A Joe Moment

"...that the Saints have so cheerfully hearkened to counsel, and vied with each other in this labor of love, and in the promotion of truth and righteousness. This is as it should be in the Church of Jesus Christ; unity is strength. "How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this principle, and the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole Church--The order of the kingdom will be maintained, its officers respected, and its requirements readily and cheerfully obeyed." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Deseret Book Company, 1976,pg.174, bold type added)

Let us define the meanings of the words in BOLD type:

cheerfully - state of mind; a shout for joy
hearkened - give heed
counsel - legal representative
vied - strive for superiority
promotion - an enterprise being promoted
unity - the quantity and interger
[interger - a whole number, not fractional]
cultivate - seek the society of
principle - rules of conduct or ethical behavior
kingdom - any society or classification
maintained - preserve; defend in argument, support
officers - an executive in a society
respected - treat with special consideration or high regard
requirements - demand; order to do something
readily - willingly
obeyed - comply with the command

(Webster Handy College Dictionary)

In other words....

The Saints have a state of mind to give heed to legal representatives, and strive for superiority with each other in this labor of love, within the enterprise being promoted. This is as it should be in the Church of Jesus Christ; the quantity and interger is strength. --How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together as a whole, not fractional.-- Let the Saints of the Most High ever seek the society of the rules of conduct or ethical behavior, the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole Church. The order of this society will be preserved and defended, its executives treated with special consideration and high regard, and the demands willingly and joyfully complied with.

Now, this paragraph that good ole' Joe stated is not a very loving and Christ-like statement. The quote is deep rooted into the cult. God have mercy on those who believe in 'good ole' Joe!'

3 comments:

DARRELX July 14, 2011 at 8:06 PM  

Yes, but you have to wonder if they are willfully ignorant. Then again you were once a mormon. so you were there once yourself. but you were born into that world, and had no choice. So I believe have so many others.

handmaiden July 15, 2011 at 12:38 AM  

Hi Darrelx,
Yeah it is a wonder. I think about it almost all the time. Willful ignorance is a quality that goes hand and hand in Mormondom. Too bad though, it hurts so many in the long run.
I pray for all those in Christ to find the truth in all things and to have their righteous desires filled in His will.
God Bless you.
handmaiden

handmaiden July 15, 2011 at 12:39 AM  

Sorry, I think I wrote your name wrong. :)

About Me

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Michigan, United States
I spent a lot of time deciding if I should write this blog or not. I'm not a great writer and I'm not going to pretend to be. I need to share what I have learned and I might not make some people happy with what I am saying. This blog is a way for me to release the thoughts and feelings that come with knowing I grew up in the wrong religion. A healing process if you will.

How To Read This Blog

Please start with the month of February 2007 and read backwards. This is the most effective way to understand, in order, why I say what I do.

Handmaidens Creed

1.I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as one God without beginning or end.
2.I believe the Bible to be the Holy Inspired word of God with full truth and righteousness. No other writing is.
3.I believe that the work of the Lord comes first. Before any temporal thing or person.
4.I believe that grace is a gift and Christ gives that gift freely to all who believe.
5.I believe that the beauty of a woman is contained inside of her and not by what she looks like on the outside.
6.I believe that marriage is sacred and represents the Godhead on earth; two are one just as three are one.
7.I believe that love is more powerful than any other power. Remember, God is love.
8.I believe that tithing is not a part of God's new covenant, free will offerings are. And that doesn't mean just money.
9.I believe that the Aaronic, Levitical, and Melchizedek priesthoods are abolished and Christs Holy Priesthood whom Christ is the "Great High Priest" is eternal.
10.I believe that every believer is a priest in the "Priesthood of Believers".
11.I believe that when two are one, nobody is to separate the one.
12.I believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
13.I believe that our bodies are temples, not man made buildings.
14.I believe that liars make fools out of others and the liar hates the fool.
15.I believe that all believers are in authority to preach the gospel.
16.I believe that the word 'organization' to describe Christs body is evil and has no place with God.
17.I believe the Americas are not the land of Zion and Christ will return to His origonal land-Israel in the Middle East.
18.I believe that God has set out correct ways of worshiping Him, not man.
19.I believe in holding to the truths of the Bible and not mans understanding of it.
20.I believe that the world is full of evil and Satan can easily gain control over the minds of those who do not profess Christ of the Bible to be their only Messiah.
21.I believe that Saints are those who know the real Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible speaks of; not the jesus of a cult.