It is a joy for me to invite all to enjoy this June Issue of the Herald of the Second Invitation.
The testimony of Brother Thiago Vigeta Mendonça concerning the celestial lights experienced at the Agudo Refuge is both exhilarating and sobering as we think about the events that are unfolding in this Second Invitation labor for the Mormons of the Sealed Book.
We welcome the heart-stirring article on public speaking submitted by our dear Sister Baukje Maja Wierda-Schaafsma – International Fountain of Living Waters, Regional Leader for the Netherlands and Europe. Sister Baukje encourages the voice of the women to go forth in strength and vibrancy carried by the wings of the Holy Spirit of God. It reminded me of Abish in that her conversion to the Lord was not made known until the crucial moment where we read of her broadcasting door to door the moment that would cause the Lamanites to believe in the power of God (Alma 19:16-17, 35-36).
In contemplating the article of Sister Baukje early one morning, I was presented with the female name of the venerated Elisheba. There is a single line of text in Exodus that circumscribes the name of Aaron from the tribe of Levi and his wife Elisheba (Elisheva, Elishabab) of the tribe of Judah and mother to four sons of great spiritual and historical prominence in Israel. Yes, this solitary line of text is truly filled with the life and promise of Israel before God in the covenants, promises, and blessings of God (i.e. “Eli” signifying “Elohim” and “Sheba” signifying “seven” or the perfection or completeness of the covenant, promise, or oath). The spiritual joining of the priesthood promises bestowed to the house of Levi as embedded in the flesh of Aaron is fused in the presiding promises to the house of Judah as manifested in the flesh of Elisheba to produce the future of Israel in the four sons.
And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar (Exodus 6:23).
This honored mother in Israel, Elisheba, labored as a midwife with Jochebed the mother of Moses; she was the sister to the leader of Judah appointed by Moses, and she was the sister-in-law to Miriam the prophetess. Her sons Nadab and Abihu were anointed as high priests on the day of the inauguration of Israel as a nation–honored and blessed was she in this moment. It was in the presence of this great outpouring of blessing that she witnessed the glory of the Lord as it appeared unto all the people (Lev 9:23-24) before the tabernacle of the congregation. It was in this great moment that her heart was struck in the specter of her older sons Nadab and Abihu as they attempted to practice an ordinance change, and to change it contrary to the instructions of God through Moses and Aaron.
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord (Lev. 10:1-2).
As we have received the words of God through our living prophet Mauricio in the revelation delivered on 6 April, 2025, let us be faithful in every detail as the joint sacrament meetings (verse 60) have been established in witnessing our strict obedience to the word of God without deviating from the ordinance based on the prudence of men or calculations of the flesh (verse 70). The example of Nadab and Abihu should serve as a sobering warning to all.
The pattern of God throughout the ages should provide ample directions for us going forward in our ministering the law and love of God. The joining of Elisheba and Aaron can be seen as repeated in the lives of the High Priest Zechariah and his aged wife Elizabeth of the tribe of Levi, who were the faithful parents in the miraculous conception and birth of John the Baptist. Just as Elisheba (also known as Elizabeth) had the companionship of Miriam (also known as Mary) as the moment of service carried them forward in the sacred journey given of God.
And behold, thou shalt conceive, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus … Therefore, also, that holy child that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God … And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren. For with God nothing can be impossible … And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb … For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy … For his mercy on those who fear him from generation to generation (Luke 1:31-49).
So, we see that the light of the countenance of the Lord did shine upon Elizabeth as she received the most joyous consolation from Mary. This time of rejoicing assisted in the days of challenge that awaited these two precious handmaidens of the Lord. Yes, when Zechariah was slain, it was Elizabeth who took their son John into the desert and raised him to fulfill his mission in full harmony with the ministry of Jesus Christ. In pondering the single-hearted dedication of Elizabeth and Elisheba, what manner of women were these faithful pillars as mothers in Israel? Imagine for a moment the spark that was ignited within their bosoms, pushing them to be their best in sensing the very moment to deliver the counsel of light, those red-hot embers of truth fanned by the Holy Spirit within their tender vessels, where the very radiance of God was kindled to overflowing as it patiently waited in seeking to have a voice. This action takes courage that is deep-rooted in commitment, faithfulness, and trustworthiness.
It is up to you, therefore, to awaken this spark in the hearts of this people, which adds power in the unity of feelings, and I, the Lord, am talking about the church collectively, because when the unity coexists among you, then you become one in Me (Sealed Moses 3:72).
The name Elisheva translates to “my God is an oath,” which suggests a deep-rooted commitment to loyalty and trustworthiness, empathy and compassion, as fueled in the promises and divine grace to provide the light of encouragement and hopefulness emanating from your spirit in igniting the wistful desires residing in others. Yes, providing the warmth of the message, the comfort of your joy, in a gentle and courageous spirit which creates an inviting space for open discussions that can light up the room in the presence of unconditional love.
But, behold, to raise up Zion, there must be love among my people, just as you, Moses, loved the children of Israel unconditionally and hast encouraged them not to be afraid, but to stand firm in their faith in the Lord so that they might see salvation from me (Sealed Moses 3:67).
The perfection embodied in the name Elisheba (e.g. Sheba = Seven) establishes the persistence through probations to get the work accomplished in our eternal lives. The rare strength of her character name, Elisheba, is lifted in the humble and meek peace rising up from within her which seems to bubble up in joy which creates the safe haven for others to reach their potential in the Society of Zion. It begins in the safety of our homes with our children and spouses and companions and then emanates and permeates throughout our society as a whole.
Here is wisdom and a promise; since Zion begins in our own house, then the fundamental bases of the united order of Enoch are the families that compose it. If, therefore, families are weak and disunited in their homes, then the society of Zion will not last for a long time, for when a family falls apart, the foundations of our society are shaken. Nevertheless, if families are not strong and united, then our conception of the Kingdom of God among men on earth will be nothing more than a fable. May purity and goodness be in the mode of speaking between the spouses and practiced in relation to the children, so that their behavior reflects in the outside world, beyond the walls that shelter their homes, developing a society whose language is pure and unblemished to ennoble the magnificence of Zion among the sons of men (Acts of the Nephites 10:5-6).
The pillars of truth and the guardians of the word of God must be willing to stand forth to hold fast, defend, and establish the ordinances put forth in this Second Invitation – even if it feels clumsy, awkward, and isolating as we are gaining experience and developing in maturity – it is then that we will feel the peace, comfort, and joy upon our earnest efforts as we act according to the guidelines that have been revealed through His prophet Mauricio. Let us therefore, adhere to the “ordinances on earth” restored through the words of revelation.
For, it was so ordained in the heavens, that the power of divinity from the priesthood of the Son of God among the sons of Adam, can only be maintained among men in the flesh by a strict observation of their ordinances on earth (Sealed Moses 3:39).
