The Promised “Greater Things” – LDS Scripture References
Calvin Len Mckee
Preface
This document addresses the LDS and Joseph Smith’s historical accounting regarding the sealed
and the unsealed plates of which Smith was led to by Moroni, in the Hill Cumorah in the early 1800’s. It also addresses some of the Book of Mormon’s own prophesies regarding such – and what the content of such would include.
The premise of this presentation: Is the Urantia Book the very fulfillment of the ‘greater things’ that were promised? Very important tenants of this whole premise are Isaiah’s (and Nephi’s) iterations regarding the importance of the ‘sealed portion’ to those of our day. Those iterations are noted also in this document.
Three questions by many in today’s LDS membership are:
1) What is the content of those greater things? (See below some excerpts).
2) Why, in the nearly 200 years since Smith was led to them, have those ‘greater things’ not been translated and made available?
3) Why does the present-day Church leadership not speak of, or openly look forward to, this two-thirds ‘greater things’ record once promised.
I. Brief recap of the Book of Mormon and first years of LDS Church history.
Prevalent in LDS history is Joseph Smith’s account that he (in 1827) was guided by an angel (a former mortal on this American continent called ‘Moroni’) to some historical/religious ‘gold-leaf-plated’ records, which he (Moroni) placed in a stone box some 1500 years earlier. The location of the stone box and plates was in a nearby hill in upstate New York, called Cumorah – 4 miles south of Palmyra, New York where Smith lived.
Smith recounts that in the stone box were two sets of these thin-leafed gold plates – a sealed portion comprising two-thirds of the total; and the one-third not sealed, which became known as the Book of Mormon. Moroni instructed Smith to translate the smaller portion of the plates which were not sealed, and gave strict instruction that he should not unseal nor translate the ‘sealed portion’ which contained the “greater things” until some future time.
It was Moroni’s father, Mormon, who was the author/compiler of most of the Book of Mormon’s content. Upon Mormon’s death, he commissioned his son, Moroni, to finish the record and seal it up. But before sealing up and depositing the records in Cumorah’s stone box, Moroni did add considerable narration to Mormon’s plates, especially some stark admonition to those who, in our day, would be the recipients of he and his father’s record (noted below).
The Book of Mormon is chiefly an account of about 1000 years of religious history in the Americas (about 600 B.C. to 421 A.D.) Moroni also included an abridgment of the history of a previous civilization upon the ‘North American continent’ from some records they had encountered.
That earlier group is referenced as ‘the Jaredites.’
The crescendo of the ‘gold plates’ accounting narrates Jesus’ personal visit to the Americas following his crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon (in 3rd Nephi section) speaks of the many things Jesus taught here. It is highlighted, however, that ‘the higher teachings’ which he taught at that momentous appearance were recorded in the ‘greater portion’ of the plates – according to Moroni, and as noted below.
It was 421 A.D. when Moroni completed the task and hid both sets of plates in Cumorah’s stone box — for a time to come when the ‘gentiles’ from the old world would come upon this land bringing their version of Christianity. And that their religious record (the Bible) and the religious account of the new world (the Book of Mormon) would be a ‘double witness’ of Christ’s mortal life and teachings.
The Book of Mormon (the lesser portion) and other LDS scripture does have much to say about he contents and import of that ‘greater record to come’ – the two-thirds of the gold plates (see below).
What is very sinister, though, is the stark warning within the Book of Mormon (and other LDS scripture) that if those recipients in our day of the Book of Mormon (the ‘lesser portion’) do not receive the ‘greater portion’ – it would be ‘to their condemnation,’ and the ‘greater things’ promised would be “given to another.” Here are a few references:
3rd Nephi 26 8-11 is a warning that if we don’t receive the greater things, we will be under condemnation. This warning was from Mormon, himself. [D&C 84: 54-59 Note the fulfillment of Mormon’s warning – revelation to Smith confirming the condemnation of today’s church because they treated lightly the things they received – the lesser portion (the Book of Mormon).
Mormon 8: 12 “And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you.
Alma 12:10-11 10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries.
Ether 4: 4-17 It is Moroni, here, who speaks of the ‘greater things’ which God revealed to the ‘brother of Jared’ (note, that Moroni comments that “no greater things have ever been revealed than that which the brother of Jared saw”). Moroni was “commanded” to write them and seal them up for a time to come – that they would be of great importance to those of our day and time.
Sidenote: I find this passage from Ether (noted above) quite revealing regarding the ‘creator of heaven and Earth.’ All of Christianity does assert that ‘God the Father’ is the creator of this Earth and the firmament. The Urantia Book and LDS teaching stand alone asserting that Jesus Christ is the Creator of such:
“…even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.”
II. The above lays out the premise regarding the ‘greater things’ and of their importance. What are we told in LDS scripture, then, about the content of the greater things’ account:
➢ The greater knowledge of the days of Adam and the Garden – down to the times of the ‘great tower.’ Book of Mormon – Ether 1: 1-5.
Particularly vs. 4: Therefore I do not write those things which transpired from the days of Adam until that time; but they are had upon the plates; and whoso findeth them, the same will have power that he may get the full account.
➢ The mysteries of the universe. All things from the beginning. The “secrets of my will.”
D&C 128:18 And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
D&C 28:7 (Referring to Joseph Smith) For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead.
D&C 35:18. And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead.
D&C 76:7-10 7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.
D&C 121: 26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;
28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
30 And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars—
31 All the times of their revolutions, all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
III. The ‘lesser things’ (The Book of Mormon) contain only a hundredth part: 3rd Nephi 26: 6 And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;
7 But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.
8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
Words of Mormon 1:5 Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.”
IV. Both the Urantia Book and LDS scripture highlight the Importance of Isaiah’s words ‘to those of our day,’ and especially regarding that ‘sealed book.’ Below is only a few of such excerpts:
2nd Nephi 25: 4. …in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.
7. in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.
8. Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.
In this, the 2nd Nephi of the Book of Mormon, Nephi highlights those “words of Isaiah” which are of great importance to those of our day. 2nd Nephi chapters 11 through chapter 27 are near verbatim quoting Old Testament Isaiah chapters 1 through chapter 14.
In 2nd Ne. chapter 27, Nephi highlights Isaiah writings regarding the ‘sealed portion’ which would be made available in our day, and even read “from the house tops.”
6 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered.
7 And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.
8 Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.
9 But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto another;
10 But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book.
For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof.
11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.
21 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work.
29 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
In the next two chapters of 2nd Ne. (chapters 28 and 29) Isaiah sees the vision of the last days when the ‘sealed book which contains all things’ is available to those “of the church” who have received the lesser portion (those words which were not sealed)…
2 And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially unto our seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel.
The below (also 2 Ne. 28) Nephi gives his vision of the condition of those ‘of the church’ of our day who have received those things which were sealed. Many today contend that these admonitions were to those of ‘other churches’ but note in verse 21 Nephi is speaking to those who call themselves of Ephraim, the people of Zion who cry out ‘all is well in Zion.’ …
8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
10 And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.
11 Yea, they have all gone out of the away; they have become corrupted.
12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart; because in their pride they are puffed up.
14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
26 Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and deny the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
In short, it is fair to say Nephi and Isaiah’s words ‘that are of great importance to those of the last days’ are very likely to include those today who proclaim, “We have the Book of Mormon, and we need no more revelation.”
What do you think?
- Do these quotes point to the fact that there will be a ‘Greater Revelation?”
- Have you given The Urantia Book an honest examination?
- Do you think the LDS missionaries are correct when they ask people to study with the Holy Spirit and let it testify to you?
