FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Detailed response to CES Letter, Prophets"
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|claim=The author notes that Brigham Young said, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy." – Journal of Discourses 11:269 | |claim=The author notes that Brigham Young said, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy." – Journal of Discourses 11:269 | ||
|answer= | |answer= | ||
| − | *{{Answer}}The quote does not include the surrounding text which explains what Brigham Young had in mind on this occasion (text quoted by critics is in <span style="color:blue">blue</span>, '''bold''' emphasis added): | + | == == |
| + | {{Church answer | ||
| + | |link=http://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-and-families-in-early-utah?lang=eng | ||
| + | |title=Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah | ||
| + | |publication=Gospel Topics | ||
| + | |date=2013 | ||
| + | |summary=During the years that plural marriage was publicly taught, all Latter-day Saints were expected to accept the principle as a revelation from God. Not all, however, were expected to live it. Indeed, this system of marriage could not have been universal due to the ratio of men to women. Church leaders viewed plural marriage as a command to the Church generally, while recognizing that individuals who did not enter the practice could still stand approved of God. Women were free to choose their spouses, whether to enter into a polygamous or monogamous union, or whether to marry at all. Some men entered plural marriage because they were asked to do so by Church leaders, while others initiated the process themselves; all were required to obtain the approval of Church leaders before entering a plural marriage. | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{Church answer | ||
| + | |link=http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/10590_eng.pdf?lang=eng | ||
| + | |author=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | ||
| + | |publication=Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual | ||
| + | |title=LESSON 140: Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–2, 34–66 | ||
| + | |date=2013 | ||
| + | |start=488 | ||
| + | |summary= | ||
| + | Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation. | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | *{{Answer}}The author's quote does not include the surrounding text which explains what Brigham Young had in mind on this occasion (text quoted by critics is in <span style="color:blue">blue</span>, '''bold''' emphasis added): | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
We wish to obtain all that father Abraham obtained. I wish here to say to the Elders of Israel, and to all the members of this Church and kingdom, that it is in the hearts of many of them to wish that the doctrine of polygamy was not taught and practiced by us...It is the word of the Lord, and I wish to say to you, and all the world, that if you desire with all your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, '''you will be polygamists at least in your faith''', or you will come short of enjoying the salvation and the glory which Abraham has obtained. This is as true as that God lives. You who wish that there were no such thing in existence, if you have in your hearts to say: "We will pass along in the Church without obeying or submitting to it in our faith or believing this order, because, for aught that we know, this community may be broken up yet, and we may have lucrative offices offered to us; we will not, therefore, be polygamists lest we should fail in obtaining some earthly honor, character and office, etc,"—the man that has that in his heart, and will continue to persist in pursuing that policy, will come short of dwelling in the presence of the Father and the Son, in celestial glory. <span style="color:blue">The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.</span> Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them. | We wish to obtain all that father Abraham obtained. I wish here to say to the Elders of Israel, and to all the members of this Church and kingdom, that it is in the hearts of many of them to wish that the doctrine of polygamy was not taught and practiced by us...It is the word of the Lord, and I wish to say to you, and all the world, that if you desire with all your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, '''you will be polygamists at least in your faith''', or you will come short of enjoying the salvation and the glory which Abraham has obtained. This is as true as that God lives. You who wish that there were no such thing in existence, if you have in your hearts to say: "We will pass along in the Church without obeying or submitting to it in our faith or believing this order, because, for aught that we know, this community may be broken up yet, and we may have lucrative offices offered to us; we will not, therefore, be polygamists lest we should fail in obtaining some earthly honor, character and office, etc,"—the man that has that in his heart, and will continue to persist in pursuing that policy, will come short of dwelling in the presence of the Father and the Son, in celestial glory. <span style="color:blue">The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.</span> Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them. | ||
Revision as of 15:00, 27 February 2014
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Contents
Response to "Prophets Concerns & Questions"
| [[../Polygamy & Polyandry Concerns & Questions|Polygamy/Polyandry Concerns & Questions]] | A FAIR Analysis of:
[[../|Letter to a CES Director]] |
[[../Kinderhook Plates and Translator & Seer Claims Concerns & Questions|Kinderhook Plates and Translator/Seer Claims Concerns & Questions"]] |
A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find.
The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been” (Ether 12꞉6).
— Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign (November 2012).
- Response to section: Adam-God
- Response to section: Blood Atonement
- Response to section: Polygamy
- Response to section: Blacks Ban
- Response to section: Mark Hofmann
- Response to question: "Why would I want them following the prophet when a prophet is just a man of his time?"
Response Section
Adam-God
Blood Atonement
Polygamy
Blacks Ban
Mark Hofmann
"Why would I want them following the prophet when a prophet is just a man of his time?"
== Notes ==