Come unto him 2 Nephi 26-30 - The Prophecies of the Apostasy & Restoration!
- What is Apostasy/Restoration/Dispensation
- What wanings did Nephi provide us concening apostasy
- How can we protect ourselves from falling into apostasy as an Individual/Family/Church/Country?
Attention Activity:
How to catch a Monkey Video - They just can't let go of their desire for food and are caught
How to catch an Octopus video - Ensign Oct 2006 - Monson
How is Apostasy like the Monkey and Octopus's Behavor?
Sometimes we just can't let go of our sins/desires/pride!
It is a change in the ordinances and covenants that the Lord has revealed to his children contrary to his will.
It is when the philosophy of man is mingled with the revealed word of God - thus creating new erroneous doctrine.
It is when an individual or group rebels against God and either no longer believes in him or no longer obeys him.
It is when priesthood authority/power is not available or is being used in a manner not authorized by God.
It is when the philosophy of man is mingled with the revealed word of God - thus creating new erroneous doctrine.
It is when an individual or group rebels against God and either no longer believes in him or no longer obeys him.
It is when priesthood authority/power is not available or is being used in a manner not authorized by God.
How many times has an apostasy occurred?
Many apostasies have occurred... during the history of the world there have been many times where the truth has been lost and revealed again through a prophet called and authorized by God. The whole Old Testament is one solid round of Israel entering and leaving a state of Apostasy!
They cycle of Apostasy - The pride cycle
Israel being in favor with God
They rebel against him and become apostate
A prophet is called to restore them
The prophet restores/teaches doctrine and authority
They retun to being in favor with God
They rebel against him and become apostate
A prophet is called to restore them
The prophet restores/teaches doctrine and authority
They retun to being in favor with God
What is a Restoration/Dispensation
?
A restoration occurs whenever God calls a prophet to restore/dispense his doctrine/priesthood and church organization to believers upon the earth.
Today we are going to read of Nephi's people and his prophecy concening the Gentiles in the last days.
We lean that both his people and the gentiles in the last days move into a state of apostasy before their destruction occurs, and that this is a patten that is a waning for anyone reading the Book of Mormon to recognize and use to protect them.
Nephi's Prophecy
2 Nephi 26:1 After Christ risen he shall show himself unto Nephites
2 Nephi 26:2 Many generations of war and contention
2 Nephi 26:3-6 The wickedness of the people and their destruction
2 Nephi 26:7 I have seen the destruction of my people - it well nigh consume me
2 Nephi 26:8-9 Jesus Christ shall appear to the righteous and they shall have peace - 3 generations
2 Nephi 26:10-11 Speedy destruction comes to my people
2 Nephi 26:12-13 Jews and Gentiles - need to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ
2 Nephi 26:14-15 After Nephites and Lamanites have dwindled in unbelief - and are destroyed
2 Nephi 26:16-17 The words of the destroyed shall speak out of the dust unto them
2 Nephi 26:18-19 Those that have been destroyed speedily - as chaff
2 Nephi 26:20-22 Gentiles lifted up in pride of their heart - many churches - many secret combinations (flaxen cords)
2 Nephi 26:23-28 God never tells man to depart - but rather to come unto him - all men have same privilege
2 Nephi 26:29-31 No priest crafts among you - laborer shall labor for Zion
2 Nephi 26:32 Lord has commanded that we obey commandments
2 Nephi 26:33 no iniquities from the Lord - all alike unto God
Comparison between Nephi's & Gentiles Apostasy
Symptom | Nephites | Gentiles |
Pride and foolishness | 2 Nephi 26:10 3 Nephi 6:10,13 | 2 Nephi 26:20 2 2 Nephi 28:12 Mormon 8:35-36 |
Sell themselves for naught seek for power, authority riches, vain things of world | 2 Nephi 26:10 3 Nephi 6:15 | 2 Nephi 28:12-13 Mormon 8:38 |
Yield unto the devil and choose evil | 2 Nephi 26:10 3 Nephi 6:16,18 | 2 Nephi 28:8 2 Nephi 28:16 |
Built up many churches - priest crafts | 3 Nephi 6:14 | 2 Nephi 26:20-21,29-31 Mormon 8:33 |
Put down power and miracles of God | 3 Nephi 7:20 | 2 Nephi 26:20 2 Nephi 28:5-6 Mormon 8:28 |
Get gain and grind upon the poor | 3 Nephi 6:13-14 | 2 Nephi 26:20 2 Nephi 28:13 Mormon 8:37-39 |
Secret combinations | 3 Nephi 6:28-29 | 2 Nephi 26:20 Mormon 8:40 |
President Ezra Taft Benson
: "Not only are there apostates within our midst, but there are also apostate doctrines that are sometimes taught in our classes and from our pulpits and that appear in our publications. And these apostate precepts of men cause our people to stumble"..."Christ taught that we should be in the world but not of it. Yet there are some in our midst who are not so much concened about taking the gospel into the world as they are about bringing worldliness into the gospel. They want us to be popular with the worldly even though a prophet has said that it is impossible, for all hell would then want to join us.
"Through their own reasoning and a few misapplied scriptures, they try to sell us the precepts and philosophies of men. They do not feel the Church is progressive enough." (CR, Apr 1969)
Does this quote apply to us today?
In what way is the church currently not considered "Progressive"?
Do we hear apostate doctrines today, in classes, pulpits or in publications?
Do we hear apostate doctrines today, in classes, pulpits or in publications?
How can we protect ourselves - and recognize them if/when we hear them?
What do we lean concening apostasy in the world today - and what was foretold by Nephi/Moroni?
Why was priest craft emphasized? Is priest craft religious only? or does it apply to fame/politics, etc.?
Gentile Apostasy - a Machiavellian Momment in time
Machiavellianism -
"the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct". The word comes from the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote Il Principe (The Prince), among other works.In moden psychology, Machiavellianism is one of the dark triad personalities (Narcissism, Psychopathy, Machiavellianism), characterized by a duplicitous interpersonal style, a cynical disregard for morality and a focus on self-interest and personal gain.
Narcissism is characterized by grandiosity, pride, egotism, and a lack of empathy.Machiavellianism is characterized by manipulation and exploitation of others, a cynical disregard for morality, and a focus on self-interest and deception.
Psychopathy is characterized by enduring antisocial behavior, impulsivity, selfishness, callousness, and remorselessness.
Nephi speaks of a General Apostasy among all nations
2 Nephi 27:3-4 all the nations that fight against Zion.. even as unto a hungry man which dreameth, and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty
2 Nephi 27:5-8 Ye have closed your eyes and rejected the prophets - The Lord shall bring forth
a book - book that is sealed
2 Nephi 27:9-35 Prophecy of Book of Mormon being taken to leaned man - who cannot read sealed book
What was the reason that the Gentiles were in a state of Apostasy?
2 Nephi 26:20-22 The Gentiles have been lifted up in pride and have stumbled
1 Nephi 13:28-35 The Gentiles fall into apostasy - because of the stumbling block of having the Covenants, Promises, and plain and precious things removed from the Bible
The solution was the coming forth of a book - a book that was sealed to reveal to them the things that were lost!
- Persuade all men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved 1 Nephi 6:4
- The Lord supports/protects/empowers those he has chosen - they are the ones who should rule 1 Nephi 1:20
- The Lord curses/destroys/does not help those who do not serve him 1 Nephi 2:20-24
What implications does this solution have for us?
How important is the Book of Mormon for our faith - security in the Gospel?
What is in the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon
Ether 3:25-26 All things that will happen on the earth until the end of time
How could he write so much in such a small space? (24 plates) Plates of Ether
Ether 3:22,24 You will write them in a language that they can't read - stones shall
magnify
to the eyes of men the things which ye shall writeMosiah 8:9 24 plates of gold filled with engravings
When shall the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon come to light?
Brother of Jared's record was given to the Nephites - Ether 3:21, Ether 4:1, 3 Nephi 26:3
Moroni wrote the sealed portion upon the Gold plates: Ether 4:4-5
Ensign Oct 2011 - He also said it would “not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord” (Ether 4:6; see also 2 Nephi 27:8).
When they exercise faith as the brother of Jared we will receive them: Ether 4:6-7
During Melinium all secret things shall be revealed D&C 88:108-110 2 Nephi 30:15-18
They will be read upon the housetops 2 Nephi 27:11
During Melinium all secret things shall be revealed D&C 88:108-110 2 Nephi 30:15-18
They will be read upon the housetops 2 Nephi 27:11
Do we get stuck on the "Sealed" portion and not concentrate on the "Simple truths of the gospel"?
2 Nephi 28 - Many false churches will be built up in the last days - apostasy will abound!
2 Nephi 28:21-23 many will he lull away into canal security - all is well in zion!
2 Nephi 29 - Many Gentiles will reject the Book of Mormon - We Need no more Bible!
Conclusion
:Apostasy is a real threat to us as an individual/family/country. It is prophesied that the church however will never fall away again. It will remain until the ushering in of the millennium. However, each of us as individuals and families are not immune to the possibility of loosing our testimonies and leaving the church.
What waning signs should you notice and respond to in order to protect yourself from this?
Not fulfilling your callings - blowing off commitments/responsibilities
Not paying your tithing
Not doing the simple things taught by the prophet to keep us strong (scripture reading, prayer, family home evening, etc.)
Purposeful rebellion against leaders of the church - disagreeing with them etc.
Murmuring, complaining about weaknesses, frailties of members, leaders.
Not paying your tithing
Not doing the simple things taught by the prophet to keep us strong (scripture reading, prayer, family home evening, etc.)
Purposeful rebellion against leaders of the church - disagreeing with them etc.
Murmuring, complaining about weaknesses, frailties of members, leaders.