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| − | Contrary to popular belief, these three men did not join the church because they believed in it '''[Really? Their conversion stories were published in a Church | + | Contrary to popular belief, these three men did not join the church because they believed in it '''[Really? Their conversion stories were published in a Church periodical -- the ''Millennial Star''. Did they just lie because they were 'under cover'?]'''. They were on a mission to infiltrate the church and take control. '''[Who assigned them this mission? The Grand Poo-Bah?]''' In Heber C. Kimball's diary on page 11 it states that he was always true to his Masonic Oaths '''[So what?]'''. It is interesting to note that these three men became the Presidency of the church after Joseph Smith died '''[How long after was that?]'''. In many pictures of Brigham Young, he can be seen wearing his Masonic pins namely, the compass, and the square. '''[There are only three such pictures from the 1850's -- they may be nothing more than publicity shots for the Americans back east: Brigham Young complained that the Masons were not supportive of the Saints even though some of the Saints were Masons; this may have simply been a reminder aimed at them]''' |
The Book of Mormon warns us again and again about secret combinations. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards were all members of a secret society intent on infiltrating and controlling the church. '''[How does that work if there were already Church leaders who were Masons BEFORE they joined -- like Hyrum Smith?]''' | The Book of Mormon warns us again and again about secret combinations. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards were all members of a secret society intent on infiltrating and controlling the church. '''[How does that work if there were already Church leaders who were Masons BEFORE they joined -- like Hyrum Smith?]''' | ||
Version du 7 janvier 2010 à 17:00
December 23, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
For the past two years Jay and I have been involved in some very extensive research into the history of our church. The reason for the research is because we had family members excommunicated because they would not deny that they were victims of abuse.
Through our research, we have discovered that the exposure of this abuse involves leaders of the church up to the highest levels, within the church. The exposure of this abuse is only the very tip of the iceberg as far as corrupt activity taking place within the church. The exposure of these activities, as well as the exposure of the abuse will be forthcoming in the near future in the Lord's time. The exposure of the corrupt leaders will indeed be extremely embarrassing to the church. Just know that Jay and I have full knowledge of the documents which will be revealed regarding this corruption. There are several thousand of them dating back since the 1940's.
What we will reveal in this letter deals more with the falsification, half truths, alterations of scriptures, and sanitized spoon fed history of our church that we are taught in Sunday Meetings.
Before I begin, I need to make it clear that we have no intent to do any harm whatsoever to the church. We love the church, the gospel, and the Book of Mormon as well as all of our scriptures. Jay and I have very strong testimonies of the Gospel. We care about the church. We care enough to fight for the truths which are taught in the scriptures to be included in our lesson manuals. After reading the following material we are confident that most people will agree that all Latter Day Saints should be aware of information that is deliberately kept out of all lesson manuals. This information is vital for our eternal salvation. All of this information is found in church historical records, and in the scriptures. However, most of this information has been withheld from the Saints.
These first few issues I will talk about are not by any means testimony breakers. They are merely fascinating pieces of history that should have been taught to every member.
Sommaire
Blacks and priesthood issues
The first issue deals with blacks receiving the priesthood. In church we have been taught that blacks had the seed of Cain in them and did not get the priesthood until the revelation in 1978.
In reality, Joseph Smith ordained the first black man named Elijah Abel to the priesthood in 1836. Elijah Abel was later ordained to the office of Seventy. In 1844, another black man named Walker Lewis was ordained an Elder by either Parley P Pratt or William Smith. In 1900, Enoch Abel, son of Elijah is ordained an Elder. In 1934, Elijah Abel's grandson, Elijah, is ordained a priest.
My question regarding this information is, why are we not taught the truth about our own history. And how can the revelation of 1978 be correct when the blacks already held the priesthood? Where is the revelation taking the priesthood away from the blacks, and under whose authority was this done?
Here is what further research uncovered. In 1852, Brigham Young announced the policy of denying blacks the priesthood, "even if there never was a prophet or an apostle of Jesus Christ spoke it before." Because, "negroes are the children of old Cain... any man having one drop of the seed of Cain in him cannot hold the priesthood."
Also in 1852, Brigham Young instructed the Utah legislature to legalize slavery because, "we must believe in slavery for it is a divine institution."
(Sources: History of the Church vol. 4: Minutes of the Seventies Journal Dec. 20th 1836: Brigham Young speech to Utah Legislature 1852)
Isn't it interesting that Brigham Young is approving of slavery even though both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants teach that slavery is wrong.
In 1900, Pres. Lorenzo Snow expresses doubts on the issue of denying priesthood to blacks. (Minutes of Council of Twelve)
In 1908, Joseph F. Smith changes his position relative to blacks. He abandons his former position on Elijah Abel and states and now claims that Joseph Smith declared Elijah Abels ordination as "null and void" (Council minutes 26 Aug. quoted from Neither White Nor Black, Signature Books pg. 140)
In 1940, J. Reuben Clark Jr. recommends a committee be appointed to "Make some ruling or re-affirm whatever ruling that has been made on this question in the past as to whether or not one drop of negro blood deprives a man of the right to receive the priesthood."
(Council meeting Jan 25, 1940, George Albert Smith papers LDS church archives)
This information is easily googled at BlackLDS History.org
It is very clear from the evidence that not one of the Prophets after Joseph Smith had any clue as to what should be done regarding this issue. This is why we must not "trust in the arm of flesh" as the scriptures warn over and over again.
Plural marriage
The next issue is polygamy. The Book of Mormon teaches that polygamy is an abomination. Period. Everyone misinterprets the scripture in Jacob 2:30. This scripture does not give an exception for the practice of polygamy. In King Benjamins address to his people, he states that "the Lord never does vary from that which he hath said."
In the Bible, there are about 15 different accounts of polygamous relationships. None of which are approved of by the Lord. However, because of free agency, the Lord allows the relationships, as well as the consequences for these relationships to occur.
Joseph Smith had an adulterous affair with Fanny Alger in 1833. Emma caught them in the barn. She saw them through the slats. Oliver Cowdery called this a "dirty nasty filthy affair." Between 1833 and 1843, Joseph married 33 plural wives. Ten of these women were married to other men at the same time. Some of the women were just teen aged girls. Polygamy in Nauvoo was lived in strict secrecy. Joseph kept his marriages secret from Emma. Finally when Emma did consent to allow polygamy on condition that she choose the plural wife, unbeknownst to her, she chose a woman that Joseph had already married. So another marriage was performed with a woman he had already married. (From the book Sacred Loneliness) Joseph convinced the women to marry him by telling them that if they did so, they as well as their entire family would receive eternal salvation in God's highest kingdom.
The Book of Mormon teaches that the Lord doesn't do anything in secret. So why would polygamy need to be practiced in secret if it truly was ordained of God?
The D&C states that "the work of the Lord will not be frustrated."
Joseph Smith told bold faced lies about himself living in polygamy. In 1842, Joseph Smith made the following statement which was published in the Times and Seasons Sept.1 1842:
"All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into this church should be held sacred and fulfilled. Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached for the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife, and one woman, but one husband, except in case of death when either is at liberty to marry again."
At the time this statement was made, Joseph Smith was married to 19 wives.(Family History.org)
Joseph lied again in May 26th 1844 when he stated, "what it is a thing to be accused of having seven wives when I can only find one."
At the time he made this statement, his harem was up to 38 wives. (Family History.org)
This is another example of why we are instructed in the scriptures "not to rely on the arm of flesh."
What kind of a problem would exist today if Thomas S. Monson was to be caught doing the same thing as Joseph Smith, namely teaching one thing and doing another? (This is a clue as to what is about to come forth regarding our Prophet and other leaders.)
We are not taught in church that on June 23, 1844, Joseph and Emma together burned the revelation on polygamy. We are not taught that both William Marks and Isaac Sheen gave sworn affidavits that Joseph Smith told them that the revelation on polygamy was "indeed of the devil and would bring the church to ruin and the practice must be put down." We are not taught that the revelation on polygamy was not included into the D&C until 1876, many years after the death of Joseph Smith. (William Clayton who was Joseph's personal secretary kept a copy of the revelation)
(D. Michael Quinn Mormon Hierarchy Origins of Power, LDS Church Archives)
The point is this: The Lord does not work in secrets and lies. If polygamy was truly ordained of God, we as a people would still be living it today. "The works of God will not be frustrated, only the works of man." D&C:3
We are not taught in church that Joseph Smith had grave concerns about Brigham Young leading the church.
Sworn testimony of Joseph Thorn Feb 4th 1884:
Being duly sworn deposes and says: I was personally acquainted with Brigham Young, late president of the Utah Mormon Church, and knew him in Nauvoo Illinois, and I heard bro. Joseph Say at a public meeting in a grove east of the temple in Nauvoo, when he had been reproving said Brigham Young for taking and using for his own private purposes church moneys without authority says of him, "If Brigham Young ever leads this church, he will lead it to hell." This is said with great emphasis.
There are eight other sworn testimonies of this statement.
(www.restored.org/lds) (Pamphlet titled, "Truth and Error or The Path of Right and where found Carefully examined and compiled by W.C. Cather, Publisher, Atchison Kansas)
Temple worship
The next issue is regarding the changes occurring over the years regarding temple worship.
The Kirtland temple endowment was very different than the Nauvoo endowment. It consisted of 5 parts. 1. Washing with soap and water. 2. Washing with water and perfumed whiskey. 3. Consecration with oil and receiving blessing. 4. Blessing sealed 5. Washing of faces and feet and partaking of the Lord's supper. [There were many other elements of worship, activity, and knowledge associated with the Kirtland Temple not mentioned in this list. See sections of the Doctrine and Covenants for starters]
Also, anyone could go into the Kirtland temple: [Then why were there 'doorkeepers' assigned to stand at the temple entrances?]
Nondiscriminatory Rules Published for Governing the Temple in Kirtland Ohio. The rules provide for: "old and young, bond and free, rich or poor, male or female, black or white, believer, or unbeliever. (History of the Church 2L 368-9) [But women were not present when Priesthood holders were receiving temple ORDINANCES at Kirtland]
Why were the endowments at Nauvoo so different than those from Kirtland? [see D&C 110, for starters]
On March 15th 1842, Joseph Smith became a Free Mason. [actually, it was the 15th and 16th] Nearly all of the early church leaders were Free Masons [but you haven't indicated WHY]. There is a very interesting speech by Reed C. Durham former President of the Mormon History Foundation. He gave the speech at a conference for historians at Nauvoo in 1976 [actually it was 1974]. In the speech he states that he has no doubt that Joseph borrowed heavily from masonry in implementing the Nauvoo endowment [that was just a private opinion]. This speech can be easily googled up. [Don't ignore his follow-up letter -- http://en.fairmormon.org/Primary_sources/Reed_C._Durham_on_1974_talk]
It is also very interesting to google up the similarities between Masonic and Mormon temple rituals. The two are nearly identical [only SOME things are similar] especially the tokens and handshakes etc.
One could argue till the cows come home over the origination of the endowment [Why argue? Just look at D&C 124]. However, when placed side by side, the teachings of Christ regarding taking blood oaths, and swearing oaths, and the oaths that are sworn in the temples, it is very clear that swearing oaths of any kind is not consistent with the teachings of the Savior.
Pg. 481 Original BoM And again it is written, Thou shall not forswear thyself, but thou shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths. But verily, verily I say unto you SWEAR NOT AT ALL; NEITHER BY HEAVEN, FOR IT IS GOD'S THRONE: NOR BY THE EARTH, FOT IT IS HIS FOOTSTOOL: NEITHER SHALT THOU SWEAR BY THE HEAD BECAUSE YOU CANST NOT MAKE ONE HAIR BLACK OR WHITE: BUT LET YOUR COMMUNICATION BE YEA YEA, NAY NAY: FOR WHATSOEVER COMETH OF MORE THAN THESE IS EVIL.
MOSES 5: 29
And Satan said unto Cain: SWEAR UNTO ME BY THY THROAT, AND IF THOU TELL IT THOU SHALT DIE: AND SWEAR THY BRETHREN BY THEIR HEADS, AND BY THE LIVING GOD, THAT THEY TELL IT NOT; FOR IF THEY TELL IT, THEY SHALL SURELY DIE: and this that thy father may not know it, and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands.
Prior to 1990, the penalties for revealing the secret oaths in the temple required the pantomime actions of slitting your own throat, cutting out your heart, and disemboweling your intestines as punishment for disclosing the secrets.
Even though these pantomime actions have been removed, they are still implied. Satanic oaths have 3 main characteristics. 1. A secret. 2. Oath to keep the secret. 3. Death or bloodshed if the secret is revealed.
All temple oaths have these three characteristics and are of the devil [the books of the Old Testament do not sustain this viewpoint]. As the Lord does not do anything in SECRET [Really? Mt. 13:11; D&C 42:65].
All temples since the Kirtland Temple have a curse placed on them. [According to who?]
D&C 124: 47-48
And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfill the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord.
For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practice before me saith the Lord.
The new name, signs, tokens, handshakes, five points of fellowship, are all borrowed from Free Masonry [Didn't the ancient Christians practice these same ritual elements? Where did the Masons get their ritual elements from?]. Free Masonry is a secret society whose desire is to control all religions. (Google up on youtube and you can see T[h]omas S. Monson giving the patriarchal grip handshake to George Bush. You can also google up Gordon B. Hinckley giving the same handshake to Dick Cheney)
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His complete doctrine is contained in this book.
On page 478-9 of the 1830 original BoM it states, " Ye must repent and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again I say unto you, Ye must repent and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily I say unto you, that this is my doctrine; and whoso buildeth upon this, buildeth upon my rock; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare MORE OR LESS THAN THIS, AND ESTABLISH IT FOR MY DOCTRINE, THE SAME COMETH OF EVIL AND IS NOT BUILT UPON MY ROCK, BUT HE BUILDETH UPON A SANDY FOUNDATION, AND THE GATES OF HELL STANDETH OPEN TO RECEIVE SUCH, WHEN THE FLOODS COME, AND THE WINDS BEAT UPON THEM.
This would be in the latter part of 3rd Nephi in the BoM.
The only ordinance required of the Lord to gain eternal salvation is Baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. All ordinances done within the temples are Masonic, and of the devil. (Who tells you to put on your aprons, and these aprons become a permanent part of the temple clothing? Lucifer does.)
The policy and practice of temple recommends, closed temple ceremonies, and worthiness interviews all stem from the abomination of polygamy. From 1841 until his death, Joseph Smith had his secret society within the church. This was his council of fifty. The first to receive the Masonic endowments were nine members of this council. They had their secret signs and handshakes etc. The first men Joseph introduced polygamy to were all within this council. This council was also called the Holy Anointed Quorum. Polygamy in Nauvoo was limited to the men within this council and was lived in strict secrecy. It is interesting to note that in D&C 132, the revelation on polygamy in verse 60 it states that in order to get another wife, the first wife must give her consent. Joseph kept his wives secret from Emma until she found out. She threatened Joseph with divorce. Also she stated that if he wants more wives then she would have more husbands. Although polygamy had been going on for several years, the revelation was not written down until July 12th 1843.
(Mormon Hierarchy, Origins of Power, LDS Church Archives, William Clayton Diary)
The Lord intended for His temples to be great learning centers where everyone was invited to come and learn of His teachings. King Benjamin had everyone gather at the temple to hear his address. Nowhere in the BoM is there a scripture indicating that a person needed to be worthy to come to the temple. All were welcome. Today in the church, the issue of temple worthiness causes a class distinction within the church: worthy vs. unworthy. This is very displeasing to our Heavenly Father. This is one of the reasons every temple after the Kirtland temple has the Lord's curse on it. (D&C 124: 47-48)
Just because the temple building itself has a curse on it does not mean that a person will not receive a spiritual manifestation while attending the temple. The Lord answers prayers for anyone who has enough faith to ask Him. He will answer prayers no matter where a person is at, whether it be in church, in the temple, driving down the freeway, or on top of a mountain.
We are not taught in Church that just before Joseph went to Carthage jail, he and Emma burned the original revelation. Joseph instructed his council of fifty to burn their endowment undergarments. He told William Clayton to burn the minutes of the council of fifty. On June 10th 1844, Hyrum Smith told the Nauvoo city council that the revelation on polygamy only pertained to ancient times. (History of the Church)
(William Clayton Diary) (Mormon Hierarchy Origins of Power D. Michael Quinn)
At this time Joseph was in deep trouble for destroying the Nauvoo Expositor. Someone in his council of fifty had betrayed him and leaked all of the secret information regarding polygamy, and Joseph having himself ordained as King of Israel, and King over the whole earth. This was the reason Joseph destroyed the press.
Joseph Smith
Before his death, Joseph began repenting. The Lord told him to escape. He crossed the Mississippi river to Montrose Iowa and was going to escape to the west. However, his friends in the council of fifty wrote him a letter and called him a coward. Emma also wrote him a letter begging him not to go. So once again, Joseph listened to the "persuasions of men" over what the Spirit directed him to do. He gave himself up, lost the protection of the Lord and was murdered in Carthage jail.
Brigham Young
This leads us to Brigham Young positioning himself into the leadership of the church. There is an important fact that people don't realize about Brigham Young. This is that he was a 33rd degree Mason. 33rd degree Masons worship Lucifer. The lower levels of Masonry are not much different than a Kiwanis Club, or a Rotary Club. But the highest levels definitely worship Satan. The higher levels are a secret society within a society.
Both Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, as well as Willard Richards were all 33rd degree masons.
Greg Kearney material:This is a patently false claim. Brigham Young was not a 33rd degree Mason because it would have been impossible for him to be so. Brigham Young was raised a Mason in Nauvoo at that time in Illinois there was no supplemental degree bodies such as the Scottish Rite so it would be impossible for him, or any of his contemporaries to be 33rd degree Masons.This claim uses a standard tactic which we should be aware of. Because the saints no longer have a common association with Freemasonry (note the spelling it is one word not two) making statements like "he was a 33rd degree Mason" sound impressive as if being a 33rd degree Mason give the person some higher authority. In fact there is no degree in Masonry any higher than that of Master Mason, or the 3rd degree and there is no body in Freemasonry with more authority over the order than the Grand Lodge of the state, province. Supplemental degrees are just that, supplements and nothing more.
The charge of Satan worship by Freemasons comes for the so called Taxil forgery. A late 19th century document whose author, Gabriel Jogang Pages, admitted in a public speech in Paris on April 19, 1897 to being a forgery. A more complete review of this can be found in chapter 6 The Forger in A Pilgrim's Path by John J. Robinson.
This charge is on occasion supported by a statement made by the Masonic author Albert Pike who wold use the term "luciferian" in it Latin form to mean a bearer of light or one who gives light as opposed to the mistranslation found in scripture associating the term with
Satan and the devil. Pike should have known better than to employ the term as he did as Robinson points out in his book (Chapter 5) but Pike is correct in the meaning of the Latin word lucifer even if employing it was not wise given the meaning that people commonly associate with the word. This is rather like the shifting meaning of the word "gay" in the modern English usage.
Contrary to popular belief, these three men did not join the church because they believed in it [Really? Their conversion stories were published in a Church periodical -- the Millennial Star. Did they just lie because they were 'under cover'?]. They were on a mission to infiltrate the church and take control. [Who assigned them this mission? The Grand Poo-Bah?] In Heber C. Kimball's diary on page 11 it states that he was always true to his Masonic Oaths [So what?]. It is interesting to note that these three men became the Presidency of the church after Joseph Smith died [How long after was that?]. In many pictures of Brigham Young, he can be seen wearing his Masonic pins namely, the compass, and the square. [There are only three such pictures from the 1850's -- they may be nothing more than publicity shots for the Americans back east: Brigham Young complained that the Masons were not supportive of the Saints even though some of the Saints were Masons; this may have simply been a reminder aimed at them]
The Book of Mormon warns us again and again about secret combinations. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards were all members of a secret society intent on infiltrating and controlling the church. [How does that work if there were already Church leaders who were Masons BEFORE they joined -- like Hyrum Smith?]
Book of Mormon changes
Now I will talk about the issue that has the most importance and is a direct consequence of the Free Masons infiltrating the church. This is the alterations that took place in the second printing (1837) of the BoM.
Three words, "the Son of" were added to 4 key scriptures in the second printing, 1837 edition of the BoM. These verses are: 1 Nephi 11:18,21, 32, and 1Nephi 13:40. These three words changed the identity of God.
Here are the comparisons:
1837 edition 1 Nephi 11:18 Behold, the virgin which thou seest is the mother of the Son of God.
1830 edition : pg. 25 Behold, the virgin which thou seest is the mother of God.
1837 edition: 1 Nephi 11: 21: ...Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father
1830 edition: pg. 25 ...Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal Father.
1837 edition 1 Nephi 11: 32: ... And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; Yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world...
1830 edition pg. 26 ...And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, yea, the Everlasting God, was judged of the world...
1837 edition 1 Nephi 13:40 ...and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world...
1830 edition pg. 32 ...and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people that the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world...
Creedal trinitarianism
There is a huge difference between the meaning of these verses.
Jesus Christ and God the Eternal Father are one and the same person. This is what every Latter Day Saint must come to know.
In church we are not taught that there are actually 9 different versions of the first vision.
We are led to believe that the account of the first vision we read in our scriptures was written by Joseph Smith. It was not. This account was not added to our scriptures until 1880. Many years after the death of Joseph Smith.
Here is the one true and only account of the first vision written by Joseph Smith himself.
" In the attitude of calling upon the Lord in the 16th year of my age a piller of light above the brightness of the sun at noon day come down from above and rested upon me and I was filled with the spirit of god and the Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me saying "Joseph my son thy sins are forgiven thee. Go thy way walk in my statutes and keep my commandments behold I am the Lord of glory I was crucified for the world that all those who believe on my name may have Eternal life behold the whole world lieth in sin at this time and none doeth good no not one they have turned aside from the gospel and keep not my commandments they draw near to me with their lips while their hearts are far from me and mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth...
This account was written by Joseph Smith himself in his personal diary in 1832.
It can be found in a book called the "Joseph Smith Papers" compiled by Dean C. Jessee in 1984. (Dean C. Jessee is currently working on the newer version of the Joseph Smith papers.)
I will now list some scripture references that give evidence to the fact that Jesus Christ and God the Father are the same person.
Mosiah 15 chapter heading: "How Christ is Both the Father and the Son...
Mosiah 15: 1-5 1. And now Abinadi said unto them... ye should understand that GOD HIMSELF shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. 2. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the SON OF GOD, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the FATHER, being the FATHER AND THE SON... 3. The Father because he was conceived by the power of God. And the Son because of the flesh; thus becoming the FATHER AND THE SON 4. And they are ONE GOD, yea the very ETERNAL FATHER OF HEAVEN AND OF EARTH. 5. And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, BEING ONE GOD, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.
Alma and Amulek contend with Zeezrom: Alma 11 26-40
28. Now Zeezrom said, "Is there more than one God?
29. And he answered, "No."
30. Now Zeezrom saith unto him; "Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?"
31. And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of the earth...
32. And he shall come into the world to redeem his people...
Ether 3:14 ... Behold I am Jesus Christ, I am the FATHER AND THE SON.
THE LECTURES ON FAITH
The Lectures on Faith were a series of lectures received in the School of the Prophets taught by Joseph Smith in Kirtland Ohio around 1833.
The fifth lecture deals with the nature of the Godhead.
In our former lectures we treated of the being, character, perfections, and attributes of God. What we mean by perfection is the perfections which belong to all the attributes of his nature. We shall in this lecture speak of the Godhead: we mean the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. There are two personages who constitute the great matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things-by whom all things were created and made that are created and made, whether visible or invisible. Whether in heaven, on earth, or in the earth, under the earth or in the immensity of space:
They are the Father and the Son: The Father being a personage of SPIRIT, glory and power possessing all perfection and fullness. The Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, a personage of TABERNACLE, made or fashioned like unto a man, or being in the form or likeness of a man,or rather man was formed after his likeness and image: and is called the son because of the flesh: And he being the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fullness of the glory of the Father, POSSESSING THE SAME MIND WITH THE FATHER; And these three are ONE, And these three constitute the Godhead and are ONE; The Father and the Son POSSESSING THE SAME MIND.
o It is possible for a person to see the Tabernacle of Jesus and the Spirit of God at the same time. This explains how Jesus has been seen sitting at the right hand of his Father.
The first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants appeared in 1835, printed by Frederick G. Williams, who was then serving as a counselor in the First Presidency. The book comprised two parts, the revelations, called "The Covenants," and the "Doctrine,"
A collection of seven Lectures on Faith delivered in the School of the Prophets in Kirtland Ohio.
There was an 1844 edition of the D&C which added more revelations and then the 1876 edition which added sections 2, 13, 77, 85, 87, 108-111, 113-118, 120-123, 125, 126, 129-132, and 136.
Note that section 130 was added in the 1876 edition many years after the death of Joseph Smith. In section 130 vs. 22 we read: "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's: the Son also: but the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell within us.
This verse is a complete contradiction to what Joseph Smith taught in the School of the Prophets where he taught that the Father was a personage of Spirit, the Son is a personage of Tabernacle, they possess the same mind, and are ONE.
The seven Lectures on Faith were in the D&C until 1921, at which time they were removed.
The D&C 1835 edition was presented to a general assembly of the church and accepted as canonized scripture on August 17th 1835. This edition included the Lectures on Faith.
Under the direction of Heber J. Grant, the 1921 D&C was printed excluding the Lectures on Faith. Each book contained a notation claiming that the Lectures on Faith were never presented to nor accepted by the church as being otherwise than theological lectures or lessons. Remember, everything in the church is to be done by common consent. So the Lectures on Faith were presented to a general assembly of the church and accepted as canonized scripture in Aug. 1835. But in 1921, Heber J. Grant has them removed without common consent of the members, and makes the false claim that they were never presented to the church.
The question to ask is why? What do the Lectures on Faith contain that Heber J. Grant didn't want people to know? The answer: The 5th lecture completely contradicts D&C 130 vs. 22!
D&C 29 Read this entire section. It begins with, "Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ" pay attention to vs. 42 when God speaks as God, not Jesus. This happens again in vs. 46
How can Jesus and Heavenly Father be the same person? It is very simple: When we come to this earth, we are separated from our Spirits which remain in Heaven. We come to this earth with our innate Intelligence, our 'I AM" and our Souls. Thus Jesus came to earth as a man to give us an EXAMPLE while His Spirit, e.g. God the Father, remained in Heaven. It is that simple.
We are patterned after God's own image. Our spirits are separated from us while we live on earth. We have our physical bodies, and our intelligences, or souls are here with us during our earth life. Remember, intelligence was with God from the beginning, and cannot be created or made. D&C 93
So who was Jesus praying to in the Garden of Gethsemane? He was praying to His spirit.
Think of the Godhead as an egg. The Body of Christ is the shell, or the tabernacle. Heavenly Father is the egg white, as He is spirit and the Holy Ghost is the yolk, or the shared mind. Three different roles, all in the same package. This principle is taught by Joseph Smith in the 5th Lecture on Faith.
Alma 11:43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in it's perfect form.
Cherubim and the Flaming Sword separates our spirits from our bodies during our earthly existence. This is exactly what happened with Adam and Eve. The scripture reference for this can be found in Alma when he is talking to his wayward son, Corianton.
Old Testament Scriptures indicating there is only One God.
Isaiah 44: 6,8, 24
Isaiah 45: 5-7
New Testament Scriptures indicating there is only One God.
John 14: 7-9
Best of all: Book of Mormon scriptures indicating that Jesus and God are the same person.
1 Nephi 11: 18,21,32, and 13:40
2 Nephi 11:7, 19:6, 33:21
Mosiah 3: 5 &8, 7:27 13: 28&34, Mosiah 15 chapter heading, and 1-5
Alma 11: 26-40, 42:15,
Helaman 8: 22-23
3 Nephi 11:27, 36, 20:35, 28:10
Moroni7:7, 9:12
Ether 3:14, 4:7&12
Doctrine and Covenants 93: 3-4
How could this happen? The answer is really quite simple. Our records were altered. The Book of Mormon teaches the importance of having correct records. True and correct records are so important that the Lord instructed Nephi and his brothers to return to Jerusalem to get the plates of brass. The plates of brass were so important that Nephi was even instructed to kill Laban in order to get the plates.
In the Book of Mormon King Benjamin is teaching his sons about the importance of true and correct records. He says," I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites which know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct."
This is what has happened: Our records were altered. As a result, we have been taught incorrect doctrine, and have dwindled in unbelief as to the true nature of God. And now most LDS people will not believe the truth because of the "traditions of their fathers which are not correct."
First Vision
LDS people rely heavily on Joseph Smiths first vision. Just research the different versions, and you will discover that Joseph Smith never told the same story twice regarding his vision. In one version he states he saw two personages, in another version, he states he saw only one, in another, he states he just saw an angel etc. etc. All of these versions are second hand. Meaning so and so said to so and so that this is what Joseph told me: Why are we not taught about Josephs own handwritten account in our Sunday School lessons? Jay and I think this is a valid question. But the leaders of the church do not want anyone asking questions.
A person can gain only the knowledge or a testimony based on the information available to him. If that information is incorrect, then the knowledge, or testimony gained is incorrect.
Conclusion
Jay and I can teach this from our own experience now. We had the testimony that all church members today have. We thought it was a great strong testimony. But that testimony pales in comparison to a testimony of the truth. Now we really know exactly who our Heavenly Father is. We know His true identity. We each have had an extremely powerful, and very spiritual witness that Jesus Christ and God the Eternal Father are one and the same person.
Our lives have been blessed because of this knowledge. We thought we had experienced joy and happiness in our lives before we gained a knowledge of the truth. The joy and happiness we are currently experiencing is beyond anything we ever thought possible.
We never thought it possible for people to be as happy and content as we are now.
It seems as if the Lord is standing above us each and every day just pouring down blessings upon our heads. In 3 Nephi 12: 11-12, it reads, And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake: For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you."
We haven't really experienced much persecution. There have been a few ridiculous comments made, over all people have been very kind. But we have, and continue to feel the "great joy" and we are "exceedingly glad." In fact, I do not have the vocabulary to explain how much joy we are experiencing. I personally do not think the words that could express this joy are found in any earthly vocabulary.
A fog has been lifted. A fog we did not even know existed, until it was removed. We have been awakened from the "deep sleep" that Isaiah talks about.
Our desire is for everyone to feel this same joy. Jay and I would not do this if we did not absolutely know for a surety that what we are doing is correct. We have always been solid. We have always stood for truth. We have always been dependable. We have always been honest with people. Why on earth would we ever change? Just use common sense. The stance we have taken is bold. We know it is correct and we are willing to stand up for the truth regardless of what people may think. We love you all so much, that we are willing to blaze the trail. If not us, who, and if not now, when?
You may ask this question. "How could the church prosper all of these years if it is not true?" The answer is this, first of all, the church IS TRUE. It just has some problems that need to be cleansed out of it."
The Book of Mormon teaches, speaking of the "church," but if it be not built upon my Gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the Devil, verily I say unto you, they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return; for their works do follow them: for it is because of their works that they are hewn down.
The " season" the Lord talks about here is almost over. He is expecting His Saints to wake up and cleanse the church. If this were not the case then we would not have the following scriptures to remind us.
D&C 112: 24-26 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolations, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord. And upon MY HOUSE shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord. First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have NOT KNOWN ME, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.
D&C 64: 38-40 For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion. And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are NOT APOSTLES AND PROPHETS shall be known. And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead.
Salt Lake City experienced a whirlwind in 1999. This whirlwind did a lot of damage to downtown SLC. It damaged many of the cranes being used in building the conference center.
Latter Day Saints believe that "a prophet will never lead you astray." This statement is a teaching of man. Latter Day Saints believe that the Lord will remove any prophet who attempts to lead the people astray. The above verse from the Book of Mormon which talks about "if the work be works of men, or of the devil, they have joy in their works for a season and by and by the end cometh" is proof that the Lord allows free agency to choose. He will not immediately remove a prophet, but will allow the works for a season. And he will allow people to follow that prophet for that season. God never interferes in free agency. That is why we are here on earth. We are warned over and over again in the scriptures not to rely on the arm of flesh. This means do not put our trust in man to lead us. Rely on God for all things. God says "they have joy in their works for a season." Can any of us define how long is "a season" to the Lord? Historically, the Lord does not act until he has warned, and warned, and warned, and those who he is warning have ripened in iniquity. Then He acts.
Jay and I presented this information to 15 men in our disciplinary council. The Lord wanted this message delivered to these men. We felt just like Abinadi before King Noah and his court. (However we don't feel that Pres. Merrell is like King Noah we love this guy. We love all the men who were in our court.) The most difficult thing about our court was feeling the sadness in the hearts of all the men there, who felt they were doing the correct thing by excommunicating us. Our church is not governed by the Spirit. It is governed by the handbook of instructions.
Jay and I did not leave the church. It left us. The men in this council, and Bishop Nicholas (who we also love) will have to bear the burden of calling us apostates. At the end of the council, the only evidence against us was that our message was contrary to what "The Brethren teach." But our message was not contrary to what God teaches, and what is taught in the scriptures. We are absolutely not apostates. We are fighting for the truth to be made known throughout the entire church. We have a clear conscience before God, and God is the only person who can take away any of our eternal blessings. God is also the only person who can remove a person from His church. This is why we are experiencing true joy and happiness. For anyone waiting to see if we self destruct,
I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. - Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 3:385. BYU Studies link
Sorry, this is not going to happen. As I said before, I do not have the vocabulary to explain the joy and happiness Jay and I experienced every day. It is impossible for anyone to knowingly do something they know is not correct and feel right about it. It is absolutely impossible to fake true happiness. Jay and I are truly experiencing feelings of true joy and happiness we never thought could exist. This feeling is a direct result of knowing who God is. And this is the testimony that we will leave with you. We know that Jesus Christ is God the Eternal Father. We love the church, we love the Book of Mormon, and we love our Lord and Savior. We will not abandon Him in this fight for truth. We will stand firm, and as witnesses to His truth. We do not fear man, or anything man can do. We love you all. And we leave this testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jay and Jill Christensen