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Please note that this chapter is intended for adults (over 18 years), and may contain images and text featuring nudity, explicit adult sexuality and strong language. Please do not view this chapter if you find such features objectionable....
And so they drive through the night to Tucson, Arizona ...as Faunus whiles away the time telling Max and Jim lots of strange things about the Mormons.
They arrived back at the Biltmore as the sun was setting.It's 107 miles from Phoenix to Tucson, and takes about two hours by auto-mobile on Interstate Ten.
Given the time that Jim and Max needed to shower and change (much longer than for the 'Boss' and Faunus), plus the time for a stop off for a meal, it would be at least five hours before they were settled into their hotel in Tucson.
While Jim and Max were showering, changing and packing, Faunus had a confidential talk with the 'Boss'.
He explained in detail what had happened at Taliesin West - which alerted the 'Boss' to the necessity of getting away to Tucson quickly and discretely, and also encouraging Kurt and Zac to track down Brandt.
At the same time Faunus made it clear that once they were in Tucson he would clear Max's memory of any possibly damaging information that might be emerging from their discussions about Mormonism and suchlike.
The 'Boss' was more than happy with the arrangements, and the pair of them then sat and waited, with the obligatory drink, at reception, for Max and Jim to arrive, - reeking of cologne, looking ridiculously smart - as is the way with young men of their age - and carrying their luggage.
By the time they had arranged all of their luggage in the Cadillac's roomy trunk, and settled themselves in the passenger compartment of the large, black limo, it was already getting dark.
The 'Boss' had advised Chuck to be on the look-out for any following autos, and to take the necessary evasive action if it looked as if they were being followed.
Chuck was a very skilled, ex-security service driver and bodyguard, so that would not be a problem for him.
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| Interstate Ten at Night |
There was nothing to see, (apart from the stars and the Milky Way), as they cruised along Interstate Ten, so immediately conversation turned to the new destination, and the hotel - and later - back to the previous talk about Joseph Smith and his strange ideas - allowing Max to have a little sleep - which was just as well.
As it happens, highways like 'Interstate Ten' were undoubtedly ideal places for what are termed 'UFO encounters' - (remember that Max has already suggested - half joking that Moroni might have been an ET in Chapter 22).
'Ideal' - no lighting, no houses or observers - complete isolation, and a perfect setting for annoying little ET's to provide you with an 'interrupted journey' - an 'interruption' that you wouldn't even remember !
The phrase 'interrupted journey' comes from a book published in 1966 - 'The Interrupted Journey' which describes a claimed 'alien' abduction that was experienced by Betty and Barney Hill. The details of the abduction were only retrieved at a later date during hypnotic sessions, conducted by Benjamin Simon. One significant aspect of the experience was the production of a 'star map' (see right) by Betty Hill, purportedly indicating the point of origin of the alien abductors. The case has
continued to remain controversial.
Barney and Betty Hill
The case featured an early example of the rather annoying little 'elementals' (often referred to as 'Greys') - 'Alien Greys', are low level 'elementals' posing as 'extraterrestrial' beings. Usually they are assumed to be 'aliens', and their existence is discussed in ufological, paranormal, and 'New Age' communities. They are named for their unique skin color. Forty-three percent of all reported alien encounters in the United States describe Grey aliens. Such claims vary in every respect including their nature, origins (extraterrestrials, 'extra-dimensionals', time travelers, or machines[?]), moral dispositions, intentions, and physical appearances. A composite description would have Greys as small-bodied beings with smooth grey-colored skin, enlarged hairless head and large black eyes. They can be aggressive, and should never be trusted - being inveterate liars - so be warned.....
Now the question is, 'would some nasty little ET's try to abduct five lonesome travelers on an empty stretch of desert highway - taking into consideration the fact that one of those travelers was 'Faunus' ?'.
You see... it doesn't really need answering - at least not at this stage...
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| Interstate 10 |
"So what's the name of this new hotel we're going to ?", Jim asked as they reached the Interstate.
"It's called the 'Arizona Inn' - not very imaginative I must admit.", the 'Boss' replied, settling back in his seat, and briefly checking his mobile.
"Have you been there before ?", Max asked.
"As it happens - yes, a couple of times.", the 'Boss' answered.
The 'Boss', it was obvious, was now relaxed as they were on their way to a new destination.
"And what's it like ?", Jim asked eagerly.
"Comfortable... a bit old fashioned - expensive...
It's got a good gym - although the swimming pool's not quite so extravagant as the Biltmore, but then few are in this part of the US.", the 'Boss explained."
And what about the food - the dining room ?", Jim persisted.
"Very good....", the 'Boss' said, as he glanced up at the star-spangled sky.
"OK, that's the new hotel, but what's troubling me and Max is why you took us to this temple place, and why all the interest in this Joseph Smith guy ?", Jim asked unusually forcefully.
"Now you're beginning to sound like Ethan - 'Joseph Smith guy' indeed !"- the 'Boss' replied, smiling.
"To be honest, Jim, the Temple visit was the idea of Faunus.", the 'Boss' admitted.
Max nodded - it was just as he had suspected.
"Faunus is big on the philosophy, as you probably remember, and so were you... and he wants that to continue."
Jim looked to Faunus.
"Thanks Faunus - I should have guessed."
"So stop that...", the 'Boss' said quietly.
As a 'patrician' he hated any displays of emotion.
"See all those stars up there ?", Faunus said, indicating the star spangled sky outside the window of the Cadillac.
Jim and Max looked.
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| Kolob |
However, according to Joseph Smith, one of those stars - and you might be looking at it right now - has a planet circling it called 'Kolob'.", Faunus said, rather mysteriously.
"Funny name !", Max said quietly.
Faunus ignored Max.
"Kolob is first mentioned in the 'Book of Abraham' - the book I was telling you about when I was so rudely interrupted by our arrival at the Biltmore.", Faunus said tetchily.
"That couldn't be helped, Faunus.", the 'Boss' said, trying to placate their 'pet faun'.
"OK - well anyway, Smith taught that Kolob is the heavenly body nearest to the 'throne of God'.
While the Book of Abraham describes Kolob as a 'star', it also refers to planets as 'stars', and, therefore, some Mormons consider Kolob to be a planet.
Now, according to the Book of Abraham, 'one day on Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of time on the Earth' - but then I think you know a bit about time, so that should not sound so strange to you.
According to Smith, Kolob was discovered by Methuselah and Abraham by looking through the 'Urim and Thummim', a set of 'seer stones' bound into a pair of spectacles.
It was the 'Urim and Thummim', lent to Smith by Moroni, that was also supposed to enable Smith to translate the gold plates of the 'Book of Mormon' and 'The Pearl of Great Price'."Faunus didn't explain this to Max and Jim - but this information is included as it may be found interesting:
In the Hebrew Bible, the Urim and the Thummim (Hebrew: הָאוּרִים וְהַתֻּמִּים, meaning 'Lights and Perfections') are elements of the 'hoshen', the breastplate worn by the Jewish High Priest attached to the ephod. They are connected with divination in general, and cleromancy in particular. Most scholars suspect that the phrase refers to a set of two objects used by the high priest to answer a question or reveal the will of God. They are first mentioned in the Jewish 'Book of Exodus', and also in other books in the Jewish Bible. - As you can see, Smith was well versed in scripture.
Also, as you should know, there are no such things as 'coincidences' - everything is related (quantum entanglement) and has meaning - so, the 'Boss', on arriving in the 'alternative America', studied at Yale University, and through his studies went to Mexico as an archaeologist, and met 'Don Picaro' (Faunus) at Palenque. The point is the coat of arms of Yale University features Hebrew characters spelling out the names 'Urim' and 'Thummim' on the open book ! - the Latin motto, 'Lux et Veritas', can be translated as 'Light and Truth'.
"Unfortunately, the Book of Abraham was lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Later a small fragment of the original book was found, and after it was examined by experts, it turned out to be an Egyptian funerary papyrus that had nothing to do with Abraham.", Faunus continued.
"This is all very interesting, Faunus, but all it seems to tell me is that Smith was not a very good astronomer, as the information about Kolob comes from a book - most of which was burned in a fire a long time ago - a book which was just some old Egyptian papyrus, and Smith couldn't read Egyptian anyway, and the 'spectacles' that he used to translate the papyrus have since disappeared !", Jim said, sounding exasperated.
Later a small fragment of the original book was found, and after it was examined by experts, it turned out to be an Egyptian funerary papyrus that had nothing to do with Abraham.", Faunus continued.
"This is all very interesting, Faunus, but all it seems to tell me is that Smith was not a very good astronomer, as the information about Kolob comes from a book - most of which was burned in a fire a long time ago - a book which was just some old Egyptian papyrus, and Smith couldn't read Egyptian anyway, and the 'spectacles' that he used to translate the papyrus have since disappeared !", Jim said, sounding exasperated.
"And where is this Kolob ? Have the astronomers, like Percival Lowell, found it ?", Max asked.
"What you say, Jim, is true, and Max....no one knows where Kolob is, or even if it exists.", Faunus admitted.
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| Mormon Scriptures |
"But there's more - and this may well interest you, Jim.
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| Vespasian |
To put it more clearly, Mormon teaching states that all men will be 'saved', and will be resurrected from death, however, only those who are sufficiently obedient before the resurrection and final judgement, will be 'exalted' and, thereby, receive a literal 'deification'.
This doctrine is to be found in yet another book - 'Doctrine and Covenants' - also by Joseph Smith."
Both Max and Jim looked confused, although to Jim the idea of 'deification' was not new - after all, wasn't that what was supposed to have happened to his friend Vespasian ? - not that Max knew anything about that.
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| Celestial Council |
In essence this means that human beings can become 'gods'.
Hence the cryptic lines:
'As man now is, God once was:
As God now is, man may be.'
There was silence, apart from the purring of the V-eight engine, and the hum of the air-conditioning.
"There you are boys.....strange, - but is it true ?
And more to the point, where did an uneducated farm boy from rural America, in the 1800s, get all these ideas ?", the 'Boss' said, leaning forward and looking up at the starry sky - "and why did people believe him ?".
"So there are many gods ?", Jim questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, according to Joseph Smith, and his successor, Brigham Young.
A 'plurality of gods'.", Faunus replied
But by his time Max had dozed off........
Hence the cryptic lines:
'As man now is, God once was:
As God now is, man may be.'
There was silence, apart from the purring of the V-eight engine, and the hum of the air-conditioning.
"There you are boys.....strange, - but is it true ?
And more to the point, where did an uneducated farm boy from rural America, in the 1800s, get all these ideas ?", the 'Boss' said, leaning forward and looking up at the starry sky - "and why did people believe him ?".
"So there are many gods ?", Jim questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, according to Joseph Smith, and his successor, Brigham Young.
A 'plurality of gods'.", Faunus replied
But by his time Max had dozed off........
Quotations on the 'Plurality of Gods'
"I wish to declare I have always an in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of deity, it has been the plurality of gods.”
Joseph Smith, Jr.“In the beginning, the head of the gods called a council of the gods; and they came together and created a plan to create the world and people it.”
Joseph Smith, Jr."Hence, the doctrine of a plurality of gods is as prominent in the Bible as any other doctrine. Paul says there are gods many, and lords many . . . but to us there is but one God - that is pertaining to us;
Joseph Smith, Jr.“If we should take a million of worlds like this and number their particles, we should find that there are more gods than there are particles of matter in those worlds.”
Orson Pratt,“Each god, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family of sons and daughters.... Each father and mother will be in a condition to multiply forever.
As soon as each god has begotten many millions of male and female spirits... he, in connection with his sons, organizes a new world... where he sends both the male and female spirits to inhabit tabernacles of flesh and bones.... The inhabitants of each world are required to reverence, adore, and worship their own personal father who dwells in the Heaven which they formerly inhabited.”
Orson Pratt,“Intelligent beings are organized to become gods, to dwell in the presence of the Gods, and become associated with the highest intelligences that dwell in eternity.”
Brigham Young,"I will preach on the plurality of gods.
"Eloheim is from the word Eloi, god, in the singular number; and by adding the word 'heim', it renders it 'gods'. It read first, "In the beginning the head of the gods brought forth the gods," or, as others have translated it, "The head of the gods called the gods together."
"The head god organized the heavens and the earth. In the beginning the heads of the gods organized the heavens and the earth.
The head one of the gods said, Let us make a man in our own image."
In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of gods beyond the power of refutation.
The heads of the gods appointed one god for us; and when you take that view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfections of the gods."
Joseph Smith, Jr.
So Jim was left to ponder on the teachings of Joseph Smith, and his followers, as Chuck parked the huge black Cadillac in the fore-court of one of those ubiquitous 'roadside diners'.
This 'diner' was situated near the 'city' of Chandler, which was situated close to another Mormon Temple, at Mesa, completed in 1927.
The Mesa temple (along with the temples in Laie and Cardston) was built in a neoclassical style, significantly suggestive of the ancient Greek and Roman temples, lacking the 'Disney' style spires that have become a mainstay of temples built since then.
The 'diner', of course, was just like all the other 'diners', and it made a strange contrast, with it's cheap furniture and décor, greasy food and sickly, sentimental Western 'muzak', to the restrained splendour of the Temples dotted around this desert landscape, in an area densely populated by adherents to the 'Church' of the Latter Day Saints.
Did the people who patronized such eating establishments really attend the arcane ceremonies and baptisms that took place in the mysterious, secret silence of the Temple 'endowment' rooms ?
To Jim and Max it all seemed very strange - but not for entirely the same reasons.
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| Mesa Temple - Arizona |
The Mesa temple (along with the temples in Laie and Cardston) was built in a neoclassical style, significantly suggestive of the ancient Greek and Roman temples, lacking the 'Disney' style spires that have become a mainstay of temples built since then.
The 'diner', of course, was just like all the other 'diners', and it made a strange contrast, with it's cheap furniture and décor, greasy food and sickly, sentimental Western 'muzak', to the restrained splendour of the Temples dotted around this desert landscape, in an area densely populated by adherents to the 'Church' of the Latter Day Saints.
Did the people who patronized such eating establishments really attend the arcane ceremonies and baptisms that took place in the mysterious, secret silence of the Temple 'endowment' rooms ?
To Jim and Max it all seemed very strange - but not for entirely the same reasons.
'Muzak' was originally an American company that pioneered background music for shops, restaurants and other public places. The term 'muzak' is now commonly used for most kinds of 'background music'. In roadside diners the 'muzak' is usually provided by either a 'juke-box' (a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine), or the local radio station.
"So, Faunus, are there many other Mormon Temples in this part of the United states?", Jim asked, as the young waitress brought the dishes containing their meals to the table.
Max was decidedly depressed.
He had hoped that all this business about the Mormons was finally over, but Jim still seemed interested.
Max, however, was smart enough to realize that it would be best to feign some interest - just to 'keep in' with the 'Boss' and Jim, after all, before this trip he had only been a bellhop and lift boy, but now it seemed he might improve his situation at 'Club Jaguar' - so he would be stupid not to try and show some involvement in these - as he saw them - interminable and pointless discussions.
Faunus' answer surprised Max and Jim.
"Yes, there are lots of Temples.....
You see the states of California, Nevada and Arizona are all very close to Utah, the state where the majority of Mormons settled, and where their 'headquarters', as it were, is situated.
So there are Temples in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, - many in Arizona, and even a temple in Tucson - where we're heading for now.", Faunus said brightly.
Max's heart sank as he imagined another trek through a series of ornate rooms in the Tucson Temple.
"But don't worry, Max - the Tucson Temple is quite boring, so we won't be going there.", Faunus added, having swiftly read Max's thoughts.
"So if this whole 'Mormon business' began in New York county - which I suppose is near New York, how did it end up in Utah. ?", Jim asked.
Here the 'Boss' stepped in.
"That's a complicated and controversial story, Jim, and it think it would be best to discus it in private, in the limo."
The 'Boss' was aware that some of the people in the diner would probably be local, and also possibly Mormons, and he wanted to avoid any problems.
"So if this whole 'Mormon business' began in New York county - which I suppose is near New York, how did it end up in Utah. ?", Jim asked.
Here the 'Boss' stepped in.
"That's a complicated and controversial story, Jim, and it think it would be best to discus it in private, in the limo."
The 'Boss' was aware that some of the people in the diner would probably be local, and also possibly Mormons, and he wanted to avoid any problems.
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| The First Vision |
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| Faunus - First Meeting Villa Pastoralis |
He met someone - like Josh met Faunus here - in the gardens of the 'Villa Pastoralis' - but in the case of Joseph Smith, the beings that he met seems to have been intent on manipulating Joseph in ways that were not necessarily in Joseph's best interests.
In the spring of 1820, Joseph was in a wooded area in Manchester, New York, apparently praying to what he thought was 'god' for guidance.
Joseph was a teenage boy, just like Josh, but it seems that there were weaknesses in Joseph's character that were incapable of coping with the message that this 'being', who Joseph called 'Moroni', brought.
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| Joseph Smith's Vision |
One of the beings told young Joseph not to join any existing churches because all taught incorrect doctrines.
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| The First Vision |
Smith wrote several accounts of the 'vision', beginning in 1832, but none of the accounts were published until the 1840s. Though Smith had described other visions, the 'First Vision' was essentially unknown to early Latter Day Saints, and Smith's experience did not become important in the Latter Day Saint movement until the early 20th century, when it became the embodiment of the Latter Day Saints' concept of 'restoration'. The 'First Vision' also corroborated distinctive Mormon doctrines such as the bodily nature of God, and the uniqueness of Mormonism as the only true path to salvationFaunus already told you about the plates.
Joseph said that he found the plates on September 22, 1823 on a hill, near his home in Manchester, New York, after the being identified as 'Moroni' directed him to a buried stone box.
Joseph said that Moroni prevented him from taking the plates but instructed him to return to the same location in a year.
He returned to that site every year, but it was not until September 1827 that he recovered the plates on his fourth annual attempt to retrieve them.
He returned home with a heavy object wrapped in cloth, which he then put in a box. He allowed others to heft the box but said that the angel had forbidden him to show the plates to anyone until they had been translated from their original 'reformed Egyptian' script and language. Joseph dictated the text of the 'Book of Mormon', claiming that it was a translation of the plates.The only eyewitnesses to the process said Smith translated the plates, not by looking at them, but by looking at a 'seer stone' in the bottom of his hat (?).
(this explanation was later contradicted when Joseph explained that by looking through the 'Urim and Thummim', a set of 'seer stones' bound into a pair of spectacles lent to Smith by Moroni, he was enabled to translate the gold plates of the 'Book of Mormon' and original text of 'The Pearl of Great Price'. - see above))Smith published the translation in 1830 as the 'Book of Mormon'.
Hill 'Cumorah'
Since 1829, the Latter Day Saints have called the hill 'Cumorah'.
Some time between June and December 1829, Joseph Smith, David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery said they received a revelation about founding a new Church.
While based in Kirtland in Ohio, the church changed its name to the 'Church of the Latter Day Saints', and added a number of new doctrines and leadership offices.
At this point it became established that only Joseph Smith, who then styled himself 'Prophet', could receive genuine visions and revelations - which put the being known as Moroni definitely 'in charge'.
Kirtland also was the site of the construction of the movement's first Temple.
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| Kirtland Temple - Ohio |
Smith also acquired Egyptian papyrus scrolls, which he said contained the writings of the Biblical patriarchs Abraham and Joseph.
Smith also produced what are known as the 'Kirtland Egyptian Papers', which are still the source of serious controversy.
It was in Kirtland also that Smith first began to practice the doctrine of 'plural marriage' - which later became a very serious problem.", the 'Boss' explained.
"What's plural marriage ?", Max asked, proving that he was actually awake and listening.
"Plural marriage means having more that one wife at the same time - polygamy.", the 'Boss' answered.
"Smith then mounted a 'bank swindle', presumably he was short of cash, which caused many of his followers to leave the church, and also caused a major rift to occur between the Mormon leaders.
As you can see, Jim, things at this point were going seriously wrong, and the 'cute young farm boy' was turning into a bit of a 'monster'.
To escape his problems, Smith established a new Mormon centre 900 miles away, in Jackson County, Missouri.
"But excuse me, Sir - why are you telling me about all this ? - why not Faunus ?", Jim suddenly asked.
"For the reason that this part of the story is about politics and similar matters, and not really about religion and philosophy.", the 'Boss' replied, intrigued by Jim's question.
"So ?", Jim said, boldly.
"I though that Faunus was the expert on Joseph Smith.", Jim continued.
"He is, but I've also studied this - and from my angle, so I can help here.......", the 'Boss' replied.
"Anyway, conflicts with non-Mormon settlers arose as the church began to plant colonies in Missouri.
These conflicts escalated into what was later called the '1838 Mormon War'.
This subsequently caused a further schism in the Church, and the Mormons were forcibly expelled from Missouri.
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| Nauvoo Temple - Illinois |
Nauvoo - from the Hebrew meaning 'they are beautiful'In 1841, construction began on a new temple.
The Nauvoo city charter authorized independent municipal courts, the foundation of a university, and the establishment of a large armed militia known as the 'Nauvoo Legion'.
Smith established himself as 'Mayor', and also 'Lieutenant General' of the 'Nauvoo Legion' - and so Smith had religious, civil and military power, and Joseph Smith was acclaimed as 'Prophet, Priest, and King' - pretty good going for an 'uneducated farm-boy' - and Smith even aspired - unsuccessfully - to the presidency of the USA.
By the mid-1840s, many non-Mormons in the area around Nauvoo felt threatened by growing Mormon political power, commercial rivalries, and a new religion.
Eventually Smith was arrested and imprisoned with his brother, Hyrum.
Subsequently a mob surrounded the jail and murdered both Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
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| Mormons Trekking to Utah |
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| Brigham Young |
Later a large group of Latter Day Saints trekked westwards, through Nebraska in 1846, entering Salt Lake Valley in 1847 under the leadership of Smith's successor, Brigham Young - (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877).
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| Salt Lake City Mormon Temple |
Young, like most Mormons at the time believed in and practiced plural marriage (polygamy), marrying a total of 55 wives, and leaving 56 children.
It was Young who was responsible for planning the building of the Salt Lake City Temple - which contains a room found in no other Mormon Temple - the 'Holy of Holies'.
However, the large and elaborate Temple was not completed until 1893, long after the death of Hiram Bingham.
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| Novius |
“Possibly quite a lot, Jim.” the ‘Boss’ replied.
You see this ‘world’, and most of the other ‘worlds’, are inhabited not just by humans – and lots of other living creatures – but also by beings of another ‘order’.
Very early humans – who were ‘animists’ - thought of them as ‘spirits’.
Later they were often mistaken for ‘gods’.
In the classical world they were known a ‘daemons’ - not to be confused with the christian idea of evil ‘demons’ and ‘devils’.
In the late classical period, in Neoplatonic philosophy, and in the ‘Mystery Religions’, they were called ‘Æons’ and ‘Archons’ – but you should know all about this from Novius – you remember Novius ?”, the ‘Boss’ asked, smiling.
Jim nodded as he thought of his old friend.
“Now most humans have been, for much of the time, unaware of these beings…….
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| Æon |
Many of the ‘elementals’ are in some ways like ‘naughty children’ - except that their powers are so great, compared to those of humans, that they can be very dangerous.
They like to ‘play’ with humans – presumably they find it amusing.”, the ‘Boss’ continued.
By this time not only Jim, but also Max was showing an interest in the explanation being given by the ‘Boss’.
“And this is where Max’s comment about Moroni is very interesting.
Myself and Faunus would speculate that
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| Joseph 'the young farm-boy in the Woods' |
Now such elementals almost always present themselves in the guise of the culture and beliefs of those with whom they come into contact – so Moroni presented himself as some kind of christian ‘angel’.
Like Faunus, Moroni could read Joseph’s thoughts, and knew that Joseph was looking for a new form of christianity – and that is what he decided to provide.
But, and here’s the catch, he accidentally mixed this supposedly ‘christian’ message with some genuine revelations about the ‘Æons’ - and laced it with the allure of unbridled sexuality - plural marriage - and the possibility of almost unimaginable temporal and spiritual power.
Young Joseph, of course was ‘hooked’.
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| Moroni and the Plates |
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| Recovering the Plates |
Then, in the Smith family home, Joseph was instructed to translate the gold plates, which resulted in the ‘Book of Mormon’ - translated from the from the non-existent ‘Reformed Egyptian’ into English.
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| Translating the Plates |
Having got the ‘game’ going, Moroni then provided further ‘revelations’ just for his own ‘amusement’, and eventually for Joseph Smith’s downfall.
‘The Pearl of Great Price’ was supposedly translated from some tatty Egyptian papyrus that Joseph bought for next to nothing, despite the fact that Joseph had no knowledge of the Egyptian language.
All of this ended in the rather sordid death of Joseph and his brother, Hyrum – and some have speculated that the lowest forms of ‘elementals’ actually ‘feed off’ the deaths of their ‘victims’ – possibly in the form of the blood and the terror involved when those ‘victims’ are cast aside.
You see, history, in many ‘worlds’, is full of example like that of Joseph Smith – nonentities who suddenly arise, seemingly from nowhere, appear to be ‘lucky’ to an improbable degree, with the ability to sway the minds of others, to the extent that those around them believe in the utter nonsense that they are presenting, and revere them as some kind of ‘messiah’ or ‘saviour’.
Almost always, however, such individuals suddenly loose their apparent ‘powers’, and are cast aside, often coming to a very unpleasant end.
Toys cast away by a ‘child’ who has become bored with the ‘game’…...”
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| Kolob |
“I hope that you understood what the ‘Boss’ has just explained, Jim”, Faunus said slowly and seriously.
There followed an uncomfortable silence, as the ‘Boss’ opened his laptop and began checking his e-mails.
What remained of the journey to Tucson passed without further comment, with Max pretending to sleep in order to hide his embarrassment, and Jim gazing out of the window of the limo, wondering which of the many stars visible in the jet black sky might be Kolob - if such a star or planet really existed.
As for Faunus – he continued to stare at Jim – carefully monitoring the thoughts of his young charge.
"So, Faunus, do you know what happened to Novius ?", Jim asked as he became aware of Faunus watching him.
"Why do you ask ?", Faunus said.
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| Lightning over Tucson |
"Yes, and so would I.", the 'Boss' added, looking up from his laptop.
"Well, I'll see what I can do - but it might take some time....", Faunus replied, somewhat evasively.
"I know that you and Novius didn't always get on that well....", Jim continued, but I really liked him, and I never got the chance to say goodbye."
"OK, I'll find him for you - later.", Faunus replied, smiling.
And so they slowly drove into Tucson - and at the same moment there was a sudden flash of lightning, and Max woke up with a start.
Jim grinned, as Max tried to work out what was happening.
"It's all right, Max - lightning - but no rain.
It's an electrical storm.", Jim explained.
Max grunted, and turned over, intent on going to sleep again.
"No point sleeping, Max - we're nearly at the hotel !", the 'Boss' said.
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| Entrance - Arizona Hotel |
To reach the reception the needed to pass through some rather ancient looking gates
"Excuse me for saying this Sir, but how come you always manage to have us arrive at night to a creepy looking hotel ?
This is like something from a horror movie !", Max said, as they walked up the path while forked lightning flashed eerily in the pitch black sky.
"And it's a good thing it's not raining !"....
"Max," the 'Boss' said.
"First it's a 'traditional style' hotel - and you seem to think 'traditional' means 'creepy' - and second, this is Arizona !
It never rains in Arizona !"......
"Well, hardly ever.", Faunus added.
While the 'Boss', Jim, Max and Faunus relax in the 'old world' Tucson Inn - Ethan and Josh continue to improve their marksmanship, while Kurt works on Brody's wrestling skills.....
and
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2021