As I read D&C 29-36 this week, the message from the Lord came clearly - that this is truly the eleventh hour, or the last time that our Heavenly Father will be working in His vineyard, or the world, to gather those who will desire to follow His Son, Jesus Christ, and accept the ordinances and covenants that He wants to make with them.
D&C 33:7 states, " Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the field is white already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickle and reap with all of your might, mind and strength. "
8 " Open your mouths and they shall be filled"
9 " Yea open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you. "
As we love our Father in Heaven and His Son, we naturally want to please Them. They love each and every one of their children here upon the earth and They are asking us to work in their Vineyard to bring Their children back.
The promise that we are being given is that all we must do is - open our mouths about the gospel to our brothers and sisters here on this earth, and He will allow the light that He has given us to be desirable to those whom are elect.
" Truth cleaves to truth, light to light and purity to purity. The gospel gathers with it's influence over those who love it's principles; and if any should be gathered in who can not abide it's requirements, they pass off and mingle with the elements that are congenial to the spirit they posses." ( Elder George Q. Cannon )
In Ancient Egypt, when the grain is reaped it is laid in handfuls on the back of the reaper to be gathered by the children or those who can not stand the harder work of reaping. The sheaves are then piled about on threshing-floors until threshing time, which may be several weeks after the harvest.
As I have considered this process of the harvest and reaping the sheaves, I can see the way that the Lord needs each and everyone of us doing His work of sharing the gospel.
When the sheaves or the individuals whom want to learn more about the gospel have been given a piece of truth and light from our examples and testimonies, they are essentially being picked up onto the back of the reaper, which then takes them closer to be used, or gathered ( sometimes by an individual who may not be able to stand the " harder work " of opening their mouths to share the gospel ). Eventually the sheaves or individuals are taken to the threshing floor, where they will be tested in their ability to live the gospel, they will be separated from straws and husks; become members of His Restored Church or not ; and finally the judgement will come.
I was also given comfort in the additional examples of the harvest that have been spoken about in the Book of Mormon.
As Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni and their brethren were rejoicing about those of the Lamanites which had accepted the gospel, Ammon explains that after they have been gathered....
Alma 26:7 :
" But behold they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are His...."
Here are some truths about the Gathering of Israel found in D&C 29-36 :
1. Truth
a. D&C 29:2
b. The truths of the gospel will gather those who love Him to each other. They will all hear His voice and be under His protection.
2. Truth
a. D&C 29:2
b. The elect will have softened hearts and desires to change, which will lead them to His church.
3. Truth
a. D&C 29:4
b. The members of His church will help gather His children by words and example.
4. Truth
a. D&C 33:6
b. The gathering is from all four quarters of the earth.
5. Truth
a. D&C 33:3
b. Right now is the eleventh hour or the last time that God is gathering His people.
6. Truth
a. D&C 33:8
b. As we open our mouths we will be given the words to say, to help in His gathering.
I hope that I can help Him in gathering His children. I truly desire to help bring my sisters and brothers to the protection of His wings.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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