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Book Review - Doctrines of Salvation - Volume 1In this series, I discuss key portions of an authoritative work called Doctrines of Salvation (3 volume set), by former President and Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith.
Chapter 4 - Our First and Second Estates
"There is not a soul who has not seen both the Father and the Son, and in the spirit world we were in their presence" (page 56). What is not mentioned is whether they ever saw the third member of the Godhead.
WE HAVE SEEN GOD / COUNCILS WERE HELD IN PRE-EXISTENCE "He was a glorious personage ... shining ... beyond the brightness of the sun. We saw him in his majesty ... We were made to realize, in the presence of our glorious Father, who had a tangible body ... which shone like the sun, that we were, as spirits far inferior to him" (page 57). Apparently, these were the less developed or dumb spirits who were not able to figure it out for themselves even when they beheld his glorious majesty - so they were made to realize this.
SPIRITS WERE TAUGHT ABOUT MORTALITY "We were duly informed that in this mortal life we would have to walk by faith. Previously we had walked by sight, but now was to come a period of trial to see if by faith we would be true to every covenant and commandment our Father required at our hands" (pages 57-58). "In this mortal life, or second estate, the Lord willed that we should walk by faith and not by sight" (page 60). Earlier, Doctrines of Salvation mentioned that Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and others are said to have seen and heard Jesus Christ. In fact, one of the last testimonies they gave was that he lives (page 36 - footnote to Doctrines and Covenants 76:22-24). My first testimony (not last) is that he lives. This is based on faith, not sight. How about you?
AGENCY AND PROGRESSION IN PRE-EXISTENCE / SOME SPIRITS GREATER THAN OTHERS "God gave his children their free agency even in the spirit world, by which the individual spirits had the privilege, just as men have here, of choosing the good and rejecting the evil, or partaking of the evil to suffer the consequences of their sins " (page 58). "... but the right of free agency which was given to them enabled some to outstrip others, and thus through the eons of immortal existence, to become more intelligent, more faithful, for they were free to act for themselves" (page 59). I wanted to focus on the word "eons". This pre-mortal life progression apparently lasted not for thousands and thousands of years, but rather for eons. This is also repeated in Religion 234-235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual (page 167) and Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual (chapter 7). So for all these eons of time, there was presumably massive amounts of evil in the celestial home of the spirits when they supposedly lived with Heavenly Father. Can you speculate on what all these different types of evil are (considering you still have spirits waiting to come to earth) and what consequences they suffer in the celestial home for breaking the commandments of the Lord while there? And is Lucifer the same personage tempting them there to disobey God or if there is another evil entity or entities?
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FOREKNOWN The nation of Israel existed as spirit people in the first estate. They were apparently sent to the Israel on planet Earth (page 59). On page 62 we learn that many other earth type planets are inhabited by our brothers and sisters. I wonder if they also have a country called Israel? And do they find it difficult to put their faith in an extraterrestrial Jesus who did not atone for their sins in a crucifixion in their own world? A few questions come to mind.
WHY MEN ARE BORN TO DIFFERENT RACES "There is a reason why one man is born black and with other disadvantages, while another is born white with great advantages. The reason is that we once had an estate before we came here, and were obedient, more or less, to the laws that were given us there. Those who were faithful in all things there received greater blessings here, and those who were not faithful received less" (page 61). The book did not mention these other advantages.
THE WAR IN HEAVEN / NO NEUTRALS IN HEAVEN "There were no neutrals in the war in heaven. All took sides either with Christ or with Satan. Every man had his agency there, and men receive rewards here based upon their actions there just as they will receive rewards hereafter for deeds done in the body. The Negro, evidently, is receiving the reward he merits" (page 66).
Doctrines of Salvation, in volume 1, does not elaborate further on the status of the Negro race. For me, you have to read Joseph Fielding Smith's other book (The Way to Perfection).
FREE AGENCY IN PRE-EXISTENCE "If there had been no free agency, there could have been no rebellion in heaven ... He would be no better than a mechanical contrivance ... He would have been an automaton; could have no happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility, and under such could hardly be called existence" (pages 64 and 65). This is a rather odd statement to make because this is partially the way Nephi talks about the existence of Adam and Eve before the Fall: "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility" (2 Nephi 2:11). "And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery" (v. 23). Do you see the similarities? No misery/no happiness; neither sense/nor insensibility. Adam and Eve seemed to be what Fielding would consider as automatons, without existence.
THE STRAITNESS OF THE WAY "Mortality is the testing or proving ground for exaltation to find out who among the children of God are worthy to become Gods themselves, and the Lord has informed us that few there be that find it" (page 69). It seems that the LDS Church of today places less emphasis on exaltation or changes "Gods" to "gods" in her teaching manuals. Paragraph 1 of page 58 refers to those who are not exalted as "those who rebelled."
FREE AGENCY IN BOTH ESTATES "The Lord has given to man his agency. We have it because the Lord gave it to us in the spirit world" (page 70). I found this a little odd because intelligences (who are believed by Mormons to have been organized into spirit children of their Heavenly Parents) were able to act for themselves (they had agency) always and eternally even before Lucifer was formed as their spirit brother. Intelligences would have no existence if this was not the case according to Joseph Smith (Doctrines and Covenants 93:30).
Chapter 5 - The Earth: Its Creation and Destiny
HOW EARTHS PASS AWAY It seems like Earth has preference over other earths because Jesus was crucified on our planet. I found the latter part of this
statement odd because page 85 says that those who lived a
telestial law will be eliminated from their earth. I'll include the
quote later. LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF
THE EARTH THE LORD'S BLUEPRINT OF CREATION "Christ created many
worlds. No doubt others helped him ..." ADAM AND OTHERS HELPED IN
CREATION SPIRITUAL OR PHYSICAL, AND SPIRIT
CREATIONS NATURE OF A SPIRITUAL BODY So Adam had a physical body and a spiritual body but not a blood body before the Fall. "Now when Adam was in the
Garden of Eden, he was not subject to death. There was no blood in
his
body and he could have remained there forever. This is true of all the
other creations" (page 77). ADAM: FIRST MAN AND FIRST FLESH AGE OF THE EARTH "This earth was created on the Lord's time, which is celestial time ... Kolob ... that one revolution was a day unto the Lord ... it being one thousand years ... and thus shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob ..." (page 78). It appears the earth existed for about 7,000 years in a spiritual state. When Adam fell, the spiritual earth and everything on it became temporal, or mortal (page 77). Adam and Eve lived in the Garden
of Eden for one thousand years at least in their unfallen state. AGE OF THE EARTH SINCE ADAM "We have evidence beyond dispute that Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden about 6,000 years ago ...In the Book of Revelation, chapters 5 to 10, we have the story of the opening of the seven seals by the Lamb, each seal representing 1,000 years of the temporal existence of this earth. In the Doctrines and Covenants, section 88:92-116, we have the confirmation of this ... in section 77:6-15, we have more information in relation to the opening of these seals" (page 79). Joseph Fielding Smith
unfortunately cannot identify the great earthquake which
supposedly
occurred one thousand years ago. TEMPORAL EXISTENCE OF EARTH "Here is a definite
statement by revelation to us that this earth will go through 7,000
years of temporal
existence" (page 80). MEANING OF THE MERIDIAN OF TIME "Moreover, our Saviour
came in the meridian of time. That dispensation is called the
dispensation of the
meridian of time. This means that it was about half way from the
beginning of time to the end of time.
Anyone who desires can figure it for himself that the Lord came about
4,000 years from the time of the
fall. The millennium is to come some time following the 2,000 years
after his coming. Then there is to
be the millennium for 1,000 years, and following that a little season,
the length of time of which is not
revealed, but which may bring time to its end about 8,000 years from
the beginning" (page 81).
FOUR STAGES OF EARTH'S EXISTENCE "1. the creation, 2. the
telestial condition, 3. the terrestrial condition, 4. the
celestial" (page 82).
WICKED WILL BURN AS STUBBLE "When Christ comes, the earth will be changed and so will all upon its face. It will become a terrestrial world then and will so remain for 1,000 years; and all those who have lived a telestial law will be eliminated" (page 85). Latter-day Saints are running out of time to build their temple
in New Jerusalem in Independence,
Missouri. It is here that they are taught that Jesus will make his first appearance at the Second
Coming (Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual,
page 101). CELESTIAL DESTINY OF THE EARTH "At the end of the world the earth will die ... it will be renewed, or raised with a resurrection. When this time comes the terrestrial inhabitants will also be taken away and be consigned to another sphere suited to their condition" (pages 87 and 88). Presumably those of other earths who lived a celestial law will be taken away from their earths and brought to our planet Earth.
EARTH TO BE A CELESTIAL SUN "Who, but the most abandoned, does not desire to be counted worthy to associate with those higher orders of beings who have been redeemed, exalted, and glorified together with the worlds they inhabit, ages before the foundations of our earth were laid?" (page 89). This seems to mean that some
brothers and sisters (of Mormons living on planet Earth) became
Gods and Goddesses on some other earths even before their brothers and
sisters came down to
our planet Earth in mortal bodies. I wonder who atoned for these
people when Jesus provided
the atonement about 2,000 years ago.
Chapter 6 - Michael our Prince ADAM QUICKENED BY SPIRIT, NOT BY BLOOD
ADAM BROUGHT MORTALITY TO ALL THINGS "Then came the curse upon the fruit, upon the vegetables ... the fish in the sea, and upon all things pertaining to this earth, through man's transgression" (page 93).
b) Adam brought sin into the world by his sin in the Garden of Eden.
THE ADAM-GOD THEORY "When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives with him" (page 96). Joseph Fielding Smith does an excellent job at explaining the misconceptions about the Adam-God theory, but he never corrected the teaching that Adam was a polygamist in the pre-mortal life. "Joseph Smith taught a plurality of gods, and that man by obeying the commandments of God and keeping the whole law will eventually reach the power and exaltation by which he also will become a god" (page 98). Latter-day Saints seem to use the word "god" and "God" interchangeably to refer to Deity. "Mortality is the testing or proving ground for exaltation to find out who among the children of God are worthy to become Gods themselves, and the Lord has informed us that few there be that find it" (page 69). "... so that undeveloped offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience through ages and aeons, of evolving into a God" (in Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, 5:244 - Religion 234-235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, page 167). This is also repeated in Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4:205-206, referenced in Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual (chapter 7). "All good things come from God. Everything that he does is to help his children become like him-a god. He has said, Behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Gospel Principles, 1997, chapter 1, page 9).
BRIGHAM YOUNG'S TEACHING ABOUT ADAM "How did Adam and Eve sin? Did they come out in direct opposition to God and his government? No. But they transgressed a command of the Lord, and through that transgression sin came into the world" (page 104). "Then Satan steps in and overcomes them through the weakness there was in the children of the Father when they were sent to the earth, and sin was brought in, and thus we are subject to sin" (page 104). A few things are taught here: b) Even before babies commit their first sin, they are subject to sin. "He has tasted death for every man, and has paid the debt contracted by our first parents [that is Adam and Eve] ... Jesus Christ ... suffered the penalty and paid the debt of man's original sin by offering up himself" (pages 104-105). Even new born babies contract this debt. I will keep adding to the section of Original Sin in the Basic Beliefs section. It seems Latter-day Saints refer to original sin but they are not united on what the first sin was.
ADAM NOT FATHER OF CHRIST "Adam died ... Adam's spirit and body were separated, and he did not get the resurrection until after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Adam, when a spirit without the body, could not beget a body of flesh and bones, therefore he could not be the Father of Jesus Christ in the flesh" (page 105). In LDS theology, Heavenly Father was able to beget Jesus Christ in the flesh because he has a body of flesh and bones. But interestingly, Heavenly Father was able to beget spirits in spirit bodies, which are not considered flesh. Adam is taught to have become the first flesh upon the earth when he fell (page 92).
Chapter 7 - The Fall of Adam DEATH FOR ALL LIFE CAME BY FALL "President Brigham Young has said: Some may regret that our first parents sinned. This is nonsense. If we had been there, and they had not sinned, we would have sinned. I will not blame Adam or Eve. Why? Because it was necessary for sin should enter into the world; no man could ever understand the principle of exaltation without its opposite; no one could ever receive an exaltation without being acquainted with its opposite" (page 112). Another clear statement that Adam and Eve sinned. It seems the Mormon Heavenly
Father also sinned because Joseph Smith taught he was a man
who became a god.
ADAM AND EVE REJOICED IN FALL "This was a transgression of the law, but not a sin in the strict sense, for it was something Adam and Eve had to do! ... We can hardly look upon anything resulting in such benefits as being a sin, in the sense in which we consider sin" (page 115). That's why Latter-day Saints cannot agree on original sin. They have different senses in which they consider sin. Even within the same chapter Joseph Fielding Smith is disagreeing with Brigham Young.
EVOLUTIONISTS DENY FALL "Theology has much to say about original sin" (page 117). Latter-day Saints are not united on what the original sin was.
Chapter 8 - The Atonement of Christ ATONEMENT BRINGS RESURRECTION TO ALL
Chapter 9 - Evolution
DECAY OF NEPHITE CIVILIZATION
Chapter 10 - Everlasting Covenants "The law of tithing is a form of an everlasting covenant,
the covenant of revenue for the Church,
although some day we shall be given a higher form of this law known as
consecration" (page 153). NO UNNECESSARY COVENANTS OR COMMANDMENTS
Chapter 11 - The Restoration of all Things
"It was not until the close of the first quarter of the nineteenth century that the time fully came for
the restoration of light and truth in its primitive fulness. At that time the world had been prepared
sufficiently, both by the establishment of political and religious liberty, for the Church of Jesus Christ
and the holy priesthood to be again returned safely to the earth [28]" (page 175). Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come to Israel when it had been prepared sufficiently. The early
Apostles held the
priesthood in dangerous times. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE RESTORATION The biblical Jesus did not command us to avenge him of his
enemies. The Mormon Jesus did. People don't have to travel to the United States only to find refuge. Have you ever heard of Canada, Australia, England, Germany, and many other countries?
Chapter 12 - Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration
JOSEPH SMITH FOREORDAINED "In this grand council, Michael was chosen to come as the progenitor of the human family and to bring mortality into the world" (page 184). Michael is Adam and LDS theology. He was foreordained to disobey God in the Garden of Eden.
WHAT IS A PROPHET? "Every person should live in harmony with the revealed truth ... and receiving the testimony through the Holy Spirit that Jesus lives and is the Son of God, he or she becomes a prophet or prophetess, and is entitled to the guidance of and inspiration from the Holy Ghost, which is the spirit of prophecy" (page 185). This echo's what Joseph Smith taught: "No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy [see Revelation 19:10]. John the Revelator says that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [see Revelation 19:10]. Now if any man has the testimony of Jesus, has he not the spirit of prophecy? And if he has the spirit of prophecy, I ask, is he not a prophet? And if a prophet, will he not receive revelation?" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Joseph Smith, chapter 33, p. 384 In summary, while LDS women are
prophetesses, they do not hold the priesthood. CHURCH STANDS OR FALLS WITH JOSEPH SMITH "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground" (page 188). That is too generous. All the
original leaders of the Mormon Church are the biggest frauds if their
story is not true. But even if they lied for a very good reason
or Joseph Smith had a very convincing
dream, we'll still have to examine their other teachings in the light
of the Bible. NO SALVATION WITHOUT ACCEPTING JOSEPH SMITH "If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet ... no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (pages 189-190). Those who do not enter the kingdom of God (the highest of the 3 divisions in the celestial kingdom) are considered damned. "He sealed his testimony with his blood, knowing he was going to his death for proclaiming the eternal truths of heaven" (page 191). This is too melodramatic.
If people examine history, they will see that Mr. Smith was killed
by
an angry mob - who were against his doctrine of plural marriage
(polygamy). Mr. Smith went
to jail on a charge of treason, not proclaiming the gospel. THE MESSENGER OF THE RESTORATION "It is a remarkable fact that Martin Luther, John Knox, John Calvin, the Wesleys, and the other reformers who attempted to correct the evils of the Catholic church ..." (page 191). The pre-1967 version of Mormon Doctrine (by Elder Bruce R. McConkie) has more vitriol about the Catholic Church. Latter-day Saints have toned done in the years following in the spirit of ecumenism. But we must never forget what is written in History of the Church, Volume 1, chapter 1 - when Joseph Smith was 15 years old, he claimed two heavenly personages (thought to be Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ) appeared to him out of his desire to know which of the Christian sects in his region of the country was correct. He was answered that he must join none of them for they were all wrong and that all their creeds were an abomination. "This ancient gospel was to be declared, so John the Revelator has written in the fourteenth chapter and sixth verse of Revelation, by an angel, who was to fly through the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them ... Nobody else, except Joseph Smith, ever claimed that an angel did fly and did appear to him with this message, and that he was commissioned to send it forth to all the world" (page 192). Revelation 14:6-7 says, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The angel (in the Bible) is preaching the gospel, not Mr. Smith. The angel Moroni (in LDS theology) was not flying in the midst of heaven preaching the gospel to every nation. The angel Moroni did not say, "Fear God and give glory to him" and the rest of what is stated.
Chapter 13 - The Divine Law of Witnesses NATURE OF OFFICE OF ASSISTANT PRESIDENT OF CHURCH "Oliver Cowdery ... He had the same authority, had received the same keys with the Prophet Joseph Smith every time the heavens were opened, and he was an Assistant President of the Church and the second witness of the dispensation of the fulness of times ... for it was necessary that there be two Presidents, two witnesses standing at the head of this dispensation" (page 212). The early church did not have two Presidents, even though some have taught that Peter was the leader. "... Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer all deserted Joseph Smith while he was living. For a time they manifested a spirit of opposition, if not of bitterness, towards him" (page 214). "All the days of their lives they were true to their testimony, though they became bitter toward the Prophet Joseph Smith personally. All three got over that bitterness before they died, but there was a time when they were very, very bitter in their feelings toward him" (page 223). Unfortunately Joseph Fielding Smith did not elaborate on the reason (s) why these three men were very, very bitter towards the other Joseph. This bitterness and hatred would also grew outside of the church towards Joseph Smith in lieu of his polygamy and he was eventually killed by an angry mob. "Thus, we see, Hyrum Smith became a president of the Church with Joseph Smith, which place Oliver Cowdery might have held had he not wavered and fallen from his exalted station" (page 219). In this case, exaltation does not mean becoming a god. "The sealing of the
testimony through the shedding of blood would not have been complete
in the death
of the Prophet Joseph Smith alone; it required the death of Hyrum
Smith who jointly held the keys of
this dispensation" (page 219).
DEATH OF TWO TESTATORS REQUIRED "It was just as necessary that Hyrum Smith lay down his life a martyr for this cause as a witness for God as it was for Joseph Smith, so the Lord permitted them both to be taken in that way and both sealed their testimony with their blood" (page 221). It should be noted that they were not killed for their faith in Christ. If so, many other Christians living in their area would have been killed too. The mob that killed them did so because they were angry with the polygamy practiced by Joseph (which the God of the Bible never commanded, but permitted). The reason why Mr. Smith was in jail in the first place was treason, not for believing in Jesus. If you are looking for a good example of a martyr, look at Stephen.
Chapter 14 - The Church and the Kingdom THE KINGDOM SET UP ON EARTH "These six members, who had been baptized previous to the organization of the Church, were all again baptized on the day of the organization" (page 230). This would be similar to Nephi being baptized again in the Book of Mormon, but it would not explain why no one baptized him (3 Nephi 19:11). "A member of this Church ... who will violate the Word of Wisdom ...is not loyal to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (page 237). Personally, I don't make a point
about being loyal to some earthly organization. We should be loyal
to God.
THE KINGDOM: ITS ORGANIZATION AND GIFTS "He spoke frequently of the kingdom of heaven, and that is the Church" (page 238). Those who don't belong to the LDS Church are not considered as being in the kingdom of God. "The apostles, however, taught that the Church as it was established in the first century was to continue with the same officers indefinitely, or through all time" (page 239). There were no Aaronic Priests,
High Priests, Seventies, Quorums, nor First Presidency and Counsellors
in the New Testament church.
CHURCH NEVER TO BE OVERCOME "He has given to us the kingdom. He has made us the promise that the enemy of the kingdom shall not overcome" (page 241). Jesus made this promise to the church he established - "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" (Matthew 16:18). But Latter-day Saints teach that the devil was able to completely destroy the church. "More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the destruction of the Church was complete. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy" (Gospel Principles, 1997, page 105) Do you believe the promise of Jesus? "The Lord has called attention to the fact that he is going to destroy systems and organizations and combinations that are false. And how is he going to do it? By giving their members the truth, if they will receive it; by giving them the privilege of coming out of those organizations to receive the truth and have every opportunity to come into his kingdom, for his hand is outstretched ready to greet them" (page 241). This is the reason why Latter-day Saints try to convert other Christians. "I heard President Wilford Woodruff made the statement ... that these angels had been sent forth on their mission to reap down the earth, to tie in bundles the tares for the burning and to gather the saints of God" (page 242). The tares are burned while the wheat inherits eternal life (exaltation). "The time will never cease when we will not be able to put confidence and exercise faith in the teachings and in the instruction of those who lead us" (page 243). You need to wonder why the teachings of the Presidents of the LDS Church, from the Journal of Discourses, are not more readily made available to Mormons. Maybe the Mormons have lost confidence in them. "No man who ever followed the teachings or took advice or counsel from the one who stands as the representative of the Lord ever went astray" (page 243). But many Mormons reject the
teaching of Joseph F. Smith (a former president of the LDS
Church)
that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. They also reject some
teachings taught in Doctrines of Salvation.
ZION TO PROSPER "I do not mean to say that we ought not to associate at any time with those not of our faith ... for our mission in the world is with them, to convert them to the truth if we can" (page 245). Evangelicals also try to convert
Mormons to the truth when we can.
UNITY IN THE KINGDOM "There is no variance among the teachers in Israel concerning the principles of the gospel. We are united concerning these things. There is no division among the authorities, and there need be no division among the people, but unity, peace, brotherly love, kindness and fellowship one to another" (pages 245-246). Nothing could be further from the truth. I wonder how many Mormons would agree with the teachings covered so far in volume 1 of Doctrines of Salvation ... and we still have two other volumes. And then we have the 1919 version of Gospel Doctrines.
Chapter 15 - Origin and Destiny of the Reorganized Church
APOSTATE ATTEMPTS TO DIVIDE THE CHURCH "There was a movement on foot to divide the Church, following the assassination of the Prophet and Patriarch" (page 248). I wonder if the word "assassination" is used to get a larger emotional response from Mormons as they read this. I do not consider Joseph Smith as a martyr because he was not killed for his faith in Christ. "The Prophet declared that he knew not why, but the Lord commanded him to endow the Twelve with these keys and priesthood" (page 259). Jesus endows all believers (male
and females) with the keys to bind and loose.
FULNESS OF PRIESTHOOD HAD ONLY IN TEMPLES "The Lord declared in 1842, that he was about to restore to earth many things pertaining to the priesthood, and that only in temples could the fulness of the priesthood be restored" (page 271). No one was married or baptized in the Jewish Temple.
Chapter 16 - The Law of Revelation
ETERNAL NATURE OF REVELATION "We believe that the Bible does not contain all the revelations given by divine manifestations; but that it contains only fragmentary accounts of the dealings of the Lord with his servants the ancient prophets" (page 274). Before Mormons try to disparage
the Bible, they should look toward their own Book of Mormon. It
does not contain any of the peculiar LDS doctrines. Regardless,
Evangelical Christians do not
believe the Book of Mormon contains any of God's revelations to
mankind. We believe it was purely
the work of a man.
REVELATION NEEDED TO FULFIL COVENANTS OF LORD "These prophets had no such understanding. They spoke of covenants to be made in the last days ... And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers dwell ... even they, and their children ... and their children's children ... my tabernacle also shall be with them; yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (page 276). The footnote is a link to Ezekiel 37:25-27. LDS Prophets have no
understanding. Ezekiel is not talking about Latter-day Saints living
in the
United States. This covenant is for the Israelites in the promised
land of Israel. Read the entire
chapter 37 if you still don't understand the context.
TWO NATIONS STAND AS WITNESSES FOR CHRIST "If the word of the Lord is to be established by two chosen witnesses, they we may look well for two chosen nations to stand as witnesses for Jesus Christ. One such nation was Israel in Palestine, the other was Israel in America, Judah speaking from the Old World and Joseph from the New. Today these two testimonies for God and his truth have run together" (page 278). What do Latter-day Saints mean by America? Only the United States or United States + Canada + Mexico + Argentina + Brazil + etc? "Do you want to know about the resurrection of the dead? Who is going to be saved in the celestial kingdom of God? Then read your Book of Mormon. Read your Doctrines and Covenants" (page 279). If I am not mistaken, the word "celestial" is not found in the Book of Mormon. "We do not stumble over baptism and how it should be performed and by whom. We have a clear and perfect understanding of the nature of God. Now, I can find that in the Bible; so can you" (page 279). We don't find Joseph Smith's teaching that the Trinity is 3 Gods in one Godhead in the Bible nor Book of Mormon. "Not all revelations given to Joseph the Seer were placed in the Doctrines and Covenants in his day ... it has been my privilege to read and handle a number of them that are still in the manuscript and have not as yet been given to the world for a wise purpose in the Lord. But they are on file and will be preserved" (page 280). Odd. They said a similar thing about the Bible earlier. "All the revelations given do not have to be written. It does not have to be printed in a book" (page 282). But this doesn't stop the Mormon
Church from teaching that the Bible is missing many things.
TEST OF TRUTH OF REVELATIONS "If the Lord has a revelation or a
commandment to give to his people, it is going to come from the
head, and when someone else comes among the people professing to have revelations and to give
commandments we can test that matter very readily. We do not have to go into any details or make
an extended examination of the claims. There is no need of any investigation whatever, because the
Lord has given us a key as a law to the Church by which we are to be governed (Conference Report,
October 1948, p. 98)" (page 284). This is supported by pages 185 and 186, where it says that only one person receives revelation for the church. Things seemed to have changed in
1978 when Declaration 2 was added to Doctrines and
Covenants.
FAITHFUL NOT DECEIVED BY FALSE REVELATIONS "If we hearken to the counsels that are given by those who stand in
the councils of the Church,
empowered to give the instructions, we will not go astray" (page 286).
Chapter 17 - Gaining the Knowledge that Saves
EXALTED BEINGS EVENTUALLY WILL KNOW ALL THINGS "I realize that it must eventually come to pass in the case of those who gain the exaltation and become sons of God, that they must, in the eternities, reach the time when they will know all things" (page 291). But the LDS Church teaches you
are a son of God before exaltation.
IMPOSSIBLE TO BE SAVED IN IGNORANCE "All these are heirs of salvation, and they shall be crowned with glory, immortality, and eternal life, as sons and daughters of God, with an exaltation in his celestial kingdom" (page 303). Some clarification is needed. There are 3 divisions in the celestial kingdom in LDS theology. The gods and goddesses are only those in the highest division that have eternal life. "Whether we are right or wrong in the field of the mysteries, will make no difference so far as our individual acts are concerned, and will neither exalt nor damn us, providing we do not make a fetish of our notions or get off on a tangent and destroy ourselves" (page 306). Following Satan's lie that you can become a God will destroy your life before you die physically.
Chapter 18 - Teaching the Gospel
OUR MESSAGE TO WORLD "It is the mission of every man holding the priesthood in this Church to preach Christ and him crucified" (page 308) It is the mission of both men and
women to preach Christ and him crucified.
WARNING THE WICKED DUTIES OF WATCHMEN ON TOWERS "No men anywhere in all the earth, no matter what their calling, hold responsibility equal to that which we have received, for we have had conferred upon us the priesthood of God. We are possessed of divine authority and have been set apart as his servants and watchmen upon the towers of Zion ... It is our duty to warn all men and endeavor to teach them the truth, so that those who will not hearken may be left without excuse" (page 310). This is a subtle teaching that
Catholics and Protestants have no authority.
PREPARE TO DEFEND TRUTH Imagine the evil that is being
done when you teach a person he can become a God. "How fearful we should be lest we teach that which is false and thereby lead souls
astray, in paths
that lead to death and away from exaltation in the kingdom of God ... There is no greater crime in all
the world than to teach false doctrines and lead the unsuspecting astray, away from the eternal
truths of the gospel ... He who blinds one soul, he who spreads error, he who destroys, through his
teachings, divine truth, truth that would lead a man to the kingdom of God and to its fulness, how
great shall be his condemnation and his punishment in eternity" (page
314).
APOSTASY COMES WHEN TRUTH NOT
TAUGHT But former LDS President Kimball
taught the rib of Adam was figurative, not literal. According to
him,
Eve being formed from Adam's rib would be mythology.
DOCTRINES SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN
HOME A few things to note here.
It is unclear why they need to become sons and daughters of God
when Mormons teach they were already sons and daughters before coming
to earth. Also, other
teachings by Latter-day Saints have single people being given the
opportunity to be sealed after
they die. From the above passage, it seems to say that only
exalted beings belong to the family
of God.
WE SHOULD TEACH OURSELVES Its odd that you don't hear the
Mormon Church voice any concerns about such drinks as Coke,
Pepsi, 7up, or Ginger Ale. The citric acid and high sugar content
therein has quite the ability to
break down the system. But the 2008 version of Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Joseph Smith reveals some
startling things when it comes to the acceptance of the words of former
prophets: "We are
differently situated from any other people that ever existed upon the earth; consequently those former
revelations cannot be suited to our conditions. At a meeting in Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith said,
Brother Brigham, I want you to take the stand and tell us your views with regard to the [living] oracles
and the written word of God. Brigham Young said, When compared with the living oracles those
books [the previous revelations] are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct
to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation.
I would rather have the living oracles than all the writings in the books. Joseph Smith said to the
congregation, Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the
truth"
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Joseph Smith, chapter 16, 2008, pp.
198-199). ALL TEACHINGS MUST CONFORM TO
REVELATIONS In simple terms, don't believe everything you are taught in the Mormon Church, otherwise you will be lead astray. For example, Joseph Smith's teaching that God was once a man who became a God. The scriptures do not teach this but many Latter-day Saints follow this teaching anyways so as not to brand their prophet a false teacher.
This concludes the analysis of volume 1 of Doctrines of Salvation. |