My Church

Yesterday I read the transcript of an interview given by Terryl Given on faithmater.org with Elder Marlin K Jensen former Church Historian where Terryl said:

“Two ideas have really, really shaped my spiritual practice, I guess I would say. One is Section 10 of the Doctrine and Covenants, beginning with about verse 52 where the Lord — and this is given in 1829, of course — speaks to Joseph Smith about His church. He’s referring to a church already in existence, so we have to ask “What Church is this?,” because he’s talking about the Restoration. He’s saying, “I’m not doing this to do away with my church and I don’t want my church to be panicked by what’s about to happen.” That’s the moment at which you become aware that Joseph really understood this idea of an invisible church that transcends any particular denominational category.”

This had never been brought to my attention before, and going back and reading over D&C 10 I really don’t come to the same conclusion Terryl is here, but that is an aside. This morning I was reading in Mosiah 26, and an interesting connection was made. In verse 17 Christ tells Alma:

17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people. (italics added)

Then in verse 21 Christ says:

22 For behold, this is my church ; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive.

23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.

24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me  they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. (italics added)

It is interesting that Chirst seems to be presenting a similar idea to that of Terryl, that Christ has a church, that is not a set organizational of physical structure, and that he has accepted the members of the Church Alma, and by extension in modern times Joseph Smith, established. That perhaps the statement about being the only true Church on the Face of the earth is more in reference to Christ’s church that our church membership has been accepted into along with possibly others?

It is interesting that in D&C 10 there is another interesting statement:

50 And thus they (The prophets and people of the Book of Mormon) did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life; (italics added)

So in other words because of those Christ accepted into His Church in ancient times and their prayers for us the inhabitants of America if we follow the doctrine found in the Book of Mormon; Christ has granted that we will have Eternal Life. Sounds Like a nice Guarantee.

I have read from many detractors of the church that it is very likely that the events on the restoration of the Priesthood with John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John may have occurred after Joseph formed the church and their argument is that Joseph had no priesthood to create the church when he did.

To this I say look at the Church Alma formed, He was a wicked Priest of King Noah. In Mosiah 11 it reads:

5 For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts.

6 Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity.

7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.

In Mosiah 18:

17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.

18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

The question here is from where and when did Alma gain this authority of God?

In Mosiah 25 we read:

18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.

19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church.

It would seam that here Alma is receiving power from Mosiah the King of the land to ordain and establish his church.

Yet, in Mosiah 26 after the church has been operating for some time and problems start occurring, Alma tries to go to king Mosiah to get resolution on what should be done and he basically says, that’s not my problem. I have no authority.

10 Now there had not any such thing happened before in the church; therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused that they should be brought before the king.

11 And he said unto the king: Behold, here are many whom we have brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes.

12 But king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged.

With nowhere else to go Alma finally faces the reality that he need help from God who he professes the church is devoted to. Because he goes to Christ he is blessed:

19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed.

 then Christ basically accepts Alma and all those in his church whole sale as if he had Authority the whole time.

15 Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.

16 And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.

17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people.

18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

Why is Christ telling Alma this? Alma like many of us work with our best intentions not knowing if they are good enough. Christ is a Non-linear being and what he does affects the past present and future simultaneously. So accepting Alma and his efforts and the church and its members back dates that acceptance even though he is just now hearing about from the lord himself;

Even Alma’s son Alma, known as Alma the younger, is told by an angle of the Lord in Mosiah 27:

13 Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.

This evet changed Alma the youngers course in life and eventually indicates he was ordained of his father in Alma 4.

4 And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church, by the hand of his father Alma.

If and I do say if the argument about the timing of those events to restore the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods did occur after the formation of the church it would make no difference in my mind, but I can understand why out of the weakness of men that Joseph an imperfect man that he was would have altered the timing to remove a stumbling block for his fellow men.

This term “My Church” is not found in the scriptures often. In the bible, it is found only once in Matthew 18:

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.

It is used three times in the Book of Mosiah in regard to Alma and his church, once in Mormon when the lord seeks to build up again his church and Five times during Christ’s personal ministry in the Americas.

That the sacrament will be administered in his church.

3 Nephi 18:5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.

That they will prey as teaches taught.

3 Nephi 18:16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.

Christ teaches that if a church is called in his name and built on his gospel then it is his church.

3 Nephi 27:8 And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

That those in his church will do what Christ did.

3 Nephi 27:21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

This last one is really the clencher. And really a topic that I need to study more about.

The Spirit - Listening and Understanding

For the last couple of years I’ve been trying to understand what the lord taught Adam. In an attempt to do this I felt guided to start a garden. I put this off for many years after many promptings because we did not own a home. I gave myself an excuse for why I couldn’t follow that prompting. The year we did, the season was already late, but I put great effort into starting a garden that year. It was small compared to my garden today but it was huge compared to my experience.

Growing plants eventually appears to have been just the beginning, over a few short years Bees, worms, and chickens have been added. Each with a feeling from the spirit that I needed to do them and some foot dragging on my part of why that moment in time was not ideal, but in the end I still did as the spirit had directed, often to my own horror of the financial cost involved.

We have a rooster this year and we are approaching the season where we often loss part of our flock to critters, and that being true we normally get chicks to replace the flock. Since we have a Rooster I know that we can do it ourselves since our eggs are fertilized. Recently a family moved into the ward and there little girls were so charming and we gave them eggs, for which we had an overabundance at the time, and the oldest of the little girls would not let her family eat them because she wanted them to hatch.

After some coaching, she finally relented and allowed her family to enjoy the gift of fresh, now less so, eggs they had received. Throughout these interactions the Spirit kept bringing chicks into my mind, so I set about researching incubators. With all of life going on, our finances have been tight, and I just couldn’t justify the expense. I felt at peace with that, but I still felt the spirit prompting the word chicks.

During this time we have had one hen that will not lay eggs with the other girls. She constantly breaks out of there enclosure, normally flying over the fence, to lay here eggs somewhere else. We have found several of her nest and once we have pilfered them several times she changes location. Well just as this all began she went missing. We had no idea where she was, but about once a week she would make an appearance and then she would be gone again. We were not worried because we had more than enough birds and we have dealt with our share of feral slaughters, and we have come to expect them.

Then one morning the prompting for chicks grew to a climax I couldn’t take anymore. I had to do something. One of our Hens had been showing sure signs of being broody, so I took her and a selection of fresh eggs and put them in out spare coop. She seemed more than happy to keep the eggs company. I felt pretty good about my following the spirit at this point.

That same day our lost hen had come home, but unlike the story of the prodigal son, she was the one bearing gifts. Five beautiful little chicks.

I felt very humbled and the spirit filled my whole self. The Lord was not asking me do anything. The whole time, it was telling me of the blessings God was preparing for me. As I looked back, those first promptings were right around the time our lost hen would have added the last egg to her clutch and set to the work hatching her eggs. Trust GOD. It is his work not mine.

God has given our family many opportunities to serve recently, even though our resources have been few, but sufficient. I haven’t felt the angst of worry about the future, which my wife can tell you I often do. I have also been focusing on understand how God sees and reasons in one eternal round, with the  past, present, and future all as one. The out pourings of the spirit have been glorious to behold and I can truly say that if I can receive the spirit daily in my life, which recently I have, I’m sure our Leaders can have that and more.

Who is 'Him'

In my reading this week I was finishing up 3 Nephi and came across a 'Him' that I was a bit unclear of. It occurs in verse 32 of Chapter 27.

32 But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads.

Just a casual reading of this would suggest that 'him' is talking about Satan, but a more closely reading indicates that 'him' is the one that made captive Lucifer and cause Lucifer to become Satan or the son of Perdition. 

I can think of two things that might be relating to this 'him' for which this scripture speaks. The first would be Glory, Power, Wealth since it indicates they who follow him will "sell" Christ for wealth, (silver and gold). Which Lucifer did try and take Christ's place for the Glory of God. 

The second option is more fundamental and goes back to what I have mentioned before about how Satan was not needed for the plan to succeed because there already existed an implement of opposition to god's plan, the Natural Man. If this is the case it would require me to rethink what the Natural man is in some respects.

I have heard it taught on several occasions that the Natural man is apart of this mortal experience, because this is the first time our Intelligence has had to govern over lesser intelligence that govern the structure of the crude mater that makes up our mortal bodies. For example govern the functions of an atom. 

If the 'him' for which this scripture speaks is the Natural Man; then it existed with us before mortality and has been Gods enemy for all eternity. It in fact has little if nothing to do with governance over lesser intelligence by our intelligence, but of the general undeveloped state of intelligence in general to look out for self interest and power and glory irregardless of the effects on others. Oddly enough it might be this Natural Man in each intelligence that drew us to God in the first place. The real purpose of the plan in few words would be ,'to overcome the Natural Man'. That is God's overarching plan for us intelligence and the plan of salvation is simply a component of the plan to make that grand plan possible. 

So it does matter what 'him' is in this case.

What do you think?

Pre Pre-existence

This morning it seemed pressed upon me that I need to contemplate more on the one state of existence that has never really been expounded upon. Our state as intelligences. This is the state we existed in prior to receiving spiritual bodies.  We really don’t know much of this state or how we made the transition from intelligences to having spirit bodies.

It brought to my mind how it is that we become spiritually reborn as children of Christ. Was our spiritual birth that took us from being intelligences to spirit children a similar process.  I think we often relate our birth as spirits to our physical birth but that might just not be comparable. I simply don't know.

If we look at what we know of the pre-existence and what we know of our spiritual rebirth and our progression to move into the next estate I think we can see patterns that might directly relate to this pre pre-existence.

We know in the pre-existence we received lessons, and were given blessings and ordinations that were contingent on our worthiness during mortality. We also experience the same process of blessings and ordinations in the temple in preparation for the ‘finial’ estate that are contingent on our worthiness.

In the Temple there is a difference between Men and Women regarding washing ones garment clean of the blood and sins of this generation. Men receive it on condition, yet women receive it without condition.

This makes me wonder if in the pre-existence women had a special role or mandate that washed their garments clean of the spirit and transgressions of our spirit generation. Perhaps it was in bringing intelligences into spirit bodies. Think of the symmetry and hidden equality that would imply, if true.

Intelligences depended on the efforts of women to gain spirit bodies and the importance of men was marginalized and then together spirit children grew together to come into this life where it was the role of men that would transition from this state of mortality to a state of eternal life. The role men play is in the grand schema basically administrative and perhaps the same was true for women who aided in the transition to spirit children. There might well be a female Christ figure that took the real weight of the burden I don’t really know. Perhaps the female Christ figure’s burden is spread around much more evenly in this mortal state, or something else I’ve just never complicated. It has never been revealed as doctrine but it has been suggested or eluded to. 

When to stop having kids?

When I got married my wife was pretty admit that she only wanted 4 kids and that was it. I have never set a number on how many I want, because in short, I’ll accept any the Lord feels inclined to bless me with.  When my wife was pregnant with our fourth, I was expecting the classic conversation that occurs when a couple have decided they are done having kids.

It typically goes something like this:

Wife, “I’m going to have my tubes tied and you’re getting a vasectomy”

Husband, “I’m not sure I want to do that, you know that’s not reversible.”

Wife, “I went through all that pain giving you kids. The least you can do is this for me.”

Etc . . .

We never had that discussion. In fact, she told me she felt like we should have a fifth.

It is normal for people outside of the church to act surprised when you have more than two kids. Generally the response comes in one of the following flavors. You’re Crazy. You’re Brave. Or my favorite, “you still got a long way to catch up with me.”

It doesn’t bother me, but it does bother me when members who have been told time and again, “the commandment given to Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the Earth is still enforce today”, would act so shocked at not the normal two but at four. As if because much of society have decided the zero-population growth game, is the “right thing” to do, that if as members we double that then we are clearly keeping the command of the lord and can go on about our business. Not to say having only four because that is all the Lord gave you is of any shame. Even if you never have any there should be no shame.  I just don’t know that we have a right to dictate to God what is best for us or to get in his way.

Now we are pregnant with our fifth and I figured that the time for the discussion was come. Still, no! In fact, my wife knocked me off my socks this time. She said she still doesn’t feel like she is done having kids, but that when she does, she will get her tubes tied, but she doesn’t want me to get anything done, because she doesn’t know what will end up happening down the line and if she dies and I get remarried she doesn’t want that to be a stumbling block.

I love my wife and this is just another example of how much she loves me. Thank you for being your own person and not following the crowd.

Alma 13 - Trying to understand

Alma 13

Alma 8:11-13 - The First reaction of the City of Ammonihah

11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto him: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.

12 And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.

13 Now when the people had said this, and withstood all his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city, he departed thence and took his journey towards the city which was called Aaron.

Duty of a High Priest and the symbolism of his calling

1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children;

(See Alma 12:31-32)

31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good—

32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.

and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son to teach these things (see vs. 6,18) unto the people.

2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

What makes it a preparatory redemption?

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

(See D&C 121:34-36) Many are Called

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

What are the principles of righteousness?

5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—

(See Alma 12:34-35) What does it mean to Enter into his rest?

34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

35 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.

7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son (D&C 107:1-4), which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—

What can be done with this Priesthood?

JST, Gen 14:30-32

30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;

31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.

32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.

8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—

9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

Why you need a High Priest

10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

How as men can we become Sanctified so our garments can be washed clean?

D&C 84:33 (aka Oath and covenant)

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

(Explain about Temple is Directed)

What does it mean to magnify ones calling in the Priesthood?

Jacob 1:19

19 And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.

. . . how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it. An elder magnifies the ordained calling of an elder by learning what his duties as an elder are and then by doing them. . . (Thomas S. Monson,  The Call of Duty)

12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.

Does the phrase, “Fruit meet for repentance” seam familure to any of you?

JST Mathew 3:34-36 (Compare Mathew 3:8-6)

34 Why is it that ye receive not the preaching of him whom God hath sent? If ye receive not this in your hearts, ye receive not me; and if ye receive not me, ye receive not him of whom I am sent to bear record; and for your sins ye have no cloak.

35 Repent, therefore, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance;

36 And think not to say within yourselves, We are the children of Abraham, and we only have power to bring seed unto our father Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children into Abraham.

What does the word, “meet” mean in this phrase?

to come into the presence of, to come together with, to come into contact or conjunction with, to enter into conference, argument, or personal dealings with, to conform to especially with exactitude and precision, to pay fully, to become acquainted with. (Merriam Webster dictionary)

How do we, “bring forth Fruit meet for repentance”?

14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.

15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

What Kind of Man was Melchezidek?

JST, Gen 14:26-27

26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.

27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,

17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;

18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, 

See Office of High Priesthood See Alma 4:18
            18 Now Alma did not grant unto him (Nephihah) the office of being high                 priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest unto                           himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah.

did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.

19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.

This is the full affect a High Priest can effect on a people

JST, Gen 14:34

34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;

20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.

The dictionary defines wrest as, “To twist. … To distort; to turn from truth or twist from its natural meaning … ; to pervert” (Noah Webster’s First Edition of an American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828[1967])

Alma on his Soap Box

21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;

22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.

23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.

24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land;

and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

What is the job of these angles?

preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory

Isn’t that our Job too?

D&C 13:1

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance . . .

25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels (Samual the Laminite), of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;

(See Alma 8:14) We know this is true,

14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:

28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.

30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death.

31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.

Almas parting words to the city of Gideon

Alma 7:22-27

22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.

26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.

27 And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.