Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 3:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 3:4-5

"For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days."

I knew what the ephod was, it was worn by a high priest and prophets. This colorful waistcoat with shoulder pieces and girdle contained stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes. Inside the ephod was placed the Urim and Thummim. Which was prepared by the Lord to assist man in obtaining revelation and in translating languages. David describes asking questions and receiving answers through it. I didn't know what the teraphim was so I looked that up in the Bible Dictionary.

"Teraphim - Images of the size and form of a man used from patriarchal times and onwards in worship and for magical purposes both in Israel and in Babylon. To use teraphim was probably not to worship strange gods but to worship the true God in a corrupt manner."

I went back and read in the Bible Dictionary about the ephod and found "The ephod at one time became the object of idolatrous worship." So basically both the ephod and teraphim were possibly religious items that were perverted and corrupted and used in a manner not intended. Until the point the Lord removed them from the people.

This reminded me of what was said in the Book of Mormon about what is called seer stones, interpreters, or the Urim and Thummim.

"Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer."

(Mosiah 8:13)

The Urim and Thummim was returned in the latter-days. They were used by Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Mormon from the gold plates, and receiving revelation for our day.

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

(Joseph Smith - History 1:35)

After Joseph's translation was completed the Urim and Thummim was returned to the angel Moroni along with the Gold Plates. They will come forth again when the sealed two-third portion of the plates are translated. I hope I live to see that day.

Day 3024

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 17:2-3, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 17:2-3, 12

"Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;"

This made me think about what I had pondered on the other day. This is an example of the meaning and interpretation being given to them.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I make this broad declaration, that whenever God gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, He always holds Himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our belief in it. Don’t be afraid of being damned for not knowing the meaning of a vision or figure, if God has not given a revelation or interpretation of the subject.”

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 291.)

Day 2978

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 91:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 91:1-2

"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha - There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly;

There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men."

Joseph Smith was working on translating the Old Testament when he came to the ancient writings called the Apocrypha. He inquired of the Lord regarding them and received this revelation. It was not needful for him to translate them. This chapter also says, "And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;" (vs 5)

This year I finally felt ready to read them. I have to say it was an interesting experience. There were parts I felt inspired and learned from them. I really enjoyed "The Greek Additions to Esther". I did bookmark several passages in other books. It was cool to find the name Nephi in there. However, there were other parts I felt were kin to fables. Overall, I have to say I read it and felt the other scriptures are what is needful. I really don't feel a desire to read the apocrypha again. Though I would encourage others to read it when they feel they are ready.

Day 2094

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 37:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 37:15-16

"And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind. 

But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words."

Alma is giving his son Helaman the charge to keep the record of this people. He is given the plates of Nephi, brass plates, the twenty-four Jaredite plates, the Urim and Thummin or interpreters, and the Liahona, which was a ball or director and compass. Each of these items Alma gives his son Helaman the story behind them and the need to preserve them. When he mentions he would be delivered up to Satan if he transgressed the commandments of God and didn't treat these things sacred I was reminded of Moroni giving Joseph Smith this same warning, as he delivered the gold plates and other sacred items into his care.  

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

At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the twenty-second day of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected.

I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to get them from me. Every strategem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called to them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in this charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight."

(Joseph Smith-History 1:42, 59-60)

The other thing I noticed was both are given the same assignment on the treatment of the twenty-four plates from the Jaredites. Helaman is told that "only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them (verse 29). Which sounds like the part we have in the book of Ether. Joseph received the gold plates and could only translate a third of it because the other two-thirds were sealed. All their secret works won't be brought to light until the Lord feels the time is right. My new thought on that was at that point some may look at themselves and realize they had already been deceived by the adversary. Finding themselves involved in oaths and secret combinations not realizing were the true source came from. For you wouldn't expose something that you've kept hidden, unless the purpose was to identify its already there. 

Day 1895

Today's Favorite Verse: Words of Mormon 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Words of Mormon 1:3-4
"And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from  the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass - "

What struck me this time reading Mormon's account is that he had just finished abridging the plates of Nephi down to the time of king Benjamin. It is then that he finds these other plates of the same account. What he reads is pleasing to him. I can just imagine him wondering if he needed to start all over the work he had just done. It goes on to tell that he adds these plates to his record because the spirit whispers it is for wise purpose to do so. I know the purpose now. It's because the first 116 pages translated by Joseph Smith contained the records Moroni originally abridged, and those where later lost. In its place the Lord had prepared the small plates of Nephi to tell an even greater spiritual account.

I can just imagine Mormon wondering if he failed when he first abridged the plates of Nephi and then found the more pleasing smaller plates of Nephi. It gives me an appreciation in doing something and it not turning out quite right. It is never a failure or waste. There is purpose in the entire experience if I let it. 

Day 1829

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 91:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 91:1-2

"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha - There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly;

There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men."

The Prophet Joseph Smith was in the middle of translating the Old Testament when he inquired of the Lord on instruction regarding the Apocrypha. He was told it was not needful to translate it for the reason mentioned in these verses. 

What really struck me was the word "interpolations". I didn't know what that word meant so I looked it up. This is what I found on Wikipedia under "Interpolation (manuscripts)"

"An interpolation, in relation to literature and especially ancient manuscripts, is an entry or passage in a text that was not written by the original author. As there are often several generations of copies between an extant copy of an ancient text and the original, each handwritten by different scribes, there is a natural tendency for extraneous material to be inserted into such documents over time. Interpolations originally may be inserted as an authentic explanatory note (for example, [sic]), but may also be included for fraudulent purposes."

I realized as I read that I had no prior knowledge of what "Interpolation" meant, and I've been to college. Joseph Smith on the other hand had such little formal education. If these verses were not given in revelation how would he have come up with this explanation?  It just testified all the more to me that Joseph Smith truly was an inspired prophet of God.

The chapter goes on to say that one can benefit from reading the Apocrypha if they are enlighten by the Spirit. If you receive not the Spirit then there is no benefit. I wonder what I would find by reading it?

Day 510

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 7:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 7:1-3

"And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you.

And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee.

And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shall tarry until I come in my glory, and shall prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people. 

I'm going to quote the header of this chapter too, because I found it very interesting.

"Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829, when they inquired through the Urim and Thummim as to whether John, the beloved disciple, tarried in the flesh or had died. The revelation is a translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden up by himself."

This answered the question that theologians have had for centuries concerning John 21:22-23. Did Jesus promise John the beloved, that he would not taste death? I feel resolved that this section of the Doctrine and Covenants answers the matter. He was permitted to tarry and would remain on the earth until Christ came again. John never died.

What interested me in the header is the mention that this was a translation through the Urim and Thummim, (the same instrument used to translate the Book of Mormon) of a piece of parchment that was written by John and hid up. So I had to wonder how did they get this piece of parchment and where is it now? I don't know. Does it really matter the answer?

What I know is the spirit tells me this chapter and what it contains is true. I have no doubt of it. I would be curious to see this parchment, but I don't need to. The spirit testifies to me what is true, not artifacts. In fact I feel quit sure I'm not suppose to see it. That the time is not yet for it to be revealed. I think its with the rest of John's record that he was to seal up until he would testify again of the end time prophecies given him. I can feel them just waiting. It just feels really close. Its almost like I'm holding my breath.

Day 426

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 5:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 5:4

"And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished."

This verse made me go back to the last chapter in the Book of Mormon, Moroni 10 and review the different gifts by the spirit we can have. 

Teach the word of wisdom

Teach the word of knowledge

Exceedingly great faith

Gift of healing

Work mighty miracles

Prophesy concerning all things

Beholding of angels and ministering spirits

All kinds of tongues

Interpretation of languages and divers kinds of tongues

As I have gone over this list and other scripture verses on gifts of the spirit, I have often wondered if anyone has ever possessed all of them. With this verse in the Doctrine & Covenants I realized yes, someone could, but probably not all a once. God gives spiritual gifts as they are needed for the work he would have us do. 

Moroni 10:17 "And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will."

Day 424