Posted on 11/10/2012 7:59:09 AM PST by Colofornian
MessageToEagle.com - Normally, as a matter of personal preference I don’t get into politics, but when we have a presidential campaign that begins to cross over into the strange twilight zone of religious weirdness that centers on the one person who’s going to control the most powerful government and army on the face of the earth, well, it brings up some unusual scenarios to wonder about.
It is being reported in the media today that former presidential candidate Mitt Romney only wrote a victory speech for Election Day; presumably a harried, last minute scramble to revise his speech was being suggested as the reason behind the Romney-Ryan campaigns’ sluggish reluctance to concede their party’s unthinkable defeat.
Electoral Votes:
Barack Obama: 303 Mitt Romney: 206
Curiously, one has to wonder whether it was Romney’s obsession with polls and tracking data that lead to this overextension of hubris; his unshakable faith that he would be the next president of the United States—or could it have been Romney’s Mormon faith itself that lead him to believe victory was all but assured by some divine mandate?
Ascending to the office of the presidency has always been a coveted part of the mission of the Mormon Church, which began with its founder Joseph Smith, who as a young man experienced a close encounter with a being from another planet named Moroni, who descended from the heavens and instructed Smith to found a new religion (as seen on History Channel’s Ancient Aliens, S3E01)—today, in Ufology, such a happenstance would likely be classified as a contactee CE5 level event.
“I saw a pillar of light . . . which descended gradually until it fell upon me” – Joseph Smith.
In 1844 Joseph Smith, an apparent UFO contactee and the founder of the Mormon Church, brazenly launched his own political campaign for President of the United States. His stated goal was to overthrow the U.S. Constitution, and bring about a Mormon theocracy to the Nation.
Smith’s candidacy was always long shot, but that didn’t stop him from rallying his people to help clinch his destiny to be an independent commander in chief of the “army of God”.
Smith prophesied that if the U.S. Congress did not bow to his demands that “they shall be broken up as a government and God shall damn them.” He foresaw the emergence of “the one Mighty and Strong”—a leader who would “set in order the house of God”.
Smith’s call for a “theodemocracy where God and his people hold the power to conduct the affairs of men in righteous matters” evidently did not sit well with the majority of voters in the United States, and brought down a lot of bad press and hostility upon the Mormons. Smith’s presidential campaign was cut short while he was sitting in jail facing charges of treason and inciting a riot; an angry mob broke into the jailhouse and brought him to justice by shooting him to death.
Out of this early chapter of U.S. history developed what has became known in the Mormon Church as the “White Horse Prophecy”—a controversial prediction that someday a great Mormon leader, who, at a time when the U.S. Constitution “hangs like a thread as fine as a silk fiber”, would be elected President.
I know a little bit about Mormonism and their beliefs. I grew up and lived in Salt Lake City most all my life, I sat through many days of LDS seminary at public schools, and I also attended a private Mormon school as a teenager.
My family has roots in the Mormon pioneer heritage and early history. My ancestors, the Neff’s, came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. My great-great-great-grandfather John Neff, Sr. settled Neff’s canyon in East Millcreek, Utah. He was also a close friend of Brigham Young and accompanied him into Northern Utah to proselyte amongst the Native Americans there. His daughter, Mary Ann Neff, married the notorious Mormon gunslinger and Utah folkhero Orrin Porter Rockwell.
Orrin Porter Rockwell was one scary-looking son of a bitch . . .
Rockwell served as a loyal henchman to Church founders Joseph Smith Jr. and Brigham Young—and was affectionately nick-named ‘Ol’ Port’ the ‘Destroying Angel of Mormondom’.
In his despicable and sordid history, Ol’ Port was intimately connected to political assassinations, revenge-killings, and gruesome Indian massacres. He’s praised for having avenged the Prophet Joseph Smith’s murder by shooting one of the conspirators with his musket while riding astride a horse.
There have been a few failed attempts in various movies and books to elevate the psychopath to the status of a gritty American hero of the old west —fortunately, none of them have really stuck.
A few of the many curious tenants of Mormonism I heard growing up in Salt Lake City were as follows . . .
*Cain, the killer of his brother Abel, is alive and wanders the earth, wearing no clothing but being covered by hair, and that LDS Church apostle David W. Patten encountered him once; and that reported sightings of Bigfoot can be explained by this story.
*Blacks were neutral in the War in Heaven, and that is why they were not allowed to hold the Mormon priesthood before 1978.
*Albert Einstein supposedly once said that LDS Church apostle James E. Talmage was the smartest man he had ever met.
*The Second Coming was imminent, and when I was age 25 I would be living in the “Last Days” (I’m in my 40’s now).
And here’s where Mitt Romney’s presidential candidacy enters the picture—
I remember my 7th grade LDS seminary teacher sermonizing about the “signs” of the ‘Last Days’.
One of his favorite ‘signs’ that he liked to talk about was that a great Mormon leader would be elected President of the United States, and this would be a major indication that the Last Days were imminent, e.g. the White Horse Prophecy.
Some say that the White Horse Prophecy was written by Joseph Smith himself, while others dispute that claim. According to the Salt Lake City Tribune:
The disputed prophecy was recorded in a diary entry of a Mormon who had heard the tale from two men who were with Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Ill. when he supposedly declared the prophecy. “You will see the Constitution of the United States almost destroyed,” the diary entry quotes Smith as saying. “It will hang like a thread as fine as a silk fiber.”
Not only will the Mormons save the Constitution, under the prediction, but the prophecy goes further, insinuating that Mormons will control the government.
“Power will be given to the White Horse to rebuke the nations afar off, and you obey it, for the laws go forth from Zion,” the prophecy says.
Publicly, the Mormon Church doesn’t officially endorse the ‘White Horse Prophecy’ as doctrine, and will deny anything to do with it (just as Romney has whenever it’s been brought up)—however, there’s a telling piece of Mormon dogma that people may find disturbing. It was set in place by Joseph Smith himself, and is referred to as “lying for the Lord.”
As an act of self preservation or to protect the Mormon Church, it is doctrinally permissive to lie about your beliefs or intentions. In other words the ends justify the means. Smith did it with regard to his polygamous lifestyle. Brigham Young did it when he claimed that only Paiute Indians were responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Over and over again, Mitt Romney marginalized his devout Mormon background, and downplayed its significance throughout his entire campaign. But in the 1970’s the ‘Cougar Club’ at Brigham Young University declared their admiration of Mitt and predicted that he’d be the president of the United States one day. According to an article on Salon.com:
…the Cougar Club — the all male, all white social club at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City (blacks were excluded from full membership in the Mormon church until 1978) — was humming with talk that its president, Mitt Romney, would become the first Mormon president of the United States. “If not Mitt, then who?” was the ubiquitous slogan within the elite organization. The pious world of BYU was expected to spawn the man who would lead the Mormons into the White House and fulfill the prophecies of the church’s founder, Joseph Smith Jr., which Romney has avidly sought to realize.
With all this in mind, it’s hard not to look back and wonder . . .
Could Mitt Romney have been intending to run the United States as a Mormon theocratic state, as fortold by his Church’s prophet Joseph Smith?
Would a President Romney have executed the will of the people of the United States, and answered to the people—or would he only answer to God via the hierarchy of the Mormon Church?
What if a “revelation” or “vision” was received by the current President of the LDS Church (or Prophet), and passed on to ‘President Romney’ as a directive from God?–would Romney have executed that directive, even if it had gone against the will of the U.S. people, or the World?
Thankfully, this is probably one mystery we’ll never know the answer to . . .
Written by Dustin Naef - MessageToEagle.com Contributor
About the author: Dustin Naef has been a student of ancient mysteries and the paranormal for as long as he can remember. He has worked in screenwriting, graphic design and illustration, produced and designed video best-selling games, and is currently involved in the production of a film documentary and book about the mysteries surrounding Mount Shasta, California.
If you wish to follow Dustin Naef: Dustin's website: http://www.dustinnaef.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustinnaef.mountshasta https://www.facebook.com/MountShastaFilm
I said Jesus Christ is our Judge - He is worthy. Jesus Christ is my Judge, not you. Jesus Christ is your Judge, not me. Do we agree on something finally?
He is everything to me.
____________________________________
But what are you to Him ???
Nossir. It is not. It is an explicit distancing of myself from the entire discussion of Mormonism.
I am merely curious to see how deep the is the commitment, on the side of those who oppose Mormonism. Are they so delighted with the prevention of a Mormon in the White House, that any and all other considerations pale in comparison?
That post is in itself a "value judgment." The use of the term "anti-Mormon" in describing those who counter the message of the 52,000 (and growing) mormon missionaries going about the world claiming daily to Christians that their Christian faith is bogus and the only way to salvation is through arcane temple rituals done by "the one true church in the world" is a "value judgment" as is the tone of your post.
Would you ask a similar question about "anti-Christianity" of the FR mormons whose religion was steeped in hatred of Christianity for 150 years?
Jim Robinson would certainly be called "anti-mormon" (and has been on FR) if this is your judgment.
Perhaps you missed this post:
My position stands. The so-called book of Mormon is false gospel, ie, fiction. It has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or the Word of God.
Look up false prophets in KJV.
Must be a flaw (among many flaws) in my up-bringing.
Perhaps instead of dropping in on just one thread you might search the Religion Forum for articles that have been posted for several years with actual mormon doctrine as sources before making any calls.
Hey, guys Sandy keeps making the charge that people on FR exposing mormonISM are making money and getting checks, yet not only can she not prove her ignorant claims the checks go missing because no one has gotten them yet.
...While this is true, any little bit you can spare will be greatly appreciated; as I have dependants, and they all appear to be Liberals.
They lay around all day, demand to be fed and housed, crap all over the place and then barely give you any attention at all.
They are stinky and ill bred - fighting amoungst themselves for dominance all the time...............,p.
Hey, before the picture downloaded (takes forever with dial up) I though you were all talking about my family... and pinged me cause you wanted me to know what your opinion of me was...its close, but they grew up and moved out....
Nice side step. Are you pleased that an anti-Christian after a vicious and nasty primary campaign ran such a poor campaign in the general that Obama won?
Perhaps the anti-Christianity of mormonism encouraged a number of Christians to stay home.
Your curiousity would be lessened if you would bother to take the time to research the "anti-Christianity" history of the mormon church, which Romney has never questioned.
No kid
Mormonism and Christianity NEVER agree...
Joserph Smith is still your judge
and your jesus started out as a man and not as God...
your “father’ god has flesh and bone while the God the Father of the Christian Bible is Spirit and has NEVER been a man...
The Bible is correct and the book of mormon is just stupid fiction made up by your Joseph Smith the liar so hed have something to sell in Canada..
No, light and darkness do not agree...
The LORD Jesus Christ is Light, Joseph Smith was in darkness..
Mormonism is a cult invented by the vile child rapist and murderer Joseph Smith who perverted everyone of the Ten Commandments for his own filthy use....
the ‘best works’ of Joserph Smith are as filthy rags to God...
Only the LORD Jesus Christ is Righteous..
Your following a demonic lie...
Sweetie, we have been though this before.
No one can judge you to hell, condemn you to hell or how ever you want to say it.
People go to hell of their own accorded, it is their choice and theirs alone.
You claim the lds jesus, in these posts of yours, and fail to mentioned that Joseph Smith claimed himself to be greater than the lds jesus.
You fail to mention that JS said he would judge you first not the lds jesus.
I may not according to God Almighty judge your heart, for reasons known only to you, you seem to think I can.
However, I am permitted to do and required to do is judge everything against the Word of God Almighty.
I am permitted and required to call out false teachings and prophets as judged against the Word of God.
mormonISM is false in teaching and prophets.
mormonISM very foundation is anti-Christian (in fact JS condemned all Christians to hell)
So, Sandy when you proclaim Jesus in your heart are you proclaiming the Biblical Jesus that JS says was a fraud and if you believed in Him you would go to hell or are you proclaiming the lds jesus who sits second to JS?
I'm sorry that you have had bad experiences with the Mormon church, and I appreciate the fact that you're trying to inform people. Whatever bad things are going on there, hopefully, the public will be made more aware.
Having never met a Mormon, that I know of, it's difficult to relate to this thread. However, I do know a lot of democrats, and I have to associate with them on a daily basis. Our pastor talked today about getting through Thanksgiving and Christmas family dinners without political arguments. I will be doing that for the sake of the children, and in honor of my mother, who died one year ago.
Indeed Romney preached his religion all the way through the campaign...
go watched the last few minutes of the 3rd debate for instance...
“you are all the ‘children of god’ “
did anyone ask themselves what did Romney mean by that ???
It was ‘pure’ Mormonism...
Thats OK
Sandy is starting over with her whines
we can too with the truth...
Meanwhile Sandy
January will be TWO YEARS since you boasted you would preach from the roof...
and I suggested the SLC temple roof and said you should get a ladder...
Well ???
Have ladder ???
Peace be with all of you this Christian Sabbath on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month(CST). I come in peace an apologize if any of your faiths felt threatened by anything I said last night. I don't claim to know what anyone believes at any time. Everyone is on their own spiritual path and has in freedom come to realize their own truths regarding God in their lifetimes.
Before I start, I'd like all of you to look over Resist Not Evil. Please do so before piling on again like last night. I consider myself in the service of the Lord as a lay online minister for my Church and really avoid arguments and try to respect the beliefs all God's children. Again, sorry if anyone felt attacked but please have an open mind to what I have to say - it may challenge something near and dear but there are INFINITE understandings of the Lord and we all are in complete freedom to read, worship, teach, think, pray and most of all LOVE as we wish. Jesus and Paul stressed we are to be kind with each other. Swedenborg teaches that there are infinite varieties of worship in heaven and therein lies its perfection.
Now to the quote, yes we believe Joseph Smith was influenced by Swedenborgian missionaries in New York. William Blake in England was also influenced then rejected and started making his own prophecies about America - I have a book on that - Blake and Swedenborg. Swedenborg was also subscribed to True Christian Religion. It is said Lincoln also read him. Carl Jung. Walt Whitman, etc. Lois Wilson and Dr Oz's wife was raised in the New Church. The parallels in AA are profound.
Back to Smith... Now his intentions may have been questionable at the time but I consider him a good salesman. There is a project underway at BYU to track what exactly Smith used and publish it. All I can say here is the New Church regards Swedenborg's Writings as the Third Testament. Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. We believe he also did this with Swedenborg, directly. The Lord also opened Swedenborg's eyes to the spiritual world to witness the Last Judgement there in 1757. When his published works were complete on June 19, 1771 the Lord sent out His disciples that followed him in the world. His largest volume, Heavenly Secrets (12 English volumes) provide the spiritual meaning of the books of Genesis and Exodus. I challenge anyone - believer or non believer to open their mind and read it - they will come away knowing the Bible is true, holy and reading it puts us in conjunction with heaven, angels and the Lord - everyone whether they believe Swedenborg or not.
In the New Church, we are free to follow our own spiritual paths and can accept or reject anything we want to. We don't have 'prophets' who can modify the Writings - they are preserved as written because we believe it was the establishment of the New Jerusalem on earth in preparation. But time must pass. We believe Swedenborg to be a scientist, seer and revealator. After him, I personally believe many people of God appeared with concrete approaches to mysticism and spirituality. For myself, I've had such experiences countless times over the years - even at one point believing I was THE messiah and writing about it on FR. I was mistaken then - the effect I felt was so profound I had to share it... but I've learned to pace myself more and realize the inflowing of heaven and the Lord into my internal mind has boundaries and correspondences - things I didn't know at the time. Like the baker who had a dream Joseph interpreted when he was in prison in Genesis (the baskets of bread with holes representing levels of the mind and heaven flowing straight through without processing by a regenerated will - the baker was killed by pharaoh).
Back to freedom - in the New Church, pastors are free to determine their own formats for services, music, Sunday school programs for children and pretty much run things at a local level, often renting space. All Swedenborg's Writings are available online for free. Many congregations are into online streaming video with archives so if you don't have a local congregation, you can worship at home. Bible Study is available online and this year, we're getting into online small groups via Google+ for many programs that hook folks up from all over the world. We are exploiting Facebook and Youtube/Vimeo to the hilt. Go with the format YOU feel spiritually enriched with. Our Cathedral is quite amazing and one of a kind - everything is based on the Writings. It will never be duplicated so, we don't have temple ordinances or anything like that.
Matthew 18:20 NKJV For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
It took WORK to resist temptation and walk away from the posts last night but again, I had to pray and meditate on it. It was devolving quickly. I hope this post is illuminating. Free Republic is my workplace - what I post here, under my real name, is serious.
Blessings,
I am relieved that a man who has taken this oath numerous times in the mormon temple will not have the opportunity to put it first before the Oath of Office:
."You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the Law of Consecration as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.
It's evident now where Obama stands with HIS loyalty to Islam....few are aware of the loyalty oath taken by temple mormons.
If you are referring to Romney, I am displeased he lost.
Are you?
See post 258...are you STILL displeased he lost? I provided a link to the actual temple ceremony in which this oath is taken.
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