Brigham Young: ‘The Pity of Angels Helps Get Rid of Sin’

10 November

brigham-portrait Journal of Discourses 11:301; “It requires all the atonement of false-prophecies-of-mormonism-2Christ, the mercy of the Father, the pity of angels and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with us always, and then to do the very best we possibly can, to get rid of this sin within us.” – Brigham Young, Great Salt Lake City, February 3, 1867

 

Isaiah 55:1-3; “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

We have a few questions about Mr. Young’s assessment. Let’s take a look at what he said –

1.’All of Christ’s atonement…’

Just how does one go about separating what the Lord did for us?

Are there different parts to His sacrifice, and if so what are they?

How could someone leave out a portion of what He for us?

2.’The pity of angels…’

After doing a word search, I couldn’t find this phrase anywhere in the Bible.

What is the pity of angels anyway?

3.’Doing the very best we can…’

Theologian Jonathan Edwards wrote a timeless paper ‘The Excellency of Christ, Jonathan Edwards we believe every Mormon should take the time to read! In his work, he asked several poignant questions to an unbelieving audience, which I’ve often asked of the Mormons over the years.

‘…has he not suffered enough? … What is there wanting, or what would you add if you could, to make him more fit to be your Savior? …’

This is exactly what goes through my mind each time I read a statement by the Church that says ‘in addition to His atonement…’

My goodness, what else could there possibly be? What didn’t He already do? What part of salvation didn’t the righteous, perfect Son of God fulfill?

Another favorite from his list of questions was ‘what are you afraid of?’ I suppose that’s an age-old question! I know I asked myself the same thing when embarking on my own exodus from the lies…

Below you’ll find several more excerpts from Pastor Edwards’ paper, so when you have a moment be sure to read over them! FYI, the section of his paper from where we pulled the quotes can be found in Section III.

You can read it in full at the Ethereal Library The Excellency of Christ, Jonathan Edwards, or Encyclopedia of Jesus’ Life and Time, available at a bookstore near you!

“…[The] teaching is of benefit to us, in that:

A) it gives us insight into the names of Christ in Scripture,

B) it encourages us to accept him as our Savior,

C) it encourages us to accept him as our Friend.

You need not hesitate one moment; but may run to him, and cast yourself upon him. You will certainly be graciously and meekly received by him. …

Whatever your circumstances are, you need not be afraid to come to such a Savior as this.

Be you never so wicked a creature, here is worthiness enough; be you never so poor, and mean, and ignorant a creature, there is no danger of being despised, for though he be so much greater than you, he is also immensely more humble than you. …

What are you afraid of, that you dare not venture your soul upon Christ?

Are you afraid that he cannot save you, that he is not strong enough to conquer the enemies of your soul?

But how can you desire one stronger than “the almighty God”? as Christ is called, Isa. 9:6.

Is there need of greater than infinite strength?

…What is there that you can desire should be in a Savior, that is not in Christ? Or, wherein should you desire a Savior should be otherwise than Christ is? …

Would you have your Savior to be great and honorable, because you are not willing to be beholden to a mean person?

And, is not Christ a person honorable enough to be worthy that you should be dependent on him?

Is he not a person high enough to be appointed to so honorable a work as your salvation?

… And has not Christ been made low enough for you? and has he not suffered enough?

…Was it not a great thing for him, who was God, to take upon him human nature: to be not only God, but man thenceforward to all eternity?

But would you look upon suffering for sinners to be a yet greater testimony of love to sinners, than merely doing, though it be ever so extraordinary a thing that he has done?

And would you desire that a Savior should suffer more than Christ has suffered for sinners?

What is there wanting, or what would you add if you could, to make him more fit to be your Savior? …”

Tags: , , , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply