1. Mormonism Truth or Fraud?
Welcome brothers and sisters. I wish to thank you for coming this evening, and I hope God will bless you as we study and learn the answer to the question presented here. We will answer this question tonight and then deal with that answer in my presentation tomorrow night.
Be prepared as we move through this very fast paced overview to be shocked and in some cases the feeling of anger may even arise. Let us focus on Christ at that time and know the truth’s we have in His word.
Truth or Fraud?

2. A New Witness for the Articles of Faith
Bruce R. McConkie
Conversely, if Joseph Smith was not called of God, if he was a fraud and an imposter, if he was a false prophet-- then Mormonism, as the restored gospel is often called, is itself a fraud and a delusion. In that event we as a people are in as dark, as benighted, and as fallen a state as the rest of mankind. And thus the issue is squarely put. Joseph Smith either was a prophet or he was not. He was either a revealer of Christ and God and their saving truths or he was not. His work on earth was either for good or for ill. There is no middle ground, no gray area, no room for compromise. p.13

3. I come today before you with a great deal of knowledge and understanding of Mormonism. You see as of Oct. 15, 1983 I was baptized into the Mormon Church.

4. Shortly thereafter on Oct
Shortly thereafter on Oct. 23, 1983 I was ordained into the Aaronic Priesthood.

5. I had many struggles in my life and went back and forth from being active to inactive. I moved to Idaho in 1988 and met my son’s mother who also just happened to be a Mormon. At this point I had got my life in order enough that I was worthy to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood on Feb. 4, 1990.

6. Together my ex-wife and I worked very hard to keep our worthiness so that we could enter the Temple and be sealed for Time and all Eternity. On Aug. 4, 1990, a year after our civil marriage (the typical probationary period for inactive or new members to show their worthiness) we entered the Boise Idaho Temple.

7. Helping Mormons Reach Perfection
Part One
Church History
Joseph Smith
Book of Mormon
Priesthood
The Temple
Part Two
Church Doctrine
 God Once a Man
Pre-existence
Gods in Embryo
Temple Ceremony
Blood Atonement
Priesthood
Part Three
Witnessing
Mormonese
Understanding Their Mindset
Perfection in Jesus
Don’t Debate Doctrinal Issues
So as you can clearly see I have had many experiences in the LDS faith. On May 3, 1997 my current wife and I chose to leave the Mormon church because of our belief that it was not of God, but a different god not of the Bible. Today we will examine Mormon Church History and Doctrine, to help us understand the Mormon church and the mindset of any typical Mormon.
We will cover Part One and Part Two of my presentation tonight. And then really focus on the heart of my ministry tomorrow, when we discuss how to effectively witness to Mormons.

8. Helping Mormons Reach Perfection
Part One
Church History
Joseph Smith
Book of Mormon
Priesthood
The Temple

9. Extracts from the History of Joseph Smith, The Prophet.
History of the Church
Extracts from the History of Joseph Smith, The Prophet.
My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered my heart that all were wrong) -- and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” History of the Church, vol. 1, vs

10. Spring 1820 Joseph Smith receives the “first vision” after reading James 1:5 and going to a spot in the woods to pray, he supposedly sees the Father and the Son.
21 Sept Moroni an “angel of light” appears to Joseph Smith to instruct him concerning the Gold Plates.
22 September 1827 Joseph entrusted with the sacred plates.
July 1828 The “Book of Lehi” 116 page manuscript, being the first part of The Book of Mormon, is lost after loaned to Martin Harris a scribe of Joseph Smith’s.

11. 15 May 1829 Aaronic Priesthood authority conferred by John the Baptist upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on the banks of the Susquehanna River, by the laying on of hands.
Then instructed them to baptize one another, Joseph Smith baptizing Oliver Cowdery first.
Late May 1829 Melchizedek Priesthood authority conferred by Peter, James, and John upon Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith. It is interesting that this being the most important priesthood authority no exact date is known.

12. 6 April 1830 The Church organized at Fayette, NY.
17 August 1829 A publisher by the name of Egbert Bratt Grandin made an agreement to publish 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon for the sum of $3000.
6 April 1830 The Church organized at Fayette, NY.
23 July 1833 Kirtland Temple cornerstones laid.
1833 Book of Commandments for the “Church of Christ” published.
-1999-

13. 5-9 July 1835 The saints purchase the Egyptian records and mummies from Michael Chandler. Joseph deceives the church telling them that they include the writings of Abraham and Joseph of Egypt. In the summer of 1842 extracts were published in the Times and Seasons.
Facsimile No. 1
Facsimile No. 2
Facsimile No. 3

14. 27 March 1836 Dedication of the Kirtland Temple.
August 1835 Doctrine and Covenants published replacing the “Book of Commandments”.
27 March 1836 Dedication of the Kirtland Temple.
3 Apr Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared to accept the Temple and restore priesthood keys. Isn’t Elias and Elijah the same person?

15. 15 August 1840 Joseph Smith began teaching the doctrine of Baptism for the Dead.
1841 Heber and Vilate Kimball became first couple in this dispensation to be sealed for eternity.
22 May 1841 “About 25 baptisms took place, the most of which were for the dead.”
6 April 1841 Nauvoo Temple cornerstones laid.
21 November 1841 Baptisms for the dead begin in the Nauvoo Temple.
Actual Photo
Artist’s Rendition

16. Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.99 BOOK OF MORMON
On November 28, 1841, following a meeting with the Twelve Apostles, the Prophet wrote in his journal "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." (History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 461.)
On another occasion he said: "Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none." (Teachings, p. 71.)

17. His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo
Address of the Prophet
His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo
....I like Paul, have been in perils, and oftener than anyone in this generation. As Paul boasted, I have suffered more than Paul did,....for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-Day Saints never ran away from me yet May 1844 History of the Church, Vol..6, PP

18. The Martyrdom 27 June 1844 Joseph Smith Hyrum Smith
Before the returning to Nauvoo, Joseph prophesied, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. If they take my life I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall be said of me ‘He was murdered in cold blood!’ ”
The Martyrdom
27 June 1844
Joseph Smith
Hyrum Smith
As the mob approached the room at the jail and fired some shots through the door killing Joseph’s brother, he fired his six shooter into the crowded hall, only three chambers fired wounding three assailants. “Lamb to the slaughter?”

19. Formation of Splinter Groups
3 Aug Sidney Rigdon arrived in Nauvoo from Pittsburgh claiming to be “guardian” of the Church.
Sidney Rigdon
Brigham Young
8 Aug Brigham Young speaks and is transfigured to those present. He is seen and heard as if he was Joseph Smith. Leadership is settled, the mantle of authority falls upon the twelve and Brigham Young as their president.

20. Formation of Splinter Groups Cont.
Aug James J. Strang presents a letter that he claims was written by Joseph Smith, appointing himself as the Prophet’s successor and designating Voree, WI as the new gathering place. Brigham young and the Twelve brand the letter a forgery and excommunicate Strang. (This church still exists)
James J. Strang
8 Sept Sidney Rigdon excommunicated and returns to Pittsburgh. In the following spring organized a “Church of Christ”, but was short lived.

21. Formation of Splinter Groups Cont.
1845 William Smith (Joseph’s younger brother) a member of the Quorum of Twelve claims leadership and is excommunicated. Remains in Nauvoo.
1850’s A “new organization” forms among Emma, her children, including Joseph Smith III, and others who refused to follow Brigham Young and remained in Nauvoo.
Emma Smith
Joseph Smith III

22. The Trek West 4 Feb. 1846 Saints began crossing Mississippi River.
15 Apr Song “All Is Well” (today called “Come Come Ye Saints”) composed at Locust Creek by William Clayton.
Sept Winter Quarters established.

23. The Trek West
Cont.
14 Jan The word and will of the Lord concerning the trek was revealed to Brigham Young
24 July 1847 Brigham Young arrived in Salt Lake Valley and declared “This is the right place.”

24. Formation of Splinter Groups Cont.
Many Mormons did not follow any of these groups that went their different ways, instead they remained where they had always been. In 1864, a group of Saints in Woodford County, Illinois, received a revelation from God through Granville Hedrick, directing them to dispose of their properties and go to Independence Missouri, and the way opened up for them to purchase the property that had been dedicated by Joseph Smith as the place where the Temple was to stand. This is significant in view of the fact that it had been deemed very dangerous for the Saints to return to the hostile feelings of the people against the so- called "Mormons.” This group became known as the Hedrickites and formed The Church of Christ (Temple Lot), using the name that was the original name of the church.

25. World Headquarters of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
The Church of Christ holds the Temple Lot property today by right of purchase; there is no mortgage nor lien of any kind against this property; we do not hold this property by "squatter's rights," or any other right, except by clear title of purchase; neither are we holding this property for any other person or persons other than Jesus Christ.

26. 1860 The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is formed with Joseph Smith III as president in Independence. MO.
Picture shows the RLDS Church today

27. Salt Lake Temple
6 Apr Cornerstones Laid
6 Apr Dedicated

28. Helping Mormons Reach Perfection
Part Two
Church Doctrine
 God Once a Man
Pre-existence
Gods in Embryo
Temple Ceremony
Blood Atonement
Priesthood

29. Church Doctrine
“In my judgement there is no book on earth yet come to man as important as the book known as the Doctrine and Covenants, with all due respect to the Book of Mormon, and the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price, which we say are our standards in doctrine. The book of Doctrine and Covenants to us stands in a peculiar position above them all.”
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, pg. 198.)

30. CHURCH STANDS OR FALLS WITH JOSEPH SMITH
Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, for the doctrines of an impostor cannot be made to harmonize in all particulars with divine truth. If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions, which would be easy to detect. The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.1, p.188

31. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly;
we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. (8th Article of Faith, Joseph Smith)

32. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! ….I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see. ….He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible. (Section Six , p.345)

33. Preexistence
We know that we were all born in his courts as spirit beings, and that the Lord Jehovah was in fact the Firstborn Son. We are the children of God, and as His children there is no attribute we ascribe to Him that we do not possess, though they may be dormant or in embryo. The mission of the Gospel is to develop these powers and make us like our Heavenly Parent. ….We are literally His children, His offspring, that we are just as much His children as our offspring are our children, that He begot us, and that we existed with Him in the family relationship as His children. (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, Vol. 1, p.1

34. Jesus and Satan are Brothers
God lives in the family unit. He is our Father in heaven--the literal and personal Father of the spirits of all men. He begat us; we are the offspring of Heavenly Parents: we have an Eternal Father and an Eternal Mother. We were born as spirits, and we dwelt in the presence of our Eternal Parents; we lived before our mortal birth….Christ was the Firstborn of all the heavenly host; Lucifer was a son of the morning: each of us came into being as conscious identities in our appointed order; and Christ is our Elder Brother. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Vol. 1, p.21)
The heavens wept over Lucifer when he fell. (See D&C 76:26) Who wept and why? We were all there when he was cast out. We wept. After all, he was a spirit child of God and our spirit brother. (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine & Covenants, Vol.2, p.28)

35. The Word of Wisdom
7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. (D&C 89:7-9)
The Word of Wisdom contains 21 verses, some referring to the use of meat sparingly only in times of famine or winter. Others refer to nuts and grains and etc. Yet these other beneficial directions are not enforced or kept as a requirement to enter the Temple as are these three.

36. Temples have always been revered and reserved as sacred ground by Mormons. The Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith prayed that "[the temple] may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house" (D&C 109:12), "and that no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it" (D&C 109:20).

37. Baptism for the Dead
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? I Cor. 15:29
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Mal. 4:5-6
….unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other--and behold what is that subject? It is baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. D&C 128:18
REMOVED
Visitors Center S.L.

38. Baptism for the Dead Cont.
But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection…..Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six , p.330
Logan
Washington
Alberta

39. It represents the Garment given to Adam when he was found naked in the Garden of Eden, and is called the Garment of the Holy Priesthood.
Inasmuch as you do not defile it, but are true and faithful to your covenants, it will be a shield and a protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work here on earth. With this Garment I give you a New Name, which you should always remember, and which you must keep sacred, and never reveal except at a certain place which will be shown your hereafter. (A verbatim portion of the Temple ceremony called the Initiatory)

40. I am going on in my progress for eternal life
I am going on in my progress for eternal life. It is not only necessary that you should be baptized for your dead, but you will have to go through all the ordinances for them, the same as you have gone through to save yourselves….. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six , p.366
Creation Room Salt Lake
Terrestrial Room Salt Lake

41. The Endowment Is a Celestial Course of Instruction
“Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the House of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key words, the signs and tokens, pertaining to the Holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation in spite of earth and hell.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 2:31.)

42. Oh god hear the words of my mouth, oh god hear the words of my mouth, oh god hear the words of my mouth.

43. The Eternal Family Washington Dallas
Families can be together forever. To enjoy this blessing we must be married in the temple. When people are married outside the temple, the marriage ends when one of the partners dies. When we are married in the temple by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, we are married for time and eternity. Death cannot separate us. If we obey the commandments of the Lord, our families will be together forever as husband, wife, and children. (Gospel Principles p.232)
Washington
Dallas

44. Doctrine & Covenants 132:4-6
4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.
5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.
6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.

45. Doctrine & Covenants 132:61-64
61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood--if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.
62 And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified CONT.--

46. Doctrine & Covenants 132:61-64 --CONT.--
63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified.
64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.

47. Eternal Marriage Is Essential for Exaltation Heavenly Father has given us the law of eternal marriage so we can become like him. We must live this law to be able to have spirit children. The Lord has said: "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; "And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; "And if he does not, he cannot obtain it" (D&C 131:1­3)
Manti
Salt Lake

49. St. Louis, Missouri Provo, Utah
The order of instruction and covenant making that occurs in the temple culminates in the celestial room. According to temple-building procedure, it is customary to place the celestial room in the center of the structure, even as anciently the holy place and the holiest of holies were located in the center of the temple complex. The celestial room represents the Celestial Kingdom and a return to the presence of God. It is a place of exquisite beauty and serenity, where one may feel and meditate "in the beauty of holiness" (The Holy Bible, Ps. 29:2).
St. Louis, Missouri
Provo, Utah

50. The True Doctrine of Blood Atonement
But man may commit certain grievous sins—according to his light and knowledge—that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail. (Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.1, p p.134)
But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate,
and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins;
hence we find the Lord commanding capital
punishment. (Mormon Doctrine, p.92 BLOOD ATONEMENT
DOCTRINE)
Bruce R. McConkie

51. The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time "this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction" (Journal of Discourses, 7:15). It is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional government. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p )

52. Now, these are the commandments of God, the principles contained in these commandments of the great Eternal are the principles that underly the Constitution of our country, and all just laws. Joseph Smith, the prophet, was inspired to affirm and ratify this truth, and he further predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would
hang as it were by a thread,
and that the Latter-day Saints, above all other people in the world, would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty. (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p.403)

53. A Communal Order
Preliminary to this undertaking, the Latter-day Saints, both at Kirtland and at Independence, entered into a communal order similar to the one instituted by the Savior's disciples at Jerusalem, as briefly mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. "They had all things common" meaning their material possessions. The United Order, as it was termed, and as a basis the divine law of consecration; all private properties belonging to members of the Church were legally conveyed to the Church, which, in return, deeded an individual stewardship to each head of a family, who was expected to manage the same for the general good, all his gains reverting to a common fund, from which each steward derived his or her support, "every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God." This was the keynote of the United Order. The prophet taught his people that such a system had sanctified the City of Enoch in antediluvian days, and it was shown by the Book of Mormon that the same system had flourished among the Nephites for two centuries after the coming of Christ. (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.237)

54. Denying the Blood of Christ ~ Laws to be Reestablished
The members of the Church are reminded that the practice of polygamous or plural marriage is not the only law whose suspension has been authorized by the Lord and adopted by the people. The law of animal sacrifice, in force in ancient Israel, has been suspended, but the Prophet Joseph asserted it would be again restored, and such is the effect of the statement made by John the Baptist when restoring the Aaronic Priesthood. The law of the United Order has likewise been suspended, to be re-established in the due time of the Lord. Other laws might be mentioned. (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.5, p.327)

55. The Negro and The Mormon Church
"You see some classes of the human family that are BLACK, UNCOUTH, UNCOMELY, DISAGREEABLE and LOW in their habits, WILD, and seemingly DEPRIVED OF NEARLY ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE INTELLIGENCE that is generally bestowed upon mankind. The first man that committed the odious crime of killing one of his brethren will be cursed the longest of any one of the children of Adam. Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been KILLED, and THAT WOULD HAVE PUT A TERMINATION TO THAT LINE OF HUMAN BEINGS. This was not to be, and the Lord put A MARK upon him, which is THE FLAT NOSE AND BLACK SKIN. Trace mankind down to after the flood, and then another curse is pronounced upon the same race -- that they should be the "servants of servants;" and they will be, until that curse is removed; and the Abolitionists cannot help it, nor in the least alter that decree." LDS "Prophet" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 290, 1859, emphasis added.

56. The Negro and the Mormon Priesthood
"Though he was a rebel and an ASSOCIATE OF LUCIFER IN PRE-EXISTENCE, ...Cain managed to attain the privilege of mortal birth.... He came out in open rebellion, fought God, worshipped Lucifer, and slew Abel.... AS A RESULT OF HIS REBELLION, CAIN WAS CURSED WITH A DARK SKIN; HE BECAME THE FATHER OF THE NEGROES, and THOSE SPIRITS WHO ARE NOT WORTHY to receive the priesthood are born through his lineage." LDS "Apostle" Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp , 1966 edition, emphasis added.

57. The Negro and the Mormon Priesthood Cont.
"Negroes IN THIS LIFE are denied the priesthood; UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. "LDS” Apostle" Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 527, edition, emphasis added. (See also LDS Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 1: )
"...WE HAVE PLEADED LONG AND EARNESTLY IN BEHALF OF THESE, OUR FAITHFUL [black] BRETHREN.... He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come.... Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. "LDS Prophet" Spencer Kimball, Deseret News, June 9, 1978, p. 1A

58. Helping Mormons Reach Perfection
Part Three
Witnessing
Mormonese
Understanding Their Mindset
Perfection in Jesus
Don’t Debate Doctrinal Issues