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The
quotes posted to the front page of the TLC Website are quotes
that illustrate essential doctrines or practices of the Restoration,
those which make pertinent statements relative to the requirements
for living the essential Zion-building precepts of the Restoration,
or quotes or statements which clearly illustrate what has become
of essential doctrines, practices, and ordinances in the present
day.
Click here for an extensive
list of other relevant quotes.
9 April 1999
"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)
2 April 1999
"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." (Joseph Smith, as quoted by Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner in a speech at BYU, 1905)
"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.)
"You don't know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: * * * When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then. (Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse, April 7, 1844.)
27 March 1999
I am a law breaker; so is Bishop Whitney; so is B. H. Roberts. My wives have brought me only daughters. I propose to marry until I get wives who will bring me sons. (Heber J. Grant, 1899 [9 years after the "Manifesto"], "That Awful Mouth Again," Salt Lake Tribune, , 8 Sept. 1899; and "The Grant Declaration," ibid., 9 Sept. 1899.)
20 March 1999
I do not believe the Manifesto was a revelation from God but was formulated by Prest. Woodruff and endorsed by his counselors and the Twelve Apostles for expediency to meet the present situation of affairs in the Nation or those against the Church. (LDS Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Marriner Wood Merrill Diaries, 20 Aug 1891.)
14 March 1999
At meeting of school of the prophets, President [Brigham] Young said Adam was Michael the Archangel and he was the father of Jesus Christ and was our God, and Joseph taught this principle. (Journal of Wilford Woodruff, January 24th, 1868)
The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. (Brigham Young, JD 11:268-69)
I think that it [polygamy] is not doctrinal. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Larry King Live Interview, 8 September 1998)
For 150 years now and more, we have held to the doctrine . . . . We modify the organization from time to time. We modify the way we do some things, but the doctrine remains fundamental. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Los Angeles Times Interview, 8 March 1997)
7 March 1999
Hear Ye deaf, and look, ye blind that ye may see. For I will send my servant unto you who are blind; yea, a messenger to open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf; And they shall be made perfect notwithstanding their blindness, if they will hearken unto the messenger, the Lord's servant. (Isaiah 42:18-20)
2 March 1999
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. (Isaiah 30:9-13)
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
26 February 1999
There is nothing plainer to my mind than this, that if the Latter-day Saints become luxurious and extravagant; if they love the world and forsake their former purity; if they forsake their frugality and temperance, and the principles which God has revealed unto them, and by the practice of which they are to-day the people that they are; we shall be overthrown as others have been overthrown. (George Q. Cannon, JD 15:200)
20 February 1999
Never before has the [LDS] Church had a better reputation than it has now. * * * 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 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)
14 February 1999:
"God has told us Latter-day Saints that we shall be condemned if we do not enter into that principle; and yet I have heard now and then... a brother or a sister say, 'I am a Latter-day Saint, but I do not believe in polygamy.' Oh, what an absurd expression!... If the doctrine of polygamy, as revealed to the Latter-day Saints, is not true, I would not give a fig for all our other revelations that came through Joseph Smith the Prophet; I would renounce the whole of them.... The Lord has said, that those who reject this principle reject their salvation, they shall be damned, saith the Lord... I want to prophecy that all men and women who oppose the revelation which God has given in relation to polygamy will find themselves in darkness... they will finally go down to hell and be damned if they do not repent." (Orson Pratt, JD 17:224-25)
6 February 1999:
"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)
27 January 1999:
"I dare not even call a man to be a Deacon, to assist me in my calling, unless he has a family." It is not the business of an ignorant young man, of no experience in family matters, to inquire into the circumstances of families, and know the wants of every person. Some may want medicine and nourishment, and to be looked after, and it is not the business of boys to do this; but select a man who has got a family to be a Deacon, whose wife can go with him, and assist him in administering to the needy in the ward." (Brigham Young, 6 October 1854, JD 2:88)
20 January 1999:
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)
Prior to 20 January 1999:
"There is nothing short of complete apostasy, a complete denial of every principle we have received, a throwing away of the Holy Priesthood, that can save us from persecution. When this takes place, when all the chief features of the Gospel are obliterated, when we can float along the stream and do as the world does, then and not till then will persecution cease, or until the adversary is bound." (George Q. Cannon, 15 May 1881, Journal of Discourses, Volume 22, page 374)