Monday, December 21, 2020

An Acceptable Level of Fraud

Election day had hardly ended before people noticed things looked off. The candidate who had ended the night with massive, nearly insurmountable leads in several states awoke to find the leads had disappeared in the dark of night. From there further information began to pour out as people sought the answer to the biggest question: What happened? 

Tales of massive vote dumps, illegal ballot harvesting, dead people voting, under-age voters, no signature verification, people voting multiple times, absentee ballots arriving for people who had not requested them, absentee ballots showing up that were never sent out, truckloads of ballots crossing state lines to be counted, poll watchers forced out of counting rooms, emptying a counting operation with news of a fake water main break, statistically impossible outcomes, stacks of identical, machine-marked ballots, tales of counting the same ballots multiple times, cases full of ballots hidden and pulled out after watchers left, votes flipped in software, votes coming in with every batch showing identical numbers, allegations of extra ballots printed in China and imported to be counted when needed for the win…well, the list goes on and on. 

It’s all too crazy to possibly be true. At least I hope it is. Because any of this being actually true would mean that our republic has crumbled and we are no longer citizens with the ability to control our leaders, but rather subjects, controlled by the whims of whomever is hungry enough for power to do what it takes to get it. 

Fortunately, we have a massive chorus of soothing voices to tell us all is well. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS, WaPo, NY Times, all major newspapers, Youtube, Twitter, Google, Yahoo are all united in telling us: “There is NO evidence of any fraud in this election. Pay no attention to the raving lunatic Trumpers on the right, who are seeking to subvert our democracy. Biden is the President-Elect. The people have spoken.” All these outlets are so united in chanting this mantra, it’s rather difficult to even FIND information representing the other side. 

Social media outlets have even gone so far as to label any evidence of fraud as fake or questionable, including simply quoting the constitution. Debunked! they say. Or they simply delete it from their platforms. YouTube announced last week that they will delete any videos that allege or present evidence of election fraud. There is no word other than censorship to describe what is happening. 

This is alarming, because if you control information, you control thought. And if you control thought, you control behavior. Ultimately you control people. This is why every totalitarian regime in modern history has had very active propaganda and information control operations. This is also why a free press is so necessary to a free people. This principle is important enough to be enshrined in our constitution, and we now have a perfect illustration before us of why that is, and what happens when the populace succumbs to censorship. 

When indisputably fishy stuff leaks through with actual video footage, forensic analysis of voting machines, or over a thousand sworn affidavits, the tune changes. Now its, “Well there may have been ‘irregularities’ here and there, but there’s no evidence of anything that would actually change the election result. Biden is the most popular president in US history, and a few votes here and there won’t change that.” 

Did you catch that? What we’re being told now is that, though there *may* have been fraud, it is an “acceptable level” of fraud, and nothing to be concerned about. We’re actually being told and conditioned to believe that we should always expect a certain level of fraud in our elections and it’s nothing to be worried about or investigated. We’re being told it really doesn’t matter. Fraud or no fraud, the election is a free and fair representation of the will of the people, and Biden is the President-elect. There’s nothing else to consider, it is done. Go back to sleep. 

In further developments, people on the “winning” side have called for mass “re-education” of their political opponents, physical torture and death of the loser, destruction of the careers and lives of anyone who sided against the winners, and even calling it treason to question the election results. They are not doing this in jest. They mean what they say. 

Then came news of the largest computer hack in history, with the Solar Winds Orion breach infiltrating every branch of our government, military, educational institutions, businesses, defense contractors, financial markets—everything, likely including voting infrastructure. Foreign enemies picked our locks months ago, moved right in, made themselves at home, took whatever they wanted, and gained control of the rest. But not to worry. Everything’s fine. It’ll take a year to even figure out the extent to which we’ve been owned, but everything’s fine. Oh, and there was another active breach in the same system. Oops. Don’t worry, everything’s fine, and this was the most secure election in history. 

Now, time for a big disclaimer. This post is most decidedly NOT about Trump vs. Biden and who will make the better president, who has the better record, who is more corrupt, who is on God’s side, or any of that. I’m not interested in debating that here. I’m simply discussing the matter of fraud, and what it means if fraud actually took place. I’d like to address the matter from a scriptural perspective. 

We’ll start with this premise from the Book of Mormon:

Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right, but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right. Therefore, this shall ye observe and make it your law: to do your business by the voice of the people.

And if the time cometh that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you. Yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction, even as he has hitherto visited this land. (Mosiah 13:6-7)

I’d like to look at this passage in a couple of ways. First, on its face it tells us we ought to do our business by the voice of the people because most people, most of the time, understand the difference between right and wrong, what helps society and what hurts. Good advice so far. Then King Mosiah goes on to explain that if that ever changes, and the people choose iniquity, destruction will follow. This is important.

So far, so good, right? So we hold elections to determine the voice of the people, and we’re in good shape, right? With that in mind, let’s consider two questions:

  1. What if the elections DON’T represent the voice of the people?
  2. What if the voice of the people as referenced by King Mosiah has nothing to do with elections at all, but rather with popular opinion and what the people will and won’t allow their leaders to get away with? 

To put a finer point on it, suppose you’re a power-hungry Marxist with a lust for money and control and a hatred of freedom. If you present those views to the world, you’re likely not going to get the vote you need to give you the power you crave. So you wrap your views in rags of righteousness like “love” and “justice” “equality” and “free stuff.” You’ll get some votes, but many may still see right through the facade. In other words, you’re not likely to slake your thirst for power by dressing up your ideas as something better than they are. 

But what if you don’t have to do any of that? What if you and your associates can get power another way—by altering the vote, then simply telling the people this is what they selected, and they must accept it. Well in that case, you wouldn’t even have to try. You could run the oldest guy in history, campaign from his basement, take most days off, refuse to answer tough questions, heck, you wouldn’t even have to have a candidate with full mental faculties, because you know it wouldn’t matter whether you get a lot of votes or not. Just go through the motions of a campaign, and fix it on election night. 

The only trouble is, a free press in the service of the people might get a little too nosy about the election results, so the only way any of the above will work is if you have the complicit press in your back pocket. Though the internet age now gives us ready access to more information than at any point in history, it also exerts greater control over our minds than at any point in history. It’s really an impressive plan. It feels like we’re getting smarter and smarter as we get dumber and dumber. It’s like the old joke about cable television: 200 channels and nothing to watch.

The last hope in such a situation would be that enough of the populace is alarmed enough about the appearance of fraud to demand investigations and transparency. The voice of the people would be the only hope of uncovering the fraud and getting to the truth. 

And THIS, I submit, is the REAL point behind the voice of the people passage from Mosiah, above. If you can convince enough of the populace that a certain level of election dishonesty is acceptable, and that it is unpatriotic, even treasonous to question the results of the election, then you’ve won. And destruction follows.

If, on the other hand, the people refuse to put up with what appears to be fishy, and demand actual forensic audits of the records, in public, with full transparent access to all information, then there’s simply no way to get away with rigging an election. 

Guess where we are.


At what point did rigging an election become an “acceptable” level of fraud, and when did questioning suspicious results become “treason?” 

Regardless of who won or lost, anyone with integrity wants absolute assurance, even proof, the results are valid. Why wouldn’t we want that? Why can’t we have transparency? Why are audits—real audits—being opposed at every level, even when ordered by a court with jurisdiction? Why are politicians and administrators at every level in the suspicious areas fighting tooth and nail to prevent anyone getting a peek behind the curtain? 

But most of all, why aren’t the torches and pitchforks out? Shouldn’t both Democrats and Republicans DEMAND election results we can absolutely trust? Isn’t that the best possible outcome for BOTH sides? Please explain to me why we should accept a certain level of verified fraud and actively refuse to even allow investigation? 

It all comes down to the voice of the people. Will we demand accountability on all sides? Or will we stand by or even assist in crushing anyone who dares ask a question? Will we let our press and media outlets get away with blatantly, openly, proudly lying to us, or will we vote with our feet and wallets to oppose such iniquity? 

Will we continue to mock those who present evidence, allow whistle blowers to be threatened and intimidated, even threatened with murder? Will we oppose investigations, shout “debunked” because the official in charge says everything is fine, and believe that re-counting a stack of fraudulent ballots “proves” there was no fraud? 

Now, like I said, I hope this really was “the most secure election in history” as we’ve been assured. I hope there are good explanations for those counties where there were more votes than registered voters, and how one side vastly, miraculously over performed in a handful of specific counties needed to flip specific states, to get just enough electoral votes, while underperforming literally everywhere else in the country. I hope there are good explanations for how Republicans dominated everything, everywhere, except the presidential choice. I hope we can locate all those military voters who went nearly 100% Democratic in just the right county when the military traditionally votes overwhelmingly Republican. I pray there are good explanations for the statistically impossible (or very nearly impossible) results that happened over and over, in very strategic locations, to just barely push Biden over the line. 

Nevertheless, regardless of what we may hope for, it’s clear that investigations—real investigations—MUST take place. There’s just too much evidence to explain away with a wave of the hand.

Few explanations are forthcoming, and even less “proof” to “debunk” anything. This is a time for an overabundance of transparency, which would have the effect of eliminating objections and reassuring a suspicious populace. But, of course, transparency is the last thing being offered in these areas. Instead, the strategy is to attack anyone who dares point out the old guy isn’t wearing any clothes. 

So it comes down to the voice of the people. Will we choose and support iniquity? Or will we insist on accountability? This is the test Mosiah was talking about—not the initial vote. 

Above You

Now think about this: If there was indeed the breathtaking level of fraud that *appears* to have taken place, there are necessarily two conditions required to bring it about. The first, of course, is secrecy, enforced by ideology, fear, or promises of gain. The second is cooperation. It takes an impressive combination of technology, planning, and dirty tricks to target just the right counties with just the right techniques to flip the right states. But if you can pull it off, you gain power

And there it is. Secret. Combination. Power. Gain. 

And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints which shall be shed by them shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avengeth them not. Wherefore, O ye gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shewn unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you — which are built up to get power and gain — and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the eternal God shall fall upon you to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. (Ether 3:18)

From the above we learn the following:

  1. Upholding secret combinations lusting for power and gain will result in destruction. I think that election fraud certainly qualifies as a secret combination.
  2. This information was “shown” to us specifically, explicitly because the Lord foresaw what would happen here. The Lord’s purpose was our repentance, so these murderous combinations would fail. Lacking that, they will “get above” us. 
  3. When this happens, the sword of justice hangs ready to fall on us. 
  4. Therefore it is OUR choice whether we “suffer” meaning “allow” these things to be. What do you say? Should we just let it be, or should we look into the matter to see if there was fraud? 

As Rock Waterman pointed out recently, the word “fraud” appears in the Book of Mormon exactly 4 times, and every time is in conjunction with those who used deceit and dirty tricks to gain power over the people. 

And finally, there’s the rest of Moroni’s thought:

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you, that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or woe be unto it because of the blood of them who have been slain, for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who build it up. (Ether 3:18)

It's not Moroni, but the Lord who COMMANDS us that WHEN (not if) we see these things among us, we must wake up and realize our awful situation. The Lord actually expects us to DO something about this, not merely wish things were different. The failure to act is, by definition, building up this secret combination. The blood of the coming destruction is on the hands of all who will not do something to prevent it. We have been warned. 

So here we are at a bend in the track. Everything hinges upon this point. Will we awaken to a sense of our awful situation and recognize what has gotten above us? Will the voice of the people choose to demand real investigation? Or will we instead choose iniquity, close our eyes, plug our ears and continue to chant… “There is no election fraud…there is no election fraud…I heard it on the news…there is no election fraud…they would certainly never lie…I’m sure they’ve checked it thoroughly…I trust the people in charge… there is no election fraud…all is well…all is well.”


For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say, All is well in Zion, yea, Zion prospereth, all is well. And thus the Devil cheateth their souls and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. 

—2 Nephi 12:4

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Center Point

And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now has come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night; for they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O Heavens, and you that dwell in them.

—Revelation 4:4 NC

You’ve no doubt heard by now about the upcoming conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, set to reach its maximum in less than 24 hours. And you’re probably also aware that this conjunction will happen to occur on this year’s Winter Solstice. As with other signs overhead, many will take notice, but comparatively few will view this sign as much more than a curiosity or interesting coincidence—which is unfortunate—because this particular alignment is one of the most significant mileposts yet in the Lord’s unfolding Marvelous Work. 

At this point we should note that interesting occurrences abound in the heavens and on the earth. Eclipses, alignments, unique celestial configurations, earthquakes, storms, floods and disasters all occur regularly, and in and of themselves may not have much meaning. But the signs themselves aren’t the point; rather, they are pointers to events happening in this creation. The meaning of any particular sign is based on the events with which it coincides, or to which it draws attention. 

Take this conjunction between Saturn and Jupiter as an example. These two planets pass near to each other every 20 years due to their differing orbits, so their approach by itself is unremarkable. But in the current conjunction, they’ll appear from Earth to be closer together than they’ve been since 1623, though the 1623 conjunction wasn’t visible from Earth because the planets were too close to the sun to be seen. Therefore, we have to go back 800 years, to the year 1226 to find another pairing that was both this close and visible in the sky. (Visibility in the sky by the unaided eye is important: if God is drawing attention to something, he does so in a way that all who have eyes to see can see.)

OK, so the first such conjunction in 800 years—that’s pretty remarkable. This is not merely a once-in-a-lifetime event, but a once-in-centuries event. And to add to the wonder, it’s happening on the Winter solstice, which is the day with the greatest amount of darkness and least amount of light this year (at least in the Northern Hemisphere.) NASA is saying it’s pure coincidence that this close alignment is happening on the Winter Solstice. But they’re only saying that because it’s never happened before. 

So with these remarkable alignments noted, let’s talk in greater detail about the signs overhead and the unfolding events on earth with which they align. To begin I’d like to go back to a prior major sign that garnered much attention three years ago. 

The Sign of the Woman

You may recall the “Revelation 12 sign” or “sign of the Woman” from September 23, 2017. I’ll quote the relevant text from the New Covenants edition of the scriptures:

And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth: a woman, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And the woman, being with child, cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered. And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne. (Revelation 4:1 NC)



In this sign, the woman was Virgo, the virgin, who appeared clothed with the sun and the moon at her feet on the day of the sign. The crown of twelve stars was formed by the 9 stars of Leo (just above her head) and the planets Mercury, Venus and Mars appearing in Leo’s star field to round out the roster. On September 23 that year, Jupiter, which had been in the womb of Virgo for 42 weeks (a full gestation) left the womb. 

Joseph Smith shed significant light on this sign in his inspired translation work when he added definitions for the woman and the child she brought forth: 

And the dragon prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman — who was the church of God — who had been delivered of her pains and brought forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ (Revelation 4:3 NC)

The woman, therefore, represents the church of God, which should not be confused with any earthly church, organization or institution. Christ himself defined his church, and warned there can be no other definition:

Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repents and comes unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declares more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. Therefore, he is not of my church. (JSH 10:19, NC; D&C 10:67-68 LDS)

The birth of the kingdom of our God and his Christ is what this sign memorialized, as portrayed by Jupiter emerging from Virgo’s womb. But there was a catch. The dragon stood waiting to devour the woman’s child:

And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was delivered, ready to devour her child after it was born. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred sixty years. (Revelation 4:2 NC)

With Scorpius at the feet of the woman, crowned by the stars of Libra, it appears the dragon waiting to devour the child is well represented by the combination of Scorpius and Libra. And there, at the end of the dragon’s tail, between the dragon and the serpent (Serpens) we find Saturn.

Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun, and second largest of the planets. It is named for the Roman god of agriculture, wealth and plenty. When the Romans conquered Greece, Saturn took on the mythology of the Greek titan Cronus, who stood waiting to devour at birth the child prophesied to overthrow him. Saturn, therefore, seems to embody the role of the dragon, Satan, accuser of the brethren. 

Jupiter, representing the kingdom of God, is much brighter than Saturn. It is the fifth planet from the sun, and largest in the Solar System. Jupiter is named for the chief deity of the Roman religion, the Father of the sky and king of the gods. His symbol was the eagle, and his primary weapon was the thunderbolt. He was therefore often portrayed as an eagle holding a thunderbolt in its claws. 

Now that we’ve got the players in mind from the sign of the Woman, let’s return to the coming conjunction.



Jupiter and Saturn, moving in opposite directions relative to one another, have been approaching their confrontation for months as Saturn dives toward Earth at about twice the rate of Jupiter. Relative to one another, Saturn, the lesser light, is descending rapidly, while Jupiter, the greater light, ascends. 

…neither was there place found in Heaven for the great dragon who was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and also called Satan, who deceives the whole world, he who was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 4:3 NC)

This conjunction marks a confrontation between the dragon and the kingdom of God, on the day of greatest darkness. The events before and after the confrontation are significant because, as I mentioned, the signs only take on meaning because of the events to which they draw attention. The good news is that this confrontation, prophesied for millennia, ultimately results in light increasing and the kingdom of God triumphing over the dragon. This conjunction at the solstice marks a very significant point in history. 

Events Unfolding

The kingdom was born nearly three-and-a-half years ago when the Lord, for the first time in nearly 200 years, offered his covenant to those who would receive it. A group of repentant believers accepted the covenant on September 3, 2017, 20 days before the sign was given, and 13 days after the first in the pair of solar eclipses slashing an X across the United States. 

The covenant was received in person at the Egyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho. Though they had entered the theater as gentiles, those who received the covenant exited the theater as the Lord’s covenant people and members of the House of Israel. As such, they received the right to this land of promise on condition of obedience—so they literally walked out of “Egypt” and entered the promised land on that date, which was the day after Rosh Hashanah, or feast of trumpets (and which really deserves its own blog post.) An earthquake swarm ensued in Idaho in conjunction with that event, and continued for months. 

The best way to illustrate how this all fits into the unfolding timeline is to, well, put it all on a timeline. I’ve made an illustration to pick out some of the more important signs and events that center around the fulcrum point of this conjunction. You’ll notice that all the events are in pairs, exactly equidistant from the center, down to the day. 

Click to Enlarge

What is even more impressive is that these two center days, December 21 and 22, are BOTH the days of minimum light in 2020. Although December 21 is technically the solstice, because the sun is a fraction of a degree lower that day than any other, both the 21st and 22nd have EXACTLY the same amount of daylight and night, down to the second, each having 8 hours, 56 minutes and 0 seconds from sunrise to sunset. They are a perfectly equal pair. The 20th ends a 1260-day period, and the 21st begins another 1260-day period. 

Let's Take a Look at the Pairs

The 1260-day period begins with the prayer for covenant being received by revelation. The receipt of this revelatory prayer started the 7-year effort. The opposite end of this chiasmus may well therefore associate with another inspired prayer. Time will tell. 

Then, 5 days later, the Answer to the prayer came, defining and explaining the Lord’s offered covenant, 1255 days from the center. This is important because there were exactly 1255 days between the command to build the Nauvoo temple and the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, which ended the opportunity. I don’t think we can expect a longer window then they were given. As they did 1255 days ago, events 1255 days from now may involve a covenant opportunity as well.

Next, we see the first of a pair of full solar eclipses, with totality paths that will form an X across the USA. I take the first as a warning to the gentiles that the time is up on us to repent or be swept off. The Lord always sends ample warning to those ripening in wickedness, before he sweeps them off. We have warnings in the Book of Mormon, and in this sign. This opening eclipse may pair with events that involve destruction and removal from the promised land of those who will not serve the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ. (See Ether 1:7 NC)

The next pair consists of the covenant actually being received, which gave a legal right to inherit the land, paired with the final eclipse completing the X across the USA, marking the time for removal of those who do not have the right to inhabit the land. 

At this point it’s worth noting that the exact midpoint of the two solar eclipses was actually December 14, 2020—the day the electoral college met and cast their votes, choosing to strenuously ignore the breathtaking levels of fraud, deception and malfeasance manifested by overwhelming evidence that the election was a corrupt sham effort to install an unwanted and evil agenda. In light of this knowledge, they still cast their votes for wickedness. X marks the spot, indeed. Our best hope is that the Lord recognizes that their votes do NOT actually represent the voice of the people choosing wickedness. 

Let’s move on to September 23, 2017, when the sign of the woman marked the birth of the kingdom. And though the prophecy in Revelation informs us the woman must flee into the wilderness, we can take comfort knowing there is indeed a place there prepared of God. Remember also, her child, the kingdom, will ascend to God and his throne. The coupled event in the chiasm is the spring equinox of 2024, which is the day that light fully overcomes darkness that year and continues growing through the end of this timeline. The center point is now, and from this point forward, the kingdom of God ascends to ultimate triumph. 

As you can see, I took the liberty of adding some political events in red, that also happen to center around this hinge point. As you can see, one month from now, Saturn will touch the horizon, representing the dragon being cast down to Earth. On that day, we will inaugurate a President. 

Saturn Touching the Horizon

It all hangs in the balance, and our choices at this time have a great deal to do with how the second half of the chiasmus will play out. Oh, the prophecies will be fulfilled either way—of that we can be sure. But the choices we make as a nation right now will largely determine the levels and types of destruction required to bring about the Lord’s purposes. Oh that we would repent!

Train Wreck

Section 172 of the T&C relates a remarkable vision that involves a doomed train full of people obliviously rushing down a mountain to destruction, while a car drives up the mountain to safety. The train passengers end up in a holocaust of destruction, while the occupants of the car find safety hiding in the cavity of a rock.

I find this vision remarkable because it involves worldliness and wickedness plummeting downward to destruction at a high rate of speed, while those in the car climb upward to safety at a slower, more measured pace. The unforeseen bend in the tracks causes the wreck and entire destruction of the train, while the occupants of the car narrowly escape. 

Descending Saturn and ascending Jupiter bear witness of this vision. This hinge point in history is the bend in the tracks. 

And after these things, I heard another voice, saying, Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, yea, and they who dwell upon the islands of the sea, for the Devil has come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time; for when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the male child. Therefore, to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might flee into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 

—Revelation 4:5 NC


Note: The information included here came from several good friends who shared their thoughts, insights, and findings. I'm most grateful to them for pointing these things out to me and allowing me to share them here. 


Thursday, November 26, 2020

Wabbling Back to the Fire

And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. For truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet. And when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.

—Matthew 3:28 NC

Recently, the LDS church launched a much-touted video of Russel M. Nelson reminding the world to show gratitude. I suppose it was a timely message and all, since we’re literally hearing the same reminders from nearly every quarter, almost as if it’s Thanksgiving. Some have called the message “timely” and “prophetic,” which I suppose it is, much like my wall calendar that bears the same reminder this time of year.

Nelson stated he was awakened in the dark of night with the impression that he needed to lead the world in a prayer of gratitude. Obviously, with massive A/V Production and PR resources at his disposal, designing an event around this public prayer was easy enough.

The “event” was orchestrated to draw maximum attention, including a week-long run-up to the release of the pre-recorded message. The video had background music, still images, close-up video, and a well-read script. The official press releases and PR pieces included memes, announcements, and social media offerings calling Nelson a “Global Faith Leader” and “The Prophet.” In his video, he reminded us all he was a successful and important heart surgeon, though now he’s more into “heart-sell.” 

He asked the faithful members of his church to post messages of gratitude on social media daily for a week, which many have done, using the hashtag he specified. 

And that’s all just fine. Gratitude is a wonderful and important principle, and certainly one we should remember every day, and not just at Thanksgiving time. Nothing eases the blisters and bruises of the march to Hell quite like a dose of gratitude that the road is, at least, inclined downhill.

We’ll return to Nelson’s message in a minute, but first we need to discuss a MORE prophetic message, delivered a hundred years ago by poet Rudyard Kipling. Perhaps you’re familiar with “The Gods of the Copybook Headings.” For those who may not know, “copybook headings” were proverbs or maxims printed at the top of 19th century British school copybook pages. The students had to write the statements by hand repeatedly down the page to practice penmanship, which had the side benefit of reinforcing the maxims taught. Kipling’s poem is built around a series of sayings that would have been familiar to readers in 1919, when the poem was published.


In this poem, Kipling uses the “Gods of the Copybook Headings” to represent universal truths that remain unchanged, in contrast to “Social Progress,” the “March of Mankind,” and the ephemeral, ever-changing “Gods of the Market Place” that represent mankind’s ill-conceived attempts to pretend universal truths don’t matter. Give it a read below, or a listen at this link:


The Gods of the Copybook Headings

By Rudard Kipling, 1919

 

AS I PASS through my incarnations in every age and race,  

I make my proper prostrations to the Gods of the Market Place.

Peering through reverent fingers I watch them flourish and fall,

And the Gods of the Copybook Headings, I notice, outlast them all.


We were living in trees when they met us. They showed us each in turn

That Water would certainly wet us, as Fire would certainly burn:

But we found them lacking in Uplift, Vision and Breadth of Mind,

So we left them to teach the Gorillas while we followed the March of Mankind.


We moved as the Spirit listed. They never altered their pace,

Being neither cloud nor wind-borne like the Gods of the Market Place,

But they always caught up with our progress, and presently word would come

That a tribe had been wiped off its icefield, or the lights had gone out in Rome.


With the Hopes that our World is built on they were utterly out of touch,

They denied that the Moon was Stilton; they denied she was even Dutch;

They denied that Wishes were Horses; they denied that a Pig had Wings;

So we worshipped the Gods of the Market Who promised these beautiful things.


When the Cambrian measures were forming, They promised perpetual peace.

They swore, if we gave them our weapons, that the wars of the tribes would cease.

But when we disarmed They sold us and delivered us bound to our foe,

And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: "Stick to the Devil you know." 


On the first Feminian Sandstones we were promised the Fuller Life

(Which started by loving our neighbour and ended by loving his wife)

Till our women had no more children and the men lost reason and faith,

And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: "The Wages of Sin is Death." 


In the Carboniferous Epoch we were promised abundance for all, 

By robbing selected Peter to pay for collective Paul; 

But, though we had plenty of money, there was nothing our money could buy, 

And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: "If you don't work you die." 


Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew

And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true

That All is not Gold that Glitters, and Two and Two make Four

And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more.


As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Man

There are only four things certain since Social Progress began. 

That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire, 

And the burnt Fool's bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire;


And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins

When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins, 

As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn, 

The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!


We live in menacing times. Perhaps at no point in history have more of Kipling’s lines been more applicable than they are today. 

Nightly riots rock our cities while “law enforcement,” at the direction of corrupt politicians, refuses to enforce the rule of law, instead supporting mob rule, theft, arson, violence, destruction and anarchy. Cries of “de-fund the police” reinforce the false idea that crippling law enforcement will bring an end to lawlessness. As Kipling predicted, they swear if we give them our weapons, the wars of the tribes will cease.

Popular culture insists that “love is love” in whatever form it takes, and that there’s no sin in loving your neighbor’s wife (or husband, or both, for that matter) so long as all are consenting adults. 

Our women have fewer children than ever before, while America has killed 50 million of its unborn young since the Supreme Court invented a “right” to abortion on demand. 

Mankind has indeed lost reason and faith. Current events demonstrate humanity’s ability to think critically, reason logically, and consider opposing ideas has dwindled to the point of near-universal stupidity. Patently ridiculous, untrue ideas are promoted with such insistence that any who challenge them face public ruin and private persecution from nearly every quarter. The largest corporations openly and proudly exercise thought control over hundreds of millions of willing dupes, who believe what they are told to believe and ignore what they are told to ignore—regardless of what is true. 

Faith is openly mocked—considered backward, dangerous, and indicative of a weak mind. Serious people now advocate that religion should be publicly outlawed and the faithful should be forcibly re-educated, as takes place in totalitarian communist countries. Opposing ideas may NOT be discussed or considered. They are simply to be eliminated, and those who promote them are to be “cancelled” which is a not-veiled-at-all code word for “destroyed.” 

Many politicians now run on platforms that consist almost entirely of promises to use the power of the state to rob the productive of what they’ve rightfully earned and give it to those who claim they are entitled to take what others have labored to receive. All men should be paid for existing, and no man should pay for his sins, indeed. (And you shouldn’t have to pay back your student loans, either!)

Many Americans now openly advocate the toxic, false notions that our country is dreadfully evil, hopelessly racist, unfair, hateful, and irredeemable. The proposed solution is to burn it all to the ground and start over with a new foundation, modeled after ideas that have failed spectacularly every time they’ve ever been tried, ultimately at the cost of untold human misery, suffering and death. Those who publicly advocate the destruction of our country, our freedoms, and our God-given rights, rather than being called traitors and enemies of us all, are rather promoted, honored, and feared. 

The fact of the matter is that America has demonstrably produced more freedom, economic opportunity, health, invention, happiness, equality and stability for more people than any other nation in history, bar none. America has indeed been the shining city on a hill, showing the world that freedom and self-government are not only possible, but the best possible aspiration for earthly government. Those who hate this nation that has cradled, nurtured, blessed and provided for them better than 99% of the historical population of this planet simply do not understand history, humanity, or themselves. 

They are profoundly ungrateful. But gratitude is not the cure, because lack of gratitude is not the cause. *Evil* is the cause—not only of the current destruction that stares us in the face, but of all destructions of all civilizations in history. Like a dog to his vomit, or a sow to her mire, mankind continually returns to evil, under the influence of the father of lies. 

The behaviors and ideas that now threaten our republic are neither new nor creative. Kipling could predict them because they represent the universal faults of fallen human nature. Railing against freedom and opportunity in favor of control and dominion started before this world began. Within the first generations of mankind, the basest instincts of humanity created a continual scene of excessive wickedness and ultimate disaster. 

As surely as water will wet us, and as surely as fire will burn, there is only one solution to our present predicament. The only possible prevention for the looming horror and slaughter galloping toward us is not gratitude. It is repentance. Period. 

A loving God, who wants—and knows—what’s best for us, has set the pattern. When humanity labors in excessive wickedness, prophets raise the warning. They cry repentance before the sword of justice falls. They leave clear records of their failed civilizations for us to read, in hopes we will be more wise than they were. We ignore those records at our peril.

I don’t suppose I have to go into all the examples from the scriptures; they are so plentiful that if you’re not aware of them, you need to stop reading this blog and spend some serious time in God’s word. The bottom line is this: True prophets cry repentance. False prophets preach platitudes, claiming they will bring “healing.” 

News flash: You don’t “heal” wickedness. You turn from it by repenting, fight it, and embrace truth and righteousness. 

You don’t make “safe space” to protect the fragile feelings of those who believe the moon is made of cheese, pigs fly, or that wishing for something makes it a “right.” You expose these false ideas for what they are: False and destructive.

The Book of Mormon is more applicable today than ever. It specifically, explicitly warns us of the situation we now face. 

And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people; and they are had among the Lamanites. And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi. And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints which shall be shed by them shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avengeth them not. Wherefore, O ye gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shewn unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you — which are built up to get power and gain — and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the eternal God shall fall upon you to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you, that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or woe be unto it because of the blood of them who have been slain, for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who build it up. (Ether 3:18 NC)

We have just completed an extraordinarily contentious election. An aged, fragile former vice president (and likely dementia patient) with a rather embarrassing record, who barely left his basement and spent many days with a complete press black out—and his socialist running mate who was so unpopular that she had to drop her presidential campaign before the first primary—are reported to have beaten the current president, who ran on an extremely strong record in many areas, and who ran a very active, vibrant campaign. The “popularity gap” between the candidates was massive and palpable as thousands and tens of thousands came to Trump rallies and spontaneous demonstrations, while the few Biden events were sparsely attended. 

On election night, all appearances showed Trump had an insurmountable lead in the states still in play, and would easily beat Biden. But overnight, things changed radically, and by the next morning, Biden appeared to have overcome nearly impossible deficits in multiple states for the win. The circumstances of the alleged win have been called into question due to an increasing volume of evidence demonstrating widespread fraud and election tampering. 

The massive cabal of large news organizations, social media companies, and web search operators that exert a near stranglehold over the information we receive, has doubled down on the idea that the Biden win is a fait accompli, even calling him the “President Elect” when he is, by very definition, no such thing. The cabal uniformly and resolutely denies there is any evidence whatsoever of widespread fraud, which is an outright lie. They de-platform, de-emphasize, and slap warning labels on anyone who dares present a different opinion, including on those who actually do present evidence. 

In other words, if there actually WAS fraud involved in this election, they most certainly don’t want you or me to know about it. They are NOT interested in presenting the truth, whatever it may be. This concerns me greatly. This secret combination has taken such hold, they don’t even need to operate in secret any more. They proudly and openly proclaim their intent and bias. They know that if they control information, they can control the minds and hearts of the masses, thereby enslaving you and me to ignorance and submission. The secret combinations have indeed gotten above us. 

Believe it or not, my concern is NOT about a preference of Trump over Biden. That’s merely the stage upon which the disaster is playing out. No, the real concern is that in our republic, we elect representatives to represent our interests and preferences in law and governance. Voting is THE ONLY meaningful way in which we can make our voices heard and affect our government. It is a sacred expression of our will and our freedom to govern ourselves. It is the way in which we tell the government what to do, and not the other way around. It is how the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is why we are not (in theory, at least) governed by a permanent ruling class of elites who control us. Voting is our final, sacred bulwark against tyranny. Voting is what makes us citizens, not subjects or slaves.

Every American, in every situation, and with every political point of view should be alarmed, to say the least, at the evidence of fraud that continues to pour out. Whether your guy won or lost doesn’t matter. What matters is that if a cabal of crooks can change election results to their will, we have lost our Republic. America is over, and this grand experiment in self-government that has produced so much prosperity, beauty, liberty, and opportunity—the envy of the world—has come to an end. 

If the vote was tampered with, this is an attack against our nation, our values, our government, and our people. It is an attack against YOU. It is treason, and those who engaged in it should be tried for the crime of treason. 

The Book of Mormon anticipated such times as these. The venue has changed, but the issue remains the same. From the foundation of the world, the battle has raged over the cause of agency, and it continues to rage. If your freedom has been taken, or worse, willfully surrendered, the adversary of your soul has already won. 

Gratitude isn’t going to fix this. If we don’t awaken to a sense of our awful situation, destruction awaits. Repentance is our only hope. As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn, The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return.

And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly that the judgments of God will come upon this people because of their exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our government and their exceeding great neglect towards their brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain. For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies, that they could have gained no power over us. Yea, had it not been for the war which broke out among ourselves, yea, were it not for those Kingmen who caused so much bloodshed among ourselves, yea, at the time we were contending among ourselves — if we had united our strength as we hitherto have done, yea, had it not been for the desire of power and authority which those Kingmen had over us, had they been true to the cause of our freedom and united with us, and gone forth against our enemies instead of taking up their swords against us, which was the cause of so much bloodshed among ourselves — yea, if we had gone forth against them in the strength of the Lord, we should have dispersed our enemies, for it would have been done according to the fulfilling of his word.

—Captain Moroni, Alma 27:7 NC

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Introductory Chapter

Rock Waterman, proprietor of the excellent Pure Mormonism blog, recently participated in an interview with Radio Free Mormon. In that interview, he spoke of a writing project he undertook with Brian Hales, which jogged my memory about the events, and also reminded me of the rest of the story. It turns out I was involved as well, and the outcome of it all may yet be useful. Here’s what I can add to the conversation:

Brian Hales contacted me through this blog in October 2017, looking for someone who could write a history of what he termed, “the Denver Snuffer movement,” together with an anthology looking at Denver’s teachings. His intent was to use the history as an opening chapter in an anthology of works by various authors critically addressing the movement. He felt that having an “insider” write the introduction would give the rest of the critical work credibility and appeal, as well as accuracy. He offered payment for the writing effort.

I didn’t have the time to take on the project, so I suggested he contact Rock Waterman, and I put the two of them in touch. Rock took on the project, and wrote several drafts, but in the end could not provide what Brian wanted, so in January 2018, Brian reached out to me again and asked if I would consider writing the chapter. I agreed to do so and finished my first draft in April of that year. After we had some back and forth about the content of the chapter, it turned out that like Rock, I was not able to provide what Brian wanted, so I withdrew from the project in May 2018. As far as I know the proposed anthology never got off the ground, but Brian predicted it would not be particularly relevant in a few years because he expected the movement would fizzle out on its own anyway.

I should stress that through it all, Brian was a gentleman and though we fundamentally disagree on a number of topics, most notably his treatment of Joseph Smith, our exchange was positive and professional.

So in the end, I was left with the unused fruits of my labor, consisting of a 17,500-word introduction to the Remnant Movement, written as the introductory chapter for a book. 

When I heard Rock’s interview, I thought the chapter might yet be useful, and since I’ve never done anything else with it, I’m posting it here. I believe that with some slight changes and updates, it may serve as a decent introduction to the Remnant movement for those who are curious, and perhaps also as somewhat of an abbreviated history. I’m open to ideas, so let me know what you think.

By way of context, keep in mind this was written in early 2018, so it is about two and a half years behind current history, and it was written as the introduction to a book that would otherwise be critical of the movement. Enjoy!



Monday, October 19, 2020

Fundraiser for Chris Chandler's Life-saving Surgery

 My good friend Chris Chandler has a miraculous opportunity to receive a life-saving surgery for his very rare condition. A fundraiser has been organized to raise the money for the surgery. Please check out his GoFundMe page and help if you can. 


GoFundMe Page

Monday, October 12, 2020

Living Waters Retreat, Fall 2021

 I was asked by my fellowship to post the following announcement:


Announcing 

The Remnant Living Waters Retreat, Fall 2021



Save the date! The Boise Fellowship would like to announce that, back by popular demand, the Remnant Living Waters Retreat 2021 will take place again at Living Waters Ranch in Challis, Idaho from Sept 3-6, 2021 (Labor Day weekend). 

Though the official retreat activities will be scheduled beginning Friday evening and go through Monday morning, you are welcome to come any day before the 3rd and stay for however long you would like after the 6th. 

Please visit www.livingwatersranch.org to see the various lodging options and call John at Living Waters Ranch at (208) 879-2888 to reserve your accommodations. There are also various RV, hotel and bed and breakfast options in Challis for those who would like to stay in town. 

Please email the Boise Fellowship with any retreat questions at: bythecampfire@icloud.com

More details to come!

Friday, October 9, 2020

Women's Retreat October 23-25

 I was asked to post the following announcement for the upcoming Women's retreat:




Thursday, October 1, 2020

Asia Regional Conference This Weekend!




I received the following note from the organizer of the Asia Regional Conference. For the record, this conference was originally planned for the spring, but had to be postponed due to Covid concerns. I was particularly disappointed because I had planned to attend in person. 

The conference is now virtual and slated for this weekend. It will be an amazing event and I'm looking forward to watching and learning. Remember, when it comes to conferences this weekend, you have a choice. 

Here's the link where you can learn about and watch the conference:

https://restorationarchives.com/library/regional-conferences/2020-japan/

And here's the note I received:

Hello all-

As you know, we are planning for an Online Event this weekend to replace what should have been a live, Asia Regional Conference. 

At this point, I have received, edited, and subtitled each and every talk other than the several that will be given live. As I have done so, I have had the chance to listen to all of them a number of times. This has resulted in seeing the hand of God in the selection of topic, speakers, and in their messages. I only gave a brief overview of topic and purpose of the conference, and let them all go with what they wanted to deliver. It is amazing!

Thus, I have written the following, which I posted on the various sites and forums I am in:

Good morning, everyone...

Just a last minute reminder that the Asia Regional Conference Online Event will stream live from Japan this weekend. I'm sorry, I didn't realize it is LDS general conference weekend. We actually planned the conference as a live event, back in April, and timed it to start on the same day as Sukkot. As we converted to an online event, we left the date in place. So, if there is conflict, I apologize.

Also, although I know this will sound simply like a self-serving plug for the event, please read and understand the following very carefully.

I have now got all the talks and recordings edited, captioned and ready to go, except for those that will be live. As I have done this, it has become clear that the messages that will appear this weekend, if you will watch with an open mind and open heart, have the potential to literally change the world. It is my conviction that these messages contain everything we need to know to knit together as a people, and evolve into a community that might be invited to join the Lord's efforts to build Zion. I know there are those among us that would love to participate in a Zion community, and so, to all of you, I humbly ask, please clear your schedule, clear your hearts, clear your minds, and listen carefully to the 13 people that will speak to you this weekend (I don't include myself in that number, inasmuch as I have not yet had time to write my own message!). Also, as the sessions progress, please keep an eye out for the startling similarities amongst the various religions and beliefs that are discussed. It’s kind of amazing.

I hope you'll join us.

Chris

Monday, August 17, 2020

Fall Retreat Important Reminders

The Fall Retreat at Living Waters Ranch is only a few weeks away! The organizers have asked me to post several important reminders for all attendees. Please read through them below.

  1. Check-in begins at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 4th. If you have not booked or paid for your lodging yet, please do so immediately. Accommodations at the Ranch are almost full, but there are some bunkbeds and dry tent and RV camping sites left. Please go to https://retreat.restorationarchives.com/#lodging to identify your lodging options.
  2. If you are planning to attend the Retreat, the organizers from the Boise Fellowship urge you to contact them before August 20th to let them know if you will be eating meals at the Ranch. The Ranch cooks have to travel many hours away to purchase the groceries necessary to prepare our meals for us, so if you have not made sure your party’s name is on the list, there will likely not be food for you. Please contact Lori Larsen at loriblarsen@gmail.com or 801-503-4747 to add your name to the list. Remember that payment for meals must be made IN CASH at the time of the meal. Exact change will be appreciated but not necessary. Meal times, menus, and purchase prices can be found on the Retreat website.
  3. There will be a Retreat Kickoff Meeting and Welcome Party on Friday night beginning at 7:00 PM. Important details about the weekend will be given at the meeting, so please attend if you can. If you are able, please bring an appetizer and/or drinks to the Welcome Party. We will have coolers available for drinks. (Please bring your own small coolers for alcoholic drinks you may wish to bring. There will not be a community cooler for alcohol since there will be many minors attending this event. Please drink responsibly, and share your drinks responsibly.)
  4. No pets are allowed at Living Waters Ranch. Please arrange care for your pets and do not bring them (even dogs) to the Retreat.
  5. Because Idaho law prohibits minors from partaking of alcohol, even for religious reasons, we are asking each family/group to bring their own wine and grape juice and administer it to their family members according to their age. Bread and cups will be provided.
  6. The average weather in Challis, Idaho in September is a high of 74 and a low of 41, so the weather will likely be variable. Plan to bring warm clothing, as it will always get cold as the evening progresses, but also bring t-shirts and shorts. Depending on where you are staying and in what type of accommodation, you will need to make sure you’re aware of what things you need to bring. Please note that if you’re staying in a bunkhouse or tent/RV, you will need to bring your own bedding and towels (shower houses are available). If you’re staying in a Living Waters Mini-Lodge, Chalet, Motel, or School of Ministry room, bedding and towels are provided. 
Here are other important items to bring with you:

  • Cash for Meals (meals MUST be reserved by August 20th with Lori Larsen)
  • Appetizer and/or drinks for the Friday Night Welcome Party
  • Wine and/or grape juice for your family/group for Sacrament on Sunday
  • Camp Chairs
  • Swimming Suits (hot springs nearby)
  • Hiking Boots/Tennis Shoes
  • Warm Clothing
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses/Hats
  • Bug Repellant
  • Snacks (remember, there are only 2 planned meals per day)
  • Pillows, Bedding, and Towels (if not provided in your lodging)
  • Camping Gear (if you’re staying in a tent)
  • Roasting Sticks
  • Games
  • Sports Equipment/Balls (baseballs, kickballs, etc)
  • Scriptures/Journals/Books
  • Guitars, Harmonicas, etc.

We look forward to seeing you soon! If you have additional questions, please visit the Retreat website at https://retreat.restorationarchives.com. If you cannot find answers to your questions on the website, please fill out the form on the website, and the organizers will get back to you promptly.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Church History and Smoking Guns. Who is More Believable?

The ends of the earth shall inquire after your name, and fools shall have you in derision, and hell shall rage against you, while the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under your hand. And your people shall never be turned against you by the testimony of traitors, and although their influence shall cast you into trouble, and into bars and walls, you shall be had in honor.
—T&C 139:7


I just watched this video, and felt it important enough to share here. All Latter-day Saints, and everyone with an interest in the Restoration through Joseph Smith needs to see the actual, documented evidence showing how the official history is now the opposite of the truth.

If your loyalty lies with Brigham Young or his legacy, you join the litany of fools who hold Joseph Smith in derision. The revelation says Joseph’s people would never be turned against him by the testimony of traitors. Therefore, it stands to reason, that if you believe the testimony of traitors, you are not counted among “Joseph’s people.”  

Seriously, watch the video. It will be worth your time.



Saturday, June 27, 2020

The Lives and Deaths of the Prophets

Today marks the 176th anniversary of the deaths of Hyrum and Joseph Smith. Every June 27th, I feel a sense of loss and sadness, not only at the deaths of the prophets, but also at what has become of their legacy. 

Their deaths were brought about by those who at one time had been their friends. Today, many who claim to believe their teachings also accuse them of gross wickedness. When the angel told Joseph his name would be had for good and evil, it foreshadowed something so bizarre and ironic that it's almost unimaginable. 

Our Lord said: “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 3:6, NC)

Those who claim to be the country, kin, and house of Joseph lavishly expect to fulfill prophecy. They have, unfortunately, fulfilled this one. An ignominious distinction, to say the least. 

A week ago, there was a conference held in honor of the 200th anniversary of the First Vision and the beginning of the restoration. All the branches of the restoration were invited to participate. It was a wonderful, uplifting, positive event, and I’m very grateful to have been there and participated. 

Here’s a link to the website where the conference recordings can be viewed:



And here’s a video of the talk I gave at the conference:



When God begins a work among men, he sends those who are ordinary, unremarkable, and un-notable. Those he calls are universally uncomfortable with the responsibilities he gives them. They are crippled by doubts about their own abilities and faith, and left to conclude the only way anything good can come of their efforts is through the might of the one who sent them. This is as it should be, and as it always is. The farm boy from New York, the Carpenter from Galilee, the fisherman from Bethsaida, the Pharisee from Tarsus, the Lamanite on Zarahemla’s wall, the Nephite on his garden tower, the brothers in prison surrounded by fire, and the brothers in prison surrounded by gunfire. All found themselves in situations and with responsibilities they did not seek, and would have gladly relinquished if it were possible. All were hated and threatened and many paid with their lives.

Few ever recognize those who God sends. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, and few there be that find it. I would add, many there be that reject it, even while sure they are right. 

200 years ago, an unremarkable and uneducated farm boy met God face to face as the ancient patriarchs did. Ten years later, he published what may be the most remarkable book in the history of the world. Fourteen years after that, he was murdered by the conspiracy of traitors. Those who knew, and who know Brother Joseph are left to mourn. 

One of the most important things we can learn from his life is that God’s pattern yet remains unchanged. He calls upon the weak, makes himself known to them, empowers and sends them with his message, and they are generally rejected and cast out by fools who think they know better. 

If it happened again, how would you recognize it?