Book of Mormon |
Annotations |
Chapter 41
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1 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the
restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the
scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. And I perceive
that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will
explain it unto thee.
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2 I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration is
requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all things should
be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is requisite and just,
according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of man
should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be
restored to itself.
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3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men
should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in
this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also,
at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
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4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto
them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order,
every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption
to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of
God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one
on one hand, the other on the other—
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According to D&C 19:6-12 the words “endless” and “eternal”
do not mean without end when it comes to “endless torment” or “eternal
damnation”. These verses in the D&C explain that these words are used
because, “it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon
the hearts of the children of men.” When people read these words in the Book
of Mormon, how do they likely understand the words “endless” and “eternal”?
Is this honest communication if D&C 19 reveals the actual meaning of
these words?
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5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of
happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil
according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the
day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.
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6 And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of
his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he
shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
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7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these
are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of
darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own
judges, whether to do good or do evil.
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According to D&C 19:6-12 the words “endless” and “eternal”
do not mean without end when it comes to “endless torment” or “eternal
damnation”. These verses in the D&C explain that these words are used
because, “it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon
the hearts of the children of men.” When people read these words in the Book
of Mormon, how do they likely understand the words “endless” and “eternal”?
Is this honest communication if D&C 19 reveals the actual meaning of
these words?
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8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the
way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
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9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense
against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked
to commit sin.
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10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning
restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say
unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
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11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature,
or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the
bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone
contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the
nature of happiness.
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12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration
to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to
place it in a state opposite to its nature?
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13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the
word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal,
or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that
which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is
merciful.
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14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your
brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye
do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have
mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again;
ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have
good rewarded unto you again.
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15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you
again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth
the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.
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