History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 2Smith, Joseph, Jr.
History
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 2
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
But to proceed. In the letter alluded to, the principles of
repentance and baptism for the remission of sins were not only
set forth, but many passages of scripture were quoted, clearly
elucidating the subject; let me add, I do positively rely upon the
truth of those principles inculcated in the New Testament, and then
pass on from the above named items, to the item or subject of the
gathering, and show my views upon this point. It is a principle I
esteem to be of the greatest importance to those who are looking
for salvation in this generation, or in these, that may be called,
"the latter times." All that the prophets that have written, from
the days of righteous Abel, down to the last man that has left
any testimony on record for our consideration, in speaking of the
salvation of Israel in the last days, goes directly to show that it
consists in the work of the gathering.
First, I shall begin by quoting from the prophecy of Enoch,
speaking of the last days: "Righteousness will I sent down out
of heaven, and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear
testimony of mine Only Begotten, His resurrection from the dead
(this resurrection I understand to be the corporeal body); yea, and
also the resurrection of all men; righteousness and truth will I
cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own
elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I
shall prepare, a holy city, that my people may gird up their loins,
and be looking forth for the time of my coming, for there shall be
my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a new Jerusalem" (Pearl
of Great Price, ch. 7:62, 1902 edition).
Now I understand by this quotation, that God clearly manifested to
Enoch the redemption which He prepared, by offering the Messiah
as a Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world; and by
virtue of the same, the glorious resurrection of the Savior, and
the resurrection of all the human family, even a resurrection of
their corporeal bodies, is brought to pass; and also righteousness
and truth are to sweep the earth as with a flood. And now, I ask,
how righteousness and truth are going to sweep the earth as with
a flood? I will answer. Men and angels are to be co-workers in
bringing to pass this great work, and Zion is to be prepared, even
a new Jerusalem, for the elect that are to be gathered from the
four quarters of the earth, and to be established an holy city, for
the tabernacle of the Lord shall be with them.
Now Enoch was in good company in his views upon this subject: "And
I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the {261}
tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and
they shall be His people and God Himself shall be with them, and be
their God" (Revelation 21:3).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account