The End Time Servant - Part 1

I have researched and written extensively about the prophecies of an end time servant. My understanding of the subject is an ongoing work product of more than 40 years. Others have studied a similar duration, but I doubt any have been as focused on the subject as I have.

The research has not been in complete isolation from others who are bonified scholars. Over the years I have held substantive conversations with them and considered their perspectives. One thing they all had in common was their livelihood relates to their support of an established narrative. They maintain boundaries when facts are contrary to the narrative. Like a racehorse with blinders, the scope of their scholarly vision was limited to parameters set by the narrative.

Lehi was shown in a dream that a man in white beckoned him but not guide him through mists of darkness to partake of the fruit that “. . . was sweet beyond measure, better than all that I had ever tasted before.” [1]

After many years of believing Lehi was led to the fruit of the tree or love of God by the man in white, I experienced a paradigm shift. It became clear only when Lehi stopped following the man [2] and prayed directly to the Lord, he was able to pass through the “dark and dreary wasteland.” He entered a field and partook of the fruit of the tree or love of God.

It was not until I ventured beyond the accepted narrative I began to see the presence of the end time servant in the scriptures. No better witness to the servant is the Lord’s testimony.

The Savior’s Introduction of the End Time Servant

The resurrected Lord appeared to the Nephites and ministered to them. As part of His ministry, He explained the fulfillment of a    prophecy given by Moses.

“I’ll establish My people, O house of Israel. I’ll establish you in this land to vindicate the covenant I made with your father Jacob; that includes a New Jerusalem. [3] And the Powers of heaven [4] [Patriarchal Fathers] will help you, and I’ll also be helping you. [5] I Am [Jesus] the one Moses described, saying: The Lord God will raise up a prophet to you from your brethren, like me [Moses, a Melchizedek High Priest]; [6] listen to whatever He’ll  say to you. And it will follow that every soul who will not hear that prophet will be cut off from among the people [Israel]. Truthfully I say to you: All the prophets from Samuel [he who anointed David] [7] and those [prophets] following after, as many as have prophesied, have testified of Me [the Lord]. And now you are the children of the prophets [Patriarchal Fathers], and part of the house of Israel, and you have part in the covenant the Father made with your [Patriarchal] fathers, when He promised to Abraham: Through your posterity all the families of the earth will be blessed. The Father has raised Me [the Savior] up before all men and sent Me to you covenant children first [Israel], to bless you and turn you from your sin. Now this blessing to you is to keep the Father’s covenant He made with Abraham, saying: Through your posterity all the families of the earth will be blessed. The Holy Ghost will be poured out on the Gentiles through Me, and this blessing given to the Gentiles will give them power to scatter My people, the house of Israel. However after they [Gentiles] receive the fullness of My gospel, then if they [the Gentiles] harden their hearts against Me, I’ll cause them [Gentiles] to experience the same fate of being scattered, says the Father. I’ll remember the covenant I made with My people [Abraham’s seed, beginning with Israel]. I’ve covenanted with them that I would bring them back together at the right time [according to God’s Wisdom]; I’ll give them back the land of their ancestors as their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land for them forever, says the Father” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:8; emphasis added).

Israel has been scattered by the Gentiles. Because Israel has been scattered one should conclude the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles. That endowment from God of the Holy Ghost empowered the Gentiles to scatter Israel.

After the Gentiles receive the Holy Ghost the Gentiles “receive the fullness of My gospel.” Introduction of the gospel fullness began with Joseph Smith but is not complete until many years after Joseph Smith has passed. Prophecies given to Joseph Smith foretell this outcome and validate the fullness is not complete until the Gentile covenant is concluded with their rejection of the fullness:

“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 [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 [Gentiles who fail to repent and receive the covenant], and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they [Gentiles] receive it not, for they perceive not the light [see the light but don’t comprehend it] and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men [false traditions passed down by their mortal fathers].

And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men [Gentiles] 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).

Before Israel is gathered the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ comes among “those [Gentiles] who sit in darkness.” The cause of the last days darkness is like the cause modern Jews reject Jesus as their Savior. Most Christian sects perpetuate false traditions blinding Gentiles when the gospel fullness breaks out among them. The precepts of men persuaded religious leaders to alter sacred records and gave rise to false traditions of their mortal fathers. False traditions passed down for generations are the trade craft of the “accuser.”

“The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning, and God having redeemed man from the Fall, man became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one [Satan, the Accuser] comes and takes away light and truth, through disobedience [to God’s commandments], from the children of men, and because of the [false] tradition of their [mortal] fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth [tradition of righteous Patriarchal Fathers]” (RE T&C 93:11; emphasis added).

When the Savior fulfills the prophecy of Moses in the beginning of this paper, many conclude it will be His Second Coming. In the preface to the Doctrine & Covenants and through words of Christ in 3 Nephi; Moses’ prophecy is fulfilled by an end time servant of Christ acting vicariously on His behalf. Introduction of the end time servant begins in T&C 54. The Moses prophecy is broadened to include a range of His chosen people beginning with His own voice:

“Wherefore, the voice of the Lord 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 [appendage, extension, servant] shall be revealed. And the day comes that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people [fulfillment of Moses prophecy], for they 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. . . 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 54:3 & 7; emphasis added).

The revelation of the Lord’s “arm” precedes His heavenly sword falling on the inhabitants of the earth. The Lord links the appearance of the Lord’s arm with hearing the Lord’s voice through His servants, prophets, and apostles. If any of these sources are rejected rebellious Gentiles are “cut-off” from Israel. The Lord emphatically states, “. . . whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants it is the same.” His servants should be received with the same respect as the Lord personally when delivering His words under His authority and direction.

This revelation to Joseph Smith is the Lord’s way of expanding how He fulfills prophecy. He is responsible for all prophecy foretold by His servants. The prophecy is more frequently given by the mouth of His prophets. He tells the Nephites they are “the children of the prophets.” As the Lord often uses prophets to foretell future events, it is appropriate for the Lord to use prophets to fulfill His promises. What prophets do at His direction is also done by His power. The Lord is responsible and is credited when the prophecy is fulfilled.

In the context of the prophecy of Moses, after the Lord declares He is the prophet spoken of by Moses; the Lord then explains how He fulfills the prophecy when the Father sends a servant to act on the Savior’s behalf.

“At that time, to advance My [Saviors’] cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work [8] 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 [not the Lord] will be led by My [the Lord’s] hand [His servant]; therefore they won’t be able to harm his [servant] work, although he’ll be opposed and discredited by them [the Gentiles]. Yet I’ll support him; I’ll show them [Gentiles] 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 [fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy]:  They [Gentiles who reject the Lord’s words through the servant] will be cut off from My people who are part of the covenant [Israel]. And then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob, will rise up from them [Gentiles]. [9] And you’ll be mixed in with them who will outnumber you [David vs. Goliath metaphor]. You’ll [remnant of Israel] 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 [Gentiles who reject the Savior’s words from the servant]. [10] Yes, woe to the Gentiles unless they repent: For when that day comes, says the Father, I’ll take away your [Gentile's] strength from you, and I’ll destroy your security [the reason men’s hearts fail them and Babylon falls]. [11] Your cities will fall and I’ll break open your guarded borders [invasion]. Your sciences and learning will turn into foolishness, and your false beliefs [precepts] will cause your failure. I’ll expose the fraud of those in authority [religious and civic representatives], and your trusted institutions [religious, financial and civic] will lose everyone’s loyalty. False prophets and false ministers [precepts of men] 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” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:12; emphasis added).

The footnotes to this passage provide additional light to the subject of the end times servant. The Father enables a servant of the Lord to bring to light words of Christ representing a “fullness” of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith sought to do the same at the beginning of the Restoration for the Gentiles. He persevered with his brother Hyrum to bring about the gospel fullness. Unfortunately, like Moses and ancient Israel, Joseph led early saints to the metaphorical mount in Nauvoo. It was there that the proverbial wheels began to fall off. Having drained the swamp and established the second largest city in Illinois, (Chicago was the only city larger); corruption and abominations began to be prevalent among the saints.

The Lord offered a prophetic ultimatum that went unheeded by the more prominent saints. Consequently, having refused Joseph Smith’s attempts to introduce a gospel fullness by precept, the saints were destined to learn by extraordinarily sad experiences. Lives were lost, extreme deprivations were suffered, and physical and spiritual hardship followed in the wake of Joseph and Hyrum Smith’s martyrdom.

The promise of a gospel fullness was inextricably tied to the completion of the Nauvoo Temple. The structure was hastily completed and dedicated, but the promised light and truth never materialized. However, the purpose of this paper is not to litigate historical events in Nauvoo. Early saint experiences ending in suffering at Nauvoo and the arduous exodus into the western wilderness are a snapshot of what Gentiles can expect.  Unreceptive Gentiles will be among those who reject the end times servant and the gospel fullness arriving with him.

Joseph Smith’s Attempts to Introduce a Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Joseph Smith was a dispensation head introducing the gospel of Jesus Christ and a covenant relationship with God. His objective was not new; in fact, it was ancient. Every dispensation head beginning with Adam sought to introduce a higher Heavenly standard. They sought to prepare the inhabitants on earth to unite with those in Heaven. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the gateway leading to the library of the knowledge of God. The Atonement of Jesus Christ and gospel instituted by Him was the spiritual preparation for sanctifying the spirit of man. Mankind in his natural state is an enemy to God. The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the means or “bridge” to fill void the between man and God. Following sincere repentance and baptism a promise is given to send the Holy Ghost “to bring all things to your remembrance.” This includes recollections of prior cycles of lives we experienced in pre-mortality. [12] 

The light borne by a dispensation head is the invitation to receive the authority and power of the Holy Order of Priesthood or Priesthood after the Son of God. To receive its fullness requires us to gain a portion of the spirits associated with this Priesthood. The Lord provided to Joseph Smith a summary of what is offered to those receiving a fullness of the gospel and Priesthood.

“And the Lord confirmed a [lesser, preparatory] priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed throughout all their generations [this priesthood remained after Moses was taken], which priesthood also continues and abides for ever, with the Priesthood which is after the holiest Order of God [greater, Melchizedek Priesthood].

And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel [to a fullness] and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God [included in the library of God’s knowledge is how to traverse our way back to His presence and when we arrive, and be like Him]. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

Now, this, Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God, but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence. Therefore, the Lord, in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them [because the sacrifice to be made by the Savior is for nought if Israel is not introduced into the presence of God]) swore that they should not enter into his rest — which rest is the fullness of his glory — while in the wilderness.” Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also [contrary to the precepts of men claiming authority after Joseph’s death, the same outcome was repeated when Joseph Smith was taken and that is why when the end time servant comes, he comes “among those who sit in darkness” [13] with only the light of the Aaronic Priesthood for guidance]. . .” (RE T&C 82:11-14; emphasis added).

Few dispensation heads successfully introduced greater Priesthood to their people. There is generally a remnant who embraces what the Lord offers through a dispensation head. Often the majority reject new light because of the difficulty in reconciling the higher law with lesser demands of the Aaronic covenant. Rabbi’s immersed in the law of Moses were accustomed to referring to “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” when counseling others in their relationships. The higher law of the greater Priesthood required forgiveness and regulating sinful thoughts before they were translated into actions.

The ministry of Jesus established a new, higher standard for entrants into the greater Priesthood. Consequently, those accustomed to the lower standard are quick to point out contradictions between the two laws. Many New Testament accounts provide examples of contrasting accounts between the two priesthood laws. These contradictions point to differences between the Savior and the priests and pharisees. They identify similar issues in contemporary times.

Joseph Smith expressed frustration at the ability of the most devout followers of the Restoration when he attempted to raise the standard above what the people were accustomed to. Speaking outside the unfinished Nauvoo Temple Joseph said:

“There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock [tree] knots with a corn-dodger [a piece of corn bread] for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle [a wooden mallet]. Even the Saints are slow to understand. I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God [ascend to the metaphorical top of Sinai, Nauvoo Temple, but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions [precepts of men]. They cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law and go through and receive their exaltation? I am unable to say, but many are called and few are chosen” (Joseph Smith Papers, Vol. 14, January 21, 1844).

“Here, then, is eternal life-to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me” (TPJS. 346-347; emphasis added).

Given the depth and gravity of this bold doctrine from Joseph Smith, consider what you have learned and what you are currently being taught and ask yourself, “Do I feel I am being “trifled with”?

“When you climb a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel-you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil [death] before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. . .” (TPJS., p.348; emphasis added).

“. . . Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to him he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us” (TPJS. P.350; emphasis added).

“Had I inspiration, revelation, and lungs to communicate what my soul has contemplated in times past, there is not a soul in this congregation but would go to their homes and shut their mouths in everlasting silence on religion till they had learned something. Why be so certain that you comprehend the things of God, when all things with you are so uncertain” (TPJS., p.320; emphasis added).

These quotes from Joseph Smith are evidence God did not trifle with him, nor is he trifling with us. The same is true with the end time servant. Unfortunately, the attitudes and spirits perpetuating precepts of men remain obstacles to those seeking greater light and truth.

We see from Joseph Smith’s words his frustration at elevating the thinking of the most devout recipients of his teachings. Many suffered greatly for their faith only to be broken on greater light and knowledge when he attempted to help them climb the proverbial ladder toward God.

Given the lofty standard set by Joseph Smith, one can and should expect the end time servant to build upon the foundation established by Joseph Smith. For example, one should expect further explanation about the “greater Priesthood” the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith in T&C 82 quoted in this paper.

The Words of Christ from the End Time Servant

Providing prophetic context to this subject, we turn to the quote from Joseph Smith that introduces the title of this website and its latter-day relevance to this discussion.

"Christ, in the days of His flesh, proposed to make a covenant with them [Israel], but they rejected Him and His proposals, and in consequence thereof, they were broken off, and no covenant was made with them at that time. But their unbelief has not rendered the promise of God of none effect: no, for there was another day limited in David, which was the day of His power; and then His people, Israel, should be a willing people;—and He [the Lord] would write His law in their hearts, and print it in their thoughts; their sins and their iniquities He would remember no more" (Joseph Smith Jr., TPJS., p. 15, emphasis added).

“Another day limited in David” arrives after the Gentiles reject the Lord and His end time servant. In that day, the Lord’s offer of covenant is accepted by a small number of Gentiles who are adopted into Israel with a remnant of Lehi’s seed. [14] 

In the day limited in David, the Lord openly demonstrates His power. A level of power unattainable to ancient David but granted to a latter-day descendant of king David who is righteous. [15] 

” Although David was a king,' he [David] never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he [David, Aaronic] received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” (TPJS., p.339; emphasis added).

The time when the latter-day David arises to gather Israel is when the Lord’s power is manifest and those Gentiles and a remnant of Israel who enter the covenant have the Lord’s laws written in their hearts. [16] They are a willing people who submit to the Savior’s direction because their hearts are one with the Father and Son. [17]

Spirit of Elijah Comes

The Spirit of Elijah is foretold to come to save the earth from being burned. Consistent with what is found in the Joseph Smith Papers, Nephi [18] rather than Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and quoted may prophecies of the last days to Joseph. Among those quoted is the passage from Malachi foretelling the coming of Elijah “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

“After telling me these things he [Nephi] commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He 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 that cometh shall burn them [Enoch and his city], saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [ancestry] 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 before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. He also quoted the next verse differently: And he [Elijah] shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers [because the promises extend to their posterity and ancestry], and the hearts of the children shall turn to their [Patriarchal]  fathers [to whom the Lord’s promises were made]; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 1:4; emphasis added).

Earlier in the same speech Joseph Smith spoke of a latter-day David. He addressed the Spirit of Elijah king David was never able to receive. Of Elijah’s spirit Joseph Smith said:

“Now for Elijah. The spirit, power and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power [day of the Lord’s power is when the latter-day David appears] to hold the key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; [19] and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers [who have died] unto the children [living], and the hearts of the [living] children unto the [Patriarchal] fathers, even those who are in heaven.

Malachi says, “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he [Elijah] shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse”. . . Now comes the point. What is this office and work of Elijah? It is one of the greatest and most important subjects that God has revealed. He should send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers, and the fathers to the children.

Now was this merely confined to the living, to settle difficulties with families on earth? By no means. It was a far greater work. Elijah! What would you do if you were here? [Apparently Elijah was not yet there] [20] Would you confine your work to the living alone? No: I would refer you to the Scriptures, where the subject is manifest: that is, without us, they [ancestors] could not be made perfect, nor could we without the [Patriarchal Fathers who obtained promises from God]; the fathers [ancestors] without the [living] children, nor the children without the [Patriarchal] fathers.

I wish you to understand this subject, for it is important; and if you receive it, this is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection; and here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those who dwell in heaven. This is the power of Elijah and the keys of the kingdom of Jehovah” (TPJS., pp.337-338; emphasis added).

Joseph Smith felt that obtaining the Spirit of Elijah was important. Why is it important? Joseph provided insight on that question:

“In the days of Noah, God destroyed the world by a flood [earth’s baptism], he has promised to destroy it by fire in the last days; but before it should take place, Elijah should first come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, etc.” (TPJS., p.337; emphasis added).

If we seek clarity on the importance of obtaining the Spirit of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood in the last days; one need only consider the gravity of what Joseph Smith is saying. If we lived in the days of Noah, a warning like Joseph Smith’s would cause us to pick up a hammer rather than an umbrella.

There are those who point to the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and Elijah’s appearance there as their fireproof shield in the last days. They ignore at their peril the facts surrounding the Lord’s withdrawal of the Priesthood and linking the Priesthood’s full restoration to the completion and acceptance of the Nauvoo Temple.

Joseph Smith associated the Spirit of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood to the time a latter-day David appeared to gather Israel. This teaching by Joseph Smith is ignored and neglected by all surviving remnants of the Restoration. It is ignored and neglected because it cannot be controlled by man. Only God fulfills promises and prophecies.

The end time servant, David will not only expound and expand the doctrines taught by Joseph Smith; the Lord has said His power is to be manifested through the servant. He picks up where Joseph Smith left off, and those who claim to safeguard Joseph Smith’s legacy will suffer the consequences of a fiery cleansing and sanctification of the earth.

“. . . 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” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:25; emphasis added).

“And the murderous guilt of that utterly wicked church [who claims to falsely be authorized by God]— the whore of the entire earth — will come back upon their own heads, because they’ll fight among themselves. The swords they wield will fall upon their own heads, and they’ll be drunk with their own blood. And every nation that fights against you, O house of Israel, will be turned against each other. They’ll fall into the pit they dug to ensnare the Lord’s people. Those who fight against Zion will be destroyed. And the great whore that’s corrupted and perverted the right ways of the Lord [claiming the Spirit of Elijah and Priesthood fullness]— that utterly wicked church — will tumble to the dust, and its fall will be complete. The prophet has said: The time is quickly coming that Satan will no longer have power over mankind’s hearts. The time is soon coming that the proud and those who do evil will be like straw; and the time is coming that they will certainly be burned. Indeed, the time is soon coming when the full extent of God’s wrath will be poured out on all mankind, since He won’t allow the wicked to destroy the righteous. Therefore He’ll keep the righteous safe by His power, even if it means that the full extent of His wrath must come while the righteous are preserved by God destroying their enemies by fire. Therefore the righteous don’t need to be afraid, because the prophet has said: They will be saved, even if it requires fire. My brothers, these things are coming soon; there will be blood, fire, and smoke here, covering the face of this land. It will happen to mortal people in this life if they reject the Holy One of Israel. However the righteous won’t be destroyed, because those who fight against Zion are who will be cut off” [fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy] (C of C 1 Nephi 7:4; emphasis added).

[1] “While my father was there in the wilderness, he told us: I’ve had a dream, or in other words, I’ve seen a vision. Because of what I’ve seen, I have reason to praise the Lord about Nephi, and about Sam as well. I have reason to think they will be saved along with many of their descendants. But, Laman and Lemuel, I’m very concerned for you. Indeed, it seemed like I saw a dark and gloomy wilderness. And I saw a man dressed in a white robe who stood before me. He talked to me and said I should follow him. As I followed him, I saw I was in a dark and dreary wasteland. After I had traveled for many hours in darkness [after following the man in white], I began to pray to the Lord to help me, because of His many tender mercies.

After I had prayed to the Lord, I saw a large and spacious field. Then I saw a tree with fruit that would make people happy. I went and ate some of the fruit, discovering it was sweet beyond measure, better than all that I had ever tasted before. I noticed its fruit was white, brighter than I had ever seen.

As I ate the fruit, it made my soul very joyful” (C of C 1 Nephi 2:7-9; emphasis added).

[2] “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” (T&C 54:4; emphasis added).

“And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

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

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

[3] “A city of peace to be built in the Americas to fulfill prophecy. It is foretold in both the Bible and Book of Mormon and is part of the Mormon belief about events that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. The location of the city is believed by most Mormons to be fixed in Independence, Missouri. From other revelations, Biblical prophecies, and teachings of Joseph Smith there is reason to doubt that location. Zion, the New Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of God all relate to each other and will be developed and functioning in the last generation before the Lord returns. If this does not happen, the whole earth will be cursed (see T&C 151:13; see also 3 Nephi 10:1; T&C 31:14; Genesis 4:22–23). There is a new and different meaning in Christ’s Book of Mormon prophecy to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 10:2) that has come about because of recent events. Previously, Christ’s words seemed to foretell that the lost and scattered remnants would build the Lord’s House and the New Jerusalem; now it appears that there are covenant-receiving gentiles who are included — gentiles who repent and hearken to Christ’s words and do not harden their hearts will be brought into covenant as His people. Christ mentions three distinct bodies. First, those who have accepted the covenant and are numbered among the remnant of Jacob to whom Christ gave this land for their inheritance. Second, the lost descendants of the remnant of Jacob on this land who will repent and return. Third, as many from the House of Israel who will repent and return. These three will build a city that shall be called the New Jerusalem and will come to know God while gathering and laboring to build it. Then they will go out to assist all of God’s people in their lost and forgotten state, to be awakened to the work of God and gathered as one body of believers. And all who have any of the blood of Abraham [not limited to literal Israel], who are scattered upon all the face of the land, will come to be taught in the New Jerusalem. There the Power of Heaven will come down to be among them; the angels (and Enoch with his ten thousands) will come down; the Ancient of Days, or Adam (the first father), and Christ, also, will be in the midst of His people (see 3 Nephi 10:1)” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, second edition, New Jerusalem, pp.217-218; emphasis added).

[4] “A title referring to a specific group [of people] with status on the other side of the veil; a proper noun, not just an abstraction. In the afterlife there are different rungs on Jacob’s ladder where different Powers are fixed: Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim — they may all be called Powers of Heaven. These Powers [people from different levels of righteousness] have no desire to control or compel others to rise on Jacob’s ladder. Each rung is a developmental stage of growth through which all must pass if they want to ascend nearer to God. Each individual on Jacob’s ladder should be moving toward perfection” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, second edition, Powers of Heaven, p.248, emphasis added).

[5] “But if the Gentiles repent and hearken to My words and don’t harden their hearts, I’ll establish My congregation [not church] among them. And they [repentant Gentiles] will enter the covenant and be included with the remnant of Jacob, to whom I’ve given this land as their inheritance. [see (C of C 2 Nephi 1:5)] 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 [Patriarchal Father’s] will come down [from Heaven] among them, and I [the Lord] 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” (C of C 3 Nephi 10:1; emphasis added).

[6] “And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

Now, this, Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God, but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence. Therefore, the Lord, in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into his rest — which rest is the fullness of his glory — while in the wilderness. Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also. . .” (RE T&C 82:12-14; emphasis added).

[7] “Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah [opens the conduit between Heaven and Earth so the “Powers of Heaven” could come down among the Lord’s people] and the fullness of the Priesthood [Melchizedek, so the Lord could dwell among them]; and the Priesthood [Aaronic] that he [David] received and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” TPJS., p.339; emphasis added).

[8] “If the Gentiles then obey the Lamb of God [receive the words of the Lamb of God from His servant], He’ll [the Savior] reveal Himself to them in word and power and in person, in order to remove barriers to their belief [precepts of men], and if they don’t harden their hearts against the Lamb of God [or His servant bearing His words], they’ll [the Gentiles] 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 (see “blessed,” a new name in A Glossary of Gospel Terms, second edition, p.38) family in the promised land forever. They [Gentiles] won’t be enslaved anymore [by the precepts of men], and the house of Israel won’t be embarrassed anymore. And the great pit dug for them [remnant of Gentiles and gathered of Israel] 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 [spirit and body, see T&C 86:2], but throwing it into that endless [see T&C 4:2] 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” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:25; emphasis added).

[9] “And now you behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which you call the House of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall. But truly, I say unto you that desolation shall come upon this generation as a thief in the night, and this people shall be destroyed and scattered among all nations. And this temple which you now see shall be thrown down, that there shall not be left one stone upon another. And it shall come to pass that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass. You say that you know that the end of the world comes. You say also that you know that the heavens and the earth shall pass away, and in this you say truly, for so it is. But these things which I have told you shall not pass away until all shall be fulfilled, and this I have told you concerning Jerusalem.

And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the love of men shall wax cold and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness [“great and awe inspiring work”], 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” (RE T&C 31:5-6; emphasis added).

[10] ” 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 [the source of all false precepts of men]. 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 [see Testimony of Saint John 6:19, ”father of lies.” 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” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:27; emphasis added).

[11] ”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 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. . . for they 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 [precepts of men], and whose substance is that of an idol which waxes old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great which shall fall. . . 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, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world.

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 54:2-3, 6-7; emphasis added).

“Those who've entered faithfully into the covenant this day are going to notice some things. The spirit of God is withdrawing from the world. Men are increasingly more angry without good cause. The hearts of men are waxing cold. There is increasing anger and resentment of gentiles. In political terms, it’s rejection of white privilege. Language of scriptures description of the events now underway calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. This process with the spirit withdrawing, will end on this continent, as two prior civilizations ended in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked. The covenant, if it is kept, will prevent you from losing light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. The time will come when you will be astonished at the gulf between the light and truth you will comprehend and the darkness of mind of the world. Be charitable and patient and labor to reach others. They will judge you harshly, but nevertheless be kind to them. They’re going to grow to fear you, but that’s only part of how darkness responds to light. Give them no reason to fear you. The time will come for us to gather, but between now and then, be leaven. Preserve the world. Be salt. Preserve the world, even if it hates you. I hope for myself, when the time comes to gather, that I will have been proven faithful and to be among you. May God bless you and send to each of you a growing light and warmth. As the spirit withdraws from the world may it continually shine un-eclipsed upon each of you to enlighten your minds and to warm your hearts. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen” (Closing Remarks, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.1-2).

[12] ” Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise, there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man, because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light, and every man whose spirit receives not the light is under condemnation. . . ” (RE T&C 93:10; emphasis added).

The end times servant is a conduit leading those who will heed and hearken to the light he bears to connect with God and eventually return to His presence.

[13] ”. . . And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men” (RE T&C 31:6; emphasis added).

[14] ”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 [repentant Gentiles] won’t be enslaved anymore [by precepts of men and deceptions of the ”accuser”], 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” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:25; emphasis added).

[15] ” Then I looked and saw the whore of the whole earth. She [whore of the whole earth who sells herself] 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 [members of the Holy Order after the Order of the Son of God], 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 [”day of His 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 and God’s power in great glory” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:28; emphasis added).

[16] ” Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days, they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge — but everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Every man that eats the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt (which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, says the Lord), but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: after those days, says the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord — for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more” (RE Jeremiah 12:9; emphasis added).

[17] ”From the foregoing account of the Godhead which is given in his revelations, the saints have a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith unto life and salvation through the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ, by whose blood they have a forgiveness of sins and also a sure reward laid up for them in Heaven, even that of partaking of the fullness of the Father and the Son through the spirit. As the Son partakes of the fullness of the Father through the spirit, so the saints are, by the same spirit, to be partakers of the same fullness, to enjoy the same glory, for as the Father and the Son are one, so in like manner the saints are to be one in them: through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the holy spirit they are to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 5:3; emphasis added).

[18] ”He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me and that his name was Nephi, that God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent and the source from where they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; also, that there were two stones in silver bows — and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim — deposited with the plates, and the possession and use of these stones was what constituted seers in ancient or former times, and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 3:3; emphasis added).

[19] ” And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel [fullness] and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

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

Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also. . .” (RE T&C 82:12-14; emphasis added).

[20] ”. . . For there is not place found on the earth that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he [the Lord] has taken away, even the fullness of the Priesthood” (RE T&C 141:10; emphasis added). The hope of regaining a Priesthood fullness was linked to the completion of the Nauvoo Temple, a work that was never completed before it was dedicated. Perhaps the greatest affirmation of this fact is the Savior never appeared and accepted it as He did the Kirtland Temple. (see Answer to a prayer for covenant, T&C 157:26-30).

Scott Roderick

12/11/25

The End Time Servant Part 1.pdf

Download PDF • 433KB