Thoughts on Intellectualism

1st Message – Think for yourself:

“President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel – said the Lord had declared by the Prophet [Ezekiel], that the people should each stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish Church – that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls – applied it to the present state [1842] of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall – that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves.... The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 237-238

“What a pity it would be, if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blink self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken the influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually.” Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 9, p. 150

“How easy it would be for your leaders to lead you to destruction, unless you actually know the mind and will of the spirit yourselves.” Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 3, p. 45

“I do not wish any Latter-day Saint in this world, nor in heaven, to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied.... Suppose that the people were heedless, that they manifested no concern with regard to the things of the Kingdom of God, but threw the whole burden upon the leaders of the people, saying, ‘If the brethren who take charge of matters are satisfied, we are,’ this is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord.” Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 3, p. 45

“If, after a rigid examination, it be found an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of the deception and be reclaimed, and that those who continue to publish the delusion, may be exposed and silenced....” Apostle Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon

“... convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the Word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds.” Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, pp. 15-16

"I think a full, free talk is frequently of great use; we want nothing secret nor underhanded, and I for one want no association with things that cannot be talked about and will not bear investigation." Prophet John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, v. 20, p. 264

“Do not, brethren, put your trust in a man though he be a bishop, an apostle, or a president. If you do, they will fail you at some time or place; they will do wrong or seem to, and your support be gone...” Apostle George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star, v. 53, pp. 658-659, as quoted in Gospel Truth, v. 1, p. 319

“We talk of obedience, but do we require any man or woman to ignorantly obey the counsels that are given? Do the First Presidency require it? No, never.” Prophet Joseph F. Smith, Journal of Discourses, v. 16, p. 248

“President Wilford Woodruff is a man of wisdom and experience, and we respect him, but we do not believe his personal views or utterances are revelations from God; and when ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ comes from him, the saints investigate it: they do not shut their eyes and take it down like a pill.” Apostle Charles W. Penrose, Millennial Star, v. 54, p. 191

“And none are required to tamely and blindly submit to a man because he has a portion of the priesthood. We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark, that they would do anything they were told to do by those who presided over them, if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God... would spite the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without asking any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to people, it is generally because they have it in their minds to do wrong themselves.” Apostle Charles W. Penrose, Millennial Star, v. 14, no. 38, pp. 593-595

“There are altogether too many people in the world who are willing to accept as true whatever is printed in a book or delivered from a pulpit.” Apostle Hugh B. Brown, “A Final Testimony,” from An Abundant Life, 1999

“I admire men and women who have developed the questing spirit, who are unafraid of new ideas as stepping stones to progress. We should, of course, respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent – if we are informed. Thoughts and expressions compete in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression.” Apostle Hugh B. Brown, “A Final Testimony,” from An Abundant Life, 1999

“The church is not so much concerned with whether the thoughts of its members are orthodox or heterodox as it is that they shall have thoughts. One may memorize much without learning anything....
“And while all members should respect, support, and heed the teachings of the authorities of the church, no one should accept a statement and base his or her testimony upon it, no matter who makes it, until he or she has, under mature examination, found it to be true and worthwhile...” Apostle Hugh B. Brown, “A Final Testimony,” from An Abundant Life, 1999

2nd Message – Do what we say:

“No member of the Church has the right to publish any doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, without first submitting them for examination and approval to the First Presidency and the Twelve. There is but one man upon the earth, at one time, who holds the keys to receive revelations for the Church, and who has the authority to write doctrines by way of commandment unto the Church.” Prophet Brigham Young, Messages of the First Presidency, v. 2, p. 239

“Any Latter-day Saint who denounces or opposes whether actively or otherwise, any plan or doctrine advocated by the prophets, seers, revelators of the church, is cultivating the spirit of apostasy. One cannot speak evil of the Lord’s anointed... and retain the holy spirit in his heart. This sort of game is Satan’s favorite pastime, and he has practiced it to believing souls since Adam. He [Satan] wins a great victory when he can get members of the church to speak against their leaders and to do their own thinking.
“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan – it is God’s Plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give directions, it should mark the end of controversy, God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the Kingdom of God.” Ward Teacher’s Message, Deseret News, Church Section, p. 5, May 26, 1945; see also Improvement Era, June 1945

“Always keep your eye on the President of the church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, even if it is wrong, and you do it, the lord will bless you for it, but you don’t need to worry. The lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.” Apostle Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Oct. 1960, p. 78

“When the Prophet speaks the debate is over.” Apostle N. Eldon Tanner, Ensign, Aug. 1979, pp. 2-3.

“No true Latter-day Saint will ever take a stand that is in opposition to what the Lord has revealed to those who direct the affairs of his earthly kingdom. No Latter-day Saint who is true and faithful in all things will ever pursue a course, or espouse a cause, or publish an article or book that weakens or destroys faith.” Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Conference Report, October 1984, p. 104

“Follow your leaders who have been duly ordained and have been publicly sustained, and you will not be led astray.” Apostle Boyd K. Packer, General Conference, Oct. 1992, as quoted in Ensign, Nov. 1992

“There are three areas where members of the Church, influenced by social and political unrest, are being caught up and led away. I chose these three because they have made major invasions into the membership of the Church. In each, the temptation is for us to turn about and face the wrong way, and it is hard to resist, for doing it seems reasonable and right.
“The dangers I speak of come from the gay-lesbian movement, the feminist movement (both of which are relatively new), and the ever-present challenge from the so-called scholars or intellectuals. Our local leaders must deal with all three of them with ever increasingly frequency. In each case, the members who are hurting have the conviction that the Church somehow is doing something wrong to members or that the Church is not doing enough for them.” Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “Talk to the All-Church Coordinating Council,” May 18, 1993

“There is no such thing as an accurate, objective history of the Church without consideration of the spiritual powers that attend this work... There is a temptation... to want to tell everything, whether it is worthy or faith-promoting or not. Some things that are true are not very useful... In an effort to be objective, impartial, and scholarly, a writer or a teacher may unwittingly be giving equal time to the adversary... In the Church we are not neutral. We are one-sided. There is a war going on, and we are engaged in it... The fact that something is already in print or available from another source is no excuse for using potentially damaging materials in writing, speaking, or teaching: ‘Do not spread disease germs!’” Apostle Boyd K. Packer, "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect," speech delivered at the 1981 Church Educational System Religious Educators’ Symposium

“[Church history] if not properly written or properly taught,... may be a faith destroyer... The writer or teacher who has an exaggerated loyalty to the theory that everything must be told is laying a foundation for his own judgment.... The Lord made it very clear that some things are to be taught selectively and some things are to be given only to those who are worthy.” Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect,” reprinted in BYU Studies, v. 21, no. 3, 1981, pp. 259-277

“Some things that are true are not edifying or appropriate to communicate. Readers of history and biography should ponder that moral reality as part of their effort to understand the significance of what they read.” Apostle Dallin H. Oaks, “Reading Church History,” Ninth Annual Church Educational System Religious Educators’ Symposium, August 16, 1985, Brigham Young University

“Satan can even use truth to promote his purposes. Facts, severed from their context, can convey an erroneous impression.” Apostle Dallin H. Oaks, “Reading Church History,” speech delivered at the Ninth Annual Church Educational System Religious Educators’ Symposium, BYU, August 16, 1985

“Those men and women who persist in publicly challenging basic doctrines, practices, and establishment of the Church sever themselves from the Spirit of the Lord and forfeit their right to place and influence in the Church.... There is a certain arrogance in thinking that any of us may be more spiritually intelligent, more learned, or more righteous than the Councils called to preside over us.” Apostle James E. Faust, “Keeping Covenants and Honoring the Priesthood,” Sunstone, 16:6, no. 92, November 1993, p. 72

“There are the so-called ‘learned’ that have let their intellect undermine their spiritual moorings and who would also attempt to lead the faithful away from those who are appointed by the Lord to lead. There are those who feel that our leaders are out of touch with the realities of the day. They would attempt to lead members by substituting their own knowledge for the revelations from God to His prophets. And, unfortunately, there are those who would so follow. Christ warned, ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.’” Bishop Richard C. Edgley or the Presiding Bishopric, General Conference, April 1993

“The Church warns its members against symposia and other similar gatherings that include presentations that (1) disparage, ridicule, make light of, or are otherwise inappropriate in their treatment of sacred matters or (2) could injure the Church, detract from its mission, or jeopardize its members’ well-being. Members should not allow their position or standing in the Church to be used to promote or imply endorsement of such gatherings.” General Handbook of Instructions, 1999


“When Elder Packer interviewed me as a prospective member of Brigham Young University’s faculty in 1976, he explained: ‘I have a hard time with historians because they idolize the truth. The truth is not uplifting; it destroys. I could tell most of the secretaries in the church office building because that they are ugly and fat. That would be the truth, but it would hurt and destroy them. Historians should tell only that part of the truth that is inspiring and uplifting.’” D. Michael Quinn, “On Being a Mormon Historian (and Its Aftermath),” in George D. Smith, ed., Faithful History: Essays on Writing Mormon History, 1992, p. 76

3rd Message: Don't Leave the Church

“I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath [sic] my bowie knife, and conquer or die [Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of feeling, assenting to the declaration.]. Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put to the line, and righteousness to the plummet [Voices, generally, ‘go it, go it.’]. If you say it is right, raise your hands [All hands up.]. Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work.” Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 1, p. 83

“‘What will you do with all those who have sought to kill you?’ Make them soap-boilers and kitchen flunkeys, we are not going to send them into hell fire, for it takes a good Latter-day Saint apostatized to get down that deep (did I say bottomless?) pit. A person, to become an angel of the Devil, has first to be a good Saint, and then deny the Lord who bought him.” Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 8, p. 179

“I have not a doubt but there will be hundreds who will leave us and go away to our enemies. I wish they would go this fall: it might relieve us from much trouble; for if men turn traitors to God and His Servants, their blood will surely be shed, or else they will be damned, and that too according to their covenants.” Apostle Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, v. 4, p. 375

“I would have a tendency to place terror on those who leave these parts [Utah], that may prove their salvation when they see the heads of thieves taken off, or shot down before the public.... I believe it to be pleasing in the sight of heaven to sanctify ourselves and put these things away from our midst.” Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, v. 1, p. 73

“...it was the imperative duty of the Church to obey the word of Joseph Smith, or the presidency, without question or inquiry, and that if there were any that would not, they should have their throats cut from ear [to] ear.” Sidney Rigdon letter to Apostle Orson Hyde, October 21, 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, December 4, 1844; see also Quinn, Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, p. 94

“Punishment by death is the penalty for refusing to obey the orders of the Priesthood. I knew of many men being killed in Nauvoo by the Danites. It was then the rule that all enemies of the Prophet Joseph should be killed, and I knew of many a man who was quietly put out of the way by the orders of Joseph and his apostles while the church was there.” Elder John D. Lee (1812 – 1877), Danite and adopted son of Brigham Young, John D. Lee Diaries


"I always feel that it is my duty to look to myself, for I am in as much danger of apostatizing as any in the Church. If I ever do get led astray and depart from the principles of the gospel of salvation, it will be because I led myself off from the path; it was not my brethren who led me away, it was my own doing." Elder Hosea Stout (1810 - 1889), Danite, General Conference, 1858

“Any man or woman who has heard the Gospel and rejected it – not only those in the days of Noah, but any man or woman in this day who has had a good chance to receive and embrace the Gospel and enjoy its blessings and privileges, but who has been indifferent to these things, ignoring and neglecting them – such a person need not hope or anticipate that when he is dead the work can be done for him and he can gain celestial glory. Don’t you Latter-day Saints get the notion that a man can live in defiance or total indifference, having had a good chance – not just a casual chance or opportunity – to accept the Gospel and that when he dies you can go and do the work for him and have him receive every blessing that the faithful ones are entitled to.” Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness, p. 221

“Remember: when you see the bitter apostate, you do not see only an absence of light, you see also the presence of darkness. Do not spread disease germs.” Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect,” speech given August 1981 at BYU, Brigham Young University Studies, Summer 1981

“Save for those few who defect to perdition after having known a fulness [sic], there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness.” Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” speech available on-line at http://members.aol.com/evergrn999/morn.html

***My Thoughts***

For all those members who believe that they have intellectual freedom in their religion, I pose this challenge.:

+ Try deviating from the manuals once in a while when you are teaching a class, by discussing topics not directly associated with the assigned lesson plan. Let participants come up with answers on their own.

+ Try asking questions about things like polygamy, Brigham Young's teachings regarding blood atonement, and the idea that Blacks are descendants of Cain in priesthood meetings. Use Journal of Discourses for reference, and point out that Brigham Young claimed that each of his sermons were equivalent to "scripture".

+ Send your tithing payments directly to the Church Office Building in Salt Lake, and pay what you deem to be 10 % of your " excess". When the bishop notices, show him the Biblical reference in 2 Corinthians 9:7 , or point out that the Church Handbook of Instructions allows you to do this. See if he accepts your intellect and knowledge.

+ Discuss the concept of Mother in Heaven during Gospel Doctrine class. Bring up Mary Magdalene while you're at it, and ask about the requirement of Jesus to have been married, be sealed in a temple and practice polygamy in order to gain Celestial Glory.

+ Use internet resources when planning a lesson for your primary class, and don't even consult the manuals. Use your own judgment and the scriptures, and your own experiences. If you are questioned about this method of teaching, then you should ask why God chose you to be called to teach if you can't use your own thinking and reasoning.



Let's see how much "Intellectual Freedom" you really have in your religion. My wager is that in 2-4 weeks, you will be asked to talk with the bishop, and he will be cautioning you against deviation from the manuals, using your own judgment in teaching gospel principles, and questioning concepts laid out in the lesson plans.

If you really can decide for yourself what you will and will not believe, there should be no reason you couldn't exercise that freedom.