The Law of the Tithe

Faith - A Divine Gift

2016 Education Week Presentation: "Who Hath Begotten Me These Seeing I am Desolate" (3 of 3)

These videos constitute the private and personal property of the presenter. No part of these video presentations may be copied, downloaded, saved, or distributed without the author's written consent. These videos are to be accessed only through this blog or an authorized distribution channel of BYU-Idaho. (Copyright, 2016, Kevin L. Packard)

Disclaimer: These presentations are a private endeavor and represent the opinions and conclusions of the author from the evidence cited. This is not an official publication of either The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Brigham Young University-Idaho. It is neither a declaration nor an interpretation of Church doctrine, which concern is solely the province of the First Presidency.

WATCH VIDEO No. 3: "Who Hath Begotten Me These Seeing I Am Desolate"

These presentations were delivered July 28 - 30, 2016 in connection with BYU-Idaho's Education Week. Each of these three videos is 60 minutes in length and MUST be viewed in the order shown below in order to understand the development of later topics. These videos review the blessings given to the descendants of Joseph, the curses placed upon them for being one of the few groups that destroyed Zion as forming it, and the mercies of the LORD extended to them in the latter-days. Throughout, scriptural symbols are developed as well as scriptural relationships depicted between the LORD and God's children. Particular attention is spent on developing the relationships of SERVANT, BRIDE, and CHILD. 

WARNING: In the spirit of full disclosure, the viewer of these videos is hereby advised that I do not implement the latest presentation approaches to maintain the attention of my audience. I teach doctrine straight, undiluted, and with little emotion and facial expression. For this, I apologize, but it's who I am. I hope you can look beyond my clumsy delivery and focus on the more important aspect of the presentations--the message.

2016 Education Week Presentation: "Can a Woman Forget Her Sucking Child" (2 of 3)

These videos constitute the private and personal property of the presenter. No part of these video presentations may be copied, downloaded, saved, or distributed without the author's written consent. These videos are to be accessed only through this blog or an authorized distribution channel of BYU-Idaho. (Copyright, 2016, Kevin L. Packard)

Disclaimer: These presentations are a private endeavor and represent the opinions and conclusions of the author from the evidence cited. This is not an official publication of either The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Brigham Young University-Idaho. It is neither a declaration nor an interpretation of Church doctrine, which concern is solely the province of the First Presidency.

WATCH VIDEO No. 2: Can a Woman Forget Her Sucking Child

These presentations were delivered July 28 - 30, 2016 in connection with BYU-Idaho's Education Week. Each of these three videos is 60 minutes in length and MUST be viewed in the order shown below in order to understand the development of later topics. These videos review the blessings given to the descendants of Joseph, the curses placed upon them for being one of the few groups that destroyed Zion as forming it, and the mercies of the LORD extended to them in the latter-days. Throughout, scriptural symbols are developed as well as scriptural relationships depicted between the LORD and God's children. Particular attention is spent on developing the relationships of SERVANT, BRIDE, and CHILD. 

WARNING: In the spirit of full disclosure, the viewer of these videos is hereby advised that I do not implement the latest presentation approaches to maintain the attention of my audience. I teach doctrine straight, undiluted, and with little emotion and facial expression. For this, I apologize, but it's who I am. I hope you can look beyond my clumsy delivery and focus on the more important aspect of the presentations--the message.

Freedom at any cost?

In a number of scriptural passages, Pharaoh is compared to LEVIATHAN (Isaiah 27:1, Job 41:1), the GREAT DRAGON THAT LIETH IN THE MIDST OF THE RIVERS (Ezekiel 29:3), or "whale in the seas" whose feet troubles the waters and fouledst the rivers (e.g., a metaphor reflecting the philosophies of men that Pharaoh causes to come forth and corrupt the waters of truth that issue from the mouth of God). 

In my opinion, the great sea monster leviathan is tantamount to the Nile Crocodile (see video at http://youtu.be/akbpHX0Wbvw) who--

1) is more subtle than any beast of the field (see Moses 4:5);

2) is patient and determined;

3) uses its powerful tail to spring an attack (i.e., a metaphor for "the prophet who teacheth lies" (see Isaiah 9:15) and that "drew the third-part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth" (see JST Revelation 12:4); and

4) drags its unsuspecting prey into a watery grave (i.e., a scriptural symbol for hell).

I believe that Abraham, who penciled in Figure 9 of Abraham Facsimile No. 1 as the god of Pharaoh, also used the Nile Crocodile as a metaphor for Leviathan. In this regard, consider how Figure 9 is reflected as dwelling in the midst of Figures 11 and 12. When juxtaposed with Figure 1--the Angel of the Lord, who undoubtedly dwells in the heavens--it is clear that the "pillars of heaven" and the "expanse, or the firmament" as UNDERSTOOD BY THE EGYPTIANS, was really nothing more than hell to the rest who understood better. Isn't it strange to consider how Satan was able to convince the Egyptians that hell beneath was heaven above; when they worshipped the god of Pharaoh that lurked beneath, they believed that they were worshipping God, in heaven, above.

When men call good evil and evil good, we often think that few will accept their nonsense. But Abraham Facsimile No. 1 is a good reminder that the devil was able to convince an entire race of people that hell beneath was heaven above. Today's Egyptian is the citizen of the United States who believes-- 

1. that granting homosexuals their right to marry is superior to forming a society centered on family values;
2. that granting women the right to choose is superior to preserving the life of an unborn child; and
3. that granting men the right to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana is superior to creating safe environments in which to live and streets on which to drive.

"Preserving freedom at any cost" is the STANDARD we have lifted in the United States of America; even precious blood has been spilled to preserve this ideal. Tragically, because our STANDARD lacks its necessary companion called RESPONSIBILITY, we have stopped measuring the cost. How incredibly descriptive Isaiah was of the American intellect when he wrote:

20 Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

21 Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight! 

22 Wo unto the mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink; 

23 Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

Isaiah, thereafter, penned the penalty that will come upon such: 

24 Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 

25 Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (2 Nephi 15; compare Isaiah 5).

It is good to note that the "stretched out hand" is not the hand of loving affection; it is the hand of the Lord, whose anger is NOT turned away. It is the arm stretched out wielding the sword of justice (see Helaman 13:5-14; compare Ezekiel 32:10-11). 

We may think that the highest standard that one can achieve is freedom, void of responsibility. But not everyone in the universe agrees with our thinking. In the end, there is only One in the universe whose opinion matters; and it isn't you or me. 

Does it take the sun to be darkened before we get the message that it is time to repent?

The Ark of the Covenant: Where is it found today?

For years, I have wondered when we would have the opportunity to have the Ark of the Covenant returned that we might experience its beauty and meaning in our temples today. Surely, if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted, they could build an Ark of the Covenant for each temple erected. I have often thought that the Celestial room (i.e., the Most Holy Place where it rested anciently) seemed empty without it. My thoughts, however, were recently corrected and I now see that which those who have "eyes to see" have already seen.

Three months following their exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel were assembled in the wilderness of Sinai where, from God's mountain, they were to receive His law. Accordingly, the LORD instructed Moses to "Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written . . .." (Exodus 24:12). As instructed, Moses "went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount."

And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (Exodus 24:16-18)

It is a matter of significance that, during these forty days of being tutored by Gods and angels, Moses was given detailed instructions (see Exodus 25 - 30) concerning the building of a Sanctuary wherein Israel could perform sacred rites of worship and, more importantly, that "[Jehovah] may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).

The materials with which God's dwelling place was to be constructed were to come from the consecrated and freewill offerings of Israel (see Exodus 25:2-7). Every measurement and detail of the Tabernacle was to be "after their pattern, which was shewed [Moses] in the mount" (Exodus 25:40). After every component and design of the Tabernacle was documented, Moses was also "given two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18). Exodus 32:15-16 notes that these plates were written upon both sides, and reiterates that they "were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables."

Few Christians are unaware of the events that followed. During his 40-day sabbatical on mount Sinai, Israel had corrupted themselves and constructed the first of three infamous golden calves (see Exodus 32:1-4; compare 1 Kings 12:28-29; 2 Kings 10:29). This was just one, of many instances, wherein Israel provoked the LORD to anger. And, to add injury to their insult, Israel chose to instigate their worship on one of the seven sacred feasts of the LORD (see Exodus 32:5-6; compare Leviticus 23). Therefore, in his wrath, God said "he would destroy them", and, indeed, would have carried out this design "had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath" (see Exodus 32:10-14; compare Psalms 106:23).

The historical record afterwards notes that when Moses came down the mount and "came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and [his] anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount" (Exodus 32:19). In consequence of this and other similar provocations, Moses was taken out of their midst (see D&C 84:25)  and the Tabernacle was "pitched . . . without the camp, afar off from the camp". Thereafter, "every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp" (see Exodus 33:7).

Following this event that altered Israel's relationship with God for more than a millennium, Moses was commanded of the LORD to "hew . . . two tables of stone like unto the first", whereon He would "write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which [he] brakest" (Exodus 34:1). The ceremonial and judicial injunctions that Moses personally inscribed upon the tables are recorded in Exodus 34:10-26. From JST Deuteronomy 10:2, we further learn that what was recorded on these second tables of stone was "the words that were on the first tables . . . save the words of the everlasting covenant of the holy priesthood". Thus, as confirmed in D&C 84:25-27, God not only took Moses out of the midst of the people, but he also "took . . . the Holy Priesthood also." Thereafter, the lesser priesthood continued with the whole House of Israel until John, also known as The Baptist (D&C 84:27). It is noteworthy that the record states, several times, that the first tables of stone were written by the finger of God; the second record of the Covenant, save the Ten Commandments, however, was chiseled out by the hand of Moses. From what is recorded in Deuteronomy 10:1-4, it appears that God himself made, upon these tablets, the second set of inscriptions now known as "The Ten Commandments" (see Exodus 20:2-17).

When a more permanent Tabernacle was erected, "an ark of shittim wood [overlayed] with pure gold" (see Exodus 25:10-16) was also constructed, wherein God's law was placed and preserved. The ark was, thereafter, situated in the center of the "most holy place" of God's tabernacle beneath a mercy seat and two cherubs with overshadowing wings. There, upon this footstool, the LORD said, "I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherub[s] which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel" (Exodus 25:22). Thus, the Ark of the Covenant became the symbol of the throne from where God reigned. Inside was kept that which was most precious--the covenants "as they are in [his] own bosom, to the salvation of [his] own elect" (D&C 35:20). Above all, "the shedding of the blood of Christ [was] in the COVENANT of the Father" (see Moroni 10:33) that, through his grace, was offered the gift of exaltations and eternal lives.

I now move in this conversation to today and what this means for us--

In Alma 34:36, Amulek taught that "the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell". Notwithstanding God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are corporeal beings possessing bodies as tangible as man's (D&C 130:22). Thus, Joseph Smith penned the opposite conclusion; that "the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false" (D&C 130:3). This seeming contradiction, however, creates no doctrinal dilemma in the mind of the saint, "[f]or there are three that bear record in heaven--the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost--and these three are one" (see 2 Nephi 31:21; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; and D&C 93:3); one in "the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son" (see D&C 50:27). In mortality, we reside in the realm where the third member of the Godhead's role has been placed front and center (see D&C 76:86). This Spirit being of the Eternal Triumvirate "has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit" and may dwell in us (see D&C 130:22; compare Luke 3:22). Our body is fashioned to be the "temple of the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 6:19; compare 1 Corinthians 3:16). “[T]hrough [it], the experiences of earth are made the possession of the spirit” (John A. Widtsoe, in Conference Report, April 1926, 108). It is in and through the Spirit, therefore, that the hearts of the righteous learn, by experience, to become a "habitation of God" (see Ephesians 2:22).

Unfortunately, the devil is also a personage of spirit. He, and all other evil spirits similarly condemned, may likewise "dwell in the hearts of the children of men" (see Mosiah 3:6; contrast 2 Nephi 28:20, D&C 45:55). Foretelling how this would occur in the last days, the apostle Paul penned that the time would arise when this son of perdition "who and exalteth himself above all that is called God" would "sit in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The LORD confirmed to the prophet Joseph Smith that it is in the hearts of the wicked that "the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign" (see D&C 86:3).

Notwithstanding, “[w]icked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed” (History of the Church, 4:576; compare D&C 121:4). “All beings", said Joseph Smith, "who have bodies, have power over those who have not" (Teachings, selected by Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 181) and over the righteous, Satan has no power (see 1 Nephi 22:26). In fact, the express purpose of God "in giving the spirit a tabernacle was to arm it against the power of darkness", declared Joseph Smith (taken from Minute Book of William P. McIntyre, January 8, 1840 - April 20, 1845, Church History Library, Salt Lake City). Within this context, apostle Paul invited the Corinthian saints to "come out from among [the unbelievers] . . . and touch not the unclean thing" forasmuch "as God hath said, I will dwell in [you], and walk in [you]; and I will be [your] God, and [you] shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:17, 16).

Our mortal bodies are the appointed means by which God is to dwell in us and walk in us. The apostle Paul taught that we are, individually, "the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:16; compare 1 Corinthians 3:9-17). To those who seek exaltation, this idea was not be abstractly applied; we are, he taught, His workmanship (see Ephesians 2:10) and His building (see 1 Corinthians 3:9).

Importantly, the True Pattern, after which all temples are to be fashioned, is Jesus Christ. He is the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh; as such, He is the only individual whose mortal body is genetically inherited from God. Thus, his body is, in this unique dimension, the "tabernacle from God". Further, His body is home to that spirit known, in the primeval existence, as Jehovah, or Self-Existing One. In this singular dimension, His body is the "tabernacle of God", as well. His body comes from God and is the dwelling of God. The fact that He is the "carpenter's son" (see Matthew 13:55), and that God employ's an Architect's Compass and Builder's Square to design and construct each individual temple, is of no small significance. If we are to ever mature into a perfect man, we must be "built in" and "fitly framed together in the LORD", and all our personal temple measurements must come from the Chief Cornerstone (see 1 Peter 2:6; compare Ephesians 2:20).

But mere mortals do not know the dimensions and attributes of the True Pattern and, therefore, perform poorly when it comes to building eternal houses of the LORD. Thus, David properly concluded that "[e]xcept the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Psalms 127:1). The Spirit, who knoweth all things (see Alma 7:13), has been appointed to be expert in temple masonry; He is an Artisan of temples to be built "in the stature and fulness of Jesus Christ" (see Ephesians 4:13).

This brings me to the specific reason why "the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind" (D&C 64:34, 22) and how it relates to the Ark of the Covenant today. In one of the few verses wherein he wrote something worthwhile, Solomon said: "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart (Proverbs 7:2-3). Ancient Israel, however, had "delivered unto [them] two tables of stone written with the finger of God; . . . even the tables of the covenant" (Deuteronomy 9:10-11). Thus, the time when the law would be written upon the table of the heart was reserved for a future day. Of that day, the LORD declared to Jeremiah:

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33; compare Hebrews 8:8-10).

In scripture, the word "new" means "old", or "original". Thus, to make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and Judah means "that [the covenant] which was from the beginning" (D&C 22:1), even that covenant made with our first parents, will be restored. In this, it is profoundly demonstrated that the beginning of God's work is first spiritual and secondly temporal, and that the last of God's work is again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual (see D&C 29:32). That which is temporal is but a type and shadow of that which is spiritual; that which is on earth is in likeness of things in heaven (see JST Revelation 12:1). Ancient Israel experienced the beginning of God's work under the Priesthood of Aaron; latter-day Israel shall experience the last of God's work under the Holy Priesthood.

Thus, what was written on tables of stone and preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, are now written "with the Spirit of the Living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). That which is written upon stone is corruptible; that which is written with the Spirit of the Living God is incorruptible and eternal. Moses received the law written on stone; Joseph Smith received the law to be written upon our hearts and in our minds. This writing upon the mind and heart occurs in temples where mortals, in the likeness of the TRUE PATTERN, become Saviors on Mount Zion (Obadiah 2:12).

With frequent, extended temple worship, our minds and hearts become, in likeness of the Ark that housed the law written on stone; they transform into eternal houses wherein the covenant is lived and preserved. The covenant was given "to the salvation of [God's] elect" (see D&C 35:20), those who hear God's voice and harden not their hearts (D&C 29:7). These favored of God, who treasure up continually the words of eternal life (D&C 84:85), come unto God, the Father, and he "teacheth [them] of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon [them]" (D&C 84:46-48).

WICKEDNESS BURNS AS A FIRE

During this presidential campaign, we watched misfit candidates--unworthy, and uncivilized--vie for this nation's highest office. Although each candidate had, in parasitic detail, outlined the shameful behavior of the other, it was my observation that both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton equally played the whore and “opened [their] feet to everyone that passed by" (Ezekiel 16:25). Regrettably, so long as there are those who "pass by", there will be prostitutes holding themselves out for hire.

     

What we witnessed during this presidential campaign was symptomatic of a democracy that is willing to dismiss who their candidate really is in deference to "holding to the Party Line”. Incredibly, however, no one knew what the Party Line really was! Have we become so entrenched with political platforms that we fail to notice when our candidate is a demon? Isaiah appropriately described our country as a "sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters [who] have forsaken the Lord” (Isaiah 1:4)? Continuing with his description of our ugly state of affairs, Isaiah lamented:

. . . the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:5-9)

Despite how mystifying it is that two demons have risen to such political heights, I can only conclude that we deserve it! History has repeated itself, and we have traveled the same road as IIsrael before us; we have elected into power the king we have desired--KING SOLOMON (compare 1 Samuel 8). In my estimation, SOLOMON is the prototype of the anti-Christ with whom the number Six Hundred Three Score and Six is associated. Review the following blogs to learn what little respect I have for him and why he is to be considered to be the BEAST that John, the apostle, saw:

• THE SEALED BOOK UNFOLDED TO VIEW
• HIS NUMBER IS 666
• THE FOOLISH BEAST
• THE INCARNATION OF MOLOCH
• THE MIDAS TOUCH
• THE WISE OLD BIRD

Alma, the younger, declared:

I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction (Alma 29:4). 

Good men of our once great nation formed a Constitution that established individual rights to life, liberty, and property. But John Adams explained that it “was made only for a moral and religious people” and that “it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Thus, while some may think that our Constitution stands inviolate, other must wonder how it can be when so many have been deprived of life, liberty, and property? (e.g., consider D&C 101:76-92 and D&C 135:1, 7). We are a Divided Nation that shamelessly kills millions of unborn children every year. Our's is the only nation that has killed prophets in the last days (see D&C 136:34-36). How much innocent blood cries from the ground against us! (see D&C 135:7, compare D&C 136:39).

The people of this nation have voted to legalize the recreational use of drugs; our nation has voted to redefine marriage, recognize homosexual partnerships, and has normalized premarital relations between consenting adults. Although contrary to the natural order of man, this nation has stricken the name of God and his commandments from every pylon, school, and community. We were founded on Judeo-Christian principles, but have chosen iniquity contrary to that which is good and right (see Mosiah 29:26-27). We have digged a pit, and into it we must now fall (see Psalms 57:6).

Describing how the Gentile Nations (i.e., the United States) of America fall into the pit and become a DESOLATION and CURSE in the latter days, the prophet Isaiah declared:

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left (Isaiah 24:5-6).

The curse of which Isaiah spake, and the fire that will burn and leave desolate our cities, is an unquenchable fire (see D&C 63:34) that cannot be doused with water. Hence, it must, of necessity, pertain to spiritual things that requires spiritual eyes to see. Thus, Isaiah prophesied that even though Israel would be set on fire round about and get burned, they would neither know it, nor lay it to heart (see Isaiah 43:23-25). In D&C 133:14, the "midst of wickedness" is called "spiritual Babylon." According to Isaiah, this spiritual "wickedness burneth as the fire" and "the people shall be fuel for the fire" (see Isaiah 9:18-19). It is by this firestorm of wickedness that the wicked will be destroyed (see D&C 63:33); and "even the saints shall hardly escape" (see D&C 63:34).

Though it may seem antithetical to His character, it is the LORD God who brings this unquenchable fire upon the people, just as it was He who brought "the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation" upon His ancient people. Addressing a time when God would bring this similar judgment upon His people in the latter days, the prophet Isaiah rhetorically asked: "Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers?" In reply to the question asked, Isaiah replied: "DID NOT THE LORD, he against whom we have sinned? (Isaiah 42:23-24).

   

Habakkuk posed a similar rhetorical question to the LORD while, at the same time, protesting that the wicked are allowed to prevail:

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. (Habakkuk 1:5-7)

Afterwards, Habakkuk retracted his protest and concluded that, in justice, God "hast ordained [the wicked] for judgment" and "hast established them for correction" (Habakkuk 1:12). The LORD has wielded, and will continue to brandish, His sword of fire (see Isaiah 66:15-16 and Jeremiah 25; compare Ezekiel 32:9-12) to judge and correct His people. To demonstrate such a time, the LORD declared to Jeremiah:

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field (i.e., Gentile nations) have I given him also to serve him.

And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come . . . (Jeremiah 27:5-7).

Speaking of the fire that would burn our cities, Elder Lorenzo Snow told of an instance where he overheard the Prophet, Joseph Smith, respond to the question, "Who are you?" Joseph replied: "Noah came before the flood. I have come before the fire." [1/1/1892 entry in Diary of Abraham H. Cannon, 16:30; see also Dennis B. Horne, ed., An Apostle's Record: The Journals of Abraham H. Cannon (Clearfield, Utah: Gnolaum Books, 2004), 229]. Identical to events that unfolded when Josiah was killed in the valley of Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29; compare 2 Chronicles 35:20-24), when "the people of this nation became a desolation and a curse," (see D&C 29:8-11, D&C 45:19, 21, 31, 33, D&C 84:114-115, 117, D&C 112:23-26; JS-History 1:36-41) Joseph Smith was "gathered to his fathers in peace" and spared from "seeing all the evil that God was to bring upon this place" (see 2 Kings 22:19-20). In keeping with this fore-shadowing of events, two days prior to his martyrdom, the prophet Joseph Smith had a dream. The dream, as recorded by, W. W. Phelps, is provided in its entirety below. It is very instructive relative to Josiah's life and Isaiah's prophecies concerning the desolation, curse, and fire that will come upon the people of this United States:

In June, 1844, when Joseph Smith went to Carthage and delivered himself up to Gov. Ford, I accompanied him, and while on the way thither, he related to me and his brother Hyrum the following dream:

He said: "While I was at Jordan’s in Iowa the other night, I dreamed that myself and my brother Hyrum went on board of a large steamboat, lying in a small bay, near the great ocean. Shortly after we went on board there was an “alarm of fire,” and I discovered that the boat had been anchored some distance from the shore, out in the bay, and that an escape from the fire, in the confusion, appeared hazardous; but, as delay was folly, I and Hyrum jumped overboard, and tried our faith at walking upon the water.  At first we sank in the water nearly to our knees, but as we proceeded we increased in faith, and were soon able to walk upon the water. On looking towards the burning boat in the east, we saw that it was drifting towards the wharf and the town, with a great flame and clouds of smoke; and, as if by whirlwind, the town was taking fire, too, so that the scene of destruction and horror of the frightened inhabitants was terrible. 

We proceeded on the bosom of the mighty deep and were soon out of sight of land. The ocean was still; the rays of the sun were bright, and we forgot all the troubles of our Mother Earth. Just at that moment I heard the sound of a human voice, and, turning round, saw my brother Samuel H. approaching towards us from the east. We stopped and he came up. After a moment’s conversation he informed me that he had been lonesome back, and had made up his mind to go with me across the mighty deep. 

We all started again, and in a short time were blest with the first sight of a city, whose gold and silver steeples and towers were more beautiful than any I had ever seen or heard of on earth. It stood, as it were, upon the western shore of the mighty deep we were walking on, and its order and glory seemed far beyond the wisdom of man. While we were gazing upon the perfection of the city, a small boat launched off from the port, and, almost as quick as thought, came to us. In an instant they took us on board and saluted us with a welcome, and with music such as is not on earth. The next scene, on landing, was more than I can describe: the greeting of old friends, the music from a thousand towers, and the light of God himself at the return of three of his sons, soothed my soul into a quiet and a joy that I felt as if I was truly in heaven. I gazed upon the splendor; I greeted my friends, I awoke, and lo, it was a dream! 

While I meditated upon such a marvelous scene, I fell asleep again, and behold I stood near the shore of the burning boat, and there was a great consternation among the officers, crew and passengers of the flaming craft, as there seemed to be much ammunition or powder on board. The alarm was given that the fire was near the magazine, and in a moment, suddenly, it blew up with a great noise, and sank in deep water with all on board. I then turned to the country east, among the bushy openings, and saw William and Wilson Law endeavoring to escape from the wild beasts of the forest, but two lions rushed out of a thicket and devoured them. I awoke again."

Following the martyrdom of his brothers, Joseph and Hyrum, Samuel retrieved their bullet-ridden bodies to save them from further mutilation by the mob. Five weeks later,  Samuel joined his brothers in death.

Unlike any other time in the history, a fire of spiritual wickedness has consumed this nation. It is a FIRE THAT BURNS SEVEN TIMES HOTTER THAN EVER BEFORE (see Daniel 3:19; compare Isaiah 30:25-33). But, like three Jews "upon whose bodies the fire had no power", we have been given power and the directive to "come out of the fire hating even that garment spotted with the flesh" (see D&C 36:6). It is even possible to come forth without "an hair of [our] head singed, neither [our] coats changed, nor the smell of fire [upon us]. (Daniel 3:26-27).

Salt Lake City, Utah Temple

As promised in D&C 63:33-37, the LORD came down out of heaven from the presence of His Father on April 3, 1836 (see D&C 110). On this day, He provided the saints the means whereby they could escape his judgments and come forth out of the fire. The fact that Meshach, Shadrach and Abed-nego were "bound in their COATS, their HOSEN, and their HATS, and their other GARMENTS" before they were "cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace" provides us with a correlation and the instruction needed to likewise escape the flames (see Daniel 3:21). The Hebrew for each of these four words points to the temple:

COATS = sar-bal' = (Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; a cloak: coat. 

HOSEN = pat-teesh' = (Aramaic) a gown (as if hammered out wide). 

HATS = kar-bel-aw' = (Aramaic) a mantle. From the root word kar-bale' meaning "to gird or clothe." 

GARMENTS = leb-oosh' = (Aramaic) a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication a wife: apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.

Based on the foregoing, these three Jews appear to be symbols of the latter-day CHURCH OF GOD (the woman) who adorns herself as a bride for the BRIDEGROOM. D&C 133 seems to support this fact, wherein the cry is made for the BRIDE to come out of the FIRE to meet the BRIDEGROOM:

Hearken, O ye people of my CHURCH, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord concerning you- 

The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you. 

Wherefore, prepare ye, prepare ye, O my people; sanctify yourselves; gather ye together, O ye people of my CHURCH, upon the land of Zion, all you that have not been commanded to tarry. 

Go ye out from BABYLON (the FIRE). Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.

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 (the FIRE); gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Send forth the elders of my CHURCH unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews. 

Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out (OF BABYLON, the FIRE) to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. 

Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion. 

Rexburg, Idaho Temple

And let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains of the Lord’s house. 

Go ye out from among the nations, even from BABYLON, from the MIDST of WICKEDNESS, which is SPIRITUAL BABYLON (i.e., SPIRITUAL FIRE). (D&C 133:1-14)

In a letter written on January 4, 1834 to the editor of the Kirtland paper, Joseph Smith declared that "the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of the Gentiles, [had] provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw His Holy Spirit from them, and send forth His judgments to scourge them for their wickedness". . .. Thereafter, Joseph concluded his letter with this stern warning:

And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant, have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in the state of Missouri, therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me and that to him I am accountable for every word I say wishing nothing worse to my fellow men than their eternal salvation; therefore, "Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come." Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant, and flee to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled. Remember these things; call upon the Lord while He is near, and seek Him while He may be found, is the exhortation of your unworthy servant. [Signed] JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.

The things which Joseph declared have, indeed, been fulfilled--even though, at times, their fulfillment came as a thief in the night.

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As the prophet, Joseph Smith, began his mortal ministry, he was commanded to "seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; . . . up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure" (see D&C 1:8-9). This he did on June 27, 1844; on this day the prophets "sealed up the testimony and bound up the law" (see D&C 133:72; compare D&C 135:1) and "delivered over unto darkness" the "unbelieving and rebellious" who would "not hearken unto the voice of the LORD" (D&C 133:63). Thereby, "the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, kindled the fire" (see Isaiah 30:27-33), and we have been living in the midst of it ever since.