�My people must be tried in all things, that they may
be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them,
even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear
chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.� (D&C 136:31)
Before Zion will be built, the saints will be severely tested, they will go through as Malachi expressed it, the �refiners fire.� At that day the Lord will �...sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.� (Mal. 3:2,3)
Who are these sons of Levi? Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:
�Who are the sons of Aaron and Levi today? They are, by virtue of the blessings of the Almighty, those who are ordained by those who hold the authority to officiate in the offices of the priesthood. It is written that those so ordained become the sons of Moses and of Aaron. Also: �And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord's house, whose sons are ye; and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my Church.� So the Lord has spoken, and this was said to those who held the Melchizedek Priesthood.� (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3: 93.)(D&C 84:32-34)
Joseph Smith recorded:
�Marvel not, then, if you are persecuted; but remember the words of the Savior: �The servant is not above his Lord; if they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also;� and that all the afflictions through which the Saints have to pass, are the fulfillment of the words of the Prophets which have spoken since the world began.
�We shall therefore do well to discern the signs of the times as we pass along, that the day of the Lord may not �overtake us as a thief in the night.� Afflictions, persecutions, imprisonments, and death, we must expect, according to the scriptures, which tell us that the blood of those whose souls were under the altar could not be avenged on them that dwell on the earth, until their brethren should be slain as they were.� (DHC 3: 331.)
Why would the Lord allow the saints to suffer these persecutions and trials? Because the saints are strengthened and learn from them, Elder Orson Pratt explained:
�We can contrast this feeling with what we see manifested by some of our new emigrants; some of them come here feeling dissatisfied, having become so crossing the plains; they will differ with each other, lose the good spirit, and allow themselves to be controlled by an evil influence; I say we can see, from the discourse of Brother Jackman, a great contrast between those that first came here, and those that now come. Now the question might arise in the minds of some, �Were the pioneers who came here so much better than those persons who now come?� I think not. �Then why was there no murmuring, nor faultfinding, nor apostasy?� The reason is obvious; those who first came here had more experience in such matters than the new emigrants have, who come here almost without experience in those things which they naturally come in contact with when crossing the plains�It requires experience to enable people patiently to pass through the scenes of trial that were endured by the pioneers, and those who first came into these valleys. Take our late emigration that have crossed over the plains, and let them be driven a few times from their comfortable habitations, and let them wander for months in the cold winter, and then send them off on an expedition such as the pioneers took to this country, and you would see them quite a different people; you would see them altered and improved by the course of experience they had passed through; they would be benefited by certain kinds of experience which others have passed through before them; and, if attentive, they would add many important items to their former stock of wisdom and knowledge.� (Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt, ps.451, 452)
Perhaps this persecution will prepare us for the building of Zion for the Lord knows the value of these trials, as He spoke to Joseph; ��if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.� (D&C 122:7.) These difficulties can separate those who are able to build Zion from those who are not for; �if thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.� (Proverbs 24:10.)
How difficult these tribulations will be is hard to imagine but the Lord spoke also of them: �For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.� (Matt. 24:21-22.) Yet we can be assured that there will be immense benefits from these tribulations, preparing and seasoning the saints for establishing Zion, thus making �...the trial of your faith� much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire�� (1 Pet. 1:7) for ��as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.� (Isa. 66:8.)
This test will also be of great worth to us in the day of judgment for the Lord has promised: ��he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.� (D&C 58:2.)
Joseph Fielding Smith, in his book, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, recorded this about the prophecies of the last days:
�I know these are unpleasant things. It is not a pleasant thing even for me to stand here and tell you that this is written in the Scriptures. If the Lord has a controversy with the nations, He will put them to the sword. Their bodies shall lie unburied like dung upon the earth. That is not nice, is it but should we not know it? Is it not our duty to read these things and understand them? Don't you think the Lord has given us these things that we might know and we might prepare ourselves through humility, through repentance, through faith, that we might escape from these dreadful conditions that are portrayed by these ancient prophets? That is why I am reading them. I feel just as keenly as you do about the condition, and I pray for it to come to an end, but I want it to come to and end right.� (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Signs of the Times, ps. 154,155)
Nephi saw our day in vision, and recorded some of the things that he saw, yet he was commanded that he could not write all that he saw and that the apostle John, as well as others would see and write. (1 Ne. 14:25,26) As we look at many of the prophecies in the Old Testament it appears that others did see the same visions and were allowed to write different portions of the latter-day events. For instance Daniel records the persecution of the saints in the seventh and eleventh chapters of Daniel. John also records these same persecutions in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation, as well as Nephi in first Nephi chapter fourteen.
We see the gathering of the saints as well as the destruction of the Gentiles on this continent described by the Savior in third Nephi chapters sixteen, twenty, and twenty-one. In these chapters Jesus is quoting parts of Isaiah as well as other prophets. And then is prophesied of the building of Zion by several prophets, and we will discuss some of the prophecies in other chapters but in this chapter we will look at the persecution of the saints.
Prophecies of Daniel
Daniel is shown in vision events of our day leading up to the appearance of Adam on Adam-ondi-Ahman. Daniel sees a ��horn make war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.� (Dan. 7:21,22) In verse twenty-four Daniel identifies the horn as a king or leader of a nation, he tells us that this leader would ��speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High�� We are informed that he would also ��change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.�(v.25) From this it is apparent that this leader would be in power for about three and a half years, a �time� is equivalent to one year and the term �times� is equivalent to two years, and the �dividing of time� equivalent to one half a year, making it a total of three and a half years. Daniel again records the same events in greater detail in chapters eleven and twelve. This leader would prevail against the saints �until the Ancient of days came and judgment was given to the saints of the most High;� (ch. 7:9)
Daniel again it chapters eleven and twelve reveals further information on the same events. In chapter eleven, Daniel refers to the leader as a �vile person� (vr. 21) and that �...his heart shall be against the holy covenant [the Church] (v.28)...therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant. (v.30) Daniel speaking of those who have left the church and have become enemies will feed his anger: ��he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.� (v.30) �...And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong....� (v.32)
Daniel then alludes to the severity of the persecution upon some leaders in the Church: �And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days...And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white��(vs. 33,35)
Daniel exposes some intentions of this leader: �And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done�But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.� (vs. 36, 38)
One might ask, what would bring this great tribulation upon the saints? Perhaps it will be the foretelling of the destructions to come upon America that will cause the persecutions, just as the Jews afflicted Lehi, and Jeremiah, because they prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem, or as the Jaredites responded to the prophets that warned of their destruction: �� all the prophets who prophesied of the destruction of the people should be put to death.� (Ether 11:5.)
If there is a prophet among the people, the Lord will warn of impending destruction. Nephi wrote that �...never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord.� (2 Ne. 25:9)
Upon this subject the Prophet Joseph Smith stated:
�It is not the design of the Almighty to come upon the earth and crush it and grind it to powder, but He will reveal it to His servants the prophets.� (DHC 5: 336 - 337.)
Will not the Lord warn the righteous before the destructions prophesied? Abraham asked the Lord as He was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah: �That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?� (Genesis 18:25)
Again Daniel repeats how the saints will be preserved: �And at that time shall Michael (Adam) stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.� (Dan. 12:1.)
Joseph Smith identified Adam-ondi-Ahman as the place
�...where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet� (DHC 3:34,35; Teachings p.122)
Joseph further revealed:
�Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.� (Teachings p. 157.)
Daniel affirms that the saints would prevail with help from the Lord: �But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.� (ch. 7: 22,26,27) Then Zion will be built and the Law will go forth out of Zion. (Isa. 2:2)
Prophecies of John and Nephi
It is apparent that John and Daniel are seeing the same vision in Revelation chapter thirteen, and Daniel chapter seven, we can observe that they both describe beasts with the same detail including the same number of horns on the beast. John in Revelation chapter 13 �...saw a beast rise up out of the sea,� of which he recorded: �And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (3 1/2 years). And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, (temple) and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.� (v. 5-7)
Nephi seeing the same vision describes: �And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.� (1Ne. 14:11) The angel told John; �� The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.� (Rev.17: 15) Apparently the devil would have power over the governments of the earth and the leaders would pursue and try to destroy the saints, and through these leaders seek to destroy the Lords work as he has in the past.
Nephi then observes the strength of the faith and testimony of the saints: �And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.� (1 Ne.14: 13, 14) In addition John records the same steadfastness of the saints: �These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.� (Rev. 17:14
During this time of trial we have the assurance of the Lord that the saints will be protected: �Wherefore, He will preserve the righteous by His power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. (1 Nephi 22:17.)
Where does John say the saints can look to be delivered? �And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.� (Rev. 14:1) There will be many meetings at Adam-ondi-Ahman perhaps John is describing another event to happen there for Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote of this meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman:
��we need not suppose that all these things shall happen in one single meeting or at one single hour in time. It is proper to hold numerous meetings at a general conference, some for the instruction of leaders, others for edification of all the saints. In some, business is transacted; others are for worship and spiritual refreshment.� (The Millennial Messiah: 585.)
Then speaking of the destruction of America, John sees in vision: �The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.� (Rev. 14:10-12) Nephi records of the same event: �And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.� (1 Ne. 22:13.)
�Who shall stand when He appeareth?� (Mal. 3:2)
The image of the beast may well be the �great and spacious building� and those who are pursuing the things of this world. John tells that ��they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.� (Rev.14: 11) Those that pursue the great and spacious building are consumed with a desire for possessions, or power, or honors of men, it is what they labor for, and it is what they constantly think about, thus they ��receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand.� (v. 9) While the true saints of God are focused on the �tree of life� or have the love of God in their hearts, they have the seal of �God in their foreheads.�(Rev. 7:3)
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught pertaining to this seal in our forheads:
��the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother.� (Teachings, 321.)
Through the trials ahead we must have charity in our hearts, as Moroni counseled us: �Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.� (Moroni 7:46,47)
We must be aware that Satan has his focus on one thing, to wear out and to destroy the saints, as John says: �And the serpent (the devil) cast out of his mouth water as a flood (a flood of wickedness and violence) after the woman, (the church) that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.� (Rev. 12:13)
In addition the Lord warned of this time: �And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.� (Matt. 24:11-13.)
When difficulties arise among the saints, will we be able to keep love in our hearts or will we succumb as some in the past fallen prey to Satan�s influence. We might well learn from the past, when such trials arose among the saints:
�A wave of speculation was spreading over the nation, and it seemed the spirit of it was caught by the Saints...At this time, town property and real estate went up to almost fabulous prices, and a general rush was made into business of all kinds. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elders on missions hastened home, bringing merchandise and means for general trade, while the Kirtland Bank issued its paper apparently with full confidence in the future. Goods were sold upon credit with great hope of better times; and 'Why be deprived of luxury and fashion today', seemed to be the spirit of the hour. But when goods bought on credit were to be paid for, and notes became due for lands bought at great prices, then began a reaction. Disappointment engendered feelings which reacted upon fellowship, and men in high places began to complain of and reproach each other, and brotherly love was found smothered by the love of the world. The Bank having issued its currency in the same confidence now began to comprehend that its specie vaults were empty, with no possibility to realize upon collateral to replenish them. The spirit of charity was not invoked, and brethren who had borne the highest priesthood and who had for years labored, traveled, ministered and suffered together, and even placed their lives upon the same altar, now were governed by a feeling of hate and a spirit to accuse each other, and all for the love of Accursed Mammon!� (Benjamin F. Johnson, from Joseph Smith for President, by John Heinerman; p.49)
We see the effect of similar circumstances just prior to the visit of the Savior on this cotenant: �Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God. And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this�Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity.� (3 Ne. 6:13-16)
We must be careful that we do not fall into the same plot of the adversary; we must follow principles that would protect and keep the hearts of the saints knit together. President Hinckley recommended such principles:
�Those who nurture in their hearts poisonous enmity toward another would be well served to ask the Almighty for strength to forgive and to extend the hand of mercy. Hatred always fails, and bitterness always destroys. Just an expression of the desire to forgive is of the very substance of repentance. It may not be easy, and it may not come quickly. But when it is sought with sincerity and cultivated, it will come�Frankly, most of us have not reached that stage of compassion and love and forgiveness. It is not easy to reach. It requires a self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of. It requires the ability to let go of our pride� The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either-or both-when needed?� (Stand For Something, ps. 84, 85,86)
We must be vigilant to not get caught up in the snare that will be placed in our path, we must put �...off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.� (Mosiah 3:19)
It is important that in these days of trial that we take the Holy Spirit as our guide: �And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived-verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation. For the Lord shall be in their midst, and His glory shall be upon them, and He will be their king and their lawgiver.� (D&C 45:56-59)
What element of our worship is it that will bring our deliverance from the destructions around us? �And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.� (3 Ne. 4:33)
The saints will pass through many trials, and these trials must produce the faith and humility, essential to bringing us back into Gods presence. Faith, hope, and charity are the greatest principles of the gospel for they lead us unto the Savior, �...the fountain of all righteousness.� (Ether 12:28) Without these principals incorporated into our lives we cannot enter into the Kingdom of the Father. (v. 32, 34)
The Saints that remain faithful and are not overcome will receive a blessing similar to that of Abraham, that there posterity will become numerous: �A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.� (Isaiah 60:22.) Those who endure these days will have numerous descendants that may become an entire nation during the thousand years of peace that will follow. And in the eternities we are promised: �To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.� (Rev. 3:21)
Joseph Smith recorded:
�Most assuredly it is, however, that the ancients, though persecuted and afflicted by men, obtained from God promises of such weight and glory, that our hearts are often filled with gratitude that we are even permitted to look upon them while we contemplate that there is no respect of persons in His sight, and that in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is acceptable with Him. But from the few items previously quoted we can draw the conclusion that there is to be a day when all will be judged of their works, and rewarded according to the same; that those who have kept the faith will be crowned with a crown of righteousness; be clothed in white raiment; be admitted to the marriage feast; be free from every affliction, and reign with Christ on the earth, where, according to the ancient promise, they will partake of the fruit of the vine new in the glorious kingdom with Him; at least we find that such promises were made to the ancient Saints. And though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the ancients for they are not our property, merely because they were made to the ancient Saints, yet if we are the children of the Most High, and are called with the same calling with which they were called, and embrace the same covenant that they embraced, and are faithful to the testimony of our Lord as they were, we can approach the Father in the name of Christ as they approached Him and for ourselves obtain the same promises. These promises, when obtained, if ever by us, will not be because Peter, John, and the other Apostles, with the churches at Sardis, Pergamos, Philadelphia, and elsewhere, walked in the fear of God and had power and faith to prevail and obtain them; but it will be because we, ourselves, have faith and approach God in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, even as they did; and when these promises are obtained, they will be promises directly to us, or they will do us no good. They will be communicated for our benefit, being our own property (through the gift of God), earned by our own diligence in keeping His commandments, and walking uprightly before Him. If not, to what end serves the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and why was it ever communicated to us?� (DHC 2: 21.)
The saints must prepare spiritually and temporally for the events ahead. We must look forward not in fear or panic, but look forward in faith and preparation. President Benson admonished the saints:
�For over forty years, in a spirit of love, members of the Church have been counseled to be thrifty and self-reliant; to avoid debt; pay tithes and a generous fast offering; be industrious; and have sufficient food, clothing, and fuel on hand to last at least one year. Today there are compelling reasons to reemphasize this counsel. We heard it done effectively in that great welfare meeting this morning�We encourage you to be more self-reliant so that, as the Lord has declared, �notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, �the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world� (D&C 78:14). The Lord wants us to be independent and self-reliant because these will be days of tribulation. He has warned and forewarned us of the eventuality. President Brigham Young said, �If you are without bread, how much wisdom can you boast, and of what real utility are your talents, if you cannot procure for yourselves and save against a day of scarcity those substances designed to sustain your natural lives?� (Ensign, Nov. 1980)
�Behold, this is the preparation wherewith I prepare you, and the foundation, and the ensample which I give unto you, whereby you may accomplish the commandments which are given you; That through My providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world; That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman;� (D&C 78:13-15.)
��Be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, and they who have sought Me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen.� (D&C 54:10.)
