Friday, January 1, 2021

Some Interesting Excerpts from the Journal of Discourses that have Apologetic Value

Today I read some sermons in the Journal of Discourses. Here are some interesting passages that have some apologetic value: 

The Nature of God the Father (cf. Rom 1:23)

 

When you are prepared to see our Father, you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and He will receive you into His arms, and you will be ready to fall into His embrace and kiss Him, as you would your fathers and friends that have been dead for a score of years, you will be so glad and joyful. Would you not rejoice? When you are qualified and purified, so that you can endure the glory of eternity: so that you can see your Father, and your friends who have gone behind the vail, you will fall upon their necks and kiss them, as we do an earthly friend that has been long absent from us, and that we have been anxiously desiring to see. This is the people that are and will be permitted to enjoy the society of those happy and exalted beings. (Brigham Young, JOD 5:54-55| September 21, 1856)

 

The Holy Spirit Allowed the Apostles to Remember Accurately Jesus’ Teachings When Teaching (and later, composing the New Testament)

 

The office of the Spirit, when given in ancient times, was to make manifest truth—to quicken the memory of the man of God, that he might communicate clearly things which he had once learned, but partially forgotten.

 

For instance, the Apostles heard, during three years and a half, many sermons and a vast amount of conversation and private teaching. The office of the Spirit of truth was to bring to their remembrance the things that Jesus had formerly taught them. So it is the office of the same Spirit in these days to bring to our remembrance the words of the ancient Prophets and Apostles, and the words of Jesus, inasmuch as we have faith and confidence in God. (Orson Pratt, JOD 6:349-50| July 24, 1859)

 

The “New and Everlasting Covenant” is not Plural Marriage (cf. D&C 22:1)

 

All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter this Church. They covenant to cease sustaining, upholding and cherishing the kingdom of the devil and the kingdoms of this world. They enter into the new and everlasting covenant to sustain the Kingdom of God and no other kingdom. They take a vow of the most solemn kind, before the heavens and earth, and that, too, upon the validity of their own salvation, that they will sustain truth and righteousness instead of wickedness and falsehood, and build up the Kingdom of God, instead of the kingdoms of this world. (Brigham Young, JOD 12:230| May 17, 1868)