Heart of the Matter: Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity

Announcements and Acknowledgements

LIVE FROM THE MECCA OF MORMONISM

• SALT LAKE CITY UTAH –

This is Heart of the Matter, where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face.

Show 30 360 Temple Ceremony Follow-Up
September 24th 2013

And I’m your host Shawn McCraney

We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry.

May He be with you (and us) tonight.

A couple of exciting things to announce aaaaaand an unfortunate bit of news as well. In terms of exciting, we have a man named John in Southern California – a pastor – who came forward and offered his technical services to the ministry. And he has done some remarkable work in very short order for the ministry including putting up a number of new shows (on HOTM.TV) and he has also gotten up a number of our many verse-by-verse sermons (which can be viewed at www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com). Check it all out – and thank you so much John.

Speaking of volunteers, we have yet another man in Arizona who has taken it on himself to translate all HOTM programs into Spanish. These are currently available at. Thank you _______________.

And speaking of volunteers, let me take a minute and publicly thank Merle H, Kathy Mags, Linda C., Wendy J., Seth M. Jed, Brandi, Krystal, and Derrick and Denita for all of their devotion and service to the King through this ministry. We could not operate and continue on without each of these people’s selfless efforts.

Current Challenges

Now, for the bad news. Here in Utah, there is a Christian radio station called AM 820. I think it is a good station and one I have long appreciated. They have aired HOTM reruns over the air for a number of years on Sundays – up until last week. I got news yesterday that they, too, have canceled airing HOTM any longer. Why? I gave a series of sermons a few months back where I postulated on the idea that eternal punishment – in light of what the Bible says – may NOT be eternal after all. Note that throughout the sermons, which were NOT filled with my personal conjectures but again, with biblical evidences, but throughout the sermons, I merely said that I lean toward the idea that in the end all might be redeemed.

Reactions and Responses

The result has been sad as many people have used the discussion to attack my Christianity, my ability as a pastor/teacher, and my reliability as a representative of Christ. These things are VERY painful to me as I am constantly shocked at the reactions my Christian family has to open expression and investigation – especially when these expressions are based completely on sound biblical exegesis. But rest assured of two things – one, I will respond in love for all, no matter what they do, and I will not back down from my observations – no matter how out of favor or politically incorrect they are relative to the church today.

Received this email recently:

Hi Shawn:
As one of your long-time viewers and a previous donor to your ministry (meaning, we don’t support you anymore) I wanted to write to ask a question or two.

First of all, I have to say it's been frustrating to have to watch you ONLY on our computer, as prior to January of this year, my wife and I had watched ALL of your programs on Channel 20. Since January we've only seen two of your shows since we can only watch on our desktop computer.

(Let me respond to this comment first – it was NOT our choice to leave TV20 – that was the decision of TV20 management, given without any discussion and influenced by Christianity's greatest advocate of Mormonism in the state. Understand that. Did I make a mistake in my assessment of what we saw in the ten largest churches in Utah? Not in the least. Did I make a mistake in making it my cause to fight – yes, and for this I am very sorry). The email goes on, saying:

In a recent Alathea Ministries Newsletter you mentioned that you might be returning to Channel 20 to continue the "Mormonism" aspect of your ministry. Is that going to happen?

(as of this point no. The manager of the station has made it clear that we are not welcome. Pray his heart softens toward me)

1. Also, I was wondering how last night's show is more "Evangelical" than "Mormonism" related?

Return to TV20

(I think he must have watched a show where we returned to examining Mormonism, not knowing we left our examination of modern Evangelicalism alone after 19 programs). He concludes with:

I fully support your showing of the temple endowment video, but if that's the kind of direction you're taking, why didn't you just stay with the Mormonism programming and continue your relationship with Channel 20? It's all very confusing.

We miss seeing you on TV and miss feeling connected with your ministry and your mission. I would be so great if we could once again watch you on TV instead of online.

Will B.

Yes, Will, we agree, it would be nice to be airing here on Utah television again. While we’re at it, it would be nice if there was no fall too, and no disease or sin or misery either. We have done all we can to make to make it right with TV20. I have publicly apologized for (out of anger) deciding to take the direction I took back in January. We have met with station owners twice who also want Heart back on their station. I have personally sent a letter of apology to TV20 management articulating the reasons why Heart of the Matter needs to be on television here in Utah. We’ve prayed. We’ve changed direction on the streaming show to boot.

But neither any of these actions nor God himself has caused the management of TV20 to let us back on. Maybe it’s time to ask you all to send your opinion on the matter to the owners directly? So why don’t you address your correspondence to

Connie and Spence W.

And mail it to

4760 Highland #515 Salt Lake City, Utah

And I will personally deliver the mail to them so they can hear your voice on the issue. In the past we have asked that nobody respond this way but nothing else is working to . . . go as you’re lead.

Concerns About Christian Dogma and Myth

You know CHRISTIAN DOGMA AND MYTH IS REALLY UNSETTLING to me. I left Mormonism because that is what it is based on and I certainly don’t want anything to do with it in my faith now. Coming out of Mormonism and having read and studied the Word of God I can typically smell a man-made premise a mile away. And it is all over the place in the church today.

Here’s the thing: Myths and dogmatic traditions do nothing good for the cause of Christ. We want truth and only truth. When we stand on things that are simply NOT true (even if they work and are highly convenient) it will only serve to cast doubt on what we know is truly good and reliable. Want some examples? Let’s look at some recent emails we’ve received:

Bible Translation and Interpretation

HI Sean,

In one of your videos, you had said that no Bible was infallible. I believe that the Authorized King James is God's perfect, pure, infallible word of God. You had quoted that the word "Easter" was mistranslated and that it was suppose to be "Passover" when in fact the Authorized King James is the only Bible that got this correct.

The words "meta to pascha" are normally translated "after the passover". But God led the King James translators to reveal some advanced revelation about the pagan holiday called Easter. Easter is a Roman substitution of the Jewish feast of Passover. Herod as a Roman official observed Easter as did all Babylonian priests. The inspired words in the parenthesis of 12:3 reveal that it was already AFTER the Passover because the feast of unleavened bread followed the Passover. Did Herod intend to kill Peter after the Passover of next year? Easter occurred a few days after Passover. Herod wanted to kill Peter right after Easter because pagans observed the holiday of the sun-goddess, Astarte.

Thanks and God Bless, Michael Berry

Scholarly Opinions

Adam Clarke says:

"Intending after Easter to bring him forth] meta to tasca, After the passover. Perhaps there never was a more unhappy, not to say absurd, translation than that in our text. But, before I come to explain the word, it is necessary to observe that our term called Easter is not exactly the same with the Jewish passover."

FAMILY BIBLE NOTES SAYS:
"Tyndal, in his translation of the Bible into English in 1526, used this word instead of passover, and our English translators in 1611 retained it in their version. But there was no Christian feast called Easter in the days of Peter. And the word Pascha which is here translated Easter, means passover, and should have been so translated."

AND EVERY OTHER BIBLICAL TRANSLATION – MODERN OR FROM THE TEXTUAL RECEPTUS – USES PASSOVER.

But

Biblical Interpretation and Doctrinal Debates

Not the King James Translators. Because they were inspired to use Easter. Right. Were they also inspired to use the name “Lucifer” in Isaiah 14:12? How about “Ghost, as in Jesus gave up the ghost, in John 19 when the word has direct ties to medieval spiritualism? Or how about the age of Jehoiachin in II Kings 24:8 and II Chronicles 36:9? Was he eight years old or eighteen? And this is just a few examples of dozens more!

LOOK – I am a sold out proponent of the Bible. I love it, I believe it and I trust it to be the Word of God – especially the King James. But don’t use dogmatic positions on things to bolster faith if they are not true.

Challenging Established Dogmas

Dogma – King James ONLY The Garden of Eden covered the entire earth. The entire universe (or at least this galaxy) was created in six literal days. The position that evolution and or science has no place in Christianity. That the flood had to be world-wide That believers must speak in tongues to prove regeneration Everyone must be baptized . . . Must be baptized by immersion . . . Must say the “sinners prayer” to be saved. Five point Calvinism is biblical That Hell is eternal Bema seat Judgment Pre-trib, Post-trib, Preterism

And on and on and on and on. I don’t take stances on these things against what the Bible says. I read the Bible as closely as I possibly can, I consult the original languages, I explore commentaries, and I realize that many, many, many things are ideas of Man – not God’s Word and there is NOTHING wrong with standing only on what the word really says, not what we want it to say.

Interpretations of John 3 and Numbers 21

And with that, how about a moment from the Word? Apologies to our Milk attendees who were present yesterday because I am going to hit on something we talked about. I’m doing this because it plays right into all the temple rites and rituals the LDS believe are necessary.

In John chapter 3 Jesus tells Nicodemus, “You must be born-again.” Nicodemus asks, “How can these things be?”

Jesus responds with:

14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

What story is Jesus referring too? It’s found in Numbers 21:8-9 and serves as a tremendous picture of Christ and salvation through Him. Let’s read it together:

Numbers 21:4 And the (COI) journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Understanding the Symbolism

What’s the bottom line to this reference that Jesus gives Nicodemus in response to his question: “How can a man be born from above?”

The people were bitten by flying fiery serpents. There was no cure for the bite. If bitten, you would die. Moses was directed to make an image of the serpent, put it on a pole, raise it up above the people, and all they had to do was look at it and they would be healed.

Now listen, in order for them to look up at it, they had to first believe that it would do something. If someone tells me to do something I don’t believe, I won’t do it. But if I believe in their words I will. So the COI had to first believe and then they had to look upon the copper serpent. The result – they lived. What caused them to believe

Faith and Salvation

and look – realizing they were heading toward death – that they were in sin and rebellion and God had provided for them a solution – a brass serpent lifted up on a pole.

So Jesus says to Nicodemus who wonders how he can be born-from above (or born-again):

14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

But what He says in verse 15 is perhaps the most important element of the illustration or picture –

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Notice Jesus doesn’t say:

That whosoever “works for Him,” that whosoever “belongs to His church,” that whosoever is “baptized in His name,” or whosoever receives the Mormon temple rites“ but whosoever believeth in Him.

Which is why the illustration about Moses and the COI is so vital when it says:

“And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was lifted up . . . look to Him . . . and live.

And with that, how about a word of prayer?

Exploring Five Point Calvinism

I said last week that we are going to embark on an examination of what people call Five Point Calvinism this week. The reason we are going to do this is because it relates directly to people coming out of Mormonism and people seeking knowing and understanding biblical truths. But I feel an obligation to give some background to the LDS temple rites for those who have actually taken the time to view all the segments we have done revealing them.

For starters, I want to tap on the mind-set that many LDS people have when it comes to entering into the temple and doing those rites and rituals. I can’t talk about the mindset of converts to Mormonism when it comes to entering the temple and receiving all these rites EXCEPT that I think I can safely say that ANYONE who embraces Mormonism when they are an adult or thinking teen have embraced it on a non-biblical (or non-New Testament Good News basis. What I mean by this is people who believe in Mormonism as converts believe in it on the false basis that it’s their goodness, and their good lives, and it’s their accomplishments on earth that matter to God.

Understanding the Good News

Yes, there is a place for this in the lives of a mature believer when it comes to performing works of love in faith, but the Good News as described in the Bible is that

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

From this foundational premise – that we believe on the finished work of Jesus Christ for us – Christians then accept the fact that we then walk by this faith in Him – and NOT in ourselves. Somehow converts to Mormonism – if not initially, then later – have come to believe that they need to go about establishing their own righteousness and fail to realize the righteousness of God that is imputed to them by faith.

In other words, any adult thinking convert to Mormonism has errantly believed that walking in faith is not enough, either for salvation or for what they call, exaltation. And so they join, and if true to LDS tenets of faith, they will ultimately enter one of the LDS temples to receive “more light and knowledge” on how to become “better” in their flesh. Not Christian nor biblical.

But then there are those who were born into the faith or who joined before they learned to think. Since showing the temple ceremony I have had more than one person ask me: “How did you (of all people) ever accept what is going on in there?” When I think about it, it really is amazing I didn’t reject the whole thing out of hand the minute I walked in and found myself naked under a poncho.

I mean I was certainly rebellious by nature, and I was certainly born a walking iconoclast, why did I submit to those rituals when I used to mock and critique almost everything else that was an obvious ruse? I would submit to you, upon retrospect, that the very fact that I not only submitted to the

Influence of LDS Temple Rituals

Rituals and rites of the LDS temple as a confirmed rebel only goes to show how powerful and persuasive the entire system can be. I mean if a guy with a rambunctious and rebellious nature like me could go in and conform and accept the LDS temple rites – and that was during the years when we actually mocked slitting our throat and spilling our guts – imagine how influential and powerful the system is upon men and women who are compliant, and respectable, and who rarely question anything!

People often ask, sometimes even people who are LDS as a means to justify the church: “It must be true! I mean look at all the highly intelligent and accomplished men and women who believe it!” I would suggest that intelligence and an ability to have success in a career has little to do with seeing through a religious con. In fact, generally speaking, those who are successful in business and saving money and avoiding drugs and jail are typically those who never question, or rebel, or rock the boat – they’re too smart (meaning they are too good at survival) and they generally are not willing to throw the baby and bathwater out . . . for truth. Rebels are. Obviously.

But what about those born in the church who month in and out subject themselves to the temple rituals we witnessed? How do they do it? Why?

Factors Contributing to LDS Temple Participation

It all stems back to what I believe are four contributing factors:

• Early indoctrination
• A false Gospel (also imputed repetitively)
• Resulting blindness, and
• A desire to please Man

Before we address each one, let’s open up the phone lines so the operators can start clearing your calls: (801) 590-8413

Early Indoctrination

Okay, the first thing that leads to LDS participation in their temples is:

• Early indoctrination (repetitively enforced).

It begins with the children. They are exposed to dissected cut-outs of the temple that they will put together on a flannel board. They are taught lessons on the temple. They see pictures of the temple on the walls of the ward house, and they hear their prophet, like Thomas Monson, when asked what the temple means and his reply being (quote): “it means EVERYTHING.”

As I’ve mentioned, the young women are given the goal of a temple marriage, the young men are reminded to be temple worthy, and their homes often bear photographs or needle-points of the family's favorite temple on the wall.

And then the children all sing songs like:

“Families can be together forever” (which is only possible by and through temple rites) or

“I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday To feel the Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray. For the temple is a house of God, A place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple. I'll go inside someday. I'll cov'nant with my Father; I'll promise to obey. For the temple is a holy place Where we are sealed together. As a child of God, I've learned this truth: A fam'ly is forever.”

What chance does a person have learning hearing and singing that son from a child to challenge it all? Not much of one.

I mean, why don’t they sing:

1 “I’m told to go to temple, Where inside I will see A panoply of rituals That-are truly forced on me. In the temple I will wear weird clothes, and swear to oaths on my life, Inside Satan tells me what to do, So I can gain eternal life.”

2 “But Jesus is my temple, He gave His life for me. The veil came down forevermore, And He is my High Priest. There’s no clothing, tokens, signs or grips, Which God demands that I know, Just faith in His Beloved Son, Is all that I am asked to ever show.”

This leads us to another reason the temple is so pressing upon LDS people. They have been taught a “false Gospel.” All their lives they have been taught that they must be worthy, and Jesus has taken a back seat to them earning their salvation and exaltation. So once inside the temple they have not only qualified to be there (in their minds) they are given secret grips and signs which further

Insights into Mormon Temple Practices

Entrench the notion that it is their ability that will make them pleasing to God. A result of a life of all this is a type of blindness and deafness. Meaning they are so accustomed to thinking of the temple as a GOOD place, and what goes on inside feeds the false Gospel in their heads, that they are rendered blind to the insanity of it all. And it takes a tremendous blow to the armor they have built around their psyche to let themselves to begin to see clearly.

Adding to this effectiveness of their armor is the fact that there is no real discussion of the temple among the members – it's forbidden unless you are inside the celestial room, where you are so immersed in the system open dialogue about it all is almost an impossibility. My dear friend Rusty, a former Latter-day Saint maintains that there are two forms of Mormonism – what goes on outside the temple and then the temple itself. I think he’s right. Finally, there is immense pressure (and desire) to please Man – meaning other Latter-day Saints. As a result silence is a much better path than asking questions – nobody wants to rock the boat or appear doubtful. And if you are really active and involved then most of your friends are active and involved and bringing out tough questions is usually viewed (or responded to) negatively.

Pressures and Perceptions

Most people who have never been LDS do not realize how trapped many of these otherwise good, kind, and intelligent people are. Nor do they realize how anti-Christ that whole ceremony is. We thank Larry and NewNameNoah for their work in exposing people to the realities of what goes on inside the Mormon temples. That being said, we have copies of their DVD’s available for free to anyone who places an order through our online store – so consider that and thank you again, Larry and Phyllis for your supplying these DVD’s to interesting parties.

Listen, check out our website as we are more and more upgrading and adding new features. Tell your friends about it – share the show with others.

Boycotting Israel: A Musical Stand

EMAILS

Pink Floyd's Roger Waters has long been an outspoken critic of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. But his latest protest is close to his line of work — he's asking musicians to boycott the country. "I write to you now, my brothers and sisters in the family of Rock and Roll, to ask you to join with me, and thousands of other artists around the world, to declare a cultural boycott on Israel," he wrote, in an open letter posted to his Facebook page and the Palestinian activist website Electronic Intifada. "Please join me and all our brothers and sisters in global civil society in proclaiming our rejection of Apartheid in Israel and occupied Palestine, by pledging not to perform or exhibit in Israel or accept any award or funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights."

Waters has been a frequent advocate of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement regarding Israel, encouraging institutions to withdraw investments there, among other tactics. In the letter, he said he drew inspiration from British violinist Nigel Kennedy's criticism of Israel, the successful boycott of South Africa during apartheid, and Stevie Wonder's recent rejection of states with "Stand Your Ground" laws. Elvis Costello and Annie Lennox are among the musicians who have expressed similar support for a musical boycott of Israel. But Waters recently caught criticism at a show in Belgium, where the famed Pink Floyd inflatable pig appeared with a star of David and images of repressive regimes.

LDS Folklore: The Seagull Miracle

CINDY ASKS:

From: Cindy Day

I have always thought there was something fishy about the story of grasshoppers and the seagulls. What is the real story?

FROM MRM

Was There a "Miracle" of the Seagulls? By Bill McKeever? Located east of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square is a golden monument recognizing the 1848 "miracle of the seagulls." LDS tradition tells how tens of thousands of seagulls miraculously appeared to devour millions of crickets that were attempting to destroy the crops of the Mormon pioneers who had arrived a year before. However, because this event receives virtually little attention at the time it supposedly happened, some students of Mormon history have concluded that this account may be nothing more than folklore. For instance, David H. Bailey noted in his review of Samuel W. Taylor's book The Kingdom or Nothing that Taylor "blandly points out"

Mythologizing of the Seagull Story

That nowhere in the journals of John Taylor or Parley P. Pratt, or in other reliable sources for that time, is mentioned any instance of a spectacular crop rescue by cricket-eating seagulls." To this Bailey states, "Thus it appears that this favorite anecdote of Church history may well be apocryphal" (Sunstone 1:3/85, Summer 1976). Samuel Taylor was the grandson of third LDS President John Taylor. In his book Heber C. Kimball: Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer, biographer Stanley B. Kimball drew the same conclusion as Samuel Taylor. Said Kimball, "The now-famous cricket scourge and the seagulls which had eaten the crickets and saved some of the crops had occurred during the preceding May and June. Curiously, despite the miraculous nature of this event in current Mormon thought, it was not commented on much at the time and was hardly mentioned in the First General Epistle of the First Presidency of April, 1849. Cricket and grasshopper plagues were common terrors for many years in Utah" (pp.188-189).

Interpretation of Historical Myths

In an article titled "Dealing With Dissonance: Myths, Documents, And Faith," history Professor Richard D. Poll (Emeritus, Western Illinois University), a person who describes himself as a “Mormon of the Liahona persuasion,” (not sure I really understand what that means) spoke of several aspects of Mormon history that are suspect, including whether or not Brigham Young really uttered the now famous phrase “This is the Place.” Professor Poll wrote that, “most dictionaries insist that a myth must be fictitious–like a fairy tale. However, that is not what it means to us historians. A historical myth is an idealized version of someone, or something, that once existed. It is what the memory of an event becomes after people have transformed it so that it is more useful, usually for reasons involving group values. The process of myth-making distills from the past elements that motivate people to be more patriotic, generous, loving, or virtuous in some other dimension.” In that context he goes on to write, “A clear indication of the mythologizing process is the visual myths that gradually emerge–the pictures of the Pilgrims landing, or the seagulls devouring the crickets. The statue of Joseph and Emma at the Nauvoo visitors' center is a beautiful idealization of these very important people. The statue of Brigham Young on the BYU campus is another. It's fair to say that you may know you have become a myth when they make a statue of you. Unless, of course, you are a demagogue who commissions your own statue–a clear sign that you expect to become a myth.” See Sunstone 12:3/18 (May 88).

Myths and Shared Beliefs

Retired BYU Professor John L. Sorenson, in his article, Ritual As Theology, puts the seagull story in the same sentence with the Three Nephites: “Myth and lore also communicate values and beliefs. Answers to ultimate questions are found in the telling of a sacred story. Mormon missionaries do little more than relate the story of Joseph Smith's first vision when they want to explain our view of the nature of God and the need for restoration. Among ourselves, a recital of the tale of the crickets and seagulls or of an appearance of the Three Nephites serves similarly as a shorthand affirmation of a shared belief.” See Sunstone 6:3/11 (May 81).

In his review of Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-1869, Professor Richard W. Sadler (Weber State) compliments author Eugene E. Campbell for “his uncompromising search for historical truths. On one occasion in describing his method of teaching he said, ‘I will never knowingly teach my students something they will have to “unlearn” later on’ (p. ix).” He also notes that “During virtually all of his professional career, Campbell was employed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began as a seminary teacher in Magna and later became an Institute of Religion instructor and director in Logan. From 1956 until 1980, he was a member of the history faculty at Brigham Young University, serving part of this time as chair of the department.” Sadler states that “Campbell details the Saints' early irrigation and agricultural experiments in the Great Basin, including the seagull and cricket ‘miracle’ of 1848, and notes: Although little was said about the role of the gulls in saving the crops at the time, the inspirational aspects of the episode were emphasized over time until it came to be regarded as a unique incident in Mormon history. Such an interpretation ignores the fact that gulls and other birds returned regularly each spring to Mormon settlements, devouring.

Shared Beliefs and Historical Challenges in Mormonism

It is interesting to note that retired BYU Professor John L. Sorenson, in his article, "Ritual As Theology," puts the seagull story in the same sentence with the Three Nephites: “Myth and lore also communicate values and beliefs. Answers to ultimate questions are found in the telling of a sacred story. Mormon missionaries do little more than relate the story of Joseph Smith's first vision when they want to explain our view of the nature of God and the need for restoration. Among ourselves, a recital of the tale of the crickets and seagulls or of an appearance of the Three Nephites serves similarly as a shorthand affirmation of a shared belief.” See Sunstone 6:3/11 (May 81). Though 1848 is credited for the date of the "miracle," in their article "Pestiferous Ironclads: The Grasshopper in Pioneer Utah," historians Davis Bitton and Linda C. Wilcox state that insects were a regular problem in early Utah. They note however, that "The worst year, by any measurement, was 1855, when grasshoppers invaded the territory from the far north through Iron County, wiping out the third sowing of some crops in Salt Lake County, destroying all or nine-tenths of the grain in some Iron County towns, and denuding whole fields elsewhere."

An Historical Perspective

Bitton and Wilcox cite an 1855 correspondence where Heber C. Kimball described the devastation to his son William: From this place south as far as we went, the grasshoppers have cut down the grain, and there is not fifty acres now standing of any kind of grain in Salt Lake Valley, and what is now standing, they are cutting it down as fast as possible. In Utah county the fields are pretty much desolate; in Juab Valley not a green spear of grain is to be seen, nor in Sanpete, nor in Fillmore. In Little Salt Lake they are still sowing, also at Cedar City, that county being so much later the grain is not yet up, but the grasshoppers are there, ready to sweep down the grain as soon as it comes up. In the north as far as Boxelder the scenery is the same…. and to look at things at this present time, there is not the least prospect of raising one bushel of grain in the valleys this present season…. I must say there is more green stuff in the gardens in G. S. L. City than there is in all the rest of the counties; still there is a great many of the gardens in the city entirely ruined. Brother Wm. C. Staines told me this morning that he had 500,000 young apple trees come up and they are all cut down to the ground, and many gardens where the peach trees were full of peaches, every leaf and peach are gone.

Personal Reflections

RJR and conversation with son: “Wanna go on a mission – I mean it's not too late? You're still young enough. His son, who is super intelligent and a sound Christian kid replied: “Dad, in order for Mormonism to be true, every single respected . . . Archeologist, Geneticist (who has studied DNA), Linguist, Biblical Scholar, commentator, and Historian . . . has to be wrong. And one man’s claims – who has been proven to be a liar and con-man – have to be right. No Dad, I will not be serving an LDS mission.

Need a new church From: "Carl Whitehair" whitehair07@gmail.com Date: Mon, September 23, 2013 10:57 pm To: shawn@hotm.tv Priority: Normal Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file | View Message Details | Add to Address Book | View as HTML

FROM C – It has been a year since I left Salt Lake City and the mormon church. I still believe in the gospel, but I since I know the mormon church is not true, I still don't understand everything about being saved or forgiven. I live in Durango, Colorado and I don't want to end up into another organized religion like the Catholics or Jehovah witness. Since I've been part of the mormon religion I was also problem with pornography and I try to keep god commandment, I can't. I stop trusting people, I need somewhere to go. I was raised LDS and Navajo tradition, I know knowing about these other religion, please help. Thank you.

Geraldine wrote quite a while ago and asked: People always say Joseph Smith was a false PROPHET – this means he has given prophesies that were false, correct?

Joseph Smith's False Prophecies

Can you tell me what they were? I can – because I went to www.utlm.org and got some samples. Ready?

Gathering to Independence, Mo.

A Sample of Joseph Smith's False Prophecies:

• Saints to gather to Independence, Mo. and build Temple (D&C 84) No longer teach the gathering and temple never built.

  5 For verily this generation shall not all apass away until an bhouse shall be built unto the Lord, and a ccloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the dglory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

• Zion (Independence, Mo.) cannot fall (D&C 97:19) Mormons driven out.

  19 And the anations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely bZion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;

• Army to redeem Zion (Independence, MO) (D&C 103) Mission unsuccessful. V.30-34 God seems to be unsure about how large an army to raise.

  30 It is my will that my servant Parley P. Pratt and my servant Lyman Wight should not return to the land of their brethren, until they have obtained companies to go up unto the land of Zion, by tens, or by twenties, or by fifties, or by an hundred, until they have obtained to the number of five hundred of the astrength of my house.

  31 Behold this is my will; ask and ye shall receive; but men do anot always do my will.

  32 Therefore, if you cannot obtain five hundred, seek diligently that peradventure you may obtain three hundred.

  33 And if ye cannot obtain three hundred, seek diligently that peradventure ye may obtain one hundred.

  34 But verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall not go up unto the land of Zion until you have obtained a hundred of the strength of my house, to go up with you unto the land of Zion.

Civil War Prophecy and the United Order

• Civil War Prophecy (D&C 87) England and other nations did not join in.

  1 Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the awars that will bshortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of cSouth Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;

  2 And the atime will come that bwar will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.

  3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then awar shall be poured out upon all nations.

• United Order (D&C 104) V.1 Commanded as everlasting order; V.48 & 53 dissolved and reorganized.

  1 Verily I say unto you, my friends, I give unto you counsel, and a commandment, concerning all the aproperties which belong to the order which I commanded to be organized and established, to be a bunited order, and an everlasting order for the benefit of my cchurch, and for the salvation of men until I come—

• Riches of Salem to pay church debt (D&C 111) No riches found, debts not paid.

  1 I, the Lord your God, am anot displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies.

  2 I have much atreasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.

  3 Therefore, it is expedient that you should form aacquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you.

  4 And it shall come to pass in due time that I will agive this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall not bdiscover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours.

  5 Concern not yourselves about your adebts, for I

Themes from Church History

will give you power to pay them.
6 Concern not yourselves about Zion, for I will deal mercifully with her.
7 Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about;
8 And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the apeace and power of my bSpirit, that shall flow unto you.
9 This place you may obtain by hire. And inquire diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants and founders of this city;
10 For there are more treasures than one for you in this city.
11 Therefore, be ye as awise as serpents and yet without bsin; and I will order all things for your cgood, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen.

David W. Patten's Mission

Apostle Patten to go on mission in Spring 1839 (D&C 114)?He was shot in Oct. of 1838. Wouldn't God have known he was going to die before the next spring?
1 Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may aperform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all the world.

New gathering place and temple in Far West (D&C 115)?LDS driven out, never built the temple.
7 Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is aholy.
8 Therefore, I command you to abuild a house unto me, for the gathering together of my saints, that they may bworship me.
9 And let there be a beginning of this work, and a foundation, and a preparatory work, this following summer;
10 And let the beginning be made on the fourth day of July next; and from that time forth let my people alabor diligently to build a house unto my name;
11 And in aone year from this day let them re-commence laying the foundation of my bhouse.
12 Thus let them from that time forth labor diligently until it shall be finished, from the cornerstone thereof unto the top thereof, until there shall not anything remain that is not finished.
13 Verily I say unto you, let not my servant Joseph, neither my servant Sidney, neither my servant Hyrum, get in adebt any more for the building of a house unto my name;

Build a temple in Nauvoo and house for Smiths (D&C 124)?Temple and house not completed.

Christ to return in 1890-1891 period (D&C 130:14-15)?Christ did not return.

US Government must redress wrongs or be destroyed (History of the Church, vol.5, p.394, vol.6, p.116 and Millennial Star, vol.22, p.455.)?It doesn't and is not destroyed.

Favorite Revelations

62 Behold, verily I say unto you, let my servant George Miller, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Haws, organize themselves, and appoint one of them to be a president over their quorum for the purpose of building that house.
63 And they shall form a constitution, whereby they may receive stock for the building of that house.
64 And they shall not receive less than fifty dollars for a share of stock in that house, and they shall be permitted to receive fifteen thousand dollars from any one man for stock in that house.
65 But they shall not be permitted to receive over fifteen thousand dollars stock from any one man.
66 And they shall not be permitted to receive under fifty dollars for a share of stock from any one man in that house.
67 And they shall not be permitted to receive any man, as a stockholder in this house, except the same shall pay his stock into their hands at the time he receives stock;
68 And in proportion to the amount of stock he pays into their hands he shall receive stock in that house; but if he pays nothing into their hands…

The Allocation and Use of Stock

He shall not receive any stock in that house.

69 And if any pay stock into their hands it shall be for stock in that house, for himself, and for his generation after him, from generation to generation, so long as he and his heirs shall hold that stock, and do not sell or convey the stock away out of their hands by their own free will and act, if you will do my will, saith the Lord your God.

Guidelines for Stock Management

70 And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant George Miller, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Haws, receive any stock into their hands, in moneys, or in properties wherein they receive the real value of moneys, they shall not appropriate any portion of that stock to any other purpose, only in that house.

71 And if they do appropriate any portion of that stock anywhere else, only in that house, without the consent of the stockholder, and do not repay four-fold for the stock which they appropriate anywhere else, only in that house, they shall be accursed, and shall be moved out of their place, saith the Lord God; for I, the Lord, am God, and cannot be amocked in any of these things.

Joseph's Stock Contribution

72 Verily I say unto you, let my servant Joseph pay stock into their hands for the building of that house, as seemeth him good; but my servant Joseph cannot pay over fifteen thousand dollars stock in that house, nor under fifty dollars; neither can any other man, saith the Lord.