Today we jump to the Gospel of Mark (KJV) or Testimony of Mark (JST). What impressed me most are the myriad of changes from chapter 14. This is during CHRIST's horrific suffering in Gethsemane. His disciples are so overwhelmed by the day's events that they do what comes natural to fallen men...they sleep.
KJV Mark 14:33
And he taketh with him Peter and James and John and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy.
This verse makes it seem like JESUS is sore amazed and very heavy. I am certain CHRIST is not looking forward to what is about to happen, but it has not started yet. I have no problem if JESUS were heavy and sore amazed, but the phrase does not refer to Him. Here is how Joseph Smith was directed to change this verse.
It should read:
JST Mark
And he taketh with him Peter and James and John and rebuked them.
That is a complete change. It makes sense if you look at the changes to the previous verse (32).
KJV Mark 14:32
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
What really happened is a completely different narrative.
JST Mark
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden;
and the disciples began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy, and to complain in their hearts,
wondering if this be the Messiah.
And Jesus, knowing their hearts, he said to his disciples,
Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
This is significant. JESUS is rebuking Peter, James (Jacob), and John because they are complaining. They are doubting that HE is the MESSIAH. All this right before He is going to suffer for all the sins of all the world, including for 3 guys who should know better. These 3 have seen him transfigured on the Mount, and heal every possible disease and infirmity and they still doubt Him? They are lucky CHRIST is so patient that all they got was a rebuke.
So of course after being chastened by GOD the SON, these 3 decide to nap while He is suffering the crushing weight of our sins. When JESUS comes back He finds them napping on the job.
KJV Mark 14: 42-43
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
The problem is that JESUS is not saying all of these wise words.
JST Mark
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
And they said unto him,
The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Truer words were never spoken, but it is the disciples who say them. This may have earned them some mercy. It does not excuse their behavior completely, but the statement is true.
After finding them sleeping 2 more times during this agonizing night Jesus apparently tells them to sleep, but then immediately asks them to get up. Or did He?
KJV Mark 14: 46-47
And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinner.
Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
Of course there is something missing or why would I be writing this. JESUS does not do nonsensical things. Here is what really took place.
JST Mark
And he came to them the third time, and he saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behind, the Son of man is betrayed into the hand of sinners.
And after they had finished their sleep, he said,
Rise up, let us go; lo, he who betrayeth me is at hand.
Wow! It is almost too much to take in. JESUS has just finished the most difficult part of the atonement. He is the one who should be more exhausted than any being in history, but He allows his fallen, mortal servants to sleep. This shows the infinite difference between a GOD and mere men. The gulf between CHRIST's perfect love and courage and the disciples weakness and cowardice is almost not measurable. I would have fared no better than these 3. Truly Moses said it best after meeting CHRIST's Father, the MOST HIGH GOD...
JST Genesis Chapter 0:7 This is found in a revelation to Moses that precedes the material on the creation in Genesis 1, so I am calling it Chapter 0. Mormons will recognize this as Moses Chapter 1:10.
And it came to pass, that it was for the space of many hours before Moses did receive again his natural strength like unto man;
and he said unto himself,
Now for this cause, I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.
The faster we figure out that we are nothing, the faster GOD can start the redemption process. The longer we think we are special the more we risk procrastinating the day of redemption until it is everlasting too late.
