I refer you to Jeremy Hoop and his channel
https://www.youtube.com/@StillMormon, "The show dedicated to unsettling Mormon history."
See also Joseph Smith's Monogamy: Exploring a Counter-narrative Regarding Plural Marriage (PDF, 42 pages).
"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118)
“If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a multitude of sins.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:445.)
“It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another.” (Joseph Smith, TPJS p. 345)
"But this generation shall have my word through you." (D&C 5:10)
"I am learned, and know more than all the world put together. The Holy Ghost does, anyhow, and he is within me, and comprehends more than all the world; and I will associate myself with him." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:14, p 308)
"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin." (D&C 49:20)
“Our grandfathers built temples; our fathers built universities; and we build shopping malls.” (Paul Toscano, Kings and Priests v. Secular Priests)
The Savior revealed to Joseph that there was no true church on the earth because the religions had "a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."
They denied or despised the gift of tongues revelation, visions, healing, prophecy, seership and others. They said "our forebears had these gifts and it is enough for us. God has done his work it is not necessary today."
Are these gifts among us today, or do we also have a form of godliness but deny the power of God?
"The world is full of technicalities and misrepresentation, which I calculate to overthrow, and speak of things as they actually exist." (Joseph Smith, HC v. 5 p. 344)
A woman, as the judgments of God are loosed upon men, stands in the breach between the innocent and hell, defying the devil, with her life, from spreading his filth upon them. A woman who is not their mother, but in who's breast is aroused the purest instinct and noblest role; that of mother to those, with her life, she claims as her own. Those innocent ones who were left to another. (December 15, 2012 after Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre.)
The veil of the temple is a symbol of what separates us from God here and now; it is ever before us, waiting; not something we must die first to encounter. We can pass through the veil as soon as we are prepared in all things as described by the symbolism of the endowment.
"Gifts of the Spirit cannot be feigned. New and inventive ways to describe what is passed off as gifts of the Spirit cannot substitute for the traditional gifts named in scripture." (Denver Snuffer, The Second Comforter, p. 139)
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:14-16)
For those who have not faith:
"And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy. And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me." (D&C 42:43-44)
If it's God's will that a person be healed, then someone with faith, should seek for someone with the gift to heal. Otherwise, if it isn't God's will, no skill of a doctor can change that, and if they could, isn't that the definition of evil?
"I preached to a large congregation at the stand, on the science and practice of medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God when sick, and not in an arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by medicine, or poison; and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food." (HC 4:24, p 414)
Gifts necessary
"We cannot be the people that God designs we should be, unless we seek after and obtain these spiritual gifts. It should be the constant prayer of all the Latter-day Saints for the Lord to give us those gifts that are suited to our condition, and that will make us perfect, because the bestowal of these gifts is for the express purpose of making those who are entitled to them perfect before the Lord." (George Q. Cannon, Mill. Star, 62:354)
The head should have all gifts
"That unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there may be a head, in order that every member may be profited thereby." (Doctrine and Covenants 46:29)
If we believe we will do the same works as Jesus or greater
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14)
"I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life." (D&C 45:8)
Does this imply those who have the first gift have seen the Savior and thus the first and foremost gift?
"To some it is given...to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." (D&C 46:13-14)
"We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth." (Article of Faith 7)
It is the Presidents duty to have all gifts:
"And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church." (D&C 107:91-92)
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23)
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men....Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13, 16)
Jesus preached the word of wisdom by the power of the Spirit, said "follow me," and went about performing miracles. We should do the same in His name.
Jesus sends the twelve saying: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)
"Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:19-20)
Gifts ceased and translated beings left because of iniquity.
"But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief." (Mormon 1:13-14)
"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him." (Mormon 9:27)
"And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them." (Moroni 3:4)
Moroni thought he was finished with his record at the close of Mormon chapter 9 (see Moroni 1). However his life was spared and he continued to write. At both instances when he believed he was done, he included that which he felt was the most important to his readers. Mormon 9 and Moroni 10 give great emphasis to those who receive the record to deny not the Gifts of the Spirit, or the power of God, in the many ways we might deny them.
"...the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God." (Joseph Smith, TPJS, page 137)
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers." (1 Nephi 2:16)
"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)
"Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance." (Ammon, Alma 26:22)
"Knowledge saves a man; and in the world of spirits no man can be exalted but by knowledge. So long as a man will not give heed to the commandments, he must abide without salvation. If a man has knowledge, he can be saved; although, if he has been guilty of great sins, he will be punished for them. But when he consents to obey the gospel, whether here or in the world of spirits, he is saved." (Joseph Smith, HC 14:15 p. 314)
"Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!" (Isaiah 28:1)
"Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!" (2 Nephi 28:26)
"Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!" (2 Nephi 28:27)
"And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall." (2 Nephi 28:27)
I am the Bread of Life
"I told the people that if they would not believe the revelations that God had given, he would suffer the devil to give revelations that they—priests and people—would follow after." (Brigham Young, Deseret Weeky News, 22:308-309, June 18, 1873)
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Rev 2:17)
"Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you." (Moroni 7:26)
"...have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness." (Moroni, Moroni 7:30)
"Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld." (D&C 70:14)
"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?" (2 Nephi 12:22, Isaiah 2:22)
"And [the scribes and the Pharisees] love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." (Matthew 23:2-12)
"By a proper observance of the Word of Wisdom, man may hope to regain what he has lost by transgression and live to the age of a tree, that as the sun's rays in springtime gladden all nature and awaken life and hope, the Word of Wisdom given of God may remove the thorns and briers from our pathway and strew the same with joy and peace." (Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith as a Prophet, Scrapbook of Mormon Literature, Vol 1, p.118)
The Lord has given helps to the faint and markers to the blind that they might see, if they will, and unstop their ears and peer into the light. Those who love His word and hear his voice regarding the Constitution, who see the robbers of Gadianton who spoil the whole earth. Who despise oppression and cries and blood -- these who hear discover more, those who don't have become thirsty and cannot know not whither to begin. Yet if the Lord will, they shall see by the fruits.
"I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it." (Joseph Smith, HC v.2, ch.12, p. 170)
"God said, "Thou shalt not kill;" at another time He said, "Thou shalt utterly destroy." This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire." (Joseph Smith, HC v.5, ch.7, p.135)
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (Paul, 2 Cor 11:12-15)
"When a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet. False prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost the very chosen ones." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:17, p. 364)
"...to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light..." (2 Nephi 9:9)
"They who are not apostles and prophets shall be known." (D&C 64:39)
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11)
"This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge..." (Joseph Smith, HC 3:25, p. 380)
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)
"Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink." (Exodus 24:9-11)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, 2 Nephi 19:6)
"I want you all to know God to be familiar with him, and if I can bring you to him all persecution against me will cease and let you know that I am his servant for I speak as one having authority and not as a scribe." (Joseph Smith, Words of Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse, Thomas Bullock Report)
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Paul, Galatians 4:4-7)
"Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment." (Moses 6:61)
"And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell." (Alma 12:11)
"And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Nephi 9:20)
"The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee; While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand." (D&C 122 1-2)
"And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach....And as ye shall lift up your voices by the Comforter, ye shall speak and prophesy as seemeth me good; For, behold, the Comforter knoweth all things, and beareth record of the Father and of the Son." (D&C 42:14, 16-17)
"And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." (2 Nephi 31:15)
"Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20)
"In our own day we are oftentimes no better at recognizing and accepting truths sent us than were Laman and Lemuel. We tend to accept truth from what we regard as "bona fide" sources, even when those sources are corrupt or uninspired. And we tend to reject truths from sources which are not considered bona fide, even when their words are certified by and accompanied with the willing witness of the Holy Ghost." (Denver Snuffer, Nephi's Isaiah, ch. 7, p. 111)
"And again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel." (1 Nephi 21:1)
How futile the effort to please the world will prove to be. Saints are not welcome here. They are always unwelcome strangers on the earth; always a "peculiar people" who fail to conform to prevailing cultural norms. The Saints hope to welcome the Lord into their presence, in the Millennial reign of peace. About such people, however, the Lord says such people will "confess...they [are] strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (D&C 45:13)
"It is a great thing to inquire at the hands of God, or to come into His presence; and we feel fearful to approach Him on subjects that are of little or no consequence, to satisfy the queries of individuals, especially about things the knowledge of which men ought to obtain in all sincerity, before God, for themselves." (Joseph Smith, HC, v. 1, ch. 24)
"Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!" (2 Nephi 28:29)
New doctrine promulgated by Wilford Woodruff which contradicts the teachings of Joseph
"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme." (Wilford Woodruff, General Conference, October 6, 1890)
We live, we search and struggle, we seek to improve;
we hold up candles and rejoice in their lights,
but by-and-by something nags, all is not right.
Our candles seem dim as we exert them with our might;
these candles are good, but are darkness compared,
to the object of the soul and the emptiness there.
Some bask in their light, satisfied therewith;
but this will not be my end, all these depart;
their goodness pales with what I know is in store,
to those who will seek for more.
Two or three days after the Kirtland Temple dedication “...the beloved disciple John was seen in our midst by the Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery, and others.” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball)
"And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified." (Matthew 28:2-5)
"The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets, and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves 'in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth,' and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men." (HC v. 4, ch. 33, p. 573)
Receiving Faith
"Every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind—the logical mind—that it is convincing without other testimony. Faith cometh by hearing." (Joseph Smith, HC 5:27)
"FAITH comes by hearing the word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God; that testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation." (Joseph Smith HC 3:25)
"Faith comes by hearing the word of God." (Joseph Smith, HC 5:18)
"THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness, for if the proposals are not complied with, it is of no use, but withdraws." (Joseph Smith, HC 3:25)
“And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, or wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked, and never until then; which I pray may never come.” (Brigham Young, JD 4)
“There is nothing that would so soon weaken my hope and discourage me as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them. In such an event, we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its blessings, privileges and aids to exaltations, principalities and powers in the eternities of the Gods.” (Brigham Young, JD 10)
“When we see the time that we can willingly strike hands and have full fellowship with those who despise the Kingdom of God, know ye then that the Priesthood of the Son of God is out of your possession. Let us be careful how we make friends with and fellowship unrighteousness, lest the curse of God descends heavily upon us.” (Brigham Young, JD 10)
“When ‘Mormonism’ finds favor with the wicked in this land, it will have gone into the shade; but until the power of the Priesthood is gone, ‘Mormonism’ will never become popular with the wicked.” (Brigham Young, JD 4)
"And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land—but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate." (Alma 46:40)
"And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." (Ezekiel 47:12)
"Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true 'Mormons.'" (HC 5:27)
"Because we will not receive chastisement at the hand of the Prophet and Apostles, the Lord chastiseth us with sickness and death." (Joseph Smith, HC 4:28)
"For if Abraham were justified by the law of works, he hath to glory in himself; but not of God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him who is justified by the law of works, is the reward reckoned, not of grace, but of debt. But to him that seeketh not to be justified by the law of works, but believeth on him who justifieth not the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:2-5, Inspired Version)
"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (King Benjamin, Mosiah 3:19)
"For a commandment I give, that every man’s brother shall preserve the life of man, for in mine own image have I made man." (commandment given to Noah for all mankind, Genesis 9:13, Inspired Version)
"And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands." (commandment given to Noah for all mankind, Genesis 9:11, Inspired Version)
"The Constitution tells us what shall not be a lawful tender… The legislature has ceded up to us the privilege of enacting such laws as are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States… The different states, and even Congress itself, have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the United States… Shall we be such fools as to be governed by its laws, which are unconstitutional? No!" (Joseph Smith, HC 5:15)
Socialism a false doctrine
“I attended a second lecture on Socialism...I said I did not believe the doctrine.” (Joseph Smith, after attending two lectures on socialism given by Mr. John Finch, a socialist from England, Joseph wrote the above comment, emphasis the original. HC 6:2)
On licensing
“I also spoke at length for the repeal of the ordinance of the city licensing merchants, hawkers, taverns, and ordinaries, desiring that this might be a free people, and enjoy equal rights and privileges, and the ordinances were repealed.” (Joseph Smith, HC 5:1)
“We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true.” (Joseph Smith, Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 147-48)
“I have never prayed to see the Savior. I know of men – Apostles – who have seen the Savior more than once. I have prayed to the Lord for the inspiration of His Spirit to guide me, and I have told Him that I have seen so many men fall because of some great manifestation to them, they felt their importance, their greatness.” (Heber J. Grant, The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, p. 468, probably referring to Matthias F. Cowley and John W. Taylor)
"Many [members] assume the language 'special witnesses of Christ' to mean continuing visitations by Jesus Christ, angels and visions....It is the gap between the misconception held by many Latter-day Saints of Christ's regular appearances to church leaders, and the reality of His absence that creates distress." (Denver Snuffer, Passing the Heavenly Gift)
“I know of no instance where the Lord has appeared to an individual since His appearance to the Prophet Joseph Smith.” (Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. Claud Peery)
"I have a consciousness as I have thought through this responsibility [as prophet] and have been close enough to the Brethren over the years, that one in this position is under the constant surveillance of Him in whose service we are. Never would He permit one in this position to lead this church astray. You can be sure of that." (Harold B. Lee, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, ch. 9)
"...a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such." (Joseph Smith, HC 5:14)
"I told them I was but a man, and [people] must not expect me to be perfect." (Joseph Smith, HC 5:10)
"I am going on in my progress for eternal life....Oh! I beseech you to go forward, go forward and make your calling and your election sure; and if any man preach any other Gospel than that which I have preached, he shall be cursed; and some of you who now hear me shall see it, and know that I testify the truth concerning them." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:17)
"All the testimony is that the Lord in the last days would commit the keys of the priesthood to a witness over all people." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:17)
"Was the Priesthood of Melchizedek taken away when Moses died? All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained. All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself." (Joseph Smith, TPJS Section Four 1839-42, p.180)
"When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:14)
"All things whatsoever God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit and proper to reveal to us, while we are dwelling in mortality, in regard to our mortal bodies, are revealed to us in the abstract, and independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle, but are revealed to our spirits precisely as though we had no bodies at all; and those revelations which will save our spirits will save our bodies." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:14)
"And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand." (Enos 1:22)
"But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:8)
Joseph ties the sealing power to having your calling and election made sure
"Peter exhorts us to make our calling and election sure. This is the sealing power spoken of by Paul in other places." (Joseph Smith, TPJS Section 3 p. 149)
"The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, when that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds." (Letter from Joseph Smith to Isaac Galland, March 22, 1839; The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, Dean C. Jesse, editor; Deseret Book, p. 421-22.)
"If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter." (Joseph Smith, Times & Seasons, April 1, 1844)
"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan, it is God's plan." (June 1945 Ward Teaching Lesson)
Though this teaching was disavowed by George Albert Smith (in a personal letter), church presidents and other leaders continues to teach in General Conference perfect fidelity to priesthood leaders at all levels.
"And all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen." (D&C 26:2)
"For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." (D&C 28:13)
"There are certain key words and signs belonging to the Priesthood which must be observed in order to obtain the blessing. The sign of Peter was to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, with the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost; and in no other way is the gift of the Holy Ghost obtained." (Joseph Smith, HC 4:32)
"Say nothing but repentance unto this generation" (D&C 6:9, 11:9)
"In Biblical Hebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: shuv (to return) and nicham (to feel sorrow)." (Wikipedia 7/28/2013)
What are we to say to this generation? Recognize that by your works you can do nothing. In your sorrow from His absence, turn towards God and face Him. Seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written and begin to exercise faith.
"And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life." (D&C 101:38)
"Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple." (D&C 103:27-28)
"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." (Matthew 11:27)
The man who is inspired by the devil cannot help but preach his apostate doctrines and persecute the followers of Christ. Those inspired by the Holy Ghost cannot help but preach the doctrines of Eternity. Those who are not inspired have no desire to preach but quietly follow established traditions. These are those lukewarm souls who God promised to spew out of his mouth.
"And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the High Priesthood...Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness." (D&C 107:82, 84)
"And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations." (Helaman 6:38)
Apostle Willard Richards prophesied that the principles of herbology "would never die out or cease until it had revolutionized the earth." (Priddy Meeks Journal, p. 31)
"The Church is not fully organized, in its proper order, and cannot be, until the Temple is completed, where places will be provided for the administration of the ordinances of the Priesthood....[I] calculate to organize the Church in its proper order as soon as the Temple is completed." (Joseph Smith, HC v. 4 ch. 35)
"In 1830 the Lord called the church 'true and living' (D&C 1:30). By 1832 the Lord stated that the church is 'condemned' (D&C 84:54-57). By 1841 the Lord says He has taken the fullness of the priesthood away from the church (D&C 124:28). The Lord promised that if we did not repent, we would 'by [our] own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practice before me, saith the Lord.' (v. 48)." (Daniel Rogers)
In 1844 keys are yet to be delivered, Elijah yet to come.
"Now, the word turn here should be translated bind, or seal. But what is the object of this important mission? or how is it to be fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:9. January 21, 1844)
"For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." (3 Nephi 11:29)
"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed." (Mormon 4:5)
"And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety." (D&C 45:68)
"Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us." (Captain Moroni, Alma 44:6)
"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53)
"And the Lord spake unto Enoch, and said unto him: Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see. And he did so. And he beheld the spirits that God had created; and he beheld also things which were not visible to the natural eye; and from thenceforth came the saying abroad in the land: A seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people." (Moses 6:36)
"And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom." (D&C 88:77)
"Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege." (D&C 88:122)
"I am not a visionary man, neither am I given much to prophesying. When I want any of that done I call on brother Heber—he is my prophet, he loves to prophesy, and I love to hear him." (Brigham Young)
"But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good." (3 Nephi 12:44-45)
I will fight your battles
"For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles. Behold, the destroyer I have sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies; and not many years hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme my name upon the lands which I have consecrated for the gathering together of my saints." (D&C 105:14-15)
Seer stone referred to as a key. All should have one.
"A short time before the house was completed, a man by the name of Josiah Stoal, came from Chenango County, New York, with the view of getting Joseph to assist him in digging for a silver mine. He came for Joseph on account of having heard that he possessed certain keys, by which he could discern things invisible to the natural eye." (Lucy Mack Smith, Biographical Sketches, 1853)
Keys to know how to detect Satan
"Brother Joseph taught many and important principles to benefit and bless them their mission teaching them to observe charity wisdom and a fellow feeling for each other and love one another in all things and under all circumstances unfolding keys of knowledge to detect Satan and preserve in the favor of God." (Heber C. Kimball, July 2, 1839)
"Among the vast number of the Keys of the Kingdom of God Joseph presented the following one to the Twelve for there benefit in there experience & travels in the flesh which is as follows. In order to detect the devel when he transforms himself nigh unto an angel of light..." (Wilford Woodruff, Journal. June 27, 1839)
"There was no point upon which the Prophet Joseph dwelt more than the discerning of Spirits" (Minutes of Meetings held in Provo City, 28 November 1869, Church Archives). This may be true because the Prophet insisted that true religion was one of individual participation in revelation from God but that in their zeal many could be deceived." (The Words of Joseph Smith, Notes 1839, No. 21)
"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." (D&C 13)
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." (Daniel 2:44-45)
"And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him [for many hours] I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste." (1 Nephi 8:5-7)
"And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust." (Mormon 9:20)
"Of course we've built up churches to tell us all is well. We make excuses for the lack of miracles by preaching messages about God's will and having faith enough to NOT receive a miracle. But Moroni begs to differ." (Adrian Larsen)
http://www.totheremnant.com/2014/07/dwindling-in-unbelief.html?m=1
Luke contrasts the glory, trappings and offices of men and the authority of God:
"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests,
the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness." (Luke 3:1-2)
I heard a disturbing testimony today which laid the kind of praise and adulation you normally only hear given to a being you worship.
"He knows my needs, he knows your needs. He knows each of us. I hope I can follow the prophet."
There was no ambiguity as to who he was referring, and this was no "crazy" member. This was the Bishop.
This feeling among members in their worship is known, but to hear it actually voiced like this was shocking.
"After nearly a millennium-and-a-half, there was a great gulf between God’s last revelation and Catholic doctrines. When Gutenberg’s 1439 press and an increasingly literate population made it impossible for the Roman hierarchy to control information, Catholicism fractured. The Internet is to LDS Mormonism what Gutenberg’s press was to Catholicism. It is no longer possible for an institution to control the narrative." (Denver Snuffer, "Cutting Down the Tree of Life to Build a Wooden Bridge")
"Apostasy is...persisting...in teaching false doctrine."
Does this definition apply to leadership? By the law of restoration, if a leader judges that a member is worthy of excommunication for persisting in teaching false doctrine, will that leader himself be judged unworthy of the association of the Savior in eternity? For the those that wrote this statement are surely guilty of what they accuse others.
Daymon Smith: Ordain me…I want your magic, invisible power
We have had generations of yes-men leadership in the church who defer and suspend all of their own judgement to the authority just higher than themselves, up to the president, that we now have presidents who really have no idea what's going on who were groomed in those ranks. Alma 12:9-11 is fulfilled in them.
The shepherds of Israel have truly lost their mind. We as members have a duty to remove all assent. You will not want this done in your name, with your right hand.
Rock Waterman: Vengeance and the Latter-Day Saint
"Beware of Gentile sophistry; such as bowing and scraping unto men in whom you have no confidence." (Joseph Smith, HC 3:26)
"Legal entities, whenever they are formed, become prey to the law. Men who have ambition can control legal entities. They can be sycophants, brown-nosers and people who are willing to do whatever is required of them in order to show they are desperately submissive to the one above them so that they might join them and have control over others. This is the way that organizations go. They invite abuse." (Denver Snuffer, 40 Years in Mormonism, Preserving the Restoration)
"The servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother." (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 321)
"I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” (Joseph Smith—History:19)
Including the then existing Campbellite creeds and professors?
"Getting worked up about all these little issues just baffles me. You were fine with angels and golden plates left in holes in up-state New York, but he sticks his head in a hat and everyone loses their minds? If you’re a cynic, shouldn’t you have been lost at golden plates buried in up-state New York?" (Brett Bartel)
"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor." (2 Nephi 26:20)
Joseph said stop this "Follow the Prophet" nonsense, it will lead to your destruction. What do we do? We make it the single most defining characteristic of our religion.
"What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down." (Joseph Smith, HC 4:26)
"We are witnessing revolutionaries in the very act of overthrowing their past beliefs."
Denver Snuffer: New, Improved Mormonism
Joseph stated that in the last days only latter-day saint women would be willing to bear children. Truman Madsen said "bear" may mean both the delivery and care of children, or "bearing with" them which I believe.
I wonder though, if this prophecy was not necessarily intended to characterize the women who hold membership in the church, but as a way to identify those women who could truly be called "latter-day saint" whether in or out of the church.
Our country is falling apart, we're in the middle of World War III murdering millions for gain, destroying the widow and fatherless, converting their lives to money through inflation drinking in with the traditions and partaking of the spoils of Gadiantons and countless other horrors, and the topic? Somehow I don't think Isaiah would be talking about Home Teaching.
I've found more genuine spiritual revelation, knowledge and insight in a small book than I have in decades of General Conference.
They make broad their titles of prophet, seers and revelators and enlarge the borders of their authority.
"They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof; from such turn away."
"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 28:31)
"And they said unto me: What meaneth the river of water which our father saw? And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water." (1 Nephi 15:26-27)
"Heaven responds to questions." (Denver Snuffer)
"If any man in that position [referring to the Church President], should become unfaithful, God would remove him out of his place. I testify in the name of Israel's God, that he will not suffer the head of the Church, whom he has chosen to stand at the head, to transgress His laws and apostatize. The moment he should take a course that would in time lead to it, God would take him away." (Joseph F. Smith Gospel Doctrine, p. 44)
"The man that tells you words of life is the man who can save you." (Joseph Smith, King Follet Discourse, Thomas Bullock Report, The Words of Joseph Smith)
"But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering." (Alma 13:28)
Note that we can be tempted more than we can bear, and there are conditions to being able to bear or escape them.
"Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." (Luke 11:52)
"Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not. Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you." (D&C 8:10-11)
Rosaria Champagne Butterfield: As a leftist lesbian professor, I despised Christians. Then I somehow became one. (Article)
"There is never a time when the spirit is too old to approach God. All are within the reach of pardoning mercy, who have not committed the unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness, neither in this world, nor in the world to come." (Joseph Smith, HC v. 4 ch. 25. p. 425)
Nephi specifies that it's the leaders that cause the people to err:
"O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths." (2 Nephi 13:12, quoting Isaiah 3:12)
"...they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men." (2 Nephi 28:14)
"The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ...to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church...And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties." (D&C 20:38, 42, 47)
The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God.
"I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." (Psalms 2:7)
"So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5:5-6)
Light of Christ,
Holy Spirit,
Holy Ghost,
Holy Spirit of Promise
Nephi on Holy Spirit
Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit
God's Many Works
Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost
"Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." (D&C 84:85)
"And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?" (Jacob 5:48)
"I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite." (Joseph Smith, TPJS Section 6, p. 303)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
"Nevertheless when [your heart] shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
"Truly it may be said of us: Never have so many done so little with so much. In our desperate attempt to purchase the praise of the world, we have sold our tokens for money, our birthright for a mess of pottage." (Paul Toscano, Sanctity of Dissent)
"If you will thank the Lord with all your heart every night for all the blessings of that day you will eventually find yourself exalted in the kingdom of God." (Joseph Smith, recollection of James Hood)
"It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God; and could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as well be rent today as next week, or any other time, and if we will but cleanse ourselves and covenant before God, to serve Him, it is our privilege to have an assurance that God will protect us at all times." (Joseph Smith, TPJS Section 1 pg. 8)
The reaction of the hearers to the message delivered by King Benjamin, which he was commissioned to give by an angel: "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2)
"Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah." (Joseph Smith, October 5, 1840, Words of Joseph Smith, p. 42)
"Joseph also said that the Holy Ghost is now in a state of Probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has." (Joseph Smith, August 27 1843, Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245)
"when men are prepared, they are better off to go home." (Joseph Smith Diary)
"all your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection provided you continue faithful, by the vision of the almighty I have seen it." (Joseph Smith, Diary, 16 April 1843)
"I despise the idea of being scared to death at such a doctrine." (JS, TPJS)
"nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God. Thousands have felt the influence of its terrible power and baneful effects. Long pilgrimages have been undertaken, penances endured, and pain, misery and ruin have followed in their train; nations have been convulsed, kingdoms overthrown, provinces laid waste, and blood, carnage and desolation are habiliments in which it has been clothed." (Joseph Smith, HC ch. 33, p. 573)
Blog post: Trust in Man:
Because if we had to rely only on something as flimsy [sarcasm] as the Holy Ghost to choose we would be forced to fast and pray, be humble and penitent to solve this terrible dilemma for us; working out our salvation with fear and trembling before God. (Philip. 2: 12.)
"Nevertheless they [the more humble part] did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." (Helaman 3:35)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:5)
"If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed." (J Rueben Clark)
"And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:18-19)
"No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator." (Joseph Smith, HC 6:3, p. 58)
"Before (the earth) rolled into existence,…(God) contemplated the whole of the events connected with the earth…(God) knew…the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family, their weakness and strength,…the situation of all nations and…their destiny,…and (He) has made ample provision (for mankind’s) redemption
“Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive.”
See the entirety of chapters 14 (Keeping the Commandments (Reprised)) and 15 (Doing and Being) in The Second Comforter.
"[God] created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another." (Mosiah 2:21)
"The mind or intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself." (Joseph Smith, TPJS p. 353)
The Accuser
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:9-10)
"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." (D&C 130:6)
"...avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed."
Shepherds who remove fear.
"Institutions who use fear to control the hopes and aspirations of mankind concerning eternal life are in the gall of bitterness. Fear is of the devil. When the final remnant is gathered, they will have shepherds who remove fear. (Jeremiah 23:2-5.) When we are prepared by Christ, and by His word alone, we will not fear. (D&C 38:30.)"
"Hiram [Smith] said Aug 1st [18]43 Those of the Terrestrial Glory either advance to the Celestial or recede to the Telestial [or] else the moon could not be a type [viz. a symbol of that kingdom]. [for] it [the moon] 'waxes & wanes'." (Franklin D. Richards, "Words of the Prophets," Historical Department of the Church, p. 24. This is a small 30 page handwritten booklet produced by Richards from 1841 -1844. In it he recorded notes from a number of sermons of Joseph Smith and others)
"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21)
"If you see two children playing together, and they start to fight and hit each other, the children cry and run to their mothers. Hey, she hit me! One mother goes to talk with the other mother, The two mothers have a big fight, and five minutes later the two children are playing together again as if nothing happened. Now the mothers hate each other for the rest of their lives." (TMoL, p 172)
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God." (Exodus 20:3-5)
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
We are so busy judging and condemning ourselves that this could be a key to understanding the voices we hear.
"I heard someone comment on how all these fellowships gathered here are remarkably diverse. That is because people are diverse. God went to the trouble of making very tree unique. Every snowflake is unique. Every living organism is unique. Every fingerprint is unique. I suspect when we are at last able to distinguish on that scale we will find that every atom of this universe is likewise unique." (DS)
"God hides most things in plain sight. It is up to you, therefore, to be willing to draw back the veil and see them." (The Second Comforter, Sayings)
"The inquiry is frequently made of me 'Wherein do you differ from others in your religious views?' In reality and essence we do not differ so far in our religious views but that we could all drink into one principal of love." (The Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star, Volume 21, pg. 699)
"As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand, let them be enlarged towards others; you must be long-suffering, and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men!" (History of the Church 4:602-607)
“the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more are we disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls—to take them upon our shoulders and cast their sins behind our back....If you would have God have mercy on you, have mercy on one another.” (TPJS, pg. 241)
"Don‘t trouble yourself, unless it motivates you to change. Repentance means change. Repentance actually means you turn from the direction you are facing. Whatever direction you are facing, turn from that direction, and face God. When you turn to God and face Him and let Him be the object of your focus and your attention, then you have repented." (The Mission of Elijah Reconsidered)
“Knowledge is necessary to life and godliness. Woe unto you priests and divines who preach that knowledge is not necessary unto life and salvation. Take away Apostles, etc., take away knowledge, and you will find yourselves worthy of the damnation of hell. Knowledge is revelation. Hear, all ye brethren, this grand key: knowledge is the power of God unto salvation.” (Quoted by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray, reporting a discourse given by Joseph Smith on May 21, 1843, in Nauvoo, Illinois; Martha Jane Knowlton Coray, Notebook, Church Archives; emphasis mine)
"Lose yourself, your pride, self-will and meaningless individuality in something much greater." (The Second Comforter, ch. 9)
"be still and know that I am God." (Palms 46:10, D&C 101:16)
“Why will not man learn wisdom by precept and example at this late age of the world and not be obliged to learn everything we know by sad experience?” (Joseph Smith, HC 3:26)
"Never be discouraged. If I were sunk in the lowest pits of Nova Scotia, with the Rocky Mountains piled on me, I would hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I would come out on top." (Quoted in Memoirs of George A. Smith, in George A. Smith papers, ms 1322, box, folder 1, Family and Church History Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
"Come to God weary him until he blesses you." (Joseph Smith, July 1839, Commerce, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards, in Willard Richards, Pocket Companion, pp. 75, 78–79. Words of Joseph Smith)
"Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off you doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from coming to God." (Oliver Cowdery, HC v 2, ch 13, p 195)
"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." (Job 3:25, IV)
Todd White on prayer and healing
0m 30s: "I prayed for an average of ten people a day, every day. And for three and a half months I didn't see anybody healed.
7m 36s: "It doesn't matter what people believe. I believe. So back to your original question. What if you pray and it does happen? I prayed for about a thousand people before I saw a breakthrough. I really did." (Todd White, Interview, "What if nobody gets healed")
"Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days." (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
"Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved." (TPJS)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." (John 8:51)
"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:23-26)
"Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven." (3 Nephi 28:7)
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:25-26)
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
The cause of sin is death. If Christ conquered sin, then by virtue of his sacrifice, if we are partakers, death is also conquered.
"And the spirit and the body are the soul of man." (D&C 88:15)
"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." (D&C 130:22)
"First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work—Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning." (D&C 29:32-33)
Satan Fell From Heaven
"Satan was not thrown out of heaven until after this earth was created. Jesus remarked, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." (Luke 10:18) Similarly, John's revelation records that Satan "which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:9) From this we know that Satan was not cast out until after the creation of this earth had prepared a place into which Satan could be cast." (link, emphasis added)
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for." (Hebrews 11:1)