Reading in Mark today I was struck by a declaration of Christ’s that mirrors one of the great themes of the Book of Mormon.
Throughout the Book of Mormon the theme of being “numbered among” a specific covenant group is repeated. In 1 Ne. 3:25 Nephi’s great vision includes this promise (and prophecy): “And it shall come to pass that if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks, and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel[.]” (Quoting from the Restoration Edition of the Scriptures. All other quotes cite to that version of the scriptures–the only one which has been approved by the Lord.)
Nephi repeats this promise about the gentiles in 2 Ne. 7:4: “the gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel. Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and they who shall be numbered among thy seed, for ever, for the land of their inheritance[.]”
Again in 2 Ne. 12:11: “For behold, I say unto you, as many of the gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord[.]”
This is repeated numerous times by the prophet-writers in the Book of Mormon following Nephi. Perhaps most importantly, when Christ appears to visit the Nephites and His teachings are added to the record, our Lord makes the same promise and prophecy: 3 Ne. 9:11: “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[.]” And 3 Ne. 10:1: “I will establish my church among them [the gentiles], and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance.”
This theme of reclaiming the gentiles and making them part of Israel, even part of Lehi’s family, is confirmed today in the Lord’s covenant with us. The Lord has finally defined those gentiles for whom the Book of Mormon covenant promises were made. This is who is referred to in that ancient prophetic and covenantal text: “All you who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto me, and been baptized in my name, and have received a remission of your sins, and received the holy ghost, are now numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.” (T&C 158:10.)
Of course, today many people who lack a covenant likewise pretend the promises apply to them, but the Lord has the right to define those to whom the promises apply. The Lord has defined who He had in mind by a modern covenant. That covenant was offered and accepted by gentiles who were originally numbered among the gentiles, but after the covenant numbered among Israel. This happened beginning at a conference in September 2017, and continues today.
Here is what the Lord stated about members of His family in Mark that mirrors what He has said by covenant directly to us: “Who is my mother? Or who are my brethren? And he looked round about on them who sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren; for whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” (Mark 2:10.)
Truly the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although many people believe or claim to have status, salvation, covenant or approval from the Lord, I think it is more helpful and reliable to accept what He is presently offering directly to us by His word. After all, the Lord explained, “it is not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. For the day soon comes that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works. And many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I say unto them, You never knew me. Depart from me, you that work iniquity. Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them not shall be likened unto a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matt. 3:47-48.) There will be many mistaken believers.
Religious folks are included among the damned who suffer punishment in the afterlife. The vision about that explains: “And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars are one, for as one star differeth from another star in glory, even so differeth one from another in glory in the telestial world. For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas. These are they who say they are some of one and some of another: some of Christ, and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch, but received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenants. Last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered with the saints, to be caught up unto the church of the Firstborn and received into the cloud. These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. These are they who suffer the wrath of God on the earth. These are they who suffer the vengeance of Eternal fire. These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fullness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet[.]” (T&C 69:26-27.)
People who spend a lifetime studying and preaching about Isaiah claiming his prophetic message towers above all others will be damned. Students of John the Beloved who prize him above all others will be damned. Students of all the prophets and apostles will be damned. They are, in the end, no better than liars, sorcerers, adulterers and those who love spreading lies. It will only be those who “receive the gospel” and “the testimony of Jesus” and “the prophets” who will be spared from damnation.
Therefore, I’d advise everyone to be very careful about deciding what is and what is not included in “the gospel” mentioned here. And likewise you should be studying to understand clearly what “the testimony of Jesus” includes and requires. Most of all, be very careful about deciding if the Lord has sent “a prophet” or “prophets” with a message from Him. Salvation and damnation hinge on your choice.
Not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” is willing to do the difficult work of following Him. Today it is only those who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto the Lord, and been baptized in His name according to His commandment to us, who will be saved.
I’m grateful to know there are those willing to do this. I’m trying to be numbered among you. However few it may be who find the straight and narrow path, in the end it will be enough. It is always enough, even when the Lord reduces 32,000 down to 300 (see Judges 3:6), it is still enough to overcome the hosts of Midianites. It will always be enough. Because the battle is the Lord’s. (1 Sam. 8:14.) I hope to be with you for that battle.