I realize that it must seem incredible that Gods plan for the redemption of Israel would involve bringing his servants back from the dead... perhaps that is why he calls it a strange act.
For evidence number twelve that the marvelous work is to begin at a later time than the foundation work that was laid when the church was restored in 1830, I am going to reference the parable of the Olive Trees in section 101.
I have previously mentioned section 103 that reveals that Joseph Smith is the servant of the vineyard that is going to lead the Saints out of bondage... however today I am going to focus on the actual parable in section 101 that section 103 makes reference to.
The Lord actually uses a parable to explain how he is going to redeem Zion. In the parable the Servants of the Lord begin building a tower (temple) and then they begin arguing and getting distracted.. eventually the enemy comes and tears down the tower before it is completed. At a later time, the Lord has the servant gather up the strength of his house and go back to redeem Zion.
Although some D&C Commentaries claim that the parable is referring to the Jackson county temple and that Zions Camp was the fulfillment of the parable (which is absurd since they never started construction on the Jackson County Temple and Zions Camp was unsuccessful in their attempt to redeem Zion) in a discourse given in Nauvoo Joseph Smith reveals that the parable of the redemption of Zion was referring to Nauvoo. (See Nauvoo Discourses- Building the Zion of the Lord)
Although some LDS historical revisionists are trying to rewrite history and tell us that the Nauvoo Temple was completed, there is indisputable proof that it never was finished. In fact Brigham Young mentions in his personal diary as he is leaving Nauvoo that he hopes the Saints can return and finish the temple some day.
Read the parable in verses 43-60 very closely... it is incredible.. and it proves that the marvelous work which includes the redemption of Zion was to be a later work than the LDS foundation work in the 1830's.
God is going to have his servant[s] who hold the keys of the kingdom and also the dispensation of the last times and the dispensation of the fulness of times return in the 3rd watch to gather the strength of his house and return to redeem Zion.
3 comments:
I read the verses carefully, and it says that the residue will return with the servant and destroy the tower that the Lord's enemies have erected. Does this tower refer to the new Nauvoo Temple that has been recently built? It sounds like it does.
Carl-
I would prefer not to comment on this part of the parable at this time other than to acknowledge that you are paying attention and are very perceptive.
Oh, come now, Watcher! Let's open it up! It is the last days, after all...
Just who is that man of sin sitting in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God? And which temple is it?
;)
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