3 Nephi 1
[1]
Now it came to pass that the ninety and first year had passed away and it was
six hundred years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; and it was in the
year that Lachoneus was the chief judge and the governor over the land.
1:1
Here is a great way to compare dates to validate the Book of Mormon. It has
already been established that in the first year of the reign of King Zedekiah,
Lehi left Israel (1Nephi 1:4). Now, to the day of Christ’s birth marked 600
years from the time they departed. Therefore a quick comparison of actual
historical dates should align if this
is true.
Let’s
see: According to the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel, we can observe in history
that Jesus (fulfilling the prophecy) rode in to Jerusalem and was crucified 5 days
later on 10 Nisan, 30 AD. Jesus would have been 33 years old. From the decree
to rebuild Jerusalem (in 445 BC) to Jesus death was an even 483 years. Subtract
33 and you get Jesus’ birth around 450 years after the decree. If that is so,
then that means the first year of King Zedekiah’s reign (according to the book
of Mormon) was 155 years before the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.
Zedekiah
reined 11 years before he was defeated and the Babylonian captivity was
complete. According to Jeremiah 29:10 there was to be 70 years of Babylonian
exile and this is why Daniel was praying when he read the 70 weeks prophecy.
Ezra 1 clearly sets the date of Cyrus’ decree at the same year (70 years) from
their captivity. This is significant since it sets the time of Zedekiah’s reign
81 years from King Cyrus’ decree. That’s 74 years off. Historically, that means
they would have left early in King Manasseh’s career. But that is not what the
Book of Mormon claims.
[11] And it came to pass that he went
out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in
behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of
their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
[12]
And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord, all that day; and
behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
[13]
Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on
this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to
show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be
spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
1:11-13
here is another Jesus-is-God moment. Nephi (the 3rd) bows down and
prays for the sign of Jesus’ coming: “And it came to pass that he went out… and
cried mightily to his God…that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day and
behold the voice of the Lord came unto him saying: … on the morrow come I into
the world…to fulfill all the things which I have made known… to do the will,
both of the Father and of the Son- of the Father because of me, and of the son
because of my flesh.” Do you see? The
language there can only be understood if the Father and Son are
interchangeable. It can only be ascertained from this passage, and others, that
Smith did not yet believe that Jesus was not
God in his preincarnate state.
3 Nephi 2
[14] And it came to pass that those
Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites;
[15]
And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the
Nephites;
2:15
Yay (see note on 2Neph. 5:23)! Now that they’re good and white, they can
intermarry! This doesn’t seem a tad racist? Dark bad; light good. So important
was skin color to God, that he actually changed
them back to light skin.
3 Nephi 6
[10] But it came to pass in the twenty
and ninth year there began to be some disputings among the people; and some
were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great
riches, yea, even unto great persecutions;
[11]
For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many
officers.
[12]
And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches
and their chances for learning, yea, some were ignorant because of their
poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
[13]
Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did
return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution
and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were
humble and penitent before God.
[14]
And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the
church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the
church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites
who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for
they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to
keep the commandments of the Lord.
[15]
Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this -- Satan had great power,
unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the
puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and
riches, and the vain things of the world.
[16]
And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of
iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years.
[17]
And thus, in the commencement of the thirtieth year -- the people having been
delivered up for the space of a long time to be carried about by the
temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to do
whatsoever iniquity he desired they should -- and thus in the commencement of
this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness.
6:10-17
in the span of one year Satan convinced the whole nation to delve into “a state
of awful wickedness”. Here we see Satan being the cause of their wickedness and
given chief blame (17). Christ never blamed Satan for anyone’s sin. But the
very next verse gives them full blame. SO which is it? Did they “willfully
rebel” (18) or did the devil lead away their hearts (16)? Confused? Me too.
[28]
And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that
covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and
administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness.
[29]
Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a
covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from
the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered according to the law.
[30]
And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they
did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king
over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject
unto kings.
6:28-30
a group of judges that year covenanted with the devil to kill all the people of
God along with the governor so that they could establish a King so that it was
no more at liberty, but subject unto Kings. Again, we see that Kings are bad, and
judges are good. Despite this, it is
funny how just as much oppression and bloodshed came under the judges as under
the Kings. But, the American ideals against Kings must be maintained!
3 Nephi 8
[1] And now it came to pass that
according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was
a just man who did keep the record -- for he truly did many miracles in the
name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of
Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity –
8:1
let’s look at that verse again! In other words, we know this is true because
the author is just. We know he is just because he did miracles, and only those
entirely cleansed from all iniquity could do that. So what about the false prophets in Deuteronomy 13 who could
do signs? God allotted them power to test his children to stay faithful to him?
What about when Jesus said “Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did
we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name
perform many miracles?” (Matt 7:22)? So it turns out people can do miracles and still be
false-prophets according to the Bible. According to the Bible, this statement
is false. When something claims truth and goes against God’s word, we call that
false-teaching. Do you really need to
pray whether something which is false is true?
[14] And many great and notable cities
were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shaken till the buildings
thereof had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and
the places were left desolate.
[15]
And there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof was
exceedingly great, and there were many of them who were slain.
8:15
amazing that this literature-based culture has the greatest catastrophe ever and there is nothing
(archeologically) to show for it. We’re talking multiple cities with lots of gold, and silver, and livestock, and
not to mention these were large cities… and the only thing we can find is some
plates in the ground? Check that, those are now gone too! I’m sure you’re a reasonable
person. Does this account really seem reasonable with no evidence to represent
it?
“And
there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof was exceedingly
great, and there were many in them who were slain.” So of the cities not made
into mountains, burned, or sunk in the sea… some remained. What’s the point of
a sign from God if it kills most of the recipients? Also, why is the sign of
the redeemer finishing his work on the cross a day of doom?
According
to Romans 3:25 propitiation is offered through Jesus’ blood. Why then is God
pouring wrath out on so many cities? If Jesus is the justifier (3:26) of the
unjust, than why is just wrath being poured out on men as a sign that he has
justified men from their sin? Do you have any idea how contradictory this is to
what Jesus did on the cross; especially when Jesus said that he didn’t come to
judge the world, but to save it (John 3:17)?
I
can just here them now: “hmmm wow, Zarahemla’s on fire, Moroni has just sunk
into the sea, Moroniha is buried under a mountain, all the roads are destroyed,
and wow, looks like “many great and notable cities were sunk, burned, and
shaken to death (8:14); Looks like Jesus must have just died for the sin of the
world. All this must be a sign that God has satisfied his wrath for man’s sin
on Jesus… and us!! Did Joseph Smith understand what Jesus did on the cross? Do
you?
[23] And it came to pass that it did
last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there
was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually;
yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the
great destruction which had come upon them.
8:23
now the darkness for the “space of three days” has come… again this seems a bit
silly since Jesus was only in the grave around 36 hours; that’s closer to the
space of 2 days. A description of these three days is put that there was
“weeping and howling” because of the great destruction dished out on them.
Well, no kidding! In Josephus’ The
Antiquities of the Jews, Book 17, Chapter 6, Verses 174–175
it is said that when Herod was on his death bed, he ordered distinguished men
to come up and be killed at the time of his death so that there would mourners.
This was never carried out, but this demonic request does seem to be carried out
on Jesus’ behalf by the Mormon god. Do you see it?
3 Nephi 9
[3] Behold, that great city Zarahemla
have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.
[4]
And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the
depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.
[5]
And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the
inhabitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abominations from
before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come
any more unto me against them.
[6]
And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants
thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth;
[7]
Yea, and the city of Onihah and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum
and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem and the inhabitants
thereof; and waters have I caused to come up in the stead thereof, to hide
their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the
prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
[8]
And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of
Jacob, and the city of Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk, and made
hills and valleys in the places thereof; and the inhabitants thereof have I
buried up in the depths of the earth, to hide their wickedness and abominations
from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not
come up any more unto me against them.
[9]
And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of
king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and
their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth,
because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did
destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land; therefore I did
cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of
the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.
[10]
And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and
the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the
inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets,
and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their
wickedness and their abominations.
[11]
And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among
them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and
abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets
and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground
against them.
[12]
And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and
upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
[13]
O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not
now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal
you?
[14]
Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.
Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him
will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
[15]
Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth,
and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am
in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his
name.
9:3-15
Here a detailed survey of all the judgments carried out on the people and why,
and the judgments are credited to Jesus. This comes in direct violation to
Jesus’ word in John 3:17. It cannot be avoided from this chapter that judgment
for sin was carried out on these
people by Jesus. How does this reconcile with Jesus’ statement “For God sent
not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.”?
[16]
I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning
my coming are fulfilled.
[17]
And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of
God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by
me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
9:17
“As many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of
God.” Interestingly, Jesus statement here sounds just like John 1:12. Of course the same meaning we can assume comes
with it: that we were not born sons
of God, but rather must become them.
Is this the modern LDS teaching about the nature of God’s Children? That we
must become, or that we already are?
[18]
I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the end.
9:18
Jesus says here “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” Now why
on earth would the translation from reformed Egyptian translate out the Greek
terms for beginning and end. Why not just say “beginning and the end”? What
would alpha and omega mean to people who were ignorant to that language?
[19]
And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your
sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none
of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
9:19
this is another Jesus-is-God statement. Jesus says that he will no longer
accept burnt offerings. Weird, I thought burnt offerings were offered to God in
the Old Testament. Jesus indicates that they were offered to him. To add to this, according to the
Bible, Jesus never stopped the sacrificial system. In fact, according to Zech.
14:20, there will be sacrifices in
the temple of the Lord again in what is later understood to be the millennial
Kingdom. So not only is this not something
Jesus would say (since he’d be contradicting scripture), but in saying the
sacrifices were for him, he undoubtedly says that he received the sacrifices
for sin… AKA God.
3 Nephi
10
[12] And it was the more righteous part
of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and
stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who
were spared –
10:12
“It was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they
who received the prophets and stoned them not…” So, clearly, Jesus came to save
the righteous here contrary to what he said in Matthew 9:12 “those who are well
have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go learn what this means,
‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’. For I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners” Contrary to what he taught in Israel, he did the opposite in the
Americas? Is this the same Jesus or does he just suffer from schizophrenia?
[16] Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify
of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they
testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.
[17]
Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of
Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And these
things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which
our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?
10:17
“behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of
joseph” If you look to the Book of Mormon cross-reference, it will guide you to
Alma and 3Nephi. That’s convenient, but cross-referencing to the same book
under investigation does not prove the book is authentic. Saying Jacob
testified about a remnant of Jews being in the Americas needs to be something
we read in Genesis, not in the Book of Mormon.
3 Nephi
11
[11] And behold, I am the light and the
life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father
hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the
world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from
the beginning.
11:11
now we have a conundrum. Jesus said “… I have glorified the Father in taking
upon me the sins of the world…” what does that mean to a Mormon; especially
given the light of God’s wrath for the sin of the people in the Americas being
poured out at his death? If the Jesus of the Book of Mormon took upon him the
sins of the world, why all the blood shed in America for sin as he was doing
that very thing?
[13]
And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:
[14]
Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and
also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that
ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and
have been slain for the sins of the world.
11:14
Jesus beckons them to feel his hands and side. This is what he beckoned Thomas
to do, but only because it was what Thomas said he required to believe his
resurrection. Jesus’ response was rhetorical since Thomas simply bowed at the
reply and declared Him to be Lord and God (John 20:24-29). There would be no
reason for Jesus to do such a thing here. It would be like sharing the
punch-line to an inside joke. Nonetheless, an entire people “thrust their hands
in his side and felt the holes in his hands”. I would think coming out of the
sky would be enough along with God saying this was His son. But hey, we need to
make some parallels for the veil of authenticity.
[15]
And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into
his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet;
and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and
did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety
and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets,
that should come.
[16]
And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry
out with one accord, saying:
[17]
Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at
the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.
11:17
Here we have everyone falling down at the feet of Jesus and worshipping him.
Notice what they say: “Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the most High God! And
they did fall down at the feet of Jesus and worship Him.” Just another Jesus
called God moment. They deem Jesus “the most high God”. Who deserves this title
but God alone?
[27] And after this manner shall ye
baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me,
and the Father and I are one.
11:27-
Here is something of note. The doctrine of the Trinity, though not held my
Mormons, is actually described by the Book of Mormon the best: This verse had a
cross reference to D&C 20:28 which says “Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
are one God, infinite, and eternal, without end. Amen” Wow, that was written by
Joseph Smith in 1830. This, on the other hand is a quote from Gary J. Coleman,
of the first quarum of the seventy during the 2007 General Conference: “The
knowledge of God and His physical separateness from His Son and the Holy Ghost
was lost after the death of Christ and His Apostles. Confusion and false
doctrines about the Godhead were fashioned out of the Nicene Creed and
Constantinople councils, where men declared that instead of three separate
beings, the Godhead was three persons in one God, or the Trinity. Just as
Christian Protestant reformers struggled with these creeds of men, I did as
well. The teachings about the Trinity that I learned in my youth were
incomprehensible to me.” You forgot to mention Joseph Smith in that group of
“men” Mr. Coleman.
[28]
And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be
no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be
disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have
hitherto been.
[29]
For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not
of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up
the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
- 11:28-29
Jesus establishes the “no fighting” rule… AKA “spirit of contention”. Setting
up people to contend in anger is not Jesus’ doctrine and should be done
away with (30). Here Jesus declares his “doctrine” which is funny because
this is not a word that Jesus ever
uses in the New Testament. Not only that, but the Jesus of the Bible sure
broke this rule when he called Herod a fox (Luke 13:32), provoked the
scribes by exposing their arrogance (Mark 12:38-40), and told the
generation in Matthew 11:21-24 that they were more wicked than Sodom and Gomorrah
(to name a few). If that’s not provocative, I’m not sure what is.
[33] And whoso believeth in me, and is
baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the
kingdom of God.
[34]
And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
11:33-34
Here we have a near identical statement from Jesus from Mark 16. Let’s see if
you can pick out the difference: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16, KJV) “And whoso
believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they
who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not
baptized, shall be damned. Here Joseph Smith does what the Bible does not, he
condemns those not baptized. “Thanks
for clearing that up Joe.
-Sincerely, the Catholic
Church”.
[36]
And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record
unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are
one.
11:36
“…for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one” see the note on 11:27.
[37]
And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be
baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.
[38]
And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and
become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
11:37
and 38 are the same verse repeated in a different way… Usually, a repeated
point has added information for emphasis.
[39]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth
upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against them.
11:39
Let’s play another game of Bible/Book of Mormon verse comparison: This verse
says “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso
buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against them.” Here’s what Jesus actually
said to Peter in Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.” This was after Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ,
the Son of the living God. Let’s look at the difference. For some reason, this
verse is altered so that what cannot be prevailed against is people with
doctrine. Jesus’ statement was that He
would build his church and the gates of hell would not prevail against THE
CHURCH. This of course would undermine the whole point of Smith’s Church so it
is no wonder why he changed it to “doctrine”. If Jesus is the power behind the
Church’s preservation, we can believe it to never be destroyed. But if we alter
his statement and put her fate into the hands of men, it serves as a better
foundation for declaring its long abandonment. Smith did just that.
3 Nephi
12
[1]
And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to
those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and
received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched
forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye
if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from
among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I 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; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized,
after that ye have seen me and know that I am.
12:1
the twelve are chosen and given authority to baptize “with water” by Jesus.
Interesting that 12 were chosen here much like Jesus chose 12 in Jerusalem. I
wonder why 12 were not chosen of the dispersion of Jews in Africa, or Asia, or
Macedonia. Maybe they have books too? The book of Abeeku, the book of Chen, and
the book of Alexander. Once we recover them we’ll have even more doctrine!
[22] But I say unto you, that whosoever
is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever
shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and
whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
12:22
Jesus re-gives the sermon on the mount in this chapter, but here uses once
again the term “raca” for “fool”. Why wouldn’t Jesus just say “fool” here? He
said “raca” to the Hebrews in Matthew 5 because it was a common Aramaic word
for fool at that time. Why would these “Jews” be using that word if Aramaic was
not common to them?
[23]
Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and
rememberest that thy brother hast aught against thee --
[24]
Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
12:24
In this version of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, Jesus says that if you seek to
come unto him and remember your brother has anything against you, leave and
reconcile so you can come to Jesus with full purpose of heart. The original says
to leave your gift on the alter and go be reconciled before coming back to
offer your gift. The change here is to justify what Jesus “said” back in 9:19.
You know what they say, once you start lying, you have to keep going in order
to keep the story straight.
[47] Old things are done away, and all
things have become new.
[48]
Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in
heaven is perfect.
12:48
are there two kinds of “perfect”? if
not, why not just say “as I and your heavenly Father”? I know this
sounds like knit picking, but that’s what detectives on the scent for truth do.
3 Nephi
13
[9] After this manner therefore pray
ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[10]
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
13:9-10
here the altercation is to the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (compare
with Matthew 6:10) notice he removed “thy Kingdom come”. So why omit that portion
of the Lord’s Prayer? This is because, Smith considered Christ’s Kingdom there
already.
3 Nephi
15
[4] Behold, I say unto you that the law
is fulfilled that was given unto Moses.
[5] Behold, I am he that gave the law,
and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is
fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
15:5
Jesus says “I am he who covenanted with my people Israel” Here is another great
example of Jesus calling himself God. By addressing Israel as “his people” he
aligns himself with the God of the Bible who addresses Israel in this way (Ez.
36:12, Am 9:14, Ex. 9:1, etc.)
[9] Behold, I am the law, and the
light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him
that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
15:9 here Smith uses the
statement of Jesus in Matthew 24 to “endure to the end” to mean that spiritual
salvation is for those who endure to the end, when in actuality this verse in
24 is referring to those in the tribulation enduring trial to be saved in the
end. Observe this for yourself and you’ll see this is in the context of the end
times before he returns. The plagues mentioned in that chapter align with the
plagues of the book of Revelation.
[11] And now it came to pass that when
Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen:
[12]
Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of
the house of Joseph.
15:12
“he said unto the 12, Ye are my disciples…” the word disciple means pupil or
learner. Jesus had many disciples, why does he only call these 12 his
disciples? “Disciples” were those who were with Jesus throughout his earthly
ministry (from his baptism to his ascension). Paul was not a disciple of Jesus’
life on earth (though he is an apostle). This is from Acts 1:21-22 when they
replaced Judas with Matthias under this given criteria. Everyone present was
just as much a disciple as these twelve in question. Apparently disciple and Apostle
meant the same thing to Smith.
[16]
This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them:
[17]
That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
15:16-17
how convenient! Turns out Jesus didn’t mention the “lost remnant of Joseph”
because the Jews were stiff-necked. But take the statement Jesus made about
“another flock” and believe that’s what he meant. That comes from John 10:16. Stiff-necked;
were the three thousand saved in Acts 2 stiff-necked?
[18]
And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word;
therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing
unto them.
[19]
But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it
unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity;
therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you.
[20]
And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father
separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of
them.
[21]
And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have
which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my
voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
[22]
And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for
they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their
preaching.
15:22
the plot thickens: “…for they supposed it had been the gentiles; for they
understood not that the gentiles should be converted through their preaching”.
This fails on two accounts. First, it assumes that Jesus was emphasizing his
literal voice was being used to call his sheep. If we take that part of the
allegory literally, we ought also to take the subject literally. In other
words, Jesus actually came to save “sheep” not humans. Second, it follows that
Jesus didn’t preach to gentiles at all, only his disciples did. This too is
false. In fact, he healed some of them as well (Mark 5, Luke 7, John 18, John
4, Matthew 8, Matthew 15, etc.). Jesus did preach in the presence of the
Gentiles. Is Jesus lying?
[23]
And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they
understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice --
that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
[24]
But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and
ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.
3 Nephi
17
[1]
Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked
round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is
at hand.
[2] I
perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am
commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
[3]
Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said,
and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your
minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.
17:3
Jesus is preaching and perceives that they “cannot understand the words” he was
preaching to them. So, he sends them home to ponder the preaching then come
back in the morning. This is an interesting tactic. Funny he, nor any of his
apostles, ever did this thing.
[11]
And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be
brought.
[12]
So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round
about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they
had all been brought unto him.
[13]
And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the
midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.
17:13 Here Jesus
commands after instituting communion for the first time among the Americans
that “whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my
rock” the verse goes on to say that those who do, are not believers. In other
words, Jesus makes it clear that communion was mandated to happen exactly as he
demonstrated.
Jesus changed his mind
about that in D&C 27:2-3 where he says to Joseph: “For, behold, I say unto
you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye
partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my
glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my
blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.” So orange soda and gummy
worms are as good as anything and it’s the thought that counts, got it. This
schizo-Jesus is hard to keep up with!
3 Nephi
18
[18] Behold, verily, verily, I say unto
you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan
desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
18:18
Here Jesus gives a warning to all the people that Satan desired to sift them
like wheat and that is why they need to pray to the father in his name. Well,
that should make Peter feel better. He probably thought that Jesus meant (when
he told him the same thing in Luke 22:31) that he was the only one Satan was
looking to sift like wheat. Relax Peter! As it turns out that’s just something
Satan wants to do to everyone. It
looks something like the film How the
Grinch Stole Christmas when the Grinch stood upon Mt. Crumpet with a phone
book of everyone in Who Ville and screamed out his hatred to each one
alphabetically. Why would Jesus tell this only to Peter, and then later decide
that it was Satan’s specific mode of destruction for everyone? It kind of loses
its significance.
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