Mankind began in God’s presence, but fell from grace. From the time of the fall there was a promised Redeemer who would restore mankind back to God’s presence.

Generation after generation few individuals ever regained God’s presence. God’s great desire for mankind to return to Him is best illustrated by the coming of the Messiah into this world as a mortal child. This is what we celebrate today.

God so wanted our return to Him, that He condescended to come here to be with us. God-with-us: Immanuel! The great “El”-singular form of Elohim-came to be with us. When we failed to ascend to Him, failed to awaken and arise, He came to us!

This act testifies to God’s willingness to have us return to Him. More than any other invitation extended in all scripture, God’s descent to be here among us shows His desire to have us be with Him.

This day is worth celebrating. But it is also a time for sober reflection on the mercy, kindness and greatness of God. Despite all our failings, He longs for us to return and to “be with us!”

On this day in 1805 Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont. I thought it appropriate to post a handful of his quotes that I find worth reflecting upon from time to time:

“Truth is Mormonism. God is the author of it.”

“Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful unto us.”

“We don’t ask any people to throw away any good they have got; we only ask them to come and get more.”

“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

“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 and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.”

We went to see the Oratorio Society of Utah’s 104th year of Handel’s Messiah at the University of Utah this last week. Handel tried to add music to accompany the words of scripture describing the Messiah. His composition was delightful and at times awe-inspiring. It is the language of scripture, however, that conveys the message of the Messiah in such sublime words that even Handel’s great work cannot equal the scriptures:

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

These words demand attention, startle the thoughtful mind, and tell us that the ancients knew that God would enter this world as a child.

“There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

The words of this great message make such an indelible impression on the minds of those who heard them that they echo down from generation to generation. We can still hear this! We still consider that declaration with wonder! And we too can recite it once we have heard these words.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:- Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men.”

It is almost too much to take in. Heavenly hosts breaking into psalms of praise for the child born that day in the City of David.

Handel’s great composition retells the Lord’s life and sacrifice, death and resurrection, and foretells His future return. But the words of scripture are almost equaled only in Handel’s swelling Chorus:

“King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah; and Lord of lords forever and ever -hallelujah hallelujah; King of kings forever and ever- hallelujah hallelujah; and Lord of lords forever and ever- hallelujah hallelujah; King of kings forever and ever- hallelujah hallelujah; and Lord of lords; King of kings and Lord of lords; And he shall reign forever and ever!”

This well known chorus frames the language of scripture in a masterpiece of music. But the scriptures still outshine every attempt to add to the record. The performance was a great evening, and we appreciated the opportunity to witness its performance.

My wife and I were discussing on our hike this morning how often “feeling the spirit” is used as a barometer to decide if something is from God. The phrase means that the person “feeling the spirit” has a satisfying, good impression that makes them think they have uncovered something from God.

Joseph Smith suggested revelation involves receiving “intelligence” and not necessarily something that makes you feel good. He described it as, “pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas,” which may produce a wide variety of reactions.

When Enoch received revelation about the earth, he reported this: “And as Enoch saw thus, he had bitterness of soul, and wept over his brethren, and said unto the Heavens, I will refuse to be comforted.”

What if God sends a true message about the terrible state of mankind, and the news is bad? Can God only tell us good things? If you will only allow yourself to “feel the spirit” when you hear good news, how can you ever be told your awful state before God?

How does this message from 1832 make you feel about things: “And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation rests upon the children of Zion, even all, and they shall remain under this condemnation until they 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, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom.”

That message is frightening, true, inspired, from God, and should cause alarm.

Here is a description of us, and of what is coming: “this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord, who say to the seers, See not — and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits, get out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel: Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely thereon, therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel that is broken in pieces, he shall not spare, so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water out of the pit.”

Because the people prefer to hear lies, the priests, preachers, bishops and clergy tell lies and live off their flocks. It is with us as foretold by Ezekiel: “but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not my flock, therefore, O you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves anymore, for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.”

There is a lot of work to be done, and much of it is required because of the awful state of things at present. Do not expect morality to improve. In this downward trek, do not make accommodation for declining morality in your families.

Even the elect can be deceived when they only “feel the spirit” as they hear good things, smooth messages, welcome news. It is always unwelcome when you awaken people from a sound sleep. But the Book of Mormon challenges us to “Awake!” and then to “Arise!” When you have been stirred out of a sound slumber, then with patience and kindness try to awaken others, and invite them to also arise.

This is the season when we commemorate the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. He was born in humble circumstances, although His lineage entitled Him to the throne of King David. The time of His arrival was in the aftermath of the Maccabean rebellion which many remembered as an unwise attempt to reestablish Jewish cultural control and reject foreign influences.

The Messiah was largely rejected, and officially opposed by the Jewish hierarchy who wanted to preserve relations with Rome. The authority to kill Him openly and without meaningful opposition from His few followers shows how small a following He achieved in His lifetime.

In most objective measures, His life failed to achieve any measurable success before His death. But once He died things changed.

The course of history did not alter because of the Messiah’s death. That sent His few followers into hiding, fearful for their own lives. History changed because of what happened three days later, as days were reckoned by those people.

It was the Messiah’s rise from death that changed all history. He achieved victory over death, and those who witnessed it changed from timid and cowering followers of a dead teacher into bold and fearless apostles who heralded to the world the startling message: “He is risen!”

That message remains the singular most important accomplishment in the history of mortal man. It gives all mankind hope. It changes everything. As Job prophesied of himself and of everyman: “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God!” (KJV Job 19:26.)

Because of Him, we shall also rise. And rising we shall face judgment. Now is the time to prepare for that judgment by the deeds we do, the words we speak and the thoughts we entertain.

Recent on-line activity has resulted in email inquiries sent to me. My mind has not changed: The bogus Brazil Sealed Book of Mormon contains nothing I would consider worth keeping under a seal from publication. It certainly does not contain the promised content to: “reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof.” NC 2 Ne. 11:19. I am familiar with what that content would look like, and nothing resembling that is contained in the Sealed Book of Mormon text.

There is some interest in the idea of reincarnation implied in that text. I’ve never taught reincarnation. Quite the contrary, I’ve denounced it. There are too many living claimants to be returning “Peters” and “Jeremiahs” and “Moseses” for me to put any stock into these claims. As far as I can tell, those who teach reincarnation do so to make the claim they are some notable figure from scripture returned again to earth, and therefore deserve my attention and respect.

I think if one were a notable figure from scripture they would do something notable for the cause of Christ here and now. Failing to accomplish anything notable to advance faith in Christ here and now belies the claim to be some great, historic, prophetic figure from the past returned to live again.

So if you’re a returned significant past scriptural figure and are here now… for what possible reason? To bask in the glory of past achievements? Do you have a job to do on the Lord’s errand? Why not do THAT rather than lay claim to your unprovable past accomplishments and honors?

I make no claim to be some significant figure from the past. I’m not reincarnated with tales of my past glories. I’m just trying to serve the Lord here and now and hoping to do some little work before I die to please the Lord. All the while aware of my own limitations, inadequacies, and shortcomings.

In mortality, our worst failures improve us far more than our greatest successes. If we do not return from this experience bearing scars and injuries from life, then we have avoided much of what we were sent here to experience.

Reflecting on the scriptures project, I have concluded nobody involved was as important to the outcome as the work itself. By September 1832, those involved early in the restoration provoked the Lord to condemn them. His rebuke stated,

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation rests upon the children of Zion, even all, and they shall remain under this condemnation until they 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, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom. Otherwise, there remains a scourge and a judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion, for shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land?” (T&C 82:20.)

The work was necessary to end “treating lightly” the “new covenant, even the Book of Mormon, and the former commandments which [the Lord] has given.” Until some group would “repent and remember,” the condemnation decreed in September 1832 continued to “rest upon the children of Zion, even all.”

It is impossible for any group of people to emerge from under that condemnation without repenting and remembering, as the Lord demanded.
As the labor proceeded, it attracted the notice of heaven. The Lord worked alongside the volunteers. His inspiration was evident to all of those involved.

If the effort to “repent and remember” had been undertaken in 1832, the recovery effort could have been more complete and more accurate. The first and subsequent generations neglected it, leaving it for the fourth generation to accomplish. We have only a remnant of the original material available to us.

Despite our present limitations, the scripture recovery effort was enough to remove the Lord’s condemnation. Once it was presented to the Lord, He not only removed the condemnation, but committed to working to complete the restoration process. He has spoken and committed:

“And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching. I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time, and this shall be a land of promise to you as your inheritance from me. The earth will yield its increase, and you will flourish upon the mountains and upon the hills, and the wicked will not come against you because the fear of the Lord will be with you. I will visit my house, which the remnant of my people shall build, and I will dwell therein, to be among you, and no one will need to say, Know ye the Lord, for you all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. I will teach you things that have been hidden from the foundation of the world and your understanding will reach unto Heaven. And you shall be called the children of the Most High God, and I will preserve you against the harvest. And the angels sent to harvest the world will gather the wicked into bundles to be burned, but will pass over you as my peculiar treasure.” (T&C 158:12-18.)

The outcome of the labor is 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.)

The Lord’s favor can still be rejected and we can provoke our own condemnation. The rule for most dispensations is failure. But we have the opportunity to succeed and prophecy promises some generation will succeed at the end.