Topical Study of the "Gentiles" Part 11

Ether 4:4-19 Moroni wrote on the Book of Mormon tablets the “very things which the brother of Jared saw” and the revelations given to the Brother of Jared were greater than anything ever manifest to man, (at least to that time). (vs.4) The Lord commanded Moroni to “seal them up”. Stored with the record is the “interpreter” (Urim & Thummim), according to the Lord’s command. (vs.5) The Lord instructed Moroni the sealed portion of the record will not go to the Gentiles until the day they repent and come clean before the Lord. (vs.6) “In that day” that the Gentiles exercise faith in Christ, even as the brother of Jared and become sanctified in Christ, then the Lord will manifest to the Gentiles the things the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding “all my revelations.” (vs.7) Those who contend against the revelations of God and deny them will be “accursed” and will not be shown the greater things. This makes for a divisive factor in the last days. (vs.8) The Lord lists the judgments befalling the accursed including their destruction by fire. (vs.9) Those who will not believe the Lord’s words will also disbelieve the Lord’s disciples. The Lord then issue a challenge to all men to judge whether or not these are His words with a warning that in the last day they will know the divine origin of these words. (vs.10) Those who believe the words the Lord has spoken, the Lord promises to visit with a manifestation of His Spirit so they can “know” and “bear witness”. By the testimony of the Spirit of God all men know the Lord’s words are true for they persuade men to do good. All things that persuade men to do good are from God. (vs.11) All things that persuade men to do good are from God. Good only comes from God. The Lord “leads men to all good.” Those who will not believe the Lord’s words will not believe that He exists. If they don’t believe in the Son, they will not believe in the reality of the Father, who sent the Son. The Savior is in the express image of the Father (Hebrews 1:2-3) and “the Father” of our spirituality. (Mosiah 5:7) He is the light, life, and truth of the world. (vs.12) The Savior beckons the Gentiles to “come unto me” with the promise that if they do the Lord will show them “greater things”, including the knowledge that is hid up because of unbelief. (vs.13) The Lord also beckons the children of Israel to “Come unto me” so the Lord can manifest to them “the great things the Father hath laid up for you from the foundation of the world.” Israel has not yet received them because of unbelief. (vs.14) When Israel “rends that veil of unbelief” (really great descriptive language with Temple implications) which causes Israel to remain in an “awful state of wickedness”, “hardness of heart” and “blindness of mind” then will the “great and marvelous things” hidden from the foundation of the world will be manifest when they call upon the Father in the name of Christ with a broken heart and contrite spirit, then Israel will know of the hidden things and remember the covenants made with their fathers. (vs.15) At that time the revelations written by John the Beloved will be fulfilled in the eyes of all the people. When you see “these things” you will know the time is at hand when they will be manifest in “word and deed”. (vs.16) When Israel receives the Book of Mormon they will know the work of the Father has commenced “upon all the face of the land.” (vs.17) The Lord beckons all the ends of the earth to repent, come to Christ, believe in the Lord’s Gospel and be baptized in the name of Christ. Those who are baptized in the name of Christ will be saved and signs will follow them. Those who disbelieve will be damned. (vs.18) “Blessed” is he that is found faithful to the name of Christ for they will be “lifted up” to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. (vs.19)

Ether 8:13-26 The first mention of the Gentiles in this passage is verse 23 but I begin with mentioning verses 13-22 because these verses give context to what Moroni has to say to the Gentiles. The first verses provide insight into the how’s, why’s and history of the use and purpose of secret combinations, something Moroni warned the Gentiles would be challenged with. Combinations caused the destruction of the Jaredites and Nephites. Moroni warns that any nation supporting secret combinations to get power and gain, (when they spread over the nation) will be destroyed. The Lord will not suffer the blood of his saints to be shed by secret combinations without consequence. In the Lord’s wrath he seeks vengeance against those who persecute His saints. (vs.22) It is wisdom in God that these things should be shown to the Gentiles so they can repent and not allow these secret combinations to “get above us”. The combinations are built up for the purpose of exercising power over men and gain. When secret combinations are sufficiently accepted among the general population and allowed to prosper, the work of destruction begins upon the Gentiles. The sword of justice of the Eternal God falls on the Gentiles if they allow these combinations to be established over them. (vs.23) The Lord issues a command that when the Gentiles see these things begin to be manifest among them they must “awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you;” Wo, (a condition of deep suffering) is pronounced by the Lord upon those who have shed the bled of His people and who “built it up” in the beginning. (vs.24) Those who build secret combinations “seeketh to over throw the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people; for it is built up by the devil.” (vs.25) Moroni has been commanded by the Lord to write these things that evil may be done away with. Also, that the time may come when Satan may have no power over the hearts of the children of men and they may be persuaded to do good continually and that they may “come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.” (vs.26)

Ether 12:22-29 Men have always sought and obtained promised blessings from the Lord. Divine promises were obtained by faith, faith in the reality there is a God and faith that He loves His children and desires to bless them. The Gentiles were to act as a conduit for passing ancient Book of Mormon writings on to the descendants of Nephi and the children of Israel so they could be aware of and seek the blessings promised to their ancient fathers. (vs.22) Moroni was keenly aware how the Gentiles would respond when they received the Nephite and Jaredite records. They would mock these things because of a perceived weakness in writing. The ancient author’s of the Nephite record were “mighty in faith” but not “mighty in writing” by Moroni’s own admission. They could speak powerfully due to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost which the Lord granted them. (vs.23) The Book of Mormon Prophets were limited in their writing skills because of the “awkwardness of our hands.” Moroni compares their writing to the brother of Jared who was “mighty in writing” unto the overpowering anyone who read what the brother of Jared wrote. (vs.24) The Lord made the words of the Nephite Prophets so great that they could not write them. This pertains to the revelations they were given but forbidden to share. These are things that can only be learned personally but not taught from one mortal to another. When the Book of Mormon Prophets write them they “stumble” because they are not given a spiritual gift to write plainly, at least not plainly enough to satisfy the ancient brethren. Moroni laments to the Lord the Gentiles will mock their words. (vs.25) Only fools mock the weaknesses of others and their mockery will lead to mourning and regret. The grace of Christ is “sufficient” for those who are meek before God, (I believe this refers to the Lord’s servants who write these records and find comfort for their weakness in the Lord’s assurance His grace will be more than adequate compensation for their weakness.) The Lord assures Moroni the Gentiles will “take no advantage of your weakness.” (vs.26) Then comes a lesson for all men who seek to come unto Christ: All men who come to Christ will be shown their weakness. All men mean Jews, Gentiles and all who are associated with the tribes of Israel. They are shown their weakness to inspire them to humility and feel a sense of reliance on God. In exchange for humility the Lord grants the blessing or endowment of grace if they exercise faith in Christ. When the faith of men is manifest before God, the Lord, (in His great mercy) turns their weaknesses into strengths. (vs.27) The Lord will “show unto the Gentiles their weakness and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me-the fountain of all righteousness.”(vs.28) Moroni is comforted by the Lord’s assuring words and testifies he knows the Lord works according to the faith men and women place in God. (vs.29)

Ether 12:35-41 Moroni knows that if the Gentiles will not have charity toward these sacred writings and those who wrote them in weakness, the Lord will “prove them” or test them. If the Gentiles are not charitable their “talent” will be taken from the Gentiles and given to those who have received more abundantly, presumably Israel. (vs.35) When the Lord revealed this to Moroni, Moroni prayed that the Lord would pour out the Lord’s grace upon the Gentiles so they would feel charitable towards Moroni’s people and their words. (vs.36) The Lord informed Moroni whether the Gentiles had charity towards the Nephite writings or not, Moroni was faithful and would not be penalized if the Gentiles are not charitable. Moroni was humble before the Lord and would is made strong in spite of his weakness. He is granted a mansion in the house of the Father. (vs.37) Moroni, (thinking his work was near completion) bids farewell to the Gentiles and to his brethren whom he loves. Moroni promises to meet them at the judgment bar of God where they know he was faithful and his garments are clean from the blood and sins of these people. (vs.38) The Nephites will know Moroni has seen Jesus and spoken with Him “face to face” and taught Moroni “in plain humility” in his own language concerning these things. (vs.39) Only a few of things the Lord taught Moroni were written because of Moroni’s weakness in writing. (vs.40) Moroni closes the chapter by admonishing all who read this record to “seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written that the grace of God the Father and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in your forever. (vs.41)

This concludes all the passages regarding the latter-day Gentiles in the Book of Mormon.