James J. Strang was identified by God as a deliverer of both gentiles and the house of Israel.  His missions were first identified by Joseph Smith.  Even here the dual mission of James was addressed--one in the present and other in the future.  James knew from the beginning that his mission to the gentiles would fail.  Yet, he worked with every drop of energy he could muster in the hope that somehow it would not fail.

CHAPTER NINE:

JAMES J. STRANG, THE DELIVERER

Prophecy identifies him establishing a refuge for the Gentiles and then losing his life, during his mission to the Gentiles.  His second mission will be in power to deliver those few saints who survive the final desolation, gather the House of Israel, and stand as Judge and Destroyer to the nations of the world.  A similar dual mission was given to Joseph (See The Evening and Morning Star, Vol. 1, No. 6)  This dual role is noted in the Letter of Appointment, the Revelations of James, and the Book of the Law of the Lord. The failure of the Gentiles to live by the law of God brought the death of James and scattering of the people.  Only a very few are prophesied to survive and be alive when Jesus returns (Isa. 1:8).

The covenant between God and the Gentile converts, like the one made under Moses, carried with it both blessings and curses.  James first mission to the Gentiles included promises that were always conditioned with an “If.”  Reference the Revelations of James.  "5 If ye will not live by it, the promise is not unto you. It is a vain thing for you to witness my word, if ye will not regard it, to live by it." "…unto the faithful is this promise." The “If” limitation exists at least thirty-seven times in the revelations of James.

It has been said that "if" is the longest word in the dictionary.  For the Gentiles it became the most terrible word; because they would not.  James wrote, “But in this matter I think you can discover evidence of the pecu­liar justice of God's judgments. The time is hastening when he will cut off the gentiles as he did the Jews. And as he judged the Jews out of their own mouths, so will he judge the gentiles. Christ came to the Jews as their king. They rejected him, saying, ‘let his blood be on us and on our children.’

“And when the times of the gen­tiles are come in, that they fully reject this testimony, as the Jews rejected Christ, then, as surely as God has destroyed Israel with all the curses which he pronounced by the MOUTH OF MOSES, so surely will he take those curses off from Israel and put ALL OF THEM UPON THE GENTILES.” (Zion’s Reveille, Vol. 2, No. 26, p. 107/159)

Revelations made to the house of Israel were given as unconditional promises.  James J. Strang will be a Deliverer, Judge, and Destroyer, shortly before the dreadful day of the Lord.  He will be a Deliverer to the very small remnant of the Gentiles and to the House of Israel.

“13. In righteousness shalt thou rule: thou shalt redeem the poor and the needy from suffering and violence; and to thee God giveth judgment for them.  Thou shalt deliver the prey from the spoiler; for God, thy God, hath put them in thy hand.

“14. And in weakness will he make thee strong.  Thou shalt rule among his people.  Thou shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor, and the yoke of the unjust ruler.  They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find.

“15. While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed, and for the poor and needy.  Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them; and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow; for it already worketh.  Go thy way, and be strong.” (Book of the Law, p. 171)

He will be a Judge and Destroyer of those disobedient to the laws of God.  "13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion : for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth."  (Ibid., p. 203)                                                           

Bro. Strang evidently understood, during most of his mission, that the Gentile dispensation would fail.  He taught that Micah 4 addressed him.  "8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion , unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem ."  Truly the first dominion of the last days was given through James, the "Tower of the Flock."  He was saddened by the events of the coming days; as the daughter of Zion was to lose her king and counselors and be scattered among the Gentiles.  "9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud?  is there no king in thee?  is thy counseller perished?  for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail."  There was hope for only a very small remnant, "10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies."  The worthy are to be delivered; when James begins his next mission. 

During his ordination to the office of elder, Bro. Hyrum Smith spoke, "I perceive by the spirit which is within me that thou shalt carry the gospel with the Spirit like flaming fire to many nations and by thee shall God save the pure of his people." (Chronicles of Voree, p. 6)  Does this not, most likely, speak of the time when he gathers the House of Israel in Zion?

These prophesies closely relate to other revelations of events that are to transpire near the second coming of Christ.  "14. Thou shalt rule among his people.  Thou shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor, and the yoke of the unjust ruler.  They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find." (Ordination, Book of the Law, p. 171)

The vision of James on June 18, 1844 , when the prophet Joseph Smith wrote the letter of appointment, describes a time when the city of Voree would again be established as an inheritance for the saints.  Bro. Strang's revelations concerning the House of Israel during the last dispensation are promises.  It obviously addresses the next dispensation and contains no "ifs."

"1...and the lands round about were covered with many houses and gardens, and there were streets, and shops, and people; even a city of many inhabitants. And the city was built of stone, and there were few houses of brick and less of wood, and the gardens were many; and a few houses were very great, and their inhabitants many.

"2. There was a change in the vision, and the people with lively pace and smiling countenances thronged the streets and passed by.

"3. There was another change, and they were all assembled in a vast hall, and James J. Strang, surrounded by wise men and counsellors and priests and eloquent orators, arose and taught the people; and the Spirit of prophecy witnesseth unto him, so shall it be; and the vision ended, and he was strengthened but his faith was weak." (Voree Herald, August, 1846, p. 33)

There was never a time in Voree during the mortal life of James when these events were realized.  The people failed to gather, failed to build the house of God, and failed to build the Tower of Strength .  There was never a time that there was "a vast hall" in which, "wise men and counsellors and priests and eloquent orators, arose and taught the people."  This is a promise to the house of Israel and not to the disobedient Gentiles.

The Letter of Appointment prophesied of two time periods.  The first addressed the house of Israel and are promises without the "ifs."   It begins, "and I will establish it; and there shall my people have peace and rest and shall not be moved, for it shall be established on the prairie on White River, in the lands of Racine and Walworth; and behold my servants James and Aaron shall plant it, for I have given them wisdom, and Daniel shall stand in his lot on the hill beside the river, looking down on the prairie, and shall instruct my people, and shall plead with them face to face.

"Behold my servant James shall lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes of Zion , and my servant Aaron shall be his counselor, for he hath wisdom in the gospel, and understandeth the doctrines, and erreth not therein.

"And I will have a house built unto me there of stone, and there will I show myself to my people by many mighty works, and the name of the city shall be called Voree, which is, being interpreted, garden of peace, for there shall my people have peace and rest and wax fat and pleasant in the presence of their enemies.

"But I will again stretch out my arm over the river of waters, and on the banks thereof shall the house of my choice be."

The Temple was never built, God did not "show myself to my people by many mighty works," and during James first mission the gathering was moved.  The Gentile people of Voree failed.  The peace they could have enjoyed was lost.

The second section addressed James mission to the Gentiles and was conditioned with "ifs."  The blessings they could receive were clearly dependant upon obedience.  "BUT NOW the city of Voree shall be a stronghold of safety to my people, and they that are faithful and obey me I will there give them great prosperity, and such as they have not had before; and unto Voree shall be the gathering of my people, and there shall the oppressed flee for safety, and none shall hurt or molest them.

"And by this shall they know that I have spoken it; the people there and the owners of the land shall show kindness to them, for great calamities are coming on the church, and such as have not been, and if they scatter, the ungodly of the world shall swallow them up, but IF they gather to my city of Voree there will I keep them under the shadow of my wings, and the cities from whence my people have been driven shall be purged with a high hand, for I will do it, and my people shall be again restored to their possession; but dark clouds are gathering, for the church is not yet wholly purged.

"And now I command my servants, the Apostles and Priests and Elders of the Church of the Saints, that they communicate and proclaim this, my word, to all the saints of God in all the world, that they may be gathered unto and round about the city of Voree and be saved from their enemies, for I will have a people to serve me.

"And I command my servant Moses Smith, that he go unto the saints with whom he is acquainted, and unto many people, and command them in my name to go unto my city of Voree, and gain inheritances therein, and he shall have an inheritance therein, for he hath left all for my sake; and I will add unto him many fold if he is faithful, for he knows the land and can testify to them that it is very good.

"So spake the Almighty God of heaven. Thy duty is made plain, and if thou lackest wisdom, ask of God, in whose hands I trust thee, and he shall give thee unsparingly, for if evil befall me thou shalt lead the flock to pleasant pastures. God sustain thee."

James’ Ordination on June 27, 1844 , beginning with verse 4, addresses a future dispensation to the house of Israel .  The first three verses address his mortal life. "4. Thou shalt save his people from their enemies when there is no arm to deliver, and shalt bring salvation when destruction walketh in the house of thy God. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore thy God hath anointed thee with oil and set thee above all thy fellows.

"5. Thy words shall be like sharp arrows in the heart of the wicked. Thou shalt rebuke those who pervert the word of thy God. Thou shalt preach righteousness and the sublime mysteries in the ears of many people, and shall bring the gospel to many who have not known it and to the nations afar off.

"6. Thou shalt drive backward and put to shame those that do evil, and the workers of iniquity shall fall. They shall be cast down and shall not be able to rise. With purity will the Lord thy God arm thee, and purity and truth shalt thou teach.

"7. Keep the law of the Lord thy God in thy heart, and none of thy steps shall slide. With thee is the fountain of truth. In thy light shall the people of thy God see, for thou shalt speak his word unto them, and from thy lips shall they receive it.

"8. The blessing of their God shalt thou put upon them, and his curse upon evil doers, if, after being oft rebuked, they repent not; and before my people shalt thou go to lead them into my ways, for unto thee has the Lord thy God given salvation.

"9. In righteousness shalt thou rule. Thou shalt redeem the poor and the needy from suffering and violence, and to thee God giveth judgment for them. Thou shalt deliver the prey from the spoiler, for God, thy God, hath put them in thy hand.

"10. And in weakness will he make thee strong. Thou shalt rule among his people. Thou shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor and the yoke of the unjust ruler. They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find.

"11. While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed and for the poor and needy. Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them, and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow, for it already worketh. Go thy way and be strong." (Voree Herald, August, 1846, p. 33)

Similar language is used elsewhere to describe the final gathering of Zion.  When the words of the ordination are read in their proper context, it is apparent that the time addressed is near the second coming of Christ.

Compare this refuge, gathering, and deliverance to that spoken of in other places.  "Here shall the house of Manasseh and the house of Ephraim and the Gentiles build a house unto me, and bow down to me therein. For the sons of Jacob shall lay the foundations thereof, and therein shall they worship their God. And to this house shall the thousands of the house of Israel come, when the ice melts at the north. And there shall they meet their brethren in peace, and God shall be in the midst of them." (Revelation of James, August 25, 1846)

The Revelation of James, January 17, 1845 , was given to the Gentiles and was conditional.  Verse 2, begins with an absolute command, "Let all the saints humble themselves before me, and obey my commandments."  Verse 3, continues, "I will reward the faithful."  Verse 4: "those whose hearts are set for gain...have they their reward."  Verse 5: "The reward of the righteous is with me."  Verse 6: "I require of all who have received the priesthood." Verse 7: "Yea, verily, and the reward of the faithful is with me."  Verse 9: "I will remember you in mercy and in blessings if ye serve me."

The Revelation of James, September 1, 1845 , repeats the warning of obedience. "…those to whom I have revealed myself, let them hearken unto me now lest they be cast off in the day of my indignation.”  "He that rejecteth them, will I reject when I come in my kingdom."  These warnings should be enough to bring an icy chill to any who believes in the works of James.

The Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito has not been fulfilled.  It will be realized, "when the flock disown the Shepherd and build not on the Rock."  This obviously refers to the Gentiles; when they "perceive not the light" and "turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men" “and in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Doctrine and Covenants, 45:29, 30) The Gentiles had an opportunity to inherit this blessing; but they would not.  "…if ye do all these things, dominion shall be given unto you, and Daniel the prophet shall proclaim the kingdom of your God, and shall call forth the saints to possess it." (Revelation, July 1, 1846)  The Gentiles failed.  The fullness of the gospel will restored to God's chosen people; and they will inherit the blessing.

“The escaped of my people there shall dwell.”  In the Letter of Appointment Joseph Smith prophesied of the future city of Voree, “I will establish it; and there shall my people have peace and rest and shall not be moved, for it shall be established on the prairie on White River, in the lands of Racine and Walworth; and behold my servants James and Aaron shall plant it, for I have given them wisdom, and Daniel shall stand in his lot on the hill beside the river, looking down on the prairie, and shall instruct my people, and shall plead with them face to face.” James will have a role in the establishment of this future city.

The Revelation of James, July 1, 1846 , was given almost entirely to the Gentiles.  Only Verse 2, spoke of a time to come, "if he fails not of his meekness, and obeys my commandments, and remembers to keep all my precepts, I will lift up his head to redeem the oppressed, and to give comfort to the poor among all people. Upon thrones shall he sit, and the scepter shall be in his hand, and he shall lift up an ensign to all the earth."

It is full of the most strict commands and conditions to the Gentiles.  In verse 7, "if my people will build a house unto me according to my commandments, and will not be slothful therein, but will make speed to build, then will I endow them, even so many as are faithful and obey me and hearken to my words and to the words of my servants whom I have appointed to be their leaders. But to the disobedient and rebellious will I not give power."

Verse 8: "whosoever will not abide the preparation faithfully, shall not be blessed... shall receive of the wrath of God."

This house of God was a work for trying the people.  Verse 9: "Therefore is the blessing withheld till they humble themselves, and hearken to the voice of truth.

This house on the Hill of Promise, "is the beginning of the preparation whereby the poor may be exalted, and the oppressed lifted up, and all my servants made equal in their temporal things; for unless they be one in their temporal things, the fullness of my Spirit shall be withheld from them."

Verse 11: offered a blessing for building the tower of strength. "if ye do all these things, dominion shall be given unto you, and Daniel the prophet shall proclaim the kingdom of your God, and shall call forth the saints to possess it."

The last four verses warned of evil spirits that had gone forth among the people.  It held an equally ominous warning, "unless ye do these things, ye cannot receive the blessings."

The Revelation and Vision of James and on August 25, 1846 , primarily addressed a future time and the gathering of the sons of Joseph and Jacob.   It speaks of, "where the air was pure and serene, with unfading foliage," and "fruits every month."  This could only be at a time when the earth becomes tropical again with the restoration of all things.  Contemplate the magnificence, "2 here shall God establish his people, even the sons of Joseph, on an everlasting foundation; and from hence shall the gospel of the kingdom go unto the tribes, and they shall not any more be despised."

 "4 upon this land where thou standest shall the gospel of the kingdom be established among the Lamanites... "5 And here shall the Lamanites come to learn the law of the Lord their God... 6 the Lord might show thee what he will do hereafter... And to this house shall the thousands of the house of Israel come... 7 when the children of the household of faith have peace, then thou shalt go there and minister in the work of the Lord thy God... 8 And their possession shall become as a paradise, yielding fruits every month, and the strength of Zion shall be there to do the work of the Lord, to work deliverance to the captive and judgments upon the ungodly, in the day of the Lord… 6 Here shall the house of Manasseh and the house of Ephraim and the Gentiles build a house unto me, and bow down to me therein. For the sons of Jacob shall lay the foundation thereof, and therein shall they worship their God. And to this house shall the thousands of the house of Israel come, when the ice melts in the north. And there shall they meet their brethren in peace, and God shall be in the midst of them."

Verse 3 stands alone to the Gentiles, "if this people will turn unto him, and repent of all their evil deeds, and no more slay the prophets..."  James was told that during the Gentile dispensation, “shalt thou begin this work.”  He was to complete the work when the harvest dispensation to the house of Israel is opened. “While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed and for the poor and the needy. Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them, and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow, for it already worketh.” (Ordination of James, Book of the Law, p. 171)

The Revelation of James on January 7, 1849 , was given to the Gentiles.  It, again, is filled with the most dreadful warnings.  "1 Behold, ye shall be one; and if ye are not one, ye are none of mine... Ye are cursed; ye are confounded, because ye have many tongues... 3 Ye have broken my commandments, and despised mine authority, and my precepts have been to you a vain thing... 5 If ye will therefore possess these things, remember my law, to keep it... It is a vain thing for you to witness my word, if ye will not regard it, to live by it... 6 I will yet bless them, and will give them the kingdom, if they abide in well doing... 7 Whosoever will not do it, shall not enter into the house of the Lord... 9 If they are faithful unto me, my strength shall shield them and prosper them... 10 if they do not walk in my ways more perfectly, I will yet cast them off... 11 Remember that all that ye possess is mine... 12 ye shall console and strengthen one another... 15 And I have a great work for him [James] to do, and with speed shall he do it, if ye uphold him in faith and confidence and prayer... 18 my servants the Apostles have not filled their mission in preaching my gospel to the nations of the earth, but have betaken themselves to their own work... 19 For your enemies shall be upon you, and ye shall flee before them, if ye turn not to me to be faithful."

The Book of the Law offers more prophecy on the dominion of James during the next dispensation to the house of Israel . “Establishment of the Law” is a revelation given through James in Feb., 1851.  This chapter clearly addresses a future time.  "1. FEAR not, little flock, for your Father, in his good pleasure, hath given you the Kingdom; the dominion is yours forever; ye shall smite the nations with a continual stroke; for the Lord your God hath spoken it:  ye shall break them in pieces, and destroy them; for the day of his vengeance has come."

“2. He hath judged the nations that are near, and decreed destruction upon them, and their day continueth not: the nations far away are covered with their abominations as with a garment: their iniquities are not hid: he will not spare them.

“3. The Saints of the former days have sat in judgment upon them; they have judged the earth, and the nations thereof shall not be spared; fire goeth before: famine followeth after; and the pestilence shall waste them.”

"4. Arise and smite them, O Daughter of Zion; and thou, O Tower of the Flock, whose power is above the clouds, possess thy dominion, and be thou a refuge: for Judah shall be bent, in his strength; as an arrow, Ephraim shall fill him:  Manasseh shall be his barb; and Jacob shall be in the midst of the Gentiles, in the empire of nations, as a Lion among the beasts of the forest; as a young Lion in the flocks of sheep, who, when he goeth through, treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none shall deliver."

The rest of the chapter refers to events yet future, "5 Let your fear be upon all men... 6 he shall gather them as sheaves of the floor... 7 Arise and thrash... 8 Babylon the Great shall perish... 10 Let not her days be prolonged... 11 For by this Law shall men be judged in the portion of Joseph... 13 speak of this Law to your neighbors, and to your wives, and to your children, and to your servants… 15 For by this Law hath the Lord your God sanctified you, and given you judgment, and justice, and dominion.”

“16 Keep, therefore, this Law, and obey these Commandments; for so doth God sanctify you, and so will he establish you, and prosper you, more abundantly than in former days. The land of Joseph shall ye possess forever, and Israel and Judah shall dwell again upon their own mountains.

“17 Your vineyards, your gardens, and your orchards, ye shall plant again, and they shall flourish, and ye shall eat the fruit thereof: ye shall build houses, and shall inhabit them; and children’s children shall be in them, for a crown of glory to you, if ye remember the Lord your God, whose name is great and glorious, and keep his statutes.”

The next dispensation, to the house of Israel, will be one of dominion, power, and judgment.  “15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen [“goi,” also translated gentile]: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. 16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. 17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” (Obad. 1)

Throughout the revelations and prophecies of James there were no unconditional promises to the Gentiles.  Promises to the Gentiles were always conditioned with an "if."  The Lord told James on January 17, 1845 , "9. Be ye faithful, O ye children of the kingdom, for this is the covenant between me and you. I will remember you in mercy and in blessings IF ye serve me. And this will I do. Behold I the Lord have spoken it. I will give unto my servant James the plates of the book that was sealed, that he may translate them for you. Yea, unto the faithful is this promise. Serve and obey me, and I will give unto him the plates of the ancient records which are sealed up, and he shall translate them unto you; and this shall be a witness between me and those that serve me; and unto my servants who serve me faithfully, yea, unto whom I will, shall he show the plates, and they shall be faithful witnesses unto me, and thus shall my words be established. (Voree Herald, August, 1846, p. 33)

The prophecies and revelations of James relating to the house of Israel were given as absolute promises.  Voree and the islands of the Great Lakes will again be gathering places.  "While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed and for the poor and needy.  Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them, and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow, for it already worketh." (Book of the Law, p. 171)

The final dispensation will be unlike all former dispensations.  It will be a harvest dispensation, a gathering of all righteous things in heaven and on earth.  It will be administered in power, judgment, and destruction.  Many of those who labor in this last dispensation will have been resurrected.  Enoch and Elijah will return about three and a half years prior to Christ's second coming.  John the Revelator is to return.  How many translated persons, besides the city of Enoch, that are to return are not known.  When Jesus returns, He will bring many saints that have been resurrected; and raise others from their graves.

The Book of Mormon and the Book of the Law shall be in the hands of the seed of Joseph and Judah.  "and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord." (2 Nephi 3:12)

Judah, Israel, and Joseph will all be gathered.  James will stand, again, as King in Zion.  He will hold a rod of iron.  "11 For by this law shall men be judged in the portion of Joseph:  God will give it to you, that you may possess it for an everlasting dominion." (Book of the Law, p. 205)

The prophecy concerning the seed of Joseph in 2 Nephi 3 and in The Evening and Morming Star, Vol. 1, No. 6, may also indicate that Joseph will return to rule with James; and take the gospel to the remnant of Joseph.  "But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of they loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins; and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them."  Bro. Joseph's first mission only realized the first, "bring forth my word."  The "convincing them of my word" has not yet been realized.  The dual mission was to:  (1) bring forth my word, and (2) convincing them of my word.  Another interesting note is that the second mission was not to be realized for some period of time after the first; as the prophecy notes, "which shall have already gone forth among them."  "And his name shall be called after me [Joseph]; and it shall be after the name of his father."  Joseph fulfilled both requirements and taught that this prophecy addressed him.

When you read prophecy of the last days, read with the understanding that many of the laborers will be fulfilling a mission began in mortal life.  The house of God in the last days is not the house of the Gentiles.  It is the house of Israel .  "70 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few. 71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might.  For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come. 72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things. 73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof. 74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning." (Jacob 5)

It is a day of sadness and of fearful contemplation of our condition.  There is none without sin.  Those who die unrepentant have no hope of eternal life.  A day should never end without making every effort to save ourselves and our friends.  "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name." (Doctrine and Covenants, 35:8)  If we cannot understand our time and season, we have no claim as believers.  "...what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem ?  what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion?  for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?" (Lam. 2:13)

The revelations of James addressed Gentile promises only as opportunities; which were conditioned with an "if."  There is hope for those that love God, honor Jesus, obey the gospel, and remain faithful and obedient to the laws of God.  Many of his revelations were prophesies of a time when the house of Israel will again rule. A very small remnant of the daughter of Zion is to be delivered.  Consider the beauty in the revelation that was given to James on August 25, 1846 , concerning Beaver Island .  The time when "the air was pure and serene," there was "unfading foliage," when the Indians "gathered in assemblies," and "their possession shall become as a paradise, yielding fruits every month."  This promise was not realized during the mortal life of James.  There is only one "if" in this revelation/vision.  It is found in verse 3 addressing the Gentiles, "if this people will turn unto him, and repent of all their evil deeds, and no more slay the prophets."  Bro. Strang sealed this opportunity with his blood.  By violating the law of God, the Gentiles are promised the curses.