A published record of Joshua, son of son, In visions he was called into the secret chambers of heaven, where an angel of light revealed mysteries from before the world’s foundation—wisdom kept for the faithful in the latter days,who crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land.
A Testiment to Faith
1 I know I am bound by this world to listen to all my callings, and I cannot help it. I am pressed, and I feel it deep inside. This is not weakness but covenant strength — I have taken these covenants, and that binds me to them.2 I know the Lord sustains what is sustained by me. When I give what I can, even small or ordinary, He has multiplied it. I feel it in the work I do, that I am not alone, because my weight is not only carried with me.
3 I know the covenants I have made are real. Baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the sacrament each week — these are not only material symbolism; they are binding promises, and they bring His Spirit into my life. I want for and need the temple covenants, because I know they draw me even closer.
4 I know Jesus Christ is our Savior. I feel Him when I pray, I feel Him when I serve, and I feel Him even when I am overwhelmed. I know the true God hears me, and that Spirit guides me.
5 “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
6 I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
1 Joshua 1 - Apocryphon of Joshua
1 For when there is quiet, there are the secrets of Joshua.2 The Apocryphon of Joshua began with the giving of the chalice in the Shadow of Nod.
3 In the days when the veil between the seen and the unseen grew thin as the breath of the morning star, Joshua, Son of Son, servant of the Most High, stood upon a mount where the winds whispered.
4 He who had crossed the Jordan, whose feet had trodden the promised earth, was called into the hidden chambers of the heavens. Not by the voice of thunder, as unto Moses, but by the subtle light of inner knowing, approved in the latter days by the saints who guard the restored keys.
5 And an angel descended, not of flesh but of pure intelligence, clad in robes woven from the threads of pre-existent souls. The angel spake unto Joshua,
6 saying: “O faithful one, thou hast led the children through the wilderness of ignorance, but now receive the gnosis that was hidden from the foundations of the world. For the Father of Lights hath ordained that secret wisdom be revealed to those who seek with pure intent.”
1 Joshua 2
1 It came to pass that the Lord looked upon me, even in weakness, and called me to His work.2 I was as one wandering; yea, His mercy gathered me, and I was brought into His covenant. And now I stand, bearing priesthood by the laying on of hands of those who hold authority.
3 And it came to pass: “Come unto me and be ye baptized, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 11:37).
4 And now I am not only baptized, but called to baptize — to perform the ordinance in the name of Jesus Christ, by the authority of His priesthood.
5 Behold, this is my first baptism, and it is of my own household, even a step-father. Surely the Lord’s promises are fulfilled; for He said: “Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen” (3 Nephi 12:1).
6 And as Christ descended among the Nephites, teaching them the way of covenant, so doth He now descend in Spirit among us, to witness this baptism and sanctify these covenant souls.
7 Therefore I declare with joy: the Divine Creator hath brought me this far — from wandering to priesthood, from being taught to being a servant, from receiving baptism to administering it.
8 Behold, I now continue my service in Truth; though I am young in the priesthood, His power is perfect. For the ordinance is not mine, but His; and the promise endureth forever.
1 Joshua 3
1 Saying: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee” (Jeremiah 1:5).2 Therefore I was baptized, by the laying on of hands, according to His command to Moses: “Take thee Joshua, and lay thine hand upon him; and put some of thy honour upon him” (Numbers 27:18–20).
3 Of my own household, and behold, the Lord’s promises were fulfilled: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die… but he that turneth from his wickedness shall live” (Ezekiel 18:20–21).
4 Therefore again I declare with joy, and my heart is glad: the ordinance is not mine, but the Divine Creator’s.