"Lord, to whom shall we go?" Charting the Course of the Church from Here to the Second Coming: Part 19

"And Miles to Go Before I Sleep"

​When I was around 10 years old, my elementary school had a contest.  I remember I had to memorize a poem and recite it before judges. 

So I chose Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

   (No, I didn't win.)

The poem ends with some of the most hauntingly beautiful words ever written:

   The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
   But I have promises to keep,   
   And miles to go before I sleep,   
   And miles to go before I sleep.

(I can quote this here because it was published in 1923 and the copyright expired in 2019.  So it's in the public domain now!)

I've always had a soft spot for Frost, who coined one of my favorite sayings: 

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

(Robert Frost, 1954 September 5, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Robert Frost’s Secret by Ray Josephs.")

"It Goes On"

One could say, regarding the work of the Lord, "It goes on."  (And so, apparently does this blog Series!)

I can picture the Lord telling his angels who are waiting to reap the field, "Wait.  I have promises to keep." 

So let's investigate some of those wonderful promises. . . . 

Promise No. 1:

​Let's start with one of the most important promises involving the last-days: the Lord bringing his gospel to the Lamanites.

You recall how Joseph Smith and Martin Harris managed to lose 116 pages of the Book of Mormon translation?

Well, one of the reasons this was a big deal was because the Book of Mormon was intended to bring the fulness of the gospel to the Lamanites. 

​Despite Joseph's and Martin's mishap, the Lord said, "My work shall go forth" (D&C 3:16).

   And for this very purpose
   are these plates preserved,
   which contain these records--
   that the promises of the Lord
   might be fulfilled, which he made
   to his people;

   And that the Lamanites might come
   to the knowledge of their fathers,
   and that they might know the promises
   of the Lord, and that they may believe
   the gospel and rely upon the merits
   of Jesus Christ.

(D&C 3:19-20)

Yes, the Book of Mormon was written for the Gentiles in the latter-days.  Sure.

But even more important, the Book of Mormon was written for the Lamanites in the latter-days.

Why Did the Lord Make Promises to the Lamanites?

​Joseph Smith had a really rough summer after losing the 116 pages.  He thought he had lost his chance.  So imagine his relief when the Lord told him he could continue translating the Book of Mormon!

And why did the Lord think getting the Book of Mormon into print was so important?

Because he had promises to keep:

​   Yea, and this was their faith--
   [talking about the Nephite prophets]
   that my gospel, which I gave unto them
   that they might preach in their days,
   might come unto their brethren
   the Lamanites, and also all
   that had become Lamanites
   because of their dissensions.

(D&C 10:48)

Seeing a theme yet?

Why Are the Lamanites So Important?

​Why are the Lamanites so integral to the Lord's work in the last days?

Why is a major part of the Restoration about getting the Lamanites to the gospel?

Consider these four facts:

​   1.  Title Page.  When Moroni wrote the Title Page, he said that the Book of Mormon was:

   Written to the Lamanites, 
   who are a remnant
   of the house of Israel.

(Title Page)

Sure, the Book of Mormon is also written "to Jew and Gentile."  But the Lamanites were the primary audience, it seems.

   2.  Mormon's Final Farewell.  Have you ever wondered why Mormon reserved his final words for the Lamanites?  That's right: Mormon's final contribution to the Book of Mormon (the last thing he recorded) was a message to . . . the Lamanites.

   Huh.  

And now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared. . . .

Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God. . . .

Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you. . . .

And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant.

(Mormon 7:1, 5, 8, 10)

   3.  The First Mission.  Why was the First Mission in this Dispensation to . . . you guessed it . . . the Lamanites?  

In September 1830, the Lord formally called his elders on a mission to convert the Lamanites. 

   I say unto you that you shall go
   unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel
   unto them . . . .

   Behold, I say unto you that [Zion]
   shall be on the borders by the Lamanites.

(Hmmm.  Now isn't that interesting?)

(D&C 28:8-9)​

   4.  Building the Church Among the Lamanites.  What was Oliver Cowdery's gift (besides the working with the rod)?

   I have given unto him (Oliver) 
   power to build up my church
   among the Lamanites.

(D&C 30:6)

Well, breaking news.  We have NOT succeeded in building up the Church among the Lamanites, have we?

So what're we gonna do?

   And miles to go before I sleep,
   And miles to go before I sleep.