Deut. 4: 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

and for reference, here is the scripture in Revelation:

Rev. 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

I am a husband and a father, and as a Latter-day Saint man, I also hold the Priesthood. As a young boy I held the Aaronic Priesthood (AP), and when I became an adult I was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood (MP). There are three offices in each, the highest office in the MP being "High Priest" and the highest in the AP being "Priest." We do not have a paid clergy, and it is the responsibility of every man to "magnify" the Priesthood that he holds. We are to have a certain spiritual stewardship with others in our congregation, more or less depending on our particular "calling," whether it be a home teacher, a sunday school teacher, or a Bishop, etc. A Bishop is one of the busiest callings, because he has so much to do, and he typically serves in that capacity for 5 years, then it is someone elses time.

Why do I bring all this up? I guess because I believe that it is the Lord's way that a man get married, have a family if at all possible, and also have Priesthood responsibilities. In fact the Priesthood responsibilities start with family: husband and fatherhood. The responsibilities are shared among every man in the congregation, so that it is possible to have a full time job and support your own family at the same time one serves in Church capacities. Everyone can make time for an hour or more a week, and some possibly up to 20 hours or more a week, depending on the calling. Bishops, for instance, work most all day Sunday, and a lot of other nights as well taking care of spiritual and temporal business pertaining to the congregation (ward). He also delegates heavily to the many other men in the congregation, as most everyone has a calling, such as Sunday School teacher, Scout Master, Young Men's President, Deacon's Quorum Advisor, Home Teacher (everyone has that for a few families in the congregation (ward)) and dozens more callings... the Bishop is not alone in taking care of the needs of the "flock." It is a team effort, and it works. A man CAN have a family and significantly serve the Lord, just by merely doing his "part." With no paid ministry, there are still more person hours put in for the flock in terms of service by the ward "team" than can be put in by a paid ministry who are limited in number. In a ward, there can nearly a hundred callings (assigned responsibility), each person putting in an hour or two or three or more a week, so that everyone can help do the work, under the direction of the Bishop. The Bishop is helped to the tune of potentially 200-300 person hours, which is equivalent to five to seven 40 hour work weeks on top of the Bishop's time. This spreading of the load enables a Bishop or High Priest to be married, to have a family, and still serve in the Church in a most effective and useful way, as part of a larger team. It's a wonderful system, and I personally am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had to grow and learn, and also my family. When you are called to lead, or speak, teach, or some other thing where you are regularly getting up in front of people, or in leading meetings, etc. it helps you grow and better yourself. It is rewarding.

My family has benefitted most, probably, by knowing that we can be a forever family. We really believe that, in fact, in Church, we would testify that we know that because the Holy Ghost whispers that it is true. We can be together, forever. That is a reason to try harder, to stay closer, to make things work, and it is because of Jesus Christ that all of this is possible. Through His Atonement, we can return to the Father and, if married and sealed in the temple under a special ordinance, we will be able to be together forever with our families. It is a beautiful doctrine that has everything to do with how we feel about each other in our family, about other families and what they can have, and about our Heavenly Father, and His Son.

You know, you mention that you are a Roman Catholic, and a lot of news is going on about some things happening in the Catholic Church that have not been so good... but I want you to know that if a Bishop or Stake President in our Church had abused a child and his file leader knew about it, that man would not only be immediately released, but he would also need to be excommunicated fairly quickly (lose his Priesthood, lose his membership, and lose the Gift of the Holy Ghost), and it would be to help him properly repent for the grave sin, but also serves as a proper example to others. He may after years of this dark period get baptized again, and rejoin the Church, have his priesthood restored, etc., but he would probably never serve in a leadership capacity such as Bishop ever again. Of the seriousness of these kinds of things the Savior Jesus taught when he said:

Matt. 18: 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

You can find a copy of the Book of Mormon online at www.lds.org and clicking on their Scriptures link on the left menu.

Here is a list of the Articles of Faith which Joseph Smith penned, to which we ascribe:

1 WE believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

They had children, but there were many who were not of their family that comprised the rest of the world in their day. Egyptians, for example, were not of this family, and Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt, but later became second to the Pharoh as ruler in Egypt. Still, millions not of his family, and only 11 brothers who were. The House of Israel is a small group.

An interesting sidelight: the Book of Mormon record had access to the Brass Plates (Old Testament equivalent down to Isaiah, but with more writings of some prophets not included in the Old Testament, such as Zenos aand Zenock) Joseph of Egypt prophesies of Joseph of America (Joseph Smith):

2 Nephi 3:6 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.

8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.

9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.

10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.

11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins-and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.

12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;

15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.

17 And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him.

18 And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.

19 And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.

20 And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.

21 Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.

22 And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy.

This Joseph Smith who brought forth this Book of Mormon record as prophesied above, sheds forth additional light about where the House of Israel is. The entire record of the Book of Mormon is about a people who were entirely of the House of Israel, having migrated from Jerusalem to the Americas as led by the Lord. From 600 BC until America was discovered, it was basically inhabited by a portion of the House of Israel, exclusively. Today, it is over-run by a gazillion Gentiles, in addition to the House of Israel which is among them, albeit in much smaller numbers.

I don't believe that one revelation is "better" than another, because if we get them they are sacred. If a prophet gives them to mankind as he received them from God, they are all of equal worth and value, and should be heeded. Some revelations are no longer needed or heeded, such as the Law of Moses which was fulfilled in Christ. Things do change, but only as God instructs them to change.

When did God EVER give the decree that there would be no more revelation? The fact is, He never did that, and He continues to speak through a prophet today. God has already said that He would never do anything without revealing His "secret" through a prophet. Here's where He said that:

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

...and we have had prophets as the Lord's pattern throughout the ages of the earth, beginning with Adam, Enoch, Noah, Isaiah, and all the other Old Testament prophets! When Jesus came to the world, He also was a prophet, and more! A Savior of all mankind. Jesus said to the Nephites after His resurrection, when He appeared to them and taught them:

3 Ne. 20: 23 Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.

Jesus too, was a prophet. One who was to be heard in all things whatsover He should say unto us.

I have heard many say and speculate that Jesus was the last prophet, the final word, the end of revelation, and because of this, there is no need for any more priesthood or prophets, or whatever like the days of old. This can't be true, because of the pattern we see in the New Testament.

I think it is so important that it be understood that the New Testament was written after the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the author of all revelation given to the prophets since the world began, true, He was Jehovah in the Old Testament, and it was he who even gave the Law of Moses (see footnote A below).

So the pattern is set! Jesus died and was resurrected, but His Prophets or Apostles continued to function IN HIS NAME. Was it not Peter who, by the power of Jesus Christ raised the dead and healed people, and ran the Church? Was it not Paul who received many more revelations and taught them to the Ephesians, the Corinthians, and the Thessalonians, etc? Did not John the Beloved, receive the great revelation about the end of the earth which we call REVELATION in the New Testament scores of years AFTER the departure of Jesus Christ from this earth? Yes! Revelation continues, the pattern as set forth in the New Testament.

But not the New Testament only. That should be evidence enough for those that would say that there are no more prophets, for Jesus was the last one. That was NEVER taught in the Bible, it is what some preachers have taught in the last days to deflect the fact that they are not a prophet, and can't call themselves a prophet, so they say there are none. Because if people go looking for a prophet, they will leave that preacher's congregation. That can't happen, so they teach the false doctrine that there are no more prophets. Yet the New Testament shows that there were.

We also have the second witness of the Book of Mormon to show that there were prophets elsewhere in the world, even in the western hemisphere on the American Continent. Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, King Benjamin, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, Nephi II, Jesus Christ, Moroni, Mormon, to name a few... These men wrote down their revelations, and their revelations were GREAT! There is so much in the Book of Mormon that people in the world could read, that God revealed to His people, a remnant of the House of Israel, who was led away into that land starting at 600 BC, and ending around 421 AD when Moroni buried up the sacred records to come forth at a later date, in our day. There are revelations in the Book of Mormon that we all need to read and understand, for it was the Lord's purpose to bring forth this sacred record in our day through His prophet Joseph Smith whom He called for that purpose. To do a marvelous work and a wonder!

Prophets are still needed and used by the Lord today! Since the days of Joseph Smith, there have been a total of 15 prophets called in succession, with Gordon B. Hinkley serving as the current prophet of the Lord. He speaks the will of the Lord for all mankind today, in all parts of the world, and for all different faiths and religions, even for the atheist. What he says will come to pass. What the other prophets have said, will come to pass.

D&C 1: 38 38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

This is the Lord's pattern. It is His divine way of communicating to mankind. Revelation does not stop, only by the unfaithfulness of the people, such as in the dark ages. They dwindled in unbelief for along time. But there came a period of enlightenment when the Lord inspired brave people such as Martin Luther to pave the way for the eventual Restoration of the True Gospel of Jesus Christ, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith was also a VERY brave person, valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ. He said: D&C 76:23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-

And a lack of evidence is not proof that something did not happen. It _only_ means that nothing has been found, possibly, because no one is looking in a significant way.

The Book of Mormon is true, anyone can find that out through spiritual activity by reading and praying, asking God in the name of Jesus Christ if the book is not true. It is. If people will do this simple test, they can know for themselves. It is a lot quicker than digging up the American Continent looking for evidence 30 feet down.

Moroni 10:1 NOW I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that *more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ.

2 And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Ether 12: 12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

The Book of Mormon is not the only book which teaches the truth about how the Holy Ghost works. We can also learn from the Bible about the experience that two men had while walking in the way with Jesus, and they knew it not, but afterwards because of their experience with the Holy Ghost, which they recognized, they knew who it was...

Luke 24: 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

30 And it came to pass, as [the resurrected Jesus] sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

They felt the Holy Ghost while they were being taught the scriptures. This is not a "clever" trick, but a simple gospel truth, that the Holy Ghost feels like the burning in one's bosom, and it is the sign that we can trust in. It's in the scriptures. We can trust in that.

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Moro. 4: 3 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Moro. 5: 2 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

...they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them.

First of all, that's GREAT about your testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Our family reads and studies it every day, discusses it, and it is still fascinating! We love it, and have been doing this for many years.

When Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered/martryed at Carthage Jail, the Church faced a unique challenge: who would be the next leader. In a miraculous conference session, it was made known to the vast majority of Saints that Brigham Young was to be the successor. But there were others among the saints who did not agree, and not all of those who were members of the Church went west. Among those who stayed (and rebelled) there was a small number of people who eventually formed a church called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS) and who remain to this day. It was that group that evtually published this work.

Joseph Smith did not correct all of the passages that could be corrected in the Bible before he died, and so the new translation is not finished. It is not a perfect Bible. But we do get some great insight and improvements to the scriptures that made no sense (such as clarifications to the writings of Paul on supposed celibacy!).

When the Prophet was killed in 1844, his widow, Emma, retained the manuscripts, and passed them on to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1866. The RLDS published the corrections in 1867 under the title Holy Scriptures-Inspired Version.

Because Joseph Smith did not finish the translation, and because the RLDS hold the copyright, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not accept it as a complete work, by itself.

Many doctrinally significant Joseph Smith Translation changes were incorporated in the 1979 Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible. In all there were more than 600 of the Prophet's revisions noted. Short changes and additions are incorporated in the footnotes at the bottom of each page; for the more complicated and lengthy additions, references to the appendix are cited. The appendix, entitled "Joseph Smith Translation Excerpts Too Lengthy for Inclusion in Footnotes," is found between the Bible Dictionary and the gazetteer.

An interesting article you may want to read on the Church's official website:

Joseph Smith's Inspired Translation of the Bible

This is a very good question, and I believe that if we ponder on the predicament that Alma found himself in, (he was in a coma state), his spirit was somewhere suffering very much the pains of a damned soul. He remembered his Savior, and cried out to him for mercy!

Alma 36:16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

I think its alright to cry out to Jesus for mercy. He is the one who is mighty to save! Even though we know we have a Father in Heaven, we also know we have a Savior. Alma was in a state of total desperation. He was looking for his mediator. I believe that once he found his mediator, and knew that he was real and felt that wonderful peace and exquisite joy, then, he felt comfortable approaching the Father in prayer. Once Alma was converted and knew that Jesus is the Christ, then he could comfortably approach his Father in Heaven. I give this as my opinion, but before we can find the Father, we must first find Jesus Christ. Afterall, it was Jesus Christ who came to the world, and the one which our scriptural records talk about being a Savior for all mankind. It was Jesus Christ who taught that we first come to Him, then the Father:

John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The role that Jesus Christ plays in the Plan of Salvation is central, as you know. Once we understand that role, under the Father, and fully appreciate it, then I believe is the time that meaningful prayers can happen, where we know that we are actually praying to the Father.

The line between this can be very thin, as we know from the experience with the Nephites where, when Jesus Christ was with them, they actually prayed directly to Jesus Christ, and He let them.

3 Ne. 19: 22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.

25 And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.

Nothing wrong with that prayer! Since Jesus and the Father are one in purpose and glory, who would not worship Jesus in such a manner should He appear unto them? I most certainly will fall to my knees, and worship Jesus Christ when He comes again!

We are all at different stages of our eternal progression. God has set up a Plan of Salvation in which all can become like He is, to live with Him in the great family in Heaven, in the Celestial Kingdom of families. He gives us opportunity to come to earth, gain a body of flesh and bone, and to have a family. He has set up that these families can be eternal, as they are sealed in the temple of God by a holy priesthood ordinance. It is true.

Jesus prayed that we could be "one" with the Father as He is one with the Father. But the scriptures teach that (see Alma 11:44) we are all going to be resurrected like Jesus was, indicating that the body is eternal, immortal, and we will all attain to different degrees of glory depending on our faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:39-41). We will still have a body, yet an immortal one, perfected in Christ. So yes, as God is, man may become, because we are God's children, and God is our Father as Jesus taught. And yes, Satan was also part of this family, but was cast out of heaven before this world was, and this because of his rebellion against God having started a war there.

2 Ne. 24: 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! This is taught also in the Bible (see Isaiah 14:12). Satan has his purpose, to tempt us, along with all his evil angels, and we have the responsibility to resist him/them, and follow faithfully the path that Jesus taught. He showed the way. He established His Church with Apostles and Prophets. We should be following them, and reading our scriptures daily.

Eph. 4: 11 And [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

We are not all in a unity of the faith yet, so Apostles and Prophets are still needed, according to the Bible.

The exact details as to how Heavenly Father caused Jesus to be in the womb of Mary is not known, it's a miracle. The exact method doesn't seem really important, because all God has to do is say the word, and it is done. Was it important for us to know HOW Jesus turned water into wine? Or _how_ He walked on water. The miracle needs no explanation. God can cause a woman to become pregnant without using our methods. Actually, God can do anything, can't He? The birth of Jesus is a sacred subject, the scriptures having said that the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary.

Luke 1: 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

That's what WE believe. Nothing more, nothing less.

Finally, the Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible. It testifies of Christ even more than the Bible does, because this book was brought forth in its purity by the gift and power of God. That scripture in Revelation is not what you might think it means. It means do not add to the Book of Revelation, alone. Did you know that there is a similar scripture in the book of Deuteronomy 4:2 which if interpreted the same way, would mean that all Bible books after Deuteronomy are wrong. But this can't be, and so neither can that interpretation of Revelation 22:18.

All I can say, is that you have a mighty challenging situation on your hands, and I don't know the specific answer for you. I can make suggestions, but you will have to determine if those suggestions are relevant for you, through prayer, and by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has taught that our allegiance to God comes first. He taught:

Matt. 19: 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But let's not take this scripture out of context. Let's not make it a license to not take our family relationships seriously. Serious they are! Family comes first, is what I have always heard taught in the Church. Family is the highest priority. But I would never let my family influence me to worship a false God, to commit adultery, or break any of the Lord's commandments. I would not do that. The Lord wants our obedience first! That's all this means.

Even from the day that Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, God wanted their obedience first. As you may recall, they received TWO commandments from God. Don't eat the forbidden fruit, and multiply. Eve partook of the forbidden fruit first, and thus disobeyed God, but Adam knew that if Eve was cast out, he would be alone. So he thought deeply about all this, and decided to eat of it too. He felt it more important to be WITH Eve, than to be obedient to God on that one commandment, and be alone and unable to fulfill the other commandment.

How difficult it must have been for Adam to know what to do. He made his choice, followed Eve, but he still got a consequence. He got cast out of the garden of Eden. Personally, I believe that this was anticipated by God, and Adam probably knew it too, somehow. He probably said something like "It is clear to me that I must eat the fruit, or be alone, which would cause me to disobey the other one of God's commands, to multiply and replenish the earth (have children, etc.)"

As long as Eve had partaken of the fruit, Adam could ONLY keep one of the two commandments! So Adam decided it was better to be with Eve, and keep the other commandment to multiply and have a family, than it was to stay alone in the garden of Eden and abstain from eating that forbidden fruit, all alone, forever. Adam deemed his family life very important. Adam must have felt that multiplying and replenishing the earth was a very important commandment to keep.

God wants your family together!

I know of several women in the Church who do not have the support of their husbands, and it is a very difficult thing to keep the family conflicts at bay, to not alienate their husbands, and to remain positive and upbeat about the whole thing. They pray, and wait, and wait some more. Some have waited for decades, and their husbands are still not baptized, albeit a little closer in some cases. It's hard. Some of these noble women have even gone inactive, possibly in an effort to nurture their relationship with their husbands, and this has in some cases proved successful. They're still close, and working on things. It's wrong to go inactive, but it is also wrong to alienate one's spouse if it can be avoided. A covenant is a covenant. The marriage covenant is meant to be kept, not broken through disagreements.

You are facing a decision not unlike Adam, after Eve partook of the fruit. Eve's beguiled decision in disobedience placed Adam squarely at a crossroads. He had to make a choice. It's a commandment to be baptized, but it is also a commandment to multiply and replenish the earth through the marriage covenant. You have been doing the latter just fine. You need to decide if it is wise or worth it to you to jeopardize your marriage covenant. Since your husband has as much said already that it will, I would strongly advise against making a move to take him up/provoke him on the challenge. God wants you married, not divorced.

Baptism is a commandment too. You have a testimony. Now you work towards keeping that commandment. You don't have to do it tomorrow. You do it when you can. You do it when it is feasible. Kids under 18 who have a problem with their parents in getting permission to be baptized, are told they should wait, rather than tip the family boat over.

I recall the story of an Italian man, Vincenzo DiFrancesca who, found a copy of the Book of Mormon with the title page missing, while he was a preacher at a Protestant church here in America back in the early 20th century. He read the whole book cover to cover! He followed Moroni's promise in the end, and got a testimony of the truthfulness of the book, a powerful witness, so that he even started teaching from the Book of Mormon in his Protestant church meetings as their pastor. He was eventually censured by his church, and banished from the church for teaching from this "unknown book." He told them, as they excommunicated him, that he would keep seeking for the Church to which this book (the Book of Mormon) belonged, and when he found it, he would unite with them.

Well, he eventually did discover the Church to which the book belonged, and because he lived in a remote part of the world then where there was no official Church organization, he wrote Salt Lake to ask for someone with authority to come and baptize him. Through circumstances beyond his control, war and politics, etc., he was not able to meet the Church representatives, and so he waited, and waited, and years went by. Yet he remained true and faithful to his testimony. More years went by, and finally someone was able to come to his part of the world and baptize him. He died true to the faith, but he waited a LONG time until he saw the blessings of baptism come to him. I encourage you to get a copy of this movie (video) "The Book of Mormon, How Rare a Possession" which tells this story so much better than I did! Buy it, get it, borrow it, but watch it! Its fascinating.

Yours may be a similar lot as well. You may have to wait until the time is right for you to be baptized so that it can affect not only you, but your family for the most positive result. But every moment counts. Your husband needs this gospel, your children too. Don't procrastinate, but don't rush it either. The Lord wants your family TOGETHER. Let your love for your husband grow, as your faith and love for the Lord grows. Keep the faith. Stay true to what you know. Study more. Prayerfully find the best ways to serve your husband, to approach your husband. Remember the successes of Ammon in the Book of Mormon that he had through service, rather than preaching. Keep the commandments. It is a commandment to be baptized, yes. But seek for HOW this is to be done, without ruining your family. Fast and pray, and wait patiently on the Lord. Do not "use your head" on this, and blindly follow a scripture, possibly out of context of the bigger picture of what the Lord has designed for families in this life. Better to be married, patiently working towards an Eternal Family, than to ditch one's family for baptism and hope for another family! The Lord knows your heart. He will bless your efforts. Follow your heart and the promptings from the Holy Ghost. God knows the future. He can lead you best.

Read the account in the Book of Mormon about Abish! She was a Lamanite who knew the truth, had a testimony for years before she could act on it. She lived among thieves and robbers, who would have probably killed her if she admitted what she knew. She waited, and was blessed. As the Lamanites were being converted miraculously, she got very excited, for the day had come!

Alma 19: 16 And it came to pass that [the Lamanites with King Lamoni] did call on the name of the Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father-

17 Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people.

...but the Book of Mormon says that the Great and Abominable Church (or the church of the devil) is that which belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God, , indicating that it is not limited to the Catholic Church. In fact, it is any organization, including governments, etc., that fight against the Church of the Lamb of God.

Here is the scripture in its full context, as Nephi received this in vision from God:

1 Ne. 14: 10 And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.

11 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

12 And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.

13 And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.

14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

15 And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth.

16 And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots; and behold, thou seest all these things-

17 And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel.

18 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

19 And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.

20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been.

22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.

Read the Book of Revelation! It gives the proceedings of the end of the world, including after the Millennial reign of Christ.

Islam countries generally don't allow Christianity, and some Christians have gone to jail for preaching Jesus Christ (recently in Afghanistan). It may be their religion, but it is persecution nonetheless. It happened to the Mormons in the early years even in this Country. Jail time for its leaders was all too common. This has been with the world since the beginning, when people of God get persecuted, locked up in prisons, or killed. The Book of Mormon is abundant with stories of righteous men who went to prison for preaching the gospel of Christ. The faithful ones were delivered:

3 Ne. 28: 19 And [the Three Nephites] were cast into prison by them who did not belong to the church. And the prisons could not hold them, for they were rent in twain.

Alma 8: 31 And [Alma and Amulek] had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them.

Hel. 10: 16 But behold, the power of God was with [Nephi], and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them.

We have to use logic here, but that's OK, because the gospel has always been logical to me, at least. Jesus taught so many things. He is the one that we can often turn to, to get perspective on things. If we want perspective on what Jesus thinks of children, and how sinful they are, we can turn to His very words:

Matt. 19: 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Of such is the kingdom of heaven! Of such are angels and all the sinless things that exist in the kingdom of heaven. Very logical, very true. Children are not born with sins!

The Book of Mormon makes this very clear, in case Jesus was not clear enough :) The prophet Mormon taught:

Moro. 8: 9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.

10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach- repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

Now as to the other item. If we use the Bible and look at the logic, we see that when Jesus was baptized of John in the Jordan River, the voice of the Father spoke from heaven, and the Holy Ghost descended and fell upon Jesus. We see three physically different entities here, not three different manifestations of the same person. Jesus is not the Father. Jesus prayed TO His Father. He also called His Father, OUR Father. Jesus was very clear that He was doing the will of His Father, and not His own will. Jesus spoke to His Father. He prayed to Him, and He taught us to pray to Him as well. All of this can be learned from the New Testament.

In the Old Testament we can read Genesis and see that the pronoun US is used when God is speaking about Himself. God is Elohim, and this Hebrew noun is plural. When you read the word GOD in the Bible, look up the Strong's Hebrew translation, and you will see that it is Elohim, and that this is a plural noun.

If this is not enough to convince, then again, we have the Book of Mormon, for that is one of the purposes of the Book of Mormon, to be a Second Witness to the first witness, even the Bible.

In the Book of Mormon there is an account of Jesus Christ, resurrected, visiting the Nephites on the American Continent. He taught them the things that He taught the Jews, and a little bit more. While He was with them, they prayed to Him, and here is what Jesus said to the Father, indicating that they are NOT the same person, even though the Son is in the express image of the Father, and is one with Him in purpose.

3 Ne. 19: 22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.

23 And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.

Jesus is putting us all on the same plane as He is with the Father, praying that WE can become like Him, that He will be in us AS the FATHER is in Him.

Where have we read these truths before? In the New Testament, more particularly in the writings of John. Jesus is teaching us that WE can become ONE with them.

Since we KNOW what we ARE, an individual being, this "oneness" must be one in purpose, because it does not mean that we are all going to change into one big thing when this life is over. It means individuals, acting in perfect obedience to God's laws, living in harmony with all others in a Celestial Kingdom, and being One with the Father, with Jesus, and all others there. It is Godhood, nothing less. For if we truly can imagine what it MEANS to sit on a throne, this is being a king, and that is what we are capable of being exalted to in God's kingdom. Here's the scripture that proves this:

Rev. 3: 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

And if we are to believe the promises of God, we will believe what this is saying, as incredible as it sounds, it is true. It is biblical. To him that overcomes...even as Jesus overcame...

Jesus is our model. Jesus is our example. Jesus has commanded us to be just like he is:

3 Ne. 27: 27 ...Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

Matt. 5: 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

3 Ne. 12: 48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Let us pray and work towards that end. Jesus can help us. He has promised us this:

Ether 12: 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.... for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

It IS possible!!! In Christ.

The Book of Mormon was written on gold plates by the prophet Mormon, around 400 AD, and sealed up in the earth by his son Moroni after 421 AD. When the angel Moroni instructed Joseph Smith to get this sacred record from the Hill Cumorah when he was 21 years old, it was to the same place that the plates were returned when the work of translation was over.

Joseph Smith translated the plates by the gift and power of God, using the Urim and Thummim that Moses and other prophets referred to so often in the Old Testament. The language on the plates was called by the author, Mormon, Reformed Egyptian, and is a short-hand version of Egyptian due to the difficultly of writing on metal plates.

So the original work was not in English, but in a Reformed Egyptian, so that when Joseph Smith wrote in English the meaning of the text, he used his language, the style in which he was familiar (which happens to be 19th century).

Where does the Book of Mormon take place? All over the American Continent. However, the text of the Book of Mormon was carefully selected for its spiritual significance, and not necessarily the historical or geographical significance. The Book testifies of Christ, and that is its main purpose. The final battle was at the Hill Cumorah in the State of New York. Yet there are evidences of ancient cities dating to the time of the Book of Mormon (2500 BC to 421 AD) all throughout Central and South America where they constructed many buildings out of stone. If you are interested in evidences, you can find much written about it on BYU's website (FARMS)

I prefer the miraculous method of finding out that the Book of Mormon is true, by getting a spiritual evidence for one's self. It is by following Moroni's promise, that if we read the Book of Mormon, then pray about this with a sincere heart desiring to know the truth, with pure intent, then the Holy Ghost is going to make this book KNOWN to you as the truth. I did that, and I really KNOW it is true. It's amazing! A lot simpler than digging up the American Continent to find corroborating evidences to the Book of Mormon. Even if we did find some things, it does not make the Book of Mormon true. Only the Holy Ghost does!

Yes, God does have a physical being. Jesus Christ proved that when He lived here on earth, and when He came back after He was resurrected with a physical body. He didn't come back in the form of a cloud, a voice, or anything but a person. A real person! With a body of flesh and bone. The Bible proved that, and this is what we believe. He prayed that we could be one with Him as He is already One with the Father. That is a very wonderful thing, to have Jesus pray that we can live with them in the Celestial Kingdom where they are all one in purpose, glory, and family. Heaven is about Family!

Where does He live? Anywhere He wants. He is the ruler of the entire Universe! That's a big "home." I think the recent discovery of a new solar system (in yesterdays news) is a testament to the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, where the Lord told Moses:

Moses 1: 33 And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.

See also Heb. 1:2 and notice that what Jesus Christ created was plural.

Mosiah 3: 7 And lo, [Jesus Christ] shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

That may be the established and accepted idea about pores, I don't know, we do know that there were many errant ideas in the Dark Ages, and a lot of ignorance.

But King Benjamin was taught by angels, and he was not in ignorance. He was told by an angel how it was going to be with Jesus Christ coming to the earth, and for all I know, King Benjamin knew all about pores then, and the Nephites were a very educated people.

Since he learned directly from an angel of God, and these are the words of the angel of God, King Benjamin was instructed that Jesus Christ was to bleed from every pore. Here is the account:

Mosiah 3:2 And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me.

3 And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy.

4 For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy.

5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.

6 And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.

7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

The Book of Mormon is indeed true, and I have found this out for myself, and the Lord continues to manifest the truth of it to me every time I read it, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

If you would have a witness for yourself, there is but one thing to do. Read the book. Read it with a sincere heart, desiring to know if it is really true. Do not first suspect that it is false. Don't prejudge it in any way. If you do these things, then the Holy Spirit of God can not work in you, because of your lack of faith. Faith is to be believing, nothing doubting or wavering, as James taught in James 1:5-7:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Let not that DOUBTING man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord. Could it be more clear? We do not go before the Lord with doubt about something, with skepticism about something, but we go with sincere belief. It is true, He will let us know. I am not aware the Catholic leaders teach their people to take their questions to the Lord, for whenever I have ever spoke with any about religious topics, I have without exception been told that they will ask their Priest first, and then get back to me. No mention of asking God, and when suggested, no commitment to do that, but to only approach their leader to find out...

In answer to your question, have Catholics ever investigated the Book of Mormon? Most definitely yes, and you can find many books and articles written on the subject. However, it is my conclusion that many of these fall into the category mentioned by the Apostle Paul, who said that in the last days men would be:

2 Tim. 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

With the advent of the printing press and now the Internet, people are more easily able to "research" things out, but of what value is it? Is what people read and find true? Can they be sure that what they read in books and on Internet web pages, even if a scholar signs their name to the work, can they be sure it is truth and should be believed? How can one know of truth, for sure?

It is ONLY by the power of the Holy Ghost that any one can know for sure. That is what WE teach. That is what the Book of Mormon ancient prophets taught. We don't place our trust in any man first, but we place our trust in God, or we SHOULD be doing that, and then we can be guided by the Holy Ghost. Here are writings from ancient prophets in the Book of Mormon that addresses these important principles, beginning with Nephi:

2 Ne. 4: 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

2 Ne. 28: 31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

This includes any priest, pastor, or bishop, pope, or prophet of any church, even ours. If we trust in their words by the power of man alone (aka logic!), then we trust in the arm of flesh, and rely on LOGIC and proofs, and other fallible methods. Nephi teaches us that we are not to trust in these, but in the Holy Ghost ONLY. The Holy Ghost will manifest to truth, and so we should be relying on this alone. Otherwise we too are "Ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth."

The ancient prophet Moroni taught what to do about reading the Book of Mormon, and places the whole thing at the feet of God, and not at the feet of a priest, bishop, stake president, prophet or pope. He teaches, rightfully, that we are to take our case directly to God Himself, and in this place our trust. How can anyone doubt in this method? It is also what Christ taught, when He commands us to pray to the Father, and places our relationship with the Father, and not even Him, let alone a priest, pastor, pope, or prophet.

Moroni 10:3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read [the Book of Mormon], if it be wisdom in God that ye should read [it], that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

So that is how I gained my personal witness that the Book of Mormon is true. I was told, in a very personal and spiritual way that I can not deny (or even fully explain), that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I followed the counsel of Moroni, to read the Book of Mormon completely, ponder on its teachings, and even though I already knew what I had read was true by the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, I knelt and prayed to know for sure, and I got a witness, by the power of the same spirit, even by the power of the Holy Ghost.

It really is that simple, even a child can find their way back to the Father. We don't need to be a scholar first. We need to have a sincere heart. Hasn't it always been this way with the children of God who believe in Him, from the beginning? God keeps it simple, and children inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Speaking of little children, Jesus Christ said:

3 Ne. 11: 37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

In each of the three things you mention that were presented to you on that site, they were presented in a deceitful way. In essence, they told and perpetuated a lie, because it seems with some that they are more interested in falsehoods than the truth, which is sad, because it merely makes them another anti-mormon with obvious bias.

Here is the scripture mentioned:

2 Nephi 3:14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;

15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

These scriptures are out of context of the whole chapter, so it is best to read the whole chapter here: 2 Nephi Chapter 3

Still, these scriptures say that Joseph of Egypt prophesied of a "Joseph" of the future (Joseph Smith) who's father's name would also be Joseph (and it was), and Joseph of Egypt wrote that this Joseph of the future would be of his loins. Joseph Smith was of the Tribe of Ephraim, which was a son of Joseph of Egypt. Now, the conclusion by this site you visited, that Joseph Smith would therefore have to be a Jew or and American Indian makes no sense at all. What this person fails to realize is that there are more people in the world than Jews and Indians who are also of the House of Israel. We have 12 Tribes in that House of Israel, not just Jews (Judah) and Indians (Manasseh). The Tribe of Joseph was in full array when Lehi lived in Jerusalem, and took his family and departed in the wilderness, and was led of the Lord to the Promised Land, and their descendents became the American Indian (Lamanites). Yet back in the eastern hemisphere, how many descendents of Joseph of Egypt were there already in existence besides Lehi? LOTS. Many, and these never did go with Lehi, but many of these have spread throughout the world to Europe, etc., and Joseph Smith was one of them. I was one of them. Chances are, you were one of these too. The Jews may call their homeland "Israel" but that does not mean that that is all there is to it. Israel (or Jacob from the Old Testament) had 12 SONS. Judah was only one of them. The name of "Israel" belongs to all 12 sons.

3,913 "documented" changes!! I have never seen the so- called "documentation" because it doesn't exist, no one ever posts that. The first Book of Mormon had no verses or footnotes, it read as a story with plain text. Would you believe that someone would count the number of verse numbers added to the text, as well as any footnotes, and call these "documented changes?" Believe it. There have been only a handful of corrections made to the Book of Mormon, when the errors that first crept in through the printing press process were fixed many years later. These few things have been corrected (by viewing the original manuscript, which partially exists in Church archives, and by the spirit of revelation which exists with prophets of God).

It is important to know and believe that the original manuscript was FLAWLESS, needed no changes, for as these words were written as spoken by Joseph Smith during the translation process, there was no mistake in them. The mistakes were introduced by non-member printers who, utilizing the original manuscript prepared by Joseph Smith, created their OWN "Printer's Manuscript" and they got a few words wrong, turned around, mixed up. It is a natural process in printing more commonly known as a TYPO. It wasn't that critical, but it HAS got corrected in recent decades with the major publishing effort by the Church around 1980. It got corrected. But 3,913 changes? What a gross misrepresentation, a gross exaggeration. Not in the text, but verse numbering, and it is frankly, a "lie" because it paints a bad picture to the unsuspecting who hear that. We can say the same things about the Bible! But they don't. The original manuscripts of the Bible did not have the verse numbering system and footnotes that we now use. Prophets don't write that way! It comes later in the publishing process, when the modern printing press was invented and the masses got copies of scriptures for themselves.

Now finally about the Martyr "controversy." Joseph Smith went voluntarily back to Carthage, where he KNEW an angry mob bent on killing him lay in wait. He said these words as he walked the dirt road to Carthage, leaving his safety in fleeing west, but he went there:

D&C 135: 4 When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said:

"I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I SHALL DIE INNOCENT, AND IT SHALL YET BE SAID OF ME-HE WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD."

-The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go-shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was- he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it:

5 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment- seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.

6 Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty-eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified.

7 They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism" that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth. Amen.

In the Book of Mormon we have an account of one Zeezrom who, before being fully converted, wanted to know more, and so he asked Alma the prophet some questions. Here is part of that exchange:

Alma 12: 7 Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrom began to tremble more exceedingly, for he was convinced more and more of the power of God; and he was also convinced that Alma and Amulek had a knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they knew the thoughts and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy.

8 And Zeezrom began to inquire of them diligently, that he might know more concerning the kingdom of God. And he said unto Alma: What does this mean which Amulek hath spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before God to be judged according to their works?

9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless

they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

And so it is with temple covenants and ordinances. I would tell you all about it, if it were not for the strict command that we all have to hold these things sacred, and not delve into deeper spiritual things, which many who are not converted would never understand or accept anyway. Paul taught this principle in the New Testament:

1 Cor. 3: 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

And so it is. Jesus wants us to receive things line upon line, precept upon precept. To discuss the meat of the gospel of Christ with those who are new to the gospel is unwise, for they will likely choke on it.

Even so, I will tell you of my experience in the temple of God. I was prepared, having a strong testimony. When the newer things were presented to me, I was ready, ready for the weightier matters, and I was ready to make additional covenants to be even more obedient to Jesus Christ, and to more fully take upon me His sacred name. THAT's what goes on in the temple.

The wearing of the "garment" as our under clothing is merely a reminder of who we are. What we have started to become. It is an emblem of our covenants to be strictly obedient to Jesus Christ and His gospel and commandments. A good thing!

In fact, just as Catholic Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and Popes wear their emblems of who they are on the outside (white collar, etc.), we also wear emblems of our committment and pledge to Jesus Christ, excepting that we don't wear it on the outside, but as a reminder to ourselves who we are, what we stand for. I am glad to wear the garments of Jesus Christ, for it is Jesus Christ who established this way of committing His disciples to greater obedience to the laws and principles of His gospel.

As far a being "cultish" well, that is a relative term. Any Christian is a member of a cult, for here is the definition: A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

That is how Christians are viewed by non-Christians who don't accept Jesus Christ as Savior. Unfortunately, "cult" has been associated with those who drink the poison kool-aid, and try to board space-ships. Every religion has its culture that can seem strange and peculiar to those outside of it. For instance, it is kind of strange to get into a box and confess your sins to a Priest on the other side of a wall. It can be strange to wave your arms high in the air as you sing songs in some other denominations. It can be stranger still to see someone get up unexpectedly in the middle of a congregation and start speaking in another tongue! Probably stranger still to see Jesus Christ say Lazarus, come forth! and then see a dead man wrapped in grave clothes, and then hear Jesus say "Loose him, and let him go."

"Strange" things can happen in the gospel of Christ. It is nothing to be afraid of, we need to follow the Spirit in accepting what is of God and what is not.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

SO what goes on in a temple of God? Sacred things, wonderful spiritual things, peace and happiness, and closeness to God. We get to learn new things, have more of the mysteries of God presented to us, and we can be privileged to more fully commit ourselves to God and His commandments, which we have already learned.

About the "questions" asked, this is done before you even go to the temple, one meets with their Bishop and answers some basic