Tag: Hearts

The People of the House of Israel Will I Gather in from the Four Corners of the Earth

~ Richard Rowley

Nephi, drawing on the scriptural prophecies his family had in the Brass Plates, describes events that would occur after the crucifixion of Christ.

“And as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophet, they shall be scourged by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel, and turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and wonders, and the power and glory of the God of Israel. And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations. Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers. Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth. Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord, saith the prophet; every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall be blessed.” (1 Nephi 19:15-17)

Questions:

-How is the dispersal and eventual gathering of the house of Israel tied to every nation and people being blessed in the last days?

-How is turning to the true Messiah, Jesus Christ, a key to receiving the covenant blessings made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

-Does it please a loving God to see the trials and hardships of those who reject His Son? Are those who cause tribulations for those who have rejected Christ any less responsible for their actions than anyone else? Would true followers of Jesus Christ ever despise and persecute a people who did not share their beliefs?

-Has the Lord begun to gather Israel in our time? What role does the Book of Mormon play in gathering children of Israel?

Teachings of Latter-day Prophets, Seers, and Revelators:

“Why was Israel scattered? The answer is clear; it is plain; of it there is no doubt. Our Israelite forebears were scattered because they rejected the gospel, defiled the priesthood, forsook the church, and departed from the kingdom. …

“What, then, is involved in the gathering of Israel? The gathering of Israel consists in believing and accepting and living in harmony with all that the Lord once offered his ancient chosen people. … It consists of believing the gospel, joining the Church, and coming into the kingdom. … It may also consist of assembling to an appointed place or land of worship” (McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 515).

The Lamb of God Will Work a Great and Marvelous Work—Either to the Convincing of Them unto Peace and Life Eternal or unto the Deliverance of Them to the Hardness of their Hearts

~ Richard Rowley

Nephi continues to be taught about the events of the last days.

“…The angel spake unto me, Nephi, saying: Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be well with them…and thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish. Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God. For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one had or 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.” (1 Nephi 14:5-7)

-What does it mean to repent? And, according to the passage above, how important is repentance for the temporal and spiritual welfare of the Gentiles?

-Does this message only apply to the Gentiles? Or, is it applicable to everyone?

-Are there signs of God’s great and marvelous work occurring now?

-Is your heart open to the Lamb of God and the work He is performing to bring peace and life eternal to all who will receive Him?

Prophets, Seers, and Revelators

“As this work [of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] progresses in its onward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God” (in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [1965], 1:257)

Their Treasure Shall Perish with Them

~ Richard Rowley

Jacob teaches how having worldly riches can lead to a loss of the characteristics that are most important to God:

“…Wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.” (2 Nephi 9:30)

Questions:

-Is it wrong to obtain riches if one’s heart is not set on them? (see Jacob 2:18-19)

-Does it make sense to envy the rich when riches can so easily lead to soul-cankering pride and loss of spiritual perspective?

-Do you feel you could keep your priorities straight in the eyes of God under the temptations that come with having worldly wealth? What would be the key to doing so? (see Jacob 2:18-19)