Alvin R. Dyer - The Day of the Gentile (Chapter Eight)

This is the final chapter from the book "The Meaning of Truth" written by Alvin R. Dyer, that pertains to the section of the book called "The Day of the Gentile."


Chapter Eight:  A Question of Birth

Have you ever wondered why you were born today instead of two thousand years ago?  Did this just happen or is thee a foreordained plan governing the time and place of birth?  Why weren't you born in the days of Moses instead of today?  What were the processes in our pre-mortal estate which designated when and where you as an individual spirit should come into the world?  In the light of divine instruction the answers to these important questions are clear.  You and I were born in this day and age in accordance with our foreordination.

Missionaries who go throughout the world proclaiming the gospel at this particular time, do so because of their foreordination, being "hid from the world" to come forth as "lawful heirs" (D&C 86:9).

The birth of many chosen spirits into the world today in this last dispensation has been timed so that they could proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto the gentiles and unto as many of the house of Israel as shall be called to the end that they can be prepared for a place in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father:  First, here upon earth, and secondly, through proven worthiness to become priests, kings, and rulers in their own patriarchal households, and to assist our Heavenly Father in the administrations that will govern and control the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms.


A Person of Nobility

All of this is in accordance with the great plan of salvation that makes of each person so foreordained of the cast of nobility in the progressive eternal journey of the soul.

The nobility of person, achieved by long periods of conformity to gospel law and principle, has no place for egotism or of lifting oneself up in pride, but rather assumes the status of meekness in maintaining individual honor.

As we contemplate our pre-mortal position and of having been withheld in mortal birth to come forth in this great period of time to proclaim the gospel, to give over and over again our witness of the truth and to assist our Heavenly Father in the work, we cannot help but feel and sense our place in the noble lineage of Israel.  If this were not so, we would not be as we are today, members of the Church and Kingdom of God and the servants of our Heavenly Father.


A Thought to Ponder Concerning Resurrection

If we by some miracle had the power to see each other in the true form of our spirit bodies, even though mature in our physical bodies, we would find that some of our spirit bodies would be a little bigger than our physical bodies, and more perfect in other respects.  I have often thought as I have looked at our missionaries and people in general, now some are short, some are tall.  Since we do not know the dimensional size of our spirit bodies, we assume that not all are of the same size, but of these things we are not sure.  But this we have come to know, a spirit is full-grown when it enters the body of a child at the time of birth.  In some way, not understood, the tiny body of a child, at first, becomes the earth-life tabernacle of a mature spirit.

As the body grows in size, unless it is curtailed by physical handicap, disease or accident, it will undoubtedly grow generally to the form of the spirit.  But even though the body grows in the general image of its spirit in-dweller, oftentimes disease creeps in; children at birth have accidents, causing a physical injury to some part of the body which affects proper growth.  A brother called to an important Church position recently was observed to have a back deformity; his legs were abnormally longer than the trunk of his body, which was shorter than normal.  But in that man there is a glorified spirit.  It has no deformity, but his spirit must go along with that body until the body dies.  The spirit cannot remain with a mortal body that has ceased to function and when this occurs, the spirit departs to dwell in the spirit world.


The Day of This Life

The day of this life is from the day of mortal birth until the end of the period of the spirit world.  It is not at the end of this mortal life.  This is why we preach the gospel in the spirit world so that the work can be done for people vicariously here upon the earth, within the recognized day of this life.

Through the law of resurrection, the elements of the physical or mortal body are again brought to life by association, for the second time with their spirit bodies, never to leave again.  The body of element in the process of resurrection will then grow to the full stature of the spirit.  There will be no deformities.  The arms and the body will be perfect as it will then become an eternal soul.

We look at people and see many with one arm or one leg, others with body deformities, which they endeavor to compensate for with specially built shoes and clothing.  Sometimes we hear of a person referred to as ugly, caused by the contour of the face which, while preserving parental characteristics, takes on the appearance of ugliness because of the tricks of nature.  A cheekbone is caused to protrude from the face, or the chin bones to recede and thus the face grows lopsided.  One eye may be lower than another, or in numerous other ways the growth of physical parts of the body may be abnormal.  Such a person is referred to as homely or even ugly.  But the time will come in the resurrection when that face or body will have its proper form and proportions as it grows to the facial and body characteristics of the perfect spirit body.  There will be no ugliness.  Actually, there is no ugliness now if we could but look at the real person, at his spirit and not at his physical appearance.


Improvements in a Mortal Probation

Unto those who are born into a lesser kingdom in this life there can come an improvement to their place; for example, the day will come when the Negro will receive the gospel and will have the opportunity to receive the patriarchal order of the family and priesthood that goes with it.  The time will come when the Jews will be redeemed and be relieved of that curse which is upon them for the crucifixion of the Christ.  The time will come when the Lamanites will be made a white and delightsome people, and their backwardness and their lack of memory and all of the traits of character which are now placed upon them will vanish.  A great many of the American Indians are evidencing the signs of rising above the curse that was placed upon them and have demonstrated their abilities in our modern society.  In some part of South and Central America we see the lower castes of the descendants of the Nephites and Lamanites.  The day, however, will come when they also will rise, if they are willing, from that which was placed upon them.  In time they will be relieved from the curse which came upon them because of their rejection of the prophets.

These three divisions of cursed people that have had a judgment placed upon them, some of whom were of chosen lineages, indicate to us that in the plan of agency man, if he is to improve his place, must constantly be in the light.


The Gentile Division

Concerning the people in the second division of mortal birth, who have been referred to as the gentile, this is their day.  They are having the opportunities to improve their place from one position to another.  But at the end of this life, at the end of the spirit world, then there can be no change.  They should do their changing here in this probation.  The Prophet [Amulek] explains this:

Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you (Alma 34:31).

Our great responsibility as the Church and Kingdom of God is to lead people to repentance, for when a person repents, yielding to the influence of the Spirit of God manifested by those who testify to them, and teach them, the plan of salvation will open unto them and they will understand it.  Somewhere in the secret caverns of every person there is the power to understand the gospel message, if they will but open their hearts and be receptive.


Gospel Plan Known in Pre-mortality

All born into mortality were taught the Gospel in the pre-mortal estate.  All, in varying degrees, accepted it.  [Amulek] tells us that if they will only repent under the beckoning call of the servants of God, that immediately the great plan of redemption will be brought back to their understanding.

With this knowledge at hand, our obligation as members of the kingdom of our Heavenly Father is diligently to proclaim these truths unto other people.  Continuing the writings of Alma:

For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors (Alma 34:32).

And now this is the particular scripture that I want to call attention to:

And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, (which is from bith until the end of the spirit world) which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time (if we do not improve our place) while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed (Alma 34:33).

The Lord in his love, in his kindness, thought to make of probation of mortality the continuing opportunity for his spirit children to come to know the gospel.  All of the preaching and all of the influences and powers of persuasion that could have been used were used upon us in the first pre-mortal estate, and all who were noble and valiant were chosen to come into mortality to progress in what they already knew.  Those of the medium division were chosen and those in the lesser division were likewise.

This life is a probation.  Men have the opportunity to move from the lower division to a higher division.  This is why a Negro born into this life, imposed with a judgment due to a lack of full acceptance of the gospel plan, may, by receiving the gospel, be elevated to a higher place.  And the same with others who are born into mortality who have not fully accepted.  They too may advance.


To Improve or to Retrogress

But in all probations, there is also a danger of a down grade and those who come into this life to a noble position may lose their place and end up on the terrestrial kingdom or in the telestial, or even become a son of perdition.  This is the very point of the plan of free agency that Lucifer no doubt grasped and tried to get sufficient support to destroy the plan.  He wanted to save everyone under the principle of force, to be accomplished as he proposed by eliminating agency that all who would go into this world would come back into the spirit world in their same station.  There would be no change.  This had a great influence upon many, for a third of the hosts of heaven believed him and followed his erroneous and destructive way.  Actually Satan's plan was deceptive and could not happen as he must have claimed it would.


Life Comparison with the Parable of the Talents

This same principle of the plan is conveyed in Christ's parable of the talents as already referred to, with the one who did not want to take a chance on losing his place, and he who was given one talent buried it.  Do you get the true meaning of the parable of the talents?  The consequence of this is that all of life is depicted in this very parable which the Christ speaks of in the assigning of the five talents, representing the children of the noble lineage, the assigning of the two, of the adopted lineage, and the assigning of the one, of the lower lineage.  This is all a part of the organized plan of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  there was a chosen people in the premortal existence.  Literally there was an Israel in heaven and is so preserved in the procreation of man.  Those same spirits were born through such channels as to be given the opportunity, now, again to prove themselves, while those of lesser kingdoms were to have the opportunity to elevate themselves from one kingdom to another.  But as [Amulek] has stated, after the day of this life then there can be no work done for them.


Summary

In conclusion, here is a summarization.  That all men are created equal, may be true in a political sense, for such laws as men may provide for the protection of the individual rights on the basis of equality and opportunity; of course, we recognize no discriminating influence.  But if implied to mean that all men are born with equal capacity or even with the same inherent abilities, such becomes absurd and manifestly false.  Every spirit born in the flesh is an individual character and brings to the body prepared for its tenancy, a nature all of its own, fashioned and made ready by its degree of advancement in the pre-mortal estate referred to by the Lord as the first estate.  This principle of agency provides that tendencies, likes, and dislikes, in fact, the entire make-up of the spirit may be intensified or changed by the course of mortal life, and thus the spirit may advance or retrogress while allied with its mortal tabernacle.

Man shall, therefore, conclude his mortal probation or second estate to that degree of achievement made possible by the combination of his premortal level visited upon him in mortal birth and with that which he is able to do with himself here in this life.  Therefore, the sum and substance of his place in the third estate of life to follow this one, referred to as immortality and eternal life, will be the combination of both the first and second estates.


States of Existence

There are four conditions and stages in the advancement of the individual soul as made known to us by divine revelation.  They are:

1. The Unembodied or the spirit world.
2. The Embodied, when men take upon themselves a body in this life.
3. The Disembodies, when there is a brief separation of the spirit and the mortal body awaiting the resurrection.
4. The Resurrected.

In other words:  (A), every one of us lived in a premortal existence as an individual spirit; (B), we are now advanced to the stage of mortal existence in which we have taken a mortal body; (C), we shall live in a disembodied state after death which is but a separation of the body and the spirit; and (D), in due time each one of us, whether righteous or sinful, shall be resurrected from the dead with spirit and body being reunited, never again to be separated.

In the plan of salvation, which has been made known to us in this dispensation, through the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we are privileged to perceive and understand the principle or foreordination.  In a footnote from the Articles of Faith (Lecture 10, Article 5) by Dr. James E. Talmage, we are enlightened by the following article; under the heading of Foreordination:

The writings of the book of Genesis in the Bible, and from Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price make it plain that man existed in a spiritual condition prior to coming here, and also quite as evident that in that pre-existence he exercised his free agency.  God may have called and chosen men in their first estate, or spiritual existence, but whether they will accept that call and fill it, by repentance and good works in this life, is a matter in which it is their privilege to exercise their free agency.  Men exercised their free agency in the first or spiritual estate, as well as in this.  That the character of their works in that estate shaped their destiny in this is evident (Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Franklin D. Richards and James A. Little, see Foreordination).

In conclusion, I quote from one not of the Church:

Mormonism as a theory offers the most comprehensive and consistent explanation of the great mystery of life [no reference given].

Then we read this from another who is of the Church:

What thoughtful man must long for is some firm center about which he can organize his knowledge of the world, his experiences of life, a point of view from which he can gather all into an intelligible unity, and with which he can press forward with a deep assurance of divine guidance and adequate outcome [no reference given].

Benediction

May the Lord bless us one and all.  Help us to appreciate the fact that servants of God divinely committed to go forth with the assistance of our Heavenly Father in bringing about his purposes, are preparing men and women to be leaders in his kingdoms, at the same time working out their own salvation seeking to fulfil their destinies as priests and kings and as queens and priestesses in the Patriarchal Order in the eternal realms of our Heavenly Father.

Alvin R. Dyer - The Day of the Gentile (Chapter Seven)

Chapter Seven:  Distinction Between The Lesser Orders


It may be well to mention at this point that there was also a lower division of spirits who rejected the priesthood of God in the pre-mortal existence, which is the reason for their birth into a cursed lineage (See Chapter 4, Section:  Curse upon the Jews for the Exercise of Priestcraft).  Some have said that there were neutral spirits in the pre-mortal state.  It is the opinion of the author that there were no neutrals in that estate of existence, all sustained one position or other.  Some were occupied by complete rebellion and became sons of perdition and as such were not permitted to be born unto the probation of mortality.  Concerning them and their condition, the Apostle John relates the following as shown to him in vision:

And there was war in heaven:  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:7-9).

Many have wondered why they were cast out upon the earth.  Perhaps until the final judgment there was no other place for them to go.  It would seem that they will not be assigned to their final place of abode, a kingdom of outer darkness, which the Lord has said is prepared for them (See "Who Am I?", Dyer, pp. 558-559; The Kingdom of Condemnation), until the end of mortal life and the final judgments and expulsion.  Therefore, until the final subjugation of Lucifer and his followers, they are permitted to reside in the ambient areas of the earth called inner darkness, here upon the earth (See Section of this Volume, "The Kingdom of Evil").  They could not continue in the presence of God because of their rebellion.  Concerning their banishment from the presence of God in the beginning, we have the following scripture:

And I heart a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ:  for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night (Revelation 12:10).

Distinction Between Lesser Order and Sons of Perdition

From this we learn somewhat of the difference between those of the premortal estate who came into the earth-life existence in a lower division, while the sons of perdition were denied the privileges of of mortality.  Those of a pre-mortal lesser righteous judgment apparently did not lose characteristics of potential repentance, and thus the probation of earth life could have a good effect upon them, while Lucifer and the disobedient spirits that followed him sinned against light and were thus incapable or repentance.  Because of this the gospel plan and earth probational existence would avail them nothing.

Recognizing this awful condition, Lucifer and his followers organized a resistance against God and fought against him.  He accused God; he accused Christ; he accused the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and did everything in his power to undermine the coming forth of the plan of salvation here upon the earth denied to him and his followers.  Consequently, those who followed him supported the action of rebellion.


The Mark of Apostasy

The mark of a deep-rooted apostate in the Church today can be detected, for after excommunication from the Church they set to work to destroy the Church and the work of the Lord.  This is precisely what many of the early-day leaders in this dispensation have done, and some even today are doing, for when they were cut off from the Church, they retaliated in various ways to undermine the Church and its forward progress.  Because of this, their ultimate fate is in serious jeopardy, and some may have even partaken of perdition.


The Mild Apostate

There are those of mild involvement who have really never come to know the truth, who simply say, when leaving the Church, we want no part of Mormonism.  In our way of thinking it is false, we have never understood its purposes.  Having taken this stand they go back to their former way or some other way, but do nothing to harm the work of God.  Their condemnation will not be so great as the former.  It is the same today as always with dissenters, for we can witness the difference between a hard core apostate who rebels and then seeks to undermine and destroy, and others who leave the Church simply because they were never really converted to its message.


The Scheming Apostate From Within

Then too, there are those under the protective guise of Church membership who seek to undermine its progress by open criticism of its policies and leaders, under the premise of being wiser than God's revealed laws, or the pronouncements of his representatives upon the earth.

These have already apostatized from the Church and Kingdom of God, even though the Church tribunals of excommunication have not caught up with them.  This type of member is referred to in one of the revelations as having already apostatized, and are ranked with those who have been "cut off."  Concerning this the following reference is given:

And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off from the church, as well as the lesser priesthood, or the members, in that day shall not find an inheritance among the saints of the Most High (D&C 85:11).

Sent Forth to Proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles

Missionaries are sent to many countries of the world, and while we rejoice with our wonderful converts and members of the Church, remember we have not quite reached three million members as of today.  This is far from the number of people who live in one large city.  Perhaps the number of living who will fully accept the Gospel will be fewer than we would like to think.

We read from the scriptures that "... strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, ... and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:14).  For fear that some of these might fall, the Lord said unto his disciples on the Mount of Olives that, "And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:  but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matthew 24:22).

In light of the foregoing scriptures, what then is our real purpose in testifying of the message of the restoration unto the people of the world?  This is being done so that as many as will may be made partakers of the eternal benefits of the Gospel.  We are assisting our Heavenly Father to gather from the various races of mankind, both from the chosen and adoption lineages, those who will valiantly accept the gospel in this life and prepare themselves to take part in God's plan of redemption and to assist in the governing and ruling of all God's children who will be categorically assigned to the divisions of three degrees of glory in the next estate of eternal life.


Celestial Assignment

The Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76, tells clearly of the assignment of those of the priesthood to become kings and priests in the patriarchal order of the family that will govern in the celestial kingdom.

According to the law of the gospel, no man is to be in bondage to another (D&C 101:79).  No man in the eternities will be given jurisdiction over anyone who is not sealed to him by covenant and promise, and who is a recipient of the same blessings.

This is just another way of describing a condition of leadership and of being an administrator in God's plan.  The ancient term of king and queen meant the same thing, but to us in our modern terminology it could be said, I anoint you to become a leader in our Heavenly Father's kingdom in the government and administration of the degrees of glory in the next or third estate of man.  We testify unto and teach the people of the world the gospel that they may by obedience and conformity have place in the celestial kingdom, for if not there, then in either the terrestrial or telestial kingdoms of glory, each kingdom being lesser than the one above it.


The Process of Resurrection

The celestial kingdom, or the kingdom of administration, will be the first to be founded and organized and the characteristics of those who will occupy it are described in the revelations as follows (D&C 76:51-70):  "These are they who are of the Church of the Firstborn" (D&C 76:54).  "These are they who come forth in the morning of the first resurrection" [I can find no scriptural reference for this exact quote; D&C 76:64-65 is close], not the evening.  The ones who come in the evening of the first resurrection will no doubt go into the terrestrial degree.  But those who come in the morning will go into the celestial degree.  And then the first resurrection will be over, and the second resurrection will be for those of the telestial degree of glory and the sons of perdition, who will exist in a kingdom not of glory.  All of this is in accordance to the plan of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 76:64, 85).


Preparation for Leadership

From the revelations given unto Abraham he learned of his foreordination, together with others who had prepared themselves for leadership in mortality.

Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said:  These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me:  Abraham, thou art one of them; thou was chosen before thou wast born (Abraham 3:22-23).

All of the blood of Israel who have come into the Church have been foreordained to their places in the Church and kingdom of God, if they accept it and by faith and good works demonstrate their convictions (Alma 13:3; Ephesians 1:4, 5).  Every bishop of the Church is foreordained to be a bishop before he left the premortal realm, as are all to participate in assisting the work of God upon the earth.

Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before the world was.  I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council (History of the Church, Vol. VI, p. 364).

Recently before ordaining several bishops, the writer reminded them that this was the fulfillment of that which had been established by foreordination in the councils of deaven, and that they could take joy in the realization that they had come this far in the way of their earth life callings.


The Celestial Kingdom

There will come a time at the end of earth life existence when all who have been born into mortality will, through the inexorable law of resurrection, have prepared themselves for the final judgment and assignment to their places in the next or third estate of eternal existence, called by the Lord immortality and eternal life.

In a sense, this assignment to places of future abode will be similar in judgment and assignment which took place in the first estate, or premortality, leading to birth into the second estate or mortality.  The principle difference in the third estate, an immortality assignment, will find man as an eternal soul.

The soul of man, to be whole and complete, constitutes both the body which dies, and the spirit, which though separated does not die.  Redemption, in its various degrees, is brought to pass by the resurrection and spiritualization or quickening of the natural body that it can unite eternally with the spirit (D&C 88:14-17).

The assignments to places in the third estate will be into one of three degrees of glory, with the exception of the sons of perdition.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the early-day Christian saints at Corinth describes this ultimate third estate condition in the following way:

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial:  but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:  for one star differeth from another star in glory. 

So also is the resurrection of the dead (I Corin. 15:40-42).

They who will occupy the celestial kingdom will be the Church of the Firstborn, "into whose hands the Father has given all things" (D&C 76:55-60).  What is meant by all things?  It pertains to all knowledge, all power that exists in the presence of God.  Not to obtain the great power that he personally has, but to be influenced and instructed by that which emanates from his presence that we may function in it, thus to improve, leading to perfection.

They that are priests and kings in the patriarchal order of the family will in this manner receive the benefit of his fulness and glory.  All who partake of this power will increase in might and dominion.  What is meant by dominion?  This pertains to leadership - to govern, control and direct.


Terrestrial Kingdom

The following revelation concerns those assigned to a lesser or terrestrial kingdom:

These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.
These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father (D&C 76:76-77).

In explanation of this, we learn that the Son will visit and administer through the priesthood of God in the terrestrial kingdom, but they who are there will not dwell in the presence of nor receive of the fulness of the Father.  They will not have the right of dominion, since the patriarchal order will not obtain in this kingdom.  The terrestrial kingdom will thus be administered by the power and dominion of the celestial kingdom (D&C 76:87).


Telestial Kingdom

Of the telestial kingdom, which glory is lower than that of the terrestrial kingdom, this has been revealed:

These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial; 

And the terrestrial through the ministration of the celestial. 

And also the telestial receive it of the administering of angles who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of salvation (D&C 76:86-88).

God shall designate those of the celestial kingdom who shall be called to govern and control in the telestial kingdom.  From this great revelation on priesthood, we read:

For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. 

They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. 

And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, said the Lord: 

For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; 

And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; 

And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom:  therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him (D&C 84:33-38).

The Administration of the Glories

Thus we are led to understand, to some extent at least, the powers of dominion.  The telestial receives its administration from the terrestrial where the presence of the Son will govern and under whose direction the priesthood after the order of the Son will administer unto this kingdom, as well as also the administering angels from the celestial kingdom (see D&C 7).  John the Apostle is an administering apostle unto the heirs of salvation. These of the celestial kingdom as referred to, no doubt directed by the Christ, will administer and govern the lesser glories.  In all of this we see a purpose.  Every one of us dwelt in the pre-mortal estate with God and was given challenge of leadership, and privileged to come to earth at this particular time to fulfil that challenge and prove worthy of further leadership appointment in the continuing plan of the gospel.

Alvin R. Dyer - The Day of the Gentile (Chapter Six)

Chapter Six:  The Day of the Gentile


The question should be rightfully asked at this point:  "How does the covenant, which Noah made with his son, Japheth (Genesis 10:2-5), through whose lineage have been born countless millions of middle division spirits of pre-mortality whom we refer to as gentiles, to whom the gospel is to be taken, relate to the missionary program of the Church today?"

Concerning this, a comprehensive reference is made to certain prophecies in the Book of Mormon as follows:

Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God. 

And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the foundation of a great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. 

And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. 

Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God. 

And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou has seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest - because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God - because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. 

Nevertheless, thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations, upon the face of the land which is choice above all other lands (North and South America), which is the land that the Lord God hath covenanted with thy father that his seed should have for the land of their inheritance; wherefore, thou seest that the Lord God will not suffer that the Gentiles will utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy brethren (I Nephi 13:25-30).

Continuing these prophecies concerning the Gentiles:

And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks - 

And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel. . . . (I Nephi14:1-2).

With regard to taking the gospel to the gentiles, the Lord, speaking unto Nephi, had this to say further.  His words clearly identify the particular day in which we now live, as the very day when these things will transpire:

And verify I say unto you, I given unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place - that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion: . . . 

For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel (III Nephi 21:1, 6).

Joseph Smith Identified with This Period of Time

Thus the day of the gentile is clearly identified by the Lord as he ministered among the Nephites.  This, he proclaimed, would take place in the last days when the plan of the gospel would be restored and go forth unto the world beginning with the gentiles (D&C 45:28).

To further identify this period of time, the Lord declared unto the Nephites that a man would declare it unto them, (Joseph Smith) whom, for the most part, the people would not believe.  Here are his words:

For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. 

But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them.  Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. 

Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant (III Nephi 21:9-11).

The Last Opportunity for the Gentiles

The conditions of the unfolding of this prophetic period, with the gospel being taken to the gentiles, is unmistakable.  This period is their last opportunity to receive it.  If the people of the lands of America, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in the world where the gentile nations reside, do not receive the gospel during the period referred to, judgments and disasters will come upon them that, in comparison, will go beyond anything that has ever happened to them.  These disasters will occur when the Lord withdraws his Spirit from these lands because of disobedience and unwillingness to accept the gospel plan.


Judgments to Come If Gentiles Reject Gospel

When we think of the terror and devastations that have occurred throughout the world upon various historical occasions, and realize that these incidents are small compared to that which the Lord will permit if the gentiles fail now to repent, we can understand how terrible the judgments of God will be.  And yet the extent of these things can be avoided if enough of the gentiles accept the truth, or for those who do accept the gospel, realizing of course that the righteous sometimes suffer with the wicked when the judgments of God are poured our on the people.  The Lord, however, has said that the righteous will be gathered out.  Here is the statement of the Lord on this:

For it shall come to pass, said 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. 

But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance; 

And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem (III Nephi 21:20-23).

Gentiles Who Respond Will Be Saved

If they will repent and hearken unto the Lord, and harden not their hearts, his Church will be established among them, and they shall come in and be numbered among the house of Israel.  Here then is the promise and prophecy from the Lord concerning the gentiles.  It concerns the plan of the gospel to be taken to them by the heralds of truth, who are the missionaries of this dispensation.


Gentiles Throughout Worlds to Receive Gospel Call

While the Lord speaks more generally of the gentiles who will occupy the promised land of America, the proclaiming of the gospel unto the gentile is not to be confined to those in America, as explained by Nephi, the prophet:

And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest - because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God - because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, and exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them (I Nephi 13:29).

The Gentiles

Who then are the gentile nations of today?

The record of Moses and contained in Genesis, will help us to understand this by identifying the ancient genealogy of the children of Japheth, the eldest son of Noah, with whom the covenant of adoption was made.  This same record gives the genealogy of all the three sons of Noah, of whom the whole earth was overspread (Genesis 9:19) following the landing of the Ark after the great flood (Genesis 8:16).

Of particular concern for the purpose of this writing is that part of the record which refers to the descendants of Japheth, which tells of the origin of the great Gentile races who have come from Japheth.  The record so given refers ethnologically to these peoples rather than individually.

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth:  and unto them were sons born after the flood. 

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Mescach, and Tiras. 

And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 

And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations (Genesis 10:1-5).

A detailed study of the dispersion of the Japhethic races, both as to their eastward and westward migrations from the second beginning of Earth civilizations has been made to some extent by the author (See "This Age of Confusion" chapters 6-10).  A brief account only will be given here of these ethnic descendants of Japheth, the eldest son of Noah, with whom as we have learned, a covenant was made by Noah leading to their inclusion in the house of Israel through the Law of Adoption, if faithful and obedient to the gospel offered to them in the day of the gentile, which day is today.


The Descendant Civilizations of Japheth

Ethnologically speaking, the descendant civilizations of Japheth are the descendants of Gomer who are the French and the British.  Those of Magog and Tiras are associated with the Germans, Teutons, and the Slavs, while those of Madai are found in the far and Middle East principally the Hindu, the Chinese, the Korean, and the Japanese, together with those of the Malayan Peninsula and near areas.  These people are all descendants through eastern migrations and amalgamations from Madai forming the great Aryan or Indo-European and Asiatic races (Note:  for a more comprehensive study of the ethnic affinities of the Far East, see, This Age of Confusion, Section Two, Chapters 6-10, by the Author).  Javan is the ancestor of the people of Greece and Turkey and of the inland countries.  Of Tubal and Meschach, these find their ethnic affinities in Siberia and Russia.

The many references to rivers, mountains, customs, writings, and other things connect civilization with civilization which in the earlier days settled first in the nearby areas of the Ark, landing in the Near East, then by migration into extended areas throughout what is now modern Europe and Asia.

America received its influx of gentiles by migration, principally from Europe.

These ethnic descendancies can be traced in our modern time, all of which is of significant interest in the realization that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actually pursuing a fixed course of proclaiming the gospel to the descendants of Japheth throughout the world and, in doing so, are fulfilling the covenant which Noah made with him, to the end that "he shall dwell in the tents of Shem" (Genesis 9:27).


The Blood of Israel

The genealogical record of Genesis clearly identifies Shem, the son of Noah, as the progenitor of the house of Israel or the house of God (Genesis 10:21-31), into which lineage of people are born the spirits of the pre-mortal estate who because of abedience and development in that sphere of existence merited such a mortal lineage birth.

Of this particular lineage, the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, an ethnic descendant of Shem, as follows:

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:18).

The blood of Israel, particularly that of Ephraim, has been sprinkled among these very nations (See "Who Am I?", Dyer, pp. 457-461).  It is difficult for members of the Church to know how much of the blood of Ephraim or others of the literal seed of Abraham they have in their bodies.  The Prophet Joseph Smith was a blood descendant of Ephraim.  But it is almost a sure thing that a great deal of gentile blood is in all who accept the gospel, mixed as it may well be with the blood of Ephraim, Manasseh, and others.  But it matters not for when Gentiles accept the gospel from among the nations of the earth today, they are generally speaking assigned by adoption to the tribe of Ephraim.


Difference In Reaction of the Gentile and Pure Blood Descendant of Israel

The differentiated characteristics of gentiles and those of the chosen seed when accepting the gospel are described by the Prophet Joseph Smith:

There are two comforters spoken of.  One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism.  The first comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence.  It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile, though it may not have half as much visible effect upon the body; for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham.  That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost.  In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure knowledge (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 149-150).

This is the day of the gentile!  And the gospel is being declared unto them here in America, Europe, Asia, and throughout the world.  Their birth into these various mortal lineages is in accordance with their station in the pre-mortal realm.  We are given to know that they did not rebel against God, but perhaps were not so valiant there as those born into the chosen lineage.


A Caution to Those of Gentile Lineage

Because of this evaluation, those who have come into the Church today who are of gentile lineage should be alert to the tendency of accepting only that part of the gospel to which they may become attached for one reason or another, while not accepting all of its teachings.  Some there are, for example, who find it difficult to pay a full tithing, settling for a tithing contribution or none at all.  The payment of an honest fast offering is neglected; they may pay some, or none.  The observance of the Word of Wisdom is often found lacking.  In these and other character traits, there is evidenced a lack of complete conviction.  Such responses indicate a carrying over of the traits of their pre-mortal existence.

They are probably guilty of the sin of omission rather than the sin of commission; they are not valiant in the testimony of the Lord.  True valiance means to sustain the Church and all of its teachings - not to select just certain of its laws to keep, but to accept and obey all of them.  If they do not accelerate to full acceptance, they will leave this mortal existence without having made the most of their adoption into the house of Israel, or may even lose their place.

Alvin R. Dyer - The Day of the Gentile (Chapter Five)

Chapter Five:  Noah and Three Sons

Of Noah and his three sons, the scriptures say:

And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth:  and Ham is the father of Canaan. 

These are the three sons of Noah:  and of them was the whole earth overspread (Genesis 9:18-19).

Of these three sons of the great Patriarch Noah have come the races of mankind in mortality.

Adam and his sons were the original progenitors, but with the destruction of all mankind by the flood, except Noah and his three sons and their wives, the peopling of earth had a second beginning.  Japheth, Shem, and Ham obviously, therefore, became the ethnic sires of the races or civilizations of mankind that exist upon the earth today.  They have preserved through their lineages, the three divisions of man, which obtained in the pre-mortal estate of preparation and which then as now preserves by mortal procreation the moving force of mankind.


Shem

Shem, though not the eldest, was placed above Japheth and thus received the patriarchal birthright.  Through the lineage of Shem has come and will continue to come the spirits of the pre-mortal estate who had progressed there to that degree representative of five talents and who were referred to by God as the noble and great, which is determined by foreordained judgment according to the eternal laws of God, of those who merit this particular earthlife lineage of birth.

The prophet Abraham was told beforehand that, "Thou wast one of them."  Through him, and his son Isaac, and his son Jacob or Israel, have been born and are being born the house of Israel.


Japheth

Japheth was given the second place by his father, Noah.  Through him has been born, and will yet be born people of the ethnic lineage which we shall identify as the lineage of adoption, or those of the Gentile nations.  The Jewish interpretation of the Gentile, as being all who are not Jews, when considered in this broad sense, is not correct.  According to my knowledge of the gospel, a gentile is a descendant of Japheth.  Concerning these, Noah gave a blessing indicative of "adoption" (Genesis 10).


Ham

Through the lineage of Ham and the descendancy of Canaan and Phut have come the colored or black races.

Ethnologically it is not too difficult to trace the main races or civilizations of mankind as they have come down from the landing of the Ark on Mt. Ararat.  (This is a separate study but a most interesting one) (See "This Age of Confusion", Alvin R, Dyer, for the principle of migration to the East following the landing of the Ark after the flood.)


Ham Rejects Noah and the Priesthood

The ninth chapter of Genesis, in an apparent story telling fashion, states that Noah became drunken on wine and lay in his tent naked, and when Ham came in he made fun of his father and when Japheth and Shem heard of it, they went into the tent backward with a covering and placed the covering over their father out of respect for him.  They then rebuked their brother Ham because he had failed to recognize the honor and dignity of his own father.  This Jewish story served to convey the lesson of its writing.  It was a way of telling how Ham did not respect the family organization and the father who presided in the order of priesthood, held by the Patriarch Noah.  Because of the spirit of rebellion, as demonstrated in this story, Ham received the lesser blessing.


Simulation of the Family or Priesthood Order by Pharoah

From the writing of Abraham, we learn how Pharoah attempted by simulation to observe the Patriarchal family order, which is instrumented by the Priesthood.

Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. 

From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land. 

The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden. 

When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. 

Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharoah, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal. 

Pharoah, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. 

Now, Pharoah being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharoahs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham ... (Abraham 1:21-27).

The Curse of Cain Preserved in Canaan, Son of Ham

Ham, with his son Canaan, in similar fashion to that of Cain, rejected the patriarchal family order of God and were denied the priesthood associated with it.  In this manner is preserved through Ham, the son of Noah, the lineage of birth of spirits coming into mortality under this discipline in the post-deluge period.  Shem and Japheth are depicted as respecting their father Noah and the priesthood of the family.  Shem was more valiant in his acceptance of it than was Japheth, and because of this Shem received the birthright of the family organization over his brother Japheth.  Nevertheless, when Noah made covenants with and bestowed blessings upon his three sons, according to patriarchal custom, the important blessings and covenants were bestowed upon Shem and Japheth.  Ham was blessed as a servant and as such in due time, would receive certain blessings from the household of Shem, or literally the house of Israel.

The covenants which Noah made with his three children are most important, a knowledge of which is significant to an understand of the overall plan of the gospel.

Concerning Canaan, the son of Ham, Noah proclaimed that he would get his blessing from Shem.

Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren (Genesis 9:24-25).

It is to be noted that the curse is preserved through Canaan, a son of Ham.  Unto Shem he said:

Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant (Genesis 9:26).

The Blessing of Adoption Given to Japheth

In the blessings which Noah continued to bestow upon his sons there followed a marvelous promise unto Japheth which I desire to emphasize:

God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tens of Shem; ... (Genesis 9:27).

In other words, God shall enlarge Japheth and provide for him and his descendants the opportunity to come in and dwell in the tens of Shem, or the house of the descendants of Shem, or the house of Israel, for truly the house of Israel is descendant from Shem.  Thus the covenant was made unto Japheth and his descendant civilizations that in the progress of life he would receive the great opportunity by acceptance of the Gospel plan to improve his place of existence in the eternal plan, by being adopted into the "tent" or house of Israel. From the Times and Seasons we have this article titled:

A Short Chapter on a Long Subject

After the flood and after Ham had dishonored the holy priesthood, Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son (Ham) had done unto him.  And, as the priesthood descended from father to son, he delivered the following curse and blessing, as translated by King James' wise men and recorded in Genesis:

And he said, cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. 

And he said, blessed be the Lord of God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. 

God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

History and common observation show that these predictions have been fulfilled to the letter.  The descendants of Ham, besides a black skin which has ever been a curse that has followed an apostate of the holy priesthood, as well as a black heart, have been servants to both Shem and Japheth, and the abolitionists are trying to make void the curse of God, but it will require more power than man possesses to counteract the decrees of eternal wisdom. 

Again Shem or his descendants were blessed with receiving the revelations, prophets, and Savior: - A blessing truly which even the most sagacious infidel has not been able to explain away. 

Again, Japheth has dwelt in Shem's tent, both in the land of Canaan and in America; for 'tents' is a figurative expression which in Hebrew, would signify the residence or abode. 

Now our short chapter will soon end, for the Savior said Jerusalem should be trodden down till the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled, and the very movement of every nation shows the eternal truth of the above quoted passage of scripture.  It frustrates the designs of sectarians; - it chokes the deists; astonishes the world, and delights the saints.  Amen (Times & Seasons, Vol. 6, p. 857, John Taylor editor).

Commencement of a Work

It is known throughout the world that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, principally unto the Gentile, as contained in the message of the Restoration.  The reason for this is that today is the day of the Gentile.  The day of the Lamanite has not yet fully come, although great strides are being made among those people, nor of the Jew, nor of other cursed disciplinary lineages.  Their time for redemption will not come until after the city of the New Jerusalem is built, and the temples of God will be erected in Jackson County, Missouri, although some preliminary work of teaching the gospel to these factions has started.

We are told that the day will come when the Lamanites and Gentiles, who have been converted to the gospel together with and under the direction of the children of Ephraim, will build the City of the New Jerusalem ("The Refiner's Fire" Alvin R. Dyer, Chapter 10).  Their complete redemption, together with the full restoration of the other tribes of Israel and for all of God's children who will respond to the gathering call, will come in the sequence of the Lord's time, preceded by the ten tribes who will be led from their hiding place to the city of the New Jerusalem, as proclaimed by the Lord to the Nephites.

And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people.  Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem. 

Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father, to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name. 

Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father, among all nations, in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance (III Nephi 21:26-28; D&C 133:21-30).

But the Lord has sent one of the tribes ahead to prepare the way for the coming of the other tribes.  All who join the Church today, except those of the tribe of Manasseh and a few other exceptions, are of, or assigned to, the tribe of Ephraim.

It is significant to recall that Joshua, a descendant of Ephraim (Numbers 13:6-8), became the leader and prophet of ancient Israel succeeding Moses, as borne record to by this ancient scripture:

And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, 

Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the Lord. 

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still (Numbers 14:36-38; see also 14:6).

The Gathering Has Commenced

In the present and last dispensation, the Lord has now started the work leading to the gathering of the chosen people.  Ephraim, who holds the patriarchal birthright of the house of Israel (Genesis 48:13-20), has the assignment to lead and prepare the way.  We can witness in the Church today by our own patriarchal blessings and designation of lineage, that primarily only those who are of this lineage by blood descent or who are adopted into it, together with the tribe of Manasseh, are being called, and thus through the loins of Joseph, principally meaning Ephraim and Manasseh, the chosen of Israel, the gathering of the last days has commenced.

It would appear that those who will have place in the celestial kingdom of our Heavenly Father will need to hold a place in the house of Israel, or the house of God.  These will be those having obeyed the covenants of that Kingdom.  Those who are not rightful candidates of the twelve tribes by blood descent, will be given the opportunity of becoming a part through the gospel plan, by adoption, to one or another of the twelve tribes.  But as has already been referred to, the tribe of Ephraim is being called first, as it was announced anciently,

. . . I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn (Jeremiah 31:9).

Procedure in Gathering Various Peoples Given by the Lord

The resurrected Christ, speaking unto the people as recorded in the Book of Mormon, and already referred to, outlines the procedure in accordance with the heavenly plan for the gathering and redemption of the various peoples of the earth.  His words also reveal that a sign is to be given which will identify the time of these happenings:

And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place - that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion: (III Nephi 31:1).

The Sign To Be Given

The sign, or signal that these events have begun to transpire, is to be at the time when the descendant races of Japheth, ethnologically speaking, or the gentiles, will hear the gospel, many of whom will accept it and come in and be numbered with the children of the house of Israel.  This work must be accomplished before the final gathering.

The words of the Lord on this particular subject and recorded in the Book of Mormon (III Nephi 21), are most conclusive in establishing the fact that the ancient covenant made by Noah with his son Japheth will be fulfilled.  It is to be noted that the identification of the "day of the Gentile" is associated with the founding of the Constitution of the United States (III Nephi 21:4, 5, 6).


Order of Gathering

First

The city of the New Jerusalem, the first of the cities of Zion is to be built by the sons and daughters of the house of Israel being called first, namely Ephraim, and Manasseh, and gentiles who have become part of the house of Israel by conversion and adoption (III Nephi 21:22-25; I Nephi 14).

Second

The Ten Tribes, "even the tribes which have been lost" as to identity in ancient times shall then be gathered to Zion (III Nephi 21:26, 27; D&C 133:21-30).

Third

Other nations of all races, creeds, and color, who will have accepted the covenants and are prepared to be gathered to Zion for their inheritance (III Nephi 21:28, 29).

The holy scriptures speak clearly of the redemption of the tribe of Judah, and the rebuilding of the Old Jerusalem with its temples, this to come when the house of Judah, generally speaking, will accept the Christ as their Redeemer and will again covenant with him ("Who Am I?", Alvin R. Dyer, pp. 436-441).  The Lord speaks clearly of this unto the Nephites (III Nephi 20:29-35).

In the light therefore of the divine procedure to be followed in the gathering of the various people of different nations, in the sequence of the Lord's time, first will come the children of Ephraim and Manasseh, with as many of the gentiles who will accept the gospel, to be followed by the lost or hidden tribes of Israel (I Nephi 22:4; II Nephi 10:20-22), and also the tribe of Judah.  The gathering thereafter, mainly speaking, will come from all nations of the earth, who have not been designated, including those of all races and color, who will have accepted the gospel and are willing to respond to the beckoning call of the Lord to gather.

Alvin R. Dyer - The Day of the Gentile (Chapter Four)

Chapter Four:  The Peopling of the Earth and the Law of Agency

Divine records reveal the placement of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1).  In order to bring about a fall, which was necessary to fulfill the purposes of earth-life existence, they had to deliberately act of their own volition.  This is why the scriptures tell us clearly that Adam was not deceived.  Adam had to submit to the fall of his own free will.  It could not be thrust upon him.  Adam was not deceived; the woman was deceived; but Adam was not deceived, even though he transgressed.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression (I Timothy 2:14).

As stated, had he been deceived and unknowingly had partaken of the forbidden fruit, his act could not have brought about the fall.  This, of necessity, was the product of the exercise of agency.  To explain this principle, reference is made to the atoning sacrifice of Christ and the exercise of his agency.  Concerning his life, he said:

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father (John 10:18).

He had the power to resist death, but he voluntarily gave his life so that he could bring about the atonement by the law and principle of free agency.  Though we do not understand fully how the fall and the atonement are actually effected, we nevertheless accept as an important part of our faith the efficacy of these two act necessary to our salvation.

Thus when Adam and Eve, because of their deliberate willingness to do what they did, and especially in the case of Adam, partook of the fruit, something happened in their bodies that caused a deterioration, and they became mortal and as such their offspring would also be mortal.  Thus the procreation of mankind began:

And Adam knew his wife, and she bare unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth (Moses 5:2).

Plan of Redemption

Adam and Eve of their own choice yielded to the commandment of God to multiply their own kind by bringing into the world by mortal birth the vast concourse of spirits who waited in the three pre-mortal divisions to be born into this mortal probation.  Unto them was the plan of redemption given:

And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying:  I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou has fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will (Moses 5:9).

Division In Birth Is Manifested

Unto Adam and Eve was born Cain, who no doubt was a spirit of a lower division of the pre-mortal realm.  The processes of earth-life obedience to the gospel, necessary to return to God's presence, found Cain rebellious against the family order of priesthood (Moses 6).  Even though the Lord counselled him in the way he could be accepted:

... Cain:  Why art thou wroth?  Why is thy countenance fallen? 

If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted (Moses 5:22-23).

But he rejected the Lord's counsel and persisted in his rebellion against the patriarchal order, described as the same priesthood that was in the beginning and would be in the end.  And thus through the lineage of Cain henceforth were to be born those spirits who had received a lesser appointment by foreordination.  Undoubtedly they had received this judgment of mortal birth because they had rejected the proposed patriarchal order of the priesthood in the pre-mortal realm.


Objections to the Gospel Plan

Obedient to the commandment of God, Adam called upon his sons to repent and not rebelling, to obey God:

Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. 

And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded them that they should repent (Moses 5:8, 14).

But Cain hearkened not saying, "Who is the Lord that I should know him?" which disobedience led to an influence of Satan over him.  Thus, yielding to Satan, Cain came under the influence of a priestcraft, or unrighteous dominion over others, such as to get gain by murder.

And Cain loved Satan more than God.  And Satan commanded him, saying:  Make an offering unto the Lord. 

And it came to pass that Cain took one of his brothers' daughters to wife, and they loved Satan more than God. 

And Satan said unto Cain:  Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear they brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for it they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that they father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands (Moses 5:18, 28, 29). 

And Cain said:  Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain.  Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness (Moses 5:31).

The Sons of God

The sons of Adam who did not rebel, who repented, were called the Sons of God and had conferred upon them the priesthood, or that of righteous dominion, the behavioral principles of which gave them place in a patriarchal order (or that type of order that pertained to the relationship of Father over Son), throughout all generations.

Speaking particularly of this, following the murder of Abel by Cain, in the exercise of unrighteous or evil dominion, the birth and place of Seth, to whom God revealed himself, is referred to:

And he rebelled not, but offered an acceptable sacrifice, like unto his brother Abel (Moses 6:3).

This was a behavioral act of obedience, involving righteous dominion.


The Family Order

Thus an order was established in the infancy of the earth-life experience of man pertaining to inter-relations between father and son and the son's son - the performance of which was preserved in a patriarchal book of remembrance which was a genealogy record of the Sons of God (Moses 6:5 and 8).

For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our own language (Moses 6:46).

The Lord, in referring to this order, refers to it as the priesthood.

Now this same priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also (Moses 6:7).

The Sons of Men

But the "sons of men" seeking power and evil dominion did not partake of this order:

And the children of men were numerous upon all the face of the land.  And in those days Satan had great dominion among men, and raged in their hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man's hand was against his own brother, in administering death, and because of secret works, seeking for power (Moses 6:15).

Because of such action:

Behold Satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him, and men have become carnal, sensual, and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God (Moses 6:49).

For an explanation of unrighteous dominion, or priestcraft, which has been referred to, the Prophet Joseph received this revelation:

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. 

Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God (D&C 121:37:38).

Thus it was with Cain in the beginning.


Righteous Dominion The Behavioral Patter of the Priesthood

As to righteous dominion, is given the behavioral pattern which involves the true function of the Priesthood:

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness and love unfeigned; 

By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile - 

Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him who thou has reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; 

That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. 

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 

The Holy Ghost shall by thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever (D&C 121:41-46).

Thus we learn that righteous dominion is synonymous with Priesthood, by which the obedient sons of Adam were bound by patriarchal order.  The disobedient Cain and son were bound by a priestcraft.  For this, Cain had a mark placed upon him for the overt act of murder.

And I the Lord said unto him:  Whosoever slayeth thee, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.  And I the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him (Moses 5:40).
(Note:  This constitutes an act of first degree murder.)

Curse upon Jews for the Exercise of Priestcraft

In passing, I refer to the curse placed upon the house of Judah as a people for the single incident of the exercise of priestcraft or unrighteous dominion:

But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified (II Nephi 10:5).

This resulted in the following curse being placed upon them:

Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations (II Nephi 10:6).

The curse was not as severe as that imposed upon Cain and his descendants, but nevertheless it was a curse, which has continued throughout these many centuries, caused by adhering to principles opposite to that of the priesthood.

In the case of Cain and his descendants, we learn by the following scriptures (direct revelation) that the lifting of the curse will not transpire at least until after the City of Zion has become a reality, concerning which Enoch speaks:

And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent; 

And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it was the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them (Moses 7:12, 22).

Of this we read in the Journal of Discourses,

Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness?  It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the Holy Priesthood and the law of God.  They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the Holy Priesthood, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings (Journal of Discourses 11:272; Brigham Young).

Birth Into Mortality in on an Ordered Basis

Birth into mortality in not a matter of chance occurrence or of uncalculated purpose.  All is in accordance with a plan.  Those who are in a lower division in the pre-mortal estate are born into this life under circumstances that best suit the opportunity to rise above that division, where the normal condition of their place has that encumbrance fitted to their own worthiness.  Those who were in the less valiant division will be similarly born into mortality for the same intent of purpose.  Those who were the noble ones, such as Abraham and such as all those who were born in the covenant of the patriarchal order, an order which was in the beginning and will be in the end (Moses 6:7), are consequently born into such a lineage of birth as will preserve their place which they had accepted in pre-mortality and are assigned to in mortality by foreordination.

[The book here says "See quotation on page 171 of this article."  This is wrong.  The original "The Meaning of Truth" published in 1961 actually had a page 171 that made sense.  On that page is a reference to Compendiums of the Doctrines of the Gospel; see Foreordination.  This particular reference corresponds to Chapter 8 of the book -- to be completed later in this blog.]

This explanation helps us to understand why there is a vast gradation of people upon the earth.  Some are initially born to cursed lineages in varying degrees, such as the Negro, the Jew, and the Indian.  Some are born to retarded civilizations although, as stated, within these lineages there are varying degrees.

For example, it is reported that in the northern part of India there is a rapidly diminishing people known as the Weddas.  Had your spirit been born among them, your whole mortal life would have transpired in less than 21 years.  Sixty percent of these people die before they reach the age of one.  If you were fortunate enough to live a full 21 years, you would have had little or no memory.  They can count only up to three or four and that by visual perception.  They have only a few vocables in order to make themselves known.


The Parable of the Talents

Among the last of the parables related by the Lord before his crucifixion, is the parable of the "talents," which is often misused and the purpose of its true meaning lost.  Some will say that the parable of the talents has to do with our educational, cultural, musical, or other personal traits or characteristics.  There may of course be some meaning to this, but this does not seem to cover, in my judgment, its true meaning.  I rather believe that the Lord is referring to the relative positions or divisions of mankind, as they come into mortality.  Let us examine the two key scriptures of the parable which are most informative.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents.

In other words, I believe if you interpret this correctly, unto those people who were of the noble lineage, based upon their pre-mortal achievement, he gave five talents.

. . . to another two.

This category refers to those who were not so noble and great but still who did not rebel against the plan of the gospel in the pre-mortal estate, thus meriting birth into mortality to a condition indicative of two talents.  For them to obtain five talents as with the first they would have to improve the two thus given.  Let us say that these are potentially of the terrestrial kingdom unless they improve their place or talents (Alma 34:31-34) by abiding by laws of the celestial kingdom, represented by those who receive the foreordination of five talents.  They will acheive no higher than the terrestrial kingdom by judgment, after mortality unless they retrograde to a lower Kingdom by judgment, for failing to maintain what they had.  Even those with five talents can retrogress and lose their place.

And to another one.

These are represented by still a lesser division, coming from pre-mortality.  Among these are people who may never receive the fulness of the gospel and are heirs of the lesser or telestial kingdom after mortality.  They too, as referred to in the parable, can improve their place, remain the same, or retrogress.

The pertinent key to the Master's words, as to the true meaning of the parable, is quoted:

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 

And before him shall be gathered all nations:  and he shall separate them one from another, . . . (Matthew 25:14, 15, 21-32).

From this scripture we learn that the judgment concerning the use of talents, or mortal position to rise to a higher position, is finalized in the judgment of separating the people or mortal existence, according to the judgment meted out for the next estate.  Here is the true meaning of the parable of the talents.