"The Journal of Discourses is a vehicle for doctrine, counsel, and instruction to all people, but especially to the Saints. It follows, then, then, (sic) that each successive volume is more and more valuable as the Church increases in numbers and importance in the earth, and its doctrines become more abundantly developed and are brought into practical exercise by his peculiar people. No Saint can afford to do without these precious precepts until they are able to exemplify them in their daily lives and conversation." (Emphasis mine)
“The Journal of Discourses deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church, and every rightminded Saint will certainly welcome with joy every number (issue) as it comes forth.“ (President George Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 8.)
The Journal of Discourses are the brainchild of George Wyatt, Brigham Young's personal secretary. It began as a semi/ bi-monthly publication, printed at the Church-owned publishing house in Liverpool, England. George Wyatt was in charge of the effort to transcribe the teachings of the prophets via shorthand as they delivered sermons, especially in General Conference. Much of the Journal of Discourses is just that....General Conference talks. Aren't General Conference Talks Also Doctrine?
In the end what is decided as doctrine largely depends on the members, or leader's view of it. Does it "feel" right? Is the subject matter in accordance with the current teachings of the Church? The answer to that would be no, although it was once considered doctrine. What changed? I believe it got a little too racy for the Mormons and they denied it, just like they did Bruce McConkie's gem, Mormon Doctrine. That book has wonderful information about what the church does believe, but they lack the cajones to actually admit that they believe, have taught or have been taught this doctrine.
And the whole, "The Church is progressing" load gets to me. God is the same today, yesterday and forever. Meaning he does not change! He is not progressing and neither are we! We're just not. Read the BIBLE.
God does not change, we know that from Psalm 106:48, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. "
Hebrews 13:8, " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
If JoD reference is in contradiction with current doctrine, or doctrine that has not been repudiated, but simply dropped from discussion, then it's not doctrine anymore.
That seems to be the case. Words from Brigham Young... let's play a game called Doctrine, man talking, or just plain weird... ALL from the Journal of Discourses... Ready?
GO....
"I want to say to my friends that we believe in all good. If you an find a truth in heaven, earth, or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We believe it; it is ours; we claim it. " 13:335
"I am teaching you a practical religion" 13:155- (I had to throw that one in, because with all the works required for Mormonism, there is nothing practical about it)
"He is the Father of all, is above all, through all, and in you all; he knoweth all things pertaining to this earth, and he knows all things pertaining to millions of earths like this" 11:41
"The God that I serve is progressing eternally, and so are his children: they will increase to all eternity, if they are faithful." 11:286
"How many Gods there are I do not know. But there never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds, and when men were not passing through the same ordeals that we are passing through. That course has been from all eternity, and it is and will be to all eternity. You cannot comprehend this but when you can, it will be to you a matter of great consolation." 7:333
"Some would have us believe that God is present everywhere. It is not so. He is no more everywhere present in person than the Father and the Son are one in person." 6:345
"The Apostles and Prophets, when speaking of our relationship to God, say that we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our Elder Brother, and both are our everlasting friends." 6:332
"The kingdoms he possesses and rules over are his own progeny. Every man who is faithful and gets a salvation and glory, and becomes a King of kings and Lord of lords, or a Father of fathers, it will be by the increase of his own progeny. Our Father and God rules over his own children. Wherever there is a God in all the eternities possessing a kingdom and glory and power it is by his own progeny." 11:262
"Inasmuch as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one, the desire of the Savior, as manifested in his sayings and teachings, is, that his people should also be one, even as he and his Father are one." 6:97 (Didn't he just say they are NOT one? - Look up three passages)
"This life is worth as much to us as any life in the eternities of the Gods" 9:170
"What are we here for? The learn to enjoy more, and to increase in knowledge and in experience" 14:228
"We are urged by the Spirit to refrain from articles which worthy to go into the celestial world, terrestial, or the telestial, or to hell or to any other kingdom, or place, and we have enough of life given us to do this." 4:269
"The Lord says - Let my servants and handmaidens be sealed, and let their children be sealed." 12:164
"There is no ecclesiastical law that you know anything about, to free a wife from a man to whom she has been sealed, if he honors the Preisthood" 8:345
"Brethren and sisters, if we wish the blessings of heaven upon us, let us be faithful to our covenants and callings, faithful in paying tithing, in keeping the word of wisdom, and in building temples." 16:69
"I honor and revere the name of Joseph Smith, I delight to hear it; I love it. I live this doctrine" 13:216
"Not that Joseph was the Savior, but he was a Prophet. As he said once, when some one asked him, "Are you the Savior?" "No, but I can tell you what I am - I am his brother." So we all can say." 14:202
Would you say any of this should be considered doctrine? They were spoken by a Prophet. Or was he merely just "talking"? Mormonism can pick and chose what they want.... but they should at least stay consistent. The only thing consistent is Jesus. His love and his grace. That is something the LDS do not know. Jesus died for our sins, so we may live in COMPLETE grace, not grace "after all we can do". Please my Mormon friends, do not let me and my rantings keep you from a TRUE relationship with Jesus. But please allow the Holy Spirit to show you the REAL truth. It's not in a man communing with God, it's about GOD Himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment