Monthly Archives: August 2013

9-11/ Sept. 2014. In Honor of the True Martyrs

9-11. True Martyrs Prayer Legacy
Sept.2014. “ I came across this interesting article in honor of all the innocents who have died, in honor of all the true Christian martyrs, which have no earthly Memorial (like the Holocaust Memorial) except the Lord’s Supper Jesus initiated to be “remembered both weekly, and “as oft” in honor of the countless millions…in a Age which both Ignorance and Secular Tolerance blur truth and error, right and wrong, to point to a better Way, a Straight Path, a Humble Choice of Eternal Value. To remember Jesus and that he truly understands suffering and true Victory which brings lasting Change and valuable Love to this earth….begin by praying with me..
“Abba Father, help me live well to Your Glory, and help me to die well to Your Glory!”
Let us compare the last dying words of Prophets, both true and false and then ask yourself the question, “How do I want to live the rest of my days on this earth and be remembered by others? How do I want to die, and what will they remember of my death?”
The Death of Joseph Smith, Mormon Prophet
When Peter tried to defend Jesus with the sword, Jesus told him: “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11)
It is claimed that before Joseph Smith was murdered in the Carthage jail he made this statement: “I am going like a LAMB to the slaughter;…” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 135, verse 4)
Most Mormons believe that Joseph Smith died without putting up a struggle, but the actual truth is that he died in a gun fight. In the History of the Church the following is recorded concerning Joseph Smith’s death:
“Immediately there was a little rustling at the outer door of the jail, and a cry of surrender, and also a discharge of three or four firearms followed instantly….JOSEPH sprang to his coat for his SIX-SHOOTER, Hyrum for his single barrel,…
“When Hyrum fell, Joseph exclaimed; ‘Oh dear, brother Hyrum!’ and opening the door a few inches HE DISCHARGED HIS SIX SHOOTER IN THE STAIRWAY (as stated before), two or three barrels of which missed fire.
“Joseph, seeing there was no safety in the room, and no doubt thinking that it would save the lives of his brethren in the room if he could get out, turned calmly from the door, dropped his PISTOL on the floor, and sprang into the window when two balls pierced him from the door, and one entered his right breast from without, and he fell outward into the hands of his murderers, exclaiming, ‘O Lord, my God.'” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 617-618).
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Joseph Smith did not die like a lamb, but rather trying to kill other people even though he was cornered by a huge mob. It was his choice to die trying to kill others…is this what a true Prophet of God would do? I must honestly say…No. What does your heart say? Ask God? He will show you the truth if you are truthfully seeking it.In the Introduction to Vol. 6 of the History of the Church, page XLI, the following is stated about Joseph Smith’s death: “When the jail in Carthage was assailed, and the mob was pouring murderous volleys into the room occupied by himself and friends, the Prophet turned from the prostrate form of his murdered brother to face death-dealing guns and bravely returned the fire of his assailants, ‘BRINGING HIS MAN DOWN EVERY TIME,’ and compelling even John Hay, who but reluctantly accords the Prophet any quality of virtue, to confess that he ‘made a handsome fight’…”
John Taylor, who became the third President of the Mormon Church, made these statements concerning the death of Joseph Smith: “Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock came in to see us, and when he was about leaving drew a small pistol, a six-shooter, from his pocket, remarking at the same time, ‘Would any of you like to have this?’ Brother JOSEPH immediately replied, ‘YES, give it to me,’ whereupon he took the pistol, and put it in his pantaloons pocket…. I was sitting at one of the front windows of the jail, when I saw a number of men, with painted faces, coming around the corner of the jail, and aiming towards the stairs…. “I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, leaning over him, exclaimed, ‘Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!’ He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two or three were WOUNDED by these discharges, TWO of whom, I am informed DIED.” (History of the Church, Vol. 7, pp. 100, 102 & 103)
From the information given above it can be seen that the death of Joseph Smith can in no way be compared to the death of Jesus. Jesus did go like a “lamb to the slaughter,” but Joseph Smith died like a raging lion. In a letter dated July 22, 1844, Sarah Scott wrote:
“I suppose you received our letter and was somewhat prepared, when you heard of the dreadful murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage jail….Joseph prophesied in the last Neighbor that was published before his death that they would come off victorious over them all, as sure as there was a God in Israel. Joseph also prophesied on the stand a year ago last conference that he could not be killed within five years from that time; that they could not kill him till the Temple would be completed, for that he had received an unconditional promise from the Almighty concerning his days, and he set Earth and Hell at defiance; and then said, putting his hand on his head, they never could kill this Child. But now that he is killed some of the Church say that he said: unless he gave himself up. My husband was there at the time and says there was no conditions whatever, and many others testify to the same thing….Brigham Young said if he had been here, he wouldn’t have consented to give Joseph up and he would be damned if he would give himself up to the law of the land. He would see them all in hell first; the Church [sic], and then he said he would see all Creation in Hell before he would.” (Among the Mormons, pp. 152-153) 2
Joseph Smith’s prophecy that he would prevail against his enemies is found in the Nauvoo Neighbor for June 19, 1844:
“I therefore, in behalf of the Municipal Court of Nauvoo, warn the lawless, not to be precipitate in any interference in our affairs, for as sure as there is a God in heaven, WE SHALL RIDE TRIUMPHANT OVER ALL OPPRESSION.
“JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor”
Just eight days after Joseph Smith made this “prophecy” he was murdered in the Carthage jail, and before two years had elapsed the Mormons were driven from Illinois.
Now if you are a Mormon, or have Mormon friends, or have wondered about ever being a Mormon, if it’s true or not, or if you might even had considered voting for a Mormon to ever lead this country or any other political office, please stop and ask yourself this very simple, honest, frank question.
Was this man a true”prophet” and example for all mankind from God Himself?
Circle one answer: Yes No

The Death of the Prophet Muhammad SAW of Islam
Over one billion people in the world today claim to be a follower of this man as a Prophet of God, yet very few know how he died, nor what his last dying words are said to be.
In the beginning of his preaching, he tried to woo Christians and Jewish people to join his ranks, yet most thought he was a false prophet, so in the later part of his preaching, he changed his focus from wooing to declaring they must make a clear choice, follow, be enslaved, or die. He began to kill those whom rejected him, beginning with the Jews. Therefore, it is no surprise that a Jewish woman poisoned him with a slow acting poison which took three years to end his life.
From Ibn Sa’d pages 251, 252:
….When the apostle of Allah conquered Khaibar and he had peace of mind, Zaynab Bint al-Harith the brother of Marhab, who was the spouse of Sallam Ibn Mishkam, inquired, “Which part of the goat is liked by Muhammad?” They said, “The foreleg.” Then she slaughtered one from her goats and roasted it (the meat). Then she wanted a poison which could not fail. …. The apostle of Allah took the foreleg, a piece of which he put into his mouth. Bishr took another bone and put it into his mouth. When the apostle of Allah ate one morsel of it Bishr ate his and other people also ate from it.

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Then the apostle of Allah said, “Hold back your hands! because this foreleg; …informed me that it is poisoned. Thereupon Bishr said, “By Him who has made you great! I discovered it from the morsel I took. Nothing prevented me from emitting it out, but the idea that I did not like to make your food unrelishing. When you had eaten what was in your mouth I did not like to save my life after yours, and I also thought you would not have eaten it if there was something wrong.
Bishr did not rise form his seat but his color changed to that of “taylsan” (a green cloth)……….The apostle of Allah sent for Zaynab and said to her, “What induced you to do what you have done?” She replied, “You have done to my people what you have done. You have killed my father, my uncle and my husband, so I said to myself, “If you are a prophet, the foreleg will inform you; and others have said, “If you are a king we will get rid of you.””……
The apostle of Allah lived after this three years till in consequence of his pain he passed away. During his illness he used to say, “I did not cease to find the effect of the (poisoned) morsel, I took at Khaibar and I suffered several times (from its effect) but now I feel the hour has come of the cutting of my jugular vein.”

The Quran warns against changing any of its contents: saying:
And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, they who look not for the meeting with Us say: Bring a Lecture other than this, or change it. Say (O Muhammad): It is not for me to change it of my accord. I only follow that which is inspired in me. Lo! if I disobey my Lord I fear the retribution of an awful Day. S. 10:15 Pickthall
That it is indeed the speech of an illustrious messenger. It is not poet’s speech – little is it that ye believe! Nor diviner’s speech – little is it that ye remember! It is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. And if he had invented false sayings concerning Us, We assuredly had taken him by the right hand And then severed his life-artery, S. 69:40-46 Pickthall
Then we reviewed the reports about Abdullah ibn Sa’d Abi Sarh suggesting changes to certain formulations in the Quran and Muhammad approving his suggestions.
The punishment announced in these verses is quite specific. Having seen that Muhammad clearly violated the command against meddling with the alleged divine revelation, it is even more amazing to see the manner in which Muhammad expired.
According to Muslim tradition Muhammad died a very painful death due to the effects of poison, effects that he claimed cut at his jugular vein:
The messenger of God said during the illness from which he died – the mother of Bishr had come in to visit him – “Umm Bishr, at this very moment I feel my aorta being severed because of the food I ate with your son at Khaybar.” (The History of Al-Tabari: The Victory of Islam, translated by Michael Fishbein [State University of New York (SUNY), Albany 1997] Volume VIII, p. 124)
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In a footnote the translator of al-Tabari writes that the expression, “it severed his aorta” need not be taken literally since it can be an expression denoting extreme pain. Other sources corroborate that Muhammad ‘s painful death was due to the poison he had ingested years before his demise:
Anas reported that a Jewess came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) with poisoned mutton and he took of that what had been brought to him (Allah’s Messenger). (When the effect of this poison were felt by him) he called for her and asked her about that, whereupon she said: I had determined to kill you. Thereupon he said: Allah will never give you the power to do it. He (the narrator) said that they (the Companion’s of the Holy Prophet) said: Should we not kill her? Thereupon he said: No. He (Anas) said: I felt (the affects of this poison) on the uvula of Allah’s Messenger. (Sahih Muslim, Book 026, Number 5430)
… The apostle of Allah lived after this three years till in consequence of his pain he passed away. During his illness he used to say, “I did not cease to find the effect of the (poisoned) morsel, I took at Khaibar and I suffered several times (from its effect) but now I feel the hour has come of the cutting of my jugular vein.” (Ibn Sa’d, Kitab Al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Volume II, pp. 251-252)
4Ibn ‘Abbas replied, “That indicated the death of Allah’s Apostle which Allah informed him of.” ‘Umar said, “I do not understand of it except what you understand.” Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet in his ailment in which he died, used to say, “O ‘Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 713)
Compare the foregoing statements with the following Quranic citation:
We indeed created man; and We know what his soul whispers within him, and We are nearer to him than the jugular vein. When the two angels meet together, sitting one on the right, and one on the left, not a word he utters, but by him is an observer ready. And death’s agony comes in truth; that is what thou wast shunning! S. 50:16-19 Arberry
Allah warns those who disbelieve that he is nearer to them than their jugular vein, an obvious threat that he has the power to kill them, and further threatens that they would experience an agonizing death.
The fact that Islamic narrations state that Muhammad died a severe death, describing his death in language that is reminiscent of Q. 69:45-46 and 50:16-19, supports the position that he was being punished for some heinous sin.
Moreover, when we tie this in with the story of Ibn Abi Sarh it makes it difficult not to conclude that Allah was punishing his prophet for changing the Quran at the suggestions of an uninspired scribe. Not, why not.
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Muhammad SAW lay in the arms of his wife Aisha, who in the later years of his life, late 50’s, he had married when she was only a child of 6 years old. He knew the end was near for him, and that his life was ebbing away, and he knew he would soon be facing the Judge of all. Do you know what his last recorded words are before he died?
“Oh God, forgive me, have Mercy upon me and contact me to the Most High Friend,” (Hadiths Shahih Buhkari 1573)
Then he lifted up his hand saying, “The Most High Friend” Then his hand laid down and he passed away. (Hadiths Shahih Bukhari 1574).
Think about his last words…Muhammad asked for forgiveness for his sins, asked God for Mercy upon himself. Why? Does this sound like a sinless Prophet? Perhaps he was remembering all his sins while looking at Aisha, and the realization that this was the end.
Who is the Most High Friend? According to the footnote of Hadiths Shahih Bukhari, this could be “Angels and Prophets” Yet, Angels are not called Most High, therefore, the Most High Friend was not an angel but who? Bukhari realized the grammar is strange if he was asking God to contact him to God, so this is why a Prophet is the more logical choice.
Which Prophet was Muhammad calling to God to be contacted to? Who among the Prophets was worthy to be addressed as the Most High Friend? In His last dying breath, he was crying out to be contacted by God to Jesus!
Only one comes close. Muhammad SAW said, “I am closer to Jesus the son of Mary in this earth and heaven” (Hadiths Shahih Bukhari 1501). Yes, the sinless Prophet, born of a virgin, “Jesus, the son of Mary is the Soverign Lord in the earth and in the heaven” (Quran 3.Aali Imraan 45).
Only one who is truly sinless needs no forgiveness, yet can intercede and give forgiveness to those seeking God. Those who follow Jesus are on the Right Course, (Quran 5 Al Ma’idah 66), only those who fear God and Obey Jesus are on the Straight Path. (Quran 43:Az Zukhruf 63).
Are you really on the Straight Path? Do you fear God and obey Jesus? He is the Ever Living Prophet, yes, more than a Prophet.
Was Muhammad a true”prophet” and example for all mankind from God?
Circle one answer: Yes No
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The Death of Jesus.
In contrast to Joseph Smith and Muhammad, what were the last dying words of Jesus?
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they have done.” (Luke 23.34).
A sinner was dying on a cross next to the cross Jesus, the sinless, virgin born sacrifice for all Eternity was nailed to, and this man asked Jesus, “Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23.43). And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23.46).
A Roman centurion officer who was standing opposite Him, saw that He had cried out like this and breathed His last, said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God.” (Mark 15.39).
It was just that simple, yet so eternally profound. People are living and dying every day, yet this one sinless man, born of a virgin, Fathered by a miracle spoken Word of God, and Spirit of God, and this Eternal Word became flesh in order to come to earth and be the example of God’s extreme Love for you and I.
No gunfight, no killing others, no regrets, no begging for forgiveness, but rather, forgiving and offering grace and blessing to those who recognize Him for who He truly is…
Perhaps, you are a Mormon, a Muslim or have been following something or someone you have exalted more than God, more than Jesus? The Bible says,
“But I fear, lest somehow as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you have received a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel (good news to change your future)…which you have not accepted, you put up with it!” 2 Corinthians 11.4. Well, don’t put up with it anymore!
As I write this, I pray that everyone who reads it will have their eyes of their understanding opened, that every demonic spirit be gagged, and being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling for your life, what are the true riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints for you…(Eph.1.18), a true Jesus worth living and dying for, because He lived and died for you and now lives forever to help and intercede for us. Hebrews 7.24,25.
What words will you utter in your last breath if you can still speak? Are you ready to face eternity and stand before God? Are you ready to stand before Jesus today? Was Joseph Smith ready? Was Muhammad ready? Are you ready?
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Jesus said to them, “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life, No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Gospel/ John 14.6).
Jesus taught them that one should “Enter by the narrow Gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the Way that leads to destruction, and there are Many who go in by it. Because narrow is the Gate, and difficult is the Way which leads to life and there are few who find it, Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothes, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Gospel/Mathew 7.13).
“Nor is their salvation in any other (Joseph Smith/Muhammad, etc) for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Gospel/Acts 4.12).
Read in the Bible Acts 8.35-39, Philip the evangelist preached Jesus to an (eunuch) Ethiopian leader, and since preaching the gospel, that Jesus died, was buried and raised by God from the dead never to die again, and the man brought the question, “What hinders me from being baptized? Philip must of discussed the importance of baptism during that first encounter.(see Romans 6.) Then Philip said,
“If you believe with ALL YOUR HEART you may (be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, Acts 2.28,10.48), and he answered and said,
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and he baptized (immersed) him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way REJOICING.”
Philip didn’t drag him back to the city for a big public baptism, because this was personal. God set up this divine appointment in response to this African leaders searching heart…just like now, and are you willing to repent (decisive change, rejecting error and saying Yes to His guiding Truth) with all your heart? Then perhaps you are ready to be baptized into Christ today as well? Perhaps even all your family? (see Acts 16.30-33).
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Circle one answer: Yes No
If you circled No on the other two, and with all your heart, circled Yes to Jesus, are you ready to read the Bible, and obey out of love for him in everything? Then my first prayer is for you.
Abba Father, help me live well to Your Glory, and help me to die well to Your Glory!”
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