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.