Chapter 30
The latter-day Gentiles are commanded to repent, come
unto Christ, and be numbered with the house of Israel. About A.D. 34–35.
Mormon ends 3 Nephi
with words he was commanded to write. His words are addressed to the Gentiles. He
tells them to hear the words of Christ. His words are important because he had
been commanded to write them. He also mentions this when he introduces himself
earlier in 3 Nephi.
“And behold, I am
called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma
did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was
established among them after their transgression.
“Behold, I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare
his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life” (3 Nephi
5:12-13).
“Ancient scriptures
contain a number of revelatory speech forms or formulaic expressions which are
unique to the prophetic writings. That is to say, the prophetic speech forms
are present in sections of scripture where God reveals his word directly to the
prophets (i.e., Isaiah, Amos, Nephi, Joseph Smith). As might be expected, the
same prophetic forms are also present in the Book of Mormon, for it, too,
consists of prophetic writings …
“Proclamation
Formula—’Listen to the words of Christ’ (Moroni 8:8) or ‘Hearken to the word of
the Lord’ (Jacob 2:27; Helaman 12:23) or ‘Hear the words of Jesus’ (3 Nephi
30:1). Samuel told his audience to ‘hearken unto the words which the Lord saith’
(Helaman 13:21). Similar to the messenger formula, the proclamation formula is
often found at the beginning of a revelation or announcement. It is used as an
emphatic summons to hear the word of the Lord.”[1]
Paula Hicken shares
some observations about Mormon’s role in abridging the Book of Mormon. “Being
an editor and writer myself, I considered Mormon’s work as compiler and writer
and wondered if he viewed the Book of Mormon as his magnum opus or as the
culmination of his life’s dedication to the care of a sacred record that would
bless the lives of future generations. I envisioned him sorting through stacks
of plates, writing, compiling, and selecting during the horrific years of
degradation and destruction of a people who would not repent and be converted
to the Lord Jesus Christ. But he persisted because he knew the purposes of the
Lord would be fulfilled and the book would convert millions in a future day
(see 3 Nephi 30:1–2; Mormon 5:9–14; 7:2–10).”[2]
Paul also addressed
the Gentiles.
“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as
it is written, For this cause I will confess [GR profess openly, praise] to
thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
“And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people” (Romans
15:9-10).
Mormon calls upon the Gentiles to turn away from their sins
and repent. Among the sins he mentions
are lyings.
“Now those priests who did go forth among the people did
preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and
malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing, plundering, murdering, committing
adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not
so to be” (Alma 18:16).
“And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings,
and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away.
“For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that
day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off
from among my people, O house of Israel;
“And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as
upon the heathen, such as they have not heard” (3 Nephi 19:19-21).
They are told to come to Christ and be baptized in His name,
and they will receive a remission of their sins. They will receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. “Being filled with the Spirit is closely associated with the
sacrament of the Lord’s Supper—where those involved cried and gave glory to
Jesus (3 Nephi 20:9), with water baptism (Mosiah 18:10–14; 3 Nephi 30:2; Mormon
7:10), and with being born of God (Alma 36:24).”[3]
They will then be numbered among the house of Israel.
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have
put on Christ.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and
heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, thus saith our God: I will
afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I will soften the
hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like unto a father to them;
wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of
Israel.
“Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and
them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their
inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands,
wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me,
saith God” (2 Nephi 10:18-19).
[2] Mormon’s
Spiritual Treasure, “Dazzling” or Otherwise, Paula W. Hicken, FARMS Review 19/2 (2007): 9.
[3] NOTES –
Book of Mormon Pneumatology, John Christopher Thomas, Maxwell Institute
website.
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