New Format & Message

I have spent the last couple of days contemplating what I want to do with this blog. It has become a bit of a metaphor for my experience the last twenty odd years. I put out a lot of information but no one is really interested. Even people who express interest are not really interested. If they were, they would be doing what I have done.

I thought about killing the blog and wiping it clean. Instead of coaching you through the process I have concluded it would be more appealing to share a few conclusions I've drawn and leave it at that.

The previous post has me thinking about about the "jist" of the Lord's message, (at least what I have come to believe is His message.)

As Denver said, the battle really is internal. We are overwhelmed with so many challenges in life we fail to condense our objective down to its lowest common denominator. Religion can only be true if it solves the great problem of overcoming the fall of Adam. I am not talking about overcoming death through the resurrection, though that is part of it. I am not talking about salvation from sin, though that is part of it as well.

What I am talking about is overcoming spiritual death in mortality which means successful bridging the gulf between us and God while we still live in mortality. I often joke that the best kept secret in the Church is the Gospel. The Gospel is more than sending the message we live forever because Christ overcame sin, death and hell. He does all of those things, some contingent on repentance and some by default. This are wonderful gifts but too many stop there. It is great to relieved of the burden of sin, but that is really only the beginning of a long journey down the road of life. At the end, if we are diligent and faithful we, like Moroni can share the hope that we will see Christ as He is and to our great joy, we hope to be like Him. That is the great secret of the Gospel. We can live guilt free as savior's of the world if we are willing to be submissive to the will of the Father as He was submissive.

We stand at a crossroads but don't understand the true nature of the crossroad or how our choices have or have not prepared us for this time. The clock began ticking for the Gentiles when Joseph saw the Father and Son in a grove of trees. For approximately 180 years Christ has beckoned to all Gentiles to "Come unto me" and become one of His covenant people. Some have heeded the call and a few have even stood in His presence like Prophets of old. As has been the pattern before, we approach the time when the Lord will requires an accounting for the way Gentiles have responded to the invitation.

The vast majority of Gentiles have been blinded, really distracted or diverted from the truth because they knew not where to find it. The voice of the Lord through their conscience has beckoned them with limited success. "Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which is from the beginning (pre-mortal existence)is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation." (D&C 93:31-32) "And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father. And the Father teacheth him of the covenant..., And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin." (D&C 84:46-48,50-51)

For nearly two hundred years the Spirit of God has whispered sacred truths from a pre-mortal time into the hearts and minds of the Gentiles. Truth carries with it a familiar spirit and that is why converts often state they already knew it. Their spirits have never forgotten and when the truth is "plainly manifest" the Gentiles have been free to refuse or embrace it. The key to discerning whether or not someone is under the bondage of sin (control of Satan) is whether or not they come to the Father and receive His covenant. There is a track record with the latter-day Gentiles and it hasn't been particularly good.

What about those of the Gentiles who have come to the covenant? Has the Church escaped the bondage of sin because of their baptism, endowments and sealings? For the Gentiles who have become members of the Church the question has a slightly different variation. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must account for what they have done with the covenant they enter with God. Is it sufficient to account yourself "chosen" because you belong to the Church of Christ? Not really. The better question is a question of whether or not you continued to "come unto the Father." That means when you entered the Temple of God you are taught the proper way to pray and receive answers. Then you are led to veil and invited to represent yourself before the Lord at the veil to receive light and knowledge that can only be learned by mortals but not taught. After extensive testing you are invited into the presence of God.

These things were plainly manifest to all in the pre-mortal existence and here is the agency of man and the condemnation of man, they fail to continue their search for light. They are not brought back into the presence of God and overcome that death which is spiritual.

Like the children of Israel and Moses anciently, the most members of the Church in effect remain content to live the Aaronic covenant whereby they say to President Monsen as did the children of Israel to Moses, "Just go to the temple and come back twice a year at conference and we will listen to your talks and call it good." Israel's choice gave them a ticket for a 40 year march in the wilderness and eventual destruction. For many of our dispensation a similar outcome lies in store: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face. Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord. And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord. First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord." (D&C 112:23-26)

"And now what remains to be done, under circumstances like these? I will proceed to tell you what the Lord requires of all people, high and low, rich and poor, male and female, ministers and people, professors of religion and non-professors, in order that they may enjoy the Holy Spirit of God to a fullness, and escape the judgments of God, which are almost ready to burst upon the nations of the earth. Repent of all your sins, be baptized in water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom. These are the requirements of the new covenant, or first principles of the Gospel of Christ: then "Add to your faith, virtue; and virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge , temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience;godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness; charity [or love]; for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful, in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 16)

Complacency is our greatest enemy and we need to avoid becoming so wrapped up in the affairs of this world that we fail to learn one very important lesson: "That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven and the powers of heaven cannot be controlled or handled only upon the principles of righteousness." (D&C 121:36)

Spot on Quote

For several days I have felt prompted to read my patriarchal blessing, a copy of which I keep in my scriptures. When I opened my quad I found a paper I printed off of Denver Snuffer's blog. I thought it was so good I placed in my scriptures because I believe it is scripture, ie, inspired by God. It is definitely worth sharing:

The Battle

"The battle we are all called upon to fight is not external. Some people spend their time stirring people up to alarm them about carnal security. They are trying to sell something. There are fortunes being made by proponents of fear. But the audience for such things are only being distracted from a much greater, more immediate battle. Until the internal condition of the individual has been conquered and brought into alignment with heaven, there is no amount of political, social, economic or military security which will matter in the long run.

I think it more advisable to seek for and listen to the Lord, and secondarily those teachers who will convert you to the Lord; rather than any other advice or movement advocated by those promoting causes. Teachers ought to point to Him. Not to themselves. No one but the Lord is coming to rescue you; and no group will be able to overcome error apart from Him. Ultimately the battle we each face is the Lord's. We must cooperate with Him for Him to be able to win it. When He does, however, the victory is ours for we are the ones who He redeems.

The path back to the Lord's presence is an individual one. It is not likely to be accomplished while in an audience. There is no "support group" needed. It is you. What goes on inside you. What you love most. He will one day associate with a group in a city; but that group will be comprised of individuals who have previously met Him.

It surprises me how little discernment there is among those claiming to seek truth. Many of them will take in ideas from foolish, vain and proud sources with as much enthusiasm as from a true one. How is it that people cannot tell the difference between them? Does not a true message sound much different from a false one? Is merely associating some lesser virtue with a cause enough to have it distract? What is more plain than the admonishment to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?"
Denver Snuffer, Jr.

Topical study of Babylon summarized

I have learned much through the years but I find my attempts to convey the content difficult to understand. If you have questions about my conclusions send me an e-mail: scottrode@gmail.com and I will do my best to respond.

Babylon is not a geographical location in the sense most biblical scholars interpret it. Prophecies of the fall of Babylon refer to the destruction of materialism and confusion surrounding the revealed word of God.

If the love of money is the root of all evil, evil can be removed by destroying money. That is what brings the fall of Babylon. All the government guarantees and insurance will not save the system. It will not save you temporally. All of those things represent the arm of flesh and will be removed as a means of support. The sooner you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and exercise faith in him the more likely you are to find both temporal and spiritual salvation. (1 Nephi 14:7)

Topical Study of Babylon

Due to current events I have decided to share the chapter on Babylon. Normally I would wait and share it later but current events have made this more timely and so I decided to post this chapters contents to the blog immediately.]

There is more personal commentary in this chapter than in previous chapter and so I add this disclaimer that conclusions are my own and do not represent the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or anyone other than myself.

Babylon

We are about to embark on a topical study of Babylon. Prophecies of the fall of Babylon are dark and depressing. Reflecting on the nature of these events, one can not help but ponder the nature of a God who allows such acts of devastation and destruction among his children. It’s for this reason we begin the study of Babylon with an explanation of our Heavenly Father.
Prophets of the Book of Mormon provide plain and simple declarations of the nature of God and his feelings toward mankind. We can locate the following reference by focusing on the word “world” in the concordance for the Triple combination. For example Nephi says:

For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
Behold, doth he cry unto any saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith; Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.(2 Nephi26:23-28, emphasis mine)

Heavenly Father and Christ love the people of this world. God loves all mankind without respect to race, color or creed. They are begotten sons and daughters of God. (D&C 76:24) Everything He does benefits the world. Unfortunately, His children frequently reject his invitation to follow the plan of happiness and eternal joy. These blessings come to man as a consequence of obedience (D&C 130:21) as they realize the benefits of the Atonement and repent. To choose an alternate course is to follow a path contrary to the plan of happiness. We might say they follow the plan of unhappiness. This alternate path is self damning and self destructive. When course corrections are needed, like a dutiful parent the Lord chastens his children as he did the Nephites:

Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them.(Helaman 15:3, emphasis mine)

The previous reference was identified by using the key word “chastened.” I have done past studies on the words chasten or derivatives thereof prior to writing this book and was familiar with the results of this topical study. As we continue to study topically we see their relevance more clearly as they appear to magically fit in to the context of each successive study we embark on. It becomes a testimony that all truth does circumscribe into one great whole.
The Lord takes no joy in punishing his children. Often divine restraint is needed when He refrains from intervention because He knows our character grows through experience, especially adversity. (Hebrews 5:8) Too often we believe adversity is brought upon us by God’s judgments instead of consequences of our own agency or actions imposed upon us by others. Our Heavenly Father is patient; (even in our suffering) if He knows the outcome will bless our lives. In times of extreme wickedness God (out of mercy) may terminate our lives to arrest our descent deeper into hell. He foreknows us (Romans 8:29) and our eventual outcome and if He knows our descent will escalate He intercedes to arrest that descent and achieve the best possible outcome for ourselves.
The Lord’s response to our sins is proportional to the seriousness of the situation. The Doctrine & Covenants reflects a hierarchy of proportional responses the Lord uses to stir his people to repentance:

And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.
For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.
(Doctrine & Covenants 88:88-91, emphasis mine)

The Lord uses ascending levels of testimony to stir the hearts of men to return to Him. The first level is not mentioned in this passage but consists of the quiet whisperings/feelings of the conscience or Light of Christ. (D&C 84:46-53) The next level is the testimony of His servants. Each level of testimony is louder and more explicit than the previous level. As if to scream repentance and scare the proverbial “hell” out of his children, the Lord utilizes the forces of nature to bring them to the realization they have little control over their circumstances and the Lord alone holds the key to their deliverance. Becoming familiar with the concept of “strategic retreat,” I began to notice patterns like this in the scriptures that reflect this concept as it relates to God’s mercy and patience. That is what brought this reference to my recollection.
Natural calamity is described as having a “voice” that shouts to the sinner they must repent or suffer. It would be like turning up the volume on a radio until our undivided attention turns solely to the music or conversation broadcast. The Lord eventually gains our complete attention without distraction when we are ready and willing to seek salvation.
We should realize not all adversity is a consequence of sin. Adversity is tailored to our individual circumstance and the Lord allows affliction to challenge the best of his children, testing them and/or providing opportunities to build character and learn from adverse conditions. Righteous Prophets tend to experience the greatest persecution often at the peril of their lives. More often than not they suffer for the sins of others as opposed to their own sins, in Christ like fashion.
The parable of the Olive Tree in Jacob gives a depiction of how the Lord views His children when judgments upon Babylon are poured out upon earth:

And the Lord said: Yea, I will spare it a little longer, for it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of mine vineyard.(Jacob 5:51, emphasis mine)

The prospect of losing the trees, (a metaphor for God’s children), of the vineyard causes the Lord to grieve. He loves and cares about all of his children and demonstrates reluctance and restraint when confronted with the prospect of destroying the vineyard as it ripens in iniquity.
The world is coming to an end, many prophecies must be fulfilled and time is short. Because of limitations on time allotted to this earth, the Lord begins a process of “winnowing” out the wicked from the righteous. Earth must prepare for a time when the Lord unites the kingdom of God on earth with the kingdom of God in heaven. Jacob’s allegory describes the process in simplistic terms, communicating the Lord’s objective effectively:

Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.
Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.
Graft in the branches; begin at the last (the Gentiles) that they may be first, (Joseph Smith Jr. and the restoration of the Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ) and that the first may be last (Israel is the last to return to a covenant relationship with God) and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; and the last (Gentiles) and the first, (Israel) that all may be nourished once again for the last time.
Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time, for the end draweth nigh. And if it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them that they may grow.
And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root (Israel, “Root of Jesse”, D&C 113:5-6) and the top (Gentiles, “Rod”, D&C 113:3-4) may be equal in strength, (Isaiah 11:13) until the good shall overcome the bad and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; (Isaiah 11:14-15, Egypt symbolically represents Israel’s captors/persecutors) and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard.
And the branches of the natural tree
(Gathering of Israel) will I graft in again into the natural tree; (Restoration of Israel)
And the branches of the natural tree (Gathered of Israel) will I graft into the natural branches of the tree; and thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit and they shall be one.
And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out of all the land of my vineyard; (lands of Israel’s inheritance) for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard.
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few.
And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.(Jacob 5:61-71, emphasis & commentary mine)

The allegory in Jacob is one of the occasions where the Lord uses a parable to provide a “sixty thousand foot” view of how a prophecy is to be fulfilled. We are allowed to see the beginning to the end. The parable format protects those who are unprepared while enlightening those who take time and make an effort to discern the meaning of the metaphors. In this allegory the Master of the vineyard (the Lord) is content to withdraw and let the vineyard follow its natural course. Periodically the Master calls His servant to accompany him to his vineyard, consulting with the servant on appropriate courses of action relevant to each location. This last time differs from His previous visits. The Master tells the servant to call additional servants to help in actively cultivating the vineyard. Unlike previous times, the Master remains fully engaged and works the vineyard with His servants, “preparing the way” (an Aaronic Priesthood phrase applied to a preparatory mission of an Elias for a greater work. Think John the Baptist) for an abundant harvest at the end of the season. The harvest of fruit will be the establishment of Zion and restoration of Israel to righteousness.
The Master and His servants work the vineyard like it’s never been worked before. It grieves Him to lose this vineyard after all the time and effort expended to bring fruit to bear one last time. This marks the end of worldly influence as we have come to know it. It brings to end the days when men’s hearts “are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men…,” (D&C 121:35)
The process begins with pruning and grafting branches. The old, original tree, (represented by the stump and roots), receive branches of the wild trees (the Gentiles) with modest results. To correct the problem the Master and His servants prune away from the original tree the wild branches that fail to bear fruit. In essence, some Gentiles who are drawn to Christ fall short of repentance and the fruits of righteousness. As Gentile branches are pruned away they are replaced with branches from the original tree (Israel), which were grafted (scattered) earlier in the parable into wild trees throughout the vineyard (the Gentile world). As this process continues the Master is careful not to let the strength of the roots exceed the strength of the branches. A delicate balance is maintained. Equality in nourishment between the strength of the roots and branches is carefully managed.
This is far from a passive endeavor for the Master and his servants. Working together with all their might, is a formidable statement considering the power and resources the Master (Christ) has at His disposal. They loosen the soil around the base to increase absorption, prune branches to insure those that remain receive the benefit of nourishment, working dung into the soil at the base to add nutrients and promote growth. Their efforts insure a bountiful harvest. These steps are metaphors for the Lord preparing the world for more truth. He does so by disrupting the status quo. (Dig the soil) He then removes the wicked gradually, particularly those who impede the work of the Lord and His servants. (Pruning) Dunging the base of the trees provides nourishment. Truth is the food of the Spirit. Light, truth and spirit are all synonymous. (D&C 84:45) They are synonyms for the word of the Lord as well. Metaphorically the allegory tells us the Lord will disrupt the earth, prune back the wicked and nourish the remnant with more truth. More words are brought forth from the Lord. More light, more knowledge, more scripture. One way to destroy darkness is to increase light. (D&C 50:23-25, 93:28) In this context the words of Joseph Smith assume greater prophetic depth:

Thus after this chosen family had rejected Christ and His proposals, the heralds of salvation said to them, “Lo we turn unto the Gentiles”; and the Gentiles received the covenant, and were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off but the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the Saints, and have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established; and have become high-minded, and have not feared therefore, but few of them will be gathered with the chosen family. Have not the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of the Gentiles, provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw His Holy Spirit from them, and send forth His judgments to scourge them for their wickedness? This is certainly the case.
Christ said to His disciples, that these signs should follow them that believe:- “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”; and also, in connection with this, read 1st Corinthians 12 chapter. (Spiritual gifts) By the foregoing testimonies we may look at the Christian world and see the apostasy there has been from the apostolic platform; and who can look at this and not exclaim, in the language of Isaiah, “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant?”
The plain fact is this, the power of God begins to fall upon the nations, and the light of the latter-day glory begins to break forth through the dark atmosphere of sectarian wickedness, and their iniquity rolls up into view, and the nations of the Gentiles are like the waves of the sea, casting up mire and dirt, or all in commotion, and they are hastily preparing to act the part allotted them, when the Lord rebukes the nations, when He shall rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. The Lord declared to His servants, some eighteen months since, that He was then withdrawing His Spirit from the earth; and we can see that such is the fact, for not only the churches are dwindling away, but there are no conversions, or but very few: and this is not all, the governments of the earth are thrown into confusion and divisions; and Destruction, to the eye of the spiritual beholder, seems to be written by the finger of an invisible hand, in large capital upon almost every thing we behold.(TPJS, Joseph Fielding Smith, pgs. 15-16, emphasis & comment mine)

Key Phrases-"Due Time of the Lord"- Cliff Notes

The "Due time of the Lord" is the time when a servant of the Lord brings forth the words of Christ as an "ensign" for the righteous to gather to. The addition of sealed records restores knowledge of the "plain and precious" things that were removed from the Bible as well as the sealed portions of the Book of Mormon. This time is a line in the sand for the Gentiles. Those who reject the testimony of Christ found in the "other books" will be cut off from Israel and suffer for their rebellion and wickedness.

This demonstrates the power of searching out and isolating passages that use the same phrase. It confirms the message of the Moses Prophecy and adds the important information that the sealed and lost portions of scriptures play a key role in the gathering and restoration of Israel in the last days.

Key Phrases-"Due Time of the Lord" part 3

A Captain in Israel

There are other titles in scripture related to the offices of “king”, “Root of Jesse” and other titles. In the description of the “Root of Jesse” in section 113 of the Doctrine & Covenants the individual raises an “ensign” prior to gathering Israel. Readers familiar with the Book of Mormon may be reminded of Captain Moroni as a type for this Davidic servant. This conclusion may seem flawed because Moroni was not the “king” of the Nephites, (although many of his responsibilities from a military perspective are associated with those of a king). This may seem a contradiction, but is consistent with the content and pattern found in the Old Testament. When the children of Israel petitioned the Lord through Samuel for a mortal king, the Lord commanded Samuel to anoint Saul the first king of Israel. In this revelation the Lord said:

15 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
(1 Samuel 9:15-16, emphasis mine)

1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
(1 Samuel 10:1, emphasis mine)

The same title applied to David:

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.
(2 Samuel 5:2-3, emphasis mine)

From these examples we see the Lord used the title “captain” in addressing the office of king, demonstrating a link between the two titles. Both were engaged in military functions as well as the management of all things temporal.
The primary difference between Moroni and David is a pattern grounded in the nature of their respective governments. Under the Davidic reign the government was a monarchy. In Moroni’s day the government was representative, where the people had a voice in determining their leaders and government. Isaiah’s writings address a time when Israel was governed by a monarch. In the first half Hezekiah is the faithful king in Isaiah who delivers Israel and the second half features Cyrus as the king who delivers Israel from Babylonian captivity.
Hezekiah is the son of Ahaz and a direct descendant to the throne of David. He represents the “Jesse” side of the “Root of Jesse”. In contrast, the “Joseph” side is represented by Cyrus, the Gentile king who reigned over Persia. When Cyrus conquered Babylon he delivered the Jews from captivity and commanded them to return to the land of their inheritance and reconstruct the Temple:

1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
(Ezra 1:1-4, emphasis mine)

The reconstruction of the Temple at Jerusalem was overseen by Zerubbabel the governor (appointed by Cyrus) and Jeshua, the high priest. The process of rebuilding involved many of the processes spoken of when Hezekiah cleansed the Levites and restored temple worship in Israel.
The conclusion drawn is that Hezekiah, (acting as a type for the Davidic throne/Jesse) represents the pure blood line or descent by lineal “right” to the throne of Israel. He is a type for the Davidic king. Cyrus is a type for the Gentile blood of Joseph that is found in the “Root of Jesse”. The government instituted at the time of Cyrus was different than Hezekiah’s reign over Israel. Cyrus appointed officials to govern the temporal and spiritual affairs of Israel. With limited oversight the refugee’s from Babylon rebuilt Jerusalem and the Lord’s house. Consequently, Israel had a governor, but no king. In Hezekiah and Cyrus we see both forms of government represented as well as the lineages of Jesse and Joseph.
In the example of Captain Moroni, (a descendant of Joseph) Moroni presided over the military under the direction of the governor, Pahoran. This form of government is similar to the post Babylon government established by Cyrus.
This detail plays a key role in understanding the union that occurs between Ephraim and Judah after the gathering commences:

12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
(Isaiah 11:12-14, emphasis mine)

The purpose for laying this groundwork is to make the case that Moroni’s raising of the “ensign” or “title of liberty” is a type for the “Root of Jesse”. This is relevant because Moroni engages in a detailed discussion of a righteous remnant of Joseph who is prophesied to rise in a future day. Moroni speculates on the possibility of his people filling that role if they repent. His teachings concerning this remnant are relevant to the descendants of Joseph in the last days:

23 Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain.
24 Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he said—Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment.
25 Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my son, because of that part of his seed which shall be taken unto God.
26 Now behold, this was the language of Jacob.
27 And now who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed of Joseph, which shall perish as his garment, are those who have dissented from us? Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ.
28 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.
(Alma 46: 23-28, emphasis mine)

Captain Moroni refers to an ancient prophecy foretold by Joseph of Egypt regarding a remnant from his lineage. This remnant would be righteous and “preserved by the hand of God” and “taken unto himself” while the other descendants of Joseph who dissent will perish. I suggest this event is referred to by the Apostle Paul in Romans:

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
(Romans 11:25-27, emphasis mine)

The Lord’s covenant with Israel will not be realized until the “fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Although the tribe of Joseph has been in the process of gathering since the restoration under Joseph Smith began, the righteous remnant emerges when a division occurs between the righteous of Joseph and the rebellious of Joseph. The division is caused when the “fulness of the Gospel” is given to the Gentiles and only a remnant of Joseph accepts it. A more detailed explanation of this event is given in the 16th Chapter of 3 Nephi:

10 And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.
11 And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them.
12 And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel.
13 But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.
14 And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father.
15 But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel.
(3 Nephi 16:10-15, emphasis mine)

I believe this is another description of the transition that occurs when the “last become first and first become last.” The Gentiles are given the “fulness” of the Lord’s gospel. Some give heed and repent while those who reject it are destroyed by Israel as they tread over the wicked and prideful Gentiles. The Gentiles who repent form part of the remnant of Joseph, in particular the true Ephraimites identified in the Doctrine & Covenants:

34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.
36 For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out.
37 Behold, I, the Lord, have made my church in these last days like unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to judge the nations.
38 For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion.
39 And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.
40 And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead.
(D&C 64:23, emphasis mine)

True Ephraimites are not determined by patriarchal blessings or genealogy. In the last days, the children of Ephraim will dedicate their hearts to God and not rebel against sacred truth when revealed. These revelations cause some in the church to rebel and this suggests that apostles, prophets and bishoprics are not immune. Perhaps this is another way of describing the same event mentioned in section 85 when the “One Mighty and Strong” arises.
The Church will be a judge in a highly visible place, (sitting on a hill or in a high place). This will be because the judgments of God begin with His own house and spread from there to the world.

23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.
24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.
25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;
26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.
(D&C 112:23-26, emphasis mine)

The wrath of God is poured out upon the earth but the Lord’s first order of business is to address wickedness “in the midst of my house”. He begins with endowed member’s who enter higher covenants of the Melchizedek Priesthood but live the lesser, Aaronic law. They are people who covenant with the Lord to live a higher standard as they represent them selves before the Lord at the veil. They are people who take their covenants lightly and think nothing of blaspheming against the Lord by attending the Temple and participating in Temple ordinances unworthily. These individuals are the first to feel the wrath of God in a day of darkness and gross wickedness. When the light of God exposes wickedness it also manifests righteousness in stark contrast.

Righteous Remnant of Joseph

Like the “refiners fire”, out of the chaos of wickedness emerges a remnant of Joseph who is steeled against the temptations of the adversary. True sons and daughters of Ephraim will not rebel against sacred truth when revealed. They won’t shrink when the Lord requires hard things of them. They know from whence their blessings flow and increase in righteousness, even as they increase in light and truth through new revelation.
Ephraim holds the birthright for the tribes of Israel. Bearing responsibility for the temporal and spiritual welfare of Israel squarely upon their shoulders, Ephraim cleanses and prepares to administer the higher covenants of the Melchizedek Priesthood to the remnant of Israel. This process occurs concurrently with the rise of the “Root of Jesse”, who sanctifies the Levites in preparation for the blessings of the Aaronic Priesthood to those of Israel who give heed to the “ensign” (fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) raised for their gathering. This creates an alliance between Ephraim and Judah, joining the two together and bringing about the gathering of Israel and fulfilling covenant promises to Israel.
The Prophet Mormon writes of the righteous remnant of Joseph and ties their rise to the time preceding the gathering of Israel:

20 I am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, (and no one knew it save it were himself and those whom he brought out of that land) and that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls.
21 Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph.
22 And insomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word.
23 Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God.
24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.
25 And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.
26 And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen.
(3 Nephi 5:20-26, emphasis mine)

Mormon is a “pure” descendant of Lehi, a descendant of Joseph. The Book of Mormon is the record of the seed of Joseph. Mormon is prophesying of and too his people his people in Joseph. Mormon takes special note that a remnant of Joseph, (prior to the gathering of Israel and assignment of inheritance), are brought to a knowledge of the Lord, their God. When that occurs, Israel is gathered from the four quarters of the earth to receive their inheritance.
When writing of the “Moses Prophecy” I alluded to the fact that 3 Nephi 20 contained the “macro” description of the prophecy and 3 Nephi 21 contained the “micro” depiction. In addition to the macro view of this prophecy, 3 Nephi 20 includes a discussion of the Gentiles who are blessed with the Gospel, that create a link between the righteous remnant and the “cutting off” that occurs when the Moses Prophecy is fulfilled:

27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.
28 And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father.
(3 Nephi 20:27-28, emphasis mine)

After the Savior comes to Israel attempting to turn Israel from their iniquities, the gospel is taken from Israel to the Gentile nations and in this manner all nations of the earth are blessed by God’s covenant with Abraham. The Lord fulfills this promise by pouring out the Holy Ghost upon the Gentiles, making them the most powerful people on earth. With that power they scatter the rebellious of Israel. The power of the Gentiles endures only until the “fulness” of the Gospel is given to them. The outcome for the Gentiles is left uncertain with only the statement that “if” they harden their hearts against the Lord, he turns their iniquities upon their own head. This implies the wrath of God falls upon unrepentant Gentiles.
What is further implied is the possibility some Gentiles will not harden their hearts when given the “fulness” of the Gospel. The Gentiles who repent are those who fill a prophetic role assisting in gathering Israel and establishing Zion:

35 The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.
36 And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
(3 Nephi 20:35-36, emphasis mine)

The writings of Avraham Gileadi assert that Isaiah frequently used the term “arm” as a metaphor for the Davidic Servant. The arm is an appendage of the Lord. To make bare his arm, (which is tied to the Moses Prophecy in D&C 1) is to bring to light his servant in the eyes of all nations. This is not done in a corner but in the light of day, in plain sight. When the new revelations are brought to light, the salvation the world sees is not limited to knowledge of the Son, but the Father as well, denoting the power of the witness. “Then” Zion “awakes” and puts on her strength. Is it a coincidence that immediately following the question of the identity of the “Root of Jesse” in section 113 of the Doctrine & Covenants we find the following question of Elias Higby?

7 Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?

8 He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost.
(Doctrine & Covenants 113:7-8, emphasis mine)

The power to establish Zion resides in the Melchizedek Priesthood and the righteous exercise thereof. The power of this Priesthood is limitless when aligned with the will of God. A righteous remnant of Joseph would no doubt understand the principle of power associated with this Priesthood and when they do, Zion gains strength she has right to by lineage. The principle of power is explained in section 121 of the Doctrine & Covenants:

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
(Doctrine & Covenants 121:34-37, emphasis mine)

The righteous remnant of Joseph understands this principle of power and employs it in restoring Zion. This is done that Israel may have a place to gather, seal their families and redeem their dead. When Zion is established they facilitate the gathering by preaching the fulness of the Gospel to the tribes of Israel:

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people shall know my name; yea, in that day they shall know that I am he that doth speak.
40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
(3 Nephi 20:39-40, emphasis mine)

This passage has been applied to generations of prophets and preachers of the Gospel through the ages. It’s use will never be more appropriate than the day when the righteous remnant of Joseph declares to the lost tribes of Israel and inhabitants of Zion, “Thy God reigneth”.
Mormon spoke of this day in his record. His description doesn’t identify any particular group as a “remnant of Joseph” but instead provides a description of righteousness Gentiles who fill the same criteria:

8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops—
9 And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people.
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come.
11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus.
12 Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Jacob; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of God that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be hid up unto the Lord that they may come forth in his own due time.
13 And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall see fit, in his wisdom.
14 And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;
15 And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe his gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and idolatry.
16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind.
17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.
18 But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.
19 And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the land.
20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel.
21 And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.
22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.
(Mormon 5:8-24, emphasis mine)

Mormon writes of “the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel.” I believe he refers to the law of primogeniture or the law of the first born, whereby the first born son is responsible for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his brethren. Joseph who was sold into Egypt was a type for delivering the remaining tribes during the famine. The birthright belongs to Joseph and more specifically to Ephraim. They are the Gentiles who “have care for the house of Israel” and must represent the righteous remnant of Joseph with the righteous of Manasseh, the other tribe from Joseph.
These things will be made known publicly throughout the world. Their distribution extends beyond the Church. As God granted the Gentiles power to scatter and persecute Israel, God empowers Israel and enables them to return the favor, in a manner of speaking.
Mormon states: “knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops—And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles”. Mormon links the day when these writings come forward to both Israel and the Gentiles as “the due time of the Lord”, supporting the thesis the phrase is more than a figure of speech, but actually identifies when all that is hidden is brought to light. The Lord removes His support from unrepentant Gentiles and begins destroying them for rebellion against the truth.
I believe the evidence supports the idea that a righteous remnant from Joseph will “put on thy strength” and empower Zion. Cleansed by the fires of adversity and persecution, they become steeled in righteousness and empowered in their Priesthood. As powerful, humble followers of Christ they “know from whence their blessings come”. Moroni shared the Lord’s promise regarding hidden records to be fulfilled by this righteous remnant:

4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
12 And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.
13 Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief.
14 Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.
15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.
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 ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land.
18 Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name.
19 And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen.
(Ether 4:4-7, 12-19, emphasis mine)

The Lord requires a level of faith and righteousness comparable to the Brother of Jared for these records to be brought to light. The righteous remnant of Joseph becomes the most likely candidates to fill this requirement. They are people who shed clouds of darkness formed by centuries of sectarian/religious falsehoods and half truths about the nature of God and his relationship to man. They are people who gain faith through testing and experience, who learn to look for greater light from God. They spurn the arm of flesh. Their righteousness and faith qualify them to receive the greater light that’s been sealed up to come forth in the “due time of the Lord”.
I conclude this chapter with an important caveat regarding the writings of the Brother of Jared. He was endowed with an important gift that relates to his ability to write. Moroni spoke of this gift while lamenting of his own weakness in writing:

23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;
24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.
(Ether 12:23-24, emphasis mine)

When the sealed records are “revealed from the housetops”, included among them are the writings of the Brother of Jared. These records are endowed with extraordinary content that overpowers anyone who reads them. In the face of so great a witness there will be those who, in open rebellion before God, reject them. At that point the Lord’s wrath is justified and their destruction is just and imminent. In contrast, true “Ephraimites” are manifest because they will not rebel and instead emerge as a righteous remnant from Joseph.
I believe a number of descendants from Joseph will elevate their level of righteousness above current levels triggering tandem events of blessing and destruction. The records are brought to light and the Gentiles are compelled to choose between Christ and His kingdom and Satan and his kingdom, Babylon. The gathering of Israel commences when the “ensign” of new scripture is raised and the righteous remnant establishes Zion. The remnant of Joseph builds Zion and assists in shepherding Israel to their inheritance. All of these events combine to establish, “the due time of the Lord”.
What have learned from a topical study of the phrase “Due time of the Lord?” We learn that John the Revelator, as a second “Elias” bears responsibility for directing the gathering of Israel and the restoration of all things. We learn these two events relate to one another and come about in the “Due time of the Lord.” We learn that John is a ministering angel who fulfills his “Elias” mission by ministering to “heirs of salvation” who lay the ground work for the gathering Israel and establishing Zion. Associated with these events is the raising of an “ensign” which becomes a rallying point to those who receive the greater revelations and become disciples of Jesus Christ. When the “ensign” is raised by the Lord’s servant it causes a division in the Church and all mankind between those who accept the new revelation and sanctify themselves and those who refuse to flee from Babylon. From the Church to the general population of the world the knowledge of new revelation is shouted from the housetops and all doubt is regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ and His Gospel is dispelled. This is a gift to the righteous and a curse to those who are unwilling to embrace the truth.
The wicked of Babylon see her great and spacious building beginning to crumble and they exert control upon those attempting to flee. All of these events lie ahead of us and occur in the “Due time of the Lord.’

Key Phrases-"Due Time of the Lord" part 2

John, Steward of Records

In addition to being a significant contributor to the Bible, John, as a translated being and ministering angel, bears responsibility for all prophecy relating to the last days:

25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.
(1 Nephi 14:25-26, emphasis mine)

John’s ministry includes sharing events of the last days with chosen individuals who are commanded to write them. Their testimonies combined with John’s testimony restore lost knowledge removed from the original text of the Bible. The process of restoring John’s writings has begun as evidenced by revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants, sections 7 & 93. Section 93, verse 18 contains the following promise regarding the records of John:

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
(D&C 93:18, emphasis mine)

A “fulness” of the record of John, combined with the records written by those John ministered to are “sealed” (like portions of the Book of Mormon) to come forward in the “due time of the Lord.”

Due time of the Lord

Many of these phrases have specific scriptural meanings that need to be distinguished from modern interpretation. The phrase “due time of the Lord” is a great example. Nephi sets the context for interpreting this phrase near the beginning of the Book of Mormon where he states:

1And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry; wherefore, to proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my father, and also of my brethren.
2 For behold, it came to pass after my father had made an end of speaking the words of his dream, and also of exhorting them to all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews—
3 That after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again the land of their inheritance.
(1 Nephi 10:1-3, emphasis mine)

Nephi’s account defines the phrase “due time of the Lord” as the time when Israel flees Babylon and returns to the lands of Israel’s inheritance. This actually occurred anciently but has a modern application as well. The definition of “Babylon” in modern scripture is “spiritual wickedness,” a spiritual condition that knows no borders. Modern Babyloln is found in all countries and to flee modern Babylon is to repent and keep the commandments of God. The Lord’s call to all mankind, in all generations is to flee Babylon or flee spiritual wickedness. Specifically, to flee Babylon in the “due time of the Lord” is to give heed to the clarion call (“ensign” or “standard”) that goes forth for the last time. Ancient records (when brought to light) dispel the mists of darkness (1Nephi 12:17) and deception spread by half truths (Revelation 12:15-16) upon which modern Christianity now stands. The records mentioned come forward at the due time and provide the catalyst for the following events:

10 But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof.
11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.
(2 Nephi 27:10-11, emphasis mine)

20 Then shall the Lord God say unto him: The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee.
21 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work.
22 Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men.
(2 Nephi 27:20-22, emphasis mine)

Nephi was shown these events as part of the interpretation of the
dream of the Tree of Life he was shown:

38 And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.
39 And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
40 And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.
41 And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth.
42 And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
(1 Nephi 13:38-40, emphasis mine)

Nephi sees the sealed records from the Book of Mormon as well as sealed or removed words of the ancient Apostles when they are brought together as one (prophesied in Ezekiel 37:17). It’s important to emphasize such words in this reference as “convincing” the Gentiles, the remnant of the Lamanites and the house of Israel, herein referred to as “Jews”. Convincing doesn’t automatically equate to conversion. It suggests the secession of disbelief.
Another sentence of considerable force is the phrase “shall establish the truth of the first”. When the lost or hidden records of the Apostle come to light, it proves beyond question the veracity of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the testimonies of the early brethren. All nations are confronted with a choice. They must choose between Babylonian traditions steeped in spiritual wickedness or flee Babylon through repentance and coming unto Christ. The evidence from the sealed records will be overwhelming. In rebellion to revealed truth, many turn away in open defiance toward God. Those mired in spiritual wickedness don’t want to be reminded of their rebellious state or relinquish their quality of life. The greatest testimony against the wicked is the testimony of a righteous life lived by humble followers of Christ. Out of sight, out of mind is the catch phrase when the wicked plot against the righteous. Secret combinations plot the destruction of those who believe the new revelations:

12 Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
13 And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.
14 And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.
(1 Nephi 22:12-14, emphasis mine)

Nephi refers to this event on another occasion in 1 Nephi 14:7 wherein is written:

6 Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God.
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 Nephi 14:6-7, emphasis mine)

The temptation of modern Church members is to step back and analyze this prophecy from a distance and consider it solely a problem for the Gentiles. Unfortunately it will not be that simple or straightforward. When the “other books” come to light they challenge the culture in the church. Not the doctrine, the culture. It will elevate the level of obedience required of true disciples and redefine the meaning of membership in the Church of Jesus Christ. The following reference in the Doctrine & Covenants emphasizes this point:

23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.
24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.
25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;
26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.
(D&C 112:23-26, emphasis mine)

The wrath of God begins to be poured out on the earth and begins with the members of the Church who attend the Temple, professing to know the Lord but in reality, have no personal knowledge of Him. As I write this I’m reminded of the words of Ezra Taft Benson quoting Heber C. Kimball when he states:

Those of us who think “all is well in Zion” (2 Nephi 28:21) in spite of the Book of Mormon warning might ponder the words of Heber C. Kimball when he said, “Yes, we think we are secure here in the chambers of these everlasting hills…, but I want to say to you, my brethren, the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to that extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy against the people of God. Then is the time to look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall. For I say unto you there is a Test, a Test, a Test coming”. (“and who will be able to stand”, added by me from the Harold B. Lee quotation, Conference Report, October, 1965)
(Conference Report, October, 1963)

While reviewing this quote from Heber C. Kimball I was reminded of a vision given to S. M. Farnsworth received while working on the Nauvoo Temple. Brother Farnsworth immigrated to Pleasant Grove and I obtained a copy of his vision at the Special Collections Department of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University. The vision foretold of Brigham Young leading the Saints West. Brother Farnsworth was troubled by the fact Joseph Smith Jr. was not present during the migration. I refer to the vision at the point where the Saints arrive at the Salt Lake Valley:

“I saw the Saints after they had arrived at the end of their journey, and they began to prosper, and were cheerful again.
Suddenly, a dark cloud appeared in the east and was driven to the west, like a great tornado, that seemed as if it would destroy everything before
it. It halted when it came to the mountains and one of the brethren remarked “It is going to break away.” And as we looked at it, it broke up and began to scatter and go around the mountains. Then the sky began to grow dark and misty, and haze over from the four points of the compass, gathering up like the approach of a big storm, which continued until everything was enveloped in extreme darkness; and it continued to grow blacker and blacker, until it appeared to me that all our enemies were against us, the elements were against us, God and His Prophet had forsaken us, and there was no ray of hope, or light, to give us comfort, but it seemed as though we would all be utterly destroyed.
All at once, President Brigham Young, unexpectedly came into the midst of the Saints, and said, “Brethren, stand still, and see the salvation of God,” and tried to comfort and cheer the Saints, but his words had no effect upon the people. He then turned around in haste and had the Church in a body, encircled by the THREE STRONG BANDS, (I saw no women or children in this circle,) which he commenced driving with a Masonic mallet, followed by the Twelve Apostles.
Each tap of their mallets drew the hoops tighter and tighter. This was the first time that I noticed the absence of Brothers Joseph and Hyrum, and I felt much troubled and weighed down, in consequence of their absence. Brother Brigham and the Twelve continued driving the hoops, their countenances being very resolute and determined, showed no signs of mercy.
I thought to myself, the brethren could not stand it when suddenly, the hoops burst asunder and about two thirds of the men scattered and ran away. I looked up and saw an opening in the clouds about, and also the heads of four or five heavenly personages, above the clouds, looking down through this aperture upon us. I cast my eyes around and saw Brother Brigham smiling, and then knew that our troubles were over.
Those heavenly personages came down into the midst of those who remained and blessed them with all that their hearts could desire, and life was a pleasure. When the clouds burst asunder they turned with a tenfold vengeance upon the heads of our enemies, and I noticed that those of our brethren that ran away, were of that class that were complaining, rebellious and had not lived up to their privileges.
I felt in my heart, that the Lord ought not to put us to such a severe trial, when one of the angels came to me and said, “that it was actually necessary to bring the Church through as close a place as that in order to sift out those that were among you, that were unworthy of the blessings you now enjoy.” I also saw that Brother Brigham had a large table, spread with all the luxuries of life, and as starvation had seemed to stare us in the
face, I thought this trial was a good “scare-crow” as no person was hurt being only frightened enough to make them run away.
Language cannot describe how happy and contented we all were, being of one heart and one mind; we enjoyed every blessing we desired.
Soon Brother Brigham jumped up and clapped hands and cried out, “Now, boys, for Jackson County,” and we were all on the move in a short time.”
(Remarkable Visions, Farnsworth Vision, pg.16-18)

I discovered another account of the Farnsworth Vision presented by Orson Hyde. The only appreciable difference is that Farnsworth stated 2/3 of the brethren broke and ran to the other side while Elder Hyde stated ½ bolted. Elder Hyde spoke of Brother Farnsworth, saying he believed Farnsworth to be a person of good character so I felt it was appropriate to include Brother Farnsworth vision here.
I have several quotes by Joseph Smith regarding the “due time of the Lord”. They are:

“Let us take up the Book of Mormon, which a man took and hid in a field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last days or in due times;”
(TPJS., pg. 98, emphasis mine)

“I know that Zion, in the due time of the Lord, will be redeemed; but how many will be the days of her purification, tribulation and affliction, the Lord has kept hidden from my eyes.”
(TPJS., pg.34, emphasis mine)

“All things concerning Zion will come to pass in the due time of the Lord.”
(Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, pg. 306, emphasis mine)

My belief is that John the Beloved, acting in the capacity of “Elias”, (overseeing the gathering of Israel and the restoration of all things) , directs this work. John’s effort brings to light the sealed portions of the Book of Mormon with lost records from Israel’s past. The evidence will be as compelling in power as the witness received by the Jews when the Savior ministered to them in Jerusalem. Tese records will be the “ensign” or “standard” that is raised to gather Israel, leading them to claim their inheritances in Zion. The “Root of Jesse” will be the mortal counterpart who receives direction from John restores the sealed records and gathers Israel. He will over see the work of assigning inheritances in Zion as well.

Key phrases- "The "Due Time of the Lord"

Thus far there have been three different study techniques used in studying the scriptures. The first was using a scripture template, next was using key words (Gentiles), in the Book of Mormon, then The Moses Prophecy was traced throughout the Standard Works to isolate and compile references that speak to the meaning of the Moses Prophecy. The next technique is to select a key phrase and determine what the scriptures have to tell us about the meaning of and events associated with the phrase, "Due time of the Lord."

In the first chapter we used the template of “Elias, Elijah and Messiah” from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith as a template for studying prophecies in Old Testament and tracing elements of the template into modern scripture. Our next effort will involve tracing a key phrase in to see what picture emerges and how it relates to what has already been uncovered.
After many years of studying individual words I gained confidence in the process of studying the scriptures topically. I became curious about the way scriptures use words and phrases that appear extraordinary. I began to dabble in selected phrases, examining all passages that use the phrase in question. One phrase that drew my interest was the phrase “Due time of the Lord.” In the beginning I thought of this phrase from a modern perspective and assumed the scriptures were using the same context. For years I heard people say, “All in due time.” I believed when it was used in the scriptures it meant the Lord would do something according to His own time table.

In time this perspective changed. I studied every passage I could find and came to conclude the “Due time of the Lord” was similar to the way a library referred to a book that is “due”, meaning when time had run out. In other words, the following events occur in the “due time” and by those events you will identify the fulfillment of this prophetic time. Since we are placing greater emphasis on prophecy, this latter perspective would be useful if it proven to true. This chapter is the substance of the “Due Time” study.

When read in the regular context, these passages remain obscure, buried within the individual stories. By removing the passages out of original context and placing them with like passages using the same phrase a collective picture begins to form. Not every passage will be of equal importance. One must exercise discernment as the substance of similar passages is compared one to one another. Let the passages explain the events and resist the urge to jump to conclusions.
Moving forward, we follow a simple three step process: (1) the phrase is identified, (2) verses that use the phrase are selected and (3) the picture forms as each verse is analyzed. The title of this chapter, “Due time of the Lord” is the key phrase for this study.

In the template chapter John the “beloved” was identified as one who fills the role of an “Elias” who bears responsibility for gathering Israel and restoring all things. Something that emerges from the study of “Due time of the Lord” is a broader understanding of John’s title “revelator”. John is generally considered a “revelator” due to his authorship of the “Book of Revelation”. Nephi, in the first book of the Book of Mormon provides a more substantive reason for assigning the title of Revelator to John.

Nephi enquired of the Lord asking Him to reveal Lehi’s vision of the “Tree of Life” with the interpretation. He is shown a prophecy that relates to our day as well as his. At the conclusion of the vision he’s instructed not to write the last part of the dream. Nephi sees an Apostle who is one of the original Twelve in Jerusalem. The Apostle is John the “Beloved,” “Revelator.” Nephi provides a limited but important description of John:

19 And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been.
22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord unto the house of Israel.
(1 Nephi 14:19-26, emphasis mine)

It’s well documented that John’s stewardship extends beyond his mortal ministry. (D&C 7) John is a scribe like Mormon and Moroni. His original record is broader in scope than the book of Revelation. According to Nephi, John had written many things “which have been”. Those writings were part of the Bible “proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew.” In there pristine state, John’s writings are “plain and pure, and most precious and easy to understand for “all men.” In the prior chapter (1 Nephi 13) we learn the fate of these writings:

20 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.
21 And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the book?
22 And I said unto him: I know not.
23 And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.
25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles according to the truth which is in God.
26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.
28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.
29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.
(1 Nephi 13:20-29, emphasis mine)

When the Bible was originally given to the Gentiles it contained covenants the Lord made with Israel and many prophecies. Included in the original text was the “fulness of the gospel of the Lord” in its purity and was “plain and precious” suggesting they were easily understood and valuable. We do not know the full scope of writings contained in the original record, but we know from Nephi’s description it contained many things written by John, both prophecy of the last days as well as “many things that have been”. All of these teachings were written in their plainness and purity and removed by the great and abominable church. The loss of these records is the principle reason Satan has great power over the Gentiles.

The Moses Prophecy- (Cliff notes version)

The Moses Prophecy was introduced by Moses thousands of years ago but continued to be the focus of many generations of Prophets thereafter. When originally introduced, the Prophet in the Moses prophecy appears to be the Savior, Jesus Christ. Modern revelation broadens the prophecy to include the servants of Christ and eventually a specific servant of Christ who brings to light more teachings of Jesus as well as the words of ancient Prophets who taught and testified of him.

The servant of Christ sent to fulfill this prophecy restores knowledge of truth and covenants lost or hidden for thousands of years. This servant brings forth a flood of truth that begins at the east porch of the Temple in Zion (Ezekiel 47,Moses 7:62)and from there flows through out the earth to provide life and nourishment to the "trees" and "fish" (metaphors for people)and heals the waters of the Dead Sea (symbol for the flood of lies that immerse the Church of Christ. (Revelation 12:15-17)

In order to prepare for these events, Ephraim and Manasseh need to get busy fleeing Babylon and begin to cleanse themselves in preparation for Priesthood empowerment.

When Christ determines the time is right (the scriptures refer to this time as "the due time of the Lord") events following thereafter become polarizing. Those who believe join one camp while those who reject new revelations and the new covenant with God join the alternate. One camp gathers and enters sacred covenants with God. They become modern Israel; the chosen people of the Lord. The second camp gathers together and become "Gentiles" or anyone who is not under covenant with God. The Gentile camp has complete knowledge and chooses to reject the truth and the new covenant. Passion for power and wealth underlie their unwillingness to leave the embrace of the material world. (This is modern Babylon, the whore of all the world. [D&C 133:14])

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must be cleansed before the Lord allows them to administer ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood to those who gather as modern Israel. "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord," (52:11) was Isiah's admonition to all servants of God. The Church of Jesus Christ is already at war with "the dragon" (Revelation 12:17), Satan. Isaiah also pleads with Ephraim to put on the power of the Priesthood (see D&C 113:7-10, D&C 133:26-34,and JST Genesis 14:25-40).

Joseph Smith described the advent of Christ's servant leads to the time when Israel becomes a willing people. "But their [Israel's]unbelief has not rendered the promise of God of none effect; no, for there was another day limited in David, which was the day of His power; and then His people, Israel, should be a willing people;-and He would write His law in their hearts, and print it in their thoughts; their sins and their iniquities He would remember no more." TPJS, pg.15

Joseph Smith further states that the servant of Christ is the David figure spoken of. "Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage."

The Davidic figure of the last days brings forth the words of Christ and then uses new revelation as an "ensign" to gather Israel from amongst the Gentile nations (D&C 113:5-6, 2 Nephi 3:24, D&C 85:7). The Gentiles begin warring against one another, eventually leading to their own destruction by their own devices (1 Nephi 22:13-14). The army of Israel, led by the latter-day David, begin their march to Zion trampling the remnant of the Gentiles who stand in their way. "And thus cometh the end of the wicked, according to the prophecy of Moses, saying: They shall be cut off from among the people; but the end of the earth is not yet, but by and by."