A Little Peace in Paradise: Apostasy

Showing posts with label Apostasy. Show all posts

Saturday, February 17, 2018

“Mormonism” For Sale

The LDS Church has a product they call “Mormonism” and is trying to sell it to the world. The target market of non-members or those who have not yet been converted are becoming ever more disinterested in it. As saving doctrines, ordinances, and the “living” church fades away, sincere interest declines and genuine wonder and involvement progressively perishes.

Currently, LDS members, who are “active” and represent the key customers that produce cash-flow for the corporation, are experiencing drastic doctrinal changes. Some of these radical moves include altering temple rites, twisting the doctrine of polygamy 180 degrees, and changing and removing scriptures. Here's a few quick details:

Major changes, including penalty removal, were made in 1990 to the temple ordinances and additional significantly important alterations in 2005 and 2016. In addition to the revised temple ordinances, the sacrament ordinance has been changed and contradicts Christ’s instructions and example given in three books of scripture.

During Brigham's presidency and into the 1900's, practicing polygamy was taught as a hinge upon which salvation was connected. Today, on the other hand, the church teaches that those who practice polygamy are living in apostasy and may likely face excommunication. Interesting change?!

The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants included the Lectures on Faith, which represented the “doctrine” portion, and were accepted as scripture by common consent of church members. In 1921, a committee of six apostles chose to remove the Lectures on Faith from the Doctrine and Covenants WITHOUT common consent of the members. These six men, on their own accord, left the covenants to remain, but took away the entire doctrine portion, which teaches a man how to attain sufficient faith to claim eternal life, literally know the Lord, and see His face.

Other changes include revamping the doctrine of Christ and the qualifications for baptism (Children of same-sex couples are currently being denied baptism by the Mormon church until they are 18 years old and meet church requirements.) and using tithes and sacred funds to finance Babylon in all its glory, including the City Creek Mall adjacent to temple square, high end developments, real estate, investments, high rise condominiums, universities, ranches, and a 290,000 acre self contained city in Florida planned to house 500,000 people, which is in process.

Some members are disturbed by these jarring moves and measures executed by the “Brethren” and feel somewhat discouraged and lost. Some are angry, feel betrayed, lied to, and rejected. Others have noticed very little, if anything. Despite all the major adjustments to LDS doctrine and the troubling history that clearly shows the LDS church is riddled with contradictions, many true-blue “Mormons” are still “hanging on” and remain loyal customers to the corporation.

Although damaged by mistakes, errors, and foolishness, while trying to hide and cover the real but often embarrassing history, the LDS institution has maintained some control and order and has managed to convince many of their loyal followers to stay, pay, and obey.

Perhaps this is accomplished as the church cuts back to very basic tenets, drastically dilutes its teachings, changes ordinances, and “guarantees” the loyal tithe payer that the radical changes were inspired by God and the church cannot lead its faithful customers astray.

The remote possibility of the LDS church being in apostasy, at least from the institution's point of view, is out of question, not possible, and should never even be considered. That would not only be “blasphemy”, but it could be devastating to our clever plan and confiscate our “sacred income”. If the majority of church members were to wake up and began to actually believe and see that the LDS church is presently under condemnation (D&C 84:54-58) and is currently experiencing an increasing state of apostasy, then the church population and loyalty to the institution could essentially evaporate over night. Church leadership is well aware of the potential near approaching "tipping point" and concerned that if too many members begin to fully comprehend the fact that the LDS church and Christ are not the same thing, but instead are rapidly becoming complete polar opposites, it would prove to interrupt and sever cash-flow and to threaten and possibly destroy the entire conglomeration; investments, profits, and “prophets” alike!

That being the case, there are two key LDS tenets that have and, from the church leadership's point of view, must continue to supersede all others: 1) the church is led by a “living prophet” and 2) the “Upper Hierarchy” of church leaders have a standard of infallibility and “cannot lead you astray.” During the past century, these particular LDS beliefs have overgrown excessively and turned into traditions of men, which has taken away light and truth from the children of men. These false traditions, which have been embraced for an entire lifetime by some individuals, appear to be right and good rather than incorrect and in error. Therefore, these untrue traditions are certainly difficult to overcome because they are “set in concrete” and run deep and cold. They are seldom challenged, but if someone begins to question or “rock the boat”, shunning and discipline surely follows!

To show a real life “shifting of sand under our feet” example of several “prophets” declaring doctrine on a specific subject at different periods of time, I have gathered various official statements concerning “racism” and “priesthood” from the LDS church leaders in three different time frames, including the early days 1800's, semi recent past 1900's, and current statements found on the church website. Coupled with the statements below are a few questions that you may want to consider and ponder:

"We condemn racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church." (Official Church Statement)

In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that “no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ."

"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses,Volume 10, page 110)

"And if any man mingle his seed with the seed of Cain the only way he could get rid of it or have Salvation would be to come forward and have his head cut off and spill his blood upon the ground- it would also take the life of his children." (Wilford Woodruff Journal)

"Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he became the father of an inferior race. A curse placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures. Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with a black skin and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel. These are the descendants of Cain. Moreover, they have been made to feel their inferiority and have been separated from the rest of mankind from the beginning.... we will also hope that blessings may eventually be given to our negro brethren, for they are our brethren-children of God-not withstanding their black covering emblematical of eternal darkness. " (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, pages 101-102)

"Negroes in this life are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. (Abra. 1:20-27.) The gospel message of salvation is not carried affirmatively to them... negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned, particularly the priesthood and the temple blessings that flow there from, but this inequality is not of man's origin. It is the Lord's doing, is based on his eternal laws of justice, and grows out of the lack of Spiritual valiance of those concerned in their first estate." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, pp. 527-528)

Considering these disparaging remarks made by Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Bruce R. McConkie (and many others not quoted here) concerning those of another race (blacks), should these men be considered true disciples of Christ? Are these men considered to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church? Did they even know what they were talking about or just going with the flow of their day? Or, on the other hand, are they correct and therefore, those who claim to be and speak as prophets today are actually wrong, mistaken, and thereby suffer in latter day apostasy?

This may be something to seriously consider since they definitely contradict each other while claiming it all came from God. Some of these “prophets” must necessarily be in error, therefore this belief that they CANNOT lead you astray obviously is bogus indeed. So, among the latter day “prophets”, who do you believe and trust? How do you find out?

We'll pick up here in the next post :)

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Angels Among Us Today?

“And thus the works of darkness began to prevail among all the sons of men. And God cursed the earth with a sore curse, and was angry with the wicked, with all the sons of men whom he had made; For they would not hearken unto his voice, nor believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world. And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Moses 5:55-58)

Are these conditions being manifested today?

Is darkness prevailing?

Is God angry with the wicked?

From God's point of view, who is referred to as the wicked?

Who is not hearkening unto His voice? Nor believing on his Only Begotten Son?

If this is actually happening today among us, would you suppose the gospel is at least beginning to be preached again? Is the gospel being declared by holy angels? By angels sent forth from the presence of God? And by his own voice? And by the gift of the Holy Ghost?

If so, where can an angel, either mortal or immortal, with these credentials be found today here on earth? Do you know of an angel, who resides among us? Anywhere?

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2) What does this mean to you?

Are truths being restored again? Is further light and knowledge coming forth? Is the true and living gospel being taught again? Is the restoration being preserved as it was in 1831? (D&C 1:30)

Restorations again? Revelations? Prophecies? Good news? Patterns?

Whenever apostasy and wickedness reaches a certain point, patterns of God seem to emerge, angels appear, repentance is called, and individuals get to choose for themselves. If God's pattern, at this “tipping point” of wickedness, is to send an angel/messenger from His presence with an authorized message, would you expect such an angel with God's message today? If so, where is an angel to be found?

Does an angel, who has literally come from the presence of God, has been instructed by God's own voice, and possesses an authorized message from God Himself, actually exist among us today? If so, would you expect such an angel to be popular, well known, or highly regarded and praised? From history, we learn that prophets like that, who deliver a message from God, are often persecuted, rejected, and cast out.

How many individuals in our society today do you suppose would acknowledge such an angel and accept the message of repentance he delivers? The majority? Some? A few? Would God vouch for the message delivered by the angel He sent? How would that affect the hearers and those to whom the message was directed?

Would the message fit in the category of “whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servant, it is the same”? Why or why not? If such an angel is indeed present and currently among us (And I believe there is), what would be required on your part? And what is the status or consequences associated with the one who fails to take notice of the ministry of such angels?

Moroni had something to say about this:

“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. For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.” (Moroni 7:36-38)

If you have not recognized, acknowledged, or accepted such an angel today, what does that mean? When someone fails to recognize a true message or fail to entertain angels from God's presence, according to Moroni, what is the state and standing of that individual? If you have not identified such a messenger from God with His message, which is very likely a message of repentance, what does that have to say about your level of faith? Unbelief? False traditions? Salvation? Redemption?

Society today does not yet have the original religion that Adam received from God. We do not currently possess the “records of the fathers” which describes the gospel taught by God to Adam. I am not aware of any group, religion, institution, or people today that has preserved the entire original religion.

Joseph Smith was called by God and authorized as His servant to call repentance, teach the gospel, and to begin the process to restore the original. Through Joseph, much truth was restored, apostasy was challenged, and we have obtained some important parts of the gospel which had been lost. Joseph was persecuted and killed, and God's message was rejected before the restoration was completed. What Joseph left was only a portion of the intended restoration. During the course of almost 184 years since the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the partial restoration they left has been morphed by men into an awful, ongoing, ever changing, and increasing disorder, which leaves people befuddled to understand it. What Joseph restored must now be recovered, preserved, and come to life as was the case on November 1, 1831, when the Lord referred to the church as “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1: 30)

If that description and status is to be recovered and restored again today, then most certainly His people, fellowships, gatherings, churches, or groups must be established by revelation, visitations from angels, and delegation of authority. His people must be “true and living” because the authority and gifts need to be present and unfolding. New scripture shall continually come forth and increase. Revelations will surely be ongoing and perpetually being received.

God has and does and will covenant with His people. His covenant people will continue to grow in knowledge, light, and truth as further ordinances and rites are restored. The humble, “true and living” followers of Christ are taught the doctrines which give the tools with which they can grow in light and knowledge until the perfect day. (D&C 50: 24.)

Therefore, what Joseph and Hyrum left restored in June 1844 must return in our day and, in addition, the original religion taught to Adam must be restored before we finally arrive back at the beginning. The original religion, which was lost long before Abraham, was restored to Abraham and lost later. Therefore it becomes very important for us today to connect with our fathers, who have connected with heaven. We must receive angels sent from the presence of God and obtain the restored original religion.

We must be actively engaged in His work to receive what God is offering today.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

When ye shall cast out the righteous from among you . . .

God's house is a house of order, and He works according to patterns.

And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations— Doctrine and Covenants 53:14

We can look into the past to see the future.

For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.” Moroni 8:18

The rise and fall of a society is so predictable if you can see the pattern. According to the pattern, we are either growing in light and truth or falling into apostasy.

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

As far as I know, there are only two groups of people, that have lived upon the face of the earth that we have record of, who have not fallen into apostasy. The city of Enoch . . .

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion. And it came to pass that Enoch talked with the Lord; and he said unto the Lord: Surely Zion shall dwell in safety forever. But the Lord said unto Enoch: Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed. And it came to pass that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth; and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Behold mine abode forever. Moses 7:18-21

and the people of Melchizedek

And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven. And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world; JST, Genesis 14:32-34

Let's look at what has happened in the past to help us understand what is happening in our day. The Book of Mormon explains what happens when people harden their hearts against the truth. There is a tension that builds between believers in Christ and unbelievers. The unbelievers are not content to allow men the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, allowing them to worship how, where, or what they may. (A of F #11) The unbelievers begin to exercise unrighteous dominion upon the believers and cast them out until there is an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked. Here's how the scriptures describe it.

But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent. Alma 10:23

But behold, it is for the righteous sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her. Helaman 13:14

And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them. 3 Nephi 9:11

And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire. Doctrine and Covenants 63:54

While working on this, I received an email from a friend. It is relevant to this topic:

I've been studying from the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith lately. Tonight, I read:

"I shall now proceed to make some remarks from the sayings of the Savior, recorded in the 13th chapter of His Gospel according to St. Matthew, which, in my mind, afford us as clear an understanding upon the important subject of the gathering, as anything recorded in the Bible."

I turned to Matthew 13 and read the parable of the wheat and the tares. The parables given in this chapter, Joseph taught, would help us understand the gathering more than anything else in the Bible.

I went back to the words of Joseph Smith and read on a few interesting things that I thought I might share. Joseph said:

"Now we learn by this parable, not only the setting up of the Kingdom in the days of the Savior, which is represented by the good seed, which produced fruit, but also the corruptions of the Church, which are represented by the tares, which were sown by the enemy . . ." (TPJS, p. 98)

And then, a few pages later:

"As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of the world; that is, as the servants of God go forth warning the nations, both priests and people, and as they harden their hearts and reject the light of truth, these first being delivered over to the buffetings of Satan, and the law and the testimony being closed up . . . they are left in darkness, and delivered over unto the day of burning; thus being bound up by their creeds, and their bands being made strong by their priests, are prepared for the fulfilment of the saying of the Savior - 'The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire . . .'"

Then:

"after the day of burnings, the righteous shall shine forth like the sun, in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear" (TPJS, p. 101).

An interesting thing is happening in the LDS church today that should put all of us on notice. People who believe in following Jesus Christ, believe in preserving the restoration brought to us by Joseph Smith, believe God can still talk face to face with each of us, believe in the Book of Mormon, believe we are still under condemnation for taking the Book of Mormon lightly are being cast out of the LDS church.

Apostasy is defined on the LDS.org website as follows:

"When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy."

The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel, so if people are going be judged as turning away from the principles of the gospel, it would follow that the Book of Mormon should be a key component in judging the matter.

“He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; Book of Mormon

But this criteria is not being used in the LDS church courts. A secret definition that appears only in the Church Handbook of Instructions Volume 1, is being used. This handbook is tightly controlled and only made available to certain church leaders. As used here apostasy refers to members who:

Repeatedly act in clear, open and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its leaders.
Persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after they have been corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.
Continue to follow the teachings of apostate sects (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after being corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.
Formally join another church and advocate its teachings.

The secret definition says nothing about Jesus Christ or the restoration of the gospel or the Book of Mormon. It only makes reference to the Church and its current leaders. History shows us that every restoration (except the two mentioned above) ends in apostasy. So, if the Church is in a state of apostasy, people can actually be excommunicated for believing and living the gospel.

Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures, and to preaching, and to confirming the church at Colesville, and to performing your labors on the land, such as is required, until after you shall go to the west to hold the next conference; and then it shall be made known what you shall do. And all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 26:1-2

The Lord asked the leaders of the new church to study the scriptures, preach, confirm the church, and do all things by common consent. Secret definitions and rules are not to be used. We are to use the scriptures as our guide.

9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.

10 And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.

11 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.

12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.

13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.

14 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.

15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish. 2 Nephi 28

This message is for us. According to the pattern set forth in scripture, when the corrupted Church casts out true believers in Christ, they are ripe for destruction (see Helaman 14:13). When the Church casts out people who are turning to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they confirm that they, the Church, have become the apostates.

23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

24 And again it shall come to pass that the Lord shall say unto him that shall read the words that shall be delivered him:

25 Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men—

26 Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.

27 And wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord! And their works are in the dark; and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us? And they also say: Surely, your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay. But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, he had no understanding?

28 But behold, saith the Lord of Hosts: I will show unto the children of men that it is yet a very little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field; and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest.

29 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

30 And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

31 For assuredly as the Lord liveth they shall see that the terrible one is brought to naught, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off;

32 And they that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught.

33 Therefore, thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.

34 But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

35 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. 2 Nephi 27

The unfolding of events is in Lord's hands. The joy of the Lord is full to those who continue to trust in their God.

10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;

12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. 3 Nephi 12

The question might be asked? Why do you remain a member of this church if you see it's corrupt and apostate condition? The Lord works according to patterns and the law of witnesses is still in place. Those who remain until being cast out serve as witnesses as a testimony before the Lord God so He can come forth and exercise a righteous judgment against the ungodly.

9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.

10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.

11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.

12 Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also.

13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.

14 Now it came to pass that when the bodies of those who had been cast into the fire were consumed, and also the records which were cast in with them, the chief judge of the land came and stood before Alma and Amulek, as they were bound; and he smote them with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone?

15 Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save those who had been cast into the fire; neither has God saved them because they were of thy faith. And the judge smote them again upon their cheeks, and asked: What say ye for yourselves? Alma 14 (see also Alma 60:13, Doctrine and Covenants 103:3, Mosiah 17:10)

These judges were cocky and confident in their actions and speech as they sealed their destruction, but according to the pattern they were destroyed.

2 For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city.

3 And now it came to pass, before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah . . . Alma 16

According to LDS scripture, there is no law against a man's belief, and yet people are being cast out of the Church because of their beliefs. Those who are seeking the face of the Lord are being targeted.

Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds. Alma 30:7

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. Article of Faith 11

Here are a few testimonies of those who have experienced LDS Church discipline because of their beliefs. The pattern is repeating itself. For those who have ears to hear, there is still time to repent.

This is in no way a complete list. If you know of others who would like to add their testimony to this list, please post a link to their testimony in the comment section. I can update this blog post.

Denver C Snuffer: September 8, 2013 Court was scheduled, September 10, 2013 Denver was informed of decision

Disciplinary Council Letter & Appeal Letter: Appeal Letter

Decision of Council Letter: No Title