Latter Day Gentiles Favor Lost

The Lord pointed out to the Nephites while he was teaching them face to face that the Gentiles would find God's favor because of their "belief" in Him. Interestingly, the Lord says it is because of the belief of the Gentiles, but also the "unbelief" of the house of Israel, that the truth would come unto the Gentiles in the latter day. 

"blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father. Behold, because of their (the Gentiles) belief in me, saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them." (3Nephi 16: 6-7)

The "fullness of these things" refers to all the Lord made known to the Nephites and allowed them to write during His ministry among them. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All that is needed for every person to learn what is required to "come unto (Him)" can be learned from the words of the Book of Mormon. It is that fullness, the Gentiles are promised to receive in the latter day. 

Centuries earlier, in Nephi's day, the angel of the Lord said  "if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed..." (1Nephi 14: 1) The manifestation of the Lord "in very deed" is the culminating blessing of the fullness of Christ's gospel. That manifestation comes to every person who is willing to believe in Him and obey the narrow and strait course laid out by the Lord for the return to Him. The course back to His presence and the reception of His promises from His own mouth are available to every person who is willing. Joseph Smith the latter day Gentile prophet of restoration taught these principles and invited every latter day saint to "make their calling and election sure." The best source of which I am aware (in addition to the Book of Mormon and the scriptures,) to learn about the path and the requirements that must be met in order to receive such a manifestation from the Lord, is The Second Comforter Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil by Denver C. Snuffer Jr. After a person has immersed herself completely and feasted fully and regularly on the words of the Book of Mormon and the scriptures, then a careful reading of the Second Comforter can open wonderful understanding and helpful instruction for the sincere seeker.

The entirety of the restoration work of Joseph Smith, the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon and other latter day scripture, constitutes fulfillment of the Lord's words, "in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fullness of these things shall be made known unto them." (3Nephi 16: 7)

Through Joseph Smith, the latter day Gentiles received the "fullness of these things." They were offered the opportunity to become Zion. They might have been of one heart and to have had no poor among them. They received the invitation to have the Lord dwell among them in a house to be built unto His name. The latter day Gentiles instead, began early on in their history to fulfill the further words of the Lord and the prophets of the Book of Mormon. Those further words and prophecies do not flatter the latter day Gentiles (as we have seen in the final two verses of 3Nephi.) The favor and blessing of God enjoyed by the Gentiles through the period of restoration of truth is replaced with warnings and pronouncement of woes upon them.

Immediately after the pronouncement of the Lord to the Nephites that "in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fullness of these things shall be made known unto them;" in the next verse the Lord begins to pronounce woes upon them. The next recorded words in the Nephite record begin with this, "But wo, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles..." (3Nephi 16: 8) The Lord then prophesies to the Nephites about the failure of the latter day Gentiles and the removal of the fullness of the gospel from them.

"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. (3Nephi16: 10)

The Lord's prophecy includes the following infractions of God's law by the latter day Gentiles. They will:

1. Sin against my gospel

2. Reject the fullness of my gospel 

3. Lifted up in the pride of their hearts

4. Filled with all manner of lyings, deceits, mischiefs, hypocrisy, murders, priestcrafts, whoredoms, secret abominations

The result for the Gentiles is a pronouncement by the Father, "I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them." (See D&C 45: 28-30) The favor of God enjoyed by the Gentiles through the period of restoration of truth by the prophet Joseph Smith is to be removed from them. Then, in the great chiasmic arrangement of stewardship responsibility for the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the ages of the earth since Christ, those that were first shall now be the last to receive the fullness of the gospel. The favor of the Lord will shift from the Gentiles to the remnant and all of Israel. 

"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. And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel." (3Nephi 16: 11)

Given the context and understanding of what we have learned from the precious Book of Mormon about the latter day Gentiles, it seems less surprising now that the Lord would instruct Mormon to insert these words as the final words of the book 3Nephi:

"Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel." (3Nephi 30: 2)

Latter Day Gentiles God's Favored People

Nephi, in his great vision of the latter days, was shown the migration and settlement of the latter day Gentiles of European decent to the land of promise. (1Nephi 13: 10-16) The description in Nephi's vision of the latter day European immigrant Gentiles, shows that the Gentiles came to the land of promise with the blessing and favor of the Lord. The latter day seed of Nephi's own family, on the other hand, are described as being out of favor with God. Concerning the favor of the Lord upon the latter day Gentiles, Nephi said:

"And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance...I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them...And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle. And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations." (1Nephi 13: 15-19)

At the same time, the angel's and Nephi's own description of the latter day seed of Nephi's family:

"Behold the wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren…and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten." (1 Nephi 13: 11,14)

The Gentiles, as they migrate to, and settle upon, the land of promise, are blessed of the Lord and enjoy His power and protection. At the same time, the latter day seed of Nephi's family are to experience the wrath of God upon them. They were to be scattered before the Gentiles and smitten. This part of Nephi's vision describes in precise terms, the treatment of the indigenous people of the American continent by the European immigrants. They were indeed "scattered" and "smitten" by the European immigrant Gentiles.

The Gentiles at this point in Nephi's vision are in the favor of the Lord. They enjoy His power and blessing. Though the Gentiles dominate, drive, scatter, and smite the latter day seed of the family of Nephi, Nephi receives the promise that they, (the Gentiles) will not completely destroy his (Nephi's) latter day seed. This land has been promised to the seed of Nephi's father. The Lord will therefore, preserve Nephi’s seed. The promise of the Lord that this land will be preserved for them (The seed of Nephi's father) as the land of their inheritance will ultimately be honored and upheld by the Lord.

The angel says to Nephi,

"Nevertheless, thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations, upon the face of the land which is choice above all other lands, which is the land that the Lord God hath covenanted with thy father that his seed should have for the land of their inheritance; wherefore, thou seest that the Lord God will not suffer that the Gentiles will utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy brethren. Neither will he suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the seed of thy brethren." (1Nephi 13: 30-31)

Although the latter day remnant seed of Nephi is out of God's favor at this point in Nephi's vision, they are not forgotten of the Lord. God yet has promises to fulfill to this remnant of Israel. 

As for the Gentiles, Nephi is told,

"Neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that awful state of blindness, which thou beholdest they are in... Wherefore saith the Lamb of God: I will be merciful unto the Gentiles, unto the visiting of the remnant of the house of Israel in great judgment...after I have visited the remnant of the house of Israel—and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed of thy (Nephi's) father—wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles, and after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb." (1Nephi 13: 32-34)

God's mercy is upon the latter day Gentiles. God's wrath is upon the remnant of Israel (the seed of Nephi's father.) Nephi is then shown the latter day restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Gentiles. This was to happen after the seed of Nephi (the "remnant of the house of Israel, the seed of Nephi’s father") was "visited" by God's great judgment and smitten by the hand of the Gentiles. The Gentiles, Nephi is told, will receive the mercy of the Lord. The Lord will, "bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious." (1Nephi 13: 34)

That which is "plain" and "precious" that will be brought forth by the Lord unto the Gentiles is none other than the "precious" Book of Mormon. Nephi is told,

"For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy (Nephi's) seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation." (1Nephi 13: 35-36)

As we have already discussed in other installments, the reason for the restoration of the gospel through the latter day Gentiles is so that the gospel could come from the Gentiles to the remnant of Israel. (1Nephi 10: 14, 1Nephi 15: 13, 1Nephi 22: 8, 2Nephi 30: 3, 3Nephi 16: 4 among many others) Nephi is now shown in his vision the sharing of the latter day documents that contain the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to the remnant of Israel from the Gentiles. Nephi records,

"I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, (The Holy Bible) that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren. And after it (the Bible) had come forth unto them I beheld other books, (including foremost, the Book of Mormon) which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, (the remnant of Nephi's family seed) unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, (foremost the Book of Mormon) which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, (the Bible) which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved." (1Nephi 13: 38-40)

To this point in Nephi's great vision, the latter day Gentiles have been blessed of the Lord. They have filled the measure of the role given them as the restorers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have delivered that restored truth to the remnant of Israel, Lehi's seed.

The angel declares to Nephi,

"And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks— And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy (Nephi’s) father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded." (1Nephi 14: 1-2)

The latter day Gentiles have a marvelous opportunity to "hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day." If they do, He has promised to manifest Himself in three magnificent ways unto them. If they will hearken unto Him, He will manifest Himself unto the Gentiles in "word," and also in "power," and in "very deed." (That phrase, "in very deed" ought to be given extremely careful consideration by us.) If the Gentiles "harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God," they will thereby have the opportunity extended to them by the Lord to be "numbered among" the seed of thy, (Nephi's) father. In this way, latter day Gentiles may be "numbered among" the house of Israel.

Then, a few short verses later, the angel makes a suggestion to Nephi that seems ominous given the favored status of the Gentiles up to this point in Nephi's vision. The angel says,

"Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be well with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish. Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God." (1Nephi 14: 5-6) 

It seems unfathomable that those who were responsible for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon; those who would have responsibility to deliver that gospel to the remnant of Israel, could "harden their hearts against the Lamb of God." Why would the angel make such a suggestion to Nephi? So far, we know that there are two possibilities for the latter day Gentiles;  It can be "well" with the Gentiles if they "repent," Or, it could be "Wo" unto the Gentiles if they "harden their hearts." 

Perhaps it is at this juncture we may begin to understand the need the Lord felt to insert the last two verses in the book of 3Nephi. (3Nephi 30: 1-2)

We will find, as we continue this investigation, the favor of the Lord may not remain with a people indefinitely. The favor of the Lord may be a fleeting thing. Our choices with what we are given are everything.

Latter Day Gentiles Temporary Stewards

In order to discover why the Lord would place such emphasis on the latter day Gentiles in His discourses to the Nephite people recorded in 3Nephi, we need to consider the role of the Gentiles in the Lord's plan for His children. Just what is it the Gentiles are to accomplish in that plan?

The Lord has designated the latter day Gentiles as the initial couriers and caretakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the opening of the latter days. It was to be from the latter day Gentiles, the Book of Mormon containing "much of my gospel which shall be plain and precious" (1Nephi 13: 34) was to come forth. The Lord specifically instructed the Nephite prophets, "ye shall write these sayings after I am gone,...that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fullness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their (the Jews specifically in this context, but all scattered Israel is included) seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer. (3Nephi 16: 4) 

Speaking to Nephi the Lord said, 

"For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation." (1Nephi 13: 35-36)

The work of the Lord in the latter days is multi-faceted but centers in the House of Israel. His primary purposes are: To gather scattered Israel. (1Nephi 10: 14) To fulfill His promises to the fathers of Israel. (1Nephi 22: 6-11) And to prepare a people from among gathered Israel to receive Him at the time of His return to reign. (3Nephi 21: 23-25 and Ether 13: 10-12) The Lord's plan for the latter days is all about the house of Israel and fulfilling His promises to them and their fathers. The Gentiles are to facilitate the bringing forth of the knowledge that will bless latter day Israel to accomplish the Lord's purposes.

Nephi explained to his brothers the role of the latter day Gentiles in bringing their future seed to a knowledge of the Redeemer and His gospel. 

"And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fullness 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 fullness 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." (1Nephi 15: 13-14)

The Gentiles play a major supporting role in the Lord's plan for Israel, but it is only a supporting role. The Gentiles are not, and do not become, the house of Israel.  The designation and identification of "Gentiles" is maintained separate from the remnant, (or remnants,) of the house of Israel throughout the Book of Mormon narrative. The Gentiles may be "numbered among" the house of Israel (3Nephi 16: 12-14, and 3Nephi 21: 6 and 2Nephi 10: 18-19 and 3Nephi 21: 22) if they are willing to repent and come unto the Lord. However, being "numbered among" is not the same thing as "being" the remnant blood of Israel with its specific promises of the Lord.

The identifying designation of the primarily European bloodlines on the American continent as "Gentile" in the Book of Mormon is no different than the designation of "Gentile" converts to the meridian day church as "the brethren which are of the Gentiles." (Acts 15: 23) Though baptized and converted to the gospel and the Meridian Day Church of Christ, the Gentile converts continued to be identified by Peter and James, as "the brethren which are of the Gentiles." In the very same way, the Gentile immigrants of European descent to this continent, and their offspring, are identified throughout the Book of Mormon narrative as "Gentiles." (D&C 109: 60)

Joseph Smith was the latter day Gentile prophet called by the Lord to bring forth the Book of Mormon and the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. Nephi, speaking of his seed, (the remnant of Israel,)  said,

And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders. And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." (1Nephi 22: 8-9) Later in the record, Nephi observes, "And the things which shall be written out of the book (of Mormon) shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially unto our seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel. (2Nephi 28: 2)

The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon by the Gentile prophet Joseph Smith in the latter days, has the primary purpose of bringing forth the gospel of Jesus Christ to the remnant of Israel. The restoration "shall be of great worth unto our (the Nephite/Lamanite) seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their (the remnant of Israel) being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders." The Gentiles themselves and all the house of Israel will also be blessed by the truths and gospel restored by Joseph Smith.

Why did the Lord appoint the Gentiles to play such a prominent and important role affecting the destiny of the house of Israel, the Lord's people? This is according to the prophecy spoken by many prophets that describes the movement of primary stewardship for the gospel of Christ. In his great vision of the history and future of the world, Nephi was told:

"And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last." (1Nephi 13: 42)

The gospel of Christ has now moved to the third of the stewardship designations identified in the outlined progression. The Lord has now manifested Himself to the latter day Gentiles. The role of the Gentiles will be fulfilled. The fullness of the Gentiles has come and will pass away. The remnant of Israel (the Jews and all Israel) will have the final manifestation of the Lord and the final responsibility as stewards of the gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end, the last to receive the manifestation of the Lord will be the first. Israel will be prepared for the coming of their King.

And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, there are they who were first, who shall be last; and there are they who were last, who shall be first. (Ether 13: 10-12)

The Final Two Verses of 3Nephi

There are only two verses in the final chapter of the book 3Nephi in the Book of Mormon. We should notice that the concluding words of Mormon as he wraps up the book we call 3Nephi are directed specifically and exclusively to one group of people, the "latter day Gentiles." (3Nephi 30) I find this fascinating. After all, 3Nephi highlights the appearance, teachings, and ministry, of the Lord Jesus among the Nephites. This precious record of the events of the Lord's personal ministry among the Nephites ought to be for the entire world. It is the record of Christ's ministry in the chapters of 3Nephi that substantially provides the "other witness" of Christ that will be to the "convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations." (Title Page of the Book of Mormon) Why then, after twenty chapters in 3Nephi dedicated to the record of Jesus' appearance and ministry to the Nephites, would anything at all need to be said specifically to the latter day Gentiles? Let alone to direct the entirety of the concluding words of the Book to them?

Mormon was under a direct commandment of the Lord to address the final words of the book (3Nephi) to the Gentiles. He says, "Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write," (3Nephi 30: 1)

So, really, it is the Lord Jesus Christ that made the decision to address the Gentiles In the concluding words of 3Nephi. It is in fact Christ who is speaking directly to the latter day Gentiles. This inserted editorial by Christ should give us latter day Gentiles real pause. Particularly, the content of Christ's message in these two short verses should capture our attention. His words are not flattering toward the latter day Gentiles. Any time the Lord begins a prophetic discussion with the words, "Turn... from your wicked ways," (3Nephi 30: 2), we ought to jump immediately to attention. These are words that need to be clearly understood and heeded by every latter day Gentile (saint).

We should be reminded, so we are clear, the "Gentiles" spoken of in the Book of Mormon are that group of primarily European immigrants to this continent who have responsibility for bringing forth the Book of Mormon and other latter day scripture together with the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter day.  (1Nephi 13: 34-40 and 3Nephi 16: 4, and D&C 109: 60 among many others) The latter day Gentiles of the Book of Mormon are Joseph Smith and the Church he established. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the latter day Gentiles.

Why then, would the Lord include a warning like this, to the latter day church, with this peculiar placement at the conclusion of the record of His personal ministry? I believe the Lord was deliberate in the placement of this warning to the latter day church within the record. It is not by chance that Mormon received the commandment he did, at the time he did, to include these "words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you." (3Nephi 30: 1) The Lord obviously has a particular interest in the latter day Gentile church and it's destiny. Enough so, that the concluding words of the book containing his personal ministry would be directed specifically to what appears to be a wayward latter day people.

Here is the Lord's warning to the latter day church in its entirety:

"Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel." (3Nephi 30: 2)

These words of the Lord are a restatement of things already discussed by the Lord during His ministry among the Nephites and recorded in earlier parts of 3Nephi. Substantial portions of the Lord's teachings to the Nephites during His ministry had to do with the future activities of the latter day Gentiles. Chapters 16, 20, 21, 22, and 23, of 3Nephi all speak of the latter day Gentiles at some length. 

What does the Lord's focus in His ministry on the latter day Gentiles teach us about them? (Therefore, what does the Lord's teaching suggest about us latter day saints?)There is a great deal to be learned about us from the Lord's teachings to the Nephites that is not only important, but also pivotal in latter day events. We should understand these teachings of the Lord with clarity. As we come to understand these doctrines, our behavior ought to change because of them. We should be led to "Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings...and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel." (3Nephi 30: 2)

But, we are the Lord's chosen people, we say. We have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we claim to belong to His true church. We have "living prophets" and apostles to guide us, we say. Well, perhaps there is something to all of the prophecy, testimony, and warnings of the Lord from the precious Book of Mormon that we do not yet fully appreciate or understand? Otherwise, why would the Lord insert words like those we find in the last chapter of 3Nephi in an effort to prod us latter day saints to repent and change our course?  Perhaps, if the Lord really feels this way about us, we aren't doing as well as we like to think? Perhaps the whole time we have thought in error that we are "favored" of the Lord? The words of the two verses that comprise the last words of 3Nephi convey no suggestion of "favor." Maybe all is not as well for us as the messages to us from our leaders and teachers continually suggest. 

We look around us in the church and all seems to be going very well. We are prospering on every hand. You would really have to say "all is well" with the church. Zion prospers and grows all around us. The church seems to continually increase in favor with society and the nations of the earth. There is a growing compatibility and friendliness with other churches and governments with the church. Financially, things just couldn't be better. Generally, there is an air of satisfaction and delight among members of the church concerning the position of the church in the world now. All of this belies, we might even say it all seems to ignore, the words of the Lord directed specifically to us in the Book of Mormon.

In the next couple of entries we will consider in some detail the teachings of the Lord concerning the latter day Gentiles, (us). We will try to understand better why the Lord would take such a tone with us as He did in the final words of 3Nephi.

A Young Lion Among the Sheep

In a recent entry to this blog, I quoted Mormon speaking to latter day Gentiles. In that entry I said,

"It seems to have been abundantly clear to Mormon, even if it fails to take hold in the hearts of the latter day gentile church, that what is needed for the latter day gentile church is exactly what might have saved the Nephite nation. "Repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver." (Mormon 5: 24 see verses 12-24)

Mormon's prophecy to the latter day Gentiles about "a remnant of the seed of Jacob (who) shall go forth as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver," is a direct quote by Mormon of the words of the Lord Jesus. Speaking to the Nephite people at Bountiful, the Lord said to them:

"Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver." (3 Nephi 20: 16, see also 3Nephi 21: 12)

It will help us if we dissect the Lord's words in this verse so we can better understand His meaning. 

"Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob...

The Lord is speaking face to face with the Nephites here. He calls them a "remnant of the house of Jacob." Throughout the Book of Mormon narrative, the offspring of Lehi, Nephi's father, are referred to as the "remnant of Jacob" or the "remnant of Israel." (1Nephi 13: 34, and 1Nephi 15: 13-14, and 1Nephi 19: 24, and 2Nephi 28: 2, among many others)

"Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them;"

"them" referred to by the Savior here points back to 3 Nephi 20: 15 in which the Lord says, "And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—" So, "them," means the latter day Gentiles. The Gentiles are those immigrants of European descent on this continent who were to bring forth The Book of Mormon and other scripture and the fullness of the gospel. (1Nephi 13: 34-40 and 3Nephi 16: 4, and D&C 109: 60) The Gentiles are Joseph Smith and the latter day gentile church he established. 

"and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many;"

The remnant of Israel will be a minority among the Gentiles who shall be "many."

"and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep". 

The Lord is telling the Nephites the remnant of their seed in the latter days will be "as a lion among the beasts of the forest." There can be no question the Lord is implying here a rise in supremacy of the remnant of Israel among the Gentiles. This will only happen after the remnant has been scattered and driven by the Gentiles. (1Nephi 15: 17, and  3Nephi 20: 15) And after the Gentiles fall into sin and error. (3Nephi 16: 10 and 3Nephi 21: 14-21) The favor of the Lord will flip from the Gentiles to this remnant of Israel. (3Nephi 16: 7-9 and 11-12) the fullness of the Gentiles will end in a reversal of favor with the Lord. The Gentiles and the Gentile church will decrease, the remnant of Israel will ascend to the promises of the Lord and His blessings to their fathers. The Lord has promised them, "And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; 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." (3Nephi 20: 22) The remnant of Israel, Nephi's latter day seed will rise up and realize the blessings and covenants of the Lord. It will be the remnant of Israel that will establish the city New Jerusalem. (3Nephi 20: 22 and 3Nephi 21: 23)

"who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces."

The implications of this phrase by the Lord shows the completeness and the totality of the rise in the gospel of the remnant of Jacob. It will happen with a fury. Efforts of the Gentiles to continue to assert their supposed "supremacy" and control over the gospel of Jesus Christ and the remnant of Israel (3Nephi 16: 12) will be met by the remnant "treading down" and "tearing in pieces." 

"and none can deliver."

Despite the doubts, the scoffing, and unbelief of the great latter day gentile church, the words of the Lord will be fulfilled. (3Nephi 29: 4-5) The days of the fullness of the Gentiles will pass away. The remnant of Israel will rise up, and receive the fullness of the gospel. And none can deliver. It will be so even as the Lord God has spoken it. 

"Zion's" Thirty Pieces of Silver

My family decided to stop doing business with certain retailers a number of years ago. We felt apposed to their advertising style. We felt offended every time we walked past their advertising at their store windows. In a world where we were trying hard to keep our own minds and the minds of our children free from the onslaught of sexual filth that bombards us daily, we decided the kind of sexual advertising employed by some of these retailers to sell their wares was not right for us or our kids. We are not particularly prudish people, but we know pornography when we see it. And we try to avoid it in all its forms.

Interestingly, now, with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's City Creek Center about to make its fabulous debut in downtown Salt Lake City, there is talk that some of these very retailers will find their newest glitzy nests squarely in the middle of "Zion's" investments for gain. I guess my family just needed to wait for the church to begin its direct support of such establishments before they could be deemed "safe" for us. If it has become a  valuable paying part of "Zion's" investments; what's good for Zion, must certainly be good for my family! Right? Hmmm.

Well, it was clear to Moses where the light was when he encountered Satan after having been in God's presence. (Moses 1: 12-16) Moses pointed out to Satan, "but I can look upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?...I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve. Get thee hence Satan;" It can be equally clear to any person where the light is and is not. Does there seem to be an eminence of light from "Zion's" investments for gain?

The leaders of the Jews bought with thirty pieces of silver what they needed in order to find and arrest Christ. (Matt. 26: 14-16) For Judas' part, he chose to do business with the enemy. Choosing to do business with your enemies is poor business indeed. But, if you think about it, you can buy anything in this world with money. Having sufficient to meet needs only ought to be the preferred economic position.  Meeting its needs does not seem to be enough for "Zion." 

Nephi, in his great prophecy of the latter days recorded in the Book of Mormon, looks very narrowly upon any church where "gain" is a motive. He said,

"For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet. (1Nephi 22: 23)

Moroni concurred with Nephi's assessment of churches that focus on "gain," he said,

O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled. (Mormon 8: 33)

Churches that focus on "gain" seem to be a concern for Book of Mormon prophets who saw and spoke about the latter days. What can their words and prophecies possibly have to do with us latter day saints? Well, one view, is that the living mouthpiece of God is ultimately behind all of the church's investments. Therefore they cannot fail. The Lord must approve because he hasn't "taken" the prophets life. It must all be good. The Book of Mormon prophets must be talking about all those other evil churches that don't have the restored gospel and a living prophet and a divine destiny.

Here's another view given by the Lord Jesus Christ in His own words. Interestingly, these words are directed to and at latter day Gentiles:

14 Yea, wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots;

15 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds;

16 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy land, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers;

17 Thy graven images I will also cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee, and thou shalt no more worship the works of thy hands;

18 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities.

19 And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away.

20 For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel;

21 And I will execute vengeance and furyupon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

What does retail business and City Creek Center have to do with any of these words of the Lord?

The Fullness and the Failure

The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything needed for a person to find out how to return to the presence of God while in the flesh can be found in the Book. One way to look at the Book of Mormon is to see it as a compilation of accounts about various people that successfully navigated the path back to God's presence. 

"The scriptures are accounts written about and by people who have received the second comforter... They tell us what to do... We should be eager to look carefully at what they tell us about how they got there." (The Second Comforter Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil Pg 27)

Of course, among the many scriptural accounts of those that successfully completed the course back to His presence, is the record of some serious failures. The records of the failures in the Book of Mormon were left there for a good and wise purpose in the Lord. We should pay particular attention to the accounts of those that once were righteous and prosperous in the Lord, then ultimately failed and dwindled in unbelief. That cycle repeats itself in the record noticeably. 

The contrasts built into the Book of Mormon narrative are fascinating and instructive. The contrasts are placed there in order for us to see and understand something about ourselves. If we pay attention, and prayerfully consider the accounts of the likes of Enos, and Nephi, for example, we may be taught in great specific detail, how to enter, traverse, and complete the path back to the presence of God during our mortal lives. This is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the greatest purpose of the Book of Mormon. On the other hand, however, we should make very careful note of the failure of what was once a Zion society at the end of the Nephite record. If, with the help of the spirit, the records of Enos and Nephi can show us in surprising detail the practical application of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and entering into His presence; then the Nephite Zion's dwindling in unbelief shows in equally striking detail how people move quickly out of God's favor; even when they were once a “chosen” and blessed people of God.

It was by using this glaring failure of the Nephites that the Lord warned the latter day church. "...but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old." (D&C 38: 39) That is just the point, the failures recorded in the Book of Mormon are in fact warnings to the latter day church and people, "lest we become as the Nephites of old." That warning by the Lord was given in December 1830. How would we answer the question now 180 years later, have we become "as the Nephites of old?" Or, because of our “chosen” status, and the glorious destiny that awaits the latter day church, have we successfully avoided the calamity that befell the Nephites of old? Remember, they once had Christ dwell personally among them. In contrast, the latter day church failed in every attempt to establish Zion. It is in fact possible to begin at a lofty "chosen" status and then subsequently lose it all. Latter day saints don't generally believe it is possible for them or the church to fail. Latter day saints tend to disregard the warnings in the Book of Mormon because they believe the divine destiny of the restored church precludes failure. 

The recorded failures in the Book of Mormon are not placed in the record to point out to us the weakness in others. They are instead, meant to show us where we need to change, repent, and be different. The warnings interspersed throughout the Book of Mormon record are in fact specifically for the latter day church and latter day saints. The warnings were not included in the record to point out to us faithful latter day saints how all of our neighbors that don't have the true gospel are failing. That premise is born of vanity and pride.

Mormon set out the purpose for including the failure of the Nephites in his abridged record. He said, (Mormon 5)

8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops—

9 And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles...

10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come.

22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?

23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?

24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.

It seems to have been abundantly clear to Mormon, even if it fails to take hold in the hearts of the latter day gentile church, that what is needed for the latter day gentile church is exactly what might have saved the Nephite nation. "Repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver."