JS - History 1

Though the Savior said -

"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist..."  (Matthew 11:11)

That being the case, I was highly impressed with the humble words of John -

"Upon you my fellow servants..."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:69)

...and -

"...that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John..."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:72)

Obvious without pride.

JS - History 1

Though the Prophet does not specifically mention it in his scriptural history, my thoughts this morning as I read of Emma and Joseph's death of their first child, what it must have meant as he translated the words of Mormon-

"Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them..."  (Moroni 8:8)

"And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world..."  (Moroni 8:11–12)

I'm sure he couldn't wait to read these words to Emma.

JS - History 1

There is no question that Emma knew concerning the first vision, of Moroni's visit, and the golden plates for -

"Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife’s father’s family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere; so we went and were married at the house of Squire Tarbill, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal’s, and went to my father’s, and farmed with him that season."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:58)

What commitment this was and became.

JS History 1

When Moroni first appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the prophet records -

...I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.
31 He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:30–31)

Even during the light of day, the Prophet recorded that Moroni -

"...I looked up, and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by light as before..."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:49)

Obviously, when they say "lighter than at noonday", the light then exceeds greater.

JS - History 1

I find it interesting that the Prophet described this special evening prayer -

"...when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:29)

Wouldn't it be wonderful to pray and have full confidence of obtaining a divine manifestation.

JS - History 1

I think the thought of the Prophet Joseph has great application to all that serve in the kingdom -

"... I often said to myself: What is to be done?"  (Joseph Smith—History 1:10)

Such thinking opens the door for inspiration.

JS - HIstory 1

In Joseph Smith's testimony, we read -

"...there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, “Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!” Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:5)

When the Prophet suggests "no small stir", a look back in history we learned that during this period in that part of the country, it became known as "The Burned-over District" due to the number of preachers and revivals preaching of the fires of hell.

JS - Matthew

I believe the Lord is referring to the gathering of Israel as He states -

"...that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left;
45 Two shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left..."  (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:44–45)

In other words, one will join the Church and be faithful while the other will not.

JS - Matthew

Of the last days, the Savior counseled -

"Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake; and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet."  (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:23)

Thus not only are the elect to "see that ye be not troubled", but also -

"Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing..."  (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:50)

So in the last days, be about serving others and don't be troubled by the events of the day.

JS - Matthew

Speaking of the events that would shortly come to past, the Savior said -

"...Take heed that no man deceive you;
6 For many shall come in my name, saying—I am Christ—and shall deceive many;
7 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations, for my name’s sake;
8 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another;
9 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many;
10 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold..."  (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5–10)

Just as many of the prophecies of Isaiah applied to his time as well as the last days, I see these words of the Savior very applicable to our day as a sign of the times.

I can't help but think of those philosophies of our day that suggest will save us or the earth as false "Christs".  I will always turn these thoughts to what has the Prophet said on the matter.

Abarham - Facsimile No. 1

In looking at Fig. 2, Facsimile No. 1 in the Book of Abraham, where the Prophet noted -

"Abraham fastened upon an altar."  (Abraham Fac. 1, 2)

...that I find it interesting that some have said that it appears Abraham is wearing a garment of the Holy Priesthood...obviously a protection to him.

Abraham 4

In modern revelation, we learn that the earth will be celestial sphere for the righteous.  Enoch also actually heard the voice of the earth.  The earth was also baptized.  Obviously, there is a similar plan for the earth.  We learn through Abraham that during the creation -

"...the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed."   (Abraham 4:18)

Even -

"...the Gods pronounced the dry land, Earth; and the gathering together of the waters, pronounced they, Great Waters; and the Gods saw that they were obeyed."  (Abraham 4:10)

Obviously, the earth was obedient.  Thus qualified for to be a celestial sphere.

In my mind then, there must be other spheres that were not fully obedient and thus terrestrial and telestial spheres.

Abraham 3

In our pre-mortal existence, the Lord taught -

"...we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever."  (Abraham 3:25–26)

It becomes clear that if we satisfactory kept the commandments in our first estate, we were promised a level of glory.  But most important, if we kept His commandments in our second estate, we were promised a continual increase of glory forever and ever.  How important to keep His commandments in our present state.

Abraham 3

After the Lord explained to Abraham that the fact that there is an order of one planet above  or governing another, He then follows -

"...These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all."  (Abraham 3:19)

Obviously, they differ due to agency and choice, not compulsion.  The Lord even added -

"...among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers..."  (Abraham 3:22–23)

I'm sure He is referring to rulers in spiritual matters.

Abraham 2

As we read the promises of the Lord's great covenant with Abraham, I specifically noted this morning -

"...for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal."  (Abraham 2:11)

What I noted was the promise "shall all the families of the earth be blessed".  Most promises seem to be individual promises, but I noted the blessing of life eternal is related to "families".

I even read this morning the quote  of Elder Bruce R. McConkie -

“The Lord never sends apostles and prophets and righteous men to minister to his people without placing women of like spiritual stature at their sides. Adam stands as the great high priest, under Christ, to rule as a natural patriarch over all men of all ages, but he cannot rule alone; Eve, his wife, rules at his side, having like caliber and attainments to his own. Abraham is tested as few men have been when the Lord commands him to offer Isaac upon the altar (Gen. 22:1–19); and Sarah struggles with like problems when the Lord directs that she withhold from the Egyptians her status as Abraham's wife.… And so it goes, in all dispensations and at all times when there are holy men there are also holy women. Neither stands alone before the Lord. The exaltation of the one is dependent upon that of the other” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, page 302

Abraham 2

Having settled in Haran, and then after what appears Abraham's father had returned to idols,-

 "...I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother’s son, prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice."  (Abraham 2:6)

Apparently, that strange land was Palestine.  I note that Abraham's seed include both Israel and other Moslem groups.  But also that the Lord said "when they hearken to my voice".  This would be one group only.

Abraham 1

Even though an angel  delivered Abraham from sacrifice to Egyptian Gods, we are told that -

"...this priest had offered upon this altar three virgins at one time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of wood or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and it was done after the manner of the Egyptians."  (Abraham 1:11)

Why the Lord spares one and not another will have to answered at a later date.  Just know...life is not fair.

Moses 8

Because of his faithfulness -

"...the Lord ordained Noah after his own order, and commanded him that he should go forth and declare his Gospel unto the children of men, even as it was given unto Enoch."  (Moses 8:19)

Thus becoming a high priest -

"...Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent..."  (Moses 8:20)

Preaching -

"Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest..."  (Moses 8:24)

Clearly, our obligation as high priests.

Moses 7

We receive a great deal of insight of God as -

 "...he wept; and Enoch bore record of it..."  (Moses 7:28)

Enoch would then ask -

"...How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?..."  (Moses 7:29)

The Lord would answer -

 "...I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also.
36 Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.
37 But behold, their sins shall be upon the heads of their fathers; Satan shall be their father, and misery shall be their doom; and the whole heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of mine hands; wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer?"  (Moses 7:35–37)

Obviously, He is a Father in Heaven.

Moses 7

After Enoch had demonstrated his great priesthood power where -

"...so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him."  (Moses 7:13)

Even though the wicked continued to war against themselves and -

"...so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God, that they fled and stood afar off and went upon the land which came up out of the depth of the sea.
15 And the giants of the land, also, stood afar off; and there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God;
16 And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness."  (Moses 7:14–16)

Thus -

"The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them."  (Moses 7:17–18)

Moses 6

It caught my attention this morning as the Lord taught Adam -

"...Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.
56 And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment."  (Moses 6:55–56)

In my mind, conceived in sin would suggest being born in a world with much wickedness.  It seems the whole plan was to experience evil and hopefully, with agency, turn and choose good.