Introduction ⎜ Part 1 ⎜ Part 2 ⎜ Part 3 ⎜ Part 4 ⎜ Part 5 ⎜ Part 6 ⎜ Part 7 ⎜ Part 8 ⎜ Part 9 ⎜ Part 10 ⎜ Part 11 ⎜ Part 12 ⎜ Part 13 ⎜ Part 14 ⎜ Part 15 ⎜ Part 16 ⎜ Part 17 ⎜ Part 18 ⎜ Part 19 ⎜ Part 20 ⎜ Addendum
Many Latter-day Saints are not aware of the below teachings that in order to be considered a full, true, and faithful Latter-day Saint, they must, sooner or later, develop a conviction born of the Spirit, that Joseph Smith received a visitation from the Father and the Son. Most missionaries gain this conviction by prayerfully studying and teaching the account from Joseph Smith’s history. Some critics, often referring to themselves as “cultural Mormons,” deny Joseph’s testimony (along with the historicity of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, and other miraculous foundational matters), and desire participation in the “community” the Church provides without believing in it. The reason that doesn’t work is that they also seek to change the community to their way of thinking, or denying, the foundational truth claims of the Church. In reality, you either believe/know, or eventually come to believe/know, or eventually leave. Some (sadly) leave loudly and try to drag others out with them; too bad.
On a side note, I noticed that one of the listed subjects that may be examined in the forthcoming BYU Church History Symposium on the First Vision (March 2020), is “J. Reuben Clark’s 1938 statement that religious educators must assent to the First Vision as a historical event—context and implications.” This means a scholar may research and talk about the below teachings of President Clark at the symposium—we shall see. But the statement itself, taken from the “call for papers” is not correct. What President Clark actually said was “In all this there are for the Church, and for each and all of its members, two prime things which may not be overlooked, forgotten, shaded, or discarded.” I see that he was not simply talking about “religious educators” but “each and all of its members”—a major difference.
Whether or not that proves to be the case (that someone presents a paper on the subject), the fact is that President Clark and some other church leaders have taught that this is fundamental to personal faith and testimony. So much so, in fact, that President Clark, speaking for and in behalf of the First Presidency, stated that if you do not gain an inner conviction of Joseph’s First Vision and the restoration of the priesthood, you are “not a Latter-day Saint.” So much for so-called “cultural Mormons” and other dissidents who want to be in the Church community but not of it—President Clark in not gentle in referring to such and his declarations are strong. And you don’t have to attend a symposium or buy a book later to study them:
President J. Reuben Clark Jr.:
In all this there are for the Church, and for each and all of its members, two prime things which may not be overlooked, forgotten, shaded, or discarded:
First—that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, the Creator of the world, the Lamb of God, the Sacrifice for the sins of the world, the Atoner for Adam’s transgression; that He was crucified; that His spirit left His body; that He died; that He was laid away in the tomb; that on the third day His spirit was reunited with His body, which again became a living being; that He was raised from the tomb a resurrected being, a perfect Being, the First Fruits of the Resurrection; that He later ascended to the Father; and that because of His death and by and through His resurrection every man born into the world since the beginning will be likewise literally resurrected. This doctrine is as old as the world. Job declared:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another (Job 19:26–27).The resurrected body is a body of flesh and bones and spirit, and Job was uttering a great and everlasting truth. These positive facts, and all other facts necessarily implied therein, must all be honestly believed, in full faith, by every member of the Church.
The second of the two things to which we must all give full faith is that the Father and the Son actually and in truth and very deed appeared to the Prophet Joseph in a vision in the woods; that other heavenly visions followed to Joseph and to others; that the gospel and the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God were in truth and fact restored to the earth from which they were lost by the apostasy of the primitive Church; that the Lord again set up His Church, through the agency of Joseph Smith; that the Book of Mormon is just what it professes to be; that to the Prophet came numerous revelations for the guidance, upbuilding, organization, and encouragement of the Church and its members; that the Prophet’s successors, likewise called of God, have received revelations as the needs of the Church have required, and that they will continue to receive revelations as the Church and its members, living the truth they already have, shall stand in need of more; that this is in truth The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and that its foundation beliefs are the laws and principles laid down in the Articles of Faith. These facts also, and each of them, together with all things necessarily implied therein or flowing therefrom, must stand, unchanged, unmodified, without dilution, excuse, apology, or avoidance; they may not be explained away or submerged. Without these two great beliefs the Church would cease to be the Church.
Any individual who does not accept the fulness of these doctrines as to Jesus of Nazareth or as to the restoration of the gospel and holy priesthood is not a Latter-day Saint; the hundreds of thousands of faithful, God-fearing men and women who compose the great body of the Church membership do believe these things fully and completely, and they support the Church and its institutions because of this belief.
President J. Reuben Clark Jr.:
I want to refer to one aspect of the First Vision, that part (on which is hung a charge of epilepsy to discredit and destroy Joseph’s inspiration and mission) which relates that as he came out of the vision he found himself lying on his back, looking up into heaven, without strength, though he soon recovered (see Joseph Smith—History 1:20). You might find it interesting to compare this with the account of the condition of Moses after his great theophany (see Moses 1:9–10), and of Daniel (see Daniel 8:27), and of Saul (see Acts 9; 22), also the incidents connected with the transfiguration on the mount (see Matthew 17:1–9; Mark 9:2–9; Luke 9:28–36).
I wish to make here one observation about the First Vision. No man or woman is a true member of the Church who does not fully accept the First Vision, just as no man is a Christian who does not accept, first, the Fall of Adam and, second, the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Any titular Church member who does not accept the First Vision but who continues to pose as a Church member lacks not only moral courage but intellectual integrity and honor if he does not avow himself an apostate and discontinue going about the Church, and among the youth particularly, as a Churchman, teaching not only lack-faith but faith-destroying doctrines. He is a true wolf in sheep’s clothing. (“The Language of the New Testament, and the Words of Church Leaders as Scripture,” Lecture given to Seminary and Institute Teachers, July 7, 1954; Brigham Young University.)
Elder William Grant Bangerter:
As I approach this assignment, I am brought back to some guidelines, an expression made years ago by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., who said:
There are, for the Church and for each and all of its members, two prime things which may not be overlooked, forgotten, shaded, or discarded:
First: That Jesus Christ is the Son of God. …
Second … : That the Father and the Son actually … appeared to the Prophet Joseph in a vision … ; that the Gospel and the holy Priesthood … were … restored to the earth from which they were lost by the apostasy of the Primitive Church.” (“The Charted Course of the Church in Education, an address delivered in Aspen Grove, Utah, 8 Aug. 1938, p. 3.)
I testify that these stipulations are true because this knowledge has been revealed to me by the unquestionable Spirit of God.
President Joseph Fielding Smith:
We are all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope, and think I am right in having that hope, that we all have a testimony of the truth—that is, of the Restoration of the gospel. There are certain things that must be considered fundamental with us. First, we must accept Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh. We must accept God the Father as our Father, the Father of our spirits. We must put our faith in and accept the revelations in what we call the standard works of the Church. We cannot have in our minds any doubts in relation to the First Vision, the coming of the Father and the Son. That is absolutely fundamental. We must accept the coming of Moroni and the revealing of the Book of Mormon and its translation by the gift and power of God. We must believe in the coming of John the Baptist to restore the Aaronic Priesthood. We must believe in the coming of Peter, James, and John with the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and the conferring of those keys upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the command given unto them to organize the Church. We must believe—there can be no doubts in our minds—as to the reason for the Restoration: that it is because of the universal apostasy that spread over all the Christian world, which made it necessary for the reopening of the heavens. (“Man: His Origin and Destiny,” Lecture given to Seminary and Institute Teachers, June 25, 1954; Brigham Young University.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley:
Our entire case as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rests on the validity of this glorious First Vision. It was the parting of the curtain to open this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration. I submit that if Joseph Smith talked with God the Father and His Beloved Son, then all else of which he spoke is true. This is the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to the path of salvation and eternal life.
This article is cross-posted with the permission of the author, Dennis B. Horne, from the blog at truthwillprevail.xyz.
Sorry but I don’t find the tone of this particularly helpful. I understand trying to defend the church against the influence of cultural members, those who are striving to change the church to have it fit their own ideas, that makes sense.. But I think we need to be careful in our discussions of faith, particularly with the youth.
There are plenty of young people who struggle with their testimonies, and are weak in the faith.. but continue coming to church. Many of them, even some who have served missions, are struggling to keep their faith in God. We’re trying to hang on to these young adults, not drive them away. Prophets today speak about doubting your doubts, and leaning on what you do know…
If a young person struggling with a testimony reads an article like this what would they think? Some might feel you’re telling them to leave because they aren’t a true Latter-day Saint.
I just hope it’s clear that you’re only speaking of those who are the wolves in sheep’s clothing..
Tom,
I am not sure which you don’t find helpful, the introduction to the quotations that I wrote, or the quotations from the prophets that I assembled, or both.
Not saying you are one of them, but there are many voices in the church today that think we should weaken and water-down its teachings to be more acceptable to modern society, and therefore hope to keep more people in it. Some months ago a “cultural Mormon” who desired that very thing, joined the Community of Christ church and found just what they wanted.
You might consider the following:
Reading Pres. Clark’s entire messages. In his talk, he said: ” I shall speak very frankly, for we have passed the place where we may wisely talk in ambiguous words and veiled phrases. We must say plainly what we mean, because the future of our youth, both here on earth and in the hereafter, as also the welfare of the whole Church, are at stake.”
In other words, tell it like it is. “The youth of the Church are hungry for things of the Spirit; they are eager to learn the gospel, and they want it straight, undiluted. They want to know about the fundamentals I have just set out—about our beliefs; they want to gain testimonies of their truth. They are not now doubters but inquirers, seekers after truth. Doubt must not be planted in their hearts. Great is the burden and the condemnation of any teacher who sows doubt in a trusting soul.”
So we should not dilute the gospel, the foundational miracles, nor turn it over to cultural Mormons who would sow doubt in a trusting soul.
Find a copy of Pres. Henry B. Eyring’s talk in which he discusses your concerns about Pres. Clark’s presentations in great detail. “AND THUS WE SEE”: HELPING A STUDENT
IN A MOMENT OF DOUBT,” Address to CES Religious Educators, 5 February 1993. Pres. Eyring goes into some detail about a discussion he had about Pres. Clark’s talk with Pres. Romney, after Pres. Romney had read Pres. Clark’s address, word for word, to S&I instructors. The tone and doctrine and truths are sweet and sound and supernal and authoritative.
With that in mind, read John 6:66-68, where Jesus had taught the harder stronger doctrine: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Jesus didn’t change his tone or language to keep the doubters and cultural disciples. The text says he knew they would leave before they did. We know the same thing will happen today.
President Nelson also knows this, so he warned: “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” Further: “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation,”
If youth leave the church because they cannot stand the stretching (strong tone/doctrine) involved to gain a testimony, so be it. It is God’s doctrine and teaching, not mans. Everyone must one day decide whether they value the philosophies of men as taught by modern society, or if they will be valiant in the faith, as taught by the Lord–and when He spoke through Pres. Clark, He didn’t mince words.
I am relatively new to this site – and believe you mean well. But I can think of few other things that would be more alienating to new readers than a title like this: “Members must ______ or they are not Latter-day Saints” I’m not ready to embrace a doctrine/definition of a “true Latter-day Saint” as made by of one (well-meaning) leader over 80 years ago. (there are plenty of other teachings from this period not making the rounds today – and for good reason)
My understanding of true doctrine and principles is more influenced by the teachings of current leaders. For example Elder Oaks in October 2019:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/17oaks?lang=eng
“…the wise cautions of Elders D. Todd Christofferson and Neil L. Andersen in earlier general conference messages are important to remember. Elder Christofferson taught: “It should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church.”
In the following conference, Elder Andersen taught this principle: “The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk.”
I have personally also found this to be incredibly helpful
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/approaching-mormon-doctrine
Let’s not pull out our testimony tape measures every time we interact with our brothers and sisters in the gospel – but instead focus on civility and kindness. (vs. offensive labels like “true” or “false” Latter-day Saints)
Hi KS,
I am somewhat perplexed at your response, and I wonder if you actually read the entire blog, and my additions in this comments section. Pres. Clark used much more direct language in his addresses than I did for the title, though I am fairly close to quoting him.
Further, this is not just one obscure 80 year old quotation. President Clark’s main message, “The Charted Course of the Church in Education” was given by him as a counselor in the First Presidency, for and in behalf of the entire First Presidency. In other words, his message was approved by them. This meets or exceeds all the definitions of formal official doctrine shared by Pres. Oaks, Elders Christofferson and Anderson, and any other current church leader.
This address, with the strong wording that does offend some who don’t like strong doctrine, is required reading for all church educators every year, including now. The address is endorsed by the Church Board of Education and the Church Education Commissioner’s Office. As you can see from my comments, President Boyd K. Packer viewed it as uncanonized scripture; he never talked to CES personnel without quoting the same text from Pres. Clark that I quoted. This is one reason I added Packer’s comments, so that before someone might make a comment like yours, they could read what modern Church leaders think of the address. I do not hesitate to assure you that President Oaks, President Nelson, President Eyring, and all the current members of the Twelve have studied and love President Clark’s teachings. As president of the Quorum of the Twelve, President Packer said he taught them to the Twelve in their meetings.
There is also a second quotation from Pres. Clark saying the same things, but in even stronger language. Then there is Elder Bangerter’s witness that Pres. Clark’s stipulations were validated by the power of the Holy Spirit to him.
Then there is President Joseph Fielding Smith’s teachings that fully sustain President Clark’s, and President Hinckley’s that sustain all of them.
How many witnesses from prophets and apostles are needed for true doctrine to be believed? We now have the current prophet declaring this coming conference to be the bicentennial celebration of the First Vision, with indications that much of April General Conference will be devoted to it.
How can any Latter-day Saint’s proclaim themselves a Latter-day Saint, and not either already have have or be striving for a witness of the first vision? That is Pres. Clark’s point. We have foundational miraculous claims in this church–the first vision, the historical authenticity and translation of the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God, and the restoration of the priesthood. All of these quoted prophets declare that to be a true and faithful Latter-day Saints you must eventually come to believe in them, to accept them and know they are true and love them and appreciate them for how marvelous they really are; almost incomprehensibly marvelous. Why?, because if we don’t have them, we don’t have the church.
We can (and should) love and serve our fellowmen, and proclaim that Jesus is the Lord, but so can any good Protestant/Evangelical or Catholic. We have so much more. Those who don’t accept the “more” are not true and faithful Latter-day Saints because they have nothing more than the rest of the Christian world. And because these prophets say they are not; harsh though it may sound.
I suggest you might consider reading the entire article closely and also President Packer’s views that I posted in these comments.
We want all to come into the church; to come unto Christ, but I think President Nelson, by email and social media today, is asking us to strive until we get revelation from God that the first vision happened as Joseph said it did. Can we not exercise enough faith to obtain that much testimony? Once we have that witness, we know God lives and that Jesus is His real living Son.
I am impressed with how President Boyd K. Packer felt about President Clark’s message “The Charted Course of the Church in Education,” given under direction and in behalf of the First Presidency to CES teachers. The first quotation in the blog is from that talk. The below are Bro. Packer’s views. He unhesitatingly labels it (uncanonized) scripture:
From President Packer’s talk, “The One Pure Defense”:
In the early 1930s, there grew up in some of the institutes a so-called superior scholarship. Secular approval, they thought, would bring more acceptance from those with whom they associated at the universities.
This attitude infected a number in the seminaries. Some work actually went forward to produce a curriculum focused on contemporary social values rather than revealed doctrine and scripture.
Several of the teachers went to obtain advanced degrees under eminent Bible scholars. They sought learning “out of the best books” (see D&C 88:118; 109:7, 14), but with too little faith. They came back having won their degrees but having lost touch with, and perhaps interest in, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
This pulling at the moorings by some teachers of religion did not go unnoticed in the councils of the Church. The Brethren became concerned. In 1938 all seminary and institute personnel were assembled for summer school at Aspen Grove.
President J. Reuben Clark Jr., speaking for the First Presidency, delivered a monumental address, “The Charted Course of the Church in Education.” It is as much an anchor today as it was the day that it was given. Surely you have read and do reread that charter. Now tonight as your teacher, I assign you to read it again. That is your homework.
I knew virtually all of those men who drifted off course. They found themselves in conflict with the simple things of the gospel. Some of them left and went on to prominent careers in secular education where they felt more comfortable. One by one they found their way outside Church activity and a few of them outside the Church. With each went a following of students—a terrible price to pay.
Over the years I have watched. Their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are not numbered among the faithful in the Church.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-seminary-preservice-readings-religion-370-471-and-475/the-one-pure-defense?lang=eng
Such efforts [correcting S&I & BYU teachers] were repeated from time to time. In 1938 all seminary and institute personnel were assembled for Summer School in Aspen Grove. They were not a large group by present standards. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., speaking for the First Presidency of the Church, presented instruction entitled “The Charted Course of the Church in Education.”
We have, I am sure, all read this document. But some of us have not read it enough. President Clark was a prophet, seer, and revelator. There is not the slightest question but that exceptional inspiration attended the preparation of his message. There is a clarity and power in his words, unusual even for him. I know you have read it before, some of you many times, but I assign you to read it again. Read it carefully and ponder it. For by applying the definition the Lord Himself gave, this instruction may comfortably be referred to as scripture.
(“Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith”)
In 1938 seminary and institute teachers of the Church were gathered at Aspen Grove near Provo, Utah, for a special summer session. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., spoke on the subject “The Charted Course of the Church in Education.” He opened his address by referring to a schoolboy experience. . . .
He then set forth, in an almost scriptural statement, the objectives of those who teach in the Church: . . .
This statement by President Clark, speaking for the First Presidency, is to me the position paper for teachers in the Church. Never a year goes by but that I reread it carefully. Every teacher in the Church should read it in its entirety. I have quoted but part of it here; however, I regard it as being so important that I am including his sermon in its entirety in the appendix.
(“Teach Ye Dilegently”)