Cyril of Alexandria on Isaiah 7:15-16

  

Hence before the child knows good or evil, he will desert evil to choose the good. In other words, before human beings reach puberty and have not yet arrived at maturity, the time when respect is shown for good sense, they are completely unable to discern what is bad and what is good; but when that age summons them to it, then they exercise free will in their behavior. They divine nature in its loftiness, not being in a condition like us but in its characteristic elevation that is proper to it, never allows an approach of evil; it resists the forms of depravity, is unaffected by them, is subject to no upheaval, being instead by nature and essence intolerant of evil. It would be no different, in my view, from your saying in reference to light that it does not tolerate darkness; it cannot bring itself to experience what is not light. So he conveys the permanent attachment of the divine nature to good by saying, He will desert evil to choose the good. Now, this is also true of Christ himself, since he is born of the holy Virgin according to the flesh, being God by nature and coming as the Word from God, he was from the womb and before it—or, rather even before every age, being holy in being God, and not forfeiting his proper prerogatives as a result of his humanity; and on the other hand not failing in his human characteristics as a result of the Incarnation. The purpose was to confirm that he was really like us, and to hallow our very creation. (Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Isaiah, 3 vols. [trans. Robert Charles Hill; Brookline, Mass.: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2008], 1:169-70)

 

George Forman Sr. and Joseph Smith’s 56-year prophecy not being interpreted as a prediction of the date of the Parousia

  

Arpil, 1891. President Abram Hatch and William Buys gave us a good letter to Attorney Yarion and President Abram Hatch was in Salt Lake City and spoke to Governor Thomas and sos got him out.

 

As per Joseph Smith's prophesy that 56 years would wind up the scene so it did as judge Zane received a revelation to not send any more U.C. to the pen. To just fine them.

 

1890. In this year it is said the Messiah came and organized the Indians near Walker Lake, Nevada, We hear that there is an Indian called and known as the Indian Prophet. (William Forman Sr. genealogy and diary, ed. William Forman [1971], p.41, Church History Library, MS 22398, spelling in original retained)

 

 

Further Reading:

 

Resources on Joseph Smith’s Prophecies (e.g., Did Joseph Smith Predict that the Second Coming would happen in 1890/91?)

 

William Forman Sr. recording Abram Chase Hatch Teaching that “few will receive celestial glory” (October 27, 1883)

  

October 27th, 1883, Sunday -- John Muir saw some of the people of Salt Lake City. Expects the legislature to pass a law to please the officers. Some are expecting the man to come who is to be mighty and strong to divide the inheritance. Says a great many are falling away and men and women are drinking in the saloons. President A. Hatch said we have the most perfect code of laws given to us as a people. Thinks that very few men observe all the laws. Thinks that few will receive celestial glory. He said that the Presidency of Makers will have to observe all the law or they will not be worthy examples. The High Counsel and Bishops are to be men of example. There are a few of the simple laws we have not observed. He does not say that's because we have not kept all that law that we will be cast out. The time is near when those who attend saloons will not have a name with us. (William Forman Sr. genealogy and diary, ed. William Forman [1971], p.27, Church History Library, MS 22398)

 

William Forman Sr. recording a debate about Temple Recommendations (May 5, 1883)

  

May 5, 1883. Conference at Heber. F. M. Leyman, Apostle and Bishop Booth of Provo. Brother Leyman gave counsel how we may train our children so they may be honored in the kingdom and useful. Brother Booth on history in the evening. Brother Leyman gave us one of the best discourses we could have. Said when a man who had received his endowments and committed adultery he forfeited his rights to wive's children and the promises and he could not be admitted to the Celestial Kingdom and he was not worthy to ascrode with the people in the dance or parties until he had repented and showed by his works that he had received of the spirit. Also that members coming into Utah should not be recommended to the house of the Lord until they had proven themselves worthy and understand some that the nature of the obligations they take and covenants they make. Brother Leyman also said the Bishops were to be very particular about giving recommends to the House of the Lord as none but those who believe in and practice the first principles of the Gospel should be permitted. Also it is to be understood that those who go through the house to be sealed covenant to practice the Law of the Lord whenever circumstances will allow and if parties who go to be sealed will not covenant to sustain the law of the Lord they can go no further. That ends the ceremony. Also that Bishops are responsible for recommends and urged that they be very particular and send those only who are faithful and who understand some what the nature of the obligations they take upon themselves. (William Forman Sr. genealogy and diary, ed. William Forman [1971], p.15, Church History Library, MS 22398)

 

Faith, Freedom, and the Common Good with Dallin H. Oaks | 9.16.26

Faith, Freedom, and the Common Good with Dallin H. Oaks | 9.16.26

Cyril of Alexandria on Isaiah 7:14

  

Some of the commentators of the divine Scriptures render this, “See, the young woman will conceive.” Jews at any rate think that the mother of the Lord should be referred to by the term “young woman” and not be called virgin; they believe that it is proper to undermine the force of the mystery by using “young woman” instead of virgin. But there are many ways in which you could detect their ignorance; first, even if the virgin were spoken of as a young woman, she would not be excluded from being a virgin. Then they claim that it is in reference to the wife of Ahaz that the prophet says, “See, the young woman will conceive and bear a son,” their purpose being that we may take Hezekiah as the one born of him. In failing to examine the text of the prophecy closely, however, they adopt an ill-advised opinion and then decide to reinforce their own interpretation on this basis alone. Fine fellows that you are, anyone could instead reply to you, “Who referred to Hezekiah as Immanuel? On what grounds could it be proved that before knowing good or evil, he will desert evil to choose the good?”

 

Let us begin, therefore, by bidding adieu to their humbug and adopting what is right and true, in our belief that it is the holy Virgin that is referred to by God in the passage before us. In this way, in fact, the sign will be truly unparalleled and extraordinary, both for depth or for height in terms of the divine promise; the only Son, born of God the Father on high by nature, emptied himself and emerged from the virginal womb according to the flesh, his birth the result not of human insemination but of the power and operation of the Holy Spirit. It is in these terms, in fact, that it was said to the holy Virgin in the statement of blessed Gabriel, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” So she will bear a son, he says. (Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Isaiah, 3 vols. [trans. Robert Charles Hill; Brookline, Mass.: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2008], 1:168-69)

 

Was Joseph Smith Inspired By Demons? | Expert Historian Responds

Another beatdown of an argument from everyone's least favorite obese individual who is obsessed with prepubescent kids:

 

Was Joseph Smith Inspired By Demons? | Expert Historian Responds