Don’t the mind and spirit revolt against the Section 132 teachings set forth above? What were the original "doctrine" & "covenants" parts that created the Doctrine & Covenant's title? August 30, 2021 by Trevor Holyoak Leave a Comment. To gain salvation after baptism it is necessary to keep the commandments of God and endure to the end (2 Ne. 88:2.) The receipt of the promise is conditional! August 30, 2021 by Trevor Holyoak Leave a Comment. The Doctrine and Covenants was first published in 1835 as a later version of the Book of Commandments, which had been partially printed in 1833. You can always elbow me in the ribs at church, though. 6, pages 408-09, wherein Joseph is quoted as bragging that he’d done more than Jesus to keep the church together.) In subsequent letters I’ll write about other problem beliefs. It was when LDS temples began to invade Christian fundamentalist home turf in places like Dallas and Atlanta that the plural marriage revelation again became a source of criticism among counter-cult ministries and a growing ex-Mormon publishing industry. The foundation needed to be put in place, and I love the way the Doctrine and Covenants opens up to it, right from the beginning of the First Vision. The church contends in its article that a number of notable church leaders were raised in families from later polygamous relationships by other church members. The other notable exceptions occur at the end of the Doctrine and Covenants, starting with Section 133: Section 133: This section was originally an appendix to the Book of Commandments. Why? 31:17–21); to gain exaltation after celestial marriage it is necessary to continue the same devotion and righteousness. Doctrine and Covenants Section 132 flatly contradicts Jacob, saying that nothing done by David and Solomon related to polygamy was a sin against God (see verse 38). While he generally selected men and women who were already close to him and had demonstrated their commitment to Mormonism, it was dangerous to challenge some of the most fundamental boundaries of the religious and social landscape. Some have been on missions; some have completed their education. The Provenance of D&C 132 The provenance of LDS section 132 is sometimes criticized by those who believe Joseph Smith was a monogamist. It is nevertheless true that in many ways the July 12, 1843 plural marriage revelation has affected the course of Mormonism for nearly two centuries; and it was redacted, not with pen and ink, but with selective reading that shifted its focus from plural marriage onto eternal monogamous marriage. “‘Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the priesthood; and the priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.’ (Teachings, p. 76:50-70). They’ve formed a group consciousness amongst themselves. "No Mormon text is as ritually important and as fundamentally mysterious as Doctrine and Covenants 132. This declaration, unanimously approved at a church general assembly following rumors of Joseph Smith’s relationship with Fanny Alger, still comprises Section 111 of the Community of Christ church’s Doctrine and Covenants. Flash Sale: 40%-63% off Mormon theology titles! He did not. He then made clear that our present practice of baptizing and sealing for the dead is unnecessary, declaring in verses 7-9: 7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Vienna joined the Church in 1831, at age 44. Former Church President John Taylor and Woodruff himself had produced written revelations encouraging continued plural marriage. First of all, the rightness or wrongness of polygamy is not determined by merely pointing out that some children who were born into polygamous families grew up to be church leaders or stalwart church members. 132:45–46. 35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. With the Prophet’s approval, Bishop Whitney sent Joseph C. Kingsbury the next day to copy it. [/fn] He assisted early on with the translation of the Book of Mormon, and against the advice and social pressure of friends and neighbors he provided financially for . Their petitions and appeals directed to the executive officers and the judiciary had failed to bring them relief. Our own church history establishes that throughout his life, Joseph Smith never publicly claimed that he’d received a revelation justifying polygamy, and he repeatedly denied believing in, teaching, or practicing it. Scriptural and Historical Evidence that the Lost Tribes have Gathered, Suggested Novel Interpretations from the Book of Revelation, The Father and the Son Were One Unified Being, Not Two, Prior to Jesus' Birth into Mortality, The Lost Tribes' Scriptures in the Sealed Plates, The Pain or Exhilaration of Learning About Prophets' Flaws, The Prophesied Victory of Protestantism over Forced Catholicism, The Protestant Reformation as Foreseen by Nephi, The Righteous Offering of the Sons of Levi–2,000 Years Ago, The Word of Wisdom, and What to Do with It, Vulgarity and Plain Words in Scripture and Life. Almost none of Joseph’s successors saw any need to pretend that they were following orders in taking additional sex partners, freely disclosing the truth that they needed no prompting or prodding by church authorities in searching out said women. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. “By way of illustration this means that baptism, partaking of the sacrament, administering to the sick, marriage, and every covenant that man ever makes with the Lord—plus all other ‘contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, associations, or expectations’—must be performed in righteousness by and for people who are worthy to receive whatever blessing is involved, otherwise whatever is done has no binding and sealing effect in eternity. Furthermore, Jesus never at any time taught that angels were unworthy individuals, and made no distinction between “ministering” angels and any other kind. Doctrine and Covenants 42. One can sense the importance of accepting the covenant from the number of times the Lord repeats this warning: “All who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same” (D&C 132:3). When it was brought forth in  1852, both men were already deeply involved with, and committed to, polygamy. 833. May God help us all to embrace his truths. And Jesus obviously wasn’t merely describing people unworthy to be married in the hereafter when he spoke of post-resurrection individuals being as “angels unto God”, because the hypothetical contained no reference to the righteousness or lack of same by the marrying individuals. Have you read Enid S. Debarthe’s “Biography of the Joseph Smith II–The Mormon Prophet Leader?”. )” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 97; the phrase “innocent blood” is explained in Notes and Commentary on D&C 132:27. Those tales led LDS leadership to publish two relatively secret texts up to that point: the plural marriage revelation (now D&C 132), and an April 3, 1836 vision of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland, Ohio temple (now D&C 110). Gradually, church leaders came to complete unity over ending all exceptions to public bans of the practice. The first in a three-volume anthology in which top scholars examine the entire range and history of Mormon polygamy. Doctrine and Covenants (D. & C.) Section 27 was Chapter 28 in the original 1833 Book of Commandments (B. of C.).This "revelation" has more changes in it than any other "revelation" originally printed in the 1833 B. of C. The "revelation" in the 1833 B. of C. had only 193 words in it, but in 1835 when it became Section 50 in the D . “Thus in the revelation announcing the setting up of the restored church in this day, the Lord says: ‘There is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.’ (D. & C. They were hardly neutral, dispassionate and disinterested witnesses. A fascinating bit if history on Section 132 that I was previously unaware of: "Generating even more controversy in discussing the revelation was an officially sanctioned scriptural work entitled, Latter-day Revelations: Selections from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Published in 1930 under the imprint of the LDS Church, the volume was . The first article is an introduction to the Latter-day Saint scripture known as the Doctrine and Covenants, its meaning, significance, and use in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doctrine and Covenants was the revised result that appeared in 1835. Moreover, despite my belief that many important church teachings are in error, I regard the leaders of this church to be righteous men, generally speaking, who often provide timely and inspired guidance to the church and the world. Prayer and prophecies written by Joseph Smith the Prophet in an epistle to the Church while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, dated March 20, 1839. One of its functions was to serve as a threshold of loyalty to Joseph Smith. ), The key phrase is “and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise” (D&C 132:26.) 1835 Doctrine and Covenants denies polygamy—D&C 101 (original) Summary: The 1835 edition of the D&C contained a statement of marriage which denied the practice of polygamy.Since this was published during Joseph Smith's lifetime, why might the prophet have allowed it to be published if he was actually practicing polygamy at that time? . This power is held by the President of the Church. Polygamy, Doctrine and Covenants Section 132 and their Doctrinal and Historical Problems within Mormonism September 5, 2017 / Scott S. Mitchell (Note to reader: the following letter was sent to seven Mormon apostles in late 2014. See History of the Church, vol. Hyrum rebukes them and the doctrine in no uncertain terms. The answer is—and the revelations and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith so recite!—they must then pay the penalty of their own sins, for the blood of Christ will not cleanse them. “This same apostolic power is always found in the true Church, and hence we find the Lord saying to Joseph Smith: ‘I have conferred upon you the keys and power of the priesthood, … and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.’ (D. & C. 11. (In fact, we even teach doctrines from the Doctrine and Covenants that are flatly contradicted by not only our ancient scriptures, but the Doctrine and Covenants itself.) 124:124. Are you willing to make yourself a widow for eternity or a widower for endless ages—a single, separate individual to live alone and serve others? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, announcement, and offers: FLASH SALE: Award-winning Latter-day Saint books — 30% off retail prices! The "Covenants" section is more significant. The first is that I have no questions for local church leaders to answer, nor do I seek counsel or clarification of any church beliefs. This revelation from the Lord makes it clear, however, that God commanded Abraham to accept Sarah’s recommendation that he take Hagar to wife. Doctrine and Covenants: Official Declaration 2. This short work can only hope to discuss a few aspects of that institution as it relates specifically to that revelation. My brother and I have decided to only publish those comments that deal with the specific substance of the essays, which are always welcome and will be responded to. 3–33, deals mainly with the principle of celestial marriage, or marriage for time and all eternity; the second, comprising the remaining verses, deals with plural marriage. 40 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 stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Or if they commit murder or adultery, they lose their promised inheritance because these sins are exempt from the sealing promises. This teaching’s falseness is why it isn’t taught in the Bible or Book of Mormon. “Since ‘the Comforter knoweth all things’ (D. & C. 42:17), it follows that it is not possible ‘to lie to the Holy Ghost’ and thereby gain an unearned or undeserved blessing, as Ananias and Sapphira found out to their sorrow. Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught that “baptism is the gate to the celestial kingdom; celestial marriage is the gate to an exaltation in the highest heaven within the celestial world. The first is the shocking teaching that a man may commit any sin whatsoever short of murder after having his marriage sealed by the “holy spirit of promise,” and he will nevertheless come forth in the first resurrection. The Official Petition to Remove Polygamous Section 132 from the Doctrine and Covenants and Reinstate Section 101 in its Original Form. Doctrine and Covenants 131-132. And, despite the Israelite writers’ desire to diminish Keturah so as to elevate Sarah, it’s also clear that by the Book of Mormon standard of Jacob, and by our modern standards, Keturah was in no sense a concubine, since Abraham married her after Sarah’s death and she became his sole companion. ), President Joseph Fielding Smith further explained that “the term ‘deaths’ mentioned here has reference to the cutting off of all those who reject this eternal covenant of marriage and therefore they are denied the power of exaltation and the continuation of posterity. They, like Joseph Smith before them, saw their religious obligation as superior to their public political stance. Was Christ's Church Lost from the Earth prior to 1830? To achieve this, of course, we’d first have to countenance the notion that Joseph Smith and some of his early followers could take, and did take, wrongful liberties with the core gospel of Christ. Do the teachings of D&C 132 pass the test of Moroni 7:13-16, which requires that to be of God, a teaching must invite us to do good? Copyright © 2021 Greg Kofford Books | POS and Ecommerce by Shopify. There were no concubines connected with the practice of plural marriage in this dispensation, because the caste system which caused some wives to be so designated did not exist.” (Mormon Doctrine, pp. It was done openly, and once again, for the sole purpose of bearing additional children. Section 132 never underwent the same textual expansion-contraction cycle that marked many of Smith’s other revelations during his lifetime. If repentance is sufficient he may waive penalties, which is tantamount to forgiveness. Ultimately, as Elder Bruce R. McConkie pointed out, the only truly innocent blood is that of the Savior: “The innocent blood is that of Christ; and those who commit blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is the unpardonable sin (Matt. The revelation was codified in the LDS Church's canon as its Doctrine and Covenants section 132 in the 1870s. After prayerful and careful consideration, Woodruff produced a document that denied current authorization of plural marriages in Utah. ( Log Out /  Perfect for students of religion and anyone who wants to have answers when Mormons come calling. "This volume is the best available for a fair and accurate assessment of the theological claims of Mormonism. (byu.edu Page 26) However, it wasn't until the 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants that the original Section 101 which commanded monogamy was removed and the new revelation on polygamy was added as Section 132 (33 years after the revelation was recorded) The event begins at 7:00 PM and is free to attend. Elder William Critchlow Jr., speaking in general conference, stated: “Only one mortal man at a time is privileged to hold all the priesthood keys pertaining to the kingdom of God. Those who desire eternal life must follow the Lord in all things as did Abraham. )” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 238; see also Notes and Commentary on D&C 131:4. Many years of studying, pondering and praying about the church’s history and scriptures have led me to the following surprising and counterintuitive, but inescapable, conclusion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches a great many beliefs that contradict the Book of Mormon and Bible, and often our own church history. 13:8; 17:8; 22:19. The 12 Days of Kofford Begins December 1st! ), Smith and Sjodahl wrote: “The Prophet, in his prayer on this subject, had asked the Lord for information concerning the ground on which the Patriarchs were justified in their domestic relations, and the answer was the definition of adultery here given. The Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations from God as given to the Prophet Joseph Smith and later Presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and includes other inspired writings and doctrinal declarations accepted as scripture by the Latter-day Saints. …, “Are you willing to jeopardize your eternities, your great continuing happiness, your privilege to see God and dwell in his presence? The Petition - A Summary. The conclusion that Abraham did not have multiple concubines, and didn’t ever have more than one wife at a time, is made understandable when the two scriptures declaring Keturah a concubine, Genesis 25: 6 and First Chronicles 1:32, are considered in their proper contexts. Please join us on Tuesday, March 13th at Writ & Vision in Provo for a special roundtable discussion of Textual Studies of the Doctrine and Covenants: The Plural Marriage Revelation. We claim to receive modern revelation. The RLDS church rejects these claims along with the LDC Section 132. 10. Those who have been married in the temples for eternity know that the ceremony itself expressly conditions the receipt of all promised blessings upon the subsequent faithfulness of the husband and wife. Welcome to the website, Alan. Most importantly, Section 132 is full of the doctrinal falsehoods elaborated below. Thus, even though a man’s calling and election has been made sure, if he then commits murder, all of the promises are of no effect, and he goes to a telestial kingdom (Rev. It makes no allowance for doing marriage sealings for the dead. I’m happy to pass any of it along…. ), The Prophet Joseph Smith received the promise of eternal life—he had his calling and election made sure. Jesus himself explained that some men abstain from marriage (“make themselves eunuchs”) “for the kingdom of heaven’s sake”—i.e., to devote themselves more fully to their religious missions. Once presented to a general assembly of the Church in Kirtland, Ohio, it was unanimously voted upon to become authorized scripture for the Church. (See 2 Samuel 11.). He was hunted and persecuted, sued in courts of law, torn from family and loved ones, and all because he had testified that the heavens were not closed and that God speaks to His children. No response was ever received.). As Mormonism publicly forgot polygamy and embraced the role of quintessential clean-living white Americans, their position as an Intermountain West institution was accepted as the home of teetotaling, disciplined, and largely ordinary folk with quaint beliefs in an enchanted past. A bishop and certain other priesthood leaders can extend forgiveness on behalf of the Church for serious sins, but the Lord’s forgiveness can only come from God through revelation. William V. Smith's work is a fine example of what a serious-minded and meticulous blend of source and redaction critical methods can tell us about the revelations produced by Joseph Smith. However, Emma was given additional counsel from the Lord, including commandments to “receive all those that have been given to her husband” (D&C 132:52) to obey the voice of the Lord (see v. 53), to “abide and cleave unto” the Prophet (v. 54), and to forgive him of his trespasses (see v. 56). “And as a matter of fact, the added blessing of having one’s calling and election made sure is itself an encouragement to avoid sin and a hedge against its further commission. ), Concubine, a word commonly used in the Old Testament, was defined by Elder Bruce R. McConkie as follows: “Anciently they were considered to be secondary wives, that is, wives who did not have the same standing in the caste system then prevailing as did those wives who were not called concubines. More Wives Than One offers an in-depth look at the long-term interaction between belief and the practice of polygamy, or plural marriage, among the Latter-day Saints. The revelations were divided into verses which have been maintained in subsequent editions. Accordingly, by contrasting the practice of the ancient patriarchs with that of Joseph Smith, we can conclude that if the polygamy practiced by Joseph Smith had been ordained of God, Joseph would not have approached a host of women on his own initiative to convince them to marry him, would not have done it secretly while publicly denying it, would not have allowed a proclamation to be approved by a general assembly of the church and become canonized scripture declaring that a man should have one wife only, would not have taken wives already belonging to other men, and his polygamy would have produced a substantial increase in his seed, instead of no seed. We are informed in D&C 132:5-11 that all of the promises and covenants of the gospel were instituted by the Father "before the foundation of the world." Therefore we must conclude that gospel covenants have existed from the beginning and that anyone who has accepted the gospel at any time has had a covenant relationship with God." 110–11.). Like many of Joseph Smith’s early revelations, the revelation was given to an individual, not a community. “He that receiveth a fulness [of my glory] must and shall abide the law” (v. 6). Doctrine and covenants stories pdf Doctrine and covenants stories 96. There has been only one Sinless One—the Lord Jesus who was God’s own Son. Like Section 84, Section 88 is thoroughly a temple revelation. It is a blessing reserved for all who will prepare themselves by forsaking their sins, by truly receiving the Holy Ghost into their lives, and by following the example Abraham has set. In Gathered in One, Bradley J. Kramer shows how the Book of Mormon counters anti-Semitism in the New Testament by approaching this most Christian of books on its own turf and on its own terms: literarily, by providing numerous pro-Jewish ... By the church opening its collective mind to this simple explanation, all LDS beliefs that conflict with logic, history, and the Bible and Book of Mormon would vanish, and our religion would be back teaching the beautiful, simple and pure gospel it was teaching in 1830. If after we receive the promise, we then keep the commandment, we gain the companionship of this member of the Godhead, and not otherwise. 9.) after a long and unexplained absence. Change ). Bonded-leather with over 70 breathtaking images and gift box 50% discount. 4:3; Teachings, p. To you women, we can only say we have no control over the heartbeats or the affections of men, but pray that you may find fulfillment.

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