40i - Abinadi's Gospel Teachings and Valiant Sacrifice Led Alma and The Lord's People Forward, Despite Much Adversity!

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TODAY'S THEME

Note: In this post I am altering somewhat, Post 14 which I published in early 2008. In a recent post, Post 40f we learned of the role that the Nephite prophet, Abinadi played in the conversion of Alma, a priest of the wicked king Noah, who was called to repentance by Abinadi and who (Alma) wrote down all of the words that he had heard Abinadi speak to the king and his priests. As reported in that post Alma was soon afterwards directed by the Lord to set up His church among the people who, along with him, Alma, believed in the words of Abinadi.

The painting just below illustrates an experience Alma initiated while setting up the Lord's Church at the Waters of Mormon. In my Post 40f, I showed this same Arnold Friberg painting which shows Alma baptizing at that location, with their guards keeping a keen lookout for the possibility of King Noah's troops finding them.
Here is a smaller version of that painting to give you a feel for what was happening there.

Painting: Arnold Friberg

Alma Baptizing at the Waters of Mormon -by Arnold Friberg

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Photo: Virginia Jensen Birch (My Mother)

Neil Birch at about age seven in front of the First Primary Childrens Hospital of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -photo by Virginia Jensen Birch, Neil's mother.

(I will refer to that photo later.) In this post we will first check on Alma the Elder and those who had been baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ at the Waters of Mormon. Please read the following scripture to learn what they did soon after being baptised and had founded Christ's church.

Mosiah 18: 31-35

A question for you. Why didn't the Lord arrange matters so that this faithful group of 450 saints would not have to speedily travel away from the Waters of Mormon into the wilderness to escape King Noah's army?

What about the strong words of prophecy that Abinadi uttered about the downfall of King Noah and his priests and the people who continued to follow them? Why should King Noah still be able to continue in his evil ways of preventing true believers from worshipping as they wish? Does the Lord have a purpose in allowing adversity to come upon His people? If so, why?

Examine your own life! Has any adversity you may have faced actually turned out to have had a beneficial effect on you? While you are trying to answer my question let me tell you about some adversity I experienced in a early part of my life.

On a Friday in about April of 2008 on a Friday afternoon while doing my forty minute elliptical exercise (six days a week routine, keeping my heart rate under 141 beats a minute as my doctor told me 76 year-olds should do, and using two medically implanted new knees - one on December 13, 2002 and the other on February 6, 2008), I saw and heard a good sized group of boys on the basketball court just behind me down on the first floor making all kinds of happy noises while working out in a basketball camp. They were really shouting for joy, the joy of using their bodies to develop skills needed in playing basketball.

I remembered right then, that at the age of those boys, I would have never been "shouting for joy" like those boys were doing because my doctor, Lucas W. Empey, had on purpose made my left knee stiff. At age five I had contracted Tuberculosis of the left knee which brought on a case of osteomyelites because of raw milk that turned out to be infected with TB bacteria we had been buying from a dairy near Roseville, California where I grew up.

To achieve my having a stiff left knee, Doctor Empey put me in traction for most of the rest of my fifth year by attaching pulleys to the outside end of my crib with weights on the ends of ropes that ran over the pulleys and stretched my left knee straight during much of the daytime hours for about half a year. This was done because the medical opinion was that by so doing my leg would be able to grow normally in length. And it did, but it remained stiff for 65 years until a new knee was implanted in my left leg.

During part of my sixth and seventh years I had a caste on my left knee and spent 14 months away from my family as a patient at the LDS Primary Children's' Hospital which was then located across North Temple Street from Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The photo at the beginning of this post was taken by my mother in the front yard of that hospital.

My parents felt that was the only thing they could do to have my knee treated by specialists and for me to be able to begin attending the first grade (which was taught right there in the hospital).

My Mother and Father and my brother who was two years younger than me lived 700 miles to the West from me. Whenever my mother would kiss me goodbye after visiting me for several days at the Children's' Hospital most every month, I cried, at times, almost uncontrollably.

Here is a second photograph of me as a seven year old. It was taken by a Deseret News photographer for an article in their March 18, 1939 issue. The cake was given to the children at the Primary Children's' Hospital to eat. This cake memorialized the Salt Lake Exchange Club's sixteenth anniversary. I'm the second boy from the right. My mother drew an arrow above me. I guess I was supposed to have a happy look on my face, but I don't think that is the kind of look I'm showing. Being away from home for fourteen months was tough.

I did very well in the first grade that was held at the hospital and there were many loving, caring nurses and I developed some good relationships with other children. Church meetings including Primary were held regularly. I learned to love our Savior, Jesus Christ, while there.

The adversity I went through during that time and to some extent all the time I was growing up because of that stiff knee, was actually something that shaped my life in a positive direction. In the Church of Jesus Christ there is a worthy man in every stake of the church whose responsibility it is to give patriarchal blessings from the Lord to individuals in the Church who desire to receive one. I received such a blessing when I was ten years old.

Let me quote a small portion of that blessing:

"...these things which have come unto you (my stiff knee and the challenges that came with that) will be for your good. For you shall develop patience and shall have a kindly spirit towards your fellow man, and love for your fellow man in his affliction shall be great in your heart." (I added that which is parenthesized.)

I shed some tears as I typed those words just now. That Patriarchal Blessing was a true prophecy of what did actually happen in my life!

I'm adding this paragraph later. Yesterday at a family reunion two female cousins of mine reminded me of a song my mother had sung to each of them as they were growing up, telling them each that it was what she would sing to me when I was down emotionally. This is it: (Note: "Kathleen", one of my blog viewers (on January 15, 2009) made several corrections in a "Comment" at the end of that original post of some of the words and part of the song title which was given in the original post - Thanks very much, Kathleen! I really appreciate her Comment. I welcome such helpful comments readers choose to make!)
Now back to my goal of reporting on the outcome of the adversity that came to the people of the Lord who were led by the prophet, Alma, the First. Also, you will want to know about the fulfilling of the prophecies regarding the downfall of King Noah and his priests. Please click on this link to learn some answers to these questions. Because this link is to a full chapter I suggest that after the scripture page comes up you scroll up and click on the word, Listen, which is on the left side (You don't need to do anything with the sound window that comes up.)

Mosiah 19:1-29 Reading and listening at the same time helps us to focus better.

Now we've just learned that the prophecies against King Noah had begun to be fulfilled. His army was reduced in size and therefore can't continue pursuing Alma the First and The People of the Lord. Also, serious trouble with the Lamanites is reported. King Limhi, Noah's more righteous son along with a strong advisor, Gideon, negotiates a peace with the Lamanite King. The Lamanites demand and receive a huge tribute of 50% of everything King Limhi's people earn. King Noah is killed by fire as prophesied by Abinadi. He was cowardly in commanding the men to leave their wives and children in the hands of the Lamanites and escaping into the wilderness. The Lord's prophecy through Abinadi is really coming through now!

I find it time to close this post. I eagerly look forward in Part 15 (Post 40j) in continuing to help us learn about how the Lord helped His people who are led by his prophet, Alma the First, through their adversities. I particularly want us to learn how these adversities helped them to grow and develop spiritually. Bright futures are often the result of having gone through tribulation.

By the way, what was the answer you gave to the question I asked you above, "Has any adversity you may have faced actually turned out to have had a beneficial effect on you?" If you would like you could e-mail your answer to me at: jneilmelva@gmail.com/ I will keep your answer confidential and not share it on my blog unless you ask me to do so.

I look forward to publishing Post 40j in five days from now. The Book of Mormon, this book of books, teaches great lessons the Lord Jesus Christ wants each of us to learn. Thank you Mormon, and thank you, Lord for directing Mormon to put that book together. I hope you recognize as we go through these writings of Mormon, how similar in style and in culture the accounts are to those in the Old Testament. After all the Nephite -Lamanite culture originated in the culture of ancient Israel.
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Special Note: Dear Readers of this blog, at the end of my Post 40d - "SAINTS" (Published April 25, 2010) in the COMMENTS section at the end of that post, I suggest that you read the three Comments there. The first Comment was made by Yeti, one of the 22 who has listed himself as a follower of this blog. I followed up with a comment of my own that I made on May 26, 2010 that I would like each of you to read because of the significance of the subject. The third comment was a delayed thank you from me to Yeti for his very excellent comment.

My dear mother, Virginia Jensen Birch taught me to sing this song from the LDS Primary Association's song book used when I was a child to give me courage to face the challenges with my knee. Its Title is: HAPPINESS. (Words and Music by Mr. and Mrs. N.W. Christiansen.

I am hap-py to-day for the sunshine, for skies of gray or blue;

For with-in my heart is the song of life, I'll live! I'll work! I'll do! 

No cloud can cast a shad-ow o-ver courage such as mine.

I'll sing my song as I go a-long, I'll live! I'll work! I'll do!

(It appeared in the LDS Primary Song Book: "The Children Sing.")

For your further enlightenment and spiritual strengthening please watch this video from: Mormon Messages

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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: Abinadi's Teachings and Valiant Sacrifice Allowed Alma - Post 40i; When The Picture of Our Savior, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes Onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down To Your Target Item, Or Use the Automatic Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).
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"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
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I deeply appreciate your readership and very much hope you you will find that which was presented to you in this blog post, very beneficial.

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. 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

40h - Finding Hope and Strength Through Trials.

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

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TODAY'S THEME



The Lord Jesus Christ -by Heinrich Hofmann

Ether 12: 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

This post is very short with the video being the key part of Today's Theme. This video is a sequel, or follow-up to the very inspirational video shown in my Post 40g. It is narrated by the same young man who narrated the video in Post 40g. Today's video portrays how the central figure in it, as he did in that previous video, demonstrated great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You will easily see that the young man featured in that video did just as our Savior advises us all to do when we are confronted with weaknesses. I personally have a special love for this particular scripture. It has given me much courage when I needed such. I'm sure you each will find that our savior's words from the Book of Ether (Book of Mormon) apply to you too. Be prepared for a very special experience when viewing this video (it lasts 9 minutes and 52 seconds) This is a true story

If you didn't have the opportunity to view the video produced by the same young LDS man who produced this video you just viewed, here is the Previous video I showed in Post 40g: The following is also a true story:

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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 An Item Which Refers To Any Other Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph Please Click on the Following: (The Weakness The Lord May Allow Us To Have Can Cause Us To. . . Post 40h. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To A Little Boy, 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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"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
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Dear Readers, may the Lord bless each of you as He promises in the scripture given above, as you each confront the trials of life. I hope that today's video has given you the courage to face those trials that you have been given! I wish I knew each of you personally!

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

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. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: Its content of is translated from the English in this blog.

Neil Birch

40g - The Truth About the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ!

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

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TODAY'S THEME

The Prophet Mormon engraving Scriptures on Gold Plates -by Tom Lovell

Dear Readers of this Blog post,

If you have read any of my blog posts before, you will know that I mostly focus on the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I don't just tell you that, I most often relate happenings recorded in that most sacred book which illustrate that it is a true religious history of an actual people who lived in ancient Central America, arriving there between 588 and 570 B.C.(who left Jerusalem in 600 B.C.).

Pictured in the painting above is an artist's perception of the ancient American prophet, Mormon who was commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to abridge (condense, shorten, compress) the records of his people kept by believing prophets among them who emphasized their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and prophesied of His being born in Bethlehem and living His life in Palestine and after His atonement, crucifixion and resurrection, and of his coming to the Nephite-Lamanites' land in ancient Central America to teach them His everlasting Gospel and establishing His Church among them, as he had done among the Jews (their distant relatives) in Palestine.

Also in the Book of Mormon are true prophecies of our day and time, many of which are found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. The Bible and the Book of Mormon are in complete harmony one with the other. There are key prophecies found in many places in both books regarding the re-establishing of Jesus Christ's Church which was founded by Him during His life on earth and continued by His apostles after He had ascended into Heaven.

After Jesus' apostles were killed by enemies of His Church or died, His authorized church no longer existed on the earth. The Apostles John and Paul, in particular prophesied of the re-establishment of the Lord's true church in our day and time.

Revelation 14: 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Ephesians 1: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

The Bible and the Book of Mormon , One in God's Hand, -by Greg K. Olsen

Also I strongly emphasize that the record in the Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ, and that it does so along with that sacred book, the New Testament. They are companion scriptures, both being brought forth as true records, and I emphasize this: which if read carefully and prayerfully, with faith that they are each true records, each of us will be brought to the point where we desire to believe and live in the way our Savior Jesus Christ wants us to, in order that He can bless us with that greatest of blessings: Eternal Life.

If you have not read any of my blog posts before or it has been a long time since you have, I suggest that you scroll down to the just previous post of mine (40f) and either take the time to read it or scan through it to gain a better understanding of what the Book of Mormon is.

In a paragraph where I have emphasized in red in Post 40f you will read what was said about the Book of Mormon by a Utah "scholar" in a nation-wide (U.S.A.) PBS TV broadcast made in April 2007. You will also read my reaction to what he said. That entire post, Post 40f, provides clear and sure evidence that that which that Utah "scholar" said to the world, was clearly incorrect. I'm very convinced that critics of the Book of Mormon usually have never read the Book of Mormon. That is why I have entitled my blog:

Have You Really Read The Book of Mormon?

The main feature of Today's Blog Post is a video produced by an organization (FAIR) whose organizers agree fully with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FAIR is not sponsored by the Church.

This video tells the very touching and very intriguing story of a young American's search for the truthfulness regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in particular, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

This is a True Story!


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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 An Item Which Refers To Any Other Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph, Please Click on the Following: Heavenly Father Is Willing To Tell You of The Truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Post 40g. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To A Little Boy, 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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"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

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

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. 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

40f - Abinadi spoke God's Word To Unrighteous King Noah and His Court and is Slain. Abinadi's Bravery Allowed Jesus' Church to be Formed by Believers in Abinadi's Testimony of Jesus Christ!

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

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TODAY'S THEME

Abinadi Appears before King Noah and His Court -by Arnold Friberg

The painting above pictures an event which took place in the court room of Noah, king of an offshoot nation of Nephites which actually began with Noah’s father, King Zeniff, who with some followers had left the city, Zarahemla where Mosiah, Benjamin's father, then Benjamin and his son, Mosiah, reigned over a period of time as righteous kings. Zeniff, Noah's father discovered the Land of “Lehi-Nephi” after much difficult searching.

The Land Lehi-Nephi was where the first Nephi, Lehi's fourth son, had settled (in about 550 B.C.) after he and his people left their land located near the land of the Lamanites, ruled by his rebellious brothers, Laman and Lemuel. Nephi and his people desired to live in peace!

What you will read in the scriptural link found after the next four paragraphs after this one may sound to you like something which might have taken place in Israel not long after Lehi, (in about 600 B.C.) along with his company of relatives and a friend were led away from Jerusalem towards the safety and hoped for righteousness of their promised land in ancient Central America.

Because of the degree of wickedness of the nation from which Lehi and his party fled, the Lord allowed the nation of Babylon to conquer them, Israel, killing many of its citizens and taking many others into captivity into Babylon where they were held in much sorrow and anguish for many years.

You will find the history of these circumstances recorded in the Old Testament (Book of Daniel and in other books).

In the scriptural link, coming up after this and the following paragraph, is described the extent of the corruption of these Nephite leaders which caused the Lord, two years later to send His prophet, Abinadi, for the second time to set them straight.

Abinadi is shown at that later date in the painting above, addressing the court while in chains. These events took place, according to footnotes in the Book of Mormon record, in [about 148 B.C.]

In the painting above it is easy to recognize King Noah sitting on his expensive throne. He is surrounded by his priests. As In ancient Israel, from which this people's main ancestor, Lehi and those who came with him, had fled, their government, although being led by a king, was governed by leaders who were supposed to be spiritual men who served as priests and who were supposed to teach righteousness. In Mosiah 11: 1-19 we learn the truth about that! (Feel free to click the Listen button on this scripture!) Do not read and listen past verse 19. You will do that later.

Mosiah 11: 1-19

Abinadi “had come (forward) from among this people” two years earlier than the events that took place in the courtroom scene depicted above to call his fellow citizens to repentance on behalf of the Lord. Please read the scriptural quote below to learn what was recorded about that earlier time when Abinadi first spoke up against the evil the King and his priests had led the people into, before Abinadi escaped to avoid (at least at that time) being killed by them.

You will need to scroll down to verse 20 where you will begin reading. You won't be able to listen this time!


Mosiah 11: 20-29

Two years later, at the time the courtroom scene shown above took place, Abinadi came in disguise but soon was recognized. He had been sent by the Lord this time for a very special outcome which will be made clear near the end of this post.

It will become obvious as you read this account in the Book of Mormon, that Abinadi knew through the Spirit of God within him what King Noah and his priests' response would be and that it would result in his own death.

Despite that, having an assigned message, like other ancient Israelite prophets, Abinadi did what the Lord wanted him to do despite his knowing that this would be the last thing he would do in in this present life.

Somewhere among the king’s priests shown in the painting above, was a young priest named Alma, who at some period in his life, became the father of Alma the Younger who was called to repentance years later, in a different land, by an Angel of the Lord. In a later post, you will learn about Alma the Younger.

This elder Alma, the priest, at the time the Lord sent Abinadi for the second time, was continuing to live knee deep in wickedness. The Book of Mormon doesn’t go into details about the life this Alma was living, but describes all the priests’ general mode of life. It was included in the first of the last two links. Please read these three verses which describe in particular detail How Noah's priests lived.

Mosiah 11:5 For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts.

6 Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity.

7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.

Now let’s get right into the account of how this valiant and brave Abinadi after having returned, found himself in a very dangerous situation where he was to do just that which the Lord wanted him to do. You'll learn soon what that was and also the great purpose behind it.

Scroll up to the court room scene again unless your memory serves you better than mine does me.

Abinadi is the epitome of a prophet of the Lord. He’s doing what the Lord wanted him to do regardless of his own personal outcome. You can feel the spirit of Abinadi by just looking at him in that painting Now read this next scripture where Abinadi prophesied "among the people" after having not been openly among them for two years. I now quote part of Mosiah Chapter 12.

(done by world renown artist, Arnold Friberg - a faithful Mormon - who did the award winning art work for the Cecil B. DeMille Movie, The Ten Commandments).

Mosiah 12:1 AND it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying—Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations.

2 Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beasts, shall devour their flesh.

3 And it shall come to pass that the life of king Noah shall be valued even as a garment in a hot furnace; for he shall know that I am the Lord.

4 And it shall come to pass that I will smite this my people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long.

5 Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass.

6 And it shall come to pass that I will send forth hail among them, and it shall smite them; and they shall also be smitten with the east wind; and insects shall pester their land also, and devour their grain.

7 And they shall be smitten with a great pestilence—and all this will I do because of their iniquities and abominations.

8 And it shall come to pass that except they repent I will utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth; yet they shall leave a record behind them, and I will preserve them for other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other nations. And many things did Abinadi prophesy against this people.

After Abinadi had made the above prophecy, we are told that he was bound and brought before King Noah. Most likely the following interaction between Abinadi, the king and the priests took place in the court room pictured above. The young priest, Alma, was surely among them. Now please read these passages of scripture. You will be reading about the discussion that took place between Abinadi, and the king and his priests:

Mosiah 12:18 And it came to pass that they said unto the king: Bring him hither that we may question him; and the king commanded that he should be brought before them.

19 And they began to question him, that they might cross him, that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him; but he answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to their astonishment; for he did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words.

20 And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:

21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;

22 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion;

23 Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem;

24 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God?

25 And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?

26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.

27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?

28 And they said: We teach the law of Moses.

29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?

30 Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God.

31 And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?

32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses.

33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:

34 I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

35 Thou shalt have no other God before me.

36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.

37 Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.

Now, I want you to now recall with my assistance, the essence of what I wrote in Post 1 (Mar. 16, 2008) of this blog where the “scholar”, Professor Alex Caldiero, in the PBS Television Video, “The Mormons” 

Professor Alex Caldiero, Utah Valley State University

told the world how every time he reads the Book of Mormon he sees the personality of the poor and uneducated farm-boy, Joseph Smith, coming through in what is written.

As you can easily see this man must never have read this part of the Book of Mormon.(or any other part of it.) How could what you have been reading be anything but solid history written by prophets in their own language and then translated by Joseph Smith by the gift and power of God as Dr. Dan Peterson of B.Y.U. reaffirms in his video in Post 4 and repeated again in Post 8.

King Noah, after hearing the passionate and true message of Abinadi, ordered his courtiers to kill Abinadi. Then this valiant, magnificent prophet told them that God would kill them if they took his life before he had delivered his full message.

Mosiah 13:5 Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord.

6 And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued his words, saying:

7 Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities.

8 Yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and with anger.

9 But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved.

10 But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come.

11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives.

I don’t have the space to quote all of the words of Abinadi or of the king and his priests. When you have time I would like you to consider reading all of Chapters 9-17 of the Book of Mosiah, (of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.) Recorded in those chapters there are a good number of very remarkable Gospel sermons delivered by Abinadi to King Noah and his people.

Those sermons reveal a great understanding of, and a love for, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We might well ask, where did this committed true prophet, Abinadi gain his superior knowledge of the Gospel and when did he decide to dedicate himself to totally serving the Lord?

King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites in Zarahemla, the land from which King Noah's father, Zeniff, and others migrated to the Land, Lehi-Nephi, where Zeniff and then Noah served as king -by Gary Kapp

Possibly, (and I have no scriptural evidence of this), Abinadi could have learned the Gospel of Jesus Christ about 24 years before, along with his family by hearing King Benjamin's very spiritually strong sermon delivered from a tower erected near the Temple of the Lord.

King Benjamin's sermon was delivered as he prepared to give up his kingdom to his son, Mosiah. Along with learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ from King Benjamin, from what we have learned of Abinadi's spiritual character, had he been present at that very important event in Nephite history surely he would also have covenanted to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, with all his heart and soul along with all of the other subjects of King Benjamin as described in the scripture linked below. Now just two more verses from the time of King Benjamin's sermon at the Temple in Zarahemla:

Mosiah 6: 1 AND now, king Benjamin thought it was expedient, after having finished speaking to the people, that he should take the names of all those who had entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments.

2 And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were little children, but who had entered into the covenant and had taken upon them the name of Christ. (emphasis added)

I expect that many of you readers of this blog post, along with me, would believe that possibly one of the names to be found on that list of covenant makers who had taken upon them the name of Christ on that sacred occasion might have been:

ABINADI, son of . . . .

Now we go back to the account of the people of King Noah. We are told something very significant, something which would bring much good eventually from this challenging piece of Nephite history. Please read these four significant verses:

Mosiah 17:1 AND now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death.

2 But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace.

3 But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him that they might slay him.

4 But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinadi had spoken. (emphasis added)

The young first Alma, believed in Abinadi’s words. What a significant event! This wicked priest would soon become a righteous prophet. Most importantly, as you have just learned from that scripture, this Alma recorded all the words that Abinadi had spoken to them. This event, in my opinion, is a very important part of the very special purpose for the Lord having sent Abinadi to preach after being away for two years, for the second time, to King Noah and his priests.

In my humble opinion, knowing that I am not a great scriptural expert, this is perhaps one of the most significant positive turning points in all of Nephite history, perhaps second only to the appearance and ministry of the Resurrected Jesus Christ when he came among the Nephite- Lamanites who were spared from destruction by seismic forces that occurred not long after the time of the crucifixion and death of our Savior in Jerusalem.

And it was this one young priest, Alma the elder, that began this great turn of events because he believed in Abinadi's inspired words to the extent that he wrote them all for himself and the others who believed as he did for guidance in their lives.

To me, the name Abinadi, is a most sacred name, as is the name, Alma who allowed the Spirit of the Lord to penetrate his heart allowing him to become a very significant prophet-leader.

You are now viewing another painting done by Brother Arnold Friberg. You will see here Alma, the First, the converted priest of Noah, baptizing in a secret place, The Waters of Mormon, where they couldn't be easily detected by King Noah's soldiers.

This was a strong, new beginning of the Church of Christ in the ancient Americas which grew and prospered, with, at times, ups and downs, for a good long time leading up to the time of the appearance of Christ in America just after His resurrection.

I now end this somewhat lengthy, but very significant review of Book of Mormon scriptures with the parting testimony of that precious prophet, Abinadi. Tears come to my eyes as I think of what he said and did.  It is a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ (recorded by Alma the former priest of King Noah who believed in and recorded all the words taught by Abinadi.

I strongly suggest that you click on the Listen Button when this chapter comes up: Mosiah, Chapter 16

Now after your reading and listening to the testimony of Abinadi, please read about what was done by the king and his priests to this great prophet despite the testimony he had born to them. Again, you would do well to Listen as well as read this Book of Mormn scripture.

Mosiah 17

Notice in verse 11 of Chapter 17, King Noah was just about to release Abinadi, but the priests caused him to change his mind.

We love you, Abinadi, and look forward to meeting you in the Spirit World after we leave this life. We know your place in the Celestial World is secure. We each pray ours will be also!
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For your further enlightenment and spiritual strengthening please view this very touching and inspiring video. (Mormon Message)

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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.

____________



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: "Abinadi May Have Possibly taken Steps . . . Post 40f". 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 Automatic Alphabetical Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).
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"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
_____________

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

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. Please be advised that I have an additional blog. It is in Spanish. Its content is translated from the English in this blog.

Neil Birch

40e - Among The Lord Jesus Christ's Foremost Priorities is That EACH OF US Have the Opportunity of Attaining Eternal Life!

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

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TODAY'S THEME

The Resurrected Jesus Christ Visits Central America in A.D.34 -by John Scott

In the above painting our Savior Jesus Christ is shown teaching (in A.D. 34), citizens of the Nephite Nation near the Temple which they had built under the direction of their prophets. Most of that portion of their nation had been saved from the cataclysmic destruction which had come upon them while the much larger portion of that nation, the more wicked portion, was completely wiped off of the face of the earth. This destruction had been personally initiated by the Savior of mankind (The Resurrected Jesus Christ) even although He had previously declared, long before He began His own earthly mission, through His prophet Moses when Moses was speaking with Him on the Mount located somewhere on the Sinai Peninsula:

Moses 1: 39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

We should recall that through the Lord's righteous Nephite prophets and saints, the more wicked portion of their nation, which eventually were destroyed by the great cataclysm the Lord brought upon them through His almighty power, had been urged continuously to repent to save themselves from the impending disaster of which had been prophesied. They rejected the warnings of all those prophets and saints, many of whom they killed.

Those Nephites who were on the verge of being destroyed possibly may have been reminded by those prophets and other righteous Nephites who would be saved from that vast destruction of that very sacred teaching given above which the Lord had revealed to Moses. It most likely was recorded on the Brass Plates of Laban, which contained the Nephites' holy scriptures, which they had brought with them from Jerusalem to guide them in living their lives righteously both on their long journey and after having arrived in their Promised Land, known now as Central America.
I urge you to review prayerfully that which the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ told these Nephites while speaking from the sky before descending to earth to bless and teach them:

3 Nephi 9: 1-22

You may have noticed that in verse 14 of the scripture you have both read and listened to, the Lord said:

3Nephi 9:14 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. (emphasis added)

In that scripture, the Lord repeated in essence, His promise given to us and to all mankind in Moses 1:39. We need to come to understand that our achieving eternal life depends on our living in accordance with all of His holy commandments.

Perhaps those Nephites who were destroyed were past the point where those prophets and righteous saints would attempt to share such a sacred truth with them, but those teachings may have been in their scriptures which they had most likely completely  come to ignore.

Of course there were innocent children among them, but their having been destroyed with their wicked parents and other family members will not hinder those innocent children's' spirits from opportunities to eventually achieve the eternal life spoken of in the scripture above.

It should be obvious to each of us that the blessings of eternal life promised by our Savior can come to us only by our living worthily of them. In the eternal view of things it would seem to me to be a great blessing to the future, yet unborn, children who could have been born to them had their potential parents not have been destroyed, would not inherit the curse of having been born and then grown up among such evil living which would have deterred them from inheriting eternal life. Those spirits could then be born to other people in the world, perhaps even among perhaps, the righteous Nephites about which we are learning.

After Jesus Christ had spent some time with this people, the following occurred:

3 Nephi 17: 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.

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.

18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome (emphasis added)

Soon after Jesus had first descended from the sky and mingled with these Nephites,  each one of them had the sacred privilege of feeling the wounds in His side and hands so they each became witnesses to what He had gone through in bringing about the great atonement that only He could bring about. Having had that sacred privilege must have helped multiply the joy that they felt while hearing the great and marvelous things He was praying for on their behalf.

Their remembering the words He had spoken to them from the air before coming down before them, must also have left a very lasting impression upon each of them! It should impress us deeply as we try to sense the power of those unrecorded words He uttered in the prayer described above, to remember the words He had spoken to Moses long before He had taken upon himself mortality:

Surely, that prayer and all the things Jesus subsequently taught them were key factors in these Nephites being able as a unified nation to live in exemplary righteousness for almost 300 years afterwards and bring promises upon their subsequently unrighteous posterity that many of their descendants would be reclaimed by His Latter-day Church in our days.



Jesus Christ -by Heinrich Hofmann

I now take us away from those such special sacred circumstances to attempt to increase our perspective of these very special and sacred experiences and truths. (I repeat His words for emphasis!)

Moses 1: 39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Just before I wrote my very first post and published it back in March of 2008, I was appalled by what had been said by participants in PBS's TV Presentation entitled, "The Mormons" (which was shown in April of 2007) in their treatment and neglect of the Book of Mormon. In it, a so-called, "scholar" (a male instructor at the Utah Valley University located not far from Salt Lake County, UT (U.S.A.), described this Book of Books (The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ) as flawed literature.

I heard him say that every time he reads from the Book of Mormon he sees evidence in its pages of the rough frontier nature of Joseph Smith who he supposes wrote that book. With his saying that, I have to question whether he, that misguided university professor, has ever read the Book of Mormon. I have never seen such evidence of what he suggests anywhere in that book. I have seen just the opposite: much complexity and spiritual profundity!

That is when I decided upon the title for this blog: "Have You Really Read The Book of Mormon?" I think you will quickly agree with me the Book of Mormon is an exceedingly complex and divinely inspired book, even after just having read the first part of this post.

One of the great advantages the Book of Mormon gives readers, is information about our Savior, Jesus Christ that we don't learn from the New Testament. For instance, as the Glorified Son of God and Having His Father's full powers after His glorification (which came about because of His atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection and being exalted on high with His Heavenly Father) He, among other Godly attributes had become a God of Judgement which allowed Him to obliterate a huge group of corrupt, wicked people who had been warned and forewarned and who had killed many righteous prophets and saints. Because of the great extent of their wickedness, their time to leave this life had fully come in His and in His Heavenly Father's unified knowledge and wisdom regarding what should be done!

How dare that terribly uninformed university professor from a University located not far from where the Church is headquartered, insist that every time he reads the words of the Book of Mormon, he reads the words written by a poor and uneducated young farm boy, Joseph Smith! He ought to pick up that sacred book and begin, perhaps for the first time (most likely) in his life, to really read it!

Each of you readers can begin to perceive that that which is told about during our Savior's time among the Nephite people in Ancient Central America uniquely contains some of the most important things we are able to learn about the post-mortal Savior of the World, Jesus Christ.

My hope and personal prayer is that each one of you readers of this post will become regular readers of the Book of Mormon and will seek spiritual confirmation from God of its truthfulness (If you haven't already done so!)

Moroni 10: 3 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.

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.

I, Neil Birch, bare you my personal witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! What a power and blessing it has been in my life!

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For your further enlightenment and spiritual strengthening here is a Mormon Message.

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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.

____________

TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or An Item Which Refers To Any Other Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph Please click on the following: Eternal Life. Who Among All of Us On This Earth, Past, Present and Future, Has the Opportunity of Attaining It? . . . - Post 40e. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To A Little Boy, 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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"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
____________


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

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. 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

40d - "SAINTS"

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

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TODAY'S THEME

In a popular TV quiz show in the U.S.A. I happened to be viewing recently along with my wife, the contestants were asked to name the only Hawaiian to have become a Saint. I have known for many years of a procedure by which a prominent Christian Church periodically nominates a deceased church member they have determined had lived a sufficiently exemplary life to be designated a Saint. That church has a specific set procedure to bring those relatively few, so chosen, to become canonized or officially named saints!

After watching that quiz show I checked the Internet and found the following which I have summarized below the photographs of the only Hawaiian Saint:






Father Damien as a Young Catholic Priest and later in his life after having contracted leprosy.

He was a Flemish Catholic Priest, who, though not meeting all the requirements of Catholic priesthood, learned to speak Latin the language of that priesthood, from his brother who was already a Catholic Priest. When his brother, because of illness, was unable to take an assignment he had been given to serve their church in Hawaii, Father Damien, was assigned to travel to Hawaii to serve in his brother's place there. He  actually was ordained a priest in Hawaii after arriving there.

Father Damien sacrificed much when he chose to serve the Hawaiians in the Lepers' Colony located on one of the islands there. Eventually he too contracted leprosy and eventually died of it. He was recognized by the Hawaiians he served as a hero and was nominated by the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Rome, Italy to be designated a Saint.

More than 500 Hawaii pilgrims joined tens of thousands of people at a canonization mass at the Vatican in Rome, Italy which was held under the direction of Pope Benedict XVI. Monday, October 12, 2009. On that day Father Damien officially became a "Saint" of the Roman Catholic Church.

After reading a brief history of Father Damien on the Internet I came to appreciate the exceedingly great selfless service he rendered to afflicted Hawaiians much of his life. However, I have to question his church's practice of officially naming deceased members of their church, Saints! It appears to set them apart from the rest of members of the church both living and dead who may also have been living "saintly lives" After all, it appears that it is not God who declares such persons Saints, but rather, the leaders of a church who have clearly assumed the right to make a final judgment, based on their following strict, set guidelines, that that person had become sufficiently qualified in his/her lifetime to be officially termed a Saint.

I searched the Holy scriptures to find the definition of "Saint" used in them. Here are several I found, both in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ and from the Doctrine and Covenants: This first is from the second book:

Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, 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. (emphasis added)

That scriptural definition allows for each of those who are actively and sincerely involved in the Lord's Restored Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to be classified as saints. A person doesn't have to be a dead martyr or any kind of publicly acclaimed hero to be thought of as a saint. In the following scripture the Apostle Paul gives further clarification to what a Saint is.

Ephesians 1: 1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times (the day in which we now live) he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. (clarification and emphasis added )

What more assurrance does a living saint of God need than that which is given in verses 4 and 13. That which is in verse 4 has to do with the foreknowledge of God, not of any predestination that precludes our using our free agency in choosing the direction we choose for our lives. That which Paul writes about in in the highlighted portion of verse 13 has to do with the great blessing that comes to proven individuals who are sealed by that holy Spirit of promise which is a very personal assurance far superior to any other kind of approval.

Then I found this question while searching the Internet for information about Saints. It surely was asked by a member of the church who nominates people they consider to be spiritually accomplished, as saints: Why is it some Christians feel it is OK to ask a friend or family member to pray for them but not a saint?

I, Neil Birch, have read of very good people not of my religion who have asked (prayed to) the Virgin Mary (an approved saint of the Catholic Church) and also to other approved, (by their Church) saints for assistance. However, doing that is not in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed to the Lord's Restored Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I agree fully with my Church's stand!

I then turned to the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ to read the words spoken by our Savior Jesus Christ to a large gathering of his saints A.D. 34 in what is now known as Central America, shortly after His resurrection from the dead and His glorification.

3 Nephi 23: 9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?

10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.

11 And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them? (emphasis added)

This took place long before the Roman Catholic Church even existed so the saints Jesus referred to in the scripture above did not include individuals chosen to be saints through that church's Sainthood procedures.
And now a scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants. In it we are told of the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ which will occur at the end of the earth in the form it now is in:

D and C 45: 44 And then they shall look for me, and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory; with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall be cut off.

45 But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his trump, and the saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud. (emphasis added)

And here is another scripture quoting the Apostle Paul:

Romans 1: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (emphasis added)

Here are two other significant scriptures which bring the truth to light about this matter.

2 Nephi 9: 18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever. (emphasis added)

3Nephi 18:16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.

17 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto his Disciples, he turned again unto the multitude and said unto them:

18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

____________

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.

____________



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: a Saint, Just What is a Saint? -Post 40d. 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