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TODAY'S THEME
Jesus, after having called twelve disciples (apostles) in Palestine to serve with Him, went about teaching people and doing much good. His power as the actual Son of God was evident by the miracles he performed along the way. He was doing His Father's will as He fully prepared Himself as the Savior of mankind by serving others. Here is a brief overview of His earlier labors.
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| Jesus Delivering His Sermon on the Mount -by Harry Anderson |
Matthew 5:1-48
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| Jesus With Children -by Harry Anderson |
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| The Good Samaritan -by Walter Rane |
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The Prodigal Son -by Clark Kelley Price |
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Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler -by Heinrich Hoffman |
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| Jesus Healing a Blind Man -by Del Parson |
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Jesus Walking on Water -by Robert Barrett |
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| Jesus Stilling the Storm -by Arnold Friberg |
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Jesus Healing Jairus's Daughter -by Greg K. Olson |
Read of Jesus healing Jairus's daughter Mark 5:22-25
Now we will take a look at the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ and the prophet Mormon's report on how well the Nephites, (Father Lehi's descendants and Mormon's ancestors) are doing in becoming prepared for Jesus' visit to them after His resurrection. Remember that Mormon wrote the Book of Mormon by editing the records of previous Nephite prophets. Nephi was the prophet at this time in their history.
You may now read what the Prophet Nephi has written about their trials and tribulations and progress forward in preparing for the visit of their and our Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ after He will be resurrected. The Listen function can be conveniently used because this scripture begins with verse 1. 3Nephi 6: 1-30
After having establishing peace in their land, we would have hoped that the Nephites would have settled into a time of peaceful waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled of the coming of the resurrected Jesus Christ to their land.
Instead of having remained strengthened in their resolve, as a people, to live righteously after even having been successful in defeating the Gadianton Robbers, it appears that many, but not all, began to slip back into their wicked ways of doing things according to the following six of the thirty verses you just read: Please read:
III Nephi 6: 10 But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year there began to be some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions;
11 For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. (Dear Readers does that sound like your land right now. To me it sounds like that's the way it is here in our land right now!)
12 And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches. (Sound familiar to you?)
13 Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God. (We need to be grateful for the righteous who live among us especially if we are listed among the righteous!)
14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. (That appears to be a significant role reversal in their nation).
15 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.
16 And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years. (emphasis added) (Did you notice the similarities between the way many of the Nephites were living and how many of the citizens of our modern day countries are living?
Will the Nephites be ready soon after Jesus' resurrection for His visit? (Will we be ready for His Second Coming?)
Will they succeed in thwarting Satan's mighty efforts?
Their prophets, with Nephi taking a leading role, are working hard to prepare their people for that blessed time when Jesus will visit them, but things look pretty rough from what we just read. Jesus, according to John 10:16 knows he will be visiting His other sheep, some of which are the Nephites. That is a sure thing, but who and how many will be prepared to meet their resurrected Lord? Who will survive His coming?
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DISCLAIMER
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.
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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: Preparations For The Resurrected Jesus Christ's Visit To Ancient America - Post 31e. 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).
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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.
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Neil Birch
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| Jesus Casts Out Satan -by Carl Heinrich Bloch |
(Satan is a reality! You would have only had to ask Jesus after His 40 day fast if Satan is real. He was severely tempted by him, but He didn't give in even one centimeter (or an inch.)
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