Tag Archives: heaven

Afterlife realm. LDS has three degrees of heaven/glory.

Martha Brotherton: Pressured by Church Leaders to Become a Plural Wife

In July 1842, the Sangamo Journal published the affidavit of Martha H. Brotherton, a young English convert who had only recently arrived in Nauvoo with her family. In it, she recounts a disturbing encounter where she was pressured by church leaders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Joseph Smith himself to become Young’s plural wife. …

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[Brigham Young] returned with Joseph. 'Well,' said Young, 'sister Martha would be willing if she knew it was lawful and right before God.' 'Well, Martha,' said Joseph, 'it is lawful and right before God–I know it is. Look here, sis; don't you believe in me?' I did not answer. 'Well Martha,' said Joseph, 'just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to–he is the best man in the world, except me.... I know that this is lawful and right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it before God; and I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven, and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed... if you do not like it in a month or two, come to me, and I will make you free again; and if he turns you off, I will take you on.' - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org
[Brigham Young] returned with Joseph. 'Well,' said Young, 'sister Martha would be willing if she knew it was lawful and right before God.' 'Well, Martha,' said Joseph, 'it is lawful and right before God–I know it is. Look here, sis; don't you believe in me?' I did not answer. 'Well Martha,' said Joseph, 'just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to–he is the best man in the world, except me.... I know that this is lawful and right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it before God; and I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven, and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed... if you do not like it in a month or two, come to me, and I will make you free again; and if he turns you off, I will take you on.' - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842
Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman empire....Rome became the mistress of the world, and introduced this order of monogamy wherever her sway was acknowledged. Thus this monogamic order of marriage, so esteemed by modern Christians as a holy sacrament and divine institution, is nothing but a system established by a set of robbers.... Why do we believe in and practice polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and the Lord's servants have always practiced it. 'And is that religion popular in heaven?' it is the only popular religion there... - Brigham Young, The Deseret News, August 6, 1862 | wasmormon.org
Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman empire....Rome became the mistress of the world, and introduced this order of monogamy wherever her sway was acknowledged. Thus this monogamic order of marriage, so esteemed by modern Christians as a holy sacrament and divine institution, is nothing but a system established by a set of robbers.... Why do we believe in and practice polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and the Lord's servants have always practiced it. 'And is that religion popular in heaven?' it is the only popular religion there... - Brigham Young, The Deseret News, August 6, 1862
Talk about polygamy! There is no true philosopher on the face of the earth but what will admit that such a system, properly carried out according to the order of heaven, is far superior to monogamy for the raising of healthy, robust children! - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 13, p317 | wasmormon.org
Talk about polygamy! There is no true philosopher on the face of the earth but what will admit that such a system, properly carried out according to the order of heaven, is far superior to monogamy for the raising of healthy, robust children! - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 13, p317

Deseret News on Polygamy

The Audacity The recent Deseret News opinion piece condemning polygamy and polyamory as a “direct threat to kids” and insisting that “monogamy ought to remain our social ideal” is dripping with irony. For a newspaper owned by the LDS Church to rail against the supposed dangers of polygamy—without mentioning their own history as America’s largest …

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“Claims that polygamy was never a central tenet of Mormonism, or that it was not essential for the highest reward in heaven, ignore a large body of teachings to the contrary. The subject was frequently addressed in religious meetings where church members were told to live in a manner worthy of entering the new order. Those who turned away from it were reproached. Polygamy, some said, was as important as baptism.” - B. Carmon Hardy (1934–2016) Professor of History. Doing the Works of Abraham: Mormon Polygamy, Its origin, practice, and demise. | wasmormon.org
“Claims that polygamy was never a central tenet of Mormonism, or that it was not essential for the highest reward in heaven, ignore a large body of teachings to the contrary. The subject was frequently addressed in religious meetings where church members were told to live in a manner worthy of entering the new order. Those who turned away from it were reproached. Polygamy, some said, was as important as baptism.” - B. Carmon Hardy (1934–2016) Professor of History. Doing the Works of Abraham: Mormon Polygamy, Its origin, practice, and demise.
“Joseph Smith learned about the Aaronic Priesthood after finding mention of baptism for the remission of sins during his translation of the Book of Mormon. On May 15, 1829, Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, went to the woods to pray about what they had read about baptism. In response, John the Baptist descended from heaven and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood, which includes the authority to baptize, upon Joseph and Oliver.” - LDS Website: The Life of Joseph Smith: Restoration of the Priesthood | wasmormon.org
“Joseph Smith learned about the Aaronic Priesthood after finding mention of baptism for the remission of sins during his translation of the Book of Mormon. On May 15, 1829, Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, went to the woods to pray about what they had read about baptism. In response, John the Baptist descended from heaven and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood, which includes the authority to baptize, upon Joseph and Oliver.” - LDS Website: The Life of Joseph Smith: Restoration of the Priesthood
“[A woman] was contemplating a temple marriage to a man whose eternal companion had died. She would be a second wife. She asked this question: would she be able to have her own house in the next life, or would she have to live with her husband and his first wife? I just told her to trust the Lord... You should be worried about whether you will get to [kingdom of glory]. Concentrate on that. If you get there, all of it will be more wonderful than you can imagine.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, “Trust in the Lord”, October 2019 | wasmormon.org
“[A woman] was contemplating a temple marriage to a man whose eternal companion had died. She would be a second wife. She asked this question: would she be able to have her own house in the next life, or would she have to live with her husband and his first wife? I just told her to trust the Lord... You should be worried about whether you will get to [kingdom of glory]. Concentrate on that. If you get there, all of it will be more wonderful than you can imagine.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, “Trust in the Lord”, October 2019
Anachornistic Bible Quotes in Book of Mormon - Helaman 5:8 - Book of Mormon “I have somewhat more to desire of you, ... that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away;” vs Matthew 6:20 - Bible, New Testament “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” and 1 Peter 1:4 - Bible, New Testament “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” | wasmormon.org
Anachornistic Bible Quotes in Book of Mormon - Helaman 5:8 - Book of Mormon “I have somewhat more to desire of you, ... that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away;” vs Matthew 6:20 - Bible, New Testament “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” and 1 Peter 1:4 - Bible, New Testament “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”
The Church leaders stood together on March 11 in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center for iconic photographs—symbols of their unified testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. In addition to the group photograph, President Nelson—who holds all the keys to the Church—stood near the statue of Peter. The keys held in Peter’s hand are symbolic of Matthew 16:19, where Christ promised Peter, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” - Church News | wasmormon.org
The Church leaders stood together on March 11 in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center for iconic photographs—symbols of their unified testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. In addition to the group photograph, President Nelson—who holds all the keys to the Church—stood near the statue of Peter. The keys held in Peter’s hand are symbolic of Matthew 16:19, where Christ promised Peter, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” - Church News
“This is the true Church, the only true Church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this Church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter.” - Henry B. Eyring, The True and Living Church, April 2008, General Conference | wasmormon.org
“This is the true Church, the only true Church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this Church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter.” - Henry B. Eyring, The True and Living Church, April 2008, General Conference
Book of Abraham, Facsimile 3: Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand. Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1. Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand. Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand. Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince. Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king’s court. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-3?lang=eng
Book of Abraham, Facsimile 3: Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand.Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head.Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1.Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand.Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand.Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king’s court. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-3?lang=eng
Book of Abraham, Facsimile 1: Fig. 1. The Angel of the Lord. Fig. 2. Abraham fastened upon an altar. Fig. 3. The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice. Fig. 4. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and Pharaoh. Fig. 5. The idolatrous god of Elkenah. Fig. 6. The idolatrous god of Libnah. Fig. 7. The idolatrous god of Mahmackrah. Fig. 8. The idolatrous god of Korash. Fig. 9. The idolatrous god of Pharaoh. Fig. 10. Abraham in Egypt. Fig. 11. Designed to represent the pillars of heaven, as understood by the Egyptians. Fig. 12. Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament over our heads; but in this case, in relation to this subject, the Egyptians meant it to signify Shaumau, to be high, or the heavens, answering to the Hebrew word, Shaumahyeem.
Book of Abraham, Facsimile 1: Fig. 1. The Angel of the Lord.Fig. 2. Abraham fastened upon an altar.Fig. 3. The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice.Fig. 4. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and Pharaoh.Fig. 5. The idolatrous god of Elkenah.Fig. 6. The idolatrous god of Libnah.Fig. 7. The idolatrous god of Mahmackrah.Fig. 8. The idolatrous god of Korash.Fig. 9. The idolatrous god of Pharaoh.Fig. 10. Abraham in Egypt.Fig. 11. Designed to represent the pillars of heaven, as understood by the Egyptians.Fig. 12. Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament over our heads; but in this case, in relation to this subject, the Egyptians meant it to signify Shaumau, to be high, or the heavens, answering to the Hebrew word, Shaumahyeem.

Church Admits Gender Inequality in the Church – Absence of a Reason Give No License to Change

At a recent stake-level women’s conference in California, LDS Apostle Dale G. Renlund addressed gender inequality in priesthood ordination. Note that while we’re a full report or transcript of his actual talk is not available, we have the following summary from the Salt Lake Tribune. Renlund addresses gender equality Speaking at a women’s conference this …

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Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave serves as a timeless metaphor for the journey from ignorance to knowledge and truth. It parallels the experience of leaving Mormonism in profound ways. Just as the freed prisoner emerges into the light, grappling with the shock of a broader reality, those who leave the church often confront unsettling truths …

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Gender in Terrestrial & Telestial Kingdoms or The TK Smoothie

Joseph Fielding Smith taught in his definitive Doctrines of Salvation that only celestial resurrected individuals will be able to procreate. He clarifies that individuals in the Telestial Kingdom would lack male or female genitalia, contrasting with those in the Celestial Kingdom, who would retain their reproductive organs for eternal procreation. This doctrine of salvation led …

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The Drawn Flaming Sword of Polygamy – Spiritual Abuse and Manipulation

Joseph Smith secretly practiced polyandry and polygamy, or what the church later called plural marriage. The church freely admits this today (when forced) whereas previously it was all denied as anti-mormon lies. A strange hill to die on since the church is well known for practicing polygamy for decades in Utah. The church was hesitant …

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The Church Wants Your Unfaithful Children’s Inheritance

The LDS Philanthropies video addresses how some faithful Latter-day Saint parents can approach passing on family wealth in alignment with their values. The video highlights one couple’s reflections on instilling values in their children, emphasizing that material inheritance if given to children who do not follow LDS teachings, could risk leading them away from the …

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“Think of the Negro, cursed as to the Priesthood. Are we prejudiced, against him? Unjustly, sometimes we’re accused of having such a prejudice. But what does the mercy of God have for him? This Negro, who in the pre-existence life lived the type of life which justified the Lord in sending him to the earth in the lineage of Cain with a black skin, and possibly being born in darkest Africa—if that Negro is willing when he hears the gospel to accept it, he may have many of the blessings of the gospel. In spite of all he did in the pre-existent life, the Lord is willing, if the Negro accepts the gospel with real, sincere faith, and is really converted, to give him the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. If that Negro is faithful all his days, he can and will enter the Celestial Kingdom. He will go there as a servant, but he will get a Celestial resurrection.” - LDS Apostle, Mark E. Petersen Race Problems - As They Affect the Church, BYU Devotional, 1954 | wasmormon.org
“Think of the Negro, cursed as to the Priesthood. Are we prejudiced, against him? Unjustly, sometimes we’re accused of having such a prejudice. But what does the mercy of God have for him? This Negro, who in the pre-existence life lived the type of life which justified the Lord in sending him to the earth in the lineage of Cain with a black skin, and possibly being born in darkest Africa—if that Negro is willing when he hears the gospel to accept it, he may have many of the blessings of the gospel. In spite of all he did in the pre-existent life, the Lord is willing, if the Negro accepts the gospel with real, sincere faith, and is really converted, to give him the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. If that Negro is faithful all his days, he can and will enter the Celestial Kingdom. He will go there as a servant, but he will get a Celestial resurrection.” - LDS Apostle, Mark E. Petersen Race Problems - As They Affect the Church, BYU Devotional, 1954
“What is our advice with respect to intermarriage with Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiians and so on? I will tell you what advice I give personally. If a boy or girl comes to me claiming to be in love with a Chinese or Japanese or a Hawaiian or a person of any other dark race, I do my best to talk them out of it. I tell them that I think the Hawaiians should marry Hawaiians, the Japanese ought to marry the Japanese, and the Chinese ought to marry Chinese, and the Caucasians should marry Caucasians, just exactly as I tell them that Latter-day Saints ought to marry Latter-day Saints. And I’m glad to quote the 7th chapter of Deuteronomy to them on that. I teach against intermarriage of all kinds.” - LDS Apostle, Mark E. Petersen Race Problems - As They Affect the Church, BYU Devotional, 1954 | wasmormon.org
“What is our advice with respect to intermarriage with Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiians and so on? I will tell you what advice I give personally. If a boy or girl comes to me claiming to be in love with a Chinese or Japanese or a Hawaiian or a person of any other dark race, I do my best to talk them out of it. I tell them that I think the Hawaiians should marry Hawaiians, the Japanese ought to marry the Japanese, and the Chinese ought to marry Chinese, and the Caucasians should marry Caucasians, just exactly as I tell them that Latter-day Saints ought to marry Latter-day Saints. And I’m glad to quote the 7th chapter of Deuteronomy to them on that. I teach against intermarriage of all kinds.” - LDS Apostle, Mark E. Petersen Race Problems - As They Affect the Church, BYU Devotional, 1954