Reborn

Tonight I experienced an awakening moment, where a lot of things came together in blinding realization.

In the Book of Mormon we read about those who experienced the baptism of fire.  They knew it not, because it happened so gradually upon them.  My ah-ha moment came in considering the nature of the covenant of baptism (or rebaptism), and wondering to what degree my soul has been baptized.

When we are baptized, we make a visual expression of our acceptance of Jesus, our commitment to him, and our desire to have our sins cleansed and remitted.

Following (re)baptisms in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 11), immediately Jesus teaches the saints how to participate in the emblems of his body and blood.  With all of this there is to be no disagreement nor contention.  In the prayer we illustrate to God that we seek and commit to eat and drink these emblems to "always remember him".  Always is a big deal.  It sounds to me like a pretty serious commitment, especially if it's a COVENANT.  

As I drove home tonight a song came on the radio that is quite an immoral song.  While I try not to be too judgmental, this song glorifies rape and defilation of chastity.  I listened to the catchy tune, the swinging and volleying of pitch.  I remembered seeing a favorite comedian of mine sing this same song with his entertaining band.  Then I remembered an awards show where the band (not the comedian, but the original group) was included in raunchy demonstrations before the crowd, which I can only assume the participants were deluded, drugged, or possessed to do with their bodies what they were doing publicly.  As my mind started getting disgusted that I'm still listening to this song, almost as if he read my mind, my son turned the channel.  Thank you Jesus.

Why did this song turn me off?  Over the last year I hardly have ever been able to listen to it.  In fact, I can hardly listen to any pop music any longer, for many, many months.  Why?

My ah-ha was realizing I have been reborn.  I have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.  I have been redeemed, and can no longer tolerate drooping in sin.  The degradation of women, the glorification of sex, drugs, and defiling of anything that is good is no longer tolerable, even for a few moments.

Not that I want or seek to judge those who do.  And not that I did anything of my own merit or righteousness.  But my spirit, my body, and everything pertaining to it has been changed, that it can't withstand these things before feeling like a dog turning to its vomit.  It is repulsive.  Intolerable.  Insufferable.

There is no more tolerance for my personal willful, or blind participation in sin.  I have committed to always remember Him, and choose out of the nonsense.  I can't just zone out and ignore it like I used to.

For this reason I have not been able to peacefully attend church while honoring my conscience.  I have been incapable of acting like I am ok with settling for the doctrine to be defiled.  It's not that I don't want to see my friends, or associate with those I love.  It's that I cannot do it in that venue.  It would be breaking the covenant and I can't do it anymore, despite missing those loved ones.  Only should the Lord direct could I begin again to do so.

Further, I have not been able to pretend that the small things don't matter.  They do.  Where much is given much is required.  Many are called but few are chosen.  How does one be chosen?

So what to do now?  I wait upon the Lord for further light and knowledge.  I hope that by abiding this commitment He will bestow upon me, my family, and those who are wondering what in the world I am doing, great blessings.

Like Inigo Montoya says in The Princess Bride, "I am waiting for you Vizzini!"  "I am waiting for you Jesus!"  Only Vizzini was dead by then, and Jesus is risen, so I can have much more confidence than Inigo had.  

Casting Out, Removing Fear, Reclaiming the Space

A few weeks ago I posted my thoughts on the recent policy change regarding children of a gay parent.  I deleted the post, due to my own free will and choice.  After doing so, I received quite a lengthy message from a sister in my ward, who felt it her responsibility to call me to repentance.  Understanding that she will likely be monitoring this page, I am using this post to dispel all fear that she sought to attach to me, whether consciously or unconsciously.  Sometimes people do that.  They think they are acting in love, when their sole intent is to cause you to live in the same fearful space that they are living in.  I cast that out.

I also cast out the spirit of condemnation, the spirit of judgment, the spirit of mockery, and the spirit of piousness.  I replace them with a spirit of acceptance, a spirit of mediation and intercession, a spirit of humility, and a spirit of love.  I cast the negative spirit entities to hell where they belong, or to a place of light where they may be taught.  As in all things, they get to choose where they dwell.  I invite the Holy Spirit of God to replace them on all counts.

This Facebook message is being shared not to drudge up memories or live in the past, but rather to declare that I stand firm with the Lord.  If the nobles at any earthly organization feel that I do not fit in with their standards, that is their choice.  I seek to be part of the Church of the Firstborn.  You should know that the Lord has warned that all earthly organizations will fall preceding His second coming.  If you suppose that one in which you belong is exempt, you don't believe the scriptures.

Posted November 9th, 2015, 10:41 pm:

I wish to apologize for my most recent post which some of you may have read. While I understood the contents of what I posted, I realize that my experience with Mormonism is much different than those who had read it, and my words interpreted as something completely separate than I intended.

I have no intention of leaving the Church, despite what was read, and despite my sheer difficultly in coming to terms with the change in the baptism policy. It is severely tempting, however I am using all the prayer and willpower to stick through looking at the faces of those who so clearly disagree with me, and approach me with intent to prove me wrong on a frequent basis. I would appreciate no one taking initiative to invite me to leave the church as I received today, as it is not only unwelcoming, but quite frankly, UNloving, un-Christlike, and pure evil. If you see stories of folks online suggesting that "Why don't you just leave if you disagree," you ought to take care with your words. We spend millions of tithe dollars to share the message we believe to be true, to bring people to Christ. Let's not be so hasty to shove people out the door because they have a different understanding of the gospel. Joseph Smith called that as being "trammeled". Google it and you'll find a great quote.

No one knows my story but me. I have been born of incredible parents who raised me faithfully in this religion. I attended 12 years of Primary, full attendance through the Youth program, 4 years of seminary, and 5 years of college religion courses at BYU, the church school. I served a mission, which was where I had a stark awakening to the church in the world of rural Pennsylvania where Mormons are less than 1/100% and a testimony meant more than social norms, vs the Church structure and operations in Utah where numbers and rules are everything, down to the way that you comb your hair or wash the mission car. No one knows my experiences, so please don't dare to tell me what you can only assume. You have no idea.

After my mission experience I married in the Washington DC temple. I quickly had children, as church leaders in UT encouraged all righteous members to do, and walked a road of faithful activity in this church ever since. In all I have had 37 years of faithful attendance, never being inactive, and magnifying my callings. For years I could even claim 100% visiting teaching. I do not say this to puff up my Molly Mormonism, but to indicate that you cannot get more "true blue, through and through" than I am.

Several years ago I experienced a vision of sorts, which caused great awakening in my life, and it caused me to seek understanding of what I saw. The current teaching of the church curriculum are limited to around 27 topics, and the topic of visions and dreams are not high on the list next to sharing the gospel or temple work. So I had to figure things out through much prayer, by digging into the scriptures, searching the words of early visionaries like Joseph Smith, Parley P Pratt, and Olivery Cowdery. My bookshelf is full of books of stories of early saints' experiences with the other side of the veil. No one wanted to talk to me about things, as they typically preferred talking about sports or the Walking Dead, so I devoured the scriptures and sought discussion with anyone who would listen, which was virtually no one, as the current understanding is that these things ought not be shared; they are too sacred.

In studying these things I learned fascinating things about our early church that I personally feel are important, yet we have changed such that very few understand or share my same beliefs. Most members do not have copies of the Joseph Smith papers or revelations and manuscripts on their shelves. Most people do not have a copy of the History of the Church, the Lectures on Faith, or other useful pieces at their fingertips. Please forgive me for forgetting that most have not dug through these things with the same reckless abandon in which I have. I should not have dared share my assessments with you, who really have no desire to even see a need for such studying. We are both free to focus on what we wish.

In closing, I ask one thing. Please do not think it appropriate of yourself to contact me to call me to repentance. If you believe that is your role, you are sorely in gross misunderstanding of the scriptures. If you cannot discuss church doctrine, history, or scripture you have no leg to stand on to insinuate that because my dogma varies from yours that it is incorrect. Do not attempt to insult my studies, my diligent prayer, or God's opening up of the mysteries of scripture to me because you can't be bothered to take time out of YOUR interests to do so. Do not insult me to call my exploration a frivolous hobby, a trite expression, or apostasy. Do not send me texts, gossip about me or my beliefs, or any other unChristlike thing. You are better than that. I believe Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, and I believe his words are unbelievably important, and unbelievably neglected. Despite my fervent belief in Joseph Smith's work, I recognize that he cannot save us, and that ONLY Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can do that, and HE is the righteous mediator between us and the Father, who is the righteous judge, and only one worthy to act in that role. It is through Christ's grace ALONE that we are saved. We are ants compared to His greatness. I am so sincerely sorry for thinking it my place to share my beliefs about the state of our church among those who have no idea of the ideas I have learned through my exploration, especially on Facebook.

With love,
~Jen

Come and be Baptized

Ezekiel 18:20
"...The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."

Mark 10:14
"...Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

Romans 10:13

"...for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved..."

Alma 19:35
"...as many as did believe were baptized..."

Alma 48:19
"...they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words."

3 Nephi 7:25
"...all such as should come unto them should be baptized..."

3 Nephi 11:22-23
"...On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name...baptize them..."

3 Nephi 11:39-40
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine...And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil..."

4 Nephi 1:1
"...as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized..."

Moroni 8:10
"...repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children."

D&C 10:67
"Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church."

D&C 20:37
"And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."

Article of Faith 2

"We believe that a man will be punished for his own sins and not for Adam's transgression."  

Enjoy Baptism

There is a new website, called Born of Water.

I agree with the doctrine of Christ, found in 3 Nephi 11.  It is simple.

When Christ came to the Nephites resurrected, he taught them His doctrine quite quickly.  It was one of the first things He did.

To baptize more or less than what He taught is contrary to His doctrine.

The words of the prayer in 3 Nephi 11 ought to be used.

"And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."  

When I was 8 years old, my awesome dad baptized me.  He rocks.  He used the words in D&C 20:73.  It reads,

"...Having been comissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

The original Articles and Covenants, as written in the Joseph Smith Papers, Revelations Vol. 1, read thus: 

"And the way of Baptism is to be ministered in the foll owing manner unto all those who Repent whosoever being  called of God & having authority given them of Jesus Christ  shall go down into the water with them & shall say calling  them by name having authority given me of Jesus Christ I  baptize thee in the name of Jesus Christ the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Ghost amen then Shall he immerse them  in the water & come forth again out of the water" 

Where and why was the wording changed from "authority" to "commissioned"?  I have no idea, nor do I even care to know.  Somewhere between the original words and what we have now, the words of the ordinance have been changed.  This calls to mind an interesting warning from Isaiah.

"The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.  The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.  Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."  - Isaiah 24:4-6

I don't think we can begin to understand the significance of changing an ordinance.  If an ordinance is to call us to remembrance of Christ, and we adapt it to suit our whims and pleasures, new definitions, or new adaptations, is it of any worth?  This logic is the reason we are so strict to complete temple ordinances with such exactness.  Exactness is a principle we ought to take note of.

If your baptism fell under adapted, changed words, is it of any worth?  Ought it to be repeated, using the words Christ directed us to use?  He said that more or less than this is evil.  Was my first baptism by my dad sufficient?  I don't think Jesus is trying to demonize anyone, however the strength of the words is exact.  He is illustrating how important exactness is.  By ignoring it, we are un-exact, sloppy, and slothful.

In aiming to follow with exactness, I believe Christ in His mercy has brought to light the incorrectness of our ordinance, through those with eyes to see.  There are those who have earnestly sought authority from God, and upon receiving heavenly confirmation, are offering to baptize using the words commanded by Christ.  We ought to obey.

I have experienced baptism three times in my life.  Each time was awesome!  I will likely experience more, as I believe this is something we ought to do as often as needed.  We practice faith throughout our lives, and offer daily acts of it.  We practice repentance throughout our lives as well.  Once and done is not enough.  Until I find direction from Christ that it is a sin to repeat baptism, I will likely continue to practice it, exactly as I do with faith, repentance, and receiving the Holy Ghost in my life.  The Jews practice Mikvah, or routine immersion in water.  Christ practiced that, as he fulfilled each detail of the law of Moses.  The Book of Mormon illustrates account after account of rebaptism, we just need eyes to see.

If you would like to experiment to observe the fruits, feel free to utilize this website to find someone close to you who would be happy to volunteer to assist in helping you fulfill this commandment.  I am certain it blesses those who receive, as well as those who stand to perform the ordinance.

May the Lord God bless you with increased LOVE as you consider receiving baptism throughout your life!  May you observe the most delicious fruit from it as well.

For Your Money You Shall be Baptized, Mormon 8:32

Sometimes I wonder if we really know which way is up anymore.

Mormon 8:32:

Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.

The concept of using money to forgive sins used to be a really preposterous idea.  I used to think this verse was referring to the Catholic Church's practice of indulgences.  If you pay the church, you can receive "forgiveness" of your sins.  I would have never stopped to consider that there may be other instances of this since then, or in the future.  My disappointment appears when I discover that this is a practice now among Mormons.

"What???" you say?  "How can this be?  Jen's taking crazy pills again!"

In my church, we believe that remission of sins comes at baptism.  Below are two of many citations from missionary blogs, where as of last September, they are reporting that in order to be baptized, one must oblige several new key points.  Prospective members were required to attend church for three hours, three times, and pay a fast offering or tithing.

I completely understand the rationale being used by the mission presidents, however it is another literal fulfillment of what Mormon saw.  Juxtaposing the idea alongside the picture above is kind of repulsive, but even in sharing the situation with a family member, it was almost easy to dismiss.  Here are two accounts:

"WEDNESDAY, we taught Jean Franko about fasting because there is a new rule just for this ward, that the investigators need to fast and pay a fast offering in order to be baptized. interesting. it went really well and he said that he would do it. i feel like he has a need, but we just cant find it. he sort of avoids the topic of baptism, but with faith and patience i think we will get there!" - from a missionary's blog.

"They put in a couple of new rules for baptizing in this area. The investigators have to attend church three times, and they have to go to church all three hours three times before getting baptized. Also, they have to pay some sort of offering or donation before they can get baptized. It will make things a bit trickier but I can definitely see the wisdom in these rules, making sure that the converts remain active and faithful members of the church. We'll see what type of good results it brings!" - from another missionary's blog.

While this may be old news for some, as it was being reported last September, it has come up as an important issue in my mind.  I typed up these instances a few days ago, and hesitated to be discussing something that may be considered Mormon bashing.  A dear relative asked recently if I was leaving the church.  I hope anyone reading knows how much I love the church, and how much it pains and stresses my heart to see this happening.  I have spent 36 years of my life dedicated to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Literally, dedicated it.  What I have discovered through this dedication, is that we are so deserving of the prophetic warnings described in the Book of Mormon, and we are SO oblivious as to the stains on our garments.  They are blood red.

While on a Facebook hiatus, I decided to skim over the news feed after today's gay marriage ruling by the SCOTUS.  It's interesting to me, to see how much we stress and worry about being destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah (or about loving unabashedly), yet we are so unwilling to consider all the other prophetic warnings of potential destruction (or completely disregard them).  Is what folks do with their genitals (or our ignoring of it) the only measuring stick we use to determine our worthiness before God?  Or can there be other more heinous sins, which are more offensive to God?

While reading the many discussions among LDS and non LDS, I will say I am just as completely undecided about gay marriage as I was decided against it a few years ago.  I have no idea how God will sort this out, or if he really even cares.  But what I do know is that if I believe the Book of Mormon and Bible, I have to begin considering that there are so many instances in which I can sin, and it's time for me to stop being distracted with other people's sins.  I am worrying about my own, at least for the time being.  Please know I am not at odds with the LDS Church, but that I am deeply concerned regarding the prophetic forecasts which are coming true before my very eyes.

For more missionary blogs, referencing this fulfillment of Mormon's prophesy, see here.

In Other Words

In Alma 32, Alma is talking to the poor of the Zoramites.  He addresses their humility, and willingness to learn.

In many discussions on this chapter, verse 16 is the highlight, and we learn it is better to not need to be compelled to be humble.  We ought to humble ourselves willingly.  But there's more to the verse which is noteworthy.

Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.

"In other words."  Alma gives us a way to understand what will make us blessed, or another way to interpret what humility IS.  I often think that humility is removal of pride, and bringing oneself low to the dust.  Another way to look at it is believing IN the word of God.  I suppose that's a bit more than just believing the word to be true, but also believing enough such that ones life is truly in harmony with the word.  Taking upon oneself baptism without having to know all the details.  Or being forced to know.  But simply being willing to walk into pure, living water, be cleansed, and come out refined.  Yea, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.   

A Good Friday Baptism

Dear Magdalene,

You were born on Good Friday.  Around 8-9 am.  Was it 9:01?  9:03?  I don't remember for sure.  I'm positive it's written somewhere.

It is only fitting that you were baptized this day.  I didn't want a big crowd, and you did.  We invited the ward, but in my opinion, the best of the best showed up.  It was family, your Primary teacher, the bishop and his family, and two other friends, one with spouse and one with grandkids.  Perfectly fitting.  I just wish I had known they were the only ones who would have shown up.  I would have invited everyone to wear pants, come with their scriptures, and done away with printing a "professional" program.

Your Aunt spoke on baptism, and shared the analogy of the penny, one being brand new, and the other being worn with years of use.  Baptism washes clean the tarnish we accumulate.

WaWa spoke on the Holy Ghost, and brought balloons.  You can feel his influence subtly, yet clear if you are paying attention.

We ate brownies, cupcakes, veggies, and jelly beans.  But none of that matters, because what matters is that you have made a statement to God that you are willing to follow him.  I don't know if you know or understand the gravity of it, and with time you may feel its importance.  I do believe you are mature and in-tune enough with God that you realize this was a wonderful day.  You told me you were "excited", and that you laughed as you got in the water.  I don't think it was just fun for you; I think in your heart you are well prepared, and felt the joy of the occasion.  We were all celebrating!

Grandma and angels were there.  Many of them.

I love you to the moon and back.  And even though there were only a few other humans there, they all love you to the moon and back as well.  What a wonderful, beautiful, love filled evening.

Love you immensely,
~Mom<3

Mosiah 18:9 - Taking a Stand

Dear Josten,

My, hasn't it been busy this past week?  You would think we could've fit time in for these letters every day, but my, it's been crazy!  I hope you don't mind a little delay in your turn for a message.

I wanted to talk to you about your sweet nature, which is in concordance with several commandments.  Today I read in Mosiah 18:9, and it reminds me of you.

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

This is part of a beautiful story of a people living in exile, who wanted to draw closer to the Savior.  They were worshiping in secret, because if the king of the land knew what they were doing, they would have been executed.

When they decided that part of Christ's gospel involved baptism, they willingly agreed to do so, and were (shortly after this verse) baptized by Alma, who had been given authority to do so.  There is a pattern given later on about how that was done.

(This Minerva Teichert's Alma Baptizes in the Waters of Mormon.  I absolutely love it, and all her work.  Photo source.)

What I love about this verse and you, is that here we learn that part of the commitment we make to God is to be willing to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  To stand as a witness of God at all times, things, and places, even if it means ridicule, persecution, or ever death.  If we do this, we may be "redeemed" of God, numbered with those of the first resurrection, and have eternal life.

This isn't complicated, although sometimes it seems that way.  In school, you have a very good friend that seems to get picked on.  A way that you honor this part of God's wishes is that you stand up for him.  You don't join in the teasing or bullying that he receives, and you are willing to stand up for him, even if it means other kids tease you too.  It's not right to pick on others, and you inherently know that.  I love that you care enough to do this for your friend.  I would think this would be a common trait, but it's not always the way I think.  I am thankful for your stalwart and fearless nature in this regard.  I think sometimes you take after your mom, but have a bit less fear.

You have also shown a willingness to stand up for God.  Even when your friends use His name improperly, you likewise are willing to ask them to stop it.  This is an easy commandment, but so many do not honor or respect it.  I love that you do, and are sensitive to it.  God will bless you for that.

Love you.
~Mom<3  

The Doctrine of Christ

Just read 2 Nephi 31-33.  The last verse in chapter 31 says,

"And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father..."

The whole chapter seems to give a sequence of events.  I'll sum them up here, and give Jen's translation after each verse.

1. "The Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." (vs. 3) -- Don't worry if you speak southern, Australian, or ebonics.  God knows how to speak to you, and will give you light to understand his doctrine.
2.  "...if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water... how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!" (vs.5) -- We need to follow his example and be baptized by water, and immersion (implied).
3. "...he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (vs.7) -- He didn't question why he had to get in a river and be immersed to keep God's commandments.  He illustrated obedience.
4. "...after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove" and "then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost" (vs.8, 13) -- How do you expound upon that?
5. "...then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel." (vs.13) -- Do any of us truly believe this is possible?  Why don't we believe this?  Can we do this on a daily basis, once we receive this purifying gift?  If our answer is no, why not???

Following this, Nephi gives the "Now what?" for after one is baptized.  Is all done?  "For ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." (vs.19)  You've showed God you're interested, willing, and obedient.  Now what?  Nephi tells us: "Wherefore, ye must

1. press forward with a steadfastness in Christ
2. having a perfect brightness of hope
3. and a love of God and of all men.
4. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ,
5. and endure to the end, 
6. behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I love Nephi's plainness.  In the next chapter he continues the doctrine.  

"...again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all the things what ye should do." (vs.5) -- The Holy Ghost is a "show-er".  He shows us what we should do.  I like how if we put "show-er" together it makes the word "shower".  More on this idea later.  

Nephi finishes the discussion on the "doctrine" by saying, 

"Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh.  And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do."  

A few thoughts to wrap this post up.  

1. Baptism by water symbolic, but done physically.  There are physical effects, emotional effects, and spiritual effects.
2. Baptism of fire is symbolic, and done by the laying on of hands.  It is a physical action, which produces physical effects, emotional effects, and spiritual effects.  
3. Nephi suggests that after we follow this doctrine, Christ shall manifest himself unto you "in the flesh".  This promise is also stated in St. John, among other places.  Nephi prophecied that Christ would not come in the flesh until 600 years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem.  Clearly Nephi was not re-nigging on that prophecy.  So what does he mean, that Christ will manifest himself unto you in the flesh?  Something to chew on. :)

~Jen:)
xoxo