Mormon Dilemma 365

Apostates Damned

Journal of Discourses 17:150; “You have heard me say, a great many times, that there is not that man or woman in this Church, and there never was and never will be, who turn up their noses at the counsel that is given them from the First Presidency, but who, unless they repent of and refrain from such conduct, will eventually go out of the Church and go to hell, every one of them.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, August 9, 1874

Matthew 10:28; “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Jesus’ words remind me of the old saying sticks and stones won’t break my bones…  The threats from the Church are just that – threats. This discourse from Mr. Young was in reference to mostly the women who were pitching fits about polygamy.

If you read the Journal of Discourse or any of the Mormon periodicals from the nineteenth century you’ll find more discourses, sermons and pulpit thumping about polygamy than any other subject.  It’s as if they had to keep reminding everyone of why they were practicing the evil deed and then threaten the audience with damnation or community shunning when someone didn’t acquiesce.