Signs and Wonders 04.04 [Lds excluded blacks beyond just 'leadership' roles in their doctrine]

From the column: The Mormon Church excluded African-Americans from leadership until 1978...

Actually, it wasn't just "leadership" that the Mormon church excluded blacks from thru the early part of 1978. (Warren Cole Smith's comment here is horribly incomplete!)

For Mormons, priesthood isn't only a "leadership" thing...[otherwise they wouldn't be giving the Aaronic priesthood to 12 yo boys!]...

For Mormons, it's an "access" thing as well as being an authority thing...

Mormons have badly twisted what the Biblical meaning of priesthood is: In the Old Testament, the priests would primarily represent the people before God. Mormons have turned that topsy-turvy -- claiming that the Mormon priesthood represents God toward man -- a 180-degree emphasis error.

So what all did the ban on blacks exclude them from in the Mormon church?
(a) Access to the temple -- and this included non-priesthood black females...who like black males couldn't get married in the Mormon temple. Now you have to understand that Mormons believe marriage is forever. If you're not sealed in the temple forever, then you supposedly only have a temporal [this world-only] marriage.

Therefore, Mormons were really out to block all blacks from their doctrine of eternal marriage. So, when Mormon leaders repeat the lie that the black ban was only a "policy" thing...well, that's a prevarication...a lie.

Simply put, Mormon leaders didn't want blacks to multiply "forever families."

(b) Temple-recommended access to the Mormon temple. What's the distinction between this one and (a) above?

Well, before 1978 -- and continuing thru today, even white single Mormons could get Mormon temple access thru a bishop-signed temple recommend. Mitt Romney interrogated many Mormons and signed off on these for Mormons in his ward when he was a Mormon bishop.

Temple recommends are BIG things for Mormons. Why?

Per this article on Mormon LDS Temple Bishop Recommends:
“The ‘temple recommend’ is a cherished slip of PAPER that gives its holder the right to enter the LDS temple and participate in its ceremonies. Mormons ‘pass stringent demands of dietary laws, tithing, sexual orthodoxy and others requirements for a ‘temple recommend’. These recommends are printed forms which, when filled out by the bishop, provides a copy for the Mormon church headquarters files, one copy for the ward’s records, and a third for the holder to present at entrance of a temple for admission.” “Since the church believes that one must be ‘temple worthy’ in order to attain the Celestial Kingdom, having the power to grant or withhold recommends gives the local bishops immense power. Furthermore, in predominantly Mormon areas the lack of a recommend can often mean the loss of a job or being shunned by one’s neighbors. These slips of PAPER are most valuable.” 1 ... Having a temple recommend also serves as a status symbol, as those without it cannot marry or attend marriage ceremonies in the temple, nor can they be sealed for eternity with their father so that they may eternally be together with their family in Mormon Heaven.

Therefore, a piece of PAPER signed off by a Mormon lay bishop -- a position held at one time by Mitt Romney -- can determine not only if...
...a man gets to be sealed with his family forever in heaven...OR
...you can see your son or daughter get married (or other relatives and friends, for that matter)...
...but also (c) and (d) of what Mormons were attempting to block appropriation of their doctrines re: blacks:

...(c) whether a person will be living with Heavenly Father forever -- or not...
...and (d) whether you'll become a "god" or not...

No temple rec, no celestial kingdom.
No celestial kingdom, no reconciliation with heavenly father -- and therefore no heavenly father for you...forever!!!
No temple rec, no "world" for you to govern as "god."

So Mormons were essentially applying their DOCTRINE of exclusion to blacks -- saying they weren't "fit" to live with Heavenly Father forever...[except, some said, as "servants" and "slaves" in that celestial white Mormon ghetto]

Reflective Questions:
* Could you imagine Mitt Romney having that kind of above power over you were you in Mitt's ward back when he was a lay bishop?
* Or knowing that Mitt himself believed he once held that kind of power? (That he had the power to grant the road to eternal godhood, your own world as a god, a forever family???? Now do you realize the power trip Mitt Romney is still on? The power trip that courses thru his veins???]
* Now do you see why the author of the linked article above called this a "Mormon conspiracy"? (It takes quite a plot to have a piece of PAPER carry that much weight in a person's life)
* Now do you see why Lds lay bishops carry so much fearful power in the Mormon church? (A bishop says "jump" -- and the Mormon asks, "How high?")

From the column: ...while the Mormon Church is making special efforts to reach out to African-Americans, it’s hard to explain away—short of a full renunciation, which doesn’t seem likely—passages from the Book of Mormon such as Nephi 12:23: “And it came to pass that I beheld … a dark and loathsome and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abomination.”

Yes, how do Mormons try to explain away verses like 1 Nephi 12:23???

The Mormon church has only changed one Mormon "scriptural" verse on race since its 1978 "change."

No other of its racist verses have been altered or repudiated. They still stand "on the books" as "sacred" representations of the view of the Mormon gods. To review these rather disturbing Mormon "scriptures," click on these three links:
* Mormon Racism as doctrine, not merely folklore or tradition
* "Renounce and Repudiate": Will Republicans Hold Romney to Obama Standard?
* Pro-Rick Santorum pastor slams Mitt Romney’s religion [post #55 by Tennessee Nana...a post, btw, where TN challenges a Mormon about these verses -- but the Mormon doesn't respond]

African-Americans now make up about 3 percent of the 5.5 million Mormons in the United States. Blacks make up about 11 percent of the U.S. population, so they’re still dramatically underrepresented.

Mormons hell, blacks make up less than one tenth of one percent of membership in the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, so where is the outrage?

You knew it was going to happen, and it will be from both the left and the "Christian Right" and mittens is going to get Mormonized.

I have read more hate for Mormons on FR than I ever even knew existed and I always believed that Mormons were Christians.

That last statement alone will draw fire and brimstone from many loving, caring Christians, that believe only they have the path to Heaven and any disagreement will put you directly into hell fires.

If you want to see one of the key theological traces of why Mormons sought to ban blacks from so many aspects of their faith, just do a Google search on the word "valiant" (and add the LDS acronym).

Even a year after the supposed doctrinal "change" (1979...the so-called "change" took place in 1978), we find this interesting paragraph in the back of the Mormon-published Bible (source LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 788 in back of Holy Bible published by Lds church, 1979):

"Although one-third of the spirits became devils, the remaining two-thirds were not all equally valiant, there being every degree of devotion to Christ and the Father among them. The most diligent were chosen to be rulers in the kingdom (Abr. 3:22-23). The nature of the conflict, however, is such that there could be no neutrals, then or now (Matt. 12:30; 1 Ne. 14:10; Alma 5:38-40)."

You see...Mormon theologians divided this conflict in heaven into at least three sides:
* 1/3rd became demonic spirits;
* Of the remaining 2/3rds, the most faithful spirits became "good Mormons" on earth...some also then went on to become angels after being people who lived on earth;
* The other group were so-called "neutrals"...And the Mormon narrative went -- that God cursed these neutral spirits with black skin for their lack of pre-existent "valor"

So, not only was all this above used to unfairly and prejudicially categorize an entire race of people, but it also actually became a base for prideful elitism among Lds general authorities. Why, they concluded, by very virtue of their leadership, they proclaimed how "valiant" their spirits must have been in the premortal life!

Pride fosters and feeds upon more pride!

Pride and Prejudice can sum up the entire foundation of the Mormon religion!

...I always believed that Mormons were Christians...

Does that include fundamentalist Mormons, too?

Are they -- the polygamists Mormons -- "Christian?"

If you say "no," who are you to draw "boundaries" on who is Christian??? -- especially after just railing on others for pointing to Jesus as the ONLY Way to heaven [you said: "...many loving, caring Christians, that believe only they have the path to Heaven"]

If so (if you say fLds are also "Christian"), you're now going to tell us that men who rape child brides are "Christian?" Really???

...many loving, caring Christians, that believe only they have the path to Heaven...

If you think there's another path to heaven, tell us what it is? If Jesus isn't the Only "Way," why aren't you proclaiming those other ways if people need to hear that message?

And stop blaming Christians for simply repeating what Jesus said. If Jesus was exclusive, then come right and blame Him on Easter Week. Stop attacking His people for merely repeating what He said...He said, in John 14:6: "I am THE Way, the Truth, and the Life. NO MAN comes to the Father but by Me."

Show some intellectual integrity and go on the attack vs. Jesus' words in John 14:6!!!

First of all, he is a Mormon, so it would make sense he be “Mormonized.” Secondly, upon what do you base your belief that Mormons are Christians?

In fact they believe they are the ONLY Christians.

I always believed that Mormons were Christians.

That last statement alone will draw fire and brimstone from many loving, caring Christians, that believe only they have the path to Heaven and any disagreement will put you directly into hell fires.

My challenges (plural) to you, USS Alaska:

* Challenge #1: Again, I challenge you to "talk back" to Jesus. Tell Him, when He said He was "THE way" to heaven -- and nobody gets to the Father but by Him, pray to Him that He was wrong. I openly challenge you to be consistent in your charge.

* Challenge #2: Read all of the Mormon leaders' statements below which claim that the Mormon church and Joseph Smith is the ONLY way...the only passport...the only authority (etc.) into heaven. If exclusive language used by Christians bothers you, then why in heaven's name aren't you also railing against these kind of exclusive statements made by the Mormon church?

Is it because you just don't know they exist???

Well, after reading them, you can no longer plead such ignorance.

************************

First of all...for many generations, if you went to a monthly Mormon testimony meeting, you would hear the name "Joseph Smith" a dozen times for every occasional prayer-ending reference to "Jesus Christ." The Mormon leader quotes below show how the Mormon church has usurped Jesus Christ with Joseph Smith:

The Christian gospel: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me." (Jesus Christ, the Head of the universal church, John 14:6)

The Romneyfied Mormon substitute gospel: "It [the Mormon church] is the way, the truth, and the Life." [Source: Marion G. Romney, the father's cousin of Mitt Romney was one of the Top three ranking Mormons when he said it: "This Church is the ensign on the mountain spoken of by the Old Testament prophets. IT is the way, the truth, and the life" (Conference Report, April, 1961, p. 119)]

Sorry, USS Alaska...blasphemers like Marion Romney aren't to be hugged to death for usurping Jesus Christ!

Again, the Christian gospel: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me." (Jesus Christ, the Head of the universal church, John 14:6)

Again, the Mormon substitute gospel:
"Joseph Smith IS THE 'CONSENT,' 'PASSPORT,' 'CERTIFIER,' KINGDOM 'KEY' HOLDER OF AUTHORITY, the testimony, and the 'salvation,' ...NO MAN can reject that testimony [and] enter the kingdom of God" - Various Lds "prophets" and "apostles" (see below for exact references)

Brigham Young -- The Mormons' Top Authority & Figurehead of education: "NO man or woman in this dispensation will EVER enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the CONSENT of Joseph Smith..." (Lds "prophet" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p.289-91)

Young again: ...EVERY man and woman MUST have the CERTIFICATE of Joseph Smith, junior, as a PASSPORT to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are... (same source)

Lds "apostle" Orson Hyde: Joseph holds the KEYS, and NONE of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p.154-155)

"If we get our salvation, we SHALL HAVE to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; IF we enter our glory, it will be through the AUTHORITY he has received." (Lds Apostle George Q. Cannon, as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142)

..."no SALVATION without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...NO MAN can reject that TESTIMONY...for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (Lds "prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190)

For Mormons, the choice is yours: Either...
(a) you recognize that Lds top leaders give false statements -- and are never called on the carpet for them by their grassroots & ensuing leaders -- and thereby contemporary Mormons sanction these statements (and are culpable in God's eyes as adhering to them)... -- or (b)...you recognize these statements are what Mormons believe to be true even today, and therefore constitute a false, substitutionary gospel where Smith & the Lds church are idols substituted for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

That's the only choice. Lds can admit many of their past leaders are false prophets, or they have contributed to outright idolatry. There is no other choice.

Mormons hell, blacks make up less than one tenth of one percent of membership in the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, so where is the outrage?
You knew it was going to happen, and it will be from both the left and the "Christian Right" and mittens is going to get Mormonized.
I have read more hate for Mormons on FR than I ever even knew existed and I always believed that Mormons were Christians.
That last statement alone will draw fire and brimstone from many loving, caring Christians, that believe only they have the path to Heaven and any disagreement will put you directly into hell fires.

I always thought the Mormons were Christian too until I took a catechism class going over the book Dissent From The Creed, the history of all the heresies of Christianity, which was the Catholic Church until the 16th century. Fascinating book. Mormonism wasn't even IN the book because Mormonism ISN'T a heresy against Christianity because the Mormons AREN'T considered Christians.

Their version of Jesus is warped, my words. Bishop Mitt Romney is going to be a RULER on a distant planet when he dies. That's part of their faith. I don't have ANY hate whatsoever regarding Bishop Romney or the Mormons but I do regard Mormonism as a CULT, not a faith.

Personal story:
My uncle (mother's brother) and his wife moved to a small town a LONG time ago where the only acceptable "church" was the Mormon "church." The local Episcopalian Church was in disarray and NEVER would they stoop to go the Catholic Church because it was full of Mexicans. The alternative was the Mormon "church." The Mormons use "temple." Well, they did then.
On a visit there with my maternal grandmother my aunt said that she had "prayed" my grandmother and me into heaven. My grandmother said that she "didn't want to go to Mormon heaven." Hahaha! Made me chuckle and LATER I found out how non-Christian and elitist the Mormons were. I decided that I didn't want to go to Mormon heaven either....as my father was Mexican. :o)

The Mormons like their money.

mormonism is not Christianity.
There is only on way to God’s Glory and that is Jesus Christ.
He said it, I beleive it.
There has been zero hatred of mormons on FR.
There has been exposure of mormonISM.

And while the Mormon Church is making special efforts to reach out to African-Americans...

While might appear to be so...

...the Mormon Church is making special efforts to reach out to Africans!!!

I always believed that Mormons were Christians.

Golly!

Could you say WHY???

Questions put to Joseph Smith: "'Do you believe the Bible?' [Smith:]'If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do'. When asked 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons'? [Smith replied] 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).

Joseph Smith: "for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible" (from Pearl of Great Price 1:12). "What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270).

Brigham Young stated this repeatedly: "When the light came to me I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness" (Journal of Discourses 5:73); "The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Journal of Discourses 8:171); "With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Journal of Discourses 8:199); "And who is there that acknowledges [God's] hand? ...You may wander east, west, north, and south, and you cannot find it in any church or government on the earth, except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Journal of Discourses , vol. 6, p.24); "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Journal of Discourses 10:230).

Orson Pratt proclaimed: "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (The Seer, p. 255).

Orson Pratt also said: "This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now" (Journal of Discourses

, vol.18, p.44) and: "But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of people Christian Churches, because they profess to be ...But there has been a long apostasy, during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance" (Journal of Discourses , 18:172).

President John Taylor stated: "Christianity...is a perfect pack of nonsense...the devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century." (Journal of Discourses , vol. 6, p.167); "Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in any nation of Christendom." (Journal of Discourses , 10:127).

James Talmage said: "A self-suggesting interpretation of history indicates that there has been a great departure from the way of salvation as laid down by the Savior, a universal apostasy from the Church of Christ". (A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.182).

President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness." (Doctrines of Salvation, p.266). "For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation ...Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that all the 'Christian' churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p.282).

More recent statements by apostle Bruce McConkie are also very clear: "Apostasy was universal...And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol 3, p.265); "Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general" (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); "a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom" (Mormon Doctrine, p.132); "virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269); "Gnosticism is one of the great pagan philosophies which antedated Christ and the Christian Era and which was later commingled with pure Christianity to form the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the early days of that era." (Mormon Doctrine, p.316).

President George Q. Cannon said: "After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon" (Gospel Truth, p.324).

President Wilford Woodruff stated: "the Gospel of modern Christendom shuts up the Lord, and stops all communication with Him. I want nothing to do with such a Gospel, I would rather prefer the Gospel of the dark ages, so called" (Journal of Discourses , vol. 2, p.196).

Their version of Jesus is warped, my words.

With a Stepford Wife stare; MORMONs will claim the "Personages standing in the Light" were NOT demonic beings!

Galatians 1:7-10
7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
14. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Revelation 13:13-15
13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”

It appears that EXPERIENCES can be deceiving...

If one believes the Bible is correct, then, by that Standard, Mormonism fails the test.

If, however, you are convinced that the Bible is either in error, been corrupted or mis-interpreted, then you are free to believe whatever you wish.

Bishop Mitt Romney is going to be a RULER on a distant planet when he dies.

Mitt Romney BELIEVEs that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of GOD.

...the presidential campaign of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith in 1844: “Challenging Democrat James Polk and Whig Henry Clay, Smith prophesied that if the U.S. Congress did not accede to his demands that ‘they shall be broken up as a government and God shall damn them.’

Smith viewed capturing the presidency as part of the mission of the church.

The Mormons like their money.

With a Stepford Wife stare; MORMONs will claim the "Personages standing in the Light" were NOT demonic beings!

I never said that Mormons considered Jesus, or other "personages" demonic beings.
Please quote me correctly.
Thank you.

There is only on way to God’s Glory and that is Jesus Christ.

Are you SURE??????

--MormonDude(Praise to the Man!)

"He (Joseph Smith) is the man through whom God has spoken... yet I would not like to call him a savior, though in a certain capacity he was a god to us, and is to the nations of the earth, and will continue to be."

- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:321

"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a god..."

- Herber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses 5:88

"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]"

- (as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142)

There is "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God"

- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190

"I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sentinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me. Then if Joseph shall say to a man, or if brother Brigham say to a man, I forgive you your sins, "Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them;" if you who have suffered and felt the weight of transgression—if you have generosity enough to forgive the sinner, I will forgive him: you cannot have more generosity than I have. I have given you power to forgive sins, and when the Lord gives a gift, he does not take it back again."

- Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p.154-155

"It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation,"

- Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670

They succeeded in killing Joseph, but he had finished his work.

He was a servant of God, and gave us the Book of Mormon.

He said the Bible was right in the main, but, through the translators and others, many precious portions were suppressed, and several other portions were wrongly translated; and now his testimony is in force, for he has sealed it with his blood.

As I have frequently told them, no man in this dispensation will enter the courts of heaven, without the approbation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jun.

Who has made this so?

Have I?

Have this people?

Have the world?

No; but the Lord Jehovah has decreed it.

If I ever pass into the heavenly courts, it will be by the consent of the Prophet Joseph.

If you ever pass through the gates into the Holy City, you will do so upon his certificate that you are worthy to pass.

Can you pass without his inspection?

No; neither can any person in this dispensation, which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.

In this generation, and in all the generations that are to come, everyone will have to undergo the scrutiny of this Prophet.

They say that they killed Joseph, and they will yet come with their hats under their arms and bend to him; but what good will it do them, unless they repent?

They can come in a certain way and find favor, but will they?

Brigham Young,

--JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 8, p. 224

Office of First President & Living Prophet®:

November 1st, 2011

The message for this month is -

Primaries are coming up REAL soon; so we MUST stay on our mantra:

We are NOT electing a pastor/pope, but a PRESIDENT!!

We've been taking a beating on the Internet - especially from those hateful ANTIs on FreeRepublic!

We MUST keep the media constantly informed of those things the world considers christian.

We must NOT allow our MORMONness to show thru, as it has gotten a really bad rap thru history - lord only knows why...

Tommy

Smith viewed capturing the presidency as part of the mission of the church.

Now THAT is very, very scary!
YIKES!!

My quoting of your post was by italics.

I placed the quotes around the PERSONAGE phrase to indicate a certain, shall we say, disagreement with how the MORMONs veiw them.

I was trying to agree with your use of the warped word.

Now THAT is very, very scary!

NIV Galatians 1:6-9
6. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7. which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
9. As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Even ANGELs from HEAVEN???

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound.

When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.

One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

NIV Galatians 1:6-9
6. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7. which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
9. As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

ANYBODY???

Like this fine looking fellow???

2 Corinthians 11:12-15
12. And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
13. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
14. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.