Who Survives? 04-26-20

From: B S TURNER Owner
bturner12@centurylink.net


Who Survives? 04-26-20

When Christ appeared to the people on this continent we are given the intimate details of those that survived the three days of darkness and destruction that is described in 3 Nephi 4.

Like you I have read that story so many times I almost have it memorized. Think about what is described here, a complete destruction of life as they know it and only a portion of the people left.

The other day as I was studying the scriptures this story was at the top of my mind – finally I had to turn and reread the scripture. When I got to verses 65-70 there are a couple of things that jumped out at me. I have underlined and put them in bold…..
3 Nephi
4:65 And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled, which had been spoken by the prophets.
4:66 And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets, and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared;
4:67 And they were spared, and were not sunk and buried up in the earth; and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea; and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death;
4:68 And they were not carried away in the whirlwind; neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness.
(NOTE: Our prayer and goal is to be the “they” in this scripture)

Have we received the prophets? Yes, we read what they say and quote them quite easily. But are we taking action and heeding what they are telling us? Are we becoming like the people in 3 Nephi that didn’t make it? Treating those things lightly that were told / taught to the people by the prophets?

Notice, it was they who received the prophets that ended up being able to be there when Christ came and showed himself to the people.
Understand this – the prophets were / are relaying the mind of God so that we would be able to endure life and see Christ in our lives. A type and shadow for us today – are you able to see it?

Consider the rest of the counsel given…..

4:69 And now whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things, are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.

What does it mean to receive the prophet’s words?
Matthew 4:18 And he said unto them, I am he of whom it is written by the prophets; follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

But as I wrote sometime ago, Daniel understood what was going on.
Daniel 9:6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
Daniel 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

What happens when a people reject the true prophets and teachings of god?
Mark 13:12 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another; and many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many;
Mark 13:25 For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch, that if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.

The message is clear – you cannot wait for someone to teach you these things. YOU must search out these things so that you will be able to easily see what is happening….or what isn’t happening. Then the real blessings begin to pour out upon you in a measure that very few of us have known.

I was drawn to Helaman 5:83-86 where Samuel was prophesying to the people about the destruction that should come and for what reason. “To the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men (V: 83)”
And he continues in verse 84….”And this to the intent that whosoever will believe, might be saved,….”

Helaman 5:95 And behold ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures,
5:96 Yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them;
5:97 Therefore as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves, are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the things wherewith they have been made free.

Arthur Oakman tells us in his book Belief in Christ that “Atonement, reconciliation and restoration are made through Christ who is before us, and who fights our battles and dwells in us by his Spirit, as soon as we take advantage of the means by which this atonement is made available”

He goes on to say “If the work of the restoration is to be complete, man must be remade into the moral and spiritual likeness of god. In this world, now, as well in the world to come. He must be restored into fellowship with God and with other men. Redemption is not possible without an association of people sharing the fruits and purposes of their association with the Creator. “

Friends pick up your scriptures and study the words of the prophets – hear the words and the call to action.

Brian Turner