The Standard Erected - Our message to the world, even an ensign to all nations!

Well our peaceful message is simply this;

God wants to call prophets. Because he loves us, he wants us to know his son, Jesus Christ, and the atonement he has made for men so that we too may be healed and washed clean from our sins. God wants all to be partakers of eternal life with him in the kingdom of his father, which is also our father.Our message is that he does and that he did again in the final days before his return. The only true way to understand the will of the Lord is by knowing it through his prophets.

Even Isaiah has said,

"For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts." - Isaiah 28:8-9

Vomit meaning "partially consumed word of God spewed out having been influenced by men's interpretation." Filthiness = (blushes) erm... well, yeah. (Poop) Digested food or digested word of God. Even excrement has SOME un-digested nutrients left in it. God's word with lost meaning or lost in translation. Who is up for Poop Soup? Apparently much of the world is.
Wouldn't you and I rather take our nourishment from Mother's breast?

Most Christians consider us [Mormons] as a lesser version of Christianity because they assume that our gospel looks different than the one the way they understand it. Mainstream Christians only understand the gospel based on the source in which they draw forth living waters. What we claim, as Latter-day Saints, is access to these living waters from the "Rock," or a pure stream of living water. Just as Moses smote the rock and water came out to replenish the children of Israel, modern prophets do this for us today. [Compare Numbers Chapter 20]

Our water definitely looks different than water that has traveled downstream, picking up sediments and other influences of the earth as it travels across the ground heading towards the oceans and seas... but how can one know whether we are "Main Spring" Christians or not? We don't just say, "Hey, we're LDS! Hear and believe our message." by means of "Scriptural or Doctrinal Knowledge"
We're not converted by spiritualism either...

The Lord has promised that we could know for assurance that we have living prophets today by testing the fruits of that prophet responsible for the restoration. One way to do so is to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if this work comes from him and then subsequently, had chosen Joseph to be a prophet.

Moroni, the last steward to the Book of Mormon therein gives us a promise;

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Moroni 10:3-5

The experiment has been set forth in the realm of human learning and in the laboratories of our minds. What most folks now have permission to do is simply discover for themselves. Men can ignore it altogether by whatever reason they can imagine; they can listen to the opinions of others and choose not to test these things out. They can also just be disaffected by the whole thing and never get around to it. But Christ has promised great blessings to those who become,
"As a little child..." For theirs is the kingdom of heaven and always has been. But none can say that the opportunity was not provided them who now live on the earth and come into contact with it.

The question on my mind is; Who will humble themselves enough to test these things out? Satan has been busy hardening hearts even since the days of Jesus when he speaks to his disciples saying,

"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." John 12:40

My prayer for all men is that they soften their hearts to make the experiment, setting aside all previous opinions had by men about this book or the church that preaches from it.

If Einstein had conceded to the previous concepts written about the Universe; most of which, were made by Newton his hero, he might not ever have pushed through that barrier of understanding enough to test his theory of general relativity. In like manner, regardless of your previous understanding of things, I would exhort you, as Moroni did, that you test these things out for yourself.

My prayer is that you rely on God alone to know this "Marvelous work and a wonder" long prophesied by Isaiah should come about in our day. (Isaiah 29:11-14) That you may be the fruit harvested in the Lord's vineyard as well as a laborer in the vineyard, as the days of the Lord's return draw ever so close; even in the 11th hour does he call laborers to help lay up fruit against the season.

Josh Nelson

P.S. We believe we have a living prophet today just as God continued calling prophets after Moses. Joseph Smith was a modern day Moses for the contemporary gathering of Israel and in like manner, we have a prophet on the earth today. We have had modern day versions of Joshua, and Samuel and Isaiah and more. Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet and by him, we better understand the mission of Jesus Christ and how to be saved in the kingdom

A still small voice and a burning of the bosom;

A modified copy of a letter written to a recent you tub'er who commented on a Book of Mormon video by DefendingMormonism. (To visit DM, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/DefendingMormonism)

Dear freetube1to1,

There are a lot of opinions made about the Book of Mormon and whether it is real or not; I use this passage in the Bible as a test to see where people are at on faith;

How do you know that Jesus Is the Christ?

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say aye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 16:13-17

Without the spirit of God or an answer from him, how can we know? Christ died? Was buried but we're expected to believe that he rose from the dead? He played peekaboo with his disciples for 40 days and disappeared? To most, this would seem unreasonable.

Unless you had a "Great pastor" who convinced you that Jesus did all these things, teaching you that Christ was divine (instead of grave robbers stealing his body) and he was resurrected (and not just removed from the tomb so that it looks like it) how are we to believe?

The old testament talks about the "voice of the Lord as the "still small voice." God does not speak with a voice of thunder to convey truth.

"Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
1 Kgs.19: 11-12

Furthermore, 2 men from Palestine, discovered the savior. After walking with him for a short time, they recognized who he was and he vanished straight away. They asked themselves, "Did our hearts not burn within us?" (Luke 24:13-32) In this same manner do men receive witness of all things spiritual A still small voice... a burning in our bosom.

Some say... that the Book of Mormon is a sham... it was written by Joseph Smith. But what does God say about it? Flesh and Blood can NOT reveal truth to another; I don't care if its Mr. Solomon Spaulding or the prophet, "Thomas S. Monson" Neither of these men have the final word. Only God does.

I know Jesus is the Christ. I have my answer from the Lord. In like manner, I find the words of Christ are found in the Book of Mormon just as powerfully as I find them in the Bible. Read the Book of Mormon for yourself; or remain ignorant of it. Its your choice! Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss.

But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. (D&C 9:8)
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:27

The Members of His Church Receive Exaltation

There are countless ways that the church of Jesus Christ resembles HE who stands at the head of it. His prophet, who stands at the helm, has but only one mission...
To Bring Souls unto Christ, our Lord. Jesus Christ is the author of it. He is the authority behind it and has called men to service in the latter days to preach repentance unto this people.

I am Elder Josh Nelson and it has been my calling to serve the Lord and proclaim his gospel at the ripe old age of 14. Nearly 19 years ago, one of the Lord's servant ordained me into the office of a "teacher." and I have been, at best as one may expect from a "playful youth" worthy of his service. I saw many of my friends become converted unto the Lord as a youth.

I served the people of Ecuador during my two year mission. I continue to serve mankind by crying repentance unto the world and that they may also become acquainted with my savior and redeemer through membership in his "one true church." I testify to you that ALL saving ordinances are found upon the earth today in and by authority from God to receive these ordinances. I hold the priesthood of God and have been commanded to preach these things to the nations! That I may be held blameless before God at the last day knowing that I did all that I could, after the time of my repentance, to be worthy to stand before him!

It is my prayer that all may escape the endless woe and condemnation that I once found myself in... It was in and only through the "Lamb of God" that my sins have been purged from my breast. I have been washed clean through my sacrifice unto the Lord being a "broken heart" and a "contrite spirit" and through the proper saving ordinances which have been made available to me through the tender mercies of the Savior and the design of God.

My desire is that all men might be happy like unto me and shake free from the Devil who would keep you for his own! That you might recognize the call from the Bridgegroom and not be foolish in the days of your repentance and deny his saving power unto your own salvation... for no man is in charge of this salvation save it be that of your own choosing.

You can not look to the left or to the right when the day of judgment has arrived! The Lord will ask you, "What have you done with the commandments which I have given unto you by my servants, the prophets! Did I not command them to write my words? Even unto the prophets I spake in the land of Israel and the areas round about? Did I not command the Nephites that they should write? And did I not command all who were in the house of Israel, amongst the lost 10 tribes that they too should testify of these things? Did I not prove that I am the same God yesterday, today and forevermore?" and God will have in plain view, these words which he has spoken to or to the world at the time you lived upon it, and he will ask you, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THEM."

All men from Adam even down to the present time will offer their solemn testimony that they did write the words of God. Just as Moses did... as did Isaiah, as did Malachi, as did Nephi, as did Jacob, the brother of Nephi, as did King Benjamin and Mosiah, and also Alma, and also Helaman, and also Samuel, the lamanite, and also Mormon and also Moroni ALL will testify that they prophesied of Christ and his atonement with man.

And in that day which you find yourself before God and all they who spoke for God, it is my hope that you will say unto him, "I have done all things which the Lord hath commanded me by the mouth of ALL the holy prophets. I have done all that I may be worthy to stand!"

And God in that moment may say, "You have proven yourself worthy to enter into my house. Well done, good and faithful servant. The blessings of salvation are yours for you, and your family, and your children's children!" To live forever as Kings and Queens... Priests and Priestesses unto the MOST HIGH GOD through the merits of Jesus Christ, who is mighty to SAVE!

It is my prayer that you will be there with me, my brothers and sisters.
I admonish you to come unto Christ and be perfected in him; sanctified by your good works unto the ordinances carried out through the Priesthood of God which now is found upon this earth! That you too will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection clothed with a perfect frame and dwell in the incorruptible tabernacle that God promises to those who endure to the END!

There are indeed MANY similarities between Christ and his church! For those who follow him, follow him unto Salvation and Exaltation to never again be removed from their place in heaven... forevermore. Amen.