Repent ... Not Repent

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord repeatedly commands us to repent and to keep His commandments. Christ clearly states the associated consequences attached when we either choose to repent or to not repent. In the following scripture, Christ specifically addresses us gentiles and lays out a list of our wicked ways, from which we are commanded to turn, and evil doings of which to repent.

“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, saying: 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.” (3 Nephi 30:1-2)

“Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my name; And it is by my almighty power that you have received them; Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have 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— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.” (D&C 19:13-20)

It seems to me that choosing the option of not repenting and thereby rejecting Christ's atoning sacrifice in my behalf would cause me sufferings that far exceed what I presently understand. Logically, it becomes a “no brainer” … repentance is by far the better option!

Here's a link on:  Repentance

The Book of Mormon Has a Message For the Latter Day Saint Gentile

In the title page of The Book of Mormon, the prophet Mormon identifies the three groups of people the book addresses. “Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile.”

In order to receive the message of the Book of Mormon meant for us. it is important to recognize which group we identify with. Am I a Lamanite? Am I a Jew? Or Am I a Gentile?

Book of Mormon Title Page

An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.

The prophets of the Book of Mormon saw our day and know exactly who they are addressing and what message each group needs to hear. These identities stay consistent throughout the entire book.

Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. Mormon 8:34-35

How does the Book of Mormon serve each of these three groups?

• To show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever.
• To the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.

It was foreseen that the house of Israel would be scattered among all nations. It would follow that all the nations upon the face of the earth would be blessed by this bloodline.

Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations. 1 Nephi 22:3

With this understanding, Mormon continues to distinguish the Gentiles from the House of Israel in his writings. Notice even when the Gentiles receive the fulness of the Gospel, they are still called gentiles. In the Book of Mormon, receiving the Gospel does not seem to change a Gentile into an Israelite.

Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. 1 Nephi 10:12-14

The gentiles are given the hope that if they repent and return unto the Father, they shall be numbered among God's people; but still the record does not show that their identity changes when they accept God's offering and protection. What is the difference between being numbered among them and becoming one of 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. But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel. And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father. 3 Nephi 16:12-14

If Joseph and the people attending the dedication of the Kirtland Temple have already been baptized, why did Joseph still identify the members of the church and himself as Gentiles? Joseph Smith reiterates these distinctions between these three groups of people in his prayer.

Now these words, O Lord, we have spoken before thee, concerning the revelations and commandments which thou hast given unto us, who are identified with the Gentiles.

But thou knowest that thou hast a great love for the children of Jacob, who have been scattered upon the mountains for a long time, in a cloudy and dark day. We therefore ask thee to have mercy upon the children of Jacob, that Jerusalem, from this hour, may begin to be redeemed; And the yoke of bondage may begin to be broken off from the house of David; And the children of Judah may begin to return to the lands which thou didst give to Abraham, their father.

And cause that the remnants of Jacob, who have been cursed and smitten because of their transgression, be converted from their wild and savage condition to the fulness of the everlasting gospel; That they may lay down their weapons of bloodshed, and cease their rebellions.

And may all the scattered remnants of Israel, who have been driven to the ends of the earth, come to a knowledge of the truth, believe in the Messiah, and be redeemed from oppression, and rejoice before thee. D&C 109:60-67

Just as the gentiles were allowed to go through and tread down the seed of Nephi's brethren,

And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; 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 13:14

the house of Israel shall go through among the gentiles, and shall tread them down. The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. 1 Nephi 13:42

But if they [gentiles] will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel. 3 Nephi 16:15

Which specific group of Gentiles is Jesus describing in this verse? Who has been called to be the salt of the earth?

When men are called unto mine everlasting gospel, and covenant with an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the salt of the earth and the savor of men; They are called to be the savor of men; therefore, if that salt of the earth lose its savor, behold, it is thenceforth good for nothing only to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. D&C 101: 39-40

Which group of Gentiles were called with an everlasting covenant?

What is this group of Gentiles doing? What have they rejected? What will the Father do?

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 Nephi 16:10-11

Who is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to reject the fulness of the gospel? What does it mean to receive the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision. D&C 76:14

As Gentiles we have the opportunity to be numbered among God's people but it requires us to repent and return unto God. We too must seek the face of the Lord and receive the promise of eternal life.

Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; D&C 93:1

And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. D&C 39:5

And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life. D&C 101:38

Individually, we each must make the choice.

What Would You Say If You Saw Us? Part 2

We, the latter day saint gentiles, play a key part in the visions many prophets have seen and are now seeing. Our day has been revealed in detail and these prophets are eyewitnesses of us and our doings. Moroni, who is a prophet of God and lived about 1000 years after Nephi, finishes the record of his father Mormon, sees our day, prophecies, warns, and speaks a few eye-opening words to us. “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” Mormon 8:35.

So, what did Moroni see and record concerning us and our day? How did he describe us? What did he say about the conditions of the world? People? Other circumstances? Did Moroni include any information, counsel, recommendations, advice, warnings, or admonitions? Did Moroni praise, honor, or pay tribute to us? Was he pleased with what he saw, applaud our righteous performance, or wish he were part of a chosen generation like us? Or did he throw out criticism, scolding, disapproval, and condemnation?

What are some of the gentile characteristics that Moroni mentioned? Did he note that miracles are basically done away among the gentiles?  Did he talk about secret combinations and works of darkness? The power of God is denied? Churches become defiled? Building churches to get gain? Pride? Wearing very fine apparel? Envy? Strifes? Malice? Persecutions? Iniquities? Building up secret abominations to get gain? Society deteriorating? Murders? Robbing? Lying? Deceivings? Whoredoms? False teachings and beliefs? Preaching that you can do anything you want and the Lord will uphold you at the last day? Believing that for your money you can be forgiven? Transfiguring the holy word of God? Selling your selves for that which will canker? Widows mourning? Orphans mourning? Blood crying from the ground? Wars? Earthquakes? Great pollutions? Destructions? Judgments? Damnations?

Do we love money, elegant church buildings, fancy clothes, houses, cars, and our substance more than we love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted? Do we suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by, and notice them not? Mormon 8:26-41

Are there corrupt churches in our midst? Is every single gentile church polluted because of the pride of our hearts? A very chilling question is this: “Why have ye polluted the holy church of God?” Mormon 8:38 What church is the holy church of God? Does it exist now? Where is it? Who belongs to it? Who polluted it? When was it polluted? How was it polluted? Is it being polluted still? If it has been polluted, is being polluted, or both; is it still holy? Where do we stand? This sounds like serious stuff. Do we even want to know the answers? Are we offended when we are called to repentance? 

Why are we ashamed to take upon us the name of Christ? Mormon 8:38 Why do we lay up for ourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal Matthew 6:19, but refuse or fail to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal? Matthew 6:20 Why do we prefer the things of the world instead of what God offers?

Why don’t we believe in and entertain angels? Is it because of our unbelief? Moroni 7 Why don’t we care enough to rend the veil of unbelief which doth cause us to remain in our awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind and be saved? Be redeemed? Receive the Second Comforter? And make a claim on eternal life? Ether 4:15

According to Moroni, “The sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer” Mormon 8:41 Who are the saints that are crying? To whom are they crying? Why are they crying?

Are they being despised, hated, persecuted, and reviled? By whom?  For what? Why? Are they despised and rejected of men; persons of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and esteemed as naught? Isaiah 53:2-7 Are they oppressed and afflicted by the world, but humbly submit to God? Do they try to repay and get even with offenders, or do they leave the judgment and vengeance of their enemies to whom it belongs, even the Lord? Romans 12:19, Mormon 8:20

Who offends, mocks, and sheds the blood of the saints? Over who does the sword of vengeance hang? Why? Somebody must not be paying attention to God, ignoring Him, or just plain rebelling against Him. Why would somebody revile and persecute another and say all manner of evil against them falsely, for Christ’s sake? Matthew 5:11 I suppose all prophets who come from the presence of God wonder why this is the case. Joseph did. JSH 1:25

What does it mean to be a saint? Will a saint be quickened and be caught up to meet Him? D&C 88:96 See God? Matthew 5:8 Would a saint be wise, noble, and virtuous seeking counsel, authority, and blessings constantly from under the hand of God? D&C 122:2 Is a saint one who receives the pleasing word of God and feasts upon his love with a firm mind forever? Jacob 3:2 Does a saint have clean hands and a pure heart? Does it have something to do with Zion? D&C 97:21-26 

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” Moses 7:18. Does one with a broken heart and a contrite spirit qualify for Zion? Shall a saint see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance? D&C 56:18 Would a saint return to God, come to their inheritances, and sing songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion? D&C 101:18 Would a saint rend the veil of unbelief, repent, be redeemed, and know Christ, having faith no longer but knowing without doubting? Ether 3:19

What does it mean NOT to be a saint? Hmmm, not to be profound, but I suppose it would be opposite of being one.  I think Nephi and Moroni were doing a pretty good job describing a non-saint, who is condemned, not redeemed, miserable, and a damned soul, who “would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell” Mormon 9:4-5.

Oh, maybe I got carried away. That was us gentiles they were talking about, wasn’t it? That doesn’t sound very good at all. It can be quite alarming to some and cause anxiety and fear among the ill equipped and unprepared. Upon the wicked, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire.

Both Nephi and Moroni must have seen the same vision about our day. They are in concert crying repentance, pronouncing warnings, and declaring judgments upon us as the latter day saint gentiles.

But they seem to be so negative and are not saying nice things about us. What great evil have we done to deserve that kind of criticism, reprimand, and rebuke? What great sins have we committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of these men? We are a strong, favored, and preferred people, aren’t we? We are too great to be destroyed; besides we are the chosen generation, right?

Just who is this Nephi and Moroni anyway? By what authority do they prophecy evil against us, God’s elect people? We are a righteous and prosperous people with power, and we are regarded with respect, admiration, and high esteem, right? Do you think these guys are true prophets? Or are they just prophesying in vain? This sounds uncomfortably too familiar, doesn’t it? Mosiah 12:13-15

Maybe we should kill them because they are destroying our craft Alma 35:3. If we get rid of them, maybe their message will go away and stop disturbing us.  They’re already dead, but their words are still here.  Now what do we do?  Let’s be like the Zoramites and just not listen to them and cast out the ones that do listen. Or maybe we can switch identities and pretend we aren’t the gentiles.  Let’s hide so God can’t find us.

So back to this craft of ours, many years have gone into building this craft.  It provides us a comfortable living.  It makes us wealthy.  It feeds our ego and pride. It assures us of our righteousness before God. Why destroy it now?  Don’t we need to feed each other’s self-esteem? That’s why we go to church, right?

Paul would probably be rejected and reviled today, like he was in his day.  Paul is persuading people to turn away from worshipping false gods.  Why would he do that? Doesn’t he know we need our craft to make money? If the people find out what’s going on, even our great temple will be despised and her magnificence destroyed.  Right now we have people throughout the entire world worshipping the gods we’ve created.  We cannot allow people like Paul to keep talking! Acts 19:25-27 By our craft we generate money to build shopping malls, make donations to law firms, build a huge mega church, and contribute to the development of the Babylonian empire.

I believe Nephi, Moroni, and many others commune with heaven. I think they know what they are talking about. Would it be worth reading their words, carefully considering them, and acting upon what is revealed through the power of the Holy Ghost? I am absolutely persuaded to re-evaluate my views and the traditions of my fathers, step back, and take a serious long look at this stuff. I think it would be very wise to talk to God about it with a sincere heart and with real intent.

What would you say if you saw us in vision 2600 years ago? 1600 years ago? Now?

What Would You Say If You Saw Us? Part 1

True messengers who are sent from the presence of God preach repentance, pronounce warnings, and declare judgments. They are special and sure witnesses of Christ because they know Him personally. He has ministered to them and shown unto them many great works Ether 3:18.

Pure servants of God, without hypocrisy and without guile D&C 121:42, have heard a voice from Heaven saying, “Thy sins are forgiven thee and thou shalt be blessed” Enos 1:5. They have been declared clean by God, received a remission of their sins, and experienced redemption first hand in the holy presence of Jesus Christ, the only One who can redeem Mosiah 3:17. They have been redeemed from the fall, and therefore brought back into His presence Ether 3:13. They are found without fault before the throne of God Revelation 14:4-5.

The veil has been taken from off their eyes Ether 3:6. These witnesses of God have seen His face and been shown His works from the beginning of creation to the winding up scenes of this earth. Prophets are eyewitnesses of Christ’s birth, mortal life, ministry, rejection, mock trial, judgment, suffering, sacrifice, forgiveness, atonement, crucifixion, death, and ascension to Heaven. They hear and see and know these things independent of anybody else or the testimony of another person, and thereby become witnesses of Christ. They receive the testimony of Jesus where He bears record to them D&C 76:101, Revelation 19:10.

Prophets we are talking about here are not only voted in or sustained by men, churches, or any other institutions of this world. The title, calling, or rightful position of “prophets, seers, and revelators” in any organization of this world is one thing, but when God personally ordains prophets, seers, and revelators, who are commissioned of Jesus Christ and called by the voice of God, we will discover it is quite another matter.

Those who have come unto Christ, been covered by Him, and entered into the Father's presence have a fulness, but all those who have not experienced such a connection with heaven, no matter what keys, positions or power they claim to hold, cannot and do not possess the fulness because only the Father has the role to confer it. The prophets who have communed with heaven, like Nephi, are given the higher priesthood of God, which includes the sealing power Helaman 10:4-7. Neither the church nor men can confer it, only God. Alma also taught this doctrine. Alma 13:1-2

Joseph Smith, a latter day prophet of God and the head of this dispensation, received the fulness following the same heavenly pattern. He made sufficient sacrifice unto God in obedience to that which God required of him, obtained forgiveness of his sins, and received a promise of exaltation. God identified Himself and declared with His own voice, “For verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father” D&C 132:49-50. 

In addition, God gave Joseph the sealing power as He did Nephi, the son of Helaman, referred to above. “And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven” D&C 132:46.

In the Joseph Smith translation of Genesis, this same doctrine of heaven came to light. “And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name” JST Genesis 14:27-29.

Nephi, the son of Lehi, is another great example of a true prophet, who is commissioned of God and speaks with power and authority received from God Himself. He did not receive the fulness of the priesthood from a man who claimed the right and power to confer it. Nephi communed with God, received power from heaven, and reached the “servant of God” status. He was speaking divine words as directed by heaven. God always honors and fulfills His words. He commissions prophets to relay His message. God then fulfills the prophecies every whit 3 Nephi 1:20.

The Lord stands firmly behind His prophecies and promises. He guarantees and assures the fulfillment of His words spoken by the voice of His prophets. “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” D&C 1:38.

The words of Nephi fall into this same category. His words are God’s words and spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost. We are his audience to whom he directs words of warning, counsel, and condemnation. Some are familiar with his words; others are not and fail to fully understand. Either way we are held accountable for and judged by His words. If we, the latter day gentiles, fail to read, heed, and obey the words of God delivered through Nephi, the words shall condemn us at the last day 2 Nephi 33:11-15. 

What did Nephi see in our day? What did he say to us? How did he describe us? How do his words pertain to us? What are his cautions and warnings directed to us? Beware of what? Why? What did he view as our weaknesses? Did he mention any of our strengths? What was his general perception of the gentiles? 1 Nephi 13-14, 2 Nephi 26-33

Why is Nephi so pessimistic concerning us gentiles? I think it would be easier on our conscience if we could convince ourselves that he’s really talking about some of those other gentiles. If it is not us, then to whom can we defer this harsh judgment? Non-members? Heathens? Atheists? Agnostics? Apostates? My weird neighbor down the street, who just doesn’t seem to believe what is being taught? Others? It can’t be us, can it? It’s gotta be somebody else. 

I’ve been told my whole life that we can’t be led astray. Is Nephi trying to change my paradigm? This is a very inconvenient time in my life to make such changes. I’ve invested a lot of time into my sincere but false beliefs. Is Nephi accurately telling us about our true condition? Are the words of God spoken by Nephi something worth trusting?  Nephi glories in plainness and truth, doesn’t he? 2 Nephi 33:6 Hmmmm? What do you think?

Are we going to be like Noah and his wicked priests? Saying, “Abinadi . . . thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people.” Or are we going to be like Alma who heard the rebuke of a true prophet, recognized his sins and iniquities, defended the truth at the peril of his life, repented, and taught the doctrine of Christ? Mosiah 17:1-15 

Do you think Mormon just accidentally included these stories in the Book of Mormon? Or were they carefully selected?  Do these stories prophesy and foretell our errors?  Do we have ears to hear and eyes to see?  Matthew 13:15

To be continued . . .