Lucy Mack Smith Summary

Regarding the “key” Joseph Smith said, “I can see anything; they are marvelous.”

I believe Joseph wore the breastplate under his shirt, as Lucy Mack Smith said, “he kept these things constantly about his person.” Lucy also said speaking of the breastplate, “and is made to fit the breast very exactly.” I believe Lucy, as I have been told that her journal is as accurate or more so than Wilford Woodruff’s.

Lucy also wrote in her journal of 1845 that Joseph said to her, “Mother,” said he. “Do not be uneasy. All is right. See here,” said he, “I have got the key.“ The Key was simply the two clear stones in a silver bow that was fastened to a breastplate.

Joseph Knight was also quoted by Lucy and said, “Then he [Joseph] went on to tell the length and width and thickness of the plates, and said he, “they appear to be gold.” But he seemed to think more of the glasses or the Urim and Thummim than he did of the plates, for, says he, “I can see anything; they are marvelous.” (“Joseph Knight’s Recollection of Early Mormon History,” BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 1; spelling modernized.)

Joseph Knight was present at the Smith family farm when Joseph Smith retrieved the plates in September 1827, and he supplied the Prophet Joseph with money, paper, and provisions during the translation of the Book of Mormon.

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Translation Method, “not intended to tell the world“

The matter of how the Book of Mormon was translated has been of considerable interest and discussion virtually from the time the book became public. This is illustrated in an exchange that took place between the Prophet and his brother Hyrum in a conference of the Church held 25 October. On that occasion Hyrum said “that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.” In response, Joseph Smith said that “it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c” (Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, 23).

Joseph did not share many particulars about the translation but it seems everyone else did. Even today there is a great effort by the historians and Intellectuals in the Church to push the Stone in the Hat Theory. I do not believe that theory. I believe what the Lord said, “and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim… God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.” (JSH 1:34), was the only means of translation.

Exclusive 26-Page Article Titled, “Mother, I have got the Key”
By Rod Meldrum and Rian Nelson FREE!

After downloading, you will be able to view it on your computer immediately. Feel free to copy and paste the pictures and information and share it with family and friends.

This 26-pages are similar pages from the 103-page book titled, “These Stones, Fastened to a Breastplate”, which is a complete story of Joseph and his mother’s descriptions of the method of translation, “by the Gift and Power of God.” Joseph was commanded to not show the plates, breastplate nor the spectacles to anyone unless commanded otherwise. As the only three items in the stone box, these exact articles were utilized by Joseph for the complete translation of the Book of Mormon. A Stone in a Hat was not used to translate, as you will not find that information anywhere in scripture.  Free Download Here!

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What led up to the discussion between whether the Urim and Thummim or the Seer Stone were used for translation?

SITH below refers to “Stone in the Hat Theory” – M2C refers to the “Two Hill Cumorah’s theory.“

“For over 150 years, LDS Church leaders taught that Joseph Smith translated the Nephite plates with the Urim and Thummim. From the early 1830s, critics said that Joseph produced the Book of Mormon by either (i) reading words off a seer stone he put in a hat or (ii) reading a manuscript written by Solomon Spalding and edited by Sidney Rigdon.

All three alternatives were set out in the 1834 book Mormonism Unvailed (Left). When that book was released in October 1834, Oliver Cowdery responded by declaring unambiguously that Joseph translated the record with the Urim and Thummim. You can see Oliver’s declaration in the Pearl of Great Price, at the end of Joseph Smith-History, or in the Joseph Smith papers here:” By Jonathan Neville

Why are they called Interpreters and where did they come from?

The Interpreters are holy and came from God. How do we know this? It is in the Scriptures. We know where the Interpreters come from and why. That’s why it’s so important knowing that the Prophet Joseph Smith used them to translate the plates. Remember one of the greatest stories about faith is when the Brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumer) saw the finger of the Lord and could not be kept outside of the veil. Jesus Christ showed himself unto Mahonri and told him to write the doings of His people and He touched 16 stones for light in the 8 barges. The Lord also touched two additional stones called interpreters, for Mahonri to seal up until after Christ would appear in the flesh.

Ether 3:21-24

“And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and show it to no man.

And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them and shall seal them up, that no one can interpret them; for ye shall write them in a language that they cannot be read.

And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write.

For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.” Ether 3:21-24

These two stones were also given to Mosiah with the same promise of being kept secret. Then these two stones were given back to Moroni who finally sealed up the Interpreters with the plates for the last time before Joseph Smith received them.

With this spiritual background of the Interpreters it is essential to understand the significance of Joseph using these “two stones” to translate the plates. In Ether we read, “And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write. For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.” Ether 3:23-24.

It was “these two stones”, not A seer stone, not A stone, not A stone found in a well, but “these TWO stones” that were sealed up to come forth to Joseph the Prophet to translate the plates. Remember the translation was done “by the Gift and Power of God”, not by any other means. Not with one stone for convenience, or because Joseph left the Interpreters home, or he just can’t carry two stones, so I will only use one; these things did not matter because the Prophet was to do the translation “by the Gift and Power of God”, only! Joseph’s single stone he found in a well was not THAT spiritual method that the Lord planned from the beginning. Man’s way is not the Lord’s way. Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Lord translated the records of the Nephites and Jaredites with the spiritual means the Lord intended with the Interpreters (two stones and a breastplate) that were provided inside that most sacred stone box on Cumorah’s hill.

Scriptural Proof about the Method of Translation

Joseph said, “there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.” (Joseph Smith—History 1:34–35). This scripture is very clear on the method and means of translation. The Urim and Thummim or more correctly called Interpreters, is a tool those in the Old Testament used but it was different than the one in the new world. See my complete blog here with more scriptural evidence.

“Joseph Smith received the same Urim and Thummim had by the Brother of Jared for it was the one expressly provided for the translation of the Jaredite and Nephite records. (D&C 10:1; 17:1; Ether 3:22-28.) It was separate and distinct from the one had by Abraham and the one had by the priests in Israel. The Prophet also had a seer stone which was separate and distinct from the Urim and Thummim, and which (speaking loosely) has been called by some a Urim and Thummim.” Mormon Doctrine page 576 under title Urim and Thummim and (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 222-226.)

Many of the saints in Joseph’s day spoke of the instrument as a Urim and Thummim, but it was only called “Interpreters” in the entire Book of Mormon. Hence the Urim and Thummim or the Interpreters are that singular spiritual instrument called by two various names combined for translation, not the single stone, or a stone found somewhere in a well. To equate the two is not, “by the Gift and Power of God.

Proper Translation by Joseph

“Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it.” Joseph Smith History in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church 1:2–79.

“The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones together in some kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones crossways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the other things with them.” JSH 1:52

In order to keep the commandment of the Lord it would be necessary for Joseph to use his intellect and be guided by the spirit, to protect these articles from being seen by those who transcribed or anyone else.I believe Joseph sat at one end of the table while Emma or Martin sat at the other end. In front of Joseph were the gold plates which were only covered by a cloth over about 10% of the front of the plates facing Emma. This way with the angle of Emma looking on, she could only see the cloth hiding the front end of the plates. I believe Joseph wore the breastplate as Lucy Mack Smith said, “he kept these things constantly about his person.” Lucy also said speaking of the breastplate, “and is made to fit the breast very exactly.” I believe Lucy, as I have been told that her journal is as accurate or more so than Wilford Woodruff’s.

As farm boy I believe Joseph wore a wide brim farmers hat, and not a top hat, and with that hat as a prop, he hid the spectacles from the view of Emma. Joseph did not put a stone or the spectacles in the hat, he just used the hat to block the sight (Joseph had to hide the spectacles with something. See picture left), between the spectacles and Emma’s view.

From Emma’s view (Picture below) all she could see is the farmers hat and maybe a slight view of the covered front of the plates. Joseph with the spectacles secured to the breastplate, could use one hand to hold the hat in front and use the other hand to turn the pages of the plates. This makes sense as the History of Joseph Smith which is canonized scripture says, “Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.“ JSH 1:35 

“I have got the Key” by Joseph Smith Jr., as told by his mother Lucy

After first returning late at night from Hill Cumorah after the 4th year mentioned by Angel Moroni, on Sept 22, 1827 Joseph ran into the house and his mother Lucy said, “I trembled so much with fear lest all might be lost again by some small failure in keeping the commandments, that I was under the necessity of leaving the room to conceal my feelings. Joseph saw this and followed me. “Mother,” said he. “Do not be uneasy. All is right. See here,” said he, “I have got the key.“

“I knew not what he meant, but took the article in my hands and, examining it with no covering but a silk handkerchief, found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows connected with each other in much the same way that old-fashioned spectacles are made. He took them again and left me but did not tell me anything of the record….

The spectacles shown left, reflect the definition by Lucy above. The glasses probably looked like two magnifying glasses with a clear diamond shaped and clear crystal possibly embedded in something like a magnifying glass. I’m sure it would be difficult for Lucy to describe, but I am confident that however it looked, it was an amazing instrument which originally came from the Brother of Jared. (See Ether 3:23-24; 4:5)

Spencer W. Kimball said, “Exactly how this precious instrument, the Urim and Thummim, operates we can only surmise, but it seems to be infinitely superior to any mechanism ever dreamed of yet by researchers… the abode of God is a master Urim and Thummim, and the synchronization of transmitting and receiving apparatus of this kind can have no limitation.”  (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Pg.52 – Pg.53)   

For the full 103-page book $14.95 visit here!

We offer this entire 26-page pdf as an overall summary of the truest method of translation as we have discovered as you may also. Not just by the words you read but by the Spirit you may feel after study and prayer.

As Elder J. Reuben Clark says below, “So long as that church was persecuted from without, it prospered, but when it began to be polluted from within, the church began to wither.” What can we do to strengthen our family and ourselves? Now is the time to draw upon our testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and follow our dear Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.”

We must study and pray to receive personal revelation from the Lord as the Prophet tells
us here.”

Personal Revelation

“You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.

I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Russell M. Nelson

“It always has been when a man was sent of God with the priesthood and he began to preach the fullness of the gospel, that he was thrust out by his friends, who are ready to butcher him if he teach things which they imagine to be wrong; and Jesus was crucified upon this principle. –History of the Church,” 5:423–25

I had the privledge today to receive a phone call from someone who attended our recent Firm Foundation Conference. I meet some amazing and wonderful people. This particular man I will call Joe, was very excited once again with the words he heard from Wayne, Rod, Tim, Hannah, etc, and he let me know his appreciation for organizing the event. He was very nice and I invited him to assist us even more in future events. I could tell this man has a heart of gold and loves the Lord. This is the part of working with Rod and Hannah and Wayne that I love. We meet such exuberant members who love the Book of Mormon and Joe is no different.

Joe mentioned a long time speaker in our group and heard some troubling things from him recently. (This was not a speaker who spoke at our Sept 23-25 recent event, but one who has spoken many times in the past). I won’t get into specifics, but I was concerned at what Joe told me. This person who he was referring to, is a great man and one who I love. It was troubling to hear about him saying what he did, and he also had a group of 3 or 4 others who tried to recruit Joe into their so-called Remnant or Snuffer type beliefs. Joe sent me the following article which I just posted below with my comments added. There are wolves in our midst. I will not judge this man that Joe mentioned, as I love him, and don’t know for sure if the hearsay is true, but I do know this happens far more often that many realize.

Why did I share this on my blog? I want all of us to Wake Up, and realize that each of us is tempted and can easily follow evil deception if we are not careful. Satan wants us very much and it is amazing to me how many of us fall. This is the 3rd person in the last week I have heard about or who I knew who has done similar things and left the Church for the Remnant or other Apostates who allow much free agency and I guess to sin and act like they can’t do in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These three people I am referring to have one foot in the Church and one foot out. they are Luke Warm and it is sad.

Editor’s Notes are seen throughout the article below.

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An offshoot of the Mormon church is drawing away members. But what does the ‘Remnant’ believe — and will it last?

By Peggy Fletcher Stack  | Aug. 27, 2017

Sandy • Don’t call Denver Snuffer Jr. a prophet and don’t view his Remnant movement as a church.

Of course, it was the Sandy lawyer’s account about a face-to-face meeting with Jesus that branded him a prophetic figure in the first place. And his 2013 excommunication from the LDS Church for “apostasy” — arguing that after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, the faith he founded no longer had the exclusive truth or divine authority — seems to have made Snuffer more popular with segments of dissatisfied Mormons.

Before long, hundreds of like-minded seekers traveled to hear him speak — in St. George, Phoenix and Boise — and poured out of their respective LDS pews to form “fellowships,” or small groups, usually gathering in houses and yearning for, well, something more.

They were mostly super-Mormons, zealots who gave their all to the faith. They taught in the LDS Church Educational System or worked at church-owned Brigham Young University. They served in temples. They dissected the scriptures looking for potent but hidden clues to Jesus’ Second Coming or keys to salvation. Some devotees delved into holistic healing, piled up excessive food storage or launched apocalyptic preparations. Others found mainstream Mormon services too boring, too shallow to feed their spiritual hungering. They ached for more celestial manifestations, more holy works, more Holy Writ.

Whatever his listeners’ personal issues, Snuffer’s message seemed to hit home: Mormonism’s hierarchical and bureaucratic structure had abandoned Smith’s heavenly visions and clarion calls to build Zion. Anyone, he said, could a have mystical encounter with deity — like early Latter-day Saints trumpeted — not just the guy at the top.

Editor’s Note: That may be correct, that God and Angels may visit man, as I believe in personal revelation, but the keys of the Church are administered by one man, President Russell M. Nelson. Those who fall away and think they know more than the Lord because some spirit entity, or an angel appearing as light, or Satan himself visits you pretending to be Christ, members must be leery of false prophets like this Snuffer guy.

President Nelson said, “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course … as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.”

You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true. I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Russell M. Nelson

The Remnant, as some began to call themselves, would be radically democratic, a “federation of fellowships” with no clear leader, no rigid rules, no prescribed offices, no formal organization — setting themselves apart from what they see as the ultra controlled and controlling LDS administration operating out of a grand old building and a skyscraper in downtown Salt Lake City.

Editor’s Note: Yes, they must feel free from spiritual bureaucracy and bondage to an earthly kingdom and they then falsely set up a personal kingdom that allows them to make up any rules they want. This idea that all roads lead to God is silly in my opinion. Follow the Lord through his Prophets, that is why we have them, so we don’t chase after false doctrine.

By some estimates, the schismatic movement now includes between 5,000 and 10,000 followers in 49 states and several countries — mostly former or current members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some have been disciplined by the church; others continue to participate in the Utah-based faith, while sneaking off to fellowships on the side.

Editor’s Note: This is what concerns me. I personally know three such members of our true Church who pretend to be members and yet they go to Snuffer meetings and pretend they are doing right. My friend Jaren O’Driscoll calls them “One-Footers”, one foot in the gospel and one foot outside the gospel. The Lord calls them “Luke Warm.” See Jaren’s Mormon Traditionalist podcasts here

On Labor Day weekend, Snuffer will be in Boise at what the group is calling a Doctrine of Christ Conference, where hundreds of voters are expected to canonize a new set of scriptures, including a reworking of Mormonism’s foundational text, the Book of Mormon, and its Doctrine and Covenants, a collection mostly of Smith’s revelatory writings.

“The last known major canonization was in 1672 by the Eastern Orthodox Church, so nothing like this has been seen in orthodox or Protestant Christianity in nearly 350 years,” Chris Hamill, a spokesman for the project, says in a news release. “Not even the Mormon church, or any of its offshoots, ever formally canonized (or accepted by common consent of the membership) all of their scriptures. … This is a very important historical development.”

“Things are happening fast,” says Remnant participant Ken Jensen of Sandy. “The work of God is afoot.”

Editor’s Note: Wow I am so excited to see the new Nicaean Creed come out of the Hodge Podge of New Scripture they canonize. (Not!) It is sad to think you can make up your own changes without priesthood authority. What arrogance and deceit they are falling for. My heart aches for them as, They know not what they do.”

How worried are Mormon higher-ups?

The LDS Church declined to comment on Snuffer or his movement, but an internal 2015 presentation to the faith’s apostles (as provided by the website MormonLeaks) lists the Sandy attorney — along with Ordain Women, excommunicated podcaster John Dehlin, nagging church history questions and some church policies — among the individuals and issues leading some members away from the religion.

And many Mormons, especially in places such as Utah County, Davis County, Mesa, Ariz., and Boise, where Latter-day Saints are in the majority, are seeing formerly active members tear up family unity by joining the Snufferites. Their absence in their congregations is obvious and far more dramatic than others who simply slip away.

Editor’s Note: Why do apostates and ex-Mormons leave the Church and then spend more time ripping on it than they spent attending and learning? Because once the Spirit of God leaves, Satan takes over. Unfortunately, I have seen many people now in our church who hate it, and yet go to church so they don’t cause waves at home. It is the time of the wheat and tares. Even in our government today, deception is the weapon of choice for Satan and his minions. Remember, there are only two spirits, one does good and one does evil. I am so blessed to be able to discern most of these false priesthoods.

These folks challenge core Mormon principles and precedents — established over nearly two centuries of LDS expansion — and any notion of inspired organization.

Though theirs is still an all-male priesthood, they reject the Mormon notion that ties it to church office or leadership. Baptism is not about joining a church. They have created a GoFundMe account to buy land for a future temple, though it is unclear exactly what rituals might take place there. Tithing monies remain in local fellowships, used for the poor in their midst, and are not sent to any central headquarters. There isn’t one. They don’t believe polygamy — as Mormons understand it — came from God.

In fact, Snuffer denounces plural marriage and insists Smith never fully practiced it — even in the face of generally accepted historical evidence stating otherwise — though some polygamists belong to fellowships.

Editor’s Note: Those who say that Joseph Smith never lived the Celestial Law of Plurality of Wives doesn’t believe in the scriptures. Why do they say this? Polygamy is such a difficult thing to explain, they just act like its no big deal and pretend like they are so against it that they want others to see them as normal, while we believers that Celestial Marriage is a Higher Law of God, just don’t get it. Joseph restored all things including the same law God directed Abraham and Isaac and David to follow. The people “of this world” just cant understand such a spiritual and higher law with the earthly notions that control them.

The 60-something Snuffer and these believers advocate “a new tide of open religious thought and worship that is highly individual,” Brent Edward writes in a news release about the Boise conference, “involving no paid clergy. … The faithful in this new school of thought believe that God is capable of revealing his word to anyone who earnestly seeks it, and when truth is discovered, it should be added to the canon of inspired writings.”

Editors Note: Personal revelation should stay personal. I say those who know things of the spirit, don’t usually share them. and yet people who don’t know things of the spirit tell every thing to others to build themselves up. Pride goeth before the fall.

Still, the movement’s language and direction are far from clear.

“Remnant of what?” asks Daymon Smith, a Utah Valley University anthropologist who has studied Snuffer’s writings and assertions. “Many different Mormons finish that sentence in often divergent ways, generally in opposition to a larger church; and yet still seem to be part of a single movement.”

Remnant believers are found in two places, Smith says, “on social media, where many ideas can be discussed and wrestled over, or left vague, and in face-to-face meetings, where the rituals and practices of the emerging movement provide a sense of unity, of preserving something.”

Though Snuffer urges all to have their own pipelines to God, he is still the one they look to and quote. They refer to scores of his books, his lectures on Mormonism, his running commentary and blog, and his public speeches.

“Denver’s words are highly regarded, not because he is the leading authority or single prophet to be submitted to,” Smith says, “but because he voices their own sentiments, aspirations and long-running criticisms of the LDS Church.”

Some Remnant adherents believe Snuffer might be the “one mighty and strong” described in Mormon scripture as a powerful figure who will come in the last days to set God’s house in order.

Editor’s Note: Everyone who hates the church and leaves it seems to say they are the one mighty and strong. It is silly to think of a name like Denver Snuffer could actually be a church of the Lord’s, or a correct way of worship. I know they don’t claim a name of their church, but to follow a strange name like Denver Snuffer by itself is weird. And the pride it must take to think such a small few, tens of thousands of people will be saved, while 8 billion are damned is very strange indeed. In my opinion there are many righteous people in the world that are more righteous than 80% of our members. The Church is a guide to assist us and church was made for man to direct us. Without the priesthood and Prophets we would have nothing. The Lord wants love and obedience and whether in the True Church or not, the righteous of this world will become official members of Christ’s Church during the millennium I an confident.

Forty years in the faith

As a young Air Force cadet in New Hampshire, the nonbelieving Snuffer found Mormonism and was entranced by founder Smith’s words in D&C 76, offering a glimpse of three heavens in the eternities.

“Here in majestic simplicity was a vision of things which had never been revealed about the afterlife,” he writes in a description of his conversion, “and the definition of ‘many mansions’ which was both clear and soul stirring,”

On Sept. 10, 1973, Snuffer, a self-confessed sinner and skeptic, plunged into the waters of LDS baptism and soon began an intense study of Mormon beliefs. For the next few decades, he taught the weekly Gospel Doctrine class in six wards (or congregations) in four states, plus spoke at BYU Education Week and at the University of Utah’s LDS Institute of Religion.

Editor’s Note: In order to speak at Education Week you are required to have a higher education. That is a big reason Rod Meldrum, Wayne May, Hannah Stoddard, and others don’t get invited. That makes it easy to exclude them. Remember in the Church it is the Intellects, Professors, and other Scholars who direct things like Education Week, not the Prophet and Apostles. I truly believe that the 15 Brethren trust their professors and intellects very much and hope an pray for them to make correct decisions. When some thing is approved with a stamp of approval by the First Presidency, it doesn’t mean it is scripture, it is just good evaluated material that is suitable for Saints to read. The Ensign, Joseph Smith Papers, Saints, are all great to read, but they are not doctrine. Did you know we have found many concerning ideas in the book Saints? See Here, Here, and Here. I think the book “Saints” is great for many in the Church, but is does have some definite flaws that may be concerning.

Meanwhile, he earned a law degree from BYU, married, divorced, remarried and reared nine children from both marriages. Along the way, he was drawn to Mormonism’s more esoteric theories.

In 2006, the lawyer published “The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil,” which became an overnight sensation with Mormons who desired more mystical interactions. Within four years, he was attracting hundreds to his speeches up and down the Mormon corridor.

At least two volumes and many sermons after his foray into deep theological waters, the now-ponytailed preacher produced “Passing the Heavenly Gift,” a tome which spells out Snuffer’s reading of Mormon history based on scripture, including his hypothesis about the church losing its way after Smith perished. The future Remnant leader’s Mormon stake (or regional) president demanded that he pull back the book. The writer refused.

He learned he had been excommunicated by his ecclesiastical leaders in Sandy on Sept. 10, 2013 – 40 years to the day after his baptism.

“I was not a rebel,” he says in a recent interview. “I suspect there are people in my home ward and stake today who are unaware that I’ve ever written a book.”

Being exed didn’t change his commitment to Mormonism, Snuffer says. He continued to attend LDS services with his wife, Stephanie, while stepping up his speaking schedule — and telling everyone who would listen, as he wrote on his blog at the time: “I will not start a church. Period. Won’t. Not now. Not later. Never.”

Editor’s Note: I guess the thrill of leading his own group gave in. I won’t judge him, buttis seems so easy for the apostates to change their minds and follow their heart as they claim it is God they are following.

Now the couple are all in with the Remnant.

Two years or so after the LDS Church booted him out, Snuffer joined forces with some followers who wanted to expunge Mormon scriptures of anything that they couldn’t trace explicitly to Smith. Gone were D&C sections that talked about church organization, priesthood offices and polygamy, replaced by a package of Snuffer revelations and tucked into a new volume known as Teachings and Commandments.

“Conspiracies have corrupted the records beginning among the Jews, and again following the time of my apostles, and yet again following the time of Joseph and Hyrum [Smith],” Snuffer says God told him. “As you have labored with the records, you have witnessed the alterations and insertions, and your effort to recover them pleases me and is of great worth.”

I believe this Snuffer movement, John Dehlin, Mormon Stories, CES Letter, and any other apostate groups are just as bad as Communism. See my blog here;

Wine and worship

On a recent Sunday, a dozen members of a Remnant fellowship lounge on couches in Ken Jensen’s Sandy living room, with about the same number of children, some in arms, some sprawled across laps and some crawling on the floor. Print shirts, pants on women, and flip-flops give it a casual feel.

A large staircase snakes up to the second floor, with black letters affixed to the wall, saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them — I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

The bearded dad, a father of 11 who was excommunicated from the LDS Church in 2015 for apostasy, suggests they sing hymns, beginning with children’s pieces. So Taylor Child moves to a piano and plays “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.” After that, it’s the Mormon classic “I Am a Child of God” and “Jesus Once Was a Little Child.”

While waiting for one woman to go to a nearby store for a baby bottle, the group discusses a Remnant baptism from the previous night. By now, scores of former Mormons have been rebaptized as a symbol of their newfound beliefs, but not to become a member of a church.

Child, who has been with the movement for three years, conducted the ritual for his 8-year-old son, Aidan, and invited his Mormon parents to attend. It took place at a Saratoga Springs hot spring, by full immersion.

“There was a really good spirit there,” he says before quipping: “It was good exposure for my parents so they could see we are not all Satan worshippers.”

Editor’s Note: See how good Satan is? Remember there are only two spirits, one good and one evil. If they aren’t following God they are following Satan. So based on bias I am following God and they aren’t. I know the Lord will judge one day. I will take my chances and build my faith on Christ and the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not on re-constructed scriptures and fake baptisms. May the Lord forgive them as for me. I do love and forgive them, but ultimate judgement by The Savior will determine all of our fates.

At 79, LaPrele Jordan has been looking for a spiritual home in various faith groups. She left the LDS Church in 1990 to join James Harmston’s breakaway — and eventually polygamous — sect in Manti, but fled that, too.

“It’s been a long, long, long journey to find you guys,” says Jordan, who was among those baptized the day before. “I’ve finally found where I belong, and it’s so wonderful.”

More singing and then comes the sacrament.

Two piano benches are placed in the middle of the room. Bottles of wine (with grape juice for the children) and baskets of artisan bread are set upon them. They kneel and close their eyes. Some hold their hands with upturned, cupped palms or reach their arms heavenward.

Child offers traditional Mormon communion prayers, except saying “wine” rather than water — as modern Latter-day Saints do. He and others tear slabs of the bread. Each worshipper takes a hunk. The wine and grape juice are poured into plastic cups and served.

After all partake, they move on to discuss the new scriptures as well as a draft of the movement’s emerging “guidelines and standards.”

Jensen found Snuffer’s work in 2010, back when he was a practicing Latter-day Saint, and felt it was “over my head.”

Now the insurance salesman grasps Snuffer’s message and says he is amazed at “how incredibly patient and long-suffering Denver has been … and how willing to let others grow in understanding.”

As religious movements go, this one is in its infancy. Now comes the hard part: finding a balance between individuality and organization.

What’s the appeal?

It was the Book of Mormon that propelled Jeff Savage into the Remnant movement.

Savage was born and reared in the LDS Church in California, often serving in leadership positions. He spent two years proselytizing for his faith in southern Chile, met his wife, Emily, at BYU, and then married her in a Mormon temple.

When Savage went to the University of Illinois for graduate work, he discovered Snuffer’s “Second Comforter.”

“It was like finding a drink of water in the desert,” the gentle scholar says. “Denver interweaves scripture and prose together and does so masterfully.”

Editor’s Note: Yes isn’t it so wonderful to drink from the cup of Denver? Wow, it seems incredibly shallow, but when people become disillusioned from the true gospel, they do funny things. It is amazing to me how silly all of this sounds, but it is definitely a problem we all need to be aware of and stay focused on the teachings of President Nelson, the Scriptures and especially on the doctrine and Spirit of the Lord.

Savage returned to the Mormon scripture he had read maybe 25 times before. This go-around, he saw things he had never before noticed.

“It talks about the last days before Christ’s return,” Savage says. “It describes people who care about appearance and riches and churches ‘built up unto themselves.’ It says those churches have gone astray.”

Editor’s Note: This is all very true about riches. We as members of the church have gravitated toward things of this world and we love our money. “But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.” Jacob 2: 18-19.

I am sure these Snufferites see the worldliness of other active members of our church and are distraught to see such lavishness and wealth among our members. This is a difficult challenge we are facing and I believe the very elect are being deceived along with the not so elect. I pray so often for the humility needed to stay faithful to the Lord and His kingdom today. My heart aches when we lose a soul to evil or to an apostate group.

Reading along with his wife, Savage says, the couple concluded such verses were “talking about us. Our church.”

They didn’t want to abandon the only faith they had ever known, so they kept their observations private and, after moving to South Carolina, took in both Mormon and Remnant services.

Editor’s Note: My eyes have been open during this past Firm Foundation Conference. I have witnessed several people in our little group of seemingly good members of the Church, who are dabbling in apostate groups. When I find them it is my obligation to nicely let them go and aks them to not attend our event again. Rod and I try very hard to select only people that have a good message. However, we have a great need to change things up even more. Our Conferences need to be more focused on the Book of Mormon and Christ, and less on the peripheral tenants that are not needed. We are working on making that happen.

Meanwhile, Savage was asked to oversee the effort to create some “guidelines and standards” for the burgeoning movement.

Fast-forward to a hot summer night in early August at Salt Lake Community College’s Sandy campus. There, Savage presents his draft to a group of about 40 representatives — about half are women — from fellowships across Utah, with others tuning in via Skype.

Though there is a patina of civility, collegiality and cohesion, serious divisions percolate beneath the surface and occasionally erupt, including after a kneeling prayer to discover God’s will.

It’s not surprising, though, given that, to these believers, words matter — a lot — and each is entitled to hear heaven’s promptings.

Debating revelation

During the nearly five-hour meeting, every word in Savage’s document is scrutinized, assessed, challenged and voted upon.

The first long debate is about whether to allow the words “or grape juice” to be included in the section describing how the fellowships should perform the sacrament.

[ Editor’s Note; Picking at the little nuances? Not worrying about the bigger things of the Lord?]

Snuffer says it should be “wine,” one attendee argues, so why allow grape juice? Another woman insists that those coming out of Mormonism or conservative traditions might be uncomfortable with wine. Why not allow grape juice? After more than 20 minutes, it is added.

For these representatives, the LDS health code known as the “Word of Wisdom,” which forbids alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, is just that — wisdom, counsel, advice. It is not a requirement as it has become in Mormonism.

The longest and most vociferous debate is over the inclusion of four words: “Thus saith the Lord.”

Savage, who sits patiently by like a modern-day Thomas Jefferson watching others rip apart his Declaration of Independence, defends his use of those words, noting they were dictated by God.

Smith used the same “thus saith the Lord” phrase in sections of Mormonism’s D&C, but he was believed to be the only “prophet, seer and revelator” who could speak for God to the whole church.

In this case, these words came exclusively to Savage. Could his personal revelation stand for the collective fellowships, they wonder, or only for him?

After some time, Savage acknowledges to the group that the first attribution to the Lord is a passage that came to Snuffer. Savage was reluctant to make that known because Snuffer has declared he was not involved in the guideline-writing process.

After more than an hour, the group votes on the phrase, and, though not all agree, no one opposes it. Other parts of the document are approved, disapproved or tabled

During the lengthy discussions, Snuffer’s name is invoked again and again as authoritative.

The notion of all fellowshippers getting their own revelations, including ones that may contradict others, is still an unsettling, new idea, Savage says. ”We are transitioning out of revering the LDS hierarchy but some still feel they can only trust Denver.”

Editor’s Note: This seems to be a real convenient Church. All have correct revelation. That is ridiculous. Yes we can all have individual manifestations of the spirit, by why would God give one revelation to one person that is contradictory of the other revelation? Satan must be in control is what I think. Please people wake up. The Lord is coming soon.

Though he maintains he is just one voice among many, Snuffer will lay out what the group’s approach to history and scripture should be going forward in his “Prayer for Covenant.”

The words of it, Snuffer writes on a recent blog, “came by revelation from the Lord to me alone.”

But don’t call him a prophet.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/08/27/denver-snuffers-offshoot-is-drawing-away-mormons-with-the-mantra-god-can-talk-to-you-too-but-will-these-freewheeling-fellowships-last/

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Obedient to Law?

How should we handle the laws of the land in our individual countries? Are they to be obeyed no matter what? That is a difficult question and the spirit of the law is as just as important as the letter of the law. Should we use a seat belt? Wear a mask? Drive over the speed limit? Have to pay taxes to causes that are against our right to free speech? What if we are demanded to take a vaccine? Do we need car insurance? A Drivers’ License? Pay taxes on money that supports abortion? Which do we obey, city, state or federal law if they are all different? The key question is, what does the Lord expect of us?

Citizens of God’s Kingdom

“Citizens of many countries claim membership in the Church. Regardless of their flag or form of government, they find that allegiance to the Lord does not preclude their being loyal citizens of their nations. Fidelity to God enables one to develop a more profound patriotic allegiance and become a better citizen. “In addition to their national citizenship, members of the Church are also citizens of God’s kingdom. (See Eph. 2:19.) Their commitment to it, however, may be variable. The great majority seek ‘first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness.’ (JST, Matt. 6:38.) Some allow their allegiance to God and His kingdom to slip below that of other interests in life. They have not yet determined which way they face. (See Joel 3:14.)”

–Russell M. Nelson, “Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods,” General Conference April 1996 Click here to read or listen to the full talk

A Choice Land

“Choice” can mean excellent or superior, but it can also mean carefully selected for a righteous people to dwell and prosper. The Book of Mormon uses it in the last connotation: ‘And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.’ (Ether 2:7; emphasis added.) “This does not mean that the land of North America is ‘superior’ to all other lands. However, it was ‘carefully selected’ for a special purpose. For the Jaredites it was a land chosen for a‘righteous people.’ For the Nephites, it was ‘carefully selected’ as a land of promise and a covenant land for a remnant of the House of Israel. “The covenant land can be a blessing and also a cursing in that, if the people don’t keep the covenant, they are worse off than had they never entered the covenant in the first place.In this sense, America has been carefully selected not only as a promised land for the Jaredite sand the Nephites, but as the central place for the Lord’s marvelous work and a wonder in our day. America has been chosen to host: a) the restoration of the Gospel, b) the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, c) the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and d) the restoration of Priesthood authority and keys for the gathering of Israel and the salvation of the dead. These blessings come with great responsibilities. America is not “superior” to any other land created by God. “This is consistent with the basic principle that God is no respecter of persons, that He speaks to all His children wherever they live: ‘Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath;and I bring forth My word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?’ (2 Nephi 29:7; emphasis added.)“ In this sense, every land can be a promised land for the people who live there. We should appreciate all respective homelands for every nation or peoples in every continent. Understanding the history of Book of Mormon connections may help us recognize that all people can develop their own spiritual connections and traditions with their respective homeland” – Jonathan Neville. “I should like to say a few words about America…No land is without its beauty, no people without their virtues, and I hope that you who come from elsewhere will pardon my saying a few words concerning my own native land, America… surely this is a good land, a choice land, a chosen land. To me it is a miracle, a creation of the Almighty” – Gordon B. Hinckley, “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,” BYU Speeches of the Year

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The Law of the Land and the Twelfth Article of Faith by Latterdayconsent.com

“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (Articles of Faith, 12) Some Latter-day Saints take the 12th Article of Faith at face value without understanding the additional context provided in other scriptures and from statements of church leaders. It’s not uncommon to hear this from a Latter-day Saint: “We are obeying _____ ordinance because it is the law and saints are required to sustain and uphold the law.” It is important to consider a more complete context of LDS doctrine & teachings regarding obedience to law, lest we act in ignorance. “And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them. And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil. “I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.” (D&C 98:4-11) We are only required to obey that law which is constitutional and supports freedom. However, if we choose to disobey the dictates of evil men, we may also risk having to face the unjust punishment of man; nevertheless we would be justified before God in our actions. “…it is my will that they should continue to importune for redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers and are in authority over you — According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. “Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (D&C 101: 76-80) Again we have more revelation from the Lord, to Joseph Smith, stating that though the wicked may rule it is our responsibility to stand up for our rights and for just and holy principles.

D&C 134

Consider these excerpts from Doctrine & Covenants section 134, which is a declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general: “We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them… “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. “We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected…”

Joseph Smith

Additionally, Joseph Smith made other statements regarding our duty to the law: “The different states, and even Congress itself, have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the United States… “Shall we be such fools as to be governed by its laws, which are unconstitutional? No! … The Constitution acknowledges that the people have all power not reserved to itself. … This is the doctrine of the Constitution, so help me God. The Constitution is not law to us, but it makes provision for us whereby we can make laws. Where it provides that no one shall be hindered from worshiping God according to his own conscience, is a law. No legislature can enact a law to prohibit it. The Constitution provides to regulate bodies of men and not individuals.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 278) It is quite clear that while we do believe in “obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law”, there is a requirement that those laws be just and do not infringe on the rights of the people. As Thomas Aquinas stated, “an unjust law is not really a law at all.” The United States of America would not exist if the Founding Fathers believed, as many do today, in obeying the edicts of corrupt government officials. Thomas Jefferson believed that “disobedience to tyrants is obedience to God” and he made it his personal seal. Virginia, home to a Bible believing society, with such men as George Washington and James Madison, had it as its official seal in 1776. Benjamin Franklin suggested it as the official motto of the United States. In the Declaration of Independence we find this important directive: “Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (defending the rights of the people), it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.” For a better understanding of why these concepts are important, consider the proper role of government:

Ezra Taft Benson

“…the proper function of government is limited only to those spheres of activity within which the individual citizen has the right to act. By deriving its just powers from the governed, government becomes primarily a mechanism for defense against bodily harm, theft and involuntary servitude. It cannot claim the power to redistribute the wealth or force reluctant citizens to perform acts of charity against their will. Government is created by man. No man possesses such power to delegate. The creature cannot exceed the creator. “In general terms, therefore, the proper role of government includes such defensive activities, as maintaining national military and local police forces for protection against loss of life, loss of property, and loss of liberty at the hands of either foreign despots or domestic criminals.” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Proper Role of Government)

John Taylor

John Taylor explained our obligation to the laws of man, and of God, as he spoke of celestial and terrestrial laws: “There are again celestial laws as before referred to, and terrestrial laws, and the question arises, what is the meaning of a celestial law; and what again is the meaning of a terrestrial law; a celestial law pertains to the law of heaven; and is a principle by which the intelligences in the celestial world are governed. The Gospel in its fulness places those who obey it, under its influences, while at the same time it does not relieve them from other obligations of a terrestrial nature. “It is said in the Doctrine and Covenants, that he that keepeth the laws of God, hath no need to break the laws of the land. It is further explained in section 98, what is meant in relation to this. That all laws which are constitutional must be obeyed, as follows: ‘And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them. And that the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of the church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this cometh of evil.’ “That is taking this nation as an example, all laws that are proper and correct, and all obligations entered into which are not violative of the constitution should be kept inviolate. But if they are violative of the constitution, then the compact between the rulers and the ruled is broken and the obligation ceases to be binding. Just as a person agreeing to purchase anything and to pay a certain amount for it, if he receives the article bargained for, and does not pay its price, he violates his contract; but if he does not receive the article he is not required to pay for it. Again we ask, what is this celestial law? The celestial law above referred to is absolute submission and obedience to the law of God. It is exemplified in the words of Jesus, who, when He came to introduce the Gospel said, ‘I came not to do my will but the will of the Father that sent me;’ and His mission was to do the will of the Father who sent him, or to fulfill a celestial law.” (John Taylor, Remarks before the High Council of Salt Lake Stake of Zion, Feb 20, 1884. Journal of Discourse 26:350)

Ezra Taft Benson The Twelfth Article of Faith

Ezra Taft Benson, in a talk titled “The Twelfth Article of Faith“, further expounded upon these concepts: “In it is a declaration requiring obedience, loyalty to, and respect for duly constituted laws and the officials administering those laws. In justifying such loyal compliance, however, the Lord also promulgated certain safeguards and conditions which must be observed if freedom and liberty are to be preserved and enjoyed. These are emphasized primarily in the 98th and 134th sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. How I wish these fundamental concepts were emblazoned on the hearts of all our people!” “We must be eternally vigilant as Latter-day Saints and inspire in the lives of our children a love for eternal principles and a desire to seek out honorable men—the best possible—to stand at the head of our political governments, local, state, and federal. Only in this way can we safeguard the liberties which have been vouchsafed to us as our inalienable rights. Unless we do so, we may very easily lose them because of our indifference, because of our failure to exercise our franchise, because we permit men who are unworthy to rise to positions of political power.” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Twelfth Article of Faith. From God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties, 279. 1974.) All this being said, we live in a wicked world full of tyrants, corrupt politicians, and oppressive laws. In all that we do we must consider the risks and use the Holy Spirit as our guide.

Not Always Wise to Relate All the Truth

“Our lives have already become jeopardized by revealing the wicked and bloodthirsty purposes of our enemies; and for the future we must cease to do so. All we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to refrain from doing so, and had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father’s kingdom. When still a boy He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed; but He was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend His own person; and was subject to cold, to hunger and to death. So it is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind, if they would receive it, but we lack the physical strength, as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have a necessity to be afflicted, persecuted and smitten, and to bear it patiently until Jacob is of age, then he will take care of himself.” (Joseph Smith, Not Always Wise to Expose Evil. TPJS Section Six 1843-44, p.392 — June 27, 1844.)

Protect our Freedom

While there are some threats to liberty that we must bear patiently, we do have a responsibility to do something. Ezra Taft Benson spoke about our immediate responsibility, regarding freedom, stating: “We have been warned again and again and again. The Lord’s spokesman has consistently raised his voice of warning about the loss of our freedom. Now he that has ears, let him hear, and ye who praise the Lord, learn to also follow His spokesman. “‘No greater immediate responsibility rests upon the members of the church, upon all citizens of this republic and of neighboring republics than to protect the freedom vouchsafe by the Constitution of the United States.’ “In this mighty struggle each of you has a part. Be on the right side. Stand up and be counted.” (Ezra Taft Benson. Our Immediate Responsibility. BYU University. October 25, 1966.)https://www.youtube.com/embed/s2wNdGXK_dk?feature=oembed  

28th Conference Review:

Our 28th International Book of Mormon Evidence just finished, and we are all very enthused with the great messages and the overall success of the event. I am just sending out a quick blog to thank all of you who attended and all that were vendors or speakers.

We will have the recordings of this event available in several weeks for you to watch on our streaming site at bookofmormonevidence.org/streaming. If you are already a subscriber all the new videos will be available as soon as we upload them in a few weeks. For those who have not registered for a membership, may do so immediately at the same website. Currently we have over 700 videos of hundreds of speakers you will love to listen to.

We had fantastic information and spiritual food shared by Tim Ballard, Greg Hughes, Eric Moutsos and many others, along with a brand new discussion by Rod Meldrum called, “And the Earth Shall Be Rolled Together as a Scroll”, Part 1 and Part 2.

Jonathan Neville spoke about a brand new book, (I think he has published 15 or more books in just 5 years) which was titled, “Heartland in Africa”, a unique and colorful Church History book which is perfect for youth and children as well as adults. Wayne May had three fantastic presentations and had a blow out sale of many of his tapes and books. We hade a wonderful Native American program hosted by Betty and Mike LaFontaine. The spirit was strong as our Natives brothers and sisters spoke, dance, sung, and bore witness of the Savior. it was inspiring. Hannah and the Stoddard “S-Team” were powerful again. As we dedicated this conference to a great man James Stoddard, many of us felt his presence at the conference and we believe he will be able to help us succeed from his place with God even more than he helped us while on this earth. He will be missed but Hannah is continuing the focus of protecting the name of Joseph Smith, and moving the masses toward loving our Savior Jesus Christ.

We were blessed with the musical talents of Tatia Nelson and Nathan Osmond. What a crucial part of the Conference as they both testified through song, about their love of the Lord. We were all touched deeply by the spirit. We also thank Tatia who’s company she works for, Nature’s Fusions, owned by CJ Peterson, donated over 6,000 bottles of hand sanitizer for anyone who wanted some, and they utilized Wayne May’s Foundation, so they could donate. Thanks to all who contributed.

We had Dr. Kevin Price and Dana Young introduce a new oil called Bee Balm or Oil of the Nephites, extracted by what we believe was an ancient Nephite plant to help with disease and sickness. Our constitution was defended again from Pamela Romney Openshaw and many others. We had many great nutritional products and health benefit speakers like Dr. Pat Jones, Angie Christensen, Craig Fairclough and Tim Peak. . You wouldn’t’ believe the incredible works of art and old history books that CJ Peterson had on display and for sale. We heard from new authors, Juanita Werritt, and Angela Wilson, and we also remember our Universal Model scientists Russ Barlow and Dean Sessions. My Father in law, Robert Mehl is a 50 year former geologist, and he joined Dean on stage to attack and show truth about science of the Lord, and how it refutes the current dogmas in the world departments of theory. You missed a lot if you didn’t attend, but you will have videos to enjoy soon.

Thanks to all for the time we shared together. I will spend more time in the weeks to come to share with you about other topics and new information that was shared. I did a presentation called, “Mother I have got the Key“, which I summarize below and offer you an upload about the talk. Rod and I have also created a new 128 page volume called “Heartland Handbook”, available to purchase here for only $15.

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Book of Mormon Translation Common Sense- What is the KEY?

Through study, research and prayer in the past many months I have repeatedly felt the strength of common sense about the method of translation of the Book of Mormon. I do know and have a testimony that, the plates were translated by the “Gift and Power of God”, and by that Spirit of the Lord’s, I know the Book of Mormon is true.

I also believe very strongly that Joseph Smith never uses a so called seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon, as it makes NO sense to me whatsoever. There is not one place in the scriptures that says a stone was used to translate the plates, but in scripture you will hear about two stones, or the interpreters (plural), or the Urim and Thummim (plural by its own name), or “two stones in a silver bow. Lucy Mack Smith said, “ what Joseph termed a key… nothing more nor less than a Urim and Thummim” Lucy Mack Smith

Get a Free download here, of a list of Scripture and Hard Evidence that shows the scriptural significance of Joseph’s translation with the spectacles and breastplate, not with a silly stone in a hat.

“The Key” explained from Lucy Mack Smith’s Journal

Lucy Mack Smith said, “I trembled so much with fear lest all might be lost again by some small failure in keeping the commandments, that I was under the necessity of leaving the room to conceal my feelings. Joseph saw this and followed me. “Mother,” said he. “Do not be uneasy. All is right. See here,” said he, “I have got the key.”

I knew not what he meant, but took the article in my hands and, examining it with no covering but a silk handkerchief, found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows connected with each other in much the same way that old-fashioned spectacles are made. He took them again and left me, but did not tell me anything of the record….

That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was indeed nothing more nor less than a Urim and Thummim by which the angel manifested those things to him that were shown him in vision; by which also he could at any time ascertain the approach of danger, either to himself or the record, and for this cause he kept these things constantly about his person.” (History of Joseph Smith, Revised and Enhanced, p. 139, 145)

We had a few minor issues about the speaking times and names of some speakers, as we had many more cancellations by speakers than we ever had. We replaced the unavailable speakers easily with other fantastic speakers. Those who were ill or unable to come we hope to see them next April. We have currently reserved the Davis County Conference Center in Layton, UT for April 7-9, 2022 to have our 29th Conference. You can see details and updates regularly on our website at bookofmormonevidence.org/events.

The meaning of the words Urim is rendered as haw-oo-reem, or lights; Thummim is rendered veh-hat-toom-meen, or perfections; the septuagint render them as revelation and truth. – Popular Bible Encyclopedia

Lucy’s Description of the Interpreters/Urim and Thummim

Lucy Mack Smith’s physical description of the interpreters/Urim and Thummim that Joseph Smith had in his possession.” “On the morning of September 22, after Joseph had returned from the hill, he placed the article [the Nephite interpreters] of which he spoke into my hands, and, upon examination, I found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old fashioned spectacles. . . . He [Joseph Smith] handed me the breastplate spoken of in his history. It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could feel its proportions without any difficulty. It was concave on one side and convex on the other, and extended from the neck downwards, as far as the center of the stomach of a man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material, for the purpose of fastening it to the breast.” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith)

Back in the day, mostly prior to the 2000’s, if you would have even hinted that Joseph looked at a rock in a hat to translate the Book of Mormon, you’d get called into the bishop’s office with threats of disfellowship, maybe even excommunication, for perpetuating anti-Mormon lies. Then the information age came crashing in. Be prepared for parents that were born in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s to accuse you of teaching their kids anti-Mormon lies in primary as their cognitive dissonance goes bonkers.

The intellectuals in the great and spacious building are creating havoc in our society. The Firm Foundation Conference speakers are successfully debunking much of this anti Christ delusion.

Elder Russell M. Nelson has shared a talk several times over the years called, “A Treasured Testament”, spoken and published in 1992, 1993, 1997,and, 2016, In describing the translation of the Book of Mormon he says, “The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights. David Whitmer wrote…” Elder Nelson then continues his talk.

In this talk Elder Nelson quotes David Whitmer, Emma Smith, and Edmund Briggs which very well could be accurate quotes, but they are all second and third hand quotes. I however feel the words of Joseph Smith and the words of Oliver Cowdery who were first hand accoun,ts ring most true to my heart and I have followed the council of Elder Benson below.

Ezra Taft Benson

“Suppose a leader of the Church were to tell you that you were supporting the wrong side of a particular issue. Some might immediately resist this leader and his counsel or ignore it, but I would suggest that you first apply the fourth great civic standard for the faithful Saints. That standard is to live for, to get, and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.” Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints, Ezra Taft Benson

Said Brigham Young: “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150.)”

First-Hand Witnesses of Joseph Smith

“With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called “Urim and Thummim,” which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rims of a bow fastened to a breastplate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God.” Joseph Smith Wentworth Letter

“He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;

Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. …

Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it.” Joseph Smith—History in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:2–79.

Personal Revelation

I have said many times, that if the Prophet and Apostles tell me it is doctrine that the main Book of Mormon Events happened in Mesoamerica, or if they tell me that at one time Adam was an ape, or that only a seer stone was used to translate the Book of Mormon, or that Joseph Smith never looked at the plates but he just read the words off of a rock, or that Noah’s flood was not real, I would have a very hard time believing it, but with much prayer, and personal revelation, I would follow the Living Prophets, including Russell M. Nelson who speaks doctrine and revelation to us.

“Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course … as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.”

You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.

I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Russell M. Nelson

First-Hand Witnesses of Oliver Cowdery

Then in the fall of 1848, he and his family made their way to Council Bluffs and found themselves again among many of the Saints who at that time were moving to the West. At a conference held in Kanesville on the 24th of October, 1848, he stood and said:

“Friends and Brethren:

“My name is Cowdery—Oliver Cowdery. In the history of the Church I stood … in her councils. Not because I was better than other men was I called … to fill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and he translated it by the power and gift of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or as it is called by that book, ‘Holy Interpreter.’

“I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. … That book is true, Sidney Rigdon did not write it; Mr. Spaulding did not write it; I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. …

“I was present with Joseph when an Holy Angel from Heaven came down and conferred upon us … the Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us, at the same time, that it should remain on earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by the Holy Angels from on high. …

“Brethren, for a number of years, I have been separated from you. I now desire to come back. I wish to come humble and be one in your midst. I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with you. I am out of the Church, but I wish to become a member. I wish to come in at the door: I know the door, I have not come here to seek precedence. I come humbly and throw myself upon the decision of the body, knowing as I do, that its decisions are right.” (Stanley R. Gunn, Oliver Cowdery, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1962, pp. 203–4.)

In the October 1834 Messenger and Advocate [the Church newspaper in Kirtland, Ohio], Oliver Cowdery wrote: “These were days never to be forgotten to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated, with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon’” (Messenger and Advocate, 1:14; Also known as Letter I Oliver Cowdery to William W. Phelps, 7 September 1834).

Joseph Fielding McConkie/Craig J. Ostler

“Explanations as to how the Book of Mormon was translated have become the source of considerable speculation and misinformation. There appears to be little interest on the part of some writers to distinguish between what might be called historical prattle and competent testimony. For instance, scripture, statements by the Prophet himself, and the collaborative testimony of Oliver Cowdery the only firsthand sources we have on the matter are not, among some, accorded the same attention or credence as things said by secondhand witnesses who in thought and spirit were clearly out of harmony with the Prophet and the Church. See my complete blog here:

The matter of how the Book of Mormon was translated has been of considerable interest and discussion virtually from the time the book became public. This is illustrated in an exchange that took place between the Prophet and his brother Hyrum in a conference of the Church held 25 October On that occasion Hyrum said “that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.” In response, Joseph Smith said that “it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c” (Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, 23).

Yet, it was not intended that we be entirely ignorant of the process of translation; otherwise, the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 9 would not have been included in a compilation of revelations intended for the eyes of the entire world. There are principles involved here of which every faithful Latter- day Saint ought to be a competent witness. There are also counterfeit notions about how the Book of Mormon was translated that enhance neither our understanding of how revelation is received nor our appreciation for the labor and faith involved so that we might have the Book of Mormon.” “The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon” 2000 by Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) and Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU) 

“The Prophet Joseph Smith used the same Urim and Thummim that was “given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face” (D&C 17:1). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote a brief history regarding the Urim and Thummim: “King Mosiah possessed ‘two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow,’ called by the Nephites Interpreters, with which he translated the Jaredite record [Mosiah 28:11–14], and these were handed down from generation to generation for the purposes of interpreting languages. How Mosiah came into possession of these two stones or Urim and Thummim the record does not tell us, more than to say that it was a ‘gift from God’ [Mosiah 21:28]. Mosiah had this gift or Urim and Thummim before the people of Limhi discovered the record of Ether. They may have been received when the ‘large stone’ was brought to Mosiah with engravings upon it, which he interpreted by the ‘gift and power of God’ [Omni 1:20–21]. They may have been given to him, or to some other prophet before his day, just as the Brother of Jared received them—from the Lord. “That the Urim and Thummim, or two stones, given to the Brother of Jared were those in the possession of Mosiah appears evident from Book of Mormon teachings. The Brother of Jared was commanded to seal up his writings of the vision he had when Christ appeared to him, so that they could not be read by his people. … The Urim and Thummim were also sealed up so that they could not be used for the purpose of interpreting those sacred writings of this vision, until such time as the Lord should grant to man to interpret them. When they were to be revealed, they were to be interpreted by the aid of the same Urim and Thummim [Ether 3:21–28]. …“Joseph Smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the Book of Mormon, the Urim and Thummim, which were hid up by Moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which Urim and Thummim were given to the Brother of Jared [D&C 17:1]” (Joseph Fielding Smith Doctrines of Salvation, 3:223–25). The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and D&C Section 17 was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.

Letter of thanks to Anne and Garth Oborn:

I am absolutely impressed that in just a few days you can create what I feel in my heart, in that beautiful art work. Seriously I have prayed and prayed for just a small answer as I was prepared to do my presentation without artwork. It comes down to a feeling i had to call Kendra Burton for a last opportunity, but I had resigned myself to say it just isn’t possible with only two weeks left. I sent all the pictures to your brother Dave and he called me back and suggested you Ann Oborn, do this project. At first I thought well I don’t know this lady and I would have to know her art etc, but I took a leap of faith and called you.

A few days later, when you called me at 3:17, ( looked at my phone), and you said cane you come right over as you had models coming to your home in a dew minutes, I was shocked and quickly gathered up my replica gold plated, a stove pipe hat and a farmers hat, a seer stone, a pair of rag tag hanger wired white crystals made to look lie the crystals in a bow, my turkey feather, an old journal made by my friend Steve Blake, an old 1830 replica Book of Mormon created by Steve as well, and with these articles I hurried over to your home only about 4 miles from my home in Bountiful. I came to your house that Sunday and met you and Garth and soon Eliza Thompson and her husband came over. He had on a blue shirt and you and Garth asked him if he had a white shirt. (Honestly I felt, what does it matter, as Anne could paint any color shirt why does she have to see a white one?) Garth wanted you to set up the table and chairs and he wanted to get right at taking pictures. I explained to Garth I have to tell you the story first as it will add the spirit to the art I feel is appropriate. Garth patiently let me spend about 20 minutes explaining and then I said, “Ok I’m done take the pictures. You and Garth hurriedly took many many pictures. I still had a little doubt, but I put it in the Lord’s hands and asked Him to help Anne and myself. I left your home with you and I had a lot of hope in my heart. When I didn’t hear from you in 3 or 4 days to answer my questions or to let me see where you were in the process, I thought, well, maybe she just couldn’t do it that quickly and I was fine to go forward without the art.

When you texted me today and said you had something for me to see, I said to myself, wow, she couldn’t be done yet so she just wants me to come over and see the progress she was making. When I walked into your home tonight and from about 100 feet away, I saw the painting you had done and I immediately saw what Lucy and I called “The Key”. Meaning that from a distance I saw the spectacles but I also immediately thought I saw Martin Harris sitting across from Joseph. As I walked toward the art, I could see, no that isn’t Martin, that is Emma, and I was so happy. Then I looked at the gold plates partially covered with a very fine twined linen cloth covering a small part of one of the three rings of the plates so Emma couldn’t see them, and I thought. Wow, that image of the plates is perfect in proportion to the spectacles.

Lastly I looked at Joseph and he looked wonderful as he held his farmers hat over the front of the spectacles so Emma couldn’t see them, as the Lord had instructed that no one was to see the plates, The spectacles or the plates and all three of those issues were taken care of by how you set up the picture for the proper look and feel. I could see the spectacles were attached to a rod on Joseph’s right side and you could tell they were being held up for the breastplate that Joseph had tightly on his person and under his shirt. You can’t see the front of Joseph which is perfect, as none of us know what, “by the gift and power of God” means really, but the one thing I do know through the spirit is that the spectacles and the breastplate had to be connected as the scriptures say, in order for Joseph to receive the proper translation of that most sacred record.

Just as Elder Holland said, there was heart and head in this painting, you knew by both feelings, that the breastplate and the spectacles represented this head and heart feeling, that the translation was indeed from the Lord. I know through the powerful words of my now favorite woman in the church, Lucy Mack Smith, that these, (meaning the spectacles and the breast plate) “remained constanalty on his person.”

The hat was nothing more than a prop to block out Emma’s vision so Joseph could keep his promise to not show the breastplate (under his shirt) or the spectacles hidden behind and not in the hat, and the plates lay partially covered as Emma could not see them at all from her angle. Yes, the Prophet of the Lord kept his promise not to show anyone these articles the best way he new how, with the shirt, the hat, and the Linen, these became special articles of the translation and a special part of the” gift and power of God”. How marvelous are these spectacles as I can see “everything” as Joseph said to Josiah Stowell as written by Lucy and written by her transcribers Sister Coray.

I think the tile of the art for me is, “Mother, I have got the Key'” and as Lucy continued to say, “He [Joseph] seems to like the glasses more than the plates” and Joseph said, Mother, I can see anything!   Rian Nelson

If this subject is important to you, then study and pray about it. This is my very reasonable conclusion of a possible method of translation and I would appreciate your feedback about it. Remember we each can receive personal revelation to build our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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More about the Translation and the Paintings

There was not a curtain between them as you will read about in my full story. See my blog for additional information called, 7+ FIRST-HAND WITNESSES OF THE INTERPRETERS

My complete video presentation will be available in 3 weeks or so along with the other 70 speakers who just spoke. If you would like to subscribe to the streaming site visit here.

The two paintings by Anne Marie Oborn were first unveiled at our 28th conference on Sept 23, 2021 exactly 198 years from the date that Joseph received the plates, spectacles and breastplate from Moroni in 1823.

See pictures below of the photo shoot and the wonderful illustrations that Anne created in a short focused and spiritual pattern, where I believe the Lord stepped in to help Anne create this wonderful vision I had bee seeing in my head. I believe the method of translation that I have described here makes sense, and the idea of using a seer stone in a hat, makes no sense to me. Especially where there is not one scripture to say anything about a stone in a hat, but there are over 9 scriptural accounts of Joseph using the connected breastplate and spectacles to assist Joseph in mentally and physically being able to formulate an inspired translation. If Joseph was just receiving words off of a rock, who was speaking? Was Joseph ever translating or was he dictating, simply repeating words from a mysterious source? Why do the intellectuals say Joseph never even looked at the plates while translating? Why did Nephi and Moroni take such pains in writing and protecting the plates if Joseph later in life would just read a silly stone in a hat? That makes NO SENSE! With the breastplate under Josephs shirt and spectacles in a pocket on the inside of the breastplate, and “upon his person constantly”, Joseph had the key of revelation at a moments notice. As canonized scripture says a lot about the method of translation, we can pray and study and find even more knowledge that will allow us additional divine and personal revelation. Oliver said, “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’ JSH 1:75*

The Lord’s Instrument

“We are awed by the perspicacity and discernment of the scientists, whose accumulated knowledge is great, but there is still greater knowledge; there are more perfect instruments; there is much more to learn. Most of us can but imagine how the great truths have been transmitted through the ages.  Exactly how this precious instrument, the Urim and Thummim, operates we can only surmise, but it seems to be infinitely superior to any mechanism ever dreamed of yet by researchers. It would seem to be a receiving set, or instrument. For a set to receive pictures and programs, there must be a broadcasting set. The scripture above quoted indicates that the abode of God is a master Urim and Thummim, and the synchronization of transmitting and receiving apparatus of this kind can have no limitation.”   (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Pg.52 – Pg.53)   

Two Paintings. Can you see the differences?

The Urim and Thummim, a Precision Instrument

I don’t see quotes like the ones below from Pres Kimball, that speak about a rock in a hat. The Urim and Thummim is truly an instrument of God. Did you know however the words, “Urim and Thummim” are not in the Book of Mormon text at all? The words they use is “Interpreters.” The intellectuals say the peep stone was simply called a Urim and Thummim, not necessarily being the exact Urim and Thummim. Intellectuals, historians and professors always try and complicate the issues to hide truth. The simplicity of Joseph wearing the breastplate under his shirt and using a hat as an impediment from vision of the transcriber, and a small covering of a portion of the plates to stay out of site from a front view angle, simply makes sense.

“In a short period man has so improved his communication techniques as to hear voices around the world. A few years ago, even with earphones, we could decode only part of the static over the newborn radio. Our first television pictures were very local and very amateurish. Today, we see in our homes a fight in Madison Square Garden, a football game in the Cotton Bowl, the Tabernacle Choir in Chicago, an astronaut on his way to the moon.   Is it hard to believe that with such accomplishments by puny man Omnipotent God has precision instruments with which to enlarge the knowledge of those who have the skill to use them? Is it difficult to believe that the Urim and Thummim could be such a precision instrument to transmit messages from God to his supreme creation — man?   Can God have limitations? Can atmosphere or distance or space hold back his pictures? Would it be so difficult for Moses or Enoch or Abraham or Joseph to see a colorful, accurate, moving picture of all things past and present, and even future? The Creator said to Moses, “ . . . look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end.”  (Moses 1:4.)   (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Pg.53)

“. . . the fact that there were superstitions among the people in the days of Joseph Smith is no evidence whatever that the Church came of such superstition.” Gordon B. Hinckley, “Lord, Increase Our Faith,”

Our friends at Heartland Research group are having fun and discovering many important things. I know they have something going on in November so be sure and check them out at zarahemla.site to participate or donate. They truly are bringing things from the earth so in there latter days we can benefit with science ,a archaeology and research. May the Lord bless Wayne May, Kevin Price, Mike and Betty Lafontaine, Mike Baker, Melissa Tillack, John Lefgren, Jeff Green, Ryan Sorensen and many others who are moving forward with this important work.

Tue, Sep 21, 2021 Heartland Research Group ([email protected])

Museum-quality replica of 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead from a crystal-clear stream in the northern woods of Wisconsin. Copyright by Heartland Research Inc. Dateline: Perry, Utah Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 Without fire, it is impossible to have a civilized society. Without controlling intense heat, it’s impossible to have the advantages of metal weapons on the battlefield. On Saturday, we poured hot liquid metal. In less than a tenth of a second, we made replicas of copper alloy arrowheads formed with the same chemical assay and aerodynamic design that ancient people developed from North America. Indeed, we believe that today is the first time that anyone has cast metal alloy to make replicas of arrowheads that native Americans made more than 50 generations ago. Today we added the patina to the surface of the metal arrowhead. We used the same methods that world-class museums use when they make replicas of their famous artifacts. In early June, we started the project. We thought that with modern tools and methods, it would be easy. We were wrong. We knew that working metal requires a high level of skill and knowledge. We thought that because the ancients made their castings with charcoal-fired furnaces and with less sophisticated materials for their molds, we would easily be able to work our metal better than they did theirs. After spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours, we now stand in awe at the skills of the ancient people. The metal arrowheads are witnesses that the people in the Heartland of North America had exceptional talents in metalworking. They managed to get temperatures in their furnaces to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. They understood that by controlling different elements, they could increase the hardness of the alloy. They understood how the arrowhead’s design affected its flight as it moved through the air towards its target. They built effective molds to fix the casting of the liquid metal. They could get the hot liquid metal to flow into the molds’ cavities in less than a second. Their metal arrowheads would have had zero value in battle if they failed in these and other tasks.If there are doubters about the metallurgical knowledge of the people in the Heartland, then we ask the doubters to go into the wilderness and do what we know the ancient people did when they cast their arrowheads. We are willing to give the doubters 100 years in the wilderness to do what they need to do to get the job done. We expect that they will fail in their efforts to work the metal. Here are pictures that relate to today’s casting. Liquid Copper Alloy Casting into Mold of Arrowhead at 2,200 Degrees Fahrenheit. 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead Found in a Crystal Clear Stream in the Northern Woods of Manitowish, Wisconsin . Wax Mold of 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead. Wax Mold of 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead with Spruce for Movement of Extremely Hot Liquid Metal into Cavity . Jewelry quality platinum cured silicone for room temperature vulcanization of master mold. Pressure injected casting wax at temperature of 180 F and 10 PSI positive pressure. Hand cutting of platinum cured silicone mold. Note irregular cut of the wall of the silicone mold for locking the two sides for making lost wax mold . Attachment of Spruce for Passage of Hot Liquid Copper Alloy into Cavity of the Arrowhead’s Mold. Casting Tree for Nine Arrowheads Attached with Spruce Gating . Mixed Dawn detergent with rubbing alcohol, ratio of 1 to 10. Solution is sprayed on the casting wax. “Surfactant” reduces air bubbles on wax molds . Mixing casting investment with water . Vacuum degassing of the casting investment . One hour set time for casting investment in flask . The casting flask is placed in burn-out oven for twelve hours at temperatures in a stepwise fashion from 250 F to 1200 F . LOST WAX PROCESS: The melting and burn-out of wax from investment flask to create the cavities for the casting of nine arrowheads . Casting flask ready for the pouring of liquid metal . Here are the total charges for creating the copper alloy. One percent of the total weight is tin. The tin doubles the hardness of the alloy . Chemical Assay of 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead . Crucible for holding metal charges as heat of torch turns metal to liquid . Torch heat at 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Cleaning with water of the newly cast arrowheads after the breaking of the investment mold. This is the first time in 50 generations when the ancient copper alloy is used to cast arrowheads that are replicated after the artifact found in Northern Wisconsin. Creating Museum Quality Replica of 4th Century Artifact from Northern Wisconsin. Handmade display and storage box for 4th Century and 21st Century arrowheads. Handmade Wood Box for Storage. Front View: 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead from Northern Wisconsin. Weight 12.5 Grams. Back View: 4th Century Copper Alloy Arrowhead from Northern Wisconsin. Spectral Analysis Marks from Metal Laboratory.  ©2021 Heart Land Research Group | 2681 Milan Street Easton, PA 18045

Translation Method, “not intended to tell the world“

The matter of how the Book of Mormon was translated has been of considerable interest and discussion virtually from the time the book became public. This is illustrated in an exchange that took place between the Prophet and his brother Hyrum in a conference of the Church held 25 October On that occasion Hyrum said “that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.” In response, Joseph Smith said that “it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c” (Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, 23).

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This blog is dedicated to Len and Kathryn Matthews who are some wonderful people

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Inquire for Yourself of Truth

“Suppose a leader of the Church were to tell you that you were supporting the wrong side of a particular issue. Some might immediately resist this leader and his counsel or ignore it, but I would suggest that you first apply the fourth great civic standard for the faithful Saints. That standard is to live for, to get, and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.” Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve. Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints. Ensign, July 1972, 59.

Said Brigham Young: “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150.)

Why are they called Interpreters and where did they come from?

The Interpreters are holy and came from God. How do we know this? Where did the Interpreters come from and why is it so important that the Prophet Joseph Smith used them to translate the plates? Remember one of the greatest stories about faith is when the Brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumer) saw the finger of the Lord and could not be kept outside of the veil. Jesus Christ showed himself unto Mahonri and told him to write the doings of his people and also the Lord touched two additional stones for Mahonri to seal up until after Christ would appear in the flesh. These two stones were also given to Mosiah with the same promise of being kept secret. Then these two stones were given back to Moroni who finally sealed up the Interpreters with the plates for the last time before Joseph Smith received them.

With this spiritual background of the Interpreters it is essential to understand the significance of Joseph using these “two stones” to translate the plates. In Ether we read, “And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write. For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.” Ether 3:23-24.

It was “these two stones”, not A seer stone, not A stone, not A stone found in a well, but “these TWO stones” that were sealed up to come forth to Joseph the Prophet to translate the plates. Remember the translation was done “by the Gift and Power of God”, not by any other means. Not with one stone for convenience, or because I left the Interpreters home, or I just can’t carry two stones, so I will only use one; these things did not matter because the Prophet was to do the translation “by the Gift and Power of God”, only! Joseph’s single stone he found in a well was not THAT spiritual method that the Lord planned from the beginning. Man’s way is not the Lord’s way. Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Lord translated the records of the Nephites and Jaredites with the spiritual means the Lord intended with the Interpreters (two stones and a breastplate) that were provided inside that most sacred stone box on Cumorah’s hill. Joseph said, “there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.” (Joseph Smith—History 1:34–35) The Urim and Thummim is the tool those in the Old Testament and many of the saints in Joseph’s day spoke of, but was only called “Interpreters” in the entire Book of Mormon. Hence the Urim and Thummim or the Interpreters are that singular spiritual instrument called by two various names combined for translation, not the single stone, or a stone I found somewhere. To equate the two is not “by the Gift and Power of God.

What led up to the discussion between whether the Urim and Thummim or the Seer Stone were used for translation?

SITH below refers to “Stone in the Hat Theory” – M2C refers to the “Two Hill Cumorah’s theory.“

“For over 150 years, LDS Church leaders taught that Joseph Smith translated the Nephite plates with the Urim and Thummim. From the early 1830s, critics said that Joseph produced the Book of Mormon by either (i) reading words off a seer stone he put in a hat or (ii) reading a manuscript written by Solomon Spalding and edited by Sidney Rigdon.

All three alternatives were set out in the 1834 book Mormonism Unvailed (Left). When that book was released in October 1834, Oliver Cowdery responded by declaring unambiguously that Joseph translated the record with the Urim and Thummim. You can see Oliver’s declaration in the Pearl of Great Price, at the end of Joseph Smith-History, or in the Joseph Smith papers here:

You might think that Oliver’s declaration, which Joseph Smith helped write and specifically endorsed multiple times, would end the debate.

But no.

A few decades ago, some LDS historians decided it was time to deal with “all the evidence.” They started what has been called the “New Mormon History” to bring out some of the evidence that differed from, and contradicted, the traditional Church history narratives.

Among these was SITH.

Historians largely rejected the Spalding theory, so they focused on SITH vs U&T. 

(Sending the Spalding theory into oblivion is one reason why everyone has overlooked the key role it played, as I’ve discussed before.)

Rough Stone Rolling was a key part of the New Mormon History’s focus on SITH, but lots of people contributed. The historians in the Church History department largely embraced the New Mormon History (as well as M2C), and the result is the presentation of SITH in the Ensign (which I discussed here), the lesson manuals, the videos, etc.

Several justifications have been proposed. 

Some have claimed that when Joseph and Oliver said or wrote “Urim and Thummim” they really meant the peep stone Joseph found in a well. That obviously contradicts both what they said and the historical record. Others claim Joseph used both, but that also contradicts both what Joseph and Oliver always said. Some say the “SITH sayers” were all liars who hated Joseph Smith, but that also contradicts the historical record. Besides, people on the other side just say Joseph and Oliver were liars. Stalemate.

In a recent presentation, I summarized it this way, leading to my own conclusions. (click to enlarge) 

As I mentioned at the outset, a longer version of this is available here: https://www.bookofmormoncentralamerica.com/p/video-summary-of-sith-and-new-mormon.html The full presentation is also available. Email me at [email protected] if you want a link.” Jonathan Neville and Joseph Smith Papers

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Now we will hear from the only First Hand Witnesses

5 Names of the same Instrument used to Translate the Book of Mormon

1- Interpreters (Word found in the Book of Mormon, PGP)
2- Directors (Alma 37:21, 24. In 1920 “Interpreters” was changed to “Directors” in the Book of Mormon)
3- Urim and Thummim (Word found in the D&C, PGP, and the Old Testament, 4 times in THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH in the preface of the BofM)
4- The Key
5- Two stones in silver bows, fastened to a breastplate
6- Two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow (Words found similar in many places)

Words that aren’t defined as the named instruments above:

1- Peep Stone
2- Seer Stone
3- Seer Stones
4- Seer’s Stone
5- Stone in the hat
6- Stone

7+ First hand witnesses who saw this Instrument.

1- Christ
2- Brother of Jared
3- Moroni
4- King Benjamin, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman and each following generational leader
5- Joseph Smith
6- Oliver Cowdrey
7- Lucy Mack Smith
8- William Smith?

Everyone else not listed above is a second or third hand witness to seeing THIS Instrument, including Emma Smith, Martin Harris, David Whitmer, etc. Some helped translate but Joseph was commanded to not show the plates and the Interpreters to anyone unless advised or his death was imminent.

Christ

Now behold, I say unto you, that because you delivered up those writings which you had power given unto you to translate by the means of the Urim and Thummim, into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them. And you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened. Nevertheless, it is now restored unto you again; therefore see that you are faithful and continue on unto the finishing of the remainder of the work of translation as you have begun.” D&C 10:1-3

“Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.” D&C 17:1 Now here is the witness by the Lord of Joseph’s translation. “And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.” (D&C 17:6)

Brother of Jared

Do you realize the 16 stones touched by Christ for the Brother of Jared were for the 8 barges, but the Lord also touched two separate stones to be sealed up for the Prophet Joseph Joseph Smith later for translation?

1 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying: Ether 3:1

6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. [16 stones] And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was with fear. Ether 3:6 parenthesis and color added.

13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. Ether 3:13

17 And now, as I, Moroni, said I could not make a full account of these things which are written, therefore it sufficeth me to say that Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as he showed himself unto the Nephites. Ether 3:13,17

20 Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.

21 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and show it to no man.

22 And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them and shall seal them up, that no one can interpret them; for ye shall write them in a language that they cannot be read.

23 And behold, these two stones [different than the previous 16 stones] will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write.

24 For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones [2stones] shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write. Ether 3:20-23 parenthesis added

Moroni

4 Behold, I [Moroni] have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.

5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord. Ether 4:4-5 parenthesis added

Joseph Smith Quotes

“34 He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;

35 Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.” (Joseph Smith—History 1:34–35)

“With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called “Urim and Thummim,” which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast plate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God” (History of the Church, 4:537).

Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it. Joseph Smith—History in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:2–79.

“By this timely aid was I enabled to reach the place of my destination in Pennsylvania; and immediately after my arrival there I commenced copying the characters off the plates. I copied a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife’s father, in the month of December, and the February following.” JSH 1:62

The Prophet Joseph Smith stated, “On the west side of this hill not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box.” “Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up. I looked in, and there indeed did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate…” (Joseph Smith-History 1:51-52)

Urim & Thummim used to Translate other things

Joseph Smith said “I inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received from him the following.” (Note: See the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants 3,6,7,11,14,15,16,17) (History of the Church V.1p.45)

Words of Edward Stevenson:
“During the Prophet’s visit [to Michigan, fall 1834], he came to our house. My heart swelled with love as I selected and presented him with some of our choice apples. While looking over our copy of a large English Book of Martyrs, he expressed sympathy for the Christian martyrs and a hope for their salvation. He asked to borrow the book, promising to return it when he should meet us again in Missouri. On returning it he said, “I have, by the aid of the Urim and Thummim…, seen those martyrs. They were honest, devoted followers of Christ, according to the light they possessed. They will be saved.” (Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, comps., They Knew the Prophet, p. 85)

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery finally solved the issue through an appeal to the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith recorded: “During the month of April [1829, at Harmony, Pennsylvania,] I continued to translate, and he [Oliver Cowdery] to write, with little cessation, during which time we received several revelations. A difference of opinion arising between us about the account of John the Apostle, mentioned in the New Testament, as to whether he died or continued to live, we mutually agreed to settle it by the Urim and Thummim.” (History of the Church, 1:35–36.)
The result of their inquiry is given in the heading of section 7. It is not known whether Joseph saw the parchment referred to and was given power to translate it, or if its contents were revealed to Joseph without his seeing the original source. It makes no difference, since the material was given by revelation to the Prophet.

“In this respect the testimony of Lorenzo Brown about the preparation the Prophet made for his translation of the Bible may be instructive. He records the Prophet as saying: “After I got through translating the Book of Mormon, I took up the Bible to read with the Urim and Thummim. I read the first chapter of Genesis and I saw the things as they were done. I turned over the next and the next, and the whole passed before me like a grand panorama; and so on chapter after chapter until I read the whole of it. I saw it all!” (as cited in Matthews, Plainer Translation, 25).” The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU)

Oliver Cowdery
A View of the Contents of the Stone Box

“The manner in which the plates were deposited: First, a hole of sufficient depth, (how deep I know not) was dug. At the bottom of this was laid a stone of suitable size, the upper surface being smooth. At each edge was placed a large quantity of cement, and into this cement, at the four edges of this stone, were placed, erect, four others, their bottom edges resting in the cement at the outer edges of the first stone. The four last named, when placed erect, formed a box, the corners, or where the edges of the four came in contact, were also cemented so firmly that the moisture from without was prevented from entering. It is to be observed, also, that the inner surface of the four erect, or side stones was smoothe. This box was sufficiently large to admit a breast-plate, such as was used by the ancients to defend the chest, &c. from the arrows and weapons of their enemy. From the bottom of the box, or from the breast-plate, arose three small pillars composed of the same description of cement used on the edges; and upon these three pillars was placed the record of the children of Joseph, and  of a people who left the tower far, far before the days of Joseph… I must not forget to say that this box, containing the record was covered with another stone, the bottom surface being flat and the upper, crowning. But those three pillars were not so lengthy as to cause the plates and the crowning stone to come in contact. I have now given you, according to my promise, the manner in which this record was deposited; though when it was first visited by our brother, in 1823, a part of the crowning stone was visible above the surface while the edges were concealed by the soil and grass, from which circumstances you will see, that however deep this box might have been placed by Moroni at first, the time had been sufficient to wear the earth so that it was easily discovered when once directed, and yet not enough to make a perceivable difference to the passer-by.” Oliver Cowdery, “Letter VIII,” October 1835

Oliver Cowdery Canonized Scripture

Oliver Cowdery describes these events thus: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’ JSH 1:75*

The most factual statement we have is the scripture above. You can’t find any scripture that explains using a seer stone anywhere.

Oliver Cowdery’s Return

“This testimony written while Oliver Cowdery was out of the Church is now in my keeping. It is a letter in his own handwriting. In October, 1848, he made his way from Tiffin, Ohio, his residence, to Kanesville, Iowa, to take up again his association with the Latter-day Saints. At a conference held there, October 21st, 1848, presided over by elder Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery asked for the privilege of speaking, and he said:

Friends and Brethren: My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this Church, I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called, to fulfill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, “holy interpreters.” I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the “holy interpreters.” The book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it; Mr. Spaulding did not write it; I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. It contains the everlasting gospel, and came forth to the children of men in fulfillment of the revelations of John, where he says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God on high. Brother Hyde has just said that it is very important that we keep and walk in the true channel, in order to avoid the sand-bars. The Holy Priesthood is here. I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down from heaven and conferred on us, or restored, the Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us at the same time, that it should remain upon the earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by holy angels from on high. This Priesthood we then conferred on each other, by the will and commandment of God. This Priesthood, as was then declared, is also to remain upon the earth until the last remnant of time. This holy Priesthood or authority, we then conferred upon many, and it is just as good and valid as though God had done it in person. I laid my hands upon that man, yes, I laid my right hand upon his head (pointing to Elder Hyde) and he holds that Priesthood now. He was also called through me, by the prayer of faith, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

One month later in November, 1848, at another meeting Oliver Cowdery said:

Brethren, for a number of years I have been separated from you. I now desire to come back. I wish to come humbly and to be one in your midst. I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with you. I am out of the Church. I am not a member of the Church, but I wish to become a member of it. I wish to come in at the door. I know the door. I have not come here to seek precedence. I come humbly and throw myself upon the decisions of this body, knowing, as I do, that its decisions are right, and should be obeyed.

His request was granted and he was baptized and again was received in full fellowship in the Church, and in this fellowship, he continued to witness to the day of his death.” Restoration of All Things by Joseph Fielding Smith CHAPTER TWELVE, A TESTIMONY AGAINST THE WORLD Address delivered Sunday, August 20, 1944

Oliver Under Oath

The principal scribe, Oliver Cowdery, testified under oath in 1831 that Joseph Smith “found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows. That by looking through these, he was able to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates.” In the fall of 1830, Cowdery visited Union Village, Ohio, and spoke about the translation of the Book of Mormon. Soon thereafter, a village resident reported that the translation was accomplished by means of “two transparent stones in the form of spectacles thro which the translator looked on the engraving.” Gospel Topic Essays.

During an 1830 trial Oliver Cowdery testified under oath, that “said [Joseph] Smith found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows. That by looking through these, he was able to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates.” , 
(A. W. Benton, “Mormonites,” Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate n.s. 2:15 April 9, 101)

William Smith

With these quotes below, I am assuming William Smith saw the Urim and Thummim and maybe even the translation process. He gives an amazing description of the entire process. I am also intrigued by William being quoted as saying, “[Joseph] always used it in connection with the breastplate when receiving official communications, and usually so when translating as it permitted him to have both hands free to hold the plates.”

William Smith’s description: “A silver bow ran over one stone, under the other, around [sic] over that one and under the first in the shape of a horizontal figure 8…[T]hey were much too large for Joseph and he could only see through one at a time using sometimes one and sometimes the other.” These stones, he continued, “were attached to the breastplate by a rod which was fastened at the outer shoulde[r] edge of the breastplate and to the edge of the silver bow.” (Tyrell Givens, By the Hand of Mormon, p.22)

Another account from William Smith: “Among other things we inquired minutely about the Urim and Thummim and the breastplate. We asked him what was meant by the expression “two rims of a bow,” which held the former. He said a double silver bow was twisted into the shape of the figure eight, and the two stones were placed literally between the two rims of a bow. At one end was attached a rod which was connected with the outer edge of the right shoulder of the breast-plate. By pressing the head a little forward, the rod held the Urim and Thummim before the eyes much like a pair of spectacles. A pocket was prepared in the breastplate on the left side, immediately over the heart. When not in use the Urim and Thummim was placed in this pocket, the rod being of just the right length to allow it to be so deposited. This instrument could, however, be detached from the breastplate and his brother said Joseph often wore it detached when away from home, but always used it in connection with the breastplate when receiving official communications, and usually so when translating as it permitted him to have both hands free to hold the plates.” (J. W. Peterson in The Rod of Iron I:3 (February 1924), 6—7.)

Wilford Woodruff

Elder Wilford Woodruff recorded in his journal that the Prophet Joseph Smith, showed him the Urim and Thummim.
“December 27, 1841: The Twelve or a part of them spent the day with Joseph the Seer and he unfolded unto them many glorious things of the kingdom of God, the privileges and blessings of the priesthood, etc. I had the privilege of seeing for the first time in my day the Urim and Thummim.” (Wilford Woodruff, Journal)

Orson Pratt

Orson Pratt in talking about the sealed part of the Book of Mormon said; “I expect that the same Urim and Thummim which the Lord gave to Joseph Smith will come forth with these plated, and they will be translated, but by whom I know not”  “Also the 24 gold plated of the record of the Jaredites.”  (J. of D. Vol.19 p. 216 & 217)

The earliest mention of the translation

“The earliest mention of the translation that we have is from August 11, 1829, just six weeks after the translation was completed. The Palmyra Freeman published an article that said this: By placing the spectacles in a hat, and looking into it, Smith could (he said so, at least,) interpret the characters.

This article was promptly republished in several newspapers, including the Painesville Telegraph on September 22, 1829.  Another article published in Rochester on September 5, 1829, directly attributes the account to Martin Harris. “A man by the name of Martin Harris was in this village a few days since endeavoring to make a contract for printing a large quantity of a work called the Golden Bible. He gave something like the following account of it…. By placing the spectacles in a hat and looking into it, Smith interprets the characters into the English language.” 

These accounts predated the publication of the Book of Mormon and the organization of the Church. Martin Harris was hardly an apostate at the time and he certainly was not trying to denigrate Joseph Smith. That’s the last thing he would do because he was mortgaging his farm to pay for the publication. 

This is only one of the reasons why I disagree with those who insist the stone in the hat is a fabrication or lie. The error, IMO, is that people (including Martin Harris, David Whitmer, and Emma) who witnessed the demonstration in the Whitmer home inferred they were witnessing the actual translation instead of a demonstration. The demonstration downstairs was rapid and consisted of the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi (assuming that what Joseph dictated became part of the manuscript); the translation, which took place upstairs, was laborious and consisted of 1 Nephi and the non-Isaiah material from the small plates. We can see all of this in the original manuscript, as I showed in detail in A Man that Can Translate.

I also blogged about this a bit today:
http://www.bookofmormoncentralamerica.com/2021/06/witnesses-sith-and-tipping-point.html“

Jonathan Neville

There is a big difference between saying he put the spectacles (plural meaning two) in the hat. Martin was not recorded as saying he put the stone or seer stone or a stone into the hat. Big difference.

Lucy Mack Smith
The Key Joseph Kept Constantly About His Person

Joseph Kept the “Key” ‘Constantly about his person’. Little room for seer stones. Joseph used the “Key” to translate the Book of Mormon, not the seer stone. I believe Lucy Mack and not Martin, David or Emma.

Lucy Mack Smith said, “I trembled so much with fear lest all might be lost again by some small failure in keeping the commandments, that I was under the necessity of leaving the room to conceal my feelings. Joseph saw this and followed me. “Mother,” said he. “Do not be uneasy. All is right. See here,” said he, “I have got the key.”

I knew not what he meant, but took the article in my hands and, examining it with no covering but a silk handkerchief, found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows connected with each other in much the same way that old-fashioned spectacles are made. He took them again and left me, but did not tell me anything of the record….

That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was indeed nothing more nor less than a Urim and Thummim by which the angel manifested those things to him that were shown him in vision; by which also he could at any time ascertain the approach of danger, either to himself or the record, and for this cause he kept these things constantly about his person.” (History of Joseph Smith, Revised and Enhanced, p. 139, 145)

Lucy Mack Smith About the Breastplate

“After bringing home the plates, Joseph now commenced work with his father on the farm in order to be as near as possible the treasure that was committed to his care.

Soon after this, he came in from work one afternoon, and after remaining a short time, he put on his greatcoat and left the house. I was engaged at the time in an upper room in preparing some oilcloths for painting. When he returned, he requested me to come downstairs. I told him that I could not leave my work just then, yet upon his urgent request, I finally concluded to go down and see what he wanted, upon which he handed me the breastplate spoken of in his history.

It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could see the glistening metal and ascertain its proportions without any difficulty.

It was concave on one side and convex on the other and extended from the neck downwards as far as the center of the stomach of a man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material for the purpose of fastening it to the breast, two of which ran back to go over the shoulders, and the other two were designed to fasten to the hips. They were just the width of two of my fingers (for I measured them), and they had holes in the end of them to be convenient in fastening.

The whole plate was worth at least five hundred dollars. After I had examined it, Joseph placed it in the chest with the Urim and Thummim.”  (History of Joseph Smith, Revised and Enhanced)

“I have myself seen and handled the golden plates; they are about eight inches long, and six wide; some of them are sealed together and are not to be opened, and some of them are loose. They are all connected by a ring which passes through a hole at the end of each plate, and are covered with letters beautifully engraved. I have seen and felt also the Urim and Thummim. They resemble two large bright diamonds set in a bow like a pair of spectacles. My son puts these over his eyes when he reads unknown languages, and they enable him to interpret them in English. I have likewise carried in my hands the sacred breastplate. It is composed of pure gold and is made to fit the breast very exactly.” Lucy Mack Smith (in Henry Caswall, The City of the Mormons; or, Three Days at Nauvoo, in 1842, 2nd ed. revised and enlarged, (London: J. G. F. & J. Rivington, 1843), 26) Other source

Mosiah and Alma and Handed Down

11 Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of God, after having translated and caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which had been found by the people of Limhi, which were delivered to him by the hand of Limhi;

12 And this he did because of the great anxiety of his people; for they were desirous beyond measure to know concerning those people who had been destroyed.

13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow.

14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages;

15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he should discover to every creature who should possess the land the iniquities and abominations of his people;

16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of old times.

17 Now after Mosiah had finished translating these records, behold, it gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from the time that they were destroyed back to the building of the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people and they were scattered abroad upon the face of all the earth, yea, and even from that time back until the creation of Adam.

18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosiah to mourn exceedingly, yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it gave them much knowledge, in the which they did rejoice.

19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it is expedient that all people should know the things which are written in this account.

20 And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem. Mosiah 28:11-20

“The Prophet Joseph Smith used the same Urim and Thummim that was “given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face” (D&C 17:1). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote a brief history regarding the Urim and Thummim: “King Mosiah possessed ‘two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow,’ called by the Nephites Interpreters, with which he translated the Jaredite record [Mosiah 28:11–14], and these were handed down from generation to generation for the purposes of interpreting languages. How Mosiah came into possession of these two stones or Urim and Thummim the record does not tell us, more than to say that it was a ‘gift from God’ [Mosiah 21:28]. Mosiah had this gift or Urim and Thummim before the people of Limhi discovered the record of Ether. They may have been received when the ‘large stone’ was brought to Mosiah with engravings upon it, which he interpreted by the ‘gift and power of God’ [Omni 1:20–21]. They may have been given to him, or to some other prophet before his day, just as the Brother of Jared received them—from the Lord. “That the Urim and Thummim, or two stones, given to the Brother of Jared were those in the possession of Mosiah appears evident from Book of Mormon teachings. The Brother of Jared was commanded to seal up his writings of the vision he had when Christ appeared to him, so that they could not be read by his people. … The Urim and Thummim were also sealed up so that they could not be used for the purpose of interpreting those sacred writings of this vision, until such time as the Lord should grant to man to interpret them. When they were to be revealed, they were to be interpreted by the aid of the same Urim and Thummim [Ether 3:21–28]. …“Joseph Smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the Book of Mormon, the Urim and Thummim, which were hid up by Moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which Urim and Thummim were given to the Brother of Jared [D&C 17:1]” (Joseph Fielding Smith Doctrines of Salvation, 3:223–25). The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and D&C Section 17 was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.

Alma the Younger tells Helaman to Preserve Interpreters & Director

21 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty-four plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these interpreters.

24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:

25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land. Alma 37:21, 24 (The word Directors was changed to Interpreters in the 1920 version of the Book of Mormon)

38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.

39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. Alma 37:38-39

47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell. Alma 37:47

Conferred upon Helaman, before the death of Shiblon.

Alma 63:12 Now behold, all those engravings which were in the possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should not go forth.

13 Nevertheless, these things were to be kept sacred, and handed down from one generation to another; therefore, in this year, they had been conferred upon Helaman, before the death of Shiblon.

Lucy Mack says Joseph gets U&T back

[Note: The essay doesn’t explain what “lost the ability to translate” means, but Lucy Mack Smith explained that Joseph had to give up the Urim and Thummim after losing the 116 pages.

Later, Joseph told her that “on the 22d of September [1828], I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the Urim and Thummim; and have commenced translating again, and Emma writes for me; but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and I trust his promise will be verified. He also seemed pleased with me, when he gave me back the Urim and Thummim; and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility.

“Soon after I received them I inquired of the Lord, and obtained the following revelation”:

“Now, behold I say unto you, that, because <​you​> delivered up those writings, which you had power given you to translate, by the means of the Urim and Thummim into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them; and you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened;”[11]   [11] D&C 10:1-2; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, online at https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/143

Lucy Mack Smith reported this:

“After the angel left me’, said he [Joseph], “I continued my supplications to God without cessation; and, on the 22d of September [1828], I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the Urim and Thummim; and have commenced translating again, and Emma writes for me; but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and <I> trust his promise will be verified. The angel He also seemed pleased with me, when he gave me back the Urim and Thummim; and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility…

4. This is consistent with Emma acting as scribe after the 116 pages were lost, but inconsistent with her claim that he did not use the Urim and Thummim.

Key point: If Emma started writing the translation in the fall of 1828, the common assumption that Joseph translated the plates in 90 days is wrong. Oliver arrived in Harmony in April 1829, seven months after Joseph received back the Urim and Thummim and began translating. http://www.moronisamerica.com/changing-church-history-and-emma-smith-2/

“on the 22 of September I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the record Urim and Thummin​;  and  have commenced translating again, and Emma writes for me;  but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and <I> trust his promise will be verified. The angel He also seemed pleased with me, when he gave me back the Urim and Thummim; and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility.” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/145 (emphasis added) Jonathan Neville Page 52-53 “A Man that can Translate”

“When the actual work of translation began, the Urim and Thummim were found to be indispensable. In various places the statement is made that the translation was made “by means of the Urim and Thummim”. (D. & C. 10:1) On one occasion, when the Prophet, through the defection of Martin Harris, lost a part of the manuscript translation, the Urim and Thummim were taken from him, and the power of translation ceased. Upon the return of the sacred instruments the work was resumed…. While the Prophet was undoubtedly required to place himself in the proper spirit and mental attitude before he could use the Urim and Thummim successfully, yet it must also be concluded that the stones were essential to the work of translation.”    (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, Pg.89 – Pg.90)

Joseph affirmed that he “translated from the plates,” and that he used the Urim and Thummim to do so. After the loss of the 116 pages by Martin Harris, both the plates and the Urim and Thummim were taken from him. Without the Urim and Thummim he could not translate.

During this period Joseph made a short visit to his parents in Manchester, New York, and then returned again to Pennsylvania. “Immediately after my return home,” he recounted, “I was walking out a little distance, when, behold, the former heavenly messenger appeared and handed to me the Urim and Thummim again for it had been taken from me in consequence of my having wearied the Lord in asking for the privilege of letting Martin Harris take the writings, which he lost by transgression and I inquired of the Lord through it, and obtained the following [section 3]” (Smith, History of the Church, 1:21-22).

2nd Hand Witness of Interpreters by Joseph Fielding Smith

“While the statement has been made by some writers that the Prophet Joseph Smith used a seer stone part of the time in his translating of the record, and information points to the fact that he did have in his possession such a stone, yet there is no authentic statement in the history of the Church which states that the use of such a stone was made in that translation. The information is all hearsay, and personally, I do not believe that this stone was used for this purpose. The reason I give for this conclusion is found in the statement of the Lord to the Brother of Jared as recorded in Ether 3:22–24. These stones, the Urim and Thummim which were given to the Brother of Jared, were preserved for this very purpose of translating the record, both of the Jaredites and the Nephites. Then again the Prophet was impressed by Moroni with the fact that these stones were given for that very purpose. It hardly seems reasonable to suppose that the Prophet would substitute something evidently inferior under these circumstances. It may have been so, but it is so easy for a story of this kind to be circulated due to the fact that the Prophet did possess a seer stone, which he may have used for some other purposes” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Doctrines of Salvation,” Vol. 3, 225-26).

From here we discuss the testimonies of the three witnesses who saw the gold plates.

---

“Restoration of All Things” by Joseph Fielding Smith

CHAPTER TWELVE A TESTIMONY AGAINST THE WORLD
Address delivered Sunday, August 20, 1944

In the Mouth of Three Witnesses

When Moroni was about to seal up the record of his people that it might be preserved to be brought forth in the last days, he added these words of counsel for those who were to be privileged to bring it forth:

And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;

And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.

And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.

And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God.

And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.

Strength of the Testimony

What a bold, dangerous thing it would have been for Joseph Smith to have made such a statement as this to the world, if the Book of Mormon were a fraud. He would have taken a risk where the chances for success would have been all against him. The calling of three witnesses to testify with him to the fraud, and to declare that they would have the privilege of testifying by the “power of God,” which in this case meant in the presence of an angel sent from the Almighty, was so bold, so unlikely to succeed if not true, that even a fool would have hesitated to present such a thing. Joseph Smith was no fool, even his bitter enemies gave him credit for being not that.

Among the difficulties confronting him would be, first, that there would be so many errors open to detection in the scheme, that it could not have succeeded; second, he would never have dared to permit any one of these witnesses to become estranged from him and he would have been subject to their dictation; third, to hold them he never could have permitted any one of the three to be estranged from the others, and fourth, the conspirators never could have hung together in the face of the persecutions and hatred which followed them, for under the stress of such opposition as they received, the story would unquestionably have fallen apart and been exposed.

The Witnesses True to Testimony

We have considered the nature of the testimony these three men, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris gave to the world. How positively, frankly and without any coercion, they declared that in the presence of the angel they beheld the plates, examined the writing upon them, and heard the voice of God speaking to them from the heavens commanding them to bear record of what they had seen and heard. The question now is, were these three men true to that testimony under all circumstances and all the days of their lives? The answer to this question is one of the greatest weight, carrying a responsibility which cannot be easily ignored, and which leaves every soul unto whom their testimony comes, subject to the warning of Nephi: “Wo be unto him that rejecteth the word of God!” For if the testimony of these three is true, no man can reject it without rejecting the word of God.

The Witnesses Estranged

For a number of years, after the publication of the Book of Mormon, and the organization of the Church, these three men were faithful, earnest members of the Church, sustaining and fellowshipping with Joseph Smith. There came a time, however, because of persecution and misunderstanding when all three of these men were estranged from Joseph Smith. Two of them, Oliver Cowdery, who had been a witness with Joseph Smith on many occasions of the opening of the heavens, and David Whitmer, were severed from the Church. The third man, Martin Harris, just drifted away for a season from the body of the Church. Joseph Smith not only permitted these men to take this course, but sustained the councils of the Church when action was taken. For eleven years Oliver Cowdery was estranged from Joseph Smith and the Church and during that time he went into the practice of law, but always during those years he bore the same testimony in relation to his association with Joseph Smith and his heavenly manifestations. After the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery felt his way back to the Church. In March, 1846, while he was out of the Church, he wrote to his brother-in-law, Phineas Young, as follows:

I have cherished a hope, and that one of my fondest, that I might leave such a character as those who might believe in my testimony, after I should be called hence, might do so, not only for the sake of the truth, but might not blush for the private character of the man who bore that testimony. I have been sensitive on this subject, I admit, but I ought to be so, you would be, under the circumstances, had you stood in the presence of John with our departed brother, Joseph, to receive the Lesser Priesthood, and in the presence of Peter, to receive the greater, and looked down through time, and witnessed the effects these two must produce—you would feel what you have never felt, were wicked men conspiring to lessen the effects of your testimony to man, after you have gone to your long-sought rest.

This testimony written while Oliver Cowdery was out of the Church is now in my keeping. It is a letter in his own handwriting. In October, 1848, he made his way from Tiffin, Ohio, his residence, to Kanesville, Iowa, to take up again his association with the Latter-day Saints. At a conference held there, October 21st, 1848, presided over by elder Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery asked for the privilege of speaking, and he said:

Oliver Cowdery’s Return

Friends and Brethren: My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this Church, I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called, to fulfill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, “holy interpreters.” I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the “holy interpreters.” The book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it; Mr. Spaulding did not write it; I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. It contains the everlasting gospel, and came forth to the children of men in fulfillment of the revelations of John, where he says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God on high. Brother Hyde has just said that it is very important that we keep and walk in the true channel, in order to avoid the sand-bars. The Holy Priesthood is here. I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down from heaven and conferred on us, or restored, the Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us at the same time, that it should remain upon the earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by holy angels from on high. This Priesthood we then conferred on each other, by the will and commandment of God. This Priesthood, as was then declared, is also to remain upon the earth until the last remnant of time. This holy Priesthood or authority, we then conferred upon many, and it is just as good and valid as though God had done it in person. I laid my hands upon that man, yes, I laid my right hand upon his head (pointing to Elder Hyde) and he holds that Priesthood now. He was also called through me, by the prayer of faith, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

One month later in November, 1848, at another meeting Oliver Cowdery said:

Brethren, for a number of years I have been separated from you. I now desire to come back. I wish to come humbly and to be one in your midst. I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with you. I am out of the Church. I am not a member of the Church, but I wish to become a member of it. I wish to come in at the door. I know the door. I have not come here to seek precedence. I come humbly and throw myself upon the decisions of this body, knowing, as I do, that its decisions are right, and should be obeyed.

His request was granted and he was baptized and again was received in full fellowship in the Church, and in this fellowship, he continued to witness to the day of his death.

It must be a strange being with a soul not susceptible to penetration by simple facts, who cannot see in the story of Oliver Cowdery the sincerity of his testimony. When we stop to think that while absent from his former associates and not fellowshipping with them, he still maintained and defended his testimony, and then in the darkest hour of the history of the Church, when all the world felt that the Mormon people had gone from Nauvoo to their destruction, for they could not exist under the circumstances in their drivings and poverty, it was at that very hour that Oliver Cowdery sought out these exiled refugees and asked if he could join them again. He was aware of the fact that in doing so he would have to share their distress and poverty. He knew that they had been driven from their homes for the sake of their religion. Such scenes were not new to him; in the early days he had passed through such scenes and he was now willing to endure such scenes again. That was not the action of a man guilty of perpetrating a fraud.

David Whitmer Maintains His Testimony

David Whitmer likewise retained the integrity of his story after he was excommunicated from the Church. Some years after the death of Joseph Smith, he gathered about him a group of followers and taught them, as he understood it, the gospel. He prepared an address which he dedicated to all believers in Christ. In this publication he maintained his story in the most emphatic manner. Thousands of persons out of curiosity and for information, interviewed him, and all received the same story—that the angel appeared to him and the others and revealed the plates of the ancient record. There are hundreds of people still living who heard his testimony and were convinced that he told them the truth. March 19, 1881, in the spirit of indignation, because his veracity had been questioned, David Whitmer published the following statement in the Richmond “Conservator,” the paper of his home town:

Unto all nations, kindred, tongues and people unto whom these presents shall come:

It having been represented by one John Murphy of Polo (Caldwell County), Missouri, that I had in a conversation with him last summer, denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon….

To the end, therefore, that he may understand me now if he did not then, and that the world may know the truth, I wish now, standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God, once for all to make this public statement:

That I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses.

Those who know me best, will know that I have always adhered to that testimony. And that no man may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, I do now again affirm the truth of all my statements as then made and published.

He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear; it was no delusion. What is written is written and he that readeth let him understand. And if any man doubt, should he not carefully and honestly read and understand the same before presuming to sit in judgment, and condemning the light which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way of eternal life, as pointed out by the hand of God?

In the Spirit of Christ who hath said follow thou me, for I am the life, the light and the way, I submit this statement to the world, God in whom I trust being my Judge, as to the sincerity of my motives and the faith and hope that is in me of eternal life.

My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by the plain and simple statement of the truth.

And all the honor be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

David Whitmer

Richmond, Missouri, March 19, A.D. 1881.

The original document which I have just read is now in my possession. I obtained it from the family of David Whitmer. This document bears the endorsements of leading citizens of Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, as follows:

We, the undersigned, citizens of Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, where David Whitmer, Sr., has resided since the year, A.D. 1838, certify that we have been long and intimately acquainted with him, and know him to be a man of the highest integrity, and of undoubted truth and veracity—Given at Richmond, Missouri, this March 19, A.D. 1881.

A. W. Doniphan
George W. Dunn, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit
T. D. Woodson, President, Ray County Savings Bank
Jacob O. Child, Editor of “Conservator”
H. C. Garner, Cashier Ray County Savings Bank
W. A. Holman, County Treasurer
J. S. Hughes, Banker, Richmond, Missouri
James Hughes, Banker, Richmond, Missouri
D. P. Whitmer, Attorney at Law
James W. Black, Attorney at Law
L. C. Cantwell, Postmaster, Richmond, Missouri
George I. Wassen, Mayor
James A. Davis, Probate Judge and Presiding Judge, Ray County Court
George E. Trigg, County Clerk
W. W. Mosby, M.D.
Thomas McGinnis, Late Sheriff, Ray CountyW. R. Holman, Furniture Merchant
J. P. Queensbury, Merchant
Lewis Slaughter, Recorder of Deeds
George W. Buchannan, M.D.
A. K. Reyburn

The following comment was also published in the Richmond “Conservator”:

Elsewhere we publish a letter from David Whitmer, Sen., an old and well known citizen of Ray, as well as an endorsement of his standing as a man, signed by a number of the leading citizens of this community, in reply to some unwarranted aspersions made upon him.

There is no doubt that Mr. Whitmer, who was one of the Three Witnesses of the authenticity of the gold plates, from which he asserts that Joe Smith translated the Book of Mormon (a facsimile of the characters he now has in his possession with the original records) is firmly convinced of its divine origin, and while he makes no effort to obtrude his views or belief, he simply wants the world to know that so far as he is concerned there is no “variableness or shadow of turning.” Having resided here for a half of a century, it is with no little pride that he points to his past record, with the consciousness that he has done nothing derogatory to his character as a citizen and a believer in the Son of Mary to warrant such an attack on him, come from what source it may, and now, with the lilies of seventy-five winters crowning him like an aureole, and his pilgrimage on earth well nigh ended, he reiterates his former statement and will leave futurity to solve the problem that he was but a passing witness of its fulfillment.

Martin Harris

Martin Harris, the third witness, died a faithful member of the Church, at Clarkston, Cache County, July 10, 1875, nearly ninety-three years of age, firm in his testimony, which was borne for the last time on earth but a few hours before he passed away.

These men were not deceivers; they were not deceived, and their united testimony will stand as a condemnation against an unbelieving world, at the last day.” Restoration of all things CHAPTER TWELVE A TESTIMONY AGAINST THE WORLD Address delivered Sunday, August 20, 1944 by Joseph Fielding Smith

An Interview with Martin Harris by Joel Tiffany in 1859 A.D.

“They [the plates] were placed in this way: four stones were set up and covered with a flat stone, oval on the upper side and flat on the bottom. Beneath this was a little platform upon which the plates were laid; and the two stones set in a bow of silver by means of which the plates were translated, were found underneath the plates.

“The two stones set in a bow of silver were about two inches in diameter, perfectly round, and about five-eighths of an inch thick at the centre; but not so thick at the edges where they came into the bow. They were joined by a round bar of silver, about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and about four inches long, which, with the two stones, would make eight inches.

“The stones were white, like polished marble, with a few gray streaks. I never dared to look into them by placing them in the hat, because Moses said that ‘no man could see God and live,’ and we could see anything we wished by looking into them; and I could not keep the desire to see God out of my mind. And beside, we had a command to let no man look into them, except by the command of God, lest he should ‘look aught and perish.’” (Source: Interview with Martin Harris, in Tiffany’s Monthly, 1859, New York: Published by Joel Tiffany, No. 6 4th Ave. Joel Tiffany, Interview with Martin Harris, p.163-170)

Jonathan Neville’s Opinion of “Witnesses” Movie

Witnesses, SITH, and the tipping point Posted: 16 Jun 2021
A few notes (trigger warning for SITH/M2C promoters):

The Witnesses movie is generating a lot of discussion on social media because of SITH (the stone-in-the-hat). The movie adopts the approach taken by Mormonism Unvailed, the 1834 anti-Mormon book that claimed Joseph never even used the plates but produced the Book of Mormon by reading a “peep stone” he put in a hat. John Dehlin (picture right) of Mormon Stories is delighted. SITH is one of his key points, as he explains on TikTok (31.7k views in one day, 800 views on twitter)https://www.tiktok.com/@drjohndehlin/video/6973701578431778053?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

There’s no pushback against SITH from any Church leaders or prominent scholars. Instead, Kawku promotes SITH as a feature, not a bug. Our scholars fall all over themselves trying to justify SITH (much as they did with the Hoffman documents decades ago).  Like other intellectual trends, we can see the origins of SITH among LDS academics even before Rough Stone Rolling came out, but that book pushed it into the mainstream. I think Rough Stone Rolling is an exceptional, timely, and useful book, but it portrayed some interpretations as fact and overlooked other facts, as I indicated in Part 1 of my summary, here: http://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/p/rough-stone-rolling-analysis-part-1.html.

Saints and the Gospel Topics Essay on Book of Mormon Translation formalized SITH, mainly by ignoring historical sources that corroborate what Joseph and Oliver taught and instead relying on sources that, on a surface level, contradicted what Joseph and Oliver taught. The Essay never even quotes what Joseph and Oliver said about the translation with the Urim and Thummim. Instead, it focuses on the theories of various academics.

The Urim and Thummim is essentially de-correlated. No one is claiming any revelation about what happened in Church history to overturn what Joseph and Oliver taught. The new narrative is based purely on revisionist historical interpretation of the same facts everyone has known for over 150 years. People today, looking at some historical evidence while ignoring other evidence, thereby conclude Joseph’s contemporaries and successors were wrong. This is the same process by which Cumorah was de-correlated.  Consequently, SITH has become the prevailing narrative in our day. And that’s great for those who believe it. If you think it’s awesome that the Book of Mormon is the product of words appearing on a stone in a hat, and not a translation of the ancient Nephite plates (as Joseph and Oliver claimed), good for you. I’m not going to say you’re wrong. People can and will believe whatever they want.

But it seems likely (and statistics indicate) that most people will not accept that narrative, whether they are inside or outside the Church. In 1834, Mormonism Unvailed promoted SITH because the author knew it undermined the credibility of Joseph and Oliver. Detractors today promote SITH for the same reason. _____There are alternative interpretations of the evidence.

For example, the Stoddards and others reject SITH by saying David Whitmer, Emma, Martin Harris etc. were liars. However, that plays into the critical narrative that the witnesses were dishonest. This is the mirror image of the SITH/M2C approach; i.e., we can believe some of what the witnesses said, but we have to reject other things they said, based on what we want to be true. Similarly, our M2C scholars (M2C=Mesoamerican/Two-Cumorahs theory) reject what the witnesses said about Cumorah because they want Cumorah to be in Mexico to fit their theories. But they still expect people to believe SITH based on what the witnesses said. It’s transparent cherry picking.

Now you see why I’ve been saying that: Interpreter=CESLetter=FAIRLDS=MormonStories=BookofMormonCentral=BYUStudies.

They’ve all reached a consensus that the prophets are wrong any time they disagree with the prophets.

If they disagree, they disagree only with regard to which things the prophets were wrong about–a distinction without a difference._____

I realize there are numerous interpretations of the evidence, ranging from Joseph seeing the words on a stone (or in vision) to Joseph composing, memorizing or reading the text. Some even say that when Joseph and Oliver testified about the Urim and Thummim, they deliberately misled people because they knew they were really referring to the stone Joseph found in a well; i.e., they used misleading terminology.

People can believe whatever they want, and that’s fine with me. But I’ve looked at all these explanations and none of them make sense to me. That’s why I looked at the evidence for myself. So far, the only explanation I’m aware of that reconciles Joseph and Oliver as credible, and David and Emma as credible, is the demonstration narrative I set out in A Man that Can Translate.

I’m completely open to any better explanations. If you know of one, email me at [email protected] are still some Latter-day Saints who believe what the prophets have taught about both the translation and the historicity of the Book of Mormon, including the New York Cumorah. This is not “blind faith” or “blind obedience.” This is recognizing that the people involved with the events are more credible than arm-chair commentators distant in time and space. It is also recognizing science- and fact-based, rational analysis supports and corroborates the teachings of the prophets. Source: About Central America(Visited 20 times, 14 visits today)
http://www.moronisamerica.com/witnesses-sith-and-the-tipping-point/

How the Book Saints frames the Translation

With Emma’s father around, translating would not be easy, but Joseph tried his best. Assisted by Emma, he copied many of the strange characters from the plates to paper.10 Then, for several weeks, he tried to translate them with the Urim and Thummim. The process required him to do more than look into the interpreters. He had to be humble and exercise faith as he studied the characters.11 

A few months later, Martin came to Harmony. He said he felt called by the Lord to travel as far as New York City to consult experts in ancient languages. He hoped they could translate the characters.12

Joseph copied several more characters from the plates, wrote down his translation, and handed the paper to Martin. He and Emma then watched as their friend headed east to consult with distinguished scholars.13

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1/05-all-is-lost?lang=eng

The historians claim that Joseph sent the copied characters to Anthon to get them translated because he was unable to translate them. He merely “tried” to do it. Of course, that directly contradicts JS-History 1:62.

62 By this timely aid was I enabled to reach the place of my destination in Pennsylvania; and immediately after my arrival there I commenced copying the characters off the plates. I copied a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife’s father, in the month of December, and the February following.

(Joseph Smith—History 1:62)

Read the first paragraph. Clearly states that Joseph “spent considerable time and effort becoming familiar with the language of the plates and learning how to translate.”

 “I then continued <​said​> Joseph my suplications to God without cessation that his mercy might again be exercised towards me and on the 22 of september I had the Joy and satisfaction of again receiving the record Urim and Thummin​ into my possession and I have commenced translating and Emma writes for me now but the angel said that if I got the plates again that the Lord woul[d] send some one to write for me and I trust that if it will be so. he also said that the <​he​> angel seemed <​was​> rejoiced when he gave him <​me​> back the plates <​urim and Thummim​> and said that he <​God​> was pleased with his <​my​> faithfulness and humility also that the Lord was pleased with him and loved him <​me​> for his <​my​> penitence and dilligence in prayer in the which he <​I​> had performed his duty so well as to receive the record <​urim and Thummin​> and be <​was​> able to enter upon the work of translation again.” (emphasis added) https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/91

Lucy’s  History 1845 revised the passage but kept the essence of her original history on this point.

“on the 22 of September I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the record Urim and Thummin​;  and  have commenced translating again, and Emma writes for me;  but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and <I> trust his promise will be verified. The angel He also seemed pleased with me, when he gave me back the Urim and Thummim; and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility.” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/145 (emphasis added) Jonathan Neville Page 52-53 “A Man that can Translate”

Seer Stone v Urim and Thummim

Seer Stone v. Urim and Thummim places the Book of Mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for Latter-day Saints who fear they have been “betrayed” by the translation history taught by the Church for over 190 years. 

Did Joseph Smith study and master the Nephite language? Did the Prophet tutor some of the early Brethren in ancient Nephite characters?

Did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon using a dark seer stone in a hat?

Why are progressive historians creating a new history using sources from a man who vowed to wash his hands in the blood of Joseph Smith, while boasting that he had deceived the Prophet and his God?

Has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covered up its history for nearly 200 years? Length: 240 pages

“Traditionalists believe that progressives are destined to inherit ignorance because they reject revelation. Progressives believe that traditionalists are mired in ignorance because they do not fully accept and embrace the philosophies and teachings of the learned. Regardless of which position one takes, nearly all agree—an unbridgeable gulf separates the two.” FAITH CRISIS: Did the LDS Church Lie? (Part 1) We Were NOT Betrayed! By James and Hannah Stoddard

David Whitmer’s Error

“Whitmer thus continued to the grave, his 1829 on-site understanding of “Urim and Thummim” as a single seer stone. The Church in Utah attempted to correct Whitmer’s “error” above, shortly after its publication in the Chicago Times, with these comments . . . “The next error is that the seer stone which Joseph used in the translation ‘was called Urim and Thummim.’ The instrument thus denominated was composed of two crystal stones ‘set in the two rims of a bow.’ The seer stone was separate and distinct from the Urim and Thummim. The latter was delivered to the angel as well as the plates after the translation was completed; the former remained with the Church and is now in the possession of the President.” [Reynolds 1883, 85; citing, on his page 84 as his source quoted, “The Deseret Evening News at the time of the publication of his letter . . . ,” by which Reynolds means the letter of the Chicago Times correspondent to the Chicago Times, reporting his interview with Whitmer.” Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source © 2014 Rick Grunder page 152

Final Support for the use of the Interpreters

“In this respect the testimony of Lorenzo Brown about the preparation the Prophet made for his translation of the Bible may be instructive. He records the Prophet as saying: “After I got through translating the Book of Mormon, I took up the Bible to read with the Urim and Thummim. I read the first chapter of Genesis and I saw the things as they were done. I turned over the next and the next, and the whole passed before me like a grand panorama; and so on chapter after chapter until I read the whole of it. I saw it all!” (as cited in Matthews, Plainer Translation, 25).” The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU)

As the nay-sayers explain Joseph used the seer stone because the U&T was taken away, how would they explain Joseph using the U&T to translate the Bible and the other sections of the D&C?

“Not only did Joseph Smith use the Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Mormon, but he also used it to receive revelation from God. Specifically, Doctrine and Covenants sections 3, 6, 11, and 14, 15,16, were all given through the Urim and Thummim. (See headings to these sections) We learn from the Doctrine and Covenants that “the place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim.” In addition, “this earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon.” And each person who receives the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17 will be able to use the Urim and Thummim (D&C 130:8–10).” by Jay A. Parry and Larry E. Morris, adapted from “The Mormon Book of Lists” | Jan. 18, 2019 LDS Living

The earliest known description of the process of translating the Book of Mormon is found in an article titled “History of the Mormonites,” published 9 June 1831, in Kirtland, Ohio. The writer, Josiah Jones, claims as his source the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to that territory Elders Cowdery, Pratt, Whitmer, and Peterson, from whom he learned that the book was translated by “looking into a stone or two stones, when put into a dark place, which stones he said were found in the box with the plates. They affirmed while [Joseph] looked through the stone spectacles another sat by and wrote what he told them, and thus the book was written. . . .

“A few days after these men appeared again, a few of us went to see them and Cowdery was requested to state how the plates were found, which he did. He stated that Smith looked onto or through the transparent stones to translate what was on the plates. I then asked him if he had ever looked through the stones to see what he could see in them; his reply was that he was not permitted to look into them. I asked him who debarred him from looking into them; he remained sometime in silence, then said that he had so much confidence in his friend Smith, who told him that he must not look into them, that he did not presume to do so lest he should tempt God and be struck dead” (Allen, “Historian’s Corner,” 308).  As told in: The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU)

In describing the quote from Josiah Jones, Joseph looked through one or two stones, he didn’t mention a hat, the stones were found in the box with the plates, and he looked through stone spectacles, it is clear that while Mr. Jones had never seen the U&T he described the process as a U&T not as a single seer stone. See the incredible article below.

The Best Article about the Urim and Thummim vs. the Seer Stone

The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon
Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU)

Revelation 13:1–7. John “Saw a Beast Rise Out of the Sea”

After seeing that Satan went to make war against the remnant of the seed of the woman, John saw a beast rise out of the sea (see Revelation 13:1). The Joseph Smith Translation indicates that the beast is “in the likeness of the kingdoms of the earth” (in Revelation 13:1, footnote a). The beast’s many heads, crowns, and horns suggest many different kingdoms and rulers with great power. The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught: “When God made use of the figure of a beast in visions to the prophets He did it to represent those kingdoms which had degenerated and become corrupt, savage and beast-like in their dispositions, even the degenerate kingdoms of the wicked world” (in History of the Church, 5:341).

Rather than attempting to specify an exact identity of the beast, it may be more profitable to note the following general characteristics about the beast: It had power over many nations (see Revelation 13:1, 7); it opposed God and blasphemed against Him (see verses 5–6); the power it wielded was like the power that predatory animals have over their prey (see verse 2); Satan gave it power (see verses 2, 4); people of the world worshipped or followed the beast (see verse 4); and it was able to overpower many, including the Saints (see verse 7). It could be said that any kingdom or government that exhibits these characteristics manifests the spirit of the beast. Revelation 17:8–12 contains additional information about the beast, including its ultimate destruction.

Revelation 13:11–17. A Second Beast “Spake as a Dragon”

Revelation 13:11 tells of a second beast that John saw; he later identified this beast as “the false prophet” (Revelation 19:20). This second beast “had two horns like a lamb” but “spake as a dragon” (Revelation 13:11). This description suggests that the second beast will seek to appear to represent Christ while actually teaching the false doctrines of Satan. The description of the second beast is also reminiscent of the Savior’s warning to “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency noted: “Satan is the greatest imitator, the master deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the greatest forger ever in the history of the world. He comes into our lives as a thief in the night. His disguise is so perfect that it is hard to recognize him or his methods” (“The Devil’s Throat,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 51). “One of the major techniques of the devil is to cause human beings to think they are following God’s ways, when in reality they are deceived by the devil to follow other paths” (Bible Dictionary, “Devil”).

Revelation 13:16–17. The Mark of the Beast

In contrast to the righteous, who keep their covenants with God and receive His protecting seal on their foreheads (see Revelation 7:2–3; 14:1; 22:4; the commentary for Revelation 7:3; 9:4), the wicked who worship the beast “receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:16). This may symbolize that the wicked show by their actions (hands) and beliefs (heads) that they do the will of the beast and accept his ideology. However, the precise meaning of “the mark” has not been revealed. Source

Actual Bible Quotes about the Beast

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:16-18

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11

“With the crazy situation in the world moving at pace, as we see systems of technological control and tracking taking over in the name of Covid, we are hearing strange whispers that there is a relationship between the vaccine and the Mark of the Beast. Sometimes this comes associated with all kinds of wild conspiracies, yet sometimes we also find the source of this association in stories from the mainstream media. This identification is very intuitive in many who espouse it, while of course appearing delusional and a form of religious hysteria by others. I am hoping to explain the meaning of the Mark of the Beast as much as I can so that we can understand and evaluate the recent claim that we are being faced with such a system on our horizon.” BY JONATHAN PAGEAU Source

Satan’s Counterfeit System

“Whenever the God of Heaven establishes by revelation his design, Satan always comes among men to pervert the doctrine, saying, ‘Believe it not.’ He often establishes a counterfeit system, designed to deceive the children of men” (“A Vision and a Hope for the Youth of Zion” [President Ezra Taft Benson Brigham Young University devotional, Apr. 12, 1977], 3, speeches.byu.edu).

Revelation
CHAPTER 16
God pours out plagues upon the wicked

2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet

An Angel of Light

“I truly believe our country is close to the end. I have no idea if that is a few months a few years or 10 years or more, but we are close to losing the blessings of this great country. Why? Because I feel there is so much wickedness and desire for money and power now in our world than ever before. 

I believe Satan is appearing as that angel of light to deceive us. Our constitutional rights are being ripped from us. This was a fraudulent election and I strongly feel the Lord will step in and help us. I pray the Lord will spare us a little longer. At the core of most Liberals are evil ideas of abortion, no freedom of speech nor worship, no right to bear arms, and socialism. I believe the Republican Party is as corrupt, but I believe in the honorable results will come with the Lord in charge. I believe he loves America and we as a people. I pray the Lord will help our courts of law come to the correct and proper decisions.

Complaining or kicking against the pricks is wrong and will lead you nowhere but the bottom. Remember the quote, “Obedience is greater than Sacrifice?” (see 1 Samuel 15:22). With our leaders it is better to simply be obedient through prayer, than worry about why they are asking you to do something. “Just Do It”. Not blind obedience, but faithful obedience. If the Book of Mormon is the truth (and it is), then obey it. If Joseph Smith is and was a Prophet (which he is and was), just obey him. Stop trying to find fault with Brother Joseph. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and I continue to strive to be obedient to our leaders teachings. The difference between a righteous and a wicked person is simply this. The righteous are continually being obedient and repenting. The evil don’t have a desire to obey anything and they are never repenting.” Rian Nelson 

We bind the adversary and his mortal minions only as we bind our appetites.—Neal A. Maxwell “The Man of Christ,” Ensign (May 1975).

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:7–8).

“When we yield to temptation just once, we give Satan ammunition in the form of a memory,” Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy Sept 2013

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Balancing God, Science, and Technology in the End Times

by Juanita Werrett 9/17/2021

Goals and Purposes

My name is Juanita Werrett. I am a grandmother on a mission. I have held a deep interest in the religious study of the Gospel of Christ throughout my life. I am a student and teacher of the Bible, the prophets—ancient and modern—and the standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 2016, I embarked on a new and, for me, an unusual science study that synchronized with my gospel knowledge. I jumped feet first into a challenging study of quantum and particle physics. That may seem like a strange direction to take, but I have always known our Heavenly Father is the source of all spiritual and scientific laws that govern His cosmos.

My desire is to honor and reverence Heavenly Father with full purpose of heart. Through my life experiences, I have come to recognize that God has a very subtle and endearing sense of humor. I am musing over this strange juxtaposition, as a grandma on one hand and a deep dive study into particle physics and technology on the other. I think both God and I have chuckled at this thought more than once. However, I think He and I know the urgency of sharing this knowledge.

This information weighs heavy on me, but the weight will be greater if I don’t share it. As I began to understand the basic mechanics and relationship of modern telecommunication technology and physics, it struck me that this is a marriage made in heaven. This marriage has a family that includes quantum computing, particle accelerators, artificial intelligence, inter-dimensional powers, blockchain systems, 5G systems, virtual realities, and many other offspring.

Early on, the spiritual and intuitive parts of my nature recognized a foreboding danger in this scientific technology surge. Even now, 5 years into my study, I hold equal levels of fear and exhilaration about the quantum-technology mix.

Often, this knowledge is a burden, and often this burden of awareness is weighted with urgency to warn others. Even the watchmen on the high walls of Israel were tasked to warn the populace when their enemies were approaching. As one small voice, I can no longer ignore newfound scientific truths and their implications for humanity. So I am raising a warning to those who will listen.

The exponential forward strides of this new technology will overtake all of us like a tsunami. It is in motion, and it is my considered opinion that three main areas of the new science working in tandem will hasten the end-time scenario leading to the “system of the beast.” This system is one of surveillance and control that could possibly lead to stealing of freewill and deadening the souls of mankind. Satan’s original campaign was to usurp the agency of God’s children. Satan would stamp out individualism and freedom to choose. He never surrendered.

These worrisome dangers of tyrannical control are being birthed in the discovery of: (a) the new D-Wave quantum computers, which support the experiments taking place at, (b) the Large Hadron Particle Collider near Geneva, Switzerland, (CERN), and (c) the digitizing of human DNA.

My goal is to share the information I have discovered and relay the inevitable outcomes that are currently affecting all world populations.

As individual awareness of this new technology increases, astute people will be awakened to the threat. As you get acquainted with the message of this book, you may experience the same uneasiness I feel.

Quantum Technology

In regards to your new understanding of quantum technology, you may ask, “Should I fear or embrace?” “Should I reject or accept?” “Is this science benevolent or malevolent?” “Does this system offer independence or control?” “Will it lead to freedom or tyranny?” Will we experience the non-centralized platforms that have been promised or will the power brokers in government, science, and industry insist on full centralized control?

Any or all of those responses are possible, but none of them are really negotiable. The technology is here and moving forward at warp speed. Any or all of those responses are possible, but none of them are really negotiable. The technology is here and moving forward at warp speed. What really matters are the origins and goals of these foundational scientific breakthroughs.

 We must pay heed to the genesis of these synergistic forces powering our science and technology.

Forecasters are touting the profit motive in this new combination of technology. Combined with the hundreds of spin-off companies the profit rewards will top out above $17 trillion. Nothing can stop this technology juggernaut.

Remember, you can buy anything in this world for money, or maybe you can buy anything in this world for digitized cryptocurrency.

Our culture is being programmed to accept full incorporation into the world of high tech. The following technology systems will support and merge with the 5G telecommunication networks. These following technology structures are in place now. I cover each of them fully in my book.            

Blockchain is the operations platform

5G is the telecommunications system

SWS is the surveillance system

IoT Internet of things is the all-inclusive coverage system

Quantum computers will serve as the inter-dimensional tool

Each of the foregoing new technology discoveries is teetering on a delicate horizon. Man has stretched science and his complex brain to new heights. These outcomes are dangerous beyond our wildest dreams. They can also fulfill our most awesome dreams for the benefit of men and the world.

As an observant grandmother feeling the determined hand of age on my shoulder, I realize my time here is limited. My children and grandchildren will face the full impact of the future. I have a potent hope combined with heavy concerns for the coming generation. They are the technology generation. I trust them, and I trust in God. This does not mean that for numerous sleepless nights, the facts of my study did not materialize into a frightening scenario that haunts me still. As I connect all the technology dots, they form a very unsettling web. False religion and secretive science have become bed partners. Nightmares could ensue.

The earth will undergo significant structural changes and be restored to a more glorious state. In this tumult of revelation and disclosure, God promised all truth will be revealed. The end-time environment may usher in the final uncovering and restitution presenting itself in areas of our current science and technology.

I am a woman of God, and I realize fear and faith are not compatible. I am choosing faith; my faith rests in God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They are fully aware of the end-time events. They are allowing them but will orchestrate the coming judgments to their fulfillment.”

When Jesus Christ comes, He will expand knowledge in all fields beyond our wildest dreams. The Father and His son, Jesus Christ, are the source of all scientific and spiritual laws in the universe. They are quantum mechanics and particle physics originators and masters. Juanita Werrett

Juanita Werrett will be speaking at the Firm Foundation Conference on Sept 23rd at 7:15 pm Information here: Tickets here:

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LDS Church suggest Vaccination for All Regarding Pandemic by David W. Allan

“A dear friend of mine sent me the following quote:

“If you want to find the culprit, follow the money.  If you want to find the truth, follow the silenced.” 

The Savior gives us the great promise, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)  How can we know the TRUTH for sure?  23, 2021 We will address this very important question in regard to the pandemic.” David W Allan See complete blog here

For additional opinions about the Covid situation please visit two other blogs below:
https://www.bofm.blog/opinions-update-on-covid/
https://www.bofm.blog/never-again-can-we-allow-government-officials-to-treat-the-exercise-of-religion-as-simply-nonessential/

More Revelation

Revelation 19:19-20And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discussed Satan’s title of “accuser”: “The scriptures call him the ‘accuser’ because he wants us to feel that we are beyond forgiveness (see Revelation 12:10). Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a ‘point of no return’—that it is too late to change our course” (“Point of Safe Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 99). Source

One of the joys I receive working with Rod Meldrum and the Heartland group, is that I meet and have met some amazing people. This group of people are loving and kind and very open minded. They will change and grow as the Lord indicates to them to change and grow. They are very prayerful and put the Lord first in their lives.

Now I could say that about 80% of the good members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a beautiful group of people as we gather Israel. This Church is absolutely true, Joseph Smith is and was one of the greatest prophets of all time, The Book of Mormon is an amazing book with answers to gospel question running all through it’s pages. See over 500 Gospel Answers Here.

These last days are bringing two huge forces together, the forces of the evil one, and the superior forces of the Lord Jesus Christ. Overall the Lord will win, but let’s ask ourselves, will we be part of that winning team? I know we all want to be, but what are we doing to garner success in this battle?

An amazing scripture tells us what the Lord is doing in these last days, and I ask are we ready for what the Lord is doing? Read D&C 121:33-34, it says, “How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?”

High Praise

Today, name me all those Latter-day Saints that are having knowledge poured down from heaven to bless our lives. Rod, Wayne, Jonathan, Hannah, Tim, Boyd, Mike, Betty, David H., Dean, Russ, Steve, and many more. I’m not saying our group of Heartlanders is better than anyone, but I am saying the Lord is pouring down knowledge every conference we have. Wow, you don’t want to miss this one on Sept 23-25. It will be a doosy! The Lord is great and He loves us and I am so thankful to all my friends who I have met and continue to meet. For example I just meat Greg Hughes, David Crandall, Hayden Paul, Eric Moutsos, Andrea Hales, Jaren O’Driscoll, who are quality people. This group is growing by leaps and bounds. I look at our little group as an “Army of Helaman” and the Wisdom Bearing Troop. Now don’t get offended, old people, to me are about 30 to 90.

We need our young millennials to grow so we find more Hannah’s, Tristan’s, Kimberlie’s, Judy’s, Leah’s, Isaiah’s, Ephraim’s, Mike Downs, with his great father Jeff Downs. Look how the amazing Barlow children are moving the work forward, its beautiful. I hope Heidi and Russ keep having children that will build our army by 10 more. haha. What about the amazing Sessions family. Is there anyone in that family that is not brilliant, kind and loving? (Well maybe Dean on a bad day) haha. And how about James F. Stoddard III? He has left an amazing legacy and we honor him for all he has done. I truly feel he will do more for us in the next life than he could ever do for us here. Listen to that still small voice and watch the Stoddard clan march forward with their might to challenge the evil of today. Hannah is the Drill Sargent for righteousness and you’d better listen to her. haha. Get to know the powerful testimony of Kimberly Smith, wow. She is an amazing woman who loves the Lord so much. With her and Hannah side by side you cannot win any argument with them about the gospel. They are packed full of knowledge and principle.

Then there is my super missionary friend York Bennett. who has influenced hundreds of people about the gospel and baptized many even after a mission. I have a great new friend Stephen Reed who is a lot of fun. He knows Church History and can really create some wild memes of strange M2C theories. Ask him about where BOMC got their maps and he will tell you about stealing, well a better word is borrowing everything from the RLDS Church.

What about the Old Sage of the group Wayne. The archaeological knowledge of Wayne is unprecedented. He may not hold a degree here, but he is my choice for Archaeologist of the next life and he will be our teacher. What is a degree anyway? Just a piece of paper that was given to reward you for your tenacity and sifting through the many false doctrines of life. Just ask Kevin Price. He is the only PhD that doesn’t act like one. He is funny, conservative smart as a whip, and steadfast, and righteously stubborn, in his faith in the Lord. My wonderful friends Kendra and David Burton I have know since Kendra created a wonderful work of art for me of the Savior appearing in the heartland. She will be displaying her newest art of Joseph Smith at the Expo, which is a beautiful rendition of a young and inspired man.

Below are some pictures of others who have touched me and I love. It is so hard to speak about them all but I challenge you to get to know the good people at our event. You will develop lifelong relationships.

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My faithful Native American friend is Franklin Keel. You won’t meet a more humble follower of the Lord ever. What an example he has been for the Chickasaw Nation and all people. He introduced me to a man who I later found was related to John Howland of the Mayflower just as I was, Allen C. Christensen. We speak regularly and he is such a friend and one who I can ask anything. He is the author of the wonderful book Joseph’s Remnant, all about the Lamanite Hero’s of our day.

Have you ever met a lady named Betty White? No not the actress, Betty “Red Ant” White, before she married out of her tribe, and her mom, baptized by LeGrande Richards was not pleased with her, but she married a Chippewa named short Mike Lafontaine anyway. His mom Del is a beautiful short Swede whom I love to death. I have never met such wonderful White Lamanites in all my life. Ask Betty, that is a compliment. The White part is because she is so pure inside. The Sprit radiates within her and she sees things that the normal soul just can’t. Her uncanny spiritual goodness is an honor to her Navajo people and every one else. Mike is a flat out worker. He is Chippewa magic. He can build a home by himself in less that 5 days. haha. He gets things done like no-one I have ever met. He is a dedicated priesthood holder who combined with Betty, make an incredible team. The thing I love the most about him is that I have him by one inch in height. That makes me the almost shortest and most rotund man in the Heartland.

Have you ever felt the beauty, energy, and fun personality of Tatia (Good Name) Nelson? She is a hoot. She can laugh and sing with the best of them and has a heart of gold. I don’t know how she puts up with CJ as a friend but he is a new friend that I like a lot. Can’t wait to meet him. CJ is donating over 6,000 bottles of Hand Sanitizer for every guest at the expo and we thank him and Tatia who works with him for their generosity. (See Picture Right).

The Cartoonist guy is Val Chadwick Bagley. It is his art as the header image on this blog. He has done over 300 cartoons, and illustrations for me. As a matter of fact he is only one of two artists that has ever sold over 1 Million pieces for Covenant which does a lot of LDS art and books. You have to laugh at his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to make the common thing come to life with glib and joy. He has done cartoons for over 40 years in the New ERA for the Church. Don’t confuse him with the less spiritual Pat Bagley, they are not related. Purchase his Heartland Book Here: 96-pages of Heartland and Book of Mormon Humor full color for just $10. It is amazing.

What can I say about Jonathan? Have you ever met a man that writes books in bed and every month or so he has a new one? I think he must have 30 part finished books ready to go at the drop of a hat. He is an amazing source of wisdom and Church History. Elite is his title in the next life. So what does that make Rod? Well he is only as good as the woman he serves, Tonya. Most of you don’t know that Tonya rules the roost and that is why Rod has no hair. She is one loving and tough woman keeping this wonderful concept of the Heartland alive for us all. Her practicality and desire to succeed is awesome and I love her. I feel like I have known Rod my entire life. He is a stud in my book. His tenacity is unwavering, I think they threw out the “ever ready bunny” when Rod came along, as Rod outlasts that silly bunny and he is running on his first charge. Not new batteries for that man. We love you Rod. His children, Cassie, and Shawna, and Logan and Jake, and Big Red and little Matthew are fantastic. There dogs aren’t that great but they love them so I guess I have to as well. (Small Sacrifice) Is that enough LOVE from me? I hope so, I am truly blessed.

From the Wonderful Life of Irene Tukuafu

“Now let me share from her own words an amazing lady who most of us know and if we don’t we should get to know her. Irene Tukuafu. In Nauvoo she is known as the “Lady in the Round House.” When you meet her she is a smile a minute with such an amazing disposition you instantly want to hug her. She is a best friend immediately. Aske her to play her 5 or 6 instruments, but you haven’t lived until you sit on her porch in Nauvoo and listen to her beautiful music from her harp. It is a beautiful thing.

The Mennonite Wedding

“Here’s something that I wrote in my journal last night.   I loved being there.  I was surprised that I was the ONLY one that was NOT a Mennonite.  There was one Amish couple, as I saw her black bonnet laying on a counter in the house.   There were a very somber couple and a very somber sad looking teen daughter.   That was just my observation. 

ALL were dressed in their Sunday go to meeting cloths.  New dresses I could tell because I’m a seamstress.  NO pierced ears, nor any earrings.  They ALL wore little white bonnets, except a few had some other type of lace bonnet.  These bonnets are straight pinned to their hair.   Surely they get their skin in there sometimes.   ALL hair is slicked back, then covered with these bonnets.   They looked and acted happy and uninterested in worldly things. Maybe only 2 women were overweight.  That is very admirable.
 
The men wore mostly black vests and they looked handsome.   The visiting clergy wore a certain kind of coat that I can recall seeing in pictures of the early Church Leaders of the LDS church.   These too are also hand made, not store bought. 
 
After I wrote in my journal last night I saw this on Epochtv.comhttps://www.theepochtimes.com/c-breaking-the-silenceI saw episodes 3&4.  Quite amazing and I learned A LOT.   Of course not HALF AS GOOD as the one that you have (or did have) on your site. (Amish Forgiveness and Conversion) I still love it that such a documentary was filmed of them joining the true Church and so very beautifully moved.   The acts of making it seem like a “painting” and turning into the real thing and action is what is being done in the Temple still life movies………….not movies…..

However, These are worth watching and if you have time, SOMEDAY…..I encourage you to look at these and think about it.   We are NOT saved by our works but through Christ and his atoning sacrifice. To rule by POWER and “forced love” is not good for small groups or nations. 

At the end of my journals every night, I send a little message to Tomasi.   I don’t know weather you want to use any of this, but wanted to share with you anyway.”

ALOHA, IRENE
THIS IS MY JOURNAL ENTRY OF 11 SEPT 2021   

Woke up early enough and started the day off right. scriptures. I’m reading in 3 Nephi now and come follow me. Somehow these are working together to strengthen my own testimony and I’m thinking to learn more and seek for the Spirit of the Lord to be with me. I made a little breakfast and fed my fish and snail and out the door I went with my gift in a cute bag. A bread knife and a cooking spoon that I’d made. I didn’t want to take some horrible back road to my friends house so I put in my GPS phone, THE ZIMMERMAN’S STORE in Rutledge, MO. I kept about 5 miles/hour over the speed limit. I got to the store and got directions to Elizabeth’s place. THERE ARE 2 V ROADS. I took the wrong one. BEANS. But backtracked and got to the right one and found that I got there just in time. I’m glad they were late starting. About 400 folks. I was the only non Mennonite.

I saw Elizabeth right away with her holding the little baby boy she’s raising for a woman in prison. I love Elizabeth for her selfless love for others. ALL are dressed in their best Church clothes. ALL have white bonnets. There is one Black hat Amish woman there with her husband and teen daughter. It was held in Elizabeth’s HUGE BARN that they laid out rugs filling the whole floor.

This barn is only wood shell, but very tall and wide and is covered in tin paneling or roofing. Many buildings are made like this in the Midwest. Her dad built it before he passed away. She has 13 siblings….13 girls and one son. Elizabeth asked if I’d brought a gift and she showed me where to take it. I gave it to some handsome guy and he took it into the open cleaned up garage. Then we walked to the huge Barn. I’m so grateful I brought my padded seat as ALL the seats were hard metal seats and I know it would be a few hours in there. I was grateful to sing 3 hymns with them. I do love their music and it’s all acapella. One man starts the singing and then we all join in. Just like it was in Tonga. Shape note singing style. And the notes in the hymn books are different shapes.

Then the visiting “Elder” stands up to talk. He hardly opens his mouth. Woah, I had a hard time understanding him. He pitched his voice like a very high tenor and preached in the same note the whole time. I’m sure he taught their “doctrine” as all were very attentive. I tried to listen closely. That was about 25 minutes. Then another visiting Elder….I thought to myself, “oh good, he may speak in a lower tone.” NOT….He was a bigger man and younger then the first one, but he also spoke WAY HIGH on the scale. I’d get out my phone to see what he was speaking in….but that would be rude. All were very attentive. I’m falling asleep sitting up straight. The Barn is warm, and every window is open. At the bottom of the barn, folks had opened it up so that the metal pannels would let the air breeze flow. Great idea.

On and on they spoke. There were some testimony’s by the men folks of the family. I was asleep enough that I didn’t see the bride and groom stand up and were asked a few questions by their Bishop.

There was no flower girls, no ring presented, no “kiss the bride” no clapping when it was over. There was not bower of archway to stand under. She and him were dressed in the same Sunday go to meeting cloths as everyone else. She’s extremely beautiful and he had a GREAT BIG SMILE.

We all go outside and quietly talk with others. I’m invited to look at the wedding gifts. OH WOW…..the couple don’t open these, they are all opened by someone else and set out for all to see. Many practical things. For them were hoses and hoes and electrical chords of many colors. Elizabeth made a beautiful clock on the wall. Of course there were quilts and bedding and towels and dishes and all sorts of things. Oh wow. No one was taking photos so I kept my phone/camera in my pocket. I have no trouble talking with folks and it was wonderful to talk with the ladies.

Some knew me or heard of me, “Oh, you’re Irene with the round house”. like that. Then we all walked to the Big Barn again and all the tables were set up. Salads and olives and cheeses and other wonderful goodies. Then the food was passed down these long put together tables. Just MARVELOUS meatballs. And potatoes and green beans and just wonderful other foods. IT WAS A TRUE FEAST. Foods hot and were served hot, same with the cold things. Everyone cleans up EVERYTHING on their plate. Real plates, no paper or plastic. A tiny jigger of wine, I gave it to the one next to me. I thought there would be a “toast’ the bride and groom. NOT. All are so polite and kind and I loved that of these folks. Cake and ice cream were served on the same plates. That’s why they clean up Everything on their plates.

I sat with Elizabeth’s sister and she had the little guy. A fabulous roll out for this young couple and I wish them happiness and long life together. I went to get my little padded seat and got in my car and drove away. I made another wrong turn and went quite a ways before giving up and turning back. I saw some old guys at some random feed store and asked how to get to Zimmerman’s Store and they directed me. Yeah.

Such beautiful materials, but I didn’t get any. I got carrots and peppered hot pretzels that came from Elizabeth’s store. I got some Vit C in the NOW brand, but get home and they also are made in China. I’m going to have to look really hard to find vitamins that are made in America. I did get some jell capsules and a thing to set those capsules in to fill with stuff that will be much cheaper then buying them all made. Several ladies in the store knew me and one by name…..it was her first day there working.

I’ll go there again. of course. I saw some lovely yellow mums for $2.95 each and took ’em home. No trouble going home……….beautiful farming country. The Bread Basket of the USA. Reached home about 4:30 and went right in and took a nap. TIRED. Then reading the news, I saw some documentaries on folks that are leaving the Amish. I watched this one and as the man that was directing this video series said, “Not all Amish are like these ones that are so strict that they are not progressing.” I found that it was an interesting take on their lives.

Tomasi Love, you would have enjoyed being with me here. Almost NONE of these folks have any idea what is in the South Pacific…..”the Polynesian Triangle”. 8th grade education does show here. However, when we first moved to the Mainland ……………..a lot of Haoles didn’t know those places either. How I enjoy even now explaining my name and how to pronounce it and smiling in my heart that I’m married to you for Eternity. ” Irene Tukuafu

Her Website is here: http://irenetukuafu.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html
http://irenetukuafu.blogspot.com/
http://harp4you.blogspot.com/

Friends are wonderful. God is Great and I am a blessed man to know you all. I missed speaking about many of you, but I will get you one day soon, as I love speaking about the goodness in good people.

“While perhaps it is seldom, if ever, contended that either political independence or economic freedom alone brings perfect liberty, it is not, however, uncommon for free agency to be considered as synonymous with freedom of the soul. And it is true that the God-given right to choose one’s course of action is an indispensable prerequisite to such freedom. Without it we can scarcely enjoy any type of liberty—political, economic, or personal. It is one of our greatest heritages. For it we are deeply indebted to our Father in Heaven, to the Founding Fathers, and to the pioneers. God gave it to man in the Garden of Eden. (See Moses 7:32.) The Founding Fathers, under the Lord’s inspiration, wrote a guarantee of it into the fundamental law of the land. And the pioneers, led by the inspiration of heaven, gave their all to perpetuate it. Surely we ought always to be alert in its defense and willing, if necessary, to give our lives for its preservation.” The Perfect Law of Liberty Marion G. Romney

*Special Announcement Below

Editors Note:

This quote form Elder Romney is so appropriate during this time of extreme turmoil in the world. Cyber wars, socialism, freedom of speech infringed upon, unfettered abortion, the 1619 project and critical race theory, FBI and CIA corruption, sex trafficking, (just ask Tim Ballard), progressivism in schools, Antifa, Black Lives Matter (I feel all lives matter), riots by activists, our education system (NEA) demanding masks on our children, government mandating experimental gene therapy, illegal voting, dictatorships, social media controlling us, deep state, tolerating sinful practices, and outright dishonoring the Lord’s Ten Commandments. It all comes down to the loss of freedom that Elder Marion G. Romney speaks of in this quote. On this date Sept 11, 2021 we remember that 20 years ago a very evil entity toppled two towers and killed thousands. Today I say, this must turn around soon as we prepare for the Lord’s second coming.

When will we realize that we must step up and refuse this take over of our God given values and freedoms? What can we do? We need to start with our own home as a righteous safe-haven for our family. We need to then extend to our community and vote, serve, and run for office. In our county we can fight for states rights and elect good leaders especially County Sherriff’s. Remember our County Sherriff has more power than the federal government.

The Stance of a Constitutional Sheriff, 2021

“In response to the numerous violations of basic human rights by our own government, the CSPOA has composed the following document.  It is designed to help the Constitutional Sheriff defend the Bill of Rights and restore Liberty to America, one county at a time.” CSPOA.com

Political Bondage

Elder Romney continues, “Free agency, however, precious as it is, is not of itself the perfect liberty we seek, nor does it necessarily lead thereto. As a matter of fact, through the exercise of their agency more people have come to political, economic, and personal bondage than to liberty.

The Nephites, for example, at one time, by the exercise of their agency, brought themselves to such a state of affairs that their only course led to political bondage. This they did while living under a government providing for the freest exercise of agency. “Their laws and their governments,” says the record, “were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good.” Therefore, “they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction.” (Hel. 5:2–3.) Under these circumstances, they chose as rulers wicked men, who would certainly destroy their political liberties, to replace righteous men who had in the past protected and preserved those liberties and would have continued to do so in the future.” Marion G. Romney

Book of Mormon is Crucial

I guess now we see the critical nature of reading the Book of Mormon. It was written for US, and WE need to share it with our brothers and sisters the Lamanites, and the entire world. The time is now. I fully believe the Lord will hopefully bring about a second harvest where the Satanic governments of the world will be stopped for a season before the great second coming of the Lord. How wonderful would it be to see those in China, Iran, North Korea, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, have the blessing of missionaries in their country’s? That would be awesome as I hope and pray that still may happen soon. We know it is always up to the Lord but let us step up our efforts in missionary work and overcome this evil in the world. Let’s do our part as I feel with every fiber of my being, that it is still possible.

Mormon invites the Lamanites of the latter days to believe in Christ, accept His gospel, and be saved as he says,

“And now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared [Lamanites], if it so be that God may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak: Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel. Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved… Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews” Mormon 7:1-3

The Lamanites are descendants of those who killed our Savior, even the Jews. That shows the incredible challenges of the Native Americans and the Jews in the world today and how they have been smitten and scattered. But, realize they will be blessed and we Gentiles keep our stewardship and share the Gospel with our brothers and sisters.

Native American Celebration

The celebration of the Native American’s by the FIRM Foundation, with our beginning celebration, will honor the Lamanites of North America beginning September 25, 2021. See Information below and here.

*Special Announcement:
We have added a Native American Hoop Dance at our Native Celebration by Mike Lafontaine’s Nephew!

“Yes, we will celebrate all Lamanites as there are great Lamanites in South and Central America and Canada and many other places as well, and we love them as we see the Gospel is growing in Mesoamerica as well. (See my blog about Lamanites all over North and South America here) But, I believe the beginning of the Lamanites is with Lehi landing in Florida, as I believe the United States is where the main events of the Book of Mormon began in this New World. (Really this land of the USA is the Old World where Adam was placed).

I believe the Land of Promise spoken of in the Book of Mormon is the United States of America. The Constitution was created by the Lord, Adam and Eve were placed on this same land and the New Jerusalem will be on this same land. No need for me to check out Mesoamerica anymore as I did for 40 years.

Just like evolution. I don’t believe we came from an ape and I know that matter cannot come from nothing. I don’t have to look into science to figure this out, but by the witness of what the scriptures tell us.

I don’t expect President Nelson to come right out and tell me where the Book of Mormon events happened, or if we came from an ape, I know through sound reasoning the answer that makes most sense to me. Now if the Brethren say otherwise, I would always listen to them first, and then pray about it, but in my opinion the Church is neutral on difficult issues that exist to help each of us individually come to a knowledge of the “truth of all things” as promised in the Book of Mormon. I don’t need to be commanded in all things!” Rian Nelson

Wrath Turned Away

“The Lord has made the Lamanites—the Indians, a scourge; but if this people will turn to and do just as they have been told, their wrath will be turned away in a short time, but not until the Lord God sees that this people are determined to do right.

“It is the author’s opinion that all the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, will remain in the realm of faith. Science will not be able to prove or disprove holy writ. However, enough plausible evidence will come forth to prevent scoffers from having a field day, but not enough to remove the requirement of faith. Believers must be patient during such unfolding.” Neal A. Maxwell, Plain and Precious Things, 1983

Mormon Watched His People Destroyed and Saw Our Day

31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.

32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.

33 O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.

34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.

35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. Mormon 8:31-37

Amazing Video for Our Day

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, 1st Counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson, proclaimed that the Book of Mormon “is as current as the morning newspaper”, “in its descriptions of the problems of today’s society.” The Power of the Book of Mormon, Ensign June 1988

The American Prophet Moroni testified that “Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.” Mormon 8:35

Using these two quotations as a guide, author Rod Meldrum explores some of the Book of Mormon prophecies that pertain to our day and compare them directly with news headlines from the mainstream media of the USA.

To understand the signs of our day, we must read the Book of Mormon!

The Book of Mormon Prophets warned a very specific nation about the consequences of being wicked, upon God’s Promised Land. In Rod Meldrum”s latest DVD, he clearly demonstrates how the Book of Mormon is as “Current as the Daily News.”

In his 2-hour presentation Rod discusses the 4 Sacred Covenants that George Washington invoked at St. Paul’s Cathedral during his inauguration – the same sacred ground the New York Twin Towers collapsed on during 911. Take a trip through current news headlines and see why America’s promised blessings are now being revoked, leaving her in grave peril and judgment from God. With this warning will the people living in our nation, foretold by ancient prophets in the Book of Mormon still serve Jesus Christ, the God of this sacred covenant land?

“For those who do not know, my dad passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, after quite the courageous battle with stage 4 lung cancer. The funeral will be this Saturday at our ward building in Salem Utah for those who would like to attend (there will also be a live stream option). My dad was known far and wide for his love for the scriptures, for the Prophet Joseph Smith and his tireless consecrated life to lift those around him. I never saw him take a day to indulge in any selfish pursuit. His drive and passion to help others inspired my siblings and I with a faith, vision and legacy that will continue for generations. We will miss him terribly but rejoice knowing that he is free from pain and busily engaged in a great work on the other side!” ❤️ Hannah Stoddard

Funeral: September 11, 2021 (160 South 460 West, Salem, Utah 84653)Viewing: 8:30amFuneral: 10:00am
Burial: Manti, Utah Cemetery: 2:00pm

A few words from Rian Nelson
What Hannah has said above is all I need to say about the life of James Stoddard. He is a special man, and even in death he will bless the lives of his family and many of us. Please be mindful of this wonderful family and know that a young but mature Hannah, age 25 will be a huge support. May we love and support her and her siblings however we can.

The FIRM Foundation with Rod and Tonya Meldrum, and all of it’s friends and employees, offer their most sincere condolences. James is a true Father, Saint and Friend who has raised a wonderful family and left an extraordinary legacy of love.