The prophecy of Zenos

Tuesday night Scripture Study Brother Chris Moran
THE PROPHECY OF ZENOS
The prophecy of Zenos is recorded in the third chapter of Jacob (Jacob is a book in the Book of Mormon). Zenos was a prophet (Zenos is mentioned multiple times in the Book of Mormon). Jacob was a younger brother of .
Zenos was killed by those that opposed his prophetic message(s):
Helaman 3:53 – “And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham, there hath been many prophets that hath testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain.”
Jacob tells us that this specific prophecy recorded in Jacob had been previously given to Israel by Zenos:
Jacob 3:30 – “Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophet Zenos, which spake unto the house of Israel, saying: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and hear the words of me, a prophet of the Lord:”
The prophecy is not recorded in the Bible, but was most likely written on the brass plates of Laban.
Consider the following:
2 Chronicles 9:29 – “Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?”
The prophecy is quite long. At first read it may seem to be repetitive, but this is really not the case. The prophecy contains a wealth of important information and is very instructive. The prophecy reaches even into our time.
The prophecy is in allegory form. An allegory is .
The Tame Olive Tree in Decay
Jacob 3:31 – “For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard: and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay.”
Item in Story Interpretation
Olive tree
The house of Israel, or the Lord’s covenant people
Man
Vineyard
Decaying tree
Israel is also referred to as an olive tree in other parts of the Bible and Book of Mormon (i.e. 1 Nephi 3:16-19).
Some olive tree characteristics (from Wikipedia.org):
The olive tree, Olea europaea, is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8–15 metres (26–49 ft) in height. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted. Its root system is robust and capable of regenerating the tree even if the above-ground structure is destroyed. Olive trees can live for several millennia, and can remain productive for as long if they are pruned correctly and regularly. Olives are propagated by various methods. The preferred ways are cuttings and layers; the tree roots easily in favourable soil and throws up suckers from the stump when cut down. However, yields from trees grown from suckers or seeds are poor; they must be budded or grafted onto other specimens to do well (Lewington and Parker, 114). Branches of various thickness cut into lengths of about 1 metre (3.3 ft) planted deeply in manured ground soon vegetate. Shorter pieces are sometimes laid horizontally in shallow trenches and, when covered with a few centimetres of soil, rapidly throw up sucker-like shoots. In Greece, grafting the cultivated tree on the wild tree is a common practice.
Israel is also referred to as an olive tree in other parts of the Bible and Book of Mormon (i.e. 1 Nephi 3:16-19).
Israel did originally follow the commandments of God and was “tame”, but later turned from God’s commandments. Therefore, the tree “began to decay”. Consider how quickly Israel turned from their God:
Exodus 32:7-9 – “7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:”
The Nourished Olive Tree
Jacob 3:32-34 – “32 And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive tree began to decay; and he saith, I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not. 33 And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it, according to his word. 34 And it came to pass that after many days, it began to put forth somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but behold, the main top thereof began to perish.”
Here the master of the vineyard (the Father), nourished and cared for the olive tree (Israel). Even so, parts of the tree began to die.
Item in Story Interpretation
Main top
Young and tender branches
In what ways did God nourish the tree of Israel? By what means?
The Wild Branches
Jacob 3:35-36 – “35 And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard saw it, and he saith unto his servant, It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; 36 Wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild olive tree, and bring them hither unto me; and we will pluck off those main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we will cast them into the fire, that they may be burned.”
Item in Story Interpretation
Master
Servant
Branches from wild olive tree
Plucked/burned branches
Casting into the fire
Have you ever pruned a tree, removing dead or dying branches? The tree no longer needs to support the dying portion, and is able to put its energy into the good branches.
Regarding the captivity of Israel:
2 Kings 15:29 – “In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.”
2 Kings 17:6-7 – “6 In the ninth year of Hoshea [king of Israel] the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,”
13-14 – “ 13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. 14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.” 18-24 – “18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 19 Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20 And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21 For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin. 22 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; 23 Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. 24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.”
Regarding the captivity of Judah:
2 Kings 25:8-11 – “8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: 9 And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire. 10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. 11 Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.”
Consider what Paul states:
Romans 11:13-25 – “13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh [the Jews], and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
In the above:
1. Paul wishes that those of his flesh (Jews) would accept the gospel and be saved
2. Though branches of Israel are cast away, Gentiles are able to be grafted in
3. The branches are holy through the root of the tree. The branches should not boast of themselves.
4. Gentiles should also fear God and keep His commandments. Otherwise, Gentiles will also be broken off and cast away.
5. Israel can be grafted back in
6. Israel will come out of its blindness after the Gentiles have received the gospel in its fullness
7. Paul was apparently familiar with the prophecy/parable of Zenos.
Through the servant (Jesus Christ), wild branches are able to be grafted in the natural tree. Gentiles being grafted in, become part of God’s covenant people:
2 Nephi 12:77-78 – “77 For behold, I say unto you, As many of the Gentiles as will repent, are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews as will not repent, shall be cast off; 78 For the Lord covenanteth with none, save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, which is the Holy One of Israel.”
Galatians 3:28-29 – “28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
The Natural Branches Scattered Throughout the Vineyard
Jacob 3:37-48 – “37 And behold, saith the Lord of the vineyard, I take away many of these young and tender branches [more righteous parts of Israel that were not destroyed], and I will graft them whithersoever I will; 38 And it mattereth not that if it so be, that the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit thereof unto myself; 39 Wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will. 40 Take thou the branches of the wild olive tree [Gentiles], and graft them in, in the stead thereof; 41 And these which I have plucked off, I will cast into the fire, and burn them, that they may not cumber the ground of my vineyard. 42 And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the vineyard, did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard, and grafted in the branches of the wild olive tree. 43 And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant, It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; 44 Wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself I have done this thing. 45 Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, and nourish it, according to my words. 46 And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; 47 And I do it, that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree; and also, that I may lay up fruit thereof, against the season, unto myself: for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree, and the fruit thereof. 48 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard; some in one, and some in another, according to his will and pleasure.”
Item in Story Interpretation
Roots of tree
Grafting
Fruit
Laying up fruit
Season
Nethermost parts of vineyard
Places in the world far away from the land of Israel
What examples of broken / scattered branches do we have in the Book of Mormon?
Consider also the scattering of the Jews after the crucified Christ and Jerusalem was invaded by Rome.
Trees Produce Fruit (First Inspection)
Jacob 3:49-71 – “49 And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his servant, Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard. 50 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, and also the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor. 51 And it came to pass that the servant saith unto his master, Behold, look here; behold the tree. 52 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard looked and beheld the tree, in the which the wild olive branches had been grafted; and it had sprang forth, and begun to bear fruit. 53 And he beheld that it was good: and the fruit thereof was like unto the natural fruit. 54 And he saith unto the servant, Behold, the branches of the wild tree hath taken hold of the moisture of the root thereof, that the root thereof hath brought forth much strength; 55 And because of the much strength of the root thereof, the wild branches have brought forth tame fruit: 56 Now, if we had not grafted in these branches, the tree thereof would have perished. 57 And now, behold, I shall lay up much fruit, which the tree thereof hath brought forth; and the fruit thereof I shall lay up, against the season, unto mine own self. 58 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the servant, Come, let us go to the nethermost parts of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches of the tree hath not brought forth much fruit also, that I may lay up of the fruit thereof, against the season, unto mine own self. 59 And it came to pass that they went forth whither the master of the vineyard had hid the natural branches of the tree, and he saith unto the servant, Behold these: 60 And he beheld the first, that it had brought forth much fruit; and he beheld also, that it was good. 61 And he saith unto the servant, Take of the fruit thereof, and lay it up, against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self; 62 For behold, saith he, this long time have I nourished it, and it hath brought forth much fruit. 63 And it came to pass that the servant saith unto his master, How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? for behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. 64 And the Lord of the vineyard saith unto him, Counsel me not: I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time; and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit. 65 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his servant, Look hither: behold, I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. 66 But, behold the tree: I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up, against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self. 67 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith again unto his servant, Look hither, and behold another branch also, which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit. 68 And he saith unto the servant, Look hither, and be hold the last: behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought tame fruit; and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit: behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others. 69 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the servant, Pluck off the branches that have not brought forth good fruit, and cast them into the fire. 70 But behold, the servant saith unto him, Let us prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it a little longer, that perhaps it may bring forth good fruit unto thee, that thou canst lay it up against the season. 71 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, and the servant of the Lord of the vineyard, did nourish all the fruit of the vineyard.”
Item in Story Interpretation
Fruit of wild tree
Fruit that the early Gentile church produces
Fruit of natural branches
Fruit that natural branches of Israel produce (consider the early church mentioned in the Book of Mormon)
Poor spot of land in vineyard
Poorest spot of land in vineyard
The other branch (verse 67)
Good/choice spot of ground
Those that produce good fruit on good spot of ground
Those that produce wild (bad) fruit on good spot of ground
Notice that through the Gentiles, God’s kingdom continues through the Gentile church (the natural tree with the grafted branches does not perish). The mother tree is now representative of the Christian kingdom.
Second Inspection of the Tree Grafted with Wild Branches
Jacob 3:72-78 – “72 And it came to pass that a long time had passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his servant, Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor again in the vineyard. 73 For behold, the time draweth near, and the end soon cometh: wherefore, I must lay up fruit, against the season, unto mine own self. 74 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, and the servant, went down into the vineyard; and they came to the tree whose natural branches had been broken off, and the wild branches had been grafted in; and behold, all sorts of fruit did cumber the tree. 75 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard did taste of the fruit, every sort according to its number. 76 And the Lord of the vineyard saith, Behold, this long time have we nourished this tree, and I have laid up unto myself against the season, much fruit. 77 But behold, this time it hath brought forth much fruit, and there is none of it which is good. 78 And behold, there are all kinds of bad fruit; and it profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding all our labor: and now, it grieveth me that I should lose this tree.”
Item in Story Interpretation
Different kinds of bad fruit
Regarding the above:
1. All of the fruit was bad
2. None of the fruit had any profit to the Lord
Consider what Joseph Smith was told in a heavenly vision when he enquired as to which church was right:
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight: that those professors were all corrupt. (Times and Seasons, March 1842)
To continue:
Jacob 3:79-84 – “79 And the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the servant, What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit thereof unto mine own self? 80 And the servant saith unto his master, Behold, because thou didst graft in the branches of the wild olive tree, they have nourished the roots, that they are alive, and they have not perished; wherefore, thou beholdest that they are yet good. 81 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his servant, The tree profiteth me nothing; and the roots thereof profiteth me nothing, so long as it shall bring forth evil fruit. 82 Nevertheless, I know that the roots are good; and for mine own purpose I have preserved them; and because of their much strength, they have hitherto brought forth from the wild branches good fruit. 83 But behold, the wild branches have grown, and have overrun the roots thereof: and because that the wild branches have overcome the roots thereof, it hath brought forth much evil fruit; 84 And because that it hath brought forth so much evil fruit, thou beholdest that it beginneth to perish: and it will soon become ripened, that it may be cast into the fire, except we should do something for it to preserve it.”
Though overrun, note that the roots were preserved as a result of the wild branches. In what way did the corrupt Gentile church serve a purpose (the roots of the tree were still alive)?
In what way were the roots overrun?
Without intervention from God, the entire tree would perish and be good for nothing, but to be burned.
Second Inspection of the Scattered Natural Branches
Jacob 3:85-88 – “85 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his servant, Let us go down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches have also brought forth evil fruit. 86 And it came to pass that they went down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard. 87 And it came to pass that they beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first, and the second, and also the last; and they had all become corrupt. 88 And the wild fruit of the last, had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had withered away and died.”
Note that the other branch mentioned in Jacob 3:67 (“another branch”), does not appear to be mentioned above. It is possible that these are the people of Zarahemla that united with the Nephite branch.
Item in Story Interpretation
Wild fruit of the natural branches
The part of the tree that was overcome by the wild fruit and died
The Lord of the Vineyard Grieves
Jacob 3:89-94 – “89 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and saith unto the servant, What could I have done more for my vineyard? 90 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted. 91 And now, these which have once brought forth good fruit, have also become corrupted. 92 And now, all the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing, save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire. 93 And behold, this last, whose branch hath withered away, I did plant in a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice unto me, above all other parts of the land of my vineyard. 94 And thou beheldest that I also cut down that which cumbered this spot of ground, that I might plant this tree in the stead thereof.”
Item in Story Interpretation
The tree that was previously cut down that had “cumbered” the good spot of ground
Continued sadness:
Jacob 3:95-103 – “95 And thou beheldest that a part thereof, brought forth good fruit [the Nephites]; and a part thereof, brought forth wild fruit [the Lamanites]. 96 And because that I plucked not the branches thereof, and cast them into the fire, behold, they have overcome the good branch, that it hath withered away. 97 And now behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit: 98 And these I have hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof, against the season, unto mine own self. 99 But behold, they have become like unto the wild olive tree; and they are of no worth, but to be hewn down and cast into the fire: and it grieveth me that I should lose them. 100 But what could I have done more in my vineyard? 101 Have I slackened my hand, that I have not nourished it? 102 Nay; I have nourished it, and I have digged it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long; and the end draweth nigh. 103 And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire, that they should be burned.”
Determining the Problem
Jacob 3:104-108 – “104 Who is it that hath corrupted my vineyard? 105 And it came to pass that the servant saith unto his master, Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard? 106 Hath not the branches thereof overcome the roots, which are good? 107 And because that the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold, they grew faster than the strength of the roots thereof, taking strength unto themselves. 108 Behold, I say, Is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?”
Item in Story Interpretation
Loftiness of the vineyard
Jacob 3:109-111 – “109 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the servant, Let us go to, and hew down the trees of the vineyard, and cast them into the fire, that they shall not cumber the ground of my vineyard: for I have done all; what could I have done more for my vineyard? 110 But behold, the servant saith unto the Lord of the vineyard, Spare it a little longer. 111 And the Lord saith, Yea, I will spare it a little longer: for it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard.”
Here the servant (Christ) asks the Lord of the vineyard to work in the vineyard a little longer. Time and time again, those that turn from the Lord are shown mercy and given more time to repent.
The Plan
Jacob 3:112-119 – “112 Wherefore let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; 113 And let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof. 114 And this will I do, that the tree may not perish, that perhaps I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof, for mine own purpose. 115 And behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would, are yet alive; 116 Wherefore, that I may preserve them also, for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them. 117 Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong, that perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard. 118 And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees, which also had become wild: 119 And they also took of the natural trees which had become wild, and grafted into their mother tree.”
In the above, branches of the natural transplanted trees are grafted back into the mother tree, replacing wild branches that were also plucked off of the mother tree. In addition, branches of the mother tree were grafted into the natural transplanted trees. In other words, there is a swapping of branches that takes place between the transplanted trees, and the original mother tree.
Why are only some (the most bitter wild branches) branches plucked from the mother tree?
Item in Story Interpretation
Most bitter wild branches that are cast away
Grafting of branches of the mother tree into the transplanted trees
Grafting of branches of the transplanted trees into the mother tree
To continue:
Jacob 3:120-124 – “120 And the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the servant, Pluck not the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter; and in them ye shall graft, according to that which I have said. 121 And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof; and we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened that must perish, and cast them into the fire. 122 And this I do, that perhaps the roots thereof may take strength, because of their goodness; and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil; 123 And because that I have preserved the natural branches, and the roots thereof; and that I have grafted in the natural branches again, into their mother tree; and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that perhaps the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; 124 And that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard; and perhaps that I may rejoice exceedingly, that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit.”
Through the mix up / swapping of branches, the Lord the vineyard hopes that good will overcome evil and the trees will again produce good fruit.
To continue:
Jacob 3:125 – “Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our mights in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good, and the most precious above all other fruit.”
Item in Story Interpretation
Calling of servants
Natural fruit
To continue:
Jacob 3:126-128 – “126 Wherefore, let us go to, and labor with our mights, this last time; for behold the end draweth nigh: and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard. 127 Graft in the branches; begin at the last, that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last, and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time. 128 Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time: for the end draweth nigh.”
Regarding the last, the Gentiles were the last to receive the word of God (the Bible) from the Jews (the Gentiles are now the first in the restoration of the gospel). In addition, the last transplant in the vineyard given previously to the choice land was that of the . Therefore, the last (now the first) would be the Gentiles and the . The Lamanites will be the first to return to the Lord in the last days.
Here the first is equivalent to , which would now be last.
Note that the phrase “the last shall be first and the first shall be last” can have different meanings, depending on the context it is used within scripture.
To continue:
Jacob 3:129-135 – “129 And if it so be that these last grafts [Lamanites] shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow; 130 And as they begin to grow, ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; 131 And ye shall not clear away the bad thereof, all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard. 132 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore, ye shall clear away the bad, according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard. 133 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again, into the natural tree; and the branches of the natural tree will I graft into the natural branches of the tree; 134 And thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit; and they shall be one. 135 And the bad shall be cast away; yea, even out of all the land of my vineyard; for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard.”
Here the bitter fruit of the Gentiles will be cast away and replaced with natural branches back into God’s kingdom. Judgment will come upon the Gentiles in the end times. This judgment has already begun.
The Servants Labor
Jacob 3:136 – “And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few.”
Who are the servants that “were few”?
Jacob 3:137-153 – “137 And the Lord of the vineyard saith unto them, Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your mights. 138 For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard: for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; 139 And if ye labor with your mights with me, ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself, against the time which will soon come. 140 And it came to pass that the servants did go to it, and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, in all things. 141 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; 142 And the wild branches began to be plucked off, and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof. 143 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself, that the trees had become again the natural fruit; 144 And they became like unto one body; and the fruit were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.”
During what period of time does the Lord personally labor with the church?
Jacob 3:145-153 – “145 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants and saith unto them, Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; 146 And I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning; and blessed art thou. 147 For because that ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold, ye shall have joy with me, because of the fruit of my vineyard. 148 For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self, against the season, which speedily cometh; 149 And for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; 150 Wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit for a long time, according to that which I have spoken. 151 And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered: 152 And the good will I preserve unto myself; and the bad will I cast away into its own place. 153 And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.”
Due to the temporal judgments of the Lord just prior to and at his coming, the vineyard will be purified. The great and abominable church will be destroyed. The Lord will then “lay up the fruit of” His vineyard for a long time during the millennial reign (Revelation 20:1-10). After that period of time, when evil shall again make a comeback, the final judgment will occur (Revelation 20:11-15). The earth will be burned with fervent heat, and a new heaven and earth will be created (Revelation 21:1).

Calling of Ministry in Scripture

Tuesday night Scripture Study Brother Chris Moran
Calling of Ministry in Scripture
The intent of this study is to examine how ministry is called in the Church of Christ based on scripture, provide examples of callings, and finally to also answer the question:
“Why does God use people to call ministers?”
Callings before Abraham
Helaman 3:49-52 – “49 And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things [the coming of Christ, CJM], but also all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham. 50 Yea, and behold, Abraham saw of his coming, and was filled with gladness, and did rejoice. 51 Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Abraham not only knew of these things, but there were many before the days of Abraham which were called by the order of God; yea, even after the order of his Son; 52 And this that it should be shewn unto the people a great many thousand years before his coming, that even redemption should come unto them.”
Alma 9:63 – 73 – “63 And I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people; 64 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. 65 And this is the manner after which they were ordained: being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; 66 Therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceeding great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such; 67 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this, they might have had as great privilege as their brethren. 68 Or in fine: in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the only begotten Son, which was prepared; 69 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest, 70 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world: 71 Or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things. 72 Now they were ordained after this manner: Being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end; 73 Thus they become high priests for ever, after the order of the Son, the only begotten of the Father, which is without beginning of days or end of years, which is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.”
Alma 10:6-15 – “6 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest; 7 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchisedec, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood for ever. 8 And it was this same Melchisedec to whom Abraham paid tithes: yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one- tenth part of all that he possessed. 9 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order; 10 And this, that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. 11 Now this Melchisedec was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations; yea, they had all gone astray: they were full of all manner of wickedness; 12 But Melchisedec having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood, according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. 13 And behold, they did repent; and Melchisedec did establish peace in the land in his days; 14 Therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father. 15 Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore of him they have more particularly made mention.”
Ether 5:11 – “Behold, it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God; wherefore, by faith was the Law of Moses given.”
This holy priesthood continues within the Church of Christ to this day. Christ is the head of this priesthood structure.
1 Peter 2:5 – “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
The Calling of Jacob
2 Nephi 5:2 – “Behold, my beloved brethren, that I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order,”
The Calling of Ammon
Alma 12:111-113 – “111 And King Lamoni saith, I believe all these things which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from God? 112 Ammon saith unto him, I am a man; and man in the beginning, was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;”
The Calling of Alma (Son of Alma)
Alma 15:65 – “Yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full; but I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, which have been up to the land of Nephi.”
The Calling of the Sons of Alma
Alma 20:1-2 – “1 And now it came to pass, that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people to declare the word unto them. And Alma also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth. 2 Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation: and they preached after the holy order of God, by which they were called.”
The Calling of Amos
Amos 7:14-15 – “14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.”
The Calling of Jonah
Jonah 1:1-2 – “1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”
The Calling of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 5:1-10 – “1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 7:9-17 – “9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
The Calling of the First Twelve Apostles
Luke 6:12-13 – “12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”
Here Christ prayed to God all night (this is also an example for us to pray for called ministers). The next day, Christ chose twelve apostles in Jerusalem.
Jesus later tells the disciples:
John 15:16 – “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
In addition:
Acts 1:1-2 – “1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:”
The Calling of Twelve Disciples in the Americas
A prophecy:
1 Nephi 3:113-114 – “113 And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others, and they were ordained of God, and chosen. 114 And the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, which are chosen to minister unto thy seed.”
The actual calling:
3 Nephi 5:19-45 – “19 And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord, and he did kiss his feet. 20 And the Lord commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him. 21 And the Lord said unto him, I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people, when I am again ascended into heaven. 22 And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. 44 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those which had been called (now the number of them which had been called and received power and authority to baptize, were twelve), 45 And behold he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying, Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve which I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants”
These twelve disciples were chosen/called by the Lord.
The Calling of Paul and Barnabas
Acts 9:3-28 – “3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.”
Regarding the above:
1. On the Damascus road, Paul received a dramatic encounter with the Lord
2. The Lord witnessed to Ananias that Paul is a “chosen vessel”
3. Paul was baptized and received the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands
4. Paul was taken to the apostles and Barnabas testified of Paul’s experience
Therefore, in the previous account, both Ananias and Barnabas were being used by the Lord as witnesses to Paul’s experience and calling. It was the Lord that chose Paul, but this witness was provided to Ananias and Barnabas.
Later, Paul and Barnabas were ordained to Apostles:
Acts 13:1-3 – “1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 14:14 – “14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out …”
Regarding the above:
1. Barnabas was apparently a prophet or teacher prior to his calling as an apostle.
2. While fasting, the ministry were told that Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were called as apostles (the ministry had their own personal witness)
3. The Lord called Paul and Barnabas through the Holy Ghost witnessing to men. The call did not originate with men, but was relayed through the testimony of these men.
4. Barnabas and Paul were ordained through the laying on of hands
Paul’s testimony regarding his calling:
Romans 1:1 – “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
1 Corinthians 1:1 – “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,”
Galatians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)”
Ephesians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:”
1 Timothy 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”
1 Timothy 2:7 – “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
2 Timothy 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,”
Regarding Barnabas:
Acts 11:22-24 – “22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”
The Calling of Other Elders
Acts 14:21-23 – “21 And when they [Paul and Barnabas, CJM] had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Here specific mention of the Lord’s calling is not mentioned, but prayer and fasting is. Through prayer and fasting, the church received witness from God who was called. Elders were then ordained.
The Calling of Moroni
Moroni 7:2 – “And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time;”
Moroni 8:1 – “An epistle of my father Mormon, written to me, Moroni: and it was written unto me soon after my calling to the ministry.”
How is ministry to be ordained?
Paul and Barnabas:
Acts 13:1-3 – “1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Moroni 3:1-3 – “1 The manner which the disciples, which were called the elders of the church, ordained priests and teachers. 2 After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said, In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest (or if he be a teacher; I ordain you to be a teacher) to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen. 3 And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them.”
Calling and ordination result in authority
Mark 13:34 – “For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”
Mosiah 9:50-51 – “50 And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God, was added to his church. 51 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Mosiah 9:176-177 – “176 And it came to pass that King Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from God. 177 And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering himself an unworthy servant; therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord.”
Mosiah 11:18 – “And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to teach, except it were by him from God.”
3 Nephi 8:32-73 – “32 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he saith unto the disciples, Behold, there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread, and bless it, and give it unto the people of my church, unto all they which shall believe and be baptized in my name. 70 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them; 71 And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bear record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. 72 And I will shew unto you hereafter that this record is true. 73 And it came to pass that when Jesus had touched them all, there came a cloud and overshadowed the multitude, that they could not see Jesus.”
God Chooses His Overseers
Acts 20:28 – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
Calling is NOT dependent on formal religious education
Those in scripture were chosen by God. They had their own personal understanding of the scriptures and were not wise according to the world’s standard.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 – “18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Even others outside of the Church of Christ agree:
http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=140012194&sec_id=140001239
We should note that a call to ministry has nothing directly to do with having a master’s of divinity or theology degree or in being ordained in a technical sense. The disciples were untrained and uneducated men, but they feared God and knew His Word, being unafraid to proclaim it and trusting in the Spirit for ability and insight. We need men who depend upon the Spirit fully more than we need high intellects and advanced degrees.
There are other churches (only a few) that have unpaid ministers and lay people that serve as Pastors (i.e. some Apostolic churches).
So why does God use people to call ministry?
#1
It can be thought of as a system of ‘checks and balances’. Not only is there a personal calling, but also a witness is provided to others. These people do not perform the call themselves, but are used by God to testify of the calling. People cannot personally call themselves. This calling comes from God, and is not based on one’s personal opinions regarding someone.
Throughout the course of history, others have claimed authority within the church falsely. For example:
Revelation 2:1-3 – “1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”
Matthew 17:15-20 – “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
2 Nephi 12:3-5 – “3 For it shall come to pass in that day, that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other, Behold, I, I am the Lord's; and the other shall say, I, I am the Lord's. 4 And thus shall every one say, that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord; 5 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another; and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.”
Those that claim authority to preach Christ’s gospel and represent His church are to be “tried”. Do they teach the gospel according to scriptural standards? Do they acknowledge the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit? Are these gifts present in the church?
#2
God uses humble people in tune with the Spirit to provide witness to the calling of others. As a result, it enforces a need for Spiritual preparation and humbleness before the Lord in all members.
#3
It provides order within the church.
#4
Simply, it is the method that God has chosen to continue the Church of Christ and establish His ministry.
Summary
1. God has been calling people into His ministry since the foundation of the world.
2. People are called under a holy priesthood, a priesthood that originates from Christ. This holy priesthood continues within the Church of Christ today.
3. It is God that does the calling through His Holy Spirit, but God uses men and women to witness to the calling to achieve His purposes. Those that bear witness are simply tools in the hands of God.
4. When Christ was here on earth, Christ personally called many (i.e. apostles, disciples).
5. Ministry is ordained through the laying on of hands.
6. The present Church of Christ is the same church (restored) that existed in New Testament times. The organization and model for callings remains the same.
Excellent study, by our Brother Chris. From my own personal experience ... i have found that it is useless to tell the Lord that you're not qualified for a task He has called you to ... He will agree with you ... He didn't call you because you are qualified, but because He has a task for you to perform, and He will give you any help you need.

Who Are The First And The Last?

Sermon Topic, Sunday 5/26/13 Elder Dennis Trudgen Who Are The First And The Last?
Matthew 19:16-30 … the rich man who came to Jesus. He had the erroneous idea that if he just did one really good thing, that would guarantee his salvation. Jesus told him first, to keep the commandments … the man responded that he had, all his life. At that point, Jesus went right to his heart and told him to sell everything he owned, and follow Him. For this man, that was not an option … he had “great possessions” (or the possessions had him msl) Jesus stated that it would be very difficult (but not impossible) for a rich person to enter into the Kingdom of God (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were very wealthy men msl) This passage ends with the words “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.)
Are we rich? Earning $6 per day puts a person into the top 15% of the world’s wealthiest (and a family of 4 with an income of $50K per year, that own a car and have money in bank accounts, rank in the top 5% of the world’s wealthiest few msl)
Matthew 20:8, 13-16 … In this passage, all the workers were paid the same amount, though they were hired at different times of the day … those who were hired earliest, for an agreed amount, were upset that those hired later got the same amount; and were reminded that they had made an agreement with the landowner, while the others had simply come in and relied on his goodness. Again, this passage closes with “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
Few people find the Way, and few endure to the end.
Luke 13:23-30 Someone asked Jesus, “are there few that be saved?” He taught about the Narrow Way, that not everyone who tries to enter the Kingdom will get in, because they did not enter by the Way (2 Nephi 13:23-32), and there would be great sorrow on their part. And again, the passages ends with “there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” (the word “strait” means narrow, and is from Strong’s G4728 stenos, narrow msl)
1 Nephi 3:198-202 The presenting of the Gospel to the Hebrews first … to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants; then to the Gentiles … and in 1830, presented to the Gentiles, and to be given back to the Hebrews (all of the Protestant leaders of the Reformation admitted that there had been an apostasy, and expressed longing to see the day when God would RESTORE His authority and the true Gospel). So the first shall be last, and the last shall be first at the end.
3 Nephi 7:27-36 Jesus told His people here to write His sayings, so that if His people in the Old World never asked the Father and received knowledge of the people in the New World, His Word would come to the Gentiles, so that the Gentiles could bring it back to the Hebrews. After the Gentiles depart from the Gospel, He would gather in His people into their lands and fulfill the Covenant. At this time, about 4 ½% of the people in the US believe in the Book of Mormon … but not all are in the Gospel; the breakoffs from the Church of Christ (the LDS and RLDS churches, and others) have departed from the teachings of the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Luke 21:22-24 The days of vengeance, and the fulfilling of all that is written. Jerusalem would be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles should be fulfilled. When is this? Some believe that it occurred in 1967, when the Jews regained the Temple Area of Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:2 … the measuring of the Temple. John is told to “measure not” the court outside, because it is given to the Gentiles, who would tread the Holy City underfoot for 42 months.
Matthew 23:33-38 … the Jews rejected the prophets and wise men sent by God, and the Messiah Himself too. All the righteous blood shed upon Earth would be on them, from Abel on down. Key words here … YE WOULD NOT. Jesus told them that their house is left unto them desolate (and in 24:1 He departed). This is His announcement that His Gospel would be taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles.
Acts 6 … the appointment of deacons in the church. The Greek-speaking Jewish Christians from other lands were complaining that the Aramaic-speaking Jews of Judea were being favored in the care of widows. The church is still primarily Jewish believers.
Acts 11:17-26 (44-47 AD) … Peter explains his dream and commission, to go to the Gentile Cornelius, to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who challenged him for going to the uncircumcised. The Jewish believers glorified God, realizing that God wanted there to be no difference between Jewish and Gentile believers in His church.
Acts 13:14-15 … Paul went first to the synagogues everywhere he went, to talk to the Jews. In verse 46, however, he and Barnabas announced to the Jews that, though the Word of God should first come to the Jews, since they rejected it, Paul would from then on go to the Gentiles (at his conversion, Paul had been told thru Ananias that he would be God’s chosen vessel to take the Gospel to the Gentiles).
Acts 15 … The Jerusalem Council, about 49 AD … the discussion of what to do with Gentile converts—must they be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses? James, the Lord’s half-brother, stood up and proclaimed that they should be put under no more burden than to abstain from fornication, idols, and from eating blood and strangled animals (not drained of blood; a pagan practice).
Acts 18:6,19 … Paul is still reasoning with the Jews, and when rejected, states that he will go to the Gentiles. The Jews had still not yet been utterly cut off (perhaps Paul had to go to all these Jewish congregations to explain the Gospel, and give them the opportunity to accept or reject, before cutting them off and going exclusively to the Gentiles msl)
Acts 28:17, 22-28, around 60-62 AD … Paul called the chief of the Jews in Rome together, to reason and expound the Gospel to them. They stated that they still had not heard much about the Gospel, only that everywhere the church was spoken against. Some of them believed, and some rejected. In verse 28, Paul makes his final announcement that the Gospel will be taken to the Gentiles, who would hear it (Matthew 21:43).
First Century Church History, chapter 101 … by the late 50’s AD, Christianity was becoming more Gentile than Jewish … but the Lord still did not “pull the rug from under” the Jews.
In the late 60’s AD, the Jewish revolt began. General Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, led the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. From that point forward, the church was a mostly Gentile movement. (side note … there was some bad feelings between Jews and Jewish Christians from that time, because when Titus and his legion mysteriously pulled out of Jerusalem for 24 hours, the Christians took Jesus’ warning of Luke 21:20 and fled, while the Jews who did not believe Jesus stayed and were destroyed.)
3 Nephi 9:85-86, 87-91, 92-94, 10:4-5 … The convincing of the Gentiles. Jesus gives His people here a sign, that when the Gentiles have been established as a free people and the record of His people here had come forth, that the Gentiles would be numbered among His people, and the descendants of His people here would know that the Father had begun the work of fulfilling the Covenant. That which they had not been told, they would see (the so-called “replacement theology” stated that God was finished with the House of Israel and all His promises were to the Gentiles msl) … The power of heaven would come down, and God would commence His work among not only His people here, but those of Israel who had been led away to other places and were lost to all except God.
2 Nephi 11:78-80 The Gentiles, as well as the Jews, must be convinced that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Eternal God … the record of the Nephites would be a part of that.
Israel possessed God’s religion for 1991 years total, to 70 AD; the Gentiles have had it for 1973 years and counting.
Jacob 3:126-128 The Lord, the servant, the vineyard … the Lord tells His servant that they will graft the branches from other parts of the vineyard back into the main tree; beginning at the last, so it would be first, and the first would be last.
First out … the Northern Tribes were the first taken out of the land, by the Assyrians. Lehi and his family (and Mulek’s party msl) were the last out, from Jerusalem, before the destruction by Babylon.
Ether 6:10-13 … after the Millenial reign of Christ … then would come the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21). The order is reversed with the two Jerusalems (Old and New)
Why does God reverse the order of these things? To be fair!
Don’t count the Gentiles out! (3 Nephi 9:92 … the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me, and be baptized in my Name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel (see also 2 Nephi 12:77)

When will the Jews and the Lost Tribes of Israel believe in Christ?

Tuesday night Scripture Study, 5/21/13 Brother Tom Arnold
When will the Jews and the Lost Tribes of Israel believe in
Christ?
Before we can answer this question we need to first understand
where they went and what will bring them back.
What is the main purpose of the Book of Mormon? The below is from the Title pagewhich was written by the hand of Mormon.
1. That the Lamanites (Native Americans) are a remnant of the House of Israel.
2. Written to convince both the Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.
This is also revealed to us in 1st Nephi 3:191-193
3:191 And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
3:192 And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; 3:193 And shall make known to all kindreds, tongues and people, that the Lamb of God is the son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him or they can not be saved;
There are many requirements that have to take place before the Jews and the lost tribes of Israel (including the Lamanites) will believe in Christ. Do we see any of those requirements today?
One requirement is the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and other writings from the Lost tribes of Israel. The Book of Mormon is a preparatory work to happen before the gathering of ALL the houses of Israel.
Let us look at 2 Nephi 12:67-73. Who are to write records from the Lord?
12:67 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews, and they shall write it:
12:68 And I shall also speak unto the Nephites, and they shall write it;
12:69 And I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it;
12:70 And I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth, and they shall write it.
12:71 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews:
12:72 And the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
12:73 And it shall come to pass that my people which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one.
Do we have the record of the Jews? Yes, we have the Bible.
Do we have the record of the Nephites? Yes the record of the Nephites is the Book of Mormon. See Book of Commandments Ch. 9:10
Do we have the records of other lost tribes of Israel?
Do we have the records of all the nations of the earth?
Notice from above that before ALL the houses of Israel can be gathered to their lands of possessions, the Jews and Nephites need to also have the record of the other tribes of Israel. Could this be the reason we are not seeing too much movement of
the Lamanites in North America?
There is also a reflection of this in Ezekiel 37:16-22
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen (Gentiles), whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and
one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.
Let’s continue reading 2 Nephi 12:79-85
12:79 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles.
12:80 For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth (BoM), and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed (Lamanites).
12:81 And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.
12:82 And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them (Lamanites); wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.
12:83 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God;
12:84 And their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes: and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people.
12:85 And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered, also shall begin to believe in Christ: and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the land; From the above we see that the gathering to the lands from which they were scattered is in relation to the Book of Mormon coming forth. And that the two
people and the two scriptures will become one. See 3 Nephi Ch. 9 for more details.
Do we see this in our time?
Who is Jesus calling to?
In Matthew 15:24 Jesus says “…I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
In John 10:16 we find Jesus stating “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
A similar statement is being addressed in 3 Nephi 7:20-26
7:20 And verily, I say unto you, that ye (Nephites/Lamanites) are they of whom I said, Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
7:21 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching;
7:22 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice; that I should not manifest myself unto them, save it were by the Holy Ghost.
7:23 But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me, and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.
7:24 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that I have other sheep, which are not of this land; neither of the land of Jerusalem; neither in any parts of that land round about, whither I have been to minister.
7:25 For they of whom I speak, are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
7:26 But I have received a commandment of the Father, that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold, and one shepherd; therefore I go to shew myself unto them.
From the above we see the same theme of the gathering together into one nation from multiple nations. Plus we see that Jesus has yet other sheep that are not Nephite, Lamanite or Jewish but are of the tribes of Israel and he went to them as well after leaving the Nephites and Lamanites.
Since the coming of the Book of Mormon has Israel been gathering?
There have been many things that have happened since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon that have pointed to Jewish Israel being gathered.
More Jewish records coming forth - In 1945 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This discovery came at a time when biblical accuracy was being questioned. This document has also helped establish the Jewishness of the Bible and the Qumran Community.
Israel becomes a state in 1948. This is something that people said would never happen. However Jesus said in Luke 21:24 that the Jews would be lead away captive and Jerusalem would be trodden under foot until when? Until the times of the Gentiles is complete. The Apostle Paul also says in Romans 11:25 that blindness has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles come in (to Israel).
The Time of the Gentiles coming to a close
The two scriptures above point to an end of the time of the Gentiles, what is this time referring to? The Apostle Paul gives a clue in Romans 11 when he speaks of the wild and nature Olive branches. The wild being the Gentiles and the Natural being Israel. Paul starts out the Chapter saying that the God has not cast away his people Israel. But they have become blind with unbelief and they have been broken off (v20) but if they no longer have unbelief they will be grafted back into Israel (v23).
This chapter in Romans is very key in understanding that the Gentiles are grafted into Israel. This also has parallels in the Book of Mormon.
3 Nephi 9:92 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may shew forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause, that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel:
Ether 6:10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.
Why would Jesus only be sent to the Lost sheep of Israel but then call to the Gentiles?
Ezekiel 36:18-20
18 Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:
19 And I scattered them among the heathen (Gentiles), and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.
20 And when they entered unto the heathen (Gentiles), whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land.
Jeremiah 9:16 I will scatter them also among the heathen (Gentiles), whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
Ezekiel 36:23-25
23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen (Gentiles) shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
The Lost sheep of the House of Israel is scattered among the Gentiles and it is the Lord that calls them to himself.
However we are seeing in modern times (since the 1960s) many of the Gentile population have been turning back to pagan worship and away from the God of Israel.
Besides Gentiles are their Jews and Lamanites that believe in Jesus Christ today?
From personal research I have found:
Since the return to Israel in the 1960s there has been a steady number of more and more Jewish believers becoming believers in Jesus/Yeshua as the Messiah and forming Messianic Jewish congregations both in America and in Israel. Also since this time more Jews have gathered home to Israel.
Since the 1830s the Book of Mormon has went to the Lamanites. But in the early days of the Church after the death of Joseph Smith, not much attention has been given to the Lamanites until recently.
Within the last 10 years many Torah and Book of Mormon groups have been coming forward.
Also many Native American tribes have started to suspect “Jewish” ancestry, especially among the Cherokee and have been requesting DNA tests.
Today we are seeing many people of both Jewish, Gentile and Lamanite ancestry coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

To Survive At All Costs?

Sermon Topic, Sunday 5/19/13 Elder Adam Porter
To Survive At All Costs?
What is the desire for human preservation in this life? Many thousands are preparing for some kind of collapse of our way of life, or apocalypse (we seem to have lost the meaning of the Greek word apo-kalupsis, an uncovering/unveiling/revealing msl) … whether economic, war, natural disaster, etc.
Our country, along with others in the world, is in economic decline, mostly because of moral decline. We are removing God from our government when it was He who gave us our Republic and laws.
Is there a point to these preparations, and to what extent should we in the church go?
Matt. 6:25-34 … a very broad statement! The fruits of our labors teach us responsibility, and we are told to work in the day … but we are told to trust God to bless our work … but we must SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God.
Luke 20:24-25 … Give God what is HIS—your worship.
Isaiah 2:17-22 … yet do many have a worldly fear? Do we have idols that we bow down to? We can make an idol of anything. But in the end, we will cast our idols to the unclean creatures … those idols will be worthless when God comes. (see also Rev. 6:12-17 msl)
The tv shows portray “survivalists” or “preppers” making shelters and stocking them with food, water, and other supplies for an extended stay … but they never mention the Lord. It’s not wrong to set things aside, but we MUST trust in God FIRST.
Many are stocking up on guns and ammunition for a political “Armageddon” … but for what reasons? (mostly to fend off other people who try to take their supplies)
Matthew 26:52 … are they planning to live by the sword? (but see also, Alma 20:51 … inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies) Jesus said that He needed only to pray to the Father, and He would have more than 12 legions of angels to aid Him.
When God comes in, the works of man will not prosper.
There is quite a market for food that can be stored for extended periods of time … 10-25 years.
Ether 1:22-27 … the Jaredites were told to prepare, because of GOD’S purpose
1 Nephi 5:174-178 … Lehi’s party prepared much fruit, meat, honey, and other provisions … again, because of God’s purpose.
Genesis 41:1-42 (28-35) … Joseph interprets the Pharoah’s dream, and advises him to store up provisions for the coming 7-year famine.
God may call us to lay up in store; but don’t be so frugal that we don’t give God what is due … remember to give God what is HIS.
God has given us His version of survivalists … they lived by the sword and perished by the sword.
Elijah, Noah, Jared, Lehi, John the baptizer, Daniel … they were about man’s preservation thru God’s will and direction. He directed Elijah to the brook Cherith, and then to the widow’s house, for his preservation.
1 John 3:17 and 4:20 … our direction, to LOVE our brothers and sisters, by helping meet their needs. If someone threatens our family, God looks differently at that (Alma 20:51) … but we would rather help our brother and feed him rather than fight
James 4:1-6 Wars and fightings … come from our love of the world. We can’t have it both ways!
Genesis 47:13-26 … In Egypt, the Pharoah wound up owning everything (the people were compelled to give their extra food production to the government, then had to buy it back, and finally had to sell all their land to the gov’t msl)
Being as debt-free as possible is a good thing.
Many are preparing for a temporal, earthly crisis but fail to prepare for the greatest crisis of all
Alma 16:228-238 … that awful crisis, when we stand face-to-face with Christ at His judgement bar
Luke 23:39-43 … the thief on the cross … we MUST NOT build a doctrine on this passage!
John 15:11 (after the passage on bearing fruit) … these things I have spoken that your joy might be full … we’re being robbed of our joy by worldly fear (1 John 4:18 … there is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear) … the fear of the Lord replaces worldly fear (and is the beginning of wisdom, Proverbs 9:10)
Malachi 3:10-12 … Give God what is His (2 Corinthians 9:7, a cheerful giver msl)
Luke 12:15-21 … no thought of giving to others in need, but to build bigger barns and keep all that increase to himself … covetousness.
We had better be able to not only enjoy the things we have, but to walk away from them and not look back … are we high-maintenance? Are we so used to the blessed life we live here in America that we will not be able to leave it when called to do so?
Yet our Lord has taught and blessed the world with the Farmer … who has tilled the earth to feed his family and mankind. If the farmer knows God, he looks to Him for wisdom
2 Chronicles 7:14 … I will heal the land
God’s recipe for survival—faith, love, prayer, devotion, obedience, faithfulness
We can learn useful, meaningful ways to sustain ourselves … using our weapons as tools to find game, not harm our neighbors … maybe to preserve liberty … using our energy and inspired talents and ingenuity to learn domestic skills, work at useful labor, and prepare for natural storms … yet trust in the Lord for all.

Is Life Fair?

Skype Bible Study, Tuesday 3/19/13
Is Life Fair?
"Regarding resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, is this life fair? After all, some are born into wealth, some into poverty surrounded by crime; some are born to the parents of Christians, while others to Muslims. How can all have an equal chance to live with God?"
With the exception of the Devil and His angels, we have very few specific examples of an individual’s fate regarding salvation. Nonetheless, He does provide us with all the scriptures we need to adequately answer this question. Plan of Salvation given from the beginning
Alma 9 : 38 38 Now we see that Adam did fall by partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, that all mankind became a lost and a fallen people. 41 Therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state, which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead. 42 Now if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was laid
from the foundation of the world, there could have been no resurrection of the dead;… 46 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto man that they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment; even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.47 And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them; 48 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, which caused men to behold of his glory. 49 And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; 50 And this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance, and their holy works; 51 Wherefore he gave
commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good; 52 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; 54 54 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son (this being the plan of redemption which was laid), saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine only begotten Son.55 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine only begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. 56 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest….64 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. 65 And this is the manner after which they were ordained: being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil
I Corinthians 7 : 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.
Romans 1 : 20 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet….11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as
have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
We will all be Judged by or works whether they are good or evil
Revelation 20 : 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out
of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Mosiah 1 : 126 Whereof, they shall be judged, every man, according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil;
Book of Mormon 1 : 87 And ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; and also that ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, which ye shall have among you; … 89 And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Alma 19 : 66 And it is requisite with the justice of God, that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good;
We all know Good from Evil
Genesis 3 : 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil….7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Moroni 7 : 14 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that they may know good from evil; wherefore I shew unto you the way to judge: for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ;
Alma 19 : 83 Now we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever, that the Lord God placed cherubim, and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit;
Alma 9 : 51 Wherefore he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good;
II Nephi 1 : 67 and men are instructed sufficiently, that they know good from evil.
Helaman 5 : 86 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death, and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
Alma 15 : 56 Yea, and I know that good and evil hath come before all men; or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires; whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
Justice
II Timothy 4 : 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
Mosiah 1 : 83 Therefore, if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice doth awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt,
Isaiah 11 : 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (Equity: The quality of being fair and impartial: "equity of treatment".)
Psalms 98 : 9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Alma 19 : 106 And thus they are restored into his presence; to be judged according to their works; according to the law and justice; for behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.
Understanding God’s Just Judgment: We are all Judged according to our Knowledge
Luke 12 : 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Deuteronomy 1 : 39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither,
and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea….Say unto them. Go not up, neither fight
Matthew 11 : 20-24 20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Mosiah 1 : 107 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died, not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned . 108 But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God; for salvation cometh to none such, except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. 109 And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, even as though he had already come among them…. 119 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been, from the fall of Adam, and will be, for ever and ever; 120 But if he yieldeth to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint, through the atonement of Christ, the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. 121 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come, when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 122 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent;
Mosiah 8 : 58-61 58 And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. 59 And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. 60 And little children also have eternal life. 61 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God; for ye had ought to tremble: for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebelleth against him, and dieth in their sins;
III Nephi 3 : 15, 17 15 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, …Now the cause of this iniquity of the people, was this: Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.
I Timothy 1 : 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Moroni 8 : 25 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. 26 For the power of redemption cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, can not repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing. 27 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works. 28 Behold, my son, this thing had not ought to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation, and under the curse of a broken law.
Alma 7 : 19 18 Now we see that the word of the Lord hath been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land. 19 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins; 20 Yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life, than for you, except ye repent, for there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites: 21 For it is because of the traditions of their fathers that causeth them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them, and prolong their
existence in the land. 22 And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; 23 And many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name. 24 But behold, I say unto you, that if ye persist in your wickedness, that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; 25 And if ye repent not, they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; 26 And it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord; for he will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities to destroy his people. 27 I say unto you, Nay; he would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all this people which are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lord their God;… 31 And having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts; the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation:… 35 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people,
who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress, contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have; 36 I say unto you, that if this be the case; that if they should fall into transgression, that it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.