Whenever we see mention of “the Father” in the scriptures, particularly in an end-time context, that may signal a transition from the usual interaction of his people with Jehovah/Jesus to the Father’s intervention among his covenant people on the highest spiritual levels. Particularly is that evident in the Father’s manifesting his power to bring about the restoration of Israel. Take Jesus’ words to the Nephites in 3 Nephi 21, for example, where he speaks to them of the Father.
First occurs a time “when these things which I declare unto you [the Nephites], and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them.” Jesus’ words, in effect, come to them “of the Father” (3 Nephi 21:2–3).
The above passage covers two phases of the Father’s intervention: (1) the coming forth of the Book of Mormon—containing “these things which I declare unto you”; (2) the coming forth of the large plates of Nephi—containing that “which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself.” Although, Mormon withheld these last words of Jesus, they are to come forth to the descendants of Lehi through a category of Gentiles who “believe” the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 26:1–12).
Both come forth “from the Gentiles” to the house of Israel—specifically, to Lehi’s descendants: “For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles” (3 Nephi 21:6). That is, from the Gentiles who are named “the fulness of the Gentiles”—descendants of Ephraim who assimilated into the Gentiles and who are “identified with the Gentiles” (1 Nephi 15:13; 3 Nephi 16:4; Doctrine & Covenants 109:60).
The second phase fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah: “It shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them” (3 Nephi 21:8–9; Isaiah 29:14; 52:15).
The same second phase—the Father’s “great and marvelous work”—forms the mission of Jesus’ servant: “Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant” (3 Nephi 21:10–11).
The ensuing destruction of the disbelieving Gentiles who don’t repent is also of the Father: “Wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots. . . . For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel” (3 Nephi 21:14, 20).
Israel’s restoration follows: “Then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst. And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem” (3 Nephi 21:25–26).
The Father’s manifesting his power, his great and marvelous work, and the prophecies of Isaiah thus all converge: “Then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward” (3 Nephi 21:28–29; Isaiah 52:12).
