It appears that Mauricio Berger, after multiple attempts to get a famous group or person to vouch for him, has accomplished that design and has finally published his supposed Sealed Portion. In my estimation Mauricio has focused on getting people to believe in him and what God has supposed called him to do, long before he did any actual work of translating of what he was supposedly called to do. Which is something you would do if you were hedging your bet if people would accept it or not. Contrast that to how Joseph Smith behaved. Joseph Smith did the work without worrying about other’s believing it was of God or not. In fact in the beggining very few people believed that God visited Joseph Smith and later gave him a work to do. Did that prevent Joseph Smith from doing the work God gave him to do? No. I’m sure it was not easy for Joseph Smith. There were times it was only him and Emma doing the work. And they also had to take care of the house and provide for their living at the same time. But as Joseph Smith exercised his faith in God and his calling from God, God sent people to Joseph Smith to help with the work. Joseph Smith did not go out looking for people to help him as Mauricio Berger has.

You can now finally buy The Sealed Book of Mormon on Amazon. I have visited Amazon page for it a couple times, and it seems every time I go there the published price is always changing, but always around $5.00. For people in the states that is not much, but for people outside the states the shipping will cost them a ton more. Which makes me wonder why is there no kindle format, and on top of that in todays day and age why is it not on their website. Other fraud translations of the Sealed Portion are not afraid to share what they have done freely online.

The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants both talk about how important it is to publish the word of God througout all the land and to the ends of the Earth. Here are three of my favorites:

Alma (LDS 30:57) (RLDS 16:73) Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was immediately PUBLISHED THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND; yea, the PROCLAMATION WAS SENT FORTH by the chief judge TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE LAND, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them.

Helaman (LDS 5:48,50) (RLDS 2:113,115)
48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the HEAVENS OPEN; and ANGELS CAME DOWN out of heaven and ministered unto them.
50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, DECLARING THROUGHTOUT ALL THE REGIONS round about all the things which THEY HAD HEARD AND SEEN, insomuch that the more part of the LAMANITES were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the EVIDENCES which they had received.

3 Nephi (LDS 11:41) (RLDS 5:43) Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

I can understand paying for the printing costs to receive the Word of God, but if you look at Alma (LDS 30:57) (RLDS 16:73) it mentions that it was done, atleast in this instance, as a proclamation, meaning it was destributed out in mass and none of the receivers were asked to pay for it. On top of that in 3 Nephi (LDS 11:41) (RLDS 5:43) Jesus Christ Himself is saying that we need to get His words to the ENDS OF THE EARTH. In todays world the best way to get messages to everyone is by a website in addition to electronic and physical books.

Joseph Smith went to extraordinary, not my word but Royal Skousen’s who has studied this, messures for his day to get the Book of Mormon to be throughout the land. And those who are some familiar with how it was published will also know that Martin Harris risked his house and farm to help it to happen. Today getting a message out to the world is not such a financial burden as it used to be. But I would expect someone who really believed they had something that would bring about Zion as Mauricio Berger has claimed for supposed Sealed Portion would put forth as much vigor to get the work out to the world as Joseph Smith did in his day. And to be honest I just don’t see that being the case, as The Cause of Zion website does not have the supposed Sealed Portion on their website which most likely would cost them nothing extra to put it there, and if it did it would be less than going out to eat once. Heck if they that low on funds, I’ll donate what is needed for them to put it on their website evern though I believe it is a fraud. The reason I am willing to do that is that because they are claiming it’s God’s words, and to know that we need to be able to read it for ourselves and test it to the establish word of God to know of it’s authenticity.

If any man preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine & Covenants, set him down as an imposter…Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches.
Joseph Smith, Times & Seasons

The Joseph Smith Papers did a TV episode on the Printing of the Book of Mormon. I believe it’s worth 30 minutes to watch the whole thing, or less if you speed it up, but just in case you don’t want to or can’t find the time below are two important quotes from it.

03M08S It [publication of the Book of Mormon] was quite a big project very ambitious print run for that time and place really

13M28S Royal Skousen – in fact in normally in those days people only printed a few hundred copies of a book and to print 5000 was extraordinary in fact that’s one of the reason why many of the printers weren’t really too happy about undertaking such a project because their press would be used for such a long period of time

I hope you gathered from the quotes and the episode that Joseph Smith did as much as he could to get the Book of Mormon out to everyone who wanted it including using new technology of the day, 23M46S stereotyped plates (wikipedia), such that printing more in the future would be much quicker and easier. I don’t see the same thing happening with Mauricio Berger’s supposed Brazil Sealed Portion.

With the price being around $5.00, it does not appear they are seeking to make money buy selling it, but without knowing the printing costs I can’t say one way or another for sure. If they are not trying to make money from selling it, then why not put it on the internet so people around the world can read what is being claimed will bring forth Zion if followed for free? After all, is not salvation provided for those who have no money?

2 Nephi (LDS 9:50) (RLDS 6:99) Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

I have come across that Mauricio Berger wants a community that will live the law of “consecration”. This subject is large enough that it deserves atleast one post completely dedicated solely to it. But I will say this that when I read the Doctrine and Covenants sections that have the word consecration in them, one way to do that is this concordance, I see descriptions of tithing. Keep in mind that taking something that is common, every day things, and setting it aside for God’s sacred use is by definition consecration, which is exactly what should be happening with tithing.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Consecration:

1. The act or ceremony of separating from a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God, by certain rites or solemnities. consecration does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted to God or to divine service; as the consecration of the priests among the Israelites; the consecration of the vessels used in the temple; the consecration of a bishop.

Not to mention that Doctrine and Covenants (LDS 119:4-5) (RLDS 106) (1844 107) states that TITHING is a STANDING LAW FOREVER.

D&C (LDS 119:4-5) (RLDS 106) (1844 107)
4 And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay ONE TENTH of all their INTEREST annually; and this shall be a STANDING LAW unto them FOREVER, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord. 5 Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be TITHED of their SURPLUS properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Standing:

3. adjective Settled; established, either by law or by custom, etc.; continually existing; permanent; not temporary; as a standing army. Money is the standing measure of the value of all other commodities. Legislative bodies have certain standing rules of proceeding. Courts of law are or ought to be governed by standing rules. There are standing rules of pleading. The gospel furnishes us with standing rules of morality. The Jews by their dispersion and their present condition, are a standing evidence of the truth of revelation and of the prediction of Moses. Many fashionable vices and follies ought to be the standing objects of ridicule.
4. Lasting; not transitory; not liable to fade or vanish; as a standing color.
6. Fixed; not movable; as a standing bed; distinguished from a truckle bed.
1. Continuance; duration or existence; as a custom of long standing

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Surplus:

2. In law, the residuum of an estate, after the debts and legacies are paid.

Like I said this is a whole other subject and needs a post completely dedicated to just this. I do want to end this side track with a very poignant Book of Mormon verse, 2 Nephi (LDS 10:5) (RLDS 7:9), bring out how evil priestcraft is, so much so, that 2 Nephi (LDS 10:5) (RLDS 7:9) is stating that it’s practice is partly what caused the people to crucify Jesus Christ the God we seek to worship.

2 Nephi (LDS 10:5) (RLDS 7:9) But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

Let us labor solely for the cause of Zion and God’s graces and not for money such that we will not perish.

2 Nephi (LDS 26:31) (RLDS 11:109) But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.

Mosiah (LDS 18:26) (RLDS 9:59) And the priest were not to depend upon the people for they support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.

A friend of mine who believes in Mauricio Berger’s Brazil Sealed Portion, shared a link with me that he/she knew of so I could download it and read it for myself. The link has three pdf scans of the printed book. The three parts were well thought out with care as far as I can tell from what I have read, as a believer in it would have done. I have also made backups of them just in case: sealed1.pdf, sealed2.pdf, sealed3.pdf.

Update:
Not long after I published this post a Kindle version was put on Amazon. (An interesting note it seems it was rushed to get it on there as it has a different author than the paper edition and they are not on the same page as most if not all books with the different mediums do.) Along with a pdf that you can request one from The Sealed Book of Mormon which take you to this form or just download my backup of it.
If you want to read through this thread on TheCauseOfZion Facebook page you see people requestion a Kindle version and some version free online and various excuses are given. But after I published this post there are mentions of Kindle and pdf versions.

I’ve read some of it’s contents. It’s does not have what the Book of Mormons states will be in the sealed plates among other errors I have come across.

2 Nephi (LDS 27:11) (RLDS 11:131-132) And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.

Ether (LDS 3:21,25-27;4:1) (RLDS 1:86,90-92,94-95)
21 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and show it to no man.
25 And when the Lord had said these words, he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth. 26 For he had said unto him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto him all things—it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all things. 27 And the Lord said unto him: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due time unto the children of men.
1 And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out of the mount from the presence of the Lord, and write the things which he had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of men until after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people.

Ether (LDS 4:4-5) (RLDS 1:98-99)
4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared. 5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.

Ether (LDS 12:21) (RLDS 5:21) And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.

Not to mention what the Book of Mormon states as requirements for the real sealed portion to come forth.

2 Nephi (LDS 27:8) (RLDS 11:127-128) Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.

2 Nephi (LDS 27:21-22) (RLDS 11:143-44) Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work. 22 Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men.

Ether (LDS 3:24) (RLDS 1:89) For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.

Ether (LDS 3:27) (RLDS 1:92) And the Lord said unto him: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due time unto the children of men.

Ether (LDS 3:28) (RLDS 1:93) And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that he should seal up the two stones which he had received, and show them not, until the Lord should show them unto the children of men.

Ether (LDS 4:2) (RLDS 1:96) And after Christ truly had showed himself unto his people he commanded that they should be made manifest.

Ether (LDS 4:6-8) (RLDS 1:100-102)
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord. 7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. 8 And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh.

Yes, yes, I have read the story that Mauricio Berger has conjured up about a sealed portion instead the sealed portion, and I don’t believe it, for many reasons. There are tons of reasons I don’t believe in the whole Mauricio Berger’s supposed Brazil Sealed Portion, some of them I am putting forth in this article, and some of the other reasons can be found at Mauricio Berger – Brazil Sealed Portion, but none constitutes all the reasons.

This is a very well put together article about The Sealed Portion of the Book of Mormon, written in 2013, so a while before Mauricio Berger supposed Sealed Portion was being talked about. It answered some questions I had about the sealed plates, and even brought out some things I had never thought about. I will be honest, even though I believe the Sealed Portion will be coming in the future, I have not put much effort to search the scriptures myself regarding it in the past.

My first post on this subject, Some Red Flags regarding Brazil and Sealed Portion, was a bit off the cuff. Because it was. Originally it was two comments in Facebook group, and people liked it so I put it on my blog. Even if you don’t agree with my conclusions, hopefully you can see that this post is something I put time and effort into it.

Regarding the signs I brought up in Some Red Flags regarding Brazil and Sealed Portion. I highly recommend you watch Staffs, Snakes And Blood, Oh My! : The Exodus And Its Miracles; The Exodus And Its Lies from AlephBeta. In this video David Fohrman brings out some of the multidimensional aspects of the three signs that God had Moses perform to convenience the Israelites of the work that was about to come forth. To give a breif overview, the signs showed the Israelites that God knows what the Egyptians did to them in the past. The signs also foretold some of the ten plaques along with the destruction of the Egyptians at the Red Sea.

I’ve read the Q&As on the Sealed Portion page on The Cause of Zion website. And I understand that they are a quick and simple answers to some very important questions to get you interested in learning more. But considering all the controversy that is surrounding this work, one would think they would provide better and more in depth answers, or add links where anyone could learn more on that question if they so desired. Right now I to examine two of the answers they gave.

The first question and answer I want to look at deals with Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1).

Question: It is claimed that Mauricio’s translating the sealed portion violates Ether 1:100 RLDS. Is this true?
Answer: In Ether 1:100 RLDS, we read, in regard to the things of the sealed portion, “they shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity and become clean before the Lord.” To many people, this suggests that Mauricio’s translating the sealed portion is not scripturally sound, since that condition has obviously not yet come to pass. However, in his commentary regarding the sealing of the plates in Ether 2:1 RLDS, Moroni states, “therefore, touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.” In saying this, Moroni very clearly provides an exception to his commandment not to open the sealed portion; therefore, there is no discrepancy between the work in Brazil and that scripture.
Q&As on the Sealed Portion

I honestly don’t understand how that answer is going to relieve any concerns for anyone who uses critical thinking.

The commentary given for Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1) would have us believe that God’s word is not consistent, or God’s words can change, or a man can tell you it’s okay not to keep God’s commandments. Which none of those is true, as attested by these passages among many others: 2 Nephi (LDS 29:8 – 9) (RLDS 12:58-63), Alma (LDS 7:20) (RLDS 5:34-35), Deuteronomy 12:32, or the Deuteronomy 13 Test (Keep Torah [article], 119 Ministries [40 minutes], The Confused Christian [11 minutes], John Lawson [3 minutes]).

2 Nephi (LDS 29:8 – 9) (RLDS 12:58-63)
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I SPEAK THE SAME WORDS UNTO ONE NATION LIKE UNTO ANOTHER. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.  9 And I DO THIS THAT I MAP PROVE unto many that I AM THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

Alma (LDS 7:20) (RLDS 5:34-35) I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; NEITHER DOTH HE VARY FROM THAT WHICH HE HATH SAID; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round.

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

On top of that if God is changing His mind on what He wants us to do, how can we have any confidence that we are keeping His commandments? We would be thinking I know He wanted us to do this in the past, but is that what He wants us to do now? If God changes His mind, how can we know what He wants us to do?

Lectures on Faith 6:6 For unless a person does know that he is walking according to the will of God, it would be offering an insult to the dignity of the Creator, were he to say that he would be a partaker of his glory when he should be done with the things of this life. But when he has this knowledge, and most assuredly knows that he is doing the will of God, his confidence can be equally strong that he will be a partaker of the glory of God.
Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith 6, from 1835 Doctrine and Covenants

Prehaps part of the problem is that the author of Q&As on the Sealed Portion does not know what “by and by” means. Heck, I  didn’t know what it meant for most of my life. Untill I took the time to look it up a while back to better understand Alma (LDS 32:42) (RLDS 16:171-172) which is a verse in a very important passage to help us better understand faith. Back to the point at hand, lets look at how some sources define “by and by”.

The phrase means “hereafter”, “later”. Hence its usage in old Christian hymns,
“In the sweet by-and-by…” It is also used to mean “later”, as in “see you later”.
Answers.com

the future
Dictionary.com

After a while; soon.
presently or eventually
TheFreeDictionary.com

an indefinite time in the future
at some eventual time in the future
Definitions.net

From these four sources, I am sure you have deduced, as I did, that “by and by” means some time in the future.

With the definition of “by and by” in mind, we could rewrite Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1), not saying I would write the Book of Mormon because I wouldn’t, but only as an exercise to help us better understand the verse in todays language. Before we do that, we (or should I say I) should also look at the word except. Atleast for me in todays version of English it does not fit. Below I’ll quote the defitinion I believe is appropriate for the sentence, feel free to click on the link to look at them all to see if you agree or not.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Except:

verb intransitive To object; to make an objection or objections; usually followed by to; sometimes by against. I except to a witness, or to his testimony, on account of his interest or partiality.

“Except” can be used to object to something, just like how Moroni objects to having the sealed portion translated before it is God’s timing for it.

With both of these definitions in mind this is one way to reword Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1):

therefore, touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, listen to this objection because some time in the fututre it shall be wisdom in God to have them translated, trust in God’s timings.

As I see it, the last part Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1) “by and by [some time in the future] it shall be wisdom in God” be related to the following passages? Personally I believe so.

2 Nephi (LDS 27:8) (RLDS 11:127-128) Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.

2 Nephi (LDS 27:21-22) (RLDS 11:143-44) Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work. 22 Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men.

Ether (LDS 3:24) (RLDS 1:89) For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.

Ether (LDS 3:27) (RLDS 1:92) And the Lord said unto him: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due time unto the children of men.

If not, then I apparently don’t understand the simple and plain meaning of Ether (LDS 4:6-8) (RLDS 1:100-102) either.

Ether (LDS 4:6-8) (RLDS 1:100-102)
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord. 7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. 8 And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh.

Even if we gave Mauricio the benefit of the doubt and used the defitinion of “soon” for “by and by” we still run into the first problem I brought up, and on top of that, it’s been 175 years sinse Joseph Smith was murdered, which compared to other lengths of time of when a description of small amount of time is used is not much.

1 Nephi (LDS 22:15-18) (RLDS 7:32-40)
15 For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh SPEEDILY that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men; for the day SOON cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that they must be burned. 16 For the time SOON cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. 17 Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. 18 Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must SHORTLY come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.

Alma (LDS 5:50) (RLDS 3:87-88) Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is SOON at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very SOON shine forth among all the children of men.

Alma (LDS 13:25) (RLDS 10:24-25) And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how SOON. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be SOONER or later, in it I will rejoice.

Mormon (LDS 8:34) (RLDS 4:45) Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must SHORTLY come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.

Some of these SOON events, has happened or will happen, thousands of years after it was stated it was going to come to pass SOON.

Personally when I read Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1) I see a message directed to Joseph Smith. Which if you read the rest of the chapter (LDS or RLDS because of a chapter marker on the gold plates, I explain this in On The Morrow / Morning.) it is even more evident that is the case.

Ether (LDS 5:1) (RLDS 2:1) And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.

As far as I know, everyone knows that Joseph Smith was not suppose to translate the sealed portion, but I would imagine that he was tempted to. And this verse seems to suggest that in my mind. What would have been the consequence if Joseph Smith would have tried to translated the sealed portion? I would imagine his ability to translate by the power of God would have been revoked along with Moroni taking back the gold plates and the interpreters, just like what happened when the 116 pages were lost. In fact in this verse I see a reminder from Moroni to Joseph Smith that he has already told him what was on the plates that he is forbidden to touch, perhaps to dissuade him from attempting to do so one last time. Keep in mind that therefore is a word that connects the new idea with the previous idea.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Therefore:

1. For that; for that or this reason, referring to something previously stated.
I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. – Luke 14:20.
2. Consequently.
He blushes; therefore he is guilty.

Lets take a minute and imagine this verse was for Mauricio Berger. He is tould not to touch the plates, that it is forbidden, and then in in the same sentence (if we are to believe what the Q&As on the Sealed Portion states), oh just kidding it’s wisdom in God for you translate them now, I was just fooling with you. I’m sorry to say this, but if you believe Moroni is saying something like that, you are applying a schizophrenic behavior to Moroni, in that he is being inconsistent and contradictory.

The other question and answer I want to look at is the following:

Question: The 8 witnesses reported that on the cover of the second part of the sealed portion that there was a beautiful engraven picture. What did it look like?
Answer: Upon seeing the picture and being amazed at both it’s absolute beauty AND it’s inclusion as the cover to the “sealed portion”, many of the witnesses were speculating about the meaning! Mauricio took the interpreters and the plates and removed himself into a private room, wherein he received the interpretation. Bob has stated that the beautiful engraved picture is of the book of Revelation, John’s vision on the Isle of Patmos.
Q&As on the Sealed Portion

If Mauricio has received the interpretation of plates, as claimed, why are we being told what Bob thinks about the picture and not anything based on the supposed interpretation that Mauricio recieved? (Which if it was through the interpreters as claimed it would have been the God’s words instead of a man belief, and should we not be feasting up every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God instead of mens opinions?) And were may we read this supposed interpretation?

In closing I’d like to ask a question right now to those who already do and those who are considering in believing in Mauricio Berger’s supposed Brazil Sealed Portion: when you find a contradiction in what has been published with what is in the Book of Mormon will you find ways to justify the problems and condemn what is in the Book of Mormon or will you put aside your pride and admit you were wrong and go with what is in the Book of Mormon? If you decide to believe in what contradicts the Book of Mormon can you honestly say you believe what is written in the Book of Mormon?

3 Nephi (LDS 26:8-10) (RLDS 12:2-4)
8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. 9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.

Mormon (LDS 8:12,17) (RLDS 4:14-15,21-22)
12 And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you.
17 And if there be faults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that condemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire.

While you are reading through this supposed Sealed Portion, don’t just blindly accept what it is saying. But test it against the established word of God, in other words be like the Bereans. I have read it a little since my friend gave me the link, and I personally have found problems with it, but those details will have to be saved for another post in the future.

Acts 17:10-11
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and SEARCHED the SCRIPTURES daily, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE so.

Please don’t do this just with this supposed Sealed Portion but do it with everything you read, receive and think.

When you go to God in prayer after you have done your studing on the subject to receive confirmation from Him if you have come to the correct conclution or not, keep in mind these words from Joseph Smith on how the Holy Ghost works.

This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile though it may not have half as much visual effect upon his body; for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have new creation by the Holy Ghost.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 149

With the close of the Feast of Unleavened Bread behind us, may we all do our best to remove ourselves from the doctrines and commandments of men.

Mosiah (LDS 1:5) (RLDS 1:7-8) I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things [plates of brass/Old Testament/scriptures], which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.