WHAT WAS LOST IS FOUND

 

The imagery Isaiah used to describe the splendor of the gathering of the House of Israel in latter days is stunning. Picture if you will lambs whose “pastures shall be in all high places, who shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them” (1 Nephi 21:9,10). Isaiah says we shall be led from the four corners of the earth for the God of Israel who had once been rejected shall have mercy on the offspring of them who rejected Him. He expresses the proof of that mercy by saying it is more likely that a nursing woman would forget her child before He forgets His covenant children (v 15).

So great will this gathering be that the House of Israel will far exceed the children it once had. They will be brought to Zion by the Gentiles who will establish a standard for God’s people, meaning the restored Church (v 22). Yet again the imagery of children being carried in their arms and daughters carried upon their shoulders is overwhelmingly endearing and suggestive of Jehovah’s spiritually begotten children whose importance shall far exceed that of the kings and queens of the earth who will ‘bow down to Israel’s covenant children and lick up the dust of their feet’ (v 23). Such a global event this will be that ‘all flesh shall know that He is our Saviour and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob’ (v 26).

The gathering of Israel is yet in its infancy. That which is yet to come will be a global event to behold. When the main body of the Ten Lost Tribes return, who are now hidden from us, they alone will affect a migration of gigantic proportions (D&C 133:26-34). It will be of greater magnitude than the diving of the Red Sea in the days of Israel’s Exodus. The massive miracle of the Exodus will be forgotten compared to the Ten Lost Tribes’ return. In awe, we will no longer say, “The Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but the Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel out of the North” (Jeremiah 16:14-15). So great will this migration be that the ‘boundaries of the everlasting hills (North America) shall tremble at their presence. The Lost Tribes will come to be crowned with glory, even in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children of Ephraim’ (D&C 133:31,32). We will then come to Zion singing songs of everlasting joy (D&C 101:18). We will kiss them and rejoice that what was lost is found.

But even this is not all. Ín Jeremiah’s words: “Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." (Jeremiah 16:14-16). Right now we are just ‘fishing’ through the missionary work, but after the return of the Ten Lost Tribes and before the Lord comes, there will be 144,000 high priests appointed, 12,000 from each tribe who will be ordained and receive power to ‘hunt’ out the House of Israel, wherever they are scattered, to be brought to Zion (D&C 77:11,18; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 16:325; 18:25). Not one, with the ‘believing blood of Israel’ coursing through their veins will be overlooked.

The Holy One of Israel will gather His own… He is our Shepherd who will feed us in green pastures and assuage our thirst with living waters, who will lead us to rest in the shadow of His mighty wings…..our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jehovah the king of heaven and earth……‘for the mighty God shall deliver His covenant people’ (v 24a JST). 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Yongsung Kim)

ISAIAH AND THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

 

Nephi loved Isaiah and referred to him as ‘the prophet’. He quoted him extensively to his people, for one reason, that they may have hope (1 Nephi 19:24). Since Isaiah’s main theme is his testimony of Jesus Christ, who is our hope in this life and in the realms of eternity, it was Nephi’s aim to point his people, and us, in that direction.  

Even though Isaiah wrote in a poetic form using extensive symbolism and spoke of prophecies that were dualistic in nature making it a challenge to understand, it is impossible not to feel the strength of his testimony of the God he called the Holy One of Israel, which permeates his entire book. Consider verses such as these: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2); O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou has done wonderful things…….. thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat……(Isaiah 25:1,4); As for our redeemer, the Lord of Hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 47:4).

Nephi mentioned three reasons why Isaiah’s writings are hard to understand but he also gave us the pathway to understanding when he said that the words of Isaiah are plain ‘unto those who are filled with the spirit of prophecy (2 Nephi 25:1-5). It is true that knowing the historical background and the manner of prophesying amongst the Jews is most helpful in this endeavour but the depth of our understanding of Isaiah comes from the depth of our testimony ’for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Revelation 19:10).

I wept and understood the Saviour’s mercy to the House of Israel when I read His quote of Isaiah’s poetic prose during His visit to the Americas: “For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee….with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee….for the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee” (3 Nephi 22:7-10). Is this not the hope that Nephi intended for us of latter days to have? I wonder if he wept too in the realms of heaven when the Saviour quoted ‘the prophet’  to his people, the broken branch….the remnant of the House of Israel.

 

We are Israel, Thy chosen seed

Who in times past disregarded Thee

But now Thine angels rejoice over us

And Thou art as promised dew unto us.

In Thine mercy Thou has sought to gather us

In Thine heart Thou hast chosen to cherish us;

In Thee is deliverance from our barren years

In Thee is mercy for our penitent tears.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Artist Unknown)

A PRIVILEGED PEOPLE

 

 

I noticed this year as I have begun to study the Book of Mormon, how important it was to Nephi to teach his people that they are still a part of the House of Israel, even though they had been removed geographically from the main body of it at Jerusalem. He points out how his father compared the House of Israel to an olive tree, ‘whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth’ (1 Nephi 10:12). And so Nephi referred often to his group of people as a ‘broken branch’ in an effort that they would never forget who they are (1 Nephi 15:12; 19:24).

This reminds me of a similar instance that goes way back to the children of Israel who arrived from Egypt to inhabit the land of Canaan. Because the inhabitants of Canaan were ripe in iniquity and idol worship (1 Nephi 17:32-35) they presented a very real threat to the covenant people. As the Israelites conquered cities before them, lands were appropriated to them for their settlement. Among the first to receive land were the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Mannesah. They settled in the land of Gilead which divided them from the rest of Israel by the river Jordan (Numbers 34:14,15; Deuteronomy 3:12,13; Joshua 22:9). After they had assisted in further conquest of the land, Joshua sent them back to Gilead to live peacefully in their newly appointed inheritance. Upon their return home, these tribes built an altar by river Jordan. When the rest of Israel heard of it they were outraged presuming the altar was built for idol worship. They sent Phineas, the son of Eleazor the priest, with the heads of the remaining tribes, to call these two and a half tribes to repentance. In their defense, these tribes explained that the altar was not made for any worship but was meant to stand as a witness to the rest of Israel, for generations to come, that the tribe of Reuben, Gad and Mannesah were united with the rest of Israel in the worship of one true and living God. These three tribes recognised that even though they were geographically divided from the rest, they were still and always will be of the House of Israel.

Why was it important for the people of Nephi to remember that they were ‘the broken off branch’? The answer lies in Lehi’s explanation that the branches ‘should’ be broken off, rather than ‘would’ be. It was imperative for Lehi’s family to know and pass onto their children that they were led away from the iniquity of Jerusalem, to the promised land, to become a ‘righteous branch’ upon whose shoulders rested the latter-day destiny of the House of Israel (2 Nephi 3:5).

Another reason for the branches to be broken off and the House of Israel to be scattered is to bring the truth to the nations of the earth and to spread righteousness among the unbelieving. Today the Church of Jesus Christ spreads across the globe adopting the Gentiles into the fold. We are God’s covenant people called the House of Israel. We are not only privileged but also important. The Plan of Salvation does not rest on one set of shoulders only. The Saviour has begun His work. He has atoned and established His Church. Until He returns to govern through the Millenium, we, as the House of Israel, have the responsibility of bringing the truth to the world to prepare for such a time. Ephraim in particular has been assigned this work. We are not just member of His Church, we are the House of Israel, God’s chosen people. Let’s never forget who we are…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: All The World Is Mine by Greg Collins)

THE DUST OF THE EARTH

 

“Now Mormon did not mean to say that the Lord has greater concern for and loves the dust of the earth more than He does His children (Helaman 12:7-8; Mosiah 2:25). He did not mean to say that we, the children of the Lord, in His sight are considered less than the dust of the earth. The point he is making is that the dust of the earth is obedient. It moveth hither and thither at the command of the Lord. All things are in harmony with His laws. Everything in the universe obeys the law given unto it, so far as I know, except man. Everywhere you look you find law and order, the elements obeying the law given to them, true to their calling. But man rebels, and in this thing man is less than the dust of the earth because he rejects the counsels of the Lord….” (Joseph Fielding Smith, in CR April 1929, p 55)

How true this statement is! We seek our own wisdom at every turn and stumble in darkness half the time failing to seek counsel from God to fulfil our mortal callings. There would be less chaos in the world if we, like the dust of the earth obeyed the God given laws and ceased our ego driven pursuit to live ‘our own truth’. This has become the mantra of the free world. Everyone has their own truth they want to live by so they can deny God’s truth.

I reflected upon Nephi this week and how compliant he was, like the dust of the earth. The only reason Nephi became a great man is because He allowed God to turn him into one. Have you noticed how he went to God for instruction and guidance and knowledge, at every turn? He did not say to himself, ‘let me just sit here and figure out what my father’s dream meant. I know I can do it, I’m a smart man’, he turned to God instead (1 Nephi 11:1-3). When obtaining the plates, he didn’t rely on his own bravado, he trusted God to have a plan (1 Nephi 4:1,6). When commanded to build a ship, his first response was, ‘where will I find ore to make the tools to construct the ship?’ (1 Nephi 17:9). He asked God who was issuing the commands.

Nephi’s greatest asset was his faith, not ‘his truth’. That’s where his greatness lay. He knew God had a purpose for him and he knew he needed God to fulfil it (1 Nephi 17:3). His obedience to every command he was given set him in harmony with God and in alignment with His plan. We cannot become great without the greatness of God. Better be the dust of the earth in His hand than wallow in the mire of this world.

I would rather be a vessel in Your hand

Than a crowned king on gilded throne;

I would rather be a bird in flight

Without a shelter to keep me warm;

I would rather cross the oceans

And go where you would want me to go

Than sit contented never knowing

the trail that leads me home.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Footprints of Faith by Ivan Guaderrama)

A STEP UP

 

“On my way to visit the Jameses the other evening, I saw a wheat field that appeared to be greener and taller than the others. Thinking about it for a while, I concluded that occasionally some loving farmer drives over the field with his tractor and dumps manure all over it. I thought, ‘My it’s just like life. Here we are minding our own business, growing our little hearts out. We’re really quite green, somewhat productive and very sincere. When out of the blue, life deals us a dirty one, and we’re up to our eyebrows in manure. We, of course, conclude that life as we have known it has been ended and will never be the same again. But one day, when the smell and the shock are gone, we find ourselves greener and more productive than we have been! Unfortunately, no matter how often we go through these growing experiences, we are never able to appreciate the sound of the tractor or the smell of the manure.”  (Harold W. Wood)

“May I share some suggestions with you who face the testing that a wise Heavenly Father determines is needed even when you are living a worthy, righteous life and are obedient to His commandments. Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11-12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching and that generally entails discomfort and pain”.  (Elder Richard G. Scott, in CR Oct 1995 or Ensign Nov 1995, 16-17).

You warned me there would be mountains to climb

But promised there would be resting spots along the way;

You warned me of the subtle pitfalls

And how deep and wide the waters I would wade.

But you promised me Your hand in mine

Every minute of the day

And that You would meet me at the finish line

When I had conquered all there was to pay.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Carrying Us Home by Dan Wilson)

FATHERS' SONS

 

There is a strong depiction of father-son relationships in the Book of Mormon. This is obvious because the records were kept by men and handed down to their sons. What else can be seen, however, is the spiritual legacy passed on from father to son.

Consider for a moment just these few sons who had been righteously influenced by their fathers: Nephi, who believed all the words of his father Lehi (1 Nephi 2:16) and became crucial to preserving the tribe of Joseph in Americas; Enos who allowed the words of his father Jacob to sink deep into his heart (Enos 1:3) and because of which he was led to such mighty prayer that God could not be restrained from covenanting with him regarding the preservation of the records and the imminent salvation of the Lamanites (Enos 1:16);  Alma the Younger remembering his father’s prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ when he was racked with torment for his sins (Alma 36:17); and his concern for his son Corinaton which prompted an entire discourse on God's justice, mercy and resurrection spanning three chapters of his book (Alma 40,1,2); Moroni who accepted the incredible responsibility to safeguard the records and who gave us the discourse on faith, hope and charity as taught by his father Mormon (Moroni 7:1).

What is also felt throughout the Book of Mormon is the inter-generational influence evidenced by many repeated references to the 'fathers', rather than 'ancestors'. Helaman the second gave his two sons the names of Nephi and Lehi so that they would always remember them and carry on their good works (Helaman 5:6,7). And indeed they did, keeping the commandments and teaching the word of God among all the people of Nephi (Helaman 5:14). What do we learn from these family associations? That the testimony of righteous fathers can be a guiding beacon for generations to come.

There is one relationship that stands out the most in the Book of Mormon but this time it is the son-father relationship. Nobody has been a greater son to his father than Jesus, who fulfilled the will of the Father in all things (3 Nephi 1:14); the son who 'does always those things that please him" (John 8:29) and was consequently called by the Father "Well Beloved" (Helaman 5:47). During His visit to the Americas, according to my calculations, Jesus made 148 references to the Father. He came not only to affirm his divine Sonship but to teach the people to worship the Father. It is the Saviour's love for the Father, more than His love for us, that motivated Him to become the author of our salvation, defending and preserving the Father’s glory forever (Moses 4:2). During His ministry Jesus stated often that He and the Father are one (3 Nephi 11:27, John 14:10-11). He is the perfect son because of a perfect father.

I hope you fathers recognise the crucial role you play. Without your protection, guidance and principled teaching, the future generations cannot make things better. Without you fulfilling your God given role, societies can crumble and families can be lost forever. May you be the fathers that your sons and daughters are proud to recognise as their own for is there a more touching declaration in the Book of Mormon than this: "I am Helaman, the son of Alma" (Alma 58:41)......except, there is this one: "I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (3 Nephi 9:15).

- CATHRYNE ALLEN  

(Art: Father Thy Will Be Done by B Laura Wilson) 

GODLY POWER

 

I am always enthralled by Nephi’s vision of us, the saints of the last days (1 Nephi 14:12-17). Compared with the rest of the world, Nephi says our numbers were few and we were scattered upon the face of the earth. Worse than being few in number is this: ‘the great and abominable church’ of the devil consisted of multitudes, and they gathered together to fight against the saints of the Lamb of God. Here is why this is scary: ‘the great and abominable church of the devil’ encompasses all organisations of whatever name or nature – whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious, which are designed to lead people away from God’ – Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 137-138))? Can you see ‘the multitudes’??? But there is good news.

Nephi tells us that the power of the Lamb of God descended upon us and we were armed with ‘righteousness and with the power of God in great glory’ (v 14). We all know that righteousness begins and ends with our obedience, but the spiritual and godly power comes from only one source, the Lamb of God, the God of glory, the God of our salvation. This power is bestowed on the righteous in abundance in one special place. In Kirtland in June 1833, Joseph Smith was given a revelation and divine direction to build the very first temple of the latter-days in which house the Lord indicated He intended to ‘endow those whom He had chosen with power from on high’ (D&C 95:8). When Joseph dedicated the Kirtland Temple in March of 1836, the dedicatory prayer given by revelation, included very clearly a petition for the saints ‘to go forth from this house armed with Thy power’ (D&C 109:22). Temple patrons of today receive this power at the veil of every endowment session. Cast your minds on the words and you will agree.

When all hell combines against us, we will see the reason behind the push for us to be a temple loving people. When the adversary sends out his ‘mighty winds, and his shafts in the whirlwind’ (Helaman 5:12) to derail us from the truth we have known, in every way he possibly can, we will want that godly power, more impenetrable than the coat of armour, to shield our faith, to preserve our families, to secure our salvation. We will want to run to the hills upon which the houses of God stand firm and unshakeable. We will want to be as strong as an oak tree to survive the strongest winds of hate, corruption, and evil. We will want to be a powerful army, the invincible souls, the spiritual giants, the covenant people of God….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Brigham City Temple by Brent Borup)