Snelsons in Africa!: A purpose of the Book of Mormon-"that ye may be found spotless at the judgement-seat of Christ"‏

On Wednesday, July 2nd, I have started to re-read the Book of Mormon!

The Prophet Joseph Smith described the location of the title page among the plates of Mormon: "The title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates . . . [it] is not by any means a modern composition, either of mine or of any other man who has lived or does live in this generation" (1:71).

The title page was probably written by Moroni. The last twelve (12) words describe a major purpose of the Book: "that ye may be found spotless at the judgement-seat of Christ". In other words: "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (Book of Mormon-Introduction)

What a blessing to have a Book "Which contains...the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ" (D & C 20:9) and knowing that "there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my gospel" (D & C 10:45)

How blessed to be able to reacquaint myself with my good friend.....

Yesterday, was Zone Conference with fifty two (52) elders ! It is always great to associate with these good full time missionaries. In June 2014, the mission had 158 baptisms including 37 families. The highest total ever!!

At one point in the Zone Conference the mission president described a situation that had occurred and asked Mom and I to comment: A young woman who had lived a faithful and obedient life had fallen in love with a seemingly worthy returned missionary. They had chosen to be married on Christmas Eve in the São Paulo Temple. The mission president was serving as the stake president at this time and one (1) week before the scheduled marriage he interviewed the young man:

Do you have faith in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost ?

Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer ?

Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer and revelator and as the only person on the earth who posses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys ?

Do you live the law of chastity ?

Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowman ?

The young man had answered all these questions in the affirmative. The next question is:

Are you a full tithe payer ?

The young man said he had not paid tithing at all that year but he promised he would pay the next year. The stake president said that if in fact he paid tithing the next year and otherwise remained faithful he would be privileged the following year to issue him a temple recommend.

The young man was shocked and disappointed. The mission president had described the young woman as someone similar to you, Aubrey. He asked if you had attended seminary, participated in the young women's program, attended Church on Sunday, attended the temple, kept the commandments, we happily replied that you had. He then ask how we felt about this situation and how you would react.

I said first I would want to thank the stake president for fulfilling his calling as a judge in Israel. I next said that in this situation, once you learned about the unworthiness of the young man you would end the engagement and find someone who was truly worthy.

Mom then explained that previously you had dated someone and upon learning that he had experimented with a simple coffee/frappe from McDonalds you ended the relationship.

Thank you for being like the 2,060 stripling soldiers who "did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness" similarly "they said...that their mothers had taught them." (Alma 57:21)

Photos from the week:

Last Saturday, June 28th was a YM/YW fundraiser craft sale.