Justified Lies?

In order to evade pursuers and find lodging one time, Parley P. Pratt told some untruths. He justifies this with the following:

"I would here remark that some persons will perhaps be disposed to censure me for saying that which was not strictly true in all its points, in order to avoid discovery, and make good my escape. But I can say, from the bottom of my heart, that I feel perfectly justified in so doing, not only because it accomplished a good object, and seemed according to wisdom, but we have numerous instances in Scripture where God's prophets and people acted in a similar way for a similar end. For instance, the New Testament justifies Rahab, and even commends her, and includes her in the sum of the faithful, because she hid the spies under the flax and deceived their pursuers by stating that they had left the city and fled to the mountains; and thus she became an accomplice, or an aider and abettor of the people and purposes of God. David also, who was the Lord's anointed, and a man after his own heart, dissembled a number of times to save his life. At one time he deceived the national priest, and thus obtained both bread and armor, under pretense of being on the king's errand, while he was in fact an outlaw, then in the act of fleeing for his life from that same Saul. And Jesus himself mentions this to the Jews, and justifies it. At another time he feigned himself insane, by figuring on the wall and letting his spittle drizzle down on his beard, in order to escape the Philistine judges."

I really liked the phrase "an accomplice, or an aider and abettor of the people and purposes of God". Perhaps lying is justified, when it furthers the purposes of God? What think ye?

Public School = Atheism Propagation Instrument

"The tenth plank in Karl Marx's Manifesto for destroying our kind of civilization advocated the establishment of "free education for all children in public schools." There were several reasons why Marx wanted government to run the schools. Dr. A. A. Hodge pointed out one of them when he said, "It is capable of exact demonstration that if every party in the State has the right of excluding from public schools whatever he does not believe to be true, then he that believes most must give way to him that believes least, and then he that believes least must give way to him that believes absolutely nothing, no matter in how small a minority the atheists or agnostics may be. It is self-evident that on this scheme, if it is consistently and persistently carried out in all parts of the country, the United States system of national popular education will be the most efficient and widespread instrument for the propagation of atheism which the world has ever seen."
-- Elder Ezra Taft Benson in Conference Report, October 1970, p. 25

Regarding this, see the following recent article from the Deseret News: Founders did not mean to banish religion says,

In Granite School District, teachers are scared to wish students a merry Christmas. They're not even sure they can mention the word Christmas, and, if so, in what way?
An annual district memo cautions them about the discussion of Christmas because it could exclude someone. The administrators try to define the policy in clearer terms, with more hair splitting — Christmas parties are out, holiday parties are in, etc. — but who knows what it all means? It's all nebulous legal mumbo jumbo.
In a lame attempt to "clarify" itself, the district wrote that "holiday" parties can be held, "so long as we can articulate the pedagogical objectives from the curriculum that provide the basis of the activity and the activity doesn't promote or denigrate any particular religion or religion in general."

Messiah ben Joseph

In an article by rabbi Ari Kahn titled "The Beauty of Joseph", he writes,

"Joseph understood that one day the Jewish people will have to rally behind Joseph, not as a substitute for Judah, but as a preparation for the Kingdom of Judah.
...
"There will be two messiahs one day -- Messiah Son of Joseph, who prepares the way for the Messiah Son of David, himself a descendent of Judah. According to tradition, the Messiah Son of Joseph will unite all Israel in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah Son of David, but will die in the process [Sukka 52a] in an act of self-sacrifice for his people. Just like his ancestor Rachel, whose self-sacrifice allowed the building of the Second Temple, his self-sacrifice will allow the building of the Third Temple."

This is pure Jewish belief -- that a descendant of Joseph would prepare the way for the Messiah, descendant of David. I believe this is Joseph Smith. Just as the Jews do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah ben David, they do not recognize Joseph Smith as the Messiah ben Joseph, the harbinger of Christ's second coming and preparer of the way.

Sanhedrin reconstituted after 1600 years

On Oct. 14, the Jews relaunched or reconvened a Sanhedrin in Tiberias, the site of its last meeting 1600 years ago. The Sanhedrin is the highest Jewish-legal tribunal in the Land of Israel, and is a religious assembly that convened in one of the Holy Temple chambers in Jerusalem, comprised of 71 sages or rabbis. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=70349

On Monday, Dec. 6, 50 of the members of this reestablished Sanhedrin ascended the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=73311

Several statements in these reports lead me to believe that this is an attempt to get things going, but it is not yet endorsed by nor participated in by the most influential rabbis in the Jewish world. It seems more likely to be a bold, adventurous, courageous attempt by some rabbis (at least 71) to light a spark and get things rolling, with the hope that it will become accepted and latched onto by more influential rabbis.

Also of interest is that those reconstituting this quorum view this as a necessary step preceding the coming of the Messiah, not that they are bold enough to state that this occurence of assembling the Sanhedrin is *the* step, but that this is one of the steps that must occur, and this attempt may or may not be it.

According to the first article, a similar attempt to reconvene a Sanhedrin occured several centuries ago, and did include some great rabbis, but "opposition of other leading rabbis soon forced the end of the endeavor". All in all, it will be interesting to watch and see where this goes.

Suicide is wrong but let God be the Judge.

Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one's own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. Mortal life is a gift of God; it comes according to the divine will, is appointed to endure for such time as Deity decrees, and is designed to serve as the chief testing period of man's eternal existence. It is the probationary state or time during which man is tried and tested physically, spiritually, and mentally. No man has the right to run away from these tests, no matter how severe they may be, by taking his own life. Obviously persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord's; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.
-Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 771, Suicides Copyright by Bookcraft


The General Handbook of Instructions (1989) says, "A person who takes his own life may not be responsible for his acts. Only God can judge such a matter. A person who has considered suicide seriously or has attempted suicide should be counseled by his bishop and may be encouraged to seek professional help" (11-5).
as quoted in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 3, Suicide Copyright © 1992 by Macmillan Publishing Company

Spiritually alert

"Usually the Lord gives us the overall objectives to be accomplished and some guidelines to follow, but he expects us work out most of the details and methods. The methods and procedures are usually developed through study and prayer and by living so that we can obtain and follow the prompting of the Spirit. Less spiritually advanced people, such as those in the days of Moses, had to be commanded in many things. Today those spiritually alert look at the objectives, check the guidelines laid down by the Lord and his prophets, and then prayerfully act - without having to be commanded "in all things." This attitude prepares men for godhood."
-President Ezra Taft Benson, April Conference, 1965