3 Dangers Threaten Church

[denniscaptain of 1,000]

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false education ideas, and sexual impurity.

"The Devil in the last stage of desperation, will take such a pre-eminent lead in literature, politics, philosophy, and religion; in wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, thunderings and lightnings, setting cities in conflagration, etc., that mighty kings and powerful nations will be constrained to fall down and worship him. And they will marvel at his great power, and wonder after him with great astonishment. For his signs and wonders will be among all nations." (Millennial Star, 30 April 1853, Volume 15, Pages 273-276, 289-292 - attributed to Pres. John Taylor, compiled and edited by Parley P. Pratt)



An official statement of the First Presidency of the Church, made on October 3, 1942:



“[Satan] plans to destroy liberty and freedom—economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1942, pp13, 15, Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, vol. 6 (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975), p. 179.)

* * * *

[Songbirdcaptain of 1,000]

How sad. And scary stuff...Like others have said he is doing it so slowly that we didn't and don't notice the heat going up. Now it is hard to jump out and fix things....

[Col. Flaggcaptain of 10,000]

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false education ideas, and sexual impurity.

'Flattery of prominent men in the world' - that wouldn't be catering to a very corrupt federal 'government' would it? Or scheduling, accepting and/or attending meetings with LDG's like Bush & Cheney? Or awarding our former V.P., who was directly involved in 9/11, with an honorary doctorate degree in 'public service' would it?

[roserumcaptain of 100]

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false education ideas, and sexual impurity.

'Flattery of prominent men in the world' - that wouldn't be catering to a very corrupt federal 'government' would it? Or scheduling, accepting and/or attending meetings with LDG's like Bush & Cheney? Or awarding our former V.P., who was directly involved in 9/11, with an honorary doctorate degree in 'public service' would it?

I think the very idea that one person is more deserving of recognition over another is detrimental to the Lord's purposes. We cannot obtain Zion with this type of thinking and only a Zion people can save the church and the country from devastation.

[LukeAir2008captain of 1,000]

An official statement of the First Presidency of the Church, made on October 3, 1942:

“[Satan] plans to destroy liberty and freedom—economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1942, pp13, 15, Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, vol. 6 (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975), p. 179.)

* * * *

This message should be read out from every pulpit and delivered to every member of the Church. We are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy and yet most Saints refuse to believe or acknowledge it.

[Mummycaptain of 1,000]

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false education ideas, and sexual impurity.

'Flattery of prominent men in the world' - that wouldn't be catering to a very corrupt federal 'government' would it? Or scheduling, accepting and/or attending meetings with LDG's like Bush & Cheney? Or awarding our former V.P., who was directly involved in 9/11, with an honorary doctorate degree in 'public service' would it?

I think the very idea that one person is more deserving of recognition over another is detrimental to the Lord's purposes. We cannot obtain Zion with this type of thinking and only a Zion people can save the church and the country from devastation.

How do they save the country? The city of Enoch was lifted off....they didn't save anyone who wasn't willing to do the effort to be saved.

[Mummycaptain of 1,000]

An official statement of the First Presidency of the Church, made on October 3, 1942:

“[Satan] plans to destroy liberty and freedom—economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1942, pp13, 15, Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, vol. 6 (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975), p. 179.)

* * * *

This message should be read out from every pulpit and delivered to every member of the Church. We are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy and yet most Saints refuse to believe or acknowledge it.

Amen! On so many many fronts!

[Original_Intentcaptain of 1,000]

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false education ideas, and sexual impurity.

'Flattery of prominent men in the world' - that wouldn't be catering to a very corrupt federal 'government' would it? Or scheduling, accepting and/or attending meetings with LDG's like Bush & Cheney? Or awarding our former V.P., who was directly involved in 9/11, with an honorary doctorate degree in 'public service' would it?

I think the very idea that one person is more deserving of recognition over another is detrimental to the Lord's purposes. We cannot obtain Zion with this type of thinking and only a Zion people can save the church and the country from devastation.

I agree with where your heart is but also disagree in a minor way. I do not think the problem is recognition, the problem is what people are recognized for. People should be recognized according to the level of service that they give.

Let me defend that position - if the Prophet or a General Authority were to visit my ward, it would be unthinkable in my mind for them not to be recognized. And I think this recognition is acknowledgement that they have largely sacrificed their lives in our service.

Service to each other being "recognized" as the greatest good would not hinder a Zion society, it would encourage it. Of course, service done only to be seen and honored of the world - the Lord will say you have your reward. No talent is of any value if it is not exercised in the service of others.

Anyway, a tiny quibble.

[Col. Flaggcaptain of 10,000]

An official statement of the First Presidency of the Church, made on October 3, 1942:

“[Satan] plans to destroy liberty and freedom—economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1942, pp13, 15, Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, vol. 6 (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975), p. 179.)

* * * *

This message should be read out from every pulpit and delivered to every member of the Church. We are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy and yet most Saints refuse to believe or acknowledge it.

Amen.

[Koiapecaptain of 50]

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false education ideas, and sexual impurity.

'Flattery of prominent men in the world' - that wouldn't be catering to a very corrupt federal 'government' would it? Or scheduling, accepting and/or attending meetings with LDG's like Bush & Cheney? Or awarding our former V.P., who was directly involved in 9/11, with an honorary doctorate degree in 'public service' would it?

I think the very idea that one person is more deserving of recognition over another is detrimental to the Lord's purposes. We cannot obtain Zion with this type of thinking and only a Zion people can save the church and the country from devastation.

Ummm... No. Your kind of thinking is what is actually bringing in such great apostasy and twisted perversion's of God's teachings.

That kind of mindset that nobody should be praised or recognized for their works/service/duty is of the devil's thinking. Bottom line.

God wants us to praise, honor, revere men and women for their works and moral character. To not do so, is a form of pride and dishonesty and we should all know what that always leads to.

[Koiapecaptain of 50]

I agree with where your heart is but also disagree in a minor way. I do not think the problem is recognition, the problem is what people are recognized for. People should be recognized according to the level of service that they give.

Let me defend that position - if the Prophet or a General Authority were to visit my ward, it would be unthinkable in my mind for them not to be recognized. And I think this recognition is acknowledgement that they have largely sacrificed their lives in our service.

Service to each other being "recognized" as the greatest good would not hinder a Zion society, it would encourage it. Of course, service done only to be seen and honored of the world - the Lord will say you have your reward. No talent is of any value if it is not exercised in the service of others.

Anyway, a tiny quibble.

Right on the money. You said it far better than I ever could....but perhaps you shouldn't be recognized for it? LOL.

[Rosabellacaptain of 1,000]

Let's look at the wording.

President Joseph F. Smith said, “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these,

1) they are flattery of prominent men in the world
2) false education ideas
3) and sexual impurity

I do not read this quote as being the Leaders of the Church but some members.

How many LDS have sexual impurity....it appear to be a lot since we keep getting warned about it.

How many LDS have false education ideas well we are warned consistently of not being part of the world and being deceived by the world and ideas being mingled with doctrines of men and of devils.

Flattery of prominent men in the world. How many LDS look to the world for recognition and mans approve over God's. Lots! We are told we need to leave Babylon but many do not want to. That is why so many fell for the Law of attraction. They wanted the Glory and praise of the world and the worldly things it brings.

I think there are different ways of looking at this warning.

[Original_Intentcaptain of 1,000]

....

I think there are different ways of looking at this warning.

I have found that we are often taught that way. The spirit often unlocks many levels of meaning that is not readily apparent otherwise.
I have several times contemplated a scripture that I thought was very basic and straightforward and suddenly been struck by two or three deeper concepts.

I've had the same experience studying other materials.

[Rosabellacaptain of 1,000]

....

I think there are different ways of looking at this warning.

I have found that we are often taught that way. The spirit often unlocks many levels of meaning that is not readily apparent otherwise.
I have several times contemplated a scripture that I thought was very basic and straightforward and suddenly been struck by two or three deeper concepts.

I've had the same experience studying other materials.

Yes much has to do with the paradigm we are in at the time. Which can be caused by so many factor. It also is because the Lord wants you to know something right now that you were not ready before to know. That is why I love the Scriptures and Conference talks soooo much they just get deeper and deeper

[denniscaptain of 1,000]

What you are saying reminded of this article I read 20 years ago on: no insignificant sctipture. Did a search and bingo found it. [search engines are my urim and thumin] http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD “Insignificant” Scripture
By Kim R. Burningham
Several years ago, as I began to prepare my Sunday School lesson for that week, I was surprised to find that it included ten sections from the Doctrine and Covenants. “We can’t cover that much in the short lesson time,” I thought. “We’ll have to skip over some of the sections.”

Early in the week I decided that section 111 was one that could be skipped. The words follies, treasure, gold and silver, ancient inhabitants didn’t communicate clearly to me. Frankly, I didn’t understand what it was all about, and it didn’t seem particularly significant.

Later in the week, I reread the section and wondered what was meant by the word follies. Maybe they had to do with what had taken the First Presidency to Salem, Massachusetts.

As I read the superscription above the revelation and then studied more about the event, I learned that a man named Burgess had come to Kirtland, claiming that he knew of a large amount of money hidden in a house in Salem. The Prophet Joseph Smith and others had gone to Salem in hopes of finding that money and using it to relieve the Church’s debts. But the trip had proved to be folly when Burgess couldn’t decide which house contained the treasure.

Even so, the Lord was “not displeased” with the journey. (D&C 111:1.) The Lord reminded the Prophet that there were other treasures besides gold and silver for which they might search: “I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.” (D&C 111:2.)

As I studied, I discovered that missionary Erastus Snow turned out to be an important key. According to his journal, Elder Snow was returning home to Nauvoo in 1841 (five years after the revelation that produced Doctrine and Covenants section 111), when he met some other missionaries, including Hyrum Smith. Hyrum urged Elder Snow and his companion, William Law, to forgo their trip home and pursue missionary labors in Salem.

“They left us a copy of a revelation given about that people in 1836 which said the Lord had much people there whom he would gather into his kingdom in his own due time and they thought the due time of the Lord had come,” Elder Snow wrote. He then went to Salem. (See Erastus Snow Journal, Historical Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pp. 3–5.)

The “insignificant” scripture was becoming more and more intriguing to me. The manual indicated that Elder Snow had converted a number of people. But who were they? What contributions had they made?

Suddenly, it hit me! Where were my Ashby genealogy sheets? I dug into the closet in the den. The pedigree chart provided the clue I needed. My great-great-grandfather, Nathaniel Ashby, was born in Salem in 1805. Perhaps he had been there when Elder Snow had preached the gospel. I searched for my history of the Ashby family, contained in a little brown book that I finally found at my brother’s home.

Section 111, verse 9, [D&C 111:9] of the Doctrine and Covenants said that the Prophet should “inquire diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants” of Salem. The coastal town of Salem was founded in 1626, only six years after the pilgrims landed at Plymouth. In 1663 Anthony Ashby was recorded as being in Salem. Anthony was the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel Ashby. Since Anthony, six generations of Ashbys had lived in Salem. They had been shipwrights and shoemakers.

The little brown book (Robert Ashby, Ashby Ancestry, 1941), explained that “in 1841, Elder Erastus Snow and others brought to this family the true gospel message which they gladly accepted.” My ancestors were among the converts of Salem!

As I read about Nathaniel and his family, I discovered that Elder Snow and his wife occupied one of Nathaniel’s homes in Salem for two years, rent-free. Perhaps for the missionary, that had been a treasure better than gold. In the fall of 1843, the Ashby family moved to Nauvoo, where they shared a large duplex home with Elder Snow’s family. The Ashbys donated their wealth to help build the temple.

Members of the Ashby family were in Nauvoo on the day the Prophet Joseph was martyred. They lived only a short distance from the Prophet’s home, and one of Nathaniel’s sons wrote that he was in his father’s garden one morning in June of 1844 when the Prophet rode by on his way to Carthage. “Never shall I forget the look of deep sorrow that covered his noble countenance. That was the last time I saw him alive,” wrote the son.

Members of the Ashby family were in the congregation during the transfiguration of Brigham Young. Nathaniel’s son Benjamin wrote that “the last time I saw the features of Joseph Smith was when the form, voice, and countenance of Brigham Young was transfigured before the congregation so that he appeared like Joseph Smith in every particular.”

The Ashby family was also among those who left their homes in Nauvoo and started west. Within days, Nathaniel died in Iowa. But Susan Ashby pressed on with her eleven children, crossed the plains, and arrived in Salt Lake City. One of the Ashby daughters was my great-grandmother.

I put the little brown book down and returned to the scripture I had earlier thought insignificant. “I have much treasure in this city for you,” the Lord had said—“many people … whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion.” (D&C 111:2.)
The Prophet and other Brethren had gone to Salem in search of gold and silver. But the treasure they found was converts. And through that “treasure,” my own life and the lives of my brothers, sisters, cousins, and countless other descendants of Nathaniel Ashby have been profoundly blessed.

[Mummycaptain of 1,000]

What you are saying reminded of this article I read 20 years ago on: no insignificant sctipture. Did a search and bingo found it. [search engines are my urim and thumin] http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD “Insignificant” Scripture
By Kim R. Burningham
Several years ago, as I began to prepare my Sunday School lesson for that week, I was surprised to find that it included ten sections from the Doctrine and Covenants. “We can’t cover that much in the short lesson time,” I thought. “We’ll have to skip over some of the sections.”

Early in the week I decided that section 111 was one that could be skipped. The words follies, treasure, gold and silver, ancient inhabitants didn’t communicate clearly to me. Frankly, I didn’t understand what it was all about, and it didn’t seem particularly significant.

Later in the week, I reread the section and wondered what was meant by the word follies. Maybe they had to do with what had taken the First Presidency to Salem, Massachusetts.

As I read the superscription above the revelation and then studied more about the event, I learned that a man named Burgess had come to Kirtland, claiming that he knew of a large amount of money hidden in a house in Salem. The Prophet Joseph Smith and others had gone to Salem in hopes of finding that money and using it to relieve the Church’s debts. But the trip had proved to be folly when Burgess couldn’t decide which house contained the treasure.

Even so, the Lord was “not displeased” with the journey. (D&C 111:1.) The Lord reminded the Prophet that there were other treasures besides gold and silver for which they might search: “I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.” (D&C 111:2.)

As I studied, I discovered that missionary Erastus Snow turned out to be an important key. According to his journal, Elder Snow was returning home to Nauvoo in 1841 (five years after the revelation that produced Doctrine and Covenants section 111), when he met some other missionaries, including Hyrum Smith. Hyrum urged Elder Snow and his companion, William Law, to forgo their trip home and pursue missionary labors in Salem.

“They left us a copy of a revelation given about that people in 1836 which said the Lord had much people there whom he would gather into his kingdom in his own due time and they thought the due time of the Lord had come,” Elder Snow wrote. He then went to Salem. (See Erastus Snow Journal, Historical Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pp. 3–5.)

The “insignificant” scripture was becoming more and more intriguing to me. The manual indicated that Elder Snow had converted a number of people. But who were they? What contributions had they made?

Suddenly, it hit me! Where were my Ashby genealogy sheets? I dug into the closet in the den. The pedigree chart provided the clue I needed. My great-great-grandfather, Nathaniel Ashby, was born in Salem in 1805. Perhaps he had been there when Elder Snow had preached the gospel. I searched for my history of the Ashby family, contained in a little brown book that I finally found at my brother’s home.

Section 111, verse 9, [D&C 111:9] of the Doctrine and Covenants said that the Prophet should “inquire diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants” of Salem. The coastal town of Salem was founded in 1626, only six years after the pilgrims landed at Plymouth. In 1663 Anthony Ashby was recorded as being in Salem. Anthony was the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel Ashby. Since Anthony, six generations of Ashbys had lived in Salem. They had been shipwrights and shoemakers.

The little brown book (Robert Ashby, Ashby Ancestry, 1941), explained that “in 1841, Elder Erastus Snow and others brought to this family the true gospel message which they gladly accepted.” My ancestors were among the converts of Salem!

As I read about Nathaniel and his family, I discovered that Elder Snow and his wife occupied one of Nathaniel’s homes in Salem for two years, rent-free. Perhaps for the missionary, that had been a treasure better than gold. In the fall of 1843, the Ashby family moved to Nauvoo, where they shared a large duplex home with Elder Snow’s family. The Ashbys donated their wealth to help build the temple.

Members of the Ashby family were in Nauvoo on the day the Prophet Joseph was martyred. They lived only a short distance from the Prophet’s home, and one of Nathaniel’s sons wrote that he was in his father’s garden one morning in June of 1844 when the Prophet rode by on his way to Carthage. “Never shall I forget the look of deep sorrow that covered his noble countenance. That was the last time I saw him alive,” wrote the son.

Members of the Ashby family were in the congregation during the transfiguration of Brigham Young. Nathaniel’s son Benjamin wrote that “the last time I saw the features of Joseph Smith was when the form, voice, and countenance of Brigham Young was transfigured before the congregation so that he appeared like Joseph Smith in every particular.”

The Ashby family was also among those who left their homes in Nauvoo and started west. Within days, Nathaniel died in Iowa. But Susan Ashby pressed on with her eleven children, crossed the plains, and arrived in Salt Lake City. One of the Ashby daughters was my great-grandmother.

I put the little brown book down and returned to the scripture I had earlier thought insignificant. “I have much treasure in this city for you,” the Lord had said—“many people … whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion.” (D&C 111:2.)
The Prophet and other Brethren had gone to Salem in search of gold and silver. But the treasure they found was converts. And through that “treasure,” my own life and the lives of my brothers, sisters, cousins, and countless other descendants of Nathaniel Ashby have been profoundly blessed.

Awesome!!!