130 years ago today - Aug 28, 1883

[Joseph F. Smith to Henry Tingey, Aug. 28, 1883; emphasis in original] I have read your letter and noted its contents. I am of the opinion that the parties should have ample time to prove their sincerity and repentance before they are recommended to the House of the Lord. "The way of the transgress[o]r is hard," and I know of no way to make it easy. If people will transgress the laws of God they must abide the consequences. I never believed a transgressor can jump from crime to innocence in one leap. The road back from vice to virtue is a long one, lost confidence returns but slowly and very cautiously, and then only when room for doubt and distrust is fully removed by a life of unimpeachable integrity, humility, honesty & sincerity. I should want them to prove themselves worthy before giving a recommend, if I were their Bishop.

[Source: Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

5 comments:

  1. "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard."(Prov.13 :15)

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  2. "For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is NOT EASY for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is NOT EASY for him to obtain a forgiveness." (Alma 39:6)

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  3. This applies to nations as well as individuals:

    "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."(Psalm 9:17)

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  4. "Behold, this is a choice land [America], and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, ..." (Ether 2:12)

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  5. Going to any LDS fairy palace (aka, false temple) and performing false ordinances that are not from the Lord is a total waste of one's precious time and hard earned money. The people who do so are spiritually blind and delusional.

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