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The Great Divide
By Sean Allen
Members of Restoration branches everywhere continue to watch
with interest the development of the Joint Conference of Restoration
Branches (JCRB). Some are confident that the hand of God has
been ever present in its inception and progress. Others are
sharply critical of the conference, citing a conspicuous lack
of signs preceding or following. Some are assured that the
conference has been organized agreeably to the will of God
and the laws set forth in His Church. Others will argue that
while branches meeting in conference are certainly within
the purview of the law of the Church, the JCRB has far exceeded
the limited privileges afforded such local associations. Some
believe the conference to be, perhaps, the Restoration's last
best hope at securing a unity amongst its members that has,
for many years now, been tenuous at best. Others believe that
if the conference accomplishes anything at all, it succeeds
in further dividing us.
There are, of course, many varied opinions that lie in between
the polarity of two prominent groups that continue to form
within the Restoration Branch Movement. These two groups are
easily identifiable and aptly designated by their convictions
for or against the JCRB. Hence, if members of the Restoration
branches have not already, they probably will soon find themselves
falling under the heading of one of the two groups—pro-JCRB
or anti-JCRB. This statement may appear startling to some;
especially those devoted to establishing unity amongst the
branches at all costs.
(Continue...)
Joseph Smith's Successor
By Richard and Pamela Price
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Joseph III
as a Child |
While Joseph did not ordain his son to hold priesthood,
he did designate him to be his successor by the laying on
of hands at least four different times. These four times were
(1) in Liberty Jail in 1838; (2) in Joseph's Brick Store in
Nauvoo, January 17,1844; (3) in a public meeting in the grove
east of the Temple in Nauvoo; and (4) in Joseph's home (the
Mansion House) on June 24, 1844.
(Continue...)
From the Death of Joseph
Smith, Jr. to the Reorganization
How God Cleansed His Church and Set it
in Order
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O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy
One. Remember that his paths are righteousness.
Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight
course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy
One of Israel: and he employeth no servant there: and there
is none other way, save it be by the gate, for he can not
be deceived; for the Lord God is his name. (Book of Mormon,
2 Nephi 6:79–82)
(More...)
Joseph and Hyrum Planned Charges against
Polygamists before the High Council
Presidents Joseph and Hyrum Smith stood staunchly together
in the spring of 1844, determined to seek out those who were
teaching and practicing polygamy and bring charges against
them before the High Council. Patriarch Hyrum Smith published
a warning in the Times and Seasons
to those involved in preaching the doctrine of polygamy—warning
that they could be brought before the High Council, and charged
with transgression. William Marks, who was president of the
High Council, gave credence to Hyrum's intent to bring charges
against the polygamist advocates. This Marks did when he stated
that Joseph had discussed with him a plan to bring those involved
in polygamy before the High Council. Marks asserted:
I met with Brother Joseph. He said that he wanted to converse
with me on the affairs of the church, and we retired by
ourselves. I will give his words verbatim, for they are
indelibly stamped upon my mind. He said he had desired for
a long time to have a talk with me on the subject of polygamy.
He said it eventually would prove the overthrow of the church,
and we should soon be obliged to leave the United States,
unless it could be speedily put down. He was satisfied that
it was a cursed doctrine, and that there must be every exertion
made to put it down. He said that he would go before the
congregation and proclaim against it, and I must go into
the High Council, and he would prefer charges against those
in transgression, and I must sever them from the church,
unless they made ample satisfaction. There was much more
said, but this was the substance. The mob commenced to gather
about Carthage in a few days after, therefore there was
nothing done concerning it.
(Continue...)
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