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.