Where are the Three Nephites?
Posted by skiutah on Wednesday, March 26, 2008
What happened to the three Nephites? Do the LDS church leaders still talk about them? Or in an attempt to become a more mainstream religion, have the three Nephites slowly disappeared from Mormon folklore?
The prophet Spencer W. Kimball talked about the three Nephites in a 1960 October Conference Report: “The Indians have legends which might be reminiscent of the three Nephites… They are beginning to recognize the similarity between their distorted tradition stories and the truth…”
Too bad the three Nephites are not related to the Indians though (at least not through DNA).
Why don’t we hear more about these legendary 2000+ year old guys, bringing Jesus to all nations, tongues, and people?
Latest update: Have Provo, Utah police unknowningly arrested one of the three Nephites? Here’s the news article: One of 3 Nephites Arrested by Provo Police
He’s old, he’s not in any US government databases, well spoken, educated, and polite. This really could be one of the three Nephites.
Actual Photo of Three Nephites
The Three Nephites Protect Mitt Romney
Book of Mormonisms 
coventryrm said
My son who is on a mission in Russia made a remark in an email about being protected by one of the three Nephites, I believe he was saying it more tongue in cheek but I can’t be sure. I remember as a missionary making similiar jokes that were more 1/2 joke there was always a part of you that kind of wondered hmmm maybe it was.
Joe Golez said
Why MORMONS don’t have Black people in the CHURCH. ?
Anna Jensen said
My brother in law is from Gabon Africa. He has four beautiful girls. He holds the priesthood and serves in the church. I can name you 15+ other African Americans who are part of the church. It’s doesnt matter the color of skin, or wether or tall or short or fat or skinny. If you believe in Christ, if you trust the lord. You are part of his church.
ditchu said
“Why don’t we hear more about these legendary 2000+ year old guys, bringing Jesus to all nations, tongues, and people?”
The answer is that they were being hindered in their work when people would approach for an autograph. So they have asked to be left to their work and not be mentioned about so as to avoid all the hype that goes with such star status.
Actually, I think it is better we don’t spread rumor of the 3 nephits because people have a hard enough time with all the other things they think make LDS strange: temple rites, garments, scripture, the priesthood, baptism by emersion, leaders who actually work for a living, the list goes on. When people don’t understand or accept these things how do you think they will deal with 3 guys walking the earth for several millennia.
coventryrm said
I think we should talk about and be completely truthful about ALL the Mormon folklore and doctrine.
“When people don’t understand or accept these things how do you think they will deal with 3 guys walking the earth for several millennia.”
I would hope they would deal with it in a rational way and realize how ridiculous these beliefs actually are and those that are questioning or non questioning Members may use some of that that same rational thinking to find truth and start their recovery from Mormonism.
Phil said
I’m sure that Christ suffering for all our sins, or rising again is ridiculous to you as well. Or maybe you think that Moses parting the red sea didn’t happen or the story of Noah is nonsense. If someone can believe in Christ, then they can come to believe in other miracles.
Take a read in the bible before you judge mormonism, is the bible a book filled with rational literature and doctrine.
However if you’re not a Christian then your comments make more sense.
coventryrm said
No I don’t believe those things ….. I am also very familiar with the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon…… P G P and D & C …
So what you are saying in defense of the 3 Nephite myth is that since accepted mainstream Christian myths are just as unbelievable you might as well believe the 3 Nephite one as well?
Moshe Mayim said
I have read the scriptures heavily and in many translations over the last 35 years. Last year while recovering from an injury, I and a friend were invited to view a short film at a Mormon Church. Afterwards I told them my observations and they gave to me some of their books and asked me to read them and then they would discuss it at length with me. I read a fresh copy of the Mormon scriptures (Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants) front to back.
I would compare my experience like that of a bank teller who handles 1000’s of dollars every day in the form of cash. When a counterfiet note passes through their finger tips, they recognize it immediately as a fake-counterfeit bill. That was my experience and I did not have to read very long before I could see the hand of man at work, not the finger of GOD. I used a colored pen to highlite every verse that was suspicious and I also made notes in the margins of the pages.
If you read the books straight through, you can see patterns and many places with plagarisims from the real bible.
The Mormon missionaries who gave me the books said that they would be happy to visit with me after I had read them. I kept my end of the deal but when it came time to talk, they dismissed me after only 5 minutes because I would not agree to seek a sign which is paganism at it’s best, (the warming within my bosom) which is nothing more than a pagan pursuit. I told them that I would not do something so unscriptual or rely on a sign and at the same time ignore the many major flaws that I had discovered or to set aside the basic reasoning powers which we have been given to determine truth from error.
It took me 20 days to read through the books and then they would not give me more than 5 minutes of their time. They told me that they were happy for me if I had found a faith that works for me and also were happy to leave me in that condition.
If you really have another true and everlasting gospel, you would not be content to tell a person that they should remain in error, you would continue to try and share with them until you were exhausted so that you might save their soul in the end.
It is just a new tactic that they are using when confronted with arguments. They are looking for simple and un-bibled people to bring into their fold. There is a verse in Doctrine and Covenants in which they are told “Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.” (D and C, 71:7)
I was there with my bible in hand, calm and polite, but they ended the conversation. My faith and reasoning powers will not be set aside for a warm feeling inside of my bosom. Matt 16:4 Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
When the false prophet Joseph Smith walked the land, his followers were largely ignorant and biblically illiterate people but after 180 years, the internet, volumes of evidence, the increase of biblical knowledge and archeology, and volumes of old city and county records, the book of mormon and the entire faith is laid open bare naked and anyone who continues in this religion and new gospel following another jesus will certainly come to spiritual ruin.
Put all mormon books away for a year or two and just read the Holy Bible everyday during that time, and then go back and read the mormon books. You should be able to easily see that they are a counterfeit scripture and the work of a man who has taken upon himself to add and take a way from the true Word of YHWH the only living God.
ditchu said
You call it ridiculous but that is your personal judgment. I have faith and believe that there is more than the physical reality you seen to be suggesting is all there is.
Why cannot miracles happen. Why do we need rational explanations for all things? Should we give up hope and faith in the things we cannot explain? Where is the drive that led to much understanding if we disbelieve these things because we cannot explain them in your rational manner?
coventryrm said
Ditchu
I am not saying all can be explained, there is much that can’t that we are yet to learn that does not mean however that there are certain ideas and beliefs that are demonstrably false, IE the book of Mormon being an actual record and not a work of fiction, Origin of man in Missouri, Earth being less than 10k, etc, actually you are the one that has to explain and think you have the answers to the unknown so called super natural I am perfectly content in knowing that we don’t know and maybe some day we will and maybe some say we won’t. However that being the case what we do know certainly shows that the God myth you prescribe to can be ruled out just the same as the world being flat and sun revolves around it.
I do have a question for you regarding miracles, why has God never healed an Amputee?
ditchu said
Why does God need to heal an amputee? Is there something in the scriptures that an amputee is not righteous? In fact did not Jesus Christ state that if your eye offends you pluck it out, if you hand offends you cut it off? For it is better to enter the kingdom of heaven without limb than to keep it and have sin upon you.
Am I saying that amputees have brought that upon them selves? No! Are they worth any less than you or I? No. I figure that if God has need heal he will.
Also Jesus did heal an amputated ear when he was being arrested, does that count?
ditchu said
“actually you are the one that has to explain and think you have the answers to the unknown so called super natural I am perfectly content in knowing that we don’t know and maybe some day we will ”
Let me explaine somethings:
1. Faith is not knowing, knowing as fact does not need faith. and religions are based on faith not knowledge.
2. much “knowledge” is not truth. Many times science has made claims of fact that are disproven later. You point out a few: World flat then round, ect.
3.I do not claim to know the unknowen. My personal experience in life points out that science does not explains many things I have witnessed, and I think we too soon make our assumptions based on the items demonstrated by “science” to be plausable. case of the age of the earth: too much assumption is taken as fact that at this point cannot be proven by our observations.
I think we do not have the answers for everything or everyone but for me I am satisified to keep learning and continue to gain understanding. My insight is a key tool in finding truth.
coventryrm said
ditchu
The Amputee question, every miracle claimed in regards to healing is always something that could have healed on its own or at least through medical treatment and most likely is consistent with the statistical mortality rate of the ailment. If God truly was healing people why does he only heal things that have a potential chance for healing he has yet to restore an amputated limb? It just seems unfair that God will heal all sorts of things but if you happen to be an amputee it seems you are out of luck like you said “Are they worth any less than you or I? No” But if you or I lost a limb tomorrow there would not be a single member of the Priesthood willing to lay his hands on my head and command my arm to grow back. Why? Because deep down he knows as well as you and I it wouldn’t work.
Your insight keeps you from finding truth because you reject anything that runs contrary to what you want to and already believe. Your logic is very flawed in rejecting what we know now because at one time we thought something different because we did not have the ability or technology to discover and verify certain facts and or data. Was it knowledge and science that taught the world was flat or was it myth and superstition and science and technology showed that superstition to be false, the Sun revolving around the earth was more a myth or belief of Greek philosophers and not of science, you may have heard of a guy named Galileo he made improvements to this thing called a telescope (Technology) and was able to see that the geocentric view was incorrect but was put under house arrest and kept quiet by the Catholic church.
Your logic says since we were once ignorant and wrong about some stuff that regardless of our technological advancements and ability to verify data that we still could be just as wrong just because we were wrong before, regardless of having information and technology that wasn’t available before. There are things that we know and a good many of those things have replaced the myths and superstitions of our ancient ancestors we have evolved a great deal as a species unfortunately we continue to be held back in the name of religious faith and superstition in the 1600’s it was silencing Galileo, today to pick one, stem cell research.
Bishop Rick said
“These three Nephites continue in their translated state today, just as when they went throughout the lands of Nephi. At one point Mormon was about to reveal their names to his latter-day readers, but he was forbidden by the Lord from doing so. Nevertheless, these three ministered to Mormon and Moroni, and they are yet ministering to Jew, Gentile, and the scattered tribes of Israel, even all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon, p.307)
Bishop Rick said
Doesn’t quite seem the Nephite myth is dying down.
SkiUtah said
I wonder if Mormon was about to reveal that the three Nephites’ real names are: Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Yeti…
Here is one of my favorite 3 Nephite stories:
Two women missionaries knock on a door. The man answering seems nervous and eager for them to leave. Later, the missionaries see a photograph of this man in the newspaper. Turns out, he has been arrested in the murders of several young women, all about the same age as these missionaries. The two sister missionaries go to police, who allow them to talk to the suspect. They ask him why he didn’t harm them. He replies that he wasn’t about to do anything to them with those three huge guys standing behind them. The implication is that the female missionaries were saved by the “three Nephites” (ancient disciples who, according to Mormon folklore, still roam the Earth).
deaconj123 said
Here’s a note from the official LDS Gospel Lessons, # 42, giving guidance not to tell 3N stories:
“Stories often circulate about the three Nephites … Members of the Church should be careful about accepting or retelling these stories…”
Reference:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=65a1cb7a29c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
coventryrm said
It goes on to say “You should not discuss them in class.” So they say be careful but then tell you not to discuss it AT ALL in class. Interesting, there is an actual teaching and scriptural passage BUT yet we are not suppose to talk about any application of it? How is that any different than someone telling or baring their testimony about feeling the presence of God, Christ or the Holy Ghost? Is it because even the leaders of the church know that this is some weird crazy shit!
skiutah said
Average Mormons may not be capable of understanding how bizarre these folktales are, but the LDS church leaders do comprehend the outlandishness of the three Nephite yarn, and have instructed members not to “accept or retell” any legends. The three Nephite myth will quietly fade away with time, and necessarily so if the LDS church is to be accepted as more mainstream.
Interestingly, Catholics tell stories about their saints that follow a similar pattern to the tales told about the Three Nephites and John the Revelator told by folklorish Mormons. The typical pattern of the Three Nephite tales in Mormon folklore is that a mysterious stranger shows up, offers help, and then mysteriously disappears. At times the recipient of such help may be offered a test to prove his worthiness, and a major feature is that the Nephite is never seen again by that person. These stories often are similar to miracle stories told by Catholics, and stories of the prophet Elijah that were common in Palestine in the first century A.D.
Mormons may not realize it but the Three Nephite stories follow an older pattern established by other religions, but the Three Nephites are figures that appear only in Mormon folklore, this is because Mormons are the only religion to believe in them. Similar Mormon folklore stories can be found regarding John the Revelator, who also wanders the Earth waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
coventryrm said
Excerpt from my son’s letter, this is one that he mass sent to TBM’s normally I don’t think he would send such a story to me.
“Is Russia dangerous?:
There is a man who I have ‘met’ a few times here in Курган. I don’t know his name and I don’t know if I have ever really understood anything he has ‘said’ to me. He talks very loudly and often doesn’t pronunciate, which makes it difficult for foriegners like myself.
We, in the past, have just walked away. It is fairly obvious now that he isn’t going to cause us any serious harm. If he was going to attack us he would have done it already. Usually he just follows us, screaming and throwing his finger in our faces until one of the three nephite save us (a unknown helmeted man on a scooter). “
ditchu said
coventryrm- in reply to your responce to me…
you cut off an ear and grow it back. I’d think I was making an obovious point contrary to your reply.
coventryrm said
That is a Biblical myth doesn’t count, we have jonah in whale and a global flood as well all just stories give me a real documented verifiable example.
ditchu said
Your lack of faith will always stop you from seeing the mericles you are asking for. You think only what you can sense for yourself is truth. You keep asking for signs and they always alude you because you could not beleive them if you noticed it happening.
Myth does indeed count because it is not faulsehood it is a truth passed down through sacred narritive.
countryroads said
Where did you never learn to spell words correctly?
coventryrm said
“Myth does indeed count because it is not faulsehood it is a truth passed down through sacred narritive.”
A: Myth is derived from the Greek word mythos, which means “word of mouth.”
B: In saying that a myth is a sacred narrative, what is meant is that a myth is believed to be true by people who attach religious or spiritual significance to it. Use of the term by scholars does not imply that the narrative is either true or false.
C: In popular use, a myth is something that is widely thought to be false. This usage, which is often pejorative, arose from labeling the religious myths and beliefs of other cultures as being incorrect, but it has spread to cover non-religious beliefs as well. Because of this usage, many people take offense when the religious narratives they believe to be true are called myths. This usage is frequently confused with legend, fiction, fairy tale, folklore, fable, and urban legend, each of which has a distinct meaning in academia.
When I use the word myth when talking to a person of religious faith such as you I am using it in the context of B. and not being offensive but just calling it what it actually is. It seems you are a bit confused that a sacred narrative being believed to be true is the same as it actually being true.
Just for the sake of discussion however lets use your concept that a myth passed down through sacred narrative = truth.
Now using that logic I have a problem, which narrative is true? Do I have to believe all of them? That won’t work as many contradict each other this creates quite the dilemma. I happen to believe in the invisible pink unicorn it is a great Myth are you familiar with it? If not you just need to exercise a little more faith, I can’t prove it to you but I believe it to be true and you can’t prove it doesn’t exist I have faith it is there and can grant me many favors if I faithfully ask.
As far as the earth and such, since science can’t really be trusted I have faith in the belief shared by many native cultures throughout the world.
The earth is sustained in the cosmos on the back of a turtle. I like this a lot because the Turtle is quite amazing and there are many myths surrounding it.
“The turtle is Mother Earth…and represents Earth’s many blessings to us.”
“Turtle is a circle; its shell is fragmented, but it is bound together.”
“Turtle cannot see all of its shell, but turtle knows it is whole and allthere. This is the element that demonstrates faith.”
“Turtle is beauty.”
“Turtle teaches cleanliness, strength, and protection of all living things.”
“The fortitude of turtle teaches bravery, silence, and obedience to natural law.””Turtle is a truth symbol, so speak what is true when you have dreamed of aturtle. You cannot speak truth unless you are fair and reverent to all living things. To be like turtle, is to be of character.”
“Keep the turtle in your heart…then you will be kind, unselfish, and happy.”
“Turtle is not concerned with speed, but with accuracy. Completion is more important to a journey than haste, especially on the road of life.”
“Turtle is the whole embodiment of wisdom. The shell rises up towards the Great Spirit, but the shell is also downward in the direction of mother earth…seek balance between these two…seek balance in all things, just as earth and sky are balanced.”
“Turtle seems ageless, truth is eternal and wisdom long lasting. She has helped others to become themselves. She taught them to swim, and gave her back so they could rest on it when tired. Just when you feel you have learned all you can from her, turtle will teach you again. After all she is ageless.”
“Turtle seems never possessed of things but carries her home within her own life. Carry your home in your heart, not in your things.”
“Turtle is an example of right living and right action…To Follow turtle is to move towards what your people call God in your life. …Turtle keeps moving, and may even die while crossing an obstacle before giving up. Dedication and patience are its companions.”
“While turtle is often seen alone…It is content between earth and sky with its ever present home. Perhaps we too should see our environment as our “ever present” home between earth and sky.”
SkiUtah said
Here’s another commonly repeated Three Nephites story:
Aylda Abbott Squires recounts an 1874 experience when she was all alone on the homestead and a lone man came by and asked for some food. Mrs. Squires was frightened but provided the lone man a meal. The man blessed her and promised her that a pain she was feeling in her liver would go away and that she would never want for basic necessities in life. As he turned a corner leaving she followed to see where he had gone but the man had disappeared. She returned to her table and discovered the lunch she had seen him eat and drink was untouched. Later, her mother reminded her that her Patriarchal blessing had mentioned she would see one of the Three Nephites.
ditchu said
Yack,yack yack…
My Mythos does matter. It is a guiding principal in my life and if you thing saying it does not matter, Maybe your statments do not matter.
You claimn it does not apply to your question because you cannot argue against it.
Your lack of acceptance is due to your inability to trust and have faith without being given evidence. You cannot trust things of faith until they have been tested, and those tests tend to be dificult. If you cannot have faith until you see it for yourself then you may never see it.
ditchu said
I have my reasons for my faith. You seem to think it makes me less to put faith in something beyond my senses. And you call that assumption reason? It is foolish to assume a superior attitude when you have no knowledge of the things I have, learned, seen, reasoned, and experienced. You think I arrive at my opinion with out reason but I have considered much in my life and walked many paths. I looked for truth with my eyes shut like you, and I have opened them to possibilities you are unwilling to fathom. If you are honestly seeking truth, then I hope you find it. However, if you have landed at your determined position due to your current paradigms then you should reevaluate what you are basing your assumptions upon. If it is solid evidence, I expect you will have no need to alter your opinions.
coventryrm said
Ditchu
I am done with this conversation.
Your arguments basically come down to “I want it to be so, so it is so” You make to many assumptions about me, my comments have been directed at your lines of reason and argument and point out why they are flawed and have given you examples of how when applied what kind of answers are possible. Have faith in whatever you want, but don’t fool yourself for one minute that your faith gives you something bigger and grander than what I have found to be true, for me leaving Mormonism was like taking off blinders. It is truly a remarkable world, in which we live, I am just glad I now have the ability to see it much more clearly.
Elder Joseph said
Ditchu
You said
“I have my reasons for my faith. ”
I am against your faith .I want you to know that because your faith tells you to spread it to others and the net result is the Mormon Church breaks up alot of families and potentially destroys them inside the Mormon system .
It teaches people that if they don’t pay up 10% to the cult then they won’t be with their families after death . It teaches members to harken to the Prophets words and then a few years later tells us not to harken to the past prophets words because it was all his own daft opinion afterall .
The faith you have is in Joseph Smith and that means you would have given your wife to him and even a 14 year old daughter ……… That alone is enough to make any decent person go for the exit.
ditchu said
joe, you are mistaken on my faith. Several points you have made are unfounded in the church which you are attacking, yet my faith is not a religion… I have a personal connection to God and my faith is built arround that relationship. My religion is of the LDS Church and I hope you heal from any insult that someone has delt you in the past. I also hope you can look again at the church from a less jaded viewpoint. There may hav been some things that happened to you that led to your protrail of the “Mormons” but I think it is not a Church wide thing.
I do not spread my faith to others, I may share my views but how can someone use another’s faith?
The church doesn not say anything of the sort about tithing, as you suggest. I never heard anyone in the church suggesting we not lesten to the words of a profit. Also, About Joseph Smith… He is dead, so how could I give over my family to him? also let me be clear My faith is not in Joseph Smith, or any profit for that matter, I have faith in Jesus Christ the redeemer of the world. …
SkiUtah said
There are lots of sermons by church leaders on paying tithing or you won’t be with your family in the next life:
Here’s one by Elder Earl C. Tingey, Ensign, May 2002, p.10
“The most glorious of all blessings we receive in this life and in the eternities are blessings that come from knowing that our families are sealed together for all eternity. Today some may find that they are denying themselves these privileges by their failure to pay tithing.”
Here’s a sermon by Elder Robert D. Hales, Ensign, November 2002, p.26,
“Tithing is one of the commandments that qualifies us, by our faith, to enter the temple—the house of the Lord…Keeping the commandments, which includes paying our tithing, will qualify us to enter those temples, be sealed to our families, and receive eternal blessings.”
ditchu said
thru that tithing is one item that allows one to be worthy to enter the temple, but I doubt that if one neglects to pay tiths they would be restricted from their families for the eturnities.
SkiUtah said
LDS church president George Q. Cannon taught that you can have multiple wives if you pay your tithing, JDs v26, p 131:
“when you are asked to pay tithing … we have wives and children given unto us, and husbands, wives and children are sealed together by the eternal power…”
ditchu said
Utah,
Nice… Are we now quoting out of context?
I would differ with you on your opinion of what LDS Leaders are saying, or on what they mean, but I don’t follow your line of thinking.
Maybe we could come to a concenses if we know what was really said instead of only parts of secentences.
ditchu said
So what is JDs?
coventryrm said
Journal of Discourses. = JDs
SkiUtah said
Nope, not quoting out of context, just providing you with direct quotes from your LDS leaders. Look the quotes up for yourself if you don’t believe them, that’s why I provide references…
ditchu said
The reference is lacking…
It took someone to tell me what JDs stands for.
I am also wondering, who is the publisher and what year was it published?
I know we are not writing thesis or anything that need a bibilography to find the reference I do need more information.
coventryrm said
Ditchu
The reference is not lacking at all, it should be rightfully assumed that if someone is going to challenge and debate LDS theology they should have some knowledge or be at least familiar with Basic LDS publications. The Journal of Discourses was published by the Church; the reference gives you the Volume and page number where you can find the quote.
http://www.journalofdiscourses.org/
The above link will allow you to look up any quote, also for the record I mainly use as my resource a program called LDS library 2006 purchased through Deseret books.
I also found another site that looks easier to navigate through.
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses
Or the BYU site
http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/JournalOfDiscourses3&CISOPTR=9599&REC=1
FYI
Journal of Discourses by Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
Volume 1, LETTER FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, June 1, 1853.
Elder Samuel W. Richards, and the Saints abroad.
Dear Brethren—It is well known to many of you, that Elder George D. Watt, by our counsel, spent much time in the midst of poverty and hardships to acquire the art of reporting in Phonography, which he has faithfully and fully accomplished; and he has been reporting the public Sermons, Discourses, Lectures, &c., delivered by the Presidency, the Twelve, and others in this city, for nearly two years, almost without fee or reward. Elder Watt now proposes to publish a Journal of these Reports, in England, for the benefit of the Saints at large, and to obtain means to enable him to sustain his highly useful position of Reporter. You will perceive at once that this will be a work of mutual benefit, and we cheerfully and warmly request your co-operation in the purchase and sale of the above-named Journal, and wish all the profits arising therefrom to be under the control of Elder Watt.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, HEBER C. KIMBALL WILLARD RICHARDS, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Journal of Discourses by G. D. Watt
Volume 1, INTRODUCTION
To the Saints abroad.
This Journal of Discourses appears in a semi-monthly sheet of sixteen pages, upon good paper, and in a plain round type that aged persons can lead with ease, and forms a Volume of nearly four hundred pages.
vii It affords me great pleasure in being able to put in your possession the words of the Apostles and Prophets, as they were Spoken in the assemblies of the Saints in Zion, the value of which cannot be estimated by man, not so much for any great display of worldly learning and eloquence, as for the purity of doctrine, simplicity of style, and extensive amount of theological truth which they develop.
Realizing the moral and intellectual benefit the Saints at home derive from them, I have earnestly desired the time when you also would be enriched by the same incalculable treasure. To those who are unacquainted with the Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are mantled in the darkness of ages, whose minds are sunk in the almost impenetrable shades of error, uncertainty, and doubt, but who sincerely desire to know the truth, these Sermons will prove a source of light, information, and joy. And, according to the vocation which belongs to the Eternal Priesthood, all authorized ministers of God will hail their publication with gladness, for such an embodiment of doctrine will greatly accelerate the grand object they have in view—the salvation of souls the instruction of Saints, and the building up of Zion in the last days.
Particularly to the Elders who are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, far from those who alone can instruct them in the more exalted branches of the Everlasting Gospel, these Sermons will be most valuable, as a guage of doctrine, a rule of rectitude, and a square to life, furnishing at the same time an extensive repository of historical information. May the Lord prosper every department of His work, and evenly laudable effort of His servants to instruct the ignorant, build up and establish the faithful, and gather the honest in heart from among all nations home to Zion.
In the bonds of the New and Everlasting Covenant, I remain your brother and fellow-labourer,
G. D. WATT.
I hope this helps you out I am sure you will find much of interest as you read the JDs
blazeheliski said
The Three Nephites? What is the problem? Everyone knows the story of the “immortals.” Just go watch the movie – “Highlander” – and you will learn everything you need to know.
“There can be only one!”
🙂
coventryrm said
Blaze I just have to say you have a great name
ditchu said
There can be only 3!
jim3my said
actually john the boloved still walks and cain so that is 5
blazeheliski said
I figure at the time of the 2nd coming, they will battle it out with swords and only one will be left with his head. 🙂
coventryrm said
Blaze
I hope it is okay I call you Blaze for short
I have been doing a bit of research and clearly the 3 Nephites would win a sword battle against Highlander. The main problem Highlander has is that he can be killed, by another Immortal by decapitation, any of the 3 Nephites qualify as an immortal. Besides everyone knows that ancient Americans (Nephites/Lamanites) had swords made of the most precious steel so they could easily cut off Highlanders head but the main problem for Highlander is that the Nephites are promised they will “NEVER TASTE DEATH” so basically Highlander is SOL!
blazeheliski said
LOL – true. I wonder how they would do against an energy sword from Halo 3? 🙂
coventryrm said
I think since they will never taste death, the best you could do would be to subdue or capture them, I don’t see where they have any special powers to walk through walls or such, is there a place in some under or outer world they could be sent to and held through all eternity?
jim3my said
they are blessed by god so that if any one curseth them they themselves will become cursed and those who blesseth them will become blessed
blazeheliski said
I suppose you could imprison them in one of the crystal thingys that floats around in space like they did to the 3 criminals in the first two “Superman” movies from the 80s? 🙂
blazeheliski said
BTW coventryrm – is your avatar a unicorn? Shouldn’t it be pink? 🙂
coventryrm said
Yeah but it is invisible
blazeheliski said
I don’t mean to ditract from the subject of the thread, but I am bringing up these “silly” senarios to make a point. Are any of the senarios I have brought up any more “silly” than the story of the 3 Nephites? As ditchu said above – it is probably best not to talk about it to non-Mormons or they might think Mormons are truely wacko.
Actually, many religions have many little “side stories” that are usually only discussed between members because they are almost kind of embarrassing. Personally, I think the best “silly” stories are in Scientology – “Xenu” anyone? 🙂
coventryrm said
I couldn’t agree with you more. I am just more familiar with the Mormon ones. That was one of the main things that really struck me while I was a TBM (True Believing Mormon) is how quick most those in the Church including myself would dismiss or make fun of others silly stories. One day a light just went on.
I do like the crystal idea though.
ditchu said
Please don’t mis-quoat me.
coventryrm said
Ditchu it is called paraphrasing – Encarta Dictionary “to restate something using other words, especially in order to make it simpler or shorter”
blazeheliski said
As you can see in my post above – I did not but any ” ” around what I was paraphrasing. If I was quoting you I would have done this………
“Actually, I think it is better we don’t spread rumor of the 3 nephits because people have a hard enough time with all the other things they think make LDS strange: temple rites, garments, scripture, the priesthood, baptism by emersion, leaders who actually work for a living, the list goes on. When people don’t understand or accept these things how do you think they will deal with 3 guys walking the earth for several millennia.”
Me saying this – “it is probably best not to talk about it to non-Mormons or they might think Mormons are truely wacko.” is a shorter version of what you said? No?
ditchu said
No. An accurate paraphrase would have been “as ditchu has stated, it is probably best not to talk about it to non-Mormons because thay may not be able to handle it well.”
I said nothing to indicate any wacko. Also i was pointing out many otheritems that although quite normal are seen as strange. But, to the darkness light is strange.
blazeheliski said
Synonymes for “strange”
abnormal – alien – bizzare – curious – different – exceptional – exotic – fantastic – foreign – mysterious – new – novel – peculiar -quaint – queer – rare – unaccountable – uncanny – unearthly – unnatural – wacko – weird.
I am sorry I did not use your preferred synonyme. Next time I will just quote you.
ditchu said
thank you. However you mis-step was placing the adjective on the people or group not the custome, or in this case the rumor. By reaiming the subject you changed my statment. that is what I object to.
dennis thurman said
why is it that people try to run down another belief system.if you believe the book of mormon is true then you must believe in the three nephites if you dont then why run down anothers belief?if you believe in heavenly father and jesus christ then anything is possible thru them right so why would this idear be so hard to believe?
coventryrm said
Well I don’t believe in Jesus Christ or in Heavenly father so maybe that is why the idear is so hard for me to believe! Why is it that when I point out the sillyness or pitfalls of mythical thinking and believe that using common sense and rational thinking is a good thing and promote it I am tearing down someone elses belief and yet the LDS preach to the World their myth is is the one and only true one, while leaving out some of the really juicy details of their history and teachings, but hey thats okay!!!!
SkiUtah said
If somebody believes the world is flat (many people still do), and you show them the evidence that the world is round, that’s not tearing down their belief system. That’s trying to educate them…
ditchu said
Remove the Myth from a soceity and you remove the soul from man.
-D
ditchu said
Ski,
But when you tell them that the earth revolves arround the Sun you die a Hearitic. This is because the current mainstream thinking keeps changing and not always in the right direction.
skiutah said
When Galileo wrote about heliocentrism, he was accused of tearing down the Catholic church. He was imprisoned for trying to educate people that the Earth rotates around the Sun.
When I told my TBM acquaintances that it wasn’t possible for me to believe in the Mormon church any more than I could believe that the Earth was flat, my TBM family and friends unabashedly told me that God will heap punishment on me in this life, and I will suffer for eternity for not believing the LDS system.
When I try to engage them in a rational conversation, I receive the standard set of non-answers:
– God works in mysterious ways
– You need to have more faith
– You’ll learn the answer in the next life
Where are the Three Nephites?
Bishop Rick said
The 3 Nephites, along with John the beloved, must have been taken from this earth, encased in crystals, because, after all, there was an apostasy with all authority removed.
Seems to me it would have been easier for John or the 3 Ns to keep the priesthood ball rolling thru the centuries rather than for them to go into hiding (cowards) for thousands of years.
The only way I can justify this is if they are in fact encased in crystals somewhere out there in space. This way they have not tasted death (per coventry) but the authority could still have been taken from the earth.
No other logical explanation exists.
Whew, my faith is still intact. Glad I could reason that one thru.
ditchu said
Again the 3 nephites do not want this publicity so even though they are amoung us they do not advertise. Unlike the Elvis sightings, the 3 Nephites you will not hear about in the public arena.
God will not heep punishment upon you for turning your back on him… He does not need to do any more than you do to yourself. I think God still loves you, and will respect your dicision even if it means you parting from him. Like any Father God would have you close to him but not at the expence of your freedom to choose. He would rather you choose to part from him than know the only reason you were “close” was to avoid some absurd punishment. I think you will find God in your Spiritual journey no matter if you choose to leave a church or join one. What is important is that you follow what you think is right and what you beleive. All Seekers of truth are not in the same Church and all that but are spread through out the world, looking and searching out Truth, and thus seeking after God, but that does not mean one must belong to a church to do this.
Godspeed and good journeys,
-D
SkiUtah said
Looks like they bagged one of the 3 Nephites:
http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/080813-bigfoot-sighting.html
I wonder if the LDS church will have an offical announcement?
ditchu said
Ski,
That’s not one of them… That is my cusin Ernie. Or it could be Will, those two twins do liik alike.
skiutah said
Here’s another description of the 3 Nephites:
For 150 years these holy men, the devout believed, have roamed the towns, villages, and isolated settlements of this intermountain state; there’s scarcely a locale that has not been touched in some way by the Three Nephites with their bone white feet, their long flowing white hair and beards. They travel singly by most accounts, arriving unseen, unbidden, often seeking a meal or simply a place to stay the night. They come on foot, usually, less often by a rickety cart pulled by an ancient nag. They cure the sick, bring prosperity to the poor. The host who shelters a Nephite never learns his true identity until after he has left. After the stranger vanishes, leaving no earthly trace whatsoever, the Mormon family believes they have been touched by the hand of God. The Nephites remain on earth voluntarily. Although the earliest reports of their encounters with faithful Mormons came from Utah, later stories started coming from all over the world as the Nephites supposedly followed Mormon missionaries who sought converts in every part of the globe.” From “Haunted America” By Michael Normal
tbmtothebone said
I hope that DNA tests show that Bigfoot, one of the 3 Nephites, is a Jewish descendant. That will prove the Book of Mormon is true.
blazeheliski said
So one of the 3 Nephites was a possum? Who would of thunk it? 😉
Bigfoot DNA a bust
ditchu said
Nope, it was Cus’ Will. He his has a bandage on his hiney to prove it, but he was kinda’ out of it so his story of the event dose npt quite match what may have happened, He thought Aliens were involved at some point, and he said something about a barber asking him to turn and caugh.
I don’t trust his story at all though.
Tbmtothebone said
Is this fur real?
SkiUtah said
Dang, just a big rubber monkey suit:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bigfoot_claim;_ylt=Avnax7aXa.LzDl9Oj7HYcvOs0NUE
Where are the 3 Nephites?
Wade said
You guys are arguing about faith and facts, please read this and it’ll answer a lot fo your questions and comments. As Mormons we believe is allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy speaks to his Class on the Problem Science has with GOD, The ALMIGHTY.
He asks one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .
Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL – POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him.
Most of us would attempt to Help Others who are ill.
But GOD didn’t.
How is this GOD Good then ? Hmm ?
( Student is silent )
Professor : You can’t answer, can you ?
Let’s start again, Young Fella.
Is GOD Good ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That’s right.
Tell me son, is there evil in this World ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ?
And GOD did make Everything. Correct ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?
( Student does not answer )
Professor : Is there Sickness ? Immorality ? Hatred ? Ugliness ?
All these terrible things exist in the World, don’t they ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who Created them ?
( Student has no answer )
Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you.
Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD ?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD ?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD ?
Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter ?
Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor : Yet you still Believe in HIM ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist.
What do you say to that, son ?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes. Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat ?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold ?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn’t.
( The Lecture Theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events )
Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat,
a Little Heat or No Heat.
But we don’t have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can’t go any further after that.
There is no such thing as Cold.
Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.
We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is Energy.
Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
( There is Pin – Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )
Student : What about Darkness, Professor ? Is there such a thing as Darkness ?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn’t Darkness ?
Student : You’re wrong again, sir.
Darkness is the Absence of Something.
You can have Low Light, Normal Light , Bright Light, Flashing Light . . .
But if you have No Light Constantly, you have Nothing and it’s called Darkness, isn’t it ?
In reality, Darkness isn’t.
If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn’t you ?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is Flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how ?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality.
You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD.
You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure.
Sir, Science can’t even explain a Thought.
It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that
Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.
Death is Not the Opposite of Life : just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you Teach your Students that they Evolved from a Monkey ?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir ?
( The Professor shakes his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument is going )
Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and
cannot even prove that this Process is an On – Going Endeavor,
are you not Teaching your Opinion, sir ?
Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher ?
( The Class is in Uproar )
Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever Seen the Professor’s Brain ?
( The Class breaks out into Laughter )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever Heard the Professor’s Brain, Felt it, Touched or Smelt it ? . . .
No one appears to have done so.
So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that
you have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir ?
( The Room is Silent. The Professor stares at the Student, his face unfathomable )
Professor : I guess you’ll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir . . .
the Link between Man & GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Moving & Alive.
Further to this in the movie the Best Two Years, the one elder says (in essence), I’ve learnt not to fight with pigs, because you both get dirty, however the pig enjoys it.
I take my hat off to Ditchu for standing your ground and faith. To Coventryrm (which seems to be a RM that has issues) your thoughts are your’s, but dont bash someone else’s faith thats low.
Gents, or ladies, you decide which suits you best. TO each his own, this site is for comments and questions, not targeting.
Have a blast be calm and remember you determine your own happines by what makes you happy inside, and not what or how others say it should be.
cheers from sunny RSA
blazeheliski said
Wade said – “I take my hat off to Ditchu for standing your ground and faith. To Coventryrm (which seems to be a RM that has issues) your thoughts are your’s, but dont bash someone else’s faith thats low.”
Welcome to the blogosphere. The land where a person’s thoughts are here for the world to see. It is Coventryrm’s blog, and it would be a very empty blog if he did not project his thoughts. Keeping your thougts to yourself on your own blog would not be very productive.
Going back over the posts, I do not see Coventry as bashing. I see him as posing questions that will either strengthen a person’s faith or cause them to explore their world a bit more. What’s the harm in that? If Mormonism is the one and only religion that is “correct,” then it should be able to stand up to a few questions – no?
BTW – the professor’s brain would show up very nicely on an MRI. With the correct imaging you could also watch his thoughts as they developed in real time. Seeing a brain on an MRI screen – is that any less real that a newsperson on the TV?
coventryrm said
Wade
“Further to this in the movie the Best Two Years, the one elder says (in essence), I’ve learnt not to fight with pigs, because you both get dirty, however the pig enjoys it.”
Hmmmm so let me see you came to my blog to make this comment I didn’t go looking for you……. so I am thinking you must enjoy getting dirty! Furthermore your fictional scenario is just plain silly and nonsensical
coventryrm said
Also don’t you think it would be quite sad for the “The Best two years” of someones life to be from the ages 19-21…. doesn’t say much for the rest of thier life now does it! The best two years of my life were the last two I just lived and I am confident I will be able to say the same two years from now.
ditchu said
C-
I think the statment “The best two years.” is not about the age of the missionaries but about the reward they received from this experience.
-D
SkiUtah said
The last several years of my life have certainly been the most interesting and rewarding.
I had an okay mission experience. Baptized a lot of folks (thanks mostly to one personable companion). But I wouldn’t call those mission years very rewarding though.
Most of the missionaries that I met were miserable, bored, and homesick. It’s only when they got back from their missions that they claimed “it was the best two years of my life.”
Here were some common coping techniques used by missionaries to survive:
– developing friendships with teenage girls (frogs)
– illegally traveling outside of their areas
– getting free meals from members
– watching TV at the members’ houses
– masturbation
– sleeping as much as possible
– corresponding with anybody that would write back
Note: the above order will vary quite a bit depending on the missionary. I was AP for a while, and half of that job entails chasing down problem missionaries.
coventryrm said
Ditchu
I certainly understand the context of the statement, BUT don’t most missionaries serve at 19 and done at 21? I have heard many men in thier 30’s say this over the pulpit and even as a TBM I thought it was a depressing statement!
ditchu said
Well that would limmit out all of the retired Members that serve a mission as senior citizens. This would bring the avarage age into the mid 40’s but a a general view a missionary of the LDS Church is generally that of the general view of a college student.
Again I do not think it is a referance to the current reward during the 2 years that are “Spent” on a mission, but the (lasting) reward that they have from their mission experiance.
Good day,
-D
coventryrm said
Exactly! YOur best LASTING reward happens before you even hit 25 and nothing in life past that spurns as much growth HOW SAD!
ditchu said
I think it is sad that we seem to think on any particluar slice of time as better than our entire experience. Usually we focus on the “Good” times – before our bodies start falling apart.
skiutah said
It looks like they’ve spotted one of the 3 Nephites in Nepal:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081020/sc_afp/nepaljapanwildlifeyetioffbeat
There’s direct evidence that one of the 3 Nephites was tracting high in the Himalayans…
ditchu said
Definitly not a Teen-Twenty Y/O missionary if it is one of the 3 Nephites, See there is still time fo fufill a mission.
Adrianne said
There will always be supposed sightings and people thinking they saw the three Nephites. The bigfood and yeti jokes are funny… but the fact is that the Book of Mormon clearly shows that they are on the earth today.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.
7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.
8 And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.
9 And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand. (3 Nephi 28: 6-9)
If you believe in the Book of Mormon, you would believe in the three Nephites. Whether one should believe any of the stories that go around from people claiming to have seen them is a different story. But at least believe that they are alive serving God.
http://www.askgramps.org/are-the-three-nephites-still-walking-upon-the-earth/
jonhhy said
To those that appear to the 3 nephites would it not make sense that they are spiritually prepared and thus can be trusted not to share their sacred experiences.
And the other part of it is that we simply do not know when and where they appear. That was the Lord’s way.
Yet I believe they are because I know the BOM to be true.
aharon said
Hey guys, I find the 3 nephites to be a really interesting topic. I have a book by ogden kraut which is a compilation of stories about them. It is a rare book and has some really cool stuff, like the story of a preacher who claimed to be several hundred years old and who visited the southern states to preach repentence. There is records of him in the local papers.
Anyways, this book is selling for 100 on amazon and am selling it on ebay for 40 bones. I hate spam just like anyone else but I wanted to get the word out.
To check it out do a ebay search under “rare 3 nephites by ogden”. Thanks gujys.
zack said
I’ve looked over many LDS sites that cover this topic and it’s quite sad to see the irreverant nature of most of the comments regarding the Three Nephites. The stories that have circulated for years about encounters with them, have morphed into Tales of Ridicule and doubt.
While it is certain that many of these stories may just be made up, it seems as though the entire subject has been relegated to Ridicule & Fiction.
This seems symptomatic of a General Membership that has lost touch with the Sacred Nature of the Gospel & God, & instead focus on living it’s Outward Appearances of True committment to God.
The Reality of their walking among us, is part of the Promise the Lord Granted them. I would imagine the reason for the lack of current experiences with these Great Prophets is BECAUSE of the Lack of sacred Reverence for these things.
As a Trio of God’s Servants now walking the Earth, probably ministering to more people OUT of the Church, than in it, I see them also as a Type for a Final Trio of Prophets to establish the Lord’s Kingdom prior to His Return.
This would be a Chief Prohet and His TWO Counselors…The Two Wittnesses mentioned in the Bible.
When searching the scriptures for this “CONNECTION” between the Three of these men, you can find it’s description found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The scrolls mention “THE PROPHET” as predicted by Moses to come forth in our day, accompanied by “TWO MESSIAHS’ of Aaron & Israel, describing their roles as representive of the PRIESTLY & Kingly Funtions of the Priesthood.
This “PROPHET LIKE MOSES”, that we KNOW is to come forth prior to the Second Coming, would stand in Type of our Father in Heaven, out to establish His Final “MArvelous Work & a Wonder”, by the HANDS of His TWO WITNESSES, the Messiahs of Aaron & Israel, as described in the Dead Sea Scrolls & the Book of Revelation.
THEY would satnd in Tpye as the Holy Ghost & Jesus Christ, working in concert under the direction of The Prophet Like Moses. TOGETHER…All THREE, stand in Tpye of the Godhead, that is Finishing the Final Work of Establishing the Lord’s Kingdom in Preperation to His Return.
And I’m pretty sure the Three Nephites will be assisting in that Great Work. So it might behove us to search these things out in an Intellegent & Reverent Manner & stop making Light of a Very Sacred Topic. We may be meeting them in person very soon.
Yami said
You are correct the Prophet like Moses is Christopher and he is being directed and has the urrim and thummim and the 3 nephites and John to guide him you can read all the books of the Marvelous Work and a Wonder for FREE at http://www.marvelousworkandawonder.com
This work has begun and to many it might be a joke but seek within your own spirit and you will know it is true. – Read the books especially 666 The Mark of America Seat of the Beast as John wrote the explanation to his Book of Revelations this shows you empirical evidence of the truthfulness.
Jacob said
Zack, It is already fact, (DNA) that they cannot be from Israel, thus your claim, I quote: “MArvelous Work & a Wonder”, by the HANDS of His TWO WITNESSES, the Messiahs of Aaron & Israel, as described in the Dead Sea Scrolls & the Book of Revelation., is unsupported. As I’ve read the “legends” by well meaning members, it seems against doctrine of the church that they would separately make visits or roam the earth in search of souls alone. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. “2 Corinthians 13:1. Also since the were of physical form, never tasting death, appearing and disappearing out of, or into thin air would not be possible.
So not to be irreverent, as Zack suggests, is it safe to say they carry the priesthood with them where ever they go, due to our doctrine of not being able to preach and teach without proper authority (priesthood) from God. It was also told that a boy named Joesph would restore the church in our time. Can you really restore something that has never left the earth. The priesthood, not only through the 3 Nephites, but John the beloved (D & C 7) as well never left the earth. Why then could they not just come, and with the help of a new prophet of God in that time set up the church of God on earth. Depending on which of the eight (8) different versions of the “First Vision” you decide on, and though Joseph only wrote 2 in his own handwriting stating that it was the angel NEPHI who appeared to him, and one later changed to say Moroni, do you come up with the realization that Joseph even though translating the Book of Mormon himself, can’t keep his stories straight.
The B of M clearly points out that polygamy is an abomination in the eyes of God, but his D & C revelation 132, make it the only way to live in the highest of degrees in the celestial kingdom. Even though he claimed to have done more than Jesus Christ, and boasted about that in a sermon prior to his death at Carthage, denying that he had more than one wife, but secretly had married (according to church ancestry site) 34 different women during his tenure as Prophet, King, Mayor of Nauvoo, (elected by the council of 50 he set up to rule the govt, when he became President) , etc, 11 of them already married to living husbands, and 11 of them under the age of 19, with 2 of them being only 14 years old, he would continue to deny he practiced this abomination before God, until he out of the blue recieved the 132 section of the D & C revelation making it ok. Which by the way is still practiced in our Temples.
So my question would be, do we choose believing in the truth that is documented by the church (hidden) and science, or the myth’s and revisionist history glossing over mistakes, and fallacies of our dear Prophet Joesph, and only “faith promoting truth’s” at that. To me believing fact over “deja-moo” is my choice. The truth stays true no matter what.
hotmail search said
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering
if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Yami said
The 3 Nephites and John the Beloved are the ones in charge right now of the Marvelous Work and a Wonder® they are Christopher’s mentors you can learn all about them at http://www.mwawtv.com
C said
Here is a link to an update from that news article on Provo Utah about the “mystery man”
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/utah-county-mystery-inmate-identified-as-new-mexico-man/article_75b6c654-3dba-5975-b6c8-176bf62ed3d6.amp.html&ved=2ahUKEwiVoZrK2uHdAhU5JTQIHTYzDnQQFjAAegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw1LZV6DVOjL8tjSqSU6eJ6Y&cf=1