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.

As a Child

In the past, the words “as a child” in the phase in Mosiah 3:19 bothered me.


“and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

I thought why should I have to be like a little child. Being older than 50, I am obviously beyond the childhood stage. It is much like my youngest 10 year old daughter when I call her my baby. She corrects me and asks me not to call her baby. She is NOT a baby. Like her, I am no longer a child.

Then I reread King Benjamin’s sermon, I noticed a pattern relative to “child” or “children”. There are six instances prior to Mosiah 3:19, where Benjamin quoting an angel described man as the “children of men”. These versus are 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 17. With this pattern, Benjamin is using this description to establish that the “children of men” is equivalent to “natural man” as stated in Mosiah 3:19. When I reflect my offense of having to be “as a child”, I was behaving like a “natural man”.

As I continued rereading King Benjamin’s sermon in Mosiah 5, I noticed a break in the pattern relative to “child” or “children”. After the Nephites were converted after King Benjamin’s sermon and made a righteous covenant, he called them “children of Christ”. Essentially, the children of men were born again to be children of Christ! (see quote of Mosiah 5:6-7 below)

"6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters."

After reflecting upon my conversion and becoming born again as a child of Christ, the phrase in Mosiah 3:19 "as a child" is incorrect for me. If I personalize this scripture, it would be "as a baby".

Isaiah 4:2 and Lehi's Escape

While studying Isaiah 4:2, I thought of a multi-level meaning. Most commentary refers to Isaiah 4 as relating "Millennial day".  The chapter heading states "Zion and her daughters shall be redeemed and cleansed in the Millennial day".

When I read verse 1, I thought "in that day" could also mean Book of Mormon Lehi's time. When Lehi left Jerusalem, most of the leadership, etc were already taken captive and Judah was essentially in a state of war. In the state of war, there would be little eligible men to marry.
"4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

The trigger to my thought was in verse 2 "escaped of Israel". "4:2 In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel."

When one reads 1st Nephi, it is a record of essentially the escape of Lehi's family to the promised land. Several times in the Book of Mormon such as 1st Nephi 2:20, it states
"20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands."

The next versus in Isaiah 4 seem to be referring to the temple of Zerubbabel or the temple of Herod.
"4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
4:5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

Perfect Job?

While reading Job this year on the Old Testament, I read Job 1:4-5 differently this time from a parents perspective.

"4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually."

I thought that Job suspected that his sons have maybe sinned, because he had seen them sin before. Whether it is because Job's poor parenting skills or just his son's free agency choice, it is unknown.

I thought it was strange that "that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all".

Per the Bible Dictionary for Sacrifices there are several key points below that Job didn't follow.
1.Under the law offerings made to God must be the offerer’s own property, properly acquired (Deut. 23: 18). Altar sacrifices were of three kinds: sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings.
2. The presentation of the sacrifice at the sanctuary door by the sacrificer himself, as his personal act.
3. The fundamental idea of the sin and trespass offerings was atonement, expiation. They implied that there was a sin, or some uncleanness akin to a sin, that needed atoning for before fellowship with Jehovah could be obtained.
4. Trespass or guilt offerings were a particular kind of sin offerings. All sins were transgressions of the laws of the covenant; but certain sins might be regarded as robbery, or a violation of right, or an injury, whether in relation to (a) God directly,

From the definition, I would guess that Job was doing a guilt offering for his sons! Since his sons feasted in "their houses", the sons would have the responsibility of performing sacrifices of their own sins, not Job.  His sons would have to present the sacrifice at the sanctuary door by each son by themselves, as the son's personal act. Job had good intentions in performing the sacrifices for his sons, but the sacrifices are an individual responsibility. 

One possible modern day equivalent would be a father taking the sacrament for each of his absent children.  The covenant is between God and the individual, not the individuals parent.  Immediately after this event (Job 1:5), Job began receiving his trials.
 
The Lord commanded Job how to perform the sacrifice offerings with Job and his three friends.  When Job finally got the sacrifice ordinance right (Job 42:8-10; the three "friends" offered up sacrifices for themselves a burnt offering for their own sins and Job simply prayed for them), he was healed and greatly blessed!
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job.
10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

I am not saying that Job wasn't righteous, I am saying he wasn't perfect. Job didn't think he did anything wrong. Nevertheless, there are many that receive trials at no fault of their own.

Again like most of my ideas, I cant find anything like this in the books, so it is just my speculation so far.