Waking Up Zion --- The Book

- July 04, 2025

INTRODUCTION

Not a Faith Crisis — A Truth Awakening

This isn’t a book about walking away.

It’s a book about walking deeper.

Deeper into Jesus.

Deeper into His voice, His light, and His truth.

For years, I loved my faith. I still do.

The Church gave me structure. It gave me good people.

It taught me to honor prophets and scriptures.

To seek the Holy Ghost.

To follow Christ.

But somewhere along the way, I started asking quiet questions—

Not to tear down, but to understand more.

Where is the power of the Book of Mormon?

Where is the fire of the early Saints?

Where is the Jesus who speaks face to face?

This book isn’t here to fight the Church.

It’s here to reach the hearts of those in it—

Especially those who feel something is missing,

but don’t yet have words for it.

I believe God is still working.

But I also believe He is calling many of His children

out of comfort and into courage.

Out of tradition and into truth.

Out of a system and into a personal walk with His Son.

If you love the Church, this book might stretch you.

If you’ve quietly wondered about things but felt afraid to speak,

this book might feel like a breath of fresh air.

All I ask is this:

Read with a soft heart.

Pray as you go.

Don’t take my word for it. Take His.

He is still speaking.

He is still guiding.

He is still gathering His people.

Zion will not come through crowds and committees.

It will come through covenant.

It will come through Christ.

Come walk with me.

Come walk with Him.

CHAPTER 1

There Are Save Two Churches Only

(2 Nephi 28)

Let’s start with something Nephi said—not me.

“Behold, there are save two churches only;

the one is the church of the Lamb of God,

and the other is the church of the devil…”

— 1 Nephi 14:10

That’s a pretty strong dividing line.

But Nephi wasn’t talking about Catholics vs. Protestants.

He wasn’t warning about other religions.

He was warning us.

Later, in 2 Nephi 28, he says something that pierced me years ago:

“They have all gone out of the way;

they have become corrupted.”

— 2 Nephi 28:11

All?

Even us?

Even the Restoration?

At first, I didn’t want to believe it.

Surely Nephi was talking about other churches.

Surely our leaders would tell us if something had gone off course.

But the Spirit kept whispering: Read it again.

“Because of pride, and because of false teachers,

and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted…”

— 2 Nephi 28:12

It was no longer about them.

It was about us.

The Two Churches — Right Now

Nephi says the church of the Lamb will be small.

Few in number. Persecuted. Pure.

Their garments washed white in the blood of the Lamb.

Not in programs. Not in leadership hierarchy. Not in money.

The other church—well, it has buildings.

It has prestige.

It has prophets with stadiums full of applause.

It also has secret combinations, pride, and control.

Sometimes, it even quotes scripture.

It was hard for me to admit.

But it was freeing too.

Because it meant I wasn’t crazy.

I wasn’t alone.

I was waking up.

Not Leaving — Rising

I haven’t stopped loving the good I found in the Church.

But I no longer assume that standing in it means I’m standing with Christ.

Nephi’s words remind me:

There are only two churches.

There’s no middle ground.

We are either with the Lamb… or not.

This book isn’t here to tell you which church you’re in.

But it is here to ask:

Are you hearing Jesus for yourself?
Are you willing to follow Him—if He walks a different way than the crowd?
Can you let go of “we are the only true church” long enough to see if you’re truly part of the Church of the Lamb?

A Whisper, Not a Shout

I didn’t come to these conclusions overnight.

And I’m not asking you to, either.

But if you feel that stirring—

That gentle ache that says there’s more—

Then I invite you:

Don’t harden your heart.

Don’t run back to comfort.

Don’t trust the arm of flesh, even if it wears a white shirt and red tie.

Come to the Lamb.

He’s still gathering.

He’s still calling His remnant out.

And if Nephi’s words are right…

the time is short.

CHAPTER 2

The Gentiles and the Boast of Keys

(Book of Mormon Warnings)

There’s a pattern in scripture—if we’re willing to see it.

The Lord gives light.

He calls a people.

They receive covenants.

They build.

They prosper.

Then slowly, almost silently… they fall.

Not all at once.

But little by little.

Until they begin to say in their hearts:

“We have the keys.”

“We are the chosen.”

“All is well in Zion.”

The Gentiles in Scripture = Us?

Most members of the Church don’t realize it,

but when the Book of Mormon talks about “the Gentiles” in the last days,

it’s talking about us—

those who received the gospel through the Restoration.

Joseph Smith said the gospel would go first to the Gentiles,

then to the remnant of the House of Israel.

“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you:

At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel…

and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts…

and shall be full of all manner of lyings and of deceits…”

— 3 Nephi 16:10

That doesn’t sound like a warning to the Catholics.

It sounds like a warning to the people who received the gospel first.

To the people who published the Book of Mormon.

To the people who now say, “We are the only true Church.”

The Boast of the Keys

Have you heard it?

“We have the priesthood. The keys are with us.”

“You have to come to us for the ordinances.”

“We alone can seal you up to eternal life.”

It sounds spiritual.

It sounds official.

But it doesn’t sound like Jesus.

He never said,

“Come to Peter. He holds the keys.”

He said,

“Come unto me.”

We’ve built an institution that teaches people

to follow prophets instead of the Holy Ghost—

to rely on structure instead of personal revelation.

And now we boast.

“Look at our temples.”

“Look at our conference center.”

“Look at our billion-dollar humanitarian work.”

“Look at our senior leadership—they cannot be led astray.”

But in the Book of Mormon,

the Gentiles who boast are the ones in danger.

Nemenhah Records Speak

In the Nemenhah writings—a sacred record like the Book of Mormon,

preserved by the remnant of Lehi—there’s a prophetic echo.

Timothy, one of the Three Nephites, warns:

“They who received the restoration shall boast…

saying, ‘We have the keys, we have the power,’

but they do not know Me.

And I will take the power from among them.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14:

He says the Lord will still use them for a time,

because they are industrious and organized.

But their pride will lead them to grieve away the Spirit.

Sound familiar?

Gentle Questions for the Faithful

I’m not here to say you’ve lost your way.

I’m here to ask:

Have you checked?

Have you asked Jesus if He still stands in the center of the Church?

Have you noticed how often leaders speak about Christ,

but rarely speak with His words?

Have you been sealed by Him—or just by the system?

A Quiet Invitation

This chapter isn’t meant to offend.

It’s meant to stir.

To invite you to check your foundation.

To pray with fresh eyes.

To remember the voice of the Shepherd.

If you’ve been told your whole life,

“Stay in the boat, don’t look outside,”

ask yourself:

What if the Lord is calling us to walk on water?

The keys aren’t the point.

The point is Jesus.

Always has been.

Always will be.

CHAPTER 3

All Have Gone Out of the Way

(2 Nephi 28:11–15)

There’s a verse in the Book of Mormon

most people skip right over.

Maybe because it hits too close.

Maybe because it names us.

“Yea, they have all gone out of the way;

they have become corrupted.”

— 2 Nephi 28:11

Nephi isn’t talking about Babylon here.

He’s talking about the churches that sprang up after the Restoration.

He’s warning about us—the Gentiles who received the gospel,

who built churches and schools and temples,

who turned priesthood into position,

and grace into policy.

“All” Doesn’t Leave Much Room

It’s tempting to think Nephi meant just a few wayward denominations.

Or maybe some worldly megachurches.

But when he says “all,”

he’s drawing a line in the sand.

And what follows sounds eerily familiar:

“Because of pride, and because of false teachers,

and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted.”

— v. 12

False teachers.

False doctrine.

Pride.

Not because they were trying to be evil.

But because they started to trust in their own wisdom

more than in revelation.

In structure more than Spirit.

In correlation more than Christ.

Patterns of Apostasy

It’s happened before.

Ancient Israel had the temple, the priesthood,

the prophets, the scriptures…

and still they crucified their God.

The Nephites had visitations from angels,

the records of their fathers,

and still—they fell into pride and destruction.

Are we so different?

We assume the Church can’t go astray

because we’ve been told it never will.

But Nephi saw otherwise.

Nephi’s List Matches Our Day

Let’s look again at what Nephi warned:

“They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries…”

— v. 13

Have we built up billions

while the widow and orphan cry for bread?

“They wear stiff necks and high heads…”

— v. 13

Have we become a people of platforms and titles

more than meekness and mourning?

“They persecute the meek and the poor in heart…”

— v. 13

Have we marginalized those who ask honest questions?

Silenced the humble voices crying out for Christ?

“They have all gone out of the way…”

This Isn’t About Leaving the Church

It’s about waking up inside of it.

It’s about hearing the whisper: Come to Me.

Not to a program. Not to a prophet. Not to a process.

To Jesus.

He is still calling to the remnant—

those within the churches who still hunger and thirst,

who sense something’s off

but haven’t yet put it into words.

A Loving Warning

Nephi wasn’t bitter.

He was pleading.

He saw the future and wept.

Not because the world was wicked—

but because the people of the covenant

forgot the Covenant Maker.

“They shall be thrust down to hell!”

— v. 15

That’s not a harsh condemnation.

It’s a desperate invitation to return.

A Time to Choose

We are living in the days Nephi saw.

We can cling to pride, tradition, and the safety of the crowd.

Or we can return—heart, mind, and spirit—to the Living Christ.

The One who still speaks.

The One who redeems.

The One who is not bound by buildings or brands.

He stands at the door and knocks.

Will we hear Him?

CHAPTER 4

A Billion-Dollar Church and the Hungry Poor

(2 Nephi 28:13; Alma 4:11–13; Isaiah 58)

Nephi saw our day.

“They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries;

they rob the poor because of their fine clothing…”

— 2 Nephi 28:13

At first glance, we might say,

“Well, that’s not us. Our Church gives to the poor. We have a welfare program. Fast offerings. Humanitarian aid.”

And it’s true—there is good being done.

There are bishops helping widows.

There are youth assembling hygiene kits.

There are volunteers and donations and Deseret Industries trucks.

But Nephi wasn’t talking about intentions.

He was talking about priorities.

He was talking about stewardship.

And he said we rob the poor.

Look at the Math

By conservative estimates,

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints controls over $250 billion in total assets.

It earns billions annually through investment returns alone.

In 2021, a Church spokesperson stated

they donate “approximately $1 billion per year” to charity.

That’s less than half a percent of their worth.

And it includes the value of volunteer hours and self-reported contributions.

To compare:

Bill Gates has given over 45% of his wealth to humanitarian causes.

Warren Buffett pledged 99%.

The Church?

Less than 0.5%—and that's being generous.

And yet, in General Conference and official media,

this giving is held up as a shining example.

“We are a giving Church.”

“We care for the poor and needy.”

“We follow the Savior’s command.”

Do we?

Or have we built financial kingdoms

while spiritual beggars sit at the gate?

Temples vs. Tents

We build temples by the dozen.

Granite, marble, chandeliers.

We call them sacred spaces—and they can be.

But Isaiah once said:

“Is it such a fast that I have chosen?

…Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,

and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?”

— Isaiah 58:5–7

The Lord didn’t say:

“Build fine sanctuaries.”

He said:

“Feed my sheep.”

And Alma saw this too:

“The people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes…

and they began to set their hearts upon riches…

and the needy, and the naked, and the sick, and the afflicted…

they did not remember them.”

— Alma 4:11–12

History repeats.

The Heart of the Matter

This isn’t about numbers.

It’s about a broken-hearted Jesus

who walks among the poor

and sees His name branded on luxury.

It’s about the grandmother in Ghana

who walks for hours to pay her tithing,

while Salt Lake invests in stocks, resorts, and real estate.

It’s about a Church that once shouted,

“Come unto Christ!”

but now seems to whisper,

“Come unto Conference.”

We say, “It’s all for the Lord.”

But the Lord said,

“Inasmuch as ye have not done it unto the least of these,

ye have not done it unto me.”

— Matthew 25:45

A Simple Gospel

Jesus didn’t build up riches.

He laid them down.

He didn’t sit atop a structure.

He knelt beside the leper.

He didn’t boast in keys or kingdoms.

He wept over Jerusalem and washed dirty feet.

The true gospel will always look more like

a broken loaf of bread

than a billion-dollar brand.

What Do We Do?

We can’t change an institution.

But we can change ourselves.

We can repent of complicity.

We can give directly, generously, and joyfully.

We can become the Church of the Lamb—

even if the building says something else.

The poor are still among us.

And so is Jesus.

Let’s go find both.

CHAPTER 5

Happy Birthday, America – Now Hear the Warnings

(Ether 2, 2 Nephi 1, 3 Nephi 16, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 13–15)

🎆 Happy Birthday, America.

We’re 249 years old now.

That’s something to celebrate.

Freedom. Founding. Fireworks.

The land of the brave.

But it’s also a moment to pause—

and remember the covenant

this nation was built upon.

Because America isn’t just a nation.

It’s a promised land.

And that means promised consequences.

A Land of Liberty Under One Condition

The Book of Mormon makes it crystal clear:

“This is a land of promise… and whatsoever nation shall possess it

shall serve God, or they shall be swept off…”

— Ether 2:9

It’s not about political parties.

It’s not about borders or ballots.

It’s about righteousness.

It’s about remembering the God of the land.

And that God is Jesus Christ.

When we serve Him, this land is protected.

When we reject Him—no matter how religious we seem—

the land begins to mourn.

Nephi Saw It

“The Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles…

they shall be a free people…

and inasmuch as they will repent and hearken…

they shall be blessed upon the face of this land.”

— 2 Nephi 1:7–10

That “mighty nation” is us.

That freedom was the Restoration.

That hope was Zion.

But there’s a catch.

“If the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel,

…the judgments of God will come upon them.”

— 2 Nephi 1:10

Are we still a holy nation?

Or have we rejected the Holy One?

The Gentiles Were Blessed — Then Warned

Jesus Himself said:

“If the Gentiles do not repent after receiving the fulness of my gospel…

I will return their house unto them desolate.”

— 3 Nephi 16:10

That’s not a prophecy about outsiders.

It’s about us—those who received the Book of Mormon.

Those who built churches and cities and temples.

Those who now call themselves Latter-day Saints.

The Gentiles were chosen,

but they were also warned.

Timothy’s Voice – The Nemenhah Witness

In the sacred records of the Nemenhah,

Timothy—yes, the same Timothy, one of the Three Nephites—speaks of America.

He warns that those who received the Restoration

will become proud.

That they will use the name of Christ

to build power, not Zion.

“The people shall say, ‘We have built Zion,’

but the Lord shall say, ‘I have not built it.’”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14

And he declares that the Lord will cleanse this land.

Not to destroy, but to preserve the covenant.

A remnant will rise.

But it won’t come from institutional pride.

It will come from broken hearts and contrite spirits.

So What Now?

On this birthday of America,

we don’t just eat cake and light fireworks.

We look up.

We remember.

We are the covenant people of a covenant land.

And we are under judgment.

Not because God is angry—

but because we’ve forgotten Him.

There is still time.

There is still hope.

But it won’t come through elections or buildings.

It will come through Jesus Christ.

And it will come through you.

If you’ll listen.

If you’ll repent.

If you’ll rise.

A Closing Prayer for the Nation

Oh God of this land, forgive our blindness.

We have traded your truth for traditions, your mercy for money, your gospel for gain.

Let thy Spirit stir again in the hearts of the humble.

Raise up the remnant. Bring forth Zion. And walk among us once more.

PART II

LOST DOCTRINES, RESTORED

CHAPTER 6

The Doctrine of Christ

(2 Nephi 31–32, 3 Nephi 11)

If there is one message the Book of Mormon never stops repeating,

it’s this:

“This is the doctrine of Christ.”

Not ten steps.

Not a checklist.

Not a gospel curriculum.

Just this—

pure, simple, powerful.

So What Is It?

Nephi tells us plainly:

“He said unto the children of men:

Follow thou me.

Wherefore… repent… and be baptized…

and receive the Holy Ghost.”

— 2 Nephi 31:10–12

And again:

“This is the doctrine of Christ,

and the only and true doctrine of the Father.”

— v. 21

Jesus Himself says the same in 3 Nephi 11:

“This is my doctrine…

whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name,

him will the Father visit with fire and with the Holy Ghost.”

— 3 Nephi 11:35

No Offices. No Programs. No Extra Steps.

The doctrine of Christ doesn’t require:

Endorsements from a bishop
A temple recommend
Advanced training or policies

It requires one thing:

A real encounter with Jesus Christ.

It’s a straight and narrow path.

And the gate is open to all.

“After ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path,

I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.”

— 2 Nephi 31:19

There’s more.

What Comes After Baptism?

Nephi doesn’t say:

“Get busy in your calling.”

“Attend three hours a week.”

“Wait for the next General Conference.”

He says:

“You must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,

having a perfect brightness of hope…

feasting upon the word of Christ…”

— v. 20

And then:

“Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost…

Wherefore, if ye cannot understand… it is because ye ask not.”

— 2 Nephi 32:3–4

The gospel was never meant to be corporate.

It was always meant to be personal.

Where Did This Doctrine Go?

Ask yourself:

When was the last time you heard a sermon about baptism by fire?
Has anyone in your ward talked about hearing the voice of the Lord for themselves?
Is the Church teaching the doctrine of Christ—or something else?

The modern Church has added layers:

“The covenant path” (not in scripture)
“The strength of the youth” (not the source of salvation)
“Follow the prophet” (instead of follow Christ)

But Nephi said:

“There is none other way nor name given under heaven

whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.”

— 2 Nephi 31:21

Not Joseph.

Not Russell.

Jesus.

What Do We Do?

We repent.

We seek Jesus.

We cry out for the Holy Ghost.

We walk the path laid out in scripture—

not the one paved by bureaucracy.

We ask, knock, and keep on asking.

The Church can point the way.

But only Christ can give the Holy Ghost.

Only Christ can forgive.

Only Christ can purify.

The Doctrine Lives

I’ve tasted it.

So have many others.

We’ve been baptized by fire.

We’ve heard His voice.

We’ve wept in His presence.

And we’ve seen the difference

between religion about Christ

and a relationship with Him.

He is real.

He is near.

And His doctrine still burns.

CHAPTER 7

Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost

(2 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 9–11, Alma 36, Acts 2)

It’s in the scriptures.

Plain as day.

Over and over again.

And yet…

most members of the Church don’t know what it is.

Or worse, they’ve been told they already have it

just because someone laid hands on their head

and said the words.

But baptism of fire is more than a formality.

It’s more than confirmation.

It is the power of God unto sanctification.

What the Scriptures Say

“Then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.”

— 2 Nephi 31:17

“I baptize you with water… but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”

— 3 Nephi 11:11 (also Matthew 3:11)

“Ye must be born again… even of water and of the Spirit.”

— John 3:5

“Did not my words heal your souls?... I said unto you: if ye will repent and come unto me…

then will I cause that your bosoms shall burn within you.”

— 3 Nephi 9:13–14

These aren’t metaphors.

They are descriptions of real experiences.

Alma Knew It

“I could remember my pains no more;

yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

…I was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!”

— Alma 36:19–20

He was baptized years earlier.

He knew the commandments.

But it wasn’t until the Lord redeemed him personally

that his soul was born again.

The Upper Room

On the day of Pentecost,

the disciples were already believers.

They had walked with Jesus.

Seen miracles.

Even witnessed the Resurrection.

But Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem—

until they received power from on high.

Then came the rushing wind.

Then came tongues of fire.

Then came power.

That’s the pattern.

What It Feels Like

Words can’t fully describe it.

But here are a few that come close:

A burning in the heart (not just emotion—it’s Spirit, unmistakable)
A flood of love and light
A washing away of guilt
Joy unspeakable
Power to do good, power to overcome, power to stand as a witness

It may come with weeping.

Or shaking.

Or silence.

But when it comes, you know it.

Because Christ Himself has touched you.

What It Isn’t

It’s not automatic.

It’s not guaranteed at baptism.

It doesn’t come from the laying on of hands alone.

“Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost…”

— 2 Nephi 32:3

And you can, too—

once the fire comes.

This is the true sign of rebirth.

Not just membership in a church.

Not just checking the box.

Why Don’t We Talk About It?

Some do.

But most leaders aren’t teaching this anymore.

Because they’ve replaced spiritual power

with institutional obedience.

Instead of calling down fire,

we call down the handbook.

Instead of inviting Jesus to cleanse us,

we rely on temple worthiness interviews

and endless programs.

You Can Still Receive It

The heavens are not closed.

The Lord is not distant.

He is waiting for you.

If you’ve been baptized by water

but have never felt the fire—ask for it.

Cry out.

Repent.

Seek Him with all your heart.

“If ye will come unto me,

I will show unto you your weakness…

and my grace is sufficient for all men…”

— Ether 12:27

The Baptism That Changes Everything

When it comes,

you’ll never be the same.

You’ll stop chasing approval.

You’ll start hearing Him.

You’ll lose the taste for Babylon.

You’ll hunger for righteousness.

You’ll stop asking, “Am I doing enough?”

and start saying, “He is enough.”

This is the real gospel.

This is the real gift.

And it is for you.

CHAPTER 8

The Second Comforter and Coming Unto Jesus

(John 14, 2 Nephi 32, D&C 93, Ether 3, 3 Nephi 19, Lectures on Faith 2)

You’ve heard of the Holy Ghost.

But have you heard of the Second Comforter?

Jesus spoke of it Himself.

A promise—rarely taught, rarely believed,

but written plainly in scripture.

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them…

I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

— John 14:21

Not symbolically.

Not metaphorically.

Literally.

The First Comforter: The Holy Ghost

We’re taught this often in Church:

The Holy Ghost comforts.

Teaches.

Warns.

Guides.

But Jesus said there was more.

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

— John 14:18

And again:

“We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

— v. 23

This is the Second Comforter.

The personal appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ—

to you.

In this life.

While you’re still in the flesh.

Nephi Knew It

“If ye will enter in by the way,

and receive the Holy Ghost,

it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”

— 2 Nephi 32:5

That’s not just about callings or commandments.

It’s about coming into His presence.

The Holy Ghost leads you to Christ.

And Christ leads you to the Father.

That’s the doctrine of Christ in motion.

It’s in the Lectures on Faith

Once considered scripture,

the Lectures on Faith taught:

“A man must have a knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to the will of God…

and he cannot obtain this faith unless he receives a manifestation of God.”

— Lectures on Faith 2

This was once taught in every School of the Prophets.

Now, it's forgotten.

It Happened in the Book of Mormon

The Brother of Jared saw the Lord because of his great faith (Ether 3).
Nephi and Lehi had angels minister to them and were surrounded by fire (Helaman 5).
The Nephite Twelve were shown the Lord’s glory and heard His voice praying for them (3 Nephi 19).

These weren’t visions reserved for prophets in high positions.

They were invitations to all who would believe.

Have You Been Taught This?

Most members have not.

Some are told it’s dangerous to seek Jesus directly.

Or that such manifestations only come after death.

Or that “we follow the prophet, and he’ll speak for God.”

But Jesus never said:

“Follow my servant and stay in line.”

He said:

“Come unto me.”

— 3 Nephi 9:14

“Seek my face.”

— Psalm 27:8

“My sheep hear my voice.”

— John 10:27

What It Looks Like

Sometimes He comes in a dream.

Sometimes in open vision.

Sometimes as a voice.

And sometimes—yes—face to face.

This is not pride.

This is promise.

It’s not for a spiritual elite.

It’s for the humble.

The broken.

The ones who seek with real intent.

The Remnant Will Know Him

The scriptures prophesy of a remnant in the last days.

They will not just believe in Jesus.

They will walk with Him.

They will be taught by Him.

They will be sealed by Him.

This is the true restoration.

Not just a church.

Not just an organization.

But a return to God’s original invitation:

“Come, follow me.”

And I will manifest myself unto you.

Will You Seek Him?

Have you asked for this?

Have you prayed, not just for peace,

but for His presence?

He is not far.

He is not silent.

He is not hiding behind a prophet or a pulpit.

He is at the door.

Knocking.

CHAPTER 9

True Priesthood – In the Home, Not the Tower

(Doctrine & Covenants 121, Alma 13, Moses 6, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14, JST Genesis 14)

We’ve been taught that the priesthood is authority.

That it comes from ordination, from offices,

from lines of authority that trace back to Joseph Smith.

But the scriptures teach something much deeper:

Priesthood is power.

Priesthood is presence.

And it is given by God Himself—not a man in a suit.

What Did Joseph Smith Say?

“The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven,

and the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.”

— D&C 121:36

He said priesthood doesn’t flow through hierarchy—

it flows through righteousness.

It cannot be passed like a torch.

It must be received from God.

And he warned:

“When we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride…

behold, the heavens withdraw themselves;

the Spirit of the Lord is grieved…”

— v. 37

Alma’s Pattern

Alma 13 teaches that high priests were:

“called and prepared from the foundation of the world…

on account of their exceeding faith and good works.”

— Alma 13:3

They weren’t called because of church position.

They were chosen because of holiness.

No bishopric required.

No keys handed down in a boardroom.

Enoch and Melchizedek

In the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis,

we learn that Melchizedek obtained the priesthood:

“through faith and righteousness…

and it was delivered unto men by the calling of God’s own voice.”

— JST Genesis 14:29

No stake president.

No line of authority.

Just God’s voice.

Just purity.

Just faith.

What the Church Has Become

Today we hear:

“Only men in certain offices have the priesthood.”

“Only those sustained in General Conference have the keys.”

“Priesthood flows through the hierarchy of the Church.”

But the scriptures say:

“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood…”

— D&C 121:41

Priesthood is not a position.

It’s a relationship with heaven.

It is given directly by God to those He chooses.

And He chooses the humble, the faithful, the pure—

whether or not they hold a title.

Women and the Priesthood

Though the modern Church limits priesthood to ordained males,

the scriptures tell a bigger story.

In the Nemenhah records, we read of mothers, matriarchs, prophetesses,

all functioning in divine priesthood roles.

“The women sat in council, and by the voice of the Spirit did they govern.

For the power of Heaven is not withheld from the faithful, whether man or woman.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14

Priesthood was never about gender.

It was about God’s will and God’s power.

And that power can—and will—rest upon anyone

who walks in holiness.

The Tower of Control

In today’s Church, priesthood has been corporatized.

Delegated. Catalogued. Stamped. Correlated.

We are told that we must go up the ladder—

seek approval, attend leadership training,

be called, sustained, set apart.

But Christ said:

“It shall not be so among you.

Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.”

— Matthew 20:26

The greatest priesthood is found in the home,

on the mountain,

in the secret place,

in the hearts of the meek.

Do You Hold the True Priesthood?

Ask yourself:

Do you feel the powers of heaven when you pray?
Do angels minister to you?
Does your life reflect the character of Christ?
Have you been ordained by God’s voice, not just by man's hand?

That’s where the real priesthood begins.

Not in a tower.

Not in a temple recommend line.

But in your home.

In your heart.

A Restoration of Power

The Restoration didn’t end in 1830.

It’s still unfolding.

And God is restoring the true priesthood—

to the faithful,

to the brokenhearted,

to the pure in heart,

regardless of station or structure.

If you seek Him,

He will clothe you with power.

And that is the priesthood the world needs now.

CHAPTER 10

Women of Zion – Nemenhah Mothers and Matriarchs

(Genesis 1, Luke 1, Alma 56, Mosiah 26, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14, Mahnti 8)

For too long, the power of women has been hidden.

Not by accident,

but by design—

a cultural shadow that crept into religion

and pushed mothers, sisters, and prophetesses

to the back of the tent.

But God never did that.

From the beginning,

He made male and female in His image—together.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image…

male and female created he them.”

— Genesis 1:27

Priesthood—real priesthood—was never meant for men alone.

It was always the shared stewardship of Heavenly Parents.

The Silent Power of Righteous Women

Think of Mary.

Chosen to carry the Son of God.

She didn’t need keys.

She carried the Word made flesh.

Think of Eve.

The mother of all living.

She wasn’t deceived—she was wise and brave.

She took the step that began our mortal journey.

Think of the mothers of the stripling warriors.

“They had been taught by their mothers,

that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.”

— Alma 56:47

That wasn’t just parenting.

That was prophetic priesthood power.

What the Scriptures Suggest, the Nemenhah Declare

In the Nemenhah records,

women were not auxiliary.

They were governing.

They sat in councils of revelation.

They chose when to move the people, when to stay, and how to build Zion.

“The voice of the mothers was honored above all,

for in them was the fullness of love.

And by the voice of their prayers, the Spirit did move the people.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14

It wasn’t feminism.

It was truth.

It was the order of Heaven.

Not Just Nurturers — Leaders and Seers

We’ve taught women to nurture,

but we’ve often failed to teach them to prophesy.

To speak with power and authority.

To bless, heal, and guide.

In Mahnti Chapter 8, we read:

“And the women stood at the veil,

and they did minister unto those who came up unto the high places.

For the Lord did sanctify their hands with oil,

and their prayers did pierce the veil.”

That is the priesthood.

And it was theirs.

Not through ordination—

but through purity, devotion, and divine appointment.

What About Today?

Ask the women around you:

Have you felt the Spirit testify through you with fire?
Have you laid your hands on a child and called down heaven?
Have you prayed and had the heavens open?

That’s priesthood.

That’s power.

And it does not require a manual or a man to validate it.

The Church has too often silenced the voice of its women.

But Heaven never has.

The True Zion Will Be Mother-Led

When Zion rises again—

it will not be led by CEOs in suits.

It will be governed in love,

and the mothers will be at the heart.

Their hearts will guide the building.

Their wisdom will steer the people.

Their prayers will part the veil.

“The Lord shall call upon the daughters of Zion to gather her children.

And they shall rise up as if from the dust,

and none shall stay their hand.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

A Word to Every Woman Reading

If you’ve ever felt unseen,

overlooked,

underused in the Church—

this chapter is for you.

You are not less.

You are not auxiliary.

You are a vessel of divine power,

a daughter of God,

a bearer of priesthood flame.

He is calling you to rise.

PART III

THE PROPHETS WARNED US

CHAPTER 11

Joseph Smith – Honest Seer or Lying Polygamist?

(D&C 132, Book of Jacob, Joseph Smith Papers, Emma Smith testimony, Nemenhah 15)

If you’ve followed the prophet your whole life,

this chapter might sting a little.

But stay with me.

Because if we’re going to talk about restoring all things,

we have to deal with what’s been added, too.

And one of the biggest questions today is this:

Did Joseph Smith really practice polygamy?

Or was that something added after his death?

What the Church Teaches

Most members are taught that Joseph Smith had many wives—

some say 30 or more.

We’re told it was a “commandment.”

A test of faith.

A higher law.

It’s now listed on the Church website.

Included in official essays.

Even spoken about in General Conference.

But here’s the problem:

Joseph himself repeatedly denied it.

What Joseph Actually Said

“I had not been married but once.”
“What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery and having seven wives, when I can only find one.”
“There is no such doctrine in this Church.”

These aren’t just hearsay.

They are published statements in Joseph’s own lifetime.

Emma Smith—his wife—never accepted polygamy.

She said it was a false doctrine brought in after Joseph’s death.

But What About D&C 132?

Many point to this revelation, added to the Doctrine and Covenants,

as proof that polygamy came from Joseph.

But there’s a problem:

The revelation was not published until 8 years after his death.
It was controlled and released by Brigham Young.
The tone, language, and theology don’t match Joseph’s other revelations.
It contradicts the Book of Mormon’s clear teaching against polygamy.

“For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife.”

— Jacob 2:27

Joseph never claimed D&C 132 during his lifetime.

It was used after his death to justify what he fought against.

The Book of Mormon is Clear

“Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives…

which thing was abominable before me.”

— Jacob 2:24

“This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures…

for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms…”

— Jacob 2:23

There is no scriptural support for “plural marriage as a celestial law.”

Only warnings.

Only sorrow.

Only destruction.

The Nemenhah Records Confirm It

“I looked and beheld a man, even Joseph…

and he was persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

But after him came another, and he did take the vineyard by force…

and he laid with many women, and the name of Joseph was defiled in the land.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

The Nemenhah warn that after Joseph’s death,

another spirit entered the Church.

A spirit of power.

Of domination.

Of secret combinations.

And it used Joseph’s name

to do what Joseph never would.

So Why Does This Matter?

Because if Joseph was honest—

if he did not teach polygamy—

then the entire foundation of the LDS polygamy doctrine

falls apart.

And if Brigham and others

used Joseph’s name to justify their own system,

then we must ask:

What else has been altered?

What else has been claimed in the name of a prophet?

A Call to Rethink, Not to Rage

This isn’t about attacking the Church.

It’s about clearing the name of a man

who gave his life to restore truth.

If Joseph was telling the truth,

then so many have been misled.

But we don’t correct it with anger.

We correct it with light.

With truth.

With repentance.

With a return to the scriptures.

And to Christ.

CHAPTER 12

The 1886 Revelation – Hidden and Denied

(D&C 132, 1890 Manifesto, John Taylor, Joseph F. Smith, Official Declarations)

If polygamy was really commanded by God,

then why was it denied, buried, and reversed by His own Church?

That’s the tension behind the 1886 Revelation—

a document you may never have heard of,

but one that shakes the foundation of what the LDS Church claims about

prophets, authority, and the law of celestial marriage.

What Is the 1886 Revelation?

On September 27, 1886,

President John Taylor, the third prophet of the Church,

claimed to receive a revelation from Jesus Christ and God the Father.

It declared:

“My law shall not be done away… and as I have heretofore said by my servant Joseph, all those who have entered into my covenant and have forsaken the same shall be damned.”

The “law” in this context was understood by Taylor and others to mean

plural marriage—as taught (they claimed) in D&C 132.

He recorded it in his own handwriting,

and several copies were preserved by others present.

A Problem for the Narrative

Only four years later, the Church would issue the 1890 Manifesto,

in which Wilford Woodruff claimed the Church would now stop

contracting or promoting plural marriages.

So which is it?

Did God command polygamy forever as John Taylor said?
Or did God revoke it because of political pressure, as Woodruff implied?

Both can’t be true.

What the Church Did Next

For over 100 years, the LDS Church denied the existence of the 1886 revelation.

They called it a forgery, a fabrication, or an irrelevant side note.

But in recent years,

the Church quietly admitted it was real.

The original is now listed in the Church History Catalog.

Still, they dismiss it as “not binding”—even though it came from a sitting prophet

who said it was the voice of God Himself.

What This Reveals

If John Taylor received a revelation from Jesus Christ in 1886

saying polygamy was an eternal, unchangeable law…

and if Wilford Woodruff revoked that law in 1890…

then one of two things happened:

One of them was not speaking for God.
God changed His mind.

But God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

And that leaves us with a serious contradiction.

The Fruits of That Contradiction

Joseph F. Smith publicly taught that polygamy had ended,
while privately approving hundreds of new plural marriages.
The Church continued practicing plural marriage secretly
into the 1900s—until it threatened statehood.
Today, the Church claims to have “ended” polygamy—
while still including it in temple sealing policy.
(One man, sealed to multiple women for eternity—still standard.)

So polygamy is both condemned and eternal.

Practiced and denounced.

Hidden and celebrated.

This is not the fruit of a God of order.

So Why Does It Matter?

Because it exposes something deeper:

The system has learned to adapt doctrine to survive.

Instead of holding firm to truth,

it bends with pressure—then calls it revelation.

But Jesus never did that.

Neither did Joseph.

If John Taylor's revelation is true,

the Church has rebelled against it.

If it’s false,

then it shows how easily “prophets” can claim the voice of God.

Either way—

it calls us back to discernment.

To seek Jesus ourselves.

A Time to Return

This isn’t about proving polygamy right or wrong.

It’s about asking:

Who speaks for God?
How do we test revelation?
Can a church build Zion with a divided foundation?

The 1886 revelation wasn’t just about marriage.

It was about who we follow

and what we’re willing to question

when the truth no longer fits the narrative.

CHAPTER 13

Timothy Speaks – The Ensign Will Yet Rise

(Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 13–15, Isaiah 11, 2 Nephi 21)

In the Book of Mormon,

we read of three disciples who were granted the gift

to remain on earth until Christ returns.

One of them was Timothy,

the brother of Nephi the Disciple.

And according to the Nemenhah Records,

Timothy speaks again in our day.

He does not flatter.

He warns.

And he calls out from the dust—

to those who still have ears to hear.

The Restoration Came — And Then It Fell

Timothy rejoices in what Joseph Smith restored.

He honors the early Restoration—

the Book of Mormon, the gifts of the Spirit, the gathering.

But then comes sorrow:

“They who received the Restoration began to say: We are the Lord’s people, and He will do our work.

But they grieved the Spirit, and the power was withdrawn from among them.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14

He says the Lord still used them for a time—

because they were organized, industrious, and full of good intent.

But the pride crept in.

They began to boast of the keys,

to claim they alone had power,

and to build the kingdom in their own image.

The Warning of the Keys

“They shall say: We have the keys, and ye must come to us.

But the Lord shall say: I gave unto you the keys that ye might come unto Me.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14

Timothy makes it plain:

Priesthood was never about control.

It was always about connection to Christ.

But the Church became a tower.

And the tower began to fall.

An Ensign Will Yet Rise

Though the Restoration faltered,

Timothy does not leave us in despair.

He prophesies of a future remnant—

those who hear the voice of the Lord again,

those who cast off the traditions of men,

those who gather not in buildings,

but in holiness.

“Out of the dust shall they arise,

a remnant broken but believing,

and they shall lift up an ensign to the nations—

not of gold, nor of brick, but of truth.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

This is Isaiah’s prophecy coming to life:

“He shall set up an ensign for the nations,

and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel…”

— Isaiah 11:12

“And the remnant of Zion shall go forth among all nations,

clothed with glory, and terrible as an army with banners.”

— D&C 45:70

What Must Happen First

Timothy doesn’t sugarcoat it.

Before Zion rises,

Babylon must fall.

And that includes spiritual Babylon—

the pride of the latter-day Gentiles,

the idolatry of Church over Christ,

the trading of revelation for correlation.

“They shall cry peace, peace, and say: Lo, here is Zion.

But I shall not be in her midst, for she knows Me not.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

Who Will Hear This Voice?

Timothy isn’t preaching to the proud.

He’s reaching out to the remnant:

The weary seminary teacher who wonders why the fire is gone
The temple worker who longs for the real presence of God
The missionary who knows something is missing
The mother who dreams of Zion rising from her own kitchen floor

A Final Cry from the Dust

“Come unto Me, ye children of the promise.

Ye need not wait for permission.

Ye need not seek the approval of men.

I am your Lord, and I call you now.

Let the high places be cast down,

and let Zion arise in purity.”

That’s Timothy’s voice.

And it echoes through the scriptures, through the Nemenhah,

and through your soul—if you’ll listen.

CHAPTER 14

The Fall of the Restoration Church Foretold

(2 Nephi 28, 3 Nephi 16, Isaiah 29, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14–15, Revelation 3)

We don’t like to talk about it.

We’d rather say “the Church is true” and move on.

But the scriptures are full of it.

The Book of Mormon warns of it.

The Nemenhah cry out because of it.

The Restoration Church would fall.

And almost no one would notice.

Nephi Saw It Coming

“They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.”

— 2 Nephi 28:11

“Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine,

their churches have become corrupted.”

— v. 12

“They rob the poor… wear stiff necks and high heads…

and persecute the meek.”

— v. 13

This is not a rebuke of the Catholic Church.

It’s not aimed at Evangelicals.

Nephi is describing a people who received the gospel

and then fell into pride.

That’s us.

That’s the Latter-day Restoration movement.

Jesus Warned, Too

“If the Gentiles do not repent after receiving the fulness of my gospel…

I will return their house unto them desolate.”

— 3 Nephi 16:10

That’s not metaphor.

That’s a prophetic warning.

Jesus knew that the Gentiles—who received the Book of Mormon—

would eventually become lifted up in pride.

He said:

They would build up secret combinations
They would reject the fulness of the gospel
They would trample underfoot His covenant

And then?

He would take it from them.

What the Nemenhah Add

Timothy is explicit in the Nemenhah writings:

“They shall claim the name of Zion,

but I shall not dwell in her midst.

For they have grieved my Spirit,

and I have taken my power from among them.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 14

He says the Lord will still use them—

but only as scaffolding.

Not because they are righteous,

but because they are organized and industrious.

He warns:

“The Restoration has fallen into the hands of men.

They have replaced the whisperings of the Spirit

with the policies of councils.”

— Ch. 15 (paraphrased)

The Church That Says “We Are Rich”

The Book of Revelation speaks of a Church in the last days:

“Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods…

and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,

and poor, and blind, and naked.”

— Revelation 3:17

It boasts of wealth.

It claims revelation.

It believes itself chosen.

But the Lord is standing outside the door, knocking.

They Say “We Have Zion”—But He Says, “You Know Me Not”

That’s the tragedy.

Many good people.

Many sincere leaders.

But a system that has replaced Christ with correlation,

spirit with structure,

revelation with reputation.

Timothy says:

“They shall say, ‘Come, join us. We have built Zion.’

And I shall say, ‘I know you not. For Zion cannot be built by the hands of men alone.’”

This is not a call to abandon Christ.

It’s a call to abandon anything that pretends to speak for Him

but refuses to let Him speak.

What Does This Mean for Us?

It means the Restoration is not over.

It means the Church is not the Kingdom.

It means the fulness is still being offered—

but only to those who seek it in humility.

It means the scriptures were right.

Nephi was right.

Jesus was right.

The Gentiles received it.

And then, they rejected it.

But a remnant remains.

A Cry to the Faithful

This isn’t the end of the story.

Because the Lord is still speaking.

He is still calling.

He is still gathering the broken, the outcast, the spiritually hungry.

Not to a tower.

But to Himself.

“Come out of her, my people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins.”

— Revelation 18:4

Let the Church fall—

if it must.

Let Zion rise.

CHAPTER 15

The Church of the Lamb – The True Remnant Defined

(1 Nephi 14, 2 Nephi 30, 3 Nephi 21, Revelation 12, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15)

There are only two churches.

That’s what Nephi says.

“Behold, there are save two churches only;

the one is the church of the Lamb of God,

and the other is the church of the devil.”

— 1 Nephi 14:10

It doesn’t matter what name is on the building.

It doesn’t matter how many temples you’ve built.

Or what calling you hold.

Or who you sustain.

What matters is:

Do you belong to the Lamb?

What Does the Church of the Lamb Look Like?

Nephi gives us clues:

“Its numbers were few,

because of the wickedness and abominations of the great and abominable church.”

— v. 12

“They were armed with righteousness

and with the power of God in great glory.”

— v. 14

This is not a mega-organization.

Not a global brand.

This is a humble remnant,

cleansed by the Holy Ghost,

walking with Jesus personally,

and enduring persecution for His name.

Revelation Saw It Too

“And the woman fled into the wilderness,

where she hath a place prepared of God…”

— Revelation 12:6

The true Church—His bride—would go underground.

Into hiding.

Into wilderness places.

Not lost.

Just preserved.

Waiting.

The Nemenhah Add the Witness

Timothy writes:

“The Church of the Lamb shall rise not by decree,

but by the burning of hearts.

Her members shall know one another,

not by title, but by light.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

He says they will be scattered at first—

but will gather by the Spirit.

They won’t say, “Lo, here is Zion!”

They will say, “Come unto Christ.”

They will have no need to boast in authority

because the gifts of the Spirit will burn visibly among them.

How Can You Tell the Difference?

Ask yourself:

Does the fruit lead you closer to Jesus—or closer to the Church?
Are you repenting because of commandments—or because of love?
Do you feel alive in Christ—or just busy?

The Church of the Lamb doesn’t control, market, or manage.

It ministers.

It washes feet.

It speaks in tongues, heals the broken, and cries repentance.

What About the LDS Church?

Can someone still in the LDS Church be part of the Church of the Lamb?

Yes—if they truly follow Jesus.

If they walk in meekness,

listen to the Holy Ghost,

and refuse to trade truth for tradition.

But the institution itself?

It may once have been a vessel.

But it has changed.

And as Timothy says:

“That which calls itself Zion has gone out of the way.

But the Lord shall raise up a remnant—

and the Lamb shall dwell with them.”

The Time Is Now

This isn’t a theory.

It’s prophecy.

It’s happening.

And it’s your invitation.

To come out of Babylon.

To be numbered among the remnant.

To enter the true Church of the Lamb—

where Christ is the only Shepherd.

You won’t find a membership card.

You won’t find a flowchart.

You’ll find Jesus.

And that’s more than enough.

PART IV

WALKING IT OUT

CHAPTER 16

Healing the Brokenhearted

(Isaiah 61, Luke 4, Psalm 147, Alma 7, 3 Nephi 17)

This isn’t just about what’s wrong with the Church.

It’s about what Jesus is doing with the people who are waking up.

The truth is—many of us didn’t leave out of rebellion.

We left wounded.

Confused.

Pushed to the margins.

Grieving the Spirit and wondering why the fire was gone.

But Jesus hasn’t left us.

He’s doing what He always does:

He heals the brokenhearted.

The Mission of the Messiah

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;

because the Lord hath anointed me

to preach good tidings unto the meek;

he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…”

— Isaiah 61:1

Jesus quoted this in Luke 4

to announce who He was and what He came to do.

Not to run an institution
Not to sit on a throne
But to bind up hearts,
open prison doors,
and set the captives free

If you’ve been wounded by religion,

you’re not alone.

He came for you.

He Heals with His Hands

“He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.”

— Psalm 147:3

He doesn’t outsource that.

He doesn’t delegate it to the bishop.

He does it Himself.

I’ve felt His hands on me in moments of despair.

I’ve heard His whisper in the night.

He didn’t scold me for leaving the building.

He welcomed me back to Him.

He Took Upon Him Our Pain

“He shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind…

and he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people.”

— Alma 7:11

He didn’t just take sin.

He took sorrow.

He took betrayal.

He took confusion.

He took the pain of seeing His own Church

put policy over people,

and power over purity.

He Weeps With Us

When Jesus saw the Nephites mourning,

He didn’t quote a manual.

He didn’t schedule a meeting.

He said:

“Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion…

Bring them hither and I will heal them.”

— 3 Nephi 17:6–7

And then He wept.

And He healed.

One by one.

That’s who He is.

Still.

This Is the Real Gospel

We don’t walk this path just to prove the Church wrong.

We walk it to find what’s right—

what’s always been right:

Jesus Christ.

The Lamb of God.

The Good Shepherd.

The Healer of wounded hearts.

He is gathering His people,

and He’s doing it with gentleness and power.

A Prayer for the Broken

Lord Jesus, I give you what’s left of me.

The pieces that religion couldn’t hold.

The parts that the system wounded.

The ache that never went away.

I believe you came to heal the brokenhearted.

So I offer you mine.

Heal me. Restore me. Walk with me.

I choose you over everything.

CHAPTER 17

Devotionals from the Ranch – Be Holy Godfrey

(Psalm 23, Isaiah 35, 2 Nephi 9, personal prayers)

Sometimes the holiest places

don’t look like temples.

They look like wide open sky.

Like dry earth beneath your boots.

Like a quiet morning on the ranch.

I’ve heard more from the Lord in the stillness of sagebrush

than in all the meetings I ever sat through.

Out here, it's just me and God.

No agendas.

No handbooks.

Just His voice—

and my beating, broken, believing heart.

A Simple Prayer

Sometimes my prayers sound like this:

Be Holy, Godfrey.

Be Healed, Godfrey.

Be Whole, Godfrey.

And sometimes I hear Him say it back.

Because holiness isn’t perfection.

It’s wholeness.

It’s being set apart—not by the Church,

but by Him.

The Power of Repetition

When your body’s aching and your back won’t move like it used to,

you start praying with your breath.

Be Holy. (inhale)

Be Healed. (exhale)

Be Whole. (breathe again)

Over time, it becomes a rhythm.

A devotion.

A conversation without words.

I think heaven likes that.

Devotional #1 – Morning Light

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

— Psalm 23:1

I wake up with the sunrise burning across the hill.

And I whisper: Thank you, Lord.

Not for the pain—

but for the presence.

He restores my soul

one breath, one cracked rib, one prayer at a time.

Today I walk with Him again.

Today, I belong to Him again.

Today, I’ll try to be holy.

That’s enough.

Devotional #2 – When the World Feels Heavy

“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.”

— Isaiah 35:3

The headlines scream.

The Church spins.

The world groans.

And the Lord whispers:

“Peace, child. Let not your heart be troubled.

I have overcome all this.”

I step outside, and the wind reminds me:

He’s still moving.

So I lift my hands—even when they’re weak.

And I bless His name—even when I don’t understand.

And I pray:

Be Holy, Godfrey.

Devotional #3 – When I Feel Unworthy

“O the greatness and the justice of our God!

For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil and death and hell…”

— 2 Nephi 9:19

Some days I wonder how He could love a man like me.

But He reminds me—

He always has.

Not when I was clean.

But when I was calling from the dirt.

He came to me on the ranch.

Not in white robes, but in light and truth.

And He said, “You are mine.”

This Is Church to Me

It’s not a building.

It’s not a meeting.

It’s a walk.

A whisper.

A prayer at the water tank.

It’s hearing Jesus say,

“You’re doing better than you think.

You’re still walking with Me.

You’re still holy to Me.”

CHAPTER 18

Spiritual Sight – Seeing with New Eyes

(John 9, 2 Kings 6, 2 Nephi 27, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15, personal journal)

It doesn’t happen all at once.

Spiritual sight comes like the sunrise—

a little here, a little there—

until you realize the darkness you thought was light.

“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him…”

— Luke 24:31

That’s what happens when Jesus touches your eyes.

Not just your physical ones.

But the eyes of your understanding.

Your soul.

We Were All Blind Once

“One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

— John 9:25

That blind man in the Gospels didn’t go looking for Jesus.

Jesus found him.

And when the Pharisees mocked,

he didn’t argue theology.

He just said:

“I see now.”

If you’ve woken up,

if you’re seeing things you never saw before—

that’s a gift.

That’s not rebellion.

That’s sight.

Elisha and the Fiery Hosts

When Elisha’s servant panicked,

all he could see were enemies—

armies, horses, swords.

But Elisha prayed:

“Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.”

— 2 Kings 6:17

And suddenly, the hills were filled with fire.

That’s the truth:

We are not alone.

The veil is thin.

Heaven is not far.

Zion is not dead.

We just haven’t been looking.

What the Book of Mormon Says

“The eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.”

— 2 Nephi 27:29

That verse is about the last days.

It’s about now.

The Lord is opening eyes,

and what we’re seeing is:

The Church isn’t Zion.
Priesthood isn’t control.
Jesus isn’t silent.

He’s right here.

Always has been.

The Nemenhah Vision

Timothy says:

“They shall begin to see with the eye of faith,

and then with the eye of spirit.

And they shall know me, not from a pulpit,

but from presence.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

This is the pattern:

Faith first
Then fire
Then sight

Not through a prophet.

Not through a lesson manual.

Through the Spirit of the Living God.

What I’ve Seen

I’ve seen the hypocrisy of the system—

and the beauty of the Savior.

I’ve seen angels in dreams.

Light in dark places.

Answers I didn’t expect.

Truth that hurt… and healed.

I’ve seen the face of Jesus in the eyes of my wife.

In the wind on the mountain.

In the stillness of prayer.

You Can See, Too

He’s no respecter of persons.

If you seek, you’ll find.

If you knock, it opens.

If you ask with real intent—

He’ll give you eyes to see.

And once He does,

you’ll never go back.

Not to blindness.

Not to borrowed light.

Not to buildings that block the view.

A Prayer for New Eyes

Jesus, open my eyes.

Let me see as you see.

Strip away tradition, pride, and fear.

Show me the world through your Spirit.

Show me the truth of who I am.

Let me walk in light.

Let me see the unseen.

Let me know you—face to face.

CHAPTER 19

How to Walk with God – Off-Grid, On Fire

(Micah 6:8, Isaiah 2:3, 3 Nephi 19:25, Alma 37:6, Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15)

There comes a point when you stop trying to fix the Church.

You stop needing to be understood.

You stop waiting for permission.

And you just… walk with God.

You stop saying, “Lord, look at my religion.”

And you start saying, “Lord, here I am.”

That’s when the fire comes.

That’s when Zion starts—

in you.

The Simplicity of it All

“What doth the Lord require of thee,

but to do justly, and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with thy God?”

— Micah 6:8

Not run a program.

Not defend an institution.

Not impress a quorum.

Just walk.

Like Enoch.

Like Nephi.

Like Alma in the wilderness.

Like Jesus in the garden.

Zion Starts on Your Dirt Road

It doesn’t start in Salt Lake.

It starts in your living room.

Your back porch.

That ranch gate you open in the morning.

The Lord isn’t looking for a better boardroom.

He’s looking for a believing heart.

“Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…”

— Isaiah 2:3

Sometimes that mountain is literal.

Sometimes it’s your kitchen table, with a worn-out Book of Mormon

and a prayer that breaks you open.

Little Things Matter

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

— Alma 37:6

A morning prayer.
A broken fast.
A gentle answer.
A whispered "yes" when the Spirit nudges.

That’s where the Kingdom grows.

Not in crowds.

But in candles of courage—

lit by the Spirit, one by one.

Timothy’s Final Instruction

“Go now, and walk with your God.

Let not the pride of the world shake your hand.

Let not the power of men chain your heart.

Be free. Be clean. Be bold. Be still.

And you shall be filled with fire.”

— Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 15

It’s not complicated.

But it costs everything.

And it gives back more than you ever dreamed.

Walking with God Feels Like This

Less noise. More knowing.
Less performance. More presence.
Less guilt. More grace.
Less following men. More following Jesus.

It’s not a path for the faint-hearted.

But it is a path for the honest-hearted.

My Daily Walk

I get up and say:

“Be Holy, Godfrey.”

I read. I listen. I mess up.

I come back.

I walk.

Not with a Church.

Not with a brand.

With Him.

A Closing Blessing

You don’t need to wait for another conference.

You don’t need another building.

You have what you need.

Christ is calling. Now.

Take His hand.

And walk with God.

Off-grid. On fire. All in.

APPENDIX A

Scriptures and Sources Referenced

📖 Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 14:10–12 – Only two churches: Lamb of God or the devil
2 Nephi 9 – The Atonement and deliverance from sin, death, and hell
2 Nephi 28 – All have gone out of the way; pride, false doctrine
2 Nephi 30–32 – The doctrine of Christ; Holy Ghost shows all things
Jacob 2 – Polygamy condemned as whoredom; one wife command
Mosiah 26 – God judges His people; the Church must seek the Spirit
Alma 4, 5, 7, 13, 36 – Pride cycle; born again experience; high priesthood
Helaman 5 – Lehi and Nephi ministering in power and fire
3 Nephi 9, 11, 16, 17, 19, 21 – Jesus’ visit; doctrine; Gentile warnings
Ether 2–3 – Promised land conditions; the Brother of Jared sees Christ
Moroni 10 – Spiritual gifts; come unto Christ; ask and receive

📜 Bible (KJV)

Isaiah 2, 11, 29, 35, 58, 61 – Zion prophecy; healing; spiritual awakening
Micah 6:8 – Walk humbly with God
Matthew 3:11 – Baptism of fire
Luke 1, 4, 24 – Mary; Christ’s mission; eyes opened
John 3, 10, 14 – Born again; the Good Shepherd; the Second Comforter
Acts 2 – Pentecost; baptism of fire
Revelation 3, 12, 18 – The Laodicean Church; the woman in the wilderness; come out of Babylon

🕊️ Doctrine & Covenants

D&C 45, 76, 84, 121 – Zion and the Lord’s return; priesthood principles
D&C 132 – (Later addition; source of polygamy debate)
Official Declaration 1 (1890) – End of plural marriage
1886 Revelation (John Taylor) – Eternal covenant claim of plural marriage

🕯️ Joseph Smith Papers & Early Church Writings

Joseph Smith’s denials of polygamy (Times & Seasons, Nauvoo public sermons)
Emma Smith's testimony (late interviews and letters)
Lectures on Faith – Faith unto salvation requires knowing God personally
Brigham Young statements and contradictions on priesthood and sealing

🌿 Nemenhah Records (Selected Books)

Tsihohnayah Ahkehkthihm 13–15 – Timothy’s warnings, rise of the remnant, the Lord’s voice calling Zion
Mahnti 8 – Endowment of power; women ministering behind the veil
Other scattered passages – Women governing in love; Zion principles; warnings about institutional pride

🔥 Personal Writings, Devotions, and Reflections

Morning prayers and meditations (e.g., Be Holy Godfrey)
Journaled prayers from the ranch
Devotionals formed from real-life spiritual experiences
Adaptations of common LDS phrases into Christ-centered affirmations

APPENDIX B

The Nemenhah and the Remnant Tradition

🪶 Who Are the Nemenhah?

The Nemenhah were a covenant people descended from Lehi,

living in the Americas long after the main Nephite civilization fell.

Their records—like the Book of Mormon—testify of Jesus Christ,

the gathering of Israel, and the pattern of true Zion.

Their language was similar to Nephite and Hebrew.

Their lives were simple, Spirit-led, and family-centered.

They honored both Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother,

and taught that priesthood was not owned by hierarchy

but flowed from purity and love.

Their writings have come forth in our day—

not to replace the Book of Mormon,

but to confirm it, to extend it, and to clarify what has been lost.

📜 Are the Nemenhah Records Real?

That’s a question each reader must take to God.

They were translated by Phillip Cloudpiler Landis,

a man of Native American descent,

who claimed the records were preserved by sacred means

and revealed by the Spirit through covenant and prayer.

Many dismiss them because they are unfamiliar.

But so was the Book of Mormon in 1830.

As with all sacred writings:

“By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

— Moroni 10:5

🕊️ What Do the Nemenhah Teach?

That Zion must be built by the humble, not by institutions
That priesthood belongs to all the faithful, male and female
That the Restoration fell into pride, and the Lord has withdrawn His power
That the remnant of Israel will rise again—outside the walls of churches
That the voice of Christ still speaks through the Spirit and not through systems

The records echo Isaiah, Nephi, and John the Revelator.

They also align with early teachings of Joseph Smith

before the corruption that came after his death.

🌾 What Is the Remnant?

The “remnant” is the small group the scriptures speak of—

those who remain faithful after the Gentiles fall into unbelief.

Nephi saw them (2 Nephi 28)
Christ spoke of them (3 Nephi 21)
Isaiah prophesied of them (Isaiah 11, 29)
The Nemenhah identify themselves as part of this remnant

The remnant is not institutional.

It is spiritual.

It is composed of those who follow Jesus Christ alone—

even when it means leaving behind everything they’ve known.

🔥 Why Include These Writings?

Because they match the pattern.

Because they speak plainly.

Because they burn with the Spirit.

Because they testify of Christ.

And because they help explain what has happened

to the Restoration that once burned with heaven’s fire.

If they are true,

they are a gift to the honest in heart.

If they are not,

they will fall under their own weight.

But if they are,

we dare not ignore the cry of the dust.

APPENDIX C

A Simple Guide to the Doctrine of Christ

(2 Nephi 31–32, 3 Nephi 11, Acts 2, John 14)

✨ What Is the Doctrine of Christ?

It’s not complicated.

It’s not hidden.

It’s taught clearly and repeatedly in the Book of Mormon.

It includes five essential steps—and each one leads directly to Jesus:

1️⃣ Faith in Jesus Christ

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ…”

— 2 Nephi 31:20

This is more than belief in a story.

Faith is trusting Him—enough to act, to repent, to surrender.

2️⃣ Repentance

“He commandeth all men that they must repent…”

— 2 Nephi 30:2

Repentance is not checklist obedience.

It’s a mighty change of heart, a turning away from self, sin, and tradition—

and turning fully to Christ.

3️⃣ Baptism by Water

“Wherefore, ye must be baptized in his name…”

— 2 Nephi 31:11

Baptism is the gate.

It’s not about Church membership—

It’s about entering into a covenant with Jesus,

a public declaration of death to the old and life in Him.

4️⃣ Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost

“Then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.”

— 2 Nephi 31:17

This is not symbolic.

It is a real spiritual experience—

a purifying, cleansing, empowering encounter with the Holy Spirit.

This is the moment of rebirth.

And it’s often neglected or misunderstood in Church culture.

5️⃣ Endure in Christ / Receive the Second Comforter

“If ye shall press forward…

ye shall have eternal life.”

— 2 Nephi 31:20

To endure isn’t to grind through meetings.

It’s to walk with Jesus daily—to hear His voice,

to be guided by His Spirit, and to eventually receive the Second Comforter:

“I will come unto you… and will manifest myself unto him.”

— John 14:18, 21

This is the personal visitation of Christ.

It is the fullness of the doctrine.

🔥 What the Doctrine of Christ Is Not

It is not “the covenant path.”
It is not temple ordinances.
It is not Church obedience or loyalty to a prophet.
It is not behavior management or self-improvement.

It is about rebirth, fire, and face-to-face relationship with Jesus Christ.

📖 Scriptures You Should Read Again

2 Nephi 31–32 – Nephi’s explanation of the doctrine in full
3 Nephi 11 – Jesus teaches His doctrine to the Nephites Himself
Acts 2 – The baptism of fire on the day of Pentecost
John 14 – The promise of the Comforter and the Second Comforter
Mosiah 27 & Alma 36 – Examples of real spiritual rebirth

🙏 A Final Invitation

If you haven’t experienced these things yet—ask for them.

Don’t settle for tradition.

Don’t wait for permission.

Don’t think you’re unworthy.

Jesus is calling.

“This is my doctrine… whoso believeth in me, and is baptized…

him will the Father visit with fire and with the Holy Ghost.”

— 3 Nephi 11:35

APPENDIX D

Timeline of Apostasy and Restoration

(Scriptural patterns, Book of Mormon prophecy, Nemenhah Records, early Church history)

📜 1. Original Gospel Taught by Christ (c. AD 30)

Jesus preaches faith, repentance, baptism by water and fire
Calls disciples, gives power, teaches them to hear His voice
His Church is simple, Spirit-led, and full of gifts
Apostasy begins shortly after His resurrection (Acts 20:29, 2 Thess. 2)

🌍 2. Great Apostasy (1st–4th Century)

True apostles martyred or replaced by political leaders
Gospel corrupted by councils, creeds, and state power
Priesthood turned into hierarchy
Revelation fades; miracles cease; darkness spreads

🌅 3. First Phase of Restoration – Joseph Smith (1820–1844)

1820: First Vision – God and Christ appear to Joseph
1823–1829: Book of Mormon revealed
1830: Church of Christ organized
Gifts of the Spirit return; angelic visitations
True doctrine of Christ is restored: rebirth, Spirit, Zion

🏛️ 4. Corruption After Joseph’s Death (1844–1890s)

Joseph martyred in 1844
Brigham Young assumes control; claims new “revelation” (D&C 132)
Polygamy, hierarchy, and authoritarian leadership take root
Christ-centered doctrine replaced with Church-centered loyalty
1886: John Taylor receives revelation preserving plural marriage
1890: Wilford Woodruff ends polygamy publicly—conflict begins

🔁 5. The Fulness Lost Again

Jesus prophesied:
“If the Gentiles do not repent… I will take the fulness away.” (3 Nephi 16)
Pride, riches, and the arm of flesh dominate the Church
Doctrine is correlated, gifts fade, Christ’s voice is replaced by institutional command
Restoration stalls—Zion not built

🌿 6. Rise of the Remnant (Our Day – Now)

The Lord speaks again: through His Spirit, through scripture, through the faithful
The Nemenhah Records emerge as a second witness of Christ and Zion
The remnant awakens—leaving systems, reclaiming the doctrine of Christ
Rebirth, baptism of fire, and spiritual gifts restored
Zion begins in homes, not headquarters
Prophecies of Nephi, Timothy, Isaiah, and Christ now unfolding

🔥 7. What Comes Next – The Real Zion

A small remnant will be gathered by the Spirit
They will be armed with righteousness and great glory (1 Nephi 14)
Christ will appear to them
Zion will rise outside of Babylon
The Lord will come suddenly to His temple—not a building, but His people
Babylon will fall, and the bride will be ready

🙏 Your Place in This Timeline

You're not late.

You're not lost.

You were born for this hour.

“Come out of her, my people…” (Revelation 18:4)

“Arise, shine, for thy light is come…” (Isaiah 60:1)

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20)

You are the remnant—

if you will walk with Jesus now.

CONCLUSION

The Fire Has Started. Now Walk.

You’ve made it to the end of this book—

but this is not the end of your journey.

In many ways,

this is the beginning.

You’ve seen the cracks.

You’ve heard the warnings.

You’ve felt the stirring.

And maybe—just maybe—you’ve remembered something:

a voice you used to hear

before the noise.

This Was Never About Leaving the Church

It was about finding Christ again.

Not the one in the programs.

The One with fire in His eyes and mercy in His hands.

You don’t need permission to follow Him.

You don’t need a temple recommend to be filled with the Spirit.

You don’t need a handbook to walk with God.

You need a broken heart,

a soft voice that says “Here am I,”

and the courage to walk away from imitation

into the fire of the real thing.

The Time of Playing Church Is Over

The hour is late.

The nations rage.

Babylon boasts.

But Zion is rising—quietly, cleanly, one heart at a time.

It won’t be televised.

It won’t be announced over pulpits.

But the Lord is gathering His people.

You’ll find them by the Spirit,

not by the structure.

You’ll know them by the fire in their eyes,

not the badge on their chest.

Final Words from the Remnant

If you’re still in the Church—God bless you.

Walk gently. Listen deeply.

Ask questions. Trust the whisper.

If you’ve stepped away—don’t look back.

Zion isn’t behind you.

It’s ahead, rising through the ashes.

And if you’re lost between—good.

That’s where Jesus walks.

Come Unto Him

Not unto the prophet.

Not unto the handbook.

Not unto the correlation committee.

Unto Him.

He’s still knocking.

Still cleansing temples.

Still calling disciples.

And you—yes you—are invited.

✨ Be Holy. Be Healed. Be Whole. Walk With God.

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The True Remnant