Utterly Fantastic and Unprovable

"Miracles are outside of the realm of historical inquiry, and that's the reason why we say you have to have faith to believe. As desperately as we want to be able to prove every single aspect of the gospel, and as cool as those insight might be, fundamentally as a Christian, you believe something that is utterly fantastic, entirely unprovable. You believe that a carpenter, that lived 2000 years ago, was murdered by the Romans and came back to life, and because he came back to life, YOU'RE going to come back to life. That is not logical, it is not provable, no one else has done that, and it's absolutely true. We don't believe it cause we can prove it, we believe it because it's TRUE." 

Episode 3, Using Credible Sources in Studying Church History with Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaatmin 7:31

Find Quiet Time

"The most important voice, the most important thing that needs to occur in your lives, is to find some quiet time where you can just be quiet and actually know that our Heavenly Father loves you, that you are His son or His daughter, and that the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior." 

- M. Russell Ballard via his twitter on Friday, my little sister Beka shared that with me, I say Amen. Our lesson in Relief Society today was Elder Ballard's October 2020 talk "Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always" Such good counsel.

Christ is Central to the Plan

I sent this to Ethan in an email today - an insight I heard from the Book of Mormon central video above.
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I listened to the Book of Mormon central video for this week, and I loved something that Tyler pointed out - 

The old missionary thing that we used to use to teach the plan of salvation looked like this:

And Tyler pointed out that while that is a true overview of the plan, notice that in this format we don't mention Christ's role. He called it a "real estate" model cause we are just showing and talking about the locations. It does teach "Where did I come from?" and "Where am I going?", but there is another way to teach it that answers "What am I becoming?"

He then showed another way to teach the plan called it the three pillars:

Creation - Fall - Atonement

And in that model, the need for the Savior is more apparent.

Just a few thoughts. Also, from Come Follow Me this week, Samuel teaches in Helaman 14 - 

15 For behold, he surely must die that ^asalvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he ^bdieth, to bring to pass the ^cresurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the ^dpresence of the Lord.

16 Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the ^aresurrection, and ^bredeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the ^cfall of Adam being ^dcut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as ^edead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.

17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ ^aredeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.

I know I taught as a missionary that resurrection was a free gift, but that to be able to come back into heavenly father's presence, there were 4 necessary steps: faith, repentance, bapsitm, and the gift of the holy ghost and then also enduring to the end. But from Samuel, we learn that "EVEN ALL MANKIND" will be brought back into the presence of the Lord because of JESUS! He redeemed us all, physically and spiritually, the choice at the judgement bar will be, do we want to stay? Will we stay. In Rev 12:4, 7-9 it says Satan was cast out, but maybe it was more that they left (Hosea 4:10) They would not heed the lord and they left. It is always our choice.

Exploring Possible Book of Mormon Lands

So, I have a goal to get through my book Lehi Never Saw Mesoamerica by Del Dowdell by the end of the year. It is a book I think I got around 4 years ago, but it is a freaking 772 page book that is heavily footnoted and referenced and it is a slow read for my mental capacity, hence why I'm only on page 326. I've been trying to recruit Corey and others to investigate this Peru Theory with me. It's been a few years and so far I haven't had any takers. But my little brother, who leans toward the Heartland Theory at the moment, said he's ok exploring it, but he doesn't have time to read a hefty book like this, so he asked me if there are any videos on Youtube. So I've gone searching, and am going to put links I find here. ... and I am also maybe going to dabble with posting my own content on the subject (which will be just me reading from George Potters book or Del Dowdells books) Just private videos for now that you can access with the link, but not available to public searches yet, since I don't edit videos and it would just be me rambling, so here's my first take of my first attempt: Introduction to my Interest in the Book of Mormon lands. NOT that I don't have a hundred other things to do, but I could get excited about this. And maybe it could lead our family to a family adventure in Peru, which I'd consider doing if we ever had the opportunity. Anyway. Ok, let's see what I find on Youtube under "Peru Book of Mormon"

"Book of Mormon Evidence in Peru?" - a missionary talking about Chiclayo and Las Tumbas Reales Museum of the Mochica culture. Then later he mentions the Kuelap fortress, which is close to the city Chachapoyas, and says that that is a place where there might be a ceremonial burial site for 2000 stripling warriors who were never defeated in battle. The Kuelap fortress has been dated to begin in 500 AD. However, radiocarbon dating shows the hilltop was actually dated to 200 BC! So that would make it consistent with the stripling warriors, so that's cool.

Reading George Potter's Book -
Why Peru and Not Mesoamerica? Reason #1: Gold
Book of Mormon in Peru: A Language with Semitic Roots
Book of Mormon in Peru: A Vanished Written Language
Book of Mormon in Peru: A Visitation By Jesus Christ

And I recognize their disclaimer:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not officially endorse any one particular geographical model for where the events in The Book of Mormon transpired in the New World. For that reason, we have designed and prepared this artistic rendering in such a way that you can get a basic idea of approximate directions and theoretical relationships between various geographical features mentioned in the stories."

Book of Mormon Conceptual Map. I do like how similar that conceptual map looks to the Peru model via the Nephicode.

Their Peru model is on the Costal Thrust Front there in Peru and Ecuador on top as the Land Northward

*Update: I asked on his blog last last night and just got a reply directing me to his youtube channel! Oh yeah! And a facebook group!  Now I have another place to have fun with this hobby

A theory I've looked into more this month is the Heartland Theory.
Heartland Theory - Alma 22 deciphered
(Although I prefer we start with scripture points instead of with pre-decided places which the Church does not teach as doctrine. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, not the Hill Cumorah or Zelph's mound)

Hill Cumorah - New York
City of Manti - Huntsville Co, Randolph Co
Zelph's Mound
Zarahemla across from Nauvoo - D&C 125:3
Neck of Land - "Niagagarega" Iriqiouian word for neck
Big Springs Missouri - Waters of Mormon
Waters of Mormon to Nauvoo - 313 - 320 miles according to google maps
Here at 7 am, it shows pioneers traveled between 15-20 miles in a day
Alma, went from waters of Mormon in land of Nephi an eight days journey into the wilderness (Mosiah 23:3) so could be 120 - 160 miles
They came to a pleasant land of pure water, pitched tents, called it the land of Helam and the city of Helam (Mosiah 23:20) Lamanites came into the borders with Amulon, Alma showed them the way back to the Land of Nephi (Mos 23:36)
Mosiah 24:20 - left land and city of Helam, traveled one day to a valley they called the valley of Alma
Mosiah 24:25 - travelled 12 days to reach Zarahemla (180 miles - 240 miles)
Waters of Mormon/Land of Nephi to Zarahemla approx 300 miles to 400 miles march, so I guess that could work

Beit Lehi

Pretty interesting video!
https://beitlehi.org/

Missionaries by Setting Forth Good Examples

I love the Come Follow me lessons this week - here are my two favorite, I'm going to try and write some notes, we'll see how far I get before the kids interrupt me:

From Book of Mormon Central

Itasca State Park - nondescript lake and a non descript stream are the headwaters for the 3rd largest river basin in the world - Mississippi. That little lake and little stream become a mighty grand river that have shaped economies and peoples lives in the midwest for hundreds of years.

Same for Alma and the sons of Mosiah. The power of Jesus Christ changed their lives and they became something mighty and unexpected from where they began. Our past does not predict the future. Staying on the gospel path does predict the future - we will return to God and will be able to live in his presence.


"Readiness-o-meter" - low to high
Lamoni from low, Ammon serves him, is a good example and builds a relationship of trust.

Alma 17:2 - They had search the scriptures diligently - huge effort into preparing their minds
Alma 17:3 - this is not all. Much prayer and fasting, therefore they taught with spirit of prophecy and revelation. They prepared their hearts.

It's not just what we know of the doctrine and trying to convince with the scriptures. AND it's not just feelings - we need to study and stretch our minds! They stretched their minds and their hearts, so that they had grit and perserverance in a very difficult place for Nephites to serve (esp Nephite princes! They gave up riches and a kingdom to be servants to Lamanites!) Their minds were firm, their hearts were soft, they knew how to take care of themselves temporally. We can be ready and prepared for whatever comes our way.

Did Lamoni ask Ammon to marry his daughter because he knew that he was the son of the Nephite king? I'm going to guess he was well dressed and ha high quality armor. Lamoni, even in a low interest state, could probably see there was something about Ammon.
"You teach who you are much more than you say or do." - President Boyd K Packer
He assigns him to go feed the flocks - he had just killed his past servants, I'll kill this Nephite soon too.

Ammon in the service of the king 3 days - potential voices of discouragement, cause Satan doesn't give anyone a free pass. Maybe he was tempted with "What am I doing here? I did all that preparation for this? Why did I leave my home and riches to do this - menial labor for a Lamanite king? What a waste of a life"

I don't know how or when, but I trust God. I felt inspired to do this. I'll continue with these menial tasks, I trust in God's timing.

Scattering the sheep - the Lamanitish servants give up right away, Alma 17:15 - they stop acting, they are idle, they are victims of the circumstances.
Ammon - No! Go gather them, I'll defend the sheep, places himself between the flock and the enemies, like Christ, the good shephard, puts himself between us and justice.
Ammon slays 6 with the sling, slays the leader with the sword and smites off arms that were raised against him. Think of the Lamanitish servants and their readiness to hearken to Ammon as they are watching this "Wow! He is incredible, so powerful, he cannot be slain!"

I am a man, I am your servant. I am not bigger or better than you. How can I serve, how can I help? That opens the doors to people's hearts.
(I actually think it's so lucky that he had so much success in his first week!)

I loved the teaching with Power video for this week too -
Alchemy - turning metal into gold. Doesn't work with metal but can happen with people.

We will continue to pray for our friends (I&D) they are in God's hands, we will set forth good examples and trust in the Lord's timing.

The Founding Fathers — Coincidence or providence?

I loved this article by Tad R. Callister that was in the Church News today - especially the quote at the beginning about "beautiful babies"... I am so grateful to have one of the beautiful babies of 2019 in my home. Is there a wrong that needs righting, or a truth that needs preaching, that this beautiful boy will share? I wonder what work God has sent my/His little Peter to do

As for today, my heart has been full to just behold him playing with his duplo blocks. ...and taking selfies

The Founding Fathers — Coincidence or Providence?
- Elder Tad R. Callister

Did the Founding Fathers coincidentally and conveniently appear on the scene at the same time or were they raised up by God at a specific time for a divine purpose? F. W. Boreham, a Baptist minister and author, gave us some profound insights on how God directs and influences the destiny of nations:

“(In 1809) men were following, with bated breath, the march of Napoleon, and waiting with feverish impatience for latest news of the wars. And all the while in their own homes, babies were being born. But who could think about babies? Everybody was thinking about battles. … In one year, lying midway between Trafalgar and Waterloo, there stole into the world a host of heroes! During that one year, 1809, Mr. (William) Gladstone was born in Liverpool; Alfred Tennyson at the Somersby rectory; and … Abraham Lincoln drew his first breath at Old Kentucky. Music was enriched by the advent of Felix Mendelssohn in Hamburg. … But nobody thought of babies. Everybody was thinking of battles. Yet … which of the battles of 1809 mattered more than the babies of 1809? …

“We fancy that God can only manage His world by big battalions abroad, when all the while He is doing it by beautiful babies at home. When a wrong wants righting, or a work wants doing, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants opening, God sends a baby into the world to do it.”

And thus, God provided for the establishment of America with the births of the Founding Fathers, perhaps the most extraordinary group of men to be born at one time and in one place. The Lord himself declared: “And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:80; emphasis added). In other words, their births were providential, not coincidental.

President Wilford Woodruff concurred: “I am going to bear my testimony … that those men who laid the foundation of this American government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits. … General Washington and all the men that labored for this purpose were inspired of the Lord.” The

18th-century British statesman William Pitt said of the Founding Fathers: “I must declare and avow, that in all my reading and observation … that for solidarity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of difficult circumstance, no nation, or body of men, can stand in preference to the general Congress at Philadelphia.”

Similar observations have been made by numerous historians who marveled at this incredible assembly of pragmatic and brilliant visionaries. One of them was Barbara W. Tuchman, who noted: “It would be invaluable if we could know what produced this burst of talent from a base of only two and a half million inhabitants.”

But we do know what produced this burst of talent. It was not a series of random births, or “a lucky concatenation of genes.” Rather it was pursuant to God’s master plan for America. No doubt the words of Mordecai to Queen Esther, who saved her people, are applicable here, “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

But God was not passionately interested in the discovery and establishment of America as a political entity alone — that was the means, not the end. The ultimate goal was to provide a forum where His Church could be restored in its fulness to the earth and then be taken to all the world. That was the crowning aim in God’s blessing of America.

No doubt Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers, sensed this ultimate purpose when he made this remarkable prophecy in 1820, the same year Joseph Smith received the First Vision: “If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, truth will prevail over fanaticism, and the genuine doctrines of Jesus, so long perverted by his pseudo-priests (the apostasy), will again be restored to their original purity. This reformation will advance with the other improvements of the human mind, but too late for me to witness it.”

Jefferson died in 1826. Four years later the gospel was restored — just as he prophesied. The Founding Fathers were the divinely appointed advance guard that made this Restoration possible. How grateful we should be for their inspired contribution to our country and Church.

— Elder Tad R. Callister is an emeritus General Authority Seventy and former Sunday School general president.