Samuel An essay about prophecies in our present time and regarding our near future by Menno Feenstra

Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints describes itself as “the Restored Church”, and since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Mormon 9:7-11), we are taught that it is in the image of the original Church of Christ, as it existed during His earthly ministry. After a period which in the Church is described as “the great apostasy” , this Restoration had become necessary, and moreover it was prophesied (Rev 14:6). This essay is intended to consider up to what extent this claim, that today’s Church is in the image of the original Church of Christ, with its divine manifestations such as revelations, prophecies, visions and miracles, as these occurred in days of old, still can be recognized in the Church as we now know it.

The backgrounds of these considerations will be set forth and illustrated, and in order to emphasize the importance of these issues, I choose to do so particularly in the light of the events in Iraq during the past few years - although while doing so, and while sharing something of my personal perspective upon this issue, this essay is not intended to discuss the Iraq-issue in itself, beyond this scope.

In the final sections of this essay it will be investigated what prophecies have been made concerning the Church in our time; what expectations we as a Covenant people can hold for the future, particularly regarding the establishment of Zion; and with which divine conditions we must comply to see these expectations fulfilled. Therefore I challenge the reader to read this lengthy essay to the very end.

This essay is not intended to satisfy the souls of those who wish to be at ease in Zion, nor for those who are seeking "spiritual fast food", with an unwillingness to scrutinize the Scriptures, other resources and their own deepest feelings and motivations. To the contrary: You will read about perspectives and prophecies which are not pleasing nor comforting; truths which some won’t like to hear, might find disturbing, or even shocking; and quotations of scriptures which convey an unsettling message.

The reader who only superficially or partially reads this essay might interpret it to be “criticizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”, and even though I do think that an inquisitive mind is required in a search for light and truth, it is not my intention to break down, or to bring a negative message. Therefore, I exhort the reader not to “jump to conclusions” while reading this essay.

Yet, sincerity in a quest for light and truth also requires frankness, being straightforward and critical. Nowhere in the Scriptures does it say that “all criticism is wrong when the church is involved”, as is commonly believed. Even the contrary is true: Oliver Cowdery was told to admonish Joseph Smith when necessary (see D&C 6:18-19); and captain Moroni criticized chief judge Pahoran, and even threatened him with war (see Alma chapter 60). Even though his criticism towards Pahoran wasn't totally justified, by writing his critical letter he did move Pahoran into action. We are even admonished to raise the warning voice when necessary (see Ezekiel 3:16-21). Generally, from these examples we learn that if criticism, though imperfect as was captain Moroni’s, is meant to edify and cause improvement, it is justified. On the other hand, if we only criticize others with the intention to pull ourselves up by seeking to pull them down, it is not justified.

Therefore I wish to emphasize that I do consider the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be the work of God; I am absolutely convinced that the Book of Mormon is the word of God to mankind in our day, and therefore I will elaborately quote from it in this essay. Consequently I also do believe that Joseph Smith Jr. has been a Prophet, Seer and Revelator in the hand of God in bringing this forth.

Hence, this essay, though critical for the sake of truth finding, is not written with any hostile intentions towards the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, nor would I approve its use for any such purposes, for instance by partial, one-sided quotations.

On the other hand, I am no advocate of the idea that “all is well in Zion” (see 2 Ne 28:21-29), and those who think otherwise might find this essay disturbing, since it sheds another light on that matter – a light, the source of which we find in prophecies of old. Prophecies, often found to be “disturbing” by those who are satisfied with the status quo, and yet again spiritually uplifting by those who are dissatisfied with it.

In closing this introduction, I wish to state that I do not have the expectation that this essay would be of any significant influence within the LDS community. However, I do hope that it will be food for thought for some rare individual, who is willing to leave the comforts and certainties of everyday life, and to raise spirituality from beyond the prescribed standard rituals of programs, procedures and protocols.

In my quest for light and truth, I also investigate whether we may expect to find the answers to some vital questions on the long betrodden path of our religious living thus far, but I do not claim that I already found these answers. I emphasize that I do not believe any mortal being to be infallible, which of course includes me. I express my mind in this essay, aware that I might err in some of my ideas. I am therefore open for criticism on this essay ‑ and even I would appreciate it, in an open discussion with its readers, as long as contention is avoided (see 3 Ne 11:28-30).

Finally, the writing of this essay has been arduous and time consuming, and without any compensation or aim for commercial gain. I have done so because of the need I felt to call the attention to some important issues which are rarely, if ever discussed within the LDS-community. Hence, I would encourage the spreading and sharing of this document amongst those who have a sincere interest in it, to enhance some discussion and awareness amongst those who feel likewise.

Menno Feenstra , author
Elder in the Arnhem Ward,
Apeldoorn Netherlands Stake
September 2008
m.feenstra9@chello.nl

Summary

In a frame of reference regarding prophecies, visions, revelations and miracles, comparisons are made between such divine manifestations during the earthly ministry of Christ, those during the Restoration and those in the Church today. Assuming the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be in the image of the church as it existed during Christ's earthly ministry, and supposing that this Church has been restored to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Christ, we should expect prophecies, visions, revelations and miracles to be at least similar to those in days of old, both in “quantity” as well as in “quality”. Therefore, the question is asked what new prophecies, visions, revelations and miracles of similar magnitude can be recognized in the Church today, and what new revelations we have heard regarding the Second Coming of Christ during the past decades.

Our Quest for Light and Truth

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints correctly teaches that personal revelation from a divine source is required to find those truths which are essential for our individual salvation. This teaching is strongly emphasized where “ investigators ” are involved; yet the Scriptures and also modern day church authorities mention that once one has obtained a “testimony” and has been baptized, not “all is done” in the quest for light and truth.

Stinging questions are asked concerning our attitude towards this quest: Our inclination to discard our personal responsibility is examined, as is our tendency to put our trust in others, particularly in church authorities. This tendency becomes manifest when all of their words are implicitly considered as divinely inspired and hence infallible, even when merely their personal perspectives, interpretations and opinions are involved, and even when they explicitly make clear that they are still in the process of “seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit”.

From this perspective, the words of recent “prophets, seers, and revelators” are investigated, and a comparison is made between what we knew then and what we know now. I have chosen what has been said regarding the issue of the American invasion of Iraq as a clear example, quoting from the discourses “The Times in Which We Live” and “War and Peace” by the late President Gordon B. Hinckley.

I have also taken the freedom to bring up some moral issues related to this matter, particularly to contrast them against some other issues, where I have chosen the rather recent issue concerning earrings as another example: Minor issues when compared to matters of life or death, or war and peace, I should think, but in this essay I will also quote one of the General Authorities who seems to think otherwise.

Thus Saith the Lord versus Putting our trust in the Arm of Flesh

Questions about modern day prophecies, visions, revelations and miracles in today’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can also be asked from the perspective of an “investigator”, or from the perspective of any other open, but inquisitive mind. W hat should faithful Church members answer to such questions, in good conscience? Further questions arise concerning those whom we are supposed to sustain as our political governors, who also claim to have been inspired by God to undertake disputable actions.

In conclusion to further questions regarding today’s revelations and miracles, or the lack thereof, in answer to which questions the contrast between the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and other religious groups appears to be rather dim, the Church itself is investigated: Today’s leadership is compared with the leadership in Christ’s original Church, as it can be found in the Scriptures. In good faith, merely using source material provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints itself, the backgrounds of today’s leadership in the Church is investigated, particularly their status in this world and their established links with the world and with worldly leadership. A light is shed upon this issue from the perspective of ominous prophecies from the past.

Previous General Authorities from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are quoted, who also warned for these ominous developments. Beyond the scope of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, another religious leader is also quoted, who noted similar developments in other Christian churches, and warned for the peril this brings to our very salvation.

Then it is investigated what exactly was meant by Wilford Woodruff when he stated that “… the Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of this Church to lead you astray”, and with whom this statement leaves the responsibility for any revelation.

Again likening the Scriptures to ourselves, and comparing spiritual leadership in days of old and during the Restoration with today, this implicitly assumed infallibility of church leadership appears to be a fallacy  ‑it was then; it still is today; and this even is according to divine intent. Our inclination to be “at ease in Zion” is examined, as is our natural desire to put our trust in the arm of flesh.

The new apostasy and the New Restoration

Are we “anxiously engaged in a good cause”; are we really seeking divine guidance; or do we feel rather threatened when confronted with “light and truth” from an unexpected viewpoint, or when Heaven comes too close? Attitudes on these matters during ages past are examined, in order to compare them with our attitudes today.

Then the “more excellent way” of a spiritual approach is advocated, rather than a literal or “carnal” approach towards living Gospel principles, and this is linked to the establishment of Zion . President Ezra Taft Benson’s strong words of warning regarding our time are quoted, where he too refers to the Book of Mormon, stating that “all is not well in Zion”, and a different light is shed upon the prophecy given in Daniel, concerning the kingdom that shall not be taken away.

Quoting the words of Christ Himself from the Book of Mormon, a distinction is made clear regarding the Gentiles on the one hand, and the house of Israel on the other. Words of warning from the last prophets of the peoples described in the Book of Mormon are quoted, i.e. Mormon, Moroni and Ether, directed to us in these latter days, and similar messages from the Doctrine and Covenants and from early church leaders of the Restoration. All this is then placed in the perspective of the previous findings of this essay, thus coming to an explanation for the apparent difference in the degree of divine manifestations then and now.

The allegory of the tame and wild olive trees in Jacob 5 from the Book of Mormon is used to further clarify the foreknown destiny of the Gentiles, and the glorious destiny of the house of Israel, with which in particular today’s Lamanites are meant. These conclusions are again based on the words of Christ, in Third Nephi.

In closing this essay, rather than leaving the reader with a message of doom, the reader is challenged to an awareness of the current state of spiritual affairs, and to raise the bar from a literal, “carnal” Gospel living to a higher, spiritual level, which is made concrete in nine somewhat more “tangible” points.

Finally, it is explained how this message is meant to be in the light of a similar call to repentance by Samuel the Lamanite.

"Samuel", by Menno Feenstra, The Netherlands - Copyright 2008

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