The Latter-day Saints Millennial Star Vol. 49, No. 19, May 9, 1887, p. 301 “If we are persecuted for our religion, it is no more than we have been taught to expect. … The most encouraging words that could be uttered by Our Almighty Father to His children have been given to us. We have proved them to be true up to the present, and we know every word will be fulfilled that has been spoken concerning the future.
They who fight against Zion shall be destroyed; and the pit which has been digged shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction.” — John Taylor
Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
We have to ask – where in the Bible does it say the Church must destroy its persecutors?
Mr. Taylor’s anger is clearly seen as the time was drawing closer to the end of their supposed prophecy of God. The US was getting ready to totally abolish polygamy once and for all. Taylor’s response is found in the threats they would destroy anyone who opposed them.
In reality, however, Taylor ended up becoming a fugitive of the law. He died two months after his threat mentioned above, but not before marrying 16 year old Elizabeth Rouche. Taylor was the father of 34 kids.
One has to wonder what happened to obeying their own written canon which says they’re obedient to the laws of the land? Articles of Faith 1:12.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
Taylor talking about God destroying anybody that persecutes Zion. He talks about the Almighty Father’ words promising this will happen. My question is, from what source is he reading God’s Words? To me, the source is obvious. The words he is speaking about were spoken by Joe Smith and other early leaders of the church.He would never have said such a thing had he been reading his Bible
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward men, not willing that any should be perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3: 9)
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)