95 Thesis topics 11 to 15

Pages 23 to 30

11. PERSECUTION

12. Friendship with The World

13A. MORMON INDEPENDENCE,

13B. INDEBTEDNESS TO THE GENTILES,

13C. CORPORATION SOLE

14“ALL IS WELL”

15. DESTRUCTIONS IN THE WORLD

Ninety Five Thesis Topics 6-10

6. PERSONAL TESTIMONY

the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to the extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a saint from the face of an enemy against the people of God.

“Then is the time to look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall.

“For I say unto you there is a test, a Test, A TEST coming.” (J. Golden Kimball, p. 364)

7. PERSONAL WITNESSES

It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God; and could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as well be rent today as next week or any other time ….” Joseph Smith (T.P.J.S. p. 9)

8. REVELATION

“When new revelation ceases to be given officers cease to be called of God.” (Orson Pratt’s Works, p. 40)

9. A PECULIAR PEOPLE

“When the children of Israel were chosen with Moses at their head, they were to be a peculiar people, among whom God should place His name;…” Joseph Smith (T.P.J.S., p. 252)

10. FASHIONS

“There was a time when we could walk up and down the streets and tell by the very countenances of men whether they were Latter-day Saints, or not; but can you do it now? You can not, unless you have greater discernment and more of the Spirit and power of God than I have. Why? Because many are trying as hard as they can to transform themselves into the very shape, character, and spirit of the world. Elders in Israel, young men, mothers and daughters in Israel are conforming to the world’s fashions, until their very countenances indicate its spirit and character. This course is to the shame and disgrace of those who are so unwise.” (Joseph F. Smith, J.D. 11:310)

95 Theses

 

by

Ogden Kraut

If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter.

–Joseph Smith

Times & Seasons

April 1, 1844

 

When we have God’s word pure and clear, then we think ourselves all right, we become negligent, and repose in a vain security; we no longer pay due heed, thinking it will always so remain, we do not watch and pray against the devil, who is ready to tear the Divine word out of our hearts.

No greater mischief can happen to a Christian people, than to have God’s word taken from them, or falsified, so that they no longer have it pure and clear. God grant we and our descendants be not witnesses of such a calamity.

–Martin Luther

CONCLUSION, Chapter 14 of The Priesthood and The Church 

 

Pages 225 to 230

 

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)

 

We have seen how mortal, immortal and resurrected beings can function with Priesthood outside of the organization of the Church. We have reviewed how Jesus established a church in Jerusalem with the Priesthood. He then established another church existing simultaneously on the American continent also with Priesthood. Then He went to some “other sheep” whom He was going to bring “into the fold,” which undoubtedly had a church and priesthood. This was a demonstration that at least three churches were operating at the same time with priesthood authority without the supervision of any particular central church.

 

Then after the Church of Jesus Christ was established, there was an apostasy. Why? Because the church changed Christ’s doctrines, laws and ordinances to conform with the laws of man.

 

Even though the Christian church grew in great numbers and became very prosperous, without the high priesthood they could no longer obey or perform higher Priesthood ordinances.

LATTER-DAY EXCOMMUNICATIONS, Chapter 13 of The Church and The Priesthood 

 

Pages 215 to 224

 

During the first three centuries following Christ’s death the Christians were nearly exterminated. Between the reign of Nero and Diocletian there were approximately ten major waves of persecution, the last ending shortly after 306 A.D. So successful had been the destruction of the Christians that Diocletian was praised on two monuments or pillars in Spain. One was inscribed, “For having extended the Roman Empire in the east and west, and for having extinguished the name of Christians, who brought the Republic to ruin.” And on the other, “For having everywhere abolished the superstition of Christ.” (Milners Church History 2:6)

 

Finally between 326 – 330 A.D. the great Roman Emperor Constantine brought the Christians and Romans together. This was an improvement for the pagan Romans but a catastrophe for the Christians. The Christian church exploded in numbers, became popular and ultimately became rich. These three elements were the deadly seeds of apostasy and worldly approval that quickly took over the church. High positions in the church were coveted–bought, bribed and blackmailed. Some church leaders were even murdered to provide a better chance for someone else to be Pope. Other office holders were eliminated to make room for ambitious office seekers. The Popes soon gained political as well as religious powers. Excommunications became more and more popular, not because of sin, but because of threats and opportunity seekers. Thousands upon thousands became victims of prison, torture and horrible death. It was centuries before Christianity finally crept out of the Dark Ages into the light of a reformation–and even later, a restoration.

THE EXCOMMUNICATION OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BELIEVERS, Part 2 of Chapter 12 of The Church and The Priesthood 

 

To summarize this chapter:

 

1. The Mosaic church operated under the authority of the Levitical Priesthood, and Christ held the office of Rabbi in that church. However, Joseph Smith said, “All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself.” (TPJS, p. 181) Jesus had received that Priesthood from His Father, and therefore possessed the highest Priesthood authority.

 

2. Jesus attempted to teach higher laws of this higher Priesthood, and also performed miracles demonstrating the power that He had with God. These two factors caused both fear and envy among the chief priests and Pharisees. (See Matt. 27:18 & Mark 15:10.)

 

3. The Jews excommunicated Jesus for teaching and living the doctrines of the higher Priesthood while they themselves were living on only a Levitical Priesthood level. Thus, Levitical Priesthood holders were incorrectly attempting to excommunicate a Melchizedek Priesthood holder.

 

4. Jesus, His disciples and all others from then on who believed in Him were excommunicated from the synagogue. Jesus had to teach, live and administer the higher ordinances outside of the Mosaic church of the Jews.

 

5. The Mosaic church did not become Christian. Rather Christianity began outside of and separate from the Jewish church.

 

6. Essentially the higher principles of the true church and the fullness of the Gospel were considered as an apostate religion. 

 

7. This pattern has occurred repeatedly–both in ancient and latter days.

THE EXCOMMUNICATION OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BELIEVERS, Part 1 of Chapter 12 of The Church and The Priesthood 

 

Pages 196 to 214

 

When Jacob gathered his 12 sons together to give them their patriarchal blessings, he prophesied what would happen to their descendants down to the last days. In the blessing for Judah and his tribe, he declared, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Savior) come; . . . (Gen. 49:10)

 

To Moses was given the task of giving the Priesthood (sceptre) and its higher laws, but the people did not qualify. So Moses established a church with the Aaronic Priesthood and its lesser laws. The Jews (descendants of Judah) maintained both the Priesthood, its principles, ordinances and church down to the time that the Savior (Shiloh) came to earth.

 

Jesus was born and raised in this church and soon became a full-fledged Rabbi with all their rights and privileges of teaching the Gospel. Jesus, however, was blessed with such wisdom and understanding that even at age 12 He confounded the wisest of the Pharisees on Priesthood issues.

 

When He began to teach the laws of the higher Priesthood, he was rejected and “cast out” of the synagogues. This story of Christ’s rejection is told in the King James version of the Bible, but it is told better in some of the other versions.

EXCOMMUNICATION OF THE DISCIPLES, Chapter 11 of  The Church and The Priesthood

 

Pages 192 to 195

 

Jesus predicted that His disciples would be separated from “their company” and their names would be “cast out . . . as evil.” (Luke 6:22) He warned them of what they should expect from the Pharisees–and that they would eventually be excommunicated:

 

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:1-3)

 

The fact that the Pharisees did not “know” Jesus and the Father seems to be a major reason for their persecuting Christ’s disciples. Jesus once prayed, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee. . . .” (John 17:25) When He had previously talked about the day of judgment, he said, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:23) However, in the Inspired Translation it reads, “And then will I say, Ye never knew me: depart from me ye that work iniquity.” (I.T. Matt. 7:33)

CHRIST’S CONTROVERSIAL DOCTRINES, Chapter 10 of The Church and The Priesthood

 

Pages 188 to 191

 

The early Christian Church had many of the same similarities as the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days:

 

The PriesthoodA church organizationLaws, ordinances and principlesGood and bad membersBaptism into and excommunication out of the church

 

The doctrines taught by Christ were often controversial, because they pertained to the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood–rather than the lesser or Levitical Priesthood. Jesus would not have upset the leaders at that time if He had taught the same things they were promoting. But, to them He was teaching dangerous new doctrines.

 

Toward the end of His life Jesus defended His teachings before the high priest, Caiaphas:

 

Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. (John 18:20-21)

EXCOMMUNICATION–JUST AND UNJUST, Part 2 of Chapter 9 of The Church and The Priesthood 

 

Pages 183 to 187

 

 Where much is given, much is required, and in those early days of the Church, God gave great manifestations and revelations and thus expected a great deal from the members in return. In 1864 George A. Smith gave an illustration of this principle:

 

It was at the same Council [June 1833] that Daniel Copley, a timid young man, who had been ordained a Priest, and required to go and preach the Gospel, was called to an account for not going on his mission. The young man said he was too weak to attempt to preach, and the Council cut him off the Church. I wonder what our missionaries now would think of so rigid a discipline as was given at that time thirty-one years ago, under the immediate supervision of the Prophet. (JD 11:8)

 

Members who commit heinous sins are already cut off from the Spirit of the Lord even before they are brought to a Church trial. They generally continue to go downhill and fall into darkness, while those who are unjustly excommunicated feel no effect of it.

 

Persons sometimes say that they have enjoyed the spirit of the work as much since they were cut off as while they were in the Church. Have they enjoyed the Spirit? Yes. Why? Simply because they were wrongfully cut off. They were cut off in such a way that it did not take the Spirit of God from them. And the reason why they were cut off was because they did not come up to the particular standard of perfection of those who dealt with them, or they did not come up to their feelings. (Francis M. Lyman, Mill. Star24:100)