The Seed of Thy Father
"And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks—And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded." (1 Nephi 14:1-2)
Being numbered among the seed of Lehi is referring to a spiritual association, a covenantal relationship, an adoption1. We, the Gentiles have been given the Book of Mormon. Why? Why this book, and not one of another lost tribe?2 The Lord tells Nephi that if the Gentiles are faithful, they shall be numbered among the Holy Family through Lehi. Is it any wonder then, that if the Gentiles have any chance at all to obtain grace3 that it will be through the ministration of this book, from which Lehi's seed, through many generations, sought to write4 and claim as many Gentiles as would hear, along with their own natural kin? Is it any wonder that their hearts would feel after and have charity towards us? Is it any wonder that the three Nephites would apear to, and labor among the Gentiles they hoped to make family?
Is there some irony involved, that a Gentile church which takes the book lightly5 such, that many have not even read it, and when they do, it's prooftext to bolster preconceived notions, will in the final day look up in agony of heart at the patriarchal head of the book through whom they could have been linked in a saving family and realize how little of the right kind of heed they gave to this family's message? How little they sought the mysteries contained there because they allowed thier minds to be in bondage?6
What condemnation? When do we know if we are no longer condemned? Do we need to receive the Second Comforter to be out from under this condemnation?
Our condemnation is that we are a lost and fallen people.7 We have been cast out of the Garden of Eden, out of the presence of God. Is that condemnation removed when we are redeemed from the Fall?8 The Lord's revelation to Joseph said we will "remain under this condemnation until they...not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written."5 The Book of Mormon is a manual on obtaining the Second Comforter if we will see it. Nephi laid out a formula for obtaining not only Melchizedek, but Patriarchal priesthood. If we can achieve what is laid out in first and second Nephi, then we will be free from condemnation and be able to sing the song of redeeming love, to obtain the Holy Spirit of Promise. This is "doing" indeed.
I have need of repentance.9 I am trying to give greater heed to this book, to the saving message, to the fulness of the Gospel it contains, to those who seek my salvation. I hope that their efforts might bear fruit in me and in my family.
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Notes
1. Adoption
5. D&C 84:54-59
9. Repentance