Moses 8

Last chapter, and it seems to have stopped so suddenly in the story because we don't hear about the commandment to build an ark. That's alright though, I know the story well enough that I can wait until I read it in the bible (which is what I will be reading next!). The Lord did keep His covenant with Enoch and brought up a righteous line through Methuselah that were the Sons of God and not men. That's how righteousness and wickedness are separated and labeled in this chapter, Sons of God are righteous and the sons of men are the ones who do not listen to Noah's prophesying.
The Lord teaches an interesting concept to me through this chapter about who is acceptable to marry, believe it or not. When He describes the daughters that have married sons of men as having sold themselves, I am worried that they are cut off from the blessings because their husbands have been cut off from the blessing of the Lord. Then again, there were giants on the earth back then and everything could have been completely different than it is now, but I still know that it is better to find someone that shares me love of the gospel.
Noah and his righteous sons were the only one left on earth who walked with God among the violence that was on the whole earth. Through some calculations, I am quite certain that the earth is about 1,548 years old when Noah has his 3 righteous sons (since they left the Garden of Eden), but I am far from knowing how many people were alive at this point in time because it doesn't give us any clues. Obviously a few years pass before they start having children and those fair daughters are taken to wife by the sons of men, but there aren't a specific amount of years attached to those events and I can only speculate how long it took them to do that. The timeline of how long people back then waited to have children ranges from 65 years to 450 years. With how long they lived, it should surprise me, but it still does.

Moses 7

Enoch continues to teach the people then time passes as we are informed that he is a prophet that continues to teach to the people the words of the Lord. He establishes the City of Zion, and for 365 years the people there walked with God so perfectly that they were received up into the bosom of God. The people were so righteous because they constantly listened to the prophesying of Enoch about his revelations from the Lord which we get to read some of in the middle of the chapter when we are told the things he is shown.
The teachings of Enoch was actually not the first time the information was being taught to the people of the world because he is getting it from Adam's records. Repentance might have been a new concept but the people should have always been taught to follow the guidance from the Lord. Enoch preaches to all the people except the Canaan who are the descendants of Cain that were marked with blackness and despised among all people. His prophesying brought fear of the Lord upon all nations because he also performed many miracles, and the ones who believed on his words and followed the Lord came together to live in the City of Holiness, called Zion.
Enoch is even told that Zion is the only blessed place, and that the rest of the inhabitants of the earth are cursed and will suffer the flood that we know of in the time of Noah. All of the knowledge of the earth's history is shown to Enoch who is grieved over the wickedness and misery of the people. He covenants with the Lord to save his seed through the line of Noah when the earth is covered in floods. Now this flood seems to be described as the cleansing of the earth which is kind of like the earths baptism....at least that what I thought of when I read through v56 when the earth groans.
I know all things have a spirit, but do all of those things need a sort of baptism like we have? I know I've never heard of baptizing animals, although some crazy folks might want to. Maybe it's the innocence thing that goes on with infants that are too young to be accountable for their sins before the age of accountability. That's what I choose to believe! I'm not a crazy cat lady who wants to live with my cats for time and all eternity yet haha.
But let me end on a high note by speaking of the thousand years that the earth will be at rest when Christ comes again. I'm sure the earth has had a hard enough time housing humans, and I'm thinking that she is sick of the constant drilling and draining of resources. I hope that in this time of rest, she will also be restored to her full glory and we can learn to treat her right, if she does have a spirit like Pocahontas suggests. I also know that ever rock and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a name.

Moses 6

I don't know why we are only told of certain children of Adam and Eve, but it could be because they are the only records we found...seems legit to me! So we know of Cain and Able, but Seth was a while after, and through his line, there raises righteous generations that follow and are blessed of God. Enoch is part of that line and preaches to  the people that are influenced by satan by retelling some old inspiring stories. 

So a book of remembrance is kept and there is no doubt that we know all the information we know because of the preservation of the records. It was written in the language of Adam which is pure and undefiled, but obviously there have been translations and that pure language is no where to be found today. The righteous line of men will be given next along with how old they lived to be:

Adam -930

Seth -912

Enos -905

Cainan -910

Mahalaleel -895

Jared -962

Enoch -undetermined but in chapter 8 we learn he was only on earth for 430 years

Methuselah -969 (chapter 8:7)

Lamech -777 (8:11)

Noah -950 (Genesis 9:29)

I might have gone past this chapter, but it was fun to get in all down in one post instead of having to refer back. 

The rest of the chapter is Enoch's preaching to the people because he was commanded by the Lord to preach repentance. Ever since the day men was created they have gone astray, but the Lord wants to change things by having a prophet preach to them, even one that does not believe in himself because he is slow of speech. Enoch becomes a seer by anointing clay over his eyes and goes to hills and high places to testify against the evil works of the people. He does not make the people very happy with all this, but they go to listen to him as he tells them where he came from, what he has been commanded of by God, and stories of the creation. He uses the book of remembrance, like missionaries use the scriptures these days, to tell of the fall of Adam but the possibility of being saved.

He teaches that we are born as fallen beings and into sin, but that does not mean we are confined to that lifestyle. We know good from evil and can choose for ourselves how we will act so that we can become clean and pure again through the atonement of the Only Begotten. He also teaches of baptism, and reads the story of Adam's baptism when he receives the Spirit of God, a.k.a. the Holy Ghost. Being reborn of fire through baptism allows us to be one in Christ and the Father who is the ultimate example.

Moses 5

The scene is set with Adam and Eve beginning their lives outside of the Garden of Eden. Working hard each day to till the earth while following the commandment of multiplying and replenishing the earth, they spread across the land. A command is given to them to offer the firstlings of their flocks unto the Lord, and after it is completed, an angel visits to explain the reasoning and symbolism of the firstborn offering. This act of faith by Adam allowed him to receive the Holy Ghost's presence with him to bear record of the Father and the Only Begotten Son.
Being somewhat reborn with the presence of the Holy Ghost, Adam prophecies concerning all the families on earth and is supported by Eve in the understanding of the necessity of knowing good and evil to progress. Unfortunately, Satan comes among some of them and tempts them to be carnal, sensual, and devilish in the very first worldly (out of Eden) temptation. The people are taught about the need to repent after being tempted, and learn about the consequences for not repenting.
Cain, a son of Adam and Eve, listens to the voice of Satan and makes an offering to the Lord that is reject, but is angry because the Lord did not respect his offering while his brother Adam's offering was accepted. The Lord speaks to Cain about his fall in countenance ands warns him of the punishment if he does not repent, but he rejects the council and instead conspired with satan to create secret combinations. Given these secrets from satan, Cain thinks himself a mastermind and murders his brother for the purpose of gaining his freedom from jealousy and his brothers land. The Lord calls him out on it though and punishes him to be a fugitive and vagabond that can never till the ground and yield anything.
Thinking that his punishment is too hard to bear, he says that the Lord is unfair and he will surely be slain by someone for his iniquities. The Lord marks him so that all may know his shame and none will slay him, but he will be forced to live out his shameful days east of Eden in Nod. Through his lineage, there is born a man named Lamech who took two wives (I don't know if this is common or the first time this has happened), and entered into a covenant with satan just like Cain to kill a young man for oath's sake. Lamech told his two wives what he had done, and after they had seen that the house hold was cut off from the presence of God, they rebelled against Lamech and told everyone about the evil he had done.
Lamech was despised and cast out, but the works of darkness still prevailed. God cursed the earth and the sons of men because they would not hardent unto His voice telling the Gospel truths about the Only Begotten Son coming in the meridian of time. Christ was prepared from the foundation of the earth to save the souls of all mankind. The angels of the Lord were the ones that first delivered this message to Adam, and the Holy Ghost was the confirmation.

Moses 4

I know that Satan used to be all knowing of the complete truths of God and now has rebelled and desires to take away the agency of men. It only strengthens my testimony about the love of God and warnings that have been told to me through scriptures about falling away. A few times within the Book of Mormon, it is mentioned that it is better to die with no knowledge of the gospel than to have learned of it and rejected it. Those who learn of the truths and have a testimony of their reality who fall away will be judged more harshly at the final judgement than those who never had a chance to learn of the gospel truths.
Satan knew everything perfectly and still rebelled against God which is ridiculous because you can't win against the most powerful being that exists. Maybe satan was delusional or something and thinks he has a chance if he leads away enough souls, or maybe he just wants to see the world burn because he's a butthead. He made one bad choice and now wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself so he can control as many people as possible like his plan for the world would have been like. In the 'what if' world of satan, do you think we still would have been able to defy satan and choose to not return to heaven? Just speculating on the impossible.
More on the chapter, Eve was told the complete truth about the tree of life and was beguiled (definition: fill with wonder and delight) about the possibilities eating of it would bring to her and Adam. As I mentioned in a previous post, Adam needed Eve to progress, and she fulfills her purpose of progression by eating of the Tree of Knowledge. Being a necessary step in progress but also a broken commandment, they were ashamed before God and had to be removed from the Garden of Eden so they would not also eat of the Tree of Life before they were clean again. The wisdom in this was magnificent! God knew they if they were to eat of the Tree of Life before Christ could atone for their sins, they would be forced to live forever apart from Him because of their uncleanliness.
I am so grateful for the events in the Garden of Eden that lead us on our way to being able to come to earth and life lives that will teach us to be worthy of Heaven. I know that all that happened was planned and meant to happen so that man can become like God through experiences on earth. The punishments that were given because of the broken commandment is a small price to pay to allow us to be on earth living so that we can become purified through Christ.

Moses 3

Please someone tell me I'm crazy for even thinking this, but was God planning on putting woman on earth? It seems that everything was created when God created man and then decided he wasn't supposed to be alone so tried to get animals to be a help meet for him, right? Why didn't he just already know that men need women and create her at the same time? Let me try to spin this for a loop as well because I've heard many times that the reason we don't know much about a Heavenly Mother is because God doesn't want her to be disrespected. If that is the case, maybe He also wanted to protect all women from being tempted on earth but learned that man could not reach salvation without a woman! Oh my, I think I just blew my mind.
I know without a doubt that marriage between a man and a woman is a sacred thing and is the only way to reach the highest degree of glory in heaven, but now I think I have my rationalization that probably shouldn't be spread around because its the scriptures according to Lara. So if you read this and think I'm crazy, feel free to ignore everything and think I'm a lunatic. I don't want to ruin anything else today, so that is all.

Moses 2

There are several accounts of the creation of the earth that explains what was created on which day and the order of it all, and this is one of them. In my opinion, this was God telling Moses how everything became to be and told him to recount the story. There are slight differences in the three main accounts located here, in Genesis 1, and in Abraham including the voice in which it is told. I cannot wait to study the Bible more fully to understand the different perspectives that each book is from because I find it a good thing to know.
I think my favorite depiction of the creation is this because I can use my imagination to hear Father in Heaven telling the story. There are many times it says "And I, God" and the general saying of "I, God, saw that all things which I had made were good" which reminds me that He is the one telling the story. I never thought I was one of those children who required a bedtime story to fall asleep, but its just one of those movie type scenarios that the father tells a story to his children to entertain them and what not. I always did like listening to my own father during our family scripture study, and especially when he would bring out some old stories from his family history to tell us. Oh! and I even remember when I was a kid and he had to be away for military work things, we would have audio cassette tape recordings of some of this funny stories. Hmm, I love my dad :)
Anyway, back on track! God knows that what He has created is the best for His spirit children and gave us dominion over it all for food and to help us live. I also found it helpful to have Genesis 1 open while reading this because of several footnotes that led there (and I was also curious about the similarities). I highly suggest that strategy, because footnotes seem to be more literal in the Bible, where in the Book of Mormon, they just lead to the Bible, like the Isaiah in 2 Nephi.

Moses 1

I do recognize some of these events and though there were several interesting things to mention about Moses' experience in the mountains. So first is that Moses is talking to Heavenly Father, not Christ in this story which was interesting to me because it's the only one I know of where He says so much. The only other times in the scriptures I can remember hearing Heavenly Father is when He is introducing Christ and/or is saying He is proud of His Son. Let me know if there are anymore because I want to go read them!
Moses was shown many glorious things by the Father and after it all he fell to the floor where he laid for hours, and I completely understand why. I once exerted a lot of my energy when I was seeing how much I could run by going nonstop on a treadmill for 30 mins at a pretty fast pace, and once I was off my running high and stepped off the machine, my legs gave out and I fell. I wasn't full of God's power like Moses so I didn't faint or anything, but it took a friend to help me up and steady myself afterwards.
I find it surprising that Satan would come to Moses to try and tempt him right after this incredibly spiritual experience, and on top of that all he says is "Moses, son of man, worship me" (v12). Like seriously, that's all you have to say after Moses was transfigured and shown wonders? I can only suppose that this was Satan's first rodeo since Eve and had no idea how to really tempt someone properly. Moses' response is by far my favorite answer to anything ever, "Who are thou?" (v13) and then goes on to say, 'I had to be within the glory of God to behold how awesome he is and then he you are all boring.' Too great to even, right?
So now that Satan was all frustrated and left, God comes back to show Moses more cool stuff and says the famous scripture master about His work and His glory. I don't know who else loves their job, but if your job is your hobby, then you have it made and you understand how God is about His gospel. He enjoys bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, so next time you think He is punishing you, know that whatever is happening is meant to help bring your eternal life. Crazy thought for me to have knowing that I have been a complainer about my troubles in the past and probably already formed that bad habit. I want to look at trials in my life as learning experiences and be grateful, but it is a process to change my attitude.

Abraham 5

Here we see that the seventh day of rest is very important so that they (the Gods) sanctify their work, and I imagine them admiring their good handy work. I know I am truly grateful for a Holy Sabbath day of rest to enjoy a spiritual uplift and renewal. I appreciate that God gave us one day out of 7 to rest and go to church. We see that man and woman are made of more than just the dust of the earth because if we did not have the spirit (living soul) in our bodies they would be animal like in their desires.
This chapter also goes into greater detail of the creation and making of the Garden of Eden, Adam, and Eve. Humans were the last creature to be made out of all the creations, first Adam was made from the dust of the earth, and then Eve was made from Adam's rib. They were placed in the Garden of Eden to dress it and keep it, and given the responsibility of naming everything. I find it hard to believe that Adam did all the naming all on his own, and I'm pretty sure there was divine revelation and guidance that helped.
I don't know which chapter the Facsimile No. 3 goes to, but I read it today and learned that Abraham was on the in crowd with Pharaoh and gets to sit in his throne. He talked to the Prince of Pharaoh and others about astronomy which made me think it was supposed to be with chapter 4 when it talks about the stars and Kolob. I think there is more to this picture because of all the writing at the bottom,but it could be just the explanation of what is going on when they are talking about astronomy and everything. By the way, the slave belonging to the prince is colored black so there must be something significant about that, and I think it goes back to the curse put on Cain. I remember learning that cains side of the family was cursed with dark skin.

Abraham 4

The creation of the earth is a fact of life that has been disputed by scientists and religions for longer than I have been alive. I can't say anybody is exclusively wrong in their own beliefs about how the earth was created, but in my opinion, more people are right than wrong. I believe that there was a sudden bang that created the universe, but how long it has been alive and what happened in that time, I have no idea and I'm not going to guess much. I know there must have been much that happened, but in my opinion, since I have heard 'there is no beginning and no end', I think it applies in this instances.
All I know for sure is that I was an intelligence before I received a body on earth and that the Lord spent thousands of years created this planet so that we can live here. We are of the brightest intelligences that came to earth as humans and for that we are given dominion over all the earth and it's inhabitants. Because the Lord's days are MUCH longer than earth days, I am confident in my assessment that 6 days leaves plenty of time for evolution to happen and for water creatures and then land creatures to evolve into what they are today.

Abraham 3

Be warned, there will be a small rant to end this post, so if at any point you get sick of it just don't finish, but let me start with how much I love the song "If You Could Hie to Kolob." We learn about where Kolob is and how the time passes there, and also that it is the best of all the planets/stars that are out there because it is closest to God. The analogy that is described in this chapter is abstract and confusing to simple minded folks like me, but with some intense pondering I came up with some thoughts.

No one is exactly the same as another person (not even twins) because we have our spirits that are individual intelligences. The Lord is trying to explain to Abraham that some intelligences are smarter and better than others, and there is nothing wrong with the lesser, but God is the most intelligent hands down. The parable or analogy that was used was of Kolob and other starts that compare to it, and through how long time is reckoned by is likened to the intelligences. It is good information, but I would have been nice to be easier to understand. Speaking of which...

This middle page with the Facsimile from the Book of Abraham and the explanations is cool but seems a little secretive! The center pictures are explained, but the sections with just words are still not revealed to the world. I do look forward to the day when I get to be trusted with the entire knowledge of the mysteries of God and am found worth of it all. Until then, I will remain super curious and desiring to learn about these numbers/words that will be given in the own due time of the Lord. By the way, if that means in the second coming, then hurry it up! Just kidding.

Abraham 2

In this chapter, Abraham converses with the Lord and is directed to leave Ur and travels toward Canaan, only to find it full of wickedness, so he continues on until he enters Egypt. He has family that comes with him, and is protected through righteousness. I suppose that the story of his being saved by an angel from being sacrificed was long ago and his family left Egypt and settled in Ur. It might be because of the famine that Abraham's brother, Haran, dies, but it's unclear, what we do know is that he died before the family left by commandment of the Lord and they named the place they stopped after their dead brother/son.
Unfortunately, Abraham's father reverted to his idolatrous ways and stayed while a group continued by commandment of God towards 'a strange land' to bare the name of God to the people. He is given a blessing from the Lord that his seed will be blessed with the Priesthood to minister and bless the earth. As they travel towards Canaan, Abraham builds an altar to call upon the Lord for guidance because he has witnessed the idolatry of the nation that possesses the land, and is told that his seed will be given this land by the Lord.
He then travels down to Egypt and is warned to call his wife, Sarai, his sister so that the Egyptians will not want to kill him, to have her. It would be an interesting experience to hear this from a husband, I'm sure, because its flattering and scary at the same time. No matter how it would feel, it was advice from the Lord and saved Abraham's life.

Abraham 1

The start of Abraham's record involves a story that depicts so much of how the world he lives in is ripe for the Lord to destroy. He starts by saying, 'man, I need to move out of my dad's place' (v1), and continues to explain the situation of his almost being sacrificed. He is living in a place that practices the worshiping of idolatrous gods and human sacrifices are common among the priests of those gods. It seems that only people who deny the existence of those gods or refuse to worship them are sacrificed and slain at the altar in front of the statues formed in the likeness of those gods. We even get to see a primitive picture of Abraham's story drawn to show the room of the sacrifices and the idols of the gods.
So Abraham's story starts by explaining people are sacrificed and he was probably 'chosen' because he was righteous and followed the true God. The Pharaoh's priest had him on the altar to offer him up when the voice of the Lord answered the prayers that Abraham. An angel stood by Abraham and loosened his bands saying, 'I am Jehovah, and it's time for you to leave this land and inhabit a place you've never been to' (v16). I paraphrase of course, but basically that's what is was plus the reasons which include the destruction of Egypt and it's wickedness (v17-19). The Lord breaks the alter and smites the priest so he dies which upsets Pharaoh and what not.
The history of Egypt in v21-24 reveals that the people who inhabit the land is from the line of Ham which established a patriarchal government. I also read about how there was no right of Priesthood established to the first Pharaoh, even though he started his kingdom wisely and justly. There was an unfortunate leading away to idolatry because the Pharaoh claimed to have the Priesthood and was rejected of God leading to famine and punishment. Lastly, Abraham lets us know that he has in his possession the records of his fathers that tell stories of the world from the beginning, so I assume he had the early records of what we know as the bible!

Articles of Faith

There was a time that I could proudly say I memorized these but that was way back in primary and most are long gone from memory until I read them and remember. When I had them memorized, and even now, I was not lying when I would quote the beliefs each of these articles state. I know them to be truths of life, and I would even replace "We believe" with the words 'I know' in front of every article as proof of my knowledge of their truth. It's even fun to read them aloud that way with the ones that sound coherent.
I know that God, the Eternal Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are real, separate beings. I know that I will be punished for the sins I commit on earth, and not for Adam's transgressions as well as I know that the Atonement of Christ can save all mankind through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. Those principles and ordinances are: 1) faith in Christ, 2) repentance, 3) baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, 4) laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and I add on 5) enduring to the end. I know that a man must be called of God through prophecy, then ordained with those in authority to teach the Gospel and administer in it's ordinances.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth being able to have the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healings, interpretations of tongues, and so forth. I know that the proper translations of the Bible is the word of God that can be paired with other words of God including the Book of Mormon. I know that modern day words of God are real through revelation that continues and will continue pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
I know that the revelations are true pertaining to the gathering of Israel, the restoration of the Ten Tribes, the New Jerusalem built in America as Zion, and Christ's eventual reign on earth when the earth is renewed and receives its paradisiacal glory. As is my right to worship my God however I choose, I claim that right and allow all men the same privilege of freedom as far as it is allowed by the kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates because I obey, honor, and sustain their laws. I believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, I may say that I follow the admonition of Paul -- I believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I see after these things.

OCH (Oliver Cowdery History)

I feel like these 7 paragraphs at the end of JSH are never spoken of, and this is definitely the first time I have read them. They are Oliver's descriptions of the events and experiences with Joseph involved with the Book of Mormon and the angel visit. I do love the amazement and wonder that I detect when reading the account by Oliver because I can tell how blessed he feels for being a part of this great work. He starts with the days he spent writing as Joseph dictated the inspirations of heaven through the Urim and Thummim. I honestly thing that he is the first to get to actually read thoroughly the Book of Mormon because he was listening to it and writing each sentence so he had to focus on the words, and got to realize what everything meant.
His wording when speaking of the visit from John the Baptist is clearly excitement and great appreciation for the guidance from the Lord. In a world so dark and lost, Oliver was brought into the light with Joseph and given knowledge that changed everything. He had a testimony that all the churches had no real authority because they denied revelations, but every other time in the history of the earth has had revelation to guide the people to do God's will. It just makes sense that the Lord will call someone to do that in the latter days. Just like Oliver, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease in the mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes.

JSH 66-75

One cool thing in these verses was how Oliver Cowdery became involved with Joseph, by living with his father and hearing the stories about him. Just from that I know that Oliver was a good man because he wanted to know more about it instead of persecuting like everyone else did. After getting together with Joseph and starting to translate the plates, the two were pondering on what the book contained. Joseph finally had someone that could support him and go with him to pray about the questions they had about baptism.
Interesting to me is that Oliver was actually baptised and ordained before Joseph which probably isn't important because they were both new to the whole experience, but Joseph was called the first elder and Oliver the second. Lastly, I like that Emma's dad warmed up to Joseph and used his influence to stop the mobbing that could have stopped the translation of the Book of Mormon. The Lord puts certain people in our lives to help, encourage, and support what he wants to be done.

JSH 55-65

I know that the Book of Mormon is a real book and the events truly happened even though some people doubted it because of the way it was given to the inhabitants of the earth. Denying a book that you know to be authentic just because you find out it was revealed by an angel of God is hypocritical and absurd. The professors who did that astonish me, and I hope they finally came to their senses about the truth before their deaths or I pity their fate.
As far as Joseph being a money-digger, I think that he found the best treasure of all, a wife, while being employed! Of course, I'm sure he got some good experience and life lessons and such, but Emma was obviously something good that happened while digging and finding nothing with that job. I also think that the way Martin Harris just gives them $50 to help them move is incredibly selfless and I would love to know more details about their meeting and early friendship. I know there are many things about Martin that are negative because of the lost pages, but he actually helped bring to pass the translation of the Book of Mormon and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am grateful to him for that.

JSH 27-54

Joseph is very blessed to have been visited by a heavenly being to help him through his time of persecution and temptation. Moroni visits Joseph 5 times seemingly within a 24 hour time period and seems to give new purpose to Joseph's mission by showing him the plates. I feel like Joseph was getting discouraged and giving into some temptations because it had been 3 years of persecution and ridicule from people who should have been friendly.
I sympathize with him because it is hard to be the only one standing up for whats right when everyone else is criticizing you. I've never been as alone as Joseph was, but I've had similar experiences and know that I wouldn't have been as strong as he was. I am glad he had his family, especially his father who believes him and tells him that his vision of Moroni is from God and to do as commanded with no hesitation. The strength that Joseph Smith shows after this experience by visiting the plates to be taught by Moroni each year is inspirational. No matter what happened during the year between visits, Joseph was faithful in going back each year to learn more of his mission and eventually was able to translate the plates for all the world.

JSH 21-26

Although this is a short part of the history of Joseph Smith, I appreciate the points that are brought up by the prophet. He went through so much persecution for just sharing a religious experience with the church leaders by 'important people' according to him. I can understand that he must have thought he wasn't that important to be fused over, but what he didn't realize then was that he was very important to satan. I suppose that Lucifer would have done all in his power to discredit Joseph's story among the churches and 'important people' so that the work of the Lord wouldn't be able to work through him...nice try!
I suppose that through the experience of being persecuted as a boy, he was made stronger, more humble, and all around better prepared for the later years of persecution. It is comforting to know that he wouldn't deny the truth of his vision despite being doubted, and I do love that he says that he could not deny it, not just that he would not. I have never had a vision like Joseph but I know that I could not deny the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ on earth which is supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have a perfect knowledge that the priesthood keys and authority held by the Prophet of the Church is of God.

JSH 1-20

No matter how many times I read about the prophet Joseph Smith's experience, I always seem to be touched by the Spirit with a confirmation of the truth of the events. The religious craze that was happening during the early years of Joseph's life is somewhat similar to how life is now, though hopefully it has gotten better. The part that amuses me most is that each church would try "to establish their own tenets and disprove all others" (v9) just to get followers. Even Joseph caught on to the fake enthusiasm by the converts and leaders as explained in v6 when they all started to say bad words about other sects.
I have no doubt that Joseph was confused at all the craziness and I am glad he came to understand that if God "gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid" he might venture. I might venture myself to ask for guidance in my own life more often while I am on the subject. My testimony for the First Vision grows stronger when I contemplate how earnestly Satan desired to stop Joseph Smith from accomplishing his communion with God. This event is the single turning point for the whole earth and starts the path towards everything good that has happened in the last thousand years!
Not only did the truths of the existence of God as a personal being, the separate and distinct personage of Jesus Christ, and the promise established by James to ask of God for wisdom all come in this short amount of time, but also the reality of an unseen force trying to destroy the work of God. I love that Joseph knows how important his calling and work is because of the opposition that came from the devil when he said, "I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his [satan's] kingdom, else why should the powers of darkness combine against me?" (v20). I definitely want to be an annoyer of satan and his kingdom. I want to deprive him of many souls that he would love to have control over, it would be my greatest pleasure in life because it would save a fellow brother or sister from an awful fate dealing with Lucifer for eternity.

Pearl of Great Price Intro

Don't let me freak you out within the next couple weeks with how I read this because I have a plan that changes the order of what I read. My purpose in reading the Pearl of Great Price out of order is because once I finish it, I will be starting the Bible and to me, it would make better sense my way. I'm starting with Joseph Smith-History, then I'll read the Articles of Faith, Abraham, Joseph Smith-Matthew, and lastly, Moses. If you understand why, then you totally get me and we should be best friends, if you don't, oh well.
From the introduction, I know that this part of the standard works of the Church is meant to be read and studied just as the others. In many sunday school lessons and classes, I've turned to it's pages for reference, but I've never read it straight through myself or truly appreciated it. I liked reading the history of why there were changes, just like in the Doctrine and Covenants introduction, because I can tell it was rearranged to help in our study of the standard works.

Official Declaration 2 & Introduction

It has been a while since slavery in America, but it is good to be reminded that once there was a time that certain men were not allowed to be priesthood holders because of racism. I wish I remembered more about history and the specifics of what happened after slavery was abolished, but it surprises me that it took about 13 years for the church to allow priesthood authority to be given to all races. I am quite sheltered when it comes to those problems because it was so long ago and only small effects are still seen in the world today that I don't comprehend the real gravity of it all, but I know that the Lord's hand is in everything.
So I realized a while back that I didn't start my reading of D&C with the intro, so this is me going back and reading it! Even if I only read the first 3 paragraphs, I would have been better off because it brought me happiness to hear the love for this book of commandments. I have read most of the historical stuff that it mentions and I'm glad that there is a explanation like with the Book of Mormon introduction. I even used some of the information to go back to certain sections and mark the main topic, but I think that the explanation of the changes is very helpful too.
In institute, we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants so we started with the history and I was glad to know why certain names were changed, and confirm that it was to "bring the material into conformity with historical documents" (last paragraph) and get the real story. The testimony of the Twelve was cool to me because of their gratefulness at having the freedom and privilege to have the Doctrine and Covenants for their use. It is amazing what the early saints went through, and I understand why they are happy to have the guidance from the Lord they did. I am also grateful to the Lord for giving modern revelation (especially on this General Conference weekend) to guide my life and strengthen my testimony.

Official Declaration 1

Yes, this section is about the ending of polygamy, but I think it shows great faith and obedience. The main manifesto was just a statement given by Wilford Woodruff that the Church is not condoning nor teaching plural marriage despite all that has been said or accused of them. The part that I find to be a better read is the excerpts from other times President Woodruff addressed the matter because there is more information about why The Church is taking the stance.
All the history about the matter isn't as important as the reason the Lord has the Church stop practicing polygamy. I know that the Lord allowed plural marriage at certain points in time for those He says it is okay for, but when it became against the law in America, He commanded the Church to stop. It is a commandment to obey the laws of the land, and the Lord showed Woodruff what would happen if the church refused to cooperate. I have a testimony that the Lord watches over His Church on earth by sending information to the prophets, even if it is against the initial beliefs of the prophet. I was surprised to read that Wilford would rather have kept polygamy but was told by the Lord to stop so that the Church and the Lord's work would not be stopped due to legality reasons.

Section 138

It is a sad day that I am finishing up the last section in the Doctrine and Covenants, but also a happy day because I loved rereading this section. I feel like I have heard a lot of this information before, but I don't always have it in the forefront of my mind so reading it again is like learning it again. I'm surprised how much time has passed between the last two sections, and then again to think that it has almost been 100 years since the last official section has been added. Weirdly enough, I learned while in Nauvoo, that there is another version in the 'spin-off' church that has more sections...
First off, since we are close to General Conference, it is really cool to know how the Prophet Joseph F. Smith spent his time the day before conference. He was "pondering over the scriptures and reflecting upon the great atoning sacrifice that was made by the Son of God" (v1-2). I wish I was that cool and just sat around thinking about that stuff...which I kinda do during scripture study, but I just assume that apostles do that 24/7. It is comforting to know that missionary work is not only required here on earth, but once we die (if the second coming hasn't already happened) that the faithful will be preaching the truth to those who did not receive the gospel on earth (and even in the seconding coming).
Lastly, it is truly inspirational the way he speaks about women in v39 and the prophets in v38-49, but more importantly in v53 when he speaks of the modern day prophets he saw. I am glad to know that they were taught their first lessons before they went to earth and hope that was the case with me because I feel like I know it so deeply that I cannot deny the truth of it. I know beyond any doubt that Jesus Christ is my Savior and what the scriptures say is true. I am grateful to be born in the last dispensation with the fulness of the gospel restored.

Section 136-137

To address a little of yesterday's topic, it was needed that Joseph Smith died because it sealed his testimony with his blood so he would be honored and the wicked condemned (136:39). I have never lost a loved one and wondered why they were taken from the earth because I know that the Lord has a plan for each of His children, and He knows where people are needed. Sometimes His people need to be tried in certain ways so that they will one day be prepared to receive the glory that He has waiting (136:31). 

This is a new prophet giving a revelation about leaving for a new land, but I still can hear the voice of the Lord being firm yet loving through all of it. I have hear that firm and loving voice my whole life actually, because it is given in General Conference two times a year and everywhere in the scriptures! That must be why I can always feel the spirit when I am reading the scriptures, and why I enjoy listening to General Conference (which is this weekend!!! woohoo). 

But back to seriousness with section 137, I cannot begin to understand the ways that the Lord judges those who were not given the chance to learn of the gospel, but He is the only one who is able. He knows the real intents of a man's heart in order to properly judge all, and that means He judges members of the church who say they have accepted it wholeheartedly but haven't really. I am glad that He knows my heart and desires because I know that I am weak and need to be tried so that I can prove that I want to be saved in the celestial kingdom.