Everyone, I hope we will stop attacking other religions and faiths. Do I disagree with many of the teachings of other religions, including the CoC? Of course I do. And I am glad to vigorously debate those issues. But some of the discussion here is getting down to plain insults.
I've known Dale on the Internet for quite a few years, including at the MADB/FAIR boards. He's very fair to the Brighamites in his discussions, and we should show him just as much consideration back, even if we disagree with some of their beliefs.
Heck, even Dale seems to disagree with some of the CoC beliefs, such as he believes the Father and Son are separate beings. Let's not denigrate the man nor the religion, though we can definitely discuss issues where we separate.
The reality is, each of us is in an apostate state. Insofar as we are separated from the presence of God, we are in a fallen state. Even in the LDS Church, people believe in many wrong beliefs and ideas that could be considered apostate. Much of it is due to ignorance. Much of it is due to not having all the revealed truth necessary to know for certain.
Even prophets and apostles have had mistaken beliefs in the past, such as believing that the Native Americans' primary DNA ancestor was Lehi. That doesn't make the gospel false. It does make that teaching untrue, and requiring revision through new light and truth.
I agree that the CoC has steadily been leaving their Josephite roots. It is a big concern to me that they no longer stress the Book of Mormon, which Joseph taught was the keystone of the religion. It concerns me that other big changes have occurred that seem more political than inspired.
But you know what? Others could say the same thing about the Manifesto on Plural Marriage and on the Priesthood Revelation. Were those divine or political decisions? Or both?
I will say that unless the CoC changes course, they will eventually reduce Joseph Smith to a charismatic, Billy Graham-like preacher, rather than a prophet. The early prophecies will become less and less important, as they embrace traditional Christianity. And as they do, more and more of the Josephites will abandon the CoC and embrace their roots, whether by joining the LDS Church or beginning a new Mormon sect. Either way, in 20 years, the CoC probably will not be a Restorationist religion any longer.
|