II Nephi 2
"And now, Jacob, I'll speak to you. You are my firstborn during my time of trial in the wilderness. Note, during your childhood you suffered affliction and a lot of sadness, because of your rude brothers.
Regardless, Jacob (my wilderness firstborn) you understand the greatness of God; and he shall apply your afflictions towards your gain.
Therefore, your soul shall be blessed, and you will live securely with your brother, Nephi. And your days shall be spent in the service of God. Therefore, I know that you are redeemed, because of the righteousness of your Redeemer; for you have beheld that in the due time he arrives to bring salvation unto men.
And you have noticed in your youth his glory. Therefore, you are blessed even as they to whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.
And men are instructed sufficiently that they can recognize good from evil. And the law is given to men. And by the law no flesh is justified (by the law men are cut off). Yes, by temporal law they were cut off; and also, by spiritual law they die from that which is good, and become eternally miserable.
Therefore, redemption arrives in and through the Holy Messiah because he is full of grace and truth.
Observe, he offered himself as the sacrifice for sin, to answer the extent of the law, to all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and to none else can the extent of the law be fulfilled.
Therefore, how great the importance to reveal these things to the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merit, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who lays down his life according to the flesh, and assumes it again by the power of the Spirit --- that he may bring about the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
Therefore, he is the firstfruits for God, in that he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that receive in him shall be saved.
And because of the intercession for all, all come to God. Therefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged by him according to the truth and holiness of him. Therefore, the extent of the law which the Holy One has provided, to the inflicting of the punishment which is attached, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—
For it's necessary, that there is opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought about, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Therefore, all things must be a single mixture. Therefore, if it should be one body it must remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
Therefore, it must have been created for nothing. Therefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Therefore, this thing must destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, mercy, and justice of God.
And if you shall say there is no law, you also say there is no sin. If you say there is no sin, you also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there exists no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there exists no punishment nor misery. And if these things don't exist, there is no God. And if there is no God we don't exist -- neither the earth. For there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon. Therefore, all things would have vanished away.
And now, my sons, I tell you these things for your profit and education; for there is a God, and he created everything, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
And to bring about his eternal purposes in the extent of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in short, all things created, it must be that there was opposition. Even the forbidden fruit as opposed to the tree of life --- one being sweet and the other bitter.
Therefore, the Lord God enabled man so that he should act for himself. Therefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read, has to suppose that an angel of God (according to that which is written), had fallen from heaven; therefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.
And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. Therefore, he (yes, that old serpent, the devil, the father of all lies) said to Eve, "Eat the forbidden fruit, and you will not die, but you shall be like God, understanding good and evil.
And after Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth.
And they bore children; yes, even the family of all the earth.
And the days of the children of amen were extended, according to God's will, that they might repent while flesh. Therefore, their state became on of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave the children of men. For he commanded that all men must repent; for he demonstrated to all men that they were lost, because of their parents transgression.
And presently, realize, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created would have remained in the same state in which they were upon creation; and they would remain forever unchanged, and had no end.
And they would have remained celibate. Therefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no enjoyment, for they didn't understand misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
But note, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knows everything.
Adam fell that men could exist; and men care, that they might have joy.
And the Messiah comes in due time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because they are redeemed from the fall they have become forever free, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, except by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God has provided
Therefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are convenient to man. And they are free to select liberty and eternal life (through the great Mediator of all men) or to select captivity and death, according to that of the devil; for he desires that all men be miserable like unto himself.
And now, my sons, I would that you should look to the great Mediator, and obey his great commandments; and be faithful to what he says, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
And not select eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and its evil, which provides the spirit of the devil power of captivation, to bring you to hell, that he may rule over you in his own kingdom.
I have said a few things to each of you, my sons, in the last days of my test; and I have selected the good portion, according to the words of the prophet. And I have no other objective except it be the eternal welfare of your souls. So be it."
The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
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_LittleNipper
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 4518
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Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
Are you sure that your paraphrasing isn't actually a new revelation or even the channeling of a spirit? Be careful, Christian, you may be engaging in necromancy.... 
"God" is the original deus ex machina. --Maksutov
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_LittleNipper
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 4518
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:49 pm
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
Maksutov wrote:Are you sure that your paraphrasing isn't actually a new revelation or even the channeling of a spirit? Be careful, Christian, you may be engaging in necromancy....
The only thing I'm revealing is that what the Book of Mormon teaches isn't Biblical. It is essentially pagan disguised in a thin King James cloak.
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
Book of Mormon Printer's Manuscript:
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper ... uary-1830/
Ether Chapter one verse 41 reads a bit differently from the Book of Mormon Printer's Manuscript.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper ... uary-1830/
Ether Chapter one verse 41 reads a bit differently from the Book of Mormon Printer's Manuscript.
[41] Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.
Go to & gather togeth thy flocks both male & female of every kind also of the seed of the earth of every kind & thy family & also Jared thy brother & his family & also <also> thy friends & their families & the friends of Jared & their families
"And I've said it before, you want to know what Joseph Smith looked like in Nauvoo, just look at Trump." - Fence Sitter
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
Since LittleNipper hasn't been here in a bit, I will do 2nd Nephi Chapter 3.
Chapter 3
Joseph in Egypt saw the Nephites in vision—He prophesied of Joseph Smith, the latter-day seer; of Moses, who would deliver Israel; and of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. About 588–570 B.C.
1 And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last-born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.
2 And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, which is a most precious land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
3 And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.
4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.
5 Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.
6 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.
7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.
17 And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him.
18 And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.
19 And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.
20 And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.
21 Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.
22 And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy.
23 Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.
24 And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren.
25 And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little; wherefore hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.
Who was Joseph of Egypt?
1. Joseph was the first son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. While in Paddan-aram, Jacob saw and loved Rachel, and arranged to work seven years for her (Gen 29:17, 18). Laban, her father, gave Leah, his oldest daughter, to Jacob, insisting that custom demanded that the oldest daughter be married first. Jacob worked seven more years for Rachel. Leah, however, bore children, but Rachel was barren until the birth of Joseph. As the first son of the favorite wife, Jacob was partial to Joseph. Evidence of this is seen in the coat which he gave to Joseph, alone, of all his sons (Gen 37:3). The antagonism of Joseph’s brothers grew when Joseph told them of dreams which he had, suggesting that they, along with his father and mother, would one day bow before him. When Joseph was seventeen years old, his father sent him to Shechem to inquire about the welfare of his brothers. They had gone on to Dothan, where Joseph found them. The brothers saw him approaching and determined to kill him, but Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob, persuaded his brothers to spare the life of Joseph and instead to cast him into a pit. Reuben hoped to rescue Joseph from the pit, but before he could do so a company of Ishmaelite merchants passed. While Reuben was away, the other brothers sold Joseph as a slave to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. The brothers then dipped Joseph’s coat in the blood of a goat, and told their father that they had found his blood-soaked coat. Jacob concluded that a wild animal had killed Joseph.
In Egypt, Joseph was sold to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. As a trustworthy worker, Joseph was given a responsible position. Potiphar’s wife was attracted to Joseph and attempted to seduce him. When Joseph spurned her advances, she accused him of being the aggressor, with the result that he was imprisoned for several years.
In prison, Joseph again proved himself worthy of a position of trust. He interpreted the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker, the first of whom was restored to Pharaoh’s confidence, and the second, beheaded. After two years Pharaoh had a dream, and the chief butler remembered how Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams. Joseph was sent for, and he explained that the Pharaoh’s dreams foretold seven years of plenty, to be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he appointed him superintendent of the royal granaries. Joseph was now second in rank to Pharaoh himself (Gen 41:39-44). He married Asenath, daughter of a priestly family at On (Heliopolis). Before the famine began, Joseph had two sons: Manasseh, and Ephraim. When the famine came, the entire world of the eastern Mediterranean lands suffered, but Joseph’s advice saved Egypt. Joseph’s brothers came from Canaan to buy food, but they did not recognize him. He recognized them, however, and questioned them closely concerning their family. The welfare of Jacob, his father, and Benjamin, his full brother who had remained at home, was his prime concern. Keeping Simeon as a hostage, Joseph permitted his brothers to return home. On their second visit they brought along Benjamin, and Joseph plotted to find an excuse to keep Benjamin with him. Joseph ordered that a silver cup be placed in Benjamin’s bag. This was done and Joseph then sent his men after the caravan to search for the supposed thief. When the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, all returned. Judah, however, insisted that Benjamin must return home. Jacob had lost his favorite son already, and the loss of the second child of the beloved Rachel would be too much for him. Judah offered to remain himself if Benjamin were permitted to go with his brothers home to Jacob. Years before the brothers had been jealous of Joseph to the point that they were prepared to kill him. Now, however, they were willing to indulge their father in his special love for Benjamin. Joseph was so moved at Judah’s words that he could contain his emotions no longer. He ordered his courtiers out of the room, and revealed himself to his brothers. They were frightened, feeling that he would seek revenge for their treatment of him, but he assured them that he saw the hand of God in all that had happened. Joseph urged them to bring their father and settle in the eastern delta region of Egypt—in the land of Goshen. Jacob, who had difficulty believing that Joseph was really alive, joined his sons in moving down to Egypt. They were settled near Joseph’s palace and enjoyed a favored position. Jacob thus died a happy man. Joseph lived to the age of 110—the ideal life span in Egyp. thought. At the Exodus, the mumified remains of Joseph were taken from Egypt and, following the Conquest, they were buried at Shechem (Exod 13:19; Josh 24:32).
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ ... ble/Joseph
Chapter 3
Joseph in Egypt saw the Nephites in vision—He prophesied of Joseph Smith, the latter-day seer; of Moses, who would deliver Israel; and of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. About 588–570 B.C.
1 And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last-born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.
2 And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, which is a most precious land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
3 And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.
4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.
5 Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.
6 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.
7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.
17 And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him.
18 And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.
19 And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.
20 And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.
21 Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.
22 And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy.
23 Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.
24 And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren.
25 And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little; wherefore hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.
Who was Joseph of Egypt?
1. Joseph was the first son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. While in Paddan-aram, Jacob saw and loved Rachel, and arranged to work seven years for her (Gen 29:17, 18). Laban, her father, gave Leah, his oldest daughter, to Jacob, insisting that custom demanded that the oldest daughter be married first. Jacob worked seven more years for Rachel. Leah, however, bore children, but Rachel was barren until the birth of Joseph. As the first son of the favorite wife, Jacob was partial to Joseph. Evidence of this is seen in the coat which he gave to Joseph, alone, of all his sons (Gen 37:3). The antagonism of Joseph’s brothers grew when Joseph told them of dreams which he had, suggesting that they, along with his father and mother, would one day bow before him. When Joseph was seventeen years old, his father sent him to Shechem to inquire about the welfare of his brothers. They had gone on to Dothan, where Joseph found them. The brothers saw him approaching and determined to kill him, but Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob, persuaded his brothers to spare the life of Joseph and instead to cast him into a pit. Reuben hoped to rescue Joseph from the pit, but before he could do so a company of Ishmaelite merchants passed. While Reuben was away, the other brothers sold Joseph as a slave to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. The brothers then dipped Joseph’s coat in the blood of a goat, and told their father that they had found his blood-soaked coat. Jacob concluded that a wild animal had killed Joseph.
In Egypt, Joseph was sold to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. As a trustworthy worker, Joseph was given a responsible position. Potiphar’s wife was attracted to Joseph and attempted to seduce him. When Joseph spurned her advances, she accused him of being the aggressor, with the result that he was imprisoned for several years.
In prison, Joseph again proved himself worthy of a position of trust. He interpreted the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker, the first of whom was restored to Pharaoh’s confidence, and the second, beheaded. After two years Pharaoh had a dream, and the chief butler remembered how Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams. Joseph was sent for, and he explained that the Pharaoh’s dreams foretold seven years of plenty, to be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he appointed him superintendent of the royal granaries. Joseph was now second in rank to Pharaoh himself (Gen 41:39-44). He married Asenath, daughter of a priestly family at On (Heliopolis). Before the famine began, Joseph had two sons: Manasseh, and Ephraim. When the famine came, the entire world of the eastern Mediterranean lands suffered, but Joseph’s advice saved Egypt. Joseph’s brothers came from Canaan to buy food, but they did not recognize him. He recognized them, however, and questioned them closely concerning their family. The welfare of Jacob, his father, and Benjamin, his full brother who had remained at home, was his prime concern. Keeping Simeon as a hostage, Joseph permitted his brothers to return home. On their second visit they brought along Benjamin, and Joseph plotted to find an excuse to keep Benjamin with him. Joseph ordered that a silver cup be placed in Benjamin’s bag. This was done and Joseph then sent his men after the caravan to search for the supposed thief. When the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, all returned. Judah, however, insisted that Benjamin must return home. Jacob had lost his favorite son already, and the loss of the second child of the beloved Rachel would be too much for him. Judah offered to remain himself if Benjamin were permitted to go with his brothers home to Jacob. Years before the brothers had been jealous of Joseph to the point that they were prepared to kill him. Now, however, they were willing to indulge their father in his special love for Benjamin. Joseph was so moved at Judah’s words that he could contain his emotions no longer. He ordered his courtiers out of the room, and revealed himself to his brothers. They were frightened, feeling that he would seek revenge for their treatment of him, but he assured them that he saw the hand of God in all that had happened. Joseph urged them to bring their father and settle in the eastern delta region of Egypt—in the land of Goshen. Jacob, who had difficulty believing that Joseph was really alive, joined his sons in moving down to Egypt. They were settled near Joseph’s palace and enjoyed a favored position. Jacob thus died a happy man. Joseph lived to the age of 110—the ideal life span in Egyp. thought. At the Exodus, the mumified remains of Joseph were taken from Egypt and, following the Conquest, they were buried at Shechem (Exod 13:19; Josh 24:32).
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ ... ble/Joseph
"And I've said it before, you want to know what Joseph Smith looked like in Nauvoo, just look at Trump." - Fence Sitter
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
Was Book of Mormon Ishmael a descendant of Joseph's son Ephraim?
Now, if Ephraim has been scattered and has mixed himself with the people until their identity is lost among the nations, how are they going to be recognized and receive the promised blessings—how is it that Ephraim shall be the firstborn of the Lord in the great gathering of the latter days? If we turn back to the blessing which Moses gave to the twelve tribes of Israel as found in Deuteronomy, we shall there see that in blessing the tribe of Joseph, he especially charged them with the duty of gathering the people from the ends of the earth. Said he, Joseph's horns are like the horns of unicorns, which shall push the people together from the ends of the earth, and they are the thousands of Manasseh and ten thousands of Ephraim; showing that it shall be the ten thousands of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh who shall be in the foremost ranks of bearing the Gospel message to the ends of the earth, and gathering Israel from the four quarters of the world in the last days. Whoever has read the Book of Mormon carefully will have learned that the remnants of the house of Joseph dwelt upon the American continent; and that Lehi learned by searching the records of his fathers that were written upon the plates of brass, that he was of the lineage of Manasseh. The Prophet Joseph informed us that the record of Lehi, was contained on the 116 pages that were first translated and subsequently stolen, and of which an abridgement is given us in the first Book of Nephi, which is the record of Nephi individually, he himself being of the lineage of Manasseh; but that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehi's family, and Lehi's sons married Ishmael's daughters, thus fulfilling the words of Jacob upon Ephraim and Manasseh in the 48th chapter of Genesis, which says: “And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the land.” Thus these descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim grew together upon this American continent, with a sprinkling from the house of Judah, from Mulek descended, who left Jerusalem eleven years after Lehi, and founded the colony afterwards known as Zarahemla and found by Mosiah—thus making a combination, an intermixture of Ephraim and Manasseh with the remnants of Judah; and for aught we know, the remnants of some other tribes that might have accompanied Mulek.
https://jod.mrm.org/23/181
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erastus_Snow
Now, if Ephraim has been scattered and has mixed himself with the people until their identity is lost among the nations, how are they going to be recognized and receive the promised blessings—how is it that Ephraim shall be the firstborn of the Lord in the great gathering of the latter days? If we turn back to the blessing which Moses gave to the twelve tribes of Israel as found in Deuteronomy, we shall there see that in blessing the tribe of Joseph, he especially charged them with the duty of gathering the people from the ends of the earth. Said he, Joseph's horns are like the horns of unicorns, which shall push the people together from the ends of the earth, and they are the thousands of Manasseh and ten thousands of Ephraim; showing that it shall be the ten thousands of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh who shall be in the foremost ranks of bearing the Gospel message to the ends of the earth, and gathering Israel from the four quarters of the world in the last days. Whoever has read the Book of Mormon carefully will have learned that the remnants of the house of Joseph dwelt upon the American continent; and that Lehi learned by searching the records of his fathers that were written upon the plates of brass, that he was of the lineage of Manasseh. The Prophet Joseph informed us that the record of Lehi, was contained on the 116 pages that were first translated and subsequently stolen, and of which an abridgement is given us in the first Book of Nephi, which is the record of Nephi individually, he himself being of the lineage of Manasseh; but that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehi's family, and Lehi's sons married Ishmael's daughters, thus fulfilling the words of Jacob upon Ephraim and Manasseh in the 48th chapter of Genesis, which says: “And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the land.” Thus these descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim grew together upon this American continent, with a sprinkling from the house of Judah, from Mulek descended, who left Jerusalem eleven years after Lehi, and founded the colony afterwards known as Zarahemla and found by Mosiah—thus making a combination, an intermixture of Ephraim and Manasseh with the remnants of Judah; and for aught we know, the remnants of some other tribes that might have accompanied Mulek.
https://jod.mrm.org/23/181
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erastus_Snow
"And I've said it before, you want to know what Joseph Smith looked like in Nauvoo, just look at Trump." - Fence Sitter
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_LittleNipper
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 4518
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:49 pm
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
II Nephi 3
"And now I speak to you, Joseph, my last-born. You were born in the wilderness of my afflictions. Yes, in the days of my greatest sorrow did your mother bear you.
And may the Lord consecrate also to you this land, which is a very precious land, for your inheritance and the inheritance of your descendants with your brothers, for your protection forever, if you shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of my afflictions, may the Lord bless you forever, for your descendants shall not be entirely destroyed.
For note, you are the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made to Joseph.
Therefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he gained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch to the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be revealed to them in latter times, in the spirit of power, to bringing them out of darkness unto light—yes, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity to freedom.
For Joseph truly testified, saying, "A prophet shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a select prophet towards my descendants.
Yes, Joseph actually said, "This the Lord said to me, 'A select prophet will I raise up from your descendants; and he shall be revered among your descendants . And to him will I command that he shall work for your descendants, his brothers, which shall be profitable to them, even to the bringing them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with your ancestors.
And I will command him that he shall do no other work, save that which I command him. And I will make him great in my eyes; for he shall do my work.
And he shall be great like Moses, whom I have said I would raise up to you, to deliver my people, Israel.
And Moses will I establish, to deliver your people out of the land of Egypt.
But a prophet will I raise up out of your descendants; and to him will I give power to bring my word to your descendants—and not merely bringing my word only,' saith the Lord, 'but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
Therefore, your descendants shall record; and the descendants of Judah shall record; and that which shall be written by your descendants, and also that which shall be written by that of Judah, shall merge, to the confounding of false doctrines and creating contention, and peace among your descendants, and bringing them to the knowledge of their ancestors in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants," says the Lord.
"And out of weakness he shall be made strong, at that time when my work shall commence among all my people, to restoring the house of Israel," says the Lord.
And so Joseph prophesied, saying, "Note, that prophet will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confused; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, among my descendants, shall be fulfilled. Note, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
Yes, so prophesied Joseph, "I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord has said to me, 'I will preserve descendants forever."
And the Lord said, "I will raise up a Moses; and give power to him in a rod; and I will give judgment to him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak a lot, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write to him my law, by the finger of my own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him."
And the Lord said to me also, "I will raise up among your descendants; and I will make for him a spokesman. And notice, I will give to him that he shall write the writing of your descendants, to your descendants; and the spokesman of your descendants shall declare it.
And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go out to your descendants. And it shall be as if they had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.
And they shall cry from the dust; yes, even repentance to their brothers, even after many generations have past. And it shall happen that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.
Because of their faith their words shall proceed from my mouth to their brothers who are your descendants; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, to the remembering of my covenant which I made to your ancestors.
And now, note, my son Joseph, in this way did my father of old prophesy.
Therefore, because of this covenant you are blessed; for your descendants shall not be destroyed, for they shall obey the words of the book.
And there shall arise one mighty among them, who shall do a lot of good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with a lot of faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, towards bringing restoration to Israel, and the descendants of your brothers.
And now, blessed are you, Joseph. Note, you are small; therefore, listen to you brother, Nephi, and it shall be done to you according to that which I have spoken. Remember the words of your dying father. So be it."
"And now I speak to you, Joseph, my last-born. You were born in the wilderness of my afflictions. Yes, in the days of my greatest sorrow did your mother bear you.
And may the Lord consecrate also to you this land, which is a very precious land, for your inheritance and the inheritance of your descendants with your brothers, for your protection forever, if you shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of my afflictions, may the Lord bless you forever, for your descendants shall not be entirely destroyed.
For note, you are the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made to Joseph.
Therefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he gained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch to the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be revealed to them in latter times, in the spirit of power, to bringing them out of darkness unto light—yes, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity to freedom.
For Joseph truly testified, saying, "A prophet shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a select prophet towards my descendants.
Yes, Joseph actually said, "This the Lord said to me, 'A select prophet will I raise up from your descendants; and he shall be revered among your descendants . And to him will I command that he shall work for your descendants, his brothers, which shall be profitable to them, even to the bringing them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with your ancestors.
And I will command him that he shall do no other work, save that which I command him. And I will make him great in my eyes; for he shall do my work.
And he shall be great like Moses, whom I have said I would raise up to you, to deliver my people, Israel.
And Moses will I establish, to deliver your people out of the land of Egypt.
But a prophet will I raise up out of your descendants; and to him will I give power to bring my word to your descendants—and not merely bringing my word only,' saith the Lord, 'but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
Therefore, your descendants shall record; and the descendants of Judah shall record; and that which shall be written by your descendants, and also that which shall be written by that of Judah, shall merge, to the confounding of false doctrines and creating contention, and peace among your descendants, and bringing them to the knowledge of their ancestors in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants," says the Lord.
"And out of weakness he shall be made strong, at that time when my work shall commence among all my people, to restoring the house of Israel," says the Lord.
And so Joseph prophesied, saying, "Note, that prophet will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confused; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, among my descendants, shall be fulfilled. Note, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
Yes, so prophesied Joseph, "I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord has said to me, 'I will preserve descendants forever."
And the Lord said, "I will raise up a Moses; and give power to him in a rod; and I will give judgment to him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak a lot, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write to him my law, by the finger of my own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him."
And the Lord said to me also, "I will raise up among your descendants; and I will make for him a spokesman. And notice, I will give to him that he shall write the writing of your descendants, to your descendants; and the spokesman of your descendants shall declare it.
And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go out to your descendants. And it shall be as if they had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.
And they shall cry from the dust; yes, even repentance to their brothers, even after many generations have past. And it shall happen that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words.
Because of their faith their words shall proceed from my mouth to their brothers who are your descendants; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, to the remembering of my covenant which I made to your ancestors.
And now, note, my son Joseph, in this way did my father of old prophesy.
Therefore, because of this covenant you are blessed; for your descendants shall not be destroyed, for they shall obey the words of the book.
And there shall arise one mighty among them, who shall do a lot of good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with a lot of faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, towards bringing restoration to Israel, and the descendants of your brothers.
And now, blessed are you, Joseph. Note, you are small; therefore, listen to you brother, Nephi, and it shall be done to you according to that which I have spoken. Remember the words of your dying father. So be it."
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
I am doing just the first 16 verses of 2nd Nephi Chapter 4.
Chapter 4
Lehi counsels and blesses his posterity—He dies and is buried—Nephi glories in the goodness of God—Nephi puts his trust in the Lord forever. About 588–570 B.C.
1 And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt.
2 For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass.
3 Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them: Behold, my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my firstborn, I would that ye should give ear unto my words.
4 For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.
5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.
6 Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents.
7 Wherefore, because of my blessing the Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever.
8 And it came to pass that after my father had made an end of speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he caused the sons and daughters of Lemuel to be brought before him.
9 And he spake unto them, saying: Behold, my sons and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my second son; behold I leave unto you the same blessing which I left unto the sons and daughters of Laman; wherefore, thou shalt not utterly be destroyed; but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.
10 And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, he spake unto the sons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household.
11 And after he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake unto Sam, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed; for thou shalt inherit the land like unto thy brother Nephi. And thy seed shall be numbered with his seed; and thou shalt be even like unto thy brother, and thy seed like unto his seed; and thou shalt be blessed in all thy days.
12 And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and was buried.
13 And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lord.
14 For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates.
15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
The Plates of brass were written in Egyptian. Link
Chapter 4
Lehi counsels and blesses his posterity—He dies and is buried—Nephi glories in the goodness of God—Nephi puts his trust in the Lord forever. About 588–570 B.C.
1 And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt.
2 For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass.
3 Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them: Behold, my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my firstborn, I would that ye should give ear unto my words.
4 For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.
5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.
6 Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents.
7 Wherefore, because of my blessing the Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever.
8 And it came to pass that after my father had made an end of speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he caused the sons and daughters of Lemuel to be brought before him.
9 And he spake unto them, saying: Behold, my sons and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my second son; behold I leave unto you the same blessing which I left unto the sons and daughters of Laman; wherefore, thou shalt not utterly be destroyed; but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.
10 And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, he spake unto the sons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household.
11 And after he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake unto Sam, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed; for thou shalt inherit the land like unto thy brother Nephi. And thy seed shall be numbered with his seed; and thou shalt be even like unto thy brother, and thy seed like unto his seed; and thou shalt be blessed in all thy days.
12 And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and was buried.
13 And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lord.
14 For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates.
15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
The Plates of brass were written in Egyptian. Link
"And I've said it before, you want to know what Joseph Smith looked like in Nauvoo, just look at Trump." - Fence Sitter
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_LittleNipper
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 4518
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:49 pm
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
2 Nephi 4
And presently, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my dad has spoken, regarding Joseph, who was taken to Egypt.
Notice, he truly prophesied concerning all descendants. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the brass plates.
Therefore, after my dad had finished with regard to the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman (both sons and daughters), and said to them, "Realize, my sons, and daughters (being the sons and the daughters of my firstborn) I would that you would listen to my words.
For the Lord God has said, For as much as you shall keep my commandments you shall prosper in the land; and for as much as disregard my commandments you shall be separated from my presence.
But notice, my sons and my daughters, I cannot die without leaving a blessing with you; notice, I realize that if you are raised in the way you should go you will not depart from it.
Therefore, if you are cursed, notice, I leave my blessing with you, that the cursing may be removed from you and held against your parents.
Therefore, because of my blessing the Lord God will not allow you to perish. Therefore, he will be merciful to you and your descendants eternally."
And it happened that once my dad finished speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he insisted that sons and daughters of Lemuel to be brought to him.
And he spoke to them, saying, "Notice, my sons and my daughters, who are of my second son; note that I leave to you the same blessing which I left to Laman's sons and daughters. Therefore, you will not be utterly destroyed, but in the end your seed shall be blessed.
And it occurred that when my dad had finished speaking to them, note that he spoke to the sons of Ishmael, yes, and that entire household.
And after he had finished peaking to them, he spoke to Sam -- saying, "Blessed are you, and your descendants; for you will inherit the land just like your brother Nephi. And your descendants will be counted with his descendants; and you will be like your brother, and your descendants like his. And you will be blessed your entire life.
And it occurred after my dad, Lehi, had spoke to all his household (according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him) he grew feeble. And so he died, and was buried.
And it happened that shortly after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the Lord's admonitions.
For I, Nephi, was forced to speak to them, according to his word (for I had said many things to them, as did my father, before his death) many of these sayings are written upon my other plates (for additional historical segments are written upon my other plates).
And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are etched upon the brass plates. For my soul delights in the scriptures, and my heart ponders them, and writes them for the education and profit of my children.
Notice, my soul delights in the things of the Lord; and my heart ponders continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, in spite of the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and wondrous works, my heart shouted, "O wretched man that I am! Yes, my heart frets because of my flesh ---my soul grieves because of my sins.
I am surrounded, because of the temptations and the sins which so easily oppress me.
And when I wish to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my asupport; he hath led me through mine bafflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
He has filled me with his love, even to the consumption of my flesh.
He has confused my enemies, causing them to quake before me.
Note, he hath heard my cry daily, and he has given me knowledge through visions during the night.
And by day have I become bold in fervent prayer before him. Yes, my voice have I lifted up; and angels came down and ministered to me.
And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been acarried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
Oh then, if I have observed so great things, if the Lord in his condescension to the children of men has visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in sorrow's valley, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of my problems?
And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yes, why should I permit temptations, that the evil one has place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemy?
Awake, my soul! No longer faint in sin. Rejoice, Oh my heart, and give no place ever again for my soul's enemy.
Do not anger again because of my enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of my problems.
Rejoice, Oh my heart, and cry to the Lord, and say, "Oh Lord, I will praise you eternally. Yes, my soul will rejoice in you, my God, and the foundation of my salvation.
Oh Lord, will you redeem my soul? Will you deliver me out of the hands of my enemies? Will you make me shake at the presence of sin?
May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because my heart is broken and my spirit is remorseful! Oh Lord, will you not close the gates of your righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley --- that I may be steadfast to the simple road!
Oh Lord, you wrap me in the cloak of your righteousness! Oh Lord, you make a way for my escape from my enemies! You straighten the path ahead of me! May you not place tripping hazards in my way—but that you would clear my way before me, and not obstruct my way, but the ways of my enemy.
Oh Lord, I have trusted in you, and I will trust in you eternally. I will not put my trust in human endeavors; for I know that cursed is he that places his trust in human endeavors. Yes, cursed is he that puts his trust in man or makes human endeavor his motivation.
Yes, I know that God will give richly to him that requests. Yes, my God will give me, if I ask not inappropriately; therefore, I will lift up my voice unto you. Yes, I will cry to you, my God, the foundation of my righteousness. Note, my voice will eternally ascend up to you, my foundation and everlasting God. So be it.
And presently, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my dad has spoken, regarding Joseph, who was taken to Egypt.
Notice, he truly prophesied concerning all descendants. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the brass plates.
Therefore, after my dad had finished with regard to the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman (both sons and daughters), and said to them, "Realize, my sons, and daughters (being the sons and the daughters of my firstborn) I would that you would listen to my words.
For the Lord God has said, For as much as you shall keep my commandments you shall prosper in the land; and for as much as disregard my commandments you shall be separated from my presence.
But notice, my sons and my daughters, I cannot die without leaving a blessing with you; notice, I realize that if you are raised in the way you should go you will not depart from it.
Therefore, if you are cursed, notice, I leave my blessing with you, that the cursing may be removed from you and held against your parents.
Therefore, because of my blessing the Lord God will not allow you to perish. Therefore, he will be merciful to you and your descendants eternally."
And it happened that once my dad finished speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he insisted that sons and daughters of Lemuel to be brought to him.
And he spoke to them, saying, "Notice, my sons and my daughters, who are of my second son; note that I leave to you the same blessing which I left to Laman's sons and daughters. Therefore, you will not be utterly destroyed, but in the end your seed shall be blessed.
And it occurred that when my dad had finished speaking to them, note that he spoke to the sons of Ishmael, yes, and that entire household.
And after he had finished peaking to them, he spoke to Sam -- saying, "Blessed are you, and your descendants; for you will inherit the land just like your brother Nephi. And your descendants will be counted with his descendants; and you will be like your brother, and your descendants like his. And you will be blessed your entire life.
And it occurred after my dad, Lehi, had spoke to all his household (according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him) he grew feeble. And so he died, and was buried.
And it happened that shortly after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the Lord's admonitions.
For I, Nephi, was forced to speak to them, according to his word (for I had said many things to them, as did my father, before his death) many of these sayings are written upon my other plates (for additional historical segments are written upon my other plates).
And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are etched upon the brass plates. For my soul delights in the scriptures, and my heart ponders them, and writes them for the education and profit of my children.
Notice, my soul delights in the things of the Lord; and my heart ponders continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, in spite of the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and wondrous works, my heart shouted, "O wretched man that I am! Yes, my heart frets because of my flesh ---my soul grieves because of my sins.
I am surrounded, because of the temptations and the sins which so easily oppress me.
And when I wish to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my asupport; he hath led me through mine bafflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
He has filled me with his love, even to the consumption of my flesh.
He has confused my enemies, causing them to quake before me.
Note, he hath heard my cry daily, and he has given me knowledge through visions during the night.
And by day have I become bold in fervent prayer before him. Yes, my voice have I lifted up; and angels came down and ministered to me.
And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been acarried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
Oh then, if I have observed so great things, if the Lord in his condescension to the children of men has visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in sorrow's valley, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of my problems?
And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yes, why should I permit temptations, that the evil one has place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemy?
Awake, my soul! No longer faint in sin. Rejoice, Oh my heart, and give no place ever again for my soul's enemy.
Do not anger again because of my enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of my problems.
Rejoice, Oh my heart, and cry to the Lord, and say, "Oh Lord, I will praise you eternally. Yes, my soul will rejoice in you, my God, and the foundation of my salvation.
Oh Lord, will you redeem my soul? Will you deliver me out of the hands of my enemies? Will you make me shake at the presence of sin?
May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because my heart is broken and my spirit is remorseful! Oh Lord, will you not close the gates of your righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley --- that I may be steadfast to the simple road!
Oh Lord, you wrap me in the cloak of your righteousness! Oh Lord, you make a way for my escape from my enemies! You straighten the path ahead of me! May you not place tripping hazards in my way—but that you would clear my way before me, and not obstruct my way, but the ways of my enemy.
Oh Lord, I have trusted in you, and I will trust in you eternally. I will not put my trust in human endeavors; for I know that cursed is he that places his trust in human endeavors. Yes, cursed is he that puts his trust in man or makes human endeavor his motivation.
Yes, I know that God will give richly to him that requests. Yes, my God will give me, if I ask not inappropriately; therefore, I will lift up my voice unto you. Yes, I will cry to you, my God, the foundation of my righteousness. Note, my voice will eternally ascend up to you, my foundation and everlasting God. So be it.
Re: The Book of Mormon Paraphrased
Happy New Year, Nipper!
"God" is the original deus ex machina. --Maksutov