General conference scriptures - October 2019

A thoughtful article used the BYU scripture citation index to review the most-cited scriptures from the October 2019 general conference.

https://www.ldsliving.com/Found-in-the-Footnotes-What-the-Most-Referenced-Verses-of-Last-Conference-Can-Teach-Us/s/92640

Because the works of Jonathan Edwards are solid evidence that Joseph Smith actually translated the ancient Nephite plates, let's look at some of these scriptures.

Here, we focus on non-biblical Book of Mormon phrases; i.e., phrases that are not found in the Bible. (Many Book of Mormon phrases are found in the Bible, rearranged the way we would expect if Joseph was the translator.)

Mosiah 2:41: “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

Jonathan Edwards used the term "happy state" over 100 times. He used the phrase "blessed and happy" 15 times. Here, he combined the two: There have been some instances of this glorious work amongst us of late, as we have reason to hope. Let it stir you up to get in the like blessed and happy state and condition that they are got into. Let it encourage you to seek it.

Jonathan Edwards used the phrase "temporal and spiritual" 10 times. It appears 3 times in the Book of Mormon. E.g., 'Tis by God that our well-being is preserved. All our good things, all the comforts, temporal and spiritual , that we enjoy are by him given to us and by him preserved.

Edwards: But the time would fail me to tell of apostles, and prophets, and martyrs, and saints, and of Christ himself, who were faithful alike through good report and evil report, and in sufferings and trials, and who counted not their lives dear, so that they might be faithful to the end. 

Edwards: There they shall dwell with that God whom they have loved with all their hearts, and with all their souls, and with all their minds. There they are brought to be with their beloved Savior.


Mosiah 18:8–9: “And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; 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—”



Mosiah 24:14: “And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.”

Brainerd 9

I doubt not but that all who have well observed mankind will readily grant this, that it is not all those who by their natural constitution or temper are most disposed to dejection, that are the persons who are the most susceptive of lively and strong impressions on their imagination, or the most subject to those vehement impetuous affections, which are the fruits of such impressions; 

but that many who are of a very gay and sanguine natural temper are vastly more so, and if their affections are turned into a religious channel, are much more exposed to enthusiasm than many of the former. 

And as to Mr. Brainerd in particular, notwithstanding his inclination to despondency, he was evidently one of that sort of persons who usually are the furthest from a teeming imagination; 

being one of a penetrating genius, of clear thought, of close reasoning, and a very exact judgment and knowledge of things in divinity, but especially in things appertaining to inward experimental religion; 

most accurately distinguishing between real solid piety and enthusiasm, between those affections that are rational and scriptural, having their foundation in light and judgment, and those that are founded in whimsical conceits, strong impressions on the imagination, and those vehement emotions of the animal spirits that arise from them. 

Brainerd 8

There is one thing in Mr. Brainerd, easily discernable by the following account of his life, that may be called an imperfection in him, which though not properly an imperfection of a moral nature, yet may possibly be made an objection against the extraordinary appearances of religion and devotion in him, by such as seek for objections against every thing that can be produced in favor of true vital religion; 

and that is, that he was one who by his constitution and natural temper was so prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit. 

There are some who think that all serious strict religion is a melancholy thing, and that what is called Christian experience is little else besides melancholy vapors disturbing the brain, and exciting enthusiastical imaginations. 

But that Mr. Brainerd's temper or constitution inclined him to despondency, is no just ground to suspect his extraordinary devotion, as being only the fruit of a warm imagination.

Brainerd 7

I am far from supposing that Mr. Brainerd's inward exercises and experiences, or his external conduct, were free from imperfection: 

The example of Jesus Christ is the only example that ever was set in the human nature, that was altogether perfect; 

which therefore is a rule to try all other examples by; 

and the dispositions, frames, and practices of others must be commended and followed no further, than they were followers of Christ.

Brainerd 6

In the following account, the reader will have opportunity to see, not only what were the external circumstances and remarkable incidents of the life of this person, and how he spent his time from day to day, as to his external behavior; 

but also what passed in his own heart, the wonderful change that he experienced in his mind and disposition, the manner in which that change was brought to pass, how it continued, what were its consequences in his inward frames, thoughts, affections and secret exercises, through many vicissitudes and trials, from thenceforth for more than eight years, till his death; 

and also to see how all ended at last, in his sentiments, frame and behavior, during a long illness, and what were the effects of his religion in dying circumstances, or in the last stages of his dying illness. 

The account being written, the reader may have opportunity at his leisure to compare the various parts of the story, and deliberately to view and weigh the whole, and consider how far what is related is agreeable to the dictates of right reason and the holy Word of God.

Brainerd 5

Such an instance we have in the excellent person [David Brainerd] whose Life is published in the following pages. 

His example is attended with a great variety of circumstances, tending to engage the attention of religious people, especially in these parts of the world: 

He was one of distinguished natural abilities; 

as all are sensible that had acquaintance with him: 

He was a minister of the Gospel, and one who was called to unusual services in that work, whose ministry was attended with very remarkable and unusual events, an account of which has already been given to the public; 

one whose course of religion began before the late times of extraordinary religious commotion, but yet one that lived in those times, and went through them, and was very much in the way of the various extraordinary effects and unusual appearances of that day, and was not an idle spectator, but had a near concern in many things that passed at that time; 

one that had a very extensive acquaintance with those that have been the subjects of the late religious operations, in many of these British colonies, in places far distant one from another, in people of many different nations, of different educations, manners and customs; 

one who had peculiar opportunity of acquaintance with the false appearances and counterfeits of religion: 

one who himself was the instrument of a most remarkable awakening, and an exceeding wonderful and abiding alteration and moral transformation of such subjects as do peculiarly render the change rare and astonishing.

Brainerd 4

These have a great tendency to engage the attention of men to the doctrines and rules that are taught, and greatly to confirm and enforce them; 

and especially when these bright examples have been exhibited in the same persons that have been eminent teachers, so that the world has had opportunity to see such a confirmation of the truth, efficacy, and amiableness of the religion taught, in the practice of the same persons that have most clearly and forceably taught it; 

and above all, when these bright examples have been set by eminent teachers in a variety of unusual circumstances of remarkable trial; 

and God has withal remarkably distinguished them with wonderful success of their instructions and labors, consisting in glorious events that have been in many respects new and strange.