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March 16th, 1916
Received by James Padgett
Washington D.C.
I am here, Joseph
of Arimathea. (see Note from Editor)
I desire merely to write a few lines to let you know that I really
did exist as a mortal, and that I am the same man who laid the body
of Jesus in the tomb where never before had anybody been laid.
I was with him at his death, and I was with his body when it was
laid in the tomb and sealed, and I know and testify that no man
or men or society of men, as it has been said, stole his body from
the tomb. His body was entombed as was the custom of my time, and
he was wrapped in cerements and fitted for the long sleep in the
tomb, as we supposed.
While I was not a full Christian, yet his doctrines appealed to
me as containing the truth, having about them a living inspiration,
which I did not find in the teachings of the Jewish theology, for
I was a Pharisee. I never thought that his death was justifiable
or approved it, but I was not able to prevent it; and feeling that
a great crime had been committed by the people of whom I was one,
I tried to make a small atonement for the great crime by giving
him burial in my new tomb.
Of course, I did not believe that he would rise again in the way
that he had made known to some of his disciples, and when we buried
him, I only thought that that tomb would be his sepulchre until
nature had destroyed the body as it had done in the cases of all
others who had been entombed.
As you may realize, I was interested in the proceedings taken by
the Jewish leaders in their efforts to prove that he, Jesus, would
not arise from the tomb on the third day, and I kept watch as well
as did the soldiers, and I can testify that no mortal ever removed
the stones from the mouth of the tomb.
I was there when the angel came and the soldiers were put in the
sleep that the Bible speaks of, and I Joseph say this, knowing that
it may not be believed and the Bible makes no mention of it, that
I saw the stones rolled away and the shining one standing guard
at the entrance of the tomb. I was frightened and I left the place,
and was so overcome that I did not return there until the early
morning, and then I saw Mary and heard her inquiring for the whereabouts
of her beloved Master, and more wonderful, I saw the man of whom
she inquired suddenly reveal himself to her, and I can testify also,
that it was the same Jesus whom I had helped lay his body in my
tomb.
He was not of flesh and blood, as they say, for he suddenly appeared,
and his appearance was not the same as that of the Jesus whose body
had been entombed; but when he revealed himself to Mary, there was
the same countenance and the same wonderful eyes of love that I
was familiar with, and the same voice of love and affection. I know
this and I want to tell the world that it is true.
Before Peter came, I went into the tomb, and it was empty and when
Peter came I was with him in the tomb and saw his astonishment,
and heard his words of wonder and amazement, for notwithstanding
what the Master had told him prior to the crucifixion, he did not
believe or comprehend, and he was astonished and bewildered as were
all of us.
Jesus of Nazareth arose from that tomb, and his fleshly body was
de-materialized. As to his disappearance, I could not then explain,
as could none who saw him after he had arisen, but now I know that
because of his great psychic powers, as you would call them, he
caused the disintegration of that body into its elements, as can
be done now by many spirits who have that power. Yes, Jesus arose
from the tomb, but not from the dead, for he never died, as you
will never die, only the physical vestment that enveloped his soul.
I am now in the Celestial Heaven and am with him a great deal,
and know that he is the greatest and most wonderful of all the spirits
in the Celestial Spheres, and the nearest to the fountainhead of
God's Love. He is truly His best beloved Son.
I also want to say that he writes to you his messages of truth,
and was with you tonight for a short time. Listen to him and know
that you have in him a friend who is closer than a brother, or father
or mother.
My brother, I will stop now, and in leaving, say, that you have
my love and blessings.
Your brother in Christ,
Joseph
Editors Note. Many years later, Joseph
admitted to being Jesus' father, a role he feels somewhat embarassed
about, as he failed to believe in his son until his death. This
was also confirmed in this message.
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