By Alan on Jun 07 in Blog tagged a ship, Alan Osmond, animals, artifacts, baptism of fire, barley, before Columbus, Bountiful, breatplates, buffalo, burials, civilization, conspiring men, constitution, Cumorah, DNA, earthworks, evidence, geography, government, grapes, Heartland Mounds, Hebrew, hope, Hopeland, intellectual bias, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Lamanites, land of promise, law of Moses, Lehi, lunar calendar, Meso-America, Mormon, native America, Nephites, North America, Old Testament, origins, other sheep, promised land, ramps, Rod Meldrum, ruins, Satan, savages, semetic, sheep, smallpox, Smithsonian, starve, Suzanne Osmond, swords, The Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vineyards | Comments Off

New “Hope” For Understanding

Native America Origins.

There is so much evidence and so many things that occurred in the Heartland model of America that corresponds beautifully with The Book of Mormon events and its people.  Those of us who have been on this tour wish to share our feelings with you.

Suzanne and I went on a tour to see these things for ourselves.  Here are some opinions and testimonials of those things our group saw and felt that convince us on our Heartland Mounds Tour that these things truly took place in North America.

“The Book of Mormon clearly writes of a ‘Land of Promise’, a land of choice above all other lands.  That could only refer to the land of America!  The Heartland model offers far more evidence and artifacts that match up with the Book of Mormon descriptions of the ancient civilization than the Meso-American model ever has.  Chris Humpherys

 “The Lamanites have not gone. They are still here!”   D. Wayne Thornock

“It is very clear after viewing the complexity of the existing ruins, that there was a great civilization in the Heartland of America.  I know of only one description of this complex of a civilization.  That would be The Book of Mormon.  Dee Ray Olson

 “I just wish all LDS people would have the advantage to truly investigate the geography of The Book of Mormon.  It is inspiring to learn such details and it enhances one’s testimony.  Don’t be afraid of learning more and beware of intellectual bias regarding The Book of Mormon geography.  Louis Erickson

“I am so impressed with the amazing remains of the Hopewell people who we believe are the Nephites / Lamanites.  They appear to be very advanced in their building and craftsmanship.  Seeing breastplates of copper and other things mentioned in The Book of Mormon convinces me that they did live in the North America setting .  One Cumorah!”  Laura Erickson

“I am deeply impressed with so many of the evidences that have come forth and that will yet come forth showing strong correlations with The Book of Mormon history.  The Lord promised Joseph Smith that he would cause the ground to bring forth evidence and he has truly done that. To see first hand ancient metallurgy with breastplates, swords, and many implements of commerce and trade is remarkable.  I am thrilled to see bones of all the animals mentioned in The Book of Mormon and they are the same animals that were in the Holy Land where Lehi’s colony came from.  These were clean animals, not the unclean as those in Mesa-America.  It is humbling to hear of the many gravesites of huge burials of hundreds and thousands of men, women, and children, thrown in.  I love the possible sacred site of Bountiful and the sacred feelings of that place.  I love this land – the Promised Land – One Cumorah!”  Marsha Burnside

“My testimony has been strengthened by standing in sacred places and by learning about the history of my people.  As  a Native American, I know that life is a sacrey journey and I know that we are sons and daughters of a loving creator.  We live in the land that is the most choice land of our Heavenly Father.  It is a promised land.”

‘For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all His promises shall be fulfilled.’  Mormon 8:22  Andrea Barlow – Shoshone – Bannock Tribe

“I haven’t been so excited about something like the Heartland Model in a long time.  From the great mound civilizations, the finding of mass graves near Hill Cumorah, the Michigan tablets, the DNA story, all The Book of Mormon geography references, to the history of the political intrigue, it hasn’t done anything but add to my testimony of The Book of Mormon.”  Paul Winter

“When I was a missionary in Peru, I was able to see many incredible sites of ancient peoples.  But, it was not until the Hopeland Model that I had information about the United States of America that I ‘knew’ when I first read The Book of Mormon.  I ‘knew’ The Book of Mormon talked about the USA except for Adam-Ondi-Ahman.  Many things are never talked about and yet when you see these sites, the spirit confides what The Book of Mormon testifies.  This is the Promised Land!  And, the Nephites came here!”  Joyce Winter

“It is exciting to participate in a tour in which physical evidence matches and fits so closely to what we read in The Book of Mormon.  One’s testimony of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon and the divine call of the Prophet Joseph Smith is strengthened when you view all the wonderful geographical evidence.  To me the spirit testifies more strongly the truthfulness of the people.”  Rusty Barlow

“I’ve always believed that this land, the U.S.A., is the specific land referred to in The Book of Mormon as the ‘Promised Land’.  Our constitution was brought about for this purpose.  The physical evidence of this tour was overwhelming in it’s proof of a civilized society who lived here during The Book of Mormon times.  They knew and wrote Hebrew and believed in God.  This land also had all the ores, animals and seeds spoken of in The Book of Mormon.  This was so informative and inspiring.”  Susan Iverson

“This has been a very informative trip.  I knew very little about the Hopewell civilization.  What I have been experiencing this week and how it ties into The Book of Mormon brings a good feeling to me.  I want to learn more!  Rod Meldrum does a good job in presenting this information to us.  The trip has been very inspiring.”  Joan Iveson

“The information given us about the Heartland Model for The Mook of Mormon land is very convincing.  The artifacts, the way the animals, plants and mounds match up to the information in The Book of Mormon is amazing!  The oral history given by Native Americans also fits the Heartland Model.  This trip has been very informative and exciting.  I love the way this backs up the claims of our wonderful scriptures!”  Robyn Pearson

“I have been particularly interested in the complexity of many of the geometric earthworks in Ohio and also the immense size.  To me this demonstrates the sophistication and large size of the Hopewell civilization.  Also, the recovery of the ‘Holy Stones’ from some of the mounds shows powerful evidence that they had religious traditions as the people of the Old Testament.  I believe those people were brought here by God and have provided us with a second witness, even The Book of Mormon.”  Lee Pearson

“This information is amazing.  I am astonished that this information has not been taught throughout my life.  I am certain that any person that even modestly studies this history will be convinced of its validity.  Future history will look at this information and acknowledge its substantial impact on converting people to the truth of The Book of Mormon.  I would like to thank Brother Meldrum for his diligence and research.”  O. Van Thornick

“This tour has been a further testament of how main-stream archeology continues to verify and validate the claims of The Book of Mormon.  Would anyone argue that Native Americans were misunderstood and their history was largely ignored as they were driven from their lands and put onto reservations?  The Book of Mormon prophecies reveal that these people who are the covenant people of the Lord will one day become a mighty people.  What a thrill to see so many faithful Church members who are becoming very knowledgeable about these evidences which prepares them to better defend The Book of Mormon and thus the gospel and the Church.  My hope is that members, once armed with the powerful new research, will be emboldened to share the gospel with millions of others, resulting in the gospel rolling forth with greater success.  The gospel is the most powerful and realistically is the only method of correcting and returning God’s children to righteousness.  My prayer is that this research and these evidences will play a significant part in bringing about a re-commitment to gospel principles.  I feel honored to be privileged to associate with such tremendous seekers of truth!”  (I would like to especially thank Alan and Suzanne Osmond for their time, talents and spirit of adventure and desire to pursue truth relating to this research.  I have grown to love and respect them immensely.)  Rod Meldrum
Get Rod’s latest book with picture evidences! 

“I love to find truths and to share them with others.  When Suzanne and I met Rod Meldrum and learned about and then saw additional truths, we both felt compelled to go and see for ourselves many of the existing evidences of those who came to this promised land of America before Columbus.

Through The Book of Mormon, we knew that Lehi’s family left Jerusalem, built a ship and by the hand of God were led to this blessed land which was saved and prepared for them.  Their history was recorded on gold plates and translated into the book by Joseph Smith known as The Book of Mormon; Mormon is the name of the prophet who abridged a room full of ancient records into the final plates that got translated.

There are definitely two forces in this world.  One is for good and the other is for evil.  Oh, how I hurt inside for those who followed the evil one and destroyed so much of the Native American History!  Oh, how I try to understand why government, the Smithsonian, and wicked and conspiring men tried to erase the Native American history and to label them as savages; to kill them, starve them by killing their ‘beasts’ or buffalo that provided them with food, and to those who offered  them blankets infested with smallpox which took many lives of their men, women and children is unbelievable.  Only God can fix and mend the pain, the tears, and those oh so many broken hearts.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a ‘Mormon’, I pray to my fellow brothers and sisters in the gospel that you will open your eyes, hearts, and minds to these evidences in the Heartland of North America; the place where Adam and Eve first dwelt; the promised land that was preserved for a righteous people and a free nation; the place where these people’s ancient history and records were revealed in Palmyra, New York by an angel; one of the places where Jesus Christ appeared to His “other sheep” after He was crucified for our sins; the place where the New Jerusalem will soon be built to prepare for the return and second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ where He will dwell for a thousand years with those who survive the  world’s ‘baptism of fire’ fulfilling all righteousness.

I am so thankful that we ignored those who tried to discourage and persuade us not to come on this tour to see these mounds and evidences of these most intelligent and humble people who knew geometry and astronomy and built these amazing earthworks.  Their works testify of their beliefs and willingness to serve their Creator and to defend their families in righteousness.  They built a land of prosperity and security, working with precious ores and mining copper, zinc, silver and gold with machines confirming that there were horses, elephants, the ‘giant’ people of the Jaradites.  They were able to continue living the Law of Moses which they could not do in Meso America for many reasons like the fact that there were no sheep, no barley nor wheat or grapes/vineyards.  They did not use a lunar based calendar but a solar calendar, their weeks were not seven (7) days but 13 or 20 days (short count and long count) weeks, they used steps in stead of ramps as indicated in scripture for their temples for modesty, they had no horses or elephants, and no evidence for Semitic DNA ancestry/lineage, all of which are indicated by The Book of Mormon.

While all these things are lacking in Meso-america, all of them have been verified by non-Mormon sources in this Hopewell Civilization we have been learning about on this tour!  They were all available in North America!  The evidence continues to support the claims of The Book of Mormon, which is the foundation of the gospel in these latter days.

I have a testimony of The Book of Mormon.  Until our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, tells us where The Book of Mormon actually took place, and the reasons for so many evidences of the Hopewell civilization and Native Americans that were recorded in that book, then I invite you to “seek and ye shall find” answers to so many questions about North America.  Satan, and those who follow him have laid traps and snares to stop us and continually try to stop and destroy us and God’s work and Glory which we are.

May our Native Americans forgive those who have hurt them and their posterity.

Alan Osmond

 For The Family

Get a FREE copy of The Book of Mormon HERE!

By Alan on May 19 in Blog tagged Bible, Jesus Christ, LDS, Mormon, New Testament, Old Testament, revelations, Scriptures are available to us today, The Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Family, The Pearl of Great Price, theFamily, Words of Our Living Prophets | Comments Off

The Scriptures Are Available to Us Today

When the Lord’s servants speak or write under the influence of the Holy Ghost, their words become scripture. From the beginning, the Lord has commanded His prophets to keep a record of His revelations and His dealings with His children. He said: “I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written” (2 Ne. 29: 11).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts four books as scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These books are called the standard works of the Church. The inspired words of our living prophets are also accepted as scripture.

The Bible

The Bible is a collection of sacred writings containing God’s revelations to man. These writings cover many centuries, from the time of Adam through the time when the Apostles of Jesus Christ lived. They were written by many prophets who lived at various times in the history of the world.

The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Many prophecies in the Old Testament foretell the coming of a Savior and Redeemer. The New Testament tells of the life of that Savior and Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ. It also tells of the establishing of His Church in that day. “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly”.

Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord has expanded our understanding of some passages in the Bible. The Lord inspired the Prophet Joseph to restore truths to the Bible text that had been lost or changed since the original words were written. These inspired corrections are called the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a sacred record of some of the people who lived on the American continents between about 2000 B.C. and A.D. 400. It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon tells of the visit Jesus Christ made to the people in the Americas soon after His Resurrection.

Joseph Smith was showed where the Gold Plates were hidden on Hill Cummorah, in New York.  He translated the Book of Mormon into English through the gift and power of God. He said that it is “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book”.

President Ezra Taft Benson helped us understand how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. He said:

“There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony.

“The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. …

“[It] broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. … The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. … In [it] we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. …

“… The Book of Mormon teaches us truth [and] bears testimony of Christ. … But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life,’ and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. … ‘Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit’”.

The Doctrine and Covenants

The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern revelations. In section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord reveals that the book is published to the inhabitants of the earth to prepare them for His coming:

“Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:

“Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh” (D&C 1: 11-12).

This book contains the revelations regarding the Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored in these last days. Several sections of the book explain the organization of the Church and define the offices of the priesthood and their functions. Other sections, such as sections 76 and 88, contain glorious truths that were lost to the world for hundreds of years. Still others, such as sections 29 and 93, shed light on teachings in the Bible. In addition, some sections, such as section 133, contain prophecies of events to come. God has commanded us to study His revelations in this book: “Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled” (D&C 1: 37).

The Pearl of Great Price

The Pearl of Great Price contains the book of Moses, the book of Abraham, and some inspired writings of Joseph Smith. The book of Moses contains an account of some of the visions and writings of Moses, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It clarifies doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and gives added information concerning the Creation of the earth.

The book of Abraham was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith from a papyrus scroll taken from the Egyptian catacombs. This book contains valuable information about the Creation, the gospel, the nature of God, and the priesthood.

The writings of Joseph Smith include part of Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the Bible, selections from his History of the Church, and the Articles of Faith.

Words of Our Living Prophets

In addition to these four books of scripture, the inspired words of our living prophets become scripture to us. Their words come to us through conferences, the Liahona or Ensign magazine, and instructions to local priesthood leaders. “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God”.

Studying the Scriptures

We should each study the scriptures every day. We should share these truths with our children. We should read the standard works with our children so they will learn to love them and use them for the truths they contain.

If we desire to avoid the evils of this world, we must feed our minds with the truth and righteousness found in the scriptures. We will grow closer to God and to each other as we read and ponder the scriptures together.

As we read, ponder, and pray about the scriptures and ask God for understanding, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the truth of these things. We will each know for ourselves that these things are true. We will not be deceived. We can receive the same feelings Nephi expressed when he said, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard”.

Additional Scriptures

• 1 Ne. 14: 20-26 (prophets commanded to write)

• 1 Ne. 19: 1-3, 1 Ne. 19: 6-7; Alma 37: 1-8 (great worth of scriptures)

• 2 Ne. 33: 10 (scriptures testify of Christ)

• Alma 29: 8 (Lord speaks to all nations through scriptures)

• Alma 31: 5; Hel. 3: 29-30 (the word of God is powerful)

• Hel. 15: 7-8 (scriptures lead us to be firm and steadfast in the faith)

• 2 Tim. 3: 16-17; 1 Ne. 19: 21-24 (why and how scriptures are given)

• 2 Pet. 1: 20; Alma 13: 20; D&C 10: 62(scriptures bring to light true points of doctrine)

• D&C 128: 18; A of F 1: 9; 1 Ne. 14: 25-26 (scriptures yet to come)

• 2 Ne. 29: 3-10 (scriptures to Jews and to Gentiles)

Get a FREE Book of Mormon HERE!

Alan Osmond  “I know these things to be true!”
For The Family

By Alan on Mar 11 in Blog tagged Abraham, Adam, baptism, Celestial Kingdom, children of Israel, covenant people, covenants, decendants, Enoch, everlasting covenant, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, LDS, Lehi, marriage, members of the church, Mormons, Noah, Old Testament, promises, sacrament, temple ordinances, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 3 Comments

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I share with you this article as a follow up to several questions about my article that I posted yesterday.

Mormon is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Sometimes called, LDS.

Alan Osmond
A Mormon

..

The Nature Of Covenants. (Or Promises)

• What is a covenant?  Why are Latter-day Saints called a covenant people?

From the beginning, the Lord has made covenants with His children on earth. When His people make covenants (or promises) with Him, they know what He expects of them and what blessings they may expect from Him. They can better carry out His work on earth. The people who covenant with the Lord and with whom the Lord makes covenants are known as the Lord’s covenant people. Members of the Church are part of the Lord’s covenant people.

Within the gospel, a covenant means a sacred agreement or mutual promise between God and a person or a group of people. In making a covenant, God promises a blessing for obedience to particular commandments. He sets the terms of His covenants, and He reveals these terms to His prophets. If we choose to obey the terms of the covenant, we receive promised blessings. If we choose not to obey, He withholds the blessings, and in some instances a penalty also is given.

For example, when we join the Church we make several covenants with God. We covenant with the Savior at baptism to take upon ourselves His name. He promises that “as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved” (D&C 18:22).

We covenant with the Lord as we partake of the sacrament . We promise to take His name upon ourselves, to remember Him, and to obey His commandments. We are promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us. (See D&C 20:77–79.)

When we receive temple ordinances, we make other sacred covenants and are promised exaltation for faithful obedience (see D&C 132; .

God has also made special covenants with particular persons or groups. He made special covenants with Adam, Enoch, Noah, the children of Israel, and Lehi (see Moses 6:31–36, 52; Genesis 9:9–17; Exodus 19:5–6; 2 Nephi 1).

He made a special covenant with Abraham and his descendants that blesses members of the Church and all nations of the earth today.

• Think about the covenants you have made with God and the blessings He has promised you for keeping these covenants.

God’s Covenant with Abraham and His Descendants

• What is the Abrahamic covenant?

Abraham, an Old Testament prophet, was a very righteous man. He refused to worship his father’s idols. He kept all of the Lord’s commandments. Because of Abraham’s righteousness, the Lord made a covenant with him and his descendants.

The Lord promised Abraham that he would have numberless descendants. He promised that all of them would be entitled to receive the gospel, the blessings of the priesthood, and all of the ordinances of exaltation. These descendants, through the power of the priesthood, would carry the gospel to all nations. Through them, all the families of the earth would be blessed (see Abraham 2:11). God further promised that if they were righteous He would establish His covenant with all generations of Abraham’s children (see Genesis 17:4–8).

• How do the commandments and promises in the Abrahamic covenant apply to us?

Members of the Church Are a Covenant People

• What blessings and responsibilities come to God’s covenant people today?

The blood descendants of Abraham are not the only people whom God calls His covenant people. In speaking to Abraham, God said, “As many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed [lineage], and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abraham 2:10). Thus, two groups of people are included in the covenant made with Abraham: (1) Abraham’s righteous blood descendants and (2) those adopted into his lineage by accepting and living the gospel of Jesus Christ (see 2 Nephi 30:2).

When we are baptized into the Church, we enter into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Galatians 3:26–29). If we are obedient, we inherit the blessings of that covenant. We have the right to receive help and guidance from the Holy Ghost. Worthy males have the right to hold the priesthood. Families can receive the blessings of the priesthood. We can gain eternal life in the celestial kingdom. There are no greater blessings than these.

Along with the blessings we receive as the Lord’s covenant people, we have great responsibilities. The Lord promised Abraham that through his descendants the gospel would be taken to all the earth. We are fulfilling this responsibility through the full-time missionary program of the Church and the missionary work done by the members. This opportunity to preach the gospel to all the world belongs only to the Lord’s Church and His covenant people.

As the Lord’s covenant people, we should keep His commandments. The Lord said, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10). If we reject our covenant after accepting the gospel, the covenant becomes void and we will stand condemned before God (see D&C 132:4). He has said: “Refrain from sin, lest sore judgments fall upon your heads. For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation” (D&C 82:2–3).

The New and Everlasting Covenant

• What do we promise to do when we accept the gospel? What blessings does Heavenly Father give us as we keep these promises?

The fulness of the gospel is called the new and everlasting covenant. It includes the covenants made at baptism, during the sacrament, in the temple, and at any other time. The Lord calls it everlasting because it is ordained by an everlasting God and because the covenant will never be changed. He gave this same covenant to Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and other prophets. In this sense it is not new. But the Lord calls it new because each time the gospel is restored after being taken from the earth, it is new to the people who receive it (see Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 37:26).

When we accept the new and everlasting covenant, we agree to repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, receive our endowments, receive the covenant of marriage in the temple, and follow and obey Christ to the end of our lives. As we keep our covenants, our Heavenly Father promises us that we will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom (see D&C 132:20–24;

The greatness of that promise is hard for mortals to understand. The commandments He gives are for our benefit, and as we are faithful we may forever share the blessings and beauties of heaven and earth. We may live in His presence and partake of His love, compassion, power, greatness, knowledge, wisdom, glory, and dominions.

• What does being the Lord’s covenant people have to do with how we dress, act, and keep the commandments of God?

Additional Scriptures and Other Sources

• 1 Peter 2:9–10 (peculiar people)

• D&C 54:4–6 (effects of covenants kept and broken)

• D&C 132:7 (covenants made by proper authority)

• D&C 133:57–60 (purpose of covenants)

• D&C 35:24 (promises for obedience to covenants)

• Hebrews 8:6 (Jesus Christ is the mediator of a better covenant)