Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declaration 1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declaration 1
"President Lorenzo Snow offered the following:
“I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the present time who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue of his position to issue the Manifesto which has been read in our hearing, and which is dated September 24th, 1890, and that as a Church in General Conference assembled, we accept his declaration concerning plural marriages as authoritative and binding.”
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous.
Salt Lake City, Utah, October 6, 1890."

This official declaration is the manifesto given by President Wilford Woodruff that ended the practice of plural marriage. The chapter header explains that "monogamy is God's standard for marriage unless He declares otherwise." Once the law of the land made this religious practice illegal the prophet sought the will of the Lord. He was shown in vision and by revelation what would happen to the saints if they did not end this practice. They had struggles with some that would not stop and continued to perform plural marriages in the endowment house. The prophet Wilford Woodruff had the endowment house taken down. What I pondered on is how some members think they know better than the prophet. That is such a sad thing. As President Lorenzo Snow very clearly spells out the prophet holds the keys to the sealing ordinances. He alone holds that authority on the earth.

Day 3728

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 4:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 4:1-2

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel."

As I thought of my day the women wouldn't even be concerned about being married or not. Looking at it deeper I think this only applies to women in Zion. Seven women to one man would be polygamy, something the church has not practiced in 133 years. Something that is against the law, and anyone found practicing plural marriage will be excommunicated or have their membership withdrawn from the church. Looking at what Isaiah is prophesying for the last days is not ordinary times. The men have been killed and only those left in Zion are holy. That means they would be righteous enough to practice plural marriage again. The women would want an eternal marriage and have children. Not like the women today.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with a sister I visit taught in New England, over 35 years ago. She was going inactive and all worked up and concerned about someday being asked to live the law of polygamy. I was young and inexperienced and had never thought upon this matter. While I sat and listened, I just prayed in my heart I would know what to say. Then the spirit spoke and I said "There is a reason you are concerned about living the law of polygamy right now. That is because we are not asked to live it. Your heart is right in this matter. When or if the time ever comes to live such a law again, I am sure your heart and my heart will be changed. Then we would be able to do what we are asked to do." These words settled the matter for the sister and were words of marvel to me. This experience has helped me be relieved of any concern on matters I do not understand. I do not have to pick at them to make myself raw over them. I know when its time to understand or know something of importance, my mind and heart will be opened to these things.

Day 2842

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declarations 1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declarations 1

"One case has been reported, in which the parties allege that the marriage was performed in the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, in the Spring of 1889, but I have not been able to learn who performed the ceremony; whatever was done in this matter was without my knowledge. In consequence of this alleged occurrence the Endowment House was, by my instructions, taken down without delay."

Any member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can tell you that we do not practice polygamy. We have not done so for over 130 years. To be found doing so will lead to excommunication. Yet there is a reason why this manifesto against the practice of polygamy is included in the Doctrine and Covenants as an Official Declaration. Reading this now in the light of our day I can see a warning.

The Endowment House was were the saints could receive temple ordinances while waiting for the completion of the Salt Lake Temple. In consequence of the actions of a few misguided members, that went against the direction of the president of the church and laws of the land, the Endowment House was immediately taken down. This happened in Oct 1890 and the Salt Lake Temple was not dedicated until 1893. So for a period of time the saints could not receive the blessings of temple ordinances because of the actions of a few.

As I reflected on this situation, and the slow and cautious reopening of our temples from this pandemic, I thought of the careful videos made in preparation for what to expect when we return. As clear and peaceful as these videos are I am sure there must be a concern that misguided individuals may challenge and refuse to follow these guidelines. I hope they do not, for to do so could rightfully justify the First Presidency in closing our temples again. The actions of a few have consequences for many. I do not want to see history repeat itself. It's one thing for a temple to close due to a pandemic. It's another if it's because of our own actions. I would not want to be on the wrong side of this. Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declarations 1

"One case has been reported, in which the parties allege that the marriage was performed in the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, in the Spring of 1889, but I have not been able to learn who performed the ceremony; whatever was done in this matter was without my knowledge. In consequence of this alleged occurrence the Endowment House was, by my instructions, taken down without delay."

Any member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can tell you that we do not practice polygamy. We have not done so for over 130 years. To be found doing so will lead to excommunication. Yet there is a reason why this manifesto against the practice of polygamy is included in the Doctrine and Covenants as an Official Declaration. Reading this now in the light of our day I can see a warning.

The Endowment House was were the saints could receive temple ordinances while waiting for the completion of the Salt Lake Temple. In consequence of the actions of a few misguided members, that went against the direction of the president of the church and laws of the land, the Endowment House was immediately taken down. This happened in Oct 1890 and the Salt Lake Temple was not dedicated until 1893. So for a period of time the saints could not receive the blessings of temple ordinances because of the actions of a few.

As I reflected on this situation, and the slow and cautious reopening of our temples from this pandemic, I thought of the careful videos made in preparation of what we are to expect when we return. One of the requirements is to wear masks. I sure hope we do not have misguided members that will challenge and refuse to wear them. To do so would justify the First Presidency in closing our temples again. The actions of a few have consequences for many. I do not want to see history repeat itself. It's one thing for a temple to close due to a pandemic. It's another if it's because of our own actions. I would not want to be on the wrong side of this.

Day 2142

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 16:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 16:2-3

"And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sari.

And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife."

I had heard the practice of plural marriage was called the "law of Sarah". I did a little scripture chase to find the reference to it.

Doctrine & Covenants 132: 34, 65

"God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises.

Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I command Abraham to take Hagar to wife."

I am grateful that when the "law of Sarah" had to be restored in the fullness of times it was again by the first wife's consent. I am also glad that the law has been fulfilled and no longer practiced. To practice plural marriage outside of the Lord's command would be a perversion. Such things are only revealed through God's prophet.

Day 591

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 91:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 91:1

"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order, organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Frederick G. Williams, that ye shall receive him into the order. What I say unto one I say unto all."

I have to admit I don't really understand all about the united order. It isn't something I have felt impressed to study and learn about. I know it deals with the law of consecration, and I live that as things are setup right now. Someday the members of the church maybe called to live the united order again, but that just seems so far away to me. 

One thing I do hope is if I was called to live it, I hope it is during a time of wealth for me. I think the blessings would be incredible to give all when there is much to give. If I gave in my poverty I would be concerned I would unite in this because of my own personal greed. 

As I thought on this short two verse chapter, my mind went back to a conversation I had with a sister I visit taught in New England, over 30 years ago. She was going inactive and all worked up and concerned about someday being asked to live the law of polygamy. I was young and inexperienced and had never thought upon this matter. While I sat and listened, I just prayed in my heart I would know what to say. Then the spirit spoke and I said "There is a reason you are concerned about living the law of polygamy right now. That is because we are not asked to live it. Your heart is right in this matter. When or if the time ever comes to live such a law again, I am sure your heart and my heart will be changed. Then we would be able to do what we are asked to do." These words settled the matter for the sister and were words of marvel to me. This experience has helped me be relieved of any concern on matters I do not understand. I do not have to pick at them to make myself raw over them. I know when its time to understand or know something of importance, my mind will be opened to these things.  

Day 511

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 13:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 13:1

"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

On May 15, 1829 an angel appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and called himself John. The very person called John the Baptist in the New Testament. He was sent to earth to restore the keys to the Aaronic Priesthood for which he held. He gave those priesthood keys to Joseph and Oliver and instructed them in the ordinance of baptism. This priesthood authority would never again be taken from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

I'm not really sure what happens to these keys of authority when that event happens. Interestingly there is a sect of Jews making preparation for such an offering once again. I am not sure if that is what this scriptures means. I do know that since this is the dispensation of the fullness of time, all things need to be restored before the Savior's second coming. Even the sacred offerings by the sons of Levi, in righteousness. That is why the law of Sarah, or polygamy was restored for a brief time period too. You cannot have a fullness if all ordinances and laws are not restored at their proper time.

Day 432