Chapter 1
Note: So we will probably try to focus more on Christ and less on what sustains people.
1 Now it came to pass that the ninety and first year had passed away and it was asix hundred years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; and it was in the year that bLachoneus was the chief judge and the governor over the land.
Narrative.
2 And aNephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son bNephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the cplates of brass, and dall the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem.
Good keeping of the record.
3 Then he adeparted out of the land, and bwhither he went, no man knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record of this people.
He disappeared.
4 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be agreater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.
The prophecies were fulfilled more fully.
5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were aspoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.
Some said it was too late.
6 And they began to arejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.
Then they mocked those who were still waiting.
7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.
Peer pressure made the believers sad though that doesn’t mean they stopped believing.
8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for athat day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.
So they watched for the sign.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the aunbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be bput to death except the csign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
The believers decided that there was a deadline or the believers they would kill.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
Nephi was sorrowful also (peer pressure).
11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
So Nephi prayed/cried about it.
12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord aall that day; and behold, the bvoice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
He cried all day, mightily.
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the asign be given, and on the bmorrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be cspoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
A voice told him the sign would be given that night.
14 Behold, I acome unto my own, to bfulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the cfoundation of the world, and to do the dwill, eboth fof the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.
Jesus comes to satisfy everything started at the worlds beginning and on.
15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the asun there was bno darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
The sign happened; the unbelievers didn’t have an excuse.
16 And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who afell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great bplan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.
Many fell to the earth because they knew.
17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the awest to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.
Everyone fell to the earth. Jesus would come.
18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
They had no alibi.
19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be aborn, because of the bsign which had been given.
They knew the sign.
20 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.
Everything the prophets had said had come true.
21 And it came to pass also that a new astar did appear, according to the word.
Including a new star.
22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be alyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those bsigns and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the cmore part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.
Satan was still able to lie to them because they hardened their hearts.
23 And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great aremission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land.
So Nephi and others baptized many.
24 And there were no contentions, save it were a few that began to preach, endeavoring to prove by the ascriptures that it was no more expedient to observe the law of Moses. Now in this thing they did err, having not understood the scriptures.
It was fine; just some people saying they could stop obeying the law of Moses too soon.
25 But it came to pass that they soon became converted, and were convinced of the error which they were in, for it was made known unto them that the law was not yet afulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every whit; yea, the word came unto them that it must be fulfilled; yea, that one jot or tittle should not pass away till it should all be fulfilled; therefore in this same year were they brought to a knowledge of their error and did bconfess their faults.
This was corrected by argument to them.
26 And thus the ninety and second year did pass away, bringing aglad tidings unto the people because of the signs which did come to pass, according to the words of the prophecy of all the holy prophets.
Good year.
27 And it came to pass that the ninety and third year did also pass away in peace, save it were for the Gadianton robbers, who dwelt upon the amountains, who did infest the land; for so strong were their holds and their secret places that the people could not overpower them; therefore they did commit many murders, and did do much slaughter among the people.
The only problem was the robbers.
28 And it came to pass that in the ninety and fourth year they began to increase in a great degree, because there were many dissenters of the Nephites who did flee unto them, which did cause much sorrow unto those Nephites who did remain in the land.
People went over to the robbers.
29 And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were aled away by some who were bZoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers.
Many Lamanites grew up and joined the robbers.
30 And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the arising generation.
So the Lamanites had problems also.
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those asigns and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—
As many times in the book, for instance the crossing of waters to the Book of Mormon when the water had to be just enough for them to repent but not kill them, there may have been no amount of signs that they would accept.
2 aImagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and bdeceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a cfoolish and a vain thing.
When it was too much, it was a trick.
3 And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did ago about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land.
They believed it not when it wass too little.
4 And thus did pass away the ninety and sixth year; and also the ninety and seventh year; and also the ninety and eighth year; and also the ninety and ninth year;
Narrative.
5 And also an hundred years had passed away since the days of aMosiah, who was king over the people of the Nephites.
Narrative.
6 And six hundred and nine years had passed away since Lehi left Jerusalem.
Narrative. Jesus had been born.
7 And nine years had passed away from the time when the sign was given, which was spoken of by the prophets, that Christ should come into the world.
Narrative.
8 Now the Nephites began to areckon their time from this period when the sign was given, or from the coming of Christ; therefore, nine years had passed away.
They still had their calendar focused on it.
9 And Nephi, who was the father of Nephi, who had the charge of the records, adid not return to the land of Zarahemla, and could nowhere be found in all the land.
Nephi left.
10 And it came to pass that the people did still aremain in wickedness, notwithstanding the much preaching and prophesying which was sent among them; and thus passed away the tenth year also; and the eleventh year also passed away in iniquity.
There was preaching and prophesying but they still stayed bad.
11 And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the aGadianton robbers had become so bnumerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them.
The Gadianton robbers caused war and contention.
12 Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the asafety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their bliberty.
The Lamanites paired with the Nephites in self-defense.
13 And it came to pass that before this thirteenth year had passed away the Nephites were threatened with utter destruction because of this war, which had become exceedingly sore.
Again with something very dangerous.
14 And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites;
Those Lamanites were numbered as Nephites.
15 And their acurse was taken from them, and their skin became bwhite like unto the Nephites;
Their skin-color curse was removed!
16 And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair, and they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus ended the thirteenth year.
Their children looked great.
17 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fourteenth year, the war between the robbers and the people of Nephi did continue and did become exceedingly sore; nevertheless, the people of Nephi did gain some advantage of the robbers, insomuch that they did drive them back out of their lands into the mountains and into their secret places.
The Nephites gained small advantages over the robbers.
18 And thus ended the fourteenth year. And in the fifteenth year they did come forth against the people of Nephi; and because of the wickedness of the people of Nephi, and their many contentions and dissensions, the Gadianton robbers did gain many advantages over them.
But then because of wickedness that became the opposite.
19 And thus ended the fifteenth year, and thus were the people in a state of many afflictions; and the asword of destruction did hang over them, insomuch that they were about to be smitten down by it, and this because of their iniquity.
The sword of destruction was over them.
Chapter 3
1 And now it came to pass that in the sixteenth year from the coming of Christ, aLachoneus, the governor of the land, received an epistle from the leader and the governor of this band of robbers; and these were the words which were written, saying:
War was afoot.
2 Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, behold, I write this epistle unto you, and do give unto you exceedingly great praise because of your firmness, and also the firmness of your people, in amaintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and bliberty; yea, ye do stand well, as if ye were supported by the hand of a god, in the defence of your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so.
Flattery.
3 And it seemeth a pity unto me, most noble Lachoneus, that ye should be so foolish and vain as to suppose that ye can stand against so many brave men who are at my command, who do now at this time stand in their arms, and do await with great anxiety for the word—Go down upon the Nephites and adestroy them.
But then says his men are greater.
4 And I, knowing of their unconquerable spirit, having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction.
He says they’re battle-proven and hate you.
5 Therefore I have written this epistle, sealing it with mine own hand, feeling for your welfare, because of your firmness in that which ye believe to be right, and your noble spirit in the field of battle.
He claims to care about Lachoneus’ people.
6 Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions, rather than that they should visit you with the sword and that destruction should come upon you.
He wants their land and threatens their lives.
7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our asecret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us—not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance.
He wants them to unite in the secret works.
8 And behold, I aswear unto you, if ye will do this, with an oath, ye shall not be destroyed; but if ye will not do this, I swear unto you with an oath, that on the morrow month I will command that my armies shall come down against you, and they shall not stay their hand and shall spare not, but shall slay you, and shall let fall the sword upon you even until ye shall become extinct.
Either do that and be at “peace” or they will come against you.
9 And behold, I am aGiddianhi; and I am the governor of this the bsecret society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be cgood; and they are of dancient date and they have been handed down unto us.
Says his secret society is good.
10 And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of blood, that this my people may recover their rights and agovernment, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddianhi.
Appeals to no bloodshed if they surrender.
11 And now it came to pass when Lachoneus received this epistle he was exceedingly astonished, because of the boldness of Giddianhi demanding the possession of the land of the Nephites, and also of threatening the people and avenging the wrongs of those that had received no wrong, save it were they had awronged themselves by dissenting away unto those wicked and abominable robbers.
Lachoneus was astonished.
12 Now behold, this Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of a arobber; therefore he did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhi, the governor of the robbers, but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for bstrength against the time that the robbers should come down against them.
Lachoneus was just so he wouldn’t do the wrong thing.
13 Yea, he sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should agather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place.
Therefore everyone gathered together for safety including animals.
14 And he caused that afortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And he caused that armies, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites, or of all them who were numbered among the Nephites, should be placed as guards round about to watch them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night.
He fortified that place greatly.
15 Yea, he said unto them: As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be adelivered out of the hands of those Gadianton robbers.
He told people they must repent to be spared.
16 And so great and marvelous were the words and prophecies of Lachoneus that they did cause fear to come upon all the people; and they did exert themselves in their might to do according to the words of Lachoneus.
The people followed Lachoneus. The robbers helped them see what they were.
17 And it came to pass that Lachoneus did appoint chief captains over all the armies of the Nephites, to command them at the time that the robbers should come down out of the wilderness against them.
Captians were appointed in preparation.
18 Now the chiefest among all the chief captains and the great commander of all the armies of the Nephites was appointed, and his name was aGidgiddoni.
Gidgiddoni was the military leader.
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 aspirit of revelation and also prophecy; therefore, this Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, as also was the chief judge.
Gidgiddoni was also a prophet; the Nephites had a custom to appoint such.
20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: aPray 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.
The people asked him to pray that they could go against the robbers.
21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord aforbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would bdeliver 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.
He said basically that they should be defensive.
22 And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in the latter end of the year, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their ahorses, and their chariots, and their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all their substance, and did march forth by thousands and by tens of thousands, until they had all gone forth to the bplace which chad been appointed that they should gather themselves together, to defend themselves against their enemies.
Everyone was invited; many gathered to the place.
23 And the aland which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla, and the land which was between the land Zarahemla and the land bBountiful, yea, to the line which was between the cland Bountiful and the land Desolation.
It was Zarahemla
24 And there were a great many thousand people who were called Nephites, who did gather themselves together in this land. Now Lachoneus did cause that they should gather themselves together in the land asouthward, because of the great curse which was upon the bland northward.
Many Nephites gathered, but because of a curse on the land they were sent southward.
25 And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land, and in one body, and they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins; and they did put up their aprayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle.
They were united so they could fortify themselves against their enemies.
26 And they were exceedingly sorrowful because of their enemies. And Gidgiddoni did cause that they should make aweapons of war of every kind, and they should be strong with armor, and with shields, and with bucklers, after the manner of his instruction.
They felt bad for their enemies. They prepared for war though.
Chapter 4
1 And it came to pass that in the latter end of the eighteenth year those armies of arobbers had prepared for battle, and began to come down and to sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness, and their strongholds, and their bsecret places, and began to take possession of the lands, both which were in the land south and which were in the land north, and began to take possession of all the lands which had been cdeserted by the Nephites, and the cities which had been left desolate.
The robbers started to come against those in the north and south.
2 But behold, there were no wild beasts nor agame in those lands which had been deserted by the Nephites, and there was no game for the robbers save it were in the wilderness.
There was no meat to kill.
3 And the robbers could not exist save it were in the wilderness, for the want of food; for the Nephites had left their lands desolate, and had gathered their flocks and their herds and all their substance, and they were in one body.
The robbers couldn’t come out because of lack of food.
4 Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and ahorses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of bseven years, in the which time they did hope to destroy the robbers from off the face of the land; and thus the eighteenth year did pass away.
So the robbers couldn’t prosper.
5 And it came to pass that in the nineteenth year Giddianhi found that it was expedient that he should go up to battle against the Nephites, for there was ano way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and murder.
They were forced to fight the Nephites.
6 And they durst not spread themselves upon the face of the land insomuch that they could raise grain, lest the Nephites should come upon them and slay them; therefore Giddianhi gave commandment unto his armies that in this year they should go up to battle against the Nephites.
If they tried agriculture they would be attacked.
7 And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in the sixth month; and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did come up to battle; and they were girded about after the manner of robbers; and they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi, because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood.
So they dressed in scary costumes and came out.
8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.
The Nephites fell to the earth and prayed for delivery.
9 And it came to pass that when the armies of Giddianhi saw this they began to shout with a loud voice, because of their joy, for they had supposed that the Nephites had fallen with fear because of the terror of their armies.
The robbers supposed they were afraid.
10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not afear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for bprotection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them.
But they only feared God.
11 And the battle commenced in this the sixth month; and great and terrible was the battle thereof, yea, great and terrible was the aslaughter thereof, insomuch that there never was known so great a slaughter among all the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem.
It was the worst battle since Lehi left Jerusalem!
12 And notwithstanding the athreatenings and the oaths which Giddianhi had made, behold, the Nephites did beat them, insomuch that they did fall back from before them.
The Nephites won.
13 And it came to pass that aGidgiddoni commanded that his armies should pursue them as far as the borders of the wilderness, and that they should not spare any that should fall into their hands by the way; and thus they did pursue them and did slay them, to the borders of the wilderness, even until they had fulfilled the commandment of Gidgiddoni.
They pursued them to the wilderness border.
14 And it came to pass that Giddianhi, who had stood and fought with boldness, was pursued as he fled; and being weary because of his much fighting he was overtaken and slain. And thus was the end of Giddianhi the robber.
Their leader was to tired from fighting and was killed.
15 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites did return again to their place of security. And it came to pass that this nineteenth year did pass away, and the robbers did not come again to battle; neither did they come again in the twentieth year.
They were at peace again.
16 And in the twenty and first year they did not come up to battle, but they came up on all sides to lay siege round about the people of Nephi; for they did suppose that if they should cut off the people of Nephi from their alands, and should hem them in on every side, and if they should cut them off from all their outward privileges, that they could cause them to yield themselves up according to their wishes.
So the robbers tried to block passage to the Nephites by surrounding them.
17 Now they had appointed unto themselves another leader, whose name was Zemnarihah; therefore it was Zemnarihah that did cause that this siege should take place.
Zemnariah was their leader who had done this.
18 But behold, this was an advantage to the Nephites; for it was impossible for the robbers to lay siege sufficiently long to have any effect upon the Nephites, because of their amuch bprovision which they had laid up in store,
But they couldn’t wait long enough so they’d have to retreat.
19 And because of the scantiness of provisions among the robbers; for behold, they had nothing save it were meat for their subsistence, which meat they did obtain in the wilderness;
They ran out of food.
20 And it came to pass that the awild game became scarce in the wilderness insomuch that the robbers were about to perish with hunger.
The game in the wilderness was scarce they almost died.
21 And the Nephites were continually marching out by day and by night, and falling upon their armies, and cutting them off by thousands and by tens of thousands.
The Nephites were cutting them off all day and night in the mean time.
22 And thus it became the desire of the people of Zemnarihah to withdraw from their design, because of the great destruction which came upon them by night and by day.
So Zemnariah’s people wanted to withdraw.
23 And it came to pass that Zemnarihah did give command unto his people that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the furthermost parts of the land northward.
Zemnariah commanded it.
24 And now, Gidgiddoni being aware of their design, and knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of their retreat.
Gidgiddoni cut off their retreat.
25 And this did they do in the night-time, and got on their march beyond the robbers, so that on the morrow, when the robbers began their march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites both in their front and in their rear.
When the robbers started marching in the day they had been cut off.
26 And the robbers who were on the south were also cut off in their places of retreat. And all these things were done by command of Gidgiddoni.
In the south too.
27 And there were many thousands who did yield themselves up prisoners unto the Nephites, and the remainder of them were slain.
They took prisoners which was good.
28 And their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken and hanged upon a tree, yea, even upon the top thereof until he was dead. And when they had hanged him until he was dead they did fell the tree to the earth, and did cry with a loud voice, saying:
They hanged Zemnarihah on a tree. Here’s what they said:
29 May the Lord preserve his people in righteousness and in holiness of heart, that they may cause to be felled to the earth all who shall seek to slay them because of power and secret combinations, even as this man hath been felled to the earth.
“Let people die to preserve the Lord’s people in righteousness and holiness of heart.”
30 And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the aGod of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall bcall on the name of their God for cprotection.
As long as they pray for protection.
31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and apraising their God for the great thing which he had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies.
They all sang and praised God.
32 Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God aAlmighty, the Most High God.
They surrendered to God.
33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.
It was a very happy occasion.
Chapter 5
1 And now behold, there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did adoubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled.
And now every Nephite and prisoner among them had no doubt in Jesus’ coming.
2 And they knew that it must be expedient that Christ had come, because of the many signs which had been given, according to the words of the prophets; and because of the things which had come to pass already they knew that it must needs be that all things should come to pass according to that which had been spoken.
They weren’t tricked about the signs.
3 Therefore they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and their whoredoms, and did serve God with all diligence day and night.
They stopped all their sins and worked for the Lord all the time.
4 And now it came to pass that when they had taken all the robbers prisoners, insomuch that none did escape who were not slain, they did cast their prisoners into prison, and did cause the word of God to be preached unto them; and as many as would repent of their sins and aenter into a bcovenant that they would murder no more were set at cliberty.
The repentant robbers were set frere.
5 But as many as there were who did not enter into a covenant, and who did still continue to have those asecret murders in their hearts, yea, as many as were found breathing out threatenings against their brethren were condemned and punished according to the law.
The others were punished by law.
6 And thus they did put an end to all those wicked, and secret, and abominable combinations, in the which there was so much wickedness, and so many murders committed.
They stopped the robbers and created peace.
7 And thus had the atwenty and second year passed away, and the twenty and third year also, and the twenty and fourth, and the twenty and fifth; and thus had twenty and five years passed away.
A good year is something to celebrate.
8 And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a ahundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years;
The book cannot contain much; many things happened.
9 But behold there are arecords which do contain ball the proceedings of this people; and a cshorter but true account was given by Nephi.
There are other records in existence about more.
10 Therefore I have made my arecord of these things according to the record of Nephi, which was engraven on the plates which were called the bplates of Nephi.
he made this on the (large) plates of Nephi.
11 And behold, I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands.
Repeating like in 1 Nephi 1-3.
12 And behold, I am called aMormon, being called after the bland of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.
Mormon named after Alma’s (he founded) church.
13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been acalled of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.
His purpose is to fulfill God’s purpose.
14 And it hath become expedient that I, according to the will of God, that the prayers of those who have gone hence, who were the holy ones, should be fulfilled according to their faith, should make a arecord of these things which have been done—
A record helps him do that in the future.
15 Yea, a asmall record of that which hath taken place from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, even down until the present time.
A small record.
16 Therefore I do make my record from the accounts which have been given by those who were before me, until the commencement of my day;
He compiled the book.
17 And then I do make a arecord of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes.
Then he adds his own testimony.
18 And I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our alanguage, we are not able to bwrite.
Like 1 Nephi 1-3.
19 And now I make an end of my saying, which is of myself, and proceed to give my account of the things which have been before me.
Now he goes to his own account.
20 I am Mormon, and a pure adescendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, (and bno one knew it save it were himself and those whom he brought out of that land) and that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls.
He is grateful to God. Also, being a pure descendant of Lehi – mentioning it might mean it is rare, indicating that other people infiltrated the gene pool.
21 Surely he hath ablessed the house of bJacob, and hath been cmerciful unto the seed of Joseph.
God helped Jacob and Joseph.
22 And ainsomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word.
He kept that promise that is one of our two themes in this book.
23 Yea, and surely shall he again bring a aremnant of the seed of Joseph to the bknowledge of the Lord their God.
Talking about his own people.
24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he agather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the bseed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.
Saying they were/are spread out everywhere.
25 And as he hath acovenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the brestoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.
They have a covenant.
26 And then shall they aknow their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen.
They shall know Jesus Christ and be gathered.
Chapter 6
1 And now it came to pass that the people of the Nephites did all return to their own lands in the twenty and sixth year, every man, with his family, his flocks and his herds, his ahorses and his cattle, and all things whatsoever did belong unto them.
So the Nephites went back to their own lands.
2 And it came to pass that they had anot eaten up all their provisions; therefore they did take with them all that they had not devoured, of all their grain of every kind, and their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and they did return to their own lands and their possessions, both on the north and on the south, both on the land northward and on the land southward.
They still had food and materials.
3 And they granted unto those robbers who had aentered into a covenant to keep the peace of the land, who were desirous to remain Lamanites, lands, according to their numbers, that they might have, with their labors, wherewith to subsist upon; and thus they did establish peace in all the land.
If the robbers covenanted to be peaceful they were among them.
4 And they began again to prosper and to wax great; and the twenty and sixth and seventh years passed away, and there was great aorder in the land; and they had formed their laws according to equity and justice.
They started to prosper.
5 And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression.
Nothing could stop them unless they started to sin.
6 And now it was aGidgiddoni, and the judge, bLachoneus, and those who had been appointed leaders, who had established this great peace in the land.
Gidgiddoni and Lachoneus had established the peace. The judge and leader were responsible. The government was responsible for peace.
7 And it came to pass that there were many cities built anew, and there were many old cities repaired.
They did lots of construction.
8 And there were many ahighways cast up, and many roads made, which led from city to city, and from land to land, and from place to place.
They constructed cities and highways and roads.
9 And thus passed away the twenty and eighth year, and the people had continual peace.
Another great peaceful years.
10 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 aboastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions;
Pride is the universal sin. Some became prideful of their riches and persecuted others.
11 For there were many amerchants in the land, and also many blawyers, and many officers.
There were many merchants, lawyers and officers, skilled people in the middle of all this.
12 And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their ariches and their chances for learning; yea, some were bignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great clearning because of their riches.
So they started a caste system and deprived people of their right to a fair education, making those people unable to help.
13 Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and apersecution and all manner of bafflictions, and would not turn and crevile again, but were humble and penitent before God.
Some were like that; some were humble.
14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and athey would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all bdiligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.
It broke the church apart.
15 Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—aSatan had great bpower, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and criches, and the vain things of the world.
It was Satan.
16 And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years.
Because of Satan, a few years of peace was not as much as they wanted.
17 And thus, in the commencement of the thirtieth year—the people having been delivered up for the space of a long time to be carried about by the temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to do whatsoever iniquity he desired they should—and thus in the commencement of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness.
It was gross.
18 Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God.
It was full rebellion.
19 And now it was in the days of Lachoneus, the son of Lachoneus, for Lachoneus did fill the seat of his father and did govern the people that year.
Lachoneus’ son Lachoneus took over.
20 And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.
God sent prophets to not forsake them.
21 Now there were many of the people who were exceedingly angry because of those who testified of these things; and those who were angry were chiefly the chief judges, and they who had been high priests and lawyers; yea, all those who were lawyers were angry with those who testified of these things.
People got very angry.
22 Now there was no lawyer nor judge nor high priest that could have power to condemn any one to death save their condemnation was signed by the governor of the land.
The death penalty had to be signed by Lachoneus (by the governor).
23 Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the judges, that the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of the land until after their death.
They killed those prophets secretly! Killing prophets is really bad!
24 Now behold, this was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man should be put to death except they had power from the governor of the land—
This was illegal, but also really bad!
25 Therefore a complaint came up unto the land of Zarahemla, to the governor of the land, against these judges who had condemned the prophets of the Lord unto death, not according to the law.
A whistleblower told Lachoneus.
26 Now it came to pass that they were taken and brought up before the judge, to be judged of the crime which they had done, according to the law which had been given by the people.
So the judge took up the case against them.
27 Now it came to pass that those judges had many friends and kindreds; and the remainder, yea, even almost all the lawyers and the high priests, did gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law.
The bad guys had many friends with legal expertise.
28 And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness.
They conspired together with a secret combination.
29 Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered according to the law.
They conspired to have justice be wrong.
30 And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings.
They defied the actual government.
Chapter 7
1 Now behold, I will show unto you that they did not establish a king over the land; but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did destroy upon the judgment-seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land.
They murdered Lachoneus, but they would not suceed in making a king.
2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.
They seperated into tribes instead.
3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes.
Every tribe had a leader.
4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.
The tribes spread through friends and family like facebook.
5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them; and all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan.
It was because of yielding to the power of Satan.
6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets.
The government was in shambles.
7 And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked; yea, there were but few righteous men among them.
They sucked in many righteous, getting them to join them in destruction.
8 And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire.
In six years things had completely overturned.
9 Now this secret combination, which had brought so great iniquity upon the people, did gather themselves together, and did place at their head a man whom they did call Jacob;
Jacob led the secret combination.
10 And they did call him their king; therefore he became a king over this wicked band; and he was one of the chiefest who had given his voice against the prophets who testified of Jesus.
He was their king.
11 And it came to pass that they were not so strong in number as the tribes of the people, who were united together save it were their leaders did establish their laws, every one according to his tribe; nevertheless they were enemies; notwithstanding they were not a righteous people, yet they were united in the hatred of those who had entered into a covenant to destroy the government.
The tribes were still stronger.
12 Therefore, Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land, and there build up unto themselves a kingdom, until they were joined by dissenters, (for he flattered them that there would be many dissenters) and they become sufficiently strong to contend with the tribes of the people; and they did so.
Jacob set up camp in the north saying they would get dissenters.
13 And so speedy was their march that it could not be impeded until they had gone forth out of the reach of the people. And thus ended the thirtieth year; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi.
The bad guys escaped.
14 And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and friends; nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws, and their manner of government, for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders. But they did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land; nevertheless, their hearts were turned from the Lord their God, and they did stone the prophets and did cast them out from among them.
They actually had peace with small governments.
15 And it came to pass that Nephi—having been visited by angels and also the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations;
Nephi had divine manifestations and knew how quickly they had changed.
16 Therefore, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds—went forth among them in that same year, and began to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
So he preached.
17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.
He preached unutterable words and with power and great authority.
18 And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily.
They hated him; they couldn’t deny him.
19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people.
That didn’t stop him. He did many miracles. He cast out devils and unclean spirits. They killed his brother and he revived him.
20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus.
They were angry again. He did it in the name of Jesus.
21 And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away, and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed.
The converted bore witness. They were few.
22 And as many as had devils cast out from them, and were healed of their sicknesses and their infirmities, did truly manifest unto the people that they had been wrought upon by the Spirit of God, and had been healed; and they did show forth signs also and did do some miracles among the people.
Those healed in these ways bore witness still the same.
23 Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephi did cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins.
Nephi pressed on preaching even with Jesus coming soon.
24 Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water.
The repentant were all baptized.
25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them should be baptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins.
Thus they were ordained.
26 And there were many in the commencement of this year that were baptized unto repentance; and thus the more part of the year did pass away.
Even at the end of chapter 7, many were baptized.
Chapter 8
1 And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity—
A man of miracles kept a record.
2 And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this man in the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away;
33 years after the sign.
3 And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land.
So I guess because it was intriguing, they watched for the sign.
4 And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given.
However there were great doubtings and disputations.
5 And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land.
There was a great strom.
6 And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible thunder, insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder.
And earthquake.
7 And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land.
And lightning storm.
8 And the city of Zarahemla did take fire.
Zarahemla burned.
9 And the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned.
Moroni the city sank.
10 And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah, that in the place of the city there became a great mountain.
Moronihah got buried under moving earth.
11 And there was a great and terrible destruction in the land southward.
Plus the land to the South.
12 But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the land northward; for behold, the whole face of the land was changed, because of the tempest and the whirlwinds, and the thunderings and the lightnings, and the exceedingly great quaking of the whole earth;
More problems to the north.
13 And the highways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough.
Much land motion.
14 And many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shaken till the buildings thereof had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate.
Many cities sunk and burned and skaken to the earth.
15 And there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof was exceedingly great, and there were many in them who were slain.
Some cities remained with intense damage.
16 And there were some who were carried away in the whirlwind; and whither they went no man knoweth, save they know that they were carried away.
Some people went in tornados to who knows where.
17 And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed, because of the tempests, and the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the quaking of the earth.
The land changed, suggesting that maybe trying to map the Book of Mormon is unfruitful.
18 And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; they were broken up upon the face of the whole earth, insomuch that they were found in broken fragments, and in seams and in cracks, upon all the face of the land.
Rocks split.
19 And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours—and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land.
All this in about 3 hours.
20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could feel the vapor of darkness;
A thick fog.
21 And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all;
Perhaps from volcanoes. Perhaps not.
22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.
Very strong and serious.
23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
it was the sign.
24 And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla.
People wished they had repented.
25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city Moronihah. And thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible.
They wished they hadn’t killed and stoned the prophets.
Chapter 9
1 And it came to pass that there was a voice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth, upon all the face of this land, crying:
One verse away from Jesus speaking!
2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!
People ought to do better.
3 Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.
Zarahemla burned by Jesus hand.
4 And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.
by Jesus hand.
5 And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the inhabitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come any more unto me against them.
by Jesus hand. iniquites and abominations
6 And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth;
by Jesus hand.
7 Yea, and the city of Onihah and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem and the inhabitants thereof; and waters have I caused to come up in the stead thereof, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
by Jesus hand. Wickedness and abominations.
8 And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of Jacob, and the city of Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk, and made hills and valleys in the places thereof; and the inhabitants thereof have I buried up in the depths of the earth, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up any more unto me against them.
by Jesus hand. Wickedness and abomination.
9 And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land; therefore I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.
by Jesus hand. A great city but many problems.
10 And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets, and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations.
by Jesus hand. Casting out prophets.
11 And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them.
None righteous were among them!
12 And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
Many more by Jesus hand. Wickedness and abominations.
13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
Will being spared for not being as bad please encourage you to repent?
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
He invites them to let Him help them.
15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
He created the Heavens and the earth and is in the Father.
16 I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.
In the Old world the scriptures were fulfilled.
17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
Those who receive Him are the sons of God. He fulfilled the law of Moses for them.
18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
He is the light and life. He is the start to finish.
19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
He is the burnt offering.
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
Sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit, like He had. The Lamanites were baptized unknowingly because of this.
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
He comes to bring redemption and save the world from sin.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
Childlike people are received.
Chapter 10
1 And now behold, it came to pass that all the people of the land did hear these sayings, and did witness of it. And after these sayings there was silence in the land for the space of many hours;
The people were silent for hours.
2 For so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease lamenting and howling for the loss of their kindred which had been slain; therefore there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours.
They were calmed.
3 And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear, and did witness of it, saying:
He spoke.
4 O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
He’s tried to nourish and care for them if they would allow it.
5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
And they would not.
6 O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.
And yet often He still will.
7 But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.
But if not they will become evacuated.
8 And now it came to pass that after the people had heard these words, behold, they began to weep and howl again because of the loss of their kindred and friends.
They cried for their kindred and friends whom they lost.
9 And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away. And it was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away.
The three days passed.
10 And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
The earth stopped quaking I think and the people were pacified I think.
11 And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets.
That satisfied prophecy.
12 And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared—
As mentioned, the more righteous were spared.
13 And they were spared and were not sunk and buried up in the earth; and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea; and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; and they were not carried away in the whirlwind; neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness.
List of ways people had died and you can think about selection processes.
14 And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
Check the prophecies everywhere!
15 Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things.
Many were killed for testifying of these things!
16 Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.
But we don’t have Zenos.
17 Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?
But Jacob talked about this.
18 And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them—
They recevied many blessings.
19 Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.
Now to the more part of the ministry.
Chapter 11
1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.
They gathered around the temple.
2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.
They talked about Jesus Christ.
3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
They had trouble identifying a voice like God.
4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
The second time.
5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
Then they were able to concentrate on Heaven.
6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
They understood the voice.
7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
God introduced Jesus.
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
He came out of the sky. “The things which are not of this world.”
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
He showed He was offering something and spoke.
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
He said his name, like many characters in the Book of Mormon.
11 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.
He is the light and life and atoned. Light meaning we can see our way and life meaning we can grow.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
The people fell, remembering the prophecy.
13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:
But He spake again:
14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
They could feel His nail prints from the cross.
15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.
They learned that He was the prophesied Messiah.
16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:
Then they said:
17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.
We surrender. The most High God is great!
18 And it came to pass that he spake unto Nephi (for Nephi was among the multitude) and he commanded him that he should come forth.
Jesus called Nephi.
19 And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did kiss his feet.
Nephi bowed and kissed the Lord’s feet.
20 And the Lord commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him.
He was told to arise and did.
21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
He was given the power of baptism, which must be something important.
22 And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you.
Others could baptize, setting up a system to last.
23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.
The fully repentent can be baptized.
24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:
what to say when baptizing.
25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
That’s it!
26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.
Then it’s like a burial and ressurection in the water.
27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
Because God is one and all of this.
28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
Let there be no disputations.
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
Contention is not of this God.
30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
The point is not to make people angry.
31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.
Here is his doctrine, right here!:
32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
Approved by all of God:
33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Believe and be baptized and you will be saved and inherit God’s kingdom.
34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
Don’t believe and don’t be baptized and you shall be damned (blocked from progress).
35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
This is His exact doctrine.
36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.
All the Gods bear record.
37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.
You must repent and be a little child to receive this.
38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
You must repent and be baptized and be as a little child to inherit the kindgom of God.
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
Who accepts this will prevail.
40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.
Who accepts more or less than this will not.
41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.
Tell everyone.
Chapter 12
1 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.
They get baptism and the gift of Holy Ghost spreading ability.
2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.
Blessed are the believers, who humbly get baptized. They get fire and the Holy Ghost and repentance.
3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Starting out the beautitudes.
4 And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
The poor in spirit will mourn.
5 And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The mourners will be meek.
6 And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.
The meek will hunger and thirst to be righteous.
7 And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
The righteous will seek mercy on others.
8 And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
The merciful will be pure in heart too.
9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
The pure in heart will be peacemakers.
10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Last it is bettter to be aligned with Christ than mankind, for God has greater.
11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;
If they really persecute you…
12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.
Then you really have a great reward as mentioned.
13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.
You must have substance to keep things going.
14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Be a light to everyone.
15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;
Candles aren’t covered up to not be seen, and you are full of light.
16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Shining your light helps others.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil;
Explanation about the law of Moses and former prophecies.
18 For verily I say unto you, one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law, but in me it hath all been fulfilled.
He fulfilled every mark of it He says.
19 And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled.
So the commandment is to repent and come to Him with broken heart and contrite spirit.
20 Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
You must keep the commandments just given to come into Heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God;
It is said not to kill or be in danger of God’s judgement;
22 But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
If you’re angry or criticize somewhat it’s a problem too. Perhaps because you have murder in your mind. Jesus atoned so we have to think straight instead of just do things right because we depend on Him mentally with His atonement.
23 Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee—
Therefore take care of your hatred before coming to God.
24 Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
Be reconciled.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time he shall get thee, and thou shalt be cast into prison.
Agree with people as soon as you can, or you could go to prison.
26 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine. And while ye are in prison can ye pay even one senine? Verily, verily, I say unto you, Nay.
You could lose all your money.
27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;
Now about adultery –
28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.
Lustful feelings are imagination-adultery. Again, a transformation from a law of doing to a law of thinking of how Christ is.
29 Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart;
You are commanded not to do this.
30 For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.
It’s better to do this and take up a cross than to be cast into hell.
31 It hath been written, that whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.
Divorce was part of the law of Moses.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whoso shall marry her who is divorced committeth adultery.
Yet it causes adultery by the marriage no longer being valid – thinking about the relationship and how Christ is instead of the marriage license.
33 And again it is written, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths;
Then about oaths –
34 But verily, verily, I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
Don’t swear by Heaven for it is God’s doing.
35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
Don’t swear by earth, for it is God’s lab.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair black or white;
Don’t swear by your head, because you can’t control it.
37 But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever cometh of more than these is evil.
Just keep it honest and straight or its evil.
38 And behold, it is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;
The Torah says, “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;”
39 But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also;
But let evil happen to you without retaliation I guess is what this verse says.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also;
If someone tries to take something of you, you might assume he needs more, and you can give him more.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
If someone makes you exercise, you can do it more.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away.
If people have need of your substance, give it to them (I’m assuming if you can afford to).
43 And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy;
Another scripture to expound upon.
44 But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;
Love your enemy. Show it by action and prayer for them.
45 That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.
Your own Heavenly Father has the sun rise on the bad and good, so you should care about everyone.
46 Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled.
Christ is the embodiment of the law.
47 Old things are done away, and all things have become new.
It is a new situation for all of the commandments.
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Therefore keep the law by following Jesus.
Chapter 13
1 Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.
Although you should light a candle in the open, your alms to the poor should be secret.
2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
Hypocrites advertise their charity.
3 But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth;
He’s saying your own body shouldn’t even communicate about it.
4 That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.
Then God will keep it secret too, but reward you openly.
5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
Do not pray to be seen of men.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Pray privately and again you get rewarded openly. Prayer for thyself and others, alms for others.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Don’t be repetitive in prayer if it’s bad rhetoric.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.
God knows what you need already, so once is enough.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
The Lord’s prayer. Hallowed means many things like enduring and special. You pray to someone you think is in that position.
10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Let God be God.
11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Be merciful and we will need to be merciful too.
12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
We don’t expect you to tempt us, we want you to help us out of it.
13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
It’s your glory forever.
14 For, if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you;
If you forgive men Heavenly Father will forgive you; it’s that easy.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
But if not He won’t.
16 Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
People fake that they have a broken heart and contrite spirit.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
When you fast, look fresh.
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Again, it’s you and God, not you and men.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
Treasures on earth you can lose.
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
Treasures on earth you keep.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Where is your heart? Heaven or earth.
22 The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
A secret to being full of light; have your eye in Heaven.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
If the eye is evil, it is a great problem.
24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.
You can only pick one; not God and money.
25 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Life is more than essentials so don’t worry about it.
26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
The birds don’t need to gather food and you are better than them.
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
This is about not being in control of your height.
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
God takes care of how people dress.
29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
Solomon was not as beatiful as a lilly.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
Grass gets burnt tomorrow, he will clothe you even if you are of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
So don’t think about eating, drinking or clothing.
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
God knows you need these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Seek God’s kingdom and righteousness like God wants and God wants to help you with these things.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.
Don’t even think about tomorrow. The day is evil enough.
Chapter 14
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he turned again to the multitude, and did open his mouth unto them again, saying: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Do not do to others as you would not want done to yourself. How you judge others expect them to decide how to judge you.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Measurement too.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Look for your own problems first.
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Don’t talk about a small problem when there’s a big problem with you.
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Solve your own problem first.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Don’t give pearls before swine or they could use debased values against you and try to wreck them.
7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
The Lord is ready to help if it is requested.
8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
The Lord will help then.
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?
A father gives to his son, so it is the same.
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Jesus was tempted to turn bread into stone. Fish are probably more edible.
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
If you are evil and give good gifts to your children, Heavenly Father has great gifts to give; just request them.
12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.
The golden rule is the law and probphets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
It is a narrow path to do what’s right and not lead to destruction.
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Few find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
False prophets are monsters inside.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Know them by their fruits; I find that in life sometimes they deceive people about their fruits though!
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
But ideally good trees bring good and bad trees bring bad.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
It cannot be otherwise.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
It is natural that that which brings bad fruit would be destroyed.
20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.
Therefore, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
You have to do Heavenly Father’s will to get into Heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?
People will complain that they’ve done works in His name.
23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
But they are iniquitious.
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock
So do works and don’t be iniquitious and have good fruit and do Heavenly Father’s will. Then you are built on a rock.
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
We won’t not have problems, but a sturdy foundation beats them.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—
Those who don’t are like someone who builds on the sand.
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
Those same forces would cause a great fall.
Chapter 15
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before I ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day.
Jesus says who remembers these things gets lifted up at the end.
2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
Some wondered about the Law of Moses; he said things had become new and old things gone.
3 And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
He said not to marvel about that statement.
4 Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses.
The law has been obeyed.
5 Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
Since he gave the law, he was able to obey it completely to its being finished.
6 Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled.
Yet prophecies will still occur later.
7 And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come.
Things are still to come.
8 For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me.
The covenant’s not done, but the law of Moses has an end.
9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
Look at him like the brass serpent and live.
10 Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.
Follow His commandments. In the gospel just laid out I think.
11 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen:
Jesus said to His 12 apostles/disciples:
12 Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph.
You are a light to this people.
13 And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you.
This land is for you.
14 And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem.
Those at Jerusalem did not know about it.
15 Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land.
Nor other tribes of Israel beside Joseph.
16 This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them:
But here’s what God told Him to say about that-
17 That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
That there are other sheep.
18 And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.
They wouldn’t understand so He stopped explaining – because of stiffneckedness and unbelief. Stiffneckedness is like they wouldn’t look beyond the basic meaning. Belief is like they wouldn’t want to accept it.
19 But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you.
Their iniquity is why they don’t know you.
20 And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them.
Again, this applies to other tribes.
21 And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
This expression is also to them.
22 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
They thought He meant the gentiles, but the gentiles would be converted through them, not just Him.
23 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
The gentiles wouldn’t hear His voice.
24 But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.
But yo have heard and seen me, so you are counted.
Chapter 16
1 And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.
There are still other sheep like He said.
2 For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
They have not heard His voice or had a manifestation.
3 But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them.
But all will be one fold and one shepherd.
4 And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.
This sets apart what’s been said so far. It says people may pray to know the truth right here.
5 And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel.
He plans to gather people together who do this.
6 And blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father.
The gentiles believe so they will be blessed.
7 Behold, because of their belief in me, saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them.
Israel does not believe; therefore gentiles will get all the knowledge one day.
8 But wo, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles—for notwithstanding they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people who are of the house of Israel; and my people who are of the house of Israel have been cast out from among them, and have been trodden under feet by them;
But wo to unbelieving gentiles.
9 And because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles, and also the judgments of the Father upon my people who are of the house of Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, that after all this, and I have caused my people who are of the house of Israel to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a byword among them
Jews will be persecuted – (there’s more).
10 And thus commandeth the Father that I 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.
Basically if the gentiles totally fall away they will lose the gospel.
11 And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them.
…and then God will remember His covenant with Israel.
12 And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel.
…and the gentiles will not have power over the house of Israel.
13 But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.
But if the gentiles repent and return to Him, God says they will be numbered with Israel.
14 And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father.
And the House of Israel will not tear them down.
15 But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel.
Israel will tread down the gentiles if they don’t turn to Him like salt that lost its savor.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, thus hath the Father commanded me—that I should give unto this people this land for their inheritance.
This people are promised this land.
17 And then the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say:
Isaiah said so-
18 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
Watchmen will see eye to eye when the Lord brings forth Zion.
19 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
Be joyful; Jerusalem is redeemed.
20 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God.
The whole earth sees God and His salvation.
Chapter 17
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand.
Jesus had done speaking for that time.
2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
It was a learning curve.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.
So go and pray to understand and come back tomorrow.
4 But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.
He is going to some unknown place in the mean time.
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
They were crying because they loved Him so much.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
He said He loved them.
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
He said He’d heal anyone!
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
Faith is sufficient for healing.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
They all came or brought people and the ill were healed.
10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.
They all worshipped Him and as many as could washed His feet in tears.
11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.
He had little children be brought to Him.
12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.
They were all brought to Him.
13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.
He said they should kneel in prayer.
14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
He was worried about the house of Israel being bad.
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
Then He prayed things that can’t be written.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
They both saw and heard unspeakable things.
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
No tongue, pen or heart can repeat.
18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.
The multitude were overcome. What a blessing to still be alive for this!
19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.
Jesus told them to arise from prayer.
20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.
Faith was why they were blessed. Jesus’ joy was full.
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
He cried and prayed for little children.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
He cried again.
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
He wanted to make a point about the children.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
Fire encircled the little ones.
25 And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.
2500 all bore witness. They were men, women and children.
Chapter 18
1 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.
Sacrament time.
2 And while they were gone for bread and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.
People told to sit to get prepared.
3 And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.
He fed His disciples.
4 And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.
Then they fed everyone else, the same structure for the sacrament in the modern church.
5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.
People will be ordained to do this when He is gone.
6 And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.
You will always do the sacrament.
7 And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
Quoting the sacrament prayer.
8 And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.
Then the water/wine.
9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.
They were filled.
10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.
Quoting the sacrament prayer.
11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
About the sarament. It restores baptism and repentance.
12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.
Doing these things is being established on his rock.
13 But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and the gates of hell are ready open to receive them.
This is exactly the best thing to do to have a solid foundation only this way.
14 Therefore blessed are ye if ye shall keep my commandments, which the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you.
So these are the commandments; you’re blessed if you obey.
15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.
Watch and pray always.
16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.
Pray like I prayed for you.
17 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto his disciples, he turned again unto the multitude and said unto them:
Then Jesus said to everyone:
18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Again watch and pray always. Satan wants to sift you.
19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
Because of Satan you must always be praying.
20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
If you ask for something right faithfully you’ll get it!
21 Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.
Pray in your families and your wives and children will be blessed.
22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;
Meet together often excluding no one.
23 But ye shall pray for them, and shall not cast them out; and if it so be that they come unto you oft ye shall pray for them unto the Father, in my name.
Pray for them if necessary.
24 Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.
Hold up your light, which is Him.
25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation.
None were rejected then alive, although some had been killed beforehand.
26 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he turned his eyes again upon the disciples whom he had chosen, and said unto them:
Then Jesus said to His disciples:
27 Behold verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you another commandment, and then I must go unto my Father that I may fulfil other commandments which he hath given me.
One more commandment, then He goes to His father:
28 And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it;
Don’t knowingly pass the sacrament to someone unworthy.
29 For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid him.
It would be damnation or stopping in progress to them.
30 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him and shall pray for him unto the Father, in my name; and if it so be that he repenteth and is baptized in my name, then shall ye receive him, and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood.
But they can still attend and have ministering to help them.
31 But if he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, that he may not destroy my people, for behold I know my sheep, and they are numbered.
He must eventually repent or he’s a danger to the hive mind.
32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.
But even if he’s not numbered a member, you can still preach to him!
33 Therefore, keep these sayings which I have commanded you that ye come not under condemnation; for wo unto him whom the Father condemneth.
Keep these commandments to not be condemned.
34 And I give you these commandments because of the disputations which have been among you. And blessed are ye if ye have no disputations among you.
He said these things because there had been disputes. People are blessed if there are no disputes.
35 And now I go unto the Father, because it is expedient that I should go unto the Father for your sakes.
Now He will leave for their sakes.
36 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them.
He touched the disciples and said:
37 And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bare record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. And I will show unto you hereafter that this record is true.
As will be shown, the disciples were given the power to give the Holy Ghost. The people did not hear.
38 And it came to pass that when Jesus had touched them all, there came a cloud and overshadowed the multitude that they could not see Jesus.
Kind of like tossing a vial on the ground with smoke and disappearing.
39 And while they were overshadowed he departed from them, and ascended into heaven. And the disciples saw and did bear record that he ascended again into heaven.
But the disciples saw and said He went to Heaven.
Chapter 19
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every man did take his wife and his children and did return to his own home.
Show’s over they went home.
2 And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude.
But He would come the next day.
3 Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude.
So they gathered many people to see that morning.
4 And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son, whose name was Jonas, and also Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah—now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen—and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude.
The names of Jesus’ disciples.
5 And behold, the multitude was so great that they did cause that they should be separated into twelve bodies.
The crowd was huge; they divided in twelve.
6 And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus.
Each disciple ministered to His twelve. They had them kneed and pray to God in Jesus’ name.
7 And the disciples did pray unto the Father also in the name of Jesus. And it came to pass that they arose and ministered unto the people.
It started out with the disciples praying to God in Jesus’ name and then minstering to the people.
8 And when they had ministered those same words which Jesus had spoken—nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken—behold, they knelt again and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus.
Then they prayed the same prayer.
9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.
They prayed for the Holy Ghost what they wanted the most.
10 And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them.
Then they went to the water – burial in water is like being reborn in Heaven.
11 And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water and was baptized.
Nephi was baptized.
12 And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.
Then He baptized all the others.
13 And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
After baptism the Holy Ghost just fell on them.
14 And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
They were surrounded with fire and angels.
15 And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them.
While the angels were ministering, Jesus was in their midst.
16 And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth.
He commanded them and the disciples to kneel.
17 And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray.
Then He commanded His disciples to pray.
18 And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God.
They prayed to Jesus; they said He was their Lord and God.
19 And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said:
Jesus moved a little ways to pray privately.
20 Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.
He thanks God for giving them the Holy Ghost, they being chosen for belief in Him.
21 Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.
He prays for all believers to get it from Him.
22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.
They pray; You hear. They pray because He is with them.
23 And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.
He prays that all believers will have Him in them as God is in Him.
24 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.
They were still praying words that were given them.
25 And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.
Jesus blesed them by everything being shiny.
26 And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray.
Jesus told them to keep praying and they did.
27 And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying:
Again, He went a little way away to pray.
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
He’s glad they’re purified and wants the people to be purified.
29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
He prays for those who make it out of the world.
30 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.
Again they prayed and again they were white.
31 And it came to pass that he went again a little way off and prayed unto the Father;
He again makes some space.
32 And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be written by man the words which he prayed.
But they heard them; it was just unrepeatable.
33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed.
But they witnessed that their hearts understood.
34 Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be uttered by man.
But they were too great to be written or spoken.
35 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them: So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief.
Jesus commended their faith.
36 Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard.
These people have seen and heard the best.
Chapter 20
1 And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.
Pray continually, but not out loud anymore for now.
2 And he commanded them that they should arise and stand up upon their feet. And they arose up and stood upon their feet.
Arise.
3 And it came to pass that he brake bread again and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat.
He gave bread to His disciples to eat.
4 And when they had eaten he commanded them that they should break bread, and give unto the multitude.
Then they gave it to everyone.
5 And when they had given unto the multitude he also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude.
Same with wine.
6 Now, there had been no bread, neither wine, brought by the disciples, neither by the multitude;
The bread and wine came out of nowhere.
7 But he truly gave unto them bread to eat, and also wine to drink.
yet it somehow happened.
8 And he said unto them: He that eateth this bread eateth of my body to his soul; and he that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to his soul; and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled.
This is his body and soul and will satiate.
9 Now, when the multitude had all eaten and drunk, behold, they were filled with the Spirit; and they did cry out with one voice, and gave glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard.
They had the spirit and cried out to Jesus who they both saw and heard.
10 And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them: Behold now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people, who are a remnant of the house of Israel.
Then Jesus was going to finish His commandment from His Father.
11 Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them—
Reminding them about Isaiah being fulfilled.
12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel.
Isaiah’s words would be fulfilled.
13 And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them.
Gathering of Israel.
14 And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance.
What land?
15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—
If the gentiles don’t repent after being blessed and scattering the house of Israel-
16 Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Then the House of Israel will scatter them.
17 Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
All their adversaries will be cut off.
18 And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor.
He gathers His people like it’s His business.
19 For I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it.
Covenant people will be like hard metal and their gain and substance consecrated.
20 And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the Gentiles.
The sword of justice will hang over the gentiles.
21 And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel.
Israel shall have the Lord’s peace.
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.
The Americans will be established as a New Jerusalem with the powers of Heaven and Jesus in their midst.
23 Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.
Jesus is the prophet who makes or breaks based on belief in Him.
24 Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.
Samuel and all those after had testified of Jesus.
25 And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
The Nephites and Lamanites are of Abraham.
26 The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant—
The covenant children came first with being introduced to Jesus.
27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.
The gentiles would be blessed through you and Him (via pouring out the Holy Ghost).
28 And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father.
The gentiles shall treat you badly, but when they have the gospel if they still get angry their sins will be on their own heads.
29 And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father.
God promised a gathering at some time.
30 And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them;
They shall have the fulness of His gospel.
31 And they shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name.
They shall believe in Jesus as God’s Son and pray in his name.
32 Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye.
They and their watchmen will sing together and see eye to eye.
33 Then will the Father gather them together again, and give unto them Jerusalem for the land of their inheritance.
Then they get returned to Jerusalem.
34 Then shall they break forth into joy—Sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Father hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
They celebrate it with quoting scripture about it.
35 The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.
The whole earth shall see God’s salvation and that God and Jesus are one.
36 And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
They will awake strongly and be beautiful and circumcised and clean.
37 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
Poetry for: be active.
38 For thus saith the Lord: Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money.
You’ve given yourselves up.
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people shall know my name; yea, in that day they shall know that I am he that doth speak.
They will recognize Jesus.
40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
It’s beautiful to make the earth peaceful.
41 And then shall a cry go forth: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch not that which is unclean; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
Leave and don’t get uncleanliness on you.
42 For ye shall not go out with haste nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel shall be your rearward.
The Lord will lead you out peacefully.
43 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
Refering to Jesus who will be wise and rewarded.
44 As many were astonished at thee—his visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men—
Many were astonished at how He looked.
45 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Sprinkling was an act in the Old Testament. Sprinkling with blood symbolized Christ’s atonement.
46 Verily, verily, I say unto you, all these things shall surely come, even as the Father hath commanded me. Then shall this covenant which the Father hath covenanted with his people be fulfilled; and then shall Jerusalem be inhabited again with my people, and it shall be the land of their inheritance.
Then Israel will be established and restored.
Chapter 21
1 And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion;
How to know when these things will happen. Have they already?
2 And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them;
When the gentiles know of them and the Jews scattered by them.
3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you;
When these things are delivered by God to you-
4 For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel;
They should be free in this land as a covenant to Israel.
5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity;
When the Gentiles teach you-
6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel;
(to show power to the Gentiles, to get them to convert)
7 And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.
Then you will know these things are happening.
8 And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Kings will be quiet; they will see what they didn’t know. Note that there’s a scripture that says it is the glory of God to conceal a thing and the honor of kings to find it out.
9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.
The Book of Mormon?
10 But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
Joseph Smith would survive through divine protection.
11 Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.
If they don’t believe they will be cut off.
12 And my people who are a remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, yea, in the midst of them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Those of Jacob will sift through the gentiles.
13 Their hand shall be lifted up upon their adversaries, and all their enemies shall be cut off.
All enemies will not have a way to get them.
14 Yea, wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots;
Gentiles will lose transportation?
15 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds;
Also their cities
16 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy land, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers;
Also their magic
17 Thy graven images I will also cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee, and thou shalt no more worship the works of thy hands;
Also idols
18 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities.
places of having sex
19 And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away.
other sins
20 For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel;
they must repent or be cut off
21 And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
it will be severe
22 But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance;
but if they repent they will be counted
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.
building a New Jerusalem.
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.
Then they help gather in.
25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.
They will get the power of Heaven and Christ in their midst.
26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.
The work will commence
27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.
All the dispersed of His people will be gathered
28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.
To the land of their inheritance
29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward.
They will go there out of all nations.
Chapter 22
1 And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
Be happy without children because there are more children out of wedlock than in it.
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;
Grow your dwelling place.
3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Your seed will overcome cities.
4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
You will be find. Don’t worry about bad things you did as a youngster or feeling bad as a widow.
5 For thy maker, thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel—the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
God is your husband.
6 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
God called you as a grieved woman.
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Your dismay is but an instant.
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
God hid His face from you but will be kind forever.
9 For this, the waters of Noah unto me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee.
Just like Noah would not repeat, He will always love you.
10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Even after mountains and hills go away His love will still last.
11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
Those feeling like a reck have a beautiful foundation laid by the Lord.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
Your building will be made of beautiful stones.
13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
All your children will learn by God.
14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.
You will be established in righteousness. Oppression and terror won’t touch you.
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
They will combine on you but it will fail.
16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Joseph Smith? Waster to destroy those who deserve it I guess.
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
No weapon will work on you; people that speak against you will have their words condemned.
Chapter 23
1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.
Jesus told them to search these things and Isaiah; the words were great.
2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.
He touched on everything for Jew and Gentile.
3 And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.
It’s all true what he said; in the past or future.
4 Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.
So pay attention and they will go to the gentiles.
5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.
So listen repent and be baptized to be saved, like Jesus opened up in this chapter.
6 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not.
He wanted them to write more scriptures.
7 And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.
He told Nephi to bring the record he had been making.
8 And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:
Jesus looked at the record and said:
9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?
Many saints rose from the dead and ministered from the people, but it wasn’t mentioned.
10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.
The disciples admitted it was true and now it’s written.
11 And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?
Jesus asked why it wasn’t written.
12 And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.
Nephi remembered it had not been written.
13 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.
So it was written by commandment from Jesus.
14 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them.
They were to teach what was added.
Chapter 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.
Malachi 4 last verse of the Torah.
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.
Similar to Malachi 4.
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.
He will make them very excellent in a high percentage.
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.
The offerings will be pleasant again.
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.
He will swiftly discredit false priests.
6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Because He is the Lord and remains the same, the sons of Jacob are given this promise.
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?
Come back to His ordinances.
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Pay tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
The whole nation has robbed Him.
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.
So to stop it pay tithing to take care of everyone. They will get more than they need.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Your agriculture will succeed, perhaps meaning everything you invest in.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Every nation shall think you’re great.
13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say: What have we spoken against thee?
You have spoken against me. How, you ask?
14 Ye have said: It is vain to serve God, and what doth it profit that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?
Why follow God if it makes you mournful? – you’ve said.
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
The proud, wicked and they that tempt God are helped.
16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
So there was a book to remember those who feared the Lord.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
They shall be His jewels.
18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Then you can tell between the righteous/God serving and the wicked/not God serving.
Chapter 25
1 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Global warming? Nuclear war? The proud and wicked shall be burnt.
2 But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall.
Those who fear Him will be healed.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Just tread through the wicked in this time because they will be like ash under you.
4 Remember ye the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
The law of Moses pointed to the gospel.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
Elijah visited Joseph Smith.
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Family History work in Temples saves humanity.
Chapter 26
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small.
Jesus explained it great and small.
2 And he saith: These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations.
These scriptures are for future generations.
3 And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory—yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away;
All things that would happen, perhaps global warming, nuclear war and the earth even being destroyed.
4 And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
And the last day, judgment day.
5 If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began.
To whether they were good or bad being restored. It is merciful, just and holy.
6 And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;
This book does not have 1% of what Jesus taught in America.
7 But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.
Yet the plates we have contain the greater part.
8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
He wrote these things to be restored to future generations of his people through the gentiles.
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
It will test their faith.
10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
They won’t progress if they don’t believe.
11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.
He doesn’t write everything to test their faith.
12 Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me.
Mormon ends his writings.
13 Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people, for the space of three days; and after that he did show himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them.
He truly taught them and had sacrament.
14 And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude of whom hath been spoken, and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter.
They could reveal things greater than Him! I know a man who calls himself a prophet who says to be better than him.
15 And it came to pass that after he had ascended into heaven—the second time that he showed himself unto them, and had gone unto the Father, after having healed all their sick, and their lame, and opened the eyes of their blind and unstopped the ears of the deaf, and even had done all manner of cures among them, and raised a man from the dead, and had shown forth his power unto them, and had ascended unto the Father—
He went back to heaven.
16 Behold, it came to pass on the morrow that the multitude gathered themselves together, and they both saw and heard these children; yea, even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were forbidden that there should not any man write them.
Even their babies said things too great to write.
17 And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesus had chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost.
They started baptizing, and they received the Holy Ghost when baptized in Jesus’ name.
18 And many of them saw and heard unspeakable things, which are not lawful to be written.
They saw and heard things illegal to write.
19 And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.
They taught and had all things common.
20 And it came to pass that they did do all things even as Jesus had commanded them.
As Jesus had commanded them.
21 And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ.
They were called the church of Christ.
Chapter 27
1 And it came to pass that as the disciples of Jesus were journeying and were preaching the things which they had both heard and seen, and were baptizing in the name of Jesus, it came to pass that the disciples were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer and fasting.
The disciples were united in mighty prayer and fasting as they traveled.
2 And Jesus again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you?
Jesus appeared again and asked what they wanted.
3 And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter.
“What shall we call our church?” We disagree.
4 And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?
The Lord questions why they would wonder.
5 Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;
The scriptures say to take upon you the name of Christ.
6 And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.
To take up His name and endure to the end is to be saved at the last day.
7 Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.
Therefore everything should be in His name.
8 And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.
Therefore it should be in His name so long as it is built on His gospel.
9 Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;
And if you call upon God for the chrurch in His name the Father will hear you.
10 And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.
If a church is really built upon Him He will work with it.
11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.
The works of men don’t count.
12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.
Why so harsh on the works of men? Maybe talking about as opposed to the gospel.
13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
This is my gospel of my Father who sent me.
14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
He sent me to atone, draw men to Him, be lifted up by them and judge men good or evil.
15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
So because of that they may be judged accodring to their works.
16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
Repent, be baptized and endure to the end to stand guiltless at the last day.
17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.
Don’t endure and you go into the fire.
18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.
This is His true word.
19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
Filth or blood can block you from making it in.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
Repent and be baptized and have the Holy Ghost and you might make it spotless at the last day.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
This is His gospel. Do what He did. (the beatitudes were all neccessary to atone).
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
And you will be lifted up finally.
23 Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden.
Write all of this that isn’t forbidden to write.
24 Write the works of this people, which shall be, even as hath been written, of that which hath been.
Write the works of your people.
25 For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto men.
People will be judged out of what’s written.
26 And behold, all things are written by the Father; therefore out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged.
God writes everything, so there are wordprints in, “Moby Dick.”
27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.
Be as He is.
28 And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.
Now He’ll leave. Whatever you ask God in Jesus name you’ll get. It has to be in Jesus’ name.
29 Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
So ask.
30 And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, and also this generation; yea, and even the Father rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because of you and this generation; for none of them are lost.
He is full of joy for these people.
31 Behold, I would that ye should understand; for I mean them who are now alive of this generation; and none of them are lost; and in them I have fulness of joy.
All of them are saved. None are lost.
32 But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads.
But the fourth generation will be led captive by riches.
33 And it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings he said unto his disciples: Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work.
Enter the strait gate not the wide gate for the time will come when no man can work.
Chapter 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?
Jesus was a genie to the twelve apostles for one wish each.
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.
9 wanted to go to heaven.
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.
At 72 years old it would happen.
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?
What about the other 3?
5 And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired.
They were sad; they didn’t want to tell Him.
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.
He said he could read their thoughts and John wanted what they wanted beforehand.
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.
They will live until He comes in His glory with Heavenly power.
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.
Even the pains of death won’t happen. They will become immortal in an instant.
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.
The only pain or sorrow will be sorrow for the sins of the world.
10 And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one;
They will sit down in His kingdom with the Godhead being in each other.
11 And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and the Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me.
The Holy Ghost bears truth of God and Him; the Father gives men the Holy Ghost because of Him.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he touched every one of them with his finger save it were the three who were to tarry, and then he departed.
Then he touches the 9 with His finger.
13 And behold, the heavens were opened, and they were caught up into heaven, and saw and heard unspeakable things.
This is amazing! They went into the sky and saw and heard things that can’t be repeated.
14 And it was forbidden them that they should utter; neither was it given unto them power that they could utter the things which they saw and heard;
They couldn’t repeat or speak them.
15 And whether they were in the body or out of the body, they could not tell; for it did seem unto them like a transfiguration of them, that they were changed from this body of flesh into an immortal state, that they could behold the things of God.
They could not tell if they were in their bodies or out of them.
16 But it came to pass that they did again minister upon the face of the earth; nevertheless they did not minister of the things which they had heard and seen, because of the commandment which was given them in heaven.
They ministered on earth, but not the things they weren’t supposed to.
17 And now, whether they were mortal or immortal, from the day of their transfiguration, I know not;
The author doesn’t know if they were mortal or immortal.
18 But this much I know, according to the record which hath been given—they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost.
But they basically set up the church.
19 And they were cast into prison by them who did not belong to the church. And the prisons could not hold them, for they were rent in twain.
They suffered imprisonment like the other apostles.
20 And they were cast down into the earth; but they did smite the earth with the word of God, insomuch that by his power they were delivered out of the depths of the earth; and therefore they could not dig pits sufficient to hold them.
They suffered burial and like imprisonment it couldn’t keep them.
21 And thrice they were cast into a furnace and received no harm.
3 times they survived a furnace.
22 And twice were they cast into a den of wild beasts; and behold they did play with the beasts as a child with a suckling lamb, and received no harm.
Twice they survived a den of wild beasts and played with them.
23 And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephi, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus.
They spread the gospel greatly.
24 And now I, Mormon, make an end of speaking concerning these things for a time.
Mormon will stop writing for a time.
25 Behold, I was about to write the names of those who were never to taste of death, but the Lord forbade; therefore I write them not, for they are hid from the world.
Mormon wouldn’t write the names of the 3 Nephites.
26 But behold, I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me.
But he testifies that they ministered to him and he saw them.
27 And behold they will be among the Gentiles, and the Gentiles shall know them not.
They will be secretly among the Gentiles.
28 They will also be among the Jews, and the Jews shall know them not.
They will be secretly among the Jews.
29 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them.
They will minister to everyone!
30 And they are as the angels of God, and if they shall pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus they can show themselves unto whatsoever man it seemeth them good.
They are like an angel. If they pray they can show themselves to anyone!
31 Therefore, great and marvelous works shall be wrought by them, before the great and coming day when all people must surely stand before the judgment-seat of Christ;
They will do great and marvelous things before judgment day.
32 Yea even among the Gentiles shall there be a great and marvelous work wrought by them, before that judgment day.
Including among the Gentiles. This verse hints that Jews may be superior or it might mean something else.
33 And if ye had all the scriptures which give an account of all the marvelous works of Christ, ye would, according to the words of Christ, know that these things must surely come.
The scriptures they don’t have would convince them of these things.
34 And wo be unto him that will not hearken unto the words of Jesus, and also to them whom he hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day;
Wo to those who reject Jesus and His messengers.
35 And it would be better for them if they had not been born. For do ye suppose that ye can get rid of the justice of an offended God, who hath been trampled under feet of men, that thereby salvation might come?
They were better not born because of justice.
36 And now behold, as I spake concerning those whom the Lord hath chosen, yea, even three who were caught up into the heavens, that I knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality—
And whether they became immortal when they were caught up in a rapture?
37 But behold, since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lord, and he hath made it manifest unto me that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies, or else it needs be that they must taste of death;
However they must have a change sometimes to not taste death.
38 Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world.
Now he says it already happened.
39 Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them.
The change was not the same as on judgment day, but Satan could have no power on them.
40 And in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of Christ; and at that day they were to receive a greater change, and to be received into the kingdom of the Father to go no more out, but to dwell with God eternally in the heavens.
They would stay this way until judgment day.
Chapter 29
1 And now behold, I say unto you that when the Lord shall see fit, in his wisdom, that these sayings shall come unto the Gentiles according to his word, then ye may know that the covenant which the Father hath made with the children of Israel, concerning their restoration to the lands of their inheritance, is already beginning to be fulfilled.
When these words come out Israel is getting its inheritance back.
2 And ye may know that the words of the Lord, which have been spoken by the holy prophets, shall all be fulfilled; and ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming unto the children of Israel.
It will be a sign. Things will come on schedule.
3 And ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel.
Don’t doubt; you can believe.
4 And when ye shall see these sayings coming forth among you, then ye need not any longer spurn at the doings of the Lord, for the sword of his justice is in his right hand; and behold, at that day, if ye shall spurn at his doings he will cause that it shall soon overtake you.
When you see it happening, don’t spurn at what the Lord does. Don’t attack Him.
5 Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works!
Wo unto who does!
6 Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, and that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost!
Denying revelation, prophecy, gifts, tongues, healings or the power of the Holy Ghost.
7 Yea, and wo unto him that shall say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ; for he that doeth this shall become like unto the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ!
To do it to get money.
8 Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of the Jews, nor any of the remnant of the house of Israel; for behold, the Lord remembereth his covenant unto them, and he will do unto them according to that which he hath sworn.
Don’t treat the Jews that way either.
9 Therefore ye need not suppose that ye can turn the right hand of the Lord unto the left, that he may not execute judgment unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the house of Israel.
Go straight; the covenant with Israel is to be fulfilled.
Chapter 30
1 Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying:
Jesus Christ commands to be said:
2 Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.
Gentiles turn to the Lord.