VOL I, ISSUE II                                        JULY 2003

Then you will try to be a moral and clean person in manner and habit. You will not follow the trendy new fads of body piercing’s and multiple ear rings, of nose jewels, and of tattoo’s.

And especially you will not listen to or allow your children to listen to the seductive music that is so prevalent today, which presents all of these evils combined in a spectacular array of nearly all the sins known to mankind, to entice all of those who listen, to embrace these evils.

You will not partake of liquors and drugs, or watch unclean movies, for our bodies are Temples of our God and we will not defile them by those things that we do to ourselves physically, or what we think, or what we see, or what we hear, or what we say and what we do.

If you truly believe in the Book of Mormon:

Then you will honor your God

You will not profane his name or take His name in vain.

Or partake of silly jokes or movies that mock Him, for his holy name is sacred .

That life begins at conception and that all human life is sacred and to be cherished and protected.

That abortion is the most vile form of murder in that families kill their own babies and shed the blood of innocence, thereby assenting to the Death of Christ.

And that birth control pills are evil, in that they cause abortions (at the rate of 1 in 20) at the time of conception.

Then you will understand that we must be valiant, that we must stand for those things that are right, be awakened to the sense of the awful reality of our sins and repent and be numbered among our brethren the Lamanites (the American Indians), so that we might partake of the blessings that are to come to them.

Then you believe that there will be no more soothsayers, witches, necromancers, wizards, or any of the other followers of Satan, or their signs (Inverted pentagrams etc.) in the Church, and that they never have had a place in the Church.

Then you will understand that the Lord will have a people who will serve him, that the natural branches (Lamanites) will be grafted in and that the present corrupted Mormon Church people will be cast out and the Church will be set in order and once again be a light unto the world.

Most people today feel miserable and depressed and they don’t know why. They search for happiness in the pursuit of wealth, and worldly possessions, and they cannot find it. They encumber themselves with their various religions and philosophies, hoping to find happiness and they cannot find it. They look to their fellow human beings for comfort, and guidance, and are disappointed, They wander from church to church, from one persuasion to another in pursuit of truth, and they cannot find it. They are often driven in their misery and boredom away from religion by the self-righteous, who come in the garments of their own holiness, and care nothing about the well being of the poor and meek of the earth.

They do not know what to do to lighten their burdens, and their troubles, and feel at peace. Confusion reigns everywhere, and they don’t know how they can learn the truth. There is no place to go to raise their children in safety where they might not grow up corrupted by the popular culture pervading and attacking every fabric of decency in our once civil society.

The words of God are considered to have no value and appear to be trampled under foot, and set at naught. They are considered something to be avoided, and those who believe them are ridiculed, and scoffed at. Good is made evil, and evil is made good. Witchcraft, and the occult are constantly promoted as something to be desired through every facet of society. It is snuck into nearly every religion, and every form of media; computers, music, trendy children’s books, movies and television.

Only the wicked seem to be doing well. Only the light-minded, and the drunkards, appear to be happy. Is it really any wonder that growing children choose the way they now do? They see the exciting, carefree lifestyle on one hand, and the oppressive, self-righteous, holier than thou on the other, and eventually come to believe this is the choice they have to make. Far too often, God’s sheep are driven into sin by the self-righteous. It is truly written that when God calls His sheep from their dens of iniquity, the self-righteous will be shocked. Although God cannot tolerate sin in the slightest degree; His redeeming grace is full of mercy for those with broken hearts and contrite spirits, wishing to live obedient to His laws. "For though their sins be as scarlet, yet I will make them whiter than snow."

It is truly said that God chastises those He loves. Often times He places His sheep in trying circumstances so that they can be meek and humble, and lowly of heart, so they might be more receptive to His word. He puts them through trials and tribulations to teach them wisdom, even though they cannot see His purpose in doing so. He blesses them in ways they cannot comprehend. Often, what people regard as punishments, are often blessings in disguise.

"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." John 12:25. It is not possible to find happiness in wealth and material gain, for money is the root of all evil. It is not wisdom to encumber one’s self in vain religions, and philosophies and delusions. It is not profitable to follow the church of the Devil. It is not wisdom to trust in the arm of flesh, and to try to find guidance and comfort solely in one’s fellow human beings, and not to put their trust in God who created us all with His hands, and who loves us all with a greater love than any person on earth is capable of manifesting.

God created us all that we might have endless joy, not that we might have endless misery, and punishment. God wishes each of us to receive an inheritance in the eternities, with a joy that exceeds all imagination of the heart, and all calculation of the mind. It is worth every effort to obtain. It is worth all the sacrifices of worldly pleasure.

Today is a day where we "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die." For all those people who think this way, and think the Scriptures are of no worth; they should remember another people who thought this way in the days of Noah. It is written that they knew not until the flood came and swept them all away. They should remember that after they were destroyed they spent over two thousand years in spirit prison, until they despaired of ever being delivered, when Jesus Christ our Redeemer visited them in prison after He was put to death and resurrected.

Shall God look upon our generation any less tolerable, than He did the children of the flood? We really must be sober in our thoughts. Can anyone imagine what it would be like to be locked in prison for two thousand years? Is this carefree, luxurious lifestyle, devoid of responsibility, which we all aspire to really worth the sacrifices we must make to achieve it? Is it worth it to ignore the poor, sick and afflicted in our quest for worldly riches? Is it really worth it to trample the Word of God under our feet, so we can live in the fleshly gratification of our sins? We will not always find joy in our sins. Is it really worth it to do all these things, and inherit that eternal misery and punishment?

The Scriptures really are of great worth to those who sincerely give them a chance to work upon their minds. For the honest of heart that do, they will find them surprisingly more interesting, and joyful than anything they have pursued before. If they just allow the seed to be planted in their hearts, and water it and nourish it, they will find it will grow into a solid tree. "The meek shall surely inherit the earth. For it is the meek whom the Father loveth."

Those who wish to be numbered with the House of Israel need to speedily repent lest "ALL FLESH" be removed from existence. The words of the Lord are very clear on this matter, and He does not simply warn that this most terrible of all judgements be fulfilled, that is, not some people or some flesh be done away with, but His words are most specific: "all flesh be consumed before me."

The direct commandment of the Lord that a righteous people serve Him and uphold His Gospel principles is a pre-requisite to receive His blessings. The many blessings in the scriptures promised to the righteous are always predicated on the repentance of the righteous and from that time henceforth they are to live the true gospel. Therefore, should there be only one righteous man alive in the world, it is enough to preserve the thread connecting heaven to the earth, for the time being.

Should the ignorant mock the possibility of there being only one righteous man in the world being enough to preserve it, recall the story of Noah, or some of the other prophets we read about in the scriptures. It is the nature of men to become lifted up in the pride of their hearts and stray from the word of God so the can feel justified in succumbing to their own carnal natures. We have many scriptural examples of an entire people becoming corrupt and wicked and one lone prophet exhorting the people to repent. If one believes in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, it would be foolish to think this scenario can’t happen again.

Should the time come where no inhabitants on the earth are worthy to be called God’s people, he will surely carry out his promise that all of the earth’s inhabitants will be done away with, for the words of God are not idle threats. There must be a connection between heaven to a righteous people, that is, a people willing to serve their God no matter what the consequences, or the world and its entire inhabitants are in jeopardy.

Jacob 5:41 "And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: what could I have done more for my vineyard? Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted. And now these which have once brought forth good fruit have also become corrupted; and now all the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire."

It has been said in more than one scripture that the present conditions of the world would be so wicked that when the time arrives that mankind awakes to their awful situations, everyone will be so worried about their own salvation that they will not have time to worry about those of others.

"THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

(New Testament, Matthew 25:1 - 13)

"And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles(this refers to those people currently in possession of the Gospel - the current people of the LDS Church) shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders (the most obvious example being that of abortion), and priestcrafts (one example being pentagrams on the reconstructed Nauvoo Temple), and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.

(Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 16:10 - 13)

"Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 112:14 - 15)

"Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name's sake unto you.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh (this prophetic choice of words is very significant - refer to D&C 98:15, described on previous page of this newsletter) has become corrupt before my face.

THE PRIESTHOOD CEASES to be effective when exercised "in any degree of Unrighteousness" (D&C121:37), but it operates by the spirit, and the spirit is not deceived but is exquisitely sensitive to the slightest color of fraud, pretension, self

will, ambition, cruelty, etc. "When we undertake...to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens withdraw themselves; and the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or authority of that man" (D&C 121:37). But what about the righteous dominion of the priesthood? That can be easily recognized, for it operates 'only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the souls without hypocrisy, and without guile . . . with "bowels full of charity towards all men . . . " (121:41ff). Even in the eternities the power of the priesthood flows "without compulsory means...forever and ever" (1 2 1:46).

Who can deny such a power to another? No man. Who can bestow it on another? No man. We like to think that the Church is divided into those who have it and those W ho don't have it; but it is the purest folly to assume that we can tell who has it and who does not. God alone knows who is righteous and how righteous; yet "the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven," and those "cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principle of righteousness" (D&C 121:35ff). The result is, that if there is anyone who really holds the priesthood, no one is in a position to say who it is—only by the power to command the spirits and the elements is such a gift apparent. But as far as commanding or directing other people, there every man must decide for himself. One valuable hint the Lord has given us, however, namely the assurance that of all those who "hold" the priesthood almost none really possess it. "That the rights of the priesthood . . . may be conferred upon us, it is true," making us formally priesthood holders, "but when we undertake to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness" the priesthood is void. And this is how it is in "almost all" cases in the Church: 'We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as, they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion Hence many are called but few are chosen" (V&C 1 2 1:39 _40).

First, one may not set one's heart upon the things of this world (121 35)—so much for the priesthood as something to show off; then, one may not aspire to the honors of men—so much for the priesthood as something for prestige. One cannot exercise any power of the priesthood in an! degree of unrighteousness—this in full recognition of the fact that "it is the nature of almost all men" to do that very thing as soon as they think they have power and authority. This leaves a few humble, unpretentious, and unworldly people as the sole holders of a valid priesthood. It is the 'few humble followers of Christ" who are the strength of the Church throughout much of the Book of Mormon history.

What irony. As far as the whole world is concerned, the priesthood is a thing of value which is cruel to withhold from anyone, because it enhances one's status and dignity among his fellows, whether inside the Church or outside. And yet the one thing that renders that priesthood completely null and void is to treat it as something to aspire to among one's fellows. Priesthood is strictly an arrangement between the individual priesthood holder and his brethren in the eternal worlds, as personal and private as anything can be.

We might as well recognize the fact that whatever we say and do in righteousness is going to be misinterpreted. The only way we can make things easier for ourselves in the world is to go the way of the world. It would be hard to deny that the peace and prosperity of the Church in the past years has been largely the fruit of willingness to go the way the world goes.

Where all truth is encompassed in one great whole to raise one question is to raise many others, and any issue relevant to the gospel inevitably leads to a discussion of the whole thing.

Is not the priesthood everything? Not on this earth. On this earth it is nothing, and as confer soon as we try to use it for any kind of status. power, rule, or authority, it automatically cancels out.

To repeat, as we are prone to do for lack of wit, for those who hold the priesthood on this earth, it is, the Prophet Joseph said, 'an onerous burdens," not a prize. One cannot give orders to another by the priesthood. One cannot use it to acquire prestige, fame or wealth Far from impressing one's fellow men, it is held in derision by them. The moment one tries to make honor or glory or exercise dominion by the priesthood "amen to the priesthood of that man"—it automatically becomes null and void. What good is it then? Over whom does it exercise dominion? Over the spirits and over the elements—but not over one's fellow men, who cannot under any circumstances be deprived of their complete free agency. Though some may find it hard to believe, I find no cause for boasting in my priesthood—nothing is easier than conferring it upon one, but that is only the beginning; for it to be a real power requires a degree of concentration, dedication, and self_discipline which few ever attain to, and for the rest priesthood is not a

blessing but a terrible risk. The priesthood is not a badge of office to be worn as a feather in a cap. Do we really believe the First Vision? Thousands of Latter Day Saints attest to it every Fast Sunday; but when the earliest, fullest, and best account of the First Vision, dictated by the Prophet at the age of 26 to Frederick G. Williams, was discovered and published in 1968 it caused not the slightest ripple of interest in the Church. It is enough, apparently, to know that God has spoken again from the heavens—never mind what he said. The most useful lesson is the silence of heaven on this particular issue in the light of our own woeful ignorance. There is a connection between the two. Where the people do not seek for wisdom and knowledge, God will not give it to them, and so they remain in ignorance, and may not ask for help from above.

Nothing pleases God more than to have his children 'seek greater light and knowledge"_it was for that Adam, Abraham, Enoch, Moses, and Joseph Smith were rewarded with the richest blessings. Nothing displeases him more than to have them "seek for power, and authority, and riches" (3 Nephi 6:15). Through the years the Latter Day Saints have consistently sought not for the former but for the latter. It is only right and proper that we should stew in our own juice for a while.

"I sought for the blessings of the fathers . . . desiring also to be one who possessed greater knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess greater knowledge..."(Abraham 1:2).

Twice he repeats it—he wants knowledge. Up to the last, even after he had learned all the doctrines of salvation, Adam still "seeks for greater light and knowledge" and for such knowledge we should seek eternally. But what do we hear? A former president of the BYU pompously announced at a convention of educators that we at the BYU are not seeking for truth, because we have the truth! 1_his is where we stand today It is common at the BYU for students to protest against being taught anything they did not know before: "Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? . . . And because that I have spoken one word he need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be unto the end of man . . . (2 Nephi 29:8_9)The fact is that the Latter Day Saints "will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be" (2 Nephi 32:7). They simply are just not interested. How little we know about things. How little we want to know. The information is there, far more abundant than we have been willing to realize, if we will only reach out for it. To wait for a revelation on the subject is foolish until we have exhausted all tee resources already placed at our disposal.

The strong prejudice has long been extended to the Indians by many Mormons in high position, yet the Mormons alone of all the people in the world believe the Indians to be the true blood of Israel, no less.

Such attitudes are strengthened by the snobbery of American suburbia; the Mormons like to think of themselves as WASP__ yet it was the rural, white, Christian, Protestant Americans upon whom the Lord with his own lips excoriated to the youthful prophet; they are all hypocrites, said he: "They were all wrong. . . all their creeds were an abomination in his sight . . . those professors were all corrupt: 'They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.'" (Joseph Smith History I:l9).

There are those in the Church who would identify Zion with "Executive Meadows. the Exclusive Condominium for the Right People."

REPEAT of repeat: Over whom does it exercise power, then? Over the spirits and over the elements—never over one's fellow men, whose free agency is absolute and inalienable. Christ commanded the spirits, and they obeyed him; he commanded the elements and they obeyed him, but men he would not command, and rebuked the apostles at Capernaum for suggesting it. "how often would I have gathered you together . . . and ye would not!"

What, then is the priesthood on this earth? It is what Brigham Young and the Twelve wrote in the Times and Seasons in 1839, they called the priesthood an "onerous duty," a load to be borne. Very few men on earth, including those in the Church are really qualified In terms of prestige, status, power, influence, pleasure, privilege, "power, and authority, and riches" (3 Nephi 6:37), the priesthood has absolutely nothing to offer The world laughs at it, the Latter Day Saints abuse or ignore it, those who take it seriously do so in "fear and trembling."

Historical quotes from early Mormons:

Brigham Young, Quote; "Women when you get married, and your husbands don’t live up to your expectations, don’t turn against him and cast dark shadows across his path, but seek to be a helpmate and encourage him, then God won’t hold you responsible."

John Taylor, Quote; " No matter how fashionable, abortion is still the vilest kind of murder."

Joseph Smith, Quote; "If the Mormon people wouldn’t serve God, then He would pass them by, and get a people that would, because He would have a people who would serve Him in these last days. But He feared that men would seek to justify themselves from one step to another until they were clear down to hell."

J Golden Kimball, Quote; "In pioneer times you could feel the spirit of God go through the congregation like a fire. We don’t have that now. (1927)