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
The Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of
Great Price, including the Articles of Faith, have been received by
the vote of the Church in general conference assembled as the standard
works of the Church. On this platform we stand. The Church is not
responsible for the remarks made by any Elder or for the numerous
books that have been written. The authors of the words or books must
be responsible for their own utterances. It is not to be supposed from
this that all that has been written outside of the standard works of
the Church is discarded and rejected, for these things are profitable
as helps in the government of the Church, and to promote faith in the
members. The point is this, if in these books mistakes are found, "they
are the mistakes of men," and the Church as an organization is not to
be held accountable for them, but for that which is received from time
to time by vote of the Church, as it comes through the President of the
High Priesthood. When the Lord reveals his mind and will it is to be
received, "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it
is the same," but we are not to be judged by "unauthorized sayings or
deeds."
The ministers of the "Reorganization" tell us that the Church has
departed from the teachings received from 1830-1844 in many principles
of vital importance, viz., the Godhead, marriage, the atonement, the
location of Zion, Temple building and the ceremonies therein, and other
things, in which they have strictly adhered to the original faith. We
will take these subjects up one by one and see which organization it
is that is following the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the
doctrines of "the Original Church." First as to the Godhead.
THE GODHEAD.
The first article of faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, reads as follows:
"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost."
We accept these three personages as the supreme governing council in
the heavens. The Father and the Son have tabernacles of flesh and
bones, and the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. (D. & C. 130:22).
We worship the Father in the name of the Son, who is the Mediator
between God and man, and His is the only name given whereby man can
be saved (D. & C. 18:23). We accept Jesus as the Only Begotten Son
of the Father in the flesh, although we are all His offspring in the
spirit, (Acts 17:28) and therefore His children. This is the teaching
of "Mormonism."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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