D&C 84

There is two verses I read today that seems to be a stumbling block for some people regarding the truthfulness of modern day revelation. It reads -

"...this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.
5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:4 - 5)

This revelation was given in 1832. As far as I know, that temple has not been built yet the Lord specifically said that it "shall be reared in the generation" and "this generation shall not all pass away" until the temple would be built. It may appear unto some that this is a false prophecy.

I will confess I do not know the meaning of all things or even if this was a conditional prophecy. But my thoughts began to focus on the word generation. Isaiah asked -

"...who shall declare his generation?..." (Old Testament Isaiah 53:8)

Abinadi answered this question to the wicked priests of King Noah -

"...now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?
11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.
12 For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed?
13 Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 15:10 - 13)

The declaration of the Savior's "generation" is that of His seed. I tend to think, can't we not substitue generation with seed or His seed -

"...this is the word of the Lord, that the New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this [or with this His seed].
5 For verily this [His seed] shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord,
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:4 - 5)

These were the thoughts that came to me as I pondered the verses.