95 Theses by Ogden Kraut 1st printing - 1975 2nd printing - 1982 3rd printing - 1990 Table of Contents If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter. --Joseph Smith Times & Seasons April 1, 1844 Typography by Anne Wilde When we have God's word pure and clear, then we think ourselves all right, we become negligent, and repose in a vain security; we no longer pay due heed, thinking it will always so remain, we do not watch and pray against the devil, who is ready to tear the Divine word out of our hearts. No greater mischief can happen to a Christian people, than to have God's word taken from them, or falsified, so that they no longer have it pure and clear. God grant we and our descendants be not witnesses of such a calamity. --Martin Luther CONTENTS INTRODUCTION:...................................................... 7 1. The Word of God............................................... 11 2. True Principles............................................... 12 3. Our Fileleader................................................ 13 4. Infallibility................................................. 14 5. Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh................................. 15 6. Personal Testimony............................................ 16 7. Personal Witnesses............................................ 18 8. Revelation.................................................... 19 9. A Peculiar People............................................. 20 10. Fashions...................................................... 21 11. Persecution................................................... 23 12. World Friendship.............................................. 24 13a. Mormon Independence........................................... 25 b. Indebtedness to Gentiles...................................... 26 c. Corporation Sole.............................................. 27 14. "All Is Well"................................................. 28 15. Destructions in the World..................................... 29 16. Fall of U.S. Government....................................... 31 17a. Gathering of Israel........................................... 33 b. The Keys of Gathering......................................... 34 c. Gathering to the Mountains.................................... 35 18. Wealth of Gentiles............................................ 36 19. The Wealth of Zion............................................ 37 20. Holy Scriptures............................................... 38 21. Inspired Translation of the Bible............................. 39 22. Journal of Discourses......................................... 40 23. Gifts of the Spirit........................................... 41 24. Speaking in Tongues........................................... 42 25. Inspired Dreams............................................... 43 26. Visions....................................................... 44 27. Temple Visitations............................................ 45 28. Heavenly Visitations.......................................... 46 29. The Three Nephites............................................ 47 30. Second Comforter.............................................. 48 31. Holy Ghost Before Pentecost................................... 49 32. Mysteries..................................................... 51 33. Prophets...................................................... 52 34. Seers and the Urim and Thummim................................ 53 35. Revelators.................................................... 54 36. Apostles...................................................... 55 37. Apostles Assistants........................................... 57 38. Seventies..................................................... 58 39. Apostleship of the Seventy.................................... 59 40. Presidents of the Seventy..................................... 60 41. Seventies over the Seventies.................................. 61 42. High Priests and Seventies Authority.......................... 62 43. High Priests.................................................. 63 44. Elders........................................................ 64 45. Teachers and Deacons.......................................... 65 46. Lady Missionaries............................................. 66 47. Without Purse or Scrip........................................ 67 48. Washing of Feet............................................... 68 49. Preaching in the Ministry..................................... 69 50. Written Sermons in the Church................................. 71 51. Tithing....................................................... 72 52. The United Order.............................................. 73 53. Consecration.................................................. 74 54. School of Prophets............................................ 75 55. Kingdom of God................................................ 76 56a. Blood Atonement............................................... 78 b. Oath of Vengeance............................................. 79 57. Ordinances ................................................... 80 58. Rebaptism..................................................... 81 59. Genealogy..................................................... 82 60. Sacrament..................................................... 83 61. Healing Instruments........................................... 84 62. The Fast Day.................................................. 85 63. Women Administer.............................................. 86 64. Temple Ordinances............................................. 87 65. Garments of the Priesthood.................................... 88 66. Temples and Stakes in Zion.................................... 89 67. Monogamy...................................................... 90 68. Eternal Marriages out of the Temples.......................... 91 69a. Plural Marriage, an Eternal Law............................... 92 b. Law of Abraham................................................ 93 c. Jesus, A Polygamist........................................... 94 d. Plural Marriage Done Away..................................... 96 70a. Manifesto..................................................... 98 b. Laws of God over the Laws of Man.............................. 100 71. Raising Seed to a Brother..................................... 101 72. Keys of the Priesthood Held by Many........................... 102 73. Priesthood Ordination......................................... 104 74. Priesthood Ordinances......................................... 105 75. Law of Adoption............................................... 106 76. Doctrine of the Godhead....................................... 107 77. Michael-Adam.................................................. 108 78. Honoring the Dead Prophets.................................... 111 79. Priestcraft................................................... 113 80. Lawyers....................................................... 115 81. Doctors....................................................... 116 82. Midwives...................................................... 117 83. Birth Control................................................. 119 84. Herbology..................................................... 120 85. Seven-Year Famine and Food Storage............................ 121 86. Fear of Enemies............................................... 122 87. False Prophets................................................ 124 88. Persecutors................................................... 126 89. Excommunication............................................... 128 90. Freedom of Thought............................................ 130 91. Another People................................................ 131 92a. Setting in Order.............................................. 133 b. One Mighty and Strong......................................... 134 93. Redemption of Zion............................................ 136 94. Believing the Revelations of God.............................. 138 95. Another Gospel................................................ 140 CONCLUSION: The Primitive Church.......................................... 141 The Reformation............................................... 146 The Restoration............................................... 157 ADDENDUM: Negro and the Priesthood (1978)............................... 181 Abolishment of the Seventies (1986)........................... 183 Temple Endowment Ceremony (1990).............................. 185 [7] INTRODUCTION On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Chapel in Germany. These propositions were an appeal for the more scholarly church members to discuss or debate them with Luther at the Wittenberg University. Luther's intent in writing the theses was not to condemn the church, nor to tell the Pope how it should be run, but rather to evaluate the difference between Bible teachings and ever increasing new innovations which were creeping into the doctrines of their faith. His writing was sparked by an authoritative change in doctrine--the Pope's sale of indulgences. Luther became aware of the discrepancy between the words of church leaders and the words of the Lord. There was also a contradiction between the teachings of one pope to that of another. But the trend of making the people believe more in the ideologies of church leaders, than in the doctrines of the Bible, appeared to Luther as the greatest danger to their salvation. It is not out of reason to expect the Latter-day Saints to also evaluate today's doctrinal teachings by comparing them to the scriptures and revelations of the Lord. All of the general councils of the Church have advised the members to search and study the scriptures. For example: "The Savior urged us to `search the scriptures,' to find the way of life (John 5:39). Everyone owes it to himself to find Christ's truth, and finding it, to hold fast to it." (Church News, May 4, 1974, p. 16) A similar and very timely article was written in 1965 as an editorial in the Church News. This article represents one of the finest literary masterpieces of ecclesiastical penmanship that has come from the present-day leadership of the Church. It is not only accurate in its analysis of Gospel principles, but emphasizes their eternal scope. It lets the reader envision the eternal nature of the promises and rewards which are attached to the everlasting principles of the gospel. It also challenges the reader to make comparisons of Church doctrine with the scriptures. A major portion of the article read: [8] OUR UNCHANGEABLE DEITY One of the most important things we may learn about our religion is that God is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever. By this we may know that the principles of salvation will always remain the same, and that we need not be disturbed by "new ideas" or "modern innovations" in the Gospel which may come our way. The Gospel can not possibly be changed. The heaven we hope to achieve is eternal and unchangeable. Therefore to bring the same human nature to the same goal, regardless of the time in which a person lives, requires the same steps and procedures. For that reason the saving principles must ever be the same. They can never change. *** To say that the Gospel may be changed is to say that either God has changed, or that human nature is no longer human nature. It is obvious therefore that no one can change the Gospel, and that if they attempt to do so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the Gospel, but is merely a reflection of their own views. And since only God can save, only His Gospel can save, and if we substitute "any other gospel" there is no salvation in it. Knowing as we do that man-made religion has no power to save, and realizing that we all have souls which require salvation, we should selfishly, and in our own best interests, make certain that we accept the right religion, God's religion, and not try to work our way into His kingdom by some man-made theory. Are the doctrines and rituals of the Church in harmony with the Bible, or are they creations of men who--though well meaning--have gone off on a tangent? If the principles by which any of us attempt to save ourselves are contrary to the Bible, we may know they are man's teachings, not God's, for the Lord and His Gospel remain the same--always. (Church News, June 5, 1965, p. 16) [9] This challenge and comparison applies to every person claiming to be a Christian. It is necessary for man to find out if their salvation is founded on a "man-made system" or the "creations of men," even though they came from honorable and "well meaning" men. The Church of Jesus Christ is not an exception. It should be able to stand comparative tests better than any other church. The following 95 theses contain only a sample of many such references on important principles and ordinances of the Gospel. This compilation is written with the intent of making a comparison of the teachings in the Bible and latter-day scriptures with those of present-day Church leaders. There is also a comparison of present-day Church teachings with those of former Church leaders. However, the purpose of this book is not just to compare principles of the Gospel as taught anciently to those in modern times. The main object is to better acquaint the reader with many of the principles which were taught both in the Bible and at the time of the restoration, but which have gradually faded out of the realm of modern Christianity. If the principles by which we attempt to be saved are contrary to the Bible and the other scriptures, then "we may know they are man's teachings, not God's, for the Lord and His Gospel remain the same--always!" The everlasting principles and doctrines of the Gospel should always remain the same; for surely a century should not make a difference in eternal principles. If it does, then we may know that something is wrong. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth; nevertheless, it too has its problems with a multitude of preachers who have arisen with heresies, conflicting doctrines, and vast assortment of opinions. Each Latter-day Saint should "search the scriptures" and determine what the Lord has said. It is only upon that "rock" that the gates of hell cannot prevail. [11] 1. THE WORD OF GOD "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever." (Isa. 40:8) "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:20; 2 Nephi 18:20) "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed .... "(Mark 8:38) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48) "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:4) "For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God." (D. & C. 84:44) "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away ...." (D. & C. 1:37-38) Today .... "Do the people of the Church want a safe guide to what is well for them to do? It is this: Keep in harmony with the Presidency of this Church. Accept and follow the teachings and advice of the President." (Ensign, Oct. 1972) [12] 2. TRUE PRINCIPLES "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Col. 2:8) "Search the scriptures--search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. No; for when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them." (T.P.J.S., p. 11-12) "Men may preach and practice everything except those things which God commands us to do, and will be damned at last. We may tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and still not obey the commandments of God. The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what he tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C. 6:223) "Who will? (become Gods) Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer." (Brigham Young, J.D. 1:312) Today .... "Brethren, keep your eye on the President of this Church. If he tells you to do anything and it is wrong and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it." (Heber J. Grant & Harold B. Lee, Ensign, Oct. 1972) [13] 3. OUR FILELEADER "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Tim. 2:5) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "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 how to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26) "When the children of Israel were chosen with Moses at their head, they were to be a peculiar people, among whom God should place His name; their motto was: `The Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our Judge; the Lord is our King; and He shall reign over us.' While in this state they might truly say, `Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. '" (Joseph Smith, T.P.J.S., p. 252) "...But the greatest and most important of all requirements of our Father in heaven and of his Son Jesus Christ, is, to his brethren or disciples, to believe in Jesus Christ, confess him, seek to him, cling to him, make friends with him. Take a course to open and keep open a communication with your Elder Brother or fileleader--our Saviour." (Brigham Young, J.D. 8:339) Today .... "With warnings and safeguards such as the Lord provides, need anyone be deceived? If we follow the president of the Church, we need never go astray." (Church News, Aug. 17, 1974, p. 16) [14] 4. INFALLIBILITY "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecc. 8:20; Prov. 20:9; 1 John 1:8) "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophecy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts." (Ezek. 13:1-4) "Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God." (Micah 3:5-7) "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." (Matt. 24:3,4,5,11) "And they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known. And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead." (D. & C. 64:39-40; see also D. & C. 85:7-11; 101:44-54) Today .... The Saints are now told that they ". . . should follow the men whom they sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators, for they will lead no one astray." (Church News, Mar. 17, 1973) [15] 5. TRUST NOT IN THE ARM OF FLESH "Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide .... " (Micah 7:5) "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." (Jer. 17:5) "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." (2 Nephi 4:34) "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh--" (D. & C. 1:19) "Can I save you? No, I can only advise a righteous course, and encourage and aid in walking therein, it then remains for them to take the course which I advise, and I always advise people to adopt that policy which Joseph taught and advocated, and which brother Brigham now lays before us, from day to day. This is what will save you, and you cannot be saved upon any other principle. I have power to save myself, and if I do not save myself, who will save me? All have that privilege, and naught can save us but obedience to the commandments of God." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 3:269) "How often has it been taught that if you depend entirely upon the voice, judgment, and sagacity of those appointed to lead you, and neglect to enjoy the Spirit for yourselves, how easily you may be led into error, and finally be cast off to the left hand?" (Brigham Young, J.D. 8:59) Today .... Members of the Church are taught that "...it behooves us, as Latter-day Saints, to put our trust in the presiding authorities of the Church." (Doctrines of Salvation, p. 243) [16] 6. PERSONAL TESTIMONY "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh--But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;..." (D. & C. 1:19-20) "And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father." (D. & C. 84:47) "Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God." (T.P.J.S., p. 324) "If it was not for the religion I profess, which gives me to know something about the matter, by revelation, for myself, I would not have anything to do with religion at all." (John Taylor, J.D. 1:150) "Now those men or those women who know no more about the powers of God and the influences of the Holy Spirit than to be led entirely by another person suspending their own understanding and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory to be crowned as they anticipate. They never will be capable of becoming Gods." (Brigham Young, J.D. 1:312) "Let every man and woman know themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates or not. This has been my exhortation continually." (Brigham Young, J.D. 9:150) "Without revelation direct from heaven it is impossible for any person to understand fully the plan of salvation. We often hear it said that the living Oracles must be in the Church in order that the Kingdom of God may be established and prosper on the earth. I will give another version of this sentiment. I say that the living Oracles of God, or the Spirit of revelation must be in each and every individual, to know the plan of salvation and keep in the path that leads them to the presence of God." (Disc. of Brigham Young, p. 58) "... `no man knoweth the things of God, but by the spirit of God.' That was said in the days of the Savior and the Apostles, and it was no more true then than it is now, or than it was in the days of the Prophets, Moses, Abraham [17] Noah, Enoch, Adam, or in any and every age of the world. It requires the same manifestations in one age as in another to enable man to understand the things of God." (Brigham Young, Des. Evening News, May 5, 1874) "To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand. "Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself." (Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 460-61; see also J. Golden Kimball, p. 365) "...the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to the extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a saint from the face of an enemy against the people of God. "Then is the time to look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall. "For I say unto you there is a test, a Test, A TEST coming." (J. Golden Kimball, p. 364) "The time has arrived in the history of this people when every Latter-day Saint must stand on his own responsibility as a tub stands on its own bottom; live the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the dictates of his own conscience and get the reward; otherwise he must suffer the consequences." (Joseph F. Smith, Sept. 1903, Truth, Nov. 1, 1936, 2:6, p. 88) Today .... "When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan, it is God's plan." (June 1945 Ward Teaching Lesson) [18] 7. PERSONAL WITNESSES "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21) "The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world--thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling." (D. & C. 107:23) "They had this testimony--that they had seen the Savior after he rose from the dead. You must bear the same testimony; or your mission [apostleship], your labor, your toil, will be in vain.*** but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can hear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That is more than the testimony of an angel." (D.H.C., 2:193, 195) "It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God; and could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as well be rent today as next week or any other time ...." (T.P.J.S. p. 9) "Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and accord to his own will." (D. & C. 88:68) "Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am." (D. & C. 93:1) Today .... This testimony is almost never heard of today. [19] 8. REVELATION "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11-12) "For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith." (D. & C. 98:12) "Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God. But if any revelations are given of God, they are universally opposed by the priests and Christendom at large; for they reveal their wickedness and abominations." (D.H.C. 4:588) "What constitutes the kingdom of God? Where there is a prophet, a priest, or a righteous man unto whom God gives His oracles, there is the kingdom of God; and where the oracles of God are not, there the kingdom of God is not.... but if we do not get revelations, we do not have the oracles of God...." (T.P.J.S., p. 272) "If anything should have been suggested by us, or any names mentioned, except by commandment, or thus saith the Lord, we do not consider it binding." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C., 3:295) "Communication never ceased when the people were faithful .... an unbroken stillness reigned between the heavens and the earth until the people again repented...." (George Q. Cannon, J.D. 22:265) "When new revelation ceases to be given officers cease to be called of God." (Orson Pratt's Works, p. 40) Today .... Since the Manifesto was issued in 1890, the past 80 Years have been silent. There has never been a revelation presented for the people to accept or sustain at a General Conference. For nearly a century not another word has been added to the Doctrine and Covenants. [20] 9. A PECULIAR PEOPLE The Lord told Moses that he would lead the children of Israel and they would become a "peculiar" people (Ex. 19:5). Peter also wrote that "...ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;" (I Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14) "When the children of Israel were chosen with Moses at their head, they were to be a peculiar people, among whom God should place His name;..." (T.P.J.S., p. 252) "`Yes,' said Brother Heber, `we think we are secure here in the chambers of these everlasting hills, where we can close the doors of the canyons against mobs and persecutors, the wicked and the vile, who have always beset us with violence and robbery, but I want to say to you, my brethren, the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to that extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a saint from the face of an enemy against the people of God. "`Then is the time to look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall.'" (J. Golden Kimball, p. 364-65) Today .... "Utah is rapidly succumbing to the wave of uniformity that has been growing in the nation. Our system of transportation, communication, our nation-wide T.V., radio, chain stores, packaged food, theater chains, clothing styles, are rapidly ending our uniqueness. We are no longer a peculiar people...." ("This Was the Place," by Eugene E. Campbell, Speeches of the Year, Extension Publications, July 23, 1959, p. 9) [21] 10. FASHIONS "...Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, ***making a tinkling with their feet: *** In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty." (Isa. 3:16, 18-24) "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (I Tim. 2:9-12) "If the Lord has given me means and I spend it needlessly, in rings for my fingers, and jewelry for adornment, I deprive the Priesthood of that which they ought to have to gather the poor, to preach the Gospel, to build temples and to feed the hungry in our midst. I deprive a people, will by and by inherit the earth, of so many blessings. Every yard of ribbon that I buy that is needless, every flounce, and every gewgaw that is purchased for my family needlessly, robs the Church of God of just so much. But it seems as though the people do not think of these things; they do not lay them to heart. Our wives and daughters seem to forget that they have responsibilities resting upon them in these respects." (Brigham Young, J.D. 14:18) "The President [Brigham Young] stopped with us. He sat at the head of the table and had me sit down at his right. The President, when everything was ready, asked a blessing, then all began to eat. He asked for some buttermilk, then crumbled some bread in it and began to eat. He conversed freely on the situation of the Saints in the mountains, and said that he dreaded the time when the Saints would become popular with the world; for he had seen in sorrow, in a dream, or in dreams, this people clothed in the fashions of Babylon, and drinking in the spirit of Babylon until one could hardly tell a Saint from [22] a black-leg. And he felt like shouting, `To your tents, Oh Israel!' because it was the only thing that could keep this people pure. "Many of this people for the sake of riches and popularity, will sell themselves for that which will canker their souls and lead them down to misery and despair. It would be better for them to dwell in wigwams among the Indians than to dwell with the gentiles and miss the glories which God wishes them to obtain. I wish my families would see the point and come forth before it is too late. For oh, I can see the tendency in my families to hug the moth eaten customs of Babylon to their bosoms. This is far more hurtful to them than the deadly viper; for the poisons of the viper can be healed by the power of God. but the customs of Babylon will be hard to get rid of." (Mosiah Hancock Journal, p. 47-48) "There was a time when we could walk up and down the streets and tell by the very countenances of men whether they were Latter-day Saints, or not; but can you do it now? You can not, unless you have greater discernment and more of the Spirit and power of God than I have. Why? Because many are trying as hard as they can to transform themselves into the very shape, character, and spirit of the world. Elders in Israel, young men, mothers and daughters in Israel are conforming to the world's fashions, until their very countenances indicate its spirit and character. This course is to the shame and disgrace of those who are so unwise." (Joseph F. Smith, J.D. 11:310) Today .... We live, act, and dress according to the customs and traditions of the gentile world. [23] 11. PERSECUTION "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matt. 5:11-12) "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own...." (John 15:19; see also 15:20) *** There is still that same spirit of antagonism existing between truth and error that there was then. Let a man join this Church; *** probably a good man, and esteemed by his neighbours, and continued so; but when he became a servant of God, the powers of darkness were let loose upon him; men began to persecute him and speak evil of him, and his name was cast out as evil. This is the lot of every man that receives the truth--I don't care where he comes from." (John Taylor, J.D. 7:195) "...when all the chief features of the Gospel are obliterated, when we can float along the stream and do as the world does, then and not till then will persecution cease...." (George Q. Cannon, J.D. 22:374) "And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, of wrath and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked." (Brigham Young, J.D. 4:327) Today .... "My greatest happiness, I find in the good will and friendship that has developed among all classes of people at home and abroad toward the Latter-day Saints Church, during my lifetime; in place of everyday persecutions and bitterness we now enjoy the high regard and happy association with all denominations." (Heber J. Grant, S.L. Tribune, Nov. 22, 1938) [24] 12. WORLD FRIENDSHIP "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."(John 15:18-19) "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4) "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,' 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." (T.P.J.S., p. 206) "There is nothing that would so weaken my hope and discourage me as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them." (Brigham Young, J.D. 10:32) "When Mormonism finds favor with the wicked in this laid it will have gone into the shade; but until the power of the Priesthood is gone, Mormonism will never become popular with the wicked." (Brigham Young, J.D. 4:38) Today .... "I am thankful that wherever I have traveled during the past six months I have found a feeling of respect, a feeling of love in the hearts of many for the Latter-day Saints, in the hearts of those not of our faith. I heard many very splendid compliments while in Washington by members of the president's cabinet, by senators and representatives, and by officials of the government in the Federal Reserve banking departments, and in others, wherever I went, and with all the people that I met, bankers in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and other cities, I heard good things said of the Latter-day Saints; we are coming into our own, so to speak." (Heber J. Grant, Conf. Rept., April 4, 1920, p. 12) [25] 13a. MORMON INDEPENDENCE The Lord commanded His people to be sure that "all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands." (D. & C. 42:40) Even the sacrament wine was changed to water in obedience to "...a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies," (D.& C. 27:3) but it could be used if it was made by themselves. (v. 4) "I give not unto you that ye shall live after the manner of the world." (D. & C. 95:13 and D. & C. 1:16) "I look forward to no distant period when this people, called Latter-day Saints, will be obliged to sustain themselves. We must prepare to gather around us every necessary of life, to make every implement we may wish to use, and to produce from the earth every grain, vegetable, and fruit that we need, and not go to any other place to buy." (Brigham Young, J.D. 9:32) "Now, you go to work, brethren and sisters, and get out something of home manufacture, and be as faithful as President Young and his counsel have been in this matter, and then you shall be blessed more than you are." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 9:28) "I would like to see the people take a course to make their own clothing, make their own machinery, their own knives and their own forks, and everything else we need, for the day will come when we will be under the necessity of doing it, for trouble and perplexity, war and famine, bloodshed and fire, and insomuch that we cannot get to them, nor they to us." (Heber C. Kimball, Life of H.C. Kimball, p. 411) Today .... We presently do not have our independence because we purchase everything from our enemies, we live after the manner of the world in nearly every respect, and we are being told to remain scattered in Babylon. [26] 13b. INDEBTEDNESS TO THE GENTILES "For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee." (Deut. 15:6) "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Prov. 22:7) "Behold, it is said in my laws, or forbidden, to get in debt to thine enemies;" (D. & C. 64:27) "If they enter upon their business without God in their thoughts, it is `How much can I get for this? and how much can I make on that? and how much will the people give for this and for that? and how fast can I get rich? and how long will it take me to be a millionaire?' which thoughts should never come into the mind of a merchant who professes to be a Latter-day Saint. But it should be `What can I do to benefit this people?'*** And our mechanics, do they labor for the express purpose of building up Zion and the kingdom of God? I am sorry to say that I think there are very few into whose hearts it has entered or whose thoughts are occupied in the least with such a principle; but it is, `how much can I make?'*** Brother Joseph Smith gave us the word of the Lord; it was simply this: `Never do another day's work to build up a Gentile city never lay out another dollar while you live, to advance the world in its present state; it is full of wickedness and violence; no regard is paid to the prophets, nor the prophecyings of the prophets, nor to Jesus nor his sayings, nor the word of the Lord that was given anciently, nor to that given in our day. They have gone astray, and they are building up themselves, and they are promoting sin and iniquity upon the earth; and,' said he, `it is the word and commandment of the Lord to his servants that they shall never do another day's work, nor spend another dollar to build up a Gentile city'" (Brigham Young, J.D. 11:294-295) Today .... Nearly all Mormons are in debt to the gentiles in something. [27] 13c. CORPORATION SOLE "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--...." (Alma 10:19) "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." (D. & C. 26:2) "For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the Church, by the prayer of faith." (D. & C. 28:13) Today .... Without the consent or knowledge of the members of the Church, in 1923 the First Presidency made secret business transactions. Evidence was presented in a pamphlet entitled "Temple Block Sold," showing how all the buildings on Temple Square and others also were used as pawn to obtain money for Pres. Grant and his associates in their business ventures. The buildings mortgaged under three deeds besides the temple were: Church office building, Bishop's building, Deseret Gymnasium building, the Beehive House and the Lion House. (It is interesting to note that the present Church leaders claim that any secret doings are not of the Lord. In the June 21, 1975, issue of the Church News, in referring to individuals or groups whose activities are aligned with the evil one, the authorities said: "They are masters in `cover up,' yet they profess to teach a secret truth made known to them specially by some hidden process.... When will people learn that `the Lord worketh not in darkness' (2 Nephi 26:23) and that he gives no secret revelations and authorizes no secret ordinations? The Lord's work is done openly and above board, with the vote and voice of the congregations of the Saints. (D. & C. 20:63-67) ... By their devious methods such teachers brand themselves for what they are.") AFFIDAVIT STATE OF UTAH } } ss. COUNTY OF SALT LAKE } M. Peterson, Alonzo Cole and Clide Neilson, all residents of Salt Lake County, State of Utah, being duly sworn on oath, dispose and say that they have seen in the office of the Recorder of Salt Lake County, certain Bargain and Sales deeds bearing the respective identification numbers: 501,788--501,790--502,184; that they have also seen one mortgage document issued by the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company in the year of 1936 to Wells Fargo Trust Company of San Francisco; and also one mortgage in Box Elder County, recorded in Book 36 of Mortgages, on page 329, issued by the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company to the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the purpose of securing certain debts contracted by the latter corporation from the Chase National Bank. [28] 14. "ALL IS WELL" "Let no man deceive you by any means; for there shall come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (II Thes. 2:3-4) "And others he will pacify, and lull them away carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion, yea, Zion prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." (2 Nephi 28:21) "I have had visions and revelations instructing me how to organize this people so that they can live like the family of heaven, but, I cannot do it while so much selfishness and wickedness reign in the Elders of Israel...." (Brigham Young, J.D. 9:269) "And with regard to the conduct of this people--if an angel should come here and speak his feelings as plainly as I do, I think he would say, `O, Latter-day Saints' why don't you see, why don't you open your eyes and behold the great work resting upon you and that you have entered into? You are blind, you are stupid, you are in the dark, in the mist and fog, wandering to and fro like a boat upon the water without sail, rudder or oar; and you know not whither you are going." (Brigham Young, J.D. 19:93) "We are getting into such a condition that if we were to meet the Lord, we could not look him in the face, and the way we are going it will soon be impossible to tell what we do believe." (John Taylor, Des. News, Mar. 9, 1889) "Let the majority of the people turn away from the Holy Commandments which the Lord has delivered to us, and cease to hold the balance of power in the Church, and we may expect the judgements of God to come upon us...." (Brigham Young, J.D. 10:335) Today .... We are now told that things are well in Zion--because the Church prospers more than ever before in membership, wealth and popularity. But 70% of the Church is inactive! [29] 15. DESTRUCTIONS IN THE WORLD "...he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matt. 3:12) "But as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man." (Matt. 24:44, Ins. Ver.) "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, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;" (D. & C. 87:6) Joseph Smith warned the saints that "...God will gather out the Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered." (D.H.C. 2:52) "We are called upon to come out from among the wicked, as it is written, `Come out of her, O my people,' that is come out of Babylon. What is Babylon? Why, it is the confused world; come out of her then, and cease to partake of her sins, for if you do not you will be partakers of her plagues." (Brigham Young, J .D. 12:282) "This land is blessed above all other lands: it was foreordained to be the gathering place of the Saints, where the Lord would hide up his people until his indignation should pass over the nations of the earth." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 9:52) "Am I looking for famines? Yes, the most terrible and severe that have ever come upon the nations of the earth. These things are right before us, and some of this people are not thinking anything about them; they do not enter their hearts." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 5:20) "It will be war of neighborhood against neighborhood, city against city, town against town, country against country, state against state, and they will go forth destroying and being destroyed and manufacturing in a great measure will cease, for a time, among the American nation." (Orson Pratt, J.D. 20:151) [30] "This if this is the case, and if we are not sanctified and gathered to the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out His Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C. 2:52) "God will pour out his vials of wrath, and distress the nations till they will learn and practice righteousness; and his people must flee to their appointed hiding place till the indignation is overpast, otherwise they have no guaranty for their safety." (Mill. Star 9:310) "The subject and practice of Gathering is a great stumbling block to many who make but a partial investigation of the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith; for, say they, `Cannot God save me as well in my native land, as in the land of America? Why is it necessary for me to leave the lands of my fathers, and take my journey to the wilds of a distant continent?' ***Doubtless the Lord could do many things which He never will, and there is one thing for certain He never intends doing--that is, to save a man who will not strive to save himself, by rendering obedience to the principles laid down in the Gospel." (Mill. Star 39:212) Today .... President Kimball said, "...as we have told the Saints in Europe in hundreds of meetings in many different locations, if the Saints in Europe will remain in their lands, ...the kingdom can grow and prosper, and God will bless them, and that I how." (Improvement Era, Dec. 1955) [31] 16. FALL OF U.S. GOVERNMENT "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume ALL these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." (Dan. 2:44) "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, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of ALL nations;" (D. & C. 87:6) "...I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left, for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children, and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished." (Joseph Smith, T.P.J.S., p. 302-303) "I told General Kane that the Government of the United States would be shivered to pieces." (Brigham Young, J.D. 12:119) "A terrible revolution will take place in the land of America, such as has never been seen before; for the land will be literally left without a supreme government, and every species of wickedness will run rampant. Father will be against son, and son against father, mother against daughter, and daughter against mother. The most terrible scenes of murder and bloodshed, and rapine that have ever been looked upon will take place. Many will come with bundles under their arms to escape the calamities, and there will be no escape except by fleeing to Zion." (Joseph Smith, Visions of the Latter Days, p. 9-10) "The next I knew I was just this side of Omaha. It seemed as though I was above the earth, and looking down at it. As I passed along upon my way east, I saw the road full of people, mostly women, with just what they could carry in bundles on their backs traveling to the mountains on foot." (Wilford Woodruff, Prophetic Years, by Anderson, p. 54) [32] "Joseph said that if they succeeded in taking his life, which they did, war and confusion would come upon the nation, and they would destroy each other, and there would be mob upon mob from one end of the country to the other." (Brigham Young, J.D. 10:255) "I ask myself the question, can the American nation escape? The answer comes, No; its destruction, as well as the destruction of the world, is sure; just as sure as the Lord cut off and destroyed the two great and prosperous nations that once inhabited this continent of North and South America because of their wickedness, so will he destroy them, and sooner or later they will reap the fruits of their own wicked acts, and be numbered among the past." (Wilford Woodruff, J.D. 21:301) "I saw the Cardston temple preserved from all of this geological upheaval. I saw the international boundary line disappear as these two governments broke up and dissolved into chaos. I saw race rioting upon the American continent on a vast scale." (The Cardston Temple Vision, Visions of the Latter Days, Book I, p. 27) Today .... "We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. On the contrary, we should be providing optimistic support for the nation." (p. 341) "Men my fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardships, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. *** Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail." (Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World, pp. 350-351) "We believe that our people should sustain all the righteous activities and actions of their leaders. We do not feel that there is going to be any total disruption. We have hopes that all may straighten out well and that America might go forward. We are teaching our people to be true and loyal to their respective governments." (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Feb. 1974, pp. 6-7) [33] 17a. GATHERING OF ISRAEL "And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land." (Ezek. 37:21; see also Deut. 30:3; Ezek. 36:24; Psalms 106:47; Psalms 26:9; Isa. 66:18; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 11:17; John 11:52; Eph. 1:10) "The doctrine of the gathering of the people of God, including Israel, is one so clearly predicted by the inspired writers, that it seems almost superfluous to refer to the numerous passages relating to it." (Orson Pratt's Works, p. 9) "The Savior spoke in parable of the latter-day kingdom, and assured his disciples that when that kingdom was established, and preparatory to the end of the world, he would send his angels to the four corners of the earth, to gather the wheat into the garner, and the tares in bundles ready for the burning." (Mill. Star 36:172) "The gathering of the Saints is a very important item of our faith. It is founded upon divine revelation, both ancient and modern. *** None of the Saints can be dilatory upon this subject, and still retain the Spirit of God. To neglect or be indifferent about gathering is just as displeasing in the sight of God as to neglect or be indifferent about baptism for the remission of sins." (Mill. Star 10:241) "Years ago, when the Spirit opened up to the mind of the Prophet Brigham, the visions of the future, he plainly foresaw that the time must come, when the SAINTS would rejoice in the privilege of going to Zion on foot, not only with handcarts, but without them; that they would be glad to escape from the nations with their lives." (Mill. Star 18:137) "If men have not the spirit of gathering they are blind and cannot see afar off, and are nigh unto burning." (Mill. Star 9:310) Today .... "The policy of the Church is not to entice or encourage people to leave their native lands." (Messages of the First Presidency, 4:165) [34] 17b. THE KEYS OF GATHERING "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north." (D. & C. 110:11) "Moses appeared to the Prophet Joseph to confer upon him the keys for the gathering together of the dispensations and the house of Israel from all portions of the earth. We have got to preach to the Lamanites, to the house of Judah and by and by the ten tribes." (John Taylor, J.D. 19:141) "When the Gospel went forth among the people, after the appearance of Moses in the Temple, and the committing of the Keys of the Gathering, when you Latter-day Saints received the Gospel of baptism for remission sins and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, you also received the spirit of the gathering." (John Taylor, J.D. 19:125) "Why is it that you are here to-day? and what brought you here? Because the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four quarters of the earth have been committed to Joseph Smith..." (John Taylor, J.D. 25:179) "I defy all Israel to have so gathered without these keys and been brought together as they are to-day. But we had no trouble in gathering because we had the keys." (John Taylor, J.D. 19:144) Today .... "The place of gathering for the Mexican saints is in Mexico, the place of gathering for the Guatemalan saints is in Guatemala; the place of gathering for the Brazilian saints is in Brazil, and so it goes throughout the length and breadth of the whole earth." (Bruce R. McConkie, Church News, Sept. 2, 1972) [35] 17c. GATHERING TO THE MOUNTAINS "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." (Isa. 2:2) "Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked." (D. & C. 29:8) "But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed." (D. & C. 49:24-25) "We are in the mountains; we did not come here of our own accord, but we came by the will of the Father. We are in the tops of the mountains where the prophet (Isaiah) said the people of God would be in the last days." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 10:101) "Your mission will be to the nations of the earth. You will gather many people into the fastness of the Rocky Mountains." (Joseph Smith, Jrnl. of Sam H. Rogers, p. 198) "Zion is placed in her appropriate position, and is truly beginning to flourish and rejoice upon the hills and mountains according to the predictions of Joseph, the Prophet and according to many predictions of the ancient prophets." (Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 6) "...God designs that this shall be our home, and that we shall multiply and increase until the time shall come for us to go back, according to the revelation, to repossess the land from which we were driven." (George Q. Cannon J.D. 22:282) Today .... "...every nation is the gathering place for its own People." (Bruce R. McConkie, Church News, Sept. 2, 1972) "The `gathering of Israel' is effected when the people of far away countries accept the gospel and remain in their native lands," President Kimball said. Each country is the `gathering place of Israel' for its inhabitants, he said." (Church News, April 5, 1975) [36] 18. THE WEALTH OF GENTILES "Let me say to you just what the Lord requires of you, if you would only do it. He requires at our hands, each and every one of us, to begin and sustain the Kingdom of God, and to withdraw from the world and the business of the world. *** I say this is the mind and the will of God concerning this people, if they will hearken to it. Purchase no more of your enemies." (Brigham Young, J.D. 11:374) "If a bishop or any other officer in this Church shall counsel the people to violate any of the laws of God, and to sustain and build up the kingdom of this world, I will justify them, and the Lord will justify them in refusing to obey that counsel." (Brigham Young, J.D. 12:164) "I saw that this people would have to gain a foothold, a strength, power, influence and ability to walk by themselves and to take care of themselves, and power to contend with their enemies and overcome them, upon the same principle that the whites did when they first came to America and overcame the Indians." (Brigham Young, Des. News, 5:403, Feb. 17, 1856) "In the mercantile world there is what is called the credit system, which I consider one of the greatest curses that was ever introduced among men. *** People talk about our credit not being good lately. I hope to God nobody will credit a "Mormon." We don't want anything on credit. I want us to live as we can live; and if we cannot live without going into debt to our enemies, let us die--never put our heads under the yoke." (John Taylor, J.D. 5:119) "After a while the Gentiles will gather to this place by the thousands, and Salt Lake will be classed among the wicked cities of the world. A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the Saints, and the result will be financial bondage." (Heber C. Kimball, as related by Amanda H. Wilcox, May 1868; see also J. Golden Kimball, by Richards, p. 363) Today .... "You are needed where you are. We encourage you to stay where you are because you are needed there where the light is going out,..." (Matthew Cowley, Conf. Rept., Apr. 1952, p. 102) [37] 19. THE WEALTH OF ZION The Lord said, "and let that which belongs to this people be appointed to this people. *** and let that which belongeth to this people not be taken and given unto that of another church." (D. & C. 51:7, 10) "Cease to give wealth which the Lord has given us to those who would destroy the kingdom and scatter us to the four winds if they had the power." (Brigham Young, J.D. 11:139) "...this is the great secret we are teaching in the School of the Prophets--be exclusive enough to sustain the kingdom of God. We want our means ourselves and if we trade with outsiders at all we want it to be yonder at a distance and not here." (Brigham Young, Des. Even. News, Nov. 29, 1868) "I know, and knew sixteen years ago as well as I do to-day, that from the very first the merchants who came here were laying the foundation for the uprooting of this people unless we had exceeding great faith; and that every dollar that was given to them was given to ruin you and me, and to destroy the kingdom of God on the earth." (Brigham Young, J.D. 11:298) "Many of this people are perhaps preparing themselves, by following after the world in its mad race for wealth and pleasure, to go down with Babylon when she crumbles and falls;..." (Orson F. Whitney, Des. News Weekly, Aug. 11, 1889) Today .... "Many of the higher officials of the church have risen to their present eminence via a route on which they found themselves handling business affairs of the church.... Today the church owns outright a number of thriving modern enterprises and has its funds invested in stocks of others, as well. *** Higher officials of the Mormon church are members of the Boards of Directors of several corporations of national scope, including the Union Pacific Railroad.... Against the advice of all his conferees in the church, President Wilford Woodruff again forcibly injected the church into the beet sugar business in 1890...." (These Amazing Mormons, pp. 49-50) Church policy scatters the Saints to the four quarters of the earth and spends their wealth among the Gentiles, such as the 40-story office building in New York City, (See Church News, May 3, 1975, p. 4) and many other business enterprises among the gentiles. [38] 20. HOLY SCRIPTURES "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who prively shall bring in damnable heresies...." (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2:1) "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:31) "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:19) "The Lord would cut short his work in righteousness and except the Church receive the fulness of the Scriptures that they would yet fail." (T.P.J.S., p. 9) "If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter." (Joseph Smith, Times & Seasons, Apr. 1, 1844) Today .... "...his [Pres. David O. McKay's] words have an even more immediate importance than those of the dead prophets." (Ezra Taft Benson, Imp. Era, Dec. 1963, p. 1064) [39] 21. INSPIRED TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE "He that can mark the power of Omnipotence, inscribed upon the heavens, can also see God's own handwriting in the sacred volume: and he who reads it oftenest will like it best, and he who is acquainted with it, will know the hand wherever he can see it...." (T.P.J.S., p. 56) The Lord gave "some more extended information upon the Scriptures, a translation of which had already commenced." (Times & Seasons 4:336) On February 2, 1833, Joseph wrote: "I completed the translation and review of the New Testament ...." (Times & Seasons 5:723; see also D. & C. 42:5; 101:10; 107:28) On February 2, 1833, Joseph took the manuscript N.T. which was completed (Times & Seasons 5:723) and sealed it up. Old Testament completed July 2, 1835." (Times & Seasons 6:802) On July 2, 1833, Sidney Rigdon wrote: "We this day finished the translation of the scriptures... having finished the translation of the Bible, a few hours since.... (Times & Seasons 6:802; see also D.H.C. 1:368) "This work [Inspired Translation of the Bible] is given to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to the public in pursuance of the commandment of God. As concerning the manner of translation and correction, it is evident, from the manuscripts and the testimony of those who were conversant with the fact, that it was done by direct revelation from God. It was begun in June, 1830, and was finished July 2, 1833." (Preface to Inspired Translation, p. 3) Today .... "Some teachers and writers have begun to use the so called Inspired Version of the Bible, which the Prophet Joseph undertook but never completed. The Presiding Brethren urge the use of the King James version of the Bible, which is the official Bible of the Church, since the Prophet did not complete his work on the revision." (Church News, Nov. 16, 1974, p. 16) [40] 22. JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21) "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (D. & C. 68:3,4) "...these Sermons will be most valuable, as a gauge of doctrine, a rule of rectitude, and a square to life, furnishing at the same time an extensive repository of historical information." (Introduction to Journal of Discourses) "I know just as well what to teach this people and just what to say to them and what to do in order to bring them into the celestial kingdom, as I know the road to my office. It is just as plain and easy. The Lord is in our midst. He teaches the people continually. I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve." (Brigham Young, J.D. 13:95) "I say now, when they are copied and approved by me they are as good scripture as is couched in this Bible, and if you want to read revelation read the sayings of him who knows the mind of God,..." (Brigham Young, J.D. 13:264) Today .... In December of 1956, Bruce R. McConkie's first volume of Sound Doctrine was advertised in the Improvement Era. This was a revision of the Journal of Discourses in which all controversial or unpopular teachings were discarded. However, an exact photo-reproduction reprint was made of those Journals by another source, so the edited editions were not published. Mark E. Petersen has stated that he would not have a set of the Journal of Discourses in his home. Other present General Authorities have also stated that the Journals contain much false doctrine. [41] 23. GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT Jesus said, "These signs shall follow them that believe...." (Mark 16:17) "And these signs shall follow them that believe -- in my name they shall do many wonderful works; In my name they shall cast out devils; In my name they shall heal the sick; In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf; and the tongue of the dumb shall speak...." (D. & C. 84:65-70; see Mormon 9:24 and I Cor. Chap. 12) "Because faith is wanting, the fruits are. No man since the world was had faith without having something along with it, *** A man who has none of the gifts has no faith; and he deceives himself, if he supposes he has. Faith has been wanting, not only among the heathen, but in professed Christendom also, so that tongues, healings, prophecy, and prophets and apostles, and all the gifts and blessings have been wanting." (T.P.J.S., p. 270) "The distinguishing characteristics between true and false churches are so evident that none need be mistaken. The one enjoys the Holy Spirit with all its gifts, as set forth in the word of God; the others profess to enjoy the Spirit, but have none of the gifts and operations ascribed to it. The only way by which we discover that the human body is animated by the human spirit, is by its operations; so likewise, the method by which we determine that a church enjoys the Holy Spirit is by its diversity of operations or manifestations. If these cease, we have every reason to believe that the Holy Spirit has departed also." (Orson Pratt's Works, p. 96) "...all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men. And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one." (Moroni 10:19,25; see also 11-18) Today .... Now there are fewer gifts than at any time in the history of the Church. Although the Church is many times larger, it receives proportionately fewer spiritual gifts. [42] 24. SPEAKING IN TONGUES "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;" (Mark 16:17) "...it is given to some to speak with tongues; and to another is given the interpretation of tongues. And all these gifts come from God for the benefit of the children of God." (D. & C. 46:24) "On the 23rd of January, we again assembled in conference; when, after much speaking, singing, praying, and praising God, all in tongues,..." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C. 1:323) "They were so eager to attend their meetings and to speak, prophesy, and talk in tongues, that the Apostle Paul had to regulate their meetings and give them counsel in regard to the manner of conducting them, that order might prevail." "The Saints were abundantly blessed with these manifestations of the spirit. But when the apostasy took place, the spirit of the Lord departed, its manifestations were fewer, and at last they were not known in the Church." (Imp. Era 8:111) Today .... "I was somewhat startled a few days ago, while in conversation with a young brother who had just returned from a mission to Scandinavia, by hearing him remark that he had never in his life heard anyone speak in tongues. "The remark was somewhat of a shock to me; because in the early days of the Church--where I was reared--there were so many of the Saints who enjoyed the gifts, and there were none among my acquaintances who had not heard the sweet sound of the gift of tongues. Many times there would be both speaking and singing in tongues, in the same sacrament meeting. The interpretation of tongues was equally as the tongues themselves. In fact, we were wont to regard the speaking in tongues, the interpretation of tongues, the relating of dreams and prophesying, as an essential part of the Latter-day gospel. (Anthon H. Lund, Imp. Era Conf. Repts, p. 32) There are very few members of the Church who have heard the speaking or interpretation of tongues. It was considered by the Prophet Joseph Smith as perhaps "the smallest" of the gifts, yet we do not enjoy or experience even that gift. [43] 25. INSPIRED DREAMS "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction." (Job 33:14-16) "In all dispensations God has revealed many important instructions and warnings to men by means of dreams. *** "What have not dreams accomplished? Dreams and their interpretation brought the beloved son of Jacob from his dungeon, made him prime minister of Egypt, and the savior of a nation and of his father's house. "Dreams, and the interpretation of dreams, raised a Daniel from slavery or degrading captivity in Babylon, to wear a royal chain of gold, and to teach royalty how to rule, whilst he presided over the governors and presidents of more than a hundred provinces. "Dreams, and the interpretation of dreams, have opened the future, pointed out the course of empires through all the troublous times of successive ages, till Saints alone shall rule, and immortality alone endure.*** "A dream announced by Joseph that his virgin wife should have a son. A dream forewarned him to flee into Egypt with the young child and his mother. A dream announced to him in Egypt the death of Herod, and warned him to return to his native land. "A dream warned the wise men from the east to return home another way, and not return to Herod to betray the young child. "Dreams and visions warned Paul, and the Apostles, and the Saints of his day, of various dangers, shipwrecks, persecutions and deaths, and pointed out the means of escape. "Dreams and visions attended and guided them, more or less, in their whole ministry and sojourn on the earth." (Key to Theology, P. P. Pratt, pp. 119-123) "Are you faithful to your vows? If you are you will have dreams, and visions, and revelations from the world of light, and you will be comforted by night and by day. But if you do not fulfill your covenants you cannot enjoy those blessings." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 3:112) [44] "...whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit." (D. & C. 5:16) "It is by dreams that God often makes known his mind and will to mankind. In the holy scriptures we find many notable instances of this power, or of this gift, in which man, visited in his slumbers by the angels of God's presence, has partaken of the Spirit of light and intelligence that surrounds Him.... "Dreams are of different kinds and are given for various purposes; each true one, however, being applicable to the situation and requirements of the individual receiving it, or, of the people about whom it contains directions. "We have many examples wherein men who received dreams from God, and were obedient to their teachings, realized blessings at His hands. They had faith in God sufficient to know truth from error; but, now-a-days, we may look a long while before we can find, amongst the people of the world, an individual who has thus faith enough to forsake his home and journey into a strange land in obedience to the requirements of God manifested in a dream." (Mill. Star 26:293) "Dreams, then, are one of the stepping stones of communication from God to man. When men are capable of receiving revelations from God, they can then be directed, reproved, comforted, warned or instructed and thus have the assurance that they are walking in the path that God wills them to follow." (The Gift of Dreams, Kraut, p. 14) Today .... Inspired dreams and visions are nearly extinct in the Church. Those who have had them are told not to speak of them. [44a] 26. VISIONS "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." (Num. 12:6) "Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord." (Lam. 2:9) "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Prov. 29:18) "By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God-- ***And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness; And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever." (D. & C. 76:12,20,21) "The revelations given by the Holy Ghost; by the voice of the Lord; by the ministry of angels; by visions and dreams, and by the inspired officers of the kingdom, are the kind of laws ordained for the government of the Saints. By such laws they have been governed in every age and dispensation. All churches which have not faith to obtain revelations and laws by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, are not the churches of God. Though they may pretend to great piety; profess to be Christians; make long prayers; preach eloquent sermons, and meet together every Sabbath day under the pretense of worshipping God, yet if they have not faith to obtain new revelations, and visions, and the ministry of angels, they are not the church of God, and are deceiving themselves and others with a false and delusive religion; a religion by which they will perish, as the scripture saith, `Where there is no vision the people perish.'" (Proverbs 29:18) (Orson Pratt's Works, p.70) Today .... President Heber J. Grant said, The heavens are as brass to me," and other leaders of the Church have also had the same experience. [44b] GOSPEL ALWAYS THE SAME Now taking it for granted that the scriptures say what they mean, and mean what they say, we have sufficient grounds to go on and prove from the Bible that the gospel has always been the same; the ordinances to fulfill its requirements, the same, and the officers to officiate, the same; and the signs and fruits resulting from the promises, the same;... Joseph Smith, T.P.J.S., p. 264 [45] 27. TEMPLE VISITATIONS "And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house." (II Chron. 7:2) "And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God." (D. & C. 97:15-16) "We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah...." (D. & C. 110:2-3) "I feel disposed to speak a few words more to you, my brethren, concerning the endowment: All who are prepared, and are sufficiently pure to abide the presence of the Savior, will see Him in the solemn assembly." (Joseph Smith, T.P.J.S., p. 92) "Zebedee Coltrin related a vision in the Temple in Kirtland after the School of the Prophets was organized. He said while sitting in Council a personage passed through the room dressed in usual clothing. Joseph said that was the Savior. Soon another personage passed through the house clothed in fire; his features and feet were visible, but his body was wrapped in flames. Joseph said that was the Father." (Journal History, Oct. 10, 1883) Today .... The temples being built today are not visited by the Lord nor are they built for that purpose. The great temple of Washington D.C. was built principally as an exhibit to Gentiles. It is situated in a city where 80% of the population are Negroes and are prohibited from entering the temple. [46] 28. HEAVENLY VISITATIONS "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;" (Matt. 13:41) "Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it." (Acts 7:53) "Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain." (Moroni 7:37; see also Moroni 10:14) "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels,..." (D. & C. 13:1) "The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church--To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant." (D. & C. 107:18-19) "...He [the Lord] has promised us great things; yea, even a visit from the heavens to honor us with His own presence." (Joseph Smith, T.P.J.S., p. 19) Today .... Visitations of angels have gradually and almost completely disappeared. In spite of more temples in the Church today, and many more times the number of people who go through the temples, heavenly visitations have almost vanished. [47] 29. THE THREE NEPHITES "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Heb. 13:2) "And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had wilfully rebelled against their God; and the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land, because of their iniquity." (Mormon 1:16) "And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people...." (Mormon 8:10) "These three men tarried among the Nephites until between three and four hundred years after Christ, and until the wickedness of the people became so great that the Lord took them out of their midst." (Orson Pratt, J.D. 16:320) "If they [The Three Nephites] shall pray to the Father, says the Book of Mormon, in the name of Jesus, they can show themselves unto whatsoever person or people they choose. The very reason they do not come amongst us is because we have a work to do preparatory to their coming; and just as soon as that is accomplished, they are on hand, and also many other good old worthy ancients that would rejoice our hearts could we behold their countenances, and hear them recite over the scenes they have passed through, and the history of past events, as well as prophecy of the events to come." (Orson Pratt, J.D. 2:264) Today .... From 1880 to the present time the appearances of these three have gradually diminished. The Lord apparently is not suffering them to remain with this people because of our wickedness and rejection of so many Gospel principles. [48] 30. SECOND COMFORTER "Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; (D. & C. 93:1) "All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained. All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself." (T.P.J.S., p. 180-181) "...when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, 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 the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him and the Lord will teach him face to face...." (T.P.J.S., p. 151) "You have been indebted to other men, in the first instance, for evidence; on that you have acted; but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That is more than the testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you out; although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven. "Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off your doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us, God is the same. If the Savior in former days laid His upon His disciples, why not in latter days?" (D.H.C. 2:195-196) Today .... For the past 85 years there has been almost a silence concerning the Second Comforter. The rarity of this manifestation is indicative of the Saints' failure to abide by the laws that draw the people to Him. [49] 31. HOLY GHOST BEFORE PENTECOST "And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son...." (Moses 5:9) "And it came to pass that when Satan had departed from the presence of Moses, that Moses lifted up his eyes unto heaven, being filled with the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son." (Moses 1:24) "And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God--and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come--I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. "For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. *** And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not." (I Nephi 10:17-19, 22) "And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost." (Alma 8:30) "This scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judah." (Mark 12:36 & Acts 1:16) "John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb." (D. & C. 84:27) "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." (Luke 1:41) "When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." (Matt. 1:18) [50] "And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." (Luke 2:25,26) Today .... "During his mortal ministry our Lord gave his disciples the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead based on faithfulness. But as long as Jesus was with them, the actual enjoyment of the gift was withheld. Fulfillment of the promise came on the day of Pentecost; with miraculous majesty attending, the gift of tongues and of interpretation was poured out upon a great multitude and many conversions were made." (Acts 2:1-17) (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 181) [51] 32. THE MYSTERIES "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to them it is not given. For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Matt. 13:9-11; see Mark 4:11, Insp. Vers.) "...and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full." (Alma 12:10; see also I Nephi 2:16; I Nephi 10:19; Mosiah 2:9) "Many men will say, `I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times.' But the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens and are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared for them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death. It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and will cause the people to kill the prophets in this generation." (T.P.J.S., p. 309; see also p. 112, 364, 331) "And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries, which are great and marvelous; therefore, thou shalt exercise thy gift that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways." (D. & C. 6:11; see also 42:61,65; 107:11; 84:19; 76:116, 5-8) Note: The only warning against the mysteries were for missionaries not to teach them to the Gentiles because of the danger of persecution. (See Matt. 7:6; T.P.J.S., p. 292; D. & C. 42:65) Today .... "Leave the `Mysteries' Alone. We should keep our feet on the ground and not get off in the realm of the mysterious, the speculative, the things which the Lord has not yet made plain. *** The discussion of mysteries and doctrines only partly revealed can await the coming of the Lord,..." (Doctrines of Salvation, J.F. Smith, 1:305-306) [52] 33. PROPHETS "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" (Eph. 2:20) "And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets .... " (2 Kings 21:10) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) "If the time or condition should ever come to pass that a man, possessing human weaknesses, shall lead the Church, woe be to the Church; for it will then become like the churches of the world, man-made and man-led, and have no power of God or of life eternal and salvation connected with it; only the wisdom, the judgment and intelligence of man." (Gospel Doctrine, J.F. Smith, p. 138) "We are told that the living oracles take precedence over all other authority, living or dead. We agree that the living oracles take precedence, provided they do not conflict with the dead oracles. `To the law and the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them.' (Isa. 8:20) If it is true that the living oracles take precedence over all others regardless of their disagreements with the dead prophets, then the Saints must necessarily change their faith every time there is a change in the presidency, to conform to the views of the new president." (Bsp. Heber Bennion, Gospel Problems, p. 6) Today .... "At this point we recall the stirring words of the late Elder B. H. Roberts. Striking the tabernacle pulpit he exclaimed: "We have Prophets who do not prophesy; Seers who do not see, and Revelators who do not reveal.'" (Truth Aug. 1952, 18:3, p. 83) [53] 34. SEERS AND THE URIM & THUMMIM Ezra had a Urim and Thummim (2:61-63) and also Nehemiah (7:63-65). Joseph in Egypt had the same gift (Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt, p. 557). The Brother of Jared (Ether 3:23), Aaron (Ex. 28:29,30), and Joshua (Num. 27:18-21) also had it, as well as Lehi and Nephi (Mill. Star 76:552-557). It was possessed by Eleazer the Priest (Num. 27:18-21) and the priest who resided with Micah (Judges 18:5-6); and the priests who lived in the city of Nob (I Sam. 22:18). It was also in existence at the time of King David (I Sam. 28:6). "And I, Abraham, had the Urim and Thummim, which the Lord my God had given unto me, in Ur of the Chaldees." (Abraham 3:1) "And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and Thummim." (Lev. 8:5,8) "Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God." (Mosiah 8:13) "And now Limhi was again filled with joy in learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Mosiah had a gift from God, whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice." (Mosiah 21:28) "And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished."(D. & C. 5:4) "Has Brother Brigham Young got the Urim and Thummim? Yes, he has everything that is necessary for him to receive the will and mind of God to this people. Do I know it? Yes, I know all about it...." (Heber C. Kimball, J.D. 2:111) Today .... Hugh B. Brown stated, "I do not know of any Urim and Thummim used in the Church today." (Oct. 10, 1969, University of Utah Institute of Religion) None of the other apostles or members of the First Presidency have given testimony of a Urim and Thummim either. [54] 35. REVELATORS "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11-12) "And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations." (D. & C. 76:7-8) "We never can comprehend the things of God and of heaven, but by revelation. We may spiritualize and express opinions to all eternity; but that is no authority." (T.P.J.S., p. 292) "`I do not care who leads the church, even though it were Ann Lee; but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject.'" (Brigham Young, D.H.C. 7:230) Today .... In reference to Pres. Heber J. Grant, a Church member stated: "Speaking of attending a certain meeting with the President in the Temple, he said the President came into the meeting under the emotion of tears, and informed the brethren present he had pled with the Lord for direction in certain matters, but could get none. Said he, `The heavens are as brass over me.'" (Truth, Feb. 1939, p. 175) [55] 36. APOSTLES The Lord speaking to the Twelve Apostles said, "Go ye and teach all nations." (Matt. 28:16) And again, the Twelve are "called to go into all the world to preach my gospel." (D. & C. 107:18) "The Twelve will have no right to go into Zion, or of her stakes, and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof...but it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different branches of the Church." (T.P.J.S., p. 74) "They [the Twelve] are to travel and preach among the Gentiles, until the Lord shall command them to go to the Jews." (D.H.C. 2:200; see D. & C. 107:33) "What, says one, no seats provided for the Twelve; is not this their home? No, their homes are all over the earth preaching the Gospel, building up the kingdom, regulating the affairs of the kingdom of God upon the earth; and we take them in as visitors. Are there places to be provided for the Seventies? No, but for the First Presidency and the local authorities and not for the traveling ministry. The Twelve and the Seventies are travelling quorums to all the inhabitants of the earth." (Brigham Young, Des. News, June 6, 1877) Today .... "I want to say, here are the Apostles and the Seventies, their business is to warn the nations of the earth and prepare the world for the coming of the Savior. They have been engaged in this more or less. "It looks to me that our minds ought to extend somewhat, and we get out of the beaten track, and a little change be made. *** "The following day while commenting upon the readiness in which the Apostles had considered his remarks, the President said he very much regretted that it should have become necessary for him to call attention of the Apostles to their plain duty, that they should have sensed the situation themselves without rendering it necessary for him to point it out to them. Upon this particular occasion he said there was no doubt in his mind that the time was near at hand when the Savior would make His appearance, and he trembled at the thought that the Apostles were spending so much of their time in matters that should be attended to by others, while so little comparatively was being done in their own line of calling. [56] "He had been thinking of late whether we were justified in keeping at home the Apostles and Seventies the way we were now doing. They were really ministers to the nations of the earth; their duties were clearly marked out by the Lord, and until the Gospel was preached thoroughly to the world he doubted whether the Savior would come, as the preaching of the Gospel to the world is certainly a part of the work that has to be done before He does come. "The President also said there were republics on this continent which never had been visited by an Apostle, and he did not know how far the Lord justified the Apostles and Seventies in waiting for things to become pleasant and agreeable before visiting such countries." (Remarks by Joseph F. Smith about Lorenzo Snow's last remarks, The Juvenile Instructor, 36:689-690) For the past 75 years the Apostles have all resided in Salt Lake City, and attended Thursday morning meetings to run the official affairs of the Church. They have become businessmen, stockholders of corporations, and the leading merchants in Utah. [57] 37. APOSTLES ASSISTANTS "It is the duty of the traveling high council [Apostles] to call upon the Seventy, when they need assistance." (D. & C. 107:38) "I next called upon the quorums and congregations of Saints to acknowledge the presidents of Seventies, who act as their [the 12 Apostles] representatives, as Apostles and special witnesses to the nations, to assist the Twelve in opening the Gospel kingdom among all the people, and to uphold them by their prayers, which they did by rising." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C. 2:417) "The Seventies are to be taken from the quorum of Elders, and are not to be High Priests. They are subject to the direction and dictation of the Twelve, who have the keys of the ministry." (T.P.J.S., p. 112) "If a High Priest should be remiss in his duty, and should lead, or suffer the church to be led astray, depart from the ordinances of the Lord, then it is the duty of one of the Seventies, acting under the special direction of the Twelve, being duly commissioned by them with their delegated authority, to go to the church, and if agreeable to a majority of the members of said church, to proceed to regulate and put in order the same; otherwise he can have no authority to act." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C. 4:129) Today .... "Therefore, at the late General Conference five men, High Priests, were called to act as assistants to the Twelve. This action shows the adaptability of the Church to changing, increasing conditions,...." (John A. Widtsoe, Imp. Era, May 1941, p. 288) "All of the Assistants to the Twelve Apostles are high priests. If an elder or a seventy should be selected to be an Assistant to the Apostles, he would be ordained to the office of a high priest." (Imp. Era, Oct. 1956, p. 752) [58] 38. SEVENTIES "The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews." (D. & C. 107:34) "I say unto you, Latter-day Saints, that the Seventies follow the Twelve Apostles, and the Twelve Apostles follow in the wake of the First Presidency,... The Twelve and the Seventies are travelling quorums to all the inhabitants of the earth." (Des. News, June 6, 1877, p. 274) "The Seventies are called to be assistants to the Twelve Apostles; indeed they are Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ subject to the direction of the Twelve, and it is their duty to respond to the call of the Twelve, under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church to preach the gospel...." (Joseph F. Smith, Conf. Rept., April 1907, p. 5) "They [Seventies] are subject to the direction and dictation of the Twelve, who have the keys of the ministry." (T.P.J.S., p. 112) Today .... "The activities of Seventies resident in the stakes, both as to quorum and individuals, are under the supervision of stake presidents and ward bishops." (Priesthood and Church Government, p. 275) "I cannot believe that God has given us an impractical plan for such choosing and presiding over Seventies. The plan as God has given it is entirely practical if allowed to function as planned. But if changed and distorted I am sure it will not be practical. The multiplication table in mathematics works all right if allowed to stand as it is, but if you go to changing it, making it say that three times nine is twenty-one, or that three times eight is sixteen and so throughout, then you will have trouble, The application of the illustration is obvious." (B. H. Roberts, The Seventies, Kraut, p. 159) [59] 39. APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEVENTY "And they [Seventies] form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named." (D. & C. 107:26) "This day the Council of the Seventy met to tender an account of their travels and ministry, since they were ordained to that Apostleship." (Joseph Smith, D.H.C., 2:346) "He [Brigham Young] stated that the Seventies are ordained Apostles and when they go forth into the ministry they are sent with power to build up the Kingdom in all the world and consequently have power to ordain High Priests and also to ordain and organize a High Council." (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, Dec. 14, 1845) "He [Parley P. Pratt] further stated that the difference between the authority of the Seventies and the High Priests was this: The High Priests possessed the High Priesthood but the Seventies possessed the High Priesthood and the Apostleship which was the highest power on the earth or in the Church." (Nauvoo Record Book B, p. 226) "The Seventies are Apostles; and they stand next in authority to the Twelve." (Brigham Young, Des. News, June 6, 1877, p. 274) Today .... "An announcement that members of the First Council of Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been ordained high priests to give them `power to set in order all things pertaining to the Church' as they visit among the stakes and missions was made Sunday morning in the Salt Lake Tabernacle." (Des. News, June 12, 1961) [NOTE: It would be wrong to ordain a man a high priest after he already held the Apostleship of the Seventy.] [60] 40. PRESIDENTS OF THE SEVENTY "And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy." (D. & C. 107:93) The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "The Seventies are to be taken from the quorum of Elders, and are not to be High Priests." (T.P.J.S., p. 112) "Five of those chosen to make up the first council were High Priests; therefore to make the action of the Church conform to the word of God, these High Priests were invited by the Prophet to take their place in the High Priests' quorum, that the first council might be made up of men `chosen out of the number of the Seventy' as provided by the law of God." (D.H.C. 2:476) "If we enquire of the Lord, if there is one man upon the face of the earth that can get to the ears of the Lord and can get him to hearken to him, he would know how it is; for there is nothing in the Doctrine and Covenants upon which an idea can be based that the High Priests have precedence over the seventies." (Des. News, June 6, 1877) "This...I insisted very definitely affixed the choosing and presiding over the quorums of the seventy by the First Council of Seventy. It rests with the First Council of the Seventy both to do the choosing and the presiding, and there is nowhere mentioned, nor contemplated, the bringing in of Presidents of Stakes nor of committees from High Councils to do the work of choosing and presiding." (B. H. Roberts' letter to the First Presidency, The Seventies, Kraut, p. 146) Today .... In 1961 it was announced that "this morning four members of the First Council of Seventy were ordained high priests, and the other members of the First Council of Seventy will be so ordained." (Des. News, June 12, 1961) [61] 41. SEVENTIES OVER THE SEVENTIES "And it is according to the vision, showing the order the Seventy, that there shall be seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the Seventy." (D.H.C. 2:182) "The council was called together in the month of November, 1835. After it was assembled he asked the newly organized quorum if any of their number had been ordained to the High Priest's office previous to their ordination as Seventies....five out of the Seven Presidents, however, acknowledged that they were High Priests before they were ordained Seventies .... Accordingly, the Prophet invited them to take their places in the High Priests' quorum again, which was complied with...." (History of the Organization of the Seventies, p. 4-5; also The Seventies, Kraut, p. 134) "The Seventies are to be taken from the quorum of Elders, and are not to be High Priests. They are subject to the direction and dictation of the Twelve, who have the keys of the ministry." (T.P.J.S., p. 112) "At the October conference of 1882, Elders Abraham H. Cannon and Theodore B. Lewis were selected to fill the vacancies in the first council of the seventy; but it was learned that Elder Lewis was a High Priest, and, consequently--for the reason that these presidents are to be `chosen from among the seventy'--he was found ineligible and was not ordained." (C.H.C. 6:105) "...it would not be necessary to ordain Presidents of Seventies, High Priests in order to function in all things that would become necessary `in building up the kingdom in all the world, first among the Gentiles and then among the Jews.'" (B. H. Roberts letter to Heber J. Grant, The Seventies, Kraut, p. 164) Today .... "The members of the First Council of the Seventy are now given the authority of high priests to set in order all things pertaining to the stakes and the wards, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles." (Conf. Rept. Sept.-Oct. 1961, p. 90) [62] 42. HIGH PRIESTS AND SEVENTIES AUTHORITY "And they [the Seventies] form a quorum, equal authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named." (D. & C. 107:26) Apostle Parley P. Pratt said, "the difference between the authority of the Seventies and the High Priests was this: The High Priests possessed the High Priesthood, but the Seventies possessed the High Priesthood and the Apostleship which was the highest power on the earth or in the Church." (Nauvoo Record Book B, p. 226) "He said that in case the quorum of the Twelve should by any means become disorganized, that the Seventies held the jurisdiction and authority of Presidency of the Church in all the world wherever it might be found. That the High Priests' duty would be the same as it is now; they would have to attend to their affairs; but the authority of Presidency over the whole Church belonged to the Seventies," (Seventies Record Nauvoo Period, Book B, Parley P. Pratt, Jan. 25, 1846, p. 226) "The quorum of the twelve apostles are equal in power and authority to the first presidency. The first quorum of the seventy is equal in authority to the quorum of the twelve; and, of course, indirectly equal in authority to the first presidency, since things equal to a common thing must be equal to each other." (C.H.C. 2:369) "I stated that the Seventy were ordained Apostles and when they went forth into the ministry they were sent with power to build up the kingdom in all the world and consequently they have power to ordain High Priests and also ordain a High Council. Some of the High Priests have been ready to quarrel on the subject supposing they had power and authority above the Seventy...." (Manuscript History of Brigham Young; see The Seventies, Kraut, p. 163) Today .... "An announcement that members of the First Council of Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been ordained high priests to give them `power to set in order all things pertaining to the Church' as they visit among the stakes and missions was made Sunday morning in the Salt Lake Tabernacle." (Des. News, June 12, 1961) [63] 43. HIGH PRIESTS "The duty of a High Priest is to preside over the labors of the Seventies such as branches and stakes and to organize the same when necessary, but not to preside over the Seventies or to control them in any way whatever." (Nauvoo Period Record, Book B, p. 31) "There is a quorum of High Priests in this Stake, and it is proper that they should fully understand the duties of their office and calling, which the Book of Doctrine and Covenants plainly states. *** Many circumstances have occurred since the commencement of our recent organization which show how little prepared the High Priests were to take upon themselves the duties of their office, in presiding over Stakes, Wards, etc." (John Taylor, J.D. 19:140) "The Seventies are also members of the same Priesthood, are a sort of traveling council or Priesthood, and may preside over a church or churches, until a High Priest be had." (T.P.J.S., p. 112) "...the Seventies are not called to serve tables, or preside over churches, to settle difficulties, but are to preach the Gospel and build them, and set others, who do not belong to these quorums, to preside over them, who are High Priests." (T.P.J.S., p. 109) "And we, therefore, had to go outside of the High Priests, whose legitimate business it was to occupy these positions, and call other men and ordain them High Priests, and set them apart to preside in these stakes, as Presidents and Bishops and Councilors,..." (John Taylor, J.D. 19:306) "High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in the office of an elder,... Whereas other officers of the Church, who belong not unto the Twelve, neither to the Seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations...." (D.& C. 107:10, 98) Today .... Today high priests call the missionaries, ordain them, and preside over the missions. [64] 44. ELDERS "The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God." (D. & C. 20:45) "Again, the duty of the president over the office of elders is to preside over ninety-six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to teach them according to the covenants. This presidency is a distinct one from that of the seventy, and is designed for those who do not travel into all the world." (D. & C. 107:89-90) "Verily, I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, there must needs be presiding elders to preside over those who are of the office of an elder." (D. & C. 107:60) "Whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the Twelve, neither to the Seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations.... " (D. & C. 107:98) "On the left of the first presidency may be said to stand the high priests, to which quorums of priesthood belongs the right of general and local presidency in the church. From their ranks patriarchs, presidents of stakes, high councilors, and bishops and their counselors are chosen; and next to the high priests stand the elders, who are to assist them in the performance of their duties. These quorums of priesthood constitute the standing ministry for the stakes of Zion, upon whom more especially devolve local presidency, and the duty of preaching and administering the gospel within the stakes of Zion." (C.H.C. 2:370-71) Today.... Nearly all of the missionaries in the foreign missions are elders. [65] 45. TEACHERS AND DEACONS "The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them; *** and is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires." (D. & C. 20:53-57) "The duty of the teachers is to be the standing ministers in the respective wards where they reside, to see that there is no iniquity in the church, and that the members perform their duties. Twenty-four of them constitute a quorum, which is presided over by a president and two counselors chosen from the members. "The duty of the deacons is to assist the teacher, and they may also expound, teach, warn and invite all to come unto Christ. Twelve of them form a quorum, and from their number a president and two counselors are chosen to preside." (C.H.C. 2:371) "Deacons are appointed to assist the teachers in the performance of their duties." (C.H.C. 1:194) Today .... In March 1970 it was announced that home teachers could be assisted by their wives. So for the next three years wives were allowed to act as home teachers with their husbands. Then in October of 1973 the Church reversed their former reversal by stating, "Wives should not be assigned as Priesthood home teaching companions." (Priesthood Bulletin, Vol. 9, No. 5) [66] 46. LADY MISSIONARIES "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." (I Cor. 14:34) "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the men, but to be in silence." (I Tim. 2:11-12) "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come." (Luke 10:1) "It is the duty of the traveling high council to call upon the Seventy, when they need assistance, to fill the several calls for preaching and administering the gospel, instead of any others." (D. & C. 107:38) "Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was." (T.P.J.S., p. 365) Today .... In 1898 it was announced: "Great interest is being manifested at the present time in the subject of sending sisters out as missionaries, to labor in bearing testimony to the truth of the Gospel, and in other directions connected with its propagation. It is very gratifying to hear such good news concerning the commencement of the labors of the sisters." (Mill. Star 60:398) [67] 47. WITHOUT PURSE OR SCRIP "And he said unto them Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece." (Luke 9:3; see also Matt. 10:1-15) "Therefore, let no man among you, for this commandment is unto all the faithful who are called of God in the church unto the ministry, from this hour take purse or scrip, that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom." (D. & C. 84:86; see also D. & C. 24:18) "There is no qualification about these words of the Lord; and though the revelation in which they are contained was given in 1832, we know of no command that has changed their force since they were given." (Mill. Star 53:348) "This is the Lord's way. Blessings beyond all earthly reckoning await those who thus give and those who receive. Herein is prescribed a test whereby we may know who are, indeed, the Lord's disciples." (J. E. Taylor, Mill. Star 88:248) "Thus saith the Lord unto My servant, John Taylor, and my servant Wilford Woodruff, and my servant Orson Pratt, and to all the residue of mine Apostles: Have you not gone forth in my name without purse or scrip and declared the Gospel of life and salvation unto this nation and the nations of the earth and warned them of the judgments which are to come, as you have been moved upon by the power of the Holy Ghost and the inspiration of the Lord? "You have done this year by year for the whole generation, as men count time. Therefore, your garments are clean of the blood of this generation and especially of this nation." (Life of Wilford Woodruff, Revelation given in 1880, p. 530) Today .... The missionary must have a guaranteed income before he can go on a mission. [68] 48. WASHING OF FEET "Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. *** If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:8, 14) "He that receiveth you not, go away from him alone by yourselves, and cleanse your feet even with water, pure water, whether in heat or in cold, and bear testimony of it unto your Father which is in heaven, and return not again unto that man. (D. & C. 84:92-93; see also 60:15) "I told him if he did not repent of his sins and be baptized for the remission of them, he would be damned, which made him angry. We then passed on until we came to a pure stream of water, and there cleansed our feet, bearing testimony against him, as the Lord commanded." (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Orson F. Whitney, p. 80) "Elder Taylor and his companion diligently searched these people out and presented the gospel message to them. Some gladly received the word, and others rejected it with great bitterness. Against some of this latter class the brethren washed their feet as a witness against them. The manner in which they complied with this ordinance appointed unto them is described by Elder Taylor as follows: "`We washed our feet and then knelt before the Lord and bore testimony of it, saying: O Lord, our Heavenly Father, we Thy servants have borne testimony to the truth of those things which Thou hast revealed to Mr. S_____, and he has rejected our testimony. O, Father, Thou knowest we have no hard feelings toward the man; if Thou canst forgive him and lead him to the truth, do so, we pray Thee. O, Father, we do this that we may fulfill Thy word, and bear testimony before Thee according to Thy commandment; and now, O, Lord, we leave him in Thy hands, praying Thee to guide us into all truth, in the name of Jesus. Amen."' (The Life of John Taylor, by B. H. Roberts, p. 76) Today .... Such things are neither taught nor practiced. [69] 49. PREACHING IN THE MINISTRY Those who were called to the ministry were told by the Lord to "preach the word of truth by the Comforter," because "if it be by some other way it is not of God." (D. & C. 50:17-18; see also D. & C. 20:45) "All are to preach the Gospel, by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost; and no man can preach the Gospel without the Holy Ghost." (T.P.J.S., p. 112) "The Holy Ghost knows the minds of this people and what is necessary to deal out to every man and every woman in due season their portion. If I am not dictated by the Holy Ghost I cannot communicate to you that which is necessary." (Heber C. Kimball, Bowery, Aug. 23, 1857, Des. News, Sept. 16, 1857) "The Lord knows our hearts; He knows our wants; He knows where we need strength and comfort, and warning and reproof; and when He pours out His Holy Spirit upon the people and upon the speaker every man and woman receives that which is suited to his or her condition. It is for this reason that the Lord has commanded His servants not to prepare their discourses, but to ponder upon His word, and in the very moment they needed to speak He would give unto them that which they should say. In this way all are fed, all are benefited, all are reproved, all are warned, as the need may be." (George Q. Cannon, Des. News Weekly, Sept. 5, 1896) "When people attempt to preach the Gospel without the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they are under the necessity of studying or of writing their sermons,... When the Lord sets to his hand to perform a work and to build up his kingdom on the earth, his servants whom he calls to do this work are obliged to trust in the Lord their God and to lean upon his arm for strength,..." (Wilford Woodruff, J.D. 10:214) "Jedediah became an adroit scriptorian and keen logician. Because of his ready wit and power of exhortation his fame soon spread abroad. *** The religion