Robert L. Millet - Getting at the Truth

PREFACE

PREFACE

Some time ago I was sent a pamphlet about Mormonism by another religious organization that wanted to point out seeming flaws and inconsistencies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although a few points the authors made were interesting and fair enough, several others were blatantly false. As I turned the pages, my frustration grew, and I felt the need to respond kindly but directly to the authors of the pamphlet. They had stated that their intention was, in the words of the apostle Paul, to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), so early in my letter to them I suggested that it is much easier to state the truth in love when one first states the truth! I commented that they surely desired that any document distributed under their name be accurate in its content. To their great credit, several months later, I received a thank-you note that informed me that the pamphlet I had reviewed had since been discarded and that my comments would be incorporated into a new edition of it.

Getting at the truth is what life is all about. We spend our days and months and years striving to jettison falsehood and discover truth. We seek to rid our lives of sin and deception in order to see things as they really are (Jacob 4:13 ; D&C 93:24) rather than as we are. Such truth is not to be apprehended by the senses alone, nor does it come only through study. The word of the Lord is clear: He that keepeth [Gods] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things (D&C 93:28). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught similarly that saving knowledge and intelligence come only through diligence and obedience (D&C 130:19).

With the Church continuing to grow and expand, our inuence is being felt more than ever before. In the process, people are beginning to recognize and acknowledge that we have no secret agenda, no private version of Mormonism, to cover up. Observers are also becoming more and more aware of the Churchs stand on moral issues, our readiness to speak out and be heard on matters that threaten the home and family, and our eagerness to be involved in noble causes and humanitarian efforts.

And yet misunderstanding and misrepresentation concerning the beliefs and practices of the Latter-day Saints persist. Many millions of people throughout the earth are misguided in their views of our doctrine and our way of life. Our divine charge is Go ye into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, acting in the authority which I have given you, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (D&C 68:8; compare Matthew 28:1920; Mark 16:1518). At least a part of that charge entails answering the questions of honest truth seekers, as well as responding, when appropriate, to those who assault the faith of Latter-day Saints and attempt to dislodge the foundations of the Restoration.

This book is an effort to assist members of the Church to feel secure in their faith, to reinforce their witness and conviction, and to assure them that there are indeed answers to some of the difficult questions raised frequently by our critics. I am not authorized to speak for the Church, and so what follows are my own thoughts that have coalesced during the past thirty years as I have searched, pondered, and prayed about challenging questions. Although I alone am responsible for the conclusions I have drawn from the evidence cited, I have endeavored to be in harmony with the standard works of the Church and the teachings of latter-day prophets and apostles.

I owe an immense debt of gratitude to many people in the preparation of this work. My assistant, Lori Soza, has, as always, borne the principal responsibility for preparing the manuscript and assisting with the arduous task of source checking. Because of the sensitive nature of much of the material contained herein, I have relied upon the editorial gifts of my editor, Suzanne Brady, of Deseret Book Company. My appreciation also extends to students and colleagues at Brigham Young University and associates of other faiths who have stretched my mind and heart and pushed me to articulate my faith more intelligibly.

The work of the Restoration is underway, and hidden treasures of eternity are coming to us through the Lords anointed servants, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:10; 2 Nephi 28:30). Therefore, fear not, little ock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.... Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not (D&C 6:34, 36). God is in charge, and our trust is in him and in his powerful arm. His work will not be halted.

INTRODUCTION

DONT BE SHOCKED

The work of salvation throughout the earth will not move forward without signicant opposition. As we move closer to the end of time, meaning the end of earths temporal existence, the forces of evil will combine against the forces of good, particularly the Church of the Lamb of God. A proclamation issued in April 1845 by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes these words: As this work progresses in its onward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be inuenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God.

Thus we should not be surprised when individuals or organizations take issue with teachings or practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (hereafter, for simplicity, Church or Church of Jesus Christ). The apostle Peter wrote to the Saints scattered abroad in the meridian dispensation: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:1213). We have the assurance that there will never again be an apostasy of the Lords Church, that the kingdom of God is here to stay, and that it will grow and expand to include hundreds of millions of people throughout the earth. Such growth, however, will not go unnoticed or unopposed.

When the priesthood was restored and the Church organized in April 1830, when missionaries were sent forth and the ordinances of salvation were reintroduced to the children of men, the winds of hatred began to blow. One bitter storm of religious wrath followed another. To the Prophet Joseph while he was in Liberty Jail, the Savior made the almost unbelievable declaration: The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee. Then came the assurance that the sun indeed shone above the smog of sectarian hatred, for, the Lord continued, The pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand (D&C 122:12).