I found this post which I am reposting on my thread that expresses the same feelings I have toward the history of our Church but I may add one thing, ironically those same people that attack plural marriage 200 years ago, have no problem with boys getting girls pregnant who end up having an abortion to avoid responsibility and that is clearly wrong. I know so many people who would not be alive today if it wasn't for plural marriage. Kent and Nancy Rappleye are two wonderful people who are on this earth because of polygamy so who is to judge. At the end of the day, You will know them by their fruits!!
"Regardless of what some want to think about Joseph Smith,
the Church is true. And whether you struggle with the principle of plural
marriage, or not, or think polygamy even when commanded of God immoral it
doesn't matter. It won't change a thing in relation to the restoration of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ -- it happened and Joseph Smith is the one whom the Lord
called to establish His Church in the last days; knowing full-well his
character. Bottom line: the stone cut out of the mountain will continue to roll
forth until it fills every corner of the earth and sounds in every ear!
I find it interesting
that some members who were not aware of the complete history of the LDS Church
in relation to polygamy would so easily question the integrity of the Church
when finding out that like Abraham and other ancient prophets, God would
require it of Joseph as well. Surprisingly, some have even left the Church upon
finding out this information unable to reconcile the history in relation to the
truthfulness of the gospel -- deeply sad. And it is from these sources the
media is currently having a heyday with their eager willingness to make Joseph
out to be something he never was – unrighteous.
I'm not suggesting I
fully understand polygamy, like it or even know everything there is to know
about it -- I don't. What I am saying is that the Lord provided a way for every
sincere seeker of truth to know if Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and it
has nothing to do with how many wives he was sealed to and what the ages of
those he married were; as if that matters. It doesn't.
What matters is that
Joseph was obedient to what the Lord commanded him and that, to me, knowing
what I do know about the history is incredible. Who among us has similar faith
in keeping covenants we've made regardless of the price? Not so many, I think.
Which is why those who do are considered, by God, "elect."
I can't help but
think about how difficult it is for increasingly more members to sustain the
First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on a number of important
doctrines specifically related to current social issues.
I’m grateful that
Joseph Smith, evidence of a true prophet of God, regardless of the consequences
was obedient to God and especially when what was asked of him was difficult to
not only understand but to actually do, which he did. And God knowing all things
knew how his actions would be twisted and sold to try and undermine the work of
salvation and cause some to lose faith.
There is a part of me
that feels it a privilege to stand with the prophet, Joseph Smith, and bear my
personal testimony that he is indeed a prophet of God. Perhaps this is in some
way a test of faith for many of us – I hope we pass.
Not too long ago I
wrote about how I gained my testimony of the prophet through the Book of
Mormon, thus my knowledge that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
is true – I know it. Surely, God knew that man would challenge man, because
every man is fallible and subject to unrighteous judgments based in ignorance
or even hate. Therefore, He prepared a way that His children, regardless of
man, could know for themselves that this work is true and that His prophet, no
matter the accusations, was called of Him to do this marvelous work and wonder!
The Family: A Proclamation to the World is an inspired
document that lays out the doctrinal foundation for the plan of salvation. And
yet, as the world rejects that marriage is ordained of God only between and a
man and woman progressive Mormons judge God's prophets' on the wrong side of
history when they council members to do everything we can to defend natural
marriage. Why should we care what the world advocates when we have prophets
upon the earth? Unless we care more about what people think of us than what God
commands?
Because most covenant
members consider the counsel and teachings of prophets and apostles inspired,
we believe that what they teach and direct is God’s will. Unfortunately, some
who consider themselves faithful set themselves up as judge and jury of every
word that proceeded forth from their mouths. By their own intellect, they determine
if various counsels, often according to the world’s standards of what is
politically correct, are inspired and worthy of their sustaining actions. If it
is not, they feel comfortable taking on a contrary opinion justifying such a
position on the potential fallibility of their guidance and instruction
believing themselves more inspired.
From that post I
wrote:
It is not a light thing to profess that a testimony of the
authenticity of The Book of Mormon come from God and produces, as its
byproduct, a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. Period. God in His
masterful way intended this to be so. And it is precisely this faith based and
Spirit-testified testimony that has the power to save us, literally!
I know this is true. I know this power in my own life. I
know this truth is my own personal lifesaver — because it saves me every single
day.
All around us we see our brothers and sisters in the gospel
fall by the wayside. Each casualty has a personal story as to what has caused
him or her to choose to leave the path. Unfortunately, and far too often, it is
due to a lack of conviction. And here is where the importance of a testimony
based on the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon, in my experience, applies its
incredible power.
Because I know by the Power of the Holy Ghost that The Book
of Mormon is a true record brought forth by the Gift and Power of God, I also
know (Think of how many people today, even some within the Church, detest and
even mock that phrase) that Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet of God.
Said Gordon B. Hinckley in one of my all-time favorite
General Conference addresses about The Book of Mormon:
“The Book of Mormon is the only book ever published, of
which I know, that carries in it a promise that one who reads it prayerfully
and asks concerning it in prayer will have revealed to him by the power of the
Holy Ghost a knowledge that it is true (see Moroni 10:4).”
Because of my own experience in acquiring this specific
knowledge, President Hinckley’s testimony has remained with me — in
understanding how profound this promise, from God, is intended to be for each
of His children. It is real and available to all willing to exercise faith in
Jesus Christ and His words. And, it is that which develops unfaltering
conviction.
joseph smith polygamy gospel topics essays
In the midst of the current storm, may each of us who have
made sacred covenants to defend the kingdom of God continue to stand with Jesus
Christ and feel it a privilege to also stand with the prophet of the
restoration and those who continue to hold the very same keys to direct the
great work of salvation.
I do have compassion
for any whose faith is challenged by those who would turn God’s work into drama
and twist much of what we don’t know or fully understand about polygamy as a
way to shed negativity on the Church. I would say that instead of allowing
doubt to overtake you turn toward what God has given us so that we are not
tossed to and fro with every prevailing wind or fiery dart of the adversary.
From what I hear, the
forecast is rough and unless we are firmly rooted through His intended promises
we will likely end up off course. So hold on and whatever you do stay in the
boat!
Kathryn Skaggs
Mormon Newsroom:
Church Provides Context for Recent Media Coverage on Gospel Topics Pages. A complete list of the in-depth essays is
listed below: some of these essays were written by our neighbor, President Corbitt who is presiding over a East Santo Domingo mission at the moment.
1.Are Mormons Christian? November 20, 2013
2.First Vision Accounts November 20, 2013
3.Race and the Priesthood December 6, 2013
4.Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah December 16,
2013
5.Book of Mormon Translation December 30, 2013
6.Book of Mormon and DNA Studies January 31, 2014
7.Becoming Like God February 24, 2014
8.Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints
May 13, 2014
9.Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham July 8,
2014
10.Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo October 22, 2014
11.The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage October 22,
2014
Mormon Women Stand: 5 Common Concerns: Polygamy, Joseph
Smith, and the Church
Sixteen Small Stones:
Some Thoughts for LDS Members Who are Surprised and Upset about Joseph Smith’s
Polygamy
The Millennial Star:
Why didn't the Church teach me this stuff?
Mormon Women: For
those who struggle with Mormon history of polygamy
We Talk of Christ We
Rejoice in Christ: Joseph Smith and Polygamy
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