My father spake unto them
concerning a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—
even a Messiah,
or, in other words,
a Savior of the world.
And he also spake concerning the prophets,
how great a number had testified of these things,
concerning this Messiah,
of whom he had spoken,
or this Redeemer of the world.
Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state,
and ever would be
save they should rely on this Redeemer.
And he spake also concerning a prophet
who should come before the Messiah,
to prepare the way of the Lord—
Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness:
Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
and make his paths straight;
for there standeth one among you whom ye know not;
and he is mightier than I,
whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara,
beyond Jordan;
and he also said he should baptize with water;
even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.
And after he had baptized the Messiah with water,
he should behold and bear record
that he had baptized
the Lamb of God,
who should take away the sins of the world.
And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words
he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel
which should be preached.
And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come,
and after he had been slain
he should rise from the dead,
and should make himself manifest
unto the Gentiles.
And after the house of Israel should be scattered
they should be gathered together again;
or, in fine.
come to the knowledge of the true Messiah,
their Lord and their Redeemer.