3 Nephi 23:2-5, Isaiah 49:6 (Spanish)
( This is a special study this morning, in that the Lord directed me to consider these verses out of my chronological order of study. )
Beyond the restoration of the house of Israel, the Lord makes the promise in the above-cited verses that Gospel will be taken to the [extreme ends] of the earth. (That’s me combining the meaning of the terms in both English and Spanish.) For some reason, being less than 100 miles away from the center stake of Zion (where I live presently), feels like at an extreme end of the earth.
The verse in Isaiah 49 reads differently in Spanish than in English:
English: “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”
Spanish: (literal translation) ” I will also give thee for a light to the nations, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the extreme[s] of the earth.”
“Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:” Doctrine and Covenants 1:11
Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.
And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.
Mormon 9:21,25
Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name.
Ether 4:18
This phrase “Ends of the Earth” is found abundantly throughout the Old Testament. That’s notable because the Old Testament seems to be primarily concerned with the dealings of the Lord’s covenant people. That the Old Testament paints a different picture about the spread of the Gospel unto the “ends of the earth” suggests that this work has always had a more expansive view of the truth.
It also strikes me that the prophets of antiquity were utterly unable to do anything to realize the things of which they saw in vision. They could not bring the Gospel unto the ends of the earth.
One more thought, and it is this: No matter where I am found in this great world, whether in the valleys of Utah, or the low, dry deserts of Arizona, or the plush, green hills of Missouri, or the fertile mountains of Costa Rica, or anywhere in between, God is here — even to the end of the earth.
Graph Insight: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is universal. Faith in Christ and repentance work for all people regardless location.