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The Literal Gathering of Israel, Chapter Two

January 24, 2012 Joseph Dewey

This entry is part 2 of 16 in the series Literal Gathering

Chapter Two

Babylon – Spiritual Wickedness

Just why did God choose the name “Babylon” to describe spiritual wickedness in the last days? To find the answer to this question we must go back to the beginning of the original Babylon. We find that it was started by Nimrod, the mighty hunter and the great Anti-Christ of his day. (See Gen 10:10). The city of Babel, or Babylon was built in direct opposition to the will of the Lord for He wanted his people to scatter abroad all over the face of the earth and repopulate it after the flood, instead of congesting in one place. For one thing the Lord knew that a great congestion of the population always brings this spiritual wickedness. Because the people built the great city and the tower God had to confuse their language so they could be scattered all over the earth according to his will.

Joseph Smith taught this important principle of limitation. He taught that the great city Zion would “fill up the world,” but that each community or stake in that city would be limited to “fifteen to twenty thousand people”. DHC 1:358

It is obvious that cities below twenty thousand population have much less corruption than the large cities. All of the large cities today are filled with every kind of wickedness one can imagine thus the main concentration of spiritual wickedness in the world today is in the large cities. Thus when the Lord says: “Come out of her (Babylon), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her PLAGUES.” REV 18:4 He is telling the people to come out of the cities of the world for all of these large concentrations of people are Babylon or confusion in the sight of God.

Not only are the Large cities a part of Babylon but so also are the smaller ones, to a lesser degree, according to the amount of spiritual wickedness therein. The only places that are not a part of Babylon are those places appointed by the Lord. Concerning these gathering places the scriptures commanded: ”Those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them GATHER THEMSELVES TOGETHER unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph (or another servant), AND BUILD UP CITIES UNTO MY NAME, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come.” D&C 125:2

Thus those who come out of Babylon are those who gather together and build up cities or stakes of Zion unto the Lord not exceeding twenty thousand. Salt Lake was once a city of Zion, but is no longer because of the spiritual wickedness there. It is as much a part of Babylon as any other city and there is no safety there at present.

Joseph Smith verified this doctrine. He said in speaking of Israel that the Lord would “Gather them from the coasts of the earth and as John heard the voice saying ‘Come Out Of her my people’ even so must all be fulfilled: that the PEOPLE OF THE LORD MAY LIVE when Babylon the great is fallen is fallen. There has been quite a number of families gathered up here already and we expect a continuance…” DHC 4:8-9 In speaking of the destruction of Babylon we find: “Therefore, shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, Alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! FOR IN ONE HOUR IS THY JUDGEMENT COME. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; FOR NO MAN BUYETH THEIR MERCHANDISE ANY MORE… The merchants of these things WHICH WERE MADE RICH BY HER, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing… In ONE HOUR so great riches is come to nought… And they cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying what city is like unto this great city!… In one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou Heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for GOD HATH AVENGED YOU ON HER. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” Rev 18:8-11, 15,17-21.

In reading this chapter many people think that Babylon is only one city since it was called a “great city” but we know that this cannot be the case since we are told that “in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of ALL THAT WERE SLAIN UPON THE EARTH.” Rev 18:24. No one city has even been in existence long enough to slay all the saints that have been on the earth, but “spiritual wickedness” has indeed slain all the saints that have been on the earth and where ever this spiritual wickedness reigns there we have Babylon. The Lord calls Babylon a city just as he calls Zion a city that will “fill the whole earth”. Actually the city Zion which will fill the whole earth in the eyes of man will be composed of many smaller cities. The same is true of the great city Babylon. Yet even taking this into consideration within each prophecy we have many types or shadows of reality. For instance the city Zion is often referred to as the center stake in Jackson County. The central gathering place for Zion is prophesied to be in Missouri and the United States as a whole. Even so, with the city Babylon we have a city and nation today which typifies its-existence. The City is New York City and the Nation is the United States.

Just as in the days of Peter Rome was called Babylon (I Peter 5:13) so also in our day is the great controlling city of New York is called Babylon. New York has several things in common with the Babylon of Nebuchadnezzar. First it is the controlling financial city of the world. Second it is surrounded by water. Third, it is the melting pot of the nations. A conglomeration of all types of people always fills the city Babylon. In speaking of Babylon of our day Jeremiah exclaimed: “opulent city, standing beside great waters!” Jer 51:13 New English.

Concerning the city beside the great waters Ezekiel writes: “How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, WHICH WAS STRONG IN THE SEA, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure. For thus saith the Lord God; when I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I shall BRING UP THE DEEP UPON THEE, AND GREAT WATERS SHALL COVER THEE.” Ezekiel 26:17-19

This coincides with another prophecy of John Taylor when he said that the city of New York would someday be submerged under water.

Jeremiah also speaks of this event: “The sea is come upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves.” Jer 51:42

On the other hand, Jeremiah in the next verse indicates that there are other parts of Babylon that will not be covered with water: “Her CITIES are a desolation, A DRY LAND, and a wilderness, a land where no man dwelleth.” Jer 51:43

This clearly indicates that the main city of Babylon will be sunken under the sea whereas its other cities will become a desolation just as John Taylor saw in his vision.

In addition to the flooding Jeremiah gives us another cause of the desolation: “And a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. Howl, ye SHEPHERDS, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye PRINCIPAL (From the Hebrew ADDIYR which means the greatest of or the leading men) OF THE FLOCK: for the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds (the General Authorities) shall have no way to flee, nor the principal (the First Presidency) of the flock, to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock shall be heard: for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture. (The pasture is Salt Lake City and others where the church is joined with Babylon) And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the Lord.” Jer 25:32-37

We also have a strong indication that Babylon can refer to a certain country: in the last days: “For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon as assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken.” Jer 50:9

Obviously the nations that come against Babylon here could not be a part of Babylon so Babylon here could only refer to a nation or set of nations in the last days.

Since Babylon refers to “spiritual wickedness” then that nation which possesses this type of wickedness in the world today would be the Babylon that is prophesied. All nations possess wickedness, but they do not all have a great deal of “spiritual wickedness.” The greater the spiritual leanings are in a nation the greater the chance there is for spiritual wickedness for the greater the light the greater is the darkness of those who go against the light.

Not only is the United States the most religious nation on earth, as well as the headquarters of Mormonism but has a greater variety of spiritual teachers of every mold. It is indeed the prime candidate for being the modern Babylon, center of spiritual wickedness. It is not surprising that there are so many references in the scriptures to the apostasy of the shepherds of Israel in the last days.

There are many other indications that the nation Babylon is the United States* For instance we are told that “the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Rev. 18:3 What other nation other than the United States makes the merchants of the earth rich?

The saints of God are commanded: “Come out of her my people.” Rev 18:4 We know that the majority of the Latter-Day Saints are in the United States.

Another indication is given in: “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.” Rev 18:20. Joseph and Hyrum Smith are among these.

Then too, sometimes Babylon refers to the nations of the world. “Go ye Out from among the nations, even from Babylon.” D&C 133:14 All of the nations possess a degree of spiritual wickedness, but the United States exceeds them all and all cities in the United States possess this same wickedness, but New York exceeds them all from a political standpoint and Salt Lake City exceeds them all from a religious standpoint.

A great warning was given by the Lord through Ezekiel to the Watchmen of Israel to warn them about sinning against the light: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, AND GIVE THEM WARNING FROM ME. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, TO SAVE HIS LIFE; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” EZEKIEL 3:17-19

Do not the scriptures make clear that desolation can be our lot and that a warning voice needs to be sounded to save the actual physical lives of the saints? Is there a revelation anywhere that tells us to cease giving the warning voice? Yet where is the warning voice of the shepherds of Israel today telling us to come out of Babylon so we will not be caught in the cities and suffer as John Taylor saw in his vision? When the desolation comes the virgins who are not wise will ask why they were not warned and many members of the church will curse their leaders and then their God in their dying breaths while the wise virgins, the Saints who will gather “shall hardly escape”. D&C 63:34

Is it not clear from what has, been hitherto written that we in need of a “literal” gathering of Israel? That is that the Saints must literally gather to places of refuge to save their physical lives in the day of judgment. Is it not obvious that the church is not sounding the warning voice as commanded in the scriptures, thus the blood of those who perish will be required at the hands of the shepherds of Israel. There is a small handful who understand these things, and understanding the responsibility we must sound the warning no matter what sacrifice or cost that we have to pay,

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The Literal Gathering of Israel, Chapter One

January 23, 2012January 23, 2012 Joseph Dewey

This entry is part 1 of 16 in the series Literal Gathering

Intro:

I wrote this treatise back in 1979 when I was still strongly influenced by the mindset of the LDS church and its various writings. Since then many of my views have changed and my perspective broadened. My later book – The Gathering of Lights more correctly reflects my current thinking and presentation and is written for the general populace.

This treatise has some excellent material and lots of good quotes for the LDS people. It was written to speak to the LDS using their language and contains many wake up calls and provocative thinking for them to consider. Most important is it does present the true principle of the gathering using their own teachings.

THE LITERAL GATHERING OF ISRAEL

J J. Dewey

Chapter One

The Literal and Figurative Gathering

The tenth article of faith reads: “We believe in the LITERAL gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built on this (the American) continent…

Does the Church still believe in this literal gathering of Israel? Is there a literal gathering in the Mormon church today, or is it a figurative gathering?

If there is a literal gathering in the church today then that would have to mean that all there is to the gathering of Israel is the gathering together in meetings and occasional conferences. But if this is so then how are the LDS gathering together any more than the Methodists or the Baptists? If The LDS believe in the “literal” gathering of Israel today then so also do all the other churches in Christendom. If Mormon belief on the gathering is the same as the other churches then why do they pretend that this belief sets them apart?

Actually, until the turn of the twentieth century, the Latter-Day Saints did believe in the literal gathering of Israel, but after a number of compromises, the church decided to cease and desist in its efforts to gather out of Babylon. From that point in time to the present the Saints have become like unto the world and most of the members of the church have become part of Babylon itself.

In speaking of Jesus in his day Joseph Smith said: “Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and he therefore poured out curses upon them.” DHC 5:423 Joseph also said: “The Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ is a gathering Spirit. Its tendency is to gather the virtuous and good, the honest and the meek of the earth, and in fine, the Saints of God.” DHC 6:12.

Yes, many are not aware that Jesus did everything possible to literally gather out the pure in heart in his day, but he had such little success that there is nothing recorded in the New Testament of any gathering at all except into meetings. Near the end of his life when he saw that his efforts were futile Jesus painfully declared: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often WOULD I HAVE GATHERED thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matt 23:37-38

Jesus talks about the same principle in our day and he even calls it a mystery which implies that the principle is not understood by the average member: “Therefore I will unfold unto them this great mystery; For behold I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, IF THEY WILL NOT HARDEN THEIR HEARTS.” D&C 10:64-65

It looks as if the saints must have hardened their hearts for there is no gathering of the righteous at all today. Jesus tried to gather the saints in Jerusalem and they “would not”, and he again tried to gather them in our dispensation and again they would not.

Concerning this “mystery” the Lord continues: “Behold this is my doctrine, whosoever repenteth and cometh (gathereth) unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore HE IS NOT OF MY CHURCH.” D&C 10:67-68. Thus even though a person may have a membership in the Church on the earth it is not written in heaven unless he possesses the spirit of gathering.

This is why the Lord calls those who do not possess this desire to gather non members. This is also verified in the Book of Mormon: “Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion (The gathering of Israel) both Jew, and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; FOR THEY ARE THEY WHO ARE THE WHORE OF ALL THE EARTH. II Nephi 10:16. Many members of the church will fight against the establishment of Zion through the gathering of Israel and thus belong to that great and Abominable Church of the Devil for the Adversary desires the dispersion of Israel so that the wheat will be burned along with the tares. We are told that Satan through his secret combinations seeks “the destruction of ALL people.” Ether 8:25. Since the Gathering of Israel will provide a place of “refuge” which would thwart the Adversary’s plan of destruction he, of course, wants to fight against this principle with all of his power.

When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith he said: “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children THE PROMISES MADE TO THE FATHERS, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so THE WHOLE EARTH WOULD BE UTTERLY WASTED AT HIS COMING.” D&C 2:1-3.

Notice that Moroni said that the promises (plural) that were made to the fathers must be planted in the hearts of the children or the earth would be “utterly wasted”.

What are the promises made to the Fathers???

The church is, of course, aware of “one” of the promises, and that is the sealing powers, but a full concept of this is not taught. Joseph Smith said: “This is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven… We cannot be perfect without our fathers. WE MUST HAVE REVELATION FROM THEM.” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith Page 338.

Thus we see that the redemption of the dead is only part of the spirit of Elijah. In addition to this we must be connected with them to the extent that we can receive revelation from them. Part of the redemption of the dead involves freeing our fathers in the Spirit World so they can communicate with us as promised.

Why do we need revelation from our Fathers? Because all of the Fathers in Israel who we read of in the scriptures sought the gathering of Israel and the redemption of Zion and found it not, therefore they are very interested in our accomplishing this today for they do not want to be resurrected on a planet that is “utterly wasted”.

Indeed the literal gathering of Israel is one of the promises made to the fathers and it must be planted in the hearts of the children by revelation or the earth could be wasted at the coming of Christ. Why will the earth be wasted if there is no gathering? Because the Lord said that the gathering was “for a defense and for a refuge from the storm.” D&C 115:6 For this reason he commanded the Saints: “Go ye out of Babylon, gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other… Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion… “D&C 133:7&12 “Declare both by word and by FLIGHT that desolation shall come upon the wicked.” D&C 63:37 “I WILL NOT SPARE ANY THAT REMAIN IN BABYLON.” D&C 64:24

If God will not spare “ANY” that remain in Babylon and all the saints remain there and not gather to form Zion then obviously the earth will be “utterly wasted” at his coming for there would be no men left. Indeed the Lord has warned us: “For a desolating scourge shall go forth among the inhabitants of the earth, and shall continue to be poured out from time to time, if they repent not (for not establishing Zion by gathering), UNTIL THE EARTH IS EMPTY and the inhabitants thereof are CONSUMED AWAY AND UTTERLY DESTROYED (or wasted) by the brightness of my coming.” D&C 5:19

Joseph Smith illustrates clearly that the sealing powers restored by Elijah and the gathering go hand in hand: “The keys are to be delivered, the Spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God GATHERED, ZION BUILT UP, and the Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their dead and GATHER TOGETHER THEIR LIVING RELATIVES, that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten, and the consumption decreed falls upon the world… If the Church should go to with their might to save their dead, seal their posterity and GATHER THEIR LIVING FRIENDS, and spend none of their time in behalf of the world, they would hardly get through before the night would come, when no man could work; and my only trouble at the present time is CONCERNING OURSELVES,THAT THE SAINTS WILL BE DIVIDED, BROKEN UP, AND SCATTERED BEFORE WE GET OUR SALVATION SECURE; for there are so many fools in the world for the devil to operate on.” TOTPJS Pages 330- 331.

We see here that the gathering is necessary to secure our salvation. This is understandable when we consider that Joseph Smith said that “Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet.” These enemies he said referred to “this world”. TOTPJS Page 297. In other words it is impossible for the kingdom of God to triumph over its enemies in this world without the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion. ‘Without a knowledge of this “mystery” the kingdom of God cannot set up an “ensign” to the nations which will bring peace on the earth.

Before we continue we must successfully define what is meant by the “Literal gathering of Israel” even though the meaning should be as clear as crystal to anyone who has read the Doctrine and Covenants even once.

Unfortunately many Latter-Day Saints actually believe that the missionaries of today-are participating in the gathering of Israel. Many members also believe that they are gathering by simply meeting in wards and stakes. Others who understand what is meant by the “literal gathering of Israel” believe that the gathering was suspended for a time and is to be resumed when they go to Jackson County and that there we will have a literal gathering.

THE MISSIONARIES OF TODAY ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE LITERAL GATHERING OF ISRAEL.

Have you ever wondered why missionaries such as Wilford Woodruff were able to convert over three thousand people in several years of labor? Why is there not a missionary in the church today with the persuasive power of any of the early brethren? Is it because the missionaries of today lack charisma, or perhaps use the wrong brand of mouthwash? No. The reason is simply that today there is a different message with the most vital element deleted. That missing ingredient is the warning voice to all people to gather out from among the nations and come to Zion. Let the wheat be separated from the tares so the tares can be bound in bundles to be burned. Parley P. Pratt wrote his VOICE OF WARNING for this purpose. Also the Lord told us: “Behold, I sent you out to testify and to WARN this people…” D&C 88:81

Why were they to be warned? We are told a few verses later: “That their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation of abomination which awaits the wicked.” D&C 88:85

To Sidney Rigdon the Lord commanded: “Let him lift up his voice with the sound of a trump, and WARN the inhabitants of the earth to FLEE THE WRATH TO COME.” D&C 124:106 “Let your preaching be a warning voice.” D&C 38:41 “Lift a WARNING voice to the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by FLIGHT that desolation shall come upon the wicked.” D&C 63:37 “This is a day of WARNING…,’ D&C 63:58. “Let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber because of thy speech.” D&C 112:5. We are told that the main purpose of the Doctrine and Covenants is to be a “Voice of warning… unto all people.” D&C 1:4

Where is the Warning voice today?

I am familiar with the last two editions of the missionary lessons and there is not one warning in either of them. The main theme of the current set is to testify of “living prophets.” However, the scriptures plainly tell us that any recognized prophet will warn the people of the wrath to come. Why are those proclaiming to be “special witnesses” not doing this? Why O why are the missionaries not sounding the warning voice when sudden destruction awaits us and the time is coming that even with a gathering the “inhabitants of the earth are burned, and FEW MEN LEFT.” Isa 24:6 thus making “a man more precious than fine gold.” Isa 13:12

In an interesting vision attributed to John Taylor on December 16, 1877 we find a description of some of the desolation we are to warn against:

“I went to bed as usual about 9:30 P.M…. The next I knew I was just this side of Omaha. It seemed as though I was above the earth, and looking down upon it. As I -passed along upon my way east, I saw the road full of people, mostly women, with just what they could carry in bundles on their backs traveling to the mountains on foot.

“I wondered how they could get through with such a small pack on their back. It was remarkable to me that there were so FEW MEN AMONG THEM It did not seem as though the cars were running. The rails looked rusty and abandoned and I have no conception of how I traveled as I looked down upon the people. I continued east by way of Omaha and Council Bluffs which were full of disease. The states of Illinois and Missouri were in tumult. Men were killing one another and women joined in the fighting. Family were against family in the most horrid manner. I imagined next that I was in Washington and I found desolation there. The whole House was empty and the Halls of Congress the same and everything in ruins. The people seemed to have fled the city and left it to take care of itself. (This would undoubtedly include the Washington temple). I was next in Baltimore in the square where the monument of 1812 stands in front of the Charles Hotel. I saw dead piled up so as to fill the squares. I saw mothers cutting the throats of their own children for their blood. I saw them suck it from their throats to quench their own thirst, and then lie down and die. The waters of the Chesapeake Bay were so stagnant and the stench arising from it on account of their throwing dead bodies in it, so terrible that the very smell carried death with it. I saw no men except they were dead or dying on the streets and very few women. And those I saw were crazy and in an ugly condition.

“Everywhere I went I beheld the same sight all over the city, it was terrible beyond description to look upon. I thought this must be the end, but no, I was seemingly in an instant in the city of Philadelphia. There everything was still. No living soul was there to greet me. It seemed the whole city was without any inhabitants. In the south of Chestnut street and in fact everywhere I went the putrefaction of the dead caused such a stench that it was impossible for any living thing to breath, nor did I see any living thing in the city.

“Next I found myself in Broadway in New York, and there it seemed the people had done the best they could to overcome the disease, but in wandering down Broadway, I saw the bodies of beautiful women, some dead and others in a dying condition on the sidewalk. I saw men come out of cellars and ravish the persons of some that were yet alive, and then kill them and rob their bodies of all the valuables they had upon them and they would roll over a time or two and die in agony. In some of the back streets I saw them kill some of their own offspring and eat their raw flesh and in a few minutes die themselves.

“Everywhere I went I saw the same scenes of horror and destruction and death. No vehicles or cars were running, but death and destruction was everywhere. Then I saw a fire start, and just at that moment a mighty East wind sprang up and carried the flames over the city and it burned until there was not a single building left standing there. Even down to the waters edge. Wharves and shipping all seemed to burn and follow in common destruction where the great city was a short time ago. The stench of the bodies that were burning was so great that it was carried a long distance across the Hudson Bay and carried death and destruction wherever it penetrated. I cannot paint in words the horrors that seemed to compass me about. It was beyond the description of men.

“I supposed this was -the end, but no, I was given to understand, that the same horrors were being enacted all over the country – East, West, North, and South. FEW WERE LEFT ALIVE STILL THERE WERE SOME. Immediately after I seemed to be standing on the left bank of the Missouri and Illinois and all of Iowa were a complete desert with NO LIVING BEING THERE. A short distance from the river, however, I saw twelve men, dressed in temple robes, standing in a square or nearly so, and I understood it represented the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. Their hands were uplifted consecrating the ground and laying the Corner Stone of the temple.” Source: Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, June 15, 1878, “A Vision, Salt Lake City, Night of Dec 16, 1877

Is it not now obvious why the Lord said: “Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, FROM THE MIDST OF WICKEDNESS, which is SPIRITUAL BABYLON… Let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him.” D&C 133:14-15.

Here we see that one is in spiritual Babylon when he is in the “midst of wickedness”. We, of course, cannot be in physical Babylon today so it is obvious that the prophesies of Babylon in our day pertain to this “spiritual Babylon” as the scriptures have said.

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