BOOKS FROM THE DUST

Lost scriptures – There are many sacred writings mentioned in the scriptures that we do not have today, among which are these books and writers: the Covenant (Ex. 24:7), the Wars of the Lord (Num. 21:14), Jasher (Josh. 10:13; 2 Sam. 1:18), the Acts of Solomon (1 Kgs. 11:41), Samuel the Seer (1 Chr. 29:29), Nathan the Prophet (2 Chr. 9:29), Shemaiah the Prophet (2 Chr. 12:15), Iddo the Prophet (2 Chr. 13:22), Jehu (2 Chr. 20:34), the Sayings of the Seers (2 Chr. 33:19), Enoch (Jude 1:14), and the Words of Zenock, Neum, and Zenos (1 Ne. 19:10), Zenos (Jacob 5:1), Zenock and Ezias (Hel. 8:20), and a Book of Remembrance (Moses 6:5); and Epistles to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 5:9), to the Ephesians (Eph. 3:3), from Laodicea (Col. 4:16), and from Jude (Jude 1:3). (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Bible Dictionary)

I am pretty sure we would all faint from exhaustion before we were able to complete an all-inclusive study of the ancient records which have been found during the last two hundred years. The fact that many of the afore mentioned writings have yet to be found would indicate to the skeptic that they never existed. To the believer it is an indication that there are still many writings yet to be discovered or revealed.

The Book of Mormon adds an interesting twist to the dilemma by supplying the us with quotes from some of these ancient authors. Nephi, Jacob and Helaman indicate that they had access to the writings of prophets named Zenock, Neum, Zenos and Ezias. It is probably a pretty accurate supposition that the writings of these prophets were included on the Brass Plates of Laban and this was the source of their references.

And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel. (1 Nephi 19:10)

Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophet Zenos, which he spake unto the house of Israel, saying: (Jacob 5:1)

And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his prophecy? (Helaman 8:20)

The most complete text we have for any of these writers is found in Jacob chapter 5 where Jacob shares with us Zenos’ allegory of the Olive Tree. The parable centers around the House of Israel, undoubtedly because Zenos was a prophet of that clan. According to his allegory, as the House of Israel gets scattered and involved with the rest of the children of God, his writings widen to also include the interactions which they had as they were mixed together with non-House of Israel clans. Besides the allegorical outline of the history of the House of Israel, from the words of Zenos we come to understand that the Lord has been constant and universal in His work with all the peoples of the world and I believe with His children individually.

Zenos leaves us with the understanding that any failure which might take place in the fulfilling the purposes of our mortality will not happen because the Lord has been negligent, but because we have not been diligent or faithful in our duties.

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?

But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard? (Jacob 5:41, 47)

For we who live in the last dispensation presented in the allegory of the Olive Tree, there is a very happy ending prophesied by Zenos.

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things. And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.

And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.

And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard. (Jacob 5: 70-75)

One of the marvelous truths which is fortified by the teachings of the restoration is that Heavenly Father is laboring to glorify all of His children, not just a handful who are fortunate enough to be born within a certain clan or church, a teaching which is amplified to Alma by the Lord.

For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Alma 29:8)

What a marvelously freeing and uplifting Plan by which we are governed. Heavenly Father is not only working to save and glorify all of His children, but in His ultimate wisdom he feeds them only that which they are able to consume and digest and which will provide them with the maximum opportunity to progress.

It would be well for each of us to remember as we labor in the vineyard for the last time that in our work with mortal brothers and sisters, they are probably not operating under the same set of instructions as we might be, nor were they who have lived in any nation, at any time of the earth’s history.

The next time you review Zenos’ allegory of the Olive Tree, my prayer is that you will remember the universal yet individual work of our Heavenly Father.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY