New Scriptures Published: Book of Mormon & Bible

A new edition of the scriptures has been released and is the first time the full work Joseph accomplished, without additions and including hundreds of punctuation changes previously omitted, have been made available in print. This is the first generation to have these scriptures available.

These additions include both the written and oral changes that Joseph saught to include but have been long neglected. They go back to the originals and remove any changes by those who have came afterwards. The Doctrine and covenants (Teachings & Commandments) also includes many revelations that Joseph revealed that has not been included in any other additions before but also removes those revelations that "were claimed" to be from him but have been shown through the Joseph Smith Papers project to come from others who wrote them many decades after his death.

New Testament + Book of Mormon
https://www.amazon.com/New-Covenants-Restoration-Scriptures/dp/0999341723

Doctrine and Covenants + Pearly of Great Price + Modern Revelations given in our day (growing cannon)
https://www.amazon.com/Teachings-Commandments-Restoration-Scriptures/dp/0999341731

Old Testament (Bible) including the entire Joseph Smith translation of that book. Both oral and written changes have been included by Joseph Smith.
https://www.amazon.com/Old-Covenants-Restoration-Scriptures/dp/0999341715

Compact Version of the Book of Mormon (New Covenants)
https://www.amazon.com/New-Covenants-Book-Mormon-Compact/dp/1726783731

A leather bound is coming soon.

While Joseph Smith was alive, he taught that the restoration would fail if the saints did not have the new translation of the Bible published as part of their scriptures. Joseph said, “God had often sealed up the heavens because of covetousness in the Church. Said the Lord would cut his work short in righteousness and except the church receive the fulness of the Scriptures that they would yet fall.” (3 JS Papers, Documents Vol. 2, p. 85, as in original. The “fullness of the Scriptures” was how Joseph referred to the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible)

The books released were titled New Covenants, Old Covenants, and Teachings & Commandments by a vote of common believers who are seeking to restore that which has been abandoned by all those who claim to follow after Joseph Smith today. His name was told to be known for good and evil. Some of the greatest evils spoken against him come from those, today, who claim to follow him today.

As a new dispensation has begun, an opportunity to receive that which Christ has invited all to receive has been given.

The LDS WOW: Not by Commandment To Commandment

The Word of Wisdom was first given not by commandment or restraint. It was given by Wisdom. Men are asked to align their hearts with Wisdom. It is only when Knowledge is exercised with wisdom that the gospel may be exercised properly. Wisdom always invites not by restraint or commandment. As D&C 121 verse 41 says,

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

No influence. No Power. The priesthood cannot be used to bring influence or power upon others. Influence must come by the only tools available which are first Persuasion. If someone is not persuaded than long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, love, and finally using pure knowledge. If a person does use their power or virtue of the priesthood contrary to any of this or as a reason they should be followed, amen to the authority of that man.

The Lord works by invitations or persusasion. He gentle leads us along. That is why the WoW was given not by commandment or restraint. He merely gave pure knowledge and allowed us to be persuaded if we are willing.


LDS WOW:
The LDS WoW as it stands today is interesting.

The church really had no basis for banning coffee other than the prophet said so. It is issues like this that I think make people wonder about FTP (follow the prophet) when they stop to think about it.

A few points:

• Coffee was part of the rations of the handcart pioneers along with Wine.
• Most conference talks in the mid-1800s dealt with temperature and also warned against hot soups, coffee was not singled out. 
• Area Presidencies in Europe and even some in the US have been telling members for decades they can drink coffee and pass a temple recommend interview as long as it is decaf (still the official position). 
• Church announced it has no position on caffeinated beverages (The whole Dieter Coke issue)
• Monster drinks and five-hour energy okay
• Hot drinks means coffee and tea but hot chocolate is fine
• Green tea okay (but to others its bad), black tea bad, herbal tea okay, sweet tea bad, British tea bad, iced tea bad, so how do you know what tea is okay and what is not? As a missionary some even taugh it was ONLY black tea because that was the only tea around during Josephs day. (May or may not be true)
• Research shows coffee may be good for you, but really hot drinks (temperature) are bad
• Research shows a cup of wine may be good for you, but things like energy drinks are not good at all.
• If the members church wanted to, members in Europe could take their decaf coffee and mix it with 5-hour energy and be good. 
• No alcohol yet the Lord prescribed wine for the sacrament as a symbol of the bitter cup he partook.

Obedience to more modern prophets is the only reason for this policy, it fails all tests of logic of man. As those who went before were not required to follow the same standards of salvation.

Truth Exposes Error And Destroys Institutions

All you need is the truth to destroy the Gentiles false ideas, traditions, organizations, religious institutions, or secret works. The truth exposes lies, bring forth hidden works that are done in secret. It exposes all things for what or who they are. For those inside they often come off as "anti" or speaking negatively of something. At first things are just rumors or grasping at straws". But when something is true, not false, and as the remnant of Jacob continues to Destroy Gentiles "as a lion among the beasts of the forest" (3 Nephi 20:16) the Lord continues to act systematically in his approach.

First rumors turn to partial truths. Partial truths become hearsay, murmurings among the people, and maybe even occasional "leaks" among the masses. But with the truth of all things false ideas and secret works are continued to be exposed. As the Lord said

"And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed." (D&C 1:3)
"And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops;" (2 Nep 27: 11)
"Therefore, whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light, and that which you have spoken in the ear, in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luke 12:3, OT Luke 8:18)

Eventually as the whispers and chatter get louder, They become truths clearly exposed. Where they can no longer be hidden. Or the false ideas are proven to be false.

I am always amazed how naturally the Lord works in his patterns and it seems these patterns fit exactly how he had already foretold it would happen only now being in hindsight can they begun to be seen.

Religious Spirits

"A religious spirit is a demon which seeks to substitute religious activity for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives."

"Paul Wrote of his Jewish brethren: "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge."  No one on earth prayed more, fasted more, read the bible more, had a greater hope in the coming of the Messiah more, or had more zeal for the things of God than the Pharisees.  Yet, they were the greatest opposers of God and his Messiah when he came."

A New Year: Organized Religion

With a new year I can focus on pure religion. Paul said pure religion, undefiled, is to visit the fatherless and widows and keep oneself unspotted. (James 1:27) To help those among you who cannot help themselves.

ALL religion ("yea, even every one" Mormon 8:36) in all shapes and forms is a shift away from and coverup for the true order of heaven and how the universe and how true laws and true principles operate.  Joseph was told to "JOIN none of them". Religions today are the biggest causes of war, robbing of the poor, (2 Nephi 28) building of their synagogues instead of helping the poor and needy, and seeking the praise or "acceptance" of the world. Baptism should never be equated with the joining of ANY religion.

“I cannot believe in any of the creeds of the different denominations, because they all have some things in them I cannot subscribe to, though all of them have some truth. I want to come up into the presence of God, and learn all things; but the creeds set up stakes [limits], and say, ‘Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further’ [Job 38:11]; which I cannot subscribe to.” (TJS, CH 22)