Apostasy, Churchwide
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JOSEPH SMITH'S TESTIMONY CONCERNING MEN BEING ORDAINED BY ANGELS, DELIVERED IN THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPETS, IN KIRTLAND, OHIO, IN THE WINTER OF 1832-3. The occasion which called forth his testimony upon this matter was as follows:—One Francis G. Bishop, an Elder in our church, was very anxious to be ordained a High Priest, but he was not considered a proper candidate to fill the office at that time; and his urgent solicitations to be promoted to the High Priesthood, confirmed the Saints in the opinion that he wanted a high station without meriting it, or without being called by the Spirit of God to that work. He was sent forth into the world to preach in the capacity and calling of an Elder; but he was not long out before he declared himself to be a High Priest—and that he was ordained by an angel from heaven. This made much stir in the branches of the church and also in the world. But when the news of his proceedings reached the prophet Joseph, he called Bishop home forthwith. He was introduced into the school of the prophets, and there closely questioned upon his course. He said he was ordained by an angel to the High Priesthood; yet, on a more close examination, he crossed his own testimony and statements—became confused, and blushed with shame and guilt—he fell down upon his knees and confessed that he had lied in the name of the Lord—begged to be forgiven and cried aloud for mercy. We all forgave him, but we could not give him our confidence, for he had destroyed it. Elder Sidney Rigdon was present at that meeting, and though he has since fallen, still he knows that my statements are correct. Zebedee Coultrin was also present, and many others that I might name. Brother Joseph observed to Bishop that he knew he had lied before he confessed it; that his declarations were not only false in themselves, but they involved a false principle. An angel, said Joseph, may administer the word of the Lord unto men, and bring intelligence to them from heaven upon various subjects; but no true angel from God will ever come to ordain any man, because they have once been sent to establish the priesthood by ordaining me thereunto; and the priesthood being once established on earth, with power to ordain others, no heavenly messenger will ever come to interfere with that power by ordaining any more. He referred to the angel that came to Cornelius and told Cornelius to send for Peter; but if there had been no Peter with keys and power to administer, the angel might have done it himself; but as there was, the angel would not interfere. Saul was directed to go to Ananias for instruction and to be administered to by him; but if there had been no Ananias with power and authority on the earth to administer in the name of Christ, the Lord might have done it himself. You may therefore know, from this time forward, that if any man comes to you professing to be ordained by an angel, he is either a liar or has been imposed upon in consequence of transgression by an angel of the devil, for this priesthood shall never be taken away from this church. This testimony was delivered in an upper room, in the south-west corner of the White Store and dwelling-house, formerly occupied by Whitney and Gilbert, situated on Kirtland Flats. If men would regard the testimony of the servants of God who have laid down their lives for the cause, they would have little to fear of being misled; but when the spirit of apostacy takes possession of a man's heart, he becomes completely blind to every true principle, and is filled with strife, debate, deceit, false accusation, and treachery. He cherishes no desire to convert and save the world, but is content to confine his operations to the church, which he slanders, defames, and, like a ravening wolf, tries to tear in pieces and destroy; and having no merit of his own to bring him into notice, he seeks to obtain notoriety by contention and debate, which the Lord declares are not of him but of the devil. Their hearts being a fountain of evel, they can speak nothing but evil; they, being disciples of the "accuser of our brethren," can do nothing but accuse the brethren like thir master whom they serve; they, having a beam in their own eye, can see nothing but the mote in their brother's eye; and well did the Saviour ask such characters, "How can ye, being evil, speak good things?" They are like the filthy and indelicate bird that has no relish for sweet and wholesome meat, but likes to feast on tainted flesh and putrid carcasses. "
Joseph Smith
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We are now living in the last dispensation. The Church will never again be taken from the earth through apostasy and transgression. The Lord will not permit this to occur. Even now we can observe a tendency in parts of the Church to introduce innovations and to make slight changes in procedure and discipline. If it were not for the constant contact by the general authorities with the stakes and wards, we would find our selves in a similar condition which prevailed following the days of the ancient apostles. The Lord will not, however. permit the Church to turn into forbidden paths or be governed by apostate groups. The Prophet repeats the words of the Lord, “And the Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that give offense and them that do iniquity.” To keep the Church free from errors, “all these authoritative characters will come down and join hand in hand in bringing about this work.” (D.H.C. 3:389.)
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
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The destiny of the Church is guaranteed and assured. The only problem that ever can arise is with individuals—whether individuals will walk in the light and do the things that they must do to be in harmony with the Church and to reap and inherit its blessings.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
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I give you my solemn testimony that this Church will never be led astray. It is in the hands of God, and should any of its leaders ever attempt to lead it astray, His is the power to remove them. He has said that He has restored His work for the last time, “never again to be destroyed nor given to other people” (D&C 138:44; see also Dan. 2:44–45).
President Gordon B. Hinckley
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Of the Seventy First Counselor in the Utah Area Presidency We live in the only dispensation in the history of the world that will not end in a general apostasy. Now we will see some individual apostasy. We all have experienced that with those we love. But there will be no general apostasy. Our time, our dispensation will conclude with the glorious return of the Savior who will then Reign as our King of kings and Lord of lords. That's our time brothers and sisters. The most remarkable time in the history of the world.
Elder John A. McCune
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