ISAIAH AND ALBA

Brethren and Cistern:

For those of you who aren't familiar with my (twisted?) sense of humor, the term, "Brethren and Cistern" is a term I jokingly use when addressing my fellow members of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints (i.e., the so-called "Mormon" church).

Also, for those who don't already know, "Alba", pronounced "Owl-ah-pah", is the Gaelic name for "Scotland", hence the title of this epistle.

Yesterday, I was studying my scriptures, and encountered something so significant and astounding, I want to share it with you, in order that you might do your own research, should you be interested.

First of all, I was reading the Fourteenth and Fifteenth chapters of the "Second Book of Nephi" in the BOOK OF MORMON.

In those chapters, the prophet, Nephi, is quoting the writings in the "Book of Isaiah", a copy of which had been brought to America when Lehi and his family escaped from Jerusalem.

Naturally, I always want to go "straight to the horse's mouth" to verify my findings, so I immediately read the Fourth and Fifth chapters of "Isaiah" in the King James Version of the HOLY BIBLE.

Then, for even more thorough research, I checked the identical passages as recorded in the "Joseph Smith Translation of the HOLY BIBLE".

I also used two Bible dictionaries (including a computer version), two regular dictionaries (including a computer version from 1806), and my MicroSoft ENCARTA encyclopaedia (which, unfortunately, is not updated, as my personal computer is not connected to the Internet) to check out definitions and usages.

Anyway, by now, you're probably asking yourself, "What the heck is this guy talking about?"

Well, here's the passage of scripture which REALLY got me excited:

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Isaiah 5:

11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!

12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

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Now, what does that sound like to you?

At first glance, it looks to me like an apt description of an Irish or Scottish ceilidh!

For those who don't already know, "ceilidh", pronounced "kay-lee", is the Gaelic word for "Party hearty, y'all!", a local home-grown event combining music, dancing, tall tales, feasting, and fellowship.

On the other hand, I've never been to a ceilidh or clan gathering where there wasn't a chaplain to invoke prayers and blessings, including imploring Divine protection from "the terrors of the Northmen", a phrase still used to remind us of the ancient Viking raids which plagued our ancestors.

Could the "pipe" actually be our beloved pibroch (i.e., the Gaelic word for "bagpipe" or "great war pipe")?

Could the "viol" actually be referring to our contemporary fiddle?

The "tabret" sounds to me like a description of the bodhran (i.e., an Irish hand drum).

The "harp" could very easily be our Celtic harp, the OFFICIAL symbol of Ireland, and the insignia displayed on Irish military uniforms.

The Irish shamrock is merely a very popular unofficial symbol.

According to a rather obscure ancient legend, the origin of the Celtic harp is actually King David's own harp, which was brought to Ireland by the Israelite prophet, Jeremiah, who had been taken to Egypt in captivity, and who reputedly is now buried at Tara, the traditional burial place for Irish kings.

And, of course, Celts and Gaels are infamous for their proclivity to indulge in the "water of life" (i.e., alcohol).

Hmmm - - - , I wonder if whiskey is called "water of life" because it was safer to drink than ordinary water, which is subject to contamination?

Also, with the harsh primitive environment endured by our ancestors, maybe the "water of life" also had valuable medicinal value.

If it wasn't for the Scottish and Irish immigrant's love of strong drink, along with an equal aversion for strong government (with its hated taxation), we Americans would not now be enjoying the sport of N.A.S.C.A.R. stock car racing, which arose from the competition between illegal "moonshine" smugglers in the Great Smokey Mountains showing off their individual driving skills, and I wouldn't have learned to sing one of my favorite songs, "THE BALLAD OF THUNDER ROAD", the theme from the movie starring Robert Mitchum.

Anyway, as I delved into the various dictionaries and my encyclopaedia, I could not find any definitions which corresponded with my own theories, but instead described a "viol" as a type of harp.

Of course, the dictionaries might not be accurate, especially if the scriptures were not properly translated to begin with, or if the publishers of the dictionaries and encyclopaedia are unable to think "outside the box".

Actually, one of the Bible dictionaries defined the ancient Hebrew "harp" as similar to our modern day guitar!

Uh-oh - - - , that's ME they're talking about!

Anyway, IF that particular prophecy in "Isaiah" is indeed a warning specifically intended for those of us with Scottish or Irish heritage, then what is the significance?

What, if anything, are we supposed to do about it?

I also saw some other things in "Isaiah" and in "Second Nephi" which surprised me and caused me to wonder.

What about this verse:

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Isaiah 5:

8 Woe unto them that join house to house, [that] lay field to field, till [there be] no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

9 In mine ears [said] the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, [even] great and fair, without inhabitant.

10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.

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Doesn't that sound like a description of corporate agriculture, as more and more family farms are foreclosed and put out of business?

Then again, maybe it refers to a bacteriological pandemic, due to urban overcrowding?

Of course, being a lonely single guy, my favorite verse is the very first one:

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1 AND in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

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Hmmm - - - , it kind of makes you wonder what's coming down the pike, huh?

After all, in today's society, there is no shame or embarrassment for women who choose to eschew conventional sacraments of matrimony.

In today's society, there is no right or wrong, and woe betide any white man foolish enough to openly say otherwise.

So, what do you think is going to happen that will radically cause all of that to suddenly change?

Here's another verse from "Isaiah", one of which all of us can easily observe in its veracity and application:

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Isaiah 5:

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

22 Woe unto [them that are] mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

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Does anyone (other than myself) dare oppose the current justification of homosexuality, paedophilia, pornography, fornication, adultery, miscegenation, abortion, euthanasia, illegally disarming private citizens, illegal denial of free speech, and outright condemnation of traditional values long espoused by white Christian Americans, all of which is NOW being forced on us by the entertainment and information media, while carefully orchestrated by the despotic tyranny of our own government?

Just TRY it, and see what happens!

If you defy the popular fashions of our day, everyone will turn against you, even your fellow white Christian (?) Americans.

As I read all this stuff from "Isaiah", I was surprised to learn that the "Book of Isaiah" was actually a collection of writings from several people.

I was also surprised to learn that Nephi taught his people, using the writings of "Isaiah", but even though Nephi had been born in Jerusalem, he did not teach his people in the same manner as the Jews taught, for according to Nephi:

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2 Nephi 25:

1 NOW I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations.

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This scripture really hit home, for it reinforces what Jesus Christ taught, as He referred to Jewish leadership in this manner:

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Matthew 3:

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

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Although Jesus Christ strictly observed Jewish law, He made several other uncomplimentary remarks concerning the hypocrisy of Jewish leadership, and the failure of Jews to comprehend the spirit of the laws they were so smugly touting.

Elsewhere in the BOOK OF MORMON, we're told that America is a land blessed above all others, and a land of liberty.

But, we Americans are also warned, that if we reject the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ, then we will lose our liberty and this land will be given to people who are more worthy.

Is there any one among us who does NOT see this happening?

I really wish I could read the scriptures in their original language, and I'd dearly LOVE to find out everything that's on those Dead Sea Scrolls!

When I was in Israel, I toured the Shrine of the Book, the museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display, and I'm aware of current allegations that not everything revealed on the Dead Sea Scrolls is being honestly publicized.

Since learning of my Scottish and Irish heritage (along with Viking and Anglo-Saxon), I've been fortunate enough to gain even more knowledge via the Internet, such as a little-known and unpublicized alternative version of how Christianity initially came to the magical Misty Isles, i.e., with the travels of Joseph of Arimathea (buried at Glastonbury, England?), and possibly, John, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, and author of the "Book of Revelations", centuries before the Roman Catholic Church was ever established, and therefore, LONG before the advent of Saint Patrick.

That earlier Christian church, which is VERY low profile, claims John, not Peter, as its founder, and has the special responsibility to preserve Celtic mythology.

Why?

Because, according to what I've been told, much of what Jesus Christ taught is carefully disguised within Celtic mythology, similar to His parables recorded in the NEW TESTAMENT.

I'm unable to see it, but then again, I've got an awful lot still to learn, and I ain't all that righteous to begin with.

Boy, oh boy, is the invention of the home computer and the World Wide Web ever a gift from God, or what?

And just think - - - , years ago, back when I was a student at Brigham Young University, I passionately hated computers, and openly stated that I thought the university's computerized testing center should be blown up!

Although the true friends who first gave me a computer wish to remain anonymous, they know who they are, and how very grateful I shall always be for their wise generosity.

Anyway, I just wanted to share these scriptures with you, for they really have me wondering, and maybe you might have some ideas of your own.

If so, please feel free to share your thoughts, as I struggle to learn from every source of wisdom.

This could sure lead to one bodacious discussion, huh?

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

"Yet still, the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."