Obey the Law of the Land

What does it mean to obey the law of the land? Let's look at the words of the Lord to get our directions and set our compass straight.

And now verily I [the Lord] say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatever I [the Lord] command them, and that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting the principles of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges belonging to all mankind, is justifiable before me; therefore, I, the Lord, justify you and your brethren of my church in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land. And as pertaining to law of man, whatever is more or less than this comes of evil. I, the Lord your God, make you free; therefore, you are free indeed, and the law also makes you free. . . And I give unto you a commandment that you shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that you shall live by every word that proceeds forth out of the mouth of God. - D&C 98

1. Do all things the Lord commands

2. Befriend the law which is constitutional and supports freedom

3. Laws of man that do not support principles of freedom are evil

4. The Lord commands us to forsake evil laws

Did you get that? The Lord commands us to forsake evil laws that do not support the principles of freedom. God has made us free and the law that governs the universe makes us free.

What are the rights and privilege belong to all mankind?

We hold from God the gift which includes all others. This gift is life – physical, intellectual, and moral life.

But life cannot maintain itself alone. The Creator of life has entrusted us with the responsibility of preserving, developing, and perfecting it. In order that we may accomplish this, He has provided us with a collection of marvelous faculties. And He has put us in the midst of a variety of natural resources. By the application of our faculties to these natural resources we convert them into products, and use them. This process is necessary in order that life may run its appointed course.

Life, faculties, production – in other words, individuality, liberty, property – this is man. And in spite of cunning and artful political leaders, these three gifts from God precede all human legislation, and are superior to it.

Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place. [The Law by Fredric Bastiat (1801-1850), pages 1-2]

Do we trust God or man?

Do we trust a benevolent, loving, all-powerful God or do we trust corrupt, perverse, political leaders?

Do we obey God; or do we obey arbitrary, harmful mandates and laws?

Do we conform to the image of God, or do we conform to social pressure?

There is no need to fear, for the Lord has given a promise with an immutable covenant.

Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted, yea, rejoice evermore and in everything give thanks, waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth and are recorded with this seal and testament: The Lord has sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore, he gives this promise unto you with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled, and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, says the Lord God.  

- D&C 98

. . . To be continued . . . What does the Lord command? What are the Lord's expectations? What does it mean to proclaim peace?

An Amalickiah Virus

As I’ve watched what’s been happening in our country during this last month, I see an Amalickiah at work. His plan was subtle, and he started a war that lasted for years. Many people died including Amalickiah and his brother. We can expect similar results if we refuse to see what is happening today.

The story of Amalickiah can be found in Alma 21. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I’ve included a brief synopsis at the end of this post. 

What are some of the lessons that we can learn from this story?

#1 POWER Amalickiah wanted power over all of the people and was willing deceive and murder to obtain that power. He flattered the lower judges and said they could also have power if they would help him.

Is there a world organization that is currently seeking to control the world? What is their agenda? What means will be employed to obtain their goal? Is the World Health Organization controlled by those who seek a one world government? Are they using the corona-virus to promote their agenda?  If they accomplish their goal, will it destroy the freedom of all nations?

#2 ALLIANCE  To accomplish his design, Amalickiah needed to unite the Lamanite army. He needed their cooperation and unification. He couldn’t accomplish his plan with his own strength. He hoodwinked the Lamanite king, Lehonti, and the Lamanite army. Many lost their lives because of their misplaced trust. 

Has this corona-virus united the liberals and conservatives? People who used to say “Over my dead body!” are now willingly and obediently submitting to martial law. 

#3 BAND WAGON The Lamanites’ love and affection for their king was used against them. Amalickiah blinded them when he rallied them together to chase after the king’s guards who had witnessed the murder. The gullible Lamanites were willing to chase after the king’s guards just because they were told that those guards were the murderers. Everyone else was doing it, so they followed the crowd without thinking.

Are we following the crowd? Are we looking at the evidence? Are we thinking for ourselves?

#4 IGNORING COMMON SENSE If the king’s guards wanted to kill the king, do you think they would do it right in front of the commander of the Lamanite army? If any one of the Lamanites would have looked at the situation with common sense, they could have easily guessed that the king’s guards did not kill the king. Also, did they think it was a little strange that Lehonti died shortly after becoming commander over the whole army? Did it raise suspicion when Amalickiah just happened to be second in command? 

What does your common sense tell you about the common flu and the coronavirus?

34,157 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2018-2019

61,099 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2017-2018

38,230 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2016-2017

22,705 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2015-2016

51,376 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2014-2015

37,930 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2013-2014

42,570 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2012-2013

17,995 deaths in the United States due to Corona Virus 2020 (worldometers as of April10, 2020)

Most of the people dying from influenza every year are old. Coronavirus is following the same pattern.

#5 FEAR and FORCE Amalickiah put the obedient part of the Lamanite army in a situation where they feared for their lives. He counted on the fact that they would be willing to surrender to Lehonti because of their fear. 

Many people are motivated by fear. This corona-virus pandemic is propagated by people’s fears. People are willing to trade away their freedom because they are afraid. 

Here are the facts. . .

We’ve had over 16,205,600 deaths this year (as of April 10, 2020 worldometers). Only 100,450 of them are the result of corona-virus. For every 160 deaths in the world, one death is the result of the coronavirus. People die every day. There is no reason to be alarmed. Yet, people are paranoid and afraid. In their fear, they have easily submitted to martial law. 

#6 MEDIA and PROPAGANDA Forcing the Lamanites to go to war didn’t work, so Amalickiah built towers where he had men speak to them until they wanted to go to war. If you lie to someone long enough, they will start believe it.

Do you believe what you are hearing from the media? Are you allowing yourself to be sucked in by the propaganda? Why? Where is your evidence?

#7 FALSE COVER STORIES The Lamanite king trusted Amalickiah with the army and ended up dead. Lehonti trusted Amalickiah to be second in command and ended up dead. The queen believed the witness of those who had murdered the king and ended up marrying the murderer. The Lamanites believed Amalickiah’s words and many lives were lost in the war. 

What are the stories being told? Are they true? What’s really going on?

#8 DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE In his quest for power, Amalickiah did not care how many died. He was a murderer, but he pretended to care about the life of the one he had murdered.

Is this lockdown really about saving lives? Or is it about promoting an agenda? 

As of today there have been over 11,714,000 abortions in 2020. It doesn’t look like our world values human life.

Over 3,579,144 people have died of communicable diseases this year in the world. There have only been 100,450 coronavirus deaths. I don’t think this coronavirus  “pandemic” warrants the attention it is receiving.

Synopsis of the Story of Amalickiah:

Amalickiah wanted to be king, so he told the lower judges he would make them rulers over the people if they would help him be king.

When Captain Moroni heard what Amalickiah was doing, he tore off a piece of his coat and wrote on it, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” He prayed to God for help. Then he carried this title of liberty throughout the land calling for the people to come and help protect their liberty.

The people came together and promised to obey God or be destroyed by their enemies. When Amalickiah saw Moroni's large army, he snuck away with those who would go with him. Moroni did not want them to go because they might convince the Lamanites to fight against the Nephites. Moroni’s armies were able to stop most of them, but Amalickiah escaped with a few of his men.

Amalickiah stirred the Lamanites up to anger until their king wanted to go to war with the Nephites. Most of the Lamanites refused to go to war and fled to the hill Onidah. They chose a man named Lehonti to be their leader. The Lamanite king told Amalickiah to lead the obedient part of his army and force Lehonti and his men to go to war.

Instead of obeying the king, Amalickiah made a deal with Lehonti. He said Lehonti's men could surround the king's army during the night. The king’s army would surrender, if afterward Lehonti would make Amalickiah second in command. Lehonti became commander over the whole army. Then Amalickiah had his servant slowly poison Lehonti. When Lehonti died, Amalickiah became commander of the entire army.

Amalickiah returned with the army. The king thought Amalickiah had done what he had asked him to do, so the king and his servants went out to meet them. Amalickiah's servants went and bowed before the king. When the king put out his hand to raise them, one of Amalickiah's servants stabbed the king to the heart, and he died. The king’s servants who saw the murder were frightened and ran away.

Amalickiah pretended to be angry. He lied to the army and said the king had been killed by his own servants. He encouraged those who loved the king to chase and kill the king’s servants. Amalickiah then went with those who had killed the king to speak with the queen. They lied to her about her husband's death, and Amalickiah married the queen. 

After Amalickiah became king of the Lamanites, he had men speak from their towers against the Nephites. He did this until he had hardened the Lamanites’ hearts and blinded their minds. This continued until they were angry and wanted to go to war. Amalickiah’s desire was to be king over all the land.

While this was happening among the Lamanites, Captain Moroni was preparing the minds of the Nephites to be faithful to God. The Nephite army built forts to protect themselves. They did not want to fight the Lamanites. But when the Lamanites would come to destroy their families, they would be prepared to defend themselves.

This time the Lamanites wore thick clothing and armor. They thought their large army could easily beat the Nephites. But they were afraid to fight the Nephites when they saw a high ridge of dirt around their city. The leaders of the Lamanites swore with an oath they would destroy the next Nephite city they came to.

The Lamanites were disappointed to find the next city was even stronger. Because of their oath, they had to attack. When they tried to go through the entrance or dig away the dirt, they were slain. After all their chief captains were dead, they went home. Amalickiah was angry with his people because he had not gotten what he wanted.

Isaiah's Message of Peace in Troubling Times

For the first fifteen years of our marriage, we were concerned about food storage and physical preparation. We could see what was coming down the pipeline and wanted to be able take care of our family when the economy collapsed.

In 2007, we became very interested in the words of Isaiah. Avraham Gileadi's work really helped us understand what Isaiah was saying. Isaiah was my favorite choice of scriptures in those days. I read the words of Isaiah over and over. 

My heart was comforted, and I was at peace. Isaiah speaks of the sickness, famine, wars, natural disasters, and the tyrant that are headed our way. But amid all this, there is a message of hope. There is a group of people who will be gathered, and they will be protected by God.

When I saw this, I was motivated. I had a choice. I could experience total devastation, or I could come to the Lord for protection and peace. It was then that I told the Lord that I would do anything to be part of that group of people.

Isaiah's message is important. When Jesus comes to the Nephites, he talks about the words of Isaiah three separate times. Jesus tells us to search the words of Isaiah. He wants us to understand what is happening today. Jesus does not want us to be afraid. His arms are open, and we can come to Him and experience peace and joy in these troubling times. (see scripture references below)

It takes great effort and much prayer to understand what Isaiah is saying. But once Isaiah's message becomes clear to you, it could change your life. Nephi shared the words of Isaiah, so people would want believe in the Lord their Redeemer.

But that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.   1 Nephi 6:1 

We have just completed Book of MormonStories. It is a simplified, illustrated version of The Book of Mormon. If you find the words of Isaiah confusing, this simplified version of The Book of Mormon can help you understand Isaiah's message.

We are uploading one video chapter of Bookof Mormon Stories each day. There are 90 chapters in all. We just posted the first Isaiah chapter today. These Isaiah chapters are at the end of First Nephi. If we post one video each day, we will start posting the Second Nephi Isaiah chapters on Friday.

A Covenant of Peace - First Nephi 6 (1840 edition) - Isaiah 48-49

Scripture References noted above of Jesus talking to the Nephites about Isaiah:

Verily, verily I say unto you, thus has the Father commanded me, that I should give unto this people this land for their inheritance, and when the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say: Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God. 3 Nephi 7:7

And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them, Behold, now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Israel. Ye remember that I spake unto you and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled — behold, they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them — and verily, verily I say unto you that when they shall be fulfilled, then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel. Then shall the remnants which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth be gathered in from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God who hath redeemed them. And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land for your inheritance. And I say unto you that if the gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive after they have scattered my people, then shall ye who are a remnant of the house of Jacob go forth among them. And ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many, and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor, for I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people. And I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it. And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent, it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the gentiles. 3 Nephi 9:7

 . . . For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

And now behold, I say unto you that ye had ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel. Therefore, it must needs be that he must speak also to the gentiles. And all things that he spake hath been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore, give heed to my words. Write the things which I have told you, and, according to the time and the will of the Father, they shall go forth unto the gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words, and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. 3 Nephi 10:2-4

What is the Message?

On Sunday, May 22, 2016, at 2:12 p.m., the statue of Angel Moroni, which sits atop the LDS Bountiful Utah Temple, was struck by lightning.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, a little after 7:00 a.m., the statue of Angel Moroni, which sits atop the LDS Salt Lake Temple, lost his trumpet after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit.

Are these two events arbitrary, or were they sent to give us a clear message? If there is a message, what is it?

In 2016, the Bountiful Moroni was hit in the back. It looks like he was stabbed in the back. What could that mean? What kind of duplicity might have been going on?

The right side of Moroni's face was blown off, and so you could say Moroni did not "save face". Could this be a sign of humiliation? Was a messenger of God being rejected and disgraced when the lighting struck? Did God take notice of this rejection?

In 2020, the Salt Lake City Moroni lost his trumpet. What does the trumpet symbolize? Is today a significant day in history? Has the LDS church stopped proclaiming the message of the Book of Mormon?

Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their borders and set him for their watchman, if, when he sees the sword come upon the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and takes not warning, if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul

But if the watchman sees the sword come and blows not the trumpet, and the people are not warned, if the sword come and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, you shall hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die — if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it, if he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul. Ezekiel 16:1-3

Could it also mean that the time of warning with words is coming to a close, and the warning with earthquakes, natural disasters, pestilence (pandemic), wars, famine, economic crisis will continue to send out a voice of warning? Maybe some will awake and repent.

I am reminded of these words:

Abide in the liberty wherewith you are made free. Entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean until the Lord come, for not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man, and the sun shall hide his face and shall refuse to give light, and the moon shall be bathed in blood, and the stars shall become exceeding angry and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falls from off a fig tree.

And after your testimony comes wrath and indignation upon the people, for after your testimony comes the testimony of earthquakes that shall cause groanings in the midst of her: and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand, and also comes the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion, and surely men’s hearts shall fail them, for fear shall come upon all people.

And angels shall fly through the midst of Heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying, Prepare yourselves, prepare, O inhabitants of the earth, for the judgment of our God is come! Behold and lo, the Bridegroom comes; go out to meet him. And immediately, there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and all people shall see it together. T&C 86:17-19

This is a time of joy and dread.

On the 13th of February 2003 I saw the Lord coming in His glory. At first a sign appeared in the heavens, a light emanating from a single point and turning first this way and that. All the world saw it, and men debated over its meaning. At length the light turned upon us and within it was the Lord, showing His glory, with concourses of angels and the hosts of Heaven following in His wake.

And when we saw that it was the Lord we rejoiced and were filled with joy. I turned to my wife and said, Look, it is Christ!, and she said, Yes, it is! And we were filled with joy and peace of mind, for the long awaited day of the Lord had come.

But others were filled with dread. They feared and lamented and wanted the mountains to cover them and hide them from His presence, for he was clothed in red and came in judgment. And Christian ministers knew they had taught falsely and that their faith could not save — and they begged for relief from the Saints.

This caused me to marvel at how this could be. It was given unto me to understand that without the ordinances of salvation through the authorized ministers of the gospel it was not possible for men to shed their sins. And they could not look upon a just and holy Being without being racked with torment and guilt for their sins. And they pled with the Saints to minister to them, but we could not, for we were constrained by the spirit and were forbidden to do so. For this was the day of judgment which the Lord had in His heart, and he was now come to preach His own sermon, clothed in red, and to deliver those who waited on Him and to convict and condemn those who had not.

I write this in my own hand and bear solemn testimony that it is true. Amen. . . T&C 160

This is a wonderful time to live. There is no need to fear. It is a time of peace and safety for all those who treasure the word of the Lord and come to Him.

. . . Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth, and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.

But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed. Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you, repent of all your sins, ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Behold, I will go before you and be your rearguard, and I will be in your midst and you shall not be confounded. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so, Amen. T&C 35.7-9

Book of Mormon Stories

Two years ago we decided to make a simplified children's version of the Book of Mormon. 

We are now in process of publishing Book of Mormon Stories with 454 pages of colorful pictures. While we wait for the hardcover copies of Book of Mormon Stories to arrive, we are making videos for each chapter. We hope to post a new video every couple days. 

Subscribe to the Picture Books for Children YouTube, if you want to be notified when we upload new videos.

A hardcover copy of Book of Mormon Stories can be ordered on the website.