February 1840 Discourse, Washington, DC
Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings, p. 237; “Fall of Adam and Eve. I believe in the fall of man, as recorded in the Bible; I believe that God foreknew everything, but did not foreordain everything; I deny that foreordain and foreknow is the same thing. He foreordained the fall of man; but all merciful as He is, He foreordained at the same time, a plan of redemption for all mankind. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 4:78)” – edited by Larry E. Dahl and Donald Q. Cannon [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], also see same entry for this on p. 270
James 3:1; “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Today’s Mormon reference comes from the Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings. I have to say, this was one of the most confusing, convoluted things I’ve seen found in Mormon writings in a long time. It serves as a classic example of how leaders like Smith go out of their way to manipulate and confuse people.
Now before we begin, let’s start by looking at the definition of foreordain. A good definition for this is found online @ dictionary.com –
- to ordain or appoint beforehand
- to predestine; predetermine
From this we see it’s something that’s planned out ahead of time. Someone knew what was going on before an event took place.
Now, keep that in mind as we think about what Smith said in our Mormon reference today.
‘…I believe in the fall of man, as recorded in the Bible; I believe that God foreknew everything, but did not foreordain everything; I deny that foreordain and foreknow is the same thing…He foreordained the fall of man…’
Synopsis of Smith’s teaching:
God foreknew, but did not foreordain everything
Joseph denies foreknow and foreordain mean the same thing
God foreordained the fall of man and plan of redemption
Question for the day:
Just what was this meant to clarify?
This entry in JS Encyclopedia was a letter he wrote in response to a request for clarification about one of his sermons. The man who wrote it did so at the request of his daughter who heard Smith speak in Washington, DC. Her concern was that Smith claimed God sanctioned the sin of Adam and Eve.
Imagine receiving this letter as a clarification. Oh, my…
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