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(German) Joseph Smith, Jr. der Grosse Prophet und Seher (1805-1844) auf Deutsch

2010-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

[Beide Deutsch und English (the English follows)]

Eine Kurze Einleitung: Joseph Smith, Jr. wurde am 23. Dezember 1805 in Sharon, Vermont, USA geboren und er ist mit nur vierzehn Jahren beruehmt geworden, als er kundmachte dass er im Fruehling 1820 bei Manchester, New York die Antwort auf sein ernstes knabenalterliches Gebet verkundete, bezueglich welcher Kirche er sich anschliessen soll. (JSLg 1) Jeder Bibel-Glaeubige stimmt zu, dass Beten in den Heiligen Schriften unterstuetzt ist. (Jakb 1:5-8; Mt 5:44; 21:13,22; Kol 4:22; 3 Ne 18:18-21; Moro 10:4-5; LuB 105:19,23) Joseph Smith behauptete, dass er durch das Gebet wichtige Kenntnisse direkt von Gott bekommen hat, selbst die Erscheinung Gottes des Vaters und Seines Sohnes. Waehrend viele Kritiker und Verfolger des Josephs die Moeglichkeit seiner goettlichen Anwort beweifelten, behaupteten sie dennoch Antworten auf ihre Gebete von Gott empfangen zu haben. Zum Beispiel meinen einige dass “Gott sie berufen hat Prediger des Evangeliums zu sein.” Paradoxerweise behaupten einige, dass sie eine Anwort von Gott bekommen haetten, dass Joseph Smith kein wahrer Prophet waere.

Zum Abschluss ein par Tage bevor seinem Martyrium, am 27. Juni 1844, haben boese Verschwoerer ihm das Verbrechen von Landesverrat gegen den Staat Illinois angeklagt. Er war der erste je so beschuldigt. Der Vorwurf folgte direkt nachdem eine Anklage eines Aufstands freigesprochen wurde. Eigentlich hat Joseph als Buergermeister der Stadt Nauvoo nur sein Volk gegen Mob vertidigen wollen. Seine Feinde aber behaupteten dass Joseph keine rechtliche und moralische Vollmacht von dem Stadtrat haette um mit der Zerstoerung der Nauvoo Expositor Zeitung zu handeln. Seine gesetztliche Vollmacht wurde von der Horde nicht beachtet, sondern er wurde auf Scheingrund gefangengenommen und die gewoehnliche Wahl von Sicherheitsleistung versagte um ihn fuer physikalische Angriffe von seinen Feinden blosszulegen. Dieselben Verschwoerer haben letztendlich Joseph und seinen Bruder Hyrum umgebracht, als die Zwei und ein paar weitere, auf Grund falscher Anklagen, ihre Gerichtsverhandlungen in dem Carthage Gefaengnis abgewartet haben. Josephs Feinde handelten genau wie ihre Vorfahren, als sie die Propheten falsch beschuldigten und toeteten. (LuB 135)

Die Notwendigkeit Eines Lebenden Propheten: Fleischliche Maenner und Frauen sind dazu geneigt, ihre eigenen Goetter zu sein und sie lieben die toten Propheten, denn ihre Muenden sind durch den Tod geschlossen und ihre Worte ohne Einwand interpretiert und verdreht werden koennen. (Lukas 3:8; Joh 3:39; 2 Petr 1:21) Aber waehrend sie noch lebten, koennten die Propheten ihre Lehren eingehend erklaeren und verteidigen. Aus diesem exakten Grund hat Gott eine Wiederherstellung seines Evangeliums und seiner urspruenglichen Kirche Jesu Christi durch den Propheten Joseph Smith zustande gebracht, damit die heutzutagigen Leute nicht mehr auf vergangene Dispensationen anhaengen muessen, die von Abfallungen und Fehlern beschmuezt waren. Leider ist kein wahrer Prophet populaer, auch nicht als Prophet erkannt, waehrend er noch im Fleisch umgeht. Jesus sagte, “Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Kein Prophet gilt etwas in seinem Vaterland.” (Lukas 4:24; Joh 4:44) Genauso hatten seine Feinde den Propheten Joseph Smith abgelehnt und dann ihre Ablehnung als einen Beweiss genommen dass er nicht von Gott berufen und nicht der erste echte Prophet der Fuelle der Zeit war, “wenn die Zeit erfuellt waere, dass alles zusammengefasst wuerde in Christu, was im Himmel und auf Erden ist.”(Eph 1:10; auch 2 Ne 2:3; LuB 27:13; 109:15; 110:12-14; 112:30-32; 128:9) Bestimmt behandelte Joseph Smith vieles von alttestamentischen Zeiten bis zu neutestamentischen Zeiten bis zu modernen Zeiten. Joseph hat sich bemueht, die vorlorenen Teile des Stammes Israel “von den vier Ecken der Erde” zu versammeln (Offb 7:1) und das Evangelium ueberall zu predigen. (3 Ne 27:13-22; LuB 4:6; 84:77+) Und er hat den Apostel Orson Hyde nach Israel hingeschickt, um am 24.Oktober 1841, das Land fuer die Wiederankunft der Juden zu weihen. (Church History [Kirchengeschicte] 4:456-459; LuB 124:3,128; Jes 11:12; 2 Ne 21:12) Joseph war auch das Mittel fuer die Wiederherstellung des Aaronisches und Melchizedekishes Priestertums. (LuB 13; 20:107-110) Und Joseph fing an, Tempel zu bauen, um Stellen zu haben, wo die Buendnisse Gottes wiederherzustellen sind, die Gott mit Abraham, Isaak, Jakob, Joseph, und anderen von useren Vorfaetern geschlossen hatte. (LuB 57:3; 58:57; 84:4-31; 88:119; 97:15-17; 105:33; 109; 110:7; 124:25-55)

Die Vielehe Oder Polygamie: Ein Teil der volle Wiederherstellung, oder des Wiederbringens, war die nur kurzdauernde Ausuebung der Polygamie um die Prophezeiungen der frueheren Propheten zu erfuellen. (Apg 3:19-21; LuB 132) Joseph Smith ist deswegen streng kritiziert. Diese Religionsausuebung war eine der meist kontroversesten Streitpuenten die es gab. Sie hat gedient und dient heute noch als ein Test des Glaubens fuer alle die davon hoeren. Das ist genau was der Herr will. (Abr 3:24-26; Jak 2:25-32; 1 Mose 16:1-5) Viele Maenner und Frauen ueberall in der Welt muessen eine Art Pruefung machen, entweder zu ihrer Seligkeit oder zu ihrer Verdammung. Und viele von ihnen wurden und werden noch heute “…daran stossen, fallen, zerschmettern, verstricken und gefangen….” (Jes 8:15; 28:13; 2 Tim 2:26; LuB 43:1-10; 56:4-6; 58:32; AE -1 [1890]) Letztendlich gibt einige Maenner und Frauen die nach jedem Wort Gottes leben, aber einige tun es nicht. (LuB 84:44; Mt 4:4; Lukas 4:4) Einige glauben den Joseph Smith und einige nicht. Manche haben die Woerter Josephs so verdreht, dass sie ein Teil davon als Unterstuetzung anwenden, um ihre Ungehorsamkeit gegenueber seinen anderen Woertern zu entschuldigen, was alles fuer Verwirrung und Widersprueche macht.

Es war nicht uebertrieben als am 23. September 1823 ein Engel Gottes dem Joseph Smith gesagt hat, dass sein “Name bei allen Nationen, Geschlectern und Sprachen fuer gut und boese gelten, ja, man werde unter allem Volk sowohl gut als boese von ihm sprechen.” (JSLg 1:33) Heute ist Joseph Smith einer der meist diskutierten Maenner auf der Erde. Er hat beide treue Freunde und bitterliche Feinde. Seine goettliche Berufung anzunehmen oder abzulehnen ist die Hauptentscheidung, die jeder machen muss, ob sich der Kirche anzuschliessen, die er am 6. April 1830 erst mit nur sechs Mitgliedern organizierte. Das war die erste Kirche Jesu Christi in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. (LuB 20:1; 21:22) Am 3. Mai 1834 wurde der Name zu Die Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzten Tage geaendert als Ergebnis einer direkten Offenbarung von Gott. (Lub 115:4) Nach dem Tode von Joseph Smith haben sich einige Kirchenmitglieder vom Hauptzweig der Kirche abgeschnitten und andere Namen fuer ihre Splittergruppen angenommen. Heutzutage hat her Hauptzweig der Kirche in Salt Lake City, Utah ueber 14 Millionen Mitglieder und beinah 150 Tempel in der Welt, mit ungefaehr die Haelfte in den USA. Heute gibt es zwei Tempel in Deutschland und ein in Der Schweiz. (LuB 115:4; Die Lehren der Praisidenten der Kirche, Joseph Smith, Seite xvi)

Verfolgte Propheten: Beispiele der Verfolgung und des Mordes von Propheten Gottes sind Texte von Schriften Petrus und Paulus, wie sie im Neuen Testament geschrieben stehen. (Apg 5:19-23; 16:23-33; 2 Kor 6:5; 11:23-25) Johannes der Taeufer wurde auch ins Gefaengis gesteckt und enthauptet. (Mt 14:8; Markus 6:25) Der Moses wurde wohl auf vierzig Jahre von den Kindern Israel verspotet und verunglimpft. (5 Mose 9:24) Jeremiah der Prophet wurde ins Gefaengnis geworfen, auf Geheiss des Koenigs. (Jer 32:2 33:1; 37:38; 1 Ne 7:14) Warum? Weil er den Leuten die Wahrheit ueber die geistliche und politische Verdorbenheit und Greuel des Koenigreichs Judah offenbarte, unmittelbar bevor die babylonische Zerstoerung und Gefangenschaft wurde. Elija der Prophet hat sich verstecken muessen, und wurde von Raben verspeisst. Er war so ein goettlicher Mann, dass er neimals den Tod erleidete (2 Koen 2:11-13) und er hat die Toten erweckt. (1 Koen 17:22) Daniel wurde in die Hoehle des Loewens eingeworfen, da seine Feinde seine Zerstoerung suchten. (Dan 6:16-24) Jeder wahrer Prophet, der von der Goettlichkeit Christi bezeugte, hat unglaubliche Widerlinge als Zeitgenossen, die ihn beunruhigt und vor die Behoerde des Landes gezogen haben, in der Absicht ihn zu toeten. Selbst auch der suendenlose Jesus Christus wurde vielmals von seinen Mitmenschen verfolgt, festgenommen, und vor die Beamten der juedischen und roemischen Regierungen gebracht. Seine Seligkeitsbotschaft wurde abgelehnt, und er wurde mal endlich falsch zum Tode verurteilt und gekreuzigt. (Markus 15; Lukas 23; Joh 19; Apg 5:29-33; 1 Ne 19:9-10; 3 Ne 11:14-15)

Genauso wie Jesus mit Judas Iscariot umging, hat der Prophet Joseph Smith die Verfolgung und den Treuebruch von ehemaligen Mitgliedern erlitten die sich gegen ihren groessten Wohltaeter wendeten, und seinen Tod suchten. (Matt. 26:14-16) Jesus beschuldigte seine Verfolger: “…so bezeugt ihr and billigt die Taten eurer Vaeter; denn sie haben sie getoetet; und ihr baut ihnen Grabmaeler…Ich will Propheten und Apostel zu ihnen senden, und einige von ihnen werden sie toeten und verfolgen…” (Lukas 11:37-51; 1 Ne. 19:10) Vielleicht hatten einige dem Jesus einen Vorwurf wegen des Umstandes seiner Geburt gemacht, denn sie sagten: “Wir sind nicht unehelich geboren; wir haben einen Vater: Gott.”(Johannes 8:41) Wie die Bibel Das Buch Mormon: Ein Weiterer Zeuge Fuer Jesus Christus enthaelt weitere Beispiele der Verfolgung der Propheten. Nichtsdestotrotz gibt es keine Bestaetigungen dafuer, dass Gott jemals seinen Dienern untreu war, die er berufen und ausgesandt hat. “Kein Mensch kann die Berufung eines Propheten Gottes zerstoeren, aber nur die eigene Autoritaet vernichten und die Schnur schneiden, die ihn zu dem Propheten und zu Gott bindet, und sich selbst in die Hoelle versinken.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith [Lehren der Praesidenten der Kirche, Joseph Smith] seite 317)

Joseph Smith Wurde Verfolgt: Wie gesagt, Joseph Smith, Junior wurde andauernd staendig verfolgt. Vieles davon war von ehemaligen Mitarbeitern und Kirchenmitgliedern gekommen. Joseph hat bei mehr als zweihundertzwanzig Gerichtshandlungen innerhalb von fast siebzehn Jahren (1827-1844) teilgenommen, oder durchschnittlich ungefaehr eine Rechtssache pro Monat, entweder als Angeklagter, Klaeger, oder als Richter, wie er Buergermeister der Stadt Nauvoo war.(Church News [Kirchennachricten], 24. Januar 2009, seite 14-15) Er wurde in ungefaehr fuenfzig Kriminalfaellen angeklagt, aber nie fuer schuldig berufen, denn wie Jesus, “…viele gaben falsches Zeugnis ab gegen ihn; aber ihr Zeugnis stimmte nicht ueberein,” oder stimmte nicht mit der Wahrheit. (Markus 14:56-59) Was viele heute als Zeugenaussage oder zweifelfreier Beweiss gegen Joseph Smith betrachten, sind bloss Fingierungen oder Erfindungen von einem “A,” wie der Gelehrte Hugh Nibley schrieb. “B” quotiert “A”, und “C” quotiert “A” und “B” als Autoritaeten, usw. In seinem Buch auf Englisch Tinkling Cymbals and Sounding Brass: The Art of Telling Tales about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young (1 Kor. 13:1) [oder uebersetzt ins Deutsch Klingelnde Becken und Erschalltes Messing: Die Geschichtenerzaehlenskunst betreffs Joseph Smith und Brigham Young] hat Nibley erklaert, wie die Anklaeger von Joseph Smith ihre falschen Untersuchungen trieben. Noch weiter in einem Brief an Hugh Nibley hat der Kirchenpraesident David O. McKay seine Nichte Faune M. Brodie angeprangert, in dem er ihr “superaufgeblaehtes Ich” wegen ihres Buches Kein Mensch Kennt Meine Geschichte [No Man Knows My History] ablehnte. (BYU Special Collections, Provo, Utah) Nibley hat auch Brodie mit seinem Buch Nein, Gnaedige Frau, Das Ist Nicht Die Geschichte [No Ma’am, That’s Not History]) beantwortet. Die Verfolgung des Propheten Joseph Smith fing in 1820 mit der Erzaehlung seiner ersten Vision neben Palmyra, New York an. Dabei hat der Teufel erst versucht Joseph zu erstricken. (JSLg 1:15) Am 27. Juni 1844, in dem Carthage Illinois Gefaengnis, hat eine boese Horde von geschwaerzten Gesichtern das Gefaengnis angegriffen und ihn und seinen aelteren Bruder Hyrum kaltbluetig ermordet. (LuB 135)

Die Fruehe Geschichte von Joseph Smith: Es war nur sieben Jahre nach dem Praesidentendienst von George Washington, als Joseph Smith, Junior in eine Bauerfamilie geboren war. Er hat seiner Familie durch die Wuestenumstaende als Bauer und Tageloehner geholfen, was ihn bald danach zur Unterscheidung und der Groesse leitete. Die Smith Jungen besassen ungewoehnlich grosse physikalische Staerke, die Joseph wohl diente als er spaetermals grossen Stress erleiden musste. Joseph hat erklaert dass sein aelterer Bruder Alvin der staerkste Mann war den er je kannte. Der Smith-Haushalt bestand aus Bibel-Glaeubiger und zu Heim gelehrten Kindern. Auch damals haben die Leute Instruktionen von reisenden Schullehrern, wie der Oliver Cowdry, bekommen. Selbst Josephs Vater war auf kurze Zeit Schullehrer. Merkwuerdigerweise wurde George Washington nur zu Hause unterrichtet, meistens von seinem Vater und zwei aelteren Bruedern. (The Making of George Washington [DerWerdegang von George Washington] von William H. Wilbur)

Mit dam Alter von 22 Jahren ist Joseph mit der Emma Hale am 18. Januar 1827 entlaufen, um zu heiraten. (Lehren der Praesidenten der Kirche, Joseph Smith, Seite xv) Sie sind die Eltern von neun Kindern geworden, doch leider lebten kaum die Haelfte davon bis Ewachsenenalter. Einige der Kinder wurden Opfer der Verfolgung, und zwei der Stiefkinder haben den Tod durch Erfrieren erlitten, direkt von Mobs verursacht. Heute hat Joseph Smith nur ungefaehr 600 anerkannte Nachkommen, waehrend sein Bruder Hyrum ueber 15,000 hat. (Church News [Kirchennachricten] Artikel, circa 2002)

Von dem Fruehling 1820 bis September 1827, als Joseph Smith die goldenen Platten empfing, auf denen die Christliche Geschichte der gefallenen Ureinwohner des amerikanischen Kontinents graviert stannte, gab es immer Verfolgung gegen ihn und seine Familienmitglieder, aber die Verfolgung ennahmen zu, als er Das Buch Mormon zu uebersetzen begann. (LuB 3:10) Er wurde verspotet und “ole Joe” genannte und von boesen Leuten ueberall beschimpft, auf Grunde der Klatscherei und falschen Berichte, die von denen zirkulierten, die dazu geneigt waren, so was zu glauben. Die Verfolgung ist noch schlechter geworden, nach der Organisation der Kirche Jesu Christi am 6. April 1830, mit nur sechs Mitgliedern. Dennoch nahm die Kirche an Mitgliedern zu, als Joseph viele Missionare ohne “Beutel und Tasche” ausschickte (Lukas 10:4; 22:35-36; LuB 24:18), um die Heilsbotschaft zu predigen und den “neuen und immerwaehrenden Bund” allen Menschen anzubeten. Der Bund ist aufs neue offenbart und ohne Ende mit Gott. (LuB 1:15; 22:1; 76:69; 84:33-41; 88:133; 132:4)

Die Lebensleistungen von Joseph Smith, Jr.: Zu der Zeit seines Martyriums war Joseph Smith nur 38 Jahre alt. Der groesste Teil seiner Lebensarbeit wurde zwischen 1827 bis 1844 getan, eine Zeitspanne von kaum17 Jahren. Waehrend dieser Zeit hat er viele Offenbarungen von Gott empfangen, davon 135 in der Auflage Lehre und Buendnisse verfasst sind. Weiterhin hat er durch uralte Seher-Steine Das Buch Mormon uebersetzt, dessen Zweck ist, die Juden und andere Menschen zu ueberzeugen dass Jesus der Christus und Erloeser ist. Das Buch wurde urspruenglich auf goldene Platten in reformierten Aegyptischen Zeichen geschrieben. (Mormon 9:32) Joseph hat auch uralte Papyrus-Rollen uebersetzt, die Das Buch Abraham und ein anderes enthielten, welche Rollen aus dem Koenigstal in Aegypten, und nach New York City gebracht wurden. Er hat auch wichtige erleuchtende Redaktionen in der King James Version der Bibel gemacht, welche als die Joseph Smith Translation [Joseph Smith Uebersetzung] oder Inspired Version [Inspirierte Version] bekannt ist. Joseph leitete und hat selbst geholfen mit dem Bauen von zwei Tempeln, in denen Offenbarungen von Gott empfangen und gewisse Buendnisse mit Gott geschlossen werden konnten. Er bekam Besuche von Gott und Seinem Sohn, Jesus Christus, Johannes dem Taeufer, Petrus, Jakobus, Johannes, Elija; Elias, Moses, als auch von anderen auferstandenen Maennern. Er hat die Kirche Jesu Christi mit dem Aaronischen und Melchizedekischen Priestertuemern organiziert, mit Aposteln, Propheten, Siebzigern, Patriarchen, Hohenprietern, Aeltesten, Evangelisten, Bischoefen, Priestern, Lehrern, Diakonen, und anderen Aemtern.

Er hat tausende von Kirchenmitgliedern von Ort zu Ort geleitet, auch einige Staedte gegruendet. Joseph hat mehrere Missionare ausgesandt, selbst nach England, Wales, Schottland, Deutschland, Kanada, Skandinavien, auch nach den Pazifischen Inseln wie Tahiti und Hawaii. Auserdem hatte er viele Kinder, und er arbeitete schwer ihretwegen. Joseph lebte nach den Schlagwoertern: “Was der Herr gebietet, das tue es.” Auch sagte er: “Ich werde immer ein wahres Prinzip festhalten, selbst wenn ich allein dabei stehen muss.” Sein hoher Charakterzug hat fuer ihn die Treue, Vertrauen, Liebe und Belobung von weisen und aufrechten Menschen gewonnen, die ihn als den grossen vorausgesagten Propheten und Seher betrachteten. (2 Ne 3:5+) Und obwohl er ohne die Bodenschaetze gestorben ist, behaupten seine Feinde immernoch dass er sein grosses persoenliches Opfer nur fuer Gewinn gegeben hat, und seine Zeit nur mit Betrug und anderen Verbrechen verbracht hat. Bei solchen Anklagen gibt es darin kein Koernchen der Wahrheit. Joseph haette hundertfuenfzig Jahre leben muessen, um all das Unrecht zu vollbringen, das ihm zugeschrieben war. Die vielen negativen Berichte gegen Joseph sind bloss grundlose Luegenmaerchen, die gute Leute ablehnen. Heutzutage hat die Kirche ueber 14 Millionen Mitglieder und beinah 150 Tempel in der Welt, davon ist ungefaehr die Haelfte in den USA. (LuB 135; Lehren der Praesidenten der Kirche, Joseph Smith, Seiten 160-161; Building Faith with the Book of Mormon [Glaubensaufbauen Mit Dem Buch Mormon] von Pearson and Bankhead, seiten 51-52)

Wie Man Wissen Kann, Dass Joseph Smith Ein Wahrer Prophet War: Das Buch Mormon: Ein Weiterer Zeuge Fuer Jesus Christus ist der sicherste Test der Echtheit des Joseph Smiths. Am Anfang des Buches steht “Das Zeugnis von drei Zeugen” und “Das Zeugnis von Acht Zeugen.” Die ersten drei haben die goldenen Platten und den Engel gesehen, und die acht haben nur die Platten gesehen. Der Engel hat den drei Zeugen die Richtigkeit der Uebersetzung bestaetigt, und alle der Zeugen haben ihre Namen unterschreiben. Leider sind einige der Zeugen von der Kirche abgeschieden, aber keiner hatte je das Zeugnis verleugnet. Nach vielen Jahren hat Martin Harris sich der Kirche wieder angeschlossen, dessen Farm hypothekarisch belastet wurde, um das erste Drucken des Buches Mormon zu finanzieren. Bis zum Tod hat Martin Harris ein starkes oeffentliches und privates Zeugnis der Wahrheit seiner Erlebnisse bezueglich des Buches Mormon abgelegt. Oliver Cowdry schloss sich auch wieder der Kirche an, aber starb aus Gesundheitsgruenden, bevor er in den Westen fahren konnte um mit den anderen Kirchenmitgliedern zu leben. Der dritte Zeuge, David Whitmer, ist nicht wieder der Kirche beigetreten, aber hat auch niemals sein Zeugnis aperkannt, dass er die goldenen Platten und den Engel gesehen hatte, selbst wie er streng von Pressevertretern darueber gefragt wurde. Ein lebender Nachkomme von Martin Harris hat erklaert dass der Engel jeden Zeuge gewarnt hat, dass er vernichtet wird, wenn er sein Zeugnis verweigern wuerde. (Vorne im Buch Mormon; Building Faith with the Book of Mormon [Glaubensaufbauen Mit Dem Buch Mormon] von Pearson and Bankhead; LuB 5:27; J. Steele von Salt Lake City, Utah)

Dem Buches Mormon gemaess ist der Herr der wirkliche Chefredakteur, und der Leser davon muss ein geistliches Zeugnis von Gott suchen. Das zehnte Kapitel Moroni darlegt, dass der ernste Untersucher des Buches Glauben an Christus haben und zu Gott beten muss, um zu wissen, dass das Buch echt und wahr ist. So eine Methode kommt nicht in den gewoehnlichen fleischlichen Sinn, aber am Ende ist ein Zeugnis von Gott besser als irgendein anderes.(L&B 6:23-24) Entweder hat Joseph Smith das Buch von den goldenen Platten uebersetzt, die eine Urkunde der Gotteswirken auf frueheren Einwohnern des Amerikanischen Kontinents sind, mit Hilfe von uralten Seher-Steinen, aus reformierten Aegyptischen Zeichen, nachdem ein Engel von Gott die Wahrheit davon bestaetigt hat, oder Joseph Smith hat sowas ueberhaupt nicht erlebt. Wenn irgendein Element seiner Erzaehlung falsch ist, dann ist Joseph kein wahrer Prophet. Aber wenn jede Einzelheit wahr ist, dann ist er und die von ihm organizierte Kirche wahr, und auch seine Nachfolgenden sind echte Propheten. (Das Buch Mormon Als Bekehrungsschluessel [Book of Mormon Key to Conversion] von Glenn L. Pearson, et al)

Lassen Sie bitte zu, dass Joseph Smith, Junior in seinen eigenen Worten seine Erlebnisse erzaehlt, als sie in der Auflage Die Koestliche Perle niedergeschrieben sind.

JOSEPH SMITH—LEBENSGESCHICHTE
AUSZÜGE AUS DER LEBENSGESCHICHTE DES PROPHETEN JOSEPH SMITH

History of the Church (Geschichte der Kirche), Band 1, Kapitel 1 bis 5
Joseph Smith erzählt von seiner Abstammung, seiner Familie und ihren früheren Wohnorten—Eine ungewöhnliche Erregung in bezug auf Religion herrscht im westlichen New York—Er beschließt, gemäß der Anweisung des Jakobus Weisheit zu suchen—Der Vater und der Sohn erscheinen, und Joseph Smith wird zu seinem prophetischen Dienst berufen. (Vers 1–20.)

1 INFOLGE der vielen Gerüchte, die von übelgesinnten und hinterhältigen Leuten über aEntstehung und Fortschritt der bKirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzten Tage in Umlauf gesetzt worden sind und die alle von ihren Urhebern ersonnen worden sind, um der Kirche als solcher und ihrem Fortschritt in der Welt entgegenzuwirken, habe ich mich veranlaßt gesehen, diese Darstellung zu schreiben, um die Öffentlichkeit eines Besseren zu belehren und allen Wahrheitssuchern die Tatsachen über mich und die Kirche so zu vermitteln, wie sie sich zugetragen haben, soweit mir diese Tatsachen zur Verfügung stehen.
2 In dieser Schilderung werde ich die verschiedenen Ereignisse, die auf diese Kirche Bezug haben, in Wahrheit und Rechtschaffenheit darstellen, wie sie sich zugetragen haben oder wie sie gegenwärtig [1838], also im achten Jahr seit der aGründung der genannten Kirche, bestehen.
3 Ich wurde im Jahre unseres Herrn eintausendachthundertundfünf geboren, am dreiundzwanzigsten Tag im Dezember, in der Ortschaft Sharon, Kreis Windsor, Staat Vermont ... Mein Vater, bJoseph Smith sen., zog aus dem Staate Vermont weg und übersiedelte nach Palmyra, Kreis Ontario (jetzt Wayne) im Staate New York, als ich etwa in meinem zehnten Lebensjahr stand. Rund vier Jahre nachdem mein Vater nach Palmyra gekommen war, übersiedelte er mit seiner Familie nach Manchester im selben Kreis Ontario—
4 seine Familie bestand aus elf Seelen, nämlich meinem Vater aJoseph Smith, meiner bMutter Lucy Smith (vor ihrer Heirat hieß sie Mack, Tochter des Solomon Mack), meinen Brüdern cAlvin (der am 19. November 1823 in seinem sechsundzwanzigsten Lebensjahr starb), dHyrum, mir selbst, eSamuel Harrison, William und Don Carlos sowie meinen Schwestern Sophronia, Catherine und Lucy.
5 Im Laufe des zweiten Jahres nach unserer Übersiedlung nach Manchester kam es an unserem Wohnort zu einer ungewöhnlichen Erregung über das Thema Religion. Sie begann bei den Methodisten, breitete sich aber bald unter allen Glaubensgemeinschaften in jener Gegend des Landes aus. Es hatte tatsächlich den Anschein, als sei der ganze Landesteil davon ergriffen, und ganze Scharen schlossen sich den verschiedenen religiösen Parteien an, was nicht wenig Aufregung und Uneinigkeit unter den Leuten verursachte, denn einige schrien: „aSiehe hier!“, und andere: „Siehe dort!“ Einige stritten für den Methodistenglauben, andere für den der Presbyterianer, wieder andere für den der Baptisten.
6 Denn wohl bekundeten diejenigen, die sich zu den verschiedenen Glaubensrichtungen bekehrt hatten, zur Zeit ihrer Bekehrung große Liebe, und die betreffenden Geistlichen, die dieses außergewöhnliche Schauspiel religiöser Aufwallung in Szene gesetzt hatten und förderten, zeigten großen Eifer, um jedermann sich bekehren zu lassen, wie sie das zu nennen beliebten, und jeder möge sich der Gemeinschaft anschließen, die ihm zusagte; wenn dann aber die Bekehrten einer nach dem anderen weggingen, die einen zu der einen Partei, die anderen zu einer anderen, da konnte man sehen, daß die scheinbar so guten Gefühle der Priester und auch der Bekehrten mehr vorgetäuscht als wirklich waren; denn es kam zu einer großen Verwirrung und zu bösen Gefühlen—Priester eiferte gegen Priester, Bekehrter gegen Bekehrten, so daß all ihr Wohlwollen füreinander, sofern sie je welches gehabt hatten, in dem Wortkrieg und aMeinungsstreit gänzlich unterging.
7 Ich stand damals in meinem fünfzehnten Lebensjahr. Meines Vaters Familie ließ sich für den Glauben der Presbyterianer gewinnen, und ihrer vier schlossen sich dieser Kirche an, nämlich meine Mutter Lucy, meine Brüder Hyrum und Samuel Harrison sowie meine Schwester Sophronia.
8 In dieser Zeit großer Erregung wurde mein Sinn von ernstem Nachdenken und innerer Unruhe bewegt; zwar nahm ich lebhaften Anteil und hatte sehr ausgeprägte Gefühle, aber ich hielt mich doch von allen diesen Parteien fern, wenn ich auch ihre verschiedenen Versammlungen besuchte, sooft sich mir die Gelegenheit bot. Im Laufe der Zeit neigte ich in Gedanken der Gemeinschaft der Methodisten zu, und ich hatte wohl auch den Wunsch, mich ihnen anzuschließen; aber so groß waren die Verwirrung und der Streit zwischen den verschiedenen Konfessionen, daß es für einen jungen Menschen wie mich, der mit Menschen und Dingen wenig Erfahrung hatte, gar nicht möglich war, mit Sicherheit zu entscheiden, wer nun recht und wer unrecht hatte.
9 Bisweilen befand sich mein Sinn in heftiger Erregung, so groß war das Geschrei, so unaufhörlich der Tumult. Die Presbyterianer wandten sich aufs heftigste gegen die Baptisten und Methodisten und benutzten alle Verstandeskräfte und Spitzfindigkeiten, um ihnen Irrtümer nachzuweisen oder wenigstens die Leute glauben zu machen, sie seien im Irrtum. Anderseits wiederum waren die Baptisten und Methodisten ebenso eifrig bestrebt, ihre eigenen Lehren durchzusetzen und alle anderen zu widerlegen.
10 Inmitten dieses Wortkriegs und Tumults der Meinungen sagte ich mir oft: Was ist da zu tun? Welche von allen diesen Parteien hat arecht, oder haben sie allesamt unrecht? Falls eine von ihnen recht hat, welche ist es, und wie soll ich sie erkennen?
11 Während ich also mit diesen äußersten Schwierigkeiten zu kämpfen hatte, die durch den Glaubensstreit dieser Religionsparteien ausgelöst worden waren, las ich eines Tages im Jakobusbrief den fünften Vers im ersten Kapitel, der lautet: Fehlt es aber einem von euch an Weisheit, so erbitte er sie von Gott, der allen gern gibt und keine Vorwürfe macht; dann wird sie ihm gegeben werden.
12 Nie ist einem Menschen eine Schriftstelle mit mehr Macht ins Herz gedrungen als diese damals mir. Es war so, als ergieße sie sich mit großer Stärke in jede Regung meines Herzens. Wieder und wieder dachte ich darüber nach, denn ich wußte, wenn überhaupt jemand Weisheit von Gott brauchte, so war ich es; denn wie ich mich verhalten sollte, wußte ich nicht, und solange ich nicht mehr Weisheit erlangte, als ich damals besaß, würde ich es auch nie wissen; denn die Religionslehrer der verschiedenen Glaubensgemeinschaften averstanden ein und dieselbe Schriftstelle so unterschiedlich, daß dadurch alles Vertrauen darauf zerstört wurde, die Frage durch Berufung auf die bBibel zu entscheiden.
13 Endlich kam ich zu dem Schluß, daß ich entweder in Finsternis und Verwirrung bleiben müsse oder daß ich das tun müsse, was Jakobus sagt, nämlich Gott bitten. Ich faßte also endlich den Entschluß, aGott zu bitten, denn ich sagte mir: Wenn er denen Weisheit gibt, denen es an Weisheit fehlt, und wenn er gern gibt und keine Vorwürfe macht, dann durfte ich es wohl wagen.
14 Also zog ich mich gemäß diesem meinem Entschluß, Gott zu bitten, in den Wald zurück, um den Versuch zu machen. Es war an einem strahlend schönen Morgen in den ersten Frühlingstagen achtzehnhundertundzwanzig. Zum erstenmal in meinem Leben unternahm ich so einen Versuch, denn bei all meiner Unruhe hatte ich doch noch nie versucht, laut zu abeten.
15 Nachdem ich mich an den Ort zurückgezogen hatte, den ich vorher dazu ausersehen hatte, und mich umblickte und sah, daß ich allein war, kniete ich nieder und fing an, Gott die Wünsche meines Herzens vorzutragen. Kaum hatte ich das getan, wurde ich sogleich von einer Macht gepackt, die mich gänzlich überwältigte und eine so erstaunliche Wirkung auf mich hatte, daß sie mir die Zunge lähmte und ich nicht sprechen konnte. Dichte Finsternis zog sich um mich zusammen, und ich hatte eine Zeitlang das Gefühl, als sei ich plötzlicher Vernichtung anheimgegeben.
16 Ich nahm aber alle Kraft zusammen und arief Gott an, er möge mich aus der Macht dieses Feindes befreien, der mich gepackt hatte; und gerade in dem Augenblick, wo ich in Verzweiflung versinken und mich der Vernichtung preisgeben wollte—und nicht etwa einem eingebildeten Verderben, sondern der Macht eines wirklichen Wesens aus der Welt des Unsichtbaren, das eine so unglaubliche Macht hatte, wie ich sie nie zuvor bei irgendeinem Wesen verspürt hatte—eben in diesem Augenblick höchster Angst sah ich gerade über meinem Haupt, heller als das Licht der Sonne, eine Säule aus Licht, die allmählich herabkam, bis sie auf mich fiel.
17 Kaum war sie erschienen, da fand ich mich auch schon von dem Feind befreit, der mich gebunden gehalten hatte. Als das Licht auf mir ruhte, sah ich bzwei Personen von unbeschreiblicher Helle und cHerrlichkeit über mir in der Luft stehen. Eine von ihnen redete mich an, nannte mich beim Namen und sagte, dabei auf die andere deutend: Dies ist mein geliebter eSohn. Ihn höre!
18 Der Grund, warum ich aden Herrn befragen wollte, war der, daß ich wissen wollte, welche von allen Glaubensgemeinschaften recht hätte, damit ich wisse, welcher ich mich anschließen sollte. Sobald ich mich soweit gefaßt hatte, daß ich imstande war zu sprechen, fragte ich daher die über mir im Licht stehenden Personen, welche von allen Glaubensgemeinschaften die richtige sei (denn bisher war es noch nie in mein Herz gedrungen, daß alle unrecht hätten)—und welcher ich mich anschließen solle.
19 Ich bekam die Antwort, ich dürfe mich keiner von ihnen anschließen, denn sie seien alle im Unrecht; und die Person, die zu mir sprach, sagte, ihre sämtlichen Glaubensbekenntnisse seien in seinen Augen ein Greuel; jene Glaubensbekenner seien alle verderbt, denn „sie nahen sich mir mit den Lippen, aber ihr Herz ist ferne von mir; sie verkünden Menschengebote als Lehre, sie haben zwar eine Form der Gottesfurcht, aber sie leugnen deren Macht“.
20 Nochmals verbot er mir, mich einer von ihnen anzuschließen; und noch vieles andere sagte er mir, was ich zu dieser Zeit nicht niederschreiben kann. Als ich wieder zu mir kam, fand ich mich auf dem Rücken liegen, den Blick zum Himmel gerichtet. Als das Licht verschwunden war, hatte ich keine Kraft; ich erholte mich aber bald so weit, daß ich nach Hause gehen konnte. Und als ich mich gegen den offenen Kamin lehnte, fragte mich die Mutter, was los sei. Ich antwortete: „Schon gut, alles ist in Ordnung, mir ist ganz wohl zumute.“ Dann sagte ich zu meiner Mutter: „Ich habe für mich selbst herausgefunden, daß der Presbyterianerglaube nicht richtig ist.“ Der Widersacher muß wohl schon seit meinen frühen Lebensjahren gewußt haben, daß ich dazu bestimmt war, sein Reich zu stören und zu beunruhigen; warum hätten sich sonst die Mächte der Finsternis gegen mich verbinden sollen? Warum sonst die Gegnerschaft und Verfolgung, die sich gegen mich erhoben, fast noch in meiner Kindheit?
Einige Prediger und andere Glaubensbekenner verwerfen den Bericht über die Erste Vision—Joseph Smith wird mit Verfolgung überhäuft—Er bezeugt die Wirklichkeit der Vision. (Vers 21–26.)
21 Einige wenige Tage nachdem ich diese Vision gehabt hatte, war ich zufällig mit einem Methodistenprediger beisammen, der während der vorerwähnten religiösen Erregung sehr rührig war; und als ich mich mit ihm über das Thema Religion unterhielt, nahm ich die Gelegenheit wahr und gab ihm einen Bericht von der Vision, die ich gehabt hatte. Ich war von seinem Benehmen sehr überrascht, denn er nahm meine Mitteilung nicht nur geringschätzig auf, sondern sogar mit großer Verachtung: Er sagte, das sei alles vom Teufel, so etwas wie Visionen oder Offenbarungen gebe es in diesen Tagen nicht mehr, das hätte alles mit den Aposteln aufgehört, und es würde so etwas nie wieder geben.
22 Ich mußte jedoch bald feststellen, daß ich durch das Erzählen meiner Geschichte bei den Glaubensbekennern sehr viel Vorurteil gegen mich weckte und viel aVerfolgung verursachte, die ständig zunahm; und obwohl ich nur ein bunbekannter Junge von vierzehn, fünfzehn Jahren war und meine Lebensumstände dergestalt, daß sie so einem Knaben keinerlei Bedeutung in der Welt verschafften, nahmen doch hochstehende Männer von mir so viel Notiz, daß sie die öffentliche Meinung gegen mich aufstachelten und eine erbitterte Verfolgung anzettelten; und das hatten alle Glaubensgemeinschaften gemeinsam—alle vereinigten sich, um mich zu verfolgen.
23 Oft habe ich damals und auch seither ernstlich darüber nachdenken müssen, wie seltsam es doch war: Man hielt einen unbekannten, wenig mehr als vierzehn Jahre alten Jungen, der auch noch dazu verurteilt war, seinen kärglichen Lebensunterhalt von Tag zu Tag durch seine schwere Arbeit zu verdienen, für eine so wichtige Persönlichkeit, daß ihm die Großen der damals am weitesten verbreiteten Glaubensgemeinschaften Aufmerksamkeit schenkten, und zwar auf eine Weise, daß sich in ihnen eine Gesinnung bitterster Verfolgung und Schmähung entwickelte. Aber seltsam oder nicht, so war es, und das hat mir oft großen Kummer verursacht.
24 Aber nichtsdestoweniger war es eine Tatsache, daß ich eine Vision gesehen hatte. Ich habe mir seither oft gedacht, daß mir damals ähnlich zumute war wie aPaulus, als er sich vor König Agrippa verteidigte und von der Vision berichtete, die er gehabt hatte, als er ein Licht gesehen und eine Stimme gehört hatte; und doch waren da nur wenige, die ihm glaubten; einige sagten, er sei unehrlich, andere sagten, er sei verrückt; und er wurde verspottet und geschmäht. Aber das alles tat der Wirklichkeit seiner Vision keinen Abbruch. Er hatte eine Vision gesehen; er wußte es, und alle Verfolgung unter dem Himmel konnte nichts daran ändern; und wenn sie ihn bis zum Tod verfolgen sollten, so wußte er doch und würde es bis zum letzten Atemzug wissen, daß er ein Licht gesehen und auch eine Stimme gehört hatte, die zu ihm sprach, und die ganze Welt konnte ihn nicht dazu bringen, etwas anderes zu denken oder zu glauben.
25 So war es auch mit mir. Ich hatte tatsächlich ein Licht gesehen, und mitten in dem Licht hatte ich azwei Personen gesehen, und sie hatten wirklich zu mir gesprochen; und wenn man mich auch haßte und verfolgte, weil ich sagte, ich hätte eine Vision gesehen, so war es doch wahr; und während man mich verfolgte und mich schmähte und mich auf alle mögliche Weise böse verleumdete, weil ich das sagte, mußte ich mich im Herzen fragen: Wieso verfolgt man mich, weil ich die Wahrheit sage? Ich habe tatsächlich eine Vision gesehen; und wer bin ich, daß ich Gott widerstehen könnte? Oder warum meint die Welt, sie könne mich dazu bringen, daß ich verleugne, was ich tatsächlich gesehen habe? Denn ich hatte eine Vision gesehen, das wußte ich; und ich wußte, daß Gott es wußte; und bich konnte es nicht leugnen, und ich wagte es auch gar nicht, denn zumindest wußte ich, daß ich damit Gott beleidigen und unter Schuldspruch kommen würde.
26 In meinen Gedanken war ich nun, was die Welt der Glaubensgemeinschaften betraf, zufriedengestellt—ich war nicht verpflichtet, mich irgendeiner von ihnen anzuschließen, sondern sollte so verbleiben, wie ich war, bis mir weitere Weisung zuteil werden würde. Ich hatte herausgefunden, daß das Zeugnis des Jakobus stimmt—daß jemand, dem es an Weisheit fehlt, Gott darum bitten und erlangen kann, ohne daß ihm Vorwürfe gemacht werden.
Moroni erscheint Joseph Smith—Josephs Name wird unter allen Völkern für gut und böse bekannt sein—Moroni berichtet ihm vom Buch Mormon und von den kommenden Strafgerichten des Herrn und zitiert viele Schriftstellen—Das Versteck der goldenen Platten wird offenbart—Moroni unterweist den Propheten weiter. (Vers 27–54.)
27 Ich fuhr fort, meinen täglichen Aufgaben im Leben nachzugehen, und zwar bis zum einundzwanzigsten September eintausendachthundertunddreiundzwanzig; während der ganzen Zeit hatte ich von der Hand der Leute aller Klassen, religiösen ebenso wie nichtreligiösen, schwere Verfolgung zu leiden, weil ich auch weiterhin darauf bestand, eine Vision gesehen zu haben.
28 In dem Zeitraum, der zwischen dem Tag lag, da ich die Vision hatte, und dem Jahr achtzehnhundertunddreiundzwanzig—weil mir geboten wurde, ich solle mich keiner der Glaubensgemeinschaften jener Tage anschließen, und weil ich noch sehr jung war und von denjenigen verfolgt wurde, die eigentlich hätten meine Freunde sein und mich wohlwollend behandeln sollen, und wenn sie der Meinung waren, ich sei einer Täuschung unterlegen, so hätten sie sich bemühen sollen, mich in passender und liebevoller Weise zurückzugewinnen—war ich allen möglichen aVersuchungen ausgesetzt, und da ich in allen möglichen Kreisen verkehrte, verfiel ich häufig in mancherlei törichte Irrtümer und ließ die Schwachheit der Jugend und menschliche Schwächen erkennen, die, ich muß es leider sagen, mich in mancherlei Versuchungen führten, ungehörig in den Augen Gottes. Wenn ich dieses Geständnis ablege, so darf niemand glauben, ich hätte mich irgendwelcher großen oder bösartigen Sünden schuldig gemacht. Eine Neigung, solche zu begehen, lag nie in meiner Natur. Aber ich war der Leichtfertigkeit schuldig und hielt mich bisweilen in übermütiger Gesellschaft auf usw., was nicht zu der Wesensart paßte, die jemand bewahren soll, der wie ich bvon Gott berufen war. Aber das wird keinen in Erstaunen setzen, der an meine Jugend denkt und mein von Natur aus fröhliches Gemüt kennt.
29 Als Folge all dessen hatte ich oft das Gefühl, ich sei meiner Schwachheit und Unzulänglichkeiten wegen schuldig; dann, am Abend des vorerwähnten einundzwanzigsten Septembers, nachdem ich mich für die Nacht zu meinem Bett begeben hatte, wandte ich mich mit aGebet und Flehen an den Allmächtigen Gott, er möge mir alle meine Sünden und Torheiten vergeben, er möge mir aber auch eine Kundgebung zuteil werden lassen, so daß ich wisse, wie mein Stand und meine Stellung vor ihm sei; denn ich vertraute fest darauf, eine göttliche Kundgebung zu erhalten, da es mir schon früher geschehen war.
30 Während ich so dabei war, Gott anzurufen, bemerkte ich, wie in meinem Zimmer ein Licht erschien, das immer stärker wurde, bis es im Zimmer schließlich heller war als am Mittag; gleich darauf wurde an meinem Bett eine aGestalt sichtbar, und der Betreffende stand in der Luft, denn seine Füße berührten den Boden nicht.
31 Er hatte ein loses Gewand von außergewöhnlicher aWeiße an. Es war weißer als alles, was ich auf Erden je gesehen hatte; auch glaube ich nicht, daß irgend etwas Irdisches derart gemacht werden kann, daß es so überaus weiß und helleuchtend erscheint. Seine Hände waren unbedeckt, auch seine Arme bis knapp über dem Handgelenk; ebenso waren seine Füße nackt und auch die Beine bis knapp über den Knöcheln. Sein Haupt und Hals waren auch nicht bedeckt. Ich konnte erkennen, daß er außer diesem Gewand keine andere Kleidung trug, denn es war offen, so daß ich seine Brust sehen konnte.
32 Nicht nur sein Gewand war überaus weiß, sondern seine ganze Gestalt war unbeschreiblich aherrlich und sein bAntlitz leuchtend wie ein Blitz. Im Zimmer war es überaus hell, aber doch nicht so hell wie in seiner unmittelbaren Nähe. Als ich ihn erblickte, cfürchtete ich mich zuerst; aber bald verließ mich die Furcht.
33 Er nannte mich beim Namen und sagte zu mir, er sei ein Bote, aus der Gegenwart Gottes zu mir gesandt, und heiße Moroni; Gott habe eine Arbeit für mich zu tun; und mein Name werde bei allen Nationen, Geschlechtern und Sprachen für gut und böse gelten, ja, man werde unter allem Volk sowohl gut als auch böse von ihm sprechen.
34 Er sagte, es sei ein aBuch verwahrt, auf bGoldplatten geschrieben, darin sei ein Bericht über die früheren Bewohner dieses Erdteils und ihre Herkunft zu finden. Er sagte weiter, darin sei die Fülle des immerwährenden Evangeliums enthalten, wie es der Erretter den Bewohnern vor alters gebracht habe.
35 Bei den Platten seien auch zwei Steine in silbernen Bügeln verwahrt—und diese Steine, an einem aBrustschild befestigt, bildeten den sogenannten bUrim und Tummim—, und der Besitz und Gebrauch dieser Steine hätten früher, in alter Zeit, jemanden zum „Seher“ gemacht; und Gott habe sie bereitet, damit das Buch übersetzt werden könne.
36 Nachdem er mir dies alles gesagt hatte, begann er, Prophezeiungen aus dem Alten Testament zu zitieren. Zuerst zitierte er aus dem ersten Teil des dritten Kapitels von Maleachi; und er zitierte auch aus dem letzten Teil des Kapitels aus der gleichen Prophezeiung, allerdings mit einer kleinen Abweichung vom Wortlaut unserer Bibeln. Anstatt den neunzehnten Vers so zu zitieren, wie er in unseren Büchern lautet, zitierte er ihn so:
37 Denn siehe, der Tag kommt, der brennen wird wie ein Ofen; und alle Stolzen, ja, und alle, die Schlechtes tun, werden wie Stoppeln brennen; denn die, die kommen, werden sie verbrennen, spricht der Herr der Heerscharen, so daß ihnen nicht Wurzel noch Zweig gelassen wird.
38 Und weiter zitierte er den vorletzten Vers so: Siehe, ich werde euch das aPriestertum durch die Hand des Propheten bElija offenbaren, ehe der große und schreckliche Tag des Herrn kommt.
39 Auch den nächsten Vers zitierte er anders: Und er wird die aVerheißungen, die den Vätern gemacht worden sind, den Kindern ins Herz pflanzen, und das Herz der Kinder bwird sich ihren Vätern zuwenden. Wenn es nicht so wäre, würde die ganze Erde bei seinem Kommen völlig verwüstet werden.
40 Außer diesen zitierte er das elfte Kapitel von Jesaja und sagte, seine Erfüllung stehe soeben bevor. Er zitierte auch das dritte Kapitel der Apostelgeschichte, den zweiundzwanzigsten und dreiundzwanzigsten Vers, und zwar genauso, wie sie in unserem Neuen Testament stehen. Er sagte, der betreffende aProphet sei Christus, aber der Tag sei noch nicht gekommen, da „diejenigen, die seine Stimme nicht hören wollen, bvon dem Volke abgeschnitten werden sollen“, werde aber bald kommen.
41 Auch das dritte Kapitel von Joël zitierte er, vom ersten Vers bis zum letzten. Er sagte auch, dies sei noch nicht erfüllt, werde es aber bald sein. Und weiter bemerkte er, die Fülle der Andern werde bald anbrechen. Er zitierte noch viele andere Schriftstellen und gab viele Erklärungen, die hier nicht erwähnt werden können.
42 Weiter sagte er zu mir, wenn ich jene Platten, von denen er gesprochen habe, erhielte—denn die Zeit sei noch nicht gekommen, wo sie erlangt werden sollten—dürfe ich sie keinem Menschen zeigen, auch nicht den Brustschild mit dem Urim und Tummim; nur denen, denen sie zu zeigen mir geboten werde; wenn ich es täte, solle ich vernichtet werden. Während er mit mir über die Platten sprach, wurde meinem Sinn die Vision zuteil, daß ich die Stelle sehen konnte, wo die Platten aufbewahrt waren, und zwar so klar und deutlich, daß ich die Stelle wiedererkannte, als ich dorthin kam.
43 Nach dieser Mitteilung sah ich, wie das Licht im Zimmer begann, sich unmittelbar um die Person dessen, der zu mir gesprochen hatte, zusammenzuziehen, und das setzte sich fort, bis es im Zimmer wieder finster war, außer ganz nahe um ihn herum. In diesem Augenblick sah ich gleichsam einen Schacht sich bis in den Himmel öffnen, und der Besucher fuhr in die Höhe auf, bis er ganz verschwunden war; und im Zimmer war es wieder so wie zuvor, ehe das himmlische Licht sich gezeigt hatte.
44 Ich lag da und sann über dieses einzigartige Geschehnis nach und wunderte mich sehr über das, was mir dieser ungewöhnliche Bote gesagt hatte; da, mitten in meinem Nachdenken, bemerkte ich plötzlich, daß es in meinem Zimmer abermals anfing, hell zu werden, und gleichsam im nächsten Augenblick war derselbe Himmelsbote wieder an meinem Bett.
45 Er hob an und sagte mir genau dasselbe, was er mir bei seinem ersten Besuch gesagt hatte, ohne die geringste Abweichung; das getan, unterrichtete er mich über große Strafgerichte, die über die Erde kommen würden mit großen Verwüstungen durch Hungersnot, Schwert und Seuche; und diese schmerzlichen Strafgerichte würden in dieser Generation über die Erde kommen. Nachdem er dies mitgeteilt hatte, fuhr er wieder wie zuvor in die Höhe auf.
46 Inzwischen war ich in meinem Sinn so tief beeindruckt, daß mich der Schlaf floh und ich überwältigt dalag, voller Verwunderung über das, was ich gesehen und auch gehört hatte. Wie groß aber war meine Überraschung, als ich denselben Boten wiederum an meinem Bett erblickte und all das wiederholen oder nochmals vortragen hörte, was er mir schon zuvor gesagt hatte, und fügte noch eine Warnung an mich hinzu und sagte, der Satan werde mich (wegen der ärmlichen Verhältnisse in meines Vaters Familie) in Versuchung führen wollen, die Platten zu dem Zweck zu erlangen, reich zu werden. Dies verbot er mir und sagte, wenn ich die Platten erhielte, dürfe ich nichts anderes vor Augen haben, als Gott zu verherrlichen, und dürfe keinen anderen Beweggrund haben als den, sein Reich aufzubauen; sonst würde ich sie nicht bekommen.
47 Nach diesem dritten Besuch fuhr er wieder in den Himmel auf wie zuvor, und ich war wieder allein, um über all das Seltsame nachzudenken, das ich soeben erlebt hatte; aber kaum war der Himmelsbote zum dritten Mal von mir aufgefahren, da krähte der Hahn, und ich wurde gewahr, daß es Tag wurde, so daß unsere Unterredungen die ganze Nacht gedauert haben mußten.
48 Kurz darauf erhob ich mich von meinem Bett und ging wie gewöhnlich an die notwendige Tagesarbeit; als ich aber anfangen wollte, wie sonst zu arbeiten, war ich derart erschöpft, daß ich zu nichts fähig war. Mein Vater, der mit mir zusammen arbeitete, bemerkte, daß mit mir etwas nicht in Ordnung war, und schickte mich nach Hause. Ich machte mich auf und wollte zum Haus hingehen; als ich aber den Zaun übersteigen wollte, um das Feld zu verlassen, auf dem wir waren, verließen mich die Kräfte vollends, und ich fiel hilflos zu Boden; und eine Zeitlang war ich gänzlich bewußtlos.
49 Das erste, woran ich mich erinnern kann, war eine Stimme, die zu mir sprach und mich beim Namen rief. Ich schaute auf und sah den gleichen Boten über meinem Haupt stehen, von Licht umgeben wie zuvor. Noch einmal wiederholte er alles, was er mir in der vergangenen Nacht gesagt hatte, und gebot mir, zu meinem Vater zu gehen und ihm von der Vision und den Geboten, die ich empfangen hatte, zu berichten.
50 Ich gehorchte; ich ging zu meinem Vater auf das Feld zurück und erzählte ihm alles. Er antwortete mir, es sei von Gott, und sagte mir, ich solle hingehen und tun, was der Bote mir geboten habe. Ich verließ das Feld und ging zu der Stelle, wo nach den Worten des Boten die Platten aufbewahrt waren; und dank der Deutlichkeit der Vision, die ich davon gehabt hatte, erkannte ich die Stelle sofort, als ich dort ankam.
51 Nicht weit von der Ortschaft Manchester, Kreis Ontario, New York, erhebt sich ein Hügel von beträchtlicher Größe und der höchste in der ganzen Umgebung. An der Westseite dieses Hügels, nur wenig unterhalb der Kuppe, lagen die Platten unter einem Stein von beträchtlicher Größe, in einem steinernen Behälter verwahrt. Der Stein war an der Oberseite abgerundet, dick in der Mitte und gegen den Rand hin dünner, so daß der mittlere Teil über dem Erdboden sichtbar war, aber der Rand rundum war in der Erde eingebettet.
52 Nachdem ich die Erde entfernt hatte, suchte ich mir einen Hebel, setzte ihn unter dem Rand des Steines an und hob ihn mit einiger Anstrengung hoch. Ich schaute hinein, und da sah ich tatsächlich die Platten, den bUrim und Tummim sowie den Brustschild, wie der Bote es gesagt hatte. Der Behälter, worin sie lagen, war durch Steine gebildet, die mit einer Art Zement aneinandergefügt worden waren. Auf dem Boden des Behälters waren zwei Steine quer zum Behälter gelegt, und auf diesen Steinen lagen die Platten und mit ihnen die anderen Gegenstände.
53 Ich versuchte, sie herauszunehmen, aber der Bote untersagte es; abermals wurde mir gesagt, daß die Zeit, sie hervorzubringen, noch nicht gekommen sei und bis in vier Jahren, von jenem Tag an, auch nicht kommen werde. Er sagte mir aber, ich solle in genau einem Jahr, von jenem Tag an, wieder an jene Stelle kommen und er werde mich dort treffen und ich solle dies so lange fortsetzen, bis die Zeit gekommen sei, wo ich die Platten erhalten würde.
54 Ich ging daher, wie mir geboten worden war, immer nach Ablauf eines Jahres dorthin, und jedesmal fand ich den gleichen Boten dort vor und empfing von ihm bei jeder Unterredung Anweisungen und Auskunft darüber, was der Herr vorhabe und wie und auf welche Weise sein Reich in den letzten Tagen zu leiten sei.
Joseph Smith heiratet Emma Hale—Er empfängt die Goldplatten von Moroni und übersetzt einige der Schriftzeichen—Martin Harris zeigt die Schriftzeichen und die Übersetzung Professor Anthon, der sagt: „Ich kann ein versiegeltes Buch nicht lesen.“ (Vers 55–65.)
55 Mein Vater lebte in sehr bescheidenen Verhältnissen, und so waren wir genötigt, mit unseren Händen zu arbeiten:Wir verdingten uns im Taglohn oder auf andere Weise, wie sich uns die Gelegenheit bot. Manchmal waren wir daheim und manchmal auswärts und konnten durch ständige Arbeit einen ausreichenden Lebensunterhalt beschaffen.
56 Im Jahr 1823 wurde meines Vaters Familie durch den Tod aAlvins, meines ältesten Bruders, von schwerem Leid betroffen. Im Monat Oktober 1825 verdingte ich mich bei einem alten Herrn namens Josiah Stoal, der im Kreis Chenango, Staat New York, lebte. Er hatte etwas von einer Silbermine gehört, die von den Spaniern in Harmony, Kreis Susquehanna, Staat Pennsylvania, erschlossen worden sei und hatte, ehe ich bei ihm Arbeit annahm, gegraben, um wenn möglich die Mine zu entdecken. Nachdem ich zu ihm gezogen war, ließ er mich mit seinen übrigen Arbeitern nach der Silbermine graben; ich blieb nahezu einen Monat bei dieser Arbeit, ohne daß unser Unternehmen Erfolg hatte, und schließlich konnte ich den alten Herrn dazu bringen, daß er die Grabungen nach ihr einstellte. So entstand die weitverbreitete Fabel, ich sei ein Schatzgräber gewesen.
57 Während der Zeit, da ich auf diese Weise arbeitete, hatte ich einen Kostplatz bei einem Herrn Isaac Hale am gleichen Ort; dort sah ich meine Frau (seine Tochter) Emma Hale zum erstenmal. Am 18. Januar 1827 wurden wir getraut; ich war zu dieser Zeit noch im Dienst des Herrn Stoal.
58 Weil ich immer wieder darauf bestand, daß ich eine Vision gesehen hatte, eilte mir die Verfolgung immer noch nach, und die Familie des Vaters meiner Frau war sehr dagegen, daß wir heirateten. Ich war darum genötigt, mich mit ihr woanders hinzubegeben; also machten wir uns auf und wurden im Haus des Friedensrichters Tarbill in South Bainbridge, Kreis Chenango, New York, getraut. Sogleich nach der Hochzeit verließ ich Herrn Stoal und zog zu meinem Vater, dem ich während jener Jahreszeit bei der Landarbeit half.
59 Endlich kam der Tag, wo ich die Platten, den Urim und Tummim sowie den Brustschild erhalten sollte. Am zweiundzwanzigsten September eintausendachthundertundsiebenundzwanzig—wie gewohnt war ich nach Ablauf eines weiteren Jahres an den Ort gegangen, wo sie aufbewahrt waren—übergab derselbe Himmelsbote sie mir mit der folgenden Ermahnung: Ich solle für sie verantwortlich sein; wenn sie mir unbedacht oder durch irgendeine aNachlässigkeit meinerseits abhanden kommen sollten, würde ich abgeschnitten werden; wenn ich aber alle meine Kräfte dafür einsetzen wolle, sie zu bewahren, bis er, der Bote, sie wieder abhole, würden sie geschützt sein.
60 Bald fand ich heraus, warum ich so strenge Weisung erhalten hatte, sie sicher zu bewahren, und weshalb es so war, daß der Bote gesagt hatte, er werde sie wieder abholen, sobald ich vollbracht hätte, was von meiner Hand gefordert werde. Denn kaum war bekanntgeworden, daß sie sich in meinem Besitz befanden, als auch schon die heftigsten Anstrengungen unternommen wurden, sie mir wegzunehmen. Jede nur erdenkliche List wurde zu diesem Zweck angewandt. Die Verfolgung wurde gehässiger und heftiger als zuvor, und eine Menge Leute waren ständig darauf aus, sie mir wenn möglich wegzunehmen. Aber dank der Weisheit Gottes blieben sie sicher in meiner Hand, bis ich mit ihnen vollbracht hatte, was von meiner Hand gefordert war. Als der Bote, wie vereinbart, sie abholen kam, übergab ich sie ihm, und er hat sie bis zum heutigen Tag, dem zweiten Mai eintausendachthundertundachtunddreißig, in seiner Obhut.
61 Die Erregung hielt jedoch weiter an, und das Gerücht mit seinen tausend Zungen war die ganze Zeit emsig dabei, Unwahrheiten über meines Vaters Familie und über mich in Umlauf zu setzen. Wenn ich auch nur den tausendsten Teil davon erzählen wollte, würde es Bücher füllen. Die Verfolgung wurde aber so unerträglich, daß ich genötigt war, aus Manchester wegzugehen und mich mit meiner Frau in den Kreis Susquehanna im Staate Pennsylvania zu begeben. Während der Vorbereitungen zum Aufbruch—wir waren sehr arm, und die Verfolgung machte uns so schwer zu schaffen, daß wenig Aussicht bestand, daß sich unsere Verhältnisse je bessern würden—fanden wir mitten in unseren Bedrängnissen einen Freund in einem Herrn namens Martin Harris, der zu uns kam und mir als Reisehilfe fünfzig Dollar schenkte. Herr Harris wohnte in der Ortschaft Palmyra, Kreis Wayne im Staate New York; er war ein angesehener Landwirt.
62 Dank dieser Hilfe zur rechten Zeit war ich imstande, meinen Bestimmungsort in Pennsylvania zu erreichen; und sofort nach meiner Ankunft dort begann ich, die Schriftzeichen von den Platten abzuschreiben. Ich kopierte eine beträchtliche Anzahl davon, und mit Hilfe des Urim und Tummim übersetzte ich einige; ich tat dies in der Zeit zwischen meiner Ankunft im Haus des Vaters meiner Frau im Monat Dezember und dem darauffolgenden Februar.
63 In diesem Monat Februar kam irgendwann der vorerwähnte Herr Martin Harris zu unserer Wohnstatt, nahm die Schriftzeichen, die ich von den Platten abgezeichnet hatte, an sich und machte sich damit nach der Stadt New York auf. Was sich dort in bezug auf ihn und die Schriftzeichen ereignete, will ich seinem eigenen Bericht über die Umstände entnehmen, wie er ihn mir bei seiner Rückkehr folgendermaßen darlegte:
64 „Ich ging in die Stadt New York und legte die Schriftzeichen, die übersetzt worden waren, zusammen mit ihrer Übersetzung Professor Charles Anthon vor, einem wegen seiner literarischen Bildung berühmten Mann. Professor Anthon erklärte, die Übersetzung sei richtig, und zwar richtiger als alles, was er bisher an Übersetzungen aus dem Ägyptischen gesehen habe. Dann zeigte ich ihm die noch nicht übersetzten, und er sagte, es seien ägyptische, chaldäische, assyrische und arabische; und er sagte, es seien echte Schriftzeichen. Er gab mir eine Bescheinigung, worin er den Leuten in Palmyra bescheinigte, daß es echte Schriftzeichen seien und daß auch die Übersetzung derer, die bereits übersetzt worden waren, richtig sei. Ich nahm die Bescheinigung und steckte sie in die Tasche und wollte gerade das Haus verlassen, als Herr Anthon mich zurückrief und mich fragte, auf welche Weise denn der junge Mann herausgefunden habe, daß an der Stelle, wo er sie dann gefunden habe, Goldplatten waren. Ich antwortete ihm, daß ein Engel Gottes es ihm offenbart habe.
65 Da sagte er zu mir: ,Lassen Sie mich die Bescheinigung noch einmal sehen.‘ So nahm ich sie aus der Tasche und gab sie ihm; er nahm sie, zerriß sie und sagte, so etwas wie den Dienst von Engeln gebe es nicht mehr, und wenn ich ihm die Platten brächte, werde er sie übersetzen. Ich teilte ihm mit, daß die Platten teilweise versiegelt seien und daß es mir verboten sei, sie zu bringen. Er entgegnete: ,Ein versiegeltes Buch kann ich nicht lesen.‘ Ich ging von ihm weg zu Dr. Mitchell, der das bestätigte, was Professor Anthon hinsichtlich der Schriftzeichen und der Übersetzung gesagt hatte.“

* * * * * *

Oliver Cowdery arbeitet beim Übersetzen des Buches Mormon als Schreiber—Joseph und Oliver empfangen das Aaronische Priestertum von Johannes dem Täufer—Sie werden getauft, ordiniert und empfangen den Geist der Prophezeiung. (Vers 66–75.)

66 Am 5. April 1829 kam Oliver Cowdery in mein Haus; ich hatte ihn nie zuvor gesehen. Er sagte mir, er sei in der Gegend, wo mein Vater wohnte, als Schullehrer tätig gewesen, und da mein Vater zu denen gehörte, die in jene Schule schickten, sei er eine Zeitlang bei ihm im Haus in Kost gewesen; bei dieser Gelegenheit habe ihm die Familie die Umstände erzählt, wie ich die Platten empfangen habe, und so sei er nun gekommen, um sich bei mir darüber zu erkundigen.
67 Zwei Tage nach der Ankunft des Herrn Cowdery (das war am 7. April) begann ich mit der Übersetzung des Buches Mormon, und er fing an, für mich zu schreiben.

* * * * * *

68 Wir waren noch immer mit der Übersetzungsarbeit befaßt, als wir im darauffolgenden Monat (Mai 1829) eines Tages in den Wald gingen, um zu beten und den Herrn wegen der Taufe zur bSündenvergebung zu befragen, die wir bei der Übersetzung der Platten erwähnt gefunden hatten. Während wir damit beschäftigt waren, zu beten und den Herrn anzurufen, kam ein Bote vom Himmel in einer Lichtwolke herab, elegte uns seine Hände auf und fordinierte uns mit den folgenden Worten:
69 "Euch, meinen Mitknechten, übertrage ich im Namen des Messias das Priestertum Aarons, das die Schlüssel des Dienstes von Engeln und die des Evangeliums der Umkehr und die der Taufe durch Untertauchen zur Sündenvergebung innehat; und es wird nie mehr von der Erde genommen werden, bis die Söhne Levi dem Herrn wieder in Rechtschaffenheit ein Opfer opfern."
70 Er sagte, dieses Aaronische Priestertum habe nicht die Macht, zur Gabe des Heiligen Geistes die Hände aufzulegen, aber diese werde uns später noch übertragen werden, und er wies uns an, uns gleich taufen zu lassen, und gab uns den Auftrag, ich solle Oliver Cowdery taufen, und danach solle er mich taufen.
71 Demgemäß unterzogen wir uns gleich der Taufe. Zuerst taufte ich ihn, und anschließend taufte er mich—danach legte ich ihm meine Hände auf den Kopf und ordinierte ihn zum Aaronischen Priestertum, und anschließend legte er mir seine Hände auf und ordinierte mich zum selben Priestertum—, denn so war es uns geboten worden.*
72 Der Bote, der uns aus diesem Anlaß besuchte und uns dieses Priestertum übertrug, sagte, er heiße Johannes, der nämliche, der im Neuen Testament aJohannes der Täufer genannt werde, und er wirke auf Weisung von Petrus, Jakobus und Johannes; diese hätten die eSchlüssel des Priestertums des Melchisedek inne, und dieses Priestertum, so sagte er, werde uns zur bestimmten Zeit übertragen werden; und ich solle der Erste gÄlteste der Kirche genannt werden und er (Oliver Cowdery) der Zweite. Es war am fünfzehnten Mai 1829, daß wir unter der Hand dieses Boten ordiniert wurden und daß wir getauft wurden.
73 Als wir, nachdem wir getauft waren, aus dem Wasser hervorkamen, erlebten wir sogleich große und herrliche Segnungen von unserem himmlischen Vater. Kaum hatte ich Oliver Cowdery getauft, da fiel der aHeilige Geist auf ihn und er stand auf und bprophezeite vieles, was in Kürze geschehen werde. Und ebenso, sogleich, als ich von ihm getauft worden war, hatte auch ich den Geist der Prophezeiung; ich stand auf und prophezeite über die Entstehung dieser Kirche und vieles andere, was mit der Kirche und dieser Generation der Menschenkinder zusammenhing. Wir waren voll des Heiligen Geistes und freuten uns an dem Gott unserer Errettung.
74 Da unser Verstand nun erleuchtet war, begannen die Schriften für unser Verständnis geöffnet zu werden, und die wahre Bedeutung und Absicht ihrer rätselhafteren Stellen auf eine Weise offenbart zu werden, die wir zuvor nie hatten erreichen können, ja, an die wir bisher überhaupt nicht gedacht hatten. Inzwischen waren wir gezwungen, die Tatsache, daß wir das Priestertum empfangen hatten und getauft worden waren, geheimzuhalten, weil sich in der Nachbarschaft schon ein Geist der Verfolgung bemerkbar gemacht hatte.
75 Es wurde uns von Zeit zu Zeit mit Ausschreitungen des Pöbels gedroht, und dies sogar von Glaubensbekennenden. Und ihre Absichten, gegen uns mit Gewalt vorzugehen, wurden (dank göttlicher Vorsehung) nur durch den Einfluß der Familie des Vaters meiner Frau vereitelt, die zu mir sehr freundlich geworden war und die gegen jeden Pöbel war, die mir auch zugestanden wissen wollte, daß ich die Übersetzungsarbeit ohne Unterbrechung fortsetzen könne, weshalb sie uns anerbot und versprach, uns vor jeder ungesetzlichen Handlung zu schützen, soweit das an ihnen lag.

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2009-03-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

JOSEPH SMITH, JR., GREAT PROPHET AND SEER (1805-1844)

Brief Introduction: Joseph Smith, Jr., born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont, came to the world’s attention, when he disclosed to others the answer he received to his boyhood prayer near Manchester, New York in the spring of 1820. (JS-H 1) Certainly every Bible-believer acknowledges praying in faith is encouraged in Holy Writ, presumably to get an answer. (James 1:5-8; Matt. 5:44; 21:13,22; Col. 4:2; 3 Ne. 18:18-21; Moro. 10:4-5; D&C 105:19,23) Important knowledge directly from God is precisely what Joseph Smith maintained he received in answer to his earnest prayer, even the appearance of God The Father and The Son. Yet, many of Joseph’s detractors and persecutors disallow that possibility, while at the same time claiming they have received answers to their own prayers, such as receiving “calls” to be ministers of the gospel, or even, paradoxically, answers from God that Joseph was not a prophet. And finally, only days before his martyrdom on June 27, 1844, wicked conspirators charged Joseph Smith, the first to be so charged, with the highly unusual crime of “treason against the State of Illinois,” immediately after he was acquitted of the charge of "riot." In truth, Joseph was actually only defending his people against lawless mobs, as Mayor of Nauvoo. Joseph's legal and moral authority on the City Council, regarding the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor newspaper, was ignored and distorted as a pretext to deny him the usual option of posting bail, taking him into custody, and exposing him to physical attack by his enemies. (Church News, Jan. 24, 2009, p. 15) The same conspirators finally murdered him and his brother Hyrum while they awaited trial on this false charge, as he and others sat in the Carthage, Illinois jail, exactly as their ancestors falsely accused and killed the prophets in ages past. (D&C 135)

Need for a Living Prophet: Carnal men and women inclined to be their own gods love the dead prophets, because once their mouths are closed by death, their words can be interpreted, re-interpreted, and twisted without objection. (Luke 3:8; John 8:39; 2 Pet. 1:21) But while they lived, the prophets could explain and defend what they meant. For that exact reason, a new restoration of the Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith was necessary, so that people today do not need to rely on past dispensations tainted by apostasy and errors. Regrettably, no true prophet of God while he lived in the flesh has been popular, nor generally recognized for who he really was. Jesus said, “No prophet is acceptable in his own country.” (Luke 4:24; John 4:44) Still, rejection of Joseph Smith by his enemies is viewed by some as proof that he was not called of God, and was not the first genuine prophet of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times “…to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth….” (Eph. 1:10; D&C 27:13; 110:12-16; 112:30-32; 128:9) Certainly, Joseph Smith covered a broad range of doctrines and practices, from Old Testament times to New Testament times, to modern times. He set about to gather the lost remnants of Israel “from the four corners of the earth,” preaching the gospel of Christ generally (3 Ne. 27:13-22; D&C 4; 6; 84:77+), and sending Apostle Orson Hyde to dedicate the land of Israel on October 24, 1841 for the return of the Jews. (Hist. of the Church 4:456-459; D&C 124:3,128; Isa. 11:12; 2 Ne. 21:12) Joseph also was a conduit for the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. (D&C 13; 20; 107-110) And he began building temples, places to restore and administer the covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and with others of our ancient forefathers. (D&C 57:3; 58:57; 84:4-31; 88:119; 97:15-17; 105:33;109; 110:7; 124:25-55)

Polygamy and the Fullness of Times: Part of the restoration of all things to fulfill prophecy (Acts 3:19-21), and among the most controversial, was the temporary practice of plural marriage, or polygamy. (D&C 132) That short-lived practice certainly did serve, and yet serves as a great test of faith to all who hear of it, which is exactly what the Lord intended. (Abr. 3:24-26; Jacob 2:25-32; Gen. 16:1-5) Regarding polygamy, many men and women around the world have been tested, both to their salvation or condemnation, and many have been, and are still being “snared and taken.” (Isa. 8:15; 28:13; 2 Tim. 2:26; D&C 56:4-6; 58:32; 1890 Official Declaration-1) In the last analysis, some men and women live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and some do not. (D&C 84:44; Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4) Some have even used Joseph’s words to support their disobedience to his other words and those of his duly called successors, resulting in confusion and contradictory thinking. (Official Declaration-1) It certainly was no overstatement when the angel told Joseph Smith in 1823, your “name shall be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues.” (JS-H 1:33) It is not an overstatement to say that Joseph Smith still remains one of the most discussed and controversial figures of all time. All told, Joseph Smith, Jr. did have, and yet has, both loyal supporters and bitter enemies. What he or she thinks of Joseph Smith is the main problem everyone has with accepting the church he organized as the one Jesus (Yeshua) willed to be established on April 6, 1830, whereby six members became the first Church of Christ in the United States of America. (D&C 20:1; 21; 22) The name was changed to The Church of Latter Day Saints on May 3, 1834, and to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 23, 1838, the result of a direct revelation. After Joseph’s death, some members broke off from the main body led by Brigham Young, and took other names for their churches. (D&C 115:4; Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, p. xvi)

Prophets Persecuted: Examples of early persecuted and martyred prophets are Apostles Peter and Paul, as recorded in the New Testament. (Acts 5:19-23; 16:23-33; 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:23-25) John the Baptist also was imprisoned and beheaded. (Matt. 14:8; Mark 6:25) Jeremiah the Prophet was cast into a dungeon at the king’s command. (Jer. 32:2; 33:1; 37; 38; 1 Ne. 7:14) Why? For telling the truth about the spiritual and political depravity of the Kingdom of Judah immediately prior to the Babylonian destruction and captivity. Elijah the Prophet went into hiding, was fed by ravens, being such a godly man that he never tasted death. (1 Kg. 17; 18) Daniel was cast into a lions den, his enemies bent on his destruction. (Dan. 6:16-24) Every true prophet had unbelieving and unsympathetic contemporaries harassing him, and taking him before officers of the law, intent on killing him. Jesus himself, in whom Christians agree was no sin, was many times persecuted by contemporaries, hauled before government authorities, his message of salvation rejected, and finally falsely judged and sentenced to death by crucifixion. (Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19; Acts 5:29-33; 1 Ne. 19:9-10) Like Jesus with Judas Iscariot, much of the persecution of the Prophet Joseph Smith came from formerly close associates, who turned on their greatest benefactor, and sought his death. (Matt. 26:14-16) Jesus indicted his persecutors thusly: “…ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them….” They were “…laying in wait for him, seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might accuse him” before a court. (Luke 11:37-51; 1 Ne. 19:10) They even may have thrown in his face the circumstance of His birth by saying, “We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, God.” (John 8:41) The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ reveals still other examples of persecuted prophets. Yet, for all the persecution and death there is no evidence that the God who called and sent them was ever disloyal to His servants, the prophets. No man can destroy a prophet’s appointment, but can only cut the thread which binds him to the prophet and to God, and sink himself to hell. (See: Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, p.317)

Joseph Smith Persecuted: As mentioned, Joseph Smith, Jr. suffered continual persecutions, much coming from formerly close associates. He was a participant in more than two hundred-twenty court cases within a span of eighteen years (1826-1844), amounting to about one case a month on average, either as a defendant, a plaintiff, or as a judge when he was Mayor of Nauvoo. (Church News, Jan. 24, 2009, pp. 14-15) He was charged in approximately fifty criminal cases, but was never convicted of any crime, for like Jesus, “their witnesses agreed not together.” (Mark 14:56-59) Most of what now passes as evidence against Joseph Smith, Jr. was simply made up, fabricated by “A,” who was then quoted by “B,” “C” then quoted “A” and “B” as his authority, and so on. Hugh Nibley, a great Mormon scholar, details such a trail of evidence in his book, Tinkling Cymbals and Sounding Brass: The Art of Telling Tales about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young (1 Cor. 13:1) Church President David O. McKay, in a letter addressed to Hugh Nibley, denounced Faune M. Brodie, McKay’s niece, for having “a super inflated ego” leading her to tell lies about Joseph Smith in No Man Knows My History. (Pres. McKay’s letter is in the BYU Library Special Collections) Nibley responded to Brodie’s book with his book, No Ma’am, That’s Not History. Joseph Smith’s persecution began in 1820 with his First Vision near Palmyra, New York. Therein the devil tried to suffocated him (JS-H 1:15), and Joseph’s mortal life finally ended on June 27, 1844 in the Carthage, Illinois jail, when a mob with blackened faces stormed the jail he was in, and gunned down him and his older brother Hyrum in cold blood. (D&C 135)

Joseph Smith’s History: Born just seven years after George Washington left office as the first President of the United States, the life of Joseph Smith, Jr. was one of helping his family to survive in American wilderness conditions as farmers and laborers, leading him soon thereafter to distinction and greatness . The Smith boys were uncommonly physically strong, which served Joseph well under great physical and mental stress. Joseph stated that his older brother Alvin was the strongest man he ever knew. The Smith household was also one of devout Bible-believers and home schooled children. Some families of that day received instruction from traveling school teachers, such as Oliver Cowdery, not atypical of other families of that time. Even Joseph's father had taught school at one time. Interestingly, George Washington also was home schooled, most of his instruction coming from his father and two older brothers. (The Making of George Washington by William H. Wilbur)

Joseph Smith, Jr. eloped and married Emma Hale, daughter of Isaac Hale, on January 18, 1827 at the age of twenty-two. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, p. xv) They became parents of eleven children, less than half of which lived to adulthood. Some of those deaths were due to persecution the family received, and two stepchildren died as a direct result of exposure caused by mob persecution. Today, Joseph has only about 600 known direct descendents, while his brother Hyrum has over 15,000. (Church News article, circa 2002)

From Spring of 1820, to September, 1827 when Joseph received the gold plates upon which was written a history of the former, fallen inhabitants on the American continents, persecution against him and his close family members was ever-present, but it picked up to an intense pitch as he was translating the Book of Mormon. (D&C 3; 10) He was mocked, called “ole Joe Smith,” and reviled by ill-disposed people wherever he went, based on gossip and false stories circulating among those inclined to believe such. The persecution became worse after the Church of Christ was organized with only six members on April 6, 1830. Still, the Church grew as Joseph sent out missionaries without purse or scrip to spread the message of salvation, and to offer people the “new and everlasting covenant,” meaning revealed anew and everlasting with God. (D&C 1:15; 22:1: 76:69: 84:33-41; 88:133) As of today, the Church has nearly 14 million members worldwide, with about 7 million in the United State of America, and with almost 150 temples.

Joseph Smith’s Accomplishments: Joseph Smith was only 38 years old when he died as a martyr. Most of his work was done between 1827 and 1844, a period of 17 years. During that time span, he received 135 revelations from God recorded in Doctrine and Covenants, plus others. He also translated with ancient seer stones The Book of Mormon, intended to convince Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ, written upon gold plates in Reformed Egyptian characters. (Morm. 9:32) Joseph also translated ancient papyrus scrolls containing the Book of Abraham and another book from scrolls found in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and brought to New York; made important corrections and clarifications in the King James Version of the Bible, called the Joseph Smith Translation or Inspired Version; directed and helped to build two temples in which revelations from God could be received and the covenants of the Lord restored and administered; received visitations from Jesus Christ, Elijah, Elias, Moses, Peter, James, and John, John the Baptist, and other resurrected beings; fully organized the Church with apostles, prophets, seventies, and patriarchs, and called and instructed other quorums and officers in the organization of the Church; directed and led thousands of members of the Church from place to place; founded three cities; sent out dozens of missionaries, even to foreign lands such as England, Wales, Scotland, Germany, Canada, Scandinavia, and to Pacific islands, such as Tahiti and Hawaii; had a family of eleven children by his wife Emma; worked harder than any slave; won the confidence of good and capable men and women whose loyalty and praise persisted long after he was gone. In short, he lived by the simple moto, “If the Lord commands it, do it.” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith) And even though Joseph Smith died penniless and in debt, his supporters and friends believe Joseph was the Great Seer foretold in scripture, having the love and courage of several men. (D&C 135; Building Faith with the Book of Mormon by Glenn L. Pearson and Reid E. Bankhead, pp. 51-52) In spite of his great personal sacrifice, his detractors still insist he did it all for material gain, and spent his time committing crimes, such as stealing horses and defrauding people, none of which is based on a shred of truth. Joseph Smith, Jr. would need to have lived at least a century to have committed all the misdeeds of which he is accused. Yet he was only 38 years old at his death. In short, the many anti-Joseph writings are baseless fabrications or gross exaggerations, and wise and good people know that.

How to Know Joseph Smith was a prophet: In the first place, the surest test of Joseph Smith’s genuineness as a prophet of God is the Book of Mormon. (Building Faith with the Book of Mormon by Glenn L. Peason, et al) In the front of the Book of Mormon is recorded the "Testimony of Three Witnesses" and the "Testimony of Eight Witnesses." The first three witnesses subscribed their names to the fact that they personally beheld an angel of God holding the gold plates Joseph Smith had translated, and they testified that the angel declared to them that the translation (into the English language) was correct. The eight witnesses saw and handled the gold plates Joseph was translating, and subscribed their names to that fact. Regrettably, some of the witnesses became disaffected from the church Joseph Smith organized, but none ever denied what he saw and heard. All three of the Three Witnesses became disaffected, but none denied what he had sworn to regarding the angel and the plates. After many years, both Martin Harris, whose mortgaged farm financed the printing of the Book of Mormon, and Oliver Cowdery rejoined the main body of saints. Right up to the time of his death, Martin Harris bore strong, compelling public and private witnesses to the truth of the Book of Mormon. Oliver Cowdery died from ill health shortly after rejoining, and could not travel to the West. David Whitmer, the third witness, never returned to the church, but also never denied that he saw the plates and the angel, even when strenuously questioned by skeptical newspaper reporters regarding the matter. A descendent of Martin Harris explained that the angel had told the witnesses they would be destroyed if they ever denied what they saw. (D&C 5:27; J. Steele of Salt Lake City)

In the second place, the Book of Mormon, was so compiled by the Lord as Editor, and brought forth in such a way that the reader must seek a spiritual witness from God to know it is authentic. Chapter 10 of Moroni in the Book of Mormon states that an individual must sincerely investigate the Book, have faith in Christ, and ask in prayer to know if it is true. This is not the way of the carnal, rational mind, but then, a witness from God is worth more than any other. (D&C 6:23-24) Either Joseph obtained and translated the Book from gold plates, which contained an account of the works of God among former inhabitants of the American continents, using ancient seer stones, out of the Reformed Egyptian language, and an angel of God testified of its truth, or he did not. If any element of his account is false, then Joseph is not a genuine prophet. If, however, every element of his account is true, then he and the church he organized are true, and his successor prophets are also genuine. (Book of Mormon Key to Conversion by Glenn L. Pearson)

Please allow Joseph Smith, Jr. to tell in his own words events as they transpired, as recorded in Pearl of Great Price, a companion book to Doctrine and Covenants. And see more about The Church and its doctrines at www.lds.org and companion web sites hereto, www.globalsnoop.com/page5.html and http://www.josephsmith.com/.

JOSEPH SMITH—HISTORY
EXTRACTS FROM THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET by Joseph Smith, Jr. (History of the Church, Vol. 1, Chapters 1-5)

1 Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts, as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession.
2 In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year since the organization of the said Church.
3 I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, State of Vermont . . . My father, Joseph Smith, Sen., left the State of Vermont, and moved to Palmyra, Ontario (now Wayne) county, in the State of New York, when I was in my tenth year, or thereabouts. In about four years after my father’s arrival in Palmyra, he moved with his family into Manchester in the same county of Ontario—
4 His family consisting of eleven souls, namely, my father, Joseph Smith; my mother, Lucy Smith (whose name, previous to her marriage, was Mack, daughter of Solomon Mack); my brothers, Alvin (who died November 19th, 1823, in the 26th year of his age), cHyrum, myself, Samuel Harrison, William, Don Carlos; and my sisters, Sophronia, Catherine, and Lucy.
5 Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, “Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!” Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.
6 For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.
7 I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father’s family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.
8 During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and astrife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was bright and who was wrong.
9 My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others.
10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be aright, which is it, and how shall I know it?
11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.
13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.
14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.
15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?
Some preachers and other professors of religion reject account of First Vision—Persecution heaped upon Joseph Smith—He testifies of the reality of the vision. (Verses 21-26.)
21 Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.
22 I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.
23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.
24 However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.
26 I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned—that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. I had found the testimony of James to be true—that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided.
Moroni appears to Joseph Smith—Joseph’s name is to be known for good and evil among all nations—Moroni tells him of the Book of Mormon and of the coming judgments of the Lord, and quotes many scriptures—The hiding place of the gold plates is revealed—Moroni continues to instruct the Prophet. (Verses 27-54.)
27 I continued to pursue my common vocations in life until the twenty-first of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, all the time suffering severe persecution at the hands of all classes of men, both religious and irreligious, because I continued to affirm that I had seen a vision.
28 During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been. But this will not seem very strange to any one who recollects my youth, and is acquainted with my native cheery temperament.
29 In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.
30 While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a alight appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.
31 He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.
32 Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me.
33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.
34 He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;
35 Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.
36 After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus:
37 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
38 And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
39 He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.
40 In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when “they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,” but soon would come.
41 He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here.
42 Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it.
43 After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance.
44 I lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marveling greatly at what had been told to me by this extraordinary messenger; when, in the midst of my meditation, I suddenly discovered that my room was again beginning to get lighted, and in an instant, as it were, the same heavenly messenger was again by my bedside.
45 He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation; which having done, he informed me of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence; and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before.
46 By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard. But what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again to me the same things as before; and added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.
47 After this third visit, he again ascended into heaven as before, and I was again left to ponder on the strangeness of what I had just experienced; when almost immediately after the heavenly messenger had ascended from me for the third time, the cock crowed, and I found that day was approaching, so that our interviews must have occupied the whole of that night.
48 I shortly after arose from my bed, and, as usual, went to the necessary labors of the day; but, in attempting to work as at other times, I found my strength so exhausted as to render me entirely unable. My father, who was laboring along with me, discovered something to be wrong with me, and told me to go home. I started with the intention of going to the house; but, in attempting to cross the fence out of the field where we were, my strength entirely failed me, and I fell helpless on the ground, and for a time was quite unconscious of anything.
49 The first thing that I can recollect was a voice speaking unto me, calling me by name. I looked up, and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by light as before. He then again related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and commandments which I had received.
50 I obeyed; I returned to my father in the field, and rehearsed the whole matter to him. He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger. I left the field, and went to the place where the messenger had told me the plates were deposited; and owing to the distinctness of the vision which I had had concerning it, I knew the place the instant that I arrived there.
51 Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario county, New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighborhood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, but the edge all around was covered with earth.
52 Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up. I looked in, and there indeed did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate, as stated by the messenger. The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones together in some kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones crossways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the other things with them.
53 I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would it, until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates.
54 Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days.
Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale—He receives the gold plates from Moroni and translates some of the characters—Martin Harris shows characters and translation to Professor Anthon, who says: “I cannot read a sealed book.” (Verses 55-65.)
55 As my father’s worldly circumstances were very limited, we were under the necessity of laboring with our hands, hiring out by day’s work and otherwise, as we could get opportunity. Sometimes we were at home, and sometimes abroad, and by continuous labor were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance.
56 In the year 1823 my father’s family met with a great affliction by the death of my eldest brother, Alvin. In the month of October, 1825, I hired with an old gentleman by the name of Josiah Stoal, who lived in Chenango county, State of New York. He had heard something of a silver mine having been opened by the Spaniards in Harmony, Susquehanna county, State of Pennsylvania; and had, previous to my hiring to him, been digging, in order, if possible, to discover the mine. After I went to live with him, he took me, with the rest of his hands, to dig for the silver mine, at which I continued to work for nearly a month, without success in our undertaking, and finally I prevailed with the old gentleman to cease digging after it. Hence arose the very prevalent story of my having been a money-digger.
57 During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal.
58 Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife’s father’s family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere; so we went and were married at the house of Squire Tarbill, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal’s, and went to my father’s, and farmed with him that season.
59 At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the twenty-second day of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected.
60 I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to aget them from me. Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this bday, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
61 The excitement, however, still continued, and rumor with her thousand tongues was all the time employed in circulating falsehoods about my father’s family, and about myself. If I were to relate a thousandth part of them, it would fill up volumes. The persecution, however, became so intolerable that I was under the necessity of leaving Manchester, and going with my wife to Susquehanna county, in the State of Pennsylvania. While preparing to start—being very poor, and the persecution so heavy upon us that there was no probability that we would ever be otherwise—in the midst of our afflictions we found a friend in a gentleman by the name of Martin Harris, who came to us and gave me fifty dollars to assist us on our journey. Mr. Harris was a resident of Palmyra township, Wayne county, in the State of New York, and a farmer of respectability.
62 By this timely aid was I enabled to reach the place of my destination in Pennsylvania; and immediately after my arrival there I commenced copying the characters off the plates. I copied a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife’s father, in the month of December, and the February following.
63 Sometime in this month of February, the aforementioned Mr. Martin Harris came to our place, got the characters which I had drawn off the plates, and started with them to the city of New York. For what took place relative to him and the characters, I refer to his own account of the circumstances, as he related them to me after his return, which was as follows:
64 “I went to the city of New York, and presented the characters which had been translated, with the translation thereof, to Professor Charles Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from the Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated, and he said that they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac, and Arabic; and he said they were true characters. He gave me a certificate, certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were true characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him.
65 “He then said to me, ‘Let me see that certificate.’ I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, ‘I cannot read a sealed book.’ I left him and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the translation.”

* * * * * *

Oliver Cowdery serves as scribe in translating the Book of Mormon—Joseph and Oliver receive the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist—They are baptized, ordained, and receive the spirit of prophecy. (Verses 66-75.)
66 On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. He stated to me that having been teaching school in the neighborhood where my father resided, and my father being one of those who sent to the school, he went to board for a season at his house, and while there the family related to him the circumstances of my having received the plates, and accordingly he had come to make inquiries of me.
67 Two days after the arrival of Mr. Cowdery (being the 7th of April) I commenced to translate the Book of Mormon, and he began to write for me.

* * * * * *

68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:
69 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
70 He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.
71 Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded.*
72 The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.
73 Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation.
74 Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of having received the Priesthood and our having been baptized, owing to a spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the neighborhood.
75 We had been threatened with being mobbed, from time to time, and this, too, by professors of religion. And their intentions of mobbing us were only counteracted by the influence of my wife’s father’s family (under Divine providence), who had become very friendly to me, and who were opposed to mobs, and were willing that I should be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption; and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful proceedings, as far as in them lay.

JOSEPH SMITH—HISTORY Footnote:

*Oliver Cowdery describes these events thus: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’
“To notice, in even few words, the interesting account given by Mormon and his faithful son, Moroni, of a people once beloved and favored of heaven, would supersede my present design; I shall therefore defer this to a future period, and, as I said in the introduction, pass more directly to some few incidents immediately connected with the rise of this Church, which may be entertaining to some thousands who have stepped forward, amid the frowns of bigots and the calumny of hypocrites, and embraced the Gospel of Christ.
“No men, in their sober senses, could translate and write the directions given to the Nephites from the mouth of the Savior, of the precise manner in which men should build up His Church, and especially when corruption had spread an uncertainty over all forms and systems practiced among men, without desiring a privilege of showing the willingness of the heart by being buried in the liquid grave, to answer a ‘good conscience by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.’
“After writing the account given of the Savior’s ministry to the remnant of the seed of Jacob, upon this continent, it was easy to be seen, as the prophet said it would be, that darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people. On reflecting further it was as easy to be seen that amid the great strife and noise concerning religion, none had authority from God to administer the ordinances of the Gospel. For the question might be asked, have men authority to administer in the name of Christ, who deny revelations, when His testimony is no less than the spirit of prophecy, and His religion based, built, and sustained by immediate revelations, in all ages of the world when He has had a people on earth? If these facts were buried, and carefully concealed by men whose craft would have been in danger if once permitted to shine in the faces of men, they were no longer to us; and we only waited for the commandment to be given ‘Arise and be baptized.’
“This was not long desired before it was realized. The Lord, who is rich in mercy, and ever willing to answer the consistent prayer of the humble, after we had called upon Him in a fervent manner, aside from the abodes of men, condescended to manifest to us His will. On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the Gospel of repentance. What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the world was racked and distracted—while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard, as in the ‘blaze of day’; yes, more—above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, ‘I am thy fellow-servant,’ dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! ’Twas the voice of an angel from glory, ’twas a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls, and we were wrapped in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever!
“But, dear brother, think, further think for a moment, what joy filled our hearts, and with what surprise we must have bowed, (for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing?) when we received under his hand the Holy Priesthood as he said, ‘Upon you my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon earth, that the Sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness!’
“I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart, nor the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion; but you will believe me when I say, that earth, nor men, with the eloquence of time, cannot begin to clothe language in as interesting and sublime a manner as this holy personage. No; nor has this earth power to give the joy, to bestow the peace, or comprehend the wisdom which was contained in each sentence as they were delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit! Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind. The assurance that we were in the presence of an angel, the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus, and the truth unsullied as it flowed from a pure personage, dictated by the will of God, is to me past description, and I shall ever look upon this expression of the Savior’s goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while I am permitted to tarry; and in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease.”—Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1 (October 1834), pp. 14—16.

THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS by Joseph Smith, Jr.
(History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541)

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We 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.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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FOUR CORRUPT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

2008-02-26T21:46:00.000-08:00

John McCain wants badly to be President of the United States, when he should let the office go to a better man. But with him it is naked ambition, a lust to be popular in the eyes of a crooked and perverse generation. To that end, he has become corrupted, whatever his prior claim to integrity, honor, or hero status. To get revenge on other candidates having money during the 2004 election cycle, using his Senate power, he promoted a campaign finance law called "McCain-Feingold," intending to cut off their money. He intended to disadvantage his competitors, even if it violated the First Amendment, which it does. Thereby her spurned the very Constitution he had sworn to uphold, and will swear to uphold again, if he becomes President. Either he doesn't understand his present oath, it doesn't mean anything to him, or he doesn't understand the Constitution. Promising to cut government spending, he forthwith voted for the economic stimulus package. This is only the beginning of McCain's catalog of corruption. There actually seems to be little connection between what McCain says and what he does. In truth, John McCain is simply a damned liar.

Glenn L. Pearson once said that the more someone wants a political office, the more the people should oppose his getting it. That is because such a candidate will compromise his principles to get authority over the people. That’s the case with John McCain. So, it is not an overstatement to refer to him as a "political whore."

Furthermore, John McCain and Mike Huckabee conspired with each other to subvert the will of voters in Florida and West Virginia during the 2008 primary elections. McCain flatly lied about Mitt Romney’s position on the War in Iraq to gain the advantage over him, and traded delegates to weight the vote against Romney. Then McCain later pretended to be offended when a New York Times article accused him of an improper relationship with a lobbyist, Ms. Iseman. He claimed it violates his non-existent honor. Don’t forget, John McCain wants badly to be President, and is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to obtain that office.

On the Democrat side is the demonstrably corrupt, authoritarian Hillary Clinton. She and her lying husband, Bill, are famous for perversions and falsehoods. She claimed to be named after Sir Edmund Hillary, when he wasn’t even famous when she was born. Then there were the hundreds of stolen FBI files, her Whitewater dealings, Billy Dale and the White House Travel Office, her false cattle futures trades, her cover-ups of her husband’s whoredoms, and no end of other crooked enterprises with her fingerprints all over them.

Then comes Barak Hussein Obama. He is apparently likeable, but still a true Leftist. That means "Marxist" in plain terms. He seems to follow in the footsteps of the black Marxists in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and other countries in Africa, who have brought their countries’ economies to the brink of utter destruction. And he has yet to state any intention of following the United States Constitution, but professes an affinity to the ideals of Socialism to cure the problems he believes he sees in American society.

Americans should go to extra far ends to oppose and defeat all of these candidates, and select and uphold a honest, wise, and capable man for President of the United States, even if they must beg the man to fill the office. The alternative is too sobering to allow it to takes its course unhindered.

See www.globalsnoop.com

2008-02-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

FAMOUS QUOTE:
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence,
and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path
that leads to it." ---Joseph Smith, Jr.

Scroll down for selection:

5. WHAT IS CHARITY?
4. ONLY ONE GOSPEL, AND "MORMONS" TEACH IT
3. QUESTION: Do "Mormons" believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?
2. Mormon Accomplishments, The Many Good Things About "Mormonism."
1. BOOK OF MORMON Baseball Game

5.
WHAT IS CHARITY?
(1 Corinthians 13:1+; Moroni 7:37-48; Alma 7:23-24;
Matt.23:23-39; Luke 11:34-54)
Looking at a faith continuum of faith, hope, and charity, to arrive at the last, one must first muster up a hope, or "plant a seed," that there is a hope for fallen Man through a Redeemer. (Alma 32:26-43) That hope leads to faith in Christ, which leads to a real hope in Christ, which leads to charity, or the love of Christ. Charity is the most typical quality God possesses, so if anyone possess all His other qualities and characteristics, and lacks charity it is as though he is only a "show disciple," an empty shell, or "a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal." (1 Cor.13:1) God and Christ never cease to have charity, whether they destroy the wicked, or bless the righteous. Charity is the "pure love of Christ" (Moro.7:47), having the long-term welfare of an individual in mind. To have charity, a man or woman must first be "meek and lowly of heart" (Moro.7:42, 43), meaning teachable, or ruled by God.
Charity is a consolidation of several godly qualities, as the scriptures above list:

[Charity] suffereth long—endures injury, hurt, or provocation long and patiently, not quick to judge or punish.
Is kind—considerate, merciful, helpful, and gracious, serves others.
Envieth not—does not covet or begrudge others of what they have.
Is not puffed up—is not vain, proud, arrogant, nor haughty.
Seeketh not her own—is not selfish, not self-aggrandizing, not intrusive, not self-imposing.
Vaunteth not itself—is not brazen, does not utter empty words, does not brag.
Does not behave unseemly—acts appropriately, prudent, does not offend the Spirit of the Lord, does not violate the laws of God, "wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove."
Not easily provoked—exhibits self-control, self-mastery, not volatile or pugnacious.
Thinketh no evil—does not devise lies, is not malicious or deceitful.
Rejoiceth not in iniquity—does not tolerate sin, rejects evil in all its forms, is intelligent. (D&C 93:36,37)
Rejoiceth in truth—loves the Spirit of Truth, the Savior; loves plain facts and accuracy.
Beareth all things—does not complain or murmur because of trials, hardships, tribulations, and inconveniences.
Believeth all things—has an open mind for Truth, is meek or teachable, especially when it comes to believing God.
Hopeth all things—is optimistic, forward-looking, especially regarding the Lord’s promises of salvation through His gospel.
Endureth all things—endures to the end of mortality (in faith in Christ and repentance), steady, unwavering, has staying power, does not give up, determined to serve God at all costs.

4.
ONLY ONE GOSPEL, AND "MORMONS" TEACH IT
(Approximately 1 1/2 typewritten pages)
The Bible contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but the elements of the gospel in the Bible are so dispersed that few recognize them for what they really are. (Matt.4:23; Acts.20:24; 2 Tim.1:8-11; D&C 10:45-46) The Book of Mormon published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and some others) also contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (3 Ne.11:31-41; 27:13-22; D&C 18:4-5; 20:9; 27:5; 39:5-6; 42:12; 76:4-42; 88:17-22) One purpose of the Book of Mormon is to restore to men a clear knowledge of the gospel, as well as to act as another witness for Christ. In both Books, the gospel is referred to by a multitude of names, all meaning the exact same thing, some of which are glad tidings of great joy, redemption, redemption through his blood, salvation, knowledge of salvation, your consolation and salvation, escape…great salvation, great joy and salvation, gospel of baptism, gospel of repentance, law of Christ, doctrine of Christ, plan of salvation, plan of redemption, "our report" (Is.53:1; Rom.10:15-16), plan of happiness, covenant, new covenant, new and everlasting covenant, and even the "good news," taken from root word meanings.
Now, if the plan of redemption is the glad tidings, or "good news," what is the "bad news"? Obviously it is "good" to be absolved of guilt and receive mercy and a remission of sins through Christ or Messiah, and it is "bad" to suffer God’s indignant wrath, or justice. Men and women must depend upon the grace, merits, righteousness, and mercy of Christ for sanctification and salvation, and not their own "good works." (Jn.1:17; Acts 15:11; Rom.3:23-25; 2 Ne.2:8; 25:23; 31:19) Again, it is good news to have a plan of complete escape from the fall of Adam and the judgments God pours out upon fallen men for breaking divine commandments, and it is bad news to be punished for those broken laws.
In a capsule, the gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses the fall of Adam** and the coming of Christ to compensate for (1) spiritual death, or separation, from God and (2) physical death, or the grave, both resulting from the fall of Adam. (1 Cor.15:22; Mos.3:19; Alma 22:13; Mor.9:11-14) The points comprising His gospel are these:

1. The Fall of man and his double predicament, "bad news." (1 Cor.15:22; Mosiah 3:19)
2. The Eternal Judgment of all men, "bad news." (Morm.3:20)
3. The Atonement or propitiation of Christ, "good news." (Rom.3:3:25; 1 Jn.2:2; 4:10; Morm.2:12)
4. The universal Resurrection, "good news." (1 Cor.15:12-42; Jn.11:25; 2 Ne.9:6-22; Mos.15:20-26; Alma 40:1-21)
5. The need for Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Gal.3:2-26; Heb.11:1-39; Ether 12:3-37; Moro.7:1-44)
6. The need for Repentance, including a broken heart and contrite spirit and a rebirth of the Spirit. (Matt.12:29,32; Rev.2:5-22; 1 Sam.15:29, 35; Alma 42:4-31; Hel.13:2-39; Moro.8:8-28)
7. The need for Baptism by immersion in water by an authorized agent for the remission of sins and to enter into a covenant with God. (Matt.20:22-23; Mark 1:4; Acts 19:3-4; Rom.6:4; Eph.4:5; Col.2:12; 2 Ne.3:13-17; 3 Ne.11:22-28; Moro.6:1-4; 8:25)
8. The laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost by an authorized agent. (Acts 8:15-19; Heb.6:2; Luke 1:67; Acts 1:2-16; 10:38-47; 13:2-9,52; D&C 20:41,69,73; 1 Ne.10:11-22; 2 Ne.31:8-21; 3 Ne.11:25-36; 18:36-37; 19:9-22)
9. The necessity of Enduring to the End in Faith in Christ and continued Repentance from sin, until the death of the mortal body. (Matt.24:13; Mark 13:13; James 5:11; 1 Ne.13:37; 2 Ne.9:24; 2 Ne.31:16,20; 33:9; 3 Ne.27:13-22)

The gospel is not all the teachings of the Messiah. There are others, such as those He gave in His Great Sermon, the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and in 3 Nephi 12-14, to members of His church to direct their daily lives. The gospel is only that portion of His teachings sufficient to overcome the effects of the fall on man, that is, cause the Savior to "answer the ends of the law" (Rom.10:4; 2 Ne.2:7) for individuals, and bring them back into the presence of God to enjoy eternal life, or the life of the Great Eternal God. The other teachings co-ordinate with and instruct fallen mortals how to live as Christ does, as well as how to "go on unto perfection" (Heb.6:1-3) or partake of the "meat" of His teachings, in addition to the "milk," and are part of enduring to the end of mortal life. (1 Cor.3:2; Heb.5:12-13; 1 Pet.2:2; D&C 19:22) Some teachings involve the temple, central to the life of the man or woman in Christ. (See references to the temple in the Old and New Testaments and elsewhere.)

**Note: The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were well aware of the fallen nature of man, and constituted a temporal government to accommodate it.

3.
QUESTION: Do "Mormons" believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?
(approximately 5 typewritten pages)
A: Being middle-aged and familiar with doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or "Mormons," I must confess I have never heard the above exact idea taught in any latter-day saint meeting. That leads me to conclude that it is at best an extrapolation, or a conclusion Protestants, and maybe Catholics, draw from other ideas latter-day saints espouse. It seems to be accentuated and spread by people, even by some church ministers having a facile familiarity with, but woefully lacking in an in-depth comprehension of the Bible. Those people seem to experience exhilaration in latching onto one idea so preposterous in their minds that it easily impeaches all of "Mormonism" in one easy stroke. So, let’s look at Bible teachings on the subject. And I add that those who actually study the Bible tend to have a high degree of agreement on what it means. Mormons are no exception, understanding the Bible as well, or even better than their critics. We will proceed upon the presumption the Scriptures are true, in full agreement with the best Bible scholar in England of his day, Isaac Newton. We will seek to understand as he did what God meant when He revealed His words, not whether they are true. And, presumably, a long answer is best for those not particularly familiar with some Bible teachings.

Certainly in the Old Testament (Old Covenant), one example of sibling rivalry from birth is Jacob and Esau, wherein the older twin, Esau, had fully decided to end Jacob’s life over Jacob’s inspired guile to obtain the patriarchal birthright from the older, in exchange for "bread and pottage of lentils." (Gen.25:33) The birthright, of course, was the right to priesthood power, the right of presidency, or leadership, in spiritual matters, which Esau did not value sufficiently, he being a man of the world, a hunter, and an athlete. Additionally, he had already married contrary to his parents’ wishes. (Gen. 26:34-35) Esau relented in his anger when Jacob upon his return years later gave Esau even more material things, mostly livestock. (Gen. 33:11) The brothers became ancestors to rival nations, the Edomites and Israelites.

That birthright eventually came to Joseph who was sold for money by his envious older brothers to Ishmeelites on their way to Egypt (Gen. 37:25), whereupon the birthright came to Ephraim, the son of Joseph. (Gen. 49:22-26) Jesus had the same authority, both because He was the agent of His Father and the Son of God, and because He was part Ephraimite and part Jew. Paul in the Book of Hebrews meticulously explains why Jesus could officiate in lower priesthood duties belonging by birthright to Levites, because Jesus had the high priesthood authority of Melchizedek, or Shem, son of Noah, which trumped other priesthood authority. (Heb. 7)

Another prime Biblical example of malevolence toward a brother is that of Cain toward Abel. (Gen. 14:16) The younger Abel was a righteous priest, who offered a proper burnt offering in similitude of the Lamb of God to come at a future time to propitiate for the sins of Adam’s repentant posterity. (1 Jn. 2:3) That happened according to the New Testament (New Covenant). It should be pointed out that the Lord God of the Old Testament giving commandments to Adam regarding sacrifices was one and the same Son of God or Holy One of Israel that later took on a body of flesh when He became the Babe of Bethlehem, the son of Mary and Joseph. (Isaiah 53; Luke 2) Faithless Cain, by contrast, offered up roots and vegetables not specified as proper offerings, and God did not respect him for it. (Deut. 15:19-23)

Simply put, God the Father and His Son demand that mortals worship them as they want to be worshipped, not just any old way, specifically "in spirit and in truth." (Jn. 4:23-24) In fact, a conversion to Christ entails two areas of conformity, (1) conversion to the doctrines of Christ and (2) practicing His methods of worship. Only Christians sing melodic hymns, for example, and partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. (Matt. 26:26; Acts 2:42)

Satan, that great evil spirit and prince of this world, saw Cain’s pride, dissatisfaction, and rebellion against prescribed methods of worship, and tempted Cain to not only get even with Abel, but urged Cain to murder his brother to obtain his flocks and lands. (Jn. 8:44; 12:31; Heb. 11:4; 1 Jn. 3:12; Rev. 12:9; 14:4-9; 2 Ne. 2:18; D&C 29:36-38) But before Cain committed the act, the Lord warned him in a direct revelation the step he was about to take would destroy his salvation, making him subject to the devil, who is "the son of perdition," or of the category of those completely ruined. (Jn. 17:12; 2 Thes. 2:3; 3 Ne. 27:32; D&C 76:26,32,43) Cain did it anyway, willfully, with full knowledge of his sin, and brought a curse upon himself. (Gen. 4:12-15) Therefore, Satan, the enemy of righteousness, the deceiver, and "accuser of our brethren" (Rev. 12:10) succeeded in making Cain miserable like himself.

If anyone were to see Satan, he would appear as a handsome, eloquent, and persuasive man, able to cite scripture to make his point seem plausible. (Matt.4:1-11) But when Satan is fully exposed at a future date, people will stare at him and wonder how such a one could reek so much havoc and misery in the earth. (Is. 14:12-16) M. Russell Ballard stated, "Satan is not clever because he is smart, but because he is old." According to the Bible, in time, there will be a complete and permanent triumph over all evil through the Lord Jesus Christ, the great champion of righteousness. (Rev. 12:11)

There are other examples in scripture of family disputes, kingly intrigues, and many wars. Even the Book of Mormon begins with long-running, even violent family disagreements, resulting in two warring nations originating with one group of righteous brothers fending off another group of unrighteous brothers. (1 N. 1+)

The English word devil is used to translate a variety of Greek and Hebrew words meaning slanderer, demon, adversary, and spoiler. The Bible tells us that at one time, Satan, or Lucifer, was a literal spirit son of God, "an angel" or servant in authority in the presence of God. According to Bible accounts, he was expelled from the presence of God for his desire to exercise authority or unjust dominion over others there, becoming the great enemy of Christ and the Father’s free-will plan of redemption, seeking to destroy the souls of men, and attempting to possess the physical bodies of mortals. (Rev. 12:3-17; Matt.9:32; 12:22; Mark 1:24; 5:7; Luke 8:30; Acts 19:15; Mosiah 3:6)

While the Apostle John was banished to the Isle of Patmos by oppressive Roman government officials for preaching about Christ, he was shown in vision the history of heaven before his time, plus the earth’s history during his time and in the future. John records a great "war" of ideas took place in heaven, those for individual liberty against authoritarians. (2 Th. 2:2-4; Rev. 12:7) Satan, or Lucifer, " a son of the morning," fell from his glory, causing the heavens to weep. (Is. 14:12) And he spawned a rebellion joined my many like himself dedicated to unseating God and replacing the divine principle of free moral choice with one of force and compulsion. (Is. 14:13-15; 2 Th. 2:2-4) He was opposed by Christ and Michael, and was cast out with one third of the host ("stars") of heaven into the earth where he chose to be the destroyer and anti-Christ. (Rev. 12:9; 1 Jn. 2:18-22; 4:3; 2 Ne. 2:18; Mosiah 16:3) Even now he "reigns with blood and horror," inspiring despots, teaching hate, deceiving humans, and bringing to pass every kind of suffering and perversion imaginable.

Clearly, Satan and his spirit followers readily recognized Jesus as the Messiah when He appeared in the flesh. (Matt.8:28-34) One instance was the time Jesus cast the devils out of a tormented man, and consented to allow the expelled spirits to possess the bodies of swine nearby, knowing they would all go crazy and drown themselves in the sea. (Matt. 5:13) That’s because demons are insane, existing as they do out of harmony with the God of truth and life. It is insanity to be out of touch with reality. One aspect of damnation for Satan and his host is to remain without mortal bodies forever. Just how many devils there are is a closely guarded secret of the kingdom of hell, speculates Whittaker Chambers in his famous Feb., 1948 Time Magazine article titled "The Devil." The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis is a similar treatment.

Otherwise, the devils serve God indirectly by tempting, proving, and damning corrupt mortals, or by saving those able to resist evil enticements. The moral agency of mortal humans consists of (1) following Christ or Messiah, or (2) following the devil. Many frankly love Satan more than God, among which can be counted Cain, many of the Jews during the ministry of Jesus, and no end of other people before and after His mortal ministry. Jesus even said Satan, not Abraham, was the father of many prominent ancient Jews, because "ye believe me not." (Jn. 8:42-45; Rev. 13:4) Strongly testifying God was His Father, Jesus alluded to the fact that He, as a spirit being, pre-dated Abraham. (Jn. 8:58) Elsewhere recorded, mortal men also had a previous spirit existence. (Gen. 1:26-28; Is. 44:2; 48:8; Jer. 1:5; Rev. 12:7; Luke 2:13)

So, why didn’t the Lord God prevent Cain from murdering Abel? Better yet, why didn’t He prevent Satan from tempting Cain? (Gen. 4:18) For the same reason he allows all men to be tempted, even Himself. (Matt. 27:40; Luke 4:3; Heb. 5:8) God miraculously created the Earth to perpetuate His own race, making copies of Himself through His children. He would be nothing without His children. At some time or another, He offers all mankind the life He leads, Eternal life, or the life of the Great Eternal God. (Jn. 17:3) Some want it, and enter in the strait and narrow way on the path to the Tree of Life, while many more take the broad road, being their own gods, being "a law unto themselves," or being their own standard of right and wrong, and trusting their own judgment. (Matt. 7:14; 1 Cor. 2:9; Rev. 21:10, 22; 22:5)

Concurrent with God’s existence is His eternal attribute of moral agency, a very substantial divine attribute, like charity. Charity, or long-term concern for the welfare of another’s soul, is such an important attribute of God and Christ that if anyone possesses every other attribute of God, and lacks charity, he is as an empty shell. (1 Cor. 13) Likewise, God would cease to be God if He disallowed men their freedom of choice in moral things. Then He would be like the devil. Generally, anyone wanting salvation may have it, if he pays the price of giving up his sins, or if he forsakes the devil. It follows, therefore, that God commands all men and women to repent and worship Him, to choose Him, but allows them to refuse. (Ex. 35:5; Matt. 25:31-46; Luke 10:25-37; John 7:17; James 1:25-27; 2:12-26; Mor. 7:8) David O. McKay, a late president of the Church of Jesus Christ, taught that it is the sublimest gift of God to allow men and women the right of choice. It is the devil, Satan, or Lucifer that denies liberty and moral agency, he being an arrogant, authoritarian tyrant, a despot, a hate-filled, murderer, while God is the Perfect Gentleman, never forcing Himself on anyone—people must invite Him into their lives. He waits at the door for our invitation. (Rev. 3:20; M. Russell Ballard, Sunday evening sermon, SLC, Utah, circa Nov., 2007)

God and His Christ are real beings. (1 Jn. 3:2) The devil is a real being, as well. (Is. 14:16) Both have human forms and many attributes shared by humans. All accounts of seeing God or His messengers describe them as having human forms. (Gen. 35:9-10; Job 42:1-6; Jn. 1:12-15; 14:8-11; Acts 1:3; 2:1, 32; 4:20; 7:56; 11:13; 12:7, 11-13; 1 Cor. 15:6; James 1; Heb. 2:16; 2 Pet. 1:16-21; JS 1+) Of course it is not wise to speak often of the devil, as it may invite his presence. Certainly evil spirits are nearby when mortals are tempted to do anything contrary to the will of God. Because they superstitiously talk about unclean spirits, American Indian tribes and primitive jungle people in South America and elsewhere have frequent trouble with evil spirits or demons, as do those who adopt their many dark philosophies as means to bring about "change" in the world. Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler were willing to murder millions to bring about their Satanic religions of Communism and National Socialism, to name only two perpetrators of the devil’s doctrines, out of "legion." (Mark 5:9) And how many people suffered under their unjust authority! Strangely, America’s public school and university policies have by and large adopted the philosophy of "the son of perdition," teaching young people, backed by such ant-Christ organizations such as the ACLU, to be their own gods, and to defy societal foundations built upon the Ten Commandments. (Ex. 20; Matt. 19)

According to the Bible, God the Father; His Son, the Messiah or Jehovah; the spirits of men; angels, which are servants or messengers—many of them righteous spirits of men, some even with resurrected bodies; and Satan and his angels (servants) had an existence before the Earth we stand on was created, or better said, was organized. (Is. 48:8; Jer. 1:5; Rev. 12:7) Obviously, all were spiritually created, or organized as individuals, before they were physically created. All beings were spirits before God gave them mortal bodies or "temples" for their spirits. (Gen. 1+; Matt 27:40; 1 Cor. 3:16) Satan and his servants are denied such temples, damning them to their spirit state. The Bible plainly teaches that God created the heavens and the earth and all things therein, and that He knows all things. If all things include organized beings, then God created Satan and his followers. It’s a simple syllogism anyone can understand. (Gen. 1+; Matt. 6:8,30; 1 Jn. 3:20; 1 Ne. 9:6; 2 Ne. 9:20)

Clearly, God created or organized their spirit bodies, but they made themselves devils by how they employed the moral free agency He also gave them. Because of their actions, they were expelled from the presence of God. And after they had forfeited their salvation, that is, foolishly destroyed themselves, bringing down the indignation of a just God upon them, they immediately set about to induce all others to destroy their salvation as well. Presumably, devils, or evil spirits, could cease to be such, but they are liars, know they are liars, and love it, as are so many mortal humans who partake of their spiritual degeneracy. (Matt. 24; John 8:44; 2 Tim. 3:1-14; Rev. 20:10) God has decreed that every man or woman brings his or her condemnation upon himself or herself by listing to obey the devil. (Jn. 3:19; Alma 3:19; Moro. 7:19) On the day of judgment, better yet, on the day of self-judgment, every person will instantly know which of the two, and to what degree, he has served his spiritual master and lawgiver, whether it be the "Shepherd and Bishop of your souls," or the adversary. (Rev. 14:10; 21:8; 1 Pet. 2:25; 2 Ne. 28:23; 29:16-26, 46) Furthermore, all salvation is individual, not by group or committee, and is dependent on how each individual exercises his moral agency. (Matt. 7:2) Missionaries scour the world looking for individuals to bring to salvation.

Are Jesus and Satan brothers? Are Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Idi Amin, Mao Tse Tung, Henry VIII, Sadam Hussein, and any number of flagrant breakers of God’s laws your "brothers"? Certainly Germany, Austria, Italy, England, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Finland, and other countries are kindred nations. But do they share the evil philosophy of Hitler and Stalin? Would they want to bestow the title "brother" on anyone who disregarded human life as much as those two?

While the same Eternal Father organized Jesus and Satan, Jesus does not consider the devil His "brother," disclaiming any philosophical, mental, or spiritual kinship, and plainly saying so, and plainly condemning anyone supporting Satan. (Jn. 8:44) Their differences, not their similarities are significant. Jesus even goes so far as to say only those that hearken to His Father are His brothers and sisters, regardless of how else they may be related. (Matt. 12:50; 19:29; Jn.10:27) Jesus demonstrates complete, uncompromising determination to defeat evil, and treats Satan as a treacherous and dangerous inferior on the loose for a time. When Satan stirred up the rebellion in heaven, the Father, His Only Begotten Son-to-be, and Michael let the dissension go on just long enough to become a well-defined division, wherein all the individual spirits of prospective mortals took a side, then Christ and all His allies unceremoniously "cleaned house," ejecting the trouble-makers with extreme prejudice. (Rev. 12:7-10) Any sorrow and weeping by the hosts of heaven at the expulsion had to do with seeing those with such great potential throw it all away for naught. No doubt, a great feeling of relief accompanied Satan’s departure, as with any rude, disruptive, and combative houseguest. By sinning against perfect knowledge of God and His purposes, those expelled spirits adequately demonstrated they were utterly ruined ("perdition"), and would never be candidates for a kingdom of glory. (Is. 14:12; 1 Cor. 15:39-42) So, possessing supreme charity and intelligence, the noble and great ones did what they had to do to preserve their society. It is, in fact, the divine measure of character, integrity, or intelligence to be able to forsake the devil. (Job 2:3; 27:2-6; 31:6; Prov. 20:7; D&C 93:36+)

By contrast, the devil has no intelligence, nor character, as the scriptures define it. He is unquestionably the enemy of Jesus, in philosophy or religion, in personal integrity, and in every other way, and is constantly tormenting the children of God, and leading them to destruction. (Jn. 8:49; Mos. 4:14) Obviously, Jesus is not a diplomat, not "a big ball of honey," nor a deal-maker with evil people (Matt. 12:50; Mark 3:35), and He prophesies yet another "great division among the people." (Jn. 7:43; 2 Ne. 30:10) Jesus is kind and gentle, but hard-nosed about keeping His commandments. When the wicked leave Him no other choice, "as for our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts (armies) is His name, the Holy One of Israel." (1 Sam. 17:45; Ps. 24:10; Is. 2:12; 47:4)

Jesus is still completely dedicated to establishing and defending the life He and His Father lead, at all costs. So Jesus and Satan are complete opposites. Jesus is a Creator and a supporter of human life, and Satan is a destroyer of the same. The whole purpose of the final judgment of all men and women is to place them in categories or grades of reward, according to their philosophies and deeds toward God and other humans, solely determined by how they employ their freedom of choice in pursuing the life God leads. (Matt. 25:31-46; Jn. 5:27; 1 Cor. 15:39-42) The wise will have relied on the merits of Christ or Messiah, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide. (Matt. 25:1-13) The rest will be trusting in their "good works" for salvation, making them responsible for "the ends of the law," or punishments, they merit. (Rom. 2:12-27; 3:19-31; 7:1-25; 2 Ne. 2:7-10)
Whether or not mortals or anyone is "clean," or sin-free, before God is ultimately not about men, but about God. He must accept the individual as "justified" and sinless before he or she can be in His presence. Since He, the King of Heaven, is the only one offering repentance, freedom from guilt, and a glorious resurrection, He sets the terms for obtaining these benefits. He does so by covenant making and keeping, to which He is a willing party. (Gen. 6;18; Ex. 19:5; Matt. 26:28; Acts 3:25; Eph. 2:12; Heb. 8:6; 12:24; 13:20) If men repent and rely on the sinless Messiah, He, God, cleanses the souls of men. If He does not do that, they remain sin laden, and cannot be in His presence. If they refuse to rely on the good works and righteousness of the Son, they default to depending on their own spotty good works and righteousness. (Ez. 36:25-28; Acts 11:9; Rom. 1:24-32; Eph. 5:5-7; 1 Ne. 10:21)

The main objective of Jesus for "answering the ends of the law," or enduring vicariously the punishments He affixed to the law is so He could balance within Himself the Godly attributes of justice (punishment) and mercy. (Ps. 8:14; Alma 42:15-27; 3 Ne. 25:25-27) That balance allows Him to still punish unrepentant sinners, but let repentant sinners escape, and return to His immediate presence as in the beginning. (Is. 64:4; 1 Cor. 2:9) Therefore, He commands all men and women to obey His gospel, and be born again, or be changed by the Spirit, following complete repentance. (John 3:, 37; Alma 7:14; Moses 6:59, 60; Mark 1:1, 14-15; Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 1:8, 10; 1 Th. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 4:6, 17; 3 Ne. 27:13-22) He also commands them to strive to be perfect as He and His Father are perfect. (Matt. 5:48; 3 Ne. 12:48) And if men keep His commandments, His blessings are sure. (Matt. 5, 6; Heb. 6:13; 3 Ne. 12, 13; D&C 82:10) ----- A. F. Publius

www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59168 links to the directly following published statement and Official Website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (http://www.lds.org/)
How can Jesus and Lucifer be spirit brothers when their characters and purposes are so utterly opposed?
Jess L. Christensen, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, June 1986, 25–26
Jess L. Christensen, Institute of Religion director at Utah State University, Logan, Utah. On first hearing, the doctrine that Lucifer and our Lord, Jesus Christ, are brothers may seem surprising to some—especially to those unacquainted with latter-day revelations. But both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers. Jesus Christ was with the Father from the beginning. Lucifer, too, was an angel “who was in authority in the presence of God,” a “son of the morning.” (See Isa. 14:12; D&C 76:25–27.) Both Jesus and Lucifer were strong leaders with great knowledge and influence. But as the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer’s older brother. (See Col. 1:15; D&C 93:21.)
How could two such great spirits become so totally opposite? The answer lies in the principle of agency, which has existed from all eternity. (See D&C 93:30–31.) Of Lucifer, the scripture says that because of rebellion “he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies.” (Moses 4:4.) Note that he was not created evil, but became Satan by his own choice.
When our Father in Heaven presented his plan of salvation, Jesus sustained the plan and his part in it, giving the glory to God, to whom it properly belonged. Lucifer, on the other hand, sought power, honor, and glory only for himself. (See Isa. 14:13–14; Moses 4:1–2.) When his modification of the Father’s plan was rejected, he rebelled against God and was subsequently cast out of heaven with those who had sided with him. (See Rev. 12:7–9; D&C 29:36–37.)
That brothers would make dramatically different choices is not unusual. It has happened time and again, as the scriptures attest: Cain chose to serve Satan; Abel chose to serve God. (See Moses 5:16–18.) Esau “despised his birthright”; Jacob wanted to honor it. (Gen. 25:29–34.) Joseph’s brothers sought to kill him; he sought to preserve them. (Gen. 37:12–24; Gen. 45:3–11.)
It is ironic that the agency with which Lucifer rebelled is the very gift he tried to take from man. His proposal was that all be forced back into God’s presence. (See Moses 4:1, 3.) But the principle of agency is fundamental to the existence and progression of intelligent beings: as we make wise choices, we grow in light and truth. On the other hand, wrong choices—such as the one Satan made—stop progress and can even deny us blessings that we already have. (See D&C 93:30–36.)
In order for us to progress, therefore, we must have the opportunity to choose good or evil. Interestingly, Satan and his angels—those who opposed agency—have become that opposition. As the prophet Lehi taught, “Men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” (2 Ne. 2:27.)
Although the Father has allowed Satan and his angels to tempt mankind, he has given each of us the ability to rise above temptation. (See 1 Cor. 10:13.) He has also given us the great gift of the Atonement.
When the Lord placed enmity between Eve’s children and the devil, Satan was told that he would bruise the heel of Eve’s seed, but her seed would bruise his head. (See Moses 4:21.) President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that “the ‘God of peace,’ who according to the scriptures is to bruise Satan, is Jesus Christ.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957, 1:3.) Satan would bruise the Savior’s heel by leading men to crucify Him. But through his death and resurrection, Christ overcame death for all of us; and through his atonement, he offers each of us a way to escape the eternal ramifications of sin. Thus, Satan’s machinations have been frustrated and eventually he will be judged, bound, and cast into hell forever. (See Rev. 20:1–10; D&C 29:26–29.)
In Hebrew, the word bruise means “to crush or grind.” Therefore, the very heel that was bruised will crush Satan and will help us overcome the world and return to our Father. As we use our agency to choose good over evil, the atonement of Christ prepares the way for us to return to our Father in Heaven.
We can only imagine the sorrow of our Heavenly Father as he watched a loved son incite and lead a rebellion and lose his opportunity for exaltation. But we can also imagine the Father’s love and rejoicing as he welcomed back the beloved son who had valiantly and perfectly fought the battles of life and brought about the great Atonement through his suffering and death.

2.
MORMON ACCOMPLISMENTS, THE MANY GOOD THINGS

ABOUT "MORMONISM"
(approximately 2 typewritten pages)
Latter-day saints, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, less correctly called "Mormons" because they accept the Book of Mormon together with and not as a replacement for the Bible, have a long history as positive contributors to the United States of America and other countries in the world. It is important to note in the first place that the Book of Mormon is as one retired Lutheran minister stated, "the most Christ-loving book I ever read," adding dimensions to the life and ministry of Christ not otherwise known. It is a lengthy tract arguing the position, by explicit examples and eyewitness observations, that people prosper if they worship Messiah, and suffer if they do not. That Book is the witness and test of Joseph Smith’s authenticity. In the second place, the latter-day saints believe more and can explain more of the Bible than anyone else, their explanations for Daniel, Isaiah, Hebrews, and the Revelation of St. John being only four of many examples.

Few, if any, such positive contributions like those that will follow were cited by Mitt Romney in his recent campaign speech for President on the subject of "faith," which speech, although lofty, did not mention the positive influences wrought by members of his church.

So-called "Mormonism" began in 1820 when the young Joseph Smith, Jr., whom Lawrence O’Donnell recently on national television called "a lying, fraudulent criminal," retired to a secluded forest grove to ask God which of the contentious Christian sects he should join, after having been greatly impressed with the Bible passage, James 1:5-8. It admonishes anyone needing wisdom to ask God for a revelation of His will, without fear of punishment. But the passage stipulates the necessity to ask in faith, without being double-minded, unstable, or wavering in the request. Joseph Smith claimed he received an answer from God, as the Bible scripture promised. The guiding principle here is that if it is possible anyone can receive an answer to prayer, why couldn’t Joseph Smith? Many others have made that claim, rich and poor, black, white, bond, and free.

The church presided over by Joseph Smith was formally organized in 1830 with six members, and now numbers between 13 and 14 million members worldwide, with approximately 22,000 houses of worship and some 120 temples, almost half of which are in the United States of America. Since its founding as a continuation of the primitive organization Jesus himself set up, many notable accomplishments useful to Americans and others can be claimed by Mormons. Among these are the settling of six western states in the United States, plus settlements in Canada and Mexico. Brigham Young led some 70,000 converts west over a period of only a few years. Many, such as those that perished in handcart companies on the Great Plains, came from England. Others came from Denmark, Sweden, and other European and Scandinavian countries. The son of a Danish Mormon immigrant later sculpted the faces of American presidents on Mount Rushmore.

For some of their "unorthodox" beliefs not shared by other heirs of the Reformation, early Mormons were severely persecuted. But even in their greatest distress, having been newly driven from their homes in the Nauvoo, Illinois, following other expulsions in Ohio and Missouri, the Mormons answered the call of their country to form a small army of 500 men and two women to march over uncharted territory to liberate California and much of the West from Mexico. In fact, the first governor of California was a Mormon, a Mormon Battalion enlistee, serving approximately three weeks, until a Federal officer could arrive to preside over the newly acquired territory. That same band of Mormons was present when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, some even working there at the time. One recorded the exact date of discovery in his journal, the only authoritative documentation. All the enlistees could have become fabulously wealthy, both in gold and in California lands, but they chose to walk away from it all to be obedient to and to join their spiritual leaders settled in Utah. But they left blazed trails for others to follow to reach California.
Jacob Hamblin, a faithful Mormon convert from Wisconsin sent by Brigham Young, along with a few others, to settle southern Utah, was the first white man to see and explore the Grand Canyon, not John Wesley Powell. In fact, he acted as a guide for Powell, since he had learned to speak the Indian languages of that area.

Las Vegas, Nevada; San Bernadino, California; many cities in Arizona; most of the cities in Utah; Fruitland and Kirtland, New Mexico; Mancos, Sanford, and Manassa, Colorado; and other places were first settled by Mormons. A descendent of Colorado Mormon settlers was Jack Dempsey, the famous "Manassa Mauler," who shortly before his death still confessed to Glenn L. Pearson, "I believe the Book of Mormon, and I pray every day."

Among the very first missionaries to what is now Tahaiti and surrounding islands were such Mormons as Noah Rogers, bringing a better life to isolated and ignorant people. In 1872, Brigham Young directed the purchase of a tract of land in Hawaii, now accommodating a temple, one of three church universities, and the Polynesian Cultural Center dedicated to preserving native traditions of the island peoples and employing young college students. Today, besides having 55,000 full-time missionaries intent on bringing the message of Christ’s redemption to all people, latter-day saints are well known for their relief efforts among those suffering from material needs in the United States and the rest of the world. Being highly organized, they exercise an influence disproportionate to their number.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has accumulated over the decades a huge genealogical record depository headquartered in Utah, among the very largest in the world. Its members computerized Ellis Island immigration records for easy access, and had a hand in organizing the Freedman’s Bank records, containing specifics on ancestors for up to one third of American black people. It should also come as no surprise that untold numbers of Mormons are direct descendents of important historical figures. Gordan B. Hinkley, President of the Church, is a direct descendent of Mayflower Pilgrim, Stephen Hopkins. Noah Rogers and his posterity claim to descend from John Rogers the Martyr, assistant to William Tyndale, translator of the Bible into English, both being former Catholic priests and both burned at the stake for their efforts to bring Bible understanding to common men in England. Henry VIII burned Tyndale, and Bloody Mary I burned Rogers, while his wife and children watched, facts featured in The New England Primer.
Latter-day saints are typically rational people found among the fallen posterity of Adam and Eve. Quick to adopt better ideas and strongly family oriented, they are a society, or collection, of skeptics, that is, they tend to disbelieve, or hold in abeyance popular beliefs, until they prove them for themselves. Once they are satisfied, they tend to believe deeply, and sacrifice greatly for their beliefs. An individual witness from God, similar to the one Joseph Smith, Jr. sought, is the backbone of the church.

Mormons have excelled in industry, business, agriculture, personal computers and calculators, and other inventiveness. Many are wealthy and influential. Any or all may be found quietly doing good. John M. Browning, son of the Nauvoo, Illinois gunmaker, Nathan Browning, produced superior firearms used by the U. S. Military to fight America’s wars. As his contribution to the war effort, Browning did not haggle with the government for high prices, but accepted usually low offers for his designs. Mormons have come to their country’s defense in every war since 1830, except the War Between the States. Even then, many capable men in that War, such as Captain John Morgan, later joined the latter-day saints, making their mark on both American and Mormon histories. In fact, Mormons consider the United States Constitution as originally framed tantamount to scripture. (See D&C 101)

MICHAEL VICK versus THE HUMANISTS

2007-08-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL VICK versus THE HUMANISTS

By "Humanism" is meant replacing Biblical or Divine law with the rules or opinions of mortal men and women, replacing the mind of Deity with the lesser mind of Man. This reality presently confronts Michael Vick, the black football star, as it regards his involvement in dog fighting. In a Biblical sense, dogs are property, but in a Humanistic sense, dogs are people with the same rights and feelings as innocent humans. But applying Biblical philosophy is particularly difficult in our present Post-Christian Era of American history.

While the Bible teaches "a righteous man regardetah the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel" (Prov. 12:10), it does not equate men and animals. In fact, animals are property within Biblical philosophy. To equate the two, one must presume the philosophy of Hinduism or Paganism or some other such philosophy is true. To illustrate, a recent California law was passed stating that animals have no "owners," but only "companions." This ruling summarizes the view of animal rights activists. It also should be noted that a declining human birthrate seems to accompany animal idolization. On August 23, 2007, on his radio show discussing, actually condemning, Michael Vick, Rush Limbaugh suggested "animals are part of the family." And he also has no desire for children.

A confusing Bible passage, also in the Koran in some form, is commonly misinterpreted by Mohammedans and others to denigrate dogs, to see them as loathesome. (Remember Mohammedism is a mixture of ancient Jewish tradition, Christianity, and Paganism current in the time of Mohammed.) The passage reads, "Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God." (Deut. 23:18) The "dog" in this instance is a homosexual male, parallel with the female "whore," both of which are lauded and officially condoned under Humanistic law now in force in the United States.

Michael Vick presently faces two "serious" charges: One is "animal cruelty," based largely upon Humanism. His defense is that the dogs were his property, not someone else's, or he used the dogs of others with their permission. If convicted, the worst penalty should be for a minor misdemeanor.

The second charge is "gambling," which has various dimensions, depending on whether fraud was a factor. Certainly, ill-gotten gain is okay, if Federal, State, County, or City Governments get their cut. Nevada has a great deal of "legal gambling." Through taxation, Governments steal no end of wealth from the people to squander upon the whims and carnal proclivities of bureaucrats. Before they go too hard on Mr. Vick, perhaps his accusers and the powers that be should examine the source of their laws, and should clean their own houses.

This is not to condone either animal cruelty or gambling, but does urge a sense of proportion before a Man is treated like a dog. Mr. Vick needs a reformation of character, or change of heart, not sitting in a jail somewhere with a ruined life. A little preaching of the Word could go a long way toward helping him and those intent on his destruction.

WHY DISPARATE GROUPS ARE UNITED

2007-08-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

A conservative radio talk show host recently remarked that he did not fully comprehend how the many different, self-interested factions, such as illegal aliens, radical Mohammedans, Marxists, Liberal Socialists, "Gays," anti-war activists, Hollywood actors, and ACLU members could be united against the United States of America, seeking to destroy its power and influence, in short to bring about its defeat and humiliation. To be sure, this is a curious disposition, given the forum the United States gives to all of them to express their opinions, believe their religious biases, and to accumulate material wealth.

The answer lies obscured in the still underlying, but eroding philosophy upon which the United States was founded, namely Judeo-Christianity. What eventually became the United States was the first nation in modern times to have a legal system based upon Biblical principles. It is now the world's oldest republic. While we now live in the Post-Christian Era of American history, enough residual devotion to the founding principles remain that it threatens the patently anti-Judeo-Christian objectives of the above-named factions and others like them. In fact, all such are united enough that the scriptures characterize their solidarity as a conspiracy against Christ and freedom (2 Cor. 3:17). In other words, they are unitedly at war against the Lawgiver, against individual life, against individual dominion to conduct business, and against individually controlled wealth resulting from the exercise of individual rights. In short, they all seek to impose the State as their object to worship in place of Deity.

A "right" is nothing less than a claim to dominion to act within a realm of human endeavor. At the same time, the Ten Commandments, among others, define and circumscribe human dominion and behavior. To most of those named above, freedom means unopposed perversity, or being one’s own god, while divine law imposes limits on human rights.

To illustrate, consider for a moment at least one major tenent believed by each group of America haters:

Illegal aliens are frequently bent on living on the labors and wealth of others, helping themselves to benefits they did not create, and using the laws of the land to obtain legal plunder. Those that rape and murder break several of the Ten Commandments at the same time.

Radical Mohammedans dismiss out of hand the divinity and commandments of Messiah, and desire to plunder, murder, and rape anyone not believing according to their will and pleasure, viewing themselves as the arbiters of all moral questions.

Marxists are consummate materialists lusting after power over others and their wealth, leading to unjust dominion and legal thievery of goods and rights belonging to others. Liberal Socialists share the same religious precepts.

Homosexuals, or "gays," feel condemned because of their narcissistic love of self, wherein they reject the notion that they should forego pleasures of the body to selflessly raise the upcoming generation of humans. They do not necessarily love others as themselves, and resent anyone suggesting they should. They, especially, define freedom as unfettered perversity and self-indulgence.

The ACLU is dedicated to the proposition that morality is relative, and that Judeo-Christianity is the great enemy of moral relativism, which allows every man and woman to be his or her own god. Hence, the ACLU is the enemy of Judeo-Christianity and all its institutions, American constitutional government being among the most prominent.

Anti-war activists and many Hollywood actors live in a dream world, a world of make-believe, a utopian construct that pretends good and evil can be reconciled with a few soft words, or by "making a deal," when great wealth and great unjust dominion are the real stakes in a conflict. They do not consider that Jesus was called a "rock of offense" because He was not diplomat, and did not offer deals to accommodate sinners. Above all, Hollywood actors and their ilk have no desire to feel the limitations Judeo-Christianity imposes upon their narcissism and profligate ways of living.

To summarize, what appears to be a war or struggle against America, promoted by unlike or disparate factions and groups, is really a common war against the God of the land and His fundamental commandments.

The National Curse of Homosexuality

2007-06-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

Any reader of history learns that nations and societies have been destroyed by homosexual practices. Ancient Greeks were afflicted by them, Rome was weakened by them, Tibetan or Buddhist monks of an early century were nearly exterminated by the diseases attending homosexuality, even unnatural celibacy of some Western churches gives vent to such perversion. Spencer W. Kimball, an American Christian churchman during the 1970s and 80s, declared: "Homosexuality is wrong; lesbianism is wrong!" Elsewhere he called it "the sin of the ages."

Homosexuality is weakening the United States of America and Northern Europe. One obious manifestation of it is the great number of unmarried, single, non-children producing adults in these societies. The grand "gay" parades in some cities are only a symptom of a larger crime. An even more repulsive objective of sexual perversion is blatant and brazen promotion of same-sex marriages.

It recently occurred to this author that one of the greatest perpetrators of homosexuality is Feminism, which is by definition a homosexual philosophy, as is anything resembling Amazonianism. Some Feminists couple up to live outward homosexual lives, and some Feminists do not, but all are nonetheless of the same opinion. This philosophy lies behind the man-hating court rulings and laws fabricated and promoted by female lawyers and legislatorss to give women the advantage over men, in the spirit of Marxist class warfare.

For all their studied efforts to aggrandize women, and cheat and disadvantage men, as some wives have done to their husbands, even while their husbands served as soldiers in Iraq, the laws of God still demand that men and women be coupled together in an eternal union: "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." (1 Cor. 11:11) That is the preferred, eternal, metaphysical state of males and females. The observation born out by experience, however, is that whatever the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob decrees, the devil, His enemy, oppposes. Rich homosexual women, such as Ellen Degeneres (or "degenerate") and Rosie O'Donnell, as well as Feminists entrenched in colleges and universities, are contributing to the fight against this Godly order of society, when the rich are the most able to support a new generation of humans.

Bernard Goldberg pointed out on Fox News (June 12, 2007) that Americans are producing many "father-less children, more so than other nations." The homosexual Feminists Liberals have so maligned males that Maurene Dowd of the New York Times, as if serious, wrote an article upon the stupid question, "Are men necessary?" Hers is a fools query, as much as to say, "Are women necessary?" Ms. Dowd entertains the selfish misconception that maleness is a human flaw best extinguished altogether. She also is party to the Feminist dogma that not only does father not know best, but father knows nothing, and at best is a good-natured buffoon or fool, perhaps a pal for his children. Children now raised without strong fathers are a huge mess for society to coper with. The divorce rate rose from 8% in the 1960s to 40-70% today, and females are mostly to blame for it.

Selfishness is the great underlying crime or sin of homosexuality, and Feminism features no exception. Mostly because of the selfishness of lazy, homosexual, white European and American women, the birthrate in the United States and Northern Europe has fallen below the replacement level. Then those same women divorce and rob their husbands, further aggravating family instability and weakness, by making it impossible for males to support a future woman willing to bear and raise children. No end of women suddenly decide to retire a their husband's expense, supported in their criminal selfishness by judges and lawyers perfectly willing to enslave males to enforce the underlying, homosexual proclivities of many women. As such, many women become perpetual, non-productive parasites upon males for endless years. And while males mistreat women in a similar manner, the overwhelming cause of marriage breakups is female selfishness.

And while there are many homosexuals among Mohammedans, caused in large measure by a shortage of women, due to polygamy, most are obviously not homosexuals, and the males among Mohammedans are tyrants. It is a tyranny many Mohammedan women love. Even some humanistic liberal women in Western nations marry Mohammedans, don burkas, and live happy, dominated lives without a whimper. And the net result is a rapid increase in the number of Mohammedans. Female selfishness on the scale found in so-called Christian societies is not tolerated, and is certainly not promoted and enforced by Mohammedan laws.

Homosexuality, particularly female homosexual selfishness in the West, is destroying the Christian family in United States and Northern Europe, while Mohammedans rejecting the practice are doing what comes naturally, multiplying the others out of existence.

Mitt Romney and SEPTEMBER DAWN

2007-04-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

It is curious that a dramatization of the Mountain Meadow Massacre is slated to come out at this time. September Dawn starring Jon Voight, supported by Terrence Stamp, Lolita Davidovich, Dean Cain, and others, is not a necessary addition to historical films, but seems to have another purpose. After all, the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and Public Television have access to, or have shown a documentary film handling of the 1857 event near Cedar City, Utah. In fact in 1999, a memorial was erected in Mountain Meadows, attended by descendents of both the surviving children in the Baker-Fancher wagon company from Arkansas and original Mormon settlers to Southern Utah. Among the facts needing emphasis is that Brigham Young, colonizer of six western states and two foreign countries, expressly discouraged the retaliation led by John D. Lee and others, including Paiute Indians.
Please visit www.GlobalSnoop.com

Every year in Harrison, Arkansas to this day, a large placard is displayed bearing the names of deceased victims of the massacre. In other words, there is a certain segment of the population that refuses to let ill feelings die. Feeding on rabid anti-Mormon sentiment is no doubt a factor in the present production starring Jon Voight. And while the reason for making the film may appear to be motivated by other considerations, the real reason may be to affect negatively the election of Mitt Romney, a latter-day saint, or Mormon, and a candidate for President of the United States in 2008. Also, the film comes on the heels of a new, mostly positive Public Television production about Mormons shown on April 29, 2007.

Political Problems Are Spiritual Problems

2007-04-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

A significant number of people in the United States and Norhern Europe have been deceived into believing, and acting upon the belief, that it is possible, even desirable, to analyze the machinations of government and its day to day operations without a religious or philosophical bias. This error is pursued with such vengeance that it can be surmised the reputably learned perpetrators have majored in folly. It is no understatement that colleges and universities in "The West" are the worst enemies of the truth, and the worst enemies of Biblical Judeo-Christianity in the world. It is in the make-believe world of universities, where the participants live in the world of words, not in the world of deeds, that the lies of Authoritarianism, Atheism, and Relativistism have established deep roots. It is the Liberal Socialists among Americans who insist on a separation of church and state to the extent that it amounts to a separation of God and Man. This is happening in face of the glaring truth that every human association, even if through a third party such as a government body, is a moral or spiritual situation. Political campaigns, waging war, taxation, opposing Mohammedan terrorists, dealing with the Bush administration, and fomenting Victimism and Africanism are all spiritual problems appearing under the rubric of "politics." The fog of controversy stirred up by learned perpetrators regarding government suggests they are such spiritual infants they cannot understand the real character of their words and actions, or they are such liars they refuse to admit it, or they are too weak-minded to grasp the reality in which they live as they try to wield an influence on it.

Petty Gripes and Real Problems, Victimists and Africanists

2007-04-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

Victimists and Africanists, like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Leo Terrell, and many others like them, have kept Americans emotionally stirred up to exhaustion over a petty, insignificant, racial insensitivity intended as a joke by Don Imus. Victimism and Africanism, both religions, are the real beliefs of the above perpetrators and their apologists, more so than any cliam they lay to being Christians. And no one, without lying, could accuse them of being like Jesus. But to hear them tell it, they are without sin, and are therefore free to cast the first stone, referring to the adulteress in the New Testament. Jackson, et al are actually "show Christians" only insofar as it serves their evil philosophy of Victimism to benefit Africans at all costs to society.

Right on the heels of the misspeech of Don Imus and the non-stop persecution of him, even after his copious apologies, an Asian gunman kills in cold blood thirty-three innocent students at Virginian Tech University. But after the Imaus incident, Americans have almost no more emotional strength to meet the real tragedy, after being emptied of emotion over the non-event promoted by the hate-filled individuals above. Please notice that Jackson, et al offered no condolensces to survivors of the dead students and faculty, nor do they have any solutions to the hate the shooter acted upon. Too busy worshpping "their bellies as their god," as Apostle Paul indicted, these Victimists and Africanists do not consult the Jesus they pretend to represent as "reverends." As race prostitutes and extortionists, they are too busy getting ready for the next promotion of Victimism and Africanism. Oviously, they live in a parallel universe, not in the world of reality, requiring hard answers to serious questions. Also see: www.GlobalSnoop.com

Mixing Politics and Religion

2007-04-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

Mixing Politics and Religion
Saturday, April 7, 2007

Every age has its major problem. European immigrants into the New World had a major problem with the Indians. Later the immigrants had a problem with their mother country, England, resulting in the American Revolution. Then they had a problem with Negro slavery, leading to the War Between the States. Today, the problem is with Marxism, culminating in World Wars and much death and suffering. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Mao Tse Tung, and their allies were all Marxists.

Marxism, or Authoritarianism, is still a problem of our age, a serious spiritual problem. It actually amounts to a false religion competing with Judeo-Christianity, complete with its own axiology, or concept of right and wrong; an epistemology, a concept of what is true and reliable knowledge; and a metaphysics, a concept of what is true reality. Additionally, it has a single, most compelling principle of thought and action, or moral imperative, which and is worship of the State as its means for bringing about its axiological, epistemological, and metaphysical purposes. None of these, of course, coincide with Judeo-Christian concepts mandating adoration of God and Messiah, and establishing their purposes for mankind.

Right and wrong (axiology) is expressed by Marxists as "politically correct," "philosophically pure," or "politically pure." All that means is that someone is in harmony with the Communist Party Line, or is aiding to impose State-sanctioned Egalitarianism upon other humans, to further Statist objectives of human subjugation and legal thievery.

The epistemology (reliable knowledge) accepted by Marxists is the product of democracy, established by the learned consensus in colleges and universities. This is how "global warming" became "true." Al Gore, its champion, is also a known Leftist. All Enviromentalism is based on a similar epistemology.

The metaphysics of Marxism is Darwin's organic evolution, leading to modern Evolutionism, congruent with Environmentalism, Materialism, Feminism, Humanism, ACLUism, and a host of other "Isms." All these are obviously full-blown religions with the moral imperative of promoting the Authoritarian State to establish their beliefs. Since Deity is not part of their philosophy, the mind of Man becomes God, and the world rises or falls according to his will, or according to the combined wills of those running the Authoritarian State.

For a thorough analysis of these and other ideas related to human life as the center of the economy, see MAKERS And TAKERS by A. F. Publius at www.GlobalSnoop.com

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All Human Associations Involve Religion

2007-04-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

The whole study of government is a study in morals, or religion. Politics is religion. When Liberal Socialists, or Marxists, accuse someone of doing something "for political reasons," they mean using the monopoly on force the State wields to affect a result. "Politics" is also a synonym for deceit, or fraud, in some senses of its usage. But usually, "politics" has to do with using external compulsion, or influencing the use of external compulsion against, or in behalf of someone. A "political solution" may simply mean war, and sometimes the avoidance of war, depending on the "context."

As stated in the introduction to the book, MAKERS And TAKERS by A. F. Publius, all human associations bring up moral questions or considerations, even if transacted through a third party, such as government. How anyone treats someone else is always a moral question. Hence, history, law, government, sociology, psychology, education, church, national borders, military defense, and marriage are all moral or religious subjects, to name only a few. In every one, at issue is how one or more persons treats, or interacts, with others.

Knowing these things, it is indeed strange to hear, or see in print, current discussions about the religious devotion of some Republican candidates, when all the candidates, whether Democrat or Republican, are equally zealous in the pursuit of their various moral systems. The Liberal Socialists are every bit as religiously motivated as are the professing Christians. Mitt Romney, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, and James Dobson are no more religious than Hilliary Clinton, Barak Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Saul Alinsky. To be sure the two groups give themselves to different moral systems, or see other people and their individual claims to dominion in different ways, but one camp is just as religiously zealous as the other.

The upcoming presidental election will be a contest of religion and morals, more than anything else.

For a broader analysis linking this discussion to human life, please see MAKERS And TAKERS at www. GlobalSnoop.com. And see http://globalsnoop1.blogspot.com

Feb. 22, 2006 Muslim Cartoons and the Mohammedan Tautology

2006-01-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

Muslim cartoons are a pretext to plunder. Mohammedans have no central religious authority, as do some Christian churches, so each man is his own god, his own prinicple of right and wrong. If he feels like rioting, he does that, with little to restrain him.

It is plain for the whole world to see just how much Muslims depend on their outward good works for salvation, when they objected violently to cartoons depicting Mohammed as a terrorist. The theory is that their own inward convictions were insufficient to save their souls, so they needed to show Allah they cared, or be condemned, at least in their own eyes. At the same time, they let everyone know of their latent savagery, if "infidels" did not believe, think, and write according to their will and pleasure.

And no, they were not justified in rioting because they felt insulted. Some Americans have excused them for their violence, but it was inexcusable. The problem is inside the Mulims, not inside everybody else. The big weakness of Mohammedan theology is the Mohammedan tautology. (A. F. Publius) That means one must presume Mohammedism is true, before it can be proved true. When seen outside itself, and carefully analyzed, its failings become apparent. But if Mohammedism is true because it is true, that leaves no room for debate. That is the Muslim position, and it is time they get over it. There is a valid Christian view of the world , too. There are also more Christians than Muslims. And one Christian doctrine is that one's good works cannot buy salvation from God, because He already owns all things. Apparently, Muslims are in the salvation-buying business.

Why hasn't someone brought up this consideration? If no image of Mohammed is allowed, how do the Muslims know the cartoons looked like Mohammed? Or did the Danes draw a common-looking Arab, and put the word Mohammed by it? If it's not really a picture, even if a cartoon, of Mohammed, why would they be up in arms about it? For other enlightening analysis, go to www.GlobalSnoop.com.

Hilliary, Condy NO! Anybody, such as Dick Morris and Sean Hannity, who believes either Hilliary The Hick Marxist, phiosophical daughter of Saul Alinsky (her master's thesis is about Alinsky), will be president of the United States, or that Condaleeza Rice will be, has fallen off the wagon. No man of war wants to be bossed around by a wimpy woman who has not even shot a beebee gun. See the book, Life or Death Economics.

Brokeback Weirdos. Brokeback Mountain is misnamed. It should be called the Saga of Two Queer Sheep Herders Dressed Like Cowboys. As every experienced sheepherder, such as myself, knows, sheepherders usually read or write while watching sheep eat grass and pass the time of day. Those that can't read or write may be tempted to molest the sheep to pass the time. If two known sheep molesters are quarantined together, in many cases they molest each other. Like a pen full of boar hogs. Do not go and do likewise. And do not watch the movie. Make the studio lose money.

Learn why the ACLU is a religion competing with the Boy Scouts for dominance. Our book search has turned up Life or Death Economics, an unusual new publication showing the relationship of human life to human wealth. It talks about the four kinds of people in two separate groups. Making money, understanding business and economics, and imparting a mental and philosophical maturity to college girls and college guys, and doing other good things for readers are just some of the pluses. A must have. Find at www.GlobalSnoop.com

Some salient advice to the President of the United States is also at the new and upcoming site, GlobalSnoop.com. Some advice for MEN as well. Developing. Some great herb products, too. Developing.