An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
(New Testament | Matthew 12:39)
Jospeh Lian, Bryan Pope and friends and companions
I have read the article of Bryan Pope that you recommended earlier about your sentiments and opinion of why you believe that we, Mormons or the members of the church of Jesus Christ
I have detected and discerned that most of your beliefs or commentaries are as much subjective as our beliefs, for you do not have the means or faith to prove your own corrupt reasoning other than leaning your faith or believed on borrowed light or the erroneous and inspired beliefs of carnal, sensual and devilish men.
Joseph Lian, Perhaps you have forgotten that there are sins of commission and sins of omission and that we need to go to HEAVEN if we DO or to HELL if we DO NOT. That if we know how to do good and do it not, that it is a sin. In other words, that wee need to work our salvation with fear and trembling before GOD until we are truly justified or make our calling and election sure. That is, we to learn and make an effort to obedient and also to sacrifice’ Then after we have done all we can, we are or can reasonably expect to saved by grace. And if we don’t do anything, we are not. The LORD is searching for doers and not only hearers of the word. Tell me, I pray you, are you keeping the Holy Commandments? That is are you staying away from Idolatry, are you serving GOD? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? Are you keeping the Sabbath Day Holy? Are you honoring your father and your mother? Are you bearing false witness? Are you keeping yourself away from the property that is not yours? Are you coveting? In sum, are the holy commandments, laws and statutes of GOD written in your very own heart? I do not know about you, but my Jesus keeps me busy and not slacking or slothful as yours. I am working my own salvation with fear and trembling before him. And he says to us concerning your kind and next of kin by the mouth of his holy prophets:
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
(New Testament | Philippians 2:12 - 16)
You have thus far shown me that you believe in the bible or in Jesus, but not that you have faith or follow its precepts such as the holy commandments or the laws of the gospel. I have a word of wisdom for you that may come as a bucket of cold water to you. And the words come from the Bible that you so much cherish which say that you do well to believe in one GOD, but know also that the devil and his angels, do not believe, but know of a surety of his existence and they fear and tremble but it profits them not.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(New Testament | James 2:19 - 26)
Also, you have forgotten the difference between Immortality and eternal life. Please pardon the redundancy, but immortality is simply to live forever or to resurrect and be subject to Christ unto judgment. And that redemption from death and hell is free. That is why Christ died and shed what was left of his blood on the cross. No matter what, sooner or later we are all going to resurrect. But for the unrepentant will take a little longer. If not, the scriptures would not mention a first or a second resurrection. If you we do works of righteousness, then righteousness is going to be restored to us, because we reap what we saw. But if we are unclean and unrighteous, that same wickedness is going to be restored to us. Do not believe for a moment that your evilness will be forgotten and that you are going to be made whole and good and be able no dwell in the presence of GOD. Therefore, if you are unclean you will be unclean still and in that state you will not be able to stand comfortable in the presence of God with a remembrance of all your guilt. His judgment and presence will be horrendous and a hard thing to bear. If we are unclean, we will wish for the stones and mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. But if we do what he says, then, we are going to have a good and pleasant time at judgment day and be rewarded accordingly. Some will enter into his rest forever more and some will be cast out to their own place according to their works. For there is the Glory of the Sun, and of the moon and of the stars.
For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 10:18)
And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel , or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God Israel
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:22 - 24)
Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:7 - 10)
Therefore, we cannot repent unless we exercise faith in Christ, which is more than merely acknowledging and accepting him. And is not faith exercising some kind of action on our part which can be constituted as a work. So, it is with baptism and taking the other saving ordinances of the gospel under those in authority. If not the scriptures would not say that the books would be open and we are all going to be judged for our works or deeds, but not only for our works, but for our thoughts and our words. And even with that we have to persevere in obedience to all the commandments until the end of our lives if it is that we desire to have the RIGHT to MERCY and GRACE for no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of GOD.
With regards to your article you recoemended, First: How conveniently the devil is cheating your souls WITH HIS PLAN OF SALVATION, saying to you that salvation is totally free, yes it is free. I am going to show you the face of your Jesus and the face of my Jesus. Here is a video that speak better than ten thousand words.
I HAVE A PLAN
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
(Old Testament | Joshua 24:15)
Because according to your nehorian docrtrines God came to save us in our sin not from our sins. In that case which is wrong of course, you would not need to exercise faith in Christ unto what? Unto repentance, that means that you would not need to feel really sorry for your sins, nor have a need to confess them, neither to forsake them and make restitution as much as you are able to. How convenient. If that is the Kind of Salvation you want, good luck, for if you lack faith to sacrifice all things, you will never have the power to exercise faith unto life and salvation. Therefore, good luck, you are going to need it. THEREFORE id works are not needed then James is Lying.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
(New Testament | James 2:17 - 18)
Second, third and fourth. I am glad that I mentioned James above, for it was James, not only Moroni who suggested, if not recommenced that if any of us lack wisdom let him ask God and he will give him that ask in faith liberally and/or abundantly. The spirit of discernment comes only to the baptized and those that have received the gifts of the Holy Ghost or the true seekers of truth and not to the doubtful or skeptics or adulterous sign seekers. Well said the LORD that the wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign but no sign will be given but the sign of the prophet Jonas. Jesus did many miracles that do not have a subjective explanation. I know that Jesus walked on water, because I have run over water, at least in the spirit and I have flown in the heavens and in and out of this planet also. And I also know that he turn water into wine, but I am ignorant of the methods he used to do those miracles.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
(New Testament | Matthew 12:39 - 45)
And if we can ask God a witness about the book of Mormon we can ask also about anything else including the doctrines of the Bible or any other given truth including if there is one God or many gods. Are not the sons of GOD gods also? Was not for this particular saying that the LORD Jesus Christ was crucified? He was not crucified for being kind, loving and merciful, but for comparing himself to GOD the father. In fact, many times he said that he came not to do his will but the will of him that sent him. And nothing did he do but what he saw the father do. So, whatsoever Christ did had been done by the father, sometime and somewhere we are not told. So, if we believe in Christ we have to take all those things, including the physical creation of this earth on faith and not by knowledge.
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
(Old Testament | Job 38:4 - 7)
Now, have you enquired of GOD with faith and real intent to do according to his will whether the book of Mormon is true or not. Because if he manifests that it is true to you in any way shape or form, subjective or objective, you are under solemn obligation to follow his precepts as much as you would follow those that are in the bible. And if you just want to know and not do as the adulterous signs or proof seekers do, you are not going to get a witness and you will be condemned anyway for doubting and rejecting his words. We are not here to prove that the church of Jesus Christ
But perhaps you will listen to one of your own. Do not the scriptures say that God created the whole world and that he came to save the earth? Are we not in America
Pastor Lynn Ridenhour’s Apologhy to the Mormons
Ten Biblical Proofs of the Book of Mormonby Lynn Ridenhour,
A Southern Baptist Minister
NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. nTherefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.m And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;m (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
(New Testament | Hebrews 11:1 - 40)
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world. But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.
Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith. Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God.
Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled. For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.
Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.
Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after. And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.
And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.
And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad. And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith. And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.
And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.
And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them; And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.
Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.
And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.
(Book of Mormon | Ether 12:6 - 28)
And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time.
Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.
And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men. For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
(Book of Mormon | Moroni
Now, Joseph Lian and Friends,I have shown you plenty or abundant evidence of My faith by my works for I have labored much to be able to bring you to the knowledge of my Jesus Christ. And in the last day he will show you that he commanded me to write or rewrite these things to take your justification away and to seal the law and the testimony among the LORD’s disciples. And since I was inspired to search and declare these things to you, my words are binding upon your souls and if you reject them, they will constitute evidence against you in the day of judgment. And I exhort you to remember these things for the times speedily comes that LORD will show you that they are true and that I lie not, for he will say unto you:
Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies. And behold, they shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting God; and his word shall hiss forth from generation to generation. And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.
And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.
And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.
(Book of Mormon | Moroni
Of these things I testify solemnly and soberly and I do it humbly and with a single eye for the honor and Glory of GOD, and I do this as one having authority in his Holy name, even in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Attentively yours from an unworthy servant in the hand of Christ, even the ROD servant.
Miguel Ángel Tinoco ROD-TREE-JESSE
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