Revelator and Prophet

Reading:   Title Page and Introduction ~ Book of Mormon

I have finished reading the Book of Mormon and wanted to read some smaller items before starting a new book in January...that in mind, I will, over the next few weeks, be reading the following (one a day):

1. Witness Testimonies
2. Joseph Smith Testimony 
3. A Brief Explanation of the Book of Mormon
4. The Family: A Proclamation to the World
5. The Living Christ (Testimony of the Apostles - January 1, 2000)
6. Lectures on Faith (7 Lectures)
7. Hymns (5 Random Selections)

Following this schedule (ending 12/31/12), I will then read one of the standard works starting in the new year.  I'm not particular as to which one so if there are any preferences out there please let me know...

1. Bible (Old Testament)
2. Bible (New Testament)
3. Book of Mormon
4. Doctrine and Covenants
5. Pearl of Great Price

Back to what I read today...

INTRODUCTION (Last Two Paragraphs)

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10: 3-5.) 

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah. 

If you pray, in faith, you will receive a burning witness of the truth recorded in the Book of Mormon and with that an increased testimony of Jesus Christ, a belief and understanding that Joseph Smith was a living prophet of God in theses latter days, and through these witnesses you will also gain a firm recognition that Jesus Christ is the Master and head of His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...what else needs to be said?  Don't listen to the banter of others, you have a right to know of the truth for yourself - Pray in Faith and you shall know!!

~Kipling

Pleasing Bar of God

Reading:   Moroni 10

Both Jacob and Moroni, at the end of their records, talk of meeting us (the reader), "...before the pleasing bar of Jehova [God]."  I want to discuss this because it fascinates me and, in Moroni's case, comes to us in the last verse of the Book of Mormon.

MORONI 10:34

34    And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen. 

For clarity purposes here also is the statement from Jacob,

JACOB 6:13

13    Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen. 

When we discuss any type of hearing, especially if the judgement might have personal ramifications, it is done so with trepidation and concern.  Any judgement of me, on any level, elicits an immediate defensive mode that works overtime to discover means of preservation; in-other-words, when I am accused I cannot help but search for proofs of innocence - a natural instinct.  Why do I bring this up? Well, when I think of a judgement bar, I find concern that I may not be capable of proving myself worthy of good judgement - the prospect does not seem pleasing to me.  For Jacob and Moroni the prospect of judgement was a pleasing one...how do I reconcile this?

Henry B. Eyring  (first counselor in the first presidency) gave a fantastic address titled, Where is the Pavilion in the Sunday morning session of the October, 2012, General Conference.  Eyring's talk addressed some of my concern on this point; especially his closing statement...

"If we serve with faith, humility, and a desire to do God's will, I testify that the judgment bar of the great Jehovah will be pleasing. We will see our loving Father and His Son as They see us now-with perfect clarity and with perfect love. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

As long as I "...serve with faith, humility, and a desire to do God's will," I will certainly embrace the judgement bar as I will have nothing to fear.  I agree and though I can embrace the idea I am in no way shape or form close to the kind of men that I perceive Jacob and Moroni were [are].  So I'm still not altogether ready to call it a "pleasing bar." 

In my reading of both statements (several if not millional times), I have finally found a key to increase my desire for the looming judgement bar and to do so without whining trepidation...it's the, "...meet you..." part.  Both Jacob and Moroni say they will meet [me] at the judgement bar and if they are there, along with my Savior, and many others I admire - that would be pleasing.  I do look forward to meeting these men and if they are as excited and pleased to meet me, how could that be a bad thing?  Wait, the bad part would be if I have ignored their words; but, somehow, knowing that a guy like Moroni, a man who fought for and loved his people despite their horrendous actions and disregard for God, eases my mind.

The bar spoken of by Moroni and Jacob does not hold the ominous guillotine blade of judgement but the pleasing embrace of friends and love.  Even with the weight of mortal sin, I strongly doubt that the company at this bar could make anyone feel unwelcome or concerned.  That is pleasing!

~Kipling

During my research of the term "pleasing bar of God" I found an interesting debate on wether the word "pleasing" should in fact be "pleading."  I disagree but found the debate on both sides interesting and very educational...check it out if you'r so interested.  The Pleading Bar of God by Royal Skousen poses the argument for "pleading" and Keeping the Old Wine in Old Wineskins: The Pleasing (Not Pleading) Bar of God by John S. Welch debates Skousen.  What fun it is to learn, eh?

Tabernacle of Clay

***ALERT***ATTENTION***ALERT***

There has been a blogjam...the last several posts were not successfully published and I was unaware of the problem until recently.   The grievous error has been remedied and all posts are now active, sorry for the mishap and do please go back and read what you have missed (some good stuff).  Thank you!

***ALERT***ATTENTION***ALERT***

Reading:   Moroni 1-9

The book of Moroni, the last book in the Book of Mormon, is unique and quite unintentional.  Let me explain...Moroni did not expect to live too long after the battle of Cumorah.  He was sure he would be discovered by the Lamanites and killed - no way did he expect to be wandering the earth for another 21-years.  He abridged the record of Ether concerning the rise and fall of the Jaredites and then, I am sure, expected he would die or be called back to heaven shortly thereafter - didn't happen.  So, having nothing else to do, he writes some more...

MORONI 1:1-4

1    Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me. 

2    For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ. 

3    And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life. 

4    Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord. 

Over the course of the next 9 chapters, Moroni imparts some very vital information:
   The inappropriate practice of baptizing children
   Both sacramental prayers are given
   The order of ordination to priesthood offices
   Confirmation of the Holy Ghost after baptism (process)
   Importance of church attendance
   Faith, hope, charity, and a great bit on miracles

One of the best verses comes from an epistle that Moroni adds - one he received from his father Mormon.  In it Mormon encourages Moroni to continue on in all diligence and, though the people were increasingly wicked and seemed doomed to their devastation, Mormon says...

MORONI 9:6

6    And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God. 

"...whilst in this tabernacle of clay..."  I love that line and so true it is - labor diligently while we reside in this probationary state, in these bodies of mortal flesh, and rest when we return to dwell in glory with God!

I'm so thankful Moroni had not perished, I'm sad that he had to wander alone for twenty plus years, but, the book of Moroni is so important to us and definitely a testimony builder for me!

~Kipling
 

Cain - Gift of Secret Oaths

Reading:   Ether 6-15

The Jaredites, after crossing the ocean and landing in the promised land (north America), prospered under the intensely righteous leadership of Jared and his brother (Mahonri Moriancumer).  Near the end of their days, Jared and his brother were asked to name a king (much to their chagrin).  They would not name a king as they both knew such an action would eventually lead to captivity; but they did not prohibit the people from crowning one.  All the sons of both Jared and his brother were asked to assume the role of king and each refused until Jared's son, Orihah, finally accepted.  Orihah reigned in righteousness for many years, his son, Kib, also.  One of the 23 sons of Kib, Corihor, rebelled against his father and eventually overthrew him (making him a captive and sealing the prophesy that a king would breed captivity).  Over all the subsequent generations, and throughout the Jaredite civilization, captivity and subterfuge became the norm and, just like in the eventual demise of the Nephites, secret combinations and oaths were at the heart of the driving wickedness.

Akish, a man beguiled by a sinister female, sets up a plan to murder the reigning king in order to wed the woman and put her father on the throne...

ETHER 8:15-16, 18, 21; 15:34

15    And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning. 

16    And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms. 

18    And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God; 

The king, Omer, discovered the plot to dethrone him and fled the kingdom.  The new king is crowned and Akish married his daughter.  Akish then murdered the king (father of his wife) and ultimately gained the throne for himself.  Akish,  jealous of his own son, imprisoned him, caused his death, and ultimately an uprising within his own offspring caused mass destruction.  

The cycle of pride reigned steady throughout the remainder of Ether's record and ends, like the Nephites, in a mass, continuous battle that claimed the lives of millions down to the last two men who killed one another.  

21    And they [secret combinations] have caused the destruction of this people [Jaredites] of whom I [Moroni] am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi. 

Ether, being the last Jaredite on the land, shared a moment of repose like that of Moroni at the demise of his people (the Nephites).  I am sure the translation of Ether's record was extremely recollective and tough for Moroni to work through; especially considering the similarities of destruction between his people and the Jaredites.

15:34    Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen. 

Secret combinations and oaths, handed down in practice from Cain, have caused the demise of several civilizations throughout time.  Watch out!  Those around you willing to take part in such practices will, in fact, use such strategies against you, in their own due time, as well...

~Kipling
 

Attestation of Fact

Reading:   Ether 4-5

On my mission, and several times in life, I have come across the ridiculous argument that the Bible is all that we as Christians need.  This argument has always perplexed me in that people simply refuse to even open the Book of Mormon...what is the fear?  I realize that most probably use the excuse as a quick way to avoid "religious" conversation - shut the door on the missionaries per say - and don't really understand what they are saying; but, some honestly believe that the Bible is all that is needed.

My argument, sorry, my point of discussion, has always been in reference to the practice of law.  I simply do not believe that any judge or lawyer would refuse additional witnesses in any case.  If there is another witness, even one that is questionable, that witness is still given their day in court - still heard.  Why would anyone who believes in Jesus Christ not want, even yearn for, more information on his ministry, teachings, and life?  When I read a novel that really captures my attention I find myself wanting more, searching for additional feedback on the story or characters - certainly go after any subsequent novels, articles, etc. and that is in reference to fiction.  In the case of Jesus, an individual who personifies perfection and is the gateway to salvation for us all, the need to learn more becomes so much more relevant.  If you are a Christian, why would you refuse to even open a text that claims it is "Another testament of Jesus Christ," curiosity alone would make me seek it out...

ETHER 5:4

4    And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record-and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day. 

Russell M. Nelson gave a great conference address in regards to this (October 2007):

    Disregard for the Book of Mormon or for any other sacred scripture concerns me deeply. In addressing that concern, I have titled my remarks "Scriptural Witnesses."
    I will define the term scriptural as pertaining to the Bible and the scriptures of the Restoration. (Acts 3:19-21), John (see Revelation 14:6-8), and Paul (see Ephesians 1:10). The Prophet Joseph Smith was instructed that, in this last dispensation, there is to be a "restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began" (D&C 27:6).) Members of the Church "believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." (Articles of Faith 1:8.) Scriptures of the Restoration also include the Doctrine and Covenants as well as the Pearl of Great Price.
    A dictionary defines the noun witness as an "attestation of a fact or event: [a] testimony." (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed. (2003), "witness," 1439.) The term witness bears special significance when applied to the word of God. In the Bible we read this important declaration: "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1. Similar statements appear in Matthew 18:16 and Ether 5:4.) This assures God's children that divine doctrines are confirmed by more than one scriptural witness.
    The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both witnesses of Jesus Christ. They teach that He is the Son of God, that He lived an exemplary life, that He atoned for all mankind, that He died upon the cross and rose again as the resurrected Lord. They teach that He is the Savior of the world.
    Scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was "written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also." (Mormon 7:9.) Each book refers to the other. Each book stands as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets. (D&C 5:10).)
    Love for the Book of Mormon expands one's love for the Bible and vice versa. Scriptures of the Restoration do not compete with the Bible; they complement the Bible. We are indebted to martyrs who gave their lives so that we could have the Bible. It establishes the everlasting nature of the gospel and of the plan of happiness. The Book of Mormon restores and underscores biblical doctrines such as tithing, (Alma 13:15; 3 Nephi 24:8-10.) the temple, (2 Nephi 5:16; Jacob 1:17; 2:2, 11; Mosiah 2:5-7.) the Sabbath day, (Mosiah 13:16-19; 18:23.) and the priesthood. (2 Nephi 6:2; Mosiah 18:18; Alma 6:1; 13:1-3, 6-11; 3 Nephi 18:5; Moroni 3:1-4.) 

Again, why not give every witness an opportunity to speak and then make your judgement...

~Kipling

Lights and Perfections

Reading:   Ether 3

The tool by which Joseph Smith translated the plates, was the Urim and Thummim.  In preparation for today's blog, I did a little digging on the Urim and Thummim and discovered that the Hebrew translation for Urim and Thummim is, "Lights and Perfections."  Also, the term is not just used to describe stones of translation but also as a place...

D&C 130:8 The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim. 

So the place where God resides is of great Light and Perfection!  The Urim and Thummim, as a tool, gave Joseph Smith "light and perfection" in order to translate the record.  Light and perfection means Joseph gained a perfect understanding of languages and a light of knowledge brought forth, out of darkness, those things which would confound most men.  

Understanding the Urim and Thummim as light and perfection really helps me contextualize the item as not just a tool but a celestial opening, a key of sorts, to gain light and perfection a portion of the mortal veil would have to be lifted and the presence of God palpable.

So with the understanding of Urim and Thummim as light and perfection, we can now read about God introducing the interpreters to the brother of Jared... 

ETHER 3:23-24

23    And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write. 

24    For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write. 

Light and perfection was bestowed upon these two stones and sealed up unto The Lord's own due time.  This knowledge, for me, makes these two stones the most precious and valuable items on this Earth.  No other item can unlock knowledge and open a window to the celestial perfection of God - two stones, Urim and Thummim, light and perfection, I will never view them as just a tool again.

~Kipling

Discovering Deseret

Reading:   Ether 2

Today I discovered, or should I say rediscovered as I know I have discovered this in the past, and, for fun, I want to say "discover" again (making that four times in one sentence); discoveries aside (5 times), the origin of the Utah state symbol was rediscovered (6) today.  That symbol of course being the beehive, aka Deseret (honey bee)...

ETHER 2:3

3    And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind. 

Not as indepth as some of my other posts but no less interesting.  The Jaredites gathered animals like Noah, seeds, and "...all manner of that which was upon the face of the land," and built water tight barges with a hole in the top and a hole in the bottom (unplugged only for oxygenation purposes).  I'm guessing they were fairly symmetrical vessels and the reason for a hole on top and bottom was to allow for the possibility that the boat, in a storm, might flip over.  Now all they need is light, hmmm...what shall they do...

~Kipling





Pssssst!
The following article is quite enlightening but it does have a lot of scholarly jargon and may just be a little too intellectually intense for some.  So, those of you required to read this blog for Family Home Evening purposes (my children), you may ignore it.  Dr. Hugh Nibley went after the word "Deseret" with much vigor because it was included in the text of the scriptures and even interpreted for the reader instead of translated and left out...

          By all odds the most interesting and attractive passenger in Jared's company is deseret, the honeybee. We cannot pass the creature by without a glance at its name and possible significance, for our text betrays an interest in deseret that goes far beyond respect for the feat of transporting insects, remarkable though it is. The word deseret we are told (Ether 2:3), "by interpretation is a honeybee," the word plainly coming from the Jaredite language, since Ether (or Moroni) must interpret it. Now it is a remarkable coincidence that the word deseret, or something very close to it, enjoyed a position of ritual prominence among the founders of the classical Egyptian civilization, who associated it very closely with the symbol of the bee. The people, the authors of the so-called Second Civilization, seem to have entered Egypt from the northeast as part of the same great outward expansion of peoples that sent the makers of the classical Babylonian civilization into Mesopotamia. Thus we have the founders of the two main parent civilizations of antiquity entering their new homelands at approximately the same time from some common center--apparently the same center from which the Jaredites also took their departure. The Egyptian pioneers carried with them a fully developed cult and symbolism from their Asiatic home. Chief among their cult objects would seem to be the bee, for the land they first settled in Egypt was forever known as "the land of the bee," and was designated in hieroglyphic by a picture of the bee, while the king of Egypt "in his capacity of 'King of Upper and Lower Egypt'" bore the title, "he who belongs to the sedge and the bee."

           From the first, students of hieroglyphic were puzzled as to what sound value should be given to the bee-picture. . . . We know that the bee sign was not always written down, but in its place the picture of the Red Crown, the majesty of Lower Egypt was sometimes "substituted for the superstitious reasons." If we do not know the original name of the bee, we do know the name of this Red Crown -- the name it bore when it was substituted for the bee. The name was dsrt (the vowels are not known, but we can be sure they were all short). The "s" is dsrt had a heavy sound, perhaps best represented by "sh," but designated by a special character -- an "s" with a tiny wedge above it by which the Egyptians designated both their land and crown they served. . . . The bee symbol spread in other directions from its original home, wherever that was. . . . In all of these the bee is the agent through which the dead king or hero is resurrected from the dead, and it is in this connection that the bee also figures in the Egyptian rites. Now the original "deseret" people, the founders of the Second Civilization, "the intellectuals of On," claimed that their king, and he alone, possessed the secret of resurrection. That, in fact, was the cornerstone of their religion; it was nothing less than "the king's secret," the power over death by which he held his authority both among men and in the hereafter. . . . I am personally persuaded that the archaic and ritual designation of the bee was deseret, a "word of power" too sacred to be entrusted to the vulgar, being one of the keys to "the king's secret." [Hugh Nibley, The World of the Jaredites, pp. 191-192]