Origin of the 'Reorganized' Church and the Question of SuccessionSmith, Joseph Fielding
History
Origin of the 'Reorganized' Church and the Question of Succession
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Latter Day Saint churches -- Government; Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- Government
Now, our Reorganite friends have attempted to make considerable capital
out of the statement of President Brigham Young, that there were "keys
that the written word never spoke of, nor never will." In the light of
the facts herein set forth, that "it is given unto many to _know the
mysteries_ of God; _nevertheless they are laid under a strict command,
that they shall not impart only according to the portion of His word,
which He doth grant unto the children of men_; according to the _heed_
and _diligence_ which they give unto Him, and that things have been
revealed to the faithful even to babes, that were "_forbidden_, that
there should not any man _write them_," and that many of them have
seen and heard "_unspeakable things_, which are _not lawful to be
written_," (III. Nephi 26:16, 18). is it, after all, so unreasonable
that there should be _keys_ that the written word _does not and will
not_ speak of? Joseph Smith the Prophet held the "_keys_" of the
_mystery of things which have been sealed_, even things which were from
the foundation of the world." (D. & C. 35:18), which _mysteries_ it was
given to the Saints to know, "but _unto the world_ it is not _given
to know them_." (D. & C. 42:65). Again: "But unto him that keepeth my
commandments, I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same
shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting
life." (D. & C. 63:23).
Now, how were these _keys_ and _mysteries_ to be kept from the world,
if they were to be published to the world in the written word? And
if the Saints through faithfulness are to receive the _mysteries_
of the kingdom, then they must be withheld from the world and from
the unfaithful. How is this to be if they are to be published to
the world in the written word? Therefore, when our friends of the
"Reorganization" attack President Young because there were _keys_ not
spoken of in the written word, which keys we have seen were held by
Joseph Smith, they merely display their own ignorance and folly in
raising the question.
TEMPLE BUILDING AND CEREMONIAL ENDOWMENTS THEREIN.
Another phase of this same subject is Temple work, which is so bitterly
attacked by the Reorganites. They say:
"That as to the alleged 'temple building and ceremonial endowments
therein,' that we know of no temple building, except as edifices
wherein to worship God, and no endowment except the endowment of
the Holy Spirit of the kind experienced by the early Saints on
Pentecost day." (Book of Resolutions, p. 82).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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