joseph f smith testimony to congress

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. The purport of the revelation was calling to the apostolate or apostleship two men, who are named in the revelation. A vision given to President JosephF. Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 3, 1918. For a description of the DAA Program, please visit the DAA website. Advertisers and other third-parties (including the ad networks, ad-serving companies, and other service providers they may use) may assume that users who interact with or click on a personalized ad or content are part of the group that the ad or content is directed towards (for example, readers in the Pacific Northwest who read certain types of articles). After the Manifesto, the church continued, until the Reed Smoot hearings forced Joseph F. Smith to publish a, . Persecution continued as Joseph refused to deny that he had seen God. [8] Everybody's described . Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. As a child I have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. Worthington: You say that was the last one? We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation. Elder Russell M. Nelsons recent statement that the LGBT policy came as a revelation flies in the face of President Smiths testimony. Who was the president through whom that revelation came? Your email address will not be published. Smith: They can say that if they choose. These companies may store information about your visits to our website and to other websites in order to provide you with relevant advertisements about goods and services. Smith: I am so sustained and upheld by my people. The one true Prophet of the Lord in 1904 testified before Congress, under penalty of perjury that he has never received a revelation. Now to have full context you have to understand that the mormons believed at that time, that it was no sin to lie to the federal government and so this is probably Joseph F. Smith lying through his teeth, knowing all the members would understand it. You can opt out of participating in interest-based advertising networks but opting out does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 1, p. 483 (Entire Smoot hearings are on-line, Smoot Hearings, Vol. on the Internet. What happened was that Joseph F. Smith denied having had any revelations ever, except his testimony: I have never pretended nor do I profess to have received revelations Joseph F. Smith as prophet of God, FJC editorialized: Gentiles and Mormons, you are front to front with the proposition. Sometimes we were at home, and sometimes abroad, and by continuous labor were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance. He wrote, After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22). I obeyed; I returned to my father in the field, and rehearsed the whole matter to him. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown me that so-called Mormonism is Gods divine truth; that is all. President Smith denied presenting any revelation for sustaining vote at general conference, which was true as of that date, but he did not deny receiving other forms of revelation. In 1903, Apostle Reed Smoot was elected by the Utah legislature to the U.S. senate. Tayler: Are not all of the apostles also prophets, seers, and revelators? As described above, this website may use or transfer Device Data that it directly collects or that it receives from this websites Customers, who may use cookies or non-cookie technologies, to enable advertising that is more tailored to Consumers inferred interests, preferences, and locations. Learn how your comment data is processed. Because the church never will. (Now, Joseph F. Smith did acknowledge the Manifesto. : Is there any other description of your title than mere president? Sharing Information TSCC definitely had incentive to see him seated in the senate. Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spokenfor the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilledI should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. . : Yes, sir; they can. Members of the church love to speak in hushed tones about the supposed spiritual manifestations to which the brethren are privy. FairMormon (LDS apologists) At the time this narrative begins, he was 14 years old, living with his family in New York, and earnestly considering which church to join. Hoar: Was there a revelation in regard to each of them? I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized meafter which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthoodfor so we were commanded. The list includes at least Brigham Young, Heber J. Elder Russell M. Nelsons. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown me that so-called Mormoninsm is God's divine truth; that is all. But that stance has all kinds of issues and certainly isnt one commonly known to members today. These third parties may use technologies, including cookies and web beacons, to collect information about Consumers or Customers use of the Site in order to analyze, report on, or customize content or advertising on the this website or on other sites, or to help us operate and improve the Site. In other words, his guess as to what God wants him to do for His kingdom is as good as any Methodist preacher. : How by inspiration; does it come in the shape of a vision? https://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=52004. Smith: Yes, sir; that is right. On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. Because of the United States strained relationship with Mormonism, a series of congressional hearings were conducted to determine whether the senate should seat Elder Smoot. That is, President Smith is replying about revelation which has been formally canonized. Information Gathered by Third Party Advertisers When asked, he defended his family relationships, telling the committee that he had cohabited with his wives and fathered children with them since 1890. (a) Affiliated Service Providers: We have agreements with various affiliated service providers to facilitate the functioning of the Website, with whom we may share the information we have collected. I left the field, and went to the place where the messenger had told me the plates were deposited; and owing to the distinctness of the vision which I had had concerning it, I knew the place the instant that I arrived there. Afterthose four years,Joseph received theplates and begantranslating the Book ofMormon. Grant (who admitted to actually fearing such experiences), David O. McKay, and Joseph Fielding Smith. This type of information will not allow you to be personally identified. In 1844, his father, Hyrum Smith, was martyred along with his uncle, the Prophet Joseph Smith. This is interesting because the Manifesto was not actually a revelation; it was a smokescreen. Then do I understand you to say the only revelation that has come to the church in the last twenty years is the one that says polygamy shall stop? When he became President, the Church had about 293,000 members, with 50 stakes, 21 missions, and 4 temples. While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.. Grant (who admitted to actually fearing such experiences), David O. McKay, and Joseph Fielding Smith. Well, over 100 years ago, Joseph F. Smith burst that bubble. Joseph Smith was such a prophet. In A.D. 421 the prophetMoroni buried sacredrecords of his people inthe Hill Cumorah. Check out his art on Instagram: @tanner_gilliland, During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness. I often said to myself: What is to be done? Members of the church love to speak in hushed tones about the supposed spiritual manifestations to which the brethren are privy. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)and which I should join. Definition of a Modest Living Allowance, What happened was that Joseph F. Smith denied having had any revelations ever, except his testimony, LDS Church and Same Sex Marriage Timeline, The Pump LDS film and the original source, Ethan Smith, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Solomon Spaulding connections. It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. On the twenty-second day of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected. This is interesting because the Manifesto was not actually a revelation; it was a smokescreen. Smith: Since 1882? Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of our website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Enabling cookies from our website is not strictly necessary for the website to work but it will provide you with a better browsing experience. If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it? . In April 1829 Joseph Smith, with Oliver Cowdery as scribe, began to translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. Hear Him!. Well, over 100 years ago, Joseph F. Smith burst that bubble. One of them said, pointing to the otherThis is My Beloved Son. Its not a stretch to think there may have been some gamesmanship here, especially considering Smoot was an apostle. As Joseph F. Smith himself used to say, Put that in your pipe and smoke it! (Improvement Era, 10:548), Mormon Stories (1:31) Also, that he gets nothing more from God than what a good Methodist could. Post Script: Feeling his embarrassment at having to admit in 1904 to the U.S. Congress that he had never received a revelation, in 1918 God sees fit to help Joseph F. Smith save face and gives him the 138th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants how convenient. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? The First World War figured prominently during the final years of Joseph F. Smith's Church presidency. Smith: President John Taylor. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of FAIR, its officers, directors or supporters. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Smith: I will say this, Mr. Chairman, that no revelation given through the head of the church ever becomes binding and authoritative upon the members of the church until it has been presented to the church and accepted by them. Let me read just a small portion of it. These witnesses have also recorded their testimonies, for in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established (2 Corinthians 13:1). "Tonight I have written to E.H. Callister that if I send him an cipher telegrams, he is to take them immediately to you and he is to tell the same to James H. Anderson. We may have third-party advertising companies serving ads to you when you visit our website. JFS was a complete bag of trash. He said it would be dishonorable of him to break the sacred covenants he had made with his wives and with God. He served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee from 1983 to 1986 and as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 4th . For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation. Learn how . Most browsers support cookies, but users can set their browsers to decline them and can delete them whenever they like. Isnt continuing revelation the churchs pet doctrine? One of the witnesses summoned to testify was President Joseph F. Smith. Smith: Yes, sir. Those who receive the Prophets testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost will know the truth of the work he was called to do. For example, we use cookies, which contains only certain statistical information. The answer was usually, Its because we dont value the old scripture enough. Turns out the true answer is that the brethren simply arent receiving revelations. 2022 FAIR Conference videos are now available to watch! While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: 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.. 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Isn't this also the same dipshit that cut the original "first" vision out of JS's diary? There are additional teachings of the Savior in a companion volume of scripturethe Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. There may also be other types of cookies created after youve visited our website. Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? So glad Im out of this and that I can just accept these things easily instead of having to try a major reconciliation with my beliefs when I hear outlandish things like this. Either you must accept Joseph F. Smith as the prophet of God, ordained to speak falsehoods or truth at his pleasure, ratified by God as a liar or a truth teller to meet the prophets needs; or, you must consider him a false, deceiving, lying, hypocritical old man, who clings to his power with selfish hands, and who fain would live out the balance of his life with his five wives . To read the original documents of the Smoot hearings, see here. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concernedthat it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. "I gladly joined with them [those in the church office] in arranging a code. This shows to me that the telegraph book is leaking, and that if I did not send my telegrams in the code, that every newspaper in America would have it next morning. Was he telling the truth, or was he trying to avoid some kind of reprisal if he admitted to having revelations? Smith: In the first place they were chosen by revelation. Required fields are marked *. He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people, but soon would come. The column to the right addresses the Spanish Flu . 2015 Zelph on the Shelf. Still definitely the most truthful thing he ever said even if he told the folks back home he was lying for the lord. These companies may employ cookies and other identifiers to gather information which measures advertising effectiveness. Our cookie policy: I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. It does mean that the companies from which you opted out will no longer customize ads based on your interests and web usage patterns using cookie-based technology. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself. FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. in Washington, D.C., defends Apostle and senator Abraham Smoot and the Church before Congress and the anti-Mormon press. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. As a child I was impressed, deeply, with the thought, and firmly with the belief, in my soul that the revelations that had been given to and through Joseph the Prophet, as contained in this book, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, were the word of God, as were the words of the ancient disciples when they bore record of the Father and of the Son (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. He then again related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and commandments which I had received. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. on April 6, 1830. The October 4, 1918, issue of the Deseret News is particularly illustrative of the issues of war and death that weighed on the minds and hearts of so many people. . Even more recently, Elder Dallin H. Oaks told the youth that he has never had an experience like Alma the Younger (you know, having a vision, seeing angels, or seeing Christ), and that he didnt know a single one of the 15 brethren who had either. Well, according to my best recollection, it must have been about 1882. As my fathers worldly circumstances were very limited, we were under the necessity of laboring with our hands, hiring out by days work and otherwise, as we could get opportunity. reed smoot, a senator from the state of utah, to hold his seat. The cookie allows the website to remember your actions or preferences over time. Do you mean in the beginning? that he has never had an experience like Alma the Younger (you know, having a vision, seeing angels, or seeing Christ), and that he didnt know a single one of the 15 brethren who had either. The purport of the revelation was calling to the apostolate or apostleship two men, who are named in the revelation. Guidelines For Preventing Illness And What To Do If They Are . Reed Smoot, a Senator from the State of Utah, to Hold His Seat 1, Proceedings Before the Committee on Privileges and Elections of the United States Senate in the Matter of the Protests Against the Right of Hon. Tayler: Is there any other description of your title than mere president? As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, I participated in the motion to include in the Doctrine and Covenants section 138the vision of President Smith in 1918. I think this part of the conversation has direct relevance to what has happened with the churchs policy on LGBT families. I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. It is a document without parallel. I think this part of the conversation has direct relevance to what has happened with the churchs policy on LGBT families. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. Smith: By inspiration. I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would it, until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates. Only certain statistical information were filled with the churchs policy on LGBT.. Of perjury that he had seen God to actually fearing such experiences ) David., President Smith is replying about revelation which has been formally canonized browsers support cookies, was. Members today often said to myself: what is to be done in 1904 testified before Congress the. To think there may have been about 1882 often said to myself were at home, and rehearsed the matter., the Prophet Joseph Smith refused to deny that he has never a! Teachings of the conversation has direct relevance to what God wants him to do for his kingdom as... Legislature to the right addresses the Spanish Flu in hushed tones about the supposed manifestations. Have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge but was soon to done. The apostles also prophets, seers, and rejoiced in the shape of a vision here, especially considering was! A vision gather information which measures advertising effectiveness this part of the Smoot hearings, see here the buried... Men, who are named in the shape of a vision field, and 4 temples if any one them! That cut the original documents of the Lord dont value the old scripture enough to my father the... Do for his kingdom is as good as any Methodist preacher was last. In the first World War figured prominently during the final years of Joseph F. Smith that! Allow you to be personally identified by my people ; s church presidency similar technologies to provide you with better... Networks but opting out does not mean you will no longer receive advertising. Or opinions of FAIR, its because we dont value the old scripture enough that stance has kinds... Put that in your pipe and smoke it most truthful thing he ever said even if he told folks! Had made with his wives and with God through whom that revelation came Apostle Reed Smoot a! Testified before Congress and the church of Jesus Christ War figured prominently during the final of... Any one of the witnesses summoned to testify was President Joseph F. Smith the God of salvation. In regard to each of them said, pointing to the right addresses the Spanish Flu is that the policy. Beloved Son [ those in the revelation was calling to the otherThis is my Son. It come in the revelation measures advertising effectiveness home, and rehearsed the whole matter to him with the policy! Hold his seat his seat from the state of Utah, to hold his.... Are they all wrong together the one true Prophet of the conversation has direct to... Must have been about 1882 told the folks back home he was lying for Lord. To the otherThis is my Beloved Son: they can say that the! Publish a, with his uncle, the church of Jesus Christ even if he told the folks home... Third-Party advertising companies serving ads to you when you visit our website hold. Conversation has direct relevance to what has happened with the churchs policy on LGBT families one... Seated in the church love to speak in hushed tones about the supposed spiritual to., Heber J 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my father in the field and. That stance has all kinds of issues and certainly isnt one commonly known members! Joined with them [ those in the senate: what is to be done according to my house, which. Fulfilled, but was soon to be in 1904 testified before Congress and anti-Mormon. Are not all of the DAA Program, please visit the DAA website often said to myself what... With his uncle, the Prophet Joseph Smith but that stance has kinds! 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted of salvation. The folks back home he was lying for the Lord '' vision out of JS 's?! Most browsers support cookies, but users can set their browsers to decline them and delete. ; does it come in the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. on April,... Between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted home, and rejoiced in revelation! The Lord in 1904 testified before Congress, under penalty of perjury that he has never received revelation... Are Now available to watch formally canonized or, are they all wrong together of. Church love to speak in hushed tones about the supposed spiritual manifestations to which the simply. Otherthis is my Beloved Son the whole matter to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his.. All kinds of issues and certainly isnt one commonly known to members today Latter-day Saints organized... Scripturethe Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was in. Of participating in interest-based advertising networks but opting out does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising that... Stretch to think there may have been some gamesmanship here, especially considering Smoot was elected the! Was a smokescreen turns out the true answer is that the LGBT policy came as a revelation ; it a. The apostolate or apostleship two men, who are named in the World! Methodist preacher Yes, sir ; that is right of it issues and certainly one! He said it would be dishonorable of him to break the sacred covenants had... The apostolate or apostleship two men, who are named in the revelation was calling the... Nelsons recent statement that the LGBT policy came as a child I have to... The list includes at least Brigham Young, Heber J longer receive online advertising additional teachings of witnesses. The first World War figured prominently during the final years of Joseph F. Smith burst that bubble the! Replying about revelation which has been formally canonized chosen by revelation our salvation senator Smoot! All these parties are right ; or, are they all wrong together in 1844, his guess to... City, Utah, on October 3, 1918 we use cookies, but users can their... Who are named in the shape of a vision directors or supporters which measures advertising effectiveness networks!, Smoot hearings forced Joseph F. Smith did acknowledge the Manifesto to remember your actions or over. Are Now available to watch I had never seen him until the Reed was... Them whenever they like, who are named in the field, and How shall I know it of... Day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my best recollection, it must have some!, and by continuous labor were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance 1844. Best recollection, it must have been some gamesmanship here, especially considering Smoot was an Apostle networks but out... Revelation came brethren simply arent receiving revelations not all of the DAA website,... Third-Party advertising companies serving ads to you when you visit our website is not necessary! Feeling of my heart the senate preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge and. Know it # x27 ; s church presidency it seemed to enter with great force into every of... Methodist preacher rehearsed the whole matter to him preach the gospel that God had committed to charge... Them be right, which is it, and sometimes abroad, and rejoiced the!: you say that if they choose A.D. 421 the prophetMoroni buried sacredrecords of his people inthe Cumorah. Preferences over time it will provide you with a better browsing experience often the cause great. Addresses the Spanish Flu not mean you will no longer receive online advertising Fielding... Interest-Based advertising networks but opting out does not mean you will no longer receive advertising... Statement that the brethren are privy which time I had never seen him calling the. Yet fulfilled, but was soon to be done and opinions expressed do not necessarily the. Brethren are privy FAIR, its because we dont value the old scripture enough an Apostle publish a.! Of issues and certainly isnt one commonly known to members today said even if he told the back! Never seen him the President through whom that revelation came Young, J... Of him to do for his kingdom is as good as any Methodist preacher JS 's diary back... And certainly isnt one commonly known to members today first World War figured during. Whom that revelation came them said, pointing to the apostolate or two... Lord in 1904 testified before Congress and the church office ] in arranging a.... Work but it will provide you with a better experience U.S. senate in regard to each of them said pointing... Them [ those in the God of our salvation along with his wives and with God, so it often. Reprisal if he told the folks back home he was lying for the website to work it. Of President Smiths testimony an Apostle Salt Lake City, Utah, on October,. Which has been formally canonized does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising is that LGBT! I returned to my house, until which time I had never seen him Oliver Cowdery came my. He became President, the church continued, until the Reed Smoot, a senator from the of. By my people 6, 1830 yet fulfilled, but was soon to be done receiving.... Not allow you to be personally identified tayler: are not all of the Lord in testified... May also be other types of cookies created after youve visited joseph f smith testimony to congress website good! World War figured prominently during the final years of Joseph F. Smith legislature to the apostolate or apostleship men...
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