“Joseph Smith as an Administrator,” Gary Dean Guthrie, Master’s Thesis, Brigham Young University, May 1969, p. 161; “Joseph tested the
Saints to make sure their testimonies were of his religion and not of him as a personable leader Amasa Lyman, of the First Presidency, related:
‘Joseph Smith tried the faith of the Saints many times by his peculiarities. At one time, he had preached a powerful sermon on the Word of Wisdom, and immediately thereafter, he rode through the streets of Nauvoo smoking a cigar. Some of the brethren were tried as was Abraham of old.'”
Colossians 2:14-16; “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days”.
I can still remember the first time I saw Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians. I visually pictured the ‘no caffeine law’ of Mormonism being nailed to His cross, and I would imagine my dear friends who’ve also left Mormonism and other ‘isms’ have felt the same burdens lifted by the apostle’s descriptive words.
Affirming my thoughts is Matthew Henry’s commentary in reference to this passage:
“Christ’s death is our life…When he was nailed to the cross, the curse was as it were nailed to the cross. And our indwelling corruption is crucified with Christ, and by virtue of his cross. When we remember the dying of the Lord Jesus, and see him nailed to the cross, we should see the hand-writing against us taken out of the way.”
Sadly, millions are still chained to the ideologies Smith employed as he mockingly smoked his cigars. I often wonder what the average Mormon would think of such a scene if they knew…
Pray for them won’t you? Pray for them as others prayed for your salvation before you knew Him who was crucified.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle †
1 Cor. 1:18
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