President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught that we should value the words of the prophet more than those of any other person: “Of all mortal men, we should keep our eyes most firmly fixed on the captain, the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the man who stands closest to the fountain of living waters. There are some heavenly instructions for us that we can only receive through the prophet. A good way to measure your standing with the Lord is to see how you feel about, and act upon, the inspired words of his earthly representative, the prophet-president. The inspired words of the president are not to be trifled with. All men are entitled to inspiration, and various men are entitled to revelation for their particular assignment. But only one man stands as the Lord’s spokesman to the Church and the world, and he is the president of the Church. The words of all other men should be weighed against his inspired words” (“Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” New Era, May 1975, 16).And the next quote is taken from a 2010 student manual:
Speaking under the direction of the Holy Ghost, the living prophet’s words take precedence over other statements on the same issue. His inspired counsel is in harmony with the eternal truths in the standard works and is focused upon the needs and conditions of his day.(Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual, (2010), 14–27)So, what have the Prophets and Apostles said regarding those who have left the church; apostates?
Brigham Young:
“I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath [sic] my bowie knife, and conquer or die [Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of feeling, assenting to the declaration.]. Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put to the line, and righteousness to the plummet [Voices, generally, ‘go it, go it.’]. If you say it is right, raise your hands [All hands up.]. Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work.”Orson Hyde:
- Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 1, p. 83; online at http://journals.mormonfundamentalism.org/Vol_01/refJDvol1-16.html
“I would have a tendency to place terror on those who leave these parts [Utah], that may prove their salvation when they see the heads of thieves taken off, or shot down before the public.... I believe it to be pleasing in the sight of heaven to sanctify ourselves and put these things away from our midst.”Boyd K. Packer
- Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, v. 1, p. 73; online at http://journals.mormonfundamentalism.org/Vol_01/refJDvol1-13.html
“Remember: when you see the bitter apostate, you do not see only an absence of light, you see also the presence of darkness. Do not spread disease germs.”
- Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect,” speech given August 1981 at BYU, Brigham Young University Studies, Summer 1981; available online as a PDF file BYU Studies Volume 21:3 or as a web page at http://www.mormonismi.net/kirjoitukset/bkp_mantteli.shtml
“Save for those few who defect to perdition after having known a fulness [sic], there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness.”
- Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” speech available on-line at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/the-brilliant-morning-of-forgiveness
A member of the "so called" church posted the above depiction of "The Plan of Salvation" on his Facebook page. There are a couple of things I notice right off the bat in this depiction I notice that getting into the Celestial Kingdom is 100% works based and I notice that Outer Darkness (The Mormon equivalent of Hell) is reserved for people like me, who were LDS faithful who fell away.
So, do I really get a degree of glory? So, does Mormonism really give me a promise of eternal glory at the end of this life, even if I fell short? Nope, Mormonism is now promising me that I'll be cast out into Outer Darkness.
I'd like to share a few scriptures from the Bible for you to ponder:
Romans 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 10:28-29 KJV And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
To me, Romans 10:9 is saying that by confession of my mouth and believing in my heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, I will be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 is saying that it's our faith combined with God's grace that saves us, not our works, because works would provoke us to boast. Lastly, John 10:28-29 promises that once saved always saved. There is no way that one can lose his or her salvation once saved. Mormonism has told me that I can expect to be cast into Outer Darkness and that I've lost my salvation. Which of these two systems gives you greater hope?
