In the Book of Mormon there are many
names for Jesus. Nephi
mostly calls Jesus the Holy One of Israel, as did Isaiah.
This is appropriate for 2 reasons:
1.
Christ I a
descendant of Judah, and by extension, Israel
2.
When He served
His ministry, He served ONLY to the house of Israel. As exemplified by the
story of the Canaanite woman who sought a blessing from Jesus:
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and
cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed
with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and
besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thyafaith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made
whole from that very hour.
3.
When He sent
missionaries out, He sent them to teach to Israel.
4.
On His ministry,
He taught Israel, and then He went to the American continent where He also
taught the House of Israel. From there he went to the lost tribes of Israel.
Later Peter was told in a dream to take
the gospel to the gentiles
Acts
10: 11 And
saw aheaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it
had been a great sheet bknit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and
wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
15 And the voice spake unto him
again the second time, What God hath acleansed, that call not thou bcommon.
He didn’t know what it meant, but in the
meantime, a Roman (are
Italians of the 12 tribes?) (named
Cornelius had a visit by an angel who told him to send people to go find Peter
and bring him:
1 There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion
of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one
that feared God with all his house, which gave much aalms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a avision bevidently about the ninth hour of the day ancangel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it,
Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea
side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
So Cornelius did as instructed and sent
people to Peter. Peter received an angel who told him to receive them and
listen to them, and then went to Cornelius and then understood the dream. This
is when the gospel began to be preached to the gentiles.
Acts 10: 34 ¶Then
Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no arespecter of persons:
The Elders of Israel – the men who hold
the Priesthood are literal descendants of Israel.
The “3 fold mission of the Church” has
been changed to the purpose
of the Church:
In fulfilling its purpose to help individuals
and families qualify for exaltation, the Church focuses on divinely appointed
responsibilities. These include helping members live the gospel of Jesus Christ,
gathering Israel through missionary work, caring for the poor and needy, and
enabling the salvation of the dead by building temples and performing vicarious
ordinances. (From the Handbook of Instructions)
We are children of the covenant and
promised before birth to help gather Israel.
Those who kept their first estate are blessed
in the 2nd estate, just as those who do well in high school get into
the best colleges and get scholarships.
Alma 13 talks about our premortal life:
3 And
this is the manner after which they were ordained—beingacalled and bprepared from the cfoundation of the world according to the dforeknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first
place being left to echoose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great ffaith, are gcalled with a holy calling, yea,
with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory
redemption for such.
4 And
thus they have been acalled 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 bblindness of their minds, while, if it had not
been for this they might have had as great cprivilege as their brethren.
5 Or in
fine, in the first place they were on the asame 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, who was
prepared—
6 And
thus being called by this holy calling, and (the men were) 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 arest—
8 Now
they (the men) were aordained 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—
10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this ahighpriesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high
priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding bfaith andcrepentance, (In the pre-existance) and their
righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;
11 Therefore
they were called after this holy order, and wereasanctified, and their bgarments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
12 Now
they, after being asanctified by the bHoly Ghost, having their garments made white,
being cpure and spotless before God, could not look upon dsin save it were with eabhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many,
who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.
In other words, because of our
“exceeding faith and good works” (v3) in the pre-mortal life, and we chose
good. So we were called “to this holy calling” and “ordained with a holy
ordinance, and high priesthood” and “become high priests forever”. They are
great blessings that we have because of how we were in the premortal life.
We developed talents in the premortal life that we were
allowed to have here, and one of those is the talent for spirituality. All of
the House of Israel have the talent to realize truth and act on it.
Nature of the War in Heaven:
In the war in heaven, it was like an
election year here. It wasn’t a war of guns or swords. It was a war of words,
ideas, theologies, and emotions.
Revelations 12:
1 aAnd there
appeared a great wonder in heaven; a bwoman (The Church) clothed with
the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve
stars:
3 And
there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon (The devil), having seven
heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his
tail drew the athird part
of the stars of heaven (sons
of perdition), and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood
before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as
soon as it was born.
5 And she
brought forth a man child (Christ),
who was to rule all nations with a arod of
iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his
throne.
6 And the awoman fled
into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should
feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore
days. (1260)
7 And
there was awar in
heaven: bMichael and his cangels fought
against the dragon; and the ddragon fought
and his angels,
9 And the
great dragon was acast out,
that old serpent, called thebDevil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him. (Earth
became Satan’s headquarters)
10 And I
heard a loud avoice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and bstrength, and
the kingdom of our God, and thecpower of
his Christ: for the daccuser of
our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And
they aovercame him
by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their btestimony; and
they loved not their lives unto thecdeath. (Martyrs)
12 Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the
inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you,
having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (He only has until the millennium)
13 And
when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, heapersecuted the
woman (the Church) which brought forth
the man child.
14 And to
the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the
wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and
half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the
serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might
cause her to be carried away of the flood. (The flood of evil)
16 And the
earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the
flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the adragon was
wroth with the woman, and went to makebwar with
the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ.
Satan is making war against the seed of
Israel – all those who which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of
Jesus Christ.
We are
Christ’s witnesses; we campaigned for Him in the war in heaven. Those with the
most potential to become like Him made efforts there gave us more privileges
& challenges in this life.
In the
scriptures, when it says “elected”, like we were chosen and “elected” it means
that for the men, they were ordained
– literally, with hands on the head to become like God. 1 Peter –
2 aElect according to the bforeknowledge of God the Father, through csanctification of the Spirit, unto dobedience andesprinkling of the fblood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace,
be multiplied.
Women
were pre-designed
to become like God. Men were given power; women were given influence.
This
earth is the most wicked of God’s creations because it is Satan’s headquarters.
Revelations
9:
1 And the
fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth (Satan): and to him was
given the key of the abottomless bpit.
2 And he
opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke
of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the
smoke of the pit.
4 And it
was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither
any green thing, but only those amen which have not
the bseal of
God in their foreheads. (The temple covenants)
5 And to
them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be
tormented five months
(?): and their torment was as the
torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
That’s
why Christ came here; because Satan came here and good vs evil has to be on
equal grounds.
One
might ask why we were sent to the most wicked place in all of God’s creations.
It is because Christ needed His friends
here. We are here to help build up His kingdom here. He needs us to bring
people to Him from the wickedness. He needs us to find the house of Israel and
gather them together.
Another
reason is that we were sent here is for our good. With additional challenges
come additional blessings. We are strengthened because of the struggles. It is
like putting a gifted child in harder classes. They grow more than in an easier
class.
Also,
God promised us special privileges for coming here, like we get to have the Church/Gospel;
we have temples; our ancestors are from the House of Israel – we are literal
descendants of the House of Israel.
We get
priority treatment and Christ comes first to the House of Israel.
Look up Bible Dictionary:
Election: Election. A theological
term primarily denoting God’s choice of the house of Israel to be the covenant
people with privileges and responsibilities, that they might become a means of
blessing to the whole world (Rom.
9:11; 11:5,
7, 28). Election is an opportunity for service and
is both on a national and an individual basis. On a national basis the seed of
Abraham carry the gospel to the world. But it is by individual faithfulness
that it is done.
The elect are chosen even “before the foundation of the world,”
yet no one is unconditionally elected to eternal life. Each must, for himself,
hearken to the gospel and receive its ordinances and covenants from the hands
of the servants of the Lord in order to obtain salvation. If one is elected but
does not serve, his election could be said to have been in vain, as Paul
expressed in 2
Cor. 6:1.
We see that elections are not all of the same kind. Since
election has to do with God’s choice of persons or groups to accomplish his
purposes, some may be elected by him to one thing and some to another. Although
the Lord uses certain individuals to accomplish his purposes, it does not
necessarily follow that these persons will automatically receive a fulness of
salvation thereby. For instance, Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus fulfilled certain
purposes in the economy of God, but they apparently did it for their own
reasons and not as conscious acts of faith and righteousness. On the other
hand, salvation of one’s soul comes
only by personal integrity and willing obedience to the laws and ordinances of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus there are some elections to be desired
over others. An “election of grace” spoken of in D&C
84:98–102 and Rom.
11:1–5 has reference to
one’s situation in mortality; that is, being born at a time, at a place, and in
circumstances where one will come in favorable contact with the gospel. This
election took place in the premortal existence. Those who are faithful and
diligent in the gospel in mortality receive an even more desirable election in
this life, and become the elect of God. These receive the promise of a fulness
of God’s glory in eternity (D&C
84:33–41).
The concept held by many that God unconditionally elected some
to be saved and some to be damned without any effort, action, or choice on
their part is not correct, for the scriptures teach that it is only by faith
and obedience that one’s calling and election is made sure (2
Pet. 1; D&C
131:5).
Baptism
is the covenant of Salvation
Celestial
marriage is the covenant of Exaltation (Bible Dictionary)
How did
God begin sending His chosen lineage to the earth? Through Abraham; God made a
special covenant with Abraham:
1. Priesthood Alma 13:8 Ab
2:9-11 1. Obedience
2. Property
(celestial property) Gen 17:8 2.
Loyalty
3. Posterity
as the sands of the sea-Gen 17:4 3.
Do missionary work- Alma 13:6
4. Kings
come from seed Gen 17:6
See adoption: Gentiles
Gen 17, 22, 15-18 gal 3, ab 2
Gen 26:1-4, 24
Gen 28, 35:9-13, 48:3-4
Renewed
to us through celestial marriage: D&C 132:29-33
D&C 132:37 Abraham, Isaac &
Jacob are now Gods. V-29; They were resurrected with Christ.
Abraham means Exalted Father; Father of
a multitude
Abrahamic Covenant:
Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the
covenant of salvation). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood,
and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation),
gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he
received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his
mortal posterity (D&C 132:29–50; Abr. 2:6–11). Included in the divine promises to
Abraham were the assurances that (1) Christ would come through his lineage, and
that (2) Abraham’s posterity would receive certain lands as an eternal
inheritance (Gen. 17; 22:15–18; Gal. 3; Abr. 2). These promises taken together are called the Abrahamic
covenant. It was
renewed with Isaac (Gen. 26:1–4, 24) and again with Jacob (Gen. 28; 35:9–13; 48:3–4).
The portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation
and eternal increase are renewed with each individual who receives the
ordinance of celestial marriage (see D&C 132:29–33). Those of non-Israelite lineage,
commonly known as gentiles, are adopted into the house of Israel, and become
heirs of the covenant and the seed of Abraham, through the ordinances of the
gospel (Gal. 3:26–29).
Being an heir to the Abrahamic covenant does not make one a
“chosen person” per se, but does signify that such are chosen to responsibly
carry the gospel to all the peoples of the earth. Abraham’s seed have carried out
the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day. (Matt. 3:9; Abr. 2:9–11).
To fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham—having particular
reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to
all of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2:10–11)—a number of specific and particular
things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the
priesthood must be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power must
be given again to mortals, Israel must be gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be
poured out upon the gentiles. All this has already taken place or is in process
of fulfillment.
Ismael, son of Abraham did not receive
the blessings because he did not renew the covenant, but Isaac did. Also, Esau
married outside the covenant.
Israel means Soldier of God Prince or
princess, one who is victorious or wins.
When we marry in the temple, we make the
same covenant.
The most righteous of the sons of Jacob
(Israel) was Joseph. His 2 sons are the tribes that make it 13 tribes.
One way to remember all the tribes is: L B Js
DENIM RAGZ.
1.
L Levi
2.
B Benjamin
3.
J Judah
4.
S Simeon
5.
D Daniel
6.
E Ephriam
7.
N Nephtali
8.
I Issachar
9.
M Manasseh
10. R Ruben
11. A Asher
12. G Gad
13. Z Zebulon
Most of the people of the earth are not of the 13
tribes.
When all people were killed by the flood, the blood of
Abraham came through Shem. Ham and Japeth were not of the house of Israel.
The Israelites have a special talent. It is called
“believing blood”. It is a special talent to know the truth and accept it.
All of the nations except Israel are made up mostly of
Gentiles. Many Israelites are living among the gentiles and are to be found
through missionaries.
The Israelites are scattered among the gentiles so
that we can lift the community; be a light to them.
Deut 8:32 ?? It was determined
where we would live before we were born.
Will many Gentiles join the Church? No, rarely will
gentiles join the Church.
The Holy Ghost’s influence on a Gentile purges out the
old blood and makes him into a new person.
The Church no longer says “adopted” into the House of
Israel. They say, “You will receive your blessing through Abraham”.
God is the landlord of Israel and America.
Young Men who serve missions are fulfilling their
covenant they made before they were born. The young women promised to support
the missionary work.
A little history: Moses was delivered to the Promised
Land. Solomon was very wicked and had 1000 wives. His son, Reoboam was more
wicked than him, so the Kingdom was divided between the north and south. The
tribe of Judah with Benjamin and Levi stayed in the south. All others went to
the north to the kingdom of Israel to get away from Reoboam. They became wicked; they didn’t have a temple.
They were taken captive by the Assirians. Some escaped and they became the lost
10 tribes.
1916 prophesy that the record of the lost tribes will
come forth in their day.
The lost tribes are scattered in the lands of the
north (north of Israel): the Baltics to Japan, Ukraine, Moscow, Norway, Sweden,
the British Isles, etc.
Ephriam was mostly in the British Isles and
Scandenavia. They have been brought to Zion to build up an army to send to the
world; we are the gatherers with the help of the tribe of Mannaseh.
The tribal symbol of Ephriam is the wild ox. (Oxen
brought in the Pioneers). We are strong, work hard carry a heavy load. We build
temples, are stubborn, are prideful, strong willed. The name Ephraim means
fruitful.
In 2004 the 1st patriarchs were sent to
Russia. They would go on traveling trips and each gave 100 blessings. Every one
of the 12 tribes is Israel were represented in the blessings that were given.
The south land of Judah the people were righteous a
few more years and because of having the temple and good kings they were under
Babylonian rule for 70 years, then King Syrus freed the Jews.
The Jews are not lost. They all know who they are –
that they are Jews and they know their lineage and promises.
The land of Israel will be the last to
get missionaries. In the millennium all tribes will return to their lands.
D&C 133: 7 Yea, verily I say unto you
again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of
Babylon; agather ye out from among the nations, from
the bfour winds, from one end of heaven to the
other.
8 Send forth the elders of my
church unto the anations which are afar off; unto the bislands of the sea; send forth unto foreign
lands; call upon all nations, first upon the cGentiles, and then
upon the Jews.
9 And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of
the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders
of my people may be enlarged, and that her astakes may be strengthened, and that bZion may go forth unto the regions round
about.
10 Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and
go forth to meet the aBridegroom; behold
and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for
the bgreatday of the
Lord.
Now is the
SPIRITUAL gathering.
How does this help a missionary be stronger and more
faithful? How does it help us fulfill our purpose in life? We are looking for
those who have believing blood. Obedience is the key to have missionary
success.
Seek family of members – they are of the house of
Israel.
