THE CALLOUT RE-VISITED

From a commenter named Chris:

I appreciate Anonymous (Isaiah) quoting all the scriptures. However, we need to remember the many scriptural accounts of the Lord actually warning those who will listen and leading them out. In fact the very captivity that Isaiah warned Israel of is what happened AFTER Lehi was told to leave, had traveled through the wilderness, and reached the promised land.

And we know that Mosiah, who was "warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi" (Omni 1:12) discovered the people of Zarahemla, who had come out of Jerusalem and were led by the Lord.

There are plenty of scriptural accounts of "call outs," which definitely sets a doctrinal precedent for a potential future call to gather. Another one I recently read was Alma and his people, who were actually apprised of when to leave on two occasions (and were apparently given only sufficient time--overnight on one occasion--to gather their flocks and grain).

I have noticed a misunderstanding among some who believe in the call-out. Some think the call-out will happen and those who go will avoid all tribulation. That is simply not true. Tribulation and affliction are the most common methods used by the Lord to sanctify his people. The New Jerusalem can only be built by a sanctified people. We can choose to become sanctified on our own, or the Lord will purify us. It should also be noted that not all the saints will go to build the New Jerusalem when that time comes, but those who do will be those who are sanctified and can, and want, to live in a Zion society.

My understanding is if there is an invitation to gather (call-out) it will be before the worst of the plagues come, and likely before an invasion of foreign forces. It will also likely happen before the worst of the natural disasters.

The call-out will not be a get-out-of-tribulation-free card that we can play. There will be trials and tribulations before, during, and even after. Even without considering the possible remnant effects from plagues, natural disasters, and other events that might come to those in the places of refuge, living long term in a tent has challenges, especially considering how used to our creature comforts we have become. I get the impression some people think it will be easy. However, it would seem that those who do choose to gather will be spared the worst of the worst.

While there are many prophetic statements and scriptures that support the gathering of the faithful, the most compelling to me is the parable of the wheat and tares, where the wheat is gathered and the tares are left.

A really easy way to separate those who are willing to follow the prophet from the less faithful would be an invitation to gather. The righteous are always invited/warned to leave. The wicked are never forced to leave. Most likely there would be a number of the faithful who would be asked to remain behind, at least for a time. I am fairly certain the call-out would be an invitation to gather, not a commandment.

I doubt food storage or any measurement of Church activity would be used as judgment to allow or prevent anyone from gathering. The greatest test of righteousness is whether someone actually follows the counsels of the prophet.

How many members have actually followed the counsel to have a year's worth of food storage? My understanding is this is a low single-digit percentage.

How many members have much in the way of emergency preparedness, or short-term (90-day) food supplies?

How many members pay a full tithe?

How many actually observe the Sabbath as a holy day, instead of as a day of recreation, athletics, or work?

How many have learned (or are learning) to follow the whisperings of the Spirit, and earnestly try to pray from their hearts?

How many priesthood holders are actively trying to obtain priesthood power, and not just have priesthood authority? (See President Nelson's priesthood session talk, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/the-price-of-priesthood-power?lang=eng)

How many members are out-of-debt, or actively working to reduce their debts as quickly as possible?

On the others side, how many members support, and even uphold, groups that are directly opposed to the Lord's doctrine, such as proponents of same-sex marriage?

How often do members say they follow the prophet, but then complain about something the prophet or an apostle said, or justify/rationalize to themselves why certain counsels don't apply to them?

How many members are pursuing the vain things of the world--money, popularity, fame, etc.--instead of the gifts of the Spirit?

How many actively seek those things which drive away the Spirit, such as most of the popular music, literature, movies, and many other forms of popular entertainment, which deaden the senses?

I don't know the numbers, but I suspect there are far more who support the same-sex and LGBT agenda than who have even three-months' worth of food storage, let alone a year's worth. It is unfortunate but to me it seems that each year more of the saints are embracing Babylon instead of bidding it farewell.

So, if a call-out happens it will result in a very physical separation of those willing to follow the prophet and those who think they know better. And, I suspect those who truly follow the prophet, who know how to get answers from God and be guided by the Spirit, are a very small percentage of the Church membership.

And, to further separate those who aren't truly following the prophet, there will likely be a time after the initial invitation to gather when nothing big will appear to happen. Those whose hearts are not in the right place will likely give up and go home.

If the invitation to gather happens, and nothing big were to happen (calamity-wise) immediately afterwards, that would certainly be a trial of faith for many. There would be those who, like Laman and Lemuel, will say something like, "Behold, these many [weeks/months] we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy" (1 Nephi 17:21). These people will likely give up and go home.

And there will be those who chose not to heed the prophet's invitation because they justify to themselves that they will just go later "if things really do get bad."

I suspect one of the minor events that will happen soon after a potential call-out would be increasing travel restrictions, possibly due to disease outbreaks. Economics may play a role as well, or maybe the unavailability or restriction of fuel. There are a number of normal appearing events that could happen which could effectively prevent or delay people from gathering later.

A really big earthquake could make vehicular travel nearly impossible, but an earthquake on its own wouldn't make people want to flee into the mountains. However, if peace keeping forces came in to restore order, and it turned out to be the wrong kind of order, people may be wishing to leave.

I also suspect those who choose later to flee will do so only with minimal equipment, many with only what they can carry or only the clothes they are wearing.

My personal thoughts are if a call-out happens, it won't be for a while. Too many people are relying on interpretations of the various visions and dreams others have had, instead of seeking guidance from the Spirit. In 3 years, how many people will have given up, lost faith in those visions, and stopped being prepared? How about 7 years from now? The Lord wants his people to trust in him. The visions of others are good, but only if they can help us get closer to the Lord.

The majority of those who have shared some of their dreams and visions do so without setting any dates, and their main message is we need to follow the prophets, including the oft-repeated counsel to get prepared. Those who do follow the prophets will continually work on their spiritual and physical preparedness, and, if a call-out happens, they will be ready to leave if the Spirit tells them to do so.

[to be continued]

If a call-out happens, those few who heed the invitation will likely be spared the bondage which will likely come. When the threat of bondage comes many will attempt to escape. Many others will have to live through the bondage in order to be purified and become willing to live in a Zion society.

How long will that bondage last? It may be for the 3.5 years. From what I've studied regarding the great gathering and places of refuge, it could be a few years before the people return to rebuild. I suspect the reality will more likely be that while most of the country will be in bondage for a few years, there will be areas that either will not be in bondage or will only have a short time of bondage.

You should note I have used the word "if" in regards to the call-out. I personally believe it is more likely to happen than not. If it does, it could happen within the next year, 7 years from now, or even later. However, if the majority of the people were to repent and return to God the calamities which are coming, including the bondage, will be delayed until the people return to wickedness.

Something I had never considered before is the idea of packing up my food storage and supplies and leaving. I've been slowly trying to get things in better order so I could quickly pack things and leave if needed. If a call-out does happen, it will likely be only a short window to pack and go.

We are trying to prepare ourselves and our family for emergencies, but also for the possibility of leaving quickly, either with minimal emergency items or with more extensive supplies. However, we are living and making normal life decisions based on the fact that we don't know when anything will happen, and we should plan on living where we are for years. D&C 51 has good counsel in verses 16 and 17:

"And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;

"And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good."

While that counsel was for the saints gathering in Ohio, it is applicable to us wherever we may be. We need to trust that as long as we are trying to be guided by the Spirit, we are living where the Lord would have us. And, until the Lord guides us to do otherwise we need to "act…as for years." I interpret this as meaning we need to live by the Spirit, where we work and live and plan "as for years," and not give up employment, drop out of school, change long-term plans, run off into the mountains to hide from society falling apart, etc.

If we are following the counsels of the prophets, and living by the guidance of the Spirit, we will be physically and spiritually prepared and ready whether we remain in our homes or the Lord tells us to "go hence."

Remember, while the scripture does say, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets," it does not say that the prophets will reveal God's secrets to us. They may reveal some, but only what they are told to.

It is rare that a prophet will warn of a disaster to happen on a certain day. Of all the natural disasters and wars of the last century I'm not aware of any public warning from any of our prophets regarding a specific event to happen at a certain time. Often the warnings are more general; the real message is to repent and return to God.