John Pratt's Letter to his Former LDS High Council

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John W. Pratt

San Pedro, CA

14 February 1998

To the __________, California Stake Presidency & High Council, the ________ Ward Bishopric, & Others:

As you will soon be meeting together to judge me with regards to my beliefs and actions regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I would urge you to equip yourselves to be able to judge accurately, righteously, and with respect. If I were in your position, I would hope that I would be able to look into the heart and mind of the person that I was about to judge. For that reason, I wish to give you the opportunity to do so, which is the point of this letter. I wish to give you some insight into my beliefs and motivations regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is more dear to me at present than ever before, and also my feelings regarding the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days, whose members gather together in the Manti, Utah area.

I claim no special ability, knowledge, or righteousness over any other individual, only my present motivation to perfect myself as best as I can, and to learn and live the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. My actions at this time culminate a period of nearly one year of the most intense study, pondering, and prayer, and I come to my decisions not lightly, and very sincerely. These decisions are not at all based on one single issue but on all aspects of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I write this to give you an opportunity to look into my heart, but I could write for 100 pages and still not give you all that I would like to be able to communicate--I will only be able to scratch the surface of what my heart is so full of, to the point where I would cry out loudly about it all if I could. I am under no constraint or requirement to write this letter. This has been like finding a well of cool water in the desert, only I am told that the well isn't really there, but it is.

I hope you will bear with the length of this letter, and I hope that you will take the time and make the effort to read it carefully in its entirety (perhaps even more than once), and ponder what I say with an open spirit. If you don't, then I promise you that you will not know my heart. If you haven't read carefully everything that I say here, then you will not be properly equipped to judge me and to sustain with your hand or voice whatever the council may decide.

We all owe it to ourselves to "prove all things", and to continually search for truth in our lives. One of the first places to look for truth is in what God has revealed through His prophets. This may be found in the scriptures and other records and writings of the prophets. True prophets are consistent with each other, and their statements may be found to be in agreement on doctrine and the application of ordinances at any time in our history. Whenever prophets or supposed prophets clash in their doctrines, then according to Brigham Young, one or the other is not teaching by the Spirit. In the D&C it was revealed to Joseph Smith:

For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. (D&C 3:2)

I would like to emphasize that God does not "vary from that which he hath said," and "neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left." Doctrines and saving ordinances are eternal and unchangeable. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times here last year, Gordon B. Hinckley declared that there had been an unchanged doctrine in the church for over 150 years. Is this the case? One would hope so. I believe in "living prophets" just as much as "dead ones," but that still doesn't relieve me of the responsibility of gaining my own witness that I am being led in the right way. It would stop my progression were I to be relieved of the responsibility of gaining my own witness that I was in the right way or not. I must therefore continue to seek the confirmation by the Spirit that I am in the path that the Lord would desire. Standards that I can use to prove all things are the scriptures, which include the inspired writings of prophets gone before, and the witness of the Holy Ghost. With respect to the issue of following living prophets, I was told the following about seven months ago while visiting with LDS ecclesiastical leaders (paraphrasing):

"I would throw away the lessons books, all the old writings, and even the scriptures themselves if I could only follow the prophet."

I would like to respond to this politely: How can I consent to this notion? We must have a standard to prove all things, and the Lord has directed that this standard be the scriptures. And what are scriptures? All those writings given under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost from God for our benefit and use. In section 18 of the D&C, The Lord tells Oliver Cowdery to "rely upon the things which are written," in order to be established on the "rock:"

And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written;

For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock. (D&C 18:3-4)

I could not consent in my heart to what I was told in this instance because my two standards, the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, both told me that was wrong. The prophet Joseph Smith stated also that ordinances are eternal and are not subject to change:

And again, God purposed in Himself that there should not be an eternal fullness until every dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered together in one, and that all things whatsoever, that should be gathered together in one in those dispensations unto the same fullness and eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus; therefore He set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever, and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them. (Prophet Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 168)

The gospel revealed and restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith had a seal put upon it when he, the Prophet of this Dispensation, had his blood shed to seal up this testimony:

[Joseph Smith] sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; (D & C 135:3)

Who can assume the right to open that seal and change that which was revealed to Joseph the Dispensation Head and sealed with his blood as his testimony of the gospel of the Son of God and the Father? For those who would not accept that testimony and law which was sealed, we read:

Behold, and lo, there are none to deliver you; for ye obeyed not my voice when I called to you out of the heavens; ye believed not my servants, and when they were sent unto you ye received them not.

Wherefore, they sealed up the testimony and bound up the law, and ye were delivered over unto darkness.

These shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

Behold the Lord your God hath spoken it. Amen. (D & C 133:71-74)

But the LDS Church starting in 1890 has done just that. Many of the precious beliefs, doctrines, practices and ordinances essential to salvation and peculiar to the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel have been changed, deleted, watered down, and forgotten to the point where some of them are held in contempt or even derision today by members of the church. I am not talking about organizational practices. I agree that they might suite the circumstances, but I am talking about the unchangeable parts of the restored gospel sealed up by the blood of Joseph and Hyrum.

For example, I find it incredible that very few members of the Church even know that there was formerly a very high and sacred ordinance called the "Second Anointing." I knew about this before only because my grandfather as a General Authority about 1930 received this ordinance with his wife. This ordinance was formerly available to endowed, proven members of the church (not just general authorities), but disappeared shortly after the time when my grandfather received it. The idea has been totally lost to the Church of how a person obtains the "fullness of the priesthood" (DHC 5:527) through this Second Anointing, while still on the earth and thereby becomes a King and Priest, or a Queen and Priestess. This is promised in the opening part of the endowment, but other then this brief mention, I have never heard it explained in my life by anyone from the Church HOW or WHEN a man or woman might become a King or Queen, and a Priest or a Priestess. This ordinance prepares a man or woman to have his or her Calling and Election made sure and ratified. Not having this holy ordinance or the "fullness of the priesthood" prohibits a man or woman from becoming a member of the Church of the First Born (promise of celestial glory, see Sec 76:52-60). This was not just a "special blessing" as some have referred to this sacred and necessary ordinance. Early temple records show these ordinances being performed for the worthy, proven church membership in general. Later versions of temple work summaries make no mention of these ordinances. In fairly recent times, the LDS leadership at the highest levels has inquired of old temple workers what knowledge they had of how these ordinances were performed. While this may show some renewed interest, it demonstrates that the knowledge had been lost even at the highest leadership levels of the church of how these ordinances were performed.

The pattern outlined by Joseph for ordering the Family of God, was not the haphazard sealing of everyone we can find according to the corrupt family organizations that exist already on earth. But rather, this is to be done deliberately by revelation, to know which of those deceased persons in the Spirit World ("General assembly" D&C 107:19) should be sealed to whom in order to properly order the Family of God (I'll show you references if you want). This change was made during the 1890s administration of Wilford Woodruff. Formerly, men were sealed to men as "sons," according to revelation as a part of this process. For example, Brigham Young was sealed to Joseph Smith as a son. As for now, did you know that Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun have had their ordinance work done in an LDS temple? The man who murdered Parley P. Pratt has also had his "temple work" done, and so forth. Sealing the human family up according to their present, imperfect, worldly arrangement will seal them up to a less-than-Celestial order. In a discourse that Parley P. Pratt gave at the laying of the cornerstone of the SLC temple, he specifically stated that the keys of the priesthood were to be used to commune with our dead (the general assembly and church of the Firstborn) to determine how to do our vicarious ordinance work. This speech is called "Spiritual Communication," and may be found in the Journal of Discourses volume 2 page 43. Use of the keys of the priesthood for this purpose is to be done using the True Order of Prayer, and is what is referred to in the following passage from the D&C that mentions using the Priesthood keys to pierce the veil and commune with those on the other side:

The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church--

Too have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. (D&C 107:18-19) (See also D&C 84:19-27)

Nobody in the LDS church ever told me what the above passage meant, or how to use these keys, or even that these keys referred to those taught in the endowment in order to perform (among other things) the True Order of Prayer. Some of Parley's statements in his talk are as follows:

If, on the other hand, we deny the philosophy or the fact of spiritual communication between the living and those who have died, we deny the very fountain from which emanated the great truths or principles which were the foundation of both the ancient and modern Church. * * * Again--How do the Saints expect the necessary information by which to complete the ministrations for the salvation and exaltation of their friends who have died? By one holding the keys of the oracles of God, as a medium through which the living can hear from the dead. Shall <we>, then, deny the principle, the philosophy, the fact of communication between worlds? No! verily no! * * * And moreover, the Lord has appointed a Holy Priesthood on the earth, and in the heavens, and also in the world of spirits; which Priesthood is after the order or similitude of His Son; and has committed to this Priesthood the keys of holy and divine revelation, and of correspondence, or communication between angels, spirits, and men, and between all the holy departments, principalities, and powers of His government in all worlds. (PPP, JD 2:43)

The notion has been totally lost to the church that the True Order of Prayer is for our benefit in communing with our dead, our Father in Heaven, and to pierce the veil and receive personal revelation. It is simply ritual now in the temple. Members are never taught that this might be a process that they could use themselves to obtain personal revelation. Now, as I review the Journal of Discourses, church history and other early personal histories, it is evident that there are many, many references to the use of the True Order of Prayer in the early church days for the personal benefit and blessings of the church members. "Prayer Circles" were conducted periodically by members themselves even outside the temples in dedicated rooms in other buildings for most of the history of the church. The practice waned significantly in fairly recent years, and was totally banned on 3 May 1978 by a First Presidency directive. This directive which was signed by Spencer W. Kimball and his counselors (I have a copy) even mentions the fact that these prayer circles were conducted "in special rooms designated for that purpose in stake, ward, or other buildings."

Men are to bear priesthood office in the Kingdom, but women share equally with men in the keys of the priesthood, and receive them the same as men in the endowment. The reason the keys are taught to the women as well as to the men is that women have the same right and privilege to exercise them according the proper procedures as do the men. Women also gave powerful blessings through this priesthood for healing in the forepart of the dispensation. This was approved by the prophet Joseph Smith.

The blessing of being rebaptized periodically if and as a person desired or was directed for repentance and the remission of sins was a regular practice of the church until it also was done away with under Wilford Woodruff in the 1890s. The sacrament is for remembering the Lord and continuing to rededicate ourselves to him. The sacrament is NOT a renewal of our baptismal covenants, as it is not unto the remission of sins--the sacrament prayers say nothing about the remission of sins.

The prophets before 1890 (including Wilford Woodruff) were adamant that plural marriage could not be abandoned because it was given to mankind as a blessing and requirement for families to obtain eternal life. The saints before this time were often frequently admonished by the "living prophets" of the day for not participating more in this refining and purifying principle. Their statements that plural marriage was necessary for the highest degree of exaltation are diametrically opposed to those of Bruce R. McConkie and his contemporaries on this point. This principle was abandoned through fear of the consequences of the actions of the world. There were at least 3 revelations given between 1880 and 1890 commanding the church to not abandon plural marriage--revelations received from the Lord after the Reynolds supreme court decision.

Please don't think that plural marriage was given up for any great love for the law of the land. Virtually none of the general authorities lived by the Manifesto for about 15 years afterward. Considering all members of the First Presidency and quorum of the 12 from 1890 to about 1904, only three men didn't participate in any way in marrying a new plural wife, or arranging or performing new plural marriages. The church historical events of that time regarding this principle read like a sad comedy. If you were to research this yourselves, you would know. This issue was also the topic of some great prevarication to the world and the consequent falsification of the historical record. President Joseph F. Smith committed perjury on this subject before Congress in the Smoot Investigations, and this even carried over into General Conference in 1904 where statements clearly false on this subject were made by President Joseph F. Smith, and sustained by the uplifted hand by the trusting church membership who were just trying to diligently "follow the brethren." The falsehoods associated with events of the Manifesto continue to be maintained by the church leaders to this day. Not only did the vast majority of the brethren at the time show by their actions that they felt the Manifesto was not a revelation, but many of them said publicly that the Manifesto was not a revelation. Wilford Woodruff himself didn't claim it to be such until more than a year later in a speech in Logan. The Manifesto itself is full of falsehood. Evidence for this can be found in any stake genealogical library. These events also resulted in a rift in the Quorum of the 12 in 1905 with two members being expelled because their post-Manifesto polygamous activities became public and known to the Smoot Committee. To save face, two apostles were expelled from the quorum, only they were no more guilty than the great majority of the other leaders. They were told privately that they needed to make this sacrifice for the "Reputation of the Church." These charades did not convince the public nor the Smoot committee, and only served to worsen the reputation of the church at the time. Contrary also to what is stated in the D&C, the General Conference sustaining of the Manifesto was NOT unanimous. All these historical facts are not in dispute, except by those who haven't studied it, or by those who would say that the sun doesn't shine at noon in the desert.

The doctrine of gathering, essential to a Zion society in every dispensation was also abandoned in that time period. In opposition, a doctrine of "scattering" was adopted by the church. There was no revelation commanding the saints to cease to gather to appointed places. Being gathered physically is critical to establishing a true Zion society, as the higher doctrines, such as consecration and plural marriage can only be practiced with the saints in a gathered condition. Being gathered also provides physical and spiritual protection for the people. Being "gathered" doesn't mean coming to church on Sunday while living among the world. The Lord through Jeremiah had this to say about those who would scatter the people of the Lord:

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them : and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1-4

This particular chapter in Jeremiah goes on to prophecy many other aspects of latter day apostasy of Israel, to include a specific reference to the last days.

The doctrine (not theory) of Adam being our Father in Heaven, the physical Father of Jesus Christ, and the Father of our spirits was indeed the doctrine of the church, and was an integral part of the teachings of the temple endowment until it was changed by Wilford Woodruff and Joseph F. Smith. This doctrine was difficult to understand for many at the time because of their traditions, and was laughed at by the world in general. Certainly Adam had His Father in Heaven, who worked closely with Him and with Whom Adam conversed while in the Garden and during His time on the earth. The appellation "Eloheim" literally means "the Gods," and Joseph Smith was very specific on this point. Adam was an exalted, resurrected man before the creation, and before coming to this earth to physically propagate the human family, His children. There are many other aspects of this doctrine that need development for proper understanding but which I cannot expound on here--there is indeed very much to say about this doctrine. Brigham stated on numerous occasions that he received this doctrine from Joseph Smith. Upon study and investigation, one finds that Brigham's teachings on this are incontrovertible and beyond dispute. I have learned that the gentleman who wrote the article on Adam in a very recent Ensign article had to sign a specific agreement with the church not to mention the Adam-God doctrine. Are we to speak evil of Brigham, one of the Lord's anointed because of this doctrine that he obtained from Joseph--and which he claimed was also confirmed by his own visions and revelations from the Lord?

The true order of the family is for the Husband to lead, preside, and be the patriarch. He covenants to obey the law of God. The wife is be a "helpmeet" for him, to "help" him to "meet" God. She is to honor him and to obey his law. A woman covenants to obey the law of her husband. (The words "in righteousness" were not originally in the covenant.) She is to teach obedience to her children by example, by being obedient to her husband. She is not to rebel against him, nor to undercut him, upbraid him, manipulate him, intimidate him, nor to usurp authority over him. A righteous husband will be kind, thoughtful, loving, patient, and understanding towards his wife, will value her opinion, needs, and desires, and will lead according to the precepts of Section 121 of the D&C, but he still must preside and lead. He must not sit around like he doesn't know what to do, but he must take the initiative and lead righteously. This is not an opportunity for him to feed his ego, abuse, nor to feel how almighty he has become, but to serve through leadership. This is the doctrine taught in the scriptures and in the former part of this dispensation. In the LDS church, there is often lip service to part of this doctrine, but in practicality, it has been virtually abandoned--only many of the brethren don't even realize it. In a visit with LDS ecclesiastical leaders last year [my former Bishop] I was told:

"John, Obey your wife. Listen very carefully to the obedience covenants in the temple the next time you go."

How far has the LDS church strayed from its roots and what was revealed by the Lord to the early prophets! Today, examples of failures in the family are most always laid at the feet of men. I have not heard a talk in church in years where women received council about their relationship and duties towards their husbands, even from a worldly perspective, let alone according to the true order of the family. Observe the following:

I exhort you, masters, fathers, and husbands, to be affectionate and kind to those you preside over. And let them be obedient, let the wife be subject to the husband, and the children to their parents. (Brigham Young, April 8th, 1852. Journal of Discourses 1:66)

. . . always commanding them [the Saints] in the name of the Lord, in the spirit of meekness, to be kindly affectionate one toward another, that the fathers should be kind to their children, husbands to their wives, masters to their slaves or servants, children obedient to their parents, wives to their husbands, and slaves or servants to their masters. (TPJS, p. 88)

He [Joseph] exhorted the sisters always to concentrate their faith and prayers for, and place confidence in their husbands, whom God has appointed for them to honor, and in those faithful men whom God has placed at the head of the Church to lead His people; (TPJS, p. 226)

You need not be teasing your husbands because of their deeds, but let the weight of your innocence, kindness and affection be felt, which is more mighty than a millstone hung about the neck; not war, not jangle, not contradiction, or dispute, but meekness, love, purity - these are the things that should magnify you in the eyes of all good men. (TPJS, p. 227)

Let this Society teach women how to behave towards their husbands, to treat them with mildness and affection. When a man is borne down with trouble, when he is perplexed with care and difficulty, if he can meet a smile instead of an argument or a murmur -- if he can meet with mildness, it will calm down his soul and soothe his feelings; when the mind is going to despair, it needs a solace of affection and kindness. When you go home, never give a cross or unkind word to your husbands, but let kindness, charity and love crown your works henceforward; (TPJS, p. 228)

I want you to make home a heaven for your husbands, that when they come there they will feel happy, cheerful, and comfortable in their households. Do away with evil speaking--let love, kindness, and friendly feelings prevail; and if the sisters want the brethren to give them a few bushels of wheat to take care of, let them have it, it is not much, and we may some day be glad we did so. (John Taylor, 21 October 1877, Journal of Discourses, 19:145)

When was the last time we heard similar words to the above from the pulpit or in General Conference? Are men today worse than formerly? In our Stake Conference last June the visiting General Authority gave 10 points of council for the brethren regarding their wives and families, which I do not take specific issue with, but he gave NO council to the sisters, all while telling them to listen carefully so they could tell if their husbands were heeding the council!!! That is a hideous reversal of God's order of the family, and has resulted from pressure from worldly opinions about men and women. The LDS church has now ceased to council wives to "obey" their husbands. Of course the value of a soul of a woman is as dear to our Father in Heaven as the soul of a man; they are equal in that respect, but our roles and duties are different. It is contradictory and speaking out of both sides of one's mouth to say in the same Proclamation on the Family that the husband "presides" but that husband and wife are "equal partners." Well, which one is it? The verbiage of "equal partners" clouds the correct principles of the order of the family, but it does serve to placate worldly critics. Again, note what Isaiah prophesied:

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. (Isaiah 3:12)

Because of pressure from the government during the Smoot hearings starting in 1904, the covenant formerly made in the endowment to continuously pray to God for "vengeance upon the country that shed the blood of the prophets" was removed (the entire endowment ceremony wound up in the Congressional Record). Heber J. Grant made other changes to the endowment, introducing such clauses as "in righteousness" (making the woman a judge over her husband in the Obedience Covenant), and "legally and lawfully" instead of the words "by the Holy Priesthood" (Chastity Covenant). These "minor" changes have far-reaching implications--the "legal" law of man then began to supersede the law of God, for one. (When Lorenzo Snow married four women within a very short time period in the 1840s, he purposely married all of them only "by the Holy Priesthood" in the Nauvoo temple, and not any one of them "legally and lawfully" so that one wife would not be able to exalt herself above the other three.) Heber J. Grant also changed the garment of the Holy Priesthood due to worldly fashion pressures, something that Joseph F. Smith (in spite of his many other compromises) was adamant about not changing.

However, these changes paled in comparison to the endowment changes that occurred in April 1990, when essential endowment parts and teachings were totally eliminated, coupled with further changes in covenant wording and keywords. It happens that all of the changes at this time were to parts of the endowment that some people in the world felt were offensive. (A Lutheran chaplain friend of mine is one example of this, even though reading about the endowment from outside sources was none of his business. He told of his personal offense at the former segment on the preacher. This teaching was to demonstrate how Satan uses well-meaning individuals positioned between man and God to lead man astray.) The abomination of these fatal endowment changes coupled with the giving away of the priesthood to whom it was not intended (go and read Joseph Smith's and Brigham Young's teachings on this subject if you don't believe it), were events that caused the priesthood to be totally lost to the church, and sealed this 100 year long slide of apostasy to the point of no return, and are the events that "took away the daily sacrifice" (think of one of the integral endowment parts that was removed) and set up the "abomination of desolation" prophesied by Daniel that will occur before the arrival of the Savior.

What is the definition of a whore? It is a woman who has intercourse with the wrong man for money. What has the LDS church done for the last 100 years? Aside from the ordinance and doctrinal changes, she has indulged in the wicked financial ways of Babylon, Satan's kingdom, hand in hand with those who despise the Kingdom of God. Financial investments and speculation are the definition of the Hebrew word "Mammon," which the Lord Jesus Christ said we cannot serve and still serve him. Moreover, Joseph Smith told the Saints in Missouri that "Zion cannot be built up in any such way," referring to the attempts of the Saints to built up Zion according to speculative, profit making schemes instead of through consecration of their property "for the building up of the Kingdom of God and the establishment of Zion." He there prophesied that they would be broken up if they continued, and as we know, they were. If the members were not to build up Zion "in any such way," does that make it acceptable for the church as a body to participate in such? I think not. Not only do the LDS people not live by consecration, but many of the means of employment of LDS church members serve to directly build up Satan's Babylon through the worship of Mammon (see definition of Mammon above). Are the LDS people truly consecrating because they pay tithes and offerings and covenant to consecrate in the temple all while some still remain very rich and some languish in poverty?

But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin. (D&C 49:20)

Now the LDS church has contracted with public relation firms for image improvement. What about being led by revelation? It is more difficult now to see a picture of Joseph Smith in a visitor's center. Gone is the life size diorama of young Joseph in the sacred grove. "We are a World Church," "We are a family Church," "We are Christian Church," "We're ten million strong, we are in virtually every country," it is said. But what should true saints care about what the world thinks!?!? Don't these proclamations sound like what Satan might say: "Now is the great day of my power!"? Note what Moroni said:

Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.

O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies--because of the praise of the world?

Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?

Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?

Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer. (Mormon 8:35-41)

Whom do we think it is that Moroni is speaking to? He is speaking to the people who read the Book of Mormon, of course: Latter-day Israel.

Who is the Bridegroom? Is it not the Lord Jesus Christ? Who is to be his bride? His church is supposed to be his bride. What does His church become when instead of the intended Bridegroom, she has intercourse with wicked Babylon? She becomes the whore of the earth. Is that shocking? Don't the scriptures say that a people is better off to have never had the gospel that to have had it and then reject it? This apostasy of Latter-day Israel is voluminously prophesied in the scriptures--Old Testament, Book of Mormon, and D&C--a few references among many follow later. It is the chief reason that the Prophet Mormon included so many, many examples of apostasy and restoration in his editing of the Book of Mormon. A great part of the Isaiah quotes in 2 Nephi relate to this apostasy. In the last verse in 2 Nephi chapter 11 just before the large block of Isaiah quotes, Jacob commands us to liken these scriptural verses unto us: "Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men."

The chief purpose of the restoration was for the establishment of Zion. Why? Because Christ is coming soon, and if a people isn't prepared according to celestial law (D&C 105:5) when He comes, they will not be taken up from the earth (D&C 84:100) to meet Enoch's Zion, and they will be destroyed. If Zion isn't established, the earth will be utterly wasted at his coming. The LDS church has not "sought the welfare of Zion" for over 100 years, but has indulged in image management, financial investment, doctrines and ordinances less offensive to the world, and seeking for numbers and statistics as it spreads over the world. Observe the apostate Nephite church when the nearly 200 years of peace following the Savior's visit were at an end:

And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.

And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.

And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.

And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, inasmuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness.

And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts. (4 Nephi 1:24-28)

This conviction has grown so strong in me that I now shake at its importance. During my life, the LDS church has always said: "some day" regarding Zion, consecration, and so forth, only the church has continued to move further away from these absolute necessities, discussing them less and less to the point now that it is rarely if ever mentioned at all, except among members who still have these hopes from so long ago that they believe so fervently. Zion does not mean joining the LDS church and coming to meeting on Sunday. Zion means a people gathered to an appointed place. Zion means consecration, with no rich nor poor. Zion means the pure in heart who do not do anything to build up the world or Babylon. Zion means living the fullness of the gospel, with ALL of the ordinances in their correct form as revealed through the Dispensation Head. Zion means having a correct understanding of the true doctrines as revealed by the Dispensation Head as no one can be saved in ignorance. What do you think? Christ will be here soon. Do we talk about consecration and the establishment of Zion more or less than in the past? There has been no attempt to live consecration in the church for nearly one hundred years.

What else do we hear? We now hear that the most priceless doctrine of the restored gospel, the doctrine of God having once been a man, which implies so much, A doctrine so strongly asserted by Joseph Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young and others, is now downplayed, denied, and relegated to some "deep theology that we don't know very much about!" And this by the supposed President of the High Priesthood! After having read the several public statements by Gordon B. Hinckley on this subject, to think otherwise about his statements would be to not understand plain English. Joseph and Brigham were very forthright about this doctrine in public. What about the keys of the priesthood to "enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus" (D&C 107:19)? Shouldn't the President of the High Priesthood, the "Prophet" be the most adept in using these keys of the priesthood (True Order of Prayer) to know for a surety about such a doctrinal point so clear in the past to the early church leaders? Gordon B Hinckley stated in Los Angeles in 1997 that there has been doctrinal purity in the church for the last 150 years. There is some real nonsense going on here. Note what Brigham Young said:

Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, all the Patriarchs and Prophets, Jesus and the Apostles, and every man that has ever written the word of the Lord, have written the same doctrine upon the same subject; and you never can find that Prophets and Apostles clashed in their doctrines in ancient days: neither will they now, if all would at all times be led by the Spirit of salvation. (Brigham Young, October 7th, 1857, JD 5:329)

And:

I told the people that if they would not believe the revelations that God had given, He would suffer the Devil to give revelations that they--priests and people--would follow after. . . . I told the people that as true as God lived, if they would not have truth, they would have error sent unto them and they would believe it. (Brigham Young, 8 June 1878, Deseret News)

There are many good honest people in the LDS church, but they are asleep with a false hope and a false assurance that they are in the Lord's way, and being led down the path to destruction, because they will not be gathered into Zion when the destructions come:

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked.

For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth; (D&C 29: 7-9)

During the last of his thousands of public discourses, President Brigham Young stated the following to the church membership:

And with regard to the conduct of this people? if an angel should come here and speak his feelings as plainly as I do, I think he would say, "O, Latter-day Saints! why don't you see, why don't you open your eyes and behold the great work resting upon you and that you have entered into? You are blind, you are stupid, you are in the dark, in the mist and fog, wandering to and fro like the boat upon the water without sail, rudder or oar; and you know not whither you are going." (Brigham Young, Aug. 19, 1877, Journal of Discourses, 19:93-94)

It is as clear to my heart as a spring morning in the mountains that the present LDS church is not a shadow of what Joseph was trying to establish. This apostasy was prophesied in the scriptures. The present True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days (D&C 1:30) is made up of people awakening from the deep sleep (2 Nephi 27:5), and who have been cast out from within the mother LDS church. The TLC church is from the same people as latter-day Israel, the LDS, only we are a remnant--the remnant that was so strongly prophesied by the prophets of the forepart of this dispensation:

Many of this people are perhaps preparing themselves, by following after the world in its mad race for wealth and pleasure, to go down with Babylon when she crumbles and falls; but I know there is a people, in the heart's core of this people, that will arise in their majesty in a day that is near at hand, and push spiritual things to the front; a people who will stand up for God, fearing not man nor what man can do, but believing as the prophet Joseph says, that all things we suffer are for our best good, and that God will stand by us forever and ever. (Orson F. Whitney, Deseret News, Aug. 11, 1889)

I do not know but that it would be an utter impossibility to commence and carry out some principles pertaining to Zion right in the midst of this people. They have strayed so far that to get a people who would conform to heavenly laws it may be needful to lead some from the midst of this people and commence anew somewhere in the region round about in these mountains. (Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 15:361-362)

There are many more nearly identical references to the above two. The priesthood powers and keys have been restored to the earth to this remnant, who seek to establish Zion according to the Lord's way with the fullness of the gospel, with all the proper ordinances and practices. The members of this "remnant" have been "cast out" of the mother church from whence they came. As is the case all throughout true religious history, the righteous are "cast out" of the popular or "accepted" church of the day. However, when this happens, what happens to the main body after they "cast out" the righteous? Note the following Book of Mormon verses on this subject:

But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent. (Alma 10:23)

But behold, it is for the righteous' sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her. (Helaman 13:14)

With respect to the above passages, are you going to react as did Laman and Lemuel did towards Nephi and Lehi when they were indignant to the notion that the Jews at the time were not in favor of the Lord? The Jews at the time didn't believe that Jerusalem could be destroyed, and were certainly keeping the outward ordinances, and observing the technical parts of the Law, and they were indeed the Lord's covenant people:

And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us. (1 Nephi 17:22)

Even the "covenant people of the Lord" need to watch and pray always, and to insure that they are corporately as well as individually living by that which was revealed by the Lord, and not rest on the laurels of the accomplishments of their pioneer ancestors, nor on the fact that they happen to be the "covenant people of the Lord." But what about the "promises" made about our beloved LDS institution? I would ask this: When has the Lord ever given unconditional promises?

I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. (D&C 82:10)

In reality, there were many more warnings given to the Saints than "promises," only a couple of which follow out of many dozens if not hundreds:

...for if Zion will not purify herself, so as to be approved of in all things, in His sight, He will seek another people; for His work will go on until Israel is gathered, and they who will not hear His voice, must expect to feel His wrath. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, pg. 18)

When we see the time that we can willingly strike hands and have full fellowship with those who despise the Kingdom of God, know ye then that the Priesthood of the Son of God is out of your possession. Let us be careful how we make friends with and fellowship unrighteousness, lest the curse of God descends heavily upon us. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 10:273)

I have never seen dedication, with singleness of purpose, to building up of the Kingdom of God and the establishment of Zion like I have seen in Manti, Utah. I have never had such an education in the plan of salvation and exaltation like I have over this past year of very intense study, pondering, and prayer. I have never felt the spirit in meetings like I have at "TLC" meetings in Manti. It is a warm feeling of peace that makes you unconscious of the passing of time, that gives you the desire to linger with the people, that drives completely from you any desire to do evil.

I was very overcome with feelings of peace and joy, nearly to incapacitation after baptism and during confirmation. I could not hold it back. I was also ordained an elder. I will be endowed with a true endowment when I can complete actions to gather and live in the Manti area.

I know that the Prophet Jim Harmston has the ultimate exaltation of all men as his utmost desire. He continuously preaches and cries repentance as well as TEACHES DOCTRINE, not just that we should be kind to our neighbor. We cannot be saved in ignorance. No man would behave, act, and speak as he does and not have as the honest aim of his heart the welfare of the souls of all men. He speaks as one having authority, in all sincerity and seriousness without any pious front. He has a great sense of humor, but he doesn't put up with anyone's nonsense, either from members, investigators, or the LDS leadership, many of whom he has been intimately and personally familiar with over the years. He was friends with Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and many, many others. I feel the spirit very strongly when he testifies and describes in some detail the angelic ministrations he has received to restore the Priesthood authority and keys, and to receive divine manifestations directly from the Savior and from our Father in Heaven. No duped, crazy, self interested, or double-minded man would act as Jim Harmston does. The Lord would not send angelic messengers to restore the High Priesthood authority and keys if they were indeed truly on the earth. But if the true priesthood were lost, as Brigham Young prophesied it would be if certain events happened, which did happen, then divine restoration would be required. James Faust gave a speech on this subject a few years ago relative to men receiving priesthood authority through angelic ministrations, and completely twisted out of context the words of Joseph Smith on this subject. Of course a man is not to receive higher revelation than for his stewardship while the true church is on the earth and functioning. But when that entity ceases to be God's recognized church, a full restoration is necessary, just as in the case of Joseph Smith and the sectarian churches of his day.

As far as my family goes, it is not my choice to separate from my family. I would just as soon that my family accompany me in this gathering. However, we all have our agency to decide, and the Lord will force no one. Does the Gospel of Jesus Christ break up families? Again, what happened in the forepart of this dispensation?

But we pause here, and offer a remark upon the saying which we learn has gone abroad, and has been handled in a manner detrimental to the cause of truth, by saying, "that in preaching the doctrine of gathering, we break up families, and give license for men to leave their families, women their husbands, children their parents and slaves their masters, thereby deranging the order and breaking up the harmony and peace of society." (Joseph Smith: TPJS p 80-81)

I know a great man here who have [has] no relatives in this Church, using that term in its customary acceptation. Sometimes wives leave their husbands, to come here; mothers also leave their children, and children their parents. Ask them, "Where is your husband?" "In England," or in some other country. "Have you any children?" "Yes." "Where are they?" "They would not come with me." "Have you any brothers and sisters, or parents?" "Yes, my father and mother are living." "Did they believe the Gospel?" "No." "Did your brothers and sisters believe it?" "No, I am a lone person." * * * I did not ask my wife whether she believed the Gospel; I did not ask her whether she would be baptized. Faith, repentance, and baptism are free for all. I did not know, when I was baptized, whether my wife believed the Gospel or not; I did not know that my father's house would go with me. I believed that some of them would, but I was brought to the test, "Can I forsake all for the Gospel's sake?" I can, was the reply within me. "Would you like to?" "Yes, if they will not embrace the Gospel." (Brigham Young, 15 March 1857 JD 4:280)

The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. (Prophet Joseph Smith DHC 5:555)

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (The Redeemer, Matthew 10:33-38)

For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor, and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also-counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ --- requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God; but actual knowledge, realizing that, when these sufferings are ended, he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God.

Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things . . .

It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtain faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him.

It was in offering sacrifices that Abel, the first martyr, obtained knowledge that he was accepted of God. And from the days of righteous Abel to the present time, the knowledge that men have that they are accepted in the sight of God is obtained by offering sacrifice. And in the last days, before the Lord comes, he is to gather together his saints who have made a covenant with him by sacrifice. Psalm 1: 3, 4, 5: "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Those, then, who make the sacrifice, will have the testimony that their course is pleasing in the sight of God; and those who have this testimony will have faith to lay hold on eternal life, and will be enabled, through faith, to endure unto the end, and receive the crown that is laid up for them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who do not make the sacrifice cannot enjoy this faith, because men are dependent upon this sacrifice in order to obtain this faith: therefore, they cannot lay hold upon eternal life, because the revelations of God do not guarantee unto them the authority so to do, and without this guarantee faith could not exist.

All the saints of whom we have account, in all the revelations of God which are extant, obtained the knowledge which they had of their acceptance in his sight through the sacrifice which they offered unto him; and through the knowledge thus obtained their faith became sufficiently strong to lay hold upon the promise of eternal life, and to endure as seeing him who is invisible; and were enabled, through faith, to combat the powers of darkness, contend against the wiles of the adversary, overcome the world, and obtain the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls.

But those who have not made this sacrifice to God do not know that the course which they pursue is well pleasing in his sight; for whatever may be their belief or their opinion, it is a matter of doubt and uncertainty in their mind; and where doubt and uncertainty are there faith is not, nor can it be. For doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time; so that persons whose minds are under doubts and fears cannot have unshaken confidence; and where unshaken confidence is not there faith is weak; and where faith is weak the persons will not be able to contend against all the opposition, tribulations, and afflictions which they will have to encounter in order to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ Jesus; and they will grow weary in their minds, and the adversary will have power over them and destroy them. (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith 6:5, 7-12 )

Note that the initial Endowment covenants made are Obedience and Sacrifice. While the LDS church requires tithing, (only a part of consecration, by the way, see section 119). The LDS church no longer makes the demands on members that are described above in the Sixth Lecture on Faith, and therefore does not have the power to provide eternal life to its members based on that fact alone, let alone all the ordinance and doctrinal changes which are only touched upon in part in this treatise.

The things that I say here are from the historical record and are not in dispute. You cannot say that there has been doctrinal purity for 150 years (I've only given highlights here). Joseph said that ordinances are not to be altered or changed, and sealed the gospel he revealed with his blood. You cannot say that critical ordinances and practices have not been deleted nor changed (only partially and briefly touched on here). If Brigham was so mistaken on several doctrinal points that are held in derision or at least incomprehension in the LDS church today, then where does that leave the present leadership? Are they more infallible than Brigham?

The D&C teaches that the church membership and priesthood quorums are to insure that the leading quorums of the church are to make decisions in righteousness. When was the last time that was preached in General Conference? Brigham taught that each member must have his own witness that he is being led correctly, otherwise it would be easy for one man to lead the church to destruction. The doctrine that the prophet or leaders will "never lead the church astray" is a damnable heresy, not based in the scriptures, and promulgated only to cover up the fact that it has already happened. The "prophet" should be "removed out of his place" if he should sin, but this is to be done by the quorums or membership, according to section 107. Why would the Lord make provisions in the D&C for removing or correcting the leading quorums of the church or even the president himself if this were not a possibility? The Lord will not preempt his nor anyone's agency to choose right or wrong. Only Satan tries to physically or emotionally prevent a person from making one choice over another. From D&C 107:

And in case that any decision of these quorums [First Presidency, Quorum of 12, Seventy] is made in unrighteousness, it may be brought before a general assembly of the several quorums, which constitute the spiritual authorities of the church; otherwise there can be no appeal from their decision.

And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the High Priesthood;

And their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him.

Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness. (D&C 107:32,82-84)

What a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually. (Brigham Young, JD, 9:151, January 12, 1862)

President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel -- said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church -- that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls -- applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall -- that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds. (TPJS, 237-238)

And again, if thy foot offend thee, cut it off; for he that is thy standard, by whom thou walkest, if he become a transgressor, he shall be cut off.

Therefore, let every man stand or fall, by himself, and not for another; or not trusting another.

And if thine eye which seeth for thee, him that is appointed to watch over thee to show thee light, become a transgressor and offend thee, pluck him out. (JST Mark 9:42, 44, 46)

A few closing remarks. This is so important, I feel to tremble. You cannot say that I don't know or understand the "LDS side." I have strengths and weaknesses, but I have always had a love of the Gospel, and I have loved to discuss and teach it. The experience of this year for me is like finding a well of cool water in the desert. I have served diligently and with all my heart over many years in my experiences in teaching in the primary. These children are sponges, it has been a joy for me to teach them. I know that it has been the Lord that had provided me with the opportunity to remain almost without interruption in a teaching capacity. When you love to discuss and teach the Gospel, the spirit will always put words in your mouth to teach. The early elders were sent forth to teach without any "script" or in other words, without any book to memorize called: "Uniform System for Teaching Investigators." The Lord always put the words in their mouth in time of need. I received my LDS patriarchal blessing in 1969 from a patriarch that was probably born before the Manifesto. I feel that this blessing was inspired. One of the points in my blessing was that I would have things brought to my mind in time of need in defense of truth and righteousness. I know many times in my life when this has occurred, and I know and remember how it feels. This present experience I am going through feels like that, only more so.

I would hope that you might read what I say here and truly and honestly ponder it in your heart. I am not perfect in communication, nor do I claim to know all things, but what I say here is the result of 11 months of the most careful, solemn, soul searching, prayerful study. If something in my manner of expression offends you, I apologize, but I feel to be frank, and ask you to overlook my manner and read my meaning with your heart. This topic has been number one in my mind for virtually this whole past year. I ask you to read the whole Sixth Lecture on Faith many times over, and to ponder if the LDS church has the power to require or accomplish in your life what is stated therein. Among our beliefs, which ones come from our traditions, and which ones come from Joseph Smith's revelations? Are you sure? What are your fears? Fear and pride are the two factors that keep people from accepting truth when they have the ability to comprehend. Those two factors are more difficult to surmount that most of us can possibly imagine. Most of what we inherit as beliefs are traditions. Joseph said that a person must shed ALL their old traditions to embrace the true gospel. Are we afraid for our reputations? What did Joseph say about our reputations among men for the Gospel's sake? The "true" church is only the dispenser on the earth for the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with its attendant doctrines and ordinances. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and a person must do his best to find it in its fullness. Anything less than the fullness of the gospel will not bear Celestial fruit, no matter how "good" the people are:

But without faith shall not anything be shown forth except desolations upon Babylon, the same which has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fullness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this generation. (D&C 35: 11-12)

3 Nephi 16:10 tells us that the Gentiles (LDS Church, see Section 109:60) "shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations" and consequently, will have the "fullness of my gospel [brought] from among them" (cause and effect). At that point, instead of the Gentiles, true Israelite blood (that doesn't mean only Lamanites) are to bear the kingdom (verse 11) on the earth and establish Zion. This is also taught in Jacob chapter 5.

How are we going to fall on the necks of our City of Enoch Zion counterparts and kiss them unless we know them and have become like them? We hope to be translated when Christ comes. Are you ready to be translated? How are you going to live all the laws to be ready to be able to be translated? Does the LDS church ask you or provide for you the opportunity to live ALL the Celestial laws revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times? No they do not. Even with good intentions, you can't learn math until you undertake the study and training. Do you suppose one may advance to a higher academic class before meeting the requirements of the lesser one? Do you think you can be translated when Christ comes if you aren't yet able to demonstrate that you can live ALL the laws given for the fullness of the gospel here? (D&C 105:5) The most sacred, holy and difficult ones have been ABANDONED by the LDS church: Consecration, gathering, plural marriage, true sacrifice, Higher ordinances, major doctrinal points, the true knowledge of how we are saved and exalted, and a true Zion society where these high laws and ordinances may be practiced. I was relating some of the trials and sacrifices of my ancestor Parley last summer to my family members and my brother remarked: "I sure am glad we don't have to go through that any more." But it is only through that kind of sacrifice that we may rid ourselves of the burden of our worldly emotional attachments.

Our father in heaven loves us very much. If our heart is here in the Telestial world, according to the desire of our heart he will reward us with the same; if our heart is totally full of darkness, more darkness will be our reward. But when we begin to long for something higher than this vale of tears, then he will begin to open the door for us through the atonement and gospel to attain a higher world with more light and knowledge, but we must make the effort, shed the attachments to the lower kingdom, and go through the "strait gate." The LDS Church has stopped totally from revealing "many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God" some time ago--reorganizing stake and regional presidencies and buying property in Florida or new investment businesses, or setting up an LDS office in the New York Stock Exchange doesn't fit that bill, neither does BACKTRACKING on doctrine such as how our Father in Heaven became who He is.

Was Joseph a Prophet? Of course. Is the Book of Mormon True? Of course. And the spirit will witness that to people the world over. That will still provide some benefit and progression for individuals so touched, and the Lord will still work through anyone and anything to accomplish righteous purposes, but the LDS church has not established Zion, has shrugged off the fullness of the gospel, has had the priesthood taken away, and has had intercourse with wicked Babylon. Consequently, she will be destroyed, per D&C section 112:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.

Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.

And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;

First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord. (D&C 112:23-26)

This apostasy was prophesied in many places in the scriptures, such as the following in Isaiah:

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory,

and for a diadem of beauty, unto the RESIDUE of his people, (caps added)

And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isaiah 28: 1-13)

Who is Ephraim? The people of the LDS church--aren't we declared to be of the lineage of Ephraim?. Remember Jacob's admonition to liken these scriptures to us. Note: being "drunk" is a scriptural metaphor for being dulled in the senses or asleep, as in this prophecy in 2 Nephi:

For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink.

For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity. (2 Nephi 27:4-5)

Again, from Jeremiah:

Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?

Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. (Jeremiah 23:9-22)

At the recent reorganization of the Spanish Branch a couple of months ago in the San Pedro building, there was read the following scriptural verse regarding the establishment of Zion from the Doctrine and Covenants:

For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. (D&C 82:14)

This passage speaks of a true Zion society as discussed above, living all the Zion laws and principles, such as gathering, consecration, the complete and correct set of ordinances, practices, having the correct doctrine, and so forth--which correct principles, ordinances, and doctrine are likened to "beautiful garments." Note in D&C 105:5:

And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. (D&C 105:5)

The fact that Zion is to be "received unto the Lord," or taken up to meet Enoch's Zion is indicative of how important it is to build up Zion according to "principles of the law of the celestial kingdom," as just mentioned. If it isn't done the Lord's way, it won't "fly." The LDS church is not living those higher principles at all, is too worried about the opinions and praise of man, chasing after financial Babylon, and consequently is not building Zion. Zion putting on her "beautiful garments" means living ALL of these Zion celestial laws. As stated in the very next verse following the "beautiful garments" verse:

Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord. (D&C 82:15)

This reaffirms that it must be done according to these higher "laws of the Lord," if Zion is to increase in beauty and holiness, and put on her "beautiful garments." I urge very seriously that you read carefully Hugh Nibley's book Approaching Zion.. If anyone else but him had written the biting diatribes in that book regarding the LDS failures to establish Zion and live the law of consecration in preference to pursuing Mammon, in all probability he would have been "disciplined" by the LDS church.

I must close now, but I could go on for 100 more pages. There are many more prophecies. There are many more examples. There are doctrinal points and ordinances that also have been changed that I haven't even mentioned here. This has not been a quick decision for me, but within the past couple of months, I have been brought to a point where I cannot nor dare I turn my back on what I see as clear as the sun. I hope that you can feel the deep import of what I feel in my heart to say about these things. I hope that you have read and considered very carefully the Gospel principles here set forth, for they are not my principles, but those of the Lord as set forth by the prophets of the forepart of this dispensation, and sealed by the blood of martyrs. Please contact me if you have any misunderstandings on what I have written, or if you wish me to provide more information or clarifications on any point. Sincerely,

John W. Pratt

PS: Additional quotes of import:

. . . because the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 137)

I advise all to go on to perfection, and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 364)

There never has been a day for ages and ages, not since the true church was destroyed after the days of the Apostles, that required the faith and the energy of godly men and godly women, and the skill, wisdom, and power of the Almighty to be with them, so much as this people require it at the present time. There never was that necessity; there never has been a time on the face of the earth, from the time that the church went to destruction, and the Priesthood was taken from the earth, that the powers of darkness and the powers of earth and hell were so embittered, and enraged, and incensed against God and godliness on the earth, as they are at the present. And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, or wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked, and never until then; which I pray may never come. (Brigham Young JD 4:326, May 31, 1857)

I now wish to examine another prominent feature of our religion. An important item which was prominently held forth wherever this Gospel was proclaimed, was, that its followers should have an abundance of persecutions, and probably, in the progress of this new life, be compelled to suffer the most trying sacrifices, as wife, children, houses and lands, despoiling of goods, and perhaps even, of life itself. No persons are properly prepared to enter upon this new life, until they have formed, within themselves, a fixed resolution to abide this ordeal. The Savior, the Apostles, Joseph Smith, and the Latter-day Elders, when offering this system to the people, told them clearly and emphatically, that it required sacrifices of the most serious character--that it would bring persecutions, change our warmest friends into bitter and relentless enemies, and that instances would occur when the world in the confused ideas of right and wrong, would even conceive they were doing God's service in taking our lives. These were dark and forbidding prospects to a rational person in allowing himself to be proselyted to a system whose truths he could not know, but only guess at by what he was told, or of which he had read. Every man and every woman, before receiving a system that called for such sacrifices, would require a positive assurance that submission to its requirements would bring indisputable knowledge of its true divinity, so that, after having obtained a divine witness of its genuineness, they could willingly, cheerfully and with a resolution, inspired by the Almighty, move forward along the pathway of persecution and sacrifice, traversed in all ages by martyred Saints and Prophets. (Lorenzo Snow, JD 26:378)

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. . . The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force. (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3, 5)

'Many men,' said he, 'will say, I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times', but the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens, and are prepared for them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death. It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and will cause the people to kill the prophets in this generation. Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life. (Joseph Smith, Jr., as quoted by Heber C. Kimball, Life of Heber C. Kimball, by Orson F. Whitney, pg. 322-323.)

"I have asked the Lord to take me away. I have to seal my testimony to this generation with my blood. I have to do it for this work will never progress until I am gone for the testimony is of no force until the testator is dead. People little know who I am when they talk about me, and they never will know until they see me weighed in the balance in the Kingdom of God. Then they will know who I am, and see me as I am. I dare not tell them and they do not know me." These words were spoken with such power that they penetrated the heart of every soul that believed on him. (Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, (Plural wife of the Prophet) quoting Joseph Smith, BYU , 1905)

So it is with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He has gone before with the keys of this dispensation, after having lived and conferred them upon the authorities of the church, even all that was necessary until he shall come again to build up this kingdom preparatory to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Franklin D. Richards, 30 August 1885, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 26:302.)

My servant Joseph Smith still holds the keys of my kingdom in this dispensation, and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed. (Revelation to Parley P. Pratt on road to Nauvoo, just after the Martyrdom, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pg. 368.)

You will gather many people into the fastness of the Rocky Mountains as a center for the gathering of the people, and you will be faithful because you have been true; and many of those who come under your ministry, because of their much learning, will seek for high positions, and they will be set up and raise themselves in eminence above you, but you will walk in low places unnoticed and you will know all that transpires in their midst, and those that are my friends will be your friends. This I will promise to you, that when I come again to lead you forth, for I will go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am you shall be with me. (Prophet Joseph Smith, "Diary of John E Forsgren," Fate of the Persecutors of Joseph Smith, N.B. Lundwall, pg. 154.)

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