1 Nephi 13: 42:
Christ showed Himself to the Jews during His mortal ministry.
He showed Himself to the Nephites after His resurrection.
He visited others, who have also kept records of His appearances to them. The full extent of the records that have been kept has not become apparent to us yet. Nephi would report in the final summation of his lifelong ministry the following about the many records to come forth:
"Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever." (2 Nephi 29: 10-14.)
The "lost tribes of Israel" are plural. However many the number may be, each kept records and they are to come into our possession at some point in fulfillment of this prophetic promise.
All of this was foreseen by Zenos even before Isaiah. Zenos tells us the lost tribes of Israel will be spread all about, into the "nethermost" parts of the earth: "And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; and I do it that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree; and also, that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season, unto myself; for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive-tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard, some in one and some in another, according to his will and pleasure." (Jacob 5: 13-14.)
Where is "nethermost?" How many were there?
When Christ informed the Nephites of His post-resurrection ministry, He informed them He would be visiting the various Israelite people: "But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them." (3 Nephi 17: 4.) He visited the Nephites. They were an organized body, led by prophets, expecting His birth and death. There were other organized believers who also looked for His coming. What their prophets told them, and how they understood His ministry will be in their records. What He taught them when He visited with them after His resurrection will also be in their records. It is likely to mirror the Nephite experience and record. However, it is undoubtedly true that we will again learn how involved a Redeemer He has been. Should we already realize that from what we've been given? We ought to welcome His direct ministry among us. Somehow we find His intimate involvement hard to comprehend. We think, if someone should acknowledge they have seen Him, that such a person is somehow special, different, or unique. It ought to be commonplace.
In the unfolding ministry of the Lord, the Jews were the first, but will be the last, to receive again His ministry. The gentiles have been given the Gospel. The remnant will be receiving it from them - soon.
"And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last."
Christ showed Himself to the Jews during His mortal ministry.
He showed Himself to the Nephites after His resurrection.
He visited others, who have also kept records of His appearances to them. The full extent of the records that have been kept has not become apparent to us yet. Nephi would report in the final summation of his lifelong ministry the following about the many records to come forth:
"Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever." (2 Nephi 29: 10-14.)
The "lost tribes of Israel" are plural. However many the number may be, each kept records and they are to come into our possession at some point in fulfillment of this prophetic promise.
All of this was foreseen by Zenos even before Isaiah. Zenos tells us the lost tribes of Israel will be spread all about, into the "nethermost" parts of the earth: "And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; and I do it that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree; and also, that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season, unto myself; for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive-tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard, some in one and some in another, according to his will and pleasure." (Jacob 5: 13-14.)
Where is "nethermost?" How many were there?
When Christ informed the Nephites of His post-resurrection ministry, He informed them He would be visiting the various Israelite people: "But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them." (3 Nephi 17: 4.) He visited the Nephites. They were an organized body, led by prophets, expecting His birth and death. There were other organized believers who also looked for His coming. What their prophets told them, and how they understood His ministry will be in their records. What He taught them when He visited with them after His resurrection will also be in their records. It is likely to mirror the Nephite experience and record. However, it is undoubtedly true that we will again learn how involved a Redeemer He has been. Should we already realize that from what we've been given? We ought to welcome His direct ministry among us. Somehow we find His intimate involvement hard to comprehend. We think, if someone should acknowledge they have seen Him, that such a person is somehow special, different, or unique. It ought to be commonplace.
In the unfolding ministry of the Lord, the Jews were the first, but will be the last, to receive again His ministry. The gentiles have been given the Gospel. The remnant will be receiving it from them - soon.
does "soon" mean weeks? months? years?
ReplyDeleteIs the remnant you refer to in the USA or outside the USA?
Are they scattered or gathered at the moment?
What a blessing to be living in the days where these things unfold right before our eyes. Wouldn't it be something to take part in delivering the fullness of the Gospel message to the Remnant?
ReplyDeleteMy heart sings with Alma, "O that I were an angel... and could cry repentance unto every people!"
But before that happens I need to cleanse the inner vessel and obtain the Word. Let the classes continue!
Doug
Nethermost: farthest down, bottommost, lowermost,
ReplyDeletesituated at the bottom or lowest position (possibly beneath the surface of the earth, remote locations, ???has anyone written on this subject accurately.)
Soon as in the "Last Days" that go a really long time, or soon as in it's Christmas Eve and will soon be Christmas morning, or it has already commenced, or those who know are commanded not to say...?
Probably a more important question is, "What of those who are earnestly striving to accept the fullness of the Gospel, but who may be encumbered by sufficient false traditions that it is taking them time to sort it out." Is there any hope for us poor miserable sinners who strive, fall, repent, strive, fall, repent...? Did Enos, Nephi, Abraham, and others ever feel that no matter how earnestly they seek to be obedient, that they fall short all too often?
In a comment in a galaxy long, long ago, I mentioned that there is a tribe of Native American seers somewhere in the desert mountains of Mexico. One of their holy men (or are they all holy men - ?) who is called a "Maracamé" ("he who sees the spirits") has said that Jesus has walked and talked with them forever, but only a few years ago did He reveal to them that He is Jesus Christ. Then He told them to go and gather the other Native American tribes and have them return to the "ceremonies" that He gave them. When a friend of mine told him about the Book of Mormon, he didn't already know about it, but he said they have the priesthood.
ReplyDeleteAnother friend of mine went to Ecuador on a service project and said that the Stake Patriarch there is an indigenous holy man who, some years before joining the Church, walked up to the Elders on the street and said, "Moroni told me that you have a book for me." Now that entire city is members of the Church, and this man's stake has basically 100% attendance and activity.
Denver:
ReplyDeleteI have a question about the post judgement reward of members of the church. The long lead-up is for the benefit of other blogsters reading the comment.
In your earliest blogs, you teach that some who follow men rather than Christ end up in the telestial kingdom, referencing D&C 76:99-101 as your primary proof. Those condemned to this damnation are limited to those who "follow only a disciple" rather than Christ Himself.
For example in the blog, "Follow Christ in all things" of Apr 12, 2010 you said:
"When we decide to follow only a disciple of His, even if it is a true disciple, we miss the mark and fall to a Telestial state and are no better than the liars and thieves. (See D&C 76: 98-104.)"
However, in several later blogs, your comments seem to imply a strict dichotomy for members of the church. Exaltation in the celestial glory OR telestial glory. I feel certain you don't mean to exclude outer darkness as a possibility but I can't tell if you mean to exclude the terrestrial kingdom and the celestial kingdom outside the highest order. No apparent middle ground is suggested, at least by the above quote. The implication is that no one enters the terrestrial kingdom, only telestial glory OR exaltation. At least that's how it has sounded to me. Is that what you believe?
A later blog, "3 Nephi 16:8" on June 28, 2010 reads, "What is meant then by saying "they are of Christ" on the one hand, and saying, 'receive not the Gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus?' on the other. How do you reconcile these two things? One damns to the Telestial Kingdom, the other exalts. How perilous it is for the latter day Gentiles!"
Another example follows, albeit one that leaves a little more wiggle room:
"No man will save you. No not one. You either follow them into the telestial kingdom in wherein you presently reside, or you figure out how to get out of here. " (June 3, 2010 entitled, "For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas").
"The vision" appears to open up more possibilities for people of the covenant, namely exaltation, celestial glory without a crown, terrestrial or telestial glory and of course "outer darkness".
Doctrine and Covenants 76:
78 Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.
79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.
Even the Millenial Star article which you pointed us to, albeit for a different purpose, delineates other possibilities for the Saints.
"Such as have not received the fulness of the priesthood, (for the fulness of the priesthood includes the authority of both king and priest) and have not been anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown. Many are called to enjoy a celestial glory, yet few are chosen to wear a celestial crown, or rather, to be rulers in the celestial kingdom."
(Orson Hyde, “A Diagram of the Kingdom of God,” Millennial Star 9 [15 January 1847]: 23-24)."
What say you?
I for one sure wish we still had the knowledge and POWER in the church to bestow the 2nd anointing, or being made Kings and Priests (Fullness of PH).
ReplyDeleteTo wear celestial crowns, we have to live ALL of the RESTORED GOSPEL, right? We don't even live the first law of Zion, the order of Enoch.
Another thought DS: What about places of refuge? When do we flee babylon to places were we can become totally/mostly self sufficient and defend ourselves?
My personal opinion on "places of refuge" are that it's going to be different than the Roger K Young followers believe. Doing super-preparation is no substitute for living the fullness of the Gospel. Just my opinion. : )
ReplyDeleteSuper Preparation, or going beyond the mark with anything, including emergency preparedness, diet, fitness, recreation, etc., each represent a form of false worship or Idolatry. It is incumbent that we know what God asks of us today and to not go beyond that mark and to enthrone charity as our center and motivation in all we do.
ReplyDeleteAs described in Beloved Enos (very good book Denver), the Lamanites had their own religion that justified their hatred and actions toward the Nephites, as well as their fixed determination to destroy the records (religion) of the Nephites. They believed their views were more pure, more holy, more from ancient pure truth than the religion of the Nephites. Good stuff in their Denver. Really got me thinking.
We can turn any good thing into Idolatry if we don't find God's balance in that thing.