Official Declarations 1 & 2; The Articles of Faith - Polygamy, Race, & Beliefs
Digest
This podcast delves into significant historical and doctrinal topics within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It begins by discussing Official Declaration 1, the Manifesto, which ended the practice of plural marriage, and Official Declaration 2, the 1978 revelation that removed the priesthood race restriction. The speaker examines the historical context, government pressures, and the difficult decisions faced by Church leaders like Wilford Woodruff and Spencer W. Kimball. The concept of "precedent" versus "president" (prophetic guidance) is explored as a framework for understanding these changes, emphasizing trust in divinely appointed leaders. The podcast then transitions to a detailed study of the 13 Articles of Faith, breaking them down into categories concerning the gospel, the Church's organization and authority, and its engagement with the world. Key themes include the nature of the Godhead, personal accountability, salvation through Christ's atonement, the foundational ordinances of the gospel, the necessity of priesthood authority, spiritual gifts, continuing revelation, and the principles of religious freedom, lawfulness, and virtuous living. The discussion highlights the importance of seeking personal witness, trusting prophetic counsel, and actively living the principles of the gospel.
Outlines
Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants Study and Future Topics
The podcast concludes its study of the Doctrine and Covenants, previewing upcoming topics like the Proclamation on the Family and the Old Testament. It also introduces the concept of studying Official Declarations as a unique form of revelation.
Official Declarations 1 & 2: Landmark Revelations
This section discusses Official Declaration 1, the Manifesto, which officially ended the practice of plural marriage, and Official Declaration 2, the 1978 revelation that ended the restriction on priesthood and temple blessings for all worthy male members, regardless of race. It highlights the historical context and the revelations received by Woodruff and Kimball.
The Articles of Faith: A Capstone to Doctrine Study
The speaker introduces the Articles of Faith as a fitting conclusion to the year's study, emphasizing their concise and powerful summary of Latter-day Saint beliefs and their role in navigating complex histories.
Historical Context and Navigating Complex Issues
The origins of the Articles of Faith are explored, referencing historical invitations and introducing concepts for understanding complex issues like plural marriage and race restriction, acknowledging the time and complexity required for full understanding.
The Principle of Avoiding the Appearance of Evil
The discussion focuses on Official Declaration 1 and Wilford Woodruff's decision to end plural marriage, drawing a parallel to the principle of \"abstain from all appearance of evil\" and its application in avoiding even the perception of wrongdoing, including government pressure and choosing battles.
Precedent vs. President: Understanding Church Decisions
The speaker introduces the concepts of \"precedent\" (past actions) and \"president\" (leadership) as frameworks for understanding controversial church decisions, particularly regarding plural marriage and race, advocating for trust in prophetic guidance over past precedents.
Accepting Prophetic Guidance: Official Declarations in Focus
The speaker examines the language in Official Declarations 1 and 2, highlighting how Lorenzo Snow and Spencer W. Kimball relied on the principle of \"president\" (prophetic authority) rather than precedent in their decisions.
Trusting Revelation and Personal Witness
The speaker discusses the importance of Saints trusting prophetic revelation and seeking their own witness, especially in difficult times, and delves into Wilford Woodruff's teachings on the Manifesto and navigating the fallibility of prophets.
Seeking Divine Guidance and Collective Revelation
The speaker uses biblical examples and Wilford Woodruff's approach to illustrate the desire for all God's people to have the Spirit of the Lord and emphasizes asking God the right questions for collective revelation and following God's counsel collectively.
Catching Up to Jesus and Joseph Smith: Race and Priesthood
The speaker discusses the historical ambiguity of the priesthood restriction's origins, differentiating between revelation and policy, and highlighting the 1978 revelation confirming the day for all worthy men to receive the priesthood and temple blessings, while encouraging trust in God's timing.
The Articles of Faith: Foundational Gospel Principles
The speaker expresses trust in God's will and timing, attributing this confidence to the Articles of Faith, and begins a discussion of the first four Articles, covering belief in the Godhead, personal accountability, salvation through Christ's atonement, and the core principles and ordinances of the gospel.
The Role and Organization of the Church
The speaker addresses the importance of the organized Church, introducing Articles of Faith 5-9, which focus on priesthood authority, the Church's pattern based on the primitive church, spiritual gifts, scripture as the Word of God, and the concept of ongoing revelation.
Navigating the World as Latter-day Saints
The last four Articles of Faith provide guidance on how the Church should navigate the world, focusing on the literal gathering of Israel, religious freedom, obedience to law, and actively pursuing virtue and doing good to all men.
Closing Thoughts and Future Study
The speaker concludes by reflecting on the Articles of Faith as a capstone, encouraging continued study of scripture, including the upcoming study of the Proclamation on the Family, and emphasizing the importance of seeking virtuous things and coming unto Christ.
Keywords
Official Declarations
Authoritative pronouncements by Church leadership clarifying doctrine or policy, such as the end of plural marriage and the lifting of the priesthood race restriction.
Plural Marriage (Polygamy)
The historical practice of men marrying multiple wives in the early Church, officially discontinued by Official Declaration 1.
Priesthood Race Restriction
The former policy prohibiting men of Black African descent from holding the priesthood, lifted by Official Declaration 2 in 1978.
Articles of Faith
A concise summary of core Latter-day Saint beliefs written by Joseph Smith, covering foundational doctrines and principles.
"Abstain from all appearance of evil"
A principle emphasizing avoiding not only evil but also anything that might appear evil, relevant to historical decisions like ending plural marriage.
Precedent vs. President
A framework for understanding Church decisions, contrasting reliance on past actions (precedent) with trust in current prophetic guidance (president).
Revelation
Communication from God to humankind, essential for guidance, doctrine, and the administration of the Church, including ongoing revelation.
Godhead
The distinct yet unified beings of the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, central to Latter-day Saint belief.
Priesthood Authority
The power and right to act in God's name, essential for preaching the gospel and administering ordinances.
Open Canon
The belief that God continues to reveal His will through modern scriptures and living prophets, implying ongoing divine communication.
Q&A
What are the two "Official Declarations" discussed in the podcast, and what significant changes did they bring about?
The two Official Declarations are: 1) The Manifesto (Official Declaration 1), issued in 1890, which ended the practice of plural marriage. 2) The 1978 revelation (Official Declaration 2), which extended priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members, regardless of race.
How does the speaker differentiate between "precedent" and "president" in the context of church history and decision-making?
"Precedent" refers to following past actions or traditions, while "president" refers to trusting the guidance of the current Church president (prophet) who receives revelation from God. The speaker advocates for relying on the principle of "president" over mere precedent.
What is the significance of the first four Articles of Faith?
The first four Articles of Faith lay the foundation for understanding the gospel: belief in the Godhead, personal accountability for sins, salvation through Christ's atonement and obedience, and the core principles/ordinances of faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost.
How do Latter-day Saints understand the Godhead, and how does it differ from the traditional doctrine of the Trinity?
Latter-day Saints believe in the Godhead as three distinct beings—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—united in purpose and will, but not in substance. This differs from the traditional Trinity doctrine, which posits one God in three persons.
What is the role of the Church according to the Articles of Faith?
The Articles of Faith (specifically 5-9) emphasize the Church's divine establishment, its need for priesthood authority, its pattern based on the primitive church, the importance of spiritual gifts, and the role of scripture as the Word of God.
Why is the concept of an "open canon" important in the context of scripture study?
An open canon signifies the belief that God continues to reveal His will through modern scriptures and living prophets. This encourages ongoing study and openness to new insights, rather than treating existing scriptures as a final, closed collection.
How does the 11th Article of Faith differ from the others in its wording and meaning?
The 11th Article of Faith is unique because it doesn't begin with "we believe." Instead, it uses the verb "claim," signifying an active pursuit and defense of the privilege of religious freedom for oneself and others, rather than a passive acceptance.
What is the core message of the 13th Article of Faith?
The 13th Article of Faith emphasizes not just acknowledging virtues like honesty and chastity, but actively *being* these things and *doing* good to all people. It calls for a proactive and intentional pursuit of all that is virtuous, lovely, and praiseworthy.
Show Notes
How does a church navigate change, controversy, and continuing revelation while staying true to its foundation? The Articles of Faith lay the groundwork, but the two Official Declarations provide proof of a living church, led by a living prophet. We'll analyze the deep counsel given in these landmark sections.
Official Declaration 1: The End of Plural Marriage President Wilford Woodruff faced a devastating dilemma: adhere to the law of plural marriage and lose the temples, ordinances, and leadership to imprisonment, or cease the practice.
Honoring Authority: President Woodruff declared his "intention to submit" to the laws of Congress that the Supreme Court had pronounced constitutional. He even went so far as to order the Endowment House "taken down without delay" following one reported (but unproven) case of a marriage performed there.
The Critical Question: He was commanded by God to "ask the Latter-day Saints a question" —which was the wisest course: to sacrifice the temples and ordinances, or to cease the practice, "leave the Temples in the hands of the Saints," and let the work for the dead continue.
Prophetic Integrity: He declared he would have let all the temples go and gone to prison himself "had not the God of heaven commanded me" to do what he did, and when that command came, "it was all clear to me". This shows a willingness to fully embrace the opposing viewpoint before receiving the final divine guidance.
Official Declaration 2: Revelation on the Priesthood Received by President Spencer W. Kimball after "extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple" , this declaration fulfilled the promises of earlier prophets.
Divine Guidance: The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles "pleaded long and earnestly" and supplicated the Lord for "divine guidance".
The Result: God "heard our prayers," and by revelation, confirmed that "the long-promised day has come". This revelation extended the priesthood and temple blessings to "every faithful, worthy man" so he could "enjoy with his loved ones every blessing" that flows therefrom.
The Articles of Faith These 13 points, part of the Wentworth Letter, establish our fundamental beliefs:
Core Doctrine (A of F 1-4): Belief in the Godhead , accountability for "our own sins, and not for Adam's transgression" , salvation through the Atonement "by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" , and the first principles of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
A Living Church (A of F 5-9): We believe in priesthood authority , the "same organization that existed in the Primitive Church" , spiritual gifts , and accepting the Bible and the Book of Mormon as the word of God. Most importantly, we believe God "will yet reveal many great and important things".
The Path of Discipleship (A of F 10-13): We believe in the literal gathering of Israel , "claim the privilege" of worshiping according to conscience , are subject to the law , and seek after anything "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy".
Call-to-Action: What "great and important thing" (A of F 9) do you need to seek personal revelation on this week? Share your thoughts below! If this message reinforced your faith in continuing revelation, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay "Unshaken" in your faith.
Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
5:47 Avoiding the Appearance of Evil
17:42 Precedent or President
30:13 Following Fallibility
51:40 Race and the Priesthood
1:04:22 Returning to God
1:14:30 The Church of Jesus Christ
1:22:23 Gathering Israel by Being Good
1:30:50 One-Liners
Table of contents
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