From: <NephiOne@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, December 06, 1999 5:13 PM
Subject: [888] "Trust NOT in the arm of flesh".
David's Outcasts - http://www.GreaterThings.com/OpenForum/Davids_Outcasts/
According to my topical guide there are some 31 different scriptures listed under the
heading "Trust NOT in the arm of flesh".
For those who haven't run into the statements before from Joseph and Brigham,
here's some more food for thought along this line:
The "doctrine" that the Prophet won't lead astray was specifically spoken
against by the early prophets of this dispensation as evidenced by the following statements on the
subject:
JOSEPH SMITH: Millennial Star, Vol 14, Number 38, pages 593-595. [(Apostle
Samuel Richards on Nov. 13, 1852, recorded in the Millennial Star, 14:393-395.)] We have
heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those
who preside over them [even] if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than
folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself,
should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God
would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have
taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told do by their
presidents they should do it without any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in
these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they
have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Five 1842-43, p.237-38. President Joseph
Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel - said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the
people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of
corruption of the Jewish church - that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls
- APPLIED IT TO THE PRESENT STATE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS -
SAID IF THE PEOPLE DEPARTED FROM THE LORD, THEY MUST FALL - THAT THEY WERE DEPENDING ON THE
PROPHET, HENCE WERE DARKENED IN THEIR MINDS, in consequence of neglecting the duties
devolving upon themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous
with their shafts of envy.
COMMENT: I would encourage the reader to read carefully the 14th Chapter of
Ezekiel, then carefully consider the Prophet Joseph's comments above on the message of that
chapter, especially in light of our clear duty as laid out by the scriptures in Part I. above.
These two extraordinarily clear and powerful statements from the Prophet Joseph should be
sufficient to obliterate all doubts as to the incorrectness of any teaching that "the Prophet
will never lead the church astray." For those not so persuaded then read on.
Brigham Young at the Provo, Utah Bowery Conference in 1867 Brethren, this Church will be
led onto the very brink of hell by the leaders of this people. Then God will raise the one mighty
and strong spoken of in the 85th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, to save and redeem this
church.
COMMENT: This statement by Pres. Young is is an extraordinarily powerful warning
against this doctrine.
From: "preferred cable" <abigdog@hotmail.com>
To: <sterlingda@GreaterThings.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 10:49 AM
Subject: On Leading people astray Brigham Young Said:
Sterling, you may already have these.
On Leading people astray
Brigham Young Said:
".and if He (The LORD)
should suffer
him (Joseph Smith)
to lead the people astray,
it would be because they
ought to be led astray.
If He should suffer
them to be chastised, and
some of them destroyed,
it would be because
they deserved it.."
(Brigham Young, JD 4:297-298)
Easy to Lead people astray
Brigham Young
"I have often said
to the Latter-day Saints--
Live so that you will know whether I teach you the
truth or not.
Suppose you are
careless and unconcerned,
and give way to the
spirit of the world,
and
I am led, likewise,
to preach the things of this world
and to accept things that are NOT of God,
how easy it would be for me to lead you
astray!
But I say to you, live so that you will know
for yourselves whether I tell the truth or
not.
That is the way we want all Saints to live."
(Brigham Young, JD 18:248)
...I told the people that if they would not believe
the revelations that God had given,
He would suffer the devil to give revelations
that they -- priest and people -- would follow
after. Have I seen this fulfilled? I have.
I told the people that as true as God lived,
if they would not have truth,
they would have error sent unto them
and they would believe it."
-- Brigham Young
(Deseret News, June 8, 1873)
Compiled by David
Cleveland, watchdog for freedom <abigdog@hotmail.com>
