VernPorter.com

I associate false pride with an overly developed sense of entitlement which overrides our sense of what is proper behavior. I see a connection to D&C 95:5-6, “5. But behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen. 6. They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.”

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Sunday, July 8th, 2018 on the BYU channel some of our scholars were discussing Joseph Smith and polygamy. They acknowledged that there were lots of questions on that topic, but they spoke with certainty saying that Joseph was a polygamist. I don’t recall whether or not I saw the whole program, but I heard no hint that they might report Joseph’s denials. Page 411 of volume six of the Joseph Smith History of the Church is full of his objections to charges that he had more than one wife.

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Today at Priesthood meeting, on April 22nd, a member of the Stake Presidency showed up in order to release the High Priest’s Group leadership and the Elder’s Quorum Presidency and present the new Elder’s Quorum Presidency for our sustaining vote. After explaining the emphasis on ministering in the new program replacing visiting teaching and home teaching, there was a call for remarks from the quorum. A High Priest was called upon who suggested that fifty years ago home teaching was more like the new program, not having any suggested lessons to give each month. If I had been prepared to respond to that suggestion I would have reminded the quorum that those were the times of fascination with polygamy and theorizing about the reason African blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood. We had learned to ignore the evidence in the Book of Mormon that polygamy was an abomination and a whoredom and that we are all the same in the sight of God.

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When I informed my Southern Baptist minister that I was considering joining the L.D.S. Church he gave me some anti Mormon literature. When I told my Mormon friends about the negative information he had given me they assured me that the Church was perfect, but they acknowledged that the members were not. As someone who was well acquainted with the Bible, I knew their assurance was oversimplified for the Apostle Paul said in 1Corinthians 11:19 “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” Furthermore, the Lord said through Ezekiel in chapter 20:24-25 “ 24) Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their father’s idols. 25) Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;”. Jesus in Matthew 5:31-48 gave some examples of those things which were found in the Law of Moses.

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In Alma 33:16 it says, “Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son”.

Jesus was able to atone for our sins because He was falsely accused, convicted, and punished for sins which He did not commit. Therefore, He is able to say, in effect, “All those who take upon themselves my name by partaking of covenants to serve me will not be damned and thrust down to hell”. Because Jesus led a perfect life He could pay for our sins, otherwise His punishment would have been deserved and His crucifixion would not have resulted in atonement. It is that simple.

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