In Defense of Sam Young and Protect LDS Children done with Love and concern.

Before I get to the subject at hand, I want to say that I stand with Sam Young and the cause that he had the courage to listen to God and act on over the flawed men that have tried to silence him, and brought forth to our attention, and that so many others have helped with and believe in, Protect LDS Children. Personally, I was not affected by this much growing up in the LDS church, but I did have I Bishop that asked some questions but nothing serious. When I first heard what Sam was standing up for I was not sure what to think. But when I came across this document, Instances of Child Sexual Abuse In The LDS Church, I was instantly converted to Protecting LDS Children. I knew to a small degree, things like this was happening in the LDS church but not to the degree that the document and Sam woke me up to. I allude to these horrid sins in King Brigham but sadly I was too timid at that time to directly call it out. Because of Sam’s and McKenna Denson‘s wonderful examples I am no longer afraid to speak out directly and publicly about these abominations. One thing that McKenna brought to my attention regarding interviews is the grooming for sexual preditors that is happening that most don’t know about or understand. This needs to stop now, if not we as a church and a nation will see God’s justice for fearing the arm of flesh, aka man, instead of following Jesus’ example and speaking out against the evils in our day.

Bishops are JUDGEs of Israel. Yes I know that is obvious right. You might be thinking to yourself “and what’s your point”? My point is that they are JUDGEs, and the duties and responsibilities of a bishop are not what most of us think they are. Some people try to say that the bishops need to do these extra things that are not explicitly stated in the scriptures for the exact reason that they are judges how else could they perform their duty. So, I ask what exactly is their duty?

To help us out to get on the right track I suggest we first look at civil judges. Why you ask is that a good place to start? For one our civil law is based on Biblical law. I am no expert on this subject, so I will call on an expert witness to help us out, Alan Rock Waterman who has had a passion to study law to understand it not to make money from it a good majority of his life. When you get time please read What Is The Law Of The Land? which is another article from Alan Rock Waterman on this subject that is very good.

American jurisprudence was founded on the common law of England.  Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution are common law documents. We trace our system of justice through English common law, and from there all the way back to the law of Moses. English common law was distilled and refined over centuries of trial and error, as cases were carefully weighed, examined, and held up to scripture; first by priests of the Catholic Church during medieval times, then later by barristers as the Age of Reason evolved into the Age of Enlightenment.

Things did not always turn out well for plaintiffs or defendants, and judgments were at times grossly unfair.  But as it all shook out over time, the eventual outcome was a “common” law, a system of justice that, when properly adhered to, protects and defends the liberty of the individual. This is the system of jurisprudence we Americans inherited, passed down from its origins in biblical law and manifested in the kind of justice which, it was hoped, God himself might dispense if he judged a particular matter himself. The Lord “is perfect,” went the maxim in Deuteronomy 32, “and all his ways are just.” The Common Law seeks to operate in such a just and fair manner.

Alan Rock Waterman, The Real Threat To Traditional Marriage, Part Three: Betrayal

Now that I have established the relevance of state law and judges, I believe it would be helpful to talk about the role of a judge in court in the United States of America.

I completely understand Wikipedia is not a perfect source, but to be honest what is a perfect source, but none the less it is a good start and it gives sources for what is stated there, and on top of that I don’t own any law books.

A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and, typically, in an open court. The judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers of the case, assesses the credibility and arguments of the parties, and then issues a ruling on the matter at hand based on his or her interpretation of the law and his or her own personal judgment. In some jurisdictions, the judge’s powers may be shared with a jury. In inquisitorial systems of criminal investigation, a judge might also be an examining magistrate.
Judge – Wikipedia

One thing I want to point out here is that the judge is to rule according to the LAW not some whimsical thought or feeling that tickled his fancy.

Judges in the church of God are to do the same things as stated in these verses:

Mosiah (LDS 29:11) (RLDS 13:14-15) … ACCORDING to our LAW… ACCORDING to the COMMANDMENTS of GOD.

Mosiah (LDS 29:15) (RLDS 13:20) … I PUNISHED ACCORDING to the CRIME which he has COMMITTED, ACCORDING to the LAW …

Mosiah (LDS 29:25) (RLDS 13:34) … that ye may be JUDGED ACCORDING to the LAWS …

Mosiah (LDS 29:39) (RLDS 13:56-57) … to JUDGE them ACCORDING to the LAW …

Mosiah (LDS 29:41) (RLDS 13:62) … or to JUDGE THEM ACCORDING to the LAW; …

Alma (LDS 11:2) (RLDS 8:49-51) … and he JUDGED the man according to the LAW …

The article continues and points out some of the differences in the duties of a judge depending on the system they are in.

Another good resource to help better understand what a judge is, is the Webster’s Dictionary 1828. I’ve picked a few definitions to share as there is not enough space to quote them all.

4. One who has skill to decide on the merits of a question, or on the value of any thing; one who can discern truth and propriety.
6. A juryman or juror. In criminal suits, the jurors are judges of the law as well as of the fact.
1. To compare facts or ideas, and perceive their agreement or disagreement, and thus to distinguish truth from falsehood.
3. To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence.
4. To discern; to distinguish; to consider accurately for the purpose of forming an opinion or conclusion.
Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Judge

I never considered a juror as a judge before reading the definition, but now I have read it, it completely makes sense. An interesting thing to point out, at least in the United States system, there are the twelve jurors just like Jesus had twelve apostles (Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30, 1 Nephi 12:9-10).

Here is a quote from Joseph Smith I have always liked, and have tried my best to do myself:

Although all is not gold that shines, any more than every religious creed is sanctioned with the so eternally sanctioned sure word of prophecy, satisfying all doubt with “Thus saith the Lord:” yet, “by proving contraries, truth is made manifest,” and a wise man can search out “old paths, wherein righteous men held communion with Jehovah,” and were exalted through obedience. – Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6, page 428

Personally I believe it is in alignment with 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”, and Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”. I bring these up all of these statements go with the middle definition I shared. Last thing I’d like to say on this little side track is that we really need more of “Thus saith the Lord”. Lots have been said on that, including myself, but here is very good podcast on the subject from a friend of mine, Mormon Discovery – Episode 5 Profile of a Prophet.

For this next section I hope to show you that the process that bishops are to use, is the same process that judges in the past were supposed to use.

2 Nephi (LDS 29:8-9) (RLDS 12:58-63)
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the TESTIMORY of TWO NATIONS is a WITNESS unto you that I am God, that I REMEMBER ONE nation LIKE unto ANOTHER? Wherefore, I SPEAK THE SAME WORDS UNTO ONE NATION LIKE UNTO ANOTHER. And when the two nations shall run together the TESTIMORY of the TWO NATIONS shall run together also. 9 And I DO THIS THAT I MAP PROVE unto many that I AM THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER; and that I SPEAK forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for MY WORK IS NOT YET FINISHED; NEITHER SHALL IT BE UNTIL THE END OF MAN, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

Appoint/Vote for judges:

KJV Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Berean Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.

Mosiah (LDS 29:11) (RLDS 13:14-15) … let us APPOINT JUDGES … for we will APPOINT WISE MEN to be JUDGES …

Mosiah (LDS 29:25) (RLDS 13:34) Therefore, CHOOSE you BY THE VOICE OF THIS PEOPLE, JUDGES, that ye may be JUDGED ACCORDING to the LAWS which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.

Mosiah (LDS 29:39) (RLDS 13:56-57) … to CAST in their VOICES CONCERNING who should be their JUDGES …

Mosiah (LDS 29:41) (RLDS 13:62) … they did APPOINT JUDGES …

Mosiah (LDS 29:42) (RLDS 13:63) … Alma was APPOINTED to be the first CHIEF JUDGE, he being also the high priest …

Alma (LDS 11:1) (RLDS 8:48) .. every man who was a JUDGE of the LAW, or those who were APPOINTED to be JUDGES …

D&C 20:63, 65, 66
63 The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by VOTE of the CHURCH to which they belong, or from the conferences.
65 No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the VOTE of that church; 66 But the presiding elders, traveling bishops, high councilors, high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church that a VOTE may be called.

D&C 41:9 And again, I have called my servant Edward Partridge; and I give a commandment, that he should be APPOINTED BY THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH …

D&C 72:2 For verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me for a bishop to be APPOINTED unto you, or of you, unto the church in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.

Vote on laws:

Mosiah 29:26 Now it is NOT COMMON that the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; THEREFORE this shall ye observe and make it your LAW—TO DO YOUR BUSINESS BY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

D&C 102:6 VOTED: that the high council cannot have power to act without seven of the above-named councilors, or their regularly appointed successors are present.

D&C 102:8 VOTED: that whenever any vacancy shall occur by the death, removal from office for transgression, or removal from the bounds of this church government, of any one of the above-named councilors, it shall be filled by the nomination of the president or presidents, and sanctioned by the voice of a general council of high priests, convened for that purpose, to act in the name of the church.

Need Multiple Witnesses:

Deuteronomy 19:15 [only] ONE WITNESS shall NOT rise up AGAINST a MAN for ANY INIQUITY, or for ANY SIN, in ANY SIN that he sinneth: at the MOUTH of TWO WITNESSES, or at the MOUTH of THREE WITNESSES, shall the matter be ESTABLISHED.

John 8:10-11
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and SAW NONE but the WOMAN, he said unto her, Woman, WHERE ARE THOSE THINE ACCUSERS? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: GO, AND SIN NO MORE.

D&C 42
80 … and EVERY WORD shall be ESTABLISHED against him or her by TWO WITNESSES of the church, and not of the enemy; but if there are MORE THAN TWO WITNESSES it is better. 81 But he or she shall be CONDEMNED by the MOUTH of TWO WITNESSES …

Non-confessors or non-restores:

Alma (LDS 11:2) (RLDS 8:49-51) Now if a man owed another, and he would not pay that which he did owe, he was complained of to the judge; and the judge executed authority, and sent forth officers that the man should be brought before him; and he judged the man according to the law and the evidences which were brought against him, and thus the man was compelled to pay that which he owed, or be stripped, or be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber.

D&C 42:89 And if he or she confess not thou shalt deliver him or her up unto the church, not to the members, but to the elders. And it shall be done in a meeting, and that not before the world.

Compensation for time:

Alma (LDS 11:1) (RLDS 8:48) … or those who were APPOINTED to be JUDGES, should RECEIVE WAGES according to the TIME which they LABORED to JUDGE those who were BROUGHT before them to be JUDGED.

Alma (LDS 11:3) (RLDS 8:52) And the JUDGE RECEIVED for his WAGES ACCORDING TO HIS TIME …

Alma (LDS 11:20) (RLDS 8:64-66) … because they [JUDGES] RECEIVED their WAGES ACCORDING to their EMPLOY, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they MIGHT have MORE EMPLOY, that they might GET MONEY according to the SUITS which were BROUGHT before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek.

D&C 41:9 … TO LEAVE HIS MERCHANDISE and to spend all his time in the labors of the church;

D&C 42:71-73
71 And the elders or high priests who are appointed to ASSIST THE BISHOP as counselors in all things, are to have their FAMILIES SUPPORTED out of the property which is consecrated to the bishop, for the good of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned; 72 Or they are to RECEIVE A JUST REMUNERATION FOR ALL THEIR SERVICES, either a stewardship or otherwise, as may be thought best or decided by the counselors and bishop. 73 And the BISHOP, also, SHALL RECEIVE HIS SUPPORT, or a just remuneration for all his services in the church.

When I read Mosiah (LDS 26:34-36) (RLDS 11:143-145) not long ago, I did not know what to make of it, why wouldn’t the king judge the people but instead told the high priest that he should be doing the judging. I talked to Samuel Matthews about it, and he explained to me what is going on. Take a look at the verses, and then I’ll share with you what Samuel shared with me in my own words.

Mosiah (LDS 26:11-12) (RLDS 11:117-119)
11 And he said unto the king: Behold, here are many whom we have brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes. 12 But king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged.

King Mosiah did not want to judge the people because he was aware that in Deuteronomy 16:18 God told the people to appoint judges. Considering the stature of Mosiah, I’m sure he knew of the prophecy in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 from God stating that He knew they would reject his ways and want to be like other nations and have a king to judge them instead of appointing judges as He wanted. And also the problems Samuel told them would cause for the people in 1 Samuel 8:4-20.

I want to take a look at D&C 107:72 before we continue onto something else.

D&C 107:72 And also to be a JUDGE IN ISRAEL, to do the business of the church, to SIT IN JUDGEMENT upon the transgressors upon TESTIMONY as IT SHALL BE LAID BEFORE HIM according to the laws, by the ASSISTANCE of his COUNSELORS, whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of the church.

The Bishop or JUDGE is to sit in judgement upon the sinners, and how shall he conduct this judgement by LISTENING to the TESTIMONIES of witnesses that have been brought before him NOT by himself extracting confessions from ONE witness the sinner, even if the bishop was allowed to do that which he is not, Deuteronomy 19:15-19, D&C 42:80, and other places states that we need two or more witnesses.

D&C 42:88-89
88 And if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her between him or her and thee alone; and if he or she confess thou shalt be reconciled. 89 And if he or she CONFESS NOT thou shalt DELIVER him or her up unto the church, not to the members, but TO THE ELDERS. And it shall be done in a meeting, and that not before the world.

Here are two verses that say that a bishop is a judge.

D&C 64:40 And even the bishop, who is a judge …

D&C 107:74 Thus shall he be a JUDGE, even a COMMON JUDGE …

For the last little while I have been focusing on learning Hebrew idioms as I have time. The Book of Mormon points out the importance of learning the language of the fathers which is Hebrew such that we can become men of understanding. The more Hebrew idioms I have learned the more I understand the Book of Mormon and the Bible, and even some of Joseph Smith’s statements.

Mosiah (LDS 1:2) (RLDS 1:2-3) And he caused that they should be TAUGHT in all the LANGUAGE of his FATHERS, that thereby they might BECOME MEN of UNDERSTANDING; …

I recently learned that there is an important Hebrew idiom in Matthew 5:21-22

Matthew 5:21-22
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

To get a better understanding of it please watch a section of this video Understanding the Difficult Words of Yeshua from 38m35s to 49m59s. Here are two of the most important statements from it.

Don’t question somebody else’s relationship with God. If you do you are making yourself god.

You should not accuse someone of being separated from God because that is not up to you.

When a bishop says that we need their help to know if and when God has forgiven us, he is questioning our relationship with God, he is saying we are not capable of hearing God’s voice even after He has forgiven us. Something we should remember is that Cain talked with God after he slew Able. Which is questioning our relationship with God even when we are clean, possibily to the point of being worse than Cain’s. This is one of the things that once we understand this idiom it is saying not to do.

The bishop is doing the same thing when he interviews boys and men to decide if they are worthy to progress through the priesthood along with girls and women as they progress also.

You might be wondering what about the sacrament? You are correct in 3 Nephi (LDS 18:28) (RLDS 8:60) we are instructed that we need to be careful to whom we give the sacrament to.

3 Nephi (LDS 18:28) (RLDS 8:60) And now behold, this is the COMMANDMENT which I give unto you, that YE SHALL NOT SUFFER any one KNOWINGLY to PARTAKE of my flesh and blood UNWORTHILY, when ye shall minister it;

Luckily Jesus told us what the requirements are to be worthy to partake of the sacrament in 3 Nephi (LDS 18:11) (RLDS 8:40-41).

3 Nephi (LDS 18:11) (RLDS 8:40-41) And this [sacrament] shall ye always do TO those who REPENT and are BAPTIZIED in my name; …

To me this sounds like the definition of the church that God gave us in scriptures.

Mosiah (LDS 26:22) (RLDS 11:126-130) For behold, THIS IS MY CHURCH; WHOSOEVER IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE BAPTIZED UNTO REPENTANCE. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive.

To me this is saying if you have been baptized and are repenting or becoming more like Jesus Christ the Messiah then you can take the sacrament.

On thing that Rob Kay from The Mormon Yeshiva said in a lecture he did really struck me as profound and has helped me was something to effect to the following, sorry I don’t have the exact quote it was from a while ago but in essence that “the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ teaching on how to keep the law”. Along with that I believe that Moses, Jesus the Messiah, and Joseph Smith are all examples of people who restored lost truth.

A very powerful part of teaching is examples. In fact, so much so, people say that “actions speak louder than words”. There is much I see in the scriptures, including salting the accounts with God’s commandments, and good examples of following God’s laws along with examples of when people chose to ignore God’s wisdom. In the past I used to think wouldn’t it just be nice to have a list of the commandments in one handy place, which I have started making for myself and continue to update it. But with things I have learned recently I see wisdom in doing it the way God has done it, salting them or putting through out the scriptures. Mere rote memorizing is not effective and very hard to do, and generally does not last long either. Occasionally I dabble in speed reading and memorizing techniques, because I want to learn more, and I want to remember it. When you investigate various memory techniques they all say that attaching vivid imagery and emotions to what you want to remember will make it easier to recall and make it will last longer also. God wants His laws written upon our hearts and always on our minds. Considering what I just mentioned and has been tested, I honestly believe God knew what he was doing, as He always does. The scriptures are chock-full of historical accounts that meet this criteria. One being the exodus from Egypt to the promised land. People in the Book of Mormon use the exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea as encouragements and reminders of God’s ways frequently, and I can understand why. It is quite a display of God’s power and salvation which will be happening again in the future. If we could only imagine ourselves in the place of people in the scriptures, to vividly seeing it happening and experiencing the emotions, we would understand the scriptures more, and we would be able to recall them and retain them longer in God’s desire for us to have them written on our hearts and always before our eyes.

Mosiah (LDS 27) (RLDS 11:150-207) is a great example of a member, Alma the younger, of the church sinning, repenting, being forgiven of God, and confessing his sins.

Although the Book of Mormon does not directly say that Alma the younger was baptized before the “angel of the Lord appeared unto [him]” Mosiah (LDS 27:11) (RLDS 163), but I believe we can deduce that he was from various statements made in this chapter along with definitions found else where in the Book of Mormon. I wrote Baptisms Order, yes there are multiple baptisms, and on top of that there are rebaptisms see below, a while back ago in response to another man’s teachings who said otherwise because I wanted to help out my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I honestly believe the way to remove contention is to live and preach the gospel, as was done by the some of the most successful missionaries in the Book of Mormon, “that there should be no more contentions in all the land” Mosiah (LDS 28:2) (RLDS 12:2-4). In summary of what I wrote in Baptisms Order I’ll highlight sections from three verses, I highly recommend reading it later as it gets into more details and explains what is going on in Helaman (LDS 5) (RLDS 2:63-117), but I am a bit biased to it as I wrote it.

2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24) … For the gate by which ye should enter is REPENTANCE and BAPTISM by WATER; and THEN cometh a REMISSION OF YOUR SINS by FIRE and by the HOLY GHOST.

3 Nephi (LDS 12:1) (RLDS 5:44-47) … I [Jesus] have given power that they may baptize you with water; and AFTER THAT YE ARE BAPTIZED WITH WATER, BEHOLD, I WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH FIRE AND WITH THE HOLY GHOST; …

Mormon (LDS 7:10) (RLDS 3:32-33) … and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are BAPTIZED, FIRST WITH WATER, THEN WITH FIRE and with the HOLY GHOST…

Knowing now that there is a specific order that the baptism of water and baptism of fire happen, let’s see if we can then find some clues in the chapter.

Mosiah (LDS 27:8) (RLDS 11:159-160) Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called ALMA, after his father; nevertheless, he BECAME a VERY WICKED and an IDOLATROUS man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

This verse has the first clue that I found that Alma was baptized, it states that Alma “BECAME a VERY WICKED and an IDOLATROUS man”. If Alma had became that, wouldn’t that mean that he was not that way before, since you can’t become what you already are?

This is not a clue of Alma being baptized before the angel appeared unto him, but just something interesting I want to bring up while we are here. I wonder if some of the flattering words that Alma used were along the lines of “All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well” 2 Nephi (LDS 28:21) (RLDS 12:25-26), “Stay in the Old Boat Zion”, or “Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer” Helaman (LDS 13:27) (RLDS 5:37)? But since I was not there that is just speculation.

The second clue I spotted is in Mosiah (LDS 27:11) (RLDS 11:163).

Mosiah (LDS 27:11) (RLDS 11:163) And as I said unto you, as they were going about REBELLING against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;

Alma and the sons of Mosiah were REBELLING against God, which means they knew what God’s will was and not that they were ignorant of God’s ways. And who would know the ways of God more but those who are or were members of God’s church at one point in their lives.

This next clue is the real kicker especially considering what we learned up above, that baptism of water is needed before the baptism of fire. It also doesn’t hurt that it is mentioned three different times all fairly close together. Perhaps this was to make sure we did not miss this very important point.

Mosiah (LDS 27:24) (RLDS 11:186) For, said he, I have REPENTED of my sins, and have been REDEEMED of the Lord; behold I AM BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

Mosiah (LDS 27:28) (RLDS 11:28) Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I AM BORN OF GOD.

Mosiah (LDS 27:29) (RLDS 11:191-193) My soul hath been REDEEMED from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my SOUL is PAINED NO MORE.

These three verses bring out the fact that Alma just had the baptism of fire. There are various names and ways of describing the baptism of fire. Following are some Book of Mormon verses to help us connect BORN OF THE SPIRIT and BORN OF GOD to the baptism of fire. Something to make a quick note of that verses Alma (LDS 36:24) (RLDS 17:22) and Alma (LDS 38:6) (RLDS 18:6) is Alma the younger recounting portions of what we have been going over to two of his sons.

Alma (LDS 22:15) (RLDS 13:48-50) … Yea, what shall I do that I may be BORN OF GOD, having this WICKED SPIRIT ROOTED OUT OF MY BREAST, and RECEIVE HIS SPIRIT, that I may be FILLED WITH JOY …

Alma (LDS 36:24) (RLDS 17:22) … that they might also be BORN OF GOD, and be FILLED with the HOLY GHOST.

Alma (LDS 38:6) (RLDS 18:6) … but it is the SPIRIT OF GOD which is in me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been BORN OF GOD I should not have known these things.

The last verse from the clue, Mosiah (LDS 27:29) (RLDS 11:191-193), might not be the most obvious, but with the help of 2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24) we will see the connection. Keep in mind that Mosiah (LDS 27:29) (RLDS 11:191-193) says “my SOUL is PAINED NO MORE”.

2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24) … For the gate by which ye should enter is REPENTANCE and BAPTISM by WATER; and THEN cometh a REMISSION OF YOUR SINS by FIRE and by the HOLY GHOST.

The last part of 2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24) is the key here, “and THEN cometh a REMISSION OF YOUR SINS by FIRE and by the HOLY GHOST”. Our sins are forgiven when we have the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. Ironically the best place to show that our sins cause us torment is again quoting from Alma the young explaining it to his son Helaman from Alma (LDS 36:12-19) (RLDS 17:10-17).

Alma (LDS 36:12-19) (RLDS 17:10-17)
12 But I was RACKED with eternal TORMENT, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and RACKED with all my SINS. 13 Yea, I did remember all my SINS and INIQUITIES, for which I was TORMENTED with the PAINS OF HELL; yea, I saw that I had REBELLED against my GOD, and that I had NOT KEPT HIS HOLY COMMANDMENTS. 14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather LED THEM AWAY UNTO DESTRUCTION; yea, and in fine so great had been my INIQUITIES, that THE VERY THOUGHT of COMING into the PRESENCE of my GOD did RACK my SOUL with INEXPRESSIBLE HORROR. 15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds. 16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I RACKED, even with the PAINS OF A DAMNED SOUL. 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus RACKED with TORMENT, while I was HARROWED up by the MEMORY of my many SINS, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the GALL OF BITTERNESS, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. 19 And now, behold, when I THOUGHT THIS, I could REMEMBER my PAINS NO MORE; yea, I WAS HARROWED UP BY THE MEMORY OF MY SINS NO MORE.

With these two passages of scriptures 2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24) and Alma (LDS 36:12-19) (RLDS 17:10-17) that the expression “and my SOUL is PAINED NO MORE” in Mosiah (LDS 27:29) (RLDS 11:191-193) is from Alma the younger’s baptism of fire.

After we have had the baptism of fire we still need to continue to follow the example ouf our Saviour the remaining days of our life.

2 Nephi 31:16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

Said another way, once we have gotten on the narrow and straight path and have gone through the gate we need to be diligant or strive as Nephi, in 1 Nephi (LDS 17:15) (RLDS 5:83), put it to keep the commandments of God. Here is a quote from Joseph Smith I have always enjoyed regarding this.

Repentance is a thing that cannot be trifled with every day. Daily transgression and daily repentance is not that which is pleasing in the sight of God. – Joseph Smith, Words of Joseph Smith – Deluxe Study Edition, Kindle Locations 10455-10456

1 Nephi (LDS 17:15) (RLDS 5:83) Wherefore, I, Nephi, did STRIVE to KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS of the LORD, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.

Lest we forget.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by GRACE are ye SAVED through FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELF: it is the gift of God: 9 NOT of WORKS, lest any man should boast.

2 Nephi (LDS 2:3) (RLDS 1:62-63) … Wherefore, I know that thou [Jacob] art REDEEMED, BECAUSE of the RIGHTEOUSNESS of thy REDEEMER …

James 2:14-20
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Faith without works is not faith at all because the lack of deeds reveals an unchanged heart. And we work to establish what we believe in.

Ether (LDS 12:4) (RLDS 5:4) Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety HOPE for a BETTER WORLD, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN GOOD WORKS, being led to glorify God.

Here are some wonderful verse about the gate, that Jesus employs no servant there, and that Jesus is the one that gives the baptism of fire because He cannot be deceived.

2 Nephi (LDS 31:18) (RLDS 13:25-26) And then are ye in this STRAIT and NARROW path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have ENTERED in by the GATE; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have RECEIVED the HOLY GHOST, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the FULFILLING of the PROMISE which he hath made, that IF YE ENTERED IN BY THE WAY YE SHOULD RECEIVE.

2 Nephi (LDS 9:41) (RLDS 6:79-82) O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is NARROW, but it lieth in a STRAIGHT course before him, and the KEEPER of the GATE is the HOLY ONE of ISRAEL; and HE EMPLOYETH NO SERVANT THERE; and there is none other way save it be by the GATE; for HE CANNOT be DECEIVED, for the Lord God is his name.

3 Nephi (LDS 9:20) (RLDS 4:49-50) And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto ME [Jesus] a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto ME [Jesus] with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I [Jesus] BAPTIZE with FIRE and with the HOLY GHOST, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in ME [Jesus] at the time of their conversion, were BAPTIZED with FIRE and with the HOLY GHOST, and they knew it not.

Yes, yes, I know everything shall be established by at least two or three witnesses, including witnesses at bishop courts, and I talk about another example of a delayed baptism of fire in Baptisms Order.

When did Alma the younger repent and confess of his sins? Did Alma confess his sins to a priesthood leader? Did a priesthood leader need to tell this vile sinner he was forgiven of God? Did Alma confess of his sins before or after being born of God? Was Alma told he had to wait a year before he could particpate in the church?

Alma the young was not able to speak, see Mosiah (LDS 27:22) (RLDS 11:183-184), untill after he had already repented, see Mosiah (LDS 27:24) (RLDS 11:186).

Mosiah (LDS 27:22) (RLDS 11:183-184) … and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak …

Mosiah (LDS 27:24) (RLDS 11:186) For, said he [Alma the younger], I HAVE [past tense] REPENTED of my SINS, and have been REDEEMED of the LORD; behold I am BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

What I am trying to show here is that even though Alma the young had sinned much and varried and even “did go about SECRETLY with the sons of Mosiah seeking to DESTROY the CHURCH” Mosiah (LDS 27:10) (RLDS 11:162), he did not need to confess to a bishop or a judge or need their help in anyway to repent. And if you think about it, Alma was not able to confess or say anything to a leader because his mouth was not working, see Mosiah (LDS 27:22) (RLDS 11:183-184). In addition Alma did not need a priesthood leader to tell him that he was forgiven either, Alma knew he was forgiven because that is part of baptism of fire, see 2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24), that he tells us he had in Mosiah (LDS 27:24) (RLDS 11:186) right after he woke up.

2 Nephi (LDS 31:17) (RLDS 13:22-24) … For the gate by which ye should enter is REPENTANCE and BAPTISM by WATER; and THEN cometh a REMISSION OF YOUR SINS by FIRE and by the HOLY GHOST.

I will suggest to you, one way to know if are forgiven or not is to get rebaptized and see what happens. I show examples of rebaptism later.

Although the record does not say either way, Alma had to have confessed his sins to God at some point, because scriptures state we always need to do that. LDS Anarchy has a good article that talks about that and other confessing The law governing confession, it is very much worth the read. Before I continue I want to show one example of this in the scriptures.

Alma (LDS 17:4) (RLDS 12:6-7) And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and CONFESS their SINS before him [God].

Alma was not made to wait a year or any time frame for that matter, Alma started instantly in his teaching of the members of the church of God.

Mosiah (LDS 27:32) (RLDS 11:200-201) And now it came to pass that Alma began FROM THIS TIME [of Alma losing his strength and being born of God] forward to TEACH the people, and those who were with Alma AT THE TIME the ANGEL APPEARED unto them, traveling round about through all the land, PUBLISHING to ALL the PEOPLE the THINGS which they HAD HEARD AND SEEN, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them.

Not only did Alma the young start teaching people in the church immediately, thus not waiting a year to do so. He also PUBLISHED what he HEARD and SAW in addition to explaining it and expounding it, to all the people, not expecting you to trust his words on it but gave the specific heavenly words, also not just those who join his special more trusted group. In John 18:20, Jesus is stating that he spoke openly to everyone and never taught anyone in secret. As is done in Moroni 8. In Moroni 8, Mormon gets a thus saith the Lord. He also gives the people exactly what God said, and then he expounds upon it to help the people understand it more.

John 18:20 Jesus answered him, I SPAKE OPNELY TO THE WORLD; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and IN SECRET HAVE I SAID NOTHING.

Finally at almost at the end of the chapter we are told that Alma confesses.

Mosiah (LDS 27:35) (RLDS 11:204-205) And they [Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah] TRAVELED THROUGOUT all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, ZEALOUSLY STRIVING to REPAIR all the INJURIES which they had done to the church, CONFESSING ALL THEIR SINS, and PUBLISHING all the things which they had seen, and EXPLAINING the PROPHECIES and the SCRIPTURES to ALL who DESIRED to hear them.

What is that we just read, they were traveling and confessing? Does that mean that Alma was going around to different judges or bishops confessing his sins? I hope we all know that is not what is going on. If you don’t, have you even known people to confess their sins in a ward that they are just visiting? I know I haven’t and with what is taught about stewardship in the LDS church, the bishop you are visiting would tell you need to work with the home ward’s bishop. What I believe is going on is that Alma is confessing his sin or sins directly to people he has directly wronged or injured. The law governing confession by LDS Anarchy does a good job showing the necessity of such.

While we are in Mosiah (LDS 27) (RLDS 11:150-207) I’d like to look at few other pasages that I feel are important to bring out today.

Going in numerical order, would make Mosiah (LDS 27:10) (RLDS 11:162) first.

Mosiah (LDS 27:10) (RLDS 11:162) And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy the church of God, for he did go about SECRETLY with the sons of Mosiah seeking to DESTROY the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of GOD, or even the KING—

Alma did not try to destroy church out in the open, but he tried to destroy the church in secret, or in other words in a way that would be hard to reconize what is going on, perhaps from the inside. I don’t know that for sure either way but it could have velly well been that way. Keeping in mind what we saw in verse (LDS 27:8) (RLDS 11:159-160) that Alma “BECAME a VERY WICKED and an IDOLATROUS man” and remembrings his father, Alma the elder, was the high priest there is a very good chance Alma the younger was leadership in the church as we see an example of this in the Old Testament in 1 Samuel 2 and 1 Samuel 8. Another point I believe gives additional weight to this theory is the fact that Joseph Smith was warned of the Lord of conspirators inside the church in his day who were bring in abominations into the church. On top of that the Nephites made alliances with the Gadianton robbers at various times. People are more easily lead astray by their leaders inside of the church than they are of non-members outsider of it. Because sadly too many people take authority for truth instead of truth for authority. Not only did Alma get people to not follow God’s laws, but he also persuaded them to break their government’s laws also. As Sam Young has made perfectly clear recently the LDS / Brighamite church is ignoring state laws regarding asking sexual explicit questions to children. Sam spoke with conviction along with power and authority in this news conference to that regard.

One thing that is interesting to note is that Alma’s family had ties to the church as Alma the elder was the high priest, and Mosiah the father of the sons of Mosiah was the king thus the government. So these two groups, those inside the church, and those with out, the state, were working together to destroy the church of God.

Alan Rock Waterman has two posts that talk some about the dangers of a church being a 501(c)3 organization to save a few dollars on taxes, which it didn’t need to do in the first place, but the Fedral government took advantage of their lack of knowledge. God warned of us of such a fate in Hosea 4:6.

Hosea 4:6 My [God] people are destroyed for LACK of KNOWLEDGE: because THOU hast REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I will also reject thee, that THOU SHALT be NO PRIEST to me: seeing thou HAST FORGOTTEN the LAW of thy GOD, I will also forget thy children.

It basically boils down to, that a 501(c)3 organization is not allowed to speak contrary to what it’s master or parent organization, the Fedral government, says. If it did, it could lose all it’s assets. So sadly the LDS / Brighamite church has decided to server mammon, also know as money, instead of God, see 3 Nephi (LDS 13:24) (RLDS 5:115). Please read Rock’s articles to get more of the details on this when you get the time, The Hidden Reason For The Policy Change On Baptisms and The Real Threat To Traditional Marriage, Part Three: Betrayal.

3 Nephi (LDS 13:24) (RLDS 5:115) NO MAN can serve TWO masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon [money].

It is much like when Alma the elder said to the priests that they “SHOULD TEACH NOTHING” except what he has taught or is in the scriptures.

Mosiah (LDS 18:19) (RLDS 9:52) And he commanded them that they SHOULD TEACH NOTHING save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.

Jesus in his visit to the Nephites after his resurrection said that those who were there were “CHILDREN OF THE PROPHETS”. Another way of saying being adopted into Abraham’s family.

3 Nephi (LDS 20:25) (RLDS 9:63) And behold, ye are the CHILDREN OF THE PROPHETS; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Next I want to look at items that come up from looking at Mosiah (LDS 27:13) (RLDS 11:165-166).

Mosiah (LDS 27:13) (RLDS 11:165-166) Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and NOTHING SHALL OVERTHROW IT, SAVE IT IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF MY PEOPLE.

For those who don’t know what this picture is all about, I’ll fill you in briefly. On the left is an LDS / Brighamite member that was committing adultery by raping sister missionaries under his care, yep you read that right. And instead of excommunicating him as set forth in God’s words in the D&C the LDS leadership promoted him. Don’t take my word for it, listen to his own words about what he did (backup), including going to a hot springs with general authorities where a woman took her top off, in this audio that was leaked to the public (backup). Honestly I feel some bad for him, yes I know he did horrific things that he needs to pay for, but I feel bad for him because the leaders he trusted, also known as the arm of flesh, did him a disfavor not only enabling him in his bad behavior but I am guessing told him things like “[God] will justify in committing a little sin” and “if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God” 2 Nephi (LDS 28:8) (RLDS 12:10-11), I did an article that gets into more of the details of this horrid idea 2 Nephi 28:8 vs LDS D&C 132:26. And probably even gave him the second anointing to help him feel more okay with the evil he had done and continued to do. Which is a great dis-service, his shepherd’s were not doing their duty, because of this, this man was deceived into thinking he did not need to take the step as outlined in the scriptures, because of that, this man who could have turned out happy if he had taken them has been cursed. Seriously, listen to his own words (backup), even he is confused about this situation because he listened to the arm of flesh instead of trusting God and His words He has given to us. The True God is not a god of confusion, but a God of peace. We all have weaknesses, the question is not if we have weaknesses, but the question we should be asking is what we are doing with our weaknesses. Ether (LDS 12:26-28) (RLDS 5:27-30) is a good reminder of this.

Ether (LDS 12:26-28) (RLDS 5:27-30)
26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.

On the right we have Sam Young. I mentioned him at the beginning of this piece. I would say he is a man striving to be like Jesus the Christ our Messiah. And has made it his personal charge to Protect LDS Children. Really what more do I need to say about him than just that. But in case you need me to, he has severed the out casts and have washed their feet helping them walk on their path back to their God. I can honestly say that Sam is one of the best examples in our day of Matthew 25:40. I’d be honored to meet this humble follower of Yeshua in person and give him a big hug for everything he has done to help my fellow LDS children.

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto [Sam Young], Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

With the way the LDS / Brighamite church is treating Sam Young and his desire to Protect LDS Children, it really makes me wonder if the top leaders have taken an eraser to our Savior’s words found in Matthew 18:6, because they sure don’t seem to really care about the children. They have only done enough for the illusion of caring but not enough to really take care of the problem, as Sam has pointed out himself.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

What does these two people have to do with Mosiah (LDS 27:13) (RLDS 11:165-166) you may ask? Let’s look at Helaman (LDS 13:26-28) (RLDS 5:35-39) and then think about it together.

Helaman (LDS 13:26-28) (RLDS 5:35-39)
26 Behold ye are WORSE than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a PROPHET come among you and DECLARETH unto you the WORD of the LORD, which TESTIFIETH of your SINS and INIQUITIES, ye are ANGRY with him, and CAST HIM OUT and SEEK all MANNER of ways to DESTROY him; yea, YOU WILL SAY that he is a FALSE PROPHET, and that HE is a SINNER, and of the devil, BECAUSE he TESTIFIETH that YOUR DEEDS are EVIL. 27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and THERE is NO INIQUITY; do that and ye SHALL NOT SUFFER; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and DO WHATSOEVER YOUR HEART DESIRETH—and if a man shall come among you and say this, YE WILL RECEIVE HIM, and SAY that HE is a PROPHET. 28 Yea, YE WILL LIFT HIM UP, and ye will GIVE unto him of your SUBSTANCE; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with COSTLY APPAREL; and because he speaketh FLATTERING words unto you, and he saith that ALL IS WELL, then ye will NOT FIND FAULT WITH HIM.

Has not Sam testified of the wrongs of what have occurred from asking CHILDREN sexually explicate questions? Yea, he has boldly, and what was the LDS / Brighamite church done in response, they want to cast him out, and have said Sam Young is of the Devil and will not get back in his place where he belongs and we need to remove him from our ranks. All while at the same time protecting the one on the left in the picture, Joseph Bishop. Who had his books sell in Deseret Book until recently as the LDS / Brighamite church trying to hide or be secret about what is going on. I have never read any of his books, but I can speculate it would of had things that mostly tickled peoples ears, especially considering he has not had the baptism of fire or if he once did he has lost it because of his sins and crimes against God and the people. A repentant man will confess of his sins, not hide behind the law or lawyers. Now also take a look at which man the LDS / Brighamite church is supporting and which one they are forsaking. To me this is a very dirty rotten fruit of theirs.

Before getting back to Mosiah (LDS 27:13) (RLDS 11:165-166) I want to look at one more section in Helaman (LDS 13) (RLDS 5:1-53).  As it is touched upon in Mosiah (LDS 27:13) (RLDS 11:165-166) but I want to bring it out more.

Helaman (LDS 13:20-22) (RLDS 5:30-32)
20 And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord. 22 Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities.

With the help of Mormon Leaks the world, or atleast the ones who pay attention, has learned that the LDS / Brighamite church has been hiding or trying to keep secret by using a hierachy of companies to make it very difficult to discover what this corporation for profit disguised as a church owns and makes. But lucky someone was paying attention and found a way to connect the dots and thus exposing what used to be secret, Investment Portfolios Connected to the Mormon Church. A significant amount of their portfolio is in pharmaceuticals and prisions. I really don’t understand why the LDS / Brighamite church focused on a stock portfolios when Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 “Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]” especially considing this part of the verse “for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise”. You need to decide which one they are loving or holding to, because if you believe Jesus it can’t be both. Pure religion is not building malls, real estate investments, or stock investments, James 1:27 tells us what it is and it is helping the fatherless and widows.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Before continuing I’d like to say little about fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 talks about fruits a lot, Jesus said “Beware of false prophets” Matthew 7:15 and “Ye shall know them by their fruits” Matthew 7:16. Jesus did not say you shall know them by their words. Take Helaman (LDS 13:20-22) (RLDS 5:3032) that we just looked at, false prophets say words that tickle people’s ears all the time. We shall know them by their fruits because words are easy to say with their lips without having their hearts heed them. Nor did Jesus say you will know their fruits after you believe they are who the say they are. Here is an article I wrote that talks about fruits, In honor of today and yesterday.

Now back to Mosiah (LDS 27:13) (RLDS 11:165-166), the part I want to focus on is “NOTHING SHALL OVERTHROW IT, SAVE IT IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF MY PEOPLE”. Satan is very aware of this law, and that he can’t bend or break it. But what he can do is trick us into thinking that sin is not that big of deal, or that we are the exception to the rule, or get us to think a particular sin is not a sin. If Satan can get us to sin, he gains power over us, and the ability to destroy us and the church. I wonder if the man on the left was allowed to continue to sin and to be raised in leadership, without doing a church court and having a judge or bishop weight the testimonies to the law, to get him to think it’s okay, your working on it. Because Satan knows how to destroy the church of God is by getting sin into it. On top of that, if the church rids itself of humble followers of Christ the rate of sinning will inclease because there are less people trying to help eachother keep the commandments of God.

One purpose of church courts is to keep SIN out of the church such that God can keep it protected. It should not be used to try to remove those who are trying to help us return us to God’s law when the leaders have forgotten about or are simply ignoring God’s law.

A friend of mine said something I found to be very profound about this situation, I’d say who he is but I don’t know if he wants to be singled out on this or not, here is what he wrote regarding 1 Samuel 2:

We were studying the Bible story of Hannah, Samuel, and Eli in primary, where I serve as a worker. Hannah and Samuel are both great role models.

Our good-hearted, TBM bishop told the primary children that Eli was the “Prophet.” Eli was more properly the High Priest of Shiloh and also a Judge of Israel. But the title “Prophet” is acceptable for Eli.

Eli faithfully served as a father figure to Samuel. He also had the wisdom and inspiration to realize that Samuel should be the next high priest, rather than one of Eli’s own sons.

Eli was a righteous man but had a tragic flaw. His sons Hophni and Phinehas behaved wickedly by taking for themselves all the prime cuts of meat from sacrifices, and by committing adultery with the women who served at the sanctuary entrance.

Eli became aware of their behavior but rebuked them too lightly and ultimately did not stop them.

Eli’s sons continued their sinful behavior. Samuel prophesiesd that Eli and his family would be punished for this, with all male descendants dying before reaching old age and being placed in positions subservient to prophets from other lineages. Eli’s sons are ultimately killed in battle against the Philistines. The Philistines also captured the Ark of the Covenant. Eli fell backwards out of his chair and died from a broken neck upon learning of this awful news.

There are several lessons from Eli’s tragic life. Among others, it is a calamitous example of a leader’s failure to stop sexual abuse committed by those who serve under him.

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

Although there is a statute of limitation in the state courts, there are no scriptures for a statute of limitations when a sin or a crime was committed in church courts, and since we are to use “[God’s] SCRIPTURES for a LAW” and this “LAW to GOVERN [God’s] church” D&C 42:59, I propose that McKenna Denson‘s rapist be put on trial in a church court using God’s laws to govern it and not man’s policies found in the Church Handbook of Instructions. This is assuming that McKenna is willing to be one of the multiple witnesses required, which considering she has continually tried to have this taken care of through the years, I have no doubt she is willing to come forward as a witness at a real church court according to God’s words. I personally know of no other witnesses but am confident that McKenna or someone else can find one other witness. I suggest if we want to root out this wickedness from the church we need to do this and sadly to so many others, as commanded in D&C 42:79-93, D&C 107:68-78 and many others we have looked at.

Sam Young is being falsely accused of telling member to leave the church. Sam has said in multiple places that not true and it is a lie, and although I have not listen to all the multitude of conference and meetings with survivors he has publish side, from the ones I have heard, this is very uncharacteristic of him. I could be wrong, and I am at times, but show forth the evidance that it can be evaluaded instead of just insinuating.

Deuteronomy 19:15-19
15 [only] ONE WITNESS shall NOT rise up AGAINST a MAN for ANY INIQUITY, or for ANY SIN, in ANY SIN that he sinneth: at the MOUTH of TWO WITNESSES, or at the MOUTH of THREE WITNESSES, shall the matter be ESTABLISHED. 16 If [when] a FALSE WITNESS [a witness that lies] rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong [did not happen]; 17 Then BOTH the men, between whom the controversy is [problem], shall STAND before the LORD, before the PRIESTS and the JUDGES, which shall be in those days [those appointed by the voice of the people]; 18 And the JUDGES shall make DILIGENT INQUISITION: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 THEN shall ye DO unto HIM, as he had THOUGHT [wanted] to have done unto his brother [the innocent party]: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you [cleanse the group].

Deuteronomy 19:15-19 has a couple things I want to point out. First of that if only one witness is avaliable the procedding shal not go forth unto the bishop or judge. When two or more witnesses have been found and have committed to share their testimony or witness against someone, it must be done before the court by their MOUTH or in otherwords in person not some written statement. Much like in the United States system of the right to FACE your accusers, much like a face to face event. I find that interesting espcially considering the law in United States is based upon the law of Moses as stated earlier. You might be thinking I’m taking that statement to literally. I would have to disagree, as I do agree there is much symbolism in it, I have to say it is to be read literal also. One thing we learn when studying about PaRDeS, see THE RULES OF PARDES; Pardes (Jewish exegesis); and Beholding the Tree of Life: A Rabbinic Approach to the Book of Mormon, is that the deeper levels of meaning, or symbolic, and understanding do not contradict or negate the more surface levels, or literal, of understanding. One way I would restate Deuteronomy 19:19 to help us better understand what is saying is thus:

If you are trying to have a punishment for breaking of the law happen to someone else by bearing false witness, also know as lying, be prepared to have that cursing be executed to you.

And we should not forget that God wrote with his own finger that we should “not bear false witness against thy neighbor” Mosiah (LDS 13:23) (RLDS 7:123). Ironically Abinadi was reminding the pretented priests and judges of their duties in the scriptures what he was quoting God in that verse.

If we want to cleanse the church, or how it is stated in Deuteronomy 19:19 “put the evil away from among you”, we need to do what is stated in Deuteronomy 19:15-19, who is “bear[ing] false witness against [his] neighbor” Mosiah (LDS 13:23) (RLDS 7:123), and do unto him what he has desired to be done unto the innocent, in this case Sam Young.

This is very much like what was going on with Nephi and Laban. The Spirit was telling Nephi to execute the punishments upon Laban for the laws that Laban had broken. Samuel Matthews did a very good pod cast that illuminates that fact and other things in The Book of Mormon and the Law of Moses Episode 1 Part 1.

One other thing I want to look at regarding Sam’s upcoming kangaro court oh I mean court of love [of power], is the fact that the stake president said he is going to read Sam’s own words against him. Lets look at an example of the adulterous women in John 8:1-11 and see how Jesus Christ handled it. There are many aspects to cover in these verses, I only want to focus on what is relevant with Sam and his kangaro court in verses John 8:10-11.

John 8:10-11
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and SAW NONE but the WOMAN, he said unto her, Woman, WHERE ARE THOSE THINE ACCUSERS? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: GO, AND SIN NO MORE.

From what we just learned from Deuteronomy 19:15-19, we can clearly see the reason Jesus did not judge her was because there was not two or more witnesses to testifying against her. Jesus knew what the women had done, but the law prevents judges from executing judgement solely because they “know” something, as this exact thing has been abused so many times by those in power, and as Jesus is our example he only did what he wants us to do also.

Now I want to look at Mosiah (LDS 27:14) (RLDS 11:167-169) some.

Mosiah (LDS 27:14) (RLDS 11:167-169) And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I COME TO CONVINCE THEE of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

Notice it states to CONVIENCE not force, shame or embarrass into submission. There is a very well known D&C verse that goes with this, but sadly now a days not a very much but into practice verse.

D&C 121:37 … when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

Another one worth looking at is Mosiah (LDS 27:16) (RLDS 11:174-175).

Mosiah (LDS 27:16) (RLDS 11:174-175) Now I say unto thee: Go, and REMEMBER the CAPTIVITY of thy FATHERS in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and REMEMBER how GREAT THINGS HE [GOD] HAS DONE FOR THEM; for they were in bondage, and he has DELIVERED them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.

This is a common theme in the scriptures to remember history along with the cursings when we are not following God’s ways and the blessings when we do.

Mosiah (LDS 29:18) (RLDS 13:23-24) Yea, REMEMBER king Noah, his WICKEDNESS and his ABOMINATIONS, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what GREAT DESTRUCTION did come upon them; and also BECAUSE of their INIQUITIES they were BROUHT into BONDAGE.

Alma (LDS 18:37-38) (RLDS 12:116-118)
37 And he also REHEARSED unto them (for it was unto the king and to his servants) ALL the JOURNEYINGS of their FATHERS in the wilderness, and all their SUFFERINGS with HUNGER and THIRST, and their TRAVAIL, and so forth. 38 And he also REHEARSED unto them concerning the REBELLIONS of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their REBELLIONS did he relate unto them; and he EXPOUNDED unto them ALL the RECORDS and SCRIPTURES from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time.

Deuteronomy 32:7 REMEMBER the days of old [past], CONSIDER the years of many generations [the past]: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee [the past].

This is such an important principle it is part of the famous Moroni (LDS 10:3-5) (RLDS 10:3-5) passage that is spouted out all the time by LDS / Brighamite missionaries.

Moroni (LDS 10:3) (RLDS 10:3) .. that ye would REMEMBER HOW MERCIFUL the LORD hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

Here are some articles that get into the deails of these verses down to some the pronouns. I found this one while I was servering my mission for the LDS church and it was very enlightening to me then and still is, Moroni’s Promise. This is another good article on these verses, The real meaning of the promise in Moroni 10: 3-5.

I’ve never been big into church history, or any history really to be honest. While growing in the LDS church I wanted to learn doctrine and how to apply to myself and situations.  In my adult years I wanted to take a class from LDS Institute on Isaiah because Christ tells us in the Book of Mormon great are the words of Isaiah, but I was never able to find one. I did pick up enough church history growing up along with a few other things I’ve learned since I have removed my name that I was able to put together my King Brigham post with the help of God. I only bring this up because right now I wish I knew more church history such that I could show you an example of this from church history, but I can’t. As of now the best I have is a quote from one of Alan Rock Waterman’s posts.

“A Bishop’s Court?” I was stunned. “Did he commit adultery?”

“Well, that’s the problem these days,” Mom said. “You hear about a Bishop’s Court getting held every time some young man gets caught playing patty-cake with his girlfriend, but in the old days Bishop’s Courts were used to settle disputes when one member of the church had been wronged by another.”

Alan Rock Waterman, “A Piss-Poor Excuse For A Mormon”

What Rock’s mother is saying what used to happen is eerie similar to what is being stated in Alma (LDS 11:2) (RLDS 8:49-51) and D&C 42:89.

Alma (LDS 11:2) (RLDS 8:49-51) Now if a man owed another, and he would not pay that which he did owe, he was complained of to the judge; and the judge executed authority, and sent forth officers that the man should be brought before him; and he judged the man according to the law and the evidences which were brought against him, and thus the man was compelled to pay that which he owed, or be stripped, or be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber.

D&C 42:89 And if he or she confess not thou shalt deliver him or her up unto the church, not to the members, but to the elders. And it shall be done in a meeting, and that not before the world.

It’s very sad to me to see this and so many other changes in the LDS / Brighamite church as this is the grow I grew up and learned of Jesus Christ our the Messiah and the Book of Mormon which I believe is what it and Joseph Smith say it is, the word of God along with the history of people of Heartland United States.

Alma (LDS 7:20) (RLDS 5:34-35) … NEITHER DOTH HE VARY FROM THAT WHICH HE HATH SAID …

Those who pervert or change the ways of the Lord are part of the great and abominable church.

1 Nephi 22:14 And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, WHO HATH PERVERTED THE RIGHT WAYS OF THE LORD, YEA, THAT GREAT AND ABOMINABLE CHURCH, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.

I stated above that I would talk some about rebaptism. Here are my three favorite verses on the subject from the Book of Mormon along with some commentary.

Alma is commanding all members of the church to be rebaptized, and inviting non-members to be baptized in (LDS 5:62) (RLDS 3:108):

Alma (LDS 5:62) (RLDS 3:108) I speak by way of COMMAND unto you that BELONG to the CHURCH; and unto THOSE WHO DO NOT BELONG to the CHURCH I speak by way of INVITATION, saying: COME AND BE BAPTIZED unto REPENTANCE, THAT ye also may be PARKAKERS of the FRUIT of the TREE OF LIFE.

Moroni (LDS 6:1) (RLDS 6:1-2) is showing that those who hold callings were baptized. To be an elder, priest or teacher you would have already had to been baptized. This is not saying they were baptized to have these offices, but they were already holding this office and then were baptized.

Moroni (LDS 6:1) (RLDS 6:1-2) And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers WERE BAPTIZED; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.

In Moroni (LDS 8:10) (RLDS 8:11) parents who wanted their children to be baptized too young, were told to be baptized themselves. In general only parents who are baptized themselves already would want their own children baptized.

Moroni (LDS 8:10) (RLDS 8:11) Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are ACCOUNTABLE and capable of committing sin; yea, teach PARENTS that they MUST REPENT and be BAPTIZED, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

Now that we have become aware of what the scriptures, including those that the Lord God had Joseph Smith give to us, the question now becomes are we going trust in God and His Holy Word or put our trust in the arm of flesh who have given us flawed policies that have caused much harm in so many people including believers. After all God Himself said that we are govern the church and ourselves by the scriptures NOT the church handbook of instructions volume 1 or any volume for that matter.

D&C 42:59 Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my SCRIPTURES for a LAW, to be my LAW to GOVERN my church;

I hope I have made it clear in everyone’s mind that Joseph Smith did indeed restore truths that had been lost and forgotten. If are not using what Joseph Smith restored but following policies and wisdom of man that contradicts what Joseph Smith restored, seriously, can we really honestly say we are part of the restoration, which so many of us believe in, if we are not heeding what was restored through Joseph Smith especially The Book of Mormon?

D&C 84:57 And they shall remain under this CONDEMNATION until they REPENT and REMEMBER the new [renewed] covenant, even the BOOK OF MORMON and the FORMER COMMANDMENTS [Torah] which I [God] have given them, not only to say, BUT TO DO ACCORDING to that which I [God] HAVE WRITTEN [God wrote the ten commandments with His Finger].

I pray that when we hear the warning cry of the shofar we will repent and change our ways to be God’s ways to received God’s promised blessings instead of the forewarned cursings.

In closing I’d like to reiterate Alma’s powerful command and invitation to all those who have ears to hear.

Alma (LDS 5:62) (RLDS 3:108) I speak by way of COMMAND unto you that BELONG to the CHURCH; and unto THOSE WHO DO NOT BELONG to the CHURCH I speak by way of INVITATION, saying: COME AND BE BAPTIZED unto REPENTANCE, THAT ye also may be PARKAKERS of the fruit of the TREE OF LIFE.