The Lingering Effects of Past Curses - Part 3 : Samuel the Lamanite

Mormon attributed events of his day to prophecies of Abinadi and Samuel the Lamanite. The last paper addressed Abinadi and his prophecies. This paper reviews the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite.

There is a direct correlation between conditions among the Nephites and conditions among modern Gentiles. Samuel’s warning to the Nephites echoes the Lord’s warning to contemporary Gentiles as well as Gentiles in Joseph Smith’s day.

Samuel prophesied to the Nephites when the Lord sent him to declare what entered his heart. He prefaced his message with the following words:

"But they wouldn’t let him reenter the city. Therefore he climbed atop the city wall and reached out his arm and shouted in a loud voice, prophesying to the people everything the Lord put into his heart. He declared to them: I’m Samuel, a Lamanite, and I’m telling you the words the Lord puts into my heart. He has this message for this people [Nephites]: The sword of justice hangs over you. And before 400 years have passed, the sword of justice will fall upon you. Indeed, terrible destruction awaits you. It will certainly come for you, and nothing can save you except repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is assuredly coming into the world to suffer many things and be killed on behalf of His people. An angel of the Lord testified of this to me; he’s brought me this good news. I was sent to testify of it to you as well, so you also hear this good news. But you refused to listen to me” (C of C Helaman 5:2; emphasis added).

Samuel warns the Nephites they are about to enter a time of extraordinary turbulence affecting their very existence if they fail to repent. He foretells the coming of the Savior’s birth, suffering and death.

Because of Samuel’s proximity to the Savior’s birth, [1] suffering, and death, [2] latter-day Gentiles should consider Samuel’s prophecy a type for events preceding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

“An Angel of the Lord Testified of This to Me”

Another point made by Samuel relevant to the Gentiles is the reference to an angel of the Lord testifying to him about this prophecy. From this detail, a few important points may be gleaned. 

The presence of an angel appearing to Samuel explains two details relating to the Gentiles in the last days. First, angels appear to “chosen vessels,” mortal men appointed by God to deliver a message to His covenant people.

“And because He’s [the Lord] done this, my dear people, have miracles stopped? I tell you: No. And neither have angels stopped ministering to mankind. They [angels] 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 [angels] 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 [Aaronic Priesthood function] among people by declaring Christ’s word to the Lord’s chosen vessels [those of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness], so they [chosen mortals] can bear testimony of Him. And by doing this, the Lord God prepares the way for the remainder of mankind [those who are not of strong faith and of a firm mind in every form of godliness] 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” (C of C Moroni 7:6; emphasis added).

When our Heavenly Father makes covenants with mortals He empowers angels to fulfill His promises to mankind. The angels who serve in this capacity are Patriarchal Fathers to whom the promises were made. The Lord directs them to minister to mortal men acting as “chosen vessels.”  They act as vicarious representatives of the Savior declaring His message through angels and in turn other mortals.

Angels are typically men translated and taken to Heaven. They fulfill a ministry to mortal men to prepare them to receive promises made to them by the Father. They are recipients of His promises when they walked as mortals on earth. For their faithfulness they are rewarded by directing their mortal counterparts in preparing their posterity to receive the Lord’s promises.

The same pattern was present when king Benjamin was directed by an angel to deliver a message leading his people to repent and become sons and daughters of Christ. [3]

The primary difference between these accounts is different outcomes. Samuel the Lamanites prophecy foretold the destruction of the Nephites because they rejected the Lord’s covenant conversely Benjamin’s people repented and received the covenant and reaped the promised blessings.

Samuel’s prophecy led to a covenant transition from the Nephites to the Lamanites. In the last days a similar response occurs among the Gentiles. A few heed the prophetic warnings and repent and experience covenant renewal with the Lord. Unfortunately, they are few as in Samuel’s day. [4]

Covenant Transition

It is not coincidental that Samuel is a Lamanite calling Nephites to repent. Throughout most of the Covenant of Christ the Nephites are the Lord’s covenant people. Samuel, being sent to cry repentance to the Nephites signals a dispensational transition from Nephites to the Lamanites. Nephi presides through the transition.

The Nephites became complacent in honoring their covenants with God. Nephi, a Nephite dispensation head, faithfully cried repentance to his people. They forget God and fail to acknowledge His hand in their blessings. In response to their complacency His wrath kindles against them. [5] After suffering from war and famine the Nephites became humble and began remembering the Lord. When prosperity returns the Nephites became complacent again in remembering God and His goodness.

“This is an example of how false and unsteady mankind’s hearts are and shows that the Lord in His great infinite goodness blesses and prospers those who trust in Him. It shows how, at the very time He blesses His people with expanding crops, flocks, herds, gold, silver, and every kind of valuable, sparing their lives and rescuing them from the power of their enemies, softening the hearts of their enemies, so they don’t start wars against them, and in short, doing everything for His people’s well-being and happiness, that’s when they harden their hearts, forget the Lord their God, and turn their backs on the Holy One. They do this because their lives are easy, comfortable, and prosperous. It shows us that unless the Lord disciplines His people [sad experience] [6] using hardships, including the threats of death, terror, famine, and diseases, they forget Him. How foolish, vain, evil, and devilish are mankind; how quick to commit iniquity and slow to do good; how quick to follow the words of the Evil One and to set their hearts on the worthless things of the world; how quick to be prideful; how quick to brag and become evil; and how slow they are to remember the Lord who is God and to follow His counsel; indeed, how slow they are to let Wisdom guide them. [7] They don’t allow the Lord who is God, who created them, to rule and reign over them. Despite His great goodness and His mercy toward them, they treat His advice as worthless and they refuse to let Him guide them” (C of C Helaman 4:9; emphasis added).

It appears mankind acts in predictable patterns in their interactions with God. From a logical perspective one would think we would be gracious and acknowledge His hand in all our comfort, prosperity, and peace. Contrary to logic, we become complacent and forget how remembering His benevolence is what brings us a favorable outcome.

During Nephi’s ministry [8] the covenant transition began several years earlier. Nephi and his brother Lehi preach to the Nephites with marginal success. As the Nephites were infiltrated by secret oaths and covenants of Gadianton, the Lamanites experienced a miraculous conversion to Christ.

“But Gaddianton didn’t get his secret oaths and covenants from the records delivered to Helaman; he got them from that same being who tempted our first parents to eat the forbidden fruit — the same one who plotted with Cain to murder his brother Abel, promising others wouldn’t find out about it. He plotted with Cain and his followers from then on. It’s also the same one who inspired people’s hearts to build a tower high enough to get to heaven. It was the same being who deceived the people who came from that tower to this land, and then spread works of darkness and abominations over the whole land till the people destroyed themselves and fell into an everlasting hell. It was him, the same one, who put it in Gaddianton’s heart to do the same evil and continue with secret murders. And he’s promoted it since the beginning of mankind, all the way up to now. He’s the original advocate for every sin. He renews his dark works and secret murders by passing down the plots, oaths, covenants, and their wicked, destructive plans to generation after generation, whenever he can take hold of mankind’s hearts. Now he got a great hold on the hearts of the Nephites, so much so that they became very wicked. Indeed, the majority of them turned from the way of righteousness and stomped on God’s commandments, gratified their ambitions, and made gold and silver idols for themselves.

All these iniquities erupted in just a few years, with most of it beginning in the 67th year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites. They increased their iniquities in the 68th year, while the righteous mourned and agonized over it. And so the Nephites began to fall away in unbelief and grow increasingly in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites grew increasingly in their knowledge of God; they obeyed His ordinances and commandments and walked uprightly in truth before Him. But the Spirit of the Lord began withdrawing from the Nephites because of the wickedness and hardness of their hearts. On the other hand the Lord began to pour out His Spirit on the Lamanites because they were willing and readily believed in His word.

The Lamanites hunted the secret society of Gaddianton’s robbers. And they preached God’s word among the most wicked of them, so this gang of robbers was completely destroyed among the Lamanites. On the other hand, the Nephites built them up and supported them, beginning with the most wicked of them, until they spread over the entire Nephite territory and had persuaded most of the righteous, until they started adopting their scheme and sharing in their spoils and participated in their secret murders and conspiracies. This resulted in the complete control of the government with resulting oppression and exploitation of the poor, the meek, and the humble followers of God. They were in an awful state and ripening for everlasting destruction. And so ended the 68th year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites (C of C Helaman 2:31-35; emphasis added).

Conditions described in the previous passage are more than the historical account of the Nephites and Lamanites. The spiritual descent of the Nephites toward captivity to the “accuser” and eventual destruction is a mirror image of modern Gentile's spiritual descent toward desolation and destruction. Secret combinations between public and private sectors, and corruption among judges in the legal system are glaring parallels between our day and Nephi’s. [9]

Footnote 8, is a reference to when the Lord gave Nephi the Spirit of Elijah, a level of Priesthood associated with tremendous power to do all things according to the Lord’s will. This endowment is a counterbalance to the rising power of the “accuser” among the Nephites.      The Nephites continued to build up the secret oaths and covenants, even persuading some righteous believers to join their works of wickedness. As the Nephites chose wickedness over righteousness, the Lamanites repented of their sins and began destroying secret societies among them by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and converting the wicked.

Nephi and Lehi had a successful ministry among the Lamanites converting a missionary force of three hundred while imprisoned in a Lamanite jail. The Lamanite converts left the jail having undergone a baptism by fire and went from there to convert most other Lamanites. The brothers returned to Zarahemla to a wicked society of Nephites.

A brief review of events leading to Samuel the Lamanite offers context for events advancing to the covenant transition. This is materially significant because the characteristics among Nephites reflect similar characteristics present among latter-day Gentiles. Circumstances among the Lamanites are a type for the lost tribes to return to the Lord and His covenant. What happened in Nephi and Samuel’s day is a script for the fall of modern Gentiles and rise of Israel. Not in a genealogical, lineal sense but according to spiritual adoption into the family of God.

It is noteworthy those who received Samuel’s testimony went to Nephi for baptism. This acknowledges two factors. First, if one came from an apostate tradition [Lamanite] testifying of Christ to the Nephites, the Lord, speaking through His servant leaves Nephites with no justification for not receiving His witness. Second, Nephi, holding the sealing power and acting as dispensation head was authorized by God to offer the ordinances of salvation. [10] As the dispensation head, Nephi exemplifies how the Lord preserves his role as the covenant moves from the Nephites to the Lamanites. It becomes the pattern for covenant transition from the Gentiles to Israel in the last days.

Reviewing Samuel, the Lamanites Prophecy and Parallels with Latter-day Gentiles-

“The Sword of Justice Hangs Over You”

What was an ominous warning to the Nephites by Samuel the Lamanite should be ominous to latter-day Gentiles as well.

“Behold, this is my [the Lord’s] 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 [Gentiles]. 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 [like Samuel the Lamanite, Nephi and Lehi], to them is power given to seal both on earth and in Heaven [Nephi [11], the “root of Jesse” [12] and the powers of Heaven [13]], 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 [appendage or servant] [14] shall be revealed [”great and awe-inspiring work”]. [15] 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, [16] for they have strayed from my ordinances and have broken my everlasting covenant. [17] They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness [Isaiah‘s reference to His servant], 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).

This revelation to Joseph Smith given as a preface to the Doctrine & Covenants is a warning to latter-day Gentiles. It contains similar somber warnings like Samuel the Lamanites to a Nephite nation in spiritual decline. The “sword bathed in Heaven” is like the “sword of justice” referred to by Samuel.

The sword imagery from a literal perspective suggests a barbaric, fierce, frightening threat to a natural mind. For the spiritually inclined, it suggests something different. God’s anger is not manifest through a literal sword, although rejection of His word may have that consequence. [18] The sword of the Lord is a metaphorical term for the word of God. The Lord’s word is described as sharper than a two-edged sword:

“A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Behold, I am God, and give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 14:7; emphasis added).

The word of God is “quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword.” Not in a literal sense but divisive among people. Those who give strict heed to His word quickly sort truth from error. It preserves those who wield it on His behalf. Those who reject His word suffer the fate of those who rebel against His plan of happiness.

His word is quick and powerful because everything spoken by God will be fulfilled.

“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).

We may experience disillusionment because God’s words are not fulfilled in a manner or timing, we believe they should; nevertheless, they are always fulfilled. The natural consequences for open rebellion against the prophecies of God lead men into captivity to the “accuser.” [19] Satan's objective is to destroy the plan of happiness and counter God’s work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. When mankind chooses to reject the Lord’s words the Spirit of God withdraws. Loss of the divine influence makes them more susceptible to evil enticements and efforts to satisfy base desires of the natural man. [20]

As with the Nephites, the Lord warns of a day when His word divides modern Gentiles. In multiple revelations given to Joseph Smith, the Savior prefaces His warning to give heed to His words with the declaration: “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.” [21] A great and marvelous work is a literary prompt signifying additional truth is introduced, so greater light and knowledge enlighten those willing to receive it. [22] Like a two-edge sword, it divides people between those who accept and those who reject it.

A great division between Gentiles occurs when the increased light of revelation is given.        The outcomes for both believers and non-believers among latter-day Gentiles was shown to Nephi (the first).

“If the Gentiles then obey the Lamb of God, He’ll reveal Himself to them in word and power and in person, in order to remove barriers to their belief, and if they don’t harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, they’ll be included with your father’s descendants — indeed, they’ll be included as part of the house of Israel. And they’ll become a blessed family in the promised land forever. They won’t be enslaved anymore, and the house of Israel won’t be embarrassed anymore. 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 [like Samuel’s warning to the Nephites], says the Lamb of God — not the destruction of the soul, but throwing it into that endless hell [remorse of conscience for lost opportunities]. 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. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work [alternative wording in the Covenant of Christ for “great and marvelous work.”] among mankind, one that will be everlasting — one way or the other [“sharper than a two-edged sword”]— either to convince them [latter-day 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” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:25-26; emphasis added).

The “great and awe-inspiring work” is not a mystery to Gentiles who heed the word of God and His servants. The Covenant of Christ clearly states the nature of the “great and awe-inspiring" or “great and marvelous work” the Father brings to light in the last days.

“At that time, to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work [great and marvelous work] among them [the Gentiles]. There will be many who won’t believe it, although a man will tell it to them. But the ministry of My servant will be led by My hand; therefore they won’t be able to harm his work, although he’ll be opposed and discredited by them [two-edged sword]. 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. . .” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:12; emphasis added).

To advance the cause of Christ in the last days among Gentiles, the Father provides additional words of Christ through the Lord’s servant. Many Gentiles refuse to believe the words delivered by the servant, but they will not harm his work. He will be opposed and suffer attempts to discredit the veracity of his teachings. The Lord supports him in his labors and will not allow deceptions of the “accuser” to refute the servant.

In a revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord provided additional light on how these events play out in the last days:

“And it shall come to pass that there shall be a great [and marvelous?] work in the land, even among the gentiles, for their folly: their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people [fall in the pit they digged], for I am God and my arm is not shortened. And I will show miracles, signs, and wonders unto all those who believe on my name. And whoever shall ask it in my name, in faith, they shall cast out devils, they shall heal the sick, they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. And the time speedily comes that great [and marvelous] things are to be shown forth unto the children of men, but without faith shall not anything be shown forth, except desolations upon Babylon [metaphor for descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother, non-covenant people, Gentiles, “the world”], the same which has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

And there are none that do good, except they that are ready to receive the fullness of my gospel [like repentant Lamanites in Samuel’s day who join the covenant people], which I have sent forth to this generation [Gentiles and repentant descendants of Esau and Israel]. [23] Wherefore, I have called upon the weak things of the world, they that are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my spirit [people in Joseph Smith’s day, including Joseph Smith, [24]]. And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler. And I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me, and their enemies shall be under their feet. And I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of my indignation will I preserve them. And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nearly at hand. And they shall learn the parable of the fig tree, for even now, already, summer is near.

And I have sent forth the fullness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph, and in weakness have I blessed him. And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come, from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me. And if not, another will I plant in his stead. [25] Wherefore, watch over him, that his faith fail not [it never failed], and it shall be given by the Comforter, the holy ghost, that knows all things” (RE T&C 18:3-5; emphasis added).

This prophecy was not fulfilled in the days of Joseph Smith and those whom the Lord called in their weakness in that day. The Lord knew Joseph Smith would write the record of Joseph of Egypt’s people, but it would be declared in the last days by a spokesman the Lord would provide. Joseph of Egypt confirmed this outcome will occur when Israel is gathered in the last days.

“Therefore your [Joseph of Egypt] offspring will write, and Judah’s offspring will write. The Lord says: The things your offspring write, and the things Judah’s offspring write, will grow together in order to expose false doctrines, settle disputes, and establish peace among your offspring and bring them, in the last days, to understanding their ancestors and comprehending My covenants. The Lord said: His [Joseph Smith’s] weakness will be made strong. My work [gathering Israel] will then [when Joseph Smith’s work is made strong] begin among all My people. I’ll restore you, O house of Israel” (C of C 2 Nephi 2:4; emphasis added).

The purpose of the “great and awe-inspiring work” among the Gentiles is to gather people of faith from the Gentiles in preparation for gathering Israel. The task of the servant of the Lord bearing His words is to use His word to “thrash the nations of the earth with His Spirit,” gathering those who receive a “fullness” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“And it shall be said, Who is this that comes down from God in Heaven with dyed garments, yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? And he shall say, I am he who spoke in righteousness, mighty to save. And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treads in the winevat, and so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall be blown out, and the stars shall be hurled from their place. And his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the winepress alone [Atonement in Gethsemane], and have brought judgment upon all people, and none were with me, and I have trampled them in my fury and I did tread upon them in my anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments and have stained all my raiment, for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart, and now the year of my redeemed is come. And they [broken heart and contrite spirit] shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord and all that he has bestowed upon them, according to his goodness and according to his loving kindness, for ever and ever. In all their affliction he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them. And in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and did bear them, and did carry them all the days of old; yea, and Enoch also, and they who were with him, the prophets that were before him; and Noah also, and they who were before him; and Moses also, and they who were before him; and from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection; and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb. And the graves of the saints shall be opened and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb when he shall stand upon Mount [nation of] Zion and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem, and they shall sing the song of the Lamb, day and night, for ever and ever.

And for this cause [cause of Christ]— that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed — the Lord sent forth the fullness of his gospel and his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity to prepare the weak for those things which are coming upon the earth, and for the Lord’s errand in the days when the weak should confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two should put their tens of thousands to flight. By the weak things of the earth, the Lord should thresh the nations of the earth by the power of his spirit. And for this cause these commandments were given. They were commanded to be kept from the world in the day that they were given, but now are to go forth unto all flesh, and this according to the mind and the will of the Lord, who rules over all flesh.

And unto him that repents and sanctifies himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life, and upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, that they should be cut off from among the people. And also that which was written by the prophet Malachi: For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [ancestry] nor branch [posterity]. Wherefore, this shall be the answer of the Lord unto them: In that day [last days] when I came unto my own, no man among you received me, and you were driven out. When I called again, there was none of you to answer, yet my arm was not shortened at all that I could not redeem, neither my power to deliver. Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness, their fish stink and die for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering. And this shall you have of my hand. You shall lie down in sorrow. Behold and lo, there is none to deliver you, for you obeyed not my voice when I called to you out of the Heavens. You believed not my servants, and when they were sent unto you, you received them not. Wherefore, they sealed up the testimony and bound up the law, and you were delivered over unto darkness. These shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Behold, the Lord your God has spoken it. Amen” (RE T&C 58:6-8; emphasis added).

“And unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life.” [26]

[1] Samuel the Lamanite appeared to the Nephites about 6 B.C.

[2] Approximately 34 A.D.

[3] “Now when king Benjamin had finished speaking the words that had been delivered to him by the angel of the Lord, he looked around at the crowd. Because the fear of the Lord overcame them, they had fallen to the ground. They looked at themselves in their carnal state, feeling no better than dust on the ground. In unison, they cried out: Have mercy on us and purify our hearts with Christ’s atoning blood, that we might receive a remission of our sins. They believed in Jesus, the Son of God who created all things, heaven, and earth, and who would come down to mankind.

After they had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord embraced them and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins. And according to what king Benjamin had taught them, and because of the great faith they had in Jesus Christ, they gained peace of conscience. And king Benjamin resumed teaching them, saying: My friends, my brothers and sisters, my relatives, and my people, please listen for I have more to say. If you’ve come to realize, upon hearing about God’s goodness, that you’re nothing, worthless, and fallen, then I say, if you also understand God’s unmatched power, wisdom, patience, and long-suffering for mankind and comprehend that the atonement was planned at the outset of creation to provide salvation for anyone who puts their trust in the Lord, keeps His commandments diligently, and continues in faith until the end of their life, the life of the mortal body, then you’re the one who receives salvation through the atonement. Salvation was prepared for mankind when creation was first planned. It’s available to all individuals who have lived since the Fall of Adam, those who are currently living, and those who will live in the future until the end of the world. There’s no other means of obtaining salvation besides what I’ve taught you. . . After king Benjamin had said all these things to his people, he sent out a message, asking his people if they believed what he taught them. And they all cried out with one voice, saying: Yes, we believe everything you’ve taught us. And we know these things are true because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has caused a big change in our hearts. We’re not inclined to do evil anymore, but rather want to continually do good. We, through God’s infinite goodness and the manifestations of His Spirit, can clearly envision what’s to come. And if necessary, we could even prophesy about all of it. And it’s our faith in the things our king has taught us that’s given us this valuable knowledge, which makes us rejoice! We’re willing to enter into a covenant with God, promising to obey His commandments and do His will for the rest of our lives. We don’t want to cause ourselves the never-ending torment described by the angel, nor do we want to incur God’s anger.

Now these are the words king Benjamin hoped to hear from them. Therefore he told them: You’ve said the words I wanted to hear, and the covenant you’ve made is a righteous covenant. Now because of the covenant you’ve made, you’ll be called the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. Today, He has spiritually begotten you. You’ve said your hearts have changed through faith in His name. As a result, you’re born of Him and have become His sons and daughters. You’re now free under His wings, and there’s no other Savior under whose wings you can be sheltered. There’s no other name given through which salvation comes. Therefore all of you who have made the covenant with God to be obedient for the remainder of your lives, take upon yourselves the name of Christ. Those who do this will be found at the right hand of God and will answer to the name of Christ” (C of C Mosiah 2:1-2, 3:1-2).

[4] “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 [promises made to Jacob]. 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, 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” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:26; emphasis added).

“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 [ministry of angels, Patriarchal Fathers, similar to when Nephi received the sealing power in Samuel’s day] 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).

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

[5] “And in nothing does man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. Behold, this is according to the law and the prophets. Wherefore, trouble me no more concerning this matter, but learn that he who does the works of righteousness, shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. I the Lord have spoken it, and the spirit bears record. Amen” (RE T&C 46:5; emphasis added).

[6] “There were more, but I hope these scriptures are enough to teach the point. 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” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.11; emphasis added).

[7] “Our scriptures speak carefully about the existence and importance of a Heavenly Mother: a Divine Female whose greatest attribute is to bestow wisdom upon the whole of this creation. It is possible to miss Her presence. That cultural and theological blindness is not because of Her absence from the scriptures. It is not hard to detect Her, if you know what to look for. WE just don’t yet understand how to look” (Our Divine Parents, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.1-2; emphasis added).

[8] “This resulted in an argument among the people, so they split up, going away and leaving Nephi standing alone. Nephi went to return to his own house, pondering about what the Lord had shown him. As he was pondering this, regretting the Nephites’ wickedness, their secret works of darkness, murders, robberies, and all their iniquities; reviewing these in his heart, a voice spoke to him, saying: You are blessed, Nephi, because of the things you’ve done. I’ve seen how you’ve tirelessly declared the word I gave you to this people. You haven’t been afraid of them and haven’t tried to save your own life, but have tried to learn My will and to keep My commandments. Now because you’ve done this so tirelessly, I’ll bless you forever. And I’ll make you powerful in word and deed, in faith and works, so that all things will happen to you as you ask, since you won’t ask anything contrary to My will. You are Nephi and I Am God. I declare this to you in front of My angels as witnesses: You are given power over this people and will strike the earth with famine, disease, and destruction in response to this people’s wickedness. Indeed, I give you power that whatever you seal on earth will be sealed in heaven, and whatever you set loose on earth will be set loose in heaven, and so you will hold this power over this people. And so if you say to this temple: Split in two! — it will happen. And if you say to this mountain: Fall down and be leveled! — it will happen. And if you say for God to afflict this people, it will happen. Now I command you to go and warn these people that the Lord God, the All-Powerful One, decrees: Unless you repent, you will be afflicted and destroyed” (C of C Helaman 3:19; emphasis added).

[9] “Now I’ll finish writing about this people. I’m Mormon’s son [Moroni], and my father was a descendant of Nephi. I’m the same one who will hide away this record under the Lord’s care. The plates themselves aren’t valuable because of the commandment of the Lord, for He truly said no one will have them for the purpose of getting rich. But the record written on them is very valuable. And the Lord will bless whoever brings it to light. No one can have power to bring it to light unless God gives it to him, because God ordains it can only be done with an eye toward His glory or to benefit the Lord’s ancient and long-dispersed covenant people. Blessed is the one who brings this thing to light; it will be brought out of darkness to light, according to God’s word. Indeed, it will be brought out of the ground. It will shine out from darkness and come to the knowledge of the people. It will be done by God’s power. If there are any errors, they’re human mistakes; but we don’t know of any error. Nevertheless, God knows all things. Therefore any who condemn, let them be careful not to put themselves in danger of hell fire. Those who say: Show it to me or I’ll strike you down! Let them be careful not to demand what the Lord forbids. Because those who judge rashly will in turn be judged rashly; they’ll be paid according to their works. Therefore, those who strike will in turn be struck by the Lord. Take note of what the scripture says: People must not inflict harm or judge. The Lord has said: Judgment is Mine, and vengeance is Mine as well; I will repay. Those who, in great anger, fight against the Lord’s work and against the Lord’s covenant people, who are the house of Israel, and say: We will destroy the Lord’s work, and the Lord won’t remember the covenant He’s made to the house of Israel — they’re in danger of being cut down and thrown into the fire. Because the Lord’s eternal purposes will roll on until all His promises are fulfilled.

Though I can’t write them, study Isaiah’s prophecies. Indeed, I tell you that those holy ones who have come before me and inhabited this land will cry out to the Lord, even from the dust. As the Lord lives, He will remember the covenant He made with them. He knows their prayers on behalf of their fellow brothers and sisters. He knows their faith, because in His name they could remove mountains, and in His name they could make the earth shake; and by the power of His word they made prisons fall to the ground. Not even hot furnaces, wild animals, or venomous snakes could harm them, because of the power of His word. Their prayers were also on behalf of him whom the Lord will allow to bring this record to light. No one should say that it won’t come forth because it surely will, since the Lord has spoken it. It will come out of the earth by the Lord’s power, and no one can prevent it. It will appear at a time when people will say miracles are over. It will come just as if one had spoken from the dead. It will come at a time when the blood of holy ones will cry out to the Lord because of secret conspiracies and works of darkness; indeed, at a time when God’s power will be denied and churches will have become polluted and consumed with pride to their very center, when church leaders and teachers will be filled with pride to their very center, to the point of being envied by those who belong to their churches. It will come at a time when people will hear of fires, storms, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands. And people will hear of wars, reports of wars, and earthquakes in various places. It will come at a time when there will be great pollutions on the earth: there will be murders, robbing, lying, deceiving, whoredoms, and all kinds of abominations; when there will be many who will say: Do this or do that, it doesn’t matter; the Lord will defend you on the last day. But woe to such people: they’re bitterly corrupted by sin. It will come at a time when there will be churches built up that will say: Come to me, and for your money you’ll be forgiven of your sins.

O you wicked, perverse, and stubborn people, why have you built up churches to yourselves to get money? Why have you altered God’s holy word so as to bring condemnation on your souls? Look to God’s revelations, because the time is coming when all these things will certainly be fulfilled. The Lord has shown me great and awe-inspiring things about what’s going to take place soon after these words appear among you. Now, I speak to you as though you were present, yet you are not. But Jesus Christ has shown you to me, and I know the things you do. I know you live pridefully. There are none, except for a few, who aren’t lifted up in pride to their very center, to the point of wearing very fine clothing, and to the point of envying and strife, malice, persecution, and all kinds of iniquity. Your congregations and churches — every single one of them — have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. You love money and your material possessions and your fine clothing and decorating your houses of worship more than you love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. You pollutions, hypocrites, and you teachers who sell yourselves for things that will corrode and decay, why have you polluted God’s holy congregation? Why are you ashamed to take upon yourselves the name of Christ? Why don’t you consider that the value of an endless happiness is greater than misery that never dies? Isn’t it because of the world’s praise? Why do you adorn yourselves with things that have no life, and yet allow the hungry, the needy, the naked, the sick, and the afflicted to pass you by and not notice them? Why do you build up your secret abominations for the purpose of getting rich and cause widows and orphans to mourn before the Lord, and make the blood of their fathers and husbands cry to the Lord from the ground for vengeance on your heads? The sword of vengeance hangs over you; and the time is soon coming when He’ll avenge the blood of the holy ones upon you, since He won’t endure their cries any longer” (C of C Mormon 4:3-5; emphasis added).

“I Moroni am not writing the details of their oaths and conspiracies, since it has been revealed to me that they exist among all people; and they exist among the Lamanites. And they’ve brought about the people’s destruction, whom I’m now writing about, as well as the Nephites’ destruction. Any nation that upholds such secret conspiracies, to get power and wealth, until they spread throughout the nation, will be destroyed. Because the Lord won’t permit the blood of His holy ones, which will be shed by them, to always cry out to Him from the ground for vengeance without avenging them. Therefore, you Gentiles, it’s God’s wisdom for you to be shown these things, so you’ll repent of your sins and not allow these murderous conspiracies, that are always set up for power and money, to control you, so that you won’t provoke your own destruction. Indeed, the sword of the justice of the Eternal God will fall upon you, to your ruin and destruction, if you allow these things to continue. Therefore the Lord commands you, when you see these things come among you, to wake up to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret society that’s come into existence among you. Woe to this conspiracy on account of the blood of those who have been killed; they cry out from the dust for vengeance upon it, and upon those who make and support it.

Indeed, whoever builds it up hopes to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries. These conspiracies bring about everyone’s destruction since they’re built up by the accuser, who’s the father of all lies. He’s the same liar who deceived our first parents, who caused people from the start to commit murder. He’s hardened people’s hearts so that they’ve murdered the prophets, stoned them, and banished them. As a result, I’ve been commanded to write these things so evil can be ended. And so the time will come when Satan won’t have any power over people’s hearts, so they can be persuaded to always do good and come to the Source of all righteousness and be saved” (C of C Ether 3:18-19; emphasis added).

[10] “Now there were many who heard what Samuel the Lamanite said from the city walls. All those who believed what he said went looking for Nephi. When they found him, they confessed their sins to him and didn’t deny them, asking to be baptized in the name of the Lord. But all those who didn’t believe Samuel’s message were angry at him. They threw stones, and many also shot arrows at him as he stood on the wall. But the Spirit of the Lord was with him, so they missed him with their stones or arrows” (C of C Helaman 5:17; emphasis added).

[11] ” This resulted in an argument among the people, so they split up, going away and leaving Nephi standing alone. Nephi went to return to his own house, pondering about what the Lord had shown him. As he was pondering this, regretting the Nephites’ wickedness, their secret works of darkness, murders, robberies, and all their iniquities; reviewing these in his heart, a voice spoke to him, saying: You are blessed, Nephi, because of the things you’ve done. I’ve seen how you’ve tirelessly declared the word I gave you to this people. You haven’t been afraid of them and haven’t tried to save your own life, but have tried to learn My will and to keep My commandments. Now because you’ve done this so tirelessly, I’ll bless you forever. And I’ll make you powerful in word and deed, in faith and works, so that all things will happen to you as you ask, since you won’t ask anything contrary to My will. You are Nephi and I Am God. I declare this to you in front of My angels as witnesses: You are given power over this people and will strike the earth with famine, disease, and destruction in response to this people’s wickedness. Indeed, I give you power that whatever you seal on earth will be sealed in heaven, and whatever you set loose on earth will be set loose in heaven, and so you will hold this power over this people. And so if you say to this temple: Split in two! — it will happen. And if you say to this mountain: Fall down and be leveled! — it will happen. And if you say for God to afflict this people, it will happen. Now I command you to go and warn these people that the Lord God, the All-Powerful One, decrees: Unless you repent, you will be afflicted and destroyed” (C of C Helaman 3:19; emphasis added).

[12] “Question: What is the Root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter [Isa. 5:4]?Answer: Behold, thus says the Lord: It is a descendant of Jesse as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the Priesthood and the keys of the Kingdom, for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last day” (RE T&C 129:3; emphasis added).

[13] “Question: What are we to understand by the four angels spoken of by John, 7th chapter and 1st verse of Revelation [Rev. 2:13]?Answer: We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy. These are they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness” (RE T&C 77:8; emphasis added).

[14] “From these two synonymous parallelisms, we understand not only that God has two arms-one being righteousness the other salvation-but that righteousness (the first arm) brings about, or is a precondition of, salvation, (the second arm). Righteousness, therefore, precedes salvation, both literally (as a spiritual condition) and figuratively (when signifying divine intervention).” (The Literary Message of Isaiah, Avraham Gileadi, pp.21-22). The Lord foretells the coming forth of “the arm of the Lord” or the day when the Lord’s first arm is revealed, the arm of Righteousness. The Lord’s arm is a righteous servant who precedes the coming of His arm of salvation, Christ. The arm of the Lord is revealed when the Lord is prepared to unleash His wrath upon the wicked of the “world,” or “Idumea.”

[15] “His sword is bathed in Heaven” is powerful biblical imagery (Isaiah 34:5, D&C 1:13) symbolizing God’s divine judgment, power, and wrath against evil, meaning His sword is prepared, empowered, and saturated with heavenly authority to bring righteous destruction or judgment upon His enemies, often signifying the Word of God or the ultimate spiritual battle against wickedness” (AI Overview; emphasis added).

This revelation given to Joseph Smith November 1, 1831, is pregnant with veiled meaning, particularly in light of RE Isaiah 12:1:

“Come near, you nations, to hear; and listen, you people. Let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations and his fury upon all their armies. He has utterly destroyed them, he has delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcasses, and the mountains [metaphor for nations in Isaiah] shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll [what happens when the work is complete and  record finalized, end of the world], and all their host shall fall down as the leaf falls off from the vine and as a falling fig from the fig tree. For my sword shall be bathed in Heaven; behold, it shall come down upon Idumea [Idumea is both a literal place with spiritual, prophetic implications. “. . . 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. and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.” In this context, Idumea is a synonym for the “world” (RE T&C 54:6).] The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams [sacrificial symbolism]; for the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah [capital city of Idumea] and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea [the world]” (RE Isaiah 12:1; emphasis added).

[16] “. . . 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).

This is a veiled reference to the prophecy of Moses whose fulfillment is found in C of C 3 Nephi 9:12:

“At that time [when the arm of the Lord is revealed, a servant bringing the words of Christ], to advance My cause, the Father will begin a work, which will be a great and awe-inspiring work among them [Gentiles]. There will be many who won’t believe it, although a man will tell it to them. But the ministry of My servant [arm of the Lord, Righteousness] 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. [Israel] And then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob [descendants of Lehi, Laman and Lemuel], will rise up from them [to Righteousness, receive the Lord’s servant or “arm of Righteousness”]. And you’ll be mixed in with them [Gentiles] 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 [descendants of Lehi’s posterity] 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 [Gentiles] strength from you, and I’ll destroy your security. Your cities will fall and I’ll break open your guarded borders. Your sciences and learning will turn into foolishness, and your false beliefs will cause your failure. I’ll expose the fraud of those in authority, and your trusted institutions will lose everyone’s loyalty. False prophets and false ministers will be brought to shame and humiliation. All lying, deceiving, envying, strife, priestcraft, and whoredoms will come to an end. At that time, says the Father, I’ll cut down anyone who won’t repent and draw near to My Beloved Son to preserve My people, the house of Israel. I’ll take vengeance and unleash My fierce anger on all the unbelieving, beyond anything they expect” (C of C 3 Nephi 9:12; emphasis added).

[17] ” Behold, the Lord makes the earth empty, and makes it waste, and turns it upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. The land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoiled, for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away; the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore has the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. . .” (RE Isaiah 7:1; emphasis added).

[18] ” 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 receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in diverse places and many desolations. Yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword one against another and they will kill one another” (RE T&C 32:6-7; emphasis added).

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

[20] ” Because the Lord God saw that His people were stubborn, He gave them the Law of Moses. Many signs, wonders, types, and symbols foreshadowed His coming. Additionally, holy prophets also spoke to them about His coming. However, the people hardened their hearts and failed to understand that the Law of Moses alone couldn’t provide forgiveness. Forgiveness comes exclusively through the atonement of Jesus Christ’s blood. Even if it were possible for children to sin, they couldn’t be saved. However, I tell you that they’re blessed. Even though by Adam or by nature they fall, Christ’s blood is sufficient to atone for their sins. I want to share with you that there’s no other way for mankind to attain salvation except through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. He’ll be the righteous judge. While infants who pass away won’t be lost, mankind must humble themselves and believe in the atoning blood of Christ to avoid damnation. This belief is necessary for salvation and must be held steadfastly. Men and women, in their natural state, are out of harmony with God and have been since the Fall of Adam. This disharmony will continue from eternity to eternity, unless they yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, abandon their fallen nature, and become holy through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. They should strive to become like a child, humble, meek, patient, and full of love, willing to accept everything that the Lord deems appropriate for them, as a child obeys their parents” (C of C Mosiah 1:16; emphasis added).

[21] RE Joseph Smith History 14:7, 18, 15:3

[22] ”. . . That which is of God is light, and he that receives light and continues in God receives more light, and that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (RE T&C 36:4; emphasis added).

[23] ”. . . 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 and God’s power in great glory” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:28; emphasis added).

[24] ” 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.

These commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred, it might be made known; and inasmuch as they sought wisdom, it might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned, they might be chastened that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble, they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time, after they having received the record of the Nephites. Yea, even my servant Joseph might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also, those to whom these commandments were given might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth with which I, the Lord, am well pleased — speaking unto the church collectively and not individually. For I, the Lord, cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven, and he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received. For my spirit shall not always strive with man, says the Lord of Hosts” (RE T&C 54:4-5; emphasis added).

[25] ” The Lord also told me: I’ll give your [Joseph of Egypt] descendants also a prophet [Joseph Smith] and make a spokesman for him [one appointed in Joseph Smith’s stead to declare Joseph Smith’s words after his death]. I’ll inspire the one to write the record of your descendants to bless your offspring. And that spokesman will declare that record [the servant who brings forth the words of Christ when the Father begins the ”awe-inspiring” work]. The words he’ll write will be the words that, in My wisdom, I consider important for your offspring to read. It will be as if your descendants called out to them from the dust, because I know their faith. They’ll call out the need for repentance from the dust for their brothers and sisters many generations after they’ve died. Their words will go forth in a way that is a direct, clear message. Because of their faith, their words will go from Me to their brothers and sisters who are your [Joseph of Egypt’s] offspring. I’ll make the simplicity of their words result in strong faith as they learn about the covenant I made with your fathers” (C of C 2 Nephi 2:6; emphasis added).

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

Let any who fight against the Lord’s word be cursed. And any who deny these things, let them be cursed, as Jesus Christ has said: I won’t show any greater things to them for I Am the one who speaks. At My command, the heavens open and shut, and at My word the earth will shake. At My command, those living on earth will die by fire. Those who don’t believe My words don’t believe My disciples. If you think I don’t speak, decide for yourself; but you’ll know on the last day that I Am the one who speaks. And I’ll visit those who believe the things I’ve spoken by the manifestations of My Spirit. They’ll know and testify; because of My Spirit, they’ll know these things are true, since they persuade mankind to do good. Anything that persuades people to do good comes from Me, because good comes from no one other than Me. I Am the same one who leads people to everything good” (C of C Ether 1:17-18; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

12/2/25

The Lingering Effects of Past Curses Part 32.pdf

Download PDF • 449KB