The Lord's strange work; the return of John, the Revelator; a voice of warning; the approaching end

Preface

By way of introduction to the reader, that he may more fully grasp the contents of this little volume and appreciate the underlying principle that has prompted its presentation, as the author, I wish to make the following remarks:

From childhood days my most pleasant moments have been spent in contemplation of the interpretation of the Holy Records and future destiny of man, and although raised in the Christian Church, I did not hesitate to accept the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ as brought forth thru the Prophet Joseph Smith.

After ten years of searching out the glorious principles revealed thru this prophet, and the associated pleasure of teaching and laboring in the Church, I became interested in the redemption of Zion and Final Gathering of Israel.

It was in the year 1914, while laboring in Long Beach, California, in the capacity of Theological Teacher that I met my first opposition in presenting the closing scenes pertaining to the final gathering of our people when Zion of Missouri is redeemed.

This opposition unfortunately came from the leading Brethren of the Church.

Being a lover 'of harmony and peace within the Church, I made, in due time, the offer to confine my thoughts along these lines to book form. The booklet "The Return of John the Revelator — the Elias and Forerunner of Jesus Christ's Second Coming to Restore All Things and Gather Israel" was the result.

On account of its publication becoming exhausted and the increasing activity of thought along these lines among the Brethren and Saints, and being unable to answer separately their correspondence and the many inquiries from members of the Church, the present volume has been prepared to take its place, and is dedicated to those who love to contemplate the great future plans and closing events of this dispensation.

A good portion of these great subjects has been treated and many beautiful quotations given, for in them lies the only answer to the controversy. The Writer fully appreciates that this little volume will be received by some as a blessing, while others will contest it. Therefore, he has verified each statement from many angles, for he realizes the responsibility connected with portraying the works and plans of God, and additional references are cited for the benefit of those who disagree, in an endeavor to convince them.

To those who question the doctrine as presented, the author has but one request to make, namely, that they check it against the law and testimony as found in our Holy Writ.

Many unpleasant things have been referred to, not from choice but because of inward fear of judgment if the writer failed to raise his voice in warning of the things that God has made plain unto him.

Those who find truth and comfort in the following pages and seek to place a copy within the reach of others, will no doubt enjoy the blessings as promised by the Lord, who said:

"Blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost, and if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting Kingdom of the Lamb." (I Nephi 14:37.)

The disposition of the writer to drive his thoughts home straight from the shoulder, without asking permission or forgiveness, when he knows that he is right, may cause some who are not acquainted with him to draw the wrong conclusion; hence, it may be well to state that his sole purpose in this book is to teach the Gospel and warn the law-breaker without the thought of fear. Those (if there be any) who undertake to or make it appear otherwise, state that which is not true.

In presenting the future missions of the various apostles and prophets who are coming to bring judgment against the wicked and gather the righteous of Israel and Gentiles, Chapter I has been written to lead the reader's mind up to the question as to the whys and wherefores of their mission.

The book, as a whole, is intended to assist in opening the eyes of all branches of Israel in seeing the mighty approaching judgments and plans of God.

The writer appreciates that many will not concur or have any faith in the fulfillment of the great events referred to, but as time rolls by and these prophets take up their respective missions among men, if the previous reading of these events, as presented in this book, assists the reader to contemplate and appreciate that these prophets are fulfilling the works of God, then the purpose of the book and the efforts put forth in compiling it will have accomplished their purpose.

THE AUTHOR.

Quotations taken from the Bible, the Book of Mormon; the Doctrine and Covenants (Revelations given thru the Prophet Joseph Smith) ; " Joseph Smith's Teachings," also as quoted in "Compendium;" Pearl of Great Price (Writings of Abraham as found in Egypt) ; and from history.

Chapter I. The Status Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has thruout the past ages proved itself to be man's only salvation. Though many have ignored it and have temporarily enjoyed worldly pleasures at the cost of breaking divine laws, yet they pass away, as the flower of the field, and soon find themselves in the valley of death and at the judgment bar of God; hence, it is only those who have lived and obeyed the law of the great lawgiver who are able to declare this life a success, and who are ready, when it is completed, to enter a higher degree of glory.

It sufficient to read the Holy Records but once to conclude that God is just and patient, and that He has striven, in many ways, thruout the ages, to develop and sanctify the minds of men.

Thru the fall of Adam, men became spiritually dead — that is, they were cut off from the presence of God, (Hela. 14:14-19); but this condition was essential if children were to be born and made subject to temptation and trials in order that, in the end, they might better enjoy and appreciate greater things, (P. of G. P. Moses 5:6-12); hence, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." II Nephi 2:21-27. (Mor. 9:12-14.)

A way of deliverance from the fall and re-entrance into the presence of God was likewise planned and foreordained by a council in heaven before the earth was formed for man. (I Peter 1:18-21.) This deliverance was to be the atonement of Christ on Calvary, connected with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to the principles of repentance and baptism by immersion, with the laying on of hands by those who hold divine Priesthood authority for the receiving of the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 5:12-19, John 3:5, I Peter 3:18- 21, Mos. 3:8-19, II Nephi 2:3-10.) Thru obedience to these ordinances of the Gospel men are spiritually begotten, and they become sons and daughters of God and heirs of eternal life.

These grand and holy blessings have been offered to all races, but we are told that if the individual wilfully ignores or betrays his redemption, he will be cut off again at the bar of judgment and will suffer the second spiritual death, being cast out forever from the presence of God with no promise of redemption. (D. C. 29 :34-50, Heb. 6:4-6, 10:26-27.) The Lord's verdict to him, in that day, will be "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Mat. 25:41-46.

The tribes of Israel, thruout the past ages, have been considered the lawful heirs of salvation and the recipients of special favor from the Almighty. The reason for this lies in their faith and works being above those of the Gentiles. But the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, (III Nephi 15:1-8), and the setting up of the Gospel and law of Christ have unquestionably placed the human family on a par, for we read:

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. 3:14, 26-29. "And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him, and have become his sons and his daughters." Mos. 5 :7-10. (27 :24-26.)

The adoption of all races into the one common family of Israel is a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is designed to unite all men. From the teachings of Joseph Smith we learn that when an Israelite receives the Holy Ghost he receives pure intelligence from heaven, his mind and understanding are broadened; but when a pure Gentile receives the Holy Ghost, which comes thru the laying on of hands of the Melchisedek Priesthood and which follows faith, repentance and baptism, it purges out the old blood and makes him actually of the seed of Abraham; that man who has none of the natural blood of Abraham must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. (C. H. Vol. 3: p. 380, J. S. T., pages 21-22. D. C. 84:31-34.)

Paul informs us that the natural blood of Israel alone will not save the individual. He says:

"Not as though the word of God has taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Rom. 9:6-8. (D. C. 103:15-18.)

From these scriptures it is readily seen that God has placed the believing Gentiles on the same level as that of the believing Jews, and -that both branches of the human family become equally of Israel at the time they accept and obey the ordinances of the Gospel of Christ, and not before. (II Nephi 30:2.) The term "Israel," in its original sense, means a soldier of God or a prince of God, this being the name the Lord gave unto Jacob after Jacob has wrestled with Him and would not let Him go until he had been granted a blessing. (Gen. 32 :24-30. 35:1.)

It appears to many that in ages past God has been partial to the tribes of Israel for the reason that He gave them a promised land; but the greater portion of the world has yet to learn that He has offered the Gentiles an equal gift. According to the Book of Mormon, America has been dedicated by the Lord to the believing members of the Gentiles. (II Nephi 10:9-19.) This gift, however, is not to be enjoyed by the Gentiles alone, but to be equally enjoyed with the House of Joseph, thru Ephraim; we quote:

"Hearken, 0 ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, . . . saying, Turn, all ye Gentiles from your wicked ways, and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people, who are of the house of Israel." Ill Nephi 30:1-2. "If they" (the Gentiles) "will repent, and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant, and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance." Ill Nephi 21 :22. (Ill Nephi 21 :l-6. D. C. 52 :2, Foot Notes a and b.)

In ages past God saw fit to labor among the tribes of Israel for the reason that He found faith among them; but by the time the fullness of the Gospel was sent unto them, they had become corrupt and they rejected it; hence He called Paul and ordained him to be a special apostle unto the Gentiles, (see pages 102-5 herein), and with the assistance of the Twelve he carried the Gospel to the Gentiles. (Rom. 11:1-26. Ill Nephi 16:7. Acts 13:42-52. 11:1-18.)

These blessings were enjoyed by the latter people for a short time only. Authentic history informs us that the original church organization and ordinances were completely changed within the first five centuries; that corruption found its way in among the Priesthood as well as the laymen, and by the tenth century wickedness and the forming of new ordinances had become so appalling that no portion of the original church organization and doctrine could be found upon the earth. By the sixteenth century the corruption had become so great that a man could publicly buy from the priesthood, with money, his deliverance from divine punishment beyond the grave. (Outlines' of Ecclesiastical History

— B. H. Roberts — the Apostasy.) Hence, the spirit of the Lord was withdrawn and the dark ages were the natural sequence.

The changing of the ordinances and principles of the Gospel, the loss of Priesthood rights, and the overcoming of the Saints thru persecution, as foreseen in visions and foretold in prophecy by John the Revelator and others, are such well known facts that the writer need not enlarge upon them. (Rev. Chapters 13 and 17, Dan. 7th Chap.)

Not only was the Gospel of Christ rejected on the Eastern continent, but also on the Western, and these occurred about the same time. It was in the year 600 B. C. that the Lord led (by the hand of the Prophet Lehi) several righteous families of the tribe of Joseph, thru Ephraim, to America. From their records we gather that they had a continual line of prophets up to the time when Christ came and labored among them in the year A. D. 34, this being soon after His ascension at Jerusalem. Before leaving His apostles at Jerusalem. He said, "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:16.

It was this Remnant of the House of Joseph, sometimes called the Remnant of Jacob, to whom He referred, for we find in His teachings to these people the following, in part:

"Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph. And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you. And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem. Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment, that I should tell unto them concerning the * other tribes of the House of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land. This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them. . 'That other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd/ And now because of stiff-

*The Ten.

neckedness and unbelief, they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them. But, verily, I say unto you, that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; . . . Verily, I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said, 'other sheep I have which are not of this fold/ " III Nephi 15:12-21.

After imparting the principles of the Gospel and organizing His church among these people here in America, He departed and went to visit the Ten Lost Tribes. (See pages 160 herein.) From the record of the Nephites (the Book of Mormon), we are informed that the American branch of the House of Israel lived the Gospel for 200 years, then they drifted into worldliness, and from that day the judgments of God began to fall upon them. (IV Nephi 1:1-49.)

By the close of the year A. D. 420 the Church and Saints had all been destroyed by their wicked brethren, the Lamanites. (Moroni 1:1-3. 10:1-2.) As a judgment against the Lamanites for their acts of murder they were cursed in many ways, including a dark skin. (Mormon 5:1-20.) This was the condition in which the Gentiles found them.

According to Holy Writ, God foresaw that the main body of Israel, which He has symbolized as the tame olive tree, was becoming corrupt and would decay; hence He found it essential to transplant a portion of its tender branches for the sake of preserving righteousness in the House of Israel. Their location, however, has been withheld from us with the exception of the American Indian (North and South) and that of the Ten Lost Tribes which are hidden away in the north. (Jacob 5:1-77.) These branches of Israel brought forth Gospel fruit in their day, but, as with the trunk of the tree, they likewise became corrupt and have suffered judgments similar to those of Juda. Paul informs us that it was the unbelief of Israel, in his day, that prompted the Lord to turn against them and graft in the believing members of the Gentiles, who, are symbolized as the branches of the wild olive tree grafted into the tame olive tree (the House of Israel) with the hope of preserving the Gospel tree of life on earth. (Rom. 11:1-24. I Nephi 15:12-17.) But thru prophecy and history we are informed that the true and noble Gentile Saints were completely overcome by death, persecution and banishment; and that the remainder, thru spiritual weakness, suffered men to completely change their form of worship, doctrine and creed, as previously referred to.

As to the future course of the natural branches of Israel, after passing thru these judgments for not living the principles of the Gospel in previous years, with possibly the exception of the Ten Lost Tribes, they are to remain in their blinded condition, as to seeing the Gospel of Christ until the Fullness of the Gentiles comes in. At that day, (the Fullness of the Gentiles), which is at our very doors, the Gospel is to be carried back to Israel in its brilliancy and power, (D.C. 45:24-30. 90:9-11. 77:15. I Nephi 10:11-14); then will the Lord fulfil all His covenants with the whole' of Israel in redeeming His people and restoring their lands of inheritance.

We now leave their history and again turn our thoughts back to the dark ages among the Gentiles of the old world. In turning the pages of this history we observe that, as the Latter Days approached, spiritual light began to dawn on the minds of men; many of them saw the folly of their man-made ordinances, and from that day onward, they sought to throw off the yoke of the darkness and place themselves right with God.

In due time, after the battle of freedom of thought and speech had been gained in the East and the establishment of a land of liberty in the West, God sent a prophet mighty in spirit and doctrine, but humble in his ways. This was the boy Joseph Smith, to whom the Father and Son appeared in person calling him to be the prophet to lay the foundation of this great Latter Day work of redeeming mankind. A glorious conversation between God and man issued. This took place in the spring of 1820; and on September 21st, 1823, the Angel Moroni, formerly the last prophet of the Western continent, who had buried the records of the House of Joseph in A. D. 420, came to Joseph Smith and revealed their hiding place.

The schooling of the fifteen-year-old boy Joseph as to the manner in which this record should be brought forth, and the explanation of many latter day prophecies, were likewise a portion of the mission of the Angel Moroni.

Thru the gift and power of God, this Holy Record was translated by Joseph Smith, and is now known as the Book of Mormon. It contains more than 1000 years' religious history of the Nephites and Lamanites, as well as the Everlasting Gospel of Christ. It is referred to in the prophecies of Ezekiel as the stick (record) of Ephraim, (37:16-19), for it was the descendants of Ephraim, the son of Joseph, who came to America in 600 B. C.

The coming of the Angel Moroni to deliver the Everlasting Gospel (the Book of Mormon) was the fulfillment of that portion of John's vision pertaining to latter day events. He records:

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people." Rev. 14:6.

In his continuation of the same chapter, he informs us that the fall of spiritual Babylon would soon follow, and then would take place the coming of the Lord. This prophecy, or vision, clearly sets forth the restoration of the Gospel before the coming of Christ. (Dan. 2:40-45.)

After Moroni had delivered the plates of the Book 01 Mormon, came John the Baptist on the 15th of May, 1829 (D. C. 13 section) to restore the Aaronic Priesthood; this was followed by the coming of Peter, James and John to restore the Melchisedek Priesthood. (D. C. 27:12-13.) Then came Elijah, Elias and Moses to the Kirtland temple on April 3rd, 1836, to restore the ordinances for the dead as well as their keys of knowledge and authority to preach the Gospel and gather the righteous. This, in brief, is an outline of the restoration of the Gospel among the Gentiles.

In due time the Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. S. was organized — April 6th, 1830. Thus began the great work of God among the Gentiles of the Latter Days in preparing them for their inheritance in the Kingdom of God. soon to be set up in its fullness. (See Kingdom herein.)

This restored Gospel has spread over the earth until it has gathered hundreds of thousands of God's noble sons and daughters from various nations to the stakes of Zion in America, and they in turn have warned the nations to flee to Zion and prepare themselves for the great day of the Lord. Thus have they fulfilled the call of the Gospel and the commandment of the Lord as given thru the Prophet Joseph Smith. (D. C. 133:1-17.)

Thru the blessings of this same Gospel a desert has been turned into a field of grain, and converted into the third home for that portion of our people who were driven from place to place in years gone by, and finally forced into this once cold, desolate desert. It has raised their dead back to normal life; it has healed thousands of their sick and afflicted. It is the only divine authorized church upon the earth today, although there are many good principles and doctrines in all churches, as well as honest souls. But as God is not divided, neither is He the author of the division of churches whose ordinances and principles are opposed to each other.

The question may here be asked, if the mother church of the dark ages had previously lost her priesthood authority, then where do the churches, which broke away from her, obtain their divine priesthood rights, which is one of the absolute essentials for a church to possess if claim is made that it is the Church of Christ? Then again, if she did not lose her priesthood authority, there could be no lawful division.

The sum and substance of the whole matter is that both branches are in the same condition as far as priesthood rights are concerned. Hence, it was essential for a restoration, in this day and age, of the true ordinances and principles of the Gospel with Priesthood authority. (Rev. 13:5-8.)

The greater portion of these ordinances has, at the present time, been restored and the blessings enjoyed by many, who are assured that they are numbered with Israel.

The thought of being a part of Israel has influenced many of our people to conclude that the Gospel is today with the natural blood of Israel and not with the Gentiles. It is true that many of the Latter Day Saints have a portion of the blood of Ephraim in their veins, and that many of their patriarchal blessings read "thou art of Ephraim," however, this does not signify that the individual has by birth Ephraim's blood, but, as previously set forth, a pure Gentile becomes of Israel by adoption when he accepts the Gospel ordinances and receives the Holy Ghost. This is when his blood is actually changed to that of Israel; and by inheritance, thru the gift of God, he is numbered with Ephraim; therefore he is of Ephraim, but the Gospel found him as a Gentile, hence it is with the Gentiles today. The following scriptures are cited to show that the Gospel is today in the hands of the Gentiles.

The Prophet Mormon informs us that the Book of Mormon would "come forth in due time by the way of Gentiles." (Title page, Book of Mormon.) The Prophet Nephi speaks of the Gospel coming to the Gentiles in the Latter Days. He says: "Then shall the fullness of the Gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed." I Nephi 15:13. Joseph Smith, in his dedicatory prayer, at the Kirtland temple, said:

"Now these words, O Lord, we have spoken before thee, concerning the revelations and commandments which thou hast given unto us, who are identified with the Gentiles." D. C. 109:60.

We also find the same thought contained in his instructions to the Twelve, as follows:

"They are the Twelve Apostles who are called to the office of the Traveling High Council, who are to preside over the churches of the Saints among the Gentiles, where there is a presidency established, and they are to travel and preach among the Gentiles until the Lord shall command them to go to the Jews." C. H., Vol. 2, page 200. This latter commandment has not been received up to the present date. From the Jews it will go to the House of Joseph, or Ephraim. The revelation says:

"That thru your administration they may receive the word, . . . unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews; and then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the Gospel of their salvation." D. C. 90:9-10.

There are abundant scripture quotations informing us that the Gospel went from the Jews to the Gentiles in former days; and that it was to come to the Gentiles and then to the Jews and House of Joseph in the Latter Days. (I Nephi 15:13. Ill Nephi 16:4-5. Jacob 5:61-64, II Nephi 30:2-10, D. C. 14:10. 19:27. 133:8-13. Title page, Book of Mormon.) In other words, "the last shall be first, and the first shall be last." I Nephi 13:42.

It is true that a few of the American Indians, who by birth, are of Ephraim, as well as some of the Jews, have at the present time accepted the Restored Gospel; but the prophecies which relate to the Gospel going from one branch to the other, refer to periods of time when it shall be presented in a scale of magnitude and power to each branch as a whole: For example, take Ephraim of America; we read that they are to build the New Jerusalem in this country with the believing Gentiles assisting, and that their children, at that day, are to outnumber those of the Believing Gentiles. (Ill Nephi 21:22-29. 22:1-3, note footnotes 2k, 2L, aandC. D. C. 77:15.)

It was the previous faith and works of the House of Israel which prompted God to send the Christ with the fullness of the Gospel to them in the meridian of time; but it was their unbelief in rejecting it that forced Him to turn judgment against them, and to bring it to the Gentiles. As to this judgment, in Jerusalem alone, Josephus informs us, that over a million perished by famine, thousands were cut to pieces and nearly a hundred thousand were taken captive by the Romans, and carried away into slavery. (Bk. VI, ch. IX.)

In the Latter Days, according to prophecy, the same conditions, but reversed, are to exist. We quote:

"And blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witness unto them, of me and of the Father. Behold, because of their belief in me," (in former days), "saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fullness of these things shall be made known unto them. But woe, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles," (in the latter days) "for notwithstanding they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people, who are of the house of Israel; and my people who are of the house of Israel, have been cast out from among them, and have been trodden under feet by them; and because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles, and also the judgments of the Father upon my people, who are of the house of Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, that after they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fullness of my gospel from among them. And then I will remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them." Ill Nephi 16:6-11.