Question: Do you feel the inhabitants of these other worlds went through the same process of a pre-existent state, were given a choice to follow the Savior and if so chosen would gain a mortal state, then an immortal state and will face a final judgment such as we have been promised. If so, after their mortal existence ended, perhaps many millions of years ago, have they been awaiting the atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on this earth, in order to gain their eternal or other rewards?

Gene

Dear Gene,

Since very little has been revealed about the other worlds, there is little that can be said from any kind of an authoritative basis. But what has been revealed can form the base for some conjecture in that realm. So let me suggest a few thoughts for your consideration.

My belief is that there is one God, one Lord Jesus Christ and one gospel. The principles of the gospel are eternal in nature. They all point to the Celestial Kingdom and prepare us to qualify for residence with our Father in that Kingdom. It would be difficult to believe that different standards would be given to different groups of people to prepare them for eternity.

All who progress to eternity must pass through mortality to gain a physical body and to prove themselves before the Lord. Their faithfulness in obeying the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in mortality will determine whether they will inherit telestial, terrestrial or celestial kingdoms in eternity.

Not all the spirit children of our Father in Heaven will work out their mortal sojourn in a telestial environment. Some will be born into terrestrial worlds. In fact, during the Millennial reign of the Lord on this earth, it will be transformed into a terrestrial kingdom. Those who are alive when He comes, and who will not be destroyed because of their wickedness, will continue to live, and the race of mortals will continue through the Millennium, living on a terrestrial sphere. During this time Satan will be bound and will not be allowed to tempt the children of men. However,

when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season D&C 29:22).

For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth (D&C 43:31).

and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years (D&C 88:110).

So those who have lived in mortality during the millennial reign will yet have to opportunity to prove themselves by resisting the temptations of the Adversary.

I would suggest that before the Savior’s resurrection on this earth no one in the universe would have been resurrected. He was the first fruits of the resurrection. He alone had the power to overcome death, and after his mortal life had been taken away, He initiated, by his matchless power, the resurrection process, entering again into his body and causing it to come to life. So powerful was that event that its effects were made universal, so that all who live in mortality and who die, without exception, will live again, possessing their own bodies transformed to an immortal state-never again subject to death.

One can imagine the anticipation, the anxiousness of all humanity that had lived on all the infinite number of worlds, as the events of the crucifixion and resurrection were unfolding. That other worlds were aware of that which occurs on this earth, the sphere of the Savior’s mortal sojourn, is attested to in the scriptures-

For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven–Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined (D&C 38:11-12).

There is no doubt that no one was resurrected before the Savior, but one may wonder at the thought that there were no resurrections in the universe prior to the year 33 AD on this earth. There is much that we don’t know about eternity, and it would be hazardous to try to project mortal concepts into eternal conditions. This much we do know, that time is different from eternity, and that time is measured only unto man (Alma 40:8). So I would not attempt to read too much into the concepts that have been suggested above.

Gramps

I enjoy reading your column quite a bit. I have just read with great interest the two most recent questions, the two regarding millions of earths and Christ the Savior for all for them. My question is would you please explain in conjunction to those answers if Satan is also allowed to tempt the people of other earths or only this one and if not, are we the only part of the human family that are tempted? Thanks in advance.

Will, from Idaho

Dear Will,

There is undoubtedly much in the works of God that he has chosen not to reveal to us. To Moses he said,

And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. . . . But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. (Moses 1:33-35).

So I believe that you will not find in the scriptures any specific reference that reveals that Satan influences the inhabitants of other planets. We may conjecture about such things, but the truth will only be known when it is revealed from heaven. Nevertheless, let us conjecture for a moment.

We do know that the Lord, Jesus Christ provided an infinite atonement, and is the Savior of all the worlds. We know that in the pre-mortal spirit world Satan held great sway with many of the children of the Father, and many followed after him. It is unlikely that all those who love Satan more than God and seek to promote his works were sent here to this one world. We know that there are many telestial kingdoms. Wickedness and opposition to truth are characteristic of the telestial kingdom. It would seem that wherever wickedness exists it is authored, sponsored and promoted by the Adversary.

Although, as we mentioned above, we find nothing in the scriptures that specifically declares the influence of Satan on other worlds, there are come apocryphal writings that do make that declaration. Hugh Nibley in his Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, 1,7, p.195-96, records a statement from the Psalms of Thomas as follows:

“When God sent forth a ship of light ‘laden with the riches of the Living,’ Satan and his pirate crew coming ‘I know not from where’ seized ‘the treasure of the Mighty One’ and ‘distributed it among their worlds,’ until they were forced to give it up” (Psalms of Thomas 3:1-15).

Gramps

We were having a discussion about the loss of King David’s inheritance. If all sins may be forgiven except the denial of the Holy Ghost, why did King David lose his inheritance? I know it was because of adultery. But did he not truly repent? Doesn’t it say he sorrowed for his sin? Thanks

LC, from Idaho

Dear LC,

To sorrow for sin and to repent are two entirely different things. Many are sorry for the consequences of their wrong doing, but they do not change their behavior. Not only did David commit adultery but he was responsible for the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. What did he do to rectify his wrong doing? He confessed to Nathan, but did he repent of his actions? Further, there are sins for which there is no repentance-

“The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord” (D&C 132:27).

Gramps

Where in the scripture, does it say we can become like God?

Donald, form California

Dear Donald,

There are several scriptures that relate to this subject. First, we read in Romans 8:16-17 that

the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Paul tells us that we have to possibility of becoming joint heirs of God with Jesus Christ. As children of God, we have the possibility, as is the case with all other living creatures, to grow to an eternal maturity and become like our Father. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a road map that he has given us that points the way to our eternal maturity. If we obey all the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ our progress in eternity will not end until we become like the Father.

A more explicit scripture is found in Doctrine & Covenants, section 132,

And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them–Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths–then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory (D&C 132:19-21).

Gramps

Understanding what the prophets have said about our children’s true character helps us cope with today’s distresses. Our children were not placed on earth, at this time, and in their familial relationships by a cosmic roll of the dice. Heavenly Father’s house is a house of order. Countless ages of premortal obedience and righteous living determined our children’s mortal placement, which, beyond every other consideration, was meant to reward them and to magnify their opportunity to advance toward exaltation. Even the difficulties they would experience could serve to save and exalt them. — Read More

Why is the Book of Mormon written in King James English? Also why do we (Mormons) use the King James translation of the Old & New Testament?

note: I need the answer: it is pertinent to my salivation, i.e., I get dry mouth just thinking about it.

t-max, from Utah

Dear t-max,

I would suggest that when you plan to think about this burning question, you pop an ice cube in your mouth. That should help with both the burning and the salivation.

First, you must recognize that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon specifically as it was given to him, word for word. With both the Seer Stone and the Urim and Thummim, the translation of a character would appear before him and would remain until the scribe had correctly repeated the word or words that the Prophet told him.

There are a couple of circumstances that bear on the similarity to the King James Version. However, the Book of Mormon is not written in Elizabethan English, except for the copies of the twenty chapters of Isaiah that are found in the Book. The Book of Mormon has the structure of a translation from the Hebrew language. There are many Hebrew literary forms found in the Book of Mormon. For instance, over 50% of the book is couched in chiastic structures. There are, in fact, at least 922 chiasma in the Book of Mormon. This is a very curious fact because the Book of Mormon was not translated from the Hebrew, but from the Egyptian language–but I digress.

One of the cogent circumstances related to the translation of the Isaiah chapters into the terminology of the King James Version is that the King James Version of the Bible was in 1829 about the only English language bible in existence. It was the one found in the homes of most of the families. So it is logical that the Lord would dictate the scriptures into the language of the day.

The second cogent circumstance is that the King James Version is a very accurate translation of Isaiah from the origin Hebrew (or Egyptian, as the case may be). Nephi and Jacob copied into their records in First and Second Nephi, 17 chapters of Isaiah directly from the Brass Plates of Laban. The Brass Plates of Laban were written in Egyptian, and were very likely an ancient document even in Lehi’s time. It is recorded in the Book of Mormon that both Lehi and Jeremiah added their records to the Brass Plates of Laban.

If one compares the wording the Book of Mormon Isaiah with that of the King James version one finds that they are nearly identical-nearly, but not completely. Where there was reason to deviate from the King James version, it was done. So it was not just copied. As a matter of fact, there are 348 instances in which different words from the King James are used. These differences include additions of words that were not in the King James, subtraction of words that were in the King James, and the changing of one word or phrase for another. The wording of the Book of Mormon is an extremely powerful evidence of its authenticity.

Gramps

Have just read your reply to the question. “Is the planet kolob 300,000 light years from the earth”? During your reply you stated that “Kolob was one of three planets that were close to the celestial kingdom.” I have not come across this in my studies, would you please elaborate?

John, from Ohio

Dear John,

If you will examine Facsimile No. 2 in the Book of Abraham, you will find the following:

“Fig. 1. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God.”

“Fig. 2. Stands next to Kolob, called by the Egyptians Oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place where God resides;”

“Fig. 5. Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also.”

These appear to be the three grand governing stars that appear next to the celestial kingdom of God.

Gramps

What is known about the route of travel taken by Lehi and his family as they made their way from Bountiful in the wilderness to the Promised Land in South America, and are we told where they came ashore at their new home? Thanks for your kind help.

Joy, from Utah

Dear Joy,

Little is mentioned in the Book of Mormon concerning the route of travel of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem to the shore of the ocean where Nephi built the ship to cross the ocean. We know from 1 Nephi 16:13-17 that they started out in a nearly south-southeast direction, and they traveled at first in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. We learn in 1 Nephi 17 that they were eight years in crossing the desert, and that as they traveled they were not permitted to make much fire and thus had to survive on raw meat. One would suppose that they traveled in secret to avoid being captured by hostile caravans also crossing the desert.

Beyond this all is conjecture. A number of interesting books have been written suggesting possible routes of travel from Jerusalem to the ocean, and research is presently being carried out in Oman to see if their departure site can be discovered. A very likely site has been discovered on the Gulf of Aden near the border between Yemen and Oman.

Concerning their arrival point in the New World even less is known. Their arrival is treated in only one verse in the Book of Mormon

And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land; and we went forth upon the land, and did pitch our tents; and we did call it the promised land (1 Nephi 18:23).

Consensus has it that they landed somewhere along the west coast of South America. President Joseph Fielding Smith has written the following:

“When the Lord began to lead the family of Lehi to this land, he said to them: ‘And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.’ It is generally understood that they landed in South America, and that their nations, the Nephites and Lamanites, dwelt in South and Central America during the greater part of their sojourn here” ( Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.3, p.73 - p.74).

Gramps

Why is it that our ancestors in Old Testament times lived so much longer than we do now? Some of our first fathers lived well over 900 years old and then gradually decreased with time. I’ve thought that perhaps it was because they needed extra time to fill the earth with sons and daughters.

Kevin, from Utah

Dear Kevin,

We understand from the writings of Nephi that the early descendants of Adam and Eve were granted extended lives by the Lord that they might repent while in the flesh. I know nothing about extra time being granted to them in order to increase the earth’s population.

And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth. And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family of all the earth. And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents (2 Nephi 2:19-21).

Gramps

My question to you has to do with the scripture in Psalms 8:4-5. “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visiteth him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”

Are we ranked lower than the angels then? and if so, why? I remember reading something (by Brigham Young, I think) about the angels being perhaps a little lower than us. Thanks!

Kevin, from Utah

Dear Kevin,

As mortals, we live in a telestial world, struggling to overcome the temptations of Satan. We learn from the scriptures that the Savior was the only perfect person that walked the earth, all the rest of us to one degree or another are sinful. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Contrast that to this description of the angels:

The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth; But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord (D&C 130:6-7).

Angels, as resurrected beings, have passed through mortality, and those who minister to the earth come as representatives of God. Undoubtedly they have overcome the world and live in the presence of the Father. Which do you think are lower, men or angels?

Gramps

Flee Babylon and Come to Zion
By Larry Barkdull

The philosophies of Zion and Babylon are exact opposites. We can trace their origins back to the pre-mortal world. Celestial law and Godlike characteristics defined Zion , and telestial counterparts defined Babylon . Our understanding the basics and beginnings of these two orders will help us recognize them today then flee Babylon and come to Zion. — Read More

Why would God inspire Mormon to write about the rebellion and conversion stories of Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah? Why would he inspire the compilers of the Bible to include the conversion story of the young, vile and sinful Paul? Is there not a last-days’ message that we parents can glean from these accounts?  — Read More

I am of the tribe of Manasseh and understand that all information of my tribe was contained in the 116 pages lost by Martin Harris. I would like to learn more of my tribe. Is there anything available? In the Bible dictionary, after Manasseh, it uses the adjective “forgetting”. What does this mean?

CS, from Ohio

Dear CS,

The word, Manasseh, is the English translation of the Hebrew, Mnashsheh, which means “causing to forget.” The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were part of the ten tribes who were carried captive into Assyria by Shalmaneser in 721 B.C. After being freed from captivity they migrated northward and were lost to the records of history. We know that Lehi was of the tribe of Manasseh and that Ishmael was of the tribe of Ephraim. So both the Nephites and the Lamanites carry the blood of both tribes. Here is a tidbit of information about the tribe of Manasseh from the works of Hugh Nibley.

“Now of all the tribes of Israel, Manasseh was the one which lived farthest out in the desert, came into most frequent contact with the Arabs, intermarried with them most frequently, and at the same time had the closest traditional bonds with Egypt. And Lehi belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Alma 10:3). The prominence of the name of Ammon in the Book of Mormon may have something to do with the fact that Ammon was Manasseh’s nearest neighbor and often fought her in the deserts east of Jordan” (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.5, Part.1, Ch.2, p.38-39).

Gramps

In the Book of Mormon, chapter 8 v 8, and verse 20, l can not understand the meaning.

Please explain that to me, I cannot find it anywhere that I have searched.

Thank You so much, Love your site.

Nancy, from Nevada

Dear Nancy,

In Mormon 8, Moroni recounts the destruction of his people and laments the death of his father, Mormon, who was killed in battle. During the time of which Moroni speaks in Mormon 8, both the Nephites and the Lamanites had turned to gross wickedness.

Mormon was called to lead the Nephites in their defense against the invading Lamanites when he was only sixteen years old. He stayed in the command of the armies through almost continual warfare until he was 52 years old, at which time the Nephites had become so wicked that he refused to continue to be their leader. He stayed aloof from the hostilities for thirteen years. Finally, he acceded to their appeals to again lead the army, in spite of the fact that he felt that there was no hope for their repentance and return to the Lord. As he again took command of the army, he stated-

But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them (Mormon 5:2).

The scriptures you refer to are-

And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war (Mormon 8:8).

Behold what the scripture says–man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay (Mormon 8:20).

So Moroni in Mormon 8:8 recounts the gross wickedness of both armies, and that there was continual bloodshed throughout all the land. They would not listen to any of the Lord’s commands, let alone that man shall not smite. However, verse 20, is not a continuation of the narrative of the wicked armies, but in verse 9, he changes the subject- And now, behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land. Moroni then talks about completing his record and hiding it up in the earth. Then, speaking of the time when the record should come forth, he predicts that there will be those who will try to gain possession of the record by force, and warns-

And he that saith: Show unto me, or ye shall be smitten–let him beware lest he commandeth that which is forbidden of the Lord (Mormon 8:18).

It is to those who would take the records by force after they had been delivered to Joseph Smith that Moroni cites the scripture,

Behold what the scripture says–man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay.

By the way, the scripture that Moroni cites is not available to us. It may have come from the Brass Plates of Laban, that contained many more scriptures than are in our bible of today. (See 1 Nephi 13:23) Or it could have come from the words of the Savior to the Nephites when he visited them following his resurrection, and which were not recorded on the Plates of Nephi (See John 21:25)

Gramps

Your answer in response to the writer’s question asking what was the mark of the beast was not clear to me. Is the mark simply the fact that these people worship Satan and, therefore, not an actual visible body marking, such as a tattoo or colored skin?

Thank you,

Richard, from Utah

Dear Richard,

Apparently, it is a visible mark. Elder Bruce R. McConkie asks the same question, and answers it in this way-

“And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” Could this be the same plague of which Zechariah speaks when he says that men’s “flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth”? (Zech. 14:12.)

Does it have reference to these words of latter-day revelation:

“And their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets”? (D&C 29:19.)

Is this a plague that will result from atomic fallout? Or from some worldwide pollution of the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink? It is to come upon those who worship at the altars of evil, leaving the inference that those only will escape who have faith in the Lord and who exercise the power of the priesthood to rebuke the evils that otherwise would afflict them (The Millennial Messiah, p.394).

Gramps

All during the Book of Mormon, there is continuous warfare. Right from the beginning, with Nephi and Laman and Lemuel’s grandkids. It always says a few years with peace then years with wars- actually saying how many of thousands died in the separate wars. I don’t see how so many people could have come from Lehi’s small colony. It seems that they should have died out sooner, or there would be less people to actually engage in the wars. It is my opinion , although Mormon doesn’t say it , that the Nephites, Lamanites, Mulekites mingled with other groups of people who came later, or were already here. i.e., 1 year war, 20,000 died 60 bc, then 2 years later, another war, another 15,000 people died. Thanks for your time,

Rog, CA

Dear Rog.

Populations tend to increase at a geometric progression rate. The first settlers in recent times came to the New World in the early 1600s. By 1815 there were 8.3 million, in 1905 there were 83.2 million, by 1945 140.1 million, presently there are more than 265 million. And all this in the face of three devastating wars. Of course, continued immigration played an important role in the U.S. population growth, which was not the case with the Nephite civilization.

But let’s make a couple of assumptions on family size and birth rate. Assuming that the average family size was ten children per family and the average generation was 40 years, in 320 years the population would be one billion people!

The 20,000 and 15,000 that you reported were killed in battle would hardly be a drop in the bucket. If you look at Mormon 6, you will find that 230,000 solders were killed in one day in the last great battle between the Lamanites and the Nephites.

The fact that much is made of the warfare in the Book of Mormon and little is said about the times of peace is significant. Mormon and Moroni extracted from their “library of congress” the information that they wanted to pass on to us. The Book of Mormon is not just a chronicle of events from 600 B.C. to 400 A.D., but it is a message written specifically to the people of our day to warn us what will happen if we reject the counsel of righteousness and follow the path of the wicked people of their time. As Moroni finishes the record of his father, he speaks directly to us, as follows:

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. I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies–because of the praise of the world? Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads? Behold, 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 8:34-41).

Gramps

In 2 Nephi 6:6-7, it says that Kings will be their nursing fathers and Queens will be their nursing mothers. It also says that they will bring thy sons in their arms; and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. What is this referring to?

Pam, from Utah

Dear Pam,

This allegorical expression indicates that nations will assist and benefit scattered Israel in their return and establishment. Jacob, in 2 Nephi 6:6-7, suggests that it applies not only to the Jews who were taken captive after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, but also to his own people, as they were part of scattered Israel. Reynolds and Sjodahl suggest that one application of this prophecy refers specifically to the Jews and has been fulfilled.

“This prediction was literally fulfilled when, in November, 1917, Lord Balfour declared that the British government would look with favor upon the restoration of Palestine as the Jewish homeland, a declaration that was ratified later by a conference of statesmen at San Remo, and, on July 22, 1922, by the League of Nations, when that world organization assigned to Great Britain the mandate for the country” (Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1., p.281).

James E. Talmage, however, suggests that the prophecy will be more fully fulfilled as the Jews accept the Savior as the Messiah

“It is evident from these and many other scriptures that the time of the full recovery or redemption of the Jews is to be determined by their acceptance of Christ as their Lord. When that time comes, they are to be gathered to the land of their fathers; and in the work of gathering, the Gentiles are destined to take a great and honorable part, as witness the further words of Nephi: ‘But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance. And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, carrying them forth to the land of their inheritance. Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles, for he hath spoken it, and who can dispute?’”(Articles of Faith, Ch.18, p.334 - p.335).

Gramps

I have always had a hard time really understanding Mosiah 15:1-5. How do I explain those verses to someone and make it clear that it is not saying that the Savior and the Father are the same being? The wording is really confusing. Thank you so much for this great service!

Robyn, from New Jersey

Dear Robyn,

There are a couple of statements in these verses that might be confusing to those who do not fully understand the true nature of Deity. First we read that “God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.” The Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is indeed a God. The word “God” in this context does not mean God, the Father, but God the Son. It is the Lord, Jesus Christ, that “shall redeem his people” through the merits of the great atoning sacrifice.

Secondly, in verse 2, the Savior is referred to as “being the Father and the Son.” We must remember that every father among men is both a father and a son, but that does not make a man and his father one person. We understand that the Savior is “the only begotten Son,” but in what sense is he the Father? The explanation given in the following verse three may not be perfectly clear, but let’s try to examine it. The Savior may be called the Father “because he was conceived by the power of God.” Having been conceived by the power of God he had the ability to take upon himself the sins of the world and to overcome death, thus becoming the Great Redeemer. As the Redeemer he becomes the “spiritual father” of all those who accept him as their Savior and live according to his commandments. This is clearly explained in Mosiah 5:7.

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

Gramps

I have a friend that is all up in arms over the anti-Mormons saying that Joseph Smith was wrong in his translation of the Pearl of Great Price. How do I help him get passed this. It has becomes a stumbling block to him.

Don

Dear Don,

If I understand your question, you have a friend who is disturbed because there are those who say that Joseph Smith was wrong in his translation of the Pearl of Great Price. Why is he not more disturbed because there are those who think he fabricated the Book of Mormon, or why is he not more disturbed because there are those who believe that we are not Christians-the list could go on and on.

Perhaps he should reflect on the Article of Faith that says, We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Gramps

Flee Babylon and Come to Zion by Larry Barkdull

The philosophies of Zion and Babylon are exact opposites. We can trace their origins back to the pre-mortal world. Celestial law and Godlike characteristics defined Zion , and telestial counterparts defined Babylon . Our understanding the basics and beginnings of these two orders will help us recognize them today then flee Babylon and come to Zion. — Read More