I never told you I was perfect—but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught—must I then be thrown away as a thing of nought? —I enjoin for your consideration, add to your faith, virtue, love &c. I say in the name of the Lord, if these things are in you, you shall be fruitful. I testify that no man has the power to reveal it, but myself, things in heaven, things in earth and hell—and all shut your mouths for the future—. (Joseph Smith, Jr., "Thomas Bullock Report", 12 May 1844, Temple Stand, The Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat/Cook, pg. 369.)
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. (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, as quoted in the "Diary of John E Forsgren," Fate of the Persecutors of Joseph Smith, N.B. Lundwall, pg. 154.)
"The family altar should be in every man's house; he is the patriarch of the family, and everything should be done under his direction. He should offer prayer; his wife and children also should offer prayer in turn around the family altar. You cannot be a Saint without the fellowship of the Spirit of God; and you should train your children that they also may know the benefit of having its fellowship." (Apostle George Teasdale, General Conference Report, Oct. 5, 1903)
"....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)
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, May 31, 1857, JD 4:326)
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, January 12 1862, JD 9:147)
It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 308)
Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 308)
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, JD 15:361-362)
Before the great day of the Lord shall come, and the day of righteousness and peace dawn upon this fair creation, two potent cleansing processes shall be in active operation. The first of these is a preparation of a choice people, purified by an application to their lives, as individuals and a community, of the principles of the gospel of peace. Such a body will evolve from those called Latter-day Saints, who as a Church possess the fulness and power of the pure plan of salvation. Out of this community at present in the merely incipient stages of development and from the remnant of the whole house of Israel, will emanate the nucleus or foundation from which will spring the righteous millennial population of our globe. (George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star, 42:585)
And if we as a people do not hold ourselves on the altar ready to be used with our means and all that God has bestowed upon us, according to the Master's bidding, for the upbuilding of His kingdom upon the earth, He will pass on and get somebody else; because He will get a people that will do it. I do not mean to say that He will pass on and leave this people; no, there will come up from the midst of this people that people that has been talked so much about. (Daniel H. Wells, Deseret News, Dec. 9, 1882)
Many will doubtless make shipwreck of their faith and will be led away by the allurements of sin into by and forbidding paths; yet the kingdom will not be taken from this people and given to another, but a people will come forth from among us, who will be zealous of good works, willing to do the bidding of the Lord, who will be taught in His ways, and who will walk in His paths. (Daniel H. Wells, Deseret News, Nov. 6, 1875)
God will preserve a portion of this people, of the meek and the humble, to bear off the kingdom to the inhabitants of the earth, and will defend His Priesthood; for it is the last time, the last gathering time. (Brigham Young, Contributor, 10:362)
Many of this people have broken their covenants... But you cannot do that, for God will cut you off and raise up another people that will carry out His purposes in righteousness, unless you walk up to the line of your duty. (H.C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 4:108)
But the day will come when the Lord will choose a people out of this people upon whom he will bestow his choicest blessings. (Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 11:145)
"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)
"...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
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,7 October 1857, JD 5:329)
How often has it been taught that if you depend entirely upon the voice, judgment and sagacity of those appointed to lead you, and neglect to enjoy the Spirit for yourselves, how easily you may be led into error, and finally be cast off to the left hand? (Brigham Young, JD 8: 59)
Some may say, "Brethren, you who lead the Church, we have all confidence in you, we are not in the least afraid but what everything will go right under your superintendence; all the business matters will be transacted right; and if brother Brigham is satisfied with it, I am." I do not wish any Latter-day Saint in this world, nor in heaven, to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied. — Every man and woman in this kingdom ought to be satisfied with what we do, but they never should be satisfied without asking the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, whether what we do is right. (Brigham Young, JD 3:45, October 6, 1855)
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)
We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark, that they would do anything that they were told to do by those who preside over them, if they knew it was wrong: but such obedience is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God...would despise the idea. Others in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without asking any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their minds to do wrong themselves. (Samuel Richards, Millennial Star, 14:393-395)
*****
My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it. (President Heber J. Grant, Speaking to Bishop Marian G. Romney, recounted in Conference Report,Oct. 1960, p. 78)
Friendship and praise of the world:
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)
And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, of
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 4:326-327)
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)
We meet today under very favorable circumstances. For the most part the world is at peace, and what a priceless boon this is. We walk, generally, in an environment of goodwill. It is true that many do not care for us, and some few may even hate us, using every opportunity to lash out against us. But these are few and they are largely ineffectual. Never before has the Church had a better reputation than it has now. This is because of you, my brethren and sisters. The opinions of people concerning us for the most part arise out of personal and individual experiences. It is your friendliness, your concern for others, and the good examples of your lives that result in the opinions held by others concerning the Latter-day Saints. The media have been kind and generous to us. This past year of pioneer celebrations has resulted in very extensive, favorable press coverage. * * * Two weeks ago this morning I had the opportunity to speak to the Religion Newswriters Association. They were gracious and receptive. There was nothing of contention or argument. I have great respect for these people and great appreciation. (Gordon B. Hinckley, October 1997 Conference Report)
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.
And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High
Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like
unto Moses— (D&C 107:82-84, 91)
And in case that any decision of these quorums [First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, The 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. (D&C 107:32)
At the afternoon meeting appointed by Brigham Young and his
fellow apostles, the quorums of the priesthood were grouped about
the stand in the order of a general assembly of priesthood; that
is, the quorums of the Melchizedek priesthood were grouped together
as high priests, seventies, elders; and the quorums of the Aaronic
priesthood as priests, teachers, deacons. Questions to be settled
by vote on such occasions are presented to each of these quorums
of priesthood separately; and this general assembly of the quorums
constitute the highest spiritual authority of the church. Such
a general assembly of the quorums may even pass upon the decisions
of the three great presiding councils of the Melchizedek priesthood,
the first presidency, the quorum of the apostles, and the first
quorum of the seventy, if the decision of these councils are made
in unrighteousness.
(B. H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. 2,
Ch. 64, p. 416)
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)
Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints... (D&C 84:4)
After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. (D&C 110:11)
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten tribes; that Zion will be established upon the western continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand years; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. (10th Articles of Faith, 1835 version)
It [gathering] is a principle I esteem to be of the greatest importance to those who are looking for salvation in this generation, or in these, that may be called, 'the latter times.' All that the prophets have written, from the days of righteous Abel, down to the last man that has left any testimony on record for our consideration, in speaking of the salvation of Israel in the last days, goes directly to show that it consists in the work of the gathering. (Prophet Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 83)
In speaking of the gathering, we mean to be understood as speaking of it according to scripture, the gathering of the elect of the Lord out of every nation on earth. (Prophet Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 93)
It is also the concurrent testimony of all the prophets, that this gathering together of all the saints, must take place before the Lord comes to take vengeance upon the ungodly...(Prophet Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 183)
...and if we are not sanctified and gathered into the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out His Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered. (Prophet Joseph Smith, DHC 2:52)
It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles; and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them. (Prophet Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 308)
We as a people are commanded to leave our places of abode in the countries where we received the gospel, and are required to gather together. (Brigham Young, JD 11:321)
If I lay down the Book of Mormon, I shall have to deny that Joseph is a prophet; and if I lay down the doctrine and cease to preach the gathering of Israel and the building up of Zion, I must lay down the Bible; and consequently, I might as well go home as undertake to preach without these three items. (Brigham Young. JD 6:279)
The Latter-day Saints are called to separate themselves from the wicked—to assemble together and associate with each other; and this is one of the greatest blessing bestowed upon me—that I may not be obliged to mingle with the ungodly. (Brigham Young, JD 8:277)
...the testimony of God's servants has sounded like the voice of a trumpet from nation to nation, and from people to people, warning the honest and meek of the earth to flee from Babylon to the chambers in the mountains for safety until the indignation shall be past. (Brigham Young, JD 9:365)
Remember that it is one of the chief duties of the Saints to gather Israel, in building up the kingdom of God; and everything we do should conspire to this end. (Daniel H. Wells, JD 9:81)
Whence comes our gathering? Because we are introduced into a Gospel of gathering, because we are living in a gathering dispensation, because that is one of the dispensations that existed in former days, and has been restored in the latter days wherever this Gospel is preached, that spirit accompanies it. You cannot prevent it. Go and preach to the people, baptize them, lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and the first thing that exists among the people is the feeling to go to Zion. (John Taylor, JD 19:82)
Among the first principles that were revealed to the children
of men in the last days was the gathering; the first revelations
that were given to the Church were to command them to gather and
send Elders to seek out a place for the gathering of the saints.
(George A. Smith, JD 2:214)
If we throw overboard the principle of the gathering, we cast away one of the most important principles connected with the work of God and salvation of humanity. (Millenial Star 33: 210, 326)
How can Zion be built up, unless the Saints gather and build it up? And how can Babylon fall, so long as the Saints stay and hold it up? (Millenial Star Editorial, 32: 233)
The doctrine of the gathering of the people of God, including Israel, is one so clearly predicted by the inspired writers, that it seems almost superfluous to refer to the numerous passages relating to it. (Orson Pratt's Works, p. 9)
Some may ask the question why may we not seal and give Endowments abroad? Because it would destroy the object of the gathering. The people should be gathered at headquarters where they can be taught in the things of the Kingdom of God and be under the direction of the Priesthood. (Brigham Young, as recorded in the Diary of Wilford Woodruff, 26 December 1866)
I have heard brother Brigham preach it here time and time again, and other men, that a scattering spirit was not the spirit of God; and I know it is not. (Heber C. Kimball, JD 4:362)
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)
**********
The time of the gathering is past. We now live in the time of scattering. We want to scatter our people over the face of the earth that we might leaven the whole lump. (John W. Widtsoe, Truth Mag., Sept. 1952, p. 103)
The policy of the Church is not to entice or encourage people to leave their native land; but to remain faithful and true in their allegiance to their governments, and to be good citizens. (Joseph F. Smith, Messages of the First Presidency, 4:165)
...our building of foreign temples is to encourage the saints to stay in their own countries. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Deseret News, Oct. 17, 1936, Church Section)
Many of the saints, who come here, could be far more useful
in assisting to strengthen and build up the church in their native
lands, that by making sacrifices to come to Zion where their expectations
may not be realized.
With cordial good wishes we are,
Sincerely your brethren Heber J Grant A.W. Ivins C.W. Nibley
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
(Messages of the First Presidency, Clark, 5:269)
I would like to say to you (Saints around the world) that I know that in your hearts this day there is a longing to be here at the hub of this great Church, a longing which you cannot realize; and in a sense I am pleased that you do not have that desire fulfilled. You are needed where you are. We encourage you to stay where you are because you are needed there where the light is going out,... (Matthew Cowley, Conference Report, April 1952, Pg. 102)
...as we have told the Saints in Europe in hundreds of meetings in many different locations, if the Saints in Europe will remain in their lands and will build the church and the kingdom in Europe and train and hold their children and bring them into the holy temples in Europe for marriage, the kingdom can grow and prosper, and God will bless them, and I know that. (Spencer W. Kimball, Improvement Era, Dec. 1955)
We are now in a new era of church growth and development. We are becoming a world church. Every nation is the gathering place for its own people. (Bruce R. McConkie, Church News, Sept. 2, 1972)
The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. (Brigham Young, JD 11:268-69)
You might as well deny "Mormonism," and turn away from it, as to oppose the plurality of wives. Let the Presidency of this Church, and the Twelve Apostles, and all the authorities unite and say with one voice that they will oppose that doctrine, and the whole of them would be damned. What are you opposing it for? It is a principle that God has revealed for the salvation of the human family. He revealed it to Joseph the Prophet in this our dispensation; and that which he revealed he designs to have carried out by his people. (Heber C. Kimball, 12 October 1856, JD 5:203)
What would be necessary to bring about the result nearest the heart of the opponents of 'Mormonism,' more properly termed the Gospel of the Son of God? Simply to renounce, abrogate, or apostatize from the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage in its fullness. Were the Church to do that as an entirety, God would reject the Saints as a body. The authority of the Priesthood would be withdrawn, with its gifts and powers, and there would be no more heavenly recognition of the ordinances among this people. The heavens would permanently withdraw themselves, and the Lord would raise up another people of greater valor and stability, for His work must, according to His unalterable decrees, go forward. (Charles W. Penrose, Deseret News, April 23, 1885)
Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of a superfluity, or nonessential to the salvation or exaltation of mankind. In other words, some of the Saints have said, and believe, that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the Priesthood for time and eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly could get with more than one. I want here to enter my solemn protest against this idea, for I know it is false. --- Therefore, whoever has imagined that he could obtain the fullness of the blessings pertaining to the celestial law, by complying with only a portion of its conditions, has deceived himself. He cannot do it. (Apostle Joseph F. Smith, July 7, 1878, JD 20:28)
I bear my solemn testimony that plural marriage is as true as any principle that has been revealed from the heavens. I bear my testimony that it is a necessity, and that the Church of Christ in its fullness; never existed without it. Where you have the eternity of the marriage covenant you are bound to have plural marriage; bound to. (Apostle George Teasdale, Jan 13, 1884, JD 25:21)
The great question is this - will we unite with the plurality order of the Ancient Patriarchs, or will we consent voluntarily to be doomed to eternal celibacy? This is the true division of the question. One or the other we must choose. We cannot be married to our husbands for eternity, without subscribing to the law that admits a plurality of wives. (Millennial Star 15:266)
Yes sir, President Woodruff, President Young, and President John Taylor, taught me and all the rest of the ladies here in Salt Lake that a man in order to be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom must have more than one wife, that having more than one wife was a means of exaltation. (Bathsheba W. Smith, Temple Lot Case, p. 362)
[In response to why the LDS Church ceased the practice of plural marriage] Well, the Church will see the day when it will apologize for that. Yes, sir, I did consent to the Manifesto with the rest of the church to President Woodruff, much to my regret, but I am not going to acknowledge it again; the time will surely come for that principle to rule. (Lucy W. Kimball, one of Joseph Smith’s plural wives, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Complainant. Vs. Church of Christ . . . Complainant’s Abstract . . .Lamoni, Iowa: Herald Publishing House, 1893, 375.)
Being thoroughly convinced, as well as my husband, that the doctrine of plurality of wives was from God, and having a fixed determination to attain to Celestial glory, I felt to embrace the whole Gospel, and that it was for my husband's exaltation that he should obey the revelation on Celestial Marriage [D&C 132], that he might attain to kingdoms, thrones, principalities and powers, firmly believing that I should participate with him in all his blessings, glory and honor. Accordingly within the last year, like Sarah of old, I had given to my husband five wives; good, virtuous, honorable young women. This gave them all homes with us, being proud of my husband and loving him very much, knowing him to be a man of God and believing he would not love them less because he loved me more. I had joy in having a testimony that what I had done was acceptable to my Father in Heaven. (Bathsheba W. Smith, Bathsheba Smith Autobiography: BYU-A, 11)
The abandonment of polygamy, that is considered by some to be so easy of accomplishment, is more untenable even than fighting. However much the people might desire to do this, they could not without yielding every other principle, for it is the very key stone of our faith, and is so closely interwoven into every-thing that pertains to our religion, that to tear it asunder and cast it away would involve the entire structure. ("Expressions from the People," Deseret News, 14 April 1885.)
If the doctrine of plural marriage was repudiated so must be the glorious principle of marriage for eternity, the two being indissolubly interwoven together. (Charles W. Penrose, July 16, 1883, Millennial Star 45:454)
God commanded Abraham and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law... (D&C 132:34)
*****
To be at peace with the Government and in harmony with their fellow citizens who are not of their faith and to share in the confidence of the Government and people, our people have voluntarily put aside something which all their lives they believed to be a sacred principle. (Petition for Amnesty, Messages of the First Presidency 3:231)
But of Celestial marriage, plurality of wives was an incident,
never an essential.
(James E. Talmage, Story and Philosophy of Mormonism, p. 89)
Plural marriage is not essential to salvation or exaltation.
(Bruce R. McKonkie, Mormon Doctrine, p 578)
Perfect unity is a goal the Church is still seeking. There are today Word of Wisdom faddists who will not use white flour or refined sugar; there are so-called liberals who think the problems of religion can be solved by dialogues and discussions without reference to revelation; there are others who maintain the Church should follow the world's course of social progress; there are those who try and harmonize the evolutionary concepts of the day with the revealed account of the fall and atonement; and there are others who profess to believe that full salvation is reserved for those who practice plural marriage, and so on. In other words, there are some of one philosophy and some of another, some follow the advocates of this cultish view and some of that. (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol II, 1 Corinthians, p 313)
Inasmuch as plural marriage is no longer a practice of the Lord's church, there would be little value to an extended discussion of this subject. (Leaun G. Otten and C. Max Caldwell, Sacred Truths Of The Doctrine & Covenants, Vol II, 1982, LEMB, Inc., p 357)
Blood Atonement or the Law of Capital Punishment
In pursuance of, and in harmony with this scriptural doctrine (2 Nephi 9:35, Alma 1:13-14, Alma 42:19, Genesis 9:12-13, Luke 11:50, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 10:26-29, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 5:16, D&C 87:7, D&C 101:80, D&C 42:18-19, 79), which has been the righteous law from the days of Adam to the present time, the founders of Utah incorporated in the laws of the Territory provisions for the capital punishment of those who wilfully shed the blood of their fellow man. This law, which is now the law of the State, granted unto the condemned murderer the privilege of choosing for himself whether he die by hanging, or whether he be shot, and thus have his blood shed in harmony with the law of God; and thus atone, so far as it is in his power to atone, for the death of his victim. Almost without exception the condemned party chooses the latter death. This is by the authority of the law of the land, not that of the Church. This law was placed on the statutes through the efforts of the "Mormon" legislators, and grants to the accused the right of jury trial. (Joseph Fielding Smith, "Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage," Deseret News Press, 1905, p 15-16)
I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain, in order to atone for their sins. I have seen scores and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance (in the last resurrection there will be) if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled on the ground as a smoking incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the devil, until our elder brother Jesus Christ raises them up--conquers death, hell, and the grave. I have known a great many men who have left this Church for whom there is no chance whatever for exaltation, but if their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them. The wickedness and ignorance of the nations forbid this principle's being in full force, but the time will come when the law of God will be in full force. This is loving our neighbour as ourselves; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it. Any of you who understand the principles of eternity, if you have sinned a sin requiring the shedding of blood, except the sin unto death, would not be satisfied nor rest until your blood should be spilled, that you might gain that salvation you desire. That is the way to love mankind. (Brigham Young, JD 4:220)
**********
We have the death penalty in the state of Utah. That's a matter for the civil government. And it's so handled. (Gordon B. Hinckley to Don Lattin, San Francisco Chronicle Religion Writer,13 April 1997.)
As temple work progresses, some members wonder if the ordinances can he changed or adjusted. These ordinances have been provided by revelation, and are in the hands of the First Presidency. Thus, the temple is protected from tampering." (Grant Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department and a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, Deseret News, Church Section, January 16, 1982)
"If plurality of marriage is not true, or in other words, if a man has no divine right to marry two wives or more in this world, then marriage for eternity is not true, and your faith is all vain, and all the sealing ordinanc[e]s and powers, pertaining to marriages for eternity are vain, worthless, good for nothing; for as sure as one is true the other also must be true. Amen." (Orson Pratt, 18 Jul7 1880, Journal of Discourses, vol. 21, p. 296)
The severest prosecutions have never been followed by revelations changing a divine law, obedience to which brought imprisonment or martyrdom. Though I go to prison, God will not change his law of celestial marriage. (Lorenzo Snow, Historical Record, 1887, vol.6, p. 144)
"God has given us a revelation in regard to celestial marriage. I did not make it. He has told us certain things pertaining to this matter, and they would like us to tone that principle down and change it and make it applicable to the views of the day. This we cannot do... I cannot do it, and will not do it. I find some men try to twist round the principle in any way and every way they can. They want to sneak out of it in some way. Now God don't want any kind of sycophancy like that.... If God has introduced something for our glory and exaltation, we are not going to have that kicked over by any improper influence, either inside or outside of the Church of the living God." (John Taylor, 6 October, 1884, JD 25:309-310)
In an interview with TIME, President Hinckley seemed intent
on downplaying his faith's distinctiveness.... At first Hinckley
seemed to qualify the idea that men could become gods, suggesting
that 'it's of course an idea. It's a hope for a wishful thing,'
but later affirmed that 'yes, of course they can.' (He added that
women could too, 'as companions to their husbands. They can't
conceive a king without a queen.') On whether his church still
holds that God the Father was once a man, he sounded uncertain,
'I don't know that we teach it. I don't know that we emphasize
it... I understand the philosophical background behind it, but
I don't know a lot about it, and I don 't think others know a
lot about it.'" (Time, August 4, 1997 page 56)
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. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, 237-238)
I will make a statement here that has been brought against me as a crime, perhaps, or as a fault in my life. Not here, I do not allude to anything of the kind in this place, but in the councils of the nations—that Brigham Young has said "when he sends forth his discourses to the world they may call them Scripture." I say now, when they are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible, and if you want to read revelation read the sayings of him who knows the mind of God, without any special command to one man to go here, and to another to go yonder, or to do this or that, or to go and settle here or there. (Brigham Young, 6 October 1870 JD 13:261)
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)
Brigham Young made this statement in his last public address, given just ten days before his death on Aug. 29, 1877:
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, JD 19:93-94)
These original sources [Journal of Discourses, Documentary History
of the Church, Millennial Star, etc] are not necessary to have
in order to effectively study or teach from this book. Members
need not purchase additional references and commentaries to study
or teach these chapters. The text provided in this book, accompanied
by the scriptures, is sufficient for instruction. (Teachings
of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, LDS Instruction manual
for the Priesthood and Relief Society, Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, 1997, Introduction, p. v)
Where did this commandment come from in relation to polygamy? It also came from God. It was a revelation given unto Joseph Smith from God, and was made binding upon His servants. When this system was first introduced among this people, it was one of the greatest crosses that ever was taken up by any set of men since the world stood. Joseph Smith told others; he told me, and I can bear witness of it, "that if this principle was not introduced, this Church and kingdom could not proceed." When this commandment was given, it was so far religious, and so far binding upon the Elders of this Church that it was told them if they were not prepared to enter into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that would come in consequence of it, the keys of the kingdom would be taken from them. When I see any of our people, men or women, opposing a principle of this kind, I have years ago set them down as on the high road to apostacy, and I do to-day; I consider them apostates, and not interested in this Church and kingdom. It is so far, then, a religious institution, that it affects my conscience and the consciences of all good men--it is so far religious that it connects itself with time and with eternity. (John Taylor, JD 11:220)
They accuse me of polygamy, and of being a false Prophet, and many other things which I do not now remember; but I am no false Prophet; I am no impostor; I have had no dark revelations; I have had no revelations from the devil; I made no revelations; I have got nothing up of myself. The same God that has thus far dictated me and directed me and strengthened me in this work, gave me this revelation and commandment on Celestial and plural marriage (D&C 132) and the same God commanded me to obey it. He said to me that unless I accepted it and introduced it, and practiced it, I, together with my people, would be damned and cut off from this time hence forth. And they say if I do so, they will kill me. O, what shall I do? If I do not practice it, I shall be damned with my people. If I do teach it, and practice it, and urge it, they say they will kill me, and I know they will. But we have got to observe it. It is an eternal principle and was given by way of commandment and not by way of instruction. (Joseph Smith Jun., 1843, the "Contributor" 5:259.)
It [gathering] is a principle I esteem to be of the greatest importance to those who are looking for salvation in this generation, or in these, that may be called, 'the latter times.' All that the prophets have written, from the days of righteous Abel, down to the last man that has left any testimony on record for our consideration, in speaking of the salvation of Israel in the last days, goes directly to show that it consists in the work of the gathering. (Prophet Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 83)
We have not as yet any durable location; we are merely probationers in this present state, and we shall always be so, until we obtain a permanent exaltation, by following in the footsteps of our God. He is our Father and our God, and His Son Jesus Christ is our Savior, and the Holy Ghost is to be our comforter, and will comfort all those who will prepare their tabernacles as fit temples for him to dwell in. (Heber C. Kimball, 5 October 1856, JD 4:119)
What I do not to-day, when the sun goes down, I lay down to sleep, which is typical of death; and in the morning I rise and commence my work where I left it yesterday. That course is typical of the probations we take. But suppose that I do not improve my time to-day, I wake up to-morrow and find myself in the rear; and then, if I do not improve upon that day, and again lay down to sleep, on awaking, I find myself still in the rear. This day's work is typical of this probation, and the sleep of every night is typical of death, and rising in the morning is typical of the resurrection. They are days labours, and it is for us to be faithful to-day, tomorrow, and every day. (Heber C. Kimball, 31 May, 1857, JD 4:329)
Joseph always told us that we would have to pass by sentinels that are placed between us and our Father and God. Then, of course, we are conducted along from this probation to other probations, or from one dispensation to another, by those who conducted those dispensations. (Heber C. Kimball, 22 November 1857, JD 6:63)
Thus is the work of our Father made perpetual, and as fast as one world and its inhabitants are disposed of, He will roll another into existence, He will create another earth, He will people it with His offspring, the offspring of the Gods in eternity, and they will pass through probations such as we are now passing through, that they may prove their integrity by their works; that they may given an assurance to the Almighty that they are worthy to be exalted through obedience to those principles, that unchangeable plan of salvation which has been revealed to us. (Orson F. Whitney,19 April 1885. JD 26:199)
3 June 1889: This evening I heard that Pres. Woodruff, in a
meeting at Manti, a few days ago, publicly declared that the doctrine
of reincarnation, that is one spirit having several bodies, to
be false; that he was Wilford Woodruff and no one else, &c
&c. Alright, bro. Woodruff, if you really said it, it is between
you and the Lord. I believe it to be a true doctrine, & have
for the last [word cut out of entry] years.
8 June 1889: During our talks he (Lorenzo Snow) told me that his
sister, the late Eliza R. Snow Smith was a firm believer in the
principle of reincarnation and that she claimed to have received
it from Joseph the Prophet, her husband. He said he saw nothing
unreasonable in it, and could believe it, if it came to him from
the Lord or his oracle. (Diary of Orson F. Whitney, 3 June
1889, Church Archives)
The righteous of all nations who shall in this dispensation be gathered to that land, will receive their inheritance in common with the meek who formerly sojourned upon the land. In the resurrection, the meek of all ages and nations will be restored to that portion of the earth previously promised to them. And thus, all the different portions of the earth have been and will be disposed of to the lawful heirs; while those who cannot prove their heirship to be legal, of who cannot prove that they have received any portion of the earth by promise, will be cast out into some other kingdom or world, where, if they ever get an inheritance, they will have to earn it by keeping the law of meekness during another probation. (Orson Pratt, undated, JD 1:332-333)
I heard brother Young say that Jesus had a body of flesh and bones, before he came [to earth and] he was born of the Virgin Mary, it was so contrary to every revelation given. (Orson Pratt, Minutes of meeting on April 5, 1860, BY Papers)
. . . If you look at things spiritually, and then naturally, and see how they appear together, you will understand that when you have the privilege of commencing the work that Adam commenced on this earth, you will have all your children come and report to you of their sayings and acts; and you will hold every son and daughter of yours responsible when you get the privilege of being an Adam on earth. (Brigham Young, 8 March 1857, JD 4:265-270)
And I heard a voice from heaven saying blessed are the dead who die in the Lord for from henceforth they do rest from their labors and their works do follow them—They rest from their labors for a long time and yet their work is held in reserve for them, that they are permitted to do the same works after they receive a resurrection for their bodies, but we shall leave this subject of the Terrestrial bodies for another time in order to treat upon them more fully. (Prophet Joseph Smith,Manuscript of Robert B. Thompson, Discourse 5 October 1840, Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat, page 42)
We also heard him (Joseph) say that God had revealed unto him that any man who ever committed adultery in either of his probations that that man could never be raised to the highest exaltation in the celestial glory and that he (Joseph) felt anxious with regard to himself and he inquired of the Lord and the Lord told him that he, Joseph, had never committed adultery (see D&C 132:41). This saying of the Prophet astonished me very much. It opened up to me a very wide field of reflection. The idea that we had passed through probation prior to this and that we must have been married and given in marriage in those probations or there would be no propriety in making such an assertion and that there were several exaltations in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, the highest we supposed to be the Godhead and we conclude that there are several grades of exaltations in the servants to the Gods. Be this as it may, this is what he said. (The Journal of Joseph Lee Robinson, pg.12)
Joseph also said that the Holy Ghost is now in a state of Probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has. ("Scriptural Items", F.D. Richards, 27 August 1843, The Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat/Cook, pg. 245.)