of their adoptive covenant of their posterity. [13]

·       A commandment to build a temple must be completed and accepted by the Lord. A place where He and the “Powers of Heaven” return to earth to carry out covenant promises to the Holy Order by our Father in Heaven. [14] Approaching this endeavor casually led to failure to produce fruit and condemnation for early saints. The blessings they failed to obtain, are what we earnestly seek. Our only hope for success is pursuing a temple with anxious, resolute fervor. Because we comprehend both attendant blessings and consequences of failure.

·       In 1832 the Lord condemned the saints for not repenting and remembering the “Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I [the Lord] have given them, not only to say but to do according to that which I have written [comprehension].” [15] The Lord’s objective in 1832 remains the same in 2026. Avoiding the Lord’s condemnation requires people who “bring forth fruit meet for the Father’s kingdom.” The original Book of Mormon and His “former commandments” would accomplish that objective had earlier generations applied what the Lord provided. The Book of Mormon and His former commandments provided guidance on how to “bring forth fruit meet for the Father’s kingdom.” What is the fruit? It is righteous seed worthy of adoption into God’s family, Israel. We may not recognize it, but the Lord gave us a renewal of the earlier commission when He began revealing His arm in our day. The beginning of the “great and awe-inspiring work” among Gentiles in our day began by elaborating how the Book of Mormon teaches the process of returning to God’s presence and be like Him. It came in the form of a book called, “Second Comforter, Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil.” There should be no mistaking the message of the Book of Mormon for modern Gentiles. The Lord through His servant provided the same record in our modern language. Given all He has provided, ignorance can no longer be a viable excuse. In addition to former commandments given the early saints, we received the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, Lectures on Faith, canonization of additional teachings of Joseph Smith, The Testimony of Saint John, revelations received by Denver Snuffer Jr., and the finest canon of scripture assembled in modern times. All of this given to us that we might “bring forth fruit meet for the Father’s kingdom.” When the early saints referred to by the Lord as “the children of Zion,” failed in producing acceptable fruit, their failure was met with “a scourge and judgment.” We have been taught for over a decade and a half by precept from the Lord’s servant with little progress towards bringing forth fruit. As the Lord gave early saints the name, “children of Zion,” we are given the name “Covenant Christians,” [16] with a promise of divine protection and divine correction. Failing to learn by precept, the Lord warned His instruction includes teaching by “sad experience.” [17] In practical application it is appropriate to compare the Lord’s warning to earlier saints as our version of “scourge [18] and judgment.” Scourging is the Lord’s means for persuading us to make a course correction by turning to Him. It means He has not given up on us but must turn to teaching obedience by the things we suffer. [19] Judgment is when the Lord determines our actions lead us further from Him so He mercifully ends our mortal probation. Because of God’s tender mercies and extraordinary prosperity enjoyed throughout Gentile nations we are ill-prepared to face what lies ahead. We ought to consider the similarities in conditions in Nauvoo when Joseph Smith’s efforts to build a temple where Priesthood blessings could be restored. A place where the Lord will reside with His people. All was thwarted by their wicked behavior. Resources were diverted away from completing the temple. Adultery practiced among prominent members of the faith. Brigham Young completed two additions to his home at the very time the temple was under construction. Considering the fate of early “children of Zion” and reflecting on their short-sightedness and neglect of what should have been their highest priority. Ironically, we find ourselves in the same situation. Many are immersed in debt and seeking to maintain extraordinary living standards in modern Babylon. They tend to devote themselves to building God’s kingdom when God blesses them with additional means to do so. Conditions today are much as they existed then. Are we blind to recognizing this reality? We are Covenant Christians, chosen by God to save the world. According to the Lord’s servant and Nephi’s prophecy, sad experience fast approaches.

“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 [as we are in the Accuser’s chains], 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. 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 — one way or the other — either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about.

When the Angel had said this, He asked me: Do you remember the Father’s covenants to the house of Israel? I replied: Yes. Then He told me: Look and observe that utterly wicked church, which is the mother of abominations, whose foundation is the accuser. Then He told me: There are only two churches: one is the congregation of the Lamb of God and the other is the church of the accuser. Therefore anyone who doesn’t belong to the congregation of the Lamb of God belongs to the other wealthy and corrupt church that is the mother of abominations, and she is the whore of the whole earth.

Then I looked and saw the whore of the whole earth. She was spread everywhere across the seas, ruling over the whole earth, among all people of every nation, tribe, and language. And I saw the congregation of the Lamb of God; its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who was spread everywhere across the seas. Nevertheless, I saw that the congregation of the Lamb, who were God’s holy ones, were also there throughout the earth; but their presence was small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And I saw the great mother of abominations assembled in large numbers all over the earth among all Gentile nations to fight against the Lamb of God. Then I saw the power of the Lamb of God descend upon the holy ones of the Lamb’s congregation and upon the Lord’s covenant people, who were scattered across the earth. They were armed with righteousness [20] and God’s power in great glory.

And I saw that God’s wrath was poured out upon that wealthy and utterly wicked church, so that wars and reports of wars arose among the nations and tribes of the earth. As these wars and reports of wars arose among the nations that followed the mother of abominations, the Angel told me: God’s wrath is upon the mother of harlots. You’re a witness to all these things. When the time comes that God’s anger is poured out upon the mother of harlots — the wealthy and utterly wicked church of the whole earth, whose foundation is the accuser — then as that happens it will be part of the Father’s work to vindicate the covenants He has made with His people who belong to the house of Israel” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:27-29; emphasis added).

The most granular explanation of Nephi’s prophecy was quoted previously from Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 9:12. Included in the Savior’s prophecy of these events are pronouncements the Gentiles who fail to repent suffer:

1.      Remnants of Israel in the midst of the Gentiles, while outnumbered, become Gentile predators.

2.      All of Israel’s enemies will be “cut down.”

3.      The “strength” and “security” of the Gentiles will be destroyed. In effect, what Gentiles have done to the house of Israel previously will justly be reciprocated upon them.

4.      Gentile cities fall and guarded borders opened.

5.      Gentile sciences and learning with false beliefs cause the Gentile fall.

6.      The Lord exposes fraud among those in authority; trusted institutions lose credibility with loyal followers. Think of this in the context of patriotism as well as other institutions.

7.      False prophets and religious leaders are shamed and humiliated.

8.      All lying, deceiving, envying, strife, priestcraft, and whoredoms will end.

9.      Anyone, Gentile or Israel not repenting and drawing near to “My Beloved Son” will be “cut down” to preserve God’s family, Israel.

10.  The fierce anger of the Lord brings God’s wrath and vengeance down on the unbelieving beyond anything they can conceive.

We see from the Lord’s more detailed description of events among latter-day Gentiles, there is more to be concerned about before the eventual burning of the earth in the end. The above lists what latter-day Gentiles should expect and must survive to reach the earth’s burning at the Second Coming of Christ.

          Joseph Smith addressed the same events, leaving his testimony of the Gentile fate in the last days:

“. . . By it [Book of Mormon and now the Covenant of Christ] we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them, and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant. But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem. The city of Zion spoken of by David, in the one hundred and second Psalm, will be built upon the land of America, "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." (Isaiah 35:10); and then they will be delivered from the overflowing scourge that shall pass through the land. But Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem. See Joel 2:32; Isaiah 26:20 and 21; Jeremiah 31:12; Psalms 1:5; 10. These are testimonies that the Good Shepherd will put forth His own sheep, and lead them out from all nations where they have been scattered in a cloudy and dark day, to Zion, and to Jerusalem; besides many more testimonies which might be brought. And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country...” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 15-16, emphasis added). Kindle Edition.

The “great and awe-inspiring work” has begun. We may choose to ignore the Lord’s warnings and counsel to prepare, or focus on the promise made to Gentiles at the beginning of Nephi’s prophecy and aspire to experience its fulfillment:

“If the Gentiles then obey the Lamb of God, He’ll reveal Himself to them in word and power [Priesthood], and in person, in order to remove barriers to their belief [faith replaced with knowledge], 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).

Our choice now confronts us. Our response is not determined by professing our belief in the Lord’s work and passively acknowledging its beginning. God judges us by our willingness to sacrifice [21]for His “great and awe-inspiring work.”

“. . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [22]

We can heed the servants call to repent and actively support the construction of a temple, or make plans for to build a second addition on our homes. That led to a favorable outcome in Nauvoo [not].

[1] “And because He’s done this, my dear people, have miracles stopped? I tell you: No. And neither have angels stopped ministering to mankind. They 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. The 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. And 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. Christ has said: If you have faith in Me, you’ll have power to do whatever I consider needed and proper. And He’s said to everyone on earth: Repent and come to Me and be baptized in My name and have faith in Me, so you can be saved” (CofC Moroni 7:6; emphasis added).

[2] “And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but you desired that you might speedily come unto me in my kingdom. I say unto you, Peter, this was a good desire, but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men, than what he has before done; yea, he has undertaken a greater work. 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, and I will make you to minister for him and for your brother James. And unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come. Truly I say unto you, you shall both have according to your desires, for you both joy in that which you have desired” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 13:19; emphasis added).

[3] “They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time, showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge, even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous.

And they were unable to take it in; therefore, they were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit, to bring all things to their remembrance, even the Record of Heaven which would abide in them. Amen and Amen” (RE T&C 157:31-32; emphasis added).

[4] “Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself. And though the heaven and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same. For behold and lo, the Lord is God and the spirit bears record, and the record is true, and the truth abides for ever and ever. Amen” (RE T&C 54:7; emphasis added).

[5] “. . . Because the accuser is an enemy of God and constantly fights against Him and constantly invites and entices to commit sin and to do what’s evil. But godly things constantly invite and persuade to do good” (CofC Moroni 7:2; emphasis added).

[6] “So everything that invites and persuades to do good and to love God and to serve Him is inspired by God. Therefore be careful, my dear people, not to judge what’s evil to come from God, or what’s good and from God to come from the accuser. You are required to determine, so you can distinguish good from evil. The way to determine things is as plain as the daylight is from the dark night, so you can know it clearly. Because the Spirit of Christ is given to everyone so they can tell good from evil. Therefore I’ll show you how to decide. Everything that invites to do good and persuades to believe in Christ is sent out by the power and gift of Christ. Therefore you’re able to know clearly it comes from God. But anything that persuades people to do evil and not to believe in Christ and deny Him and not to serve God, then you’re able to know clearly that it comes from the accuser. This is how the accuser works; he doesn’t persuade anyone to do good — no, not one — and neither do his angels or those who subject themselves to him. Now, since you understand the light by which you can decide things, and this light is the light of Christ, take care you don’t make the wrong decision; because you’ll be judged by the standard you judge with. So I implore you to search diligently using the light of Christ in order to know good from evil. And if you embrace every good thing and don’t condemn it, you’ll certainly be a child of Christ” (CofC Moroni 7:3; emphasis added).

[7] “At that time, to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them. 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 [Gentiles] will be cut off from My people who are part of the covenant... ” (CofC 3 Nephi 9: 12; emphasis added).

[8] “And Satan came among them, saying, I am also a Son of God. And he commanded them, saying, Believe not. And they believed not, and loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish. And the Lord God called upon men by the holy ghost everywhere and commanded them that they should repent. And as many as believed in the Son and repented of their sins should be saved. And as many as believed not and repented not should be damned. And the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree, wherefore they must be fulfilled. And Adam ceased not to call upon God, and Eve also his wife” (RE Genesis 3:5; emphasis added).

[9] “This world is the place of sacrifice. All of humanity came here to make sacrifices. They wanted to come here, knowing it would require sacrifice to produce the faith necessary for salvation — and all gladly came. According to the Lectures on Faith, Christ is the great prototype of the saved man. He came and gave Himself as a sacrifice, and mankind is to follow Him if they are to be saved. Men and women came here to lay everything on the altar: their desires, appetites, passions, and everything with which the Lord has blessed them. Abraham put his beloved son on the altar, intending to kill him and then burn his remains because God asked it of him. He did not refuse. However bitter, terrible, and painful the request, the Lord asked it of Abraham, and he proceeded to offer it. No one obtains the faith necessary for salvation unless they are prepared to sacrifice all things to God. Faith for salvation cannot otherwise be obtained (see Lectures on Faith). “Now I do not expect anyone to be asked to sacrifice their only child. Nor to be told to kill someone and take their possessions. What I expect is that in the context of the life someone has lived or is living, they will be asked to do, or not do, something which is so specific to them that they alone will understand why it is a sacrifice to them. If asked of another, it may be completely insignificant. But when asked of them, it will be exactly what the person will struggle to place on the Lord’s altar. Hence the term sacrifice with its partial meaning of parting with something involving great value to them. However, it is not possible to rule anything in or out — the Lord alone will know you and what is required for you to obtain this faith. The requirements for obtaining this kind of faith are the same for every man or woman who has ever lived. Without making the sacrifice it is not possible to obtain the faith.”

Sacrifice is necessary if a person is to have faith. Men and women can believe a lot of things, but if they’re going to have faith, it is the order of Heaven that they have to make sacrifice to demonstrate that faith. And in the last days, before the Lord comes, he is to gather together his saints who have made a covenant with him by sacrifice (Lectures on Faith 6:9). This is not a covenant to sacrifice. One can go make a covenant to sacrifice every day the LDS temple is open. Making a covenant to sacrifice is not at all the same thing as making a covenant by sacrifice. It’s only through actually sacrificing that it is possible for the Lord to make a covenant with man: Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the Heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice (Psalms 50:1). Sacrifice is directly related to faith — obtaining faith requires sacrifice. It can be had in no other way. When sacrifice is an end in itself, it produces nothing. Sacrifice must be directed toward the correct end, or it fails to produce faith. If sacrifice were in itself an end, then self-denial, self-abuse, and the most extreme practices of asceticism would be noble. But they are not. Rather, they are self-centered and selfish. There is nothing noble about these extremes. They never produce great faith. From Moses to Jesus Christ there was sacrifice performed as a daily rite in Jerusalem (excepting only temporary interludes, including the Babylonian captivity). In spite of performing daily sacrifices, the people most directly involved had no visitations from angels, had no revelations, received no audience with God, and performed no miracles. When Christ came to fulfill the law of sacrifice, the ones performing the sacrifices were the least willing to accept Him. The sacrifices they had and were performing had no faith-producing effects for them. Sacrifice must, therefore, be connected with a proper understanding of how it relates to something higher. Sacrifices are not intended to teach one how to sacrifice; they are intended to teach an underlying truth. If there is no understanding of that underlying truth, then the act of sacrifice can become a meaningless end in itself. Almost any principle of the Gospel can become a misleading end in itself. The Gospel is a harmony of principles correctly weighed and measured. It is a symphony, and not a single, bloated, and distorted note. The underlying truth sacrifice teaches is simple. All great truths are simple. If they were not, then they could not be obtained by the weak, simple, and childlike — and, of course, it was and is to such persons that the Gospel has always been primarily directed. Sacrifice is a tool that is given to change one’s heart and realign one to being less materialistic and more spiritual. Men and women can only let in “one light” at a time — they are so constituted to be able to focus on only one thing at a time. One must necessarily choose between all other things and that one thing. Christ is teaching, through sacrifice, how to choose God above all else. Sacrifice allows men and women to show, by their choice, that what they lay upon the altar is not more treasured to them than God’s will for them. By laying themselves and their emotional needs on the altar and sacrificing the things this world values, they are saying and proving they choose the other world to this one. They value the things of the spirit above the material things of this existence. It is another affirmation that they would prefer to have their existence filled with things of the spirit, rather than filled with the materialism of the world. “I used to think having the right heart must precede action to be of any worth. What I have found instead is that action can lead the heart. Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is a call to action. Do the things asked by Him and the heart will follow. The mind can lead the heart. The heart does not always have to go first.” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Sacrifice, pp.294-296, emphasis added).

[10] “Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life, and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6:7; emphasis added).

[11] “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 shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the love of men shall wax cold and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they [Gentiles] receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

And in that [Gentile] 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” (RE T&C 31:6-7; emphasis added). If an “overflowing scourge” as a “desolating sickness” spreads over the land, be assured you missed the servant and his message.

[12] “The words “root” and “branch” are genealogical, or familial. They indicate

ancestors and posterity. When the “root” and “branch” are destroyed in that

coming day, the surviving “children” will be genealogically connected to the

“fathers.” Correctly understood, the prophecy of Malachi is about adoption. This

talk will clarify and reaffirm the need for adoption as an actual ordinance or rite

that must return to connect some few back to Abraham before the coming great

and dreadful day of the Lord’s return” (The Holy Order Part-3, Adoption, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.11; emphasis added).

[13] “Here, then, we have finally arrived at Elijah‘s significance as the one who must first

return. He was not the last one living who held the sealing power, though he did in fact

possess it. Instead, he is vital as the last one to make the ascent from earth to heaven.

He rose up through the fiery corridor, and went to God‘s presence. He joined the ―[patriarchal] fathers

in heaven‖ who are to return. He last opened the way by his physical ascent. He will be

the first to physically descend through the fiery corridor to return from heaven to dwell

again on earth. His return will not be made in a temporary opening. We‘ve had plenty of those. His return will open a permanent, fixed stairway between the ―fathers in

heaven and those who are prepared for the return of Zion. Zion will be overshadowed

by the Lord‘s glory. The fiery corridor, or pillar of fire, or ladder to heaven, or

conduit into heaven, or chariot of fire, will be opened by Elijah‘s descent. It will

remain over Zion and will be visible there. It will not be temporary. It will be the

place from which the first preparations for the Second Coming begin. At that location a

small group will be prepared to endure this opening. They, and those called to join with

them, will escape being ―utterly wasted at the unveiling of our Lord in glory at His

return. It is Elijah who will restore the hearts of the fathers to the children or, in other

words, he will reestablish the lost corridor between heaven and earth that connects those

in heaven with those on earth.

This fiery path needs to be opened beforehand. The path, once it opens, will allow men

on the earth to be prepared for the coming again of those who are Zion above” (The Mission of Elijah Reconsidered, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.28-29; emphasis added).

[14] “But if the Gentiles repent and hearken to My words and don’t harden their hearts, I’ll establish My congregation among them. And they will enter the covenant and be included with the remnant of Jacob, to whom I’ve given this land as their inheritance. They will join with My people, the remnant of Jacob, and all those of the house of Israel who come, so they can build a city that will be called the New Jerusalem. Then they will join with My people who are scattered throughout the land so they can be brought in together to the New Jerusalem. Then the Powers of heaven will come down among them, and I will be with them as well. Then the Father’s work will be underway, when this gospel is preached among the remnant of this people. Truly I say to you: At that time, the Father’s work will be taught among the scattered portion of My people, even the tribes that have been lost, whom the Father led away out of Jerusalem. The Father will work with My scattered people, to enable them to come to Me, so they can call on the Father in My name. Truly the work of the Father will be underway in all nations, clearing the way to let His people be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. They will go out from all nations. And they won’t go hastily or at a run, because I will go in front of them, says the Father, and I will guard them from behind” (CofC 3 Nephi 10:1; emphasis added).

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

[16] “After learning that the Lord intends to accomplish His work through our group (or at least a

remnant that includes some from our group), I was then told that the Lord has given us a

name. When the Lord names His people, He then commits to work with them, for there is

no reason for Him to name what He intends to abandon. Even if the people reject Him, for at

least three and four generations the Lord will reach out to recover them. Only when they

have altogether gone too far astray will He then end work with the people He has named, to

choose and work with another people. Therefore, the fact He has now named us holds great

significance. This is what the Lord has declared:

This is what you shall say to the people:

“I give to you a name to distinguish you from others, and you shall call one another by this name: ‘Covenant Christians’ because you have and hold a covenant with me that make[s] you

my followers deserving of my protection. But my protection does not only

defend, but also corrects, reproves, disciplines and guides you along that you

may be mine indeed” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.21-22; emphasis added).

[17] “. . . We are obligated to heed the Lord. We have two choices: We either learn by precept OR by sad

experience. If we learn by precept, then we listen, and we follow the Lord. But when we

reject the Lord’s counsel and ignore His warning, then we learn through sad experience.

Based on the recent communication with the Lord, it appears we will need—and are going

to learn—from sad experiences. . . Alternatively, we can choose to fail by not heeding the Lord’s precepts, instead enduring sad experiences that remind us of our own lowliness. None of us should be proud, thinking ourselves better than our fellow man. We aren’t. We are not even as much as the dust of the earth, because the dust we occupy belongs to God. Therefore, we should be grateful for every sad experience and recognize that it is for our good. It is necessary because, for whatever reason, we did not learn by precept. God’s plan expects we will learn from both. Learning by precept is not better than learning by sad experience. They are both essential teachers. The important part is how we learn by sad experience: Do we blame, judge, avoid, react, offend, ignore, resist, refuse? Or do we take accountability, reason, observe, engage, submit, ask, share, listen, pray, and fast?” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.11&22; emphasis added).

[18] “. . . And the Lord replied: You are blessed, Nephi, because of your faith, having honestly approached Me with a humble heart. And to the degree you keep My commandments, you will prosper and be led to a promised land, one that I’ve prepared for you, a specially chosen land, better than all other places on earth. And to the extent your brothers rebel against you, they’ll be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And to the degree you keep My commandments, you will be made a ruler and teacher over them. When they rebel against Me, I’ll curse them with a severe curse, and they won’t have any power over your descendants unless they also rebel against Me. And if your descendants rebel against Me, your brothers’ descendants will afflict your descendants to help them remember” (CofC 1 Nephi 1:9; emphasis added).

[19] “. . . As he says also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek — who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared, though he was a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. (This alludes to Melchizedek and not to Christ.)” (RE Hebrews 1:12; emphasis added).

[20] “Question: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52nd chapter, 1st verse [Isa. 18:7], which says: Put on your strength, O Zion — and what people had Isaiah reference to?

Answer: He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of Priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel. And to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the Priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that Power which she had lost” (RE T&C 129:4; emphasis added).

“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 and that the Powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness...” (RE T&C 139:5; emphasis added).

[21] It would be beneficial to review “Sacrifice” in footnote 9 in this paper to assess our understanding of the principle of sacrifice as it relates to the Lord’s understanding.

[22] “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (RE Matthew 3:32; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

The Confluence of Prophetic Events.pdf

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