I have often read in this blog, as in many others, about the Christian belief that Jesus died for humanity's sins. Frankly speaking, it sounds illogical to me. Really, what does this mean? Does this mean that Christian's sins have already been forgiven, or that they would and "should" be forgiven whatever they do? Does this mean that Man is not accountable for his deeds and that religion or life, as a whole, is that meaningless? Does this mean that a Christian can rape or murder, or the do th...
CHAPTER 12 Nephi is shown a vision of the future of his family. He sees that they do make it to the Promised Land and that the posterity of his family grows to great numbers (as the sand of the sea). They grew rich from the resources of the land and built cities. He also sees wars and rumors of wars among the people. He sees great slaughter and violence between his posterity and that of his brothers. He then saw the same mist of darkness he saw when the angel of the...
As Muslims we all come to beleive in all the divine religions that came before Islam, and all the Prophets, Jesus, Moses, Abraham..etc (peace be upon them all). However, why do Christians or Jews do not beleive in our Prophet as we beleive in theirs. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been mentioned in the Quran, Torah, and the Bible. If they have really read their Holy Books, haven't they come across these verses? God says in the Holy Quran: Those who follow the Messenger...
Throughout ages, people have, widely, differed on the issue of Quran. For many non-Muslims, the Quran was, and is still, believed to be a "piece of litterature", that some could go too far as to say that Quran is poetry due to its usage of rythms and rhyms. Proving that the Quran is divine requires proving, in the first hand, that the it was a revelation upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); ie to prove that the Quran was revealed, then recited, but not written. Quran is an Arabic word, which ,simply, ...
04/12/15: Please note that of very recent notice, Dr. Schuller is no longer available at his personal or business phone. Those who have an urgent need to reach him should perhaps plan on an extended (VERY extended) trip, from which they may not return. We are awaiting news as to whether the good doctor will be in a really REALLY good place or otherwise. His return is eagerly anticipated by his creditors, certainly, but if and when this does occur, sad to s...
CHAPTER 11 As he was praying and thinking about the vision, Nephi was caught up in the Spirit of the Lord. He was brought to a mountain that he was pretty sure he’d never been to before. The Spirit asked him what he desires. Nephi told the Spirit that he wanted to see the vision that Lehi spoke of. The Spirit asked Nephi if he truly believed that his father saw the vision. Nephi said yes, because he believes everything his father taught. I think ther...
CHAPTER 9 1 And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the a valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates. 2 And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the a plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called th...
CHAPTER 8 Lehi’s dream is among the most quoted and retold stories in the Book of Mormon. It’s as well known to most Latter-Day Saints as the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah’s Ark to most of the Western World. In a vision, Lehi sees an angel in white. The angel leads him through a “dark and dreary waste”, after what seemed like hours, Lehi prayed that God would have mercy on him. As he prayed and walked, he came upon a field where he saw a t...
CHAPTER 6 Since Chapter 6 is so short (only 6 verses) and covers topics already covered in the first 5 chapters and the title page, I’m just going to cut and past the chapter and move on to Chapter 7. 1 And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in a this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these b plates which I am c writing ; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my d father ; wherefore, I do not write it...
CHAPTER 5 4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a b vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren. 5 But behold, I have a obtained a b land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I c know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again ...
CHAPTER 4 Nephi talks his brothers into going back into Jerusalem to get the brass plates from Laban. He tells them that this is an opportunity for them to show the strength of faith Moses showed in leading the children of Israel through the parted Red Sea. Nephi reminded them that God was able to free their ancestors from bondage, so why wouldn’t God be strong enough to overcome Laban and his servants? Once again, Laman and Lemuel whined and complained about ...
CHAPTER 3 Lehi tells Nephi that him, Laman and Lemuel need to go back to Jerusalem to get a record (engraved on brass plates) of the history of the Jews and of his family. He was commanded to get them so the information would be available to learn from, and teach their children. I’m pretty sure Laman and Lemuel didn’t do much complaining about this part of the trip. It meant they got to take a bit of a vacation from the wilderness living, and go back home, even if it was ju...
THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 1 Nephi describes his parents as “goodly”, and says they taught him well. Even though his life had its share of afflictions, he felt blessed by the Lord. Having been taught in righteousness, he made a record to help others learn what he knew. His father, Lehi, heard the words of the prophets that spoke in Jerusalem, calling the people to repentance. Warning them of the coming destruction of the city, if they would not rep...
There are a few "preface" type parts of The Book of Mormon that weren't part of the plates hidden by Moroni. They are written by Joseph Smith and others in preparation for publishing. They are included by way of explanation, introduction and witness. Since most of you have probably never read The Book of Mormon, I thought it would be good to start with them. All direct quotes from The Book of Mormon will be in a different font and color than the words I write, just for cl...
Hey JUers! It's good to be back.. yeah, I know, I've been "back" so many times, I might as well be an aging rocker announcing "yet" another retirement... but as you can see from the new title, I'm going to take this blog in a whole new direction. I've read the Book of Mormon many times over my lifetime. Some of the times have been "cover to cover", other times, I've chosen a book to read and gone with it. This time is going to be a bit differently though. T...