Existence of Christ: A response to Angel Ramos.

The issue still stuck to the nature of God and Christ's divinity as the Son of God the Eternal Father. It's not a surprise since there are a group of people who believe Christ as a mere human who was born only with human parents. The Jews hope for a Messiah to come and save them, but never accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah to save the people, (except for a few people who knows him so well). Angel Ramos referred Christ it to. Let's dive in and examine her text -

John 17:5 ” At ngayon, Ama, luwalhatiin mo ako sa iyo rin ng kaluwalhatiang aking TINAMO sa iyo BAGO ANG SANLIBUTAN AY GINAWA.”

See how the text is written, "with the glory which I had with thee before the world was". Christ's claims on his divine identity show that he was already with the father from the very beginning before the creation of this world. At this certain point, Christ asks the Father to glorify him since he is in a human form. No human could achieve the glory of God or his power with any transformations. So basically, Christ is asking the father to exceed from human form could endure to a glorified being. And in that case, this was done after the resurrection of his body. From mortality to immortality, and achieved exaltation. 

Kung tatanggapin natin ang kanilang maling pag-unawa sa talatang ito, lalabas na marami ang Diyos at lahat sila, maging si Apostol Pablo ay existido na bago pa lalangin ang sanlibutan:

And that's correct. Every spirit does exist before the world was created. When the plan of salvation was presented, we were their shouts for Joy that all of us will become like our father in heaven and the very reason of the creation. The Father was never alone from the beginning, He has families and we are all his spirit children.

“Kaya PINILI Niya tayo kay Cristo BAGO ANG SANLIBUTAN AY GINAWA upang maging banal at walang dungis sa harapan Niya sa pag-ibig ” [Efeso 1:4, New Jerusalem Bible]

So you're saying that we do exist before the world was created and deny that Christ was not there? If We are chosen before the world was created then it simply means we existed, our spirit existed with God as our Father. So was Christ also existed with us?

Ito ang katunayan kung bakit hindi ito maaring maging batayan ito ng ilan na sabihing existido na ang Cristo bago pa lalangin ang sanlibutan. Dahil si Cristo ay nasa isip pa lamang ng Diyos noong una:

1 Peter 1:20

” FOREKNOWN, indeed, BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, he has been manifested in the times for your sakes.” [Confraternity Version]

Good to know, shifting from different translations to justify your doctrine. Nice trick. But let get to that.

At tinamo niya ang kaluwalhatian bago pa likhain ang sanlibutan sapagkat sa kaparehong paraan kung paano pinili ng Diyos ang mga Cristiano, ay gayong paraan rin Siya pinili ng Diyos:

Ephesians 1:5

” God PLANNED long ago that we become His Own sons through Jesus Christ. This would please God; it is what He wanted.” [Simple English Bible]

Siya ay pinili na ng Diyos o itinadhana na buhat sa pasimula:

If you're talking about the Plan of God, Yes! it is right. He was chosen before the foundation of the world. So he does exist, the word chosen is an actual existence, not a knowledge that was only based on plans. God could simply choose whoever he wants if this were just done in his mind. But to think it that way, there's no need for the plan of salvation to be presented, there's no need of prophets where he knows and it's already predicted. God could just simply manipulate everything that will happen and controls it since everything was already foreknown as the author says. But the freedom to choose was there and which means everything is not controlled by just one being. We are not manipulated and we have the right to choose God or the opposite. So the plan has been made and there's the ground we're standing to follow it and Christ has been the example of us.

“He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.” [1 Pedro 1:20 Revised Standard Bible]

Using this version will contradict the former. We could see their doctrine is so absurd. Picking up which version was right and just select some parts could lead you to confusion. In dictionary term the word destined means "to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance" which mean, there is someone or something that already exist and was assigned in a specific calling or mission.

Hindi ito nangangahulugang existido na si Cristo noon pang pasimula, ito ay nangangahulugan lamang na siya ay isang plano na bago panahon ng paglalang.

And how are you gonna twist that? The version you using simply defines what it is and yet you still insisted on your understanding of the existence of Christ? The "Word, was God" take note of the word "WAS" which means it's already there. It never said "The Word will be" or Soon after it was born.

Sapagkat si Cristo ay naging existido lamang nang ipanganak siya ni Maria:

Galacia 4:4

” Datapuwa’t nang dumating ang kapanahunan, ay sinugo ng Dios ang kaniyang Anak, na ipinanganak ng isang babae, na ipinanganak sa ilalim ng kautusan “

And there it is, "SINUGO" how are you gonna send someone or choose someone to be or be born, if that someone or being has never existed? What kind of Doctrine was that?

Mateo 1:18

” Ang pagkapanganak nga kay Jesucristo ay ganito: Nang si Maria na kaniyang ina ay magaasawa kay Jose, bago sila magsama ay nasumpungang siya’y nagdadalang-tao sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. “

And I don't see how relevant this verse is to the topic. Maybe because he was born as a human child.

At Malina rin sa

Ok, so you have part two. I guess.

Existence of Christ: A response to Angel Ramos.

The issue still stuck to the nature of God and Christ's divinity as the Son of God the Eternal Father. It's not a surprise since there are a group of people who believe Christ as a mere human who was born only with human parents. The Jews hope for a Messiah to come and save them, but never accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah to save the people, (except for a few people who knows him so well). Angel Ramos referred Christ it to. Let's dive in and examine her text -

John 17:5 ” At ngayon, Ama, luwalhatiin mo ako sa iyo rin ng kaluwalhatiang aking TINAMO sa iyo BAGO ANG SANLIBUTAN AY GINAWA.”

See how the text is written, "with the glory which I had with thee before the world was". Christ's claims on his divine identity show that he was already with the father from the very beginning before the creation of this world. At this certain point, Christ asks the Father to glorify him since he is in a human form. No human could achieve the glory of God or his power with any transformations. So basically, Christ is asking the father to exceed from human form could endure to a glorified being. And in that case, this was done after the resurrection of his body. From mortality to immortality, and achieved exaltation. 

Kung tatanggapin natin ang kanilang maling pag-unawa sa talatang ito, lalabas na marami ang Diyos at lahat sila, maging si Apostol Pablo ay existido na bago pa lalangin ang sanlibutan:

And that's correct. Every spirit does exist before the world was created. When the plan of salvation was presented, we were their shouts for Joy that all of us will become like our father in heaven and the very reason of the creation. The Father was never alone from the beginning, He has families and we are all his spirit children.

“Kaya PINILI Niya tayo kay Cristo BAGO ANG SANLIBUTAN AY GINAWA upang maging banal at walang dungis sa harapan Niya sa pag-ibig ” [Efeso 1:4, New Jerusalem Bible]

So you're saying that we do exist before the world was created and deny that Christ was not there? If We are chosen before the world was created then it simply means we existed, our spirit existed with God as our Father. So was Christ also existed with us?

Ito ang katunayan kung bakit hindi ito maaring maging batayan ito ng ilan na sabihing existido na ang Cristo bago pa lalangin ang sanlibutan. Dahil si Cristo ay nasa isip pa lamang ng Diyos noong una:

1 Peter 1:20

” FOREKNOWN, indeed, BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, he has been manifested in the times for your sakes.” [Confraternity Version]

Good to know, shifting from different translations to justify your doctrine. Nice trick. But let get to that.

At tinamo niya ang kaluwalhatian bago pa likhain ang sanlibutan sapagkat sa kaparehong paraan kung paano pinili ng Diyos ang mga Cristiano, ay gayong paraan rin Siya pinili ng Diyos:

Ephesians 1:5

” God PLANNED long ago that we become His Own sons through Jesus Christ. This would please God; it is what He wanted.” [Simple English Bible]

Siya ay pinili na ng Diyos o itinadhana na buhat sa pasimula:

If you're talking about the Plan of God, Yes! it is right. He was chosen before the foundation of the world. So he does exist, the word chosen is an actual existence, not a knowledge that was only based on plans. God could simply choose whoever he wants if this were just done in his mind. But to think it that way, there's no need for the plan of salvation to be presented, there's no need of prophets where he knows and it's already predicted. God could just simply manipulate everything that will happen and controls it since everything was already foreknown as the author says. But the freedom to choose was there and which means everything is not controlled by just one being. We are not manipulated and we have the right to choose God or the opposite. So the plan has been made and there's the ground we're standing to follow it and Christ has been the example of us.

“He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.” [1 Pedro 1:20 Revised Standard Bible]

Using this version will contradict the former. We could see their doctrine is so absurd. Picking up which version was right and just select some parts could lead you to confusion. In dictionary term the word destined means "to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance" which mean, there is someone or something that already exist and was assigned in a specific calling or mission.

Hindi ito nangangahulugang existido na si Cristo noon pang pasimula, ito ay nangangahulugan lamang na siya ay isang plano na bago panahon ng paglalang.

And how are you gonna twist that? The version you using simply defines what it is and yet you still insisted on your understanding of the existence of Christ? The "Word, was God" take note of the word "WAS" which means it's already there. It never said "The Word will be" or Soon after it was born.

Sapagkat si Cristo ay naging existido lamang nang ipanganak siya ni Maria:

Galacia 4:4

” Datapuwa’t nang dumating ang kapanahunan, ay sinugo ng Dios ang kaniyang Anak, na ipinanganak ng isang babae, na ipinanganak sa ilalim ng kautusan “

And there it is, "SINUGO" how are you gonna send someone or choose someone to be or be born, if that someone or being has never existed? What kind of Doctrine was that?

Mateo 1:18

” Ang pagkapanganak nga kay Jesucristo ay ganito: Nang si Maria na kaniyang ina ay magaasawa kay Jose, bago sila magsama ay nasumpungang siya’y nagdadalang-tao sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. “

And I don't see how relevant this verse is to the topic. Maybe because he was born as a human child.

At Malina rin sa

Ok, so you have part two. I guess.

About The Book of Mormon: The Introduction

Someone with a Facebook user is trying to disprove the Book of Mormon using his own personal opinion. I would like to suggest to know its contents first before making any claim. So here's the introduction provided with some information about what/why/how (I will not make any comment on that part here) it was all written and how come the LDS taught it was the most correct book, etc... as what Joseph Smith taught. Some screenshots are not uploaded since I don't know what's he up to. So some of it will be updated if time permits. Anyway, let's start -

A screenshot of an introduction Tagalog version

His screenshot of the scripture verse
using 2 Timothy 3 and 4

I don't know which one exactly he's trying to use against it, I can't even tell which part has a contradiction. But let's try to see the whole context. Maybe there's something he wanted to point out. He also have the 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Here what it is upon checking its contents -

2 TIMOTHY 3

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


CHAPTER 4
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

...

I don't know what's he up to, but I think he wanted to prove that part of apostasy is to turn away from the truth. Will I guess its a good point. But I don't know how it contradict the Book of Mormon. Somethings need to have a clear explanation. It's his words so I guess I could help or find a solution on his problem.

His comments and a challenge. I just don't get it.

So here's the thing about the screenshot and I'm gonna make some few words about his main concern which is the most correct book, see underlined text on the INTRODUCTION below

THE BOOK OF MORMON

INTRODUCTION

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.

The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after His resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

After Mormon completed his writings, he delivered the account to his son Moroni, who added a few words of his own and hid up the plates in the hill Cumorah. On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the ancient record and its destined translation into the English language.

In due course the plates were delivered to Joseph Smith, who translated them by the gift and power of God. The record is now published in many languages as a new and additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that all who will come unto Him and obey the laws and ordinances of His gospel may be saved.

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

In addition to Joseph Smith, the Lord provided for eleven others to see the gold plates for themselves and to be special witnesses of the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon. Their written testimonies are included herewith as “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” and “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses.”

Here's the exact word from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 194

Perfection of the Book of Mormon

Sunday, 28.—I spent the day in the council with the Twelve Apostles at the house of President Young, conversing with them upon a variety of subjects. Brother Joseph Fielding was present, having been absent four years on a mission to England. I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. (November 28, 1841.) DHC 4:461.


My Comment

A brief and direct answer. If the scripture was from God, or a word of God, then it must be written by someone who is called and has the authority. (Obviously,  that's the role of the prophets). So if it was written by the prophets, then it must also be translated by the prophets. So,  here goes the question and ask it to yourself.

How many modern prophets had translated the bible? Answer is Zero. No modern prophets but rather educated people, scholars and linguist.

Do they have proper authority? No!
Do they have revelations receive? No!
Do they have the same understanding and lived the same principles? No!
Do they receive spiritual guidance of their studies? Maybe or maybe not, we can tell it if there's just one version of the Bible that stand right to everyone, and everyone believe on the same teachings. But no, nothing at all.

And here's the Book of Mormon.

Who wrote it? Answer: The prophets of Old.

And who translated it? Answer: The prophet of God.

And what will be the reason that everyone's questioning it's authenticity and say it is false if this book stands in a religion that believe and die for Christ sake and salvation? Aside from Punctuation Poor English or sentence structure. None!

Other Sources

Question: Why did Joseph Smith say that the Book of Mormon was the "most correct book"?

From  1986 Semi-Annual General Conference

...
There are three great reasons why Latter-day Saints should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit.

The first is that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. This was the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement. He testified that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion” Introduction to the Book of Mormon A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles.

There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony.

The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. Unlike the Bible, which passed through generations of copyists, translators, and corrupt religionists who tampered with the text, the Book of Mormon came from writer to reader in just one inspired step of translation. Therefore, its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power. But it does even more. Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior. They question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of all of those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ (see title page of the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is also the keystone of the doctrine of the Resurrection. As mentioned before, the Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the “fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ” D&C 20:9 That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation. The Book of Mormon offers so much that broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious.

Finally, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of testimony. Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The enemies of the Church understand this clearly. This is why they go to such great lengths to try to disprove the Book of Mormon, for if it can be discredited, the Prophet Joseph Smith goes with it. So does our claim to priesthood keys, and revelation, and the restored Church. But in like manner, if the Book of Mormon be true—and millions have now testified that they have the witness of the Spirit that it is indeed true—then one must accept the claims of the Restoration and all that accompanies it.

...
The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion
President Ezra Taft Benson

Conclusion: it is easier to judge something that it's not true, based on someone that says it's not true. Truth can't be seen in hearsay. Truth is always truth that needs digging.

- Jerry Bustillo

Name this insect.

Can you guess this one?

Another insect that I found in the chapel after the sacrament program in Bulawen Branch. It was dead already on the floor, I think someone caught and killed it or maybe some other kinds of insect could have killed and left it. Anyway, I picked it up and see if it will be preserved in my collections.

What do you call this? Can you name this insect?

It looks like a fly but it has a long abdomen than a normal fly.

Shapes almost like a dwarf dragonfly,
But except for its wings.

It's not horsefly and it has needle suckers
like Assassin bug or similar.
Which means it is a Predator. 

Can you name it now?

Will the name is on this link below, check it for yourself.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asilidae

Responding to Ang Katotohanan

Some Facebook Alias Named Ang Katotohanan posted this to his wall, and it seems like somethings need to be corrected. I would like to post it here with it's original link on Facebook -

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=184957516861547&id=100060418995157

CREATION

The scripture especially in the book of Genesis teaches us something about God's nature and plurality. There are things need to be understood as who made the plan and who executed the plan.

Latter-day Saints believe that Christ was the creator, but that doesn't mean that the Father did nothing in the beginning, of course He is the Father of all Spirit and projected a plan for everone. It was the Father who knows when and where or how all things should be done in order and Jehovah was deligated to create all things. It was through him and by him all everything was created.

During the creation, another being was with him, and we come to know that it is not just Jehovah the creator all alone. The same Jehovah who will suffer the atonement for all the Father's children.

Relationship to the Father, the SON and the Holy Ghost -

There are centain scriptures that teaches us something about the existence of the Son of God. We know already the God is the Father of all spirit and we are his offspring, not just a mere creation that He could just simple destroy anytime He wanted to.

Christ was there with the father as the scripture says he is the "WORD" with the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit as the scripture says it, this three bear records in heaven.

Three separate individual, not just one being, but rather one in purpose and plan. of course, the father is superior and the one who made the plan, so it's the reason why Christ call him God, as the Father.

Christ communicate to the father through prayer. For some, Christ way of prayer disqualifies his nature being a God, since he ask for help or guidance. Prayer is one way communication to our father in heaven, it is simply talking and asking some direction on what to do everyday in which Christ shows us an example to communicate always with the Father or our God and He will direct us through the Holy Ghost. So Christ also experience the same human nature the need constant guidance and revelations. After all, the very reason why he came to earth to be an example and to fulfil the plan of God.

His Glory

God's nature was reveal through prophets of Old as the scriptures teaches us, and even in latter-days he continue to reveal everything necessary for us to understand his will and nature.

We learn that God has a body of flesh and bones, tangable and a glorified body. Which means, God can be seen or has the ability to make Himself seen or known to the eyes of the people or person whom he chooses.

Early teaching from the prophets teaches us a few things about his nature, but it was eventually revealed during this latter-days.

We learn that Christ cannot do anything unless what he sees from the father, and the father revealed to him the thing that he needed to do.

We learn that the body of flesh and bones could enhirit the kingdoms of heaven. God created man with the tabernacle of clay (that is our flesh) and that someday it will rise as glorified perfect body.

There's no reason for us to be follow God's plan and be ressurected if God the Father himself is not glorified or doesn't have a perfect body. Christ was glorified and ascended in the throne of our God with a perfect immortal Body, in that case God has that same glory and nature.

The plan

The plan is basically create everything in this world to be occupied by man and they will be tried if they're worthy to be part of his kingdom. I would like to make a separate article about this one since it will cover up the Fall, Atonement and life on Earth. This will be an interesting topic.

Anyway, so to answer the post straight. There are some couple of scripture that tells us about the creation and that God was never alone in creating the universe for our existence and experiences.

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

This has proved that God was never alone, he talk to someone else to create man in their own image. 

Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

It was created by Jesus Christ. And as we all know, he existed with the father and was plan to atone us from our sins.

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

It was christ who made the worlds. Which means our basic understanding towards the creation was all clear through the teachings of our prophets and apostles whom the Lord calls. Christ who acted as the father creates everything around us even worlds unknown to our days.

Our Savior and Our Creator by Jan Tribe

Hall of Fame

PSALM OF JOY

Happy Birthday to my Pretty Wife

The Gospel—The One-Man Power.

It's been circulating around the web about Brigham Young's Discourse of an inhabited Moon and Sun. So here's a complete talk and see how it all been said. I'll make an article regarding this topic.

https://earthsky.org/space/2nd-exoplanet-confirmed-proxima-centauri

Discourse by President Brigham Young

delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, July 24, 1870.
Reported By: David W. Evans.

Short sermons are very frequently interesting, if the speaker can say what he wishes to say from the time he commences to speak until the end.

But most of us who are public speakers labor under timidity, and experience that lack of the governing and controlling principle which prevents our doing this. I notice this in almost every public speaker I hear. It is seldom that a speaker can arise and deliver his thoughts and reflections readily, unless his speech and subject have been studied and fixed previously. For my part, as far as my public speaking is concerned, I do not know that I ever troubled myself to take thought beforehand of what I should say. Matt. 10:19 Mark 13:11 There have been times in my life that I have been led to lecture on certain principles, and on such occasions my mind would be confined to those principles alone, consequently my subject would be before me more immediately. But upon rising to address the people I trust in Him from whom we all derive the power of thought and reflection, and I strive to express my reflections acceptably to God and to my hearers.

The Gospel, whose principles we have been hearing about this morning, is the Gospel that every Christian professes to believe in. I do not know of a Christian but what will admit that the Bible is true; then where is the difference between the Latter-day Saints and the various Christian sects that dwell on the earth? The difference is that we believe enough to obey; while they believe just enough to acknowledge but not to obey.

If there be one principle in this Gospel that we preach that is not perfectly true, we would like some divine to make us acquainted with the fact; and prove by principles of true philosophy wherein it is not true, or wherein it is injurious to those who believe it. We believe that every principle that God has revealed to the children of men is strictly true, and absolutely beneficial to the life of every intelligent being that dwells upon the whole earth. We have come to this conclusion, for we have tried to learn and understand and to carry out in our lives the principles of the Gospel that we believe in, and if we sum them up, in a few words, we might, with the strictest propriety, use the words of one anciently, and say that the Gospel is “peace on earth, and good will to men.” Luke 2:14 We can also say truly that this is eternal life to know the only wise God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. John 17:3 But when we examine the faith and acknowledgements of the Christian world we find that, with all their professions, they are involved in midnight darkness concerning the true nature and character of God. Is there a divine on the face of the whole earth who can give you or me any description of the Being that the whole Christian world worship as God? There is not. Where is the proof of this assertion? I am a witness; their writings are witnesses; their sermons are witnesses; their declarations are witnesses. Yet this book, the Bible, portrays the character of God, the Father of our spirits, Heb. 12:9 and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 11:31 just as clearly as any work ever written by man portrays the shape, nature, construction, and constitution of the human frame. If this is so, why do not the Christian world believe in it? The Latter-day Saints do believe enough of it to try and carry it out in their practice.

What do we believe about the faith that Jesus revealed? He said a great deal with regard to life and salvation. His Apostles wrote and taught after him, and the Gospel was among the children of men from the days of Adam until the coming of the Messiah; this Gospel of Christ is from the beginning to the end. Then why was the law of Moses given? Just answer the question! In consequence of the disobedience of the children of Israel, the elect of God; D&C 84:34 the very seed that He had selected to be His people, and upon whom He said He would place His name. This seed of Abraham so rebelled against Him and His commands that the Lord said to Moses, “I will give you a law which shall be a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ.” Gal. 3:24 But this law is grievous; it is a law of carnal commandments. D&C 84:27 Still it will be hard for any divine that now lives to draw the line between the law of carnal commandments and the law of divine commandments. I have not seen them who can do it.

I ask what is the nature of our religion? Why, it is “peace on earth, and good will to men” Luke 2:14 in every particular; and if its precepts be observed it will fill society with peace, joy, wealth, beauty, and excellence; it lifts man above the things of earth, gives him the philosophy of eternity, and shows the works of God in all their glory and magnitude, and leads the mind of the creature to admire and worship the Creator. Is this the fact? Certainly it is. I have not found anything in my religion that will do harm to any creature on the face of the earth. I have not found errors in our religion. Are there errors in the people? O yes, plenty of them. I recollect a gentleman from Philadelphia who was tarrying in this city for the benefit of his health, but was called home on business, who said he believed the Bible and believed all, as far as he had learned, with regard to the doctrines of the Latter-day Saints. Said he, one day, when visiting me for the last time, “Mr. Young, am I to understand that you consider yourselves perfect?” I said to him, “Such an idea with regard to us is a mistaken one, and if you entertain it you have not got the matter placed correctly in your mind. Let me correct you, so that when at home you may meditate upon it. The doctrine that we preach is perfect; but our lives are very imperfect. To say that a human being is perfect, that he has no errors, would say that he is divine—a God or a holy angel. But we are in a world of sin and darkness, a world that knows not God; in a world where error dwells and reigns supreme. Now,” said I, “remember this. The doctrine that we preach is from God; this doctrine is pure and holy; it is without spot or blemish; and it is the doctrine of the Son of God, the Savior of the world.” Is it good for man here? Certainly it is—the best that can be given to any beings on the earth; to organize a society, to rule a family, to dictate and control scholars at school, to rule, govern, and control an individual, a community, a nation or kingdom, it is the very best code of principles and laws ever delivered to the children of men. In all my researches into the doctrine of Jesus I have never found an error.

It has been observed here this morning that we are called fanatics. Bless me! That is nothing. Who has not been called a fanatic who has discovered anything new in philosophy or science? We have all read of Galileo the astronomer who, contrary to the system of astronomy that had been received for ages before his day, taught that the sun, and not the earth, was the center of our planetary system? For this the learned astronomer was called “fanatic,” and subjected to persecution and imprisonment of the most rigorous character. So it has been with others who have discovered and explained new truths in science and philosophy which have been in opposition to long-established theories; and the opposition they have encountered has endured until the truth of their discoveries has been demonstrated by time. The term “fanatic” is not applied to professors of religion only. How was it with Dr. Morse, when shut up in the attic of an old building in Baltimore for more than a year, with a little wire stretched round the room, experimenting upon it with his battery, he told a friend that by means of that he could sit there and talk to Congress in Washington? Was he not considered a fanatic, and wild, and crazy? Certainly he was; and so it was with Robert Fulton, when he was conducting his experiments with steam and endeavoring to apply it so as to propel a vessel through the water. And all great discoverers in art, science, or mechanism have been denounced as fanatics and crazy; and it has been declared by their contemporaries that they did not know what they were saying, and they were thought to be almost as wild and incoherent as the generality of the people now think George Francis Train to be.

I will tell you who the real fanatics are: they are they who adopt false principles and ideas as facts, and try to establish a superstructure upon a false foundation. They are the fanatics; and however ardent and zealous they may be, they may reason or argue on false premises till doomsday, and the result will be false. If our religion is of this character we want to know it; we would like to find a philosopher who can prove it to us. We are called ignorant; so we are: but what of it? Are not all ignorant? I rather think so. Who can tell us of the inhabitants of this little planet that shines of an evening, called the moon? When we view its face we may see what is termed, “the man in the moon,” and what some philosophers declare are the shadows of mountains. But these sayings are very vague, and amount to nothing; and when you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain. It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets; and so will this earth when it is celestialized. D&C 130:9 Every planet in its first rude, organic state receives not the glory of God upon it, but is opaque; but when celestialized, every planet that God brings into existence is a body of light, but not till then. Christ is the light of this planet. D&C 88:7-10 God gives light to our eyes. D&C 88:11 Did you ever think who gave you the power of seeing? Who organized these little globules in our heads, and formed the nerves running to the brain, and gave us the power of distinguishing a circle from a square, an upright from a level, large from small, white from black, brown from gray, and so on? Did you acquire this faculty by your own power? Did any of you impart this power to me or I to you? Not at all. Then where did we get it from? From a superior Being. When I think of these few little things with regard to the organization of the earth and the people of the earth, how curious and how singular it is! And yet how harmonious and beautiful are Nature's laws! And the work of God goes forward, and who can hinder it, or who can stay His hand now that He has commenced His kingdom?

This brings us right back to this Gospel. God has commenced His kingdom on the earth. How intricate it is, and how difficult for a man to understand if he be not enlightened by the Spirit of God! How can we understand it? O, we have nothing to do but to humble ourselves and get the spirit of the Lord by being born of the water and of the Spirit; then we can enter into it. John 3:5 How is it if we are not born of the Spirit? Can the natural man behold the things of God? He cannot, for they are discerned spiritually 1 Cor. 2:14by the Spirit of the Almighty, and if we have not this Spirit within us we cannot understand the things of God. 1 Cor. 2:11 But the most simple thing in the world to understand is the work of the Lord. What shall we do? Divest ourselves of great, big “Mr. I.” Let him fall at the feet of good sound reason. What next? Humble ourselves before the Lord and receive the truth as He has revealed it, then we will be born of the Spirit. Then if we wish further blessings, be born of the water; then, if we wish further blessings, receive the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost; and if we wish still further blessings, live by every word that proceeds out of His mouth, Matt. 4:4 that is spoken from the heavens, then things will be brought to our remembrance by the Comforter that Jesus promised his disciples, John 14:26which should show them things past, present, and to come. John 16:13 This is the Gospel as we believe it. Is there any harm in it? Not the least in the world. Should we not obey it? We should. Should we not obey the requirements of Heaven? Certainly we should. Would it be the least injurious to the human family to receive the Gospel of the Son of God, and to have the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2:5to rule over them? Not at all; but, on the contrary, it would fill them with peace, joy, love, kindness, and intelligence. Would the principles of the Gospel, if obeyed, teach us to control ourselves? They would. They will teach men and women to govern and control their own passions. You very frequently hear it said, “Such a man or woman has too much temper.” This is a mistaken idea. No person on earth has too much of this article. But do we not frequently see the evil conduct of people through allowing their passions and tempers to have full control of them? Certainly we do. What is the difficulty? We want the spirit, knowledge, power and principle within us to govern and control our tempers; there is no danger of having too much if we will only control them by the Spirit of the Almighty. Every intelligent being on the earth is tempered for glory, beauty, excellency, and knowledge here, and for immortality and eternal lives in the worlds to come. But every being who attains to this must be sanctified before God and be completely under the control of His Spirit. If I am thus controlled by the Spirit of the Most High I am a king, I am supreme so far as the control of self is concerned; and it also enables me to control my wives and children. And when they thus see that I am under the government and control of the Good Spirit, they will be perfectly submissive to my dictates. They feel and say, “Yes, father, or husband, certainly, you never require anything that is wrong; I have learned that long ago. Your judgment and discretion and the power of thought and reflection in you are sufficient; you know what is right.” And if I could extend this power I could reign supreme, not only over my family and friends, but also over my neighbors and the people all around me. Could the spirit of error, hatred and wickedness perform this? No, it can be accomplished only by means of the meek and humble spirit of the Lord Jesus. Matt. 11:29 If an individual is filled with that, it makes him a perfect monarch over himself, and it will give him influence over all who will hearken to his counsel. What a pity it would be, in the estimation of the wicked and corrupt, if any man on the earth really did possess this power! Suppose that Napoleon, for instance, was actually filled with the power of God to that degree that the whole people of France would love him as much as a child ever loved a parent, because they knew every word he uttered was full of wisdom and would produce health, wealth, joy and peace among all classes; would elevate the suffering poor—those in need and distress, fill them with knowledge and wisdom and give them the good things of life, why, there would be a general outcry against him, and he would be denounced because of the exercise of the “one-man power!” But let him be a devil and rule with an iron rod, a tyrant's hand, and take off heads every day by the score or hundred, and there would not be a word said against him! Let the good I have referred to be brought about, as it would be, under the rule and government of Heaven, and the ruler would be called a tyrant. But this is the way to rule, no matter what the inhabitants and the wise men and philosophers of the earth may think; and the time will come when this earth will be revolutionized by these principles, and when through their influence war, dissension, hatred, malice, and persecution will cease among the children of men and when there will be a universal reign of peace and righteousness. Suppose we live to see it! We shall all be of one heart and one mind, Moses 7:18 shall we not? I will here ask, for my own satisfaction, what will you do, Mr. Politician, when there is no division at the polls, but when the cry will be, from one end of the earth to the other, “We want one man only, but the best that can be found for this office; this is the only man we want?” Your occupation will be gone about that time. Will there be wars in those days? No, they will be done away. Any contentions then? No, all will be peace. Bickering and strife will have passed away, and a better spirit will have taken possession of the minds of the people, and they will be peaceful, joyous, kind and full of benevolence, and the general feeling will be, “Friend, what can I do for you? Brother, how can I do you good?” or, “Sister, can I add to your comfort, or make any addition to your joy and peace here on the earth?” You and I are looking for this day. Let me ask the poor miserable apostate, the hater of God and righteousness, “Do you not think that will be one-man power?” I reckon it will. That is what leading men everywhere are after now, not only in this country, but in every other; they are all scrambling after it, and they are mad because they cannot get it.

I think I will take the liberty of relating a little circumstance which was related to me. Whether it is a fact or not I cannot say. Some of our good government officers here inquired of a man from the Southern part of the Territory: “Do you know Brigham?” “Yes, I know him very well.” “Do you not know that he is trying to influence the election?” “No, I never heard anything about it.” “Can't you make oath that he has always guided and influenced the elections in this Territory?” The man said, “No, I am not well enough acquainted with him nor with politics to know anything about it.” I laughed heartily inside at the poor miserable fools when I heard this. Why, yes, I would govern and control the elections of the earth if I desired and could; certainly I would, and help yourselves the best way you can! Bless my heart, who don't do it? The poor creatures! Isn't that what they are after? Would not they do it if they could? I can govern and control the Latter-day Saints, not by the iron hand, but by the principles of true government—the principles of our religion, which, in their very nature, are bound to make those who will be guided by them healthy, wealthy and wise. I think we are doing our best at it; and I also think that we will go on and be successful in this good work in spite of earth and hell.

I say God speed everybody that is for freedom and equal rights! I am with you. Whom do we want to fill our public offices? We want the best men that we can find for governor, president, and statesmen, and for every other office of trust and responsibility; and when we have obtained them, we will pray for them and give them our faith and influence to do the will of God and to preserve themselves and the people in truth and righteousness. I have talked as long as time will allow. God bless you. Amen.

Jasher's Art Collection

Saraijah Sisgon Bustillo

Beware some oppressed you

Did Joseph Smith use polygamy just to get with women?

Here's a good script for an easy answer. Sometime People think the practice of Polygamy was misunderstood with the practice of Adultery. I Posted Doctrine & Covenant 132 of this matter to let you see how it was commanded.

Here the complete transcript of the video. Visit the site and check for yourself. From Saints Unscripted

Doctrine and Covenants 132

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant and the principle of plural marriage. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, evidence indicates that some of the principles involved in this revelation were known by the Prophet as early as 1831. See Official Declaration 1.

1–6, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 7–14, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 15–20, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 21–25, The strait and narrow way leads to eternal lives; 26–27, The law is given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 28–39, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation are made to prophets and Saints in all ages; 40–47, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 48–50, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 51–57, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing plural marriage are set forth.

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines—

2 Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter.

3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.

4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.

6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.

7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.

8 Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.

9 Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?

10 Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed?

11 And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was?

12 I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.

13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.

14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.

15 Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.

16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

17 For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.

18 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.

22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

24 This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.

25 Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they receive me not, neither do they abide in my law.

26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God.

27 The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord.

28 I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and my Father before the world was.

29 Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.

30 Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph—which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them.

31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.

32 Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.

33 But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the promise of my Father, which he made unto Abraham.

34 God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises.

35 Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord, commanded it.

36 Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.

37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.

38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

39 David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord.

40 I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an appointment, and restore all things. Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word.

41 And as ye have asked concerning adultery, verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man receiveth a wife in the new and everlasting covenant, and if she be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her by the holy anointing, she hath committed adultery and shall be destroyed.

42 If she be not in the new and everlasting covenant, and she be with another man, she has committed adultery.

43 And if her husband be with another woman, and he was under a vow, he hath broken his vow and hath committed adultery.

44 And if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent and hath not broken her vow, and she knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then shall you have power, by the power of my Holy Priesthood, to take her and give her unto him that hath not committed adultery but hath been faithful; for he shall be made ruler over many.

45 For I have conferred upon you the keys and power of the priesthood, wherein I restore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time.

46 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.

47 And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and whomsoever you curse I will acurse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy God.

48 And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven.

49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father.

50 Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.

51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.

52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.

53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been faithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.

54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.

55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an hundred-fold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of eternal lives in the eternal worlds.

56 And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to rejoice.

57 And again, I say, let not my servant Joseph put his property out of his hands, lest an enemy come and destroy him; for Satan seeketh to destroy; for I am the Lord thy God, and he is my servant; and behold, and lo, I am with him, as I was with Abraham, thy father, even unto his exaltation and glory.

58 Now, as touching the law of the priesthood, there are many things pertaining thereunto.

59 Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that sent me, and I have endowed him with the keys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit sin, and I will justify him.

60 Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he shall do the sacrifice which I require at his hands for his transgressions, saith the Lord your God.

61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

62 And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified.

64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.

65 Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife.

66 And now, as pertaining to this law, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice for the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen.