Historical Events in Mormon History: Moroni and Blood Atonement

23 September

Philippians 4:8; “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

John D Lee sitting on his coffin before executionToday I received my daily e-mail from TodayinMormonHistory.com which served as another reminder of why I left the Church.

In the annals of LDS history lies a treasure trove of sermons the Church would love to have either disappear, or stay in the dark closet from which they were birthed. For the sake of truth, we’re pulling them from their dusty shelves as a grim reminder this church isn’t the family-oriented organization as seen on t.v.

Before we look at the two sermons in question, very briefly, we want to also remind everyone this date in history holds another significant event for the Church.

September 21st to the 22nd is the Autumn Equinox. If you’re unaware, this is when Joseph Smith claims he met with Moroni, an angel of light, to retrieve a buried message known as the Book of Mormon. In fact, he’d been meeting Moroni every year on this date for four years, and performed the necessary tasks given to him from this unknown angel. See Lucy’s Book,
A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith’s Family Memoir, Edited by Lavina Fielding Anderson, pp. 345-388
.

If you’re interested in the deep history of where it all began, this would be the book for you!

Fast forward thirty years, and we come upon the accounts of two self-professed men of God, who explained to their devoted followers there were sinners in the crowd. They had been put on notice that if they didn’t shape up, they’d find themselves choosing the spot they wanted to have their blood atone for their sins.

You can find these events and others at 160 years ago today – Sep 21, 1856.

This may all sound as if I don’t care about these events, but believe me when I say these things are atrocious and it’s part of why I, as well as hundreds of other Christians, are in ministry today. Neither of the evil historical events we’ve presented here today are a reflection of what Paul admonished in Philippians. The legacy of Mormonism will read much like a sad tale of what happens when you’re not following the One True God of the Bible.

By and large, Mormons are a beautiful people who believe they’re worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. They’ve been greatly deceived and deserve to know the truth. If we didn’t believe this here at Life After, we wouldn’t be doing this today. Don’t forget to pray for them won’t you?

Here are the two sermons mentioned earlier –

Jedediah M. Grant –

Journal of Discourses 4:49-51; “I say, that there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood.

We have those amongst us that are full of all manner of abominations, those who need to have their blood shed, for water will not do, their sins are of too deep a dye. . . . I would ask how many covenant breakers there are in this city and in this kingdom. I believe that there are a great many; and if they are covenant breakers we need a place designated, where we can shed their blood. . . .

We have been trying long enough with this people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be unsheathed, not only in word, but in deed. . . .Brethren and sisters, we want you to repent and forsake your sins. And you who have committed sins that cannot be forgiven through baptism, let your blood be shed, and let the smoke ascend, that the incense thereof may come up before God as an atonement for your sins, and that the sinners in Zion may be afraid. ”

…”Some have received the Priesthood and a knowledge of the things of God, and still they dishonor the cause of truth, commit adultery, and every other abomination beneath the heavens, and then meet you here or in the street, and deny it.

These are the abominable characters that we have in our midst, and they will seek unto wizards that peep, and to star-gazers and soothsayers, because they have no faith in the holy Priesthood, and then when they meet us, they want to be called Saints.

The same characters will get drunk and wallow in the mire and filth, and yet they call themselves Saints, and seem to glory in their conduct, and they pride themselves in their greatness and in their abominations.

They are the old hardened sinners, and are almost—if not altogether—past improvement, and are full of hell, and my prayer is that God’s indignation may rest upon them from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet.

I say, that there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood.

We have those amongst us that are full of all manner of abominations, those who need to have their blood shed, for water will not do, their sins are of too deep a dye.

You may think that I am not teaching you Bible doctrine, but what says the apostle Paul? I would ask how many covenant breakers there are in this city and in this kingdom. I believe that there are a great many; and if they are covenant breakers we need a place designated, where we can shed their blood.”

Brigham Young –

Journal of Discourses 4:53-54; “There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins, whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world.

I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is strong doctrine, but it is to save them, not to destroy them. . . .

And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them, and that the law might have its course. I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins.

It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit. As it was in ancient days, so it is in our day; and though the principles are taught publicly from this stand, still the people do not understand them; yet the law is precisely the same. There are sins that can be atoned for by an offering upon an altar, as in ancient days; and there are sins that the blood of a lamb, of a calf, or of turtle doves, cannot remit, but they must be atoned for by the blood of the man. That is the reason why men talk to you as they do from this stand; they understand the doctrine and throw out a few words about it. You have been taught that doctrine, but you do not understand it.”

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