The necessity of "Spiritualization"

[Refiner]

Many religious Totalisms have taken an absolute position when making declarations about their interpretations of prophetic scripture passages. They have declared their interpretations to be revelations dispensed directly from the mind of God, and they have declared their interpretations the final fulfilment of Biblical prophecies.

It is easy to demonstrate this pattern from the 3 major sects:

Seventh Day Adventism, Mormonism and the Jehovahs Witnesses.

All these have foolishly believed they have received a final understanding of prophetic matters, and then made Absolute statements, in Gods Authority, of interpretation of coming events.

Later these interpretations are proven incorrect by the relentless march of history.

Just one good example of this ongoing pattern of behaviour, and the resultant necessity of constant reinterpretation of scripture, is regarding Adventisms understanding of who constitutes the Kings that come from the Sunrising.

A major Adventist apologist, Louis Weir, wrote a book on the subject demonstrating, with reproduced passages from old publications, the churches ever "Eastward moving" interpretation of this scripture passage over the course of a century.

In the late 1800s Turkey was understood (and declared) to be the “sunrise” king. Then, during the 1920s Japan, and after the defeat of Japan in WW2, Persia, and later again, China have all been interpreted as “The Kings”.

The reasons for this constant shifting of interpretation are clear.

The rise and fall of empires, the constant changing of the world political scene.

Among many other quotes, Louis Weir reproduces a passage from a 1940s Adventist flyer that declared Japan to be the 'sunrise king':

Quote:... “Japan is unmistakeably identified with the prophecy of Revelation 16, led by the spirits of devils, and working miracles…In recent months, events in the Far East have moved rapidly in a direction that would indicate that, at last, the Kings of the East are moving in the direction of the rendezvous of prophecy, the river Euphrates… before our gaze the final act of the drama is rapidly unfolding”....END QUOTE

It doesn’t take an Einstein to see that, after Japan is defeated in war, a reinterpretation of scripture becomes necessary. And so it goes on and on.

Amazingly, and somewhat unfortunately, religious totalitarians are very stupid people in that they take a long time to learn from their mistakes. The Adventists misapprehended the “sunrise kings” prophecy at least 4 times before they started to wise up that it made them look foolish when they kept declaring current events to be absolute ‘prophetic fulfilment’ and then were forced to change position as the World political scene shifted. Those who speak for God don’t like having to shift position. When the penny finally drops with Totalitarians the tendancy is to “Spiritualize” the interpretation of prophecy.

This is usually done in a couple of ways…

Either the scripture passage is declared as finally fullfilled in an invisible event.

Or the passage is declared as in process of fulfilment, but in a manner that never ends.

About the fulfilment of prophecy in an “invisible” manner:

Jehovahs Witness examples of “Invisible fulfilments” (of literal expectations) include the current understandings regarding both 1914AD and 1918AD. Both these (The “Return” of Christ –1914AD and “The Ressurection”- 1918AD ) are invisible fulfilments of formerly held literal expectations.

It seems to be a rule in totalistic movements that wherever you find an invisibly fulfilled event…some research will unearth a formerly held literal expectation.

The latest JW interpretation of the 1914AD “generation” that last generation (commencing in 1914) that would ‘see the End of all things’ is a classic example of a prophetic fulfilment that is ‘endless’ or not able to be disconfirmed.

Rather than a ‘literal’ generation of humankind living ‘70 years’ it has become an ongoing, perpetual ‘Generation of Godlessness’.

It being always able to be claimed that men are ‘Godless’, the time span of the generation becomes unconfirmable, and thus without end.

This interpretation will remain the WTs final interpretation regarding the “generation”. Set in stone and immovable.

The same applies to the Jehovahs Witness understanding of the “Kings of the North and South”, so extensively laid out in recent years in the Witness book “Daniels Prophecy”.

Rather than the formerly held position that RUSSIA comprised the “King of the North”, now, with the publication of the “Daniels Prophecy” book, every opposing set of nations in the history of history, including Germany vs Britain, and the US vs Russia is declared an ongoing, “rolling” fulfilment of the Kings of the North and South prophecy. The Kings are declared to have “constantly changing identities” throughout human history.

Looking to Mormonism:

A prime example of the necessity to “spiritualize’ an expectation, or reinterpret prophetic understanding, occurred pertaining to the predictions for the Mormon Zion

The key Mormon book of doctrine, the “Doctrine and Covenants” in chapter 84, states pertaining to Zion:

QUOTE...."Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord,in the Western Boundaries of the state of Missouri......For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it"...END QUOTE

This prophecy was uttered by Joseph Smith in 1832.

However, there came over time to be a BIG problem.

The residents of Independence and, in fact, of the state of Missouri, rose up in military force against the Mormon onslaught and bitter battle ensued. Battle which the Mormons ended up losing to the point of being run out of Missouri at gunpoint.

Indeed, eventually they were run out of the entire mid west.

The Jackson County “Zion” was never built.

Joseph Smith uttered numerous prophecies blaming the Jackson county failure on the “unspiritual natures” and “sins” of the followers. But what is the Church position on Zion now, 160 years after the event?

I quote from a book called "Teachings of Presidents of the church-Brigham Young" a fairly current publication. There is an entire chapter dedicated to the subject of ‘building zion', among many other things it says:

QUOTE ..." We profess to BE Zion, if we are the pure in heart, .....where is zion?, Where the organization of the church of God is.......When we conclude to make a Zion we make it, and this work commences in the hearts of each person.....if we cease to hold fellowship with that which is corrupt and establish the Zion of God in our hearts, in our homes, in our cities, and thruout our land, we shall overcome the whole earth"....(assorted DBY quotes).....END QUOTE

So the literal “Zion” has become a mystical thing, a “state of heart” resident within the membership, to be developed inside each one until that wonderous day comes when the literal Zion will, finally, be built in Jackson County, Missouri.

There can be no doubt that, with a certain maturity and history of doctrinal shifting, a religious Totalism becomes more cautious and develops a tendancy toward shifting to interpretations that are neither confirmable nor uncomfirmable.

A caution (finally) learnt from innumerable letdowns, embarrassments, enforced doctrinal shifts and ‘disappointments’.

[Trefor Heywood]

The land Jospeh Smith designated in Jackson County Mo for the Zion Temple is owned by an offshoot.

The LDS would dearly love to obtain it and I understand have made several offers which have all been refused.

But they have rebuilt the Nauvoo Illinois Temple which was destroyed by fire when the Mormons were driven out. I expect that there are plans already drawn up in Church HQ in SLC just in case they ever managed to obtain the land.

There is a temple in Independance already but it belongs to what was known as the Reorganised Church (the smaller group who did not go with BY) alhough I believe that they have changed their titles recently.

Interestingly Joseph Smith's legal wife, Emma, and all his direct descendants were involved with this church. Their Temple is open to all, as is the Kirtland Ohio Temple (the first built) which they are also the custodians of.

[Refiner]

Trefor, you seem to know a considerable amount about Mormonism,certainly more than me. I wasnt aware that there was a temple on the Independence site. I assume you were a practising member at one stage?

[Trefor Heywood]

Yes Refiner I was for a couple of years but it didn't completely take - it's a long story which I don't want to go into just at the moment.

But I guess I did pick a lot up! :D-->

Remember the Temple in Independence is not LDS but RLDS or Community of Christ which they now call themselves.

As such you will not find it publicised in LDS literature. For the RLDS a Temple is only built under specific revelation and is a place of worship only - they do not subscribe to the Temple endowments and sealings, or baptisms for the dead that they LDS do. They are much smaller than the LDS and do not have anything like the LDS Missionary programme. If they did not subscribe to the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible, I doubt that they would be very distinguishable from many protestant denominations.

They are, however, the largest offshoot of Mormonism apart from the LDS. Besides them there were groupings that followed other leaders after the murder of Joseph Smith and who still have a few adherents here and there. One such group owning the land that as I said before Joseph dedicated for a Temple in the Independence, Jackson County area.

[Refiner]

Have you been following recent events in Colorado City Tref?

Theres been a bit of a power struggle going on there and some possibilities of murder (blood atonement) having been done

[Trefor Heywood]

No I haven't Refiner. Which grouping is involved?

[Refiner]

Tref:

2002 Press release:

Quote:"COLORADO CITY, Ariz. -- Warren Jeffs, 46, has been named president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, succeeding his father, Rulon Jeffs, who died in September.

Warren Jeffs, who was the church's first counselor, has been serving as head of the religious organization since his father's death.

Rulon Jeffs, who became president of the church in 1986 and was regarded by followers as a prophet, died at 92.

His death prompted speculation about a power struggle between his son and Bishop Fred Jessop, 95, who ..was "the only living witness now of the beginning of this work here in Colorado City." End Quote.

………………………………………………..

Heres a post from the Ex Mormon Org board earlier this year when the whole thing blew up:

QUOTE: "To bring you up to date regarding the crisis in CCity, a Mr. Ross Chatworth (One wife) held an open press conference today in CCity. If he wasn't a maverick, the Brethren would assign him more wives. That's right. Assign him a wife.

There was media from the entire country present, the camera's and radio people ringed by a dozen cops from many jurisdictions. At least if he turns up missing and undergoes an involuntary Blood Atonement the authorities will know where to look.

Chatworth says Warren Jeff's is a false prophet, called him a tyrant, and Hitler several times. He fears Jeff's exhortations and radical actions will give the idea to his zealots to burn Chatwick out or harm his family. His family business is ruined; his is totally shunned out of fear of reprisals by people who were their friends. Also, one of the most respected members of the community, Fred Jessop, 93, visited Warren Jeffs Compound, and hasn't been seen since. No guesses, perhaps a natural death, but no word of that. I suspect he Blood Atoned... End Quote.

…………………………………………………..

And from earlier this year. Fred Jessop has gone missing, and the Barlow clan (Descendants of the Community founder) have been excommunicated:

Quote:

..."HILDALE, Utah (AP) -- A beloved church elder is missing, a former mayor is in hiding with three of his brothers and the town prophet is being protected by a "God Squad" while dispatching his rivals.

The stakes are high if it turns out this is a power struggle for control of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamist-practicing breakaway faction of the larger Mormon church.

Some fear blood could be spilled by the split between prophet Warren Jeffs and the Barlows, the sons of the towns' founder.

Utah's attorney general fears Jeffs is turning into a maniacal ruler over the estimated 10,000 members.

the Barlows' father, John Barlow, founded the community straddling the Utah-Arizona border in 1935.

In the last year, Warren Jeffs has methodically rid his towns of those who dare challenge his power, excommunicating an untold number of men including four of his own brothers, said Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff."...End Quote.

...........

Apparently, Tref, Mister Jeffs will not tolerate anyone around who might have any kind of moral claim to leadership.

I dont know what the current status is over there, but it was interesting following the shenanigins for a while there.

[Trefor Heywood]

Thanks for the info Refiner.

It's clearly a polygamous LDS offshoot, of which there are several, each claiming to be the only true inheritor of the true gospel. Such groups consider the LDS apostate for remouncing polygamy (and no doubt each other for one reason or another also).

They tend to be very localised groupings and the chances of them knocking at your door and evangelising the way the main LDS church does is somewhat remote.