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Read this quote in my studies this morning and absolutely love it: “For me, the plan of salvation must … circumscribe [all] the knowledge that is upon the face of the earth, or it is not from God. Such a plan incorporates every system of true doctrine on the earth, whether it be ecclesiastical, moral, philosophical, or civil: it incorporates all good laws that have been made from the days of Adam until now; it swallows up the laws of nations, for it exceeds them all in knowledge and purity; it circumscribes the doctrines of the day, and takes from the right and the left, and brings all truth together in one system, and leaves the chaff to be scattered hither and thither.” – Brigham Young
This quote was used in this amazing talk by President Hunter.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1991/10/the-gospel-a-global-faith?lang=eng What love to get your thoughts on it.
My response — prove it. You make all kinds of outlandish, unprovable statements in the church because so much of it is invisible. I really like the thought. I was too young in the 1830s to remember so I have no idea what it was really like but I often imagine that back in the day JS tried to find truth from whatever source was available to him and incorporate it into the church. Somewhere along the way we decided that JS carried out a full restoration, we essentially closed the heavens again. The restoration of all things created the sentiment that “we have the all truth” and that eventually morphed into a prejudice against all external sources of truth.
Perhaps my imagination of the past is incorrect, if not we’ve come a long way.
I like the quote. I’ve added it to the quotes threadWhile it might be read to suggest Mormonism has everything (which, Silent Dawning, I’m guessing this was your objection to it) I read it differently.
Instead it’s a statement of Mormonism embracing everything. It’s an acceptance that God’s truth extends all around the world and we embrace and celebrate all of it.
It reminds me of quotes like:
Quote:“We seek for truth wherever we may find it. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “Mormonism is truth. … The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or … being … prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men.”
Yes, we do have the fulness of the everlasting gospel, but that does not mean that we know everything. In fact, one principle of the restored gospel is our belief that God “will yet reveal many great and important things.”
… So we continually seek truth from all good books and other wholesome sources. “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” In this manner we can resist the deceit of the evil one. In this manner we learn the truth “precept upon precept; line upon line.” And we will learn that intelligence cleaves unto intelligence, and wisdom receives wisdom, and truth embraces truth.”
Elder Uchtdorf
http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng Quote:“We believe there is a spiritual influence that emanates from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. (See D&C 88:12.) All men share an inheritance of divine light. God operates among his children in all nations, and those who seek God are entitled to further light and knowledge, regardless of their race, nationality, or cultural traditions.”
Howard W. Hunter
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/1991/10/the-gospel-a-global-faith?lang=eng Quote:“The inquiry is frequently made of me, ‘Wherein do you differ from others in your religious views?’ In reality and essence we do not differ so far in our religious views, but that we could all drink into one principle of love. One of the grand fundamental principles of ‘Mormonism’ is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.”
Joseph Smith, quoted in History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2nded.
(Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1949), 5:499.
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/authority-in-the-church More quotes on Universalism (collated from our quotes thread):
http://ldsthoughtfulquotes.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/universalism Yes, statements like this are foundational to my flavor of Mormonism. I hold these ideas higher than any current cultural teaching, as a result I can’t feel a lasting frustration with any current policy or teaching. My belief in continuing revelation tells me everything will be straightened out to align with truth, God, and love in time. I am the deepest believer in the church of the future if you will. My faith contains hope, in a way similar to how we have faith in people that we trust. My Mormonism requires me to accept all truth, come from where it may. I am human, but this is my goal.
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