A Biblical & Historical Examination Of: “The Church
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Joseph Smith and the United Firm: the Growth and Decline of the Church's First Master Plan of Business and Finance, Ohio and Missouri, 1832-1834
BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 46 Issue 3 Article 1 7-1-2007 Joseph Smith and the United Firm: The Growth and Decline of the Church's First Master Plan of Business and Finance, Ohio and Missouri, 1832-1834 Max H. Parkin Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq Recommended Citation Parkin, Max H. (2007) "Joseph Smith and the United Firm: The Growth and Decline of the Church's First Master Plan of Business and Finance, Ohio and Missouri, 1832-1834," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 46 : Iss. 3 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol46/iss3/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in BYU Studies Quarterly by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Parkin: Joseph Smith and the United Firm: The Growth and Decline of the C Joseph Smith and the United Firm The Growth and Decline of the Church’s First Master Plan of Business and Finance, Ohio and Missouri, 1832–1834 Max H Parkin year after Joseph Smith organized the Church, the young prophet A began to gather about him a management team that helped direct the Church’s early business affairs. These officers assisted him before the principal quorums of Church leadership were formed or fully developed. This growing board of managers printed the first collection of Joseph Smith’s revelations; planned for the new city of Zion and its temples, as it did for Kirtland; operated the Lord’s storehouses; and fostered other com- mercial interests. -
Evolution and the Origin of Man
evolution and the origin of man This packet contains, as far as could be found, all statements issued by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints on the subject of evolution and the origin of man, and a statement on the Church's attitude toward science. The earliest First Presidency statement, "The Origin of Man," was issued during the administration of President Joseph F. Smith in 1909. This was followed by a First Presidency Message in 1910 that included brief comments related to the study of these topics. The second statement, "Mormon View of Evolution," was issued during the administration of President Heber J. Grant in 1925. Although there has never been a formal declaration from the First Presidency addressing the general matter of organic evolution as a process for development of biological species, these documents make clear the official position of the Church regarding the origin of man. This packet also contains the article on evolution from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, published in 1992. The current First Presidency authorized inclusion of the excerpt from the First Presidency minutes of 1931 in the 1992 Encyclopedia article. Various views have been expressed by other Church leaders on this subject over many decades; however, formal statements by the First Presidency are the definitive source of official Church positions. It is hoped that these materials will provide a firm foundation for individual study in a context of faith in the restored gospel. Approved by the Board of Trustees, June 1992. THE ORIGIN OF MAN By The First Presidency of the Church Inquiries arise from time to time respecting the attitude of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon questions which, though not vital from a doctrinal standpoint, are closely connected with the fundamental principles of salvation. -
Do Mormon “Scriptures” Pass the Tests for Divine Inspiration?1
Do Mormon “Scriptures” Pass the Tests for Divine Inspiration?1 Let us examine the Mormon “scriptures” to determine if they past the tests of divine inspiration. In order to qualify as inspired, a text must pass all the tests for inspiration: 1. Be spoken from, and in the name of, the Lord (Jeremiah 30:2, 1 Peter 1:21). 2. Exalt and glorify God (John 5:39 &; 17:4-10; Ephesians 1:13-14). 3. Directs the love of men toward God (Colossians 3:16; Revelation 19:10). 4. Draw men to repent of their rebellion against God and to submit fully to Him (Psalms 19:17; 2 Timothy 3:16). 5. Prophecies come to fulfillment with 100 percent accuracy (Deuteronomy 18:20-222). 6. Support the laws, precepts, and principles set forth in the rest of Scripture-without contradiction (Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:17; John 10:353). 7. Communicate only truth, in all disciplines of knowledge (Psalms 119:160; Hebrews 6:18 4). Upon examination, one finds all the Mormon “scriptures” fail one or more of the last three tests. 5. Prophecies come to fulfillment with 100 percent accuracy. The Bible warns us regarding false prophecy: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). In addition, we are told to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Contrary to Mormon teachings, which encourage prayer to receive a “burning in the bosom,” the Bible tells us to test truthfulness of prophecy by seeing if the prophecy comes to pass. -
The Spirit World ______
Teachings Concerning The Spirit World ______________________ Spirit World - The Next Phase of Existence Joseph Smith Heaven are synonymous terms, indicating one and The righteous and the wicked [upon death] all go to the same place. But in reality there is a wide the same world of spirits until the resurrection. difference between them. A State of rest, such as the (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.310) spirit life is understood to be for the righteous—though “rest” should not be interpreted Brigham Young as idleness or want of occupation—might easily • When you lay down this tabernacle, where are you pass for heaven, when contrasted with this life of going? Into the spiritual world. Are you going into pain, sorrow and trouble. But that is only relative. It Abraham’s bosom. No, not any where nigh there, is not saying too much—indeed it may be saying too but into the spirit world. Where is the spirit world? little—to affirm that there is just as much difference It is right here. Do the good and evil spirits go between the spirit world and heaven, as between the together? Yes, they do. Do they both inhabit one mortal and the spiritual phases of man’s existence. kingdom? Yes, they do. Do they go to the sun? (Cowley & Whitney on Doctrine, p 483) No. Do they go beyond the boundaries of this • Thus we see that the Spirit World is not Heaven, organized earth? No, they do not. They are brought except in a relative sense, and then only in part. -
TEMPLE RITUAL ALTERED Mormon Leaders Delete Some of the “Most Sacred” Parts of Ceremony
Salt Lake City Messenger UTAH LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRY Issue No. 75 PO BOX 1884, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84110 July 1990 TEMPLE RITUAL ALTERED Mormon Leaders Delete Some of the “Most Sacred” Parts of Ceremony In response to Fawn M. Brodie’s book, No Man Knows My History, the noted Mormon apologist Hugh Nibley declared: Yet of all churches in the world only this one has not found it necessary to readjust any part of its doctrine in the last hundred years. How does Brodie explain the fact that the doctrine which she claims was the haphazard outgrowth of complete opportunism remains the most stable on earth? (No Ma’am That’s Not History, 1946, pp. 46-47) Although most Mormons have always placed a great deal of weight in Dr. Nibley’s arguments, recent developments within the church itself will undoubtedly cause many to wonder about his claims concerning doctrinal stability. The New York Times gave this startling report in an article which begins on the first page of the issue dated May 3, 1990: The Mormon Church has changed some of its most sacred rituals, eliminating parts of the largely secret ceremonies that President Ezra Taft Benson have been viewed as offensive to women and to members of some other faiths. “Because the temple ceremony is sacred to us, we don’t Last month the church . quietly dropped from its speak about it except in the most general terms,” said Beverly temple rituals a vow in which women pledged obedience to Campbell, the East Coast director for public communications their husbands . -
The Return of Oliver Cowdery
The Return of Oliver Cowdery Scott H. Faulring On Sunday, 12 November 1848, apostle Orson Hyde, president of the Quorum of the Twelve and the church’s presiding ofcial at Kanesville-Council Bluffs, stepped into the cool waters of Mosquito Creek1 near Council Bluffs, Iowa, and took Mormonism’s estranged Second Elder by the hand to rebaptize him. Sometime shortly after that, Elder Hyde laid hands on Oliver’s head, conrming him back into church membership and reordaining him an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood.2 Cowdery’s rebaptism culminated six years of desire on his part and protracted efforts encouraged by the Mormon leadership to bring about his sought-after, eagerly anticipated reconciliation. Cowdery, renowned as one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, corecipient of restored priesthood power, and a founding member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had spent ten and a half years outside the church after his April 1838 excommunication. Oliver Cowdery wanted reafliation with the church he helped organize. His penitent yearnings to reassociate with the Saints were evident from his personal letters and actions as early as 1842. Oliver understood the necessity of rebaptism. By subjecting himself to rebaptism by Elder Hyde, Cowdery acknowledged the priesthood keys and authority held by the First Presidency under Brigham Young and the Twelve. Oliver Cowdery’s tenure as Second Elder and Associate President ended abruptly when he decided not to appear and defend himself against misconduct charges at the 12 April -
Journal of Mormon History Vol. 20, No. 1, 1994
Journal of Mormon History Volume 20 Issue 1 Article 1 1994 Journal of Mormon History Vol. 20, No. 1, 1994 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/mormonhistory Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation (1994) "Journal of Mormon History Vol. 20, No. 1, 1994," Journal of Mormon History: Vol. 20 : Iss. 1 , Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/mormonhistory/vol20/iss1/1 This Full Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Mormon History by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Journal of Mormon History Vol. 20, No. 1, 1994 Table of Contents LETTERS vi ARTICLES PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS • --Positivism or Subjectivism? Some Reflections on a Mormon Historical Dilemma Marvin S. Hill, 1 TANNER LECTURE • --Mormon and Methodist: Popular Religion in the Crucible of the Free Market Nathan O. Hatch, 24 • --The Windows of Heaven Revisited: The 1899 Tithing Reformation E. Jay Bell, 45 • --Plurality, Patriarchy, and the Priestess: Zina D. H. Young's Nauvoo Marriages Martha Sonntag Bradley and Mary Brown Firmage Woodward, 84 • --Lords of Creation: Polygamy, the Abrahamic Household, and Mormon Patriarchy B. Cannon Hardy, 119 REVIEWS 153 --The Story of the Latter-day Saints by James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard Richard E. Bennett --Hero or Traitor: A Biographical Story of Charles Wesley Wandell by Marjorie Newton Richard L. Saunders --Mormon Redress Petition: Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict edited by Clark V. Johnson Stephen C. -
Near-Death Experiences and Early Mormon Thought
Thought Communication, Speed of Movement, and the Spirit's Ability to Absorb Knowledge: Near-Death Experiences and Early Mormon Thought Brent L. Top, Ph.D. Brigham Young University ABSTRACT- Three of Charles Flynn's (1986) "core elements" of near-death experiences (NDEs) have special interest to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) because of their striking similarity to the doctrinal teachings of 19th-century Mormon leaders and theologians. This article illustrates these three NDE characteristics-thought communi cation, speed of movement, and the ability to "absorb" knowledge-by com paring contemporary NDE accounts with both the religious teachings of 19th-century Mormon church leaders and the accepted doctrines of modern Mormonism. Virtually all of the recent studies of near-death experiences (NDEs) have included accounts of those who have "died" discovering en hanced abilities, far beyond earthly abilities, in the areas of commu nication, travel and movement, and the acquisition of knowledge. These three different aspects of the near-death experience, included in Charles Flynn's (1986) list of "core elements" of the NDE, have special interest to Mormons. There are striking similarities between the modern descriptions by NDErs concerning thought communica tion, the speed of their movements, and their ability to absorb knowl edge, and the theological teachings of early Mormon leaders in the Brent L. Ibp, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. Reprint requests should be addressed to Dr. bp at the Department of Church History and Doctrine, 316-E Joseph Smith Building, Brigham Young University, P 0. -
Sin, Guilt, and Grace: Martin Luther and the Doctrines of the Restoration,” in Let Us Reason Together: Essays in Honor of the Life’S Work of Robert L
Format for citations: Brent L. Top, “Sin, Guilt, and Grace: Martin Luther and the Doctrines of the Restoration,” in Let Us Reason Together: Essays in Honor of the Life’s Work of Robert L. Millet, ed. J. Spencer Fluhman and Brent L. Top (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: 2016), 311–28. “The First Principles of Man Are Self-Existent with God”: The Immortality of the Soul in Mormon Theology Brent L. Top “I am dwelling on the immutability of the spirit of man,” Joseph Smith taught in April 1844. “Where did it come from?” he rhetorically asked his Nauvoo, Illinois, congregation.1 The emphatic answer was as much a repudiation of traditional Christian teachings on the immortality of the human soul as it was a declaration of unique Mormon doctrine—what Smith believed to be lost doctrines taught in antiquity, tenets that had been restored to earth through divine revelation: “I must come to the resurrection of the dead, the soul, the mind of man, the immortal spirit. All men say God created it in the beginning. The very idea lessens man in my estimation; I do not believe the doctrine, I know better. Hear it all ye ends of the world, for God has told me so.”2 Other than on a very superficial level, it is highly unlikely that Joseph Smith was familiar with the great philosophical issues of the ages regarding man’s immortality. While he may have heard of Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato, there is no evidence that he studied Greek philosophy or the works of the world’s great thinkers. -
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual Religion 324 and 325
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual Religion 324 and 325 Prepared by the Church Educational System Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah Send comments and corrections, including typographic errors, to CES Editing, 50 E. North Temple Street, Floor 8, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-2722 USA. E-mail: <[email protected]> Second edition © 1981, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America English approval: 4/02 Table of Contents Preface . vii Section 21 Maps . viii “His Word Ye Shall Receive, As If from Mine Own Mouth” . 43 Introduction The Doctrine and Covenants: Section 22 The Voice of the Lord to All Men . 1 Baptism: A New and Everlasting Covenant . 46 Section 1 The Lord’s Preface: “The Voice Section 23 of Warning”. 3 “Strengthen the Church Continually”. 47 Section 2 Section 24 “The Promises Made to the Fathers” . 6 “Declare My Gospel As with the Voice of a Trump” . 48 Section 3 “The Works and the Designs . of Section 25 God Cannot Be Frustrated” . 9 “An Elect Lady” . 50 Section 4 Section 26 “O Ye That Embark in the Service The Law of Common Consent . 54 of God” . 11 Section 27 Section 5 “When Ye Partake of the Sacrament” . 55 The Testimony of Three Witnesses . 12 Section 28 Section 6 “Thou Shalt Not Command Him Who The Arrival of Oliver Cowdery . 14 Is at Thy Head”. 57 Section 7 Section 29 John the Revelator . 17 Prepare against the Day of Tribulation . 59 Section 8 Section 30 The Spirit of Revelation . -
Representations of Mormonism in American Culture Jeremy R
University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository American Studies ETDs Electronic Theses and Dissertations 8-19-2011 Imagining the Saints: Representations of Mormonism in American Culture Jeremy R. Ricketts Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/amst_etds Part of the American Studies Commons Recommended Citation Ricketts, eJ remy R.. "Imagining the Saints: Representations of Mormonism in American Culture." (2011). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/amst_etds/37 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in American Studies ETDs by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Jeremy R. Ricketts Candidate American Studies Departmelll This dissertation is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication: Approved by the Dissertation Commillee: , Chairperson Alex Lubin, PhD &/I ;Se, tJ_ ,1-t C- 02-s,) Lori Beaman, PhD ii IMAGINING THE SAINTS: REPRESENTATIONS OF MORMONISM IN AMERICAN CULTURE BY JEREMY R. RICKETTS B. A., English and History, University of Memphis, 1997 M.A., University of Alabama, 2000 M.Ed., College Student Affairs, 2004 DISSERTATION Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy American Studies The University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico May 2011 iii ©2011, Jeremy R. Ricketts iv DEDICATION To my family, in the broadest sense of the word v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation has been many years in the making, and would not have been possible without the assistance of many people. My dissertation committee has provided invaluable guidance during my time at the University of New Mexico (UNM). -
Sources of Mormon History in Illinois, 1839-48: an Annotated Catalog of the Microfilm Collection at Southern Illinois University
BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTRIBUTIONS NO. Sources of Mormon History in Illinois, 1839-48: An Annotated Catalog of the Microfilm Collection at Southern Illinois University Compiled by STANLEY B. KIMBALL 2nd edition, revised and enlarged, 1966 The Library SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Carbondale—Edwardsville Bibliographic Contributions No. 1 SOURCES OF MORMON HISTORY IN ILLINOIS, 1839-48 An Annotated Catalog of the Microfilm Collection at Southern Illinois University 2nd edition, revised and enlarged, 1966 Compiled by Stanley B. Kimball Central Publications Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois ©2014 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 2nd edition, revised and enlarged, May, 1966 FOREWORD In the course of developing a book and manuscript collection and in providing reference service to students and faculty, a univeristy library frequently prepares special bibliographies, some of which may prove to be of more than local interest. The Bibliographic Contributions series, of which this is the first number, has been created as a means of sharing the results of such biblio graphic efforts with our colleagues in other universities. The contribu tions to this series will appear at irregular intervals, will vary widely in subject matter and in comprehensiveness, and will not necessarily follow a uniform bibliographic format. Because many of the contributions will be by-products of more extensive research or will be of a tentative nature, the series is presented in this format. Comments, additions, and corrections will be welcomed by the compilers. The author of the initial contribution in the series is Associate Professor of History of Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois. He has been engaged in research on the Nauvoo period of the Mormon Church since he came to the university in 1959 and has published numerous articles on this subject.