Thanksgiving, yellow mushrooms & dinner w/13!

On Thursday, November 24th we had District Meeting at our apartment. Afterwords we celebrated Thanksgiving with a delicious meal Kim had prepared (including  homemade pumpkin pie and whip cream) Portugal and Brazil both played today in the World Cup. The outside temperature was 55 degrees and rainy. A very unique Thanksgiving! 

Elder Venâncio eating pumpkin pie for the first time in his life!

The famous pumpkin pie!

We delivered the last slice of pumpkin pie to Helio Andrade.

Celine in support of Brazil & Portugal!

Our Christmas plant in the place of a tree!

On Saturday, November 19th there were 13 for dinner and games!

This week we saw some yellow mushrooms!

The yellow mushrooms are not quite as beautiful as the red ones!

On Sunday, November 20th from 7:30-10:30PM we celebrated Bruno Lima’s 17th birthday with his family. There were 21 in attendance.

Bruno with his 3 sisters and parents.

On Tuesday, November 22nd we drove 50 minutes to Paco de Sousa to look at a home to rent when our family visits for Christmas. The home was originally built about 400 years ago as housing for the monks who attended the adjacent Monastery built in 1090!

Due to the rain we walked in the mall this week and saw Evelyn Cardosa (Vila Real Relief Society President). She started a new job this week at Vodacom. 

The rain has caused the Corgo river to rise!

             SCRIPTURE POWER 

Why did Christ suffer and bleed at every pore?

 

The suffering in Gethsemane as described by Matthew, Mark and Luke. 

Matthew said: “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.” (Matt. 26: 36-44) 

 

Mark said:“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14: 32-36)

 

Luke the physician said: “And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,” (Luke 22: 39-45)

 

Jacob states: “And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.” (2 Ne. 9:21-22) The resurrection was conditioned upon Jesus’s suffering.

 

King Benjamin said: “And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him. And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Mosiah 3:7-12)

 

Revelation given through the prophet  Joseph Smith: “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.” (D & C 19:16-20)

 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie in his final General Conference talk said: “while he was hanging on the cross for another three hours, from noon to 3:00 p.m., all the infinite agonies and merciless pains of Gethsemane recurred.” (“The Purifying Power of Gethsemane”, Ensign, May, 1985)

 

In this same General Conference Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “Later, in Gethsemane, the suffering Jesus began to be “sore amazed” (Mark 14:33) or, in the Greek, “awestruck” and “astonished.” Imagine, Jehovah, the Creator of this and other worlds, “astonished”! Jesus knew cognitively what He must do, but not experientially. He had never personally known the exquisite and exacting process of an atonement before. Thus, when the agony came in its fulness, it was so much, much worse than even He with his unique intellect had ever imagined! No wonder an angel appeared to strengthen him.” (“Wiling to Submit”, Ensign, May, 1985)

 

Luke, the physician said: “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22: 43-44)

 

Elder James E. Talmage said: “The frightful struggle incident to the temptations immediately following the Lord’s baptism was surpassed and overshadowed by this supreme contest with the powers of evil.” (“Jesus the Christ”, page 613).

 

Agon-Greek meaning conflict, struggle, fight or contest. Facing an opponent.

 

President Brigham Young said: “At the very moment, at the hour when the crisis came for him to offer up his life, the Father withdrew Himself, withdrew His Spirit, and cast a vail over [Jesus]. That is what made him sweat blood. If he had had the power of God upon him, he would not have sweat blood; but all was withdrawn from him, and a veil was cast over him, and he then plead with the Father not to forsake him” (in Journal of Discourses, 3:206).

 

While hanging on the cross-“And about the ninth hour [this would be 3PM] Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46) Jesus quotes from Psalms “My​ God, my God, why hast thou ​​​forsaken​ me?” (Psalms 22:1)

 

When we sin the Spirit withdraws.(Mosiah 2:36; Hel. 6:35; Hel. 13:8) As Jesus who never sinned experienced the combined weight of all of our sins this would cause a loss of the Spirit something He had never experienced before. He therefore became “sore amazed”. He felt forsaken and totally alone because for the first time He was alone. Without the Spirit to strengthen Him He bore “the sins of the world.” 

 

The phrase “the sins of the world” never appears in the Bible (except for a verse the Prophet Joseph Smith revised in JST Lk.3:5) The use of the singular word “sin” in John 1:29  “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”  could easily be misunderstood as referring to the supposed “original sin” of Adam.  

 

However, the phase “the sins of the world” appears 17 times in the most correct book, the Book of Mormon. ( 1 Ne. 10:10; 1 Ne. 11:33; 2 Ne 31:4; Mosiah 26:23; Alma 5:48; Alma 7:14; Alma 30:26; Alma 34:8,12; Alma 36:17; Alma 39:15; Alma 42:15; 3 Ne. 11:11,14; 3 Ne. 28: 9,38; 4 Ne. 1:44) also in (JST Lk.3:5; D & C 21:9; D & C 53:2; D & C 54:1) the “sins of the world” caused Him to bled from every pore. At His second coming “the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat.” (D & C 133:48) “And his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone,… and none were with me;” (D & C 133:50)

 

Jesus first recorded words in scripture occurred in the pre-mortal world: “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.” (Moses 4:2)

 

Jesus, first recorded words in mortality when 12 years old: “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

 

Jesus last words in mortality while hanging on the cross: [with] “a loud voice, saying Father, it is finished, thy will is done, yielded up the ghost” (JST Matt. 27:54)

 

Jesus first words as a resurrected being after appearing to the righteous gathered at the temple in Bountiful were: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.” (3 Ne. 11:10-11)

 

 

Elder C. Max Caldwell said: "“Why did Jesus Christ bleed from every pore when He was wounded for our transgressions? Brigham Young said it was because the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from Him (see JD, 3:206). That makes a lot of sense to all of us who have sinned. We know that when sin occurs, when wounding takes place, the Spirit leaves. Well, if Jesus was wounded because He was bearing sins, even though they were not His own, naturally the Spirit would leave. For the first time in His life, this supersensitive, spiritual soul found Himself being forsaken by the Spirit, and He was spiritually alone. He bled from every pore because the pain of sin was so intense, and He was without the Comforter.” (“Power From On High” by C. Max Caldwell)

Key board delivery & homemade chocolate chip cookies!

On Friday, November 11th Kim was able to deliver key boards to these 2 great young women and first cousins (Celine and Giovanna). Ricardo Cardosa (in the photo below) as a teenager in Cape Verde was taught on the keyboard program and is now teaching others. Kim had contacted people in Spain, Germany and the United States before reaching someone with the Harman Music Education Fund. Once she was able to contact the right person the keyboards arrived within a week to Lisbon!

In 1998, Jack and Wauna Harman, a philanthropic couple in the state of Washington, USA, established the Harman Music Education Fund to work in harmony with the Church’s music education programs and resources. Funding is currently available for keyboards, keyboard courses, and conducting courses.

The goal of this program is for students worldwide to learn basic skills well enough to direct hymns and provide keyboard accompaniment in their Church meetings.

Under the direction of local Church leadership, a ward or branch member or senior missionary must coordinate course schedules and storage of course materials. When students complete the keyboarding course and commit to share their new skills in Church meetings, they may apply to receive their own keyboard to keep at home.

Controlled excitement!

On Sunday one of the fathers posted these photos and expressed his appreciation on the Branch WhatsApp chat.

A red mushroom again this week!

Our first attempt to recreate Elder Williams miracle chocolate chip cookies. SUCCESS!!

Lunch after District meeting in Braganca on Wednesday, Nov. 16th

View of the wooden bridge we walk on along the Corgo river.

View of the large bridge leading to Porto

Sunday, November 13th was the Primary Program in Boerne, Texas and Provo, Utah. Unable to attend either one but here is a photo of the Riverside Ward singing “Scripture Power”

                                                SCRIPTURE POWER

Among the 50 questions that Alma asks members of the church in Zarahemla are: “Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.” (Alma 5:28)

 

To be stripped of pride we must become humble. 

 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “All progress in spiritual things is conditioned upon the prior attainment of humility.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, page 321)

 

Alma (who was himself compelled to be humble) taught the poor Zoramites that even when one is compelled to be humble it is a blessing. “And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved. And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?” (Alma 32:13-14)

"Humility is not a mental groveling about our worthlessness.  We are the children of God and the crown of his creations.  True humility is a recognition of our actual position in relationship to God.  If we truly sensed our total dependence upon God, as [king] Benjamin did, it would profoundly affect our daily living.  It is when we forget our position in relationship to God that we begin to trust in our own wisdom, pursue our own course, abuse our rights, and ignore our blessings." – (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 155)

Preach My Gospel states: “Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength. When you humbly trust Him and acknowledge His power and mercy, you can have the assurance that His commandments are for your good. You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him. You are also willing to trust His chosen servants and follow their counsel. Humility will help you as you strive to be obedient, to work hard, and to serve selflessly.” (“Humility”, Preach My Gospel).

 C.S. Lewis said: “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” (Mere Christianity)

Elder James E. Talmage said, “Gratitude is twin sister to humility; pride is a foe to both.” (“Sunday Night Talks by Radio,” published by The Deseret News Press, p. 483) 

 

Humble people do not contend with others.

 

“Only by pride cometh contention:” (Proverbs 13:10)

Solution to avoid contention- “Thus did Alma teach his people, that every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them.” (Mosiah 23:15) 

 

Even when persecuted, and afflicted by the words of others, humble people do not contend. Pride occurs when one contends.

 

“But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ. Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price. Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves. Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.” (Alma 1: 19-22)

 

“And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God.” (Mosiah 26:38)

 

 

When humble people are persecuted they turn to Christ for healing and consolation. Contrast between prideful ambition and humble submission. 

 

“And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God—And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. Nevertheless they [the more humble] did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.” (Hel. 3:33-35)

 

“Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God. And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper,” (Hel. 4:11-13) 

 

“But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year there began to be some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions; For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches. Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.” (3 Ne. 6:10-13) In order to remain humble we need to “receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and..not turn and revile”

“And they did smite upon the people of Jesus; but the people of Jesus did not smite again.” (4 Ne. 1:34)

Peter wrote as follows:

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you. …

“[Have] your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God. …

“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

“… because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. …” (1 Pet. 2:11–12, 15, 20–21, 23.)

 

Elder Scott D. Whiting mission tour, YW activity & baptism

On Thursday, November 10th we went to Porto to be taught by Elder Scott D. Whiting (1st counselor in the Europe North Area Presidency) There are 7 stakes and 7 corresponding mission zones in Portugal. 4 zones met together in Lisbon on Wednesday and 3 zones in Porto on Thursday. Elder Whiting travels to Cape Verde on Saturday. We arrived a little late and missed the group photo with the other missionaries but were able to have a Vila Real group photo with Elder and Sister Whiting.

In General Conference Elder Whiting said: “Not long ago, I had a soul-stretching experience when a loving Church leader made a very direct suggestion that I could use greater measure of a certain attribute. He lovingly cut through any distortion. That night, I shared this experience with my wife. She was mercifully charitable even as she agreed with his suggestion. The Holy Ghost confirmed to me that their counsel was from a loving Heavenly Father.” (“Becoming like Him”, Liahona, Nov. 2020)

All of the missionaries had been asked earlier in the week to write down how the Book of Mormon has effected their lives. Elder Worley was invited to share his thoughts.

Elder Alvey and Quarnberg have been transferred to other areas but are still in the Zones we met with.

As we left the meeting these 2 sisters were teaching a lesson.

Zach Mongie, passed away on Saturday, November 5th. What a blessing that in April (while we were in the MTC) we were able to see him.

Stake Young Women activity in Porto on Saturday, November 5th. 

The small branch of Vila Real had 6 young women (more than any other unit).

The YW activity was held in the Capela das Antas. This building once was a large mansion but has been used as a church for about 40 years.

After the YW activity we walked on this street in Porto.

Seminary on Friday, November 4th

Seminary on Thursday, November 3rd

On Saturday Nov. 4th at 8:20PM the baptismal service for Melissa Lima began. We left at 10:15PM and  the activities were still going strong.

English class on Tuesday, November 8th

This has been a raining week. When the rain stopped we walked by the grape fields with their Fall colors.

On our walk around the college on Wednesday, November 9th there was still a beautiful red mushroom 

On Tuesday, November 8th the Relief Society went to the 9:30PM showing of the movie “Black Adam”

On Sunday, November 6th Diego (on the left) was sustained as the 2nd counselor in the Braganca Branch presidency.

Delton is the Branch clerk.

SCRIPTURE POWER

How can we avoid being taught by “the precepts of men”? The internet contains many good and uplifting information in addition to false and damming information. Even the good information is almost all composed of the precepts of men.

 

The phrase “precepts of men” occurs five (5) times in the scriptures. 

 

1. )   “Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men— Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.” (2 Ne. 27:25-26) The Book of Mormon is the “marvelous work and a wonder”.

 

2.)   “They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.” (2 Ne. 28:14) Even the humble followers of Christ can err when they are taught by the precepts of men.

 

3.)   “Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!” (2 Ne. 28:26)

 

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

 

The solution to avoid being taught by the precepts of men is to ensure we are taught daily from the Book of Mormon and “abiding by its precepts”.

 

“Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (Introduction-The Book of Mormon)

 

 

5.)   “And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.” (D & C 45:26-29) The Book of Mormon is the light that contains the fullness of the gospel.

 

“Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel,” (D & C 27:5)

 

On Sunday, November 6^th we listened to a talk Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave in Hannover, Germany. In this talk he read from a book he had written in 1997, as follows:  

“The Prophet Joseph's expression that the Book of Mormon is "the keystone of our religion" is a profound and crucial observation. A keystone is positioned at the uppermost center of an arch in such a way as to hold all the other stones in place. That key piece, if removed, will bring all of the other blocks crashing down with it. The truthfulness of the Book of Mormon-its origins, its doctrines, and the circumstances of its coming forth-is central to the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The integrity of this church and more than 190 [165 originally] years of its restoration experience stand or fall with the veracity or falsity of the Book of Mormon.

 

To consider that everything of saving significance in the Church stands or falls on the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and, by implication, the Prophet Joseph Smith's account of how it came forth is as sobering as it is true. It is a "sudden death" proposition. Either the Book of Mormon is what the Prophet Joseph said it is, or this church and its founder are false, a deception from the first instance onward.

Not everything in life is so black and white, but the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and its keystone role in our religion seem to be exactly that. Either Joseph Smith was the prophet he said he was, a prophet who, after seeing the Father and the Son, later beheld the angel Moroni, repeatedly heard counsel from Moroni's lips, and eventually received at his hands a set of ancient gold plates that he then translated by the gift and power of God, or else he did not. And if he did not, he would not be entitled to the reputation of New England folk hero or well-meaning young man or writer of remarkable fiction. No, nor would he be entitled to be considered a great teacher, a quintessential American religious leader, or the creator of great devotional literature. If he had lied about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, he would certainly be none of these.

 

I am suggesting that one has to take something of a do-or-die stand regarding the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the divine origins of the Book of Mormon. Reason and righteousness require it. Joseph Smith must be accepted either as a prophet of God or else as a charlatan of the first order, but no one should tolerate any ludicrous, even laughable middle ground about the wonderful contours of a young boy's imagination or his remarkable facility for turning a literary phrase. That is an unacceptable position to take-morally, literarily, historically, or theologically. 

 

As the word of God has always been-and I testify again that is purely and precisely what the Book of Mormon is-this record is "quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow."(D & C 6:2) The Book of Mormon is that quick and is that powerful. And it certainly is that sharp. Nothing in our history or our message cuts to the chase faster than our uncompromising declaration that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. A recent critic said that our account of and devotion to the Book of Mormon and, by implication, Joseph Smith's role in producing it, is "the most cherished and unique Mormon belief."( “Bill McKeever, quoted in Daniel C. Peterson, "Editors' Introduction," Review of Books on the Book of Mormon, vol 6, no. 1 (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1994), p. v.”)  I could not agree more, so long as we are allowed to maintain that is so because the Book of Mormon affirms our yet higher and more sublime belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

 

Consider the withering examination the Book of Mormon and its admittedly extraordinary claims have withstood. Has anyone presently reading these words ever tried to write anything of spiritual, redeeming, genuinely inspiring substance? With university degrees and libraries and computers and research assistants and decades of time, have you ever tried to write anything that anyone could read without tedium or apathy? And if one could produce even a few such inspiring pages, would that slim volume be anything anyone would want to read more than once, to say nothing of scores of times-marking it and pondering it, cross-referencing and quoting it, taking thousands of public sermons and a heart full of personal solace from it? Would it be good enough for people to weep over, to say it changed their lives, or saved their lives, or became something they were willing to give up fortune and future for-and then did just that?

 

What if your literary piece created enemies for you? What if it were left in the public arena, open to the criticism of your most hostile and learned opponents, for more than 190 years? What if it were pulled apart and minutely examined and held up to the light of history, literature, anthropology, and religion with no other purpose than to discredit it and denounce you? Could what you have written be that good? Would you still be willing to say that it was an inspired piece of work, let alone hold to your assertion that it was divinely revealed and that its contents were eternally important-that in a very real sense the whole future of the world was linked to your little volume? By this time would either you or your piece still be standing? Would anyone still be reading it?

 

If Joseph Smith did not translate the Book of Mormon as a work of ancient origin, then I would move heaven and earth to meet the "real" nineteenth-century author. After one hundred and ninety years, no one can come up with a credible alternative candidate, but if the book were false, surely there must be someone willing to step forward-if no one else, at least the descendants of the "real" author-claiming credit for such a remarkable document and all that has transpired in its wake. After all, a writer that can move millions can make millions. Shouldn't someone have come forth then or now to cashier the whole phenomenon?” — (Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon)