John Taylor's sermon in defense of polygamy - April 7, 1866
It is good for the Saints to meet together; it is good to reflect upon the work of God; (1) it is good to be in possession of His blessings; it is a great privilege to enjoy the light of eternal truth, (2)
and to be delivered from the darkness, the error, the confusion, and
the iniquity that prevails generally throughout the world. There are
but very few men in the world who can realize the blessings which we
enjoy unless their minds are enlightened by the Spirit of the living
God. There are, in fact, comparatively few among the Saints who realize
their true position, and who can comprehend correctly the blessings and
privileges that they are in possession of; for men can only grasp these
things as they are enlightened by the spirit of truth, by the spirit of
revelation - by the Holy Ghost - which has been imparted to the Saints
by the laying on of hands, and through their obedience to the
principles of the everlasting Gospel. (3)
If men are in the dark in relation to any of these principles, it is
because they do not live their religion; because they do not walk
according to that light which has been given to them; because, as we
have heard here, they do not pray sufficiently, they do not deny
themselves of evil, and cleave close enough to the principles of
eternal truth. The Gospel is calculated to lead us on from truth to
truth, and from intelligence to intelligence, until that Scripture will
be fulfilled which declares that we shall see as we are seen and know
as we are known, until one will not have to say to another, know ye the
Lord, but all shall know Him from the least unto the greatest, until
the light and intelligence of God shall beam forth upon all, and all
shall bask in the sunlight of eternal truth. (4)
It is a blessing to have the privilege of meeting together in our
general Conference, where the Authorities of the Church can assemble
from different parts of the Territory, and of the earth, to learn the
law of God, to transact business pertaining to His Church and kingdom,
and to build up and establish righteousness on the earth. We cannot
realize the extent of the blessings that we enjoy. We are situated
differently from any other people under the face of the heavens. There
is no people, no government, no kingdom, no nation, no assembly of
people, civil religious, political, or otherwise, that enjoy the
blessings that we are in possession of this day; for whilst others are
groping in the dark and laboring in a state of uncertainty in relation
to the position that they occupy, whether political or religious, we
are free from any surmises or doubts concerning these matters. As it
regards our political status, we are well acquainted with that; we know
the destiny of this Church and kingdom; we know the position that we
occupy towards God and towards the world; we know that the Lord will
accomplish His own purposes; and having this knowledge, we rest
perfectly easy in relation to the result. We know that the kingdom of
God, which is established among us, will continue to spread increase,
and extend, until it covers the earth; and we know that all the
plotting, and machinations, and designs, and combinations of men and
devils will not be able to stop it in its progress; but as it has begun
to roll forth, its speed will continue to accelerate until it has
accomplished all for which it is designed of God, and until the
kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and His
Christ, and He shall reign with universal empire over this earth, and
to Him every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. Therefore, we
have no trembling, no feeling of fear, no anxiety or care as to the
result. All that we have to care about in relation to these matters is,
that we, individually and collectively, do our duty; that we maintain
our integrity before God; that we honor our Priesthood and our calling;
that we pursue a course that shall at all times receive the smiles and
approbation of the Most High, and then as to the result we care not for
we know what the result will be. (5)
As it regards our religious status, we feel just the same in relation
to that, for everything is connected with our religion and our God. We
are not indebted to any church in existence for the position which we
occupy, nor for the intelligence we are in possession of. We have no
need to trace our authority through the Popes, or through any other
medium, we care nothing about them. We do not need either to go to the
Roman or to the Greek Church to find out whether we are right or wrong,
where our religion commenced, and whether we are placed on the right or
on the wrong foundation. We are not under the necessity of searching
the Jewish records, or any other records, in relation to these matters.
We are not indebted to any of the schools, academies, or systems of
divinity, or theology, or any of the religious systems extant, nor to
any of the heathen nations. There is no nation, people, kingdom,
government; no religious or political authority of any kind that is of
an earthly nature, that we have to go to in relation to this matter. We
disclaim the whole of them; claim no affinity to any of them; are not
of them nor from them; and, consequently, so far as they are concerned,
we are perfectly independent of them. Our religion came from God; it is
a revelation from the Most High; it is that everlasting Gospel which
John saw an angel bring to be preached in all the earth, and to every
people, nation, kindred, and tongue, crying with a loud voice, fear God
and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come. (6)
Then God is the author of our religion; He has revealed it from the
heavens; He has sent His holy angels for that purpose, who communicated
it to Joseph Smith and others. Having restored the everlasting Gospel,
He has sent it forth to all the world, and those men who have delivered
that Gospel to us have received it by revelation directly from God, and
have been ordained by that authority. If God has not spoken, if the
heavens have not been opened, if the angels of God have not appeared,
then we have no religion - it is all a farce; for, as I have said
before, we claim no kindred, no affinity, or relationship with them -
God forbid that we should, we do not want it. This, then, is the
platform we stand upon; this is the position that we occupy before God;
for this is God's work that we are engaged in. If He has given any
authority in the last days to mankind, we are in possession of that
authority; and if He has not, then we have no authority, nor any true
religion, nor any true hope. I shall not this morning enter into all
the arguments concerning these matters. All that I can say to you is
what Paul said in his day, "Ye are His witnesses of these things, and
so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." (7)
Brethren, is your religion true, and do you know it? (Voices, yes).
Yes, you know and realize it; it is written in living, indelible
characters on your hearts, which nothing can remove. We are living
witnesses of the truth of God and the revelations which He has given to
His people in these last days. Well, then, we are not concerned about
what the nations of the world can do against it, for they will crumble
and totter, and thrones will be cast down, as it is written in the
Scriptures. The empires of the earth may be dissolved, and all the
nations may crumble to pieces, and wars, and pestilence, and famine may
stalk through the earth; this is not our affair; they are not our
nations; they are not God's nations. Religionists may squabble, and
contend, and quarrel, and live in difficulty, doubt, and uncertainty in
relation to their affairs; but that is none of our business, it is
entirely their own affair. There may be written upon the whole world,
religious and political, "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin." (Thou art
weighed in the balances, and art found wanting) What is that to us? It
is none of our affair. We are not associated with them; our interest is
not bound up with them; they have nothing which we can sustain. In
relation to all these matters we feel perfectly easy. If war goes forth
and desolates the nations; if confusion exist among religious
denominations; and if they should continue to act as they are doing,
like perfect fools, it is their own business. The Pope may tremble on
his throne, and be afraid that France or some other power will not
sustain him; it is not our affair; we feel perfectly easy and tranquil;
all is right with us, for we are in the hands of God, and it is his
business to take care of his Saints; therefore, we feel perfectly easy,
quiet, and peaceable in relation to all these matters. (8)
Would they try to injure us? Yes. They never tried anything else, and
we are not indebted to them for anything which we enjoy. Did any of
them help us along in our religious matters? Who are we indebted to in
this world? Is there a religious society under the heavens that we are
indebted to for any ideas or intelligence which we possess? Not one. Is
there any priest in Christendom that has helped us forward in the least
in our religious career? Not one. You cannot find one. Are we indebted
to anybody for our political status? We are not. Who is there that
helps us? There has never been a man yet who dared, at any time, to
advocate our principles and rights in the legislative halls of this or
any other nation; there has never been a man who has had the honesty,
and truthfulness, and integrity to do it; they dare not do it, because
it is unpopular. We dare advocate our principles, and God dare help us;
and if we enjoy any rights, and privileges, and peace - if there are
any blessings of any kind that we enjoy - we derive them from our
Heavenly Father, and we are not indebted to any power, government,
rule, or authority, religious, political, or otherwise, throughout the
whole of this habitable globe, for any blessings or privileges we
enjoy, excepting sometimes, by a little persecution they help us to be
a little more united, that's all; and we do not thank them for this,
for it does not come with their good will. If their lies shall make the
truth of God abound to his glory, all right; they will lie on, because
they are of their father the devil, and his work they will do. He was a
liar from the beginning; he is the father of lies, and they are his
children. Therefore, in relation to all of these matters we feel
perfectly easy. (9)
I was asked the other day if I would like to go and bear testimony
before the court in relation to whether polygamy was a religious
ordinance or not. I answered yes, if they subpoena me. They have not
done it yet, and I do not know whether they will or not. I am quite
willing to go and testify to that matter at any time. I think I will
testify to you here. To begin with, there is nothing that I know of, or
am acquainted with in this world, but what is a part of my religion and
mixed up with it. It is all religion with me. I was told that the
parties desired to know whether or not I believed that polygamy was a
religious ordinance or institution. If this question had been put to
me, I should have been inclined to ask the parties what they understood
by the word religion; because, if I could not find out what their view
of religion was, of course I could not tell whether I, in their
estimation, had any or not. (10)
This consideration led me to a few reflections in relation to this
matter. I had recourse to some of our dictionaries, to find out what
popular lexicographers said about it. I referred to the standard works
of several different nations, which I find to be as follows: - Webster
(American), "Religion includes a belief in the revelation of his
(God's) will to man, and in man's obligation to obey his command."
Worcester (a prominent American). 1. An acknowledgement of our
obligation to God as our creator. 2. A particular system of faith or
worship. We speak of the Greek, Hindoo, Jewish, Christian, and
Mahomedan religion. Johnson (English), "Religion, a system of faith and
worship." Dictionary of the French Academy, "La croyance que l'on a de
la divinite' et le culte qu'on lue rend en consequence." Foi croyance.
The belief we have in God and his worship. (11)
Faith - belief. German Dictionary of Wurterbuch, by Dr. N. N. W.
Meissner, a standard work in Germany. "Religion, glaube, faith,
persuasion." Here, then we have the opinion of four of the great
leading nations of the earth, as expressed by their acknowledged
standard works, on what they consider to be the meaning of the word
religion. The German has it - faith, persuasion. The French - faith,
belief; faith in God and his worship. The English - a system of faith
and worship. These three are very similar. Next we have Webster,
American, which is our acknowledged standard, and he says, "Religion
includes a belief in the revelations of God's will to man, and in man's
obligation to obey his commands." This is, indeed, very pointed; and if
this definition be correct, it would necessarily lead us to inquire, as
did Paul of old. "Whether is it better to obey man or God judge ye." (12)
Worcester, another prominent American lexicographer, speaks of
"Religion as an acknowledgement of God as our creator, and a particular
system of faith or worship." Here he agrees with the French, German,
and English. He then quotes from a prominent work - "We speak of the
Greek, Hindoo, Jewish, Christian, and Mahomedan religions." He might
very properly have added Mormon. Faith, belief, and worship seem to be
the prominent idea advanced, with the addition of our popular
lexicographer Walker, who adds to the faith in God, that it must be in
the revelations of His will to man, and in man's obligations to obey
His commands. (13)
Having now found out what the meaning of religion is, we shall be the
better prepared to inquire whether a plurality of wives, or, as it is
sometimes called, polygamy, is a part of our religious faith or not.
The Constitution of the United States says that "Congress shall make no
law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof." I have thought of the law which Congress has made in
relation to polygamy. The question, however, necessarily arises, is it
constitutional for Congress to interfere with religious matters - with
the establishment of religion, or the free exercise thereof? The
Constitution says no. Then is polygamy a religious question or is it
not? Is it a marriage ceremony or is it not? Marriage is received by
the Greek church as a solemn sacrament of the church; the Roman
Catholic church and the Church of England also admit marriage to be a
religious sacrament; and so it is admitted by the great mass of
religious sects now in the world. These are facts that need no proof;
everybody is acquainted with them. It is true that in France and in the
United States magistrates are authorized to officiate in solemnizing
marriages. But in France, to this day, unless they are married by a
minister of religion, many of the more conscientious feel that they are
living in a state of adultery. (14)
Now, in relation to the position that we occupy concerning plurality,
or, as it is termed, polygamy it differs from that of others. I have
noticed the usage of several nations regarding marriage; but, as I have
said, we are not indebted to any of them for our religion, nor for our
ideas of marriage, they came from God. Where did this commandment come
from in relation to polygamy? It also came from God. It was a
revelation given unto Joseph Smith from God, and was made binding upon
His servants. When this system was first introduced among this people,
it was one of the greatest crosses that ever was taken up by any set of
men since the world stood. Joseph Smith told others; he told me, and I
can bear witness of it, "that if this principle was not introduced,
this Church and kingdom could not proceed." When this commandment was
given, it was so far religious, and so far binding upon the Elders of
this Church that it was told them if they were not prepared to enter
into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that would come in
consequence of it, the keys of the kingdom would be taken from them.
When I see any of our people, men or women, opposing a principle of
this kind, I have years ago set them down as on the high road to
apostacy, and I do to-day; I consider them apostates, and not
interested in this Church and kingdom. It is so far, then, a religious
institution, that it affects my conscience and the consciences of all
good men - it is so far religious that it connects itself with time and
with eternity. What are the covenants we enter into, and why is it that
Joseph Smith said that unless this principle was entered into this
kingdom could not proceed? We ought to know the whys and the wherefores
in relation to these matters, and understand something about the
principle enunciated. These are simply words; we wish to know their
signification. (15)
Where is there in the world a people that make any pretensions to have
any claim upon their wives in eternity? Where is there a priest in all
Christendom that teaches anything of this kind? You cannot find them.
Marriage is solemnized until death do them part, and when death comes
to either party, then there is an end to the whole matter, and what
comes after death is in the dark to them. It was so with us up to the
time of the giving of that revelation; we had no claim upon one wife in
eternity. They had obeyed the Gospel as we had; they had been baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins as we had; we had
been married to them according to the laws of the land, and were living
as other Gentiles were, but we had no claim upon them in eternity. It
was necessary that one grand truth should be unlocked, which is, that
man and woman are destined to live together and have a claim upon each
other in eternity. The Priesthood being restored, the key was turned in
relation to this matter, and the privilege was placed not only within
the reach of the Elders of this Church, but within the reach of all who
should be considered worthy of it, to make covenants with their
partners that should be binding in the eternal worlds; that in this
respect, as well as in other respects, we might stand as a
distinguished people, separate and apart from the rest of the earth,
depending upon God for our religion. (16)
Previous to this revelation, who in all the world had any claim upon
their wives in the eternal world, or what wife had a claim upon her
husband? Who ever taught them any such principle? Nobody. Some of the
novel writers have noticed it, but they did not claim authority from
heaven; they merely wrote their own opinions and followed the
promptings of their own instincts, which led them to hope that such a
thing might be the case; but there was no certainty about it. Our
position was just as Joseph said: if we could not receive the Gospel
which is an everlasting Gospel; if we could not receive the dictum of a
Priesthood that administers in time and eternity; if we could not
receive a principle that would save us in the eternal world, and our
wives and children with us, we were not fit to hold this kingdom, and
could not hold it, for it would be taken from us and given to others.
This is reasonable proper, consistent, and recommends itself to the
minds of all intelligence when it is reflected upon in the light of
truth. Then, what did this principle open up to our view? That our
wives, who have been associated with us in time - who had borne with us
the heat and burden of the day, who had shared in our afflictions,
trials, troubles, and difficulties, that they could reign with us in
the eternal kingdoms of God, and that they should be sealed to us not
only for time, but for all eternity. This unfolded to us the eternal
fitness and relationship of things as they exist on the earth, of man
to man, and of husband to wife; it unfolds the relationship they should
occupy in time to each other, and the relationship that will continue
to exist in eternity. Hence it is emphatically a religious subject so
deep, sacred, and profound, so extensive and far-reaching, that it is
one of the greatest principles that was ever revealed to man. Did we
know anything about it before? No. How did we get a knowledge of it? By
revelation. And shall we treat lightly these things? No. The Lord says
that his servants may take to themselves more wives than one. Who gives
to them one wife? The Lord. And has he not a right to give to them
another, and another, and another? I think he has that right. Who has a
right to dispute it, and prohibit a union of that kind, if God shall
ordain it? Has not God as much right to-day to give to me, or you, or
any other person two, three, four, five, ten, or twenty wives, as he
had anciently to give them to Abraham, Isaac, David, Solomon, etc.? Has
not the Lord a right to do what he pleases in this matter, and in all
other matters, without the dictation of man? I think He has. Every
principle associated with the Gospel which we have received is eternal,
hence our marriage covenant is an eternal covenant given unto us of
God. Then, when poor, miserable, corrupt men would endeavor to trample
us under their feet because of the principles of truth which we have
received from God, shall we falter in the least? No, never. Its
opposers may croak against it until they go down to the dust of death;
God will defend his work which he has introduced in the latter days;
and, the Lord being our helper, we will help him to sustain it. (17)
Associated with this is another important principle - the baptism for
the dead. One of the prophets has said that, "I will send you Elijah
the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the
Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the
earth with a curse." This Elias signifies a restorer. Jesus said of
John the Baptist, in his day, "And if ye will receive it, this is the
Elias (or restorer) which was for to come." "He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear." But they would not hear: they did not receive it. They
beheaded John, crucified Jesus, killed his apostles, and persecuted his
followers; and their temple, nation, and polity were destroyed. But the
times of restitution spoken of by the prophets must take place; the
restorer must come "before that great and terrible day of the Lord."
The hearts of the fathers must be turned to the children, and the
hearts of the children to the fathers, or the earth will be cursed.
This great eternal marriage covenant lays at the foundation of the
whole; when this was revealed, then followed the other. Then, and not
till then, could the hearts of the fathers be turned to their children,
and the hearts of the children to the fathers; then and not till then,
could the restoration be effectually commenced, time and eternity be
connected, the past, present, and future harmonize, and the eternal
justice of God be vindicated. "Saviors come upon Mount Zion to save the
living, redeem the dead, unite man to woman and woman to man, in
eternal, indissoluble ties; impart blessings to the dead, redeem the
living, and pour eternal blessings upon posterity. (18)
Let us now go back to the action of Congress in relation to plural
marriage, of which these eternal covenants are the foundation. The Lord
says, "I will introduce the times of the restitution of all things; I
will show you my eternal covenants, and call upon you to abide in them;
I will show you how to save yourselves, your wives and children your
progenitors and posterity, and to save the earth from a curse. (19)
Congress says, if you fulfill that law we will inflict upon you pains
and penalties, fines and imprisonments; in effect, we will not allow
you to follow God's commands. Now, if Congress possessed the
constitutional right to do so, it would still be a high-handed outrage
upon the rights of man; but when we consider that they cannot make such
a law without violating the Constitution and thus nullifying the act,
what are we to think of it? Where are we drifting to. After having,
with uplifted hands to heaven, sworn that they will "make no law
respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof," to thus sacrilegiously stand between a whole
community and their God, and deliberately debar them so far as they
have the power, from observing his law, do they realize what they are
doing? Whence came this law on our statute books? Who constituted them
our conscience keepers? Who appointed them the judge of our religious
faith, or authorized them to coerce us to transgress a law that is
binding and imperative on our consciences? We do not expect that
Congress is acquainted with our religious faith; but, as members of the
body politic, we do claim the guarantees of the Constitution and
immunity from persecution on merely religious grounds. (20)
What are we to think of a United States judge who would marry a man to
another man's wife. He certainly ought to know better. We are told that
she was a second wife, and, therefore, not acknowledged. Indeed, this
is singular logic. If she was not a wife, then polygamy is no crime in
the eyes of the law; for Congress have passed no law against whoredom.
A man may have as many mistresses as he please, without transgressing
any law of Congress. The act in relation to polygamy contemplates
punishing a man for having more wives, not mistresses. If she was
simply his mistress, then the law is of no effect; and the very fact of
Congress passing such a law is the strongest possible proof in law, of
the existence of a marriage covenant, which, until that law was passed
was by them considered valid. If, then, she was not his wife, no person
could be punished under that law for polygamy. If she was his wife,
then the judge transgressed the law which he professionally came to
maintain. (21)
In relation to all these matters, the safe path for the Saints to take
is, to do right, and, by the help of God, seek diligently and honorably
to maintain the position which they hold. Are we ashamed of anything we
have done in marrying wives? No. We shall not be ashamed before God and
the holy angels, much less before a number of corrupt, miserable
scoundrels, who are the very dregs of hell. (22)
We care nothing for their opinions, their ideas, or notions; for they
do not know God, nor the principles which he has revealed. They wallow
in the sink of corruption as they would have us do; but, the Lord being
our helper, we will not do it, but we will try to do right and keep the
commandments of God, live our religion, and pursue a course that will
secure to us the smiles and approbation of God our Father. Inasmuch as
we do this He will take care of us, maintain His own cause, and sustain
His people. We have a right to keep His commandments. But what would
you do if the United States were to bring up an army against you on
account of polygamy, or on account of any other religious subject? (23)
We would trust in God, as we always have done. Would you have no fears?
None. All the fears that I am troubled with is that this people will
not do right - that they will not keep the commandments of God. If we
will only faithfully live our religion, we fear no earthly power. Our
safety is in God. Our religion is an eternal religion. Our covenants
are eternal covenants, and we expect to maintain the principles of our
religion on the earth, and to possess them in the heavens. And if our
wives and children do right, and we as fathers and husbands do right in
this world, we expect to have our wives and children in eternity. Let
us live in that way which will secure the approbation of God, that we,
his representatives on the earth, may magnify our calling, honor Him
and maintain our integrity to the end; that we may be saved in His
celestial kingdom, with our wives, and children, and brethren, from
generation to generation, worlds without end. Amen. (24)
1) The work of God is sincere belief and trust or faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29.
2) The eternal truth is Jesus Christ not polygamy.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.
3) Faith in the eternal truth comes from hearing a testimony about Jesus Christ.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the
children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of
all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and
began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did
both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by
hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him
openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God,
even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And
He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He
who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him
all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in
Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking
these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured
out on the Gentiles also. Acts 10:34-45.
4) The Christian Gospel is the message of Jesus Christ not polygamy.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you
are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I
also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then
by the twelve. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
5) The kingdom of God is not a bogus church based in Utah.
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would
come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with
observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed,
the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21.
6) The Mormon religion is not the Christian Gospel.
Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the
marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true
sayings of God.” And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to
me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your
brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:9-10.
7) The Christian Gospel never had to be restored by ungodly polygamists.
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our
common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the
saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were
marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of
our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus
Christ. Jude 1:3-4.
8) John Taylor hated the United States and was in violation of the word of God.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed
by God. Romans 13:1.
9) Mormons have always considered non-Mormons their enemies since the beginning of their religion.
And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble
yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the
land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.
Doctrines and Covenants 52:42, June 7, 1831.
10) Novice John Taylor did not understand that polygamy was never a Christian principle.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate,
sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to
wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome,
not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in
submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule
his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a
novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same
condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among
those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the
devil. 1 Timothy 3:2-7.
11) The Christian religion or practice involves loving others less fortunate than yourself.
If anyone among you thinks he is
religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s
religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the
Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep
oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:26-27.
12) Faith in Jesus Christ comes from having a testimony of Jesus Christ.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2.
13) Christian revelation comes from having the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Revelation 1:1-2.
14) The United States was founded upon Christian values that outlawed murder, theft, and polygamy.
Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:12-13.
15) Mormonism should never be considered Christian.
To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. Titus 1:4-6.
16) Will you believe Jesus Christ or a Mormon false prophet about eternal marriage?
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” Matthew 22:29-30.
17) Jesus Christ opposed pagan polygamy.
Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” Mark 12:24-25.
18) Baptism for the dead was a pagan ritual that the Mormons adopted.
Otherwise, what will they (pagans) do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they (pagans) baptized for the dead? And why do we (Christians) stand in jeopardy every hour? 1 Corinthians 15:29-30.
19) God the Father opposed pagan polygamy.
“When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiple wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.” Deuteronomy 17:14-17.
20) The United States was founded upon Christian values that outlawed murder, theft, and polygamy.
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Matthew 19:4-6.
21) John Taylor was a career criminal in violation of the Morrill Act.
The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act (37th United States Congress, Sess. 2., ch. 126, 12 Stat. 501) was a federal enactment of the United States Congress that was signed into law on July 8, 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. Sponsored by Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont, the act banned bigamy and limited church and non-profit ownership in any territory of the United States to $50,000. Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
22) John Taylor was a criminal who should have been hung for treason but is in hell now.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. Romans 13:2-3.
23) John Taylor was a criminal who should have been hung for treason but is in hell now.
For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. Romans 13:4-5.
24) John Taylor was a criminal who should have been hung for treason but is in hell now.
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17.