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Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees – A Study Course & Commentary
Forward [04/28/24]:
The scripture heading above contains the Lord's admonition to His Latter-day servants to emulate Him. Put another way, and in the words of Joseph Smith, it is to ultimately be "assimilated" into His "likeness" (JS Lectures on Faith, 7:9,16). This is a key.
While there is much to learn from the Allegory, it is unfortunate that most LDS scholars erroneously identify the two main characters in the Allegory. They identify the Lord of the vineyard as Christ and the “servant” referred to throughout the Allegory as the various prophets of each dispensation [this includes the latest 2024 edition of Come Follow Me for Jacob 5]. This misinterpretation has serious implications.
To this end also note that the word servant throughout the Allegory is almost always singular. Those making online commentaries invariably refer to servants [plural]. However, the plural form of the word does not appear until toward the end in verses 61 and 70 when additional servants are called to work with the servant [Christ].
It is clear to everyone, or should be, that the Allegory addresses both the scattering and gathering of Israel throughout the ages and various dispensations. Beyond that people don’t seem to know why this chapter is in the Book of Mormon other than it seems important to Nephi's brother, Jacob.
However, with respect to the potential importance of identifying who is who in the Allegory, it is interesting that few LDS authors seem to realize that there is, for comparison, a real-world example of what a dispensational administration in the Allegory actually looks like in real life—which could prove instructional.
To this end, we find a perfect example recorded in 3rd Nephi, chapters 11-30. Here the Savior administers to the descendants of Lehi who have survived the destructions associated with Christ’s death and resurrection [almost one year previous]. For comparison this visitation correlates with Jacob 5:25-27 [the “good spot of ground”] in the Allegory.
Reading this real-world account, it is quickly obvious that it is the Father who sends his Servant, Jesus Christ, to administer to his people in the Americas and that all the essential administrations are under the direction of the Father.
Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me (3 Nephi 27:13, emphasis ours).
The Father’s instructions include what commandments, teachings and doctrines are to be delivered as well as essentially when to come and go to report to Him [the Father] and when to visit the other tribes. The Savior talks to and refers to the Father over 50 times and the Father gives specific instructions over 20 times. For example, the Savior explains:
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them [other Israelite tribes], and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them (3 Nephi 16:3).
And:
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).
Correspondingly, in the Allegory the Lord of the vineyard [the Father] makes all the important decisions. It is the Father that removes the Lehite branch from the mother tree of Israel and sends the prophet Lehi and his family to the Americas. It is the Father who brings Assyria upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel and carries them away [plucks this branch] to the north. It is the Father who sends his Son, the servant, to the Nephites after his resurrection--and so it will be in each of the dispensational visitations. In each case and location the Father will introduce the Son to His people.
It is the Father that decides what branches will be broken off the Israelite mother olive tree and where geographically they will be placed [grafted], when they shall be visited and when they shall be “burned” (Jacob 5:8-14). In the Allegory here is only a singular servant [Christ] until the last dispensation in which a “few” other servants are called. The Lord of the vineyard [the Father] is not some distant figure but is very much engaged and works closely with the Servant at all times.
Why does it matter who is the Lord of the vineyard and who is the servant? It matters because if we do not understand Christ as the servant, we do not understand the essence of the Being [Christ] that we must emulate. We cannot come unto the Father unless we do as the Savior has shown us.
Jacob anxiously explains:
Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you (Jacob 4:18)
This great mystery is how the Father and the Son manage the ultimate and optimum salvation of humankind as a team with the Saviour being the "servant of all" (Mark 9:35). In the previous chapter, Jacob, the brother of Nephi, introduces the Allegory as an explanation of how Christ, who was rejected by the Jews "as their sure foundation", may ultimately become the "head of their corner" (Jacob 4:17). We may ask, how can Christ become the head of their corner [sure foundation] or ours if we don't know who He is?
The Savior, as the penultimate servant, was our exemplar in our premortal world, He is our exemplar here and again in the world to come. He is our exemplar until we are perfected and presented by the Savior to the Father as being holy and without spot.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do (3 Ne 27:21, emphasis ours).
In the premortal world our object, whether we knew it or not, was to become a ministering servant like Christ. In this world, whether we know it or not, our object is the same, to become a ministering servant like Christ. In the next world it is again the same. Nothing that we do in this life is more important than learning this lesson.
Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees – with Commentary 10/26/2022
The Allegory of the tame and wild olive trees may at first seem like a tedious interruption in the flow of the Book of Mormon. Many readers, myself included, have often skipped over or skimmed through it while wondering why it is even there. However, as it turns out, there is tremendous value in understanding the Allegory. In it the Lord, through the ancient prophet Zenos, laid out the framework and strategy for the salvation of this planet and, therefore, this entire order of the creations.
The Lord's plan utilizes and spreads the human resources that He has to work with across all of this earth's dispensations in a manner to achieve optimum benefit to the human race, their salvation and an ultimate triumph over evil. We should make no mistake in thinking that this life, this second estate, is a walk in the park for us or Heavenly Father. It is a program that requires a certain predetermined level of obedience and mission accomplishment on the part of many players.
There will be times in which, if we did not understand that the Most High God knows the end from the beginning, we would doubt the success of the final outcome. However, once the various grafting's of the world's branches makes sense, the Allegory serves to frame the Lord's program in an understandable and enlightening conclusion. The Allegory represents the Father's divine plan from beginning to end.
In the course of studying this remarkable Allegory it has also come to our attention that there are some serious misinterpretations by gospel writers with respect to certain important aspects of this Allegory. Chief among the erroneous identities are those of the two main characters, the lord of the vineyard and his servant.
Dr Avraham Gileadi (considered a Hebrew scripture expert) as well as most BYU and LDS scholars identify the master or lord of the vineyard as being Christ, and the servant mentioned throughout the Allegory as being symbolic of the Lord’s servants, interpreted as referring to the prophets of each dispensation. We will show that this is not correct.
However, in the case of Dr Gileadi, he gives the servant a different twist. He asserts that the servant of the Allegory is the spirit of what is to become a heroic end-time personality that acquires characteristics of the Savior's own end-time mission and possession of his [Christ's] throne—a dangerous misconception.
Additionally, what Dr Gileadi and others fail to comprehend is both the concept and the divine wisdom and power associated with Christ as the servant--including the power associated with Christ's example as the servant. Christ is not diminished as the servant, rather his servant role is critical to his identity, as we shall see. See also Book of Mormon-Isaiah Podcasts (Family Archives).
As we discuss the true identity of the two main characters in the Allegory as well as other common interpretations of additional aspects, this commentary will include attempts to identify and clarify points as necessary of contradiction with other published analyses. The Allegory also provides a convenient framework for additional gospel commentary.
Such discussion is necessary because, illustrated repeatedly in published commentaries among LDS authors, an amazing basic misunderstanding of the nature of the godhead, and the role of Christ in particular. Through the principle of divine investiture some confusion naturally arises from the custom of the Savior to often speak as if he were the Father. Though the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are One God, the fundamental roles of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are intentionally and distinctively different.
An analysis of the roles of the Father and the Son in this Allegory will be used as a basis for examination and clarification of their distinct positions (within the reasonable limits that the Allegory provides). Among the objectives of our following commentary will be the evidence for an understanding of the true and essential nature of Jesus Christ (Jehovah) as the ultimate servant of the Father and humankind.
In order to focus on essential points, historical background will be kept to the minimum necessary for understanding of context. The analysis, rather than being exhaustive, will mainly focus on points considered important for present purposes. This treatise may also be considered as a course of study, prayerful study.
Beginning with the olive tree essential to the Allegory, sometimes referred herein as the “mother tree,” it serves to symbolically refer to the House of Israel. The original or mother tree is considered “tame” as it has been carefully nourished to bring forth good edible fruit versus the inedible fruit of the wild, unnourished olive trees. As commonly interpreted the fruit does not merely refer to “good works” but refers to human souls that achieve salvation/exaltation.
The numbered verses of the Allegory referenced in Jacob 5:1-77 are in bold and the commentary, except for occasional bold emphasis, is in regular text.
Book of Mormon – Jacob 5
1 Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophet Zenos, which he spake unto the house of Israel, saying: 2 Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and hear the words of me, a prophet of the Lord.
The writings of the prophet Zenos were found on the brass plates Nephi obtained from the archives of Laban in Jerusalem. The brass plates, a more thorough account of the Old Testament prophets, were evidently kept current by Laban’s scribes. They even contained some of the writings of the contemporary prophet Jeremiah written near the time Lehi and his family departed (circa 600 BC). Some of the beautiful and inspired writings of Zenos are recorded in Alma chapter 33, vs 3–11. In Helaman 8:19 we find that the “prophet Zenos did testify boldly, for the which he was slain.”
The prophet Zenos was martyred for his bold testimony of Christ. The Old Testament writings we have today were mostly scrubbed of any clear references to Christ as they passed through the hands of unbelievers and scribes with subverted agendas. And though the Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees is no longer available through Jewish sources, we know from the apostle Paul it was clearly available in the days of Christ and his apostles.
Zenos’ Allegory is amazing in its detail and there is much that can be gleaned from its careful study—which is probably one reason it is not in our Bible today. Apparently too clear to escape censorship, it was among the plain and precious truths removed from Bible manuscripts (1 Ne 13:28-29). Control of information and selective censorship is and has been a problem in all ages, including ours.
Paul understood the Allegory’s profound scope including the scattering and gathering of Israel, the future role to be played by the Gentiles and the preparations for the restoration of Israel in the end time. On the basis of details and concepts recorded in Romans 11:13–36 [1] the apostle Paul had access to the full Allegory account as we have it in the Book of Mormon. Though not necessary for faith or belief in the Restored gospel, this fact constitutes a very powerful witness to the validity of the Book of Mormon and the authenticity of the Brass Plates of Laban.
As the Allegory unfolds one of the reasons for its present-day non-existence in the Bible may be its explicit and clear condemnation of post Apostolic Christian religion. Indeed, according to the Allegory, until the restoration there is nothing but bad fruit produced by the various so-called Christian branches of the vineyard. Certainly, after the passing of the Apostles the monks and scribes who had charge of copying and preserving scriptural documents would have found themselves in this case copying descriptions of their own apostate condition.
3 For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay.
The House of Israel is here symbolized as a tame olive tree. It takes a certain amount of care to produce olives worthy of consumption and the production of quality olive oil. Such cultivated trees are known as “tame” versus others that are considered “wild.” Olive trees may live for over a thousand years but will decay without proper care.
In the imagery of the Allegory this particular olive tree representing the House of Israel is suffering symbolic decay. The House of Israel itself is, accordingly, suffering literal decay due to moral decline, wickedness and apostasy. This period of decline began during the Old Testament period known as the time of the “Judges” and accelerated following the reign of Saul, David and Solomon when idolatry became commonplace.
Though the seeds of decay may have started earlier, the real issues begin to emerge with Solomon’s son Rehoboam. It is at this time the Northern Tribes of Israel, under the leadership of the tribe of Ephraim, depart from Judah. Israel is now divided and giving no heed to the Lord’s prophets.
4 And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive tree began to decay; and he said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not. 5 And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it according to his word.
The master or lord of the vineyard represents Heavenly Father and NOT Jesus Christ as often mistakenly taught. Jesus Christ is the “servant” throughout the Allegory—not symbolic of the prophets of each dispensation as many have interpreted. The plural form, “servants,” does not appear until near the end of the Allegory when the Father instructs the servant [Son] to call other servants (vs's 61, 70). It is critical to understand that Jesus Christ is the servant.
As the older branches have decayed [apostasy] and ceased to bring forth good fruit the nourishing effort focuses upon producing new young and tender branches—groups of Israelites with new covenant conviction and spiritual strength. Lehi’s group would be an example of a young and tender branch.
The nourishing of the vineyard is accomplished through the labors of the Father and the Son by calling prophets. In the context of the Allegory, rather than being only “good works” the tame fruit is redeemed and exalted souls—human spirits and bodies ultimately worthy of exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Good works that do not result in exalted souls are not relevant in the Allegory. The exalted are the object of Heavenly Father’s existence. It is important to realize that it is through the redeemed and exalted that Heavenly Father is glorified (see vs 54).
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (PoGP Moses1:39).
6 And it came to pass that after many days it [mother tree] began to put forth somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but behold, the main top thereof began to perish.
Young and tender branches, covenant believers and converts, develop centered around prophets such as Lehi and Jeremiah. Some of the House of Israel began to repent but the leaders [top thereof] did not. The main branches of the mother tree [Israel], in the geographical area of ancient Jerusalem, are now seriously decayed [apostate] and useless to the lord of the vineyard.
Among the young and tender branches is a repentant element of the Ten Tribes previously carried away to Assyria. We do not know the timeframe but their further departure into a “nethermost” geographical location is recorded by the prophet Esdras or Ezra in the Apocrypha also found in the Catholic Bible:
But they [the Ten Tribes] took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen [Assyria where they had been taken captive], and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt, that they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land. And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow passages of the river. For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over. For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth. Then dwelt they there until the latter time (2 Esdras 13:41–46, see also J E Talmadge, The Articles of Faith, p. 512).
There is much speculation as to where Arsareth might be, However, other than somewhere in the far north no-one knows.
7 And it came to pass that the master [God, the Father] of the vineyard saw it, and he said unto his servant [the Savior]: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild olive tree [Gentiles], and bring them hither unto me; and we will pluck off those main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we will cast them into the fire that they may be burned.
The word "servant" in the first sentence of this verse is highlighted in the LDS scriptures and referenced to the subject of "Servant" in the LDS Topical Guide. This is incorrect. It should be referenced to "Jesus Christ" as will be explained within the context of our commentary.
In this verse the lord of the vineyard [the Father] observes the apostate state of Israel. The main top, its leaders, are now to be hewn down [plucked] and their nation destroyed, cast into the fire of invasion and captivity. First Assyria conquered and removed into captivity the Northern Kingdom of Israel [the Ten Tribes 732-722 BC]. Later Babylon conquered the Southern Kingdom, Judah and elements of Benjamin, and took them to Babylon [587 BC].
Seventy years after the Babylonian conquest many of the Jews returned from Babylon but were later scattered again by the Romans in 70 AD. In place of the removed and scattered Israelite branches, Gentile convert branches are grafted into the mother tree [Israel] from wild olive trees [Gentile nations] by receiving the gospel.
The plucking is twofold. Some branches are cast into the fire [destroyed] and others are removed [scattered] to other places in the vineyard/world. This replacement of plucked Israelite branches by Gentile convert branches begins in the days of Christ’s apostles.
8 And behold, saith the Lord of the vineyard, I take away many of these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will; and it mattereth not that if it so be that the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit thereof unto myself; wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will.
This verse suggests that there were actually “many” young and tender branches in the form of righteous and repentant groups of worshippers of the true God. We do not currently have sufficient information on any other than the three scattered branches mentioned in the Allegory. However, there likely have been others led away to other parts of the world not yet revealed.
Notice that it is the lord of the vineyard, God the Father, that is making the grafting decisions—he decides where to put the young and tender branches. He is concerned about the root of the old tree and does not want it to die but is working to guarantee new sources of fruit through the young and tender branches. The Father decides where he wants these young branches to take their own roots and produce new fruit.
It is also a curious point that the placement of new branches in new locations of the vineyard/world seems to be a possible hedge against the potential loss of the root of the mother tree of Israel (if it so be that the root of this tree shall perish).
The most common scriptural use of the term “root” pertains generally to ancestors and those who have come before. In an explanation of some aspects in the chapter following the Allegory Jacob refers to “roots and branches” specifically in this ancestral sense (Jacob 6:4). Application of these terms referring to the living, as “branches,” and the dead, as “roots” is common in the scriptures. Also, the word root is used seemingly interchangeably in both singular and plural form throughout the Allegory (23 times total).
The context of root terminology in the Allegory pertains exclusively to the lineage of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons certainly come to mind, perhaps even the patriarchs going back through Noah to Adam. Consequently, an implied question arises in verse 8: “… it mattereth not that if it so be that the root of this tree will perish.” Could any of this amazing Israelite heritage including archangels be at risk? Could they be cast aside to be replaced by new tender roots and branches? More on this later.
9 Take thou the branches of the wild olive tree, and graft them in, in the stead thereof; and these which I have plucked off I will cast into the fire and burn them, that they may not cumber the ground of my vineyard.
The branches of the wild olive tree are the Gentiles who come into the Covenant. This occurs as a result of the ministry of Christ’s apostles following his own ministry in Israel. Since the Jews largely rejected the message, the gospel went forth to the Gentiles throughout the nations surrounding Israel.
Examples are the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (chapters 1-3). In 70 AD the Roman general, Titus, sacked and burned Jerusalem, totally destroyed the temple and dispersed the surviving Jews throughout the world. Plucked off and cast into the fire, they no longer cumbered the ground of the vineyard.
10 And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the vineyard did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard, and grafted in the branches of the wild olive tree.
The servant of the lord of the vineyard is with his master, the lord of the vineyard, throughout the length of the Allegory. There is regular communication between them. The servant carries out the master’s instructions. It is always the same servant, Jesus Christ, and he always carries out the will of His Father. As instructed the servant carries out the grafting of the wild branches (Gentile converts) into the mother tree of Israel, whereby they become the Covenant people of the Lord. The term “servant” is always in the singular except at the very end when the servant is instructed to call other “servants” to labor in the vineyard for the last time—our day.
11 And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it [mother tree/Israel] should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing. 12 Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, and nourish it, according to my words.
After Christ’s ministry to the Jews the Gentile grafts [New Testament churches] are nurtured by Christ’s apostles. The Gentile grafts, converts, save the tree and its roots. The roots, as mentioned earlier, include prophets and patriarchs extending to and through Abraham, Noah and clear to Adam. The Lord is concerned for the ultimate welfare of the roots. The definition of roots may also include the gospel covenants and priesthood power possessed by the chosen lineage of Israel. Again, there is an allusion in this verse to the seeming possibility the roots of the mother tree could perish and the Father’s objective, the salvation of mankind, not be accomplished.
This grafting serves to preserve the mother tree and its roots for a time. Rather than replacing them, preserving these roots becomes important in the total scheme and wisdom of the lord of the vineyard.
13 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.
Here the Father is discussing His plan with the Son. In order to avoid the potential loss of the mother tree and its roots the lord of the vineyard is placing young and tender shoots or branches in far flung locations of the world. The vineyard and its oversight are now expanded to include these remote locations. The purpose is to allow the new young branches to escape being cast into the same fire that destroyed the old branches and to grow righteously, unencumbered by Israel and Judah’s degeneracy in the Old World.
14 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.
Though the term “many” is applied to the branches in verse 8 it appears that there are just three of these young branches identified as having been removed from the mother tree. Identified later, Lehi and his family colony will be distinguishable as one of these branches in the Allegory.
Also, Christ was instructed by the Father to visit the “lost tribes” after his administration to the Lehites (3 Ne 17:4). As Lehi’s people are located on the choicest ground, the so-called “lost tribes” likely relate to one or more of the branches mentioned to have been placed in poor spots of ground.
15 And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard. 16 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, and also the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor. And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Behold, look here; behold the tree. 17 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard looked and beheld the tree [mother tree] in the which the wild olive branches had been grafted; and it had sprung forth and begun to bear fruit. And he beheld that it was good; and the fruit thereof was like unto the natural fruit.
This reflects the success of the apostolic ministry to the Gentile nations recorded in the New Testament. The natural fruit included the prophets and those who believed their words, worshipped the true God and were redeemed through determined application of the atonement.
18 And he said unto the servant: Behold, the [grafted] branches of the wild tree [Gentiles] have taken hold of the moisture of the root thereof [mother tree/House of Israel], that the root thereof hath brought forth much strength; and because of the much strength of the root thereof the wild branches have brought forth tame fruit. Now, if we had not grafted in these branches, the tree thereof would have perished. And now, behold, I shall lay up much fruit, which the tree thereof hath brought forth; and the fruit thereof I shall lay up against the season, unto mine own self.
The roots, the gospel teachings, words of the prophets, patriarchs and necessary ordinances as taught by Christ's apostles have brought forth much strength. The Gentile convert branches produced much good fruit for close to two hundred years after Christ before the last of the worthy priesthood holders were gone as a result of persecution and apostasy.
19 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Come, let us go to the nethermost part of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches of the tree have not brought forth much fruit also, that I may lay up of the fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. 20 And it came to pass that they went forth whither the master had hid the natural branches of the tree, and he said unto the servant: Behold these; and he beheld the first that it had brought forth much fruit; and he beheld also that it was good. And he said unto the servant: Take of the fruit thereof, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self; for behold, said he, this long time have I nourished it, and it hath brought forth much fruit.
The tame or natural branches [righteous groups of people] removed from the natural olive tree [mother tree/House of Israel/Holy Land] have taken root in their various locations and produced good fruit. Note that the branches have been hid in some manner from the world—hidden in some respect from the knowledge of the world and also likely to some degree from its influences.
21 And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. 22 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.
This branch was planted in what is described as a poor spot of ground. This could pertain to the lost ten tribes who were carried into the north countries of Assyria and then later escaped to an even more remote and unknown location. This could be polar regions or a place or places unfriendly to crop production such as where there is ice or permafrost. The Father reassures the servant, the Son, that He knows what He is doing.
23 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self.
This spot of ground is even poorer than the previous one. Nevertheless, these two Israelite colonies have flourished spiritually and brought forth good fruit. By living in an extreme climate or under tenuous environmental conditions the occupants of these societies were likely forced to cooperate and support each other just to survive—factors conducive to humility and consecration.
24 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his servant: Look hither, and behold another branch also, which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit.
This one’s a mystery. Other than among the “many” mentioned in verse 8 there does not appear to be any further description or allusion to this group. Happily, though, it has also produced good fruit. This may represent a category that includes any number of other Israelite offshoots.
25 And he said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others.
This is clearly the Lehite colony in the Americas, planted in a good spot of ground and having brought forth good and bad fruit. It is not so simple that the Nephites are the good fruit and the Lamanites the bad. That distinction is not supported by details of the Book of Mormon in which on occasion there are Lamanites bringing forth good fruit and providing examples and preaching repentance to the Nephites.
26 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck off the branches that have not brought forth good fruit, and cast them into the fire.
In the case of the Lehite colony there was pruning and removal of dead and withered branches periodically through wars. There was also a serious pruning through the catastrophic destructions at the time of Christ's death in the Old World in which the more wicked apostates were destroyed. Few people realize it was almost a year later that Christ appeared to the more righteous and repentant Lehite descendants.
The description of the destructions begins in 3rd Nephi 8, verse 5: "And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land." However, the Savior does not appear on the American continent until 3rd Nephi 10:18 "And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who were Lamanites, who had been spared, had great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that... he [Christ] did truly manifest himself unto them" (Italics ours).
The "great and marvelous" changes associated with the temple grounds that the Lehites were showing each other at the time of Christ's appearance (3 Ne 11:1) were likely not the effects of the destructions but were more likely the reconstruction and reorder of the structures and grounds worthy of the Lord's visitation accomplished during the period of almost a year from the time of the destructions.
27 But behold, the servant said unto him: Let us prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it a little longer, that perhaps it may bring forth good fruit unto thee, that thou canst lay it up against the season.
The servant suggests to the Lord of the vineyard that they prune and nourish this location of the vineyard a little longer [Americas]. Here we have an opportunity. How does this nourishing administration by the lord of the vineyard and the servant look in real life? We find the answer in 3rd Nephi chapters 11-30.
First, as in every dispensation, the Father introduces the Savior with His voice from heaven. “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him” (3 Ne 11:7). As recorded, the multitude at the Nephite temple in the land of Bountiful see the Savior descending. He explains that He is the prophesied Christ who has died for the sins of the world and “suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning” (3 Ne 11:11). He invites the multitude to feel the wounds in His hands, feet and side. As they do so they fall down and worship Him (3 Ne 11:13-17). The Savior proceeds to teach the people over several days. He explains repeatedly that He is fulfilling the commandments of the Father. He prays to and talks to the Father on their behalf (3 Ne 17:14-18). He explains that the Father has also commanded Him to visit the other tribes. He also institutes the sacrament.
In one of Joseph McConkie’s BYU religion classes he explained the symbolic meaning of certain interesting passages in Christ’s administration of the sacrament to the Nephite disciples and the multitude. “And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat. And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.” The multitude then ate and were also “filled” (3 Ne 18:3–4). This is a metaphor of being filled with the Spirit of the Lord. By so doing they were also filled with knowledge and the grace of God.
The point here is that in order for the multitude to be “filled,” Christ’s twelve disciples had to be “filled” first. Once the leadership, the twelve, were filled they could then impart to the multitude. The symbolic point is: They could not give what they had not already received. They could not impart what they did not possess.
The same principle is true today of our leaders at all levels within Christ’s Restored [LDS] Church. If leaders and teachers are imparting knowledge and instructions regarding things they have not received as personal knowledge from the Holy Ghost they are operating without genuine authority and, therefore, without valid effect. Under this lack of divine support, they are in danger of taking the name of Christ upon themselves in vain and without authority. LDS members who simply follow the mantras and continual rehash of content out of complacent obedience, thinking such an attitude is virtuous, are being set up for failure. Nowhere in the scriptures is such a thoughtless attitude supported.
Adam’s sacrificial obedience in the Garden, though without understanding of its purpose, was not blind. He was following instructions from the Lord himself and this obedience over time resulted in knowledge. “If any man will do his [the Father’s] will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself " (John 7:17). When we truly live a commandment, we not only gain a testimony of it, over time we learn the deeper meaning of it. We are then in a position to teach effectively such that hearer and teacher are mutually edified.
Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other way it is not of God. And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? If it be some other way it is not of God. Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth? Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together. And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day (D&C 50:17–24).
According to the above sense of the word, how often and to what degree are we, as LDS members, being edified? On the other hand, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory” (John 7:18). Those who speak and teach their own words do so for their own glory and NOT the glory of God.
When popularity is a factor in leadership truth suffers accordingly. The Spirit of the Lord cannot teach the doctrine that exalts through a person who is compromised by a need for acceptance and honor nor by a desire to avoid discomfort or controversy caused by valid doctrines of repentance. Also, when people teach to create a following for the sake of honor or pushing an objective of false doctrine, they are guilty of priestcraft.
In this real-life example of the Father and the Son nourishing an Israelite branch it is clearly the Father who determines where the branches are to be located and when they are to be visited (3 Ne 16:3-5). The Savior reiterates, “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 Ne 17:4).
The Nephites/Lamanites [the Allegory location with two branches—American continent] is just one of the stops that the obedient servant [Christ, the Savior] makes in the Allegory. There will be a similar ministry in each branch/tribe location.
Christ, the faithful servant, intercedes with the Father on behalf of this portion [Nephite/ Lamanite] of the vineyard. There are also significant promises to be realized among the descendants of the Lamanite branch in the latter-days when “they that murmured shall learn doctrine” (1 Ne 3:5,25. Isa 29:24).
28 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard and the servant of the Lord of the vineyard did nourish all the fruit of the vineyard.
They didn’t just nourish the trees and branches; they nourished the fruit itself [the Lord’s Covenant people]. This would be in the form of both the first and second comforters—the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit of Promise, with the latter being a function or office of the Holy Ghost (see John 14:18-23, D&C 76:53,130:3). The result is “good fruit” [redeemed and sanctified members of the Church of the Firstborn].
29 And it came to pass that a long time had passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor again in the vineyard. For behold, the time draweth near, and the end soon cometh; wherefore, I must lay up fruit against the season, unto mine own self.
The “us” is the Father and Son. That we may labor “again” indicates this is the same team as always. The time frame now is prior to and preparation for the Restoration. The lord of the vineyard [Heavenly Father] and the servant [Jesus Christ] visit the various locations in the vineyard of the world and observe conditions after a long time had passed since the colonies were flourishing.
30 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard and the servant went down into the vineyard; and they came to the [mother/Holy Land] tree whose natural branches had been broken off, and the wild branches [Gentiles] had been grafted in; and behold all sorts of fruit did cumber the tree.
Geographically speaking the mother tree now includes the Holy land and surrounding countries in which the ministry of Christ’s apostles took root. Of particular importance were the locations of “the seven Churches in Asia” as mentioned in Revelation chapters 1-3.
The Father and the Son come to examine the Holy Land/Old World remnants of the Gentile branches grafted into the mother tree to see what sort of fruit had been produced. What follows is an interesting description of the condition of the secular Christian world of the Dark and Middle Ages, also Catholic and Protestant iterations of religious beliefs and practices that emerged. Rather than good or divine fruit all sorts of strange fruit is found on the mother tree and none of it was good [no valid redemption]. Without the Melchizedek priesthood there are no prophets or sound doctrines. There is no authority by which people can receive the necessary saving ordinances or to obtain remission of their sins.
Satan brings upon the world an age of darkness, bondage, and universal apostasy. The gift of the Holy Ghost is no longer available or authorized. The Spirit of the Lord is necessarily constrained in supporting apostate forms of religion claiming His name.
Initially, and for some time, the grafted Gentile branches in the mother tree produced good fruit. In D&C 77 the Lord gives the following explanation to Joseph Smith of the 24 Elders referenced in the vision of John the Revelator in Rev. 4:4,10.
Q. What are we to understand by the four and twenty elders, spoken of by John?A. We are to understand that these elders whom John saw, were elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead, who belonged to the seven churches, and were then in the paradise of God (D&C 77:5)
However, by the time of this visitation in the Allegory nothing but aberrations of the true gospel remained.
31 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard did taste of the fruit, every sort according to its number. And the Lord of the vineyard said: Behold, this long time have we nourished this tree, [House of Israel and Gentile branches] and I have laid up unto myself against the season much fruit. 32 But behold, this time it hath brought forth much fruit, and there is none of it which is good. And behold, there are all kinds of bad fruit; and it profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding all our labor; and now it grieveth me that I should lose this [mother] tree.
In the Sacred Grove the young Joseph Smith learns directly from the Lord the truth about the sectarian world.
My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, then I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof” (Joseph Smith—History 1:18–19, the Lord quoting Isa 29:13).
Though there were among the Reformers and others honest people striving for truth, even they did err because of the plain and precious truths removed from sacred writ. More importantly, the authority of the priesthood and its saving ordinances ended with Christ’s apostles and the translation and eventual removal by the Lord of John the Revelator. The Gentile branches that had been grafted into the mother tree are now also withered and dead. The subsequent professors of religion in Joseph Smith's day and in our day of secularism are all corrupt and their false creeds are an abomination to the Lord.
At this point, even despite the Protestant Reformation, there is absolutely no good fruit on the so-called Christian tree. Unless something is done at this time the tree and its roots are in peril.
33. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit thereof unto mine own self? 34 And the servant said unto his master: Behold, because thou didst graft in the branches of the wild olive tree they have nourished the roots, that they are alive and they have not perished; wherefore thou beholdest that they are yet good.
The servant points out that the roots of the mother tree are still sound and alive, thanks to the grafting in of formerly wild Gentile branches. The lord of the vineyard, as portrayed in the Allegory, seeks to preserve the roots of the mother tree but also appears to allow for their possible loss such as in verses 8,11,13,32,46,51 and 65. A point not to be overlooked.
In order to preserve the tree and the roots the lord of the vineyard is required to go to great lengths. The grafting plan is critical to the success of the overall program of saving Israel in order to produce sufficient good fruit and win the end time war of good versus evil.
The grafting emerges as a divine design to spread beneficial Israelite believing blood to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, thus fulfilling the promises of the Lord to Abraham that every generation of the earth would be blessed by his seed. This prophecy is not only achieved by the Savior’s mission and sacrifice but also by the scattering and gathering of Israel as the leaven that spiritually raises the whole loaf or “lump” of dough figurative of the entire world population (Matt 13:33,1Cor 5:6, Gal 5:9).
The Father and the Son have created “worlds without number.” From among these “innumerable” creations (Moses1:33-35) ours is the only one so evil that the Savior’s own people, among whom He was born, would kill him. Since it was necessary in the plan of salvation that there be an infinite and eternal sacrifice, such an evil creation as ours was necessary. However, this situation presents particular challenges to all involved, from the least to the greatest. There seems to be a degree of brinkmanship in the plan.
In the Allegory we find the ultimate fate of both the trees and their roots often in jeopardy. What might be the point of this allegorical representation? Would Heavenly Father actually cast off his people and their roots, including casting off their ancestors? Because of two instances in the Doctrine and Covenants the answer would seem to be in the affirmative. In D&C 85:3-4 early members of this dispensation who violated their covenants of consecration were not only to have their names removed from the records of the Church, nor was “their genealogy to be kept… on any of the records or history of the church.” Did their ancestors have something to do with their mortal descendants’ careless handling of stewardships? It is very likely that the ancestors are also accountable. In D&C 124:32 leaders and members of the LDS Church were informed on January 19th, 1841, that if they did not complete the Kirkland temple within the time appointed, they were to “be rejected as a church, with [their] dead.” According to laws set before the world was. we and our ancestors are clearly in this salvation project all together as a team.
It is no coincidence that the subject of “turning the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers” was the subject that most occupied the Prophet Joseph’s mind in his mortal countdown to martyrdom. It is also no coincidence that this is the very last topic we have from the Old Testament prophets (Malachi). If the necessary generational sealing “welding links” (D&C 128:18) do not occur the Lord has promised a “curse” upon the earth (Mal 4:6).
As commanded by the Lord members of the LDS Church have performed temple ordinance work for the dead for almost two hundred years. Consequently, we would expect a vast Covenant congregation in existence beyond the veil. But is there? In theory we would expect the number of this gathering of the faithful dead to be many times the number of presently living worthy Latter-day-Saints. The question is: Is this expected vast Covenant congregation beyond the veil in actual existence?
Though, according to scripture, we will have a millennium to complete the temple ordinance work for the totality of the human family, a certain threshold of support must be attained by the faithful on both sides of the veil before the return of the Savior. How do we know this? Because, as referenced above, the earth will be smitten with a curse if the necessary welding links are not sufficiently forged (D&C 76:64). Keep in mind, temple ordinance work for the dead does not guarantee the necessary “welding links.” It only guarantees the opportunity for them. Is this an issue?
The battle between good and evil, between the production of good fruit versus bad fruit continues on both sides of the veil until the last minutes of the 11th hour, even past the end of the seven-year tribulation.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken (Matt 24:19, emphasis ours).
Before the final scores are settled, the power of Satan and the Antichrist in defying God and His people will be so strong that “the stars [LDS} shall fall from [their former position in] heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." A darkened sun and moon symbolize a period of dearth of the influence of the Lord [sun] and His Spirit [moon] among the people of the earth. The stars "falling" from heaven represent some of the "noble and great ones" chosen by the Lord in pre-earth councils to be His "leaders" (Abr 3:22-23).
For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree (D&C 88:87).
Whether it is within the various dispensations or at the critical end time, not all foreordained leaders rise to the occasion of being called and chosen. Stars falling refers to LDS leaders who become “angry” and “cast themselves down.”
And it [“little horn” = Antichrist] waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host [LDS members] and of the stars [LDS leaders] to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host [LDS prophet leader], and by him [Antichrist] the daily sacrifice was taken away... And an host [includes apostate members] was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered (Dan 8:10–12).
The Antichrist transitions from guaranteeing peace, prosperity and freedom of worship to Israel to deceitfully violating his promises. In the midst of the 7-year tribulation period the Antichrist treacherously brings his armies against Israel, the Lord and His people. Taking possession of the Jerusalem temple is his object. In another passage we find the Antichrist consulting with “them who forsake the holy covenant” (Dan 11:30).
Consequently, it appears that there is a good deal of apostasy in Jerusalem in the countdown to the end time. We are also told that the daily sacrifice is removed “by reason of transgression.” Whose transgression? While the Antichrist is certainly a transgressor the angel speaking to Daniel probably didn’t need to make a point of that.
There is, unfortunately, another distinct possibility—transgression of the Lord’s covenant people. The Old Testament “daily sacrifice” under the Mosaic law was symbolic of the sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit, the sacrifice required of us in this dispensation under the Melchizedek priesthood and the new and everlasting covenant (3 Ne 9:19-20,12:19).
And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away… And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost… (3 Ne 9: 19-20).
And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit… (3 Ne 12:19).
We receive a baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost each time we repent and offer up a broken heart. This is not a one-time occurrence. According to law this is the only way to “come unto Him” and is to be a daily offering on the path of sanctification. By obeying this law we receive daily incremental gifts of the divine nature thus becoming more like the Father. The cycle of repenting with a broken heart followed by baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost and then receiving a gift of the divine nature is to be a daily offering on the path of sanctification. This is the only way to receive a regular remission of sins.
The fact that the forces of the Antichrist will have power to defile the outer court of the temple and remove the daily sacrifice seems to have a serious symbolic meaning that correlates with a parallel failure of the Saints at that time to make their own personal daily sacrifice of the required broken heart. It is likely this transgression of omission that leaves the Lord’s people short of power and direction and Jerusalem vulnerable to occupation of half the city [midpoint of 7-year tribulation period]. See GT 21: Latter-day Timeline.
Obviously, none of these things catch the Lord of the vineyard unaware. It is just people who are surprised by the challenging turns of events. The shaking of the earth and the heaven by the Antichrist is also the Lord’s doing. Speaking of the Father the apostle Paul explains:
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain (Heb 12:26-27).
Only those things done in our lives under divine inspiration are of any eternal efficacy in the resurrection. Everything else is of no efficacy and will in effect be shaken and removed (D&C 132:7,13-14). This also applies to the status of our ancestral lines. For some, perhaps many, the ancestral links will simply dissolve as progenitors take their places singly and individually in lesser kingdoms.
The necessary and timely support program for sufficient gathering of good fruit beyond the veil requires a much higher than current level of effective activity on the part of mortal “Saviors on Mount Zion” (Teachings,189, 223, 330, Rev 14:1, D&C 77:8-11).
To be a Savior on Mount Zion in the intended sense of the term it is necessary to carry burdens and break ancestral chains. In order to do this one must understand the personal need of this work and to make oneself worthy and available to the Lord for His purposes. Breaking ancestral and generational chains is the only way there will be sufficient Covenant strength among the vast assemblage of the dead on the other side of the veil.
Spiritually directed intercession among both LDS leaders and members is a key to the ultimate success of the good fruit project and the avoidance of a Covenant curse. Spiritually directed repentance and intercessional service in the similitude of the Servant [the Only Begotten, Jesus Christ] is how it is done (ref Obed 21, Rev 14:1 and chapter 7, D&C 77:8-11, 14). See also GT 5: Intercession, A Case Study.
Explanation of Stars and Host
It may be helpful to understand that these references to the hosts of heaven and the stars falling therefrom basically have reference to us—the human race, and in particular with respect to radiance and glory, the disciples of the Lord. The physical stars in our universe figuratively represent the various degrees of glory in the resurrection.
We are the hosts of heaven, and we are the stars referenced. We were the hosts and stars of heaven in the premortal world in Heavenly Father’s presence. We were the "morning stars" that sang and shouted "for joy" when the great Plan of Redemption was presented on the dawn of creation (Job 38:7). The hosts include the human disciples (angels) that are currently serving in heaven at any particular time, such as the angel who revealed to John the Revelator that he was his “fellowservant” (Rev 22:9). We, those of us who are sufficiently faithful, will again be “stars” in the Celestial resurrection. Regarding our final state of glory, the Apostle Paul explains:
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:41–42).
While we are told that the Antichrist will shake the heavens and cast down the host to the ground it is actually the Lord who is allowing this severe affliction (D&C 84:118), with the Antichrist as His rod of indignation, discernment and judgment (Isa 10:5). Consequently, the assignments accepted by the foreordained leaders among the stars of this dispensation are serious responsibilities not to be taken lightly. In this regard, this dispensation will require some of the greatest souls who have ever been created.
Apostates are also stars, as termed by the New Testament gospel writer Jude as “wandering stars” (Jude 13). In the political, social and spiritual ramp-up to the end times there will be great challenges faced by the Saints and their leaders. The Antichrist and his false prophet will have great power to afflict, torment and even kill the Saints. Many who were ordained to be here, and to challenge and face this end-time crucible of evil, will falter. In fact, some “stars shall become exceedingly angry and cast themselves down” (D&C 88:87) and some shall even be "hurled from their places (D&C 133:49). While “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever (Dan 12:1–3).
As for the Antichrist, when the purposes for his existence as the rod of the Lord’s “indignation” are achieved, he comes to a fiery end.
Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria [Antichrist], and the glory of his high looks… And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour [him and] his thorns and his briers [followers] in one day (Isa 10:12,17, see also 10:5-6).
35 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: The tree profiteth me nothing, and the roots thereof profit me nothing so long as it shall bring forth evil fruit.
Clearly there is a cooperative effort required over and within the various dispensations and the roots [the patriarchs, prophets and ancestors] are a critical element in the great plan. The prophet Malachi informs us of the peril, that if the hearts of the fathers are not turned to the children and the children to their fathers the Lord will “come and smite the earth with a curse” (Mal 4:5-6).
Consequently, has this threat been taken seriously? With temples now doting the earth the aspect of temple building certainly has been. For example, with already 25-30 temples in Utah, Idaho and Canada hugging the Rocky Mountains and Wasatch Front we should be ready for the coming arrival of the Ten Tribes. The temples are there; that much is good.
Regarding the statement of peril by Malachi, the Prophet Joseph further explained:
I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times (D&C 128:18).
Notice the coordination and interdependence involved between generations, living and dead, roots and branches. Those who have gone before cannot be made perfect without us. Nor can we be made perfect without them. What exactly does that mean? Have we really understood all this? Are our obligations to the Lord’s plan covered by genealogy and temple work? The appropriate and presumably necessary information and understanding was to be revealed to babes and sucklings in this dispensation. Babes and sucklings are found among the rank and file of the Church membership, quietly seeking the will of the Lord and who are humble and open to learn. The wise and prudent, from whom saving knowledge is purposely hidden, are those who suppose position and management skills are their ticket on the Celestial Express. They are not open to be taught.
These essential welding links require the effective application of the authority of priesthood keys that trace their origins back to previous dispensations and their key prophets and dispensational archangels and then through previous eternities and creations.
The necessary preaching of the gospel of Abraham, the gathering of the tribes of Israel and the sealing powers that link through our ancestors to the previous dispensations are all necessary in the divine scheme of things. It all ties together. Consequently, the success of the various grafts to keep the good fruit production program going is imperative.
The responsibility laid upon us, and our dead, may come into better focus in light of the visit that Joseph Smith made to Brigham Young sometime after the Prophet Joseph’s death. During this remarkable conversation from beyond the veil President Young asked the Prophet Joseph if he had a message for the Saints. Joseph responded that if the members would “get the Holy Ghost” they would go “just right.” Joseph also went on to explain that in the pre-mortal councils every generation of the earth was organized down to the last man but that because of darkness the world lay in chaos—disrupting the original order of the pre-mortal councils (Documentary History of the Church, Feb 17, 1847, also in Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878).
Despite subsequent disorder in our lineages, it should be apparent that once Lucifer and his followers were dispelled from the pre-mortal world those who remained were arranged in as perfect an order as possible—down to the last man and woman for this creation. This meant that our pre-mortal ancestors, organized into each designated lineage, participated in the choice of who was to come to earth life in each dispensation and in each age of the world. Of all the vital dispensations ours was the most critical. The missions of those chosen to come here in the end times were of paramount importance to each other, our ancestors and to the consummation of Heavenly Father’s program. Bringing these foreordained lines back into harmony keeps angels and empowered ancestors busy beyond the veil with each generation.
The links in our ancestry will necessarily have to bridge some gaps of the disobedient. However, for there to be sufficient priesthood welding links (sealings by the Holy Spirit of Promise) over our ancestral generations the factual and genuine effectiveness of the work for our dead takes on critical importance. As a clarifying case in point, we now know that genealogy and temple work is of little if any benefit to ancestors who have passed through the veil bound in generational and habitual behavioral chains—which is indeed the case with the vast majority.
This unfortunately includes LDS members who took lightly the admonition that we are to repent daily of all our sins while in the flesh. Even now many if not most LDS members who die spend years in darkness and confusion without even making it to the lowest threshold to the Light, because of unrepentant sins. This is NOT the kind of fruit the lord of the vineyard is seeking to harvest. This sort of fruit from the vineyard is not worthy of being “laid up against the season.”
The reason the lord of the vineyard is working overtime to gather good fruit, the genuinely redeemed, “against the season” is because there is a level of righteous support required on both sides of the veil for the final showdown of good and evil. People have little idea of the high stakes and levels of commitment involved. Members are unfortunately not being taught what they need to know to be Saviors on Mount Zion in the fullest sense that the revelations dictate (see D&C 76:50-70).
Neither the roots nor the tree is of much use to the lord of the vineyard unless good (redeemed and exalted) fruit is being produced. Dr Hugh Nibley, in his Book of Mormon Lectures provides an example of the difference between righteousness and wickedness. If a man has repented today, he is righteous today. If that same man does not repent tomorrow, he is wicked tomorrow. And so on. The burning that is coming shall leave the wicked [unrepentant] within the LDS church with “neither root nor branch” (Mal 4:1). Correspondingly, neither is the work for the dead of much use unless their negative behavioral chains are being broken in order that they may have the personal power to “live according to God in the spirit” (1 Pet 6). Or, as the JST version clarifies, “Because of this [need for the dead to be redeemed], is the gospel preached to them who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live in the spirit according to the will of God” (JST, 1Pet 4:6).
Living according to the will of God is the main issue before, during and after mortal life. Living according to the will of God requires agency. However, most people, whether here in mortality or in the world of post-mortal spirits have lost large measures of their agency. They are unable to live according to the will of God because they do not have the personal power of will to do so. Satan has sent the vast majority of humankind [including LDS] through the veil of death bound up in chords and fetters of behavioral chains.
Frankly, the vast majority of the dead are in no condition to receive or even listen to the missionaries, let alone embrace the gospel and accept the temple ordinances or to “live in the spirit according to the will of God.” In the Church we only hear the other-side-of-the-veil success stories, most of which are invalid—misleading faith promoting myths and rumors.
Sorry, but uncle Harry was not there waiting for Aunt Gertrude when she died. Uncle Harry has not even found his way to the Light. And Aunt Gertrude doesn’t actually want to be with Uncle Harry in the eternities. Oh, they were “faithful” members, raised children, regularly attended meetings, went to the temple, bore testimonies, etc.—observed all the trappings and the forms. They are now in darkness [a “dark and deary waste,” 1 Ne 8:7-8], fearful and confused.
They are now dependent upon their children to break their negative chains and those of previous generations because they never learned the necessary principles of daily repentance. They never learned to seal their marriage by the Holy Spirit of Promise in love and in service to and with the Savior. They never learned how to acquire the transformative “gifts of the divine nature” that would have seen them triumphant through all the vicissitudes of life and marriage and landed their eternal souls in a realm of Light and eternal possibilities with their ancestors and loved ones. See GT 13: Core Message of the Gospel.
The work of this dispensation, the work of Saviors on Mount Zion, is the consummation of the “gathering.” It is a given that Saviors on Mount Zion do genealogy and temple work, however this is only the tip of the iceberg. Saviors on Mount Zion are people who have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide and have not been deceived. They are repenting, bearing spiritual burdens and freeing their ancestors and others stuck in darkness.
The awkward fact facing this dispensation is that most of the dead, including LDS, are in no shape to receive the fulness of the gospel. They are stuck in hell, right where Satan put them, "for that same spirit which doth possess our body when we go out of this life shall have power over us in the eternal world” (Alma 34:34). This spirit that possesses our body is our spirit and the unrepentant baggage it has acquired in mortality.
Most LDS members at this point in time have either not received the fulness of the gospel [through ignorance or lack of effort] or have rejected and modified the true gospel to fit their particular convenience, notions and/or misconceptions. It doesn’t help matters that no-one clearly taught them they were to repent until forgiven of all their sins before they died, or pointed out that they would be required to pay for their own sins in hell. The Lord explains:
For behold, I, God, have a suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink (D&C 19:16-18).
One cannot suffer to this extent in the flesh without dying. Hence this extreme mental anguish for unrepentant sin must be experienced in the spirit until the “uttermost farthing” has been paid (Matt 5:26).
The roots, from Adam onward including our own progenitors, have no guarantee of their ultimate glory in the eternities until we have also done our job in this final dispensation. The necessary knowledge, “[w]hich our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels,” is actually “held in reserve for the fulness of their glory” (D&C 121:27, emphasis ours). Archangels, prophets and forebearers are all actively engaged and much invested in the final outcome, extremely dependent upon us to do our part—to fulfill the promises we made to them before the world was. The patriarchs, prophets, their priesthood keys, and the redemption of the dead and the living are all critical factors that come together in the end time gathering equation (see Teachings, p. 307-8).
In fact, as the lord of the vineyard points out in the above verse, if good fruit is not produced, “the roots thereof profit me nothing” and they are in danger of becoming “ripened, that [they and the tree] may be cast into the fire.” Were the necessary level of work the Lord and the situation requires to be unrealized in this final dispensation and the earth therefore smitten with a curse, where would Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be? What would be the status of the archangels? Not only would they not receive the fulness of their glory, but this entire order of creation would also be effectively nullified. This is, in fact, Satan’s objective.
36 Nevertheless, I know that the roots are good, and for mine own purpose I have preserved them; and because of their much strength they have hitherto brought forth, from the wild branches, good fruit.
According to the intelligence and foreknowledge of the lord of the vineyard [the Father] there was always a master plan. It is one that ultimately exposes everyone for who and what they are. It is a plan that allows his children a great deal of opportunity to prove themselves. The beginning of wisdom in the course of this program is the realization that there is NO WAY to be successful in the divine, scriptural and eternal sense without plugging into the perfection program the Lord has outlined. We cannot come up some other way because there is no other way. There is also no way to be secure and at peace in the days ahead without walking this path of sanctification.
Heavenly Father will win, and Satan will lose in the end. The question for us is, how many of us will be there triumphant at the last day or simply be part of the collateral damage? Collateral damage can be defined as not being with our friends and family in the millennium and in the eternities.
37 But behold, the wild [Gentile] branches have grown and have overrun the roots thereof; and because that the wild branches have overcome the roots thereof it hath brought forth much evil fruit; and because that it hath brought forth so much evil fruit thou beholdest that it [mother tree/House of Israel] beginneth to perish; and it will soon become ripened, that it may be cast into the fire, except we should do something for it to preserve it.
The Mother tree is in danger of perishing due to the loss of the priesthood, its covenants and ordinances. In the Old World the priesthood and its corresponding gospel requirements of serious repentance were lost through attrition and apostasy. Consequently, the apostate offshoots of Christianity became popular and acquired their own strength. Relying on their own strength they are no longer grounded in the roots of the gospel Covenant.
All that is left from the once prosperous New Testament Gentile convert grafts into the mother tree of Israel are sectarian doctrinal aberrations and counterfeit authority. Out of the Reformation there were only a few righteous religious leaders, however even they stumbled due to a lack of revelation. Usurpation of religion for political power soon took center stage.
38 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Let us go down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches [such as Lehi colony, Ten Tribes, etc.] have also brought forth evil fruit. 39 And it came to pass that they went down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard. And it came to pass that they beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first and the second and also the last; and they had all become corrupt. 40 And the wild fruit [Lamanites] of the last had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit [Nephites/converted Lamanites], even that the branch had withered away and died.
There are only three remote colonies mentioned here. They have by now all become corrupt. There is, apparently, no good fruit being produced anywhere. These are the Dark Ages.
41 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?
This reminds us of the classic passage in the Pearl of Great Price in which Enoch marvels that God the Father weeps for his children—in this case for those destroyed in the flood.
And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains? And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity? …The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency; And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood (Moses 7:28-29,32-33).
Notice that the Father weeps. Everything the Father does is for the benefit of his children. Little wonder He weeps when they fail to realize this fact and suppose they have better ideas which inevitably end in their harm and destruction.
42 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these [Nephite/Lamanite branches], had become corrupted. And now these which have once brought forth good fruit have also become corrupted; and now all the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire.
Other than John the Revelator, who was eventually from active participation in the Old World, priesthood authority did not last much past 200 BC. However, in America, despite the slow dwindling in unbelief and accompanying destructions we still have priesthood authority with prophets Mormon and his son Moroni up until the final destruction of the Nephites about 421 BC.
There may also be little wonder the Father becomes sad as well as angry--particularly angry when his children trample upon the sacrifice and atonement of His Son—the most crucial event and ultimate expression of godly love in the history of the cosmos.
In His foreknowledge the Lord of the vineyard, who is God the Father, was well aware of His people’s disobedience and apostasy. There was and is a master plan laid out from before the foundation of the world in which Heavenly Father’s wisdom overthrows and destroys the cunning of the devil (3 Ne 21:10, D&C 10:43).
43 And behold this last [Nephite], whose branch hath withered away, I did plant in a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard. 44 And thou beheldest that I also cut down that which cumbered this spot of ground [Jaredites], that I might plant this tree in the stead thereof.
The Lehite colony was brought to a promised land, choice above all others. The land was abundant in resources and with reasonable effort life there could be prosperous and comfortable—factors which gave rise to progressive worsening cycles of the Nephite disease of wealth and pride.
Notice also, that the Lord had cut down a branch [Jaredites] that had previously “cumbered this spot of ground.”
And he [the Father] had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them. And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off (Ether 2: 8 –10).
The Jaredites, no longer worthy of the promised land, were extinguished. However, this was not to be the case with the Lamanite/Nephite remnant. This remnant has an important mission in America during the end time. The prophet Zenos also describes this in the allegory (see also verses 25, 40, 43-45).
Moroni now continues within his commentary on the history of the Jaredites a specific message to the American Gentiles, including LDS:
And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done (Ether 2:11).
45 And thou beheldest that a part thereof brought forth good fruit, and a part thereof brought forth wild fruit; and because I plucked not the branches thereof and cast them into the fire [Lamanites and apostates], behold, they have overcome the good branch [righteous Nephites/Lamanites] that it hath withered away.
The Nephites had a permanent promise of protection from their enemies as long as they observed the commandments and covenants of the Lord. Their biggest mistake, besides pride and unbelief, was changing their policy from defending themselves from their enemies to attacking them in their enemies’ own homelands. They changed from a defensive philosophy to an offensive one. When people lose the Spirit through pride, they also lose perspective and discernment.
The Americas are lands of promise to the Lehite remnants as well as today’s righteous Gentile [mainly Ephraimite] Covenant LDS membership. The promise of the Lord’s protection extended to the Nephites is attached to this choice land of promise. It applies just as much today as in Book of Mormon times. When America decides to attack other nations that have not pled for our help simply to enrich certain special interests we do not have the blessing of the Lord, which is already evident in many cases.
But behold, this land, said God, shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And I will fortify this land against all other nations. And he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith God. For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words. Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations. Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God (2 Ne 10:10-16).
The Lord has blessed this land and made us many promises. Among these we are assured never to have a king ruling over our land and that nations and peoples who war against us [Zion] will be destroyed. Because of this promise we know the Antichrist will never rule over America. However, there will be war. Even if we are invaded, we shall never be occupied. There will never be a foreign seat of government ruling over this land. However, the almost full cup of our own national and collective iniquity [LDS included] shall not fail to be scourged and cleansed. And the [LDS] “righteous shall hardly escape” (Joseph Smith Dairy, 29 Sep, 1839, D&C 63:34).
And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord (D&C 112:25).
Some may suppose this prophecy has already been fulfilled. Such is not the case. See: GT21: Latter-day Timeline.
46 And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit; and these I had hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild olive tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them.
The marvelous success of the grafting program in which branches or groups of people are put into novel environments and led by prophetic doctrines and miraculous conversions inevitably winds down over time. Quasi-religious forms gradually replace the substance of the gospel Spirit. Ordinances may become meaningless and corrupted. Congregations become subcultural social units with pecking orders. Local leaders acquire honor unto themselves and take advantage of the flock instead of feeding them.
Wealth and educational advantages create a caste system. The doctrines of salvation are assumed rather than taught. The Lord’s people eventually plateau where they possess little more light and truth than their non-member peers—but are under much greater accountability and liability. Sectarians and gnostic aberrations took over the gospel in the Old World and crude idolatry and violence ultimately ruined the Nephite civilization in the Americas.
47 But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?
Heavenly Father points out that the vineyard is not suffering for lack of support but rather for other reasons. He asks a rhetorical question, for which he certainly knows the answer. It is Satan who has corrupted the vineyard, having access to the Lord’s people through immorality and pride.
48 And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?
The branches and congregations of the Lord’s people subtly shift from doing the Lord’s will to doing their own will. The meat of the gospel, upon which gospel colonies were established, soon devolves into gospel milk until the milk becomes so thin it is indistinguishable from other liquids. In this knowledge vacuum other doctrines and philosophies become attractive. By taking strength unto themselves the branches have ceased to derive strength from the roots and now depend upon the arm of flesh and the value systems of men.
Mormon writes of his people regarding their decay and apostasy:
…nevertheless the strength of the Lord was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the Spirit of the Lord did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our brethren” (Morm 2:26).
No longer were the Nephites stronger than their enemies. Their pride gave them a false sense of security.
The servant, Jesus Christ, reminds the Father that the susceptibility of these Saints to transgress was their lofty pride. Much like the Saints of today they took strength from other than the true source, wandering away from their divine roots [true doctrine and sacred covenants].
49 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Let us go to and hew down the trees of the vineyard and cast them into the fire, that they shall not cumber the ground of my vineyard, for I have done all. What could I have done more for my vineyard?
The lord of the vineyard [God, the Father] is understandably offended at his children’s behavior and lack of repentance. He again makes the point that the problem does not lie with Him. Heavenly Father’s patience is tried by his misbehaving and errant children. Casting withering branches into the fire is a common idea expressed by the lord of the vineyard. However, though the Father knew what would happen, he still has a plan—the same one presented by Him in the Grand Council in Heaven and accepted by the servant [the Son] when he answered, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever” (Moses 4:2).
50 But, behold, the servant said unto the Lord of the vineyard: Spare it a little longer. 51 And the Lord said: Yea, I will spare it a little longer, for it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard.
The servant, who represents Christ, our Advocate, pleads with the Father to spare the vineyard a little longer. The Father, of course, agrees. It was always the plan.
52 Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof.
Here we are beginning to take branches [people] from the nethermost parts of the vineyard [Gentile nations] and graft them back into the mother tree [coming into the Covenant and House of Israel]. Ephraimites among the Gentiles will be the first branch in this dispensation to be grafted into the Covenant. Once Ephraim has done its job of receiving the priesthood from heaven associated with the Restoration other tribes will be gathered.
At this point in the Allegory time frame the mother tree has become corrupted with all sorts of sectarian versions of the gospel. The true priesthood ordinances and covenants are replaced with apostate and ineffectual rituals. This would be the period from about 200 AD coming up through the Protestant Reformation to the time of the Restoration. The establishment of the Restoration will serve to totally invalidate all sectarian doctrines and prepare the mother tree to receive a true branch, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As revealed by Patriarchal blessings representatives of other tribes are joining the Church, however, present membership mainly consists of the tribe of Ephraim. Being gathered from among the Gentile nations, Ephraim has the latter-day birthright responsibility (Gen 48:20, Jer 31:9). Ephraim has been and will increasingly be the catalyst for the gathering of the other tribes. Manasseh [initially the descendants of Lehi] soon follows.
The Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees explains and underscore the fact that we are dealing with a grand Plan that employs the generations of the believing blood of Israel and its tribes to bless the entire earth in a very profound, powerful and strategic manner. The latter-day descendants of each tribe have specific responsibilities and assignments in the end time gathering and there is nothing random about this process. We are not Gentiles in the fullest since of that term. Rather, we are to some degree or another, Israelites among the Gentiles
53 And this will I do that the tree may not perish, that, perhaps, I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine own purpose.
It is the plan through missionary work to bring the natural branches back to the mother tree of Israel so that it may realize all its promised blessings pronounced by the Lord through the prophets of all ages. A great deal depends on the success of this gathering. Through repentance and obedience the Gentile converts are also permitted to enjoy the Covenant blessings.
54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches [tribes of Israel] of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive [descendants of scattered Israelite tribes]; wherefore, that I may preserve them [the natural branches] also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree [mother tree], and I will graft them in unto them [scattered natural branches among the Gentiles]. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree [tribes of Israel/Jews], that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.
Note that the lord of the vineyard refers to the harvesting of the fruit, that is the salvation and exaltation of souls, as a source of glory to him. This fact alone is sufficient to identify the lord of the vineyard as symbolic of Heavenly Father. The Savior as servant always directs and defers glory to the Father.
The descendants of the natural branches are alive in their scattered locations. They are not bearing fruit, however, until the latter-day missionaries reach them, and they become a covenant people again. The plan now is for the lord of the vineyard to take wild [apostate] branches from the mother tree and graft them into wild remote branches scattered abroad. This is another scattering of Israel in anticipation of a later gathering. The modern Jewish diaspora would be an example. There is today a significant Jewish population on every continent awaiting the message of the Restored Gospel.
55 And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree which had become wild [apostate], and grafted in [scattered] unto the natural trees [among Gentile nations], which also had become wild.
The apostate Israelite tribes are scattered among the Gentile nations so that over time their descendants will hear and accept the gospel of the Restoration in their foreign lands and begin to gather.
The fact that this scattering and gathering of Israel was the plan of the Father, and that this prophetic Allegory was known in the days of Christ’s apostles is attested by the Apostle Paul (see footnote #1). Paul warns the Gentile members of his day to beware of pride. He points out that if the Lord can cast off the Jews he can do the same with them. He also points out, clearly referencing the Allegory, that the grafting process is part of the Lord’s plan for the benefit of mankind with the ultimate restoration of Israel as a key element of the plan.
56 And they also took of the natural trees [tribes of Israel] which had become wild [apostate], and grafted into their mother tree [Covenant and House of Israel].
The LDS Restoration is tasked with preaching the gospel to the world and converting and gathering the scattered Israelite tribes and their various remnants—that they may be grafted back into their mother tree and connected to the original divine roots.
Though growth in the LDS Church has slowed in recent years the missionary effort has brought in millions of converts over time. The quality of the fruit produced then becomes the main issue. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Kingdom of God on the earth, becomes a staging area for advancement on the Covenant path of sanctification leading to exaltation and membership in the Church of the Firstborn. The Church of the Firstborn is the heavenly church reserved for the faithful (D&C 76:50-60).
The challenge is for souls to move beyond the staging area onto the upward path of progression and sanctification that eventuates in the kind of fruit the Lord intends for his children to become. The ordinances at the initial levels of progression within Church membership are conditional and only eternal in nature when sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. This only occurs through spiritually directed service engaged in doing the will of the Lord.
But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us [Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon], which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory (D&C 76:114–118, emphasis ours).
From this we glean that there is clearly a job to do while we are in the flesh. One of the many Mormon myths, a serious misconception among many LDS is that we have a thousand millennial years to clean up our lives. Doing missionary work, genealogy, temple work, and church service do not take the place of fulfilling the commandment of offering a daily broken heart for our sins, thus eventually making us pure and holy in the flesh. If we choose to avoid this commandment we will be called upon to suffer for our own sins in Spirit Prison. Unless we are pure and holy, in other words sanctified, by the time of the resurrection we have likely missed our chance for exaltation. The thousand year millennial period of time is reserved for terrestrial and telestial spirits to suffer for their sins. For them it is not a rest home or even a halfway house.
For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also (D&C 132:22–23, emphasis ours).
Receiving the Lord is becoming His fellow servant in lockstep with the whisperings and directions of His Spirit. Obedience and service in nourishing and gathering His children in His similitude is the example and message of the Servant in the Allegory.
57 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck [destroy] not the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter; and in them ye shall graft according to that which I have said.
The return of the scattered tribes of Israel to the mother tree coincides with a process of pruning and removing existing apostate elements, refining and cleansing the Latter-day Church. At this time only the most bitter apostates are being removed from the Church either by excommunication or by their own volition as they become offended or are drawn off by various priestcrafts.
58 And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof; and we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened [in iniquity], that must perish, and cast them into the fire.
The nourishing of the vineyard includes prophets again being called to labor in the vineyard. There is also a purging and cleansing process that removes those branches or elements that have failed to become productive of good fruit. Many of these nonproductive elements simply remove themselves through inertia, becoming offended or through seductive philosophies of men and of devils. Some of these become strident enemies of the Church, a situation that will intensify in the countdown to the return of the Savior.
59 And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take strength because of their [roots] goodness; and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil.
The wheat and the tares are growing up together among the Lord’s people in the Latter-day Church. At present only the most bitter are removed. The ongoing and projected gathering of Israelite remnants requires sacrifice and the refiner’s fire of the Lord’s servants. Through the return of earnest remnants to the fold new strength will be provided. The level of faith among LDS members will roughly correspond with the level of faith held by Church leadership. Between our leadership and membership Light, truth and strength flow in both directions. We give Light to each other.
Following the leadership of the Church is important. However, “Follow the Prophet” is not nor should not be a mantra. Our Church doctrine does not support the concept of infallibility of our president or leadership. To properly support our leadership, we must follow and know the Savior. We must function as His fellow servant. We must come to know His voice. As a cautionary case in point the angel [Gabriel] who prophecies to Daniel informs him that someone who will be known as “the prince of the covenant” [“the head of the covenant,” Septuagint] is involved in what will prove to be a treacherous end time agreement with the Antichrist (Dan 11:21-23). The man holding this title would appear to be the presiding leader of the LDS Church in the Holy Land. This deceitful league of pretended protection of the Jews and the Lord’s people trigger the beginning of the seven year “tribulation” period that will prove to be very challenging to the Saints involved there (see Dan 11:3-35).
This perception by Israelite and regional LDS Church leadership of the need of a protective alliance is likely due to the absence of historic support and protection from the USA. At this time America has ceased to be an effective military power due to invasion, tribal and sectional warfare, pestilence and mobocracy.
However, the prophets have warned and forewarned Israel to never form alliances or a “confederacy” with anyone but the Most High God (Isa 30:1-7, 50:10-11).
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken (Isa 8:9–15).
Even today modern-day Israel is in a sense trusting “in the shadow of Egypt” as they did anciently. Egypt will be the head of an alliance that in the end time wars unsuccessfully with the forces of the Antichrist.
Woe to them [ancient and modern nation of Israel] that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it (Isa 31:1–5).
The alliance of Israel with Egypt shall fail, and the Lord will allow two thirds of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be cut off [destroyed] by the Antichrist’s invading army and will bring the other third effectively through the refiner’s fire (Zech 13:8-9). With this group of tried and true believers the Lord will defend Jerusalem until He meets with them as their deliverer at His coming to the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:4-5).
It is understandable that some gospel writers may ascribe Old Testament latter-day prophecies referencing Egypt as symbolically referring to America. It is a fact that America is and has been modern day Israel’s chief ally almost since its inception and that American Jews have also been an essential support to the Jewish nation. It is questionable, for example, if Israel would have retained its position of national strength as result of the Yom Kippur War [1973] had not America provided a rapid and massive resupply airlift of war material to the beleaguered Israeli military. Despite people like Obama being a clever enemy of Israel the USA has generally held a position of strong support. Continuing to expand, the present Middle East peace and trade agreements are largely the work of President Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
However, latter-day Egypt in the prophetic Old Testament scriptures is not America. It is most likely modern-day Egypt itself, as leader of what will develop into a powerful alliance of Middle Eastern nations opposed to the emerging rise and power of the Antichrist. The initial stages of the formation of this alliance can already be seen and at least partly the result of President Trump's Abraham Accords mentioned above--growing out of common defense interests. In the series of battles described in Daniel this southern alliance led by the “king of the South” is ultimately unsuccessful, ending in the Antichrist invading and occupying Egypt (see Isa 19:4-5). For more details and references see GT 21: Latter-day Timeline.
With respect to confederacies and alliances, what is true for Israel is true for the LDS Church and is also true for families and individuals. The only genuine security is in the Lord.
60 And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree [brought them back into the Covenant], and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit.
The first fruit [e.g. redeemed souls] has reference to the original fruit going back through Israelite lineage to Abraham and then through the patriarchs to Adam. The grand plan of scattering Israel that blessed and lifted the whole world, and the reverse grand plan of gathering that brings all the tribes of Israel back together to possess their ancient lands of inheritance, is here referenced. Led by the Ephraimite Gentile members, there is a resurgence of faith and works among the various descendants of Israel.
In the Americas the Lehite branch (mainly Lamanites) is yet alive—not destroyed, as was the Jaredite population before them. In the Lord’s wisdom they will play the improbable role of dual significance in the days ahead. They will vex the American Gentile nation (3 Ne 16:15) and they will lead us [a remnant of Ephraimite Gentile members] back to Jackson County (3 Ne 21:23-24). The Book of Mormon prophets always knew that the Gentiles of this nation would, with minor exceptions, ultimately reject the gospel and become ripe for destruction.
To the descendants of Lehi during His ministry the Savior explained:
And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O House of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them (3 Ne 16:10–11, emphasis ours).
The present rate of LDS conversions in North America and Europe is insignificant compared to the total national populations. The rate of convert retention is also a problem. The level of genuine conversion and participation of existing members on the Covenant path of sanctification is also of concern. The younger generations, unimpressed by their leaders and parents, are now leaving the Church in droves. It is in the poorer countries of the world that the Church is flourishing.
Against this backdrop of American withering and in what will be the aftermath of the Russian/Assyrian invasion (still some years off) there will be an associated collapse of the US government and the power grid with resultant rampant mobocracy as prophesied by the prophet Joseph Smith. At the time of this future national chaos many native Americans, descendants of Lehi, will rise up and take control of parts of the nation that was and still is their land of inheritance. Lehite descendants will also be grafted into the Olive tree and its roots. They will provide leadership associated with the settlement of Jackson County and the commencement and building of New Jerusalem.
And they [LDS Ephraimites] shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob [descendants of Lehi], and also as many of the House of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem. And then shall they {righteous Ephraimite Gentiles and Lehite descendants together] assist my people [remnant tribes of Israel] that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem (3 Ne 21:23-24, emphasis ours).
The truth of this may appear stranger than fiction but is part of the Lord’s master plan. See GT 21: Latter-day Timeline.
Regarding the role of the latter-day descendants of Lehi and their return to the natural tree of Israel the Lamanite prophet Samuel prophesied and testified as follows:
And now, because of their [Lamanite] steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity—Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth—(Hel 15:10-11).
According to Samuel’s testimony the ancient author of this Allegory [Zenos], as well as other prophets of Old Testament times, clearly saw in vision the return of the Lehite remnant of the American continent to the true fold of God. Speaking to apostate Nephites Samuel continues:
Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them. And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep. Therefore I say unto you, it shall be better for them than for you [Nephites] except ye repent. For behold, had the mighty works been shown unto them which have been shown unto you, yea, unto them who have dwindled in unbelief because of the traditions of their fathers, ye can see of yourselves that they never would again have dwindled in unbelief. Therefore, saith the Lord: I will not utterly destroy them, but I will cause that in the day of my wisdom they shall return again unto me, saith the Lord (Hel 15:12–16).
In the great wisdom of the Lord, the Lamanites [including a mixture of Nephite and Mulekite blood] were permitted to remain upon the land of America so that their latter-day descendants would fulfill their end time two-fold mission—as a vexation to the decadent American Gentiles in the end time, and then as the project lead for the establishment of the New Jerusalem [as referenced above in 3 Ne 21:23-24]. Through Lehi, the Nephites and Lamanites are descendants of Manasseh and inheritors of the promises given to the sons of Joseph of Egypt.
Consequently, according to Lehi, Joseph of Egypt’s ancient prophecies recorded on the brass plates not only predict a namesake of Joseph of Egypt, in the form of Joseph Smith, but they also foresee another latter-day prophet that Lehi identifies as an end time descendant of his youngest son, Joseph. According to Lehi’s interpretation of the ancient Patriarch Joseph’s prophecies and according to his [Lehi’s] own blessing, we may correlate the predicted “mighty and strong” latter-day leader of the Saints to be a descendant of Lehi’s youngest son and, therefore, having a Native American bloodline. This would also make him a descendant of Manasseh like his ancient father Lehi (ref 2 Ne 3:23-24).
With respect to this latter-day leader and according to the D&C:
And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God (D&C 85:7, emphasis ours).
See also GT 21: Latter-day Timeline/The Day of Manasseh.
61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.
The natural fruit, “most precious above all other fruit,” are the sanctified and redeemed. This is the first point at which we find other “servants” besides “the servant” mentioned throughout the Allegory. The lord of the vineyard summons his servants to labor for the sake of the trees. They are prophets and others called by the Lord in this final dispensation. They are to prepare the way for the return of the remnants of the other tribes and the return of Jesus Christ.
62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.
The time in which we live is the last pruning of the vineyard. The Lord says in the D&C that it will be a “mighty pruning, yea, even for the last time” (D&C 24:19). The lord of the vineyard and the servant [the Father and the Son] are laboring with all their might. We are to take our tasks seriously and to do the same. The gathering is also a personal thing as we gather our family, living and dead, into our branch of the tree of Israel and its roots. We are to gather our family in Christ, who is the “root and offspring of David and the bright and morning star” (Rev 22:16).
O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them (2 Ne 9:41–42, emphasis ours).
When we appear before the Savior, as we all will, there is no rationale for disbelief or intellectual sophistry that will sustain any confidence in that interview. On that occasion there will be no excuses of non-repentance of any merit whatsoever. At the moment we gaze upon the Savior’s face our whole life story, if it has not already, will become crystal clear.
Returning to the olive trees, the Allegory provides a window to the fact that a great deal of coordination and planning for the vineyard was required by the Godhead. It is also apparent that a great deal of responsibility rests upon the Lord’s people to finish up the program in this last dispensation in order for both roots and branches to come together in a coherent whole. This is according to the Father’s master plan enabled by the Savior’s infinite atonement. Not only do we have a great deal of temple work to do, but we also have a great deal of repenting to do if we are to survive the coming tribulations. We are to become again, and better than ever before, in the words of Paul, a “peculiar people” (Titus 2:14).
The Satan worshipping globalist elites that essentially control and run the world at present suppose that they can prevent the second coming, subdue the masses, and use technology and dark science to live indefinitely. Satan knows, for example, that in Heavenly Father’s plan there is a set number of human spirits to come to earth. Through abortion and population reduction measures Lucifer’s mortal leaders are attempting to thwart God’s plan and indefinitely delay the return of the Savior to His people until none of the Lord’s people remain.
In the Father’s perfect foreknowledge and despite Lucifer’s attempts to upset and thwart His program and timetable, everything of significance still happens in its “set” or “appointed time” (Gen 17:21; Pslm 102:13; Dan 8:19,11:27-29,35; Alma 40:4-5, etc.) including the destruction of the Antichrist (Dan 11:45).
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever (Dan 12:1–3).
Again, everything in the Lord’s plan happens in its appointed time. At the appointed time the archangel Michael, the Ancient of Days, shall preside over a great congregation of the righteous from all ages of the earth at Adam-ondi-Ahman. At this same appointed time the Antichrist is destroyed and his claim to rule is officially nullified along with all the kings of the earth.
I [Daniel] beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn [Antichrist] spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts [nations], they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him [Christ] dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Dan 7:9–14).
The horn spoken of is the Antichrist. The beast is the worldly kingdom and alliance over which the horn ruled. The other beasts are worldly kingdoms such as Britain/America, Russia/Assyria or Persia/Iran. The Son of Man, Jesus Christ, comes to Adam-ondi-Ahman and all the keys of authority bestowed upon all the prophets and apostles from every age are returned to the Savior whose right it is to reign. And now, rather than some end time mortal by the name of David, it is Christ who will sit upon the throne of David throughout the millennium and beyond (Luke 1:3-34, Acts 2:30, Rev 19:16). David (Beloved in Hebrew) is a name for the Savior.
Consequently, our path forward requires perfect trust and great obedience in order to walk through the fire and not have it kindle upon us. We must be careful to always be in lockstep and in tune with the Spirit of the Lord.
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name (Isa 43:1-7).
These are promises to the remnants of Israel, to us, to our ancestors and our posterity if we follow the steps of sanctification the Lord has outlined.
63 Graft in the branches; begin at the last that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time.
Israel, including the Jews, were the first to receive the gospel and it was to the Jews that Jesus administered in the flesh. The House of Israel produced the firstfruits. When the Northern Kingdom [the Ten Tribes led by Ephraim] fell into apostasy they were carried away by the Assyrians [circa 720 BC] as was later also the case with the Southern Kingdom [Juda and elements of Benjamin, 597 BC by Babylon]. When the Jews, many of whom had returned to Jerusalem, essentially rejected the gospel message of Christ and the apostles, the gospel went from what was left of Jewish Israel to the Gentile nations of the Old World. The Jews received the gospel message first, then the Gentiles. In this last dispensation the Gentiles receive it first and then the Jews and other tribes of Israel—so that the first [Jews] shall in the end be the last to receive the gospel message.
Israelite lineages, sometimes referred to as “believing blood” were purposely scattered by the Lord throughout the world as part of the Father’s divine plan for the redemption of as many of his children as possible. Knowing that Israel would stumble spiritually the Lord incorporates their disobedience into His master plan. The house and blood of Israel is characterized as leaven that serves to leaven the whole loaf or lump of flour meal that symbolically represents the world population (Matt 13:33). Leaven is like yeast that causes the bread to rise when baked. The leaven refers to the blessings of greater intelligence, both intellectual and spiritual, that the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob possess that affects through integration the entire world population enabling it to rise to a greater measure of light and truth. It is an expression of God’s love for His children.
Many in the LDS church now suppose, even some stake patriarchs, that members are assigned to a particular tribe through adoption. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a serious misunderstanding and doctrinal error stemming from ignorance of the great wisdom of the Father’s plan of scattering and gathering of Israel. In a patriarchal blessing our literal lineal connection to one of the 12 tribes is to be revealed rather than assigned. During a patriarchal blessing the Spirit of the Lord reveals to the inspired patriarch the actual blood lineage of the person receiving the blessing. It is a revelation rather than an assignment.
For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God—Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began (D&C 86:9-10).
As members of the Gentile nations, we necessarily have a blood lineage that is a mixture of Israelite and Gentile. The tribe revealed in a patriarchal blessing is the tribe from which we have the greatest degree of actual lineal blood. We may likely possess descent from more than one tribe of Israel, but the tribe identified in the blessing will be the major one to whom we are related. It is extremely rare for a true Gentile to join the Church—in which case there is a physical change wrought upon him/her through baptism and the reception of the Holy Ghost (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p.149-150). Such a rare convert must then necessarily be assigned by the Lord to a tribe.
Many scriptures attest to the fact that the tribes of Israel, besides being planted in a few specific locations, were otherwise scattered throughout every nation of the earth.
For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth (Amos 9:9).
The least scattered grains of Israelite lineages do not fall upon the ground unnoticed. The scattering is a managed process that ensures there will be Israelite blood in every nation and wherever it needs to be for end time purposes. Accordingly, "Ephraim… shall be wanderers among the nations" (Hosea 9:16-17). And as for the Jews, "I [the Lord] scattered them among all the nations whom they knew not" (Zech 7:14).
There is purpose in this. Israelite descendants are found throughout the world. Every nation of the earth is blessed and lifted thereby. Ephraim in particular was scattered throughout the earth and was tasked to be the first to receive the gospel in this, the last dispensation. Present day conversion has mainly been among the descendants of Ephraim, though other tribes, especially Manasseh, have been coming into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Ephraimite Gentiles are, therefore, the first to receive the gospel in this last dispensation.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again (Zech 10:7–9).
The tribe of Ephraim, despite having a proud and rebellious history, will “turn again” and serve the Lord according to the critical birthright responsibility as the first fruits of the Restoration and its accompanying obligation to bring the gospel to the remnants of the other tribes of Israel throughout the world in this final dispensation.
Manasseh, including Lehi’s descendants, also plays a key role in the end time affairs. According to the blessing given to Joseph both Ephraim and his brother Manasseh are instrumental in the latter-day gathering of Israel.
Moses, in his ancient blessing to the tribe of Joseph of Egypt, saw in prophetic vision the latter-day teamwork by Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph:
And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh (Deut 33:13–17).
In this last dispensation the children of Joseph [Ephraim and Manasseh] “shall push the people together” to and from the “ends of the earth” in the process of the end time gathering and harvest of souls.
64 Wherefore, dig about them [the grafts], and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time, for the end draweth nigh. And if it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow.
The branches referred to as “them” pertain to the Restored Church and its spread of congregations across the world. This verse also pertains to further gathering of the additional tribes of Israel into the “new and everlasting covenant” that has not yet happened. The arrival to the Rocky Mountains of the Lost Ten Tribes will be a significant demonstration of the return of a natural branch and natural fruit to the mother tree.
In the last dispensation the branches are to be nourished by apostles and prophets holding the Holy Melchizedek priesthood. The environment is created for fruit to grow to maturity and be harvested. Apostate branches arise and spin off. Wolves in sheep’s clothing within the LDS Church are revealed and excommunicated. Some become dedicated enemies to the Lord’s Church.
65 And as they [new branches] begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof [meat of the gospel, hard doctrine of repentance] should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
As the latter-day remnants of the tribes of Israel begin to come into the covenant apostates are ‘cleared away’ from time to time.
Despite this sporadic pruning many tares [foolish virgins] continue to exist among the wheat. As prophesied it is to be so until the “entire separation of the righteous and the wicked” in the church (D&C 63:54, 86:7). The coming times of tribulation will constitute a discernment of the LDS wheat and tares—both of whom will be fully ripe for their destined rewards.
And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire (D&C 63:54).
It is interesting to note that a premature removal of the tares also threatens to pull up the young and tender wheat with it. The wheat and the tares in the Church must grow up together. It appears that, in the Lord’s assessment, the wheat must come to a certain level of maturity in order to withstand the challenges associated with the great separation of the righteous from the wicked within the LDS Church itself.
“… lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft…” The roots of the gospel covenant are always good and strong. However, the grafted branches are required to progress through milk [basic elemental principles taught in Primary and Sunday School] until they are ready for meat [deep spiritual knowledge, seeking and doing the will of the Lord].
For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat [solid doctrine] belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use [spiritually experienced] have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:13–4).
The milk of the gospel, besides being associated with simple basic doctrine, is generally also associated with doing one's own will. Whereas the meat of the gospel is associated with strong doctrine and doing the will of the Lord. At present LDS members are mostly confined to watered down doctrines and spiritual wheel spinning—because, generally speaking, they are not ready for the meat of the gospel. The more solid meat [doctrine] of the gospel requires personal revelation, repentance, and doing the will of the Father with calling and election as the object. This lack of spiritual understanding and discernment among the Lord’s people was also a challenge in Paul’s day:
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able… are ye not carnal [worldly] and walk [behaving] as [mere] men? (1 Cor 3:1–3).
The progression of the Saints from primary level spiritual knowledge and, therefore, corresponding primary level spiritual behavior, is primarily the result of personal repentance and personal revelation. This separation of the wicked [members lacking in personal repentance] from the righteous will be crucial in order for the remaining critical tasks to be accomplished by the latter-day Kingdom of God on the earth—that is, the gathering of Israel and the triumph of good over evil.
66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees [covenant congregations that produce the Redeemed fruit] of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard.
The root here includes 1) Christ as the “Root of David” (Rev 5:5) and the “stem of Jesse,” (Isa 11:1, D&C 113:1), 2) the Lord’s Covenant, [“Ye shall be my people and I will be your God.” Jer 30:22], and 3) the teachings of the patriarchs and prophets of old. The top is the leadership of the Lord’s Church. The latter-day leadership ideally needs to be similar in strength to the prophets and apostles of previous dispensations. Ideally, our leaders ought to be what we sustain them to be, namely “prophets, seers and revelators!”
Clearly this a is post-Restoration removal of bad and apostate branches. In this last dispensation there is and will be “bad” fruit and branches that require to be cleared away. It is also apparent that the good must overcome the bad and that the wheat [the repenting righteous] has to grow to maturity [pure, holy, and sanctified] before the separation and subsequent harvest.
The Lord clears away the bad in the world as well as in his church. But the real day of cleansing/tribulation begins with us, in the United Sates of America and as members of the LDS church.
Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord. And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord (D&C 112:24-26, emphasis ours).
Those that suppose the focus of the Lord’s vengeance upon the LDS Church community has shifted long ago to that of the world are in for a rude awakening. As long as we still have foolish virgins among the wise, the day of reckoning is still out there and on schedule. See GT 21: Latter-Day Timeline.
The day of an “entire separation” (D&C 63:54) will involve a set of challenges to member perceptions [or misperceptions] of their security and welfare. Both physical and spiritual challenges will arrive to disquiet the Saints. Among these challenges will be exhortations to repentance as dictated by the Holy Order of the Melchizedek priesthood—a higher order of the priesthood. See GT 4: Oath and Covenant and GT 5: Intercession, A Case Study.
When repentance to the extent required for a Zion people is preached according to the Holy Order, such that many member’s core values and habits are challenged, a great separation will ensue—and a whole new phalanx of enemies of the Church will materialize overnight. There will be a good deal of drama and excitement while those with sufficient oil in their lamps shall be prepared to peacefully enter into the wedding supper of the Lamb.
The coming apostasy also coincides with the larger Gentile rejection of the fulness of the gospel. We are now living in the latter-day or end time “day of the Gentile” which day has a time limit. The day of the Gentile concludes in two ways—rejection of the gospel by the Gentiles and concluding with the siege of Jerusalem by the Antichrist’s Gentile army.
And this I [the Savior] 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 they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. 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 fulness 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 (D&C 45:24–32, emphasis ours).
As anticipated the Gentile nations will reject the gospel, but it is only the Gentile Saints that reject the “fulness of the gospel.” It is only the Latter-day Saints who have been presented with and given opportunity to embrace the fulness of the gospel. It is only the LDS Saints that have access to the keys that unlock the “fulness” of the gospel. However, it is only the righteous/sanctified LDS Saints, who have embraced the fulness of the gospel, taken the Holy Spirit for their guide and not been deceived, who will in the trials ahead "stand in holy places and not be moved" (D&C 87:8, 101:22).
67 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again into the natural [Mother] tree.
This verse refers to the scattered tribes of the House of Israel coming back into the Covenant in the Latter-days and end time.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call (Joel 2:32, emphasis ours).
Those who sincerely and in repentance call on the name of the Lord will be delivered. The prime gathering places are Zion [American New Jerusalem, Jackson County] and [Old] Jerusalem. A key to the success of this gathering to Zion is the Lehite “remnant’ whom the Lord shall call. Speaking to the descendants of Lehi the Savior clarified this point:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, thus hath the Father commanded me—that I should give unto this people [descendants of Lehi] this land [America] for their inheritance (3 Ne 16:16).
Because of the “stiffneckedness and unbelief” of Christ’s Old-World apostles they did not understand the significance of this “remnant” [Lehi’s descendants] and other prophecies testifying of Israelite tribes being led away and later to be gathered. Speaking to the Lehite remnant the Savior said, “…it is because of their iniquity that they [Christ’s Old-World apostles] know not of you [the Lehite remnant] …[and] it is because of their iniquity they know not of them [the other tribes led away]” (3 Ne 15:18-20).
And it is because of ignorance and failure to ask that few if any people today [LDS or otherwise] understand the stark and portentous ramifications of the gathering with all its tribal components. The scourging and cleansing of the Church, nation and the world operate in appointed synchronization with empowering first Ephraim and then Manasseh to “push people together [gather] to [and from] the ends of the earth” (Deut 33:13–17). Those who reject the gospel message or who fight against Zion will be cleared away ["plucked up"] from the earth to make place for the various gatherings. While the Globalists [Secret Combination/Gadianton Band] suppose that the earth belongs to them, it actually belongs to Israel, the Lord's people.
In this dispensation Ephraim is the first to be empowered through angelic administration, additional scripture, restoration of the priesthood, the keys of missionary work and the keys of sealing.
And I will make… her that was cast far off [Ephraim] a strong nation [America]: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion… And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion [Ephraim], unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion (Micah 4:7-8).
The day of Manasseh, especially for the children of Lehi, is soon coming. They shall rise up, vex the Gentiles (Micah 5:8-10, 3 Ne 20:16-19, 3 Ne 21:12-13), experience substantial conversion (Micah 5:3) and lead the Lord’s people to establish the New Jerusalem—a gathering place for all the tribes (3 Ne 21:23-24).
This requires a series of scenes wild beyond any present reference or comprehension. Warfare, natural disasters, plagues, pestilence and unspeakable evil will overtake the world while the sanctified will have peace in their hearts, power in their priesthood and daily revelation from the Lord. The signs of the times are not just on the horizon they are already all about us.
68 And the branches of the natural tree [Israelite tribal remnants throughout the world] will I graft into the natural branches [LDS branches] of the [natural Mother] tree; and thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit, [the ‘redeemed’ of the House of Israel] and they shall be one.
Not all Gentiles reject the gospel and are cast into the fire. With respect to the LDS Church, pruning generally happens in increments but with a strong exclamation point to come in the form of the prophesied Assyrian invasion. To the American populace and those members comfortable in Zion it may come suddenly and without warning.
They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land [America] desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it (Isa 13:5–9).
Those unprepared are described above. The sinners that will be destroyed include many LDS. Currently the sinners in Zion are not afraid but, according to the Lord, when the time of cleansing comes, they will be.
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure (Isa 33:14–16, emphasis ours).
Who are the sinners in Zion? Hugh Nibley has a classic answer here paraphrased: If I repent today, I am righteous. If I don’t repent tomorrow, I am wicked tomorrow… and so on. Repentance is the key, and it is to be applied every day. Repentance is the key by which we may progress through the milk and ultimately to the meat. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isa 57:21). Each day we can ask, How much peace do I have?
The righteous, those who repent, need not fear (1 Ne 22:17). Their bread and water, both symbolic and literal, “shall be sure.” The Lord, through the prophetic mouth of Isaiah, who is often termed the prophet of the Restoration, gives instructional preparation to the righteous concerning the “weapons of his indignation” that “come from a far country.”
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain (Isa 26:20–21).
In the above passage the Lord is both instructing the righteous and threatening the wicked of the world and those of his people in particular. The invasion is the expression of the Lord's wrath against all the wicked including the unwary and unprepared LDS. The earth has begun to disclose her blood and reveal those slain by secret combinations. Despite the massive coverups orchestrated by the complicit levers of power the Satanic underpinnings of power are being exposed to public view. What will they do? How will they handle it? The time is coming when many men's hearts will be "failing them for fear" (Luke 21:26).
At this point in time [March 2024 edit] there are basically two sets of people on earth, those who know what is happening and those who don't--those who see the battle lines drawn between good and evil and those who are deceived, not having "taken the Holy Spirit for their guide" (D&C 45:57).
However, the invasion, occupation and subsequent redemption of Zion in America will not take long. Isaiah saw this clearly:
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed (Isa 1:27–28).
This day of consumption of the wicked is also the day of Zion’s travail.
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children (Isa 66:8).
Who are these children of Zion that come forth out of travail?
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir (Isa 13:12). And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land (Isa 32:2).
This is what we have termed “the priesthood man”—the man holding the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood, the priesthood after the Holy Order of the Son of God. This is also the man that arises out of the crucible of affliction. This is the category of men required at this point in time to bring the remaining latter-day work forward as fellow servants of Christ. It is this travail that catalyzes the further gathering of Israel, their temple and priesthood blessings and the commencement of the New Jerusalem. See GT 4: Oath and Covenant.
When the Lord’s objectives of setting in motion the scourging and cleansing of both the American nation and His people are accomplished, the foreign enemy will be powerfully dispatched by the Ten Tribes as well as by the participation of indigenous American tribes taking back their rightful inheritance. (see D&C 87:5).
For this period of time the ancient prophet Mormon has a message to the Lehite descendant tribes/remnants:
And now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that God may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak:
Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel. Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved. Know ye that ye must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be that God shall command you (Morm 7:1-4).
As righteous members of the various tribes, all the fruit shall come together and be one in faith, heart and mind—and more especially, one in Christ. This is because they are redeemed or in process of being such.
[The Lord] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him (Eph 1:9–10, D&C 27:13).
Even though we are currently not permitted to proselyte in Israel, Jews are becoming Christians throughout the world. They are joining the LDS Church as well. Future conversion among the native American populations will also reveal remnants of Jewish Mulekites. Prior to the Lord’s return the gospel and the Book of Mormon will make greater inroads among the Jewish people.
After the opening of the 7th Seal these inroads of Israelite conversion will expand as the result of the 144,000 High Priests holding the sealing power who will encompass all nations of the earth. This mission necessarily includes the land of Israel. Moreover, there will be among the Jews at least some of the 12 thousand of the tribe of Judah who will likely be a powerful source of further conversion among their own people.
In conjunction with the invasion of America the Ten Tribes will have arrived in the “everlasting hills” [Rocky Mountains] and received their temple endowments (D&C 133:26-32). Ancestral temple work from their own records will take up several years. At this time their records and scriptures will likely be translated into English and other languages.
And they shall bring forth their rich treasures unto the children of Ephraim, my servants. And the boundaries of the everlasting hills shall tremble at their presence. And there shall they fall down and be crowned with glory, even in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children of Ephraim. And they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy. Behold, this is the blessing of the everlasting God upon the tribes of Israel, and the richer blessing upon the head of Ephraim and his fellows (D&C 133:30-34).
The establishment of the New Jerusalem is essentially headed by the indigenous descendants of the tribe of Manasseh through Lehi. We Ephraimite Gentiles and others will play a support roll.
During his post-resurrection visit to the Nephites/Lamanites the Lord promised Lehi’s descendants, to whom He was speaking, the land of America as their inheritance.
And behold, this people [Nephites/Lamanites] will I establish in this land [America], unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob [Israel]; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you (3 Ne 20:22).
And with respect to us, the Ephraimite Gentiles [LDS members], once the Israelite tribes and many of their ancestors have received their temple endowments, we play a key supporting role to what happens next— establishing the New Jerusalem.
But if they [LDS Ephraimite Gentiles] will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob [descendants of Lehi], unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance; And they [LDS Ephraimites] shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob [descendants of Lehi], and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem. And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem. And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst (3 Ne 21:22-25, emphasis ours).
Once this work is sufficiently advanced and the prophesied “besom of destruction” has accomplished its purposes in clearing Jackson County and much of the American continent of marauders and mobs, construction on the New Jerusalem can commence.
Jackson County now becomes a gathering place for Ephraim, Manasseh, the Ten Tribes and other remnants from around the American continents and the world. See GT 21: Latter-day Timeline.
69 And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out of all the land of my vineyard; for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard.
For I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations, to scourge them for their wickedness. And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness—Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying: The Lord hath brought again Zion; The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel, According to the election of grace, Which was brought to pass by the faith. And covenant of their fathers. The Lord hath redeemed his people; And Satan is bound and time is no longer. The Lord hath gathered all things in one. The Lord hath brought down Zion from above. The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath. The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength; And truth is established in her bowels; And the heavens have smiled upon her; And she is clothed with the glory of her God; For he stands in the midst of his people. Glory, and honor, and power, and might, Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy, Justice, grace and truth, and peace, Forever and ever, Amen (D&C 84:96-102).
70 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant [Christ, Jehovah, the Savior]; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants [prophets, apostles, missionaries]; and they were few.
In 1820 the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove near Palmyra, New York, which set in motion the subsequent events of the Restoration. There would again be prophets and apostles upon the earth—mortal laborers in the Lord’s vineyard. Considering the population of the world on both sides of the veil, the number of servants was and still is few.
71 And the Lord of the vineyard [the Father] said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye [the Lord's servants] shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.
Ten years after the First Vision on April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the name specified by the Lord for His latter-day Church, was formerly organized. At this time there were only 6 official members. This is the beginning of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. We are now in the countdown to the conclusion of this last dispensation and its associated "marvelous work and a wonder".
72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard ]the Father] labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
With the establishment of a First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by 1833 missionary efforts would swell the ranks to over three thousand. This was still just the beginning. As of this writing there are approximately 72 thousand fulltime missionaries in more than 150 countries teaching in more than 60 languages.
73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.
Clearing away wild branches was required at every stage of the growth of the early LDS Church. The Prophet Joseph went through a series of counselors and apostles who turned on him and were plucked off through excommunication or spin-off. In some cases a person would one day join the Church and pledge to do the will of the Lord for life and disappear almost the next day. Over time there were also a series of offshoots that flourished briefly but then withered and died. A few have continued unto today such as the Community of Christ with whom we have maintained a friendly relationship and have just recently purchased the Kirkland temple and some other properties.
Opening and preparing the way for the vineyard to again produce natural fruit is the assignment of the latter-day Gentile converts [mainly Ephraim]. Father Lehi explains this grafting scenario to his children and Nephi expands upon it for the sake of a puzzled Laman and Lemuel.
And now, the thing which our father [Lehi] meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter-days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? Behold, I say unto you, Yea; they shall be remembered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree. And this is what our father meaneth; and he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Gentiles; and he meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles, that the Lord may show his power unto the Gentiles, for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel. Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter-days; which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed (1 Ne 15:13–18, emphasis ours).
Father Lehi was an amazing man with a tremendous knowledge and understanding of the Lord's plans for his children and the points of his doctrine. The scattering and gathering of Israel are part of a Master Plan by the Father by which means all the kindreds of the earth have been and yet will be blessed through the Atonement of His Son, the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world, the faithful Servant.
74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard [the Father], even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit [Redeemed souls]; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
As the end-time nears the “bad” are plucked and “cast away out of the vineyard.”
And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land. For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out (D&C 64:35–36, emphasis ours).
As this is written there are individuals, groups and movements leaving the LDS Church taking others with them. Though most of them will never know what it is that they are leaving, this departure is perfectly OK. Easily rocked testimonies would never withstand what is coming. Many of them will also become part of the necessary opposition as they try to assuage their guilt and justify their treachery by persecuting the true Saints as a pathetic self-righteous offering to the god of the prevailing world culture. The coming crucible will expose everyone—good, bad and indifferent.
The reference to the fruits being one body and also being equal, points to the objective of one worldwide church living the law of consecration. The Lord has said, “… ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come” (D&C 38:22). This clearly does not defer the responsibility to live consecration until after He comes, but rather identifies the sort of people and culture that will receive the Savior. In a consecrated church culture there will be no poor.
That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things (D&C 78:5–6, emphasis ours).
What does it mean to live consecration? In simple terms it means doing the will of the Lord… every day. This is the temple covenant that, if lived, removes Satan’s power over us. At some point a formal organization may be used to facilitate the Saints living consecration but is absolutely not necessary. Anyone can live this principle at any time by simply walking the path of sanctification—including the realization that everything we own belongs to the Lord and that we seek direction and permission how we spend our money and how we make use of the assets in our temporary possession. This is what we agreed and covenanted to do when we took out our endowments.
In this final dispensation the fruits (redeemed/exalted souls) of the various tribes of Israel may ripen at somewhat different times or sequences, but from the long view of the Lord all this happens in a relatively compressed time frame. From that point of view it does not take long for the various tribes to embrace the gospel and see “eye to eye” (Isa 52:7-8, D&C 84:98). This applies especially to Ephraim and Judah.
And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim (Isa 11:12-13).
There are now close to 17 million LDS members in more than 150 countries. This has brought worldwide attention to the Lord’s Church. The most amazing and perhaps visible growth of the Church lies ahead. With respect to the gathering of the various tribes of Israel the Lord has promised to bear [reveal] His holy arm before the nations of the world.
And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel. Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel (1 Ne 22:10-12).
With respect to the Lord bearing “his arm in the eyes of all the nations” shall be such things as the mission of the 144 thousand Saviors on Mount Zion. These servants are ordained by the angels of heaven as ministers of the gospel to every nation as detailed here:
Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn (D&C 77:11, emphasis ours)
Ordination by angels rather than mortal church authorities is a new development in this dispensation. However, to become members of the Church of the Firstborn requires a prerequisite membership in the Kingdom of God on the earth, that is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. There will also be the apparently spectacular return of a portion of the Lost Ten Tribes from somewhere in the “north countries.”
And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord; and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves; and they shall smite the rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence. And an highway shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep. Their enemies shall become a prey unto them. And in the barren deserts there shall come forth pools of living water; and the parched ground shall no longer be a thirsty land. And they shall bring forth their rich treasures unto the children of Ephraim, my servants. And the boundaries of the everlasting hills [Rocky Mountains] shall tremble at their presence. And there shall they fall down and be crowned with glory, even in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children of Ephraim (D&C 133:26–32, emphasis ours).
Those faithful Ephraimite Saints and their associates have survived and come through great tribulation and affliction in order to be poised to provide the temple ordinances for the newly gathering lost tribes of Israel. The imagery here stretches the imagination. Other than crossing the Red Sea on dry ground and the arrival of Israel crossing the river Jordan and conquering the Holy Land, never have such things as described herein been witnessed by the world. This is the prophetic time into which we are entering. The prophets saw it, including Jeremiah:
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers (Jer 16:14–15).
The occurrence of these prophecies will punctuate history in a manner and degree not seen before. Never in the history of the planet has anyone seen anything as remarkable as the return of all the tribes of Israel to their God, to the Covenant and to the lands of their inheritance.
Notice that the enemies of the returning Ten Tribes “become a prey unto them.” Their enemies, the latter-day equivalent of their ancient Assyrian conquerors, will also be our [American LDS] enemies. It is the miraculous arrival of the Ten Tribes led by their prophets that scatter and defeat the Russian/Assyrian forces that have invaded and occupied America. With the leaders of the Ten Tribes having power over the elements (D&C 133:26-28), the Assyrians are no match for them this time.
75 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.
In the aftermath of a scourged and cleansed America [Zion] and Jerusalem the harvest of good fruit can be completed.
In that day shall the branch of the Lord [the sanctified] be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion [America LDS], and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion [New Jerusalem], and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain (Isa 4:2–6, emphasis ours).
The tribulations that descend upon the world also cleanse the Saints who remain faithful. They are delivered from spiritual Babylon and also from the Assyrian military forces that culminate in the war of Armageddon. They receive and spread the glad tidings that the God of Israel reigneth!
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion (Isa 52:7-8).
In that day the leaders of Ephraim and Judah shall see eye to eye and so will the righteous LDS leaders and prophets of all the tribes.
76 For behold, for a long time will I [the Father] lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self against the season, which speedily cometh; and for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit, for a long time, according to that which I have spoken.
As explained earlier the fruit that is laid up in the Lord’s garner is that of the redeemed/exalted. For a further explanation of the nature and character of this fruit to be “laid up against the season” the Lord explains:
And [these are they] who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things—They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. And they shall overcome all things. Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet. These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all. These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn. These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical (D&C 76:53–70).
Described above are the living and the dead who will be caught up to meet the Savior when He comes in the cloud and who will descend with Him when he comes on the earth with vengeance and in glory. A careful reading of the above passage should suggest to the mind that the standards set by the Lord for Celestial glory and eternal increase constitute serious consideration and commitment--well beyond the present focus of our so-called mainstream membership. See: GT10: Observations on the Mainstream.
77 And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered; and the good will I preserve unto myself, and the bad will I cast away into its own place. And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.
This last verse pertains to the final faceoff between good and evil after the Savior’s thousand year millennial reign. The earth shall then receive its celestial glory and the redeemed shall dwell thereon.
What is the message of the Allegory?
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Our Lord, Jesus Christ, is the “servant” of the Allegory and He is the very epitome of the servant on earth and in heaven.
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It is by virtue of Christ’s servitude that he became our Advocate with the Father and the author and finisher of our salvation.
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It is by virtue of His servitude that Christ became our Lord and Master.
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He who washed the disciples feet, is the ultimate servant and our exemplar in every respect.
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If we do not understand the Savior as “servant” we do not understand the role we are to emulate. It is by being servants in the similitude of the Only Begotten that we glorify the Father and become like Him.
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Heavenly Father goes to great lengths to bless His children—not only the lineage of Israel but also the whole world.
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The grafting, scattering and gathering is an ingenious process for the Father to lift and bless the entire world.
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The Father weeps and sorrows over the disobedience of His children.
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The battle between good and evil is ever present and ongoing until the very end.
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The Father’s plan demonstrates His wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
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There is a great need for good [redeemed/exalted] fruit in preparation for the “season” or, in other words, the successful transition of this creation into eternity.
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A critical coordinated effort is required for sufficient support [good fruit] on both sides of the veil of death to avoid the peril of the earth being smitten with a curse.
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Good fruit is defined as those who are or will become redeemed and assured of eternal life/exaltation.
Conclusion
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
Life eternal or eternal life is God’s life. In order to realize and enjoy God’s life it is necessary to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. In order to know the Father and the Son we may be served by knowing the law associated with each. The Father dwells in an environment of perfection. Where he dwells everything is according to law.
The divine law of the Father is a perfect law. It is, therefore, only through the law of Redemption of Christ and his atonement that members of Heavenly Father’s human creation may dwell with Him. It is only by and through the law of the Redemption of Christ that exalted perfection is possible. It is the object of God’s existence to reproduce himself with beings that can live with Him and become gods. (PoGP, Moses 1:39). This is only possible through Christ.
With respect to divine law the sectarian Christians make the mistake of supposing they can live with God simply by being forgiven of their sins, but to live with God an actual transformation of the sinful human nature is required. This includes being cleansed from sin and having undergone the steps necessary for the modification of human nature and behavior.
God is perfect and only perfect beings reside in His kingdom. God loves us with a perfect love and wants us to be both the unique person He created as well as being like him in his perfection, power and attributes. His love is expressed to us through the atoning sacrifice and mission of His Son. Just as Christ grew grace for grace to become like the Father, we, through applying His Son’s atonement may grow grace for grace until we are perfected in Christ. The Son, as servant, is the door to the sheepfold, the keeper of the gate, and the example of how to enter in (John 10:1, 2 Ne 9:41).
A salient message of the Allegory, and one that is unfortunately little understood, is the role and mission of the Savior as “the servant.” Dr Avraham Gileadi, for instance, declares unequivocally that Jesus Christ is “never” referenced in the scriptures by the term of servant. In reality, and reality is our object, nothing could be further from the truth. This erroneous assertion stems from a serious misunderstanding of the godhead and who it is that we worship and how we worship.
I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace. And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn (D&C 93:19–22, emphasis ours).
Confusion of identity of the main characters of the Allegory can certainly be forgiven. However, there is a larger issue here that warrants particular attention—the Savior as servant. The implications of this term [servant] are misunderstood and blessings therefore unrealized. If we are to qualify to be begotten through Christ and become members of the Church of the Firstborn we would do well to understand better who He is and how to “come unto Christ” and be “begotten” through Him.
Accordingly, when the Savior explained that he was “the least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 11:11) he was providing a clue to an important concept. He also touched on this point speaking to the disciples vying for position in His kingdom. He explained to them that he that would be “greatest” among them let him, therefore, be “the least” and “the servant of all” (Mark 9:35, Luke 9:46–48). He further explains to the disciples that the order in heaven is the opposite of that on earth, in which the lesser serve the greater, whereas in heaven it is the greater that serve the lesser. It is in this reverse sense that Christ is both the least [servant] and the greatest [with the exception of the Father]. He is the greatest by virtue of being the servant of all.
The Apostle Paul offers some insights:
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil 2:1–7. ref Isa 53:11, emphasis ours).
Christ is the ultimate servant. In His service to us He descended below all things. Can we imagine what that means? He suffered humiliation and extreme mental, physical and spiritual pain. The Savior also takes no glory unto himself. Rather He defers all glory to the Father. Being “the least and the servant of all” is not demeaning—rather, it is powerful beyond measure or comprehension. It is the power to save and to elevate. It is the power to glorify God through the salvation of His children. It is the power of God himself.
Being the least and the servant of all is a major message of the Allegory and a major message of the Savior's life. It is also the Savior’s charge to the perhaps overly confident leadership of this Church and to us as His fellow servants.
He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all (D&C 50:26).
There is service for service's sake, there is service for the sake of honor and there is service for Christ's sake. “Woe be to the shepherds” who feed themselves instead of “the flock” (Ezek 34:2).
Christ's message to us is that He came to do the will of the Father and He does only those things that please the Father (John 8:29). “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father” (3 Ne 27:13, emphasis ours). Christ came as His Father’s servant, and He came as our servant. Consequently, no individual was too insignificant for His personal attention—beggar, leper, tax collector, Samaritan woman at the well, etc.
In the parable of the Lord’s supper (Luke 14:16-24) the lord of the supper is symbolic of the Father and the servant that of Christ. In this parable we find the Father interested “in the poor, and the maimed, the halt, and the blind.” He even sends the Son as servant to “the highways and hedges” to find humble prospects for the wedding feast in place of the leaders and gospel nobility for whom there were seemingly more important things occupying their minds.
“The first shall be last and the last shall be first” (see vs 63) is an important concept in more ways than one (D&C 29:30). For example, those who anticipated places of honor in heaven may find themselves disappointed--as those considered as beneath them in mortality may prove to be beings in the hereafter they would be tempted to worship. On the other hand those who served others humbly throughout their lives and held few if any, or no positions of honor, may find themselves exalted, “rulers over many kingdoms” (D&C 78:15) with power and position over their former masters in mortality. It is only upon the meek and humble that the Lord can work His miracles of celestial transformation.
The act of the Savior washing the apostles feet is not only a sacred ordinance, but typifies the mission and role of the Savior as our exemplar, the servant.
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (John 13:13-15).
As our exemplar, the servant, Jesus Christ, that washed the disciples' feet is no longer our “elder brother” from the pre-mortal realm, but rather now our Lord and Master. He is also our Redeemer. Whenever we take any glory to ourselves we follow the example of Lucifer. Pride is a perpetual trap. Almost without exception those who have accumulated glory among mortal men have become subverted by it and neither need nor deserve glory in the hereafter. There are, of course, exceptions, but some degree of “unrighteous dominion” is the norm (D&C 121:39).
The only glory that is legitimate here in mortality is that which the Father himself bestows upon us as we walk in the similitude of Christ. This only happens as we repent of our sins and receive transformational gifts of the divine nature through daily offerings of a broken heart and contrite spirit (3 Ne 12:19). By this means our service is directed and then sealed by the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ is our example in everything, and our ultimate offering in His similitude is that of our agency. The portal that opens through the offering of personal will on the altar of sacrifice leads us to an abundant eternity of infinite choices.
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God... the things of God knoweth no man, but [by] the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth… But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned… For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:9–16, emphasis ours).
The mind of Christ is the mind of the servant. It is also the mind that is open and in tune with the whisperings and revelations of the Holy Spirit. It is the mind that is opened to the realities of eternity and the principles of eternal progression. It is the mind that is set apart [removed] from worldly lusts. It is the mind that is humble and teachable and can be instructed from on High to receive the “greater things” of God, ever becoming more like the Father through Christ (Ether 4:4-8).
The thing that makes us different from our Exemplar is the need for constant repentance. It is by daily repentance that we maintain a remission of sins and keep the channels of communication, direction and power open and effective. This is the path of personal perfection and a path that anyone can walk.
Being fellow servants with Christ we also glorify the Father who, in turn, glorifies us and makes us to be like Him.
Summary
Every dispensation commences with brilliant Light and Truth from heaven but eventually must deal with Saints dwindling in unbelief and apostacy. In this respect our dispensation is no different and the sharp or discerning eye can see the subtleties of Satan sapping the strength of the national and global LDS community as this is written. This dwindling is, of course, no surprise to the Lord. The Gentile church will, therefore, be culled and cleansed as well as subsequently empowered to pass the baton to the various remnants of the Israelite tribes who will rise up with miraculous power and resolve to take their place in the divine scheme of things--including the final chapters surrounding the return of the Savior in glory. [1]
The scattering and gathering of Israel are key components of the Father’s plan. The Father directs activities in his creations according to His perfect knowledge and foreknowledge—as past, present and future are all one great “now” [2] to the Father (Joseph Smith, 15 Apr 1842). The Son is the obedient servant who carries out the Father’s instructions perfectly. He came to do the will of the Father. By so doing he, Christ, grew grace for grace and became like the Father—ultimately possessing all the knowledge and power of the Father.
By His perfect obedience as the servant, Christ becomes like the Father, following the example of what He saw the Father do before him. It is by walking in the light of the Spirit and being a fellow servant with Christ as our leader and our example that we take upon ourselves, line upon line and grace for grace, the characteristics of our Savior. By this means we may advance into our exaltation. As we do the will of the Lord our daily checklist may even be the same, but the results will be different—eternally different.
Our past is not the issue. Anyone who has not committed the unpardonable sin can get on the path of sanctification. And as long as they do not get off, they shall enjoy Celestial glory and eternal increase.
There is also a popular misconception about putting one’s will upon the altar and walking the path of the servant. What people don’t realize is that it is the easiest way through life. It is also fire insurance for the days of tribulation that lie ahead.
Footnotes:
1) The apostle Paul understands the Lord’s marvelous wisdom and divine purposes in the grafting game plan. For clarity explanatory details have been added in brackets.
For I speak to you Gentiles [Gentile converts in the days of Christ's apostles], inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh [Jews], and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them [Jews] be the reconciling of the world [gospel going to the Gentiles], what shall the receiving of them be [the Jews coming back into the Covenant in the latter days], but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy [when Israel was faithful], the lump is also holy [has reference to Israel as the Leven for the Gentile "lump" of dough = the world blessed by Israelite blood and the gospel]: and if the root be holy [Israel, patriarchs, prophets and apostles], so are the branches [[righteous colonies such as the Nephites, etc.]. And if some of the branches be broken off [Lehi/Nephi, Ten Tribes], and thou [Gentile converts], being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them [Israel/Jews], and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree [descendents of the patriarchs, Abraham and Israel]; Boast not against the branches [Jews and tribes of Israel]. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee [do not be proud, but rather worthy of the Israelite gospel heritage]. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in [the Gentile convert branches that were grated into the Mother tree of Israel]. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off [Israelite and Jewish apostacy], and thou [Gentile converts] standest by faith. Be not highminded [do not be proud nor dismissive of the Jews, etc.], but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches [Israel and the Jews], take heed lest he also spare not thee [Gentile convert branches]. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell [Israel/Jews], severity; but toward thee [Gentiles], goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off [if the Gentile branches sin and apostatize they will also be removed and cast into the fire]. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in [if they return to the Covenant and be faithful they shall be grafted back into the Mother Tree]: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature [Gentile nations], and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree [Israel]: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches [Israelite descendants], be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in [the gospel goes to the Gentiles in the latter days]. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer [Christ, the Savior], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob [Israelite descendants]: For this is my covenant unto them [Israel], when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies for your sakes [so that the gospel could go to the Gentiles in the days of Christ's apostles]: but as touching the election [of Israel], they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye [Gentiles] in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their [Israel/Jews] unbelief: Even so have these [Israel/Jews] also now not believed, that through your [Gentile convert] mercy they [Israel/Jews] also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them [Israel/Jews] all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all [God uses both good and evil, both faithfulness and apostacy to further His work of blessing the entire world]. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (Rom 11:13–36).
2) Joseph Smith: The great Jehovah contemplated the whole of the events connected with this creation pertaining to the plan of salvation before it rolled into existence, or ever the “morning stars sung together for joy,” (Job 38:7) the past, the present and the future, were, and are with him one eternal now; he knew of the fall of Adam, the iniquities of the antediluvians, of the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family; their weakness and strength, their power and glory, apostasies, their crimes, their righteousness, and iniquity; he comprehended the fall of man, and their redemption; he knew the plan of salvation, and pointed it out; he was acquainted with the situation of all nations; and with their destiny; he ordered all things according to the council of his own will, he knows the situation of both the living, and the dead, and has made ample provision for their redemption, according to their several circumstances, and the laws of the kingdom of God, whether in this world, or in the world to come (Joseph Smith papers, Times-and-Seasons-15-april-1842).
Appendix
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Two 1834-37, p.92
Much has been said and done of late by the general government in relation to the Indians (Lamanites) within the territorial limits of the United States. One of the most important points in the faith of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, through the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, is the gathering of Israel (of whom the Lamanites constitute a part) that happy time when Jacob shall go up to the house of the Lord, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, to live in holiness; when the Lord will restore His judges as at the first, and His counselors as at the beginning; when every man may sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there will be none to molest or make afraid; when He will turn to them a pure language, and the earth will be filled with sacred knowledge, as the waters cover the great deep; when it shall no longer be said, the Lord lives that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord lives that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither He has driven them. That day is one, all important to all men.
Alma 33 The words of the ancient prophet Zenos:
Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship? For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me. Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me. And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer. And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me. Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them. Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations. Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction. And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son (Alma 33:3-11).
2 Nephi 9: Jacob’s Observations as Follow-up to Reciting from Isaiah 49-52
This chapter follows immediately after Jacob’s quotation of Isaiah 49: 21-23, the entire chapters of 50 and 51 and the first two verses of Isaiah chapter 52. The present discourse is here included as it may provide some reflection of Jacob’s understanding of these Isaiah passages as well as whatever additional commentary these chapters may have sparked in this sermon which touches on a number of important topics. We also include our own commentary.
1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—
It is Jacob’s desire to assist his people to see and understand their personal context in the covenant relationship they and larger Israel have with the Lord, Jehovah, and their relationship to the promised blessings to their particular posterity. It is deemed by Jacob that it is important for his people [as it is also for us] to see their [our] place in the big picture of the Lord’s covenant relationship with the lineage chosen to minister the fulness of the eternal gospel blessings. This includes the authority and power of the Melchizedek priesthood, that is the priesthood after the Holy Order of the Son of God.
2 That he [Jehovah/Christ] has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.
The Nephites, as a branch broken off from the mother tree, are still a valid component of covenant Israel and will realize the blessings of salvation and inheritance in the last days as members of the true church and fold of God. See also: GT22: Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees.
3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.
Nephi and his brother Jacob understand clearly the visions and prophecies concerning the destruction of their people and certainly this knowledge extends to many of the faithful at the time of this discourse. Consequently, it is important for the sake of the righteous and repentant of the present Lehite/Nephite generation to understand and rejoice that despite the calamities awaiting their descendants their seed will survive to receive the promised blessings associated with the latter-day gathering of Israel. This is the message of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah.
4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.
It seems clear that essentially everyone in the Nephite civilization had the scriptures and read them. Nowhere do we find a description of how this was done—certainly it was the source of a profession such as scribes or the use of some printing technique. It is also likely that children were taught to read and write from the scriptures themselves.
Consequently, among this generation there were those who studied the scriptures diligently and sought knowledge of doctrine and things to come. This statement also attests to the surety of the resurrection in preparation for all to stand before Jehovah, the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel Therefore, the sting of death is swallowed in the surety of an eternal physical existence.
5 Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he [Christ, the Messiah] shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.
It is this ministry in the Holy Land that culminates in Christ’s death and resurrection, which conquest of death brings about the resurrection of all mankind to stand before Christ as the keeper of the gate of heaven. To the righteous this conquest of death and inevitability of judgment is an event of joyful anticipation, to others it is one of justifiable fear and dread.
6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.
Jacob explains the logic inherent in the great plan of redemption. Death [and testing] of the telestial mortal body must precede a resurrection of the body in what will become its ultimate immortal state. The transgression in the Garden was a necessary component of the plan whereby we became estranged from God and subject to the use of our agency and to temptation and sin. It will become, therefore, necessary through the application of Jehovah’s [Christ’s] Atonement to inherit the kingdom of God.
7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.
The Messiah’s offering of suffering and death, prefigured by the sacrifices of the law of Moses, must be infinite in nature. It must cover every sin of which mankind is capable [except the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost wherein the sinner is considered to have accented to the suffering and death of Christ]. As Paul explains in the New Testament, the Mosaic sacrifices and offerings were temporal and transitory, whereas the effect Christ’s atonement was infinite and eternal in nature and required no repetition on His part (see Rom 3-4, 1 Tim 2:4-6, Titus 2:11).
The nature of Christ’s sacrifice not only had to extend both backwards and forward in time but also had to cover the laws by which lower orders of physical creation may be raised to higher orders, such as from telestial to terrestrial and/or celestial. Otherwise, without this infinite atonement, when our body’s died [because of the Fall] we would revert to a spirit existence with no future but to rub shoulders with Satan and his demons.
8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. 9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
This situation described that of becoming angels to the Devil was what Satan had in mind. Though the plan of Redemption is the same in each of Heavenly Father’s creations, it is upon this earth that the infinite Atonement is accomplished, and almost appears to be risky business. Once our first parents had partaken of the forbidden fruit and become exposed to both good and evil Satan’s follow-up program became very effective. Mankind soon chose love of darkness and secret combinations [Satan’s version of light] rather than divine light.
It is interesting that Satan’s determination to murder the Savior simply played into the hands of the Father’s Plan and the Savior’s mission. One may wonder if Lucifer actually paid enough attention in the grand pre-mortal councils to understand that death and resurrection was inherent in Christ’s mission. It seems like he wanted to avoid the intense suffering required by the Plan without a realization of its absolute necessity. Christ’s suffering and death was the key to delivering the souls of men out of Satan’s grasp, not only here on earth but efficacious on all the worlds in this order of creation.
It must also be frustrating to Satan’s state of mental equilibrium that his work and that of his spirit minions is actually to provide the necessary opposition in all things that ultimately serves to humble and perfect the Saints. However, the only credit his extreme cunning and depth of unspeakable evil deserves is to be cast into eternal hell fire. Make no mistake, as some may think elsewise, there is nothing good about him, absolutely nothing!
10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.
Satan is variously identified as leviathan, the piercing serpent, as a dragon and, in this case, as an awful monster. He is indeed awful and he seeks the destruction and misery of every soul. It is the miracle of God’s love that He has provided a deliverance from this state of intentional doom while still maintaining the system of justice by which Gods and their subjects must operate. The Plan is indeed brilliant and the goodness and wisdom of God beyond comprehension.
The death of the spirits of men referenced has to do with the fate of our spirts should Satan remain in control of them. Without the Savior’s rescue this would be a fate worse than death.
11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
We can face the sting of death with courage and hope because of the power that resides in the atonement and the resurrection. To the righteous death is sweet (Psalm 116:15, D&C 42:46-47). We can have confidence that we shall receive our physical bodies again in a state that shall never decay and pass away again. The only question is to which kingdom or level of the eternities has our combination of works and repentance enabled us to dwell and for which we shall be resurrected?
12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
Satan does his work in mortality and sends the spirits of men upon death into the realms of spiritual darkness and hell [the hell that precedes the judgment] where they will await the judgement, and the resurrection bound in spiritual chains of sin, confusion and false beliefs. They will remain in this state unless they think to pray, repent and seek the Lord. Such progression towards the Light is possible and may be facilitated by the spiritual effects of the ministration of angelic missionaries and having their work done in the temple—So that they may live and prove themselves in the realm of the spirits according to men in the flesh (1 Pet 3:18-29, 4:6).
That is, these captive spirits may accept and live the gospel, desire and accept temple ordinances and earn their exaltation through obedience and repentance. These can still be heirs of salvation though under the necessity of vicarious ordinances performed on their behalf. This also requires the release of the chains by which they were bound by obedience service and repentance in the world of spirits just as it would in mortality. This process can also be facilitated by the repentance and breaking of sinful chains and inherited weaknesses by their mortal descendants, Progress may be further assisted by focused and inspired intercession of descendants, relatives and/or those for whom there is a personal affinity [a form of sacrifice in the similitude of the Only Begotten]. See also: GT 5: Intercession: A Case History.
Ultimately the grave must give up its bodies and hell and the rest of the spirit realm must give up its spirits to the resurrection according to their works and the level of their repentance.
13 O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
A perfect knowledge of what?
14 Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.
This pertains to a common misperception about the spirit world, the resurrection and the afterlife in general. Many suppose that some sort of magic transformation happens somewhere between death and the resurrection or even beyond—that is that the personal slate is swept clean and every sin or weakness is disposed under some mysterious rug. Not so!
This supposed convenience would deny the justice of our God and the price paid by the Atonement. Unless we have thoroughly repented through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everything we have not dealt with shall become front and center in our path. If we haven’t already, we will at some point on our approach to the judgment of our Heavenly Father have a bright recollection of all our guilt and shame. It would be useful in this present mortality to know that in the next life nothing we have done or not done is overlooked.
This is why the Savior died. It would be a tragedy to not have taken full advantage of His suffering for us. Consequently, we cannot be presented by the Savior to the Father unless we are “holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:33). It is necessary to “inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10, 2 Ne 9:18). In order to inherit the kingdom of God we must become like Him. Otherwise, in the words of Joseph McConkie, our presence would “ruin the neighborhood” (Maria’s class notes).
It isn’t that we do this on our own. Clearly, we never could. It simply requires us to faithfully follow the steps the Lord has provided that we may receive the transformative gifts of the divine nature that true steady repentance, obedience and service facilitates. Then we may approach the bar of God in peace and joyful anticipation.
15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
Since we do not appear before the bar of judgment until after we are resurrected there must have already been some degree of judgment by virtue of the degree of glory with which our bodies are resurrected—telestial, terrestrial or celestial (1 Cor 15:40-48, D&C 76:50-113).
Also, we understand that the resurrection, which began when Christ came forth out of the tomb, extends from that point until the end of the millennium. Those who are not worthy of resurrection by the time of the Lord’s coming, or in the early stages of the millennium, must suffer in hell for their sins until they have paid the “uttermost farthing” (Matt 5:26). The Savior informed us that these must suffer even as He did (D&C 19:17). And we understand that in some cases this suffering is so severe that it could not be accomplished in the mortal flesh and remain alive.
16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.
There is no magical change of our nature or our character when we die, “…for that same spirit that doth possess your bodies at the time ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world” (Alma 34:34). The spirit referenced here is our spirit, the same one which shows up at death and at the judgment, as formed by our entire premortal and mortal experiences—whether good, bad or indifferent [indifferent is also bad]. The only thing that equips us to flourish and abound in the eternal world [worlds without end] is a thorough and sufficient application of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ—including a regular exercise of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Clearly Satan and his evil spirits shall suffer in a hell described as analogous or metaphorical to dwelling amidst fire and brimstone. Not exactly mentioned here but likely implied, is the fate of the mortal wicked, those who have followed Satan and sought darkness rather than Liight who shall suffer a similar fate.
17 O the greatness and the justice of our God! For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled.
All blessings are predicated upon obedience to God’s laws (D&C 130:20-21). Suffering and pain are the result of disobedience to God’s laws. However, the obedient will likely also suffer as part of the learning process and as part of the Lord’s justification for the punishment of the wicked—this may include suffering and offerings in the similitude of the Only Begotten. We are expected to share some comparatively small amount of suffering in the cause of Christ and in His likeness (Phil 3:10).
The justice of our God required the death and suffering of His Son in order for our sins to be blotted out by obedience to the law of Redemption. And the law of Redemption requires obedience to the laws of repentance, without which the ends of the law Of Redemption cannot be answered or effective applied (see 2 Ne 2:7).
18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.
A belief in the Lord and His salvation requires a rejection or total disregard for any shame that others may attach to such belief and its requisite performance. This was the message of the path leading to the tree of life versus the great and spacious building of 1st Nephi. The occupants of the building [e.g. the world] are pointing the finger and scorning those who take of the fruit or even just moving in that direction. The shaming is particularly effective. The only emotion with lower frequency than shame is that of murder and murderous intent.
The righteous shall inherit the kingdom of God. We now know [or should] as explained earlier, that to inherit the kingdom of God one’s nature and character must have become like God—must have become transformed through gifts of the divine nature of God—through successful inspired [justified] service and through successful offerings of a broken heart and contrite spirit [sanctified] for sin.
In His perfect foreknowledge the Lord knew who would be justified and sanctified as a result of their repentant obedience in mortality [and in the spirit realm] and has therefore reserved a place for those who will be worthy in His kingdom from the foundation of the world. This includes a seat in the General Assembly and membership in the Church of the Firstborn. This is foreordination rather than predestination and does not violate the principle of agency.
Finally, there are those commentators who identify the term crosses as a more modern term [e.g. an anachronism] used that must have replaced a different word by the writer on the plates since this was written before the time of Christ’s mortal ministry. However, this point of view overlooks the fact that the Book of Mormon prophets had, through visions, a clear understanding of the details of Christ’s death and resurrection. A search on this subject turns up the following scriptures which attest to the details prophetically revealed before Christ’s actual physical ministry to Book of Mormon prophets including details of His death and resurrection (1 Ne 10:7-10, 11:27-33. 2 Ne 10:3, 10, Alma 7:10-12, Mosiah 3:5-10).
19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.
The so-called progressive ideological and political movements now popular are an expression of the spirit of antichrist. At their core is found Lucifer himself, the former “light bearer” being portrayed as a “good guy” just doing his job and even truly interested in our happiness. The reality is this: Satan is a sinister and cunning monster who takes pride in the depths of depravity to the extent that he can inspire and instigate. Many of the most heinous crimes imaginable occur under his personal oversight or even participation. He is in no way a prospect for reformation or accommodation. People who think otherwise are playing with fire.
The suffering and sacrifice of the Holy One of Israel is the only thing that can deliver us from the clutches of the evil monster that seeks our mortal and eternal misery.
20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
God dwells in “the bosom of eternity… in the midst of all things” (D&C 88:13). “The past, the present and the future… are with {God] one eternal now” (JS, Times and Seasons, 15 Apr, p. 760). This is one reason that we may know and understand that Satan was blinded by his pride that he thought he could thwart the work of God [and the divine Plan used in infinite creations] and ascend into the heavens as a rival to or replacement of the Father and the Son.
21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
Christ suffered for the pains of every person in this creation and in all planets in this order of creation in order that all may be resurrected. However, he has only taken upon himself the sins of those who would repent.
22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.
Christ suffers what mortals suffer but to an infinite degree. His resurrection breaks the bands of death for all of humanity.
Though the resurrection, as stated earlier, is a form of judgment, the resurrection precedes our personal judgment appointment. The body with which we are resurrected will be a clue to how that interview will go.
23 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
The key element here is the prerequisite to salvation being that of having a perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel. A perfect faith is one that has been tried and proven, perhaps even tried metaphorically by fire. Many of those clothed in celestial white robes around God’s throne in heaven in chapter 7 in the Book of Revelation “are they which came out of great tribulation” (Rev 7:14).
However, the degree of tribulation we must suffer to develop the faith necessary to salvation has a good deal to do with our necessary or prerequisite level of humility and willingness to change and repent.
24 And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.
Having the requisite faith and enduring to the end requires a daily commitment to righteousness rather than any sporadic program. It is important to find a manner of life that is conducive to a regular or daily application of the atonement and the spiritually directed service that maintaining a remission of sins from day to day engenders.
25 Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.
The atonement of Jesus Christ, successfully applied, cancels out the law of justice. The Savior has paid for the sins of those who repent. Therefore, they are claimed by the Lord’s mercy and are under no condemnation. Retaining a daily remission of sins is the path that leads directly to celestial inheritance and glory. It is that simple.
26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.
Those who have not the law effectively given to them would include children and those who are restricted by physical and mental circumstances from the necessary levels of accountability. When and where the law of justice is either lifted or satisfied vicariously by the Savior there is deliverance from the monster [Satan] who seeks our destruction and misery.
27 But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!
It is awful to waste the days of our mortal probation, especially if our detours take us to or through the veil of death. If so, awful is our state.
However, regardless of how much of time or life has been waisted in detours and tangents when and if we wake up to the actual reality of the Covenant path and the principles of daily repentance that eventuate in justification and sanctification, the point is to get on and never get off again. At that point, if we are using the Atonement the way it was designed and sanctifying ourselves, we will be permitted to continue on the path whether in life or in death until our particular judgment day.
28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
The teachings and sermons relative to the subjects of doctrine and salvation in the Book of Mormon are the most profound that can be found anywhere. And the Spirit of the Lord bears witness to their validity. Consequently, the Book of Mormon is a great vessel of discernment as it cuts through the sophistries of the day, but only for the honest seekers of truth. To the worldly wise it is foolishness.
To the worldly wise almost every aspect of the doctrines of service and salvation are foolishness, counterintuitive to setting themselves up as the god of their personal dominion. The opposite of the love of God is the love of self. This is also the spirit of antichrist.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
Here Jacob is referring to worldly knowledge. To be learned is good in the sense that a personal knowledge base can also be a resource for the Lord to make use of in a practical sense in his service, not to mention as a source of income. The issue here addressed by Jacob has to do with worldly knowledge getting in the way of spiritual knowledge and lending itself to pride, which is a state of opposition to God. The Lord can only work with and ultimately perfect the humble, that is the humble who also have a soft heart. Knowledge of scriptures and doctrines can also become a snare in the form of spirit cancelling pride.
30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
Unfortunately, the rich are usually proud and therefore subverted by it. Whatever pleasure and honor their wealth and pride bring to them shall be the sum total of what honor and glory they shall have in the eternities. They had it here; therefor there will be none such there.
Even if our wealth and accomplishments have come through hard work we may consider that the Lord blessed us with the physical strength and presence of mind to be able to acquire these blessings and that they ultimately belong to Him and constitute a stewardship for which we shall be accountable.
31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish. 32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also.
Those who harden their hearts against the truth do so mainly because they do not want to be responsible or accountable for what the truth might mean in their lives. While our agency is given to us that we may ultimately and joyfully put it upon the altar of sacrifice. the hard-hearted use their agency to imprison themselves in a personal space of finite options that always turns to heartache and ashes.
33 Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.
Since circumcision was a sign of the Covenant to be uncircumcised of heart was to be in violation of the Covenant and might also be described as spiritually hard hearted.
The time comes for everyone in which they must face their deeds and their results. Those who have dealt with this challenge proactively and adequately need not fear. Others will indeed be smitten with indescribably pain and remorse as the nature of their heart and character encounter the holiness of the Most High God.
34 Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell. 35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die. 36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell.
Those who have indulged themselves in iniquity and deceit shall have their reward in due time.
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth [in iniquity], shall descend into it (Isa 5:14).
37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them. 38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.
Supposing ourselves far beyond the practices of primitive idol worshipers, the range of modern-day idols is almost infinite and likely many of them far more effective than what was available in Jacob’s day. Satan has a current wealth of idols with which to entice some form of emotional and spiritual worship, even including followers open worship of himself. Those who worship anything besides the only true God shall die in their sins and face a very disconcerting [to say the least] encounter with a Just and Holy Being.
Satan’s evil spirits do rejoice when they see us succumb to their enticing and the weak sides of our nature. It is their job to play upon our weaknesses such that we either give into them or feel guilt and shame that cause us to humbly turn to God and apply the Atonement such that our formerly weak character traits “become strong” (Ether 12:27). See GT16: Purpose of Demons.
39 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
Jacob knows that some of his people have given into temptation and serious moral sin. He is making clear as possible the ramifications of the choices between good and evil, spirituality and carnality. God is real. His laws are real. The awful results of transgression are real. If people knew how painful repentance of serious sin is, they would never transgress. But if they knew how painful the punishment for the lack of repentance is, they would quickly repent regardless of the pain.
40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.
The reason that we, in this last dispensation, now live in a “cancel culture” is that the words of truth threaten many people’s foundation—the fulfillment of their carnal desires might be impeded and/or their pleasure in doing their own will might be spoiled by guilt or accountability at some point.
Whereas the righteous truth seeker embraces the truth and seeks the Lord’s help in any necessary change that the truth requires. The righteous do not fear truth, rather they love it and want more of it. They love the peace and power that the embrace of truth fosters.
41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
One of the most beautiful passages in all of holy writ! The Son cannot be deceived. There is no rationale or narrative that will serve to cover for sin at the gate of the celestial kingdom. There is no room for “sorry, but I sincerely thought that what I was doing was OK.” At that day and that juncture all such self-deceptions shall melt away as frost scorched by the sun.
There is only one path to and through the Holy One into the celestial realms. And it requires the acquisition at some point in that path baptism by the proper authority, the laying on of hands to bestow the companion of the Holy Ghost by the proper authority, and the bestowal of the Melchizedek priesthood upon the men, and the temple ordinances and their observation and compliance to the point of receiving the sealing of the Holy Spirit of Promise. There is no other way.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matt 7:14).
42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
Those who sincerely seek the Lord will find Him. However, the seeking must be accompanied by humility, even like that evoked by King Benjamin’s sermon in which his people came to behold themselves In a more realistic state, as less than the dust of the earth—in the sense that the dust of the earth is perfectly obedient versus humans.
The Lord does not expect us to tear ourselves down and operate in a state of depression over our relatively lowly state in comparison his holiness, but rather to keep things in perspective of our state versus his. This state of humility allows us to be taught the way forward uninhibited by notions of personal grandeur. Because, we are indeed, fools before God. And, in comparison, it will probably be quite some period of time before we are anything else.
The Lord loathes the proud. The gates of Heaven are not open to them. Satan is their God.
43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.
The worldly wise who glory in their own conceits will never understand the mysteries of godliness. The proud and self-sufficient sometimes hold onto position seemingly forever but they seldom pass through the veil of death smug and satisfied. However, in the days in which we now live, and in the days ahead, the proud and arrogant shall find themselves disquieted and threshed with increasing frequency as Satan works his way through his compromised and complicit generals and foot soldiers and then tosses them aside. Satan does not support his own in the end. He is the king of destruction and double dealing.
Whereas the righteous among the Saints shall experience true joy and peace as they arm themselves with power, direction and godly service. They will receive the blessings prepared by the Lord for such.
44 O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood.
This strikes at the heart of Jacob’s message to his people on this occasion, and it strikes at their hearts [both the complicit and the wounded]. Through the administration of the Lord, Jacob knows that many among his people are guilty and laboring in sin. He must warn them. He is laboring earnestly for their repentance and salvation, and he is also laboring to rid his garments of their sins so that he may stand justified before the Lord.
Jacob, as a watchman on the tower, must warn his people not only of the approaching enemy while still a far off, he must also warn them of the enemy within. If he does not do that many of their sins, that would unnecessarily be committed due to his lack of diligence, would be answered upon his head. This same principle applies today.
45 O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation.
Satan is the guy who wants us to think he can make us happy. However, wickedness never was happiness, that is, not for long—but perhaps long enough to get his hooks in us.
Jacob illustrates the shaking off of chains by removing a part of his clothing and shaking it before his audience. Such a thing was not unusual in Israelite society. This is also an application or illustration of Isaiah 52:2 which he had previously recited in this sermon.
Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion (Isa 52:2).
With regard to these “bands” the Lord explained to the prophet Joseph Smith:
The bands of her [Israel: Jerusalem and Zion] neck are the curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles (D& C113:10).
The bands or chains are real things, they have to a certain extent a life of their own supported by influence from the demonic realm. They are acquired through giving into temptation, but they are also inherited. These bands include what we may define as chains of weakness and sinful behavior passed down to us in a manner similar to DNA inheritance. Regardless they are our responsibility to break. These shakles are broken through consistent repentance, a process greatly assisted by personal revelation. By this means our weaknesses may become our strengths (see Ether 12:27).
This breaking of chains, whether acquired personally in mortality or inherited from our ancestral lines, are our responsibility to break. Besides the submission of names for temple work, this lifting of the curses or bands upon the necks of ourselves and our ancestors is the critical work assigned to those that can be considered Saviors on Mount Zion. Without this lifting of current and generational curses [bands, chains, weaknesses, etc.] our ancestors shall not have the strength of will or character to accept and live the gospel in the realm of spirits [spirit world]. Many have been so bound by Satan that acceptance of the gospel and living its precepts is essentially out of the question—unless their bands and the bounds of their agency are lifted by our repentant offerings for ourselves and them in the similitude of the Only Begotten.
Without having done this work by which dispensations may be effectively linked we shall not be worthy of celestial glory nor the sealing of our families to us in the eternities. It is for the lack of this understanding and its application that the majority of Latter-day saints are preparing for a lessor kingdom. See also GT10: Observations on the Mainstream.
46 Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.
The day comes when ever knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, and the day will come when everyone must acknowledge that their sins are theirs, regardless of how they acquired them, and that the Lord God’s judgments are just.
And when we understand all the factors involved and the great extent of the Lord’s love and preparations for our eternal good, we shall realize how extremely fair and even condescending He has been with us. We will abide this day to the degree our characters have received the transforming gifts of Christ’s divine nature through repentance and obedience.
47 But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin? 48 Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.
Now we are getting closer to the point of this discourse. Many of Jacob’s people had become slack in keeping the commandments, and some worse than slack. The serious call to repentance is in order.
The major prophets in the Book of Mormon were generally teaching under the authority of the Holy Order of the Melchizedek priesthood. This Holy Order requires a very clear and serious call to repentance on the part of those being addressed. If they do not repent serious consequences follow. When the Lord withdraws His protection the results are not pretty.
49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.
Jacob’s feelings represent that of the sanctified. A state of sanctification was always the object of Nephite teaching. A state of sanctification will always include inspired praising of the Lord of His holy name. Unfortunately, many of Jacob’s people had either not risen to this level or had departed from it.
Note: Some LDS commentators, in an effort to explain the necessity of such a harsh sermon yet in the days of Lehi’s family, suppose that Jacob’s audience includes recent converts from non-Israelite or more divers backgrounds. We consider this as a ludicrous dodge of the hard truth. Lehi’s more righteous descendants [mainly Nephites] did not take very long to embrace their Israelite heritage of immorality and apostacy in parallel to their prosperity. This tendency has been termed the “Nephite Disease,” but applies more broadly to all of Israel and Jacob’s descendants, including in these latter days.
50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. 51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
This is a reference to Isaiah 55:1-2, but with some alteration and paraphrasing to fit the situation and probably according to his memory of this passage [there is also the fact that the KJV does not need to be quoted verbatim by prophets who predated King James of England]. It suits Jacob to echo these words of the Lord through Isaiah because his people had begun to labor for material things. He must remind them that the only things of value in this life are the things which have eternal value acquired in coming to and following the Savior, the Holy One of Israel.
52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.
If people do remember the words of their God and do pray unto Him continually and give thanks to his holy name each night, their troubles and challenges will seem as small things and their hearts will rejoice.
53 And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.
We know that the Lord has made great promises to the descendants of the Lamanites in the last days, that they will be restored to the Covenant, flourish and build the New Jerusalem. As there would likely not have been any Lamanites present at this juncture, this promise by Nephi’s brother Jacob seems to apply more particularly to the descendants of the Nephites.
Since, over the Book of Mormon timeframe, there are numerous later opportunities for mingling of the seeds of the two sides, there should be no question but that the latter-day American native peoples include a mixture of Lamanite and Nephite—though Lamanite blood probably prevails in terms of bloodline or population numbers.
However, there is additional support for Jacob’s assertion of a latter-day righteous branch that includes the blood of Nephites. In Lehi’s words to his youngest son, Joseph, born in the wilderness of his tribulation:
And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed (2 Ne 3:3, emphasis ours).
Much of this just referenced chapter [2 Ne 3] in the Book of Mormon is devoted to the prophecies made by Joseph of Egypt concerning his descendants, including Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon that should ultimately go forth among Lehi’s descendants in the latter-days to establish again the Lord’s Covenant with them. However, Lehi prophetically extends the covenant blessings specifically to include a powerful end-time descendant of his youngest son.
Wherefore, because of this covenant thou [Lehi’s son Joseph] art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book [Book of Mormon]. And there shall rise up one mighty among them [among the seed of Lehi’s son Joseph], who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren (2 Ne 3:23–24).
It is interesting that, according to this passage, it appears there is still “much restoration” lying ahead for this dispensation—for the house of Israel in general, and for Lehi’s descendant remnants in particular. The “great and marvelous work” prophesied is still somewhere in its ramp up.
54 And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.
The morrow, for which Jacob has set the stage, will bring a wrenching elucidation of the sins of Jacob’s [and Nephi’s] people and the explicit need of repentance and healing of wounded souls. For details see 2 Nephi 10.