“For God So Loved the World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son…” (John 3:16)

This next lesson is one that is very dear to my heart and soul as a Latter Day Saint and a Christian. We are going to discuss the role that Jesus Christ plays in the theology of Mormonism. He is vital to the plan. His atoning sacrifice is at the center of the intricate and perfect path that will lead us back to Him and help us gain Eternal Life. But first, let me be clear on the Christ that I speak of. There are many who believe that the “Mormon Christ” is different from the “Christian Christ” as a Latter Day Saint I am here to tell you that such a thing could not be further from the truth. I had someone tell me once “Mormons don’t believe that Jesus carried His cross like other Christians do.” Granted had I not been eleven years old I probably would have questioned them further on the matter. As it is, I will tell you what I believe from growing up as a Latter Day Saint in the Mormon Church.

We believe in a Christ that was born in a manger, with no place in which to lay his head. His virgin mother Mary, wrapped him in swaddling cloth and wise men from the East and shepherds visited him. A new star appeared in the sky as angels heralded his entering into the world. The experience of Christ’s birth of those who dwelt in the America’s is very similar to the experience of those in Bethlehem. The Book of Mormon records “And it came to pass also that a new star did appear according to the word… “ (3 Nephi  1:19).  Latter Day Saints believe in the Messiah born in the manger, brought forth by a virgin, the literal son of God.  In his article Dr. Robert J. Matthews, Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University we learn, “The Book of Mormon tells us that the person we call Jesus Christ is the God of that whole world, and of all people,  and has been working among all nations to the extent of their willingness and ability, and in accordance with His own timetable.”

Yet even long before his birth, the Savior of the world was prophesied of by prophets of old. Isaiah prophesied that “the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). Jeremiah recorded “Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the Earth” (Jeremiah 23:5). The King, was Jesus Christ, the God of the Old Testament. Jehovah, the Only  Begotten Son of the Father.  Just like Biblical prophets, the prophets of the Book of Mormon looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. A prophet by the name of Samual preached to the people of Zarahemla, a city built up by the people of the Americas, “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall  believe on the Son of God the same shall have everlasting life.”

Perhaps even more beautiful than the prophecies of Christ’s coming into the world is the prophecies of his atonement, the sacrifice that would provide a way for all men to return to our Father in Heaven if they believe on the name of Christ and do all that He has commanded them. Alma prophesied “And he shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and tempations of every kind and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith He will take upon himself the pains and sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death , which bind his people, and he will take upon him their infirmities that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11-12). The purpose for the atonement of Jesus Christ, for all his suffering, tribulation, and eventual death was so that he would know how to comfort those who had such experiences. Even on the cross who knew what it felt like to be forasaken by God so he could understand what it felt like to sin, so he could know what it felt like to be completely an utterly alone. He had no place to go that he might better understand the plight of the homeless, he fasted for forty days that he might know to mollify the parched and the famish. He was tortured “stricken for our iniquities and bruised for our transgressions” that he might know how to offer solace to all his suffered, in whatever form that might be.

The question remains: why did this sacrifice need to be made? Why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to kneel beneath the pains of the world and be lifted up upon the cross? One of my favorite verses explains it better than I ever could “And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for [our] sins, through faith and repentance and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory” (Alma 22;14). Nephi tells us “Wherefore all mankind were in a lost and fallen state and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer” (1 Nephi 10:6). Essentially, without Christ and his sacrifice the Plan of Salvation would be null and void we would be subject unto the devil (see 2 Nephi 9) and never be able to return to the presence of God. All Christian denominations refer to this as the concept of grace and just like any other Christian denomination Latter Day Saints revere this concept as doctrine and the word of God. Without Christ we cannot be saved.

The atonement is real. That it's power is strong enough to overcome all the hardships that we experience in life. No matter who or where we are. No matter what we've done or how far from God we may feel. Christ sacrifice was an infinite and all-encompassing atonement. Whatever past regrets may haunt our minds and weigh down our spirits the sacrifice of the Lamb can heal all wounds, take away all pain, and soothe all sorrows. There is a balm in Gilead and it is the love of a Father in Heaven coupled with the selfless sacrifice of the Lamb. His blood erases any stain, straightens any path, overcomes any weakness that we, as mortals but still beloved children of God, may have, and mends all that is broken. I testify that He lives, the Savior and Redeemer of the world lives. He pleads for our souls before the Father masking our imperfections with the perfect life that He lived. Come unto Him and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Partake of the fruit of His love and forgiveness, taste of its sweetness and revel in the knowledge that Christ died for you. Had you been the only one for which a debt needed to be paid He would have paid the price because you are beloved, you hold a spark of divinity, and you are capable of becoming like Him. Make a promise to yourself now. If you have experienced the peace of having Christ at the center of your life but have strayed from that of late, return to Him. If you have never experienced it, discover Him. If you are walking in His footsteps faithfully, live for Him. May God bless you and may you all experience the joy of a Christ centered life, until you read again. 

“I Beheld Satan as Lightning Fall From Heaven” (Luke 10:18)

To recap what was previously discussed we have come to the agreement that we are all children of God (see previous post) and that our loving Father in Heaven sent us here to Earth, at our own consent, that we could be tried and tested and eventually become like Him. We touched briefly on how we all chose to come here which is something intend to recap again but in this particular post I want to discuss with you the first phase of the plan of Salvation, the question “where did I come from?” The answer is in a concept very familiar to Latter Day Saints but rather foreign to many other religious groups: that is the concept of a pre-existence.

Many individual’s first question might be to ask: “Well where is the pre-existence talked about in the Bible?” I invite you inquisitive readers to turn to Revelation 12. Here we read “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven“ (Revelation 12:7-8). The war in Heaven resulted because of a plan; even the great plan of Happiness. The idea of it was simple. Each of us would go down and get a body; a physical, more body of flesh and blood. We would be tested to see if we would do “all things which the Lord would command” (Abraham 3:25). The Lord decaled that goal of His plan when He said “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  Yet there was one who opposed this plan. In our culture today he is known as the devil, Satan, the Father of Lies, and the Prince of Darkness. Yet in the councils of Heaven he was Lucifer, the Son of the Morning. He held a position of authority and power there.

When God the Father presented his plan Lucifer stepped forward offering an alternative. A plan that would assure that each of us would make it back to Heaven, to our Father, and receive Eternal Life. Yet there was a catch. A “it’s-to-good-to-be-true-and-here’s-why” problem. Lucifer wanted to revoke our agency. He wanted to force us to follow God and his commandment. To top it off he wanted the glory to be his. Then Christ, even Jesus came forward saying “Here am I, send me’ (Abraham 3:27) and the glory would be the Fathers. Thus a war broke out in Heaven and many followed after Lucifer and were cast out of Heaven, never to inherit bodies or the joys that would come from living God’s plan.  Christ testifies of this Luke 10:18 when he says “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven”.  The Lord teaches further of this casting out in the book of Doctrine and Covenants when He says “… the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying ‘Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turn he away from me because of their agency. And they were thrust down and thus came the devil and his angels” (D&C 29:36-37)

Yet since this is, for the most part, strictly Latter Day Saint doctrine, let us take a moment to look at the other book that Latter Day Saints revere as scripture: The Book of Mormon. If you haven’t noticed I have been placing great emphasis on our ability to choose, formally known as free agency. The Book of Mormon has some great verse on this concept. First turn to 2 Nephi. Here Lehi, a prophet of the Book of Mormon,  is imparting his dying words  to his family. He teaches “Men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them, which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2 Nephi 2:27). When Satan was cast out of Heaven became miserable and wishes to make us miserable like unto himself. The best way he can do that is to tempt us to mess up so badly that there is no way we can return to the presence of God.  To keep us from the reward that he chose to forego so long ago before Adam and Eve ever existed upon the Earth that we know today.

To summarize, we all existed with our Father in Heaven in a spirit world before this life. Unlike our father we did not have flesh or bone but we desired it. Because of our Father’s love for us he presented a beautiful plan known as the Plan of Happiness. This plan involved us coming down to Earth, being tested and tried to prove our faithfulness, and then returning to live with God again. Yet Satan, then Lucifer, came forward and offered an alternative plan wanting to claim all the glory for himself. He plan was so enticing that many chose to follow him and they, along with him were eventually cast out of heaven and now stand in opposition to all God’s children, hoping to make us miserable like they are. Yet there is one, rather interesting question that arises from all this discussion and it is my closing point for this point. Why don’t we remember all of this?

The answer is a scriptural one. When we passed from our pre-earth life to this one we passed through a veil. In Ecclesiastes 1:11 we are informed of the consequences of this passage: “There is no remembrance of former things, neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.”  In the scriptures a veil, as in the veil of the temple, often symbolizes a separation from God. This veil separates from all former memories that we have God. That is why we need the Gospel, to remember what we have forgotten and to guide us back to the truth that we once knew. Yet don’t take my word for it. There is a link up above that will take you to a website where you can contact the missionaries. They spend all their time preparing to teach people like you to learn these doctrines. Contact them and build upon the knowledge I have shared with you, hearing from those God has prepared to teach you. Next time we will discuss further of the Plan, talking about the creation and the Fall as viewed by Latter Day Saints and how this all fits into this perfect plan. I pray that you have been sufficiently fed and enlightened by these words of truth. I personally testify that they are true, may God, our Father who loves you with an infinite love, bless you  now and always, until you read again. 

“Before I Formed Thee In the Belly, I Knew Thee” (Jeremiah 1:5)

I have associated recently with an individual who claims that we are not children of God until we accept Christ. As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I had always taken this knowledge for granted. I assumed that if you believe in God, you believed in your Heavenly Father as well. This associate of mine has made it very clear that such knowledge is not of common nature and thus sprang the inspiration for this most recent post.

                              

As, what some might consider, a biased Latter Day Saint I wholeheartedly assert to you, my dear reader, that you are a beloved child of God. That our Father in Heaven, whether you have accepted His Son or not, is your loving Father. It is the first piece of the Plan of Salvation that I intend to teach over the next few weeks so it is very important that you understand this key element for it is vital in understanding the rest of our Father in Heaven’s plan. Some may ask: “Where is evidence of this concept in the scriptures?” My answer; everywhere.

Aside from the verse in Jeremiah that the title of this post bears I would like you to turn to Ecclesiastes 12:7. The verse says after we die “then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” How can we “return” if we never were there to begin with? I submit to you that we were, as God’s children, in His presence. Did not the Father say in Genesis “Let us create man in our image” (Genesis 1:26)? Does a child resemble His parent? Paul writes in Acts “For we are also His offspring” (Acts 17:27). More evidence comes in the book of Romans 8:16 “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” If one denies these rather obvious verses how do critics account for the origin of our spirit and the meaning of these verses?

I think the confusion comes in with the concept that appears in Ephesians 1:5 which says “Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will.” The associate of mine used this scripture to tell me that we only become children of God after we accept Christ. I submit to you this concept. We are children of God, sinner and saint alike we are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven.  The Book of Mormon teaches “Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it” (1 Nephi 17:26). Who lives upon the Earth, not solely individuals who have accepted Christ? Turn back to your Bible for one more moment. The New Testament reads “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16). So Christ created our physical bodies under the direction of the Father, which is the visible. Yet our Father in Heaven formed our spirits, which is the invisible. Latter Day Saints also believe that we become spirit children of Christ when we accept Him and are baptized with the proper authority; the Bible teaches that we become “joint heirs with Christ” and that is only through baptism. There is the confusion. Always children of a loving Father and adopted spirit sons of daughters when accept, take His name upon us and are baptized into His Gospel.

So if our all-powerful Father in Heaven is our Father, why in the world are we here? Why did we come to Earth? Honestly that is one of the three great questions I hope to answer in the series of posts that are coming in the next few weeks. 

1) Where did I come from?
2) Why am I here? 
3) Where am I going after I die? 

The second one is going to be the focus of the rest of the post and we will back track in the next post to discuss where we all came from.

The answer is simple: we wanted to be like our Heavenly Father. We saw that He had a body of “flesh and bone” and we desired it more than anything else. We desired to be like Him. Yet our Father, who loved us, would not simply snap His fingers and make it so. Instead he came up with a plan which is what I’m teaching you know and that everyone who has ever lived or will yet live upon the Earth chose to accept.  Abraham 3:25 says “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all thing whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”  We are here to show God what we will do because of our love for Him.

Yet Heavenly Father new we would make mistakes that is why he gave His Only Begotten Son “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”  (John 3:16).  The atonement is central to our Father in Heaven’s plan. It is the only why we can get back to Him, which was the plan when we left His presence in the First place. He loves us so much my dear reader. More than you or I could ever comprehend. I personally testify that He is our Father. That he watched out for us and beckons us to seek Him. He weeps at our tears and rejoices at our triumphs. “Behold, now are we the son [note: the original Greek reads children or people] of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). I pray, my dear reader that wherever on the road you are with God you do everything you can to draw closer to Him. Learn this for yourself by studying His word and talking with missionaries who will show you just how loved and wanted you really are by He who created all things. May He be with you always and until you read again.

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"All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience" (D&C 122:7)

I am changing my tone a little bit for this post. Normally my posts are very intellectual drawing on scriptures and logic to explain doctrinal concept that I see as rather controversial in the world of religion that mingles to often with personal opinion and hostility. Today's post is founded upon an email I sent to a very dear friend some time ago who is now serving a mission for our Lord and Savior (and doing a good job of it too). I pray that you, my dear reader can be uplifted by it just as I pray he was uplifted by it.

I know life can be hard; believe me I know. But I can personally testify that through the grace of our Savior and his atonement,  just as I have, you can once again find the peace that comes from living a life shoulder to shoulder with Him. The experiences of this past year (I can without a doubt say that it has been one of great adversity but also great growth for me) have shown me numerous things that I thought I knew but I guess never fully understood. There are four thoughts that I wish to share with you. Four lessons that I believe will help you get through whatever difficulties you are currently facing and aid you the rest of your life. Just as they have helped me once again refocus my gaze on what really matters.

1. Happiness is a Choice

Its such a simple concept but is so life changing when embraced and fully understood. It is what has gotten me out of the darkness that I've been wandering through for what felt like an eternity. I woke up a recent morning and I made the decision that I wouldn't let past mistakes hurt me any longer. I'm going to be happy. I am blessed in so many ways and it is a disservice to myself to not acknowledge all that He has given me. I am going to serve a mission. Not just a literal, go out into the field and serve, kind of mission. My life is going to be a mission for Him. We cannot be properly receptive to the Holy Ghost when we let darkness and despair dampen our vision of Eternal Life with our loving Heavenly Father. I have learned the hard way how it feels to be far from the Lord and I can testify that it is not a place of happiness or joy. The scriptures tells us "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15) Choose to serve the Lord my dear readers. That includes choosing to rejoice in this beautiful life he has given us. The Savior suffered to cover all our pains, disappointments, sins, and yes even our broken hearts. The only thing that is truly ours to give is our will, with the debt to Him that we have accumulated, I can think of no better way to repay Him than by living a joyful, service-filled life. I pray you go about your life with the desire to be happy and a yearning to bring others that happiness. Therein embodies that joy of the Celestial Kingdom and a life with our Lord.

2. Be Not Afraid

Fear, such a corrosive emotion. It decays the spirit and imprisons the mind. It can swallow even the faintest gleam of hope if we do not face it and learn to replace it with faith. The scriptures teach us "the Lord did not give us a spirit of doubt or of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7). I loved that scripture when I first read it eight years ago and I love it even more now. What we feel when we look at ourselves and say that we are not good enough... that we are not worth it... that we cannot do it... is not from God but from Satan, the father of all lies. I'm sure all of you know this. But do you know it. Do you believe it with all that you are? Do you truly understand the contrast between the dark, foreboding grip of the adversary and the gentle, inviting embrace of the Spirit? I pray that you do. If not, I implore you to never cease to ask the Lord for His Spirit to be constantly with you. When He leaves, when we allow the troubles of life to turn our gaze away from Him, it is like we are engulfed in a storm from which there is no harbor. Our sails must be ever raised in the name of our God. In the midst of the pelting hail we must turn our gaze heavenward and cry for the Lord's guidance. He will not leave us comfortless. Even when it seems that there is no comfort to be had. We must press on. Christ is the ultimate example. Even though he had every power to stop the pain of the atonement He chose to do His Father's will. I pray that we be just like Him. May we, in the midst of our pain, always look up towards heaven and know that Christ is never far way. As you go forward be not afraid my friend. "Weeping endureth for a night but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5). Always remember that no matter how harsh our storms may seem if we do not turn our back on Him, He will never cease to be with us.

3. Love, Even in Loss

 I have never been one to simply lay down and let the adversary have his way with me. Eventually, after all the blows I've taken this past year, I got up. I don't think I got up spiritually until recently but the day we said goodbye, I physically and literally made the choice to pick myself up and go on. I honestly believe that I didn't start becoming my old self again until I started to really love those around me. Previously I selfishly wished that someone would just take my hand and tell me everything was going to be alright. Then, I started noticing the need to take the hands of others and be the comfort that they needed. Have I always done it willingly, no. But gradually, as I've prayed for opportunities the Lord has brought people to me that could use my help and influence. I don't pretend to be the answer to all their problems but I pray that like you are going to be, I can be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Just remember that even when we fail, lose someone or something we love, or feel as if we just can't go on, reach out. Think of the hymn "Because I Have Been Give Much". “Because I have been given much I too must give.” How selfish is it to expect everyone else to give to us when there are so many which need our love and companionship. I pray that as you go about your life you reach out in love. No matter how difficult or monotonous the days may seem, no matter how unsuccessful you may feel, even if you come to regret any of your past decisions never forget to love with all that you have. Have charity my friends, “it never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8) and if you are found possessed of it, neither will you.

4. Some Times the Brightest Rainbows Only Come After the Harshest Storms

How merciful the Lord is my friend. It took until a short time ago for me to realize that it was all in my hands. That I could spend my days wallowing in thoughts of what could have been or pick myself up and strive to notice the rainbows. As a child I always loved the spectra of light that represented a wonderful promise from God; a promise that he would never again flood the Earth. I think in many forms, He sends us spiritual rainbows, beautiful reminders that if we will but be obedient and always live for Him that our lives will not always be flooded with adversity and trials. He does not promise that there will never be rain, He simply assures us that we will never be engulfed in a storm that He will not help us through. I think it is absolutely magnificent. Moroni reminds us that the Lord's grace is sufficient for all men (Ether 12:27). I have a firm testimony of this and all I have told you. He lives and He lives to call us back to Him. He did not send us here to fail. He sent us here to live, to learn, to grow, and above all, to succeed. Remember that as you live for Him my friend. Remember it as you teach those whom God has prepared for you. Never forget that the sun always comes with the dawn, that at some point the clouds break to show the sky again. Endure. Endure with faith. Endure with patience. Endure with love. Look for life's rainbows and strive always to stand tall in the storms.

I do not pretend to understand any portion of the ways of the Lord. I am far from perfect and far from making it back to our Father in Heaven. But I have a testimony; a testimony of the power of adversity and trials to help us grow; a testimony of the power of the priesthood and the reality of our Lord. I know He lives. What a comforting concept! What a joyous proclamation. I pray my dear reader that you study the scriptures with diligence for they are the words of God. Pray with sincerity, for the Lord hears and answers your prayers. Serve with charity, have patience in affliction, let virtue garnish your thoughts and actions, accept the Lord's will with humility, strive for godliness, seek wisdom, gain knowledge both of spiritual and secular things, endure with temperance, and above all feed your faith. As you go throughout your life never forget what your trials have taught you. The Lord is always there even when we choose to turn our back on him. He believes in you, He loves you, and He waits for you. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know that Christ lives for He is my rock and my companion. I bear witness of the Holy Ghost and his ability to guide us in all the ways of righteousness. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, feast upon its pages, there is no greater joy then understanding and becoming more like Him. I know that this church is led by a prophet, heed his words and you will face all things in this life with courage and strength. I pray that you accept all things that the Lord places before you and always have the faith to say "thy will be done." I hope you are well. I hope you are noticing the Lord's hand in your life and preparing with real intent to serve with the purpose of bringing salvation to those you will meet. You have been called and chosen. Thrust in your sickle with all your might and reap the rewards of a life deserving of all the Father hath. I leave these things with you in the name of our Lord, our Savior and Redeemer, our God and our King, even Jesus the Christ, Amen.

“For By Grace Are Ye Saved Through Faith” (Ephesians 2:8)

Perhaps one of the most controversial religious issues since the mode for baptism could be the question of whether one is saved by grace or by works. It has been the debate among many denominations for as long as anyone can remember. I have touched on this topic numerous times in posts past but only recently did I decide to dedicate en entire post to this particular issue. First, let me place a disclaimer. Anything and everything I post here is my own opinion and thoughts from the research that I do. I in no way reflect the beliefs of the Church as a whole. The only real way to get answers and understand our doctrines is to study it for yourself by reading the Book of Mormon and talking with missionaries. Now that I’ve made that clear what is my position, as a Latter Day Saint, on the concept of grace and works in regards to the salvation of man?

There are two words in Hebrew that mean grace. The first “khanan” which implies grace or favor granted with the expectation of something in return later. Essentially “I’ll do this for you now but later I expect something in return.” It is give and take. The second and the one that will fit nicely into this discussion is the word “Khesed” which means an eternal gift. Really something that is given without strings attached. However, “khesed” also implies a contractile relationship. Everyone knows that in the signing of a contract there must be giving and taking on both sides. “khesed”, the freely given grace with the underlying tone of a contract is the grace that Paul talks about in his letters to the Ephesians. Yes it is freely given, it is a gift, but it is also given under the pretenses that there is to be give and take on both ends.

Yet there is another evidence of the concept of grace meaning a contractile relationship. When reading the New Testament in Greek you come across the word “pistis” which means “faith” but it also means “a relationship through a contract” Once again the idea is presented that faith is an action word; a word of giving as well as receiving.

But what of works?

For the sake of being on the same page we shall define works for this post as something that you do; an action and something that God cannot do for you. Based off of this concept is it safe to say that merely having faith in Jesus Christ is a work? It is something that we must choose to do; God cannot do it for us.

Critics of the need for works in being saved will say that it is through faith alone that ye are saved. Yet the only time the Bible mentions “faith alone” is in James 2:24 which says “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

So what does it mean to have faith?

Is faith nothing more than believing and trusting? Searching the scriptures, we see faith also involves assent to God's truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13), obedience to Him (Romans 1:5, 16:26), and it must be working in love (Galatians 5:6).  From these scriptures I think it is safe to assume that having faith is a thing of action. In fact Paul teaches that faith in Christ is a lifelong process; not a one-time experience. In his letter to the Philippians he says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). I do not think this means that we are completely on our own, that salvation depends solely on what we do. Rather, I interpret this verse to refer to the idea that even after we have accepted Christ and developed a faith in Him we must work to strengthen that faith in Him that has redeemed us from a lost and fallen state.

So our faith is constantly growing. It is subject to change. Recall the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23). If one looks at the seeds as faith then it is evident that, in some instances, the seeds are sown but do not take root, are choked by tears, or baked in the sun. Faith is something that must be cultivated and nourished and that, my dear readers, takes action. It takes work.

Christ himself emphasized the need for works in the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). He separates the sheep and the goats according to what they have done. He tells his faithful “For I was in hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in. Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison and ye came unto me” (25:35-36). Such things require action.   We cannot merely accept Christ and then do nothing. We must live for Him as surely as He died for us.

Many critics of the Church will accuse Latter Day Saints of believing that we can earn our salvation. We do not believe that. As mentioned in a previous post we believe that all are saved through the resurrection. Thus God is a merciful God for everybody will take on immortally. Yet many use the scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 which states “it is by grace we are saved after all we can do.” Yet what is “all we can do” A wonderful example is found in Alma 24:11 which says “It was all that we could do to repent.” Latter Day Saints believe that you must have faith in Jesus Christ, and then you must repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ with the proper authority, receive the Holy Ghost and continue in righteousness all the rest of your days.

We believe that it is through Christ that you are saved. For without the atonement and the shedding of His blood we could not return to the presence of God. Yet why do Latter Day Saints believe you need works? It was explained briefly in a post on baptism but another great reason in the concept of two deaths. First is a physical death; the separation of the body and the spirit; second, the separation of our spirits from the presence of God which is known as a spiritual death. Physical death is overcome through the resurrection of Christ for as surely as He was resurrected so will we be resurrected to dwell in perfection and immortality forever. 2 Nephi 9 says “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from the first death into life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy of Israel; and then cometh the judgment and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God” (2 Nephi 9:15). Here is where our works come in. We will be judged according to how we have lived out lives and from there will reside in one of the three degrees that has also been previously mentioned; this assignment to a degree of glory will either separate us from the Father or allow us to dwell in His presence for all eternity.

We stand by what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” Through Christ we can live lives of righteousness, faith and joy. Through Him we can repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Because of our faithfulness to our Redeemer we can prove our love and our gratitude for the gift of His grace by serving others, developing our talents, accepting callings, and growing into men and women of God. It is through faith that we are saved but it is by works that our salvation is justified before God. Now my dear reader, my question to you is this:

How has faith, in conjunction with works brought you closer to your Father in Heaven and your Savior?

God bless you my dear readers, until you read again.

“If Any Man Shall Add Unto These Things” (Revelation 22:18)

Many critics of the Church use this scripture from the book of Revelation to claim that there can be no more scripture. That an open canon would be going against the ways of God. Biblical scholar Lee M. McDonald said:  “On what biblical or historical grounds has the inspiration of God been limited to the written documents that the church now calls its Bible? … If the Spirit inspired only the written documents of the first century, does that mean that the same Spirit does not speak today in the church about matters that are of significant concern?”  Latter Day Saints humbly suggest, as I suggest to you now my dear reader, that there exists an open canon of scripture. God speaks now as He did in Biblical times and what He says is scripture. So what exactly did John mean when he wrote the above verse if not to discourage people from esteeming other works beyond the Bible as scripture? Let us begin, as I often like to, in the Old Testament.

When we examine the Old Testament we learn that Revelation is not the only place where we could interpret the words of a prophet of God, to say that we should not add to God's revelations. In Deuteronomy 4:2 Moses is speaking to Israel regarding the revelations he’s received. He says “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord you God which I command you.” If we were looking at this verse with the same view as individuals often look at Revelation we could argue that all books after Deuteronomy are false; that the New Testament goes against what Moses is saying in this verse. However, if we approach it as we should, as an admonishment not to tamper with the revelations of Moses coming from Moses himself then Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Denial and others are what we esteem them to be, that is, prophets recording the word of God as it was given to them.

What about the verse in Revelation? Many Biblical scholars of today will agree that the New Testament as we know it does not place the books in chronological order. The Bible-one collection of texts bound in a single volume- did not exist when John wrote this particular book. In fact, John wrote many of his own books after the book of Revelation. The word “Bible” comes from the Koine Greek word τὰ βιβλία-ta biblia which translates into "the books". The New Testament was compiled by various individuals into different combinations that circulated among the people all through the centuries. Thus, if the scripture in Revelation was intercepted the way many lovers of the Bible interpret it that would make even some of John’s own books null and void. I submit to you that John is talking about the book of Revelation alone.

Critics always point out the Book of Mormon as a blasphemous book because of the verse in Revelation which we’ve already discussed. My question to you is: “what about the other books and writings?” I’m sure many would respond: “what other books and writings?” Consider for a moment, The Dead Sea Scrolls. A collection of 972 texts consisting of biblical manuscripts from what is now known as the Hebrew Bible and extra-biblical documents found between 1946 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name. They were specifically located at Khirbet Qumran in what was then British Mandate Palestine, and since 1947, what has been known as the West Bank. There are texts that come from the Hebrew Bible and texts that come from the Second temple period that include the Book of Enoch and additional Psalms. By Biblical scholars these texts were received with interest and enthusiasm. However, those who claim there can be nothing else except what is contained with the Bible at this time seem to simply turn their nose up at the thought of there being more. I can tell you as someone who makes it their life to study ancient texts that there is scripture out there that we have yet to discover and understand, who are we to question the ways of God?

For those who have not walked away from their computers yet I ask you to humor me a moment and find a way to look up 2 Nephi 29 in a Book of Mormon (you can do so online if you do not have a physical copy within reach).  In this chapter it is prophesied that many shall reject the Book of Mormon saying “A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible” (verse 3). Yet the Lord Himself gives a better explanation than any logic or physical proof could ever do. He says in response: “Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord you God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the Earth beneath ; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the Earth. Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? “ (verse7-8) Here the Lord references the law of witness that Paul puts forth in 2 Corinthians 13:1 which says “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The Book of Mormon acts as that second witness of Jesus Christ, its writings establish that Jesus is the Christ that He lived and died that we might live again.

The Lord goes on to give a reason for the Book of Mormon, something that often escapes many: “And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever” (2 Nephi 29:9). I know that many people love and the revere the Bible so much that they feel they must defend it against any thing that has potential to contradict it. To you I say, I stand with you; as do all Latter Day Saints.  The Bible is the word of God; a testament of His goodness and greatness to the world.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, which is also esteemed as modern day scripture and revelation, the Lord says: “And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel [The Book of Mormon] to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received [the Bible], but to build it up” (D&C 10:52). I invite anyone who has not already done so to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. Read it. Study it. Pray about it. Discover the sweet peace that it will bring to your life. Taste of the doctrines, so clear and pure when standing next to the Bible that it is impossible to deny it to be the word of God. I give you the same challenge Christ gave in the New Testament, that is: drinketh of the water that I shall give” (John 14:4). Drink of the sweet truths of the Book of Mormon my dear readers. By rejuvenated by its testimony and uplifted by all that it teaches.

Those who approach the reading and studying of the Book of Mormon with a desire to know and the intention of acting upon the knowledge they will receive will come to know that the intent of this book as well as those who revere it as scripture is to “talk of Christ, to rejoice in Christ, to preach of Christ, to prophesy of Christ… that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26). I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That God speaks to us through prophets and scripture as He did in ancient times for He is the same yesterday today and forever. Read it. Taste of its sweetness. Learn of its truth. May God be with you until you read again. 

“He Revealeth His Secret Unto His Servants, the Prophets” (Amos 3:7)

There are varying opinions on whether God still communicates with His children through prophets today. Some Christian denominations believe that this line of communication ceased with the death of Christ, for thus the barrier between men and God was removed and there was no more need for a mediator. Yet a modern day prophet is a distinguishing feature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and in order to understand them you must understand their doctrine on Prophets.

For the Latter Day Saint the best place to start the discussion of the necessity of prophets is to teach about dispensations. To put it simply a dispensation is a period of time that follows a predictable pattern. They begin with a restoration of truth upon the Earth (God’s truth); the people are righteous and blessed for their obedience. Then they begin to prosper, become proud and wicked. Eventually their wickedness leads to an apostasy, an event in which God removes His influence from the people because they are too wicked. That is essentially dispensations in laymen terms. To be more specific the Bible Dictionary of the King James version expounds it as “a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the Earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys, and who has divine commission to dispense the Gospel to the inhabitants of the Earth” The person previously described is a prophet whom God has called

Yet what evidence have you of dispensations in the Bible? Well in Ephesians 1:10 Paul writes of “the dispensation of the fullness of times” in which the Lord “might gather together all things in Christ”. This implies that there were other dispensations prior to "the end of days". Based on what has been discussed up to this point I submit to you that you can identify at least one dispensation with Adam, one with Enoch, another with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Christ with his apostles in the Meridian of time. During these periods of time the priesthood resided upon the Earth and prophets acted as a means to warn the people and bring them to God.

However, with the dispensation of Christ you run into something that is a little unique from other dispensation. Yes in other dispensations the Lord withdrew from the people and thus a new prophet had to be called at a later time to usher in a restoration. But with the ascension of Christ into Heaven the wicked people of that time started to kill off the Apostles od the Master. The New Testament records these events for us and as they die, the priesthood dies with them. Only this isn’t any withdrawal of the priesthood. This “withdrawal” lasts thousands of years and becomes known in LDS doctrine as the Great Apostasy.

Such an event is prophesied of a great deal in the Old and New Testaments. In Amos the Lord says “The days come, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12). Peter writes of “false prophets” that “shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2). Essentially this apostasy was a starvation of God’s word and understanding of Him until God saw fit to bring about a restoration of things once again.

In another post I will discuss how God prepared the world for the Restoration of the priesthood and His Gospel but now I think it is fitting to talk of the man that God called to head this dispensation. The dispensation that Peter referred to as "the dispensation of the fullness of times."  I am speaking of Joseph Smith. In “the midst of [the] war of words and tumult of opinion” Joseph describes in his own words a time when “priest [was] contending against priest, and convert against convert” (Joseph Smith History 1:6). Joseph felt as many of us often do wondering “what is to be done?” As many of us probably would have he turned to the Bible for his answer. He explains “I was one day reading the epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Joseph Smith History 1:10). He describes “never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine” Feeling like he’d received an answer to his prayer, or a way to find an answer, he did what I think most of us would do. He decided to ask God.

On a beautiful spring day in 1820 in the early hours of the morning, when Joseph Smith was just 14 years old he retired to a predetermined spot with the intent to ask God which religion, if  any, was right. When he knelt down to offer up the desires of his heart he explains “I was seized upon by some power, which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction” I shall take the liberty to guess that you are familiar with the very real being that is known as Lucifer or Satan. To summarize, he was cast out of heaven because he sought to take away the agency of men and take the glory for the success of all returning to the Father for himself. God the Father would not have it and Satan, even the Son of the Morning, was cast from heaven along with all those who chose to follow him.

I propose to you that if this account of a fourteen year old boy is true and God was trying to use him to restore the Gospel once again upon the Earth, Satan, who wishes to make everyone miserable like unto himself, would not want these events to transpire. Yet God will always prevail. Joseph goes on to say “exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy… and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair… to the power of some actual being from the unseen world… I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.” This magnificent light released Joseph from the hands of the evil presence that had wished to destroy him and when he looked he explains “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

I don’t think anyone, when they pray, anticipates an answer like this. Many critics of the Church balk claiming that God would not appear to a 14 year old boy. How could you trust such an account? Yet recall the calling of Samuel. It is clear that he was young when God called to him (see 1 Samuel 3:1-20). The ancient Jewish historian Josephus speculates that Samuel was about twelve years old. Despite exactness it is safe to assume from the verses that he was young and that the Lord did in fact speak to him. So for the Lord, calling prophets in their youth was not an unheard of practice but it seems to get the critics buzzing now a days.

Joseph Smith records that Christ told him that he “must join none of [the Churches], for they were all wrong; and… all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof.” [reference Isaiah 29:13] Just as God had in prior dispensations He had called another prophet to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all the organization, powers, and doctrines that existed in Christ’s time; a beacon for all those searching for answers and truth. So why do we need prophets today? The answer is really rather simple. To guide in Christ’s stead until the Messiah, the anointed one, returns to reign in all His resurrected glory. Thank you for taking the time to read my dear readers and may God never cease to bless you, until you read again. 

"Consider the Lilies of the Field..." (Matthew 6:28)

Being a college student some times money can be a little tight. There have been times where I've fretted over how in the world I'm going to make ends meet. This is some thing that each of us goes through and is familiar with. Often it keeps us up late into the night and makes it difficult to focus on the things that matter most in our lives. However, I can testify that the Lord always does provide.

Some times what we are experiencing is a trial of our faith. Consider the story of Abraham when he is asked to sacrifice Isacc. In the original Hebrew the text reads somewhat like this with a climactic tone to it: "Take thy son, thine only son, whom thou loves, even Isacc... and offer him for a burnt offering... " (Genesis 2:22 What's interesting about the original Hebrew is that the Lord approaches Abraham saying "Lacakh na" essentially "take I pray thee." The word "na" in Hebrew denotes a kind of respect, so if taken literally, the request that God is making of Abraham is done with respect, almost as if the Lord understand how hard such a request is for His prophet. The text goes on to discuss how the Lord wishes Abraham to offer Isacc as an "ohla". There are many different sacrifices offered in the Bible but an "ohla" is special because it is known as the sacrifice used to commune with God. It is formally known as the offering of peace.

I think at times we all feel like Abraham must have felt. Overwhelmed, like God is asking too much and not blessing us enough. Or, that He is taking blessings from us that we feel He promised us. There will be hard times in this life my dear readers. Times where we feel like we cannot handle what the Lord is plading before us. Recall Paul's admonishment to the Corinthians: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able" (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Lord will not give us any thing we cannot handle. He will not ask us to lift a cross that is too heavy for our shoulders to bear, nor give up any thing with out blessing ten fold for our sacrifice.

I love the story in the Book of Mormon of Alma and his people who are subject to the Lamenites. They are weighed down with the burdens of their enslavement but Alma records "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease" (Mosiah 24:15). At times the Lord does not remove the trial that we are going through or ease the affliction that we are under. Rather he gives us the strength to get through it. Whether its financial issues, the stresses of family, relationships, school, or work the Lord knows what we most need to glean all that He wants us to learn from that experience.

One of the greatest things that we need to remember is the importance of drawing closer to God in our trials, not further from Him. Decide now my dear reader, this moment, that instead of turning and walking away you will fall on your knees before Him and pray for the strength you feel you lack. Worry not for yourself for Christ said "He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it". A beautiful verse in the Doctrine and Covenants reads "Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever" (D&C 122:9). 

I invite you my dear readers to "consider the lilies of the field" and the "fowls of the air" are they not provided for by a loving and merciful God? As I have said before He knows you my dear reader. Be not afraid of the  tumultuous storms of this life. Recall the account Christ gives of the five sparrows sold for two farthings and "not one is forgotten before God" (Luke 12:6). The Master goes on to say "But even the very haris of your head are all numbered; fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7). 

At times it may seem like we are forgotten. Like we are left to wander without any sense of direction or purpose. Other times we may feel like God is being unfair or punishing us for some thing that we've done. One of my favorite concepts comes from a General Conference talk entitled : Laborers in the Vineyard by Jeffery R. Holland. In it he says "Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and often feel they don't deserve it." God loves you. He loves you so much that he "gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Just as he "clothes the lilies of the field" He will clothe you with the warmth of His mercy and wrap you in the arms of His love. Never cease to draw near unto Him. Remember the words of the Apostle James "Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you" (James 4:8). Seek Him. Know Him. Glorify Him. Count your blessings and may He always be with you, until you read again. 

"Except A Man Be Born of Water and of the Spirit He Cannot Enter into the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5)

There is much debate over what the above passage means. Lately I have heard the popular explanation that Christ is referring to our physical birth as the “baptism of water” and we are baptized by fire when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. No disrespect to those individuals. I wholeheartedly vouch for people practicing and worshiping God however they see fit but allow me the opportunity to shed some light on the LDS view of this section and our opinion on baptism in general.

As always, I like to start at the very beginning. In this case I would like to draw your attention to the meaning of the word “baptism” in the original Greek. The word “baptism” comes from the Greek verb “baptidzo” which means “to immerse.” The process of baptism consists of immersion, submersion and emergence. In the world of the Latter Day Saint baptism symbolizes birth, burial and resurrection of the body which gives added meaning to Christ’s words when he says “except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”(John 3:3). Yet there are many interpretations of this scripture (as previously mentioned) based on the claim that baptism is not needed for salvation. Let me teach you a concept that I intend to expound upon later, I am going to give you your first taste (for the LDS among you consider this a great review), of the Plan of Salvation.

In the Pearl of Great Price (a book that Latter Day Saints also revere as scripture) the Lord says to Moses “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). As Latter Day Saints we do not believe anyone is going to hell, unless you deny the Christ after the heavens have been opened to you. However, that is another post and will not be discussed in depth at this time. We believe in the resurrection of all mankind. God is no respecter of persons. He loves all of His children. In Jeremiah 1:5 He says “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee” Just as a child is created to look like its parents we too are created to look like our Father in Heaven (see Genesis 1:26-27). God does not love in the way we humans comprehend the word. In 1 John 4:8-10 John explains that love “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herin is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” I personally interpret this verse to point to God’s eternal love for each of us as His children, whether we have accepted His son or not, we are His for He is our Father and He created us. 

Latter Day Saints believe that we will all be resurrected; no matter what we have done. This goes back to the idea of an all-encompassing atonement. This concept is spelled out beautifully in Alma 42:23 when the prophet Alma is talking to his son about justice and mercy. He teaches “But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice” (Alma 43:23). So mercy comes in the fact that all men will be resurrected but justice comes through the judgment of all men based on whether they have accepted Christ and other contributing factors that I feel impressed not to bring up at this time.

If you will recall when Paul writes his letter to the Corinthians he write of “Celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial” (1 Corinthians 15:40) essentially, Latter Day Saints believe that these “bodies” are, to put it simply, heavens of sorts. “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, another glory of the stars, for one star differeth from another star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). When the time comes we will stand before God and be judged according to the way we have lived our lives. Thus the demands of justice can be met.

To summarize you have the highest degree, which is the Celestial Kingdom or Degree. God the Father rules over this Kingdom, here those who have been baptized with the proper authority and have had all other appropriate ordinances performed will dwell with God. The next degree is the Terrestrial Kingdom, where Christ where rule and those who were good, accepted Christ, etc… will go here. Finally in the Telestial Kingdom, where the Holy Spirit reigns, those who may not have lived the way they should will dwell for eternity (I do intend to do a post outlining the Plan of Salvation at  some point but for now email me with your questions and I will do my best to answer them). 

So back to baptism; Latter Day Saints believe it is essential to get to the Celestial Kingdom. That view is based on scriptural teachings such as Matthew 28:19 which commands “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” If baptism were not necessary why would Christ command His disciples to go out and do it?

Latter Day Saints believe like other denominations that you first must have faith in Christ and then be baptized. We believe without the atonement even if you were baptized it would be null and void because there would be no cleansing blood of the Savior to provide a way for us to repent. However, after you have that faith and repented of your sins, we believe the next step is baptism. It is a symbolist act that represents the cleansing that accepting Christ does for your sins and your spirit. In the Book of Mormon the prophet Nephi writes of the importance of baptism “And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also, the voice of the Son came unto me saying: He that is baptized in my, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost; wherefore follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Nephi 31:11-12).

Baptism by immersion is necessary to receive “all that the Father hath.” It is not necessary to be saved in the sense that many Christians view the word but it is necessary if we wish to receive the highest reward that God longs to give us. I can testify, as a witness for Him, that he is a God mercy, a God of justice and a God of love. His plan, even the Plan of Salvation, is perfect. No one will be left feeling cheated or unhappy for the atonement of Christ satisfied the law of justice and allows mercy to have its affect. I testify that each and every one of us will cry out as Nephi did “Oh how great [is] the goodness of our God” (2 Nephi 9:10). God bless you my dear readers, until you read again. 

And The Visions of All Is Become Unto You As The Words of a Book..." (Isaiah 29:11)

The comment was made to a family member of mine that The Book of Mormon reads a lot like the King James Version of the Bible (which Latter Day Saints accept as the most correct translation of the original Hebrew). Being a Hebrew student myself I must admit that it is a decent translation, I use it at times to help me with my translating homework. The Book of Mormon is very much like the Bible in every way, it stands as a clarification for doctrines that are often uncertain when just looking at the text of the Old and New Testaments. Like the Bible it also contains many Semitic complexities. The following post shall demonstrate the parallels between the two texts and serve as proof that the Book of Mormon is of an ancient origin and was not, as many claim, written by Joseph Smith.

The first similarity I would like to draw your attention to is a literary device that is completely Hebraic. Formally known as the “cognitive style” it is essentially using the same word as a verb to describe the action of the noun in the sentence. Some Biblical examples include:

“Joseph dreamed a dream” (Genesis 37:5)

“Wrote upon it a writing” (Exodus 39:30)

Some Book of Mormon examples include:

“I will curse them even with a sore curse” (1 Nephi 2:23)

“This was the desire which I desired” (Enos 1:13

“Work all manner of fine work” (Mosiah 11:10)

The next is an excessive use of ands. In a Semitic language this is a very correct way to create a list. Not to mention that the character that acts as “and” can also be translated as: “but”, “nor”, “or”, etc… essentially any conjunction you can think of this character can be. But when a Hebrew text is translated into English a native English speaker is most likely going to translate the character as “and” Evidence of this can be found in the Bible in the following verse:

“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his son, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them into the valley of Achor” (Joshua 7:24)

There also many instances of this in The Book of Mormon:

“And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their God” (Mosiah 24:22)

“But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and their contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plunderings, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work. (Helaman 3:14)

The next similarity which shows that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are of an ancient origin comes in the form of idioms and word usages. There are so many instances in both the Bible and The Book of Mormon where words are used in a way which implies a definition that we would not give them in every day conversation or when writing popular literature. A good example in the Bible is:

“And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand” (Hosea 2:10)

I'm pretty sure if most of you translated that into on-the-street English you would say some thing like “Now I will expose” or “Now I will parade” still a little on the formal side but you get the point. We would not use the word “discover” in this context in every day English.

There are numerous examples in the Book of Mormon of this word usage and idiomatic phrasing. One example:

“But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance” (Alma 49:4)

In every day English we might say “cast stones” but I can almost guarantee you that you would never hear “cast your arrows” to us English speakers you “shoot arrows” right? Phrases like this are incredibly Semitic and appear an innumerable amount of times in the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

One of my favorite evidences is the chiasmus. It’s a Hebrew poetic form, essentially a parallelism the topic goes some thing like this ABCCBA where the author starts  at one point and builds until he reaches his climactic or key principle then mirrors what he said previously to the end of the chiasmus. The best way to understand is to simply look at examples. Great examples in the Bible come from Isaiah and Psalms

A-Our soul is escaped as bird

B-out of the snare of the fowlers

B- the snare of the fowlers is broken

A- And we are escaped

(Psalms 124:7)

A-Make the heart of this people fat

B-and make their ears heavy,

C-and shut their eyes;

C-Lest they see with their eyes,

B-And hear with their ears,

A- And understand with their heart

(Isaiah 6:10)

Evidences of the Hebraic chiasmus in the Book of Mormon are just as prominent. Two examples are as follows:

A-Now the land south

B- was called Lehi

C-and the land north

D-was called Mulek

E- which was after the son of Zedekiah;

D-for the Lord did bring Mulek

C-into the land north

B-and Lehi

A-into the land South

(Helaman 6:10)

Who could forget the rather famous Chiasmus (for the LDS among us) of Alma 36

A- My son give ear to my words (v 1)

B- Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land (v 1)

C- Do as I have done (v 2)

D- Remember the captivity of our fathers (v 2)

E- They were in bondage (v 2)

F- He surely did deliver them (v 2)

G- Trust in God (v 3)

H- Supported in trials, troubles and afflictions (v 3)

I- I know this not of myself but of God (v 4)

J- Born of God (v 5)

K- I sought to destroy the church (v 6-9)

L- My limbs were paralyzed (v 10)

M- Fear of the presence of God (v 14-15)

N- Pains of a damned soul (v 16)

O- Harrowed up by memory of sins (v 17)

P- I remembered Jesus Christ, a son of God (v 17)

P- I cried, Jesus, son of God (v 18)

O- Harrowed up by memory of sins no more (v 19)

N- Joy as exceeding as was the pain (v 20)

M- Long to be in the presence of God (v 22)

L- My limbs received strength again (v 23)

K- I labored to bring souls to repentance (v 24)

J- Born of God (v 26)

I- Therefore my knowledge is of God (26)

H- Supported under trials and troubles and afflictions (v 27)

G- Trust in him (v 27)

F- He will deliver me (v 27)

E- As God brought our fathers out of bondage and captivity (v 28-29)

D- Retain in remembrance their captivity (v 28-29)

C- Know as I do know (v 30)

B- Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land (v 30)

A- This according to his word (v 30)

(Alma 36:1-30)

I have saved, in my opinion, the best for last. It is the beautiful literary device of climactic poetry (also referred to as climactic parallelism). It is essentially a building in the text, as if the idea developed as the reader went a long. A great place to find this example in the Bible is in the poetic book of Psalms:

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

(Psalms 121:5-8)

And of course to end this thought,  two examples from the Book of Mormon:

Behold, he created Adam,

and by Adam came the fall of man.

And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son;

and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.

And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ,

they are brought back into the presence of the Lord;

yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed,

because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection

which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep,

from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God

when the trump shall sound;

and they shall come forth, both small and great,

and all shall stand before his bar,

being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death,

which death is a temporal death.

When I discussed this concept with my roommate the other day she pointed this beautiful verse out as well. 

And if ye say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. 

If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also sy there is no righteousness. 

And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness.

And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery.

And if these things are not there is no God.

And if there is no God we are not,

Neither the EArth; for there could have been no creation of things

Neither to act nor to be acted upon;

wherefore; all things must have vanished away

(2 Nephi 2:13)

So after all you have read I submit to you the idea that the Book of Mormon is in fact of ancient origin. That it is exactly what Joseph Smith said it was, that is, the Word of God written by inspired men of ancient times. I invite all to read it by clicking on the link above and ordering a free copy. If you have already read it, read it again with a desire to know God and His word. If you are interested in learning more about the Semitic complexities of the Book of Mormon click here, it is a great page that I found which touches on even more points then I chose to talk about. May God bless you my dear readers, until you read again.