false prophets – La Vista Church of Christ

False Prophets versus True Prophets

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:09:37 +0000

by Tommy Peeler

Jeremiah 23:9-40 warns against false prophets. Jeremiah 23:16-22 makes some interesting contrasts between true and false prophets. This brief post focuses on these verses.

The false prophets are destructive to themselves and the land. Their message came from “their own imagination” and was “not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16). Though God did not send them, they ran with their message. While God did not speak to them, they still prophesied (Jeremiah 16:21). The message they spoke was futility (Jeremiah 16:16). The word translated "futility" is the word for vanity in Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8, etc. These prophets preached an empty word. Later we read that their message did not furnish the slightest benefit to the people (Jeremiah 16:32). They told people who despised the LORD and walked according to their own stubborn heart, "You will have peace and not face calamity" (Jeremiah 16:17). These false prophets were destructive to the land.

In contrast, true prophets blessed the land. Jeremiah 16:18, 22 speak of them as standing in the LORD’s council. In Jeremiah 16:18, prophets see, hear, give heed, and listen to the LORD’s words. In Jeremiah 16:22, they then announce God’s words. We must first listen to God before we can ever speak for Him. The message of those who speak for God can turn people from their evil way (Jeremiah 16:22). Later in the chapter, the power of God’s word is described (Jeremiah 16:29), and that powerful word can change the lives of those who hear it.

Malachi 2 focuses on priests who could turn many from iniquity when they gave true instruction (Malachi 2:6). When we speak His message, we give people an opportunity to change their lives and prepare for the coming judgment (Jeremiah 16:19-20). True spokesmen for God bless a people.

What do you know about the Prophecy of the Popes?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 22:13:29 +0000

Question:

Do you know about the prophecy of the popes?

I don’t agree with the approach the Catholics use because they’ve strayed far from the biblical teaching that the New Testament has for us. There has been considerable uproar about this since the passing of Pope Francis. People seem to think that this pope's passing has opened a seal and has triggered the end of the world. I don’t believe them for a grocery list of reasons. I’m just wondering why this prophecy is so important to them

Answer:

The document's formal name is "Prophecy of Saint-Archbishop Malachy, concerning the Supreme Pontiffs." It contains a series of cryptic phrases in Latin claiming to predict the Catholic popes. The descriptions of the popes are mostly accurate up to A.D. 1590, but become highly inaccurate thereafter. Thus, the conclusion is that it was written around 1590, though it claims to have been composed by Bishop Malachy in the 12th Century. The alleged prophecy was first published in 1595 by a Benedictine monk named Arnold Wion. Many Catholic scholars believe it to be a forgery. Arnold Wion is likely the author of this document.

The brief descriptions of each pope are vague. As a result, people search for any possible connection and then claim that it is a match. In other words, people are only seeing what they want to see in the descriptions.

When Someone Says “God Told Me”

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 23:05:39 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

A few years ago, I read directly from one lady who claimed two false things while claiming, "God told me." She claimed that 1) God told her to tell others that God forbids His people from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2) taking it is "the mark of the beast." Now, I'm not ridiculing her misguided faith. She probably believes this sincerely, but the point is that believing "God told me" such and such is usually self-deception.

God has spoken to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2), and the Spirit guided Jesus' apostles into "all truth" (John 16:13). The faith has been "once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). God speaks to us through the completed Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17). It completely furnishes the man of God. Therefore, I am listening to the Holy Spirit when I listen to His revealed and confirmed word (Hebrews 3:7f). I know that is the voice of the Holy Spirit. But when someone goes outside the Bible and starts talking about what God told them, I don't believe it. This imaginary voice is why we have conflicting messages.

If God forbids the vaccine, then it is a sin to get it. If it is not a sin to get it, then God did not speak to that woman, no matter how sincere she is. She is wrong. See my earlier article on whether the vaccine is "the mark of the beast." That is a misuse of the message of Revelation 13.

We need to realize that when someone says, "God told me," this is the same self-deception that went on among the false prophets (Jeremiah 9:14; 7:24; 14:14). It is a false vision of their wild imagination. They claim to be speaking for God but are actually self-deceived. If you cannot find it in the Bible that "thoroughly furnishes the man of God," then you are not required to take seriously those who depart from that complete message.

You can get a thousand conflicting voices claiming "God told me," but there is only one complete message that will guide you completely and safely to God. Listen to what the Spirit says in the scriptures that He revealed and confirmed for all people for all time. Gullibility will go along with people who claim “God told me.” That is how many false religions got started.

Many false religions got started and continue to deceive all because people were gullible. When someone says, “God told me,” and they are not pointing to the Scriptures, run away as fast as you can. Deception is in the air!

Will my boyfriend kill me after we marry?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 22:12:51 +0000

Question:

Good day,

It is about my relationship with my boyfriend. I have been dating him for seven months, and he has raised a topic about getting married and proposing to me any time. I do love him a lot, and he also loves me. But recently I was told by a prophet that I was in a strange relationship and my boyfriend was planning to use a knife to kill me and he sold me out last year by a friend. I started the relationship in early 2024. I never knew my boyfriend last year.

My boyfriend has never done any harm to me, and he respects me a lot. We have ups and downs and argue a lot due to how impatient a lady like me can be. Whenever I start making arguments, he leaves the room and never raises his voice at me. He always apologizes, even though he is not the cause of the argument. I love my boyfriend, and I want a family with him, but the thought of what the prophet told me has me awake all night thinking.

Answer:

"Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away" (I Corinthians 13:8-10).

"In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. It will come about in that day," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.
And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, 'You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD'; and his father and mother who gave birth to him will pierce him through when he prophesies" (Zechariah 13:1-3).

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness'" (Matthew 7:21-23).

God stated that when the Bible (the perfect law of liberty—James 1:25) was completed, the temporary miraculous gifts used to support its introduction into the world would end. After that time, claims to be able to prophesy would be rejected because God always keeps His word. There are no modern-day prophets of God. See:

You have evidence that this "prophet" is false, staring you in the face. This so-called prophet didn't know that you only met your boyfriend this year. There is no way your boyfriend "sold you out" last year. God never lies. He never gets His facts wrong. "But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him" (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

You also know the personality of your boyfriend. The false prophet made up a dramatic tale because he knew it would create panic. People who panic don't think well. They don't stop and say, "What a minute, this can't be right!" They don't challenge the false prophet. Such men don't care if people's lives are ruined. "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep" (II Peter 2:1-3).

Stop believing everything you're told. Find a true church that follows the Bible.

Living with the Consequences of Bad Decisions

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:55:42 +0000

by Zeke Flores

How terrible it is to live with the consequences of terrible decisions. Israel was having to do just that. Though God warned them about their idolatry, they didn’t listen. Though God told them that their exploitation of the poor and needy was evil, they didn’t listen. Though God said to them that their dependence on the military might of others (think Egypt) would not save them, they didn’t listen. Instead, they listened to the words of well-meaning but false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear, not what they needed to hear. And based on that faulty information, they continued making very bad decisions until God’s patience ended.

We can be the same.

Too often, we’ll ignore the numerous warning signs that God puts in our path and, instead, listen to the well-meaning but misguided advice of friends who may want to make us feel better but don’t help us to be better. But if a friend tells you the truth, the hard truth, and you know it’s for the best, then appreciate it.

And do it.

Facing the truth can change your heart and restore your spiritual fortunes. It may be hard, but it’s the right thing to do.

"Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your inquiry to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading" (Lamentations 2:14).

You Make This People Trust in a Lie

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 22:20:50 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

Text: Jeremiah 28:15

Jeremiah confronted some popular teachers of his time and rebuked them for getting people to trust in lies. It has happened since the Garden of Eden that people trust in lies. There are plenty of preachers willing to give false assurances.

Religious leaders can be bought, or they can sell a teaching that makes people feel better about themselves even when they need to do some serious repenting.

He Gets Us

“He gets us” is often bent to mean “He gets our desire to keep our favorite sins, and He accepts that we are committed to not repenting of this particular sin.” “All must repent” is the true message of the real Jesus (Luke 13:3-5), while men peddle another Jesus who accepts you without repentance. The real Jesus came to save us from sin, not to save us while remaining in our favorite sin.

He Loves Unconditionally

“He loves us unconditionally” is used to mean “He accepts us unconditionally.” Therefore, repentance is not required or expected. Love is not the same as acceptance. We love our children while not accepting them favorably when they steal, bully, curse, or engage in disobedient behavior. Love disciplines and demands change. It does not accept into a favorable relationship that which is sinful and unrepentant (II Peter.3:9; Isaiah 59:1f). If we refuse the goodness of His love that calls for repentance (Romans 2:2-8), then we establish no relationship with His love. We are trying to claim His favor and fellowship on our terms. It doesn’t work that way. Repentance is turning from our sinful standard to God and His holy standard. God’s love is what wants the relationship, but lack of repentance keeps us out of His favor and fellowship. False teachers talk of “unconditional love” as if God accepts all people unconditionally. See the various sins people must abandon to be saved (I Corinthians 6:8-10).

There is no such thing as unconditional salvation! Don’t make yourself or others “trust in a lie.”

On What Does Your Faith Stand?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 18:54:03 +0000

by Roger Shouse

"Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

It happened 180 years ago. It was proclaimed as the Second Advent. The nation was caught up in a religious fever about the teachings of a rural New York farmer, a lay Baptist preacher by the name of William Miller. Building a doctrine upon Daniel 8:14, where the prophet stated, “...two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” Miller claimed that the prophecy pointed to the return of Jesus. Miller was so specific in his timetable that he said October 22, 1844, would be the very day in which Jesus would appear.

Followers of Miller’s teachings were called Millerites. Many believed Miller’s prophecy. Some sold or gave away their property, believing they wouldn’t need it because the Lord was coming.

One such follower, Henry Emmons, wrote: “I waited all Tuesday (October 22, 1844) and dear Jesus did not come – I waited all the forenoon of Wednesday and was well in body as I ever was, but after 12 o’clock I began to feel faint, and before dark I needed someone to help me up to my chamber, as my natural strength was leaving me very fast, and I lay prostrate for two days without any pain — sick with disappointment.”

The Second Advent become known as the “Great Disappointment.” Discredited and disillusioned, most of the followers of Millers scattered to other religious movements, such as the Shakers and the early forms of the Seventh-day Adventists. Miller and other leaders in his movement readjusted their timetable to 1845, which became yet another year of disappointment.

Restoration leader Alexander Campbell wrote a series of articles about Millerism in his Millennial Harbinger.

Now, a hundred and eighty years later, this major event will pass, with very few knowing anything about it, and worse, most not caring at all about it. There are some important lessons for us in this:

First, it is easy to be swayed when one doesn’t stand solid upon the word of God. The naïve can believe about anything. Miller’s theory can seem logical, but its beginning point is an assumption, and his idea is based upon the literalness of prophecies that are figurative. This is yet another reason why we must continue to teach, study, and preach the word of God. All of us need to know what God has said.

Second, underlining Miller’s plans is the idea that God has placed secret codes, dates, and timetables that only a few can discover. Any discussion of the book of Revelation brings all kinds of speculations, current wars, and political figures that some see straight from those pages. Wildman Charles Manson believed Revelation 9 was a description of the British rock group, the Beatles. Long hair, iron breastplates that represent guitars, tails that were the guitar plugs — it’s all there if one wants to see it. And, as one develops such ideas, staring us right in the face is the fact that Revelation was written to seven churches in the first century. Electric guitars, amps, and rock’n roll meant absolutely nothing to them. Ignoring the immediate context allows a person to find whatever they are looking for. It’s like looking at clouds. One person sees a dog, and another person, looking at the same cloud, sees a tree. Without a foundation in the Scriptures and a baseline to begin with, anything and everything is possible.

The Bible is not written that way. It’s not a mystery that we need some outside decoder ring to figure out.

Third, the Lord’s concluding words at the end of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins are, “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” In that parable, the groom, Jesus, is gone. He returns with a shout. The wedding takes place. The plea is to be ready because “no one knows” when that day will be. If God said, we don’t know the day, how is it that William Miller told the world that Jesus was coming on October 22, 1844? Was the Lord wrong? Did someone like Miller actually know the day?

Whenever moderns say things that fly in the face of what God has said, we must stand with God.

When some say, “You don’t have to be baptized.” That’s not what God said. Who are you going to believe?
When someone says, “The Holy Spirit speaks to me directly,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe?
When someone says, “All you have to do is love God, and all this other stuff really doesn’t matter,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe?
When someone says, “Global warming is going to destroy the planet and kill every person,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe?
When someone says, “It’s obvious that evolution is true,” that’s not what God says. Who are you going to believe?

One hundred and eighty years ago, a whole bunch of people believed someone who said the Lord was coming that year. The year came and went. Their hopes were shattered. It was shattered because it wasn’t founded upon the Scriptures.

What’s your faith resting on? Your family? Your congregation? Your thinking? Or the word of God?

A lot has changed in one hundred and eighty years, yet some things have never changed.

How should we deal with end-times prophecies?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:14:39 +0000

Questions:

I have seen an abundance of things on the internet recently of people who claim the end times are “near” and we are currently seeing biblical prophecy unfold. I have seen these videos swarming since the pandemic on every internet platform. They are using world events such as the drying of the Euphrates River, rusting of the moon, agenda 2030, lab-grown meat, digital id, and climate change as their proof. Even worse, most of these people are claiming that they are receiving visions and end times dreams from god. I believe they are getting most of their “proof” from books such as Matthew, Revelation, and Daniel.

I know that we will not know the day or the hour, but all of this is very overwhelming for me as I am young and just starting my career. My mother has warned me that this stuff has always been said, and people have always been predicting the “last days,” but it seems to have become more prominent since 2020 started. What is your biblical opinion or advice on this? Should I ignore all of the dispensational and denominational people who are claiming the last days are this decade?

Thanks for your help.

Answer:

Predictions of Jesus' imminent return have always been numerous. It appears to be more so now because you are living in the current times. People have a tendency to forget or ignore what has happened in the past. "There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will occur, There will be for them no remembrance Among those who will come later still" (Ecclesiastes 1:11). Our communication is more rapid today, so we are also more aware of what people say in other parts of the world. See Date Setters for a partial list of numerous predictions regarding the second coming.

As you noted, we must start with what has been clearly stated: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone" (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, anyone claiming to know the date is lying. What do we do about such false teachers? "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting" (Romans 16:17-18). It is easy to get pulled into false messages if we are not on guard. When you realize that someone is teaching falsehoods, you reject them and their message. Don't continue listening to their teachings.

Why would a prophet tell my mother to bathe me?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 14:54:45 +0000

Question:

Good morning sir,

I saw your counseling online and I immediately felt at peace, so I felt I should ask for your advice sir. Some weeks ago, my grandmother’s prophet of a celestial church came to the house and asked my mum to bathe me as she would a child. He said it was done wrong and my mum should do it again, with baby soap, cream oil, and everything a baby uses. Afterward, I should be taken to an eatery and she should buy sweet things for me. On the way back, she is to ask me what I have for her. It sounded very strange to me. He also said that this is not the real me or so that this is not my actual spirit or something. He also mentioned that my boyfriend is temporary and hasn’t done anything tangible for me since we’ve been dating. He seems like a time waster. But to me, my boyfriend isn’t any of those things. He doesn’t have much but still does his best for me, and he’s a good guy.

The whole bathing thing doesn’t seem harmful so I don’t know if I should do it or not. A part of me is telling me to do it just to see because the prophet said it will unlock a lot of things for me. Another part of me doesn’t think it makes sense. What do I do?

Answer:

Your grandmother is listening to a false prophet. See Prophets Today? Think Again! Notice that the man did not actually state anything. He gave vague indications that something might happen when some silly, harmless stunts are done. He also proved himself false by giving warnings about your boyfriend (again vague statements) that you know are not true.

I would advise you to ignore him. If you attend this so-called church, I recommend that you find a real church that actually follows the Lord and His teachings in the Bible.

Response:

Thank you, sir. I really appreciate your advice. God bless you, sir.

Mormonism and Polygamy

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:13:18 +0000

by Jefferson David Tant

It is well known that in the 1800s the Mormon Church taught and practiced polygamy. Its founder, Joseph Smith, had many wives. Andrew Jensen, who was an assistant Mormon church historian, listed 27 women who were married to Joseph Smith (see the Historical Record, pp. 233, 234). The Mormon author John J. Stewart, however, credits Joseph Smith with even more wives: "... he married many other women, perhaps three or four dozen or more ..." (Brigham Young and His Wives, p.31).

Although the church outlawed polygamy in the late 1800s, there are many Mormons who still practice polygamy today. Whole communities of splinter groups in Utah and other states practice this. In 2008, headlines were made with respect to a raid on an enclave near Eldorado, Texas where a walled community practiced polygamy, and they were charged with fostering the marrying of young girls (under legal age) to older men. The cult leader, Warren Jeffs, was arrested and charged with various violations of the law.

Those representing the Utah branch of Mormonism state that they are the true church, and the other groups are apostates.

In this article, we want to examine the teaching of Joseph Smith on polygamy, which is claimed to be inspired by God and therefore not subject to change. One of the official books of doctrine for the church is Doctrine and Covenants (hereafter referred to as D&C.) The title page says, “The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Containing Revelations Given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet.”

In Section D&C 132 we have this preamble:

“Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives. HC 5: 501–507. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.”

Note verses 3-6:

“3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. 4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. 5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world. 6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fullness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.”

Note verses 34-35:

“God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises. 35 Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord, commanded it.”
Before proceeding, the question arises as to where in the Old Testament does God command Abraham to take Hagar as a wife? There is no such command, and thus D&C is in error, and contradicts God’s revelation. In truth, Abraham’s taking Hagar was contrary to God’s plan. Abraham and Sarah simply did not have enough faith in God’s promise of an heir at that moment, and made a substitution for what God had in mind."

Continue in verses 37-39:

“Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods. 38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. 39 David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord.”

Again, I ask what Scripture indicates that God commanded these men to take many wives, or that Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses, etc., were “accounted … righteous” for doing so? There is none! The truth is, God did not command the kings to take many wives. Note Deuteronomy 17:14-17:

“When thou art come unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me; thou shalt surely set him king over thee, whom Jehovah thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee; thou mayest not put a foreigner over thee, who is not thy brother. Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; forasmuch as Jehovah hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”

We further note that Solomon’s many wives were not a blessing, but a curse. “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father” (I Kings 11:4). This was exactly what God said would happen, so how is it that what God commanded actually became a curse? Was God’s command really a curse? Of course not! It is clear that Doctrine & Covenants contradicts the Bible.

(We take a side excursion here to the Book of Mormon. Jacob 2:24 states: “Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.” Then in v. 27: “… For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none.” We have a glaring contradiction between the Book of Mormon and Doctrines & Covenants. Truth does not contradict itself, yet the Mormon church holds both of these documents to be inspired by God. Therefore, either one or both of these documents are false. There is no other conclusion.)

Conveniently, D&C then commands Joseph Smith’s wife, Emma, to accept all the other women he wanted or face destruction. Vv 52-54:

“And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God. 53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been faithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him. 54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.”

Remember D&C 132 verse 4:

“For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.” It is claimed this is an everlasting covenant, and those who reject it cannot enter into glory. What covenant? The plurality of wives!

Christ Was Married?

Mormons teach that Christ was married to a plurality of wives.

“We say it was Jesus Christ who was married (at Cana) to the Marys and Martha” (Journal of Discourse, Vol. 11, p. 80, Orson Hyde)

Then we go to a quote from Orson Pratt:

“there were several holy women that greatly loved Jesus, such as Mary and Martha, her sister, and Mary Magdalene; and Jesus greatly loved them, and associated with them much…if all the acts of Jesus were written, we, no doubt, should learn that these beloved women were his wives” (The Seer, vol. 1, pp. 158,159)

But we have a serious problem when we read in the Book of Mormon from Jacob 2:27-28:

“Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken unto the word of the Lord: for there shall not be any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; for I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.”

What a dilemma! They claim Christ was married to plural wives, and then in another place claim that this would be an abomination.

This brings us to the time around 1890, as Utah territory is petitioning the U.S. government for statehood. My understanding is that Congress agreed to grant statehood if the practice of polygamy was no longer practiced by the church.

The following document is taken from the archives of the church and is available online.

OFFICIAL DECLARATION

“To Whom It May Concern: Press dispatches having been sent for political purposes, from Salt Lake City, which have been widely published, to the effect that the Utah Commission, in their recent report to the Secretary of the Interior, allege that plural marriages are still being solemnized and that forty or more such marriages have been contracted in Utah since last June or during the past year, also that in public discourses the leaders of the Church have taught, encouraged and urged the continuance of the practice of polygamy—

“I, therefore, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do hereby, in the most solemn manner, declare that these charges are false. We are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice, and I deny that either forty or any other number of plural marriages have during that period been solemnized in our Temples or in any other place in the Territory.

“One case has been reported, in which the parties allege that the marriage was performed in the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, in the Spring of 1889, but I have not been able to learn who performed the ceremony; whatever was done in this matter was without my knowledge. In consequence of this alleged occurrence the Endowment House was, by my instructions, taken down without delay.

“Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise.

“There is nothing in my teachings to the Church or in those of my associates, during the time specified, which can be reasonably construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy; and when any Elder of the Church has used language which appeared to convey any such teaching, he has been promptly reproved. And I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land.”

Wilford Woodruff President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Lorenzo Snow offered the following:

“I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the present time who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue of his position to issue the Manifesto which has been read in our hearing, and which is dated September 24th, 1890, and that as a Church in General Conference assembled, we accept his declaration concerning plural marriages as authoritative and binding.”

“The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous.” Salt Lake City, Utah, October 6, 1890.

Excerpts from Three Address by President Wilford Woodruff Regarding the Manifesto

“The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)

“It matters not who lives or who dies, or who is called to lead this Church, they have got to lead it by the inspiration of Almighty God. If they do not do it that way, they cannot do it at all. ...

“I have had some revelations of late, and very important ones to me, and I will tell you what the Lord has said to me. Let me bring your minds to what is termed the manifesto...

“The Lord has told me to ask the Latter-day Saints a question, and He also told me that if they would listen to what I said to them and answer the question put to them, by the Spirit and power of God, they would all answer alike, and they would all believe alike with regard to this matter.

“The question is this: Which is the wisest course for the Latter-day Saints to pursue—to continue to attempt to practice plural marriage, with the laws of the nation against it and the opposition of sixty millions of people, and at the cost of the confiscation and loss of all the Temples, and the stopping of all the ordinances therein, both for the living and the dead, and the imprisonment of the First Presidency and Twelve and the heads of families in the Church, and the confiscation of personal property of the people (all of which of themselves would stop the practice); or, after doing and suffering what we have through our adherence to this principle to cease the practice and submit to the law, and through doing so leave the Prophets, Apostles and fathers at home, so that they can instruct the people and attend to the duties of the Church, and also leave the Temples in the hands of the Saints, so that they can attend to the ordinances of the Gospel, both for the living and the dead?

“The Lord showed me by vision and revelation exactly what would take place if we did not stop this practice. If we had not stopped it, you would have had no use for ... any of the men in this temple at Logan; for all ordinances would be stopped throughout the land of Zion. Confusion would reign throughout Israel, and many men would be made prisoners. This trouble would have come upon the whole Church, and we should have been compelled to stop the practice. Now, the question is, whether it should be stopped in this manner, or in the way the Lord has manifested to us, and leave our Prophets and Apostles and fathers free men, and the temples in the hands of the people, so that the dead may be redeemed. A large number has already been delivered from the prison house in the spirit world by this people, and shall the work go on or stop? This is the question I lay before the Latter-day Saints. You have to judge for yourselves. I want you to answer it for yourselves. I shall not answer it; but I say to you that that is exactly the condition we as a people would have been in had we not taken the course we have.

“... I saw exactly what would come to pass if there was not something done. I have had this spirit upon me for a long time. But I want to say this: I should have let all the temples go out of our hands; I should have gone to prison myself, and let every other man go there, had not the God of heaven commanded me to do what I did do; and when the hour came that I was commanded to do that, it was all clear to me. I went before the Lord, and I wrote what the Lord told me to write. ...

“I leave this with you, for you to contemplate and consider. The Lord is at work with us. (Cache Stake Conference, Logan, Utah, Sunday, November 1, 1891. Reported in Deseret Weekly, November 14, 1891.)

“Now I will tell you what was manifested to me and what the Son of God performed in this thing. . . . All these things would have come to pass, as God Almighty lives, had not that Manifesto been given. Therefore, the Son of God felt disposed to have that thing presented to the Church and to the world for purposes in his own mind. The Lord had decreed the establishment of Zion. He had decreed the finishing of this temple. He had decreed that the salvation of the living and the dead should be given in these valleys of the mountains. And Almighty God decreed that the Devil should not thwart it. If you can understand that, that is a key to it. (From a discourse at the sixth session of the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, April 1893. Typescript of Dedicatory Services, Archives, Church Historical Department, Salt Lake City, Utah.) (The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)”

It is obvious that the outlawing of polygamy was strictly for political and personal gain. Mormon President Wilford Woodruff stated his concern about the “confiscation and loss of all the Temples, and the stopping of all the ordinances therein, both for the living and the dead, and the imprisonment of the First Presidency and Twelve and the heads of families in the Church, and the confiscation of personal property of the people.”

This is quite different from the attitudes of the early Christians. When Peter and others were charged by the authorities not to preach anymore in Jesus’ name, what was the response? “But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:39). This is in contrast to the Mormon president’s statement: “Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws…”

God’s servants through the ages have been willing, not only to give up their possessions but their very lives in order to remain faithful to God. When Babylon’s king commanded that all should bow and worship before the image he created, there were some who refused. Enraged, he commanded them to be thrown into a fiery furnace if they continued to refuse, but “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).

There are valid conclusions that can be drawn from the foregoing.

It is claimed that the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants are revelations from God that were made to Joseph Smith.
These two documents clearly contradict one another, thus making one or both false.
The doctrine of plural marriage was claimed to be given as an “everlasting covenant.”
Those who would not abide by this covenant “shall be damned…for no one can reject
this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory” (D&C 132:4).
Changing of the practice of polygamy was purely for secular and political purposes.
Therefore the whole system is false!