[This is Part III of my book: The Book of Mormon: A Witness and a Warning. YouTube videos containing the audio are available on YouTube.]

Who are the Gentiles?

The Book of Mormon repeatedly makes mention of the Gentiles in the last days. The prophecies in reference to the Gentiles are many. They are important. And they are not flattering.

The prophecies and warnings within the Book of Mormon in reference to the Gentiles constitute one of the key purposes of the Book of Mormon, which is to warn. The Lord wants us to be wise, informed, and correct in our views. He wants us to receive the truth by taking the Holy Spirit for our guide, thereby not being deceived, that we might abide in His presence in the last days.[1]

This being the case, let’s take a look at what a few of the “experts” say on who the Gentiles really are.

Bruce R. McConkie: “After the Kingdom of Israel was destroyed and the Ten Tribes were led away into Assyrian captivity, those of the Kingdom of Judah called themselves Jews and designated all others Gentiles.  It is this concept that would have been taught to Lehi, Mulek and the other Jews who came to the Western Hemisphere to found the great Nephite and Lamanite civilizations.  It is not surprising, therefore, to find the Book of Mormon repeatedly speaking of Jew and Gentile as though this phrase marked a division between all men; to find the United States described as a Gentile Nation[2]; and to find the promise that the Book of Mormon would come forth “by way of the Gentile.””[3]

“Actually, of course, the house of Israel has been scattered among all nations, and Joseph Smith (through whom the Book of Mormon was revealed) was of the Tribe of Ephraim.  At the same time the Prophet was of the Gentiles, meaning that he was a citizen of a Gentile Nation and also that he was not a Jew.  Members of the Church in general are both of Israel and of the Gentiles.”[4]

“Having in mind the principle that Gentiles are adopted into the lineage of Israel when they accept the gospel, and that those who fail to believe the truths of salvation (no matter what their lineage) lose any preferential status they may have had, it is not inappropriate in our day to speak of members of the Church as Israelites and unbelievers as Gentiles.”[5]

The fact remains that the Book of Mormon prophets referred to us as Gentiles—we are not Jews and we are not the seed of Lehi—we are Gentiles. What we call ourselves is completely beside the point!

“Both Lehi and Nephi divide all men into two camps, Jews and Gentiles.  The Jews were either the nationals of the kingdom of Judah or their descendants; all others were considered to be Gentiles. Thus, we are the Gentiles of whom this scripture speaks; we are the ones who have received the fullness of the gospel; and we shall take it to the Lamanites, who are Jews, because their fathers came from Jerusalem and from the kingdom of Judah.”[6]

“Joseph Smith… was the Gentile by whose hand the Book of Mormon came forth, and the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints… are the Gentiles who carry salvation to the Lamanites and to the Jews.”[7]

Bruce R. McConkie does a good job explaining what a Gentile is, but he shills for the establishment when he evades the obvious conclusion that we of the LDS church are referred to as Gentiles and are given dire warnings by the Book of Mormon prophets.  Bruce had to make a choice; he chose to ignore an entire book full of warnings explicitly aimed at the LDS church and all modern Christian churches and instead allowed his ego to make the final pronouncement on doctrine relative to the latter-day Gentiles instead of simply allowing the scriptures to speak for themselves.

Finally, let’s take a look at what Joseph Smith had to say on the matter.

Joseph Smith: “The Gentiles received the covenant and were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off; but the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the Saints, and have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established; and have become high-minded, and have feared; therefore, but few of them will be gathered with the chosen family.  Have not the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of the Gentiles provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw His Holy Spirit from them, and send forth His judgments to scourge them for their wickedness?  This is certainly the case.”[8]

One of the great stumbling blocks we encounter as latter-day Saints is not recognizing or accepting who the Gentiles referred to in the Book of Mormon really are.  We insist that the Gentiles do not include the members or leaders of the LDS church.  However, how can we insist on this when the Book of Mormon’s description of us fits us so precisely?

Jesus Christ: “And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel; but they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.  And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.”[9]

The Lord describes the Gentiles as sitting in darkness; that the light of the fullness of the gospel would break forth among them, but that they would not perceive the light, that they would turn their hearts from the Lord because of the precepts of men.  Essentially, the Lord predicts that the Gentiles will reject the fullness of the gospel and be scourged for it.  When this happens, the times of the Gentiles will be fulfilled, or finished; at this point, their time has come and gone and their chance to establish Zion is finished.

Mormon says that the Book of Mormon is “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.”[10]

Joseph Smith Jr. is the Gentile who translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.  Mormon identifies Joseph Smith Jr. as “the Gentile.”  He was not somehow above being labeled or identified as a Gentile because he was a prophet or the Lord’s anointed.  No.  He was still a Gentile as far as the authors of the Book of Mormon were concerned because he was not a Jew and not a descendant of Lehi.  Furthermore, the church he established was a Gentile church: non-Jews and non-descendants of Lehi.  Also, Joseph and the Lord, in the dedicatory prayer (a prayer revealed by revelation) of the Kirtland Temple, go out of their way to make it clear that we as church members and leaders are still identified with the Gentiles, as follows:

Joseph Smith: “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.”[11]

That being understood, it needs to be recognized that all of the warnings, prophecies, and admonitions addressed to the Gentiles within the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants are expressly addressed to the members and leaders of the LDS church because we are “identified with the Gentiles,” and we are among the target audience of those who wrote the book—after all, who else will ever read it?  And again, we see that Joseph Smith was not above being labeled as a Gentile and neither are we. 

When Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith, “he further stated that the fullness of the Gentiles was soon to come in.”[12]  The time of the Gentiles, or “the fullness of the Gentiles” came in during the ministry of Joseph Smith.  Through Joseph Smith, the Gentiles were offered the fullness of the gospel.

The Times of the Gentiles are “fulfilled” when the Gentiles have had their chance, but have rejected the fullness of the gospel, at which point the fullness will be offered again to scattered Israel by the remnant of the Gentiles which are faithful in receiving the fullness of the gospel.

Nephi: “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.”[13]

When the Book of Mormon prophets address the Gentiles, they are unequivocally addressing us, the members and leaders of the LDS church who have the Book of Mormon which contains the fullness of the gospel.  We are the ones most culpable for it since we are the ones who profess to believe in the Book of Mormon.  In essence, all Western Europeans and Caucasian Americans are Gentiles; but the Latter Day Saints are those who will be held most responsible for what they do with the fullness as contained in the Book of Mormon.  We will also be considered fairly warned, per the many warnings in the Book of Mormon. 

Jesus Christ: “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.  For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”[14]

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”[15]

Perhaps the best way to receive the truth and not be deceived, in our dispensation, is to verily receive the messages and warnings contained in the Book of Mormon; after all, it is the most correct book we have.  This is best done by allowing the Holy Spirit to be our guide as we apply and internalize the messages and warnings in the Book of Mormon, without being self-righteous, defensive, or religiously proud. 

It is my experience that the religiously proud are so stuck on themselves; on their chosen and exalted status; on their lofty keys, callings, and priesthoods; that they can’t even begin to comprehend or consider the idea that they might be in any way in error.  It is this kind of self-righteous pride that damns souls. 

The Lord’s prophecy and warning in D&C 45 was that we, the Gentiles, would somehow reject the fullness of the gospel. 

What is the fullness of the gospel?

The scriptures never tell us, point blank, what the “fullness of the gospel” is.  There is no concise definition.  We are only told that, in particular, the Bible and the Book of Mormon contain the fullness of the gospel.[16] However, we are informed that this fullness of the gospel is somehow linked with a covenant and priesthood.[17]  So let’s explore the topics of covenants and priesthood.

The Everlasting Covenant

It has already been abundantly proven in this essay that the Book of Mormon constitutes the New Covenant for both Jew and Gentile in the last days. But adding to that, let’s look at what Joseph, Mormon, and the Lord had to say on the matter.

Joseph Smith: “And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fullness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity—“[18]  “…that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established; that the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world…”[19]

The Lord equates “the fullness of his gospel” with “his everlasting covenant.”  He also states that this fullness is to be proclaimed by the weak and simple.  So, the fullness of the gospel is contained in a message; but a message of what?

Mormon: “[The Book of Mormon] 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—”[20]

Jesus Christ: “And again, [you] shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fullness of the gospel.”[21]

The Lord elsewhere refers to the Book of Mormon as “the new covenant.”[22]  The Book of Mormon reveals to us the “covenants of the Lord” and the “fullness of the gospel.”  This covenant and fullness is that Jesus Christ is manifesting himself unto all nations in many ways, not the least of which is the publication of the Book of Mormon.

What does “manifesting” mean?  It means that He manifests Himself to all those who receive His gospel; He manifests Himself to them in word, and in power, and in very deed.[23]

Are we receiving these manifestations? Are we teaching these doctrines? Do we teach the doctrine of Christ as explained in the Book of Mormon?

The Doctrine of Christ

The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is encapsulated in what Nephi calls the Doctrine of Christ.[24]  The doctrine of the Book of Mormon is the Doctrine of Christ because it has been established by Christ and vouched for by Christ as His doctrine and His covenant.[25] 

The most concise rendering of the Doctrine of Christ is found in 2 Nephi 31 and 32, and in 3 Nephi 11. 

Very simply, the Doctrine of Christ is that we learn of Christ, believe in Christ, develop perfect faith in Christ, repent of all our sins, receive baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; then if we do this, the Lord promises us the baptism of fire and the Gift of the Holy Ghost, whereby we may enter into His presence, whereby He manifests Himself in the flesh, whereby we are able to receive of His fullness, which is the promise of eternal life.  Read it yourself and see.

Nephi: “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.  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.”[26]

“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…”[27]

“Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh.  And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.”[28]

The Doctrine of Christ is the Everlasting Covenant—an offer which the Eternal Father extends to all of mankind.  All are invited to come and receive of the heavenly gift, by faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  The heavenly gift is that we are admitted into the literal presence of the Lord, to be embraced by Him, to sup with Him, to be taught by Him, to be anointed by Him, and by Him to be brought into the presence of the Father.  This is the message of Ether 12, as written by Moroni. 

“And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things. I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.  For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.  But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.  Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.”[29]

“And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; and now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever.  Amen.”[30]

To enter into the presence of the Lord is to enter into His rest, which rest is the fullness of His glory. 

These are the blessings Moses sought to bestow upon the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai.  But the children of Israel rejected these blessings and instead received a lesser law.

Jesus Christ: “And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.  And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

“Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory.  Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also; and the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel; which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.”[31]

Lest we become proud in our own eyes by clinging to the tradition that we have somehow done better than they in ancient Israel, let me remind everyone that the saints in Joseph’s day essentially did the same thing as the saints in Moses’ day.

Jesus Christ: “For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fullness of the priesthood.”[32]

The saints in Joseph’s day never actually completed the Nauvoo Temple.[33]  They finished many other fine homes and buildings, but the Nauvoo Temple was not even partially completed until well after Joseph’s death; even then, the Lord never came to the temple or restored anything.[34]  So contrary to popular belief, we were, in effect, left with a lesser priesthood, a sort of Law of Moses or Aaronic Priesthood, which might eventually lead us to the fullness again, if and when we were faithful to that law.  We have not been faithful to that law; contrary to the Lamans and Lemuels among us who tenaciously claim otherwise.[35]

The Doctrine of the Priesthood

Priesthood is a matter of association. It is a matter of rights, privileges, and powers within an association. 

There are many priesthoods, with each priesthood delineated by differences in operation, principles of operation, expectations, rules, disciplines, and cultures. Understanding these differences and technicalities is very important.

The priesthood of man is to have the association of man, to include the privileges of association, and the privileges of power and rank within such associations. The priesthoods of man are that they might exercise power and authority and dominion over man, inasmuch as man desires and seeks after power, authority, and dominion, the few over the many; and inasmuch as men desire or allow other men to rule over them.[36] 

Similarly, the priesthood of God is not singular. Rather, it merely reflects a reference to the rights and powers of associations within higher spheres, where higher laws govern higher and better associations.

Divine priesthoods are defined by divine covenants between God and man. As we abide by the terms of these covenants, then we enjoy the fulfillment of covenant blessings, including the associations and privileges of covenant priesthoods. For example:

The authority and power of the priesthood of Aaron, or lessor priesthood, is to have the association of angels.[37]  The association of angels takes many forms. This priesthood is not an ON/OFF switch. It is incremental and requires deliberate effort to increase and empower such associations.

The authority and power of the priesthood of Melchizedek, or High Priesthood, is to enter into the presence of God.[38] Again, this association takes many forms and takes place at many levels. Empowerment and increase within the realms of these priesthoods are simultaneous, complex, and necessarily deliberate. They require overt acts of faith.

These priesthoods are conditional upon faith, obedience, and repentance. The greater your faith, obedience, and repentance, the greater your priesthood, the greater your associations, and the greater your rights, privileges, and powers within these associations.

Advancement to the high priesthood is approved of God, conferred by God, and not by man, according to the word of His command.[39]  After all, Jesus Christ is the keeper of the gate, and He employs no servant there.  This is evidenced by who receives these privileges.  As one receives the power of the priesthood of God, it will be manifest accordingly, by the association of God and angels.  To claim priesthood in the absence of the manifestations thereof is a lie and a deception.

The fullness of the gospel brings with it the fullness of priesthood, and the fullness of priesthood brings with it the power to regain the presence of God.[40]

Divine priesthood is obtained by degrees.  We advance line upon line, from grace to grace, until we are able to receive of His fullness,[41] which is the perfect day.[42]

The Doctrine of Christ teaches us how to walk this straight and narrow path which passes the angels who stand as sentinels, into the literal presence of the Lord, where we begin to receive eternal life.[43]

“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; and that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world; and that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—The Father because he gave me of his fullness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.”[44]

If these blessings are not being realized, then it is because we are not being obedient to the laws of God governing these blessings.  We are absolutely diluted and deceived if we rationalize the absence of these manifestations by thinking that the Lord just hasn’t seen fit, in His wisdom, to bestow these blessings.[45]  This rationalization belies faith and makes God a liar from the beginning.  If the power is there it must be manifest!  There is no stopping it. If the law is kept, the associated promises must be fulfilled.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are most anxious to bless us just as soon as we are faithful and able to receive such blessings.

These blessings have been promised to us. Inasmuch as we reject these teachings, these promises, and these blessings, we are in a state of apostasy. That we are in such an awful state should come as no surprise.

The Book of Mormon Warns the Gentiles of Their Inevitable Apostasy

The Lord and His prophets knew that the Gentiles, including the leaders and members of the LDS church, would become corrupted and apostate.  He tried to warn us.  He did warn us.  Those who heed His warnings and follow his commandments to the best of their ability—these will be gathered; the others will not be gathered. 

I now offer the following scripture references, as contained in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon, as examples of these warnings to the Gentiles and prophecies concerning the latter-day Gentile apostasy.

As a heading to these scripture references, I re-invoke the following statement as declared by the Lord through Joseph Smith the Prophet in 1833:

“In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you…”[46]

See:      Micah 5:8 – 15

Ezekiel 22:25 – 31

1 Nephi 14:5-7, 20:1-6

2 Nephi 26:20-31, 27:1-5, 28:7-32, 30:1-3, 33:9,

3 Nephi 16:10-13, 20:15-20

Mormon 8:28-41

Ether 4:5-19, 12:35-41

Doctrine and Covenants 45:28-33

Then said I, O Lord GOD!  Behold, the prophets say unto them:

Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

Then the LORD said unto me:

The prophets prophesy lies in my name.

I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them.

They prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Therefore, thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name,

and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land;

By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. [47]

Conclusion

Within the sacred pages of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord has carefully outlined the doctrine of Christ, how ordinances are to be offered and performed, how church leaders are to conduct themselves and the affairs of the church, as well as a long list of things we should not do.  The Book of Mormon sternly warns us, the Gentiles, of the results of ignoring and disobeying these directions and warnings.  Ironically, the very church that claims to believe and uphold the Book of Mormon as scripture is the very same church that systematically and unapologetically ignores and violates each of these directions and warnings.  We go out of our way to testify of and proclaim the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, but we do not believe in the Book of Mormon as it applies to us because we obviously do not keep the commandments in the Book of Mormon or take seriously the warnings in the Book of Mormon which are obviously directed at us, the holy church of God.[48]

Church members think they understand the gospel and the scriptures very well because of all the endless hours they have spent listening to conference talks, participating in church meetings, and studying the unending publications of church handbooks, manuals, and curricula.   So yes, they (the members) understand the gospel according to the church very well; but compared to the deep doctrine contained in the scriptures and as readily available through revelation, their knowledge is abysmally shallow and trivial at best.  Meanwhile, those members who really study the scriptures, letting go of all cultural and institutional traditions and suppositions, delving into the deep doctrine—even the mysteries of Godliness, studying the best books, and supplicating the Lord continuously for divine guidance, these individuals find vast treasure troves of light and knowledge and redeeming grace. 

Unfortunately, those members who really do their homework, working out their salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord,[49] also see or begin to see the progressive apostasy within the churches.  And when they voice their concerns, they are denigrated, excommunicated, and cast out as apostates; albeit these are those most committed to the Lord’s truth and righteousness. 

Jesus Christ: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”[50]

This scripture from the Old Testament outlines exactly the situation we find ourselves in today.  We don’t really study the scriptures or learn the deep doctrines in the scriptures; so, when our priests and leaders contradict the scriptures, very few people even notice; hence, the eminent destruction we all face.

The insanity of it all lies in the fact that very few of our “prophets, seers, and revelators” ever claim to actually be prophets, seers, and revelators, as one man pointing to himself; they merely claim to have somehow received the priesthood keys and callings as such.[51]  Hence, they emphatically insist that all church members sustain them accordingly.  They insist they have the keys.  They insist they hold the priesthood.  And that is all that matters.  They suppose that God “hath done His work, and hath given his power unto [them].”[52]

In reality, the scriptures in no way support their construct or definition of priesthood or keys.  The Book of Mormon never even mentions keys, except those that belonged to Zoram.  The theological structure they have built, upon which they presume that we should all place all our faith and hopes, is just floating in the air, a great and spacious building without any basis or foundation at all.

I can’t recall a single church president since Joseph Smith that ever publicly claimed to have seen an angel or the Lord, and yet they are supposed to hold the Aaronic Priesthood which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and the Melchizedek priesthood which holds the keys for standing in the very presence of the Lord.  Notwithstanding, Latter Day Saints are supposed to put all their faith and trust in them, like putting all their eggs into one basket. 

I recall one Stake President in Provo telling us that we as members of the church can all have absolutely implicit trust and confidence in the leaders of the church—that they will not and indeed cannot lead us astray.  This claim has been repeated regularly in General Conference.  I know of no biblical precedence for such a claim.  Throughout history, there have been more prophets and apostles who have fallen off the path of truth and righteousness than you can shake a stick at.  Why should church leaders today be so pious and self-righteous as to think they are any different, or that they are above all that? 

They think they are different because of all the ways we have been blessed over the years since the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  They take credit for all the miracles that have taken place.  They attribute these miracles and outpourings of the Lord’s grace to their keys, inspiration, and priesthood, rather than to the faithfulness and prayers of so many of our members.  They forget:

Jesus Christ: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils?  And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.  Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”[53]

Just because we prophesy, cast out devils, and do many wonderful works in the name of the Lord, does not necessarily mean that we stand approved of Him.  The Lord is indeed gracious; but we cannot attribute that grace to our own righteousness or claims to special keys when we, in all honesty, have not repented and have not been faithful.  We cannot take credit for all the miracles that take place within the church by attributing these to our righteousness or special standing before the Lord.  The miracles we witness and are a part of are manifestations of the Lord’s grace and love for us, of His purposes and His ways.  We cannot take credit for them.  They have nothing to do with special keys, authority, status or standing before the Lord when we have blatantly disregarded His counsels from the beginning. 

The Lord has made it very clear that only those who do His will are those who will be known and owned by Him in the days of judgement.  Besides, it is not as if the LDS church has some sort of monopoly on miracles, prophecy, or any other Christ-centered faith-centered event or practice.  There are many non-LDS Christians who pray with faith, receive answers to their prayers, heal the sick, and experience all manner of visions and miracles.

Ultimately, Christ’s church consists of only those who know Him and do as He has directed them to do.  The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of His gospel, to include clear directions on what we are to do and not do as members and teachers in His church.  If we disregard these directions by following our own counsels and wisdom instead of His, then we are not the Church of Jesus Christ; instead, we are only the Church of would-be Latter Day Saints.

We need to believe in the warnings and revelations of the Lord.  If we believe in these things, then we will hearken to the Lord’s prophets. 

Nephi: “And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.”[54]

I conclude by quoting from the words of Nephi the Seer:

“And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

“For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.  For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

“Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.  Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment–seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.

“And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.”[55]

End.

---

[1] Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57

[2] 1 Nephi 13; 3 Nephi 21

[3] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 311

[4] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 311

[5] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 311

[6] Bruce R. McConkie , A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 1985, p. 556

[7] Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, 1982, p. 233

[8] A letter from Joseph Smith to newspaper editor: N.E. Sexton Rochester N.Y., 4 January 1833; The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, published 1984 by Deseret Book Company, p. 271; also quoted in part in TPJS, p. 15

[9] Doctrine and Covenants 45:28-31

[10] Book of Mormon | Preface Title Page:1

[11] Doctrine and Covenants 109:60

[12] JS-History 1:41

[13] 1 Nephi 13:42

[14] Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57

[15] Book of Mormon, Preface Introduction:6

[16] Doctrine and Covenants 42:12

[17] 3 Nephi 16:10-15, D&C 1:22-23, 39:11,

[18] Doctrine and Covenants 133:57

[19] Doctrine and Covenants 1:20-23

[20] Book of Mormon | Preface Title Page:2

[21] Doctrine and Covenants 42:12

[22] Doctrine and Covenants 84:57

[23] 1 Nephi 14:1

[24] 2 Nephi 31:2

[25] Doctrine and Covenants 27:5, 33:16, 42:12, 84:57

[26] 2 Nephi 9:23 – 24

[27] 2 Nephi 9:41 – 42

[28] 2 Nephi 32:6

[29] Ether 12:6 – 9

[30] Ether 12:39, 41

[31] Doctrine and Covenants 84:19 – 27

[32] Doctrine and Covenants 124:28

[33] HC, Vol. 7, pp. 534, 541, 545, 560, 562, 566 (Here are numerous examples in the official History of the Church of the Nauvoo Temple never actually being completed; far from it! And nowhere is there an account of Jesus Christ coming to that temple, or of Him restoring any priesthood there.)

[34] Ibid.

[35] 1 Nephi 17:13

[36] Doctrine and Covenants 121:39, Helaman 12:5-6

[37] Moroni 7:29-30, Doctrine and Covenants 13:1, 84:26-27, 107:20

[38] Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-25, 107:18-19

[39] Moroni 7:30

[40] Doctrine and Covenants 67:10-14

[41] Doctrine and Covenants 93:1-28

[42] Doctrine and Covenants 50:24-29

[43] Doctrine and Covenants 88:1-5, 132:20-25

[44] Doctrine and Covenants 93:1-4

[45] Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. and John J. Stewart, The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith (1972), 387–88

[46] Doctrine and Covenants 89:4

[47] Jeremiah 14:13 – 15

[48] Mormon 8:38

[49] Mormon 9:27

[50] Hosea 4:6

[51] https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/3f3w1g/yesterday_i_randomly_ran_into_the_president_of/

[52] 2 Nephi 28:5

[53] Matthew 7:21-23, 3 Nephi 14:21-23

[54] 2 Nephi 5:6

[55] 1 Nephi 10:17 – 22