Life After Ministry

Reasons Starting with R

RACE ISSUES

Race Issue, Blacks are Cursed

Moses 7:8; “For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people.”

Genesis 6:10; “And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

Those the Lord can and will save are those who the Mormon Church throws away.

Racism in the Book of Mormon/Dark Skin because of Sin

Alma 3:6; “And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.”

Colossians 3:10-11; “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

Growing up in the Church I can remember always thinking I was less of a person and Mormon because of my dark coloring.  For years I felt God had to hate me for what I had supposedly done in the pre-existence.

Racism in the Book of Mormon/Dark Skin because of Sin

2 Nephi 5:21; “And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.”

Isaiah 38:18; “For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.”

How can anyone believe that skin color determines worthiness or that you could be baptized for dead people?

Racism in the Book of Mormon/White Skin because of Righteousness

2 Nephi 30:6; “And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.”

Genesis 1:27; “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

The BoM verse above used to say “a white and delightsome people”.  So when does pure mean white or vice versa?

Racism in the Book of Mormon/White Skin because of Righteousness

3 Nephi 2:14-15; “And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; 15 And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites.”

1 John 2:9; “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.”

It sounds like their god is a god of magic.

Racism in the Church/Behavior Determines Race

Race Problems as they Affect the Church, BYU speech on August 27, 1954, p.11; “With all this in mind, can we account in any other way for the birth of some of the children of God in darkest Africa, or in flood-ridden China, or among the starving hordes of India, while some of the rest of us are born here in the United States? We cannot escape the conclusion that because of performance in our pre-existence some of us are born as Chinese, some as Japanese, some as Indians, some as Negroes, some as Americans, some as Latter-day Saints. These are rewards and punishments, fully in harmony with His established policy in dealing with sinners and saints, rewarding all according to their deeds.”  – Mark E. Petersen, former apostle

Luke 10:17-19; “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

http://www.mormonismi.net/mep1954 for the full text

Think about verse 18 for a few moments.  Think of the power God holds in His hands to do what He did in response to Satan’s disobedience.  You have to wonder what He thinks of Smith’s teachings on the pre-existence and the black race.

Did this guy not think that maybe black people or Chinese could be Americans?

Racism in the Church/Blacks cannot Scrub off the Black Mark of Cain

Millennial Star, No. 27, Vol. 14; “For instance, the descendants of Cain cannot cast off their SKIN OF BLACKNESS, at once, and immediately, although every soul of them should repent,…Cain and his posterity must wear the mark which God put upon them; and his white friends may WASH THE RACE OF CAIN WITH FULLER’S SOAP EVERY DAY, THEY CANNOT WASH AWAY GOD’S MARK;…” – Saturday, August 28, 1852

John 8:44; “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

The words of Jesus says it all.

Racism in the Church/Descendants of Ham have Black Hearts

Times and Seasons, vol. 6 (January 15, 1845 – February: pg. 857; “History and common observation show that these predictions have been fulfilled to the letter. The descendants of Ham, besides a black skin which has ever been a curse that has followed an apostate of the holy priesthood, as well as a black heart, have been servants to both Shem and Japheth, and the abolitionists are trying to make void the curse of God, but it will require more power than man possesses to counteract the decrees of eternal wisdom.”

Genesis 9:24-27; “And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.  25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.  26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. 27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.”

I thought it was the descendants of Cain that had the curse?  If anyone has a black heart it has to be those who teach these things.

Racism in the Pearl of Great Price/Ham and the Curse

Abraham 1:24-27; “When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land.  25 Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal.  26 Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood.  27 Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry.”

Proverbs 3:5; “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

1. Pharoah was not righteous.

2. Egyptus definition from Mormon Doctrine says there are 2 women name Egyptus.  One is the descendant of Cain who was married to Ham and the other is their daughter.  The Mormons believe the first Pharaoh was the grandson of the daughter Egyptus.

3. SOOO – if the mom Egyptus was already black and Ham married outside the approved “race”.

4. The Bible says that Ham was blessed.

Racism in the Pearl of Great Price/Seed of Cain is Black

Moses 7:22; “And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it was the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them.”

Joel 2:1; “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.”

If the people who were black had no place among the righteous then why was Ham who was blessed marrying into that clan?

Religion, Live Your

Journal of Discourses 4:219-220; “The time has been in Israel under the law of God, the celestial law, or that which pertains to the celestial law, for it is one of the laws of that kingdom where our Father dwells, that if a man was found guilty of adultery, he must have his blood shed, and that is near at hand. But now I say, in the name of the Lord, that if this people will sin no more, but faithfully live their religion, their sins will be forgiven them without taking life.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, February 8, 1857

2 Peter 2:1-3; “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Living your religion, aka, blood atonement is a blasphemous, arrogant teaching of the Mormon Church.  How anyone could believe you have to shed your own blood for salvation is preposterous.

Religion, 666 Denominations of Protestants

Journal of Discourses 14:347-348; “Because of their protestations against the mother Church they were called Protestants. They pronounced her the whore of all the earth; they declared that she had no authority, that she had none of the blessings and gifts which characterized the ancient Christians. They came out and established other Churches…We hunt for them in vain. Go to all these 666 different Protestant denominations that have come out from the mother Church, and inquire of them, Have you inspired men among you? and their united voice is that God speaks no more in our day…We enquire, “What have you?” “Oh we have 666 different denominations and we have surnamed ourselves Christians. We are Bible Christians.” How mistaken they are! Bible Christians were those who believed in having apostles and inspired prophets among them. Bible Christians could receive more revelation and add more books to the Bible; Bible Christians could converse with the Lord, and oftentimes beheld the face of Jesus…Now suppose we take their word for it! I do, I really believe them. I think they tell the truth when they say they have no inspired men. I believe them when they say they have neither prophets nor apostles among them. Why do I believe them? Because they have received no new books in addition to the Bible, and whenever God had a people on the earth they were constantly giving new books, inspired from on high, and when that ceases we draw the conclusion that inspiration has ceased.” – Orson Pratt, Salt Lake City, March 10, 1872

Matthew 5:21-22; “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

If you think Mr. Pratt’s continued use of the number “666” was a coincidence or not done purposefully, you might want to think again.  The Church at this time hated anyone who was an “outsider”.  The more garbage they could throw at the body of Christ the more scared the average Mormon became.

Religious Freedom, Tolerance of

Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings, pg. 540; “Thus were we persecuted on account of our religious faith—in a country the Constitution of which guarantees to every man the indefeasible right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience—and by men, too, who were professors of religion, and who were not backward to maintain the right of religious liberty for themselves, though they could thus wantonly deny it to us. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 1:97)”

2 Timothy 4:2; “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

America at this time was a nation of laws.  It was more of a republic than it is now.  The government wasn’t babysitting how you worshipped God, but they did react when the law was broken.

The Mormon Church was always finding themselves in trouble with local and the federal government.  They created their own banking system, practiced polygamy, practiced blood atonement, committed arson, declared martial law, committed fraud…this has nothing to do with religious tolerance but everything to do with your every day common criminal behavior.

Repent, If We Err, We will

Messenger and Advocate, October 1834-September 1835, Vol. 1 April, 1835 No. 7 108; “If a former opinion of ours is incorrect, if we have, through the influence of those whom we thought possessed understanding, embraced a system which we afterward fear is incorrect, what do we lose, if, after investigation, it proves to be so? The answer is at hand we lose a bad principle, are convinced of a false system, and are thus prepared to embrace the truth whenever it shall be presented: and to be able to make this exchange will rejoice the heart of every individual who rightly considers the value of eternal life.”

1 Corinthians 3:13; “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

It’s been 175 years and we’re still waiting for them to acknowledge they’re in error.  My advice?  Don’t hold your breath.

Resurrected Prophets

Joseph Smith, Seeker After Truth, Prophet of God, pg. 28; “That night after retiring, he sought the Lord in earnest prayer to forgive his follies, and to give him further light. While he was thus praying, the room became filled with light until it was “lighter than noon day.”…A glorious personage appeared at his bedside, who declared himself to be a heavenly messenger, Moroni by name, an ancient American resurrected prophet, sent by God, he said, to prepare Joseph further for the work he was to do.” – John A. Widtsoe

Colossians 2:6-8; “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.  8 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.”

According to the Book of Mormon, Moroni is an angel of light.  See 2 Cor. 11:14.

Resurrection for All

Church Educational System for Young Adults, May 3, 2009; “The Prophet Joseph Smith taught with clarity the importance of our physical bodies:” We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man, and when cast out by the Savior he asked to go into the herd of swine, showing that he would prefer a swine’s body to having none. All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power’ (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 211, 214).” – David Bednar

Proverbs 10:14; “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.”

Does this even make sense?  Why not just meditate upon the things of God?

Resurrection of Jesus in BC 148

Mosiah 16:7; “And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.  And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.”

Exodus 20:1-6; “And God spake all these words, saying,  2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

There is never any confusion with God and the commandments He gave to the Israelites.  The only time confusion presented itself is when the Israelites were in disobedience.  However, even in those times, God’s love was always the same, never wavering, never giving them teachings that hadn’t come yet.

Restoration

www.lds.org; “When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He established His Church among His followers. After His Crucifixion and the deaths of His Apostles, the fulness of the gospel was taken from the earth because of widespread apostasy. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ restored the fulness of the gospel. The true Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again. Because of the Restoration, the teachings and ordinances necessary for salvation are available to all people.”

Holman Bible Dictionary; “Promises deliberately have a continuous fulfillment for generation after generation while prophecies invoke promise when they wish to speak to the distant future. 4. The promise of God is unconditional while most prophecies are conditional and have a suppressed “unless” or “if” you repent attached to their predictions of judgment.”

John 14:18, 23; “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Matt. 16:18; “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

John 16:33; “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Promises of God are unconditional!  How I wish the Mormons would see this!

Restoration, Absolute Certainty of the

Ensign, November 2009, pg. 37; “Some are willing to set aside the precious gospel truths restored by Joseph Smith because they get diverted on some historical issue or some scientific hypothesis not central to their exaltation, and in so doing they trade their spiritual birthright for a mess of pottage. They exchange the absolute certainty of the Restoration for a doubt, and in that process they fall into the trap of losing faith in the many things they do know because of a few things they do not know.” – Tad R, Callister

Romans 1:20-23; “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

This teaching in the LDS Church reminds me of the Wizard of Oz.  Never mind the person behind the curtain tricking you and telling you things that aren’t true!  You just keep on believing what you’ve been fed without investigating it for yourself.

Restoration at Perfect Time in History

Ensign, August 2008, pg. 50; “The Lord’s timing in the restoration of the gospel—just at the very beginning of the technological revolution—shows that he understands his children. Technology had been asleep for centuries. If you wanted to communicate, it almost had to be eye to eye. If you wanted to travel, you had to rely on the wind or the strength of man to move vessels over rivers, lakes, or seas, or on land, beasts of burden or just plain walking. The simplicity of life in the early 1800s was a good seedbed for the Restoration. A half a century later might have been too late to find the humble, hardworking, rugged pioneers necessary to establish the Church.” – L. Tom Perry

Galatians 6:3; “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

They’re lifting stories from the Bible again to give all the glory to Smith.

Restoration is Foundation of Faith

Preach My Gospel, pg. 6; “The Message of the Restoration: The Foundation of Faith – No matter where you serve or whom you teach, center your teaching on the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ…As  you study the doctrines in the missionary lessons, you will come to see that we have one message: Through a modern prophet, God has restored knowledge about the plan of salvation, which is centered on Christ’s Atonement and fulfilled by living the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.”

1 Peter 2:6-7; “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.”

When you’re out preaching the gospel why wouldn’t the central theme be the gospel?

Restoration of Gospel through Joseph Smith

Ensign, November 1999, pg. 41; “As you learn more about the Prophet Joseph, you will learn that through him the fulness of the everlasting gospel was restored, including the keys of the priesthood. In addition, you will learn of the greatness of his spirit, the compassion he felt for those who suffered, his grasp of the mysteries of heaven and of the workings of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, among men.”The more I know of the Prophet Joseph, the more I love him, the more I yearn to follow his example, the more I appreciate what our Father in Heaven and His Son have done in restoring this gospel that is destined to fill the earth in these, the latter days.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin, apostle

Proverbs 27:2; “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”

The Church has a great problem.  They can’t seem to go a day, a week or a year without thinking they are man’s best gift from God when in fact they should be ashamed of their own teachings.

Restoration Requires Sacrifice

TPJS, pg. 172; “It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets.”

Galatians 3:22; “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

The people not acquainted with this type of theology are those who know Jesus.  The verse Matthew 7:23 also comes to mind.

Restored Gospel

Ensign, November 2009, pg. 36-37; “In many ways the gospel of Jesus Christ is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. When Joseph Smith came on the scene, perhaps 100 pieces were in place. Then Joseph Smith came along and put many of the other 900 pieces in place so that people could say, “Oh, now I understand where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going.” As for Joseph Smith’s role in the Restoration, the Lord defined it clearly: “This generation shall have my word through you”…If someone turns from these restored doctrines, where will he go to learn the true nature of God as taught in the grove of trees? Where will he go to find the doctrines of the premortal existence, baptism for the dead, and eternal marriage? And where will he go to find the sealing powers that can bind husbands and wives and children beyond the grave?” –

Tad Callister

Galatians 1:6-9; “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

This is one of the most insolent comments they’ve ever made.  Good grief.

Revelations, Not Everything has Been Revealed

Doctrines of Salvation 3:202; “Not all of the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith are in the Doctrine and Covenants. He made a selection for this book by revelation. The Church has had many other revelations, but we have in the Doctrine and Covenants revelations sufficient to bring to pass our exaltation if we will but heed them.”

Luke 12:2-3; “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.  3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

If God has given you a word to proclaim to the people why wouldn’t you do what He wants you to do and let the people know?

Revelations; Past Revelations don’t Matter

All Are Alike Unto God, Bruce McConkie Speech at BYU, June 1978; “We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the past. They don’t matter any more.  It doesn’t make a particle of difference what anybody ever said about the Negro matter before the first day of June of this year, 1978. It is a new day and a new arrangement, and the Lord has now given the revelation that sheds light out into the world on this subject. As to any slivers of light or any particles of darkness of the past, we forget about them.”

Galatians 4:8-9; “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.  9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”

Yes they do matter Mr. McConkie.  The false prophecies and racist remarks came out of a so-called man of God and they do indeed matter.

Revelations Proof of Authentic Church

Mormon Doctrine, pg. 650; “The presence of revelation in the Church is positive proof that it is the kingdom of God on earth. And because the Lord is no respecter of persons he will give to any person, who abides the law entitling him to know, personal revelation of the divinity of the Church and of the fact that it is being led by revelation today. Indeed, for those who accept all the revelations which God gives in any particular day there is peace and joy and a hope of salvation. For those who reject these revelations there awaits the damnation of hell.”

Hebrews 1:1-2; “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

Well my pastor is proof positive of God’s kingdom on earth and he doesn’t prophesy.

And of course for the Mormon people only those who obey all their rules and regulations are able to understand what they’re saying – all others are lost according to the Church.

Revelations, Scriptures Shouldn’t Conflict

Marking the Scriptures, pg. 2; “It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. . . . We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s doctrine. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Bookcraft, 1977, 3:203.)”

Romans 15:4; “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

They have it backwards.  Living in the New Testament era prophecy has to line up with scripture.

Revelation, Source of All Truth

Journal of Discourses 3:209; “REVELATION IS THE SOURCE OF ALL TRUTH…No person receives knowledge only upon the principle of revelation, that is, by having something revealed to them.… Who reveals? Everybody around us; we learn of each other. I have something which you have not, and you have something which I have not; I reveal what I have to you, and you reveal what you have to me. I believe that we are revelators to each other. Are the heavens opened? Yes, to some at times, yet upon natural principles, upon the principle of natural philosophy. -Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 3:209, February 17, 1856.”

1 John 1:1-3; “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

There are times it’s okay not to talk and this is one of those times.  Young should’ve done the same thing.

Revelations, Who in the Church Receives?

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 1225; “Receiving personal revelation is a vital and distinctive part of the LDS religious experience. Response to personal revelation is seen as the basis for true faith in Christ, and the strength of the Church consists of that faithful response by members to their own personal revelations. The purpose of both revelation and the response of faith is to assist the children of men to come to Christ and learn to love one another with that same pure love with which Christ loves them.”

Hebrews 1:1; “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

BUT if you have a revelation it isn’t meant for the Church, they won’t accept any revelation for the Church unless you’re a prophet.

Reverence

Ensign, November 1994, pg. 61; “Do not ever disturb prelude music for others, for reverence is essential to revelation.” – Boyd K. Packer
Leviticus 26:1-2; “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.  2 ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.”

The above passage is one example of God demanding reverence in His sanctuary, but nowhere in the Bible does it say not to disturb prelude music in sacrament meetings!  This is just one proof that they are a cult.  They control every single aspect of your behavior.

Righteous; Stay Righteous to See God’s Face

D&C 93:1; “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.”

1 Corinthians 4:3-6; “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

We know and experience Jesus through our daily lives of walking with Him and obedience, yes.  However the Church believes that you cannot have this relationship with Him up and until you obey every single ordinance they come up with.  Because the Church’s rules evolve it’s impossible to ever know the real Jesus.

Rock is Revelation

Discourses of J. Smith, pg. 67-68; “John was a priest after the order of Aaron, and had the keys of that priesthood, and came forth preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, but at the same time cried out, “There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose,” and Christ came according to the words of John, and he was greater than John, because he held the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and kingdom of God, and had before revealed the priesthood of Moses, yet Christ was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness; and Jesus in his teachings says, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” What rock? Revelation. (HC 5:258.)”

Matthew 15:14; “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

Jesus was speaking with Peter when He instituted the church (body of Christ).  He didn’t say that it was built upon revelation!  It is built upon Jesus!

Reasons Starting with S:

http://lifeafterministry.com/2010/10/01/reasons-starting-with-s/

Link to Index:

http://lifeafterministry.com/2012/06/07/mormon-quotes-1000-reasons-to-leave-mormonism/