The Sealed Portion

CHAPTER 38 TSP 38:1– 38:11The preaching of John the Baptist. Moroni remission of their sins, through the tender mercycompares his preaching with that of Abinadi in of our God; whereby the dayspring from onthe unsealed part of the Book of Mormon and high hath visited us, to give light to them that situses Abinadi’s words to expound upon the in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guidepreaching of John. our feet into the way of peace. AND now, in everything that John did, he 6 And now, Zacharias had given thisprepared the people for the ministry of Christ. prophecy according to his own understanding,For there began to be many among them who which had been given him by the traditions andbelieved on the words of John, because they customs of the church at Jerusalem. For theaccepted him as a prophet of God. church taught that the Messiah would be from the house of David, and that this Messiah would 2 But the leaders of the church, and also save them from their enemies.many of the members of the church who hadplaced their trust in their leaders, did not 7 And the Jewish nation had been destroyedbelieve that John was a prophet of God, but many times, and they were led away intothat he said these things of himself, having captivity by their enemies. Therefore, it was thisalienated himself from the church because of enemy that the people believed the Messiahhis disagreements with his father who was a would overthrow and from which he wouldhigh priest of the church. bring them forth out of captivity and give unto them the land of their inheritance, even that land 3 And Zacharias had known of the calling of which they believed they had been promised byJohn since his conception. Nevertheless, he the holy prophets, and also according to theirhad convinced himself that John would one understanding of the covenant that the Lord hadday be a great high priest in the church, in made with Abraham.which he would prepare the people for thecoming of the Messiah, upon whom the 8 And these beliefs of the church led many ofchurch waited for their salvation. the Jews to reject the words of John; for John preached unto them, saying: Why is it that ye 4 For upon his birth, Zacharias regained his think that ye are such a chosen people of God?ability to speak, and he prophesied that which Behold, your pride blindeth your minds andthe Spirit gave unto him, saying, Blessed be the causeth your stiffneckedness and your inabilityLord God of Israel; for he hath visited and to understand the truth.redeemed his people, and hath raised up an hornof salvation for us in the house of David, as he 9 Do ye not realize that there were othersspake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which upon the earth at the time of Abraham who werehave been since the world began; that we should also the children of God? And do ye not thinkbe saved from our enemies, and from the hand that they also deserved His love and mercy likeof all that hate us; to perform the mercy unto Abraham? And do ye think that thepromised to our fathers, and to remember his covenants of God only pertain unto you,holy covenant, even the oath which he sware to because ye are the children of Abraham?our father Abraham, that he would grant unto usthat we, being delivered out of the hand of our 10 And this church, which is establishedenemies, might serve him without fear, in among you according to the law of Moses; whatholiness and righteousness before him, all the think ye, that this church is the only true anddays of our life. living church upon the face of the whole earth, and that unless a man listeneth to the leaders of 5 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet this church and receiveth the ordinances therein,of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face that he cannot be saved?of the Lord to prepare his ways; to giveknowledge of salvation unto his people by the 11 And ye believe that ye live by the law of Moses; yet the law of Moses is specific in many things, even in the commandments that the Lord gave unto Moses when your fathers rejected the opportunity to hear them from his own mouth. Chapter 38 243

TSP 38:12– 38:25 18 For behold, the covenant of the Father, which is given unto all of His children, is: that ifAnd do ye think that in obeying these they obey His commandments, then they shallcommandments that ye shall be saved? be given a land of promise, even a part of His kingdom and a glory therein. 12 And ye have already convincedyourselves that ye are obeying the law of 19 Now, this is the land of promise, even aMoses, as ye believe, yet ye are in captivity land of milk and honey, which He hathand have been destroyed many times by your promised unto all of His children if they keepenemies, even while ye have been keeping His commandments. And if they do not keepthese commandments of Moses as ye suppose His commandments, then they shall be in thethem to be kept. captivity of Satan, who is the enemy of the covenant of the Father. 13 And this covenant that the Lord, God madewith Abraham, what think ye of it? Behold, the 20 And now, I say unto you: It mattereth not,record which ye have among you hath not given according to the flesh, if ye are held in captivityyou the full account of this covenant that the by another nation, for ye have been held inLord made with Abraham. For the record captivity most of the days of your fathers sincespeaketh only that the Lord will give unto the days of Abraham, and this because of yourAbraham and his seed—which ye believe that wickedness; yea, it mattereth not to Godye are—the lands of their inheritance. concerning the captivity of the flesh, or that ye do not have a land that ye can call your own. 14 But why is it that ye do not have the lands But it mattereth unto God that your souls are notof your inheritance? Is it that the Lord hath held in captivity by the enemy of allmade a lie unto Abraham and hath not done the righteousness, who is Satan.things which he hath covenanted to do? Behold,I say unto you that the Lord doth not lie, nor can 21 And now, the words of prophecy that myhe make a lie. father spoke concerning me were true. Nevertheless, they are a type and a shadow of 15 But ye have not remembered the full things which are spiritual and not the thingscovenant that he gave unto Abraham. And the which are temporal as ye have supposed.full covenant is the same covenant that he givethunto all of the children of God, even that 22 For the church that is among you is ainasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments temporal church, which teacheth you ofof God, ye shall prosper, and shall be given a temporal things. But the Spirit is not of theland of promise; yea, even a land which hath flesh, therefore, it doth not give unto you thingsbeen prepared for you; yea, a land which is that are temporal, but things that are spiritual.choice above all other lands. 23 And now, my father spoke concerning me, 16 Now, is not this land of which the Lord according to the Spirit which gave unto him thehath spoken the land of your fathers? And how words that he did speak, but these things wereis it that ye still do not have this land as your spiritual because they were given by the Spirit.own? Yea, how is it that ye do not prosper in theland of your fathers, but are being held captive 24 But ye who are of the flesh and do not haveby the Romans, who are your leaders? I say the Spirit cannot understand the things of theunto you, it is because ye do not keep the Spirit, which are spiritual, but ye suppose allcommandments of God. For if ye would keep things to be temporal, because that is the onlythe commandments of God, then He would thing that ye understand. And ye have beenfulfill the covenant that He hath made unto you. given this understanding from the church, which is also temporal, and administereth to your 17 And now, all of the holy prophets since the temporal needs.beginning have prophesied and given thiscovenant unto all the peoples of the earth that 25 And ye are indeed in captivity according tothey might know God and keep His that which is temporal, having been subduedcommandments. And these prophets have and brought under captivity by the Romans,given these things unto you as shadows and who have overthrown the other nations thattypes of those things which are in heaven. once held the house of Israel captive.244 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

26 But ye are also held captive by Satan, TSP 38:26– 38:40according to things that are spiritual, and it isthis captivity their stumbling blocks that they may beand this enemy of which the Spirit spoke by the prepared to learn the true doctrine of Christ, andmouth of my father. give unto them knowledge of eternal salvation, so that they might keep the true commandments 27 And now, so that ye may know without of God and receive a remission of their sinsmisunderstanding the words of the Spirit that through the tender mercy of our Father.my father spake unto you concerning me, let megive again the words that were given unto my 33 And this mercy which hath been givenfather. But I shall give them in plainness, even unto us is already among us and shall come asaccording to the Spirit that is in me at this time, the dayspring from on high to give light to all ofso that there shall be no way that ye can us who sit in darkness. And in the shadow ofmisunderstand them: death that shall come upon us because of our sins, we shall receive the light that will light the 28 Yea, blessed be the Lord God of Israel; path which is straight and narrow that will guidefor he shall soon visit his people that he may our feet into the way of eternal peace in theredeem them of their sins which have held kingdom of our Father.them in captivity. And who hath raised up anhorn to sound loud and long, even an horn of 34 And now, this light that I have describedsalvation that shall sound for us in the house of unto you, even that which will light the path ofhis servant David. righteousness that ye must follow, is the very Christ who shall save you from the enemy of all 29 Yea, even as he hath spoken by the mouth righteousness.of his holy prophets, who have been since theworld began, that we should be saved from the 35 And he shall not save you from yourcaptivity of Satan, who is an enemy of God, and temporal enemies, which are the other nationsfrom the hand of all those who hate God and of the earth that hold you captive, for thesekeep not His commandments. temporal things are not as important to him as the things that are spiritual. 30 And that He shall perform mercy to us, thatwe, the children, might turn our hearts to our 36 And the Messiah, who hath been spoken offathers, and to remember the holy covenant that by all the holy prophets since the beginning, is aHe gave unto them, even that if we obey His Savior who shall save you in the kingdom of thecommandments, then we shall be given a land Father; yea, even a kingdom that was madeof promise, even a part of the kingdom of God without the hands of man.and a glory therein. 37 And this kingdom is an eternal kingdom 31 And that He would grant unto us, that we, where there shall be peace and happiness, whichbeing delivered out of the hand of Satan by is the milk and honey according to the blessingswhich we are bound because of our wickedness, and the covenant that the Father hath promisedmight serve Him without fear of Him, even that us from the beginning.we might not fear facing Him at his judgmentbar where we shall be judged for the works that 38 And he shall save you by teaching you thewe have done. For we shall not fear Him if we true commandments of God, which are muchlive in holiness and righteousness before Him more than the law of Moses, which law wasall the days of our life. given to point us towards this Messiah, who shall give us the law of God. 32 And thou, child, shalt be called as one ofthe prophets of the Highest, for like those who 39 For if it is the law of Moses, then it ishave gone before thee, thou shalt go before the the law of a man, and is given unto us forface of the Lord, who is shortly to come, to our temporal salvation. But the laws of Godprepare his ways and teach his people his true are eternal and have been given for ourcommandments, which they do not receive in eternal salvation.the church to which they belong; to take away 40 And if ye would have kept the law of Moses, then it would have been possible that ye would have not been held in captivity by your enemies which are temporal. Chapter 38 245

TSP 38:41– 38:55 48 And because ye suffered that the majority among you do not have sufficient for their 41 And the law of Moses taught you, saying: needs, they could not raise their hand in yourI am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee defense, nor did they desire to do so, believingout of the land of Egypt, out of the house of that they might receive for their sustenance frombondage. Thou shalt have no other God before the nations that came upon you.me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any gravenimage, or any likeness of any thing in heaven 49 And now, I, Moroni, have translatedabove, or things which are in the earth beneath. many of the words that the brother of Jared wrote concerning that which he saw of John 42 And now, have ye done all this? I say and his preaching.unto you, that ye have not done these things.And your church and your leaders have 50 And John continued his preaching to thespoken these words unto you, but they do not people and to the church at Jerusalem. And as Ikeep these words, and have pretended to give read the words of the brother of Jared, which heunto you examples of righteousness by their wrote concerning John, I saw the similarity ofworks; but their examples have been the cause the words that John spoke to the words that myof your own unrighteousness. father wrote concerning the prophet Abinadi, which he spoke unto the church among the 43 For ye believe that the leaders of your Nephites that had become corrupt under thechurch are the mouthpieces of God, and that reign of the wicked King Noah and his priests.there are no other mouthpieces of God on earth.Yet, they have given you the law of Moses by 51 And I have been instructed by the Spirit totheir mouths, but they do not obey it, and cause finish the words of John by the words whichyou to not obey it by their own examples. Abinadi spoke, thus showing unto those who receive this record how the Lord speaketh the 44 For the commandment is that ye shall not same words to one prophet that he speaketh tomake unto you any graven image, or any all of his prophets.likeness of any thing in heaven above, or thingswhich are in the earth beneath. 52 And both John and Abinadi spoke very much the same words, saying: And now I read 45 And what think ye of your riches, and the unto you the remainder of the commandmentsriches of your church and its leaders? Yea, even of God, for I perceive that they are not written inthe glorious synagogues and temples that ye your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied andhave caused to be constructed among you; are taught iniquity the most part of your lives.not these things which are in the earth beneath? 53 And now, ye remember that I said unto 46 Do ye think that a house of God would be you: Thou shalt not make unto thee any gravenmade in such worldly glory and splendor? And image, or any likeness of things which are inthe ostentatiousness of these things, do ye heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath,believe that God is pleased with these things or which are in the water under the earth. Andwhen there are those among you who do not again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself untohave enough food to eat, or raiment to wear, or them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God ama shelter in which to live? Do ye think that God a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of thedwelleth in tabernacles made by the hands of fathers upon the children, unto the third andmen, even those that are made and dedicated fourth generations of them that hate me; andunto Him, while His children sleep without its showing mercy unto thousands of them thatwalls without shelter? love me and keep my commandments. 47 Behold, I say unto you, that your riches 54 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lordand your precious things and your desires for thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold himthese things are your gods, and in this way ye guiltless who taketh his name in vain.disobey the law of Moses. And because of thesethings, ye have caused other nations to lust after 55 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.and covet your riches and come in among you Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work,and destroy you and carry off your riches and but the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thyyour precious things.246 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

God, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy TSP 38:56– 38:68son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, northy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger this because of the hardness of their hearts; forthat is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord they understood not that there could not anymade heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that man be saved except it were through thein them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the redemption of God.sabbath day, and hallowed it. 63 For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto 56 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy them concerning the coming of the Messiah,days may be long upon the land which the Lord and that God should redeem his people? Yea,thy God giveth thee. and even all the prophets who have prophesied since the world began, have they not spoken 57 Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit more or less concerning these things? Haveadultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not they not said that God himself should comebear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou down among the children of men, and take uponshalt not covet the house of thy neighbor, thou him the form of man, and go forth in mightyshalt not covet the wife of thy neighbor, nor his power upon the face of the earth?man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox,nor his ass, nor anything that is of thy neighbor. 64 Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the 58 Have ye taught this people that they dead, and that he, himself, should beshould observe to do all these things for to oppressed and afflicted?keep these commandments? I say unto you,Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have 65 I would that ye should understand that Godcaused me to come forth and to prophesy evil himself shall come down among the children ofconcerning this people. men, and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh, he shall be called the Son 59 And now, ye have said that salvation of God, and having subjected the flesh to thecometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that will of the Father, being the Father and the Son;it is expedient that ye should keep the law of the Father, because he was conceived by theMoses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh;shall come when it shall no more be expedient thus becoming the Father and Son; and they areto keep the law of Moses. one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth. 60 And moreover, I say unto you, thatsalvation doth not come by the law alone; and 66 And thus the flesh becoming subject towere it not for the atonement, which God the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being onehimself shall make for the sins and iniquities of God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not tohis people, that they must unavoidably perish, the temptation, but suffereth himself to benotwithstanding the law of Moses. mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. 61 And now, I say unto you that it wasexpedient that there should be a law given to the 67 And after all this, after working manychildren of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for mighty miracles among the children of men, hethey were a stiffnecked people, quick to do shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheepiniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not hisGod; Therefore there was a law given them, mouth. Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified,yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a and slain, the flesh becoming subject even untolaw which they were to observe strictly from death, the will of the Son being swallowed up inday to day, to keep them in remembrance of the will of the Father.God and their duty towards him. 68 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, 62 But behold, I say unto you, that all these having gained the victory over death; giving thethings were types of things to come. And now, Son power to make intercession for the childrendid they understand the law? I say unto you, of men. Having ascended into heaven; havingNay, they did not all understand the law; and the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; Chapter 38 247

TSP 38:69– 38:80standing betwixt them and justice; having 75 And these are those who have part in thebroken the bands of death and taken upon first resurrection; and these are they who havehimself their iniquity and their transgressions; died before Christ came, in theirhaving redeemed them and satisfied the ignorance, not having salvation declared untodemands of justice. them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the 69 And now, I say unto you, who shall declare first resurrection, or have eternal life, beinghis generation? Behold, I say unto you, that redeemed by the Lord. And little children alsowhen his soul hath been made an offering for have eternal life.sin, he shall see his seed. And now what say ye?And who shall be his seed? 76 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord 70 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever redeemeth none such that rebel against him andhath heard the words of the prophets, yea, all die in their sins; yea, even all those who havethe holy prophets who have prophesied perished in their sins ever since the world began,concerning the coming of the Lord, I say unto who have wilfully rebelled against God, whoyou, that all those who have hearkened unto have known the commandments of God andtheir words, and believed that the Lord would would not keep them; these are they who haveredeem his people, and have looked forward no part in the first resurrection.to that day for a remission of their sins, I sayunto you, that these are his seed, or they are 77 Therefore ought ye not to tremble? Forheirs of the kingdom of God. salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord 71 For these are they whose sins he hath redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for heborne; these are they for whom he hath died, to cannot deny justice when it hath its claim.redeem them from their transgressions. Andnow, are they not his seed? Yea, and are not the 78 And now, I say unto you that the time shallprophets, every one who hath opened his mouth come that the salvation of the Lord shall beto prophesy, who hath not fallen into declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, andtransgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever people. Yea, Lord, thy watchmen shall lift upsince the world began? their voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord 72 For were it not for the redemption which shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, singhe hath made for his people, which was together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for theprepared from the foundation of the world, I say Lord hath comforted his people, he hathunto you, were it not for this, all mankind must redeemed Jerusalem.have perished. 79 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in 73 But behold, the bands of death shall be the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of thebroken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power earth shall see the salvation of our God. Yea, theover the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the time shall come when all shall see the salvationresurrection of the dead. And there cometh a of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue,resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even and people shall see eye to eye and shall confessa resurrection of those who have been, and who before God that his judgments are just.are, and who shall be, even until the resurrectionof Christ. 80 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and 74 And now, the resurrection of all the wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because theyprophets, and all those who have believed in would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord;their words, or all those who have kept the therefore the Lord redeemeth them not. Forcommandments of God, shall come forth in the they are carnal and devilish, and the devil hathfirst resurrection; therefore, they are the first power over them; yea, even that old serpent thatresurrection. They are raised to dwell with God did beguile our first parents, which was thewho hath redeemed them; thus they have eternal cause of their fall; which was the cause of alllife through Christ, who hath broken the bandsof death.248 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, TSP 38:81– 39:7knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves CHAPTER 39to the devil. The apostolic calling and preparation of the 81 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, twelve apostles is explained. The latter day LDS Church leaders are commanded to repent. Allthey would have been endlessly lost were it not prophets and apostles are given the experiencesthat God redeemed his people from their lost that will help them perform their missions. Theand fallen state. But remember that he that opinions of the apostles differ from that whichpersisteth in his own carnal nature, and goeth on they receive from the Spirit.in the ways of sin and rebellion against God,remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath AND it came to pass that after John had spokenall power over him. Therefore, he is as though these words unto the people, his fatherthere was no redemption made, being an enemy Zacharias withdrew himself from John andto God; and also is the devil an enemy to God. would have nothing further to do with his son, and this because of his pride and his position in 82 And now if Christ had not come into the the church.world there could have been no redemption.And if Christ is not risen from the dead, or if he 2 But it came to pass that there were many,doth not break the bands of death that the grave more especially among the poor, who came untoshould have no victory, and that death should John and were baptized again—they having firsthave no sting, there could be no resurrection. been baptized in the church, according to the law of Moses—that they might make a new 83 But there is a resurrection, therefore the covenant with God to keep the commandmentsgrave hath no victory, and the sting of death is that John had given them, and which they wouldswallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the receive from the Christ.life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, thatcan never be darkened; yea, and also a life which 3 Yet, the people believed on John, andis endless, that there can be no more death. knew not of the Christ of whom he spoke. And there were many among them who were 84 Even this mortal shall put on young and of the age of maturity where theyimmortality, and this corruption shall put on were no longer under the supervision andincorruption, and shall be brought to stand authority of their parents.before the bar of God, to be judged of himaccording to their works whether they be good 4 And there were those who became theor whether they be evil. disciples of John, because they had witnessed the hypocrisy of the church and found out for 85 If they be good, to the resurrection of themselves that the leaders of the church atendless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to Jerusalem were misleading the people andthe resurrection of endless damnation, being teaching things which caused discord anddelivered up to the devil, who hath subjected confusion among them.them, which is damnation, having goneaccording to their own carnal wills and desires; 5 And there was a certain group among themhaving never called upon the Lord while the that met often and discussed the things of God,arms of mercy were extended towards them; for and also those things of the church which theythe arms of mercy were extended towards them, knew were not the things of God.and they would not; they being warned of theiriniquities and yet they would not depart from 6 And they were Andrew and his brother, whothem; and they were commanded to repent and was called Simon, who was also known asyet they would not repent. Peter, and Philip and Nathanael, who was also known as Bartholomew. 86 And now, ought ye not to tremble andrepent of your sins, and remember that only in 7 And these were from a city near untoand through Christ can ye be saved? Jerusalem. And they would meet together oftenTherefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also and become distressed in the spirit because ofteach that it is a shadow of those things which the things that they witnessed of the people ofare now among you. Teach them thatredemption cometh through Christ the Lord, Chapter 39 249who is the very Eternal Father.

TSP 39:8– 39:22 16 And now, the record of the Jews accounteth for very little of the lives of thethe church at Jerusalem. And they spoke of the men who were the apostles of Christ duringscriptures and searched them when they could mortality.that they might gain a better understanding ofthe words of the prophets than that which the 17 But the brother of Jared saw the workingsleaders of the church had taught them. of those who would bring forth the Bible and include therein some of the accounts of those 8 And these were being wrought upon by the who were with Jesus when he ministered untoSpirit and by the ministrations of the spirit world the people.to prepare them for their foreordained callingsas apostles of Jesus, even the twelve who would 18 And those who brought forth this work,be commissioned to preach the gospel of Christ or in other words, those who prepared thatafter his ascension to the Father. which was to be included in the Bible as the testament of the life of Christ, were rich men 9 And the brother of Jared saw the lives, in who were proud of their positions of authoritybrevity, of each of the disciples of Christ who in the church that had been formed amongwould become his apostles while he was with them at the time that the canon of thisthem on the earth. And they were righteous men scripture was organized and presented to thewho were curious in nature and unable to accept world as the only authority of the works andthe orthodox views and teachings of their fathers. life of Christ. 10 And the brother of Jared gave particular 19 And these leaders formed a council tomention unto Nathanael, who was one of the represent them. And they had records whichmost learned among them. For he had studied were written by the original apostles of Jesusmuch concerning the ways of the world, and Christ among them. But these rich leaders werealso the things of God. prideful and knew that their own lives did not exemplify the lives of the men who had been 11 And he could not understand the reasons chosen by Jesus to be his apostles.for the contentions and misery of the peoplewhen there was so much knowledge among 20 And for this reason, they did not includethem that could create peace and happiness. many of the words of the apostles, nor did they give a full accounting of their works or their 12 And he strove for many days with the lives before they became apostles of the Lord.Spirit that he might understand the things whichwere true, even those things that he could do to 21 And it shall be revealed in this record ofbring peace among his people. the coming forth of the Bible and the manner in which it shall come forth. And I know that 13 And he had a place where he would go of this record hath recently come forth amongwhich no one of his friends or family knew. those on the other continent where the JewsAnd in this place, he would ponder the things reside, for the Lord hath discussed these thingsof God and pray for understanding and with me when he visited me and gave me awisdom. And he sat for many days under a fig greater insight into his life and those thingstree that he had chosen for a rest, and up that he would have me include in this recordagainst which he struggled with his intellect concerning his life and his ministry.and the gentle persuasions that were givenunto him by the Spirit. 22 And the purpose of the Lord is to show unto the elect that he loveth them, and that he 14 Yet, he was prideful in that which he had is their brother, and that he is very much likelearned among men, and did not give in to the them in every way, even that he laugheth andenticings of the Spirit until it came to pass that he crieth, and he feeleth pain and sorrow. AndJesus told him of the fig tree under which he he would that we should know that he was likestrove with the Spirit, and of which he had told unto all of us during the days of his probation,no living soul. but that he lived below all men that he might be a means whereby others might be lifted up 15 And because Jesus knew these things ofhim, Nathanael was converted and became agreat asset unto the twelve after the ascension ofthe Lord.250 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

because of him; he being an example of one TSP 39:23– 39:36who is abased who shall be exalted. Andrew were present when John had argued 23 And those whom he called to be his with his father Zacharias, a high priest, whenapostles were men who were not chained with Zacharias was engaged in officiating in histhe yoke of customs and traditions that keep the office and calling within the church. And theychildren of men from finding the truth. They believed on the words of John; and from thatwere men of integrity and curiosity who were time forward did not return again unto theoften considered outcasts and nonconformists in church, nor did they pay their tithes andthe society of people in which they lived. offerings, because of those things which they heard from the mouth of John concerning the 24 And they did not accept the teachings of abuses of the church.those in authority over them as the infallibletruth; for their hearts told them otherwise; 31 And they met often with Phillip who wasand it was in this that they were influenced also in attendance at the church when Johnand administered to by the Holy Ghost from rebuked his father before the people. And theytheir youth. were all in their youth at this time, but held all these things in their hearts and contemplated 25 And they were gentle men, who were that which the Spirit bore witness unto them aspeacemakers, yet who stood for that which they they grew in maturity.felt was right, even if it meant giving up theirfamilies and their traditions and their beliefs to 32 And when John returned once again intopursue that which they believed was right. the land of Jerusalem and began to preach unto the people, Andrew was among those whom he 26. And they were men who were humble as taught at the time he baptized the Lord andto the things of the world, for they desired not witnessed of his divinity to the people.riches and worldly success, nor did they aspireto the honors and glories of men. 33 And now, it is expedient that ye understand the reason why the Lord doth not choose his 27 And this Nathanael of whom I have made leaders from among the rich and the successfulmention, was educated and instructed in many and those who have received the honors andthings, even many of the ways of the Romans glories of men.and their government. And he was alsoinstructed in the traditions of his father, which 34 For I say unto you, that no prophet orwere the strict traditions of the Sadducees apostle of God hath ever been, nor ever shall beamong the Jews, who dealt more directly with chosen from among those who are rich andthe letter of the law, which was believed successful and have the honors and glories ofamong them. men, except it be that they first acknowledge the errors of their ways and humble themselves and 28 But Nathanael believed not in the opinions cast these things from them; that they mightthat others of his same level of education had prove unto the people, whom they would lead,concluded, and knew within himself that there that they are the humble followers of Christ,existed a way that all men and woman could be who are committed to following in his footsteps.treated with justice and equality, both by theRoman government, and also by the church of 35 And now, concerning the latter days andthe Jews. And because of his beliefs, he was an this great church in which shall come forth theoutcast who had very few friends with whom he unsealed portion of this record, I have seen yourcould speak concerning those things which he works, and I know that ye choose from amongfelt within him. you those who are rich and successful and who have been given the honors and glories of men 29 And he became friends with the sons of to be your prophets and your apostles.Jonah, which Jonah was a high ranking officialin the church of the Jews that controlled many 36 And by this shall the people know that yeof the affairs of the people under the guidance of are not inspired men of God, but that ye arethe high priests. servants of Satan who blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men to the fruits of 30 And it had happened that Peter and the Spirit, because ye enjoy the fruits of the flesh in abundance. Chapter 39 251

TSP 39:37– 39:52 45 For they deny the Holy Ghost and dare not speak unto the people by the power of the Holy 37 And because ye enjoy the fruits of the flesh Ghost, which hath given utterance unto all thein abundance, ye have convinced the people that prophets of God since the beginning. For theirthese fruits are evidence of your callings as speeches and their mannerisms are given untoapostles and prophets, because ye suppose that them by their church, which shall establish forthe Lord hath blessed you with these things. them the way that they should speak and what things they should say unto the people. 38 But I have already explained unto you thatthe Father doth not bless His children that they 46 And now, I, Moroni, ask of ye of the lattermight put themselves one above another, but He days, How can these leaders be true prophets ofhath commanded them against such a thing. God? Have ye heard a true prophet of God speak? I say unto you that ye have not. For ye 39 And ye of the latter days are like unto those are like unto the Jews, who were accustomed toat the time of Jesus, who persecuted him and listening to their leaders, which leaders taughtmocked him, and also who mocked his apostles them all that they desired to understand.because they were not rich and successful anddid not aspire to the honors and glories of men. 47 And when a true prophet of God came among them, they did not recognize him, having 40 And ye are those of whom Jesus spoke been conditioned to only hear the words as theywhen he said: The scribes and the Pharisees are given by their leaders, which are not inspiredsit in the seat of Moses; all therefore by the Holy Ghost, but by the workings of men.whatsoever they bid you observe, thatobserve and do; but do not ye after their 48 For behold, when a prophet speaketh withworks; for they say, and do not. the power of the Spirit, he speaketh with authority, even an authority which causeth all 41 For behold, in the Spirit, I have seen the the wicked to be angry at that which hemanner in which ye deceive the people. And speaketh. And are all the Jews righteous? Yet,I have also read much concerning you in the when their leaders speak, they are not angry, butwords of the brother of Jared, which he they feel the Spirit, as they suppose, whichwrote, saying: And they speak in kindness, causeth them to justify their complacency inusing gentle voices, which appear unto the keeping the true commandments of God.people as the servants of God, who arehumble and contrite. 49 For their leaders do not say anything that will stir up anger among the people; for if the 42 And their manner of speech is the same, people are angry, then they will withdraw theireven that they practice that which they give support from their leaders and seek out otherunto the people before they give it, so that it leaders which will preach unto them the thingsmay conform with the gentleness and manner that will not cause them to be angry.that the people have been accustomed tohearing from them. 50 And for this reason the Lord calleth forth those who are not of the world, and who are not 43 And they speak the words of Christ, and bound down by the foolish traditions of men totell the people in their kind words and their be his prophets and his apostles.pretended mannerisms, that they are theprophets, seers, and revelators of the Lord, and 51 And I say unto those of you of the latterthat the people should listen to their words, and days, even ye who have put yourselves up as thethat they will not be misled by them. prophets and apostles of Christ; Yea, seek out he who hath given unto you this sealed portion, and 44 And with their words and their cause him to speak unto you by the power of themannerisms and the means of the great Holy Ghost.church which they have caused to beestablished among them, even with the riches 52 And I say unto you, that he shall condemnand fine things of the world, they lead the you in your words and shall make ye a thing ofpeople away carefully and subtlety from the naught among the people who might betrue gospel of Christ and teach unto them of listening to you, even as John did his fathertheir traditions and their customs, which arethe precepts and commandments of men.252 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

Zacharias, which caused many to think on the TSP 39:53– 39:66things of the church and reject those thingswhich are not of God. Yea, seek out this bearer shall be outstretched unto you all the days ofof Christ that shall have this record. your lives. And if ye shall accept these things that shall come forth unto you, and also accept 53 But I have seen your works already. And him who shall bring these things among you,I know that ye shall not seek out this last prophet even this bearer of Christ of whom I haveof God who shall give unto you this sealed spoken, then shall the Lord soften the hearts ofportion of the record of my father, for ye are the people that they shall understand your folliesafraid that he will rebuke you and take away the and your misunderstandings.authority of your words from among you, evenin front of the people. 60 And if ye repent and follow the counsel and advice of this prophet of God, who shall be 54 For if the people would hear his words, patient with you and give you all things ineven if they could see the manner in which he kindness and with understanding, then ye shallspeaketh and by what spirit he speaketh, then maintain your positions and authority amongthey shall see the difference between him and the people and be a means of muchyou, even that he hath the Spirit of God, and righteousness among the people in preparing theye do not. elect for the great and wondrous day of the coming of the Lord in all of his glory. 55 And his knowledge of the mysteries ofGod shall astound you and make you afraid lest 61 But if ye persist in your pride, and rejectthe people follow him and not you. But he shall these things as it hath been shown unto me,not allow the people to follow him as ye have then the day of the Lord shall be great andallowed them to follow you. For he shall give dreadful unto you, and ye shall be cast aside asthe glory and honor to the Father, who deserveth a thing of naught and the whole world shallthis glory and honor, which is not a glory and see you and mock you for that which yehonor of men, which ye have, but is the glory thought of yourselves.and honor of the Spirit, which ye do not have. 62 And now, my beloved brethren, yea, even 56 And in your pride ye shall seek deep to those of you who have put yourselves up ashide your counsels from the Lord and shall prophets and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ,make an attempt to make this prophet a thing of repent ye and come unto the Lord. Preach untonaught among the people. And this ye shall do the people the words of Christ, which areby your lies and your deceitfulness and by your already among you, and which shall be givensecret combinations which ye have established unto you in this record.among you. 63 Embrace these words and cause the world 57 And ye shall wonder after this prophet and to rejoice in that which the Father hath done toshall imagine in your hearts that ye had the redeem all of His children. Yea, be a friend ofability that he shall have in bringing forth the Christ, and not his enemy.truth unto the people. 64 And now, I have said these things unto you 58 And when the day of the Lord shall come, that ye might know further concerning thewhat say ye then when the Lord shall call forth manner of men that the Lord calleth to servethis prophet, whom ye have attempted to make him as apostles and prophets. For in their youth,a thing of naught among you, and shall make they are tried and tested by and through all thehim a ruler over you; and show unto all the follies and experiences of youth.people of your sins and your wickedness, evenas ye have proclaimed unto them that ye were 65 And in many instances they do err andprophets and apostles of the Lord. keep not the commandments of God in all things, and run contrary to the Spirit that hath 59 And now, I would that ye should know, been given unto them to prepare them for theeven ye leaders of the church of Jesus Christ of work which they have been foreordained to do.the latter days, that this doth not have to come topass in this manner. For the arm of the Lord 66 For by their experiences, they shall have a greater understanding of that which they shall preach unto the people. For how can a man Chapter 39 253

TSP 39:67– 39:80 Spirit would have me write unto you concerning these apostles of the Lord. For I have seen thatamong you preach concerning that which ye this thing hath been a source of much contentionshould do, when he hath not done that thing which and misery among you of the latter days. Andhe expecteth of you? In other words, how can he this contention hath been caused because ye doknow for a surety that that which he requireth of not understand the words of Christ, nor do yeyou is that which he knoweth shall bring you have the Spirit of Christ, which would keep youhappiness, if it so be that he hath not experienced from becoming contentious one with another.the opposite of this happiness himself? 74 And now, it is written among you in the 67 And for this reason, all the prophets and words of a later apostle of Christ, even he whoapostles of the Lord shall be refined and taught was once called Saul, and who, upon changingin their youth, that they may be more fully his life and repenting of his sins, became knownprepared for that which they have been called to as Paul.do. And this refinement shall cause many ofyou to look at them as sinners, for as such 75 And many of the words that ye have beenviewed them the Jews, who witnessed the types given in the scriptures that ye accept as theof men that Jesus had called. words of God, are the words of Paul. And there are some of the words of Paul that were inspired 68 Nevertheless, except in a few instances, of the Holy Ghost, yea, even most of the wordsshall any of these men, who have been called of of Paul were so inspired.God, do unto others that which they would nothave done unto them. For this is the essence of 76 But if ye read the record, ye shall come totheir spirits, and it is also the essence of all the know of some contention between Paul andtrue commandments of God. other of the disciples that were with Jesus in the flesh. And the record reads, saying: And some 69 But those who pass through the fires of day after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us gorefinement shall know of their sins, and these again and visit our brethren in every city wheresins shall cause them immediate unhappiness. we have preached the word of the Lord, and seeAnd those who do not pass through this fire, how they do.receive no such unhappiness from the sins thatthey do. And because most do not experience 77 And Barnabas determined to take withimmediate unhappiness in their sins, they begin them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paulto justify their actions as righteousness, and this thought it not good to take him with them, whobecause of their pride. departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention 70 Nevertheless, in the end, shall all was so sharp between them, that they departedexperience the punishment of their sins. But asunder one from the other; and so Barnabashe who hath passed through the fire of took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paulrefinement shall acknowledge all of his sins chose Silas, and departed, being recommendedand justify none. by the brethren unto the grace of God. 71 And all of the men who were called to be 78 And now, I, Moroni, have beenapostles to the Lord during the time of his commanded by the Lord himself to correct thisministry were refined men, who have been account of the record, that ye shall know the truththrough the refining fire of the Spirit and have behind the contentions of Paul and Barnabas.been prepared from the beginning. 79 And that which I shall reveal unto you 72 And now, it is not important to point out shall be a means of much rejoicing unto manythe various facts of the individual lives of these of our brothers and sisters in the latter days,apostles. And if ye knew of their lives as I know yea, even many of the children of God whoof them, then I would think that those among have lived in fear of repression andyou, who are wicked, would misjudge them and persecution for that happiness which theyconcern yourselves more with your judgments have chosen for themselves.of them than ye would with the message thatthey were commanded to give unto the world. 80 For behold, Barnabas and John were 73 Nevertheless, there is one thing that the254 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

united as one in the flesh, evensomuch that they TSP 39:81– 39:95loved each other and slept with each other as aman sleepeth with a woman. for the spirit children of God. But they shall be together as friends in the other kingdoms of 81 And Paul knew of this before and had glory that the Father hath prepared for us basedbrought the matter before the other apostles of upon our individual desires of happiness.the Lord who had been with the Lord in theflesh. For Paul was not with the Lord in the 89 And again, I say unto you, search theflesh and did not see those things which were words of Christ. Wherein doth he command adone among them in the flesh. man that he shall not lie with another man? I say unto you that he doth not. Behold, the words of 82 And Barnabas and John were united in the Paul say these things, and the words of othersflesh even in the presence of the Lord, who upon who have not spoken by the power of the Spirit,seeing them together said of them: Surely these but by the power of their own minds, whichtwo love each other exceedingly. O, that there have been prejudiced and biased by thewas a man that could love his wife even as John traditions and customs among them.loveth Barnabas. Truly they shall be together inthe kingdom of our Father as one. 90 And if ye could have all the words of Christ, which he taught to his disciples, then ye 83 And now, this caused some contention would know of these things. But the leadersamong the other apostles at the time, but they who have brought forth the words of the Bible,did not rebuke the Lord in that which he said, have kept these things from you, believing thatknowing of themselves that he was truly the they are not the words of Christ, nor should theySon of God. be made known, and that this thing should not be justified among those of their church. 84 And now, I, Moroni, have beencommanded to expound upon these things that 91 And again, all of the commandments ofI have revealed unto you. For I have already God are based upon this one true commandmentwritten unto you that we all have our choice of that ye shall love another as ye would have themhappiness, according to our individual desires love you. Therefore, search the words of Christ,of happiness. not the words of men. 85 And those of our brothers and sisters who 92 And it came to pass that Paul could notdesire to be with another brother or sister, who travel with Barnabas and John together;is of the same gender, are justified in this thing though with one, he could do that which theaccording to the flesh. Lord had commanded him, having been chastened by the other apostles in his views 86 Nevertheless, they are under the same that a man should not be with another man.commandments that the Lord hath given to aman concerning a woman, even that a man shall 93 Nevertheless, Paul preached his ownnot lust after another man, or a woman, if he doctrine at times unto the people, and misledhath so committed himself to another. them in that which he wrote unto them, having given unto them his own opinions 87 And if a man loveth another man, in which and not according to the Spirit of God.way doth he disobey the words of Christ? DidChrist not teach us that we should love one 94 Nevertheless, had those who broughtanother? And why should we think that these forth the words of the Bible left it untouchedmen who desire to be with each other shall be and unedited by their own hands, whichcondemned for that which they do, when we sin editions were guided by their prejudices andin becoming angry at them and persecuting biases, then the full truth regarding thesethem contrary to the words of Christ? things might have been made known unto the world. 88 Behold, I say unto you, that they shall alsobe saved in the kingdom of God. Now they shall 95 And if these things had been madenot inherit the Celestial kingdom of God, which known at the time these things came forthis reserved for those who use the power of among the children of men, then there wouldprocreation to serve others by providing bodies have been less suffering and persecution of those who love one another. Chapter 39 255

TSP 39:96– 40:10 4 For behold, the church was established among them; and if the Lord could have gone 96 And it is important that ye should remember unto the leaders of the church and given themnot to judge those who have been called of God his words, that they might then give them untoto give unto you His gospel, but of their works the people, who already had accepted thewhich are present, shall ye judge them. leaders of the church as the mouthpieces of God; yea, if he could have done this thing, then 97 For that which is in their past shall he would have found a means; even the verymanifest itself in the works that they perform in means for this purpose that he suffered to bethe future, or which are manifested in the established among them in the days of Moses,present. For if they are truly called of God, then even that he might more successfully give hisat their appointed time, even the time that they words unto the people of the church.shall be called forth to come unto you by thepower of the Holy Spirit, then ye shall know of 5 But the leaders of the church had alreadya surety that they shall be ready; and they shall rejected him, he having been among themgive unto you the words of Christ. previously and taught them his words as they sat in their temples and in their synagogues. 98 And ye shall prove them therein; and ifthey do the works of Christ, which they show 6 And Jesus waited patiently until the timeunto you, then ye shall have a sure witness that came that he reached the age that a man wasthey have been called of God. accepted as worthy and ready to preach the word of God. And because a church had been 99 And each of the apostles of God were established among them, it was a necessity thatchosen and foreordained to do that which they he do those things which were expected of thewere appointed to do in the beginning. And church, even that he should be baptizedeach was prepared from the beginning to do that according to their traditions.which they were appointed to do. And surely,they have all done that which they were 7 And this the Lord hath commanded of all ofappointed to do, even giving their own lives for his prophets, even that they try first to give histhe words of Christ. words to the churches which have been established among the children of men, from CHAPTER 40 which the children of men are accustomed to hearing the words of God.The baptism of Christ is explained and Johnprophesies of the Christ. Moroni uses the words 8 And if the leaders of these churches repentof Nephi to reiterate the words of John that he and accept the words of God, then the prophetsaw in a vision. John’s mission in the latter that hath given these words unto them, shall bedays is revealed. Moroni concurs with the commanded to act as a counselor and an advisertestimony of Nephi and John. to them, so that the authority and order of the priesthood is not disrupted. AND now, it is expedient once again to returnto the account of the prophet John who prepared 9 For if the authority of the priesthood isthe way for the introduction of the Christ unto disrupted, then the children of men might notthe people. know where they should go for direction, and this because they do not have the Spirit to 2 For it came to pass that the time finally guide them.arrived when the Lord was allowed to begin hisministry among the Jews according to their laws 10 And thus it is that order may be establishedand customs. in all things. For all things which are temporal are given in a likeness of those things which are 3 For in all things the Lord obeyed the laws of spiritual. And there is an order in heaven, andthe Jews, that he might draw them unto him and the authority to maintain this order resideth innot push them away from him, giving them a the power and authority of the Holy Order of thecause to harden their hearts against his word. Son of God, this being the Holy Priesthood that the Father established to do His will.256 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

11 And the temporal ordinances that are given TSP 40:11– 40:25unto the children of men in their churches, aregiven unto them as examples and in the likeness that Nephi heard of him in his vision. And Johnof those things which are done in heaven. answered them, saying: And now, if the Christ, he being holy, should have need to be baptized 12 And Jesus knew that he had to maintain by water, to fulfill all righteousness, oh then,this order and set an example of himself that how much more need have we, being unholy, toothers should follow, even that they should be baptized, yea, even by water?know that they should be humble and complywith the ordinances of the priesthood in the 20 And now, I would ask of you, my belovedflesh, if these ordinances are given in the brethren, wherein the Christ did fulfill alllikeness of the things which are in heaven, and righteousness in being baptized by water?are administered by those who are righteous. Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto 13 And for this reason, the Lord did not go you that, according to the flesh, he humblethunto the church of God at Jerusalem to be himself before the Father, and witnesseth untobaptized, but sought out John and commanded the Father that he would be obedient unto Himhim that he should baptize him to fulfill all in keeping His commandments.righteousness and maintain the order of which Ihave spoken. 21 Therefore, after he was baptized with water, the Holy Ghost descended upon him in 14 For John had already been rejected by the the form of a dove, which ye have witnessed atchurch, and was baptizing the people anew and this time. And again, it showeth unto you thegiving unto them the new and everlasting straightness of the path, and the narrowness ofcovenant, which was the commandments that the gate by which ye should enter, he having setthe Lord would give unto them by the Holy the example before you.Ghost and also by his own words. 22 And now, I say unto you that ye should 15 And now, I, Moroni, once again call upon follow him, yea, even he hath commanded youthe words that have already been revealed unto to follow him. Therefore, my beloved brethren,you, even in the part of this record that was not can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing tosealed, to teach you further of these things. keep the commandments of the Father? 16 For once again John spoke these exact 23 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye,same words unto the Jews, even the words and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.which Nephi beheld that John would give unto And also, the voice of the Son hath witnessedthem in the vision that Nephi received from an unto you this day, saying: He that is baptized inangel of God. my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; therefore, follow me, and 17 And after Nephi had seen these things, he do the things which ye have seen me do.remembered the words which John spoke afterhe had baptized the Lord and witnessed the sign 24 Therefore, my beloved brethren, I knowof the dove, which had been prophesied unto that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purposehim in his youth by an angel of God, that he of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deceptionmight know that he had completed the mission before God, but with real intent, repenting ofthat was required of him. your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by 18 For it came to pass that many of the Jews baptism; yea, by following your Lord and yourwho were gathered unto John and witnessed the Savior down into the water, according to hisbaptism of the Lord, these did question John and word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holyask of him concerning the Lord and why the Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire andChrist was in need of a baptism, seeing that it of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak withwas by him that they were covenanting with the the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto theFather, as John had taught them. Holy One of Israel. 19 And John answered them. And the words 25 But, behold, my beloved brethren, after yethat he answered to them were the same words have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto Chapter 40 257

TSP 40:26– 40:38 and it is the same doctrine that hath been preached unto our fathers by all the holythe Father that ye are willing to keep his prophets since the beginning; and the onlycommandments, by the baptism of water, and and true doctrine of the Father, and of thehave received the baptism of fire and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is oneHoly Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, God, without end.yea, even with the tongue of angels, and afterthis should deny him, it would have been better 33 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, Ifor you that ye had not known him. suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye 26 Yea, he that endureth to the end, the same have entered in by the way. But, behold, why doshall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye notI know by this that unless a man shall endure to remember that I said unto you that after ye hadthe end, in following the example of the Son of received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with thethe living God, he cannot be saved. tongue of angels? 27 Therefore, do the things which your Lord 34 And now, how could ye speak with theand your Redeemer hath done before you this tongue of angels save it were by the Holyday; for, for this cause hath he come unto me to Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holybe baptized, even that ye might know the gate Ghost; therefore, they speak the words of Christ.by which ye should enter. For the gate by which Therefore, I said unto you, feast upon the wordsye should enter is repentance and baptism by of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ willwater; and then cometh a remission of your sins tell you all things what ye should do.by fire and by the Holy Ghost. 35 Therefore, now after I have spoken these 28 And then are ye in this strait and narrow words, if ye cannot understand them it will bepath which leadeth to eternal life; yea, ye have because ye ask not, neither do ye knock;entered in by the gate; ye have done according wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, butto the commandments of the Father and the must perish in the dark.Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost,which witnesseth of the Father and the Son, 36 For behold, again I say unto you that if yeunto the fulfilling of the promise which he will enter in by the way, and receive the Holyhath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye Ghost, it will show unto you all things what yeshould receive. should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there shall be no more doctrine given of him 29 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye from my mouth, until ye shall hear his wordshave gotten into this strait and narrow path, I from his own mouth. And when ye have heardwould ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, these words from him, the things which he shallNay; for ye have not come thus far save it shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.be by the word of Christ with unshaken faith inhim, relying wholly upon the merits of him who 37 And now, my beloved brethren, I am left tois mighty to save. mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the 30 Therefore, ye must press forward with a stiffneckedness of men; for they will not searchsteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect knowledge, nor understand great knowledge,brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all when it is given unto them in plainness, even asmen. Therefore, if ye shall press forward, plain as word can be.feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure tothe end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall 38 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceivehave eternal life. that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For 31 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, if ye would hearken unto the Spirit whichthis is the way; and there is none other way nor teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that yename given under heaven whereby man can be must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a mansaved in the kingdom of God. to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. 32 And now, behold, this is the doctrine ofChrist that I have preached unto you this day;258 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

39 But behold, I say unto you that ye must TSP 40:39– 40:54pray always, and not faint; that ye must notperform any thing unto the Lord save in the first his apostles, even three of them as anplace ye shall pray unto the Father in the name established witness unto him, and they shallof Christ, that he will consecrate thy give unto him the power and authority to giveperformance unto thee, that thy performance the words of Christ to the people, or the gospelmay be for the welfare of thy soul. of Jesus Christ. 40 And it came to pass that after John had 48 And in this way the order of thefinished his preaching unto the people, he priesthood shall be preserved and given untoleft them and would not allow them any the children of men in a likeness of thosemore to follow him, directing his disciples to things which are in heaven.find the Christ and follow him and give heedunto his words. 49 And it shall come to pass that after the Gentiles shall reject the gospel that hath been 41 And now, this same John, of whom I have given unto them by the first of these prophets,written, was ordained from the beginning to then the Lord shall take this power and thisprepare the way whereby the children of men authority from among the children of men oncecould receive the words of Christ and again, for there shall not be one left who isunderstand them by the Spirit. righteous enough to have this power and authority bestowed upon them. 42 And his mission was a preparatory missionto open up the hearts of the children of men that 50 And since these things are in a similitudethey might receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, of things which are spiritual, the last of theseeven in turning the hearts of the children to the two latter day prophets shall be given thepromises of the fathers. authority to baptize and teach the words of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a like manner as the 43 And the way that a person prepareth to first. Nevertheless, he shall be commanded toaccept the gospel of Christ, is for him to cast teach the children of men the similitude ofoff the sins of his past and be born again and these things, that they might prepare theirmake a new covenant before God, even a spirits for that which is to come among them,covenant that can be seen of others, being an even the coming of the Lord in all of his gloryexample to them that he is willing to obey the to teach unto the whole earth his gospel fromlaw of the gospel. his own mouth. 44 And after he hath made this covenant, then 51 And when the Lord cometh in the gloryhe shall be given the law of the gospel from the of the Father, he shall fulfill all the temporalmouth of Christ, or from the mouth of his laws and ordinances which he hath suffered toapostles, which shall teach the commandments be given unto the children of men to pointof the Christ unto them, and give unto them the them towards the laws of the Father, whichgift of the Holy Ghost, which is given according laws must be taught unto them to prepare themto their compliance with the covenant that they for their eternal inheritance in the kingdoms ofhave made with the Father. the Father. 45 And it shall come to pass that in the latter 52 And at that day shall this final prophet bedays, the power and authority of John shall be called forth from among the people and he shallgiven to the first of these two prophets of which stand with John and the other prophets whoI have written of the latter days. have gone before him, and he shall witness unto the Lord that he hath done all those things which 46 And this power shall be given unto him by he hath been commanded.the hand of John, even that he might have theauthority to baptize all those who are willing to 53 And then shall the books be opened up,take upon them the name of Christ and obey his and from the mouth of the Lord all the ends ofcommandments. the earth shall hear of their great wickedness and corruption. 47 And after John hath given unto thisprophet this authority, then shall the Lord send 54 But the elect shall rejoice in that which they already know among them, even that Chapter 40 259

TSP 40:55– 40:69 souls spotless at his judgment seat. I have charity for the Jew; I say Jew, because I meanwhich they have been given through the books them from whence I came. I also have charitywhich have been given unto them by the holy for the Gentiles.prophets; and also that which they have beengiven by the Holy Ghost. 63 But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and 55 And I, Moroni, shall stand with the Lord enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the straitand with the other prophets and apostles of God, path which leadeth to life, and continue in theand we all shall testify unto the ends of the earth path until the end of the day of probation.of those things which we have done to bring thechildren of men unto repentance. 64 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto 56 And all of these things did Nephi see in his these words and believe in Christ; and if yevision but was forbidden to write at that time. believe not in these words believe in Christ. AndBut I have written them in this sealed portion of if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe inthe record. these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach 57 And Nephi sealed up his testimony of all men that they should do good.these things unto you, saying: And now, I,Nephi, cannot write all the things which were 65 And if they are not the words of Christ,taught among my people; neither am I mighty in judge ye, for Christ will show unto you withwriting, like unto speaking; for when a man power and great glory at the last day that theyspeaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the are his words; and you and I shall stand face topower of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the face before his bar; and ye shall know that Ihearts of the children of men. have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. 58 But behold, there are many who hardentheir hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath 66 And I pray the Father in the name of Christno place in them; therefore, they cast many that many of us, if not all, may be saved in histhings away which are written and esteem them kingdom at that great and last day.as things of naught. 67 And now, my beloved brethren, even all 59 But I, Nephi, have written what I have those who are of the house of Israel, and all yewritten, and I esteem it as of great worth, and ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voiceespecially unto my people. For I pray of one crying from the dust: Farewell, until thatcontinually for them by day, and mine eyes great day shall come. And ye that will notwater my pillow by night, because of them; and partake of the goodness of God, and respect theI cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he words of the Jews, and also my words, and thewill hear my cry. words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an 60 And I know that the Lord God will everlasting farewell, for these words shallconsecrate my prayers for the gain of my condemn you at the last day.people. And the words which I have written inweakness shall be made strong unto them; for it 68 For what I seal on earth, shall be broughtpersuadeth them to do good; it maketh known against you at the judgment bar; for thus hathunto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of the Lord commanded me, and I must obey.Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, Amen.and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. 69 And now, to the words of Nephi, I, Moroni, 61 And it speaketh harshly against sin, give my own testimony, even so, Amen.according to the plainness of the truth; therefore,no man will be angry at the words which I havewritten save he shall be of the spirit of the devil. 62 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; Iglory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed mysoul from hell. I have charity for my people,and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many260 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

CHAPTER 41 TSP 41:1– 41:14An explanation of the true character of the the Father who hath created you. And becauseChrist and of the Father. The voice of the ye cannot see the Father, ye do not know that heFather is given differently than the voice of existeth. For if ye could see Him, then ye wouldmortal prophets. People need prophets because know for a surety that He doth exist and that Hethey won’t listen to the Spirit, which is the voice hath created you.of the Father. 7 And if He hath created you, and ye do AND now, my beloved brothers and sisters, indeed exist, then there must be some reason foreven all of you of the latter days, and those of which the Father hath created you. And if thereyou who have passed through the days of your is a reason that He hath created you, then theprobation and reside in the spirit world and reason must be His reason and not your own,wait patiently on the Lord that he might bring because ye did not exist to have a reason toabout the resurrection of your souls; and also create yourselves.those of you who remain in the spirit world ina state of torment because ye now know that 8 And if the Father had a reason, or a purposewhich ye did not consider while ye existed in for which He created you, then would not it bemortality, even as ye went through the days of appropriate that the Father teach unto you theyour probation and did not partake of the reason for your creation, or rather, the reason forgoodness of God which He hath given us which He caused you to be created?through His Son, Jesus Christ. 9 And now, I say unto you, that the Father 2 I say unto all the children of God no matter hath given unto us the reason why we havewhere they might reside: How do ye think that been created. And do ye think that He causedye shall come to know the Father, except ye us to be created that we might be miserableshall first know His Son, who is in the exact and unhappy forever?likeness of the Father, and who hath been givento us as an example to follow in all things? 10 For what purpose do ye think that God would have in using His omnipotence to create 3 And now, how can ye expect to know something that would be miserable andyourselves, except ye first know Him who hath unhappy forever? Yea, what kind of God can yecreated you? Now, this thing ye know of a imagine in your hearts would do such a thing?surety, even that ye do exist. And if ye think notthat ye exist, then I say unto you, find the 11 I say unto you, that God created us that wehighest point of earth on which ye can tread, and might have joy, yea, even eternal happiness.go unto this point and cast yourselves off of this And now, do ye think that if He hath created usterrestrial apex. so that we might have this joy, that He would not provide for us the means and the way whereby 4 And as ye fall to the earth to your death, we might have this eternal joy and happiness?know ye not that ye are alive? For if ye are notalive, then why should ye fear death? And what 12 Do ye think that He would create us, andwould be the cause of your fear, if it so be that then leave us to ourselves to create our ownye do not exist? happiness and provide for our own means whereby we might obtain this happiness? 5 And while ye are falling, and know that yeshall die, to whom shall ye call on to save you? 13 And how is it that ye can think that weI say unto you, that ye shall call upon someone, would have an idea of where we could findeven it so be that ye call upon yourselves. And this happiness or those things that we must doif ye call upon yourselves, then ye have a to provide for ourselves the means of thiswitness that ye do exist. happiness? For behold, we have no experience in this thing. And we have no 6 And ye cannot exist and have a knowledge experience in this thing because we did notof this existence except ye have a knowledge of exist until we were created. 14 And from the moment that we are created, we begin to have experiences, and thus begin our ability to become an individual and think and act for ourselves, independent of the control Chapter 41 261

TSP 41:15– 41:28 who were born of them without a choice of their own, but by the choice of them who areof others, even independent of the control of the parents;Him who had created us. 23 Yea, and your parents have given equally 15 For if the Father had not given unto us our unto you great and glorious blessings, even allindependence from His own experience, of their riches and all of their possessions, anddistinguishing the one from the other, then we all of their lands and their fine things, evenwould not know this happiness or joy for everything that bringeth them happiness; if theourselves, being created for His experience and children of this family have been given all thesenot for our own. things of their parents, then who shall receive the thanks and the glory for these things? 16 And He already knoweth this joy andhappiness; and He knoweth this from His own 24 Shall the brother or the sister say untoexperience. And because He had the experience another, I thank thee dear brother for all thatto know these things, He knoweth that He is which thou hast given unto me? And will thateternally happy in His own existence. brother say unto the others, Ye are welcome for that which I have given unto you, and I deserve 17 And because He knoweth and and am worthy of your praise and your glory?understandeth this eternal happiness, it is Hisdesire to give this happiness unto us, who are 25 And if it so be that the father and theHis children, or His creations who have been mother of this family shall be gone into anothercreated by Him that we might have the country, and shall leave all of their possessionsexperiences that He hath had that have brought and their lands, and their fine things, even allHim this happiness. things which they possess that make them happy, and give unto the oldest son the power 18 And this happiness can only come through and authority to give unto their children equallyindependence and free agency, or in other all that they possess and have worked for all ofwords, having the ability to be independent of their lives for the sake of their children;the Father and gain from our own experiencesour own happiness. 26 And if this oldest son hath this authority and this power, shall he then be worthy of the 19 And now, once we have had these praise and the glory of the other children,experiences and have felt this joy, even this when they receive all these things throughstate of eternal happiness, to whom do ye him, even those things that their parentsthink that we shall give praises and commanded should be divided equally untothanksgiving for this happiness that we enjoy? all of their children?Do ye think that we shall thank ourselves forgiving us this happiness? 27 I say unto you, that a wicked son would take the glory for himself and think not to turn 20 Do ye think that we shall thank others for the hearts of the children to the parents whothis happiness, even those who did not create us have provided these things freely unto them all.and had nothing to do with making us Yea, a wicked son would not divide theindependent so that we could experience and possessions of the parents equally, but wouldgain this happiness? give of the finest parts to himself and to those whom he loveth, or to those who look up to him 21 I say unto you, that ye shall one day give and give him the glory that he thinketh that hepraise and glory only to the Father and our deserveth because of the power and authorityEternal Mothers for the experiences and the joy that hath been given him by the parents.and happiness that ye shall have forever in thekingdoms of the Father, which kingdoms He 28 But I say unto you, that a righteous sonhath created for us to provide the means for us would show unto the rest of his brothers and histo experience this happiness. sisters that he hath been chosen only to give unto them what their parents have commanded 22 And now, I would that ye should of him; and he shall give equally unto all theconsider this thing: If ye are of a family, andye have brothers and sisters; and if ye all havea father and a mother who have given unto allof you, who are their children; yea, even those262 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

portion that they deserve, all being equally TSP 41:29– 41:44loved by their parents. block that hath been placed before you because 29 And what glory and praise shall this of your wickedness. And this wickedness ofrighteous son desire, knowing that he did not which I speak is that ye have given credit andprovide his brothers and sisters with their praise and glory where this credit and praise andinheritance, but that it came from their parents, glory is not due, neither is it expected of him toand he was only chosen because of his whom ye give it. And because ye have donerighteousness in administering the will of his these things, ye have had these stumbling blocksparents according to their desires? placed before you. 30 And now, if the father and the mother 38 And this wickedness of which I speak iswanted to make sure that all of their children like unto the parable that I have given untowould receive an equal part of the inheritance you, even like unto those children who gavethat they have left for their children, then which honor and praise to the unrighteous son whoson would they choose to administer their will? wanted this praise and glory for himself, knowing fully that he had nothing to do with 31 And when they return home to their the inheritance that the parents had left for allchildren, who then shall the children worship of their children equally.and honor? Would they honor their brother, orwould they not honor the father and the 39 For behold, ye seek for that which shallmother who have provided for them equally in make you unequal with your other brothers andall things? sisters; and ye seek for someone that ye might worship and honor and who hath given unto you 32 And if their children still praise this what ye believe is the greater part of therighteous son, would this son want this of inheritance of the Father.himself, or would he not direct the glory of hissiblings to their parents, who deserve this glory? 40 And I speak specifically unto you of the latter days who shall have these things 33 And what then shall be the reason for the revealed unto you. For there are many of you,glory and praise of the unrighteous son, who yea, even all of you, except it be for the verybeing the oldest among them, sought for praise few elect, who have chosen for yourselves thisand honor for himself? oldest son whom I have given as an example in the parable. 34 Then shall the other siblings see him forwho he really is, a devil, a charlatan whose only 41 For there are many of you who havedesire was to take glory upon himself for that placed Jesus and others above you and havewhich he had nothing to do with in the first given unto them the glory that ye should beplace. And then shall the Father cast out this giving unto the Father in all things.unrighteous son and all those who were desirousto take more of the inheritance than their other 42 And because ye have done this, Christ hathbrothers and sisters. become a stumbling block unto you, even that ye do stumble and err in your understanding of 35 But if the righteous son hath done all truth. And the true Christ that ye have acceptedthings that the father hath commanded of him, and that ye think ye know, ye know not.then the father shall thank that son and give untohim his equal portion with the rest of his 43 For he is not the true Christ of which I havebrothers and sisters. spoken, and of which all the holy prophets have written and spoken since the beginning. For ye 36 And all of the children shall worship the worship the unrighteous son and call him yourfather and the mother and give glory and praise Christ and your Lord and give unto him gloryunto them forever, thanking them for their and praise, which is the thing that the righteousinheritance, and also thanking them for leaving son would not accept of you.the power and authority of dividing thisinheritance in the hands of the righteous son. 44 And now, it is this thing that I have been commanded to reveal unto you by the true 37 And now, my brothers and sisters, I am Lord, even Jesus Christ himself, the righteousabout to take away from you a great stumbling Son of God, which he commanded me when Chapter 41 263

TSP 41:45– 41:59 52 And in all things he hath attempted to turn your hearts towards the Father that ye might behe visited with me and conversed with me and taught by the Father as he was taught by thetaught me many things concerning him and Father, having received a fullness of the Father,his life, which things he hath commanded me which fullness is offered unto all of the childrento include in this record. of God equally. 45 Yea, Jesus Christ hath commanded me to 53 And in sorrow he suffereth you tomake this thing plain unto you that ye might worship him and use his name in vain, givinghave no more excuses in your wickedness, and unto him the glory that he would force you tothat ye might come to know the true Christ. For give unto the Father, if he could. But heif ye come to know the true Christ, then ye shall cannot force you to do that which ye do notcome to know the true Father, which is the desire, according to the free agency that yeFather of Christ as well as our own Father, and have received from the Father.who is the Creator of all things. 54 And the Father hath also commanded him 46 Behold, He hath created us and hath given to not force you, but that he should love you andunto us all of His blessings equally. And He allow you to worship the Father in his name,gave the power and authority to His Son, even that ye might know the Father through the Son,Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, as he shall be known because of your wickedness.among the Jews and the Gentiles, to representHim and do His will in this part of His kingdom. 55 For what righteous father among you would truly want any of his children to come 47 And His will is that all of His children unto him by way of a brother? I say unto you,return unto Him and partake of the eternal that if ye are a righteous father, then ye wouldhappiness of His kingdom. And this happiness want to speak to all of your children and loveHe hath given unto all of His children equally them each as ye do the others.according to their desires of happiness. 56 But if your children fear you, because they 48 And He doth not say to one, Thy do not know you, and they choose to come untohappiness shall be less than that of thy brother. you only through their brother, then they shallNor doth He say to another, Thy happiness is not be in your presence and know you, but theygreater than that of thy brother. But He sayeth shall only know the brother that they haveunto all, Thy happiness is a fullness of all I can chosen to come unto you on their behalf.give unto thee according to thy own desiresand choices of happiness. 57 But ye shall still love your children and want them to be happy; therefore, ye shall allow 49 And this is the eternal plan of the Father, them to speak with you through their brother.and it is also the desire of our Eternal Mothers, But ye would be saddened that your childrenwho work for our happiness with our Father. would not come unto you personally and sit upon your knee and embrace you and speak to 50 And now, it is the Son of whom I must you like you speak with their brother, whomspeak and give unto you an understanding. For they have chosen and to whom they speakye give praise and glory unto the Son which he instead of you.doth not deserve, neither doth he want the praiseand the glory that ye give unto him. 58 And would it not frustrate this brother, if he were a righteous son, and he knew that all of his 51 And it saddeneth his heart when ye give brothers and sisters could approach their fatherunto him this praise and this glory, even that and sit upon his knee and converse with theirpraise and glory that he desireth that the Father father, yet they will not do this because they fearreceive from you. And he knoweth that in your him? Would not this brother make everywickedness, or in your darkness, ye cannot give attempt that he could, to get his siblings to knowunto the Father the praise He deserveth, because their father and come unto him?ye do not see the Father. But ye have seen himand know that he hath lived among you. And 59 And now, I will give unto you examples offor this reason, ye worship him and give unto this thing both in the record of the Jews, and alsohim glory contrary to that which he hathcommanded you.264 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

in the record of my father which hath already TSP 41:60– 41:75come forth among you. And these exampleshave been hidden from you because of your recognize the way which the Father hathwickedness and the stumbling blocks that the established to teach them, even that they cannotLord hath placed before you. hear and understand his voice, He hath suffered that they be taught the only way that they might 60 But I will explain these things unto you in understand and accept His words.plainness, and ye shall see your errors and takenotice of your ignorance of those things that ye 68 And He hath suffered that the children ofshould have understood. But without the Spirit men should worship others of their brothers,to guide you in your understanding, there is no even the holy prophets who have been sent untoway that ye could have understood these things. them, that they might at least have some contact with Him and receive His word in some way. 61 Behold, the written word hath causedmuch contention among you because of the way 69 Now, this communication with the Father,that these words have been written and given even the desire of the Son to turn the people tounto you. But if ye would not have the spirit of their Father, was given as an example in thecontention among you, then ye would have record of my father, and he wrote, saying: Andunderstood these things. now it came to pass that there was a great multitude gathered together, of the people of 62 And because ye had this contention, which Nephi, round about the temple which was in theis contrary to the spirit of Christ, then ye did not land Bountiful; and they were marveling andhave the spirit of Christ, and therefore, could not wondering one with another, and were showingunderstand these things when they were one to another the great and marvelous changepresented unto you already in plainness. which had taken place. 63 And now, I would that ye should make 70 And they were also conversing about thisreference to the words of my father, Mormon, Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been givenwhich he hath given unto you concerning the concerning his death.coming of Jesus Christ unto the people whowere gathered in the land of Bountiful after he 71 And it came to pass that while they werewas resurrected. thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast 64 And now, I would that ye should know that their eyes round about, for they understood notthe Father hath suffered that the children of men the voice which they heard; and it was not abe given the opportunity to hear His words by harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice;those whom they will accept as His mouthpiece. nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to 65 And I have already shown unto you that if the center, insomuch that there was no part ofthe children of men are willing, then they can their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, itreceive the words of God directly from His did pierce them to the very soul, and did causemouth, even from the Holy Ghost, who is one their hearts to burn.with the Father in all things, and is the voice ofthe Father, and is the way that the Father hath 72 And it came to pass that again they heardestablished to teach unto the children of men His the voice, and they understood it not.will in all things. 73 And again the third time they did hear the 66 And this way He hath established so that voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and theirHis children will not give undeserved praise and eyes were towards the sound thereof; and theyglory to their other brothers and sisters, who did did look steadfastly towards heaven, fromnot create them, nor do they have anything to do whence the sound came.with their eternal salvation, except it be givingHis words unto them that they might turn to 74 And behold, the third time they didHim and keep His commandments, which were understand the voice which they heard; and itgiven so that they might have joy and happiness. said unto them: Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have 67 And because the children of men do not glorified my name; hear ye him. 75 And now, I, Moroni, give unto you an Chapter 41 265

TSP 41:76– 41:89explanation of these things. For behold, whose 84 For the Father made twice the attempt tovoice did the people hear that testified unto them speak unto His children, but they could notof His Son? Was it not the voice of the Father? understand the words which He gave unto them. And they did not know Him, therefore, they did 76 And why is it that they did not understand not recognize His voice.this voice when it was given unto them the firsttime? And even a second time it was given unto 85 Nevertheless, He knew that they werethem and they did not understand it. And this conversing about His Son, even Jesus Christ,voice was given unto them by their loving who Samuel the Lamanite had prophesiedFather in heaven, who loveth them all and would come into the world. And they weredesireth to give unto all of His children His conversing about Jesus Christ just before theywords by His own mouth. heard the voice of the Father speak unto them from the heavens. 77 And the voice of the Father is not a harshvoice, like the voice of a prophet at times, 86 And the Father knew that these peopleneither is it a loud voice, with which a prophet were not ready to hear from His own mouth thatat times doth proclaim his message and teacheth which He would gladly teach unto them. Forrepentance. But it was a small voice that did He knew that they could not listen to that stillpierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch small voice that spoke directly to their spirit—that there was no part of their frame that it did He being the Creator of their spirits—and not tonot cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the their ears, which were of the flesh.very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. 87 And when He had made the attempt twice, 78 And this burning was caused because He turned them over to the Son, that He mightthe voice was recognizable by the spirit of teach them through His Son. And He spokethese people, but the flesh could not unto them this time in the manner ofunderstand these things, because it was not communication that they could understand inheard in their ears as they were accustomed their wickedness.to receiving communication. 88 And for this reason, it is written: And 79 Now behold, these people understood the behold, the third time they did understand thevoice of Jesus, of whom they had been given the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:signs and the testimonies of the prophets, to Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am wellwhom they had listened with the means of pleased, in whom I have glorified my name;communication of which they were accustomed hear ye him.in the flesh. 89 And with this the Father gave the children 80 And they did previously, to this time, yea, of men the opportunity to hear His words theeven just before the Father made an attempt to only way that they could understand them, evenspeak unto them with His own voice, they did the way that they had been taught by theirhear the voice of Christ in the darkness. customs and their traditions. Nevertheless, it was better that they hear His words in this way, 81 Now, why is it that these people could hear than that they should not hear any of His words.the voice of Christ in the darkness, when hespoke unto them from the heavens, but theycould not perceive and understand the voice ofthe Father, when He spoke unto them from thesame heavens in the light? 82 And what is it that the Father was trying totell the people, even through the manner ofcommunication that they could not understand,yea, even through this still small voice? 83 Behold, these things were shown unto thepeople that were preserved in the land ofBountiful as a similitude of those things whichare upon the earth.266 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

CHAPTER 42 TSP 42:1– 42:14Moroni gives a more in depth description of the 7 Yet when it was light, whose voice did theyintercessory prayer of Jesus that he gave among first hear? Yea, in the light, did not the Fatherthe Nephites and the Lamanites. The Father make an attempt to speak unto His children?reveals Himself to all humankind through theinnocence and love of little children. 8 And this thing was the will of the Son that he might show unto the children of men that AND it came to pass that Jesus came down while they are in darkness, they shall hear hisamong them, and they fell before him and voice, but when they are in the light, or rather,worshipped him. But in this thing the Lord was when they have the Spirit, who is with them,not pleased, but suffered it to be because of the because in them dwelleth light, then the Fathercommandment that he had received of the speaketh unto them Himself.Father. And the will of the Father is that Hewould have His children receive His word as 9 And in this way ye shall know if ye are inthey could understand it through the means that the darkness or in the light according to yourthey would accept. works. For behold, if ye can only hear the words of Jesus and those whom he hath 2 And my father, Mormon, was forbidden to commissioned to teach you and preachwrite many of the things which he read of the repentance unto you, then ye shall know of aaccount which the people had recorded surety that your works are works of darkness,concerning the visit of Jesus Christ in the days for in darkness ye shall be given their words.of his fathers. And he was forbidden to writethis thing, because it behooveth the Father that 10 But if your works are righteous, or are inthe children of men be given only those things the light, then ye shall be given the mysteries ofthat they can understand and accept. godliness by the voice of the Father as I have explained it unto you. 3 And because the Father knew that in thelatter days, even at the time these things shall be 11 And now, I would that ye should continuegiven unto the children of men, that they would in the record of my father and follow the coursealready honor Jesus Christ and give unto him that the Lord took as he taught unto the peoplethe glory of the Father. Yea, because He knew the words of the Father.these things, He commanded His Son to suffer itto be that He might save as many of His children 12 For behold, because these people wereas He can by turning them from their sins by the in darkness, according to the Spirit, he calledwords of and the glory of Jesus. others among them to preach unto them. And these others were his disciples whom he 4 And the record readeth that Nephi bowed commanded to baptize the people accordingand kissed the feet of Jesus. And the Lord to their traditions that they could understandcommanded that he should arise and do not and accept.these things unto him, but that he shouldworship the Father and give all glory unto Him. 13 For when Jesus spake unto the people in the darkness, before they were given the 5 But Nephi and the people were chance to receive the words directly from theoverwhelmed by the greatness of the Father, he said unto them: And as many asappearance of the resurrected Christ among have received me, to them have I given tothem, even they were still overcome by the become the sons of God; and even so will Iwords that they heard him speak unto them in give to as many as shall believe on my name,the darkness. for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled. I am the 6 And now, this thing is also an example and light and the life of the world. I am Alpha anda similitude unto you; For behold, did not Jesus Omega, the beginning and the end.speak unto the people in darkness? And in thedarkness the people understood his voice. 14 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. Chapter 42 267

TSP 42:15– 42:29 23 And with this broken heart and contrite spirit, the Holy Ghost would have given them 15 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a all the understanding and knowledge that theybroken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso needed to be saved in the kingdom of God,cometh unto me with a broken heart and a despite the law of Moses, which was fulfilledcontrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and in Christ.with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites,because of their faith in me at the time of their 24 And it came to pass that after Jesus hadconversion, were baptized with fire and with the taught the people the will of the Father andHoly Ghost, and they knew it not. given unto them all of the commandments of the Father, yea, even those commandments that 16 Behold, I have come unto the world to were necessary that they might have the joy andbring redemption unto the world, to save the happiness that the Father had promised them;world from sin. Therefore, whoso repenteth and yea, after Jesus had given unto them thesecometh unto me as a little child, him will I things, he said unto them, Behold, my time is atreceive, for of such is the kingdom of God. hand. I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannotBehold, for such I have laid down my life, and understand all my words which I amhave taken it up again; therefore repent, and commanded of the Father to speak unto you atcome unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved. this time. 17 And now, I, Moroni, ask of ye, wherein did 25 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, andthe Lord command anyone to be baptized by ponder upon the things which I have said, andimmersion into water in the words which he ask of the Father, in my name, that ye mayspoke unto the people in darkness? understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again. But now I 18 Behold, he said unto them that he had go unto the Father and also to show myself untofulfilled the law of Moses, and the law of Moses the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost untocommanded baptism as a similitude of those the Father, for he knoweth whither He haththings which were to come. taken them. 19 And Jesus said these things unto the 26 And it was the will of the Lord and hispeople in the darkness to prepare their minds desire to leave the people at this time and goand their hearts that they might hear and unto others who had been prepared to receiveunderstand the words that the Father would him as a resurrected being, even unto those whospeak unto them in the light. were the other sheep of whom he gave mention. 20 But when the Father spoke unto them in 27 And he had commanded the people to gothe light, they did not understand the words home and pray unto the Father forthat the Father said unto them. And had they understanding, hoping that by doing this, theyheard the words that the Father spoke unto might be wrought upon by the Spirit and bethem, or had they been more righteous and given understanding.receptive to the Holy Ghost, which is the voiceof the Father, then they would have heard all 28 But as he was about to leave, he beheld thethings from the Father. people, that they were still weak in their understanding and still in an attitude of worship 21 But because they could not listen and of him; even in their tears, he had compassionunderstand in this way, the Father sent His Son on them.down among them and instituted theordinances that He would require of them to 29 And the Lord told me of this time and hepoint them towards the Father, even the said unto me: Behold, I had commanded theordinance of baptism by immersion according people that they might go unto their homes andto their customs and their traditions, which call upon the Father and give glory unto Him,they could understand. that He might send the Holy Ghost unto them so that they might have understood better the 22 And if they had listened to and heard the things that I had taught unto them.voice of the Father, then the only thing thatwould have been required of them would havebeen a broken heart and contrite spirit.268 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

30 But I could perceive their ignorance and TSP 42:30– 42:45their inability to show faith, even the faith in thatwhich they could not see. And because they been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, hesaw me, they did worship me. commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground. 31 And it came to pass that Jesus said untothem: Behold, my bowels are filled with 38 And it came to pass that when they hadcompassion towards you. Have ye any that are knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned withinsick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any himself, and said: Father, I am troubledthat are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or because of the wickedness of the people of theleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or house of Israel.that are afflicted in any manner? Bring themhither and I will heal them, for I have compassion 39 And now, I, Moroni, would ask of ye, whyupon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. do ye think that the Lord groaned within himself and said unto the Father that he was troubled 32 For I perceive that ye desire that I should because of the wickedness of the people? I sayshow unto you what I have done unto your unto you, that he was troubled because theybrethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem.sufficient that I should heal you. And it came to For they had faith which was sufficient that hepass that when he had thus spoken, all the should heal them, but they did not have enoughmultitude, with one accord, did go forth with faith that they could receive the things whichtheir sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and they should know from the Holy Ghost, whichwith their blind, and with their dumb, and with was from the Father.all they that were afflicted in any manner; and hedid heal them every one as they were brought 40 And he groaned that he could not tell themforth unto him. in plainness concerning these things and turn them to the Father who deserved all the glory 33 And they did all, both they who had been and praise that the people were giving unto him.healed and they who were whole, bow downat his feet, and did worship him; and as many 41 Nevertheless, the Lord was commandedas could come of the multitude did kiss his by the Father to suffer it so for the sake of Hisfeet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with children. For even the Father himself doth nottheir tears. take upon Himself glory as ye have supposed. 34 And now, it was in this thing that the Lord 42 And this is the mystery and thewas troubled, but he did not have the will to say understanding that the Lord hath commandedunto the people that they should not bow down me to give unto you in plainness. Even that thebefore him and worship him in this manner. For Father of us all, the Great Creator, who hathhe loved them and did not want them to have given us life and all things for our happiness,that taken away which brought them such joy. even this wondrous Being doth not take glory unto Himself. 35 But he wanted them to come to know theFather. And he thought of a way by which he 43 For His work and His glory is to bring tomight bring the Father to them, that they might pass the immortality and eternal life of all of Hisknow Him and understand Him, that they would children. This is His glory, and the praise andnot fear Him, and that they might give all the honor of His children He doth not require ofglory to the Father and not to him. them. The only thing that He requireth of them is that they have eternal joy in a state of 36 And it came to pass that he commanded happiness forever.that their little children should be brought. Sothey brought their little children and set them 44 Now, this is the thing that I am to teachdown upon the ground round about him, and unto you, even this great mystery that hath notJesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave been revealed unto you because of theway till they had all been brought unto him. stumbling blocks that have been placed before you because of your wickedness and your lack 37 And it came to pass that when they had all of understanding. 45 And now, I would that ye should imagine in your minds and hearts the image of a Chapter 42 269

TSP 42:46– 42:61 are accustomed to hearing and observing among you.wonderful Father who loveth all of His childrenand desireth that all of them be happy. Do ye 55 For when ye pray, what is there that the eyethink that this Father would have His children might see, except ye, kneeling in sorrow andfall down at His feet and kiss His feet and bow covering your head and closing your eyes anddown before Him and worship Him? falling to the ground in what ye perceive is humility before God? 46 Do ye not think that this loving Fatherwould want all of His children to come unto 56 But these people did indeed seeHim and embrace Him and laugh with Him, and something with their eyes. And that whichsit upon His knee and smile with Him and be they saw, my father was forbidden to write.joyous in His presence? But my father was overwhelmed by those things which he read concerning that which 47 Now, which of these Fathers would ye the people both saw and heard.choose for yourselves; yea, even a Father whowould command you and expect you to bow 57 And because he was so overwhelmed, hedown low before Him, or a Father whom ye wrote, saying: And after this manner do theycould embrace and with whom ye could laugh bear record: The eye hath never seen, neitherand smile? hath the ear heard before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus 48 And now, I know what ye have been taught speak unto the Father; and no tongue can speak,by your traditions and your customs and the neither can there be written by any man, neitherprecepts of men that have been taught among can the hearts of men conceive so great andyou, but these are not the precepts and the truths marvelous things as we both saw and heardof the Father. speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for 49 For behold, the Father did not create you us unto the Father.that ye should worship Him. But He hathcreated you that ye might partake of the 58 But now, I am about to reveal unto you thehappiness that He hath to offer you. things that Jesus prayed unto the Father, even those things that my father was commanded 50 And when ye worship God as ye are should not be given unto the children of men inaccustomed to worship Him in your churches the unsealed portion of this record.and your synagogues, even in the privacy ofyour own homes, are ye happy in this attitude of 59 Behold, these things were not given, so thatworship? Is not your countenance of a sad the faith and resolve of the elect might be triednature, even that ye feel a spirit of sadness that and tested, even that they might have ancauseth you to frown? opportunity to understand these things by the Holy Ghost, or the voice of the Father in the light. 51 But if ye could smile and rejoice and singpraises unto God, yea, even that your Father 60 But because of the great wickedness that iswould sing praises and songs with you, would among those of you of the latter days, even thatye not then be happy? many of the elect have been misled by the precepts of men, I have been commanded to 52 And now, after the Lord had groaned give unto you the words of this great andwithin himself and was troubled because of the marvelous prayer that the Lord offered to thewickedness of the people, he knelt upon the Father, and also those things which the peopleearth and prayed unto the Father. saw, and of which they bore record, but of which my father was forbidden to write. 53 And the things which he prayed could notbe written in the record of my father because of 61 But my father did write many things in histhe stumbling blocks that were in place because record concerning that which the people heardof the wickedness of those who would receive and beheld. Nevertheless, he did so in a waythis record. that the full truth of these things might not be known, except it be known through the 54 And not only did the people hear thewords of the prayer, but they beheld with theireyes things that could not be written. For itwas not an usual prayer, like unto those that ye270 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

ministrations of the Holy Ghost unto those who TSP 42:62– 42:79would receive his words. 72 And the children began to laugh and play 62 And the Lord prayed, saying: Oh, My with the Father. And the Father laughed andFather, behold these little ones whom I have played with them. And the Lord did also playplaced before Thee that they might behold Thee with the little ones for a time. And it came toas I have beheld Thee. Oh, My Father, these are pass that Jesus embraced the Father, and walkedthose among this people who have not yet off a ways with the Father, before the people.turned their hearts from Thee, even that theyhave not been led away from Thee because of 73 And the people were astonished at thethe traditions of their fathers. things which they saw. And the parents of the children were even more astonished still at the 63 And in the innocence of these little ones, ease of their children around these Goddesses,they love one another as Thou hast commanded and also the gentleness and love that weretheir parents to love each other. shown unto their children by Them. 64 And in their eyes shineth Thy glory and the 74 And they saw Jesus speak unto the Father,sparkle of Thy countenance aboundeth in them. saying: Father, behold this people which have been spared because they have faith in me. 65 And their countenances have been How is it that I can take from Thee the honorpreserved in righteousness from their birth, even that these give unto me because of Thee? Andthat they look in their innocence unto their what is it that I must do that I might turn them toparents for guidance and instruction and love Thee that they might know Thee and be onewithout condition or fear. with Thee as I am one with Thee? 66 And now, dear Father, I would that Thou 75 And the Father answered Jesus, saying:wouldst come down amongst us and show unto My beloved Son, it is a hard thing which thouthis people Thy true nature, even the nature of asketh of these, thy brothers and sisters. Behold,Thy Being, which they know not, neither do because of the veil that I have caused to bethey understand, because Thou hast kept this placed over their memories due to the flesh infrom them for their own sakes. which their spirits reside, they do not remember me. Behold, they have been convinced by the 67 But these innocent children can behold flesh that they cannot know me.Thy face, for they do not fear Thee, but knowThee. For behold, from Thee, their spirits were 76 But behold, my beloved Son, they docreated, and of Thy Spirit their hearts are shorn. know me. For it is written in their hearts, even as they hold their own children in their arms do 68 And when Jesus had spoken these words, they witness of me and my glory.the heavens opened up and a great pillar of lightappeared directly over the children and the 77 And when they hold their child, even as aLord. And within the pillar of light appeared a newborn infant, in their arms, they feel of myman and others, who were women, with him. love and learn of me. And when that infant smileth upon them and they see the light within 69 And they came down upon the earth and it through the gentleness of its eyes, behold theydispersed Themselves among the children; and see me and know me.They took the children in Their arms and smiledupon them and kissed their faces and sat them 78 And when that child crieth and is in needupon Their knees. of comfort and succor that can only be given by its parent; yea, when that child crieth for its 70 And the children had no fear of these parent and is comforted in their arms, then theyglorious beings. And they ran joyously from feel of my spirit and know of me.one being to another jumping into Their armsand climbing upon Them, playing carefree with 79 And in their children they find the hope ofall of the beings who had descended from within their future, for I have given them this hopethe pillar of light. through the smile and the innocence of a child. And in the eyes of a child they behold me. And 71 And these beings were dressed in robes of in the touch of a child they feel me. And in itswhite, which whiteness exceeding any other love they long for me.whiteness upon the earth. Chapter 42 271

TSP 42:80– 42:99 were overwhelmed by them, even as they were by the Father. 80 For I have given unto all of my children theinnocence of a child, that they might have an 91 And it came to pass that these wondrousexample of me before them always. beings disappeared within the light from which they came. But before They disappeared into 81 And when a child cometh unto them and the light, They waved, each of Them, to theasketh of them a certain thing, who among them people and to the children.can deny the child that which it desireth? Andin this they know of my mercy and compassion 92 But the people were still on the ground andfor them. were still overwhelmed from that which they both saw and heard. 82 Behold, in all things my love is shownunto them through the love of a child. And I 93 And when the light had gone up into thelove them as they love their children. And I love heavens from whence it came, Jesus continuedthem as their children love them. his prayer to the Father, saying: Oh, My Father, we thank Thee for that which we have witnessed 83 And if my children would look unto the this day, which Thou hast shown unto us, evenexamples that I have given unto them of me, who Thou art.even if they would look within their ownchildren according to the flesh, then they shall 94 And we thank Thee that we now knowfind me. where we must look to find Thee, that we might always remember Thee and strive to become 84 For what greater happiness can come unto like Thee.them than that which cometh of a child? 95 And I ask of Thee, that Thou mightest 85 And after the Father had said these things bless these people that they become as theirunto Jesus, He turned and smiled upon the little children and love Thee as their childrenpeople. And for the first time since their births love them. I pray, Father, that Thou wouldstinto mortality, the people beheld the face of their help them to know Thee through theirEternal Father. children, and become like unto a child that they might be able to accept Thee and keep 86 And His countenance shown upon them Thy commandments that they might be savedand they fell to the earth and became as little in Thy kingdoms forever.children, having the love of the Father penetrateto the very center of their souls. Yea, even every 96 And forgive them that they do worship me,one of them did fall to the ground and began to but suffer that they might do this thing that theyworship the Father and call upon His name. might look unto me as an example. For I love Thee as a little child loveth his father. And I 87 And in this the joy of the Lord was full and have done all things that I have beenhe wept before them. For the people had seen commanded to do, even like a little child. Andthe Father and known Him as Jesus knew Him, I am their brother and one of Thy children.and they worshipped Him as they hadworshipped Jesus; and this is the thing that Jesus 97 Therefore, I pray for them that they mightwanted of the Father. understand these things and come unto Thee and hear all things from Thine own voice, that 88 And the Father departed from before Jesus they might give glory to Thee and not to me.and the people and beckoned unto the otherswho were there with Him that they should go 98 But when they worship me, they arewith Him back into the pillar of light that did worshipping Thee, Oh, Father, because I havehover directly above them. been given unto them as an example of Thee. I pray Thee, Oh, My Father, that if they worship 89 And now, I know that these others were me, that Thou wouldst suffer that they might haveour Eternal Mothers. And they were the most Thy Spirit to be with them, that they might alsobeautiful women the people had ever seen. And become one with Thee as I am one with Thee.as these Eternal Mothers picked up each childand held them and kissed their faces, they would 99 And if they fail me, Oh Father, they haveturn towards the people and smile upon them. not failed Thee. For I am in the flesh and have 90 And their countenance did shine like untothe countenance of the Father, and the people272 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

given them of Thee in the flesh. And their flesh TSP 42:100– 43:3turneth them from me, but their spirits shallalways abide in Thee. mock me and my father for our weaknesses, and not for the words that we have been commanded 100 Therefore, forgive them of all things to give unto you.whatsoever they might do in the flesh becauseof me, and take them in the spirit back to Thee 110. And now, I, Moroni, am going to returnand give them that which Thou hast promised to the vision of the brother of Jared, which heunto them from the beginning, and which Thou gave concerning the Lord and the life of thehast promised them through me. Lord as a child. 101 Oh, My Father, let not one of them be 111 And the Lord hath commanded me tolost, but redeem them all according to the spirit, include these things that ye might know of him,and I will redeem them according to the flesh. that he is your brother and doth not want to beBut if I cannot redeem them according to the set up above any of you, even according to theflesh, then Oh, Father, I know that Thou shalt doctrine and mystery of godliness that I haveredeem them according to the Spirit. just revealed unto you. 102 For we are all Thy children and Thou art CHAPTER 43our Father. We love Thee, Father, and wecannot help but give Thee glory and praise Written scripture given through revelationforever. Amen. can sometimes be misunderstood because of faulty translation. The reasons why Jesus is 103 And now these are the things that not mentioned in most historical documents.happened and were accounted for in the record The early years of Christ with his family,of my father. which consisted of Joseph, his mother Mary, and his brothers, Joseph Jr., James, Simon, 104 And there are differences in that which I and Judas, and his sisters Sariah, Rachael,have written unto you and also that which is Elizabeth and Anah.written in the record of my father, Mormon. Butthese differences are only those that were made AND it shall come to pass that those who haveby each of us according to our weaknesses. set themselves up as leaders among the people, even those who are leaders of the religions of 105 But I have given unto you herein the truth men, and also the governments of men, shallregarding these things; and my father was under decide amongst themselves that history whicha commandment that he not give all these things they shall allow those under their subjection toin that part of the record which is unsealed. receive. Or in other words, the written accounts of the histories of the children of men which are 106 Therefore, if there are differences, then kept and sent forth as truth shall be determinedthey are minor and are made by the writing style by these leaders.and interpretation of what we both beheld. Andmy father took his interpretation from the 2 And the truth regarding what actuallyrecords of the Nephites, but I have given mine happened among the children of men shall notfrom the commandment that I received from the be made known. But the history that shall bemouth of the Lord. presented shall be that truth which these leaders would want the people to believe. 107 And I know that the record of my father iscorrect according to that which the Lord wanted 3 And I have already explained unto you thatto come forth unto the children of men who the leaders of the nations shall not causereceived the unsealed portion of this record. anything to be written that might cause them to be seen in a bad light unto future generations. 108 And this part of the record, which shall be For these leaders and rulers seek the glory ofsealed, shall be the standard of truth for the men, and want that all should remember themunsealed record of my father and all thescriptures that the Lord hath suffered to be given Chapter 43 273to the children of men. 109 Therefore, do not mock the things ofGod. And if ye must mock something, then

TSP 43:4– 43:17 of scripture that the later Christian leaders caused to be given unto the people; yea, in manyfor that which they did that was righteous instances these things were acceptable to theamong the people of their kingdom. Lord because of the wickedness of the people. 4 And they would not allow to be written 10 For Christ became their stumbling blockthat which was contrary to their command. because they would not humble themselvesAnd if something was written which was before the Father and do His will that they mightcontrary to their command, or which spoke the receive the truth of all things from the Father astruth of their atrocities, or their murders, or the Lord had commanded of all men.their unjust actions among those of theirkingdom, then they would cause these things 11 And because of their wickedness, many ofto be destroyed along with the man or woman these plain and precious things pertaining to thewho had written these things. truth and the life of Jesus were withheld from them, even according as it hath been explained 5 And for these reasons, the truth regarding unto you.the childhood of Jesus was not had in the recordof the Jews. For behold, those who transcribed 12 But the Lord hath commanded me that Ithe testimonies of the eyewitnesses to the life of should write somewhat concerning those thingsJesus would not allow to be written that which which were kept out of the canon of the holywould throw a light upon Jesus that did not scriptures that have been presented in writtenconform with the perception that these scribes form and known in the latter days as the Newhad of him. Testament of the Bible. 6 For this reason, many plain and precious 13 And he hath commanded me that I includethings were left out of the record of the Jews. these things in this sealed portion of the recordFor the later leaders of those who followed the of my father, so that the world shall not havedoctrine of Jesus, who would be known as them until the Father commenceth His finalChristians, had made Jesus into a God and gave work upon this earth, even when He shall beginhim praise and glory and worshipped him, thus to separate the tares from the wheat, or the eviltaking away from the glory of the Father, which from the righteous, as it hath been explainedJesus had given unto the Father during the days unto you in the holy scriptures.of his earthly ministry. 14 And the righteous shall receive these 7 And because these Christian leaders wanted things with gladness and rejoicing, for thatthe people of their churches to know and which they did not understand shall be madeworship Jesus according to their own precepts, known unto them by the gift and power of thethey caused the canon of holy scriptures, which Holy Ghost. And they shall begin to rejoice asthey allowed the people to receive, to be they read the words of truth, which the Lordconfined to those things that supported their hath commanded me through the Holy Ghost toprecepts and their beliefs. write unto them. 8 And in the latter days when all things 15 For the truth shall set them free from theconcerning the works of the children of men chains by which Satan hath had them boundshall be revealed, many things shall come to because of the traditions and beliefs of theirlight that the early Christian leaders did not fathers, which tradition and beliefs were notknow, neither did they understand because correct, according to the truth of God.they did not have the Spirit of the Lord toguide them in that which they allowed to be 16 For it shall come to pass that the truegiven unto the people. history of the people shall be so polluted and corrupted by the desires of the rich and the 9 Nevertheless, the Lord fulfilleth his words powerful, as they make an attempt to hide theirand causeth his works to be done, not only works of darkness from the eyes of the childrenthrough the righteous, but also through the of men, that the truth will hardly be knownworks of the wicked. For in many ways, the among them.things that were written of and that came forthunto the world in the Bible, which is the canon 17 And for this reason these things which I274 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

have written unto you, and also those things TSP 43:18– 43:30which I shall write unto you hereafter, shallcome forth and reveal unto you the truth report such a minor loss to the Romanconcerning the histories of men. And they shall government? For who were the Jews to them?reveal unto you the hidden works of darkness And why would they concern themselves ofthat your leaders have hidden from you because the beliefs and prophecies of the Jews?of their wickedness and personal agendas. 24 But King Herod was a superstitious king 18 And their agendas and desires are that they who had his own priests and counselors whoshould receive praise and honor of men, caring informed him of all things among the people.not for that which is of God. For inasmuch as And when the prophecy of the birth of a Messiahthey proclaim that the things which they do are was shown unto him, he commanded that thethe works of God, their hearts shall be prophesied city be placed under his executiveuncovered in that which they do, and the people order, even that by his command were all theshall know of their wickedness. And it shall infants of this city killed, and this also accordingcome to pass that those who follow them shall to the prophecies of the holy prophets.see their nakedness and mock them for thatwhich they have tried to hide from them. 25 Nevertheless, immediately after the birth of Jesus, Joseph was warned of the intent of 19 And at the time of the birth of Jesus there Herod and took him and fled into Egypt. Andwas a great king who was known as Herod immediately after these things, evenaccording to the record of the Jews. And he had immediately after he had given his executivecommanded that all the children under the age order, a sore disease came upon Herod and heof two years be killed according to the beliefs of died a terrible death, having been cursed by thethe Jews that a Messiah should be born among Lord because of his great wickedness.them at the time when the sign was given, andshould come forth and save them. 26 And now this thing hath been a cause of contention among those of you in the latter 20 And these beliefs were those things that days, even among those of you who claimwere taught among the people by the leaders of that because the histories of the Romans andthe Jews who had read the words of the holy the Jews do not include these atrocitiesprophets and taken it upon themselves to give committed against the Jews by Herod, thatunto the people the meaning and understanding they did not occur.of these prophecies. 27 But I say unto you, ye have only one 21 And this Herod, knew not the exact time of record, and that record hath been writtenthe birth of this Christ of which the prophets had according as I have explained it unto you. Andspoken, but he knew that Bethlehem was to be do ye think that the leaders among the people ofthe place of his birth. And according to his the Jews and the Romans would include anycommand, the children under the age of two account of a man who caused a rift and awere all killed in the city of Bethlehem. division among them? Yea, even one whom others testified of as being the Son of God? 22 Now, this thing was a gross tragedy andvicious atrocity to the people of Bethlehem, 28 For the Jews did not accept Jesus as thewho were many of the poor among the people, Messiah who should save them. And if they didbut to the government of the Romans, it meant not accept him as the Messiah of whom hadnothing. For Herod did many things away from been prophesied by all the holy prophets whowhich the Romans turned their cheeks, he being had written concerning the coming of agreatly honored among them. Messiah, then why would ye think that their scribes and their historians would count him 23 And the people of the city of Bethlehem worthy of their attention?were few, and of their children there weresixty and three slain by the command of 29 And the Romans thought nothing of JesusHerod. And what would be the reason for and the religion of the Jews. Therefore, why dothose who kept a history of the people to ye think that they would have caused an account of him to be written? 30 And for these reasons which I have given Chapter 43 275

TSP 43:31– 43:44 the name of his father, then Heli gave unto Joseph a portion of that inheritance which heunto you, the written history of Jesus Christ is desired. And upon that inheritance Josephnot had among the histories of the world, began to raise his family according to theexcept it be among those who believed on his customs and traditions of the Jews.name and called themselves Christians andwho were converted by the preaching and 38 And Jesus grew as a child. And from timeteachings of the twelve apostles that Jesus had to time he would go with Mary into thechosen during his ministry. wilderness to visit her mother. And it was in the wilderness that Jesus came to know John, the 31 But the accounts of these apostles have son of Zacharias, who lived with the mother ofbeen changed and abridged and edited in such a Mary in the wilderness.way that they do not give the full truth of thatwhich was written by the apostles concerning 39 And when Jesus would visit histheir time with Jesus in the flesh. And this time grandmother as a child, she would hold himof Jesus in the flesh is not according to the tenderly and weep upon him, for she truly knewcalendars of time that ye keep among you in the who he was and for what purpose he had beenlatter days. Here is wisdom to him that hath born into the world.understanding: even that the true day of the Lordin the flesh is within ten years of your accepted 40 And it came to pass that as the mother oftimes; and by this knowledge ye can attempt to Mary showered these feelings upon Jesus, thereckon the true time of the Lord. other sons of Mary did notice that which they did perceive were adorations that they did not 32 And now, the Lord hath commanded me receive from their grandmother.that I speak somewhat concerning his family,which consisted of Joseph, his father 41 And because of this thing, Joseph, theaccording to the flesh, his mother Mary, his eldest son of Mary and Joseph, did complainyounger brothers who were Joseph, who was unto his father. And Joseph took Mary apartthe first born of Joseph, and James, Simon from their children and said unto her: How isand Judas, and his sisters Sariah, Rachael, it that thy mother can give this specialElizabeth and Anah. attention and love unto Jesus, yet suffer that the children of my flesh receive no special 33 And these dwelt in the land of Nazareth, bond with her? Should they not be treated likeJoseph and Mary having traveled out of Egypt unto him in all things?to inherit the land of their fathers when the Lordhad commanded them by the Spirit. 42 And Mary answered her husband, saying: My mother doth not look upon Jesus as she doth 34 And while they sojourned in Egypt, Joseph our other children, because he is not like ourwas born of Mary, yea even one year after the other children, for they are not of the Spirit as isbirth of Jesus, Joseph was born and called after our Lord Jesus, who was conceived of the Spiritthe name of his father. and not of the flesh to save us all from our sins. And shall he not save me and my mother and 35 And when they returned to the land of our children? Yea, shall he not also save thee ofNazareth, Joseph went in unto the house of his thy sins according to the words of the angel thatfather, Heli, and asked of him some of the land thou hast heard concerning him?that was promised unto Joseph according to thelaws and customs of the Jews pertaining to the 43 And from that time forth Joseph becameinheritance of the sons from the father. jealous of Jesus, and began to mistreat him with indifference and inequality, not like unto his 36 But Heli would not give unto Joseph that other children.part of his inheritance, and this he withheld fromhim because Joseph had disgraced the name of 44 And it came to pass that Joseph sought outHeli with his marriage to Mary and the birth of the help and advise of his father and also hisJesus, who was not called after the name of uncle who were High Priests of the church atthose in their family. Jerusalem. And he was convinced by them that Jesus was not the Messiah, but that he might be 37 But when Heli came to know that therewas another son, even Joseph, who had taken276 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

a great prophet among them, owing to the great TSP 43:45– 43:59words which Jesus could speak unto them evenas a youth, but that he could not be the great 53 And when they would meet their fatherMessiah of which the prophets have prophesied. coming from another place in which he was engaged in other matters of his business, Joseph 45 And Joseph believed on the words of the would report on the progress of the house andleaders of the church and did not keep in explain unto Joseph of the laziness andremembrance those things which were given ineptness of Jesus in doing those things whichunto him by an angel of God. And all the days he had commanded him to do according to theof the youth of Jesus were filled with this power and authority that he had been given overtreatment of inequality from Joseph. him by their father. And to these charges, Jesus would not respond. 46 And now, these things were not included inthe Bible according to the words of the Jews, 54 And Joseph rebuked Jesus, saying: Whobecause the leaders did not want it discovered thinkest that thou art? I know that thou hastthat Joseph was an unrighteous man, who was been taught by thy mother that thou art specialagainst Jesus all the days of his life. and have a mission that is to be performed when thou hast reached the age of maturity, but what 47 But Jesus remained a faithful son, thinkest thou of us, who are thy family and whoaccording to the flesh, to Joseph. For whatever provide for thee and give unto thee all that thouwas required of him, that did Jesus do. And needest to eat and a place to sleep? Canst thouJesus was given those tasks which were the not even for a few years of thy life give unto memost arduous and time consuming of all the thy respect and obedience for that which Icommands that Joseph gave unto his sons in the provide for thee?course of their daily labors. 55 And Jesus looked upon his brother Joseph, 48 And Jesus did not complain of these and said unto his father: Ask of him at whatthings, and did those things which were stage of building we are according to the designexpected of him according to the will of Joseph. and the contract that thou hast made with theAnd not in anything did Jesus give Joseph a owner of the house.reason that he should have been treatedunequally, but thus he was. 56 And Joseph inquired of his son Joseph as to the stage of the building. And Joseph said 49 And the other sons of Joseph began to unto his father: We are yet in the first stagemock Jesus and take cause up against him with because of the works of Jesus, who refuseth totheir father for that which they wanted to cause do those things which I have required of him.the hardship and turmoil of Jesus. 57 And Jesus said unto his father, Joseph: It 50 For it came to pass that in a particular city is true, my father, that the work of Joseph is yetthat was near unto Nazareth, Joseph had made a in the first stage, for that is the work that he hathcontract with a certain rich man to build a house done. But the work that I have done thou shallwith his sons. And the contract was according see on the morrow in the light, for that whichto the time that was allowed by the rich man to hath been required of the contract shall be doneJoseph and his sons to build the house. by my Father. 51 And it came to pass that Joseph put his son 58 And these words were spoken in respect byJoseph in authority over Jesus and commanded Jesus unto Joseph. Nevertheless, Josephhim to build the house according to the desires ridiculed Jesus and fell upon him and knockedof the rich man. And Joseph exercised this him to the ground for that which he had said,authority over Jesus, evensomuch that he did thinking that Jesus had said these things to mocknothing with his own hands to build the house. him, believing that Jesus had referred to him as his father. 52 And he commanded his other brothers tohelp Jesus, but that they should rest when they 59 And on the morrow Joseph went with hiswere desirous and drink when they were thirsty. sons unto the place where they were building.But Joseph had set certain times that Jesus, who And he went with them that there would be nowas even his elder brother, could drink and rest further contention among them, and so that hefrom his labors. Chapter 43 277

TSP 43:60– 43:75 wonder and amazement and did not have that which he should say.could work with them and fulfill the terms of thecontract which he had made. 67 And Joseph said unto his son: That which thou hast done is a good work. Now, go 60 And when they reached the house, the rich and take some of this money and pay thoseman was waiting there outside with full whom thou hast hired to do this thing. Andpayment in his hand for that which had been Joseph gave unto his father all the moneydone. For when they came unto the house and except that which his father had determinedlooked, it was complete according to all the was sufficient to pay those whom he supposedspecifications that had been given them. And his son had hired.they were all, except Jesus, astonished at theprecision and the beauty of the house, which had 68 And Jesus smiled upon his brother Joseph.been finished in one night. And it came to pass that Jesus left with his father and his other brothers while Joseph stood with 61 And the rich man said unto them: When I the money that his father had given unto him toarrived in the early hour of the morning, I saw pay the hirelings.those who were finishing up the houseaccording to the design that I had given unto 69 And when Joseph had counted out theyou. And after they were finished, I offered this money that his father had given unto him, hepayment unto them thinking that they were of counted exactly thirty pieces of silver. And atthy hire, and that they had been commanded of the exact moment that he had counted out thisthee to finish this work before the terms of our amount, he looked back towards the waycontract required. wherein his father and brothers were going, and Jesus looked back upon him and smiled once 62 And because of their work, which I again upon Joseph.supposed was commanded of thee, I offeredthem double of that amount that we had agreed 70 And now, Joseph had been taught by hisupon because of the speed and the fineness of father, and also by the leaders of the church, thatthe work. But they refused to take my money, Jesus was not the Messiah, but a man who mightbut instructed me to give it unto him who had have a mission of prophecy unto the people, butcommanded them. And when I asked of them that unless the church sanctioned his preachingwho it was that had commanded them to work and his ministry, then it could not be from God.through the night by the light of their fires tocomplete this thing, they said Joseph, thy son, 71 And because of the words which Jesus hadhad commanded it of them. taught unto them as a child, even the words of wisdom that even they could not understand, the 63 And with these words the rich man gave leaders wanted to know all things concerningJoseph, the son, the money that he had brought him throughout the days of his life.with him to pay for the terms of the contractwhich had been completed by the angels of 72 And for this reason, the leaders of theGod, according to the will and desire of Jesus. church made the son of Joseph a spy for them of all that which Jesus said and did during the 64 And Joseph accepted the money not course of his life with his family.knowing what it was that he should say to hisfather concerning those who had completed 73 And it came to pass that Joseph took thethis work. money that his father had given unto him and went unto the High Priest and told him all things 65 And Jesus perceived the perplexity of which were done that day.Joseph and spoke unto his father, saying: It wasthis thing that our brother Joseph did not want to 74 And the High Priest commanded Joseph toexplain unto thee, not knowing if thou wouldst speak to no one concerning this thing, but thatbecome angered because of the hires that he he should take no more authority over Jesus inmade without thy permission, seeing that I the course of the business of his father.could not do those things which he hadcommanded of me. 75 And the High Priest took the money, even the thirty pieces of silver, and put it in a secret 66 And Joseph, the son, looked upon Jesus in place that it might be used against Jesus if it were278 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

possible. For behold, if money was needed TSP 43:76– 43:91against Jesus, the High Priest felt that he couldnot use the money of the church, nor should he was in the doorway with Anah weepinguse his own money to do that which was needed exceedingly. And Jospeh hurried into the roomagainst a wicked man as he supposed. where his oldest daughter was lying ill. 76 And this was done that the words of the 85 And Jesus held his mother and took Anahprophet might be fulfilled which he spoke, from her as she fell to the ground before her sonsaying: And I said unto them, If ye think good, pleading with him that he might save his sistergive me my price; and if not forbear. So they from the illness that had quickly befallen her.weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 86 But Joseph returned again to Mary and 77 And from that time forth, Joseph did not took her in his arms and wept exceedingly withcommand Jesus in anything, neither did he her, for Sariah had died.mock him or make cause against him beforehis father Joseph, and this according to the 87 And Jesus gave Anah unto his brotherinstructions that he had received from the Joseph, whose countenance had fallen at theHigh Priest. news of the death of his sister, and who was with his other brothers who were there beholding 78 And Jesus continued to work for his their parents as they wept for Sariah. And theyfather Joseph and do those things which were also wept great tears of sorrow for their sister,required of him. for she was dearly beloved by all of them. 79 And as he worked in the course of the days 88 And Jesus went straightaway into theof his youth and early adulthood, Mary would room where the body of Sariah was laid. Andsend her daughter Sariah to carry water and he took her into his arms and held her close toprovisions unto her brothers while they worked. him and wept exceedingly upon her, evensomuch that his tears wet her face and the 80 And Sariah loved Jesus, even with all of pillow upon which she lay.her heart, and looked to him with pride andadoration as her older brother and as her friend. 89 And Jesus thought within himself that heAnd Jesus also loved Sariah and played with her should use the power that the Father had givenoften in her infancy and in her youth. And he unto him to bring back his beloved sister. Andcame to love Sariah, even with all of his soul. when he had thought on these things, yea, even when he was about to issue forth the 81 And Sariah would sit upon his knee in her command in his sorrow, a voice spoke untoyouth and converse with Jesus for many hours, him near unto the bed where the flesh oflearning of him the things that he would teach Sariah lay.unto her. And Jesus taught Sariah many thingswhich he had learned from the Spirit according 90 And he looked up and saw the departedto the will of the Father. spirit of his sister near unto him. And as a spirit, Sariah whispered unto him, saying: My 82 And Jesus made Sariah promise him that Lord, I know that thou hast the power thatshe would keep all these things in her heart and thou hast been given of our Father totell no one, except she should speak to their command my spirit to enter again into mymother Mary concerning them. body that I might once again take upon me the flesh that I received when I entered into 83 And it came to pass that while Jesus was mortality. But I beg of thee that thou shouldstengaged in building again according to the not do such a thing, for that which hath beencommand of Joseph, and he worked with Joseph done is according to my own will, and hathon this particular day; and on this day Rachael been granted unto me by our Father.and Elizabeth ran unto their father and told himthat Sariah had fallen from her labors and was 91 Behold, thou art my beloved brother andtaken suddenly ill. my friend. All the days of my life hast thou loved me and kept me safe and secure in the 84 And Joseph and Jesus immediately left that arms of thy love, evensomuch that many timeswhich they were doing and ran unto their house. I was overwhelmed by the love that thouAnd when they were come into the house, Mary showed unto me as a child. Chapter 43 279

TSP 43:92– 43:103 spirit enter again into her body. And he said unto her: Of thy spirit, I have renewed my 92 And thou spoke unto me of those things own. Go in peace, my beloved sister, and Ithat thou hast commanded me not to share will come unto thee soon.with any other in the flesh. And I did thatwhich thou didst command of me all the days 99 And now, when the brother of Jared hadof my life. But in the night before the dawn of witnessed these things in his vision, it causedtoday, I received a dream in the which I saw him exceeding love for his sisters who were ofthee and that which would befall thee in the his family. For he also had a sister who had diedflesh, even that thou wouldst be scourged and in her youth, and her name was Herithany.beaten and lifted upon the cross to die anunnatural death, even a death that no other 100 And he requested of the Lord in hisman in the flesh could suffer. vision that he might be visited by her, that he, too, might receive the comfort which he 93 And in sorrow I did rise to face another beheld concerning Jesus and Sariah.day of knowing you in the flesh and being atyour side and loving you as my brother. And 101 And the Lord had compassion upon thethe thought of the pain that I would suffer, brother of Jared and commanded the spirit ofknowing that these things would one day Herithany to come forth according to thehappen unto thee, brought me even unto the power of the Spirit by which he beheld thesedoor of the death of my soul. things. And she came forth; and with her was another spirit. And the brother of Jared 94 For behold, how could I live to see this immediately recognized the other spirit as thathappen to my beloved brother? Yea, how of Sariah who would one day come intocould I, in the flesh, see thou sufferest because mortality as the sister of Jesus.of the sins and wickedness of the world, evenwhen thou art innocent of all sin? 102 And both of them smiled upon the brother of Jared and gave unto him the 95 And I prayed with all my soul that the comfort that he desired. And in this thing theFather would take me home to Him that I brother of Jared was overwhelmed by themight not be a witness of your death in the Spirit, evensomuch that he could not go on inflesh. And I prayed with all of the energies of the vision according to the flesh.my heart and made a promise that if the Fatherdid not take me, then I would take my own life 103 But Jehovah once again supported himthis day, so that I would not have to behold and gave him the strength that he needed tothese things concerning you in the flesh. continue with his glorious vision. 96 But as a spirit, I can behold these thingsand understand them. Yea, even as a spirit I canbe at thy side and uphold thee and give theestrength even at the time of thy greatest need. 97 Behold, in the flesh I could not do thesethings. Now, wantest thou that I suffer so inthe flesh? Thou knowest of the glory of thespirit world. Thou knowest of thepeace and happiness of the souls that entertherein without sin. Thou knowest that theyrest from all of their worries and are notburdened with the things of the flesh anylonger. And now, my beloved brother, evenmy Lord Jesus Christ, what wouldst thou wantfor me? 98 And after the spirit of Sariah had saidthese things unto Jesus, he was comforted inhis pain; and he did not command that her280 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

CHAPTER 44 TSP 44:1– 44:14More of the youth of Jesus is described. He is in order for anything in the flesh to be created, itforbidden by the Father to use his powers and must follow a pattern that hath been given untoknowledge unwisely. The body of flesh that was it according to the eternal laws of nature, whichgiven Jesus is explained and is the means the Father hath commanded shall be used uponwhereby he can do the miracles that he does. this earth according to the order of the fleshThe theory of evolution is touched upon when which He hath given unto us, and with whichMoroni gives an account of Jesus commanding we pass through the days of our probation.a change in the state of nature to benefit onespecies of an animal over another. 7 And these laws of nature, even the laws by which we exist, require that a pattern be given AND it came to pass that the brother of Jared by the mother and also that a pattern and awrote much concerning the life of Christ. direction be given by the father.Nevertheless, I, Moroni, have been commandedto include in this record only a small part of the 8 Now, I have said that a pattern is required ofthings which the brother of Jared saw, and also the mother, but not necessarily a direction.many of the things which the Lord hath Behold, the mother hath only to give a pattern ofcommanded me to include in this record when the flesh unto the body that she would create, buthe visited me. the father shall give a pattern and a direction according to the will of the Father, which is the 2 And it came to pass that as the Lord grew in will of the Spirit.the flesh, the Holy Ghost was with him andtaught him many things which were 9 For all spirits are without gender, and it iscommanded of the Holy Ghost by the Father. determined by the Father, according to the spirit, which gender the body of the flesh shall be. And 3 And Jesus was commanded to not use the this determination is made by the spirit child ofpowers of his body for that which was not God, and it is made according to that desire ofcommanded of the Father. For Jesus began to happiness that this spirit hath chosen for itself.see that his body of flesh was different fromthat of his other brothers and his sisters. For if 10 And when a spirit maketh a determinationhe cut his flesh, he could command it to be of its gender, then through the spirit, whichrestored unto its original state like unto that again is the will of the Father, the command iswhich is of new, and it was immediately done given through the body of the mortal father, whounto him as he had commanded. unknowingly giveth direction unto the body of the mother of which gender should be produced. 4 Now this he could do, as well as manyother miracles, wherein he commanded the 11 And after the determination of gender iselements, because of the body that he had made, then the pattern that is given with thisreceived of the Holy Ghost, which was given direction from the father unto the mother isunto him by the command of the Father. used, as well as the pattern of her own body, which pattern hath always been with the mother 5 Now, in the latter days it shall be made since the creation of her flesh.known unto you—even Satan shall causethese things to be known unto you, believing 12 And these two patterns shall cause to bethat he shall receive the glory of this created a new body that shall be of the motherknowledge—the manner in which the body of until a new spirit entereth into the newly createdflesh is created by the pattern which it body upon birth.receiveth from the mother and the father. 13 And a woman hath been given the power 6 And this pattern is followed precisely as the to create after the power of her own body sincelaws of nature direct the creation of this body. her birth. For inside the woman hath the patternFor behold, all things that are flesh follow the been already given.course of flesh in which they are created. And 14 But the man cannot have this power except it be allowed of him by the power of his spirit, which shall be the direction in which his own pattern shall be used, along with the pattern of a woman, to create the new body of flesh. Chapter 44 281

TSP 44:15– 44:27 20 For behold, the spirit was created of eternal elements which cannot be seen by mortal eyes, 15 Now in the creation of the body of Jesus, but which existeth as I have explained it untothe pattern of the mother was used as I have you previously. And when the spirit enterethexplained it unto you. And the direction came into the body, it is able to send certaindirectly from the power of the Father, through commands to the elements of the flesh, or ofthe administrations of the spirit world, which nature, according to the type of cerebrum thatgave the direction and the pattern that should be hath been given unto the body of flesh.used for his body. 21 And Jesus was given a cerebrum that was 16 And the direction was for the creation of a patterned partially after the cerebrum of themale body like unto that of the Father. And the Father, who is eternal and who can command allpattern was given in the exact likeness of the elements. Therefore, the cerebrum of Jesus wasFather, which upon combining with the pattern so constructed, that the spirit of Jesus, who wasprovided by the body of Mary, created a body of Jehovah, could command the elements like untoflesh that was both eternal and immortal, yet the Father, but was restricted in some sensessubject to the flesh, or the nature to which our because of the order of nature in which he wasmortal bodies are created. created by his mother Mary. 17 And when the pattern was followed, which 22 And Jesus could also remember things thatgave unto Jesus the example of that portion of had occurred before he was born into mortality,the body which shall be called the cerebrum in not having the fullness of the Cherubim and thethe latter days, he was given the pattern also of flaming sword placed before him; or in otherthe cerebrum of the Father, which provided for words, not having a cerebrum that was affectedhim certain means whereby the transmissions of by all the restrictions placed upon the cerebrumshis cerebrum can command more elements— of the other children of Adam and Eve.which elements have been restricted by the lawsof our mortal nature, even the nature of the flesh. 23 And he could also communicate with theBut the cerebrum of the Son is not restricted, Spirit—which is the means given by the Fatherlike unto the Father, and it can command more to communicate with His children—in a muchelement than the cerebrums of those who have more concise and consistent manner than thattwo mortal parents, who have each contributed which the rest of us in mortality can do.a pattern for its creation. 24 And so it was that Jesus was born into 18 Now, here is somewhat of a mystery that I the world with powers that no other mortalwill explain unto you of the latter days: For I man had ever, nor would ever be given. Andhave explained unto you what Cherubim and the he was commanded by the Father, through theflaming sword symbolizeth, even that it ministrations of the Spirit, that he should notsymbolizeth the veil of forgetfulness that is use these powers except it be according to theplaced upon us so that we cannot remember, in commandments that he shall receive from thethe flesh, those things which occurred before the Father.days of our probation, that we may be morethoroughly tested by faith. 25 And now, in this thing was the righteousness of Christ proven in all things. 19 And this Cherubim and the flaming For behold, he had the power to do manysword symbolizeth the formation of our things, yea, even the power to give life aftermortal cerebrum which cannot be used to the order of the flesh, and take life from thisproduce those memories which our spirit can same order of flesh.readily recall. For if a spirit is placed in abody where the cerebrum hath not been 26 And if it were his desire, he couldpatterned after the limitations that the Father command the elements at his will, havinghath set by the representation of the Cherubim the ability to do so because of the body thatand the flaming sword, then that spirit would he received from the direction and pattern ofbe able to react with this cerebrum of flesh and the Father.remember all things. 27 And the Father could not prohibit Jesus282 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

from using these powers as he wished because TSP 44:28– 44:42of the eternal laws of nature that are given untothem who have this type of body. For they are power of the Father are fully able to abide thenot restricted in anything that they would do. will of the Father in all things whatsoever He shall command them. 28 Nevertheless, the Father could give untohim commandments. But it was by the free 35 And in this way the plan of Lucifer iswill and choice of Jesus that would determine destroyed, even the desire of Lucifer to givewhether or not he would keep the unto all the children of God the power of thecommandments of the Father. And for this Father in providing for them a Celestial bodyreason, very few are allowed to have this type that alloweth them this power.of power, which cometh from a body like untothe Father. 36 For the majority of all spirits cannot abide in righteousness in the flesh, but use the limited 29 And Jesus kept the commandments of capacity of their body to disobey thethe Father in all things from the beginning. commandments of the Father.And the Father knew that Jesus would keepHis commandments, and this was the only 37 And because Jesus hath lived his life as anreason that the Father allowed His Son to have example unto them, they cannot say that it isa body patterned after His own. impossible to live a life in the flesh according to the will of the Father in all things. For Christ 30 And so it is with all of those who shall hath already shown unto them that it can bereceive a body like unto the Father, or a done. Therefore, if Christ can do it, even havingCelestial body, that shall have the power and the power of the Father, or no limitations on hisglory of the Father, according to the order in power, then any spirit that is righteous can do it.which it is created. 38 And it is much easier for those who have 31 And once a spirit hath been given this limited power to live according to the will of thebody, it shall have the powers of this body. And Father, for they cannot be tempted to use thethe powers of this body shall be under the direct power that they do not have. For can ye imaginecontrol and will of the spirits who possess it. a world wherein all the bodies of the children ofAnd for this reason, the spirits of all men and men possess the power of the Father?women are tested and tried to see if they areworthy of this type of body. 39 What would then become of the lusts of men? Could they not create from the dust that 32 And if they are worthy of this type of body, which they would consume upon their lusts?which is Celestial, then they shall have all thepower of the Father, becoming one with Him in 40 And what of the anger and prejudice ofall things. And those of the flesh that shall one men? Would not they destroy any thing thatday receive the power of the Father, even a body upset them or which did not fit into their ownthat is patterned after His Celestial body; and desire of happiness? And how would theygiven direction according to their desires of destroy their enemy by the power of their word,happiness, whether their desires be male or when by the power of the word of their enemy,female; yea, these shall be proven to see if they their enemy could be saved?shall do the will of the Father in all things. 41 And those who desire more power and 33 And the will of the Father in all things are riches than another; yea, what would be the endthe words of Christ according to the flesh. And of their creation of gold and silver and thein this way is Christ the supreme example for us precious things of the earth? For when one byall. For he shall prove unto all of us that he is his own command can create a mountain ofwilling and able to do the will of the Father in all gold, then another by his own command shallthings, thus proving himself eligible for the make a mountain even higher than the mountainpower of the Father. of the first. And once the first seeth the mountain of the second, then would he not covet 34 And he hath come into the flesh to show a mountain that is even bigger still?unto us all that those who shall receive this 42 And after he had created another mountain, which is bigger still, then would the second create still a bigger mountain until it reached Chapter 44 283

TSP 44:43– 44:59 survival of the species which it representeth, so that it is not completely destroyed.forever into the heavens without end. And thuswe can see why the children of men are limited 52 And ye shall think that this gradualin the powers that they possess. adaptation of a species shall take place over many years in a process that ye shall call 43 But Jesus was not limited in the powers evolution. But I say unto those of you who shallthat he possessed, but he restricted himself in believe these things: Yea, what if the Lord hadthese powers according to the will and the not commanded the elements of the eggs ofcommandments of the Father. these frogs? Would they have survived the hunger of the birds? I say unto you that they 44 Even as a child, Jesus refrained from using would not have survived the hunger of the birdshis powers. And there were some instances in and would have become extinct in a manner ofwhich he did use his powers, but he did so as he a short time according to the knowledge of thewas commanded by the spirit, or when he knew birds and their hunger.that the use of his power would bring about thatwhich was good. 53 And do ye not believe that by the spirit, even according to the power that is held in the 45 And it came to pass that on one occasion spirit world, that these things can bethe young Jesus of about ten years of age was commanded to take place instantaneously, soupon the edge of a river where he would retire that one species of animal or plant might notto be by himself and communicate with his overrun another?Father through the Spirit. 54 And I say unto you that believe this 46 And on this occasion he took it upon thing, are not your own bodies created of thehimself to observe the animals that lived in the same elements of which are created the plantsorders in which they were created. And he and the animals within the order of nature tonoticed a particular group of birds that was at the which ye belong?waters edge and which was voraciouslydevouring the eggs of a certain type of frog that 55 And do ye not control the elements of yourexisted along the edge of the river in the own body in a limited manner? I say unto you,shallows thereof. that ye do command these elements, even the elements that cause ye to breath and which 47 And he had observed that there were many cause your muscles to move.birds which had discovered that the eggs of thefrog were pleasant to their taste and that they 56 But with your limitations, ye cannotwere nutritious for them. command the elements of another, or of that which is outside of your flesh. Nevertheless, the 48 But the birds threatened the existence of Lord alloweth examples of this ability to bethis particular frog, which species of frog could among you.only be found along the edge of this one river. 57 For are there not those among you who 49 And Jesus had compassion upon the frog exhibit extraordinary feats which wouldand commanded the elements of its eggs that require the effects of the cerebrum on outsidethey would not be nutritious unto the birds, but elements? I say unto you that there are thosethat the birds would, by their nature, devour the among you who can do these things, but theyeggs of the frogs, but in their stomachs the eggs are restricted in a limited manner as I havewould maintain their life giving essence and be explained it unto you.passed out of the bird in its time of excrement. 58 And if ye, with your limitations, can 50 And the birds would deposit these eggs at command matter, then how much more can beother places along the river according to their done by one who doth not have the limitationstime of excrement, thus assuring the survival that ye possess?and perpetuation of that species of frog. 59 And there are those among you who do not 51 And now, this is another mystery that shall have the limitations that ye possess, but they arebe known unto you in the latter days. For under strict command to not use this poweramong you shall be those who think that theorder of nature itself might cause this gradualformation of an egg that shall be adapted to the284 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

unless they are commanded by the Father, TSP 44:60– 45:12according to the ministrations of the Spirit. house, and they were converted unto the gospel 60 But unto the body of Jesus there were of which he spoke, which gospel he hadno limitations given, and thus he was able to received of the Father.do the miracles that he did during the days ofhis ministry. 5 And Amasiah loved Jesus as his own son, and also as his Lord, having been given a 61 And there were other miracles that he witness of him by the Spirit as he listened towrought as a youth, but none of significance for the gospel of the Father that was taught untothe purpose of this record. And one of the first him by Jesus.miracles that he did perform before the eyes ofall men, he did perform at his own wedding. 6 And Amasiah desired that Jesus take his eldest daughter, Martha, as his wife, that he CHAPTER 45 might have companionship during the days of his ministry.Jesus is married to Martha and Mary, andlater to Mary Magdalene, who becomes the 7 Now, this was the custom of the Jews,closest to him in the flesh. He is not allowed even that the father might have some directto have children for the sake and the glory that involvement in choosing a husband for hishe desires for the Father. The relations daughters.between a Celestial husband and wife are setforth and explained. A man will have only one 8 But Jesus had taught unto them the will ofeternal mate. Mary Magdalene is the eternal the Father concerning the marriage of a man andmate of Jesus and will be at his side at the a woman and said unto Amasiah: Behold, it isSecond Coming. not given unto me to choose that woman who would be my wife, but she must choose me for AND now it was the purpose of those who herself. And the law of Moses hath beenorganized the canon of scripture that gave an fulfilled in me, even in this thing which thouaccount of the life of Jesus in the record of the desirest of me.Jews to not include the account of the marriageof the Lord to Martha, who was the daughter of 9 But thy daughter is of an age and of a soundAmasiah, and the sister of Mary and also of mind that she might choose for herself the manLazarus, who was a childhood friend of Jesus. with whom she shall covenant as her husband. And if she chooseth me of her own free will and 2 For behold, Lazarus had known Jesus most choice, then I will be her husband according toof his life; and they had played together in many the commandments of the Father.instances as children when their fathers wereengaged in the course of their businesses. 10 For the Father doth not respect a man over a woman, and hath given unto each woman the 3 But this Lazarus and his family moved right to choose for herself her own husband.away from Nazareth and settled closer unto But this I have been commanded to tell untoJerusalem in the town of Bethany. And when thee from the Father, even that if thy daughterJesus was of the age of maturity according to chooseth me to be her husband, then she shalltheir customs, even that he was no longer have no children from the union.subjected to the will and dominion of hisparents, he left Nazareth and went unto Bethany 11 For the Father hath commanded me that Iand found Lazarus and dwelt there for sometime shall not leave a posterity in the flesh. For if Iwhile he prepared for the day of his ministry. were to leave a son or a daughter in the flesh, then the glory of that son or daughter would one 4 And while in the house of Amasiah, Jesus day overshadow the glory of the Father, whichpreached the gospel unto them of the whole glory is meant to be given with an eye single to His glory and not to any person in the flesh. 12 And if it is the will of thy daughter that she be my wife, then she shall be barren all the days of her life and shall have no child with me, but shall be my companion during the time of my life, which shall not be many years. Chapter 45 285

TSP 45:13– 45:27 20 And where are those of my own family? Did they not think that I would do this thing 13 But if she is righteous and doeth that which because of that which I have been given to do byis required of her by the Father, then she shall be my Father? Behold, my hour is not yet for thatwith me forever in the kingdom of the Father which I must do for my Father. Therefore, whatwhere we shall one day experience the joy of wilt thou have me to do for thee? That will I do;eternal children, even as the Father doth for mine hour is not yet come.experience the joy of His own. 21 And it came to pass that Mary sent the 14 And it came to pass that Martha chose servants of the wedding to Jesus andJesus to be her husband according to that which commanded them to do that which he would tellshe had been taught by him. them, that she might fulfill all those things which were required of her family by the 15 Now, this thing was hard for Martha to do traditions of the Jews.because of the traditions and the customs of theJews, which were taught unto her all the days of 22 And Joseph, the firstborn of Joseph, andher life. But she had also been converted by the his other brothers and his other sisters wereLord and given the Holy Ghost that convinced forbidden to come to the wedding by theher that Jesus was the Savior of the world, and commandment of Joseph, their father. For atthe Son of the Eternal Father who had been sent this time, Joseph had rebelled against Jesus andto save the world from its sins by teaching the remembered not the things which he knew to bepeople the will of the Father. true about him, even those things which were given unto him by an angel of God. And he 16 And because she had received this witness taught his other children, who were from Mary,of him, she knew that she could not have a child that Jesus was like unto them.by him, according to his words. And Marthareasoned in herself for some time. And she 23 Nevertheless, Mary knew of the divinity ofknew that the opportunity to be at the side of her son and kept all these things in her heart, forJesus for as long as he was among the people in she loved Joseph and submitted herself untothe flesh would be a blessing enough for her. him according to the traditions of the Jews.And she wanted that Jesus be her husband, andwent unto him and requested of him this thing. 24 But when it came to Jesus, Mary would not submit to the will of Joseph, but did those things 17 And because of the Jews and their which were given unto her by the power of thecustoms and traditions, Jesus suffered that Spirit, or by the voice of her son, whom sheMartha marry him according to this manner. knew was also the Savior of the world.And it was this wedding of which is brieflyspoken of in the record of the Bible which ye 25 And the reason why the publishers of thealready have before you. Bible and the account of the life of Jesus presented therein, did not want it known that 18 For it was customary that the family of Jesus was married was because of their ownthe groom provide the wine and the food for beliefs that those who would have thethose who were in attendance at the wedding. priesthood of God should not be married andAnd Mary, the mother of Jesus, did not think partake of the relations that a man enjoyeth withthat Jesus would submit himself to the a woman who is his wife.traditions and customs of the Jews, therefore,she did not prepare the wedding on her part 26 And this they believed only because ofaccording to these customs. their own misunderstandings of the scriptures and that which they felt was proper for the 19 And when the hour of the wedding people to know concerning Jesus whom theyarrived, Jesus was made aware that there had had set up with much glory among the laterbeen no wine brought by his mother according Christians, contrary to that which the Lord hadto the tradition. And he smiled upon his taught to his disciples.mother and said unto her: Behold, for my wifeI do these things and have submitted to these 27 And because they did not have the Spirit tothings for her enjoyment and the enjoyment of guide them, they did not understand that thethose of her family.286 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

relationship between a man and a woman was TSP 45:28– 45:44the only way whereby eternal happiness couldbe perpetuated and given unto others. daughters of Adam and Eve, even that if a woman cometh unto another woman and 28 And Jesus was the example in the flesh desireth to take her husband also as her ownunto the people in all things. And if it was husband, then that wife shall have the choice torequired of him to be a perfect example of the take her unto herself as a sister wife to herFather, then it would be requisite that Jesus be husband. But if she doeth this thing to her sister,the perfect example of the Father in all things. then she must know that this sister shall be equal to her in the eyes of her husband. 29 And before the Father became a father,He was first an husband, even the husband of 37 And if any woman taketh a sister wife untoan Eternal Mother, who is his wife. For a man herself for her husband, then it will be countedcannot become a father, even an Eternal unto her as righteousness before God. But if sheFather, save he shall first be a husband who doth not allow another woman to take herhath been chosen by a woman to fulfill the righteous husband as her own, then it shall notmeasure of her happiness by creating children be counted unto her as unrighteous before God.within her by her husband. For the Lord delighteth in the chastity and honor of women. 30 And thus was it necessary that Jesusgive unto the world the example of a 38 And it came to pass that Martha gave Maryrighteous husband in all things. And the unto Jesus to be his wife according to the desireaccount of his marriages, which were three in of Mary, her sister.the flesh, were all given in the accounts of theapostles who were called by him to preach 39 And now, the third wife of Jesus of whichhis gospel to the people. I have spoken was she who was also called Mary, even she who is referred to as Mary 31 And now, I have revealed unto you that Magdalene in the accounts of the apostles.Jesus was married thrice during the days of hisprobation. And it is this thing that I must 40 And this Mary also came unto Marthaexplain unto you: But because of the and Mary after she was cleansed from all ofwickedness of the later Christian leaders, her sins; and she desired to be the wife ofmany of these plain and precious things were Jesus with them.taken out of the accounts of the apostles. 41 And Mary loved Mary Magdalene, even 32 Behold, the first marriage was according with all of her heart, and wanted her to be ato the traditions and the customs of the Jews, sister wife with them. But Martha thoughtwhich was the marriage of Jesus to Martha, upon the things, even that which the Lord hadthe eldest daughter of Amasiah, the father of said that it would not be counted unto her ashis friend Lazarus. unrighteous before God if she did not accept another woman to share her husband. 33 And the younger sister of Martha, whowas Mary, also desired to be the wife of Jesus 42 And she thought many days on thataccording to the new law which Jesus had which Mary Magdalene had desired of her.taught unto them pertaining to marriage. And she knew that none of them could have children by Jesus, and that each of them 34 And it came to pass that Mary went unto would be equal in his eyes and lovedher sister Martha and desired that she, too, according to the just love that the Lord hadcould be the wife of Jesus according to that for all people.which they had been taught by Jesus. 43 And after she prayed unto the Father 35 And Jesus had taught unto them the concerning this thing, even as Jesus hadeternal law of marriage, which is the same taught her, she accepted Mary Magdalenelaw that Adam taught unto his children, and also as a wife of Jesus.which I have given unto you in an earlier partof this record. 44 And it came to pass that this second Mary became the closest to Jesus in the 36 And this law was given unto all the flesh, even that she became his close friend in whom he would confide many things of his heart. Chapter 45 287

TSP 45:45– 45:61 45 And on one occasion, Jesus said unto this 53 But thou knowest that I love them, evenMary, even Mary Magdalene: Behold, my with all the love that a husband can have for hisbeloved, the Father knoweth of thy desires and wife, but this love is according to the flesh andHe knoweth of my love for thee. And the love not according to the Spirit.that I have for thee is an eternal love that cannotbe broken in the flesh, nor in the Spirit in which 54 But I love thee according to the Spirit, andit is given. it is by this same spirit that our marriage hath been sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise that 46 And thou art sealed up to be my wife and giveth us the promise that we shall be togethermy friend according to the eternal laws of in the kingdom of the Father forever.heaven which allow a man and a woman to besealed together forever as a couple that shall not 55 And now, I, Moroni, have beenbe separated. commanded by the Lord to reveal this mystery unto you, even those things which the Lord said 47 And the Father, even at this time, is unto Mary Magdalene, who was sealed to himpreparing other men for Martha and Mary that by the Holy Spirit of promise.they might also have a husband who loveththem as I love thee, and as thou lovest me, if it 56 And this he hath commanded me becauseso be that they shall have the desire to have an of the wickedness of the men in the latter dayseternal mate. who shall receive these things. For behold, they shall not understand the principle of eternal 48 But for their sakes, I have given myself marriage as it hath been established according tounto them in the flesh according to the the eternal laws of heaven.commandments that the Father hath given untome pertaining to marriage. For it was their 57 For there are many of you who shalldesire that I be their husband according to the believe that ye shall have more than one wife inflesh, which desire I was commanded to fulfill the Celestial kingdom of the Father. Behold, itaccording to the commandment given to me by is true that ye might have many wives, evenmy Father. hundreds and thousands of wives who shall choose you, if ye are righteous, to take from you 49 Behold, in the kingdom of the Father there the power that ye have, according to the Spirit,are those women who do not have husbands, to give direction and a pattern unto them thatbecause in a husband they do not find a friend of they might conceive and bring forth spirithappiness. Nevertheless, they are righteous children unto you.women who have chosen to be Eternal Mothersforever in the kingdom of the Father. 58 But ye shall not have sexual relations with any, save it be but one, who shall be sealed unto 50 And they shall conceive like unto my you by the Holy Spirit of promise that the Lordmother, Mary, who conceived by the power hath spoken of to Mary.of the Father through the Holy Ghost. Andthey shall be the Eternal Mothers of all the 59 Now, I am commanded to give unto you aspirit children of the Father, but they are His brief explanation of the way in which the bodysisters who desire the more righteous part of of Jesus, according to the flesh, was conceivedbeing a mother. inside the womb of Mary. 51 For behold, the Father hath only one 60 And I have already given this explanationwife, and her name is Marihala, and she is the to you. And in this same way, shall ye, who aremother of my spirit. And only with Marihala righteous, be the Eternal Fathers of many spiritdoth the Father engage in those relations that children according to the desires of the womanbring Him the joys of the flesh, which are who shall reside in the Celestial glory with you.given through this union. 61 But do ye think that ye shall consume upon 52 And now my Dear Beloved, keep these your lusts the relations that are pure andthings in thy heart and tell them not unto thy precious and which are reserved as a blessingsister wives according to the flesh, for they unto those who have used the power of creationare not ready that they might be able to accept to serve others? Yea, do ye think that ye shallthese things. have these sexual unions with the hundreds and288 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

thousands of women who shall be desirous to be TSP 45:62– 45:77an Eternal Mother in the Celestial kingdom? ability to feel these sensations according to 62 I say unto you, that if ye think these things their own will and pleasure. And thosethen ye are not righteous men and shall have no sensations which they shall experience shallpart in the Celestial kingdom of God, nor shall be much greater and more enhanced than anyye be given the power to create spirit children, such feeling that they have ever experiencednor shall ye have the body of a man and those in the flesh.parts of the body that are necessary to havesexual relations with a woman. 70 But if they desire to have a husband with whom they shall be able to enjoy these 63 For if ye think that the Father engaged in feelings, then it shall be granted unto themthis type of sexual relation with His own according to their desire.daughter to create the body of His Sonaccording to the flesh, then ye are more 71 Behold, the prophet Isaiah prophesiedunrighteous still. somewhat concerning the many righteous women that shall be left after the wicked have 64 And if ye would think that the Father been destroyed from off the face of the earth,would do this thing to his daughter, then ye even most of the wicked who are men. And hehave already justified this action in your own wrote, saying: And in that day seven womenhearts as that which is righteous, and ye are shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eateven more wicked still. For would ye do that our own bread, and wear our own apparel;to your own daughter? Behold, all ye that only let us be called by thy name, to take awaythink these things shall look up from hell and our reproach.remain in a state of awful indignation until yehave repented of such a thing. 72 In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth 65 For behold, each woman who is righteous shall be excellent and comely for them that areshall be given the choice of whether or not she escaped of Israel.desireth to have a husband, who is righteous, togive her children. And if she is righteous, then 73 And Isaiah wrote these things accordingshe doth not desire this man so that she can to the things which he understood pertainingconsume her lusts upon him, but she desireth to the kingdom of the Father, which shall bethis man because he is righteous. set up upon this earth after it hath been purified of all unrighteousness. 66 And if her heart is pure, then she shallreceive the blessings that come from having a 74 Yea, even this very earth shall be ahusband, even those sexual relations that bring kingdom in the Celestial glory, which shall havejoy to the flesh and to the spirit. And she shall for its inhabitants those who have the power tonot be required to share that relation with any create children, even those who are men andother woman, except it be in the flesh to bring women forever.forth children and posterity in righteousnessaccording to the commandments of the Father. 75 And in the Celestial glory there are three degrees, which correspond to the other two 67 And there shall be many women in the planets that reside in their creation closer yet toCelestial glory who shall choose a righteous the sun. For our earth is the third planet from theman that he might only give children unto them. sun and shall receive the paradisiacal glory thatBut this shall be done unto them by the power of pertaineth unto it, which is a degree of glory inthe spirit of that righteous man, even as it was the Celestial kingdom.done unto Mary by the Father. 76 And those women who choose not to be 68 But now, do ye suppose that these shall not with a man to have children, but choose to be ahave those sensations of joy that are the mother of spirit children, shall inherit a glory inblessings reserved for those who are righteous the Celestial kingdom that is different than thatin bringing forth children in eternity? glory in which reside those who have chosen for themselves a man to be their friend and their 69 Yea, these shall have the power and the eternal mate forever. 77 But these same women who reside in these Chapter 45 289

TSP 45:78– 46:10 2 And the men whom he had chosen to be his apostles were men who were not accepted byother glories of the Celestial kingdom must the church at Jerusalem as being righteous men,choose for themselves the man from which they for each of them had in some way alienatedshall receive the pattern and direction to create himself from the church of the Jews.their children according to the Spirit as I havealready explained it unto you. 3 Now, it was this church that sought to silence Jesus and keep him from preaching 78 And these men who shall be the Eternal against the words and commandments of theFathers of their children, shall be responsible church that were given unto the people by thefor creating the kingdoms in which their spirit high priests.children shall reside according to all thingswhich have been done unto all the children of 4 For the people were taught that the churchGod in their first estate, which is their spiritual was the only true church of God upon the earth,preexistence in the kingdom of the Father, and and that the Jews were an holy and peculiaralso in their second estate, which is the days of people who were the only ones who had beenmortality, and in their third and final estate, blessed with the truth.which is the kingdom of glory that they havechosen for themselves according to their 5 And the laws of salvation were taughtdesires of happiness. unto the people according to the precepts of the leaders of the church. And these leaders 79 And it came to pass that Mary kept these told the people that God would not give anythings in her heart all the days of her life. And new revelation unto the world, except it bethe Jews knew that Jesus had taken Martha as his given through the leadership of the churchlegal wife, therefore, they looked upon him as a at Jerusalem.sinner in that they perceived that her sister Mary,and also Mary Magdalene were his concubines. 6 And the people were taught that the Lord would not allow them to be misled by the 80 And in this he was mocked and ridiculed leaders of the church, and that if there wasby the Jews of the church at Jerusalem, which something that the Lord wanted to tell thegave unto them further cause to hate him and people, then he would only tell them through thepersecute him. established lines of ecclesiastical authority that were established in the church. 81 For how could it be that Jesus is theMessiah and the Son of the living God, if it so 7 Now, this was the main thing that Jesusbe that he had concubines? But in this the Jews spoke against; yea, in many things he did speakwere in error, not understanding the things against the church and its leaders because theywhich Jesus had taught unto them. had corrupted the word of God and taught for doctrine the commandments of men, denying CHAPTER 46 the power of the Father to teach His own children, but believing that the Father had givenJesus begins his ministry. His words were very all His power and authority unto men.plain to the Jews, but they refused his doctrinebecause it went against all the traditions that 8 But Jesus taught the people that they werethey had been taught by the laws of Moses. He all children of God, and that they did not need agives the laws of salvation, which is the gospel church or leaders to go unto the Father andof Jesus Christ. He is the bread of life that all receive from Him any instructions that Hemust eat in order to be saved. might have for them. AND it came to pass that the time of the age of 9 And Jesus began to usurp, as the leaders ofhis ministry arrived; and Jesus went forth the church supposed, the authority of theamong the people and began to teach them after leaders of the church by teaching these thingshe had been baptized by John the Baptist. to the people. 10 And he taught the people that the ordinances and doctrines of the church would not save them, but that the only way that they290 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ

could be saved was by keeping the TSP 46:11– 46:24commandments of the Father, which he wascommanded to give unto them. were righteous like unto the example of their leaders, whom the people believed were the 11 And he taught the people that he had been examples of God pertaining to righteousness.sent by the Father to give unto them thesecommandments, and that only by way of these 18 And the people of the church werecommandments could they be saved. prejudiced and biased towards those who did not belong to their church, even those whom 12 And these commandments were not the they called Gentiles among them. And theycommandments of the church, for the church would command their children not to play withrequired things of the people which were not those who were not members of their church,commandments of God, but were the thus committing great sin and wickednesscommandments of men. among them and teaching these abominations unto their children. 13 And Jesus taught the people that thesynagogues and temples that were built 19 And Jesus reiterated the words of John,among them were useless in the purpose for even those words which he spoke concerningwhich they believed that they were created, the genealogies and the pride of the church ineven that they were houses of God. For he thinking that they were the only people of Godtaught them that the Father would never reside upon the earth.in a house built by the hands of men, but thatHe dwelt in the hearts and minds of each of 20 And Jesus spoke in many instancesHis children according to the power of His regarding his other sheep which were in otherspirit, which was the Holy Ghost. parts of the world, but were unknown to the Jews. For behold, the Jews knew nothing of us 14 And many of the things that Jesus taught to in the promised land; but we knew of them, ourthe people were hard for them to accept; yea, fathers having come forth from among them.none of the things which he taught unto themwere hard to understand, but they were hard to 21 And Jesus taught the people that all theaccept. For the people were so entrenched in people of the earth were the children of God andtheir traditions and in their customs that they loved by the Father the same, and that the Fathercould not accept that a man, who was not set had no respect for any church that was set upapart and ordained by the leadership of the according to the commandments and preceptschurch, could teach them the things of God. of man, which were not His commandments and precepts, and which placed one of his 15 And Jesus began to teach the people that children above another.they should not support the church and itswickedness by the payment of tithes and 22 And Jesus taught the Jews theofferings, but that they should give that which commandments of the Father, even the samethey could afford to the poor and those who commandments that he gave unto Adam andhave less than they do. Eve after they were banished from the garden of Eden. 16 And Jesus condemned the rich and alsothe leaders of the church for the luxurious 23 And now, my beloved brothers and sisters,lifestyles that they lived, having received these yea, even all of you who are upon the earth atthings because of that which the people gave the time ye shall receive this record, which shallunto the church. come forth unto you as the final testimony of Jesus Christ; yea, listen all ye ends of the earth, 17 Now, the people of the church were led to even those of you who are upon the isles of thebelieve that their leaders were men who had sea, and who are upon all the continents of landbeen blessed with riches because of their which are inhabited by the children of men.righteousness before God. And they supposedthat if riches meant righteousness, then they 24 Behold, Jesus taught the law of theshould covet and seek after these riches, that gospel, which are the commandments of thethey might prove to their neighbor that they Father, which He hath given unto us all to prepare us to inherit the kingdoms which He shall prepare for us. Chapter 46 291

TSP 46:25– 46:40 have not received the Bible, or the Book of Mormon, or the Sealed Portion of the Book of 25 Yea, Jehovah taught this gospel first to Mormon, do ye not have among you the wordsAdam and Eve, and then to all the holy prophets of the prophets that have been sent by the Fatherwho have ever lived upon the earth. And these unto you?prophets taught this gospel unto all of you in allparts of the world according to your own 34 And do not the words of your books havelanguage and your own understanding. the exact same words of Christ that are given in the books that came forth because of the Jews? 26 And then he came in the flesh and taughtthe Jews the exact same things that he had 35 I say unto you that ye do have the words oftaught unto Adam and Eve. And then after he Christ. And how shall ye know that they are thehad died and was resurrected, he taught the words of Christ if they do not specifically speakexact same words unto my fathers who were in of Christ?the land of promise, even the land where Adamwas placed in the beginning. 36 Now this thing I will tell unto you. All of the words of Christ, yea, even the entire gospel 27 And after he had taught these exact same of Jesus Christ is encompassed in one greatthings to my fathers, he went unto other sheep to commandment, which is the one commandmentwhom the Father commanded him to go, even upon which all other commandments are based,unto all the people of the earth that they might even that ye should love your neighbor as yehave this good news given unto them; even the would have them love you.good news that the Father loveth all of Hischildren and hath prepared a way that all of 37 And now, I say unto those of you of otherthem might be saved in His kingdoms. cultures, even of other countries who do not yet have access to the records of the Jews, or 28 And now, what do ye think are the words the record of my fathers, and also this recordthat he shall speak unto you when he cometh in which I make with my own hand; yea, I saythe glory of the Father, yea, even with all the unto you, search those scriptures and holyholy angels at his side and in the power of the books which ye have among you. Do they notFather; yea what shall he say unto the people of also have commandments that are based uponthe world at this time? this one great commandment that I have explained unto you? 29 Behold, he shall say the same things andgive the exact same commandments that he hath 38 I say unto you that they do. And they havegiven to the Jews and the Gentiles, even to all these commandments, which are the words ofthe ends of the earth. Christ, because Christ visited your ancestors and spoke unto your prophets and your holy priests, 30 And how can I, Moroni, be more plain in and the holy men that ye accept as yourthat which I have written? How can I further prophets. And unto these, Christ gave the wordsimpress upon your weak minds and your of the Father, which are the same words andhardened hearts that ye must obey the words of commandments that have been given unto allChrist or ye cannot be saved? the children of God. 31 Behold, ye have the Bible, which is one 39 And now, I say unto you, then in whichtestimony of these words, even the first church shall the truth be found? Yea, whichtestimony of Jesus Christ. And ye have the church is the church of the Lamb of God?record of my father, which is among you and Yea, the church that teacheth the words ofhath come to be known as the Book of Mormon, Christ and obeyeth them, this is the church ofanother testament of Jesus Christ, and now ye the Lamb of God.have these things which have been sealed up,which is the final testament of Jesus Christ. 40 And every other church that hath been established and set up among the children of 32 Behold, how many more witnesses do men that doth not teach the words of Christ, andye need to show unto you the path that ye doth not obey his words; yea, even thosemust follow in order to be saved in the churches who have added other things to thekingdom of God? 33 And those of you in other countries who292 The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ