tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25427511729256088842024-02-07T09:57:55.769-08:00Seeking Further Light & Knowledge"One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may." -- Joseph Smith, Jr.Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-21834413891795984782022-04-29T15:24:00.001-07:002022-04-29T15:32:58.051-07:00Stand Independent Conference this Fall<p>For any looking to understand how they might prepare against the "troubling season fast approaching", this Fall a conference will be held September 23-25, 2022, in Northern Utah:</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://standindependent.com/conference-2022/" target="_blank">If Ye Are Prepared Ye Need Not Fear</a></h2><p>To those who willingly accepted <a href="http://receivethecovenant.com/" target="_blank">the covenant offered to mankind by the Lord in 2017</a>, He included the following promise:</p><p></p><blockquote>And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching. (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/158.12#12">T&C 158:12</a>) </blockquote><p></p><p>Such a result necessarily requires that the sheep permit themselves to be led by the Shepherd, then following Him "in the path." Although the <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/soothsayers" target="_blank">soothsayers</a> of our world are now offering and urging many different paths and directions, apparently "the path which will bring peace to you" is only one.</p><p>"Troubling", on the other hand, is an interesting word. It means "causing feelings of distress, worry, or anxiety." The Lord spoke anciently to his disciples about how disturbing the events of our day would be to us and how the upheavals in nature would echo this:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>And then his disciples asked him, saying, Master, tell us concerning your coming. And he answered them and said, In the generation <i>in which the times of the gentiles shall be fulfilled</i>, there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth, distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and the waves roaring. The earth <i>also </i>shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep, men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken; and when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for the day of your redemption draws near. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.</p><p>And he spoke to them a parable, saying, Behold the fig tree and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now near at hand. So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near at hand. Truly I say unto you, this generation — <i>the generation when the times of the gentiles are fulfilled</i> — shall not pass away until all are fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Let my disciples therefore take heed to themselves, lest at any time their hearts should be burdened with overindulgence, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come upon them unawares; for as a snare it shall come on all them who dwell on the face of the whole earth. And what I say unto one, I say unto all. Watch, therefore, and pray always, and keep my commandments, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man when he shall come, clothed in the glory of his Father. (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/luke/12.17-18#17" target="_blank">Luke 12:17-18 RE</a>)</p></blockquote><p></p><p>Christ, Nephi, Mormon, Ether, and others in the Book of Mormon spend a great deal of time discussing "the fulfillment of the times of the gentiles". Today is that generation, and <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2019/06/without-foundation.html" target="_blank">signs of the closing of this phase have been given</a>. The second of the 7-year-separated pair of solar eclipses whose shadows cross this nation out will be given two short years from now. Things are just in process of wrapping up for the "gentiles", with all the associated events already well under way. Have you considered, for example, the significance of <a href="https://earthsky.org/tonight/venus-and-jupiter-conjunction-april-30-may-1-2022/" target="_blank">the sign in the heavens to take place in the predawn hours</a> of this Sunday, May 1st, 2020? Or the other unusual planetary signs recently given in the predawn sky?</p><p>I look forward to this conference and to learning from each of those who share something there. Hopefully that will be nearly everyone.</p>Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-11519891408486236092021-10-22T09:31:00.000-07:002021-10-22T09:31:31.839-07:00Prepare & Organize YourselvesIn March 1832, the Lord gave the following guidance to his people at that time:<div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">"Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you to prepare and organize yourselves ... Behold, this is the preparation wherewith I prepare you, and the foundation and the example which I give unto you whereby you may accomplish the commandments which are given you, that through my providences, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, that you may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the Celestial world..." (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/70.4#4" target="_blank">T&C 70:4</a>)</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>I have been asked to share the following.<div><br /></div>
<hr />
<p><strong>A work for Zion has begun.</strong></p>
<p>Several months ago, a handful of families in the movement felt inspired to begin an effort to lay up stores against a coming time of want and need. A work group from among interested parties was formed and work was begun to consider questions related to the issue of providing for our families through coming circumstances we may face as the Lord brings His Zion. A growing number of families have begun the necessary labor to provide for our families against a fast approaching “troubling season,” (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/158.12#12" target="_blank">T&C 158:12</a>), and what may follow as the Lord moves forward His work to bring His Zion. </p>
<p>We invite every person and family in this movement to join in the labor for Zion now by laying up stores to provide for your family against coming seasons of want and need. </p>
<p>“God cannot produce Zion for, or with, people who refuse to labor. Because His promise is for the results of the labor and nothing else. As far as I know, none of us, and certainly I, cannot provide for everyone. But, I can provide for my own family. And each of you should labor to do the same” (<a href="https://denversnuffer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Heavens-Are-Open-Therefore-Work-To-Do.pdf">Equality - Denver Snuffer - Challis Idaho Transcript pg. 13 of 20</a>).</p>
<p><strong>We are to Labor to Provide for our Families. </strong></p>
<p>We are required to provide for our families now in the present. Looking forward, we will need to provide for our families in a “troubling season now fast approaching” (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/158.12#12">T&C 158:12</a>) and beyond.</p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Note</em></strong><em>: Four years have elapsed since the Lord gave us this instruction </em><a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/158.12#12">(T&C 158:12)</a><em>.</em> <em>You might ask yourselves, what have we done in four years to prepare for a troubling season?</em> </p></blockquote>
<p>We will need to provide for our families during an undefined length of time following a gathering by the Lord in which our entire efforts and labors may be required to be devoted to subduing and working the earth until she yields sufficient for our needs (For guidance see <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2016/09/equality/">Equality - Denver Snuffer - Challis Idaho transcript page 10 of 20</a>).</p>
<p>God, in His mercy, is giving us this current season of relative peace, abundance, and prosperity. He is making it possible for us to provide for our families now, and during a fast approaching ‘troubling season’ and beyond as the Lord brings forth His Zion (For guidance see <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2016/09/equality/">Equality - Denver Snuffer - Challis Idaho Transcript pages 9-10 of 20</a>).</p>
<p>Many are anxiously engaged preparing to provide for our families’ and fellowships’ coming needs. We invite you to join the work for Zion by beginning your own labor to provide for your family against a coming day of want now fast approaching (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/158.12#12" target="_blank">T&C 158:12</a>).</p>
<p><strong>What is the Suggested Plan?</strong></p>
<p>Above all things we desire to receive and exactly follow the will and desires of the Lord for us. This must be His work, done at His direction. We desire above all things that He be our guide. </p>
<p><strong>Individuals and Families </strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Determine your families’ needs.</li>
<li>Determine what you already have.</li>
<li>Prioritize your families’ needs.</li>
<li>Lay out a plan to acquire your families’ needs.</li>
<li>Begin to produce, acquire, and lay up stores.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Fellowships</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Counsel together with fellowship members to inspire, encourage, and help them identify family needs and begin to lay up stores.</li>
<li>Work together as mutually agreed among fellowship to meet the needs of fellowship members.</li>
<li>Review carefully, and prayerfully follow all revealed words of the Lord concerning wise and required use and application of limited temporal resources. (For Guidance see <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2016/09/equality/">Equality - Denver Snuffer - Challis Idaho Transcript pg. 13-15</a>)</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Storehouse Work Group</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Provide knowledge and resources to assist families and fellowships to identify and meet storage needs.</li>
<li>Gather knowledge and resources to build and maintain a central web site that individuals, families, and fellowships may use to help meet their storage needs.</li>
<li>Recommend contact between individuals, families, and fellowships with specific resources and storage skills and those searching for those specific resources or skills.</li>
<li>Create, manage, and update, a central information exchange hub for "great deals" and storage opportunities (Website "Specials" page).</li>
<li>Provide a "Wants / Available" listing page on the web site for items individuals or families may be seeking, or willing to sell or give away.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you would like to know more, please visit the website<a href="https://standindependent.com/"> StandIndependent.com</a> for resources we have gathered to assist your family and fellowship in your efforts to prepare.</p>
<p>The website <a href="https://standindependent.com/">StandIndependent.com </a>is a work in progress that will be evolving and changing as we go along. We invite you to share your expertise, ideas, and experiences related to storage topics that may assist all others in their storage efforts. Your stories, ideas, suggestions and other content will be appreciated.</p>
<p>Please contact us at <u>standindependentnow@gmail.com</u> with ideas, experiences, stories, and other suggestions for content to be added to the website. The storehouse work group will determine together by common consent vote all content to be added to the website <a href="https://standindependent.com/">StandIndependent.com</a> </p>
<p>The storehouse work group:</p>
<p>Nephi and Kim Barlow<br />Evan and Karen Bennett<br />Terry and Mellody Fausett<br />Jim and Angela O’Rullian<br />McKay Platt<br />Jon and Tina Saunders<br />Kimberly and Mike Thompson<br />Steve and Linda VanLeer<br />Shalyce Woodard</p>
<p> </p></div></div>Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-42145085375849839762021-09-09T16:37:00.000-07:002021-09-09T16:37:41.256-07:00Casting Out<p> "O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the Devil, for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God. Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people. Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices — yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should cause iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people by the voice of his angels, Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Yea, well doth he cry by the voice of his angels that I will come down among my people with equity and justice in my hands. Yea, and I say unto you that <b>if it were not</b> for the prayers of the righteous who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction. Yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword. But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared. Now therefore, <b>if </b>ye will cast out the righteous from among you, <b>then </b>will not the Lord stay his hand, but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; <b>then </b>ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword. And the time <b>is soon at hand</b> except ye repent." (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/alma/8.5#5" target="_blank">Alma 8:5</a>)</p>Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-8751431016433469692021-08-24T11:53:00.001-07:002021-08-24T12:06:03.401-07:00Disciples of Truth<blockquote>
<p>And in that generation <a href="http://bit.ly/2NrMWpk" target="_blank">shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled.</a></p>
<p>And there shall be men <i>stand</i>ing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.</p>
<p>But my disciples shall <b>stand</b> in <b>holy</b> <b>place</b>s and shall not be <b>moved</b>.</p>
<footer>— <a href="https://bit.ly/3zgQg9Z" target="_blank">T&C 31:7</a></footer>
</blockquote>
<p><b>stand</b> <i>(v. intr.)</i>: To take up, assert, and defend a viewpoint, position, or perspective believed to be true.</p>
<p><b>holy</b> <i>(adj.)</i>: The state of being connected to the light of truth, having "received <a href="https://bit.ly/3jbTSEx" target="_blank">the holy ghost</a>."</p>
<p><b>place</b> <i>(n.)</i>: 1) A distinct condition, position, or state of mind. 2) Station in life; calling; occupation; condition.</p>
<p><b>moved</b> <i>(adj.)</i>: Dislodged from a fixed point of view, as by persuasion.</p>
<hr />
<blockquote>
<p>Hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men [i.e., "the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim"] that rule this people which is in Jerusalem: "Because you have said, 'When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us, <b><i>for</i></b> we <b>have made lies our refuge</b> and <b>under falsehood</b> have we hidden ourselves' ...</p>
<p>"Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Behold, ... the hail shall sweep away <b>the refuge of lies</b>, and the waters shall <i>overflow</i> the hiding place. ... When the <i>overflow</i>ing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it."</p>
<footer>— <a href="https://bit.ly/3B8HFqx" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:4 RE</a></footer>
</blockquote>
<hr />
<p>The Lord speaking to one of his disciples:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Let him be humble before me and be without guile, and he shall receive of my spirit, even the Comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him <i>in the very hour</i> what he shall say. And these signs shall follow him: he shall heal the sick, he shall cast out devils, and shall be delivered <b>from those who would administer unto him</b> deadly poison...</p>
<footer>— <a href="https://bit.ly/3Bew9dn" target="_blank">T&C 141:33</a></footer>
</blockquote>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-81493940847090343932021-07-25T22:52:00.011-07:002021-08-19T07:45:00.696-07:00Agreement with Hell: Covenanting while Under the Influence of Intoxicants<p>In <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/31.4-8#4" target="_blank">T&C 37:4-8</a>, the Lord restored to us a record of the discussion he had with his disciples while on the Mount of Olives looking across at the temple complex in Jerusalem. While parts of it appear in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/matthew/11" target="_blank">Matt. 11</a>, there is additional information from this sermon that are restored here regarding the scattering and gathering of Israel, the times of the gentiles, and an "overflowing scourge" or "desolating sickness" which is scheduled to occur:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>"As you have asked of me concerning these signs of my coming, in the day when I shall come in my glory in the clouds of Heaven, to fulfill the promises that I have made unto your fathers, for as you have looked upon the long absence of your spirits from your bodies to be a bondage, I will show unto you how the day of redemption shall come, and also the restoration of the scattered Israel.</p><p>"And now you behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which you call the House of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall. But verily, I say unto you that desolation shall come upon this generation as a thief in the night, and this people shall be destroyed and scattered among all nations. And this temple which you now see shall be thrown down, that there shall not be left one stone upon another. And it shall come to pass that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass. You say that you know that the end of the world comes. You say also that you know that the heavens and the earth shall pass away, and in this you say truly, for so it is. But these things which I have told you shall not pass away until all shall be fulfilled, and this I have told you concerning Jerusalem. </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>"And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the <b>love of men shall wax cold</b> and iniquity shall abound. And when <b><span style="color: #e69138;">the times of the gentiles</span></b> is come in, <b>a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel</b>, but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me <b>because of the precepts of men</b>.</p><p>"And in that generation shall <b><span style="color: #e69138;">the times of the gentiles be fulfilled</span></b>. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see <b>an overflowing scourge</b>, for a <b>desolating sickness</b> shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in diverse places and many desolations. Yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will <b>take up the sword one against another</b> and they <b>will kill one another</b>."</p></blockquote><p>That last sentence seems to echo <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/oc/isaiah/6.15#15" target="_blank">Isaiah 6:15</a>, where the ancient, sole-superpower Egypt may be an apt latter-day symbol for the United States: </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Behold, the Lord rides upon a swift cloud and shall come into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. And I will set <b>the Egyptians against the Egyptians and they shall fight, every one against his brother and every one against his neighbor</b>, city against city and kingdom against kingdom. And <b>the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof</b>, and I will destroy the counsel thereof; and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord, and a fierce king shall rule over them, says the Lord, the Lord of Hosts.</p></blockquote><p>Going back to Christ's prophecy in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/31.8#8" target="_blank">T&C 31:8</a>, this prediction on the Mount of Olives really disturbed his disciples:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">And now, when I, the Lord, had spoken these words unto my disciples they were troubled, and I said unto them, "Be not troubled, for when all these things shall come to pass you may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled. And when the light shall begin to break forth, it shall be with them like unto a parable which I will show you: You look and behold the fig trees, and you see them with your eyes, and you say, when they begin to shoot forth and their leaves are yet tender, you say that summer is now nigh at hand. Even so, it shall be in that day when they shall see all these things, then shall they know that the hour is nigh."</p></blockquote><p>It really was the good news they were asking about, even if some of the events leading up to it bothered them to learn of.</p><p>The "light [that] shall break forth among them that sit in darkness [or] the fullness of my gospel" seems to echo what Christ told the Nephites of the Father's work in the end times in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/9.12#12" target="_blank">3 Nephi 9:12</a>:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">For in that day, for my sake, shall<b> the Father </b>work a work which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them, and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although <b>a man </b>shall declare it unto them. But behold, the life of <b>my servant </b>shall be in my hand; therefore, they shall not hurt <b>him</b>, although <b>he </b>shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal <b>him</b>, for I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. Therefore, it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe <b>in my words</b>, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father <b>shall cause him</b> to bring forth unto the gentiles, and shall give unto <b>him </b>power that <b>he </b>shall bring them forth unto the gentiles, it shall be done even as Moses said — They shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.</p></blockquote><div><div>(Those words that Christ claims as his own have been declared by that servant and include the words in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/156" target="_blank">T&C 156</a>, <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/157" target="_blank">157</a> and <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/158" target="_blank">158</a>.)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Latter-day Winos</h3><div><br /></div><div>In <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/oc/isaiah/8.1-2#1" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:1-2</a>, we find a "woe" pronounced on the latter-day "drunkards of Ephraim":</div></div><div><br /></div>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">Woe to the crown of pride,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">to the drunkards of Ephraim</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">whose glorious beauty is a fading flower,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">which are on the head of the fat valleys</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">of them that are overcome with wine.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">which,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">as a flood of mighty waters overflowing,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">shall cast down to the earth with the hand.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">The crown of pride,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">the drunkards of Ephraim,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">shall be trodden under feet,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">and the glorious beauty</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">which is on the head of the fat valley</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">shall be a fading flower,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">and as the hasty fruit before the summer,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">which,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in;">when he that looks upon it sees,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in;">while it is yet in his hand,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">he eats it up.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">In that day shall the Lord of Hosts be</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">for a crown of glory</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">and for a diadem of beauty</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">unto the <span style="font-weight: bold;">residue</span> of his people,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">and for a spirit of judgment</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">to him that sits in judgment,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">and for strength</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">to them that turn the battle to the gate.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">But they also have erred through wine,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">and through strong drink are out of the way.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">The priest and the prophet</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">have erred through strong drink,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">they are swallowed up of wine,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">they are out of the way through strong drink;</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">they err in vision,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">they stumble in judgment.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">so that there is no place clean.</p>
<p>There is only one last-days church organization that claims to be primarily composed of Ephraimites. This is <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng" target="_blank">from their web site</a>:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC9GqPeq_3tMN0pE1P37iucokOsPzc3Mup26ac6bb-FAbDkAf_rU25zSMD3E3T8c0fKBpE1Spscn10a0e2gweR7PKS1t7IC_9My3cuhbnDQ8WGSLSM3x6oPEtCT3cEVR3QUWBnOuqtyc/s941/Ephraimites.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="941" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC9GqPeq_3tMN0pE1P37iucokOsPzc3Mup26ac6bb-FAbDkAf_rU25zSMD3E3T8c0fKBpE1Spscn10a0e2gweR7PKS1t7IC_9My3cuhbnDQ8WGSLSM3x6oPEtCT3cEVR3QUWBnOuqtyc/s320/Ephraimites.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two additional brief thoughts on these words from Isaiah. First, the "crown of pride" as an alternate name for these Ephraimite leaders is interesting. It recalls Christ's parallel description of this latter-day, gentile church in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/7.5#5" target="_blank">3 Nephi 7:5</a>, where he quotes the Father: "At that day when [not "if"] the gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and <i>shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above <b>all nations </b>and above <b>all the people of the whole earth</b></i>…" It's tough to find stronger superlatives than that--and from the Father.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWEI6oSKVg5ESVq2pYcVL6_4YB1nKgZTYLGsoZ-BbquHJbhhUUXxnUmlcrHkvmzkimd6iAcJcoayrgv0B3B_qnM2Q1aoWSnhZkZKXZlkrcUGSRZnLjQ21PkbBZY88fIbV8-PnHsTOAyw/s2048/filth.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="2048" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWEI6oSKVg5ESVq2pYcVL6_4YB1nKgZTYLGsoZ-BbquHJbhhUUXxnUmlcrHkvmzkimd6iAcJcoayrgv0B3B_qnM2Q1aoWSnhZkZKXZlkrcUGSRZnLjQ21PkbBZY88fIbV8-PnHsTOAyw/w320-h98/filth.png" width="320" /></a></div>Second, that word "filthiness" that the translators used was their polite way of avoiding an uncomfortable word. The Hebrew means feces, dung, or excrement. The feast presented on tables by these drunkards does not consist of the lavish smorgasbord you might expect. Instead, it is partially digested food (vomit) or wholly digested food (feces) which has been returned to the serving plates for your feasting pleasure. All of which has lost its nutritional value and appeal. Apparently extreme reuse of what is represented to be (but is not) nutritional and beneficial offerings to their followers is what warranted Isaiah's extreme analogy here. In fact, in English we even use the idiom of someone "regurgitating" what they've been taught. With the frequent repetition of the same teachings among adherents in correlated materials, Isaiah's choice of words seems very well selected. It may also call to mind leaders' endless quoting of each other in L-dS general conferences.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Refuge Provided by Lies & an Accord with Death & Hell</h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.customink.com/designs/cwd/wah0-00cf-ke8t/share" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="761" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ6kpfp0NZV3P-bZ-5jTEGCkdUts5OszsuVxom1UcoQycw7VFjxyT08ot5jEnTcYOd0EyLC4Lbbbc4Vi5ondSpPUfqfGH41EKn6_PcmjVnSw44NgHKpgCaElIq9JOEFMRVqLOaDbB8ng/w334-h400/Covenant-with-Death-Commemorative-T-Shirt.jpg" width="334" /></a></div>After a brief (but related) aside in paragraph 3, the Lord returns to the activities of these Ephraimite winos and quotes them in their glee:<p></p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">Wherefore, hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because you have said,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">"We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement! When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us, for we have made lies our refuge and under falsehood have we hidden ourselves!"</p>
<p>What lies could such leaders put their trust in, supposing that those lies would be protective from an overflowing scourge & desolating sickness? What do they suppose could provide a refuge from the dire effects of some coming pandemic? Is it a false hope they might not only willingly accept but also urge their followers to accept? What form might that take?</p><p>Whatever the case, according to the Lord, this covenant and agreement they have put in place will not be honored but will be done away with. Instead, the "overflowing scourge" will actually overtake them.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">Therefore, thus says the Lord God:</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">a tried stone,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">a precious cornerstone,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">a sure foundation.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">He that believes shall not make haste.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">Judgment also will I lay to the line,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">and righteousness to the plummet</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">And the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">And your covenant with death shall be disannulled,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">and your agreement with hell shall not stand;</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">When the <span style="font-weight: bold;">overflowing scourge</span> shall pass through,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">then <b>you shall be trodden down by it</b>.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">From the time that it goes forth, it shall take you;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">for morning by morning shall it pass over,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">by day and by night.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">And it shall be a vexation only to understand the report [i.e., the news going around].</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">he shall be angry as in the valley of Gibeon,</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">that he may do his work,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">his strange work,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">and bring to pass his act,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">his strange act.</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">Now therefore, be not mockers,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;">lest your bands be made strong;</p>
<p style="margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;">For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts <b>a consumption</b>,</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;"><b>even determined upon the whole earth</b>.</p><p style="margin-left: 1.125in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.125in;"><br /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">When Lies Eventually Come to Light: CRT, meet the Guys</h3><p>It's not clear what will happen to the idolatrous followers of these drunkards when the lies and falsehoods they have bet the farm on finally come to light.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApYXtCcEqmWADELFivgJvDHk4bYOYmH2EwpJKFI38pkLcbzwofAxIV0ZxGDYrhCvu787-kA9VN46iCIouEnb2S0m-vUaTWVe_vtdN_iAioXIuMnE2Z-FLZbIuonEAIQ07meHWPARA09o/s1200/Tsunami-Low-Ground.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApYXtCcEqmWADELFivgJvDHk4bYOYmH2EwpJKFI38pkLcbzwofAxIV0ZxGDYrhCvu787-kA9VN46iCIouEnb2S0m-vUaTWVe_vtdN_iAioXIuMnE2Z-FLZbIuonEAIQ07meHWPARA09o/s320/Tsunami-Low-Ground.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When it finally does so, however, there will be pretty some pretty harsh realizations. It will also be the case for any not among elite religionists and other "world leaders". Imagine how half of the US population might begin react <i>were they to discover</i>, say for example, that as a result of their trust in the solution so urgently and forcefully pushed on them by so many leaders, they were to then be subject to all manner of very significant health problems, even including death. It's not difficult to imagine what emotions might sweep over a national or world population at such a realization: betrayal, loss, sadness, and a tsunami of anger.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVSHoIBEYfqjDSgbDM0Y2WXqRcGUfT5D1Y18IKkm8AfavewCtoU2cpxzxLH5k86UyAOoap6f4BzP6ZYkSREITBBkmqA7iB8CWlz_AvUpN4ZudVDFdpFc-uiixqew_8r4IHgupnKT-5Rw/s564/irresistible-revolution.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVSHoIBEYfqjDSgbDM0Y2WXqRcGUfT5D1Y18IKkm8AfavewCtoU2cpxzxLH5k86UyAOoap6f4BzP6ZYkSREITBBkmqA7iB8CWlz_AvUpN4ZudVDFdpFc-uiixqew_8r4IHgupnKT-5Rw/w168-h200/irresistible-revolution.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>Interestingly, at the same time that a medical solution has been so thoroughly pushed on US and world populations by almost every means possible (including door-to-door knocking now), there has been a similar, seemingly urgent push through modern society going on in parallel. Its origins, history, and current dynamics have been very well documented in the book "<a href="https://www.irresistiblerevolutionbook.com/" target="_blank">Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest & The Unmaking of the American Military</a>". In short, the Marxist tactical playbook intentionally foments division of a people through any available "divider" (whether "race", gender, sexual orientation, ownership of capital, etc.), which in turn leads to anger, internal conflict within that nation, and ultimately its collapse and destruction. This is the approach being very cunningly and <i>very urgently </i>foisted on the American populace. And the means of dividing the people in the current situation is the level of melanin in their epidermises. (termed "Critical Race Theory" or CRT) Our national unwillingness to repent and turn to the Lord is what has ultimately left us spiritually defenseless in the face of this deceptive, manipulative agenda so artfully being executed by foreign powers.<p></p><p>But back to the current situation resulting from the pandemic response: Hypothetically, <i><b>if </b></i>millions were to awaken to a worldwide, very-quickly-rolled-out medical program that had resulted in horrific effects including widespread death, <b><i>who </i></b>would they credit with having carried out such a program? If such an "awakening to our awful situation" were to happen, resulting from unexpected medical effects of the current "prevention" campaign, whom would that tsunami of anger be directed against? Who have been the chief protagonists? What names come to mind?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfbsoE223dqj2PESeGtW3D3HjzDsUzLeRYyBNexDOLAJWhDzccKvrQ6Vlk6srQ154CBK5uGdPZeVNwev2LWSP1TIGUOzebv32stCgEE0a7YzC35tL2QPtXXQmmIm8n5JeJE2XLhPvTZM/s1076/Advocates.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1076" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfbsoE223dqj2PESeGtW3D3HjzDsUzLeRYyBNexDOLAJWhDzccKvrQ6Vlk6srQ154CBK5uGdPZeVNwev2LWSP1TIGUOzebv32stCgEE0a7YzC35tL2QPtXXQmmIm8n5JeJE2XLhPvTZM/w578-h214/Advocates.jpg" width="578" /></a></div><p>Now look at their faces. What is common across all these? How would you classify their epidermal melanin levels? Or their gender? Or age?</p><p>Marxist CRT "training" now being broadly and <i>very urgently</i> disseminated by businesses, corporations, universities, schools, political leaders, the corporate press, agitators, and even religious leaders everywhere, teaches a person that anyone with low melanin levels is inherently "racist" because of inherent "white privilege" built into the system. Marxist agitators also teach that violence against such people is then completely justified and right. Could it hypothetically be possible at that point for agitators to highlight this fact and leverage it to great effect in stirring up millions to frothy anger? Could such a lineup of faces turn out to be a list of the "fall guys"? Could the reaction of the masses reach the level of genocidal and fratricidal responses toward an entire "Caucasian race"?</p><p>With that in mind, it may not be difficult to see how the prophecy made in 2017 could come to pass.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">Those who have entered faithfully in to the covenant this day are going to notice some things. The spirit of God is withdrawing from the world. Men are increasingly more angry without good cause. The hearts of men are waxing cold. There is <b>increasing anger and resentment</b> of gentiles. <b>In political terms, it’s rejection of white privilege</b>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Language of scriptures gives a description of the events now underway and calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. This process with the spirit withdrawing, <b>will end on this continent, as it did with two prior civilizations in fratricidal and genocidal warfare</b>. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The covenant, if it is kept, will prevent you from losing light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. The time will come when you will be astonished at the gulf between the light and truth you will comprehend and the darkness of mind of the world.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">(<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/al3nbib0afi1g9y/2017.09.03%20Closing%20Remarks%2C%20Covenant%20of%20Christ%20Conference_transcript.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Closing Remarks, Covenant of Christ conference, 9 Sep 2017, Boise, Idaho</a>)</p></blockquote><div>In that conference, held in the Egyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho, a covenant of life was offered to any willing to accept it. It is still available. This very last-days covenant of peace was prophesied of in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/oc/ezekiel/19.7#7">Ezekiel 19:7</a>:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">Moreover, I will make <b>a covenant of peace</b> with them. It shall be <b>an everlasting covenant</b> with them. And I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for ever. My tabernacle also shall be with them, yea, I will be their God and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for ever.</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVddZv3YiizNuS247ZxxAcnEtf26-nX1ggUQEBHRv4NkKJwQC3A1WZo_jiqdV8rS2SHp_Wly546W8AzTIbsYpnTLNRn-Lk3gz32AzpIPjzwZm0bhzQVak_A_9haPmORE1Ohn-p2-qTLvs/s2048/egyptian-theater-covenant-of-death-invitation.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVddZv3YiizNuS247ZxxAcnEtf26-nX1ggUQEBHRv4NkKJwQC3A1WZo_jiqdV8rS2SHp_Wly546W8AzTIbsYpnTLNRn-Lk3gz32AzpIPjzwZm0bhzQVak_A_9haPmORE1Ohn-p2-qTLvs/w150-h200/egyptian-theater-covenant-of-death-invitation.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>That covenant of peace now has a mirrored counterpart that has also been offered to the world, even in precisely the same location the covenant of peace was originally offered just 3.5 years earlier. It is <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/doctrine-of-the-two-ways" target="_blank">the doctrine of the two ways</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>All these events are interwoven with the others described in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/85.3#3" target="_blank">T&C 85:3</a>:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">And thus with the sword and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn. And with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, <i>until the consumption decreed has made a <b>full end </b>of <b>all </b>nations</i>, that the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies.</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>This decree matches the Isaiah 8:4 "consumption, even determined upon the whole earth" we read above. And it will, in fact, come upon all nations, not just some. There does not seem to be an exception for the United States. It echoes Daniel's vision of the last days in <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/oc/daniel/2.6#6" target="_blank">Daniel 2:6</a>, when the stone (or kingdom of God) is prophesied utterly destroy the image of Babylon:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">You, O king, saw and beheld a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you, and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet, part of iron and part of clay. You saw <b>until a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay and broke them to pieces</b>. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold broken to pieces together, and <b>became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors, and the wind carried them awa</b>y, that no place was found for them. And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>As <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/oc/isaiah/1.5#5" target="_blank">Isaiah 1:5</a> explains, the kingdom, or family of God, will be established along with a temple (the Lord's house) in the tops of the mountains as part of a prophesied last-days Zion in the Western Hemisphere:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">It shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established <b>in the top of the mountains</b>, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>That will be the location where one of the final scenes of the Book of Mormon (<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/mormon/3.4#4" target="_blank">Mormon 3:4</a>) will repeat--a great and woeful lamentation--though from a mountaintop instead of a hilltop, and about the unrepentant, fallen gentile civilization this time rather than the unrepentant, fallen Nephite civilization:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">And my soul was rent with anguish because of the slain of my people, and I cried, O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord? O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you? Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen? But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return. And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies. And then ye must stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to your works. And if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you. Oh that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of Heaven, knoweth your state, and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy.</div></blockquote><p>There is still time to turn to the Lord and accept what he is now offering. <a href="https://www.learnofchrist.org/" target="_blank">Please consider the Lord's invitation</a>, if you have not. But that window of time will not continue indefinitely, just like it did not for the Nephites or for the Jaredites.</p>Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-83885893687317115262021-03-25T22:26:00.003-07:002021-04-03T15:00:38.395-07:00The Electric Book of Abraham & Book of Mormon<iframe class="BLOG_video_class" allowfullscreen="" youtube-src-id="ZkBRZ80lprk" width="572" height="322" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZkBRZ80lprk"></iframe>Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-22808757161216743522019-05-14T18:05:00.000-07:002019-05-17T15:42:28.689-07:00When God Offers a Covenant: Signs and Wonders in Heaven and in Earth<p align="center">The below timeline is interactive: click and drag to move around it, click on elements to see details, or click the box-shaped full screen button on the right.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="650" src="https://time.graphics/embed?v=1&id=268166" width="100%"></iframe>
<p align="center">
<a href="http://bit.ly/2VoCA8n" style="font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Covenant of Christ">(View timeline in full window)</a></p>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-69867588515085296822018-12-21T09:35:00.000-08:002019-05-17T15:17:08.623-07:00More Unwitting Fulfillment of Book of Mormon Prophecy<h3>
The Pattern of Unexpectedness</h3>
<br />
Unexpected fulfillment of prophecy is a hallmark of how <i>what </i>the Lord foretells actually comes to pass. There are some great examples of this in the Book of Mormon. Here's one in particular.<br />
<br />
From the following revelation the Lord had long ago given to Nephi, it was "well understood" by the Nephites at the time of Amlici that the "mark" spoken of was the "the skins of the Lamanites [that] were dark" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2FeR7Ax" target="_blank">NC Alma 1:18</a>), having been given as a sign of their cursing due to their own rebellion and attempted murder of their brethren:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed, and I will set <i>a mark</i> upon them, that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed from this time henceforth and for ever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me, that I may have mercy upon them. And again, I will set <i>a mark </i>upon him that mingleth his seed with thy brethren, that they may be cursed also. And again, I will set <i>a mark</i> upon him that fighteth against thee and thy seed. And again, I say, he that departeth from thee shall no more be called thy seed. And I will bless thee, etc., and whosoever shall be called thy seed, henceforth and for ever. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Fem8op" target="_blank">NC Alma 1:20</a>)</blockquote>
It was assumed that this natural result from the intermarriage of Laman & Lemuel's seed with others already in the Americas when they arrived was what was meant by "a mark" upon them. They apparently considered it the only possible meaning of the prophecy.<br />
<br />
What these rebellious, apostate Nephites (the Amlicites) did <b><i>not </i></b>anticipate when they marked their foreheads with red was that the Lord <i style="font-weight: bold;">also</i> had <b><i>them </i></b>in mind with the prophecy given to Nephi:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now the Amlicites <i>knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God</i> when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Fem8op" target="_blank">NC Alma 1:20</a>)</blockquote>
It was an unexpected fulfillment that perfectly satisfied what the Lord had predicted. He had had it in mind all along, but it was not understood until after it had been fulfilled. The Amlicites had been just like Nephi's brethren (i.e., had been rebelious, fought against "the seed" of Nephi, refused to repent of their wickedness, and brought the curse entirely upon themselves) and so had "a mark" set upon them.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Book of Mormon Accounts Selected as Patterns of Our Day</h3>
<br />
The prophet-writers of the Book of Mormon were very familiar with our day. Christ Himself had shown him you (yes, you, the reader), me, and our modern "holy church of God" in vision, as Mormon testified:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Behold, I speak unto <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">you </span></b>as if <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">ye </span></b>were present, and yet <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">ye </span></b>are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shewn <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">you </span></b>unto me, and I know <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">your </span></b>doing... (<a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/mormon/4.5#5" target="_blank">NC Mormon 4:5</a>)</blockquote>
<br />
What they chose to include in the <a href="http://bit.ly/2F7zSRA" target="_blank">less-than-1%</a> of their records that they wrote for us to read was carefully selected to be pertinent to our situation. Many of the accounts selected for inclusion are perfect patterns and types for what they saw happening <i>today</i>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Two Inadvertant & Unwitting 2018 Fulfillments of Prophecy</h3>
<br />
In my statement made to the high council at the disciplinary hearing we attended, I outlined two examples of this sort of startling fulfillment of prophecy that happened in the course of events leading up to the council. (I did not become aware of the two fulfillments until shortly before the council took place, when the spirit made them manifest.) You can read those in pages 4-6 of <b><a href="http://bit.ly/2MrzhbI" target="_blank">2018-03-01 Disciplinary Council Statement by Vaughn Hughes.pdf</a></b>. The first example was derived from the procedure adopted in the court of King Noah. It's well described in the statement.<br />
<br />
<h3>
A Simple Exercise from the Second Example</h3>
<br />
For the second of the two examples, when I suggested on page 6 that "sometimes all you have to do is change the names," I was referring to a teacher of truth deemed apostate by a corrupt institution of <i>our </i>day that mirrored what the corrupt Zoramite Church did in deeming Alma apostate. (and those who saw truth in his teachings) The stake leaders were very aware of the context of my comments, since they had conducted the interrogations. You, the reader, may not be.<br />
<br />
So, here is the rest of the suggested exercise in simple <span style="color: #783f04;">name-changing</span> (with a few added notes) that illustrates a fulfillment of this prophecy:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And it came to pass that after the more <a href="http://bit.ly/2Fcx4To" target="_blank">popular</a> part of the <b><span style="color: #783f04;"><strike>Zoramites</strike> <LDS Church></span></b> <i>[that is, 'popular' meaning sustained leaders</i>] had consulted together concerning the words which had been preached unto them<sup><span style="color: red;">1</span></sup> [<i>by <b><span style="color: #783f04;"><strike>Alma</strike> <Denver></span></b> and his brethren</i>], they were <b>angry</b> because of the word, <b>for it did destroy their craft<sup><span style="color: red;">2</span></sup></b>; therefore, they would not hearken unto the words. And they sent and gathered together, throughout all the land, all the <b><span style="color: #783f04;"><strike>people</strike> <LDS Church members></span></b>, and <b>consulted with them</b> [<i>that is, interviewed them</i>] <b>concerning the words which had been spoken<sup><span style="color: red;">3</span></sup></b>. Now their rulers, and their priests, and their teachers <b>did not let the people know concerning their desires</b>; therefore, they <b>found out privily the minds</b> of all the people<sup><span style="color: red;"><b>4</b></span></sup>. And it came to pass that after they had found out the minds of all the people, those <b>who were in favor of the words which had been spoken by <span style="color: #783f04;"><strike>Alma</strike> <Denver></span></b> and his brethren were cast out of the land, and they were many.<sup><span style="color: red;"><b>5</b></span></sup> (<a href="http://bit.ly/2FlX7HA" target="_blank">NC Alma 16:40-41</a>)</blockquote>
Fulfillment footnotes:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<p><sup>1</sup> There are multiple leaked pieces of evidence making it clear that the LDS Brethren have "consulted together concerning the words" taught by those they perceive as a threat. One is <a href="https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/index.php?title=File:Area_Business_Weekends.pdf" target="_blank">a leaked slide listing those threats by name</a>. Another is <a href="http://bit.ly/2FcVJad" target="_blank">a private acknowledgement by a local leader of contact from an LDS apostle expressing concern about and directing the expulsion of a specific individual</a>.</p>
<p><sup>2</sup> Given that LDS Church leaders are now <a href="http://bit.ly/2FcA02m" target="_blank">documented to not only receive bona fide salaries</a> but also <a href="http://bit.ly/2FbvalV" target="_blank">quite a few other perks and benefits</a>, and given that the 2/3rds of LDS Church members who are "less active" garner no attention or discipline from leaders, it can only be concluded that those few believing members who <i>are</i> targeted represent a threat to the craft of its leaders. (these crafts by leading priests are termed "priestcrafts" in the Book of Mormon and defined in <a href="http://bit.ly/2Fdh7wc" target="_blank">NC 2 Ne. 11:17</a>)</p>
<p><sup>3</sup> In my only two interviews with stake presidency members in Sandpoint, Idaho, before being called up to be excommunicated, both constituted very deliberate, extended attempts to determine what I thought of the teachings of Denver Snuffer. In neither one did I bring up Denver nor did I express any interest in or engage in any conversation about him. I willingly discussed the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in our scriptures and by Joseph Smith. They expressed great disapproval of my lack of interest in satisfying their curiosities about Denver.</p>
<p><sup>4</sup> This direction from the LDS Church "rulers" to local leaders <a href="http://bit.ly/2oNXHmS" target="_blank">is now publicly documented and confirmed</a> though <a href="http://bit.ly/2FfeYQC" target="_blank">still publicly denied</a>. It can no longer be claimed to be mere rumor. In some cases, <a href="http://bit.ly/2FcVJad" target="_blank">it is very direct, prolonged control by topmost leaders at LDS Church headquarters</a>. When I was called in for the second such "discovery" interview, it was done under false pretenses. I was asked to come in for an interview, where I was asked to tell them my doubts or concerns with "Church leaders." When I told them I had none to express, they insisted that I nonetheless come in. Upon arrival, the line of questioning immediately switched to a "leisurely" inquisition regarding my thoughts on Denver Snuffer, with many of his quotes being presented to me in a not-so-veiled attempt to find out what I thought of them. (i.e., "privily") Later in his ghost-written letter on behalf of the stake president, the stake presidency counselor who conducted the interview lamented that his quarry had been evasive in his lawyerly attempt. (see page 1 of <a href="http://bit.ly/2OgCQDE" target="_blank">2018-03-04 Disciplinary Council Letter of Decision for Vaughn.pdf</a>)</p>
<p><sup>5</sup> This is an ongoing activity that began in earnest the fall of 2014. For a sampling of believing LDS Church members excommunicated in precisely the way foretold here, see <a href="http://bit.ly/2FcKrTF" target="_blank">the list compiled here</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<br />
<h3>
But Wait! There's More: Expert Devices</h3>
<br />
It turns out there was at least one more startling fulfillment of a prophetic Book of Mormon pattern as part of these proceedings, which I did not include in my statement but only recently learned of.<br />
<br />
But first, the Book of Mormon pattern given:<br />
<br />
In <a href="http://bit.ly/2FfaglT" target="_blank">NC Alma 8:12</a>, we find the leaders of the corrupt church in the land of Ammonihah stirring up their church members against two outsiders whose teachings they found to be a threat to their craft: Alma and Amulek. Our narrator and guide, Mormon, goes out of his way to specifically identify one particularly noteworthy tactic used by the chief antagonist in the story, who happens to be a lawyer: Zeezrom. Here it is:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore they did stir up the people to riotings and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them [which is still the case today]; therefore, they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek. And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: "<b><i><span style="color: red;">Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you?</span></i></b>" Now Zeezrom was a man who was <b><i>expert in the devices of the Devil</i></b>, that he might destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto Amulek, "<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you?</i></span></b>" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2FfaglT" target="_blank">NC Alma 8:12</a>)</blockquote>
<br />
Mormon repeats the question twice to call our attention to it. It's not a novice tactic. It's something an expert in such devices knows to use. It attempts to coerce the quarry into agreeing to yield to any line of questioning <i>in advance</i> by appealing to their own moral committment to keep their word. This is thus expected to make it easier to trap their quarry in their own words.<br />
<br />
Consider how frequently this "device of the Devil" was employed during the brief interview just prior to our disciplinary council, where I had hoped to find out the charges against us. There is clearly a consistent, strongly expressed desire on the part of the stake president to ensure that once we arrive at his council we would, in fact, "answer the questions which [he] shall put unto [us]."<br />
<br />
These are from <b><a href="http://bit.ly/2CQsyJ1" target="_blank">2018-02-15 Transcript of interview with stake president regarding Disciplinary Council.pdf</a></b>, where my words are prefixed with a "V" and the stake president's are prefixed with an "R" :<br />
<br />
Lines 33-35, referring to my expected responses to his planned interrogation of my wife and me during the council:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: So ... <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">are you going to be honest?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">V: Of course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: Then that's all
we need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Lines 77-81, continuing to discuss his planned procedure of asking about our beliefs during the council:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: And I'll ask you
about it when we're talking about it. That's the beauty of it. <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">You can answer honestly, you
know</span>, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">what your
belief is</span> about baptism, if you've been baptized
<Unintelligible>... I mean I don't know for sure if these are the things
I'm going to talk about with you...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Lines 105-110, attempting to use shame to compel us into committing to respond to his planned questioning during the high council:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: Okay. So, who
would be aware of those <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">beliefs</span>
and behaviors? <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">You
certainly would be, wouldn't you?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">V: I would hope so.
Are you looking for me to incriminate myself, accusing myself? Is that what
you're hoping?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">R: <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">Are you embarrassed by </span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">what you believe</span><span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">, or do you believe what you
believe?</span></span></blockquote>
Lines 140-144, this time using mocking to compel us to commit to "answer the questions which I shall put unto you" by "sharing":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: So, to back to
you again, if "apostasy" is <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">beliefs</span> and behaviors generally speaking, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">all we need to do is have a
conversation about yours</span>. And we can share what quorums you do that in,
and all you need to do is <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">just
be honest about what you believe and share it</span>. <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">Is that a hard thing to do?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Lines 216-221, where "conversation" is a <a href="http://bit.ly/2FbK7o7" target="_blank">euphemism</a> for his planned "line of questioning":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: You know, I think
<span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">as long as we're honest
with each other</span>, I don't have any intention to bring in witnesses.
There's not going to be...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">V: No, you told us
that we could bring evidence or witnesses, and I'm asking about that
specifically. Not what you might bring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: Right. I think
with behaviors and so forth, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">if
you're just honest about what you believe</span>, we can have a conversation
about ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Lines 230-232, expressing surprise that anyone would not agree in advance to "answer the questions which [he] shall put unto [us]":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new";">R: And I think that
I'm giving you an opportunity to <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">defend your position, your beliefs, and where you present them</span>,
and <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">I guess really I
don't understand why a person wouldn't want to do that, either.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Once again, the Book of Mormon proves its veracity by virtue of its perfect prediction of what it calls the "Gentile" church would devolve into and <b>the means it would employ</b>.<br />
<br />
Again, I need to add that I hold no animosity toward my former stake president. Despite his vehement denial, I am still persuaded that he acted precisely <i>in the manner </i>he was directed to use by the Brethren--his superiors that he must report to in the LDS Church. I would not choose to hold him responsible.<br />
<br />Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-49141390497524852822018-12-20T13:42:00.000-08:002021-02-04T18:50:44.374-08:00Epilogue: Occupied Synagogue Territory<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"For behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the <b><i>coarseness </i></b>of their <b><i>apparel</i></b>, therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2F9MGqy" target="_blank">NC Alma 16:22</a>) </blockquote>
<h3>
Coarse & Fine Apparel</h3>
<br />
For my final three years as an active member of the LDS Church, I deliberately chose to attend Sunday meetings dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt. (without lettering or logos--I didn't want to offend) I allowed my hair to grow long and I chose not to shave my face naked. In short, my appearance was not what normal active members of the LDS Church would refer to as "up to standards." Interestingly, even when my coarse appearance was directly referenced by the leader during high priests group meeting during the third hour, no one ever dared ask why. The reason was assumed to be that my "testimony" was "weak."<br />
<br />
My actual reason was nothing of the sort. Having awoken to the fact that the Book of Mormon was not merely written <i>to</i> us as LDS Church members, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">about</i> us, I completely lost all interest in assisting with even the slightest degree of further fulfillment of this Book of Mormon prophecy, which the writer has written to the LDS reader (who else reads this book!?):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Behold, I speak unto <span style="color: red;"><b>you</b> </span>as if ye were present, and yet <span style="color: red;"><b>ye</b> </span>are not. But behold, Jesus Christ <span style="background-color: yellow;">hath shewn <span style="color: red;"><b>you</b> </span>unto me</span>, and I know <b><span style="color: red;">your </span></b>doing, and I know that <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>do walk in the pride of <b><span style="color: red;">your </span></b>hearts. And there are none, save a few only, who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of <b><i style="background-color: yellow;">very fine apparel</i></b>, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquity. And <b><span style="color: red;">your </span></b>churches, yea, even <b>every one</b>, have become polluted because of the pride of <b><span style="color: red;">your </span></b>hearts. For behold, <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>do love money, and <b><span style="color: red;">your </span></b>substance, and <b><span style="color: red;">your </span><i style="background-color: yellow;">fine apparel</i></b>, and the adorning of <b><span style="color: red;">your </span></b>churches, more than <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. O <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>pollutions, <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>hypocrites, <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>teachers who sell <b><span style="color: red;">yourselves </span></b>for that which will canker, why have <b><span style="color: red;">ye </span></b>polluted the holy church of God?" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2FjG21k" target="_blank">NC Mormon 4:5</a>)</blockquote>
I could no longer bring myself to wear "fine apparel" or "very fine apparel" as I've done all my life. The thought literally turns my stomach now. It is money wasted on keeping up apperances under the guise of "being pleasing to God." Apparently our pretenses didn't make it far with the prophet-historian Mormon, who had the pleasure of being shown us in vision. He saw right through them to our actual sins--the pride of our hearts and all the black sins that come with it, including not helping the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.<br />
<br />
The <i>only</i> place I see people wearing business attire in our modern world (fine suits, ties, dress shoes, fancy dresses, etc.) is for a small subset of professionals: lawyers, some bankers, and some politicians. Oh, and LDS Church members going to their meetings, who stick out to the world in unmistakeable fashion.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Esteemed as Filthiness Worthy of Trespass Notice</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kwdfJd3sv90maT6cv3Fj4EGXuG6_RDNZEOp8aPE7OATAP5y7tu0DF3zmTZGDu0lSdtNIaxEJqrATkqHi5XkI6HsT68CCBI7BP7-83JEjAAf0K9mPPsIW7ZHEMI7-R6_yWdklQuPhZfo/s1600/StakeCenterNoTrespassing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1600" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kwdfJd3sv90maT6cv3Fj4EGXuG6_RDNZEOp8aPE7OATAP5y7tu0DF3zmTZGDu0lSdtNIaxEJqrATkqHi5XkI6HsT68CCBI7BP7-83JEjAAf0K9mPPsIW7ZHEMI7-R6_yWdklQuPhZfo/s320/StakeCenterNoTrespassing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All are welcome, except those deemed filthy, <br />
who will be forceably removed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In spite of having been deemed unworthy of any attempt at reclaiming and then having also been excommunicated from this institution, I continued (and continue) to feel a closeness to my friends within our ward here. I enjoy seeing and talking with them. I enjoy discussing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. And so, as invited in the letter informing me of the removal of all my eternal gospel blessings, I returned to Sunday meetings to fellowship with my friends there who had no idea I had been cast out. I had been promised I was fine to attend as long as my conduct was "acceptable."<br />
<br />
During the Sunday school hour of that Sunday in May, the class was discussing Numbers, chapter 11. As the teacher neared the end of the chapter, she quickly skipped over a fascinating part of it and moved on to chapter 12. I raised my hand and, after being called on, suggested that a passage there might be worth reading. The teacher invited me to read it:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the spirit rested upon them — and they were of them that were written but went not out unto the tabernacle — and <i>they prophesied in the camp</i>. And there ran a young man and told Moses and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp! And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them! And Moses said unto him, <i>Do you envy for my sake? Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!</i>" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2FbpwQM" target="_blank">OC Numbers 7:19</a>)</blockquote>
I suggested that it was an interesting response on the part of Moses. The teacher pointed out that although true then, today only the Fifteen can be prophets. She then moved on in her lesson.<br />
<br />
About two minutes later, the only bishopric counselor there stood up on the far side of the room, marched across to where I was sitting, and abruptly announced that I needed to come with him out into the hallway right then and there. The entire class stopped and watched the spectacle unfold. After managing to gather my belongings and put my glasses away, I followed him to the far side of the building, where I was told to wait there for the bishop to arrive "who has something he needs to talk with you about." (Perhaps they had exchanged text messages.)<br />
<br />
When the bishop finally arrived, he expressed no interest in talking there in the foyer. He needed to talk to me in his office, even if the door were going to be left open. (I think those in the foyer got to overhear an interesting conversation.)<br />
<br />
There I was curtly told that I was never to make another comment in any class again. If I did, he, the bishop, would legally serve me trespass notice and have local law enforcement remove me from the property, as necessary. "Therefore [I would] not [be] permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness," just as Mormon foresaw would be repeated in our day. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2F9MGqy" target="_blank">NC Alma 16:22</a>)<br />
<br />
The bishop further took occasion to inform me that I was a "wolf in sheep's clothing." (I still to this day wonder how he mistook my coarse apparel for "very fine" apparel--granted, it was a tense moment for him, so I concede that this could be missed.) He also expressed his deep concern & disapproval of my having had any contact with his ward members outside of church meetings. This chastisement was for my having tried to thoughtfully reach out to a friend in the ward who was going through a very rough time. I let him know that he had nothing to fear and that I intended to continue to try to be a support to my friends.<br />
<br />
<h3>
None, Save a Few Only, Who Do Not Lift Themselves Up</h3>
<br />
By the time I had been warned and sent on my way, it was the third hour of church meetings. I went to the newly combined quorum of elders and high priests, sat, and listened to the lesson while studying my scriptures. I did not attempt to make any comment.<br />
<br />
Afterward, before I was able to head out, I was approached by two different high priests who had been present for the big commotion of the second hour. Each of them offered me an apology on behalf of the bishopric member who had interrupted the class and unceremoniously removed me from it. They claimed they weren't aware of what could have possibly been going on, but that the actions of the bishopric member were completely uncalled for and inappropriate. They felt my comment had been entirely appropriate. They were honestly embarassed at what had happened. (They might have been more embarassed had they known more.) I thanked them for their concern and reassured them that it would not cause me to avoid returning to future meetings.<br />
<br />
<h3>
How God's Words Offend</h3>
<br />
I did ask both the bishop and his counselor what I had said that they had deemed "inappropriate" and worthy of issuing a threat of legal trespass notice and physical removal by law enforcement. Neither was willing then or since to give any explanation.<br />
<br />
To those familiar with modern LDS doctrinal drift, it is not difficult to infer the reason. (although the degree of anger in the response was a surprise even to me) The only real remaining doctrine of the LDS Church is: "We follow a man whom we call a prophet." Anything in scripture that contradicts or threatens this comforting, soothing doctrine, even when spoken by so great a prophet as Moses, is an affront to all loyal followers of the brethren. The greater the degree of devotion, the greater the intolerance and the more forceful the bitter response to those who might disagree.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, LDS scriptures not only do not support the idea of putting our confidence in a man to bring us salvation--even if a <i>true </i>prophet--but they actually teach that we are "cursed" if we do so (see <a href="http://bit.ly/2FcGyOs" target="_blank">NC 2 Ne. 12:6</a>) and that this practice is the primary qualification for those who will inherit a telestial kingdom. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2F9RA79" target="_blank">T&C 69:26</a>) Only Christ is to be "followed". Certainly prophets must be discerned by each of us, whether they be true or false messengers, but either way they are only to be "heard" and not "followed." It is the message they bear and the source of the message that is important. Not the bearer.<br />
<br />
I think applying extraordinary titles (i.e. "prophet, seer, revelator") are less impressive than having a man preach the truth. If the content of his sermon is prophetic, then everyone can decide for themselves the measure of the messenger. I can think of nothing that would offend the Lord more than a mere man <i>inviting </i>adoration. It is wrong. Adoration should be reserved for Christ, not dispensed to mere servants. Even if a man is sent to declare Him to you, focus should be on the Lord, not on His messenger. Only a false messenger, who seeks approval and who hopes for gain, will divert attention from the Lord to himself. A true messenger would not dare do so.<br />
<br />
Nephi explained the source of such virulent reactions to truth born by messengers and why it is so offensive:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold, they said unto me: "Thou hast declared unto us hard things--more than which we are able to bear!" And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked according to the truth, and the righteous have I justified and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day. Wherefore, <b>the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.</b>"</blockquote>
It should therefore be unremarkable that Moses's message in KJV Numbers 11 still has this effect even today. That it could be scripture which LDS Church leaders actively work to prevent any discussion or consideration of.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Occupied Synagogues</h3>
<br />
I suspect Lehi, too, may have been threatened with trespass and ejection by authorities in the Jerusalem synagogues of his day for this very reason--it was uncomfortable for its church-goers to hear the truth the Lord commanded Lehi to speak to them. (Of course, in my case, the Lord has given me no such errand, nor have I preached as Lehi. I have only done as commanded me: "it becomes every man who has been warned to warn his neighbor." -- <a href="http://bit.ly/2EwdYFK" target="_blank">T&C 86:15</a>)<br />
<br />
Christ later predicted this would be the <i>normal </i>course of events for His disciples:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"And again I say unto you, Go into the world and do not care for the world, for the world will hate you and will persecute you and <i><b><span style="color: red;">will </span>turn you out of their synagogues</b></i>." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2x6uurC" target="_blank">NC Matt. 3:35</a>)</blockquote>
When the Lord tells us to expect to be "turn[ed] ... out of their synagogues," it's worth pondering who would do that casting out. It can only be done by those who own buildings, who control houses of worship, and who expect believers to come to their religious buildings to worship God. It can only be done by those who think they have the right to enforce their religious ideas by compulsion, demanding conformity and suppressing ideas they dislike.<br />
<br />
But just as in the days of Joseph Smith (when not a single chapel was built) or in the days of early Christianity (when believers met in homes and never in church buildings), the Book of Mormon similarly describes this pattern in <a href="http://bit.ly/2Fbn10G" target="_blank">NC Alma 16:22-24</a> when the humble followers of Christ are cast out of the apostate church they had belonged to and come to the apostate Alma (whom their church leaders feared):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And they came unto Alma, and the one who was the most foremost among them said unto him, "Behold, what shall these my brethren do? For they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests. For <b><i>they have cast us out of our synagogues</i></b>, which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands [these were full-tithe-paying, active members of the church]; and they have cast us out because of this, our exceeding poverty, that we have no place to worship our God. And now behold, what shall we do?" </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[Alma] stretched forth his hand and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them, "I behold that ye are lowly in heart, and if so, blessed are ye. Behold, thy brother has said, What shall we do? For we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God. Behold, I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, <b><i>save it be in your synagogues only</i></b>? And moreover, I would ask, <i>do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only <b>once in a week</b></i>?"</blockquote>
Well, according to this apostate's voice (Alma's), the idea of needing to worship only in chapels or only once a week is utterly false. According to him, it turns out it was a good thing they were excommunicated and cast out. It resulted in their humility, so they could be taught the word of God and leave their apostate traditions and incorrect beliefs behind.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Throwing Joseph Smith Out of His Own Synagogue</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As LDSs, we often invited others to read and consider the meaning and implications of the accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision. But almost no one reads and considers the meaning and implications of his <b>last vision</b>. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Fo5d2B" target="_blank">T&C 153</a>; not available in the LDS D&C)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His last vision of the LDS Church as a barn in its future dilapidated state has proved to be stunningly prophetic. It perfectly depicts what would happen in our day were Joseph Smith to look and see what his work had come to. (And why would you suppose he could not do so?)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-70305693181946571762018-12-19T13:42:00.002-08:002021-02-04T18:11:25.952-08:00Of Neighborly Pit-digging, Fishing Expeditions & Works in the Dark[follow-up posts: <a
href="http://seekingfurther.blogspot.com/2018/12/epilogue-occupied-synagogue-territory.html">"Epilogue:
Occupied Synagogue Territory"</a> and <a
href="http://seekingfurther.blogspot.com/2018/12/more-unwitting-fulfillment-of-book-of.html">"More
Unwitting Fulfillment of Book of Mormon Prophecy"</a>]
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<br />
<blockquote>
"Now there was no law <i>against a man’s belief</i>, for it was <i><b>strictly contrary to the commandments of God</b></i> ... For there was a law, that men should be judged according to their <i>crimes</i>. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man’s <i>belief</i>." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2IsnRn2" target="_blank">NC Alma 16:2</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"[I] having been … persecuted by those <i>who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly</i> — and <i>if they supposed me to be deluded, to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me</i>…" - Joseph Smith (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Od8GBa" target="_blank">JSH 2:10</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"Now I tell you beforehand what to expect to come upon you so you are not surprised, nor will you stumble and fall. <i>They will excommunicate you.</i> The time will even come that the self-righteous who kill you will think that they speak for God. And they will do these things because they cannot do what the Father and I have done. I warn you beforehand that you will face this opposition so that when it happens you will remember and be strengthened." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2MkF0QN" target="_blank">The Testimony of St. John 10:23</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"And again I say unto you, Go into the world and do not care for the world, for the world will hate you and will persecute you and <i>will turn you out of their synagogues</i>." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2x6uurC" target="_blank">NC Matt. 3:35</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel, and they say unto the people, 'Hearken unto us and hear ye our precept, for behold, there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath <i>done his work</i> and he hath <i>given his power unto men</i>! Behold, hearken ye unto <i>my </i>precept! If they shall say, There is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not, for this day he is not a God of miracles! He hath <i>done his work</i>!' Yea, and there shall be many which shall say, 'Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die and it shall be well with us.' And there shall also be many which shall say, 'Eat, drink, and be merry, nevertheless fear God--He will justify in committing a little sin. Yea, lie a little, <i>take the advantage of one because of his words</i>, <i>dig a pit for thy neighbor, there is no harm in this</i>. And do all these things, for tomorrow we die. And if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God!' Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner <i>false </i>and <i>vain </i>and <i>foolish </i>doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall <i>seek deep to hide</i> their counsels from the Lord. And their works shall be in the dark. And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them. Yea, they have <i>all</i> gone out of the way. They have become corrupted." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Ipa1Sj" target="_blank">NC 2 Ne. 12:1</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"And woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, <b>Who seeth us?</b> And who knoweth us? And they also say, Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay. But behold, I will shew unto them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that <b>I know all their works.</b>" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2NMvDPd" target="_blank">NC 2 Ne. 11:21</a>)
</blockquote>
<h2>
Summary</h2>
On Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, my wife and I received matching letters informing us we would be jointly tried in a stake disciplinary council for unspecified charges amounting to "apostasy" on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. On attempting to ask for the charges against either of us, we were refused. Due to an act of God (the only snowstorm to shut the city down last winter), the stake president was forced to reschedule it. We were asked to sign a legal agreement to make no record of the proceedings should we attend, which we could not sign on moral grounds. Despite this, however, we were permitted to come into the rescheduled disciplinary council on Thursday, Mar. 1, 2018, long enough each to make statements and leave copies of our statements with the stake clerk before leaving, thus complying with the stake president's demand for strict secrecy in his proceedings.<br />
<br />
We learned three days later that he had elected to excommunicate me but not my wife, whom the stake president had not met prior to his disciplinary council. (I introduced them that evening.) The "letters of decision" I was given three days after the council outlined the <i>actual</i> list of apparent charges that were kept carefully hidden until their council and only revealed to us afterward. I then composed and mailed an appeal to the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, Mar. 10, 2018, and also sent a copy to the stake president. I finally received an indirect response on Monday, May 7th, which the stake president paraphrased to me by email. I had avoided sharing news of the excommunication with family and friends for a period of time, allowing for the possibility that the appeal could be granted.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">This post provides a record of these events. It is not shared out of spite against those who were locally involved in our excommunication hearing--I see their actions performed precisely as directed by superior leaders and, I believe, contrary to their own personal preferences. It is presented as information that demonstrates the irrefutable foreknowledge that writers of the Book of Mormon had of these patterns of action in our day. What we experienced is neither the first time nor the last time these will have happened to believing, faithful, covenant-keeping members of the modern LDS Church, nor is it in any way unique to our location or leaders here. I doubt there is anything special about our situation. More will be shared on prophetic fulfillments from the Book of Mormon in subsequent posts. This post presents primarily the events (through relevant documents) with only minor additional notes included.</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
Our Statements & Appeal Letter</h2>
The following three documents are sufficient to document the essential elements of what has happened:<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2QpqTwC" target="_blank">2018-03-01 Disciplinary Council Statement by Corina Hughes (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
My wife's verbal statement made to the stake president and high council during the disciplinary council, a printed copy of which was then given to the stake clerk for inclusion in the disciplinary council record.
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">As mentioned above, any information about the charges were intentionally withheld by the stake president prior to the council</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Prior to arriving at the council, she had never met or talked with the stake president and had never met with the bishop</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">We were not permitted to attend the council (other than to make our statements) because we refused to sign the required legal agreement, which would have forbidden us from making any record of the proceedings. (We did, in fact, make a complete record of what we were permitted to attend that night.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2MrzhbI" target="_blank">2018-03-01 Disciplinary Council Statement by Vaughn Hughes (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">My verbal statement made to the stake president and high council during the disciplinary council, a printed copy of which was then given to the stake clerk for inclusion in the disciplinary council record. Mine was shared with the council after my wife shared hers.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Reviews the scriptural precedent for the stake president's intended procedure of questioning us on our beliefs, although he was prevented at the last minute from using this procedure during the disciplinary council because he refused to allow us to attend the remainder while recording it</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Clarifies why we were unable to sign his required legal agreement and therefore were not permitted by him to attend his disciplinary council</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Other notes on what took place that evening:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Despite not being permitted to attend the council because we could not sign the legal document, we were nonetheless later accused by the stake president of "refusing" to attend the rest of the council despite his urging (see subsequent email, letters of decision, and the refutation in my Appeal below)<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">His statement is only true in that we were neither willing to sign his legal agreement nor willing to promise not to record the proceedings and were therefore barred by him from attending the rest (we did, in fact, audio record our entire experience in the building that evening)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
After completing our statements, handing copies of them to the stake clerk to be added to the record, and immediately before exiting the room, a high councilor could not refrain from asking a question of Vaughn, which we recorded:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">High Councilor: Brother Hughes, can I ask you one question?</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">Vaughn: You're welcome to, although we're not looking to take questions.</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">High Councilor: That's fine. I just want to ask you one question, and all it takes is a simple yes or no. Do you believe that we have a prophet in these latter days that leads and guides this church under the direction of Jesus Christ, and the Father and the Son?</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">Vaughn: Are you asking me about my beliefs?</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">High Councilor: I'm asking… I'm asking you ….</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">Vaughn: Because I stated my beliefs on that topic a few minutes ago, and I don't believe it would do you any service to further discuss beliefs, given what the Lord has strictly forbidden. So, I'll leave it at that.</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">High Councilor: Okay. Thank you. [You've answered my question.]</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Interestingly, this (the only question asked during the council) perfectly aligns with and is further evidence of <a href="http://bit.ly/2NGpDH8" target="_blank">an assertion made in social media five months earlier</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">We did not wait outside for their council to conclude before departing</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">A city police officer already in the stake center parking lot (perhaps the chief of police, who happens to be LDS) coincidentally followed us to the well-lit, empty east parking lot on the far side of the stake center, where my wife and I went to take a phone call before leaving the premises. He lingered there for some time before departing back to the original parking lot on the west side. This suggests the some unwarranted expectation of the stake president that evening where he might call on law enforcement to detain or remove us.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xcgHPd" target="_blank">2018-03-10 Appeal Letter to First Presidency (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The actual letter sent by certified mail to the First Presidency of the LDS Church, for which I received a USPS return receipt confirmation that it was received on their behalf</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
This letter includes:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The procedural mistakes made which would have almost certainly resulted in a different outcome</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">A refutation of the falsehoods and lies fabricated by the stake presidency and presented to the high council in order to make a case against us in our absence (not having made us aware of them in advance, preventing any reasonable response from us at the time)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The Idaho state law broken by the stake president and corresponding violation of Church Handbook direction, in order to achieve his predermined outcome</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Two facts which later acted as smoking gun evidence that the appeal letter was almost certainly <i>not </i>reviewed by anyone at church headquarters (see notes below for <b><a href="http://bit.ly/2NccpCo" target="_blank">2018-05-07 Indirect Communication of First Presidency Response to Appeal of Excommunication (PDF)</a></b>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Additional Records</h2>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2p5XsTP" target="_blank">2018-02-12 Disciplinary Council Letter to Corina (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Delivered to Corina at our home by a stake presidency counselor and a stake clerk</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Its claim of evidence or witnesses of wrongdoing ("you are reported"), which turned out to be a bluff: no witnesses or reports were produced.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The very unusually short timeframe before the disciplinary council (6 days)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The lack of any accusations that could constitute the basis for the claimed apostasy</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The terse nature of the letter--I'm not sure I've seen a shorter one</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The highly unusual nature of the disciplinary council relative to official instruction leaders are routinely trained to strictly adhere to in the official Church Handbook of Instructions (even when contrary to scripture), which matches leaked secret directives from church headquarters understood by local leaders to supersede the Handbook (see <a href="http://bit.ly/2QsilVY" target="_blank">the late Elder Von Keetch's recent centralized engineering of excommunications in "The Secret LDS UCMJ"</a>):
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Women are always to be tried by her bishop in a bishop's court and not by the stake high council</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">A joint disciplinary council is not permitted</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2NG6qVK" target="_blank">2018-02-12 Disciplinary Council Letter to Vaughn (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Also delivered to Corina, with no inquiry as to whether I was home</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Word for word identical to Corina's except for my name.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2p1PSty" target="_blank">2018-02-12 Email to stake president and exchange prior to Thursday meeting (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">A seven-question request that the stake president provide us with a statement of what crimes we were being accused of and of other details regarding the planned disciplinary council. Besides the request to know the charges, each of the other five questions are yes or no questions.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The subsequent email exchange and stake president's refusal to commit anything to writing for fear of disclosure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2CQsyJ1" target="_blank">2018-02-15 Transcript of interview with stake president regarding disciplinary council (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
(<span style="background-color: yellow;">Yellow highlights</span>) The stake president's clear declaration that the disciplinary council will be focused only on our beliefs. (mentioned 15 times) That it is his intention during the disciplinary council is to bring no witnesses, present no evidence, but only to have us attend the council and be quizzed on our beliefs.
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The most direct acknowledgment that the charges will be "different beliefs" is in lines 178-180.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Contrast these 15 assertions made in a setting presumed to be private with his presumed-to-become-public statement in the letter of decision after the council that, "your beliefs were never a matter of consideration for the council." (see below) This later attempt in and after the disciplinary council to hide this stated, intended plan is thus, <a href="http://bit.ly/2N8y5PL" target="_blank">by definition, a lie</a>.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">It cannot be contested that he would have actually carried out this plan had he allowed us to attend the council, because he used precisely this procedure when he jointly excommunicated a different couple in the Sandpoint area just over three years ago, which they have a full record of.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">(<span style="background-color: cyan;">Blue highlights</span>) The repeatedly stated (9 times), preeminent concern that, above all, his actions and the council proceedings must be kept secret and not disclosed</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">(<span style="background-color: magenta;">Magenta highlights</span>) The <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/condescending">condescending</a> tone and use of <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/taunt">taunting</a>, <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mock">mocking</a>, and <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/coercion">coercion</a> during a believed private conversation in an attempt get me and us to come and disclose our beliefs in an open way, allowing for the stake president to find something to accuse us with at the time of the council</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The utter refusal to disclose any misdeeds or sin that either one of us is accused of and which would amount to apostasy
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">This is a clear indication that there was no interest whatsoever in helping us to retain our LDS Church membership</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pretense">pretense</a> that his secrecy is to protect us, even after we had asked that it be done publicly
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Consider that "apostasy" is a crime that normally demands a public trial, as common sense and scripture would dictate. There is no rational reason for hiding the proceedings, except in the case of planned wrong-doing on the part of leaders conducting it.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Even months afterward, members of this stake and ward are not only unaware of the excommunication for apostasy but also have never been informed of anything I have ever shared in church meetings that is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ--these should be top priorities for a concerned church leader</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The refusal to accept the benefit of the doubt afforded him at the end of my 2018-02-12 email, even boldly inviting me to "completely squarely put this on my shoulders, if you would like." (lines 387-392)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The stated opinion that publicly correcting the false, unscriptural teachings of a dissenter yields "the least spiritual atmosphere that you can possibly have" (lines 295, 335-338)
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">This opinion contrasts with three extended accounts matching this description (true prophets of God contending with apostates/dissenters) highlighted in the Book of Mormon, where each would be subject to this criticism. (see Jacob 7, Alma 1, and Alma 30)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The opinion that a religious leader breaking priest-penitent law should be considered the moral equivalent of a congregant publicly sharing an abusive leader's communications (lines 372-377)
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Another way of putting it: He believes it is not fair when a religious leader's misdeeds are brought to public light, because religious leaders do not and legally cannot share private confessions from congregants. Therefore, public accountability for (or criticism of) religious leaders is indecorous.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2CQt0XJ" target="_blank">2018-02-15 Constructive Notice of Demand (PDF)</a></b> handed to the stake president<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Presented at the end of the Thu 2018-02-15 meeting</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Constitutes a standard way of giving official legal notice of something, such that the recipient cannot claim not to have been aware of it</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2MnPv5H" target="_blank">2018-02-15 Non-Recording Agreement (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The agreement the stake president asked us each to sign</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Emailed to us the evening of 2018-02-15</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
It's homespun appearance (lacking any standard LDS Church letterhead) could suggest the possibility that it is a local concoction
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">A counselor to the stake president, who is a local attorney heavily relied on by the stake president for writing letters, could have had a hand in drafting it</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2IrtaHl" target="_blank">Other outside evidence strongly suggests otherwise, however</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2NC44r8" target="_blank">2018-02-16 Midnight Email Response from Stake President after meeting (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Forbids our children from attending despite our request</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The Disclosure of Non-recording Agreement (see above) and current secret Church Handbook list of grounds for apostasy, which differ completely from the public LDS Church definition</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">An explicit written statement of his intent to interrogate us regarding our beliefs (all previous statements were carefully kept verbal-only and in private) and then to try us for them. It is an interesting contrast, considering he has also barely shared the list of possible misdeeds from the Church Handbook.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Clear offense taken at being apprised of the Lord's scriptural requirement (outlined in the Constructive Notice of Demand above), and confusion of that information with someone trying to take control of his proceedings (although, for those familiar with it, it does bring to mind a certain ritual dialog where the speaker angrily expresses concern that the onlooking interlopers are interested in "taking possession of the whole of [his kingdom]," the character then having a word to say about it)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Mistaking an occasional tangential scriptural reference in the Church Handbook for scriptural revelation or direction given in the Lord's words (to be fair, this is a not-uncommon practice among LDS leaders)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2p3kxH3" target="_blank">2018-02-18 Stake president email acknowledgment an act of God had prevented his council (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Confession that his status with God afforded him no say in preventing or delaying the most severe winter storm of the season, which included high winds, heavy snowfall, and many power outages, resulting in cancelation of LDS Church meetings that Sunday</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">This was the only snow storm of 2017-2018 that shut down the city of Sandpoint in any significant way</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The expressed desire to now meet (only because of delayed council to excommunicate) and "discuss" (determine) our beliefs in advance
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Implies worry about lack of evidence</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2MsEuAe" target="_blank">2018-02-24 Email exchange with stake president on a new date and his attempt at star chamber proceedings (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/star_chamber_proceedings">Definition of Star chamber proceedings</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The stake president's hope to now proceed with an interrogation of beliefs outside the earshot of his high council</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The strongly adversarial, patronizing, and manipulative manner of the interview on 2018-02-15 (see transcript above) left neither my wife nor I the slightest inclination to meet again behind closed doors</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/2QpqTwC" target="_blank">2018-03-01: Disciplinary Council Statement by Corina Hughes - for High Council (PDF)</a></b> (see above notes)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/2MrzhbI" target="_blank">2018-03-01: Disciplinary Council <b>Statement</b> by Vaughn Hughes (PDF)</a></b> (see above notes)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2NbUOKK" target="_blank">2018-03-04 Disciplinary Council Letter of Decision for Corina (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The thinly-veiled threat of "at this time" when the "no action" decision is stated
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">As further laid out in the letter, they were not happy that their quarry did not willingly and happily step into the not-so-well-camouflaged pit that was dug for just for her (apparently believing <a href="http://bit.ly/2Ipa1Sj" target="_blank">"there is no harm in this"</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The misrepresentations and lies presented in this letter can only be taken to be <a href="http://bit.ly/2CTzll9" target="_blank">grandstanding</a>, in the hope that his letter might be made public at some point
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The writer(s) were fully aware that the misrepresentations and lies would be completely apparent to the recipient</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Examples of knowing misrepresentations and lies:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
"President Marks and I have both been unable, despite several attempts, to meet with you"
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">As clarified in Vaughn's Appeal letter (see below): Prior to the letter notifying her of the excommunication hearing, Corina had only been invited to meet with a leader once. That invitation was under the false pretense that they wanted her to come and 1) discuss her feelings about the church and 2) express concerns about church leadership. She had no interest in either. When I, however, attended the requested meeting in December 2017 despite similarly expressing no interest in sharing criticism of church leaders, the purpose of the meeting and interrogation turned out to be completely different than stated. (A record of that meeting exists but is not published here.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
"We have made every effort we could reasonably make [to meet]"
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">This refers to the <i>single </i>attempt mentioned above, made under false pretenses, and to the one attempt made only <i>after</i> an act of God had prevented originally scheduled council from taking place</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The idea that an excommunication trial is a place that can be used "to get to know you better and to determine what actions you have been taking" or "to visit." (see p. 1, <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "segoe ui" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">¶</span>6)
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Disciplinary councils are, by the LDS Church handbook, not for the purpose of socializing and collecting evidence of wrongdoing, so that charges can be drawn up during the proceedings.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Whether in scriptural instruction, in Church Handbook instruction, or in civil law, they are all alike in asserting that courts are places for considering evidence already collected and hearing the testimony of eyewitnesses of wrongdoing.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The letter she received inviting her to attend the council asserted that they already had reports from witnesses or evidence in hand. This turned out to be a bluff.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The patronizing attempt to place blame on her for not attending church meetings, pretending that the only possible reason for her lack of attendance is her obligation to play organ for a different congregation
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Such condescending scolding is usually considered unhelpful in any genuine attempt to understand someone's motives.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Her actual concern expressed in her statement to the high council was her surprise at the feigned friendliness and false smiles of those delivering her summons to an excommunication hearing where she would likely be severed from her church and family.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The assertion that the purpose of priesthood is to exercise control (<a href="http://bit.ly/2I7n2A1" target="_blank">contrary to scripture</a>), and that the sacrament is required to be performed in chapels (a doctrine newly invented in this letter, having been never before or after publicly taught by a general authority, as of Nov. 2018)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The assertion that any unauthorized change to a church ordinance cannot be tolerated
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">This, despite the fact that all LDS Church ordinances have, in fact, been altered in the absence of revelation in the time since the dispensation head introduced them. Any <i><b>return </b></i>to them is thus deemed to be heresy and an excommunicable offense.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The feigned surprise that the writer doesn't "know what made [her] conclude that our purposes were so nefarious." (likely another example of <a href="http://bit.ly/2CTzll9" target="_blank">grandstanding</a>)<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">See also the discussion in <b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xcgHPd" target="_blank">2018-03-10 Appeal Letter to First Presidency (PDF)</a></b></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The patronizing suggestion that his decision to excommunicate is actually "a way the Church acknowledges when a person has separated himself from the Church", when in fact the two thirds of Church members who have separated themselves from the Church through inactivity are not ever subject to excommunication.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The unintentional acknowledgement of the impotence of the council with his <i>correct</i> statement that "the Lord knows your husband's heart, and the Lord, not the disciplinary council, will determine where your husband stands in that eternal relationship."</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The suggestion that "General Conference talks and … Ensign articles" contain the Lord's words today, despite never quoting the Lord, except on rare occasions from the standard works</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2OgCQDE" target="_blank">2018-03-04 Disciplinary Council Letter of Decision for Vaughn (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Refutations of the charges and responses to the misrepresentations and outright lies in this letter of decision are included in the <b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xcgHPd" target="_blank">2018-03-10 Appeal Letter to First Presidency (PDF)</a></b> (see below)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2x2BqWH" target="_blank">2018-03-06 Denied Request for Record of Disciplinary Council Proceedings and imagined expectation of legal action (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The uncanny resemblance his response has with Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked flee though no one pursues"</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">That he even seems to have now convinced himself that he really would have allowed us to audio record his disciplinary council proceedings, despite his repeated statements to the contrary and the required legal agreement</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xcgHPd" target="_blank">2018-03-10 Appeal Letter to First Presidency (PDF)</a></b> (see above notes)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2NDoWhz" target="_blank">2018-03-15 Cover Letter to stake president (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Sent by certified mail with enclosed copy of <b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xcgHPd" target="_blank">2018-03-10 Appeal Letter to First Presidency (PDF)</a></b></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/2p4RuTa" target="_blank">2018-04-05 Appeal Letter mailed to and refused by stake president (PDF)</a></b><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">USPS made multiple delivery attempts over a three-week period, leaving notice that it could be picked up a few blocks away at the post office</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2p508Bq" target="_blank">2018-04-10 Email Exchange about Refused Appeal Letter (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The claim that he thought the certified letter (where the sender's name and local zip code could be viewed by him) was an advertisement. In retrospect, it seems more likely the letter was refused out of fear of it might be related to legal action against him for his violation of Idaho State priest-penitent law.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Again, the uncanny resemblance his refusal to accept his certified mail has with Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked flee though no one pursues"</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2NccpCo" target="_blank">2018-05-07 Indirect Communication of First Presidency Response to Appeal of Excommunication (PDF)</a></b><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Of note:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">No evidence or suggestion that the member of the First Presidency addressed by the appeal ever actually even saw the appeal</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
The response was not as requested, nor was the inability to fulfill the request even acknowledged as a pleasantry
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Again, no indication it was seen by Henry Eyring</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">More than one person well familiar with Henry Eyring's character has suggested it would be unusual in the extreme for him not to have personally responded in some way</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">A lack of any concern over the stake president's violation of Idaho statutory law suggests either 1) that the letter was not read or reviewed, or 2) that the threat if litigated was deemed small enough that the lawbreaking could be ignored</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
By far <b>the strongest evidence--beyond a reasonable doubt--that the appeal letter was never read or considered by the First Presidency (or anyone else)</b> remains publicly accessible to this day (27 Nov 2018): The LDS Church continues to use paid Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to ensure that a Google search for "Vaughn Hughes" returns my "I'm a Mormon" page on Mormon.org as the very first search result, and <a href="http://bit.ly/2oN4i0U" target="_blank">the page continues to be prominently available on Mormon.org</a>.<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">The web page was explicitly discussed in my appeal letter and would be an embarrassment to the LDS Church were they to realize that almost ten months later they had continued to use the profile of an excommunicated member to market their church</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Had anyone actually read the letter at church headquarters, it would have been a very simple thing to email the marketing department and have the profile removed</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">This strongly suggests that the standard procedure by LDS Church headquarters for any appealed excommunication is 1) for no one to read it, 2) for it to sit for about three weeks, and then 3) for a standard form letter to be sent to the stake president reaffirming his verdict, no matter the situation or problems with it</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">
See:
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xbQoZJ" target="_blank">2018-09-12 Google Search for Vaughn Hughes as anonymous user.png</a></b></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/2xaxDpo" target="_blank">2018-09-12 Vaughn Hughes I'm a Mormon Profile Page.png</a></b></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0;">Side note: Now that the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has declared its intention to cease calling itself Mormon (effectively also making all its members "ex-Mormons"), I do not expect the "I'm a Mormon" marketing campaign pages to remain online much longer</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
[follow-up posts: <a
href="http://seekingfurther.blogspot.com/2018/12/epilogue-occupied-synagogue-territory.html">"Epilogue:
Occupied Synagogue Territory"</a> and <a
href="http://seekingfurther.blogspot.com/2018/12/more-unwitting-fulfillment-of-book-of.html">"More
Unwitting Fulfillment of Book of Mormon Prophecy"</a>]Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-12640985883575482092018-11-02T08:29:00.004-07:002018-11-02T08:29:32.479-07:00Reflections on a Dawning<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<span class="TextRun SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Awaiting new birth and a fiery new life from the waters of creation. Blazing glory born of water. Emerging from and triumphing victorious over the </span><span class="SpellingError SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">D</span><span class="SpellingError SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">uat that it descended into and traveled through</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. What a marvelous sight to witness. Many millions here have barely to look to be part of it, but only a small handful are willing to wait for what the crescent moon overhead announces is arriving. All creation testifies of this path, this cycle. The moon will travel the same path of the ecliptic today, constantly pointing to the sun as it </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">precedes</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> it. In the coming days, she will incrementally draw closer and closer until she returns to his location in the heavens, then jointly traveling together, her presence perfectly veiled. Even the darkness of my own shadow testifies of the light given. There is great contrast. This light illuminates and gives understanding of the true nature of creation around. Even if I close my eyes, I can discern its presence and direction. The light is sometimes veiled and diffuse, sometimes direct, stark and strong. The sun is unwavering, perfectly consistent in its path, his light granting life to all creation, whether acknowleged or not.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">"And I, God, said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night. And let them be for SIGNS, and for seasons, and for days, and for years. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And I, God, made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. And the greater light was the sun and the lesser light was the moon."</span><span class="EOP SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (<a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/oc/genesis/2.6#6" target="_blank">RE Genesis 2:6</a>)</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Signs make representations, allow us to reflect on their meaning.</span><span class="EOP SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. Yea, behold, the DAY of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end. For after this DAY of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the NIGHT of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say when ye are brought to that awful crisis that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this, <i>for the same spirit you hearken to obey while living in the flesh shall, upon your death, have the same power to influence you to hearken unto that spirit in the next life</i>."</span><span class="EOP SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (<a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/alma/16.37#37" target="_blank">RE Alma 16:37</a>)</span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXO7615246" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">How many days has it been?</span><span class="EOP SCXO7615246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-86234323945040800182018-05-16T21:32:00.000-07:002018-09-13T08:03:49.934-07:00The Unwritten LDS Military Order of Things: Insubordination<h2>
Unwritten LDS Church Rules</h2>
As a BYU student, I attended a devotional there in Oct. 1996 where Elder Boyd Packer gave a talk titled "<a href="http://bit.ly/2Ixmkwc" target="_blank">The Unwritten Order of Things</a>". It's worth the read. He outlined how, even though the LDS Church has an immense amount of non-scriptural instructions that leaders must exactly follow (known as the Church Handbook of Instructions, volume 1 of which is carefully controlled and not permitted to be published publicly), there is a whole other level of unwritten commandments that must be adhered to. They are learned by deference to higher LDS Church authorities and by imitation. We were instructed to learn them by watching and then following the Brethren. (LDS general authorities) According to Elder Packer, LDS Church leaders, in particular, are expected to be exemplary mimickers. And one of the most important parts of to be mimicked is deference to and obedience to what are referred to as "line of authority" and "proper channels". This is not only preeminent for any leader in the LDS Church, but also important for the rank and file to understand. In recent years, this modern LDS Church teaching has been a growing crescendo ringing in the ears of mere members, most particularly since the advent of its most recent president.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Secret LDS UCMJ</h2>
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The military equivalent of LDS "line of authority" and "proper channels" is the idea of "chain of command" and is the primary way it maintains order. It is a cornerstone aspect of how the military hierarchy governs. If a service member behaves in a way that disrupts the chain of command, he could be <a href="http://bit.ly/2k1NKPX">reprimanded by court martial for insubordination</a>. The precise definitions of different types of insubordination are contained in <a href="http://www.ucmj.us/">Articles 89-92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)</a>. In general, a service member is guilty of insubordination against a superior officer (commissioned, warrant, or non-commissioned) if he disobeys or disrespectfully treats that officer, regardless of whether that officer is in the same branch of the military or even within that service member's direct chain of command. Insubordination is one of the very few crimes specific to the military that is not a crime among ordinary civilians.<br />
<br />
But, some might claim, LDS Church members are not ordinary civilians. The institution has adopted this cornerstone part of the military code for its own, particularly within its leadership hierarchy. You will not find it, however, in its uniform code book of rules that leaders are directed to scrictly adhere to. It is entirely unwritten, as Elder Packer suggested, though very real.<br />
<br />
That there are unwritten orders that proceed down the chain of command in the Church which supersede even rigid Church Handbook rules is no longer in question. For example, three years ago in early 2015, the late Elder Von Keetch directed local stake leaders to excommunicate undesirables by both bypassing the Church Handbook (try the husband and wife jointly at the stake level, when only men are ever to be tried there) and also disregarding the "strict commands of God" that there should be no one tried for their beliefs. (consider <a href="http://bit.ly/2IsnRn2">NC Alma 16:2</a>) His leaked top-down directives to local leaders are <a href="http://bit.ly/2oNXHmS" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/2IrtaHl" target="_blank">here</a>. If since that time in 2015 you were to see someone tried and excommunicated 1) jointly as husband and wife at the stake level, despite the Handbook's call for no joint trials and that women are only to be tried at the ward level, and 2) for their beliefs rather than crimes, you have identified the fingerprints of the secret LDS UCMJ.<br />
<br />
In fact, implicit threat of "court martial" for insubordination is enough for members of the LDS Church not to break rank but to maintain formation. When sufficient deference is not given to a leader, it can quickly evolve into actual disciplinary action for that insubordinate person--or threat of excommunication for apostasy, as it is reclassified. Notice how the late Elder Keetch classified it as exactly this.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Crime: Insubordination to a Superior Officer</h2>
It is ironic that it cannot be called insubordination but must instead be called "apostasy." Perhaps this could be because a public reference to something military-sounding could be embarrassing and would not "safeguard" the proper public image of the LDS Church, as it tries to do. (This is explained as a reason for disciplining some members in its Handbook.) The LDS Church has already had much trouble with the public thinking of it as a cult often due to its perceived focus on excessive adoration and following of leaders to now have to deal with people also likening it to the military. It certainly wouldn't help the next Church holiday campaign.<br />
<br />
As an example, it was only after our bishop had discovered during an interview our use of a non-LDS sacrament ordinance (see the previous post) in the privacy of our own home, that he issued an order to stop. He insisted that only he could authorize such private religious observances, apparently whether an LDS one or any other. He was unwilling or unable to provide any scriptural authority for his demand other than claiming, in essence, that the Lord "hath given his power unto men," (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Ipa1Sj">NC 2 Ne 12:1</a>), otherwise called "keys" in LDS jargon, and that any congregant of his ought to thus obey. In military jargon, this is referred to as the authority of rank. And it is enough that any subordinate officer must comply. It has nothing to do with that superior officer's ability or, in the case of the Church, his worthiness before the Lord. Not complying is grounds for being accused of the crime of insubordination.<br />
<br />
What do the scriptures have to say about such ultimatums given? The Lord's warning in <a href="http://bit.ly/2I7n2A1">T&C 139:5</a> that use such of control, dominion, and compulsion would cause a leader to lose priesthood ought to be warning enough. But generally, when a superior officer either in the Church or in the military tells a lower ranking leader or officer not to worry about it and just proceed with the abuse, he will do so. The prophet Mormon anciently saw in vision that religious leaders in our day would direct their subordinates to "do this [e.g., follow orders] … and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2jJsVbV">NC Mormon 4:4</a>)<br />
<br />
<h2>
"Intolerable Acts of Tyranny"</h2>
In one of many examples of irony between the public and private faces of the Church, consider how such counter-scriptural ultimatums given behind closed doors contrast with the public pronouncements. Statements such as these are generally met with great public acclaim and have often resulted in glowing press for the Church:<br />
<ul>
<li>Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in a Church news conference Jan 27, 2015: "Certainly, religious rights <b>must</b> include a family’s right to worship and conduct <b>religious activities in the home as it sees fit</b>, and for parents to teach their children according to their religious values—recognizing that when children are old enough they will choose their own path."</li>
<li>Elder Lance B. Wickman taught as recently as July 7, 2016, at a BYU Religious Freedom Conference that barring someone from worshipping "in his own home would be <b>an intolerable act of tyranny</b>."
</li>
<li>Elder D. Todd Christofferson broadened this when speaking at a Historic Religious Freedom Event in Brazil on April 29, 2016: "May we pursue peace by working together to preserve and protect the freedom of all people to hold and manifest a religion or belief of their choice, <b>whether individually</b> or in community with others, <b>at home</b> or abroad, <b>in public or private</b>, and in <b>worship</b>, <b>observance</b>, <b>practice</b> and <b>teaching</b>. … Full freedom is more than the 'negative' freedom to be left alone. It's also a 'positive freedom' that allows a person to live his or her religion in a tolerant, respectful and accommodating environment. … How can we claim the freedom of speech<b> without being able to say what we truly believe?</b>"</li>
</ul>
Of course, these more or less align with what the Church still claims to subscribe to in the 11th Article of Faith: "we claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and <b>allow all men</b> the same privilege, let them worship <b>how</b>, <b>where</b>, or what they may." "All men" includes a lot of people.<br />
<br />
So, have local leaders not gotten the memo? In many cases, including here, they have, in fact, read and considered these sorts of statements. But the hidden dynamic of the unwritten LDS version of the USMC is also at play. Publicly the LDS Church can state one thing, while privately local leaders who have been given secret direction via trusted "proper channels" understand that those public pronouncements are <a href="http://bit.ly/2Iu2TUK">doublespeak</a> and therefore will not take them at face value, trusting instead their secret communications. For example, in this case, LDS Church leaders understand these public statements and the 11th Article of Faith in reality are meant to <i>exclude members of the Church</i>, who are absolutely permitted to be subject to such "intolerable act[s] of tyranny" by their leaders.<br />
<br />
Is it possible the Book of Mormon prophet-writer Nephi foresaw this when he wrote that the Gentiles (who include the LDS Church) "shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord and their works shall be in the dark"? (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Ipa1Sj">NC 2 Ne. 12:1</a>)
<br />
<br />
The history of this tradition of contrasting public vs. private understandings can be traced back to the post-Joseph days of Utah-era Church practice and advocacy of polygamy, which was illegal in the United States (including its territories). At that time in the Church, "lying for the Lord" to one's "enemy" in order to protect others from law enforcement was considered acceptable. In fact, it was considered so normal a thing, that when Wilford Woodruff announced in a press release the end of the practice of polygamy in 1890 (also known as "the Manifesto"), no one in the LDS Church was surprised when it continued unabated, just more secret, as has been well documented by historians in recent decades. It, of course, actually was forced to end 14 years later with the so-called "<a href="http://bit.ly/2j3aOes" target="_blank">Second Manifesto</a>", where the US government wasn't willing to play word games anymore.<br />
<br />
<h2>
"By What Authority!?"</h2>
I believe it's worth noting some of what is taught in the temple, without disclosing anything participants are directed not to. (Although I accept that some like to extend that direction beyond the actual instruction to not discussing <i>anything</i> from the temple--if you're such a person, you should consider skipping to the next section.)<br />
<br />
It is interesting in the cosmic creation drama of the temple what happens when Lucifer is confronted by followers of the Father, who have looked over his kingdom and, as he supposes, seem to him to want to take possession of all of it. It's worrisome. As a fallen angel, he has invested an awful lot of time building up his earthly kingdom, priesthoods, an army of oppressing false priests, etc. through blood and horror, and he's a little "concerned" (though not fearful, he might protest) and feeling threatened. Authority in the realm he has openly invaded and illegally occupied is always granted by his chain of command, Lucifer himself being at the top (bottom?). Any challenge to his believed authority to govern what he has built up is always met by the same query: "By what authority!?" (LDS old timers can't read that without hearing it and remembering the perfectly-acted visceral and utter disdain shown toward the messengers of truth) How dare anyone threaten his kingdom by bringing truth and light into this dark, occupied territory? The enemy of our souls cannot help but challenge their authority when confronted. Who do they think within the permitted chain of command could have possibly allowed them to disrupt his "great day of … power" by doing anything other than what he, at his sole discretion, will permit? Who do they think gave them any "keys" of authority here within his imitation he calls "religion"? (He always seems to suppose that those seeking heavenly messengers should be satisfied with "religion" instead…) The answer then provided by the messengers is upsetting to him in the extreme: by the authority, or in the name, of Jesus Christ, who literally sent them and gave them words to deliver. Christ's words and direct errand <b><i>are</i></b> their authority. And ultimately Lucifer's challenge to that authority--his demand to know what "keys" they think they have--is powerless when he is finally dismissed in due time.<br />
<br />
How is this drama different in any age? How could it be any different in a militaristic situation of command and control where insubordination is a crime? How could a leader in such an organization doing as he <i>feels</i> directed (but rightly refusing to identify those feelings with the spirit of discernment) do anything other than fall back to questioning the authority of any individual who seeks to follow Christ? Or to disdainfully demand to know of an insubordinate subordinate "by what authority!?" the person does as Christ commands? To claim that member lacks authority without the leader's permission, even if the Heavens have directly authorized the man?<br />
<br />
It is eternally the same in every age of the cosmic drama. It is witnessed as an essential part of the pattern in LDS temples, even if it's not often considered or understood.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Enforcing the Commandments of Men in the Name of Jesus Christ</h2>
Perhaps what is worse than the attempted top-down enforcement of proper rank and file formation by means of control, dominion, and compulsion is that it is consistently done in the name of Jesus Christ. Yes, directly in spite of Christ's forbidding of priesthood use for enforcement of anything in any degree (much less chain-of-command orders!), the whole idea is pinned on the Lord. It's claimed that it is His will. Now that's some considerable irony. The Lord Himself warned that "you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2wopP6j">OC Deut. 2:10</a>)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, many pretended Saints (sheep's clothing helps with the pretense) instead speak idle words, gratifying their pride, exercising their vain ambition, while using the Lord’s name only in vain. Whenever someone proclaims their own agenda in the name of the Lord they take His name in vain. The commandment doesn't forbid swearing--it's when someone claims to speak for the Lord when they actually do not that violates the command against vainly using the Lord’s name.<br />
<br />
Lots more irony there, when you consider how strongly LDSs look down on anyone using "profane language" while at the same time being happy to use the Lord's name to justify their abuses.<br />
<br />
As Peter said, "we ought to obey God rather than men." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2Isdsfm">NC Acts 3:7</a>)<br />
<br />Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-8939792476817908232018-05-09T09:00:00.000-07:002018-05-10T09:23:41.253-07:00The Lord's Supper and Utter UnawarenessAdministering "the flesh and blood of Christ" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2IbiUiw" target="_blank">NC Moroni 4:1</a>) in the days of Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon was very different than the modern LDS ordinance. Consider how history contrasts with what things have evolved into today:<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody>
<tr> <td width="50%"><div align="center">
<b>Ordinance of "the flesh and blood of Christ"</b></div>
</td> <td width="50%"><div align="center">
<b>Modern LDS Sacrament Ordinance</b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Administered by elders (meaning apostles, at the time) and priests.</td> <td>Administered by young men in the LDS Church offices of deacon, teacher, priest, and those in the congregation, who help pass the sacrament trays.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Administered in homes, outdoor locations, during conferences, and in the Kirtland temple. No meetinghouses existed.</td> <td>Administered in meetinghouses, not in temples, homes, stake or general conferences.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Administered on any day of the week.</td> <td>Administered only on Sundays.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Administered by one having authority directly from Christ but also having been sustained and ordained.</td> <td>Administered by one having current authorization from appointed LDS Church leaders, according to chain of command.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>As commanded by Christ, done whenever and wherever saints were gathered and felt moved upon by the Holy Spirit to do so together. ("oft" in <a href="http://bit.ly/2jJGRTb">NC Moroni 6:2</a>)</td> <td>Performed only when and where authorized by a local LDS leader.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>All participants (congregation, etc.) knelt during the prayers offered by the priest. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2K758hr">NC Mormon 4:1</a>)</td> <td width="367">Only the person offering the prayer kneels. All others sit or stand.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>One or more loaves of bread were broken by the priest before offering the prayer.</td> <td>Typically slices of processed bread are broken into almost crumb-sized pieces by the young men priests before giving the prayer.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>The priest offered the prayer on the bread as found in the Book of Mormon (<a href="http://bit.ly/2K758hr">NC Mormon 4:1</a>) or the Book of Commandments (<a href="http://bit.ly/2jHHixo">BoC 24:57</a>), which are identical.</td> <td>The modified prayer in <a href="http://bit.ly/2rxrDEi">D&C 20:77</a> is used.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>The priest prayed with eyes open, looking upward, and with either both arms upstretched or with the right arm raised to the square.</td> <td>The priest prays with arms folded across the body and head tipped downward (bowed), and eyes closed, if the prayer is memorized.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Participants typically ate bread until filled. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2IaK5K2">NC 3 Nephi 8:6</a>)</td> <td>Participants each take one small piece of bread.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Used actual wine (i.e., fermented, alcoholic) as the emblem, given by Jesus Christ Himself and as He commanded in the Word of Wisdom. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2KMwRF6">D&C 89:5-6</a>)</td> <td>Always use water. (as 'miraculously' changed from wine in the 20th century) Use of wine for any purpose at any time is now strictly forbidden and considered sinful.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Priest held the cup of wine while offering the blessing on the wine.</td> <td>Priest overlooks the many small cups of water while blessing them.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>The priest offered the prayer on the wine as found in the Book of Mormon (<a href="http://bit.ly/2K3H2nF">NC Mormon 5:1</a>) or the Book of Commandments (<a href="http://bit.ly/2jHHixo">BoC 24:59</a>) or <a href="http://bit.ly/2wpRzrf">D&C 20:79</a>, which are all identical.</td> <td>A modified prayer is used, where the word "wine" is changed to "water". (Note that the Lord in D&C 27:2 only permits the changing of the <i>emblems</i> as needed, not the changing of the <i>prayers</i>.)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>One of several "sacraments". (<a href="http://bit.ly/2wxmoKu">T&C 89:2</a>)</td> <td>Called "the Sacrament"</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWi0gU85B4WVFMMGk8pcOsSr93mJL74A92B8d0MYYcQJCOi6eb87nxrzo66mrvO0a7_ZGYsKLWpSUBVn7MJdv-g-l0thzzVkSnr736NYhRdVG_8Iy3_M00yyFGDOZw8qB3ceqVk_B0II/s1600/MormonsJesusWineAndWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWi0gU85B4WVFMMGk8pcOsSr93mJL74A92B8d0MYYcQJCOi6eb87nxrzo66mrvO0a7_ZGYsKLWpSUBVn7MJdv-g-l0thzzVkSnr736NYhRdVG_8Iy3_M00yyFGDOZw8qB3ceqVk_B0II/s320/MormonsJesusWineAndWater.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
Not to Be Altered or Changed</h3>
Given such a list of changes to the ordinance, it is curious that LDS teachings can today declare those changes inconsequential. Particularly given that their claimed founder, Joseph Smith, taught that:<br />
<blockquote>
"Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed." (TPJS, p. 308)</blockquote>
This teaching is easily overcome, however, by simply ignoring it in the modern LDS Church, even though earlier in my own lifetime it was heavily emphasized. (and Catholics derided for their changed ordinances!) The modern teaching that a current LDS Church president can somehow override, contradict, and change what Joseph Smith (or even other previous Church presidents) have taught as unchanging doctrine continues to propel the progressive collective memory loss among its members.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Ere He is Aware</h3>
In fact, the two columns above are so different that it is hard to imagine how modern LDS Church leaders could imagine themselves important enough not only to "exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2I7n2A1">T&C 139:5</a>) in unrighteousness upon their own members for their own heavily altered LDS ordinances, but then go beyond that to attempt to control any other non-LDS religious practice (such as the above ancient and older practices). If you believe LDS scripture, the result for such persons claiming to use priesthood for exercise of control, dominion, or compulsion (in <i>any </i>degree) is as the Lord has stated:<br />
<blockquote>
"the Heavens withdraw themselves, the Spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself to kick against the pricks, to persecute theSaints, and to fight against God." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2I7n2A1">T&C139:5</a>)</blockquote>
The pattern is fascinating.<br />
<br />
"Ere he is aware" refers to the fact that such individuals are, at that point, <b>unable</b> to detect that the Heavens have withdrawn--they are simply not aware of it. They have long since been acting on feelings and emotions (helpfully provided by a different source as a means of manipulation), rather than acting on the light and intelligence that comes from the Holy Spirit of God.<br />
<br />
"He is left unto himself" refers to the Lord's willingness to allow that man to proceed with his own agenda, without further guidance or interference from Heaven.<br />
<br />
By definition, "persecuting the Saints" can only be done by one actually in a position where he can "exercise control." This can only refer to LDS Church leaders, who rule over the "Saints" in the synagogues they occupy.<br />
<br />
"Kicking against the pricks" refers to their unwitting fight against what God is attempting to accomplish, so much so that He then refers to it as "fighting against God."<br />
<br />
There is a certain irony in all of this that seems to have been anticipated:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe unto the wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2IaNCbr">NC 2 Nephi 8:14-15</a>)</blockquote>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-9158266082327495312018-05-08T15:26:00.002-07:002018-05-17T09:04:46.436-07:00Wolves, Sheep, and Clothing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW1QPddTpjCrMoOjxl62feCaPV49k81v6oD0xDWPZrlw9R5qakhUJMBqg5P_oS2RoBm0COnSrPmxfJzyBbMGekc7KEaISOqjpRmwl5te25gUXg5Eq1U7VZzNNCxYZbibX1xVTyhjy_go/s1600/Sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW1QPddTpjCrMoOjxl62feCaPV49k81v6oD0xDWPZrlw9R5qakhUJMBqg5P_oS2RoBm0COnSrPmxfJzyBbMGekc7KEaISOqjpRmwl5te25gUXg5Eq1U7VZzNNCxYZbibX1xVTyhjy_go/s320/Sheep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The idea of a "wolf" concealing itself in "sheep’s clothing" (Matt. 7:15) comes from the pretense of piety by men whose hearts are set on the things of this world. The more conspicuous the pretensions to piety the quicker people are misled.<br />
<br />
John C. Bennett was a notorious adulterer, having abandoned his marriage and family before arriving in Nauvoo. But he was elected the first Mayor of Nauvoo. His election was unanimous. The citizens of Nauvoo universally admired him.<br />
<br />
In his inaugural address on February 3, 1841, his first recommendation for improving the community was to pass an ordinance forbidding bars, dram shops and sales of alcohol by the drink in Nauvoo. He associated drinking with "evil and crime" which could be prevented by adopting his recommended ordinance. The first ordinance adopted by the Nauvoo City Council and signed into law by Mayor Bennett was "An Ordinance in relation to Temperance" passed on February 15, 1841. It prohibited "all persons and establishments" from selling whiskey by the drink in Nauvoo without a physician’s recommendation in writing.<br />
<br />
This conspicuous act of public piety reaffirmed the man’s nobility and concealed Bennett’s real inclinations and ongoing betrayal of a wife and children. It made Bennett appear to be the right man to be trusted to lead the community.<br />
<br />
This same black-hearted character defended enforcement of morality by compulsion. "Liberty to do good should be cheerfully and freely accorded to every man; but liberty to do evil, which is licentiousness, should be peremptorily prohibited. The public good imperiously demands it." This was Lucifer’s plan advocated anew by Nauvoo’s first mayor. Given Bennett’s inclinations, maybe he proposed forcing morality on citizens because he knew it was the only way he could be moral.<br />
<br />
In hindsight, it is so very easy to pick out Bennett’s pretensions to piety and to see them for what they are. Nauvoo elected the man by unanimous vote to be the first mayor of the Mormon city because they could not see what he really was. His <b>attire</b> was so very sheep-like they could not conceive they were upholding a wolf.<br />
<br />
(In contrast, for example, can you imagine John the Baptist's <b>attire </b>being mistaken for being "sheep-like"? (see <a href="http://bit.ly/2IwIm1K" target="_blank">NC Matt. 2:2</a>) He made no attempt adopting an acceptable appearance in order to "blend in," much less point anyone to himself. Consider John's utterly ego-less response in the <a href="http://bit.ly/2I77lIQ" target="_blank">Testimony of John 1:8</a>.)<br />
<br />
Today it is no different. Wolves are still trusted with the treasury, given honor, and smothered with adoration. Joseph Smith had little confidence in mankind’s ability to decide between the real and the imitation. He explained it this way: "The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets, and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves ‘in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth, (see Hebrews 11:38), and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men." (DHC, Vol. 4, p. 574; also TPJS, p. 206.)<br />
<br />
The Lamanite prophet Samuel warned of the exact same tendency in <a href="http://bit.ly/2I6XQcS" target="_blank">NC Helaman 5:6-8</a>.<br />
<br />
Anything claimed to be truth should conform with the truths already given in scripture. Everyone’s motives should be questioned until it is determined by sufficient observation they are sheep. Any teaching or person who draws us to them, and does not point us to the Lord is unable to help us. If they try to supplant Christ as the object of admiration, then they are anti-Christ and a false prophet.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iF1_G_li2fli90pBi40kmxYpF7VzUQfu943bpnIvPa5qzX6Imnca1VVCa7AwqbPipK48yPXzvhGWJO_PPNR5zxZj8hhLt3bBXgmvWFOlNs8WsgEdESEUmE1ZDkcu9p5QsUJOoGoppwA/s1600/MinisteringToTheOne-GiftToSingleMotherInAfrica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="640" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iF1_G_li2fli90pBi40kmxYpF7VzUQfu943bpnIvPa5qzX6Imnca1VVCa7AwqbPipK48yPXzvhGWJO_PPNR5zxZj8hhLt3bBXgmvWFOlNs8WsgEdESEUmE1ZDkcu9p5QsUJOoGoppwA/s320/MinisteringToTheOne-GiftToSingleMotherInAfrica.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LDS Church President Nelson's recent visit to the humble family of a single mother in Africa, where he presented them with the gift of a photo of himself and his two new counselors. (from <a href="http://bit.ly/2I8MYLx" target="_blank">Mormon Newsroom video press release</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-55539196044055113122018-02-07T08:20:00.000-08:002018-02-07T08:38:28.366-08:00Common Consent: The Voice of the PeopleDespite <a href="http://bit.ly/2BfBAwB" target="_blank">my previous comments</a>, there are reasons that might suggest the response received by the "Lots team" was not necessarily given by the Lord. However, I don't believe the question is relevant here.<br />
<br />
In the <a href="http://bit.ly/2iWXSfs" target="_blank">Answer and Covenant</a>, for some reason (which might be worth pondering) the Lord made <i>no </i>stipulation about bringing anything to Him either for approval or before including it, only that "I require a statement of principles to be adopted by the mutual agreement of my people ... [and] when you have an agreed statement of principles I require it to also be added as a guide and standard for my people to follow." (p. 8) With the Lord's clarification of what He meant by the phrase "mutual agreement" (i.e., "As between one another, you choose to not dispute"), it seems very clear now how to proceed.<br />
<br />
But first, two quotes for context:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Even after a church was organized in 1830, and after a revelation designating Joseph Smith as the only one “appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church,” (D&C 28:2, received in Sept. 1830) <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>common consent was used to decide the will of the Lord</b>.</span> In a conference held November 11, 1831, Reynolds Cahoon wanted an answer: “the question which he wanted settled was whether it was the will of the Lord that he should go to Zion in the spring.” (JS Papers, Documents Vol. 2, p. 128, minutes of a special conference in Hiram, Ohio) <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>The issue was settled by common consent</b>:</span> “Voted that it is the mind of the conference that our br. Reynolds is not yet commanded to go to Zion in the spring by any thing yet written; Therefore, Voted that our br. Reynolds be not sent up to Zion in the coming spring.” Even the duties of a bishop were decided by common consent in the beginning of the restoration.<sup>1</sup> <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">The time has come again for common consent to hold sway in the lives of believers.</span> </b>Relying on others to exercise control more often than not invites abuse." [emphasis added] <i><a href="http://amzn.to/2lEcZcP" target="_blank">Preserving the Restoration</a>, pp. 259-260</i>
<br />
<br />
<sup>1</sup> <span style="font-size: x-small;">“…and the duty of the Bishop shall be made known by the commandments which have been given and by the voice of the conference.” (JS Papers, Documents Vol. 2, p. 150; D&C 72:7.) The Crooked Creek Branch of the church voted in a conference on July 7, 1840 to become a stake. They sent conference minutes to the Times and Seasons, which inspired Joseph and Hyrum Smith to publish a letter praising their decision and advising them, “it will be necessary to appoint a Bishop to transact business for said stake, which appointment will be left to the decision of said branch.” (Times and Seasons, Vol. 2, No. 2, November 15, 1840, p. 222.) Joseph was church president, Hyrum was in the church presidency and also patriarch to the church, but <span style="color: #b45f06;">choosing the bishop was left for the members’ vote.
</span></span></blockquote>
Also:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Conferences were held to resolve all questions, disputes, ordinations and <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">even mission calls.</span></b> (See, e.g., JS Papers, Documents Vol. 2, p. 128, minutes of a conference in Hiram, Ohio.) <b style="color: #b45f06;">Conferences using common consent allow those in fellowship with each other to prayerfully reason together and grow in unity.</b>" <i><a href="http://amzn.to/2lEcZcP" target="_blank">Preserving the Restoration</a>, pp. 515</i></blockquote>
All that may be required is the voice of the people ("common consent") for which draft of a "statement of principles" to use. And then, those who wind up not having voted for whichever <i>is </i>selected then "choose to not dispute." (And I'm not persuaded that the idea that no vote being needed after some draft is produced holds any water--how can a people agree to something before it has been composed?) Proceeding would thus be as simple as letting the people agree by their voice on one and then, going forward, the body refusing to choose to dispute that vote.<br />
<br />
Given the many disputes and arguments over what is deemed doctrinally correct, the quote which will soon appear at the head of the Teachings and Commandments volume seems timely:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I would rather submit to the decision of the group than insist that my view be followed. For me harmony between brethren is more important than getting what I think best to be followed. I believe harmony can lead to much greater things than can merely enforcement of even a correct view. I know how difficult it is to have a correct view, because of how often I have been corrected by the Lord. Sometimes I am humiliated by my foolishness when the Lord reproves me. Humiliation can lead to humility, but my experience is that the humiliation is accompanied by shame, whereas humility can proceed with a clear conscience. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"My experience with others leads me to conclude that if we can have one heart first, eventually we can likewise come to have one mind. But if we insist on having one mind at the outset, we may never obtain one heart together." — Denver Snuffer</blockquote>
It aligns well with what the Lord teaches in the <a href="http://bit.ly/2iWXSfs" target="_blank">Answer</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Be of one heart, and regard one another with charity. Measure your words before giving voice to them, and consider the hearts of others. Although a man may err in understanding concerning many things, yet he can view his brother with charity, and come unto me and through me he can with patience overcome the world.<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">I</span> </i></b>can bring him to understanding and knowledge. Therefore if you regard one another with charity then your brother’s error in understanding will not divide you. I lead to all truth. I will lead all who come to me to the truth of all things. The fullness is to receive the truth of all things, and this too from me, in power, by my word and in very deed. For I will come to you if you will come unto me." [emphasis added]</blockquote>
<div>
During His mortal life, our Lord could have refuted every incorrect teaching, misunderstanding, and form of unbelief, however He chose not to except on rare occasions as directed by the Father.<br />
<br />
As those who have entered into a solemn covenant with the Lord, may we hearken to His example and value harmony with one another above "being right," as we suppose.<br />
<br />
"And all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2BeuxEG" target="_blank">D&C 26:2</a>)<br />
<br /></div>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-33043704890109324342018-01-13T00:59:00.001-08:002018-01-13T18:33:11.818-08:00Messages, Witnesses, and Accountability<h2>
Messages and Witnesses</h2>
Isaiah posed the question: “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2D8eDwF" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:1</a>) It is always possible to dismiss God’s message. Truth inspires institutional opposition, rejection, and an army of opposing skeptics. That is the only way the test can be the same over and over again. Who is going to believe the report? Who is going to see the arm of the Lord? It is rarely those who occupy the seats of authority. (Nicodemus and Alma are the rare exceptions.) Christ will always be a threat to such and to their craft.<br />
<br />
As the author of <i><a href="http://amzn.to/2D9hLsj" target="_blank">Preserving the Restoration</a></i> made clear, the contents of the book seek to reteach and reestablish what the Lord brought forth through Joseph Smith. Since Joseph's death, that body of teachings has been altered, abandoned, amended, subtracted from, and added to by men claiming the ability (by mere right of being successor to the office once occupied by Joseph) to adjust what the Lord gave through Joseph <a href="http://bit.ly/2D4RGL5" target="_blank">despite the Lord's instruction to the contrary</a>. The book is an attempt to recover and preserve what truth and light of the Restoration came forth but which, out of neglect, continues to fade and would otherwise soon be lost <a href="http://bit.ly/2mmtgS8" target="_blank">as external forces continue to drive our LDS Church institution in a very predictable fashion.</a> It is an attempt to re-teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Joseph taught but which we no longer teach in the Church today. It is an invitation to come to Christ in the most literal way--a teaching once referred to by Joseph as "the Second Comforter." Despite this teaching still being enshrined throughout LDS scripture (perhaps most obviously in <a href="http://bit.ly/20W5jPi" target="_blank">D&C 93:1</a>, <a href="http://bit.ly/2D9pjv9" target="_blank">2 Nephi 32:6</a>, <a href="http://bit.ly/2DddIvi" target="_blank">D&C 132:22-23</a>, and <a href="http://bit.ly/2DcLCQI" target="_blank">D&C 130:3</a>) and in the LDS endowment ceremony, it has now in recent years been openly opposed by the LDS Church and taught to be a Satanic idea. (or its teaching being "a familiar tactic of the adversary" as Elder Oaks referred to Nephi and Joseph's teaching <a href="http://bit.ly/1VWpX0F" target="_blank">in a June 2015 talk</a>) The message of the book does not invite the reader to leave or to join any church or institution.<br />
<br />
The author of the book states that its contents constitute a message he was personally directed by the Lord Jesus Christ to speak and give:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As a public act of remembrance I spent a year beginning September 10, 2013, giving a series of ten lectures reiterating the foundation of the faith. These lectures ended 365 days later on September 9, 2014. At the conclusion of 40 years of faithful membership in the LDS Church, I was sent by the Lord to preach the restoration so others would also remember. The yearlong ministry was the Lord’s idea. He chose the locations, and the subjects and instructed me in what to discuss. (<i><a href="http://amzn.to/2D9hLsj" target="_blank">Preserving the Restoration</a></i>, p. vi)</blockquote>
When the Lord sends a message, He makes no distinction between Himself speaking and someone He sends to deliver a specific message. The effect and the accountability are the same. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2D8tibn" target="_blank">D&C 1:38</a>) The challenge, therefore, is to determine when He sends a “servant” rather than accepting a message from someone using His name in vain. You and I individually have that responsibility.<br />
<br />
I have myself carefully read and studied this message in its entirety several times. I can find no fault in it. Instead, I have perceived more light and truth than I have found anywhere outside of scripture. I <a href="http://bit.ly/2nLEFfl" target="_blank">have already shared the witness I received</a> of the message contained in it as plainly as I can. I have also stated that I believe this is in fulfillment of the Lord's words in <a href="http://bit.ly/2D7Hv8D" target="_blank">3 Nephi 21:11</a>--that these are the words of the Lord He has caused "a man" to bring forth to the Gentiles (whom the Lord <a href="http://bit.ly/2Ddkkd0" target="_blank">identifies as us LDSs</a>). If true, Christ has stated there is a penalty for those who will not believe His words: "they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant." This ought to be a sobering possibility, inviting careful consideration from any believer in Christ and not perfunctory dismissal.<br />
<br />
But the Lord Himself does personally commission and send additional witnesses. The below are the two additional witnesses included in the book, one at the beginning and one at the end, both of whom have since been excommunicated from the LDS Church for the act of having given these witnesses.<br />
<br />
After these two, I have also included the preface to the book itself, which has been shared publicly before.<br />
<h2>
The Witness of Louis Naegle</h2>
At the time of this writing I am a member in good standing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, entirely a direct descendant of “proud Nauvoo” and pioneer ancestors. To my knowledge, every one of my direct predecessors were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while Brigham Young was president, and most were members before that time. My forefathers include John Conrad Naegle, Levi Savage, Joseph Leland Heywood, John D. Lee, Thomas Ross, Levi Bracken, James McFate, Joseph Cadwallader Davis, George Zimmerman, John Harvey, George Prince, James Jackson, Joseph Woolsey, James Bell, Owen Williams, John Davies, and James Crawford. All of my great-great-grandparents were church members.<br />
<br />
As far as bloodline heritage is concerned, I think it would be impossible to be more “Mormon” than am I. I say this not to boast but as part of a solemn testimony and declaration:<br />
<br />
I am not a dissenter trying to “destroy the kingdom.” I am instead a descendant of those who built “the kingdom” and I am attempting to make the pathway straight and the record clear. I believe this is in the best tradition of the pioneers who were trying to live a true religion. I reject the notion that I am apostate. I know I will answer to my forefathers and to my Father for the testimony I give, and therefore I want most of all to be true to the faith once held by my fathers.<br />
<br />
Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of the current church management and culture will understand what publishing this testimony will mean to me and my family. I anticipate retaliation from the church, and although it saddens me, I am resigned to facing those consequences. I do not claim to be righteous, but I am a witness.<br />
<br />
I testify that the Lord has set His hand a second time to restore the truth through His servant before the great and dreadful day that fast approaches. I have known Denver Snuffer since 2007. I have attended every public talk he has given since that time, including <a href="http://bit.ly/2mMXMr5">all ten lectures of the Forty Years in Mormonism series</a>. I have read what he has written. I am a witness that events he now shares in public concerning his interactions with his stake presidents and church leaders were shared with me by Denver at the time they were happening and while he was in good standing with the church. He valued his church membership greatly and the events he now shares publicly have not been fabricated or reconstructed after the fact to support an agenda of his own design.<br />
<br />
I know God the Father and Jesus Christ live. I have seen them. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I have been in his presence also. I believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. I have had my eyes opened and my life changed through its message. I also know from my own sense of reason, from the testimony of the Holy Ghost, and from God declaring it to me by His own Voice that Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. is an honest messenger, sent by Him, and telling the truth.<br />
<br />
Please do not ignore what is written in this book. Please do not take this warning lightly. I implore all who read this testimony to repent and return to Jesus Christ, the God of Israel and savior of the world. Receive the words of a true prophet, but follow no man! Do not allow any man or group to come between you and your Savior. To the extent you do so, you are laboring in idolatry and you will damn yourself and any who follow you in doing likewise. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2DbjZYp">D&C 76:100</a>)<br />
<br />
Jesus Christ alone is the Holy One. He employs no servant at that gate through which we all must pass. The fullness of the gentiles is now fulfilled except for our impending destruction. Who cannot see that all is not well in so-called “Zion.” Only a few repentant gentiles will be gathered. Only the penitent of the House of Israel will establish the New Jerusalem. Will you be among them?<br />
<br />
Save what was given through the Prophet and Seer Joseph Smith. What is offered in this book contains the most light and truth that has been presented in writing in almost 2,000 years. <br />
<br />
Denver has openly testified that Jesus Christ has ministered to him. I testify this is true, and that he has been called as a servant to declare the heavens are open again for all to freely partake of the Heavenly Gift.<br />
<br />
If you will consider the message of this book from a servant sent to deliver it, with a sincere heart and real intent, you will also know that what is presented is true and faithful. If you will not consider it, but instead harden your heart, you will be damned. God is working to save us, and this book is part of God’s kindness in forewarning us about our present state. Even if you find it hard to believe, it is important for us to see and understand our circumstances.<br />
<br />
I leave this testimony with you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
Louis Naegle<br />
August 29, 2015<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Witness of Keith Henderson</h2>
At the conclusion of the ten lectures in Phoenix, Arizona area I bore my testimony concerning them. Fifty-two years earlier I had come on a mission to that same area for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Now, almost a year later, I lift up my voice before all mankind who read this book, to again bear testimony. My growth in the intervening 53 years since my mission has been great, but my testimony still remains very simple. <br />
<br />
My name is Keith Henderson. At the time I first testified in 2014, I was still an active member in good standing with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and with the Lord Jesus Christ. The church has since excommunicated me from their community for what they claim to be “apostasy.” I had committed no sin warranting this drastic measure. They have, however, viewed my testimony of these things as an egregious and flaunting act of insubordination to the authority of the church and its leaders. For that they have thrown me out. This time I bear testimony as a member of Christ’s Church as defined in <a href="http://bit.ly/2D6mKdk">D&C 10:67</a> in good standing with Christ and the Father.<br />
<br />
I am grateful for this opportunity that I have received to lift up my voice and reaffirm my witness and testimony before the Most High God, before His holy angels, and before all of you who would be witnesses with me that: this book, loosely based on those ten lectures, written by our friend and God’s servant, is a message given from God to all men and women everywhere, who will hear or read. <br />
<br />
I so witness that I know that it is God’s message and not a man’s. <br />
<br />
I had attended every portion of those ten lectures. I have listened time after time to the recordings, and I have read every transcript. I have now also read the manuscript of this volume before it was published, with its expanded material, including the chapters on King Benjamin and the Sunstone talk (<a href="http://bit.ly/2mmtgS8">Cutting Down the Tree of Life to Build a Wooden Bridge</a>), which I attended when it was originally given in 2014. <br />
<br />
And now I bear solemn testimony that I have received a message by God’s own voice of their truthfulness, and also of His desire for us to believe in, and act upon these things that have been spoken and written.<br />
<br />
I stand as another witness with Denver, conforming to the law of witnesses, that theses things are true. I expect to be held accountable for this in the days and eternity to come, before Christ and my Father, and to all men.<br />
<br />
I bear this testimony humbly and solemnly, and in the power of the most Holy Priesthood. <br />
<br />
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.<br />
<br />
Keith Henderson,<br />
Clinton, Utah<br />
<br />
<h2>
Preface to <i><a href="http://amzn.to/2D9hLsj" target="_blank">Preserving the Restoration</a></i></h2>
<div>
<div style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">In 1832 the Lord posed this question: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed
upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is
given him, neither in him who is the giver of the gift.” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2mrDrFN" target="_blank">D&C 88:33</a>) From the moment Joseph Smith died those who
believed he was a prophet began to lose memory of what God revealed through
him. The pace of forgetting has accelerated. </span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">The obligation to
respect Joseph’s revelations is clear from the Lord’s instruction, “no one
shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church
excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2mu1h3R" target="_blank">D&C 28:2</a>) <i>[<span style="font-size: x-small;">The revelation allows for the possibility for someone else to be later appointed “in his stead.” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2mswRyE" target="_blank">28:7</a>) It would be through Joseph, however, the power was given “to appoint another in his stead.” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2mr9TrX" target="_blank">D&C 43:4</a>) That appointment came in January 1841 when Hyrum Smith was appointed. (<a href="http://bit.ly/2moKrmK" target="_blank">D&C 124:91-96</a>) Hyrum, however, was slain moments before Joseph, and therefore no one else has been appointed to amend, supplement, disregard, alter or reject commandments and revelations given through Joseph Smith.]</span></i> When Joseph was slain the
church wanted a replacement. When no one with his gifts was available, an
imitation served.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">On August 8, 1844 the quorum
of the twelve were voted to lead. By December 1847 Brigham Young no longer
wanted to share power with eleven others. Against Wilford Woodruff’s
recommendation and the active opposition of John Taylor and Parley Pratt, Young
successfully won a vote at Winter Quarters making him the second president of
the church. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>[Technically he was the third, but no one counts Hyrum Smith despite his actual appointment and service.]</i></span> From Young until
David O. McKay in the 1950’s, when the word-title “the Prophet” was used it
still meant only Joseph Smith. But rhetoric matters, and the word-title began
to be used to first secure acquiescence, then to compel compliance by LDS
Church leaders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">The church’s presidents
claim that they too could communicate “commandments and revelations… even as
Moses” began the process of accelerating our forgetfulness <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Forgetting includes re-interpreting the language by divorcing it from context, supplying new meaning not originally intended, and improperly using Joseph to vindicate later improper innovations.]</span></i> of Joseph’s words. He became less important as
successors claimed equality. Who cannot see the logic in preferring a “living”
prophet to a deceased one? Ignoring Joseph means forgetting. By forgetting we
have refused the gift God offered. Our first obligation now is to remember.
Until we remember what was given before, there is no reason for God to give
more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">The primary repository
of Joseph Smith’s work has been The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. There are others, of course, who retained valuable parts of Joseph’s
work. Emma Smith kept the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, something
Joseph explained was necessary for the church to have or it “would yet fall.” (<i>JS Papers, Documents Vol. 2: July 1831-January 1833</i>, p. 85, footnote 76) The translation became the
property of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was
not until the 1980 edition of the LDS Bible that the Joseph Smith Translation
was first used by the LDS Church, and then only partly added in footnotes and
an appendix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">As soon as Joseph Smith
died, a spirited competition developed to control the documents and access to
information. One writer described it: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN">The official <span class="00Text">History of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>[Generally referred to as the “</i>Documentary History of the Church<i>” or the “DHC.”]</i></span> </span>was published in book form under the direction of
the First Presidency in 1902. The introductory assurance that “no historical or
doctrinal statement has been changed” is demonstrably wrong. Overshadowed by
editorial censorship, hundreds of deletions, additions, and alterations, these
seven volumes are not always reliable. …The nineteenth-century propaganda mill
was so adroit that few outside Brigham Young’s inner circle were aware of the
behind-the-scenes alterations so seamlessly stitched into church history.
Charles Wesley Wandell, an assistant church historian, was aghast at these
emendations. Commenting on the many changes made in the historical work as it
was being serialized in the <span class="00Text">Deseret News</span>, Wandell
noted in his diary: “I notice the interpolations because having been employed
in the Historian’s office at Navuoo by Doctor Richards, and employed, too, in
1845, in compiling this very autobiography, I know that after Joseph’s death
his memoir was ‘doctored’ to suit the new order of things, and this, too, by
the direct order of Brigham Young to Doctor Richards and systematically by
Richards.” The Quorum of the Twelve, under Brigham Young’s leadership, began
altering the historical record shortly after Smith’s death. Contrary to the
introduction’s claim, Smith did not author the <span class="00Text">History of
the Church</span>. At the time of his 1844 death, the narrative had been
written up to 5 August 1838. (Richard S. Van Wagoner, <i>Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess</i>, Signature Books (Salt Lake City, 1994), p. 322.)</span></blockquote>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Today our challenge is
two-fold: First, finding the truth through the deliberate efforts to conceal
and modify the record. Second, once found, whether we will accept in gratitude
what God offered by repenting and returning to His path. We fail these tests
when we ignore, oppose, dismiss, reject and allow our fear to control us. As
Christ said the day of His resurrection: “O fools and slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken.” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2mrcIJw" target="_blank">Luke 24:25</a>) Nothing has changed. Our challenge is identical to that faced by all believers
since Adam. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>[Satan’s original and continuing urging remains the same: “Believe it not.” (<a href="http://bit.ly/2msJqdv" target="_blank">Moses 5:13</a>)]</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">As a public act of
remembrance I spent a year beginning September 10, 2013, giving a series of ten
lectures reiterating the foundation of the faith. These lectures ended 365 days
later on September 9, 2014. At the conclusion of 40 years of faithful
membership in the LDS Church, I was sent by the Lord</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> to preach the restoration so others would also
remember. </span><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[The yearlong ministry was the Lord’s idea. He chose the locations, and the subjects and instructed me in what to discuss.]</span></i></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">This book was written to
compile a reference work on the restoration. But this is not merely a
restatement of the lectures. The lectures were given entirely within the Mormon
corridor, and addressed only to the people there. This is written for a
different audience outside the Mormon corridor. It is a reference work on the
foundation God provided through Joseph Smith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">This book is not a
repetition of the lectures. It has been expanded to include more about the
various topics. Where appropriate the order of the discussion has been changed.
Subject matter has been consolidated and some of the material has been moved
into the more appropriate chapter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Between the 4</span><span class="08Text"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 7.5pt;">th</span></span><span lang="EN"> lecture in Orem, Utah (Priesthood) and the 5</span><span class="08Text"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 7.5pt;">th</span></span><span lang="EN"> in Grand
Junction, Colorado (Zion) I wrote a series of blog posts about King Benjamin’s
sermon. Those posts have been used to develop a chapter in this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Finally, a paper
delivered at the 2014 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium after the lecture in St.
George, Utah (Marriage) has also been updated and added. With the addition of
the King Benjamin and Sunstone materials, there are 12 chapters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">The restoration is not
the property of an institution. Although dozens of churches claim the role of
succeeding to Joseph Smith’s ‘true and living’ church, the restoration belongs
to us all. Whether you belong to some denomination claiming Joseph as a
founder, or you are a traditional Christian, the things restored through Joseph
Smith came from God as a gift to all. Because of this, we all have the
responsibility to remember and respect the inspired work of Joseph Smith.</span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">The restoration is God’s
call to action and offer to renew His direct contact with mankind. The response
during Joseph’s day was less than adequate. The restoration was founded on
revelation, but when Joseph and Hyrum were martyred no one suggested revelation
could solve the succession crisis. Instead the crowd in Nauvoo voted, the
quorum of the twelve received the majority of the votes, and the most
successful version of the restoration, LDS Mormonism, has perpetuated itself by voting to install
leadership continuously ever since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">The leadership of LDS
Mormonism has increasingly ignored and replaced the commandments and
revelations given through Joseph. Today, members fall in line as church leaders
provide their commandments and direction. The result is an increasingly altered
form, varying greatly from the original. Gordon B. Hinckley institutionalized a
public relations based management style for LDS Mormonism. The opinion polling
and focus group testing for decisions and campaigns have increasingly taken
hold until now, LDS Mormonism is changing at a stunning pace, reflecting
shifting public opinions. The LDS Mormon tradition now repudiates its history,
curtails its curriculum, and discards essential elements of its earlier belief
system to be more popular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">If there is any chance
of remembering the restoration, it is now. Until the restoration is remembered,
there can be no completion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">This work is more than a
tribute to the Mormon faith. It is an effort to restate the religion and
recover its original potential. Mormonism has become imperiled by alteration,
forgetfulness, and neglect. It was never intended to be just another Christian
denomination. It is destined to reunite all truth into one great whole. Truth
is Mormonism, wherever located and in whatever form presently practiced. All
truth belongs to the Mormon religion. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>[“One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.” (</i>Discourses of Joseph Smith<i>, p. 199, Kindle Book, (Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2009).) “[W]e believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, with that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds[.]” (</i>Times and Seasons<i>, February 1840, (Vol. 1, No. 4) Copy of a Letter from J. Smith jr. to Mr. Galland.)]</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Mormonism requires study
and contemplation. Social change, educational disintegration, and the lack of
critical thinking have made modern Mormonism a shallow relic unworthy of the
original. Society has surrendered to the “sound-bite mentality” in which quick
and quotable phrases substitute for required deep understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">I was converted to the
Mormon faith through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For forty
years I belonged to that church and served in it faithfully. The day I drove to
Boise, Idaho to give the first lecture in the <span class="00Text">Forty Years in
Mormonism</span> series, I learned I was excommunicated. My stake president
called as my wife and I were driving to Boise and we heard the sad news
together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">I am grateful to the LDS
Church for introducing me to Joseph Smith and Mormonism. It remains my
religion, though now I practice it independent of institutional control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Many churches claim
Joseph Smith as their founder. However, none adequately practice the original
faith. This book is written to persuade all to believe in the restoration. I
hope to remind all who already believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and
accept the <span class="00Text">Book of Mormon</span> as scripture, of the
original greatness of this revolutionary religion. Mormonism should once again
become revolutionary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">It is time for the
Mormon faith to begin a new phase. One in which all are equal before God, and
believers are free once again to worship Him according to the dictates of their
own conscience. Priesthood should serve, and not rule over any man. “No power
or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood.” In the
LDS version of Mormonism, that limitation has been reversed. LDS Mormonism
today has been reduced to nothing other than “priesthood” dominion and control through the “correlation”
process. It is unscriptural. Indeed anti-scriptural.<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> [I put the word “priesthood” in quotes because it is the LDS Church’s claim, and therefore I use their word. However, as this book will clarify, their claim is not the reality.]</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Mormonism can only try
and gently persuade you to believe its precepts. This book will attempt to
persuade you to believe once again in a dynamic, truth-filled, confident and
powerful religion. Mormonism should free your soul, and reunite you with heaven
itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">There are many quotes
from historical sources in this book. When quoted they are left as in the
original, leaving cross-outs, misspellings and peculiar capitalizations as they
appear in the sources used. There are a dozen blank pages provided at the end
for a word index. Readers can compile their own list, based on what they would
like to locate for later reference while reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">I have not included the
full text of the scriptures referenced in this book. This is because LDS
Mormonism has deemphasized the scriptures in their curriculum. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>[See, Peggy Fletcher Stack, "New Mormon Curriculum Divides Scholars", </i>Salt Lake Tribune<i>, October 28, 2014.]</i></span> Readers are invited to use their scriptures to
check references. Hopefully it will inspire you to review all of the verses
cited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para01" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span lang="EN">Mormonism must live
again. It belongs to all of us. We should all believe in the <span class="00Text">Book of Mormon</span>, Joseph Smith’s status as a prophet sent by
God, and be willing to approach God directly. In the final analysis, the entire
restoration is nothing more than a modern affirmation of the New Testament
promise found in <a href="http://bit.ly/2D7TOSj" target="_blank">James 1:5</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para05">
<span lang="EN">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Para24">
<span lang="EN">September 10, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Para24">
<span lang="EN">Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-54068664918620776162017-11-25T13:39:00.001-08:002017-11-26T09:32:13.879-08:00EnoughI am grateful for <a href="http://guideandstandard.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-guide-and-standard-chosen-by-lots_22.html" target="_blank">what transpired Wednesday</a>.<br />
<br />
A passage from the original "Governing Principles" draft comes to mind when contemplating the Lord's acknowledgement given on Wednesday:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"If led by the Spirit, one may be led to share an experience, but it should not be used as a trump card to compel agreement; rather, inspiration by way of dream, vision, messenger, or His Spirit should be shared and judged by what is found in scripture, that we may remember not only to say, but also to do what was given us by God. Persuasion rather than domination is necessary to bring harmony between us [D&C 47]."</blockquote>
<br />
Although some may not have felt comfortable adopting this portion of the original draft statement, it may nonetheless be true. And it may be that pointing to the answer the Lord gave to this group and using it to compel others to get in line is less than helpful. It may even prove counterproductive to repairing the damage we have inflicted on one another and to bringing about unity of heart. Perhaps it could instead be enough to encourage and allow each person to carefully and prayerfully ponder the situation. Concerns others have wrestled with may not always be what is portrayed "for the sake of argument."<br />
<br />
For example, it is possible a person might struggle with what has most recently been composed not because she or he reject any of the words of the Lord included in it but because of words the Lord specifically gave for inclusion in the statement which have instead been rejected as unsuitable. Should this inability to accept those words also be considered as "rejecting Him"?<br />
<br />
Another way to put it: could it be somewhat hypocritical when we triumphantly celebrate the words of confirmation given by the Lord to this group of seven through a once-obscure woman while simultaneously refusing to celebrate or even acknowledge the words given by the voice of the Lord (not mere impressions) precisely for inclusion in the first GP document? (one of which quotes turns out, in fact, to have been given through the channel of David, the other of which was given through an obscure-at-the-time man)<br />
<br />
Anything obtained by the voice of the Lord should be celebrated.<br />
<br />
I am personally grateful for the careful, thoughtful work of those elected by lot to work on composing a document, who willingly labored under the set of constraints the majority of the body of believers were able to agree on. They have been dilligent and faithful to the comission given them.<br />
<br />
I am also grateful that despite the initial ambiguity, in the end, the agreed list of rules did not limit this group to using only words from the <a href="http://denversnuffer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Answer-Covenant-1.pdf" target="_blank">Answer and Covenant</a> (A&C) itself. There was much more that needed to be included in order for it to be "kind" and for us to be "charitible".<br />
<br />
I believe that lots are and were a perfectly acceptable way to allow the Lord to manifest His will in a selection.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful that, despite our collective procedural miss where we ought to have asked in advance whether David would be willing to take the draft product of this group to the Lord (prior to any vote of the body), the group of seven/eight instead humbly approached the Lord themselves in faith (and with the united faith of many others, myself included), not attempting to rely on David.<br />
<br />
And I am personally persuaded that the Lord has, in fact, acknowledged (in words given through a "mere" woman, as well as witnesses of others) that the results of the work of this group of eight are "enough".<br />
<br />
I believe it is evidence of His patience with us and His mercy that He is willing to accept this offering despite our collective inability to unite on a statement without first excluding pearls He initially gave us, we preferring instead to limit ourselves only to what had been given in the past and not being willing to accept anything more that hadn't already been overtly and demonstrably given by the Lord through His servant, David.<br />
<br />
If it is enough for the Lord even with this deficiency, it is enough for me. The Lord is clearly more interested in our unity of heart at this point--that we become precious to one another.<br />
<br />
Having said this, I do not believe that this in any way suggests that the first effort was not similarly "enough", since the Lord already clearly stated in the A&C that this should-have-been-small effort could have been complete (by virtue of being accepted) long before any covenant was offered. The words suggested it was the condition of our hearts that was at fault.<br />
<br />
Either way, in the end, whatever is put forward must still be adopted by the voice of the people. It may yet remain more a matter of our hearts than of document revisions, although the words certainly matter. And will we continue to hold to "super-unanimity" as the meaning of the Lord's requirement for agreement?<br />
<br />
I pray we can move on from this "small thing." But at the same time, I wonder how this precedent (should it to now be adopted) will affect us--our inability to receive the Lord's word he may choose to <a href="http://bit.ly/2i4wBYA" target="_blank">impart by any other men, women, or children</a> than His servant, David. How important a principle does the Lord consider that for the establishment of Zion?Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-7758046840197134742017-11-02T17:58:00.000-07:002017-11-06T16:31:06.264-08:00Unrecognized GiftsFrom <a href="http://bit.ly/2ioXaE4" target="_blank">Standing Aside</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It was easy for Joseph to make himself indispensable. It was tempting to do so. But he and the saints would have been better off had he refused to shoulder responsibilities that belonged to others. There are incidents along the way that can be identified as moments when Joseph could have seen a pattern emerging. One example was in November 1831 when a conference was convened to approve publication of the Book of Commandments. The book would need a preface. A committee was assigned to draft the preface.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
'[William] McLellin said that he, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery had been given the assignment to write the preface to the Book of Commandments, but when they presented their draft to the conference, the ‘Conference picked it all to pieces’ and requested that J[oseph] S[mith] petition the Lord for a preface. After J[oseph] S[mith] and the elders bowed in prayer, JS, who was ‘sitting by a window,’ dictated the preface ‘by the Spirit,’ while Rigdon served as scribe.”(Joseph Smith Papers, Documents Vol. 2: July 1831-January 1833, p. 104.) He then dictated what has become D&C Section 1. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What if Joseph had refused? What if he told them God had a revelation, but the committee should receive it? What if Joseph insisted others perform their duties, rather than relieving them of their responsibility? Had he declined in November 1831, would the talk given in May 1842 have been necessary?<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>... Joseph handicapped the saints by taking too much of their responsibility on himself. The saints refused to let him alone and required him to be their answer-man. The best thing Joseph could have done would have been to keep riding when he crossed the Mississippi River with Hyrum. He should have headed to the Rocky Mountains. He didn’t. The saints continued to depend on him. When he died, they were unable to call down a revelation for themselves. No one proposed to solve succession by revelation.</blockquote>
<br />
So here, the assignment <b>had </b>been given to a committee--legitimately. And the saints "picked [their result] all to pieces." We apparently don't have that draft any more.<br />
<br />
Suppose for a moment, however, that they had, in their labors, sought revelation from heaven, and suppose in response to their earnest labors, Heaven had then given one or more revelations. (i.e., quotable words from the Lord) Would the saints have valued those words? Would they have even recognized and believed them as having come from the Lord? (They were clearly very critical of whatever <i>was</i> produced, even though Oliver had actually received revelation from the Lord for His church before.) Or, would the saints have even <i>asked</i> the Lord in the first place if they were His words before assuming they had been faked? Might they have set it aside because some were unable to perceive their origin? Or because some believed them not of God? Then perhaps reverting to only being willing to consider words already given through Joseph, because they couldn't agree that a purported revelation was from heaven or that it included the literal words of the Lord?<br />
<br />
Well, whatever the case in this situation, we know that they ultimately demanded a replacement through Joseph, and he obliged.<br />
<br />
<b>A Bible, A Bible</b><br />
<br />
But what if Joseph had instead refused to produce it, would they have reverted to limiting themselves to only previously accepted words of the Lord, not anything newly received through the labors of another, because no one could agree that the Lord had spoken or could speak through another? (<a href="http://bit.ly/2iWECyG" target="_blank">LE Alma 32:23</a>) Is this something we Gentiles have ever been prone to do? (<a href="http://bit.ly/2iWr7PR" target="_blank">LE 2 Nephi 29:3</a>)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Public Review & Comment</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It's also an interesting thought exercise to consider what might have happened had the situation been different for a separate committee tasked with authoring a document for inclusion in the scriptures. A document which repentant Gentiles now universally accept as scripture. What if the initial draft version of the "Doctrine" half of the D&C (i.e., "the Lectures on Faith") produced by the committee of Sydney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Frederick Williams had been made available to the saints for six months prior to adoption by vote in 1835? Would the saints have balked at its wordiness? Or questioned the new ideas included which didn't seem to be apparent in their reading of existing scripture? Or which were not readily ascribable to Joseph? Or would they have deemed it inadmissible as scripture when they asked and found out Joseph wasn't the sole author of it even though he was fully involved? (LDS scholars almost universally now agree Sydney was the main author and used this excuse to partially justify the LDS Church's removal of it from their scriptures without any vote of the Church) Or might others have come forward claiming they instead had been given the assignment by God and therefore the appointed committee should yield to them? Or required that it should all be summarized to a single page? Or only four pages?<br />
<br />
All hypothetical, of course, since it was never put forward for review by all the saints in advance of the vote.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Labor to Obtain</b><br />
<br />
From <a href="http://bit.ly/2ip5jbB" target="_blank">What's Wrong</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As I reflected further on this email and my response I thought of Oliver Cowdery’s effort to translate the Book of Mormon. The Holy Ghost does not relieve us of great effort, but instead equips us to obtain truth as the yield from our effort. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Joseph Smith proved the pattern true. He investigated all the religions. He attended their meetings, spoke with the ministers, and paid attention to their claims. He could not determine the truth. Then he “labored” over the scriptures. “At length” he finally decided to do as James asks and prayed. His prayer was answered because he did the preliminary work, the required study, and put in the necessary labor. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For three decades I studied and taught the scriptures. Each week between 10 and 40 hours were invested as I prepared to teach a 50 minute class. I labored, the scriptures yielded to study, and I learned more and more about God. The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead found in Section 138 was likewise obtained by study and prayer.<br />
The scriptures are a Urim and Thummim designed to provoke revelation. You cannot divorce the process of getting revelation from necessary scripture study. God made no such thing known to Laman, Lemuel or us when we do not search the scriptures and invest our heart and mind in learning His ways.</blockquote>
<br />
It is apparent that significant labor should be expected to be involved before the Lord might grant His words by revelation. How much labor might be expected? A few hours of discussion in a committee meeting? A few hours of individual preparation? Perhaps a fast, too? Or what if it really did require days, weeks, months, or even years of careful study, review, and re-review of what the Lord had given them, both very recently through Joseph and over the millennia via scripture? Can someone seeking the Lord's guidance demonstrate the sincerity of their seeking and asking in any other way? Can a small group assembled, even if by lot, expect to obtain a revelation without having first labored?<br />
<br />
<b>Learning from or Repeating Earlier Mistakes in Our Day</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
And how could these principles be any different in our day, were this same sort of situation to repeat? What if such a committee were to be formed and similarly tasked (even if just initially one person) and then that committee were to proceed prayerfully, earnestly, and with great labor over long days, weeks, and months, carefully reviewing all that the Lord has recently given, in particular, not missing direction given that is <b>specific to this new dispensing of truth but not otherwise in our scriptures or the Lord's recent revelation?</b> What if the not-insignificant labors of such a committee were to then actually be deemed by heaven worthy of granting some further light and knowledge through the Lord's words? And what if that committee were to then faithfully complete the assignment, both correctly transmitting the key direction from the Lord for this new dispensation previously given, while also valuing the additional revelation just given as a result of those labors? Would the rest of the saints today (the body or assembly) recognize the results? Would they be able to recognize the word of the Lord newly given by heaven in recognition of those labors? Or might they be prone to repeat the same "pick[ing] all to pieces" that the saints did in Joseph's day? Not recognizing His voice? Would they even find it within themselves to ask Heaven if the proposed draft were pleasing to the Lord? Or ask if the words claimed from the Lord were actually His?<br />
<br />
<b>Treasuring the Lord's Words</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Over the past almost two years, those who have had "desires to serve" were called to the work of recovering the Lord's words as precisely and accurately as possible in the JST Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the original, unaltered revelations given through Joseph, attempting to undo the neglect and damage of the LDS Church over the last 173 years. This "scriptures committee" has demonstrated to the Lord their great love for His words and their determination to treasure them up by recovering them and not abandoning them. And He has deemed the results of that labor to be pleasing to Him.<br />
<br />
So again, what if such a modern committee tasked with writing a replacement for D&C 20 were to actually succeed in obtaining the word of the Lord? How would we value those words given to the committee? Would we treasure them in the same way the "scriptures committee" has valued what they have worked with?<br />
<br />
What if, instead, we were to deem those words given as unacceptable, require rewrites, and then also to determine those words given by the Lord were inadmissible for inclusion into those re-write attempts? What would that demonstrate about how we value a gift from the Lord obtained only through our labors? Would it be reasonable to expect that, in the economy of heaven, the Lord would reveal His same words a second time? Would setting it aside and deeming it unworthy of our careful preservation and heed say anything about our hearts? Or about what we treasure? Why would we treasure one set of gifts from the Lord (the RE scriptures) and deem another (what was initially given the committee of one from the Lord) to be dross?<br />
<br />
Similarly, if the body were to make a seventh attempt to fulfill the original assignment, having once again "pick[ed] to pieces" the previous five progressively more creative re-write attempts, why would one start with the assumption that nothing but the actual words of the Lord to His people from the only direct revelation to His people given since Joseph be permitted as part of that statement? (i.e., from the "<a href="http://bit.ly/2iWXSfs" target="_blank">Answer</a>") Why not any of the other critical light and truth unique to and specific to this new dispensation given through, for example, a year-long series of talks, whose content was directly given by the Lord and which content would be critical to make available to new-comers, which would be available in no straightforward way otherwise? If this one new revelation (the "<a href="http://bit.ly/2iWXSfs" target="_blank">Answer</a>") is that paramount and singular in summarizing everything given before (which it does not), why not simply refer believers to read it rather than trying to summarize it and exclude other key direction given by Heaven? And why would the Lord require a "guide" to be agreed to and added?<br />
<br />
<b>The Document or the Hearts?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
But setting aside the question of whether we could be throwing away a gift from the Giver of gifts in our zeal for re-writing:<br />
<br />
In the "<a href="http://bit.ly/2iWXSfs" target="_blank">Answer</a>", why would the Lord indicate that the assignment given could have been accomplished long before the covenant was offered if it required the work to be done only after the covenant was accepted? Why would He avoid discussing the correctness or error of the contents of the one draft voted and overwhelmingly accepted by His people but rather focus numerous times on our hearts not being right? Would it suggest that yet another (a sixth at the time) attempt to draft something was required? Or could His intent and concern been more on our hearts being softened toward His words already given and toward one another? What if the initial attempt were to have been acceptable to Him all along and it was merely our own proud hearts that needed changing? To learn something? What if the exercise were not to successively produce seven or more drafts in various old and new ways but rather to become as He is, slow to anger, unwilling to falsely accuse, patient to understand, willing to assume the best in others, kind in words, and kind in disagreement, rather than our LDS cultural training in the barely-veiled unkindness of passive aggression?<br />
<br />
If that were the case, how successful could we expect yet another committee--selected this time by lot--to be in writing yet another document? Without a change of heart, are we any more likely to universally and unanimously be willing to accept whatever is produced? Without it, is there any less likelihood that some will protest wording or ideas they find unacceptable, even if received through a servant only willing to proclaim precisely what the Lord has directed, when effectively the same document re-authoring process has already been traversed five times? (i.e., open invitation to all to participate and help, prayerful, thoughtful work by those "who have [had] desires" and were therefore called to the work, and never having been limited to starting with a previous draft)<br />
<br />
<b>Portions Given</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
And if we continue to exclude the possibility of using words that may have already been given by the Lord in the first draft, are we demonstrating any better our willingness to both accept additional gifts from the Lord and value them? Will this be necessary for future citizens of a New Jerusalem? (<a href="http://bit.ly/2A1SnQ9" target="_blank">Heb. 8:11</a>) Or should they expect the Lord to only ever speak to them words through a single person, leaving the body susceptible to the same single point of failure the saints happily adopted in Joseph Smith's day? How better could the Lord test our willingness and readiness to receive more from Him than by giving and then observing the response to the gift? (<a href="http://bit.ly/2iXNZ1l" target="_blank">LE Alma 12:10</a>)<br />
<br />
"For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in Him who is the Giver of the gift." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2iVke13" target="_blank">LE D&C 88:33</a>)Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-69895652235464823292017-06-28T11:13:00.000-07:002017-07-12T18:27:17.645-07:00As They Suppose <style>
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<pre>
Behold, there are many Called,
but few are Chosen.
And why are they not Chosen?
Because their hearts are set so much upon <b>the things of this world</b>,
and aspire to the honors of men,
That they do not learn this one lesson—
that the rights of the priesthood
are <b>inseparably</b> connected with the Powers of Heaven,
and that the Powers of Heaven <b>cannot</b> be controlled nor handled
<b>only</b> upon the principles of righteousness.
That they may be <b>conferred</b> upon us,
it is true;
but when we undertake
to cover our sins,
or to gratify our pride,
our vain [excessively prideful] ambition [desire for achievement],
or to exercise control
or dominion
or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men,
in <b>any</b> degree of unrighteousness,
Behold, the heavens withdraw themselves;
the Spirit of the Lord is grieved;
And when it is withdrawn,
Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.<a href="#box1" class="emph"><sup class="emph">1</sup></a>
Behold, ere he is aware,
he is left unto himself [disconnected from heaven],
to kick against the pricks,
to persecute the saints, <a href="#box2" class="emph"><sup class="emph">2</sup></a>
and to fight against God.
We have learned by sad experience
that it is the nature and disposition of <b>almost all men</b>,
as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose,
they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Hence many are Called,
but few are Chosen.
No power or influence <b>can</b> or <b>ought</b> to be maintained
by virtue [quality] of the priesthood,
Only:
by persuasion, <a href="#box3" class="emph"><sup class="emph">3</sup></a>
by long-suffering,
by gentleness and meekness [submission of our will to the Lord's],
and by love unfeigned;
By kindness,
and pure knowledge,
Which shall greatly enlarge the soul
without hypocrisy,
and without guile [cunning & deceitfulness]—
Reproving betimes [in short time] with sharpness [clarity],
when moved upon <b>by the Holy Ghost</b>;
and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love <a href="#box4" class="emph"><sup class="emph">4</sup></a>
toward him whom thou hast reproved,
lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
That he may know that thy faithfulness
is stronger than the cords of death.
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men,
and to the household of faith,
and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; <a href="#box5" class="emph"><sup class="emph">5</sup></a>
then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God;
and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul
as the dews from heaven.
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion,
and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth;
and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion,
and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee
forever and ever.
</pre>
<p class="sub"><a name="box1"></a><sup>1</sup> <b>What, then, causes someone</b> who has a little authority <span style="color:red;font-weight:bold;">"as they suppose" (they don't really have it, you see)</span>, to attempt to use that pretense to control and dominate others? The answer is contained in revelations already in print. <b>It is their pride, their insecurities, the need to control, to be praised and celebrated, the need to gratify their vain ambition.</b> These are character flaws. They cover up these flaws by claiming to have priestly authority from God</p>
<p class="sub"><a name="box2"></a><sup>2</sup> The caution in Section 121 about abuse is directed in whole at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among other things, it is warning the LDS Church not to persecute the Lord's Saints, and thereby fight against God. It has been traditionally interpreted by the LDS Church to the complete contrary. The LDS teaching turns the warning on its ear, and reads it to mean that you shouldn't fight against the LDS Church! The warning, however, is addressed to the Church and warning it to exercise caution, least they find themselves fighting against the Lord's Saints, and thereby in turn fighting against the Lord. <b>Read it carefully. It is not a caution to you or me, but a caution to the LDS Church itself.</b> It means that there may be Saints of God who are at times at odds with, or critical of the LDS Church. When that happens, the LDS Church is warned to refrain from persecuting them, or else they may find themselves fighting against God. It is an unnoticed warning because the traditional interpretation is used to give the LDS Church protection against criticism.</p>
<p class="sub"><a name="box3"></a><sup>3</sup> It is always best to "control" as little as possible and to interfere with development of separate ideas <b>as little as necessary</b>. This is true of government, and it is true of rearing children [after you have instructed them in the foundational truths], as well. It is also true of churches, civic organizations and any cooperative human endeavor. Cooperation through persuasion, meekness, kindness, pure knowledge and love unfeigned <b>works</b>, whenever it is tried.</p>
<p class="sub"><a name="box4"></a><sup>4</sup> Most of the stuff we concern ourselves with is meaningless and time wasting. What matters are the principles and ordinances of the Gospel; and more important still, the underlying charity or pure love of Christ. Everything is attempting to get you to love your fellow man. Not in the sappy sentimental way we associate with "loving" someone. <b>Because sometimes the most charitable thing you can do is rebuke someone</b>, as we see from Nephi. Sometimes a sharp word comes <b>from being moved upon by the Holy Ghost</b>. But in the end the person rebuked <b>should still feel they are loved</b> and the <b>reason for the rebuke was the concern held for them</b>.</p>
<p class="sub"><a name="box5"></a><sup>5</sup> We should guard our thoughts as we guard the lives of our children. Our thoughts hold the key to everything else.<br/><br />This is so important a matter that the Lord tied knowledge of priesthood itself to the thoughts we entertain in the privacy of our minds. Only when our thoughts are worthy are we able to bear the presence of God.<br /><br />You should let your thoughts be such that you will be confident in His presence.</p>
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Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-12916493605118156522017-04-05T17:33:00.000-07:002017-04-06T08:20:44.473-07:00Celebrating the Cursing of the LordIt is a terrible irony that one state of our union (the dominantly LDS one) has created <a href="http://bit.ly/2nFFNzn" target="_blank">a public holiday</a> that celebrates the "<a href="http://seekingfurther.blogspot.com/2017/04/did-lord-lie-to-saints-in-nauvoo.html" target="_blank">cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments</a>" that we brought upon our heads when driven out of Nauvoo. We adore, idolize, and extol those of our ancestors who failed to do as the Lord commanded and were thus rejected "as a Church" and lost the chance for Zion in their generation.<br />
<br />
But it is a whole other thing we have moved to when it has become commonplace for LDS youth to re-enact and celebrate that cursing by "feeling what it was like" to experience the wrath of God. It's called "pioneer trek" or just "trek." Our LDS Church even has <a href="http://bit.ly/2nFv73P" target="_blank">online guides</a> on how to accurately and "safely" recreate the experience of living through the indignation of God. There have even been those <a href="http://bit.ly/2o4ITk2" target="_blank">who have died</a> or <a href="http://bit.ly/2nFIr84" target="_blank">almost died</a> as part of recreating these intentionally strenuous "activities." It is not uncommon to see <a href="http://bit.ly/2nFI7WY" target="_blank">heat stroke or third-degree burns</a> with participants.<br />
<br />
If it seemed it couldn't go further, yesterday in our mail we received an advertising flyer from a prominent LDS Church-owned retail outlet that takes things to a new level: this cursing re-enactment has become so popular among LDSs, that there are now those who are fully engaged in profiting off our propensity for foolishness. Utterly remarkable.<br />
<br />
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In contrast to <a href="http://bit.ly/2nODPxB" target="_blank">our Gentile</a> folly, for the equivalent among the Jews, I can find no ancient or modern example where they have celebrated their failure at the time of Moses and their 40 years in the wilderness. I know of nowhere that they attempt to "recreate" that suffering or where they extol their ancestors for having experienced it. That 40 years of suffering is certainly remembered by the Jews, but it sobers them. And they do not use <a href="https://binged.it/2nODnPT" target="_blank">parades, fireworks</a>, <a href="http://www.daysof47.com/" target="_blank">concerts, or pageants</a> to recall it.</div>
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Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-36593123748416253482017-04-05T10:44:00.002-07:002017-04-05T12:50:00.587-07:00D&C 84: A Few Notes<div align="center">(also available <a href="http://bit.ly/2oDMXJ5" target="_blank">in PDF format</a>)</div>
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Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-4175356744217050432017-04-02T12:29:00.000-07:002017-05-03T18:48:40.095-07:00Did the Lord Lie to the Saints in Nauvoo?On January 19th, 1841, Joseph Smith received the only revelation in our D&C for the Nauvoo time period: <a href="http://bit.ly/2nOhiTT" target="_blank">section 124</a>. The church had already been forced to flee Ohio and then Missouri due to their failures there (see <a href="http://bit.ly/2nOrmMz" target="_blank">D&C 101:1-8</a>) and had begun settling Nauvoo, Illinois, in the hopes that they would finally have a safe haven.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Commandment & Time Frame</h3>
<br />
The
primary direction given in section 124 was to build a temple, where the Lord explicitly commands it for that specific location:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And again, verily I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar.<br />
And send ye swift messengers, yea, chosen messengers,<br />
and say unto them:<br />
Come ye, with all your gold,<br />
and your silver,<br />
and your precious stones,<br />
and with all your antiquities;<br />
and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may come,<br />
and bring the box tree,<br />
and the fir tree,<br />
and the pine tree,<br />
together with all the precious trees of the earth;<br />
and with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc,<br />
and with all your precious things of the earth;<br />
and <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Build a house to my name,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">for the Most High</span> <span style="color: red;">to dwell therein</span></b>.<i> [Is dwelling somewhere different than visiting it?]</i></blockquote>
The Lord points out the reason for this commandment is that he desires to restore something the church <i>once had </i>for a time but which had been taken away by the Lord:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For there is <b>not </b>a place found on earth that He may come to<br />
and <b>restore again that which was lost unto you</b>,<br />
or which<b> <span style="color: red;">he hath taken away</span></b>,<br />
even the <b>fulness of the priesthood</b>.</blockquote>
He states that the commandment must be completed within a concrete, here-unspecified time frame:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But I command you, all ye my saints,<br />
to <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Build a house unto me;</span></b><br />
And I grant unto you a <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Sufficient Time</span></b> to build a house unto me;<br />
and during <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">This Time</span></b> your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.</blockquote>
<h3>
Promises on Failure</h3>
<br />
He next makes certain negative promises (states penalties) <b>if </b>it is <b>not </b>completed within the predesignated time frame:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And I grant unto you a <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Sufficient Time</b> </span>to build a house unto me;<br />
and during <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>This Time </b></span>your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.<br />
But behold, at the end of <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">This Appointment</span></b>,<br />
your baptisms for your dead shall <b>not </b>be acceptable unto me;<br />
and <b>If </b>you do not these things,<br />
at the end of <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Appointment </span><span style="color: red;">ye shall be rejected as a church</span></b>,<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">with your dead</span></b>, saith the Lord your God.<br />
For verily I say unto you, that after you have had <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Sufficient Time</b></span><br />
to build a house to me,<br />
wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth,<br />
and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world,<br />
<span style="color: red;">your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me</span>;<br />
for therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained,<br />
that you may receive honor and glory.<br />
And after <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">This Time</span></b>,<br />
<b>your baptisms for the dead</b>,<br />
by those who are scattered abroad,<br />
<b>are not acceptable </b>unto me, saith the Lord.
<br />
...<br />
And it shall come to pass that <b>If </b>you build a house unto my name,<br />
and<b> do not do </b>the things that I say,<br />
<b> </b> <span style="color: red;">I will not perform the oath which I make unto you,<br /> neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands</span><span style="color: red;">,</span> saith the Lord.<br />
For <b>instead </b>of blessings,<br />
ye, by your own works, bring:<br />
<b> cursings</b>,<br />
<b> </b><b>wrath</b>,<br />
<b> </b><b>indignation</b>,<br />
<b> </b>and <b>judgments</b><br />
upon your own heads,<br />
<b> </b>by your follies,<br />
<b> </b>and <span style="color: red;">by all your abominations</span>,<br />
<b> </b>which you practice before me, saith the Lord.<br />
...<br />
I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work,<br />
<b> unto the third and fourth generation,</b><br />
so long as they repent not,<br />
and hate me, saith the Lord God.</blockquote>
<h3>
Promises upon Success</h3>
<br />
Then he promises the blessings He will give <b>if</b> it <b>is</b> completed within the predesignated time frame:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
... a house to my name, <br />
for the Most High to dwell therein. <br />
...<br />
Therefore, verily I say unto you,<br />
that your anointings,<br />
and your washings,<br />
and your baptisms for the dead,<br />
and your solemn assemblies,<br />
and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi,<br />
and for your oracles<i> [=received revelations, not men]</i> in your most holy places<br />
wherein you receive conversations,<br />
and your statutes and judgments,<br />
for the beginning of the revelations <span style="color: red;">and foundation of Zion</span>,<br />
and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals,<br />
are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house,<br />
...<br />
And verily I say unto you:<br />
Let this house be built unto my name,<br />
that<span style="color: red;"> <b>I</b> may reveal mine ordinances</span> therein unto my people;<br />
For I deign to reveal unto my church<br />
things which have been <b>kept hid from before the foundation of the world,</b><br />
things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.<br />
And I will show unto my servant Joseph<br />
all things pertaining to this house,<br />
and the priesthood thereof,<br />
...<br />
<b>If </b>ye labor with all your might,<br />
I will <span style="color: red;">consecrate that spot that it shall be made holy.</span><br />
And <b>If </b>my people will hearken unto my voice,<br />
and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people,<br />
Behold, verily I say unto you: They <b><span style="color: red;">shall not be moved out of their place.</span></b></blockquote>
With the consecration, or making holy, of the temple by the Lord, it was always intended that He should fulfill the promise made in D&C 84:5:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For verily this generation shall not all pass away<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>until a house shall be built unto the Lord<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and <span style="color: red;">a cloud shall rest upon it</span>,<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>which <span style="color: red;">cloud </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>shall be even the glory of the Lord,<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>which <span style="color: red;">shall fill the house</span></blockquote>
<h3>
Summary of Consequences</h3>
<div>
</div>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="background-color: silver;" width="50%"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If Completed In Time</span></b></td><td align="center" style="background-color: silver;" width="50%"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If <span style="color: red;">Not </span>Completed In Time</span></b></td></tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><ul>
<li>The Lord Himself will come to dwell within it</li>
<li>A cloud will both rest upon it (a pillar of fire or smoke, as in the days of Moses when the Lord visited the Tabernacle) and fill its interior</li>
<li>The <i>Lord</i> (not His servants in a red brick store) will reveal His ordinances within the Temple, including anointings, washings, baptisms for the dead, solemn assemblies, sacrifices, revelations/oracles, and others never revealed in any dispensation since the foundation of the world</li>
<li>The Temple will form the "foundation of Zion," the New Jerusalem</li>
<li>The location will be consecrated and made holy</li>
<li>The Lord will restore the fullness of the priesthood</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">The Lord's people "shall not be moved out of their place"</span></b></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="top"><ul>
<li>The promises in the left column will not be fulfilled</li>
<li>The church will be rejected by the Lord along with its dead</li>
<li>Baptisms for the dead will not be acceptable to the Lord</li>
<li>The church will receive cursings from God</li>
<li>The church will receive God's wrath</li>
<li>The church will experience God's indignation</li>
<li>The church will receive the judgments of God</li>
<li>They will experience these due to the saints' follies and abominations which they will have practiced before the Lord</li>
<li>The church will experience these penalties <b>until the fourth generation</b></li>
</ul>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We are never explicitly told the time frame the Lord has in mind here.<br />
<br />
One of two things happened, however. Either:<br />
<ol>
<li>The saints completed the Nauvoo Temple in the time frame the Lord designated, thus receiving the promised blessings in column 1, or</li>
<li>The saints failed to do so, thus experiencing the penalties in column 2.</li>
</ol>
<div>
It should be very possible for you, the reader, to look at our LDS history and ascertain for yourself whether the events that followed represented precisely what the Lord states in the first or second scenario. </div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The historical events to consider include: the murder & loss of Joseph & Hyrum, the lack of any contemporary account of the Lord ever coming to the Nauvoo Temple, the lack of any account of a cloud of the Lord in or over the Temple, the expulsion from Nauvoo in the dead of winter and incompletion of it as Zion (the New Jerusalem), the disastrous trek west, Winter Quarters, death and suffering on the plains, starvation after arriving in the Salt Lake valley (boiling leather to soften it for eating), and the eventual complete and utter destruction of the Nauvoo Temple by fire and tornado, there not being "left one stone upon another."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oCFdsIkWh5OU6GC9f1Pbbr7cZFK6bSp-ZLU1wNjDlE_edW95QBNnkdEVdgg9for-VjjHd3rc-kwng4YgtT2XOFCsHBJSMu8kGSUhVPhXt4Hfq45iOLJJya8tTXbX55ZImFd8jJcJmkY/s1600/Destroyed+Nauvoo+Temple+drawing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oCFdsIkWh5OU6GC9f1Pbbr7cZFK6bSp-ZLU1wNjDlE_edW95QBNnkdEVdgg9for-VjjHd3rc-kwng4YgtT2XOFCsHBJSMu8kGSUhVPhXt4Hfq45iOLJJya8tTXbX55ZImFd8jJcJmkY/s400/Destroyed+Nauvoo+Temple+drawing.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire set by arsonists in 1848 gutted the temple, and later a tornado destroyed the rest. Frederick Piercy, a 23-year-old British artist, commented in 1853 on what he saw and drew of the remains of the Nauvoo temple: "On the banks of the river lie broken blocks of stone and shattered bricks, the visitor’s first steps are over evidences of ruin and desolation."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<h3>
The Only Real Question</h3>
<div>
<br />
But the easiest of all the promises of the Lord to evaluate is the one in red above: whether the Lord's people were "moved out of their place". It is utterly apparent to anyone looking into the matter: of course they were "moved out of their place!" Nauvoo was lost and abandoned and the Temple completely destroyed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">This leads to the inescapable question: <b>Did the Lord lie to the saints in Nauvoo?</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because, as our LDS Church teaches today, we were never rejected as a Church, never cursed, never experienced wrath, indignation, or judgments, the Nauvoo Temple was completed, and all is going fantastic in Zion. And yet the saints, including many of my ancestors, were "moved out of their place" in Nauvoo and suffered exquisitely.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What gives? The answer to this question, according to our LDS Church, is a clear, bold<b> <span style="color: red;">YES!</span></b> The Lord worshiped by our LDS Church therefore <b><span style="color: red;">cannot </span></b>be a god of truth. It teaches that this god did not keep his promise to the saints in Nauvoo, and so we should expect that such a fickle, shifting god may not always be reliable in the future either. (which is why we need a church president/prophet to keep up with our changeable, unreliable god)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The only way it could be otherwise would be if our LDS Church assessment of this were somehow wrong. You might then need to consider <a href="http://amzn.to/2nLIbpN" target="_blank">what else the scriptures predicted would happen</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/2nLEFfl" target="_blank">when four generations could be considered to have passed</a>.</div>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-60872822534129861532017-04-01T10:50:00.001-07:002017-04-01T10:51:09.876-07:00D&C 84: An InterpretationFreed from its unjust <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typographic_alignment#Justified" target="_new">justified</a> captivity:<br />
<br />
A revelation of Jesus Christ<br />
unto his servant Joseph (Smith Jr)<br />
and six elders<br />
as they united their hearts<br />
in lifting their voice on high.<br />
Yea the word of the Lord concerning his church established in the last days,<br />
for the restoration of his people<br />
as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets,<br />
and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion,<br />
which shall be called the city New Jerusalem,<br />
which city shall be built beginning at the temple lot<br />
which is appointed by the finger of the Lord in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri,<br />
and dedicated by the hand of Joseph (Smith Jr.)<br />
and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.<br />
Verily this is the word of the Lord,<br />
that the city New Jerusalem shall be built<br />
by the gathering of the saints beginning at this place,<br />
even the place of the temple,<br />
which temple shall be reared in this generation,<br />
for verily this generation shall not all pass away<br />
until a house shall be built unto the Lord<br />
and a cloud shall rest upon it,<br />
which cloud<br />
shall be even the glory of the Lord,<br />
which shall fill the house<br />
and the sons of Moses<br />
according to the holy priesthood<br />
which he [Moses] received under the hand of his father-in-law Jethro<br />
and Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb,<br />
and Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu,<br />
and Elihu under the hand of Jeremy,<br />
and Jeremy under the hand of Gad,<br />
and Gad under the hand of Esaias,<br />
and Esaias received it under the hand of God;<br />
Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham<br />
and was blessed of him,<br />
which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek,<br />
who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah,<br />
and from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers,<br />
and from Enoch to Abel<br />
who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother,<br />
who received the priesthood by the commandment of God<br />
by the hand of his father Adam<br />
who was the first man,<br />
which priesthood continueth in the church of God<br />
in all generations<br />
and is without beginning of days<br />
or end of years.<br />
and the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron<br />
and his seed<br />
throughout all their generations,<br />
which priesthood also continueth<br />
and abideth for ever<br />
with the priesthood which is after the Holiest Order of God.<br />
and this Greater Priesthood<br />
administereth the gospel<br />
and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the Kingdom,<br />
even the key of the Knowledge of God.<br />
therefore in the ordinances thereof,<br />
the power of godliness is manifest,<br />
and without the ordinances thereof<br />
and the authority of the priesthood,<br />
the power of godliness is not manifest<br />
unto man in the flesh,<br />
for without this no man can see the face of God,<br />
even the Father,<br />
and live. [because it is while in the flesh]<br />
Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness<br />
and sought diligently to sanctify his people<br />
that they might behold the face of God,<br />
but they hardened their hearts<br />
and could not endure His presence,<br />
therefore the Lord in His wrath,<br />
for His anger was kindled against them,<br />
swore that they should not enter into His Rest,<br />
which Rest is the fullness of His glory,<br />
while in the wilderness.<br />
Therefore He took Moses out of their midst<br />
and the Holy Priesthood also,<br />
and the lesser priesthood continued,<br />
which priesthood holdeth the keys of the ministering of angels<br />
and the preparatory gospel,<br />
which gospel is the gospel<br />
of repentance,<br />
and of baptism,<br />
and the remission of sins,<br />
and the law of carnal commandments<br />
which the Lord, in his wrath, caused to continue<br />
with the House of Aaron<br />
among the children of Israel<br />
until John [the Baptist],<br />
whom God raised up<br />
being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb,<br />
for he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood<br />
and was ordained by the angel of God<br />
at the time he was eight days old<br />
unto this power:<br />
to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews<br />
and to make strait the way of the Lord<br />
before the face of his people,<br />
to prepare them for the coming of the Lord<br />
in whose hand is given all power.<br />
And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages [="something added to a principal or greater thing, though not necessary to it, as a portico to a house"]<br />
belonging unto the High Priesthood.<br />
And again, the offices of teacher and deacon are necessary appendages<br />
belonging to the lesser priesthood,<br />
which priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons<br />
Therefore as I said concerning the sons of Moses:<br />
for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron<br />
shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice<br />
in the House of the Lord,<br />
which House shall be built unto the Lord<br />
in this generation<br />
upon the Consecrated Spot as I have appointed,<br />
and the sons of Moses and of Aaron<br />
shall be filled with the glory of the Lord<br />
upon Mount Zion in the Lord's house,<br />
whose sons are ye,<br />
and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up My church,<br />
for whoso is faithful<br />
unto the obtaining of these two priesthoods<br />
of which I have spoken,<br />
and the magnifying their calling,<br />
are sanctified by the Spirit<br />
unto the renewing of their bodies,<br />
that they become the sons of Moses and of Aaron,<br />
and the seed of Abraham,<br />
and the church and Kingdom and the Elect of God.<br />
And also ALL they who receive This [now singular] Priesthood<br />
receiveth Me, saith the Lord,<br />
for he that receiveth My Servants [angels, not prophets; see D&C 1:14 http://bit.ly/2ogUc9T]<br />
receiveth Me,<br />
and he that receiveth Me<br />
receiveth My Father,<br />
and he that receiveth My Father<br />
receiveth My Father's Kingdom,<br />
therefore all that My Father hath<br />
shall be given unto him,<br />
and this is according to the Oath and the Covenant<br />
which belongeth to The Priesthood.<br />
Therefore all those who receive The Priesthood<br />
receiveth this oath and covenant OF [="from or out of"] My Father<br />
which He cannot break,<br />
neither can it be moved,<br />
but whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it,<br />
and altogether turneth therefrom,<br />
shall not have forgiveness in this world<br />
nor in the world to come.<br />
And all those that come not unto This Priesthood<br />
which ye have received,<br />
which I now confirm upon you who are present this day,<br />
viz. the twenty-third day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two,<br />
eleven high priests, save one,<br />
by Mine Own Voice out of the Heavens,<br />
and even I have given the Heavenly Host and Mine angels charge concerning you<br />
and I now give unto you a commandment<br />
to beware concerning yourselves,<br />
to give diligent heed to the words of Eternal life,<br />
for you shall live by every word<br />
that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God,<br />
for the word of the Lord is truth,<br />
and whatsoever is truth is light,<br />
and whatsoever is light is Spirit,<br />
even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.<br />
and the Spirit giveth light<br />
to every man that cometh into the world,<br />
and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world<br />
that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit,<br />
and everyone that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit<br />
cometh unto God,<br />
even the Father,<br />
and the Father teacheth him of the covenant<br />
which he hath renewed<br />
and confirmed upon you,<br />
which is confirmed upon you for your sakes,<br />
and not for yours only,<br />
but for the sake of the whole world.<br />
and the whole world lieth in sin<br />
and groaneth under darkness<br />
and under the bondage of sin,<br />
and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin,<br />
because they come not unto Me,<br />
for whoso cometh not unto Me<br />
is under the bondage of sin,<br />
and whoso receiveth not My Voice<br />
is not acquainted with My Voice<br />
and is not of Me<br />
and by this you may know the righteous from the wicked,<br />
and that the whole world groaneth under sins and darkness even now<br />
And your minds in times past have been darkened<br />
because of unbelief<br />
and because you have treated lightly the things you have received,<br />
which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole church under condemnation.<br />
And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion,<br />
even all,<br />
and they shall remain under this condemnation<br />
until they repent and remember the new covenant,<br />
even the Book of Mormon<br />
and the former commandments<br />
which I have given them,<br />
not only to say, but to do<br />
according to that which I have written,<br />
that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's Kingdom.<br />
Otherwise there remaineth a scourge and a judgment<br />
to be poured out upon the children of Zion,<br />
For shall the children of the Kingdom pollute My holy land?<br />
Verily, verily I say unto you, Nay.<br />
Verily, verily I say unto you who now hear My words, which is My voice:<br />
Blessed are you inasmuch as you receive these things,<br />
for I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment,<br />
that you remain steadfast in your minds<br />
in solemnity and the spirit of prayer,<br />
in bearing testimony to all the world<br />
of those things which are communicated unto you.<br />
Therefore go ye into all the world,<br />
and whatsoever place ye cannot go into ye shall send,<br />
that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature.<br />
And as I said unto Mine apostles even so I say unto you,<br />
For you are Mine apostles, [though the 12 were not organized for 3 more years!]<br />
even God's high priests,<br />
Ye are they whom My Father hath given me,<br />
ye are My friends.<br />
Therefore as I said unto Mine apostles I say unto you again,<br />
that every soul who<br />
believeth on your words<br />
and are baptized by water for the remission of their sins<br />
shall receive the Holy Ghost. [not the gift...]<br />
And these signs shall follow them:<br />
in My name they shall do many wonderful works,<br />
in My name they shall cast out devils,<br />
in My name they shall heal the sick,<br />
in My name they shall open the eyes of the blind<br />
and unstop the ears of the deaf,<br />
and the tongue of the dumb shall speak,<br />
and if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them,<br />
and the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them.<br />
But a commandment I give unto them [those who believe on the apostles' words]<br />
that they shall not boast themselves of these things,<br />
neither speak them before the world,<br />
for these things are given unto you for your profit<br />
and for salvation.<br />
Verily, verily I say unto you, He who believeth not on your words,<br />
and are not baptized by water in My name<br />
for the remission of their sins<br />
that they may receive the Holy Ghost,<br />
shall be damned and shall not come into My Father's Kingdom<br />
where My Father and I am.<br />
And this revelation unto you,<br />
and commandment,<br />
is in force from this very hour upon all the world,<br />
and this gospel is unto all who have not received it.<br />
But verily I say unto all those to whom the Kingdom has been given,<br />
From you it must be preached unto them<br />
that they shall repent of their former evil works,<br />
for they are to be upbraided<br />
for their evil hearts of unbelief,<br />
and your brethren in Zion<br />
for their rebellion against you<br />
at the time I sent you.<br />
And again I say unto you My friends,<br />
for from this time forth I shall call you friends,<br />
It is expedient that I give unto you this commandment<br />
that you become even as My friends in days when I was with them<br />
in travelling to preach this gospel in My power,<br />
for I suffered them not to have<br />
purse [=small money bag]<br />
or scrip, [=satchel]<br />
neither two coats.<br />
Behold <b><span style="color: red;">I</span></b> send you out<br />
to prove the world and the laborer is worthy of his hire,<br />
and ANY man that shall go and preach this gospel of the Kingdom<br />
and fail not to continue faithful in all things<br />
shall not be weary in mind,<br />
neither darkened,<br />
neither body, limb or joint, and an hair of your heads shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.<br />
and they shall not go hungry, neither athirst,<br />
therefore take no thought for the morrow,<br />
for what ye shall eat,<br />
or what ye shall drink,<br />
or wherewithal ye shall be clothed,<br />
for consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:<br />
they toil not,<br />
neither do they spin,<br />
and the kingdoms of this world in all their glory<br />
are not arrayed like one of them,<br />
for your Father who art in Heaven<br />
knoweth that you have need of all these things,<br />
therefore let the morrow take thought for the things of itself.<br />
Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say,<br />
but treasure up in your minds continually<br />
the words of life<br />
and it shall be given you in the very hour<br />
that portion that shall be meted unto every man.<br />
Therefore let no man among you<br />
(for this commandment is unto all the faithful<br />
who are called of God in the church unto the ministry),<br />
therefore let no man from this hour take purse or scrip<br />
that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the Kingdom.<br />
Behold <b><span style="color: red;">I</span></b> send you out<br />
to reprove the world<br />
of all their unrighteous deeds<br />
and to teach them<br />
of a judgment which is to come.<br />
And whoso receiveth you,<br />
there I will be also,<br />
for I will go before your face,<br />
I will be on your right hand and on your left,<br />
and My Spirit shall be in your hearts,<br />
and Mine angels round about you to bear you up.<br />
Whoso receiveth you receiveth me,<br />
and the same will feed you<br />
and clothe you<br />
and give you money.<br />
And he who feedeth you,<br />
or clothes you,<br />
or giveth you money,<br />
shall in no wise lose his reward.<br />
And he that doeth not these things<br />
is not My disciple.<br />
By this you may know My disciples.<br />
He that receiveth you not,<br />
go away from him alone by yourselves<br />
and cleanse your feet,<br />
even with water,<br />
pure water,<br />
whether in heat or in cold,<br />
and bear testimony of it unto your Father which is in Heaven,<br />
and return not again unto that man.<br />
And in whatsoever village or city ye enter,<br />
do likewise.<br />
Nevertheless search diligently and spare not.<br />
Wo unto that house,<br />
or that village,<br />
or city<br />
that rejecteth you,<br />
or your words,<br />
or testimony concerning me.<br />
Wo I say again unto that house,<br />
or that village,<br />
or city<br />
that rejecteth you or your words,<br />
or your testimony of me.<br />
For I the Almighty have laid My hand upon the nations<br />
to scourge them for their wickedness,<br />
and plagues shall go forth,<br />
and it shall not be taken from the earth<br />
until I have completed My work<br />
which shall be cut short in righteousness,<br />
until all shall know me who remain,<br />
even from the least to the greatest,<br />
and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord,<br />
and shall see eye to eye<br />
and shall lift up the voice,<br />
and with the voice together sing this new song, saying:<br />
<i> The Lord hath brought again Zion</i><br />
<i> The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel</i><br />
<i> According to the election of grace</i><br />
<i> Which was brought to pass by the faith and covenant of their Fathers</i><br />
<i> The Lord hath redeemed his people</i><br />
<i> and Satan is bound,</i><br />
<i> and time is no longer</i><br />
<i> The Lord hath gathered all things in one</i><br />
<i> The Lord hath brought down Zion from above</i><br />
<i> The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath</i><br />
<i> The Earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength</i><br />
<i> And truth is established in her bowels</i><br />
<i> And the heavens hath smiled upon her</i><br />
<i> And she is clothed with the glory of her God</i><br />
<i> For He standeth in the midst of His people</i><br />
<i> Glory, and honor, and power, and might</i><br />
<i> be ascribed to our God!</i><br />
<i> For He is full of mercy,</i><br />
<i> justice, grace, and truth,</i><br />
<i> and peace,</i><br />
<i> for ever and ever! Amen.</i><br />
<br />
Again verily, verily I say unto you,<br />
It is expedient that every man who goes forth<br />
to proclaim Mine everlasting gospel,<br />
that inasmuch as they have families<br />
and receive monies by gift,<br />
they should send it unto them<br />
or make use of it for their benefit<br />
as the Lord shall direct them,<br />
for thus it seemeth Me good.<br />
And let all those who have not families who receive money,<br />
send it up unto the bishop of Zion<br />
or unto the bishop in Ohio,<br />
that it may be consecrated for<br />
the bringing forth of the revelations<br />
and the printing thereof,<br />
and for establishing Zion.<br />
And if any shall give unto any of you a coat or a suit,<br />
take the old and cast it unto the poor<br />
and go your way rejoicing.<br />
And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit,<br />
let him take with him he that is weak,<br />
that he may be edified in all meekness,<br />
that he may become strong also.<br />
Therefore take with you<br />
those who are ordained unto the lesser priesthood,<br />
and send them before you to make appointments,<br />
and to prepare the way,<br />
and to fill appointments that yourselves are not able to fill.<br />
Behold this is the way that Mine apostles in ancient days built up My church unto me.<br />
Therefore let every man stand in his own office<br />
and labor in his own calling,<br />
and let not the head say unto the feet<br />
it hath no need of the feet,<br />
for without the feet,<br />
how shall the body be able to stand?<br />
Also the body hath need of every member,<br />
that all may be edified together,<br />
that the system may be kept perfect.<br />
And behold the high priest should travel,<br />
and also the elders,<br />
and also the lesser priests,<br />
but the teachers and deacons should be appointed to watch over the church,<br />
to be standing ministers unto the church.<br />
And the bishop also should travel round about<br />
and among all the churches,<br />
searching after the poor<br />
to administer to their wants<br />
by humbling the rich and the proud.<br />
He should also employ an agent,<br />
for to take charge<br />
and to do his secular business as he shall direct.<br />
Nevertheless let the bishop go unto the city of New York,<br />
and also to the city of Albany,<br />
and also to the city of Boston,<br />
and warn the people of those cities<br />
with the sound of the gospel with a loud voice,<br />
of the desolation and utter abolishment which awaits them<br />
if they do reject these things.<br />
For if they do reject these things,<br />
the hour of their judgment is nigh<br />
and their house shall be left unto them desolate.<br />
Let him trust in me<br />
and he shall not be confounded,<br />
and an hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.<br />
And verily I say unto you, the rest of My servants:<br />
Go ye forth<br />
as your circumstances shall permit<br />
in your several callings<br />
unto the great and notable cities and villages,<br />
reproving the world in righteousness<br />
of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds,<br />
setting forth clearly and understandingly<br />
the desolation of abomination in the last days.<br />
For with you, saith the Lord Almighty,<br />
I will rend their kingdoms.<br />
I will not only shake the earth,<br />
but the starry Heavens shall tremble also,<br />
for I the Lord have put forth Mine hand<br />
to exert the Powers of Heaven.<br />
Ye cannot see it now,<br />
yet a little while and ye shall see it<br />
and know that I am<br />
and that I will come and reign with My people.<br />
I am Alpha and Omega,<br />
the beginning and the end.<br />
Amen.Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-54834627103002374962017-03-26T15:20:00.006-07:002021-08-05T15:50:38.549-07:00Where Can We Hear Korihor's Words?<div style="text-align: left;">On Thursday, March 9th, 2017, I was asked by the bishop of my ward to take some time to study Alma 30, fearing that he might be hearing the "voice of Korihor". It seemed a worthwhile request to me, so I did so. The patterns that leapt out of that study are listed here, including the contrast of modern sentiments and practices against what the scriptures describe. It seemed a fruitful study.</div><h2>
Consideration 1: Disturbers of the Peace</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
A disturber of the peace that had come in the 16th and 17th years of the reign of the judges. Claimed Nephite traditions of Christ were false. Challenged the leaders publicly. The people did not threaten him with violence but brought him before judges to be tried for his crimes.</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Lehi</b>: A disturber of the peace, publicly challenging what the leaders/elders of Jerusalem were teaching, claiming that the people had gone astray and needed to turn back to God. (Life threatened and attempted murder.) Laman and Lemuel bore fervent testimony that "we <i>know</i> [church leaders and members there] were a righteous people." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2nxIiUX" target="_blank">1 Nephi 17:22</a>)<br />
<b>Abinadi</b>: A disturber of the peace, publicly challenging the kingdom/church rulers, calling them to repent and teaching against their incorrect traditions. Considered a blasphemer and apostate by the church. (claimed Christ would come among men) Leaders accused him of demeaning their king/leadership and put him to death.<br />
<b>High Councilor Alma</b>: A man ordained to be a priest because of his wickedness. Then, a disturber of the peace who publicly challenged King Noah. Believed the message of Abinadi the apostate when he taught against their traditions. Was forced to teach church members truth in private due to the disapproval and threats of church leaders. Considered an apostate by the church. Also, secretly baptized others before being chased away by armies threatening violence.<br />
<b>Jesus</b>: A disturber of the peace, who publicly challenged church leaders. Openly broke the commandments of men (which he claimed was false tradition/religion) while simultaneously doing His Father's will in all things and obeying the actual law of Moses. Considered a sinner by church leaders, who demanded to know by what authority he did these things.<br />
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: A disturber of the peace among church leaders and congregations wherever he went. Claimed their traditions & creeds were false, publicly challenging other church leaders/ministers. His life was threatened, he was tried on false charges many times, he was falsely imprisoned, and ultimately murdered by a mob led by current & former church members.<br />
<b>Enoch</b>: A disturber of the peace and thought "a wild man" by believers. Men were offended at him for criticizing them, pointing out their errors though they were religious and knew better.<br />
<b>John the Baptist</b>: A disturber of the peace and wild man, who preached repentance, taught Christ would literally come, and rebaptized church members in the wilderness to the dismay of church leaders in Jerusalem, whose "version of truth" he publicly challenged.<br />
<b>Samuel the Lamanite</b>: A disturber of the peace and an outsider, preaching to the church repentance, such that they cast him out. Though legally banned from church property, he preached from the wall of their destruction causing a near riot. Criticized their prophets as false, pointing out their priestcrafts (salaries and profiting off church members' consecrations). Chastised them for abandoning the scriptures. Believing, repentant members are rebaptized. Unbelieving members claim he has a devil.</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Anyone disturbing our peace (i.e., sharing any unflattering truth that contradicts the traditions we have invented) is by definition ungodly and contentious. Criticism of church leaders, or anything they do, is apostasy. Such individuals should be asked not to comment in class, should be shunned, or should just be excommunicated. Furthermore, when dealing with such disturbers, tools may be used as felt necessary, such as instilling fear among remaining members concerning such a person via official church letters & statements, destroying that person's reputation & honor among men, and allowing or even encouraging gossip, rumor, and falsehoods to spread about such individuals, particularly if they suggest the individual is a gross sinner. (molester, etc.) Suffering such rumors to spread concerning church members deemed to be in good standing is not to be tolerated, however. (It turns out these are not merely hypothetical descriptions where we live here.)</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 2: Knowing Christ</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
Taught there should be no Christ. (hence described as being "Anti-Christ") That to hope for His coming was to "be bound down by a foolish and a vain hope. … Why do ye look for a Christ?" (v. 13) </blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Nephi</b>: Teaches that we should be baptized of water, receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, then persevere until "[Christ] shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh" (<a href="http://bit.ly/1WDggVr" target="_blank">2 Nephi 32:6</a>)<br />
<br />
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: "God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what <b>He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things</b> as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye that Lord; for all shall know Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest. ... After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, <b>then the man will find his calling and his election made sure</b>, then <b>it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter</b>, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in [John 14:12-27] ... Now what is this other Comforter? <b>It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him</b>, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and <b>the visions of the heavens will be opened</b> unto him, and the Lord <b>will teach him face to face</b>, and he may have a <b>perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God</b>; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions--Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p.149-151)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Teach that coming unto Christ is performed by keeping Church commandments. Christ does not come to people in this life. Such an expectation is a teaching of Satan: "The suggestion that [seeing the face of the Savior] must happen in mortality is a familiar tactic of the adversary." (Elder Oaks, June 13th, 2015) "Calling and election made sure" is not on the list of correlated topics permitted to be taught anywhere, as someone claiming the Lord has spoken to them is highly suspicious--a red flag, because it's just not normal for Christ to do. Some LDS Church members in higher Church offices or who are referred by them can receive the publicly-unacknowledged-as-having-been-resumed "<a href="http://bit.ly/2nh4bM9" target="_blank">second anointing</a>" ordinance performed secretly in the temple (cover stories will be provided for their convenience), which assurance from leaders should end any concern for wanting to entertain angels or interact with the heavens or Christ. "Spiritual experiences" should be emotions only, otherwise someone might get deceived--not worth seeking!</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 3: The Coming of Christ</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
Taught against "the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ" (v.6)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Nephi</b>: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
No longer concerns itself with the prophecies of Christ's Second Coming, including those of Isaiah, Micah, Nephi, Christ, Moroni, Joseph Smith, the Doctrine & Covenants, etc. For example, the prophecies summarized in the 10th Article of Faith have been abandoned: No longer does the LDS Church seek to literally gather Israel as Joseph Smith attempted (even among the Jews). Or to establish the city of Zion (preferring instead to spend billions of dollars of interest earned from investing members' sacred tithing on shopping malls, real estate projects around temples, 2% of the state of Florida, etc.). Or even to establish the conditions prerequisite to Zion, such as actually living the law of consecration and having "no poor among them" (Moses 7:18), instead using tithes that were meant for the poor (see JST Genesis 14:38) to employ a massive Church bureaucracy, handsomely compensate general authorities and mission presidents, and run & provide inexpensive college education to already privileged first-world members' children.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 4: Prophesying</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"For no man can know of anything which is to come. Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers." (v. 13-14)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Moses</b>: "[I] would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2nh6WNv" target="_blank">Numbers 11:29</a>)<br />
<b>Moroni</b>: "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2n2ydT1" target="_blank">Moroni 10:5</a>)<br />
<b>Alma</b> (speaking to his people about their blessings): "[You] having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation." (<a href="http://bit.ly/2ngOnsC" target="_blank">Alma 9:21</a>)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
No man can be a prophet except one of the Fifteen. The prophecies of Joseph Smith and the scriptures are inconvenient & not-understood relics of our history. No one is authorized to prophesy except the Fifteen, even though they don't. Because no one really knows what is coming, scholars and subject matter expert consultants from the business world are used to brief the Brethren, instilling divine wisdom concerning the threatening world around them. All prophesying by anyone else is false. Impressive (and carefully massaged) statistics and splendorous building projects are seen as vindication of their inspired ("prophetic") leadership. It is better to leave off any studying as a Church of Isaiah, Micah, Nephi, Christ, etc. since only a couple of verses of those prophecies are (possibly, partially) understood by scholars. This would be embarrassing to admit, so they are superficially studied only when necessary (to complete an annual course of Sunday school study) and then, only possible fulfillment in the past, not future, is considered. It would be foolish to think they refer to the future. It is much safer to make predictions about possibilities without ever suggesting it is prophecy, so when we happen to guess wrong (like that Romney would become president), we can't be called "false prophets." </blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 5: Prophecies of Christ's Coming</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"How do ye know of their [the prophecies'] surety? … Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see." (v.15) </blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Nephi</b>: "And now I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren. And I cannot write but a few things, which I know must surely come to pass" (2 Nephi 31:1)<br />
<b>Alma</b>: "For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come." (Alma 30:39)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
We think we're pretty sure about one or two verses taken out of context from the middle of some prophecies, but you can't really have any actual idea what it's all about or when they might be fulfilled. Only pretenders claim that, and, let's face it, for all the stuff men have claimed so far, the Second Coming hasn't happened, so we're right. We're in good shape. And we're absolutely certain that the critical prophecies (<a href="http://bit.ly/2njs71g" target="_blank">Isaiah 28</a>) or the ones about destructions (<a href="http://bit.ly/2njGfb0" target="_blank">D&C 112:24-26</a>), etc. are not about us, because we're pretty much assured of our success according to a tradition about a comment once made by a church president a hundred and twenty-five years ago about how God won't allow things to "go astray" even though He has allowed it every other time over the (we suppose) 6000 years of earth's history, even though that church president had just barely lied through his teeth about ceasing polygamy, hoping the US government would buy it and grant Utah statehood so they could make it legal again. Because we're pretty sure about that prophecy of "church leader never leading anyone astray", even though it was never claimed to be from God and was just public commentary on a Church press release.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 6: Baptism of Fire & the Gifts of the Spirit</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so." (v.16)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: "For as the Holy Ghost <b>falls upon</b> one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to<b> purge out the old blood</b>, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful <b>effect upon the body, and visible to the eye</b>." (TPJS, p. 149)<br />
<b>Alma</b>: "I fell to the earth … for the space of three days … But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God." (Alma 36:10, 14)<br />
<b>Lamoni</b>: "He fell unto the earth, as if he were dead. [later] He arose … and said: … For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer!" (Alma 18:42, 19:12-13)<br />
<b>Lamoni's Wife/Queen</b>: "The queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit," (Alma 19:13) or as Korihor would say, having entered into a "frenzy". After Lamoni and then Ammon had also "sunk to the earth, … and they all lay there as though they were dead," Abish comes along and "as soon as she touched [the Queen's] hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a <b>loud</b> voice, saying: 'O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people!' And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood," or speaking in tongues. (Alma 19:29-30)<br />
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: "We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth." (7th Article of Faith)<br />
<b>Nephi</b>: "Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels [language/speech unintelligible to man]? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels [language/speech unintelligible to man] save it were by the Holy Ghost?" (2 Nephi 32:2)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Being "born again" or "born of the Spirit" is a false tradition had by non-Mormon Christians who do not understand what was restored, particularly when they fall to the ground claiming to be overcome by the Spirit or when they "speak in tongues", thus claiming to have received a remission of their sins. This is more likely the effect of mental illness or just a frenzy of religious nonsense. The "baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost" spoken of is a life-long, " subtle and gradual" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2njAcTD" target="_blank">per Elder Bednar</a>) sort of effect. Because of this, Church members cannot detect it, and we need to remind them that strong positive emotions are what we should focus on getting--that this is the Holy Ghost. And that they don't need to worry about the rest of this stuff. Speaking in tongues is a nonsense Christian tradition and a deception--it really means when a person studies really hard in books and classes and learns to speak a foreign language, like anyone else in a university class, except, by our tradition, a little quicker. Maybe.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 7: Keeper of the Gate</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
Told "them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men" (v.17)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Nephi</b>: Quotes Christ: "Follow thou me [Christ, not Nephi]" (2 Nephi 31:10)<br />
Declares: "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in <b>man</b> or maketh flesh his arm." (2 Nephi 4:34)<br />
Teaches that "the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Christ did make an atonement for man, but it can only be accessed by virtue of our requirements, including baptismal interview questions that require the candidate to declare their willingness to follow a man. Also, if someone later proves insubordinate, preferring the words of God to our traditions, correlated manuals, or corporate handbooks we teach from, we can revoke the effects of the atonement by casting that person out, believing that Christ has "given his power unto men" (2 Nephi 28:5)--or "priesthood keys"--and that we are employed as servants to keep the gate.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 8: Management of the Creature & Self-Genius</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"Every man fare[s] in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore, every man prosper[s] according to his genius, and that every man conquer[s] according to his strength." (v.17)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Amulek: </b>"Yea, cry unto [the Lord] for mercy; for he is mighty to save. Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household … Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase." (Alma 34)<br />
<b>Benjamin</b>: "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind? … I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls, yet ye would be unprofitable servants" (Mosiah 4:19, 21)<br />
<b>Christ:</b>, speaking to his 12 disciples: "Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, <i>take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.</i>" (3 Nephi 13:25)<br />
<b>Mormon</b>: "And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely." (Alma 1:27)<br />
<b>Moroni</b>: "Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown <b>you</b> unto me [dear LDS Gentile reader of this book], and I know your doing. ... For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted <b>the holy church of God</b>? [--and I'm not sure how you think that's someone else, when you claim to be the "only true Church"...] Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?" (Mormon 8:35,37-38)
</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Despite Joseph Smith's very poor business acumen (continually gave away too much from his store; was in bankruptcy at his death), we overcame this looming fault first with the great, prosperous state of Deseret, where a person could live their entire life not ever doing business with other than church-owned businesses. From there, our personal industriousness grew into the vast church corporate empire today, which some have estimated at $1 trillion in assets, where leaders now chosen for the 70's, the 12, and the First Presidency are very well renowned, respected, and honored in the world for their business management, lawyerly skills, and other professional accomplishments. And our marvelous tradition of entrepreneurial brilliance/genius/ingenuity among Utah saints. And church-owned schools (funded by tithing) to teach one of the greatest curricula available on business management and prosperity, including financial planning, management, accounting, etc., the BYU Management Society being a monument to the professional prowess of our church members!<br />
<br />
We also encourage every member of the Church to become expert in "the management of [their] creature", so that they can prosper according to their entrepreneurial brilliance. (Capitalism is godly and must somehow be related to building Zion.) We therefore don't believe that "industry" is enough: though not mentioned in scripture, we preach that members must be completely <a href="https://providentliving.lds.org/self-reliance?lang=eng">self-reliant</a>, not depending on their fellow-man or even God, if at all possible. Perfect independence from others and full preparedness--although we disapprove of "prepping", because we can't imagine there ever being disasters or collapses of civilization in our day like the Book of Mormon depicts at least four times. Guns are okay though, which is why we run a Church-owned hunting reserve for people willing to spend lots of money for a guided hunting expedition. Really, we just can't have Church members at all dependent on the Church for help, because that takes away money from other investments, GA salaries, building projects, university salaries, CES employees, etc., etc. The poor need to take care of themselves.
</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 9: Whoredoms as a Sacrament</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"Caus[ed] them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms." (v.18)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Jacob: </b>"Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell."<br />
Quoting the Lord on polygamy being a whoredom: "For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none, for I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women, and whoredoms are an abomination before me."<br />
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: "If a man commit adultery, he cannot receive the
celestial kingdom of God. Even if be is saved in any kingdom, it cannot be
the celestial kingdom." (DHC 6:81)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Brigham Young had his historians alter the records to make it appear that Joseph Smith was teaching polygamy rather than his actual frequent & forceful preaching against it as a whoredom. (including manufacturing portions of D&C 132) This allowed for a successful adoption of the new primary doctrine of the church taught for decades in general conference: "the Principle", or that polygamy unequivocally must be practiced in this life in order to qualify for the celestial kingdom. Preached that if the church ever departed from the practice, it would be in apostasy. Brigham also taught that if a woman could find a man with more keys than her husband, she could legally leave her husband and marry the other. He then did so, taking a woman to wife who was already married, fathering children by her. Today, of course, since our 180 degree doctrinal switch, we now forcefully excommunicate any practicing "the principle", sending law enforcement after them, and denying baptism to their children, too.<br />
Today, adultery is a forgivable sin, one that even when a general authority or member may make that "mistake", it can be forgiven, and they can go to the temple to receive eternal promises.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 10: Thoughts & Lusts</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"Whatsoever a man <b>did</b> was no crime" (v. 17)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Jesus: </b>"Whosoever <i>looketh</i> on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart." (Matt. 5:28)<br />
<b>Jacob</b>: "I can tell you concerning your <i>thoughts</i>, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God." (Jacob 2:4)<br />
<b>Benjamin</b>: "This much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your <i>thoughts</i>, and your words, and your <i>deeds</i>, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish." (Mosiah 4:5)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Disagree with Korihor: sinful actions, such as homosexual acts, are an abomination before God. But, it's okay for a guy to entertain lustful thoughts for other guys, as long as you don't act on them. (Yes, we used to teach thoughts mattered, too, but that is now outdated teaching per our Handbook, which was adjusted accordingly.)</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 11: Ordinances & Ancient Priests</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests." (v.23)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Joseph:</b> "Ordinances instituted in the heavens <i>before the foundation of the world</i>, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, <i>are not to be altered or changed</i>." (TPJS, p.308)<br />
<b>Isaiah</b>: "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, <i>changed the ordinance</i>, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isaiah 24:5)<br />
<b>Christ</b>: The day is coming where those who will not hear the voice of the Lord, nor the voice of His servants (angels), and won't heed the words of true prophets and apostles will be cut off from among His people "for they have <i>strayed from mine ordinances</i>, and have broken mine everlasting covenant." (D&C 1:15)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Ordinances laid down by ancient priests, like Joseph Smith or those in the Book of Mormon, are not to be used by church members. We must use the modern, altered ones that are written & described in our priesthood handbooks, in temple films, etc., as directed by our corporate handbook of instructions. Anyone deviating from our modern tradition is abandoning what the Prophet/God has said, even though we don't pretend to claim any revelation directing the alterations. To do otherwise is a foolish performance, and must be redone in our way.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 12: Guilty Children</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. ... Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents." (v.25)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Lehi: </b>"Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer." (1 Nephi 10:6) "For [the Lord] gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents [Adam & Eve]." (2 Nephi 2:21) <br />
<b>Mormon</b>: "Little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them" (Moroni 8:8)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression." <br />
<br />
This is something we require little children to commit to memory in order to advance to higher classes in the Church, and we mostly believe it. <br />
<br />
Except we do disagree with Korihor and say that a child IS guilty because of its parents. We believe that the little children of parents who have transgressed with the sins of homosexuality or polygamy should be punished for their parents' sins--sins so heinous that their children must be denied baptism, refused confirmation into the LDS Church, and denied ordination to priesthood (for males). These children are fundamentally tainted, and for their own safety (and the legal safety of the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) we cannot allow them to be baptized as Christ commanded until they are full-grown adults (the new age of accountability) and disavow their wayward parents (abandoning the 5th commandment). </blockquote>
<blockquote>
We still respect Christ's command to "suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of God" (<a href="http://bit.ly/2DcC08y" target="_blank">Mark 10:14</a>)--just a <i>little </i>later when they're "big kids" and <a href="http://bit.ly/2Dbe0CT" target="_blank">can't cause any turmoil at home due to differences of belief from homosexual parents</a>.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, the children of parents who are molesters, adulterers, rapists, abusers, slanderers, alcoholics, murderers, serial liars, or drug peddlers will not be punished for their parents' sins, because their sins do not influence their children--those children are welcome to be baptized and confirmed members of our LDS Church!</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 13: Glutting Yourselves</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
[Accusation: You hold to these ordinances] "to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words … Ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands" (v.23, 27)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Alma: </b>"Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold, I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people. And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat [--a civic position, separate from the church]; and then we have received only according to law for our time." (Alma 30:32)<br />
<b>King Benjamin</b>: "And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day" (Mosiah 2:14)<br />
<b>Mormon</b>: "And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength."<br />
<b>Nephi</b>: "[The Lord] commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may<b> get gain</b> and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion." (2 Nephi 2:26-29)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
In order to have the blessings of eternity, a person must be able to answer our questions correctly (according to the commandments we have come up with) and pay 10% of their income (according to our modern redefinition of tithing), and then they may enter into our temples (not commanded to have been built, no pillar of fire ever having appeared over them) and be married.<br />
<br />
But this is not to compel people to pay the Church so our authorities can be salaried--it is so the people can be blessed. The fact that our authorities receive generous salaries and numerous other benefits and perks (parsonage allowances, use of Church vehicles, Italian suits, use of Church credit cards, regular Church-catered meals, paid travel and lodging, free college educations for all children and grandchildren via Church-owned schools, potential opportunities to sit on the boards of Church-owned businesses, private business benefits from lucrative Church building contracts, access to private hunting preserves, lucrative book deals from Church-owned retail stores, etc.) has nothing to do with our urging our people to pay their tithing to us so that they are allowed access to Eternal Blessings. These are simply ordinary personal and family costs that the Church covers for those who devote themselves to her service.<br />
<br />
The fact is that the vast majority of our clergy are unpaid by the Church, and so we are fond of saying that we have an unpaid clergy and are not inclined to correct Church members and missionaries who claim it.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 14: Denying the Second Comforter</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
Question to Korihor: "Believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts?" (v.35) [i.e., "that Christ shall come", just as He did to Alma; Alma 36:22]<br />
<br />
"Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come." (v.39)<br />
<br />
<b>Korihor</b>: Yea</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Nephi</b>: Taught that Christ will come to a person while still in the flesh, if you enter in by the way and heed what the Holy Ghost directs you (2 Nephi 32:5-6)<br />
<b>Christ via Joseph Smith</b>: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory, for strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because <i>ye receive me not <b>in the world</b></i> neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me <b><i>in the world</i></b>, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also." (D&C 132:21-23)<br />
<b>Christ</b>: "Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that <b><i>every</i></b> soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, <i>shall see my face and know that I am</i>;" (D&C 93:1)<br />
<b>Christ: </b>"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)<br />
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: "The appearing of the Father and the Son, in [John 14:23], is a personal appearance." (D&C 130:3)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Agree with Korihor on this point--that it is a deception.<br />
<br />
"Coming unto Christ" is purely figurative and amorphous, consisting of trying to do some of His (non-miraculous) works only. You should not expect to meet Him.<br />
<br />
<b>Dallin Oaks:</b> It is a "tactic of the adversary" to teach that men can or should receive the person of Jesus Christ (the Second Comforter) while in this life. What Joseph Smith taught and the scriptures teach is darkness and Satanic.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 15: Face to Face Witnesses of God</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
Question to Korihor: "Believest thou that there is a God?" (v.37)<br />
<br />
<b>Korihor</b>: "Nay"</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Joseph Smith</b>: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! for we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father" (D&C 76:22-23)<br />
<b>Enoch</b>: "And I saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another, face to face." (Moses 7:4)<br />
<b>Nephi</b>: "[Isaiah] verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him, and my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him." </blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
We <b>do</b> believe that he's there and that "the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men", so that we can bless everyone who will "hearken … unto [our] precept". (2 Nephi 28:5-6) We believe what President Hinckley said: we don't need much revelation from Him anymore. We got this.<br />
<br />
As office holders of the quorum of the 12 and first presidency, we no longer try to actually see him or have Him lay his hands on us. Our witness is by the Holy Ghost, just like all other members of the Church (as Elder Oaks clarified), even though we're happy to both strongly imply in testimony that we have received Him (never confirming it, because <i>that</i> would be lying) and also happily allow Church members to teach and testify of the fable (i.e., that we have seen Him) without correcting them.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 16: Use of Flattery</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
Was "the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by [his] lying and by [his] flattering words" (v.46)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Jacob:</b> Sherem "was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much <b>flattery</b>, and much power of speech, <i>according to the power of the devil</i>. And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the <i>many revelations</i> and the many things which I had <i>seen</i> concerning these things; for I truly had <i>seen angels</i>, and they had <i>ministered unto me</i>. And also, I had <i>heard the voice</i> of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken." (Jacob 7:4)<br />
<b>Mormon</b>, speaking of the wicked Alma the Younger: "he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities." (Mosiah 27:8)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
Use of flattery is not always bad. We commend the youth and the faithful brothers and sisters of the Church as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and as amazing women, hoping that it will keep them in "full Church activity." Or that they are the most amazing, impressive force of missionaries ever sent into the field, despite lack of miracles, healings, angelic visitations, raising from the dead, etc. But they are definitely impressive due to amazing numbers: phenomenal numbers of Church members (never mind that only about 30% attend at least once a quarter), impressive temple buildings & numbers of temples, amazing numbers for our Christmas and Easter campaigns, amazing numbers of missionaries (esp. during the Romney-as-president-anticipating missionary surge), impressive downtown SLC building projects (the $3+ billion mall & condos), etc. There is no dispensation that can compete with our numbers! Members should be amazed, flattered at their amazingness, and truly convinced that they should give even more.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Consideration 17: Signs that Follow</h2>
<h3>
Korihor in <a href="http://bit.ly/2nh79Ah" target="_blank">Alma 30</a></h3>
<blockquote>
"I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, <i>I will not believe</i>." (v.48)</blockquote>
<h3>
True Prophets in Scripture, in Contrast</h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Christ:</b> Faith in God does not come by signs, but signs do follow those who believe. (D&C 63:9-12)<br />
<b>Alma</b>: "All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion; yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."<br />
<b>Christ:</b> The adulterous are sign seekers (Matt 12:39; 16:4), including those who commit adultery in their hearts (Matt 5:28; D&C 63:16)</blockquote>
<h3>
Modern LDS Sentiments</h3>
<blockquote>
We pretty much believe there is a God, although we don't need to hear from Him much anymore. Miracles, angelic visitations all follow His Church--back in Joseph's day. We just don't need that stuff much anymore--it kind of wigs us out actually. Probably just angels of darkness, not from God anymore. We can have faith in God even though our scriptures claim we can't. We just cannot accept Moroni's claim that the ministering of angels to a person is the beginning of faith (Moroni 7:25,36-38) and that their absence means all our works are in vain and "awful is the state of man". His understanding of faith was certainly incomplete, even though he <i>says</i> he talked with Christ face to face. (Ether 12:39) We feel there are many signs that "do follow [our members] who believe" given that ours is the "only true Church", such as our impressive statistical numbers and magnificent building projects, which are the main examples of our favor with God. Miracles like not dying from drinking poison, raising the dead, healing of people with terminal disease, and so forth are just not reasonable to expect most of the time when spoken in Melchizedek priesthood blessings by elders that just don't ever materialize.<br />
<br />
Also, astronomy is a nice subject and it's interesting that our scriptures talk about observational astronomy and some incorrect descriptions of the physics of stars as being important to the gospel, but we don't know much about it. Scientists know plenty--check with them. Joseph Smith or Abraham (or God) probably just got it all wrong and needed modern science to get it right. There is no need for us to reveal the timings of celestial bodies, their calendars, or their laws, even though we're 100% certain this is the "dispensation of the fulness of times". Joseph was just a little presumptuous about it all. (D&C 121:30-31)<br />
<br />
And just because we don't practice polygamy on earth and do practice "eternal polygamy", believing that any of us sealed to multiple women in the temple are going to have celestial polygamy in the next life, we can't be considered as having "committed adultery in our hearts" just because we're kinda really looking forward to it, what with our resurrected bodies in the prime of our youth. Brigham certainly seems to have had it pretty good with 55 women--I could enjoy a little of that.<br />
<br />
By the way, we'd like to redefine "sign seeking" as something that has nothing to do with questioning belief in God's existence. Really it should be all about whether or not someone believes they should worry about looking at the fruits of claimed prophets to determine whether they are from God or not. We all know, by virtue of the office they hold, that the First Presidency and 12 are beyond questioning in this regard. It's a given that they are from God. When Christ commanded that we should beware of false prophets and test them (Matt 7:15-20), he was really just talking about in the old days. Our fruits should not have to be related to prophecy--in fact, not at all. Take a look at how many people we have--see how "many there be which go in thereat!" (Matt. 7:13) It really is impressive and should be enough. Don't worry about fruit testing—fruit testing is what we now want to call "sign seeking". This kind of "sign seeking" is now also evil! Even though it could fairly be said that in this way Christ therefore wanted us all to become "sign seekers". But don't worry about that problem with this redefinition! All is well--trust us.</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2>
Summary: Mirrored</h2>
A good summary I once saw a while back:
<br />
<blockquote>
Lehi followed Christ. Korihor did not. Lehi was a disciple of the Lord’s. Korihor was an enemy of His. Lehi propounded a true message, Korihor a false one. Lehi was Christ-like. Korihor was an anti-Christ. Lehi spoke the truth. Korihor was a liar. They were polar opposites. But the question illustrates that the god of this world is imitative. The difference between truth and error does not lie in the difference between religion and irreligion, but instead between true religion which will save, and false religion which cannot save. If it were any less a test, the very elect would not be deceived in the last days. Unless there are false prophets claiming they are authorized by God to preach false and idle messages, God cannot send true ones to declare the truth. The opposition of the one is required for the other. The enemy of your soul does not create a new religion, but imitates the true one. <b>The Lord’s messenger will be mirrored by the adversary’s, but the reflected image will be reversed.</b> Those who follow the image will find themselves descending, while they think they are ascending to God. Hence the name: 'the Deceiver.' He deceives, and even mirrors God’s angels by the claim to be an 'angel of light' while spreading darkness. The Deceiver’s false prophets will point you to themselves, to their great works, wonderful accomplishments, and the pride you should take in following them. The Lord’s will point you to Him and preach repentance. The false prophets will speak of riches here, and suggest God’s favor can be measured by success in this world. The Lord will speak only of riches in another world which are only obtained through the sacrifice of all things here.</blockquote>
Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542751172925608884.post-65530481749296881512017-03-23T23:33:00.000-07:002017-03-24T08:05:38.981-07:00D&C 124: An InterpretationFreed from its unjust <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typographic_alignment#Justified" target="_new">justified</a> captivity:<br />
<br />
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith:<br />
"I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments,<br />
which you have made;<br />
For unto this end have I raised you up,<br />
that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.<br />
<h3>
[Solemn Proclamation to the World]</h3>
Your prayers are acceptable before me;<br />
and in answer to them I say unto you:<br />
That you are now called immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel,<br />
and of this stake which I have planted to be a cornerstone of Zion,<br />
which shall be polished with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace.<br />
This proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world,<br />
to the four corners thereof,<br />
to the honorable president-elect,<br />
and the high-minded governors of the nation in which you live,<br />
and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad.<br />
Let it be written in the spirit of meekness<br />
and by the power of the Holy Ghost,<br />
which shall be in you at the time of the writing of the same;<br />
For it shall be given you by the Holy Ghost<br />
to know my will concerning those kings and authorities,<br />
even what shall befall them in a time to come.<br />
For, behold, I am about to call upon them<br />
to give heed to the light and glory of Zion,<br />
for the set time has come to favor her.<br />
Call ye, therefore, upon them with loud proclamation,<br />
and with your testimony,<br />
fearing them not,<br />
for they are as grass,<br />
and all their glory as the flower thereof which soon falleth,<br />
that they may be left also without excuse—<br />
And that I may visit them in the day of visitation,<br />
when I shall unveil the face of my covering,<br />
to appoint the portion of the oppressor among hypocrites,<br />
where there is gnashing of teeth,<br />
if they reject my servants and my testimony which I have revealed unto them.<br />
And again, I will visit and soften their hearts, many of them for your good,<br />
that ye may find grace in their eyes,<br />
that they may come to the light of truth,<br />
and the Gentiles to the exaltation or lifting up of Zion.<br />
For the day of my visitation cometh speedily,<br />
in an hour when ye think not of;<br />
and Where shall be the safety of my people,<br />
and refuge for those who shall be left of them?<br />
Awake, O kings of the earth!<br />
Come ye, O, come ye,<br />
with your gold and your silver,<br />
to the help of my people,<br />
to the house of the daughters of Zion.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you,<br />
let my servant Robert B. Thompson help you to write this proclamation,<br />
for I am well pleased with him,<br />
and that he should be with you;<br />
Let him, therefore, hearken to your counsel,<br />
and I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings;<br />
Let him be faithful and true in all things from henceforth,<br />
and he shall be great in mine eyes;<br />
but Let him remember that his stewardship will I require at his hands.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant <span style="color: blue;">Hyrum Smith</span>;<br />
for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart,<br />
and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord.<br />
Again, let my servant John C. Bennett help you in your labor<br />
in sending my word to the kings and people of the earth,<br />
and stand by you,<br />
even you my servant Joseph Smith,<br />
in the hour of affliction;<br />
and his reward shall not fail if he receive counsel.<br />
And for his love he shall be great,<br />
for he shall be mine if he do this, saith the Lord.<br />
I have seen the work which he hath done,<br />
which I accept if he continue,<br />
and will crown him with blessings and great glory.<br />
And again, I say unto you that it is my will that my servant Lyman Wight<br />
should continue in preaching for Zion,<br />
in the spirit of meekness,<br />
confessing me before the world;<br />
and I will bear him up as on eagles’ wings;<br />
and he shall beget glory and honor to himself and unto my name.<br />
That when he shall finish his work I may receive him unto myself,<br />
even as I did my servant David Patten,<br />
who is with me at this time,<br />
and also my servant Edward Partridge,<br />
and also my aged servant Joseph Smith, Sen.,<br />
who sitteth with Abraham at his right hand,<br />
and blessed and holy is he,<br />
for he is mine.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, my servant George Miller is without guile;<br />
he may be trusted because of the integrity of his heart;<br />
and for the love which he has to my testimony<br />
I, the Lord, love him.<br />
I therefore say unto you, I seal upon his head the office of a bishopric,<br />
like unto my servant Edward Partridge,<br />
that he may receive the consecrations of mine house,<br />
that he may administer blessings upon the heads of the poor of my people, saith the Lord.<br />
Let no man despise my servant George,<br />
for he shall honor me.<br />
<h3>
[Commandment to Build a House for Boarding]</h3>
Let my servant George, and my servant Lyman, and my servant John Snider, and others,<br />
Build a house unto my name,<br />
such a one as my servant Joseph shall show unto them,<br />
upon the place which he shall show unto them also.<br />
And it shall be for a house for boarding,<br />
a house that strangers may come from afar to lodge therein;<br />
therefore let it be a good house,<br />
worthy of all acceptation,<br />
that the weary traveler may find health and safety<br />
while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord;<br />
and the cornerstone I have appointed for Zion.<br />
This house shall be a healthful habitation<br />
if it be built unto my name,<br />
and if the governor which shall be appointed unto it<br />
shall not suffer any pollution to come upon it.<br />
It shall be holy,<br />
or the Lord your God will not dwell therein.<br />
<h3>
[Commandment to Build a House to the Lord's Name for Him to Dwell In]</h3>
And again, verily I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar.<br />
And send ye swift messengers, yea, chosen messengers,<br />
and say unto them:<br />
Come ye, with all your gold,<br />
and your silver,<br />
and your precious stones,<br />
and with all your antiquities;<br />
and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may come,<br />
and bring the box tree,<br />
and the fir tree,<br />
and the pine tree,<br />
together with all the precious trees of the earth;<br />
and with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc,<br />
and with all your precious things of the earth;<br />
and <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Build a house to my name, </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b> for the Most High to dwell therein</b></span>.<br />
For there is <b>not </b>a place found on earth that He may come to<br />
and <b>restore again that which was lost unto you</b>,<br />
or which he <b>hath taken away</b>,<br />
even the <b>fulness of the priesthood</b>.<br />
For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth,<br />
that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead—<br />
For this ordinance belongeth to my house,<br />
and cannot be acceptable to me,<br />
only in the days of your poverty,<br />
wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me.<br />
But I command you, all ye my saints,<br />
to <b><span style="color: #38761d;">Build a house unto me</span></b>;<br />
And I grant unto you a <span style="color: #b45f06;">Sufficient Time</span> to build a house unto me;<br />
and during <span style="color: #b45f06;">This Time</span> your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.<br />
But behold, at the end of <span style="color: #b45f06;">This Appointment,</span><br />
your baptisms for your dead shall <b>not </b>be acceptable unto me;<br />
and <b>If</b> you do not these things,<br />
at the end of <span style="color: #b45f06;">The Appointment</span> <b>ye shall be rejected as a church</b>,<br />
<b>with your dead</b>, saith the Lord your God.<br />
For verily I say unto you, that after you have had <span style="color: #b45f06;">Sufficient Time</span><br />
to build a house to me,<br />
wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth,<br />
and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world,<br />
<b>your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me</b>;<br />
for therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained,<br />
that you may receive honor and glory.<br />
And after <span style="color: #b45f06;">This Time</span>,<br />
your baptisms for the dead,<br />
by those who are scattered abroad,<br />
are <b>not </b>acceptable unto me, saith the Lord.<br />
For it is ordained that in Zion,<br />
and in her stakes,<br />
and in Jerusalem,<br />
those places which I have appointed for refuge,<br />
shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you:<br />
How shall your washings be acceptable unto me,<br />
except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name?<br />
For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle,<br />
that they should bear it with them in the wilderness,<br />
and to build a house in the land of promise,<br />
that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.<br />
Therefore, verily I say unto you,<br />
that your anointings,<br />
and your washings,<br />
and your baptisms for the dead,<br />
and your solemn assemblies,<br />
and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi,<br />
and for your oracles in your most holy places<br />
wherein you receive conversations,<br />
and your statutes and judgments,<br />
for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion,<br />
and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals,<br />
are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house,<br />
which my people are <i>always </i>commanded to build unto my holy name.<br />
And verily I say unto you:<br />
Let this house be built unto my name,<br />
that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people;<br />
For I deign to reveal unto my church<br />
things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world,<br />
things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.<br />
And I will show unto my servant Joseph<br />
all things pertaining to this house,<br />
and the priesthood thereof,<br />
and the place whereon it shall be built.<br />
And ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated building it,<br />
for that is the spot which I have chosen for you to build it.<br />
<b>If </b>ye labor with all your might,<br />
I will consecrate that spot that it shall be made holy.<br />
And <b>If </b>my people will hearken unto my voice,<br />
and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people,<br />
behold, verily I say unto you: They <b><span style="color: red;">shall not be moved out of their place</span></b>.<br />
But <b>If</b> they will <b>not </b>hearken to my voice,<br />
nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed,<br />
they shall <b>not </b>be blest,<br />
because they pollute mine holy grounds,<br />
and mine holy ordinances,<br />
and charters,<br />
and my holy words which I give unto them.<br />
And it shall come to pass that <b>If </b>you build a house unto my name,<br />
and <b>do not do</b> the things that I say,<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"> I will not perform the oath which I make unto you</span></b>,<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands</span></b>, saith the Lord.<br />
For <b>instead </b>of blessings,<br />
ye, by your own works, bring:<br />
<b> cursings, </b><br />
<b> wrath, </b><br />
<b> indignation, </b><br />
and <b>judgments </b><br />
upon your own heads,<br />
by your follies,<br />
and by all your abominations,<br />
which you practice before me, saith the Lord.<br />
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that<br />
When I give a commandment to any of the sons of men<br />
to do a work unto my name,<br />
and those sons of men go with all their might<br />
and with all they have to perform that work,<br />
and cease not their diligence,<br />
and their enemies come upon them<br />
and hinder them from performing that work,<br />
behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more<br />
at the hands of those sons of men,<br />
but to accept of their offerings.<br />
And the iniquity and transgression<br />
of my holy laws and commandments<br />
I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work,<br />
<b>unto the third and fourth generation</b>,<br />
so long as they repent not,<br />
and hate me, saith the Lord God.<br />
Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded<br />
to build up a city and a house unto my name,<br />
in Jackson county, Missouri,<br />
and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God.<br />
And I will answer:<br />
judgment,<br />
wrath and indignation,<br />
wailing and anguish,<br />
and gnashing of teeth<br />
upon their heads,<br />
<b>unto the third and fourth generation</b>,<br />
so long as they repent not,<br />
and hate me, saith the Lord your God.<br />
And this I make an example unto you,<br />
for your consolation<br />
concerning all those<br />
who have been commanded to do a work<br />
and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies,<br />
and by oppression, saith the Lord your God.<br />
For I am the Lord your God,<br />
and will <b>save </b>all those of your brethren<br />
who have been pure in heart,<br />
and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you,<br />
I command you again to <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Build a house to my name</b>,</span><br />
even in this place,<br />
that you may prove yourselves unto me<br />
that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you,<br />
that I may bless you,<br />
and crown you with<br />
honor,<br />
immortality,<br />
and eternal life.<br />
<h3>
[Pertaining to the Lord's Boarding House]</h3>
And now I say unto you,<br />
as pertaining to my boarding house<br />
which I have commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers,<br />
let it be built unto my name,<br />
and let my name be named upon it,<br />
and let my servant Joseph and his house have place therein,<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
For this anointing have I put upon his head,<br />
that his blessing shall also be put upon the head of his posterity after him.<br />
And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth,<br />
even so I say unto my servant Joseph:<br />
In thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of the earth be blessed.<br />
Therefore, let my servant Joseph<br />
and his seed after him<br />
have place in that house,<br />
from generation to generation,<br />
forever and ever, saith the Lord.<br />
And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House;<br />
and let it be a delightful habitation for man,<br />
and a resting-place for the weary traveler,<br />
that he may contemplate the glory of Zion,<br />
and the glory of this, the cornerstone thereof;<br />
that he may receive also the counsel<br />
from those whom I have set<br />
to be as plants of renown,<br />
and as watchmen upon her walls.<br />
Behold, verily I say unto you,<br />
let my servant George Miller,<br />
and my servant Lyman Wight,<br />
and my servant John Snider,<br />
and my servant Peter Haws,<br />
organize themselves,<br />
and appoint one of them to be a president over their quorum<br />
for the purpose of building that house.<br />
And they shall form a constitution,<br />
whereby they may receive stock for the building of that house.<br />
And they shall not receive less than fifty dollars for a share of stock in that house,<br />
and they shall be permitted to receive fifteen thousand dollars from any one man for stock in that house.<br />
But they shall not be permitted to receive over fifteen thousand dollars stock from any one man.<br />
And they shall not be permitted to receive under fifty dollars for a share of stock from any one man in that house.<br />
And they shall not be permitted to receive any man, as a stockholder in this house,<br />
except the same shall pay his stock into their hands at the time he receives stock;<br />
and in proportion to the amount of stock he pays into their hands he shall receive stock in that house;<br />
but if he pays nothing into their hands he shall not receive any stock in that house.<br />
And if any pay stock into their hands it shall be for stock in that house, for himself,<br />
and for his generation after him,<br />
from generation to generation,<br />
so long as he and his heirs shall hold that stock,<br />
and do not sell or convey the stock away out of their hands by their own free will and act,<br />
if you will do my will, saith the Lord your God.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you,<br />
if my servant George Miller,<br />
and my servant Lyman Wight,<br />
and my servant John Snider,<br />
and my servant Peter Haws,<br />
receive any stock into their hands,<br />
in moneys,<br />
or in properties wherein they receive the real value of moneys,<br />
they shall not appropriate any portion of that stock to any other purpose,<br />
only in that house.<br />
And if they do appropriate any portion of that stock anywhere else,<br />
only in that house,<br />
without the consent of the stockholder,<br />
and do not repay four-fold for the stock which they appropriate anywhere else, only in that house,<br />
they shall be accursed,<br />
and shall be moved out of their place, saith the Lord God;<br />
for I, the Lord, am God,<br />
and cannot be mocked in any of these things.<br />
Verily I say unto you,<br />
let my servant Joseph pay stock into their hands<br />
for the building of that house,<br />
as seemeth him good;<br />
but my servant Joseph cannot pay over fifteen thousand dollars stock in that house,<br />
nor under fifty dollars;<br />
neither can any other man, saith the Lord.<br />
And there are others also who wish to know my will concerning them,<br />
for they have asked it at my hands.<br />
Therefore, I say unto you concerning my servant Vinson Knight,<br />
if he will do my will let him put stock into that house for himself,<br />
and for his generation after him,<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
And let him lift up his voice long and loud,<br />
in the midst of the people,<br />
to plead the cause of the poor and the needy;<br />
and let him not fail,<br />
neither let his heart faint;<br />
and I will accept of his offerings,<br />
for they shall not be unto me as the offerings of Cain,<br />
for he shall be mine, saith the Lord.<br />
Let his family rejoice and turn away their hearts from affliction;<br />
for I have chosen him and anointed him,<br />
and he shall be honored in the midst of his house,<br />
for I will forgive all his sins, saith the Lord. Amen.<br />
Verily I say unto you, let my servant Hyrum put stock into that house as seemeth him good,<br />
for himself and his generation after him,<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
Let my servant Isaac Galland put stock into that house;<br />
for I, the Lord, love him for the work he hath done,<br />
and will forgive all his sins;<br />
therefore, let him be remembered for an interest in that house<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
Let my servant Isaac Galland be appointed among you,<br />
and be ordained by my servant William Marks,<br />
and be blessed of him,<br />
to go with my servant Hyrum<br />
to accomplish the work that my servant Joseph shall point out to them,<br />
and they shall be greatly blessed.<br />
Let my servant William Marks pay stock into that house,<br />
as seemeth him good,<br />
for himself and his generation,<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
Let my servant Henry G. Sherwood pay stock into that house,<br />
as seemeth him good,<br />
for himself and his seed after him,<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
Let my servant William Law pay stock into that house,<br />
for himself and his seed after him,<br />
from generation to generation.<br />
If he will do my will let him not take his family unto the eastern lands,<br />
even unto Kirtland;<br />
Nevertheless, I, the Lord, will build up Kirtland,<br />
but I, the Lord, have a scourge prepared for the inhabitants thereof.<br />
And with my servant Almon Babbitt,<br />
there are many things with which I am not pleased;<br />
behold, he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained,<br />
even that of the Presidency of my Church;<br />
and he setteth up a golden calf for the worship of my people.<br />
Let no man go from this place<br />
who has come here essaying to keep my commandments.<br />
If they live here let them live unto me;<br />
and if they die let them die unto me;<br />
for they shall rest from all their labors here,<br />
and shall continue their works.<br />
Therefore, let my servant William put his trust in me,<br />
and cease to fear concerning his family,<br />
because of the sickness of the land.<br />
If ye love me, keep my commandments;<br />
and the sickness of the land shall redound to your glory.<br />
Let my servant William go and proclaim my everlasting gospel with a loud voice,<br />
and with great joy,<br />
as he shall be moved upon by my Spirit,<br />
unto the inhabitants of Warsaw,<br />
and also unto the inhabitants of Carthage,<br />
and also unto the inhabitants of Burlington,<br />
and also unto the inhabitants of Madison,<br />
and await patiently and diligently<br />
for further instructions at my general conference, saith the Lord.<br />
If he will do my will<br />
let him from henceforth hearken to the counsel of my servant Joseph,<br />
and with his interest support the cause of the poor,<br />
and publish the new translation of my holy word<br />
unto the inhabitants of the earth.<br />
And if he will do this I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings, <br />
that he shall not be forsaken,<br />
nor his seed be found begging bread.<br />
<h3>
[Hyrum Smith Appointment & Sealing Power]</h3>
Let my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed,<br />
as counselor unto my servant Joseph,<br />
in the room of my servant Hyrum,<br />
That my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch,<br />
which was appointed unto him by his father,<br />
by blessing<br />
and also by right;<br />
that from henceforth<br />
he shall hold the keys of THE Patriarchal Blessings [or, the blessings of the Patriarchs]<br />
upon the heads of all my people,<br />
that whoever he blesses<br />
shall be blessed,<br />
and whoever he curses<br />
shall be cursed;<br />
that whatsoever he shall bind on earth<br />
shall be bound in heaven;<br />
and whatsoever he shall loose on earth<br />
shall be loosed in heaven.<br />
And from this time forth<br />
<b>I appoint unto him</b> that he may be:<br />
a <b>prophet</b>,<br />
and a <b>seer</b>,<br />
and a <b>revelator</b><br />
<b>unto my church</b>,<br />
<b>as well as my servant Joseph</b>;<br />
that he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph;<br />
and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph,<br />
who shall show unto him the keys<br />
whereby he may ask and receive,<br />
and be crowned<br />
with the same blessing,<br />
and glory,<br />
and honor,<br />
and priesthood,<br />
and gifts of the priesthood,<br />
that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery;<br />
that my servant Hyrum may bear record<br />
of the things which I shall show unto him,<br />
that his name may be had in honorable remembrance<br />
from generation to generation,<br />
forever and ever.<br />
<h3>
[Others]</h3>
Let my servant William Law also<br />
receive the keys by which he may ask and receive blessings;<br />
let him be humble before me,<br />
and be without guile,<br />
and he shall receive of my Spirit,<br />
even the Comforter,<br />
which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things,<br />
and shall give him, in the very hour, what he shall say.<br />
And these signs shall follow him:<br />
he shall heal the sick,<br />
he shall cast out devils,<br />
and shall be delivered from those<br />
who would administer unto him deadly poison;<br />
and he shall be led in paths<br />
where the poisonous serpent cannot lay hold upon his heel,<br />
and he shall mount up in the imagination of his thoughts<br />
as upon eagles’ wings.<br />
and what if I will that he should raise the dead,<br />
let him not withhold his voice.<br />
Therefore, let my servant William cry aloud<br />
and spare not,<br />
with joy and rejoicing,<br />
and with hosannas to him that sitteth upon the throne forever and ever,<br />
saith the Lord your God.<br />
Behold, I say unto you, I have a mission in store<br />
for my servant William,<br />
and my servant Hyrum,<br />
and for them alone;<br />
and Let my servant Joseph tarry at home,<br />
for he is needed.<br />
The remainder I will show unto you hereafter. Even so. Amen.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant Sidney will serve me<br />
and be counselor unto my servant Joseph,<br />
let him arise and come up<br />
and stand in the office of his calling,<br />
and humble himself before me.<br />
And if he will offer unto me an acceptable offering,<br />
and acknowledgments,<br />
and remain with my people,<br />
behold, I, the Lord your God, will heal him<br />
that he shall be healed;<br />
and he shall lift up his voice again on the mountains,<br />
and be a spokesman before my face.<br />
Let him come and locate his family in the neighborhood<br />
in which my servant Joseph resides.<br />
And in all his journeyings let him lift up his voice<br />
as with the sound of a trump,<br />
and warn the inhabitants of the earth<br />
to flee the wrath to come.<br />
Let him assist my servant Joseph,<br />
and also let my servant William Law assist my servant Joseph,<br />
in making a solemn proclamation<br />
unto the kings of the earth,<br />
even as I have before said unto you.<br />
If my servant Sidney will do my will,<br />
let him not remove his family unto the eastern lands,<br />
but let him change their habitation,<br />
even as I have said.<br />
Behold, it is not my will<br />
that he shall seek to find safety and refuge out of the city<br />
which I have appointed unto you,<br />
even the city of Nauvoo.<br />
Verily I say unto you, even now,<br />
if he will hearken unto my voice,<br />
it shall be well with him. Even so. Amen.<br />
<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Amos Davies pay stock<br />
into the hands of those whom I have appointed<br />
to build a house for boarding, even the Nauvoo House.<br />
This let him do if he will have an interest;<br />
and let him hearken unto the counsel of my servant Joseph,<br />
and labor with his own hands<br />
that he may obtain the confidence of men.<br />
And when he shall prove himself faithful<br />
in all things that shall be entrusted unto his care,<br />
yea, even a few things,<br />
he shall be made ruler over many;<br />
Let him therefore abase himself<br />
that he may be exalted. Even so. Amen.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant Robert D. Foster will obey my voice,<br />
let him build a house for my servant Joseph,<br />
according to the contract which he has made with him,<br />
as the door shall be open to him from time to time.<br />
And let him repent of all his folly,<br />
and clothe himself with charity;<br />
and cease to do evil,<br />
and lay aside all his hard speeches;<br />
And pay stock also into the hands of the quorum of the Nauvoo House,<br />
for himself<br />
and for his generation after him,<br />
from generation to generation;<br />
And hearken unto the counsel<br />
of my servants Joseph, and Hyrum, and William Law,<br />
and unto the authorities which I have called<br />
to lay the foundation of Zion;<br />
and it shall be well with him forever and ever. Even so. Amen.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, let no man pay stock to the quorum of the Nauvoo House<br />
unless he shall be a believer in the Book of Mormon,<br />
and the revelations I have given unto you, saith the Lord your God;<br />
For that which is more or less than this cometh of evil,<br />
and shall be attended with cursings<br />
and not blessings,<br />
saith the Lord your God. Even so. Amen.<br />
And again, verily I say unto you, let the quorum of the Nauvoo House<br />
have a just recompense of wages<br />
for all their labors which they do in building the Nauvoo House;<br />
and let their wages be as shall be agreed among themselves,<br />
as pertaining to the price thereof.<br />
And let every man who pays stock bear his proportion of their wages,<br />
if it must needs be,<br />
for their support, saith the Lord;<br />
Otherwise, their labors shall be accounted unto them for stock in that house. Even so. Amen.<br />
Verily I say unto you, I now give unto you the officers belonging to my Priesthood,<br />
that ye may hold the keys thereof,<br />
even the Priesthood which is after the order of Melchizedek,<br />
which is after the order of mine Only Begotten Son.<br />
First, I give unto you Hyrum Smith to be a patriarch unto you,<br />
to hold the sealing blessings of my church,<br />
even the Holy Spirit of promise,<br />
whereby ye are sealed up unto the day of redemption,<br />
that ye may not fall<br />
notwithstanding the hour of temptation that may come upon you.<br />
I give unto you my servant Joseph to be a presiding elder over all my church,<br />
to be a translator,<br />
a revelator,<br />
a seer,<br />
and prophet.<br />
I give unto him for counselors<br />
my servant Sidney Rigdon<br />
and my servant William Law,<br />
that these may constitute a quorum and First Presidency,<br />
to receive the oracles for the whole church.<br />
I give unto you my servant Brigham Young<br />
to be a president over the Twelve traveling council;<br />
which Twelve hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom<br />
upon the four corners of the earth,<br />
and after that to send my word to every creature.<br />
They are Heber C. Kimball,<br />
Parley P. Pratt,<br />
Orson Pratt,<br />
Orson Hyde,<br />
William Smith,<br />
John Taylor,<br />
John E. Page,<br />
Wilford Woodruff,<br />
Willard Richards,<br />
George A. Smith;<br />
David Patten I have taken unto myself;<br />
behold, his priesthood no man taketh from him;<br />
but, verily I say unto you, another may be appointed unto the same calling.<br />
And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a high council,<br />
for the cornerstone of Zion—namely:<br />
Samuel Bent,<br />
Henry G. Sherwood,<br />
George W. Harris,<br />
Charles C. Rich,<br />
Thomas Grover,<br />
Newel Knight,<br />
David Dort,<br />
Dunbar Wilson<br />
Seymour Brunson I have taken unto myself;<br />
no man taketh his priesthood,<br />
but another may be appointed unto the same priesthood in his stead;<br />
and verily I say unto you, let my servant Aaron Johnson be ordained unto this calling in his stead—<br />
David Fullmer,<br />
Alpheus Cutler,<br />
William Huntington.<br />
And again, I give unto you Don C. Smith<br />
to be a president over a quorum of high priests;<br />
which ordinance is instituted for the purpose<br />
of qualifying those who shall be appointed standing presidents or servants over different stakes scattered abroad;<br />
and they may travel also if they choose,<br />
but rather be ordained for standing presidents;<br />
this is the office of their calling, saith the Lord your God.<br />
I give unto him Amasa Lyman and Noah Packard for counselors,<br />
that they may preside over the quorum of high priests of my church, saith the Lord.<br />
And again, I say unto you, I give unto you John A. Hicks, Samuel Williams, and Jesse Baker,<br />
which priesthood is to preside over the quorum of elders,<br />
which quorum is instituted for standing ministers;<br />
nevertheless they may travel,<br />
yet they are ordained to be standing ministers to my church, saith the Lord.<br />
And again, I give unto you:<br />
Joseph Young,<br />
Josiah Butterfield,<br />
Daniel Miles,<br />
Henry Herriman,<br />
Zera Pulsipher,<br />
Levi Hancock,<br />
James Foster,<br />
to preside over the quorum of seventies;<br />
which quorum is instituted for traveling elders<br />
to bear record of my name in all the world,<br />
wherever the traveling high council, mine apostles, shall send them<br />
to prepare a way before my face.<br />
The difference between this quorum and the quorum of elders<br />
is that one is to travel continually,<br />
and the other is to preside over the churches from time to time;<br />
the one has the responsibility of presiding from time to time,<br />
and the other has no responsibility of presiding, saith the Lord your God.<br />
And again, I say unto you, I give unto you Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith, and Shadrach Roundy, if he will receive it,<br />
to preside over the bishopric;<br />
a knowledge of said bishopric is given unto you in the book of Doctrine and Covenants.<br />
And again, I say unto you, Samuel Rolfe and his counselors for priests,<br />
and the president of the teachers and his counselors,<br />
and also the president of the deacons and his counselors,<br />
and also the president of the stake and his counselors.<br />
The above offices I have given unto you,<br />
and the keys thereof,<br />
for helps and for governments,<br />
for the work of the ministry and the perfecting of my saints.<br />
And a commandment I give unto you,<br />
that you should fill all these offices<br />
and approve of those names which I have mentioned,<br />
or else disapprove of them at my general conference;<br />
And that ye should prepare rooms for all these offices<br />
in my house when you build it unto my name,<br />
saith the Lord your God. Even so. Amen.Vaughn Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15590305285033613259noreply@blogger.com0