rameumptom

Volgadon, yes I agree with your explanation. However, I believe that I likened the scripture unto myself in a way that allows for another imagery. So, I'll be glad to play in both sand boxes. :)

I suggest going on "Biggest Loser". They'll teach you all you need about weight loss, and then some.... And you get the additional benefit of being ridiculed and humiliated on national television!

you are trying to study the stars, but refuse to accept the data that comes via telescopes. That people from other faiths also have spiritual experiences is accepted in LDS belief (again, see Alma 29:8). That you are only looking at one event in Joseph Smith's life, and not all of his spiritual events, you can conveniently mark it down as a bit of undigested potato. Fact is, there were many witnesses to the Book of Mormon. There were at least one other witness to many of Joseph's revelations and angelic visitations. During the Kirtland Temple dedication, dozens of people had a variety of spiritual experiences, all related to the event. That Joseph Smith prayed for such an experience for the Saints and then they had it is impressive. That there were people outside the temple,who had nothing to do with the dedication, but were in their homes, and they saw angels walking on the roof of the temple, tells us that it probably was not a mass hysteria/hypnotic event. You have to decide whether you will have faith and believe, or allow your scientific mind to cause you to disbelieve. For me, the experiences I've had fill me with hope and joy, something I did not have prior to joining the Church. Why would I want to go back to the misery the world offered, when I have happiness, peace, and hope here?

LDS see it differently than most other Christians. The discussion does not apply to what we believe. We believe that matter is co-eternal with God. So, there is a component that is separate from God's creations. God creates by organizing matter from chaos to order. With this separateness is independence, or free will. All matter can decide to what level it will allow itself to be organized by God. When Genesis shows that called called his creations "good", it is because they obeyed him, not because they were perfect (see the Book of Abraham for more on this).

You do what you need to do. If that means going to the bishop now, that means you go now to the bishop. Then, you decide if you need to marry now or wait for the temple. If you wait on the second, then you HAVE to see the bishop. There can be no more chastity problems. You do not date him or see him until he gets his problem handled. You go through your repentance issues. If he has job/school issues (at BYU?) due to chastity problems, then he needs to be a man and face up to them. You do not want to marry a guy who will hide serious sins from the bishop in order to stay in school/be employed. You also don't want to marry a guy who is so weak, he cannot keep from sinning again and again. So, separate yourselves for several months. During that time, work on your repentance and growing spiritually. Otherwise, get married by the local Justice of the Peace, and stop burning! And then work on your repentance to get into the temple.

It was definitely the Pepsi that lead to the crime spree. Those who eat chocolate are peaceful, good and kind. Plus they get all kinds of anti-oxidants to keep them healthy. Of course, the darker the chocolate, the better overall benefit. If she was eating the cheap milk chocolate easter bunny stuff, then maybe it reacted badly with the Pepsi....

Okay, my defnitive answers (caution, there may be Spoilers on my list): 1. This IS the best Marvel movie ever. It is also better than all the DC (Batman/Superman) movies ever, as well. It is the best superhero movie ever. 2. This Hulk (the animated character), is equally good with the one in the second movie. Ed Norton's Bannor was much better than the first, but did not act nor work like the original Bannor in the comics or tv series. Mark Ruffalo actually does seem like a scientist type, actually seems like he struggles to hold the Hulk under control, and is very believable when he tells what his secret is. Norton could not have pulled it off as well. 3. They wrote an excellent script and Joss Whedon did superbly as a director. The character development, and how each character played off of one another was classic. 4. Tony Stark actually develops from a narcissistic playboy into a hero. Great stuff! 5. Each character was used as should be. Captain America directs traffic and the battle, because he's used to working and commanding armies. He allows each loose cannon his/her own role to play, so each can use his/her strengths effectively. At the same time, we not only see each one's strengths, but their weaknesses, also. Cap is not used to the 21st century. Tony Stark has his ego. Bannor has his inner demon to control. Thor has his brother Loki, etc. The biggest weakness? Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Sadly, this was not planned into the movie, it's just Jackson sounds so monotone and uninterested that he does not inspire anything in the movie. The one bad character choice. He should have stayed dead when Anakin Skywalker and Palpatine killed him. 6. Greatest hero in the movie? Has to go to Agent Phil Coulson. Regular human with heart and compassion, he is the one whose actions brings the egos together as a team. His actions are what change Ironman into a hero. Of course, Maria Hill is now there to replace him in future movies. 7. I don't need to note that the two of the three funniest parts of the movie had Hulk in them, with Thor and Loki. And the scene after the credits at the greasy shawarma deli nearby, where they all eat without saying a word is the best after credit scene since Ferris Bueller told us to go home. (you can read here about this last scene, and how it was added 2 days AFTER the premiere) People worried about putting together a bunch of superheroes and trying to have them all work together. Well, isn't that what they did with XMen? Here, they did it even better. It has definitely set a new bar for excellence in superhero films.

It is the story of two trees: the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (TreeK), and the Tree of Life (TreeL). The TreeK gives us fruit of the sort you speak of. It teaches us about the things around us that we can touch, feel, see, or hear. We can learn from planting, nurturing and harvesting. We can learn from the painful and pleasurable moments. We can learn from light and darkness, health and sickness. We also learn that just as each of us is born, we will all die someday. But there are some things we just cannot learn from the fruit of the TreeK. We cannot know whether there will be an after life. We cannot know whether there will be a resurrection. We cannot know if God exists. In fact, the Treek can get in the way of finding out such things. We find the mummified remains of Pharaohs, ancient Peruvians, and ancient hikers of the Italian Alps, and the evidence suggests there is no resurrection or after life. So, there is the Tree of Life, which in Alma 32, we learn does involve evidence, but it is a different evidence than we get from the TreeK. We cannot touch or see the evidence with the naked eye and hand. But we can have spiritual experiences that witness of such things. These things are based on faith. We must have faith, or at least a desire to know spiritual things, in order to receive the spiritual witness. For the person who adamantly remains with the TreeK, he only seeks signs to justify himself, not expressing any faith, but insisting that all knowledge must be given through the earthly filter of the TreeK. So, faith becomes the very first principle of the gospel. A person can perfectly keep all the commandments, yet without faith in Christ, cannot be made perfect nor resurrect. In the Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon explained that faith is the great moving force in the universe. Faith is based on knowledge, but more spiritual than earthly knowledge. For example, Jesus Christ could heal the blind and lame without first understanding the medical terminology or having the surgical skills to do so the TreeK way. This faith power can grow as we grow spiritually. It opens the door to have many things revealed to us that telescopes and microscopes cannot see. Eventually, our faith becomes strong enough to let us inside the veil, and to see God face to face. There is no scientific method created that can do that, as it is all limited by its foundational concepts. Those anchored entirely to the TreeK say, "let me see and then I'll believe", but that is not belief, but knowledge. Laman and Lemuel saw an angel and still did not believe. Judas Iscariot saw all the miracles of Jesus, and yet still did not believe. With the Tree of Life, one must be willing to say, "I believe, now please let me also see".

Book of Mormon Lesson 19: “None Could Deliver Them but the Lord” Mosiah 18-24 With the death of Abinadi, we are introduced to the new prophet, Alma the elder. We are told that Alma was a priest of Noah, who upon hearing Abinadi recognized they were not living the law of Moses nor living righteously, and attempted to defend him. Alma was thrust out, and went into hiding, where he spent many days repenting of his sins. We are not exactly told where Alma received his priesthood authority. It may have come from the ordination of priests under Noah - priests who actually did hold authority, but were not righteous. The pattern of king approving of the priests' ordination, or perhaps doing them himself, are shown in Zeniff's and Noah's actions. This is a pattern we see with the kings of Israel, beginning with David and Solomon. However, it is interesting that Limhi does not seem to have the ability to provide priesthood ordination to anyone, as he hoped Ammon could baptize the people. It is possible that Alma was ordained later by an angel of God, however the Limhites seem to recognize that Alma had the proper authority to baptize and wished to be with him to receive the ordinance. In chapter 18, Alma teaches on the border of the wilderness in a land called Mormon. Though it does not specifically state it, Alma teaches the "Doctrine of Christ" (2 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 11). In verse 21 he encourages them to have no contentions among themselves, then teaches of faith in Christ, repentance, baptism and the Holy Ghost. He teaches them to be one. In his explanation of the baptismal covenant, he discusses the promise to be "willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (vs 8-9). Such promises tie the baptismal covenant directly to the Doctrine of Christ, which is to become one with each other. In this Doctrine, we also observe "to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death" (vs 9). We also must become one with God. Truly we learn the two great commandments here: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:37-39). In receiving baptism, we covenant to live by these two great commandments of loving God and man. In becoming one with our neighbors, we learn how to become one with Christ. Jesus then brings us into the presence of the Father, as well. As the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God (or Godhead), so we can also be one with them. Alma then sets priests to teach and watch over the flocks. In his religious administration, he sets them up distinctly from the priests of Noah (which he once was). Each is given a group of people to watch over. They are to work with their own hands to provide for themselves. There is not a paid ministry, especially not one paid for out of the taxation of the people. For their spiritual pay, they receive the "grace of God" (vs 26) wherein they would have power and authority from God, and greater knowledge of spiritual things. They would be the servants. If a priest was financially struggling, he would be helped via the charity of the Church, just as any other member would be helped. While the people of Alma were one and living in peace and harmony, the people of Noah were in a constant state of contention and struggle. In chapter 19, we find that "there began to be a great contention among them" (vs 3). Here we get our first comparison between a chosen people and that of a fallen people. Those who chose to follow Christ and be humbled by the words of Alma had peace, prosperity, and hope; while the people of Noah found themselves up in arms in a civil war. Gideon takes his sword and rushes after Noah to take his life. Where are Noah's guards? Are they perhaps also contending against others in a civil strife? Are they secretly on Gideon's side, and so choose to look away when he comes charging in? Or is Noah so vain that he ignores the shouts and contentions around him, and believes he does not need protection? As it is, we find that Noah's army is reduced in size. Perhaps it is smaller due to the belief that no Lamanite army can harm them. Maybe budget problems have hit Noah, as his excessive spending sprees have bankrupted the royal expense account. Maybe a bad crop lessened the amount he took in on his 20% tax rate. Did he choose to raise taxes higher (30-40%) in order to pay for his luxurious lifestyle, and thus cause the contention and ire of the people against him? Budget cuts would necessitate shrinking his army, leaving Noah unprepared for a civil war or an invading Lamanite army. King Noah knows his army is in disarray or non-existent due to the uprising among his people, and so commands them to flee from the Lamanites. Where would they go? They are between the Lamanites on one side and the jungle wilderness (with its inherent dangers) on the other. As the Lamanites, fresh into battle, catch up to the battle weary people of Noah, the king commands the men to flee into the wilderness, leaving wives, children, sick and old to fend for themselves. These will slow the Lamanite army's advance, giving Noah time to escape. What kind of man sacrifices women and children to save himself? We shudder to think how sick, depraved, and wicked Noah is. But then, look at the world around us. How many men walk away from their families and into the arms of a younger woman? How many spend all their hours at work, on the golf course, or playing video games, instead of spending time with their kids? How many men daily walk out on their families, even if it is just to walk into the den and tell them to leave him alone? How do we justify such behavior-by saying we've provided for them financially, we should be able to anything else we want? Do we sacrifice our wives and children out of selfishness? Why did it require the remorseful men to slay King Noah and seek to kill his priests, just so they could return to their families? The Lamanites stopped killing when they saw the fair beauties among the Limhite daughters. Why would they stop when they did? Were they allowed to take the girls with them as war trophies, concubines, Lamanite wives? Why would grown men hide behind their daughters' dresses for safety? Under Noah's evil reign, the people had forced servitude, including paying 20% of their earnings in taxes. Now, humbled into near slavery, the Lamanites would force them to pay 50% tribute. Not only that, but the Limhites would be forced to bear burdens, beaten and humiliated by the Lamanites. In chapter 20, things get worse for the Limhites. The notorious priests of Noah have not only stolen food from the Limhite people, but stolen 24 Lamanite virgins. Perhaps this becomes a poetic justice for the Lamanites attraction to the Limhite daughters? Of the evil priests, were there 24 of them as well? Interestingly, when a Lamanite army stumbles upon them, the Lamanite daughters will plead for the lives of their new husbands. Why a change? Were the girls willing to run off with the priests in the first place, or did they learn to love their husbands over a period of just a few years? The priests stole from the Limhites at night, and it is possible they stole nice items to please their young brides with. Else, why would so many young women not try to escape earlier and get help for the group? Clearly there is more behind this story. It may also be possible that the evil priests frequently visited the place where the girls danced, flirting with some of them, and then these 24 girls, flattered by the attention, ran off with the priests. Struggling under the burden of slavery, the Limhites go to war three times against the Lamanites. Each time they are hit with a bigger loss, until they are forced to be humble. Later, in Alma 32, Alma the younger will note to the poor Zoramites that they are blessed for being forced to be humble, but more blessed are they who are humbled just by hearing the word. It may be Alma the younger was directly referencing the different experiences of the contentious Limhites versus the humble of Alma the elder. As the Limhites do humble themselves in their humiliation, the Lord slowly lightens their load, and increases their crops to alleviate hunger. In chapter 21, we do see the Limhites have reached the point where they are ready to believe in Christ, repent, and be baptized. In not having anyone able to baptize them, they decide to hold off on creating a church. Obviously, baptism was tied to membership in a church. One could not have an official organization to administer the teachings, covenants and ordinances without first being baptized. As noted before, Limhi did not see himself able to choose and set apart new priests, as did Zeniff and Noah before him. It may be that he was king, but never was ordained to the priesthood himself. In chapter 22, Limhi discusses with Ammon and Gideon a plan to escape. Theirs is a natural plan: getting the Lamanite guards drunk, and then sneaking out at night. Interestingly, the pursuing Lamanite army loses track of the Limhites after just two days. How does one lose an entire city of people and flocks (perhaps as many as 30-40,000 people)? In the jungle, afternoon weather can produce monsoons that can wipe out all traces of those who have gone before. In wandering through the wilderness, trying to find such a people in a major storm, one could easily get lost. And this is probably how the Lamanite army became lost in the jungle. Compare the struggles of the Limhites to those of Alma and his people in chapter 23. Alma is warned of King Noah's men marching towards them. They wander several days into the jungle and establish a city. After a few years, the Lamanite army that was lost in the jungle chasing Limhi's people, first stumble across the priests of Noah, and then the people of Alma. While the Lord was slow to hear the prayers of Limhi's people, he is quick to hear those of Alma's people. While God lessened the burdens placed on the people of Limhi, he actually made the burdens placed on Alma's people seem light to them. He protected them and kept them safe. Then, when the Lord prepared all things, HE caused a deep sleep to fall upon the Lamanites, and allowed Alma and his people to escape. God continued to be with them, as he commanded them to continue on their escape and would stop the Lamanite army in the valley of Alma. The Limhites had to find their own solutions. God helped Alma and his people, providing several miracles along the way to provide for them and protect them. Clearly, the baptismal covenant provided greater blessings and miracles that were not offered to the stubborn. In our own time, we can learn from this story of two peoples. We can try to live according to the sins and beliefs of the world, thinking nothing will happen to us, and be forced into humility, or we can heed the words of the prophets, humbly enter into a covenant with Christ, and become part of his family. In so doing, we receive his promise to help, guide and even protect us, if we but continue to believe and follow Him.

But does that make Adam a Christian? The term was not used until thousands of years later among Nephites and in the Middle East, even the early believers didn't call themselves that. You are mistaking Adam's faith in Christ with Adam being referred by a term that did not exist at the time.

Huh???? I guess you mean that Adam was a Christian and so there always has been? Or could there not have been pre-Adamites that had other religions?

The Church is just one source of truth. We believe it has the fulness of the gospel, meaning all the ordinances necessary for exaltation. That does not mean we have all of the truth, though. God can send the Spirit to testify to anyone of Jesus Christ, whether they embrace Mormonism or not. Alma 29:8 tells us that God gives to all people the amount of truth and light they are ready and willing to receive. IOW, they can also feel peace and joy in embracing that portion of the truth they accept.

Introduce them via the Internet. Also, go to some of the boutiques where you live, show them some samples, ask them if they are interested in selling them, and at what price point they would be interested in buying them for. Remember, the boutique will have a markup from the manufacturer's selling point. They may sell them for $50, or $25, but will only pay 1/3-1/2 to the manufacturer for the item. So, if you sell it to them for $10, they could sell it for $25. Now the cheaper ones that sell for $5 are actually sold to the store for maybe 1-2 dollars, so from that you can determine your price range and requirements.

My advice is that you need to quit torturing your poor wife and leave her already. In the past thread and this one, you've seemed to justify yourself and your desire to leave, even though the reasons seem faulty and marriage is worth fixing. So, stop tormenting the poor woman. Go on your way. This will cause her pain for a while, but she'll heal, find a good man who will treat her well, and she'll be happy. Meanwhile, you will continue to squander your life in your selfishness. Someday you'll be all alone, miserable and looking back at the relationship you could have saved, but were too selfish to fix. And you'll be wishing you could get that opportunity back, but it will be forever too late. So, leave now and live with your selfish choices. Let her mourn and find solace, with joy coming later for her in a better relationship than she has with you.

Lizzy, Try reading it from another angle: the frail prophet who struggles with seizures, the leader/general who must lead his fellow bunnies to a Promised Land, others who seek to destroy them, internal fights among the group. There is a lot going on, and a lot of symbolism. As fiction, it has some very powerful characters and events. As a metaphor, it shows the struggle of man trying to find himself. And in its own way, it is Moses' Exodus or the Lehite party striving across the wilderness to their own Promised Land.

There are many ways in which the Spirit can communicate with us. Sometimes it can fill us with such great joy and peace that tears come to us. For the prophet Ammon, such joy made him fall unconscious on several occasions, simply because the Spirit's power overwhelmed him. Some speak in tongues, others prophecy, and some see angels. So works the Spirit of God.

Help him remember his testimony. Ask him about how he first found his testimony, and what it felt like. Ask him about spiritual experiences he's had along the way. Ask him if he ever felt tranquility, joy and peace while in the temple. Then ask him if he now feels those things away from activity. It may be that he served diligently, but did not feed himself spiritually. He could have burned himself out, because he wasn't feasting on the word, etc. Perhaps encouraging him to also study the scriptures and allow them to penetrate his heart as they once did, so he can feel the peace and joy of God again. That is where he will find his witness of God, and regain his faith.

Don't focus on weight, but on fitness. You can exercise right now, even if your stomach is not ready. Exercise your legs, arms, etc. Muscle burns more energy, but also weighs more than fat. So, as you build muscle, you will burn your fat, but may not lose any weight. So, focus on fitness. Then, if you want to also lose fat quicker, try one of the established diet programs: Weight Watchers, etc. It will teach you how much you can eat and what kinds of foods are best to eat (green veggies instead of carbs, for example).

As regarding to orthodoxy and orthopraxy, I have to admit that the Church has very little actual doctrine we MUST believe in order to be temple worthy LDS. Yet, there are many issues of keeping commandments and living our lives that determine our worthiness in the temple or for other callings, as well. For example, I may believe that the Book of Mormon is a historically fictional document brought forth by God to teach us truth and to witness for Christ, yet be obedient enough in all other things that I could be called as a bishop. (And before anyone says anything, I do believe in the historicity of the BoM, as far as it was written and translated correctly from individual Nephites' points of view). I believe there is another way in which the God and Jesus are both the Father, as well as one God. This is taught as the "Doctrine of Christ" in 2 Ne 31 and 3 Ne 11. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are One God, and we must also be one with the saints and with the Godhead, in order to return to them. We do this by Faith in Christ, Repentance, Receiving Ordinances, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This works not just once, but a cycle of change and enlightenment that brings us more and more to a oneness with other saints and with the Godhead. Jesus is the Father because God the Father shares all things with Jesus, and empowers him to act as Father in all things. He becomes our adopted Father, and it is only through having this relationship with Christ that we can approach a relationship with God the Father.

This concept has only been in the Church since Elder James Talmage wrote "Jesus the Christ", in which he firmly separated the two Beings by names. Previous to this, the name "Jehovah" was used for both God and Jesus (see D&C 109, where Joseph Smith calls God "Jehovah" in the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer). Elohim and Jehovah were once thought of as Titles, rather than personal Names.

I recommend you read my paper I gave in March at the Kirtland Sunstone Symposium on "The Book of Mormon as an Ascension Text". It discusses ascensions in the scriptures, ancient texts, and also the temple. It will help you understand several of the things you will experience in the endowment.

Dev: I'M A REAL BOY!!!!!! https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTs_E_BoillLpuHcBEzPxWCJygy_np6FBcbSyfiAT3qExDXiYELAg

Alma 29:8

But isn't that what we see in the Book of Mormon? Worldly dress and immodesty are the first signs of apostasy, and so it should be a very big deal. We have to stop sugar coating the sins. If a child plays in traffic, we consider it a big deal and rush out to save the child. Well, if a child plays in spiritual traffic, the outcome can be just as devastating. Except too many parents and leaders act like it isn't a big deal. The reality is, ANY sin keeps us out of the presence of God. Only faith and sincere repentance can change that. This requires humility and submission to the teachings of truth. The girl was not humble, nor saw anything wrong with what she was doing. She felt leaders were over-reacting, when they were trying to save her from wandering in traffic.

Book of Mormon Lesson 18: “God Himself … Shall Redeem His People” Mosiah 12-17 Abinadi as Moses Imagine the prophet Moses descending from Sinai, carrying the Tablets of the Law containing the Ten Commandments. At the bottom of the mount, he sees Israel in rebellion, creating other forms of religion that could offer them salvation that rejected living prophets and repentance, and encouraged rebellious living. Previously I’ve written regarding the golden calf that was created by Aaron and the rebellious Israelites. The young bull represented the Egyptian god Apis, the god of strength and fertility. However, it also represented the God of the Promised Land, El Elyon. El Elyon means “God Almighty” and is often also called Elohim. He was the head God of the divine council, which (according to ancient writings) included Jehovah and Baal. Not only was El represented by the bull of fertility and strength, but so was Baal (and sometimes Jehovah, as well). It is possible that the ancient Israelites believed they were replacing the onerous desert god, Jehovah, with a symbol of a god they knew from slavery and that would also be acceptable in the land they were entering. In the concept of El as head of the divine host, he would have outranked Jehovah, giving some the belief they were accepting a more powerful god in Jehovah’s place. So, what does this have to do with Abinadi? As Abinadi came before King Noah and his evil priests, we see several things to connect Abinadi with Moses. First off, Abinadi is directly connected to Moses. When he chastised the king and priests, the people were ready to kill him immediately. However, Abinadi warned them not to touch him, or they would instantly die, as the power of God was upon him even as it was on Moses as he returned from Sinai: “Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord” (Mosiah 13:5). When Moses descended, his face shone so brightly that the people had him veil his face so they could stand in his presence. Moses was at that moment a divine being, carrying down with him the Lord’s glory. He was a member of the divine council, able to stand in God’s presence and partake of the divine glory. As with Abinadi, the divine glory that shone from them was too powerful for regular people to deal with. So King Noah and his priests did not touch Abinadi, as the power shining from him was too great for them to stand. This event began with a priest of Noah quoting Isaiah and asking Abinadi what it meant to him: “And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth; 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; Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem; 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 our God?” (Mosiah 12:20-24, Isaiah 52:7-10). Why would a priest of Noah quote Isaiah and then ask Abinadi what it meant, if they were so certain they already had the truth? For the wicked priests, salvation came through the Law of Moses (Mosiah 12:32), and for them Isaiah specifically referred to Moses. Moses’ feet were beautiful on Mount Sinai and he brought forth freedom to Israelite slaves as good tidings. The Law of Moses was literally published by God, who would reign in Israel. Now that there were Israelites in the Americas, the ends of the earth were seeing the salvation of God through the animal sacrifices and other works of Noah’s priests. Standing in for Moses, Abinadi will reteach them the Ten Commandments - the most important part of the Mosaic Law, and the portion they were not living nor teaching. Interestingly, among the Dead Sea Scrolls, the two most common books of the Bible found are Isaiah and Deuteronomy. Here, we have Abinadi combining the teachings of Isaiah 52 and Deuteronomy 15 (Ten Commandments). Interestingly the prophets most quoted/mentioned in the Book of Mormon are Moses and Isaiah. For Abinadi, one could be saved by living a good life, which meant obeying the commandments of God. However, the most important things of Moses’ Law were neglected or even rejected by Noah, his priests and the people. Listing them, Abinadi was able to show that they were not keeping any of them properly. Noah and his priests worshiped power and wealth more than God. These were the idols they worshiped. They did not keep the Sabbath nor honor their parents (otherwise, Noah would have kept the teachings of his father, Zeniff). They committed whoredoms, violating the law of chastity. Heavily taxing the people so they could enrich themselves, they stole from everyone. They lusted after the things of others. Perhaps the one thing they had not yet done was murder, and that would soon become the final nail in the coffin for them as they would martyr Abinadi, thus sealing their own fate, as well. Quoting Isaiah again, Abinadi quotes the prophecy of the Suffering Servant, who would pay a ransom for men’s iniquities (Mosiah 14, Isaiah 53). This Savior, this Messiah, would come down, being the Son and the Father. Christ’s birth is of two beings: mortal and immortal. He is the Father (or of the Father) being his seed, and Jesus is the Son being born of Mary into mortality. He not only would have the ability to die, but also take upon himself all things so as to save mankind. Jesus, through the power given him by his divine birth, becomes the Father of our Salvation (Mosiah 15:1-4). “And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed? Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord....” (Mosiah 15:10-11) All of the prophets have looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. Those who hear and accept their teachings become the children of Christ, and share in his salvation. “Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed. And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet! And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace! And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!” (Mosiah 15:13-17). Abinadi expands this concept further and further. Isaiah spoke not only of Moses as one whose feet are beautiful upon the mountains, but also all the prophets who have foreseen and taught of the forthcoming salvation through Christ. Not only this, but all who accept Christ and share their testimonies throughout all time will be among those with beautiful feet upon the mountains. Note here that in Middle Eastern tradition, the foot is the lowest part of the body. It is next to the dirt, and so is considered less than any other part of the body. When the woman anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and washed them with her hair, she was showing she was less than the dirt on his feet. Such was shocking to the Jews, but praised by Christ, who taught the importance of humility (Luke 7). Imagine how feet must be that are seen as “beautiful”! And if the feet are beautiful, imagine how magnificent the person who owns those feet. Such is a person made beautiful through Christ. This ties in well with Abinadi, whose face shone brightly with the glory of the Lord. The people could not fathom this power, and yet there was a greater power that could make dirty and lowly feet just as glorious. “And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people” (Mosiah 15:18). Without the Messiah, there is no good news to share with the world. He is the Prince of Peace. On the eve of his birth, the angels would proclaim “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10). This is the key teaching and purpose of the Book of Mormon - to be a special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Abinadi clearly teaches of his birth, mortal ministry, death and resurrection. As with all the Nephite prophets, Abinadi proclaims repentance and faith on Christ. Keeping the Law of Moses only is helpful if it brings us to Christ, where true salvation and eternal joy and hope can be found. How beautiful upon the Mount of Olives are the feet of him that knelt to pray and experience great grief and pain for our sins. How beautiful upon the Mount of Calvary are the feet of him that were pierced for our sakes. How beautiful upon Mount Zion are the feet of him that brings eternal salvation to all those who become the seed of Christ!