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Mormon Churches
Introduction
We all know we are going to die and that there is an afterlife. There are hundreds of different “Christian” and “Mormon” churches. The question is who—if any—have had association with God through His prophets. Who among these have received authority from God to minister in His name? Jesus was called and ordained a prophet like Moses under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6). All in the Bible have had such an association from Adam to John. This is the most important question you will answer in mortal life. Catholic and Protestant churches can be eliminated as none have claimed to have had any association with God.The term “Mormon” is not a proper name for these churches. Mormon was a prophet of God sent by God to a branch of Israel in America that migrated here in 600 B. C. and was destroyed in 400 A.D. Since Christ was ordained the head of the kingdom on earth, the name Mormon is not appropriate. It is a misnomer.The term “church” was first used in the New Testament in derision against the followers of Jesus. It could apply to any religious group—and has. There are hundreds of different groups with as many different doctrines all calling themselves Christian. The term Christian was first used in Antioch in derision of followers of Jesus Christ. The same happened with latter day saints with the term Mormon. As the term Mormon has become a common name, it will be occasionally used on this site.The proper name of those called Mormon was originally the Church of Christ. It was later changed to the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints; as there was already a church called Church of Christ. The term “of” designates association with Christ. A house of John would imply it is his house. If John never knew anything about the house, it would be the same as calling a church the Church of Christ unless Christ had a personal relationship with it. Sectarian churches do not even believe in revelation. Yet, the Rock of Revelation is the foundation of the kingdom of God. “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.” (Matt. 7:24) Revelation.This is the only Christian church without any doctrinal ties to the Catholic Church or its many daughters. There are three central doctrines: (1) God and Jesus, (2) Kingdom of God, and (3) the gospel or plan of salvation. Jesus advised us: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) The Bible from end to end is a history of revelations given to man.A more accurate name is the Kingdom of God. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) The Church of Christ requires a prophet at the head. When there is no prophet, there is no communication with Christ, and therefore cannot be the Church of Christ. The kingdom of God can exist anytime there is an officer of God’s priesthood--the Melchisedec Priesthood--to provide guidance on doctrines given through God’s prophets.There are dozens of churches calling themselves Mormon. The four groups that could be true will be considered in this section: (1) original followers of Joseph Smith, (2) followers of James J. Strang after his death, (3) Brigham Young, and (4) Apostate Strangites. Remember size is not relative—only truth. The Bible and historical evidence will be used.It is important to understand that there is only one truth. When there are differences between church doctrine, only one can be right; but all can be wrong. The Christian church began an apostasy in the days of the Apostles, turned to paganism after John, lost all authority from God, and Satan took control over all members. “And it was given unto him [Satan] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7)There can be only one true Church of Christ as that requires a Prophet called and ordained by angelic ordination. The Mormon church is unique. A fundamental doctrine is revelation. A Church of Christ—to be true--can only exist when there is communication with Christ. God has never had a people that He considers as His own without a Prophet at the head to maintain liaison with that people. The Bible is a testimony of this fact. Every book—except Ruth—is based on revelation.John was the last prophet given to gentiles. Why did God stop speaking to man? “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa. 59:1, 2)The Bible advises us that the Church of Christ, His ministry, and not one saint remained after John. “And it was given unto him [Satan] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7)“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11, 12)History attests to the fact that Revelation soon ceased after the Apostles. Gentiles returned to the doctrines and opinions of man. The result: Confusion reigned in the churches. “To this extent, ‘orthodoxy’ [true doctrines] in the sense of a unified group advocating an apostolic doctrine accepted by the majority of Christians everywhere, did not exist in the second and third centuries.” (The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, Bart D. Ehrman, p. 7)Gentiles returned to their pagan roots. Bishop Ambrose, who lived near the days of Constantine, wrote, "...when God is thought of, our thoughts should dwell on no material reality whatsoever." (Constantine's Sword, p. 200).We all know that we are going to die. This life is like a snap of the fingers compared with eternity. The first question we must consider is there a God. The evidence is overwhelming. Every prophecy in the Bible has come true when the time arrived. Abraham was told by God that his people would be captive 400 years in a foreign land. How long were they Egypt? Jews keep the Passover today. Some say God is only a spirit. So are we. The Bible relates the existence of God from end to end. Abraham mistook God for a man, invited Him into his tent, and dined with Him and two angels. “8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.” (Gen. 18:8) The unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine completed the conversion to paganism in 325 A.D. “As seen in Constantine’s originating piety, that supreme deity would have been associated with the sun, and pagans would have recognized, with reason, their own solar cult in such Christian practices as orienting churches to the east, worshipping of ‘sun day,’ and celebrating the birth of the deity at the winter solstice.” (James Carroll, Constantine’s Sword, p. 183)Although his only authority was emperor of Rome, he assumed the head of the Christian church. "Immediately upon coming to power as the sole ruler of the empire, but only then, Constantine asserted the right to exercise absolute authority over the entire Church. He did this despite the fact that he was not baptized, and, as was not unusual, would not be until shortly before he died." (Ibid., p. 188) True baptism was changed and baptism of the spirit was lost. Not one member of the kingdom of God remained. “And it was given unto him [Satan] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7)The Church of Christ was to be restored in the latter days. “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (Rev. 14:6) A correct understanding of God and Jesus, the Kingdom of God, and the gospel were to be restored in the latter days. “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (Rev. 14:6) This restoration began with Joseph Smith who was ordained under the hands of angels. There was to be two prophets given to gentiles in the latter days. Joseph received four revelations that he would die in office and would have to appoint his successor before he died. “But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. And this shall be a law unto you.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 43:4, 5, Feb. 1841, Utah Edition)There is a principle of the gospel few understand. No one is recognized by God as representing Him without being called by revelation and ordination by one holding as high an office. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God to the highest office in the priesthood: a Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22); which also holds the lower office of High Priest. “4 And no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [by revelation from God]. 5 So Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (John 1)Jesus called and ordained the Twelve Apostles so they could be sent. He also called and ordained all the other officers of the Melchisedec Priesthood. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors [high priests and elders] and teachers; 12 [Why] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [for how long]13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4)Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy.” (1 Tim. 4:14) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)There is only one gospel of Christ. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8) Constantine removed the gospel which requires someone holding the Melchisedec Priesthood. Brigham Young apostatized and his church lost all authority from God. The Apostate Strangites invented a new church with new officers and new laws. At one conference of their leaders they could not even identity the difference between God and Jesus.All promises in the Bible beginning with Abraham was for his progeny through Jacob. “And he received the sign of circumcision[ of the heart] a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised [in the flesh]: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” (Rom. 4:1) There are no promises in the Bible for gentiles other than “they shall be as though they had never been.” (Obadiah 16)Gentiles can become the seed of Abraham and member of the kingdom of God only through baptism of the spirit. “27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ… 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs to the promise [of eternal life].” (Gal. 3) Baptism of the Spirit adopts one as the seed of Abraham and as a member of the kingdom of God. Members can enjoy many wonderful blessings. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (Jesus, John 16:13) “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10-11)“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Heb. 11:32-35 read all) “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” (James 5:14-15)Authority from God and Restoration of the kingdom could only be realized through angelic restoration. It was realized with Joseph Smith. He restored the true identity of God and Jesus, received authority from God through angelic administration, and taught the true gospel of Christ. Joseph received four revelations that he would die in office. The law of God required him to appoint his successor in the Prophetic Office.Ten days before he was murdered, Joseph sent a letter to James J. Strang appointing him as his successor in the prophetic office. On June 27, 1844, Joseph was murdered with the help of the Governor of Illinois. The same hour of his death, James J. Strang—400 miles away—was ordained to the same Prophetic Office.James J. Strang fulfilled all the duties of a prophet, seer, revelator, and translator. James taught the same as Joseph on all points of doctrine: the same God, the same kingdom of God, and the same gospel. He provided the best discourses on the existence of God, on the true God, on the priesthood, on the Ten Commandments, and other important gospel subjects. He translated (from the books recovered by Joseph) the most valuable book of scripture: the Book of the Law of the Lord prophesied by Ezekiel (37) that was originally given to Moses but lost to the Bible like many others. Here is the only place the original the Ten Commandments exists.The gate into the kingdom of God is still open. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) “14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7)
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
Joseph Smith
The Apostle Paul advised us “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16) There is only one gospel of Christ. All others preach doctrines invented my man as happened even during the life of Jesus. “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9) Paul also told us “8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed… 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Gal. 1) Where revelation does not exist, true Christianity cannot exist.In 1820, Joseph Smith was 15 years old. He had a keen interest in religion. There was a great excitement over religion where he lived--each claiming to be right. He was determined to find out which was true. After reading the Epistle of James “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,” Joseph decided to take the matter to God in prayer. He went into the woods where he could be alone and poured out his heart to God. Two personages appeared to him and one of them said, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” He was told: “they were all wrong and their creeds were an abomination in his sight… they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” They forbade him from joining any of them. “I had now, got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned.”In 1823, after intense prayer, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him of a book that was deposited on a hill near him containing the record of ancient inhabitants of the land that were a branch of the House of Israel and was given a vision of where they were deposited. This Moroni (son of Mormon) visited him two more times and quoted him many things from scripture. He went to where the plates were deposited and opened them. The angel told him it would be four years before he could take them.In 1827, the plates of the book were entrusted to his care. In 1829, he commenced translating them. Only a part were translated. It became the Book of Mormon published in 1830. This was the first time that a correct knowledge of God and Jesus was restored to the earth.In May, 1829, he went into the woods with his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, to pray over the priesthood they had learned about in the book. The angel appeared to them and instructed them how to be baptized. Next, they were instructed how to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood—the same priesthood held by John the Baptist.In June, 1929, Joseph was ordained a Prophet and Lawgiver like Moses and many other prophets of God. Those who ordained him held the Melchisedec Priesthood in life. Since that priesthood had been lost shortly after the Apostles, it could only be restored through angelic administration like Jesus. The priesthood of God and the gospel were once again restored to the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ was organized on April 6, 1830. The gate into the kingdom of God was opened. Joseph received many revelations on the will and laws of God. They were first published in 1830 and the official edition was published as the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835. It contained two parts: Part One was on Faith and Part Two was revelations.On December 30, 1842, Joseph Smith commented, “If any person should ask me if I were a prophet, I should not deny it, as that would give me the lie; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [Rev. 19:10]; therefore, if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher and witness, I must possess the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet; and any man who says he is a teacher or a preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”He taught of the same true and living God and in Jesus Christ as taught in the Bible. “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. “Joseph Smith opposes vice and error, and supports his positions from revelation: no odds whether there be two, three, or ‘Gods many.’ The Father, and the Son are persons of Tabernacle [have a physical body]; and the Holy Ghost a spirit, besides the sons of God: for the scriptures say: ‘Ye are Gods.’” (Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, p. 926)“We believe a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz., apostles prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelist, etc. We believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly.” “4. And no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [Aaron was called by a revelation given to Moses]. 5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee… 10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5:10)He taught the same gospel as Jesus and the Apostles. “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”Joseph Smith taught of the same gifts given to the latter day saints (including visitation of angels, healings, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost) which the former day saints enjoyed. “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” The official History of the Church records these were present among the latter day saints. Joseph Smith taught that it was necessary to not only believe in God and honor Jesus as our Savior; but that we must live by the will and law of God. “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”Saints of God of God are to enjoy many blessings. “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Heb. 11:32-35 read all) “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” (James 5:14-15)John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, wrote concerning the loss of spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost and of Christians returning to paganism. "The cause of this was not, as has been supposed, because there was no more occasion for them, because all the world was become Christians. This is a miserable mistake; not a twentieth part of it was then nominally Christian. The real cause of it was that the love of man, almost all Christians, so-called, was waxed cold. The Christians had no more of the spirit of Christ than the other heathens. The Son of Man, when He came to examine His Church, could hardly find faith upon earth. This was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian church— because the Christians were turned heathens again, and only had a dead form left." (John Wesley's Works, Vol. VII, 89:26-27)When Luther rebelled against the pope, he and John Calvin invented a new religion; salvation by faith alone. They could not teach the gospel of Christ as they had never been called or ordained as ministers of God. They claimed the laws of God were nailed to the cross. What say you Jesus? “One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18) And you John? “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.” (Rev. 22:14) The Bible from end to end teaches the necessity of following the laws of God. Can any deny the gospel is not a requirement for salvation? Jesus is to return “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:8, 9) John Calvin did neither.“Calvin left no place for works in his definition of justification by faith, declaring that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers, not making them forever free from sin but reckoning them as righteous in God’s sight. Calvin asserted that believers cannot be justified by both faith and works, since even a particle of works for righteousness gives cause for boasting.” (Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 74)The saints gathered to Independence, Missouri, on the very frontier. The life of the latter day saints conflicted directly with those on the frontier. The governor of Missouri issued an extermination order demanding they either forsake their religion, move out of the state, or be killed. Some were killed and other beaten. The saints were driven out of Missouri where they had gathered for years because their life style conflicted with that of ruffians on the border of civilization. They migrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, where they built one of the largest and certainly the most law-abiding city in the west.The Bible foretold of two prophets and two works that would come forth in the latter days (one of the tribe of Joseph and one of the tribe of Judah. "Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph [Book of Mormon], which is in the hand of Ephraim [Joseph Smith], and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah [the Book of the Law of the Lord translated by James J. Strang of the tribe of Judah], and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." (Ezek. 37:19)Joseph received four revelations from God that that he would die in office—the first only a year after the church was organized. In the event of his impending death, he was to appoint “another” in his place and that successor would have to be ordained under the hands of angels like himself. “4 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. 5 And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; 6 And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. 7 For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 43, Feb. 1841, Utah Edition)On June 13, 1844, a mob of 300 gathered at Nauvoo. On June 17, with a mob from Missouri joining them, a mob of 1500 gathered.On June 18, 1844, nine days before his death, Joseph Smith wrote (in fulfillment of the law) a Letter of Appointment to James J. Strang in Burlington, Wisconsin. It was mailed the next day. He noted “I have long felt that my present work was almost done, and that I should soon be called to rule a mighty host, but something whispers me it will be in the land of spirits, where the wicked cease from troubling and the bands of the prisoner fall off… The wolves are upon the scent, and I am waiting to be offered up, if such be the will of God… The Almighty came from his throne of rest. He clothed himself with light as with a garment. He appeared, and moon and stars went out. The earth dissolved in space. I trod on air, and was borne on wings of Cherubims. The sweetest strains of heavenly music thrilled in my ear, but the notes were low and sad as though they sounded the requiem of martyred Prophets… And now behold my servant James J. Strang hath come to thee from far for truth when he knew it not, and hath not rejected it, but had faith in thee, the Shepherd and Stone of Israel, and to him shall the gathering of the people be, for he shall plant a stake of Zion in Wisconsin… And now I command my servants, the Apostles and Priests and Elders of the church of the Saints, that they communicate and proclaim this my word to all the Saints of God in all the world, that they may be gathered unto and round about my city of Voree… So spake the Almighty God of heaven. Thy duty is made plain, and if thou lackest wisdom, ask of God, in whose hands I trust thee, and he shall give thee unsparingly; for if evil befall me, thou shalt lead the flock to pleasant pastures. God sustain thee. Joseph Smith.”On June 20th, Joseph Smith wrote all twelve Apostles to return at once to Nauvoo. Ten of the Twelve were away from Nauvoo. On June 24th, eighteen persons, including Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were taken by warrant of Governor Ford to Carthage Illinois. The next morning Governor Ford pledged the faith of the State that they should be protected. Their hearing was continued until June 29th. On the morning of June 27th, the Governor disbanded the troops (so Joseph could be killed) and left Joseph Smith and associates to be guarded by eight men at the jail.On June 27th, at about six o’clock in the afternoon the guard was surprised by an armed mob of from 150 to 250 men painted red, black, and yellow. They surrounded the jail and murdered both Joseph and Hyrum Smith; both being shot four times. This under the sworn protection of (Illinois) Governor Ford. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered in cold blood.
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
James J. Strang
The same hour that Joseph was killed, James J. Strang claimed that at 5:30 in the afternoon that an angel of the Lord came to him and ordained him to the prophetic office to succeed Joseph Smith. He lived more than four hundred miles from Nauvoo. It was not possible (even if Strang had conspired with men in Nauvoo) to know of Joseph Smith’s murder. Much less to the hour. There was no such means of communication. He announced this ordination to several in Burlington that night.Joseph had given several revelations that he was going be taken from the earth; but, before his death, he would appoint “another” to stand at the head and continue communication with God. “4 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. 5 And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; 6 And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. 7 For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 43)James wrote about his ordination: “And at the same moment in which Joseph was slain I was visited by an Angel of God, accompanied by a numerous heavenly train, and anointed and ordained to the Prophetic Office, as Moses and Joseph had been before me. So I was called by the voice of God, and sent by the hands of Angels, as were the chief Prophets before me.”There have always been distinctive characteristics which identify a true Prophet of God. First, they all claim direct communication with God. Second, they all claim a calling and ordination at the hands of angels by a direct command of God. Third, they all fulfill the duties of their calling. Fourth, they teach the same as all prophets of God on the same subject. Fifth, in many instances they seal their testimony with their own blood.Of all the various men who claimed succession after the death of Joseph, only James J. Strang was appointed by Joseph and claimed to have been ordained at the hands of angels. James made his claim known from the time of his ordination on June 27, by mail and by word of mouth. Until the letter was delivered on July 9, there was no official news from Nauvoo. The letter from Joseph proved the claim that James had made almost two weeks earlier.On July 9, 1844, the first official news of Joseph’s death came when the Letter of Appointment was delivered by regular mail. It was recorded by the Post Offices in Chicago and Burlington. It has been proven beyond a doubt to have been signed by Joseph. Joseph’s foretelling of his death in office, his impending death, and James claiming ordination under the hands of angels the same hour as his death, are prophetic.James taught the same as Joseph on all points of doctrine. He provided the best discourses on the existence of God, on the true God, on the priesthood, on the Ten Commandments, and other important gospel subjects. He translated (from the books recovered by Joseph) the most valuable book of scripture: the Book of the Law of the Lord prophesied by Ezekiel (37) that was originally given to Moses but lost to the Bible like many others. There are at least 22 books noted in the Bible that are no longer there. Even the Book of Jasher and the Apocrypha are missing. Here is the only place the original the Ten Commandments exists.True Christianity is different from all others because. It is the only religion that has had direct association with God for thousands of years. From cover to cover in the Bible, anytime God had a people on the earth that He recognized as His own, He had a prophet at the head to maintain association and provide His will and Laws. Revelation is the foundation of true Christianity. The angel told the Apostle John: “I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10) The first and great truth is to know God and Jesus. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (Jesus, John 17:3) There are many claiming to be Christian; but there is a great deal of difference in what they teach. Their gods that are deaf and dumb and can neither help nor harm us. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)Christianity turned to paganism and idolatry during the first three centuries after the Apostles. The new god of Christians was, in fact, the god of Babylon. Under Constantine, the pagan trinitarian god replaced the god of Abraham. Jesus was replaced by a pagan dem-god—gods born of virgins by other gods. How a ghost can beget seed on a mortal? If true, Satan and his followers have been begetting children for six thousand years.James provided the best testimony against the Trinity. In 1850, he wrote among other things: “24. And, as by their faith, these three gods are one and the same god, it follows that the Lord God Almighty, uncreate, incomprehensible, and eternal, became a Priest unto himself, and offered himself a sacrifice unto himself, to make propitiation unto himself for sins against himself, and became a mediator between himself and his rebellious creatures; and has risen from the dead, though he alone hath immortality, and ascended on high, where he has received all power from himself, and sat down at his own right hand; where, with his human body, flesh and bones, and all that pertains to the perfection of man’s nature, raised to immortality and everlasting life, he “is the express image of the invisible God,” (Col. i, 15. 2d Cor. iv, 4,) “and the express image of his Father’s person,” (Heb. 1, 3,) who has not any such body or any part of it, and is nevertheless the same identical person with himself.“25. This is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ye shall not bow down to the God of Babylon, for the God who spoke in Sinai, said, “Thou shalt not bow down unto, nor adore anything that thy imagination conceiveth of; but the Lord thy God only.”“26. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, was not the offspring of adultery; nor was he born of woman; he was not carried about in a nurse’s arms, nor dependent on his mother’s milk for sustenance; he never died, nor did he cry to himself, and find no helper. (Matt. xxvii, 46. Mark xv, 34.) Eternal ages are but pulsations in his lifetime, and his might is omnipotence.”James wrote several pastoral letters and revelations. He translated a record of a people that once lived near Burlington, Wisc. He translated the Book of the Law of the Lord. In the Pastoral Letter of Feb. 3, 1948, he wrote, “2. Let us now try to make our religion a reality. The time has come that the saints must practice their religion and profess their faith, and he that will not do it will be cut off from them. The same causes under like circumstances cannot fail to produce like effects. And as the Gentile social system has produced poverty, want and crime in all the world, in the face of the greatest improvements in the science of agriculture and the mechanic arts, so that in countries where machinery, steam and water do the work of millions of men there is a real want of both food and clothing, we cannot flatter ourselves that while we pursue the same course we can escape a still greater amount of suffering, beginning in poverty, as most of us do… 7. Such are the consequences of the Gentile social system, under the most favorable circumstances. The examples I have named can be found in kind wherever man is, differing only in degree as the system has been more or less expanded. So entirely have they carried out the system of setting man against man, that the very commandment "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" has been struck out of the decalogue, and men have forgotten that God has engraved it on stone as a perpetual memorial against this ungodly generation. The selfishness engendered in all the intercourse of men is the fruitful cause of national wars and individual sufferings. The affairs of men have been so regulated, and the institutions established among them are of such kind and nature as to set man against his fellow man, and make it the interest of everyone to injure others. While the interest of man is sought in the injury of his neighbor, it is vain to hope that men will do to others as they would that others should do to them. And though we may go forth proclaiming gospel brotherhood and gospel equality from year to year, yet so long as we practice on the same system which has produced all these evils among the Gentiles, so long we must suffer them among ourselves. It is vain to talk about or to hope for the fullness of the spirit of God, or the establishment of His kingdom, if we will not make our religion a practical reality, by doing the things we teach.”The most important book of Scripture is the Book of the Law of the Lord given to prophets from Adam to Moses; but lost to the Bible. It was among the plates recovered by Joseph but had to be translated by a prophet of the tribe of Judah. It is the only place the original Ten Commandments exists. James wrote of this book, “Several books are also mentioned in the scriptures, not now found in the Bible, but of equal authority with it, which have been lost; as for instance, another epistle of Paul to the Corinthian and the Ephesian churches, and the books of Iddo, Nathan, and others, prophets of high rank in Israel. But of all the lost books the most important was the Book of the Law of the Lord. This was kept in the ark of the covenant, and was held too sacred to go into the hands of strangers. When the Septuagint translation was made, the Book of the Law was kept back, and the Book lost to the Jewish nation in the time that they were subject to foreign powers. The various books in the Pentateuch, containing abstracts of some of the laws, have been read instead of it, until even the existence of the book has come to be a matter of doubt.“It is from an authorized copy of that book, written on metallick plates long previous to the Babylonish captivity, that this translation is made. And being made by the same spirit by which the words were originally dictated, it is beyond doubt as perfect as the language will admit.” (Page VIII) It is the only place the original Ten Commandments can be found. The sectarian (presumed) Ten Commandments is only a brief synopsis and missing the second greatest law given to man. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22:39)In America about half of marriage end in divorce. The spiritual law of God does not provide for divorce. Jesus advised us: “I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matt. 5:32) “Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.” (Mark 10:11) The Book of the Law of the Lord states: “6. Thou shalt not put away thy wife but for adultery: the adulteress is abominable; she shall be given to the corruptions of the flesh, that her belly may swell and her thigh rot; and that she be a warning and a proverb: if she repent in dust and ashes for a long time, thou mayest forgive her; yet is she not thy wife: if thou wilt take her, thou shalt marry her again.” (p. 314) A bill of divorcement is not required. The marriage is automatically annulled with adultery.James was instructed by God to make Voree (near Burlington, Wisconsin) the gathering place for the saints. Interpreted it means Garden of Peace. The saints were never persecuted there by gentiles. He later received a revelation for the saints to gather to Beaver Island and the islands of Northern Lake Michigan. The gathering was moved there.Like the mobsters on the frontier in Missouri, the people on the mainland made every attempt to kill and drive the saints from their homes. Indian [diluted] Whiskey was a major source of income for those in Mackinac. James was a firm believer that whiskey should not be sold to the Indians; and would not allow it on Beaver Island. They became the enemies of the saints and they had to endure many persecutions. James wrote of his works as a prophet of God:“As prophet, I have foretold in the name of God, the ills that were coming on men, and directed all who received the word of the Lord how and where to come out from among the wicked, that they receive not of their plagues.“I have obtained covenants and promises of God and at his hand obtained an everlasting inheritance for the Saints, which I have divided among them by lot, without cost or price. God is our God and we are his people forevermore.“As a Seer, I have seen the visions of the Almighty, and as a Revelator have received knowledge of his purposes and commandments, and made them known among the children of men. As a translator, I have brought forth hidden treasures, and revealed the old record to all who love the truth, and seek unto it. The visions of the past and the hidden lore of future ages are laid by the side of present hopes and future knowledge.“As an apostle I have borne a faithful testimony of the kingdom and the coming of the Lord Jesus. I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. In the treasurehouse of the Almighty there is laid up for me a crown of glory richer than all diadems of earthly kings.“Of all that dwell on earth, God has made me the most happy. From men I fear no evil. May God bless you abundantly with the same blessings, and especially with the love of the truth.“Truly and sincerely, “JAMES J. STRANG.” (Prophetic Controversy, p. 38)
James wrote in the last edition of the church journal, evidently addressing his coming demise: “We will neither purchase temporary peace and future calamities by dishonorable trafficking with political jugglers, nor will we yield our homes to enemies. If we live, here will we live. If we die, here will we die, and here shall our bones be buried, expecting in the resurrection of the just to possess the land forever, and dwell with the righteous during the lifetime of the Eternal.God judge between us and all men.”Like Joseph before him, James was destined to seal his testimony with his blood. On June 16, 1856, with the help of the captain of the U. S. Steamer Michigan, James was mortally shot. The assassins were taken back to Mackinac, given a fake trial, and released. They could not be tried again. He was taken back to Voree where he died on July 9th. The saints were driven from their homes and their property stolen. He did not appoint a successor.Apostle Chidester gave the final instruction of James to the Apostles in a letter to Apostle Post on July 14, 1856. “I received your letter today, and hasten to answer. If you have not received the news ahead of this, it will be sad news to you. I closed the prophet’s eyes in the sleep of death the 9th of July, fifteen minutes before ten o’clock. James last words were: “You inquire what to do. His direction was for every man to take care of his family and do the best he could till he found out what to do. You will understand when you receive this how to act, as well as any of us; you have it second hand, I had it from his own mouth.” (Record of the Apostles of James, p. 31)The Twelve understood they could not stand at the head. Only a Prophet has that authority. The saints were loaded on boats, taken to Milwaukee and Chicago, dumped on the docks, and scattered. The Bible tells us of the demise of James and future deliverance. “8 And thou, O tower of the flock [James J. Strang], the strong hold of the daughter of Zion [church in America], unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem [July 8, 1850, when he was ordained King in Zion]. 9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee [James is gone]? is thy counsellor perished [apostles and high priests gone] for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. 10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to [spiritual] Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.” (Micah 4)James ordained L. D. Hickey who became the last of the Twelve Apostles, who ordained Samuel Martin a high priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders a high priest, who ordained Samuel E. West an elder on July 8, 1956. Lloyd Flanders was last of the High Priests. The office of elder remains. The gate into the kingdom of God is still open. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) “14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7)
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Was Brigham Young the prophet that was to succeeded Joseph? Was he called by direct revelation from God and ordained under the hands of angels like Joseph; as required by the law of God? NO! "4. But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift [as Prophet] except it be through him [Joseph Smith]; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. 5. And this shall be a law unto you that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments. 6. And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. 7. For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed." (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 43, Utah Edition)Brigham was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles under Joseph Smith—a third degree Apostle. A first-degree Apostle--like Joseph--is Prophet and Lawgiver. A second-degree Apostle is a Prophet and Administrator. Brigham was a third-degree Apostle—an Ambassador to the nations and held only evangelical authority in America. Only a prophet of God is authorized by God to stand at the head.Two months after Joseph’s murder on June 27, 1844, Brigham called a special meeting of the church. He “asked the saints what they wanted. Do you want a guardian, a PROPHET, a spokesman, or what do you want? If you want any of these officers, signify it by raising the right hand. Not a hand was raised.”Brigham announced that the church would not have another prophet; but that the Twelve lower order Apostles would stand at the head of the church instead of a Prophet as required by the law of God. “Let no man presume for a moment that his place will be filled by another: for remember, he stands in his own place and always will.” “You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without apostles who [will now] dictate all the affairs of the church in all the world.” (The official church journal Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, pp. 618, 637) In effect, this statement declares Joseph was not a Prophet; as there was to be a successor.What is the duty of the Twelve? These are ambassadors to the nations of the world and hold no ruling authority in America. The Doctrine and Covenants contains the official principles and regulations for the church. “The twelve traveling counselors are called to be the twelve apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ, in all the world: thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.” (D&C 107:23, Utah Edition). “1. The Apostles have the duty chiefly of preaching the gospel in all places, where it has not gone. When all the world is brought into the faith, they will be the chief representatives of the supreme authority, to be sent to all places to preside in Conferences, Councils and General Assemblies, and to conduct the affairs of government in all great matters. As the representatives of the Lawgiver, they will exercise royal prerogatives in the great divisions of the earth. 2. The Degree of an Embassador is more honourable than that of the Kings of the earth; for these Embassadors speak by authority, and Kings, who do not obey them, will be cast down. 3. But high as is the Priesthood conferred on them, they have no right to stand in the place of the Lawgiver. They cannot fill the place of Prophet, Seer, Revelator and Translator. They have not the keys of mysteries and revelations. (D. & C. xi, 4. xiv, 1, 2. li, 2. ciii, 39.)” (Book of the law of the Lord, James J. Strang, p. 220)The mission of the Twelve is to the nations of the world and not to stand as head of the church. They function only under the direction of the Prophet. “The twelve are a traveling, presiding high council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the presidency of the church, agreeably to the institution of heaven; to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same, in all nations: first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews.” (Utah Section 107:33) No Prophet, no mission, and the duty of the Twelve becomes one to only preach the gospel and administer its ordinances.Then on December 24, 1847 (over three years after Joseph’s death), while on their way West, Brigham called a general conference of his followers and noted their church was in an “unorganized state… they had to select a first presidency and they would admit the first argument of the apostates [James J. Strang] was correct." That is, that their organization was not complete without a Prophet; but Brigham was never called by God as a Prophet to lead the church. What happened? "It was moved and seconded that Brigham Young should be our First President. It was carried unanimously [by the voice of the people]." Brigham became their man-made prophet—nothing in the eyes of God. Nothing according to Brigham in his own Journal of Discourses. "I do not profess to be a Prophet. I never called myself so; but I actually believe I am, because people are all the time telling me I am." (Journal of Discourses, 5:177) "A person was mentioned to-day who did not believe that Brigham Young was a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. I wish to ask every member of this whole community, if they ever heard him profess to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, as Joseph Smith was?... Who ordained me to be First President of this Church on earth? I answer, It is the choice of the people, and that is sufficient." (Ibid., 6:32) The voice of the people has never been the voice of God. “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” (John 19:6)Jesus advised us: “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?” (Matt. 7)
What was Brigham’s fruits?
He invented a new god. Jesus told us: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Brigham introduced a new God and a false doctrine called eternal progression. That is, God was once a man like us and we can progress and become a god like Him. “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he.” (Mark 12:32)On Oct. 8, 1854, he stated, "... so we had a grandfather or we would have had no father, and our grandfather had a father and grandfather and great-great-great- grandfather so far back there is no beginning - They always existed on some world - and when this world was made - our God who is Adam came and commenced the peopling of it - Though he is God and had lived and died and had been resurrected on some other planet - and obtained his exaltation and begat the Spirits of children enough to people this world." (John Pulsipher account of same discourse. Quoted from The Teachings of President Brigham Young, Vol. 3, 1852 - 1854, Comp. and Ed. by Fred D. Collier, Collier's Publishing Co., October 1987, p. 369)On June 23, 1875, Wilford Woodruff stated, "... and whoever goes back into the presence of God our Eternal Father will find that he is a noble God... they will also learn that he has placed us here that we may pass through a state of probation and experience, the same as he himself did in his days of mortality." (JD, 15:319) On Jan. 10, 1886, Apostle Lorenzo Snow stated, "As man now is, God once was." (JD, 26:368)It is evident that Brigham Young and the Utah church have taught that God was once a man like ourselves. This doctrine was continued in 1886, by Apostle Lorenzo Snow; 1913, by President Joseph F. Smith; 1969, by Hyrum L. Andrus; and in 1975, by Wilford Woodruff.He also taught a false Adam-God doctrine: that Adam was the eternal heavenly Father. "... you believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe." (Journal of Discourses, 2:6) "Brother Pratt... could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ. President Young said that He was that he came from another world & made this brought Eve with him." (WWJ, Sept. 17, 1854)On Oct. 8, 1854, Brigham Young stated, "... Adam is the Father of our spirits... and Adam obeyed his Master the Lord, and probably many of his wives did the same, and they did the same, and they lived, and died upon an earth, and then were resurrected again to Immortality and Eternal Life." (Brigham Young, Oct. 8, 1854, Afternoon Session of the General Conference, Church Archives. Quoted from Craig L. Tholson, Adam-God, Publishment, Payson, Utah, 1991, p. 60)He also taught the false doctrine of spiritual wifery. He taught there was a Mr. God and Mrs. God who begat our spirits and that those who are married in his church will, after the resurrection, beget spirits for other creations. Newsweek on September 1, 1980 published an article entitled “What Mormons Believe.” This applies only to the church founded by Brigham Young in Utah. “At the center of that theology is the belief that God is literally a procreating father and that he is married to a Mrs. God, or divine mother… In the [Utah] Mormon view of human destiny, progression toward godhood continues after death. Joined together for all eternity in heaven, devout Mormon couples advance in knowledge and power, purify their lives, and eventually, spawn spirit children of their own. As father and mother gods in their own right, they will ultimately ‘organize’ new planets for their children, thus repeating an endless cycle of reproduction.”What does the Bible teach? Jesus is the father of everything in this creation--in liaison with the Father. His spirit was organized by God and Jesus organized our spirits. “1 In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation]. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 all things were made by him [not a Mr. and Mrs. God]; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1; Col. 1:16) “And God said, Let [God and Jesus] us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26)God is the supreme over the Universe. He alone possesses eternal perfections. God is without change. He has been and will remain the same from eternity to eternity. “I am the Lord, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) If God was to change, He would be untrustworthy and we could trust and faith in Him.God alone hath immortality. “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Tim. 6:16)God alone hath omniscience. God alone is all-knowing with perfect knowledge of past, present, and future. “9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning , and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isa. 46)God alone has omnipotence. He alone is the supreme power in the Universe. Even Jesus is subject to God. “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28)God alone is omnipresent. His presence fills the immensity of space as a point. There is not a place in the Universe where He is not present through His ministers. His speed is unmatched as His thought is even faster than angels.God alone is one. There are choirs of angels, hosts of spirits, and multitudes of men; but God has no fellow.Jesus advised us: “20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” (Matt. 7) Brigham did not believe in the God of the Bible.One of the great laws of God is the Sabbath. It was given by God after creation. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Gen. 2:3) This is one of the great laws in the Ten Commandments. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” (Ex. 20:8, 10) “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Ex. 31:17)The seventh day is kept throughout the Bible; and was honored by Jesus and the Apostles. Some think the law of God changed with Jesus. No so! There is no difference between Jew and gentile in the eyes of God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) This sacred law is to be kept forever. Jesus noted. “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18)How did Sunday come to be honored? It was the unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine that changed the day to honor the sun god. He was not a Christian but honored the sun god all his life. “As seen in Constantine’s originating piety, that supreme deity would have been associated with the sun, and pagans would have recognized, with reason, their own solar cult in such Christian practices as orienting churches to the east, worshipping of ‘sun day,’ and celebrating the birth of the deity at the winter solstice.” (James Carroll, Constantine’s Sword, p. 183) He made the “venerable day of the sun” the new rest day for Christians. The Jews never accepted this change. It is not the Sabbath. There is only one Sabbath. Those who honor the sun god have no right to being called people of God.Joseph Smith honored the seventh day—Saturday—as the Sabbath. "Brethren in the Lord, good advice is like springs in the wilderness; you may drink at one and drink at another, and pure water always tastes agreeable. Never plan your business on Saturday so that it might interfere with the solemn duties of the Sabbath, for the Lord will not hold you guiltless if you do. His sacred command is: observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy. (Evening and Morning Star [official church journal], October, 1832, Vol. 1, No. 5)Brigham Young honored the seventh day Sabbath until after Joseph’s death in 1844. On a Saturday in May, 1845, Brigham noted: "So let it be, O Lord Almighty. This is the seventh day of the week or the Jewish Sabbath. It is the day on which the Almighty finished his work and rested from his labors; we have finished the walls of the temple, and we may rest today from our labors." (History of the Church, VOL. 7, p. 418) He and his followers have honored “the venerable day of the sun.” His doctrines are contrary to the Bible and to Joseph Smith’s teachings.One of the duties of a true prophet of God is to provide association with God through revelations--providing guidance from God like all Prophets in the Bible. They are Seers and Revelators. In 1906, Joseph F. Smith [a successor of Brigham] appeared before the United States Senate. Here is what this man-made prophet declared:“Senator Hoar. Is the doctrine of the inspiration of the head of the church and revelations given to him one of the fundamental or non-fundamental doctrines of Mormonism?Mr. Smith. The principles of revelation is a fundamental principles of the Church.Senator Hoar. I speak of the revelations given to the head of the Church.Mr. Smith. Yes, sir.Senator Hoar. Does or does not a person who does not believe that a revelation given through the head of the Church comes from God reject a fundamental principle of Mormonism?Mr. Smith. He does; always if the revelation is a divine revelation from God.Senator Hoar. It always is, is it not? It comes through the head of the Church?Mr. Smith. When it is divine, it always is; when it is divine, most decidedly.The Chairman. I do not quite understand that – ‘when it is divine.’ You have revelations do you not?Mr. Smith. I have never pretended to nor do I profess to have received revelations. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown to me that so-called Mormonism is God’s divine truth; that is all.”Called by revelation from God? No. He became their man-made prophet by the vote of his followers. When their prophets die, their senior apostle, also called by the voice of man becomes their new man-made prophet. Kind of like calling the pope. The voice of the people is not the voice of God. The voice of man “cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” (Luke 23:21)“Senator Bailey. I understand that. As a matter of fact, the apostles nominate the president and the church elects him. Do I understand that to be the case?“Mr. Smith. Well, yes, sir; that has been the case. And then, again, the senior apostle, through custom of the church since the death of Joseph Smith, has been recognized on the death of the president as the legitimate successor to the president.”Brigham and his successors are prophets that have prophesied nothing, seers that have seen nothing, revelators that revealed nothing, and translators that translated nothing. They are nothing in the sight of God. The last revelation recorded in the book of Doctrine and Covenants was by Joseph. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20) Jesus spoke of such: “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9) “I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:23)James labored with Brigham for about two years to take his proper place in the kingdom to no avail. Finally, he called a trial by the High Council; which cut him and his followers off from the kingdom. Neither he nor his followers have a legitimate claim as even members of the kingdom.There is a horrible desolation on our doorstep. People on the earth were first baptized with water without repentance. Soon there will be a baptism of fire without repentance. “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake [Israel] those days shall be shortened.” (Jesus, Matt. 24) “For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time [destruction] of the heathen [gentile].” (Ezek. 30:3) “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” (Isa. 24:6)We are told when Jesus returns it will be “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thess. 1:8, 9)We have been blessed to have a remnant of the Melchisedec Priesthood today. The office of Elder holds authority to administer all of the ordinances of the gospel. The gate into the Kingdom of God is still open. Jesus advised us: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate [authorized priesthood]: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way [laws of God], which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Jesus, Matt. 7)You can be among those few. The greatest blessing available to man is to enter the Kingdom of God in mortal life; as it opens the gate to rise in the first resurrection and inherit the earth with Jesus and the saints of God. “5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20)I have a legitimate claim to the Melchisedec Priesthood—the priesthood of God. James J. Strang ordained L. D. Hickey one of the Twelve Apostles, who ordained Samuel Martin a High Priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders a High Priest, who ordained Samuel E. West an Elder on July 8, 1956.The gate into the kingdom of God is still open. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) “14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7)
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
What was Brigham’s fruits?
He invented a new god. Jesus told us: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Brigham introduced a new God and a false doctrine called eternal progression. That is, God was once a man like us and we can progress and become a god like Him. “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he.” (Mark 12:32)On Oct. 8, 1854, he stated, "... so we had a grandfather or we would have had no father, and our grandfather had a father and grandfather and great-great-great- grandfather so far back there is no beginning - They always existed on some world - and when this world was made - our God who is Adam came and commenced the peopling of it - Though he is God and had lived and died and had been resurrected on some other planet - and obtained his exaltation and begat the Spirits of children enough to people this world." (John Pulsipher account of same discourse. Quoted from The Teachings of President Brigham Young, Vol. 3, 1852 - 1854, Comp. and Ed. by Fred D. Collier, Collier's Publishing Co., October 1987, p. 369)On June 23, 1875, Wilford Woodruff stated, "... and whoever goes back into the presence of God our Eternal Father will find that he is a noble God... they will also learn that he has placed us here that we may pass through a state of probation and experience, the same as he himself did in his days of mortality." (JD, 15:319) On Jan. 10, 1886, Apostle Lorenzo Snow stated, "As man now is, God once was." (JD, 26:368)It is evident that Brigham Young and the Utah church have taught that God was once a man like ourselves. This doctrine was continued in 1886, by Apostle Lorenzo Snow; 1913, by President Joseph F. Smith; 1969, by Hyrum L. Andrus; and in 1975, by Wilford Woodruff.He also taught a false Adam-God doctrine: that Adam was the eternal heavenly Father. "... you believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe." (Journal of Discourses, 2:6) "Brother Pratt... could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ. President Young said that He was that he came from another world & made this brought Eve with him." (WWJ, Sept. 17, 1854)On Oct. 8, 1854, Brigham Young stated, "... Adam is the Father of our spirits... and Adam obeyed his Master the Lord, and probably many of his wives did the same, and they did the same, and they lived, and died upon an earth, and then were resurrected again to Immortality and Eternal Life." (Brigham Young, Oct. 8, 1854, Afternoon Session of the General Conference, Church Archives. Quoted from Craig L. Tholson, Adam-God, Publishment, Payson, Utah, 1991, p. 60)He also taught the false doctrine of spiritual wifery. He taught there was a Mr. God and Mrs. God who begat our spirits and that those who are married in his church will, after the resurrection, beget spirits for other creations. Newsweek on September 1, 1980 published an article entitled “What Mormons Believe.” This applies only to the church founded by Brigham Young in Utah. “At the center of that theology is the belief that God is literally a procreating father and that he is married to a Mrs. God, or divine mother… In the [Utah] Mormon view of human destiny, progression toward godhood continues after death. Joined together for all eternity in heaven, devout Mormon couples advance in knowledge and power, purify their lives, and eventually, spawn spirit children of their own. As father and mother gods in their own right, they will ultimately ‘organize’ new planets for their children, thus repeating an endless cycle of reproduction.”What does the Bible teach? Jesus is the father of everything in this creation--in liaison with the Father. His spirit was organized by God and Jesus organized our spirits. “1 In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation]. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 all things were made by him [not a Mr. and Mrs. God]; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1; Col. 1:16) “And God said, Let [God and Jesus] us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26)God is the supreme over the Universe. He alone possesses eternal perfections. God is without change. He has been and will remain the same from eternity to eternity. “I am the Lord, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) If God was to change, He would be untrustworthy and we could trust and faith in Him.God alone hath immortality. “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Tim. 6:16)God alone hath omniscience. God alone is all-knowing with perfect knowledge of past, present, and future. “9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning , and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isa. 46)God alone has omnipotence. He alone is the supreme power in the Universe. Even Jesus is subject to God. “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28)God alone is omnipresent. His presence fills the immensity of space as a point. There is not a place in the Universe where He is not present through His ministers. His speed is unmatched as His thought is even faster than angels.God alone is one. There are choirs of angels, hosts of spirits, and multitudes of men; but God has no fellow.Jesus advised us: “20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” (Matt. 7) Brigham did not believe in the God of the Bible.One of the great laws of God is the Sabbath. It was given by God after creation. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Gen. 2:3) This is one of the great laws in the Ten Commandments. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” (Ex. 20:8, 10) “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Ex. 31:17)The seventh day is kept throughout the Bible; and was honored by Jesus and the Apostles. Some think the law of God changed with Jesus. No so! There is no difference between Jew and gentile in the eyes of God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) This sacred law is to be kept forever. Jesus noted. “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18)How did Sunday come to be honored? It was the unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine that changed the day to honor the sun god. He was not a Christian but honored the sun god all his life. “As seen in Constantine’s originating piety, that supreme deity would have been associated with the sun, and pagans would have recognized, with reason, their own solar cult in such Christian practices as orienting churches to the east, worshipping of ‘sun day,’ and celebrating the birth of the deity at the winter solstice.” (James Carroll, Constantine’s Sword, p. 183) He made the “venerable day of the sun” the new rest day for Christians. The Jews never accepted this change. It is not the Sabbath. There is only one Sabbath. Those who honor the sun god have no right to being called people of God.Joseph Smith honored the seventh day—Saturday—as the Sabbath. "Brethren in the Lord, good advice is like springs in the wilderness; you may drink at one and drink at another, and pure water always tastes agreeable. Never plan your business on Saturday so that it might interfere with the solemn duties of the Sabbath, for the Lord will not hold you guiltless if you do. His sacred command is: observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy. (Evening and Morning Star [official church journal], October, 1832, Vol. 1, No. 5)Brigham Young honored the seventh day Sabbath until after Joseph’s death in 1844. On a Saturday in May, 1845, Brigham noted: "So let it be, O Lord Almighty. This is the seventh day of the week or the Jewish Sabbath. It is the day on which the Almighty finished his work and rested from his labors; we have finished the walls of the temple, and we may rest today from our labors." (History of the Church, VOL. 7, p. 418) He and his followers have honored “the venerable day of the sun.” His doctrines are contrary to the Bible and to Joseph Smith’s teachings.One of the duties of a true prophet of God is to provide association with God through revelations--providing guidance from God like all Prophets in the Bible. They are Seers and Revelators. In 1906, Joseph F. Smith [a successor of Brigham] appeared before the United States Senate. Here is what this man-made prophet declared:“Senator Hoar. Is the doctrine of the inspiration of the head of the church and revelations given to him one of the fundamental or non-fundamental doctrines of Mormonism?Mr. Smith. The principles of revelation is a fundamental principles of the Church.Senator Hoar. I speak of the revelations given to the head of the Church.Mr. Smith. Yes, sir.Senator Hoar. Does or does not a person who does not believe that a revelation given through the head of the Church comes from God reject a fundamental principle of Mormonism?Mr. Smith. He does; always if the revelation is a divine revelation from God.Senator Hoar. It always is, is it not? It comes through the head of the Church?Mr. Smith. When it is divine, it always is; when it is divine, most decidedly.The Chairman. I do not quite understand that – ‘when it is divine.’ You have revelations do you not?Mr. Smith. I have never pretended to nor do I profess to have received revelations. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown to me that so-called Mormonism is God’s divine truth; that is all.”Called by revelation from God? No. He became their man-made prophet by the vote of his followers. When their prophets die, their senior apostle, also called by the voice of man becomes their new man-made prophet. Kind of like calling the pope. The voice of the people is not the voice of God. The voice of man “cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” (Luke 23:21)“Senator Bailey. I understand that. As a matter of fact, the apostles nominate the president and the church elects him. Do I understand that to be the case?“Mr. Smith. Well, yes, sir; that has been the case. And then, again, the senior apostle, through custom of the church since the death of Joseph Smith, has been recognized on the death of the president as the legitimate successor to the president.”Brigham and his successors are prophets that have prophesied nothing, seers that have seen nothing, revelators that revealed nothing, and translators that translated nothing. They are nothing in the sight of God. The last revelation recorded in the book of Doctrine and Covenants was by Joseph. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20) Jesus spoke of such: “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9) “I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:23)James labored with Brigham for about two years to take his proper place in the kingdom to no avail. Finally, he called a trial by the High Council; which cut him and his followers off from the kingdom. Neither he nor his followers have a legitimate claim as even members of the kingdom.There is a horrible desolation on our doorstep. People on the earth were first baptized with water without repentance. Soon there will be a baptism of fire without repentance. “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake [Israel] those days shall be shortened.” (Jesus, Matt. 24) “For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time [destruction] of the heathen [gentile].” (Ezek. 30:3) “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” (Isa. 24:6)We are told when Jesus returns it will be “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thess. 1:8, 9)We have been blessed to have a remnant of the Melchisedec Priesthood today. The office of Elder holds authority to administer all of the ordinances of the gospel. The gate into the Kingdom of God is still open. Jesus advised us: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate [authorized priesthood]: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way [laws of God], which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Jesus, Matt. 7)You can be among those few. The greatest blessing available to man is to enter the Kingdom of God in mortal life; as it opens the gate to rise in the first resurrection and inherit the earth with Jesus and the saints of God. “5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20)I have a legitimate claim to the Melchisedec Priesthood—the priesthood of God. James J. Strang ordained L. D. Hickey one of the Twelve Apostles, who ordained Samuel Martin a High Priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders a High Priest, who ordained Samuel E. West an Elder on July 8, 1956.The gate into the kingdom of God is still open. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) “14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7)
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
APOSTATE STRANGITES
A remnant of the followers of James J. Strang were scattered after his death. Wingfield Watson—who lived on Beaver Island with James—wrote M. M. Quaife on April 14, 1919: “But as you inquire how the organization under Mr. Strang has been kept up since his death, I can only say that this organization has not been well kept up, from the circumstances in which we were placed; for when Mr. Strang was taken from us, most of us were as little children suddenly left without father or mother.”The first usurpation of the priesthood came in 1897, when Apostle L. D. Hickey ordained Wingfield Watson an Evangelical High Priest as directed in the Doctrine and Covenants. “It is the duty of the twelve in all large branches of the church, to ordain evangelical ministers, as they shall be designated unto them by revelation. The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner.” (D&C 107:39-41)The office of third-degree Apostle is only evangelical in America. It holds no ruling authority. Only one holding an office with royal (ruling) authority can ordain another to such office. James J. Strang ordained several to the office of Presiding High Priest. The Book of the Law makes this clear. “Whosoever is called by the voice of God to the royal [presiding] authority, shall be anointed and ordained by the hands of those who stand in royal authority above him. (p. 163) Hickey only held authority to ordain to an evangelical office.Watson, though, claimed that Hickey had ordained him a presiding high priest over the church and he even claimed that he was the President of the church. It is not known whether Hickey gave him an ordination certificate; but it is required by God. Instead, Watson produced two different certificates on different dates--in own handwriting--claiming he was ordained a Presiding High Priest. Twenty-five years later Wingfield Watson was not recognized by the 1919 General Conference as having any jurisdiction (authority) different than the other high priests.The next usurpation came in 1939. The 1939 General Conference was the first time on record that high priests were called by a lower office--elder. This is a direct violation of the law of God. The law of God requires every officer be called of God as was Aaron—by revelation and by one holding as high an office. James J. Strang wrote: "...For as Aaron was called of God by the mouth of Moses, who held as high authority as that to which he called him, being both Prophet and High Priest, after the order of Melchisedec; so no man lawfully taketh the priesthood unto himself, but he that is called by revelation of God, by the mouth of one lawfully in the priesthood and holding as high authority as that to which he calls.” (Gospel Herald, Oct. 7, 1847, p. 118/170) The law of God is specific on this subject. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, THE SAME IS A THIEF AND A ROBBER. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” (John 10:1)Elder H. C. Anderson made a resolution to ordain six high priests. “H. C. Anderson (elder) motioned "that we ordain six more high priests. Motions were made [by elders] that Theron Drew, John Wake, Stephen West, and H. C. Anderson be ordained to the High Priesthood… Bro. Lloyd Flanders then made a motion that the High Priesthood be empowered to select [call] and ordain the other two High Priests." John Wake, Jr. was ordained by Moroni Flanders on July 19, 1939, and Stanley Johnston on October 23, 1940, in accordance with this motion. Those who were previously called to the office of elder in accordance with the law of God retained that office.At the 1952 General Conference the calling of high priests by anyone was out of control. Even lay members were allowed to call to the office of high priest. There were six claiming the office high priest. Only Stanley Johnson and Lloyd Flanders had a legitimate claim to the office. Vernon Swift--who later became their leader—was called by Joseph Mead who was called only by a vote of the people in a previous conference. The other six were called by teachers (of the Aaronic Priesthood) and by lay members.George Mead (Priest) and Wingfield Chubb (Priest), not attending the conference, were, like others, called by lay members. "Sis. Cynthia Trimble [lay member] nominated George Mead, ...to be ordained to the office of High Priest at the first opportunity by any High Priest...carried by majority." Oliver Jodway (priesthood not noted) was also called (by Helena Flanders).”A complete apostacy occurred at the 1961 General Conference. The primary business was to convert the church to a function of the US Government through a Corporation. Various functions of the church under Joseph Smith—like the Nauvoo House—were incorporated; but never the church. The kingdom of God can never be joined with governments of man and retain its identity. Three High Priests were to constitute a new Presiding Council or head of the church. Only a prophet of God holds authority to stand at the head of the church. Another new order of the priesthood was invented: a Council of High Priests. This council was given authority “To consecrate, ordain and license a Priesthood.” “The government of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) shall be vested in the General Conference… All High Priests must be chosen by the Council of High Priests.” A new “Presiding Council… therefore constitute it’s Presidency…is to consist of the Presiding High Priest and his Counselor…chosen by the Council of High Priests.” The Law of God forbids any but a Prophet of God to stand at the head of the church.This new church became part of the government of man and was ruled by a new order of priesthood and councils that never existed before an apostacy of this church. Other General Conference minutes reflect the use of the corporation constitution to rule their church. “The Constitution of the church states, under Article IV, Section 2: ‘Any person proven guilty of willfully violating the doctrine and discipline of this Church or this Constitution… may be disfellowshipped or excommunicated.”With this apostacy came losing even a correct knowledge of God and violating some of the most grievous laws of God. We have learned the importance of a correct knowledge of God. The first and greatest law given to man requires this. In 1993, Vernon called a High Priest conference because he was advised of another high priest (Bruce Flanders) teaching God is the spirit and Jesus is the body of God. Remember the trinity? “He said Bro. BF had sent him, in fact when I talked to him on the telephone, I told him that we would be considering the principle concerning God and Christ, and their relationship and our relationship to them, and I asked him to bring whatever he had, he had mentioned that he had something by James J. Strang, that in his mind was very important, therefore I think we will open the floor for discussion of those subjects.”“For the purpose of informing those who have an interest in the proceedings of the High Priests meetings of the subjects discussed, which in this instance were very deep and complex, and owing to the fact that the discussion was carried on in the form of a dialogue, and since no conclusion was arrived at, the reader is urged to study on their own to become better informed on the subject, that when the issue is finally resolved all may be convinced of the validity of the decision.” The High Priests did not even understand God and Jesus! James J. Strang provided lengthy dialogues of this subject in the Book of the Law of the Lord. They didn’t need the Book of the Law of the Lord. They had a corporation constitution.What is the most grievous sin against man? “Thou shalt not kill.” “Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.” (Jer. 4:31) “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15) “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8)What say you James J. Strang? “4. All killing by mobs, or bodies of unauthorized men, acting upon no matter what provocation, and not in open and legal war, belong to the category of mere murder. 5. Nor should that be regarded as legal war, which men by their law have authorized, but only that which the law of God authorizes. 6. Consequently, he who voluntarily enters upon an unjust war, is guilty of murder. As part of the force, he is guilty, when death is inflicted by others. 7. Nor will he be justified, though required by the law of his country; for that which the law of God declares to be sin, man cannot make lawful. 8. It is, therefore, the duty of the Saints, to abstain from all wars which are not authorized by the express word of God, or the plain principles of his law; as from murder.” (Book of the Law, p. 29)Vernon Swift, Bruce Flanders, and William Shepard—three of their primary “high priests” all joined the military knowing the consequences. Vernon stood at the head of their church for many years. I sent them exhausting letters to advise them of their errors and the necessity of returning to truth. The one great aspect of the true church is always telling the truth. James J. Strang wrote in the Book of the Law of the Lord: “The Law of God changes all this. It exacts truth of all men, in all places, when it allows anything to be put in issue; and takes no denial, when it makes inquisition. 9. Its searching supervision goes into the family circle, and forbids that a man speak falsely to his wife, his child, or his servant; and among the multitude it rebukes the talebearer, and forbids all men to raise a false report.”“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8)We have studied many truths about the priesthood of God and understand that without a duly called and ordained member of the Melchisedec Priesthood there is no hope. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors [high priests and elders] and teachers; [Why?] 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [for how long?] 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4)The three primary doctrines of the true church include: (1) a correct knowledge of God, (2) a ministry called and ordained of God, and (3) a ministry that teaches and obeys the laws of God.The corporation church in Burlington, Wisconsin, violates all three. They are truly an apostate church and not a church of God. These will likely be sons of perdition with their followers to spend eternity as ghosts with Satan and his other followers. About a third of the spirits in the beginning followed Satan and were all cast down with him. Be careful who you follow!The gate into the kingdom of God is still open. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) “14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7)
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in the Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com