A Part of Prophecy

1 Nephi 19

The Lords prophecies are often fulfilled by man. Whether they be good or bad, men often carry out the will of God (also, whether knowingly or unknowingly).

Nephi says “…as for those who are at Jerusalem… they shall be scourged by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel…” (1 Nephi 19:13)

This prophecy is not the same as a commandment for faithful Saints to persecute the Jews. On the contrary, the wicked who fulfill this prophecy will be subject to punishment of their own.

However, there are other prophecies of which we may be proud to take part.

Wilford Woodruff speaks of fulfilling the revelation that a temple would be built in Far West, MO.

“On the morning of the 26th of April, 1839, notwithstanding the threats of our enemies that the revelation which was to be fulfilled this day should not be, and notwithstanding that ten thousand of the Saints had been driven out of the State by the edict of the governor, and though the Prophet Joseph and his brother, Hyrum Smith, with other leading men were in the hands of our enemies, in chains and in prison, we moved on to the temple ground in the city of Far West, and held a council, and fulfilled the revelation and commandment given unto us, and we performed many other things at this council.” (“Leaves from My Journal,” Millennial Star, October 10, 1881, 645–47)

Elder Carlos E. Asay mentioned that “Prophecy will be fulfilled, with or without us,” but also states that “…I believe that all members can become a part of prophecy fulfilled…”

I believe that we as faithful Saints and followers of the Lord can become a part of prophecy fulfilled. But we should be very careful and mindful of the parts of the prophecy that we partake in.

It is my desire to read and understand the prophecies of the Lord so that I may be a righteous part of prophecy fulfilled. I want to be part of the fulfillment of the prophecy “The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.” I do not  want to be part of the prophecy the before the second coming “shall many be offended,” or “men’s hearts shall fail them,” or many “shall betray one another.”

Let us learn of the prophecies of the Lord and prayerfully fulfill the prophecies of righteousness, not wickedness. As Elder Asay stated, “Prophecy will be fulfilled, with or without us.”