Visual Exercise (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Think of a person alive now that was the kindest, most loving person you know and love very much. Imagine in your mind how that person when you had trials, troubles, and afflictions and how that person was caring, compassionate, loving to you to and helped you through difficulties. Life is very challenging! That person that helped you out made a profound impact on your life. 

Now read Isaiah 53:4 that refers to Christ

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

Now imagine in your mind Jesus Christ who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. From a long term perspective, my faith in Jesus Christ has given me hope in the resurrection, and these griefs and burdens are a relatively short duration and will be gone. During times of grief and burdens, I have felt the love and comfort of Jesus Christ. 

Again now imagine the kindest, most loving person you know and love very much. Can you imagine that innocent person going to jail or even worse, being executed for a crime that you committed because that person loves you so much? 

Now read Isaiah 53:5 

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

Again imagine in your mind Jesus Christ who was chastised (corporal punishment) for ALL your crimes against God. Imagine for each sin, you injure Christ will a club, or knife, sword, bullet or any weapon that wounds or bruises. For me, I have much bloodied Christ all by myself. I can’t imagine Christ enduring the blood and sins of the world from everyone in existence. Truly it is a horrific scene!

Beyond the physical body, there is a spiritual body that we can’t see with our natural eyes. Our sins against God also wounds our spiritual bodies. We have seen our physical bodies heal from wounds. A deep cut will have stitches, bandages, scabs, then finally scars. Only with spiritual eyes one can see healing of the spiritual body. Occasionally, the natural eye can get a glimpse of the spiritual body by observing the person’s physical countenance. There are some dark spirits and contrast with those with the spirit of light.  As with the physical wounds and bruises that Christ takes upon Him for us, I also believe that He was wounded and bruised for our spiritual bodies too. 

Finally, imagine in your mind being in the presence of Jesus Christ.  You have been faithful in Jesus Christ and continually striving to repent so your life becomes more like Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ heals these physical and spiritual wounds as stated “with his stripes we are healed”.  Unlike the physical wounds where a scar is left, I believe that Jesus Christ heals these physical and spiritual wounds so that NO scar is left!

Hopefully this visualization has given you a glimpse of the love God has for you and all mankind through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Return to Wellsville Mountain

  Mike moaned.  The alarm went off for the third time.  To get to work on time, he had to wake up at 4:45 a.m., shower, and drive from Logan, Utah for an hour and be at work by 6:30 a.m.  He had stayed up every night this past week to watch the monologue on the "Tonight Show."  By Thursday morning, the lack of sleep had caught up to him. 

          As Mike pulled out of the driveway, he noticed that it was raining.  He wasn't looking forward to the drive in the September downpour to the rocket factory.  This entire month, Sardine Canyon Highway was closed for construction, which forced all traffic to use the Valley View Highway.  Mike enjoyed driving by himself instead of riding with a carpool for the commute.  He had enough of the carpool routine from last year.  That last carpool had been it.

          Even though he had been in a carpool, he used to drive by himself a lot.  Having big defense budgets meant plenty of money to pay for the overtime work, so he didn't mind driving.  He remembered how big those paychecks used to be when he worked 30 hours overtime a week.  For most of the 1980's, he practically lived on the production line.  But with the peace dividend, the overtime was cut.

          As Mike passed the fish hatchery, a semi-truck trailer passed him from the other direction.  He was temporarily blinded as the spray covered the windshield.  He had just passed the big bend in the road and was heading due west toward the Little Bear River.  Yesterday, he had noticed that the UDOT was again on their once-a-week effort on that monster bridge in the sky.  Why was that project taking so long?  That was Mike's last thought as another semi-truck passed him on the narrow part of the road.

          Mike woke up.  He was lying in a hospital bed with needles poking into him and bandages covering him.  Family members and co-workers were surrounding him, but he was too groggy to talk.  Mike had been a really lucky person.  The second semi-truck had passed him and completely covered his windshield with mud.  Being unable to see, Mike swerved into the raised shoulder of the road, which caused him to roll.  The highway patrol was amazed that anyone had survived the wreckage.  Mike's back was broken, his legs were crushed, and he had several internal injuries.

          For the first few days, Mike was in a lot of pain, so he didn't notice much that went on.  As his condition improved from critical to serious, the frequency of visits from co-workers and family members dropped off.  He had a lot of time to himself.  One morning, the nurse opened the curtains to the room, and he couldn't help but notice the Wellsville Mountains.  He had forgotten how green the mountains got after a few days of rain. 

          Mike reflected on how much time he used to spend hiking the northern end of the Wasatch Mountains.  It became a tradition to hike to the peak with his dad and brother each summer.   They had extended the trip by hiking the entire Wellsville ridge from Rattlesnake Canyon to Deep Canyon.  One summer, he and his scout troop represented the Wellsville heliograph station for the annual Boy Scout signaling.  He had even tried deer hunting on the mountain, but it was futile.  One could expend more energy dragging a deer down that steep mountain than there was meat on a deer.  He gave up hunting and instead watched the hawk migrations.  One April, a bunch of his tech school buddies hiked the south slope of Rattlesnake Canyon to the cirque by Box Elder Cone and skied down the mountain.  Mike resolved that as soon as he recovered from the accident, he would hike to the Wellsville cone.

          Mike became infatuated on information about the Wellsville Range.  When family members came to visit, he pestered them for any book, map, or article from any library or book store about the mountain.  He learned about geologic history.  He learned about the Brazer Limestone Formation, between Box Elder and Wellsville peaks, that contained tons of coral fossils.  The extraordinary concentration of trilobite fossils could be found in the Spence Shale Formation.  He studied the mountain by looking out the window daily using binoculars that his father gave him to use.

          He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to hike the Wellsville cone before the snow fell.  The doctors were monitoring him daily.  He recovered from the broken bones, but his bruised pancreas developed an infection.  After the third week in the hospital, Mike was still in a lot of pain.  When he tried to go to sleep one night, he was afraid that he wouldn't make it to the morning.

          Mike arose.  Finally, the day had come.  As he left the hospital, he noticed that all his bandages were gone. Instead of the hospital staff being near him, many relatives that he hadn't seen for years surrounded him.  Mike had them take him to the Rattlesnake Canyon trailhead.  If he couldn't physically make it to the top, he wanted to at least put his foot down on the trailhead.  He was amazed that he had strength to stand after being in the hospital for so long.  He took his first step.  He tried to walk.  He could.  Through his excitement, he got stronger by the minute.  All the while, he noticed that the color of the leaves were changing from drab to brilliant hues.  He felt so good that he began to run.  He was amazed at being in such good shape.  He could never in his 38 years run like this.  Never.  It seemed as if he began to fly.  In an instant, he had made it to the top of Wellsville Peak.  He had reached his goal.  As Mike turned to leave, he noticed his brother coming up the trail, sprinkling his ashes behind him.

mddwave 11 February 1994

Book of Mormon Null Hypothesis 2022-07

Usually whenever non member is investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the investigator will be given the Book of Mormon to read.  The reader is encouraged to follow Moroni’s promise in 10:3-5 on the truthfulness of the  Book of Mormon.  I have always wondered why Moroni 10:4 states "if these things are not true" instead of "if these things are true".  Many people have stated in testimonies, etc. that they have prayed " if the Book of Mormon is true", but that is the opposite to the Moroni 10:4 statement.

One must remember that the title page of the Book of Mormon states “Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile.”  Moroni saw the people who the Book of Mormon was written for.  Moroni last frame of reference is the state of unbelief of the Laminates and Nephites in Moroni chapters 8,9.  These people were in a fallen, degenerate state and willing to kill without feeling.  

Moroni knew that non believing people’s baseline belief would be that the Book of Mormon is NOT true.  There would be a wide spectrum of non believers approaches to the Book of Mormon.  Some will be prejudiced by being blinded by the craftiness of men.  Some, without even opening it, will directly attack and mock believers of the Book of Mormon. Generally, many will just show no interest at all.  Even so, there will be some with an open mind that will pursue to actually read the  Book of Mormon. 

Moroni knew the reader's thoughts and asked the question that a non-believer would think. Unless the Book of Mormon is proven true beyond any shadow of doubt, there is no reason the non believer would do anything but ignore the book for naught.  

Moroni’s  statement is very similar to how a statistician would state a null hypothesis/alternative hypothesis statement.

From a non-believer reader’s perspective, 

The null hypothesis would be

H0:   The Book of Mormon is not True

The alternative hypothesis would be

Ha:   The Book of Mormon is True

From a statistical standpoint, a null hypothesis is accepted as true until enough evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, can be obtained to refute the null hypothesis and prove the alternative hypothesis as true (at some confidence level). The null hypothesis cannot be proven true, only the alternative. Therefore, Moroni was correct, from a statistical standpoint, of posing the null hypothesis (the Book of Mormon is not true) as a beginning and then allowing the reader to gain enough evidence for himself to refute that position and prove the alternative, that the Book of Mormon is true.  (written by Andrew Allen, Brigham City

If the non believer continues on and does as Moroni states “if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” The non believer will have proof that the Book of Mormon is true.  Interesting that the definition of the word “manifest is 1) to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show plainly:  or 2) to prove; put beyond doubt or question follows closely to the wording of a alternative hypothesis proof. 

Hopefully, this Book of Mormon Null Hypothesis approach will help to better understand  "if these things are not true" statement (at least by a statistician)

Book of Mormon Testimony 2021-05

My testimony that the Book of Mormon is true is a different path than most, but nevertheless I know the Book of Mormon is true.

Before I was baptized, I had read most of the Book of Mormon, but initially my decision to be baptized was based that Christ’s church would have the authority and power to represent Christ. I believed that there had been an apostasy followed by restoration. Joseph Smith was a prophet and had these priesthood authority and keys that has been restored by John the Baptist, Peter, etc. Joseph Smith has passed these authority and keys down through the latter day prophets.

I had read and studied the Book of Mormon several times since my baptism. I have had many spiritual impressions as I have read the Book of Mormon. I noticed as I read the Book of Mormon my life would be blessed. I would be more at peace. I observed that good things would start happening to me that coincides when I started reading the Book of Mormon l.

I hadn’t formally ever prayed to ask “if these things are not true” in Moroni 10:4 because I didn’t feel the need. I knew the Book of Mormon was true already. Although I didn’t formally pray, there is one spiritual impression that I had strongly “manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost”

During the winter of 2011-2012 (I didn’t record the exact date😔), I was walking by myself in Green Canyon, Cache County, Utah began listening to 1st Nephi at the beginning. As I was walking back to my car and just about to finish 1st Nephi, my spiritual manifestation began.

At an instant, it seemed like I had gigantic information flow into my mind and I had absolute understanding of Book of Mormon. It seemed like a firehose of information was flowing into my mind, yet I comprehended everything. I was amazed that I could understand everything so clearly. My intelligence seemed to be magnified infinitely. I felt the spirit and overcome with amazement and awe. I felt gratitude for the experience with tears in my eyes.

At an instant later, the manifestation left me including the intellectual capacity and most of all my understanding. I was surprised how little I remembered or understand from the event. I wanted to remember it all, but couldn’t. I still remember where I was walking in Green Canyon.

One thing I do remember is the structural outline of the Book of Mormon.

1. Lehi’s dream (1st Nephi 8) is the overarching thesis statement
2. Nephi’s vision (1st Nephi 11-15) is the doctrinal support of the thesis statement
3. Remainder of 1st Nephi is the application of thesis statement.

The experience was similar to D&C76:12 “By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God—“

Within a few months of this spiritual experience, I was ordained a High Priest and later called be in a counselor in a YSA bishopric.

Testimony 2021-01

 Two conversion stories.  First, the easier one, the mind

I was raised Roman catholic. I studied and decided to be baptized based on simple faith that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint has the authority of priesthood whereas Roman Catholic Church had lost that authority via apostasy.

I have since learned that the true church is more than the just the priesthood authority.  The true church has the authority through divinely given priesthood keys.  This priesthood has power. This power source is through our righteous connection to God via prayer and fasting. 

I testify that in a grove in New York in 1820 that Joseph Smith saw and conversed with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  The true and living church has been restored and led by prophets.  President Nelson is a great example of prophet preparing us for these uncertain COVID times with the recent changes

Through the sacrament we have just taken, we all can His Spirit with us.  I have had several instances where I have received revelation or felt the Holy Ghost.  These instances are anchors to my faith that I cannot deny.

As I read the Bible especially the New Testament, I notice that it is fragmented and incomplete. As I read the Book of Mormon, it is profoundly evident that the Book of Mormon is revelation from God to us in these latter days. The Book of Mormon is my favorite source for understanding the atonement.  In general, my understanding of scripture has developed but it is clear to me there is still much to learn from these sacred words. I doubt that I have understanding a millionth of the truths of those works

I have caught the vision of family history and temple work.  As a convert, I been blessed to be able to do part of the work for tens of thousands of people.  I look forward to meeting the saints, my family, ancestors and friends at the grand and glorious reunion at the morning of the first resurrection. 

The second conversion is much more difficult.  The heart. I started as hard hearted man, but slowly seemly to be changing at a snail’s pace. 

I am grateful for all the righteous examples I have been around.  I have learned that righteousness is possible. I am especially grateful to my wife who is and will be my eternally fellowshiper. 

Slowly through obedience, sacrifice, and service, this hard-hearted natural man has slowly changed. 

Years ago, I can remember doing all I could to minimize the time for catholic church on Sunday.  After many years, I make efforts to keep all the sabbath day holy.  (I kind of miss the three-hour block)

Ministering (or home teaching) is great example how to break a heart.  The natural man is prideful and selfish with full of excuses not to serve.  Whenever I had visited home, I find the service is really easy. 

There are times this natural man has learned that I can’t do everything.  In fact, the things that I try to do are full of errors and mistakes.  When it seems that I am in control, I am not.  There are times that I am broken down and in acts of desperation, I am humbled to put my trust in God. 

I can tell there is some change of heart in me because I have become more sensitive to kindness, gratitude, compassion, empathy, mercy, and forgiveness.  Stories years ago, wouldn’t touch me, but now if I hear stories with those elements, I become tearful (like my story now)

When I become a fully broken-hearted person, then will I know my conversion is complete (or perfect).

When I die and come unto Jesus Christ, my living advocate and redeemer, I expect to be on my knees bowing for forgiveness.

Speculation why Wednesday is Silent during the Holy Week

From the link http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm
"The day before Pesach is the Fast of the Firstborn, a minor fast for all firstborn males, commemorating the fact that the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt were not killed during the final plague."

During the Holy week, I assume Thursday of the passover week would have been the "Pesach."

My speculation is that since Christ was the first born Jewish male in the family, he would have been fasting on Wednesday.  So if Christ was fasting on Wednesday, I would guess Christ essentially being a Rabbi, Christ would not be preaching on the fasting day

If my guess is correct, it would explain the reason why "Wednesday" of the passover week there is no significant scriptures on Christ. It seemed peculiar that Christ had no discourses, etc on that day.

Speculation on The Angel visiting Christ in the Garden of Gethsemene (Luke 22:43-44)

From the LDS Scriptures Bible Dictionary: Sacrifice"the Lord gave them the law of sacrifices, which included offering the firstlings of their flocks in a similitude of the sacrifice that would be made of the Only Begotten Son of God" (BD Sacrifice).

In all the animal sacrifices of the Mosaic Law there were five important acts:
1. The presentation of the sacrifice at the sanctuary door by the sacrificer himself, as his personal act.
2. The laying on of hands (cf. Lev. 16: 21; Num. 27: 18, 20; Deut. 34: 9) dedicated the animal to God and made it the sacrificer’s representative and substitute (Num. 8: 10; Lev. 1: 4).
3. The slaughtering of the animal. The sacrificer himself slew his sacrifice (at the north side of the altar), and thus carried out actually the dedication to God that he had ceremonially expressed by the laying on of hands. A later custom was for the Levites or priests to slaughter the victims.
4.  The pouring out or sprinkling of the blood. The priest collected the blood of the animal in a vessel, and applied it in various ways and places to make an atonement (Ex. 30: 10; Lev. 8: 15; Lev. 16: 18; Lev. 17: 11).
5.  Burning the sacrifice on the altar. After the priest had properly prepared the sacrificial victim he offered it (the whole or the fat only) upon the altar of burnt offering. This act symbolized the consecration of the worshipper to Jehovah. (BD Sacrifice).

From the LDS scriptures, there is this scripture concerning "laying on of hands":
Lev. 16: 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

I wondered if sacrifices were "similitude of the sacrifice that would be made of the Only Begotten Son of God", then when Christ was actually sacrificed, how much of his sacrifice would have to be performed per the Mosaic law? Would Christ literally be sacrificed per the mosaic law?  When I read about Aaron laying his hand on the head of the animal and all of the sins of the children of Israel, I wondered if Christ had a priesthood authority lay their hands on his head along with all the sins of the world?

My speculation is in Luke 22:43-44. I am speculating that the angel (43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.) was the ancient of days Adam that was performing the priesthood action of laying on the hands and putting the sins of the world on the head of Christ!

Immediately, thereafter Luke states "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Hence, Christ began his suffering the sins of the world in Gethsemane.  I have no evidence on this speculation other than my impression. I believe that Christ would have needed this ordinance to fulfill the law. I am guessing that the angel had the authority.