Messages of Hope from Russell M. Nelson by Russell M. Nelson

Author:Russell M. Nelson [Nelson, Russell M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gospel Teachings
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Published: 2012-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

HEIRS TO THE PROMISE

Every man who has received the Melchizedek Priesthood has been foreordained from the foundations of the world for that privilege. 33 Every Latter-day Saint woman has been foredetermined to come at this time to participate in partnership in building up the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth as part of the preparation for the second coming of the Lord.

Now, let's review those questions I asked earlier. Are you of Israel? Absolutely. You are the "Hope of Israel, Zion's army, Children of the promised day." 34 Once you were spirit children in premortal realms with Elohim, Jehovah, Abraham, and other elect rulers-to-be. There you were held in reserve to come forth in this latter day when this great and marvelous work of restoration was to come forth.

Are you Hebrew? Yes, as scriptures define the term. You are related to Abraham, who was a descendant of the great "Eber" from which the term Hebrew was derived. 35

Are you Jewish? That precious lineage may be claimed if your ancestors are from the loins of Judah. But most of us are of the lineage of Joseph through Ephraim or Manasseh. Joseph's was the lineage selected to pioneer the gathering of Israel, the seed to lead throughout the world in blessing all the nations of the earth.

Missionary work is only the beginning of that blessing. The fulfillment, the consummation, of those blessings comes as those who have entered the waters of baptism perfect their lives to the point that they may enter the holy temple. Receiving an endowment there seals members of the Church to the Abrahamic covenant.

Can you trace your lineage to Egypt? If your patriarchal blessing indicates that you are of the lineage of Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, or other descendants of Israel—yes, you may claim Egyptian ancestry.

And, of course, each of you is a child of God, created in His image. And you are disciples of His Beloved Son. If you really comprehend the power of that identity, other elements of your background matter less. Paul described this well. He said:

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." 36

That promise is the promise of the Abrahamic covenant.

The angel Moroni so taught the Prophet Joseph Smith. On 21 September 1823, Moroni appeared to the Prophet, quoting scripture from the fourth chapter of Malachi, "though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles." 37 The difference in text from the Bible is highly significant. You recall it refers to the heart of the fathers being turned to the children, and the heart of the children being turned to the fathers. 38 Joseph Smith tells us that Moroni "quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the

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