Recently we have had our two youngest grandchildren visiting us. I would like them to have wonderful future in America and decided to write on this subject: “What will America be like for our grandchildren?” It is very clear in the scriptures and in the writings of modern prophets. I shall quote from both and invite you to search further on this important subject. Most of these scriptural quotes are from the Book of Mormon.
The promise given to the Jaredites, the first group of people, led by Jesus Christ, to this land after the Flood, as recorded in Ether 2: 11-12. Let us focus on verse 11 and the last half of verse twelve. Specifically, who is Moroni speaking to: “And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles. .” The Gentiles are the third group led to this land, beginning with the discovery of America by Columbus, and all of the people led here after the discovery, including each of us here. Although some may be of the House of Israel, the Book of Mormon calls us Gentiles. What does Moroni want us “Gentiles” to know?
“. . that ye may know the decrees of God–that ye may repent and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.”
In other words: The Jaredites – Strike one! The Nephites – Strike two! We are now at bat. What will it be? Strike three? — or shall we hit a home run? Let us see what other prophets have said about us.
Moroni said in the last half of Ether 2:12, that the blessing of this choice land would come to the inhabitants thereof “. . .IF they (we) will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ.”
Lehi said nearly the same thing in 2 Nephi 1:7. “ Wherefore this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought into captivity; if so it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
God’s blessings are always conditional upon righteousness. I love these verses written by Nephi, an ancient prophet on this land. See if you can count how many times he re-assures the righteous in these eleven verses written in 1 Nephi 22:15-26. (Italics mine)
16 For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.
17 Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire.
18 Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.
19 For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off.
20 And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.
21 And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness.
22 And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded. But it is the kingdom of the devil, which shall be built up among the children of men, which kingdom is established among them which are in the flesh—
23 For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet.
24 And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.
25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.
26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.
Sixteen times in eleven verses the Lord gives promise to the righteous when the storm clouds gather. What will America be for my grandchildren? My precious grandchildren–will you be righteous? If so, you have a glorious future and need not fear!
How righteous do I have to be? Someone once said, “If you almost keep the commandments, you almost receive the blessings!” Another said, “If you don’t want the fruits of wickedness, Stay out of the Devil’s Garden!”
The Lord said to Joseph Smith Sr. prior to the Restoration of the Gospel: “Now behold a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.” Doctrine and Covenants 4: 1-2
President Boyd K. Packer is a good example of this kind of service. As a young man seeking to know the truth of the gospel, President Packer made a pledge to his Father in Heaven. “I went before him and said, ‘I’m not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it’s there. I don’t care what you do with me and you don’t have to take anything from me because I give it to you–everything, all I own, all I am.’” Boyd K. Packer, In Tate, Boyd K. Packer, 62.
Helaman, son of Helaman made this interesting observation of Saints in his day who were persecuted by prideful people. “Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (Helaman 3:35)
Here, then, are the blessings of this great land to my grandchildren who will yield their hearts unto God: “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived–verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.
For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-59)
Further the Lord has promised you concerning this land: “And it shall be called the New Jerusalem; a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it and it shall be called Zion.
And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
And there shall be be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.” (Doctrine and Covenants 45: 66-69)
I bear testimony that the words I have spoken are true. This land is a Promised Land. I have felt the Spirit in the preparation of these remarks. The scriptures are true and God loves His people and all who will have Him to be their God. In Him is joy and peace. May we live to qualify for all the blessings He has promised us.
Merlin Frei
July 18, 2015