3 Ne 21:1-7 I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when
these things shall be about to take place
The Lord gives a sign so we
will know when “these things shall be about to take
place.” What are “these things”? They are the great Millenial promises
contained in the preceding chapter, including the gathering of Israel and the
establishment of Zion. The sign he gives is twofold, a) the coming forth of the
Book of Mormon (v. 2), and b) the latter-day descendants of Lehi would know of
their heritage through the Book of Mormon (v. 7).
These are two great signs
that the work of the Father has commenced, but the grand fulfillment of all of
the Father’s promises can only take place after the Second Coming. Elsewhere,
the Savior taught us another of the key signs by which we can know the time of
his coming, And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom
shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then
shall the end come or the destruction of the wicked (JS-Matt 1:31,
italics added).
3 Ne 21:4 set up as a free people by the power of the Father
Mark E. Petersen
“The
hand of oppression had to be removed from America. The people who lived here
must be set up as a free people. IT WAS DONE BY ACT OF THE FATHER. But a human
agent was required as in all other things. Washington was an agent of heaven in
bringing about His work. He realized it and knew that God was fighting his
battles for him. So in humility and gratitude he thanked heaven repeatedly for
it.
“Why
was America set up as a free nation? In the words of the Savior, ‘that these things [meaning the Gospel as recorded
in the Book of Mormon] might come forth from them
[the Gentiles in America who set up the nation] unto
a remnant of your seed [the descendants of Lehi] that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath
covenanted with his people, O house of Israel.’
“Thus
we see Washington in his true perspective. As a man of God he was raised up to
be the agent through whom the battles of freedom would be fought, and whom God
would assist in obtaining the victory.” (The Way to Peace, pp. 30-31)
Brigham Young
“There
is not another nation under heaven but this, in whose midst the Book of Mormon
could have been brought forth. The Lord has been operating for centuries to
prepare the way for the coming forth of the contents of that Book from the
bowels of the earth…It was the Lord who directed the discovery of this land to
the nations of the old world, and its settlement, and the war for independence,
and the final victory of the colonies, and the unprecedented prosperity of the
American nation, up to the calling of Joseph the Prophet. The Lord has dictated
and directed the whole of this, for the bringing forth, and establishing of his
Kingdom in the last days.” (Journal of Discourses, 11:17 as taken from Latter-day
Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 444-5)
3 Ne 21:8 kings shall shut their mouths
Members of the Church
already marvel at the growth, strength, and prosperity of the kingdom of God on
earth. However, we often underestimate how literally these scriptures will be
fulfilled. Today, we marvel; tomorrow, kings will marvel. Today, we review
Church history in amazement; tomorrow, the Church will make history that will
leave the rest of the world in amazement. Today, the stone cut out of the
mountain without hands has become a great boulder; tomorrow, it will become a
great mountain, and fill the whole earth (Dan 2:34-35), That wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never
considered; that I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and
perform my work, my strange work, that men may discern between the righteous
and the wicked, saith your God (D&C 101:94–95).”
Bruce R. McConkie
“…the
great and mighty shall be so amazed at the Lord's latter-day work that they
shall not know what to say and shall feel impelled to consider the wondrous
work which rolls before their eyes. So far there has been a small amount of
this; what the future holds is limitless.” (The Mortal Messiah, book 4,
p. 352)
3 Ne 21:9 the Father [shall] work
a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work
Ezra Taft Benson
“Seven
centuries before the birth of Christ, Isaiah foresaw and foretold the
restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days. He declared it
would be a ‘marvelous work and a wonder’ to
all mankind (Isa. 29:14).
When Jesus appeared to the Nephites in America, He confirmed the prophecy of
Isaiah in these words: ‘For my sake shall the Father
work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work’ among the
people of the land of America in the last days (3 Ne. 21:9).
“April
6, 1830, in the state of New York, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints had its beginning in this dispensation, a beginning that went largely
unnoticed by the world. A small number of men and women, including the Prophet
Joseph Smith, gathered in the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., to witness and
participate in the official organization of the Church. Today there are over 4
1/2 million members in eighty-one countries. We now look in retrospect on 150
years of the history of the Church and are led to exclaim with Isaiah, ‘Truly
the work is marvelous and wonderful!’
“That
the Church of Jesus Christ would have an inconspicuous beginning and then enjoy
phenomenal growth was likewise predicted. Jesus used the comparison of the
small mustard seed to describe the early beginning of His church. But
eventually, He declared, that insignificant seed would become a great tree and
many would find refuge in its branches (see Matt. 13:31-32).
“The
prophet Daniel described the beginning and remarkable growth of the Church as a
small stone which would become a great mountain and fill the entire earth! (see
Dan. 2:34-35, 44).
“As
men have attempted to assess the Church at a given period of time, in many
instances they have not been able to see its forward movement and potential.
The growth of the Church, like the growth of grass or trees, has been almost
imperceptible to the eye, but little by little, line by line, precept by
precept, the Church has matured.
“Simultaneous
with the early development of the Church was a spirit of opposition and
persecution. Wherever the tiny ‘mustard seed’ was
planted, attempts were made to frustrate its growth. But notwithstanding all
the efforts to destroy the work—even the murder of the Prophet Joseph Smith and
his brother—the Church prospered and grew. There were those who thought the
Church would fail with the deaths of the martyrs Joseph and Hyrum, but they did
not perceive, as Daniel foretold, that this latter-day kingdom should ‘never be destroyed’ (Dan. 2:44).
“Just
before the Prophet’s death, Brigham Young said, ‘The kingdom is organized; and,
although as yet no bigger than a grain of mustard seed, the little plant is in
a flourishing condition’ (History of the Church, 6:354).” (Conference
Report, May 1980 Ensign, “A Marvelous Work and a Wonder”)
3 Ne 21:10 the life of my servant shall be in my hand…although he
shall be marred
The marred servant,
prophesied of in Isaiah 52:13, was also spoken of in the last chapter. In that
chapter, he was to sprinkle many nations and strike awe into the hearts of
kings (3 Ne 20:43-45). Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that this had
reference to Christ, who was marred in mortality, but would come again to seek
vengeance upon the wicked.
Yet, one of the many wonders
of Isaiah’s prophecies is that they can apply to more than one individual or
circumstance. Elder Dallin Oaks said, “The book of Isaiah contains
numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillments…The fact that many
of these prophecies can have multiple meanings underscores the importance of
our seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost to help us interpret them. As Nephi
says, the words of Isaiah ‘are plain unto all those
that are filled with the spirit of prophecy’ (2 Ne. 25:4).”
(Ensign, Jan. 1995, “Scripture Reading & Revelation”).
Therefore, in this chapter,
the Savior uses the same phrase to describe the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord
promises that his life will be in his hand. This is reminiscent of the word of
the Lord to Joseph at a time when he worried about his life, Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered
less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever
and ever (DC 122:9).
Neal A. Maxwell
“Because
living prophets are so precious a presence on the human scene, adversarial
efforts to diminish and to mar them-past and present-should not be surprising.
These men are thus called upon to endure efforts to “mar” them. The word mar,
as used in certain scriptures, suggests to ‘spoil to a certain extent or to
render less attractive,’ as if one were to mar furniture by scratching its
surface but not harming its substance.
“Isaiah
speaks of the Lord’s servant whose ‘visage’ (or appearance) is marred (Isaiah
52:14). The resurrected Jesus speaks of a ‘great and
marvelous work’ which will not be believed by many, ‘although a man shall declare it unto them.’ This
latter-day servant who was to bring Christ’s word forth ‘shall be marred. . . . Yet . . . I will show unto them that my wisdom
is greater than the cunning of the devil.’ (3 Nephi 21:9–10.) The Doctrine
and Covenants (10:43) uses those same last words (about the wisdom of the Lord
proving greater than the cunning of the devil) in reference to Joseph Smith and
the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
“Joseph
Smith, Sr., gave a father’s blessing to the Prophet Joseph on 9 December 1834.
In part of that blessing Father Smith quoted from ancient Joseph, who wondered
how his latter-day posterity would receive the word of God. Then ancient
Joseph’s eyes beheld Joseph Smith, Jr., to be raised up in the last days.
Ancient Joseph’s soul was satisfied and he wept. Ancient Joseph was quoted by
Father Smith as saying that the choice seer to arise ‘shall meditate great
wisdom, [and his] intelligence shall circumscribe and comprehend the deep
things of God, . . . though the wicked mar him for a little season.’
“Church
members should not be surprised, therefore, if enemies seek to ‘mar’ prophets
and the Presidents of the Church, or the Church itself, by seeming to render
it, or us as members, less attractive and influential, thus causing some to
turn away from or to discount the Lord’s work and His servants. One of the
early Twelve, Elder Orson Hyde, observed that the ‘shafts’ intended for the
Church ‘are always aimed at the head first.’
“…If
we as members are likewise ‘marred’ while doing the Lord’s work, it will prove
to be yet another dimension of sharing the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings
(see Philippians 3:10).” (If Thou Endure It Well, pp. 71-72)
3 Ne 21:11 they shall be cut off from among my people
Ezra Taft Benson
“The
Lord revealed to the Prophet Nephi that he established the gentiles on this
land to be a free people forever, that if they were a righteous nation and
overcame the wickedness and secret abominations which would arise in their
midst, they would inherit the land forever. (1 Nephi 14:1-2.)…But on the other
hand, if the gentiles on this land reject the word of God and conspire to
overthrow liberty and the Constitution, then their doom is fixed, and they ‘. . . shall be cut off from among my people who are of the
covenant.’” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, p. 70)
3 Ne 21:12 my people…shall be…in the midst of them as a lion among
the beasts of the forest
This is the third time in
two days that the Savior taught this doctrine. He must have been serious about
its fulfillment and its implications. For further discussion, see commentary
for 3 Ne 16:15 and 3 Ne 20:15-17.
3 Ne 21:12-21 wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent
For the third time, the Lord
quotes from Micah. This time, he delivers the entire prophecy of Micah
5:8-15. He prophecies that the wicked
Gentiles will be destroyed militarily, I will cut
off thy horses…and I will destroy thy chariots. He will also destroy their
cities (v. 15,18) but idolatry seems to be their most grievous sin. In the
language of the ancients, the idolatry was reinforced by witchcrafts and
soothsayers, it was objectified in their graven images and standing images, and
it was associated with immoral practices performed in the “groves” (see Bible
Dictionary). Although the nature of today’s idolatry is different, Micah’s
figurative language teaches us that idolatry in all its subtle, modern forms
will be quickly disposed of.
Given the severity of the
punishments which await the Gentiles, the words of President Kimball seem all
the more pertinent.
Spencer W. Kimball
“Idolatry
is among the most serious of sins. There are unfortunately millions today who
prostrate themselves before images of gold and silver and wood and stone and
clay. But the idolatry we are most concerned with here is the conscious
worshiping of still other gods. Some are of metal and plush and chrome, of wood
and stone and fabrics. They are not in the image of God or of man, but are
developed to give man comfort and enjoyment, to satisfy his wants, ambitions,
passions and desires. Some are in no physical form at all, but are intangible.
“…Modern
idols or false gods can take such forms as clothes, homes, businesses,
machines, automobiles, pleasure boats, and numerous other material deflectors
from the path to godhood. What difference does it make that the item concerned
is not shaped like an idol? Brigham Young said: ‘I would as soon see a
man worshipping a little god made of brass or of wood as to see him worshipping
his property.’
“…Many
people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first-and then find they
‘cannot afford’ to pay tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of
heaven and earth, for we serve whom we love and give first consideration to the
object of our affection and desires. Young married couples who postpone
parenthood until their degrees are attained might be shocked if their expressed
preference were labeled idolatry. Their rationalization gives them degrees at
the expense of children. Is it a justifiable exchange? Whom do they love and
worship-themselves or God? Other couples, recognizing that life is not intended
primarily for comforts, ease, and luxuries, complete their educations while they
move forward with full lives, having their children and giving Church and
community service.
“Many
worship the hunt, the fishing trip, the vacation, the weekend picnics and
outings. Others have as their idols the games of sport, baseball, football, the
bullfight, or golf. These pursuits more often than not interfere with the
worship of the Lord and with giving service to the building up of the kingdom
of God. To the participants this emphasis may not seem serious, yet it
indicates where their allegiance and loyalty are.
“Still
another image men worship is that of power and prestige. Many will trample
underfoot the spiritual and often the ethical values in their climb to success.
These gods of power, wealth, and influence are most demanding and are quite as
real as the golden calves of the children of Israel in the wilderness.” (The
Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 40-42)
Bruce R. McConkie
“False
doctrine, false ordinances, false worship, false religion -- all shall cease.
The images and idols, in their churches and in their hearts, shall be as when
God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. The groves where Baal of old was worshipped,
and the cathedrals where Baal of the latter days was adored, shall be as when
the walls and buildings of Jericho fell.” (The Mortal Messiah, book 4,
p. 357)
3 Ne 21:19 all lyings, and deceivings…shall be done away
Compare 3 Ne 16:10.
Neal A. Maxwell
“Before
the millennial time when the arrogancy of the proud will cease (by God’s mighty
hand), the Gentiles will be in a circumstance of ‘great
pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice,
persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities.’ (Helaman
13:22.)” (Meek And Lowly, p. 53)
3 Ne 21:22 I will establish my church among
them
Spencer W. Kimball
“Evidently,
the Gentiles were sufficiently repentant and the Church was established among
them in 1830, with one of its principal purposes that it might be the vehicle
to take the people of the world to their eternal destiny. And one of the most
important of all the requirements of the Church is that they should establish
the Lord's word among the Lamanites.” (BYU Speeches of the Year, 1965,
p. 7)
3 Ne 21:23 they shall assist my people…that they may build a city…the
New Jerusalem
James E. Talmage
“The Book of Mormon foretells the establishment of
Zion on the western continent; but the precise location was not revealed until
after the restoration of the Priesthood in the present dispensation. In 1831
the Lord commanded the elders of His Church in this wise: ‘Go ye forth into the western countries, call upon the
inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches unto
me. And with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye may
purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you. And it
shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place
of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall
be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the
wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.’ (DC
45:64-67)
“Later revelations directed the elders of the Church
to assemble in western Missouri (DC 52:2), and designated that place as the
land appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints: ‘Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for
the city of Zion.’ The town of Independence was named as ‘the center place,’ and the site for the Temple was
designated, the saints being counseled to purchase land there, ‘that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.’
(DC 57:1-5) On August 3, 1831, the temple-site thus named was dedicated by the
prophet, Joseph Smith, and his associates in the Priesthood. The region round
about was also dedicated that it might be a gathering place for the people of
God.
“Such, then, is the belief of the Latter-day Saints;
such are the teachings of the Church. But the plan of building up Zion has not
yet been consummated. The saints were not permitted to enter into immediate
possession of the land, which was promised them as an everlasting inheritance.
Even as years elapsed between the time of the Lord's promise to Israel of old
that Canaan should be their inheritance, and the time of their entering into
possession thereof -- -years devoted to the people's toilsome and sorrowful
preparation for the fulfilment -- so in these latter days the divine purpose is
held in abeyance, while the people are being sanctified for the great gift and
for the responsibilities associated with it. In the meantime the honest in
heart are gathering to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains; and here, in the
tops of the mountains, exalted above the hills, Temples have been erected, and
all nations are flowing unto this region. But Zion shall yet be established on
the chosen site; she ‘shall not be moved out of her
place,’ and the pure in heart shall return ‘with
songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion.’ (DC
101:17,18)
“… Zion is to be chastened, but only for a little season,
(DC 100:13) then will come the time of her redemption.
“That time will be appointed of God, yet it is to be
determined according to the faithfulness of the people. Wickedness causes the
Lord to tarry; for, saith He: ‘Therefore, in
consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine
elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion.’ (DC
105:9) And again: ‘Zion shall be redeemed in mine
own due time.’ (DC 136:18) But the Lord's time in giving blessings is dependent
upon the prospective recipients. As long ago as 1834 came the word of the Lord
unto the Church: ‘Behold, I say unto you, were it
not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not
individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.’ (DC 105:1-2)” (A
Study of the Articles of Faith, pp. 352-4)
Spencer W. Kimball
“[Speaking to the Lamanites] You must blossom as the
rose upon the mountain. You must flourish, and you must become a great people
so that you can go back to Jackson County with us and we with you, and we will
build there the magnificent temple which Orson Pratt said will be the most
beautiful building that ever was built or that ever will be built. It will be
the culmination of everything that is beautiful and wonderful, and within its
walls [will be] the sealing power.
“And the Indians are going to assist with the temple.
That is why these Indian people who have accepted the gospel must remain true
no matter what comes. They must remain true and faithful. They must go to the
temple and get their endowments and their sealings. They must be leaders in
their communities, because not too far away there is going to be a great
migration to Jackson County, Missouri, and there we are going to build the
great temple.
“…And that is only part of it. We will then go
forward with you Indian people by the thousands and the tens of thousands to
work night and day in the holy temple of God to see that your ancestors—all
those that died from Christ up to now, all those who were killed at the hill
Cumorah, all those who were killed in between for hundreds and hundreds of
years—all have the work done for them so they may receive the exaltation and
eternal life of man.
“What works you have to do, you good folks! You must
never falter. You must continue on growing to your total stature and bringing
your people with you, because the Lord’s promises never fail.” (Book of
Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 426-7)
3
Ne 21:26 then shall the work of the Father commence
at that day
“This is a millennial settings. It is a setting in which wickedness and
crime and vengeance are no longer on earth… Yes, the work of the Father shall
commence in the great millennial day, in the sense that its magnitude shall be
infinitely greater than anything we can even identify with today. All that has gone on in the past will seem
to pale into insignificance when missionary work goes forward during the
thousand years (compare 2 Nephi 30:7-15).
“Jehovah spake through Jeremiah: ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no
more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt; but, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel
from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them:
and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.'
And then the Master described the manner in which missionaries would search out
the people: ‘Behold, I will send for many fishers,
saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many
hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and
out of the holes of the rocks.’ (Jeremiah 16:14-16.)” (McConkie, Millet,
and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 153)
3 Ne 21:26 even the tribes which have been lost
“We have seen earlier through a modern
revelation that the setting for the great work of the gathering, particularly
of the ten lost tribes, is millennial (see D&C 133:23-34). Elder Bruce R. McConkie has written:
‘We do not say that occasional blood descendants of Reuben or Naphtali or
others of the other tribal heads shall not return to their Palestinian Zion, or
assemble in an American Zion, or find their way into the stakes of Zion in all
nations, all before the Second Coming of Christ. Some shall no doubt return to Canaan as true believers and
members of the true Church, with the intent and purpose of fulfilling the
scriptures and building up the ancient cities of Israel. This may well happen in some small measure,
and to it there can be no objection.
Great movements have small beginnings, and floods that sweep forth from
bursting dams are first forecast when small rivulets trickle from the pent-up
reservoirs. But we do say that the
great day of the return of the Ten Tribes, the day when the assembling hosts
shall fulfill the prophetic promises, shall come after our Lord's return.'
(Millennial Messiah, p. 323; see also New Witness, p. 521.)” (McConkie,
Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p.
153, italics added)