Who would go to heaven if nobody was capable of dying?
There's the question of the ages. When folks die early or are cut down in their prime, it leaves many of us on earth to wonder what is to become of them, why didn't God save them? Didn't I pray enough? There must be no God since he did not save my brother, etc... I think we all struggle through certain thoughts but the simple fact remains. Be you and Atheist, an Agnostic or a devout Christian, I find it's true across the board in the sense that...
"Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die!" - Bob Proctor
If death is the natural progression that spirit creatures must travel, having first traversed a brief sojourn on earth occupying tabernacles of flesh and blood respectively, then one should celebrate death vs fear it. Celebrate it if one looks forward with an eye single to the glory of God, naturally. If a man is a good man or a woman equally as faithful to the laws and covenants that he or she were capable of doing while on earth, then it will be well with that man or woman. We are also explained well to the truths that for he or she that is found with charity, it will be well with him or her. That charity can cover a multitude of sins, but I digress... so who would go to heaven? The only people who can go to heaven are those that can die.
This might sound strange rolling off of the tongue but it is 100% true. Now it is not that death is the magic. The body that we now live in is designed to pass on. Blood, blood borne pathogens, free radicals, radiation, and many other factors contribute to our very short lifetime but it was to happen for a reason. If we could not die, our bodies could not then be changed from mortal to immortal. We could then not be raised from corruption and then slip into an incorruptible tabernacle; one that could never die, one like that of Jesus the first fruits of those who have lived after death.
Part of God's plan of happiness for us is that we should die... but most specifically, that 2 aspects of us should die. Our life, our sinful ways or our imperfections should eventually die off, and our current bodies should die off so that the latter could also be true. Our bodies and spirits could then be renewed.
In the words of Yoda, almost prophetic, we hear this... “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” - “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.”
Much good or much evil has been done with the loss of a loved one. I have seen an entire new generation of kids grow up without the knowledge of God and his plan of happiness for his children simply because he thought God to be unfair for letting someone die before he was currently willing to let him go. Hence, yoda made sense on this one. We must be prepared to let people go much like others must do the same for us. Where we are going from here will have been worth it. It will have seemed silly to attempt to hold people back all things considered. Let's not go out look for quicker ways to die but just know that our days may be long upon the land and the Lord won't take us before he feels it's time. He is both fair and just. Rejoice!
Passages of Scripture to reference:
"And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:29
"...I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25
Showing posts with label Prophets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prophets. Show all posts
Monday, December 2, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Jews Vs Christians Vs Mormons (Redux)
This is derived from an article found at: http://www.14lds.com/cult.htm
Dear God-fearing friend,
I am writing this letter because of a great threat to the cherished words which the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has given us through His holy prophets.
You've probably had Christians come around to your door, wanting to engage you in "discussions" about their faith. And maybe, as a good Jew, you've let them in the door. They seem to be nice, well-dressed, well-mannered. They may speak about Israel's God, and they may carry the Bible under their arms, but don't be deceived-they are not Jewish. Christianity is an insidious cult that seeks to tear real adherents of Judaism away from Moses and the Bible.
Take, for example, their principal message, about the Messiah. They bring you their "New Testament, Another Witness of the Prophets" and try to convince you that their founder, Jesus, was the Messiah. But believe me, this is not the Messiah of the Bible. No, my friend, the Christians teach a very a different messiah than what the holy prophets wrote about. While the biblical Messiah is a king who will liberate us from our enemies, the Christian messiah is said to have died to liberate us from our sins, despite the fact that the Bible teaches that every man is responsible for his own sins (Leviticus 20:19-20). If a man commits murder, for example, he is to be executed for his sin, and there is no provision for someone else dying in his stead (Genesis 9:6). The law of God clearly states that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16). For those not guilty of capital crimes, the Bible is clear about the procedure that must be followed in order to be cleansed from sin. One must confess his sins, make restitution for wrongs, and offer the proper sacrifice (Leviticus 4:2-4; Numbers 5:6-7).
The Christians believe that, because their leader died, it is no longer necessary to offer sacrifices at the temple. But the Bible says otherwise, commanding, "thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement . . . two lambs of the first year day by day continually" (Exodus 29:36, 38). These sacrifices are to be made "throughout your generations" (Exodus 30:10).
Ironically, the founder of the Christian Church was conceived out of wedlock, which, under the Law of Moses, disqualifies him from participating in religious functions (Deuteronomy 23:2). The Christians' own scriptures acknowledge that Jesus was a winebibber (Matthew 11:19). The Bible warns us, saying, "a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink" (Micah 2:11). The false prophet Jesus, who also claimed divine prerogatives, was tried and found guilty of high crimes (blasphemy and treason) and executed by crucifixion. And yet some people are gullible enough to believe that he was sent by God!
And what of those who perpetuated this false messiah? The Christians claim that some of the disciples of Jesus, including a sometime fisherman and money-digger (Matthew 17:27) named Simon (who goes under the alias of Peter), along with a traitorous Roman money collector named Matthew and ten others who go by the title of apostles, are prophets who speak with God. But their messages contradict the word of God as given through ancient prophets such as Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah and their behavior violates all the laws of God.
Peter was once arrested and put into prison until he could answer charges brought against him. But the night before he was to be arraigned before King Herod, he escaped from the guards and ran away (Acts 12:6-9). Tradition has it that after fleeing to Rome and practicing his treasonous religion there, he was again imprisoned, this time by the Roman authorities, who found him guilty of crimes against the state and was executed by crucifixion.
The most outspoken of the followers of Christ was a Roman Jew who preferred to be known more by his Gentile name, Paul, than by his God given Israelite name, Saul. It is this man, more than all the others, who is responsible for writing the "new" testament which Christians deem more holy than the law God gave to Israel through Moses. What kind of a person was he? I will tell you. He was expelled from the cities of Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:5,6), and Lystra (14:19) where his preaching had stirred up riots. In the city of Thyatira Paul and one of his companions were brought before the magistrate and accused of being trouble-makers. When the evidence was presented, Paul was found guilty and sentenced to a beating and ordered to do time in prison. (Acts 16:20-25) The last eight years of his life he spent in a Roman prison and was eventually executed according to Roman law because of his crimes. These are the kinds of people Christians look up to and whose words they claim came from God.
But their words cannot be from God for one simple reason: Malachi's record marks the end of the scriptures which God intended to give mankind. Since prophecy ceased some four centuries before the time Jesus was even born, this is absolute proof that Jesus was a false prophet! Along with the ending of scripture, so did the visitation of angles. Yet Christians claim that angels appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus and to her cousin Zacharias, to Peter and to Paul. The Bible tells us to beware of false prophets (Isaiah 9:15; Jeremiah 28:15), and the Lord warned us through Moses not to add or detract from his word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). The Bible, from Genesis to Malachi, is inerrant and all-sufficient, and it is blasphemous to suggest that God should give us additional scriptures, a "new" testament that contradicts in every particular what he has already given us. And yet, that is exactly what the followers of the man Jesus have done. They dare to give us more of God's word, which, in reality, contradicts the words of God's true prophets.
One such contradiction is found in a supposed "revelation" of Simon Peter's where he claims that God told him not to make a distinction between clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16), despite the fact that the Bible clearly commands that we make such a distinction (Leviticus 10:10; 11:2-31, 41-47; 20:25; Deuteronomy 14:3-20). The "revelation" which he had itself contains a clue to its false nature. It says (verse 10) that Peter was suffering hunger when "he fell into a trance" (Acts 10:10) His supposed "vision" (Acts 10:17)-or should we call it what it really is, an hallucination-was from the feeling in his stomach, not from God. I had a dream very much like Peter's one night, but instead of attributing it to a heavenly revelation, I chalked it up to a morsel of undigested food.
This same Peter states that all Christians belong to a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9). The Bible makes it clear that the priesthood is restricted to the tribe of Levi, and that God curses anyone else who tries to officiate in priesthood functions (2 Chronicles 26:18-19). When Aaron and his sons were anointed, God said, "for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" (Exodus 40:15). God made a "covenant of an everlasting priesthood" with Aaron's grandson Pinehas (Numbers 25:13). It is people like the Christians whom the Bible condemns because they have "cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods" (2 Chronicles 13:9).
As for the supposed Christian "miracles," it is clear that they do not follow the biblical pattern. Their founder is said to have healed people by telling them their sins were forgiven (Matthew 9:2), while some people were supposedly healed by touching his garment (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 6:55-56). This practice of magical rites is confirmed in another Christian scripture, Acts 19:12, which says people can be healed by being touched with handkerchiefs or aprons touched by someone who has healing powers. Even more fantastic is the story in Acts 5:15, where we read that people were healed when the shadow of Peter fell on them!
The Christians also deny the efficacy of circumcision, wanting to replace it with baptism. But in the Bible, God clearly states that circumcision is "a token of the covenant betwixt me and you," and is to be "an everlasting covenant." If a man is not circumcised, God says, "that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant" (Genesis 17:10-14). But Christians do not believe God's word. Instead, they invent a "new testament" to justify breaking sacred, everlasting, holy commandments.
In his "sermon on the mount," the founder of the Christian Church openly spoke out against Bible teachings that had been revealed from heaven. Even while professing that he had not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets" (Matthew 5:17), he changed the sixth commandment from "thou shalt not kill" to "whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:21-22). He also reworded the seventh commandment, rejecting the words "thou shalt not commit adultery" and substituting, "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28). And though the Bible specifically says that we should perform oaths in the name of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20), Jesus abrogated the commandment and taught "swear not at all" (Matthew 5:34). He also denounced the biblical law of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). In the same sermon, he showed his utter depravity and demented state by telling his disciples to pluck out their right eyes and to cut off their right hands (Matthew 5:29- 30). It is hard to believe that anyone could accept someone like this as the Messiah.
Still, Christians revere their leader as a martyr, one who "gave his life" willingly. Yet the facts tell a different story: When the chief priests came to lawfully arrest this Jesus, his principal disciple lashed out with a sword, inflicting serious head wounds upon the high priest's servant (John 18:3- 10)! Jesus, the "martyr," was involved in a sword fight shortly before his death! By both Jewish law (blasphemy) and Roman law (treason and sedition), Jesus was condemned to death as a common criminal. This is the kind of man whom his followers admire and ask us to put our faith and trust in.
Then we are told that this condemned criminal rose from the grave as an immortal being three days later! But how do we know this? Where is the proof that such a thing actually happened? Christians can only point to their "new" testament. But who wrote this testament? Why, it was the followers of Jesus, and, more especially, his closest friends and associates. So the only real proof we have is what they tell us. As I have already shown, these disciples were not men of moral virtue and trustworthiness. The proof of this is that Peter admittedly lied three times in one night! (Mark 14:66-72). Judas betrayed his own master. And these were supposedly the most devoted admirers of Jesus. Yet, Christians ask us to believe that the words which such men wrote are just as holy and inspired as the true prophets of God!
Finally, Israel's God pronounced a curse upon anyone who put their trust in another man. Moreover, the Bible clearly states that the heart of such a person had departed from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5). In direct opposition to God's holy word, Jesus told his disciples to come follow him (Luke 18:22). Not even our great lawgiver, Moses,
ever told us to follow him. He always commanded our fathers to put their trust in God. But the followers of Jesus go so far as to take upon themselves his name rather than the name of God. That is why they call themselves "Christians." We honor Moses but we don't take upon ourselves his name. We revere the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Samuel and all the others, but we don't claim our allegiance to them. We worship God, not some man who claims to speak for God. But Christians have no such belief. They put their trust in the man Jesus.
Now, you might want to try helping your Christian neighbor find his way to the God of the Bible. But bear in mind that it will be difficult to talk to him because Christians have their own unique definition of biblical terms. So when they use the term "Messiah," they're not thinking of the biblical Messiah, but of the criminal Jesus. When they speak of "sacrifice," they don't mean the sacred rites of the temple of God, but refer to the execution of the criminal Jesus. A true Jew understands salvation to be God's intervention in the affairs of men to save his people, Israel, from their enemies. But Christians use the term "salvation" to mean resurrection and going to heaven to live with God. And this comes only if you believe in their other messiah!
We love the Christian people and need to do everything in our power to bring them back to the God of the Bible. You should, of course, pray for your Christian friends. But you can do more. The ministry we have organized here at Yeshivah Ahuvat ha-Shem needs your help in order to continue its work in exposing the insidious Christian conspiracy against the Jewish people. Please send your love offerings to us at Yavneh-Yam. Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness to his ways and your generosity in helping us protect his word.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yohanan bar Alcalai
(adapted from "Solving the Christian Puzzle" by John Tvedtnes)
Before anyone accuses a Mormon of belonging to a Cult, one should take Christianity from the "point of view" as it might be seen from a Jewish perspective. Perhaps you wouldn't be "SO SURE" that what you are saying isn't the same nonsense that you could be hearing from a Jew regarding our savior, Jesus Christ.
Moreover, instead of deal harshly with the Mormons and give them a hard time, making judgments without cause, consider what Christ said in the "Sermon on the Mount."
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
POSTSCRIPT: It might be argued that the above characterization of Christian beliefs is inaccurate or misleading. However, every allegation, as seen from the Jewish viewpoint, has been stated factually. What a Christian would really object to is how those facts have been presented in an unflattering and biased way, while ignoring other important information which might convince an objective reader to view Christians differently. Yet, that is exactly how Latter-day Saints feel about the way most Christian writers and preachers often characterize Mormons to their followers.
P.S.S. Christianity. A standard would be set up and it would reclaim Israel!
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 Renewed article from before entitled, "Christianity was a cult LONG before Mormonism" - using new tags and helps. #MormonCult THE STANDARD
Many Christian churches today teach that Mormonism is a cult religion. The reason for this is that we do not believe in Christ's teachings as they do. According to them, the Bible teaches that Jesus was the last prophet and that there are to be no more after Him. Therefore, any religion which claims to have prophets must be a false church. Indeed, the Bible clearly foretells that in the last days there will be false prophets (Matthew 24:24). The same is true of apostles. According to what most Christian churches teach, there were only twelve, specially chosen men called to be apostles. When these men died, not only were there to be no more apostles, but there was no more need for such men. According to most Christian churches, the Bible is absolutely complete. When the last apostle died, everything that God intended to tell us had entirely and finally been written down. Therefore, any church which claims to have new scriptures, is in direct conflict with the words of the Bible itself when it declares that we should neither add to nor subtract from the words of God
(Revelation 22:18,19)
According to most Christian churches, the Bible is the inerrant word of God. To them that means that down through the centuries the Bible has been perfectly copied and accurately translated. Every word, jot and tittle which were penned by the ancient writers has been faithfully preserved to our present day. Therefore, any religion that claims the Bible is not absolutely inerrant is considered to be a cult. Furthermore, any religion which changes the traditionally accepted wording of the Bible is likewise a cult. (This would include the Jehovah Witnesses with their "New World Translation," the Christian Scientists with their "Science and Health with keys to the Scriptures," and the Mormons with their Biblical quotes as found in the "Book of Mormon" and the Joseph Smith translation.)
According to most Christian churches, the correctness of their beliefs is time tested. That is, it has endured through centuries of debate. Therefore, any church which teaches something different than the time-tested, orthodox doctrines of mainstream Christianity is heretical by definition. Perhaps the most common doctrine taught among today's Protestant churches states that salvation comes solely through God's grace without the need for us to perform any saving works, ordinances, or good deeds. Therefore, any religion which teaches something different than what is generally accepted by most Christian faiths is a cult.
According to most Christian churches, visions, revelations, and angelic appearances ceased with the death of the apostles. The stated reason for this lack of heavenly manifestations is that God's word - the Bible - is now complete. As such, there is no longer any need for God to reveal Himself to man in such supernatural ways because man can know everything he needs to about salvation through reading the Bible. Therefore, any religion which claims to have visions, revelations or angelic appearances is considered to violate the teachings of the Bible which declares "though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).
According to most Christians, they believe we should put our trust in God and in His word rather than in the "arm of flesh," meaning a mortal man. The Bible foretells that in the last days there shall be false Christs, false apostles and false prophets. Therefore, anyone who claims to speak for God and encourages others to follow them, is not only an imposter but are to be considered a cult leader. Because Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet of God and developed a devoted following of disciples, many Christians consider him to be a cult leader. Furthermore, the church which he organized is based on a continuing succession of prophets and apostles which the church membership is expected to faithfully listen to and follow, thereby perpetuating this definition of a cult.
According to many in the Christian community, Mormonism is also a cult based on the sullied character of its founder, Joseph Smith. He has been described as a money-digger who was only interested in bilking people out of their money. He has been labeled a person with a wild, vivid imagination, whose greatest hoax was the story of receiving gold plates from an angel of God. The many times that Joseph Smith was arrested and held in prison has been proof to some that he must have committed crimes against society which warranted his incarceration. The practice of polygamy has convinced some that Mormons not only are willing to violate the laws of the land but reject the moral laws of God as well.
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon from gold plates delivered to Joseph Smith by an angel. According to many Christians, there is nothing to prove that such an event actually happened. Despite the testimonies of three special witnesses, and, later, eight more witnesses, many Christians remain highly skeptical because all of these testimonies come from close friends and associates of Joseph Smith rather than from credible, independent sources.
Because of these, and other reasons, many Christian leaders feel it is their duty to warn others of the false and unChristlike doctrines which Mormons teach. Therefore, they hold meetings, circulate pamphlets, write books and preach sermons which point out in great detail how each Mormon belief violates God's word. And they do this in an effort to protect unsuspecting and gullible people from being deceived by the innocent appearance of clean-cut missionaries, who proclaim their message with sincerity and seeming piousness.
If all of this is true, then the same standard of judgment should apply to everyone, including those of traditional Christianity. In that case, let's consider how a Jewish Rabbi would view those who profess a belief in Jesus Christ:
Dear God-fearing friend,
I am writing this letter because of a great threat to the cherished words which the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has given us through His holy prophets.
You've probably had Christians come around to your door, wanting to engage you in "discussions" about their faith. And maybe, as a good Jew, you've let them in the door. They seem to be nice, well-dressed, well-mannered. They may speak about Israel's God, and they may carry the Bible under their arms, but don't be deceived-they are not Jewish. Christianity is an insidious cult that seeks to tear real adherents of Judaism away from Moses and the Bible.
Take, for example, their principal message, about the Messiah. They bring you their "New Testament, Another Witness of the Prophets" and try to convince you that their founder, Jesus, was the Messiah. But believe me, this is not the Messiah of the Bible. No, my friend, the Christians teach a very a different messiah than what the holy prophets wrote about. While the biblical Messiah is a king who will liberate us from our enemies, the Christian messiah is said to have died to liberate us from our sins, despite the fact that the Bible teaches that every man is responsible for his own sins (Leviticus 20:19-20). If a man commits murder, for example, he is to be executed for his sin, and there is no provision for someone else dying in his stead (Genesis 9:6). The law of God clearly states that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16). For those not guilty of capital crimes, the Bible is clear about the procedure that must be followed in order to be cleansed from sin. One must confess his sins, make restitution for wrongs, and offer the proper sacrifice (Leviticus 4:2-4; Numbers 5:6-7).
The Christians believe that, because their leader died, it is no longer necessary to offer sacrifices at the temple. But the Bible says otherwise, commanding, "thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement . . . two lambs of the first year day by day continually" (Exodus 29:36, 38). These sacrifices are to be made "throughout your generations" (Exodus 30:10).
Ironically, the founder of the Christian Church was conceived out of wedlock, which, under the Law of Moses, disqualifies him from participating in religious functions (Deuteronomy 23:2). The Christians' own scriptures acknowledge that Jesus was a winebibber (Matthew 11:19). The Bible warns us, saying, "a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink" (Micah 2:11). The false prophet Jesus, who also claimed divine prerogatives, was tried and found guilty of high crimes (blasphemy and treason) and executed by crucifixion. And yet some people are gullible enough to believe that he was sent by God!
And what of those who perpetuated this false messiah? The Christians claim that some of the disciples of Jesus, including a sometime fisherman and money-digger (Matthew 17:27) named Simon (who goes under the alias of Peter), along with a traitorous Roman money collector named Matthew and ten others who go by the title of apostles, are prophets who speak with God. But their messages contradict the word of God as given through ancient prophets such as Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah and their behavior violates all the laws of God.
Peter was once arrested and put into prison until he could answer charges brought against him. But the night before he was to be arraigned before King Herod, he escaped from the guards and ran away (Acts 12:6-9). Tradition has it that after fleeing to Rome and practicing his treasonous religion there, he was again imprisoned, this time by the Roman authorities, who found him guilty of crimes against the state and was executed by crucifixion.
The most outspoken of the followers of Christ was a Roman Jew who preferred to be known more by his Gentile name, Paul, than by his God given Israelite name, Saul. It is this man, more than all the others, who is responsible for writing the "new" testament which Christians deem more holy than the law God gave to Israel through Moses. What kind of a person was he? I will tell you. He was expelled from the cities of Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:5,6), and Lystra (14:19) where his preaching had stirred up riots. In the city of Thyatira Paul and one of his companions were brought before the magistrate and accused of being trouble-makers. When the evidence was presented, Paul was found guilty and sentenced to a beating and ordered to do time in prison. (Acts 16:20-25) The last eight years of his life he spent in a Roman prison and was eventually executed according to Roman law because of his crimes. These are the kinds of people Christians look up to and whose words they claim came from God.
But their words cannot be from God for one simple reason: Malachi's record marks the end of the scriptures which God intended to give mankind. Since prophecy ceased some four centuries before the time Jesus was even born, this is absolute proof that Jesus was a false prophet! Along with the ending of scripture, so did the visitation of angles. Yet Christians claim that angels appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus and to her cousin Zacharias, to Peter and to Paul. The Bible tells us to beware of false prophets (Isaiah 9:15; Jeremiah 28:15), and the Lord warned us through Moses not to add or detract from his word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). The Bible, from Genesis to Malachi, is inerrant and all-sufficient, and it is blasphemous to suggest that God should give us additional scriptures, a "new" testament that contradicts in every particular what he has already given us. And yet, that is exactly what the followers of the man Jesus have done. They dare to give us more of God's word, which, in reality, contradicts the words of God's true prophets.
One such contradiction is found in a supposed "revelation" of Simon Peter's where he claims that God told him not to make a distinction between clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16), despite the fact that the Bible clearly commands that we make such a distinction (Leviticus 10:10; 11:2-31, 41-47; 20:25; Deuteronomy 14:3-20). The "revelation" which he had itself contains a clue to its false nature. It says (verse 10) that Peter was suffering hunger when "he fell into a trance" (Acts 10:10) His supposed "vision" (Acts 10:17)-or should we call it what it really is, an hallucination-was from the feeling in his stomach, not from God. I had a dream very much like Peter's one night, but instead of attributing it to a heavenly revelation, I chalked it up to a morsel of undigested food.
This same Peter states that all Christians belong to a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9). The Bible makes it clear that the priesthood is restricted to the tribe of Levi, and that God curses anyone else who tries to officiate in priesthood functions (2 Chronicles 26:18-19). When Aaron and his sons were anointed, God said, "for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" (Exodus 40:15). God made a "covenant of an everlasting priesthood" with Aaron's grandson Pinehas (Numbers 25:13). It is people like the Christians whom the Bible condemns because they have "cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods" (2 Chronicles 13:9).
As for the supposed Christian "miracles," it is clear that they do not follow the biblical pattern. Their founder is said to have healed people by telling them their sins were forgiven (Matthew 9:2), while some people were supposedly healed by touching his garment (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 6:55-56). This practice of magical rites is confirmed in another Christian scripture, Acts 19:12, which says people can be healed by being touched with handkerchiefs or aprons touched by someone who has healing powers. Even more fantastic is the story in Acts 5:15, where we read that people were healed when the shadow of Peter fell on them!
The Christians also deny the efficacy of circumcision, wanting to replace it with baptism. But in the Bible, God clearly states that circumcision is "a token of the covenant betwixt me and you," and is to be "an everlasting covenant." If a man is not circumcised, God says, "that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant" (Genesis 17:10-14). But Christians do not believe God's word. Instead, they invent a "new testament" to justify breaking sacred, everlasting, holy commandments.
In his "sermon on the mount," the founder of the Christian Church openly spoke out against Bible teachings that had been revealed from heaven. Even while professing that he had not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets" (Matthew 5:17), he changed the sixth commandment from "thou shalt not kill" to "whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:21-22). He also reworded the seventh commandment, rejecting the words "thou shalt not commit adultery" and substituting, "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28). And though the Bible specifically says that we should perform oaths in the name of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20), Jesus abrogated the commandment and taught "swear not at all" (Matthew 5:34). He also denounced the biblical law of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). In the same sermon, he showed his utter depravity and demented state by telling his disciples to pluck out their right eyes and to cut off their right hands (Matthew 5:29- 30). It is hard to believe that anyone could accept someone like this as the Messiah.
Still, Christians revere their leader as a martyr, one who "gave his life" willingly. Yet the facts tell a different story: When the chief priests came to lawfully arrest this Jesus, his principal disciple lashed out with a sword, inflicting serious head wounds upon the high priest's servant (John 18:3- 10)! Jesus, the "martyr," was involved in a sword fight shortly before his death! By both Jewish law (blasphemy) and Roman law (treason and sedition), Jesus was condemned to death as a common criminal. This is the kind of man whom his followers admire and ask us to put our faith and trust in.
Then we are told that this condemned criminal rose from the grave as an immortal being three days later! But how do we know this? Where is the proof that such a thing actually happened? Christians can only point to their "new" testament. But who wrote this testament? Why, it was the followers of Jesus, and, more especially, his closest friends and associates. So the only real proof we have is what they tell us. As I have already shown, these disciples were not men of moral virtue and trustworthiness. The proof of this is that Peter admittedly lied three times in one night! (Mark 14:66-72). Judas betrayed his own master. And these were supposedly the most devoted admirers of Jesus. Yet, Christians ask us to believe that the words which such men wrote are just as holy and inspired as the true prophets of God!
Finally, Israel's God pronounced a curse upon anyone who put their trust in another man. Moreover, the Bible clearly states that the heart of such a person had departed from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5). In direct opposition to God's holy word, Jesus told his disciples to come follow him (Luke 18:22). Not even our great lawgiver, Moses,
ever told us to follow him. He always commanded our fathers to put their trust in God. But the followers of Jesus go so far as to take upon themselves his name rather than the name of God. That is why they call themselves "Christians." We honor Moses but we don't take upon ourselves his name. We revere the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Samuel and all the others, but we don't claim our allegiance to them. We worship God, not some man who claims to speak for God. But Christians have no such belief. They put their trust in the man Jesus.
Now, you might want to try helping your Christian neighbor find his way to the God of the Bible. But bear in mind that it will be difficult to talk to him because Christians have their own unique definition of biblical terms. So when they use the term "Messiah," they're not thinking of the biblical Messiah, but of the criminal Jesus. When they speak of "sacrifice," they don't mean the sacred rites of the temple of God, but refer to the execution of the criminal Jesus. A true Jew understands salvation to be God's intervention in the affairs of men to save his people, Israel, from their enemies. But Christians use the term "salvation" to mean resurrection and going to heaven to live with God. And this comes only if you believe in their other messiah!
We love the Christian people and need to do everything in our power to bring them back to the God of the Bible. You should, of course, pray for your Christian friends. But you can do more. The ministry we have organized here at Yeshivah Ahuvat ha-Shem needs your help in order to continue its work in exposing the insidious Christian conspiracy against the Jewish people. Please send your love offerings to us at Yavneh-Yam. Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness to his ways and your generosity in helping us protect his word.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yohanan bar Alcalai
(adapted from "Solving the Christian Puzzle" by John Tvedtnes)
Before anyone accuses a Mormon of belonging to a Cult, one should take Christianity from the "point of view" as it might be seen from a Jewish perspective. Perhaps you wouldn't be "SO SURE" that what you are saying isn't the same nonsense that you could be hearing from a Jew regarding our savior, Jesus Christ.
Moreover, instead of deal harshly with the Mormons and give them a hard time, making judgments without cause, consider what Christ said in the "Sermon on the Mount."
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
POSTSCRIPT: It might be argued that the above characterization of Christian beliefs is inaccurate or misleading. However, every allegation, as seen from the Jewish viewpoint, has been stated factually. What a Christian would really object to is how those facts have been presented in an unflattering and biased way, while ignoring other important information which might convince an objective reader to view Christians differently. Yet, that is exactly how Latter-day Saints feel about the way most Christian writers and preachers often characterize Mormons to their followers.
P.S.S. Christianity. A standard would be set up and it would reclaim Israel!
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 Renewed article from before entitled, "Christianity was a cult LONG before Mormonism" - using new tags and helps. #MormonCult THE STANDARD
Many Christian churches today teach that Mormonism is a cult religion. The reason for this is that we do not believe in Christ's teachings as they do. According to them, the Bible teaches that Jesus was the last prophet and that there are to be no more after Him. Therefore, any religion which claims to have prophets must be a false church. Indeed, the Bible clearly foretells that in the last days there will be false prophets (Matthew 24:24). The same is true of apostles. According to what most Christian churches teach, there were only twelve, specially chosen men called to be apostles. When these men died, not only were there to be no more apostles, but there was no more need for such men. According to most Christian churches, the Bible is absolutely complete. When the last apostle died, everything that God intended to tell us had entirely and finally been written down. Therefore, any church which claims to have new scriptures, is in direct conflict with the words of the Bible itself when it declares that we should neither add to nor subtract from the words of God
(Revelation 22:18,19)
According to most Christian churches, the Bible is the inerrant word of God. To them that means that down through the centuries the Bible has been perfectly copied and accurately translated. Every word, jot and tittle which were penned by the ancient writers has been faithfully preserved to our present day. Therefore, any religion that claims the Bible is not absolutely inerrant is considered to be a cult. Furthermore, any religion which changes the traditionally accepted wording of the Bible is likewise a cult. (This would include the Jehovah Witnesses with their "New World Translation," the Christian Scientists with their "Science and Health with keys to the Scriptures," and the Mormons with their Biblical quotes as found in the "Book of Mormon" and the Joseph Smith translation.)
According to most Christian churches, the correctness of their beliefs is time tested. That is, it has endured through centuries of debate. Therefore, any church which teaches something different than the time-tested, orthodox doctrines of mainstream Christianity is heretical by definition. Perhaps the most common doctrine taught among today's Protestant churches states that salvation comes solely through God's grace without the need for us to perform any saving works, ordinances, or good deeds. Therefore, any religion which teaches something different than what is generally accepted by most Christian faiths is a cult.
According to most Christian churches, visions, revelations, and angelic appearances ceased with the death of the apostles. The stated reason for this lack of heavenly manifestations is that God's word - the Bible - is now complete. As such, there is no longer any need for God to reveal Himself to man in such supernatural ways because man can know everything he needs to about salvation through reading the Bible. Therefore, any religion which claims to have visions, revelations or angelic appearances is considered to violate the teachings of the Bible which declares "though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).
According to most Christians, they believe we should put our trust in God and in His word rather than in the "arm of flesh," meaning a mortal man. The Bible foretells that in the last days there shall be false Christs, false apostles and false prophets. Therefore, anyone who claims to speak for God and encourages others to follow them, is not only an imposter but are to be considered a cult leader. Because Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet of God and developed a devoted following of disciples, many Christians consider him to be a cult leader. Furthermore, the church which he organized is based on a continuing succession of prophets and apostles which the church membership is expected to faithfully listen to and follow, thereby perpetuating this definition of a cult.
According to many in the Christian community, Mormonism is also a cult based on the sullied character of its founder, Joseph Smith. He has been described as a money-digger who was only interested in bilking people out of their money. He has been labeled a person with a wild, vivid imagination, whose greatest hoax was the story of receiving gold plates from an angel of God. The many times that Joseph Smith was arrested and held in prison has been proof to some that he must have committed crimes against society which warranted his incarceration. The practice of polygamy has convinced some that Mormons not only are willing to violate the laws of the land but reject the moral laws of God as well.
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon from gold plates delivered to Joseph Smith by an angel. According to many Christians, there is nothing to prove that such an event actually happened. Despite the testimonies of three special witnesses, and, later, eight more witnesses, many Christians remain highly skeptical because all of these testimonies come from close friends and associates of Joseph Smith rather than from credible, independent sources.
Because of these, and other reasons, many Christian leaders feel it is their duty to warn others of the false and unChristlike doctrines which Mormons teach. Therefore, they hold meetings, circulate pamphlets, write books and preach sermons which point out in great detail how each Mormon belief violates God's word. And they do this in an effort to protect unsuspecting and gullible people from being deceived by the innocent appearance of clean-cut missionaries, who proclaim their message with sincerity and seeming piousness.
If all of this is true, then the same standard of judgment should apply to everyone, including those of traditional Christianity. In that case, let's consider how a Jewish Rabbi would view those who profess a belief in Jesus Christ:
Friday, January 22, 2010
God calls messengers to represent him today.
"Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father." John 6: 46
God will choose whom he will and men will deny it. They will find reasons why not to believe them and their reasoning may be well thought out and logical but this does not change the plan in which God uses to reveal truth unto men. Jesus Christ, the greatest of them all, was still somehow found guilty of treason and heresy but there are few Christians today who would subscribe to such an idea. Having written that, there are many who have taken the role of the Jews and use their reasoning to condemn the things that they do not understand today. They pit the restored gospel up against their own knowledge and they consider their wisdom above the revealed word of God.
Isaiah saw a day when the wisdom of men would be proven folly.
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." Isaiah 29:13-14
The precepts of men have prevailed for centuries. Ideas like the Nicene Creed would perish along with any other man made theory about the doctrines and gospel of Christ. We are living in a great time with the light of the gospel taught in its purity or neither you or I have the full story. Without prophets, both of us would be in error and neither of us would be correct... but the Lord has begun this mighty work... the stone which has been cut out of the mountain without hands continue to roll forth throughout the whole earth and will continue to do so with or without our consent.
I only prefer that I am found helping to push or pull this great stone foreseen by Daniel instead of watching it from the sidelines, arms folded, and wondering what all of the fuss is about.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
In other words, during the days of the many European Kingdoms as represented by the iron mixed with miry clay, would this kingdom of the Lord then be established. We just have to but track the kingdoms from the Babylonians on down the line until there were "many kingdoms" round the world. The Spaniards were not united with the English... the French were separate from the Portuguese... all in fine, were the kingdoms in which Daniel saw and it would be during the existence of these kingdoms that we would see this great work. If Christ had not set this great work up, it would be everlastingly too late for the prophecy in which Daniel saw should come forth. There are no longer many of those kingdoms. The stone has already begun to break these kingdoms up. This work has already begun.
45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
The prophecies of Daniel would come forth and all be fulfilled or he is not a prophet.
"How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints."
D&C 121:33
It is my desire that you no longer aim to prove these things to be false... but that you seek to learn from God in heaven that they are true. Be not like unto the Jews who continuously questioned Jesus and ultimately found him guilty of heresy. You will always find something that you don't agree with but it is not the labor of men to bend the will of God to their understanding of it... but the other way around.
I testify that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration... that Thomas Monson is the Lord's representative today. He is the steward of modern Israel and we continue to be directed by prophets. The Lord has chosen these men to be his representatives until the time in which Jesus Christ shall return. We look forward to the day when he does. There is much to do in the Lord's vineyard. It is my prayer that someday we will work along side one another in this great work.
God will choose whom he will and men will deny it. They will find reasons why not to believe them and their reasoning may be well thought out and logical but this does not change the plan in which God uses to reveal truth unto men. Jesus Christ, the greatest of them all, was still somehow found guilty of treason and heresy but there are few Christians today who would subscribe to such an idea. Having written that, there are many who have taken the role of the Jews and use their reasoning to condemn the things that they do not understand today. They pit the restored gospel up against their own knowledge and they consider their wisdom above the revealed word of God.
Isaiah saw a day when the wisdom of men would be proven folly.
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." Isaiah 29:13-14
The precepts of men have prevailed for centuries. Ideas like the Nicene Creed would perish along with any other man made theory about the doctrines and gospel of Christ. We are living in a great time with the light of the gospel taught in its purity or neither you or I have the full story. Without prophets, both of us would be in error and neither of us would be correct... but the Lord has begun this mighty work... the stone which has been cut out of the mountain without hands continue to roll forth throughout the whole earth and will continue to do so with or without our consent.
I only prefer that I am found helping to push or pull this great stone foreseen by Daniel instead of watching it from the sidelines, arms folded, and wondering what all of the fuss is about.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
In other words, during the days of the many European Kingdoms as represented by the iron mixed with miry clay, would this kingdom of the Lord then be established. We just have to but track the kingdoms from the Babylonians on down the line until there were "many kingdoms" round the world. The Spaniards were not united with the English... the French were separate from the Portuguese... all in fine, were the kingdoms in which Daniel saw and it would be during the existence of these kingdoms that we would see this great work. If Christ had not set this great work up, it would be everlastingly too late for the prophecy in which Daniel saw should come forth. There are no longer many of those kingdoms. The stone has already begun to break these kingdoms up. This work has already begun.
45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
The prophecies of Daniel would come forth and all be fulfilled or he is not a prophet.
"How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints."
D&C 121:33
It is my desire that you no longer aim to prove these things to be false... but that you seek to learn from God in heaven that they are true. Be not like unto the Jews who continuously questioned Jesus and ultimately found him guilty of heresy. You will always find something that you don't agree with but it is not the labor of men to bend the will of God to their understanding of it... but the other way around.
I testify that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration... that Thomas Monson is the Lord's representative today. He is the steward of modern Israel and we continue to be directed by prophets. The Lord has chosen these men to be his representatives until the time in which Jesus Christ shall return. We look forward to the day when he does. There is much to do in the Lord's vineyard. It is my prayer that someday we will work along side one another in this great work.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Proving Colossians - Scriptures are not meant for "Private Interpretation" or to be read out of Context
On one of my YT video threads, I had just a Book, Chapter and verse to review. I'm not criticizing him for leaving the scripture. It's a wonderful verse but it, in kind, is an example of 'scripture mining' and reading them out of context. In this blog entry, I attempt to bring this scripture to life as it was left on my comment thread as still born.
Take Col 2:8 for example; let me give you a full and complete background for it.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col 2:8
Who: Paul is writing. To whom? The Church in Colossae, or the Colossians.
Why? Or what problems were they facing in that early church?
The warning was written to the saints or members of the church as Colossians and in this verse, he counsels them to avoid the traditions of their day; from the article, "Unearthing Ancient Colossae in Southern Turkey: theology and archaeology in dialogue." by Michael Tanner, we learn,
"Some Colossian Christians had become very attracted to the ascetical and religious practices of local folk religions. The exact nature of these practices is uncertain though it is clear that they contained a mixture of pagan elements and Jewish ascetical practices, combined with the worship of local and foreign deities."
(ie, Roman or Greek Gods... Zeus, Jupiter, etc...)
Let's apply this apples to apples comparison to our day;
What Paul warned the the Colossian Church about could very well equate to our celebration of Christmas and Easter. Now I like both Christmas and Easter but not for the reasons we see them portrayed.
Christmas = Family and Presents ... or it is a time to reflect on Jesus Christ; his birth, life and resurrection.
Easter = A bunny who hides eggs for the world to find?
or we take time out to reflect on Christ's suffering for our sins, his death, and resurrection on the 3rd day.
Or we celebrate this to the "Letter of the Law" like Orthodox Christians do and reject it altogether... but I see no harm in having special days of the year to reflect on the life of Christ...
In addition:
The thinkers who lived in Colossae were into philosophy, science, astronomy and all manner of intellectual thinking. Paul wrote this letter to the church in order to help them fortify against the ideas that were espoused by those men of the City which did not support God as being the supreme being.
They thought they knew of themselves and their wisdom of the cosmos trumped the understanding of God's people and his prophet, Peter... or the 12 Apostles, as well.
Such "Theorists" of Evolution, "Big Bang" and other non-creationist ideas prevail in our world today compare to the "great thinkers" in Colossae and is an "Apples to Apples comparison."
However, the more powerful the "telescope," the more support through evidence proves that the universe is "Galaxies without End" and denotes the hand of a "Great Creator" vs a big bang.
http://www.compassreview.org/summer02/8.html
Conclusion;
Scriptures are not meant for private interpretation. They are not just words you can apply as a "Blanket CoverAll" over things that disagree with your assessment of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I invite you to read scriptures in context. As I've said before, they are not just words to interpret. It was written for the church and canonized in scripture. Canonization does not mean blanket cover over all themes based on the understanding of the "reader." You were neither alive during their day nor are you a member of Paul's congregation. The Church of Jesus Christ of "Latter-day Saints" claims to be a modern counterpart to the early church & of the same organization. Just because your understanding of the gospel differs from Latter-day Prophets does not mean that we are not a modern extension of the early church.
I could do the same thing for you about Galatians 1:6-9... just about any other with proper preparation and study into the "context." What happens when people actually read the scriptures in the proper context, is they lean towards accepting the "True Gospel of Jesus Christ." as it is taught by modern prophets because those folks quickly realize that understanding prophecy is beyond them and an accurate understanding of the scriptures were best held by the prophets who wrote them. Those people yearn for the understanding of the prophets and imagine what it was like to sit down at Peter's feet to learn doctrine... and then they question to themselves, "Could those guys [Mormons] really have a prophet or not? But as long as you rely on your own understanding, which is limited to the understanding of men, it's a never ending cycle of "I know better because this verse says this..." or "My pastor says this..." never putting your own credentials or the credentials of others in check.
But if you interpret them privately or accept the private interpretations of your pastors and colleagues, they are just words that are hoped to befuddle or debunk the LDS church given without power or precedent. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on the face of the earth that claims revelation from God through his prophets. I testify that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of the Lord and the prophet of the restoration. That Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and the current steward in Zion. I know that I learn the Gospel at the foot of prophets and I testify that priesthood authority is held by those men as well as myself, being an Elder in this church... the same sort of Elder found mentioned of in James 5:14
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Take Col 2:8 for example; let me give you a full and complete background for it.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col 2:8
Who: Paul is writing. To whom? The Church in Colossae, or the Colossians.
Why? Or what problems were they facing in that early church?
The warning was written to the saints or members of the church as Colossians and in this verse, he counsels them to avoid the traditions of their day; from the article, "Unearthing Ancient Colossae in Southern Turkey: theology and archaeology in dialogue." by Michael Tanner, we learn,
"Some Colossian Christians had become very attracted to the ascetical and religious practices of local folk religions. The exact nature of these practices is uncertain though it is clear that they contained a mixture of pagan elements and Jewish ascetical practices, combined with the worship of local and foreign deities."
(ie, Roman or Greek Gods... Zeus, Jupiter, etc...)
Let's apply this apples to apples comparison to our day;
What Paul warned the the Colossian Church about could very well equate to our celebration of Christmas and Easter. Now I like both Christmas and Easter but not for the reasons we see them portrayed.
Christmas = Family and Presents ... or it is a time to reflect on Jesus Christ; his birth, life and resurrection.
Easter = A bunny who hides eggs for the world to find?
or we take time out to reflect on Christ's suffering for our sins, his death, and resurrection on the 3rd day.
Or we celebrate this to the "Letter of the Law" like Orthodox Christians do and reject it altogether... but I see no harm in having special days of the year to reflect on the life of Christ...
In addition:
The thinkers who lived in Colossae were into philosophy, science, astronomy and all manner of intellectual thinking. Paul wrote this letter to the church in order to help them fortify against the ideas that were espoused by those men of the City which did not support God as being the supreme being.
They thought they knew of themselves and their wisdom of the cosmos trumped the understanding of God's people and his prophet, Peter... or the 12 Apostles, as well.
Such "Theorists" of Evolution, "Big Bang" and other non-creationist ideas prevail in our world today compare to the "great thinkers" in Colossae and is an "Apples to Apples comparison."
However, the more powerful the "telescope," the more support through evidence proves that the universe is "Galaxies without End" and denotes the hand of a "Great Creator" vs a big bang.
http://www.compassreview.org/summer02/8.html
Conclusion;
Scriptures are not meant for private interpretation. They are not just words you can apply as a "Blanket CoverAll" over things that disagree with your assessment of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I invite you to read scriptures in context. As I've said before, they are not just words to interpret. It was written for the church and canonized in scripture. Canonization does not mean blanket cover over all themes based on the understanding of the "reader." You were neither alive during their day nor are you a member of Paul's congregation. The Church of Jesus Christ of "Latter-day Saints" claims to be a modern counterpart to the early church & of the same organization. Just because your understanding of the gospel differs from Latter-day Prophets does not mean that we are not a modern extension of the early church.
I could do the same thing for you about Galatians 1:6-9... just about any other with proper preparation and study into the "context." What happens when people actually read the scriptures in the proper context, is they lean towards accepting the "True Gospel of Jesus Christ." as it is taught by modern prophets because those folks quickly realize that understanding prophecy is beyond them and an accurate understanding of the scriptures were best held by the prophets who wrote them. Those people yearn for the understanding of the prophets and imagine what it was like to sit down at Peter's feet to learn doctrine... and then they question to themselves, "Could those guys [Mormons] really have a prophet or not? But as long as you rely on your own understanding, which is limited to the understanding of men, it's a never ending cycle of "I know better because this verse says this..." or "My pastor says this..." never putting your own credentials or the credentials of others in check.
But if you interpret them privately or accept the private interpretations of your pastors and colleagues, they are just words that are hoped to befuddle or debunk the LDS church given without power or precedent. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on the face of the earth that claims revelation from God through his prophets. I testify that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of the Lord and the prophet of the restoration. That Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and the current steward in Zion. I know that I learn the Gospel at the foot of prophets and I testify that priesthood authority is held by those men as well as myself, being an Elder in this church... the same sort of Elder found mentioned of in James 5:14
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, November 16, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The patriarchal blessing of Jacob to his son, Joseph - Part 2 of his latter-day dream.
Amos 5:15 - Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
I think I had an epiphany while making the second video about Joseph. It was while I was working on the "Spanish Version" of it that I felt compelled to include things that were revealed to me before my eyes! I wrote one of my close YouTube friends just shortly after posting the video. This is the result of that letter:
Judge for yourselves and pray unto God that he may show you the truth of this enlightenment that I received. I am not the first nor will I be the last to have such an epiphany... but for what it's worth, this is what I wrote.
Joseph had 2 dreams.
The first pertained to his immediate family. (saving the house of Israel)
Most folks assume that the two dreams were one in the same just as Pharaoh's three separate dreams that were also one in the same. He did in fact win the favor of Pharaoh and saved his family from the famine (which also was important... no Israel... no more Abrahamic Covenant)
There were many prophecies regarding Joseph that his other 11 brothers did not receive. For example: In Genesis 49:22-26, he received a "grand blessing" compared to his other siblings. His (Joseph) descendants would inherit the land full of bounty, occupying the "everlasting hills as it were... which helps explain the 2nd dream in greater detail! "His posterity would be as numerous as the sands of the sea upon this land of their inheritance... which could JUST not have happened in the tiny country of Israel." It said Joseph would be a fruitful vine and clearly be like a cup overfilled with water spilling out across the Isles of the sea.
This second dream would explain what would happen to the world as a result of this "righteous branch" leaving the Holy Land and would inhabit the Isles of the Sea, as Isaiah suggests were remnants of Israel being very fruitful and multiplying exceedingly! (See Isa. 23: 2) Joseph's second dream, about the sun, the moon and the stars represent a much BIGGER vision of the Latter-days that I had never before thought! That there would also be a famine upon the earth... not of "food and water" but of receiving the word of God. (Amos 8:11) or a "Great Apostacy" as we know to have come about, according to both Old and New Testament prophecy.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars all bowing down before Joseph in his dream signifies all men and women both bond and free from each of the 3 degrees of Glory will one day be made to bow down before God and confess that they had the opportunity to hear about the great coming forth of the Gospel which John, the revelator saw, as it is recorded in Revelations 14:6-7
Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Christ is the savior and we will be judged according to our access to the Bible, or both the Bible and the Book of Mormon respectively according to their access of either. (Rom. 14: 11, Mosiah 27: 31)
And that Joseph, though his descendants, would be the remedy to the famine which should surely come to pass, and already did, during the great Apostacy.
And the revealing of the "everlasting gospel" which the Angel should bring was contained in "The Book of Mormon" Note: the Nephites were of the geneology of Joseph. Nephi makes this point clear in 1 Nephi 6:1-2... So the righteous branch of the House of Israel was indeed from the lineage of Joseph according to the genealogy which Lehi discovered upon the plates of Brass.
Although I had the epiphany while making the Spanish video, my one in English touches lightly on this. I'll at least add those things into my "about the clip" section of the movie.
Thank you for letting me share this with you!
I now share with you both videos in each language, English and Spanish.
It is my prayer that if you have not read the Book of Mormon, that you read it.
If you have read this book, read it again along with the Bible for the Lord will judge us according to how well we lived his commandments. And we learn his commandments through the gift of the Holy Scriptures which we surely have received!
En Espanol:
In English:
Parte 2 En Espanol:
Part 2: In English
I think I had an epiphany while making the second video about Joseph. It was while I was working on the "Spanish Version" of it that I felt compelled to include things that were revealed to me before my eyes! I wrote one of my close YouTube friends just shortly after posting the video. This is the result of that letter:
Judge for yourselves and pray unto God that he may show you the truth of this enlightenment that I received. I am not the first nor will I be the last to have such an epiphany... but for what it's worth, this is what I wrote.
Joseph had 2 dreams.
The first pertained to his immediate family. (saving the house of Israel)
Most folks assume that the two dreams were one in the same just as Pharaoh's three separate dreams that were also one in the same. He did in fact win the favor of Pharaoh and saved his family from the famine (which also was important... no Israel... no more Abrahamic Covenant)
There were many prophecies regarding Joseph that his other 11 brothers did not receive. For example: In Genesis 49:22-26, he received a "grand blessing" compared to his other siblings. His (Joseph) descendants would inherit the land full of bounty, occupying the "everlasting hills as it were... which helps explain the 2nd dream in greater detail! "His posterity would be as numerous as the sands of the sea upon this land of their inheritance... which could JUST not have happened in the tiny country of Israel." It said Joseph would be a fruitful vine and clearly be like a cup overfilled with water spilling out across the Isles of the sea.
This second dream would explain what would happen to the world as a result of this "righteous branch" leaving the Holy Land and would inhabit the Isles of the Sea, as Isaiah suggests were remnants of Israel being very fruitful and multiplying exceedingly! (See Isa. 23: 2) Joseph's second dream, about the sun, the moon and the stars represent a much BIGGER vision of the Latter-days that I had never before thought! That there would also be a famine upon the earth... not of "food and water" but of receiving the word of God. (Amos 8:11) or a "Great Apostacy" as we know to have come about, according to both Old and New Testament prophecy.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars all bowing down before Joseph in his dream signifies all men and women both bond and free from each of the 3 degrees of Glory will one day be made to bow down before God and confess that they had the opportunity to hear about the great coming forth of the Gospel which John, the revelator saw, as it is recorded in Revelations 14:6-7
Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Christ is the savior and we will be judged according to our access to the Bible, or both the Bible and the Book of Mormon respectively according to their access of either. (Rom. 14: 11, Mosiah 27: 31)
And that Joseph, though his descendants, would be the remedy to the famine which should surely come to pass, and already did, during the great Apostacy.
And the revealing of the "everlasting gospel" which the Angel should bring was contained in "The Book of Mormon" Note: the Nephites were of the geneology of Joseph. Nephi makes this point clear in 1 Nephi 6:1-2... So the righteous branch of the House of Israel was indeed from the lineage of Joseph according to the genealogy which Lehi discovered upon the plates of Brass.
Although I had the epiphany while making the Spanish video, my one in English touches lightly on this. I'll at least add those things into my "about the clip" section of the movie.
Thank you for letting me share this with you!
I now share with you both videos in each language, English and Spanish.
It is my prayer that if you have not read the Book of Mormon, that you read it.
If you have read this book, read it again along with the Bible for the Lord will judge us according to how well we lived his commandments. And we learn his commandments through the gift of the Holy Scriptures which we surely have received!
En Espanol:
In English:
Parte 2 En Espanol:
Part 2: In English
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Isaiah; The Latter-Day Prophecy Is Being Fulfilled Today! Only one church was endowed & is taking ownership of this prophecy and putting it to work.
First of all, thank you for finding the link to come here and view my blog. I can only write 500 hundred characters on my home page at YouTube and I don't want to monopolize those comment sections. I would rather have the space available for you and your comments.
I had scripture study today and while I was reading in Isaiah, I stumbled upon a study aide that allowed me to recognize this same chapter of Isaiah was also included in Nephi's record. I will quote the chapter of Isaiah and visit scriptures both in Isaiah and in the Book of Mormon as I see necessary to illuminate and add commentary to this particular chapter of scripture.
Isaiah was a great seer and amongst many of the Biblical prophets, he wrote not only of the Savior's first coming but that of the "Latter-Day Work" which would take place prior to Jesus Christ's triumphant return.
My aim is to present the information as best as possible, keeping the scriptures constantly before me and help provide cross-references for "ease of additional searching" that you undoubtedly may do!
Messiah shall be a light to the Gentiles and shall free the prisoners—Israel shall be gathered with power in the last days—Kings shall be their nursing fathers—Compare 1 Nephi 21.
Isaiah Chapter 49:
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
5 ¶ And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a alight to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor athirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 ¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
18 ¶ Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.
19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
20 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 ¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that ppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
Nephi, the son of Lehi also wrote about and quoted entire passages of Isaiah. They had the prophesies of Isaiah but Nephi included certain chapters of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon... almost as though he knew! Well, according to the Book of Mormon, he saw the same signs and revelations that the Apostle John did see but he was forbidden to write them for John had already been commissioned of Jesus Christ to write them as "The Book of Revelations".
No doubt, Nephi saw our day and thought that these Latter-Day prophesies would be of great worth to the Children of Men, more especially those who belonged to the House of Israel through the covenant.
One of my favorite verses in Isaiah 49 is verse 16: For the "Lord" surely saw the savior and what he would be subject to and how the nails would be driven through his hands. Isaiah is "so poetic" in his writings that he lets Israel know that they are engraven upon the palms of his hands which is symbolic for the "sacrifice" that he would perform by being raised up on the Cross. Furthermore, Zechariah would also echo this when he sees what the Jews response when they view him return triumphant saying, "What are these woulds in thine hands? and Christ will reply, "These are the wounds I received in the house of my friends." and in this instant, the entire Jewish nation will recognize their messiah and know that it was he who came the first time.
Many prophecies of Isaiah and John the Revelator are still pending but the most powerful testament that God's work is being carried out in the world today is being done through the Latter-Day Saint church, as described by Isaiah.
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
There are many who contest the meaning of this scripture. I testify to you that Isaiah truly meant these shoes to be filled by the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. Priesthood authority would be given unto the gentiles to once again, help reclaim Israel, God's ancient covenant people. If this mission was meant to have been accomplished by another sect or creed, it certainly isn't being done at the level in which the Mormons are doing it.
They have spread all across the globe declaring glad tidings and publishing peace. Like unto the early days of Christ's church which fell into Apostacy a few decades after Christ's 40 days spent with his Apostles. All biblical prophecies both old and new testament had to come to pass just the way that it did.
Daniel said that the stone cut out of the mountain without hands would fill the whole earth! (Daniel 2)
Malachi testified that a prophet would prepare the way of the Lord just prior to his second coming. No other earthy recording of this prophecy has been brought to the world's attention save the mission of the LDS Church claiming ownership of these prophecies' fulfillment. Malachi testifies of Joseph Smith's mission. (Malachi 3:1) (compare 3 Nephi 24)
It is this same Church of Jesus Christ which will redeem Israel to the fulfillment of Malachi's other prophecy, "and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness or in other words, the Priesthood Authority will be restored to Israel and they will be redeemed from the fall through the blood of the lamb. (Malachi 3:3)
Searching for these prophecies
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Many people, once they join the Church of Jesus Christ, have left the church and continue to leave. They feel "ashamed" to belong to the true church of God and this shame is taught by the precepts of men. It is like Lehi's dream of the tree of life which is later elaborated upon by Nephi. There are but save two churches on the earth today. The Church of God and the Church of the Devil. 1 Ne. 14: 10
It is also said that the members of this church of God would be few. Even at 13 million, it is a spec of sand compared to the billions of people living on earth.
It was the mission of the church to "find the elect" and help "build the kingdom of God on earth" Many are called to the work, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and caspire to the honors of men..." D&C 121:35
24 ¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
We learn that the "lawful" are considered as scattered Israel. Which was prophesied they should become a "hiss and a byword" and in many cases, they were imprisoned as well as found in foreign lands. The coming of the Lord the second time would mean that Israel first would begin to be gathered back into their own lands. Israel began returning to the Holy land in droves as a sign of the times which should also come forth in the latter-days and we know that the house of Judah and many others are returning to Israel at this time.
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that opress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
God has promised judgment against those responsible for deterring the work of God even with harsh and absolute judgment. It will have been better that they had never known of the name Jesus Christ, whom they professed to be fighting for. They are like unto "Saul of Tarsus" save there is no redemption prepared for them for they are bitter to the very end and fight against Zion until their bodies have no more breath in them. Even in their dying words, they will curse God for they never knew him, as they so profess such.
I hope you enjoy this short 10 minute video and use "Chapter 22" of 1 Nephi to assist you in the convincing of both the Jew and Gentile that the latter-day work is moving forward. Let them know that the Lord could use their help! Warm them with the pleasing word of God until their spirits are no longer cold and calloused. Nourish them until they come to the knowledge of our savior. Speak unto them with full purpose of heart and let them only feel of your love for them. God loves them and has a place for each of them if they so choose to listen with their hearts.
If they be "true followers of Jesus Christ" they will recognize his voice and take their rightful place in the house of Israel and be saved along with Abraham, and with Isaac and with Jacob;
I thank everyone who has visited this blog and wish them a pleasant day. It is my prayer that you get into the scriptures and pray to the Lord over them and he will truly bless you with the spirit of discernment and with the spirit of prophecy so that the words of both Isaiah and those of Nephi can be understood in your minds as the Lord would have you know them.
The latter-day work continues forth and does so with or without us. It is my prayer that it will go forth with us so that we, along with our many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ may too enjoy the blessings of the Celestial Kingdom with our father and dwell with him in the mansions of our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I had scripture study today and while I was reading in Isaiah, I stumbled upon a study aide that allowed me to recognize this same chapter of Isaiah was also included in Nephi's record. I will quote the chapter of Isaiah and visit scriptures both in Isaiah and in the Book of Mormon as I see necessary to illuminate and add commentary to this particular chapter of scripture.
Isaiah was a great seer and amongst many of the Biblical prophets, he wrote not only of the Savior's first coming but that of the "Latter-Day Work" which would take place prior to Jesus Christ's triumphant return.
My aim is to present the information as best as possible, keeping the scriptures constantly before me and help provide cross-references for "ease of additional searching" that you undoubtedly may do!
Messiah shall be a light to the Gentiles and shall free the prisoners—Israel shall be gathered with power in the last days—Kings shall be their nursing fathers—Compare 1 Nephi 21.
Isaiah Chapter 49:
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
5 ¶ And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a alight to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor athirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 ¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
18 ¶ Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.
19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
20 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 ¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that ppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
Nephi, the son of Lehi also wrote about and quoted entire passages of Isaiah. They had the prophesies of Isaiah but Nephi included certain chapters of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon... almost as though he knew! Well, according to the Book of Mormon, he saw the same signs and revelations that the Apostle John did see but he was forbidden to write them for John had already been commissioned of Jesus Christ to write them as "The Book of Revelations".
No doubt, Nephi saw our day and thought that these Latter-Day prophesies would be of great worth to the Children of Men, more especially those who belonged to the House of Israel through the covenant.
One of my favorite verses in Isaiah 49 is verse 16: For the "Lord" surely saw the savior and what he would be subject to and how the nails would be driven through his hands. Isaiah is "so poetic" in his writings that he lets Israel know that they are engraven upon the palms of his hands which is symbolic for the "sacrifice" that he would perform by being raised up on the Cross. Furthermore, Zechariah would also echo this when he sees what the Jews response when they view him return triumphant saying, "What are these woulds in thine hands? and Christ will reply, "These are the wounds I received in the house of my friends." and in this instant, the entire Jewish nation will recognize their messiah and know that it was he who came the first time.
Many prophecies of Isaiah and John the Revelator are still pending but the most powerful testament that God's work is being carried out in the world today is being done through the Latter-Day Saint church, as described by Isaiah.
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
There are many who contest the meaning of this scripture. I testify to you that Isaiah truly meant these shoes to be filled by the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. Priesthood authority would be given unto the gentiles to once again, help reclaim Israel, God's ancient covenant people. If this mission was meant to have been accomplished by another sect or creed, it certainly isn't being done at the level in which the Mormons are doing it.
They have spread all across the globe declaring glad tidings and publishing peace. Like unto the early days of Christ's church which fell into Apostacy a few decades after Christ's 40 days spent with his Apostles. All biblical prophecies both old and new testament had to come to pass just the way that it did.
Daniel said that the stone cut out of the mountain without hands would fill the whole earth! (Daniel 2)
Malachi testified that a prophet would prepare the way of the Lord just prior to his second coming. No other earthy recording of this prophecy has been brought to the world's attention save the mission of the LDS Church claiming ownership of these prophecies' fulfillment. Malachi testifies of Joseph Smith's mission. (Malachi 3:1) (compare 3 Nephi 24)
It is this same Church of Jesus Christ which will redeem Israel to the fulfillment of Malachi's other prophecy, "and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness or in other words, the Priesthood Authority will be restored to Israel and they will be redeemed from the fall through the blood of the lamb. (Malachi 3:3)
Searching for these prophecies
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Many people, once they join the Church of Jesus Christ, have left the church and continue to leave. They feel "ashamed" to belong to the true church of God and this shame is taught by the precepts of men. It is like Lehi's dream of the tree of life which is later elaborated upon by Nephi. There are but save two churches on the earth today. The Church of God and the Church of the Devil. 1 Ne. 14: 10
It is also said that the members of this church of God would be few. Even at 13 million, it is a spec of sand compared to the billions of people living on earth.
It was the mission of the church to "find the elect" and help "build the kingdom of God on earth" Many are called to the work, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and caspire to the honors of men..." D&C 121:35
24 ¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
We learn that the "lawful" are considered as scattered Israel. Which was prophesied they should become a "hiss and a byword" and in many cases, they were imprisoned as well as found in foreign lands. The coming of the Lord the second time would mean that Israel first would begin to be gathered back into their own lands. Israel began returning to the Holy land in droves as a sign of the times which should also come forth in the latter-days and we know that the house of Judah and many others are returning to Israel at this time.
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that opress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
God has promised judgment against those responsible for deterring the work of God even with harsh and absolute judgment. It will have been better that they had never known of the name Jesus Christ, whom they professed to be fighting for. They are like unto "Saul of Tarsus" save there is no redemption prepared for them for they are bitter to the very end and fight against Zion until their bodies have no more breath in them. Even in their dying words, they will curse God for they never knew him, as they so profess such.
I hope you enjoy this short 10 minute video and use "Chapter 22" of 1 Nephi to assist you in the convincing of both the Jew and Gentile that the latter-day work is moving forward. Let them know that the Lord could use their help! Warm them with the pleasing word of God until their spirits are no longer cold and calloused. Nourish them until they come to the knowledge of our savior. Speak unto them with full purpose of heart and let them only feel of your love for them. God loves them and has a place for each of them if they so choose to listen with their hearts.
If they be "true followers of Jesus Christ" they will recognize his voice and take their rightful place in the house of Israel and be saved along with Abraham, and with Isaac and with Jacob;
I thank everyone who has visited this blog and wish them a pleasant day. It is my prayer that you get into the scriptures and pray to the Lord over them and he will truly bless you with the spirit of discernment and with the spirit of prophecy so that the words of both Isaiah and those of Nephi can be understood in your minds as the Lord would have you know them.
The latter-day work continues forth and does so with or without us. It is my prayer that it will go forth with us so that we, along with our many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ may too enjoy the blessings of the Celestial Kingdom with our father and dwell with him in the mansions of our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Moroni Chapter 7
Foreword:
My aim is to completely discern the 7th Chapter of the Book of Moroni. It has been one of my favorite Books for decades. I could say the same thing about any of Moroni's writings both pars of the Book which is called "Mormon" towards the end of this record as well as in Moroni's book.
What I find fascinating is how Moroni carefully wrote down a few more things.
Mormon 8:35 "Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing."
Remembering that Moroni "saw our day and he knows our doing" brings EVERY word which he records to a much higher level of importance.
THE BOOK OF MORONI - Moroni
CHAPTER 7
"An invitation to enter into the rest of the Lord— Pray with real intent— The Spirit of Christ enables men to know good from evil— Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil—The prophets manifest the coming of Christ— By faith miracles are wrought and angels minister— Men should hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity."
Between A.D. 400 and 421
We know this occurred between 400 and 421 A.D. while Moroni had time to wander in the wilderness. It was his charge to keep the record and hide it up unto the Lord. One can only wonder what sights he did see and what he was really able to do all those years. Space was limited on the plate to really record much.
Moroni valued that space so much that even the mere "phrases he chose to include on the remaining space of this record could be considered priceless!" He did this as well as all prophets in The Book of Mormon, like Nephi for example:
"And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God." 1 Nephi 6:3
1 And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship. 2 And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time. 3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.
Now this is such a nice verse. I like it how most "Book of Mormon Prophets start out with something delightful. It is usually aimed at the faithful. Similarly to how Jacob began in the 3rd Chapter of Jacob. He started off giving the message of peace to the faithful, to let them know that the Lord was pleased with them, but then he had to deal with the "WICKED" for the remainder of his discourse...
4 And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men. 5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. 6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. 7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. 9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. 10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. 11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a cservant of the devil. 12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
This is the trouble with most people when they pray. They think they're making a "noise on their knees!" That's not prayer. Most people pray as though its a routine. When some try to extract answers from the Lord while not having real intent, HOW WILLING IS THE LORD TO ANSWER SUCH A MAN OR WOMAN?
I am willing to suggest that if a man or woman PRAY at all, that it be through works of faith. Just as God knows our hearts and our actions in life's daily course, so he also knows if our prayers are meaningful or not. One should pray with real purpose of heart even if he is not seeking answers from God. Otherwise, what does it profit a man? Nothing, just as Moroni suggests.
8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
What comes to my mind is if a man prays because he has to. I've heard it called, "The Post To" method. "I do it cuz I'm post to!" If a household is required to pray and the only answer his or her father or mother is able to give them which is, "You pray because you're supposed to" it neither helps the children nor the parent to start habitual prayers that don't mean anything.
It may sound like this:
"Heavenly Father.
Please bless the food. We thank you for our blessings. Thank you for my Mom and Dad. Thank you for everything. n'thnamahjesuzchrist, Amen!"
Firstly, its not reverent... secondly, its not teaching a man or woman how to sincerely pray. The necessary humility is not found and boys or girls are growing up without coming closer to our father in heaven because they aren't taught the sacredness of prayer.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
This scripture is the "Axis" on what the whole chapter revolves around. Moroni goes from teaching a man how to pray and then it goes into God's answers and how to discern them. I'm sure if someone prays and asks God if its okay to fornicate or do whatever they could imagine to ask him doesn't ALWAYS need an answer but in the case of "what is the truth about the gospel of Christ or what is not, one must sometimes ask God in fervent prayer. Here Moroni gave us the formula:
Invites us to do good = good
Invites us to do bad = bad
Its really VERY VERY simple and so are most things in the Gospel. (Alma 37: 6)
Again, verse 13: But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
Oddly enough, when I was a teenager, this scripture became more true than than people ever thought it would when Michael Jackson came out with his hit song, "Bad"
People went around singing, "You know I'm bad, I'm bad... ya know it! Ya know!" and people began to go around thinking it was okay to be, "A bad ass!" and it didn't take long for the Gospel of Christ to be that thing that was boring or uncool. Like seminary, mutual activities, and so forth. But people still do this today. Latter-day Saints are a peculiar people compared to the world. We don't drink or smoke or do MANY things which are deemed 'Bad' so we are the ones that others are told to avoid while lewd behavior and wild parties began to entice many into that great and spacious building, which Lehi had seen. (Nephi Ch. 8)
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. 18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
This is the part in verses 15-18 where Moroni knows that his words along with all the words spoken from the Book Of Mormon prophets may come back to haunt the world and even members of the church who do not read from them and adhere to their words as counsel. For those who "wrongfully judge their words as a thing of naught will also be judged. Nephi as well as Moroni BOTH warned the world that if they did not accept their words, they should stand face to face with us and declare that they are the "Words of Christ" and in no uncertain terms, those who did not do well with them or even reject them, it isn't gonna be a very good day for them, to say the least. 2 Nephi Ch. 33
According to Nephi, if people don't accept his words, then they won't be seeing him ever again. Nephi and the faithful will be in one place while the non-believers of Christ will be in another. He says good bye for ever, so certain that god will not be happy with their unwillingness to accept this great gift prepared for them.
Nephi actually says, "And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day." 2 Nephi 33:14
There will be a lot of people who will not see Nephi anymore and they think that is a good thing! There are plenty of enemies to righteousness that don't think that the Book of Mormon is anything of "God's making" They, unfortunately, will all have to stand face to face with God at the judgment bar and pointlessly make their case about why they never read the Book of Mormon. Some will fight it until the bitter end and not only will call the LDS religion a liar but will also curse God in that day for not making it better known unto them somehow.
19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. 20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing? 21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
I like how Moroni stays true to form. He also said that "Charity never faileth and he or she who possesses charity, it will be well with them. Charity is one of those "Good Things" that one should lay a hold of and if it be possible, we should lay up in store as much of that kind of thing as we can, the continually reading of good books and listening of good music couldn't be far behind.
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. 23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come. 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.
Moroni must have known that one day, he would return to this earth as an Angel. He is hoping that mankind will accept this return visit just as we accepted "The Angel Gabriel" who had come to prepare the way of the Lord, visiting Mary and also visiting the humble followers of the Law. Moroni must have known full well that he TOO would declare as it were with a trumpet unto all nations of the Earth.
25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. 26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you. 27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?
He fears that mankind will not accept miracles or anything like them, including the ministering of Angels because of their lack of faith for it is by faith and obedience of the law that ALL blessings are predicated.
D&C 130: 20-21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. 29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. 30 For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.
All too many people believe in a God without power. That somehow he no longer has the ability to send down miracles. Thus their faith is dead along with him. Some just say that God's work is done, but MAN will never tell God to work or not to work. He just DOES his work because it is his purpose. To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of Man. (Moses 1:39)
31 And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him. 32 And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men.
"The Residue of Men" means this, simply: That which remains after a part is taken, separated, removed, or designated; remnant; remainder or in other words, "those who remain or who are yet to come to this earth.
33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.
34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
This is how Moroni explains that someone just as seemingly insignificant as yourself or me could possibly do the work which he truly believes we can do. If we have faith in him, we'll be able to do our task and help build the Kingdom of God, for instance, but it is not limited to just that. He desires that we become better: line upon line, precept upon precept so that we may be saved an in turn, we can spread the gospel to those around us. We now have the power to do so!
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased? 36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? 37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have cease woe be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
He returns to his original thought he had been setting up to give his conclusion. We must know that Angels do not cease to visit man neither do they cease to do the work of the Lord. We must be like unto these angels also and be the miracles which are wrought among the children of men for we have power from on high to do so.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
Faith is the key. There are far too many who read the scriptures and blindly quote them either to their own satisfaction or attempt to quote scriptures to refute the true church of God and do so without faith. It is said of them, "Forasmuch as this people adraw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" Isaiah 29:13
39 But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church.
I just love this verse!
40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. 42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. 43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. 44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
The conditions that must exist for a man to have "Charity! Like a cookbook recipe, the ingredients for Charity are outlined"
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
All the knowledge of the world won't save a man. Not even if he's well versed. A man must truly live as he lived, meaning the savior, for things to go well for him or her at the last day.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
It is my prayer too that you be found with Charity, which is the pure love of Christ and we shall see then who Christ will recognize at the last day. Jesus Christ is my support, my friend, and my hero! He is my King and my master and I know that he is divine, son of our loving Father in Heaven, and he has come back to the earth before his second coming to help prepare a world where Charity may exist. God has given us this great gift, the Book of Mormon and we ought not to take it lightly!
For the Mormon and the Christian, for the Jew and also the Gentile, Even unto the Muslim and also unto the Hindu, and also unto the Buddhist as well as the Heathen.
I'm going to close this discourse with one of the last few words Moroni wrote in the entire book. It is my prayer that you will find these words as, "of God" and feel inclined to follow Jesus Christ and also be perfect in him, wherein Moroni writes,
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." Moroni 10:32
I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my master, Amen.
My aim is to completely discern the 7th Chapter of the Book of Moroni. It has been one of my favorite Books for decades. I could say the same thing about any of Moroni's writings both pars of the Book which is called "Mormon" towards the end of this record as well as in Moroni's book.
What I find fascinating is how Moroni carefully wrote down a few more things.
Mormon 8:35 "Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing."
Remembering that Moroni "saw our day and he knows our doing" brings EVERY word which he records to a much higher level of importance.
THE BOOK OF MORONI - Moroni
CHAPTER 7
"An invitation to enter into the rest of the Lord— Pray with real intent— The Spirit of Christ enables men to know good from evil— Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil—The prophets manifest the coming of Christ— By faith miracles are wrought and angels minister— Men should hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity."
Between A.D. 400 and 421
We know this occurred between 400 and 421 A.D. while Moroni had time to wander in the wilderness. It was his charge to keep the record and hide it up unto the Lord. One can only wonder what sights he did see and what he was really able to do all those years. Space was limited on the plate to really record much.
Moroni valued that space so much that even the mere "phrases he chose to include on the remaining space of this record could be considered priceless!" He did this as well as all prophets in The Book of Mormon, like Nephi for example:
"And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God." 1 Nephi 6:3
1 And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship. 2 And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time. 3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.
Now this is such a nice verse. I like it how most "Book of Mormon Prophets start out with something delightful. It is usually aimed at the faithful. Similarly to how Jacob began in the 3rd Chapter of Jacob. He started off giving the message of peace to the faithful, to let them know that the Lord was pleased with them, but then he had to deal with the "WICKED" for the remainder of his discourse...
4 And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men. 5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. 6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. 7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. 9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. 10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. 11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a cservant of the devil. 12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
This is the trouble with most people when they pray. They think they're making a "noise on their knees!" That's not prayer. Most people pray as though its a routine. When some try to extract answers from the Lord while not having real intent, HOW WILLING IS THE LORD TO ANSWER SUCH A MAN OR WOMAN?
I am willing to suggest that if a man or woman PRAY at all, that it be through works of faith. Just as God knows our hearts and our actions in life's daily course, so he also knows if our prayers are meaningful or not. One should pray with real purpose of heart even if he is not seeking answers from God. Otherwise, what does it profit a man? Nothing, just as Moroni suggests.
8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
What comes to my mind is if a man prays because he has to. I've heard it called, "The Post To" method. "I do it cuz I'm post to!" If a household is required to pray and the only answer his or her father or mother is able to give them which is, "You pray because you're supposed to" it neither helps the children nor the parent to start habitual prayers that don't mean anything.
It may sound like this:
"Heavenly Father.
Please bless the food. We thank you for our blessings. Thank you for my Mom and Dad. Thank you for everything. n'thnamahjesuzchrist, Amen!"
Firstly, its not reverent... secondly, its not teaching a man or woman how to sincerely pray. The necessary humility is not found and boys or girls are growing up without coming closer to our father in heaven because they aren't taught the sacredness of prayer.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
This scripture is the "Axis" on what the whole chapter revolves around. Moroni goes from teaching a man how to pray and then it goes into God's answers and how to discern them. I'm sure if someone prays and asks God if its okay to fornicate or do whatever they could imagine to ask him doesn't ALWAYS need an answer but in the case of "what is the truth about the gospel of Christ or what is not, one must sometimes ask God in fervent prayer. Here Moroni gave us the formula:
Invites us to do good = good
Invites us to do bad = bad
Its really VERY VERY simple and so are most things in the Gospel. (Alma 37: 6)
Again, verse 13: But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
Oddly enough, when I was a teenager, this scripture became more true than than people ever thought it would when Michael Jackson came out with his hit song, "Bad"
People went around singing, "You know I'm bad, I'm bad... ya know it! Ya know!" and people began to go around thinking it was okay to be, "A bad ass!" and it didn't take long for the Gospel of Christ to be that thing that was boring or uncool. Like seminary, mutual activities, and so forth. But people still do this today. Latter-day Saints are a peculiar people compared to the world. We don't drink or smoke or do MANY things which are deemed 'Bad' so we are the ones that others are told to avoid while lewd behavior and wild parties began to entice many into that great and spacious building, which Lehi had seen. (Nephi Ch. 8)
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. 18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
This is the part in verses 15-18 where Moroni knows that his words along with all the words spoken from the Book Of Mormon prophets may come back to haunt the world and even members of the church who do not read from them and adhere to their words as counsel. For those who "wrongfully judge their words as a thing of naught will also be judged. Nephi as well as Moroni BOTH warned the world that if they did not accept their words, they should stand face to face with us and declare that they are the "Words of Christ" and in no uncertain terms, those who did not do well with them or even reject them, it isn't gonna be a very good day for them, to say the least. 2 Nephi Ch. 33
According to Nephi, if people don't accept his words, then they won't be seeing him ever again. Nephi and the faithful will be in one place while the non-believers of Christ will be in another. He says good bye for ever, so certain that god will not be happy with their unwillingness to accept this great gift prepared for them.
Nephi actually says, "And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day." 2 Nephi 33:14
There will be a lot of people who will not see Nephi anymore and they think that is a good thing! There are plenty of enemies to righteousness that don't think that the Book of Mormon is anything of "God's making" They, unfortunately, will all have to stand face to face with God at the judgment bar and pointlessly make their case about why they never read the Book of Mormon. Some will fight it until the bitter end and not only will call the LDS religion a liar but will also curse God in that day for not making it better known unto them somehow.
19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. 20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing? 21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
I like how Moroni stays true to form. He also said that "Charity never faileth and he or she who possesses charity, it will be well with them. Charity is one of those "Good Things" that one should lay a hold of and if it be possible, we should lay up in store as much of that kind of thing as we can, the continually reading of good books and listening of good music couldn't be far behind.
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. 23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come. 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.
Moroni must have known that one day, he would return to this earth as an Angel. He is hoping that mankind will accept this return visit just as we accepted "The Angel Gabriel" who had come to prepare the way of the Lord, visiting Mary and also visiting the humble followers of the Law. Moroni must have known full well that he TOO would declare as it were with a trumpet unto all nations of the Earth.
25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. 26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you. 27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?
He fears that mankind will not accept miracles or anything like them, including the ministering of Angels because of their lack of faith for it is by faith and obedience of the law that ALL blessings are predicated.
D&C 130: 20-21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. 29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. 30 For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.
All too many people believe in a God without power. That somehow he no longer has the ability to send down miracles. Thus their faith is dead along with him. Some just say that God's work is done, but MAN will never tell God to work or not to work. He just DOES his work because it is his purpose. To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of Man. (Moses 1:39)
31 And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him. 32 And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men.
"The Residue of Men" means this, simply: That which remains after a part is taken, separated, removed, or designated; remnant; remainder or in other words, "those who remain or who are yet to come to this earth.
33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.
34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
This is how Moroni explains that someone just as seemingly insignificant as yourself or me could possibly do the work which he truly believes we can do. If we have faith in him, we'll be able to do our task and help build the Kingdom of God, for instance, but it is not limited to just that. He desires that we become better: line upon line, precept upon precept so that we may be saved an in turn, we can spread the gospel to those around us. We now have the power to do so!
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased? 36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? 37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have cease woe be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
He returns to his original thought he had been setting up to give his conclusion. We must know that Angels do not cease to visit man neither do they cease to do the work of the Lord. We must be like unto these angels also and be the miracles which are wrought among the children of men for we have power from on high to do so.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
Faith is the key. There are far too many who read the scriptures and blindly quote them either to their own satisfaction or attempt to quote scriptures to refute the true church of God and do so without faith. It is said of them, "Forasmuch as this people adraw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" Isaiah 29:13
39 But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church.
I just love this verse!
40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. 42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. 43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. 44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
The conditions that must exist for a man to have "Charity! Like a cookbook recipe, the ingredients for Charity are outlined"
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
All the knowledge of the world won't save a man. Not even if he's well versed. A man must truly live as he lived, meaning the savior, for things to go well for him or her at the last day.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
It is my prayer too that you be found with Charity, which is the pure love of Christ and we shall see then who Christ will recognize at the last day. Jesus Christ is my support, my friend, and my hero! He is my King and my master and I know that he is divine, son of our loving Father in Heaven, and he has come back to the earth before his second coming to help prepare a world where Charity may exist. God has given us this great gift, the Book of Mormon and we ought not to take it lightly!
For the Mormon and the Christian, for the Jew and also the Gentile, Even unto the Muslim and also unto the Hindu, and also unto the Buddhist as well as the Heathen.
I'm going to close this discourse with one of the last few words Moroni wrote in the entire book. It is my prayer that you will find these words as, "of God" and feel inclined to follow Jesus Christ and also be perfect in him, wherein Moroni writes,
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." Moroni 10:32
I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my master, Amen.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Trick of Treat - How the world views the Book of Mormon for Good or for Evil
While most people fit into one of these two categories, it's safe to say there isn't only "TWO" types of people but for the sake of this article, let's assume that there are either people "for" or "against" God revealing the works of his people from any dispensation. These two groups can be summed up in "One of Two ways"
The Book of Mormon is a trick!
A fiendishly clever counterfeit that poses as the word of God.
or
The Book of Mormon is a treat!
An example of the Love our father in heaven has for all of his children.
I am here to declare that it is an ABSOLUTE treat and that it declares unto the world that Jesus Is The Christ.
I have noticed in my dealings with any and all of my fellow man, that this question nearly comes up all the time.
Why do you even want this "Book of Mormon" when the bible is enough?
It comes up either in acute curiosity or sometimes with foul language from those that mis-understand the goodness of God and his gifts.
One You Tuber once said, "Book of Mormon, WHAT A LOAD OF "censored", how can Mormons claims to be Christians when they follow such inconcievable "censored"? Even Jehovahs Witnesses and Catholics follow Bible alone..."
They almost mean to ask us, "Why can't you be happy enough with the Bible?"
Its not all about that. Even if Joseph Smith only translated one sentence of the "Book of Mormon" and for sake of humor, lets say it was this one:
"My father Lehi dwelt in a tent" (which is an actual verse in Nephi)
And if Joseph translated one verse and Joseph Smith passes away in middle of the night and the Lord decided to go ahead and make Oliver Cowdry in the contemporary prophet, Joseph Smith would have still been responsible for helping to bring forth the Book of Mormon.
By Joseph Smith becoming a prophet, it was useful in the reopening the communication channel between God and Man and that is a very important thing! For many purposes that could take up volumes of time and giga-bytes of space here on Blogger, I'll stick to the topic at hand: Trick or Treat?
Perhaps its not all their fault for being skeptical of the Book of Mormon.
After all, it is an idea so foreign to their understanding, that some can't help but look at it with a doubtful eye.
They are not taught by their seminaries or their pastors or their teachers that God goes about his work "causing all people to write the things of God" to later become a testimony and a witness that he is God... but the Book of Mormon isn't about just ANY group of people.
It would be "easier" on the world if it were a trick then the cunning and craftiness of Man could continue interpreting the scriptures how they pleased, mankind would continue to try and "secularize" the words of God, following ONLY those things they consider more important and ignoring many of the "Plain and Precious" things which entails the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon helps to condemn such foolishness of men.
It can be so easily missed by the learned and by those who "draw near unto him with their lips only" because to "TRULY KNOW" the savior, one must have that personal relationship with him. Believe Christ and not just "Believe in him." Even the Jew and the Muslim believes in him and calls him a "Great Prophet" and an "ICON worthy of mention." What separates True Christians from Johnny Christians is the simple fact that "real followers of Jesus actually follow him and are doers of the word" and "knowers of the word are content with being experts on the words of Christ"
The purpose of the Book of Mormon is to "Testify of Christ and his divinity" and any true believer in Christ would have to agree that Jesus Christ is divine! They feast upon the words of Christ that teach man all things that they must do for salvation!
(2 Ne. 32: 3)
What is this Book of Mormon anyhow?
"It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel." ...
"The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians. "
Introduction to "The Book Of Mormon"
But who were these "Nephites and Lamanites?" The bible doesn't mention them?
The Old Testament doesn't mention them by name but there are hints regarding this people and that of many others who the Lord has said would be among "The Isles of the Sea" as quoted by Isaiah. (See Isaiah 23: 2; 24:15; 42: 10)
The family of Lehi, and primarily Nephi, spoke of themselves as being part of this extended branch of the house of Israel and mentions several times that they are this people whom Isaiah had mentioned.
(1 Ne. 19: 10, 12, 16; 21: 8; 22: 4; 2 Ne. 10: 8, 20-21; 2 Ne. 29: 7)
2 Nephi Chapter 3: Verse 4
4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.
So this people, being descendants of the House of Israel, also wrote of their prophesies and of their faithfulness to God while living upon the Promised Land or as many of us now know this land today as, "The American Continent" (primarily in Central America.)
Furthermore, the Old Testament dates back to as late of around 600 B.C. which was right along the time that the family of Lehi disappeared from the history of the Holy Land. (Perhaps if the Nephites had made a sea voyage back to Palestine at around 33 A.D. and handed over some of their scripture to Peter and his apostles, that 600 year gap could have been filled and it would have been included in most Christian churches and considered canonized but this is not what had been prophesied of Nephi should be the fate of the record of which they were creating.
Like Isaiah, who knew of the scattering and migration of many of the House of Israel, the Lord showed unto him the coming forth of a new record and called it
"The Stick of Joseph" or the "Record that would proceed forth from the seed of Joseph" and one day would become reunited with the "Stick of Judah" or the "Record of the Jews" at some future date.
¶ The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. Ezekiel 37:15-17
There is "no record" of any writings of Joseph that exist in the Bible so one must acknowledge that this record should come forth from "The Seed of Joseph" in order to fulfill the prophesy of Ezekiel and be made known unto the remnants of the house of Israel at some future time. All words of the Lord shall come to pass and shall all be fulfilled and there is nothing that the Lord speaks through mouth of his holy prophets that shall not come to pass.
It is with a joyous heart that we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have this record and it stands as a witness of Jesus Christ and that he speaks to all that are of the House of Israel as he did in the Holy Land, as he did unto the seed of Joseph, who occupied the Isles of the Sea, and he will yet reveal records which have not yet been uncovered that belong to the Lost tribes of Israel who were also commanded to write these things.
Nephi recognized that the records which he kept would aid to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ and that there would be more to come!!!
"And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. 2 Ne. 29: 13
The Book of Mormon is this truly a "treat" and not the "trick" that it is so ignorantly referred to as from time to time.
It's purpose is to primarily convince the Jews and the Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ. By the hand of Mormon as it is written on the "Title Page" we learn that:
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation
Many Christians know that the Jews are of the seed of Abraham and part of the Abrahamic Covenant which still stands today. God will bless all nations and kindreds of the earth through the "Abrahamic Covenant." This "lost tribe" of Israel is no more lost to the world and we now have their record.
There are many who believe in Christ but so few actually "believe him."
I echo the words of my heroes of the Book of Mormon.
Like unto Nephi, Ether, Benjamin, Mosiah, Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, Ammon, Helaman, Mormon and Moroni that these are the words of Christ. As part of my testimony, I add the words of "Nephi" when he wrote:
And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. 2 Nephi 33:11
I too will stand along side these men (who have since centuries passed away) at that great bar and testify that these things are true. For I used their words and through their testimonies, helped many to "Come unto Christ" through the precious truths that they wrote.
I know with no shade of any degree that this work is directed of the Lord of Hosts Those who have faith in Christ, and have ears to hear, shall recognize his voice when he calls for them. I truly know our lord and savior and know them to be his words. I know that we have a prophet of God on the earth today and his name is "Thomas S. Monson" and that he stands as a special witness of Jesus Christ for our day. God has restored the fullness of the Gospel on the earth and the work to "Bring to Pass the Immortality and Eternal Life of Man" is being directed by his prophet and apostles alive on the Earth today in his holy name I declare these things, even in the name of the resurrected Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Book of Mormon is a trick!
A fiendishly clever counterfeit that poses as the word of God.
or
The Book of Mormon is a treat!
An example of the Love our father in heaven has for all of his children.
I am here to declare that it is an ABSOLUTE treat and that it declares unto the world that Jesus Is The Christ.
I have noticed in my dealings with any and all of my fellow man, that this question nearly comes up all the time.
Why do you even want this "Book of Mormon" when the bible is enough?
It comes up either in acute curiosity or sometimes with foul language from those that mis-understand the goodness of God and his gifts.
One You Tuber once said, "Book of Mormon, WHAT A LOAD OF "censored", how can Mormons claims to be Christians when they follow such inconcievable "censored"? Even Jehovahs Witnesses and Catholics follow Bible alone..."
They almost mean to ask us, "Why can't you be happy enough with the Bible?"
Its not all about that. Even if Joseph Smith only translated one sentence of the "Book of Mormon" and for sake of humor, lets say it was this one:
"My father Lehi dwelt in a tent" (which is an actual verse in Nephi)
And if Joseph translated one verse and Joseph Smith passes away in middle of the night and the Lord decided to go ahead and make Oliver Cowdry in the contemporary prophet, Joseph Smith would have still been responsible for helping to bring forth the Book of Mormon.
By Joseph Smith becoming a prophet, it was useful in the reopening the communication channel between God and Man and that is a very important thing! For many purposes that could take up volumes of time and giga-bytes of space here on Blogger, I'll stick to the topic at hand: Trick or Treat?
Perhaps its not all their fault for being skeptical of the Book of Mormon.
After all, it is an idea so foreign to their understanding, that some can't help but look at it with a doubtful eye.
They are not taught by their seminaries or their pastors or their teachers that God goes about his work "causing all people to write the things of God" to later become a testimony and a witness that he is God... but the Book of Mormon isn't about just ANY group of people.
It would be "easier" on the world if it were a trick then the cunning and craftiness of Man could continue interpreting the scriptures how they pleased, mankind would continue to try and "secularize" the words of God, following ONLY those things they consider more important and ignoring many of the "Plain and Precious" things which entails the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon helps to condemn such foolishness of men.
It can be so easily missed by the learned and by those who "draw near unto him with their lips only" because to "TRULY KNOW" the savior, one must have that personal relationship with him. Believe Christ and not just "Believe in him." Even the Jew and the Muslim believes in him and calls him a "Great Prophet" and an "ICON worthy of mention." What separates True Christians from Johnny Christians is the simple fact that "real followers of Jesus actually follow him and are doers of the word" and "knowers of the word are content with being experts on the words of Christ"
The purpose of the Book of Mormon is to "Testify of Christ and his divinity" and any true believer in Christ would have to agree that Jesus Christ is divine! They feast upon the words of Christ that teach man all things that they must do for salvation!
(2 Ne. 32: 3)
What is this Book of Mormon anyhow?
"It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel." ...
"The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians. "
Introduction to "The Book Of Mormon"
But who were these "Nephites and Lamanites?" The bible doesn't mention them?
The Old Testament doesn't mention them by name but there are hints regarding this people and that of many others who the Lord has said would be among "The Isles of the Sea" as quoted by Isaiah. (See Isaiah 23: 2; 24:15; 42: 10)
The family of Lehi, and primarily Nephi, spoke of themselves as being part of this extended branch of the house of Israel and mentions several times that they are this people whom Isaiah had mentioned.
(1 Ne. 19: 10, 12, 16; 21: 8; 22: 4; 2 Ne. 10: 8, 20-21; 2 Ne. 29: 7)
2 Nephi Chapter 3: Verse 4
4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.
So this people, being descendants of the House of Israel, also wrote of their prophesies and of their faithfulness to God while living upon the Promised Land or as many of us now know this land today as, "The American Continent" (primarily in Central America.)
Furthermore, the Old Testament dates back to as late of around 600 B.C. which was right along the time that the family of Lehi disappeared from the history of the Holy Land. (Perhaps if the Nephites had made a sea voyage back to Palestine at around 33 A.D. and handed over some of their scripture to Peter and his apostles, that 600 year gap could have been filled and it would have been included in most Christian churches and considered canonized but this is not what had been prophesied of Nephi should be the fate of the record of which they were creating.
Like Isaiah, who knew of the scattering and migration of many of the House of Israel, the Lord showed unto him the coming forth of a new record and called it
"The Stick of Joseph" or the "Record that would proceed forth from the seed of Joseph" and one day would become reunited with the "Stick of Judah" or the "Record of the Jews" at some future date.
¶ The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. Ezekiel 37:15-17
There is "no record" of any writings of Joseph that exist in the Bible so one must acknowledge that this record should come forth from "The Seed of Joseph" in order to fulfill the prophesy of Ezekiel and be made known unto the remnants of the house of Israel at some future time. All words of the Lord shall come to pass and shall all be fulfilled and there is nothing that the Lord speaks through mouth of his holy prophets that shall not come to pass.
It is with a joyous heart that we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have this record and it stands as a witness of Jesus Christ and that he speaks to all that are of the House of Israel as he did in the Holy Land, as he did unto the seed of Joseph, who occupied the Isles of the Sea, and he will yet reveal records which have not yet been uncovered that belong to the Lost tribes of Israel who were also commanded to write these things.
Nephi recognized that the records which he kept would aid to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ and that there would be more to come!!!
"And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. 2 Ne. 29: 13
The Book of Mormon is this truly a "treat" and not the "trick" that it is so ignorantly referred to as from time to time.
It's purpose is to primarily convince the Jews and the Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ. By the hand of Mormon as it is written on the "Title Page" we learn that:
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation
Many Christians know that the Jews are of the seed of Abraham and part of the Abrahamic Covenant which still stands today. God will bless all nations and kindreds of the earth through the "Abrahamic Covenant." This "lost tribe" of Israel is no more lost to the world and we now have their record.
There are many who believe in Christ but so few actually "believe him."
I echo the words of my heroes of the Book of Mormon.
Like unto Nephi, Ether, Benjamin, Mosiah, Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, Ammon, Helaman, Mormon and Moroni that these are the words of Christ. As part of my testimony, I add the words of "Nephi" when he wrote:
And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. 2 Nephi 33:11
I too will stand along side these men (who have since centuries passed away) at that great bar and testify that these things are true. For I used their words and through their testimonies, helped many to "Come unto Christ" through the precious truths that they wrote.
I know with no shade of any degree that this work is directed of the Lord of Hosts Those who have faith in Christ, and have ears to hear, shall recognize his voice when he calls for them. I truly know our lord and savior and know them to be his words. I know that we have a prophet of God on the earth today and his name is "Thomas S. Monson" and that he stands as a special witness of Jesus Christ for our day. God has restored the fullness of the Gospel on the earth and the work to "Bring to Pass the Immortality and Eternal Life of Man" is being directed by his prophet and apostles alive on the Earth today in his holy name I declare these things, even in the name of the resurrected Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
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