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
To presume to speak in the name of the Lord is a serious matter, and
woe be to the man who speaks in the name of the Lord when he has not
been commanded. It is far better never to receive a revelation than
to follow after those who receive "revelations" that the Lord has not
given. The "revelations" given by the Reorganite president to the
"Reorganized" Church, need only to be read to convince one of their
spurious character. They are weak, puerile, and it takes a very little
of the spirit of discernment to know what source they are of. However,
if they are acceptable to the "Reorganization," that is their business.
We are satisfied.
But the people who lack in discernment may be deceived through the
pretenses of men and accept for facts and revelations that which the
Lord has not commanded. If there are any who are honestly deceived
pertaining to the revelations of this man who presumes to be the
"President of the High Priesthood" and "the mouthpiece of God," we will
respectfully call their attention to one or two items in his pretended
revelations.
This is from section 116, "revelation" given May 4, 1865:
"Be not hasty in ordaining men of the negro race to offices in my
church, for verily I say unto you, All are not acceptable unto me
as servants, nevertheless I will that all may be saved, but every
man in his own order, and there are some who are chosen instruments
to be ministers to their own race. Be ye content, I the Lord have
spoken it."
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the Saints that the negroes could not
hold the Priesthood, for the Lord had cursed them as pertaining to the
Priesthood. This is supported by the revelation in the Book of Abraham,
which was translated by the Prophet. It reads:
"Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the
eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the
manner of government of Ham, which was patriarchal.
"Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged
his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly
to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first
generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even the
reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with
the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but
_cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood_. Now, Pharaoh being of
the lineage by which _he could not have the right of Priesthood_,
notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through
Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry." (Book of
Abraham 1:25-27).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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