Part 2 of 3 by Matt Palmer
I have recently heard the doctrine called multiple probations referred to as a “dangerous doctrine.” I have also heard and read arguments from faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that any additional doctrines may only be expected to come from the plain teachings of church authorities over the pulpit. I want to examine a few points I have recently seen argued concerning the dissemination of doctrines.
The purpose of this essay is not to prove or disprove the truth of any particular doctrinal claims. Neither is the purpose of this essay to defend any particular individuals associated with this doctrine. Rather, this article looks to scripture and church history to provide context for the way doctrine has spread in the past. As it pertains to the doctrine of multiple probations, I have seen several arguments applied that I believe to be inconsistent with knowledge given to us in the scriptures and in reliable church history. Let’s explore them.
First argument: God is transparent in revealing doctrine. He will only reveal new doctrine through church leaders to the members of the church together.
This claim is not consistent with scripture. Let’s start with the Savior Himself. Jesus Christ regularly performed works in secret and told the witnesses to withhold that information from others. For example, in Matthew 8, Jesus broke the law and touched a leper in order to heal him. Then “Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man, but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” (Matthew 8:1-4). There was a similar charge given to a man He healed that was deaf and had a speech impediment. (Mark 7:31-37). It was the same with two blind men He healed (Matthew 9:22-32), and even “great multitudes” of people that He healed on one occasion (Matthew 12:15-16).
On another occasion, the Savior even commanded his disciples to avoid the most basic function of a prophet: “then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” (Matthew 16:20). Likewise, after the miraculous events on the Mount of Transfiguration, He commanded Peter, James, and John “that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:9).
We can also learn from the life of Joseph Smith. Brother Joseph, the man who “has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it,” (D&C 135:3) did not reveal new doctrines to all people in the same way at the same time. With regard to the practice of polygamy, Joseph introduced that commandment to certain people privately first, withholding that information from others as he felt inspired. (Saints, Volume 1, The Standard of Truth 1815-1846, Chapter 36). This doctrine was not introduced in a transparent and uniform manner. In fact, when Joseph discussed plural marriage with Louisa Beaman, he told her, “in revealing this to you, I have placed my life in your hands. Do not in an evil hour betray me to my enemies.” (Saints at page 435, linked above). Joseph’s practices regarding plural marriage were anything but transparent. He simply did not trust most people with that knowledge.
After Joseph and Sidney Rigdon had the wondrous joint vision recorded in D&C 76, many stumbled at the doctrines revealed concerning three degrees of glory. Here is Brigham Young quoted in an article about this vision:
‘It was a great trial to many,’ Brigham Young remembered. ‘Some apostatized because God … had a place of salvation, in due time, for all.’ Young himself had difficulty accepting the idea: ‘My traditions were such that when the Vision came first to me, it was directly contrary and opposed to my former education. I said, wait a little. I did not reject it; but I could not understand it.’ His brother Joseph Young also confessed, ‘I could not believe it at first. Why the Lord was going to save every body.’ (The Vision, by Matthew McBride).
Interestingly, the hang up for many was that God was more merciful than they previously believed. They had been taught that there was a heaven for the faithful and an awful hell where the wicked were eternally tortured. They could not accept that God’s plan was kinder to the sinner than they believed.
Given the way that many stumbled over the doctrines taught in “the vision,” Joseph Smith counselled missionaries “remain silent concerning the gathering, the vision, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants until such time as the work was fully established.” (The Vision linked above).
The Book of Mormon also provides contrary evidence to this sentiment. When Moroni translated the Jaredite records, the Lord commanded him to withhold certain passages of extraordinary sacredness. “I have written on these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up….” (Ether 4:4-5). Nephi was given a similar commandment concerning his vision of the last days: “I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard.” (1 Nephi 14:28).
Beyond withholding sacred information from many people, we also cannot expect that challenging doctrine will always be plainly revealed. In fact, the Lord told his apostles just the opposite. “The disciples came, and said unto him, why speakest though in parables? He answered and said unto them, because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matthew 13:10-11). Joseph Smith translates the next verse thus: “for whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance, but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” (JST Matthew 13:12). In other words, Jesus deliberately taught in such a way that those who are willing to receive more gain more, and those unwilling to receive more would be blinded to the truth of His teachings.
The mysteries were simply never meant to be given to those who were not willing to put forth the effort to discover them through diligent study and revelation. Here is the Joseph Smith translation of a portion of the sermon on the mount:
Go ye into the world, saying unto all, repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you. And the mysteries of the kingdom ye shall keep within yourselves; for it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet. For the world cannot receive that which ye, yourselves, are not able to bear; wherefore ye shall not give your pearls unto them, lest they turn again and rend you.
(JST Matthew 7:9-11). Anyone expecting Jesus or his disciples to plainly reveal mysteries to the public at large would have been disappointed in His day.
Second argument: any significant new revelation must come from the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints., “the prophet.” In other words, if the doctrine of multiple probations were true, it would be preached in general conference.
There are sufficient counter examples from the scriptures that we cannot use this as a reliable test for true or false doctrines.
Starting with Lehi and Nephi. Lehi’s ministry in Jerusalem overlapped with that of the established prophet Jeremiah, although ancient Israel did not so much have an office equivalent to what we call “the prophet,” the way we do now. However, if there was such a person in Lehi’s day, it wasn’t Lehi. Nephi records that “many prophets” preached repentance in Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 1:4). We have no indication that Lehi was ever called as a person of religious authority in the key-holding religion of ancient Israel. Neither was Nephi. From the perspective of institutionalized religious authority, Lehi was just some crank who cashed in his 401k and skipped town based on his personal dreams and visions, dreams and visions which were rejected by the body of God’s people. Yet Lehi and Nephi’s writing contained many great doctrines and revelations with much to teach about Christ. Nephi’s books have become some of our most beloved scripture, and they were written by a family of outcasts and refugees whose authority to write came only from the Spirit.
Abinadi is another example. In Abinadi’s day, there was an established religious institution with the obligation to guide the body of believers in the word of God. Greg Christiansen covered much of the story of Abinadi very well in a recent article. I encourage you to review that article, linked here. Abinadi came from obscurity to preach doctrine with which the priests and the people were not familiar concerning the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. (Mosiah chapters 11-17).
We also have the example of Samuel the Lamanite. In Samuel’s day, there was an exceptional prophet serving as high priest of the church, Nephi. For whatever reason, the Lord sent Samuel with his unique and challenging message concerning the coming destruction of the land, the birth of the Savior, and the dire need for repentance among the Nephites. Samuel prophesied in vivid detail and clarity. He was truly an exceptional prophet. Like Lehi and Abinadi before him, Samuel was largely rejected with violent opposition. (Helaman 16:6).
The idea that anything not taught plainly from the pulpit is worthless at best and destructive at worst is not supported by scripture. Further, I do not believe this position is consistent with the teachings of today’s living prophet, Russel M. Nelson: “In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others.” (“The Price of Priesthood Power,” April 2016 General Conference). Why the need to be taught by the Lord Himself if we have received everything the Lord has for us from the pulpit? Along these same lines, Eric Smith has written previously about the Lord’s advice concerning our need to discern between true and false prophets. The Lord wants us to discern between them because not every important message has come or will come through His chosen institutions.
Third argument: those who hold to true doctrine can expect to be free from interference from civil authorities.
Sadly, this is not supported by scripture. Before I proceed, I will make it clear that this is not written in support or opposition for anyone in particular who is preaching the doctrine of multiple probations. Rather, I write this to show that reactions from civil authorities do not prove falsity of a message or messenger, as I have seen claimed recently.
I will not spend much time on this point. The scriptures are replete with examples of the faithful being persecuted for their beliefs. The following is a non-exhaustive list of those who were persecuted by governments and/or falsely accused of crimes for their testimony: Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, unnamed prophets murdered by Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4), Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-4), Micaiah (1 Kings 22:24), Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:10), Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:21), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:2, 36:4, 37:15-16), Uriah (Jeremiah 26:21-23), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Daniel 3:19), Daniel (Daniel 6), the original apostles after Christ’s death (John 20:19), Peter and John arrested (Acts 4), Stephen (Acts 7:59), Lehi (1 Nephi 2:1), Jacob was accused of a capital crime by Sherem (Jacob 7:7; Leviticus 24:16), Abinadi (Mosiah 17:13), Alma (Mosiah 18:34), the believers in Ammonihah (Alma 14:8), Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:17), Aaron and his brothers (Alma 21:14), the Anti-Nephi-Lehites (Alma 27:3), Shiblon (Alma 38:4), Nephi and Lehi (Helaman 5:21), Samuel the Lamanite (Helaman 16:2), many believers among the Nephites at the time of Christ’s birth (3 Nephi 1:9), Moroni (Mormon 8:3), and Ether (13:13). Although we can’t be certain, the legends concerning Jesus’ original twelve apostles hold that all but John died violent deaths.
Comfort and acceptance may very well be the exception to the rule for those who live by the Spirit. The faithful are so regularly attacked for their beliefs that approval from the establishment should be cause for self-reflection among those who claim to be God’s people. At a minimum, persecution or acceptance by those holding power is not an accurate measure of the truth or falsity of any particular doctrinal claim.
Dangerous Doctrine?
I want to make it clear that neither persecution nor obscurity are proof of a doctrinal claim’s validity. Neither are they proof of its falsity. When presented with a doctrinal claim with which you are unfamiliar, a proper investigation requires diligent and prayerful study, as well as the sincere pursuit of revelation. Galileo Galilei was persecuted for his scientific beliefs. He is known to have once said, “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” We might change that slightly to, “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with scripture, reason, and the Holy Ghost has intended us to forego their use.”
My frustration with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that we expend incredible efforts to put the Book of Mormon into every hand in the world; we plead and reason with them to humble themselves and ask God Himself if that book is not true, promising them that they can receive a witness direct from God; we challenge them to brave ostracism and persecution to be baptized; we sing songs and tell stories about the bravery and sacrifice the saints in Joseph Smith and Brigham Young’s day showed; we rejoice in each and every convert; and as soon as a doctrine comes along that does not easily fit into our own traditions, we cannot be bothered to study, ponder, and pray about it before we throw it to the dogs. We force our message to fit into the traditions of the world out of fear of appearing peculiar. It seems that for many of the members of our faith, discomfort and sacrifice are supposed to cease as soon as the baptismal waters have dried from our bodies, at which point the promise of “prosper[ing] in the land” overrides all other considerations.
I do not believe there is such a thing as dangerous doctrine. I believe in truth, and I believe in error. I believe the Spirit can teach each of us to discern between those two. But if truth becomes dangerous, it is because the evil one lashes out.
As for the doctrine of multiple probations, this essay will not prove it is true or it is false. I tell you it is true, as the Spirit has told me. But you will have to decide for yourself. The best thing you can do is to study it and seek an answer from the Holy Ghost. I highly recommend Multiple Probations: A Lost Doctrine Remembered by Eric Smith and Greg Christiansen, edited by Julie Rowe. The purpose of this essay is to reason from the scriptures to promote an understanding of how God has worked in the past on these points. If you have any other concerns or ideas about how God has worked in the past, I implore you to resolve those questions with careful study of the scriptures to see how your ideas of what the gospel ought to be fit against the records the Lord has given us.
Therefore, if any are guilty of crimes, let them face justice. If any preach in error, let them be corrected with truth from the Holy Ghost. And if any speak truth, let us embrace it without regard to our traditions.
My eye’s are continuously opened to the truth the more you guys bring it to light, thank you. I thank God that I did not have a traditional upbringing, i am a convert to the LDS church, and my difficult childhood with a difficult religious upbringing has given me the strength and my brain the ability to wrap itself around these deeper yet beautiful doctrines. Praise God! My heart rejoices at the knowledge there is more. It was very hard to live with the thought that what i was given in church was all there is. God is mysterious but oh so good! So Great! His love for us is immeasurable. Praise God! Thank you.
Anna
Anna, thank you for your kind remarks and for sharing some of your story. I love hearing the readers’ stories and testimonies!
Well said.
I have always understood that Lehi was a prophet (small p) in Jerusalem because he tried to share his dream vision by warning those around him. He became a Prophet (capitol P) after being warned in a dream to leave Jerusalem with his family and departed into the wilderness, thus he became the leader (Prophet) the Lord spoke through for those who followed him. He was only one of many small p prophets while living in (near) Jerusalem.
Thank you for sharing your comment, Kendall. You raise some interesting questions about the meaning of a (capitol P) prophet. I will have to think about that and study some more with regard to Lehi and Nephi.
Thank you for this essay and others offered here through Eric, Greg and Matt!!
Clearly, being a voice for truth amidst widely accepted falsehoods within our culture and society must feel as if you are holding the tiniest spark of truth in pervasive darkness, but for me, these essays are the brightest soul infusing light! Your essays and books so very well presented , backed by wonderful scriptural references, filled with truth and light cause me to want to shout, thank you, thank you, thank you and AMEN!!!
Thank you for your kind comment, Mardel. It means a lot to know that people are reading and enjoying the essays!
Thank you for this further insight! I want to share that I have been prompted and shown through the Spirit to make copies of all of the doctrinal essays that have been published here..to make a book of sorts ..to be able to refer to in a day that i have been shown will come in which we no longer have access to them as we won’t have access to technology for various reasons…i have been shown through the spirit that these essays will help many people during that time embrace further light and knowledge in preparation for the “church of the firstborn”…i am very humbled and grateful to receive these essays whenever they are published here…thank you for all the hard work you all put into them to help those of us with eyes to see and ears to hear!
Elena what a wonderful promoting, thank you for sharing
Elena, your comment triggered a needed conversation among the three of us. First we would like to thank you for sharing your impressions with us, which we find deeply humbling. I have personally had similar impressions to yours and am thankful for the second witness. Second, we are each in agreement that these essays may be saved for personal use. Lastly, I do plan on publishing Doctrines of Ascension Volume 2, which will include all essays that have been written on this blog since Volume 1, in order to generate hard copies for reasons you have stated. This will be published within the next few months. Thank you again Elena, sincerely.
Wonderful, thank you, I hoped this would be the case.
I knew of Multiple Probations because of what those that had Near Death Experiences were shown. They were brought to remembrance of the past lives they had and who they were. These are credible accounts of people who went to the other side of the veil and experienced this first hand – they are witnesses to this. It is doctrine we have received not only through Julie Rowe, but many people both men, women and children of other faiths.
Those having Near Death Experiences received large downloads of knowledge that they similarly describe. They are told to come back and share what they learned with everyone here on earth.
I can’t deny that these people are making this up. Their accounts are sincere and I believe them. Therefore it is easy to believe what Eric is writing in his book – not a problem, I love to hear truth.
Julian, thank you for your witness and for your love of truth.
One word…
AMEN!!!!! ❤️🙏🏼❤️
Thanks, Elaine!
Matt, this is excellent. You are inspired to share these truths with us. God bless you in your efforts and mission.
You do have one fact from history completely wrong — that is: Joseph Smith was never a polygamist!!!! Read: The Secret Chamber, by Val Brinkerhoff. I suggest you re-write your essay and exclude this one point.
Connie: I agree – Val’s book was eye-opening. There definitely is plenty of reason to believe that the heritage of polygamy left to us as Latter-day Saints did not originate from Joseph.
Matt: Great points. I keep an open mind, and this MMP principle does seem to connect a lot of dots for me. Personally, I lean towards it being truth. Although I did get the same feeling around this as I did with books/stories/etc. related to Chad Daybell – so still trying to discern Christ’s voice from what I or the adversary wants. I wish it were more convincing, and less subtle.
In light of this, it seems like the adversary is using the Daybell case to create confusion and paint it as dangerous. If coupled with dabbling outside your marriage, and worse extolling the virtues of snuffing out supposed “zombies”, then yes I would agree it is dangerous. What a sad situation indeed.
Eric: We chatted briefly at Julie’s Layton event. I passed on the purchasing the book, but later got it and enjoyed the read. I admire your courage and your demeanor. Thank you for setting a wonderful example with your walk as a humble follower of Christ, and a seeker of truth.
Thank you, Peter. I do not see anything inherent in multiple probations that condones infidelity. I think some have twisted that idea to improper ends. As for the claims about “zombies,” I simply believe those teachings to be false.
Thank you for commenting.
Thank you for your comments, Connie. I am unfamiliar with Brinkerhoff’s book and with that argument generally. But I appreciate you sharing.
If you really want the truth regarding the polygamy, idolatry and priestcraft that begin with Brigham and the boys, not the Prophet Joseph Smith, then Val Brinkerhoff’s book The Secret Chambers is a must read. Church members need the truth now in order to break out of the bondage of false doctrine and history, the evils of the arm of the flesh, in order to SEE that secret combinations have indeed gotten above us, so that we will repent, awake and arise, and prepare for the Bridgegroom. I am praying and hoping that very soon Julie and Eric will share this book to their audience: a true source!
Matt, thank you so much for this essay. I love it and it rings true to my soul. I appreciate your courage to speak up and research this topic. God bless you.
Thank you for the kind message, Lidia.
It’s truly amazing reading these truths.
It’s as if your words have echoed from history’s past, and reverberate a familiar tone to our spirits. I read Matt’s, Eric’s and Greg’s writing’s and the spirit validates without any question, that multiple probation’s is as true as any doctrine we have received. I find this a humbling blessing! To be taught by some old and wise spirits. Thankyou!!
Thank you for your comment, Kevin. We appreciate hearing other people’s witnesses.
What about the book “The Doctrine of Eternal Lives”. It is full of different quotes, scripture, and things collected and compiled by one truth seeker wanting to present to anyone interested to know. The title should pique interest by those who want more to feast from the subject.
I think that what the Church wants is to be for the investigator to help fellowship, and to help ground the member. Also to have a place for the ordination of the sacrament. It has changed from the many activities we used to have all week and what we have now. But a large part of the members were not even reading the lesson and letting the teachers give all the answers. It has to be aggravating to try to teach when no one wants to even participate. So yes we are suppose to get on our knees and ask for these things that we want more answers to. However, don’t try to go adding them to the curriculum yourself. These things can be talked about here, and in books where it dictates this is not a church authorized book, that way it is there to give thought to and the individual can decide to pray about it. These things will come out in due time. But the message is is that the doctrines and principles don’t change. It does not say that there never will be New doctrines that will come out. And this might just be a doctrine that is more intended to teach as a terrestrial one. Some very old teachings are not taught because we evolved away from them like speaking in tongues. Even I asked why we don’t talk more about Angels and was advised not to go into it with investigators. Even when Joseph Smith was visited my Angel Moroni about the plates, the angel Gabriel told Mary she was to have The Christ Child. And I think there are quite a few people who believe in angels. We have been told that we should recognize them more in our lives. Just that some things are for general conversation and others for places of higher thinking if you are seeking and can find these places like this.
Thank you for your comment, Joy. I am not familiar with the book you mentioned. I will look into that. Thanks for the recommendation.
the doctrine of multiple mortal probation is a doctrine of the devil. what do the scriptures say? when we leave here, we go home to the spirit world, to await our resurrection. at the resurrection what happens? our spirit is INSEPERABLY re- connected with our physical bodies. that is very plain to the understanding. once the body and spirit are INSEPERABLY joined, at the resurrection, that means that neither heaven nor hell can ever ever separate the two again. in order to have another go-round with a second or third or fourth mortal probation, one would have to separate his spirit from his body, and come to another mortal earth, and take on a different mortal body, which thing would be impossible to do. and the very idea of having to go through another mortal probation, is supremely offensive to the human mind. who in their right mind would ever want to have to go through another one of these numbers? once around this mortal block, is quite sufficient for all the rest of eternity. I myself, would stand at the head of the rebellion against god, if I ever found out I had to come back into world such as this, for a second shot at it. if you folks want to do that, have at it!
Harry, thank you for sharing your thoughts here. If you want to more fully consider the claims about multiple probations, I would direct you to Eric and Greg’s book on the topic, where they have complied scriptures and quotes from prophets on the matter. The wonderful thing about God is that He does not force us to choose any one path and He always respects our agency in a perfect way. Nobody is forced to walk a path they do not choose.
Eternity is a long time, and perhaps the most important factor here is agency. Our very first gospel lesson is about such a principle as this. In the Garden of Eden, we found two people in an immortal state with bodies which could not taste of death, in an eternal paradise where they were free to remain forever, enjoying everything that their world had to offer. Yet in that state they could make no further progress. It was by their agency that they chose to give up their eternal state for a life of opposition and trial, so that there could be progress. No one forced that choice upon them, or made their decision for them. I personally see no cause in rebelling against God for allowing me to improve myself in whatever way it can be done, though the road be difficult and I might wish for an easier way.
I think that is well said Greg. Your thoughts speak of the true doctrine of condescension, which might be thought of delaying, even completely risking, the potential for exaltation so that others may have the blessing of mortal experience and the same potential for advancement. It seems a limited and even possibly arrogant belief that one life is all that is needed to become as our mighty and eternal Creator.
I am so grateful for the tender truths you have shared, and the gentle, respectful perspectives. Your courageous and kindly assistance in this soul-sifting experience is something for which I can never thank you enough.
Thank you for your comment and your kind words, Staci.
Amen sister!
I love free agency. I love choice. I love that as in this life, in the next, I can choose to progress even more. I have often pondered the doctrine shared in the King Follett discourse as its relationship to multiple probation. I quote Joseph Smith:
“There are but a very few beings in the world who understand rightly the character of God. The great majority of mankind do not comprehend anything, either that which is past, or that which is to come, as it respects their relationship to God. They do not know, neither do they understand the nature of that relationship; and consequently they know but little above the brute beast, or more than to eat, drink and sleep. This is all man knows about God or his existence, unless it is given by the inspiration of the Almighty.”
And then later in the text there is this truth expressed by Joseph. I think it is wonderful! Quote:
“I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it, and that I had the trump of an archangel, so that I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease for ever. What did Jesus say? (Mark it, Elder Rigdon!) The Scriptures inform us that Jesus said, As the Father hath power in Himself, even so hath the Son power — to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious — in a manner to lay down His body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it
up again. Do we believe it? If you do not believe it, you do not believe the Bible. The Scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it.
Here, then, is eternal life — to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me.”
I want to shout “Hosanna!”! The scriptures are full of examples of ‘line upon line’. I praise my God that he as blessed us with this knowledge. We always have our free agency to choose, and I choose to believe. This doesn’t always mean that I choose correctly, but I choose not to throw out the baby with the bath water. I know that the ninth article of faith is a true principle,
“We believe all that God has revealed, all that
He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet
reveal many great and important things pertaining
to the Kingdom of God.”
I believe that President Nelson is a Prophet of God. I also believe I have a God given right to revelation as the Lord leads me to it and as I ask questions. I thank God for all of it!
Ron, thank you for your thoughtful comment. I also love the King Follet discourse and the truths taught therein. And like you, I believe President Nelson is a prophet of God. Thank you for sharing your testimony here.
Ron, the King Follet discourse is fitting for the narrative at hand. Thank you for including it.
My introduction to this doctrine came about through that statement in D&C 76 and also in the KFD. I knew that was true but I did not know how it was possible – and then I did. It took much searching, thousands of quotes and scriptures – to match what I knew. There are some things that I have not yet found in writing, but with all else, I will not discuss until I do. This started over 13 years ago for me, and I have seen many whose excommunication seems to be connected with it in some way. Yet I also know of Mission Presidents that have taught it to both Jr. and Sr. Missionaries. And the vitriol that I have experienced from “saints” over very small portions of it is scary. Yet I know it is true, I knew it was true before a read a single word of it and as such I can not deny it. Yes, It is a dangerous doctrine. It has changed everything for me. So many deep and puzzling SS and EQ questions have become moot, simple, obvious, … yet I can say nothing. And the change in perspective of my fellow man, it is so hard to explain to others that forgiveness of others shortcomings is paramount to their own repentance. Yes, It is dangerous. it becomes isolating to understand so much and not be seen as arrogant and condescending. It is difficult to to not be able to tell others that their concerns of this heartbreak and that heartbreak are of no real concern and they need not suffer over them. The perspective that comes from truly understanding this doctrine changes everything but now one else knows that and now one else wants to know it – except a few. Yes, it is an dangerous doctrine – it leads right to Gethsemane and Golgotha.