Friday, July 4, 2014

Joseph Fielding Smith was right

In one of Denver Snuffer's blog posts he mentions Joseph Fielding Smith's book "Doctrines of Salvation", titled 'Borrowed Doctrine' dated Oct. 29, 2011.  He says that he believed what JFSmith wrote when he first read it but came to realize that this was wrong and he was 'troubled' and 'disappointed' and did not want to admit that JFSmith was 'in error'.  No worries, Denver, Elder Smith was NOT wrong:)  He was absolutely correct because what he was telling you was the same thing Jesus told Thomas.  The manifestation of the Holy Ghost IS more lasting and more powerful than a visitation, believe it or not! 
Elder Smith explains on page 44 (vol.1)  That 'Christ has himself declared that the manifestations we might have of the Spirit of Christ, or from a visitation from an angel, a tangible resurrected being, would not leave the impression and would not convince us and place within us that something which we cannot get away from which we receive through a manifestation of the Holy Ghost.  Personal visitations might become dim as times goes on, but this guidance of the Holy Ghost is renewed and continued, day after day, year after year, if we live worthy of it'.  When I read this, I knew exactly what Elder Smith was referring to--he was talking about Jesus' teaching to Thomas, the one who earning the nickname, 'doubting' because he demanded a physical manifestation before he would believe but Christ explained that a witness of the Holy Ghost was more powerful.  If Elder Smith was wrong, would Bro. Snuffer declare that Jesus was also wrong? 
In my own experience I can attest to this.  I have had some power physical manifestations or witnesses and they have dimmed with time, but witness of the Holy Ghost can be given numerous times as we read and ponder and serve in the gospel.
This is one example where Denver Snuffer gets it wrong and unfortunately the truth is pretty easy to see and yet, he has missed it and used his error to condemn another man wrongfully.

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