Joseph Smith was not able to complete the restoration. That was due to many reasons, but first and foremost it was due to the disinterest of the early church. They just did not value the information offered by the Lord through Joseph.

Many people looked at Joseph Smith rather than looking to God, who was the one laboring with Joseph to establish the original religion taught first to Adam.

Joseph’s understanding so far exceeded the understanding of his contemporaries, that some of the most profound material given to us has not been included in LDS, RLDS (CofC) or other restorationist scriptures. One of the only talks Joseph Smith took the time to compose before giving exists in our scriptures as T&C Section 140. In that talk Joseph was trying to push back the veil and let us see the profound relationship between God and man, Christ and Adam, and our reliance upon Adam still, today, for salvation.

“He is Michael, because he was the first and father of all, not only by progeny, but he was the first to hold the spiritual blessings, to whom was made known the plan of ordinances for the salvation of his posterity unto the end, and to whom Christ was first revealed, and through whom Christ has been revealed from Heaven and will continue to be revealed from henceforth. Adam holds the keys of the dispensation of the fullness of times; i.e., the dispensation of all the times have been and will be revealed through him, from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ to the end of all the dispensations that are to be revealed.” T&C 140:3

Knowledge about, and contact with the Savior/Redeemer and Messiah first was given to Adam. He, the man Adam, at the time of that first revelation stood as surrogate for all his posterity. He gained the knowledge necessary for faith in Christ, because of his knowledge of Christ. This is why Adam came to possess the key or right to then reveal Christ to his posterity. That right of Adam has remained with him, and is his right still today.

If Christ is to be revealed to any descendant of Adam’s, it will be because Adam authorized that revelation to his descendant to take place.

Joseph tied this teaching to ordinances that are designed to reveal saving knowledge to Adam’s posterity. ” Therefore, he [Christ] set the ordinances to be the same for ever and ever, and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from Heaven to man or to send angels to reveal them.” T&C 140:6

The conditions for salvation were set before the world was created. Therefore the ordinances needed for salvation were also set before the world was created, and accordingly cannot be changed without interfering with man’s salvation. Joseph explained, “This then is the nature of the Priesthood: every man holding the presidency of his dispensation and one man holding the presidency of them all, even Adam, and Adam receiving his presidency and authority from Christ, but cannot receive a fullness until Christ shall present the Kingdom to the Father, which shall be at the end of the last dispensation.
“The power, glory, and blessings of the Priesthood could not continue with those who received ordination, only as their righteousness continued. For Cain also being authorized to offer sacrifice, but not offering it in righteousness, therefore he was cursed. It signifies then that the ordinances must be kept in the very way God has appointed, otherwise their Priesthood will prove a cursing instead of a blessing.” T&C 140:11-12

Adam holds presidency, or fatherhood, over all the human family. Abraham understood this in his day, and likewise sought to become a father, because this was part of the inheritance offered by Adam to those who receive the ordinances. Abraham stated that he, “sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations,” precisely because this is what Adam’s right included. Abraham obtained this right and “became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me.” T&C 145/Abr. 1:1

Joseph was laboring to complete the restoration of this, but was slain before it could be completed. Had it been finished, like what he was able to restore, it would have been perverted, compromised and made a “cursing instead of a blessing” (as Joseph put it).

Joseph taught, “Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah, that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the keys, the covenants, the power, and the glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning, and the offering of sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time. For all the ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the Priesthood under the directions and commandments of the Almighty, in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensations. Therefore, all things had under the authority of the Priesthood at any former period shall be had again, bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the holy prophets, then shall the sons of Levi offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord.” T&C 140:16-17

Adam will restore, because God will require, ordinances that are yet to be returned to mankind. Men cannot search this out and take it upon themselves to pretend to these things. Only Adam, with Christ’s approval and direction, and return in authority and vitality the ordinances of salvation. “God will not acknowledge that which he has not called, ordained, and chosen.” T&C 140:7

In one of the recent events I participated in someone posed the question, “What if I don’t like the religion of Adam?” The question amused me. The one propounding it has no idea what Adam’s religion includes. As the Book of Mormon puts it, “The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father. And no tongue cannot speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak. And no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.” NC 3 Ne. 8:4 However, I suppose the right answer to their ignorant inquiry is that they needn’t worry. Just like the people who lived with Joseph Smith, they will never have it given to them.

In the world to come there will be sadness about having rejected gifts offered by our common ancestor, Adam, the father of all mankind. Having failed to rise up and accept God’s invitation (and our first father’s invitation), it is written of them: “Nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. For what does it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” T&C 86:4

Joseph Smith saw what needed to be done. But those who lived at that time were just uninterested in sharing in his vision. Jealous and ambitious rivals overthrew Joseph and in turn the restoration. Then what little he had restored was changed, rejected, corrupted and overthrown. It has proven to be a cursing to foolish people who now slavishly rely on a pretender’s “keys” to rescue them from their folly. But they are damned. Because damnation consists in having your way hedged up and your progress limited, so that you do not receive the saving ordinances Adam intends to restore. It is going to be done. But the institutions who have turned their backs on the restoration claim, “Hearken unto us and hear ye our precept, for behold, there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men.” NC 2 Ne. 12:1

They can only teach with their own learning, because the Spirit of God has withdrawn from them. And so they offer foolish and vain teachings, as foretold by Nephi. We, of course, can fall into the same bottomless pit of ignorance and despair, if we do not allow God to complete His work, and Adam to finish authorizing and prescribing the ordinances of salvation. Then, of course, they cannot be changed without God refusing to acknowledge them.

Hyrum Smith wrote a letter to the saints dated 15 March 1844 that I have been reflecting on for a few days. All of the letter is quite worth careful consideration and can be found in T&C 152. The second paragraph of the letter states:

“And again, I say unto you, an elder has no business to undertake to preach mysteries in any part of the world, for God has commanded us all to preach nothing but the first principles unto the world. Neither has any elder any authority to preach any mysterious thing to any branch of the church unless he has a direct commandment from God to do so. Let the matter of the grand councils of Heaven, and the making of gods, worlds, and devils entirely alone, for you are not called to teach any such doctrine — for neither you nor the people are capacitated to understand any such principles — less so to teach them. For when God commands men to teach such principles, the saints will receive them. Therefore, beware what you teach! For the mysteries of God are not given to all men; and unto those to whom they are given they are placed under restrictions to impart only such as God will command them, and the residue is to be kept in a faithful breast, otherwise he will be brought under condemnation. By this God will prove his faithful servants, who will be called and numbered with the chosen.”

It reminds me of the statement in Alma: “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart — only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word. And he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God, until they know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the Devil and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.” NC Alma 9:3

Both Hyrum and Alma state that God’s mysteries are restricted, given only to a few, and guarded from being told openly by a commandment to not teach of them.

It occurs to me that those who are most interested in learning about great mysteries are perhaps diverted from giving attention to the “weightier matters” of God. (Christ’s list of those were: “the weightier things of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith. NC Matt. 10:31.)

In our day the “weightier matters” have been discussed by the Lord at some length in T&C 157. One excerpt states: “Take care how you invoke my name. Mankind has been controlled by the adversary through anger and jealousy, which has led to bloodshed and the misery of many souls. Even strong disagreements should not provoke anger, nor to invoke my name in vain as if I had part in your every dispute.” T&C 157:54

I’ve wondered if the command to guard God’s mysteries and the caution against invoking God’s name in vain as if He had part in our every dispute might be related. We stop reasoning together when anyone interjects into the conversation: “The Lord has revealed to me that….” Or, “God told me that…” Or, “I received a revelation on this question…” Or, “Let me tell you what God told me about that…”

When someone uses the “God-Card” in a conversation about an issue it signals that the person throwing down cannot yield a point. They are duty-bound as a matter of fidelity to “God’s word” to insist on their position prevailing.

What if God’s word to you was intended to be kept in your “faithful breast” (as Hyrum put it)? What if it was meant only for you, and not for me to hear? What if the purpose of God’s answer to you was to allow you to participate in the discussion, and not to force the end of a discussion? What if the word given to one, and a different word given to another, are intended to allow you to “reason together” and see more of the issue?

God does not have part in our every dispute. But He does want us to: “Forgive one another. Be tender with one another, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, care for the orphan, and uplift the widow in her need, for I have redeemed you from being orphaned and taken you that you are no longer a widowed people. Rejoice in me, and rejoice with your brethren and sisters who are mine also. Be one.” T&C 157:50

There are so many things yet to be done, and so many difficult moments yet to be endured, that we should soberly assess how much effort we squander on foolish disagreements. “

“A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination be aware of, because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God than the vain imagination of the human heart? None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.
“How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations: too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of his will from before the foundation of the world[.]” T&C 138:18-19

It is vulgar, low, mean and condescending when we demand someone surrender their position in a discussion because we use the “God-Card” to announce the final decision. In one place the Lord says, “Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord.” (NC Isa. 1:3) and in another place the Lord admonishes us, “Study to learn how to respect your brothers and sisters and to come together by precept, reason, and persuasion, rather than sharply disputing and wrongly condemning each other, causing anger.” (T&C 157:54)

It appears that the Lord wants us discussing important and worthy things. Things that require sober and solemn thought. And He wants it to be accomplished ponderously, and with care. Perhaps, if it is done correctly, it will elevate us all. Clearly it will please God.

In writing this I do not imply that there are not other matters, mysteries if you will, that are sacred and not to be discussed openly. There are obviously many matters that God withholds from mankind. Those are revealed to be kept in the faithful breast and not dispensed to others (unless by command from God, to whom those mysteries belong).

An online meeting has been organized for Saturday, October 22 on Zoom.

The talks from last weekend’s conference are now up online. The various links are provided below:

Full Conference Presentation linked here.

Stephanie’s talk is linked here.

My talk is linked here.

It was a great gathering and we were able to catch up with some friends. An interfaith conference will be held next month (October) and I will put up links for that as the event gets closer.

Next weekend in Syracuse and Layton Utah there will be a conference focusing on preparation and independence. It is the Stand Independent Fall Conference and the website giving details is linked here: If You Are Prepared You Need Not Fear.

I’ve been asked to speak on Sunday, the 25th, and have accepted the invitation. During the conference there are a number of workshops and presentations planned that should inform and help those who attend.

Those who want to declare great things, and make themselves appear to be a source of great light and understanding hardly help anyone. There are no end of people offering themselves up to be admired and followed. Between the mentally unstable, foolish, vain and ambitious sideshows that constantly vie for attention, I’m glad there are people of good cheer trying to make a practical difference in our lives. Dreamers and schemers only benefit by leading the gullible and sign-seekers to depart from us.

A firm mind in every form of godliness is hard to find. But vanity and foolishness advertises itself openly, urging you to notice, clamoring for your attention.

“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear the word of the Lord; thus says the Lord God: Woe unto the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. O Israel, your prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. You have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord says — and the Lord has not sent them; and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Have you not seen a vain vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, whereas you say, The Lord says it — albeit I have not spoken? Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Because you have spoken vanity and seen lies, therefore behold, I am against you, says the Lord God. And my hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity and that divine lies. They shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord God.” (RE Eze. 5:3-4.)

One fool falls into shame and folly and another rushes to occupy his place.

The whole of “Mormonism” from the LDS to the Community of Christ, to the polygamists, Mormonism fracturing and failing from within. There is no end of the purported “prophets, seers and revelators” among all these people, but none of them declare the Lord’s words, teach righteousness and live humbly before God. We are in peril because we go adrift continually.

The Hebrew Translation of the Stick of Joseph is now in the final editing. We hope to have it finished soon. Prophecies have been and are being fulfilled. It is timely to have a conference about standing independent. The world is becoming less stable and more vulnerable to widespread failure daily. It is a good time to learn something about preparation and independence. And a good time to ignore the clamor of foolish men.

I’ve intended to put up a link for some time, and am finally getting it done. The book Rescuing the Restoration: The Lord Sets His Hand Again is available on Amazon. It is a summary prepared by over 30 contributors, and answers many questions about a religious movement inspired by God (not a church) that is currently underway. It is a grassroots inspired effort to reconnect with what the Lord began in 1820, and documents the things now underway. By clicking on the title it will link you to the book on Amazon.

The paper used for the Hildale Fireside is now available as a downloadable pdf, for those who are interested in reading the larger, expanded version of the comments I made earlier today. Linked here: Hildale Fireside Talk Paper: Pure in heart, wise, noble, virtuous…

This is the schedule for the August 20th Fireside, and other planned activities this same coming weekend:

Friday August 19th
6pm – Gathering at Ianthius & Gwen Barlow’s Home -All are welcome!
6:30pm – Breaking our fast together (Those that are fasting)
Bring something to BBQ for yourself
Side dishes/refreshments/cutlery will be provided
Ianthius Barlow’s Home Address:
2264 E South St, Fredonia, AZ 86022
Google Maps Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/b7htxPBDFCG4TR3r7

This is the Apple Maps Pin: https://maps.apple.com/?address=2264%20E%202600%20S,%20Valentine,%20AZ%20%2086022,%20United%20States&ll=36.943553,-112.922763&q=Dropped%20Pin&_ext=EiYp1uHoGzN4QkAx644hQmo7XMA5VLcOeFl5QkBBlUkMG7I6XMBQAw%3D%3D

Saturday August 20th
1PM – Fireside Begins at Holm Heritage Event Center
Agenda will be Whitney Horning, followed by Denver Snuffer, followed by a Q&A (if time allows)
We are anticipating this will be about of 2-3 hours long with a 5-10 minute break to be determined by the speakers.
Once the fireside concludes, we will rearrange the chairs and set up tables to eat and hang out. There will be salads prepared and a taco food truck has agreed to show up. IF YOU ANTICIPATE UTILIZING THE FOOD TRUCK FOR YOUR DINNER MEAL, PLEASE EMAIL US SO WE CAN GIVE THEM AN APPROXIMATE HEADCOUNT.
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

The address for the Holm Heritage Event Center is:

965 North Carling Street, Hildale, Utah 84737
Google Maps Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/AQGmgMWZs3Z7ruE46
Apple Maps Pin: https://maps.apple.com/?address=1055%20Carling%20St,%20Hurricane,%20UT%20%2084737,%20United%20States&ll=37.008519,-112.970710&q=Dropped%20Pin&_ext=EiYpZZtlUYSAQkAxHCCAtHw+XMA543CLraqBQkBBWKMlZcQ9XMBQAw%3D%3D

The fireside will also be live streamed live on YouTube, linked here:
https://youtu.be/J5H_bBT_vaA

Sunday August 21st
10AM – Gathering at the Colorado City Cottonwood Park for Sacrament
Bread (including gluten free) and wine will be provided
We will have some seating available. Just in case we don’t have enough, please bring your own blanket or a comfy chair if you can.
Sacrament cups will be provided
Following Sacrament, we will have 1 to 2 speakers share a spiritual message.

Cottonwood Park address is: 100–176 Colvin St Colorado City, AZ 86021
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/5ShM4FMpCQA7Fj2o9
Apple Maps: https://maps.apple.com/?address=100%E2%80%93176%20Colvin%20St,%20Colorado%20City,%20AZ%20%2086021,%20United%20States&auid=3210002757397407582&ll=36.995605,-112.972929&lsp=9902&q=Cottonwood%20Park&_ext=CjIKBQgEEOIBCgQIBRADCgQIBhASCgQIChABCgQIUhAHCgQIVRANCgQIWRAGCgUIpAEQARIkKTnL0Yg+f0JAMdjC4iZZPlzAOQ2h7xOsf0JAQR89j5srPlzA

FIRESIDE FLYER
Flyers for this event have been direct mailed to all 2000 residents of the Colorado City/Hildale Area. Here is a link if you would like to share it with anyone. https://www.dropbox.com/s/31xmboa4shsi4nk/Afternoon%20Fireside%20Flyer%20%28CMYK%29.png?dl=0
INVITATION VIDEO
Here is a link to the invitation video that is being shared around the polygamist community. Please share this with anyone you feel would benefit from this fireside.
https://youtu.be/MsIXKd6LLZM
LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Water Canyon Resort still has cabins available for the weekend. They can be reserved at watercanyonresort.com They have also recently just opened an rv/trailer park and those reservations can be made by calling Shane at 435-229-4747.
There is also free camping available on nearby BLM land. Here is a link:
https://www.blm.gov/visit/canaan-mountain-wilderness
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
We hope to see you all soon! And please forward this email along to all those within our community.
Sincerely,
August 20th Fireside Fellowship

I will be in Hildale, Utah on the 20th of this month to address the subject of Plural Wives again. It is not a subject I enjoy discussing, but this will be an attempt to at least open the door for those of that outcast community to understand why I disagree with the practice. I’m hoping those who live in the isolated confines of practicing an illegal form of marriage will be willing to at least listen to the talk. I am not coming to re-injure old wounds, but to explain how I have reached a contrary conclusion.

Both sides should stop fearing a discussion across the divide. I’m not coming to condemn or judge, but to explain my views and why I hold them. It is free to the public and will be held at the Holm Heritage Center, 1065 N. Carling Street, Hildale, UT 84784. I hope members of the various factions will accept the invitation to attend. I’m not going to ask you to join an organization, donate, or purchase anything. I’m just asking for some of your time to listen. I hope to say something of value.

In response to prayers over the last several months I received the following Answer to an Inquiry About Forgiveness:

You have inquired of me concerning the questions raised by the scriptures which state, Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, until seven times, but, until seventy times seven; on the one hand, and the scripture which states, You shall love your wife with all your heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else, and he that looks upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the spirit, and if he repent not he shall be cast out. You shall not commit adultery, and he that commits adultery and repents not shall be cast out; and he that commits adultery and repents with all his heart, and forsakes and does it no more, you shall forgive him; but if he does it again, he shall not be forgiven, but shall be cast out; on the other hand. I answer your inquiry as follows:
In the Answer to Prayer for Covenant you were told to, Be like me. You have all been wounded, your hearts pierced through with sorrows because of how the world has treated you. But you have also scarred one another by your unkind treatment of each other, and you do not notice your misconduct toward others because you think yourself justified in this. You bear the scars on your countenances, from the soles of your feet to the head, and every heart is faint. Your visages have been so marred that your hardness, mistrust, suspicions, resentments, fear, jealousies, and anger toward your fellow man bear outward witness of your inner self; you cannot hide it. When I appear to you, instead of confidence, you feel shame. You fear and withdraw from me because you bear the blood and sins of your treatment of brothers and sisters. Come to me and I will make sins as scarlet become white as snow, and I will make you stand boldly before me, confident of my love. I descended below it all, and know the sorrows of you all, and have borne the grief of it all, and I say to you, Forgive one another. Be tender with one another, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, care for the orphan, and uplift the widow in her need, for I have redeemed you from being orphaned and taken you that you are no longer a widowed people. Rejoice in me, and rejoice with your brethren and sisters who are mine also. Be one.
How can you be one if you gather together with another who has been the adulterer again after being forgiven? And how can a man love his wife with all his heart and cleave unto her and none else if he commit adultery again after being forgiven?
You did not ask, but remember that I have said also that, You shall not kill, and he that kills shall not have forgiveness, neither in this world nor in the world to come. And again, you shall not kill; he that kills shall die. You shall not steal, and he that steals and will not repent shall be cast out. You shall not lie; he that lies and will not repent shall be cast out. How can you be one with he who murders, with the liar who deceives, and with the thief who steals? I say to you that you cannot be one when you are fractured and your little ones threatened by the disobedience of the adulterer, murderer, liar and thief who will not repent.
You did not ask me, but I say that your question arises from the instructions I gave you: I have told you that to remove authority to use priesthood outside a man’s family requires a unanimous decision by twelve women. A council of twelve women must be convened, either in the man’s home fellowship among those who are acquainted with his daily walk, or in private at a general conference, also including among the twelve women from the conference those who are acquainted with his daily walk, so that no injustice results. Reinstatement of the man’s authority must be considered by the same council of twelve women when the man petitions for the decision to be rescinded, and requires seven of the twelve to agree upon his reinstatement, which can occur at any time. During the period of suspension, nothing affects the man’s duties and responsibility in his own family. I say to you, if a man has been suspended for adultery, and then been reinstated, and return again to adultery, he shall not be reinstated again, for to do so places my community at peril. These words were to guard so that no injustice results. I ask, is there injustice if my people cannot become one because of disobedience? Even a single disobedient soul who breaks the hearts of others by his sinful disobedience can destroy the peace of all my people. I say again, Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. You shall not show mercy to the disobedient when to do so results in injustice to the people who seek to become one. You shall not forgive the adulterer and welcome him into the community when he has been forgiven and returns again to his sin. You shall not place the community at peril by embracing the willful and unrepentant among you, to leave your little ones at peril of injury, harm, and destruction. Study the words given in the Answer to Prayer for Covenant, and you will see how to regard one another, how to succor one another, how to protect one another, and how to live in peace with one another. I have given what I have given to be followed, neither to be added to nor taken from, but to be your counsel and guide. Do as you are bidden and you will have peace in this troubled world, which will be your first reward.

There is a newly revised Professional Responsibility Rule, governing the ethics of lawyers. I thought it might be of general interest, so I am posting the new standard described by the Utah State Bar below:

RPC08.04(c). Misconduct. AMEND. Codifies in new paragraph (2) Ethics Advisory Opinion 02-05, which concluded that 8.4(1)(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation) does not apply to government attorneys overseeing an otherwise legal undercover criminal investigation.

If you click on the link to the Ethics Advisory Opinion you will be able to read the reasoning underlying the change.

Our government has been caught in the trap the Lord warned us against: “Verily, verily I say unto you, woe be unto him that lies to deceive because he supposes that another lies to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God.” T&C JSH 10:12

A Fireside has been organized for August 20 at the Holm Heritage Center in Hildale, Utah. I’ve been invited to speak and will be participating. It is free to the public and being held at that location in the hope of having those who practice plural marriage attend. There are a number of “polygamists” (not technically the right term, by the way) living in that part of the state, and this location is intended to be convenient for them to attend.

The Fireside is titled: “You Never Knew My Heart”–which is a statement made by Joseph Smith to the people in Nauvoo in April 1844, two months before he was killed. Whitney Horning will be speaking before me, giving a talk titled “A Servant’s Heart.” My talk is titled “…The Pure in Heart, and the Wise, and the Noble, and the Virtuous…” which is a quote from a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1839, while he was in Liberty Jail.

I have heard that these two talks will be broadcast live on Youtube, and I will put up additional details as the date gets closer.

The address of the Fireside is: Holm Heritage Center, 1065 N. Carling Street, Hildale, UT 84784.

Although I do not agree with the practice of plural wives, and hope to see it come to an end, I am not going to Hildale to inflict wounds on members of that community. I hope to have something interesting to say that will let this subject be examined and understood better. Given the radical differences between the community living this marital practice and those who, like myself, practice and believe in monogamy, it is easy for the differences to result in bitter division. I’m hoping both sides become kinder toward one another.

There are libraries of material discussing this subject. Much of it in the form of “histories” that use second, third, fourth and fifth-hand accounts. Everyone’s view is dependent on who you trust.

I did an interview today with Steven Pnyakker, the host of Mormon Book Reviews. He has asked me for an interview for more than a year, and I relented. The interview is on his YouTube channel and is linked here: Denver Snuffer Shares His Story With An Evangelical

The United States of America is an experiment in limited government. It was founded through the inspiration of God, who took credit for the Constitution. As explained in revelation, the Lord stated plainly about the “constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles, that every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity according to the moral agency which I have given unto them, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another, and for this purpose have I established the constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” T&C 101:17

We have elected unwise men (and women) to office who do not uphold the Constitution. Therefore we are presently in a post-Constitutional era. But the system allows a return to limited government by electing people to office who will respect the limits of the offices they occupy. As explained in another revelation: “concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatever I command them, and that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting the principles of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges belonging to all mankind, is justifiable before me; therefore, I, the Lord, justify you and your brethren of my church in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land. And as pertaining to law of man, whatever is more or less than this comes of evil. I, the Lord your God, make you free; therefore, you are free indeed, and the law also makes you free. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men you should observe to uphold; otherwise, whatever is less than these comes of evil.” T&C 98:2

The United States is a country that can avoid violent uprisings and repeated civil wars by changing elected officials at the ballot box. This is an election year. When you decide whether or not to vote, remember that the right to vote is the right to choose how you will be governed.

If you want your rights respected, then vote for those who will maintain the rights and privileges belonging to all mankind. Those in office today are not only disrespectful of individual freedoms, but they are also unwise in their decision-making. That is true of both political parties.

Aspiring men crave control over others. We have trusted aspiring men all too often with elected offices, and they have abused our trust. When you vote, choose wisely.

Section 154 of the Teachings and Commandments was included in the Scriptures project to preserve some important material that would otherwise be missing. Its content deserves some careful attention.

The material begins with this explanation: ” When God delivers a dispensation of the gospel to the earth, the head of that dispensation is granted the right and privilege of organizing the dispensation. As the head organizes their dispensation according to righteous principles and receives God’s approval of the pattern, the dispensation is established and remains in effect until apostasy necessitates another restoration. Adam was given the first dispensation, and he patterned it after the order of Heaven. Abraham was also given a dispensation, which he patterned after Adam’s dispensation.”

This confirms that from the time of Adam until the time of Abraham dispensations were organized in the same way: After “the order of Heaven”–which means after a family. The generations between them had one designated “father” figure who was the family representative presiding and receiving from God the Father the word of counsel and direction for the family. Their names were Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, and then some generations later Abraham was adopted into that line to receive “the blessings of the Fathers, and the right whereunto [he] should be ordained to administer the same.” Which held the promise “to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God [he] became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers.” (T&C 145-BoA 1:1)

But later following apostasy Moses received a new dispensation, but did not reestablish the original Order. Instead, Moses found the hardness of heart of Abraham’s descendants prevented the Order from being established, and so reorganized his dispensation to reflect the challenge of that hardness. “Moses was given a dispensation, but established a different pattern for the children of Israel according to the hardness of their hearts, which dispensation John the Baptist brought to a lawful close.” (T&C 145:4) When Moses was taken, the opportunity for the original Order ended: “Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also. And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels, and the preparatory gospel, which gospel is the gospel of repentance, and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron, among the children of Israel, until John[.]” (T&C 82:14)

Jesus Christ organized His dispensation after Abraham’s. (T&C 145:5) Joseph Smith organized an imitation of Christ’s dispensation. (T&C 145:6)

It has always been the obligation and right of Adam, who was given dominion over this creation at the beginning, under the guidance of Jesus Christ to establish each dispensation. “And again, God purposed in himself that there should not be an Eternal fullness until every dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered together in one, and that all things whatever that should be gathered together in one, in those dispensations, unto the same fullness and Eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus. Therefore, he set the ordinances to be the same for ever and ever, and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from Heaven to man or to send angels to reveal them.” (T&C 140: 5-6)

You can know from this that each of these dispensations, however organized by the head, was approved and permitted by Father Adam. Although the original fit a specific pattern, later dispensations were ordered according to the faithfulness, heed and diligence of the respective generations. We have not seen the original Order for millennia. In Adam’s day, “The Order of this Priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed to whom the promises were made. This Order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage[.]” (T&C 154:9)

In the present dispensation we have not yet been organized, and there is a reason for that. If we are not going to accomplish all that needs to be done to vindicate the Lord’s covenants, then having another incomplete organization linger as a dead relic is something I refuse to accept. I will not leave behind an institution to be corrupted by the cares of this world, accumulate wealth, power, influence and popularity, as has been done with each of the prior dispensations as they lapse into apostasy. If all we accomplish is an incomplete gesture, as has always been the case before, then I do not want to usher in such a tool for the adversary to use.

Adam kept a book in which he recorded teachings, testimony and sacred events: ” And a book of remembrance was kept, in which was recorded in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration. And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled. Now this same Priesthood which was in the beginning shall be in the end of the world also (now this prophecy Adam spoke as he was moved upon by the holy ghost).” (Gen. 3:14) Interestingly, Adam did not record his own baptism in the record he kept. Enoch later recorded that event. But what Adam did record testifies about the “same Priesthood which was in the beginning [that] shall be in the end of the world also.” He wrote that God the Father commanded him (Adam) to, “believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him who he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world. And thus the gospel began to be preached from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the holy ghost. And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam by a holy ordinance, and the gospel preached, and a decree sent forth that it should be in the world until the end thereof. And thus it was. Amen.” (Gen. 3:13)

It was through a “holy ordinance” that the mission of God’s Only Begotten Son that should come in the meridian of time was declared to Adam. The ordinance taught Adam that this Son of God was prepared before the foundation of the world. It instructed Adam in things before the world, and in the creation of the world, and in the redemption of the world, all through “a holy ordinance.”

And, Adam wrote, “this same Priesthood which was in the beginning shall be in the end of the world also (now this prophecy Adam spoke as he was moved upon by the holy ghost).” But whether we see that in our generation or not is completely dependent upon the heed and diligence we give to the Lord.

There is a specific obligation we know is coming, and until that obligation is fulfilled I will not do anything to organize any institution, church, or pattern. The Lord has explained to us: “Whenever I have people who are mine, I command them to build a house, a holy habitation, a sacred place where my presence can dwell or where the Holy Spirit of Promise can minister, because it is in such a place that it has been ordained to recover you, establish by my word and my oath your marriages, and endow my people with knowledge from on high that will unfold to you the mysteries of godliness, instruct you in my ways, that you may walk in my path. And all the outcasts of Israel will I gather to my house, and the jealousy of Ephraim and Judah will end; Ephraim will not envy Judah and Judah will not provoke Ephraim.” (T&C 157:41) We do not yet have a command to build a house for the Lord. There are reasons for that.

If, and when, such a command is given, then the “holy ordinance” with which Adam was endowed will be restored to the state Adam determines should be conferred upon us. It is then, and only then, that an Order can be set up in this dispensation. It will be patterned after the Order of Heaven, which is after the pattern of a family, and it will belong to Adam, and Jesus Christ who presides over Adam, and God the Father, and the Hosts of Heaven. But if we fail in this effort, then I would want all of this to fall to the earth, and dwindle into dust, with no power, influence, dominion, popularity, control, and gathering of wealth to be continued from our failed effort. We already have countless institutions founded by the Lord and then hijacked by the adversary claiming to be God’s church and kingdom. WE should recognize the prophetic counsel of Nephi about the present condition of the world’s various church denominations. WE should abhor doing nothing better than what Nephi foretold would be the sad state of religions today. I set his warning out at some length below:

“For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other, Behold, I, I am the Lord’s — and the other shall say, I, I am the Lord’s — and thus shall everyone say that hath built up churches and not unto the Lord. And they shall contend one with another, and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the holy ghost which giveth utterance. And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel. And they say unto the people, Hearken unto us and hear ye our precept, for behold, there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men. Behold, hearken ye unto my precept. If they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work. Yea, and there shall be many which shall say, Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die and it shall be well with us. And there shall also be many which shall say, Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God, he will justify in committing a little sin. Yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor, there is no harm in this. And do all these things, for tomorrow we die. And if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner false, and vain, and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord. And their works shall be in the dark, and the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.

“Yea, they have all gone out of the way, they have become corrupted; because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride, they are puffed up. They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing, and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart because in their pride they are puffed up. They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few who are the humble followers of Christ. Nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
“O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms and pervert the right way of the Lord, Woe, woe, woe be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell.
“Woe unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught, and revile against that which is good and say that it is of no worth, for the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth. And in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity, they shall perish. But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations, they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts. But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof. For the kingdom of the Devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the Devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains and they be stirred up to anger and perish. For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say, All is well in Zion, yea, Zion prospereth, all is well. And thus the Devil cheateth their souls and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away and telleth them there is no hell. And he saith unto them, I am no devil, for there is none. And thus he whispereth in their ears until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death and hell; and death, and hell, and the Devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is Endless torment. Therefore, woe be unto him that is at ease in Zion.
“Woe be unto him that crieth, All is well. Yea, woe be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God and the gift of the holy ghost. Yea, woe be unto him that saith, We have received and we need no more. And in fine, woe unto all those who tremble and are angry because of the truth of God. For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness, and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth, lest he shall fall.
“Woe be unto him that shall say, We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough. For behold, thus saith the Lord God, I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. And blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom. For unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough — shall be taken away even that which they have. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the holy ghost.
“Woe be unto the gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts, for notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me. Nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me, for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.” (RE 2 Ne. 12:1-7)

It is foolish to want to have such vanity follow from our opportunity. If we can not avoid imitating the ruined landscape of religious failure surrounding us, all contending to corrupt and waylay the souls of men, then we should humbly let it end with us. But if we press on, and gain the Lord’s gathering as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, then we should give strict heed and diligence to Him. “Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in her strength. And they also shall be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time, they that are faithful and diligent before me.” (T&C 46:1)

Leave behind your ambitions. Depart from your anger, contention, jealousies, and your uncontrolled worldliness. Be sober minded. Control your appetites. Flee from sin. Subdue the flesh. Become meek as a child, and harmless as a dove. Flee from Babylon and shake its dust from off your feet. Awake and arise.

We can fail. WE can succeed. But we will only succeed by our heed and diligence to the Lord’s commands.