In this alleged revelation we have this man teaching lineal Priesthood
or the right of succession from father to son. We also have him
teaching the literal gathering to Zion of the honest in heart. We will
now see what his reasons were for withdrawing from the "Reorganized"
Church. We find on pages 248-249 of volume 33 of the Saints' Herald
that the reasons why this man withdrew from the "Reorganization" with
the family of Zenas H. Gurley, were as follows:
That he could not believe in:
(1) "The literal gathering of the Church into Jackson and the adjoining
counties in the state of Missouri (or any one or more places) known as
a local Zion."
(2) "Temple building and ceremonial endowments therein."
(3) "Baptism for the dead."
(4) "Tithing as a law applicable to the Church."
(5) "The law of consecration by which individuals are made legal heirs
to the Kingdom of Zion."
(6) "A sole mouthpiece of God to the Church."
(7) "The plenary inspiration of and consequent absolute authority of
what are called the sacred books."
(8) "The doctrine of 'cursing our enemies,' and of 'avenging God upon
them to the third and fourth generations.'"
(9) "To the foregoing may be added the revelation of January 19, 1841,
section 107 D. & C., (124 our edition), which enjoins upon the Church
the building of a hotel, called the 'Lord's boarding-house,' for Joseph
Smith and posterity to dwell in from generation to generation, as
also the promise contained therein, viz: 'And as I said unto Abraham
concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I say to my servant
Joseph, in thee and thy seed shall the kindreds of the earth be
blessed."
"This coupled with the provisions in section 43, that 'none else should
or could receive revelation for the Church' and the provision of
section 19, that the Church shall receive Joseph's words and commands
the same as if from God's own mouth,--establish in our judgment a
lineal descent of authority, equivalent to an imperial dynasty, which
is foreign to the spirit and genius of the Gospel of Christ."
This communication was dated March 28, 1886, and was signed by Jason
W. Briggs, (president of their apostles); Zenas H. Gurley, (a member
of that quorum); Gracie Gurley, Margaret Gurley, Edwin H. Gurley, Mida
Gurley.
We see that this Mr. Briggs repudiated the fundamental portions of
his alleged revelation. In the "revelation" he teaches the gathering,
but here he says he does not believe in the gathering, either to
Jackson county or to any other place to be known as a local Zion. In
his "revelation" he teaches lineal Priesthood, but when he withdraws
from the church one reason was that he could not believe in "a sole
mouth-piece of God to the Church," and in an "imperial dynasty," which
he erroneously thought was taught in the revelation. Thus he repudiates
his "revelation," denies the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and repudiates the standard works of the Church.[7] Unstable to
the last, this man would not rest content in this organization which he
was such a potent instrument in bringing into existence.[8]
There is another thing in his so-called "revelation" that is
interesting. He declares that the Lord would raise up one of the seed
of Joseph Smith who would be mighty and strong. Now, evidently this
refers to Joseph Smith, president of that organization. Joseph Smith
of the "Reorganized" Church declares that he is not the one mighty and
strong and the "Reorganized" Church has backed him up by resolution in
that conclusion.[9]