October 2014 – Russell M. Nelson – “Sustaining the Prophets”
The Church today
has been
organized by the Lord Himself. He has put in place a remarkable system
of
governance that provides redundancy and backup. That system provides for
prophetic leadership even when the inevitable illnesses and incapacities
may
come with advancing age. Counterbalances and safeguards abound so that
no one can ever lead the Church
astray.
There are many examples where the church believes that past prophets have led us astray. Other actions you can judge for yourself.
We
warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not
according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught
by some
of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is
the
Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will
be
cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine.
-
President Spencer W. Kimball (General Conference, October, 1976)
In 1852, President Brigham Young publicly announced that men of black African descent could no longer be ordained to the priesthood, though thereafter blacks continued to join the Church through baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Following the death of Brigham Young, subsequent Church presidents restricted blacks from receiving the temple endowment or being married in the temple. Over time, Church leaders and members advanced many theories to explain the priesthood and temple restrictions. None of these explanations is accepted today as the official doctrine of the Church. (Race and the Priesthood – “Race and Priesthood” - churchofjesuschrist.org)
However, so-called "blood atonement," by which individuals would be required to shed their own blood to pay for their sins, is not a doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe in and teach the infinite and all-encompassing atonement of Jesus Christ, which makes forgiveness of sin and salvation possible for all people. (Statement from the church, published in the Deseret News, June 18, 2010)
I have this section in my hand, headed “An Act in Relation to African Slavery.” I have read it over and made a few alterations. I will remark with regard to slavery, inasmuch as we believe in the Bible, inasmuch as we believe in the ordinances of God, in the Priesthood and order and decrees of God, we must believe in slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses, which they have in their families and their classes and in their various capacities brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences; I am not authorized to remove it. I am a firm believer in slavery. (Brigham Young in Joint Session of Legislature, 23 Jan. 1852)
"The second way in which a wife can be separated from her husband, while he continues to be faithful to his God and his priesthood, I have not revealed except to a few persons in this Church, and a few have received it from Joseph the Prophet as well as myself. This other path a woman may take, if she can get a chance, and do it in accordance with the order of heaven, if a woman can find a man holding the keys of the priesthood with higher power and authority than her husband, and he is disposed to take her, he can do so, otherwise she has got to remain where she is. . . . In either of these ways of separation you can discover there is no need for a bill of divorcement." (Brigham Young October 8, 1861 conference)
Before 1912, men were ordained to an office without first conferring the priesthood
1912 to 1921 Joseph F. Smith established rule to ordain to confirm priesthood, then office.
1921 to 1957 Returned to “old form of ordaining” to office without conferring the priesthood
1957 – Established current practice of conferring priesthood and then office.
1847 and 1856 Apostles, their families and others were re-baptized
1875 – All saints from the First Presidency down are re-baptized
1893 – First Presidency decides that frequent re-baptisms will not be allowed.
John Taylor decides that Bishops get 8% of collected tithing and stake presidents get 2%.
Jan. 1877 – Brigham dictates first written version of endowment and adds minister.
Feb. 1877 – Adam-God lecture included in temple endowment
1927 – practice of private prayer circles is ended.
1969 – Two-piece garment authorized
1990 – Change endowment: remove penalties, 5
points,
Adamic words, lecture and minister.
Women
no longer covenant to obey law of their husband.
Oct. 1877 – Twelve sustained as “prophets, seers and revelators” first time in 41 years.
April 1970 – Joseph Fielding Smith first president always identified as “The Prophet”
1901 – Joseph F. Smith proposes to sustain Presiding Patriarch above Quorum of the Twelve
1902 – Presiding Patriarch sustained as Prophet, Seer and Revelator, First time since 1840s
1919 – Heber J. Grant rules that Patriarch ranks below apostles
1979 – First Presidency ends office of Presiding Patriarch
Oct. 1888 – Wilford Woodruff and Twelve approve spending $20,000 to bribe Democrats
Oct 1893 – First Presidency and Twelve agree to bribe Utah’s non-LDS attorney general.
1947 – Quorum of the Twelve letter to R.S. states women should get blessings from priesthood.
This officially ends a century of women’s anointing and sealing of health blessings
1970 – First Presidency letter ends financial independence of Relief Society
1988 – Primary President is first woman to speak at general conference in 133 years.
1991 – Official statement allows flexibility for abortion after council and prayer.
Mar. 2. 1982 – Bruce R. McConkie denounces those who strive to have a relationship with Christ.