The Prophecy of Moses Fulfilled
Before addressing this subject, it is important to illustrate a critical point regarding the scriptures. When studying topically, one uncommon and occasional word may have deep meaning. For example, I’ve thought of a word I seldom if ever use conversationally. The word and its derivative are the words, “wrest” and “wrested.” Scripturally, when references are considered collectively they thunder a resolute message into our minds, reaffirming how literally the rod of iron in Lehi’s dream should be taken seriously. Consider:
Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem, and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations — yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness. But Melchizedek, having exercised mighty faith and received the office of the High Priesthood according to the Holy Order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent. And Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore, he was called the Prince of Peace, for he was the King of Salem [peace]; and he did reign under his father. Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater. Therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention. Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them, it shall be to your own destruction” (RE Alma 10:2, emphasis added).
Alma, a High Priest after the same order as Melchizedek, attempted to recreate the success his predecessor. That is always the case when a man enters the Holy Order after the Son of God. They do as Christ did. The Savior’s ministry was completely scripture centric. A large number of the Savior’s comments were direct quotes from the Old Testament. At the conclusion of Alma’s remarks he reminds his audience, “You have the scriptures before you; if you wrest them, it shall be to your own destruction.”
Prior to Alma’s translation from Earth, he counseled his son, Corianton about Corianton’s misapplication and misunderstanding Corianton used to rationalize his sins.
“And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken. For behold, some have wrested the scriptures and have gone far astray because of this thing, and I perceive that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee . . .” (RE Alma 10:9, emphasis added).
In Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life, the rod of iron, or word of God was only effective when those seeking to remain on the straight and narrow path grasped it firmly, when immersed in clouds of darkness. Alma’s counsel to his son was a warning wresting the scriptures results in wandering from the straight and narrow path into forbidden paths.
In the two examples where Alma uses the words “wrest” and “wrested,” the first warns of impending destruction if the scriptures are neglected, the second explanation warns of being led astray when the scriptures are ignored.
Because the word “wrest” sounds like the word rest, it is a common assumption the two words are synonymous. In reality, they are quite different. The word wrest is defined in the Websters Dictionary as “to pull, force, or move by violent wringing or twisting movements. Or, “to gain with difficulty by or as if by force, violence, or determined labor.” Neither of these definitions are close to the definition of rest. Wresting something is violent and forceful. Perhaps suggesting rebellion against or misappropriation of. We can only assume the Lord understood the distinction when the Book of Mormon was translated, even if Joseph Smith possibly did not.
Within the Restoration scriptures there remains one more reference using the word wrest. The Savior applies it in a revelation to Joseph Smith.
“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came unto my own and my own received me not [a reaction all who are called to the Holy Order may expect]. I am the light which shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends it not. I am he who said, Other sheep have I which are not of this fold, unto my disciples, and many there were that understood me not. [Another reaction all called to this order may anticipate] And I will show unto this people [Joseph Smith’s gentiles] that I had other sheep, and that they were a branch of the house of Jacob. And I will bring to light their marvelous works which they did in my name, yea, and I will also bring to light my gospel which was ministered unto them [this began with the Book of Mormon but is not complete] And behold, they [Joseph Smith’s gentiles] shall not deny that which you have received, but they [Joseph Smith’s gentiles] shall build it up and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me. And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention. Yea, Satan does stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine, and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them. Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery, for behold, I will gather them as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts. Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely. Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repents and comes unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declares more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. Therefore, he is not of my church.
And now behold, whosoever is of my church and endures of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock [revelation], and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
And now remember the words of him who is the life and the light of the world, your Redeemer, your Lord, and your God. Amen” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 10:18-21, emphasis added).
Like Alma, the Lord warns that wresting the scriptures leads to not understanding them, leading to contention, of whom Satan is the father of it.
“ . . . And according as I have commanded you, thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there hath hitherto been, neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there hath hitherto been. For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the Devil, who is the father of contention; and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another, but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away” (RE 3 Nephi 5:8, emphasis added).
Studying the scriptures, repenting of our sins, and turning to Christ is the only criteria for being numbered among the Church of Jesus Christ. If an institution adds or takes away from the Savior’s criteria, they are not of God and intentionally or unintentionally misleads the children of men.
Discussion of wresting the scriptures and it leading to destruction is where we find ourselves as we address the covenant transition from the gentiles to Israel. Recall the Lord’s words to Joseph Smith in the Teachings and Commandments.
“And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the love of men shall wax cold and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men” (RE T&C 31:6, emphasis added).
A light breaks forth to those who sit in darkness. In darkness because Joseph Smith’s words were fulfilled.
“Has the gospel of the kingdom been commenced in the last days? And will God take it from the man until He takes him Himself?” (TPJS., p.365, emphasis added).
Voices of Joseph and Hyrum Smith were silenced 180 years ago. Those controlling the institution founded by Joseph Smith provide no evidence the Melchizedek Priesthood functions among them, consistent with the scriptures and teachings of Joseph Smith. The canon of scripture has not expanded, it was reduced. The ordinances have not been expansive, they’ve been reductive. All that remains is extraordinary wealth, hollow claims of authority based not on scriptural precedent but historical malfeasance. Those claims of authority go unchallenged because they profess to have authority to end family associations in the afterlife and end all hope for exaltation now and forever.
When the fullness of the gospel returns, the gentiles reject it. They wrest the scriptures and rely on a false narrative and 180 years of well-intentioned and sincere individuals turning the teachings of Joseph Smith and the scriptures into irrelevent soundbites.
Joseph of Egypt witnessed the day when the gentile fullness would arrive and gave the following description.
“Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write. And that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord. And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord” (RE 2 Nephi 2:4, emphasis added).
The record of Judah and record of Joseph “grows together” and when it does, it accomplishes exactly what the Lord intended. False doctrines are dispelled, contentions are laid down, peace is established, only among the seed of Joseph and those gentiles numbered among them. The knowledge of the fathers, Patriarchal Fathers, the Spirit of Elijah, the Holy Order of Priesthood and the covenants the Lord withheld are returned again to Earth.
One might ask, “How the record of Judah and the record of Joseph are to grow together. Could that be accomplished by superficial study guided by correlated lessons? How might the scriptures “grow together” when each year they are studied independent of one another?” Add to the equation conference pronouncements more heavily weighted over scripture. It would be of interest to measure what portion of those lessons are scripture centric. The answer may be surprising, possibly shocking.
The reason for the excessive introduction to the prophecy of Moses is because it plays a key role in the destruction of the gentiles. The gentiles are deceived by the precepts of men and wrest the scriptures to their own destruction. How so?
The answer is, in a world of Cliff notes, memes, tweets, texts, and soundbites, no one has time for a deep dive into the scriptures. Rather than allow the scriptures to speak to us and explain themselves, a conclusion is drawn, and the reader searches for evidence to reinforce their established opinions. Of this, the prophecy of Moses is an excellent example.
The Savior Expounds The Prophecy of Moses
In the Savior’s Nephite ministry, He raises the subject of Moses Prophecy in the context of the covenant transition from the gentiles to Israel.
“And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them, Behold, now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Israel. Ye remember that I spake unto you and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled — behold, they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them — and verily, verily I say unto you that when they shall be fulfilled, then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel. Then shall the remnants which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth be gathered in from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God who hath redeemed them. And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land for your inheritance. And I say unto you that if the gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive after they have scattered my people, then shall ye who are a remnant of the house of Jacob go forth among them. And ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many, and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor, for I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people [Isaiah’s prophecy]. And I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it. And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them [gentiles] at that day; and except they repent, it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the gentiles.
And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel. And behold, this people will I establish in this land unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob, and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the Powers of Heaven [Patriarchal Fathers, Spirit of Elijah] shall be in the midst of this people, yea, even I will be in the midst of you. Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people. Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel [the prophet who anointed David king] and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me. And behold, ye are the children of the prophets, and ye are of the house of Israel, and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, the Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities — and this because ye are the children of the covenant. And after that ye were blessed, then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, unto the pouring out of the holy ghost through me upon the gentiles, which blessing upon the gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel. And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fullness of my gospel, then, if they shall harden their hearts against me, I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father. And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people [Israel], and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them for ever, saith the Father” (RE 3 Nephi 9:7-8, emphasis added).
Based on the Savior’s explanation of the prophecy of Moses, the Savior identifies the prophet, as the Lord Himself. He does it immediately after saying the He and the Powers of Heaven or Patriarchal Fathers will be in their midst in the New Jerusalem. Case closed, mystery solved! That may not be wresting the scriptures, but it certainly is resting them. Some may say the cutting off is ongoing, happening everyday people fail to heed the words of Christ. Some conclude it’s a reference to the Second Coming. Many conclusions may be drawn from the Savior’s explanation. Drawing those conclusions might be fine, except the Savior explains how this prophecy is fulfilled and He is not the one fulfilling the prophecy.
“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 [gentiles] those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them [not Christ]. 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 shew 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 [Joseph Smith said it would be keys of knowledge, power, and revelation] that he shall bring them forth unto the gentiles, it shall be done even as Moses said — They [gentiles] shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant. And my people who are a remnant of Jacob shall be among the gentiles, yea, in the midst of them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he go through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Their hand shall be lifted up upon their adversaries, and all their enemies shall be cut off. Yea, woe be unto the gentiles except they repent, for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots, and I will cut off the cities of thy land and throw down all thy strong holds. And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy land, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers. Thy graven images I will also cut off and thy standing images out of the midst of thee, and thou shalt no more worship the works of thy hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities. 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 [gentiles], even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard” (RE 3 Nephi 9:12, emphasis added).
So the prophecy of Moses is not fulfilled by Jesus Christ personally, but through His servant bringing forth the words of Christ. So did the Savior mislead us about Moses speaking of Him in the prophecy? No. We haven’t allowed the scriptures to “grow together” as Joseph of Egypt said they would. Had we done that we would know the Lord expanded the prophecy of Moses in T&C 54:2-3.
“Behold, this is my authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Wherefore, fear and tremble, O you people, for what I, the Lord, have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. And verily I say unto you that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in Heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious, yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure [see RE T&C 74:8], unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his works, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
Wherefore, the voice of the Lord is unto the end of the earth, that all that will hear may hear [like the witness Joseph Smith said would be appointed by God to declare Christ to the whole world]: Prepare yourselves, prepare for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in Heaven and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth, and the arm [appendage, servant] of the Lord shall be revealed. And the day comes that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people [as Moses said], for they [gentiles] have strayed from my ordinances and have broken my everlasting covenant. They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walks in his own way and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol which waxes old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great which shall fall” (RE T&C 54:2-3, emphasis added).
When the Lord reveals His servant, (or “arm” bringing forth the words of Christ), those failing to heed the Lord’s voice, His servants, His prophets or apostles will be cut-off from Israel. This means any one or all of the men the Lord may send declaring His word fulfills the prophecy of Moses. As the exclamation point, the Savior declares:
“Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself. And though the heaven and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same. For behold and lo, the Lord is God and the spirit bears record, and the record is true, and the truth abides for ever and ever. Amen” (RE T&C 54:7, emphasis added).
The Lord assures us the prophecies in the T&C are true and will all be fulfilled, but He says it will be “ . . . by the Lord’s voice or the voice of His servants, it is the same.”
In this last phase of the covenant cycle, the gentiles are destroyed and a new covenant cycle begins for Israel. This fulfills God’s promises to the Patriarchal Fathers for the salvation of their posterity. There is much more that could be said about the Moses Prophecy. Much, but not all is covered in my book, “Our Future is Our Past.” I treasure every moment I spent researching it and love how it turned out. The e-copy I think is $2.00 and the soft bound is $8.00 on Amazon, I believe. What I have learned is adequate compensation for the gratitude and mercy I feel the Lord extended me throughout my life. His gift to me is my gift to you.
Conclusion
A few observations before I close Part VI. First, I suggest you contemplate what the servant might look like and how he might become prominent. We have been raised to think in terms of lines of authority with the emphasis on the top down approach. We are taught to take comfort in that structure because God would never allow those above to mislead us. I suggest you spend time testing that theory in the scriptures.
For example, how would that theory work with Christ in the days of His earthly ministry? It doesn’t require much thought or consideration because we know historically how that ended. Those in authority are the ones who crucified Him. Using that test as a measure, rather than weighing the substance of the servants message, you correctly deduce the answer to the question, “Would I have accepted Jesus if I was alive in that day?” We prefer thinking we would be among the noble souls who accepted Christ. Based on the line of authority theory you would have clearly found yourself in league with Caiaphas and the priests who conspired to end the Savior’s life.
My final thought is to clarify my thinking as to the gentile condition in our day. I have no inclination to feel as if I’m spiking the ball as I enter the end zone. I have not separated myself from my fellow gentiles or consider myself confident enough to be complacent in the face of what the Lord has said. When He says to Earth’s inhabitants, “Wherefore, fear and tremble, O you people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled.” I fear and tremble. I am a gentile, as are the majority of the people likely to read this paper. I am a grandfather with twelve grandchildren I fear and tremble more for them than myself. Not because they are sinners, but because of what sinners may have in store for them.
I am not content to surrender responsibility for myself or family to any institution claiming God’s authority. Many have given their all in the fight for our agency and I continue to approach the veil to converse with the Lord in the hope He one day draws me in.
Those points made, I conclude with two quotes that are relevant to us in this momentous time.
“This edition of scripture stands as a witness to the whole world; it is the sign that the moment has arrived when the things that have been prophesied of in scripture will now occur in a single generation. Mankind doesn’t have to accept the witness, they don’t even have to notice the witness; it’s only required that God send the witness. If He sends the witness, God has done His part. These scriptures are a new witness of Him and a sign of His invitation to renew communication with mankind” (New Scriptures, Denver Snuffer Jr., blog post, June 12, 2021, emphasis added).
“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. That prophet is Christ. It doesn’t say Christ is going to come and deliver His words; it says, His “words.” Those who will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, ...they shall be cut off (3 Nephi 21:11). And the angel Moroni said to Joseph, in verse 40 of the Joseph Smith History, The day had not yet come when ‘they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,’ but soon would come (see also Joseph Smith History 3:4 RE). That prophet is Christ. His words are what I’ve spoken to you today” (Lecture 10, Preserving the Restoration, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.24, emphasis added).
3/8/24
Scott Roderick
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