“Celestial Marriage” and other unorthodox Mormon beliefs

[Enoch111]

There can be no doubt that there is a huge divide between Bible Christianity and Mormonism. Indeed the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints is regarded as a cult (https://www.cultwatch.com/mormon.html)

Orson Pratt was a leading Mormon theologian who was a part of the original “Quorum of the Twelve Apostles” in the LDS Church. Therefore anything that he had to say would be regarded as authoritative by Mormons.

He spoke about Celestial Marriage in “A Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, Delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, August 29, 1852.” Reported by G. D. Watt. This is found in Journal of Discourses, Public Sermons by Mormon Leaders from 1851-1886, Volume 1, pages 53-66. The discourse is a lengthy one (16 pages) therefore the weird and bizarre teachings of Mormon Church can only be summarized here. For a full review, the above discourse is available on line. Pratt taught the following, and brief quotations will be provided for some of these strange beliefs after listing them:

1. Polygamy (“a plurality of wives”) is a part of the Mormon religion, hence protected by the Constitution of the United States. That the Abrahamic Covenant demands polygamy on the part of Mormons, and that Abraham’s polygamy is an example for Mormons, and that God requires polygamy of His “faithful and chosen servants”.

2. That Mormons were “the sons of God” present with Christ at creation, and shouted with joy (as mentioned in Job), and these are the pre-existent spirits from the time of creation until they are born as human beings.

3. That Adam and Eve were married for eternity, therefore Mormon marriages are for eternity (“celestial marriages”) and connected to the pre-existence of spirits, and that the Mormon priesthood can seal these marriages for eternity.

4. That the Lord Jesus Christ Himself evolved from among these “sons of God” until He reached the status of “all the fulness of the Father”, and that there is a plurality of gods beside the Holy Trinity, and Mormons will eventually become Gods (with a capital G).

5. That the visions of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon have the same authority as Scripture, and that there are celestial, terrestrial, and telestial worlds according to their visions. That Joseph Smith was a prophet, seer, revelator, and martyr, and he alone had the “sealing keys power” to seal these celestial marriages for eternity.

6. That the Mormon Priesthood has the power to make gods out of Mormons, and that all others are simply ministering spirits.

7. That those who reject Mormon teachings will be damned.

Quotations from Orson Pratt:

POLYGAMY: It is well known, however, to the congregation before me, that the Latter-day Saints have embraced the doctrine of a plurality of wives, as a part of their religious faith. It is not, as many have supposed, a doctrine embraced by them to gratify the carnal lusts and feelings of man; that is not the object of the doctrine... How is this [sexual immorality] to be prevented? for we have got a fallen nature to grapple with. It is to be prevented in the way the Lord devised in ancient times; that is, by giving to His faithful servants a plurality of wives, by which a numerous and faithful posterity can be raised up, and taught in the principles of righteousness and truth:...

PRE-EXISTENT SPIRITS AND SONS OF GOD WHO ASSISTED AT CREATION: The “Mormons” have a peculiar doctrine in regard to our pre-existence, different from the views of the Christian world, so called, who do not believe that man had a pre-existence... Where do you read that? says one. Out of the Book of Abraham, translated from the Egyptian papyrus by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Does the Lord create a new spirit every time a new tabernacle comes into the world? That does not look reasonable, nor Godlike... We should say, that our spirits were formed by generation [sexual reproduction], the same as the body or tabernacle of flesh and bones... The SONS of God, recollect, shouted for joy, because there was a beautiful habitation being built, so that they could get tabernacles [human bodies], and dwell thereon; they expected the time—they looked forward to the period... Do you realize that you and I were there?... though it was through him, [Jesus Christ] as the great leader of all these sons of God, the earth was framed, and framed too, by the assistance of all his younger brethren...

CELESTIAL MARRIAGES ARE FOR ETERNITY AND MORMONS TO BECOME GODS: It is known that the “Mormons” are a peculiar people about marriage; we believe in marrying, not only for time, but for all eternity.... The Lord has ordained that these spirits should come here and take tabernacles by a certain law, through a certain channel; and that law is the law of marriage... The first marriage that we have any account of, was between two immortal beings—old father Adam and old mother Eve; they were immortal beings; death had no dominion, no power over them; they were capable of enduring forever and ever, in their organization... Suppose, then, that the fall was of such a nature as to dissolve the marriage covenant, by death—which is not necessary to admit, for the covenant was sealed previous to the fall, and we have no account that it was dissolved—but suppose this was the case, would not the redemption be equally as broad as the fall, to restore the posterity of Adam back to that which they lost? And if Adam and Eve were married for all eternity, the ceremony was an everlasting ordinance, that they twain should be one flesh forever... but the fall has brought in disunion through death; it is not a part of the original plan; consequently, when male and female are restored from the fall, by virtue of the everlasting and eternal covenant of marriage, they will continue to increase and multiply to all ages of eternity, to raise up beings after their own order, and in their own likeness and image, germs of intelligence, that are destined, in their times and seasons, to become not only sons of God, but Gods themselves.

EVOLUTION OF CHRIST BY DEGREES: He [Christ] was obliged to begin down at the lowest principles of knowledge, and ascend upward by degrees, receiving grace for grace, truth for truth, knowledge for knowledge, until he was filled with all the fulness of the Father, and was capable of ruling, governing, and controlling all things, having ascended above all things. Just so with us; we that once lifted up our united voices as sons and daughters of God, and shouted for joy at the laying of the foundation of this earth, have come here and taken tabernacles, after the pattern of our elder brother; and in our humiliation—for it is humiliation to be deprived of knowledge we once had, and the power we once enjoyed—in our humiliation, just like our elder brother, our judgment is taken away. Do we not read also in the Bible, that God is the Father of our spirits?

 

[Jane_Doe22]

There can be no doubt that there is a huge divide between Bible Christianity and Mormonism. Indeed the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints is regarded as a cult (https://www.cultwatch.com/mormon.html)

That's a matter of opinion.
Personally, I'm much more concerned with God's view on that matter than any human's.

Orson Pratt was a leading Mormon theologian who was a part of the original “Quorum of the Twelve Apostles” in the LDS Church. Therefore anything that he had to say would be regarded as authoritative by Mormons.

NOT REMOTELY!

"Theologians" don't remotely define God's doctrines. And definitely not a single human saying something. Orson Pratt was a single person, and while he got a lot of things right, there were some things he got wrong too.

He spoke about Celestial Marriage in “A Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, Delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, August 29, 1852.” Reported by G. D. Watt. This is found in Journal of Discourses, Public Sermons by Mormon Leaders from 1851-1886, Volume 1, pages 53-66.

The discourse is a lengthy one (16 pages) therefore the weird and bizarre teachings of Mormon Church can only be summarized here. For a full review, the above discourse is available on line. Pratt taught the following, and brief quotations will be provided for some of these strange beliefs after listing them:

1. Polygamy (“a plurality of wives”) is a part of the Mormon religion, hence protected by the Constitution of the United States. That the Abrahamic Covenant demands polygamy on the part of Mormons, and that Abraham’s polygamy is an example for Mormons, and that God requires polygamy of His “faithful and chosen servants”.

2. That Mormons were “the sons of God” present with Christ at creation, and shouted with joy (as mentioned in Job), and these are the pre-existent spirits from the time of creation until they are born as human beings.

3. That Adam and Eve were married for eternity, therefore Mormon marriages are for eternity (“celestial marriages”) and connected to the pre-existence of spirits, and that the Mormon priesthood can seal these marriages for eternity.

4. That the Lord Jesus Christ Himself evolved from among these “sons of God” until He reached the status of “all the fulness of the Father”, and that there is a plurality of gods beside the Holy Trinity, and Mormons will eventually become Gods (with a capital G).

<Jane cutting short due to CF word constraints>

And not a single quote here is remotely LDS scriptural cannon. I don't even see the point in responding to it. If someone has a particular interest in a part and actual LDS Christian beliefs, I'll respond to that.

Come on @Enoch111 , you're better than this blind bad information.

 

[Enoch111]

Come on @Enoch111 , you're better than this blind bad information.

According to Brigham Young University, Mormon beliefs cannot be dissociated from Orson Pratt:

"As a member of the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the modern dispensation, Orson Pratt participated in almost every phase of the Church's history from 1830 until his death in 1881. As a missionary, editor, pioneer, and pamphleteer, he was one of the most influential leaders of the Church in the nineteenth century... Following Joseph Smith's death in 1844, Pratt supported the right and responsibility of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to preside over the Church...

...When he returned to Salt Lake City, Elder Pratt was assigned by President Brigham Young to publicly preach a sermon announcing the doctrine of plural marriage at a special missionary conference in August 1852.

Following the meetings he was assigned by Brigham Young to publish in Washington, D.C., a periodical in defense of plural marriage. The twelve-month run of The Seer in 1853 provides the most detailed defense of the doctrine in LDS literature....

...Elder Pratt's greatest impact upon the Church came through his precisely written theological studies.... Orson Pratt's religious pamphlets grew out of a missionary context. Their importance lies partly in the extended arguments and "proofs" for the central tenets of LDS theology.
Pratt, Orson - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

So for you to claim that Pratt did not determine LDS theology is rather disingenuous. Or perhaps you know nothing about him, even though he was one of your *apostles*. These bizarre, weird, and unorthodox doctrines are part and parcel of your church, since Pratt, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Brigham Young were all recognized as leaders in the LDS church, and that is still true.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

According to Brigham Young University, Mormon beliefs cannot be dissociated from Orson Pratt:

"As a member of the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the modern dispensation, Orson Pratt participated in almost every phase of the Church's history from 1830 until his death in 1881. As a missionary, editor, pioneer, and pamphleteer, he was one of the most influential leaders of the Church in the nineteenth century... Following Joseph Smith's death in 1844, Pratt supported the right and responsibility of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to preside over the Church...

...When he returned to Salt Lake City, Elder Pratt was assigned by President Brigham Young to publicly preach a sermon announcing the doctrine of plural marriage at a special missionary conference in August 1852.

Following the meetings he was assigned by Brigham Young to publish in Washington, D.C., a periodical in defense of plural marriage. The twelve-month run of The Seer in 1853 provides the most detailed defense of the doctrine in LDS literature....

...Elder Pratt's greatest impact upon the Church came through his precisely written theological studies.... Orson Pratt's religious pamphlets grew out of a missionary context. Their importance lies partly in the extended arguments and "proofs" for the central tenets of LDS theology.
Pratt, Orson - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

So for you to claim that Pratt did not determine LDS theology is rather disingenuous. Or perhaps you know nothing about him, even though he was one of your *apostles*. These bizarre, weird, and unorthodox doctrines are part and parcel of your church, since Pratt, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Brigham Young were all recognized as leaders in the LDS church, and that is still true.

"Associated" versus the "this persons' words are automatically Thus Saith the Lord" are two very different things.







Here's an official Church statement for you, bolding mine:

"Much misunderstanding about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revolves around its doctrine. The news media is increasingly asking what distinguishes the Church from other faiths, and reporters like to contrast one set of beliefs with another.

"The Church welcomes inquisitiveness, but the challenge of understanding Mormon doctrine is not merely a matter of accessing the abundant information available. Rather, it is a matter of how this information is approached and examined.

"The doctrinal tenets of any religion are best understood within a broad context, and thoughtful analysis is required to understand them. News reporters pressed by daily deadlines often find that problematic. Therefore, as the Church continues to grow throughout the world and receive increasing media attention, a few simple principles that facilitate a better understanding may be helpful:

• Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency (the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price), official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith. Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted.
• Some doctrines are more important than others and might be considered core doctrines. For example, the precise location of the Garden of Eden is far less important than doctrine about Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The mistake that public commentators often make is taking an obscure teaching that is peripheral to the Church’s purpose and placing it at the very center. This is especially common among reporters or researchers who rely on how other Christians interpret Latter-day Saint doctrine.

Based on the scriptures, Joseph Smith declared: “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

• Because different times present different challenges, modern-day prophets receive revelation relevant to the circumstances of their day. This follows the biblical pattern (Amos 3:7), in which God communicated messages and warnings to His people through prophets in order to secure their well-being. In our day, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the family in our increasingly fractional society. In addition, the Church does not preclude future additions or changes to its teachings or practices. This living, dynamic aspect of the Church provides flexibility in meeting those challenges. According to the Articles of Faith, “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”
• Latter-day Saints place heavy emphasis on the application of their faith in daily life. For example, the active participation of Latter-day Saints in their community and worldwide humanitarian programs reflects concern for other people. As Jesus Christ declared, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
• Individual members are encouraged to independently strive to receive their own spiritual confirmation of the truthfulness of Church doctrine. Moreover, the Church exhorts all people to approach the gospel not only intellectually but with the intellect and the spirit, a process in which reason and faith work together.
• Those writing or commenting on Latter-day Saint doctrine also need to understand that certain words in the Mormon vocabulary have slightly different meanings and connotations than those same words have in other religions. For example, Latter-day Saints generally view being born again as a process of conversion, whereas many other Christian denominations often view it as a conversion that happens in one defining moment. Sometimes what some may consider an argument or dispute over doctrine is really a misunderstanding of simple differences in terminology.

Journalists, academics and laymen alike are encouraged to pursue their inquiries into the Church by recognizing the broad and complex context within which its doctrines have been declared, in a spirit of reason and good will." (End quote)

Approaching Mormon Doctrine





If anyone wishes to disagree with another person, that's okay. But we should make our disagreements based on the best accurate facts. There's zero need to distort things or be malicious.