After my post on polygamy where I shared the words of Joseph Smith from Church sponsored sources and the words of the scriptures, I was asked what my purpose is. Here is the post, https://bilbaochristian.blogspot.com/2020/02/polygamy-plural-marriage-and-spiritual.html My purpose is not to destroy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but rather to help it. I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has benefited me greatly. I also love God. In fact, I love God more than any individual or organization. If an individual or organization that I love is moving away from God, then, if I really love that entity or person, I will share the word of God with them as far as I understand it, as the Spirit directs and as much as they are willing to receive. If I’m mistaken in my understanding, interpretation or application then I will gladly change my course of understanding to align with God. I don’t care “who” is right, I just want to discover “what” is right and do all in my power to align my will and actions with God and help others do the same. The truth sets us free.
If I didn’t love the church, then I’d condemn it and I wouldn’t worry about sharing those things I don’t feel comfortable with according to the word of God and the Spirit of the Lord that is in me. I believe that if the church has false beliefs and false traditions then those inside it can help bring about the changes by sharing the truth to help correct its course. I have a hope and belief that there are very good men and women in the leadership and the body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I also believe that there are Judas’ among us. God allows the opposition to try our faith. I believe that sometimes we are so busy doing good that we don’t take the time to evaluate the course we or the church is on. In our busy-ness we may not check our personal hearts and possibly the organizational heart. If we don’t compare our traditions and beliefs to the holy word of God, it is possible that we end up 1 degree off, and like Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, one degree can be miles and miles away from our desired destination as our aircraft circles the globe.
I believe one reason we don’t have open and candid conversations in our quest for truth is fear of what others will think of us and fear of receiving disciplinary action from the Church. I don’t believe God acts or lives in fear. I believe He is a God who lives in the light of truth and is open and sharing and willing to give as much as we want to receive. God is love. He doesn’t upbraid or get angry with those that ask honest, sincere questions of the heart (James 1:5-6). “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:7-8).
Joseph Smith said this, “If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear them down? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way” (History of the Church, 5:498-99; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on July 9, 1843, in Nauvoo, Illinois; as reported by Willard Richards).
Joseph Smith also shared this revelation, “It is an imperative duty that we owe to God, to angels, with whom we shall be brought to stand, and also to ourselves, to our wives and children, who have been made to bow down with grief, sorrow, and care, under the most damning hand of murder, tyranny, and oppression, supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the very mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity.
8 It is an iron yoke, it is a strong band; they are the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell.
9 Therefore it is an imperative duty that we owe, not only to our own wives and children, but to the widows and fatherless, whose husbands and fathers have been murdered under its iron hand;
10 Which dark and blackening deeds are enough to make hell itself shudder, and to stand aghast and pale, and the hands of the very devil to tremble and palsy.
11 And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—
12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—
13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.
15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.
16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:7-17).
This is what I’m trying to do, share truth from correct sources and the feelings of my heart and mind and see if there is a better belief or a better way. Let’s bring all the good that we have and see what more is needed to discard or embrace to keep the church’s teachings in alignment with the fulness of the pure gospel. We need to weed out any false beliefs and false traditions (See 2 Nephi 28, Mormon 8).
I believe Zion will never be established here and thus allow Zion to come down from heaven to unite with us, if we are seeking to hide darkness in us individually or in us as a whole, in this case, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s not too late to make any needed course corrections because of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His hand is stretched out still. Repentance is available as we change to align ourselves with the gospel of Jesus Christ that was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.
I believe one of the beauties and blessings of scripture is that we have a safeguard against tyranny, abuse, oppression and deception. We are promised in the scriptures that by the voice of 2 or 3 witnesses shall the word of God be established (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:28; Matthew 18:16; Deut. 19:15). We are expected by the Lord to become so familiar with the word of God and the Spirit of the Lord that accompanies His word, that we can detect false doctrine and false precepts taught by any individual. I believe this was the case with polygamy. Had the saints been familiar with the word of God, they would have detected that Brigham was misguided/deceived in his declaration that the Lord was commanding them to practice polygamy. A large number of saints did recognize he was misguided, including Lucy Mack and Emma Smith and all of Joseph Smith’s family. As established in my last post, Joseph fought polygamy up until his death. (See https://bilbaochristian.blogspot.com/2020/02/polygamy-plural-marriage-and-spiritual.html)
So, if what is written in the scriptures and the words of Joseph Smith are true, that polygamy is an abomination, then what does that say about Brigham Young and the current Church? I believe that is the question I received on facebook and my blog. I believe this is a very good question.
The answer lies in the word of God, as written and as revealed to us. True doctrine and principles or practices taste like light and truth (see Alma 32, Moroni 7). We can discern the Spirit of the Lord ratifying truth.
We have been taught that the president of the church will never lead us astray. Is that established in the scriptures?
Here is the statement by Wilford Woodruff that has permeated our present culture in the church. Is it the mind and will of God? Is it a true principle? Here it is, “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)
Is that true doctrine? Is it consistent with the divine law of agency? Does God force His servants or any other individual to always do His will?
Let’s compare the 2nd Article of Faith and other quotes by Joseph Smith to Wilford Woodruff’s statement and then look at some scriptures to discover what is truth.
“We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression” (2nd Article of Faith). Is it the will of God to follow any individual into sin and then when one’s actions are called into question to say that you were just following the leader and you’re not accountable, only the leader is?
Joseph Smith taught, "If any man preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine & Covenants, set him down as an imposter... Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches" (Joseph Smith, Times & Seasons, 5:490-491, April, 1, 1844).
“And Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you;
6 For many shall come in my name, saying—I am Christ—and shall deceive many;
7 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations, for my name’s sake;
8 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another;
9 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many;
10 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold;” (JS—M 1:5-11).
“whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived,” (JS—M 1:37).
The Lord spoke through Joseph Smith to Sidney Rigdon about what to do with Joseph Smith’s words. The Lord said “thou shalt preach my gospel and call on the holy prophets to prove his words, as they shall be given him” (Doctrine and Covenants 35:23).
“And again, if thy foot offend thee, cut it off; for he that is thy standard, by whom thou walkest, if he become a transgressor, he shall be cut off.
43 It is better for thee, to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell; into the fire that never shall be quenched.
44 Therefore, let every man stand or fall, by himself, and not for another; or not trusting another.
45 Seek unto my Father, and it shall be done in that very moment what ye shall ask, if ye ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive.
46 And if thine eye which seeth for thee, him that is appointed to watch over thee to show thee light, become a transgressor and offend thee, pluck him out.
47 It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God, with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
48 For it is better that thyself should be saved, than to be cast into hell with thy brother, where their worm dieth not, and where the fire is not quenched”
(JST Mark 9:42-50).
When we direct people to do things contrary to the revealed word of God, we are practicing priestcraft. “He 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 get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Nephi 26:29). If others direct us to follow a man instead of looking to the Lord, then they are mislead. In scripture the prophets always come inviting others to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him and no other.
“O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.
41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and 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.
42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints” (2 Nephi 9:40-43).
“Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst…. Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (2 Nephi 15:13, 24).
Lehi’s Dream of the Tree of Life:
“And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.
6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.
7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.
8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies” (1 Nephi 8:5-8).
“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 man or maketh flesh his arm” (2 Nephi 4:34).
“53 Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge, the fullness of the scriptures; ye enter not in yourselves into the kingdom; and those who were entering in, ye hindered” (JST Luke 11:53).
“And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written; For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock. Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:3-5).
“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them” (3 Nephi 16:10).
The scriptures in my blog post explain in more detail who the gentiles are, us. https://bilbaochristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-fulness-of-gospel-of-jesus-christ-3.html We learn in 2 Nephi 28 and Mormon 8 that every church has become corrupted and Moroni asks, “why have ye polluted the holy church of God” (Mormon 8:38). Moroni sees our day and he is speaking to those that will read the Book of Mormon, us. He is inviting us, the holy church of God, to repent.
Jesus continues, “But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.
14 And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father.
15 But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel” (3 Nephi 16:13-15).
“Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law, to be my law to govern my church; 60 And he that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:59-60).
“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:57).
So, is it a true principle or doctrine to believe that any man or woman, even one considered a prophet, cannot lead you astray?
Let us be faithful to God. Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him! He is the Holy One of Israel. He is the rock and the Redeemer of Israel. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. I’m so grateful to Him and for Him. I know He will redeem me if I can fully put off the natural man and repent and become holy through Him. Oh sweet Jesus!
Let us place no other god before Him. It is time to rise up and let go of idolatry, false traditions, false beliefs and embrace the Holy One of Israel and no other.
The children of Israel preferred that Moses speak with God for them and so they got what they wanted. Let us follow these wonderful words by Russell M. Nelson, “In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity” (“The Price of Priesthood Power,” Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 2016).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can become Zion but it must be established on the principles of Zion. The principles of Zion are in the holy word of God. Just like the Constitution. We are a republic, a rule of law. One president or ruler cannot come in and be a light unto oneself. We must check and balance one another and our steps by the laws of God. I have great hope that the Church will repent of any false traditions or false beliefs. I will give it grace as I hope it gives me grace as I work out my own salvation. I’m not trying to tear it down but to help lift it up, just as it has lifted me up throughout my life.
In summary, my understanding of these scriptures is that we must verify the words of any individual by the established word of God or we may be deceived. The Holy Ghost is the testator of all truth. “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). It is our blessing and privilege to have the word of God and the power of the Holy Ghost to bring light and understanding to our minds and burn the truth of God into our souls. Joseph Smith taught, “The Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 149).
I’m so grateful for repentance, for me and for every church. For as Moroni prophesied, this great church we belong to would have need for repentance (Mormon 8:38). I’m hoping President Nelson continues to seek out every nook and cranny of the church that needs cleansing by the Lord. I’m hoping I can clean out every nook and cranny of my own life that together we might rise up and be counted clean through the blood of the Lamb and become Zion!
Additional scriptures that may be of benefit to you in your quest for understanding:
For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord—
4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.
5 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 done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;
6 Behold, hearken ye unto my 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 done his work.
7 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.
8 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, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; 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.
9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
10 And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.
11 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.
12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish (2 Nephi 28:3-16).
“Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
26 Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts” (2 Nephi 28:24-32).
“O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.
34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.
35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your 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 very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37 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.
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? 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 8:38).
Jeremiah 23, the whole chapter is a very good witness that the Lord allows prophets to lead people astray. Incredible chapter that I’d highly recommend for studying, pondering and praying over.
Jesus Christ tried to share the light of truth and so did Joseph Smith. It cost them their lives. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:19-21).
Again, to reiterate, I’m not saying the church is completely evil, nor am I completely evil. We all have work to do to repent. The Lord has said that He is no respector of persons. He doesn’t care if we are a servant, leader, rich or poor. He just wants all of us to repent and come unto Him. Joseph Smith taught this, “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, 'Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him who, remain from the least to the greatest” (TPJS, p. 149). My simple belief and hope is that if enough people share their concerns about the doctrine of Christ being changed that the leadership counsels of the church will look more deeply at our teachings and see if they align with the gospel of Christ. The gospel is pure and we need to keep the church in line with the gospel. We all have that personal and organizational responsibility. Some would say only the leadership has that responsibility, but my experience with business and religious organizations has been that the issues and concerns are seen often by individuals working in the trenches. In fact, I was putting fence in the other day and realized that my expectations for the crews to work faster was inappropriate. When I was in the trenches again, getting my hands dirty, my perspective was refreshed.
The Stewardship Question:
Who gave Lehi permission to invite Jerusalem to repent? Who gave Abinadi the right to call King Noah to change, repent? Who gave Paul the right to go before King Agrippa? Who gave Samuel the Lamanite stewardship over the Nephites? The Lord directs His work. He can invite all of us to teach the truth of the word of God. We are all brothers and sisters trying to become one with God. If we are humble, then we can learn from anyone or anything regardless of age, religious affiliation, race, status etc. God is no respector of persons. In other words, He is not bound by all the false beliefs and traditions of the day. He appeared to Joseph Smith and He continues to minister to His children through all means He deems necessary.
Who Do I Think I Am?
A son of God and a brother to all. I am a father trying to learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ and I’m willing to change so I can become more pure and holy through Jesus Christ. I am a sinner but I will keep striving to come unto Christ fully.
What About Unity?
If we are unified in sin than there is no strength in that unity. Unity and strength lies in being unified in Christ. “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18). That is why repentance is so important. Difficult and crucial conversations must take place in order to see blind spots and weakness. I’m just sharing what I feel the Lord would have me share and I’m open to others sharing with me their perspectives. The word of God is the standard. I like how we call the canon of scripture, the standard works. They give us a benchmark to judge precepts against.
Does a Living Prophet’s Words Trump All That Has Ever Been Written In the Standard Works?
Hopefully the scriptures and words of Joseph Smith that have been shared in this post and elsewhere can be of benefit to you in answering this question.
So, can you write these things and still be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Absolutely! I believe in grace for me and for the Church. I believe in mercy extended by Jesus Christ after fruits of repentance and faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, are produced. Flawed men and women are called to lead a church that is constantly wrestling to align itself with the laws of God in order to keep itself undiluted by the worldly philosophies and influences. I believe we can have open, candid conversations and see things differently and be willing to wait upon the Lord for Him to reveal truth to us in confirming the scriptures and/or in bringing additional scriptures to our remembrance to help us see the whole picture more perfectly. There is no reason to take membership away from someone who truly believes in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith, who sincerely believes there are course corrections in the current church that need to be made.
I have spent years searching the scriptures and the words of Joseph Smith, praying, pondering, fasting and seeking the Lord’s answers to my questions about plural marriage. I have found that Joseph never did teach polygamy and he fought against it. He never lived it. He was faithful to Emma and the Lord. I have found the fulness of the scriptures preach against polygamy, plural marriage and spiritual wifery as a whoredom and a great abomination in the sight of God. I believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I believe he spoke the truth and he meant what he said. I believe Heavenly Father is my Father in heaven and He loves me and all of us. I know Jesus Christ lives. He is my Savior and Redeemer. He is my Rock and my Strength. I know the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price are scriptures from God as far as they are produced and translated correctly and purely under God’s direction. I am seeking to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and I feel Him inviting me to share these things with you. I hope as you go to the scriptures and to God in sincere, humble prayer that you will receive the answers They have for you. May God bless you in your desires. I pray for you and me.
