In all parts of the Earth, holy angels sent from God and commissioned by Him, have in every age of the world declared Salvation to all men through Jesus Christ our Lord. The people of every nation have been admonished to look up to Him for a remission of their sins. But, however, it may be asked, "How can we look up to Him for a forgiveness unless we repent of our sins and do them no more? (see II Nephi 31:10)
Glad Tidings of Salvation have been sounded to all His people, everywhere. There are none that were forgotten, none omitted. Even as Christ was preached to Judah in ancient Jerusalem, also to Joseph in Nephite America, and to His people upon the islands of the sea, even so, all were free from inequality. All heard His voice, and angels from His presence taught them His Word. Alma notes, "Wherefore they have come unto us."
Great as was the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ, that message was not proclaimed except in words that all might understand. None need err! The Nephites were exceedingly blessed in this because, as Alma noted, they were "wanderers in a strange land," and therefore Heavenly ministrations were their constant guide. The Prophet Nephi, Lehi's son, when his people were yet young, said, when he spoke of the Prophet Isaiah, "But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err..." (II Nephi 25:7) Also Nephi's brother, Jacob, noted,
Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the Salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.
The Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it. (V. 22) The plainness with which the Gospel of Christ was proclaimed to the Nephites is vividly shown in reading Chapter 3, Book of Mosiah. Therein is recorded a visit to King Benjamin by an angel of God, who was sent down from Heaven to declare the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to dwell in the flesh with man on earth. (See COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF MORMON, Vol. II, pp. 53 ff.)
King Benjamin, however, was not the only one recorded in the sacred volume, the Book of Mormon, to whom angels proclaimed Glad Tidings concerning the birth of our Lord. Alma noted that there were many similarly favored. The Nephites, themselves, were blessed beyond measure in having had declared unto them the Joyful News of His coming. The pure in heart among them, and the poor in spirit, were ministered to by holy beings from God's Eternal Home. Manifestations of His grace, mingled with the promised satisfaction of His long-awaited presence, was the reward of the faithful. Providential care brought meat and drink to the souls of the worthy. Divine help came to those in need. Celestial tutors came to guide the humble and true. The rich harmonies of the Gospel of Christ were heard by all who had, within them, the Spirit of God. Thus, Alma noted, men's hearts were prepared to receive the Joyful News that the Lord of all, the Messiah for Whose coming they had long waited, was now born of woman, and that He had come to Redeem His people. With joyful hearts, they looked forward to that time.
At the time of His coming in His glory. (V. 24) We chose to believe this means, at the time of His birth. His glory was His mortal body, the Only Begotten of the Father. By the testimony of angels men were made ready to receive His Word when that glorious event should come to pass.
We are strengthened in that belief by a number of remarkable instances recorded in Holy Writ, and whether they come to us from the prophets of old, or through the seers of our own time, they make plain the meaning of the phrase, His glory.
Shortly after the famous exodus of Israel from Egypt, and as a rebuke to Israel because they proved unfaithful to Jehovah, who was the Lord their God, in worshiping the Golden Calf, the tent wherein religious ordinances were performed, and which had hitherto stood in the center of their camp, was removed a long distance from it. The cloudy pillar, in which the angel of Jehovah manifested his presence, rested there.
We repeat what we have previously said: A remarkable interview between Moses and Jehovah took place at that tent, away from the camp. Moses reminded Jehovah, that although He had commanded him to be the visible leader of the people, He had not instructed him regarding the journey which lay ahead. "Show me now," Moses said, "Thy way." Jehovah answered, "My presence shall go with thee." (Exodus 33:14) That was to say, Jehovah would not entirely abandon the people. He would be near, just as Jesus promised to be near His Apostles, even after He departed. In the same sense Jehovah would be present and manifest Himself from time to time, as circumstances required. This promise was fulfilled throughout the entire journey in the wilderness.
After having obtained this promise, Moses said, "I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory." In answer to that prayer, Jehovah explained to him that he could not see His face, but that He (Jehovah) would show him all His goodness, and proclaim, or explain, His Name to him, and also permit him to see His back as He was passing by a certain place.
This last expression is in all probability a misunderstanding by the translators of the Hebrew word. The word may here mean, behind in point of time; afterwards, and in that case we may understand the meaning to be that Moses was given the privilege of seeing Jehovah in the form in which He afterwards would appear in the flesh. This human form, we know was His glory, for John says: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory), [His body] the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (Exodus 33:20-23)
This agrees perfectly with the beautiful narrative in the Book of Ether concerning the interview of the Brother of Jared with the Lord. The Lord showed Himself unto him in "the body of My Spirit," in the likeness of which He, Jesus Christ, had created man (Ether 3:14), and He further said: "The time cometh that I shall glorify My Name in the flesh." (V. 21) That was His glory, and that was, we may feel sure, the glory which Moses, as well as the Brother of Jared, saw. (We recommend that the whole Chapter 3, Book of Ether be studied. Also, See COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF MORMON, Volume I, pp. 198 ff.)