Chapter 24—The Harvest
“When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). As the light of His gospel is refused, true disciples knew that “it was a dark interval that lay ahead, ‘The Wintertime of the Just’ they called it in the ancient church. There is a real element of tragedy here . . . The night is coming when no man can work.”
In the last moments of day, we must overcome all that hinders our spiritual progress. “Prepare ye the way of the people . . . Gather out the stones. Lift up a standard for the people” that they may become “the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord” (Isaiah 62:10, 12). “Take the stumbling block out” (Isaiah 57:14) and “remove every obstruction for my people’s way!” (ESV). God promises to “manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks” if our hearts are not hard (1 Nephi 14:1–2).
Jesus asked, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51). “For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire” (2 Nephi 30:10). This division—needed to establish peace—occurs at the time of harvest.
Jesus spoke of the harvest often in His parables and teachings. The harvest is a time to examine our works—to reveal good fruits of faith or bad fruits of iniquity. Good fruits are accompanied by spiritual gifts.
At harvest, we reap what we sow. “If you sow righteousness and truth, you will bring in a blessed and good harvest. He who sows good brings in a goodly harvest, and he who sows evil, his sowing turns against him” (Aramaic Levi 13:3). What is sown will be cast into the fire if it is not worthy to use. To bear good fruit, the seed of truth must fall on a softened heart. Those who seek Him will “neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Good fruits come from godly attributes and knowledge.
The Lord prepared His “vineyard in a very fruitful hill. And he fenced it and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein.” He “entrusted it” to men, hoping “that it [w]ould bring forth grapes [but] it brought forth wild grapes” (2 Nephi 15:1–2). Stewards of the earth must quicken the earth and bear good fruit or forfeit the land, but many try to acquire land without bearing fruit. Our profitability is measured by the quality of our spiritual gifts and knowledge, not the quantity of our possessions. “The old Jewish teaching is that Adam had a right only to that portion of the earth that he ‘quickened,’ on which he labored with the sweat of his brow. Let us not confuse the ethic of work with the ethic of plunder.”
Christ’s parable of the harvest is “a drama in three acts”—the Lord’s earthly mission, confusion and apostasy before the harvest, and the end of the world as we know it, even the “story of the church” today.
The first act of the drama is all a preparation, not for the second act, but for the last one—the second coming and the judgment. On that time and event all the apostles fix their gaze as the reward and vindication of all they are doing . . .
Having been as completely as possible rejected by the world—cast out of the vineyard and slain—the Lord was to depart thence and leave the stage clear to the adversary for the gloomy second act. This is a long period in which people go about seeking the Lord in vain and falsely but loudly proclaiming themselves to be the true heirs of the vineyard.
Gathering the Wheat
In 1832, the Lord applied the wheat and tares parable to “the last days, even now.” At the time of Restoration, He was “beginning to bring forth the word” again (D&C 86:4), but just as the seed was planted, Satan sowed tares “while men slept,” complacent and not watching (Matthew 13:25).
The apostles were the sowers of the seed; and after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness. (D&C 86:2–3)Wheat and tares are not distinguishable until harvest. “You cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous” (D&C 10:37) so we need His spirit to discern. Allowing tares to grow among wheat provides the conditions necessary to prepare the faithful. “The Lord wants the tares and wheat to grow together: for Zion must be redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness.” After all, “righteousness . . . is the beginning and end of judgment” (Barnabas 1:6).
But at harvest time, tares are separated from wheat. “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the wheat into my barn; and the tares” (JST Matthew 13:29) will be bound “in individual bundles for burning.”
From qatsar (H7114), harvest is to be loathed, cut down, or severed. For the unrepentant, the harvest will be a time of doom and despair, a fateful day of realization and remorse, a day prophesied from the beginning of time, so all are left without excuse. Those who gathered wealth or possessions will be cursed, but for the sanctified who gathered light and knowledge, it is a long-anticipated time when good finally begins its triumph over evil, a time when believing remnants will “again be brought to the true knowledge . . . of their Redeemer” (Helaman 15:13).
From before him judgment shall go forth, and they shall bring upon them all these evils, and they will light upon them, until they shall return and become one true flock and one holy church, and they shall confess our Lord according as we received from him, and according as we believed in the Son the Life-Giver and Saviour of the world; and after this will be a flock and a church and a baptism, true and one: and it will come to pass in that day, that every one that shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved and . . . delivered.Christ will “gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries . . . [and] bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase” (Jeremiah 23:3). This fulfills the Father’s covenant and answers the prayers of the righteous.
Christ has a flock, a flock of men, a distinct and peculiar people, and it is but one, and that a little one, and yet a beautiful one, though often a flock of slaughter; which is his by his Father’s gift, and his own purchase, and appears manifest in the effectual calling, when he calls them by name; to these he stands in the relation of a shepherd, being so by his Father’s designation and appointment, and his own consent; and a good shepherd he is, as is manifest by his laying down his life for the sheep . . . but also by protecting them from all their enemies, the roaring and devouring lion, Satan, and wolves in sheep’s clothing, false teachers; and by taking such notice and account of them, as that none of them shall be lost.Gathering is God’s work, especially in the latter days. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind, which when it was full they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.” It is “the seed of Joseph’s” duty to spread “forth the Gospel net upon the face of the earth, gathering every kind” of believer. Christ cannot force us to gather to Him, but He greatly blesses those who do.
Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins; who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer. (D&C 29:1–2)Wherever “the saints are gathered, thither will the eagles be gathered together” (JST Luke 17:37). A mighty predator, eagles represent power, royalty, and victory. Eagles’ wings, a symbol of priesthood power, bear up her own. All having “the spirit of meekness, confessing me before the world,” will be born “up as on eagles’ wings . . . [to] beget glory and honor” (D&C 124:18). “I bare you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” for reward (Exodus 19:4).
Wings are given the woman who “brought forth a man child” of righteousness (Revelation 12:5, 13–14).Wings are covered by feathers, a symbol of truth. The Mesoamerican deity Quetzalcoatl is depicted as a feathered serpent, a god of creation whose wings gather and offer refuge. While the world takes refuge in Egypt’s shadow, the faithful “find refuge in the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 36:7, NIV). All “who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).
Gathering us under God’s wings is the purpose of the gospel. We must build a house for the Most High where we can receive refuge, comfort, knowledge, and peace. “The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the ways of salvation . . . It was for this purpose that God designed to gather together the Jews oft, but they would not . . . The reason why the Jews were scattered and their house left unto them desolate was because they refused to be gathered, that the fulness of the priesthood might be revealed among them, which never can be done but by the gathering of the people.”
It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them.Knowing that the Gentiles could expect the same, Joseph “exhorted the people in impressive terms to be diligent—to be up and doing, lest the tabernacle pass over to another people and we lose the blessing.”
“There is no other way for the Saints to be saved in these last days” than by gathering to God’s house and presence. This is not fulfilled by having many members or missionaries. It “is not the multitude of preachers that is to bring about the glorious millennium! but it is those who are ‘called, and chosen, and faithful’ . . . Remember that your business is to preach the Gospel in all humility and meekness and warn sinners to repent and come to Christ,” but this doctrine has been stifled.
Apostles or leaders are not to gain followers. Their greatest duty is to bear testimony against the day of judgment. The telestial world may not be converted, but it must have a chance to repent. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but [qualified] labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).
Tarry ye and labor diligently, that you may be perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as many as the mouth of the Lord shall name, to bind up the law and seal up the testimony and to prepare the saints for the hour of judgment which is to come, that their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation of abomination which awaits the wicked, both in this world and in the world to come.
Verily, I say unto you, let those who are not the first elders continue in the vineyard until the mouth of the Lord shall call them, for their time is not yet come. Their garments are not clean from the blood of this generation. (D&C 88:84–85)“You who are the first laborers in this last kingdom” are to “assemble yourselves together and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves. Yea, purify your hearts and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean . . . and then go ye into all the world and preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it” (D&C 88:74, 112:28). A high priest, called to “administer in all her spiritual affairs,” is not distinguished by position but by having “clear[ed] his skirts from the blood of this generation.” Jacob obtained this standing, as did others like Paul.
Paul announces that his missions to them have been successful, not in terms of converts, but of clearing himself of a terrible responsibility: henceforth their blood is on their own heads . . . The coming of the Kingdom does not depend upon the success of this preaching, but only on the fact of the proclamation itself.’ What does depend on the preaching is (1) the salvation of the preacher, who is under condemnation unless he bears witness and frees himself ‘of the blood of this generation,’ and (2) the convicting of a wicked world which must be ‘without excuse’ in the day of judgment.The preaching is not to convert the world but ‘for a witness’ . . . The primary qualification and calling of an apostle was to be an eye witness. The calling of a witness is to preach to an unbelieving generation ripe for destruction, with the usual expectation of being rejected.
Once the Jews refused the covenant, Paul was commanded to depart from them. He “shook his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6). “The Jews, as a nation, having departed from the law of God and the Gospel of the Lord, prepared the way for transferring it to the Gentiles.” Christ’s gospel will be taken from the Gentiles when they fail to honor it, just as it was long ago “in the time of lawlessness of Israel” when the Spirit did “leave them and pass to the Gentiles who do His will” (Testament of Dan 6:6). Because Israel rejected His covenant, the gospel of “salvation c[a]me to the Gentiles” through Paul, a Jew.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew . . . men who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace . . . Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the elect hath obtained it and the rest were blinded . . .
Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it. (Romans 11:2, 4–5, 7, 11–12, KJV, NLT)In the latter days, the order is reversed. Gentiles are commanded to “cleanse your hearts and your garments, lest the blood of this generation be required at your hands” (D&C 112:33). Gentiles receive, but reject, the covenant. When their iniquity is full, His gospel is taken to others willing to believe. The few believing Gentiles who “comply with the requisitions of the new covenant” will take “the fulness of His gospel” to the Lamanites, Jews, and believing remnants (1 Nephi 15:13), fulfilling a “first shall be last, and the last shall be first” pattern of scripture.
In speaking of the gathering, we mean to be understood as speaking of it according to scripture, the gathering of the elect of the Lord out of every nation on earth, and bringing them to the place of the Lord of Hosts, when the city of righteousness shall be built, and where the people shall be of one heart and one mind, when the Savior comes: yea, where the people shall walk with God like Enoch and be free from sin.
The word of the Lord is precious; and when we read that the veil spread over all nations will be destroyed, and the pure in heart see God, and reign with Him a thousand years on earth, we want all honest men to have a chance to gather and build up a city of righteousness, where even upon the bells of the horses shall be written ‘Holiness to the Lord.’ The Book of Mormon has made known who Israel is, upon this continent . . . How sweet it is to think that they may one day be gathered by the Gospel.Why did Christ restore His gospel to the Gentiles in latter days when He knew that they “shall sin against my gospel” (3 Nephi 16:10)? He gave us all the opportunity to choose for ourselves, and the few who “received him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12). No one can assume a right to this inheritance for “even though ye were gathered together to my very bosom, should you fail to keep my commandments I would cast you away” (2 Clement 4:5).
The faithful knew the gathering would be “after many days,” after an apostasy from what He restored. His “great and marvelous work” is among the Gentiles, but many do “not believe it” (3 Nephi 21:9). Hearts remain hard as they “teach with their learning and deny the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 28:4). For them, “the gathering shall not come” (Isaiah 32:10).
I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation—that the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places. For the time of harvest is come and my word must needs be fulfilled. (D&C 101:63–64)“Save yourselves from this untoward” generation” (Acts 2:40). What latter-day Gentiles believe is the land of their inheritance is actually promised to Joseph of Egypt’s righteous seed as their “everlasting possession when they hearken to God’s voice” (Abraham 2:6). This dispensation is established “for the last times and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven and which are on earth” (D&C 27:13), including gathering the elect who “made a covenant with me by sacrifice” (Psalm 50:5). Covenanting to sacrifice is not enough. God must accept their sacrifice. Knowing that Zion will fail if people do not live up to the level of sacrifice and obedience required, Joseph lamented,
The time is near when desolation is to cover the earth . . . Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations and where is our religion? We have none; for without Zion, and a place of deliverance, we must fall . . . If this is the case, and if we are not sanctified and gathered to the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out his Saints from the Gentiles and then comes desolation and destruction and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered.
Binding the Tares
Harvest divides the righteous from rebellious, the wheat from tares. “The work of gathering together of the wheat into barns, or garners, is to take place while the tares are being bound over and preparing for the day of burning.” “Be ye not mockers” of His work “lest your bands be made strong” (Isaiah 28:22) by false doctrine or creeds of man. Joseph said,
As the servants of God go forth warning the nations, both priests and people, and as they harden their hearts and reject the light of truth, these first being delivered over to the buffetings of Satan, and the law and the testimony being closed up, as it was in the case of the Jews, they are left in darkness and delivered over unto the day of burning; thus being bound up by their creeds, and their bands being made strong by their priests, are prepared for the fulfillment of the saying of the Savior—‘The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’Joseph continued, “Angels are to have something to do in this great work, for they are the reapers. As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of the world.”
The harvest is the end of the world, or the destruction of the wicked. The reapers are the angels, or the messengers sent of heaven. As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world, or the destruction of the wicked. For in that day, before the Son of Man shall come, he shall send forth his angels and messengers of heaven. And they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them out among the wicked; and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. For the world shall be burned with fire. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (JST Matthew 13:39–45)“The harvest cannot come without angels,” Joseph proclaimed. “If the reapers do not come, the wheat cannot be saved.” They will “weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil” (Matthew 13:41, NIV). The ASV reads “all things that cause stumbling” and Weymouth includes “all who violate His laws.” The Hebrew speaks of those drawn into error whom “angels will uproot from his kingdom,” confirming that wickedness is found within that which He restored.
We are made “prisoners [by] many false and pernicious things which were calculated to lead the Saints far astray and to do great injury” to Christ’s gospel. If people knew the source of “such things, they would have spurned them and their authors as they would the gates of hell,” for that is where they lead. “The gates of hell shall open on all the works of vanity. The doors of the Pit shall close on the conceivers of wickedness.”
‘The gates of hell,’ then, does not refer to the devil at all; though his snares and wiles might lead men sooner or later to their death, delivering them ‘to the destruction of the flesh’ (1 Corinthians 5:5), his power ends there. The gates of hell are the gates of hell—the ‘holding back’ of those who are in the spirit world from attaining the object of their desire.Taking His gospel lightly keeps us bound by the chains of hell (2 Nephi 1:13, 23). Once firmly bound, tares will be reaped and burned. “Let us loathe the error of the present time” (Barnabas 4:1) that keeps us bound.
Research shows more and more how totally different the original church of Christ was from any of the churches claiming to be derived from it, or from any of the ideas which scholars have hitherto entertained concerning it. The term ‘primitive church’ is itself revealing. The early Christians, far from thinking of themselves as primitive, tell us often that they are living at the end of an aeon in a world ripe for destruction. Though they lived by prophecy, no allowances or provisions were made by them for greater refinements or improvements in their own institution in the years ahead.
The church of the apostles was ready for the end, coming as it did at ‘the end of the aeon,’ not at the beginning of a long period of progress . . . The end was never formally declared . . . ‘the lights [just] went out.’ What, then, was ‘the end?’ . . . We have ‘all things’ brought to earth, ‘all things’ coming to an end, and ‘all things’ restored again. All what things? we ask . . . Peter gives us the answer: ‘All things which the God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began’ (Acts 3:21) . . . All things that pertain to life and godliness’ (2 Peter 1:3). ‘All things’ means the fulness of the gospel. That is what passes away when ‘the end of all things is at hand.’After His true apostles preach their witness and testify according to divine commission, “then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). It is “the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) or “age” (ESV) as it presently exists. “The world and earth are not synonymous terms. The world is the human family.” The wicked turn His world into their world, a world in which He cannot dwell so they will be destroyed. The last days are for “the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world and the last great day of judgment . . . Surely every man must repent or suffer” (D&C 19:3–4). The end of the world is the end of worldly ways.
“My Vineyard Has Become Corrupted Every Whit”
After warning that “unless you repent, you will likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), Jesus delivered another parable. “Now learn a parable of the fig-tree—when its branches are yet tender, and it begins to put forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh at hand. So likewise mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the door” (JST Matthew 24:41–42).
Today summer is a time of carefree living, but historically it was a season of concern. With little rainfall, summer was a reminder that harvest was near and not much could be done if adequate preparations were not well underway. Once summer ends, no time remains to bear fruit. In Aramaic, summer means to gather or cut off.
In 1839 Joseph said, “Satan will rage and the spirit of the devil is now enraged. I know not how soon these things will take place; but with a view of them, shall I cry peace? No; I will lift up my voice and testify of them. How long you will have good crops, and the famine be kept off, I do not know. When the fig tree leaves, know then that the summer is nigh at hand.” A fig tree’s leaves come after it should bear fruit. It represents barrenness, a “type of a fair profession without performance; a very parable of the nation which, with all its professions, brought forth no ‘fruit to perfection’.” God condemns such hypocrisy in all forms.
The church or the individual whose religion runs to leaf is useless . . . A useless church or a Christian, from whom no man gets any fruit to cool a thirsty, parched lip, is only fit for what comes after the barrenness . . . [to be] hewn down and cast into the fire.Jesus saw a fig tree as He entered Jerusalem for the last time. He “found nothing thereon but leaves only and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever” (Matthew 21:19). “So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!’” (Luke 13:7, NIV).
The three-year period is significant because for three years John the Baptist and Jesus had been preaching the message of repentance throughout Israel. But the fruits of repentance were not forthcoming. John the Baptist warned the people about the Messiah coming and told them to bring forth fruits fit for repentance because the ax was already laid at the root of the tree (Luke 3:8–9).
But the Jews were offended by the idea they needed to repent, and they rejected their Messiah because He demanded repentance from them. After all, they had the revelation of God, the prophets, the Scriptures, the covenants, and the adoption (Romans 9:4–5). They had it all, but they were already apostate. They had departed from the true faith and the true and living God and created a system of works—righteousness that was an abomination to God. He, as the vineyard owner, was perfectly justified in tearing down the tree that had no fruit. The Lord’s ax was already poised over the root of the tree, and it was ready to fall.While the Old Testament forbids cutting down a fruit-bearing tree, Jewish rabbis knew that which could not bear fruit must be cut down. It is no coincidence that Jesus cursed this tree then again drove moneychangers from the temple. As much as we hope our salvation is assured by remaining loyal to a church, “all the churches” are warned that His vineyard is corrupt because they do not adequately nourish or protect it.
My vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds. (D&C 33:4)This was the same message Nephi declared. “All [have] gone out of the way; they have become corrupted . . . Because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men” (2 Nephi 28:11, 14). The few who “doeth good” are “ready to receive the fulness of my gospel” (D&C 35:12).
In 1830 God said, “It is the eleventh hour and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard” (D&C 33:3). “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields: for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). “He that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (D&C 4:4). Thrust in your sickles “while the day lasts, that [you] may treasure up for [your] soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God” (D&C 14:3–4).
While many have zeal to perform such labors, knowledge is required. Only after we receive an endowment from on high are we to preach His gospel to the world. “How shall they preach except they be sent” by God Himself (Romans 10:15)? “Each must stand for himself, and it was not necessary for them to be sent out two by two as in former times . . . Go in all meekness, in sobriety and preach Jesus Christ and him crucified . . . [and] pursue a steady course.”
“Be careful about sending boys to preach the Gospel to the world,” we are warned, for their minds may not be “stored with all necessary information.” Joseph said, “It is often the case that young members of this Church, for want of better information, carry along with them their old notions of things and sometimes fall into egregious errors.” Reward comes “in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven,” but our minds are quickly preoccupied in securing a life of comfort instead of reflecting on spiritual truths and responsibilities. Few obtain higher knowledge. Nibley observed, “There are certain things of which we never tire, with which we never become bored. Those are the things of eternity. Yet strangely enough it is these which we easily dismiss and neglect as if they were highly expendable.”
The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens! . . . Thou must commune with God.His servants “labor diligently with our might in the vineyard that we may prepare the way” in “this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.” The “few” labor alongside the Lord, preserving the good while clearing “away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit.” Only if they labor with Christ and strictly “obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things” will the “most precious” fruit “grow and thrive exceedingly.”
His servants are blessed for their untiring labor and sacrifice for the sake of their fellowmen. To “waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness” is a charge of utmost importance (D&C 123:13). This exhaustive work restores, reveals, and retains His gospel to gather the willing. We must prepare today. Summer is ending. Are we numbered among the wheat or tares?
Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today. (D&C 64:23-25)Though some are converted, most run out of time to produce good, acceptable works. As the daylight fades, many do not fulfill their covenant obligations so the harvest takes on increasingly darker meaning. They will be surprised to receive calamity and curses instead of the protection and promises they expect. Be aware of “many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the” covenant (Titus 1:10, NIV). The enemy has now combined with them..
For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men . . . The angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined. And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not. (D&C 38:11–13)“Woe . . . to them when I depart from them!” (Hosea 9:12). They claim to “lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us?” (Micah 3:11), but their temples and version of Zion will be destroyed. Because of their sins and “its defilement, you yourselves are ruined.” “The end is come upon my people” (Amos 8:2). Once glorious, Ephraim has become “a fading flower . . . Thy harvest is fallen” (Isaiah 28:1, 16:9). A targum says “woe that he gave a crown to the proud and foolish prince of Israel and that He gave a diadem to the wicked” one of the sanctuary.
Should I not punish them for this? declares the Lord. Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this? . . . The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? (Jeremiah 5:29, 31, NIV)Repulsed by the evil that permeates a choice land, the righteous anxiously await the purging and petition “day and night” for reaping to come. Knowing the restoration of all things cannot occur in current circumstances, God waits until the faithful are fully prepared (D&C 86:5–6).
When the hard-hearted begin to realize they must repent, it is too late. They have sown seeds of destruction and the harvest is upon them. “The majority of them will be evil . . . A man came from the south with a sickle in his hand [comes] bringing fire with him.” The sickle inflicts penalties on a deserving nation and people who will be hewn down and cut off. A sickle is a reaping instrument that separates, a gathering hook to “sever the wicked from among the just” (JST Matthew 13:51). A Coptic manuscript tells that in the premortal clash a sickle inflicted blows of death on Satan, who couldn’t be trusted with God’s priesthood power.
God saw that Satan, because of his boundless ambition and total lack of humility, could no longer be trusted with celestial power and commanded the angels to remove him from his office. This ordinance they performed with great sorrow and reluctance: They ‘removed the writing of authority from his hand. They took from him his armor and all the insignia of priesthood and kingship.’ Then with a ceremonial knife, a sickle, they inflicted upon him certain ceremonial blows of death which deprived him of his full strength forever after.Evil will be destroyed. “The tares shall be bound in bundles and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire” (D&C 101:66). The tares are Babylon and all whose hearts remain on her. They will “tumble to the dust, and great shall be the fall.” “The pride of the world . . . fell and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people that shall fight against” God (1 Nephi 11:36).
“True and righteous are his judgments” against “the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication” (Revelation 19:2), even that great and abominable church of the devil.
Behold, she is the tares of the earth. She is bound in bundles; her bands are made strong, no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. (D&C 88:94)
For footnotes and references, click HERE.