Translation is much different than I ever imagined. After I received the instruction to translate The Higher Law, I began an intense period of study and prayer to understand the translation process. During this time, I tried many different methods as I sought direction from God. I continued to learn important principles until I was finally able to translate. The following are a few of the key lessons I learned in preparing for and translating The Higher Law. These should provide a good description of how translation works and what is required of the translator.
Context
Before beginning translation, God expects us to do all that we can to study and learn the topic about which we are translating. For The Higher Law, the way this works is that God leads us to the character or group of characters He wants us to translate. He then gives us the name of these characters. After we receive the name, we are expected to do all that we can to obtain an understanding of the subject matter. If the topic is one that cannot be researched or that is beyond our ability to research in a reasonable period of time, God either leads us to people who can teach us or teaches us directly through thoughts, experiences, visions, etc. As we seek God’s help and work diligently, He guides us in obtaining context, leading us to those things that are most important for us to understand. After we have learned all we can, we create an outline for how we think God might want the translation to flow. Sometimes these outlines are very detailed when specific phrases are given to us while working on context. Other times, the outline is very small. We then submit this outline to God. He will either approve it and allow us to translate or direct our mind to things we have not considered, in which case, we will continue seeking context.
For the Higher Law, obtaining context can take anywhere from hours to days and even weeks for very difficult topics.
Ponder Deeply
After obtaining approval from God, we begin translation. When obtaining context, we ask questions and counsel together regarding our efforts. However, once translation has begun, only the translator speaks until the translation is complete. The translation is spoken word for word by the translator and recorded word for word by the scribe. Once the translation is complete, the scribe fixes any spelling or other mistakes and then gives the transcript to the translator for a final review. The translator then reviews the transcript to make sure everything is consistent with the words spoken. Other than spelling or grammatical changes, no other significant changes are made to the translations.
The translator is expected to think deeply and allow God to guide his thoughts. The translation comes as understanding is obtained by the translator, although many times the translation has much deeper meanings than the translator understands. God directs not only the understanding, but the words the translator speaks. Sometimes the translation comes very quickly and other times the translator is being taught new things they have not considered and will sit silently pondering until the translation is clear.
Although the translator will sometimes review the outline prepared during obtaining context, the translations are always different and much better than the outlines prepared. Sometimes in the middle of translation, the translator will see a vision or receive additional understanding that completely changes the direction of the translation. In some instances, the translator is told to translate with limited context. In these situations, the translator goes through an even more intense learning experience as they translate.
For The Higher Law, it usually takes about forty-five minutes to one hour and fifteen minutes to translate a character.
Power of God
Translation is only possible through the power of God. Thus, we translate only as He allows us. We are currently limited to translating between the hours of 6:00am and 12:00pm. After these hours, we focus on obtaining context for the next characters. Many times, for reasons unknown to us, we will be ready to translate a character, but will not be allowed to do this until the following day or sometimes even the following week.
The Seer Stone
The seer stone has been used in all the translations for The Higher Law and is a tool that magnifies the mind of the translator to allow him to receive the understanding necessary for translation. The seer stone is also used in seeking guidance for obtaining context or seeking understanding regarding the vision and specific instructions for the movement.
So, you claim that God is allowing you to translate something that is revelation to guide not just you and your family but possibly anyone and everyone in the world, and yet you say “I do not claim to have authority”. Clearly there is a contradiction in that.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am temple worthy and maintain a lifestyle that allows me to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I read your blog I get awful feelings and know that what you are saying is not of God. I have never before felt this so strongly. When I first heard the story of Joseph Smith I felt completely different. I felt peace and comfort. Here I feel anxiety and uneasiness. How would you account for that?
I simply say this to you: In response to others comments that you are going against the LDS church you say that this is not religious so it is not wrong and you are in no way jeopardizing your membership in the Church. I challenge you to speak to your bishop this week about The Higher Law and all of your experiences related to it, including translating with a seer stone and your intention to publish your book. If things are as you say then it is your duty to educate him on this cause anyway. I am sure that your LDS readers would be very interested to know what someone with authority in the Church has to say concerning your experiences. If you refuse to speak to your bishop then it will become clear that you do truly know that what you are saying is going against the LDS church.
Wow, this in incredible. Because you claim to be receiving revelations, visions, and messengers from God for the benefit of mankind, then you are by definition claiming to be a prophet. This is very intriguing to me because you also claim not to be associated with a religious movement or working on behalf of the LDS leadership but in reality, isn’t that exactly what you are doing? Let’s look at this a bit closer..
1) You claim to have translated the Pearl of Great Price facsimiles, and yet you maintain this is not associated with the LDS church? Don’t you think that the LDS leaders would have something to say regarding an authorized publication on behalf of one their most sacred documents? Have you consulted them? What have they said regarding your translation?
2) Elder Ballard from his talk published in the December 1996 Ensign entitled, “When shall These Things Be,” said the following,
“Some Latter-day Saints may not be aware of it, but there are “false prophets” rising within and without the Church. They believe they have had revelations, that they know something the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles don’t know. We need to be very careful of such people. Members who are ever approached by anyone claiming special authority or revelation from God outside the sustained priesthood authority should turn and run from them as fast as they can. The Savior said that in the last days even the very elect could be pulled away from the truth by such false prophets.
A few groups have drifted away from the gospel under the direction of those who claim to have received special instruction through personal revelation, and some have declared themselves to be prophets. I know of one group that is led by a bright, capable, articulate young man who claims to have received a revelation that he is the prophet and that he was called of God to establish the true Church. Sadly, there are those who have chosen to follow such individuals, who in turn lead them directly away from the principles of truth and righteousness. Perhaps that is why it is so interesting to me that when the Master was asked about the sign of His Second Coming and the end of the world, He first responded by warning His listeners to beware of false prophets.
Keep your eyes riveted on the leadership of the Church. While individuals may falter, the body of general Church leadership will remain steadfast and true. If someone tells you that they have received revelation that the First Presidency and the Twelve have not received, run away from them.”
You seem to fit Elder Ballard’s profile of “False Prophets.” Do you not? You may try to distinguish on the grounds that you are not claiming to be a prophet for the church but if you are claiming to have visions, translations, revelations, etc, especially regarding an official church document such as the Pearl of Great Price fascsimile, then you are in fact claiming to be a prophet of the church, right?
3) I refer you to Doctrine and Covenants Section 28 where Hiram Page claimed to have recieved a seer stone and conducted his own translations just as you have. In verse 11, the Lord says to Joseph Smith,
“And again, you shall take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him.”
Don’t you see any parallels to your situation?
4) Finally, if everything you claim is true, why not reveal your true identity? Who are you? What is your name? Joseph Smith had no problem allowing people to know his identity. Let us know who you are, what you do for a living. I might be able to give you more credibility if I know that, for example, you have graduated from college and have a respectable job as opposed to someone who is living off government welfare and has nothing better to do with his time
Please understand that I am not trying to annoy you or mock you in any way. I have been fair with my questions and evidence. I would expect the same from you, particularly if you are who you say you are. So please do not delete this comment and please address each of the 4 points I have made.
Thank you
Yes, please talk to your bishop. Claiming that you are translating scripture does not sit well with me or perhaps anyone else who believes in the teachings of the LDS Church. I am really worried that you may jeapordize your membership by what you are saying and claiming to be true.
A few thoughts:
“Opening your mind” – what drug dealers say to get people to try their poison.
God has enriched our lives with various forms of entertainment – music, being one of them. It seems that you have vacillated between extremes; either listening to only spiritual music or going so far as to listen to music that sets profanity to a beat. It is for you to choose which you will allow into your life. Generally speaking, extremism is not a healthy nor happy life choice. My personal criteria is: if it uplifts my spirit, then I am on the right track but otherwise, probably shouldn’t add that song to my iTunes library.
You speak of receiving instruction from God but then a page down, talk about TuPac’s influence on you as well. He lived his life consumed by violence and brutality, both in the receipt of and issuance thereof. I know that the Spirit of God and TuPac’s work don’t share the same space.
My assessment of this blog is that it is rich with ambiguous double talk. I have to ask what the real purpose is? You claim that this is not some form of religion yet you also claim that it has been the guidance of God that has helped you get around to that which you needed to translate the “Higher Law.” Bravo on SAYING the best teammate in the world is on your side AND backs you up! It seems that you are looking for people to follow you or why else bother with this blog, you would be silently living the “Higher Law” yourself rather than seeking the attention of followers on the internet.
I don’t know you, and probably never will as the only name you bravely post is of “admin” but you are in serious danger of slipping over the edge. Were you to communicate these events to a mental health professional, you might find yourself involuntarily medicated.
I feel dirty having spent the last 30 minutes of my life reading your blog and we both know what that means – this is a wrong path and I will not be returning. I will however, include you in my prayers this evening and for as long as I remember to do so. I want to express my concern for the son that you mention in the blog. When you state that you have rules about the hours that you will allow yourself to translate, it makes me wonder what has happened in the past that this rule needed to be created. Fanaticism is a scary environment for children.
I find it a bit curious that so many people are confusing the claims made here with the operation and authority of the LDS church.
As one Mormon to all others who read this (having read it myself), I invite you to be a little slower to rush to judgment without studying it out and then asking God if it’s true (as instructed in D & C).
I’ve written my own blog post to try to help with that here. I’m not getting paid for this or anything, so this is not just an attempt to gain readers to my own blog. It’s just one post that addresses many of the problems you have raised, including the definitions of prophet, seer, the nature and origin of Facsimile number 2, etc.
Please read and study, then ask. That’s the only way to know.
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