JULIE L. TAGGART'S PERSONAL STORY

Not long after my divorce in June of 2001, I decided to go to an LDS singles dance. It was my first coming out into the world as a d-i-v-o-r-c-e-d woman—a word that only stuttered off my lips due to the shame and embarrassment I felt at now being one. It was an After Conference Dance that started as the Saturday evening Priesthood session let out. I attended with a neighbor who was very active in the LDS Church and had gone through a divorce herself several years before mine.

As we stood chatting, I noticed a gentleman enter the hall with salt and pepper colored hair flowing down his back. Wearing khaki pants and a striped shirt, he wasn't dressed in the uniform of the priesthood (dark suit, white shirt and tie) like the others.

I said to my friend, I'm going to ask that guy to dance, to which she responded I can't believe you're going to ask him to dance!

Three dances later I was amazed at our conversation and what I learned from the man Jay Benson. He gave legitimacy, by virtue of his resources and connections, to many of my growing concerns about the LDS Church and its leadership. Any time I would run into him at another dance I would quiz him on his latest discoveries. The last time I saw him I left him with a rejoinder to call me if there is anything you think I should know.

It would be many, many months before I would hear from him, but in late October 2004 out of the blue I received a phone call. After a brief catch-up he said I have something to tell you.

OK. I said waiting patiently wondering what interesting snippets he'd come across now.

You're the only one I could think of who would be open to share this with, he said.

After hemming and hawing he finally blurted out, I believe the sealed portion may have been translated!

Hearing those words was like feeling a jolt of electricity run through my body and in excitement I exclaimed, Oh my gosh! How can I get a copy of it?

He said, It's on the internet and I've printed up a copy of the retranslation of the 116 page Lost Manuscript (which caused another surge of electricity throughout my body) and the chapter headings to The Sealed Portion for you. I'll drop those off to you this evening.

I didn't have to wait long before there was a knock at my door.

Immediately I sat down and began perusing the synopsis of each chapter heading first. With a gathering pit in the bottom of my stomach and a gnawing and pervasive thought enlarging in the back of my mind drummed into me since my youth—Lucifer will tell you 99 truths to sneak in one big lie—I thought this is going to be nothing short of controversial! But I decided to refrain from judgment until I had actually read the text of The Sealed Portion in its entirety.

When I started on the next portion of what I had been given, the 116 page Lost Manuscript the Book of Lehi, my first thought was, well sure this is exactly what I would say if my intent was to vilify the LDS Church. With only a cursory read through not giving it much merit at the time, I continued to pester him for a copy of The Sealed Portion. While it was available for free on the internet, I did not have internet service at that time, nor could I work my way around a computer other than to write a letter or send an email.

In the mean time I arranged to be a working guest at the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego, CA. I was told, as luck would have it, there was an opening on January 13, 2005 if I could make it, which didn't leave much time to make arrangements for my belongings and my little dog.

Early on Christmas Eve, I received another surprise phone call. Julie, said the voice in solemnity, I'm just driving into SLC from having visited the man Christopher Nemelka in San Diego (which was the first I learned that the translator lived there) and I believe he is who The Sealed Portion says he is—a Prophet of God.

This time I prevailed upon him for a copy of TSP. He promised me that first thing Monday morning December 27th, we'd meet at Gordon's Copy Center in Layton where I could make a copy from his printout of TSP, which took him a reported three cartridges and a thousand pages.
I ordered 4 copies at $63.00 each certain my children and friends would be as excited as I was to read it. Wrong!! I have one daughter that will not even allow me to whisper the words the sealed portion in her home or presence. Eventually I gave all but my personal copy away and as far as I know, none have been read.

Since I wasn't working at the time, I started reading TSP around the clock. Nestled under a down comforter on my dilapidated sofa in the ancient and chilly little cottage I rented, I read until I fell asleep. Whatever time of the day or night I awoke, I continued my exquisite feast, albeit slowly, often weeping tears of joy and gratitude at its delectability.

From the profound but simple explanation of the Temple endowment to which a loving Father would want ALL His children to partake without cost or stipulations; to my utter joy as I learned who Adam and Eve's first born was (music to my ears and those of my African-American friends); to the concept of multiple incarnations (I could not imagine a loving Father who would give His children only one chance to get it right); and the tender expressions of our Father's love for His daughters who would never discriminate against them; and for the sequencing of TSP alone—which is magnificent—sentence after sentence, page after page, I was astonished at what was revealed!

I couldn't stop myself from reading long enough to bother fixing a meal or leave my apartment to find prepared food. Each night I would eat either a ¾ pound Hershey Chocolate Bar w/almonds or the same size Symphony Bar left over from Christmas. It cost me not a few pounds, but I knew I would soon be at the Health Institute where only raw foods are served, so I wasn't too worried.

When I got halfway through TSP to chapter 50 vs.10 it stated: And in the latter days, even after this record shall come forth among you, this last prophet who shall give these things to you, shall direct you in the way that ye shall give of your abundance to help the poor among you. As it briefly revealed the Foundation that would eventually be set up to accomplish this task, I became sick, sick, SICK! I had loved and accepted as truth every single principle and concept I had read thus far, but now it appears that there will be a church formed and money solicited. Here it is, I thought to myself, the one big lie sneaked in among the ninety-nine truths.

I laid the book down, took a long hot bath, and changed into street clothes. For the first time in several days, I left the cottage. I took a long walk in the cold brisk air trying to clear my mind, but thoughts of TSP and what I'd read would not leave me. After a brief respite and a decent meal, I was compelled to return to the sofa and TSP once again. I pressed on with much trepidation holding my breath at each new revelation waiting for the other shoe to drop. I read, reread, took notes and marked up passages trying to absorb explanations and understand concepts that boggled my mind, but made too much sense to be refuted or denied.

That went on until January 10th when I finally forced myself to put the book down—unfinished, for in two days I had to leave for San Diego and had done nothing to pack or prepare for my extended absence. I made arrangements for my little dog only figuring I'd be home in a few months, not realizing it would be eight months before I would return to UT.

A couple weeks after arriving in CA, I finally found the time to complete my reading of TSP. I closed the book at the end of Chapter 100 and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

After three in depth studies of TSP, I knew that book was a true and divinely inspired work of God and I knew that whoever translated that record was indeed exactly who TSP said he was: a divinely called and chosen Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Brother, Friend and Servant not unlike Abinadi, Samuel the Lamanite, or Joseph Smith whose divine commission was to translate 1/3 of the gold plates, while this "Bearer of Christ" was commissioned to translate the remaining 2/3, exactly as promised and prophesied in Isaiah 29 [JST], Ether 4, & 2 Nephi 26-27.

Because I also believed what TSP said about this Prophet being able to perceive your heart, I knew I had lots of work ahead to purge myself of the vitriol and bitterness that lingered after my marriage ended. It was nearly three months after arriving in San Diego, before I made contact with the translator, just in time to attend the April 6, 2005 Official Press Conference with its announcement to the world of the coming forth of The Sealed Portion of the Book of Mormon—the Final Testament of Jesus Christ.

Because of my acceptance and belief in TSP, it has provoked criticism, persecution, and alienation from family and friends who are incapable of reading anything not dictated, written or sanctioned by their leaders.

What influenced my own search to be open to sources outside the LDS Church and its leaders, was something I heard President Spencer W. Kimball say in a Las Vegas Stake Conference many years ago, We accept truth no matter what the source!

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Trading Myth and Mystery for Reality and Common Sense

Joining the deserting flock my brain no longer on sheep mode, I began to question supposed doctrines I had naively accepted as truths from God to determine for myself whether they had any foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, or whether they were merely myths and legends passed down through men seeking praise, glory and aggrandizement. For a short time before discovering TSP, I had even rejected my long held beliefs in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I then began to question the reality of a God—after all he didn't answer my desperate pleadings for Publishers Clearing House certain that was my only escape from hell without homelessness.

When I googled the original Book of Commandments, to my surprise, I discovered that Joseph had been told not to start a church. His only assignment was to translate 1/3 of the gold plates and that the remaining 2/3 (the sealed portion), containing the greater things or the further light and knowledge God promised to send, would one day come forth at some future date.

It would take the charismatic Brigham Young several years after Joseph's death, to cull a following and isolate members in the west, out of view of those who would question his unorthodox practice exulting one gender and race above another.

I needed only observe the tenets of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(nka as Community of Christ) started by Joseph Smith's family, and in whose possession most of Joseph's original documentation was retained, for a comparison. They never withheld the priesthood from women or blacks; never practiced polygamy; and never redeemed the dead. Those were inventions of Brigham Young et al.

It is true that Joseph taught polygamy the same as Christ did in his day that led to nunnery, but Joseph never personally practiced it despite accusations by his friends—the same friends that outed his hiding place and cost him his life.

The silence of the LDS Church, which could indeed defend Joseph's character, is deafening, but unraveling the mystery requires rummaging through archives and topics they are reluctant to broach with good reason: If we tell the truth about Joseph Smith, then we risk exposing the myths about Brigham Young and the origin of the LDS/Mormon Church.

Where the line becomes skewed is how to parse or separate Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon from the LDS Church, much the way the world was finally forced to separate the Bible from the Catholic Church.

In a world that has drifted far from its original moorings, Christians commemorate the birth of Christ with the trappings of Christmas (in Santa we trust), and Easter reminds us of the Easter Bunny (er...Resurrection), but no one celebrates the teachings of Christ. Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ is a perfect example, which focused exclusively on the physical cruelties Christ suffered, but ignored the good news of the gospel: don't judge your neighbor; never take offense; if they sue you at the law for your coat, give them also your cloak; love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, persecute you and despitefully use you; and forgive them even if they hang you on a cross, because they don't know what they're doing.

Notwithstanding his miraculous virgin birth and ignominious death, the only saving work Jesus Christ performed was teaching and modeling the Royal Law: Do unto others what you would have them do unto you as embodied in the New Testament (Matthew 5, 6 & 7) and the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 12, 13 & 14). These are the two prophets that lie dead in the street, clothed in sackcloth (black leather [book] jackets), because no one is living by those precepts: "...they have all gone astray save it be a few who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men." (2 Nephi 28:14)

That same message can be found in most all cultures and languages around the world with little variation, which would be a far greater promulgator of peace on earth good will towards men, than the Ten Commandments—given in his wrath—for which Christians fight to keep in public arenas.

Does God care more about where we publish our creeds than our deeds?

Wouldn't it make sense that God can provide His Word to His children in their own tongue, whether through Socrates, Mohamed, Lao'tse, Confucius, Buddha or Gandhi, and not require Mormon missionaries to preach around the world in violation of their own Articles of Faith: "We claim the privilege of worshiping almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may".

There is only one way to learn real truth. It is the same way mysteries of God have always been unfolded to mortal human beings—by the reason and power of common sense.

It doesn't matter how great the teacher, how plain his words, or true his sayings; if we do not use common sense to come up with our own understanding, we will never come to a knowledge of real truth or reality. This sense is a gift given equally to all. Whether we use it or not depends on how we conduct our lives. Do we trust and rely solely on the arms of flesh of our parents, husbands, ministers, prophets, priests, kings & presidents to supply our source of truth and light, because they publicly proclaim a belief in God? Or do we listen to our own heart? And how can we possibly know if our own hearts and minds are filtering correctly?

There is only one way and that is if our thoughts and actions conform to the parameters and measuring stick of Christ's simple message: do unto another what we would want done unto us if we were in the same situation. Only then can we know of a surety if it is truth, or something else.

Those arms of flesh who believe their arcana come freely and without price from God, but then write up their testimonies and sell them for money—unwittingly witness against their own divine appointment and inspired origin, "...priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not for the welfare of Zion." (2 Nephi 26:29)

Perhaps that is the message, hidden in plain sight, in the parable of the Ten Virgins, and the foolish (virgins) said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (Matthew 25:8-9)

Consequently, the Word or Truth is soon corrupted and changed in almost every sacred text by those seeking glory, praise and financial support, becoming more of a divisive curse to humanity, than a panacea to cure its ills and establish peace.

The LDS Church is no different from other religions that ask for money; never allow us to question or debate their authority; and invent new revelations and commandments not consistent with their very own scriptures, which they claim contains The Fullness of the Gospel. For example, nowhere in the Book of Mormon does it state or infer that homosexuality is a sin, which would justify withholding of civil or ecclesiastical rights to groups or individuals. Yet it clearly states that polygamy is a grosser crime (Jacob 2:22), yet Mormon males are regularly sealed to more than one living woman, and believe many, many more will be their grand reward upon death.

Families are Forever was another ingenious marketing tool and selling point that revelation became to amass new converts willing to pay 10% of their gross income to seal children to parents, that neither Joseph Smith nor Christ ever taught or practiced. Build a temple. Send in the missionaries to convince people the only way they can have their spouse and children forever is to attend the temple (deemed House of God) and voila—they have just set up a thriving business in every major city, every state, in every country and on every continent!

How much plainer could Jesus say: I come not to send peace on earth but a sword. For I come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:34-38)

My common sense begs to know what loving Father would charge His children an entrance fee before allowing them into His Home.

When did we see Jesus the angriest, if not when overturning the tables of the moneychangers?

Which persons, regardless of their title or imagined authority, would have the arrogance and audacity to misconstrue, alter, change, create, or invent a revelation ostensibly for profit or gain? Does it not state in the Book of Mormon: For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? (Mormon 9:9-10)

Further undermining our conscience, common sense or light of Christ, religions lay guilt trips on us (and excommunicate us when we do exercise our God-given agency) that cause us to feel evil, dirty and worthless, therefore in desperate need of an intermediary to whom we may confess our sins and pay for rectification.

One of the most pervasive mysteries that results in more agnostics and atheists, is why a Heavenly Father/God would bless one person, family, or culture with prosperity, good health, winning wars or ballgames; the only true church or chosen people status, but who would simultaneously withhold daily manna from starving children, peace from war torn countries, or basic necessities from the poor and needy—who are also praying desperately for relief. The thought makes reason stare! God is either here micromanaging with inequality or he isn't here at all. We cannot have it both ways and still believe in a God who is no respecter of persons.

By employing more reality and common sense, the answer can be found within their LDS Temple endowment (that is what is left after much editing by those who do not understand its significance and fear having their own authority challenged or questioned): Jehovah, send Peter, James and John down to the man Adam....find out what's going on there... and then return and report." Ergo, he ain't here!

In an attempt to establish a foundation that would reflect the true principles Christ taught, on April 30, 1832 Joseph Smith revealed to a small council of his brethren as recorded in their Doctrine and Covenants 83:4-6:

4. All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age.

5. And after that, they have claim upon the church, or in other words upon the Lord's storehouse, if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances.

6. And the storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the church; and widows and orphans shall be provided for, as also the poor.

The LDS Church collects enormous donations (regardless of how they eventually invest, divest and disburse that income) in the name of the widows and fatherless, pure religion and undefiled, the amount of which they refuse to disclose even to their own members. Yet they incredulously withhold or sparingly distribute those sacred funds to the widows and fatherless, the poor and destitute. Instead they are used to build and maintain a Conference Center ($400 million plus), a Pedestrian Plaza ($9 million plus), and many Temples around the world at approximately $30 million each—some within a few miles of another. Their most ambitious project to date is the renovation of a downtown SLC Mall—estimated costs—two billion and rising!

Most heart wrenching of all was the $50 million plus renovation that transformed the historic Hotel Utah into a luxury palace. Would not a far more fitting and worthy use of the building have been to create a women's and children's shelter in honor of the man whose name now graces the building—The Joseph Smith Memorial—but which shames and betrays his memory?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? Ye have robbed me in the tithes and offerings that ye have taken of the people for yourselves." (3 Nephi 24:8, Malachi 3, & Mosiah 2:12) This scripture is often used to intimidate LDS members into increasing their offerings, but who can rob the coffers except those who hold the keys?

Ultimately, I had to ask myself if he had all the money the LDS Church collects in his name—

What would Jesus buy?

Once again we can turn to the Book of Mormon for the answer: And thus in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any that were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need." (Alma 1:30 & Matthew 25:34-46)

What Father when his son asks for bread would give him a stone [temple, confluence or mall]? (Luke 11:11)