https://bringingtolighthiddenthings.wor ... blog-post/[BRINGING TO LIGHT ALL THE HIDDEN THINGS]
To those who have been a part of this movement and have interest in the covenant being offered in September in Boise:
The scripture project is important. This movement has spent countless hours in diligent work and effort for the offered covenant. There has been much to read and study, ponder and pray about. In light of new events, there is more yet to take to the Lord. Because God only works in the light, it is important to bring all things, wherein we know them, to light.
On Monday, July 31st, 2017 a council of 15 women gathered to potentially revoke a priesthood certificate because accusations had arisen of priestcraft and sexual misconduct a particular brother had and still continued to commit. He will be referred to as “John Doe” out of respect for the repentance process. It is important for you to know some information about this particular person not because of who he is, but because he has been a key member of the scripture committee. For that reason, and that reason alone, he will be mentioned and his impact on the scripture project discussed.
At John Doe’s hearing, Denver attended and testified to the council on July 31st; informing the council that John Doe was “a key contributor” on the scripture project. Furthermore, he stated that John Doe “had received important revelations concerning the scripture project.” Denver also confidently assured the council that John Doe was “innocent”.
Love and mercy should be extended whenever possible. In the trial, witnesses testified of having reached out to John Doe several times on different occasions in love and mercy to persuade him to change his behavior and help him see he had been deceived. He did not take the suggestions and the advice and continued in his behavior. Holding a council of 12 women was a last resort. After all of the evidence had been presented and the witnesses had testified, at the end of the council, the council of 15 women came to a different conclusion than had been testified by Denver and unanimously voted it was necessary to remove John Doe’s priesthood certificate.
Efforts are underway right now to exert power and influence on the council of 15 women to have their conclusions reversed because of how their decision impacts the validity of the scripture covenant.
Before the Women’s council had been officially organized – Denver was notified of some of John Doe’s past and recent behavior. John Doe had believed in, taught, and practiced “bonded soulmates” among other things. Bonded soulmates is a form of spiritual wifery in which the participants claim marriage to someone else in a former lifetime/probation as justification for intimate relationships, sexual misconduct, fornication, or adultery. “Spiritual” rituals/ordinances were performed between “bonded” individuals. When Denver approached the scripture committee with accusations of misconduct, John Doe made a confession to Denver and the committee of some aspects of his misconduct and appeared very repentant and humble.
When the Women’s council took place, at the end of the witnesses statements, John Doe gave a closing statement in which he testified that the witnesses had all lied. During the questions after his closing statement he admitted that he had been committing sexual misconduct while working on the scripture project and it became clear he had lied and there was not remorse for the damage his actions had caused or a change in direction spiritually.
All the witnesses shared their testimonies of the powerful influence John Doe had exhibited throughout their interactions with him and the troubling concern of his ability to receive detailed and believable “revelation from the Lord”. It became clear that Denver had believed John Doe’s expressions of repentance and remorse. John Doe was not “innocent” as had been testified before the council.
Because John Doe had lied to Denver and the scripture committee, concern was expressed regarding the validity of the contributions of John Doe in the project.
When Denver and the Scripture committee were emailed about this issue days after the verdict, this was the scripture committee’s response:
“In the Lord’s answer to our petition concerning the scripture project, He has accepted the scriptures as they stand – including [John Doe’s] contributions. What more do you need? The main message of the Lord’s response is one of forgiveness and love.
[John Doe’s] participation on the scripture committee has nothing to do with your proceedings, which have concluded. We have no desire to get involved with what went on. [John Doe] can speak for himself.”
The Scripture committee, through their response, essentially stated that John Doe’s behavior was worthy enough to the Lord that he (John Doe) could still hold his prominent position on the council and be a mouthpiece of revelation while committing sexual misconduct having intimate relationships.
The witnesses held no ill will for and had forgiven John Doe long ago. The group of witnesses were concerned for other future potential victims of John Doe, and now in light of Denver’s testimony, for his significant contributions to the scripture project and their validity. Given this case and the information now coming to light, the following questions ought to be considered.
No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Mercy and forgiveness should be extended whenever and wherever possible. Does the Lord approve of and accept revelations and contributions to His work from a person when they were continuing unrepentant in committing gross sin?
What are ALL the contributions and revelations made by John Doe to the scripture project? Are they valid and approved by the Lord?
Have there been efforts to cover the gross sins of members of the scripture committee, and if so, why and what effect does this have on the overall project?
How does D&C 63:16 apply in this situation?
Because of the decision made by the council of women to remove John Doe’s certificate of priesthood authority, it follows he was operating without priesthood during the time he was contributing on the scriptures and receiving revelation. D&C 121 says:
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
Denver was emailed and asked to provide the “key contributions” and “important revelations” John Doe made and received for the Scripture project. Denver responded and said, “All the correspondence between the scripture committee will be made public. Everyone can read what each member of the committee said in their communications”. When asked what day those communications would be made available, Denver did not respond. When Denver was asked if he would share his private communications with John Doe, Denver remained silent. Two weeks after John Doe’s trial, we have yet to receive any transparency on all of the “revelations” and “key contributions” John Doe made. It is important for ALL information to come forward now so there will be sufficient time to make an informed decision about scripture project.
This letter was written to those who desire a covenant with the Lord their God and who are kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it. It is the duty of all who have truth and light to make it known. Most of the people in this movement may never know the details of the events that have transpired. But some do. And now you are one of them. Now it is your obligation to pray about and share this with those who do not know.
D&C 123:
1 And again, we would suggest for your consideration the propriety of all the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings and abuses put upon them by the people of this State;
7 It is an imperative duty that we owe to God, to angels, with whom we shall be brought to stand, and also to ourselves, to our wives and children…
12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—
13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.
15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.
16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
Witnesses in the Women’s Council:
Ryan Thompson, Ruth Thompson, Melonie Turley, Brad Olsen, Bernadette Coss
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