Volume 3, Issue 6 – December 2008

Posted on 12/22/2008 at 12:06:15 PM

Contents -

Keeping Eternal Laws and Fulfilling Prophecies

Jesus – Savior of Other Worlds?

Brigham Young’s Teachings on Adam

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Keeping Eternal Laws and Fulfilling Prophecies

Posted on 12/20/2008 at 8:49:02 AM

Judging the 1886 Meeting

Tens of thousands of Mormon Fundamentalists believe that in 1886 Joseph Smith came to John Taylor and instructed him to set apart a group of men to keep alive plural marriage even when the Church should reject that principle.

Just like the visitation of God to Joseph Smith there were no visual means to record what happened, and although – like the visit of Moroni to show the gold plates – there were witnesses, they also didn’t record it or share what had happened until after the event, as is the case with many of the greatest scriptural and spiritual events.

However, this does not mean that there are no indications of the truthfulness of what went on at that time. God has given us principles by which to judge the truth, history gives us precedents so we can see what is possible, and Prophets foretell the future, so that when it comes to pass we can know it is from God. Using these tools we can judge what someone claims, to see if it contradicts principle, follows precedent, and fulfills prophecy. By seeking the Spirit as we study we can also obtain a divine confirmation.
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Jesus – Savior of Other Worlds?

Posted on 12/17/2008 at 3:19:24 PM

It has become a common belief amongst many Latter-day Saints that the atonement of Jesus extends to other earths like ours.  This teaching is common in wards throughout the world, and is mentioned in books about the Savior by several by modern Mormon authors.  But is this a revealed doctrine or just a popular theory, and what have the scriptures and prophets had to say on this subject?
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Brigham Young & Adam-God

Posted on 12/7/2008 at 1:15:28 PM

Brigham Young gave over 30 sermons on Adam, in a period of 25 years. As he never gave all of the details of what he believed in one single sermon, this is an attempt to compile all of his unique teachings into one text, as if he were explaining it from begging to end.

All of the words come from Brigham Young. The quotes used are uninterrupted, except in a few instances in which he went on to another aspect of this subject in mid-sentence. References are given throughout, so that a reader can compare it to the original account, and see for themselves that Brother Brigham did indeed clearly and repeatedly teach this same doctrine, in all of its aspects, and on several occasions.¹

President Brigham Young, 1852-1877
from the Journal of Discourses & Manuscript Addresses

Now, let all who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation.² It³ will be a curse to many of the elders of Israel because of their folly with regard to it.”⁴

Adam’s birth & mortal life

When you tell me that father Adam was made as we make adobes from the earth, you tell me what I deem an idle tale. When you tell me that the beasts of the field were produced in that manner, you are speaking idle words devoid of meaning. There is no such thing in all the eternities where the Gods dwell.⁵

Did the Lord put into him his spirit? Yes, as the Lord put into you your spirit, he was begotten of a father, and brought forth as you and I were;⁶ He was made just the same way you and I are made, but on another earth. … He had lived on an earth similar to ours.⁷

Though we have it in history that our father Adam was made of the dust of this earth, and that he knew nothing about his God previous to being made here, yet it is not so; … Adam was made from the dust of an earth, but not from the dust of this earth.”⁸

He was made of the dust of the earth where he lived, where he honored his calling, believed in his Saviour, or Elder Brother, …⁹ He had been with the his¹⁰ Lord and had lived with him upon an earth like this and had been faithful and overcome, … and was well acquainted with the Lord and was one of his ‘mess mates.¹¹’¹²

He had received the Priesthood and the keys thereof, and had been faithful in all things¹³ He did abide his creation, and did honor to his calling and Priesthood. He obeyed his Master or Lord, and probably many of his wives did the same; they lived and died upon an earth, and then were resurrected again to immortality and eternal life.¹⁴

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