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LDS Soon to Repudiate A Portion Of Their Pearl of Great Price?

It appears that a portion of The Pearl of Great Price, one of the four standard works of the Mormon Church, is about to be repudiated or "dissolved." Will Latter-day Saints remain true to their former revelations, or will they yield to the pressures of this crucial day?

To show the acute vulnerability of this hitherto canonical book, we begin by quoting from a letter which David O McKay wrote on November 3, 1947: "I know of no scriptural basis for denying the priesthood to Negroes other than one verse in the Book of Abraham (1:26); however, I believe, as you suggest, that the real reason dates back to our pre-existent life" (McKay. Home Memories of President David O. McKay, pp. 226 -231: Cited in Stewart and Berrett, Mormonism end the Negro . . . 4th ed., 1978, p. 84).

This seems to be the unanimous view of former L.D.S Churcn Presidents.

Obviously then, enemies of Mormonism have been concentrating upon efforts to discredit the book and, inevitably, the Prophet Joseph Smith. Have they succeeded? We are sad and troubled to observe how the Church collectively has reacted to the pressures Hew will individual members respond7 

Brigham Young Sermon Clipped

Recently (June 17, 1978) a Salt Lake City evening newspaper issued an editorial to demonstrate that earlier Church leaders knew that eventually Negroes would receive all the blessiiigs of the Gospel, but implied that the time has now come when the Priesthood may be property conferred upon them; unfortunately, in quoting Brigham Young, they "clipped" his sermon to present quite oppositely wnat he intended to say. He is correctly quoted as having said, "God has created of one blood all the nations and kingdoms of men that dwell upon all the face of the earth; black, white, copper-coloured, or whatever their colour, customs, or religion, they have all sprung from the same origin; the blood of all is from the same element" (Journal of Discourses . . . 1859; 1961 photo lithographic reprint, voi. 7, p. 290).

However, Brigham Young completed his thought in that same sermon by adding (speaking of the descendants of Cain):

"How long is that race to endure the dreadful curse that is upon them? That curse will remain upon them, and they never can hold the Priesihood or share in It until all the other descendants of Adam have received the promises and enjoyed the blessings of the Priesthood and the keys thereof. Until the last ones of the residue of Adam's children are brought up to that favourable position, the children of Cain cannot receive the first ordinances of the Priesthood. They were the first that were cursed, and they will be the last from whom the curse wilt be removed (Ibid., pp. 290-291).

We see that an accurate rendition of his teaching results in a different meaning. The reader is well advised to examine the entire sermon for himself, as well as the entire sermons from which we also may extract quotations.

We note that another quotation from the same evening newspaper editorial is also taken out of context and serves to change the original intent, while an additional quotation has no relevancy to the crucial issue of Priesthood.

Why are we receiving partially quoted sentences to justify the action of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 9, 1978? How long wilt some of the leaders of the Church continue their policy of apology and concession for some of the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets? It appears that they try to present the prophets' words to us better than the prophets did. Were their words not clear enough? It is impertinent to use Brigham Young's own words out of context to change his teachings. It is spiritually unsafe for Latter-day Saints to neglect the responsibility to know the truth tor themselves.

In the book Mormon Doctrine (1st ed., 1958, and 2nd ed., a! least through subsequent printings to 1976), a leading Mormon author taught that Negroes are to be denied the Priesthood in this life; but that they would receive it. according to Brigham Young and others, in the future eternity . . ." That author further states, absolutely:

"Under no circumstances can Negroes! hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty," as far as this mortal Ufa Is concerned.

The Author of Mormon Doctrine is in complete agreement with another former L.D S. Church President, who said that ttte curse which was placed upon Cain has continued through the Negro and that frie curse must continue while time endures" (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection . . . 5th ed. 1945, p. 101).

We wonder, what is the position ot the writer of the book, Mormon Doctrine, now? Since he is still living, he cannot very well be classed as dead. His understanding of the truth cannot be termed as unimportant, even though this is being done relative to many of the dead teachers and leaders of the Mormon Church. Will the author fall into line since the Pronunciamento of 9 June 1978, publishing a correction, or will he stand by his word? Will he stand by the teachings of recent Church Presidents, President Brigham Young (and many others), the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Bible and the Peart ot Great Price?

Curse To Remain 

As governor ot Utah, Briqham Young gave a speech upon our subject before the oint session of the Legislature on February 5, 1852. (The following extracts have been taken from uncorrected galley proofs located in the Church Historian s Office.)

Governor Young clearly stated that the African should not receive the Priesthood until the last of me posterity ot Abel nad received [it],, until the redemption of the earth." He emphatically declared; "If there never was a Prophet or and [sic] Apostle of Jesus Christ spoke it before, I tell you this people, that are commonly called Negroes, are the children of old Cain. . . . The curse on them was to remain upon them until the residue of the posterity of Michael and his wife receive the blessings the seed of Cain would have received had they not been cursed. . . . Clearly, this has not been fulfilled.

The Journal of Discourses again records Brigham Young as saying, "When all the other children of Adam have had the privilege of receiving the Priesthood, and of coming into the kingdom of God, and of being redeemed from the four quarters of the earth, and have received their resurrection from the dead, then it will be time enough to remove the curse from Cain and his posterity" (1854; 1967 photolithographic reprint, vol. 2. p 143). This also, is unfulfilled.

Be Faithful To Revelations

Will the present-day Church take the position that President Young and the earlier-day Church were wrong? Let us remember with solemnity the following charge of Joseph Smith: O ye Twelvel and all Saints! profit by this important Key–that in all your trials, troubles, temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it, that you do not betray heaven; that you do not betray Jeaus Christ; that you do not betray the brethren; that you do not betray the revelations of God, whether in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants, or any other that ever was or ever will be given and revealed unto man in this world or that which is to come. Yea, in ail your kicking and flounderings, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found upon your skirts, and you do down to hell. All other sins are not to be compared to sinning against the Holy Ghost, and proving a traitor to the brethren.

I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kinqdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who i.e up io condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out ot the way, while tie himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apoc4asy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives' (Hist"ory of the Church . . .. 1948, vol. 3, p. 385).

The Church seems to be finding fault with itself by declaring the teachings of its former propnets to be invalid. No man, however great his office, can change tne law of God: he can only administer it.

We are assured in II Thessalomans 2. that Satan will work with all power and signs and lying wonders And because the people receive "not the love of the truth, . . . God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. . ."

The teaching of the author of Mormon Doctrine runs counter to the present action of the Church. The present action of the Church is contrary to the words of ancient and modern prophets.

The present L.D.S. Church President has said one thing pertaining to the Negro and the Priesthood, and President Brigham Young has said another. Both cannot be right Is the strong delusion and believing a lie, as warned against in Thessalonians, applicable to everyone but modern Mormons?

The fall of churches has rarely occurred because of outside forces as such. Degeneration from within has been the primal cause. Church leaders themselves throughout the dispensations have often begun the retrogression by proscribing eternal laws as nonessential or else as restricted to particular times or to specific people or circumstances. (Cf. Heber J. Grant, Latter-day Revelation . . 1930, pp. iii-iv.)

A classic illustration occurs to mind in the changing of the definition of celestial marriage which later led to its abandonment (Ibid., James E Talmage. The Story of Mormonism," 130. p 86) It might prove instructive to hear a few more words from Talmage: "As the Church had adopted plural marriage under what was believed to be divine approval, they suspended it when they were justified in so doing. . . .

"And so the story of Mormonism runs on; its finale has not yet been written; the current press presents continuously new stages of its progress, new developments of its plan" (Ibid , pp. 91-92).

(Are we seriously to await the unfolding of continuous revelation through the medium of press dispatches or releases?)

Another mechanism of degeneration has been the complete dropping of eternal laws; the words of the feeder became "infallible," while the infallible word of God was changed. Such a leader becomes all things to all men. And most men blindly follow such a "living" prophet! The Reman Catholic church evolved from precisely this attitude.

How wili the modern Latter-day Saint family adapt their thinking to the possibility that one ol their children or grandchildren might marry a Negro in the temple? While the Church hitherto has announced that I! discourses the practice, we all know that under such a policy this wil become common and generally accepted. Pollution of lineage by Mormon invitation!

Priesthood May Be Taken

Brigham Young, who was close to Joseph Smith and was personally taught of him, further stated In his bicameral speech of 1852: "Let my seed mingle with the seed of Cain, that brings the curse upon me and upon my generations. . . . Let this Church which is called the Kingdom of God on the earth; we will summons [sic] the First Presidency, the Twelve, the High Council, the Bishoprick [sic], and all the Eldars of Israel, suppose we summons them and appear here, and here declare that it is right to mingle our seed with the black race of Cain, that they shall come in with us and be partakers with us of all the blessings God has given to us.

On that very day and hour we should do so, the Priesthood is taken from this Church and Kingdom and God leave ua to our fate. The moment we consent to mingle with the seed of Cain, the Church must go to destruction. . . . Has this been fulfilled?

The Church has invited this situation. In the light of President Young's solemn statement, it would seem that the expression of the Author of the book Mormon Doctrine, has far greater substance in truth than the present position of the Church.

Lord Will Send Delusion

It Is to be regretted that we have camouflaged the truth, convincing the world and ourselves that we want to play in harmony with its institutions. Wolves always await the departure of the Priesthood shepherds, that they might neutralize the flock. And when we insist enough, the Lord will send us the delusion we have sought.

Once the Saints were willing to burn their own homes and orchards and seek hiding places in the mountains rather than submit to improper governmental or group pressure. Now they generally will sacrifice principle, doctrine and ordinance to comply with any law of the land. Eager to digress in 1890, the Church crippled her priestnood blessings and power by discarding exalting principles. Joseph the Prophet challenged:

"Where there Is no change of priesthood, there is no change of ordinances, says Paul, if God has not changed tire ordinances and the priesthood. . . . If he has, when and where has He revealed it?" (History of the Church, 1970, voi. 5, p. 424), But the Church became a reproach to the public tranquility, whereupon she compromised ordinance and principle. For the past several years Church leaders have been pressing the Lord to make concession to the Negro and to appease the government. Pressure groups and lawsuits were threatening. We all ought to know full well that any time man pesters the Lord on issues which He has already answered in plainness, man will receive answers and "spiritual" manifestations to his heart's content. In the Church's recent alarming move to placate government, Negro and Mormon, compromise has once again insinuated its way Into the once pure gospel. Such entrenched policy does more to debase than to relieve the Church, for pure lineage will become polluted; and such a course is as degrading to men of the Priesthood as it is an affront to God. It would have been tar better that they who had been called to defend the truth had preserved to themselves the honor of being among those Saints who were persecuted for their religion.

Has God Made Mistakes?

Becoming the House of Israel–Canaan is as near to achieving full fellowship with the world as is possible for the Mormons. The Church has drawn a large step nearer to a merely man-made religion, perhaps having a form of godliness but certainly denying the power thereof. For many years the Church has shown that it is ashamed, and therefore apologetic, of some of the teachings of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and John Taylor. In their embarrassmont the Church would like to sweep certain teachings under the rug, or call them misinterpretations, etc. Since the Church is uneasy over some sections and passages of scripture, and might again institute alterations at any moment, where can its members safely place their trust? Has our God made mistakes in His word to former prophets and must now be corrected? Are we to fear that God will shortly change His mind sga;n concerning doctrine?

Or rather, can we not reasonably expect no change in the plan of salvation as long as a man remains to be saved?

Principles And Ordinances Unchanged

Truly, when the prophets are actuated by the same spirit, their doctrine is unchanged and will not contradict. The laws, principles and ordinances of the Gospel are ever the same. Brigham Young explained "Adam, Seth. Enoch, Noah, all the Patriarchs and Prophets, Jesus and the Apostles, and every man that has ever written the word of the Lord, have written the same doctrine upon the same subject; and you never can find that Prophets and Apostles clashed in their doctrines In ancient days; neither will they now, if all would at all times be led by the Spirit of salvation. . . . There would be no clash between any of the doctrines taught by Joseph the Prophet and by the brethren now, if all would live in a way to be governed by the Spirit of the Lord. All do not live so as to have the Spirit of the Lord with them all the time, and the result is that some get out of the way" Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 329)

Refuse To Apostatize

We sometimes hear Bishops, Stake High Councilmen and other Church officials make such statements as, You can't depend upon this word of Joseph Smith or Brigham Young, for they made so many mistakes. Now we ask, Has there ever been a church which has cast off its founder and his teachings faster than the Mormon Church? Is this discrepancy because the Church Is ashamed of the original intent, or is it because they don't want the membership to know the truth? Does not Mormonism offer more stable standards in the revelations than in changeable "living oracles"? Is it possible that some of those whom the Church is wont to call apostate are actually those who refuse to apostatize?

Judging from the numerous changes made over the years between Brigham Young's teachings and those which the Church is yet willing to teach, Brother Brigham apparently has been the most incorrect and bungling prophet in religious history. If his teachings do not fit "current" events, the Church simply discards them. But if Brigham Young had such limited insight into vita! points of doctrine, how have we managed to inherit a true Church through such an inept, false prophet? (Are we Mormons expected to reiterate the spurious Catholic concept of a Holy Mother Church?) And when may we foretell another about-face in doctrine or ordinance? In what can we place our confidence? When do doctrinal reversals cease? The way we read Joseph Smith, he says something about a curse coming upon those who teach any other doctrine than what he (and his predecessors) taught; also see Doctrine end Covenants . . . 21:4-6. It was he who, by revelation, set the pattern in our dispensation tor the Negro vs. priesthood doctrine; again, it was he who instructed Brigham et al. Says a recent Church President, "This doctrine did not originate with President Brigham Young but was taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith.

At a meeting of the general authorities of the Church, held August 22, 1895, the question of the status of the negro in relation to the Priesthood was asked and the minutes of that meeting say:

President George Q Cannon remarked that the Prophet taught this doctrine: That the seed of Cain could not receive the Priesthood nor act in any of the offices of the Priesthood until the seed of Abel should come forward and take precedence over Cain's offspring.'

. . . We all know it is due to Joseph Smith's teachings that the Negro today is barred from the Priesthood" (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way To Perfection, pp. 110-111).

Oracles Not To Conflict

The trend of the Church, since its concession to the world in 1890, has been to apologize and to yield on one point after another, thus implying that the early Church leaders were in error. Will the Church continue to do this? Bishop Heber Bennion expressed air view. "We are told that the living oracles take precedence over all other authority, living or dead. We agree that the living oracles take precedence, provided they do not conflict with dead oracles. . . . If it is true that the living oracles take precedence over all others regardless of their disagreements with the dead prophets, then the saints must necessarily change their faith every time there is a change in the presidency to conform to the views ol the new president. We must believe in a particular doctrine so long as Brigham Young lives, but as soon as a President arises differing with Brigham, we must disbelieve in this doctrine and adopt the views of the new oracles. The mention of such an attitude is so absurd as to border upon the ridiculous. . . . The next set of oracles may take a different view. . . . If the living oracles were guaranteed to be infallible the Saints would be safe in following their lead without question. No man that ever lived on the earth . . . has been so guaranteed against sin and error. For this reason God has given His saints their free agency and said that all things should be done by common consent, by the voice and vote of the people . . . King Noah was duly appointed and anointed king by a godly father, but he went wrong, and most ot the people went wrong with him. Abinadl stood out against him and was burned to death. Alma would have suffered a like fate, but he escaped. By hiding, and secret teaching, he obtained a few followers, and after establishing a church, Inatructed them . . . to trust no one to be their teacher nor . . . minister, except he be man of God, walking In hit ways and keeping hit commandments (Mosiah 23i[:]14" (Gospel Problems, pp. 6–7).

True Church Polluted?

It seems that by its desire to mollify the world, the Church will soon dismiss Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and anyone agreeing with them as false prophets. The trend also seems to be toward throwing away the Book ot Mormon and Pearl of Great Price as having been erroneously interpreted (translated?). Perhaps they will start anew without them, allowing the Church to gain full fellowship with the world and to receive its unqualified praise. This is reminiscent of the words of Moroni: O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed Io take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies because of the praise of the world?" (Mormon 8:38). (Who is the holy church of God? And who polluted it?)

Will the Author of the book, Mormon Doctrine, get into line with the recent Church declaration and apologize for his teaching, or will he stand on the words of the scriptures and of the prophets? The Lord said In John 14:15, "If ye love me. keep my commandments." He taught us that we cannot have the love of the world and the love of God at the same time; and that if we are His, the world will hate us and persecute us and speak all manner of evil against us falsely. Was the Savior wrong, and the present policy of the Church to be one with the world correct?

Oh Latter-day Saints, please carefully consider these words of our Lord: ". . . Your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even this Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you. Nay" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:54–59).

Another former L.D.S. Church Authority, adverting to the issue of Priesthood, tells us that in the last days this authority is to be manifested in sufficient power to bear off the kingdom of God triumphant, making it possible for all Israel to be gathered and saved; that if all Israel will not be sanctified by the law which their Moses first offers them, they will peradventure receive a law of ordinances administered to them not according to the power of endless lives; and that men will be saved in the last days as in former days, according to their faith and willingness to receive the word of God and walk In it! (See Richards, Millenial Star, vol. 16, p. 36.)

George A. Smith leaves us this remark: Many men are foolish enough to think that they can thwart the power of God, and can liberate the sons of Ham from that curse before its time has expired" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 216).

Remnant To Remain True

Also, we ought to read Moses 7:20–38 and Doctrine and Covenants 85:12. Providentially, there is a remnant who shall remain true to all of the Gospel as restored through Joseph the Prophet. They are they who will stand by the revelations given through Joseph Smith. They will stand by the word of God, placing their confidence in his constancy.

We are reminded of John Taylor's remonstrance that we are getting into such a condition that, if we were to meet the Lord, we could not look Him in the face; that the way we are going, it will soon be impossible to tell what we believe as a body. That day has verily arrived. The setting in order spoken of in Section 112 of the Doctrine and Covenants, to begin at the House of the Lord, cannot be far distant. For those very spirits who were not valiant for the Lord are now ostensibly authorized to represent him—long before their time.

We wish it to be specifically understood that we have absolutely no feelings or animosity against the black people, or against any other people. We hold to the same principles our faith has taught us all our lives through our prophets. It is principle and policy as pertaining to the teachings of our religion and faith about which we are concerned.

Each thinking man must stand or fall by himself.

There are still a few valiant, uncompromising men, within and without the official Church, whose integrity leaves no room for changing the doctrines and ordinances, breaking the everlasting covenant, or for presuming to bestow blessings out of season.

These faithful few, under God's direction, shall redeem Zion, build up the kingdom upon the earth and usher in the Millennial reign of Christ.

As we said in the beginning, it appears by the June 9th action of the L.D.S. Church, that The Pearl of Great Price, or a portion of it, is about to be repudiated, as are the Church's founding prophets whose words are in harmony with that volume of scripture. We repeat the question:

Will Latter-day Saints remain true to their former revelations, or will they yield to the pressures of this crucial day?

Where do you stand?

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