Jonathan Browning: The Covenant of Virtue Over the Sword

Jonathan Browning, a 19th-century American gunsmith renowned for his innovative firearms, presents a striking paradox: a man who crafted instruments of defense yet insisted that true preservation lay not in weapons, but in *covenants of virtue and righteousness*. His life and work, deeply rooted in his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), offer a profound lesson on the interplay between moral integrity and societal survival. Here’s an exploration of his philosophy and its enduring relevance:

1. The Gunsmith and the Gospel: A Paradox Resolved**

Browning’s firearms, including early repeating rifles and the iconic "Harmonica Gun," were tools of survival in an era of frontier violence and westward expansion. Yet he engraved his weapons with the phrase **“Holiness to the Lord Our Preservation”**—a declaration that physical defense was secondary to spiritual and moral fidelity. For Browning, even tools of war were sanctified only when wielded by a people bound to divine principles.

Browning’s craftsmanship was not a contradiction to his faith but a reflection of it. He recognized that weapons, while necessary in a fallen world, were ultimately *secondary* to the covenant-keeping that ensured divine protection and societal cohesion. As the Book of Mormon teaches, “The Lord would preserve a righteous people” (Alma 62:41)—not through firepower alone, but through righteousness.

2. Covenants vs. Carnage: The LDS Framework

In LDS theology, **covenants** are sacred agreements with God that bind individuals and communities to holiness. These include commitments to honesty, charity, chastity, and consecration. Browning’s emphasis on covenants reflects a broader LDS worldview:

- **Moral Foundations**: A society grounded in virtue (e.g., integrity, self-reliance, and mutual aid) fosters trust, stability, and resilience.  

- **Divine Preservation**: Covenants invite God’s favor, as seen in the LDS pioneer exodus to Utah—a community that survived hardship through collective faith and discipline.  

- **Accountability**: Covenants reject narcissism and entitlement, demanding personal responsibility. Browning’s guns, in this light, were tools for defending *principles*, not indulging pride or aggression.

3. Lessons from Rome: Why Weapons Fail Without Virtue

Browning’s warning echoes the fall of Rome, where moral decay—not military weakness—precipitated collapse. The Roman legions, once invincible, became reliant on mercenaries (*foederati*) as citizens abandoned civic duty for decadence. Similarly, Browning foresaw that societies prioritizing weapons over virtue would crumble from within.  

**Modern Parallel:**  

Today’s debates over gun rights, social fragmentation, and technological dependency mirror this tension. Advanced technologies like photolithography (essential for AI) require not just technical skill but a society disciplined enough to sustain them. Moral decay—drug abuse, apathy, or corruption—erodes the social capital needed to maintain such systems.

4. The Balance: Defense and Devotion

Browning’s philosophy does not reject practical defense but subordinates it to higher principles:  

- **Weapons as a Last Resort**: Firearms protect life and liberty, but their ethical use depends on a people trained in self-restraint and justice.  

- **Virtue as the First Line of Defense**: A covenantal community deters conflict through unity, trust, and moral authority. As Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  

5. A Warning for the 21st Century

Browning’s engraving speaks directly to modern crises:  

- **Technological Fragility**: AI, microchips, and photolithography depend on a society disciplined enough to maintain cleanrooms, honor contracts, and educate engineers. Moral decline threatens these foundations.  

- **Cultural Narcissism**: A society obsessed with victimhood, entitlement, or hedonism cannot sustain the virtues required for long-term survival.  

Browning’s Prescription:

- **Renew Covenants**: Prioritize family, faith, and community accountability.  

- **Sacred Stewardship**: Treat technology, defense, and labor as holy callings.  

- **Reject Exception Culture**: No one—elite or “victim”—is exempt from moral duty.  

Conclusion: Holiness as Preservation

Jonathan Browning’s legacy transcends firearms. He reminds us that *true preservation*—whether of a frontier settlement or a digital civilization—flows from holiness, not hardware. Weapons may defend a people, but only covenants can sustain them. In an age of AI, climate crises, and geopolitical strife, Browning’s message is urgent: **Societies survive not by the weapons they wield, but by the virtues they keep.**  

As the LDS hymn declares, “Do what is right; let the consequence follow.” For Browning, and for us, righteousness remains the ultimate safeguard.   (DeepSeek R1)

Kindergarten Recess

I really appreciate Jared at Christian Homestead for making this comparison. Jared compared this mortal life to kindergarten. There is a saying and a book entitled "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. That list includes:

1. Share everything

2. Play fair

3. Don't hit people

4. Put things back where you found them.

5. Clean up your own mess.

6. Don't take things that aren't yours.

7. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

8. Wash your hands before you eat.

9. Warm cookies and cold milk are good.

The point of the Book is that these basic kindergarden rules are really the same basic rules for a good life.

The point I appreciated by Jared was that, all the many worldly pursuits we get wrapped up in is like kindergarten recess. Like kindergarten recess, it's important to take a break from the lessons and get some fresh air and run around, but the running around is not the point or purpose of it all. Accordingly, we should be careful as we make career, vacation, expenditures plans and sacrifices that we are not wasting all our effort trying to "win" at kindergarten recess.

Does Deutero-Isaiah Disprove the Book of Mormon?

Often the biggest attacks on the Book of Mormon end up becoming some of ts most amazing evidences. Bible scholars hypothesize that Isaiah may have been written by two or even more authors. According to scholars, Isaiah 1-39 was written by or recorded from the original Isaiah. but 40-55, or 66 was written after the Babylonian captivity.  This theory mainly stems from the mention of King Cyrus of Persia as the future king who would return the people of Israel from captivity.  Scholars think it way too far fetched to believe any prophet could predict the future in such a specific manner.  There are several textual differences in style as well.  

So, if true, why would the second half of  Isaiah being written after the Babylonian captovity completely disprove the Book of Mormon?  This is because if the Book of Mormon quotes the second half of Isaiah yet Lehi left Jerusalem before the  Babylonian captivity and before deutero-Isaiah would have been written. 

Haha! some might exclaim.  But, not so fast.  There may be a brilliant explanation to all this. J. Eaton wrote a book entitled "Festal drama in Deutero-Isaiah" pointing out that the second part of Isaiah was a Festal drama or theater play and that explains the literary differences.  

What is a Festal drama? Back in Bible times people didn't have access to scriptures let alone read.  They were lucky if their local city synagogue had a full set. Most people's familiarity with scripture depended on memorization. Accordingly, it was much more common for people to have large portions of scripture memorized. To help in this,  certain portions of scripture were read at certain points of the year and during holidays such as Exodus story at Passover, the Book of Ester during Purim, and the Nativity story during Christmas.  Many believe the Book of Mark (the earliest gospel) was also a drama.  Eaton believes, the second part of Isaiah could be a similar Festal drama presented at the Jewish New Years involving the coronation of the King of Israel. 

So, how does this realization, support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon?  Because, duetero-Isaiah could have been known during Lehi's time orally transmitted and written down sometime later.  Jacob told his people that he would recount unto them the words Isaiah "spake."  

Jacob 6:5 "And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel"

Additionally, Dave Butler. Mike Day on "the Stick of Joseph" podcast suggested Abinadi, the rightful hier to the thrown rehearsed the Isaiah, suffering servant, coronation drama to King Noah to declare Christ's and Abinadi's rightful claim to the throne and to denounce King Noah's hypocrisy and corruption.  But, in consequense, wicked King Noah had Abinadi ritually burned alive as part of a sick and brutal pagan ceremony as pointed out by Jerry Grover. (Mosiah 19:24)

This ceremony involved sorcery (pharmakia). or taking mind altering drugs, torture, adenochrome,  demon possession, the performance of superhuman acts such as levitation such that King Noah (only a puppet of the elite) was fooled into believing he was a god. 

Sadly, these pagan ceremonies which likely originated with the Jaredites were continued by the Maya who later enslaved the Mississippians (Lamanite descendants) for generations afterwords' subjecting them to these same grotesque satanic rituals which is in fulfillment of Abinadi's prophesy. 

[https://www.yucatanliving.com/culture/the-maya-and-the-mississippi]

US Constitition: An Inspired Document

https://youtu.be/B9r0PyAAzns?si=xqKOmp4-qiTNbBAk

The Stick of Joseph podcast is talking about the US Constitution.  

D&C 101:77 "According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; 78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. 79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. 80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood."

There should be a separation of Church and State.  Government and Religion have different jurisdictions.  Government is only supposed to prevent harm on others by prosecuting harmdoers (eg, distribution of recreational alcohol and psychoactives). The Job of Welfare and Virtue (Self Harm) is the job of Religion (James 1:27).  The failure of government in the US is the failure of religion.  US religions do very little welfare and even less virtue (upholding family values).  Government welfare redistributes wealth without accountability, enabling the poor.  Only the Church can best distribute fish while teaching people to fish (rehabilitate).  Religion needs to start doing it's job (including marriage and adoption) and Government it's job.

A significant SCOTUS question was "can the government mandate people buy broccoli". Only the Church should define good doing. The State should only prosecute harm.  Government defining and mandating good is the definition of fascism. 

The US Constitution is the model of Constitutional government across the world.  That is why Satan and Globalists conspirators have been working to demoralize and subvert the country and is purposefully provoking war with Russia and China.  The death cult in control of global governance wants US citizens to eventually and voluntarily walk away from the Constitution in favor of a militarized global government on one hand or just plain anarchy on the other. 

But, while saving the US Constitution begins with a return to virtue, covenant making and covenant keeping; it doesn't end there.  The second step in binding Satan is to prevent Satan's ability to fund his operation (treasures of the Earth).  Another purpose of the US Constitution is to secure freedom not only of our lives and liberty, but also over our property, via our credit and currency.  According to Article 1 Section 8, the Congress via the US Treasury is to coin, print, or otherwise create 100% of our money and not just a fraction of it as it does now via our corrupt, unstable, and inflation prone fractional-reserve banking system. A Constitutional full-reserve economic system also known as Milton Friedman's Chicago Plan (Safety Society System), would fully fund a constitutional government, fully and fairly support economic growth, and take the Satan's power which is currently financed by a mega-international banking cabal the Zurich Institute of Technology they named the "Super Entity" in a 2011 paper.  

Such an equitable economic system would be the key to unify western Christian nations with Muslims and Communists as the Chicago Plan protects property rights and free enterprise without relying on a social class of wealth aristocracy.  It is Sharia Law compliant.  and at the same time, the communist sympathizers would embrace this new constitution-based system which protects and empowers the working class. 

Isa 65"21 "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."

Ancient Jewish Marriage Tradition

https://youtu.be/dU81hfwml6Q?si=vKnQQF-JqD8p0Egk

Andrea Woodman has been presenting on Stick of Joseph and Ward Radio brilliantly pointing out that many scriptures make reference to the ancient Jewish marriage tradition. So. understanding the aspects of the tradition is necessary to understanding the scriptures. Jesus Christ is the groom and the Church is the bride.

Negotiations: arranged by the bride and groom's fathers. Not independent of agency. The bride and groom may already like each other. The bride has agency to accept. God selected Adam's wife.

Proposal: Shiddukhin: If the bride opens the door to the groom and groom's father, she accepts the betrothal and sign the katubah and share a meal together.

Rev 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone should hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

Betrothal: Erusin: Ketubah: a marriage contract by a groom given to the bride, promising to take care her needs.

Baptism: Traditionally, in preparation for the betrothal ceremony, the bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) are separately immersed in water in a ritual called the mikvah, which is symbolic of spiritual cleansing.

Mohar: Bride price is a dowry or endowment paid by groom's family to bride's family. Mattan: gifts given to bride's family and friends.

Gen 24:53 "Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother."

Gen 34:11 “Let me find favor in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give. Ask me never so much mohar and mattan, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me; but give me the damsel to wife.”

Preparation: Erusin: During the erusin period, the groom was to prepare a place for his bride, while the bride focused on her personal preparations: wedding garments, lamps, etc. The groom spent the year building a house for his family to reside.

2 Cor 11:2 "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."

Procession: Although the bride knew to expect her groom after about a year, she did not know the exact day or hour. It was the father of the groom who gave final approval for him to return to collect his bride. The son must have completed the construction of his home. 

Matt 25:6 "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" 

John 14:2-3 "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Wedding: Nissuin: means to take or to lift up. The groom, with much noise, and fanfare carries the bride home. The bride and groom then recite a blessing over the wine (a symbol of joy), and finalize their vows under the wedding canopy or huppah.

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (exalt)."

Covenant established (Ketubah) – 1 Cor 11:25                     

Purchase Price -1 Cor 6:19-20                                               

Bride set apart – Eph 5:25-27, 1 Cor 1:2, 6,              

Reminded of the Covenant – 1 Cor 11:25-26                   

Bridegroom left for the Father’s house- John 14:1-3

He returns to get His bride – 1 Thess 4:16-17

Thief in the Night: In Jewish tradition, the high priest was known as “a thief in the night.” Why? During the night watch of the Temple, the high priest would check on the Temple guards to see if they were asleep while on duty. If a guard were asleep, the high priest would wake him up by lighting the fringe of his temple robes on fire.