"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."  —11th Article of Faith

"I did not like the old man being called up [in a church court] for erring in doctrine. It looks too much like the Methodist, and not like the Latter-day Saints. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammelled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine." —Joseph Smith1

"If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear them down? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way." —Joseph Smith2

If I, in your view, err in doctrine only, then what sin am I guilty of that is worthy of such censor, and I'm sure in your mind excommunication? Even if not excommunication from the LDS church, then excommunication from your thoughts and the thoughts of those you intend to warn?

Reading history is not a sin. Interpreting scripture is not a sin, even if in your view it is wrong.

If your positions, as masters in Israel, are so weak that you must purge all differing views because you have lost ability to persuade because you have nothing better to offer, no greater light and knowledge, then your position is weak indeed, and is the result of your unbelief, which comes from your traditions, which falsely teach you that you are generally in the right way, and that teach you to trust in the arm of flesh, for which Nephi pronounced wos and cursings;3 not me—Nephi. 

You should beware; you should be careful how you use the name of Christ in your pronouncements and judgments of others, because a total loss of priesthood is promised for those who judge incorrectly, who use priesthood office or title to compel.4 The same judgment you enact upon me, will turn upon you, and you will be condemned for all your imperfections in belief, for which you have acted in the role of accuser.5

I say this for your benefit. I hold no ill will against you no matter what course you choose. I have faith that God can lead you without any unrighteous dominion from me. It is without a doubt disappointing to me. LHB and I would have much preferred to remain in your good humor. You have condemned us and threatened to warn all family against us, yet you wink at serious sin, and make no such warnings about others. Your warnings will result in us being outcasts to all the small minded, and if that is the result, then we will be in good company,6 but it will be the source of much sorrow for us.

I have not pushed these views upon you or anyone, in fact, I have deliberately moved them to someplace that you would not have to be faced with them. If you found them, it is because you deliberately sought them out, or because someone else deliberately sought them out and told you.

I seek for true messengers from my Father, and I have found none in the hierarchy of the church. There I have found false priests, who know not God, who use the name of Christ vainly and control others with belt loads of keys. In the church I have also found those who are the humble followers of Christ who are led in many instances that they err because they are taught by the precepts of men.7 Men like Bruce A. with all his weakness would be a greater judge in Israel than some I have been subjected to, because he holds no pretensions in his heart.8 I would uphold him all the day long. 

If you trust in men, so be it, you will likewise be accountable for their mistakes, I will trust in God. There is no free pass. The doctrine of a free pass is just as false as the doctrine that a man will never lead you astray. God never said it, he's said the opposite. What are we to become in the eternities? Immortal lemmings? We claim to be able to sit with Abraham and dwell in everlasting burnings with the seraphs in the presence of God, yet we cannot even rule ourselves but must be dictated9 to in every small matter and opinion by pretenders? God has given us tests worthy of gods. We should not think we have found a safe, broad mainstream.

There is only one doctrine left in the LDS church, and as a result we become dumber and dumber.10 The glory of God is intelligence,11 not intelligence after the manner of men, but being open to receive light and truth, which we cut off because of our unbelief. 

You do what you must and we will live with the resulting affliction. I have taken the lowest seat, because I am worthy of nothing higher, neither are my condemners, who think they sit in judgment of me. I have considered myself a fool before God, before God, and not men, and because I have seen my imperfections,12 I have received of him. I have received true messengers from my Father, worthy of one holding Aaronic priesthood, and I have obtained keys unto knowledge and salvation.13

This was never easy, this was never done on a whim. I passed through difficulties for many years in my effort to come to a knowledge of the true points of His doctrine,14 and He has not left me comfortless. I was, and am still, willing to sacrifice all for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ,15 for eternal life lies in knowing Him in this life.16

If you have read my blog, or the blogs of other apostates, as you labeled them, then you cannot pretend to have a knowledge of where they are coming from—even if you read the entirety of every blog! My blogs are understandings I have received from the Holy Ghost, from a level of understanding I had reached to that point, and I am admittedly not a very good teacher. Teaching was never the intent of my blog anyway. Besides what is given by the Holy Ghost is not received except by the Holy Ghost, and there are many, as Nephi said, who cast these things away, considering them to be of no worth.17

In the last days all mountains shall be made low.18 All those who received good things and the praise and honors of men will have had their reward. It will be the outcasts and those on the highway,19 those considered deaf, blind and poor20 that will finally be at the wedding feast, and to which God will work in power, though he first offers to the rich, the noble and great.21 God's power looks small and insignificant to the understanding of men.22 I hope I can be blind, deaf, and poor enough to be among them.

For your own eternal welfare, cease denying Christ, in the many possible ways there are to deny Him. Read the Book of Mormon the way it was meant, as a condemnation of the near hopeless situation of the Gentiles where all is vanity.23 It is only in this state, beholding our weakness,24 that repentance—or turning to God can be fruitful.

"But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God." (Alma 30:53) 25

Though you think this scripture applies to me, ask yourself, who's opinions and judgments must be withheld? Who must be subservient to those higher who are dressed in the habiliments of authority?26 Who's words are delivered every Sunday across every pulpit, across all tables and into every home which are regurgitated27 ad-infinitum? These are the words of a man who appears as an angel of light. They are not the words of eternal life. They lead a man into a dark and dreary field,28 they cause the mind of a saint to weary and faint.29 They cannot lead a man to salvation.

Then ask yourself who gives to all men liberally, and does not upbraid? I have been in the presence of spirits which use tools of fear, condemnation and judgment. I have overcome them. I have tasted the love, liberality and patience of God.30 The difference is night and day. I will never again be held captive in this manner.

Joseph never gave a full explanation of the three priesthoods,31 he told the saints in his day that they ought to finish the Nauvoo temple to gain that knowledge. We do not understand them. He said angels desired to look into it, but could not because they set up too many stakes. We must both come up all the way to the mark, and not look past it. That mark is Jesus Christ.

 

Consider that you many not know everything about the Gospel. That it may not be a neat package that you can lay out with cardboard cut-outs or draw on a chalkboard. Consider that there may be more depths that can be comprehended by any person at once in mortality. Consider if this is not the design of God, to test and see if we will lift ourselves up and abuse one another with what we think we know.32 The glory of God is intelligence and must not be neglected because of the tradition we have that we must submit our understanding to those we consider in authority to tell us what to think. Light casts away darkness. Darkness must flee. Our souls can only be free by light and knowledge. Those who sit in Joseph's seat have taken away that key.33

I believe that you know this. That the divine spark within you, your spirit tells you all is not well. There is more than this. The Lord did not start the restoration through Joseph so we could all be subjects to those who have no knowledge; who borrow light from Joseph, which even that light grows dimmer and dimmer with each conference and change in curriculum. Joseph labored for the restoration, because he, like all the prophets before him have desired to see Zion come, a day when no one need say to another "know ye the Lord?" We get farther and farther from that objective, and I believe that you know that as well.

I believe one of the biggest problems in the church is how focused we are on the missionary effort. We are so sure we can offer the world truth, that we neglect the duties devolving upon ourselves. Because in our pride we see ourselves in possession of something that others need, and we securely have. But I don't think this is true. I do not think any of us are qualified, because we have not been saved ourselves. None of us even have the ministering of angels who minister to them of strong faith, and the ministration of angels is associated with a lesser form of priesthood.

Repentance is not stopping sin. Repentance is turning and facing God. When we face God, our true position begins to be revealed to us. When we understand our position before God, it is impossible to have pride, our pretensions fall away and we are left naked and ashamed. If we repent, the Lord clothes us with righteousness. If we don't, Satan will clothe us with pride. While we must pass through sorrow, if we do not repent in this manner we can never arrive at these blessings the Lord intends for us to have.

The restoration through Joseph is true. He was a true messenger.

 

We have never talked much which has been a source of sorrow to me.  I know, however, that it is more a condition of our personalities and interests that have prevented the kind of relationship you have with and Mike. You have not even been my friend, for years, on Facebook. You haven't been willing to endure the things I found important, even if you saw them as foolishness, or because you viewed it as reprehensible to your position in the church or reputation. I don't know why. I have just looked upon it as being unworthy of your association.

You have helped LHB and I in our extremities and were an instrument to me in overcoming my pride and saved our marriage. But it's only in these extreme cases that your time away from work or church members that you've spent time with us. You spend all your time with others, and to those like LHB, it seems they are worthy of your time and effort, but your own family is worthy of impatience, little time, and now censoring and condemnation. I hope this is not how our relationship is left for long.

 

Notes

1. HC 5:17

2. HC 5:26

3. "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 28:31) Note how there is no exception to trusting God alone.

4. "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death." (D&C 121:31-44)

5. "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:10-11)

“If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a multitude of sins.” (Joseph Smith, HC, 4:445.)

The Lord does not condemn, we do that. When he withdraws, we are left to ourselves and Satan comes in with the spirit of fear, condemnation and judgement.

6. "The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets, and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves 'in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth,' and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men." (Joseph Smith, HC 4:33)

Many tolerated Joseph, and what they considered his ridiculous ideas until he, in their mind, crossed a line that went too far and treated him roughly, cast him out of their presence, and warned all their associates and society against him.

7. "They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men." (2 Nephi 28:14)

8. "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14)

"I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite." (Joseph Smith, TPJS Section 6, p. 303)

9. "Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the, celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them, They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold sceptres of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course." (Brigham Young, JD 1:44, p 312)

10. "President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel--said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church--that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls--applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall--that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves...." (Joseph Smith, TPJS, Section Five 1842-43, p.237)

"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell." (Alma 12:10-11)

11. "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." (D&C 93:36)

12. "And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father." (Ether 12:37)

13. "Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." (Luke 11:52)

14. "For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel;" (3 Nephi 21:6)

15. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)

16. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

"And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead." (Alma 12:24)

"This is the end of the vision which we saw, which we were commanded to write while we were yet in the Spirit. But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory." (D&C 76:113-118)

"This principle ought (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest. How is this to be done? It is to be done by this sealing power, and the other Comforter spoken of, which will be manifest by revelation." (Joseph Smith, HC 3:25)

17. "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught." (2 Nephi 33:1-2)

"Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." (Mormon 9:31)

"And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ." (Book of Mormon, Title Page)

I cannot give to you the endowment I have received, you must received it yourself. Without this endowment, it is impossible to judge my words, or receive your own. I do not judge others, because I cannot judge them without God revealing them to me, and in his wisdom, and for my benefit he has not done so. And so, I withhold judgement because I have so little time, that I must use develop a communion with God, that is leaves me little time to judge the words of others. I receive as I am diligent, and I receive as I ask God. I can say with Joseph and Oliver, that "Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of." (JSH 1:72-74)

18. "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:" (Isaiah 40:4)

19. "And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:1-14)

20. "And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail; Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited. First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come. Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it." (D&C 58:7-12)

21. See quote above: "rich and the learned, the wise and the noble".

22. "Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." (Ether 3:5)

23. "And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain." (Moroni 7:35-37)

"Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips—For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority." (D&C 63:61-62)

24. "And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father." (Ether 12:37)

25. Contrast this with King Benjamin's angel: "And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy." (Mosiah 3:1-3)

26. Ezra Taft Benson quoting J. Ruben Clark: "the ravening wolves are amongst us from our own membership and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep's clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the Priesthood . . . We should be careful of them." (Conference Report, October 1967)

27. See Isaiah 28.

28. "And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies." (1 Nephi 8:5-8)

29. "Such was and always will be the situation of the saints of God, that unless they have an actual knowledge that the course that they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint; for such has been and always will be the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God, against the pure and unadulterated religion of heaven, (the only thing which ensures eternal life,) that they will persecute, to the uttermost, all that worship God according to his revelations, receive the truth in the love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by his will, and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an actual knowledge of their being the favorites of heaven, and of their having embraced that order of things which God has established for the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence in him necessary for them to overcome the world, and obtain that crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God." (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, No. 6 v. 4)

30. "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." (James 1:5)

"...freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)
"Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds." (Alma 42:22)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

"Now is the great day of my power. I reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth. There is none who dares to molest or make afraid."

"Nevertheless when [your heart] shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

31. Joseph discourses on three priesthoods, see HC 5:28.

32. "But remember that all my judgments are not given unto men;" (D&C 29:30)

33. "Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." (Luke 11:52)

 

See also

"Mormonism is truth; and every man who embraces it feels himself at liberty to embrace every truth. Consequently the shackles of superstition, bigotry, ignorance, and priestcraft, fall at once from his neck; and his eyes are opened to see the truth, and truth greatly prevails over priestcraft…The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, when that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds, and we have the highest degree of evidence of the same." (Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, page 264)