Mormon 9:32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.

33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.

34 But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.

No other people knew the system, therefore I would expect and not criticize that the "scientific world" has not discovered it. The plates were never allowed to be examined by the scientific world by the Lord's design:

Isa. 29: 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

If you are not aware of the account of a member of the "scientific community," a Professor Anthon, in which this scripture was fulfilled, read on:

JS-H 1: 65 65 "He then said to me, 'Let me see that certificate.' I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, 'I cannot read a sealed book.' I left him and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the translation." Read the full account here...

If given the choice, would you follow the teachings of the Old Testament, or the New Testament?

Without exception I can already hear it: the New Testament, and it is obvious because someone who is professing the Born Again faith most definitely relies almost exclusively on the words of the prophet Paul, even more than Jesus' teachings, which is fine as far as Paul's writings go, but all must be tempered with all, and I would say that the Latter-day Saints rely pretty heavily on the CONTINUIM of scripture, which includes the Old Testament. We use it a lot.

The Book of Mormon is just another part of the whole. We don't dismiss the Bible at all. But the Book of Mormon is the LATEST and greatest thing that the Lord Jesus Christ has brought forth to the world. Better read it and know what the Lord has said for us. Better read it very soon, like NOW. Jesus said to the Nephites:

2 Nephi 29:1 BUT behold, there shall be many-at that day when I shall proceed to do a marvelous work among them, that I may remember my covenants which I have made unto the children of men, that I may set my hand again the second time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel;

2 And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel;

3 And because my words shall hiss forth-many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?

7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.

13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever.

Jesus quoted Malachi AFTER His resurrection to teach the Nephites (and us through the Book of Mormon) that the Law of Tithing was STILL in effect. He quotes:

3 Nephi 24:1 AND it came to pass that he commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Father unto Malachi-Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.

2 But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger, and fear not me, saith the Lord of Hosts.

6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return?

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

I have seen people sing and have fun singing, a joyful noise as it is called, yet there are more subtle things of the Spirit, more powerful than the sensation of a good song mingled with rhythm and drum beats. We all know that youth love a good concert. It gives them goose bumps. Is this the Lord? No. It's sensation.

There are people in our Church as well who do not understand the Spirit. They are the ones who want to get up and give a "fire and brimstone" speech. They are the ones who will get up and sing a loud and showy solo. They are the ones who want to really "show what they can do." This is not humility and meekness, but a form of priestcraft. It must be avoided. We must seek the peaceable things of the Lord, and spiritual experiences are largely an individual experience. One person in a congregation may feel a talk was completely boring. Another will cry and be touched for good for life. How is this possible?

2 Ne. 26: 29 [Jesus] commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.

3 Ne. 16: 10 And thus commandeth the Father that I [Jesus] should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.

There is love in my Church. People help each other. That is love. People visit each other. That is love. People care about each other. That's love too. Here is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about as summed up by Alma:

Mosiah 18:8 And it came to pass that [Alma] said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart.

13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.

14 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.

15 And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.

Paul talks about his "thorn in the flesh" :

2 Cor. 12: 7 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Does God work thorugh a man so imperfect as Paul? He does.

1 Cor. 1: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,

Does God work through people with weaknesses and faults, and who admit them? He does.

But before you conclude that the ancient American Prophets of Jesus Christ "seem to deny inspiration," please take a look at the direct revelations that they DID write:

Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life

Nephi's Vision of Jesus Christ coming into the world

Nephi's Vision of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Nephi's Vision of the Destruction of Jerusalem

...and numerous other visions and revelations as recorded by these prophets. Don't throw out what is so valuable in their visions and revelations which the Lord gave to them, and which they wrote down, just because they admit their weaknesses.

Paul admitted his weaknesses. Peter demonstrated his weaknesses, as did all the other Apostles who sometimes even wanted to know who was the greatest. Yet they all grew from these growing and learning experiences. They became PILLARS of God in their obedience and spiritual abilities. They died true to their cause in Christ. They were humble, yet powerful.

Kidding aside, these barges did not have sails, but were more like submarine vessels. They could submerge if the waves crashed down upon them.

Most all of your other questions have to do with the "lack of evidence" and placing a great deal of trust in archealogy as if it were an exact science. Archealogy is far from an exact science, primarily because archealogists are not allowed to dig up everyone's backyard, and discover what's beneath all of the commercial and industrial centers in the world today. Imagine what we would find if we all got busy digging up the whole world. We'd find all that evidence that you need.

But you are not going to get all these proofs. The dirt is going to stay, and eventually Jesus is going to come again and burn it all anyway. He is not interested in preserving all that "proof." He is going to require an accounting of how all people in the world dealt with the Book of Mormon that He brought forth. He's not interested in us finding evidences that don't prove faith- related subjects, He is interested in our faith, our obedience.

Luke 17: 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

What is He talking about ?!! Can you say to a tree, be plucked up and planted in the sea? Yes, you can, if you have faith.

This is the thing that Jesus is interested in. So what IS this faith? The Book of Mormon teaches us:

Alma 32: 21 And now as I said concerning faith-faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. Read the rest of Alma's discourse on faith here

Are you exercising FAITH when you want the earth to be dug up completely to find out if those Book of Mormon evidences lurk down there somewhere...? No, that's wanting evidences or proof. This is not faith.

A mustard seed is pretty small. If you can't tell a tree to be plucked up and planted in the sea yet, then your faith is not yet as big as a mustard seed, and you need to grow your faith. If faith gets any smaller than a mustard seed, it seems almost microscopic or even non existent. I am afraid that too many people have a microscopic faith and need to get to the mustard seed level and beyond. We all need to grow our faith. Alma taught us how:

Alma 32:27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.

32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.

35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.

37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

Well, I believe the times of tribulation have already begun. There are wars and rumors of wars already. We have seen great suffering and injustice in the world from time to time already. It will continue, and get worse. A time will come when:

D&C 45: 68 And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.

...and a gathering to the New Jerusalem will take place. The Book of Mormon speaks abundantly of this New Jerusalem, and I would invite you to go to lds.org and click on the SCRIPTURES button, and look these up and read in more detail. They are true, and can help us know what is in store for us according to the plan of Jesus Christ, for He commissioned the Book of Mormon. The resurrected Jesus Christ visited the Americas and said to the Nephites/Lamanites:

3 Ne. 20: 21 And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel.

22 And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.

3 Ne. 21: 23 And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.

3 Ne. 21: 24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem.

Ether 13: 3 And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord.

Ether 13: 4 Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land.

Ether 13: 5 And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come-after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel.

Ether 13: 6 And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type.

Ether 13: 10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.

If you would like to know if the Bible prophecies of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, yes it does. Go to this link, TOPICAL GUIDE, BOOK OF MORMON, which is a topical guide link of all scriptures that have something to do with the House of Israel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

Jesus sends out messengers, and we need to find out who His messengers are/were. If Joseph Smith were one of those prophet/messengers, then the doctrines that were brought forth through him are also of the Lord and we would be obliged to accept them. So how do we find out who these messengers are? The Book of Mormon has some answers.

There is an account of a false messenger who came to deceive the people, and he was anti-Christ. His name was Korihor. He taught all the things that would cause a person NOT to come unto Christ. He taught:

Alma 30:13 O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.

14 Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.

15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.

16 Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so.

17 And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.

18 And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms- telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof.

A person should be able to detect this man, because what he taught did not bring anyone to Christ. The great prophet Mormon taught:

Moro. 7: 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

All mankind are left without excuse. They all have the ability to judge. The Spirit of Christ is given to all that they may know. If people will follow this Spirit of Christ, then they will be led in the directions that will take them ultimately, to Christ.

Captain Moroni was our Book of Mormon example of the perfect Christian who knew when it was time to fight a war, and to wage war in the defense of the lives, liberty, their families...he raised a title of liberty:

Alma 46: 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it- In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children- and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

In fighting against some of the most evil people who waged war against them, Captain Moroni and his armies were beating them in the strength of the Lord and he said:

Alma 44: 1 AND it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold, Zerahemnah, that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.

2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us because of our religion.

3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.

4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.

5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that all- powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us-

6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us.

No, it does not contradict the 2nd Article of Faith, because the Atonement, or the At One Ment, which makes us one again with God our Father, is a two step process.

Jesus suffered for sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, and because of Him, we can be made clean through the blood of His Atonement. But that is not all of His Atonement. That was the "spiritual" half. The "physical" half (for we are half spirit, half physical, our soul is the combination of the two...) was provided for us to be at one again with God through the miracle of the Resurrection. This resurrection was brought to pass after his necessary death on the cross. After Jesus died, He began the resurrection, which will come to all. So it was necessary for Jesus to get involved, as our Savior, to make possible our recovery from the Fall of Adam.

1 Cor. 15: 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Nephi 5:10 And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning.

11 And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;

12 And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;

13 And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.

Hermeneutics is the method of translation of employing a face value method of interpretation, where the reader of Scripture attempts to discover the normal, natural, customary sense of the text as it was intended by the Author/author (God/human) at the time that it was written.

Joseph Smith, however, was given the Urim and Thummim by the Lord to use for translation of the plates of Mormon. Joseph Smith recorded:

JS-H 1:52 Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up. I looked in, and there indeed did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate, as stated by the messenger. The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones together in some kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones crossways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the other things with them.

The Book of Mormon prophets had these interpreters as well as is recorded:

11 Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of God, after having translated and caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which had been found by the people of Limhi, which were delivered to him by the hand of Limhi;

12 And this he did because of the great anxiety of his people; for they were desirous beyond measure to know concerning those people who had been destroyed.

13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow.

14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages;

15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he should discover to every creature who should possess the land the iniquities and abominations of his people;

16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of old times.

John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

...and in the Americas Jesus said the following:

3 Nephi 28:1 AND it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father?

2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom.

3 And he said unto them: Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my kingdom; and with me ye shall find rest.

4 And when he had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three, and said unto them: What will ye that I should do unto you, when I am gone unto the Father?

5 And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired.

6 And he said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.

7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.

8 And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.

9 And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand.

Alma 46: 13 And [Captain Moroni] fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land-

Now Rod, harsh or not, please ask yourself, would this man have fought in Hitler's war? Would he have been deceived by the rhetoric that so many Germans were deceived by? Would he have gone against other countries to murder and get gain and capture the wealth of other people on account of how supreme he was, a so- called "master race?" Or would he have revolted from such a thing? The answer is obviuous.

Consider one of his other actions towards his government, which I admire. He did what was right, not what the mainstream did. Captain Moroni told his head of government:

Alma 60: 24 And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, ... behold it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our government.

Why would we wait for the prophet to tell us what to do? The prophet Alma did not tell Captain Moroni what to do, and Captain Moroni did not wait for that. Nor was he ever supposed to wait for that. I hope that enlightened Christians will act on conscience in all things. I will follow everything that the prophet counsels or commands us to do. To that I am committed, but prophets rarely cover everything that we must do. The Lord has said that we must be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. (see D&C 58:27)

That is a commandment NOT to wait for the prophet to tell us what to do in all things. Captain Moroni did not wait for that, he knelt on the ground and asked God specifically to support him in what he knew was the right thing to do, that was within his power to do. He succeeded !! ...and Mormon said of him:

Alma 48: 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

You also mentioned Mormon and how he fought in an unjust war, and led them. Yes he did fight in a war, but the Nephites were fighting for their own freedoms in their own land, being overrun by a foreign country (the Lamanites) who were seeking power over them to bring them into bondage. Mormon fought, therefore, in a just war (as far as the Nephites were concerned), to defend the Nephite Nation, despite the personal wickedness that may have existed among some or many of the people/soldiers. "Perfection" and freedom from sin is not the criteria one must have in order to defend his liberty. A sinner has all right to defend his/her liberty, if someone else is seeking to take it away.

Mormon did not fight in an unjust war! ...the Lamanites were about the overrun the land: Morm. 4: 23 And now I, Mormon, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land... The Lamanites came to the Nephite lands, not the other way around:

Mormon 3:1 AND it came to pass that the Lamanites did not come to battle again until ten years more had passed away. And behold, I had employed my people, the Nephites, in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle.

So we see from the record that the Lamanites came to the Nephite lands. This means that they were DEFENDING themselves. That's OK and justified of the Lord. The Book of Mormon is clear on the the right and duty of a Christian (or a full-fledged sinner) to do this:

Alma 43: 47 And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.

We know from the story, that the real Christians on the side of the Lamanites would not do evil deeds:

Alma 24: 25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.

Lamanites who suddenly got a conscience AFTER they had murdered somebody. And so having a conscience they threw down their weapons of war, and would rather die than continue in something so evil.

When we fight in an unjust war, that is not a Christian activity. Article of Faith 12 (obey laws of land) does not apply in wickedness. We are never commanded to be obedient in wickedness, but the condition is based on following righteous leaders. Otherwise Satan would win if all leaders in power became wicked.

Thank God for men and women of conscience, who choose the right no matter what the consequence. With such examples in the Book of Mormon, I do not know how to come to any other conclusion than what I have stated. I believe it to be right. Captain Moroni fought for defense, only, and to protect liberty, family, etc.

Even when the Nephites were threatened by the great host of Gadianton Robbers (or communists of their day), their prophet Gidgidoni was asked of the people where they could go to slay those wicked robbers, but he forbade them, because it was an offense.

3 Ne. 3: 19 Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy; therefore, this Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, as also was the chief judge.

20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands.

21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands.

and the Lord has said:

Alma 43: 46 And [the Nephites] were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.

How does Hitler's war stack up against the Lord's commands tot he Nephites? Should we fight in unjust and wicked wars where men of power suppress the freedoms of others, and accomplish this through murder? God forbids it.

2 Nephi 2:22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

This scripture teaches that there was no death before the fall of Adam, that if he had not partaken of the fruit, that all things would have just remained in the SAME state in which they were after they were created, in other words, their perfect state. The scripture teaches that nothing was changing until the fall.

As to you statements about the bones, and the resurrrection, it makes perfect sense, because Alma taught that all will be resurrected, bond and free, old, young, male, female, etc.:

Alma 11: 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

So since we know that since this restoration comes to all, that the elements of body and spirit come back together to form a perfect and permanent eternal union, the soul, the argument that the bones were left over from a previous earth loses credibility.

All of these arguments are designed to placate the theories of science on carbon dating; to somehow let it stand as a constant. Yet we can see that it is not a constant. The first humans lived to 1000 years old. The earth was divided in the days of Peleg as told in the Bible, and we have major changes in a short time, during the Great Flood, which is also a scientific mystery. In fact, all of Jesus' miracles are scientific mysteries. The fact is that our God is much more advanced than our present science can fully explain or talk about. I'm not debunking science as much as I am just stating that it is limited when it comes to the mysteries and miracles of God, for which there can be no repeat in the laboratory of science. Miracles happen, and there is no science for that at the lower levels of understanding where we all now exist.

Here's the bottom line: Man trusts in man too much. There needs to be trust in God only, God first, and then when we have mastered that, we can then trust in the things that man is doing which are in harmony with God. Nephi knew this, and he taught:

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.

Or if you didn't see eye to eye on the politics of say, Bill Clinton, he might as well say "oh, you believe in a _different_ Bill Clinton," when you both know it isn't true. You are both talking about the same person, yet people who do this are trying to agitate you and persecute you. Recognize it for what it is. It isn't fair, it isn't nice, and it isn't very tolerant or Christian.

2 Ne. 25: 28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.

29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

Let me make my point: When the Roman soldiers killed Jesus Christ by crucifixion, they were "only following orders." Yet, they were not innocent in their abuses and lack of pause. Even Pilate paused, several times, and never personally abused the Christ (only got a little testy with Him when Jesus did not answer). Yet Pilate "washed his hands" of responsibility, and then consented to ordering the murder of Christ, whom he knew to be innocent (I find no fault with the man!), ...he acted in fear of the people. That's what's wrong here. People who act in fear, rather than by conscience and stand up for a principle that they know to be right. Pilate had to live with his bad decision, for the rest of his life. If they don't know, then they are not accountable, we all know that.

We have many many "Roman soldiers" today, in various wars, in businesses, and throughout the world. Modern day "Roman soldiers" are men without enough thought or consideration, or who ignore their conscience and rationalize the evil things that they do for governments or corporations by saying that they have no choice. They might lose their jobs. They might get court-martialed. They might be killed. Everyone has a choice.

Captain Von Trapp (in the Sound of Music, a true story), was such a man who would not cave to the political pressures of doing something against his conscience, and he took his family a fled. What a great example.

In a war, there are certainly different degrees of responsibility, and God will be the final judge, but let us not forget the example in the Book of Mormon, where Lamanite men who lived in darkness without even the gospel of Jesus Christ, were "just following orders." Roman soldiers that they were, they could see through the wickedness of their orders, and they acted as men of conscience, threw down their weapons, and would rather die themselves than continue in doing the wrong thing.

Alma 24: 25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.

That's a pretty brave thing to do in a war, when all around you are others who have not made that commitment yet, and could kill you too. They became the ultimately committed "conscientious objectors" to the war at hand. They would rather die than to continue in it. Mormon too, in the war in which he fought, became a "conscientious objector" at one point, and "utterly refused to lead them" and then is the time that the Nephite armies took the offensive, went up to the Lamanite lands WITHOUT Mormon, and they lost.

Mormon was the true hero. He was the true patriot, but he would not say, "I'll defend my country, right or wrong. My country may not always be right, but my country right or wrong." He wouldn't say that. As soon as they [the Nephites] were wrong, he became a conscientious objector, an idle onlooker.

Morm. 3: 11 And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination.

As to the changes, the first thing that comes to mind is the desire to put the book into chapters, and then verses, so it could be more organized and useful in a study setting. These thousands of changes, along with the added footnotes to show how the book relates to the other scriptures, add up to what some have said is a major change. I am glad that these "changes" were made.

The Bible teaches that Jesus' spirit went to the spirit world and he preached to the spirits in prison (see Peter's writings). If he went to preach to them, we can see that they did not all go to the presence of the Father like you say. They were in the Spirit World, as spirits.

In addition, there is the resurrection that MUST take place before people are judged. 1 Corinthians teaches "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive," teaching that this restoration comes to all, because of Jesus Christ. We also have the examples from the Bible which show that many others were resurrected at the time of Christ's resurrection. We also see that Christ has a body of flesh and bone, for he said to the fearing apostles:

Luke 24: 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Alma taught: Alma 11: 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

The Book of Revelation backs this up as well, saying:

Rev. 20: 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

So we see that faith and works are both important. Our works must manifest our faith. They must be good. We will be judged by our works. We will be saved by the grace of God. Nephi wrote:

2 Ne. 25: 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

James taught:

James 2: 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Works matter, and so does faith. They go together. We need to have good works with our faith, at least as a sign to ourselves that our faith is effective. If we never do any good works, then our faith must be dead too.

James 2: 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Alma further taught about the Spirit World:

Alma 40: 11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil-for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house-and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

15 Now, there are some that have understood that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken.

16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Laban was a good example, but he was a murderer in his heart (by trying to kill Nephi and his brothers), and he was a robber and would not listen to the voice of the Lord. The Lord certainly judged him when He told Nephi what to do with him. The only other example from scripture that I can think of when innocent children died is when Saul and his armies were commanded of the Lord to slay the Amalekites: men, women, and children, and spare not. It must have been another judgement of the Lord similar to Sodom and Gomorrah where there were no good people left (excepting the children). Or the flood where all were wicked, and got judged. Or the many instances in the Book of Mormon where judgements came upon the wicked. Judgements don't come on righteous cities, however.

How do the Jews fit into this? Are we going to suggest that the Jews were wicked, and the German Saints righteous, and God used them to judge the Jews? Heaven forbid. That's not true. Or how about the other countries that were conquered by Germany and its allies in the short term battles? They waged an offense, and any "Christian" working for the advancement of that then evil force to hurt innocent and sometimes defenseless peoples could never be a good thing.

There is a big difference between these wars waged by man, and the judgements ordered by the Lord. Why can't we just call a spade a spade, instead of trying to find the good in the evil? If German saints were involved, they must have been deceived. Alma was deceived. People DO get deceived. Hitler deceived a lot of people. Was Alma "good" when he was deceived? Was he innocent because he was deceived? No. He had to repent. Was Saul innocent because he felt he was doing his duty to God and country when he slew Christians, and sanctioned their deaths? No. He suffered for those sins of being deceived, and got blindness for a while. He had to repent and realize what he was doing. Deceived he was. Alma said:

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

I do not see how our constitution allows for us to go fight on foreign lands in foreign wars. Even the Book of Mormon gives example after example of how war is only justified in a defense position, and that when the Nephites went to the Lamanite territory to fight, they lost. Our constitution speaks of war to protect our own country, not to police the world. This international stuff is tricky, at best. That's why it is controversial.

But let me address one of your arguments :) You said "same thing" when comparing what Hitler did to other countries to what our country did to the Lamanites. Let's appeal to what the Book of Mormon says: how this land, America, is the "promised land," and that when a people who possesses it does not worship Jesus Christ, who is the God of this land, they will be swept off the face of this land. That's what happened to the Lamanites, they fell away from Jesus Christ completely, so it was a judgement of God. They no longer deserved this land or had a right to it.

The Lord said to Nephi about his land:

1 Ne. 2: 20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

Ether 2: 10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.

11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God-that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.

12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

Wow. Powerful words. It has been decreed since the days of the prophet Ether, many thousands of years ago, that this land was different. It's purposes are different. The same condition applies, but like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, this land will be preserved by the Christians who live in it (just as Abraham was the reason Sodom and Gomorrah was preserved, UNTIL he left).

This is the promised land where the gospel of Jesus Christ would go forth. If Joseph Smith lived in Germany in 1800, and the Lord restored his church there, it may have grown for a while, but Hitler would have snuffed that out because there was no constitution in place to preserve and protect freedom. But this country is different. We have a foundation of freedom and a wonderful constitution that has been set up, that if heeded, we will be all right. There will be no "kings" on the face of this land, ever, until Jesus comes again and is our King.

What about the Lamanites? Well, they had the best land in the world! The promised land. And did they worship Jesus Christ? They fell away from Jesus Christ and in His own due time, he had them swept off the land by other people. Do they really "deserve" this land if they don't even worship God? A lost and fallen people, regardless of culture or "rights," God cares maybe a little about "culture" but everything eternal depends on a persons true spirituality and worship of the only true God: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Worshipping Mother Earth and praying to different gods of earth does not qualify for pleasing God. It qualifies for losing the promised land. If we could just get away from "human rights" issues for a minute, and accept what the Lord has said about this land, and not what man continues to teach about "rights" and reparations for past "wrongs," etc.

Finally, you mention many innocent people that died in the cause of Jesus Christ. You and I could call each one of these a "Martyr." This is different than being a victim of murder or war against innocent people. Martyrs often give their life willingly for their cause. Martyrs could often forsake their faith and usually live. They can often flee the danger. They could deny the Christ, and ususally live. This is a very different thing than what took place in WW II which had nothing to do with standing up for your testimony in Christ. It had to do with power, thirst for blood, conquest, and other evils associated with "king men" who sought to take away the freedom of others. It has to do with power, nothing else...and when certain people "got in the way" they were eliminated. Pure evil.

When we think on what faith is, we can imagine its opposition, which is "temptation." Temptation is the voice of satan, and faith is leaning to the Holy Ghost. Lehi in speaking about this probationary state spoke of the need for opposition:

2 Nephi 2:11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

2 Ne. 1: 28 And now my son, Laman, and also Lemuel and Sam, and also my sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold, if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken unto him I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing.

2 Nephi 4:2 For behold, [Lehi] truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass.

9 And he spake unto them, saying: Behold, my sons and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my second son; behold I leave unto you the same blessing which I left unto the sons and daughters of Laman; wherefore, thou shalt not utterly be destroyed; but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.

10 And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, he spake unto the sons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household.

11 And after he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake unto Sam, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed; for thou shalt inherit the land like unto thy brother Nephi. And thy seed shall be numbered with his seed; and thou shalt be even like unto thy brother, and thy seed like unto his seed; and thou shalt be blessed in all thy days.

12 And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and was buried.

He spoke to all, regardless of age, regardless of worthiness, Lehi prophesied concerning all his family and their posterity yet to come forth. He had warnings for those who were not living worthily.

Patriarchal Blessings today are done by a Stake Patriarch. These men of God fast and prepare for each blessing that they will give, and ask that the receiver do the same. Then the Lord's Spirit can be there in great abundance as the gift of the blessing is bestowed. Counsel, warnings, admonitions, and blessings are given. The Lord knows each of us personally, and His Spirit can work through a prophet. A Patriarch is like a prophet

Speaking to Joseph Smith, the Lord said about the lost manuscripts:

D&C 3: 12 And when thou deliveredst up that which God had given thee sight and power to translate, thou deliveredst up that which was sacred into the hands of a wicked man,

13 Who has set at naught the counsels of God, and has broken the most sacred promises which were made before God, and has depended upon his own judgment and boasted in his own wisdom.

14 And this is the reason that thou hast lost thy privileges for a season-

D&C 10: 10 And, behold, Satan hath put it into their hearts to alter the words which you have caused to be written, or which you have translated, which have gone out of your hands.

11 And behold, I say unto you, that because they have altered the words, they read contrary from that which you translated and caused to be written;

13 For he hath put into their hearts to do this, that by lying they may say they have caught you in the words which you have pretended to translate.

14 Verily, I say unto you, that I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing.

30 Behold, I say unto you, that you shall not translate again those words which have gone forth out of your hands;

31 For, behold, they shall not accomplish their evil designs in lying against those words. For, behold, if you should bring forth the same words they will say that you have lied and that you have pretended to translate, but that you have contradicted yourself.

32 And, behold, they will publish this, and Satan will harden the hearts of the people to stir them up to anger against you, that they will not believe my words.

From this account, it appears to me that the original manuscript is of little value, since it has been altered significantly. That portion of the Book of Mormon (the Book of Lehi) is not in the Book of Mormon today. It is a good thing that Nephi was so diligent and inspired of the Lord, that most of Lehi's teachings were covered in his writings too.

Faith IS works. Faith is an action verb. Faith is doing something, it is more than mere belief. Faith motivates to action, to works. There will be works. It takes WORK to have true faith. It takes effort. What Nephi taught is true:

2 Ne. 25: 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

You could come away with an entirely different meaning of Ephesians 2:8,9 if you look at faith or works by themself. True it is, that works will not save you. Works without faith is dead. But James also taught that Faith without Works is dead, being alone.

James 2: 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2: 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2: 26 For as the body without the spi