NO-ONE is out of reach of repentance and forgiveness

While studying the book of 3Nephi, it suddenly became alarmingly apparent that NO-ONE is out of reach of repentance and forgiveness.

While most attention in 3Nephi is often placed on the appearance and administration of the resurrected Jesus Christ (which is the highlight of the entire account, and which is usually a first reference that our missionaries turn to when introducing the Book of Mormon), it is the first nine chapters that have stoked my intrigue on this occasion.

The book of 3Nephi opens with the remarkable fulfillment of earlier prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus Christ. An ancient American prophet named Samuel had predicted a new star arising at the time of Jesus' birth, along with three straight days of light. This miraculous phenomenon occurred just as unbelievers were about to put to death those who clung to the words of this prophecy.

"for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.

And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.

And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth...

And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given...

And it came to pass that a new star did appear, according to the word."

(3Nephi 1:15-17, 19, 21)

Following this astonishing event, things took a turn for the worse as unbelief spread. A band who were known as the Gadianton Robbers (kind of like a present-day ISIS) began terrorising and murdering, killing the governors of the land and conspiring to overthrow the government. Wars between the Robbers and the Nephites took place, the government was broken up and the people divided themselves into tribes, each with their own laws.

Emissaries of God preached repentance to the people. Here it became apparent to me that even amongst such terror and carnage and murderous intentions and behaviour, the message of repentance was still being offered. 

The reality that even the hardest of hearts can change and be softened is one of the overwhelming messages of the Book of Mormon. 

NO-ONE is out of reach of repentance and forgiveness.

The Nephites were so quick to forget Deity, so quick to fall into sins and wickedness. In a number of instances, they deteriorate from God-loving, humble people into prideful, persecuting people, committing all kinds of degrading behaviour. 

I marvel at just how fast they gave up the standard of truth and holiness. Yet prophets constantly offered repentance and a way back. 

NO-ONE is out of reach of repentance and forgiveness.

The Book of Mormon exposes the sins of evil-designing people and the consequences of such sustained behaviour accompanied by rejection of repentance. In 3Nephi chapter 8 we read from the record that a chain of natural disasters occurred over a 3-hour time period, resulting in the death of the more reprobate population and causing what is described in the record as a "vapor of darkness" which was so thick and consuming that candles, torches and fire couldn't be lit, and the sun, moon and stars couldn't penetrate the darkness. This horrifying condition lasted for three days. The people were aware that this phenomena coincided with the death of Jesus Christ in Israel.

And so I arrived in my reading at 3Nephi chapter 9. After being gripped by the political intrigue, terrorism, murderings and wickedness, as well as the silent minority who believed in Jesus and practised holiness, and reading of the natural disasters which re-shaped the whole land, I approached the message of salvation:

The voice of Jesus Christ was heard throughout the whole land.

After detailing the destruction of the wicked and the lands in which they resided, I couldn't help but well up with tears when I read from verse 13 the calm, gentle and re-assuring voice of Jesus Christ to all who survived, and which felt like a face-to-face with me:

"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?"

NO-ONE is out of reach of repentance and forgiveness.

I don't know if there is a more beautiful sentence in the Book of Mormon. As I read it, it filled me with hope, with love, with a longing to find this Jesus who can be so merciful to his people who are repeatedly going astray and forsaking him and his gospel.

He continues in verses 14-15 and 22:

"...if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God...Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."

It is clear that no matter how far we have fallen, how deep we have waded into sin, how thoughtlessly we have abandoned Him, His love and mercy is constantly offered through repentance and pious behaviour. These words were spoken to the people of the ancient Americas almost 2,000 years ago, but are extended to me and you today.

Regardless of who we are, where we are, or how our life is being lived, we are invited by the Son of God Himself to repent and turn to Jesus and be partakers of his salvation.

What a stress-busting, peace-inspiring, hope-filled, anxiety-easing, burden-lifting, re-invigorating and life-changing message that is!!!

The clear and crisp message I'm getting from the Book of Mormon is:

NO-ONE is out of reach of repentance and forgiveness!

Zion

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

ZION

Zion has many meanings to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It is a literal place in Israel which was first mentioned in the Holy Bible around 630-540BC. It can refer to the city of Jerusalem itself. It is the name of a city founded by the Prophet Enoch. It refers to a 'new Jerusalem' expected to be built upon the American continent. Zion refers to any group of people who are 'pure in heart.' It is the central physical location to which Saints have gathered previously (Kirtland Ohio, Nauvoo Illinois, Salt Lake Utah, most notably). And nowadays, Zion is anywhere where the Church is established where there is a Stake of the Church. (Stakes are large groups of members organised into geographical wards; Areas are a number of Stakes in a specific geographical area.)

Central to the establishing of Zion is the building of temples within those Areas. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has, at the time of writing, 163 dedicated temples dotted around the world with another 46 either announced or under construction. 

A popular Church hymn is penned:

"Holy temples on Mount Zion

In a lofty splendor shine,

Avenues to exaltation,

Symbols of a love divine.

And their kindly portals beckon

To serenity and prayer,

Valiant children of the promise,

Pledged to sacred service there.

Merciful and gracious Father,

Purify our hearts, we pray;

Bless our mission of redemption

In thy hallowed house each day,

Till at length our faithful kindred,

Sealed with us eternally

In celestial bonds of union,

Sing hosannas unto thee.

Sing aloud, ye heav'nly chorus,

Anthems of eternal praise

To the glorious King Immanuel!

Sing with Saints of latter days!

Let the mountains shout for gladness,

And the valleys joyful be,

While the stars acclaim in rapture,

For the prisoners shall go free."

The Sacramento California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Yigo Guam Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

YIGO GUAM TEMPLE

The Yigo Guam Temple was announced in October 2018 and the Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place on 4th May, 2019. The temple will be built on the site of the Yigo meetinghouse, which is being demolished to make way for the temple, and a new chapel will then be built in the vicinity.

The tiny island of Guam is a U.S. Territory in the western Pacific Ocean with a population of just 166,000. The Yigo Guam Temple will be the first in Micronesia. It is a small temple (one ordinance room and one sealing room) and will serve a population of around 2,500 church members on Guam.

The artist rendering of the Yigo Guam Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A 3D model of how the Yigo Guam Temple is expected to look. (Please excuse the wretched bird squawks in this video!):

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"X marks the spot for the temple"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.



"X MARKS THE SPOT FOR THE TEMPLE"

Sometimes, selecting sites for temple building can be rather spontaneous. The President of the Church is ordained as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and there are times where conventional wisdom is put to the side, and the Spirit of the Lord prompts and inspires the mind. Such was the order when then-President, Gordon B. Hinckley, visited Vancouver to look at possible sites for a temple there.

Here is the clip of Bishop Dean M. Davis speaking in a General Conference of the Church about the occasion when President Hinckley felt strongly impressed to build a temple in Vancouver, Canada on a specific plot of land which none of the other church leaders had considered (watch the first 5 minutes 30 seconds):

X really did mark the spot for the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Washington D.C. Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE

The Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Washington D.C. Temple is another 'show-stopper' of a structure, adorned in Alabama white marble with its distinctive six golden spires, and an Angel Moroni on top, as is common in many other temples around the world. At 288ft high, it is the church's tallest temple.

The Washington D.C. Temple is one of only five temples featuring the Angel Moroni holding the golden plates.

The Angel Moroni holding the golden plates atop the Washington D.C. Temple

(A bit of backstory information here: the golden plates refer to the ancient records inscribed upon gold plates which the same angel directed Joseph Smith to in 1827, located buried under the ground in a hill near the village of Manchester, New York. It was the same Moroni who, 1,400 years previously, and very much mortal, hid these plates in this precise spot. Joseph Smith translated them to English by the gift and power of God, and they became known as 'The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.'

A popular piece of art depicting Moroni burying the golden plates in around 421AD

As the Angel Moroni is such an important figure in the early church history, and is seen as heralding the restoration of the gospel, he is featured on many temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, blowing a trumpet towards the east, ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth.)

The Washington D.C. Temple

The spires of the Washington D.C. Temple

Spires detail of the Washington D.C. Temple

The inspiring Celestial Room inside the Washington D.C. Temple

Entrance to the Washington D.C. Temple

Inscribed on every temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the words 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD - THE HOUSE OF THE LORD,' following after the inscription placed on Solomon's temple in the Old Testament. Each temple is a consecrated and dedicated building where sacred gospel ordinances can be administered; literally it becomes a 'house of the Lord.'

Following are a few examples of the signage on other temples:

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Vancouver British Columbia Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA TEMPLE

The Vancouver British Columbia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Vancouver British Columbia Temple at night

Entrance to the Celestial Room in the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

The Celestial Room in the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

You will notice that all areas of the temple are designed in light colours and have ample lighting, whether it be natural light through windows or artificial light. A temple is the house of the Lord, so light is symbolic of Him who announced himself as the "light of the world." Everything becomes clear and visible in the light, so when we focus our minds and attention on Jesus Christ, his teachings, and his ordinances in the temple, things become clear and the real purpose of life becomes visible in our minds. The temple is full of symbolism, just as Jesus himself taught in parables and with symbols. Depending on spiritual maturity, these symbols can be grasped in differing levels of understanding, which is one reason why Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep going back to the temple as often as possible.

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Urdaneta Philippines Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

URDANETA PHILIPPINES TEMPLE

An artist's impression of what the Urdaneta Philippines Temple will look like when it is fully constructed

The Urdaneta Philippines Temple is one of eleven temples around the world currently under construction. Another 35 temples have been announced but are still in the planning phase. 

Temples are typically announced in a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has become increasingly exciting as church members hope for a temple to be built much closer to them. The following video is of the new temples announcement in the General Conference of October 2018 by Church President, Russell M. Nelson:

Six months later in the next General Conference, President Nelson gently invited members of the audience to refrain from screaming out during the announcement of new temples:

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints