Reconciled unto Christ, Part 5

There is a passage about how an earlier body of believers practiced their religion. It states, “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (RE 2 Nr. 11:8)

They talked of Christ. And apparently had enough to say that their worship never ran out of things to say.

They rejoiced in Christ. This is the result of having enough understanding of Hm to be able to talk continually about Him. Understanding Him leads to rejoicing in Him.

They preached of Christ. Again, with plenty to preach.

And they prophesied of Christ. While we do not have all their prophecies, but here is one example taken from what we do have: “he shall go forth suffering pains, and afflictions, and temptations of every kind, and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith, He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people. And he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless, the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh, that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance. And now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.” (Alma 5:3) This prophecy, while related to Isaiah’s promise of the coming “man of sorrows” is still distinct from Isaiah’s “suffering servant” prophecy, and adds unique additional confirmation about Christ’s role and achievement in saving mankind.

He will take the “pains and sicknesses of his people.” Just how fully this took place is clarified in a revelation given in 2007. The Lord suffered waves of torment, described in T&C 161. These came in pairs. Each was greater than the one before, and lasted for many hours. These waves of torment were explained to a witness who reported:

“He pondered and asked, Why were there waves of torment? Why did they increase in difficulty? How were they organized as they seemed to fit a pattern? After long inquiring into the things which he had seen, the Lord, who is patient and merciful and willing to instruct those who call upon Him, again appeared to the man on the 20th of December, 2007. He made known unto him that the waves of torment suffered by the Lord came in pairs which mirrored each other. The first of each wave poured upon the Lord those feelings, regrets, recriminations, and pains felt by those who injured their fellow man. Then followed a second wave, which mirrored the first, but imposed the pains suffered by the victims of the acts committed by those in the first wave. Instead of the pains of those who inflict hurt or harm, it was now the anger, bitterness, and resentments felt by those who suffered these wrongs.
“From each wave of suffering, whether as the one afflicting or as the victim of those wrongs, the Lord would overcome the evil feelings associated with these wrongs, and find His heart again filled with peace. This was why, in the vision of the suffering of the Lord, it was in the second waves that there appeared oftentimes to be injuries to His body.
“The greater difficulty in these paired waves of torment was always overcoming the suffering of the victim. With these waves the Lord learned to overcome the victims’ resentments, to forgive, and to heal both body and spirit. This was more difficult than overcoming the struggles arising from the one who committed the evil. This is because the one doing evil knows he has done wrong and feels a natural regret when he sees himself aright. The victim, however, always feels it is their right to hold resentment, to judge their persecutor, and to withhold peace and love for their fellow men. The Lord was required to overcome both so that he could succor both.
In the pairing of the waves, the first torment was of the mind and spirit, and the second was torment of mind, spirit, and body.
“The Lord experienced all the horror and regret wicked men feel for their crimes when they finally see the truth. He experienced the suffering of their victims whose righteous anger and natural resentment and disappointment must also be shed, and forgiveness given, in order for them to find peace. He overcame them all. He descended below them all. He comprehends it all. And he knows how to bring peace to them all. He knows how to love others whether they are the one who has given offense or the one who is a victim of the offense.
“In the final wave, the most brutal, most evil, most heinous sins men inflict upon one another were felt by Him as a victim of the worst men can do. He knew how it felt to wrongly suffer death. He knew what it was like to be a mother holding a child in her arms as they are both killed by those who delight in their suffering. He knew how it was for ambitious men to rid themselves of a rival by conspiracy and murder. He knew what it was to have virtue robbed from the innocent. He knew betrayal, treachery, and abuse in all its worst degrading horror. There was no cruelty, no offense, no evil that mankind has suffered or will suffer that was not put upon Him.
“He knew what it is like for men to satisfy their ambition by clothing their hypocrisy in religious garb. He also felt what it was like to be the victim of religious oppression by those who pretend to practice virtue while oppressing others. He knew the hearts of those who would kill Him. Before confronting their condemnation of Him in the flesh, he suffered their torment of mind when they recognized he was the Lord, and then found peace for what they would do by rejecting Him. In this extremity there was madness itself as he mirrored the evil which would destroy Him, and learned how to come to peace with the Father after killing the Son of God, and to love all those involved without restraint and without pretense even before they did these terrible deeds. His suffering, therefore, encompassed all that has happened, all that did happen, and all that would happen in the future.
“As a result of what the Lord suffered, there is no condition — physical, spiritual, or mental — that he does not fully understand. He knows how to teach, comfort, succor, and direct any who come to Him seeking forgiveness and peace. This is why the prophet wrote: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. [Isa. 19:2] And again: Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [Isa. 19:2] He obtained this knowledge by the things he suffered. He suffered that we might avoid sin by being obedient to His commandments. None of us need harm another, if we will follow Him. He knows fully the consequences of sin. He teaches His followers how to avoid sin.” (T&C 161: 16-24) The entire section 161 explains the final suffering and triumph of Christ.

We have every reason to also talk, preach, rejoice, and prophesy about Christ. His work was the greatest accomplished by any soul in this creation. And His accomplishments are eternal and everlasting. Such a life gives us an infinite source for our study.

To be reconciled unto Christ is to begin to understand how great a benefit He can be for us, if we will allow His commandments to become our guide. It begins by accepting His claims as true. And then next being baptized to demonstrate our acceptance of Him.

Reconciled unto Christ, Part 4

Baptism begins a new life. If you follow Christ to that point, then what follows is to keep His commandments. As Christ tells us: “For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fullness and be glorified in me as I am glorified in the Father. Therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.” (T&C 93:7)

Keeping commandments has a deeper meaning and serves a much higher purpose than public acts intended to for notice. We must worship God by keeping the commandments and growing thereby in light and truth and grace. “And no man receives a fullness unless he keeps his commandments. He that keeps his commandments receives truth and light until he is glorified in truth and knows all things.” (T&C 93:9)

Jesus Christ grew up in a society that was governed by the Law of Moses. That law established objective standards of conduct: “Thou shalt not kill,” for example. It is easy to comply by not killing someone. But Christ raised the bar and taught a much higher standard. He contrasted the standard He established for us with the Law of Moses:

“Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God. But I say unto you that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council, and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire.
“Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, go thy way unto thy brother and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart and I will receive you.
“Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time he shall get thee and thou shalt be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost [cent]. And while ye are in prison, can ye pay even one [cent]? Verily, verily I say unto you, nay.” (RE 3 Ne. 5:24-26)

Christ also elevated the commandment of the Law of Moses, “thou shalt not commit adultery,” into something much higher. Christ moved the battle ground from outward behavior into internal thoughts and feelings. He said:

“Behold, it is written by them of old time that thou shalt not commit adultery; but I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart. Behold, I give unto you a commandment that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart, for it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.” (3 Ne. 5:27)

The Law of Moses was intended to allow an orderly society to function. But it was never intended to produce the kind of society that God could visit. Abinadi prophesied, “I say unto you that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.” (Mosiah 8:1)

Salvation was never to be obtained through the Law of Moses, but was always through Jesus Christ. The Law pointed to Christ, and was intended to help people believe in Christ generations before He would be born. As one prophet explained about those living the Law of Moses before Christ’s birth, “believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them. Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses, but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ.” (Alma 14:15)

After His resurrection, Christ explained: “Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away and that all things had become new. Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses. Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel. Therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfill the law; therefore, it hath an end.” (3 Ne. 7:2)

Christ gave us a new, higher standard. His life demonstrated that standard. He asks us to follow Him. Anyone with the conviction that Christ is who He claimed to be, will choose to follow Him. He explained, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 6:29)

Reconciled unto Christ, Part 3

If you believe in Christ, then He has prescribed the steps needed to be taken in order to exhibit or prove your belief in Him. These are His words:

“[N]either shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there hath hitherto been. For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the Devil, who is the father of contention; and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another, but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me — and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the holy ghost beareth record of the Father and me — and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men everywhere to repent and believe in me. And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved, and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.” (RE 3 Ne. 5:8-9)

He phrases this requirement first in the negative: Do not dispute over His doctrine, and avoid getting angry over religious differences.

Then He phrases it in the positive: If you believe then show it by being baptized. If you are baptized, you will be saved, and if not you will be damned.

Two words need to be understood: “Disputation” is wrong when men’s hearts are provoked to anger. In a modern revelation the Lord explained where this leads, and exactly how religious divisions have caused misery: “Mankind has been controlled by the adversary through anger and jealousy, which has led to bloodshed and the misery of many souls. Even strong disagreements should not provoke anger, nor to invoke my name in vain as if I had part in your every dispute.” (T&C 157:54)

Throughout “Christian” history, religious warfare has happened continually. Even today there continues to be violence over religious differences. The Lord commands that to end.

The word “damned” has been defined in the new scriptures Glossary of Terms: “To cease progressing or to regress. Damnation merely means the end of progress. So when one fails to progress in understanding, he voluntarily damns himself. ‘When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. If mankind is to be saved, it will be through their acquisition of knowledge. Put otherwise, it is stupidity that damns them; it is knowledge which saves man. Damnation means hedging up the way so that one cannot progress.” (T&C Glossary, Damned)

Baptism is required for progress in this and the afterlife. As the New Covenants puts it: “And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water to fulfill all righteousness, Oh, then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water?” (2 Ne. 13:2)

As Christ put it before His own baptism, after John said Christ was more worthy than himself: “Suffer me to be baptized of you, for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt. 2:4) Christ provided the example of the path He expects us to follow. His example included being baptized. If you believe in Him, then you too must be baptized.

If you want to request baptism, you can contact people with authority to administer the ordinance at this website link: Request Baptism (Born of Water)

Reconciled unto Christ, Part 2

Given the enormity of Christ’s claims, it is natural to doubt. Even after His resurrection, and meeting with the surviving 11 disciples, some of them continued to doubt: “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, unto the end of the world. Amen.” (RE Matt. 13:4)

Those words, “but some doubted” describe more than the 11 who “saw him” and even “worshipped him.” It also describes us, at least from time to time.

What Christ next said was in response to their doubt: “All power is given unto” Him. This authority and power extends both “in Heaven and on earth.” We do not need to doubt. He reiterated His claim, and reassures us of His authority to rescue us.

Good news is sometimes more difficult to accept than bad news. In this world where there is continual insufficiency, ongoing struggles, disappointments from people we relied on to our injury, and conflicts even with those we love, we are used to bad news. We expect illness, even eventual death.

So when the Lord tells us good news our doubts rush in. Some of the disciples saw the resurrected Christ before others. One of the last was Thomas, who refused to accept the testimony of his fellow disciples. He said he could not believe without seeing, even feeling the injuries the Lord received in the crucifixion. Thomas is an important figure for us because of his skepticism. Almost all of us share that with Thomas.

Christ met with Thomas and said to him (about us): “Then says he to Thomas, Reach here your finger and behold my hands, and reach here your hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus says unto him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 11:4)

Thomas was so very human. So very like us all. We are asked to believe, even if we have not seen. We are asked to accept the testimony of others, like Thomas. When we do we are called “blessed” by the Lord for that belief in Him.

Not only Thomas, but also Paul (at the time Saul) testified of Christ: “And it came to pass that as I made my journey, and had come near unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from Heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute. And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told you of all things which are appointed for you to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.” (Acts 12:15)

The Brother of Jared also encountered the Lord: “the Lord shewed himself unto him and said, Because thou knowest these things, ye are redeemed from the Fall. Therefore, ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I shew myself unto you. Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life; and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name. And they shall become my sons and my daughters. And to none of those now living whom I created have I appeared, for none have believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image.” (Ether 1:13)

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon assured us: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: that he lives. For we saw him, even on the right hand of God, and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father, that by him, and through him, and of him the worlds are made and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” (T&C 69:5)

I too can testify that He lives, for He has ministered to me, and He has (and does) keep His promise: “And behold, I am with you always, unto the end of the world.”

It is good news. But is good news that ought to be accepted, because it is true. Christ is the Son of God who came into the world to rescue us from despair, sin and death. Doubt not, but be believing.

Reconciled unto Christ

What do you think of Jesus Christ? That question is far more important than any other question for us to answer. Christ forces us to deal with Him because of the claims He made, and the claims made about Him by his followers.

In a single generation multiple written accounts were created, often differing in details, but agreeing on His claim to be the Son of God. That one generation in which He lived also produced witnesses who declare that He rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and that He promised to return again.

The claims by and about Him make His resurrection the gateway through which all of us will also rise from the grave. He undid death, not only for Himself but for all mankind. BUT when we rise from the grave, He and His followers warn us that Christ then act as the judge who determines what to do with us following our resurrection. We are told His judgment will be based upon His teachings, and the more closely we follow what He taught the better our lot will be thereafter.

These are claims as astonishing as they are important. But they force us all to choose for ourselves what to think of Christ, and how to react to His teachings.

It is improbable beyond calculation for a single generation to invent Jesus Christ. Because we have multiple written accounts by those who knew Him, and they are clearly distinct witnesses of His life and doings, we can be assured He was a real historic figure.

His influence on His close associates made them no longer fear their own death. Like Christ, His earliest followers accepted their own executions rather than deny their testimony about Him.

The scriptures tell us that it is through Jesus Christ that we are reconciled to God. (See RE 2 Cor. 1:18-19; Rom. 1:22; Eph. 1:6; Col. 1:5; 2 Ne. 11:8; and Jac. 3:3) But Nephi taught of another needed reconciliation: He said he held out no hope for us unless we reconcile ourselves with Christ: “for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ.” (2 Ne. 15:1) Nephi’s concern is the right first one: We do need to reconcile ourselves to Christ first, before Christ can reconcile us with His Father.

Christ took steps to rescue all mankind from the grave. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 1:63) His accomplishment is universal. It does not matter if you are Baptist, Lutheran, Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim, Christ will draw all mankind back to life from the grave.

Once we are brought back from the grave, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Rom. 1:70) Does it not make sense to prepare for that event? Given the importance of the claims by and about Jesus Christ, it is worth the effort required to investigate His teachings.

He explained that any of us can do it: “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavily loaded, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. And you shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 6:8) That probably does not mean what you think it means, because we think “easy” and “light” mean we will be required to do practically nothing.

Christ’s “yoke” is easy because it spares you from the afflictions, diseases, indignities, disappointments and fears we inevitably encounter when our life is adrift in sin. Christ’s burden is “light” because we are rescued from the corruption, confusion, degradation and slavery imposed on us by a malignant culture urging vanity, selfishness and pride as virtues. Even if the world then hates you, being reconciled with Christ will free you from the control the world’s hate attempts to exercise over you.

A life in Christ is far more meaningful than a life without Him. Far more at peace with Him than without Him. Read the accounts of His life for yourself. Test His teachings by living them. Reconcile yourself to Christ. Find peace.

Priests are not paid

Alma ordained priests and explained how their religion ought to be practiced. Since the covenant given in 2017 adopts the Book of Mormon as a standard for our faith, Alma’s instructions give us guidance. Here is part of what Alma said:

Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people. And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.
And he commanded them that they should observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God. And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support. And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also as often as it was in their power to assemble themselves together. And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support, but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, everyone according to that which he had: if he have more abundantly, he should impart more abundantly; and he that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God. And they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants. Mosiah 9: Paragraphs 9-11

The only reward for preaching is to “receive the grace of God.” The restoration has failed to reach its destiny in all the organized restoration congregations because they violate this principle. A compensated clergy cannot “wax strong in the spirit” and therefore cannot “teach with power and authority from God.”

This is because “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” LoF 6:7

True religion takes your time, resources, energy and effort. Practicing it does not reward you with compensation. Every time there one of our conferences is organized, the organizers donate the resources to rent the facility, and bring the equipment, and arrange for food, to be enjoyed by the participants. When speakers who believe in God’s work today come to participate they travel and contribute at their own expense.

Alma also reminds us there is only “one baptism” and the words for that ordinance have been provided in the Book of Mormon. We should faithfully follow that if we are honoring God’s covenant.

Alma discouraged contention, as would the Lord when He later visited the Nephites. Contention that makes people angry with one another is not just ungodly, it has been addressed in a warning from God to us: “Study to learn how to respect your brothers and sisters and to come together by precept, reason, and persuasion, rather than sharply disputing and wrongly condemning each other, causing anger. Take care how you invoke my name. Mankind has been controlled by the adversary through anger and jealousy, which has led to bloodshed and the misery of many souls. Even strong disagreements should not provoke anger, nor to invoke my name in vain as if I had part in your every dispute.” T&C 157:54

The commandment to impart of our substance to those in need does not mean an able-bodied man should neglect his duty to support his family with the expectation that others will provide the needed substance for him and his family. As Paul wrote: “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Tim. 1:13

Alma’s counsel is as useful today as it was when originally given.

New Part 6 Video

The seven-part series of the Heavens are Open Again now has the sixth installment released. It can be watched at this link: The Heavens Are Open Again, Part 6: Remembering Remnants

There will be another, final installment released in the future. These are the third series of seven videos each, totaling twenty-one videos when the next (and final) one has been completed. The release of this one was timed to coincide with Father’s Day and with the Solstice.

New Scriptures

Leather bound, 100% cotton versions of the new scriptures have arrived and are being distributed. The FOREWORD to Volume 3, the Teachings & Commandments states:

JOSEPH SMITH warned in 1831 that “except the church receive the fullness of the Scriptures that they would yet fall.” The “fullness” was defined as the Book of Mormon, the revelations, and the new, inspired Bible revisions (see Teachings and Commandments 105:13 – 14). Less than one year later, in September 1832, the saints of God were condemned by the Lord and commanded to repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written (T&C 82:20). This is often interpreted as the Lord rebuking the saints for failing to do according to that which He had written, while the assumption is made that the saints had been correctly saying what He had written. But the saints did not say; they failed to accurately preserve the revelations that God provided to them, and their texts became corrupted.

This volume of scripture is one of three that together constitute a unified effort to recover what the scriptures originally said and to prune away the uninspired alterations of man. This endeavor began with individuals who were separately directed by God to begin this work and were then inspired to find one another. Eventually two groups were formed, each unknown to the other. As they faced the completion of their respective projects in mid-December of 2016, they became aware of one another, and on December 31, 2016, Denver Snuffer Jr. facilitated a meeting between the two groups, in which they determined to unify their efforts. Each group brought different components to the endeavor that provided for a greater outcome than either project had possessed alone. Moving forward, the united team worked closely with one another, with the Lord, and with the Lord’s servant, and produced a record that is more accurate and more true to the Lord’s intent and to the Restoration.

This edition of scripture stands as a witness to the whole world; it is the sign that the moment has arrived when the things that have been prophesied of in scripture will now occur in a single generation. Mankind doesn’t have to accept the witness, they don’t even have to notice the witness; it’s only required that God send the witness. If He sends the witness, God has done His part. These scriptures are a new witness of Him and a sign of His invitation to renew communication with mankind.

This volume of scripture includes the revelations given to Joseph Smith, Jr., as well as revelations that have come forth in our day. A compilation of Joseph’s revelations were first published in 1833 and titled “Book of Commandments.” An expanded volume, titled “Doctrine and Covenants” (D&C), was published in 1835 — the name-change referred to the division of contents: the “doctrine” was the Lectures on Faith, and the “covenants” were the revelations and instruction that followed. Subsequent editions of the D&C removed the “doctrine” — the Lectures on Faith. This Restoration Edition of Joseph’s revelations has restored the “doctrine” and has been renamed the “Teachings and Commandments” (T&C). This name was chosen to provide a distinction between this book and the D&C (and those groups and churches that accept the D&C as scripture). It is also a reflection of the nature of the contents — Teachings, which instruct and invite, and Commandments, which are required of mankind and are necessary for salvation. This volume of scripture is considered to be a living, expanding canon. People who are in a living covenant with God always have an open canon and expect additional revelation and scripture.

The hand of the Lord has been present in the process of preparing these scriptures. May His Spirit guide you and testify to you as you receive them.

When you get your copy of these new scriptures I would encourage you to read the following parts as you go through each volume: Volume 3: Foreword (reproduced above), CANONIZATION (link provided), PREFACE, INTRODUCTION, Volume 2: FOREWORD TO THE NEW COVENANTS, PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF MORMON, Book of Mormon INTRODUCTION, and Volume 1: PREFACE.

These scriptures are not perfect. The Lord has clearly stated their limitations: “The records you have gathered as scriptures yet lack many of my words, have errors throughout, and contain things that are not of me, because the records you used in your labors have not been maintained nor guarded against the cunning plans of false brethren who have been deceived by Satan.” (T&C 157:12) To improve them the Lord had several unreliable sections removed, and replaced them with new revelations (157:25-32 and 33-43) and also made 5 changes to wording in the Book of Mormon (described in the PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF MORMON (linked above). Once these were added the Lord accepted these scriptures: “I will accept what you have produced and you need not labor further to recover my words, but to complete your labors as you have agreed.” (Id., paragraph 45) These scriptures alone are approved as ‘the Lord’s word to this generation, as the standard for governing ourselves, as a law, and as a covenant, to establish a rule for our faith, and as the expression of our religion, so we may have correct faith and be enabled to worship you in truth.’ (Paraphrase of T&C 156:17)

Despite any shortcomings, these scriptures are given to us as the standard for our religion. They have been described by the Lord in these words: “These scriptures are sent forth to be my warning to the world, my comfort to the faithful, my counsel to the meek, my reproof to the proud, my rebuke to the contentious, and my condemnation of the wicked. They are my invitation to all mankind to flee from corruption, repent and be baptized in my name, and prepare for the coming judgment.” (T&C 177:3)

Having them in an enduring, leather-bound, high quality form is indeed an historic event. But that will be only as true as the benefit that comes from studying the contents. We have something enduring in print quality, and precious in content in our hands to study. Therefore we have some work to do.

Restoration Conference

The fourth yearly conference focusing on the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith will be held June 26th in Boise, Idaho. A link to the conference website is provided here: RESTORATION CONFERENCE 2021

The conference will feature speakers from various restoration groups including the LDS, Community of Christ, Church of Christ Temple Lot, Church of Christ Bickertonite, JCRB, and other varying branches. The purpose is to allow believers to look back to their past and remember their beginnings as one group united in Christ.

Prospering in the land

In the final days of Lehi’s life, he gave his concluding guidance to his sons. He included Ishmael’s sons and the servant Zoram in his counsel.

There is a theme that began early in the Book of Mormon, and is repeated often throughout the entire book. Lehi included that theme in his final instructions: “inasmuch as ye shall keep [God’s] commandments, ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep [God’s] commandments, ye shall be cut off from [God’s] presence.” 2 Ne. 1:4

Keeping the commandments and prospering, is contrasted with disobeying the commandments and being “cut off from [God’s] presence.” Lehi goes on to explain how his posterity could keep the commandments and prosper: He tells them to respect their brother, Nephi, who had been faithful in keeping the commandments and therefore God had worked through Nephi to bless the entire family.

Lehi explained: “Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been glorious, and who hath kept the commandments from the time we left Jerusalem, and who hath been an instrument in the hands of God in bringing us forth into the land of promise; for were it not for him, we must have perished with hunger in the wilderness. Nevertheless, ye sought to take away his life; yea, and he hath suffered much sorrow because of you. And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again. For behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you, but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God and your own eternal welfare.” Id.

He tells his sons Laman, Lemuel and Sam, and all the sons of Ishmael, specifically, “hearken unto the voice of Nephi.” Id., paragraph 5.

He tells Zoram, “I know that thou art a true friend unto my son Nephi for ever. Wherefore, because thou hast been faithful, thy seed shall be blessed with his seed[.]” Id.

He tells his son Jacob, “thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother Nephi, and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God.” Id., paragraph 6.

Lehi tied keeping the commandments, prospering in the land and not being cut off from God’s presence, to “hearkening to the voice of Nephi.” Lehi anticipated this would be difficult for some of his sons. He told them that they wrongly accused Nephi of seeking power and authority over them. But, Lehi explained, as the father he knew Nephi had not sought for power nor authority over the family, but he only sought the glory of God and the family’s eternal welfare.

Lehi did not want his family to be cut off from God’s presence. To retain God’s presence Lehi knew that his son Nephi, although a younger brother to several sons, was the one who kept the commandments and therefore could teach them what God commanded. “God’s presence” for the family was to be found through what Nephi would teach them. Being “cut off from God’s presence” would result from rejecting their brother, Nephi’s, teaching.

That did not mean once they were cut off that they would not have other, spiritual experiences. The Book of Mormon includes accounts of a number of teachers who were cut off from God’s presence and proceeded to teach vain, foolish, corrupt and destructive messages. Some of them came from “angels” who ministered to them. For example, Sherem said “that he had been deceived by the power of the Devil.” Jacob 5:6. Korihor taught corrupt and evil ideas, but ultimately acknowledged he was deceived by an angel: “the Devil has deceived me, for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel and said unto me, Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me, There is no God. Yea, and he taught me that which I should say, and I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind. And I taught them even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true.” Alma 16:12.

When people are cut off from the presence of God, they are not necessarily cut off from the presence of false spirits, deceiving ‘angels of light’ and corrupt influences. The consistent result of these false spiritual guides is invariably failing to keep God’s commandments. They ultimately lead to carnal, foolish, vain and proud practices that disobey God’s commandments.

Lehi’s guidance to his posterity was intended to help them keep the commandments of God. He knew that to keep God’s commandments his sons needed to heed a voice that would constantly remind them to keep God’s commandments. Nephi, a preacher of righteousness, was always careful to honor God’s commandments and serve Him.

The theme of keeping God’s commandments to prosper in the land is repeated throughout the Book of Mormon. And it is coupled with the promise that, when we fail to keep the commandments, we are cut off from the presence of God.

Hopefully

America has thrived because of the religious foundation upon which it was established. For the entire existence of the US, an overwhelming majority of the population have worshiped the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, and in turn were blessed by it. Moroni explained how prosperity is secured on the American land: “Behold, this is a choice land; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under Heaven if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who has been manifested by the things which we have written.” Ether 1:7

Nephi explained to his brothers how every promised land has been lost by God’s covenant people when they reject God. He taught, “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity, and the fullness of the wrath of God was upon them. And the Lord did curse the land against them and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers, unto their obtaining power over it. Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited, and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes. He ruleth high in the Heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool. And he loveth them who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers; and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt. And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod, for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent flying fiery serpents among them; and after they were bitten, he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform were to look. And because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished. And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses and also against God. Nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise.
And now after all these things, the time has come that they have became wicked, yea, nearly unto ripeness. And I know not but they are at this day about to be destroyed, for I know that the day must surely come that they must be destroyed, save a few only, who shall be led away into captivity; wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart into the wilderness. And the Jews also sought to take away his life; yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life. Wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them. Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God.” 1 Ne. 5:19-21

God blesses, protects and raises up righteous people, and destroys the wicked. All promised lands are cursed for the sake of the wicked, to help them understand their conduct is destructive.

History has repeated the same cycles. But at the end, the Lord promises to interrupt the cycle. The wicked will plan to kill the righteous, but their plans “ shall turn upon their own heads, for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.” 1 Ne. 7:4

Churches have one responsibility: To teach God’s commandments and urge that they be obeyed. Churches have and are failing to do that. Therefore, Nephi and Isaiah both promise us that the time “shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world and to do all manner of iniquity — yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the Devil — are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake. They are those who must be brought low in the dust, they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet.” 1 Ne. 7:5
No one needs to trust in a church with ambitions to get worldly gain. Nor does anyone need to follow a church trying to get power or become popular. And a church with lusts of the flesh (ambition, influence, carnal security, worldliness, immorality, acceptance of sexual confusion) will only lead you into the predicted destruction.
The way to peace is through following God. His commandments save us, both temporally and spiritually. God is the messenger of peace. But we have to choose whether we will heed and obey His message to have peace, or to reject it and dwindle into violence and misery.

The prophecies promise there will be people at the Lord’s return who will not be deceived because they obey His commandments. Hopefully there will be many who choose to do so.

WTH, Part 4-Conclusion

Covid-19 has directly affected me. A friend of mine contracted Covid-19 and lost consciousness in his yard. When the ambulance arrived his blood oxygen was only 20%. He was in a coma for 10 days and then died of multiple organ failure.

Four of our children and their spouses contracted Covid-19 last year. They all had mild symptoms.
Some of my children or their spouses have been vaccinated, and others are decidedly opposed to doing so. I think they all hold strong opinions about the vaccination risks. One son got vaccinated to keep a job. One daughter was fired because she refused to be vaccinated.

The current widespread Covid illness has been used to incite anger and fear. “Mankind has been controlled by the adversary through anger and jealousy, which has led to bloodshed and the misery of many souls.” T&C 157:54 “Fear is not only the opposite of faith, but it contains within it the bitterness of hell (see Genesis 1:4).” Glossary, Fear.

Those members of our family who are local come to our house every Sunday for dinner. There have been numerous discussions, but there has never been an argument during our family get-togethers about vaccinations.

I disagree with many friends about many issues. Recently, I received an email from a friend who disliked a footnote in my Religion of the Fathers paper. After acknowledging our disagreement, I thanked him for his comment, and reassured him of my friendship with him.

Covid-19 has become the battleground for political, social and even religious disagreements. Combatants wrongly call themselves, among other things, “conservative” or “liberal”—both sides are neither. Both sides should be blamed for stirring up anger and fear.

Have you ever listened (or read) media messages while looking only for the emotions of the message? It does not matter which outlet you tune in, each condemns the other with equal indignation. The language is inflammatory. They urge you to be afraid, and to hate the “other side.” People on both sides of the political spectrum are being swept into fear and anger.

It can be avoided. In the closing remarks at the Covenant of Christ Conference, on September 3, 2017, the following warning was given to us all, “Language of scriptures gives a description of the events now underway and calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. This process with the spirit withdrawing will end on this continent, as it did with two prior civilizations in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked.”

This pandemic is more notable for the effect it has had on the souls of men than even the many deaths that have been caused. I can only urge you to reflect on the dangers of both fear and anger that Covid-19 has exposed.

There will come a desolating sickness, and it will cause death, both directly and indirectly; directly by the illness itself, and indirectly by the violence resulting from fear and anger of the wicked. Together they will constitute an “overflowing scourge” of judgment, death and violence. “And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die.” T&C 31:7

The Lord counseled us, “Study to learn how to respect your brothers and sisters and to come together by precept, reason, and persuasion, rather than sharply disputing and wrongly condemning each other, causing anger. Take care how you invoke my name. Mankind has been controlled by the adversary through anger and jealousy, which has led to bloodshed and the misery of many souls. Even strong disagreements should not provoke anger, nor to invoke my name in vain as if I had part in your every dispute.” T&C 157:54

The world will not be charitable with one another. We must do better if we hope to avoid the coming overflowing scourge.

WTH, Part 3

In June 1981 the CDC published an article about five young, white, previously healthy gay men in Los Angeles who died of a rare lung infection. These young men also had other infections that suggested their immune systems were not functioning. Two died before the publication of the article, and the rest would die shortly thereafter. The same day the article was published a New York doctor called the CDC to report a cluster of cases of a rare and unusually aggressive cancer among gay men in New York and California. Three days later the CDC organized a task force to investigate these opportunistic infections.

In December 1981 a pediatric immunologist was treating five black infants showing signs of severe immune deficiency. Three of the children had mothers involved in the sex industry. The doctor recognized the signs of the same illness affecting gay men, but other colleagues dismissed his diagnosis.

Thus began what the New York Times the following year would label GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency). Their acronym would not last. In September of 1982 the CDC would use the term AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which would last. This syndrome became extremely controversial because of religious sentiments from conservative Christians who viewed the homosexual association of the disease with God’s disapproving will and judgment. This resulted in the infection become a political issue.

In January 1983 the CDC hosted a conference with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), gay activists and the Red Cross to develop a plan. No consensus was reached about what to do.
In March 1983 the CDC published an article reporting that most cases of AIDS have been reported among gay men with multiple sexual partners, people who inject drugs, Haitians, and people with hemophilia. This stigmatized Haitians for two years, until they were dropped from this list in 1985.

In July 1985 Rock Hudson announced he had AIDS. He died in October 1985, age 59. In August of that year an Indiana teenage hemophiliac, Ryan White, was refused entry to his middle school because of contracting AIDS. His case was impossible to dismiss as a moral judgment by an angry Christian god. Public opinion began to change somewhat. Blood transfusions resulted in many other infections, before a test was developed to screen the blood supply.

These events happened in the early years of the AIDS scare. Make no mistake, it was a “scare” and the responses in those early years were emotional, political, religious and very often foolish. There are many things which were said or written in that time frame which, in retrospect, should embarrass those who were vocal.
It would require time, a great deal more research, many deaths, and much greater maturity before the AIDS health threat was successfully addressed and a form of “remission” achieved. The history of those early years should inform us today about reacting, overreacting, and injudicious temperament about illnesses.

Right now, COVID-19 is in the early “scary” years, and much of what is being said is, like the early days of AIDS, emotional, political, religious, and in the long term destined to be regarded as often foolish. We are in a short season of raw emotion that will pass with time. It gives us a chance to consider how we are individually reacting. Should we be as fearful as we are? Remember, there are still a lot of unknowns. Should we be as judgmental and unkind in our reactions to others about this issue as we are? Should we regard the virus as a political opportunity, or something to arouse political sentiments? Should we regard it as vindicating or undermining the will of God? Why?

Friendships have been and are being undermined because of conflicting opinions about this virus. A great deal of the basis for the current opinions are based upon rumors, suspicions, fears and outright lies. Both ill-informed social media and respected leaders have used this as a wedge issue to divide us. Why are we letting that happen? It is our choice to respond with fear and anger. No matter who is cheerleading the decision to become upset and disaffected with one another, we decide whether to control our emotions and to react deliberatively and charitably. Oftentimes dividing the public into opposing camps is a way to distract and confuse people. It hides other, more important, ongoing irresponsibility happening in law, education, business and government.

There are things we ought to be fearing, but they are not on the front page of news outlets, nor trending on social media

WTH, Part 2

This is the second in a series involving the Covid-19 vaccines:

Before they were released for public use the following trials were conducted with the following results for the three versions of the vaccines: Pfizer: A total of 43,548 participants underwent randomization, of whom 43,448 received injections: 21,720 with BNT162b2 and 21,728 with placebo. A two-dose regimen of BNT162b2 conferred 95% protection against Covid-19 in persons 16 years of age or older.
Moderna: The trial enrolled 30,420 volunteers who were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either vaccine or placebo (15,210 participants in each group). The mRNA-1273 vaccine showed 94.1% efficacy at preventing Covid-19 illness, including severe disease.
Johnson & Johnson: The per-protocol population included 19,630 SARS-CoV-2–negative participants who received Ad26.COV2.S and 19,691 who received placebo. A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S protected against symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and was effective against severe–critical disease, including hospitalization and death.

The present state of testing for these is called Phase 4. Data is now being gathered through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to evaluate how these drugs interact in a much larger population.

All of these vaccines have adverse events being reported. An “adverse event” does not automatically mean cause-and-effect. For example, Hank Aaron received a much-publicized injection of the vaccine and died two weeks later. The Fulton County Medical Examiner attributed his death to a stroke, and therefore natural causes unrelated to the vaccine. Locally, this week a healthy 17-year-old high school basketball player received a vaccine shot and then began developing blood clots. He has been hospitalized and his case has received national attention in some media outlets.

In Wisconsin a 16-year-old girl received the vaccine and died shortly after receiving the second injection. This was reported on VAERS, but like Hank Aaron and the Draper basketball player, how and if there is a cause-and-effect will have to be investigated. It is possible all these and many more reported adverse events are unrelated to the vaccines they received.

Numerous drugs have passed clinical trials and entered into public distribution. Over time reports of adverse events accumulate, are investigated, and cause-and-effect is established. Then the drug is recalled, and oftentimes litigation follows. Fen-Phen, a weight loss drug, was on the market for 24 years before its danger was adequately proven. It was shown to cause potentially fatal pulmonary hypertension and heart valve problems.

Seldane was sold for 13 years before being removed from the US market. It caused potentially fatal disruption in heart rhythms.

Vioxx was an arthritis treatment marketed for 5 years. But it was linked to thousands of fatal heart-attacks and recalled.

Acutane is now known to cause birth defects. Zantac has been linked to cancer.

Perhaps the most notorious recall is Thalidomide. It was the only non-barbiturate sedative known at the time, and this gave the drug massive appeal. When it was discovered to help with morning sickness for pregnant women, many women took it for that purpose. The drug caused numerous horrific birth defects. These deformed children were so numerous and tragic in America that Thalidomide is mentioned in Billy Joel’s lyrics in his song We Didn’t Start the Fire. The lyrics survey significant historic events from the time of Billy Joel’s birth in 1949 until the year the song was written in 1989.

All of these drugs were “safe and effective” until enough data was gathered to show a cause-and-adverse-effect. Then they were dangerous. There are many other similarly recalled drugs, whose adverse effects could not be established until widely distributed and used.

Right now it is possible the three vaccines being administered are indeed safe and effective. But there are obviously those who fear otherwise. Eventually, the VAERS reports will be investigated, and perhaps there will be a cause-and-effect established that leads to a revised opinion from the health community. Or, it may prove that some or all of these vaccines are indeed altogether safe and effective. How any given individual evaluates the risks of receiving or refusing the offered vaccine should be their health choice. An intelligent person could very much want to get the vaccine, and should not be condemned or called foolish for that choice. But an equally intelligent person could decide to delay or refuse the vaccine, and they should also not be condemned or called foolish for the opposite choice.

Why has this choice become a charged, divisive issue today? Think about that, and in the next post I’ll suggest some reasons to consider.

What the hell?

There’s a title intended to make you curious. But, really, what the hell is going on with the COVID-19 vaccination? I’m not a doctor. But I am a lawyer. And lawyers sue doctors and pharmaceutical companies all the time when they screw up and injure people. Even if they do so negligently with the best of intentions, lawyers sue these health professionals.

As a result of the injuries caused while providing health care, the medical industry has chosen to shift the risk from themselves to those they treat through warnings. If you are warned, and you choose to proceed, then if there is an injury you assumed the risk. You can’t blame anyone for the injury you chose to accept.

These warning labels are because of the lawyers. Here are a few examples of warnings on common products you and your children have probably taken (or received) in the normal course of your life:

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): You should not use ascorbic acid if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vitamin C supplement. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have: kidney disease or a history of kidney stones; hereditary iron overload disorder (hematochromatosis); or if you smoke (smoking can make ascorbic acid less effective). Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use ascorbic acid without your doctor’s advice in either case.
Aspirin: You should not use aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you are allergic to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others. Do not give this medication to a child or teenager with a fever, flu symptoms, or chickenpox. Salicylates can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.
Benadryl: You should not use Benadryl to make a child sleepy. When taking Benadryl, use caution driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Diphenhydramine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benadryl. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Vitamin E: Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use vitamin E if you have other medical conditions, especially: anemia (low red blood cells); a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia; liver disease; kidney disease; any allergies; an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa; a vitamin K deficiency; high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood); diabetes; a history of cancer; a history of stroke or blood clot; or if you need surgery, or have recently had surgery. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether vitamin E will harm an unborn baby. Taking vitamin E in amounts that do not exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is considered safe; however, supplementation is not generally recommended unless dietary vitamin E falls below the RDA. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are pregnant. It is not known whether vitamin E passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Here are the same kinds of warnings you get for childhood vaccines we may have all received:

Measles: Applies to measles virus vaccine: subcutaneous powder for injection. Local:
Local side effects have included injection site burning/stinging, wheal and flare, erythema, swelling, and vesiculation. Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, angioneurotic edema (including peripheral or facial edema), and bronchial spasm. Cardiovascular: Cardiovascular side effects have included vasculitis. Dermatologic: Dermatologic side effects have included Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, erythema multiforme, urticaria, and rash. Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea. Hematologic: Hematologic side effects have included thrombocytopenia, purpura, regional lymphadenopathy, and leukocytosis. Musculoskeletal: Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgia and/or arthritis (usually transient and rarely chronic), polyneuritis, myalgia, paresthesia, and rarely chronic arthritis; these symptoms may also occur with natural rubella. Nervous system: Nervous system side effects have included measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE), encephalopathy, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), febrile convulsions, afebrile convulsions or seizures, ataxia, and ocular palsies. Significant central nervous system reactions such as encephalitis and encephalopathy have been very rarely temporally associated with measles vaccine (occurring within 30 days after vaccination); however, causality has not been determined in any case. A certain number of encephalitis cases unrelated to vaccines is expected to occur in a large childhood population; however, there is the possibility that some of these cases may have been caused by measles vaccine. The risk of measles vaccine-associated serious neurological disorders is much smaller than the risk for encephalitis and encephalopathy due to natural measles. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) has been very rarely reported in children after measles vaccination. Some of these cases may have been due to unrecognized measles during the first year of life or possibly due to the measles vaccination. The results of a retrospective case-controlled study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that measles vaccine has had the overall effect of protecting against SSPE by preventing measles with its greater risk of SSPE.
Mumps Vaccine also carries warnings about side effects that include risks of local injury, hypersensitivity, cardiovascular, dermatologic, endocrine, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, hematological, nervous system, ocular, and respiratory. (I’m omitting the details for each of these categories.)
Rubella Vaccine has similar potential side effects and warnings as measles and mumps, and also adds additional warnings about musculatoskeletal risks and and even deafness.

We know about the risks for these products because human trials allowed us to learn about the side effects through control groups (who do not receive the medication/vaccination) and those who are tested. Large samples over years of testing allow the risks to be identified. Not everyone is susceptible to each risk, and some people are more likely to suffer from specific side effects than others.

Unlike all other compounds, vitamins, medications and vaccines, this is what we are told about the COVID-19 vaccine (which has not undergone human trial testing-unless you consider what is happening at present to be that test): Covid-19 risks: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. You may have side effects after vaccination, but these are normal.

How can that be? There is nothing yet documented to justify the claim it is safe, so why tell us that? What does it mean that something has “normal” side effects?

I’m hoping you ask yourself: “What the hell is going on?” (Rather than just trust the appeal to emotions, shaming, and social pressure used today to influence a health decision.) Think this through for yourself. And choose wisely. But if someone makes a different choice than you, refrain from using emotion, shame and social pressure to confront them. Let them go in peace. Every person has the right to choose to be vaccinated, and to choose against it. And every person has the right to then live with the consequences of their choice.

One last matter for you to consider: Because all these vaccinations were developed with emergency authorization, and normal FDA requirements were waived, the pharmaceutical companies are not liable for any injuries caused by the vaccines. Even if they tell you they are “safe and effective” and the vaccines later prove to be neither safe nor effective, you can’t sue the manufacturer.