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In an oft-repeated statement from about 20 years ago, Spencer W. Kimball said: "It is not so much our job to warn our neighbors as it is to warm them."
My question is: Is this still a day of warning? And if not, where does the directive come from that changes that?
It seems in current LDS thought and behavior that warning anyone is non-existent, as amply proven by the leadership's silence on this issue. The attempt to prove the LDS Church as in line with mainstream Christian values seems to be more important, sort of a 'seeking the praise of the world' effort.
For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked. (D&C 63:58)
Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.
For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate. (D&C 84:114-115)Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads. (D&C 88:81-82)Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech." (D&C 112:5)
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it." (Jeremiah 6:10)
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (Ezekiel 3:17-18)
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Collossians 1:38)
The definition of warn is to give notice of impending danger or calamity. Do the LDS missionaries do this? Hardly. Does the LDS leadership do this? Of course not. Especially when it might strain their relations with the nations and peoples of the world and hurt their growth statistics. I am certain that the ancient and former prophets saw this occurring in the last days among those who were to be the covenant people.
Did Noah go out and preach, "Hey, we're a family Church and Christians like everyone else, and we have an NFL MVP, a Miss America, and a fortune 500 status with our holdings and assets"? Did Noah appeal to the popular feeling of the people?
If I remember correctly, most of God's prophets were hated and despised by the societies of their day. If you are friends with the world then you are at enmity with God. And there lies the current condition of the LDS people and Church.
How does Gordon B. Hinckley measure against that standard? Malcolm Forbes held an $850.00 a plate dinner in honor of Hinckley last year [1996], etc..etc...ad nauseum.
Brigham Young said this:
There is nothing that would so soon weaken my hope and discourage me as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them. In such an event, we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its blessings, privileges, and aids to exaltations, principalities, and powers in the eternities of the Gods. (Brigham Young, April 8, 1862, JD 10:32)
In contrast, and also in keeping with the current rhetoric today, Heber J. Grant said this:
My greatest happiness, I find in the good will and friendship that has developed among all classes of people at home and abroad toward the Latter-day Saint Church during my lifetime; in place of everyday persecutions and bitterness we now enjoy the high regard and happy association with all denominations. (Heber J. Grant, Nov. 22, 1938, Salt Lake Tribune)
The Book of Mormon has multitudinous verses that warn us today about becoming popular with the world. Why would the Book of Mormon say that so much? Because the LDS are doing the very thing today that the Book of Mormon prophets knew would happen and so they warned us profusely about it. Have we picked up on the message? Or is it a more fair assessment to say that the LDS today subscribe more to the "All is well in Zion" syndrome?
My witness is that the judgments and vengeance of a just and wrathful God are about to be poured out on the earth without measure and that upon His house will they begin. Instead of warning the world in the latter days, the covenant people have become one with the world and because of this rebellion, soon will be partakers of God's judgment with the world. If any of you recognize it, these things are beginning to happen as we speak. I believe it is time for all to repent in sackcloth and ashes and return to the true God of Israel and keep their covenants. My fear is that it is becoming everlastingly too late for the reclamation of the LDS institution. It is now time for individuals therefore, to awaken to these conditions and rise up to their duty, forsake the world, gather with the Saints and help in the redemptive work of the House of Israel and the establishment of Zion in the last days.
Sincerely, Jeff Hanks
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (Ezekiel 3:17-18)