Posted on 04/23/2015 9:33:59 AM PDT by Colofornian
As Mormonism enters its third century, it faces a Goldilocks dilemma: Too much tension with the surrounding culture invites scorn; too little threatens its uniqueness.
But finding just the right balance to ensure a thriving — and distinctive — faith won't be easy.
{SNIP}
So, what are the Baby Bear options in Mormonism's future?
Too much conflict with the wider society, say on gay rights or women's roles, premier Mormon sociologist Armand Mauss argues, would bring "not only popular disdain but even repression and persecution."
{SNIP}
Female elders? • Third, the LDS Church runs into much debate and even clashes over the "role and status of women," Mauss says. "Ordination for women [to the all-male priesthood] is not the only issue, of course, but it is clearly the most contentious inside and outside the church."
Pressure from within and without for gender equality, he says, "will eventually require considerably more adjustments in the tension level faced by the church over gender roles as the century progresses."
Ordaining women may happen "before the century has ended," Mauss says, " ... since there is no explicit doctrinal barrier."
{SNIP}
No matter how welcoming top Mormon authorities seem in their remarks, Mauss says, "it is not clear just how far church leaders, and other guardians of orthodoxy, might be willing to go in reaching out to those saints with serious doubts."
The Internet generation is awash in information, some of which is hostile to LDS claims, Mauss notes. "How much room will there be in third-century Mormonism for varied interpretations and understandings of fundamental doctrines and their traditional meanings? Will responsible scholarship and complete transparency in teaching its doctrines and history continue to be valued and implemented in the church during the coming century?"
(Excerpt) Read more at sltrib.com ...
You can't even keep your own rhetoric straight! (Is that intentional? Or are you always so confused?)
You made two distinct accusations of two distinct "errors" -- one in post #27 (re: single women not being able to live eternally with heavenly father); the other in post #34 (re: married women & whether it mattered if they were married in the temple).
So here my post #40 dealt with the latter; and what do you do? You ignore that & revisit your post #27 re: single women...
Do you need help on basic clues, StormPrepper?
Post #40 didn't even address your accusation of "error" re: SINGLE women (I mean why would I? After all, I already covered that in post #29). It focused on MARRIED women as to whether it mattered if they were married in the temple...Here I'll help you along by quoting your comment back to you:
You took a "cue" and got it completely wrong. Will you correct your error? Not being MARRIED IN THE TEMPLE does not keep anyone out of the Celestial kingdom of God, like you said it does. (Your post #34)
*******************************
So...I've decided to help you as your personal "Sub-topical navigator" on this thread, in order to make it easier on you...I will...from now on...provide a heading for you so you know whether we are discussing married women or single women.
I take it that since you didn't address married women in post #41, you thereby concede then what I said about this matter in post #40: That the "in the temple" issue you had was with the Encyclopedia of Mormonistic folks ... not me.
Thanks indeed for your confirmation on this...by way of silence!!!
OK, if you want to hit the rerun button I will:
Yes, I said: "Even if single women get the temple rec, no hubby, no living with Heavenly Father eternally."
Why did I say that?
Here, I'll do a Q&A with your two "prophets" -- as if they were being interviewed personally by me (original quotes are in post #29):
Q: Mr. Prophet's nephew...a LOT of Mormon single women out there, ya know. In light of that, if you had to narrow down 'one of the most important' (Mormon) 'doctrines ever revealed to man in any age of the world', what might that be?
A: (By Joseph F. Smith, Joseph Smith's nephew): '...this doctrine of the eternal union of the husband and wife and of plural marriage."
Q: Tell us, Joseph F. Smith, why & how is this doctrine of such import?
A: (Joseph F. Smith): "Without it man would come to a full stop; without it we never could be exalted to associate with and become gods neither could we attain to the power of eternal increase...
(Source: Journal of Discourses, Vol. 21, pp. 9-10)
Q: So, to recap: No exaltation minus the eternal union of a husband and wife?
A: (Joseph F. Smith): Are you not listening? As I just said, 'Without...this doctrine of the eternal union of husband and wife...we never could be exalted...'
Q: Thank you, Mr. Smith.
As an aside, just so that others know that when Lds say "exaltation" they mean living forever with Heavenly Father, I need to add these theological notes as charted here:
| When Mormons talk about eternal life & exaltation, they're not just talking about "heaven" What's the "rest of the story"? * Mormons believe that only their “Melchizedek priests” (D&C 76:57) are the ones eligible for “dwell[ing] in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.” (D&C 76:62) In the Mormon view of heaven, ONLY those entering into Mormon "covenants" and obeying fully Mormon laws get to live forever in God's presence: * Eternal life is living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. This blessing--which is also called exaltation--comes only to those who keep the commandments and make the necessary covenants (Source: Preparing for Exaltation Teacher's Manual, p. 4, 1998) * ”Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God’s presence and continue as families.” (same source, p. 52) * “’Eternal life’ is a higher state than immortality alone and means to live forever in a resurrected condition in the presence of God, and to become like God…Eternal life is exaltation into the type and quality of life that God lives. Receiving eternal life is conditional, predicated upon obedience to the fullness of gospel law and ordinances (D&C 29:43-44; 130:20-21). It requires voluntary obedience to all of the ordinances and principles of the gospel…continuing through…the covenants of the Endowment and marriage in the temple…” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:677-678) |
Now, I will do the same thing: A "Q&A" (of sorts) with Joseph Smith's great nephew -- deceased Lds "prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith:
Q. Sir...Mr. Joseph Fielding Smith...we've been talking about all these Mormon single women...and whether that effects their potential "exaltation" and whether that impacts them being able to receive "fullness" in God's kingdom. Tell us, what's your take on all of this?
A: (Joseph Fielding Smith): "So if you want to enter into exaltation and become as God, that is a son of God or a daughter of God, and receive a fulness of the kingdom, then you have got to abide in his law-not merely the law of marriage but all that pertains to the new and everlasting covenant... (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. II, p. 63)
Q: So that indeed includes the "law of marriage," then?
A: What did I just say?
Q: Well, you did say "marriage" was a "law..." I'd guess we'd have to wonder when is a law not a law, and when can laws be selectively obeyed?
Q: Thank you for your comments, Mr. Joseph Fielding Smith. Just wanna let you know that some grassroots Mormons out there seem to have some heartburn with your comments and those of Mr. Joseph F. Smith!
Go ahead. I challenge you to label the citations of Joseph F. Smith & Joseph Fielding Smith in posts #29 & #42 as "errors." That THEY were mistaken!
Then we can agree -- you & me -- that they BOTH were errorists!
Come on, don't weasel out of addressing their comments head-on. Don't make the issue about me. Deal with their quotes. Head on.
Will we get an evasive weasel response from you again on this? Or will you actually let these two "prophets" words sink in for your eval for the world to see?
Good luck!
Mormonism has NO qualms about putting words in GOD's mouth; so I doubt you'll get no consideration at all.
Are you MORMONs damned or not??
Decent people want to know...
"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned;
and I will go still further and say, take this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord has given,
and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned.
Brigham Young - JoD 3:266 (July 14, 1855)
LOL
Correction of which post #. This should be post #30.
Well, post #30 includes this citation from Joseph Smith's nephew, "prophet" of the church:
...this doctrine of the eternal union of the husband and wife and OF PLURAL MARRIAGE, is one of the most important doctrines ever revealed to man in any age of the world. Without it man would come to a full stop; without it we never could be exalted to associate with and become gods neither could we attain to the power of eternal increase... (Joseph F. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 21, pp. 9-10)
When shown statements from ‘prophets’; our FR Mormons tend to ignore them.
Are the following OFFICIAL LDS Church citations any more authoritative for you?
I have TWO copies of the official Lds publication: Gospel Principles. One was published 1978; the other was a revision published in 2009. For 37 years, this book has served as THE basic primer Lds have used as an assimilation class for newbies. IoW, it's no "average" Lds church curricula book.
Chapter 47 in both is simply titled "Exaltation."
On p. 291-292 of '78 version it lists 18 "Requirements for exaltation" (that's the heading the book gives).
For some reason in the '09 version, this list was shortened to 10 "Requirements for Exaltation" ... found on pp. 277-279 [Maybe it's "Exaltation Lite" for lowering the standards so more Mormons can live with Heavenly Father eternally?]
No matter, on this particular matter under discussion, the versions are nearly the same:
1978 version:
(Perhaps StormPrepper, you'd like to parse the word "MUST"????)
Earlier in this "Gospel Principles" publication a chapter 38 excerpt reads:
HEADING: 'ETERNAL MARRIAGE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EXALTATION' "...But to Latter-day Saints, marriage is much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage...Our Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so that we can become like him. We MUST live the law of eternal marriage to become as he is--able to have spirit children." (p. 231)
In the 2009 version, it reads:
Tell us Stormprepper, why would the Lds powers that be add in the 2009 version "must be married for eternity...in the next" when Joseph Smith taught in D&C 132 that no marriages are done in the "next life?"
"Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever ... when they are out of the world it [the marriage covenant] cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God".
Chapter 38 in the 2009 version:
HEADING: 'ETERNAL MARRIAGE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EXALTATION' "...But to Latter-day Saints, marriage is much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage...Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so that we can become like him. (p. 219)
What, Stormprepper? These Lds leaders who oversee this book are in "error" too? They also are "wrong" -- not even "remotely true"???
And what? Since the very book this is found is entitled "Gospel Principles," are you confirming for us all that the Lds church can't even define what its "gospel" is? It changes? It varies by mere edit?
What also have the Lds "prophets" taught?
1973-74:
"ONLY those who enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage in the temple for time and eternity, only those will have the exaltation in the celestial kingdom. That is what the Lord tells us” (President Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 120; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, 100; Religion 234–235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, p. 193).
So you've, StormPrepper, by extension, then ALSO labeled Harold B. Lee, the Ensign magazine, and Lds curricula as a "false prophet" here? Are they liars? Half-truthers? Deceivers? Mistaken? Out of tune with the Lord's teaching all as "Prophet" Lee claimed, "That is what the Lord tells us."
1913:
"No man can be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God without the woman, and no woman can reach perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God, alone. . . . God instituted marriage in the beginning. He made man in His own image and likeness, male and female, and in their creation it was designed that they should be united together in sacred bonds of marriage, and one is not perfect without the other” (President Joseph F. Smith, in Conference Report, Apr. 1913, p. 118; Religion 234–235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, p. 175).
* "Exaltation grows out of the eternal union of a man and his wife. Of those whose marriage endures in eternity, the Lord says, ‘Then shall they be gods’ (D&C 132:20); that is, each of them, the man and the woman, will be a god. As such they will rule over their dominions forever” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, 1966, Mormon Doctrine, 613; Religion 234–235 - Eternal Marriage Student Manual, p. 168).
"No woman can reach the perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God alone" (Lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 77).
* "The Lord has prescribed REQUIREMENTS for eternal life in the celestial kingdom. We MUST COMPLY with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage" (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, page 90).
After reading these, will you repent of your accusations? Or will you stiffen?
Is Lds.org good enough for you as a source?
Go there. Click on the original link. Read the entire message if you want to.
But let's see if you label Harold B. Lee with the same accusations you've tossed my way...
* Chapter 47: Exaltation [Requirement #5: 'We MUST be married for eternity...']
* Chapter 38: Eternal Marriage ['Eternal Marriage Essential for Exaltation' (living with) Lds god]
So thank you, StormPrepper, for your persistent accusations on this thread.
It allows people to not simply take my word or take your word on these disputes, but go directly to Lds.org for their "official" renderings on these matters.
I answered this in #51...
| StormPrepper Claims | StormPrepper Source | Authoritative Lds 'Scripture' Says | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Prophet' JFS Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Prophet' SWK Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Apostle' BRM Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Apostle' MJB Said | Source | Authoritative Lds Church curricula | Source | BYU Has Taught Its Students | Source |
| ”Living with Heavenly Father does not require exaltation only to be saved. Exaltation is the goal, but not required to just live in the kingdom of God.” | StormPrepper Post #57 | (1) 71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father...77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father....79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain NOT the crown over the kingdom of our God. | D&C 76:71,77,79 | ”Exaltation is to dwell in the presence of God and to be like him.” (see also: “The telestial kingdom is not a kingdom of exaltation; the terrestrial kingdom is not a kingdom of exaltation...”) | Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43-44 (see also source is same, 2:12-13) | ”No progression between kingdoms. After a person has been assigned to his place in the kingdom, either in the telestial, the terrestrial, or the celestial, or to his exaltation, he will never advance from his assigned glory to another glory. That is eternal! That is why we must make our decisions early in life and why it is imperative that such decisions be right.” | Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 50 (See also The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 243-244) | ”There are those who say that there is progression from one kingdom to another in the eternal worlds or if not that, lower kingdoms eventually progress to where higher kingdoms once were. This is worse than false. It is an evil and pernicious doctrine. It lulls men into a state of carnal security.” | Bruce R. McConkie, “Seven Deadly Heresies,” BYU address, June 1, 1980 | (1) ”The question is often asked, 'Is it possible for one who attains telestial glory in time in the eternal world to live so well that he may graduate from the telestial and pass into the terrestrial, and then after a season that he may progress from that and be ultimately worthy of the celestial glory?' That is the query that has been asked. I have just read the answer, so far as the telestial group is concerned. 'Where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.' I take it upon the same basis, the same argument likewise applies to the terrestrial world. Those whose lives have entitled them to terrestrial glory can never gain celestial glory. One who gains possession of the lowest degree of the telestial glory may ultimately arise to the highest degree of that glory, but no provision has been made for promotion from one glory to another.” (2) ”Some of my brethren and sisters find it very difficult to understand the words of the prophet, wherein he said that those who gain a lower place of glory than a celestial kingdom cannot come where those who gain the highest dwell, worlds without end.” | (1) Melvin J. Ballard, “Three Degrees of Glory,” Ogden Tabernacle discourse, Oct. 22, 1922, pp. 25-27 and (2) Ballard, Conference Reports, October 1917, p. 110 | (1) Eternal life is living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. This blessing--which is also called exaltation--comes only to those who keep the commandments and make the necessary covenants ... ”Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God’s presence and continue as families.” + (2) ”There are some people who have supposed that if we are quickened telestial bodies that eventually, throughout the ages of eternity, we will continue to progress until we will find our place in the celestial kingdom, but the scriptures and revelations of God have said that those who are quickened telestial bodies cannot come where God and Christ dwell, worlds without end” | (1) Preparing for Exaltation Teacher's Manual, pp. 4, 52, 1998 + (2) George Albert Smith, 8th “prophet,” Conference Reports, October, 1945, p. 172. (See also Search These Commandments, 1984, p. 81) | “’Eternal life’ is a higher state than immortality alone and means to live forever in a resurrected condition in the presence of God, and to become like God…Eternal life is exaltation into the type and quality of life that God lives. Receiving eternal life is conditional, predicated upon obedience to the fullness of gospel law and ordinances (D&C 29:43-44; 130:20-21). It requires voluntary obedience to all of the ordinances and principles of the gospel…continuing through…the covenants of the Endowment and marriage in the temple…” | Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:677-678 |
Q: Can a man or woman enter the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom minus a partner?
A: ”As a matter of fact, in attaining the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom, the man CANNOT enter without the woman, neither can the woman enter without the man. The two are inseparable as husband and wife in eligibility for that highest degree of glory.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, Conference Edition, November 1991, p. 98)
Q: Can a man or woman be exalted in God's Kingdom on their own?
A: ...no man can be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God without the woman, and no woman can reach perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God, alone,” (Joseph F. Smith, Conference Reports, April 1913, p. 118. See also: The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles manual, 1979, p. 291)
Q: Is marriage an 'exaltation portal?'
A: “Brethren, please remember: The highest degree of glory is available to you ONLY THROUGH that order of the priesthood LINKED TO THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT OF MARRIAGE.” (Russell M. Nelson, “honoring the Priesthood,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 1993, p. 40)
Q: Is celestial marriage a 'prerequisite' to exaltation and eternal progress?
A: ”Celestial marriage is an everlasting covenant, prerequisite to exaltation and eternal progress in the Kingdom of God.” (Lds “apostle”/First Counselor Hugh B. Brown, You and Your Marriage, p. 22, 1960)
Q: Can a Mormon be 'fully living his religion” if remaining unmarried?
A: ”We hold that NO MAN who is marriageable is fully living his religion who remains unmarried.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 1986, p. 275)
Q: Can there be exaltation to fulness of celestial kingdom's blessings minus marriage?
A: ”Since marriage is ordained of God, and the man is not without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord, there can be no exaltation to the fulness of the blessings of the celestial kingdom outside of the marriage relation” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:65)
| StormPrepper Claims | StormPrepper Source | Authoritative Lds 'Scripture' Says | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Prophet' JFS Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Prophet' JfieldingS Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Prophet' GBH Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Prophet' HBL Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Apostle' BRM Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Apostle' BKP Said | Source | Authoritative Lds 'Apostle' RMN Said | Source | What has Lds Church been teaching investigators & new members for over 35 years in Gospel Principles? | Source | Authoritative Lds Church Curricula | Source | BYU Has Taught Its Students | Source |
| ”No one needs to be married to enter the Celestial kingdom and live with Heavenly Father for eternity.” | StormPrepper Post #41 | (Preface) Celestial marriage is essential to exaltation in the highest heaven; 1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; 2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man MUST enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; 3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. {My note: bracket is part of original Lds 'scripture'} | D&C131 | ...no man can be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God without the woman, and no woman can reach perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God, alone,” | Joseph F. Smith, Conference Reports, April 1913, p. 118. See also: The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles manual, 1979, p. 291 | ”Since marriage is ordained of God, and the man is not without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord, there can be no exaltation to the fulness of the blessings of the celestial kingdom outside of the marriage relation” | Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:65 | ”As a matter of fact, in attaining the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom, the man CANNOT enter without the woman, neither can the woman enter without the man. The two are inseparable as husband and wife in eligiblity for that highest degree of glory.” | Gordon B. Hinckley, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, Conference Edition, November 1991, p. 98 | ”...remember, brethren, that only those who enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage in the temple for time and eternity, only those will have the exaltation in the celestial kingdom. That is what the Lord tells us. | President Harold B. Lee’s General Priesthood Address ['only' married exalted 'in celestial kingdom'] (Ensign, January 1974) | "No woman can reach the perfection and exaltation in the kingdom of God alone" | Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 77 | “Any man who thinks he is going to the highest degree of glory without a woman at his side does not understand the gospel,” | Boyd K. Packer, “Lord's great plan leads to happiness,” Church News, Nov. 22, 2008, p. 6 | “Brethren, please remember: The highest degree of glory is available to you ONLY THROUGH that order of the priesthood LINKED TO THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT OF MARRIAGE.” | Russell M. Nelson, “Honoring the Priesthood,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 1993, p. 40 | ”Eternal Marriage Is Essential for Exaltation: • What is the Lord’s doctrine of marriage, and how does it differ from the views of the world? Many people in the world consider marriage to be only a social custom, a legal agreement between a man and a woman to live together. But to Latter-day Saints, marriage is much more. Our exaltation depends on marriage...Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so we can become like Him. The Lord has said: “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; “And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; “And if he does not, he cannot obtain it” (D&C 131:1–3)... + Requirements for Exaltation … To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in Him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey His commandments. He commands us all to receive certain ordinances: .. 3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood. 4. We must receive the temple endowment. 5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next. In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to... | Gospel Principles: Chapter 38: Eternal Marriage ['Eternal Marriage Essential for Exaltation' (living with) Lds god] + Gospel Principles: Chapter 47: Exaltation [Requirement #5: 'We MUST be married for eternity...'] | ”Eternal marriage is a basic doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ and a very important part of the Lord's plan for us. Without it we cannot be exalted in the celestial kingdom in eternity. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: 'Marriage, as understood by Latter-day Saints, is [an everlasting] covenant...It is the foundation for eternal exaltation, for without it there could be no eternal progress in the kingdom of God' (Doctrines of Salvation, comp, Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954-56], 2:58).” | {My note: elipses and brackets are above original in source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A, 2000 revision, p. 256} | ...”the complete blessings of exaltation are available ONLY to the married couples; neither can enter exaltation without the other.” | Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:490 |
In fact, this Lds Curricula publication from 1974 already had all this in FAQ format:
Question: How do the covenants we make in the temple relate to celestial marriage?
Answer: We learn in the temple and the scriptures that we may not really know our Heavenly Father and earn the privilege of living with him eternally EXCEPT we receive the covenant of his highest law and ordinance which, if we abide thereby, entitles us to exaltation and eternal life. Read D&C 132:21-25. This is called the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. Eternal life with our Father in heaven will be an eternal, joyful association. By making this great covenant and keeping it, we are entitled to become heirs to all that he has. We may never know him, however, unless we abide his law of eternal marriage.” (Melchizedek Priesthood Quorum of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren, 1974-75, p. 229)
As plain as day, in sharp contradiction to your claims.
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