Prologue
Everything stated within this book which is not quoted is my personal point of view. Any reader is entitled to differ in his opinion.
The reader might consider the author being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which might explain a couple things.
If you want to research scripture references you can visit scriptures.lds.org
CONTENT
Part 1 contains:
1. Book of Mormon
2. Doctrine and Covenants/ Pearl of Great Price
3. Others
Part 2 contains:
1. Old Testament
2. New Testament
The Book of Mormon
1. Nephi
1. Nephi 1:4
“… and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.”
Speaking of many prophets: 2. Kings 17:13-15 – also a good scripture for apostasy of the Jews.
Also --> 2. Chronicles 36:15-16
--> Jeremiah 7:25
--> Jeremiah 26:20
1. Nephi chapter 1
is a great way of introducing the Book of Mormon and God’s pattern. It speaks about Lehi being a prophet teaching repentance and about the Messiah which he saw together with his Twelve in a vision.
1. Nephi 2:15
Lehi’s family went camping before the long ferry trip :)
1. Nephi 2:16
It explains Nephi’s famous obedience to his father and God. First of all he cried unto the Lord and the Lord softened his heart and hence he believed and rebelled not.
1. Nephi 2:20
The first and not the last time this promise is uttered, must be important.
1. Nephi 3:2
Lehi “dreamed a dream.” --> Hebraism
1. Nephi 3:7
Nephi = Mr. “I will go and do” went and did…
1. Nephi 3:15
… and he did not go again until he was done.
1. Nephi 3:19,20
Reason why they needed the plates, that they might preserve language and the words of the prophets.
1. Nephi 4:10-13
Nephi wasn’t caught in the act or recognized by anybody. He could have lied about it, saying that he found Laban dead He could have never mentioned it in his account, but him being an honest man guided by the spirit, teaches us the lesson that God is all-knowing. Not only the consequences for an entire nation, but he also is able to judge people like Laban, which we can’t and that’s why we are forbidden to kill anybody.
1. Nephi 5:2-6
The Book of Mormon gives answers to all situations in life, even for a complaining wife, which Lehi handled with patience, comforting Sariah, bearing his testimony and hope to share with her his optimism.
1. Nephi 5:11-13
The plates of brass contained the five books of Moses and writings of the prophets down to the reign of Zedekiah, even with many prophecies of Jeremiah who was still alive.
1. Nephi 5:14
Lehi, Nephi and the rest of the family were descendents of Joseph. Laban was one likewise.
1. Nephi 6:4,5
Nephi didn’t write anything to please the world, but that he “may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham” for our salvation.
1. Nephi 7:3
Interesting that Laman and Lemuel did not murmur this time, when they had to go back to get the daughters of Ishmael.
1. Nephi 7:14
The casting into prison of Jeremiah must have been a rather recent event.
1. Nephi 7:21
What an amazing example of forgiveness.
1. Nephi 8:23
Merely keeping the path and especially the rod of iron just in sight was not enough. It required active effort and clinging to the rod from the beginning to the end to reach the tree.
1. Nephi 8:37,38
Book of Mormon for Parents:
“With all the feeling of a tender parent.” Lehi exhorted, preached, prophesied and set the rules for his children with them knowing the consequences. Let the natural consequences follow by using their agency. No “I told you so!”
1. Nephi 9:3
What a special purpose it is to have a backup record, when Martin Harris starts losing pages. :)
1. Nephi 9:5
Nephi knew exactly why he was making those plates. “For a wise purpose in him.”
1. Nephi 10:17-19
Lehi and later Nephi through a sincere desire and diligent search witnessed the principle of eternal truth.
God unfolds mysteries in different dispensations to different people, but the truth “is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
--> compare Joseph Smith senior’s dream of the tree of life
1. Nephi 11:16,17
The angel is throwing with big words, but Nephi shows real humility and honesty. “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.” What more do we need to know?
1. Nephi 11 and 12
describe different ways (2,B) to different destinations (1,A) with different Fruits/Results (3,C).
1. Tree of Life A, Great and Spacious Building
(Love of God) (Pride of the World)
2. Rod of Iron B, Mists of Darkness
(Word of God) (Temptations of the Devil)
3. Fruit of the Tree of Life C,Fountain of Filthy Water
(Eternal Life) (Depths of Hell)
1. Nephi 16:23
Same idea as in 1. Nephi 17:8,9. He is not praying for food but went and got himself a bow and arrow and then recognized the authority of his father and helped him in this way to repent and help his family!
1. Nephi 16:23,24
Children must be able to honour their parents as spiritual leaders. Nephi was a good example despite some imperfections of his parents to recognize his father as the patriarch who in turn resumed his duties.
1. Nephi 16:29
By "small means" is the faith meant which prepared the great things of the marvellous working of the Liahona.
1. Nephi 17:8,9
The Lord gave Nephi a commandment to built a ship. He used his brain and asked for the means to realize his task. 1. Nephi 17:13
The best survival guide you can get.
1. Nephi 17:19
Nephi’s brothers on their way to spiritual destruction. One sure sign is to be “glad in their hearts” when they saw that Nephi “began to be sorrowful.”
1. Nephi 17:25-35
Nephi shows his brothers what they know about the history of their fathers and what they think they know (suppose). By doing so he shows them their level of responsibility according to their knowledge.
1. Nephi 17:41
“Because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.” That’s sad and often it doesn’t take more than to do simple things like doing what the prophet says or reading in the scriptures.
1. Nephi 17:45
Laman and Lemuel in the end stage after all their witnesses are they “swift to do iniquity” and even worse: “past feeling.”
1. Nephi 17:53-55
A practical joke, but still, Nephi did not allow his brothers to worship him but only God.
2. Nephi
2. Nephi 1:14
Dying words should always be like this. Poetically, important and much discussed. How could Joseph Smith get it from Shakespeare when Shakespeare got it from the Old Testament anyway?
2. Nephi 1:21
How could his sons (Laman and Lamuel) have risen from the dust? If they would have been “men”, “determined” in “one mind” and “one heart” and “united”.
2. Nephi 1:23-24
How could they have avoided destruction? If they would have “awaken”, “put on the armour of righteousness”, “shook off the chains with which [they] are bound”, “came forth out of obscurity (secret combinations?)” and “stopped to rebel against their brother” (church leaders or family).
2. Nephi 1:26
“… that which ye call anger was the truth… manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities.”
2. Nephi 2:15
Opposition in all things, even in the first two trees. One has sweet fruit and the other bitter fruit. The one without the other would be without use. Eternal Life without Knowledge of Good and Evil would be mere immortal playing harps and Knowledge of Good and Evil without Eternal Life would be without purpose.
2. Nephi 2:24
We should trust God so much that we don’t suppose, that the Garden of Eden was a mistake without God knowing about it.
2. Nephi 2:25
JOY was the biggest blessing of the Fall, especially manifested in Knowledge, Children and Progression.
2. Nephi 2:26
(v.16) Knowledge sets you free. Everything without knowledge is only acted upon (e.g. matter or NEDs)
2. Nephi 2:27
“Men are free.” “All things are given them.” “Through the great mediator of all men.” All those who kept their first estate came to this earth with the potential to pass the test. Heavenly Father would not have sent anybody here without knowing that he or she would be at least able to return to Him.
2. Nephi 2:30
The sole desire of a dying parent: “the everlasting welfare of [his children’s] souls.”
2. Nephi 4:5,6
Book of Mormon for Parents:
“I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.”
A great promise and responsibility, if the children should be cursed (and it was the fault of the parents) then “the cursing may be taken from [them] and be answered upon the heads of [their] parents.
2. Nephi 4:15-16
Same here! “My soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them” and maybe this will be for the learning and profit of somebody else, but just for me it is already an invaluable treasure.
The more I study in the scriptures, the more I recognize that the things I delight in are the things of the Lord.
2. Nephi 4:26-35
That is what I’d call inspired poetry! Especially verses 26, 28 and 30 are of value for those who mourn and are in the valley of depression.
2. Nephi 5:27
Nephi is quite the funny guy. It is his way of saying, because they behaved themselves and kept the commandments they were happy. Would have been nice if there would be a bit more detail about the exact “manner of happiness.”
2. Nephi 9:8
A definition of God’s Wisdom = Mercy + Grace
2. Nephi 9:27-29
We are not given the knowledge of the law to condemn us or to make us think we are better than everybody else, but to use this knowledge in the days of our probation. It will profit us when we listen to the counsels of God. Where much is given, not only much is required, but also much is possible!
2. Nephi 9:28,29
“When they are learned they think they are wise.” It is a common mistake in our days as well. Humility and action upon that knowledge for the good make it wisdom.
2. Nephi 9:39
Bible Code --> Book of Mormon Code!
CMID and SMILE
Carnally minded is death
Spiritually minded is life eternal
2. Nephi 9:40
“The words of truth are hard against all uncleanness.”
“[The righteous] love the truth and are not shaken.”
Because if it is the truth they have nothing to fear, it will be on their side and if it is not the truth then it will reveal itself as a lie.
Also going hand in hand with offending and getting offended which also determine in which group you are. The righteous do not offend nor get offended.
2. Nephi 9:42
See commentary on verses 28, 29. The spiritual giant is able to come down in the depths of humility. One of the biggest mistakes the pride have is to consider themselves infallible. Consider yourself a fool and he will open unto you the door of greater wisdom and intelligence.
2. Nephi 9:46
There will be some who know their guilt and transgressed His law, but one group will say: “My transgressions are mine.” And the other group will have made use of the atonement while on earth and through repentance their transgressions will not be theirs anymore.
2. Nephi 9:47,48
A perfect definition of an appointed teacher: If the students (the member) are holy he could speak unto them of holiness. But if they are not holy then he has to give them the “reality check,” harrow up their souls, be plain according to the plainness of truth and teach them the consequences of sin. Quite the responsibility.
2. Nephi 10:3
Out of all the creations of God, Jesus had to be born on this earth. And even here was no other people than the Jews that would crucify their own God (which event was prophesied of).
It still must make this place as such one of the planets with the worst and maybe with the best people of the universe, since from here went that infinite atonement to all creations. It will be interesting how all those other planets stand in relation to this earth and the atonement in spiritual and physical questions.
Jacob
Jacob 1:17-18
Jacob and his brother were true servants of the Lord. Not only were they consecrated priest and teachers, set apart by Nephi, a prophet of the Lord, but Jacob also first obtained his errand from the Lord. He did not act upon his own devices but he did let his teachings be subjected to the inspiration of the Lord.
Jacob 1:19
The importance to magnify our calling, to take the responsibility of our office, to teach the word of God with all diligence: is that we will have to answer for our efforts or the lack thereof, so that the people’s sins will be upon our head.
Jacob 2:8-9
Sadly enough the pure in heart have to suffer under the carelessness of the unrighteous. One comes to be uplifted, but receives admonition with those who most the times not even care.
Jacob 2:16
Interesting from were our pride can originate, but more important, which effect it can have on our soul.
Jacob 2:17-19
The Lords counsel in financial matters is conclusive.
Seek first the kingdom of God!
When we then will have learned how to handle riches the Lord promised that he would take care of it. But first and foremost should we be charitable in whatever situation we are in because this is to put God first by taking care of our fellow beings.
Jacob 2:30
If the Lord needs to raise up seed unto himself he will command his people through his prophet to live in plural marriage. Without the command from the Lord it is sin.
Jacob 3
is a good example for the justice of God and him considering our circumstances, but also for the responsibilities of parents.
Jacob 4:10
Speaks for itself. Spiritual Thought: What source of inspiration could we get?
Jacob 4:5,13
Somewhere about 500 B.C. Jacob had a very plain understanding of the Atonement and the preparatory aw of Moses as had many other prophets before and after him by the Spirit of truth, which in many instances would speak of truth as presence even though it happened in the past or was still to happen in the future as the ministry of Jesus Christ. Truth is true, was true and will be true in the eternal perspective of the plan of salvation.
Jacob 5:41,47
The Lord tried everything to help us. And still constantly is. Even in the midst of the darkest Apostasy did he never just give up or took a break. He was constantly working, trying to help and preparing for the glorious day of his second coming.
Jacob 5:53,54
The roots of the natural branches, the mother tree, are still alive. The gospel covenants and promises were and always will be there for everybody who will accept the efforts of the Master to be pruned and grafted in to bring forth fruit, namely the fruit of eternal life.
Jacob 5:59
We as part and branches of the House of Jacob (Israel) are here to influence the world for good, to counteract and to finally overcome the evil. If it would not be for a fair share of Saints the entire vineyard would have been burned.
Jacob 5:61,70-72
We are called to help the servant of the vineyard to gather, to prune, to dig, to work with our might to nourish the vineyard of the Master. If we do so and obey God in all things, he will labour at our side together with us.
Jacob 6:5
Sometimes we would do a lot more if only we knew how much effort, patience and love our Heavenly Father extends towards us. He tries to help us as much as he can, for he cleaves unto us and his arm of mercy is extended towards us. Every parent can probably relate to that and the commandments tell us to honour our parents, so also our heavenly ones and to cleave means to be loyal to and to remain devoted towards them.
Jacob 6:12
“O be wise; what more can I say more?”
Omni
Omni 1:15-17
The Mulekites came almost at the same time as the Nephites under almost the same circumstances except they had no records of their history or scriptures. The result was a different development. More contentions, corrupted language and declined spiritual and intellectual capabilities to that extend that not eveb the concept of a supreme being survived.
Mosiah
Mosiah 4:3,11
Faith upon the words of Benjamin led them to repentance with the consequence of joy filling their souls and peace of conscience.
Mosiah 4:12
Living a life according to those requirements listed by king Benjamin enabled joy and love to enter their lives, but with that came also the Spirit of God who lets us grow in knowledge of our creator and eternal truth.
Mosiah 4:13
Filled with the love of God (charity) there is no room for the adversary and with that will leave all our carnal intentions opposite to the nature of God.
Mosiah 8:13
As mystical and symbolical the power of God appears, it is a matter of fact that it is very often more tangible and closely linked to reality than we might be able to understand. In instances like the Ark of the Covenant or the Urim and Thummim are Physics and Powers (for that matter Priesthood) involved of which we grasp or even could imagine very little. Those interpreters extended the perception of a seer to see the things of God, but without instructions would reveal things whether spiritual or physical that have devastating consequences.
Mosiah 12:27
In order for us to teach anybody else, we must apply our to understanding. In this there will be wisdom.
Mosiah 12:33
Theoretically, if someone would have ever lived to all the commandments in the law of Moses he would have been saved. But since no one ever accomplished this (human beings) there was a need for the Atonement.
Mosiah 13:28-32
And yet the Law of Moses was necessary for the children of Israel, not ready to live the higher law, quick to do iniquity and slow to remember the Lord their God, they needed something very much spelled out for every possible situation in daily life. And hopefully it would point them into the right direction.
Mosiah 13:30
Every prophet ever since the creation of men being inspired from God spoke concerning the true nature of the Gospel and prophesied concerning the Messiah, Saviour or the Lamb of God. All things were a type of things to come. Any teaching would be void would it not speak more or less concerning these things.
Mosiah 16:9
He lived a life and carries a light making a way through a territory where there was no trespassing before; to invite all to follow him through this newly smoothed trail he pioneered.
Mosiah 18:21
To become members of the Church of Christ not only means to show empathy at times (verses 8-10) and to profess his name, but also to be a unity of saints having their hearts knit together by the binding power of the mutual covenant of our baptisms. This unique faith has the power to let every eye focus on the glory of God, that there might be no contentions, but love, empathy and charity.
Mosiah 18:22
We are all the children of God due to our origin, but at this very moment many of us are far from our pre-mortal identity in character and spirituality. What qualified us there to be the children of God was our obedience to him and according knowledge and action that came with this Father/Children or Supreme Intelligence/acknowledging intelligences relationship (See King Follett Discourse). But right now not a lot of his children behave this way anymore. In order to qualify ourselves to reach our pre-earth status, there are a few things that are to be done as, for example, outlined in this chapter. Heavenly Father purposely put us into a situation different to anything we experienced before, to see and test us whether we choose to rise again to our level of potential we reached before with the certain promise to those who are obedient to succeed and even to exceed this prior level.
“We are not human beings, having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.”
Chardin de Tielhard
Mosiah 26:21-24
The Lord gives the requirements under which we are to allow those who are willing to join his church. Whosoever comes, believes, repents and is baptized the Lord will receive and forgive. We might think differently about people, but the final test wil be the shepherd calling his sheep in and those who truly took upon them his name will recognize his voice.
Mosiah 26:29-31
The Lord forgives those who sincerely repent and as often as they repent. But for us, we are also supposed to forgive one another, unless we heap upon ourselves their condemnation.
Alma
Alma 40:8
“… time only is measured unto men.”
Alma 41:7
“… they are their own judges.”
Alma 43:9,45
The one and only “design” for a war: to preserve lands, houses, wives, children, rights, privileges and liberty to worship God.
Alma 43:19,20
Moroni’s people had armour, Lamanites were naked. (In time, the Lamanites adopted more and more the warfare and strategies from the Nephites) ->Alma 49:6
Alma 48:11-13,17,19
Moroni, chief captain and role model.
Alma 48:23
The sad part about a war: many die “unprepared to meet their God.”
Alma 50:1-4
City
= You
Heaps of Earth
= Service, Obedience, Prayer, Study
Timber
= Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Temple, Sacrament
Pickets
= Faith, Fasting, Blessings of the Priesthood, Missionary Work
Tower
= Bishop, Teachers, Prophet, Apostles
Attacking Lamanites
= Satan's fiery darts
Alma 61:14
“Let us resist evil!” “Whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, let us resist them with our swords.”!
Helaman
Helaman 10:4,5
Spiritual thought for missionary work. Great blessings come when we are not ashamed of the Gospel.
Helaman 11:16
The Lord will always “Try again if [we] will serve [him].” His love is unconditional but he can only bless us, when we do his will.
3. Nephi
3. Nephi 2:1
“…people began to forget those signs and wonders … and began to be less astonished at a sign or a wonder.” -> i.e. new church building or Holy Ghost
3. Nephi 2:1,2
The people got used to those signs and miracles and began to be less and less astonished by there occurrence. They even started to rationalize them. => Signs don’t produce Faith but reward it!
3. Nephi 6:14
TRUE FAITH: Don’t depart, be firm, steadfast and immovable and willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.
3. Nephi 18:32
“…for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.”
Nobody is to be cast out because we think they never change or are a hopeless case, but we can make a difference how soon they come with “full purpose of heart.”
3. Nephi 27:12
“For their works do follow them”
Our works are part of the cause/ consequence system. So, either will the “Father show forth his own works in it” (verse 10) or “[we will] have joy in [our] works for a reason” and then the true character of our works will reveal itself (verse 11).
3. Nephi 27:27
“Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
3. Nephi 29:1
A prophecy within the Book of Mormon was to be fulfilled over 1900 years later, even over 100 years after it was translated into English.
3. Nephi 29:8
This must have been a true admonition to all the german LDS during the times of war and the holocaust.
Mormon
Mormon 8:22
“For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.”
Mormon 8:39,40
You cannot adorn yourself with lifeless things, but with your help for the living. Your countenance and spiritual appearance will change accordingly. On the other hand, if those people’s blood will be upon your head that would look pretty ugly.
Mormon 9:7-9
Those who change the gospel in doctrine, practise or organization by alteration or the false assumption of discontinuation do not understand their scriptures nor God. Not even the Interlude of the Law of Moses was a real change but only the mercy of God to help the beginners and to challenge the advanced.
Mormon 9:31
Mormon and Moroni show true character and strength by admitting and recording their own and their people’s weaknesses for the intent that we may learn and be more wise than they have been.
Ether
Ether 12
Since my last conversation with a born again Christian and the good ol’ argument about faith and works, this chapter stuck especially out to me.
I wished I would have given him this chapter as a reading assignment, since it is so much connected with acting principles and the improvement of our character. And it shows also another point which is quite interesting to note for everybody that believes that simply confessing to and recognizing Jesus as our Saviour is all there is to it: Namely, all those things that Christ taught which were practical principles would have been in vain. Since it does not matter if you work towards your salvation, what good does it you if you study the good deeds of our Lord?
Salvation is a free gift but like the parable of the talents we might loose what is given to us if we do not apply what we learned from the master teacher’s examples.
Moroni
Moroni 7:3-4
We ought to be the “peaceable followers of Christ” which characteristic will be recognized by our “peaceable walk with the children of men.”
Moroni 7:5-9
Without the “real intent” good works profit us nothing, it is not counted unto us for righteousness and God receives none of such.
Moroni 7:13
“That which is of God inviteth and anticeth to do good CONTINUALLY.”
We need to think things to the end in order to find out whether they are inspired from God.
Moroni 7:19
“Search diligently in the light of Christ.” To look at things in a different light meaning a different perspective or approach. If we want to be a child of Christ we should familiarize ourselves with Christ’s perspective to be better able to recognize the Light of Christ in ourselves.
Moroni 7:28
Another good demonstration of the true principle of faith: Christ claims all those who have faith because those “who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing” and he knows that their intention is correct (-> verses 5-10) because of their faith in him.
Moroni 7:30
An interesting additional precondition to faith in order to have the privilege of ministering angels is worded as “a firm mind in every form of godliness” which might be consisting i.e. of self-discipline and education.
Moroni 7:43-44
Another interesting fact to born again Christianity is the explicit need of charity after he confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ. If that is not the case and this person, whatever religion he might belong to, starts to persecute others --> he is nothing!
Doctrine and Covenants - Pearl of Great Price
DnC 50:23-24
I wonder how there literally exists a “dark side” and a “light side.” Again, light is an enabling and dynamic power, enlarging the faculties and capacities of those who are willing to receive God and continue in obedience to him.
DnC 76
In commenting on DnC 76 Joseph Smith wrote: [those revelations] are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every honest man is constrained to exclaim: “It came from God.” (History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 252-253)
DnC 88:11,12
Light of Christ: gives us light, enlightens and quickens our understanding, it proceeds forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space, it gives life, governs as law and is the Power of God.
DnC 88:15
Soul of man = Spirit + Body
DnC 88:19
to receive celestial Glory: we must be able to live up to the celestial law and to fill the measure of our creation.
DnC 88:34
“That which is governed by law is also preserved by law.”
DnC 88:40
conditions of celestial kingdom: intelligence, wisdom, truth, love, light, virtue, mercy and justice.
DnC 88:42-44
the Order of God in the universe = one year!?
DnC 88:67
“That body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.”
DnC 88:124
“… cease to find fault one with another…” something I encountered quite often on my mission in the Scottish Saints.
DnC 88:87-116
Prophecies concerning the signs and events of the second coming. Interesting is that there will be another war between Michael and Lucifer, a second “War in Heaven.” (v. 112,113)
DnC 88:117:141
Things pertaining to the Solemn Assembly (former School of the Prophets). Point of interest: Salutation, washing of feet and partaking of bread and wine by president of the church, girded according to the pattern in John 13.
DnC 93:24
TRUTH = Knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. So, the full truth is only through revelation available, because we cannot know about the future in any other way.
DnC 93:28
By keeping his commandments we will receive truth and light, grace by grace.
DnC 93:29
Men, Intelligence or the Light of Truth were in the beginning with God. They (intelligences) were “not created or made, neither indeed can be.”
DnC 93:30
Truth and intelligence are independent. If those were not able to act for themselves, there would be no existence. (DnC 93:33
Elements and Spirit inseparable connected. Elements are eternal.
Conclusion => INTELLIGENCE
Consists of Knowledge and Agency
Truth and Light
Wisdom and Power
DnC 93:39
“Intellignce is lost through disobedience, hardening of hearts and clinging to false doctrine.” (Encyclopaedia of Mormonism --> INTELLIGENCE)
DnC 107:99
“Mind your own business!” Focus on your own stewardship and do not interfere with anybody else’s!
DnC 108:7,8
The Lord is always willing to forgive us, so we are always indebted to him. The least we can do is to “strengthen [our] brethren in all [our] conversations, in all [our] prayers, in all [our] exhortations, and in all [our] doings.” And even greater will be our reward.
DnC 121:9
This is not just a great promise from the Lord to Joseph Smith but a great description of friendship in general. Every time we meet again with our friends our hearts fill with joy and warmth while remembering the times we stood by each others side.
Others
King Follet Discourse (KFD) – Eborn books 1998
...a sermon given by the Prophet Joseph Smith at a Conference held near the Temple, in Nauvoo, April 6, 1844. Held shortly after the funeral service of Elder King Follett it is considered a speech in his honor.
“I do not calculate or intend to please your ears with superfluity of words or oratory, or with much learning; but I calculate to edify you with the simple truths of heaven.” (p. 4)
KFD p. 5
“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” – The KFD is probably the “loftiest sphere” to get to know “the only true God.”
KFD p. 7
Somebody who would not have been able to relate and solve this subject in all clarity is not a prophet of God! He would be “like the rest of the world – a false teacher, be hailed as a friend, and no man would seek [his] life.” Because of ignorance of this important knowledge everybody else (so called men of God) could stay neutral.
KFD p. 8
What does God look like?
“…if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form.”
-> Philippians 3:20,21
KFD p. 8ff
„God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!“
p. 9
“God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.”
p. 9
“… know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us.”
At this point Elder B. H. Roberts refers to Lorenzo Snow in his notes:
“As man now is, God once was;
As God now is, man may become.”
For a better understanding of the matter of God’s origin and men’s potential Joseph Smith points out the mediator. Jesus Christ’s deification.
The footnotes go over a few examples of renowned personalities of the Christian world, who indicate Christ’s Humanity and eventually Divinity was a progress achieved by His perfection. With the request for us to “Be born again” “Be ye perfect” and statements like “Ye are the sons of God” and “My Father and your Father, my God and your God” it becomes obvious that by following His example we are able to “attain the appropriate altitude” because “the divinity of all other noble and saintly souls [besides Jesus’], in so far as they, too, have been inflamed by a spark of Deity – in so far as they, too, can be recognized as manifestations of the Devine.”
KFD p. 9
“The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, “As the Father hath power to himself, even so hath the Son power – to do what? Why, what the Father did… - in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again” (as the father did).
John 5:19 “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for what things so ever he (the Father) doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
KFD p. 10
“… you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you.”
KFD p. 11
How? -> “by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming His name, is not trifling with you and me.”
Romans 8:16,17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit; that we are the children of God; And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
KFD p. 12
“When you climb up a ladder you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top.” (exaltation)
KFD p. 13
“It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.”
KFD p. 13
“There are so many over-wise men” – the ones who want to be smarter than everybody else are usually making a fool of themselves!
KFD p. 15
“In the beginning the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it.”
Psalm 82:1,6
“God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”
“I have said ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”
KFD p. 15
“When we understand the character of God and know how to come to him he begins to unfold the heavens to us and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us.”
John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Joseph Smith continues in logical sequence to deepen the audience’s understanding of God, the creation of earth and man; and (our) intelligence and the eternal state thereof; culminating in our relationship with God and our divine and eternal destiny, always centred around the basic principles of salvation, in order for consolation of the late Brother King Follett and his mourners.
KFD p. 15
“God made the world out of something.” Truman G. Madson called it once a “religion for the space age” which will prove itself on numerous occasions.
KFD p. 16
Hebrew insight: “Now the word create came from the word baurau, which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize.”
KFD p. 17
“… God had materials to organize the world out of chaos – chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory.”
The footnotes concerning the creation discuss comprehensively origin of thought and language. Concluding Prof. Baden Powell states that the traditional idea of creation is not a doctrine of the scripture and fortifies the belief in the eternality and self-existence of matter.
“It is now unconceivable that a particle of matter should either come into existence, or lapse into non-existence.” (p. 18 – footnotes)
DnC 131:7 “There is no such thing as immaterial matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes.”
KFD p. 18
“… doctors of divinity say that God created (the human soul) in the beginning.” -> Joseph Smith’s reply: “I do not believe the doctrine: I know better.” – “If you don’t believe me, it will not make the truth without effect.”
DnC 93:21 “I (Jesus Christ) was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn.”
He was there before and during the Creation.
DnC 93:23 “Ye (our spirits) were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth.”
Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
KFD p. 19
Hebrew version of Genesis 2:7: “God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam’s spirit, and so became a living body.”
DnC 88:15 … gives a lot of clarification on the proper definition. Without that confusion is certain.
KFD p. 20
The intelligence of spirits had no beginning, neither will it have am end. That is good logic. That which has a beginning may have an end. There never was a time when there were not spirits; for they are co-equal [in the sense of co-eternal] with our Father in Heaven.”
Abraham 3:19 “… I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all.”
KFD p. 20 footnotes:
“… the other Intelligences worship him, submit their judgements and their will to his judgement and his will. He knows, and can do that which is best; and his submission of the mind to the Most Intelligent, Wisest – wiser than all – is worship. This is the whole meaning of the doctrine and the life of Christ expressed in: `Father, not my will, but Thy will, be done-´”
KFD p. 21
“Intelligence is eternal and exists upon a self-existent principle. It is a spirit from age to age, and there is [no] creation about it. All minds and spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement.”
KFD p. 21/22
“[God], because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself. The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits.”
Moses 1:39 “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
KFD p. 22 footnotes:
Nice link between work, glory, immortality, eternal life, resurrection and joy: “the “work” and the “glory” of God are achieved in bringing to pass the “immortality and eternal life of man”, as man, in the eternal union of the spirit and body of man through resurrection – through the redemption of the soul (DnC 88:15-16). This brings into eternal union “spirit and element” declared by the word of God to be essential to a fullness of joy.”
DnC 93:33,34 “… The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy; And when separated, man cannot receive a fullness of joy.”
2. Nephi 2:25 “Adam fell that man might be; and men are that they might have joy.”
This is God’s design: Our joy consisting of the eternal unit of body and spirit in progress towards exaltation. His love for us is our joy, our joy is to achieve his love – the love of a supreme intelligence.
KFD p. 23
Even though this great sermon covered theological chasms and valleys, he still insisted on 40 days and nights to tell everybody everything. This statement was prophetic in itself, because he did not have 40 days till Carthage.
KFD p. 23 footnotes:
“The prophet lived his life in crescendo.” – Truman G. Madson talk tapes.
KFD p. 24
“God dwells in eternity, and does not view things as we do.”
KFD p. 25
By explaining the doctrine of the unpardonable sin, he also clears up the “Born again” misconception. Everybody cab be saved. “God has wrought out a salvation for all men, unless they have committed a certain sin.” Difference though between Salvation and Exaltation.”
KFD p. 25
“Knowledge saves a man, and in the world of spirits no man can be exalted but by knowledge.” -> Intelligence
KFD p. 26
Clarification on hell: “A man is his own tormentor and his own condemner.”
“The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone.”
KFD p. 26/27
Unpardonable sin? “He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against him.”
“He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it.” -> Hebrews 4:4-6
KFD p. 28
“We have reason to have the greatest hope and consolation for our dead of any people on earth; for we have seen them walk worthily in our midst, and seen them sink asleep in the arms of Jesus…”
Most comforting words ever on a funeral! “Rejoice, o Israel”, “friends who have gone to a world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again.”
The following paragraph due to imperfections while recording was omitted in the booklet:
“A question may be asked – “Will mothers have their children in eternity?” Yes! Yes! Mothers you shall have your children; for they shall have eternal life, for their dept is paid. There is no damnation awaiting them for they are in the spirit.” (Church doctrine -> Moroni 8) “But as the child dies, so shall it rise from the dead, and be forever living in the learning of God.” What a wonderful promise and answer to so many mothers’ questions. “It will never grow [in the grave]; it will still be the child, in the same precise form [when it rises] as it appeared before it died out of its mother’s arms, but possessing all the intelligence of a God […]” KFD p. 30
“The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it, is of no use.” “You might as well baptise a bag of sand.”
German bible insight: “I [John] baptize you with water, but when Jesus comes, who has the power (or keys), he shall administer the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost.”
Hebrews 6:1-3 “THEREFORE leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.”
KFD p. 31
“Turn to God: for religion won’t save you…”
KFD p. 32
A few last words of a sermon:
“I love you all; but I hate some of your deeds.”
“You don’t know me, you never knew my heart.”
“I don’t blame anyone for not believing my history; if I had not experienced what I have, I could not belief myself.”
“My voice is always for peace.”
“I cannot lie down until all my work is finished.”
“Amen.”
Quotes
Elder Neal A Maxwell
"God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability."
President Thomas S. Monson
"When performance is measured performance improves. When performance is measured and reported the rate of improvement increases."
Giving is Living
"Go spread, to the Needy, sweet Charity's bread.
For giving is living," the angel said;
"O must I be giving again and again?"
My peevish and wilful answer ran.
"Oh, no," said the angel, and her eyes pierced me through-
"Just give till the Master stops giving to you."
Anonymus
Le Grand Richards
"...how can our men meet weekly in their priesthood meetings where every man is a brother, and at the same time participate in labour disturbances when his brother’s interests are at stake? To a true Later-Day Saint, the priesthood of God is the greatest union in the world. Can you visualize a day when this kingdom of God shall be spread throughout the world as Daniel declared (Daniel 2:44), and all men everywhere, united in bonds of the holy priesthood, will devote their strength and talents to the welfare of their fellowmen and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth?” (A marvellous work and a wonder, p. 93)
Joseph Fielding Smith
Interesting to note is that before Elijah came, there were no genealogical societies and no pedigrees kept besides those of royal and noble families. All those societies in Europe and in the States were only founded after 1836. (The way to perfection, pp. 168-169)
James E. Talmage
gives a magnificent treatise on the logical reason for there being a God. In the 2nd chapter under “Human reason” is a real treat for everybody who needs logical reason as proof, or at least to show that it is as much reasonable to believe in Him as not to believe in Him. (Articles of Faith)
“From trustworthy evidence, rightly interpreted, true faith will spring; from false evidence, only distorted and misplaced faith can arise.” (Articles of Faith, p. 91)
Heber J. Grant
“Teach and live the first principles of the gospel, and let the mysteries of heaven wait until you get to heaven.”
Richard G. Scott
“To reach a goal you never before attained, you must do things you have never before done.”
Charles H. Parkhurst
“The man who lives by himself and for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps.”
Impressum
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 28.11.2008
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