Building on the Templates Part 2

The "First shall be last, and the last shall be first" Template

The Elias, Elijah, Messiah Template is a doctrinal/Priesthood template. The second template is a chronological/prophetic template that provides the structure for understanding prophecy. Volumes have been written on doctrine; less is written about or discussed about prophecy. In reality, doctrine and prophecy overlap. The outcome of prophecy is related to how people do or do not apply doctrine. To try and study the two together is perhaps too big a bite. Studying prophecy topically in the scriptures is still easy to do once you grasp a few simple concepts. God makes things easily understood if we exert a bit of effort. He is anxious to have you put Him to the test and rewards the diligent in tangible ways.

Like the Elias, Elijah, Messiah Template, the focus should be on determining how the content of what you are reading fits into the template chronologically. Do the events you are studying belong in Israel's first covenant opportunity, or the Gentile covenant opportunity that followed Israel? Do the events belong in the restoration category that began with Joseph Smith or does it fall into the final category when Israel is gathered again? Each category may seem dramatically different from the other but the reality is, each category represents what happens to each group during a specific time period when they attempt to follow the Elias, Elijah, Messiah template and failed. The only exception will be the last category when Israel will gather again and become a righteous people, establishing Zion. History repeats itself including the last category so Nephi is correct when he counsels us to "liken all scripture unto yourself."(1 Nephi 19:24, 2 Nephi 11:8) We can liken the scriptures unto ourselves when we compare how the people we read about apply the Elias, Elijah, Messiah template. The next step is to evaluate what the ancients did and see what outcome their actions brought. If we follow a similar course we should expect a similar outcome. If we don't like the outcome, we must break out of the old pattern and seek a more favorable outcome. We should reflect on how they and we can more effectively apply the Elias, Elijah, Messiah template?

A second way to understand prophecy is to realize history does repeat itself (3 Nephi 23:1-3) and there is "nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) The past foretells our future and if we desire to know the future we can do so by studying the past.

My efforts will primarily focus on understanding prophecy. What follows are different methods of topical research that let the scriptures tell you what you need to know about the future. If doctrinal questions arise as you study prophetic topics I am willing to help but that should always be a last resort. The best answers will always come from God through personal revelation. Water is always purest at the well head. Not only will it lead you to truth but it will teach you to listen and hearken to His voice.

Before I close there is one more pressing matter. Before you engage in topical study of the scriptures there is one very important thing you must do. Each session should begin with prayer. Each prayer should include a plea to God to do several things: Ask God to soften your heart so you will be open to receiving truth. (1 Nephi 2:16) Pray He will enlighten your mind (Alma 32:28, D&C 6:15, 11:12-14, 76:5-10) that your eyes may be open (Mosiah 27:22, 3 Nephi 14:7-8, 27:28-29, D&C 76:12, 19, 107:18-19, 110:1,11) that you may see and your ears open that you may hear.(2 Kings 6:17, D&C 136:32-33)

There is a spiritual veil over the scriptures that can only be removed through humility, prayer and diligence. That is why Paul said people of our day would be "ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7) Evidence of this veil is mentioned in the example of the resurrected Savior and His disciples, "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." We all need the Lord to “open our understanding.” (Luke 24:44-45)

Immediately following baptism, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had a similar experience to that of the disciples of Jesus: "Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of having received the Priesthood and our having been baptized, owing to a spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the neighborhood." (Joseph Smith- History 2:74)

Once you engage in the process of topical research in the scriptures you will find the true source of motivation the Lord builds into the process for those who love Him and seek diligently. It is found in one of the references listed above, D&C 11:13: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.” Experiencing an enlighten mind and the joy that accompanies it is like a drug addict stumbling over a dose of crack cocaine. Receiving an endowment of knowledge from God and feeling the joy that accompanies an enlighten mind feels both incredibly and liberating. You know the information is true because it was accompanied by the feeling of joy that comes with the testimony of the Holy Spirit. This is what John wrote of when he said, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27, anointing is a metaphor for receiving the Holy Spirit) This is the “rod of iron” mentioned in Lehi’s dream that leads to the “tree of Life.”

One last point on prayer is a tip we receive from the Prophet Daniel when he recorded the following words from the Lord: “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” (Daniel 10:12) What worked for Daniel will work for anyone.

If you have not taken the time to read the references do so now. Get in the habit because they will not always be explained. Each time you read a reference you expose yourself to the possibility of feeling the voice of God speak to you.

Please commit to making this a life long pursuit and I promise and testify it will change your life and your relationship with God. It will reintroduce you to the best friend anyone ever had, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you are humble, prayerful and diligent, the Lord will do for you what he did for the Disciples of Christ, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and any person who diligently seeks. I close with the words of Alma, "It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God...,". (Alma 12:9) The greatest mystery we will ever unravel is the knowledge of God for herein lies Eternal Life. (John 17:3) Is this not a worthy, lifelong pursuit?