BE TRUE TO YOUR WIFE

BOOK OF MORMON POLYGAMY

Polygamy has not been a policy put in practice in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publicly since 1890 and privately since 1912. The LDS teachings from the pulpit are at this time of monogamy. The majority of LDS men seem uncomfortable with the idea of polygamy and profess gladness if it never returned. The totality of LDS women seemingly do not like the subject at all and they often declare that they hope it never returns as a doctrine. Still, the subject of polygamy is a burden to the LDS people. It has created confusion about doctrine.   It has created doubts about the reliability of the teachings of the church and this has extended confusion into what the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is.  But what does the Book of Mormon actually teach about this issue?

The Book of Mormon condemns the practice of men taking more than one wife. For example:

"And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines..." (Ether 10:5)

And this...

1 And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his stead; and he did not walk in the ways of his father.

2 For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.  (Mosiah 11:1-2)

From the sermon of one man in the Book of Mormon, we receive one of the most complete discourses on the topic in all of scripture. (Jacob 2)

We are taught by Jacob that the hearts of our wives and daughters are tender and chaste and this is pleasing to the Lord. He would not have men break the hearts of their wives and children by violating their trust. To do such a thing is described as an abomination. 

There is no exception in the Book of Mormon that provides an allowance for polygamy. 

There has been one verse which has often been interpreted as providing a loophole of sorts. However, a review of that verse will demonstrate that there is not a justification found within the verse at all. Rather, the meaning of the verse (when taken in context) is that the taking of more than one wife is viewed by God as an abomination because of the hardships and burdens it places on the wives and children.

THING 1 and THING 2

While reading the following in the book of Jacob, notice how the passage is defining the word “thing”. What is the author referring to as he uses the word "thing" in this context? 

“23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.

24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.

25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.

26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.

27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;

28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.

30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.

32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.

33 For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lord of Hosts.

34 And now behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments were given to our father, Lehi; wherefore, ye have known them before; and ye have come unto great condemnation; for ye have done these things which ye ought not to have done.

35 Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.” (Jacob 2:23-35)

The first usage of the word “thing” refers to that which is written concerning David and Solomon. It concerns those written words which the men of Jacobs’s day were using to justify their own behavior. This behavior is described as “a grosser crime” and “waxing in iniquity” and it is described as “whoredoms”. 

The “things"which are written” are that which the men have taken from the scriptures and changed the meaning of from the scriptures to support their own unrighteous practices. They have “wrested” the scriptures. In this case, they did not change the actual writing of the scripture, nor did they ignore the scripture. They were preaching from the scriptures and reinterpreting the meaning of the words. They were teaching out of the scriptures and yet applying definitions that were completely opposite of the intended meaning. They used these interpretations to support their own wicked practices. They were using the examples of David and Solomon to establish their own doctrine which was in opposition to God’s will in regards to chastity.

The second usage of the word “thing” is very specific. David and Solomon had many wives and concubines and this was “abominable” in the judgment of the Lord. The definition of “abomination” is to take something holy and righteous that was given by God and exploit it for selfish purposes. In this case, marriage which is holy and righteous before God had been exploited by excess in the taking of more than one wife. 

CONTRADICTIONS

There is another statement about David and Solomon and their wives found in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 132. It blatantly contradicts the sermon given by Jacob.  

Section 132 is a discussion in and of itself that is worth the time to investigate. My view is that Section 132 is a corrupted document delivered under suspicious circumstances. Section 132 is more than a “wresting” of the scriptures. It is a complete re-write or an addition to scriptures that was not sanctioned by God, nor was the individual who introduced it claiming that he received it from God. Instead, he claimed SOMEONE ELSE received it from God.  And yet, he claimed to be the only one who had sealing power to act on earth  to bind in heaven with the condition that there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power is conferred (D&C 132:7).  How can a man claim to have such power and yet provide no revelation to support that claim? Notice that the name of the individual given sealing power in Section 132: 40-48.  The individual who introduced this document to the church in 1852 is not the same man described in the proposed revelation.  Can a man claim power to seal for eternity based on a borrowed revelation?  When a man borrows a revelation in order to borrow other mens' wives, what is that indicative of the doctrine taught by that man? Do you think it is reliable doctrine?  This is the same error that the people of Jacob committed.  Jacob's people borrowed from the examples of David and Solomon to provide their own authority to indulge in the desires of their hearts.  They ignored the tragic ends of David and Solomon, but charged headlong into the same follies.  

More can be said about the glaring inconsistencies of Section 132.  I hope to write more regarding this important document in our Latter-day history.  However, for now in this entry, we are examining the Book of Mormon and what it says about polygamy. And it clearly condemns the practice of David and Solomon in taking on more than one wife. And it clearly condemns those who justify the practice of it by using David and Solomon as a precedent.

THING 3 and THING 4

The third usage of the word “things” is the “thing” in question. This is the word that has been “wrested” in the sermon of Jacob. We will get to that word usage in a moment, but first let’s review the last usage of “thing”.

“34 And now behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments were given to our father, Lehi; wherefore, ye have known them before; and ye have come unto great condemnation; for ye have done these things which ye ought not to have done.”

The last use of the word “things” is once again referring to something negative. These “things” are described as something that they “ought not to have done”; and also something that has brought “great condemnation” unto the people. We know that it is still referring to that which the men of Jacob’s day were doing. They had taken the scriptures and used them to excuse themselves in taking more than one wife. They had rationalized something that God had forbidden them to do and it was proving to be something that pierced the hearts of many with deep wounds.

Jacob gives no allowance for the practice of taking more than one wife. He describes it as “abominable”,“a grosser crime”, and “something ought not to have done”. Four times he uses the word “thing” and the context of three of those word usages indisputably describe this sin as “abominable” and a “grosser crime”. 

Oh the irony! Jacob warns against misusing the scriptures. Jacob warns against misrepresenting the scriptures to practice whoredoms (Verse 23). And here in this very passage given by Jacob is the only verse (Verse 30) in the Book of Mormon that has ever been used to justify the taking of more than one wife. There is not one other verse in the Book of Mormon that has ever been construed to mean that polygamy is of God…just this one…which Jacob warned should not be used to support such a practice.

Now take a look again at verse 30. 

“For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.” 

The word “things” as used by Jacob has already been defined in the context of his sermon. Keeping with the context of the Jacob’s sermon and paying attention to his warning that we should not use the scriptures to rationalize the practice of taking more than one wife, we can see the real meaning of verse 30. 

CORRECT INTEPRETATION

The correct interpretation of verse 30 is as follows:

“For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people and they will obey my voice; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things which are abominable and a grosser crime.”

We see that Jacob did not leave a loophole for polygamy. He was condemning it. According to his teachings, if the Lord has a will to raise up seed, how does he do it? He does this by commanding his people. Those who will listen to his voice and keep his will are those who become the seed of God. This is the kind of seed that Jacob was referring to.

We can see this in verses 25 and 26:

"25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. 26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old."

Notice that the Lord intends to raise up a righteous branch (a righteous seed) and that in the process of doing so he leads the people out of Jerusalem and wants them to disavow themselves from the practices of those "of old". In otherwords, to raise up this righteous branch (righteous seed), this people must NOT do like them of old and must NOT take more than one wife.

The Book of Mormon clarifies what it means to raise up seed unto the Lord. It is not a reference to a massive population. It is in reference to a family relationship. That relationship has a father who is God himself. 

" 4 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. "(Mosiah 27:24)

25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (Mosiah 27:25)

And from the New Testament we receive the same understanding from the following:

“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. “ (John 1:12-13)

From these references and others we understand that the righteous Seed Raised Unto the Lord are those who are born again and have become the sons and daughters of God because they are redeemed by Christ. This redemption is a result of their desire to do the will of God, just as Christ the Redeemer did nothing save it was the will of God. Raising Seed Unto the Lord is not about building up a church or a nation. It is about being born again and becoming a Son or Daughter of God.

With this understanding, please read again the sermon of Jacob in Verse 30 where it talks about a Seed Unto the Lord. This verse would be in complete opposition to the words in Verse 25 if it were interpreted to mean polygamy is approved. It would also be in complete opposition to the rest of the context of the Book of Mormon. The following interpretation would fit the context in a much more harmonious manner:

“For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up sons and daughters unto me, I will command my people and they will repent and be redeemed; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things which prevent them from being born again.”(Jacob 2:30)

Jacob reminds the men that the hearts of their wives and children are tender and pure before God and that the betrayal by husbands and fathers had pierced their hearts with a deep wound that they carried to their graves. Polygamy has been a wound to the hearts of the LDS wives and children as well. It is plain to see in the history of its practice. It is a subject that has created a shadow of worry for LDS women even to this day. 

WHY IT MATTERS

The doctrine is still “on the books” in Section 132. In actuality, polygamy is still practiced in a “spiritual” sense posthumously. LDS men can be sealed for “time and all eternity” to more than one woman. If the first wife has passed away, then the man can be sealed to a second wife. This has led many women to ask the question, “Will I have to share my husband in the afterlife?” 

Is the thought of sharing your husband in the afterlife your idea of heaven or is it your idea of hell? If God would not give a stone to a son who asked for bread (3 Nephi 14:9), why would God give hell to a wife who asked for a faithful husband? Although some things cannot be fulfilled in this fallen world to test our patience, what would cause a lack of the fulfillment of righteous desires in heaven? It cannot be heaven if it is a place where Righteous Desires go unfulfilled. 

“So why was it ever necessary to practice polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?” 

This question has often been asked by every thoughtful child raised in the LDS church who comes across this topic. What are the common responses that an LDS member might expect to hear when asking this question? One commonly offered answer was published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on their official website under the following link: 

OFFICIAL CHURCH EXPLANATION

https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng

“Latter-day Saints do not understand all of God’s purposes in instituting, through His prophets, the practice of plural marriage. The Book of Mormon identifies one reason for God to command it: to increase the number of children born in the gospel covenant in order to “raise up seed unto [the Lord].”

This explanation is a falsehood. 

Remember the words of John the Baptist? The Pharisees dismissed his authority to baptize. They ignored the call to repent. They rationalized that their leaders could never lead them astray because they had the proper authority. They taught that they received authority from Moses and that they were the recipients of the promises given to Father Abraham.  For this reason, they were willing to dismiss any message that did not come from within their chain of command recognized by the proper lineage and by the appointment of the proper authority. John was acting outside of the channels of stewardship established by the sustained leaders. However, John reminded them that it was only God who gave any man authority to act in the name of God. Any authority had to be received directly from God and not from man. God can give his authority to whomever HE chooses. 

John said the following:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Mathew 3:9)

So consider this in regards to the rationalization that polygamy was required “to increase the number of children born in the gospel covenant in order to raise up seed unto the Lord” or that “there are not enough righteous men to go around in heaven”:

If God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham, then is not God able to raise up a faithful husband to a virtuous woman? The idea that there are not enough righteous men to go around for all the righteous women in heaven is absurd. If God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham then is not God able to raise up seed unto the Lord through a husband and wife who are faithful to one another and to the Lord? 

If it is shown by John’s rational that God does not need a hierarchy to establish his work; then we can also surmise by his same rational that God can raise up children unto the Lord to fulfill the promises of posterity from even stones. We see that God has no need for polygamy to raise up a seed. He can easily raise up nations from just one couple consisting of nothing more than one man and one woman. For example, from Adam and Eve came the entire world.

Christ taught a few words concerning marriage. He taught that Adam and Eve were made by God from the beginning to be one flesh. He taught that a man must “leave” even his father and mother behind and join to his wife as one. If the fidelity of marriage is described as leaving behind even your father and even your mother to be one with your wife, how much more so is it necessary to leave behind all others? It is described as a relationship from two (twain) who become one. These TWO are intended by God to be ONE. The marriage as described by the Lord is to cleave unto her and NONE else.

“1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judæa beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 ¶The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” (Matthew 19)

Polygamy requires that the first wife is put away. This putting away is not as final as a divorce but it is still a “putting away” of the first wife. The sting of that putting away is as painful as divorce. Instead of the “twain” joined to be one, the first wife is set aside to a degree. She is not completely abandoned, but there is a displacement in the union.  

This is in fact the example that David set in his practice of plural wives. He easily dismissed one of his wives when she gave voice to the pain of her own heart. David rationalized that it was right to put Michal away when she sought to correct him. How dare she correct him when he was made king of all Israel by God! (2 Samuel 6:21) This was the pride within David’s heart that allowed him to break the heart of his wife. For Michal, she was put away by David for the rest of her life because she yearned to be married to a man who might have had a faithful heart for her. She was already sharing her husband with other wives, but she still sought for virtue within the king that might demonstrate his faithfulness to those that had been given to him. Did his appetite have no end? It was this kind of heart break that Michal was experiencing and that Jacob was witnessing among his own people. It is this kind of heart break that can be read in the history of the LDS church.

“ 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

20 ¶Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.” (2 Samuel 6).

Despite all of these warnings and examples, we only need the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ to understand the truth of these things. The most convincing scripture of all that demonstrates that polygamy is not of God is the following:

"12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (3 Nephi 14:12; Matthew 7:12)

From Christ’s simple teachings it is easy to understand. Husbands, how much anguish would it cause you to have to share your wife with another man? If the idea creates revulsion and anger within you, then it is clear to see that you should not place her in that situation in which she must share you with another. If you would not have your spouse taken from you by another, why would you ever ask it of her?

"40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Mathew 25:40)

A man’s wife is much more than the “least of these” and Christ has taught that the pain of even the least is taken on by Him. Her broken heart and her sorrows that she endures from the abominations and grosser crimes of others is a burden that Christ must endure. A husband who is One with his wife, also takes on the burdens of his wife in an attempt to follow the Savior who takes on the burdens of all.

Polygamy is a burden on the wife but it is a burden that no man should ask of his wife because he becomes the source of the burden by its practice. Therefore he could not possibly consider the practice seriously knowing that he would be the source of burden rather than the reliever of burdens. He ought to be the one to bear her burdens as Christ would do. He ought to be her freedom from abominations and grosser crimes, rather than the source of such.

These two teachings of Christ are sufficient to understand how God views the issue.

It is evident that the Book of Mormon also teaches that the taking of more than one wife is not of God. Read more of Jacob’s words. See what he said about the Lamanites who were identified as the unrighteous nation. 

“Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because of the iniquity of their fathers; wherefore, how much better are you than they, in the sight of your great Creator?” (Jacob 3:7)

Observe how God was ultimately willing to preserve the Lamanite people and in part this was because they loved their spouses faithfully even when they would not believe in Him. God would give them leniency for their faithfulness in marriage despite their lack of belief in God. Yet God could not save the Nephite people because of their infidelity in marriage despite their belief in God and despite their religious lifestyle.  It seems God will preserve a people who do not believe in Him but do practice faithfulness in marriage. He destroys a people who actually believe in Him but do not practice faithfulness in marriage. What does that say about the priorities of God?

DEALING WITH DEFENSE MECHANISMS

In discussing these things, please do not jump to conclusions. We are only talking about Polygamy and what the Book of Mormon teaches about it. Nothing more and nothing less. For example, what does this mean about what Joseph Smith was doing in Nauvoo? Or what about something someone quoted Joseph Smith as saying? Or what about the teachings of d Brigham Young? What about Sealing of Eternal Families?  What about the Priesthood?  What about the idea that “God can command anything He wants to” or the idea that “He commanded such things as a test of faithfulness”?  What about the Abrahamic Sacrifice that the early saints endured in the practice of this thing?  

What about Wilford Woodruff who declared the president of the church can never lead the church astray?  

Do you realize that he made that statement specifically to the church in regards to polygamy?  The federal government was confiscating the property of the church because of polygamy.  Wilford Woodruff was offering concessions to the government by agreeing to cease the practice.  However, he fully intended to allow the practice to continue in secret.  He published this statement in the newspaper as a reassurance to the LDS members that their Celestial Marriages (Plural Marriages) would continue. He wasn't going to lead them astray because they were going to continue the doctrine covertly. As others stated when they relayed Wilford’s words, "He was going to beat the devil at his own game." This was his way of letting the people know that the doctrine he had been teaching was absolutely necessary for salvation was not really going away, it was just going underground.  It did until further exposure of it was brought before the government in the Smoot hearings long after the turn of the century.    What does this context reveal about the traditions we have been handed?  

We have not had time to discuss all of these side issues that would branch off of a discussion such as this. Those things have been set aside for another day.  We have only considered the Book of Mormon and its message which was given to a people who believe that book was a gift from God to correct the errors in their traditions.

Therefore please do not think that as I write these things that I am saying that all of the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are without merit, nor am I saying you should not go to church.  I am not suggesting that you should stop praying and begin drinking copious amounts of alcohol.  In other words, if we believe the Book of Mormon and take it at its own word, it leaves us without a justification for this thing. 

We cannot address all such topics in one short discussion.  Please don’t panic and think that all good things are lost. Keep all of the good that you find wherever you may find it. Trust in God and trust that He will teach you the Truth of all things, one line upon line, one precept upon precept

Likewise a word of caution, there are those who I gather with in prayer and for sacrament who are in polygamous families.  I consider them friends.  And I do not say these things in condemnation of them, nor do I make any implications regarding how they are to personally work out their own salvation with God.  In terms of the greater weight of sin being placed on the shoulders of families, the majority of sins have come from the monogamous, the religious, and the “holy”.  The heart breaks of pornography and adultery and divorce have been heaped upon the children by those preaching chastity while failing to abide by their own professed law.  Today we have said nothing about these great sins, which are no less in the eyes of God.  In fact, these are even greater sins by the nature of the hypocrisy.

Today we are considering only one line of doctrine that we have inherited from our fathers.  It is a relevant discussion today because of the current issues which are in the news.  A Utah Judge has already struck down the polygamy laws in the state of Utah.  This ruling occurred in 2013.  There have been major overthrows of the concept of marriage by the United States Supreme Court in June of 2015.  And this has given some the courage to continue to press for further changes in regards to polygamous unions.  There is an attempt to establish polygamy as a legal form of marriage within Montana right now even as I write this in July of 2015.  These changes demonstrate that our children will be placed in a position where they must choose whether these “new” things that are being established by law in our lands are truly of the Will of God or if these “old” things are the precepts of men.  This discussion is primarily intended for my children, that they may gain understanding.  And in particular, that they may gain understanding about the Book of Mormon and what is truly written within its pages.

One stumbling block for Latter-day Saints is the willingness to examine our own traditions.  We have many personal experiences that have validated some of our beliefs and we link those experiences to the totality of our religion.  We fear that if one aspect of our religion proves in error that the whole of our faith would be destroyed.  We cling to the idea that it must all be true or it must all be false.  This simply is not the case.  The “all or nothing” mindset is not of God. God teaches line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Christ calls the errant to return to Him.  By implication, this means if we have not yet found Him, there is some error left within us.  We ought to eagerly seek out the errors that we may understand how to fully repent and return to the Lord.  We can take joy in the recognition of an error as it brings us closer to the Lord through repentance.  Therefore, we ought to examine all of our traditions carefully.

CONCLUSION

But honestly, aren’t you glad that the Book of Mormon teaches a man to be faithful to his one and only wife?  

A man should be faithful to his one true love, does not that teaching ring true? 

DEFINING THE TERMS

We need to clarify our definition of terms.  We have a tendency to think that if we are speaking the same language then we understand each other, or that we ought to understand each other.  However, you may have noticed some occasions when someone used a word in a context that demonstrated they were not defining the word the same as you would.  This has been the cause of many misunderstandings. 

Sometimes misunderstandings are deliberate.  The key to great humor is to take that which is intended literal and make it figurative or vice versus to take that which is intended figurative and make it literal. 

Likewise the key to wearing down your opponent in an argument is the same.  If they intended some precept in a figurative sense, you take it in the literal.  If they are speaking in a literal context, you pretend as if they are speaking figuratively.   

If you have spent any amount of time with an obtuse individual then you naturally know what I am talking about.  And if you know what I am talking about, then you just might be that obtuse individual who has the ability to do this naturally.

In the case of a religious discussion, I am going to assume that we are not speaking the same language…at all.  Not even close to the same language.  If you say a word like “Gospel” or “Redemption” or “Heaven”, you are probably going to find me thinking of a different concept than the one you intended.  If I say a phrase like “Doctrine of Christ” or “Fulness of the Priesthood” or “Day of Grace”, you will probably assume you know exactly what I mean by that.  Imagine the surprise and potential for miscommunication when later on we discover that neither of us was talking about the same thing at all.

Ironically, it isn’t necessary to speak the same native language to have clear communication.  I have spent a great deal of my working life in team environments with those I did not share a common language.  They were not fluent in my native tongue and I was not fluent in theirs. Many times I was surprised to find it was easier to work in that team environment because we were more patient with each other.  We never made assumptions about what the other person’s understanding might be.  We always approached each other as if they did not understand!  This meant that we worked together until everything was clarified and confirmed that a real understanding had occurred.  We were quick to forgive the mistakes because there were no unrealistic expectations.  We made no assumptions about the other's understanding.  It was expected that there would be misunderstandings, so we were neither startled nor upset when differences arose.

On the other hand, I also have endured many failed relationships which have proven that speaking a common language does not guarantee successful communication.  Likewise a shared culture and even a shared religion is no guarantee of a shared understanding. 

In this blog we are talking about religion.  In all reality, it does not matter how I define the terms.  And it does not matter how you define the terms.  What matters is how God defines the terms.

(Ah-Ha !! See there is another term that is completely open for misunderstanding.  How do we define the term “God”?  Do you think it is the same, just because we share a common language or even a common religion?  )

It doesn’t matter what we think the definitions are.  What really matters is how God defines the terms.  The challenge is to figure out what terminology God is really using.  When we are speaking together, you and I, we must figure out which definition God is really using.  We must at least agree that we share the desire to discover how God really defines the terms.  As we go through this process of learning, we are going to need to be incredibly patient with each other and quick to forgive.  It will require willingness for us to admit we may have been wrong all along.  If we come across some evidence that we made a mistake in our past definitions, our ability to let go of the old definitions and embrace the correct ones will only serve to help us. 

In some respects, a lot of the Blog Entries to follow will be my current understanding of how God defines the terms.  I recognize that I could be in error and I invite anyone who reads this to awaken me to those errors.  I hope you will have the same willingness to let go of your errors. 

 

DEFINITIONS TAKEN FOR GRANTED

TRUTH is the way things really are, the way things really were and the way things really will be.

FAITH is a measurement of our internal motivation to do the Will of God.  It is not a Belief despite that common misuse of the word.  It is an attitude regarding the desire to understand and actually do that which God would have an individual do with the circumstances that God has placed the individual in. 

BELIEF is an idea or concept we think is real or true according to our perception thus far, but it has not been verified or proven to be reality.  It is a Theory or Hypothesis. Naturally it will appear to be True, otherwise we would not hold it as a Belief.  However, it is not necessarily True.  Two basic attitudes form our Beliefs.  One is Curiosity which fuels our desire to learn more and it is likened to a little child who is willing to consider or entertain new Beliefs that are presented despite the absurdity of the new idea to others.  The other is Humility which requires that we are willing to recognize our capacity to make mistakes and let go of Beliefs that are shown to be false as we receive new information.  Maintaining these two attitudes is required to continue learning and growing.   

KNOW (KNOWLEDGE) is the information, data or evidence an individual has personally received, collected or assembled in their efforts to determine what is real.  This information is verifiable by others by repetition of the same circumstances to receive the same experience.  Quite often through out history, what is KNOWN has been overthrown by additional information or a new perspective.  More often than not, that which is KNOWN can be relegated back to that which is mere BELIEF by additional information.  We would be wise to avoid lumping anything permanently into the KNOW category in our present mortal circumstances in which we suffer from a limited perspective. 

WISDOM is the practical application of Knowledge to produce the greatest benefit possible in the long term and for the greater whole.

TESTIMONY is the relating or telling of the First Hand, Eye-Witness account an individual has experienced.

WITNESS is an individual who has First Hand, actual experience regarding a matter that is set before the people for examination and inquiry.

GOD is that force or intelligence that knows all things, has power over all things, and created all things. 

 [END DEFINITION] [No, really that is the END of the definition.  Don’t add anything more to it than that. We’ll talk about why. In fact, as these blog posts progress, we will consider each of these definitions in more detail and discuss why a correct understanding is necessary for each word]

TRADITIONS

TRADITIONS

Here is an example of good traditions, but the children turned away from those good traditions because of the hardness of their hearts: 

“Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of King Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the traditions of their fathers.  They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ.  And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.” (Mosiah 26:1-3)

And here is an example of false traditions, but the Lord is merciful to the children to give them time to repent from those false traditions:

“For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land.  And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrect traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name.”(Alma 9:16-17)

For the most part in scripture examples, we find that the “traditions of fathers” have a tendency to oppose truth and keep people from recognizing the truth when it is presented to them.

“The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth.  Light and truth forsake that evil one.  Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God.  And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the traditions of their fathers.  But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.”(D&C 93:36-40)

Inasmuch as the traditions of our fathers is in accordance with light and truth then we ought to embrace and hold on to those traditions.  Inasmuch as those traditions are in contradiction to light and truth, then we need to discard the old traditions.  This requires that we examine our traditions. 

This requires that we examine OUR traditions. 

People are generally very adept at spotting the flaws in the traditions of “others”.  Those others could include people of a different religion or culture. There is a great deal of pride in belonging to a group, any group.  Our team is the best!  We’re number one!  Our country is blessed! Company Spirit! Team Unity! Cultural Superiority! Racial Pride!   This is the place! This is the chosen people of God!  You deserve the best! We are a chosen generation! Every group feels that way.  With such lofty boasts, every group sets themselves up in competition with its piers to determine if it really is the best of its kind.  Very quickly, the competitors find the flaws in their opponents and proclaim the evidence of their superiority.  This creates blindness to the failings and weaknesses of one’s own beloved demographic.  And hence we go on marching in the Pride Parade, looking more like a Parade of Fools because of our own ignorance. 

 

“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you:  At that day when the Gentiles 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 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 of murders, and priestcrafts, 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.”(3 Nephi 16:10).

The most sure way to lift ourselves up in pride above all nations and above all people of the whole earth is to proclaim how we are a chosen people, a marked generation, saved for this final inning by God, to come down and be a light to all the world.  For surely, this tradition we have received from our fathers is better than all others!  Most certainly, we should not ever suggest that maybe we were sent the gospel to demonstrate to the entire world an example of what NOT to do with that light and knowledge after it is given to a people.  You know, like the people of Moses, or the Pharisees, or the Nephites or the Catholic Church did in the past…all those “others” who just didn’t get it.  But we get it because we are in the “final dispensation” and “our leaders can never lead us astray” and this church can never fail.  Never mind that Moses was counseled by Jehovah face to face and still the people failed.  Or that the Pharisees witnessed the miracles performed by Jesus and still the people failed.  Or that the Nephites were ministered to by the resurrected Christ and still the people failed.  Or the Catholic Church received authority from Peter who received authority from Christ and had a “never broken chain of authority” and still the people failed.  And so it isn’t pride after all, because we have the truth…and we have authority…remember that!  We have authority!  Never mind that God works in one eternal round and God is Just, so maybe the test is the same for us as it was for all those other groups in the scriptures and maybe we are just as vulnerable to failure.  Never mind that because our time is special and we are not going to fail.  So after all, we really are a humble people with the burden of having to fix all those other people who just don’t listen to God like we do, and we feel so sorry for them.  I cannot think of a better example of the phrase: “lifted up in pride above all people of the whole earth.”  

 It is too easy to fall into the trap of pride.  This is why it is worth our time to examine our own traditions and repent of the traditions which are not correct.

And so when we discuss false traditions, the “others” must be swept off the examination table.  We must examine OUR false traditions.  What is wrong with our group?  How are we failing?  How do we need to repent?  

Because of the incredible skill people have in finding the flaws in others, one valuable source we can utilize to discover our shortcomings is in those “others” who know our weaknesses so well.  Those we would otherwise dismiss as ignorant because they belong to that “other” group.  Those, whom we previously considered our enemies, now become our resource for self-examination.  What is it they can teach me from their different perspective?  In what manner are they actually correct?

Look at it this way, if you are someone who has served a proselytizing mission or encouraged and supported someone to serve a mission then please think about the following idea.  That missionary that you send out there to preach the gospel is very young and inexperienced.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now sending out eighteen year olds on missions.  These are kids who have just recently graduated high school (and often barely graduated high school).  And we have no problem with that because we know that God can speak through the mouths of babes or slay giants with youthful sheep herders.  Now, that childlike missionary is going to travel a thousand miles and knock on the door of a stranger.  The stranger will answer the door and wait for about five seconds to decide if the sales pitch should be turned away gently or forcefully.  But think about that stranger who will open the door.   He is in his late fifties, has a wife he has always been faithful to, children he has taught the meaning of integrity to, passed through illnesses that he received healing from through prayer,  been cheated by neighbors whom he forgave, all his life he studied the scriptures in his search for God.  And now here stands this kid.  This kid was a few weeks ago whining at his mother because she asked him to clean up his bedroom.  But here is this kid, asking this stranger to reconsider, rethink, and reexamine everything he has learned about God in his life.  If you can ask that stranger to do that, can you not do the same?  If you have the expectation that that stranger should be willing to at least momentarily consider the Good News you are attempting to communicate, then wouldn’t you owe that same consideration to another…no matter how much you think you “know this church is true”?

I now submit the first definition to be offered in this blog:

“Traditions of the Fathers”

The handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information and etc.  from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.  It ought to be examined in humility and embraced if it is in accordance with light and truth from God.  It ought to be discarded if it is found not in accordance with the light and truth from God. No tradition ought to be accepted based on its own characteristic of being a tradition and therefore every tradition ought to be examined without pride.  No tradition ought to be enforced based on authority but only in accordance with its compliance with light and truth (or in other words, intelligence as received by God).

TRUTH

CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?

What is truth?

“And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24).

“For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and truth abideth forever and ever.  Amen.”  (D&C 1:39)

From Dictionary.com we get the following definitions for the word TRUTH : 

1. the true or actual state of a matter:

2. conformity with fact or reality; verity:

3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.

4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.”

Our definition of terms matters a great deal.  So if we are going to consider the definition of Truth, I most like the definition found in D&C 93:24.  If you are reading this and you consider the D&C a valid source of scripture, then we can agree on this definition.  Those things we call TRUTH are a knowledge of those things describing them as they are now, as they were in the past and as they will become in the future.  And from the first chapter of D&C, we also understand that “truth abideth forever and ever.”  So if it is a reality today, and it was a reality yesterday, and it will be a reality tomorrow, then it is something we can consider as TRUE.

Simple enough.

Now let us say you have never heard of Doctrine and Covenants or you have heard of it and for several reasons, you have decided that you will not qualify it as scripture.  Can we still agree on this definition of TRUTH?

Truth is things as they really are.

And if we are talking about a time frame, truth is things as they really were in the past or really will be in the future.

Is that definition of Truth accurate enough?  If not, please provide your own definition because in a discussion such as this, we really need to know how the individuals involved in the discussion define the words.  We think we are speaking the same language, but in all reality we attach different meanings to words and quite often we are miscommunicating and talking over each other or talking through each other.  Rather than descending into ad hominin attacks, for example, assuming that the other person has some unrepentant sin in their past because they just can’t see how I define some thing called the Gospel of Jesus Christ the same way that they do; I ought to rather determine just exactly how they are defining the terms.  I ought to be more understanding and patient.

And most valuable of all, when I am having that conversation with God, I ought to determine just exactly how He defines the terms.

If we can’t agree on scripture interpretation, we can at least agree on one thing, if there is a God, that God must be a God of Truth.  Whatever scale you place the scriptures on, God must be a God of Truth. On one side of the believability scale you may say the scriptures are a work of fables and on the other side of the scale it is the Word of God directly from the mouth of God, or somewhere in between.  Where ever you are on that scale, can we at least agree that God is a God of Truth?  And for those who are still trying to decide if there might be a God, would you agree that if there was a God, that God would necessarily have to be a God of Truth?

Several quotations from the scriptures describe that God is a God of Truth.

“And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.” (Ether 12:3)

“The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth;” (D&C 93:26)

“That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.” (Isaiah 65:16)

“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.” (D&C 93:36)

Those who claim to have some kind of relationship with God will often describe the characteristics of that God and one of those prime characteristics is Truth (See the Lectures on Faith in The Doctrine and Covenants 1835 edition for a complete description on the characteristics of God).  God is concerned with Truth.  God is preoccupied with Truth.  God is attempting to teach us something about Truth.  God is Truth.  And therefore, we need not fear or get angry or react indifferently to something that challenges our beliefs.  We ought to embrace that challenge.  We ought to apply some kind of test to that new found assertion.  If the new assertion holds up to the first test.  We ought to test it again for it is written that the Lord will provide at least three witnesses.  We can do this because Beliefs can be wrong, but Truth can never be wrong.  Truth is simply the way things are.  Beliefs are the way we think things are.  So when our beliefs prove to be wrong and we acknowledge that error and embrace truth, what we are really doing is demonstrating our desire to take upon ourselves one of God's primary characteristics.  When we cling tenaciously to our Belief even when Truth proves it to be wrong, then we are in reality demonstrating that we would rather reject God and recreate the world in our own fashion.  Therefore it is worthwhile to examine our Sacred Beliefs and cross check them against the evidence to determine if they are aligned with Truth.  Otherwise, what good are your Beliefs if they do not lead you to God who is only a God of Truth?

“And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.  Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.” (Jacob 11:3-4)

And when we have come to a satisfactory conclusion that the new line or precept is actually a True thing, then we can rejoice in that Truth and gladly discard the old understanding which is proven to be a lie. 

For that reason, I cringe when I hear a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints say something to the effect of the following: “I don’t waste my time reading stuff like that.  I once had an old companion who got into the history and he left the church.  I just don’t want to risk it.”  Truth can withstand the scrutiny.  It can hold up under pressure.  If the concept crumbles under the test, then it wasn’t really Truth was it? 

Another cringe worthy saying is the following, “There are some things that are true that are not very useful.”  This is a dismissive and evasive response to questions being sincerely asked by a community of people who are searching for Truth.  Truths that are not very useful are things unrelated to the topic at hand.  When the topic at hand is actually a person or organization that claims to provide my eternal salvation and the questions and answers are directly related to that line of topic, then the Truth regarding those issues are indeed very useful.  

Truth in history does matter.  Truth in scriptural interpretation does matter.  Examining the claims made in the name of Truth is useful.  

It is said that “All truth can be circumscribed into one great whole”.  Therefore, you do not need to compartmentalize the facts from one field of study and hold it separate from the other.  If the two facts in their separate spheres do not fit together, then what is needed is to expand your understanding of reality rather than outright reject one of those spheres of study.  When something does not make sense in the puzzle of life, we can set the confusing piece aside for a moment and go to work on another portion of the puzzle.  The confusing puzzle pieces may be set aside for a time as we work on meaningful connections which are available to us.  Eventually, we can revisit the old pieces and see if they will now fit in as our vision of the greater whole expands.  The great mistake is in burying the confusing pieces so deep that we never revisit them.  Or worse, forcing the piece to fit into a connection that is “close enough”.  Some have gone so far as to cut the pieces up to try and make the puzzle fit the picture of their own vision.

You can turn to God in this process and He will answer you (James 1). 

No matter how difficult I may find the Truth, I want to accept it.  That is all I really want…The Truth.

Therefore, I say read everything, pray over everything, study it out, ponder over it.  There are answers out there to be found and I welcome your contradictory points and counter-arguments because at the end of the day, if there is a God of Truth that God of Truth will provide the correct answer.  I will humble myself before the God of Truth and willingly change my old beliefs if they do not pass the reality test.

Define TRUTH:

Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.  Truth abideth forever and ever.  Truth is one of the characteristics of God and therefore, we ought to receive Truth from any source in which we may find it for it be true then it is of God.

FALSE PROPHETS VS TRUE PROPHETS

15 ¶Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Christ gives a warning in the Sermon on the Mount.  He tells us to Beware of False Prophets.  And he provides a test we can apply to determine if the prophets are true or false.  The very fact that He gives a test to determine the validity of anyone claiming to be a prophet is proof that we must examine the claims of men and determine the validity of the claim.  There are true prophets and there are false prophets.  You and I are under a charge by the Lord to determine the truth of their words.

Christ in the Sermon on the Mount continues with the following:

 “21 ¶Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

These false prophets claim to speak in the name of Christ.  They claim to cast out devils in the name of Christ.  These false prophets claim to do many wonderful works in the name of Christ.  We know that a house divided against itself cannot stand therefore if there be any prophesy it comes from Christ.  And if there be any casting out of the devil, it is by the power of Christ.  And if there is any wonderful work done, it is by the power of Christ.  But the spirit of God may descend upon a man and not tarry with him.  So it could be that these false prophets simply claim to accomplish something that they never did, or it could be that in a moment of true humility and faith, they received by the power of Christ these miracles, but then took the glory of the miracle upon themselves and lost the favor of God.  But to test the prophets, we know this much by the Lord’s counsel, their claims of prophecy, their claims of miracles, their claims of many wonderful works are not the measuring scale we are to use.  It is their fruit, specifically it is the fruit of iniquity we are to beware of.

What is Iniquity? 

It is In-Equality or the establishment of unequal treatment among the people.

Iniquity is setting ones-self up to be greater than another, to make yourself higher than another rather than making yourself equal to the other.  

Therefore, do the prophets set themselves up at the height of a hierarchical pyramid?  Do they place themselves between the members and God?  For example, do they insist that only their revelations can be accepted as the word of God and no one else is permitted to speak outside the bounds of the stewardship they the leaders have established?  Do they refuse to listen to the least of these their brethren even when the least of these speaks the words of truth? Do they use the tithing to support themselves?   Do they know when to diminish their ministry that they may make way for the Lord as did John the Baptist?  If they fail this test, then we have a prophet who is practicing Iniquity and is a False Prophet. 

King Noah is a good example of a False Prophet.  Notice that he organized the priests (Mosiah 11:5).  Notice that he was a temple building leader (Mosiah 11:12).  Notice that he built a very fine podium from which to give direction to the people (Mosiah 11:9).  They called their podium a throne.  Notice that the people prospered under his leadership (Mosiah 12:15) and had many victories and much success (Mosiah 11:19). 

Now the Book of Mormon does not acknowledge him as a prophet because he was a false prophet.  But the people of Noah surely acknowledged him as such.  Review Mosiah 12:20-24 to read a description of how his people viewed their leader.   “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that publisheth peace!” 

The priests interrogating Abinadi asked the question, “What meaneth the words of these scriptures?”  Why would they ask this question of Abinadi, a nobody who brought a message of repentance? We don’t have the rationale behind their thinking when they asked this question, because the account is written by the faithful.  What we do have is Abinadi correcting their errant thinking and teaching them the true meaning of these verses.  But ponder this question for a moment, why did the priests, these lawyer types, ask that question?  We know that a lawyer never asks a question which he does not already know the answer to.  These priests knew perfectly well the answer to their question that they hoped Abinadi would give.  They already knew the interpretation of those verses.  That is to say they knew the interpretation that the people of their kingdom taught among themselves.  Those lawyers knew that the people of King Noah believed King Noah himself was the fulfillment of the prophecy in those verses.  “How beautiful upon mountain are the feet of King Noah!”  King Noah will never lead the people astray, just look at how the kingdom has prospered under his hand.  He is the fulfillment of the scriptures!  And they knew the people believed that because they were the ones who taught them.  This is why they asked Abinadi.  They knew Abinadi would contradict that belief.  Abinadi would blaspheme that “sacred truth” and contradict what everyone else just knew to be true, and therefore in their minds, Abinadi’s death would be warranted.

But Noah was filled with Iniquity, that is to say In – Equality.  He taxed the people.  He lived off their taxes.  He set up a hierarchy of priests to rule over the people.  If anyone dared to challenge the leadership they were not just driven out, they were put to death.  He lifted himself up to be the fulfillment of their scriptures.  This is Iniquity and is the fruit of the false prophet.

Contrast that with the fruit of a true prophet found in the example of another King.  King Benjamin is another leader-prophet but who was a true prophet.  Notice that he organized the leadership as well (Mosiah 6:3) but the philosophy of that leadership style was to surrender the rights to rule for the cause of the Lord (Mosiah 28:10).  And he served the people (Mosiah 2:17-18).  He labored himself, he did not live off the taxes of the people (Mosiah 2:14).  He built temples as well (Mosiah 2:1), but his podium was a temporary structure rather than a permanent throne (Mosiah 2:7).   

King Benjamin’s works by which we can know him is in his lack of iniquity found in his actions.  Notice that he did not set himself up to be the one who could never lead the people astray, rather he acknowledged his own infirmities (Mosiah 2:10-11) and pointed the people to Christ (Mosiah 4:11).  He did not receive a stipend for his support (Mosiah 2:14), and he ensured that the poor would be cared for (Mosiah 4:16-27).  In fact, he did not judge the poor for asking nor turn them away if they did ask (Mosiah 4:22).  He received messages from True Messengers which are Heavenly Beings (Mosiah 3:2) and he was not ambiguous about acknowledging the true source of his message (Mosiah 3:23) because he indeed received words which the Lord God would have him deliver to his people.  King Benjamin was a true prophet.

We can learn a lot from the examples of these two prophet-leaders in the Book of Mormon.  One false and one true.  Their examples are given to us today so that we may use the same measuring stick to beware of false prophets in our day and receive and accept messages through real prophets in our day.

As a side note, notice that prophets do not have to be leaders of the congregation.  Abinadi is evidence that prophets can come from obscure places.  As was Samuel the Lamanite who delivered his message and then departed.  John the Baptist who lived in the wilderness and made it clear that his leadership must diminish.  And let us not forget the women called prophets of our Old and New Testaments. 

Leadership position never determines an individual's capacity to be a prophet.  Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.  True Words!  But when the call is received from a man who holds a higher office, does the man dare to call himself God?  Let God call His own prophets by His own voice. Let man be humble in his claims of authority.

Again from the Sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us the following:

 24 ¶Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

He spoke this analogy in relation to the subject of prophets.  Prophets speak His words.  False prophets teach the things that are pleasing to the people to win favor of the people.

We cannot reassure ourselves that everything spoken by a prophet is a message from God, we must determine which messages are true and which are not.  Christ has warned us to beware of false prophets because they do not deliver His words.  Accepting the words of a false prophet is likened unto building our house on sand. 

And on the other hand, we cannot dismiss every message delivered just because there are false prophets among us.  We are reminded that true prophets will speak the word of the Lord and if we do those things that Christ teaches us through those true prophets, we will build our house upon the rock.

The lump of truth that people just can't seem to swallow is that God will let that false prophet and that true prophet reside in the same person.  But it is so.  When a prophet does not step down and diminish at the appointed time, God delivers him over to the people.  The people use the man to uphold their own iniquities by forcing the man from behind to serve as their prophet and king.  We see this in the failings of Moses who was certainly a prophet without question.  If we look carefully, we may recognize this in the patterns of our own day.  For that purpose, always hold to the messages of truth delivered by any man and always know when to let go of the man in his ministry that you may draw closer to the Lord who is Jesus Christ.

We must necessarily decide which messages are false and which messages are true.