Book of Mormon Parallels:
A Prophecy for Our Time
APPENDIX-I played a substantive role in invoking us to take a more careful look at Third Nephi 20, which lead to the discovery of some of these hidden treasures. Through APPENDIX-I, we saw that the themes dealing with the redemption of Zion are more completely represented in 3 Nephi 20 than any other chapter of prophecy listed in that chart, suggesting that 3 Nephi 20 was an extraordinary chapter. Our subsequent analysis of Third Nephi 20 was richly rewarded.
This Appendix also points to the significance of the parallels. At least 55 of the themes listed in APPENDIX-I are found in the segment of Book of Mormon history that parallels that great and marvelous era of God's work.(1) Recall that 3 Nephi 20, which had the greatest representation of any of the chapters of prophecy included in the Appendix, contained only 34 of those themes.
This infers that the parallels are at least comparable in significance with other sources of prophecy. This evidence is a beginning, stirring us to query as to just how important the parallels in Book of Mormon history are. What will further study lead us to conclude? The evidences which answer this question are abundant and conclusive, some of which we have already considered. But there are many more. We will consider some of these, but the evidences are so numerous that we can only discuss but a sampling here.
Would God That All the
Lord's People Were Prophets
Peter said, "There shall come in the last days scoffers," who would mock those who seek to understanding of prophecy and prepare for the Second Coming. (2 Pet. 3:3,4.) Because of the derision that accompanies the pursuit of prophecy, few embark on this exacting path. The Lord, however, would have it be otherwise. Moses expressed this when he said, "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numb. 11:29.)
The pattern laid out in the spiritual parallels contains a lesson in this regard. The progression of an individuals, as well as of nations, proceeds from base to exalted, from carnal do devine. Part of this metamorphasis is to go from a state of strong dependance, to one of independence in the Lord. The &^&exacting rules of the Law of Moses -- the "schoolmaster," as Paul called it -- parallel the childhood age of an individual, during which the motions of daily action must be specific and prescribed firmly by a loving parent. (Gal. 3:24.) Nations, like individuals, as they progress, require less enumeration of specifics and more understanding of principles by which they may govern themselves. Eventaully, the Lord's people as a whole, like individuals, become "independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world." (D&C 78:14.)
Along with that transformation, a person progresses from being completely reliant and trusting on the testimony on others to being completely independent of others in his conviction of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As we approach that time in the latter-days, which parallels that era of an individual's progression, we will see this principle graphically displayed before us. Not only will many people have an independent conviction, but they will have to have such a conviction or they will not abide the day of tribulation. There will be no oil sharing when the night comes. Only those who "have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for thir guide, and have not been deceived...shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day." (D&C 45:57.)
The ability to receive personal revelation, being secured independently on the rock of Jesus Christ, will be tantamount to our being saved at that day. In order to reach that point, we must be faithful to the
light and knowledge that has already been given. This is why our acceptance or rejection of the Book of Mormon will play such a decisive role. It is designed to raise the child to an adult in the Lord, individually and nationally, spiritually and temporally. If the parallels in Book of Mormon were indeed designed by the Lord to provide the faithful with a preparatory measure of greater things, then it would behooves us to examine them scrupulously and internalize the guidance received.
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Endnotes:
1. Avraham Gileadi, "The Great and Marvelous Work Yet to Come Forth," The Last Days, Covenant, 1991.
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