Apologette
02-01-2014, 02:25 PM
William Clayton was the personal secretary of Joseph Smith. He prepared an affidavit regarding the revelation of polygamy (D&C 132) by Smith which should be interesting to everybody:
"After the revelation on celestial marriage was written, Joseph continued his instructions, privately, on the doctrine, to myself and others, and during the last year of his life we were scarcely ever together, alone, but he was talking on the subject, and explaining that doctrine and principles connected with it. He appeared to enjoy great liberty and freedom in his teachings, and also to find great relief in having a few to whom he could unbosom his feelings on that great and glorious subject.
From him I learned that the doctrine of plural and celestial marriage is the most holy and important doctrine ever revealed to man on the earth, and that without obedience to that principle no man can ever attain to the fulness of exaltation in celestial glory." from: William Clayton’s 1874 Affidavit on Delivery of the Revelation
Now, I've seen Mormons elsewhere say that Clayton was a liar, or that I'm a liar for posting this, or whatever other abuse they can come up with to obscure the words of Mr. Clayton. However, this affidavit is a legal document, and a person making such an affidavit is sworn in. So, if this affidavit is true, does it mean:
1. Does the above statement mean that D&C 132 is more important than the revelation of Jesus Christ?
2. Does the above statement mean that Mormons have rejected the most important revelation God ever gave to men?
3. Does the above statement mean that true Mormonism is only found in those groups which obey the revelation which includes: The Kingston Clan, the Allred group, the FLDS, Centennial Park polygamists, the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ, and the rest of the breakaway polygamist churches which consider Mormonism to be apostate?
If Mormons aren't true to what their own founder said was the most important revelation God every gave to men, which includes polygamy and celestial marriage both, then why should anybody take them seriously? Why have they abandoned their god's revelation? For the sake of expediency? It sure seems that way.
"After the revelation on celestial marriage was written, Joseph continued his instructions, privately, on the doctrine, to myself and others, and during the last year of his life we were scarcely ever together, alone, but he was talking on the subject, and explaining that doctrine and principles connected with it. He appeared to enjoy great liberty and freedom in his teachings, and also to find great relief in having a few to whom he could unbosom his feelings on that great and glorious subject.
From him I learned that the doctrine of plural and celestial marriage is the most holy and important doctrine ever revealed to man on the earth, and that without obedience to that principle no man can ever attain to the fulness of exaltation in celestial glory." from: William Clayton’s 1874 Affidavit on Delivery of the Revelation
Now, I've seen Mormons elsewhere say that Clayton was a liar, or that I'm a liar for posting this, or whatever other abuse they can come up with to obscure the words of Mr. Clayton. However, this affidavit is a legal document, and a person making such an affidavit is sworn in. So, if this affidavit is true, does it mean:
1. Does the above statement mean that D&C 132 is more important than the revelation of Jesus Christ?
2. Does the above statement mean that Mormons have rejected the most important revelation God ever gave to men?
3. Does the above statement mean that true Mormonism is only found in those groups which obey the revelation which includes: The Kingston Clan, the Allred group, the FLDS, Centennial Park polygamists, the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ, and the rest of the breakaway polygamist churches which consider Mormonism to be apostate?
If Mormons aren't true to what their own founder said was the most important revelation God every gave to men, which includes polygamy and celestial marriage both, then why should anybody take them seriously? Why have they abandoned their god's revelation? For the sake of expediency? It sure seems that way.