3 Nephi 20

The Savior said to the people in the Americas -

"Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them—
12  And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 20:11 - 12)

Suggesting the that Isaiah wrote much of the covenants the Father made with the house of Israel.  I significant part of this covenant is that -

"I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 20:18)

A greater understanding comes of this gathering as the Savior explained -

"And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 20:13)

This gathering that the Lord did covenant with His people would be more of a spiritual gathering in that they will be gathered as sheaves to the knowledge of the Lord and be redeemed.  I personally consider the "house of Israel" will be the eternal family or house in the Celestial Kingdom

3 Nephi 19

After having taught or ministered the same words Jesus had taught the previous day, His twelve authorized disciples -

"...did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:9)

So they followed the commandments of the Savior and were baptized and -

"...when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:13)

And now having been cleansed by fire and with the Holy Ghost -

"...they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
15  And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:14 - 15)

I can't help but ponder what the angels and the Savior were doing as they ministered to these disciples.  My thoughts are what has always been done as new priesthood leaders are called...that is, they are taught their duties.
One more thought.  The Savior had previously instructed these disciple to -

"...ye must always pray unto the Father in my name..."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 18:19)

Yet we read that upon the Savior's return, the disciples -

"...began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:18)

I have wondered if in this case that Mormon used the word pray to reflect righteous praise and worship.  But even so, the Savior provides a solid reason as He went a little way off and prayed -

"Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:22)

Again, my reasoning could be right in that they were speaking directly to Jesus.

3 Nephi 18

After a long day, the Savior chose to remain and teach the people of the Americas the doctrine of the "sacrament" as the Savior -

"...commanded his Disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 18:1)

And after the people had eaten and drank and were filled He instructed -

"...unto the Disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 18:5)

In other words, under the direction of priesthood keys, the sacrament could only be administered.  And it is in the sacramet that with  the bread -

"...this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you..."  (Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 18:7)   I personally consider this an instruction to remember His mission (including premortal and postmortal), life, physical sufferings and afflictions, and resurrection.  And of the wine or water, those that drink  -   "...shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you..."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 18:11)   And in partaking of these emblems -   "...that ye do always remember me..."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 18:7)   and -   "...that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 18:10)   Previously, the Savior taught His -   "...doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock..."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 11:39)   Now He instructs the sacrament is building upon the rock saying -   "...I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 18:12)   The Savior made it clear that -   "...this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it; 29 For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid him."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 18:28 - 29)

The saints have to be careful not interpreting this to mean having committed any manner of sins.  Only those types of sins that may be judged by priesthood leaders that would consider disciplanary action.  But even so -

"Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him and shall pray for him unto the Father, in my name; and if it so be that he repenteth and is baptized in my name, then shall ye receive him, and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 18:30)

Why?

"...for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 18:32)

3 Nephi 17

I blogged yesterday regarding the Savior's announcement that -

"...Behold, my time is at hand."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:1)

Suggesting, in my mind, that He had completed or taught that which He had been directed and now was His time to leave.  Obviously it had been a long day, from the many hours of the people feeling the prints in His hands and thrusting their hands into His side, to His teaching all the doctrines He had taught during His mortal ministry.  But then -

"...he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:5 - 6)

We are taught in modern day that -

"...notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit."   (Doctrine and Covenants Section 46:2)

Even though it had been a long day, and He was to leave, He instructed -

"Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:7 - 10)

The Savior has always commanded His people to come to Him.  We find this same doctrine as "he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him."  Even after this long day and all these many healings, the Savior -

"...commanded that their little children should be brought.
12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:11 - 12)

"...and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:21)


We learn a great deal about ministering as we see the Savior doing this one by one.  Last of all, even with this long day, the Savior found it appropriate to teach the doctrine of the Sacrament.  We learn a great deal about ministering as we learn from the example of the Savior.   I have to add one more thought.  After having healed all the afflicted in any manner -   "...he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground. 14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:13 - 15)

But was is very interesting was the testimony or those there that -

"The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:16 - 17)

As He prayed, there would be no question that they would hear, but what is interesting in that "eye hat never seen" or thingw "we saw...Jesus speak" for the "both saw and heard".  Something to ponder.

3 Nephi 17

After the Savior had allowed some 2500 individuals to thrust their hands into His side and feel of the prints in His hands, and then taught His doctrine and that which He taught in His mortal ministry to the people and His disciples and, it must have been a long day.  I would assume that it was one day in that we read later that after He left -

"...it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude."  (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 19:2)

But while it was still day -

"...that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand.
2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 17:1 - 3)

Though this counsel was given after a signficant day of teachings, I sense that Mormon included these words as counself for us in our day.  As we study His words each day in daily scripture reading, He knows that we may not necessarily understand all His words.  He counsels us to ponder His words and as the Father to understand.  Now you know why I try to do my scripture blog everyday.  It is in hopes that I come to understand and prepare my mind to again study His words on the morrow.

3 Nephi 16

As the Savior seem to conclude man of the "higher" principles, doctrines, commandments and ordinance that He taught during his mortal ministry to those in the Americas, He summarized -

"Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
10 Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments..."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 15:9 - 10)

In this summary, He added to the doctrine of Christ (just as Nephi taught) the last component of that doctrine - "endure to the end".  This doctrinal component then is also essential for eternal life.

And then the Savior turns to His disciples or His priesthood leaders and teaches them -

"...this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you.
14 And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem.
15 Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 15:13 - 15)

First, we witness priesthood organization.  Everyone has a priesthood or "file" leader, even the Savior.  It is obvious that the Savior only does those things that the Father commands.  It is here that we learn the Savior was commanded by the Father during His mortal ministry to say -

"...other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."  (New Testament   John 10:16)

The Savior then explains to those in the Americas -

"This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them:


17 That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
18 And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.
19 But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 15:16 - 19)

And then, probably with some surprise to His disciples -

"...verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them.
21 And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
22 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
23 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 15:20 - 23)

Therefore -

"...ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 15:24)

Who knows how many groups of Israel that were also visited and kept a record.

3 Nephi 14

There are many that believe that it doesn't matter your religious beliefs because all roads lead to heaven.  But that isn't what the Savior taught -

"Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 14:13 - 14)

We learn earlier in the that with the teachings of Nephi that it had -

"...been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost."  (Book of Mormon  2 Nephi 31:17)

So how are we to know which way?  The Savior warns -

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 14:15 - 20)

In my mind, false prophets are not necessarily just religious leaders, but could be considered as political leaders, celebrities, etc. that preach a false philosophy and/or lifestyle.

The Savior made it clear -

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 14:21 - 23)

In the Joseph Smith translation of the New Testament, it becomes a little bit more clear with "you never knew me".  This seems to make more sense to me.

3 Nephi 13

We learn a great deal more about the Savior's intructions in the New Testament, as the Savior continues His teachings in the Americas for -

"...when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people...."  (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 13:25)

It is then to His twelve priesthood leaders or apostles that He teaches -

"...Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 13:25)

It becomes obvious that these instructions were not necessarily given to all disciples or saints.  This is when he uses these analogies -

"Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."  (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 13:26 - 32)

In that we have been taught to apply the scriptures unto ourselves, this is where we need to contemplate if any of these teachings apply to us.  Obviously, all saints can't go through like not planning, preparation, or taking no such thought on the matter.  Yet at the same time, on the other side of the pendulum, there are His twelve apostles that he has counseled exactly to do that. 

My thoughts are that we all are somewhere in between depending upon the stage of our life and upon the callings we receive.  It is a balancing act where we do the best we can considering our spouse, family, and our desire to serve God.  We must always consider that which is good, better, or best remembering that the Holy Ghost -

"...will show unto you all things what ye should do."  (Book of Mormon  2 Nephi 32:5)

With that it then makes sense -

"...But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof."  (Book of Mormon  3 Nephi 13:33 - 34)

2 Nephi 12

There is one of the teachings that the Savior taught in His ministry and in the Americas that I have read and struggled to understand which is -

"It hath been written, that whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whoso shall marry her who is divorced committeth adultery."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:31 - 32)

I spent a great deal of time contemplating these words trying to bring them in context to the teachings of the prophets of modern day.  First of all, I recognize that the Mosaic law was a higher law than the Israel had learned in Egypt.  It was more demanding to be a schoolmaster to prepare for the highest law of celestial law that would be taught by the Savior.

It seems that the under the Mosaic law, the scribes and law makers had allowed the letter of the law be clarified more than the spirit of the law.  In the first verse, the Savior referred to the interpreted Mosaic law which seemed to be more practiced in the process of divorce may have been done more verbally.  That is why the Savior first taught that this process must be done according to the law in writing.  In other words, it was allowed seemed to be practiced in a much lesser manner.

It is verse 32 that I seemed to struggle with a little more.  It seemed to come to me this morning where the Lord was teaching the higher law of marriage and eternal commitment.  He states that "whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication"...would suggest that there were many men, even in the Americas, that were divorcing for very selfish reasons when they divorce their wife without cause except were the wife had committed fornication.  A review of the bible dictionary on adultery and even fornication does not necessarily mean sexual activity, but failure to keep their covenants, ordinances and commandments of God.  This is obvious as this metaphor was used with Israel as they would not keep their covenants.

In my mind, the only reason one would divorce other than for the taught reason suggested to me that a man would marry only for selfish or lustful reasons, and once satisfied would then divorce.  It seemed as no commitment other than to make legal sexual of selfish desires. This seems to make more sense as the wife would then be passed on to the next to do the same.  All in all would cause the woman to lose her individual worth and become a slave which would cause anyone to discourage and not keep her covenants.

Nephi wrote -

"...I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:5)

I believe the Jews and the people in the Americas really understood what the Savior was teaching.

3 Nephi 12

In follow up to my blog last Friday concerning my intepretation of being pure in heart, the Savior continues -

 "...it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery; 28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:27 - 28)

Again, the heart suggests to our innermost desires . The Lord did not suggest that at times we do not incidently have thoughts that enter our mind, but is suggesting a "natural man" desire to lust after woman where we ponder on these things. The Savior continues -

 "...I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:29)

Much like I blogged last Friday, our burden is to root out these desires from our heart. The natural man is an enemy to God -

 "...unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19)

 It is this this pattern that allows us to have a change of heart. One more thought somewhat related to the above, the Savior taught - :...I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:13)

Much of the Savior's Jewish learning was the law of Moses and so he related His higher teachings to that law. Of the Mosaic law - "All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee." (Old Testament | Numbers 18:19)

And -

 "Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?" (Old Testament | 2 Chronicles 13:5)

Salt then was a symbol of the covenant made by Jehovah. As modern day latter-day saints, we have also made covenants. The words of the Savior to those of the Americas would not only suggest that we are to be an example to the world, but a great warning if we fail to keep our covenants we will be good for nothing and trodden under the foot of men.

3 Nephi 12

Returning to the beattitudes given by the Savior to the people in the Americas, I wanted to comment on two. First -

"And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:4)

As mentioned in a previous scripture blog, these that mourn are they that are poor in spirit and come unto him. While thoses that mourn would include those that lost love ones, which I believe are those that are typically considered referred to, my thoughts are those that humble themselves and come to the Savior mournful and pleading for mercies from their transgression. Paul wrote to the Corinthians -

"...I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." (New Testament | 2 Corinthians 7:8 - 11)

It is these that humbly come unto the Savior, that mourn, experience Godly sorrow, that repent, are they that will be comforted by the Holy Ghost.

The second beattitude that I wanted to comment on was -

"...blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:8)

The word "heart" in my mind would suggest our innermost desires and conditions. Then those that are pure in heart would be those that have not only received a remission of sins but also has experienced a change of heart or maby better said, a change in the desires of the heart. Pure in heart then would be those that upon doing everything they can, and then with the power of the atonement actually overcome the natural man and their desires also become pure. These are they that shall see God.

I am reminded of the converted Lamanites that did everything they could to do to not allow wordly desires to again enter into their hearts, for the Lamanites had previously plundered, robbed, and even murdered. Thus -

"...they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth.
18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands." (Book of Mormon | Alma 24:17 - 18)

To be pure in heart, not only must we pray for a change of heart, but even remove those things that may tempt us to return to that previously or naturally desired.

3 Nephi 13

After having taught the people of the Americas many of the doctrines and principles He taught those in His mortal ministry, the Savior turned and -

"...looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 13:25 - 32)

These men were to be His priesthood leaders, even apostles. It has been His priesthood leaders that are commanded to minister to the people. I believe the Savior is teaching, if you diligently serve, I will take care of you, in other words -

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 13:33)

It is always about faith in Jesus Christ

3 Nephi 12

After having taught the people in the Americas much of the words He taught in His mortal ministry, the Savior explains -

"...that when Jesus had ended these sayings he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before I ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 15:1)

Suggesting that these teachings were essential for salvation for all people. But we are also taught by the Savior -

"...that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (New Testament | Matthew 18:16)

Which would also teach that much of the teachings and doctrine of the kingdom would be referenced in multiple books or records of scripture.

As much the same teachings that the Savior gave during His mortal ministry and re-taught in the Americas, I noticed something that I thought was significant. In Matthews record of the called beattitudes, the Savior taught -

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (New Testament | Matthew 5:3 - 4)

In my mind, verse 4 suggests that any that mourn will be comforted. But in His teachings to the Americas, it is recorded -

"Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:3 - 4)

As I ponder this teaching, I note that the Savior teaches that those who are poor in spirit, or in words humble, "that come unto me" the kingdom shall be theirs. But then the Lord says "And again" which in my mind is another way of suggesting that those that comply with the previous verse "and" also mourn, it is those that shall be comforted. Not necessarily anyone that mourns.

Additional scripture or second witnesses always bring clarity and understanding.

3 Nephi 11

We learn a great deal how the Savior ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ after having introduced Himself to the people in the Americas, He said -

"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:14)

And in obedience and with a wonderful opportunity -

"...the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.
16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:
17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:15 - 17)

It is important to note that the Savior asked that each person present should arise and come forth to him.
Exclaiming Hosanna would mean somthing like - "O, please, Jehovah, save us now...please!

Another great lesson herein is that the Savior loves each person. Each individual is of great worth to the Savior. In a day when politics and society suggest it is all about equality amongst the masses, we realize that the plan of salvation is about freedon and agency of individuals, not that of some sort of salvation only by collectivism.

No sooner than the Savior began to speak, He taught to avoid contention and His doctrine saying -

"...there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:28 - 29)

For -

"I will declare unto you my doctrine.
32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.
34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:31 - 35)

Even adding -

"...ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.
38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:37 - 38)

In my mind, becoming as a little child would suggest obedience and enduring to the end. Nephi taught the same writing -

"...He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.
17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end..." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:15 - 21)

Is the doctrine of Christ all that is required? No! This doctrine is the rock or foundation that we build on for -

"...this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:39 - 40)

3 Nephi 11

Before the Savior's appearance, the people hear a voice. These scriptural verses are included in a talk I gave yesterday in stake conference. Instead of blogging on this voice, I have decided to post my remarks yesterday. I recognize that some of the remarks are very personal and sacred to me so I hope that if there are any readers, they will recognize so -

We learn in the book of Acts, that as Paul came to Ephesus –

"...finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?..." (New Testament | Acts 19:1 - 2)

When he found that they had not, he –

".. laid his hands upon them, [and]the Holy Ghost came on them..." (New Testament | Acts 19:6)

As I begin my remarks this morning, I know that the majority of us have had hands laid upon us just as Paul did for the disciples of Ephesus, but even so, the question remains the same –

"...Have ye received the Holy Ghost?..." (New Testament | Acts 19:1 - 2)

As we interview candidates to receive the Melchizedek priesthood or as we regularly interview the saints for temple recommends, we ask three distinct questions –

• Do you have a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost?
• Do you have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ?
• Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the Gospel in these the latter days?

In a sense, I believe that these three questions are really asking the much the same question asked by Paul –

"...Have ye received the Holy Ghost?..." (New Testament | Acts 19:1 - 2)

Following baptism, hands are laid on our heads and we are commanded, with priesthood authority, to “receive the Holy Ghost.” The gift of the Holy Ghost then is not only a gift from God, but also a commandment or a charge to receive the gift. In other words, it becomes our personal responsibility or in other words, our personal burden to receive the blessings of the Holy Ghost.

It is important to understand that receiving the Holy Ghost is critical and essential to our salvation and exaltation for Moroni taught that after we have repented and –

"...received unto baptism, [what should follow is that we are then] wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon | Moroni 6:4)

Nephi taught much the same thing, that is, after baptism –

"...then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:17)

Of this cleansing and remission of sins, Mormon added that such fire should fill our –

"...souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of [our] hearts..." (Book of Mormon | Helaman 3:35)

We must receive the Holy Ghost to be cleansed, purified, and sanctified. It is as after we are cleansed, purified, and sanctified, in other words, receive a spiritual house cleaning by the Holy Ghost, that as we then keep the commandments and continue to –

"...receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 32:5)

For it is the Holy Ghost that –

"...shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (New Testament | John 14:26)

For it is also –

"...the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son…” (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:18)

Thus the Holy Ghost provides evidence, testimony, and sufficient faith in Jesus Christ to continue to repent and to keep His commandments

But not only does the Holy Ghost cleanse, testifies, and leads us in the way we should go, it is by the Holy Ghost that all saving covenants, ordinances, relationship, and the promised blessings of exaltation –

"...are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:53)

Because receiving the Holy Ghost is of such great importance to our salvation and exaltation, it is also important that we understand, “who is the Holy Ghost” and also, “how do we receive, or in other words, how do we come to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost?”

As I have had the opportunity to teach young men and young women in our stake missionary preparation class, I have asked the question, “can the Holy Ghost be in more than one place at one time?” I usually get nods that are up and down and then back and forth. We then read from the Doctrine and Covenants –

"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:22)

As we contemplate what a personage of Spirit is, we realize that a "personage" can only be in one place at a time. So how then can the Holy Ghost, as a personage of Spirit, concurrently dwell in all our hearts, as the scriptures suggests?

To understand that, we must also come to understand the "Light of Christ" and how that light relates to receiving the personage of the Holy Ghost.

In modern day revelation we learn that the Light of Christ is –

"...the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—" (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:11 - 12)

The light of Christ then is light, a medium so to speak, or an agency that is all present everywhere.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught –

"The Light of Christ...is also the agency used by the Holy Ghost to manifest truth and dispense spiritual gifts to many people at one and the same time. For instance, it is as though the Holy Ghost, who is a personage of spirit, was broadcasting all truth throughout the whole universe all the time, using the Light of Christ as the agency by which the message is delivered..." (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith)

President Boyd K. Packer taught much the same thing –

"It is important...to know that the Holy Ghost can work through the Light of Christ. A teacher of gospel truths is not planting something foreign or even new into an adult or a child. Rather, the missionary or teacher is making contact with the Spirit of Christ already there." (The Light of Christ, address delivered at the seminar of new mission presidents, 22 June 2004, 2) (Page 90, Preach My Gospel)

To help us better understand this explanation, I would like to compare receiving the Holy Ghost to my smart phone. The Holy Ghost, of course, would be the caller or sender and the Light of Christ - the medium, agency, signal, electromagnetic radio waves that are broadcast throughout space. Using that analogy, I would then suggest that you are I are the smart phone.

A question would be, what would determine if this smart phone is capable of receiving the electromagnetic signals? Of course, it would depend upon whether this smart phone is active and working properly. If this smart phone was not functioning properly, it would be ridiculous to assume then that a caller does not exist nor would it prove the signal is bad or not available. The caller and the signal doesn’t have anything to do with the internal workings of the phone.

Say, I was to bend, break or destroy the internal antenna, turn it off, let the battery run down or even remove the battery, drop the phone on concrete, accidently send it through the washing machine, or as I did recently, drop it in a lake? Would this phone continue to receive a strong signal? Of course not! The ability of this phone to receive and process signals into meaningful visuals, sounds and text is conditionally dependent on the how the internal components of the phone are working. What if I didn't pay the phone bill? Again, I would be cut off from any communications!

To receive the Light of Christ, or in other words, as compared to the signal or electromagnetic waves, we must be worthy to receive such signals. Repentance and striving for holiness and godliness has a lot to do with it. Our spiritual selves must be working properly to receive the Light of Christ for we read –

"...the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:46)

To hearken to the voice of the Spirit suggests obedience, faithfulness, and keeping the commandments. If we are worthy and possess sufficient faith, we can receive communications sent by the Holy Ghost.

With my smart phone, there are divers of ways that a caller may communicate with me. This phone can receive text messages, voice messages, tweets, pictures, video, receive email, search internet websites for information and instructions, and even, in what may be a great surprise to some of the youth, you can even have a two-way voice communication just like a telephone.

This smart phone may get my attention with an audible ring, it can play an annoying song, vibrate, beep, flash on and off, and who knows what else.

So it is with receiving the Holy Ghost. There are also divers of ways that the Holy Ghost may get our attention and communicate with us. The Lord told Oliver Cowdery –

"...behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 8:2)

What seems to be the most common method of communication of the Holy Ghost is that to our mind and/or to our heart. As Enos prayed all day and into the night, he wrote -

"...there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed." (Book of Mormon | Enos 1:5)

But what is quite revealing is what Enos records afterwards –

"...I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again..." (Book of Mormon | Enos 1:9 - 10)

...”into my mind again” would suggest that the voice he heard had previously also came into his mind.

No wonder, Elijah described this as –

"...a still small voice." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 19:12)

Mormon wrote that the still small voice is a –

"...voice of perfect mildness, as if it [is] a whisper..." (Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:30)

Not that it was a whisper, but “as if” it was a whisper. To Hyrum Smith the Lord said -

"I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 11:13)

Receiving intelligence and joy are then forms of communication or signals from the Holy Ghost. Having received the Holy Ghost, the people of king Benjamin testified that –

"...because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 5:2)

Having such feelings, that of having “no disposition of doing evil” is an influence of the Holy Ghost. Not only does the Spirit change our hearts, another type of signal is that He will provide -

"...the peace of God, which passeth all understanding..." (New Testament | Philippians 4:7)

Alma even used words to describe receiving the Holy Ghost as such a feeling that it -

"...will begin to swell within your breasts....it beginneth to enlarge my soul...it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." (Book of Mormon | Alma 32:28)

Being delicious suggests to me that receiving the Holy Ghost can simply mean that it tastes good or in other words, feels good and right!

With the coming of the Savior to the Americas, we learn a great deal how the Spirit may communicate with us for –

"...while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:3)

That voice that many heard then must have not been an audible voice for it seemed to pierce only them that did hear to the center. If it was a audible voice, everyone would have heard it. We also learn that it –

• was not harsh
• It was not loud
• It was small
• It did cause some to quake
• And of great significance - it did cause their hearts to burn.

No matter what divers of ways or means the Spirit communicates with us, Alma asks –

‘…is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good…” (Book of Mormon | Alma 32:35)

It has always been very difficult to describe spiritual things in our own English language, or for a matter of fact, any language. That is why both Paul and Mormon described the Holy Ghost as an "unspeakable gift". But even yet, the promise given by Alma is that the witness of the Spirit will be “discernible”. For it will be real!

As we contemplate the divers of ways the Holy Ghost communicates with us, I think it is important to understand that which is not the influence of the Holy Ghost. President Howard W. Hunter warned –

"Let me offer a word of caution...I think if we are not careful...we may begin to try to counterfeit the true influence of the Spirit of the Lord by unworthy and manipulative means..."

[In my mind, this may be what Paul described to the Thessalonians as "flattering words” (New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 2:5). President Hunter continues on this idea of unworthy and manipulative means saying –

"...I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself." (Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 184) (Page 99, Preach My Gospel)

The Lord also said –

"Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 50:21 - 23)

How then do we know if the Spirit is present? If both, he that preaches and he that receiveth are edified together. In my mind, edification is the litmus test.

Previous to meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery received a divine manifestation of the truth of the Prophet's testimony respecting the plates. (see Doctrine and Covenants | Section 6:Heading) It was a short time later that the Lord said to Oliver Cowdery –

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? "
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 6:22 - 23)

Just like Oliver, as we continually strive to have His Spirit with us, we are counseled much in the scriptures to recall, look back, and remember those times where we have received the Holy Ghost.

I confess this morning with some embarrassment that as I entered the mission field, I had never read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover. Even though I had never done so, I was still very familiar with the promise of Moroni –

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. [First remember]
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:3 - 5)

What greater promise could there be for those who desire to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost. For Alma said -

"...faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Book of Mormon | Alma 32:21)

To hope for things, in my mind, suggests a great desire to want to believe those things are true. Hope then would not be an attempt to challenge and prove the gospel or the Book of Mormon is not true. That would be the opposite of hope. True hope then requires a sincere desire and investigation to strive to discover and believe the truth.

I acknowledge that as I struggled with my personal testimony, I still possessed a degree of faith and desire that if I read the Book of Mormon, I would know of its truth.

Between studying and memorizing the missionary discussions, I continued reading the Book of Mormon. May daily prayers included an expressed desire to come to know that it was true.

I can still remember the morning that I again read the promise of Moroni as I finished reading those last few verses of the Book of Mormon. To be honest, even though I felt a sense of accomplishment that I had finally read the Book of Mormon, I felt a sense of discouragement in that I still felt I did not know. I remember it was on my mind the rest of that day, and I confess that it somewhat of a very heavy burden, as I continued my proselytizing effort.

That evening, again kneeling in the dark, I pleaded with my Father in Heaven to know the truthfulness of this record. I logically knew that if this book was true, there would be no question that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and everything I was then representing would also be true.

All I can remember is that I prayed for what it seemed an unusually long time that evening. Yet there was nothing. No angels, no voice...nothing.

At this point, I must interject that now as I look back, I now know that many times before my mission I had experienced the influence of the Holy Ghost, but I just didn't know at that time. Probably much like the Lamanites as the Savior recalled –

"...were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:20)

In great discouragement, almost in tears, I got off my knees and crawled into bed. But I couldn't sleep. I knew I could not go on serving a mission without knowing. I just had to know. How could I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon if I didn't know?

So I crawled back out of bed and fell back on my knees. I just had to know. It was maybe at that point that I crossed the threshold of "asking with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ" for no sooner than I again began to pray, a power came over me than I had never experienced before in my life. As Alma testified, it was definitely discernible. The best scriptural explanation I can use to describe this influence at this time fore me was much the same as the voice at the coming of the Savior to the Americas, in –

"...that there was no part of [my] frame that it did not cause to quake..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:3)

It was then that I knew I had received the Holy Ghost! When the scriptures say “the power of the Holy Ghost”, it means the power of the Holy Ghost.

I proceeded to ask three simple questions -

Is the Book of Mormon true? I received the distinct response, Yes!

Then I asked, is Joseph Smith a prophet of God? Again the same powerful response, Yes!

Then I finally came to the most important question of all...Is Jesus the Christ? This time the answer was more powerful than them all. I knew then He is!

At that point, all I could say was, thank you! And I crawled back into bed.

For the rest of my mission, I think I felt maybe in the least degree, as the Prophet Joseph Smith must have felt as he left the grove of trees and returned home, when he leaned up to the fireplace where his mother inquired what the matter was. The prophet replied "Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off...I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true." (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:20)

That night, I had learned for myself that this Church is true. From that night on, it has been much easier to serve, teach and testify. In response to the type of experience that I had, Mormon commented –

"Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name." (Book of Mormon | Helaman 3:27)

As I conclude, I return to the question of Paul in Ephesus -

"...Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?..." (New Testament | Acts 19:1 - 2)

The burden is ours, but I can testify the blessings are great to those who do!

3 Nephi 10

I think it significant that after using an analogy during His mortal life, the Lord said to them of the Americas -

"O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 10:4)

And then to this people -

"...how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 10:5)

And then, as if to all people, including our day -

"O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 10:6)

The analogy is clear that he is willing and waiting with all the desire of a willing parent, but the choice to be gathered and protected is us. And to be gathered and protected is conditional upon -

"...if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 10:6)

Which suggests that he will not deny our agency.

One last point. There seems to be some confusion as we read Mormon's record that -

"...it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them—" (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 10:18)

It is clear that -

"...in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 8:5)

There is no question in my mind that this event took place as the Savior suffered upon the cross. But then Mormon records that great favors and blessings were giving in the ending of the thirty and fourth year but then adds that the Savior manifested himself to them soon after His ascension.

I believe this is two different events. The first being that he appeared shortly after His ascension. There is no question that this must have been shortly after all the destruction on the land because -

"...a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:1)

If it was a year later, I doubt a great multitude would be gathered marveling and showing one another the changes. The second event would suggest that great favors and blessings followed the visit of the Savior even to the point that they became quite obvious at the end of the year. I personally feel that that this demonstration was the great conversion and faithfulness of many on the face of the land.

3 Nephi 9

I believe the destruction that took place in the Americas is a great warning to the world with the second coming of the Savior. I find it interesting that after all this destruction of wicked, all the survivors could only respond -

"...O that we had repented before this great and terrible day..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 8:24)

Of course, Satan never supports his people in their wickedness as the Savior said -

"...the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!" (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:2)

I find that statement very disturbing in such terrible circumstances. To those that did survive, the Savior said -

"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:13)

Again, the Lord considers the desires of the heart. Though they were more righteous, many were far from faithfulness, for the Savior continues -

"...will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:13)

He again teaches the plan -

"...if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:14)

"Will come" suggests agency and the personal will to change. It is important to understand that -

"...as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:17)

"Sons of God" ae those that receive eternal life or God's life, in other words, exaltation. The Lord concludes -

"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:22)

Note than mercy and waiver of punishment only comes by repentance not just confession.

2 Nephi 5

I would like to return to chapter 5 this morning that I failed to blog on. First, Mormon stops his abridgement to explain who he is and why he is doing so. Mormon declares -

"...I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:13)

We also learn of that which he personally was called to do for -

"...it hath become expedient that I, according to the will of God, that the prayers of those who have gone hence, who were the holy ones, should be fulfilled according to their faith, should make a record of these things which have been done—
15 Yea, a small record of that which hath taken place from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, even down until the present time." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:14 - 15)

And also -

"...I do make a record of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:17)

Therefore Mormon testifies -

"...I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:18)

It becomes obvious that this process was not easy for -

"...behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of this people; and a shorter but true account was given by Nephi.
10 Therefore I have made my record of these things according to the record of Nephi, which was engraven on the plates which were called the plates of Nephi.
11 And behold, I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:9 - 11)

This abridged record was not and easy thing to do. I can imagine not only what it took to prepare the plates and then to tediously engrave each word, but also what it took to be spiritually directed in what should be recorded of a 1000 years of religious and spiritual history.

I have come to love Mormon for his testimony and summary througout the record. He then not only speaks of himself declaring that he is a "pure descendant of Lehi", but then he speaks specifically of me and my ancestry writing the Lord -

"...hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:21)

I am a descendant of Joseph through his son Ephraim -

"And insomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word.
23 Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God.
24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:22 - 24)

It is from Mormon that I learn that the Lord -

"...hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.
26 And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:25 - 26)

Like Mormon, I know that I am also a covenant person.

3 Nephi 7

Even after the miracle of destroying the Gadianton robbers out of their midst and returning to righteouness and prosperity, the people again began to return to pride, materialism, and immorality. We see during righteousness and obeying the laws of the land based upon the laws of God, prosperity always seems to come. But we learn as wickedness as described above again enters into the hearts of men, prosperity ends, government fails, anarchy follows, and people become governed by their own (the natural man) desires and laws. I find it somewhat painful to continue to read this historical pattern for again they -

"...sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head." (Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:38)

No question that Satan had a great influence in this decline for Mormon teaches us -

"Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 6:15)

And even worse, during this period -

"...there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.
21 Now there were many of the people who were exceedingly angry because of those who testified of these things; and those who were angry were chiefly the chief judges, and they who had been high priests and lawyers; yea, all those who were lawyers were angry with those who testified of these things." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 6:20 - 21)

And so -

"...many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the judges..." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 6:23)

The truth always seems to hurt the worst. But even in these wicked circumstances -

"...Nephi did cry unto the people...and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 7:23)

It is at this point in history that Mormon teaches and important doctrine -

"Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water.
25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them should be baptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 7:24 - 25)

There are many that feel that if they repent they will be forgiven. In my mind, this may be true. But forgiveness alone does not suggest pardon or a waiver of justice. The only way man can receive a remission of sins is through baptism. This requirement cannot be waived. For it is upon baptism that we are privileged to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost for these are they that are -

"...received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon | Moroni 6:4)

Mormon makes it clear that this is the pattern to receive the blessings of mercy and the atonement.