Brian Nettles – Page 10 – Book of Mormon Heartland

The Rejoicings of Anna and Simeon

It was 40 days after the birth of Jesus that he was presented to the Lord at the Temple. At the offering Joseph and Mary were to sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And then, being spotted by two distinct […]

The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem

Now we return from the account of Matthew to the account of Luke who gave greater detail on the night of the birth of Jesus to include the account of the shepherds. About the location where Jesus was born – Frederick Farrar – 1874 In Palestine, it not unfrequently happens that the entire khan, or […]

The Angel of the Lord Visits Joseph in a Dream

Now we switch from the account in the Book of Luke to the Book of Matthew in Chapter 1. Here we learn that what appears to be after Mary returns from visiting her cousin Elisabeth, Joseph learns that Mary (his betrothed soon to be wife) is pregnant and understandably upset about it. He intends to […]

Mary Visits Elisabeth – John the Baptist is Born

The Angel Gabriel has just visited Mary and proclaimed to her that she shall be the mother of the Son of God. Now she goes to visit her cousin Elisabeth, the expectant mother to John the Baptist. Marvelous prophesies are shared among the women. John is born and is raised in the desert. Luke 1 […]

The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary

We continue the story of the birth of Jesus already having covered the Gabriel visited Zacharias in the temple to proclaim the coming of their son who would become John the Baptist. We continue with Luke Chapter 1 using the King James Version of the Bible. Luke 1 : 26-38 26. And in the sixth […]

The Angel Gabriel Visits Zacharias

In covering the birth of Jesus Christ, I start here with Zacharias and Elisabeth who shall give birth to the cousin of Jesus. His name will be John – usually referred to as John the Baptist. To retell the account of the Birth of Christ, I shall begin with the birth of John the Baptist […]

The Purifying Power of Gethsemane

As a young man growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was always impressed with Bruce R. McConkie who was serving as a member in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He had written books which I read and often referenced. My favorite book that I read from him was […]

The Plan of Redemption according to King Benjamin

We only get a limited amount of information about King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon; the first five chapters of the Book of Mosiah are about him addressing the people as he passed the mantle of the kingship of Zarahemla to his son Mosiah. He begins this portion of his sermon by telling the […]

The Plan of Redemption According to Lehi

The Book of Mormon has more than one beautiful sermon on the Plan of Redemption, also known as the Plan of Salvation, the Purpose of Life, or the Great Eternal Plan. This plan gives us insight on the need for a Savior, who throughout time was known as the Messiah or Jehovah. Isaiah gives us […]

How to Read or Obtain The Book of Mormon

Read using a Smart Device – The book is often read by using the “Gospel Library” app downloaded on any smart device such as iPhones and Android phones. Read on the Computer – The Book of Mormon can be read online from the website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at https://churchofjesuschrist.org. Receive Physical Copy for […]

The Encountered Traveller Going to Cumorah

This article is a missionary report from Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith in 1878. It includes their interview of David Whitmer, now 73 years of age. Many important items discussed. He talks of his encounter of a traveller on his way to Cumorah while David Whitmer, Joseph Smith, and Oliver Cowdery were travelling […]

Mary Whitmer – The Other Witness of the Gold Plates

It was many years before I ever heard this story told. Most people familiar with the Book of Mormon have seen the statements by the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses as these statements are at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. At the time these witnesses took place, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery […]

David Whitmer’s Unusual Preparation to Meet Joseph Smith

This section comes from “The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations” written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853 in Liverpool. The original ghost writer of this book is Martha Jane Knowlton Coray who is my great great great grandmother on my mother’s side. Edits were […]

Joseph Smith Obtains the Plates

This is another section from “The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations” written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853 in Liverpool. The original ghost writer of this book is Martha Jane Knowlton Coray. Edits were later made to this book and republished as the History […]

Joseph Smith and Another Chastisement from the Angel

This section and some of the following sections come from “The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations” written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853 in Liverpool. The original ghost writer of this book is Martha Jane Knowlton Coray who is my great great great grandmother […]

Joseph Smith Meets his Future Wife Emma Hale

This section and some of the following sections come from “The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations” written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853 in Liverpool. The original ghost writer of this book is Martha Jane Knowlton Coray who is my great great great grandmother […]

Joseph Smith and the Untimely Death of his Brother Alvin

This section and some of the following sections come from “The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations” written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853 in Liverpool. The original ghost writer of this book is Martha Jane Knowlton Coray who is my great great great grandmother […]

Joseph Smith’s Mother Gives More Insight on Attempts at Obtaining the Plates

This section and some of the following sections come from “The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations” written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853 in Liverpool. The original ghost writer of this book is Martha Jane Knowlton Coray who is my great great great grandmother […]

Joseph Smith – The Establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

This is the last of the Times and Seasons postings of Church History that I will include here. This issue was published in 1842 and included the official first church meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-of-joseph-smith/39# Whilst the Book of Mormon was in the hands of the printer, we […]

Joseph Smith – A Doctrinally Confounding Message to Martin Harris

This is a continuation of the Times and Seasons published in 1842. This is a revelation given from God through Joseph Smith to Martin Harris. Martin thus far has experienced much. He was the first to help with the translation, with most of his work lost. As a repentant man, he later became a witness […]