Featuring the Exclusive FREE 26-Page Article Titled, “Mother, I have got the Key” by Rian Nelson
The purpose of the NEW Heartland Handbook, is to frustrate the work of Satan and give readers some ammunition to further the work of the Lord. We as a people need ammunition to fight against evil. NOW! Is the Church in a foretold apostacy? Are we in a world war three? Is our Constitution hanging by a thread? Is the current socialistic culture upon us? You know your own answer and I think it is clear. Please read CREEPING INTO OUR CHURCH… GREAT HOST OF SECTARIAN DOCTRINES.
We offer this book as a good possible answer to some of your big questions. Not just by the words we speak but by the Spirit you may feel after study and prayer.
In order to understand our enemy, maybe we need to get closer to the Lord, correct? Here is a blog that will open your eyes to this enemy in these Latter Days. It is called, THE SYSTEM OF THE BEAST
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:
“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
Goodness in Good People
I am blessed to have my own personal witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, His true Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and our wonderful Prophet Russell M. Nelson. I have been so blessed to increase my witness that the Book of Mormon is indeed the “Most Correct” book ever in the world, and by daily study and also with a group of amazing people at Firm Foundation and like minded people, my testimony has grown by leaps and bounds. There is goodness in these people of the Church. Read my blog here titled, GOODNESS IN GOOD PEOPLE and you will see what I mean. Of course this is only my current group of friends, and there are people all over the world that continue to bless my life on the internet, in person, and those I meet randomly. I especially learn from the Prophet and Apostles and the Scriptures, along with my dear eternal companion and family whom I love.
This Heartland Handbook is chock full of antidotes to evil and to false teachings that we have been taught all our lives. Even though the contents of this book are the opinions and thoughts of Rod Meldrum and myself, we encourage you to individually pray and study on your own as we are only two lovers of Christ like most of you are, and we encourage you to always first follow and listen to the Spirit of Christ, read and ponder the scriptures and follow the doctrine of the Church as taught by our living prophet and you can’t and won’t go wrong. When you have time please enjoy our handbook.
Will you continue to have trials, of course. Isn’t that the purpose of this wonderful life? I was told by a special aunt, “I don’t worry when I have trials, I only worry when I don’t.” That is sound advice for it is not the trial or the struggle or the disappointment of life that is hard, it is the course of action we decide to travel as these trials happen that is important. The sinners never repent and the righteous are always repenting and forgiving. Which side are we following?
This handbook was written and developed with one idea in mind. Draw nearer to Christ and follow Him. No matter what you read and ponder, always pray for your personal revelation as I have done, and as you ponder the material Rod and I have shared, you may know as Moroni said, “The truth of all things.” We are human and make many mistakes, so please take what we say and pray about it.
May the Lord bless you.
Heartland Handbook Description
This is for a PDF Download of 128-pages only. After ordering 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.
We have printed a very limited number of books especially for the Sept 2021 Conference. They will sell out quickly. We will try and get more ordered as we ran out of time to do a large printing. Thanks!
Lucy Mack Smith Quotes
1- “Joseph termed a key… nothing more nor less than a Urim and Thummim”
2- “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.”
3- “I can see anything; they are marvelous.“
4- “He kept these things constantly about his person”
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 in there very late and conspicuous testimony.
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 great coat 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
My Opinion about President Nelson’s Stone in the Hat video
“Quite miraculous really, we have through the gift and power of God, we have a lot of suggestions about how it was done. We know that they had a table like this, we know they had the golden plates covered usually and Joseph used these, the Urim and Thummim seer stones and the hat, it was easier for him to see the light when he, uh, takes that position (holds hat up to his face).” Pres Nelson Video Transcribed from Palmyra
We agree with the Prophet when he said, “we have a lot of suggestions.” The Prophet also says, “the Urim and Thummim seer stones” almost as if sounding like one instrument. In many previous quotes over the years, Elder Nelson said, “The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights. David Whitmer wrote…”
After this quote, Elder Nelson quotes from David Whitmer and Emma Smith who are quoted as speaking about the stone in the hat. If Elder Nelson had a revelation or knew what David and Emma said was true, he wouldn’t have said, “The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights.”
A Treasured Testament” by Russell M. Nelson 1992 This is a quote you can find in 1996 and 2002 as well as other times when Elder Nelson has shared “A Treasured Testament “
I love and support the Prophet in all things doctrinally. When he speaks for the church, it is revelation, and I will follow. If it’s an opinion, I must study it out and pray about it for my own personal revelation. The Prophet will not tell us to go against our free will and we are free to act for ourselves with opinion and other common ideas in church leaders’ books and teachings.
“THE DETAILS OF THIS MIRACULOUS METHOD OF TRANSLATION ARE STILL NOT FULLY KNOWN”
Above quote by Russell M. Nelson 1993, A Treasured Testament
I believe Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim and by the power of the Lord translated the Book of Mormon. Even though I believe Joseph had a seer stone or two, I don’t believe he used them to translate the plates. In this article I show you many quotes from church leaders that say Joseph could have used various methods to translate including using a seer stone or the Urim and Thummim or both, and as it is said, if we pray with real intent, we can know the truth of all things. I just feel the Urim and Thummim was prepared by the Lord during the time of the Brother of Jared and sealed up for Joseph to find with the plates. That’s why I feel strongly that Joseph used the Urim and Thummim to translate.
Joseph was not a money digger as they like to say, and he was and is a Prophet of the Lord today. Much of the information about the translation process is written by people who didn’t have the best of intentions towards Joseph. (David Whitmer, Martin Harris etc). The story of being a money digger and only using a seer stone was started by Eber D. Howe in his book called Mormonism Unvailed in 1834, and I surely don’t take much stock in that anti-Mormon book.
I know some of our current Prophets and Apostles have said Joseph could have used the Urim and Thummim and/or a seer stone to translate. (See Elder Uchtdorf and Pres Nelson etc). I know that both methods are a possibility, but you must each form your own witness as there is no revelation on the subject. Based on prayer and personal revelation you can know for yourself just as I can. I love and support the Prophets and Apostles as they will continue to lead us with sound doctrine and revelation.
What is your Opinion about a Demonstration vs a hidden breastplate and spectacles?
My good friend and associate Jonathan Neville believes it is possible that Joseph Smith showed many of the Whitmer’s a demonstration of the rock and the hat. It is a very interesting possibility and in no way will I say if it is correct or not. In my opinion I have a question about Joseph showing a demonstration to appease their curiosity and I don’t think that was necessary. I don’t think Joseph was obligated to show anyone a sneak preview so to speak. As you read my idea about the breastplate under Joseph’s shirt and the spectacles hidden with the hat as a prop only, I think is a better possibility. As usual you all can decide for yourself, and you can also contribute what you feel happened. None of us know for sure. Thanks for your consideration. Read Jonathan’s book>
“True, there are plenty of accounts of the stone-in-a-hat process, but as I’ve pointed out, a careful reading of these accounts is consistent with a demonstration, not the actual translation of the plates…
To summarize, David was never a scribe; he could only have witnessed a demonstration, not the actual translation with the plates and Urim and Thummim. He didn’t even see the plates until after the translation was complete and he became one of the Three Witnesses.
Martin Harris’ statements are consistent with the demonstration explanation. He, too, never saw the plates or the interpreters until he became one of the Three Witnesses. If he knew those objects weren’t even used for the translation, why would he have been so insistent on seeing them?
Emma’s statement is not believable for several reasons that I’ll discuss in part 3.” Jonathan Neville
http://www.moronisamerica.com/peep-stones-vs-urim-and-thummim-part-2/
Why I don’t believe Joseph did a Demonstration
•He wouldn’t allow the perception that his demonstration was the actual demonstration if it wasn’t
•As he was told to not show the plates, or the Breastplate or the Spectacles, none of those in the demonstration saw any of that. Maybe they saw the rock and the hat, but that is it.
•I don’t believe the Whitmer article from the Chicago Tribune that a blanket covered the front of the first story room so others could not see if they came to the door. Just how long did this demonstration last?
•The Chicago quote says that each time they would open with a prayer. How many times did they do the demonstration and how much time did the Whitmer’s loose on their farm work?
•Why would Joseph have unauthorized scribes to actually write down some of Isaiah that he had memorized, and have it become part of the book of Mormon? How can we trust those scribes?
•Why would Joseph have to show the demonstration and have it include sacred writings that the others could hear? •The demonstration says nothing about the breastplate. Where was it and didn’t Joseph need it to translate every time.
William Smith, A Secondhand Witness
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. Of course, we don’t know about the authenticity, but I am 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.” Tyrell Givens, By the Hand of Mormon
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.)
