Daniel 10 - Hosea 2

Daniel is privileged to receive several visions and revelations of things that must transpire from his day to the 2nd coming of the Savior. Of great significance is his privilege to be visited by him. He describes this event -

"...I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." (Old Testament Daniel 10:5 - 6)

Joseph Smith describes a similar experience much the same way -

"THE veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 110:1 - 3)

Like many prophets before that had been visited by the Savior for afterwards -

"... there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." (Old Testament Daniel 10:8)

And being of little strength -

"...here came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me." (Old Testament Daniel 10:18 - 19)

And after helping Daniel to regain his strength the angel says -

"...now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince." (Old Testament Daniel 10:20 - 21)

When I read this I thought the prince of Persia then the prince of Grecia is the very prince of all wickness - Satan. The mission then of Michael (Adam), the father of all, becomes clear that he is a prince of righteousness to combat Satan. We read in modern day as the gospel is being restored -

"And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times!" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:20)

An in the latter days, Daniel declares -

"AND at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." (Old Testament Daniel 12:1)

We know of two times of trouble as Daniel prophecies -

"...from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up..." (Old Testament Daniel 12:11)

Ezekiel explains -

"Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed." (Old Testament Ezekiel 33:29)

The Savior speaks of one of thes events during his mortal ministry -

"When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, then you shall stand in the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand." (Pearl of Great Price JS-Matthew 1:12)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained -

“These conditions of desolation, born of abomination and wickedness, were to occur twice in fulfilment of Daniel’s words. The first was to be when the Roman legions under Titus, in 70 A.D. laid siege to Jerusalem, destroying and scattering the people, leaving not one stone upon another in the desecrated temple, and spreading such terror and devastation as has seldom if ever been equalled on earth. . . .
“Then, speaking of the last days, . . . our Lord said: ‘And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled.’ ([JS—M] 1:31–32.) That is: Jerusalem again will be under siege. . . . It will be during this siege that Christ will come, the wicked will be destroyed, and the millennial era commenced.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 12.)

Daniel also writes of the last day -

"...even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Old Testament Daniel 12:4)

Knowledge in our day is as it never has been throughout the history of the world. And with this great blessing of knowledge -

"Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Old Testament Daniel 12:10)

Daniel 6 - 9

During the reign of Belshazzar, Daniel experienced another dream but this time of the images of beasts representing the rise of fall of future nations. What was interesting to me in this vision was where Daniel -

"...beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (Old Testament Daniel 7:9 - 10)

Then Daniel writes -

"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Old Testament Daniel 7:13 - 14)

And then afterwards -

"...the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." (Old Testament Daniel 7:18)

Even -

"...the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Old Testament Daniel 7:27)

The Prophet Joseph Smith said -

“Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.” (Teachings, p. 157.)

Adam's role is explained in modern revelation -

"Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.
54 And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
55 And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.
56 And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation.
57 These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:53 - 57)

The Lord revealed in our day that -

"SPRING Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 116:1)

Joseph Fielding Smith said of this event -

“Daniel speaks of the coming of Christ, and that day is near at hand. There will be a great gathering in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman; there will be a great council held. The Ancient of Days, who is Adam, will sit. The judgment—not the final judgment—will be held, where the righteous who have held keys will make their reports and deliver up their keys and ministry. Christ will come, and Adam will make his report. At this council Christ will be received and acknowledged as the rightful ruler of the earth. Satan will be replaced. Following this event every government in the world . . . will have to become part of the government of God. Then righteous rule will be established. The earth will be cleansed; the wicked will be destroyed; and the reign of peace will be ushered in.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:13–14)

The saints burden is to be so worthy that kingdom may be passed from the Savior to them forever and ever as foretold in vision to Daniel.

"That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman;
16 Who hath appointed Michael your prince, and established his feet, and set him upon high, and given unto him the keys of salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days or end of life.
17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 78:15 - 18)

Daniel 3 - 5

I am by no means an expert in the Old Testament and historical facts. I am more than aware that many historians do not necessarily believe that Nebuchadnezzar ever really changed or was converted to the God of Daniel. But as I read Daniel, I feel different from that. Whether it is true or not, chapter 4 of Daniel seems to be written by Nebuchadnezzar. I seems to me that it was written at a later date in his life something like a journal entry. Nebuchadnezzar begins with a declaration as if it is his testimony -

"...NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation." (Old Testament Daniel 4:1 - 3)

And then he relates why -

"...I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me." (Old Testament Daniel 4:4 - 5)

More than once, the Lord saw fit to provide Nebuchadnezzar with a dream or vision. Even though Daniel had interpreted a previous dream, it doesn't appear at this time in his life that Nebuchadnezzar was sufficiently humble to really repent and believe in the God of Daniel. Even as he receives a troubling dream, he again says -

"...made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream." (Old Testament Daniel 4:6)

After the magicians, astrologers, and soothsayers had their shot, Daniel comes in. Nebuchadnezzar again says to Daniel -

"O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof." (Old Testament Daniel 4:9)

He tells Daniel his dream. With the Spirit resting upon Daniel, he immediately knew the interpretation and it was not good for Nebuchadnezzar for he -

"...was astonied (filled with consternation or dismay) for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. " (Old Testament Daniel 4:19)

The king knew it probably wasn't good in that he says -

"...let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee..." (Old Testament Daniel 4:19)

Daniels interpretation was -

"O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule." (Old Testament Daniel 4:24 - 26)

And then as if the interpretation could conditionally be avoided, Daniel said -

"O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity." (Old Testament Daniel 4:27)

These of the very principles taught by the Savior. This counsel must have been very difficult for a king that basically seemed to rule the world. It becomes obvious that he did not follow the counsel for in twelve months, the king in all his pride and power, confesses -

"...Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" (Old Testament Daniel 4:30)

And as he did -

"While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee..." (Old Testament Daniel 4:31)

"...The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws." (Old Testament Daniel 4:33)

"All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar." (Old Testament Daniel 4:28)

He seemed to have lost his mind experiencing great dimentia for the rest of his life. But Nebuchadnezzer testifies -

"...at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Old Testament Daniel 4:34 - 35)

As Nebuchadnezzar becomes suffienctly humble he declares that -

"At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Old Testament Daniel 4:36 - 37)

There is no evidence that Nebuchadnezzar did or did not return to his old ways. I just feel he did not and was converted to the Lord.

Ezekiel 45 - Daniel 2

Isaiah prophesied to Hezekiah when Assyria was the great power in the world -

"...Hear the word of the LORD.
17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." (Old Testament 2 Kings 20:16 - 18)

Daniel, a contemporary in Jerusalem with Lehi and Nephi, was one of those. My immediate thoughts of Daniel was much like Joseph of old. He was of highest integrity in keeping all the commandments even at the risk of losing his life. The words of the following hymn seem to exemplify his life -

1. Choose the right when a choice is placed before you. In the right the Holy Spirit guides;And its light is forever shining o’er you, When in the right your heart confides.

[Chorus]Choose the right! Choose the right! Let wisdom mark the way before. In its light, choose the right! And God will bless you evermore.

2. Choose the right! Let no spirit of digression Overcome you in the evil hour. There’s the right and the wrong to ev’ry question; Be safe thru inspiration’s pow’r.

3. Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing. Choose the right! There’s safety for the soul. Choose the right in all labors you’re pursuing; Let God and heaven be your goal.

The story of Daniel begins where -

"...the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." (Old Testament Daniel 1:3 - 4)

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego) were a few of those selected to stand in the palace. To all those being trained -

"...the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king." (Old Testament Daniel 1:5)

Being true to his covenants -

"...Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." (Old Testament Daniel 1:8)

Daniels refusal was not necessarily because it was meat or wine -

"The term meat referred to the food that graced the king’s table (compare Genesis 1:29). The reasons for Daniel’s refusal to eat the food may have included the following: (1) some of the foods used by the Babylonians were likely among the items forbidden for consumption in the Mosaic law (see Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14); (2) Babylonians, like other heathens, ate beasts that had not been properly drained of blood (see Leviticus 3:17) and thereby violated the Mosaic law; and (3) the heathens consecrated the food of their feasts by offering up part of the food and drink as sacrifices to their gods. Consuming such food would be participating in the worship of false gods. Moreover, food was viewed as contaminated and unclean according to Jewish law when it was prepared by anyone considered unclean, such as the heathens (see Leviticus 7:19–21). Daniel was strictly loyal to the Lord and refused to be involved in any practice associated with anything unclean or idolatrous." (Old Testament, CES Manual)

The prince of eunuchs was concerned for his life if he allowed these Israelites to eat other than commanded by the king. Daniel suggested to the prince -

"...Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants." (Old Testament Daniel 1:12 - 13)

Well sure enough, in ten days -

"...their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat." (Old Testament Daniel 1:15)

I'm sure much of this countenance was not necessarily a result of pulse, but their desire to keep the commandments of God. And -

"...at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah..." (Old Testament Daniel 1:18 - 19)

"And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." (Old Testament Daniel 1:20)

Ezekiel 40 - 44

Ezekiel receives a revelation of the last days -

"AND the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him." (Old Testament Ezekiel 38:1 - 2)

He seems to speak of a leader named Gog and a land or country named Magog. And in the last days or -

"...in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel..."(Old Testament Ezekiel 38:8)

But not just those from Magog with -

..."all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 [But] Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee." (Old Testament Ezekiel 38:4 - 6)

This great army -

"...shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land." (Old Testament Ezekiel 38:9 - 12)

So Ezekiel is instructed by the Lord -

"...son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
15 And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:
16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes." (Old Testament Ezekiel 38:14 - 16)

And the Lord says to Gog -

"...Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?" (Old Testament Ezekiel 38:17)

The Lord then promises that in the day of Gog that -

"... at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.
19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;
20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.
22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Old Testament Ezekiel 38:18 - 23)

So great will be the destruction of this great army -

"...I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD." (Old Testament Ezekiel 39:3 - 5)

In addition -

"...I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Old Testament Ezekiel 39:6)

And then -

"...they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
10 So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
11 ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog.
12 And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land." (Old Testament Ezekiel 39:9 - 12)

As the Lord liveth, this shall surely come to pass as he says-

"...I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward." (Old Testament Ezekiel 39:21 - 22)

Ezekiel 35 - 39

Ezekiel, like many of the prophets, prophecied of the gathering of Israel. The Lord said to him -

"And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." (Old Testament | Ezekiel 36:23 - 24)

And he explains why -

"...I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake..." (Old Testament | Ezekiel 36:22)

And as his people repent, the Lord declares -

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God."
(Old Testament | Ezekiel 36:25 - 28)

And of that same day, Ezekiel tells us -

"The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."
(Old Testament | Ezekiel 37:15 - 17)

There will be those who don't quite understand these verses. Ezekiel is told -

"And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20 ¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."
(Old Testament | Ezekiel 37:18 - 20)

The Lord reveals in modern day -

"Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim..."
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 27:5)

Writing and reading "sticks" become clear by the following -
“Recent exciting discoveries now confirm the correctness of Joseph Smith’s interpretation in a way impossible in 1830. But before discussing these new discoveries, let’s take a quick look at some linguistic points. Both stick, in the English King James Version, and rod, in the Greek Septuagint Version, are very unusual translations of the Hebrew word etz . . . whose basic meaning is wood. . . .

“The modern nation of Iraq includes almost all of Mesopotamia, the homeland of the ancient kingdoms of Assyria and Babylonia. In 593 B.C., when Ezekiel was called to be a prophet, he was living in exile in Babylonia. . . . As he walked its streets, he would have seen the typical scribe pressing a wedge-shaped stylus into moist clay tablets to make the complex writings familiar to us as cuneiform (wedge-shaped). But scholars today know that other kinds of records were being made in Mesopotamia: papyrus, parchment, and wooden tablets. Though only the clay tablets have survived the millennia, writers referred to the other writing materials on their clay tablets. [One such writing style was called “wood tablets.”]

“Modern archaeologists knew what papyrus and parchment were, but what were these wood tablets? How could cuneiform be written on wood? . . .

“. . . Some years ago . . . San Nicolo [an archaeologist] remembered that Romans and Greeks both made wooden wax tablets for record-keeping purposes out of boards whose surfaces had been cut below the edges in order to hold a thin coating of wax. Scribes wrote on the wax. The raised edges protected the inscribed surfaces when two tablets were put together.

“Could the Babylonians have done the same thing? . . . Five years later, . . . a discovery made in the territory that had been ancient Assyria confirmed his theory to the letter.

“The discovery, directed by archaeologist Max Mallowan, was made in a layer of sludge deep in a well in Nimrod, a city known as Calah in the Bible. . . . By the end of the day workmen had found . . . fragments of two complete sets of tablets, one of ivory and the other of walnut, each composed of sixteen boards. . . .

“All of the surfaces of the boards were cut down a tenth of an inch, leaving a half-inch-wide raised edge all around. The lowered surfaces provided a bed for wax filling, of which some thin biscuit-like fragments were found either still adhering to the boards or mixed in the sludge nearby. . . .

“The cover boards . . . had hinge marks on both sides, making it evident that all sixteen in each set had once been joined together like a Japanese folding screen. The whole work made such an extensive record that Mallowan could announce his discovery as the oldest known example of a book. . . .

“With these things in mind, we can see how we might translate Ezekiel 37:15–17 in this way:

“‘These were the words of the Lord to me: Man, take one leaf of a wooden tablet and write on it, “Judah and his associates of Israel.” Then take another leaf and write on it, “Joseph, the leaf [wooden tablet] of Ephraim and all his associates of Israel.”

“‘Now bring the two together to form one tablet; then they will be a folding tablet in your hand.’

“This translation is faithful to what we now know of Ezekiel’s language and culture.” (“Ezekiel’s ‘Sticks,’” Ensign, Sept. 1977, pp. 24–26.)

Ezekiel 30 - 34

The Lord speaks of his priesthood holders as watchmen and shepards, he instructs Ezekiel -

"Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." (Old Testament Ezekiel 33:2 - 6)

The Lord then tells Ezekiel -

"O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me." (Old Testament Ezekiel 33:7)

This same truth is taught by Jacob -

"...we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day." (Book of Mormon Jacob 1:19)

Even in modern day the same truth is taught to parents -

"...inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 68:25)

The Lord again addressed Ezekiel -

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" (Old Testament Ezekiel 34:2)

And of priesthood holders that do not magnify their callings the Lord chastises -

"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them." (Old Testament Ezekiel 34:3 - 6)

With intensity the Lord says to his priesthood -

"Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more..." (Old Testament Ezekiel 34:7 - 10)

Whether we choose to magnify our calling or not, the Lord says -

"Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD." (Old Testament Ezekiel 34:11 - 15)

The work will get done whether we choose to participate and receive the blessings or not and the punishment. The Lord promises Ezekiel -

"I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David (Christ); he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace..." (Old Testament Ezekiel 34:23 - 25)

And all -

"...shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them." (Old Testament Ezekiel 34:27)

Ezekiel 22 - 29

Moses taught -

"...When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Old Testament Deuteronomy 18:22)

Korihor attempted to convince the Nephites -

"...no man can know of anything which is to come." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:13)

And -

"...ye cannot know of things which ye do not see..." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:15)

Of course which in not true. Ezekiel was commanded to not only prophecy concerning the destruction of Israel but also the destruction of many other nations in the area including the Ammonites, Edom, Moab, Egypt, and Tyre. The following is an interesting extract from an CES Old Testament study manual on the fulfillment of a few prophecies of Ezekiel -

"Ezekiel’s prophecies concerning Tyre (Tyrus) are some of the most remarkable. Tyre was situated on the coast about halfway between Carmel in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon.
But it was a peculiar geographic feature of Tyre that gave it its most remarkable prophetic destiny. Merrill F. Unger noted that Tyre “once consisted of two parts—a rocky coast defense of great strength on the mainland, and a city upon a small but well-protected island, about half a mile from the shore” (Unger’s Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Tyre,” p. 1121).

Ezekiel predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would lay siege to Tyre (see Ezekiel 26:7–11), but a skeptic like Korihor might say that this prediction was not remarkable since Nebuchadnezzar was conquering nearly every major city in the area, and Tyre was a particularly ripe plum because of its wealth. But “before a generation had passed away, according to Josephus, Philostratus, and Seder Olam, Nebuchadnezzar came up, as had been predicted [Ezekiel 26:7–15], making a fort, casting a mount, and lifting up the buckler. At the end of thirteen years [about 605 B.C.] he took the city, at least that on the mainland, and Tyre was forgotten seventy years, as had been foretold by Isaiah [23:15].” (Samuel Fallows, ed., The Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia and Scriptural Dictionary, s.v. “Tyre,” p. 1682.)

Some of Ezekiel’s peculiar promises seemed to be unfulfilled, including the following:

“I will also scrape her dust from her” (Ezekiel 26:4)

Tyre will become “like the top of a rock” (Ezekiel 26:4)

“It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea” (Ezekiel 26:5)

“They shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water” (Ezekiel 26:12).

“Thou shalt be built no more” (Ezekiel 26:14).

For nearly three hundred years these prophecies appeared to be inaccurate. Nebuchadnezzar conquered the mainland city but was unable to subdue all of Tyre because of its strategic position on the island. After a few decades Tyre regained her wealth and splendor, though the ruined city on the shore was not rebuilt, and the island fortification became the central city.
Then in 332 B.C., Alexander the Great swept out of the northern Mediterranean world. He moved south with his forces and camped on the ruins of ancient Tyre, isolating the inhabitants on the island offshore. Tyre had supposedly made a peaceful alliance with the Greeks, but when Alexander requested permission to bring his troops into Tyre to worship their gods and was refused, he laid siege to Tyre—a difficult task since the city lay on an island a half mile off the shore.

James Hastings described what followed: “The memorable siege began. Alexander built a mole [causeway] 200 ft. wide out towards the island. It was repeatedly destroyed. The defense was desperate and successful, till Alexander invested the city with a fleet of 224 ships. Tyre was stormed, 8000 of her inhabitants massacred, 2000 crucified on the shore, and 30,000 sold into slavery. Tyre ceased to be an island, and henceforth was permanently joined to the mainland. Only a blunt headland to-day suggests the existence of the former island fortress. The mole is now ½ mile broad.” (A Dictionary of the Bible, s.v. “Tyre.”)

Fallows noted how Ezekiel’s prophecy that Tyre would be scraped clean and made like the top of a rock was fulfilled: “So utterly were the ruins of old Tyre thrown into the sea, that its exact site is confessedly undeterminable, although the ruins of nearly fifty cities near Rome, which perished almost 2,500 years ago, testify that the extinction of every trace of a city is a sort of miracle.” (Bible Encyclopedia, s.v. “Tyre,” p. 1682.)

Today there is no island opposite Tyre, but a close examination of the coastline in that vicinity will show a small peninsula jutting into the sea. Because of its configuration and the prevailing breezes, local fishermen come to the barren, rocky outcrop to spread their nets to dry.
The prophet Ezekiel certainly met the criteria outlined in Deuteronomy 18:18–22 for determining whether a prophet speaks for the Lord."

Ezekiel 17 - 21

The second article of faith states -

"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression." (Pearl of Great Price Articles of Faith 1:2)

Ezekiel teaches the same thing -

"...if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD." (Old Testament Ezekiel 18:5 - 9)

But -

"If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
11 And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him." (Old Testament Ezekiel 18:10 - 13)

Of this wicked son -

"Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live." (Old Testament Ezekiel 18:14 - 17)

Ezekiel also teaches another great principle - that of repentance -

"...when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." (Old Testament Ezekiel 18:24)

"...when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." (Old Testament Ezekiel 18:27 - 28)

In Summary, the Lord unequivically states -

"...Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 ¶ Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." (Old Testament Ezekiel 18:30 - 32)

Ezekiel 10 - 16

Ezekiel talks of Israel going a whoring after false gods and prophets. The Lord commands Ezekiel -

"...say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!" (Old Testament Ezekiel 13:2 - 3)

And to -

"...set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart..." (Old Testament Ezekiel 13:17)

Because of -

"...their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols..." (Old Testament Ezekiel 6:9)

The Lord asks -

"...How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things..." (Old Testament Ezekiel 16:30)

With Solomon's great wisdom he states -

"...For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." (Old Testament Proverbs 23:7)

These false prophets of Ezekiels day said things pleasing to the people so it was easy to follow them. We read that Korihor confessed -

"...behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true..." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:53)

Nephi also taught that these false prophets -

"...will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:21)

In our day we have many idols and false prophets. It seems that celebrities and athletes are the idols and false prophets for many today. I've noticed that every month, the Readers Digest has an article of a celebrity that seems to have all the answers to happiness much like that of Korihor.

Ezekiel 1 - 9

Ezekiel, an ordained priest, is called as he explains -

"...the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day." (Old Testament Ezekiel 2:2 - 3)

And with that -

"...the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
17 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..." (Old Testament Ezekiel 3:16 - 17)

In Ezekiel's day, a watchman was seemed to relate to a military watchman who should not sleep but watch continually. The watchman would be executed if he failed to warn his fellow soldiers of an attack by the enemy. With this great responsibility, the Lord commands Ezekiel -

"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." (Old Testament Ezekiel 3:18)

"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." (Old Testament Ezekiel 3:19)

The prophet Jacob understood the same as he writes -

"...we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day." (Book of Mormon Jacob 1:19)

Ezekiel explains how he prepared for his calling -

"...when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

1 MOREOVER he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.
2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness." (Old Testament Ezekiel 2:9 - 3:3)

I believe that the "roll of a book" referred to is the scriptures or the word of God. Eating the roll symbolizes reading and consuming (or believing) the word of God. Isaiah understood this same commitment as given to Ezekiel as he writes -

"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 8:7)

Lamentations 1 - 5

As a prophet called by the Lord, Jeremiah spent all his days crying repentance to the people of Judah with a warning of captivity and destruction if they would not. Judah did not repent but chose to follow her "lovers" or false Gods and their wicked ways. And now with their destruction, Jeremiah laments -

"HOW doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!..." (Old Testament Lamentations 1:1)

For Judah now -

"...weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness." (Old Testament Lamentations 1:2 - 4)

Jeremiah makes it clear that his prophecies were true for -

"The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied..." (Old Testament Lamentations 2:17)

Things are not much different in our day. President Ezra Taft Benson said -

“As a prophet reveals the truth it divides the people. The honest in heart heed his words, but the unrighteous either ignore the prophet or fight him. When the prophet points out the sins of the world, the worldly either want to close the mouth of the prophet, or else act as if the prophet didn’t exist, rather than repent of their sins. Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out. As we come closer to the Lord’s second coming, you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them.” (“Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” in 1980 Devotional Speeches of the Year [Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1981], p. 29).

Even in our own Church, President Spencer W. Kimball said -

"...many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterday’s prophets and mentally stone the living ones” (“To His Servants the Prophets,” Instructor, Aug. 1960, p. 257)

A prophet of God taught u that there will also be a time for us for -

"...behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors...therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:32 - 33)

For -

"...there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:13)

Which sounds much the same as Jeremiah describes Judah -

"Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest..." (Old Testament Lamentations 2:18)

For the Lord promises today much like in the days of Jeremiah -

"...the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:14)

Jeremiah 41 - 52

Isaiah prophecied that Judah would be brought into captivity by Babylonians when they were nothing in comparison to the Assyrians. Many in Judah scoffed. During the days of Jeremiah, Babylon had achieved its greatness. Many did not believe it could be destroyed. But because of its wickedness, the Prophet Jeremiah prophecies -

"Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed..." (Old Testament Jeremiah 51:8)

even the extent that -

"...it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation." (Old Testament Jeremiah 50:39)

And then to confirm his prophecy, Jeremiah -

"...commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah was a quiet prince.
60 So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.
61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;
62 Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
63 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:
64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah." (Old Testament Jeremiah 51:59 - 64)

It seems that forever more, the term Babylon symbolizes the wickedness of the world. To the elders of his modern Church, the Lord counseled -

"...Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 133:14)

In these days -

"...the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:
12 Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;
13 And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.
14 And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;
15 For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;
16 They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:11 - 16)

Jeremiah 35 - 40

So many of us are concerned what others may think about us. Why is it that we fear man more than God? Nephi said -

"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:31)

In modern day the Lord as said -

"The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:19)

We see this even in the days of Zedekiah. Zedekiah knew Jeremiah was a prophet. Jeremiah had prophecied multiple times before the king, but each time Zedekiah seemed to be more influenced by his counselors. On one occasion -

"...Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:14)

The king as his leaders had not been kind to Jeremiah so -

"...Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?" (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:15)

"So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:16)

Jeremiah again warns Zedekiah and provides this instruction -

"....Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:17 - 18)

Zedekiah is again more concerned of what his friends may think saying -

"...I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:19)

Jeremiah may have rolled his eyes and in disgust answered -

"...They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:20)

But then in undeniable seriousness he warns -

"But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:
22 And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:21 - 23)

Again, Zedekiah is more worried about his friends and answers -

"...Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die." (Old Testament Jeremiah 38:24)

Of course, Zedekiah relies on the counsel of leaders and the arm of flesh than the words of the Lord through his prophet and as warriors of Babylon had come -

"...that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain." (Old Testament Jeremiah 39:4)

Which was contrary to the counsel of Jeremiah. As a result of ignoring the counsel of Jeremiah -

"...the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon." (Old Testament Jeremiah 39:5 - 7)

"And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem." (Old Testament Jeremiah 39:8)

Again -

"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:31)

Jeremiah 30 - 34

Much of Jeremiah's life was calling Judah to repentance but with little success. I'm sure there were times of great discouragement, especially while in prision. It seems to me that in an effort to buoy up the prophet, the Lord blessed Jeremiah with some great visions of the latter day. Jeremiah sees the gathering of Israel in the latter days as he records the Lords words -

"...I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth..." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:8)

But not necessarily to Jerusalem as he states -

"...a great company shall return thither..." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:8)

Suggesting another location of gathering.

"They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:9)

Jeremiah makes it clear that Ephraim in the latter days holds the birthright. The weeping and supplications could have multiple meanings. One being the weeping of sorrow and repentance, and another, the weeking and supplications of trials and suffering in their pursuit of gathering. But with the promise to those who are obedient and that magnify their priesthood -

"...I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:14)

And when these things happen, Jeremiah tells Israel they will understand saying -

"...in the latter days ye shall consider it." (Old Testament Jeremiah 30:24)

For the Lord declares -

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah..." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:31)

"Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt..." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:32)

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:33)

We read in modern scripture -

"...for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:32)

"...behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.
9 And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 43:8 - 9)

"For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.
5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:4 - 5)

Thus being -

"...that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:7)

I believe Jeremiah understood and foresaw these events and the promise of the Savior to those who abide by the covenant -

"...for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Old Testament Jeremiah 31:34)