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the two candlesticks standing before the God of TSP 31:37– 31:48the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fireproceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth prophesy a thousand two hundred andtheir enemies; yea, if any man will hurt them, he threescore days, clothed in sackcloth; Andmust in this manner be killed. they of the temple of God, which are the people and kindreds and tongues and nations 37 And these shall have power to shut heaven, of the earth, shall see their dead bodies threethat it rain not in the days of their prophecy. And days and a half, and shall not suffer their deadthey shall also have power over the waters to bodies to be put in graves.turn them to blood, and to smite the earth withall of their plagues, as often as they will, 44 And now, I would that ye should know thataccording to the heed that is given unto them. forty and two months are a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And a thousand 38 And when they shall have finished their two hundred and threescore days are three yearstestimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the and a half, or in other words, three days and abottomless pit shall make war against them, and half, according to the symbolism that John hathshall overcome them, and kill them. And their used to describe these things.dead bodies shall lie in the street of the greatcity, which spiritually is called Sodom and 45 And these days represent years. Therefore,Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified, a thousand two hundred and threescore yearsbecause the holy city gave no heed unto the shall pass until all these things shall be fulfilled.words of his prophets. Now here is the understanding of the wise. A time and two times, and a half of time is three 39 And they of the temple of God, which are and a half. He who hath the Spirit and receiveththe people and kindreds and tongues and nations these things according to the spirit of prophecy,of the earth, shall see their dead bodies three shall understand and not be afraid of that whichdays and an half, and shall not suffer their dead is to come.bodies to be put in graves. 46 And the Bible and the record of my father 40 And they that dwell upon the earth shall shall be upon the earth for a thousand tworejoice over them, and make merry, and shall hundred and threescore years before the wordssend gifts one to another; because these two of the Lord shall be fulfilled in all things that heprophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. hath given unto the children of men through the mouths of his holy prophets. And these two 41 And now, I, Moroni, give unto those of you great prophets of which John hath written shallwho are the elect, the explanation of these be a witness unto the world of its wickedness, inthings; for they are glorious things, which can the same manner and likeness as the words of aonly be made known unto you by the Spirit of holy prophet shall witness in the flesh of theGod. But I know that many of you have been wickedness of a nation.led by the precepts of men for so long, that it isdifficult for ye to discern that which is of the 47 And the people and kindreds of the earthSpirit, and that which is of men. shall have them available to them, but shall not give heed unto them. And those who do give 42 For Satan whispereth a portion of the truth heed unto them, shall not live by their precepts.unto many, that he might convince them of his And this is what is meant by the people andpower. And he introduceth his own precepts, kindreds and tongues and nations of the earth,mingled with the truth, to deceive you. And for which shall see their dead bodies three days andthis reason, this record hath been prepared and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies tosealed up to come forth unto you to help you be put in graves.discern the truth of all things. 48 For behold, Satan hath deceived the whole 43 For behold, John hath revealed unto you earth and hath caused the children of men tothe time of the Lord in that which he wrote, disregard these two testimonies of the words ofsaying: For they shall tread under foot the holy Christ. And now, when John wrote, saying:city for forty and two months; and I will give These are the two olive trees, and the twopower unto my two witnesses, and they shall candlesticks standing before the God of the Chapter 31 193

TSP 31:49– 31:59 through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost, according to the heed that they give unto theearth. And if any man will hurt them, fire words of Christ.proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureththeir enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he 54 And when John wrote, saying: And whenmust in this manner be killed. they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit 49 Yea, John was giving reference to the shall make war against them, and shallwarning that he also hath given at the end of the overcome them, and kill them. Yea, he meantBible, in which he wrote, saying: For I testify that Satan shall deceive the children of men tounto every man that heareth the words of the such an extent that the words of the holyprophecy of this book, that if any man shall add scriptures shall have no effect upon them.unto these things, God shall add unto him theplagues that are written in this book. And if any 55 And the hearts of the children of men shallman shall take away from the words of the book be set so much upon the things of this world, andof this prophecy, God shall take away his part the desire for the honors of men, that the holyout of the book of life, and out of the holy city, scriptures shall be dead unto them, because theyand from the things which are written in this do not have a desire to read them. And whenbook. And he of which this book testifieth, they do read them, they do not understand them.saith: Surely I come quickly. Amen. And I saith:Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 56 And then shall ye understand more fully the words of John which he wrote, saying: And 50 And now, I, Moroni, testify to those of you they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice overwho shall receive these things, that the sealed them, and make merry, and shall send gifts oneportion of this record shall be that which the to another; because these two prophetsLord hath prepared to stand as a witness of the tormented them that dwelt on the earth. For thetruth regarding the holy scriptures that ye have children of men shall began to believe that theseamong you. holy scriptures are not the words of God, but are myths and fantasies created by other men to 51 And whatsoever ye find in the scriptures deceive them. And this is what Satan wouldthat ye have among you that doth not agree with have them believe.that which ye shall receive in this record, then yeshall know that it hath been changed and added to 57 And now, I would that ye shouldor taken away from. And if it hath been changed understand the words of John pertaining untoin this manner, then the words of this record can these great nations of which I have spoken,help you to know the truth regarding these which shall be set up upon the earth in order tochanges, even the truth that was meant to be give Satan the time of his power and his glory.known by those who have written these things. 58 And John wrote of the Roman Empire, 52 And when John wrote, saying: And these saying: And I stood upon the sand of the sea,shall have power to shut heaven, that it rain not and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, havingin the days of their prophecy. And they shall seven heads and ten horns, and upon his hornsalso have power over the waters to turn them to ten crowns, and upon his heads the name ofblood, and to smite the earth with all of their blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was likeplagues, as often as they will, according to the unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of aheed that is given unto them. bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and 53 Yea, he meant that if the children of men great authority.abide by the words of Christ in these books, orof these two prophets, then they shall be blessed 59 Now this beast which John describeth isaccording to the covenants that the Lord hath the power of Satan that is over the entire earth,made with their fathers. And if they do not even upon the seven continents, which are theabide by their words, then shall the earth be seven heads. And this power is in ten of thecursed for their sakes, even that they might great empires or nations, which are the ten hornsrepent. For the rain from heaven is the upon which are ten crowns.revelation that is given unto the children of men194 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

60 And John continueth his words, saying: TSP 31:60– 31:71And they worshipped the dragon which gavepower unto the beast and to them that were the the sword. And every nation that taketh anotherleaders among men. And they worshipped the nation captive, shall be led into captivitybeast, saying: Who is like unto the beast? Who according to the word of the Lord, which wordis able to make war with him? And there was hath been given to all the nations of the earthgiven unto him a mouth speaking great things through his holy prophets.and blasphemies; and power was given untohim this time to continue forty and two months. 66 And John continueth his words, saying: And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded 61 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy to death; and his deadly wound was healed: andagainst God, to blaspheme his name, and his all the world wondered after the beast. Now,tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And this is the head that representeth the Romanit was given unto him to make war with the Empire. For ye shall see how this great nationsaints, and to overcome them by the words of shall rise above all other nations and wield itsthe leaders of the nations to whom he hath given power throughout the entire earth.his power. And this power was given him overall kindreds and tongues and nations. And all 67 And its system of government shallthat dwell upon the earth shall worship him, eventually fall, which is what is meant by beingwhose names are not written in the book of life, wounded to death. But this same system ofwhich is the church of the Lamb of God who government and laws shall once again rise up onwas slain from the foundation of the world. the earth, which is what is meant by his deadly wound being healed. 62 If any man have an ear, let him hear; Forhe that leadeth into captivity shall go into 68 And all the world shall wonder after thiscaptivity, and he that killeth with the sword must system of government and its laws, and theybe killed with the sword. Here is the patience shall be led to believe that this system ofand the faith of the saints. government and its laws are the most righteous that have ever been upon the earth. 63 Now, I, Moroni, would that ye shouldunderstand that thus hath been, and is, and will 69 And it is this system of government andbe the state in which the children of men shall these laws that shall be the medium for the planfind themselves among all the nations of the of Lucifer. And John continueth his wordsearth since the beginning. And I have concerning this government and its laws, or inpreviously explained unto you that Satan shall other words, this power, saying: And I behelduse the power that he hath over the leaders and another beast coming up out of the earth; and herulers of the nations of the earth to subdue the had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as atruth of God and slay the prophets who shall dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of thepreach the truth unto them. first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first 64 And it is only by the sword that Satan shall beast, whose deadly wound was healed.be able to enforce his will upon the earth. Andany nation that submiteth to the will of Satan 70 Now this hath reference to the greatand taketh up a sword against another nation, European Empire, which shall eventually beshall be destroyed by the sword. Thus it hath divided into ten major nations, or horns. And abeen, thus it is, and thus it shall always be until beast shall be among them, even a beast withthe Lord cometh in his glory. two horns. And this beast shall have two horns, one shall be known as the British Empire, and 65 And for this reason the Lord hath the other of these horns shall be the colonialcommanded me to make a record of the states, which shall be separated from the mainhistories of these nations, so that ye might see land of this empire by many waters.the fulfillment of all the words of the Lordconcerning these things. For behold, every 71 And these two nations, which are from thenation that hath lived by the sword, hath died by beast, were one in the beginning and shall be one in the end, and shall base their system of government upon many of the laws and ideas of the Roman Empire, which government and laws Chapter 31 195

TSP 31:72– 31:83 go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were notwere wounded to death, but then healed, or written in the book of life from the foundation ofrevived by the later great European Empire from the world, when they behold the beast that was,which these two nations shall rise. And these and is not, and yet is.two nations shall promote peace, as the twohorns like a lamb represent. Nevertheless, this 78 And here is the mind which hath wisdom.peace shall be the peace and carnal security into The seven heads are seven mountains, on whichwhich Satan shall lull them. the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet 72 And John gave another representation of come; and when he cometh, he must continue athis, in which he wrote, saying: And there came short space.one of the seven angels which had the sevenvials, and talked with me, saying unto me, 79 And now, I, Moroni, think that it should beCome hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment easy to understand these words of John. Forof the great whore that sitteth upon many behold, the five great nations that have fallenwaters, with whom the kings of the earth have before the great Roman Empire, which is thecommitted fornication, and the inhabitants of nation that is upon the earth at the time of John,the earth have been made drunk with the wine of are the nations of the Egyptians, the Hittites, theher fornication. Assyrians, the Persians, and the Greeks. 73 And now, I, Moroni, would that ye should 80 And the one that is yet to come,understand that this is the great and abominable according to the time of John, is the greatchurch of which Nephi hath written in his European Empire.vision, which is the same vision that was givenunto John. And I have explained this great and 81 And now, I, Moroni, have seen the wordsabominable church unto you previously. of John which have been given in the Bible.Therefore, it is important that ye reference these And I would that ye should remember the wordsthings that ye might understand them more fully. of Nephi which he wrote, saying: Thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the 74 And John continued with his words, hands of the great and abominable church, thatsaying: So he carried me away in the spirit into there are many plain and precious things takenthe wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon away from the book, which is the book of thea scarlet coloured beast, full of names of Lamb of God.blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.And the woman was arrayed in purple and 82 And after these plain and precious thingsscarlet colour, and decked with gold and were taken away it goeth forth unto all theprecious stones and pearls, having a golden cup nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forthin her hand full of abominations and filthiness of unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, evenher fornication. across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles that have gone forth out of 75 And upon her forehead was a name captivity, thou seest—because of the many plainwritten, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The and precious things which have been taken outMother Of Harlots And Abomination Of The of the book, which were plain unto theEarth. And I saw the woman drunken with the understanding of the children of men, accordingblood of the saints, and with the blood of the to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—martyrs of Jesus. because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly 76 And when I saw her, I wondered with great many do stumble, yea, insomuch thatgreat admiration. And the angel said unto me: Satan hath great power over them.Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell theethe mystery of the woman, and of the beast 83 Now, I, Moroni, would that ye shouldthat carrieth her, which hath the seven heads understand that the two prophets that shall beand ten horns. among you in the latter days, even those who shall bring this record forth unto you, shall have 77 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not;and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and196 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

the power and authority given unto them to TSP 31:84– 32:5discern which of the plain and precious thingshave been taken out of the Bible. And they shall CHAPTER 32be commanded to put these plain and preciousthings back into the holy scriptures according to The voice of warning given by Joseph Smith isthe revelations that they shall receive of the given and the book of Revelation is furtherHoly Spirit, which shall be with them. expounded on. The beast and the power and influence of money are explained as well as the 84 And they do not add to, nor do they take marks of the beast. Those who have the mark ofaway from that which is written, but they put the Lamb in their foreheads are the elect of God.back the things which have been taken out by Moroni describes the difference between athe great and abominable church of which righteous and an evil nation.Nephi hath spoken. And I have also been giventhis power and authority of the Spirit. AND I have been commanded to include this voice of warning upon these plates as it shall be 85 Therefore, I have given unto you the words given unto the world by the first prophet of theof John in their original state, even that state in latter days: Hearken, Oh, ye people of thewhich John hath written them, even most plain church of the Lamb of God saith the voice ofand precious so that ye may understand the truth him who dwelleth on high, and whose eyes areregarding them. upon all men. 86 And John continueth more specifically in 2 Yea, verily I say, hearken ye people fromwhat he hath written, saying: And the beast that afar, and ye that are upon the islands of thewas, and is not, and yet is, hath given his full sea, listen together; for verily the voice of thepower unto an eighth, and this eighth is of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none toseventh, and this eighth shall worship the beast. escape, and there is no eye that shall not see,And this beast is he that goeth into perdition. neither ear that shall not hear, neither heartAnd the ten horns which thou sawest are ten that shall not be penetrated.kings, which have received no kingdom as yet;but receive power as kings one hour with the 3 And the rebellious shall be pierced withbeast. These have one mind, and shall give their much sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spokenpower and strength unto the beast. upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed. And this voice of warning shall be 87 Now this eighth nation of which John hath unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples,written is the United States of the last days, and whom I have chosen in these last days, and theyit is of the seventh, or of the great European shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I theEmpire. And ten major nations shall arise of the Lord have commanded them.great European Empire and shall reign for a shorttime And unto the nation of the United States, 4 Behold, this is mine authority, and theSatan shall begin to show forth his power and authority of my servants, which I have givenestablish his plan among the people of the earth. them to preach unto you, Oh, inhabitants of the earth; therefore fear and tremble, Oh, ye people, 88 And this first prophet of the latter days, for what I the Lord have decreed, in them, shalleven he that shall bring forth the unsealed be fulfilled.portion of this record, shall be given a revelationfrom God in which he shall warn the people of 5 And verily, I say unto you, that they who gothe earth that the time is not yet, but is nigh at forth bearing these tidings unto the inhabitantshand when Satan shall be released and have of the earth, to them is power given to seal, bothpower over his own dominion. on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; yea, verily, to seal them up unto the 89 And this revelation shall be given unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured outchildren of men just before the day and the hour upon the wicked without measure; even unto thethat the Father shall take off the chains by which day when the Lord shall come to recompenseSatan hath been bound, even that He shall no unto every man according to his work, andlonger forbid Satan from showing forth his measure to every man according to the measurepower unto the children of men. which he hath measured to his fellow man. Chapter 32 197

TSP 32:6– 32:17 inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; and inasmuch 6 Therefore the voice of the Lord is unto the as they were humble, they might be madeends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear. strong, and blessed from on high, and receiveAnd this voice is like one that cryeth in the knowledge from time to time.wilderness, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye forthat which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; and 12 And after having received the record of thethe anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword Nephites, yea, even my servants the prophets,is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the might have power to translate, through theinhabitants of the earth. mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also those to whom these 7 And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed commandments were given might have powerunto the ends of the earth. And the day cometh to lay the foundation of this church, even thethat they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, church of the Lamb of God and to bring it forthneither the voice of his servants, neither give out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the onlyheed to the words of the prophets and apostles, true and living church upon the face of theshall be cut off from among the people. whole earth, with which I the Lord am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively 8 For they have strayed from mine and not individually.ordinances, and have broken mine everlastingcovenant. They seek not the Lord to establish 13 For I the Lord cannot look upon sin withhis righteousness, but every man walketh in his the least degree of allowance; nevertheless, heown way, and after the image of his own god, that repenteth and keepeth the commandmentswhose image is in the likeness of the world, and of the Lord shall be forgiven; and he thatwhose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth repenteth not, from him shall be taken evenold and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the light which he hath received. For mythe great, which shall fall. Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts. 9 Therefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamitywhich should come upon the inhabitants of the 14 And again, verily I say unto you, Oh,earth, have called upon my servants and spake inhabitants of the earth, I, the Lord, am willingunto them from heaven, and gave unto them to make these things known unto all flesh, for Icommandments that they should proclaim these am no respecter of persons, and will that all menthings unto the world; and all this that it might shall know that the day speedily cometh—thebe fulfilled, which was written by the prophets, hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand—when peacethat the weak things of the world shall come shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shallforth and break down the mighty and strong have power over his own dominion.ones, that man should not counsel his fellowman, neither trust in the arm of flesh. 15 And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and 10 But that every man might speak in the shall come down in judgment upon the world.name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the Verily, I say unto you, search theseworld. And that faith also might increase in the commandments, even the words that shall beearth; that mine everlasting covenant might be given unto you by my servants, for they are trueestablished and that the fullness of my gospel and faithful, and the prophecies and promisesmight be proclaimed by the weak and the which are in them shall all be fulfilled.simple, unto the ends of the world, and beforekings and rulers. 16 And what I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the 11 Behold, I am God, and have spoken it; heavens and the earth pass away, my wordsthese commandments are of me, and were given shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled,unto my servants in their weakness, after the whether by mine own voice, or by the voice ofmanner of their language, that they might come my servants, it is the same.to understanding; and inasmuch as they erred itmight be made known; and inasmuch as they 17 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, andsought wisdom they might be instructed; and198 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, TSP 32:18– 32:32and the truth abideth for ever and ever. Amen. this desire would not be such a bad thing, except 18 And now, I, Moroni, have given unto you that these powers are reserved for those whothese words of warning. And these words shall will use them in the service and for the benefitbe given at the time just before the day and the of those whom they serve, according to the lawshour that Satan is released by the Father as I that govern the Celestial kingdom.have explained it unto you. 26 But Lucifer argued in the beginning that all 19 And the words of John describe this day, of the children of God are capable of enjoyingsaying: And he doeth great wonders, so that he the power and blessings of the Celestial glory, ifmaketh fire come down from heaven on the they are given unto them.earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth themthat dwell on the earth by the means of those 27 And Jehovah argued against the plan ofmiracles which he had power to do in the sight Lucifer, saying: And if these great powers areof the beast. given unto those who are not restricted in their use, according to the restrictions set by the 20 And he shall say to them that dwell on laws of the kingdom of happiness in whichthe earth, that they should make an image to they exist, then they shall use these powers forthe beast, which had the wound by a sword, their own enjoyment and benefit withoutand did live. regard for that which the use of these powers might do to another. 21 And he had power to give life unto theimage of the beast, that the image of the beast 28 For in the Terrestrial and Telestial gloriesshould both speak, and cause that as many as there are no restrictions or laws that prohibit thewould not worship the image of the beast should use of any of the eternal laws that they are givenbe killed. in those kingdoms. For the powers that shall be given unto them, are given for their own 22 Behold, when Satan is released, he shall enjoyment, which is according to their ownbegin to inspire the children of men with great desires of happiness.advancements in technology and science, evenadvancements that shall turn the hearts of the 29 And these eternal laws constitute thesechildren of men away from God. powers. And if these powers are used in selfishness, then there shall be no way that 23 And these advancements are based upon these beings can be restricted from harmingpowers that are eternal, which the Father one another, if it so be that these powersforbade Lucifer to give to the children of men, bring joy to the individual who useth themso that they would not destroy themselves in for his own happiness, in spite of how ittheir wickedness. And up to the time that he might affect another.was released, Satan was allowed to introducesome of these technologies and advancements, 30 And if this be the case, then there shallbut only according to the wisdom of the Father. be much contention and discord among those in the glories whose desires of 24 For the Father knoweth all things. And He happiness are self-serving and centered onlyhath seen many earths come and go, even those in their own happiness.which He hath prepared for other of Hischildren. And He knoweth what the children of 31 Behold, those of a Celestial glory onlymen can endure in their times and in their use those powers in the service of others andseasons. And He also knoweth the effects that never for Their own benefit or glory, and thisthese technologies and advancements shall have is according to the laws of this kingdom ofon the hearts of His children. And not only on glory. And if these powers are only used forHis children, but on the earth that He hath the benefit of others, then what shall be thecreated for them. cause of any contention among those who reside in this type of kingdom? 25 For it is the desire of Lucifer to give untoall the great blessings and powers of the 32 And Lucifer argued that because we areCelestial glory, or the glory of the Father. Now, inexperienced in the use of these powers, how is it that we should not be given the chance to have Chapter 32 199

TSP 32:33– 32:47 that shall take you away from the gospel of Christ, even that ye shall forget about his wordsthese powers, even all of the children of God, so and put your trust in this money.that we might see for ourselves if we can live inpeace and harmony with them. 41 And John wrote concerning this, saying: And he causeth all, both small and great, rich 33 And so it is that the plan of Lucifer is not and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark inthat there should be contention and discord their right hand, or in their foreheads. Andamong us, but that we should all have the power that no man might buy or sell, save he that hadand blessings of the Father, or those who are the mark, or the name of the beast, or theCelestial. And for this reason, the Father number of his name.allowed him to incorporate many of the powersof heaven into the lives of the children of men in 42 Here is wisdom. Let him that haththe latter days, even that his argument—which understanding count the number of the beast: forwas made through the free agency that the it is the number of a man; and his number is SixFather hath given unto all of His children— hundred threescore and six.might be proven. 43 And now, in order for ye to understand this 34 And many of the ancient prophets of God riddle that John hath given unto you, it issaw the latter days and beheld the great necessary that ye understand somewhatwickedness that would exist among the children concerning the customs of the Jews, from whichof men because of the miracles, or the powers culture John was, that ye might understand thatthat Satan shall give unto them. which he hath written unto you. 35 For even with the great advancements of 44 For it was customary among the Jews totechnology and science, of which advancements equate that which a man doeth in his life, or hisye shall know, even those of you who have works, with a mark upon his right hand, in thatreceived this record, the children of men do not his hand doeth that which he performeth in hislive in peace and harmony one with another, but life, even his works, which is his name. And thehave separated themselves into families, and thoughts of that man are indicative of a mark incommunities, and nations, which are even more his forehead, or in other words, the desires of hisisolated and more selfish than at any other time heart, or the reason for which he doeth theupon the earth. works that he performeth. 36 And many of these things shall be revealed 45 And it shall come to pass in the latter daysin this record as I approach the time period of that he who doth not have money, or who doththe latter days after I have explained unto you not participate in the economy of the nations ofthe way that Satan eventually prepareth the the world, which economies shall revolvechildren of men for the day of his glory. around the seat of the beast, or the money of the nation of the United States, then he shall be 37 And ye shall see how the God of the latter killed, for he cannot survive in a system ofdays, who is Lucifer, hath lifted himself up and economy that is based upon this money.hath deceived those upon the earth to such anextent that they shall think that he is their Father 46 And all people, yea, even everyone whoin heaven, and that the true Lord is the devil. liveth upon the earth, shall receive the mark in their right hands; or in other words, they shall be 38 And one of the ways that ye might know forced to participate in this economy whichthese things is by the money that ye shall have shall be set up and based upon money. And thisamong you in the latter days. And if ye look at money is the system of exchange by which thethis money, ye shall notice that which Satan hath whole world shall live. And this money is thecaused you to inscribe thereon, even the words: number of the beast.In God We Trust. 47 And John has given a riddle unto those 39 And ye do trust in this god, even the money who have wisdom to understand his words.on which ye have inscribed these words. But in And he wrote, saying: Here is wisdom. Let himthe Lord, ye do not trust, for ye have been led to that hath understanding count the number of thebelieve that his ways are of the devil. 40 And this money shall become the thing200 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

beast: for it is the number of a man; and his TSP 32:48– 32:60number is six hundred threescore and six. 55 And under his power, ye shall never 48 And because there shall be very few of you understand the mysteries of God. For it wouldwho have the spirit of understanding, which is not behoove the plan of Lucifer if ye understoodonly given to those who have the Spirit of God, that money was the cause of all of yourmost of you shall be unable to solve this riddle, wickedness. Yea, it would be contrary to theand shall come up with all manner of plan of happiness that he hath established forspeculation and answers to the meaning of this you if ye did not have money and the fine thingsman and his number, which is six hundred of the world. And without money, how wouldthreescore and six. ye obtain the fine things of the world? Yea, without money, how would ye live in the 49 Yet, ye already have the answer to this kingdom of Satan that he hath establishedriddle among you. Now here is wisdom, only among you?those who are true prophets of God would knowthis answer, for it is simple and easy to 56 Behold, there shall be no way that a manunderstand. And it is written in the Bible, even can live in the latter days except he have thethe source of most of the symbolism of the mark of the beast in his right hand.words of John. Nevertheless, that doth not mean that he must have the mark of the beast in his forehead. 50 Yea, it is written: Now the weight of goldthat came to Solomon in one year was six 57 And the beast shall cause all to receive thishundred threescore and six talents. mark in their right hand, but he shall not have the power over you to make you receive it in 51 And now my beloved brothers and sisters, your foreheads. In other words, your minds andis this thing so hard to understand? Is it so hard your hearts can be centered in Christ, eventhat ye must look past the mark and look for though ye are forced to participate in themeaning in something beyond your economy that hath been established among you.understanding? Know ye not that the Spirit ofthe Lord is there, willing and able to guide you 58 And if your hearts are centered inin your understanding of all of his words, which Christ, then ye shall use the economy of thewords are given unto you by his holy prophets? beast to do the works of Christ. And ye will use your money to do good, to clothe the 52 Oh, ye of little faith, who have set up naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberatestumbling blocks before you because ye do not the captive, and administer relief to the sickask of the Lord concerning these things. But do and the afflicted; in other words, ye shallnot think that ye can just ask the Lord and he work with the mark of the beast in your rightshall give these things unto you. For if ye do not hand, with your heart and mind centered onobey his words, then ye are not worthy of his Christ.understanding. 59 And do not think that ye can have your 53 And now, I, Moroni, give unto you a way heart and your mind centered on Christ if yein which ye can tell whether or not ye are do not do the works of Christ. For eveninspired by the words of Christ, and are given Jesus had the mark of the beast in his rightthe truth of all things according to the Holy hand. And for this purpose was Judas called,Ghost, or if ye are receiving your inspiration so that he might carry the bag among thefrom your own god, even Satan. apostles of Christ, so that they could participate in the economy of the beast, so 54 Behold, before reading these words that they would not be killed by the beast,herein, did ye understand the meaning of the whose only desire is the number of its name.riddle which John hath given unto you? If yedid not, and I know that ye did not, for there 60 Nevertheless, Christ had a mark in hisare few in the latter days that have the Spirit forehead that was a name that only he knew.with them, then ye are under the influence of In other words, only he understood theSatan, and are being led to believe that which things that he did, and only he had the intenthe would have you believe, so that he can keep to do the works that he did.you under his power. Chapter 32 201

TSP 32:61– 32:74 which is evil and of Satan, compared with that which is righteous and of God. For it shall come 61 Now, this is the thing that John meant to pass that there shall be many of you in thewhen he wrote, saying: His eyes were as a latter days that shall not understand how yourflame of fire, and on his head were many nation can be under the power of Satan and becrowns; and he had a name written upon his an evil nation, when ye believe that ye are happyforehead that no man knew, but he, himself. therein and prosper, and seem to be blessed by the hand of God. And there shall be many of 62 And John wrote also concerning those who you that shall judge other nations as being evil,followed the example of Christ and had his when ye judge your own to be righteous.name, or the name of the Father—it is thesame—written in their foreheads. And he 69 Now, I would that ye should understandwrote, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the that anything that goeth contrary to the eternalsea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants plan of salvation that the Father hath set up forof our God in their foreheads. us, and which He presented to us in the beginning in His kingdom, is evil and is 63 And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the considered of Satan. And I would that ye shouldmount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and also know, that the plan of Lucifer is notfour thousand, having the name of his Father considered an evil thing to Him, nor to thosewritten in their foreheads. who followed Lucifer in the beginning. 64 And there shall be no more curse; but the 70 Behold, I have explained already unto youthrone of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and that the argument of Lucifer, or his plan, was ahis servants shall serve him; and they shall see wonderful and righteous plan to many of thosehis face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. who heard it; evensomuch, that these rebelled against their own Eternal Father and their 65 And now, to those who do not have the Eternal Mothers, who these spirits knewmark of the Lamb in their forehead, even the understood all things, and to whom all themajority of you in the latter days, more eternal powers of heaven had been given.especially those of you of this eighth kingdomthat hath risen out of the seventh, John also 71 Yet, even upon beholding these eternalgiveth you warning, saying: And it was beings in all their glory, Lucifer and many of thecommanded them that they should not hurt the children of God rebelled against Him and camegrass of the earth, neither any green thing, up with a plan that they felt was more righteousneither any tree; but only those men which have than the plan of the Father.not the seal of God in their foreheads. 72 Therefore, to Lucifer and those who 66 And the third angel followed them saying followed after him, the plan of the Father is evil,with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast being contrary to their plan, which they believeand his image, and receive his mark in his is righteous. Now, this is how Satan is able toforehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of convince the children of men that he is notthe wine of the wrath of God, which is poured Satan, but is God; and that God is not our trueout without mixture into the cup of his Father, but is the devil. The one on the oneindignation; and he shall be tormented with fire hand, and the other on the other.and brimstone in the presence of the holyangels, and in the presence of the Lamb. 73 And it is a prerequisite of our free agency that we choose for ourselves which plan is 67 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, righteous, and which plan is evil.and judgment was given unto them: and I sawthe souls of them that were beheaded for the 74 But the words of the prophets of God, evenwitness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and the words of the holy scriptures, which arewhich had not worshipped the beast, neither his written by these prophets, support the plan ofimage, neither had received his mark upon their the Father. Therefore, they consider the plan offoreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and Lucifer to be evil, and the plan of the Father toreigned with Christ a thousand years. be righteous. 68 And now, I, Moroni, have been instructedby the Spirit to speak somewhat concerning that202 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

75 And the prophets of God are called by the TSP 32:75– 32:90Holy Order of the Son of God to teach the planof the Father only. And that which is not of God, another way that ye can discern between athey teach as being evil and of Satan, and nation that followeth the plan of God, and onetherefore, they condemn these things before the that is under the power of Satan.children of men. 84 For the plan of God is based upon eternal 76 And for this reason, it becometh very laws that govern the eternal worlds. And thesedifficult for the children of men to discern laws are administrated by an eternalwhich plan they are following. For when they government. And this government is basedare following the plan of Lucifer, he upon three eternal principles that I havepretendeth to be their God, and blesseth them already explained unto you previously in thisaccording to his will and the covenants that he record. Therefore, if a nation and itsmaketh with them. government are based upon these eternal principles, then it is a nation under God. And 77 And all of the blessings which Satan any nation that is based upon these principlesbestoweth upon the children of men are shall not allow any of its subjects to gomaterial blessings, or things of the earth. And without the necessary means that are neededhe can bless with riches and power and so that these subjects might live peacefullyprosperity; yea, he can even bless with and be able to pursue happiness according towisdom and understanding. each individual desire for happiness. 78 But the Father only blesseth His children, 85 And here again are the three principles ofor those who follow His plan, in one way; and a righteous government: The first principle andthat way is complete and eternal happiness. law of this government is that this government shall never be self-serving, or in other words, it 79 Now, Satan can also bless us with a state shall never act in and of itself and of its ownof happiness and euphoria, but this state will accord for the sake of its own existence.only be temporary, and will change from time totime according to the way in which Satan 86 And this government is restricted in itschooseth to bless us. power according to the restrictions that are necessary to ensure that it abideth by this first 80 Therefore, it should be easy for a person to principle and law.tell whether or not the state of happiness thatthey are experiencing is a blessing from God, or 87 For behold, this government servetha blessing from Satan. For if it is a blessing those who benefit from its existence, and thosefrom God, then this state of happiness shall who benefit from its existence are those whonever cease. give it the power that it hath received. And the power that it hath received hath been given to 81 But if it is a blessing from Satan, it shall this government to serve those who havecease one day. And when the day cometh that given it its power.his blessing of happiness ceaseth, then themisery that followeth shall be greater than that 88 And the second principle and law of thismisery that a person felt before they were eternal government is that it will guarantee theblessed with a state of happiness by Satan. freedom, or the free agency, of all those whom it serveth. And this free agency that it 82 Now, this is one way that ye shall be able guaranteeth, restricteth those whom it servethto tell whether or not ye are following Satan, or from infringing on the free agency of another, orfollowing God. For if ye are in a state of never from having another infringe on the free agencyending happiness, in that your joy is full, then ye that each of those it serveth possesseth.are following God. 89 And this government will do nothing that 83 And if your happiness is completely infringeth upon the free agency of those whomdependent on a temporary state, even the state of it serveth, except in defending the free agency ofthe flesh in which we temporarily find ourselves another from being infringed upon.in mortality, then ye can be certain that ye arefollowing the plan of Lucifer. And there is 90 And the third principle and law of this eternal government, is that it shall provide the Chapter 32 203

TSP 32:91– 32:103 sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the table of the rich man;means whereby those whom it serveth may moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.have an equal opportunity to experience thehappiness that they desire. And because it was 96 And it came to pass that the beggar died,not the choice of those whom it serveth to exist, and was carried by the angels into the bosom ofthis government must provide those things that Abraham; the rich man also died, and wasare necessary to fulfill the measure and purpose buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, beingof their creation, which purpose is their in torment, and seeth Abraham afar off, andindividual happiness. Lazarus in his bosom. 91 And now, I have made it easy for you to 97 And he cried and said, Father Abraham,discern whether or not the government of the have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that henation to which ye belong in the latter days, or may dip the tip of his finger in water, and coolthe governments of the nations that shall be my tongue; for I am tormented in the flame.made known unto you; even those of whosehistories I have touched upon, or which I shall 98 But Abraham said, Son, remember thattouch upon in this abridgment; yea, it should be thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,easy for ye to determine if they are a nation and likewise Lazarus evil things? But now he isunder God, or one under the power and comforted, and thou are tormented. And besideinfluence of Satan. all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence 92 And if your nation hath no poor among to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, thatyou that have not been provided with the means would come from thence.whereby they might have an equal opportunityto experience the happiness that they desire, 99 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, Father,then that nation is under God. that thou wouldst send him to the house of my father; for I have five brethren; that he may 93 But be careful that ye do not deceive testify unto them, lest they also come into thisyourselves; for there shall be many of you that place of torment.shall claim that your nation giveth equalopportunity to all of its subjects to pursue the 100 Abraham saith unto him, They havehappiness that each desireth. Yet if there is one Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.among you—and it is important that ye And he said, Nay, Father Abraham; but if oneremember that this one did not make a choice, went unto them from the dead, they will repent.according to the flesh, to be born, but that choice And he said unto him, If they hear not Moseswas made by the parents of this one—yea, if this and the prophets, neither shall they beone maketh a choice to sit idle all the days of his persuaded, though one rose from the dead.life, then doth not this one have the right andfree agency to do this according to the laws of a 101 And now, I, Moroni, would ask of you ofrighteous government? the latter days, even ye of the eighth nation of which John hath spoken, which is the seat of 94 And should not his food, and shelter, and Satan. Yea, how many beggars are there in yourraiment be provided for him according to the nation like unto Lazarus?laws of a righteous nation under God? I sayunto you that he doth have a right to those 102 Do they not sit before you idlely onthings. And I am not the only one who saith this their hands, and do not have the capacity tothing. For the Lord, even Jesus Christ hath said work? And do they not want that ye shouldthe same thing unto you in the form of a parable, feed them from the crumbs that fall off of yourwhich hath been given unto you in the Bible. tables, even those crumbs that would sustain their lives and give them the sustenance that 95 And the parable was given, saying: There they need to survive?was a certain rich man, who was clothed inpurple and fine linens, and fared sumptuously 103 And how many are there among youevery day. And there was a certain beggar who are rich and who fare sumptuously likenamed Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of unto the rich man of whom Jesus spoke? Yea, how many of you turn away from the poor and204 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

the needy of your great nation, because ye do TSP 32:104– 32:117not want to notice them in their miserablestate? And how many of you blame this state 111 For a nation under God hath no bordersof theirs upon those who beg for their that separate it from the rest of the nations ofexistence and do not work with their own the world that are inhabited by other sons andhands to obtain these things, because ye daughters of God. And the leaders of a nationbelieve that they are lazy and are of no use to under God serve its people and notyou because of the sores of their poverty, or themselves. And this nation tendeth to thethe sores of their lack of education, or the needs of all of the people and provideth forsores that have been forced upon them by their them all the sustenance that they need toparents, who brought them into this world by sustain their lives and pursue the happinessno choice of their own, according to the flesh? that each of them desireth, according to each of their individual desires for happiness. 104 And the dogs that lick their sores, are theynot the dogs to which ye feed the scraps and 112 And this nation would not cause that thecrumbs that fall from your table? Let him that sword of war should fall upon any otherhath understanding know the full meaning of people. And only in the defense of this nation,this parable. shall it raise the banner of war against another, and only to protect its people in their rights 105 For the seat of Satan, even that great and in their freedoms.nation, shall not suffer that the beggars amongyou should have that which they need. But ye 113 And a nation under God would protect theshall send the dogs that feed from your own earth and its resources and use them accordingtables unto them to lick their sores. But when to that which is good for the earth, and also thatthey die, and when ye die, which of you shall be which is good for its people.received in the spirit world in a state ofhappiness, and who shall be received in a state 114 And the leaders of a nation under Godof misery? would not have cause to hide their works, or their words, or any of their secret agendas or 106 I say unto you, that those of you who alliances, which are the secret combinationsbelieve that your nation is one under God, shall that are spoken of by the holy prophets. For ifbe received in a state of misery, when, as a spirit, this government is set up to serve those whoye discover that the nation to which ye belonged have given unto it its power, or in other words,during the days of your probation was in the people of this nation, then the very leastactuality the seat of Satan. among them should understand its workings and its words. 107 And the seat of Satan siteth firmly uponthose who prosper exceedingly because of the 115 And a government of a nation under Godblessings that Satan giveth unto them. And would judge its success and its compliance withthese blessings are power and glory, and the fine the laws of a righteous government, which lawsthings of the world, even those things which ye have been established for all governments thatof this nation seek are of God, which shall last forever; yea, this government shall judge its success by looking at 108 And Satan shall give unto you peace and the least among its people. For this nation shallcarnal security, until the day of the Lord cometh be judged by God according to the manner inupon you like a thief in the night. And ye shall which it serveth the very least amongst it.be unprepared to meet him.109 And then shall all the words of John be 116 For behold, the plan of the Father wasfulfilled concerning you. established according to these eternal laws. And all of the children of God are served by this 110 And the poor and the meek, and the peace eternal plan. And it mattereth not unto Godmakers and those who mourn, and the merciful which kingdom of glory that His childrenand the pure in heart, even all these shall inherit decide for themselves best suiteth theirthe earth. And ye of this great nation shall be individual desires of happiness.tormented by the presence of the Lord, when yefinally realize whose seat ye sit upon. 117 For this reason, He hath established three degrees of glory, and within these three, He hath Chapter 32 205

TSP 32:118– 32:128 he only taught the people the things that the Father had given unto him to teach? And doestablished another three. And these nine ye think that the fowls of the air are lazy, inworlds shall each have their times and their that they do not work for their food, but all thatseasons. And each of them shall have all the they need to sustain their lives is given untomeans necessary, so that the inhabitants of these them by the Father?worlds may pursue their desires of happiness intheir fullness. 123 Now, this is what a righteous government under God would do for all of its subjects. For 118 And it doth not matter to the Father if one this is what the Father doeth for all of Hisof His children decideth that his desire of children in the eternal worlds that He hathhappiness is best suited for a life of no work, or prepared for them. And for this reason He hatha life of laziness according to the flesh. For it is been given the great power and knowledge of anot laziness according to the Father, but a choice God. For He is a righteous God, who haththat this child of God hath made pertaining unto proven Himself worthy to serve us forever.his own desire of happiness, which isguaranteed to this child, if he accepteth the plan 124 And what better way can He serve usof salvation that the Father hath established. forever than to give unto us those things that we desire to make us happy? But remember, my 119 For what is laziness unto God, when his beloved brothers and sisters, that the happinessown Son taught, saying: Therefore I say unto that God giveth unto us is an everlastingyou, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall happiness, and not a happiness that we caneat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, consume upon the lusts of our flesh.what ye shall put on. Is not the life more thanmeat, and the body more than raiment? Behold 125 But the governments of men, or thosethe fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do who are under the power and influence ofthey reap, nor gather into barns: yet your Satan, give unto the people of their nations allheavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much the things that they can consume upon thebetter than they? lusts of the flesh. But this happiness that they enjoy is a temporary happiness that shall end 120 Which of you by taking thought can add when they are dead.one cubit unto his stature? And why take yethought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the 126 For instead of providing for the needs offield, how they grow; they toil not, neither do the least among them, the leaders of the nationsthey spin; and yet I say unto you, That even of Satan provide for their own needs, and theSolomon in all his glory was not arrayed like needs of their own families, and care not aboutone of these. Therefore, if God so clothe the those whom they believe are evil, because—grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow according to the perception of these leaders andis cast into the oven, shall He not much more the wicked part of these nations, which are theclothe you, Oh, ye of little faith? rich—they do not work. 121 Therefore take no thought, saying, What 127 But ye shall see as the works and theshall we eat, or what shall we drink, or secret combinations are revealed unto you inwherewithal shall we be clothed. For after all this record, even those works and the secretthese things do the Gentiles seek. For your combinations of this great nation of the UnitedHeavenly Father knoweth that ye have a need of States of the latter days, and also of the greatall these things. But seek ye first the kingdom churches of the latter days of which I haveof God, and his righteousness; and all these spoken, and more especially that church throughthings shall be added unto you. Take therefore which the record of my father hath come forthno thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall unto you; yea, ye shall see that they do not dotake thought for the things of itself. Sufficient the work of the Father, and care not for thoseunto the day is the evil thereof. who are the least among them. 122 And now, I, Moroni, ask all of you that 128 For they are prideful. and suppose thatshall receive these things: Do ye not realize because of the success of their greatthat the Son of God knew the Father, and that206 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

government, and the success of this great TSP 32:129– 33:6church, they have been blessed by God for theirrighteousness. And they truly have been blessed CHAPTER 33by God for their righteousness. And the god thathath blessed them, is he who hath rewarded The reason why the first name of the brotherthem for their righteousness in obeying his of Jared is not given in this record. Thecommandments. And Satan hath rewarded Roman Empire is established and occupiesthem according to the things of the flesh, which much of the earth. Because of the Romans,are temporary. the Jews were able to return to Jerusalem and establish themselves preparatory for the birth 129 And when the true God sendeth His Son, of the Christ.even in all of his glory unto the earth to establishfor the last time a true nation under God, yea, AND it came to pass that there arose a peopleeven a nation without borders, then shall this from one of the sons of Joktan, who was a directother nation, and this great church that hath been descendent of Seth, the son of Adam, throughestablished within it, realize who the God is that the lineage of Noah; and the name of this sonthey have worshipped and by which they have was Ophir; yea, this son was one of the thirteenbeen blessed. sons of Joktan who were known throughout the world at that time as the most righteous sons of 130 And it would have been better for them God that had ever lived upon the earth after theboth had they had a millstone hung about their days of the great flood in the land of Cainan.neck, and that they were drowned in the depthsof the sea, because of the offenses that they have 2 And this same Joktan was the brother ofcaused against the least among them, which are Peleg who was the father of Mahonjad, whothe children of the kingdom of God. was one of the loyal friends who had come to know Jared and his brother, from whose 131 And woe unto the world because of its record I am compiling these words andoffenses towards these little ones. For it must making my abridgment.needs be that offenses come; but woe to thatnation by which the offense cometh! And this 3 And it came to pass that because of theaccording to the words spoken by the mouth of exhortation and words of the brother of Jaredthe Son of God. unto the sons of Joktan, they all followed him, except for Ophir, into the wilderness before their 132 And now it is once more expedient that I, language was corrupted by those who hadMoroni, return again to the history of the world invaded and conquered the great city of Babel.according to that which the brother of Jared hathwritten concerning his vision. And as the 4 And now, it hath been whispered to me byformation and the foundation of these last great the Spirit that an error that is written upon thenations are revealed unto you, ye shall see how plates of brass shall be the cause of somesubtle Satan is in his designs to incorporate his contention and misunderstanding among theplan among the children of men. children of men, especially among those who believe that they are learned, having learned 133 But ye shall also see the great mercy and all that they know from their study of thepatience of the Lord and the saints who are histories of the children of men that they havecontinually burdened with the unrighteous among them.power and dominion that their brothers andsisters, even the children of God, exercise over 5 And I have explained unto you that thesethem because of the influence of Satan and their histories are many times incorrect and biasselfish desires for the things of the world. towards the truth depending upon him who writeth this history. And many of them are 134 And from time to time I shall revisit the incomplete and do not give a full account of thewords of John and shall explain them further history of the people.unto you as they become relevant to theabridgment that I am making of the great vision 6 And upon the plates of brass it is written thatof the brother of Jared, in which he saw all in the days of Peleg, the earth was divided.things according to the power of the Spirit. Now, this hath led many to believe that the great Chapter 33 207

TSP 33:7– 33:20 13 And now, I would that ye should also know the reason for which the brother of Jared is notland masses of the continents of this earth, known by his first given name, even that namewhich were once one, were divided at this time. which he received from his father when heBut this is not what was meant by the words that entered into mortality.were written upon the plates of brass regardingthe history of the Jews, for the land masses of 14 Behold, the brother of Jared saw all thethe earth were one many years before Adam and days of the children of men, and he beheld howEve were placed in the garden of Eden. they began to worship individual men and make sacrifice and homage unto their names. And 7 For in the days of Peleg, and he lived two these things are an abomination to him, in that hehundred and thirty and nine years, the brother of desireth that all the glory be given to Him whoJared began to preach unto the people who deserveth this glory, even to God, our Father.would listen to him concerning the great visionthat he had received of the Lord. 15 And for this reason, he hath commanded all those who have written a history concerning 8 And it came to pass that in this day, the sons him, that they refrain from using his givenof Joktan were known throughout the whole name. And this commandment he hath given asearth as exceedingly righteous men, and it was a token of his reverence and humility before thetheir popularity among the people that led Jared Lord, and also that his name might not beand his brother to them. And they became worshipped like the names of other prophets offriends and were united in their desire to serve God who did not make similar restrictions in theGod and keep His commandments. use of their names. 9 And because of the wickedness and pride of 16 And I, Moroni, will not give the name ofthe rest of the children of men, the sons of the brother of Jared in this record. But I knowJoktan were desirous to follow Jared and his his name, and will do his will concerning it.brother into the wilderness in search of the And for these same reasons, the sons of Joktanpromised land that Jared had seen in his great restricted the use of their names also.vision, and to which he was commanded by theLord to travel with his family and his friends. 17 Nevertheless, I know by giving the names of the sons of Joktan in this record, it might clear 10 And when the sons of Joktan had departed up some of the confusion as to why the recordfrom among the people, then it was voiced of the Jews readeth the way that it readeth, andthroughout the land that the earth had been perhaps, a better understanding of the truth maydivided, or that the Lord had caused a division come forth. For it came to pass that after thebetween the wicked and the righteous, even the sons of Joktan had departed, his brother, whosesons of Joktan, who followed the brother of name was Shemlem, changed his name toJared, and the rest of the people. Peleg, in remembrance of the time when he saw the departure of his beloved son Mahonjad and 11 And he who wrote the history of the his righteous nephews, indicating the division ofJews did not mention Jared and his brother, the righteous from among the wicked.because they were sorely disliked by thepeople for taking away such righteous men 18 And Peleg did not follow the brother offrom among them. Jared, but stayed in the land that perhaps he might be the means whereby others of his 12 And as it is with most righteous men, the children might be turned to God and keep Hissons of Joktan did not like the accolades of the commandments. And this was also the desire ofpeople, neither did they think of themselves as Joktan and his son, Ophir.more righteous than any other. Therefore, in thehistory of the people of Jared and his brother, 19 And it came to pass that the descendants ofthey wanted no glory for themselves, and made Ophir were the Latins who settled in the area ofit a requirement that their names were not the great Tiber River.mentioned in the history of the people of thebrother of Jared. Therefore the record refereth 20 And after many years, the descendants ofto them as the friends of Jared, and the friends of Ophir became wicked, and because of theirthe brother of Jared and their families.208 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

wickedness, the Lord suffered a powerful group TSP 33:21– 33:32of people from the north to enter in among themand conquer them. And these conquerors were then he would only have to influence one man inthe descendants of one of the other brothers of order to influence many people. And to the oneJared, who did not believe in the words of his man who allowed himself to be influenced, evenbrother and remained in the land in which they as a leader of the people, Satan would rewardwere born. him with glory and riches, which are the things that he sought from the Father in the beginning. 21 And from this other brother of Jared cameforth a great civilization that had hidden itself 27 And the plebeians were promised manyfrom the invasions of other great nations and things, and because they did not understand theflourished hidden for many years. workings of Satan, for at that time there were no prophets of God among them to teach them the 22 And it came to pass that they became a truth to counter the deception of Satan, theypowerful people and carried with them for a were led wherever the rich and powerful wouldtime, all the words and commandments that lead them.Adam had caused to be written and given untohis children. And for this reason they had a 28 And it came to pass that the Romanwritten language among them, which over time, Empire began to grow exceedingly. And theirhad been corrupted by the influence of their entire form of government was established andcustoms and their cultures, yet it was the run by those who were influenced by Satan.language which was most like the pure language And their politicians, as they were knownof the Adamic tongue. among the people, were of the rich class; therefore, the poor did not receive the 23 And from their language the Greeks and representation that they had been promised.many other nations were able to develop theirown form of language and writing. And 29 And the rich among them were known asthese people would become known as the patricians, or the fathers of the state. And it wereEtruscan people among the children of men. these who inspired the people to fight againstAnd after they had conquered the small Latin the Etruscans and win their freedom. Now,tribes that existed in that area of the land, these patricians did not care for the plebeiansthey began to introduce their laws and their and their plight; yea, the only reason why thesecustoms among them. patricians cared about the plebeians, was because the plebeians performed all the labor 24 And like all nations under the influence and paid the tax of their labors unto them.of Satan, the Etruscan people were subjectedto the ruling of the few, who were the rich and 30 And if it so be that there were no plebeians,powerful among them. And it came to pass then the patricians would have to work for theirthat a revolt occurred in which the man who own sustenance by the sweat of their own brow,had been elected king by the rich was which they were not accustomed to doing.overthrown, and the new nation of theRomans began to be established. 31 And these rich became the leaders of the people and influenced the people according to 25 And like all new governments that are their own selfish desires. For the governmentsupported by the majority of the people—and among them was set up and presented to all thethe poor among the Romans were known as the people as a fair representation of all the people.plebeians—the rich received the vote and theconsent of the plebeians because of their 32 And they set up their consuls and theirpromises of equality for all, and a fair Senates, which groups maintained the order andrepresentation for all, and a voice for all in their established the laws for all the people.own government. Nevertheless, only a patrician could become a consul or serve in the Senate. And these 26 Now, this was the guise and subtlety of allowed the plebeians to set up their ownSatan. For he knew that if he could get the assemblies among them. But this, thesemajority of the people to trust in their leaders, politicians allowed, that they might pretend to give unto the poor the representation that they had promised unto them. Chapter 33 209

TSP 33:33– 33:45 39 And because of their flatteries and their lies, the people once again began to believe in 33 Yet, in order for the poor to have their leaders and support them.representation with power and authority, theywere forced to choose one from among the rich 40 And it came to pass that there aroseclass to represent them. And it came to pass, contention among the leaders of the earlythat with this form of government, the rich Roman people, and the land was divided by thebecame exceedingly rich and the poor became powers that were in control at that time. Buteven poorer having a tax placed upon them that after a few years of this discord, the powerfulsupported their government. Roman military took control of the whole land and unified the people under one rule. 34 And the poor were told that without astrong government, which comprised not only of 41 And the leaders became exceedingly wisethe governing counsels of politicians to establish in their positions of authority and in theirthe order of law among them, but also comprised dealings with the other rulers of the nations ofof a strong military presence in the land; yea, the earth that did not belong to the Romanwithout this strong government, invaders would Empire. But their wisdom was not given untocome into the land and take away their lands and them by the Holy Spirit, but was given untotheir families. And in this way the leaders of the them by Satan, who had promised in thepeople used fear to ensure that the people would beginning to use the treasures of the earth tosupport them in their laziness and also in their possess the hearts and souls of the children oflust for riches and power. men. And through the Roman Empire he began to see exceeding success in his desires. 35 And in this promise the Romangovernment had many examples to show unto 42 And it came to pass that a large part of thethe people the strength of their military and the success of the Roman government cameprotection of their lands. For there were many because of the training and dedication of theinvaders that came into the land. Roman military. 36 And it came to pass that a strong nation 43 Now, these soldiers were of the plebeiancame into their lands and burned Rome to the class and were easily manipulated andground. And this bred great fear into the hearts controlled by their leaders. And when the sonsof the people, and they became disconcerted of the plebeians heard the words of thewith their leaders for that which they had been politicians, they began to become exceedinglypromised, even that for which they had paid prideful in their hearts because of these words.such a high tax to avoid. And they were convinced that the Roman nation was the greatest nation upon the earth and that it 37 But before the people could rise up against must be protected at all costs.their leaders and demand a reform for thatwhich they had given of their hard labor, the 44 And when their politicians had a desire toleaders of the people made a contract with those conquer another people, and usually this desirewho had invaded them. And this contract was based upon what the other nation couldinvolved the payment of a tribute to them if they provide for them to increase their power andwould withdraw out of their lands. And the rich their riches, then these politicians would devisepaid this tribute out of the tax that they had some secret plan through their secretplaced upon the poor. combinations to make the citizens of the nation believe that they must stand up to this other 38 But the poor did not know of the payment nation or they would lose their freedoms andof this tribute, for the contract was made their rights, and also their pretendedbetween their rich leaders and the rulers of the representation in the government.invading armies. And when the invaders haddeparted out of the land, the politicians 45 And the people were easily deceived byconvinced the people that because of their their leaders because the spirit of God was notleadership, or in other words, because of their with them. And the soldiers and their familiesgreat skill in their politics, they had brought were convinced that their sons were fighting forpeace and safety again to the land.210 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

the greatness of their nation, and that if they TSP 33:46– 33:59would die in battle, then they died for theirnation, and thus in their death they would 52 And these people who were conquered didbecome a hero. pay the tax as was required of them because they were afraid of the armies of the Romans 46 And now again, this was the plan of who had conquered them. And in this mannerLucifer from the beginning. For if a man could most of the world became subjected to thebe convinced that he was dying a hero for the Romans and their government.cause of freedom, when in actuality he wasdying to increase the land holdings and the 53 And it was because of this form ofriches of his leaders, then Satan could use this government that the children of Abraham, or theman to do anything that would further the Jews, were able to once again enter into the landrealization of his plan. of Cainan and establish the church of God as it had been given unto them by their fathers. 47 And the leaders were experts at rallying thecitizens of their nation to war. And they would 54 For it came to pass that the Romansspeak unto them of patriotism, which was destroyed all other great nations, even theloyalty to the patricians, who were the rich. And Babylonians, and the Assyrians, and all thosethe people were deceived considerably, who had held their own power upon the earth.evensomuch that the Roman military soonbecame the most powerful military the world 55 And now we can see that Satan doth nothad yet to know at that time. back up those who serve him in the time of their need. For if he can find another nation which is 48 But there began to be some among the more powerful, even one that he can deceivepoor who could see beyond the deceptions and and bind with his chains, even one that willintentions of the rich leaders. And as these serve his purposes more efficiently, then he willspoke out, they were quickly destroyed by the choose the strong one over the weak toworkings of these secret combinations that were accomplish his purposes.among them. 56 Now, having the Jews return again to 49 And the soldiers would make solemn pacts Jerusalem was also part of the plan of Lucifer.according to the outline taught unto them in For he knew that if he could keep the Jewstheir training. And these pacts were created isolated under the power of the Romanfrom the workings of these secret combinations. government, which he had established, then heAnd these soldiers would carry out the orders could control the church and its leaders.given unto them by their leaders, even if theorders put their own life or the life of their 57 And if the prophets of God were to oncefamily and friends in danger. more come in among the people, then they would also be subjected to the authority of the 50 And the solider received his wages Roman government, which he controlled. Andaccordingly. And because of these wages, more thus is the plan of Lucifer to control thedevotion and dedication was given to the leaders temporal and the spiritual governments of thewho gave them the wage that they received. children of men.And because of the devotion and dedication ofsoldiers, the politicians became exceedingly 58 And because Satan enticeth the children ofpowerful and used this power to crush anyone men with the lusts of the flesh, then the onlywho spoke against them. way that he can control them is by the flesh. And for this reason he hath set up the great 51 And the leaders of the people became wise armies and navies and means of forcein their dealings with the people that they throughout the earth. For it is only by fear thatconquered. For they would allow the people to the leaders of the people maintain their controllive according to their own traditions and over the children of men.customs as long as they paid a tribute, or a tax tothe government that would protect them within 59 And without the fear of the sword, theytheir own borders. would have no power. And because of the sword, the leaders are able to control the people and subject them to laws that protect their riches and their glory, which riches and glory they receive from the people. Chapter 33 211

TSP 33:60– 33:73 67 But before the Spirit of God is taken off the earth for the second time, another great prophet 60 But the people are also under the influence shall rise up after my time and before the time ofof Satan, even the very poor among them. For the two prophets of the latter days.the poor envy their leaders and lust after thethings that their leaders possess, even the things 68 And this great prophet that shall rise upthat these poor covet for themselves. after my time, shall be the last and final prophet that the Lord shall send forth upon the earth, 61 And this envy of their leaders causeth them until the latter days. And he is the last prophetto give unto their leaders a respect and honor of the period of the times, even the secondthat they do not deserve. For all men who are period that the children of men shall be givennot of God, yea even all those who do not have the authority of God and the Spirit to inspirethe name of the Lamb in their foreheads, lust them. And after this period of the times shallafter honor and glory and the riches of the earth. end, there shall be great spiritual darkness upon the earth. 62 And because they lust after these things,they give honor and respect unto their leaders 69 And this prophet shall be calledwho have the things which they desire. And this Mohammed, and from him shall a great nationhonor and respect that the people give unto their rise upon the earth. And an account of thisleaders alloweth their leaders to control them nation shall be given hereafter in this record.and subject them under their laws, which are setup to benefit the rich. 70 But now it is required by the Spirit of the Lord, and also by the commandment that the 63 And it came to pass that there were very brother of Jared hath given in his record; and itfew among the Romans who lived the gospel is also my greatest joy and desire to abridge theof Christ and obeyed the commandments of vision of the brother of Jared which he sawthe Father. And the Lord had withdrawn his pertaining to the coming forth of the Son of Godspirit from among them in order to allow the into mortality.plan of Lucifer to be given the chance thatLucifer desired. 71 And it is this great event that all the children of God have looked forward to since 64 Nevertheless, the Lord knew that he could the beginning. And it is this event that shallnot allow Satan to give the children of men mark the meridian of all time upon this earth, asmany of the powers and the understanding that well as the meridian of the times, of which Iwould be given unto them in the latter days. have spoken.And even without these things that Satan wasforbidden to give unto them, the Roman Empire 72 And with exceeding anticipation, all ofbecame exceedingly powerful and prosperous, the holy prophets that have been, and all thebut this prosperity was limited only to the upper holy prophets that shall be upon the earth,classes of the people. And the gap between shall look forth to the day of the arrival of thethose who were rich and those who were poor Savior of the world, even the Son of God togrew exceedingly. come forth into mortality. 65 And at the height of the power and glory of 73 And those in the spirit world shallthe Roman Empire, the Holy Ghost had ceased witness all things pertaining to his life and histo communicate with the children of men. mission. And these things were shown untoNevertheless, it was still in the period of the the brother of Jared, of which he rejoicedtimes, as was spoken of by John and Daniel, in exceedingly for the opportunity to see thesethat the Spirit and authority of God was not things before they occurred, yet mourned evenentirely taken from off of the earth. more exceedingly because of the way that the Son of God, even the perfect example of the 66 For Lehi had departed out of Jerusalem Father in the flesh, shall be treated by thebefore the rise of the Roman Empire. And he children of men.took with him the authority of God. And theSpirit was also with my fathers, even as it is withme at this time. And the beginning of the periodof the times began just before the time of Lehi,and it shall end shortly after my time.212 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

CHAPTER 34 TSP 34:1– 34:11The stage is set for the birth of Christ. The Spirit true God or not. And this tax was the only thingWorld prepares for the entrance of Jehovah into that they required of the people.mortality. The family and preparation of Mary,as the mother of Jesus, is introduced. 6 And because of the rule of the Romans, theMisconceptions about when the spirit enters the Jews were once again able to return tobody are cleared up, as well as the literal Jerusalem and establish themselves as a peoplecreation of the mortal body of Jesus. The Lord within the borders of the Roman Empire. Andis born into the world. they were protected by the armies of the Romans and given freedom to live according to AND it came to pass that the part of the their customs and their traditions.world from which my fathers had departed inthe days of Lehi was under the complete 7 And there lived a man and his wife amongcontrol and domination of the Roman Empire. the Jews who had listened to the leaders of theAnd with this domination, the government church of God which had been reestablishedprovided freedom for its citizens to practice among them. And they had for a long time beentheir religious beliefs according to the dictates wrought upon by the Holy Ghost regarding theof their own conscience. true nature and purpose of religion among the children of men. And they knew that the church 2 For the Romans had many gods among of God at Jerusalem had been corrupted by thethem whom they worshipped and honored. And examples of the leaders.their leaders pretended that they alsoworshipped these gods. Nevertheless, they 8 For they were not leaders as God hadallowed the religions and beliefs of the people to instructed, even leaders who were servants ofgive them their hope and their patience, which the people. For they had set themselves abovehope and patience caused peace throughout the the people and lived their lives according toland. But the majority of the leaders did not, in the success that they had in the material thingsand of themselves, believe in the faith of the of the world, which things were given untopeople, but made a pretend in their beliefs so them by the people according to thethat the people would accept them and honor commandments that had been given by Mosesthem as the leaders that their gods had anointed pertaining to those who serve the people of theto lead them. church of God. 3 And every citizen of Rome was given the 9 And the name of the man was Jacob, and thefreedom to worship how and where and what name of his wife was Sara. And they had grownthey desired. And with this freedom, many of up in the church of God according to thethe people began to organize themselves into customs and conditions of the church at thatdifferent factions and religions that were time. But while they attended to theramifications of each other. commandments of the church, there were those in the spirit world that were preparing them for 4 For if a man did not believe in his religious even a greater mission, even that they wouldleaders, then he was not forced to follow them, have a daughter who they would raise up tobut could choose for himself the religion and the become the mother of the Son of God.leader that satisfied his desires of faith. 10 Now, it came to pass that the brother of 5 And the leaders of the Romans knew that Jared described many of the things that werethis freedom would keep the people happy and happening in the spirit world up until the timedistracted from the heavy tax burden that the that Jesus was born into the world. And theregovernment had placed upon them. For the was one of the spirits who was the chosen oneleaders of the Romans cared about the fine who would become known in the flesh, as thethings of the world which they received by way mother of Jesus.of this tax, and cared not whether there was a 11 And this spirit was close to her mother, even the great Eternal Mother Marihala, who was the eternal mother of Jehovah and the brother of Jared. And all of the spirits that Chapter 34 213

TSP 34:12– 34:24 could go unto Jacob and that he would give unto them without charge. And this is the thing thatwere in this world knew of this one spirit; for disturbed the high priests of the church. Forthis spirit was the one that would take the body they knew that the poor who could not afford theof a woman in mortality and become the price of a sacrificial animal, could also notmother of the body of flesh and bone that afford to pay a tribute, or a tithing to the church.would house the spirit of Jehovah, the God ofthe spirit world, even the Lord of all this part 19 Therefore, the poor were less desirable toof the kingdom of God, which had been given the high priests than those who could give aunto him by the Father. tithing to the church for its sustenance. 12 And this spirit was called after the name 20 And Zacharias sat with the counsel thatof her Eternal Mother. And she was known in was desirous to release Jacob from histhe spirit world by the same name by which business. And he defended his friend, saying:she shall be known in mortality, thus being How is it that we can deny those among uscalled Mary, which means, she that came who are poor from making the sacrifices thatfrom Marihala. they need for their own salvation? Do they not have the right to these sacrifices as well as the 13 And Mary, as a spirit, and also knowing the rich? How is it that we can forbid them fromrole that she was going to play in the plan of the doing these things which we have commandedFather, was one of the spirits who was of them according to the words and laws ofinstrumental in instructing Jacob and Sara in Moses, because in their poverty, they have notthat which they should know and feel towards that with which to pay their tithes, or purchasethe truth as it was given unto them by the the means of their sacrifice?ministrations of the spirit world, which wasunder the direction of Jehovah at this time. 21 And one of the other high priests rebuked him, saying: Those who are poor have no 14 And under the influence of the Spirit, reason to be in the situation that they findJacob and Sara departed out from the main city themselves. Behold, there are plenty ofof Jerusalem, and dwelt in the wilderness that opportunities for them to work among thesurrounded that city. people and show forth their faith unto God by paying a portion of their income to the church. 15 And now, Jacob had gained much respect And if their faith is not great enough to causeamong the people at Jerusalem because of his them to do these things, then how can they behonesty and his integrity among them. For he worthy to make such a sacrifice?was assigned by the high priests to raise up theanimals that were used by the people for their 22 And when the other priests concurred withsacrifices. And he was to sell them for a profit, these things, Zacharias became silent and wouldwhich profit would be given unto the priests for speak no further concerning these things.their sustenance. 23 But the Spirit wrought upon him all the 16 But Jacob was just in his business and days of his ministry in the church. But becausecould not make the profit that the church of his family and his position, even the honorexpected of him. And there was one of the high that he received from the people of the churchpriests whose name was Zacharias who was the because of his position as a high priest amongbrother in law of Jacob, and also his friend. And them, he would not speak those things which theZacharias did everything in his power to Spirit witnessed unto him.persuade his friend to sell the animals in a waythat would bring more profit to the church. 24 And it came to pass that Jacob was released from his business. And after he was 17 But if there was a poor man or woman released by the high priests, Jacob took Sara andamong them who did not have the money to buy they wandered out into the wilderness andan animal that was required of them as a found a good piece of land where they couldsacrifice before the church, then Jacob would worship God according to the dictates of theirgive unto this person the animal that they would own conscience.need without charge. 18 And the poor of the people knew that they214 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

25 And Sara was from a very wealthy family TSP 34:25– 34:40among the Jews. And her family was distraughtwith her decision to leave the church and go into 33 And it came to pass that Elizabeth dreamedthe wilderness. But Sara loved Jacob, even with a dream in which she saw Sara clothed in aall of her soul, and stayed with her husband all garment of gold with seven stars in her left handthe days of her life. and a stem of a rose bush in the other. And the fragrance of the flower overcame all those who 26 And she had a sister, and her name was came close unto Sara, evensomuch that they allLydia. And it was this same Lydia who was the became desirous to smell the flower and bask inwife of the High Priest, Zacharias, who was the its fragrance forever.friend of Jacob. And Lydia would visit her sisterSara in the wilderness and bring her news of her 34 And the flower began to grow in the handfamily and of the people who lived in the city of of Sara until it became too heavy for her toJerusalem. And from time to time, Zacharias hold with one hand. And she threw the sevenwould accompany his wife to see his friend and stars in her right hand high into the heavensbrother Jacob. where they remained. And with both of her hands she upheld the flower. But it continued 27 And it came to pass that Zacharias had a to grow until it became an exceedingly largeson, and he was called after the name of his bush and had surrounded her and lifted her upfather. And he was the eldest son of Zacharias. into its branches.And this son, even Zacharias, followed in thesame order of the priesthood in which his father 35 And the fragrance of the bush washad ministered all the days of his life. And he exceedingly wondrous, and she was desirous tomarried the daughter of one of the other high eat thereof. But Sara believed that the flowerpriests, and her name was Elizabeth. bush was poison, as this had been taught to her all the days of her life. 28 And it came to pass that Sara began to bearchildren unto Jacob. And when the time came 36 But she began to hunger and wanted tofor the birth of Mary, Sara had come to believe taste of the flowers that supported her and gavethat the days of her ability to give birth were off such a wondrous odor. And Sara reachedpassed; for she had given birth unto seven forth her hand and partook of the flowers, andchildren, and they were all sons. they were exceedingly sweet in her mouth, but in her belly they became bitter and she was wont 29 But from the spirit world, Mary spoke unto to die because of them. And the thorns of theher earthly mother and assured her by the bush began to prick her and cause her pain,ministrations of the spirit that she would have evensomuch that she could not bear to remain inone more child. the flower bush any longer. 30 And it came to pass that as the children of 37 And the seven stars that were in theZacharias and Lydia grew, they began to heavens descended upon her and lifted her upaccompany their parents into the wilderness to out of the bush and took her into the heavensthe house of Jacob. And Zacharias, the younger, with them.also came many times unto the house of Jacob 38 And it came to pass that after Elizabeth hadwith his wife Elizabeth. dreamed this dream, she hurried to the house of Jacob and told all these things unto Sara. 31 And Sara would talk with her sister, Lydia, But Sara did not understand the meaning ofand also with her niece, Elizabeth, about the the dream.workings of the Spirit within her concerning thebirth of her last child, which she now believed 39 And it came to pass that Elizabeth kept thiswould be a daughter from her. dream in her heart, until the next night, when she was given the interpretation of the dream by 32 And the spirit of Sara was strong, an angel of God.evensomuch that Elizabeth was overcome bythis valiant women who had left her life in 40 And the angel spake unto her, saying:Jerusalem and had raised seven sons in the Behold, the aunt of thy husband shall conceivewilderness. And Elizabeth loved Sara. and bring forth a daughter. And she shall be the mother of the Christ. And her sons shall be Chapter 34 215

TSP 34:41– 34:59 collector and said unto him: For what desirous thou that I pay taxes? I did not receive this landsacrificed to save the life of her daughter, even from the Romans, but I received it from God.that this last daughter might grow and beprepared to give birth to the Son of the very 51 And one of the soldiers that stood nearbyEternal Father. struck Jacob and forced him to his knees before the Roman authority. 41 And she shall live to see the birth of hergrandson, even he who shall be the Savior of the 52 And Jacob stood boldly once again andworld. And she shall know by the Spirit that her rebuked the Romans, saying: If I cannot live adaughter is a blessed woman, even the most free man then I shall die a free man. And afterblessed among all the daughters of men for that he had said these words, he was slain by thewhich shall come forth from her womb. sword of the soldier who had struck him. 42 And this is the odor that thou smelled in 53 And the sons of Jacob rushed forth and fellthy dream. And Sara shall witness before the upon the tax collector; and in their anger slewpeople that her daughter hath been blessed by him and the soldier who had slain their father.the hand of God, and this is why the flower And the other soldiers who were experts in thetasted good in her mouth. But she shall see the art of warfare, fell upon the sons of Jacob andend of the life of her grandson, and in this she slew them all.shall feel the pains of her bosom, or that whichin her belly is bitter. 54 And Sara was hiding in the house with her daughter Mary. And she sheltered Mary, 43 And she shall die in bitterness, having felt that she would not behold the things that werethe pains of losing her seven sons, and seeing done unto her brothers and her father, shethe exceeding pain of her grandson, who shall being in her youth.be the Christ. 55 And it came to pass that Sara buried her 44 And she shall be lifted up in death and join husband and her sons and lived alone with herher sons and her husband, and together they daughter, Mary. And Mary became the joy ofshall witness the completion of the purpose for her life.which the life of her grandson was given. 56 And when Zacharias had heard of that 45 And in the spirit world, she shall know him which had happened unto the sister of his wifefor who he is, even the Savior of the world, and and his friend, he appealed before the consul ofshall praise him, and she shall be glorified the Romans for that which they had done untoforever for her part in his mortal mission. Jacob. But the consul did nothing for them, because Jacob had refused to pay tribute to the 46 And thou shalt not reveal these things unto government according to the laws that had beenher, for her sake; but shalt keep these things established among them.hidden in thy heart until the day that the Christis lifted up once again into the spirit world, and 57 And Zacharias pled with Sara that shethen to the kingdom of the Father. should move back to Jerusalem and have a place in his house where he could protect her and 47 And it came to pass that Elizabeth did Mary. But Sara would not leave the place in thekeep these things in her heart. And because of wilderness where she had buried her husbandthe position of her husband, even as a high and her sons.priest in the church, Elizabeth did not visitSara for many years. 58 And it came to pass that Zacharias sent his sons to watch over Sara and Mary from time to 48 And Sara conceived in the wilderness and time and assure their safety. And they carriedbrought forth a daughter whom she named Mary. provisions unto them; yea, in everything that they needed, Zacharias provided for them. 49 And it came to pass that the Romans wentthroughout the land collecting taxes from all of 59 And it came to pass that the brother ofthe people in the land round and about Jacob, even Heli of Nazareth, learned of theJerusalem. And the tax collectors came unto the death of his brother and sent his sons unto thehouse of Jacob and demanded of him an house of Jacob to give unto them that whichaccounting of his taxes. 50 And Jacob stood boldly before the tax216 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

they needed. And Joseph was one of the sons of TSP 34:60– 34:75Heli who was sent into the wilderness unto Saraand Mary. that is of the flesh. And with this very same type of power can we command the functions of our 60 And Joseph fell in love with Mary and was flesh by the power of our spirit.wont to marry her. For Mary was exceedinglybeautiful and had reached the age of the 69 And when our spirit maketh its commandspinnacle of her flesh, even eighteen years old, on our flesh, the flesh obeyeth these commands,when Joseph became desirous to marry her. having received them by that which is spiritual. 61 And now, ye have already before you the 70 And if we, who have very limitedaccount of the marriage of Joseph and Mary, knowledge at this time, can command the fleshand also the visitations that were given unto and it obeyeth our commands, then why do yeboth of them regarding the birth of Jesus. And think that those in authority in the spirit worldgenerally, the record, which hath proceeded cannot command the flesh according to theforth out of the mouth of the Jew, is correct in its power and the knowledge that they have beenrendition of those things. given by the Father? 62 Nevertheless, I would that ye should know 71 And it was Jehovah, who was the maina few more things concerning that which ye authority in the spirit world, who commandedhave already before you. For there are some the elements of the body of Mary to be patternedthings that have given a cause of contention after the elements of his own spirit, which spiritamong you; yea, even trivial things concerning was in the exact likeness of the Father. And withthe account that hath been written by the Jews in his command, Mary did conceive.the Bible. 72 And also ye have confused yourselves 63 And I have been given a commandment to about the time that a spirit entereth the body ofclear up these arguments so that ye might know flesh and is confined therein until the end of thethe truth regarding these things, and that there days of probation of that soul. For it is writtenmight be no further contention among you. among you: And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutations of Mary, the 64 And the first of these contentions is the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth wasmanner in which the Father gave his seed, or the filled with the Holy Ghost.instructions for the body of Jesus to be createdwithin the womb of Mary. 73 And now, ye think that this meaneth that the spirit of John was already in the body that 65 For there are many of you who have had been created for him by his earthly parents.argued that the Father had sexual intercourse But I say unto you, that the spirit doth not enterwith his daughter, and in incest brought forth the body, except it be when the body exiteth theHis son. womb and taketh its first breath. 66 Now, this hath come among you from 74 And the body inside the womb is affectedunwise stewards of the accounts which ye have by the emotions and stimulations of itsbeen given. For the Father would do no such mother. And when Elizabeth was aware that itthing unto one of his daughters. And there is no was Mary who was before her, and that sheGod in the heavens that would do such a thing. was with child, then she remembered the things of which she had dreamed, and also 67 And the record that you find already those things which had been commanded ofamong you should read: And Mary was wrought her by the angel of God. And by her ownupon by the Holy Ghost. And through the emotions, which were caused by the testimonypower that had been given by the Father to those of these things from the Holy Ghost, did thein authority in the spirit world, the body of Jesus body in her womb react.was created within the womb of Mary. 75 And this mystery can be further verified 68 And now, I, Moroni, shall give unto you a in the record of my father. For the Lord wasbrief explanation of these things. For behold, still in the spirit world the day before he waspower hath been given unto matter that is to come into the world as the son of Mary andspiritual to command, from time to time, matter Joseph in Jerusalem. Chapter 34 217

TSP 34:76– 35:5 CHAPTER 35 76 Nevertheless, on this continent he spoke Moroni’s meeting with the Savior. He isunto Nephi, saying: Lift up your head and be commanded to give a more precise version ofof good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, the life of Christ. The importance of the life ofand on this night shall the sign be given, and Christ is explained. The reason the Lord wason the morrow come I into the world, to show called Jesus in the flesh is explained. Moroniunto the world that I will fulfill all that which expounds upon the importance of the SealedI have caused to be spoken by the mouth of Portion of the Book of Mormon and exhorts allmy holy prophets. to read it and ponder its meaning. The Sealed Portion shall take away all of the stumbling 77 Now, how do ye think the spirit of Jesus blocks of the elect. (Compare 2 Nephi 26 & 27)could have spoken unto Nephi in the flesh, if itwas confined to the body within the womb of AND now, I have been commanded by theMary on the other side of the earth? Lord; yea, I have been given the greatest commandment of all pertaining to the 78 O, ye fools! Why is it that ye shall cause commission that I have received regarding theseyourselves such contention when the truth is plates and the record that I have been instructedright before you? Why is it that ye cannot find to write upon them.this truth by the ministrations of the same Spiritthat can teach you the truth of all things? Is it 2 For behold, nothing that hath ever beenthat ye want that for which ye can contend? written can compare in importance and necessity to the purpose for which the literal Son 79 Behold, Jehovah reigned in the spirit world of God was born into this world.from the beginning, until the time of his birth,according to the time of the flesh. And he 3 And now, I would that ye shouldinstructed Michael, who was Adam, who had understand, that the commandment I havedied, to rule and reign in that world while he was received pertaining to these things, not only hathgoing through the days of his mortality. been given unto me by the Holy Spirit; though it is through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost 80 And by the power of his spirit was he from which I receive the inspiration to knowconceived; and by the power of the Father was what to write; nevertheless, this commandmenthe created. hath been given unto me by the Lord himself. 81 And on a chosen night near the town of 4 For as it is that I have been alone for manyBethlehem, the Lord, even Jesus the Christ; who years, hiding and fleeing the wars of theis Jehovah, the chosen one of the Father, and Lamanites; and my own people having beenunto whom the Father hath given all of His completely destroyed because of theirpowers and knowledge; yea, on this night wickedness; and I being alone; yea, even in myentered he into his mortal flesh. despair I did cry mightily unto the Lord that he would support me and assuage the inner 82 And upon his first breath, his spirit was loneliness that I felt.confined to the flesh that was created within thewomb of his mother, Mary. 5 And I found myself in this state as I continued the promise I had made to my father 83 Behold, I, Moroni give this final testimony to protect this record, as well as all the recordsof him; even that he came into the world to save which Nephi had commanded his posterity tous all, thus becoming our Savior. And the keep among them. And I have hidden most ofheavens rejoiced, even the whole of the spirit the records which I have received concerningworld did rejoice, as we all witnessed the birth the children of Lehi; and carry with me onlyof our Lord and our King, even Jesus Christ, those records that I feel are necessary to finishwho is my brother and my friend. the translation of the words of the brother of Jared, and seal these things up according to the218 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

command of the Lord, which commandment I TSP 35:6– 35:18had received through my father Mormon. with me concerning the events that had 6 And I have been visited from time to time transpired upon the earth, and also about theby the apostles of the Lord who have remained future events that would also transpire upon theamong us upon this earth, having been given earth according to all the words that he hadthis opportunity by their own desires at the time caused to be given unto the children of men bywhen the Lord gave unto them the desires of the mouths of his holy prophets. And I rejoicedtheir hearts. exceedingly in all that he revealed unto me at this time. 7 And when they visited me I was uplifted andreceived much strength and joy from their 13 And the Lord smiled upon me andcompanionship. And they taught me many conversed with me as his friend; and he wouldthings and helped me to understand some points not allow me to fall down before him andof doctrine and belief that I had not understood worship him, as was my desire when he firstclearly by myself. For it had been necessary that appeared unto me. For he treated me like untoI fight in the wars against the Lamanites in a brother, and commanded me to treat him likedefense of my people, even though I realized a brother, yea, both of us being sons of the verythat our efforts were in vain. But I did fight; and Eternal Father.this fighting kept the Holy Spirit away from mymind and caused me to lose precious times of 14 And he reviewed his life with me inlearning in which I could have been engaged preparation for that which I was about to writehad I not been fighting. upon these plates concerning the days of his mortality. And we laughed at many things—his 8 And during this time, these three disciples of love and spirit abiding in all the senses of joyJesus did visit me and encourage me in the that are experienced in the flesh.commandments that I had received from myfather, and also they did give unto me further 15 And it came to pass that the time camecommandments concerning this record that for him to once again return to the kingdom ofshall be sealed and that shall not come forth unto the Father until a future time when he wouldthe world until the last days, even in the days in visit the earth once again to call anotherwhich the Father shall begin his last work upon prophet, even the final prophet of the period ofthis earth. the times, of which I have spoken concerning the symbolism that was used by Daniel and 9 And this work shall be a marvelous work also by John.and a wonder. And it shall mark the start of thegathering of the elect, even that God might 16 And after he hath called this prophet,gather them unto Himself, that they may not be yea, even after this prophet hath made one lasttormented and destroyed at the final coming of attempt to give the words of God to theHis Son, even Jesus Christ. children of men, then the Lord shall not return again to the earth until he shall come unto the 10 And now this glorious day of the second two prophets of the latter days, of which Icoming of Christ would not have been possible have written.except that he had once lived upon this earth.And now, this is the commandment that I have 17 And I was exceedingly saddened that hereceived from his own mouth, even that I should had to leave my presence; and I beckoned untowrite concerning the days of his mortality upon him that he would stay with me a little whilethese plates. longer, even that he would teach me more of the glorious truths that he understood and had 11 For behold, he did visit me in my affliction, taught to many of the prophets that have livedand brought me close to him, and put his arms upon the earth. Nevertheless, most of thesearound me and held me to his bosom, even like prophets did not have the glorious experience ofa loving brother would hold another brother having the glorified Lord come unto them andwho was afflicted. administer unto them in the flesh. 12 And he sat with me for a time, conversing 18 And he administered his words unto them by the power and the ministrations of the spirit Chapter 35 219

TSP 35:19– 35:32 perceived as being great. And with this glory, which hath been given unto them by the childrenworld where he resided until he came into of men, they exercise authority upon them.mortality and was born of Mary. 27 But it shall not be so among you. But 19 And I cried unto the Lord, saying: My whosoever will be great among you, let him beLord; your servant. Behold, I did not come into this world, nor have I been commanded of the 20 And now, in this he did once again Father, to be ministered unto, but I have comereprimand me, saying: My dear brother, I have into the world to minister and serve the childrensuffered that the children of men give unto me of God, and give my life as a ransom for allthis title and this glory only because of their those who will listen to the words of the Father,hardheartedness and their stiffneckedness and which are given through me, even all those whotheir lack of understanding pertaining to the shall have eternal life in the kingdoms preparedmysteries of godliness. But from thee, I cannot for them by the Father.accept this title. 28 Behold, the scribes and Pharisees sit in the 21 For behold, I am thy brother and thy seat of Moses and teach unto you the words offriend; and I am also thy servant. And I tried to Moses and the laws that have pointed you in theteach these things unto my disciples. For there straight course, which course is the words andarose disputations among them as to which of the gospel that I have given unto you.them should be the greatest, they having givenunto me the title of Christ, which they did not 29 And these hypocrites have preachedunderstand at the time. these things unto you all the days of your lives. Therefore, all that they bid you to 22 And they did not understand these things observe, that observe and do; but do not yeconcerning me at the time because the Holy after their works; for they preach the pleasingGhost had not yet descended upon them to words of the gospel unto you, but they do nottestify unto them concerning the truth of these do that which they preach.things concerning me. And because they hadgiven unto me this title, and worshipped me, 30 For they bind heavy burdens upon you thatthey each wanted that I make him greater than are grievous to be borne, even thehis fellow disciple, that he might stand next to commandments of men that they require ye tome in authority. do. And these commandments of men they do, because these commandments are their own 23 And when I had perceived that which commandments, which make it so that theythey desired to understand, even which one of shall not be burdened by the true law, which isthem that I should put above the others; yea, grievous for them to bear, and which they laywhen I began to see their own stiffneckedness upon the shoulders of the children of men, butand their own hardheartedness, I took a child they themselves will not move with one of theirand brought him forth and placed him in front fingers to obey these true commandments.of them and said unto them: Whosoever shallreceive this child in my name receiveth me. 31 But all the works that they do, they do toAnd whosoever receiveth me receiveth Him be seen of men; and they make broad theirthat sent me, even the Father. phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at 24 And he who is least among you all, the feast, and the chief seats in the synagogues. Andsame shall be the greatest among you. For they love the greetings in the market, and to beeven this child in all of his glory is greater than called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.any of you. 32 But ye shall not be called Rabbi, for one 25 For ye have been called by the Father to be is your Master, who is not your Rabbi or youra servant unto all. Therefore, how can the master, but your servant; and all ye are hisservant be greater than his master? brethren. And call no one your creator upon the earth, or your heavenly father; for one is 26 Ye know that the princes of the world,which are the servants of Satan, exercisedominion over the children of men, and theyhave received the glory of men, in which they are220 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

your creator and Heavenly Father, even He TSP 35:33– 35:46who is in heaven. Neither are any of you to becalled Masters; for one is your Master, even he 39 For truly, Jehovah was given the powerwhom your Heavenly Father sent, which is and authority of the Father to act and do all theChrist; for He hath sent him among you that things that the Father would do, he being aye may have life. perfect example of the Father in all things. And because he is a perfect example of the Father in 33 But even he, who is the greatest among all things, he was called and foreordained in theyou, shall be your servant. And whosoever beginning, even by the Father, and also by theshall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that voice of all of the children of God, except thoseshall humble himself shall be exalted. And who followed the plan of Lucifer.therefore, my beloved friend Moroni, thoushalt refer to me as thy friend and thy brother 40 And he was ordained and sustained to befrom this time forth. the God and leader of the kingdom of the Father in this part of the universe, even over the planets 34 And I will suffer that the children of men that rotate in their positions around the sun. Andworship me according to their understanding. in this, some symbolism hath been given of hisFor it is better that they worship me and look to power and his authority.me as their example and their Lord, than itwould be that they look to Satan, who would 41 For even as the planets are subjected to thehave them believe that he is their Lord. For will and power of the sun, having been createdbehold, Satan is the Lord over the whole earth by its force and from its elements, even so shalland hath spread his influence among all the all the children of God who belong to this earthnations of the earth. on which we live, be subjected to the will and power of the Son of God, who is Jesus Christ. 35 And I have sent forth prophets unto allthese nations that I might bring the children of 42 And it came to pass that I watched as mymen unto repentance, that they might recognize friend and brother, even Jehovah, who is Jesustheir true Lord and keep the commandments the Christ, was lifted up and carried into thethat I have given unto them. But those prophets heavens upon the beam of light on which heshall know me for who I am, and they shall be came unto me.my friends and my brothers and my sisters. 43 And tears of joy filled my eyes and my 36 And it came to pass that the Lord stayed heart rejoiced exceedingly because of the greatwith me for a short time after I had pled with love that I felt for him, and also for the greathim that he might remain. And he taught me love that I felt that he had for me. And becausemany more things pertaining to this work that of his ministrations unto me, I received muchshall give an account of his life and his ministry, strength to continue with this abridgment andeven a greater account than that which is given fulfill the commandments that I have been givenin the Bible from the mouth of a Jew. concerning this thing. 37 For at the time it proceeded forth from 44 And now it is expedient that ye have anthe mouth of the Jew, it was more pure, even understanding of the importance of the missionas it hath been explained unto you and life of Jesus Christ. And I would that all thepreviously. And many precious things were earth should know that Jesus Christ is the truetaken out and discarded by the great and God of this part of the kingdom of the Father.abominable church, even as Nephi hath givenan account in his record. 45 And he shall be called many names by the children of men, these names having been given 38 But I was commanded by the Lord to give him because of the different traditions anda better account, even a more pure and precious customs among them. And I have previouslyaccount of his life and his ministry, so that the explained unto you the insignificance of the nameelect who shall receive these things in the latter that is given to the Lord, or to God, the Father.days might know him as I know him andbecome his brothers and sisters and his friends. 46 For it mattereth not what They are called, only that Their commandments are obeyed. For some shall call Them one thing, and some shall call Them another, but that which is important is Chapter 35 221

TSP 35:47– 35:58 53 And it was Joseph who gave this name unto him, having been commanded by the voicethat which the name of the Lord representeth. of an angel. But the family of Joseph was notFor the Lord was known in the flesh as Jesus, pleased with the name that was given unto thewhich was a very common name among the son of Mary, for they thought that the child waschildren of men in his day. the son of Joseph. 47 And now, I would that ye of the latter days, 54 And his family was rich and prosperouseven those who shall have the record of the Jews among the people, and felt that the child shouldtranslated in the same language in which this be given a more prestigious name that would fitrecord is translated, even in that which shall be more properly with the names of their family.known among you as the English language; I And they were further distraught when Josephwould that ye should know that your translation disregarded his family and left his riches and theof the name Jesus is not consistent with the true glory that belongedtranslation of the language in which the reports to the house of Heli, and lived among the poorof the life of Jesus were originally written. in Nazareth. 48 For this name should have been translated, 55 And when they had heard the account ofJoshua, which is the more correct translation of the birth of Jesus, even that he was born in athe original language. And now, this should be manger that was unclean, this did impede theira thing of humility and learning unto you, even pride even further, and they thought that Josephthat ye now know that the name of Jesus hath no had gone mad. And it came to pass that theyeffect whatsoever on your righteousness, for it ostracized him from among them. But Josephshould read Joshua the Christ. knew of that which he had been commanded by the angel, and he did those things which were 49 And now what think ye of the name of commanded of him.Jesus? Do ye think that by the name of Jesus yeshall be saved? Yea, I say unto you that by the 56 And now, there are many things that Iname of Joshua ye shall be saved, for it is this have been commanded to correct about thename that should be recorded in your language account given of the life and ministry of theaccording to the correct translation. And again I Lord as it hath been given unto you in thesay unto you, that by neither name shall ye be Bible. Nevertheless, the Spirit hathsaved, but by the works that ye do because of commanded me that I should give those thingsthe name given unto the Christ; yea, by these which I have translated from the vision of thethings shall ye be saved. brother of Jared. 50 And now, I would exhort you to consult 57 And a commandment shall be given untowith those who are learned among you; for they him who shall bring these things forth in theshall verify and testify that the things that I have latter days, even this bearer of Christ, who shallsaid unto you regarding the translation of the be the second of the latter-day prophets whoname of Jesus in the Bible, is correct. And then shall live among you.what shall ye say? 58 Behold, he shall be commanded to follow 51 Nevertheless, so that there shall be no the translation as given through the Urim andconfusion and contentions among you, yea even Thummim; nevertheless, he shall befor the purpose of this record and all the commanded to use the Bible as a reference ofscriptures that pertain to the mortality of those things which he shall receive through theJehovah, the Son of God, I shall use the name of Urim and Thummim. And if it so be that theJesus, instead of Joshua, for this is the name that translation is similar to the words of the Bible,ye have become accustomed to hearing when ye then he shall use the words that are found in thethink of the Savior of the world. Bible and interpolate them into this record and make all things of one, witness of the other; or 52 And the purpose for this name was to in other words, make one record concise and insignify the commonality that he representeth to agreement with the other.the children of men. And those who were calledJesus, or Joshua, of his day were those amongthe poor class of the people.222 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

59 And this would not be necessary if it were TSP 35:59– 35:71not for the wickedness and lack of faith of thechildren of men. For if this record contradicteth his own mouth shall be those things which arethose scriptures that ye already have among written herein. Therefore, I admonish you toyou, and which ye have already accepted as the read these things and feast upon them. Yea, yeword of God, then ye might have reason to should read these things in the morning, and inbelieve that this record is not the word of God. the midday, and in the evening, even that ye should ponder them in your bed at night and live 60 But I say unto you, that this record is plain your life according to the words of Christ thatand pure and hath not been translated by the are written herein, that ye may be worthy of thehands of men various times, evensomuch that it Spirit which shall teach you all of the mysterieshath become corrupted by the hand of man. But of God until ye know them in full.this record shall be translated once, and itstranslation shall be true, and shall be given unto 67 And now, because of the misinterpretationshim who shall translate these plates upon which of the record of the Jews, and also because of theI write these things, through the gift and power things that my father and I were commanded notof God, which he shall have with him. to write unto you in the portion of this record that is unsealed; yea, even many of those things 61 And these words shall be more precise and that we wrote in the unsealed portion of thiseasy to the understanding of men, evensomuch record, which were given unto you according tothat none shall have an excuse to disobey the your traditions and your customs; yea, becausewords of Christ because of the mistranslations of these things, it is necessary that I give untoand interpretation of men. you in plainness the explanation concerning the true nature of the mission of Christ and the 62 For this record shall be the final testimony atonement of the Savior; even that I explain untoof Jesus Christ, and shall include all things you why my friend and brother, Jesus Christ, iswhich God shall reveal unto the children of men considered a savior unto you, when he hathin the latter days to prepare their hearts and already told us that he is only our servant.minds for the coming of His Son in his glory. 68 And these things were not revealed unto 63 Therefore, this record shall be the you in the unsealed portion of this record, norgreatest source of scripture that hath ever been have they been revealed in any other record thatgiven to the world. And if it so be that the the Lord hath suffered to be written and givenchildren of men only had this one scripture, unto the children of men, because of theirthen that would be all that they would need in wickedness and their lack of faith.order to prepare themselves to be saved in thekingdoms of the Father. 69 For the things which have been written are available to all to read and ponder. Yea, they are 64 And there shall be no other scripture given, read by many who are wicked and who teach forexcept it be by the mouth of this last prophet by doctrine and principles the things which arewhich these things shall come forth. But this written therein, yet they deny the confirmationlast prophet shall say nothing contrary to that and the understanding of these things, whichwhich is given in this record. can only be given unto them by the Holy Ghost. 65 And he shall restrain himself from giving 70 And a man cannot have the Holy Ghostany more of the mysteries of God, except for unless he obeyeth the words of Christ andthose mysteries that are given with this record; keepeth his commandments. And the words offor this record shall include all things that the Christ are given in their entirety, yea, even allFather would want His children to know, even the commandments by which he expecteth theall things which have been among the children children of men to live, are given in the Bible,of men, and which ever shall be even unto the which hath come forth because of the Jews.end of the earth, even until His Son comethagain in the flesh and teacheth them from his 71 And also this record, which was made byown mouth. the hand of my father, hath given an account of the words of Christ as they were given unto the 66 But the things that he shall teach them with Nephites and the Lamanites who were left in the land of Bountiful after his death and resurrection among the Jews. Chapter 35 223

TSP 35:72– 35:83 portion that hath now been revealed unto you, then ye could have had these stumbling blocks 72 And I have already explained the removed from before you.importance of these words unto you. Andmany of the prophets who have written in 80 And then ye would have understood thethese records have expressed the importance words of Nephi more clearly which he wrote,of these words unto you. For they are the saying: And it came to pass that the angel of thewords of Christ, and the only words that ye Lord spake unto me, saying: Behold, saith theneed to read in order to find out how ye must Lamb of God, after I have visited the remnant oflive in order to have the Holy Ghost as your the house of Israel, and this remnant of whom Iconstant companion. speak is the seed of thy father; therefore, after I have visited them in judgment, and smitten 73 And if ye have the Holy Ghost as your them by the hand of the Gentiles; and after thecompanion, then ye shall be taught the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of themysteries of God which are contained within most plain and precious parts of the gospel ofthe portion of this record which is sealed, but the Lamb which have been kept back by thathath now been revealed unto you. abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb, I will be merciful unto 74 And there shall be many of you who are the Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I willwicked who shall read these things, and if ye do bring forth unto them, in mine own power,not have the Holy Ghost as your companion, much of my gospel, which shall be plain andthen ye shall reject these things and not precious, saith the Lamb.understand them, thinking that ye know ofyourselves what is the truth. 81 For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many 75 But I say unto you, if ye do not have the things which I shall minister unto them, whichfruits of the Spirit, then ye do not have the Spirit shall be plain and precious; and after thy seedto guide you. And if ye do not have the Spirit to shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, andguide you, then ye shall not accept these things, also the seed of thy brethren, behold, thesebut shall be angered because of them. And things shall be hid up, to come forth unto theanger is not a fruit of the Spirit. Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. 76 And ye shall be angered because the things 82 And in them shall be written my gospel,that are written herein shall testify of your saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation.wickedness and your carelessness in And blessed are they who shall seek to bringunderstanding the truth of God. forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they 77 And the things that have been given unto endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at theyou in the scriptures that ye have before you are last day, and shall be saved in the everlastingthose things which the Lord suffered to be given kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publishunto you in your wickedness. And even those peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautifulthings which he hath suffered to upon the mountains shall they be.come forth unto you, ye shall read, but ye shallnot understand. 83 And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the 78 And this is what is meant by the stumbling book of the Lamb of God which had proceededblocks that the prophets referred to in their forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it camewritings. Yea, these stumbling blocks are the forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of thethings that the Lord hath suffered to be given seed of my brethren. And after it had come forthunto you in your wickedness, even those things unto them, I beheld other books which camewhich he gave unto you in parables and forth by the power of the Lamb, from theallegories, and in the likeness of things that ye Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of thecould not understand, except by the Spirit. Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my 79 And if ye had hearkened unto the words ofthe Lamb of God, which were given unto you inthe unsealed portion of this record, but shall alsobe given unto you more fully in this sealed224 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered TSP 35:84– 35:96upon all the face of the earth, that the records ofthe prophets and of the twelve apostles of the things, even this portion that hath been sealedLamb are true. and reserved to come forth at the set given time of the Lord. 84 And the angel spake unto me, saying:These last records, which thou hast seen among 90 And now I give unto you a mystery and anthe Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, understanding of this time of the Lord: Behold,which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, these things shall come forth unto the worldand shall make known the plain and precious exactly two thousand years from the birth ofthings which have been taken away from them; Christ, even according to the calendar that yeand shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, have established among you in the latter days.and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son ofthe Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; 91 And there shall be some discrepancies inand that all men must come unto him, or they the manner of your accounting of the years ofcannot be saved. your history, yet ye shall know by this record of the exactness of these things. 85 And they must come unto him accordingto the words which shall be established by the 92 And this record, even this sealed portion,mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall take away your stumbling blocks andshall be made known in the records of thy seed, give unto you the plain and precious thingsas well as in the records of the twelve apostles that the Lord would have you knowof the Lamb; therefore they both shall be concerning his gospel.established in one; for there is one God and oneShepherd over all the earth. 93 For it shall come to pass that the elect of God in the latter days shall pray unto the Lord, 86 And the time cometh that he shall manifest even as Nephi did pray, saying: Oh, Lord, wilthimself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and thou encircle me around in the robe of thyalso unto the Gentiles; and after he hath righteousness! Oh, Lord, wilt thou make a waymanifested himself unto the Jews and also unto for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thouthe Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto make my path straight before me! Wilt thou notthe Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last place a stumbling block in my way, but that thoushall be first, and the first shall be last. wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. 87 And it shall come to pass that if theGentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in 94 And it shall come to pass that the Lordthat day, then he shall manifest himself unto shall give unto his elect the words of this recordthem in word, and also in power, in very deed, and it shall clear the way before them and shallunto the taking away of their stumbling blocks. cause to be removed the stumbling blocks that have been placed before them. 88 And I, Moroni, have given unto you thewords of Nephi which he wrote concerning 95 And the Lord and his gospel shall be as athese things that ye have received. And it is sanctuary for the elect of God, but to theirexpedient that ye understand that the portion of enemies, even all those who shall reject thesethis record that was unsealed and given unto you things, he shall be as a stumbling block, evenby the first of these last two latter-day prophets according to the words of Isaiah, which heamong you, did also contribute to the stumbling wrote, saying: Sanctify the Lord of Hostblocks that the Lord hath placed before you himself, and let him be your fear, and let him bebecause of your inability to abide by his words. your dread. And he shall be a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to 89 And if ye had hearkened unto the words of both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare toChrist that he hath given you in the unsealed the inhabitants of Jerusalem.portion of this record, then the Lord would havetaken away your stumbling blocks and given 96 And these words of Isaiah have all beenunto you the Spirit, that ye might have these fulfilled. For behold, Jesus was truly a cause of the exceeding stumbling of the Jews in his days, and he was indeed a rock of offense to them. For they would not give heed unto his words, Chapter 35 225

TSP 35:97– 35:106 thus saith the Lord God: It shall be at an instant, suddenly.and looked upon him as a thing of naught, andthought that his words, which is his gospel, were 102 And it shall come to pass, that those whotoo easy and simple to the understanding of have dwindled in unbelief shall be smitten bymen, and that the things of God should be more the hand of the Gentiles. And the Gentiles aremysterious and sacred. lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their 97 And because they desired those things that stumbling block, that they have built up manythey could not understand, they did stumble churches; nevertheless, they put down theexceedingly and were eventually destroyed power and miracles of God, and preach up untobecause of the stumbling blocks which Christ themselves their own wisdom and their ownhad placed before them. learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor. 98 And now, the Lord gave many things untoNephi, and showed him all that he desired, even 103 And there are many churches built upin removing all the stumbling blocks before him which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.that he might understand these things. And And there are also secret combinations, even asNephi prophesied concerning these things, even in times of old, according to the combinations ofunto those of the latter days unto which these the devil, for he is the founder of all these things;things shall be revealed. yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck 99 And he wrote, saying: But behold, I with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them withprophesy unto you concerning the last days; his strong cords forever.concerning the days when the Lord God shallbring these things forth unto the children of 104 For behold, my beloved brethren, I saymen. After my seed and the seed of my brethren unto you that the Lord God worketh not inshall have dwindled in unbelief, and shall have darkness. He doeth not anything save it be forbeen smitten by the Gentiles; yea, after the Lord the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world,God shall have camped against them round even that he layeth down his own life that heabout, and shall have laid siege against them may draw all men unto him. Therefore, hewith a mount, and raised forts against them; and commandeth none that they shall not partake ofafter they shall have been brought down low in his salvation.the dust, even that they are not, yet the words ofthe righteous shall be written, and the prayers of 105 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying:the faithful shall be heard, and all those who Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay;have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten. but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and 100 For those who shall be destroyed shall without price. Behold, hath he commanded anyspeak unto them out of the ground, and their that they should depart out of the synagogues, orspeech shall be low out of the dust, and their out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say untovoice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; you, Nay. Hath he commanded any that theyfor the Lord God will give unto him power, that should not partake of his salvation? Behold I sayhe may whisper concerning them, even as it unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for allwere out of the ground; and their speech shall men; and he hath commanded his people thatwhisper out of the dust. they should persuade all men to repentance. 101 For thus saith the Lord God: They shall 106 Behold, hath the Lord commanded anywrite the things which shall be done among that they should not partake of his goodness?them, and they shall be written and sealed up Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men arein a book, and those who have dwindled in privileged the one like unto the other, andunbelief shall not have them, for they seek to none are forbidden. He commandeth thatdestroy the things of God. Therefore, as those there shall be no priestcrafts; for, beholdwho have been destroyed have been destroyed priestcrafts are that men preach and setspeedily; and the multitude of their terribleones shall be as chaff that passeth away; yea,226 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

themselves up for a light unto the world, that TSP 35:107– 35:116they may get gain and praise of the world; butthey seek not the welfare of Zion. awaketh and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; yea, even so shall the multitude of all 107 Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.thing; therefore, the Lord God hath given acommandment that all men should have charity, 112 For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, staywhich charity is love, and except they should yourselves and wonder, for ye shall cry out, andhave charity they were nothing. Therefore, if cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine,they should have charity they would not suffer ye shall stagger but not with strong drink. Forthe laborer in Zion to perish. But the laborer in behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you theZion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closedmoney they shall perish. your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered 108 And again, the Lord God hath because of your iniquity.commanded that men should not murder; thatthey should not lie; that they should not steal; 113 And it shall come to pass that the Lordthat they should not take the name of the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of atheir God in vain; that they should not envy; book, and they shall be the words of them whichthat they should not have malice; that they have slumbered. And behold the book shall beshould not contend one with another; that they sealed; and in the book shall be a revelationshould not commit whoredoms; and that they from God, from the beginning of the world toshould do none of these things; for whoso the ending thereof. Therefore, because of thedoeth them shall perish. things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the 109 For none of these iniquities come of the wickedness and abominations of the people.Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the Therefore, the book shall be kept from them.children of men; and he doeth nothing save it beplain unto the children of men; and he inviteth 114 But the book shall be delivered unto athem all to come unto him and partake of his man, and he shall deliver the words of the book,goodness; and he denieth none that come unto which are the words of those who havehim, black and white, bond and free, male and slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver thesefemale; and he remembereth the heathen; and all words unto another; But the words which areare alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by 110 But, behold, in the last days, or in the days the power of God, and the revelation which wasof the Gentiles; yea, behold, all the nations of sealed shall be kept in the book until the ownthe Gentiles and also the Jews, both those who due time of the Lord, that they may come forth;shall come upon this land and those who shall for behold, they reveal all things from thebe upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands foundation of the world unto the end thereof.of the earth, behold, they will be drunken withiniquity and all manner of abominations. 115 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the 111 And when that day shall come they shall house tops; and they shall be read by the powerbe visited of the Lord of Hosts, with thunder and of Christ; and all things shall be revealed untowith earthquake, and with a great noise, and the children of men which ever have beenwith storm, and with tempest, and with the among the children of men, and which ever willflame of devouring fire. And all the nations that be even unto the end of the earth.fight against Zion, and that distress her, shall beas a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto 116 Therefore, at that day when the book shallthem, even as unto a hungry man which be delivered unto the man of whom I havedreameth, and behold he eateth but he awaketh spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes ofand his soul is empty; or like unto a thirsty man the world, that the eyes of none shall behold itwhich dreameth, and behold he drinketh but he save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to Chapter 35 227

TSP 35:117– 35:128 122 And again it shall come to pass that the Lord shall say unto him that shall read the wordsthe truth of the book and the things therein. And that shall be delivered him: Forasmuch as thisthere is none other which shall view it, save it be people draw near unto me with their mouth, anda few according to the will of God, to bear with their lips do honor me, but have removedtestimony of his word unto the children of men; their hearts far from me, and their fear towardsfor the Lord God hath said that the words of the me is taught by the precepts of menfaithful should speak as if it were from the dead. 123 Therefore, I will proceed to do a 117 Therefore, the Lord God will proceed to marvelous work among this people, yea, abring forth the words of the book; and in the marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdommouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him of their wise and learned shall perish, and thegood will he establish his word; and wo be unto understanding of their prudent shall be hid.him that rejecteth the word of God! And woe unto them who seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord! And their works 118 But behold, it shall come to pass that the are in the dark; and they say: Who seeth us,Lord God shall say unto him to whom he shall and who knoweth us?deliver the book: Take these words which arenot sealed and deliver them to another, that he 124 And they also say: Surely, your turningmay show them unto the learned, saying: Read of things upside down shall be esteemed as thethis, I pray thee. And the learned shall say: Bring clay of the potter. But behold, I will show untohither the book, and I will read them. And now, them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I know allbecause of the glory of the world and to get gain their works. For shall the work say of him thatwill they say this, and not for the glory of God. made it, he made me not? Or shall the thingAnd the man shall say: I cannot bring the book, framed say of him that framed it, he had nofor it is sealed. Then shall the learned say: I understanding?cannot read it. 125 But behold, saith the Lord of Hosts: I will 119 Therefore it shall come to pass, that the show unto the children of men that it is yet aLord God will deliver again the book and the very little while and Lebanon shall be turnedwords thereof to him that is not learned; and the into a fruitful field; and the fruitful field shall beman that is not learned shall say: I am not esteemed as a forest.learned. Then shall the Lord God say unto him:The learned shall not read them, for they have 126 And in that day shall the deaf hear therejected them, and I am able to do mine own words of the book, and the eyes of the blindwork; therefore thou shalt read the words which shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.I shall give unto thee. And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in the Lord, and the poor among men 120 Touch not the things which are sealed, for shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.I will bring them forth in mine own due time; forI will show unto the children of men that I am 127 For assuredly as the Lord liveth they shallable to do mine own work. Therefore, when see that the terrible one is brought to naught, andthou hast read the words which I have the scorner is consumed, and all that watch forcommanded thee, and obtained the witnesses iniquity are cut off; and they that make a man anwhich I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou offender for a word, and lay a snare for him thatseal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just forthat I may preserve the words a thing of naught.which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit inmine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the 128 Therefore, thus saith the Lord, whochildren of men. redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither 121 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of shall his face now wax pale. But when he seethmiracles; and I will show unto the world that I his children, the work of my hands, in the midstam the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I of him, they shall sanctify my name, andwork not among the children of men save it be sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fearaccording to their faith.228 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

the God of Israel. They also that erred in spirit TSP 35:129– 36:8shall come to understanding, and they thatmurmured shall learn doctrine. did according to the commandments that he had received from the Father. 129 And now, I, Moroni, would that yeshould know, that this marvelous work which 3 For behold, all things whatsoever that theshall be done among this people, yea, even Lord would have the children of men learn andthis marvelous work and a wonder, is the know of the Father, he would have them receivecoming forth into the world the things which these things through the Holy Spirit, which isare sealed, even this record that hath been the way that the Father instituted in therevealed unto you. beginning for His children to receive His guidance and His instruction. 130 And the wisdom of the wise and thelearned shall perish, and the understanding of 4 Nevertheless, the Lord hath commanded histhe prudent shall be hid, because of the things prophets that they should write unto the childrenthat are written herein. And the elect of God that of men and give unto them in writing the thingserred in spirit shall come to understanding, and which they receive from him through the Spirit,they that murmured shall learn doctrine. as the Father had commanded. But this is not the will of the Father concerning His children; 131 And this doctrine of which Nephi hath nevertheless, in many instances it is the onlyspoken is the true doctrine of Christ. And it is way whereby He might give unto His childrenthis doctrine that I am about to give unto you. His commandments, which commandmentsYea, even my whole soul is overcome by this will bring them eternal peace and happiness.part of the abridgment of the vision of thebrother of Jared, and also that which is from my 5 For the children of men do not liveown understanding, having received this according to the Spirit, and therefore theyunderstanding from the mouth of the Lord; even cannot discern between good and evil by thisthat which I have been commanded to give unto Spirit. And if they could discern between goodyou concerning the life of Jesus Christ. and evil from the Spirit, which is by the ministrations of the Holy Ghost, then they CHAPTER 36 would not need the written word to inspire them to turn to God and keep His commandments.The scriptures are not as complete in the truthas is the truth when given by the Spirit. The 6 For behold, the Spirit would whisper thesewritten word of scripture is of men who are things unto them. And all of the words that areinspired, but this written word is susceptible to given unto the children of men, even those thatman’s corruption. The light of Christ hath been they have accepted as the word of God, or as thegiven to us to discern all truth, and is given to us holy scriptures which contain the word of God;by the gift of the Holy Ghost. The atonement is yea, even all these words that are written, areagain expounded on. written by the hand of a man. AND it shall come to pass that as the record 7 And if they are written by the hand of a man,which hath come forth from the mouth of the how can another be sure that they are the wordsJews giveth an account of the birth and life and of God and not the words of the man who haththe ministry of Jesus Christ in the flesh, so hath written them? For there have been many thingsthis same record been given unto the world by written by many of the prophets of God in manythe works of men. parts of the earth unto many different peoples and cultures, even according to their knowledge 2 For Jesus did not write those things which and understanding, or their ability to accept thehe would have the children of men know word of God that hath been given them throughconcerning his life and those things which he the prophet that hath been chosen by the Lord to give unto the people his words. 8 And all of these things are the words of men, and are not the words of God. For God doth not speak to man through the written word. For if a man readeth the words that are written, then he hath read the words, and hath not heard them by the voice of God. Chapter 36 229

TSP 36:9– 36:22 who pertain to this part of the kingdom of God in which hath been established our sun and our 9 Behold, God speaketh unto His children planets; yea, everything that would be givenwith His own voice and not through the voice of unto us by the Father is given by and througha man. And because God, who is our Eternal our Lord, who is Jehovah.Father, doth not reside here on our planet, thenHe cannot speak unto us that we may hear His 16 And Jehovah is the same spirit whom wewords. For this reason He hath set up the all confirmed and agreed to lead us and be ourministrations of the Spirit that are administered Head, even in this part of the kingdom of theunto the children of men by the power of the Father that He hath prepared for us. AndHoly Ghost. Jehovah was this Word and was given the authority of God. And this Word was in the 10 For the Holy Ghost is also a member of the beginning, and this Word was with God, andGodhead. And this Holy Trinity exemplifieth this word became God, by the authority of thethe essence of the Father; in other words, that Father, and also by our sustaining vote.which is done by the Father, is the same thingthat is done by the Son. And that which 17 For behold, from the beginning, we wereis done by the Son, is the same thing that is done given the agency to do that which we wouldby the Holy Ghost. And if it was done by the want for ourselves. And Lucifer and many ofSon, then it was the same thing that would have the children of the Father, would not sustainbeen done by the Father. Jehovah, nor would they sustain the eternal plan of the Father which was presented unto them. 11 Thus, the Father, the Son, and the HolyGhost are one God, even the very Eternal 18 And because they would not sustainFather. And for this reason the Lord is referred Jehovah and accept him as their God, even theto at times as the Son, and some times as the God and leader over this solar system, they wereFather. And this is why the Son is referred to, at forbidden to come upon this earth into mortalitytimes, as the Father. And this is why the Holy and receive a body of flesh and bone andGhost is also referred to as the Spirit of God. partake of that which the Father commanded Jehovah to create for us. 12 Behold, it mattereth not which of themshall give a command unto the children of 19 For the Father created the solar system,men, for if a command is given by one, then it which consisteth of the sun and the planetsis sanctioned by the other two; and in this way from this sun, but then He commanded thatall three of them are the Father, even the very the earth be given life by the work andsame Eternal Father that hath given us all commands of those whom He hath put inthings since the beginning. authority in this solar system. 13 And in the beginning the Father gave 20 But even this work was done by the Father,Jehovah the power and authority over this under the direction and through the authority ofsolar system, or this part of His kingdom. For the Son, and through the Holy Ghost, who isthe Father hath other kingdoms, for His works Michael, who are one God.are endless and eternal. And since He cannotbe in two places at once, He giveth His power 21 Therefore have the prophets written of thisand authority unto others who do His will in God. And sometimes this God, of whom theyall things. have written, might refer to the Son; and at other times this God might refer to Michael, or the 14 And to those whom He giveth this power Holy Ghost; and at times this God of whom theand authority, to them is given His word, which prophets have written might refer to the veryis this power and this authority. And this power Eternal Father, who is the essence of all eternaland authority was given unto Jehovah who was good, or in other words, He is God.among the great spirits that existed in thekingdom of the Father in the beginning. 22 But it mattereth not to the Father if a work be done by His own hand or by the hands of 15 And by this word, or by Jehovah, those whom He hath called and given theeverything that would be given unto us, who are authority and power to do His work. For thesethe literal spiritual offspring of the Father, and230 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

could not do His work, save that He TSP 36:23– 36:34commanded them. Therefore, if He hathcommanded them, then it is still His work. unto you, that Jehovah resided in the spirit world, which is not of this flesh, until he came 23 Therefore, the scriptures are written, at into mortality. And he continued in the spirittimes, that they might be a stumbling block world to do the will of the Father in all things.unto the children of men because of their lackof faith; and this as I have explained it unto 30 And the will of the Father is that all of Hisyou previously. children be given His commandments by which they should live, that they might find happiness. 24 For it is written in the Bible, even given as Now, this is the light that hath been given tothe word of God and accepted by you of the every man and woman who hath been born intolatter days; yea, it hath been written, saying: In the flesh. Yea, this is the life and the light ofthe beginning was the Word, and the Word was men, even a light that shineth in darkness; andwith God, and the Word was God. The same the darkness comprehended it not.was in the beginning with God. And all thingswere made by him, and without him was not 31 Behold, this is the light of Christ that isany thing made that was made. In him was life, given unto us through the ministrations of thoseand the life was the light of men. in the spirit world under the direction of the Holy Ghost. But before the Word was made 25 And the light shineth in darkness; and the flesh, he was the authority of the spirit worlddarkness comprehended it not. And that was the and directed the functions and administrationstrue Light, which lighteth every man that thereof. And before he left the spirit world andcometh into the world. He was in the world, and entered into mortality, he gave the power andthe world was made by him, and the world authority of the spirit world to Michael, whoknew him not. He came unto his own, and his was once Adam in mortality, who becameown received him not. But as many as received known as the Holy Ghost.him, to them gave he power to become the sonsof God, even to them that believe on his name. 32 And it was the desire of Michael that he be known to the children of men as the Holy 26 And these which believe on his name do Ghost. For it is the will of all righteous soulshis works and are received by him. And they are to not want glory for themselves, but that theborn unto him, which were born, not of blood, glory be given unto the Father. And Michael,nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of or Adam, did not want men to worship himman, but of the will of God. while he was in their service, even while he was administering the will of the Father in the 27 And this Word that was in the beginning spirit world. Therefore, he is only known bywith God was made flesh, and dwelt among the name of the Holy Ghost.us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of theonly begotten of the Father, who is full of 33 And this light of Christ of which I havegrace and truth. spoken is the same light of which I have spoken in the portion of this record that is unsealed and 28 And now I, Moroni, would ask of you that which ye already have among you. And I havehave received these things; yea, even those of already written unto you, saying: For behold,you who have received the words that have the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that heproceedeth forth out of the mouth of a Jew, even may know good from evil; therefore, I showthe Bible; How is it that this Word, of which unto you the way to judge; for every thinghath been written, can light every man that which inviteth to do good, and to persuade tocometh into the world, even with this true believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power andLight? And how is it that these that receive this gift of Christ; therefore ye may know with aLight, or this Word, are not born of the flesh, or perfect knowledge it is of God.the will of man, but of the will of God? 34 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to 29 For are we not all of the flesh? Behold, do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him,have we not all been born of the will of the flesh, and serve not God, then ye may know with aeven the will of our mortal parents? Now, I say perfect knowledge that it is of the devil; for after Chapter 36 231

TSP 36:35– 36:48this manner doth the devil work, for he entereth into mortality. And it is by this lightpersuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; that we can judge good from evil, or in otherneither do his angels; neither do they who words, this is the enmity that the Father causedsubject themselves unto him. to be placed between those who followed Satan and those who are the children of Adam 35 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye and Eve, or the children of men according toknow the light by which ye may judge, which the flesh.light is the light of Christ, see that ye do notjudge wrongfully; for with that same judgment 42 For as soon as any spirit leaveth the spiritwhich ye judge, ye shall also be judged. world and entereth into mortality, they are caused by the flesh to forget their former 36 Therefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that existence that they might more fully be tried andye should search diligently in the light of Christ tested during the days of their probation.that ye may know good from evil; and if ye willlay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it 43 And immediately upon arriving to an agenot, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. of understanding, Satan beginneth to make an attempt to influence them and enticeth them to 37 And now, my brethren, how is it possible accept his plan, they becoming susceptible to histhat ye can lay hold upon every good thing? And enticings because of the flesh.now, I come to that faith of which I said I wouldspeak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye 44 But the ministrations of the spirit world,may lay hold on every good thing. For behold, which is the ministering of angels, minister untoGod, knowing all things, being from everlasting us every word that proceeded forth out of theto everlasting; behold, He sent angels to minister mouth of God, as I have explained it unto youunto the children of men, to make manifest and as I have previously written.concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christthere should come every good thing. 45 And these ministering angels, or these ministering spirits, are provided by the Father to 38 And God also declared unto prophets, by inspire us to do good, and they also keep Satanhis own mouth, that Christ should come. And and those who follow him in check, that theybehold, there were divers ways that he did might not tempt us or entice us beyond ourmanifest things unto the children of men, which capabilities to resist their temptations.were good; and all things which are goodcometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, 46 And for this reason Satan is powerless toand there could no good thing come unto them. tempt and entice children, or those who have not reached the age of understanding. And I have 39 Therefore, by the ministering of angels, also caused to be written the words of my father,and by every word which proceeded forth out of Mormon, which he wrote unto me concerningthe mouth of God, men began to exercise faith the baptism of little children. For this is ain Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold mockery of the purpose for which baptism wasupon every good thing; and thus it was until the given. For what infant among you can choosecoming of Christ. to make a covenant with God? And they are innocent until they reach the age of 40 And after that he came, men also were accountability and understanding.saved by faith in his name; and by faith, theybecome the sons of God. And as sure as Christ 47 And these ministering spirits, or angels ofliveth, he spake these words unto our fathers, God, are subject unto the Lord, or Jehovah, whosaying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the overseeth the work in the world in which theseFather in my name, which is good, in faith spirits reside. And they minister according tobelieving that ye shall receive, behold, it shall the word of his command, showing the truth andbe done unto you. giving understanding unto them of strong faith and of a firm mind in every form of godliness. 41 And now, I would that ye shouldunderstand the simplicity of my words. For 48 And the office of their ministry is to callthe light of Christ men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do theis given unto every man and women who work of the covenants which the Father hath made with his children from the beginning.232 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

49 And these spirits declare the words of TSP 36:49– 36:62Christ unto the prophets of God and give untothem the knowledge and the understanding that beginning as spirits in the kingdom of our Father.they need that they might be sent forth unto the 56 And he is our Savior because of thechildren of men to teach the words of Christ. things that he taught unto us, even the 50 And by the mouths of these prophets, the commandments of the Father. For behold, ifLord hath given unto the rest of the children of we do not keep the commandments that hemen, even those who are not strong in faith hath given unto us, then we shall not be savedand firm in every form of godliness, a way in the kingdom of God.whereby they might hear the word of God andbegin to exercise faith in Christ, that they may 57 And now, I cannot be more plain in myhave the privilege of receiving the mysteries words that ye might understand the mission andof the kingdom of heaven for themselves, and calling of Jesus Christ. And many of theto have the heavens opened unto them that prophets who have been wrought upon by thethey might know the will and mind of the Holy Spirit and who have been ministered untoFather in all things. by these angels of God; even that the eyes of their understanding have been opened up that 51 And now, this is one of the covenants that they have seen God, and not according to thethe Father made unto us in the beginning; even flesh but according to the spirit; even thesethat if we obey His commandments, then we prophets have written that which they have beenshall have His spirit to be with us that we might inspired to write by these spiritual ministrations.be one with Him. 58 And these things are the holy scriptures 52 And becoming one with the Father is the that ye have among you. And because they arepurpose of the atonement of Christ, or in other the words of men, which are written unto you inwords, to make us one with God. And he cannot the language of men, they are susceptible to themake us one with God, except it be according to weaknesses of men and the corruption of men.the manner that the Father has covenanted withus in the beginning, even that we should first 59 And these writings of the prophets of God,keep His commandments in all things. even these men who write unto the children of men according to the inspiration that they 53 And these commandments are the things receive from the Holy Ghost, cannot bewhich the Lord giveth to us through the Spirit, understood in their intent and purpose, exceptand which he taught to us when he came down that the person who hath received them andinto the world in the flesh. readeth them hath been given an understanding of them by the power of the Spirit of God. 54 And so, my beloved brothers and sisters,once again I shall speak to you in plainness that 60 For this reason, Jesus did not keep anyye might not err any longer concerning this written record of his words, or his works, or histhing, even concerning the atonement of Jesus prophecies that he gave unto the children of menChrist. For the mission of our Lord was to teach in the flesh. And while he was alive in the flesh,unto us the commandments of the Father that he did not allow his disciples to keep an accountwe might be one with the Father, as he is one of the things that were done among them.with the Father. 61 For his disciples did not have the Holy 55 And because of the flesh, we are weak and Ghost to help them understand the mission andunderstandeth not the things of God. And purpose of the Savior. And if any of them wouldbecause of the flesh, the words which Jesus have attempted to write an account of the worksspake unto the children of men in the flesh were and teachings of Jesus without the Spirit tonot understood; for they looked beyond the mark guide him in that which he should write, then hisand the standard that he had given unto them, account might be susceptible to his ownwhich were the commandments that he had interpretation and perception of the teachings ofreceived of the Father, even the same Jesus, and not necessarily of the truth.commandments that we all received in the 62 And it was after Jesus was resurrected and had sent unto them the Holy Ghost; or in other words, after he had commanded those in the Chapter 36 233

TSP 36:63– 36:75 displaced by the spiritual matter that made up the bodies of these ministering angels, thespirit world to minister to his disciples in the disciples felt the displacement of this airflesh, according to the workings and around them rush towards them, even to suchadministrations of the Holy Ghost; that the an extent that they felt a rush of a mighty winddisciples began to understand the true purpose which forced itself upon them as if it cameand intent of his earthly mission, yea, even all from heaven.things that they desired to know. 70 And when these spirits began to speak 63 For Jesus taught his disciples, saying: unto the disciples in the flesh, according to theWhatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my power of the spirit, the disciples werename, which is good, in faith, believing that ye overcome with emotion, evensomuch that itshall receive it, behold, it shall be done unto you. appeared to them that their bosoms were on fire within them, because of the manner of 64 And the disciples later learned by the Spirit communication that was used by the spirits tothat the name of Jesus symbolized the works that communicate with their flesh.he did among them. Therefore, they understoodthat praying to the Father was in vain unless they 71 And then the minds and the hearts of thedid so in the name of Jesus, or in other words, disciples in the flesh began to communicateunless they did the things that Jesus did, which with the spirits that were speaking unto them.works are symbolic of his name. And this manner of communication was two types of communication, or divided, even in 65 And now, I would that ye should know of the tongue of the language that wasthe time that the Holy Ghost was given unto the understood by the disciples, and in the tonguedisciples of Jesus, and also that which transpired that was spoken by those in the dimension ofto cause them to understand the things which the spirit that was among them.they did not understand without the Spirit. 72 And now, I, Moroni, give the rest of this 66 And according to the words of the brother account according as it hath been given in theof Jared, which he wrote, saying: And the Bible, which ye already have among you. Andtwelve who had been chosen by God to serve this I do by way of the Spirit which whisperethunder Jesus were gathered together on the day these things to me. But he who shall translateof Pentecost according to the traditions of the these things shall give unto you those thingsJews. And they were gathered together in one which ye already have among you, according toplace and were enclosed within the house in the words that are written, even that ye mightwhich they had gathered. understand the things that ye have already accepted as the word of God. 67 And I beheld the ministering spirits in thespirit world who had been organized and called 73 And the record is written, saying: Andby Michael to teach these disciples the things when the day of Pentecost was fully come, theythat they did not understand pertaining to the were all with one accord in one place. Andworks of Christ that they had witnessed. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as ofMichael did these things according to the a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the housecommandments that he had received from where they were sitting.Jehovah, who had returned to the spirit worldfor a brief time between the death of his flesh 74 And there appeared unto them clovenand his resurrection. tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy 68 And as these spirits entered into the same Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,room where these disciples were sitting, their as the Spirit gave them utterance.spiritual bodies, which were made of element,even element that was not seen by the mortal 75 And it came to pass that these apostleseye; yea, when these spirits entered into the began to preach unto the people in the tongueroom, the elements of their spiritual bodies that each could understand, having this givendisplaced the elements of the air that were unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost, or byalready present there. 69 And when the elements of the air were234 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

the power of the communication process that TSP 36:76– 36:87was used with them by the spirits who hadentered into the house to teach them. understand the things that have been written except that ye have the same Spirit by which 76 And the people began to gather and mock these things were written.them and accuse them of being drunk withwine because of that which they heard but 82 And because those of you in the latter days,could not understand. even those of you who shall read my words; which words I testify unto you have been given 77 And the apostle, who was called Peter, unto me by this same Spirit that hath inspired allstood up and said unto them: Ye men of Judea, the prophets of God since the beginning; yea,and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this because ye are wicked and are taught theknown unto you, and hearken to my words: precepts and commandments of men, which areFor these are not drunken, as ye suppose, not given by this Spirit, which is the light ofseeing it is but the third hour of the day. But Christ as I have explained it unto you, then it isthis is that which was spoken by the prophet expedient that the Lord hath caused that theseJoel, which he said: And it shall come to pass things are written unto you by His Spirit, so thatin the last days, saith God, I will pour out my ye might have a better understanding of theSpirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your things that the Spirit would have taught untodaughters shall prophesy, and your young men you, if ye were righteous.shall see visions, and your old men shalldream dreams; and on my servants and on my 83 Behold, the scriptures that ye have beforehandmaidens I will pour out of my Spirit in you have been translated by men who often didthose days; and they shall prophesy. not have the spirit of prophecy and discernment among them. And when they would think it was 78 And now, my beloved brothers and sisters, in the best interests of their own understanding,I, Moroni, have given unto you an explanation they would change that which was written byof the true mission and purpose for which the the prophet who gave them the word of God inSon of God was born unto us in the flesh. And written form.this is the main purpose for his mission, even toteach unto us the commandments of the Father 84 And for this reason, many of the prophetsthat we might have the Spirit of the Father bear of God have written the mysteries of God inwitness unto us of the Father. symbolism and in ways that could not be understood, except it be given unto him who 79 And if we bear witness of the Father, then hath the Spirit of God always with him.shall we know the Father; and if we know theFather, then we shall be accepted by the Father 85 And now, it is easy for you to determineand be allowed to live in one of the kingdoms of whether ye have the Spirit with you or not. Forglory that He hath established in His kingdom. if ye read the words of the prophets that have been given unto you, and ye understandeth them 80 And I have explained unto you that the not, then ye do not have the Spirit with you.Lord hath given unto the children of men And ye do not have the Spirit with you, becauseprophets and apostles, and others who have the ye are not worthy of this Spirit, and ye have notSpirit of God with them, that they might asked the Father for understanding.persuade the children of men to repent of theirsins and turn to God and keep His 86 Nevertheless, I would that ye should becommandments, that they might have His Spirit aware of those who would make you believeto be with them. that they understand the words of the prophets, and who give unto you their interpretations and 81 And these prophets and apostles have perceptions of these words. For many timeswritten the word of God and have given it unto their words are the interpretations andyou in the scriptures that ye have before you. perceptions of men who will cause you to beBut because these words of these prophets and misled and cause you to err in yourthese apostles have been given unto you second understanding of the words of the Father whichhand, there is no way that ye can possibly He would give unto you. 87 And the Lord hath given you a sure way Chapter 36 235

TSP 36:88– 37:3 that was given unto him for the ministry, that which did not sustain the simplicity of his life?that ye shall know a prophet of God from a I say unto you that he did not.prophet of Satan. And the way to determine thisis as simple as the understanding of this way. 94 And this is the sure way, my beloved brothers and sisters, that ye can tell if those who 88 For behold, a true prophet of God would lead you and pretend to be the mouthpieces ofonly teach unto you the words of Christ. And he God, are true prophets of God. But I say untocannot teach unto you the words of Christ, you, that there are very few prophets of God inexcept he be given the light of Christ. And he the latter days. And those that are shall be madecannot have the light of Christ, except that he do known unto you by their works.the works of Christ. Therefore, ask yourselvesthis: Do the actions of this prophet follow after 95 And they shall not be of the world, for thethe name of Christ? Or in other words, if Christ world shall hate them and persecute themwere this prophet, would he do the works that because of the things that they testifythis prophet doeth before you? concerning the wickedness of the world; and also because of their lifestyle, which is the 89 For behold, in the latter days there shall be lifestyle that Jesus Christ lived in the fleshmany who claim to preach unto you the words during the days of his life and ministry.of Christ, and there shall be many who shallpreach unto you the words of Christ. But they CHAPTER 37are all corrupt and have not the light of Christ inthem, because of their works. The lineage of Jesus is given in its proper perspective as it is written in the Bible in 90 For by the material things that they possess Matthew and Luke. The life and ministry of Johnye can determine for yourselves that they are not the Baptist is explained and expounded upon.true prophets of God. For would the Christ have John begins his ministry among the people.more than his neighbor? Yea, would the Christput himself above another even to the wearing AND now, I will begin the account of the lifeof very fine apparel and having all of the fine and ministry of Jesus. And it is written in thethings of the world, which are not a necessity for Bible, which ye have among you, thethe calling of a true prophet of God, who would genealogies of the lineage of Christ, bothonly possess that which would sustain his life? according to the flesh, and according to the lineage of the Priesthood that was given unto the 91 Yea, I say unto you, go unto these prophets men at Jerusalem according to the traditions andin their own houses and see that which they beliefs of the Jews.possess away from their pulpits of theirpreaching and their vain words. Witness for 2 And ye shall have two versions of theyourselves that which they give unto their lineage of Jesus given unto you, which shall bechildren, even that which they command to be a cause of much contention among you becausebuilt up as sanctuaries unto God, even the of these two different accounts of his lineage.churches, and the synagogues, and the templesamong you. Are these the works of Christ? 3 And now, I would that ye should know that the first lineage that ye shall read in the book 92 I say unto you that they are not the works which proceedeth forth from the mouth of theof Christ, but that they are the works of men, Jew, is the literal lineage of Jesus according towho seek for the praise and glory of the world. the flesh. But I ask ye, how can this be the literalFor thus taught Jesus Christ when he lived his lineage of Jesus according to the flesh, when thelife in the flesh. For the works that he did, he Father of Jesus was not according to the flesh?expecteth of all those who know him and And he who hath understanding will understandunderstand the commandments of the Father. that the generations between Abraham and Jesus 93 And all true prophets of God pattern theirlives after Christ in all things. And did Christown a home in which he accumulated the finethings of the world? I say unto you that he didnot. And did Christ purchase, with the money236 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

are forty and two, which correspond to that TSP 37:4– 37:16which hath been spoken of by John, even of theone thousand, two hundred and sixty days. He 10 For behold, Luke giveth a true accountwho heareth, let him listen. of the lineage of Joseph, who was the husband of Mary. And from this lineage is 4 And now, it was common practice among given the lines of priesthood authority thatthe Jews that the lineage of a man be given were given unto Joseph according to thethrough the father, or through patriarchal lines, customs and traditions of the Jews. And itthus reserving the sense of authority that men was through this line of the Priesthood thatbelieve that they have over the women. Jesus justified his calling to the ministry when he reached the age in which he could minister 5 Nevertheless, he who wrote the first account to the Jews according to their traditions.of the life of Jesus that ye have among you, evenhe whom ye shall know as Matthew; yea, he 11 And now, Joseph was the son of Heli, whodisregarded the traditions of the Jews according was the son of Matthan. And Heli was theto their ways and their customs. And the lineage brother of Jacob, the father of Mary.that he hath given of Jesus is the lineage of hismother, Mary, whose lineage was the only 12 And these genealogies are the things oflineage of the flesh that could be properly men given to satisfy their pride in theiraccounted as being true of Jesus, who had no ancestors. But God careth nothing for thesefather according to the flesh. things as I have previously explained it unto you. Nevertheless, the Spirit commanded that 6 And when he gave his account in the these two lineages be included in the accountsbeginning, it was correct and read according as of the life of Jesus, that they may come forthye have it before you beginning with Abraham in the latter days as a further testimony ofand continuing until it cometh to Eliud, the son Jesus; and also that the pride andof Achim. And then Matthew proceeded to give stiffneckedness of the Jews, and those whothe lineage according to the matriarchal order, have put themselves above another because ofbecause Jesus was born of Mary in the flesh and the name of Jesus, might be taken away in thenot of any man. thing in which they are prideful. 7 And when the words of this apostle, even 13 And all these things have been done in aMatthew, were reviewed by those who would likeness of things that are past, and also ofassign themselves to compile the writings that things that are present, and things that are inwere to be permitted in the Bible as pertaining the future, so that the Lord can show forth theto the life of Jesus, they, not having the Spirit to foolishness of those who are prideful andguide them in all things, thought that Matthew think that they are great, even that they thinkhad erred in his judgment when he began to of themselves above another.follow the lineage of Mary concerning Jesus. 14 For behold, according to the flesh, the 8 But he did not err, and he wrote it properly, fathers of Jesus were the most corrupt of thesaying: And Eliud begot Eleazar, and Eleazar sons of their fathers, and were the fruits ofbegot a daughter and called her name Rebecca. grave sins which were committed by hisAnd Rebecca married Matthan; and from this ancestors, in which no one can have a sense ofmarriage was begotten Jacob, who was the pride and envy.father of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who iscalled Christ. 15 For if ye were to take the lineage of Jesus back through his fathers, and this according to 9 And now, it is not a hard thing to see the the lineage of his mother, who gave unto himerror of those who have changed these things the flesh, then ye would see that Jesus camebecause of their pride in that which they believe from the lineage of Solomon, who wasshould be the right of a man to have all things conceived from the womb of Bathsheba, shebear witness of his patriarchal order; for the that was taken in sin by David.lineage of Joseph, the husband of Mary is givenin the account of another of the apostles of 16 And the account of Matthew makethJesus, even he whom ye shall know as Luke. specific mention of this grave sin that it should be known. For there is no other mention of the Chapter 37 237

TSP 37:17– 37:31 lineage of Christ according to the flesh, ye shall find that he hath the blood of the Canaanite,wife of any other of the fathers in the lineage of which is the dark blood of those whom yeJesus, except for that in which David did sin condemn because of their bloodlines.grievously before God. 25 And from all the sons of Jacob, one of the 17 And Solomon did also sin before God and most wicked, even Judah, was chosen to be thelived a corrupt life that introduced much strife direct ancestor of the Christ.and misery among the people of his kingdom. 26 And also this thing hath been done that it 18 And now the mention of these fathers is might show unto the Jews in the latter days ofimportant to understand. For if the pure lineage their own foolishness, which foolishness hathof a man was important to the functions of his come to them from the vanity and pride ofmission, or his calling from God, then ye would their fathers.think that the Father would have brought forthhis son, even according to the flesh, among 27 For in that day, the Jews shall becomerighteous men. But Solomon, who was wicked, prideful of their heritage and think ofwas chosen over his brother, Nathan, who was a themselves above their neighbors. And thisrighteous man of God, who was named by his pride shall lead them to be placed under thefather David after the prophet Nathan, who power of Satan, even that there shall be noministered unto David. peace among them because of this pride that they have. 19 And Solomon was chosen as the directancestor of Jesus, whereas Nathan was chosen 28 And under the power of Satan, they shallas the direct ancestor of Joseph, the husband of be led to fear for their lives all the days of theirMary, who provided Jesus with the justification probation. And there shall be many wars amongfor which he was allowed to preach according to them and great destruction shall come uponthe laws and the customs of the Jews in his day. them because they do not keep the commandments of God, but in their pride are 20 And this whole thing was given and being led by Satan.directed by the Lord that he might abase thosewho would exalt themselves, and exalt those 29 For they think that because they arewho would be abased. For the Lord careth descendants of Abraham, they are special, evennothing for the things of the flesh; and it is not that they deserve a special place upon the earth.important to him that his ancestors were wicked, And they do not understand the words of thefor he came into the world to save all men from prophets that have been given unto them. Fortheir wickedness and turn them towards God. the words of their prophets have testified concerning Christ and his mission. But the Jews 21 And he loveth the sinner and those who fall have rejected Christ and his mission and thein the weakness of the flesh that they may be commandments that he hath given unto them.humble. And how can he save a man who hathno need of saving? And how can he turn a man 30 For behold, according to the traditions ofto God who is already in that straight and the Jews, Jesus was only a prophet who wasnarrow path? sent among the people of Jerusalem to preach repentance unto them and not to fulfill the 22 Therefore, the Lord hath once again shown laws that Moses had given unto them. Andhis love for the sinner and his contempt for those they do not accept that he was the greatwho would set themselves above another Jehovah who gave them these laws, accordingbecause of the things of the flesh. to their records. 23 For behold, in the last days there shall be 31 And it came to pass that this was taughtsome among you who would like to think that unto them by their own prophets, even a greatbecause of their lineage, or because of the color prophet who came among them before theof their skin, that they are better than their ministry of Christ began. And he said untobrothers and their sisters. them: Why is it that ye receive not the preaching of him whom God hath sent? If ye 24 But I say unto you who shall think thesethings, yea, study the lineage of Christaccording to the flesh. And if ye study the238 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

receive not this in your hearts, ye receive not TSP 37:32– 37:47me; and if ye receive not me, ye receive not himof whom I am sent to bear record; and for your was rejected by the people. For the peoplesins ye have no cloak. cannot accept things that are plain and simple to their understanding, nor can they accept that 32 Repent, therefore, and bring forth fruits even God can have flesh and be subjected to themeet for repentance. And think not to say vicissitudes of the flesh.within yourselves, Abraham is our father; wehave kept the commandments of God, and none 39 And for this reason John was called andcan inherit the promises but the children of ordained to prepare the way for Jesus, even thatAbraham; for I say unto you that God is able of he would testify before the people of the divinitythese stones to raise up children unto Abraham. of Christ, who was among them. And thus the Father commanded, so that the hearts of the 33 And thus did the Lord also give unto the people might be more open to receive theJews and all those who have taken stock in their message of His Son.lineage, an example through his own lineage ofthe unimportance of the genealogies and 40 For it came to pass that John was born oftraditions of men. For behold, we are all equal his mother Elizabeth; and when he was a youngin the eyes of the Father, and He hath chosen no child, John would accompany his mother intopeople over another. the desert unto the house of Sara, whom she continued to visit for many years. 34 And this prophet among the Jews whom Ihave just mentioned shall be known in the 41 For Mary had moved out of the wildernessrecord of the Jews as John the Baptist. and lived with her husband Joseph near unto the city of his fathers in Nazareth. 35 And now, it is expedient herein that I giveunto you a brief account of the life and ministry 42 And Sara loved John, even as her own son,of John, even that which ye do not have among and asked many times of his mother that sheyou in the accounts that have been given unto would leave him with her that she might haveyou in the Bible. For John was accepted by the joy in his presence.Jews in his day as a holy prophet among them,and the people having accepted him, rejected the 43. And it came to pass that John grew to lovewords of Christ, whom John preached unto them. Sara, even as he did his own mother. And he became well adapted to the wilderness in which 36 And now, it is important that it be shown she lived, and was wont to abide there as heunto you the manner in which the children of grew older.men believe and accept those whom they wouldhave as their prophet. For when a prophet 44 For it had come to pass that as John beganspeaketh unto the people, they accept his words to grow, he also began to grow in the Lord, foras one with authority, but also as one who is an the Spirit was with him all the days of his life.outcast and derelict among them. Therefore, And John was taught by his mother of thethey have little reason to pattern their lives after wondrous dream that she had concerning thethe example that a prophet would set for them. daughter of Sara. And in this way John began to learn of the mission of Jesus, who was the 37 And the prophets do not speak of grandson of Sara, whom he loved.themselves, but of God. And because theyspeak not of themselves, but of God, it is easier 45 And Sara also told John of Mary and thefor the children of men to accept them and give miraculous thing that had been done to her byheed unto their counsel, if the people believe the power of the Holy Ghost. For Sara knew herthat they are doing the will of God, and not the daughter Mary, and knew that she was a virginwill of men. who had never been with a man, even until the birth of Jesus. 38 But Jesus Christ came in among the peoplenot as a prophet, but he who called the prophets, 46 And John began to study the prophets ofeven he of whom the prophets have spoken and old, and was also ministered unto by those in thewritten. And because he spoke of himself, he spirit world who were called to prepare him for his mission. 47 And for the early part of his life, John dwelt in the house of his father Zacharias. And Zacharias was a High Priest in the church at Jerusalem. Chapter 37 239

TSP 37:48– 37:62 should come unto Him and learn the true commandments of God and be baptized so that 48 And it came to pass that John did not like they could recommit themselves unto God.that which was done by his father, who was ahigh priest in the church at Jerusalem. For he 56 And the people began to listen to Johnbegan to see the great hypocrisy of the leaders of because of his father, who was a leader amongthe church, and also the great wickedness of the them. But his father would not listen to his son,Jews because of their leaders and their church. but rebuked him for that which he taught the people against the church. 49 And it came to pass that John rebelledagainst his father and was cast out of his house 57 And Zacharias rebuked John, saying: Howfor that which he began to speak against the is it that thou, being my son, canst turn thesechurch at Jerusalem. And he cast off the clothes people away from the church of God, becausethat he had been accustomed to wearing in the ye have taken it upon yourself to be a prophethouse of his father. unto them, but have not been given the authority of the church in this thing? 50 For he had argued with his father thatthe tithing of the people should not be used to 58 Behold, I know that thou wast conceivedpurchase the fine things of the world for by the gift and power of God, for I know thatthose who would serve in the church, but that an angel of the Lord did visit me at thythey should be examples for the people and conception and gave me commandmentsonly have the things that were necessary to concerning thee. But the angel said unto mesustain their lives, and that they should not that thou wouldst bring joy and gladness untotake from the people to get gain for me and that many should rejoice because ofthemselves and their families. thee. And that thou wouldst turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient 51 And John forsook the things of the world to the wisdom of the just.and began to fast and pray and study the wordof God that was given unto the people, even 59 And how is it that thou canst do thesethe words of all the holy prophets before him. things by turning the people away from theAnd he committed his entire life to the cause church, which hath been established by theof truth and to God. power of God for the salvation and happiness of the people? And because of thy example, 52 And he went into the wilderness and lived many people have a hard time in listening towith Sara for many years, even until the time the words that I give unto them according tothat he was called forth by the Lord to go unto the position of authority that I hold in thethe people of Jerusalem and preach repentance church, which hath been given unto me by myunto them and prepare the way for his cousin, father and by his father, even unto Moses, whoJesus, who was the Christ. gave us the laws of salvation. 53 For he had been taught by Sara and his 60 And I know that thou hast been called ofmother concerning the Christ who should come God to preach unto this people and prepare theamong them, and that this Christ was the son of way of salvation, for this knowledge was givenMary, whom he had never met, for she was with unto me by the Spirit of God after I received myher husband, Joseph, in the land of his fathers. voice, which was taken from me as I doubted upon the Lord. And the Holy Ghost taught me 54 And John grew exceedingly in the Spirit; many things concerning your mission and thatand he gave up all of the lusts of the flesh that he which ye should do among us.might be filled constantly with the Holy Ghost. 61 But how is it, my son, that these things, of 55 And because of his father, and according to which the angel hath spoken, can come to passthe traditions of the church, he was given the concerning thee when thou hast forsaken theauthority to baptize the people by his father church of God and hast taught these people towhen he lived with Zacharias. And with this forsake the church also?authority, he began to go forth and teach thepeople that the church of God at Jerusalem was 62 And John looked upon his fathercorrupt, and if they wanted to serve God andkeep His commandments more fully, that they240 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

Zacharias, and said unto him: My beloved TSP 37:63– 37:74father, O, how can so many simple things beshown unto thee, yet thou failest to understand given unto the children of Israel? Was it notthem because of the traditions of thy fathers? given unto them in their wickedness becauseAnd I know that thou didst think that I would they were afraid of God and wanted not to heargrow up in the church and take the mantle from the voice of God for themselves, but wantedthee, even the mantle of the Holy Priesthood, only that they receive the word of God throughwhich was given unto thee by the laying on of the voice of Moses?hands by those who are in authority in thechurch. And I, too, have received of this 68 And these laws that were given unto themauthority from thee, according to the are not the laws of salvation, which the leadersadministrations of the Aaronic Priesthood. of the church would have its members believe, but they point a soul towards Christ, who shall 63 But thou hast erred in thy understanding of teach the people the laws that they need to livehow these things, which were given unto thee by in order to be saved. And in this way shallby the Spirit, should come to pass. For behold, the Christ fulfill the law of Moses, even that itthese things shall not come to pass by way of the shall become a thing of naught among them.church, which hath been given unto us becauseof our sins and our inabilities to receive the 69 And these are the things that shall be taughtthings of the Father from the Spirit, by which He by the prophet of the Highest, even the Christhath established the way from the beginning to that hath been prophesied of by all the holyteach us these things. prophets. And if I am to go and prepare a way for him, even give knowledge of salvation unto 64 And the Christ shall not come forth from this people that they might repent of their sinsthe church, nor shall he be given the power and and be baptized and prepare themselves for theauthority of the Priesthood of the church. For words of Christ that shall be given unto them,the church shall reject him and mock him, and then how is it that I can direct these peoplethy peers shall want to kill him and stop him towards the church?from turning the people away from the churchand its authority. 70 And I have been commanded to direct this people towards the Christ, who is not of the 65 For the Christ shall teach the people that church, and who shall discover unto the peoplethey do not need the church, nor its leaders, nor the wickedness of the church and its leaders, ofits authority to receive the gifts of the Spirit that which thou art a part.the Father hath promised unto all of Hischildren. Yea, he shall teach them that they must 71 And now, my beloved father, I would thatobey the commandments of God, and then all thou shouldst repent of the things that thouthese things shall be given unto them without knowest are not good in the church, and comehaving to depend on the arm of flesh to provide unto me and let me baptize thee of a new, thatfor them these things. thou mightest be prepared to hear the words of the Christ. Come out of the church, my father, 66 For dost thou not see the great abomination and have nothing more to do with its sins and itsin the dealings of the church regarding the hypocrisy, and prepare thyself for the coming ofmanner in which the people of the church are the Christ, who is Jesus, the son of Mary, whomforced to accept its authority and the words of thou knowest.the High Priests, as the only words of God thatare true? 72 And after Zacharias had heard these words of his son, he did not contend with him any 67 Behold, thou hast been influenced by the further. But Zacharias could not leave the seattraditions of the church and have been swayed of authority that he had been given by theto believe and follow the commandments of the church, for he did not want to be mocked by thechurch because of thy peers. And the law of church and his family and their friends.Moses that thou preachest unto the people,knowest thou not for what purpose this law was 73 But from that time forth, Elizabeth did not support her husband in his calling in the church, but turned to her son and was baptized by him. 74 And it came to pass that John began to preach to the people throughout the land of Jerusalem concerning the Christ. And it was Chapter 37 241

TSP 37:75– 37:86 80 And the people answered John, saying: We have kept the law of Moses in all thingsvoiced throughout the land that a prophet had according to the commandments that ourcome unto them and preached the word of God. leaders have taught to us in the church of God. And we attend the synagogues regularly as is 75 And when the people would gather required of us, and make sacrifices in the templetogether to hear the words of John, he would of God, according to the law of Moses. And wepreach unto them repentance of their sins. But honor our mothers and our fathers and do allthe people who belonged to the church at else that the Lord hath commanded us by way ofJerusalem, and who listened to the leaders of the his leaders in the church. Therefore, what morechurch, did not think that they were in need of shall we do then?repentance, because they believed that theywere keeping the commandments of God 81 And John answered them, saying: Even inaccording to the law of Moses that had been all these things that ye have done, ye have nottaught unto them by the church. kept the commandments of God in any. For the Lord hath not commanded these things of you, 76 And the people believed that they had but they have been given unto you asalready been baptized by those in authority in commandments of men. And also, ye have beenthe church of God, and that they did not need given the lower law of Moses, which is not theany other baptism. And they did not believe that law of the Father, but a law that should point youtheir leaders were corrupt and misleading them, towards the Father, that ye might have His Spiritowing to the prosperity of the church of God to be with you.among them. 82 And the commandments of the Father are 77 But John said unto them: Oh, ye that ye do unto others as ye would have othersgeneration of vipers, who hath warned you to do unto you, even that ye shall give of yourflee from the wrath to come? Do your leaders abilities to each according to his needs.warn you of these things? Or do they give unto Therefore, he that hath two coats, let him impartyou the pleasant words that ye are wont to hear to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, letthat they may continue to receive your respect him do likewise.and support? For if the leaders of your churchwere to preach unto you of the wrath of God, 83 Now these are commandments of thewhich shall come to pass upon the wicked and Father, and the only commandments that shallupon all those who shall reject the Christ, then save any of you in His kingdom.ye shall leave from following them and wouldnot give unto them of your support. 84 And it came to pass that the people began to believe upon the words of John; for they began to 78 And ye believe that the works that ye do see the hypocrisy of the church and theare keeping the commandments of God. But I wickedness of its leaders, who had set themselvessay unto you that they are not the up above them and who had the fine things of thecommandments of God, but the commandments world, while many of them had none.of men, and that ye should repent of these thingsand bring forth fruits worthy of repentance and 85 And the people began to believe that Johnsay not within yourselves, Abraham is our was the Christ of whom the prophets hadfather; we have kept the commandments of testified would come into the world. But heGod, and none can inherit the promises but the rebuked them, saying: I indeed baptize you withchildren of Abraham; for I say unto you, That water; but one mightier than I cometh, theGod is able of these stones to raise up children latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy tounto Abraham. unloose; and he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. 79 And the root of the tree which hath sprungforth among you, even the true gospel of God, 86 For ye shall learn the commandments ofhath become corrupted by the branches, which God from him. And after ye have been givenis ye of the church. And the fruit of this tree is the commandments of God, then if ye shall liveyour works, which are not the works of God, but by them, then ye shall receive the Holy Ghost,the works of men, which are evil. And now also which shall burn in your bosom as a fire andthe axe is laid unto the root of the trees; and testify unto you of all the things of God whichevery tree therefore which bringeth not forth are necessary for your salvation.good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.242 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ