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QUOTE I don't see the year 1978 as - Page 2 - Mormon Doctrine Studies - Posted: 15th Jan, 2013 - 12:48am
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Blood Atonement - Page 2
The Salt Lake Tribune had an article today about convicted killer Ronnie Lee Gardner who announced last month his intention to be executed by firing squad. They made a connection with his Mormon upbringing and the thought that once a person has killed another, the only way to redeem themselves is through blood atonement. Some interesting information:
QUOTE In one of Utah's most notorious murder cases, Mormon Mark Hofmann forged dozens of LDS documents and, fearing discovery, killed two people with homemade pipe bombs in 1985.
Before Hofmann confessed, his father suggested that if guilty, his son would have to pay with his blood. Hofmann escaped the death penalty by pleading guilty to lesser charges and remains in prison.
Several years later, convicted child-killer Arthur Gary Bishop, who had been an Eagle Scout and Mormon missionary, worried about the state of his soul and whether salvation required his blood be spilled. Bishop consulted Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the LDS First Presidency and later the church president, who assured him that the method of execution made no difference to his place in the hereafter.
Hinckley said that blood atonement ended with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, according to sociologist L. Kay Gillespie, who described the exchange in The Unforgiven , a history of Utah's executions.
Still, Bishop said in a letter written before his June 10 death by lethal injection that his refusal to fight his execution was a "necessary requirement because of my past heinous crimes.''
In 1994, attorneys for condemned child-killer James Edward Wood in Pocatello, Idaho, argued that his defense was undermined by a visit from local LDS leaders who talked to him about shedding his own blood. Wood, a Mormon, was sentenced to death after pleading guilty to abducting, murdering and then later sexually molesting and dismembering 11-year-old Jaralee Underwood.
In response to the defense's allegations, the LDS First Presidency filed a document in an Idaho court denying the doctrine as it has been popularized. The church's affidavit included a copy of a 1978 letter from LDS apostle Bruce R. McConkie to University of Utah law student Thomas McAfee, outlining the church's position.
The Utah-based church supported capital punishment, the apostle wrote, but denied that blood atonement had anything to do with it.
Before Hofmann confessed, his father suggested that if guilty, his son would have to pay with his blood. Hofmann escaped the death penalty by pleading guilty to lesser charges and remains in prison.
Several years later, convicted child-killer Arthur Gary Bishop, who had been an Eagle Scout and Mormon missionary, worried about the state of his soul and whether salvation required his blood be spilled. Bishop consulted Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the LDS First Presidency and later the church president, who assured him that the method of execution made no difference to his place in the hereafter.
Hinckley said that blood atonement ended with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, according to sociologist L. Kay Gillespie, who described the exchange in The Unforgiven , a history of Utah's executions.
Still, Bishop said in a letter written before his June 10 death by lethal injection that his refusal to fight his execution was a "necessary requirement because of my past heinous crimes.''
In 1994, attorneys for condemned child-killer James Edward Wood in Pocatello, Idaho, argued that his defense was undermined by a visit from local LDS leaders who talked to him about shedding his own blood. Wood, a Mormon, was sentenced to death after pleading guilty to abducting, murdering and then later sexually molesting and dismembering 11-year-old Jaralee Underwood.
In response to the defense's allegations, the LDS First Presidency filed a document in an Idaho court denying the doctrine as it has been popularized. The church's affidavit included a copy of a 1978 letter from LDS apostle Bruce R. McConkie to University of Utah law student Thomas McAfee, outlining the church's position.
The Utah-based church supported capital punishment, the apostle wrote, but denied that blood atonement had anything to do with it.
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Post Date: 6th Jul, 2012 - 6:41pm / Post ID: #
Atonement Blood
Name: Hal
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Comments: This is one of those early church teachings that makes you wonder if they weren't a communist sect rather than a religious one claiming Christ as their savior. For me Christ was the only one to atone for our sins and nothing we did really could out do that. Sure if we did not take up the atonement in our lives we have to suffer but I believe that suffering is eternal and not up to men to do it with physical force, even murder.
Blood Atonement Studies Doctrine Mormon
Can we accept the possibility that Pres. Young was just plain wrong about blood atonement and many of his other doctrines? I personally think that this is the case. He just got it wrong, and we have progressed to a better understanding of God and Christ and atonement. As for why McConkie and others intentionally misconstrued what Pres. Young said is because like many LDS they rather deny the skeletons in the closet and misunderstandings of doctrine than to admit it. (as if admitting to error in doctrine means that the gospel is not true) But that is how church leadership in his era dealt with such things.
Atonement Blood
QUOTE You know I agree with the concept that prophets aren't infallible and all that but come on...we're not talking about the guy next door, we're talking about THE prophet.
So then what is your definition of fallible? Why are we so reluctant to say that we received further light and knowledge on the subject that now counters what we did believe? How then do we explain that the official church position is that their is no such thing as blood atonement? Someone is incorrect? Who? Do we say that Pres. Young's views of blacks needing white people to tell them what to do was part of God's plan? That the black man is below the white man. Do we say that he is wrong or do we support this view of his?
The truth is that their is very little in Mormonism and we HAVE to believe, but there is a lot that we CAN believe. This is what I love about Mormonism because there is a lot of room to believe how we feel is appropriate regardless if we are a prophet of not.
Rather off topic, but...
There is a saying that goes like this:
The catholic doctrine says that the Pope is infallible, but the Catholics do not believe it. The Mormon doctrine says that the prophet is fallible, but the members do not believe it.
There is a saying that goes like this:
The catholic doctrine says that the Pope is infallible, but the Catholics do not believe it. The Mormon doctrine says that the prophet is fallible, but the members do not believe it.
Blood Atonement
No doubt, this was one of the more controversial doctrines taught by the early leaders of the church. What is more frightening about it is the unknown record of how many times it was executed. We only have an account of one well known inncident.
Post Date: 14th Jan, 2013 - 10:04am / Post ID: #
Blood Atonement - Page 2
Name: Michael
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Title: Blood Atonement
Comments:
QUOTE Anyway, I find it very interesting that 1978 seems to be a banner year for denial of previous doctrines.
I don't see the year 1978 as a banner year for denial of any previous "Official" doctrine, but only for denial of previous folk doctrine and changing of official policy.
Blood Atonement Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 2
QUOTE I don't see the year 1978 as a banner year for denial of any previous "Official" doctrine, but only for denial of previous folk doctrine and changing of official policy.
This is discussed in another thread but let me just quickly say that I agree it was folk doctrine, but the brethren taught it as doctrinal for many years.
LatterDays there are a couple more examples but I think the one you refer to is the most popular.
TOPIC: Blood Atonement