The Book of Mormon and the Atonement--Extracts from the Books of
Ether, Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman and Mormon.
We next quote from the Book of Mormon, making our selections in
chronological order; first from the Book of Ether, and afterwards from
the records of the Nephites.
"And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself
unto him [the brother of Jared], and said, Because thou knowest these
things, ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back
into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. Behold, I am he
who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people.
Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall
all mankind have light, and that eternally, even they who shall
believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my
daughters."--Ether, iii, 13, 14.
"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."--Ether, xiii, 10, 11.
"Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left
Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews; even
a Messiah; or, in other words, a Savior of the world. And he also
spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of
these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this
Redeemer of the world. Wherefore all mankind were in a lost and in a
fallen state, and ever would be, save they should rely on this
Redeemer. And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come
before the Messiah to prepare the way of the Lord; yea, even he should
go forth and cry in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye
know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe's latchet I am not
worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing. And
my father said he should baptize in Bethabary, beyond Jordan; and he
also said he should baptize with water: even that he should baptize
the Messiah with water. And after he had baptized the Messiah with
water, he should behold and bear record, that he had baptized the Lamb
of God, who should take away the sins of the world."--1 Nephi, x,
4-10.
"And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying, Look!
And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the
people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world;
and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up
upon the cross, and slain for the sins of the world."--1 Nephi, xi,
32, 33.
"He doeth not anything, save it be for the benefit of the world; for
he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life, that he
may draw all men unto him. Wherefore he commandeth none that they
shall not partake of his salvation."--2 Nephi, xxvi, 24.
"Yea, I know that ye know, that in the body he shall show himself unto
those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it
should be among them; for it behoveth the great Creator that he
suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for
all men, that all men might become subject unto him. For as death hath
passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator,
there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must
needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason
of transgression; and because man became fallen, they were cut off
from the presence of the Lord."--2 Nephi, ix, 5, 6.
"Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed because of the righteousness
of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld, that in the fulness of time he
cometh to bring salvation unto men. And thou hast beheld in thy youth
his glory; wherefore thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall
minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, to-day,
and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and
salvation is free. And men are instructed sufficiently, that they know
good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law, no
flesh is justified; or, by the law, men are cut off. Yea, by the
temporal law, they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they
perish from that which is good, and become miserable for ever.
Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he
is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice
for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a
broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of
the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these
things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know
that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it
be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who
layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by
the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of
the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore he is the first
fruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the
children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. And
because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore,
they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to
the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law
which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment
which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to
that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the
atonement; for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all
things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness
could not be brought to pass; neither wickedness; neither holiness nor
misery; neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a
compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body, it must needs
remain as dead, having no life, neither death, nor corruption nor
incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught;
wherefore, there would have been no purpose in the end of its
creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God,
and his eternal purposes; and also, the power, and the mercy, and the
justice of God. And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say
there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say
there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness, there be
no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness, there be
no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not, there is no
God. And if there is no God, we are not, neither the earth; for there
could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted
upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away. And now, my sons,
I speak unto you these things, for your profit and learning; for there
is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the
earth, and all things that in them is; both things to act, and things
to be acted upon. And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end
of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the
field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are
created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the
forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life: the one being sweet
and the other bitter; wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he
should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself, save
it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. And I, Lehi,
according to the things which I have read, must needs suppose, that an
angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from
heaven: wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was
evil before God. And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become
miserable for ever, he sought also the misery of all mankind.
Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, who is the
devil, who is the father of all lies; wherefore he said, Partake of
the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as God,
knowing good and evil. And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the
forbidden fruit, they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till
the earth. And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family
of all the earth. And the days of the children of men were prolonged,
according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the
flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their
time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God
gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men
must repent; for he shewed unto all men that they were lost, because
of the transgression of their parents.--2 Nephi, ii, 3-21.
"And now, my brethren, I have spoken plain, that ye cannot err; and as
the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt,
and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations, after they
had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their
eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave
him power that he should smite the rock, and the water should come
forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and
as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven,
save it be this Jesus Christ of whom I have spoken, whereby man can be
saved. Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me
that these things which I write, shall be kept and preserved, and
handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that the
promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, that his seed should never
perish as long as the earth should stand. Wherefore, these things
shall go from generation to generation as long as the earth shall
stand; and they shall go according to the will and pleasure of God;
and the nations who shall possess them shall be judged of them
according to the words which are written; for we labor diligently to
write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in
Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace
that we are saved, after all we can do. And notwithstanding we believe
in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with
steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled; for, for
this end was the law given; wherefore, the law hath become dead unto
us, and we are made alive in Christ, because of our faith; yet we keep
the law because of the commandments; and we talk of Christ, we rejoice
in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write
according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source
they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore, we speak
concerning the law, that our children may know the deadness of the
law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward
unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was
given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not
harden their hearts against him, when the law ought to be done
away."--2 Nephi, xxv, 20-27.
The reference, in the above quotation, to the serpent which Moses
raised up before the children of Israel in the wilderness, directly
confirms the statement of our Savior:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have eternal life."--John, iii, 14, 15.
We now return to our extracts from the Book of Mormon. King Benjamin
teaches:
"For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power,
the Lord Omnipotent, who reigneth, who was and is from all eternity to
all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men,
and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst
men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the
dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and
the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases; and he shall cast
out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the
children of men. And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of
body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer,
except it be unto death: for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so
great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of
his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the
Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things, from the
beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. And lo, he cometh unto
his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men, even
through faith on his name; and even after all this, they shall
consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge
him, and shall crucify him. And he shall rise the third day from the
dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all
these things are done, that a righteous judgment might come upon the
children of men. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins
of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died,
not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly
sinned. But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God;
for salvation cometh to none such, except it be through repentance and
faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord God hath sent his holy
prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to
every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should
believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of
their sins, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, even as though he
had already come among them. Yet the Lord God saw that his people were
a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law
of Moses. And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows shewed
he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto
them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and
understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing, except it were
through the atonement of his blood. And even if it were possible that
little children could sin, they could not be saved: but I say unto you
they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature they fall, even
so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins. And moreover, I say
unto you, that there shall be no other name given, nor any other way
nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in
and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. For behold he
judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that
dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls,
except they humble themselves and become as little children, and
believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the
atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent; for the natural man is
an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, for
ever and ever; but if he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,
and putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint, through the
atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive,
meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things
which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth
submit to his father. And moreover, I say unto you, that the time
shall come, when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout
every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And behold, when that time
cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little
children only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God
Omnipotent."--Mosiah, iii, 5-21.
"And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of
speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of
the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and
behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come
upon them; and they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state,
even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with
one voice, saying, O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of
Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts
may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who
created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among
the children of men. And it came to pass that after they had spoken
these words, the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were
filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having
peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in
Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king
Benjamin had spoken unto them. And king Benjamin again opened his
mouth, and began to speak unto them, saying, My friends and my
brethren, my kindred and my people, I would again call your attention,
that ye may hear and understand the remainder of my words which I
shall speak unto you; for behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of
God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and
your worthless and fallen state; I say unto you, if ye have come to a
knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his
wisdom, and his patience, and his long suffering towards the children
of men, and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the
foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that
should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping
his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his
life; I mean the life of the mortal body; I say that this is the man
who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from
the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the
fall of Adam, or who are, or whoever shall be, even unto the end of
the world; and this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there
is none other salvation, save this which hath been spoken of; neither
are there any conditions whereby man can be saved, except the
conditions which I have told you."--Mosiah, iv, 1-8.
"And now Abinadi said unto them, I would that ye should understand
that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall
redeem his people; and because he dwelleth in flesh, he shall be
called the Son of God: and having subjected the flesh to the will of
the Father, being the Father and the Son; the Father, because he was
conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh, thus
becoming the Father and Son: And they are one God, yea, the very
eternal Father of heaven and of earth; and thus the flesh becoming
subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God,
suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but
suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and
disowned by his people. And after all this, after working many mighty
miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as
Isaiah said, As a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not
his mouth; yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the
flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being
swallowed up in the will of the Father; and thus God breaketh the
bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son
power to make intercession for the children of men: having ascended
into heaven; having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion
towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having
broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their
transgressions: having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of
justice."--Mosiah, xv, 1-9.
"And now it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words, he
stretched forth his hand and said, The time shall come when all shall
see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue and
people shall see eye to eye, and shall confess before God that his
judgments are just; and then shall the wicked be cast out, and they
shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth;
and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord;
therefore the Lord redeemeth them not, for they are carnal and
devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old
serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of
their fall: which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal,
sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good; subjecting themselves to
the devil. Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have
been endlessly lost, were it not that God redeemed his people from
their lost and fallen state. But remember, that he that persists in
his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion
against God, remaineth in his fallen state, and the devil hath all
power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption
made; being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy of God.
And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to
come, as though they had already come, there could have been no
redemption. And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken
the bands of death, that the grave should have no victory, and that
death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. But
there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the
sting of death is swallowed up in Christ: he is the light and the life
of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be
darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no
more death. Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this
corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand
before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works,
whether they be good or whether they be evil. If they be good, to the
resurrection of endless life and happiness, and if they be evil, to
the resurrection of endless damnation; being delivered up to the
devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation; having gone
according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called
upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for
the arms of mercy were extended towards them; and they would not; they
being warned of their iniquities, and yet they would not depart from
them; and they were commanded to repent, and yet they would not
repent. And now had ye not ought to tremble and repent of your sins,
and remember only in and through Christ ye can be saved? Therefore, if
ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those
things which are to come; teach them that redemption cometh through
Christ the Lord, who is the very eternal Father. Amen."--Mosiah, xvi,
1-15.
"But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto
this people, saying, Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and
walk in his paths, which are straight: for behold, the kingdom of
heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the
earth. And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem, which is
the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen
vessel, who shall be overshadowed, and conceive by the power of the
Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God; and he
shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions, and temptations of
every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith, He
will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people; and he
will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which
bind his people: and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his
bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may
know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to
their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless,
the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh, that he might take
upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their
transgressions, according to the power of his deliverance; and now
behold, this is the testimony which is in me."--Alma, vii, 9-13.
"Now Zeezrom said unto the people, See that ye remember these things;
for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God
shall come, but he shall not save his people, as though he had
authority to command God. Now Amulek saith again unto him, Behold,
thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority
to command God, because I said he shall not save his people in their
sins. And I say unto you again, that he cannot save them in their
sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean
thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be
saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot
be saved in your sins. Now Zeezrom saith again unto him, Is the son of
God the very eternal Father? And Amulek said unto him, Yea, he is the
very eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in
them is; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; and
he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take
upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and
these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to
none else; therefore, the wicked remain as though there had been no
redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for
behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand
before God, and be judged according to their works. Now, there is a
death which is called a temporal death: and the death of Christ shall
loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from
this temporal death; the spirit and the body shall be re-united again
in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its
proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought
to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright
recollection of all our guilt. Now this restoration shall come to all,
both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the
wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair
of their heads be lost; but all things shall be restored to its
perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and
be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and
the Holy Spirit, which is one eternal God, to be judged according to
their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil."--Alma, xi,
35-44.
"Now I say unto you, that ye must repent, and be born again: for the
Spirit saith, If ye are not born again, ye cannot inherit the kingdom
of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may
be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God,
who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to
cleanse from all unrighteousness."--Alma, vii, 14.
"And the angel said unto me, Look! And I looked, and beheld three
generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments were white,
even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me, These are
made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in
him."--1 Nephi, xii, 11.
"Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were
sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of
the Lamb."--Alma, xiii, 11.
"And this I know, because the Lord hath said, He dwelleth not in
unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea,
and he has also said, That the righteous shall sit down in his
kingdom, to go no more out: but their garments should be made white,
through the blood of the Lamb."--Alma, xxxiv, 36.
"O then, ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord: cry mightily unto the
Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless,
pure, fair and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb,
at that great and last day."--Mormon, ix, 6.
"Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and
behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall
believe on his name."--Helaman, xiv, 2.
"For behold, he must surely die, that salvation may come; yea, it
behoveth him, and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass
the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the
presence of the Lord; yea, behold this death bringeth to pass the
resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death--that
spiritual death; for all mankind by the fall of Adam, being cut off
from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to
things temporal and things spiritual. But behold, the resurrection of
Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them
back into the presence of the Lord."--Helaman, xiv, 15-17.
"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my
side, and also that ye may feel the print of the nails in my hands,
and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the
God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the
world."--3 Nephi, xi, 14.
"Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And
because of the fall of man, came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the
Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. And
because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are
brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all
men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the
resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless
sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awoke by the power of God
when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and
great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed
from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death; and
then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them, and then cometh
the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is
righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy
still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still."--Mormon, ix,
12-14.