In the last episode of this series, I posted the following question to my Canadian friend and the readers of this blog, “what is the great commandment and related blessing and cursing that takes place just BEFORE the marvelous work takes place.”
God actually gives a commandment that precedes the beginning of the marvelous work and a wonder. Just when the marvelous work is ABOUT to come forth, a commandment is to be obeyed that prepares the elect for the marvelous work.
I believe this commandment has already been actuated and it represents one of the amazing signs of the end times.
I invited my friend and my readers to search the revelations to see if they can identify what this great commandment is that is preliminary to the beginning of the marvelous work.
I got some amazing responses from readers of this blog and my Canadian friend which I will briefly post later in this installment.
[Editorial Note: For those that prefer to listen to Mrs Watcher read the post, click on this link to the video which is posted on our youtube channel. https://youtu.be/dP3xaFPlTNo ]
The answer to the above question that I am looking for, is pertinent to my conversation with my Canadian friend for two reasons.
Firstly, he wanted to know about prophecies that are taking place right now, just before the marvelous work begins.
Secondly, he shared with me a conversation he had had with the late John Pratt wherein Pratt had discerned from the end times prophecies in Ether that something very significant needed to come forth before the mysteries in the sealed plates would be unsealed. He seemed to want to know how the Ether text relates to our timeframe and if Pratt had uncovered something significant.
The Claims of John Pratt
John Pratt claimed to my friend that he had found something cryptically embedded in the Ether text that very few if any people have ever noticed and elaborated on before.
I agree.
I think Pratt did find something quite significant.
Pratt’s contention was that there would be a record that would come forth BEFORE the sealed portion of the plates containing the vision of the brother of Jared would be opened.
This record would prepare those that believe the words of Jesus, for the marvelous work and for the unfolding of the revelation that the brother of Jared had seen.
Regarding this record, Pratt said: “It will not come in a time when people have the faith of [the brother of ] Jared, but rather when they need to repent and follow Jesus and believe in His words.
I agree with those observations of Pratt’s.
I believe they are profound and true.
A record will come forth which contains the words of Jesus. This record will help people to repent and will prepare them for the events of the 3rd watch.
However, I don’t agree with Pratt’s assumption that the words of Christ that would come forth to prepare the people for the vision of the brother of Jared, was the record of John..
nor was it referring to the book that Mauricio Berger has published.
The text in Ether does not say that the record of John would come forth from the gold plates.
At this point let me emphasize that I love John Pratt and this response to his comments and beliefs is not personal.
This is about the interpretation of prophecy and doctrine and about sound doctrine and ultimately, about the salvation of souls.
Anytime someone is making profound claims about the scriptures and claiming to have authority and/or trying to persuade people to join a religious movement, the interpretations of doctrine and prophecy they are presenting need to be scrutinized on their own merit.
That is all I am attempting to do.
I am scrutinizing the interpretations that Pratt was presenting as he was proselytizing people to join the fringe movements that he was involved in.
Although I am not personally trying to get anyone to join a fringe group, I think all my readers need to scrutinize my scriptural interpretations as well.
In the words of Paul, “prove all things, hold fast to that which is true“.
I believe Pratt’s interpretation of the content in the Book of Ether was adversely influenced by the book that Mauricio Berger has published which Berger Claims was taken from the gold plates.
In other words, I believe Pratt was digging deep into the prophetic text in Ether to find justification and validation for Mauricio Bergers Book.
During his search, Pratt did in fact find some remarkable information that was hidden in the text.
The question is, did Pratt accurately interpret the cryptic text.
Naturally, if Pratt’s interpretation and belief is correct, he and Mauricio Berger would both be playing a remarkable role in the Rolling forth of the marvelous work.
I am going to demonstrate what I believe the cryptic text in Ether is really talking about.
As I have searched the text that Pratt is speaking about, I believe the words of Ether are informing us that a record of Christ’s words would be revealed at the time when the prophecies of John in the Book of Revelation are being unfolded in the eyes of the people.
I believe that the prophecies in the Book of Revelation are being unfolded in the eyes of the people right now!
This means that the record containing the words of Christ is currently being revealed or will be completely revealed in the near future.
It also means the marvelous work is about to begin!!
Read the text in Ether about the revelation written by John!
16 And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed.
17 Therefore, when ye shall receive this record [which contains my words] ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land.
There are two things that identify when the “work of the father” commences.
One is the unfolding of the prophecies contained in the Book of Revelation which I believe is happening right now.
The second thing is the coming forth of a record that contains the words of Christ.
Are we not seeing the prophecies in the Book of Revelation unfolding before our very eyes right now?
Clearly the old Babylon system is beginning to fall.
In the eyes of the worldly, we have a “new normal” and the “old normal” will never return. Freedoms are being taken away. Free enterprise and capitalism are being destroyed.
Babylon is falling and the foundation has been laid for the mark of the beast system which follows. Numerous other prophecies in the Book of revelation have already been fulfilled and are in the process of being revealed and are about to be fulfilled.
The Time of Division and Separation Has Begun
The parables that Christ gave speak of a great division and separation that will take place in the last days. This is depicted in the parable of the wheat and the tares and the parable of the ten virgins. Although the division and separation will ultimately result in a physical separation and gathering out of the elect, I believe it begins with a philosophical division and I think we are seeing a great polarization taking place right now. It has to do with freedom and with a strong delusion that God has sent upon the people. People will either become convinced and converted to the gospel of peace and life eternal or they will be delivered over to the hardness of their hearts.
The book of Mormon speaks a great division among the people at the time of the Marvelous Work:
7 For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken. 1 Neph 14
But what is the book that needs to come forth that contains the words of Christ?
That is the sixty-four dollar question.
Many of you already know the answer to the question
To those that don’t know the answer, I think the answer will blow your mind if you can comprehend it.
I have been speaking about it for many years now with very little success because like the Jews, we Gentiles have a tendency to look past the mark and overlook the obvious.
I am hopeful that the time is at hand when people will begin to have their eyes opened to a sealed record that they have held in their hands for a long time. A sealed record that is currently being unsealed through the work of the Father.
“My Words”
Before we drill down and the identity of the record which contains the literal words of Christ, I want to deconstruct part of the prophecy in Ether by showing a keyword pattern in it.
In verse 7 the Lord speaks about unfolding all of his revelations.
In verse 8 the Lord warns that those that contend against the “Word of the Lord” would be accursed.
In verse 9 the Lord refers to “my word“.
In verse 10 the Lord once again speaks of the importance of believing “my words”
In verse 11 the Lord speaks of the importance in believing the “things which I have spoken”
Please notice the keywords “my words” contained in the prophecy of Ether because they will lead us into the Doctrine and Covenants and then back into the Book of Mormon:
10 And he that believeth not my words believeth not my disciples; and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye; for ye shall know that it is I that speaketh, at the last day.
11 But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good. (Ether 4)
The active ingredient in the prophetic narrative is-
“My words”
There is going to be a record that contains “my words“.
It is true that all standard works that we sustain as scripture contain the words of Christ. However, there is one that stands out among all of the rest because it is unique. It is unique in that it contains long word for word revelations directly from Christ in the words of Christ. Most other canons of scripture usually only provide smaller snippets of Christ’s words, mingled with the inspired words of prophets and historians.
This book containing the words of Christ comes forth BEFORE
the
marvelous work begins and BEFORE the vision of the brother of Jared comes forth
that contains the words of Jesus Christ.
“Give Heed to My Word”
So what is the grand commandment that is to be obeyed just before the marvelous work comes forth. It is revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants-
1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.
2 Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words. D&C 6:2 (see also Rev 1:16, 2:12, 2:16 regarding the two edged sword)
That great commandment of the Lord that is to be obeyed BEFORE the Marvelous Work is ABOUT to take place is to give heed to the words of Christ!
Notice how the Lord reiterated the above commandment to four different people, four different times in the Doctrine and Covenants:
Section 4
|
Section 6
|
Section 11
|
Section 12
|
Section 14
|
|
|
|
|
|
As you can see, the commandment is given when the marvelous work is ABOUT to come forth. It is to give heed to “my word” (the words of Christ)
This amazing commandment to mankind, was reiterated four times to four different people and each set of passages commands us to give heed to God’s word two different times!
So what is the blessing that is associated with the commandment to give heed to the words of Christ?
According to the prophecy in Ether 4 it is to be visited with the manifestation of Christ’s spirit
11 But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good.
Interestingly, if we do a keyword search on the above passage, we will be taken to a very similar passage in section 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants which links the concept of believing on the words of Christ with the blessing of being visited with the manifestation of my spirit.
16 And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit—
Of course those that reject the words of Christ, are cursed. (more on that in a later installment)
Is it a coincidence that section 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants also used the terms “my words” that are used in the prophetic text in Ether?
Lets look at the keyword pattern-
5 Verily, I say unto you, that woe shall come unto the inhabitants of the earth if they will not hearken unto my words;
6 For hereafter you shall be ordained and go forth and deliver my words unto the children of men.
7 Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all these things which I have committed unto you.
8 Oh, this unbelieving and stiffnecked generation—mine anger is kindled against them.
10 But this generation shall have my word through you;
11 And in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things, and they shall go forth with my words that are given through you.
15 And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth of my word.
16 And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit—
17 And you must wait yet a little while, for ye are not yet ordained—
18 And their testimony shall also go forth unto the condemnation of this generation if they harden their hearts against them;
Section 5 is very cryptic because a surface reading of it suggests that it is singularly addressing word of the Lord in the Book of Mormon and the three witnesses that will testify of the Book of Mormon.
However, I would suggest that cryptically imbedded in that text of section 5 is the use of the term “my word” as it relates to the revelations coming through Joseph Smith. The text is addressing the Book of Mormon
and the revelations to Joseph Smith that contain “my word”
Notice how the text says, “this generation shall have my word through” Joseph Smith”
While that above passage may be applicable to the translation of the Book of Mormon, it more specifically pertains to the literal words of Christ that came through Joseph Smith. The next passage speaks of the three witnesses of those words of Christ
11 And in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things, and they shall go forth with my words that are given through you.
I am simply observing that the three witnesses that are mentioned in those passage are witnesses of the word
of God
that is coming forth through Joseph Smith. It is arguably speaking of the three witnesses of the Doctrine and Covenants!
Interestingly, the three witnesses mentioned in the above passages were ORDAINED pertaining to that specific calling of being three witnesses.
Were the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon actually ordained to be witnesses of the book of Mormon?
Conversely, were the three witnesses of the revelations that Joseph was bringing forth ordained to that calling?
I am not saying that the Book of Mormon does not have three witnesses. It clearly does.
I am simply reading the above text without bias from the orthodox interpretation of those passages.
I could be wrong.
You decide.
Did the Doctrine and Covenants have Three Witnesses?
In the original Doctrine and Covenants, a preface was provided which declared that the Doctrine and Covenants was the “foundation of the Church” and that it has been “granted for the salvation of all that believe“.
It was signed by Joseph Smith and three other witnesses. Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams.
Notice how the prophet Joseph Smith referred to the revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants as the “book of Revelations” and identified them as the “foundation of the church” and placed a temporal value on them to be greater than the riches of the whole earth, and they were given for the “salvation of all that believe”
In the last, which was held at Brother [John] Johnson’s in Hiram, after deliberate consideration, in consequence of the book of Revelations, now to be printed, being the foundation of the church in these last days; and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom of our Savior, are again entrusted to man, and the riches of eternity within the compass of those who are willing to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God: therefore the conference priced the Revelations to be worth to the church, the riches of the whole earth, speaking temporally. The great benefits to the world, which result from the Book of Mormon and the Revelations, which the Lord has seen fit, in his infinite wisdom, to grant unto us for our salvation, and for the salvation of all that will believe, [HC 1:235]
In the preface of the Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams made the following declaration:
We do not present this little volume with any other expectation than that we are to be called to answer to every principle advanced, in that day when the secrets of all hearts will be revealed, and the reward of every man’s labor be given him.
In Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants verses 7-13 it testifies that all the scriptures are true, including the Book of Mormon and “commandments” in the Doctrine and Covenants. It declares that the world will be judged by the by the joint testimony of these records.
It is commonly taught that the Book of Mormon is the record of a fallen people who rejected the fulness of the gospel and therefore the greater things were sealed up and hidden from them because of their unbelief.
I would suggest that the Doctrine and Covenants is also a record of a fallen people who rejected the fulness of the gospel and therefore the greater things were sealed up and hidden from gentiles of the Latter day restoration because of their unbelief.
In section 84 the Lord chastised the saints for taking lightly both the Book of Mormon and the revelation Joseph smith was receiving
52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.
53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now.
54 And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—
Most members of the church and even members of LDS fringe groups often quote or paraphrase the above passages putting total emphasis on taking lightly the Book of Mormon while completely omitting the joint significance of the “former commandments” (revelations given to Joseph Smith)
In future episodes of this series, I will prove from scripture that the Doctrine and Covenants is the record which contains the words of Christ that the book of Ether prophesies about.
It is a record in which many mysteries have been sealed up and hidden from the gentiles because of unbelief. It is going to be unsealed when the mysteries in it are unfolded to those that have the faith to believe the unconditional prophecies and promises in it.
It is commonly understood that the Doctrine and Covenants speaks of and therefore testifies of the inspired nature of the Book of Mormon.
However, I would suggest that the Book of Mormon also testifies of the Doctrine and Covenants as we have just witnessed in the Book of Ether.
Further, Christ prophesies of the coming forth of the Doctrine and Covenants in 3rd Nephi!
All we need to do is use the keywords “my words” as discussed in the Ether text and in section 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants and it takes us to the following prophecy by Christ
9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.
10 But behold, the life of my servant [Joseph Smith] shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
11 Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, [The Doctrine and Covenants]
who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant. (3rd Nephi 21)
Unbe-freakin-lievable!
Is Christ actually prophesying to the Nephites about the future coming forth of the Doctrine and Covenant to the Gentiles?
I think that a contextual reading of it using the testimony of related scriptures suggests that it is.
You decide for yourself.
It is interesting that Christ references Deuteronomy 18 (and quoted in Acts 3:22-23) which prophesied that Christ would be a prophet raised up like unto Moses and warns us that we should hearken to his words:
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
A keyword search of “my words” takes us to the second part of that prophecy in Deuteronomy 18 which speaks of Joseph Smith also being raise up like Moses.
In that prophecy, Christ identifies the uniqueness of the book of scripture that Joseph Smith will bring forth and how Christ will put His words in Joseph’s mouth.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; [Doctrine and Covenants] and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
I realize these interpretations probably go against what you have been taught by the orthodox church dear reader.
I don’t necessarily expect readers of this post to accept the suppositions provided herein. However, if you can only desire to believe these concepts, and then prayerfully search the scriptures you may have some epiphanies that will help to prepare your heart and your mind for the marvelous work that is about to come forth.
I think you will find the remaining episodes to be very compelling and thought provoking.
BTW
Regarding those that responded to my question about the great preliminary commandment-
One of the readers that responded to my question suggested that the law of consecration was the commandment that would be given when the marvelous work begins.. I agree that it will be an integral part of the marvelous work. However, I was looking for the commandment that is given BEFORE the marvelous work starts. I can see in re-reading my posts that I was not real clear about that in some places.. I apologize for the ambiguity of my question. Thank you for that comment! It is true that consecration will be very important and will possibly weed a lot of tares out from among the wheat.
Another reader suggested that the great commandment would be to REPENT! I can’t argue with that.. Faith and repentance are the first commandments of the gospel invitation and among the very first admonitions of the Lord when the restoration took place. Joseph was commanded to teach nothing but repentance to that generation.. I suspect that a degree of humility and repentance is required before we can exercise faith in God’s word and then heed the word of God.
Another person pretty much gave me a condensed version of how the marvelous work will take place. In it he included obeying the word of God and all of the commandments including faith repentance, baptism of water fire and the Holy Ghost and consecration… WOW.. talk about cover all of the bases!
Another person just responded and he nailed it.. Interestingly, he nailed it using different scriptures than the one I used.. it is so magnificent how God tells us things many times and in many ways but he is always consistent.
Lastly, my Canadian friend also responded with several very good ideas and one of them also was the corrected answer yet from different passages than the ones I had in mind.
Thanks to all who responded..
Because I am Watching 