I came across this quote from Brigham Young years ago and was just reminded of it in an email I just got.
He made it in 1859.
It makes me wonder if in fact Brigham Young understood the "three watches" doctrine and the fact that the first laborers would be returning;
"Pretty soon you will see Temples reared up, and the sons of Jacob will enter into the Temples of the Lord. . . .
There will be strangers in your midst walking with you, talking with you;
they will enter your houses and eat and drink with you; go to meeting with you, and begin to open your minds, as the Saviour did to the two disciples who walked out in the country in the days of old. . . .
They will expound the Scriptures to you, and open your minds, and teach you the time of Salvation;
they will use the keys of the holy Priesthood and unlock the door of knowledge, to let you look into the place of truth.
You will exclaim. That is all plain: Why did I not understand it before? And you will begin to feel your hearts burn within you as they walk and talk with you."
9 comments:
Well, I hope their recommends are up to date.
LOL!
Tehe.
That is a very interesting quote.
I find it significant that BY went so long before using the title "prophet." Or at least it seems like he avoided calling himself that-he said the people called him that. I'm not sure when he was first sustained as prophet of the church.
It always makes me think he recognized he wasn't called of God as a Prophet.
Has anyone else thought about this?
TruthSeekerToo
Brigham ascention into prophethood was gradual.
At the succession crisis he was quick to inform the people that they were without a prophet;
"You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without apostles . . ."
After getting to Utah he was probably badgered by those who wanted him to prove his credentials as a prophet since he was saying that his counsel was inspired.
He boldly challenged the notion that he had ever to that time declared himself to be a prophet, seer and revelator;
"A person was mentioned to-day who did not believe that Brigham Young was a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. I wish to ask every member of this whole community, if they ever heard him profess to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, as Joseph Smith was?...Who ordained me to be First President of this Church on earth? I answer, It is the choice of this people, and that is sufficient." "The brethren testify that Brother Brigham is Brother Joseph's legal successor. You never heard me say so. I say I am a good hand to keep the dogs and wolves out of the flock." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 320)
Here is another comment from him showing that he was being affected and influenced by the passionate repetitions of the people.
Journal of Discourses, 5:177
"I do not profess to be a Prophet. I never called myself so; but I actually believe I am, because people are all the time telling me that I am."
Journal of Discourses, 13:166
"It has been remarked sometimes, by certain individuals, that President Young has said in public that he was not a prophet nor the son of a prophet."
The will of the people. They receive what they want don't they?
Thanks for pulling those quotes together in one spot for me. :)
Yes they do...
and interestingly enough, the law of common consent which was also a valid law for picking judges anciently, is very possibly the strongest doctrinal claim, that gives Brigham the legal right to preside over the church;
"Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according to the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them."
"And all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen. "
Perhaps that is why he was so confident in his position and boldly declared that;
"It is the choice of this people, and that is sufficient."
TruthSeekerToo,
You said; "I'm not sure when he was first sustained as prophet of the church."
"On April 6th, 1848, exactly 1,335 days (see Dan 12:12) following the setting up of the Quourum of the Twelve as the Presiding Quorum of the Church, a new "First Presidency" was elected out of the Quorum of the Twelve and Brigham Young was sustained as the the President of the Church.
Brigham Young stated how he became the President of the Church:
"I was unanimously elected President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (by the quorum of the twelve apostles) with authority to nominate my two counselors, which I did by appointing Heber C. Kimball my first counselor and Willard Richards my second counselor, and the appointments were unanimously sustained."
It appears that someone can be sustained as the president of the church by the voice of the people, even if he does not have the spiritual gifts of being a prophet, seer, or revelator.
Thanks for the additional insight!
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