The Life of Jesus Christ

Today at church, our lesson was focused specifically on the life of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we claim to be devoted followers of Christ and to emulate His perfect example. As part of the lesson, our instructor asks the class to think about what events in Christ's life that really defined him. What were the defining moments, the moments of truth, that set Jesus Christ apart from anyone else.

EXAMPLE OF FAITH
One such defining moment in the Life of Christ for me was how Christ responded to temptation. After he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights the scriptures tell us that Satan came tempting. I wonder if many Christians take for granted the possibility that Christ may not have had a perfect knowledge of who He was and what his mission was to be. I wonder if Christ was born into this world with a veil of forgetfulness of His prior life just as all people are. With this in mind, I remember the continual jeers of Satan who tempted "If thou art the Christ, then change these stones into bread." and "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence (pinnacle of the temple)" Then later on the Cross, again the people mocked, "if thou art the Christ, come down off the cross." and again, "He saved other, but himself he cannot save." However, despite not having a perfect knowledge from the beginning and having to grow from grace to grace, Christ exemplified perfect faith in never doubting who He was and His purpose to save all mankind from sin and death. Like Jesus Christ, Satan tries to get us to doubt that we are spiritual children of our Heavenly Father.

EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE
Another defining moment of Christ's character was His submission to the will of the Father in getting baptized and being crucified. At the start of Christ's mortal ministry, He went to John the Baptist to be baptized of him by water in the River Jordan. Upon seeing Christ, John replied "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" In response, Jesus said, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness". Even thou Christ was sinless and had no need to be baptized for the remission of sin, Christ submitted to the will of the Father to set us an example and mark the gate we are to enter to the Kingdom of God. And much later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ submits to take upon Him the sins of the world by saying, 'If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt;" Again, Christ exemplified complete submission and obedience to the will of the Father in all things even when that obedience resulted in taking upon Him the sins and pains and sufferings of His people.

EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE
Lastly, I think other defining moments in Christ's life were how He responded to His enemies. To the scholars and Pharisees who came tempting, He met their challenges with thoughtful questions of His own. To Judas who would betray Him, he did not call him out in front of of the other 11 Apostles, but privately excused him saying, "what thou doest do quickly." Later in front of Pilate and Herod Antipas, we are told by Isaiah that Christ would face great injustice and pains yet he would "open not His mouth." How many of us wouldn't feel justified in complaining about the injustice of it all and be tempted to "curse God and die." Yet, Christ again submitted to the will of the Father in all things and patiently bore the persecutions. Isaiah foretold that Christ would "[give] my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."

Isa 53:3 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: . . Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. . . and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Zion vs. the Great Latter-Day Conspiracy

Dr. Stanley Monteith make the great point about the Great Latter-Day Globalist Conspiracy.

The Great Latter-Day Conspiracy is like the book "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie. On the train from Paris to Istanbul, there is one American, a Detective, and 12 other passengers who share a rail car. When the American turns up dead, the Detective is asked to investigate the murder. The Detective discovers that the American was stabbed 12 times. He also finds that after interviewing all 12 passengers in the rail car, each one has a motive to kill the American. In the end, the truth comes out that all 12 of the passengers killed the American together.

Like "The Orient Express", the Great Conspiracy is hitting America from multiple multiple directions. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to rally enough people on any one issue to mount any kind of defense. In this way, the Great Conspiracy keeps us defensive and on the defensive. If you think about it, what cause do we take on first: the FED, national debt, gun rights, campaign finance, abortion, energy independence, traditional marriage, climate change, AIDS in Africa, save the whales?

Basketball falsely teaches us that "a good defense is a good offense." The real truth is that "the best defense is a good offense." So, when it comes to fighting the Great Latter-Day Conspiracy, when it comes to picking our cause, it turns out that the Scriptures teach that there is only one cause worth fighting for. Furthermore, there is only one battle that we can win. What is this cause? What is the battle? The only cause that is promised to prevail is Zion.

So, while I am not necessarily saying that fighting for the Fair Tax, or against this cause, or for that other cause is worthless. Mormon in the Book of Mormon still made a final stand at Cumorrah. I am just saying that I am not all that sure that any of these other battles are winnable on the short term. We can't hope to change prophecy any more than Mormon could change what Nephi had foreseen a thousand years earlier about the fall of the Nephites.

And why be too focused on the defensive against the Great Globalist Conspiracy anyways when scriptures are clear that Babylon will fall all on its own without any of our help. Cleon Skousen talked about this in his writings about Pres. J. Ruben Clark who said that trying to oppose this Great Conspiracy would be like trying to stop a freight train. We would just get run right over. Instead, Pres. Clark instructed us to; instead of focusing our efforts on trying to turn the train around on track 1, to quietly build tract 2. The scriptures are unmistakable in foretelling that Babylon will fall and Zion will prevail. Zion is track 2. Let's focus on building Zion. Zion is our resistance.

D&C 105:14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles.

Reflections on a Consecrated Life

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the LDS Quorum of 12 Apostles, spoke on living a Consecrated Life in this past October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Of the many talks given, this was one of my most favorite. The was my favorite because if there is any topic that encapsulates the Gospel of Jesus Christ more, it is the principle of Consecration.

Elder Christofferson reminds us that each of us have been given 2 things in this life: 1. Time, and 2. Freedom to Choose. The liberty we are given is to decide what to exchange our time for. Do we trade our time for cheap thrills, or do we exchange it for eternal joy. Elder Christofferson reminds us that the Scriptures teach that "Men are they they might have joy." And if it is joy we seek, the only way we can lay hold upon joy is by aligning our lives with the will of God.

'What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to get a toy? For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy? Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown, Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down?' -William Shakespeare

Matt 6:20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

Elder Christofferson taught, "consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny."

This quote reminds me of the rich young man who asked the Savior what he must do to receive Eternal Life. In response, Jesus Christ asked the young man "what saith the Law?". The young man than recited the commandments and proudly declared that he had kept them since his youth and then added, "what lack I yet." Impressed, the Lord responded, "if thou wilt be made perfect, sell all that thou hast, give to the poor, and come and follow me."

This invitation by Christ to the rich young man, is the higher covenant. The invitation to devote and consecrate all that we have to the Lord is an invitation made to all who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer. In exchange for our complete submission, dedicated commitment and loyal service, the Creator of the Universe promises us perfection, sanctification, eternal life, and exaltation.

The first most important step in living a consecrated life is after we believe in Christ, that we repent of our sins. Elder Christofferson taught, "Consecration therefore means repentance. Stubbornness, rebellion, and rationalization must be abandoned, and in their place submission, a desire for correction, and acceptance of all that the Lord may require." Our sinful pride, finds excuses why we don't have to change. It's easy to excuse ourselves and tell ourselves that we are the exception. However, the true follower of Christ submits to His will and has faith that He has power over any sin. Like King Lamoni's Father in the Book of Mormon, will we give up all our sins to know God?

Next, Elder Christofferson teaches that we must labor diligently. This principle reminds me of the Book of Mormon where King Benjamin teaches, "How knoweth a man the Master whom he hath not served, and who is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart." So, diligent labor in the service of God is part of living a consecrated life. In partnership to labor we must not forget leisure. A hunter who always keeps his bow strung will soon discover his bow has lost all its spring. In the same way, a lumberman will work work much more efficiently if he remembers to regularly take some time to sharpen his ax.

Lastly, Elder Christofferson reminds us that a consecrated life is one of integrity. Do we deal honestly and justly with everyone? When we are baptized and have accepted Christ as our Savior, we covenant to be witnesses of God is all times, and places and circumstances that we may be in. With this in mind, I wonder, do we remember to stand as a witness on the internet, in chat rooms, and bulletin boards. Or does the illusion of anonymity of the internet with our many avatars, usernames, and aliases, tempt us to become someone else?

In the end, Elder Christofferson reminds us of the promises in scripture, that if we love God with all our heart, might, mind and strength, and truly consecrate our lives to the Savior, that not only will we be blessed, but others around us will be blessed through us, and see Christ's countenance in us, as we reflect His glorious light.

The Lord's Jubilee: Eye to Eye in 2020?

Lately, I have been learning about the Jewish Year of the Jubilee. Most people are familiar with the Ten Commandments requirement to observe the 7th day as a day of rest. However, in addition, the Law of Moses required that the Jews observe every 7th year as a Sabbatical year when they would not plant their fields but leave them fallow. Additionally, after every 7 Sabbatical years, a special 50th year called a Jubilee was to be observed. During this special year, Jews were to forgive all debts, release all prisoners, and return to the lands of their inheritance. Part of the blessing of the Jubilee year was the prevention of generational poverty. Observance of the Jubilee allows newer generations a fresh start.

It is unclear if Jews observed Jubilee years consistently. In fact, I believe the Lord says that one major reason for the scattering of Israel was their refusal to observe the Jubilee. I am sure allowing your fields to lay fallow for 2 consecutive years would be a great trial of faith. However, the Lord in the OT promised Israel that in the 6th year before the Jubilee, they would be blessed with a harvest 3 times larger than usual to cover them until the harvest during the 9th year. This promised increase proceeding the Jubilee is akin to the Israelites gathering twice the manna prior to the Sabbath.

After learning about the Jubilee, I was astonished to learn that since the time of Adam to approximately 2000 ad, there has been 119 Jubilee years. In fact from Adam to the time of the Exodus, there was 50 Jubilees. That is a "Jubilee of Jubilees." From the Exodus to the Second Coming, there will be an additional 70 Jubilees making a total of 120 Jubilees. In fact from Adam to Abraham was about 40 Jubilees. From Abraham to Christ was about 40 Jubilees, and from Christ's first coming to His Second Coming will be another 40 Jubilees. Again, 120 Jubilees which corresponds to Gen 6:3 when Christ says that the Holy Ghost would strive with man upon the Earth for 120 [Jubilees].

Gen 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

It turns out that that these 120 Jubilees until the Second Coming of Christ corresponds with the promise that the 7-thousandth year of man's existence upon the Earth would be one of peace and rest. Christians refer to this period following the Second Coming of Jesus Christ the Millennium. Peter taught that each thousand years was as a day to the Lord. Therefore, since the time of Adam who left the Garden of Eden some time after 4000bc, some time after 2000ad should begin the 7th-thousand year period.

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

That said, we are not told, when exactly Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. But we are given other clues. The key to finding out when this 120th Jubilee of the Lord is to begin. In D&C 77:7 we learn that the 7 Seals described in Revelation correspond to the knowledge revealed to man in each 1000-year period. Therefore, according to this definition, the 7th seal opened in the year 2000 ad. John in Revelation then tells us that after the opening of the 7th seal, there would be silence in the heavens for the space of half an hour. 1/2 hour in the Lords time is 20.8 years. If the trumpet is to sound from heaven that heralds the Lord's 12oth Jubilee, then we may expect this to be fulfilled in the later end of 2020. This sounding of the trumpet from heaven to announce the Second Coming is not to be confused with the sounding of the 7 trumpets on Earth that warn of the Tribulation preceding the Day of Judgment/Wrath; both of which precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Rev 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Trying to work out the chronology of the scriptures is an almost impossible task. There are about as many theories on Bible chronology as there are are years between 4000 bc and now. When it comes to dating, tt is unclear exactly what kind of calendar system was to be used. Some prefer a 260-day calendar, others use a 264-day calendar, and still others stick with the traditional Hebrew lunar calendar. And then it is even less clear when it comes to the question of leap years, and leap months and how these calendar systems would correlate with our current Gregorian Solar Calendar.

The reason why working out the chronology of the Bible is so difficult is that we are told that Satan would seek to "change the times and the laws". This is the major reason why scholars can never settle on any dates in the Bible such as Christ's birth for example. I have seen dates ranging anywhere from 10 bc to 10 ad. Again, knowing Satan's obsession with numerology, I am always suspicious of triple dates like Artaxerxes decree to rebuild the Jewish temple in 444 bc, or Alexander the Great conquest of Persia in 333 bc.

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:

Calendars aside, the real key to knowing where we are in God's timeline only requires identifying one Jubilee year. Knowing just one Jubilee year will give you the rest. And I believe God gives us an several unmistakable Jubilee years. One such Jubilee year is given by Daniel 9 (one of many fulfillments) which foretells the destruction of the Jewish Temple by General Titus in 70 ad. The Roman Siege of Jerusalem beginning in 66-67 and the martyrdom of Peter and Paul correspond with Daniel's prophecy that Satan would be an "Abomination of Desolation" in the midst of a 7 year tribulation period.

While 70 ad is a better example of cursing than blessing. Modern scripture gives us another unmistakable Jubilee year. According to Acts 3:21, Peter makes reference to the Second Coming on the Day of Pentecost by referring to the Lord's Jubilee as the "times of restitution of all things". While this scripture unmistakably refers to the Second Coming of Christ, LDS know by modern revelation that this scripture also refers to the First Vision in 1820 by Joseph Smith. Accordingly, I believe 1820 marks a Jubilee year. Not only was there the First Vision in 1820 but that year also marks the end of the Spanish Inquisition.

Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Possible Recent Jubilee Years:
70 AD Destruction of the Temple (Another fulfillment of Daniel's 70 weeks)
1820 First Vision, End of Spanish Inquisition "Time of Restitution of All things"
1870 EDICT OF POPE NICHOLAS III, ending of the Roman Ghettos.
1920 Prohibition, League of Nations begins, Protocols of Zion published, Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate for Palestine confirmed by League of Nations.
1950 "Law of Return" or the Commandment or Law set forth that called for the Gathering of Jews to Israel granting any converted or native Jew citizenship. (Beginning of another of Daniel's 70 weeks).
1970 End of War of Attrition following 6-days war.
2020 The Lord's Jubilee? "Time of Restitution of All things"

Now some would point to other dates as Jubilee years. In reference to Daniel's 70 weeks. Some like to subtract 3 years and insist that Jesus Christ was born in 3 bc, Daniel's 70 weeks start with the Declaration of Israel as a state by the UN in 1947, and consider the 6-days war in 1967. Again 3 years short. But there is a very important reason why I don't go along with these dates. One is because I have a picture which I may post, showing King Farouk, President Gamul Abdul Nasser, Muhammad Anwar Sadat as members of a Freemason lodge in Cairo. What this tells me is that both the top Israeli and Muslim leadership are in bed together and much of what is going on in the Middle East is Staged. And this explains why the temple mount is divided and there has been little hope for peace in Israel.

Another reason, I do not go along with 3 bc as the birth of Christ is that not only does this date, which is popular amongst scholars, go against D&C 20, and James E. Talmage, but it also goes against Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, how opened April 2, 2000 conference by saying the conference marked 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ.

"Now 2,000 years have come and gone since His birth in Bethlehem. Surely, this is a time for remembrance and recommitment." -April 2, 2000, General Conference, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley.

But the biggest reason I do not like 1967 as a Jubilee Year is that if every 50 years is a Jubilee, then the 120th Jubilee begins in 2017 as opposed to 2020. The problem with being early, is that Satan could likely try to convince the world that the Abomination of Desolation set up in the Jewish Temple is something other than what it really is. For example, in 66-67 ad, the Abomination of Desolation had to due more with the Seige of Jerusalem and the crucifying of thousands of Jews on the walls of the city, then with the offering of a goat or a pig or whatever on the temple alter. The Lord cares much more about his children then what a few disrespectful men kill and burn on the alter. I believe the Abomination of Desolation has more to due with genocide and depopulation than anything else.

Already, the majority of the Christian world has a very negative perception of the Jews rebuilding their temple in Jerusalem. Most Christians have been convinced that the rebuilding of the temple will precede an antichrist figure taking over the temple and ruling the world from Jerusalem. The long and short of this is, that I would be concerned that a pre-programed over-reaction of the world against the Jewish temple in 2017 could end up being more of an abomination of desolation than whatever the initial concern will be in 2013.

Finally, setting the date of the Lord's Jubilee in 2017, after only 3.5 years of tribulation instead of a full 7 years of tribulation may lead some to say Christ "delayeth his coming". Like 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon, there could be a date in 2017 that will come and go causing many elect to doubt, and fall away.

We hear again and again that "no man knoweth the day nor the hour". However, in context, the point was made that the hour Christ was referring to in Matt 24: 36 was referring to when the "Heavens and Earth should pass away" at the end of the Millennium and not the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the beginning of the Millennium. Instead, Matt 24 says that the Second Coming would be like the days of Noah. Noah was given a clear prophecy that when Methuselah died, "His Death Shall Bring" the flood that would immediately follow.

Matt 24: 37-38 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Dan 9:23 therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. . . know therefore and understand.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Isa 46:11 yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
1 Thes 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Matt 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree [Israel restored as a nation]; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, [That] generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matt 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

In Daniel 9, the prophet talks about 70 "weeks", or "weeks of years". "shâbu‛ı̂ym" or "shabua" is the hebrew word used for "weeks" or "sevens." The word "shabua" can have several meanings. First, it can be interpreted to refer to a 7-year period of time. Therefore 70 "shabuiym" or 70 "weeks of years" = 70 X 7 = 490 years. So, from the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem to the destruction of the temple and the 2nd Diaspora would be 490 years.

However, "shabua" has another meaning. It can also refer simply to the "feast of weeks". "Feast of Weeks" is one of the original Mosaic Feast days given in the Law. So, using this interpretation, this passage can refer to 70 "feasts of weeks" or 70 years since there is only 1 "feast of weeks" each year. In this sense, Daniel's timeline also refers to the time of the destruction of the temple following the birth of the Savior. Christ was born 1 BC, and the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Also many Apostles were killed in 62 AD. And in this same sense, some are looking forward to another 70 year period following the creation of the State of Israel beginning wih the "Law of Return" in 1950 and ending with a grand event 2020.

In conclusion, I am not saying for sure that I know what will happen in 2017 or 2020. But, while I know that the Great Day of the Lord is drawing closer, I know that I don't trust the 2017 date that is being put out there right now. But, when thinking about 2020, I can't help but Remember the words of Isaiah who promises that the Lord's people would see "eye to eye" when the Lord brings again Zion. Hey who knows, maybe hindsight will really end up being 2020 after all.

Isaiah 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye (20/20?), when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

Peacefully Defending the Constitution

We have all heard the many prophecies regarding "the constitution hanging by a thread" and "the Elders rising up to defend the Constitution". I think when I was younger, I tended to interpret this militantly. However, as the years pass, I look at "defending the Constitution" very differently.

The power, blessing and beauty of the Constitution is that it allows the people to preserve their liberties without the shedding of blood. Without a constitution, if a wicked man were to gain power and authority over the people, the only way to get rid of the tyrant is by the shedding of blood. But with a Constitution, the people can get rid of evil via the "rule of law" and truth.

So now, when I think about "the Constitution hanging by a thread" and "defending the Constitution", I wonder if this means that there will be a few in the Last Days who will refuse to be at war with their neighbor, and will preserve the Constitution by refusing domestic violence and using truth and the "rule of law" to purify our land from evil. I know we cannot defend the Constitution by abandoning the Constitution.

When faced with a (Alma vs. Limhi) situation, there are many voices out there calling for us to "get mad" and react like the people of Limhi against our oppressors. However, the Posse Comitatus Act 1878 of only protects us to the point that the Insurrection Act of 1807 takes over. We cannot give the NWO excuse to take away our final liberties by demonstrating our inability to govern ourselves.

At some point our opposition by try to provoke us to domestic anger and violence. But I wonder if we may be called upon to forebear like the people of Alma in the city of Helam. I try to remember that the "Constitution hanging by a thread" prophecy is known as the "whitehorse prophecy" and not the "redhorse prophecy." Although, while I do not plan to use my gun, I sure will stand up to vocally defend my right to own, and carry a gun.

The Book of Mormon contains a lot of war. We have the example of Alma vs. Amlici. We have Captain Moroni vs. Amalakiah and we have Gidgiddoni vs. Zemnarihah. However, we have many better non-militant examples such as Alma vs. Amulon, the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's, and Moronihah who regained conquered Nephite lands by preaching the gospel and converting their enemies.

Alma 31:5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

I don't know exactly what the right thing to do will be when the time comes. But, it seems clear how the enemy would like us to react. Therefore, we should all take care that we are easily provoked. If Alma or Helaman or Captain Moroni where out on the battlefield with their swords drawn leading a charge against enemy forces, I would be right there on the front lines. Well, I would be taking care of the casualties at least. But, so far, I don't hear our leadership polishing their swords. Instead we have the words of Pres. Monson who warned us about anger in response to the Media and we have many others who continually champion the cause of peace, truth and righteousness.

“God’s principles are taken by men because they are eternal and true and touch the divine spirit in men. This is the only true way to permanent world peace, the aspiration of men since the beginning. God never planted his Spirit, his truth, in the hearts of men from the point of a bayonet.” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. – “The Constitution” GC April 1957

[The white horse prophecy is not necessarily considered LDS Doctrine because, although it is attributed to Joseph Smith, we don't have an original source for it. That said, the substance of the prophecy is quoted enough by contemporaries of Joseph Smith and later LDS Leadership, that it is safe to assume Joseph Smith said something along those lines. My point in referring to it is more focused on the fact that we have all heard it and I think we all agree the constitution is hanging by a thread. Also, from my understanding, the conclusion of the LDS Church is not that Joseph Smith didn't say anything along these lines but that 1. it is unclear exactly what Joseph Smith said 2. it is inappropriate to interpret this militantly (my point). 3. it is inappropriate to interpret this as pointing to some particular individual.]

"The people---the people---are the rightful masters of both congresses, and courts---not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.” -Abraham Lincoln

“You seem to consider the judges the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy… The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots… I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves…” -Thomas Jefferson,Letter to William Jarvis, 1820