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The Seven Deadly Heresies & Mormonism

I do not know how many of you have read this talk by Bruce R. Mc Conkie, he gave this talk in BYU in 1980. It is a well known talk for the simple fact that he taught as doctrine several things that were merely his opinion (he used to do this a LOT) if not, just read his talks about the Blacks and the Priesthood and how he assured they would never be able to hold the Priesthood ever again...yep...after 1978 he had to swallow pride and take responsibility of some of the things he said.

Anyhow, this talks touches specific things that we even discussed here on the forum.

His "Seven Deadly Heresies" are:

Source 6

I would like you to check the link, read the talk and share your views.

Mormonism and Heresies Deadly The

I would hesitate to make any sort of final statement concerning God. Especially making a statement about what God isn't.

Hmm. This is in direct contradiction with principles and doctrines that were VERY clearly taught by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. I guess that Brigham Young, especially never learned anything from the Endowment. Perhaps that is why it was so important that the Endowment be changed.

Elder McConkie very clearly thought that he had the last word on all sorts of doctrines. His teachings on polygamy and Adam-God were particularly filled with his opinion, over and beyond the teachings of Joseph Smith and his successors.

The Seven Deadly Heresies & Mormonism Studies Doctrine Mormon

From heresy number 6:

Is it me or is he somehow admitting that the early Prophets indeed taught this but they were wrong?

Mormonism and Heresies Deadly The

That seems to be true.

I would guess that he would also be among those that claim that it was a "speculation" on Brigham Young's part, despite the fact that Brigham Young clearly claimed that Joseph Smith taught him this doctrine, and in fact, Joseph's teachings clearly lead up to this doctrine.

Elder McConkie's prejudices are very clear. He hated plural marriage and the Adam-God doctrine. He supported the steps back into Christian orthodoxy, against the wonderful celestial principles that Joseph taught.

It is particularly interesting that he points out that the teachings of the living prophet and apostles are different than what Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Lorenzo Snow all taught (both plural marriage and Adam-God).

I also find it interesting that he claims that plural marriage destroys the souls of those who practice it.

Actually, this seems to me to be the EXACT same rhetoric that I see in anti-Mormon writings. Especially the "destroys their souls" type of wording.

Mormonism and Heresies Deadly The

I have always liked Elder Mckonkies works and yet I have disagreed with him in the past at the same time.
This talk however is one that I find intriguing.

Heresy one I believe is in line with all doctrines of early Leaders. God knows everything that can be known and does not need to learn anything else (As all things are in front of him).

I do think that those who practice Polygamy outside of the Lords program are destroying their soul. In the Book of Mormon Plural Marriage was forbidden at one time.
Jacob 2: 27

Other times it is necessary from the Lord. But at this point Plural Marriage has been forbidden in the History of the Church and can only be edifying to the soul when it is Sanctioned by the Lord.

I believe we all get a first chance for Salvation, whether it be in this life or the life to come. I do not think this is out of line with LDS doctrine.

Heresy three I love, because it does not absolve us from personal responsibility. We can only be exalted as quickly as we are able to be obedient to the covenants that we have made.

Heresy Seven I love more, because it shows that we can obtain exaltation even though we have weaknesses in this life. I believe that we can obtain forgiveness in this life and we can

Heresy two I am not sure about totally ignoring Evolution. I am one who thinks the lord created the earth over a indefinitely long time and he may have used natural law to create animals and plants.

Heresy Six is one I am still trying to figure out. I personally believe that Adam is separate and inferior to God the Father. The Temple seems pretty clear on this one (Adam being Michael and Elohim being the Father.)

The Seven Deadly Heresies & Mormonism

I personally never liked Elder Mc Conkie's talk basically because he taught as doctrine his own interpretation and opinion. The best example I can give is with regards to the Blacks and the Priesthood, he was dead wrong and personally never liked the tone of his talks. His "Mormon Doctrine" book got him in trouble even with the First Presidency since he did not ask permission for the publication of that Book and had so many mistakes on it that had to be edited over and over. One of the editions was asked not to be printed because of all the doctrinal mistakes contained on it.

Heresy six, I am not so sure about. It is pretty clear to me that it was taught as doctrine by the early leaders. The explanations and interpretations given by consequent leaders do not convince me. For me, it was clearly taught, not that I personally believe it but I do not think we can deny that fact.

From the same talk:

I think he must have included himself in this statement (bold part).

The Deadly Heresies & Mormonism

I believe Elder McConkie was one of those GAs that just took too many liberties in what he said or wrote. Although at the time it was said that the First Presidency acknowledged his works I doubt they thoroughly even read it.