An Everlasting Decree: Ensuring a Title of Liberty for the Promised Land

by Bruce H. Porter

It is true that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no position on the geographical setting of the Book of Mormon. This is a wise position for the Church to take amid the tumult of opinion. However, an understanding of the responsibilities of those who dwell on the ‘land of Lehi’ becomes paramount to the temporal and spiritual salvation of the occupants of the promised land. This is especially true if it is realized that the “Gentiles” that came out of captivity, and are specifically addressed within the text, came to the same land to which Lehi was led.For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God orshall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.Ether 2:10-11Three MessagesThere are three important messages found within the Book of Mormon for three groups of people. The first is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is found within the text of the Book of Mormon and restores the plain and precious truths that were lost for centuries. This message is for the world at large, to believer and non-believer alike. The second message to be taken from the Book of Mormon is that it is a history and record of a fallen people. This book records the personal attitudes, character traits, desires, appetites, and passions as well as the sins, faults, and failings of a people who once knew the Lord and His law. This is the message that can be likened unto one’s self. Doctrine itself cannot be “likened unto us”; however, that which may be “likened” to us individually and collectively are the attitudes, the characters, and the sins or righteousness of the people found within the text. This message is written for those who know and understand the gospel, as Jacob “But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of hisprobation, for awful is his state!” (2 Nephi 9:27). This social history of the Nephites was recorded for the Latter-day Saints (Israel) who “know from whence their blessings come” (Mormon 5:10). The sins of Israel are the sins of Israel in every age and every dispensation. Hence the second purpose.The third message which this book addresses is targeted directly to those who live on the “land of promise.” There are prophecies and promises specifically about the promised land to which the Jaredites, Mulekites, and Lehites were led, which are attached to the land itself. The land of promise is definite and specific, just as the promises and prophecies are specific about the land and those who dwell on it. The blessings connected to the land are seen throughout the Book of Mormon as the divine promise of freedom and prosperity and are issued by prophetic statements—even by Christ Himself. This promise of freedom upon the land of promise is connected to a responsibility that rests upon those who live upon that land—member and non-member alike. This is a non-denominational message and a “Title of Liberty” that must be raised again upon the promised land. This essential concept irrevocably coupled to the land of promise is a primary principle and purpose of the Book of Mormon, included by many ancient prophets under the direction of the Lord, yet this purpose is often overlooked by the casual reader.

439 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2014