42k Joseph Smith, the First Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Was Called of God to Be His Instrument in Bringing About the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church! Part Five

To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth Paragraph From the End of This Post!

****

TODAY'S THEME



3Nephi 11: 6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

The Resurrected Jesus Christ Appears to the Nephites of Central America in A.D. 34

8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

10 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.

The Resurrected Jesus Christ speaks to the Nephites: -by John Scott



 12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

14 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.

15 And it came to pass that 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. (emphasis added)

Now you can enjoy the experience of listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing of things which are mentioned in the Book of Mormon verses you just read. Please listen intently to the words the choir sings! I'm sure you will agree with me that this choir sings with great feeling along with their musical abilities!




Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson

New Testament: John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And 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.

Who were the other sheep Jesus was referring to as He taught His twelve apostles in Palestine? Some might suggest they were the Gentiles who Peter, later on, was instructed through revelation to teach and baptize. However, from the Book of 3Nephi of the Book of Mormon, we learn what the Resurrected Jesus Christ taught the Nephites in (A.D. 34) who were descended from Israel, regarding His "other sheep." You can read His explanation which is found just after the following painting of Him (Jesus) standing with His Nephite apostles:



The Resurrected Jesus Teaching Nephite Apostles in Central America (A.D. 34)

3Nephi 15:11 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen:

12 Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph.

13 And behold, 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.

16 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.

20 And 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.

24 But behold, 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. (emphasis added)

Now, inasmuch as this is the last post in this relatively short series about Joseph Smith's key role in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the founding of Jesus' Church in our day, allow yourselves  to be assisted to more fully appreciate how the evidence which has been presented thus far in this post could help you know that all which is recorded in the Book of Mormon is true and inspired guidance for each of us in our day.

Specifically you have just been given very convincing evidence regarding that which Jesus taught His disciples in Palestine during His mortal ministry that the other sheep, includes the Nephites of Ancient Central America who would be gathered after His resurrection.

The Book of Mormon, according to much clear and sure evidence, and by the witness of His spirit to those who humbly and earnestly seek such witness, was dictated word for word by inspiration from God, through Joseph Smith to his scribe! All of those involved with him in any way, even in some cases, just as observers of the translation process of the Book of Mormon, report very emphatically that Joseph Smith never used any books or writings of any kind, including the Bible, as references during that sacred translation.

David Whitmer Interviews (by Daniel Peterson):

I end this final post on the role of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Lord's true church by suggesting you read the following speech given by one of the present day Twelve Apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Elder M. Russell Ballard:

Please note: I give credit to my having read for the third time during the past approximate six months, Richard Lyman Bushman's book: Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling (Vintage Books A Division of Random House, Inc. New York.) for my having gained a more insightful and a more complete view of Joseph Smith's role in the translating and publishing of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

That more insightful and more complete view I've been helped to develop has also assisted me regarding the founding of the Savior's only authorized church of our day and into the future, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all those who worked faithfully and with great sacrifice side by side with him during his lifetime of much sacrifice and many difficulties,

Joseph in Liberty Jail -by Liz Swindle

along with those many others who have continued to lead the Church since then and to this day and into the future. 

From what I've learned from inspired church leaders, qualified and faithful LDS scholars such as Richard L. Bushman, along with the often quiet but sure whisperings of the Holy Spirit, has assisted me to more fully comprehend the key role of Jesus' Church and Kingdom on the earth  in more fully preparing all who are willing to become acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ by the time of the His Second Coming.



The Second Coming -by Harry Anderson

My third reading of Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling occurred just during the time I've been producing this five part blog post series on Joseph Smith. Richard Bushman is not responsible for any errors I may have made! His book however helped me to better understand, love and appreciate Joseph Smith and the great and very important work he did in the matter of each of our possible ultimate and eternal  benefit, which was accomplished during dear Joseph's relatively short life span. God bless our memories of what Joseph Smith accomplished under the direct influence of the Father and the Son!

Thank you Brother Joseph!
DISCLAIMER

I must add: If there had not been a Joseph Smith there would be no Mormon Tabernacle Choir with its inspiring performances!

____________



This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

____________

TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX: To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or To Search The Index For Any Other Blog Post You Desire To Access), After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up And Click on the Following: Joseph Smith's Role in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church, Part V -Post 42k. When The Picture of Our Savior, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes Onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down In The Index To Your Target Item Or Use the Alphabetical Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).

____________


Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.

____________

I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested in it. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: Its content is translated from the English in this blog:

Neil Birch