1 Nephi 8

In follow up to my blog on Friday on Lehi's vision, he also saw that there seemed to be in the large and spacious field some -

"...forbidden paths..."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:28)

It is while we serve the Lord and our fellowmen that there is a risk to fall into such forbidden paths for there were some -

"...after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:28)

What a great warning.  To avoid this possibility we should follow the prophets and of those of the world that scoff -

"...heed...them not."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:33)

1 Nephi 8

As one reads and re-reads the scriptures, at times, new symbolisms seem to jump on the page and their meanings seem to spring new thoughts and ideas.

In Lehi's vison, as he traveled -

"...I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:7)

I confess in my younger years, in experimenting in many things of the world...what a "waste" of my life.  For Lehi continued in this waste and dark world until -

"...I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:8)

It was with this change in praying and seeking the truth over darkness and waste that -

"...I beheld a large and spacious field."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:9)

And the he sees what appears to be somewhere in the large and spacious field -

"...a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:10)

My thoughts and focus this morning is that large and spacious field.  As I personally prayed on how I should change my life, what I saw open was the large and spacious mission field.  As I look back, it was looking toward this field away from darkness and waste that changed my life. 

The more I thought about this field the more I saw it this field as the opportunity to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  This is His field, this field is His work.  In my mind, this is what it means to take upon oneself the name of Christ.

Of course I still had to enter the gate and proceed on the strait and narrow path.  I had to repent, keeping His commandments, holding fast to the Iron Rod, and experience the fruit of the Tree. But what has also blessed my life is the field, the opportunity to accept Church callings and serve my Master.  Just a thought.

1 Nephi 7

My thoughts this morning seemed to go to all the returned missionaries that have fallen away in inactivity.  As Nephi with his and Ishmael's family members traveled to the temporary place of Lehi and Sariah, where -

"...Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?
9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?
10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?
11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?
12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him?"  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 7:8 - 12)

Of course the central theme is "how is that ye have forgotten".  Over and over we are counseled in the scriptures to "remember".  David J. Ridges makes this comment -

"Perhaps one of the lessons we learn from this teaching scene in the Book of Mormon record is that intentional, continued wickedness leads to deeper, unrelenting pride which continues to damage in spite of the obvious."

With "unrelenting pride", we many times choose not to remember.

1 Nephi 7

After having returned with the brass plates of Laban, we read that the Lord told Lehi -

"...that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.
2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 7:1 - 2)

In conjunction with this, I read some comments from David J. Ridges this morning concerning two quotes from Elder Erastus Snow -

“The Prophet Joseph informed us that the record of Lehi, was contained on the 116 pages that were first translated and subsequently stolen, and of which an abridgement is given us in the first Book of Nephi, which is the record of Nephi individually, he himself being of the lineage of Manasseh; but that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehi's family, and Lehi's sons married Ishmael's daughters.” (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot. 1854–86, 23: 184.)

And

"The Prophet Joseph informed us that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehi's family, and Lehi's sons married Ishmael's daughters, thus fulfilling the words of Jacob upon Ephraim and Manasseh in the 48th chapter of Genesis, which says: ‘And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the land.’ Thus these descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim grew together upon this American continent…” (Journal of Discourses. London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot. 1854–86, 23: 184).

This would suggest that Nephi had at least two older sisters that had married two sons of Ishmael.  This would tend to reflect that Lehi's family already had a relationship with Ishmael's family.

1 Nephi 4

As Nephi -

"...was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 4:10)

As we liken the scriptures to myself, I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do in Nephi's predicament.  Is there really a "time to kill".  I've thought of situations where it would be necessary to do so in defending my family.  The Spirit reasoned with Nephi -


"...the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 4:11)

The Spirit also added -

"...the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 4:13)

Throughout the scriptures, these were reasons enough that many were killed.  I believe in Nephi's day, the very fact that one had robbed you of everything as well as attempted to kill you was sufficient to do so.

1 Nephi 2

As Nephi looks back, he writes of his two older brothers that -

"...they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem..."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:13)

Those words probably wouldn't mean much without Jeremiah's writings of the Jews of Nephi's day -

"Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 9:2 - 3)

"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 6:15)

And -

"How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
8 They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 5:7 - 8)

No wonder the Lord destroyed Jerusalem.  Knowing that Laman and Lemuel were "like unto the Jews who were at Jeusalem" helps us better understand these two men.

1 Nephi 1

In the 10th Chapter of Revelation, John is presented a book as instructed to eat the book or in other words, take the meaningful words of the book internally.  Later, by revelation, it was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that of the book -

"We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:14)

As Nephi begins the record of his father, he relates that in a vision of Lehi, pre-mortal Messiah -

"...came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.
12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:11 - 12)

After reading of the destruction of Jerusalem -

"...when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!"  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:14)

Nephi records then after Lehi read the book or -

"...that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:18) 

My thoughts then this morning is much like John, that this book was a mission and an ordinance or direction.  Lehi was taught the plan of salvation with an instruction of his mission and ordinance to do so.  I personally wonder with Lehi's words, "thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish", I wonder if he also learned that his mission was yet to establish his family and posterity in a land of promise.

BofM - Preface

As I begin my reading again of the Book of Mormon using the comments of David J. Ridges, I think it important to understand that -

"...as you read the title page that Joseph Smith dictated the translation to his scribe who then wrote it down. When it was taken to the printer, it was left up to the printer to punctuate it. In this case, the printer chose to use dashes to separate the various phrases, along with a few commas and an occasional semicolon. For instance, if you read the last phrase of the first paragraph, where it says, “The interpretation thereof by the gift of God,” you will sense the problem the printer faced in punctuating a translation from an ancient language. If it were normal English, it would need some additional words to make a proper English sentence out of it. As it is, it is just there, as is the case with such ancient languages, one thought coming after the previous thought, in a manner typical of near eastern languages."  Ridges, David J. (2007-08-01). The Book of Mormon Made Easier, Part 1 (The Gospel Studies Series) (pp. 1-2).

JC - Chapter 42

Elder James E. Talmage concludes his writings of the Savior with -

"For the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my servants, shall come.
31 For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth.
32 And he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire.
33 And the wicked shall go away into unquenchable fire, and their end no man knoweth on earth, nor ever shall know, until they come before me in judgment.
34 Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds.
35 Be sober. Keep all my commandments...."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 43:30 - 35)

I note that the wicked will be punished (into unquenchable fire) until the judgement.  The Savior declared -

"...I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my name;
14 And it is by my almighty power that you have received them;
15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 19:13 - 18)

And -

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him." (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 15:24 - 27)

Elder Talmage then concludes -

"The earth shall pass to its glorified and celestialized condition, an eternal abode for the exalted sons and daughters of God.  Forever shall they reign, kings and priests to the Most High, redeemed, sanctified, and exalted through their Lord and God JESUS THE CHRIST."

JC - Chapter 42

To Enoch the Lord said of the signs that will proceed His second coming -

"...As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfil the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:60)

And in latter days that  -

"...after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.
89 For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
90 And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
91 And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:88 - 91)

What struck me this morning  was the words, "in the days of wickedness and vengeance".  In our day we see more and more vengeance as people torment and terrorize others.  Back and forth with vengeance.  I note that much of this has transpired.

JC - Chapter 41

As I read concerning the restoration of Melchizedek priesthood authority and associated keys, Elder Talmage quoted -

"...also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;
13 Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 27:12 - 13)

My thoughts this morning is that priesthood keys related to overseeing and administering His kingdom were restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  As we have read earlier, it is obedience to doctrine of Christ allows one to be saved in the kingdom of God.  This doctrine includes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end are the principles and conditions to enter into the kingdom of God.  It was these priesthood keys that were given that this doctrine could be administered.

JC - Chapter 41

Having recently read much concerning the conversion and ministry of Paul,  I was touched this morning with the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith in his history as he related -

"...it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."  (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:24 - 25)

JC - Chapter 40

As Elder Talmage reviewed the history of religion after the death of the apostles or as he calls "the great apostasy", he quotes a few prophecies -

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."  (New Testament | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 - 4)

For -

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, 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:

12 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."  (Old Testament | Amos 8:11 - 12)

And not only an absence of the word of the Lord, but also -

"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:5)

JC - Chapter 39

Having already been counseled that there should be no disputations or contention among the saints, the Savior appeared to the chosen twelve asking what He should give them.  With that request, these apostles asked -

"...we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:3)

To which the Savior responded -

"Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;
6 And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:5 - 6)

To me, that leads to the question, what does it mean to take upon themselves the name of Christ?  The Savior continues -

"...no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:19 - 22)

I note then that taking upon us His name suggests "works", "for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do.

I also find it interesting that the Savior told His apostles -

"Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:23)

"For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 29:8)

Which suggests that there is more doctrine, covenants, and ordinances that were taught but forbidden to be written in the scriptures we now have.

JC - Chapter 39

Before the more righteous that had survived the great and terrible destruction in the Americas, the Savior -

"...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.

16 And after this manner do they bear record: 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 17:15 - 17)

And after praying, the Savior revealed -

"So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief.

36 Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:35 - 36)

Blessings and miracles are always a function of faith, not for a sign.

JC - Chapter 39

Much of the history of the Savior's ministry is the gospel writings of the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  But I wanted to write of some of the doctrine I read this morning the Savior taught in the Americas.  Before His visit to the Americas, he declared -

"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, 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.
15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
16 I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.
17 And 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, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
22 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 9:13 - 22)


And later with His visit -

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:10 - 11)


"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, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.
37 And again I say unto you, 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.
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 11:32 - 39)

JC - Chapter 38

As Paul testifies that he himself had seen the resurrected Lord, he also testifies -

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 8)

As Elder Talmage continues his writings, we will learn that others witnessed the resurrected Lord -

"...for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 17:25)

And then the following day -

"...there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:3)

There are many testimonies of the resurrected Lord.

JC - Chapter 38

Peters testimonies on the day of Pentecost and before the Jewish leaders touched me this morning.  On the day of Pentecost testified -

"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."  (New Testament | Acts 2:32)

And when his listeners asked -

"...what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."  (New Testament | Acts 2:37 - 38)

Thus teaching the doctrine of Christ.  And again teaching this same doctrine in the temple -

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."  (New Testament | Acts 3:19 - 21)

Thus all things would be restored before His second coming.  And then before Caiaphas and the council -

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  (New Testament | Acts 4:8 - 12)

And after escaping prison -

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."  (New Testament | Acts 5:29 - 32)

What great and bold testimony.

 

JC - Chapter 37

I have always held the opinion that after death, if one had one opportunity to visit another on earth, it would be the one most loved, and in my case, my wife.  For some reason, the Savior chose for His first visit, Mary of Magdala or better known, Mary Magdalene.  It was to her, He approached -

"...Woman, why weepest thou?..."  (New Testament | John 20:13)

And then upon her answer -

"...Mary..."  (New Testament | John 20:16)

Does that not sound as personal as it could possibly be.

Elder Talmage provided the following note -

Recorded Appearances of Christ Between Resurrection and Ascension.—

1. To Mary Magdalene, near the sepulchre (Mark 16:9, 10; John 20:14).
2. To other women, somewhere between the sepulchre and Jerusalem (Matt. 28:9).
3. To two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13).
4. To Peter, in or near Jerusalem (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5).
5. To ten of the apostles and others at Jerusalem (Luke 24:36; John 20:19).
6. To the eleven apostles at Jerusalem (Mark 16:14; John 20:26).
7. To the apostles at the Sea of Tiberias, Galilee, (John 21).
8. To the eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16).
9. To five hundred brethren at once (1 Cor. 15:6); locality not specified, but probably in Galilee.
10. To James (1 Cor. 15:7). Note that no record of this manifestation is made by the Gospel-writers.
11. To the eleven apostles at the time of the ascension, Mount of Olives, near Bethany (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50, 51).

JC - Chapter 37

After the soldiers had abandoned the tomb with the coming of the angel -

"Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."  (New Testament | Matthew 28:11 - 15)

I note that this same practice is held today in our government to maintain power.  Obviously, Satan is the father of lies.