The Book of Mormon

by Joseph Smith Jr.

but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

'Survival of the fittest' in opposition to Eternal progression.

but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, pati...

Is this such a bad thing to come unto Christ and become like a...

but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, pati...

Who can argue that becoming a real saint (I think of Mother Teresa of Calcutta) is a bad thing...

but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, pati...

The natral man thinks about himself a great deal more than helping othrers.

but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, pati...

In modern language we say or equate this as giving one a challenge to overcome for growth and learning.

but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, pati...

Human evolution (h.e.)~> The natural man. We have both the DNA of h.e. and spiritual DNA

the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.

'A' Savior or 'The' Savior. A plan for salvation, and it turns out 'The Plan' is through Jesus Christ!

the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.

Is it not happening now?

the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only thro...

This is surely happening now with the age of the internet.

torment is as

O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified;

Do all sins cause someone pain; a natural result of the sin? Are all laws based on preventing pain?

O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified;

What is a purified heart. What are all elements and requirements?

having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ

I tried to have peace of conscience in sin but it is impossible while sincerely reading this book.

the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state—

Are we nothing if we are God's child? Yes when we rebel, reject His love, blessing & protection.

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

How is it that I have felt the Spirit promise me an eternal happy loving relationship with Lilly and Shelly if remain faithful and flee from temptation. It seems impossible that such a promise can be. Then I continue to recieve manifestations that it can be so.

believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

Just do it!

believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

Sincerity and humbly two words that are s important.

remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness,

Compared to God we are nothing but as his child we have his potential by being humble

humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily,

The emphasis of humility

humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily,

So easy and yet so difficult...

humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the na...

Prayer is also key

that if ye do this ye shall

What is "this"? (see vs. 11) Next I count 16 promises following the "if" in the next few verses

always rejoice,

16

be filled with the lo...

15

always retain a remission of...

14

shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of t...

13

shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of t...

12 You will grow...

will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably,

11

render to every man according to that which is his due.

10 You will...

will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked;

9

transgress the laws of God,

8 You will not let your children to...

fight and quarrel one wit...

7 you will not allow your children to...

serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.

6 You will teach them not to...

15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.

This is my station and solemn duty, 99.

15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one anot...

Humility is the key to this passage. See vs. 11 & 12 "If that 'humility & prayer' then this..."

15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one anot...

5

15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one anot...

4

15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one anot...

3

yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need;

2

ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

1

are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

I think so!

for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

To help remain free of sin and guilt we...

for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

Helping others who have needs...

for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And ...

As Jacob said. Oh be wise. What can I say more...

for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And ...

This is wise..

29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. 30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

What a person thinks is an indicator of his or her character

29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. 30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

Remember...

Omnipotent,

brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.

covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.