Are We Awake?

End Times, Lectures, , , , ,
Solzhenitsyn – Decline of the West

Are we Awake?

The following is a brilliant historic perspective for today appreciated by almost no one; Solzhenitsyn tells us why. 

Ignat Solzhenitsyn gave his talk at the 2026 ARC (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) Conference in London, which took place from June 23 to June 25, 2026. Our son, Nathan, sent us this link.

Son of a Samuel the Lamanite prophet?

His speech, titled “He Predicted the Collapse of the West in 1978 (and Nobody Listened),” focused on reflecting on his father Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn‘s historic address and warning on Western civilization.

I was so impressed with his talk that I transcribed it (25 June 2026). In 1978 Jimmy Carter was President.

The West has been a Model.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – Prophet like Samuel the Lamanite?

It is almost universally recognized that the West shows all the world the way to successful economic development, even if undermined recently by chaotic inflation.

Now the West is moving toward Socialism

However many people living in the West are dissatisfied with their society, deride it or accuse it of no longer being up to the level of maturity attained by mankind. And this causes many to sway toward the false and dangerous current of socialism. I hope that no one present will suspect me of expressing my partial criticism of the Western system in order to suggest socialism as an alternative.

Socialism Destroys the Need for God

Socialism of any style and hue leads to a comprehensive destruction of the spiritual essence of man into a leveling of mankind unto death. But should I be asked instead whether I would propose the West such as it is today as a model for my country for Russia I would have to answer frankly no I could not recommend your society as an ideal for the transformation of ours–given the fecund [fruitful] spiritual development already experienced by our country through profound suffering during the 20th century, the Western system in its present state of spiritual exhaustion does not appear enticing. If our society were to be transformed into yours it would mean an improvement in certain aspects but a deterioration in others, some of them especially precious. After suffering decades of oppressive violence the human soul longs for something higher, warmer and purer than what is offered by today’s mass western lifestyle introduced to us by a calling card by the revolting assault of advertising by television stupor and by intolerable music.

What Caused the Decline in the West and Removing God?

How did the West decline from its triumphal march to its present debility? Have there been fatal turning points in its development has it veered off course? No, it does not seem so. The West kept advancing ever forward in accordance with its proclaimed course hand in hand with dazzling technological progress and suddenly it found itself in its present state of weakness. It remains then to search for a fault at the root at the very foundation of thought of the modern age. I refer to that prevailing Western world view that was born in the Renaissance and has found political expression since the Age of Enlightenment. It became the basis for all political and social doctrine and could be called rationalistic humanism or humanistic autonomy the proclaimed and practiced autonomy of man from any higher force above him. It could also be called anthropocentrism, the idea of man as the center of existence. The turn affected by the Renaissance was probably inevitable historically. The Middle Ages had come to a natural end by exhaustion having become intolerable through their despotic repression of man’s physical nature in favor of his spiritual one. But our ensuing headlong dash from the Spirit toward matter was itself excessive and in commensurate.

Making the World believe there is no devil.

The humanistic way of thinking which had proclaimed itself our guide did not admit the existence of intrinsic evil in man nor any task higher than the quest for earthly happiness. And it fashioned the dangerous tilt toward the worship of man and his material needs into the basis of modern Western civilization. Everything beyond physical well being and the accumulation of material goods, all

other human requirements and characteristics of a subtler and higher nature were left outside the attention of state and social systems as if human life had no higher purpose. Thus breaches were left open for evil and its drafts blow freely today.

Freedom does not solve the Problem unless we include God

Mere freedom per se does not in the least solve all the problems of human existence and in fact poses a number of new ones. And yet in early democracies as in American democracy at the time of its birth all individual rights were recognized on the premise that man is God’s creature that is freedom was given to the individual conditionally under the assumption of his continuous religious responsibility such was the heritage of the preceding millennium just 200 or even 50 years ago. It would have seemed impossible in the West that an individual be granted unbridled freedom with no purpose simply for the satisfaction of his cravings. Subsequently however all such limitations have eroded throughout the West and there has come to pass a final emancipation from the moral heritage of Christian centuries with their great reserves of mercy and sacrifice.

Materialism: The True Cost

Materialism has become god.

State systems have become ever more consummately materialistic. The West has finally achieved the rights of man even to excess but man’s sense of accountability to God into society has grown utterly faint. In recent decades the legalistic egoism of the Western worldview has reached its peak and the world has found itself in a severe spiritual crisis and a political impasse and all the technological achievements of our fabled progress including the conquest of outer space cannot redeem the 20th century’s moral poverty which no one could have imagined as recently as the 19th century. Yet another catastrophe is already very much with us. The catastrophe of an autonomous irreligious humanistic consciousness. It has made man the measure of all things on earth, an imperfect man who has never been free of pride, self-interest, envy, vanity and dozens of other vices. Thus the errors misperceived at the beginning of the journey now take their revenge.

Materialism has robbed many of their spiritual inner life.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

That journey since the Renaissance has enriched our experience but we have forsaken something whole, something supreme, which once delimited both our passions and our irresponsibility. We threw all our hopes into political and social reforms only to find that we were being robbed of our most precious possession: our inner life. It is being stamped out by the party mob in the east by the commercial one in the West. This is the fearsome essence of the crisis not just that the world is split apart but that its major shards are stricken with a common melody. If as claimed by humanism Men were born only to be happy He would not also be born to die. Since his body is doomed to death his task on earth must evidently be more spiritual not to gorge on everyday life, not to search for the best ways of obtaining material goods and then to consume them eagerly.

What is our Moral Responsibility?

But to bear perpetual earnest duty so that one’s entire life journey may become above all an experience of moral ascent to leave life a better human being than one started it. It is imperative to reappraise the scale of widespread human values and to marvel at its present ineptness to cling today to the ossified [hardened] formulas of the Enlightenment is retrogressive. Such social dogmatism leaves us helpless before the trials of our age even if we are spared destruction by war life will inevitably change so as not to perish. We cannot avoid reassessing the fundamental definitions of human life and human society: that Man is truly above everything and is there no supreme spirit above him. Is it right that man’s life in society’s activities should be defined by material expansion above all? And is it permissible to promote such expansion to the detriment of our integral inner life. If the world hasn’t approached its ruin it has surely reached a turn in history equal in importance to the turn from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

What is needed is a spiritual Epiphany

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162303190266744&set=gm.26795931673366456&idorvanity=5245107665542168
Look to Christ and Live

It will demand from us a spiritual epiphany—an assent to a new height of vision to a new level of life where neither will our physical nature be consigned to perdition as in the Middle Ages nor will our spiritual nature all the more crucially be trampled upon as in the modern era. This ascent is akin to scaling the next anthropological stage and no one on Earth has any other way left but upward.

My Thoughts:

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). There is no other way to ascend “upward.”

David W. Allan

 

How Good Is A Clock?

Spirituality
History of Clocks
Timekeeping through the ages – AI

How good is a clock?

Timekeeping accuracy and stability have improved a billion fold in my life time and society has benefited enormously; look at GPS for example. Atomic clocks are the heart of GPS. I was privileged to help in the development of GPS. The invention of atomic clocks has brought about this enormous improvement.

No Clock is Right!

When I used to teach seminars in Boulder, CO, at NBS/NIST, I would tell the attendees that every clock is wrong except the one you define as right. I feel the Lord gave me the algorithm for optimally combining the readings of an ensemble of atomic clocks so that the computed output was better than the best clock in the ensemble. That AT-1 algorithm was used to generate official time for the USA. It was a software clock calibrated by the Primary cesium-beam frequency standard that we had in the laboratory in Boulder. I was the nation’s timekeeper for most of my 32 years in Boulder.

Who invented the Atomic Clock?

Isidor Isaac Rabi came up with the idea of an atomic clock back in the 1940s and was a Nobel Prize recipient as a result. The Rabi Award was named after him and he was the first recipient of the award in 1983. I was privileged to have breakfast with him the day he received the Award in Philadelphia at an international Frequency Control Symposium.

A Clock is a Two-Part Device for Keeping Time

Atomic clocks are no different than previous clocks. One can think of a clock as a two part device: an oscillator (like a pendulum) and a counter (like the clock face giving you clock’s time reading). The oscillator for an atomic clock is a photon’s frequency. The counter is the electronics adding up the number of cycles of the photons. Physicists don’t like to call microwaves photons, but the concept is the same–and electromagnetic wave.

Astronomical Time

Historically time was kept astronomically. Solar time is as one counts the cycles of the sun going over head as the earth spins. Ephemeris time is as one counts the years as the earth goes around the sun. Lunar time is as one counts the cycles of the moon orbiting the earth. The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar. The sidereal year is as one counts the earth’s rotation with respect to the stars. And the tropical year is as one counts the time from one vernal equinox to the next.

The equinoxes and the solstices are tied to the spin axis direction of the earth with respect to the sun. Since the spin axis direction in space is like a spinning top with a precession rate of about 26,000 years. The tropical year is  20 minutes and 24 seconds shorter than the sidereal year—the time it takes us to go around the sun.

The Evolution of Rabi’s Idea

Based on Rabi’s idea atomic clocks came into being. When atomic clocks came into being, we learned that their timekeeping ability was significantly better than any astronomical phenomena. So in 1967 the length of the “second” went from astronomical to the oscillations of the microwave photons of a particular resonance phenomena in the cesium-133 atom: “The second is the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.”

How to Best Use Atomic Clocks

Once atomic clocks came into existence how to use them and how to predict accurate and precise time with them became important questions. My master’s thesis published in 1966 gave birth to what the world knows as the Allan variance (AVAR). AVAR answers these questions. As a result, I was the second recipient of the Rabi Award in 1984. ADEV is the square-root of AVAR. One can show that the timekeeping ability of a clock is ADEV x TAU, where TAU is the prediction interval. ADEV was used to make sure the atomic clocks used to make GPS work well met specification. GPS works at the nanosecond level (a billionth of a second).

GPS satellite clocks have to predict time

The GPS satellite constellation orbits the earth at about 4.2 earth radii in 12 sidereal hour periods (with respect to the stars or inertial space). The times of the atomic clocks are updated every time they cross over a tracking station. So each satellite has to predict time forward until it crosses the next tracking station where both its position and time are updated. A GPS receiver listens to at least four satellites to calculate its longitude, latitude, altitude and GPS time. From those calculations it knows its position to within a few feet and its velocity.

Time as we use it is not Time

Time as we use it is not time but time interval—the time accumulated from some origin. We are now 2026 years from 0 A.D. Your wrist watch provides the time of day. My wrist watch is always right to within about 0.2 second as it has a radio receiver tying to official time for the USA generated in Boulder, CO.

This weekend we celebrate the Summer Solstice

This weekend we celebrate the summer solstice when the spin axis of the Earth is exactly at right angles to the vector going from the earth to the sun. We have equal day and equal night. That moment is at 2024 UTC June 20th, or at 2:24 a.m. MST June 21st. I hope you are having a good sleep at that moment.

God’s TIME is most Important

As I share in my books the time we should most care about is God’s TIME. We mortals are limited by time and space; He is not and His grand purposes are roiling forward in one eternal round. His perfect plan of happiness was perfected by our Savior’s Infinite Atonement, as I share in my last and 8th book, The Infinite Atonement of Jesus the Christ, and its Significance in the Last Days. Let us use our “mortal time” to help build His kingdom that it may be here on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt. 6:10). And may we bring as many as we can to Christ. He who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE.

David W. Allan

PS If you want a good tutorial in layperson’s terms, Hewlett Packard asked me to write the same: THE SCINECE OF TIMEKEEPING. It has a diagram of how good various clocks are. It is available on my website: AllansTIME.COM and on the internet: http://leapsecond.com/hpan/an1289.pdf .

 

A Call From The Lord – Light For Humankind

End Times, Spirituality
PeterDeHaan.com
The Light of God will be all the light needed

Expository Interpretation of Isaiah 51:4–11 – From The Isaiah Institute – Avraham Gileadi In the song below:  

“Listen to me, my people; give heed to me, O my nation”—There is something urgent right now I have to tell you. So perk up! “The law shall go forth from me; my precepts shall be a light to the peoples”—My gospel has been proclaimed thus far as a light to humanity. (Isaiah 51:4; cf. 26:9.)

“Then, suddenly, I will act: My righteousness shall be at hand and my salvation proceed”; —In a way that is unexpected, I will bring forth my servant who is called Righteousness to prepare the way for my coming as Salvation.  “My arms shall judge the peoples; the isles anticipate me, awaiting my arm”— I, the Lord, who personify Salvation, and my servant, who personifies Righteousness, are two arms of God who will intervene among a corrupt humanity.  I will reward the faith of those in the earth’s island continents who anticipate the coming of me and my forerunner.  (Isaiah 51:5; cf. 33:5; 41:2; 42:21; 46:11-13; 55:3-4; 56:1)

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens; look on the earth beneath: the heavens shall vanish as by smoke, the earth wear out like a garment; its inhabitants shall die in the manner of vermin”—A great and terrible destruction, cosmic in scope, is coming upon the whole earth, in which most of humanity will perish. “But my salvation shall be everlasting; my righteousness shall never fail”—As a deciding factor, only those aligned with me and my servant will live through the coming times into eternity. (Isaiah 51:6; cf. 5:13–14; 24:4–6.) 

“Hear me, you who know righteousness, O people in whose heart is my law. Do not fear the reproach of men; be undaunted by their ridicule”—You who “know” my servant, a covenant term, who accept and don’t reject him, who are committed to the gospel to your inmost being, will inevitably be persecuted. But there is no reason to fear because your spiritual descent through sufferings and humiliation, as you offer an acceptable sacrifice to me, is the very thing that will propel you upward and will define your personal righteousness that my servant exemplifies. (Isaiah  51:7; cf. 42:6; 49:8; 51:1; 61:3; 66:5–6.)

“For the moth shall consume them like a garment; moths shall devour them like wool. But my righteousness shall endure forever, my salvation through endless generations”—Reiterating the worldwide division that underscores humanity’s imminent fate, of destruction on the one hand and deliverance on the other, of covenant curses on the one hand and covenant blessings on the other, I warn you that the time is at hand when I will act among humanity decisively and everlastingly. (Isaiah 51:8; cf. 48:1, 18–19; 54:14; 58:1–2; 59:1–4; 61:10–11; 62:1–2.)

“Awake, arise; clothe yourself with power, O arm of Jehovah! Bestir yourself, as in ancient times, as in generations of old”—When evils in the world reach their apex, when those who are righteous by my standard, not their own, are persecuted to the utmost, then I will intervene by empowering my servant as I empowered my servants in the past. “Was it not you who carved up Rahab, you who slew the dragon?”—As a type and precedent from the past, what my angel did in subduing Egypt and its Pharaoh provides a pattern of what my servant will do to their end-time world counterparts. (Isaiah 51:9; cf. Isaiah 10:26–27; 17:12–13; 27:1; 63:9; Exodus 14:19; 23:20–23; 33:2.)

“Was it not you who dried up the Sea, the waters of the mighty deep, and made of ocean depths a way by which the redeemed might pass?”—What I did formerly through my angel, I will do again by my servant at a great end-time exodus out of Babylon, the world in its wicked state. I will subdue the powers of chaos, the end-time king of Assyria and his alliance, and deliver my elect from all their enemies in a great reversal of their circumstances. (Isaiah 51:10; cf. 10:26–27; 11:15–16; 43:16–17; 48:20–21; 63:11–14.)

“Let the ransomed of Jehovah return! Let them come singing to Zion, their heads crowned with everlasting joy; let them obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing flee away”—Those of my people who participate in the end-time exodus out of Babylon will inherit eternal glory, joy beyond measure, and permanent lands of inheritance. (Isaiah 51:11; cf.  14:32; 30:29; 35:10; 52:11–12.)

From the Isaiah Institute

Phoenician in Salt Lake City

Spirituality
The Pheonicia
Replica of Phoenician ships

Phoenician ship to Salt Lake City

The Lord’s timing and works are truly remarkable. Through the revelations given to Joseph Smith and his translation of the Book of Mormon, scholars have spent decades studying possible evidence surrounding the Book of Mormon peoples and their journeys from Jerusalem to the “Land of Promise.” We know of three different groups who were led to, “…this.is a land, which is choice above all other lands. (Ether 2:10). The Jardites came just after the Tower of Babel. The Lehites about 600 B.C.

Mulek, identified as a son of King Zedekiah, survived the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem around 586 B.C. According to the Book of Mormon, the Lord preserved him and led him to the “Land of Promise.”. His descendants became known as the Mulekites, or the people of Zarahemla, who later united with the Nephites. Nephi was the son of Lehi and preserved the records. The Lord told Joseph Smith to name the city across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo, Illinois, Zarahemla in Iowa (D&C 125:3).

Philip Beale

Philip Beale from the UK had it in his heart to build a Phonecian ship based on 600 BC technology. The Phoenicians were the navigators of the world for centuries back then. He had Phonecian histories that they had sailed around Africa as well as to America. So he did those two voyages with his ship. In 2016 his ship went from Tonecia to Ft. Loterdale, Florida. Unbeknownst to him his two voyages basically mapped out the Lehites route to the “Land of Promise”–North America. Many believe that the “heartland” of North America is where the Jaredites, Lehites, and Mulikites came to this Land of Promise.  Philip Beales’ adventures greatly caught the attention of the HEARTLANDERS.

For many years, readers have wondered how Mulek and his group crossed the ocean, since the Book of Mormon provides only a brief reference in the Book of Helaman 6:10, which states that “the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the land south.”

Some researchers now believe that Mulek may have traveled with the help of Phoenician sailors from Carthage, who were renowned in the ancient world for their advanced maritime skills. In this fascinating presentation, Tunisian scholar Eyrj Ben Sassi explains the historical and archaeological evidence supporting this possibility. Another engaging presentation is the TEDxLAU Women talk by Sheimaa El Oubari, who describes her experience sailing aboard the Phonician ship that Philip Beale had built. It may well be similar to the kind Mulek may have used. Eyrj Ben Sassi references Sheimaa El Oubari as a leading scholar in Phoenician maritime history. Sheimaa is from Labanan where the Phoenicians used to reside.

Considerable research has explored how Lehi and his family may have traveled to the Americas. Far less attention, however, has been given to the Mulikites. Boyd Tuttle is now writing a book about Mulek.

Help Build a Museum in Salt Lake City

We now stand at an extraordinary moment in the preservation of Book of Mormon history and research. A growing body of evidence continues to inspire scholars, researchers, and believers alike as they explore possible connections between ancient maritime civilizations and the peoples described in the Book of Mormon.

One of the most exciting opportunities before us is the creation of a museum in Salt Lake City dedicated to showcasing artifacts, research, replicas, and educational exhibits relating to Book of Mormon civilizations and their possible connections to the ancient world.

A remarkable centerpiece for this museum already exists: the replica Phoenician ship “Phoenicia,” built by Philip Beale. This full-scale vessel represents the type of ship that may have carried Mulek and his people to the Americas. The ship has already been generously purchased through the efforts of John Lefgren and Michael Fontain and Betty Fontain. What is now needed is a permanent home where it can inspire and educate future generations.

This museum would provide a place where families, scholars, students, and visitors from around the world could explore compelling evidence, historical context, and educational displays that bring the Book of Mormon to life in meaningful and thought-provoking ways.

We invite individuals, families, organizations, and supporters of this vision to join in helping make this museum a reality. Financial contributions, professional expertise, exhibit support, and community connections are all needed to establish a worthy home for Phoenicia and the growing collection of research and artifacts associated with this effort.

Together, we can help preserve this unique educational and historical resource for future generations and create a lasting center for discovery, faith, and learning in Salt Lake City.

Email from Dr. Lefgren, Eryj coming to Salt Lake

I recently received an e-mail from Dr. John Lefgren that Eryj Ben Sassi is coming to Salt Lake City on the 21st of May, this month (2026).

Greetings from John Lefgren,

It is fascinating how the history of scripture fundamentally associates with the geography of the Mediterranean. Carthage is a major, well-known city in the ancient world that rivaled Rome.

Eryj Ben Sassi is the Founder and President of the Association Didon of Carthage in Tunisia. She has been a featured guest on podcasts like Gospel Tangents to discuss evidence of ancient Phoenicians traveling from North Africa to North America around 600 BC. Chick here to see.

We are happy to report that Eryj is coming from Carthage, Tunisia to Salt Lake City. Utah, on Thursday, May 21st.

She has followed the activities of Phoenicia for a decade from the Old to the New Worlds. She recognizes that the ship tells the story of how her ancestors sailed 30,000 nautical miles around Africa and across the Atlantic to America. She knows that the ship is now in Utah and is ready to go on display for millions to see and feel.

Here is the planned program for Eryi’s upcoming visit.

(1) Meetings with Rod Meldrum at his studios in southern Utah.

(2) Meetings in Salt Lake City with Habib Ostra, who is flying in to meet Mike and Betty LaFontaine as well as Erjyj to discuss preparations for the 2026 Southern Federation of Syrian-Lebanese American Convention in Orlando, Florida. The Lebanese organization wants to learn more about PHOENICIA and how it might participate in the ship’s future plans.

(3) Meetings organized by Doug Petty and Boyd Tuttle with religious leaders in downtown Salt Lake.

(4) Planned talks with the members of the Salt Lake City, Utah, 2034 Organizing Committee, led by Executive Chair Fraser Bullock, CEO Brad Wilson, and Vice Chair Steve Starks.

(5) Meetings organized by Jim Wheeler and Roger Cook with wealthy people who live near Jackson Hole. For your information, Teton County, Wyoming, is the richest per capita county in America. To our knowledge, no other place in the world has such a high concentration of wealth. The purpose of these meetings is for Erjyj to begin discussions about future funding for the PHOENICIA.

(6) Meetings in Hollywood with people who represent the global epicenter of creative talent, showcasing excellence across film, television, music, radio, and live performance.

Erjyj is coming from the Old World and will support Phoenicia as she reaches out to people from around the World.

We welcome Eryi to Utah as we finalize the schedule for her visit.

Regards,

John Lefgren, PhD
Heartland Research Inc
Montrose, Iowa

by David W. Allan and daughter Celeste

PS The following blog article proves the HEARTLAND model to be true for Book of Mormon geography. Philip Beale came to a Book of Mormon Evidence Conference to receive an award. You see him on the left holding the flag with Boyd Tuttle that he flew on the Phoenicia.

 

Crystal streams in Rocky Mountains

Spirituality

The Prophet Joseph Smith made a remarkable prophecy to Anson Call, whose descendants now number in the tens of thousands regarding his great work in the Rocky Mountains. Dr. John Lofgren is doing some fascinating research regarding this prophecy and has given me permission to share.

From Anson Call’s diary (1843)

On the 14th of July we crossed the river to Montrose… Joseph, who was with us, told us of many things that should transpire in the mountains. After drinking a drought of ice water he said, “Brethren this water tastes much like the crystal streams that are running in the Rocky Mountains which some of you will participate of. There are some of those standing here that will perform a great work in that land pointing to Shadrach Roundy and a number of others… There is Anson, he shall go and shall assist in building cities from one end of the country to the other and you shall perform as greater work as has ever been done by man so that the nations of the earth shall be astonished and many of them will be gathered in that land assisting and building cities and temples and Israel shall be made to rejoice but before you see this day you will pass through scenes that are but little understood by you. This people will be made to mourn. Multitudes will die and many will apostatize but the priesthood shall prevail over all its enemies, triumph over the devil and be established upon the earth never more to be thrown down.” Then he charged us with all the zeal and language of prophet could muster to be faithful in those things had been [shared].

From: John Lefgren To David Allan  — Fri, Apr 24, 7:46 AM

Greetings,

How unique is a hand-dug, 200-year-old well in Iowa?

Approximately 230,000 to 290,000 Iowans rely on private wells for drinking water, with estimates suggesting there are over 96,000 active private wells in the state. These groundwater-fed private water supplies are often used for residential, agricultural, and livestock purposes.

Iowa has approximately 36 million acres of land. Of this total, roughly 30.5 to 30.6 million acres are dedicated to farmland, representing over 85% of the state’s total land area. The state is predominantly agricultural, with 26 million+ acres classified as cropland.

Wells are an important part of everyday life and farm production.

Two hundred years ago, wells could be dug only by hand. There were no drilling rigs. You wanted water, so you dug a hole, hoping to find it. No drilling of wells. Today, +99% of all wells in Iowa require hiring a DNR-certified well contractor to ensure compliance with state construction standards and to secure necessary permits. Permits are generally issued at the county level for private, residential, or agricultural wells, and proper well placement is crucial to avoid contamination.

In the context of groundwater in the early 19th century, it is remarkable that we have found a 200-year-old well fed by living water, located exactly where Joseph Smith drank water on Saturday, August 6, 1843, and gave a prophecy to Anso Call about how he would cross the plains and participate in building cities where the Saints would become a mighty people in the tops of the Rocky Mountains.

Come to Montrose. Drink the water coming from one of the country’s oldest wells. Marvel at how God moves in our time..

Regards,

John

From John Lefgren  to David Allan — Sun, Apr 26 7:25 AM

Greetings,

We are making very specific connections to the fulfillment of the Rocky Mountain Prophecy given by Joseph Smith to Anson Call on Saturday, August 6th, 1843, at the Zarahemla Water Well in [Montrose], Iowa.

In the last two days, more than eight researchers have been in Northern Utah exploring how the Bear River Watershed, the largest tributary system of the Great Salt Lake, covering roughly 7,000–7,500 square miles across parts of Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho, flows from the mountains in a 350-mile horseshoe shape, providing over half of the freshwater into the critical closed-basin system.

The Bear River is the largest river in North America that does not empty into an ocean. The river feeds the 80,000-acre Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, providing vital wetlands for millions of birds, including white-faced ibis, American pelicans, and tundra swans.

The geological features of the Bear River are directly associated with the Rocky Mountain Prophecy, where snow-capped mountain waters sustain the lives and communities of more than one million people.

The settlement of early Saints in the Rocky Mountains began in 1847, driven by the Pioneers’ efforts to colonize many regions. Key early forts include Call’s Fort (1855) in the north and Fort Utah (1849) in Provo. These immigrants from Nauvoo and Montrose faced harsh terrain and cold winters. They were called to settle in areas where fresh water from mountain snows gave life to man and beast. Yesterday, more than a dozen researchers followed the Zarahemla water-based story into the mountain streams that flow into the Great Basin.

In his Rocky Mountain Prophecy, given at the fresh water of Zarahemla, Joseph Smith could not have been more specific when he identified that the 32-year-old Anson Call would spend the rest of his life by going to the empty lands of Mexican Territory in the Intermountain Area, where the Saints would build cities and where he would see, over a period of more than forty years, the rise of a mighty nation.

We are so happy to see the fulfillment of an important prophecy the Prophet gave while drinking from the well in Zarahemla in 1843. In the past few months, we uncovered the hand-dug well associated with the prophecy in Montrose, directly across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo. We will soon bottle this water so that millions can taste and see for themselves how God moves in our time. May we all be blessed as we seek to understand the earliest days of the Restoration as seen from the western banks of America’s largest river.

Amazing Historian

Dr. John Lefgren is an amazing historian. He has researched how the North American Natives knew of the lunar sign denoting the birth of our Savior. This he shows with the earthworks near Newark, Ohio, that map out the plan of salvation.

https://itsabouttimebook.com/newark-ohio-earthworks/ . I share his research in my new book: THE INFINITE ATONEMENT OF JESUS THE CHRIST, AND LAST DAYS SIGNIFICANCE, A SCIENTIST’S VIEW.

John and Dr. John Pratt also independently determine the date of the FIRST VISION of the Prophet Joseph Smith as being 26 March 1820. Dr. Pratt, a friend, has past, and he was probably the best expert on Hebrew and Enoch’s calendars. He found the date in the Enoch calendar. Dr. Lefgren used weather data, and shows that it was a Sabbath. 

Joseph shares, “It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty” (JS-H 14). https://itsabouttimebook.com/the-date-of-the-first-vision/ .

I find it interesting that Utah is a Ute Indian word meaning, “In the tops of the mountains” Isaiah prophecies, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it” (Isa. 2:2).

Anson Call had a big part in helping fulfill Isaiah’s and Joseph Smith’s prophecies.

David W. Allan

Hymn of all Hymns

End Times, Science and Spirituality, Spirituality, , , ,

There is no hymn that fully expresses the Infinite Atonement of Jesus the Christ. Yet this event is the most important in the history of the Earth and for the Universe. As I was writing this book, The Infinite Atonement of Jesus the Christ, and its Significance in the Last Days, I had the impression the Lord would help me with such a hymn for us mortals to enjoy. Because the Infinite Atonement is infinite, only Celestial choirs above would be able to capture the full infinite grandeur of all the Savior accomplished during those three sacred days–blessing all of Elohim‘s children and the whole Universe.

It would not be a hymn with just a set of lyrics, but a composition as a witness of Christ’s sacred unfolding of His infinite suffering and His infinite JOY, sharing His infinite redeeming love, and His eternal victory over time and space for the Universe.

In Dr. Michael McNiven’s book, OUR LORD OF WHOLENESS, The Atonement of Jesus Christ as the Organizing Principle, he shares that the Atonement over comes entropy–the winding down of the Universe according to the second law of thermodynamics. While entropy is winding it down, the Infinite Atonement is winding it up; this insight touched my soul to the core and I share Dr. McNiven’s insights in my book along with additional perspectives of light and truth in support of this enormously important Infinite Atomement.

We see all emotional dimensions in His Infinite Atonement. In Gethsemane we see His infinite inward suffering for all the sins, suffering, pain and anguish for all of Elohim’s children. Then He suffered outward humiliation, tearing out of His beard (Avraham Gileadi Isaiah 50:6), other horrible abuses, incomprehensible scourging, and a crown of thorns. Then came the horrific infinite physical suffering with the five nails of crucifixion. He did not go to the cross alone. He carried each of us with Him. Every sin. Every sorrow. Every injustice. The weight of all creation pressed upon Him with His heartfelt desire to do His Father’s will to bless the entire Universe.  His suffering finished the “atoning sacrifice.” Only after His suffering for all of Elohim’s children was completed did He in agony declare, “It is finished!“

Next, He commenced the “atoning bridge.” Unbeknownst to most, after His voluntary death (John 10:17-18) He began the “Atoning Bridge.” When His Spirit left His body, then He brought infinite JOY to countless millions in paradise. He told the Jews when they asked for a sign that He would spend three days and three nights in “the heart of the earth” (Matt.  12:40). So, the spirit world is the “heart of the earth.” After finishing that enormous blessing to them, He then commenced bringing JOY to even multiple billions, as He conquered death with His glorious resurrection. His resurrection is capstone to the Infinite Atonement.

So, we have this most important equation in the Universe: Atoning Sacrifice + Atoning Bridge = Infinite Atonement. Also, unbeknownst to most is that there are seven steps or dimensions to the Infinite Atonement. The atoning sacrifice includes steps 1 through 5, and the atoning bridge gloriously finishes with steps 6 and 7. My new book covers these seven steps in detail.

From a scientific perspective, the Infinite Atonement represents much more than a theological event—it is a cosmic reversal. While entropy drives the universe toward disorder and decay, the Infinite Atonement introduces a restoring force—one that redeems, reorganizes, and ultimately exalts–opening the door to a fullness of JOY to the faithful in Christ. In that sense, Christ’s Infinite Atonement is not only redemptive—it is structural to eternity itself. The Infinite Atonement perfects Heavenly Father’s Perfect Plan of Happiness, as it totally overcomes the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve.

 

On the 24th of March 2026, I had just finished my final edits  for this book, following the Lord’s prompting. I was led to “Beautiful ZION, Built Above,” hymn number 44 in the LDS Hymnal for the music for this Hymn of All Hymns. It is a beautiful hymn all by itself.|

I started writing this blog article on the 26th of March 2026. That day is a very special day (26 March 2026). It is exactly 206 years since the FIRST VISION of the Prophet Joseph Smith. With him, the Lord opened up the last dispensation of the gospel–the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. We live in that exciting day when the Lord promised: “Nothing shall be withheld” (D&C 121:28). Much of what I share here is a result of the blessings of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. This was prophesied of by the Apostles Peter and Paul (Acts 3:19-21; Eph. 1:10).

Here are words to this beautiful hymn; the meter is an interesting 888888857 and is unique in the LDS Hymnal:

1. Beautiful Zion, built above;
Beautiful city that I love;
Beautiful gates of pearly white
Beautiful temple—God its light;
He who was slain on Calvary
Opens those pearly gates for me.|

Zion, Zion, lovely Zion;

Beautiful Zion;

Zion, city of our God

2.   Beautiful heav’n, where all is light;
Beautiful angels clothed in white;
Beautiful strains that never tire;
Beautiful harps thru all the choir;|
There shall I join the chorus sweet,
Worshiping at the Savior’s feet.
Zion, Zion, lovely Zion;

Beautiful Zion;

Zion, city of our God!

3.  Beautiful crowns on ev’ry brow;
Beautiful palms the conq’rors show;
Beautiful robes the ransomed wear;
Beautiful all who enter there.
Thither I press with eager feet;
There shall my rest be long and sweet.
Zion, Zion, lovely Zion;

Beautiful Zion;

Zion, city of our God!

On page 199 of my book, I share my humble attempt to approach this infinite challenge to share for us mortals this Hymn of all Hymns for The Infinite Atonement of Jesus the Christ.

Kayla Jessop

I was recently blessed to meet Kayla Jessop, who is a pianist, a composer, an artist, and has a beautiful voice. With her skill she changed the wording slightly and gave some interesting variations to the music. She made an MP3 recording for me which I am delighted to share here. So you can listen to her beautiful voice while following with the verses below. If you want the MP3 she recorded for the lyrics on page 199 of my book you will find them here.

I hope and pray in this effort that I am fulfilling the Lord’s request to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). I have sought heaven’s help for the hymn. I am so grateful for Kayla’s skill in refining it. You will see that it ties into the fundamentals of Elohim’s creations, the great importance of choosing Christ, and enjoying and appreciating the full blessings of His Infinite Atonement–cap-stoned by His glorious resurrection.

To find more of Kayla’s music and art, visit her website https://kaylajessop.wixsite.com/musicandart.

Verse 1 – In the Garden of Gethsemane

Infinite love from heav’n above,
The matchless gift of God is love;
In lone Gethsemane He trod,
And bore each grief as Son of God;
From ev’ry pore the crimson fell,
To ransom souls from death and hell.
The Lamb of God, For sinners slain—
Infinite love;
Christ, Redeemer, bore our pain.

Verse 2 – Infinite Pain with Horrific Crucifixion

“Crucify Him!” arose the cry,
The sinless Lamb was lifted high;
A crown of thorns upon His head,
By wicked hands His blood was shed;
The scourge His sacred flesh was torn,
The nails His suffering form had borne.
Jesus bowed His head—“It is done”
Infinite love;
—Thy will fulfilled, the vict’ry won.

Verse 3 – Paradise Rejoices. The Atoning Bridge.

Paradise Opening Prison gate;
Missing their bodies in that state.
Saints awaiting from Adam’s time;
He shared the gospel most sublime.
Their spirits yearned to be made whole;
Rejoining again body and soul;
Jesus, their long redeeming light;
Infinite love;
Adam on–the heavens delight.

Verse 4, Glorious Resurrection Morning

That glorious morn the stone rolled free,
Conquered death–He rose in glory;
And saints arose in robes of light,
Filled the earth with songs delight;
Rejoicing swelled from shore to shore
While loved ones met forevermore;
In raptured praise all voices ring.
See the risen King;
His mother wept tears of JOY!

Verse 5 – Last Days Significance and Zion

Now in these days the signs appear,
Voices of warning sound so clear;
Zion shall rise in glory bright,
Filled with His everlasting light;
Israel gathers, hearts are made new,
The covenant path is in our view.
Come unto Jesus–Hear His call;
Millennial Day–
New Heav’n and Earth: King of all.

Verse 6 – Cosmic Reach of the Infinite Atonement

Endless the reach of boundless grace,
Through time and space, in ev’ry place;
The Light, the law, the truth is He,
The source for all eternity;
Worlds without number live through Him,
The power of death is ever dim.
All life renewed—Through Jesus’ call—
Infinite love;
Christ, Creator, Lord of all.

I believe this blog article will be helpful.

It is my witness that Jesus is the Christ, that His Atonement is infinite in scope and intimate in reach, and that through Him, all things are not only eventually healed—but made whole and new. As is beautifully described in scripture: “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ” (D&C 88:6-7).

Music and poetry have a sacred power to draw us closer to the Savior—to help us become ONE with Him. To know God is eternal life (John 17:3), and that knowing is the path that leads to peace, love, and joy in this life, and to a fullness of joy in the life to come. This is my witness and my prayer for all who read these words for this Hymn of all Hymns. May we be ONE with Elohim and ever bring honor and glory to Their blessed names while serving Them and Their children–bringing light and truth into the world.


David W. Allan

P. S. Selected Supporting Scriptures
Book of Moses 1:33–39
Second Nephi 2:25–27
Moroni 10:32–33
Doctrine and Covenants 38:27

FIRST LAST LAST FIRST

Spirituality, , , ,

A chiasmus is ancient Greek and Hebrew literary style where the writings are repeated in reverse order.  For instance, the Old Testament shares how God’s word was received by them; they were the FIRST (Israel) to receive God’s word. However, because the Jews rejected Christ, the gospel was taken to the Gentiles, as described in the New Testament (Matt. 21:42-43).  So, then we have the FIRST becoming the LAST, as the Gentiles gladly receive the gospel.

Following the New Testament story, the Dark Ages brought about a Great Apostasy from the original church.  Then, in North America, following the reformation from the Dark Ages, we have the LAST becoming the FIRST.  The restoration of the fullness of the gospel came through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The LDS scripture canon added greatly to the Bible. This restoration was prophesied by the Apostles Peter and Paul (Acts 3:18-20; Eph. 1:10). Now, in our day, this Gentile nation is rejecting Christ. So, now the FIRST (Israel) is becoming the LAST. We are seeing this grand chiasmus being played out over world history. Jesus is the FIRST and the LAST–ALPHA AND OMEAGA.

The Lord’s Visit

When the resurrected Lord visited North America, He prophesied this would happen in our day: “And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them” (3 Nephi 16:10). That is happening now. We have to ask the hard question, “Who can reject the fullness of the gospel except those who have it?”

David Hocking, in his ANNOTATED EDITION, THE NEW TESTAMENT of JESUS CHRIST, THE JOSEPH SMITH TRANSLATION, discusses “When the Times of the Gentiles Shall be Fulfilled.” This is in conjunction with the disciples asking Him, “Master, tell us concerning Thy coming” (Luke 21:25-28). David shares a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson on page 144 explaining the “times of the Gentiles,” and shares the diagram below. The fullness of the Gentiles began with the restoration and is ending now, as the Savior prophesied, “…when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel.” Notice, He says, “when,” not “if.”

Moroni saw our day and gave us a profound warning: “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads? Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer” (Mormon 8:35-41).

Today, we see this Gentile nation (North America) in significant decadence: secularism, materialism, relativism, scientism, wokism, socialism, and a significant decline in morality, pornography, and human trafficking are epidemic—especially among the rich and publicly powerful.

First Becomes Last

At the same time,  we observe the Lord now gathering Israel, as the FIRST becomes the LAST, we see a fascinating statistic for the LDS. The converts per thousand members went from 7.6 to 17.6 from 2020 to 2024.  Most of the converts have been outside of the United States. The African saints have enjoyed enormous increases in LDS membership. And Christianity in Africa has grown from 9 million in 1900 to over 700 million today. Christianity in China grew from about 1–2 million in 1949 to 60–100+ million today. Now, 8.5% of Chinese are Christian, and the percentage is significantly increasing. Many of the Chinese Christians have worship services in their homes because of government constraints. It is reported that there are 8 million Persian Christians in Iran, and the number is rapidly increasing. The Persians are the children of Abraham.

The Lord declares FIRST LAST LAST FIRST

The Lord declared: “But remember that all my judgments are not given unto men; and as the words have gone forth out of my mouth even so shall they be fulfilled, that the first shall be last, and that the last shall be first in all things whatsoever I have created by the word of my power, which is the power of my Spirit” (D&C 29:30). I have below several examples of FIRST LAST LAST FIRST.

Some Examples of FIRST LAST LAST FIRST 

  • ATONEMENT: I will be thy Son; Only Begotten; Resurrected; and became our Father
  • MAN: offspring of God, opportunity for mortality, resurrected, become as God now is
  • EARTH: spiritual, physical, redeemed physically, celestialized
  • FALL: Garden, Expulsion, Christ overcomes effects of the Fall, Paradisiacal glory
  • ZION: Enoch Zion, taken up, Lord brings Zion, Enoch’s returns to New Jerusalem
  • PLAN: Council in heaven, Need for the Fall, Need for Savior, Can become as God
  • COVENANT: Israel (OT), Gentiles (NT), Gentiles (BoM), Israel (gathered)
  • SCRIPTURES: Old Testament &Brass Plates, NT, BoM, etc., New Scriptures
  • TEMPLES: Father’s Throne, Old Temples, Restored Temples, Path to Celestial Kingdom
  • FAMILY: Offspring of God, Given families on earth, Sealings, Joined in Heaven
  • CHRIST: Firstborn of the Father, Only Begotten, First fruits, Christ is our Father
  • ISRAEL: Father makes covenants, broken, keys restored, Father fulfills promises
  • BIRTH: Spirit birth, Physical birth, Born again, Birthed into Father’s presence
  • CHURCH: Patriarchal & Kings, NT priesthood offices, Restored, Church of Firstborn
  • OFFSPRING: Of Heavenly Parents; of earthly parents; resurrected; become heavenly parents
  • AGENCY: Choose Father’s Plan; Choose to follow Christ; King of kings…; Enjoy Celestial realms
  • FIRST of BoM translated LAST; LAST of BoM translated FIRST
    BoM = Book of Mormon; in Harmony, PA, and then in Fayette, NY.

Now we are living in this very important transition time, as this grand chiasmus for the history of Earth is being played out by the Lord. It is the most exciting time. In spite of the world spiraling down in wickedness as Satan increases his efforts, knowing this is his last hour before the Second Coming, the Lord is hastening his work to bring as many as will to Him.

This FIRST LAST LAST FIRST is discussed in the scriptures in many places (Isa. 44:6; 48:12; Matt. 19:30; 20:16; Luke 13:30; Mark 10:31; and D&C 110:4). Then the Prophet Nephi gives a classic explanation of the significance of this grand chiasmus:

“And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (1 Nephi 13:42).

The Prophet Moroni then ties this chiasmus to our day regarding the Old Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem here in North America:

“And now I, Moroni, proceed to finish my record concerning the destruction of the people of whom I have been writing. [The Jaredite nation; 2200 BC to 600 BC]. For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether; for he truly told them of all things, from the beginning of man; and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof; And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord. Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel. And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not. Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, there are they who were first, who shall be last; and there are they who were last, who shall be first. And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether ” [the last Jaredite prophet] (Ether 13:1-13).

So, as mentioned before, Joseph in Egypt was a “type.” He saved the House of Israel temporarily. Now, the descendants of Joseph will help to save the House of Israel temporally and spiritually. Again, we ask, “Are we at that juncture at the end of abundance? Will we now have seven lean years?”

Zion

We know that ZION is coming, and we know a purging is coming because we see the world spiraling down in wickedness. As we go forward in faith, trusting in the Lord, we have the assurance from the Prophet Nephi that the Lord will not let the wicked destroy the righteous:

“For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire” (1 Nephi 22:16-17).

It is fascinating to see this grand chiasmus play out: FIRST LAST LAST FIRST in our day and in the Lord’s timing. Let us be true disciples of Christ and listen and harken to His voice and see His smiling face as we live and share His TRUTHs (D&C 93:1).
“THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST, AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST.

David W. Allan

Signs of The Times

Spirituality, , , ,

The Latter-day Saint view of the End-Times, empowered by the Infinite Atonement and the infinite love of Elohim, is very different from the traditional Christian worldview.

The Lord has promised to the faithful: “And he that believeth shall be blest with signs following, even as it is written. And unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man” (D&C 68:10-11);

In all that happens in the End-Times, we know that Elohim will never take away the Divine given agency—the right to use our intelligence to choose. Robert Burns profoundly observed, “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.” People listening to adversarial voices make it so.”

Warnings for our Day

The Prophet Nephi clearly warns regarding adversarial forces in our day: “For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance” (2 Nephi 28:20, 22).

Satan is ramping up evil because he knows it is his last hour before the Millennium. This he is doing because he doesn’t know or see the grand plan of happiness. In the premortal world, he wouldn’t have rebelled in the first place if he had appreciated the Father’s grand plan for all of His children. In his pride, he led one third away from the plan of happiness, saying to Heavenly Father, “give me thine honor” (D&C 29:36).

Elohim, in His perfection, turns evil into good. As the people of the world become more wicked, they will be destroyed to keep them from becoming more wicked and adding to their sins. Then, during their spirit prison hell, they will have an opportunity to be purged and repent. Then, at the end of the Millennium, they will gratefully bow the knee and accept Christ and be deeply grateful for Heavenly Father’s Plan.

Three Kingdoms

The Apostle Paul tells us of three degrees of glory in the resurrection, like unto the sun, the moon, and the stars (1 Corinthians 15:40-42). They are called Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were given a vision of the three degrees of glory. Regarding the Celestial Kingdom, the Savior declared, “Strait is the gate, and narrow the way,… and few there be that find it (Matt. 7:14).

Regarding the Terrestrial Kingdom, “These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus…(D&C 76:79).  D&C 76:71-79 describes the character traits of those in this kingdom. Given the character traits described, there will be a large number in the Terrestrial Kingdom.

Because of the wickedness of the world, a vast number of people will end up in the Telestial Kingdom. “But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore” (D&C 76:109); But our infinitely loving and totally fair Elohim promises them, “And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding” (D&C 76:89);

Many of the prophecies in the Bible of the last days seem dire, as they often describe the wickedness of the people of the world. Now that we know some of the grand blessings coming from the Infinite Atonement of Jesus the Christ, we view them in the brilliant light of Elohim’s infinite love for all of their children.

Satan’s Pride

We see Satan’s pride described in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 and in 2 Peter 3:3–4 for the people of the world in the last days:
·        Self-centeredness
·        Greed
·        Violence
·        Rejection of truth·
.        Mockery of faith

Latter-day scripture canon adds greatly to what God will be doing to counter all of the wickedness of the world. We have the great promises of 1 Nephi, chapter 22, as Nephi does a Hebrew Midrash on Isaiah 48 and 49; “And the righteous need not fear (verse 22). Then the Savior does a massive Midrash on several scriptures in the Old Testament in 3 Nephi 20-23, explaining the End-Times. The Book of Revelations and the LDS canon explain how the great and abominable church meets its demise. The New Jerusalem will be built in the promised land of North America.  The Lord will bring about Zion–a people prepared to meet the Lord at His Coming.

Doctrine and Covenants sections 45, 88, and 133 are “gold” in this regard. The Lord has made grand promises to the House of Israel. He will keep every covenant He has made, and the blessings will be enormous. His every loving kindness will shine through beyond our current comprehension.

Before He Comes Again

Before He comes again, He has this amazing promise of His perfect fairness that everyone (no one excluded) will have a chance to hear the fullness of the gospel: “For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ” (D&C 90:11).

Then, for those who reject the fullness of the gospel but who accept Christ and make it into the Millennium by following the light of Christ, which we all received at birth (John 1:9), they will be given the opportunity again to receive the fullness of the gospel. And if they receive it, their promise is a fullness of joy in the Celestial Kingdom. Can you imagine a God who is more fair and loving? Elohim is perfect in their infinite love for each of us.

The End Times

We have these two fascinating prophecies of the Apostle Paul of about the End-Times: “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 8)

Let Us Be Children of LIGHT

Let us be children of LIGHT! Then the Lord will show us the signs of the times and take us out of fear and into faith in Him.

We can expect evil people using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simulate signs in the heavens. But they cannot replicate what happened on the 23 of September 2017 as Revelation Chapter 12 was played out in the heavens.  In that revelation from the heavens for all the world to see, the Lord promised to bring forth ZION—a pure in heart people!

For example, before the resurrected Christ came to America, His voice was heard from the heavens detailing why the cities were destroyed and that the Law of Moses had been fulfilled in Him. Telling them to no longer offer sacrifices under the Law of Moses, “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20). As prophesied by Isaiah, this will happen again before He comes and for the whole world:

Isa. 30:30 “And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. Avraham Gileadi’s translation shares, “The Lord will cause his voice to resound, and make visible his arm descending in furious rage, with flashes of devouring fire, explosive discharges, and pounding hail.”

Summing It UP

The Prophet Micah sums it up beautifully: Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

This is just the opposite of the world’s materialism, relativism, socialism, wokism, transgenderism, including the pride and self-centeredness of the people of the world. And because of their wickedness, Babylon the Great shall fall. (See the Book of Revelations chapters 14, 16, 17, and 18) And great will be the fall thereof.

Before Babylon falls, they will introduce the “Mark of the Beast.” “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Rev. 13:16-17). Don’t take the mark!!!

Great Signs To Come

One of the great signs will be as John the Beloved shares, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Rev. 14:6-7). We have the very poignant question, “Why would the angel need to come in the last days to bring the ‘everlasting gospel’ if it were already here with the Bible?”

The Lord shares, “and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fullness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim” (D&C 27:5);

Ezekiel prophesies of this great event: “The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand” (Ezekiel 37:15-17). A “stick” is like a scroll containing the word of the Lord.

Then we have the additional important clarification: “And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth. And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; And worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—“ (D&C 133:36-39). I know of others who have seen Moroni in our time.

Stick of Ephraim

Moroni has important keys of the “Stick of Ephraim” to help in gathering Israel in the last days. He spent thirty-six years after the last great civil war battles, when all the Nephites were destroyed except him. He had custodianship of all their sacred records and gave us the abridged Jaredite record as recorded in the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon. Because the great Jaredite Prophet, Mahonri Moriancumer, was shown the end-from-the-beginning of world history, Moroni knew it as well. He had the Urim and Thummim to translate. Interestingly, they spoke the Adamic language. Moroni says talking to us, “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35).

Another Sign

Another grand sign of the End-Times, as the Lord prepares this earth for its thousand-year Millennial glory, missed by most, is the continents coming together. In the time table of the Lord,
·       The fall of Adam and Eve was 4,000 B.C.
·       The ministry of Enoch was 3,000 B.C.
·       The ministry of Noah and the flood was 2,400 B.C.
·       According to the well-accepted (17th century) Bible chronologist James Ussher, the Flood was 2348 B.C. and Peleg was born 2247 B.C.
·       The Tower of Babel was 2,200 B.C.
·       Ministry of Melchizedek was 2,100 B.C.
· The death of Noah was 1,998 B.C. (Gen. 3:2).
· The birth of Abraham was 1,996 B.C.
· The birth of Isaac was 1,896 B.C. (Abraham was 100 years old)
· The birth of Jacob was 1,836 B.C.
· The birth of Joseph was 1,745 B.C.

Then we have this momentous scripture tying things together for the End-Times:

“For behold, the Lord God hath sent forth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is nigh— When the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father’s name written on their foreheads. Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him. For behold, he shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion. 

“And he shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people; And it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and the valleys shall not be found. He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land; And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in the days before it was divided” (D&C 133:17-24). This is what the Lord is doing in preparation for His Glorious Millennial reign as “KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:16).

Moroni Shares

“And now I, Moroni, proceed to finish my record concerning the destruction of the people of whom I have been writing [Jaredites in North America]. For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether; for he truly told them of all things, from the beginning of man; and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof; And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord. Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. 

“And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel. And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. 

“For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not. Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away.
And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new.

“And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, there are they who were first, who shall be last; and there are they who were last, who shall be first” (Ether 13:1-12).

As Joseph saved the House of Israel from the seven years of famine in Egypt, so the descendants of Ephraim will help in saving the House of Israel temporally and spiritually in the End-Times.

The Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul prophesied, “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Eph. 1:10): And Peter declared that that dispensation and “restitution” would occur before the Savior comes again. The Prophet Joseph Smith began that last dispensation of the fullness of the gospel when Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son gave him that commission in the first vision on 26 March 1820.  And it is still ongoing, as we now witness the hand of the Lord and His angels in our lives and across the globe. And for the future, the Savior prophesied, “For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them (3 Nephi 21:9).

Joseph Smith Was Told

And Joseph was told, “Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory; A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest” (D&C 121:27-28).

Matthew records the Savior warning of the last days of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matt. 24:6-8): “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-7).

As we view all of the above empowered by the infinite love of the Infinite Atonement, we are promised that we need not fear, but know that we can totally trust in Him. (1 Nephi 22:21-22) Trust in the Lord and Be Lifted Up. JS-Matt. 14:56  “And thus cometh the end of the wicked according to the prophecy of Moses, saying, They should be cut off from among the people. But the end of the earth is not yet, but by and by.”

“And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled; And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven—” (D&C 88:95-97).

“O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God”  (2 Nephi 9:28-29).

David W. Allan

The Case Against the Latter-day Saints Has Collapsed

Spirituality,

Guest Post: Clint Teeples

For much of the twentieth century, it was an article of faith in American evangelical circles that the historical and intellectual claims of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would eventually collapse under scrutiny. The collapse was treated as inevitable. The only open question was when.

Critics searched for what one prominent evangelical leader later called a “smoking gun,” some clear mistake or exposure that would finally show the faith to be built on error.

It never arrived.

Two evangelical scholars, Carl Mosser and Paul Owen, published an unexpected assessment in Trinity Journal. After surveying decades of Latter-day Saint scholarship, they reached an uncomfortable conclusion. Latter-day Saints were producing serious, professional work. Evangelical critics were not keeping up.
Evangelicals, they warned, were “losing the battle and not knowing it.”

That judgment has aged remarkably well.

As Richard Mouw, one of the most respected evangelical leaders of his generation, later put it, “The problem with the typical evangelical historical effort to find a smoking gun in Mormon teaching is that it hasn’t been very successful.”
That sentence captures the shift. Critics kept looking for the clear proof that would expose the faith as mistaken. It never came.

This does not mean that Latter-day Saint claims are now universally accepted. They are not. But it does mean something more important. The long-standing assumption that those claims could be easily dismantled by history or scholarship has failed.

One reason is that Latter-day Saint scholarship is no longer confined to a small or isolated world. What was once dismissed as in-house defense is now published by Oxford University Press, discussed at major universities, and cited in mainstream academic journals. It is debated, criticized, refined, and taken seriously by scholars with no connection to the Church at all.

That was not supposed to happen.

Take the Book of Mormon. Once dismissed as an obvious nineteenth-century invention, it has been studied using the same tools scholars apply to ancient texts everywhere: literary structure, naming patterns, ritual forms, and cultural detail. None of this forces belief. But it has made the old explanations increasingly implausible.

The same is true of Latter-day Saint theology. Teachings once portrayed as wildly unchristian, such as God the Father having a body, or the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost being distinct beings, are now known to have been taught and believed by many early Christians. These ideas were common in the first centuries of Christianity before they were eventually ruled outside of Christian belief and replaced by theological frameworks shaped heavily by Greek philosophy. They are no longer historical oddities.

Temple worship follows the same pattern.

What critics once dismissed as invented or eccentric shows clear parallels to ancient temple practice: covenant-making, ritual progression, sacred clothing, and symbolic movement. These are not modern curiosities. They are ancient religious patterns.

Even the Book of Abraham, long treated as the weakest link, is now better understood through recent research that explains how it functions as an intelligible religious work rather than a laughable failure. Debate remains, but the old caricatures no longer hold.

It has not always been this way.

One of the most important turning points came from a critic, not a defender. In the mid-twentieth century, a Protestant minister named Wesley Walters devoted years to disproving the First Vision. He avoided rumors and attacks on character. Instead, he focused on a single historical claim: whether religious revivals actually occurred near Joseph Smith’s home around 1820.
Walters was effectively calling a bluff. If the historical setting collapsed, the vision collapsed with it.

What followed changed Latter-day Saint scholarship. Rather than retreat, historians responded with careful, sustained research. Newspapers were revisited. Church records were mapped. Revival culture was studied town by town.
The result stunned both sides. The revivals were there.

The ‘myth’ was history.

As the historian Richard Bushman later observed, Walters may have done more than anyone else to advance serious Latter-day Saint historical scholarship. The very methods meant to discredit the faith ended up strengthening its historical foundations. Rigorous academic standards became a protection rather than a threat.
That pattern has repeated itself ever since. Serious criticisms are raised. Latter-day Saint scholars respond by widening the evidence. Over time, the criticism weakens. Not because questions are avoided, but because they are met directly.

None of this replaces faith. Latter-day Saints themselves insist that spiritual witness, not scholarship, is the foundation of belief. Historical arguments do not convert hearts.

Academic Rigor Prevailed.

For generations, critics predicted that once Latter-day Saint claims were exposed to serious scholarship, they would collapse. The opposite happened. The scholarship grew stronger. The arguments became more careful. The easy dismissals stopped working.
This is what Mosser, Owen, and Mouw recognized earlier than most. The debate did not end because critics stopped asking questions. It ended because facts grounded in academic rigor prevailed.

By any reasonable historical standard, that is what winning looks like.

Clint Teeples

Author of “Latter-day Saints by Numbers: Research, Insights, and Outcomes” Purchase on Amazon

The Infinite Atonement is Infinite

Spirituality, , , ,

The Infinite Atonement is infinite. This sentence has profound meaning not known to the world. During the three days the Savior worked out the Infinite Atonement, He went from infinite suffering to infinite JOY.

We read, “He that ascended on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ (D&C 88:6-7).” This is the best scriptural description of the Infinite Atonement of Jesus the Christ: The Savior endured infinite suffering for all of Heavenly Father’s children. But, an unappreciated extremely important dimension of the Infinite Atonement is that He experienced infinite JOY, as He visited paradise and was resurrected.

He “descended” below all in His infinite suffering for all the pain, suffering, and sins for all of Heavenly Father’s children. Then He “ascended on high” to paradise, experiencing infinite JOY, as He shared the fullness of the gospel to millions during those three days. Then His JOY was capped as He was gloriously resurrected with countless millions across the globe that First Easter morning. Thus, we see the infinite dimensions of the Infinite Atonement–going from infinite suffering to infinite JOY for Himself and for all who follow Him.

Because of His infinite suffering and infinite JOY, He opened the door through His Infinite Atonement to help us overcome any and all of life’s challenges, as we come unto Him. Then we have his great promise of a fullness of JOY in the life to come (3 Nephi 28:10; D&C 93:33-34). INDEED, it is a perfect Infinite Atonement because He “descended” below all, and “ascended” above all. I capitalize Infinite Atonement because of its sacredness to me.

The wonderful painting by David Lindsley above depicts Jesus’ mother Mary seeing her gloriously resurrected Son, the Son of God.   He shows her the myriads of folks behind Him filled with JOY at the Garden tomb that First Easter Morning.

Independent Dimensions

We can better understand the Infinite Atonement and its full dimension as we look at the seven independent dimensions or steps he worked out in those three days. The Infinite Atonement and its infinite dimensions are the most important event in the history of the earth. And, surprisingly, in its infinite dimensions, to the Universe. The following are the dimensions or steps of the Infinite Atonement.

1. His infinite suffering in Gethsemane for all of Heavenly Father’s children caused Him to bleed from every pore (Mosiah 3:7). As described in my new book, He went three times alone spending three hours in infinite suffering for all of Father’s children.

2. He was then rejected by His own people, the House of Israel. They spit upon Him; tore out His beard, and accused Him of blasphemy, which they were guilty of.

3. Then He was rejected by the Romans (Gentiles)–scourged and condemned to be crucified in a most brutal manner.

4. And then came the five nails of crucifixion, causing Him pain beyond our comprehension, which were driven through His hands, wrists, and feet. He had to stand on the nail in His feet to breathe. Then He would hang from the nail in His wrists. In their depiction, the Nephites in North America have inscribed in stone that the marks in His wrist were larger as He writhed in unfathomable agony up and down during those three hours from noon until 3:00 p.m.

5. Most believe that the Jews or the Romans killed Him, but this is not true; only after He had completed all that was needed during those three hours of suffering on the cross, as the inclusive part, of the Infinite Atonement did He say, “It is finished.” That is when He completed the commandment given to Him by the Father. “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father (John 10:17:18).”

6. He then spent three days in paradise filled with joy as He shared the fullness of the gospel with countless millions. The Savior said during His ministry, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice (John 5:25, 28). The spirits in paradise were anxiously waiting for this most important event in their lives—filling their hearts with JOY, as He shared the fullness of the gospel with them in preparation for the righteous to be resurrected that first Easter Morning.

7. Lastly, all of the righteous were resurrected, across the globe and all the way back to Adam and Eve. There was great rejoicing that first Easter morning. Apocryphal literature tells us the heavens were filled with beautiful music. The soldiers heard a voice from somewhere; yea, from everywhere. It said,” Peace, peace on earth; good will to men.” (Chapter 172:26-41 of the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ by Levi) I believe that great rejoicing echoed across the globe as there were millions resurrected on that First Easter Morning. He had “broken the bands of death” brought about by the fall of Adam and Eve (Mosiah 15:8, 9).

We can think of the Infinite Atonement as Christ’s infinite suffering for all the pain, sins, and suffering for all of Father in Heaven’s children. And His infinite JOY as He completed the sixth and seventh dimensions of His perfect, full, and complete Infinite Atonement. We see that the Infinite Atonement is infinite–infinite in suffering and infinite in JOY. The Infinite Atonement is an incomprehensible blessing to the world and to the Universe–completing Father in Heaven’s perfect plan of happiness.

Joseph of Arimathea

George F. Jowett has written an extremely relevant book, The Drama of the Lost Disciples. We learn from apocryphal literature that Mary’s husband, Joseph, died when Jesus was seventeen. Jowett explains that Joseph of Arimathea was Jesus’ great-uncle. According to Jewish law, Joseph of Arimathea became “the legal guardian of the family.” He had a shipping business–shipping tin from England around the world, and he was very wealthy. He defended Jesus fearlessly as the guardian of the family and stood up boldly against the Sanhedrin.

Because of Jesus glorious resurrection, the Christian movement exploded. Matthew shares, “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many (Matt. 27:52-53.” This magnified the Christian movement tremendously in the Holy Land.

Jesus’ teachings were called “The Way” (John 14:6) by the early Church. To try and stop the movement, the Jewish leadership knew that their law did not allow them to kill those leading “The Way.” They decided to send Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus’ mother, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, and others, to a watery grave. They put them in a boat with no oars or sail. The Lord miraculously saved them. They ended up in Gaul and then in England.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ was taken to England by Joseph of Arimathea. This gospel was written before the four gospels in the Bible. It has a most touching several-page description of when the resurrected Lord appeared to His mother, Mary, who gave birth to the Son of God.

Can you imagine the heartache that Mary had as she watched her Son go through infinite suffering that Thursday when He was ridiculed, scourged, and crucified? It must have nearly torn her heart apart–knowing who He was.

Then this gospel shares the great JOY she felt as she saw her gloriously resurrected Son, and she gave Him a great embrace. She saw, and He shared with her there at the Garden Tomb a myriad of the resurrected folks, greatly rejoicing and all dressed in white. And He told her that He was now going to deliver them to paradise and to the Father. This is depicted in the painting by David Lindsley above.

The Christian Movement in England

Jowett shares that the Christian movement in England was greater than that in the New Testament. They sent missionaries out into the world. Lazarus and Mary Magdalene were incredible missionaries. The Twelve visited Britain, and Joseph of Arimathea was ordained an Apostle. The Druids, who were Hebrews, were prophetically looking forward to the coming of Joseph of Arimathea’s entourage.

Interestingly, Britain means “a covenant man or woman.” England means a people who are not idolatrous. There is a fascinating chronicle written in 1465 that Joseph of Arimathea converted King Arviragus. It is written in old English.

“Joseph converted King Arviragus
By his prechying to know ye laws divine
And baptized him as write hath Nennius
The chronicler in Brytain tongue full of fyne
And to Christian laws made hym inclyne
and gave him a shield of silver white
A crosse and long, and overthwart full perfete
These armes were used throughout all Brytain”

They carried the described cross as they went to battle, and they beat the most powerful army in the world–the Romans, which was incredible. The cross had a circle at the center, reminding us of God’s “One eternal round” for His perfect plan of happiness.

“And God said unto Abraham, … in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called Gen. 21:12).” And we see that in Anglo-Saxon that Saxon is derived from Son of Isaac: so “shall thy seed be called.”

I reached out to my good friend and artist, David Lindsley, and told him about this great event described in the Gospel of Joseph of Arimathea, when Mary sees her resurrected Son. I asked him if he would paint that scene for my new book: THE INFINITE ATONEMENT OF JESUS THE CHRIST, AND LATTER-DAY SIGNIFICANCE, A SCIENTIST VIEW.   He kindly agreed to do so. The picture above is that incredible painting.

The book is now in process. David Hocking, who is kindly formatting my new book, has now placed the photo on the front cover. It looks great!!! Wayne May reached out to the artist, David Lindsley.  Wayne is putting this picture on the front cover of his March 2026 issue of LAND OF PROMISE magazine. The cover for this issue features my blog article, THE SAVIOR’S ATONING BRIDGE. You can order the magazine by calling Wayne’s office: 715-962-1422. It is a great magazine, and Wayne has invited me to have some of my articles in it.

David W. Allan

Photo:  David Lindsley