Today in History: Abraham O. Woodruff Dies

I haven't blogged in over two years, but now that I have a job with internet access, I can do so. Today is June 20, 2014.

On this day 110 years ago, June 20, 1904, Elder Abraham Owen Woodruff of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dies in El Paso, Texas of smallpox at the young age of 31.

Ironically, Elder Woodruff said this around the year 1900: "I hope the Lord will take me home before I do anything that will deprive me of my salvation." [1] Woodruff was a staunch supporter of post-Manifesto plural marriage, & took a second wife himself on January 18, 1901, Eliza Avery Clark. [2] It seems that the Lord took Owen at his word & gave him his wish.

Owen was known for his "gentleness, kindness, & Godly charity." He & is wife Helen were modest people, even keeping a pleasantly-looking modest home (in between pages 297 & 299). He & Avery's home in Mexico was also similarly modest (page 27).

1. Driggs, Ken, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, 23:2, https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V23N02_41.pdf, 44.
2. Herlin, Clark LeRay, "The Motivations Beyond the Manifesto: Post-Maifesto Polygamy, 189-1904", Utah Valley University digital collections, http://contentdm.uvu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/UVUTheses/id/631, 23.

John Taylor's Revelations: June 27, 1882

Revelation Received Tuesday, June 27, 1882, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives).  "It specifically addresses the Council of Fifty, a political council established by Joseph Smith in March 1844" (Holzapfel and Jones, "'John the Revelator': The Written Revelations of John Taylor", BYU Religious Studies Center, http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/champion-liberty-john-taylor/11-%E2%80%9Cjohn-revelator%E2%80%9D-written-revelations-john-taylor#_edn1).:


Verily, thus saith the LORD, I have instituted My
kingdom and My laws, with the keys and power
thereof.
2 And have appointed you as My spokesmen and
My constitution, with President John Taylor at
your head, whom I have appointed to My church
and My kingdom as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,
unto My church and unto My kingdom-- and to
preside over My church and over My kingdom,
and to be My mouthpiece unto My church and
unto My kingdom.
3 And I will honor him, and he shall speak forth
the words that I will reveal unto him from time to
time by the whispering of My Spirit, by the
revelation of My will and My word, or by Mine
own voice as I will, saith the LORD;
4 And ye shall listen to his words as My words,
saith the Lord your God.
5 Thus saith the Lord God who rules in the
heavens above, and in the earth beneath: I have
introduced My kingdom and My government,
even the kingdom of God that My servants have
heretofore prophesied of--
6 And that I taught My disciples to pray for,
saying, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven."
7 For the establishment of My rule, for the
introduction of My law, for the protecting of My
church, and for the maintenance, promulgation,
and protection of civil and religious liberty in this
nation and throughout the world.
8 And all men of every nation, color, and creed
shall yet be protected and shielded thereby;
9 And every nation, kindred, and people, and
tongue shall yet bow the knee to Me, and
acknowledge Me to be Ahman Christ, to the glory
of God the Father.
10 And My law, and My rule, and My dominion
shall extend over the whole earth, and no one
shall stay My hand, or question my authority;
11 For I rule by right, in the heavens above and
in the earth; and My right, and My rule and My
dominion shall yet be known and extended to all
people.
12 And now behold, I speak unto you through
My servant John, whom you have acknowledged
and shall acknowledge as My spokesman: Thus
saith the Lord God, the Maker of heaven and
earth, the ruler of the universe, whose right it is
to rule in the heavens above, and in the earth
beneath;
13 Behold, I raised up My servant Joseph Smith
to introduce My gospel, and to build up My
church, and establish My kingdom on the earth.
14 And I gave unto him wisdom, and knowledge,
and revelation, and intelligence pertaining to the
past, the present and the future, even to that
extent which was not known among men;
15 And I endowed him with power from on
high, and conferred upon him the priesthood of
Aaron, and also the Priesthood of Melchizedek,
which is after the order of the Son of God, even
the holiest of all, and after the power of an
endless life- and administereth forever in this
world and the world to come.
16 He was called and ordained to this office
before the world was; he was called by Me, and
empowered by Me, and sustained by Me to
introduce and establish My church and kingdom
upon the earth--
17 And to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to
My church and kingdom; and to be a King and
Ruler over Israel.
18 He was slain for the testimony of Jesus, and
for the word of God; but he yet lives, and is with
Me where I am.
19 And now I speak unto you who are members
of this council, and of My kingdom, and I say
unto you, as I said unto My disciples of old: Ye
have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.
20 I called you by My servant Joseph, and by My
servant Brigham, and by My servant John.
21 You did not teach and instruct Me; but I have
taught and instructed you, and organized you
according to My eternal laws.
22 Ye are My constitution, and I am your God.
23 And I will be acknowledged; and My will,
and My word, and My law shall bear rule in My
kingdom, saith the LORD.
24 If it does not, then it is not My kingdom, and
then are ye not My spokesmen;
25 For if it is by the wisdom of man, by the
intelligence of man, and under the direction of
man, then it is a kingdom of man, and it is not of
Me, and I will not acknowledge it, saith the Lord
God.
26 Have I not instructed you in all that you
know, and is not this kingdom organized and
directed by revelation from Me? Is it not called
the Kingdom of God?
27 If therefore it is not My kingdom, why do you
make use of My name, and invoke My authority
and My aid?
28 Is this kingdom not called,
"The Kingdom of God, and His laws, with the
Keys and Powers Thereof, and Judgment in the
Hands of His Servant Ahman Christ"?
29 And because I am kind and beneficent to all
peoples, and because I have given to man his free
agency, and have always maintained that free
agency among all peoples, and have treated all
men alike among all nations, and made the sun to
shine on the evil and the good, on the just and the
unjust, and have never controlled the consciences
of men, think ye, therefore, that I have no rights,
and will yield up all My authority to the dictates
and caprices of wicked and corrupt men?
30 Verily I say unto you, Nay.
31 Behold, Satan sought to take away the free
agency of man in the beginning, for which he
was thrust out of heaven, and has sought to
introduce the same principles upon the earth,
which principles are opposed to Me, to My
institutions, and My laws, and to the freedom, the
welfare, and happiness of man--
32 And by which principles the government of
the United States sought to deprive My people of
their free agency.
33 And because men have been under the
influence and power and dominion of Lucifer,
and because tyranny and oppression and evil
have abounded by him, and not by Me, saith the
Lord your God, shall righteousness and justice,
and judgment, and truth, and virtue, and holiness
be forever trampled under foot? --And the
principles of tyranny, oppression, and misrule,
and anarchy, deception, and fraud forever
prevail?
34 Verily I say unto you, Nay.
35 And for this cause have I introduced My
church and My kingdom, that pure and righteous
principles might be inculcated, and man by his
free agency yield a willing obedience to My law;
36 For after this testimony and the rejection
thereof, I will sweep the earth of evil doers as
with the besom of destruction;
37 For this is My right; and while man has free
agency, judgment belongs to Me, saith the LORD.
38 And I will come out of My hiding place and
vex the nations of the earth because of their
iniquities, their misrule, their tyranny, their
oppression, their corruption, their murders, their
adulteries and fornications, and all their
abominations.
39 And because My servant Joseph, whose soul
was pained because of their cruelties and
oppressions, the injustice, fraud, and corruption,
and the inhumanity of men, proclaimed himself
the advocate of human rights, the advocate of
liberty, and the friend of man;
40 And because, according to My eternal
decrees, the free agency of man should be
guaranteed to all men, I moved upon him to
introduce into My kingdom certain parties not in
My church-- for the purpose of exhibiting into
My kingdom that I would still maintain the free
agency of man, and that I hold inviolate that
principle, and will still maintain it to the end--
41 Think ye, therefore, that because they are
thus admitted to a share in My government and
My laws that they shall be permitted to break
their covenants, violate their obligations, and
reject Me and My laws and authority, and seek to
overthrow the kingdom of God, and deprive My
people who are contending for freedom, and who
shall yet maintain it, of their agency, and of My
laws?
42 Verily I say unto you, Nay.
43 They shall be admitted to the rights of
representation in the manner appointed, after
subscribing to My covenants and
commandments, and have a full and free
opportunity of presenting their views, interests,
and principles, and enjoying all the free and
rights of this council;
44 But they shall acknowledge Me and My laws
in this council, saith the Lord God;
45 For My people's rights, and immunities, and
free agency shall be acknowledged as well as
those of all other people;
46 And My laws and government shall be
sustained, or I will not acknowledge you, saith
the LORD.
47 I have invested you with the keys and power
of My kingdom, and they cannot be bartered
away to others.
48 Shall all men be free? Yes, free to do right,
free to express their sentiments and opinions, and
have a full, fair, and free representation;
49 But no man shall violate his covenants,
pervert My laws, subvert others free agency, and
trample upon Mine authority in this council,
saith the Lord your God.
50 Again I say unto you, as I said before:
Henceforth do as I shall command you, saith the
Lord your God. Even so, Amen.

Official Statement: LDS Church and race

A Florida Pastor, Reverend O'Neal Dozier, held a press conference Monday to get US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney to renounce Mormonism and its apparent racist aspects.  In light of this, The Mormon Eagle here posts the LDS Church's official statement on race within the Church:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone.  The Book of Mormon states, “black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).  This is the Church’s official teaching.

"People of all races have always been welcomed and baptized into the Church since its beginning.  In fact, by the end of his life in 1844 Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opposed slavery.  During this time some black males were ordained to the priesthood. At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended.  Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members.  The Church immediately began ordaining members to priesthood offices wherever they attended throughout the world.

"The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church.  In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that 'no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ.  Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church.  Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.'

"Recently, the Church has also made the following statement on this subject: 'The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.'"

Manaus Brazil Open House and Dedication

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that the public Open House for the Manaus Brazil Temple are from Friday 18 May 2012 through Saturday 2 June 2012, excluding Sundays.

Manaus Brazil Temple

The Temple will be formally Dedicated on Sunday 10 June 2012 in three sessions.  The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast throughout Brazil.

BYU ranked 2nd-most popular school in America

The following is from the article "BYU ranked no. 2 most popular school in America" by Phillip M. Volmar at ldschurchnews.com:

Brigham Young University is the second most popular national university in the country, according to rankings released by U.S. News & World Report earlier this week.

Since 2008, the magazine has ranked schools according to the percentage of university applicants accepted who actually enroll, a statistic called the "yield rate."

Last year, BYU ranked No. 1, ahead of both Harvard and Stanford, respectively.  This year, the Provo school had a yield rate of 74.7 percent, closely edging behind Harvard, which had a 75.5 percent yield.


"Clearly, the majority of our applicants are members of the Church, and they want to be here," said BYU spokesman Todd Hollingshead.  "They want to be here for the academic experience and environment where they share the same standards and values as others."

The No. 2 status comes during a time of spotlight for the Church that the media are calling the "Mormon moment."  The Church, which sponsors Brigham Young University and its sister schools in Idaho and Hawaii, is publicly known for its emphasis on honesty and family values.

"Our graduates have excellent preparation to enter the workforce with integrity," Brother Hollingshead said.

U.S. News also consistently ranks BYU among the top 20 schools for "best value."

According to the magazine, "The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal."

This year, BYU ranks No. 13 for "best value," with 32.9 percent of students receiving need-based grants and the average discount from the total cost of tuition being 33 percent.


According to BYU's website, tuition for LDS students costs $2,280, an amount that is subsidized by the Church for each enrollee, while non-LDS students pay twice as much.  The BYU website also states that "significant portions of university operating costs are paid with the tithes of Church members."

Speaking to students and others at a BYU-Hawaii groundbreaking event Dec. 17, 2011, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve said, "What you get, you get because of the contributions of people all over the world who will never get a temple or a university in their community."

Among other recognitions, BYU is also nationally known for its foreign language teaching focus, a factor largely attributed to the high population of returned-missionary students.  As students come home from their foreign-speaking missions, they often desire to continue learning the language and opt for classes that meet that need, Brother Hollingshead said.

"A significant portion of language skill acquisition at BYU comes from serving foreign missions," he said, adding that nearly 70 percent of students speak more than one language.  BYU has some 30,000 undergraduates.

In 2010, the Wall Street Journal also ranked BYU graduates No. 11 in the eyes of recruiters.

Kansas City Missouri Temple open house

The open house for the Kansas City Missouri Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be held from 7-21 April 2012, excluding Sundays.  Admission is free.  On Sunday 6 May 2012, the House of the Lord will be dedicated in three sessions.

To Follow Jesus

The following was published on 3 November 2011 on newsroom.lds.org:

Anyone familiar with the history of Christianity knows that it has been quite a complicated matter. The word “Christian” was first used during New Testament times (see Acts 11:26) to describe the disciples who accepted the message and redemption of Jesus Christ.  Now after two millennia, Christianity has weathered centuries of change and experienced periods of growth, persecution, reformation, schism, globalization and more.  While inspiring believers of every race and nationality, Christianity has taken a multitude of forms and advanced a diversity of doctrines.  As a result, questions about who should be called a Christian and who should not continue to be discussed by some within the religious world.

Religious beliefs are no light matter, and it’s only right that they are taken seriously.  Yet, earnest and well-meaning interlocutors have sometimes, in the words of the president of Fuller Seminary, Richard J. Mouw, “talked past each other,” due to their differing doctrinal lenses.

For some in the Christian tradition, an individual’s Christianity is defined primarily by theological boundaries.  Accordingly, one must adhere to a theological tradition stemming from formalized creeds or statements of belief (such as the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian formulation) composed several centuries after Jesus Christ died and the New Testament was written.

There are differences between the post-biblical creeds and the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most notably, Latter-day Saints believe God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one in will and purpose, but are not literarily one being, as the creedal conceptions of the Holy Trinity suggest.  Also, members of the Church believe in living “apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:20) and a more open canon of scripture, which includes both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.

To describe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a non-Christian church to any audience spreads a misconception that there is something other than Jesus Christ at the heart of the Mormon faith.
For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is the Savior of all people, the divine Son of God. He is the same Jesus Christ of the New Testament, who taught about faith and about love for God and mankind.  Jesus Christ — not Moses, Paul or Joseph Smith — is the object of Mormons’ devotion and worship.  As the Prophet Joseph Smith himself taught, “The fundamental principles of our religion are … concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

This is indeed the daily reality for Latter-day Saints.  Jesus Christ is perpetually front and center in the lives of practicing members of the faith.  Whenever Mormons pray to God, for instance, they do so in the name of Jesus Christ.  Baptism by immersion, according to the symbolism of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, marks a person’s entrance into the faith.  The sacrament (what other Christian traditions call communion) is administered weekly in Sunday services for members to reflect on the mercy of Jesus Christ.  When Latter-day Saints seek forgiveness, they do so through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.  They serve the poor and needy and give of their time and money to numerous humanitarian aid efforts in order to follow Christ’s teachings.  Images of Christ adorn the faith’s meetinghouses and temples.  Church leaders and members testify of Jesus Christ’s reality and divinity.  The Son of God appears in the Church’s official name: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”  While some outsiders know Latter-day Saints as Mormons, members know themselves as part of Christ’s Church.

At their best, Latter-day Saints’ behavior, speech, thoughts and identity all reflect Christ and His teachings.  If you ask a member what it means to belong to the Church, he or she will tell you that most fundamentally it means to believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world and to follow Him.

For Latter-day Saints, being a Christian means being a disciple of Jesus Christ, loving and worshiping Him above all.  It means prizing Christ and centering one’s life on His teachings from the New Testament.  It means striving to live the kind of life that Christ commanded, honoring Him in word and deed. This is the meaning of a Christian, and there is no doubt that Latter-day Saints — who pattern their lives after all of these things — belong to Christ’s fold.

LDS Church buys former Hotel Roberts property

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will purchase the old Hotel Roberts property just south of the Provo Tabernacle.  According to today's Deseret News, "With that sale nearly the entire block of 100 to 200 South and University Avenue to 100 West will be owned by the LDS Church.  Only the post office remains" ("Hotel Roberts property going to LDS Church", Deseret News, Wednesday 28 September 2011, A1). 

Hotel Roberts in the 1970s

The properties also on this block are Los 3 Amigos restaurant and the Provo Travelodge.

 

Above is a map of the locations.  Where the word "Provo" is located in 100 South.  The LDS Church will own most of the land stretching in between Center Street and 200 South, and University Avenue and 100 West.  As more news on this purchase materializes, The Mormon Eagle will release more on this issue.

From The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

From lds.org:

"The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invite all members of the Church to participate in the 181st Semiannual General Conference on Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2, 2011.

"Messages will be given by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and general officers of the Church.

"General sessions will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., followed by the priesthood session at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time.  Two more general sessions will be held on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time; the morning session includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word."

Payson Utah Temple Groundbreaking Anncouned

From ldschurchnews.com:

"The Church announced Sept. 7 that the Payson Utah Temple groundbreaking will take place on Oct. 8, with Elder Dallin H. Oaks presiding at the 9 a.m. ceremony.

"The property for the temple is located at approximately 930 West and 1550 South on the southwest side of Payson, a mile from the 800 South I-15 interchange.  The new temple will help meet the needs of a growing Church membership in the area and will ease the heavy use of the Provo Utah Temple, which is one of the busiest in the Church.  The Payson temple will bring to 15 the number of operating and announced temples in Utah.

"The new temple will serve approximately 22 stakes from Spanish Fork to Nephi comprising approximately 78,000 Church members.  Temple-going members have been driving 14 miles to Provo or 66 miles Manti for temple services.

"President Thomas S. Monson announced on Jan. 25 that a new temple will be built in Payson, a once agrarian area located in southern Utah County."

LDS Church Buys Property Just South of Provo Tabernacle

The following is inserted into The Mormon Eagle, via the Daily Herald of Provo.  The article is written by Genelle Pugmire.

"PROVO -- A flurry of rumors surrounding what the LDS Church might do with the burned out Provo Tabernacle, Tabernacle park and properties to the south became more solidified after a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon.

"The status indicated that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had purchased the Provo Travelodge Motel and the Los 3 Amigos Restaurant on the west block of University Avenue between 100 and 200 South streets.  The city of Provo currently owns the corner lot on which the former Hotel Roberts sat, on the 200 South northwest corner.

"The Travelodge and Los 3 Amigos are across 100 South from the Provo Tabernacle, which was gutted by a fire late last year.  The LDS Church has not yet announced what it plans to do with the Tabernacle building.

"'We have sold, but I am under contract to not say who I have sold to, that Facebook wasn't from me,' said Stuart Smith, owner of the Travelodge.

"Wednesday evening the LDS Church issued a statement about the purchases.

"'The church is still evaluating plans for the Provo Tabernacle and surrounding area and will share details as they become available.  To provide options moving forward we have acquired the hotel and restaurant immediately south of the Tabernacle,' said Scott Trotter, LDS Church spokesman.

"The Travelodge has been one of the Provo downtown mainstays since 1959.  Smith purchased it in 1987.  He said he has no idea what the new owners will be doing with the property. 'No one has told me.'

"Faustino Gonzalez, owner of Los 3 Amigos Restaurant, said he signed papers on the sale to the LDS Church on Wednesday.

"'We have been working on this for over a month,' Gonzalez said. 'We have been open for about 20 years.  Our first day was in May of 1992.  The restaurant will close on Sunday.'

"Faustino said Los 3 Amigos will relocate to 2291 N. University Parkway and will reopen within the next two months.  Most of the nine employees will continue working at the new location.

"When asked what will be done with the existing building, Gonzalez said, 'I believe it's going to be torn down.'

"Smith said he has already liquidated much of the motel property like furniture, televisions, towels, etc., to a motel in Richfield and to some other local motels."

"'I might hold a big yard sale in a few weeks,' Smith said.  He also said the Travelodge would not be relocated, but will close for good.

"Mayor John Curtis said he is constantly being asked what the LDS Church will do with the Tabernacle.

"'I have been asked in meetings, at the grocery store, and I was even asked when I was visiting in Des Moines, Iowa, what the church would do.  This shows how important it is to our community.'

"As late as last year and just prior to the fire, city representatives had approached the church about some improvements to the Tabernacle park area.

"Curtis added, 'It's clear from the church's activity that they are invested.  It's one more validation the church considers it an important piece of property.'

"Rumors about plans for the Tabernacle property have been running rampant for months.  They range from the LDS Church putting in a walking garden like the City Creek project in Salt Lake, to a parking facility of some kind with a shopping center on the Hotel Roberts property that would include Deseret Book, an LDS Distribution Center and all things LDS, to museums.

"Rumors also include ideas about the inside of the Tabernacle building, including everything from what country the new organ is being purchased from, to the Tabernacle featuring a center spire like it had in the early 1900s.  All these rumors have kept residents waiting with great anticipation on an LDS Church announcement.

"The city block south of the Tabernacle also is the home of Provo's downtown post office.  Recent announcements of postal locations being closed throughout the nation also raised rumors about Provo's downtown post office.

"U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, acknowledged that he had been a conduit for the city in discussions about the Provo post office.

"'To the best of my knowledge there has not been a formal offer made, but there could be things behind the scenes going on that I'm not aware of,' Chaffetz said.  'The post office is open to considering an offer.'

"Chaffetz said the post office is trying to downsize its offices, so it wouldn't be out of the question that the Provo downtown office would sell.

"Last year the city purchased the Hotel Roberts property with no particular purpose in mind, according to Paul Glauser, Provo Redevelopment Agency director.  To his knowledge the church has not purchased that property and he doesn't know what its involvement might be.

"'I had heard they were working on Travelodge and possibly Los 3 Amigos,' Glauser said.  'What I'm hearing is pretty exciting if it's true.  Whatever the church does it will be first class."

Mormon Theology no. 36 - Education

Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80 reads:

Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.

I will illustrate the rise of the educational spirit in the LDS Church, giving histories of the many institutions growing therefrom.

Education has had a vital role within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the beginning.  In Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith was commanded by the Lord to establish what became known as The School of the Prophets (a forerunner to the Missionary Training Center).  This he did, and Parley P. Pratt was one of the first instructors.

Later down the road, when the Church fled Missouri to Illinois, a city was established called Nauvoo.  President Joseph Smith loved to learn (he was learning both Hebrew and German up until his murder).  So, in 1841, the University of the City of Nauvoo was founded.

This school was ambitious, with plans to offer classes in at least five languages (German, French, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew), mathematics, literature, history, geology, and chemistry.  One of the most popular instructors there was Elder Orson Pratt (People of Paradox: A History of Mormon Culture, p. 82-84).  After President Joseph Smith's murder, however, the school was dissolved, and the Mormons moved to the Great Basin, taking with them their love of learning.

Within three years of the settlement of what is now Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ established the University of Deseret, which later became the University of Utah.  Between 1850 and the turn of the Century, the LDS Church would establish many Stake Academies, which were secondary schools run by the Church because of lack of state-funded educational endeavors in the area.  With the firm entrenchment of regular school districts, high schools, and colleges that we know today, the LDS Church eventually sold off most of their schools, some of which would become state Universities and Colleges.  These include Bannock Stake Academy (BYU-Idaho), St. Joseph Stake Academy (Eastern Arizona College), St. George Stake Academy (Dixie State College), Weber Stake Academy (Weber State University), Brigham Young College (Utah State University), University of Deseret (University of Utah), and Sanpete Stake Academy (Snow College).  The LDS Church still owns three major Universities (BYU, BYU-I, and BYU-H), and one College (LDS Business College).  It also has High Schools throughout the Pacific and Mexico.

The Church of Jesus Christ is so invested in the education of her people, that there is a separate Board of Education and Board of Trustees (which boards oversee all educational endeavors, including BYU).  This Board consists of the First Presidency, three rotating members of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Steven E. Snow of the Seventy, and Sisters Julie B. Beck and Elaine S. Dalton.

The LDS Church stresses education so much because we believe the only thing we take with us into the Spirit World is our character  and knowledge.  It is written, "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come" (D&C 130:18-19).

These words of modern revelation agree meticulously with the words of the Bible, which read, "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. . . . Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:5,7).

Now, one can be educated without being wise.  I have met many an educated person, who unwisely disregard the words of modern-day revelation.  Jacob says, "Oh be wise; what can I say more" (Jacob 6:12).  That is they key - to be both wise and knowledgeable.  The best wisdom dictates that "to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God" (2 Nephi 9:29).  Knowledge, as they say, is indeed power, because the man more qualified with a degree will get a job, where one who does not have one, will not obtain.  So it is in spiritual matters; one who is knowledgeable in the scriptures will know how to be led by the Spirit of God, who will, if he is faithful and open to promptings, be led to the Kingdom of God, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know that both secular and spiritual knowledge is important, and that we must study and pray hard for the knowledge we seek to come.  I know that the Lord wants us to have knowledge (both spiritual and secular), so that we might use it, ultimately, to bring forth His purposes.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Mormon Theology no. 15 - Baptism Essential For Salvation

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches the essential need of baptism to open the door to salvation.  In previous articles, I have shown how the LDS Church is the only Church on earth recognized by God.  In this essay, I will now show why baptism is essential for salvation, both through scripture and words of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

President Joseph Smith once defined the meaning of baptism by saying,

"[Baptism] is a sign and a commandment which God has set for man to enter into His kingdom. Those who seek to enter in any other way will seek in vain; for God will not receive them, neither will the angels acknowledge their works as accepted, for they have not obeyed the ordinances, nor attended to the signs which God ordained for the salvation of man, to prepare him for, and give him a title to, a celestial glory (HC 4:554)."

This is a bold statement.  The President says that the ordinance is a sign set by God for enterance into the Kingdom of God.  Our Savior said to Nicodemus,  

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5)."

The sectarian will say that he has been born again and accepted Christ into his heart, but one must do more than just lip-service; one must be baptised.  Joseph Smith says that "Being born again comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances (HC 3:392)." 

This precisely why President Smith said,  

"In the former ages of the world, before the Savior came in the flesh, 'the saints' were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to come, because there never was any other name whereby men could be saved; and after he came in the flesh and was crucified, then the saints were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, crucified, risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, that they might be buried in baptism like him, and be raised in glory like him, that as there was but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and father of us all, even so there was but one door to the mansions of bliss (Times and Seasons, Sept. 1, 1842, p. 9)."

This is ratified by both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  In the Bible, we see John the Baptist baptising even before Jesus has wraught His Atonement.  600 years before Christ, Nephi said this,

"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!  And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?  Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments (2 Nephi 31:5-7)."

So here we learn that baptism is not only a sign of enterance into the Kingdom of God leading to salvation, but it is also a covenant with God that we will keep His commandments.  I know baptism is essential for salvation, and that it is only valid in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Mormon Theology no. 14 - Are Mormons Christian?

An article appeared from the Associated Press which states,

"A Presbyterian church was happy to have Jeremy and Jodi Stokes as Cub Scout leaders, at least until officials there found out they are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and told them they would have to step down because the church does not consider them real Christians."

Most Evangelical churches teach that Mormons are not Christians.  They are wrong, and I will say why.

First off, the Mormon Church's official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as received through revelation (D&C 115:4).  What more evidence do you need than that?

Second, I will cite scripture which states our position.  From the Book of Mormon we read, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. (2 Nephi 25:26)"  Also from the Book of Mormon we have the words of the prophet Amulek: "And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Alma 34:8)"

The Bible teaches us, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)"  From the pen of Isaiah the prophet we read, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)"  He also writes in chapter 9 verse 6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Councellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

In modern times the Prophet Joseph Smith said,  

"The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it. (HC 3:30)"

The world's current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, has said,

"I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that . . . Jesus is . . . the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. (Ensign, May 2007, 22–25)"

I, Clark LeRay Herlin, also know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does indeed teach and preach of Him, and those that say He does not need look again!

LDS Church Responds to Human Rights Campaign Petition

From the Herald Extra website came this article:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement through a spokesman following the delivery of a petition by the Human Rights Campaign.
My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign.

While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men.  We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason.  Such actions simply have no place in our society.

This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help.  Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another.

As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel.  His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.

Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.

The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.

The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.

There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God.

Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood.

God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgment of our shared human dignity.  We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another.

We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail." 

Mormon Theology no. 8 - The Genius of the LDS Church Organization

On 22 November 2009 at 11:20am inside the Provo Tabernacle, I heard Elder D. Todd Christofferson testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Priesthood Authority that the Lord has given the LDS Church.  What are the Apostles?  Who are the Seventy?  Where and when do they fit into Jesus' original Church He set up?  In this essay, we will examine these claims.  It must always be remembered that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and that He leads said Church.


The Council of the First Presidency
During certain occasions, the Lord Christ took with Him Peter, James, and John - and only them - to witness certain pivotal events in His ministry.  Such pivotal events were the raising of the daughter of Jairus, the raising of Lazarus, the events on top of the Mount of Transfiguration, and our Lord's sufferings in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The reason the Lord took Peter, James, and John upon the Mount was to ordain them to the Priesthood and give them the Keys that only the First Presidency can exercise.  These three able men eventually led the Church and called and ordained new Apostles such as Paul and Barnabas and Matthias.  Unfortunately, all Christ's original Apostles were killed, and His Authority taken from the Earth.  It was eventually restored under the hands of these same ancient Apostles (Peter, James, and John) upon the heads of Joseph Smith, Junior and Oliver Cowdery near Harmony, Pennsylvania in May or June of 1829.  Four years later on 18 March 1833, the Lord organized the First Presidency, then consisting of Joseph Smith, Junior, President; Sidney Rigdon, First Counselor; and Fredrick G. Williams, Second Counselor.  The First Presidency at the time of the death of Joseph Smith consisted of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith.  The First Presidency has been subsequently dissolved and reorganized at the death of every Church President since Joseph Smith.  The current First Presidency is Thomas S. Monson, President; Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor; and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
During Jesus' mortal ministry (Matt. 10), He organized the first ever Quorum of the Twelve Apostles which consisted of Peter, Andrew, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Lebaeus Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas.  As stated above, this Quorum was all killed off or taken from the Earth by the Lord, thus their Authority going with them.  It was reconstituted by the Lord on 14 February 1835 with Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, William E. McLellin, Parley P. Pratt, Luke S. Johnson, William Smith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton, and Lyman E. Johnson as members.  As in former dispensations, at the death or excommunication of a member of the Twelve, a new person in called into the Quorum so as to always have twelve.  The current Quorum consists of: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffery R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quinton L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, and Neil L. Andersen.  Together, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold and exercise all the Priesthood Keys on the Earth, with the President of the Church the only man authorized to exercise all the keys at one time.

The Quorums of the Seventy
In Acts 6, the Twelve Apostles chose seven able men to assist them in the work of the ministry.  The Savior had previously organized a Quorum of Seventy shortly after the organization, empowerment, and sending forth of the Twelve.  The Seventy were organized to help the Apostles lead the Church.  After the Great Apostasy, the Lord brooded upon Joseph Smith to reorganize the Seventy in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.  Just two weeks after the formation of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles in 1835, Joseph Smith organized the First Council of the Seventy.  One of the original members was Elder George A. Smith, a cousin to Joseph, and only 19 years of age at the time

From 1835 until 1975, the Quorums of the Seventy became so numerous that they eventually became unwieldy, which eventually were put under the supervision of the Stakes of Zion.  They were so unwieldy and disorganized, that in 1975, Spencer W. Kimball, then 12th President of the Church, reorganized the First Quorum as a Quorum of General Authority Seventies, with the Stake Seventies remaining under local jurisdiction.  By 1986, the Priesthood office of Seventy was no longer a Stake position, but operated Church wide, with the discontinuance of Stake Seventies.  Also in 1986, the Second Quorum of the Seventy was constituted, also consisting of General Authorities.  Then, in one of the great administrative motions of President Gordon B. Hinckley, he, in 1997, created the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy.  Today, the Church has Eight Quorums of the Seventy.  With the creation of the Seventies Quorum, the Church can grow as large as ever God wills it, because the Quorums of the Seventy can expand to any number, whereas there will always and only be Twelve Apostles.

Seeing, therefore, that the Lord actually established a Church on the Earth when He was mortal, it stands to reason that His Church on the earth would have His same organization and offices in this dispensation as in former dispensations.  To fully know if what we have discussed is true, you, the reader, must read the Book of Mormon, carefully comparing its doctrine with the Bible.  If done with a prayer of faith, you will find that the LDS Church is the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth.  I know this is true, because I have done it.  Remember the words of Jesus, "If any man will do [God's] will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17).  I bear witness of the Lord's establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that He established no other modern nor ancient Church or religion, save His Church.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.