Herald of the Second Invitation, Vol 11, February 2022

By Sidney Amorim [Member of the Quorum of Apostles, resident in Brasilia].

First of all, I want to express my joy and satisfaction in being able to write a brief article in the Herald of the Second Invitation. But more than that, I want to express my gratitude to be able to share with you, my readers - whether you are brothers in the faith, friends of the Second Invitation, or just curious about knowledge and information - a message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and the major leader of the great work of salvation that reaches all of God's children, regardless of their beliefs.

And if we are here, reading this article, I think it is by grace and work of the second invitation made by the Lord, to us, in these days, as prophesied in 2 Nephi 29:1, in The Book of Mormon, for He Himself says that He would begin to do a wonderful work in our midst, yes, in our days, in order to RECALL the covenants He made in the early days of the restoration through Joseph Smith, and to extend His hand for a SECOND TIME in order to recover His saints, since that time:

But, behold, there shall be many - in the day that I begin to do a marvelous work among them, to remember the covenants which I have made with the children of men; and that I may stretch out my hand the second time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.

And why was there a second invitation? Perhaps many of you are asking this question.

So before we deal with the United Order, the title of this article, let me, by way of introduction, answer that question about the second invitation.

The first invitation came in the time of Joseph Smith, in 1820 - the early days of the restoration - where, after about 10 years of preparation, he received the plates of Mormon from the hands of Moroni and translated the portion that WAS NOT SEALED, as prophesied in 2 Nephi 27:14-20 and known today even as the story of Charles Anthon. That portion, translated by Joseph Smith, is our most valuable and priceless The Book of Mormon, which bears witness, therefore, to this first invitation:

Therefore the Lord God will reveal the words of the book, and establish His word by the mouth of as many witnesses as He deems necessary; and woe to him who rejects the word of God! But, behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God will say to him to whom He shall deliver the book, 'Take these words which are unsealed, and deliver them to another, that he may show them to him who is instructed, saying, "Read this, I beseech you. And the instructed one will say, "Bring me the book that I may read it. And they will say this for the glory of the world and for profit, and not for the glory of God. And the man will say, I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed.The instructed one will then say, I cannot read it. So it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will again give the book and the words thereof to him who is not learned; and the man who is not learned will say, 'I am not learned. Then the Lord God will say to him, 'The learned will not read them, for they have rejected them, and I can do my own work; therefore you shall read the words which I shall give you.

And the second invitation takes place today, with Mauricio A. Berger, and since 2007 - the fullness of the restoration - who also, after about 10 years of preparation, received the same plates of Mormon, from the hands of the same Moroni, and translated a portion that WAS SEALED, as prophesied in 2 Nephi 27:21, which came true in 2019, with the 1st Edition of The Sealed Book, which testifies, therefore, to this Second Invitation that we receive today:

Touch not the things that are sealed, for I will manifest them in My due time; for I will show the sons of men that I can perform My own work.

This is, as I see it, part of the fulfillment of the prophecy contained in Acts 3:21:

Which heaven must contain until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of all His holy prophets from the beginning.

I realize very clearly what a wonderful and historic time we are living in.

The scriptures are being fulfilled before our eyes.

This is wonderful...

And it is exactly about the scriptures, from now on, that I would like to talk, as we are going to learn together about United Order.

Because about the United Order, the title of this article, we know so little... and that is why I set out to deal with this seemingly distant subject, but which will prove so important in our days, as will be seen at the end of this explanation.

So, what do the scriptures teach us about the United Order?

Well, let's go there.

Our teacher and Lord, Jesus Christ, taught us about the importance of the scriptures as succinctly as he did completely, in John 5:39:

Examine the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.

The United Order is a subject as unknown to the Christian world as it is somewhat obscure. The scriptures either say little or almost nothing about it, apparently.

Only apparently.

At the same time, it is a subject that interests and delights many, for the most studious know that it is about building a heavenly society on earth in preparation for the coming of the Lord, yes, Jesus Christ.

The United Order has always been taught by the prophets, since Adam, through Jesus himself, his twelve apostles in Jerusalem and his twelve disciples among the Nephite people in the Land of Plenty, and, after the great apostasy that went through the Middle Ages, it was revealed to the prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith Jr. This is perhaps the great secret that needs to be understood. The establishment of Zion, which is the United Order, is the great work of the prophets in all the dispensations of time on earth.

But how can such a statement be made if there are so few references on the subject?

Hence the importance of a good study of the scriptures. It is in them that we think we have eternal life, and they testify of Jesus, don't they?

The prophet, to our knowledge, who had the greatest success in building up Zion and establishing the United Order was Enoch, father of Methuselah. The Bible says almost nothing about him, except that 'by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found' (Hebrews 11: 5).

The Book of Moses, in Pearl of Great Price, especially chapters 6 and 7, in turn, reveals many things about Enoch and the 'City of Holiness' that he built, 'yes, Zion', a people where 'they were one in heart and will and lived righteously, and there were no poor among them' (Moses, 7:18-19), and which was translated into heaven.

The Book of Mormon also talks about the United Order, and will be quoted shortly hereafter.

And behold, there comes to us The Sealed Book, like balm from Gilead, throwing light not only on Enoch and his work of establishing the United Order, but on that mission by all the prophets:

Behold, now I will let you know, Moses; that there would be no victory if you did not allow Aaron and Hur to sustain you at that time. Similarly I say to you: Behold, the time has come for you to organize my church according to the ancient order of Enoch, which has existed since the days of Adam; for my gospel is always the same, being eternal and unchanging. (Sealed Book of Moses, 16:14, emphasis mine)

By the way, in the Sealed Book, also, Nephi, one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, gives us a little definition and great encouragement in Acts of the Three Nephites 6:9:

Let us rise, therefore, to build the society and the city that Jesus Christ has presented to us, so that we may enter into his rest.

From this perspective, that is, being able to glimpse the establishment of the United Order by the prophets raised up by the Lord, we see this happening, likewise, with the apostles in Jerusalem after Christ's ascension:

And all who believed were together, and had all things in common. And they sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45)

So, similarly, it was with the Nephite people, and that after Jesus' visit to establish His church among them and to start, in the same way, the United Order:

And they taught and ministered among themselves; and they had all things in common among themselves, and all acted justly one with another. And it came to pass that they did all things as Jesus had commanded them. (3 Nephi 26:19-20)

(...)

And they had all things in common; therefore there was neither rich nor poor nor slave nor free, but they were all free and partakers of the heavenly gift. (4 Nephi 1:3)

And it came to pass that there was no strife in the land, because of the love of God that existed in the hearts of the people. And there was no envy nor strife nor tumult nor whoredoms nor lying nor murder nor any kind of lewdness; and surely there could be no happier people among all the peoples created by the hand of God. There were neither thieves nor murderers; there were neither Lamanites nor any kind of ites, but they were one, the sons of Christ and heirs of the kingdom of God. (4 Nephi 1:15-17)

(...)

And it came to pass that two hundred years had passed away; and the second generation also had all died, except a few. And now I, Mormon, would have you know that the people had multiplied so that they were scattered over the face of the earth; and they had become exceedingly rich by reason of their prosperity in Christ. Now in the year two hundred and one, some of them began to become proud, wearing expensive clothes and using all kinds of fine pearls and the luxurious things of the world. And from that time on they no longer had their goods and possessions in common. And they began to divide themselves into classes; and they began to organize churches for themselves, in order to make profits, and they began to deny the true church of Christ. And it came to pass after two hundred and ten years, that there were many churches on the earth; yea, there were many churches professing to know Christ, and yet denying most of his gospel, so that they tolerated all manner of iniquities, and administered what was holy to those to whom it was forbidden because of their unworthiness. And this the church greatly multiplied, because of the iniquity and power of Satan that took hold of their hearts. (4 Nephi 1:22-28).

Likewise, just before the Nephites in the land of Plenty, still in the Book of Mormon, and just after the prophet Abinadi suffered death by fire at the hands of the wicked King Noah, who ruled over a people who were indeed of the covenant, but who were in open apostasy, behold, one of their priests - Alma, is converted to the gospel and is raised up by the Lord, henceforth, to restore the church among them and establish the United Order:

And then it came to pass, that Alma, who had fled from the servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities, and walked secretly among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinadi; And he taught all who would hear his words. And he taught them secretly, that it might not come to the knowledge of the king. And many believed his words. And he commanded them to teach only those things which he had taught, which had been declared by the mouth of the holy prophets. (Alma 18:1-3)

And he commanded them not to contend among themselves, but to look forward with one mind, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts interwoven in unity and love one toward another.

And again Alma commanded that the people of the Church should share their goods, each according to what he had; he who had more abundantly should share more abundantly; from him who had little, little would be required; and he who had nothing, to him would be given. And so, of their own free will and because of their good desires toward God, they were to share their goods with the needy priests, yes, and with every needy and naked soul. And this he said to them at the command of God; and they walked uprightly before God, helping one another both materially and spiritually, according to their needs and wants. (Alma 18:21, 27-29)

The Sealed Book even sheds more light and knowledge on the history of Alma and the establishment of the United Order:

(... ) and, above all, engaged in spreading these good feelings among their brethren who will be in apostasy in the last days, as it was in the days of the wicked King Noah and his priestly class, composed of devout followers, as one would expect of a people blinded by the devil's cunning, because of the precepts of men and priestly wiles among their leaders, whose Priesthood of the Son of God will no longer be active among them, just as it was not active among the covenant people in Alma's day when he secretly walked among the corrupted Church people of his day and began to teach the words of Abinadi.

Yea, Alma was anxious to teach all who would hear his words, and he instructed them secretly, by visiting them in their homes, and by setting public meetings among the Mormon parishes, and baptizing them in their waters, in order to live the same principles of the United Order which is now proposed to you; so as to lighten one another's burdens, weep with those who weep, comfort the needy, and be witnesses of these things of God at all times,(...). (Acts of the Three Nephites 12:10-11)

And so it was with Joseph Smith Jr., in the early days of the restoration, between 3 and 4 years after the establishment of the church of Christ, on April 6, 1830, as stated in some revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, notably in sections 78, 82, 92, 96, 104 and 105, including several specific instructions on its operation, in which, notably, I highlight the following excerpts:

Verily thus saith the Lord, I give to the united order, organized according to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment, with reference to my servant Frederick G. Williams, that ye receive him into the order. What I say to one I say to all. (D&C 92:1)

Therefore, do not fail to take care of this matter and the portion that is necessary to benefit my order, for the purpose of bringing my word to the children of men.

And also verily I say unto you that it is wise and expedient unto me that my servant John Johnson, whose offering I have accepted and whose prayers I have heard, to whom I give the promise of eternal life if he will keep my commandments from henceforth (...)

Verily I say unto you, it is expedient for me that he should become a member of the order, that he may help to carry my word to the children of men. (D&C 96:4,6,8)

Verily I say unto you, my friends, I give unto you a counsel and a commandment concerning all the properties belonging to the order which I have commanded to be organized and established, to be a united order and an everlasting order for the benefit of my church and for the salvation of men until I come.

However, since some of my servants have not kept the commandment, but have broken the covenant through covetousness and with false words, I have cursed them with a severe and grievous curse.

For I, the Lord, have decreed in my heart that if any man who belongs to the order is found to be a transgressor, or, in other words, breaks the covenant to which you are committed, he will be cursed in life and will be trampled underfoot by whomever I wish;

For I, the Lord, will not be mocked as to these things. (D&C 104:1, 4-5)

And it is my purpose to supply my saints, for all things are mine.

But it must be done in my own way; and behold, this is the way which I, the Lord, have decreed to supply my saints, that the poor may be increased in that which the rich are diminished.

And now, verily I say unto you, concerning the properties of the order:

Let my servant Sidney Rigdon be assigned the place where he now resides, and the land of the tannery as his stewardship ....

And that my servant Oliver Cowdery be given the land adjoining the house appointed to be the printing office, (...).

And also that to my servant Newel K. Whitney be assigned the houses and the land where he now resides and the land and the building where the mercantile establishment is,(...).

After you are organized, you shall be called the United Order of the Zion Stake, of the city of Kirtland. And your brethren, after you have organized, shall be called the United Order of the City of Zion.

And they shall organize in their own names and in the name of the order; and they shall handle their business in the name of the order and in their own names;

And ye shall do your business in the name of the order and in your own names. (D&C 104: 15-16, 19-20, 28, 39, 48-50).

However, through pride, disobedience, and other transgressions, the United Order in Joseph Smith's day was dissolved, to be re-established in the future (and with the prophet's death in 1844 there was no further continuity, not even among any branch of the restoration, that is reported). About such dissolution and the future re-establishment of the United Order, thus, we are told by the Lord in Doctrine & Covenants:

Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient for me that my elders wait a little for the redemption of Zion.

Therefore, it is expedient for me that my elders should wait some time for the redemption of Zion. (D&C 105:9, 13)

Then, with Mauricio Berger, in the latter part of the fullness of time, beginning in 2007, the Lord comes forth again, with more restoration, and He, the Lord, being the same yesterday, today, and forever, has been restoring also the ancient United Order, the heavenly society, for the protection and exaltation of His children in the midst of an unrighteous and corrupted world.

And in our days, yes, in this year 2022, let it not even be said that such a necessary United Order is proclaimed directly by him, Mauricio Berger, but by the very scriptures that he brought to light by the designation of Moroni, yes, The Sealed Book, of which Mauricio Berger is its authorized spokesman. In this respect, and even to arouse the curiosity of all those who wish to know the details of this long-awaited celestial society, I highlight a passage in Acts of the Three Nephites:

Being that, [it has been established] among us the most sublime and exalted condition that exists in the eternal gospel, the supreme order of the Church of Christ erected on the foundation of apostles and prophets; which has existed since before the foundation of the world, with the premise of erecting among this people the ancient "Order of Enoch," whose established foundations among the people of Christ's church on earth, if done successfully, become the foundations of Zion.

How was this possible? How was it possible for people to live these precepts without grumbling or murmuring about their property being administered by the high council of the church?

In order that all things might happen in order and harmony among all the brethren, the following principles were established among us to be strictly observed by those who wished to live within this Order. (ATN, 8:3,7-8).

And what were these principles? These norms? In fact, the verses and the following chapters, which we all must read, there in The Sealed Book, are a true general manual of the United Order, and all thanks to this magnificent work in our days - yes, today, January of the year 2022 of the Christian era.

Those details of the United Order is a subject for another article. For now, it is worth reading the last book of The Sealed Book, in Acts of the Three Nephites.

And so we see, therefore, after several scriptures, quoted and analyzed, that the United Order is the establishment of Zion, a society where the members of the Church of Christ nurture the noblest feelings among themselves, helping each other according to principles and norms that will keep them united and evolving, and also prepared for the times of tribulation that will come in the last days as taught by Jesus and prophesied since the first prophet, Adam.

In conclusion, I think that these next two verses in The Sealed Book can synthesize much of the requirements and potential of the United Order as we become aware of a new seer, a new book, and the same project:

This project, coming from God, requires first that people possess the citizenship of Zion in their hearts; and this will be the means by which God's people will show themselves fit and worthy to live in Zion, having a broken heart and a contrite spirit before the Lord.

Yes, unless people united in their feelings begin to build the principles that govern Zion in their own hearts, they will never be able to erect a physically structured Zion on earth. This will be impossible unless they engrave the laws that govern this heavenly home in themselves; and after they build themselves up, with the spirit, that is, with the pure feelings that govern Zion, then every one of God's men and women must extend this same principle in his own home and so on through the society of Christ's Church at large, until all the citizens of Zion are living harmoniously and according to the high standards of the Kingdom of God on earth, just as it is done in heaven, that He may come. (ATN, 7:6-7).

Of course, I do not intend to end here, nor to exhaust the subject about the United Order. There is still much knowledge to be taught, clarified, and perhaps revealed. What we can see from what the scriptures reveal is that the United Order is not something that should be forgotten, ignored, or even neglected. It is an institute established by God and that needs to be better understood - and indeed it is, through the new seer raised up by the Lord on Earth, yes, Mauricio A Berger.

Indeed, that is the primary mission of the Second Invitation. If the mission of the First Invitation was (and still is), missionary work, i.e., spreading the good news of the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon, the mission of the Second Invitation is, not only alongside but in addition to missionary work, the establishment of the United Order, that is, the building of a heavenly society and a holy city-all as The Sealed Book of Moses has revealed to us and, in ever greater detail, Maurício Berger, the seer raised up by the Lord, in what is the final part of the fullness of time (The Sealed Book of Moses, 4: 69).

I have always valued the scriptures, ever since I was baptized into one of the branches of the restoration, over 28 years ago, and I am grateful for all that, there, I learned. And all this study I have been doing, since I met The Sealed Book, in March 2019, has expanded my mind and filled my heart to confirm that the way of Jesus, that leads us to Him and His kingdom, is the way of the scriptures, for we will cherish, always, having in them, eternal life, and it is through them, the scriptures, that I testify, at this time, of Jesus.

This is the United Order.

It is a teaching, yes, of Jesus. The scriptures testify to it.

And let us establish it.

May we draw closer and closer to the work of the Second Invitation to do so.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.