Excerpts from Andrzej Wiszowaty (1608-1678), “Rational Religion”

Andrzej Wiszowaty (Latinized Andreas Wissowatius) was a

 

grandson of Faustus Socinus and one of the most significant theologians of the Polish Brethren. After the banishment of the Antitrinitarians from Poland and he lived in exile, finally in Amsterdam. (Marcin Poholski, “Preface,” in Andrzej Wiszowaty, Rational Religion: On the Use of the Judgment of Reason in Theological and Religious Controversies [trans. Marcin Poholski; 2026], [i] n. 1)

 

His book Religio rationalis was published posthumously in Amsterdam in 1685.

On 1 Cor 2:14:

 

The apostle Paul did indeed write that the natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2:14. But first, not every man is a natural man. By “natural” is signified he who looks only to the sensual things of this earthly life, like a brute beast, following the guidance of the lower soul or of brutish appetite. See the like word at James 3:15 and Jude 19. But there are found among men, even among those not yet enlightened by the light of the gospel, some who are not of so abject and bestial a mind. Otherwise the gospel would be preached in vain to men before they became spiritual, if they were in no way capable of it.

 

Next, the apostle did not write that the natural man cannot in any way grasp, that is, apprehend with the mind or understand, the divine and spiritual things; rather he denies that he receives them, that is, acknowledges them with approval to be true and good. In the text stands the word dechetai, such as occurs also at Matt. 10:14, 40-42; 11:14; Luke 8:13; Acts 11:1; Gal 4:14 and elsewhere; in which places it certainly does not mean to perceive by understanding, but to receive. And although it is written immediately after in the same place, and he cannot know them, yet this can be taken not of a natural but of a moral inability, as it is often taken. And though he cannot know those things—that is, acknowledge them with approval as good—so long as he remains natural, yet it is not to be laid down that he cannot put off this natural disposition, and that even before he receives the gift of the Holy Spirit: for this even before he receives the gift of the Holy Spirit: for this is ordinarily wont to be given only to those who have received in faith as true the gospel of Christ preached and understood.

 

To the same effect is what the same apostle wrote at Rom. 8:7: The wisdom—rather, the inclination or striving—of the flesh is enmity against God. Here the use of sound reason is not censured, but that which savours of carnal desires and strives to satisfy them. It is said in like manner when the wisdom of this world, 1 Cor. 1:20 and 3:19, and carnal wisdom, 2 Cor. 1:19, are reproved. (Andrzej Wiszowaty, Rational Religion: On the Use of the Judgment of Reason in Theological and Religious Controversies [trans. Marcin Poholski; 2026], 65-67)

 

 

The Objection: Then Logic and Philosophy Would Rule over the Word of God

 

Here, finally, some object: In this way logic and philosophy and human reasoning would have to obtain the governance and the dominion over the theological mysteries and over the word of God itself. Answer: Far be it! Will anyone say that grammar obtains dominion not only over philosophical, medical, and juridical writings, but also over theological ones and over the very words of God—seeing that in these two the laws and rules of grammar are to be observed, lest anything unsuited to them be said perversely and ineptly? Prudent theologians too take care not to commit, in their discourses, a solecism against the rules of grammar. But an error against the truth of things, and above all of divine things, is far worse and more harmful than a solecism committed against the syntax of little words. (Andrzej Wiszowaty, Rational Religion: On the Use of the Judgment of Reason in Theological and Religious Controversies [trans. Marcin Poholski; 2026], 83)

 

Heber J. Grant Recording Debate Concerning Albert Carrington (August 12, 1887)

  

Brother Joseph F. Smith felt that the light and knowledge which Albert Carrington possessed was such that he had committed the unpardonable sin, and was guilty of the shedding of innocent blood. For a man to enter into plural marriage, and all the ordinances of the Gospel, in the House of God, and then willfully & viciously be guilty for years of the most heinous crimes, if he does not come as near to the shedding of innocent blood as a man possible can, then Brother Smith would like to know what he would have to do to be considered guilty of the shedding of innocent blood. For years he had daily associated with the Prophet of God. He had listened to his teachings, and he should have been an exemplar of truth and righteousness before the people. Carrington’s is an exceptional case. If he had not been an Apostle, and received so much light and knowledge, then it would be different. Brother Smith could not see why we should dignify this case because the man had once been an Apostle. He had abused his Apostleship, and lost, not only that, but his standing in the Church; and he felt that if any action was taken in the Albert Carrington case, that it should be taken by the Bishop of his ward, the same as action would be taken with any other individual, and that we should not dignify it by making any decision in the case. Brother felt that there was no comparison between him and a young man, filled with youthful passion, who had fallen in an unguarded moment, and then had sincerely and honestly repented. He felt that in such cases mercy should be extended. (Heber J. Grant, Journal, August 12, 1887, in The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1845 Abridged, comp. D. Michael Quinn [Digital Edition; Salt Lake City, 2015])

 

Yvette Running Horse Collin and the Importance of Avoiding the "Genetic Fallacy"

  

With regard to scientific research on this subject, it is important to note that the Mormon Church has put some emphasis and financial backing toward deciphering the history of the horse in the Americas. As the Book of Mormon describes horses in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus, critics have long used the fact that "there were no horses in the Americas" as proof that their doctrine is not valid. However, just because a particular group has an interest in a topic and wishes to support research being done in the area does not mean that their scientific findings are necessarily biased, especially when independent laboratories are used. (Yvette Running Horse Collin, “The Relationship Between The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and the Horse: Deconstructing a Eurocentric Myth” [PhD Thesis; University of Alaska Fairbanks, May 2017], 138 n. 371, emphasis in bold added)

 

Emma Marr Petersen (1893-1975) (Wife of Mark E. Petersen) Teaching Baptismal Regeneration

In a book for a young audience to understand the importance of baptism, we read the following fictional dialogue between two kids who are about to be baptized and their parents:

 

Sister Jensen had not said much during the evening, but when prayer was spoken she joined in the conversation.

 

“When Jesus was on earth,” she said, “he prayed to his Father very often. He also taught the people to pray. As he did so, he told them to ask the Lord to forgive them of the wrong things they did.

 

“This refers to baptism too,” she said. “Daddy, tell the boys about forgiveness of sin.”

 

“I will be glad to,” he said. “It surely is a part of baptism.

 

“When older people join the Church, they also must learn to live right. They may have many habits which are not good, just as some children do. They must change them, and begin living right.

 

“They know that when they sin they displease God. They ask his forgiveness. Forgiveness means that the Lord will not hold our sins against us if we stop doing the things that are wrong.

 

“When an older person joins the Church, he is baptized just like you boys will be, and then, the Lord forgives him of his sins, if he stops doing wrong. It is in baptism that God grants this forgiveness. That is why it is spoken of as baptism for the remission of sins.

 

“We must be clean and free from sin when joining the Church, for no unclean person can come into God’s house.

 

“We have done things that are wrong, and I guess we will do more in the future. But we must always try to do better.

 

“Now you boys think of the bad habits you may have, and then try to overcome them before you are baptized, so that you will be forgiven by the Lord as you come out of the water.” (Emma Marr Petersen, About Baptism: A Story of the Meaning and Purpose of Baptism [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1957], 56-57, emphasis added)

 

 

“There are two parts to baptism. One is called baptism in water, and that is that we told you about last week. The other is called baptism of the Spirit.

 

“Listen carefully while I explain this, as it is very important. When we repent of our sins, we receive forgiveness of them in the waters of baptism. That makes us clean in the sight of God.

 

“He has told us that if we do what is right our bodies may be a dwelling place for his Spirit, which really comes upon us.

 

“But he says that his Spirit will not enter an unclean tabernacle or house. He speaks of our bodies as tabernacles, or dwelling places for his Holy Spirit.

 

“As we are cleaned of sin in the waters of baptism, we are made ready to receive his Spirit.

 

“The way we receive his Holy Spirit is that the elders of the Church lay their hands upon our heads, after we are baptized in water, and bless us and say, ‘Receive the Holy Ghost.’ (Ibid., 61, emphasis added)

 

This is a teaching found in her other writings:

 

Forgiveness of sins comes by baptism, which also admits us into his Church as members. (Emma Marr Petersen, The Church that Jesus Christ Built [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft Inc., 1971], 6)

 

 

The Lord taught that baptism is essential to salvation. He told Nicodemus, a Jew who came to him at night during the Lord’s mortal ministry, that without it, a person cannot even see the kingdom of heaven. (Emma Marr Petersen, The Prophet's Story For Young People [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1973], 19)

 

[Speaking of those early Saints who were baptized prior to April 6, 1830]:

 

Although a number had been baptized prior to this time, they were now baptized again, this time to become members of the Church. Their first baptisms showed an acceptance of the teachings of Joseph, and provided for them the remission of sins. They could not be baptized into the Church then because it had not yet been organized. Now that the Church was organized they were baptized again — this time into the Church. (Ibid., 61, emphasis added)

 

Further Reading:

Baptism Does Cleanse Us from Our Sins

Miguel Tinoco (LDS): Isaiah 2:2 had a Partial Fulfillment with the Salt Lake Temple, but is Awaiting a Complete Future Fulfillment

Commenting on Isa 2:2:

 

This prophecy unfolded in part when Brigham Young, leading the remnant of the Saints in a new exodus to the West, attempted to established Zion in the tops of the mountains after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith—fulfilling a shadow of that vision. Yet the full charge of the Servant of the latter days is greater still. His commission is to complete and set in order the house of God, to lift it as an ensign to the nations, and to arrange the covenant inheritance of Israel according to divine pattern. (Miguel Tinoco, Behold My Servant: Isaiah’s Vision of Vindication, Restoration, and the Gathering of Israel [Magnolia Aether, 2025],95)

 

Brant A. Gardner on Alma 9:27 and the Importance of Water Baptism

  

Alma 9:27

 

27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.

 

The ordinance of baptism is not explicitly an important aspect of Nephite religion until Alma₁. By the time of Alma₂, the ordinance has become to definitive that the Messiah enters mortality at least partially to be baptized. What this means in terms of Book of Mormon doctrine is that the ordinance of baptism has completely supplanted the Jewish rite of animal sacrifice for atonement. Alma’s address is a milestone in showing the movement away from the sacrificial cult of Israel and toward a more spiritualized worship that is reminiscent of Christianity and even of Israel after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans. It seems probable that separation from both the physical temple in Jerusalem and from the Levite priestly lineage led to responses that were similar among both the Old World Christians the pre-Christian Nephites in the New World. Both instances shifted religion from the communal to the individual.

 

For example, Alma states unequivocally that the Atoning Messiah is coming to “redeem those who will be baptized until repentance.” There is absolutely no indication of any other required sacrifice. The religion has been transformed into a spiritual relationship with Yahweh rather than a communal relationship maintained by animal sacrifice. (Brant A. Gardner, Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 6 vols. [Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2007], 4:161)

 

Heber J. Grant Recording in his Journal (August 14, 1925) that Wallace Smith (son of William Smith) Was Ignorant of the Book of Mormon

  

One of the letters I dictated to the dictaphone this morning was to my cousin, Wallace Smith, the son of William Smith who recently died at Independence. I sent him a copy of the Book of Mormon. He claimed to be shocked to receive a Book of Mormon and said that nothing more than the Bible was needed etc. (Heber J. Grant, Journal, August 14, 1925, in The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1845 Abridged, comp. D. Michael Quinn [Digital Edition; Salt Lake City, 2015])