The Coming of the Hidden Servant-The Choice Seer

 

“But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.” (Mosiah 8:17) 

Great and Marvelous are the mysteries of The Book of Mormon. Through the coming of a Choice Seer, God brought forth this prophetic work and record of The House of Israel.  Within it pages rest many great mysteries some of which have come forth, some which are coming forth, and some that have yet to come forth. As a prophetic work, its pages contain the hidden things of God-things of great importance. 

The Coming of the Hidden Servant-The Choice Seer-The Righteous Branch

The Prophet Lehi in his final blessings to his son’s proclaims a great prophecy regarding his son Joseph.  In his blessing, the draws upon the words of the Patriarch Joseph of Egypt, his ancestor, to make know the coming of future events and servants:

“Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.” (2 Nephi: 3:5)

Drawing upon the words of the Patriarch Joseph, Lehi reveals the coming forth of two prophetic figures that will come forth to The House of Israel:

1.      1. A Righteous Branch

2.      2.  The Messiah

The prophet Lehi then goes on to connect the image of a righteous branch to the prophecy of a Choice Seer:

“For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I braise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers. And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.” (2 Nephi 3:6-8)

 Lehi then goes on to equate the role of this “Choice Seer” with Moses and also goes on to declare that the name of the Choice Seer to be Joseph and that he would be named after his father:

“And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel…And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless…And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father…Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.” (2 Nephi 9,14,15,16)

Just as Moses was called by God to deliver the House of Israel, The Choice Seer would be called upon to bring forth the knowledge of the covenants God made with The Fathers to the seed of Joseph.  The writings of Joseph and Judah would then grow together to confound false doctrines, establish peace, and bring them to a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days.

By tradition and through prophetic correlation, we label this Choice Seer to be Joseph Smith as he was also called after his father Joseph Smith Sr.  We an initial fulfillment of this prophecy in the life of Joseph Smith:

“And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished.” (D&C: 5:4)

And

“Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ,” (D&C: 21:1)

The coming forth of the words of The Book of Mormon which contains the words of a remnant of Joseph is a fulfillment of this prophecy. Joseph Smith was a descendant of Joseph and called after the name of his father Joseph.  He was also commanded to do none other work than that which he was commanded. But while he was called after his father Joseph there is an interesting Hebrew play on words with the name Joseph which leads to a greater fulfillment of this prophecy.

Dayenu! Had this been all it would have been enough!  But couched in the words of Lehi to his son Joseph is a hidden and an even greater fulfillment of this prophecy.  The key to this prophecy and greater fulfillment being hidden in a “word”.

“Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever. And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him.” (2 Nephi 3:16-17)

The idea of a “spokesman” is meant to draw the reader’s mind back to Exodus 4:16, “And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.”  Here Aaron the brother of Moses is set to be his “spokesman”.  The word translated as “spokesman” here is dabar which does mean to speak or declare but is also connected in the prophetic tradition to the phrase, “After these things the word (dabar) of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

Here the “word” of The Lord is not just a spoken word but a messenger who is sent to fulfill the words (decrees) of The LORD (YHVH).  In Israelite thought our words bring about a fulfillment of that which is spiritual into the physical world where then then take shape and are put into motion. In other words a spokesman or “word” is a person/messenger who is sent to fulfill or properly interpret/establish that of the one who sent him or the one who precedes him. 

The Word of Fulfillment

Just as Moses never entered into the Promised Land and Israel did not ascend the Mountain of the Lord, Joseph Smith and his people never established Zion or The New Jerusalem. The prophetic mission of Moses found its prophetic fulfillment in Jesus Christ:

“And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become anew. Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled (properly interpreted and established) that was given unto Moses. Behold, I am he that gave the Torah, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the Torah in me is fulfilled (properly interpreted and established), for I have come to fulfil (properly interpret and establish) the Torah; therefore it hath an end (a purpose). (3 Nephi 15:3-5)

The Spokesman of the Choice Seer

Lehi then declares something quite interesting in regard to the “Choice Seer”:

“And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.” (2  Nephi 3: 17)

Historically this passage has been applied to Sydney Rigdon or Oliver Cowdery. They like Aaron served as a spokesman/word/messenger on the peshat (literal) level of interpretation. The prophetic tradition yields an even greater fulfillment. Just as Messiah was the fulfillment of Moses (both being Messiahs to the House of Israel) even so the spokesman/word/messenger of The Choice Seer will also be a Choice Seer who will fulfill the word of his predecessor (Joseph Smith- The Seer). Just as the life and mission of Moses was a type and shadow of Messiah, The life and mission of Joseph Smith is a type and shadow of a Future Choice Seer.  The first being a type of the second.  The difference?  The Future Choice Seer fulfills the mission of the first- The bringing forth of records, The establishment of Zion, and the establishment of a New Jerusalem.

The Coming of The Choice Seer

Unfortunately there are many false prophets who are just chomping at the bit to declare themselves to be "The Choice Seer", “The Servant”, “The Davidic Servant”, “The One Mighty and Strong”, “The Branch”, etc. etc.. In fact these ego maniacs go to great lengths to declare themselves and their authority. But before anyone get's delusions of grandeur, we should allow the scriptures to speak for themselves. 

After Lehi draws upon the prophecies of Joseph in Egypt, he then proceeds to declare unto his son Joseph:

"And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy. Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.

 And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren." (2 Nephi 3:22-24)

By evoking the phrase "And there shall rise up one might among them", Lehi is connecting the rising up of this mighty one to the dream of Joseph in Egypt:

"For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf." (Genesis 37:7)

Like Joseph in Egypt this descendant or Choice Seer will stand as both a ruler and preserver to the other tribes of the House of Israel.  Lehi then declares that this "mighty one" shall rise up among the seed (wheat sheaves) of Joseph the Son of Lehi (Joseph ben Lehi)-a modern Messiah ben Joseph if you will. He will have exceeding faith to work mighty wonders to the bringing to pass much restoration to the House of Israel and the seed of his brothers. Because of this blessing, the seed of Joseph son of Lehi would not be destroyed. 

Joseph Smith as a Choice Seer serves as a forerunner-type and shadow- of a Choice Seer who comes to fulfill his work just as Messiah fulfilled the words of Moses. Like Joseph Smith this choice seer will also be called by the Voice of God.  He will be a descendant of Joseph of Egypt. He will be a Messiah ben Joseph- a sheaf that will rise up, stand upright. He will be a descendant of Joseph son of Lehi. 

Copyright April 30, 2021 - Robert Kay

What Is The Doctrine of Christ

"Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. The Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are justice: a God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he." (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

What Is The Doctrine of Christ?

We hear the phrase "The Doctrine of Christ" being thrown around various Christian and Mormon circles these days. The various definitions attributed to this phrase are a varied as the groups who tout it.  We see some of the most direct quotes using the phrase "The Doctrine of Christ" in both 2nd and 3rd Nephi.  We see this phrase first quoted by the Prophet Nephi the son of Lehi:

"Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying. For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." (2 Nephi 31:2-3)

The Hebrew word for Doctrine is the word lekakh meaning teaching, insights, or instructions. For an Israelite to say the "Doctrine of Christ" means the teaching, insights, and instructions of/from Christ (Messiah).  So in the Israelite mind the Doctrine of Christ would be better understood as the teachings and instructions from Christ (not only teaching or instruction about him, but teachings and instructions from him). 

Nephi then goes on to state:

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." (2 Nephi 31:3)

The word "plain" comes from the Hebrew word Nakoakh which means straight or uprightness.  In its mechanical sense the concept of straight refers to the surface of the land or path which one walks. So while it can be used in phrases attempting to convey that something is straightforward or self evident its deeper meaning refers to a path which one walks.

Here Nephi is connecting the phrase, "The Doctrine of Christ" not only to something that is straight or upright, but to a path. We see Nephi's words play out the idea of a path  later in his narrative when he says, "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?" (2 Nephi 31:19)

In doing so, Nephi is communicating something that would be very common among Torah observant Israelites-that the following of God's teachings is a path, pathway, or as is sometimes referred to "The Way". It also had another meaning in that the idea of the path or way (Halakhah-a path or walk in life that someone travels) was to follow the teachings or instructions given by your teacher/rabbi-in this case the teachings or instructions of The Messiah. 

"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being pure and set apart, should have need to be immersed by water, to fulfil all righteousness (righteousness = Torah= God's Instructions), O then, how much more need have we, being impure and not set apart, to be immersed, yea, even by water!

And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness (God's Torah=His instructions) in being immersed by water?

Know ye not that he was pure and set apart? But notwithstanding he being pure and set apart, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (2 Nephi 31:5-7)

Here Nephi is explaining that Christ is immersing himself as an act of humility. In doing so he is witnessing that he would be obedient to his Father in keeping his commandments. We see this same action among many of the various sects of Judaism to this day.  When a person who becomes a son/disciple of a specific rabbi or teacher undergoes a ritual immersion, the immersion as a sign that the old person/life was dead and the person would be reborn to a new life/path with a new Father/teacher. Just as a baby is initiated into life through water, so too is the disciple born into a new family, life, or with his covenant father.  

Nephi then goes on:

"Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove." (2 Nephi 31:8)

When many Christians and Mormons hear this phrase they rightly connect the pathway or walk of following the Messiah/Christ with receiving the Holy Ghost (Ruach Elohiym). The phrase, "in the form of a dove" evokes the imagery of Christ being baptized by John in the Jordan after which the record of Matthew states that the Holy Ghost descended upon him in "like a dove". (Matthew 3:16)

When read outside of it's Israelite roots the phrase, "like a dove" is often believed to be describing a scene where the Holy Ghost gently descended on Christ like a dove descends in flight.  Unfortunately while the description is well meaning, it does not capture the true meaning of the phrase, "form of a dove".

In Hebrew the word for dove is the word yonah (english Jonah).  The name Jonah/Yonah should draw our minds to the prophet Jonah and his story.  But there is an even older teaching connected to the word Yonah or Dove and is found in the epic of Noah sending forth the dove:

"At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth." (Genesis 8:6-11)

In the mind of the Israelite the image or form of a dove was a symbol for the Shekhinah-the Glory of God-or The Divine Feminine.  In other words, just as Christ was born of water he was also then born of the Shekhinah, The Divine Feminine, or the Divine Mother. Thus the idea of being born of water and the spirit. The words "holy ghost" fail to fully describe the Divine Feminine or Shekhinah. It is an awakening to a divine consciousness, the mind of God, an indwelling of the life giving essence of the upper worlds.  Those who awaken to this level of spirit or consciousness, were then known as the Children of YHVH (God). 

Nephi then expounds:

"And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the agate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?" (2 Nephi 31:9-10)

So like a disciple to their Master or like a child to their Father, the doctrine of Christ commences with being reborn in a covenant path or walk.  The covenant path consists in keeping (upholding or guarding) the commandments of The Father. It is the disciplined path wherein we conform to the image of Christ.

Baptism or Immersion In The Name

"And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.  And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost (Shekhinah), like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

When a person in our western culture thinks of baptism in the name of my Beloved Son they often think of someone pronouncing the words, "In the Name of Jesus Christ".  In Israelite thought a name is a condition of being.  The usage of the words "Beloved Son" representing not only Jesus Christ himself but the condition or state of the Messiah at the time of his immersion. So then the next question would be what is that condition?

In answer to this question, Nephi responds:

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.' (2 Nephi 31:13)

If we were to translate these Israelite expressions into modern English it could be rendered:

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with your heart filled with desire (kavanah), acting no hypocrisy (no double mindedness) and no deception before God, but with real intent, turning from a walk of rebellion, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the same condition of Christ, by immersion in water—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost (Shekhinah-The divine Consciousness)- yes, then comes the immersion (birth of your spirit or consciousness) through purification and the birth through the Shekhinah and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels (the true gift of tongues), and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.' (2 Nephi 31:13)

Nephi then goes on:

"And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.' (2 Nephi 31:15-16)

The words "endure to the end" are often misunderstood by our western culture. In our American minds it comes across a "grin and bear it", "suffer man suffer", or "he who dies in the most pain wins". In an Israelite mind set to "endure to the end" means to walk forward in the path/way until you reach the destination. This Israelite thought is expressed in Nephi's declaration, "And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall walk forward in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved." (2 Nephi 31:16)

Walking forward in the example of The Son is walking forward on a path of rebirth and re-formation/re-creation. It is the path of leaving Egypt or The World and walking in the wilderness until we reach the Holy Mountain.  It is the caterpillar in the cocoon in its' transformation process into a butterfly.  It is also the basis for Nicodemus' question, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" to which the Messiah answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Jn 3:4-5)

In understanding these distinctly Israelite concepts, we will understand our ascent from this world up the Ladder of Heaven into the presence of God.  We have entered in by the gate wherein we become the fold of the shepherd. Then we come to that strait and narrow path exemplified in Israelite thought as the path of the set apart ones- a disciplined life of faith (trusting loyalty to God), hope (expecting the things of God based on his promises), and tzedekah (charity-righteous acts-the path of mercy).

"Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.' And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word (teaching) of Christ with determined trust and loyalty in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word (teachings/doctrine) of Christ, and walk forward the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.(2 Nephi 31:17-19)

By following the covenant path laid out by Nephi, we see that the "Doctrine of Christ" is not just a doctrine about him, but his teachings and instructions in ascending the Ladder of Heaven. His words consists of those instructions that teach us not only about the path, but how we are to walk the path. It commences with a mighty change of heart or in our modern vernacular-it commences with a conscious desire and choice to bond with God and walk in the path he outlines according to his instructions.

"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way (path); and there is none other way(path) nor name (condition of being) given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine (teaching) of Christ, and the only and true doctrine (teaching) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."

Copyright 4-24-2-21- Rob Kay

To be continued:

Part 2- 3 Nephi and The Doctrine of Christ

Do you have "The Fulness of the Gospel"?

"And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer." (1 Nephi 10:14)

Do we really have The Fulness of the Gospel? This is an often discussed and debated question among Mormons and Christians alike. Usually the outcome of these debates and discussions end with the idea that a particular group has The Fulness of the Gospel" because we have more scriptural books, continuing revelation, a living prophet, more people, more in number or more ornate buildings.  In other words, it often appears that the phrase 'Fulness of the Gospel" appears more like a contest of who has the most, more, or all of God's words and ordinances.

The Israelite View of  "The Fulness of the Gospel"

We do not find the phrase "Fulness of the Gospel" in the writings of The Old Testament (The Torah, The Prophets, and The Writings) or in The New Testament.  The closest rendering of the phrase is mentioned in Paul's letter to the Romans: 

"And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ."

Paul's usage of the phrase "fulness of the blessings of the gospel" reflects a correct Hebrew usage of the words "fulness" and "blessings of the gospel of Christ". 

Meleah - מְלֵאָה

In Hebrew the word for fulness is the word meleah meaning: abundance or full produce or fruit that is ripe.  We see these ideas communicated in the following portions of the Torah:

"Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits (meleah),  and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me." (Exodus 22:29)

"And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness (meleah) of the winepress." (Numbers 18:27)

The Hebrew word meleah draws upon images of fruit that has become ripened and or the fulness (i.e. ripened grapes etc) of the winepress.  In other words, fulness is related to the idea of the ripened fruit of an abundant harvest- specifically those ripened first fruits which are made as an offering to God.

Besorah - בְּשֹׂרָה

The word Gospel does not appear in the Old Testament. It is found in the New Testament and is an old English word meaning news or message and was translated from the Greek word euangelion. We find one of it's Hebrew equivalents through the usage of the Septuagint which leads us to the original Hebrew word "Besorah". "Besorah" is a Hebrew word that means news, message, or report- as in the results of a declaration, instruction, or message:

"He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”  (1 Samuel:4:17)

SHEMA - שְׁמַע - The Hearing

While the mechanical translation of besorah into the word gospel is one rendering, there is a much older word in Hebrew that gives us a deeper insight into the word Gospel.  It is the Hebrew word shema:

"As soon as Laban heard the news (ot-shaymah/shema) about Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things" (Genesis 29:13)

"I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee." (Job 42:5)

The idea of "the hearing" is connected to the central affirmation of all Israel- The Shema:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

The Fulness of The Hearing- The Acceptable Fruit of The Shema

Hebrew is a picturesque language. Like a painter's palette, Hebrew words are used to create pictures that are meant to convey prophetic images and revelatory masterpieces with depth and contrast.  Where the western mind has been conditioned to an ultra literal and linear approach to interpreting scripture, the Israelite mind was conditioned to perceive scripture in block logic or pictures meant to convey messages and patterns. 

Where the western mind defines the phrase "Fulness of the Gospel" in more mechanical terms like:

"Fulness of the Gospel Means- We have much or all of the gospel message, ordinances, etc."

The Israelite Mind would define "Fulness of the Gospel" - The message that brings forth the ripe or acceptable fruit of God- The Ripe Fruit of The Shema.

In light of this, the declaration regarding The Book of Mormon in regarding the Gentiles receiving the fulness of the gospel takes on even greater meaning.

"And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer." (1 Nephi 10:14)

or perhaps an expanded translation:

""And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in other words, after the Gentiles had received the message( the hearing) that brings forth the acceptable fruit of God, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer." (1 Nephi 10;14)

Notice the connection now between the word fulness as ripened or acceptable fruit to the symbol of the Olive Tree. This should now give us new insight into the words of the Prophet Zenos and the allegory of the Olive Tree. 

The Book of Mormon contains the message/hearing that brings forth the culmination of THE SHEMA of Israel.  The instructions contained in the message/hearing are those teachings that help us to plant the seed, nourish it, cultivate it, and bring forth the good fruit. It is the message that brings forth the ripe/acceptable fruit to God (YHVH) through The Messiah. It is that message/teachings which allow the souls of men and women to transform from seeds into the First Fruits of God.

There are many who declare that they have the "Fulness of the Gospel".  To which I would answer-Do you produce the acceptable fruit of God?  

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them." (3 Nephi 14:16-20)