35h - The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Strong Testimony of Jacob, Fifth Son of Father Lehi.

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

Jacob 1:7 Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness. *

8 Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi. (emphasis added)



Moses Ask the Children of Israel to Gaze at the Brazen Serpent -by Judith Mehr



You may remember my using the picture above at the beginning of post 35e. I would like you to focus specifically on something in it that I didn't point out in that post.

Please notice that just beyond Moses there are members of the House of Israel who have turned and are walking away from him and the others who have fixed their eyes upon the brazen serpent toward which Moses is raising his right arm.

We must remember that those who were following Moses' instructions by staring at the brazen serpent which represented the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son of God, were healed from the effects of the bites of the poisonous serpents while those who refused to follow Moses' instructions were walking away only to soon die from the poisonous bites they had suffered.

Here is an important question I would like each of us, you and me, to ask ourselves: By what we have now been doing regarding keeping the commandments of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to which of the two groups of people depicted in the picture above do we belong? We owe it to ourselves and to our family members who love us, to be completely honest. Then we each need to live as we know we should live, without hesitating!

The following is additional testimony regarding Jesus Christ along with teachings about His gospel, by Jacob, the fifth son of Lehi and younger brother to Nephi. He certainly was one of Lehi's righteous and believing sons:

II Nephi 9:40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.

41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

There again was Jacob's strong witness of the Son of God, Jesus Christ and of the importance of following Him. Now here is the last quote of Jacob's testifying I will give you in this post. Please feel the power and truthfulness of his testimony. Please also note the accuracy of his prophecy.

II Nephi 10:1 AND now I, Jacob, speak unto you again, my beloved brethren, concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken.

2 For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.

5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

Thank you Jacob! Thank you dear readers for trusting me to review correctly, important teachings of a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ which will benefit both you and me.

Here is the Mormon Messages Gallery from which you can select a video which appears to meet your particular needs.

 Following the asterisk * I inserted in TODAY'S THEME down to the asterisk you have just seen in this sentence, you will learn some additional key information if you have time now or perhaps you might return later.

I inserted the asterisk in TODAY'S THEME where Jacob had referred to: "as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness." Now if you were wondering how Father Lehi's family could know about such Old Testament information, long before the Old Testament had been put together as a book, I would like you to know that Jacob and all of his father, Lehi's family possessed many of the same books which are in our Old Testament along with a significant number of additional books we know not of. These scriptures had a significant influence on Lehi, his believing children and on their posterity.

Lehi and his family were able to bring that set of scriptures with them to their promised land in Ancient America only by the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. They were even assisted by a holy angel. The key to their eventual success was the faith and determination of Nephi, Lehi's fourth son along with the support of his brother, just older than him, Sam. The four brothers endured incredible difficulties by going back to Jerusalem where they finally, through much tribulation, were able to obtain the Plates of Brass on which the inspired records where engraven.

You may want to come back to these scriptural links later. You may already be familiar with them, but if not, here are the three scriptures to read I Nephi, chapters 3, 4 and 5. If you haven't read them before you will be surprised how fascinating is Nephi's account of this challenging task he and his brother, Sam faced bravely.

I Nephi 3:1-31

I Nephi 4:1-37

I Nephi 5:1-22

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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: Jacob, Brother of Nephi and Son of Lehi, Testified Powerfully of Christ. Post 35h. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down 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 Legal /Statement.
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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.
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

35g - In The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Prophet Nephi Teaches Us About the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation!

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

II Nephi 33: 1 AND now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.

6 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.

7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.

8 I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.

9 I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for
none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words (words given to the Prophet Nephi through the Power of the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation) and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen. (explanation and emphasis added)

Those are the last recorded words in the Book of Mormon of the Prophet, Nephi, fourth son of Lehi; the one after whom the Nephite nation was named. His words are very meaningful as you can easily see. Along with the words of testimony pronounced by his father, Lehi, they set the stage for a long list of testimonies of Jesus Christ of prophets who are descended from them which we will consider one or two at a time in future posts.

However, before finishing this post I would like you to read an earlier admonition of Nephi's that may be one that some of you may possibly want to consider:



John Baptizing Jesus -By Harry Anderson

II Nephi 31: 5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.

9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. (emphasis added)

Now, hold on just a minute! I anticipate that some of you will question how Nephi, who lived six centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, could speak of things that we learned from the New Testament written not long after Jesus' resurrection.

If you did question that, please be patient with me while I help you understand how Nephi could do that. Understanding that comes right back to a very key principal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gift of the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation. Now I quote the Apostle, John (The Beloved):

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (emphasis added)

There are many scriptural examples where the followers of Jesus Christ, both in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon and also in additional modern-day scriptures, brought about through the instrumentality of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have identified future important events by this spiritual gift. Here is one example that comes to mind. It comes from the Old Testament book of Isaiah.



Isaiah Writes of Christ's Birth -by Harry Anderson

In Isaiah CHAPTER 5, Isaiah speaks Messianically—Messiah's humiliation and sufferings set forth—He makes his soul an offering for sin and makes intercession for transgressors—Compare with (in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ) Mosiah 14.

Isaiah 5:1 WHO hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Now we go back to another portion of the second quote from the Prophet Nephi above:

II Nephi 31: 10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, (Which conveys into our hearts and minds The Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation) like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. (emphasis added)

Baptism (a young man and a young lady)

Receiving the Gift

of the Holy Ghost

In the next post, 35h, we will review the words of testimony of Jesus Christ written by Jacob, fourth son of Father Lehi.

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Before ending this post I give you the opportunity of experiencing a YouTube Video, "Why Mormons Build Temples" which was the Tenth most viewed YouTube Video shown the day it was first shown. It is very well done. I agree 100% with everything in it. I particularly appreciate what was said in it about the importance of revelation which is a key subject discussed in this post.

Along with excellent comments of LDS General Authorities, I also enjoyed the positive comments of a non LDS professor from Harvard University and a Protestant minister from Sweden. Please view it. Please consider e-mailing me to let me know how you felt about your experience in viewing it. Also, feel free to respond to the You Tube request for your reactions to it. (When the video has ended, please return to this post. Thank you.) Please click now on the following:

“Why Mormons Build Temples”

My e-mail address is found below if you want to contact me. I will keep your e-mail address private if you choose to e-mail me.
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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 Decide To Access): After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up and Click on this: Nephi, The Son of Lehi, Testified of the Baptism of Christ. . .Post -35g 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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"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.

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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.

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

35f - The Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation is a Key Principle Taught About and Demonstrated By the Actions of True Prophets Throughout the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and Throughout All of God's Other Scriptures!

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

I Nephi 11: 1 FOR it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen,* and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou?

3 And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw.

4 And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?

5 And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.

6 And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.

7 And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign, that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God. 

Jesus Descending Out of Heaven and Appearing to Righteous Nephites in Ancient Central America in A.D. 34

 

8 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow.

Lehi's Dream -By Jerry Thompson



9 And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all.

10 And he said unto me: What desirest thou?

11 And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereof—for I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.

12 And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look! And I looked as if to look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from before my presence.

13 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. 

The Annunciation - Mary and the Angel, Gabriel -By John Scott



14 And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?

15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?

17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. 

Baby Jesus With His Mother, Mary and Joseph -By Ted Henninger



21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

24 And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.

25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.

26 And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of God! 

Jesus Being Baptized by John -By Harry Anderson

 27And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.

28 And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them.



Twelve Others Following Him

 29 And I also beheld twelve others following him. And it came to pass that they were   carried away in the Spirit from before my face, and I saw them not.

30 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again, and I saw angels descending upon the children of men; and they did minister unto them. 

Angels Did Minister Unto Them

31 And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.

Jesus Did Heal them!



The Crucifixion -By Harry Anderson

 32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.

33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world. (emphasis added)

I have attempted to emphasize that which the Prophet, Nephi wrote which I have used as TODAY'S THEME, by inserting pictures of the then future various life experiences of our Savior about which Nephi learned from the Spirit of the Lord, through the means of the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation, which is always in use when the church authorized by Jesus Christ is present and led by Him through His prophets here on earth.

During my life I have been blessed to have experienced the power of that Spirit, directly and indirectly, as have all active and faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whether or not they fully realize it. Here is something very significant regarding the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation which I quoted in my blog post 35a from the book, "The World and the Prophets," written by Dr. Hugh W. Nibley.

A Caution!: Don't let Dr. Nibley's long foreign words throw you! He got his information right from the original texts, written in their original language, (be it Greek, Latin or whatever.) He was an expert in many Near Eastern languages, including Arabic.

What Dr. Nibley wrote which I quote below, along with his quote from the Apostle Paul, taken from the New Testament, establishes the fact that the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation was lost from the original Christian Church after the death of Paul and all the other Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. It certainly was actively present over the centuries in the Nephite Church of Jesus Christ in Ancient America until its collapse in about A.D. 421 (Which is when the Prophet Moroni's last words during his mortality were written.) As I made clear above, the gift of Prophecy and Revelation is very much a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today and has been present again on the earth since just about a decade before its organization on April 6, 1830!

"Paul had prophesied that Here the so-called original text uses the identical word for the failing of prophecies and the vanishing of knowledge, (katargethesontai - "to be taken out of circulation, to be made inoperative,") used both times in the future indicative. There is no sense of contingency here; the whole statement is simple and emphatic: "Such propheciies as there are shall be stopped; such tongues as there are shall be made to cease (pausontai) such gnosis as there is shall be done away with." These gifts were not simply to fade away; they wre going to be taken away."

". . . whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away" (I Corinthians 13:8)"

I want to remind you once again of the contrast between what some people believe about the Book of Mormon and what is true about it. Again, as in the last several blog posts I quote from the PBS Video presented in May 2006 on prime time TV.

Professor Alex Caldiero

"I hear Joseph Smith's voice every time I read it (The Book of Mormon), He was a farmer. He was young. He was unlettered and he put this all together. So you have this rough hewn kind of text..." Alex Caldiero, poet and scholar, Utah Valley University. (clarification added)

Where is the "rough hewn kind of text that the young farm boy, Joseph Smith put together to form the Book of Mormon?" It certainly isn't in the Book of Mormon scripture that formed TODAY'S THEME in this post!

The sureness of Nephi's prophecies quoted today are so very important to each one of us. Believing them enough to live by Jesus' commandments can save you and I and our families from the universal burning that will take place at His second coming just as the flood in Noah's day saved only him and his family along with the many animals which were with them in his ark.

2Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

The Second Coming -By Harry Anderson

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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: (The) Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation -Post 35f. 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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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

35e - 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

Moses Shows the Children of Israel the Brazen Serpent -by Judith Mehr

II Nephi 25: 20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent (a representation of the crucified Jesus Christ) which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

21 Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that the promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph,(Joseph Who Was Sold Into Egypt) that his seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand. (emphasis and clarification added)

 

Nephi Crossing the Desert With His Family on the Way to their Promised Land -by Scott Snow

TODAY'S THEME is a quote from the Prophet Nephi, the fourth son of Father Lehi, the founder of the Nephite Nation* whose history is given in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. *Their nation was named after this Nephi because he was a righteous prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ (who was yet to be born and was still a pre-mortal spirit but nonetheless was one of the Godhead with His father and with the Holy Ghost).

Nephi led his father, Lehi's people after Lehi's death.

In the next blog post more of the prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ which were made through inspiration from above and recorded by the Prophet Nephi, will make up that blog post's TODAY'S THEME.

In the just previous blog post Nephi's Father, Lehi was quoted as he testified of Jesus Christ. There is one more quote of Father Lehi regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I wish to present here. I copied this from my Post #1 which was published on: March 16, 2008, close to a year ago.

II Nephi 2:25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Verse 26 is also very instructive. Hopefully you have a Book of Mormon.
Several years ago I read a report of a scholarly man from the Near East, who was possibly Jewish, who became overwhelmed emotionally when he heard for the the first time ever, that verse read in a meeting of some kind at BYU where he was an invited guest. This verse no doubt helped him as it can help us, to come to grips with the true purpose of the Fall of Adam. Now I ask you, the reader of this blog, "Have you really read the Book of Mormon?" And if you have, have you heeded the exhortation of the Book of Mormon prophet, Moroni?

Moroni 10:4 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."

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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: Nephi, The Son of Lehi, Testified of Jesus Christ - Post 35e.When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down 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. 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

35d - 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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With this post, I am just now shifting to a series of TODAY'S THEMES from which we will learn from most of the prophets, who testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose words are recorded in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

I promise you that if you continue reading this blog, a new post of which is published about every three or four days, the sure knowledge these prophets provided about our Savior, Jesus Christ and about His gospel and the crucial role it should play in our lives, will become very believable and sure to you, more so than ever before in your lives.

That promise will apply only if you pray to the Lord that, through His spirit you will guided in your reading and contemplation. I'll be praying for each of you also.

I am personally convinced that the only lasting help those of us who are living now can get in facing the extremely threatening forces that are presently rapidly growing all about us, is that which comes from aligning ourselves with the Savior and His Plan of Salvation.

Unfortunately, we live in a day when faith in His plan is blatantly lacking. Many from all walks of life today have come to believe that science and man's educated knowledge is the only source of salvation for mankind. I have written below personal beliefs such as my statement which I quote from my just previous post:

"There was much in that PBS video ('The Mormons, May 2007')with which I strongly disagree. I find that many other Mormons' agree with me on that. There is the allegation by one of the so-called experts shown in that video, that the report of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was just a conspiracy brought about by Jesus' twelve apostles and is the 'scandal of Christianity.' In my view that charge is scandalous! (clarification added)

TODAY'S THEME

We begin this new series with Father Lehi's words:

1. Lehi (between 588 and 570 B.C.)

II Nephi 2:2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my first-born in the
wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.

4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law (The Law of Moses) is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.

6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the
Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these
things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.

10 And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement. (clarification added)

I will add one more quote from my just previous post:

"I hear Joseph Smith's voice every time I read it (The Book of Mormon). He was a farmer. He was young. He was unlettered and he put this all together. So you have this rough hewn kind of text ..." Alex Caldiero, poet and scholar, Utah Valley University. (clarification added)



Professor Alex Caldiero



Dear Intelligent and well-read readers. Please once again, read through Father Lehi's words to his son, Jacob which I have quoted as TODAY'S THEME above. Certainly, Professor Caldiero couldn't be referring to anything similar to that Book of Mormon passage which you just read. (a young farmer boy's voice, rough hewn kind of text!)

I strongly assert that Father Lehi's words quote in TODAY'S THEME were prompted and guided by the Spirit of our Pre-mortal Lord and Savior, whose image I have inserted below:



Jesus the Christ -by Heinrich Hoffman



____________

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 You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up And Click on the Following: (Father) Lehi Testified of Jesus Christ - Post 35d.When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down 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. 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

35c - 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 Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord -by Arnold Friberg

6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

7 And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast thou fallen?

8 And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

10 And he answered: Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me.

11 And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?

12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

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"I hear Joseph Smith's voice everytime I read it (The Book of Mormon). He was a farmer. He was young. He was unlettered and he put this all together. So you have this rough hewn kind of text ..." Alex Caldiero, poet and scholar, Utah Valley University. (Clarification Added)

Viewers of this blog post, please answer this question: Can you see in the scripture above, TODAY'S THEME, the writing of a "young, unlettered farmer?" Or can you see "this rough hewn kind of text" that this young uneducated farmer was supposed to have "put all together?"

In my blog posts 1 and 2, I refer to the words of a scholar taken from the PBS Video, "The Mormons," shown in prime time in early May of 2007.

I have referred back to those words frequently, in my posts. In fact, I derived the title of this blog, "Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" from the thoughts that first came to mind after listening to Alex Caldiero's words (quoted above) in the PBS video.

This morning I decided to go back to that video and get his exact words for you to read. I carefully copied them and they are recorded just below the photo of Professor Caldiero above.

If you have been reading my blog posts right along or have otherwise seriously and prayerfully studied the Book of Mormon, it will be easy for you to ascertain that Alex Caldiero has not really read the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Instead, you will realize it must be his very uninformed viewpoint that caused him to say that the words of the book of Mormon are the rough hewn kind of text an uneducated farm boy had put all together.

There was much in that PBS video with which I strongly disagree. I find that many other "Mormons" agree with me on that. There is the allegation by one of the experts shown in it, that the report of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was just a conspiracy brought about by Jesus's twelve apostles and is the "scandal of Christianity." In my view that charge is scandalous!

There were some very good parts in the video, but too much of it was quite incorrect and biased. Professor Caldiero's saying that the Book of Mormon was "beautiful in all of its imperfections" is far "off-base." Any diligent and honest student of the Book of Mormon, like many of you may be, would be able to say: "It, along with the Holy Bible, contains the inspired words of God through His holy prophets." A case in point are the inspired words of the prophet named, The Brother of Jared, that are quoted in TODAY'S THEME.

Some background for you on the Brother of Jared and his people:

Mosiah 8: 8 (In about 121 B.C.) And they (some Nephites) were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was covered with bones of men, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel.

9 And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they are of pure gold. (date and clarification added)

The record of the people which had been engraved upon the golden plates was later translated by the use of the Urim and Thummim* by the Nephite King, Prophet and Seer, Mosiah (*interpreters used by prophets who are also seers. (Mosiah 8:13; Exodus 28:30)

In the Book of Ether, one of the individual books within the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is told the history of a people who lived at the time of the confounding of languages at the Tower of Babel. They were led by the Lord across Southwestern Asia and across the Pacific Ocean to Ancient America, many centuries before the Nephites were led there by the Lord through the help of the compass called, Liahona.

I now invite you to read the scripture from which you can learn from this early chapter in the Book of Ether much more about this ancient people. The only record of them is  found in the Book of Mormon. However, there are untranslated portions of the Jaredite's golden plates. With the Lord willing, someday we may have that part of their history too: Ether 2: 1-25

As when you have read previous portions of the Book of Mormon, you will have just read a complex true history of people who were led by the Lord, in His pre-mortal state. Of course, in the Book of III Nephi there are accounts of His also leading people in His post-mortal (Resurrected) state.

You have surely begun to see the wisdom in the Lord in providing the Book of Mormon to guide its readers back to Him. THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRULY ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST!



Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson

Surely you readers have easily ascertained that the words of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ are not words that a young unlettered farmer from the State of New York in the United States of America in 1830 just "put together."

____________




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 OPEN NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX: To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This BlogPost, (Or To Search The Index For Any Other BlogPost You Desire To Access): After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up and Click on The Following: The Book of Mormon Reveals Profound Matters . . . Post 35c;  When The Picture of Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down 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. 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