3 Nephi 20-26 Children of the Covenant
20:8 And he said unto them: He that eateth this bread eateth of my body to his soul; and he that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to his soul; and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled.
For the second time in as many days Jesus teaches through example, the administration of the sacrament. Like the first time, Jesus blessed bread and wine and gave it to his disciples, then commanded them to administer it to the people. This time those partaking had been baptized by the ordained disciples, and this time the bread and wine had been produced miraculously by Jesus. In both instances Jesus teaches of the symbolism of this ordinance: in which we inherit the blessings of his sanguine sacrifice, a soul that “shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled”. If we ponder for a while on this blessing, a soul that is filled, we may better understand its implications. Having a solid foundation that allows us to withstand the tumultuous circumstances of life, the ability to recognize truth and error, these are blessings that come from worthily partaking of the sacrament. These are blessings that come from always remembering him, keeping his commandments, and having his spirit with us. This is the solemn responsibility and privilege of those who administer the sacrament to us in our day, to offer us the opportunity to renew this covenant. Those who prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament, act in the place of Jesus who did so in the first instance to his apostles. Our deacons, teachers and priests have received this ordination and calling to act in this role. And to all those Isaiah declared, “be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” (Isaiah 52:11).
We are also shown, as we are many times in the New Testament, that Jesus acts in obedience to the commandments of his Father, that his Father commanded him to bring this ordinance and covenant to his children as a means of returning them to him. Indeed, great are the words of the prophet Isaiah who taught and prophesied of this covenant -
20:13 And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them.
This covenant, known as the Abrahamic covenant, can be studied at length, the implications and consequences merit extensive research and much has been written and spoken on the subject. I would express my humble understanding of the covenant in these words - that the blessings offered to Abraham through his righteousness shall also be offered to his posterity. What does this mean? Even though many have fallen away, even though they were scattered, the children of Israel will be gathered together again and inherit their sacred land. The restoration of all things will offer Israel repentance and the opportunity to make a worthy sacrifice in righteousness once again. We also learn that this restoration will come by the hand of the gentiles, hired at the eleventh hour to work in the vineyard (Matthew 20). Through this offering to the gentiles, they become members of the household of faith having received the spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15), and partaking of the covenant of Abraham, also becoming children of the covenant. This brings understanding to the promise that was uttered by the Lord to Abraham, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3). Let us always remember that this covenant is made possible, and offered to all, only through Jesus Christ.
In these chapters Jesus teaches the multitude of this covenant, reminding them that they are a branch of Israel, and that their posterity will inherit its blessings. As an example to us, Jesus uses the scriptures of Isaiah and Malachi to teach. Even though the gospel and its tenants are his, Jesus uses the words of his prophets. Perhaps it is to offer a second witness, it may also be to reinforce the importance of scripture study, and even to give those prophets the opportunity to fulfill their calling - some prophets being ordained to reveal specific principles. So we should be reminded, that even if the very executor of the gospel uses the scriptures to teach, so much more should we use the scriptures to teach and learn of him.
21:9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.
As a way of demonstrating the fulfillment of this prophecy, I quote from the words of a living prophet Russel M. Nelson spoken of the year 2020, “In the springtime of the year 2020, it will be exactly 200 years since Joseph Smith experienced the theophany that we know as the First Vision. God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph, a 14-year-old youth. That event marked the onset of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness, precisely as foretold in the Holy Bible. (October 2019 General Conference, Closing Remarks)
Ever since that sacred event in the spring of 1820, the foretold work, a marvelous work and a wonder, has been rolling forth to fill the whole earth. I appreciate the imagery of Isaiah 54 as quoted in chapter 22. Imagery that describes the marvelous work - of strengthening stakes, being not ashamed nor confounded, the woman (the church) and the husband (the Lord), and “great shall be the peace of thy children.”
24:1 (Malachi 3:1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
When understood in the context of the New Testament we see the prophecy of John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord, who came to his mortal temple as the messenger of the new covenant. When we understand the context of the restoration we learn that this prophecy also applies to Joseph Smith who prepared the way, and the Lord did come to his temple in Kirkland, Ohio on April 3, 1836 (D&C 110). How important are the prophecies of Malachi! That the Savior declared them to the scattered remnant, that the angel Moroni declared them to Joseph Smith over and over. The Lord did come to his temple, Elijah has been sent.
We now look forward to a day when, “the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:10,12; Mormon 9:2); 3 Nephi 26:3) which sounds like a terrifying thing to happen, the great and dreadful day of the Lord. But the children of the covenant need not fear, because to them the Lord has promised all that he has (D&C 84:38).
