Posts

Patriarchal Blessing of Elijah Abel

Image
To celebrate Black History Month this year, I wanted to share the Patriarchal blessing of Elijah Abel, one of the most famous black Mormons, given to him by Joseph Smith Sr. I hope you enjoy. Patriarchal blessing of Elijah Able Blessing of Elijah Able who was born in Frederick County, Maryland, July 25th, 1808. Brother Able, in the name of Jesus I lay my hands upon thy head to bless thee and thou shalt be blessed even forever. I seal upon thee a father’s blessing, because thou art an orphan, for thy father, hath never done his duty toward thee, but the Lord hast had his eye upon thee, and brought thee through straits and thou hast come to be rec[k]oned with the saints of the most High. Thou hast been ordained an Elder and anointed to secure thee against the power of the destroyer. Thou shalt see his power in laying waste the nations, & the wicked slaying the wicked, while blood shall run down the streets like water, and thy heart shall weep over their calamities. Angels shall visit...
Post a Comment
Read more

William Bickerton's Vision

Image
Based in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, The Church of Jesus Christ, also known as the Bickertonite Church, is the third largest branch of the restoration. After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon created his own church in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. After a while, Rigdon left for Greencastle, leaving behind those who did not follow him.  A branch of those left behind was organized under William Bickerton, who said he was called by God in a vision to preach the Gospel. He was called to preside over the church and called apostles to preside with them. The church was incorporated into Pennsylvania in 1865 with the name "The Church of Jesus Christ." Nowadays, they have over 20,000 members across multiple countries. William Bickerton The Church of Jesus Christ has many differences with the LDS Church. They only use the Book of Mormon and the King James Bible within the scriptural canon. The Church is organized with Twelve apostles, Seventy Evangelists, and elders. Deacons and d...
Post a Comment
Read more

1933 Manifesto

Image
This Manifesto, published on  June 17, 1933, was the last manifesto released about polygamy. It once again denounces polygamy and those who practice it. A large portion of it is dedicated to discussing the previous manifestos against polygamy.   Official Statement From the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The First Presidency have recently received letters making inquiry concerning the position of the Church regarding the contracting of polygamous or plural marriages.  It is evident from these letters, as well as from certain published material—some of it distributed during our last General Conference—that a secret and, according to reputation, an oath-bound organization of misguided individuals is seeking to lead the people to adopt adulterous relations under the guise of a pretended and false polygamous or plural marriage ceremony. While the position of the Church since 1893 has been repeatedly set forth, namely, that polygamous o...
Post a Comment
Read more

1904 Manifesto

Image
During the Reed Smoot hearings, Joseph F. Smith released the 1904 Manifesto. This document reiterated the churches stance on polygamy and more, saying that anyone who officiates or supports plural marriages will be excommunicated. Here is the Manifesto.   [President Joseph F. Smith stated:] Now I am going to present a matter to you that is unusual and I do it because of a conviction which I feel that it is a proper thing for me to do. I have taken the liberty of having written down what I wish to present, in order that I may say to you the exact words which I would like to have conveyed to your ears, that I may not be misunderstood or misquoted. I present this to the conference for your action: OFFICIAL STATEMENT Inasmuch as there are numerous reports in circulation that plural marriages have been entered into contrary to the official declaration of President Woodruff, of September 26, 1890, commonly called the Manifesto, which was issued by President Woodruff and adopted by the Ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

Statement of the First Presidency Regarding God’s Love for All Mankind

Image
 Yesterday was World Religion Day, established by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai's of the United States. To celebrate this day, I want to share a statement given in 1978, by the first presidency under Spencer W. Kimball, about how the LDS church respects all religions. Based upon ancient and modern revelation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gladly teaches and declares the Christian doctrine that all men and women are brothers and sisters, not only by blood relationship from common mortal progenitors, but also as literal spirit children of an Eternal Father. The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals. The Hebrew prophets prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised Messi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reed Smoot "God in Embryo"

Image
Reed Smoot was born on 1862, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended public schools and the University of Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young Academy (Now Brigham Young University), in 1879. He served a mission in England and got married to Alpha M. Eldredge on Sept. 17, 1884. With Alpha, he fathered six children. He was engaged in several businesses across the Salt Lake Valley before becoming an apostle in 1900. In 1902, he was elected to the Senate. This started four years of battle in the senate, over him being an apostle, the Church's policy over plural marriage over other concerns that became known as the Reed Smoot hearings. In 1907, he was finally allowed to be a U.S. Senator, serving until 1933. After he lost reelection in 1932, he moved back to Salt Lake City. He passed away on Feb. 9, 1941, in Florida. He was quite an influential figure in the early twentieth century church. Repurposed below is his talk from the October 1933 General Conference, about how we are Gods liter...
Post a Comment
Read more