Doctrine and Covenants Section 4

Doctrine and Covenants section 4 was a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith to his father, Joseph Smith Sr. When that revelation was given to Joseph Smith, he was twenty-three years of age. The Book of Mormon was not yet published and no man had been ordained to the priesthood. The Church was not organized; yet the statement was made and written without qualification that " . . . a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men." (D&C 4:1)

Although this revelation was given to Joseph Smith Sr., the counsel applies to everyone who enters into God’s service. Joseph Smith said, “When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 324). So this section and all other scriptures available applies to all members of the Church.

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." (D&C 4:2)

To serve God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength is to worship God emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. It is an all-encompassing commitment without reservations, exceptions, or vacations. Do we imagine that God's commitment to us is half-hearted? When Christ suffered in the Garden, didn't he suffer with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength? Then doesn't he have a right to expect the same of our individual service?

To serve God with all your heart means to love him with all the affection your soul has power to muster. He becomes the object of your greatest affections and desires. You love him more than self, more than neighbor, and more than family.

"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)

It seems clear the Lord is teaching that seeking the kingdom of God is the first priority, even if it must be that we choose it above friends, mentors, or family members. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that to ensure exaltation, we must be 'thoroughly proved' and demonstrate that we are 'determined to serve God at all hazards.' He also taught the apostles in Nauvoo that to be thoroughly proved may require the wrenching of the heartstrings. President John Taylor recalled: 

'I speak of these things to show how men are to be tried. I heard Joseph Smith say-and I presume Brother Snow heard him also-in preaching to the Twelve in Nauvoo, that the Lord would get hold of their heart strings and wrench them, and that they would have to be tried as Abraham was tried. Well, some of the Twelve could not stand it. They faltered and fell by the way. It was not everybody that could stand what Abraham stood. And Joseph said that if God had known any other way whereby he could have touched Abraham's feelings more acutely and more keenly he would have done so.'

What would wrench heartstrings more than to be torn between the kingdom of heaven and a dearly loved family member, friend, or leader? Yet the possibility exists, and if we are faced with such a difficult situation, the right choice is clearly given for us.

"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul" (D&C 4:4)

A couple of weeks ago, Bishop shared a scripture about the field being white already to harvest and it had me thinking what does that really mean? Is there anything else I can find besides 'just missionary work'. Well...I did. I took a look at the footnote and I was able to find Doctrine and Covenants section 31 verse 4, and it states: "You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned." 

This scripture particularly had me thinking.... we are indeed living in the last days.

So how do we stand blamelss before God? 

"When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to the law upon which it is predicated" (D&C 130:21). Accordingly, we are told that whole-hearted, diligent service is rewarded with a clear conscience at the judgment day. Jacob elaborated on this principle as follows:

"We did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day." (Jacob 1:19)

A similar concept, found in verse 4, states that those engaged in the work, particularly in relation to missionary work, bring salvation to their souls. Apparently, the Lord forgives our sins more readily when we are engaged in proclaiming the gospel. Someone once said, "The best time to die is on your mission." Lets hope that does not happen but this statement encompasses the principle that missionary work has a sanctifying effect on the missionary/member missionary, for "whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal" (D&C 98:13).

"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." (D&C 4:5)

Jesus was limiting the scope when he cautioned us to keep our eye single . A single vision should also have a narrow focus. Jesus proclaimed this same philosophy when he said: "No man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24).

"Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen." (D&C 4:7)

True, the Lord has said, "Ask, and ye shall receive" (D&C 4:7). But He also declared, "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me." (D&C 9:7)

It is evident that He intends that we do our part. But what, specifically, are we to do? No one would expect to receive a result from physical law without obeying it. Spiritual law is the same. As much as we want help, we must expect to follow the spiritual law that controls that help. Spiritual law is not mysterious. It is something that we can understand. The scriptures define it in significant detail. I will cite key scriptures that teach how to ask for help, then summarize the spiritual law they clarify.

The Savior declared, "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10)

John taught, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." (1 John. 3:22)

Nephi counseled, "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you." (1 Nephi 15:11)

The Lord has the power to bless us at any time. Yet we see that to count on His help, we must consistently obey His commandments.

Here is the charge given to each of the members of the LDS Church 

Sin Is...Perversion (Part 2)

When we fail to align our lives with eternal principles – temporal or spiritual – we eventually will resort to unsound reasoning and subsequent sinful action. We begin to feel that there must be “some other way” to achieve our deep-rooted yearning for happiness. The feeling is real and deeply rooted; it is a condition and emotion which we experienced previously to this mortal stage of our lives. There are times on this earth where we experience a profound desire to be somewhere else, someone else, where we “just know” that something is missing and, moreover, that we will not be happy without it.

Sin is nothing less than wanting something good but wanting it in a way that violates the very principle(s) that brings happiness about. A prime example of this is given to us in Moses 4, where the good desire of “salvation for all” was offered by Lucifer who simultaneously stated that the loss of agency was the required price to pay to bring such salvation to pass. Another pertinent example is evidenced in sexual relations outside of marriage. The urge to be with someone is very strong in us. “It is not good for man to be alone.” Yet, we see all around us that physical intimacy void of familial responsibility ultimately leads to misery.

Both of these examples are nothing short of man wanting something good but not wanting to obey the laws that bring the desired fruit of living in harmony with such laws into our lives. Classic “good gone bad” is an age-old story in our world. Sin, then, can be a resulting perversion of those laws and principles that manifests itself through the desires of our hearts. 

By Stephen Anderson

Sin Is...Disobedience (Part 1)

Since the earliest of times man has been discovering immutable laws. No one need tell us what gravity is all about. There are many such laws – eternal truths – regarding this earth in its current state. Indeed, many such laws are still being discovered and many are yet to be discovered. There appears to be no end to learning the “facts of life.”

To deny the existence of gravity, the properties of electricity, or the need for oxygen can prove to be fatal. Yet there are a multitude of “lesser” laws that such denial may result “only” in minor accidents or inconveniences. That these laws, when ignored, may result in less painful consequences than those of being fatal to us does not diminish the fact that less than total adherence and observation of the laws brings us less than optimal results. That we were “only” shocked when we abused a principle of electricity as opposed to being electrocuted, for instance, nevertheless indicates a violation of an eternal law. That it was less of an offense “by degree” is true; nevertheless, it remains a violation.

I believe that most people do not find much to contest in the aforementioned paragraphs. Where we probably part company, however, is readily made manifest when such statements and observations are applied to what the world would classify as “non-temporal” precepts – the spiritual. I, for one, do not see the difference. I say this because our Heavenly Father clearly states:

”Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.” (D&C 29:34)

Our Lord further underscores the fact that:

“There is a law irrevocably decreed in the heavens before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated –

“And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” (D&C 130:20-21)

Because so many of us do not readily and whole-heartedly accept temporal and spiritual truths we are prone to do what is called “sin.” Adherence to physical laws leads to safety, utility, productivity, comfort and tranquility. Choosing to bind ourselves to spiritual laws brings these same results (blessings) and more; they bring a state of happiness.

It is ideal to live happily. Many feel it is a right to be happy. Further, many of us “believers” wish and pray to God for him to make us happy. We erroneously apply the “seek, knock, and ask” scriptural admonitions to be invitations by God himself to endow us freely with happiness. Yet, we are wisely counseled that happiness is realized only through our choices to abide by those laws that bring such a state. Anything short of living the required principles results in being in a state “contrary to happiness.” C.S. Lewis provides this keen insight:

“…it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There’s no such thing.” (Mere Christianity, pg. 54).

By Stephen Anderson

Stand Ye In Holy Places and Be not Moved

We will live in the midst of economic, political, and spiritual instability. When these signs are observed-unmistakable evidences that His coming is nigh-we need not be troubled, but "stand . . . in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come." (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8.)

Holy men and women stand in holy places, and these holy places consist of our temples, our chapels, our homes, and the stakes of Zion, which are, as the Lord declares, "for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." (Doctrine and Covenants 115:6.) We must heed the Lord's counsel to the Saints of this dispensation: "Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants 133:10.)

This preparation must consist of more than just casual membership in the Church. We must be guided by personal revelation and the counsel of the living prophet so we will not be deceived...

President Wilford Woodruff further prophesied in 1894: "Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities and judgments which are even now at our doors? I'll tell you. The priesthood of God who honor their priesthood and who are worthy of their blessings are the only ones who shall have this safety and protection. They are the only mortal beings. No other people have a right to be shielded from these judgments. They are at our doors; not even this people will escape them entirely." (Young Women's Journal 5 [August 1894]: 512.)

Will we be among those who are faithful to the end? Will we endure? Are we prepared? Can we live in the world and not partake of the sins of the world? Will we "arise and shine forth," as the Lord has commanded? Will we be a light and a "standard for the nations"?

Such is our challenge. Therefore, let us prepare for the great day of the Lord. (Come unto Christ [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983], 115-116.)

Joseph Smith’s Father Saw the Tree of Life 19 Years Before the Book of Mormon was Published

Lehi and Nephi are not the only ones to have a vision of the Tree of Life. Joseph Smith’s father saw the Tree of Life vision at least 9 years before the First Vision and 19 years before the Book of Mormon was published!

Consider the vision of Joseph Smith, Sr. in 1811 as recorded in Lucy Mack Smith’s history compared back and forth with Lehi’s vision:

“I thought,” said [Joseph Smith, Sr.], “I was traveling in an open, desolate field which appeared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling, the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was doing before I went any farther. So I asked myself, ‘What motive can I have in traveling here, and what place can this be?’”

Notice in Lehi’s vision he says: “methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.” (1 Nephi 8:4)

Joseph Smith, Sr. continues:

“My guide, who was by my side as before, said, ‘This is the desolate world, but travel on.’ The road was so broad and barren that I wondered why I should travel in it, for, said I to myself, ‘Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and strait is the gate that leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat.’”

Lehi recorded: “And it came to pass that as I followed him [his guide] I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.” (1 Nephi 8:7-8)

Joseph Smith, Sr. continued:

“Traveling a short distance further, I came to a narrow path. This path I entered, and, when I had traveled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream I could see neither the source nor yet the mouth, but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope, running along the bank of it about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me was a low but very pleasant valley in which stood a tree such as I had never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admiration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, if possible, whiter. I gazed upon the same with considerable interest, and as I was doing so, the burs or shells commenced opening and shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near and began to eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description.”

Lehi said of his vision: “And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.” (1 Nephi 8:10-11)

Joseph Smith, Sr. recorded:

“As I was eating, I said in my heart, ‘I cannot eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me.’ Accordingly, I went and brought my family, which consisted of a wife and seven children, and we all commenced eating and praising God for this blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed.”

Lehi said: “And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also…” (1 Nephi 8:12-13)

Both Lehi and Joseph Smith, Sr. could not partake of the fruit alone, they had to share it with their family and gather their families in to them (remember gathering seed of every kind?).

Joseph Smith, Sr. continued:

“While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But their contumely we utterly disregarded.”

Lehi’s vision was similar: “And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.” (1 Nephi 8:26-27)

Joseph Smith, Sr. was given special instructions to gather his own seed in the vision:

“I presently turned to my guide and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was so delicious. He told me it was the pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him and keep his commandments. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that we were all there. ‘No,’ he replied, ‘look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them also.’ Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children standing some distance off. I immediately went to them and brought them to the tree, upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced together. The more we ate, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees and scooped it up, eating it by double handfuls.”

Their joy could not be contained in partaking of the fruit together. Joseph Smith, Sr. concluded by asking what the meaning of the building was:

“After feasting in this manner a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building which I saw. He replied, ‘It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and despise the Saints of God because of their humility.’ I soon awoke, clapping my hands together for joy.”

Nephi also explained the meaning of the spacious building from his own vision:

“And the multitude of the earth was gathered together; and I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which my father saw. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Behold the world and the wisdom thereof; yea, behold the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (1 Nephi 11:35-36)

The Real Meaning to the Tree of Life

Nephi’s greatest desire in his own vision was not only to see the Tree of Life, but to understand what it was. When he was shown the tree by the Spirit, Nephi is asked what he wanted. “To know the interpretation thereof…” He wanted to know what the Tree meant.

An angel comes and shows him a series of visions. Nephi first sees Jerusalem (to give him orientation, I suppose) and many other cities in his ancient homeland. He is then shown Nazareth. In the city of Nazareth he sees a virgin who is exceedingly fair and white, and “most beautiful and fair above all other virgins."

Remember: Nephi has asked to know what this symbol of the Tree of Life means. He is shown all these things. He is then asked a question that he does not know the answer to: “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi fumbles for an answer, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.”

The angel puts everything together now for Nephi:

“Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms." (1 Nephi 11:18-20)

Then the angel says to Nephi, essentially, “NOW do you know the meaning of the Tree?” He does. The Tree of Life is the perfect representation of the Son of God—of Jesus Christ Himself. It is not just the love of God, or a symbolic manifestation of the sweetness of the Gospel, it is Jesus Christ—all those who come to the Tree are coming to partake of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and receive eternal life.

The first verse of the chapter now makes more sense about gathering all manner of seed. We are all to gather to the Tree—to come to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And who are the seed of Christ?

“Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.” (Mosiah 15:11)

This makes the dream or vision of Lehi and of Joseph Smith, Sr. all the more powerful—these are essential stories (in all cultures) to bring us to the Son of the Most High God, to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of all. How blessed we are to have these visions recorded.

By Scot Facer Proctor

January 07,2016

65 Signs of the Times

The Discovery of America and the Establishment of the United States of America (1 Ne 13:12-19, 1 Ne 22:7, 3 Ne 21:4)

The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (Ezk 37:15-19, 3 Ne 21:1-2,7)

The Restoration of the Priesthood and the Priesthood Keys (Mal 4:4-6, Jer 31:31-33, D&C 13, D&C 27:12-13, D&C 110: 11-16)

The Restoration of the True Church of Jesus Christ (2Thes 2:1-3, Acts 3:19-21)

The Church Will Be Established in the Tops of the Mountains (Isa 2:2-3)

The Church Will Grow to Fill the Whole Earth (Dan 2:35,44-45)

Slaves Will Rise Up Against Their Masters (D&C 87:4-5)

A Full End of All Nations (D&C 87:6,8)

Scattered Israel Will Be Gathered (Abr 2:9-11, 1 Ne 10:12-14, 1 Ne 19:16, Isa 5:26-30, D&C 39:11)

All Will Hear the Gospel in Their Own Tongue (D&C 90:10-11)

The Church Will Be Brought Out of Obscurity (D&C 1:30)

The Name of Joseph Smith Will Be Spoken Of for Good and Evil in All Nations (JSH 1:33)

The Lost Ten Tribes Will Return (D&C 133:26-33, D&C 110:11)

The Times of the Gentiles Will Be Fulfilled (Luke 21:24, D&C 45:22-28)

There Will Be Much Despair, Depression, Gloom and Doom, and Emotional Instability (Luke 21:25-27, D&C 45:26, D&C 88:91, Moses 7:65-66)

There Will Be Extraordinarily Widespread Selfishness and Lack of Caring for Others (2 Tim 3:2)

The Mark of the Beast in Their Foreheads (Rev 13:16-17)

Ever Learning, and Never Coming to the Knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:1-7, D&C 123:12)

The Jews will return to Jerusalem (D&C 133:13, D&C 45:24-25)

The Jews Accept the True Gospel (2 Ne 30:7, Zac 12:7-10, Zac 13:6, D&C 45:51-53)

The Prophet Elijah will come to restore the keys of Sealing (D&C 110:13-16, Mal 4:5-6)

The Saints will be few in number but the Power of God will be with them. (1 Ne 14:12-14)

 Christ will Come to His Temple (Mal 3:1, D&C 110:1-10)

Genealogical Research and Interest in Family History will Spread as Never Before (Mal 4:5-6)

Dangers Upon the Waters (D&C 61:4-6, 13-19, 22)

Much Ecological Damage will occur in the last days (Rev 8:7-12)

The Sun will be darkened and the Moon will become as blood (Joel 2:28-32, Matt 24:29, Rev 6:12)

Diseases, plagues, and pestilences will sweep the earth in spite of medical advances and technology (D&C 109:30, 2 Ne 6:14-15, D&C 84:6,97, JS Matt 1:29, D&C 45:31)

Knowledge, science, and technology will increase dramatically (Dan 12:4)

Wars and rumors of wars will become normal life (Matt 24:6, JS Matt 23, D&C 45:26)

Famines, earthquakes, tornadoes, and natural disasters will abound (D&C 45:33, D&C 88:88-91)

Strikes, overthrowing of Governments, gang warfare, violence, and Disrespect for authority will increase. (Isa 3:5, 2 Tim 3:1-4, Hel 4:21-23)

Sexual immorality, homosexuality, lesbianism, and pornography will abound (2 Tim 3:1,6, Rom 1:24-31, Fam Proclamation, 2 Ne 27:1-2, D&C 42:23)

The disintegration of the family will bring prophesied calamities in the last days (Fam Proc)

The Spirit will stop working with the wicked (D&C 63:32, D&C 95:4, Joel 2:28-29, 2 Tim 3:1-7, Rom 1:29-32, JSTRom 1:32)

Peace will be taken from the Earth (D&C 1:35-36, D&C 115:6)

Jerusalem will be a “Cup of Trembling” to those who attempt to fight against it (Zac 12:2, Zac 12:3,9, Luke 21:24)

The righteous will be alerted by the Signs of the Times (JS Matt 1:39)

People will refuse to believe obvious truth and will instead adhere to fables and falsehood (2 Tim 4:3-4)

False Prophets, false churches and false miracles will abound (JS Matt 1:22, Rev 13:13-15)

People refuse to believe the Signs of the Times (2 Pet 3:3-4)

Some will fear that Christ’s Coming is being delayed too long (D&C 45:26)

There will be signs and wonders on Earth and in the Heavens (D&C 45:36-40)

The Laminites will blossom as the Rose (D&C 49:24)

New Jerusalem will be built (D&C 57:1-3, D&C 45:66-69, Moses 7:62-64, Ether 13:5-6)

Many Temples will be built (Isa 2:2, D&C 133:13)

A Temple will be built in Jerusalem (Teachings of JS p. 286)

The Gospel will Flourish in Egypt and a temple will be built there (Isa 19:18-22)

The Rainbow is withdrawn (Hist of the Church 6:254)

The Constitution will hang by a thread (D&C 101:77-80, Journal of Disc Vol. 7, p 15, Journal of Disc Vol. 2, p 182)

Destroying Angels will be allowed to go forth upon the Earth (D&C 86:5-6)

The “Abomination of Desolation will take place again (Bible Dic. p. 601, JS Matt 1:32, Matt 24:15, Zech 12:1-9, Zech 14)

Wickedness will be rampant (2 Ne 28:20, Isa 5:20)

Babylon will fall (Rev 19:17-21, D&C 29:21)

A great hailstorm will destroy the crops of the Earth (D&C 29:16, Rev 16:21)

There will be a great Earthquake such as never before (Rev 16:18, Rev 6:12)

Waters will flow from the temple in Jerusalem and heal the Dead Sea (Ezk 47:1-10, Zech 14:4, D&C 133:20-24, Teachings of JS p. 286)

The Battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:14-16, Zech 12:2-9)

The meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman (D&C 107:53-57, D&C 116, Dan 7:9-14)

Two Prophets will be killed in Jerusalem (Rev 11:3, D&C 77:15, Rev 11:3-13)

The Mount of Olives will split in two (D&C 45:48, Zech 14:1-5)

The sign of the coming of the Son of Man (Matt 24:29-31, JS Matt 1:36, D&C 88:90-93)

The righteous will be taken up to meet the coming Lord (D&C 88:96-98, D&C 86:7)

The wicked will be burned (Mal 4:1, D&C 5:19, 2 Thes 2:8, 2 Ne 12:10, 19 and 21)

Everyone will see Christ when He comes (Rev 1:7, Rev 6:14-16, Isa 11:6-9)

65 Signs of the Times Leading Up to the Second Coming

A Muslim perspective...Spiritually

This was written by an AVOW member from the LDS Church. This article is for your learning.

I write this by directive from the Holy Ghost. The time here is now 3:14 am and I have been up since 1:30 writing in my journal and receiving direct revelation as to what to do next.

Let me begin about 3 months ago. I drive semi truck and spend 6 - 11 hours a day behind the wheel. My focus is the gospel and extending my knowledge of Christ and His Church.

However, I was driven to begin study of the old testament. It included the Pearl of Great Price, The Old Testament, the NEW LDS Institute Old Testament Manual, Publications for LDS scholars including Prophets and Apostles work about the Old Testament as well as Hugh Nibley and various works on the Old Testament.

I had spent hours and hours listening and then when I would stop for the evening, I was driven by the Holy Ghost to continue my reading and research. Taking notes and writing down my thoughts of which I wrote on many occasions, that I did not know why I was driven to learn and understand.

UNTIL.

My Semi tractor broke down in Pendelton Oregon. It was instructed that I was to wait the entire day, Friday, to have the truck completed and then spend the night in Oregon and go home to Boise Idaho the next day. HOWEVER, the truck did not get finished in time and the dealership was closed on Saturday and Sunday and the truck would not be done until Monday around noon. Here I am 4 hours from home and no way to get there. I indicated to my boss that my wife could come and get me on Friday, we would spend the night and go home Saturday morning. He would have nothing to do with that and insisted that he and his small family would come and get me. I finally relented and said....ok.

My boss.... Saudi Fahmi. (Pronounced Fa-Me) (Now you have the basis of Gods directive, please know this is not me, it is from our Heavenly Father and it is His influence that I am to write here)

(Rest assured that what you understand about or have read about Muslims from non-LDS christian pulpits are not all right or true. They have not really researched or done their study of the old testament and Muslim belief.) 

His dear wife insisted that I sit up front with Saudi while she sat in the back with her two children. She is not Muslim, she came from an extremely rough back ground of parents who have been in and out of prison for various drug crimes and small theft. It is as if they hop from one prison to another. She was raised as Menenite but never practiced and for the most of her life survived alone. Sadly, this happened right here, in the USA, in Idaho. I was so sorrowful to hear her story.

This day that we traveled home was the day that Paris France was attacked by Muslim Terrorist, ISIS and I had received a text from my dear wife asking if I had heard about it. I told her no and asked Saudi if he had. He said no he had not, as we both had been busy working and not able to hear news of the day. That event opened a window of conversation and learning for me. Remember I had four hours to converse and let me tell you it went fast and we never got to finish our conversation.

First about Saudi. He as born in Jerusalem and lived there until he was 16. Because of the contention at that time between Jew and Palestine, his family moved to Saudi Arabia. With sadness he spoke of a dear friend in Jerusalem who is Jewish. They grew up together and were best friends until the conflict at that time, and his friend because of parents, and political leaders, became immediate enemies. Later when Clinton offered refuges help to the United States and give them citizenship he took it and moved here from Saudi Arabia. He is the only member of his family here. He speaks Hebrew, Arabic and English and is extremely knowledgeable about the Koran and parts of the Old Testament. He reads the Koran daily in Arabic and is actively following the Muslim religion the best he can. He realizes that he is not perfect in it, just like I am not perfect in Christianity.

We both had many ah ha moments as we learned how close our beliefs were regarding Adam and Eve up through Abraham. It was at that point that I then realized why I was driven to study the old testament and be very familiar with exact history. He even commented to me that he had several conversations with other Christians, but was disappointed when he realized they did not know their old testament at all.

Here are things that I learned.

1. They believe in the pre-exsistance just like us.

2. They believe that Satan was a spirit cast out of Heaven and took followers with him to earth.

3. They believe that Adam and Eve were influenced by Satan to partake of the forbidden fruit.

4. They believe that they were cast out of the Garden of Eden because they did not obey.

5. They believe all that we do up to Abraham.

6. He told me that the waters still flow today from the mountain where God appeared to Abraham's maidservant when they were to parish in the desert from lack of water.

7. I asked about the berka's and why. He told me his father explained to him as a little boy that his mother is a precious gem and treasure from God and that she is not to be looked upon by anyone in a inappropriate way. (I said that makes good sense) 

8. I asked about the ownership that he has control over his wife. He taught me that the world looks upon it that the husband will demand that the wife do exactly or suffer the punishment. But he told me that a righteous Muslim does not do that. They treat their wife with great respect and admiration. To treat her with the correct respect she deserves. He felt that Mormons also has great respect for their wives and daughters, by the way they dress. Yes, some Muslims of different sects, will and do take advantage of that and it is wrong.

9. They believe that Christ is the Savior of the world but not the Son of God.

10. He thought that I believed that Mary, Jesus earthly mother was our mother in heaven. I told him that is not true. He thought that all Christian people believed that, I told him that many do, but that we do not. I related to him the event that took place for Mary to be the mother of Jesus on earth. As I was explaining it to him, he interrupted me and started speaking in Arabic of the exact event, but when he finished, I said, yes Gabriel. (Because I understood the exact event as written in the New Testament) He looked at me with a surprise look on his face and asked, Did you understand what I said? I told him yes. That it was Gabriel, the angel who came to Mary, and that she was never touched by a man, until after the birth of Christ and that the Spirit of God is the one that provided the seed planted in the womb of Mary. We then got side tracked as I told him, Article of Faith number 7. (Look it up if you cannot remember)

Then I went back to Mary, and I said, do you remember telling me that your mother was treated by your father as a precious gem? Yes, he declared. I said, then you will understand that we believe in a Heavenly Mother, a precious gem, so precious that our Father in Heaven will not talk about her, or tell us her name. He protects her from all worldly care and evil that exists since the beginning. He looked at me, and said, you know that really makes sense and I believe you.

11. I explained to him about the Book of Mormon, but he did not respond well to it.

12. I spoke of the book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price and the translation of the old testament by the Prophet Joseph Smith, in regards to Moses, and Enoch and the city of Enoch. He perked his ears intently and asked if I knew how the church came about it. I told him that I did know, (since I had been directed to listen to the Joseph Smith papers broadcast on the Mormon channel, I knew exactly how they came about) and I shared with him the event. He then requested if he could read that and study it. I told him that he could and that I would be happy to help him.

13. I was not done with the Book of Mormon yet. Now that he was listening to what I had to say. I explained to him the times that the Book of Mormon took place and related to him two groups of people. One 600 years before Christ and one 2000 years before Christ. I told him about the Brother of Jared, and I shared with him his name. (If you don't know it, look it up) When I said his name, he looked at me intently and said, that sounds as if it is from Egypt. I said, well I am not sure of the origination of the name, but bear witness to their event. He said, can I read that as well? I said, yes it is in the Book of Mormon. So I got him to take a Book of Mormon.

14. Moving back to Christ and his birth, I asked him if he knew when he was born. He said, I told you in Arabic. Oh I said, you mean he was born in April. He said, I never said April, but I said that he was born on a hot summer night. I said yes, and modern revelation teaches us that he was born April 6th. He turned to his wife and said, I told you honey. I told you that Christ was not born in December. He then asked me why we celebrate it in December. I simply stated to help and lead people to Christ. That is simply it. But we believe that he was born in April and also the same time of his suffering in the Garden, and on the Cross.

Now we ran out of time and it was over..... I was saddened but told him I would get him his copy of the books he wanted to read. I purchased them but did not have them with me on my next event.

12-2-14
I drove to Yakima Washington to deliver product. After I began my day I started my truck and performed my safety inspection. As I finished I started back to the lobby to check out of the hotel and pay my bill. I started walking across the newly fresh 5 inches of snow, when my feet hit an icy patch and both feet went up in the air and I landed on my head. (I'm 6'2" and 260) I blacked out for a split second and then realized that my upper body went completely numb. I had no feeling from the waist up. I laid there in the snow for several minutes in severe pain, when finally the feeling started to come back to me. I finally got up, went to the lobby, checked out and called Saudi and told him that I fell. I also told him that my head was hurting but felt that I wanted to deliver my load and I would call him back in an hour or two. He said. Ok. After I finished unloading, I started my trip back to Boise, Idaho but got toward Prossor Washington and was noticing the numbness in my arms and hands. I became nervous about it and pulled into a rest stop. I tried to reach Saudi for help but he did not answer. I called the company nurse, explained what happened and she insisted that I hang up and call 911 for immediate medical attention. I tried to talk her out of it, but she would have nothing to do with it. She explained that, many people die from head injury's who feel okay, but do not realize they are bleeding internally and die. Okay, that scared me and I called 911. They responded quickly and took me to the hospital to go under very scrutiny evaluation. They could only do so much, and transferred me by ambulance to another hospital in the Tri-City area of Washington. At that point they performed more tests and all results came back normal and in fact made comment to me how healthy my blood labs were, and blood pressure considering that I'm about 60 pounds over weight. By that time they explained to me that I indeed had a slight concussion and that I experienced what they call a brain zing. Its the same when you hit your funny bone on your elbow, but its the brain, so it will effect parts of the entire body. Laying there in that situation, in traction, on my back for 10 hours, was very painful, and I laid there pleaded for understanding and direction. The staff was kind and helpful, and I surly thanked them over and over again. But, I was still looking for the reason why.

Then Saudi finally gets me on the phone. I said, I am coming to pick you up tomorrow. I complained. Saudi, no, I can drive. I will stay the night with a sister that lives here and then head home in the morning. No, he said. You are to precious to me, I value you way to much. I am coming. I said, Saudi, please I need to work and provide for my family and I will be fine. The doctor here has cleared me to drive home. No, he said. That is final, I will be there at 11:00 am tomorrow. If you want I will pay for a hotel, or you can stay with you sister. I opted for the later to spend time with her and catch up on family news.

Okay, he shows up at 11 and we have almost 6 hours of more conversation. OF WHICH I READ TO HIM AND ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION ON A RECENT LDSAVOW POST about Muslims. Here are some of the lessons I learned.

1. He challenged me to check my history when the US Government started interacting involving themselves with the middle east. I got on my trusty smart phone and started doing research. He help me understand all about Osama Bin Laden. How the US helped him and trained him to fight Afghanistan government. The USA actually flew all of Bin Laden and his soldiers to the USA for special training. That happened in and Bin Laden finished the war prior to 2001. The USA had made promises to Bin Laden that did not get fulfilled. So they retaliated on 9/11/2001 and other small attacks prior to that. I asked him, was Bin Laden justified in his actions. Saudi replied, no he was not. He violated all muslim rules of war and conflict. Not just American people died there, but American muslims that had nothing to do with it were working in the twin towers when it was hit. He explained to me that his father and his uncle were at one time friends with Bin Laden and felt he was a powerful religious influence, UNTIL his actions at various attacks against the USA. They witnessed his anger and frustration with the US and they moved far away from him.

2. We talked about how the USA is Allies with Israel but wants nothing to do with Palestine. I said that I was not intelligent enough to talk about that. But I would get back with him on that.

3. He helped me see that like we have different sects of Christianity, so do the Muslims. The radical Muslims are all from the Middle East. He asked me if I knew the most populated Muslims are in the world. I said no, and I looked it up on my smart phone. It is Indonesia. He said, how many groups of radical muslims come from there? I said, I am not aware of any. He said that is right. What country is next. I said China. He said how many radical muslims come from there? I said that I am not aware of any. He said correct, all have come from the middle east and some formed after the US entered into Iraq.

4. I asked about Sharia Law. He said it was added after the Koran was written. That is why he reads it in Arabic, because it is in it purest form, and it is the original text that was written.

5. I said, but you believe in beheading and various other terrible killings. He said, yes we believe in the same law the old testament teaches. Eye for eye, hand for hand, and certain punishments for doing evil things. I studied the old testament and went to Leviticus and read what I had studied to him. He said, yes, our laws were not changed as your laws did with Christ. I said, but you believe He is the Savior of the world, a prophet. Yes, but we don't believe he fulfilled any law. He was not the Son of God.

6.It states from the LDS AVOW post that you believe in sex with little children. He said, look at the author of that book. He is from middle east, and has changed the rules from the Koran to fit what they want. It is evil and they will be punished by God for it. It is not what the pure Muslim religion is about.

7. He had me watch a few short videos on what true Muslims believe and how they feel they are to interact with Gods Children. It helped me see the importance of going to a TRUE source and not someones thinking about what it is. I explained to him, that as a Mormon, we go through the same experiences. People post what they think they know about our church and are wrong, I told him about some other Christian churches and how they print and provide video with incorrect information. I also told him that some of our worst enemies are past members. He looked at me and said, then you understand that they who publish about muslims, who are not muslims, or are desenters from our faith are our worst enemies. Yes, I get that I said.

8. I said I am worried about the refugees coming into the USA from Syria. He said, so am I. I know that there will be good people in that group, but there will be bad and I disagree that the US is not doing investigation background on these people prior to coming. There will be evil, implants by Terrorist people.

9. I spoke about how our nation has allowed no more prayer in school, no more bible in school, not much any religion, but now we have muslims coming in and requesting and in some places demanding that we honor your holiday worship by making changes to our schools or work place. Do you think that is fair to us? No he said. I believe that this nation is a Christian nation and that I am blessed to be here. Those making the requests are the ones that need to be watched really close. A true Muslim only wants a place to worship and follow the God. The ideal place would be eventually to have our own temples, our own schools, our own places of worship and not demand that a Christian nation change.

10. Then inspiration hit me. Why do you think that the USA supports Israel? He said I don't know. I said, what I am feeling is, because it is the blood line of Christ. We feel, that Abraham was chosen and then that Issac was chosen, and that is line of authority. It goes back to genealogy. Juda, was Christ's line, back to Jacob, to Issac and to Abraham.

Many more things did we discuss, but I cannot remember them all. What comes to my mind is, was it Indonesia that had the natural disaster that the church sent over Millions of dollars of aid?

I know that the gospel has to go to all nations, kindred and tongue, and some how these GOOD Muslims need to hear the message of the restoration. Saudi is open and willing to learn and read what I have for him. But I have receive revelation that if he accepts the message, God has a very important plan for him to accomplish. That is if he accepts.

This article is for your learning.

If you have questions that you would like me to ask him, send them directly to my email account at grandparentsrule1@gmail.com 

I am sure that I will be visiting with him again and if I had a page with questions about his religion it would engage him even more and he would welcome it.

God Speed,
Emmanuel.

Please dont give me any negative feed back. I share what I share because I was directed to do so by the Holy Ghost. It is to help you on any level possible for you. I have no idea, where you are at, but I do know that I have gone through these things for a reason. That I know of. I may not fully understand as of yet, but I only given small bits and pieces here and there. I testify that Heavenly Father is in control. That He sent His Son, Jesus Christ that we might return home.

Written by lbhamblin, AVOW, December 2015