Blacks and the Priesthood

Dear Readers,

I felt like, because of my service to the Lord on my mission, that I need to do what I can to help people come to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and come to understand God's reasons for some of the things that He does. Things that some people might find as road blocks to their progress.

So, today I will be talking about Blacks and the Priesthood. It is known that for several years in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, black males could not hold the Priesthood of God. Roughly 1830-ish to 1978. I know this may be strange, but I will start from the end and work back to the beginning.

Official Declaration 2, found after the Doctrine and Covenants in the Standard Works, states, "One September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints... In Early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously."

"Dear Brethren: As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.

"Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.

"He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.

"We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel."

End of quote.

So this was the good, nay, great, nay amazing, awesome, and fantastic news that was declared unto the saints of God in 1978. This brings us to the question as to why this revelation had to be given. The Church's official stance on that subject, which can be found in the heading of the Official Declaration 2, is that "Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African decent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice. Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance."

In this heading, it is also found that, "Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the church. During Joseph Smith's lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood." Which gives the impression, that similar to the practice of plural marriage, the fullness of Christ's Gospel was restored, but then parts were taken away because the saints were not and/or the world was not worthy or willing to live by those standards. As plural marriage was taken away because of some saints corrupting that practice, as well as the world using it as a source of persecution, the law of consecration was dealt with as well. The saints took the law of consecration,which removes the idea of belongings and changes it to more of stewardship, because truly everything is ultimately in God's possession and we are simply taking care of and using it. The saints used this as an excuse to "steal" from other saints. Thus the law was lessened to the Common Law practice, which again the saints proved they could not live by, so now we have fast offerings, Bishop's storehouses, and other programs trying to help take care of the children of God.

Then there was also Moses and the tables of testimony that he took down from Mt Sinai. First he brought down the higher law, which Christ taught, only to find that already the Israelites had built themselves a golden calf and had began worshiping it. In his frustration he smashed those stone tablets, and returned up the mountain. There he received the 10 commandments as well as the lesser laws of animal sacrifice.

So, I believe, it was with the blacks and the priesthood. Likely due to the racism from both the world, and the saints, that privilege was lost for a time, and was thankfully restored in 1978. Now, as with times past, the Church leaders leaned upon truth to "justify" these lower standards. For the purpose that the children of God might not sin as much against a greater light. Among these truths were those concerning the curse which God placed upon Cain and his seed.

Brigham Young said in the Journal of Discourses volume 7 pages 290-291 " Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to that line of human beings. This was not to be, and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin. Trace mankind down to after the flood, and then another curse is pronounced upon the same race—that they should be the “servant of servants;” and they will be, until that curse is removed; and the Abolitionists cannot help it, nor in the least alter that decree. How long is that race to endure the dreadful curse that is upon them? That curse will remain upon them,and they never can hold the Priesthood or share in it until all the other descendants of Adam have received the promises and enjoyed the blessings of the Priesthood and the keys thereof. Until the last ones of the residue of Adam's children are brought up to that favorable position, the children of Cain cannot receive the first ordinances of the Priesthood. They were the first that were cursed, and they will be the last from whom the curse will be removed. When the residue of the family of Adam come up and receive their blessings, then the curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will receive blessings in like proportion."

Firstly, here, we find that Brigham Young declares that the curse of Cain was indeed the traits or genes of the African Race. I know that I have heard rumors among the Mormon community, especially in my youth, that Cain is Sasquatch or Big Foot, Yeti, Yowie, the Skunk Ape, or whatever large prime-ape beasts of legend that are similar in appearance to those I have already mentioned. This is clearly not so.  

Here is something to remember about God, something very important. Everything God does is for the benefit of His children. From the Israelites being commanded to slaughter entire civilization, to curses like Cain and the Lamanites (Native Americans). This curse placed upon the seed of Cain, as well as upon the seed of Laman and Lemule from the Book of Mormon is both spiritual and physical. Physical being the literal changing of genes to be expressed in this fallen world, and spiritual because of their own choices. Just because someone is born black, does not mean that they are also spiritually cursed. 
The physical curse has a purpose, the purpose of remembrance. In ancient Israel, the priests would tie a band around their head, upon which was placed a scroll inscribed with a scripture passage. This was done, so that they could remember either the blessings that God has done for their ancestors, or to remember things that they need to work on.

As for the African and Native American races, their scroll of remembrance is their very skin. A constant reminder that there is a God in heaven, that He has promised to reach out to them and their children, and that they can reach out to Him by putting off the natural man, which we all have to do. Indeed, sometimes I wonder if having such a strong reminder of these things, such as the color of my skin, would help me in my own spiritual progression.

Secondly, Brigham Young pointed out prophecies about the seed of Cain. That they would be the "servant of servants;" which has been fulfilled with the obscene amounts of slavery that they have been subjected to. Then that they would never hold the Priesthood or partake of the blessings of the temple until all of the descendants of Adam have received the promises God has given them. As President Spencer W. Kimball stated in the Declaration, the Gospel of Jesus Christ had been spread to the world, though not accepted by all, at least the opportunity has been presented to them. Thus those prophecies have not only been fulfilled, but with the promise that the curse would be lifted.

I loudly declare that the spiritual curse of Cain has been lifted, as long as his descendants choose to live worthy of such. As we all know, from the Fall of Adam and Eve, this entire world is fallen and "cursed" for the sake of the children of God. Thus, because the curse upon Cain was also a physical one, a curse in and of the world, that portion shall remain until the world passes away, and is renewed again.

In the Book of Mormon Student Manual, chapter 8, there is clarity given by President Joseph Fielding Smith. He said, concerning the curse placed upon the Lamanites in 2 Nephi 5, that "The dark skin was placed upon the Lamanites so that they could be distinguished from the Nephites and to keep the two peoples from mixing. The dark skin was the sign of the curse [not the curse itself]. the curse was the withdrawal of the Spirit of the Lord..." In a similar way, the curse that came upon Cain could be of like nature. The black skin is just a sign, or reminder of the curse. Like a beware of falling rocks sign along the highway. It does not mean that rocks are currently falling, but that one should be careful because they might.

I realize that this is a very delicate and sensitive subject that I am likely not treading as carefully or with as much tact as I should, but bluntly God is not a liar, and He has prophesied and made promises concerning the seed of Cain, and those prophecies have been fulfilled, save it be the salvation of all of mankind. That prophecy we all can now look forward to being fulfilled, when Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, shall return again.

The time for racism is past. Let us look forward to that great and wonderful day of the Lord together as the family of Adam! Let not the trials of the past hold you back from embracing the future! These things I leave with you, and I hope that you learn from them.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Polygamy

Dear Readers,

I felt like doing a post about something that several people find troubling about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am writing this post to express my beliefs and knowledge on the subject of Polygamy for the purpose of helping those who may view this subject as a stumbling block, as well as to inform those who may just want to learn more about God's reasons for plural marriage.

I should WARN those who read this, that I will be going into some depth on this subject. If you feel that you might be shacky in your testimony of Joseph Smith Jr as a Prophet, or any of the succeeding Presidents of the church as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, then I advise that you skip this blog post, at least until your faith and testimony becomes stronger and firmer.

That all being said, let us start with the first well known polygamist in the scriptures, namely Abraham. First record we have of Abraham (Abram) being married is in Genesis 11:29 "And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai;..." Now this marriage lasted for many years and through much hardship, including Sarah (Sarai) being barren, having to pass through Egypt and having Pharaoh desire Sarah as a wife, having countless promises from the Lord that Abraham would be the "father of many nations", and even the ordeal of having Abraham's nephew Lot being held as a military prisoner. So it is clear and evident that Abraham truly and completely loved Sarah, his wife, and that she loved him. Else why would they stay together for so long.

Now in Genesis 16 comes the Jerry Springer part of this union. Abraham and Sarah have both gotten old in years, and because Sarah has not yet born any children, she gives Hagar, her Egyptian handmaid to Abraham to be a second wife. I have heard it argued that Hagar was only a "concubine" which is kind of a bondwoman who is kept for the use of procreation. This is not the case, for in verse 3 the word "wife" is used. Now, because the culture of the time did indeed include the common practice of concubines, Sarah giving Hagar to Abraham was acceptable. So Hagar conceived and had a son, because of this, Hagar became jealous and, I guess you could say, wanted Abraham to love her alone. Sarah saw this hatred or "despise" in her eyes, and talked to Abraham about the growing contention. Abraham, being the wise man that he was, said roughly, I am not getting in the middle of this, you two figure it out yourselves.

Then Sarah "dealt hardly" with Hagar, so Hagar fled into the wilderness. There, by a fountain, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Hagar and told her to return to her family, and even made prophecies about her seed. Eventually she returned and bore Ishmael. Then, when Abraham was around 100 years old, he was told that Sarah shall conceive and bear a child, while she was around 90 years old, and really past menopause. This, chapter 17 of Genesis, is when the covenant promise is given to Isaac, Sarah's son, instead of Ishmael, who in truth, because of tradition, should have been the rightful heir. Yet God has a way of calling the underdogs, as with Jacob vs Esau which I will cover quite soon. Anyway, continuing with Abraham, after Isaac was born, Ishmael was "mocking" Isaac, and Sarah did not like this. I would like to point out here, that with the law of Moses, though it was not yet instituted, children who mocked or dishonored their parents or siblings were put to death. So, Abraham, likely having similar rules in his culture, took what I feel is compassion, and rose up early, prepared bread and a bottle of water and gave it to Hagar and sent her and Ishmael away into the wilderness. Thus proving that he loved Hagar and Ishmael and wanted to spare their lives. Now part of why Abraham did this is because he knew God's promises both towards Isaac being the covenant people, as well as the seed of Ishmael being a great nation in their own right.

So was the end of that marriage, which, in all likely hood, would have lasted as long as they had lived, at least. If it were not for this dispute/transgression. Now, I learned something new when I began researching, that Abraham took another wife named Keturah after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as Abraham's attempt to sacrifice Isaac. She, Keturah, bore Abraham many sons. Again Keturah was a "wife" while later in Genesis 25:6 it says that Abraham sent all of the sons of his "concubines" (plural) away. Now, at this time, Abraham had Sarah and Keturah as wives, and how many concubines, we know not.

Now Isaac was raised up, and took Rebekah to wife. Then Rebekah bore Jacob and Esau. Though Esau came out first and was hairy and red already, followed by Jacob who was hanging onto his heal. When they two grew up, Esau, being very hungry, sells his birthright to Jacob for some soup. Now this was done without witnesses, and Isaac favored Esau, so when the time came for the blessings of their inheritance, Jacob, with Rebekah's help, posed as Esau and received the blessing, which Esau had sold. Therefore Esau had no right to it. Now what does this have to do with plural marriage... nothing, I just like the story of Jacob and Esau.

Anyway, Jacob travels and meets Rachel at a well. He then talks to her father Laban and they make a deal, that Jacob will work for Laban for 7 years. This is where I would like to emphasize that there were no rights of women in these days. There are many who oppose marriage, especially the ceremony, because it represents them being sold as property. It is a sad truth, that women were indeed considered property, but it is also true that they were "sold" for two reasons. First, because the man wanted to marry that woman, but also, because of the father's love, he wanted to make sure that his daughter went to someone who could afford to take care of her. For this cause did Jacob prove his love for Rachel by working for Laban those first 7 years. Now, when it came time for Rachel and Jacob to be united, Laban had Jacob marry his older daughter Leah instead. Jacob was very upset about this, because, with the veil concealment of the wedding ceremony, he did not discern this deception until the morning afterwords. But Jacob loved Rachel so much, that he agreed to work for Laban 7 more years to get Rachel as a wife.

So, after 14 years Jacob was completely lawfully married to both Rachel and Leah. So they go off and once again find that the wife that Jacob loves, Rachel, is having difficulty having children. So Leah bore the first of Jacob's children. Because Jacob is a wealthy man, through the efforts of Abraham and Isaac, not to mention those 14 years he worked for Laban, his wives had maids or handmaidens. Now these also he married and had children with, they are Bilhah and Zilpah. They were indeed wives, because their children received an inheritance as tribes of Israel.

So, we have these two stories about Old Testament polygamy, and what are some common denominators? First, there was one wife that they truly loved. Second they had a means whereby to proved for them, Third, they had enough love to care for other wives as well as the first. Fourth because women were considered property, they needed to be cared for, not legally allowed to do so on their own. And lastly, polygamy was legally allowed in their culture.

Lets see if the accounts of David and Solomon follow this 5 step acceptance of polygamy. The first wife David married was Michal, the daughter of King Saul, and he bought her with 200 foreskins cut off of the Philistines. Now, as Saul's anger and hatred toward David grew, David had to flee and ended up living with the prophets for a time. Mean while, Saul ends up giving Michal to Phalti as a wife. David keeps running, and Saul keeps killing people trying to get David, Then David meets Abigail, and ends up marrying her. Wars break loose and Saul, with most of his household is slain. David gets Michal back from Phalti, but because he likes to dance and have fun in the streets, Michal no longer loves him, so David locks her away. To save you some long winded history, David marries more wives, all of whom he loved and cared for, but then he lusted after Bathsheba. So much so, that he committed adultery with her, and then had her husband, Uriah, slain in battle, so that he could marry her as a widow. Now, marrying someone you have sex with outside of the bounds of marriage is a good step towards the repentance process, but committing effectual murder to do so is not the best way to do that.

So what about David's son, Solomon? Solomon married many women of all ages, being king he could easily provide for them. He did love and care for his wives, even after his extremities stopped working. Indeed, that was when he married the youngest of his wives. But where he went wrong was allowing the women that he married from other cultures to persuade him to turn the people towards idol worship. This polluted both him, and his people.

Let us compare David and Solomon to the 5 steps of polygamy acceptance.
1. Loved 1 wife above others
       David loved Michal, and then Abigail.
       Solomon (1 Kings 11:1) "king Solomon loved many strange women".
2: Means to provide
       King David
       King Solomon
3: They had enough love for others
       King David truly loved
       King Solomon... See 1 Kings 11:1
4: women were considered property.... yes
5: was polygamy legal... yes... they were the kings and made the laws.

So, King David met all of the requirements, except for when he broke his covenants with Bathsheba.
King Solomon met most of the requirements, but did not seem to truly love and care for one woman. Which seems strange with the concept of polygamy, but I believe it was Jean Paul F. Richter who said "Love one human being purely and warmly, and you will love all." You have to know one pure wonderful love, to know how to truly love others. Thus Solomon's love was possibly polluted from the very beginning. 

This brings us to the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith, fell in love and married Emma Hale. Then, during the process of translating the Holy Bible, Joseph Smith asked God about plural marriage. He was trying to understand why God would permit such a thing, when Joseph knew how much such a thing would hurt Emma. God warned him that if he pushed the matter, Joseph would have to live by the laws and principles he would be taught. Joseph, did continue to inquire, and was told what purpose polygamy was instituted and permitted, nay, ordained of God. Because God loves his daughters so much, he wants them to be taken care of. He wants them to be protected and loved. Then, with this knowledge, God commanded Joseph to begin practicing plural marriage. It is true, that at first he hid this from Emma, probably because he knew how much it would hurt her, and how distressing it may appear without the knowledge and insight God had given him. 

So Joseph Smith began marrying many women, but he lived in a time in which the 5 rules applied.
1: Joseph Smith truly and irrevocably loved Emma Hale above all others, even himself.
2: Though the colonies were generally impoverished, Joseph Smith did have enough to provide.
3: He was the Prophet of the church, he not only had enough love for those wives that he married, but for all of the members of the church.
4: Whether we care to remember or not, women's rights is still a fairly new concept, and in the 1800's they were still considered property, meaning they could not own land, or anything for themselves. Giving credence to the prophecy given by Isaiah concerning the latter-days, "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." (Isaiah 4:1) Many of the women Joseph married were widows, because of the slaughter by the hands mobs against the early saints. So they were married and called in the Smith name that they may keep their property, and have someone to love and care for them.

I do not wish to sugar coat the truth, there were some of Joseph's wives that were young, as far as I know 16 was the youngest, but that does not mean that Joseph married them for any reason other than to love and care for them. I do not believe that he married any women because of the lusts of his own heart. Some people may argue, "Well, if providing for these women was the reason he marries them, then why did Joseph Smith have children with wives other than Emma?" Simply put, if you love someone in a marriage capacity long enough, and strong enough, physical love and emotions can arise, to which God has spoken in Doctrine and Covenants 132. "60. Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he shall do the sacrifice which I require at his hands for his transgression, saith the Lord your God. 61. And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood -- if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else. 62. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified."

Quickly, I feel that I should touch on another controversial method in which Joseph Smith obtained wives. Both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were well known for their testing the saints, especially those around them. So, along this line, Joseph Smith did try the faith of some of the brethren by asking for their wives in marriage. Many said no, and left the church, and their wives, behind. Thus Joseph married those women. But there are also accounts of brethren who said "yes" and Joseph told them that it would not be necessary, that they could keep their wives, and that they had proven their faith.

Lastly 5: Polygamy was not against the law in those days. It may not have been practiced, but there were no laws prohibiting it either.

So, Joseph Smith's call to plural marriage matched the outline set by Abraham and Jacob. After this manner he taught the brethren in the church. Indeed some, usually apostles or 70s, were called to practice polygamy. Now, as this doctrine spread there were groups who branched off of the church, or just families that corrupted this sacred institution, and the purpose for which it was commanded, in order satisfy their own lusts and desires. I will strongly declare, however, that plural marriage was instituted of God, and as with all commandments from the beginning of this world, it was corrupted by the father of lies, into the hiss and byword that it is considered today.

Before I continue, I wish to express my hope and desire that you have come to understand the rational or physical reasons for polygamy, including the obvious use of procreation, but now I will focus less on the temporal purposes, and more upon the spiritual.

Firstly, it is an easy assumption that throughout time, there have been more righteous women than men. Women have an inherit ability to hold on to faith, on to God, better and easier than men do. Thus, from the eternal, temple marriage sealing view, these righteous women have to be cared for in the life after death. Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-4 "1. In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; 2. And in order to obtain the highest, a man [or woman] must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; 3; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. 4. he may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase."

God has provided a plan for all of us to obtain pure and lasting happiness, if we so desire. Thus He will not permit others to take such opportunities away from us because of their disobedience. Wherefore plural marriage, is ordained of God even after this life.

Next, Joseph Smith was called as a Prophet to restore Christ's Gospel. He performed this function to the best of his ability. The law of consecration, which did away with the concepts of property and focused more upon stewardship,  was something that Christ and His Apostles practiced. There was not one of them that withheld of their substance to the needy, for God provided for them, from day to day.

This may be hard for some of you to hear, to understand, or to accept, but it was the same with plural marriage. I testify to you, that Christ and the Apostles lived by these same laws. Jesus followed every commandment given to Him from His Father. How could He be perfect without doing so? God commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth. (Genesis 1:28) The Father has not revoked that commandment.

I enjoy quotes from the Journal of Discourses, but I will admit that I am wary of them because they are not openly accepted by the Church, just like the Apocrypha. So, generally, I try to remain with the discourses which were taken of Brigham Young's talks. I do not think that God would permit His Prophet to lead us astray. That being said, here is an amazing, quote from Orson Hyde who was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "I discover that some of the Eastern papers represent me as a great blasphemer, because I said, in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children.
All that I have to say in reply to that charge is this—they worship a Savior that is too pure and holy to fulfil the commands of his Father. I worship one that is just pure and holy enough "to fulfil all righteousness;" not only the righteous law of baptism, but the still more righteous and important law "to multiply and replenish the earth." Startle not at this!" (Journal of Discourses v2 pg 210)

Then Brigham Young said in Journal of Discourses v13 pg 309 "The Scripture says that He, the Lord, came walking in the Temple, with His train; I do not know who they were, unless His wives and children; but at any rate they filled the Temple, and how many there were who could not get into the Temple I cannot say. This is the account given by Isaiah, whether he told the truth or not I leave everybody to judge for himself."

Indeed, upon praying and pondering upon this subject during Easter time, I felt the Holy Spirit of God manifest so strongly to my heart and soul, that, at the time Christ was resurrected, Mary Magdalene was so pained, so distraught, not just because her teacher, or her friend had been crucified and His body "taken", but because it was her very husband, her help-meet, her eternal companion who was the one taken from her, causing her to know not where His body was laid. That is why Christ, with all of His compassion and love appeared unto her first. He saw His beloved wife in the most sorrow and misery that she could be in, besides witnessing His death upon the cross. This moved Him to manifest Himself to her, in the physical resurrected state, to comfort her, but He could not let her touch Him. Not because He was still a spirit, for His body was taken from the tomb, but because throughout the eons of eternities that Jehovah, the Firstborn of the Father had been in the Father's presence in the spirit, Jesus could not truly touch, could not fully embrace His Father, not as a man embraceth his friend. So the undeniable right, because of His love for His Son and for compensation for having to leave Christ completely alone on the cross (Matthew 27:46) to go through all of that pain and suffering alone before death, has to be for the Father, who has a body as "tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) to be the first one to hug and embrace His resurrected Son.

Despite this right, Christ saw fit to appear to Mary Magdalene. Everyone else, Apostles and disciples alike, had to wait until Jesus had returned physically to the Father, but she, Mary, in Christ's eyes, could not wait, His love for her was too great. Indeed she was that one that He was able to love "purely and warmly" so that he could love all.

Now that I have sealed the doctrine of Jesus Christ of Nazareth being married with my own testimony, I shall also bear witness that Christ is resurrected and exalted even to the thrown of God. Which means that in conjuncture with Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-4, already mentioned, as well as with Journal of Discourses v11 pg269 in which the Prophet Brigham Young said, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them....I heard the revelation on polygamy, and I believed it with all my heart, and I know it is from God—I know that he revealed it from heaven; I know that it is true, and understand the bearings of it and why it is."

Indeed, whether in the mortal flesh or in the immortal state, Christ had to fulfill this law. I personally believe that He fulfilled this law while in the flesh, how else could He have been sufficiently perfect to perform the atonement. It was also possible in those days for Christ and His Apostles to fulfill the 5 requirements. Christ truly loved one woman, His family had the means to provide because of the gold, frankincense, and mirth given to Him by the Wise Men, as well as from all of the years of carpentry, to sustain themselves and possibly others during Christ's 3 year ministry. Christ absolutely had enough love for other wives. During this time women were still considered property and needed to be cared for, thus His pleading with John to take care of His mother Mary. (John 19:26-27) And lastly, like with Joseph Smith's time, polygamy may not have been commonly practiced, but there were no laws against it. 

So, if these laws, these commandments are still in force today, why does the church no longer perform plural marriages? The strait answer is that because of the persecution upon the church, caused by ignorance of the reason behind this practice, it became expedient for the fullness of this commandment to be taken from the earth. God's work is never frustrated, but the work of man is. God has the eternal perspective, and knows that we can be married after this life, and during the Millennium. For it is not the dead that are given in marriage, but the living, and as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are living, so can we be also. (Matthew 22:32)

I do not feel that I have adequately expressed this reasoning in a clear manner, so I hope that this power point presentation will help. 
https://www.slideshare.net/secret/Ludcz0BGucwO5i

The Church has an official standing on this subject which can be found in the Official Declaration 1 at the end of the Doctrine and Covenants. Here is some quotes from that passage. "...Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise... Wilford Woodruff" (4th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

He is also known for this quote, "The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempt to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty." Which can be found after that Official Declaration 1.

So, because man has created laws in this day and age prohibiting plural marriage, we can not live this law openly as in days past, it does not mean that God's work has been frustrated. It only means that we are living up to our Articles of Faith. 12 "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

As an example of how the work of the Lord has not been frustrated:
Several sealings(marriage or bonds that last for time and for all eternity) took place vicariously soon after Joseph Smith's death, sealing living women to the diseased Prophet. Even so today, in the temple, sealings on behalf of the dead are performed. It is these sealings, and the opportunity  to receive endowed blessings from the Lord, that gave the early saints the strength to continue on. As pointed out in the presentation, that was the trade off for plural marriage. For, should the persecution had continued, the United States would have, and in some cases did, send troops over to the west and remove the property and holdings of the Church and church members. As I said, the work of God could not be frustrated, and it was not, for it is in the temple that we have the chance to still receive these blessings. As for the temporal reasons, specifically, the widow's need to be taken care of, laws began to emerge allowing women to hold property, especially in settling the prairies, as well as the institution of Home and Visiting teachers in the church. This allowed for those widows as well as other members of the church, to be visited and feel loved, wanted, and have their needs taken care of. 

So does this mean that if the laws should change and allow polygamy again, would we be able to practice it? I cannot say, but the knowledge that I have is based upon what Gordon B. Hinckley said in the October 1998 General Conference, "If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church."

In essence, there are the laws of God, and the laws of the church. As in Moses' day when Moses, as Prophet, allowed the Israelites to divorce their wives, which clearly was condemned by Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:3-9). That was a law of the Church, which can be below the laws of God because we are all weak, learning, and are tempted. But God will not suffer us to sin against a greater light if we are not prepared for it. (Doctrine and Covenants 82:3) Thus even if plural marriage is again legalized, it remains against the laws of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until the Lord feels that it is time that it should be restored. 

I am closing this post with some scriptural references to get you thinking and wondering if what I have said is true. 

Job 1:2-3 "2. and there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east."

Job 42:10 "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."

Job 42:12-13 "12. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13.he had also seven sons and three daughters." 

Job began with seven sons and three daughters, and God's promise was for him to have "twice as much", thus Job must still have his children after this life. 

Journal of Discourses v1 pg50 "When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Archangel, the Ancient of Days! about whom holy men have written and spoken"

So if Eve was "one of his wives" that means that Adam was meant to marry others either later in his life, or after death

I sincerely pray that no one's faith has been shaken by this post, and that you will come to understand this doctrine as I have. May your testimony and faith continue to improve, strengthen and grow, and I welcome a healthy, civilized debate, if any who read this feel such is necessary. Also, If I was unclear on any principles about which I have spoken, I would love the opportunity to clarify it for you.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Facebook Request 3: The Glory of God is Intelligence

Dear Readers,

Because it has been requested on Facebook, by my wonderful Step-Mother Laina, I am please to post about The Glory of God is Intelligence.

This is a very deep subject of the gospel and I will endeavor to try explain it in such a way as those who read this may understand. It was John Taylor who said, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject which is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child could understand it." (Journal of Discourses v 5 pg 260)

First of all, what is "intelligence"? Usually we think of how smart we are, whether book smarts from schooling, or "street smarts" or common sense from practical life experience. This is where, I feel, that worldly doctrine and confused intelligence with knowledge and wisdom. The clearest example that I know is with the saying, "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad." I would argue and these are just aspects of intelligence, but not really what it is, or what it means to be intelligent.


God defines "intelligence" in Doctrine and Covenants 93:29-30 "... Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. 30. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also, otherwise there is no existence." Intelligence is the light of truth. Not only that, but intelligence is sentient, alive, conscious, "to act for itself". I believe it was Socrates who said "Cogito, Egro Sum", "I think, therefore I am". Intelligence is the ability to think, not just something in our brains, but literally life in the most basic of all its forms.

Some people may say, "Where is the proof of that?". Well I say, let is try and experiment. As will all truth, you can experiment upon it and get an answer, if you are open to receive it. It was explained to me like this... (WARNING don't try until you finish reading the instructions, because the first one is close your eyes, and it is hard to read with your eyes closed.) INSTRUCTIONS {Close you eyes, and find your little "I Am". Wiggle your toes, is that above or below "you". What about your chest, your breathing, is that above or below you? Now touch your chin. What about your ears, are the above, below, or to the sides? Continue for your nose, eyes, back and top of your head, even your forehead.}Your little "I Am" is inside of your head. Inside of your brain.

So, with my limited knowledge about human anatomy, I would like to point out that it is not a coincidence that your little "I Am" or intelligence is about where the main nerve group is in the brain. Sorry, I do not know what it is called, yet it is my theory that either that part of the brain, or the brain matter itself is what communicates with our spirit. Thus it would make sense to me that our "I Am" would be located right there. Also, if while doing the experiment, you ran you finger down you forehead, you would find that right between your eyes is in front of "you". This, I wonder, is why so many people think of the "third eye" though that is traditionally located in the middle of the forehead.

Here is something fun, not only is intelligence life, but it is visibly seen as light. Like to old sayings about the light going out in your eyes. Though, it is not just any light, like sunlight or from a light bulb, it is the light of truth. Truth, not lies, not falsehoods, but truth is literally alive.

I like the subtle theme from "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" that truth is strength. Which makes me wonder, if we are told to "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3) because the truth sets us free and is a kind of food for our spirits, what if that is more literal than we give it credit for. I mean God's light of truth fills the "immensity of space"  and gives "life to all things" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:12-13), what if, like sunlight is ultimately what feeds our physical bodies through the food chain, if God's light, if intelligence, is what feeds our spiritual bodies.

Again, something else fun, the scriptures say that we can gain intelligence, by gaining truth. In Daniel 11:30 Daniel sees a vision of several kings and of one he said "...so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant." Basically, that king will try to convince those who did "forsake the holy covenant" and show them the error of their ways with truth. Then in the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith which can be found in the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith said "... Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and receive instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews..."

When we learn truth, I mean really learn, almost absorb it, then we gain and increase in intelligence. Doctrine and Covenants 88:40 "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light;..." This is why some people love learning, and if you are taught truth, and taught it correctly, then it is good, you enjoy it. The very truth itself "cleaveth" or holds to, leans upon more truth, building like a snowball rolling down a hill, which sadly, living in Arizona, I have not actually seen.

Then God gives us a kind of promise in Doctrine and Covenants 130:18 "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." As we learn truth, whether knowledge or wisdom, that remains with us in the next life. Literally growing our life.

So if this is what "intelligence" is, where did it come from? Doctrine and Covenants 93:29 explains it quite well. "29. Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be." Yes I know I have used this scripture already, but it is a good one. Light of truth, or intelligence, cannot be created or made. You cannot create a false truth, nor can you create that intelligence that is life.

Now some may argue, but we create life all of the time, through procreation. That is not entirely true. To explain this, I will now talk about what intelligence does. We know that it acts, but what does it do?

 Abraham 3:21-23 "21. I dwell in the midst of them all; I now, therefore, have come down unto thee to declare unto thee the works which my hands have made, wherein my wisdom excelleth them all, for I rule in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, in all wisdom and prudence, over all the intelligences thine eyes have seen from the beginning; I came down in the beginning in the midst of all the intelligences thou has seen. 22. Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; 23. And God saw these souls they they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou was born."

I would like to point out some key words here, especially in verse 23. "Souls" in Doctrine and Covenants 88:15 "And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.". Abraham was shown the pre-mortal life, before we received bodies, and yet God "saw these souls". He saw their potential and what they were meant to be and become, "for [H]e stood among those that were spirits". Now what are "spirits"?


Doctrine and Covenants 131:7-8 "7. There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; 8. We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter." So, essentially, our spirits are bodies for our intelligence.

Here comes that deep doctrine I was talking about. In Journal of Discourses volume 7 page 2-3 Brigham Young, the second Prophet of this dispensation, said "If people understood true philosophy—eternal philosophy, they would understand that there is an eternity of matter. Astronomers estimate that there is between us and the nearest fixed star matter enough from which to organize millions of earths like this. There is an eternity of matter, and it is all acted upon and filled with a portion of divinity. Matter is to exist; it cannot be annihilated. Eternity is without bounds, and is filled with matter; and there is no such place as empty space. And matter is capacitated to receive intelligence. If we could so understand true philosophy as to understand our own creation, and what it is for - what design and intent the Supreme Ruler had in organizing matter and bringing it forth in the capacity that I behold you here today, we could comprehend that matter cannot be destroyed-that it is subject to organization and disorganization; and could understand that matter can be organized and brought forth into intelligence, and to possess more intelligence, and to continue to increase in that intelligence; and could learn those principles that organized matter into animals, vegetables, and into intelligent beings; and could discern the Divinity acting, operating, and diffusing principles into matter to produce intelligent beings, and to exalt them-to what? Happiness. will nothing short of that fully satisfy the spirits implanted within us? No.
You can daily observe the operations of the spirits of men in the streets of this city. There you can now see the world exhibited as it is. You can see people hurrying from the east to the west, from the west to the east, from the north to the south, and from the south to the north. Have they any object in view? Ask the traveler whether he has; ask the bystander whether there is an object in his mind. Whether I stand or walk, whether I labor or rest, lie down or rise up, in all my acts in life there is an object. I have something in view, you have something in view, and so has the whole human family, as also all intelligence of every grade."

So, firstly matter is "capacitated" or has the capacity or ability to receive or store intelligence, and the deepest, most motivating aspect of these intelligences is the need to be happy. That is what all life seeks, to be happy. Now, from what we have learned thus far, spirit is matter, and that matter can hold intelligence, but the physical elements are also matter, and also have spirit matter with them. That is why (see Creation post) God formed all things spiritually before they were physically there. 

God has created, or organized all things, but why so many different ones. Firstly Abraham 3:19 "And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all."Therefore some intelligences are more intelligent than others, and God knew which ones were most like Him, thus created them in His image, and others He placed in different lesser orders, stages, or spheres.

2 Nephi 2:14 "And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon." This is what we might call God science. God speaks to the spirit, to the intelligence of the the elements, those things which are made to be acted upon, and because He is God, their creator, their liberator, and so they listen and obey. For it is taught in the temple that when the earth was being created physically, it was waited upon to see if it would obey.

Also, 2 Esdras 6:41 of the Old Testament Apocrypha "41.Upon the second day thou madest the spirit of the firmament, and commandedst it to part asunder, and to make a division betwixt the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath." 

Even so, that is how miracles are performed, whether Moses calling forth the plagues upon Egypt, or Jesus healing all manner of sicknesses, walking on water, or turning water into wine. Even when healings and other miracles are performed today, it is by God's power, or His authority, his Priesthood that such things are done. By His say so, and that is because of His honor. In Doctrine and Covenants 29:36 we read that the main reason why Lucifer fell was because he wanted God's power, or in other words, he wanted the honor and glory for himself, for performing the atonement. 

So, God's power, is His honor, but why is honor power? Because God always keeps His promises, and He has promised that as long as we obey Him, we will be saved, or in other words, resurrected with a perfect body, and that our bodies, spirits, and intelligences will no longer be subject to separation. This is not only true for us, His children, but also for the animals, for the trees, even the earth itself. 10th article of faith, "...that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisical glory." Even in Doctrine and Covenants 88:19-20, 130:9 it says that the earth will be crowned with glory, and become immortal.

Doctrine and Covenants 93;33 "For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy;" This is why the earth and all of the animals obey God, because He has promised a "fullness of joy", and He keeps His promises. This is why God has said, "...this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."(Moses 1:39) because God's glory, God's power, God's honor, all comes from our happiness, and we can only be truly happy if we receive eternal life!

I hope that you learned from and understood this post about why the Glory of God is Intelligence.(Doctrine and Covenants 93:36) If you have any questions or comments, please post them. I really want to know what you think, and if I was able to explain this doctrine accurately. For personal research, I was introduced to this doctrine by listening to a talk by W. Cleon Skousen "Meaning of the Atonement". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHan3Y8BxGs

Love,
Jacobugoth

Facebook Request 2: Duct Tape Tie

Dear Readers,

This shall be a short post, because I do not know how much I can drag the story of my Duct Tape Tie out for. Shout out to (Elder) Charles Farthing for suggesting this on Facebook.

Firstly, I got the idea while I was in Corvallis, MT. I was serving a mission for my Lord Jesus Christ through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was my 4th transfer, so almost my 6th month point. My companion at the time was Elder Hunter. He already had a duct tape tie that and investigator (someone who meets with the missionaries, seeking to learn more about Jesus Christ) made for him. I must admit that I was a little envious, so, the last week before transfers I asked a few of my investigators if they would be willing to make one for me. There was a young lady named Kaylee who said that she would, if I bought the duct tape.

As it turned out, I was then transferred to Lander, WY. From there I mailed a roll of duct tape to her. A few weeks later I received the tie in the mail. I truly think that it is awesome. Of course it is hard to tie, but well worth it. I remember wearing it for Easter Sunday when I was in Eureka, MT because it was my birthday. It was always fun hearing some comments about, wow, I did not realize you were wearing a duct tape tie, it just looks like a silver tie. Amazing some of the things you can get away with.

I have examined it, and I think that I know how she made it. I believe that she first made a kind of skeleton, with the bottom triangle and an inch or so wide strip running through the entire length made of duct tape. After having that, blue print, of sorts, she then re-coated it with the tape, making the tie.

Another fun thing about this tie, is that after you wear it, the places where it was tied become stuck wrinkly. So I roll it up nice and tight, and that removes those problem areas.

I have made some additions to this tie, including a loop by the neck to put the short end through, as well as one lower down so that I can use a tie-buddy and keep it from flapping around.

Lastly, it was the center piece of my second birthday as a missionary. I was companions with Elder Yeske and serving in Deer Lodge, MT. It was our preparation day, but we were snowed in or something. So I made a mantle of ties.

Well, that is the story of my duct tape tie. I still occasionally wear it. If you want to see more pictures from my mission, check out my Facebook Page: Elder Jacob Smithson.

Love,

Jacobugoth

Facebook Request 1: Amazing Socks

Dear Readers,

I like using this blog as a way to properly express my views, beliefs, and opinions on various matters. To get more feedback, I have began asking people on Facebook for ideas to blog on. This is the first installment, and I would like to dedicate it to the suggester, my friend Daneé. She wanted me to talk about how amazing socks are.

I must admit, several different ways to go about this passed through my head. The main think that I thought of was my Father's book, "The Parable of the hand and the glove", just with socks and feet instead. Though, it would be ridiculous of me to go step by step and draw comparisons, so I will just go my own way. If you want to do it yourself, fine, buy the book.

Anyway, there is the basic comparison you use as a missionary, trying to explain about the plan of salvation. The foot is your spirit, it moves and has life, but to go outside, to keep it protected, you put a sock on. Technically you also put on a shoe, but who cares about shoes. Anyway, the sock does not move on its own. It has to have the foot inside to have life. The sock is like your body, and it is your spirit, or foot, that makes it move. The sock also provides comfort and protection. Then, after the day is done, the sock comes off. That would be death. What happens then? The sock is washed, cleaned, and becomes pure and perfect again, and is put back on the foot. That would be the resurrection.

There are so many socks out there, of all shapes and sizes. Each with a purpose: for pleasure to the senses (sight and smell), to relieve pain, and even to keep the foot cool. Let us talk about some of these socks.

There are the casual socks you wear, whether white, or black, but these are sometimes bland. There are some interesting variations of this, like the good for nothing ankle socks. Those things make me feel like my feet are immodest, not to mention the always slide down into the shoe. Though in contrast, there are the knee highs. Let us just thank the counselors from Camp Chippewa from the movie Adam's Family Values. Sadly no picture, so lets look at Abby Sciuto from NCIS.I would even dare to say that stockings, even fishnet stockings are types of socks.

Then there are the neon technicolor ones that suddenly just catch your attention. I had a mission companion that would wear bright green or pink socks on a random day of his week. He would use it as a way to keep a conversation going, just stick his hands in his pockets, pull on his pants legs a little, and Ta Da! But bright socks is not good enough, there are all kinds of designs: stripes, circles, and themes. Some cool ones that I just found while looking at socks are superhero socks, with capes.

There are also socks for medicinal purposes. Like compression socks, which remind me of Giraffe legs, because their leg skin is super tight which keeps their blood from pooling in their legs. They are fun and good to have, but super hard to get on and off. A type of sock, technically, that has really helped me over the years are the ankle support braces. Because I grew up so tall, so fast, my balance has not been the best, thus several sprained ankles over the years. Have a pair of these socks on really does help prevent further damage, though now, my ankles seem to be strong enough to not sprain or twist as easily.

Have you ever done something fun with socks, because there are many activities they can be used for. I remember back in my soccer days, we had to wear these super high socks, because you had to fold them back over the shin guards. I still do not fully understand why. Probably something between hiding weapons between the guard and sock, or the plastic breaking and sharp edges pointing out. Yes, I was very brutal in soccer.

You can hang them up for decorations, like Christmas stockings. This brings me to good old prison justice, filling a sock with batteries or coins to use as a weapon. Less violent, but can be just as painful if you mess up, is sliding on the floor. Good old Tom Cruise Risky Business style. Though, if you have the right kind of carpet, you can also get a nice static charge going by dragging you feet. Then use that electricity to shock people, like you have lightning in your veins!

Then there are sock puppets. When I think of sock puppets, I think of the movie RocketMan. https://youtu.be/kVdGw6gTfDU Where he drives someone complete insane with his sock puppet routine. 

All of these activities can really wear down on your socks. Ever get a hole in your sock that one or two toes pokes out of? It is such a strange felling. Like this little piggy is yelling, "I'm free! I'm free! Dobby's Free!" (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Though now days, you don't have to wait for your socks to rot away to this point. You can just get the toes socks, where there is a little pocket for each toe, and they can all be free!

Oddly though, socks don't help much when you stub your toe, indeed they can even kill you... Muh ha ha ha!

I was thinking more of the eleventh episode of House M.D. of season 4, "Frozen". House has compassion on Cate, who is in Antarctica, alone, and sick. She asks if she can keep her socks on because, guess what, it is cold. He allows her, and as it turned out in the end, she broke a toe that then turned into blood poisoning. Not good stuff.

At least a house did not fall on you. Socks do some crazy stuff when that happens...

First wicked witch from Wizard of Oz

I am about out of things to talk about, having to do with socks. So let me finish by talking about how awesome they are. As is very traditional in the Japanese culture, as well as in some homes here in America, you take off your shoes when you enter someone's house. This is to not tract dirt into their home, so you get to be in, guess what, your socks. This is also a sign of respect and holiness. Like when Moses spoke to Jehovah through the burning bush, (Exodus 3:5) and the Lord said, "put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Note that He did not say take off the socks from off thy feet... though that might be because he wore sandals and not socks. Anyway, if he did wear socks, I am confident he could keep them on. 

Lastly, these socks are awesome! I hope that you enjoyed this post!

Love,

Jacobugoth

Aliens

Dear Readers,

I feel like talking about the possibility of aliens. I remember talking to a potential investigator on my mission, while up in Glasgow, MT. He had a firm, eye witness testimony that aliens exist. Not exactly an abductee, but close. I remember thinking, this is awesome, he believes in aliens, and some people think we are aliens.

I also usually think of the Simpsons. There was a Halloween episode Treehouse of Horror IX in which Kang and Kodos knocked on the door, and Homer answers it, then says, "Oh great, Mormons."

But why is there this strange stereo-type? I think that it is because we have an understanding about the universe and science that allows it to completely coincide with religion, specifically Christianity.

So that is why I believe that people have this misunderstanding. But in a different sense, we are pretty much the only Christian religion that even has leeway to allow for aliens. Let me explain:

We know that God has created other worlds, for His own purposes (Moses 1:33). Most of them have life, in spheres, like planets or even stars (Doctrine and Covenants 93:30). So we know, for a fact, that there is life out there in the universe.

The same God that created us, His children, in His image, also created the animals big and small, not in His image. Indeed, other worlds, like the one that the dinosaurs inhabited (see my post on creation) had different animals upon its face. Even in Revelations 4:6-9 talks about four beasts praising God, Cross referenced with Doctrine and Covenants 77:2-4 we know that they are 4 literal beasts, though described with symbolism to describe the glory of the classes of beings, and that their spirits are also created in the image of their bodies, namely beasts. Again, cross referenced with the New Testament Student Manual 54 section commentary for Revelation 4-11 paragraph "Four Beasts" we learn that "the four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect: they were like angels in their sphere. We are not told where they came from".

So God has indeed created beings in spirit and matter on other worlds, not in His own image, who have obtained various degrees of glory. Which means that there are indeed beings out there with human like intelligence, but do not look human. Just like how those animals in Revelations were able to talk and sing praises to God.

So, what keeps them from visiting earth? In Doctrine and Covenants 130:5-7 explains that angels or God's messengers only visit the sphere or earth to which they belong or have belonged. Thus the only celestial beings and possibly terrestrial that can visit our world are humans or animals from our world. Either in spirit or flesh. (Doctrine and Covenants 129) But what about those who inherit a telestial glory?

We know from the scriptures, but most easily explained in the Plan of Salvation Pamphlet "Where Will I Go After This Life? that  "those who continue in their sins and do not repent will receive a place in the telestial kingdom." For a more in depth study you can look at Doctrine and Covenants 88:21-24 and Doctrine and Covenants 76:81-89. These compared to Alma 34:34 of the Book of Mormon, we find that even in the Eternal world, after the resurrection, these wicked will be wicked still. Not abiding, or living by the laws of God. That is why they are no long permitted in His presence after the judgement.

So, for the Celestial and Terrestrial glorified beings, they have to obey God's commandments, but the Telestials, by the very cause of them receiving this glory, do not follow God's laws, therefore it is reasonable to assume that they break them.

Now for my almost purely hypothetical argument, what if some of these other creatures that God has created received a telestial glory. No pain, sickness or death, Though, unlike celestial or heavenly beings, they have to rely upon technology for transportation. Thus the UFO flying saucers.

This would also explain how they could be little gray people.

Now for some more fun speculation about why they would experiment on humans. They would be immortal, resurrected beings. Some of these experiments might be for the purpose of trying to find out why we die, why we are mortal.

We also know from Christ's own resurrection, that such beings can still eat (Luke 24:41-43) but there are no references as to whether or not they can defecate. This would explain the anal probes. They may be wondering what it is about our physiology that makes it so that we do not absorb all of the nutrition and other matter that we ingest.

Alas, because Christ was the "first fruits" of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20) it is very unlikely that they would actually be telestial resurrected beings, yet they could still be some form of mortal beings.

Anyway, this explains how the common ideas of aliens could actually exist, in case they do turn out to be real, so that those saints who believe may not have their faith shaken. If you have any comments or refutations, please post them. I hope that you enjoyed this post.

Love,
Jacobugoth