No Coincidences

Tag: Nephi

Truths Removed from the Bible: What does the Book of Mormon tell us about Baptism?

I like to think about what critics would say as proof against the Book of Mormon. I think it helps to have responses to honest concerns about its validity. I always hope something I read, know, or especially my testimony can one day help someone to see what I see, the truth of this ancient record.

The Book of Mormon makes a very important claim. The claim is that many plain and precious truths have been removed from the Bible over time. When Joseph Smith first translated the Book of Mormon this was an outlandish and inflammatory statement. Even more so than today. Christianity in the early to mid-1800s had a firm belief that the Bible was infallible.

From a website (https://stepbystep.alancminer.com/) I’ve loved using to study alongside the Book of Mormon, I read this:

“Richardson, Richardson and Bentley write that while the Book of Mormon testifies to the authenticity of the Bible, it does not claim that the Bible is without error. It specifically states that there were many “plain and precious things” that were deleted from its pages through the evil works of men. (See 1 Nephi 13:20-32; 19:10-12; 20:1-3; 2 Nephi 3:5-22; Alma 33:3, 13, 15; 34:7; 46:23-27; Helaman 8:19-20; 15:11; 3 Nephi 10:14-17; 12:13, 17-19, 22, 29-30; 14:1.)

Scholars of the Bible have found indisputable evidence that the Bible has indeed suffered many deletions. Non Mormon scholarship has concluded that the gospels found in the New Testament have also been manipulated.”

Critics may ask for specific examples of any “plain and precious truths” found in the Book of Mormon that are not also found in the Bible.

The website I mentioned above goes on to list 24 plain and precious truths removed from the Bible and where they are laid forth in the Book of Mormon. I’d like to go over an extremely important one.

Baptism is only for those who are accountable (Moroni 8:5-23).

I know of nowhere in the Bible that lays forth the age of accountability. Should children be baptized? We know baptism is of the utmost importance:

John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

What does the Book of Mormon teach us on the subject of baptism? Moroni chapter 8 is full of profound truths found nowhere in the Bible. I will quote portions of the chapter here but encourage everyone to read the chapter and ponder its truthfulness.

8 “the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me (Jesus Christ), that it hath no power over them”

9 “I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.”

10 “repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.”

11 “And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism.”

12 “But little children are alive in Christ…if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respector of persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!”

15 “For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.”

19 “Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of mercy.”

20 “And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.”

Who can read this and deny the truth that speaks to your heart and soul? It is so clearly laid out. So perfectly explained.

What about how to baptize? There is so much confusion in the world on not only when but how. Does the Book of Mormon provide an answer? Of course! 3 Nephi 11:24-28.

24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:

25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.

How lucky we are to live in the dispensation of the fullness of times. I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon. I’m grateful that it clarifies what has been a point of contention within Christianity for centuries.

Christ was our ultimate example.

2 Nephi 31:5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized yea, even by water!

Click below to learn more about baptism as it has been perfectly restored through the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/baptism?lang=eng

October 1, 2020
Second Coming is Upon Us (maybe?)

I’ve been pondering a scripture that many might find a peculiar scripture to study. I think value can be taken from almost any scripture.

1 Nephi 18:23 reads:

“And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land; and we went forth upon the land, and did pitch our tents, and we did call it the promised land.”

“The Rapture,” the “Second Coming,” the “Millennium,” the “End of Times,” it comes in many different terms. There’s a belief in a lot of Christianity that the end will come overnight, Christ will appear, and the millennium will be ushered in.

From what I’ve read and studied and what modern revelation tells us, this will not be the case. There will be a long, drawn out period of famine, war, disease, fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters that will go on for some time before Christ returns.

Check out that list. War. Disease. Fire. Sound familiar?

The fall of society and of God’s chosen land (United States of America) will come before the Millennium is ushered in. The faith of the saints, the believers of Christ, will be tested in serious and tragic ways. There will be much suffering. If your foundation and faith in Christ is not firm before it comes you could find yourself asking, “Why is God letting this happen?”

We’ve always known this was going to happen. The scriptures have talked about our day since the beginning of time. Now we’re seeing it happen.

Back to 1 Nephi 18:23 (with some emphasis added):

“And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land; and we went forth upon the land, and did pitch our tents, and we did call it the promised land.”

Many estimates put that “space of many days” that Lehi and his family sailed as at least 1-2 years. That’s 1-2 years on a cramped boat sailing across the ocean. After many days they finally arrived at the promised land.

I believe this will be similar to how Christ’s coming will approach us. We will spend many days being tossed about by the winds and waves. We will be required to endure a lot of suffering before we can arrive at the promised land.

As things get more difficult, I pray that each of us individually considers how strong our faith in Christ truly is. It’s easy today to casually say, “I believe in Jesus Christ.” But what about when it’s hard? What about when your life is in jeopardy because of that belief? Will you still profess Him who will never turn His back on you?

Finally, while things are scary in our world, and only getting scarier, it’s important to remember Romans 8:35-39:

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁶As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

³⁷Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Be prepared. Keep hope. Look to Christ.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/second-coming-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

September 17, 2020
Pride of the Gentiles

I write this as a complement to my testimony of the Book of Mormon as the Word of God.

For the purposes of what I’m writing I will focus on the Old Testament. I would gladly speak on the New Testament, but for simplicity I will focus on the Old.

Let’s look historically at the creation of the Bible. The text of the Old Testament was preserved and handed down by the hands of the Jews. It was protected by the Jews. If not for the Jews, there would be no Old Testament today.

By definition, a gentile is a person who is not Jewish. The Gentiles received the Bible from the Jews. Most of us are gentiles. If you come from Europe, have Catholic, Protestant, or pretty much any other Christian ties in your ancestry, you are most likely considered a gentile. Again, none of us would have the Bible today if it weren’t for the Jews.

It’s those same Gentiles who today say, A Bible, a Bible, we have a Bible! (2 Nephi 29:3). But how do you have the Bible? You have it from the Israelites, from the Jews. You didn’t do anything to gain it.

When Christ was crucified and resurrected the Jews of old who believed in Christ had a difficult time moving past their traditions. If you read about Paul and his missionary efforts, you will see that a major portion of his time was spent fighting Judaizers. Judaizers were “Christians in the primitive church who taught it was necessary to adopt Jewish customs and practices, especially those found in the Law of Moses.”

From History of the Christian Church, 1, 338 regarding Judaizers:

“These men were Christians in name, but narrow-minded and narrow-hearted Jews in fact. They were scrupulous, pedantic, slavish formalists, ritualists, and traditionalists of the malignant type. Circumcision of the flesh was to them more important than circumcision of the heart, or at all events an indispensable condition of salvation. Such men could, of course, not understand and appreciate Paul, but hated and feared him as a dangerous radical and rebel. Envy and jealousy mixed with their religious prejudice. They got alarmed at the rapid progress of the gospel among the unclean Gentiles who threatened to soil the purity of the church…”

For just a couple of examples of Paul’s contention with Judaizers see Acts 15:23-29, Galatians chapters 3 and 4, Acts 21: 20-25. That last example in Acts 21 would be roughly the year AD 58. At this point, 25 years after Christ’s death, there were still thousands of Jewish Christians following the Law of Moses.

I give this historical background to make a comparison to the Christian gentiles of today.

Christians who cannot accept any scripture outside of the Bible are the Jews of old. Holding firm to their traditions, fighting to preserve what they’ve always known, refusing to see the greater blessing of the Gospel right before them.

The Gentiles of today say, “I have a Bible.” By what source have you gotten your Bible?

2 Nephi 29 4-5:

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

The Jews couldn’t accept further revelation – that Jesus was the Christ and in Him the law was fulfilled. Gentiles today – who have only been shown the mercy of God by being adopted into Christ’s fold – do the same thing. They have a Bible, they need no “other” Bible.

What does this speak of? It speaks of pride. This attitude says – “God has given us all He’s going to give us and now it’s up to ME, MAN to interpret what God is saying.” This pride removes God from the equation. You think God has disowned us? You think He’s given us all He can or will give us? WHY?!?!? God loves His children. Has He abandoned us?

The hard-hearted, prideful, and stubborn attitude of holding onto traditions has kept people from Christ since the start of mankind and it continues today. Let go of pride and accept that God still speaks to man. Pride makes us interpret the Bible how it suits us. Let go of pride and let God guide us.

The denial of modern revelation is the removal of God. It is the denial of either God’s love for us or His power in redeeming His children. How can people who can only accept the Bible not see that? They’ve removed a living God for God’s word. The Bible is God’s word to us, but what good is it if you don’t understand it? What good is it if you kick against the pricks? Let the spirit work within you and accept all truth God will give you. He will enlighten your mind and expand your spirit, but you must let Him, and stop removing Him by saying you have the Bible and that’s all you need.

The great apostle Paul spent his entire missionary career fighting against the Judaizers.

Today modern-day missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend so much time fighting modern day Judaizers, traditionalists. We must Bible bash, meanwhile we have a far greater message: GOD STILL LIVES, GOD STILL SPEAKS, REVELATION IS ALIVE. He has provided a new Book of Promise – the Book of Mormon – to help and guide us. Not to replace the Bible but to supplement it. READ IT. And see for yourself if it speaks to your spirit. See for yourself if God still loves His children. See for yourself if Jesus is the Christ and if HE IS STILL redeeming his people. Set aside your pride!

2 Nephi 29: 6-9

6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?

7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

How accurate are those words written nearly 2600 years ago? Inspired writing. It is my testimony that the Book of Mormon can only bring a person closer to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. I wish we could all remove our pride and stop being like the Judaizers of the primitive Church. Accept that Christ is as interested in us today as He was when He walked the earth 2000 years ago. Read His word. Hear His word. Feel his word. Accept his words. All of them.

August 20, 2020
Prayer

I don’t know exactly what I want to say on this topic because I still feel like it’s something I’m learning more about every single day. Of course, I do have some thoughts. Though, since it’s still something I’m always trying to understand better, these thoughts may be seemingly random with no organization whatsoever. I know, you’re probably thinking, “uhm……. What else is new.” My response, “be quiet and just keep reading.”

Christ taught to pray always. He taught to have a prayer in our hearts. He gave parables for us to understand. One parable is of the unjust judge who didn’t care about anyone or anything. But, because a woman bothered him he decided to help her simply because he didn’t want to be bothered by her. Christ’s point with that parable was that, since a man who didn’t care about anybody gave in to being bothered, why wouldn’t God? I agree with what you’re thinking, I find the story kind of… interesting as well. Like God is this person being pestered to the point of answering. I don’t think that’s what Christ meant at all. He meant that our Father is all loving. So, how much more is He likely and willing to help us simply if we ask?

I’ve thought a lot about how Christ prayed. How powerful those prayers must have been. We see mention in the scriptures of the power of His prayers. It was often said that the words couldn’t be repeated for they were so powerful. My favorite is Third Nephi 17: 15-17 which reads

15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

Gives me goosebumps.

Just think about that. Christ’s prayer was so powerful that it brought joy to those who just listened. What love must have been expressed.

There are also many examples of Christ going off on His own to pray in the New Testament. Many times He’d be gone for hours praying. I won’t list these scriptural examples but there are plenty. What does this tell us? Even Christ prayed, how much more need we to pray?

I’ve seen many miracles come about from prayer but maybe the most amazing thing about those miracles is that they don’t quickly come to mind. I’ve felt the power of prayer and yet often forget when I have had a prayer answered. I try to record them, so I don’t forget. One small example happened once at work. I was at work and really overwhelmed. Many requests were coming in for things I needed to help with. I had a meeting coming up that I wasn’t prepared for. I really needed to take some time to gather some information for this meeting. Otherwise I’d be going in and possibly make a fool of myself from being so unprepared. I was getting more overwhelmed by the moment.

As I started to panic I remembered, like a slap to the face, to pray. Sitting at someone’s computer trying to fix a problem for them, I silently prayed for help, patience, and peace. I immediately felt better. Within a couple minutes the person whom I had my meeting with walked by and said they had something come up and we’d have to delay our meeting. This gave me time to go and gather all the information I needed.

This happened years ago but it’s an experience I’ve held to, to remember the power of prayer. These experiences happen daily. I know they do. I also know we often don’t notice them. If we constantly have a prayer in our heart, God is constantly looking to show us how much He loves us.

I try to remember this story especially when I feel I’m not receiving answers to prayers. In church many people tell stories of receiving their powerful answer. Many people talk about the warm feeling in their chest. I don’t know how much I’ve experienced those feelings. I do know I’ve felt peace. I do know I’ve received answers. Often though, they don’t come. My faith is that I can develop my skills in prayer and be better at receiving the answers God has for me and accepting when He doesn’t have an answer to give me at that moment.

I think one day we’ll learn of the profound nature of prayer. It likely won’t be until the next life. I believe when we pray spectacular things happen around us that we don’t see. The book, Visions of Glory talks about how when we’re feeling temptation or we’re in a negative environment, just a thought of prayer allows angels to surround and protect us. I believe we are blind to the constant influences of good and evil around us. I mean literal beings of light and darkness that want to influence us. I think when we pray the heavens are moved and we are given protection. Think about that. If you knew that a prayer brought an angel to be by your side and watch and protect you, would you ever stop praying?

She Will Find What is Lost by Brian Kershisni

My last thought I want to mention is that, for me, I’ve learned my life is better when I pray better. It’s not something we notice unless we really, really stop and think about it. But I’ve come to realize it’s true. Stop and think about your day then think back on your prayers. Did you have an amazing day? Maybe an awesome conversation came about. Maybe, if you’re a member of the church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…or any church for that matter), you had a great opportunity to share something about church or the gospel. Maybe you just had a clarity of mind, a focus at work. Maybe you had a productive day and just felt good. How was your prayer that day? How about days that you feel like you’re drudging along, impatient, short with people, not interested in talking or being friendly? How was your prayer that day? I think if we inventory our prayers and compare it to our resultant day, we’d be blown away by the correlation. Our prayers bring power, it’s something I’ve learned.

The funny (or sad) thing, even with this “understanding” I claim to have, I still fall into mundane prayers. Repetitive, mindless prayers. When I do, I see my days suffer. For some reason it’s hard. We fall into a rut. We can’t focus on what we’re saying. I sometimes even feel like He’s not there. Then I have to remember He’s always there. If someone is lacking in the partnership between myself and God, it is definitely me. I have to be vigilant and strive to pray with focus and intent. I have to express gratitude and actually mean it. I have to thank Heavenly Father for His plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ and actually think about it and mean it. I have to consider what I would be without repentance. When I do these things, my life is better.

When I have a prayer in my heart constantly, I am happier. I feel light. I feel love. I’m more willing to serve and I’m more patient. I’m more aware of opportunities to do good. I’m not special in this regard, in fact there are so many out there saying their prayers the right way. I think as we pray better, we can be better, and we can help each other. I believe this world would be a much better place if we all kept a prayer in our hearts.

_____________________

To learn more about prayer please check out these links:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/prayer?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-8-praying-to-our-heavenly-father?lang=eng

The title is outdated but I thought this video did a good job of showing how to pray:

June 25, 2020
Fear

I was reading Jacob chapter 4 in the Book of Mormon recently and something struck me. One small statement in one verse:

“Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.”

Let me repeat that…

“…if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.”

How could Jacob, the great prophet and brother of Nephi, be shaken from his firmness in the Spirit? He says right there at the end – anxiety for you.

I’d like to expound upon an emotion that can really and truly harm us – fear.

Jacob is clear with this statement. Fear can shake us from the Spirit, from revelation, from God.

Fear is a tool of Satan. I feel a need to write this right now. The world is increasingly fearful. At this moment, amid this virus, fear is rampant. Satan reigns. The Earth is his kingdom. He has put fear into the hearts of almost all men and women.

We see it everywhere. Just look at the empty shelves in the grocery store.

What other examples of fear do we have in scripture?

There was Moses with the Israelites at the Red Sea with Pharaoh bearing down on them. The Israelites feared and Moses told them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, The Lord shall fight for you.” The Lord then spoke to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

There was Alma the Younger as told in the Book of Mormon. He was gripped by fear and despair. He thought of that one name, that one being that could save him. Jesus Christ. Immediately, he was released from his despair.

Satan immediately attacked Moses after his great vision of eternity. Moses 1:20 reads,

“And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear he saw the bitterness of hell. NEVERTHELESS, calling upon God, he received strength.”

Finally, there was Joseph Smith in a quiet, peaceful grove. Satan came for him and he feared. But Joseph fought and called upon God. As the light of God and Jesus Christ descended upon Joseph the darkness retreated.

Notice the pattern here. Satan has a tendency to attack before great things are to happen. So, when you feel that fear and it feels like the jaws of hell are opening to overtake you, and you just can’t take anymore because it has become too much to bear, remember the light that will follow. Once Satan starts his all-out attack we will know the earth-shattering miracles are coming. Satan is attacking. Light is coming.

I feel it’s important for us to keep our hope. Recently, amidst all this craziness, I had a moment of fear. My heart was beating and I was worrying about the future. Then I stopped. I reminded myself that I have known these sorts of events were coming. I’ve been blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to know that these events have been foretold for thousands of years. I’m not saying this is the end. But if it were, what does that mean? It means Christ is coming back.

DO NOT let fear overtake you. Whatever point in history we’re at, whatever is next, we know we’ll be okay. We know it will work out the way God intends. What a comfort that is.

Fear is of Satan, not of God. If we let fear overtake us, we are letting Satan overtake us.

Even if a gun is to your head, take comfort. Because of Christ’s eternal atonement and sacrifice you can always take comfort. The worst case is you return to your Maker and see your Savior. In these times, don’t forget the most important thing. Don’t forget Him. Don’t deny Him. Christ never denied you. The WORST thing that could happen is going home to Him. Is that really the worst thing? Take comfort, and fight fear. Don’t let Satan win your heart. Now, more than ever, we must be strong, faithful, and keep hope. Keep Christ in your heart. When that fear intrudes, kneel and pray.

You will feel Him and fear will leave. I promise.

Fear not, the Lord fights for you. Move forward with faith. Look to Christ as your salvation. Call upon God and you will receive strength.

___________

There’s a comment section below. I’d really like to hear from you. Please leave any thoughts, input, or experiences. If you liked it, please feel free to share. Thanks!

March 21, 2020