A couple of weeks ago my friend ZigZag shared this Times and Seasons article from 2004, which suggested that the Reform Mormons and RCJC are both “neo-Godbeites”. I had done a bit of research on the “The Church of Zion” aka “The Godbeites” last year, but my intrigue was renewed by these comparisons and I decided to dive into them in a bit more depth.
I read quite a bit of their publications, including these:
- Utah Magazine
- Mormon Tribune
- Salt Lake Weekly Tribune
The last couple weeks I have transcribed a couple of Godbeite articles, such as:
- “Some particulars about the [Godbeite] movement not generally known” by E.L.T. Harrison
- “Revelations to Suit the Times” by E.L.T. Harrison
- Platform of the Movement – the Godbeite Articles of Faith
- William S. Godbe Sermon on the Nature of God from March 6th, 1870
I quickly found that I would likely find a large amount of quotes to add to my quote wall. I was certainly right, because in all I found about 30 pages of quotes that I wanted to share. I want to put out this massive stockpile on my quote page, but I also wanted to make a post specifically for these quotes as well.
The Godbeites often get a reductive reputation of being spiritualists and conducted séances all the time, but through my reading I found spiritualism to be a relatively minor part of what they believed spiritually. I would say that The Church of Zion was far more preoccupied with rationalism, naturalism, scientific inquiry, universalism, human progress, and freedom of conscience. They were interested in creating a Mormonism where truth was higher than priesthood, where revelation had to harmonize with reason and science, where doubt was treated as holy rather than dangerous, and where humanity was understood as eternally progressing toward greater light.
What struck me most was how consistently they rejected fear-based religion and unquestioning obedience. Again and again, they argued that priesthood authority, ordination, scripture, and tradition were only valuable insofar as they served truth, love, justice, and human development. They believed that no church, prophet, book, or institution had a monopoly on truth, and that truth could be found among Jews, Pagans, Universalists, Spiritualists, Catholics, scientists, philosophers, and non-religious people following the light within them. Their vision of Mormonism was not a closed system of obedience, but an open-ended religion of investigation, progress, and moral courage.
I also found their universalism deeply moving. The Godbeites seemed to believe that every human soul contains divinity, that punishment exists only to reform, and that no person is eternally lost. Their theology was optimistic about humanity without being naive about human institutions. They believed religions could serve a divine purpose for a time, but when they ceased to grow with humanity, they became obstacles to progress. In that sense, they saw apostasy not as the honest pursuit of truth, but as the refusal to keep progressing.
I want this collection of quotes to illustrate who the Godbeites were: not merely spiritualist dissenters from Brigham Young, but Mormon rationalists, universalists, religious liberals, and fierce defenders of free thought. Their writings show a version of Mormonism that was intellectually adventurous, spiritually expansive, suspicious of hierarchy, and deeply committed to the idea that all truth belongs to God.
If I were alive in the 1870s, I think I would have joined the Godbeites. I talked to Rob Lauer, and he said the same thing. I think it is a bit simplified, but essentially correct to call the Reform Mormons “neo-Godbeites.”
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
AKA E.L.T Harrison
We view all the great founders of national faiths as inspired and raised up for their work, and though far from being equally illuminated with divine truth, yet equally sent by divine providence for the good of the class to which they belonged. Among these, we may enumerate Zoroaster the Persian reformer, [Confucius] the great Chinese, and the great founders or chief promoters of [Hinduism], [Islam], and even Roman Catholicism itself.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Revelations To Suit The Times”, Utah Magazine, August 7th, 1869
Divine authority alone is not sufficient to make us representatives of God. Some [people] possess that, but nothing else. There is scarcely an attribute of Almighty God about them. They walk in the authority of their appointment, but not in the virtue, the grace, or the righteousness of it. Strip such [people] of their authority, and there is nothing of God left to be counted. They may be successful managers, wise economists, and excellent teachers of the things of God, because the faith of their associates and the Saints draw the Spirit down upon them; and yet, otherwise, they have scarcely an enduring quality of righteousness in their possession.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“A Real Representative Of The Most High”, Utah Magazine, October 9th 1869
We cannot think that our ordinations or appointments have necessarily advanced us one particle towards celestial life… ordinations do not celestialize; appointments do not elevate… our present standing in the priesthood, therefore, does not necessarily represent our progress in salvation…
It takes intelligence, ruled by meekness, benevolence, justice, mercy, and uprightness in spirit and in deed to celestialize.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“A Real Representative Of The Most High”, Utah Magazine, October 9th 1869
The TRIBUNE will avoid personalities of all kinds, and no intemperate article will be allowed to appear in its columns; at the same time it will make a manly protest against wrong or abuse of power of every kind. In a word, the TRIBUNE will contend for a Free “Mormonism,” not the freedom of license to do wrong, but such Gospel freedom as was offered to us when we came into the Church, and such as the Holy Spirit, then and now, certifies to us as our eternal right.
THE MORMON TRIBUNE will be the pioneer of all advanced thoughts. It will seek to break down all cramping influences which come in the way of the widest and freest discussion of every principle of right. It will bring into practical operation the old Mormon theory that ALL TRUTH belongs to our system, and show to the world that, as a people, we dare look any truth in the face, whether it may have belonged to our original belief or not.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Prospectus”, Mormon Tribune, January 1st, 1870
Our spirits all are equal as to capabilities for purity and growth in divine character. We are all drawn from the same fountain of celestial element. There is, therefore, as much God in the spirit of the most degraded man as in that of the greatest spirit that ever lived. The poor, fallen woman whose life is one of shame and dishonor can be brought to a point where all the divine qualities of her soul will shine forth as brightly as those of the mother of Jesus or of any other noble woman. The drunkard in the gutter has a spirit drawn from the same element of deity as the highest angel or archangel. This opens a door of hope to all. None are so lost or fallen but perfection of soul and association with the purest and the highest is open to their future.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 13th, 1870
In the inmost qualities of all human beings there is the pure gold which only awaits development. Spiritual and intellectual progress is, with all persons, simply a matter of time. Although some, owing to happier circumstances, are much ahead of others, the divine nature in all will sooner or later shine forth.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 13th, 1870
Some persons will say “if the sinner will get off so well in the next world, what is the use of being good and virtuous?” The good lies in the fact that you have so much better a start in the road of eternal progress. If you have been born with a preponderance of good in your nature, so that it has been easy to repel and overcome evil, do you ask what is the good of having it so, because such as have predisposition to evil are to be tenderly treated by an indulgent parent? Imagine the son of a rich man, born with all the luxuries of life around him, and surrounded by all the benefits of education asking “what is the good” of his being born rich if poor men are to have chances to become as rich as himself by toil. Instead of objecting to the fact that the wicked will have opportunities to reform and enjoy eternal happiness, we should ceaselessly give praises for the blessing of having been born under conditions which have induced in us a greater love of truth than in others, and thus given us such a start on the road to a more heavenly condition.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 13th, 1870
We have been too much in the habit of worshipping big names and titles. So much has this become a habit with our people that when God introduces the [person] who is destined to preside over us, the greatest difficulty, we expect, will be to prevent some persons from falling down and worshipping [them].
If a [person] is selected to preside over us it will be simply because [they are] good at presiding, and not because [they are] the greatest or best [person] among us. There may and will be hundreds of more capable [people] then [they] in other departments. The tendency of the mode of administration practiced in the Heavenly worlds is to create as large a number of illustrious [people] as possible and bring out the individuality of every [person] to the utmost.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 20th, 1870
Labor and honors are distributed, and every [person] is placed in a position to shine according to [their] forte. If the Heavenly world wished to enlighten us on the subject of astronomy, the true history of the earth’s [species], or give us grander conceptions of music or any other science, Jesus would not be sent for such a purpose, he would seek to bring out and honor his brethren.
Jesus has his specialty – a department in which he excels – he is the great Apostle of Love, and when there is an opportunity to infuse this divine element into society he comes himself, for it is the work in which he is superior to all others.
But in respect to other great departments of science and truth there are thousands of illustrious individuals – such as the Newtons, the Herschels, the Von Humboldts, the Haydus, and the Handels – who have made certain subjects the study of their whole lives on earth, and who have been ceaselessly prosecuting their pursuits in the other life, who would be sent to us.
Jesus does not desire to absorb all the glory, credit, and intelligence of the Heavenly world into his own person. Every reflecting person can see that a principle of this kind will fill the Heavenly worlds with millions of grand intelligences, spurring and bringing out the faculties and powers of all.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 20th, 1870
The [Godbeite] Movement is an intellectual one. While it claims inspiration and revelation it does not rest its claims upon some wonderful story of visions, dreams, or angelic visitation. The Movement claimed inspiration and divine direction it is true, but its principles are of such a character that every one would stand by itself if it could be proved that no angelic being ever spoke to [humanity]. The Movement is based on intellectual and scientific truths, every one of which can stand alone.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Church of Zion Conference”, Mormon Tribune, April 6th, 1870
The great characteristic of the [Godbeite] Movement might be exemplified by the vulgar saying that “we believe in giving even the devil his due.” We believe in condemning nothing by wholesale. If there is any good in the organization from which we have separated, we will praise it as loudly as it deserves. If, as was the case, there are good and noble [people] amongst the leading authorities, we will accord to them the respect and affection to which their services entitle them. Although separated from them [by] actively [being] engaged in demolishing superstitions with which they are bound up, we pray for no good and no blessing for ourselves that we did not desire them and the members of the old organization to share.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Church of Zion Conference”, Mormon Tribune, April 8th, 1870
We believe that no God or angel can reveal a truth that does not find its testimony in the daily experience of the human soul and in the demonstrable facts of science. Any revelations that do not find their witness in the intuitions of the soul of [humanity] as well as in the facts of daily life, we sweep out of our pathway as so much incumbrance to spiritual progress.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Church of Zion Conference”, Mormon Tribune, April 8th, 1870
If God made the earth, [God] certainly could tell a story concerning its creation in harmony with the facts recorded in the earth itself, unless [God] has forgotten how [God] put it together. We honor and reverence just so much of the contents of Sacred Books as the highest instincts of the soul and fullest exercise of the reasoning powers demonstrate to be true. So much of God as shines on the face of sacred texts we will bow our souls before, and there is much this enstamped with visible marks of the soul and wisdom of Deity. But we make a dividing line between the truth given by inspiration to [humanity’s] hearts in the by-gone ages and the superstitions and traditions bound up therewith. When a [person] requires us to believe that God made light four days before [God] made the sun, and that [God] produced vegetation before [God] had formed that great life-giving body from whose rays vegetation obtained its material for existence, we respectfully request such a [person] to stand out of our sunshine. Furthermore, when sacred books require us to believe that Adam’s sin brought death into the world, when the very rocks upon which Adam walked were made up of the minute dead bodies of millions of little creatures, who, of necessity, lived and died before the earth was ready for Adam’s abode – when the very bowels of the earth, layer-after-layer, are filled like a huge cabinet with specimens of past generations of plants and animals – we prefer to accept the evidence of our senses and believe that some hoary time-honored tradition has been incorporated in the books and handed down to the bewilderment and mystification of later ages.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Church of Zion Conference”, Mormon Tribune, April 8th, 1870
We expect to move forward not only in the power of principle, but through the influence of love. No [person] or set of [people] could create themselves our enemies, for we would not recognize them as such. Let a [person] feel malicious and full of destruction to us, and even then [they] should not force us to regard [them] as an enemy for we would put ourselves in [their] place and view matters from [their] standpoint, and find an excuse for [their] vindictive feelings. And thus we would not have enemies any way that it can be arranged.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Church of Zion Conference”, Mormon Tribune, April 8th, 1870
Read and investigate all, and if you can find a truth you have not before discovered in Jew, Pagan, Universalist, or Spiritualist, cling to it whether previously taught by our institutions or not.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Just As They Thought”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
What the age demands is a universalian church of progress, in which intellectuality and spirituality shall be equally combined; and which, by its very constitution, shall be incapable of limitation in doctrine and principle, and shall thus be ever open to the greater light and experiences which future times are bound to bring.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Some Particulars About The Movement Not Generally Known”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 8th, 1870
We protest… against the principle of unquestioning obedience to Priesthood – a principle which we oppose not out of antagonism but because we believe it to be deadly and injurious to the mental growth of [humanity]. Unquestioning obedience is a false principle and destructive in its tendencies, and it would be equally so were it required by the mightiest and the divinest intelligence that we can conceive of. … No matter how high, or bright, or intelligent the power may be which should demand unthinking obedience the evil effects would be the same.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Laying the Corner Stone of the New Meeting House”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 15th, 1870
Unquestioning obedience dwarfs and cripples the minds of [people] and arrests their progress.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Laying the Corner Stone of the New Meeting House”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 15th, 1870
Humanity can only be developed and attain its fullness of intellectual power by feeling and thinking its own way along into every truth.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Laying the Corner Stone of the New Meeting House”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 15th, 1870
We do not think that all [religious groups] have the same amount of truth, but, in a general way, we consider all religious bodies as possessing that amount which is best adapted to the organization and development of their believers; we view all [humanity] as struggling up the hill of progress towards that grand and final consummation of light which awaits [everyone] without exception, by paths best adapted to their tender feet.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Laying the Corner Stone of the New Meeting House”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 15th, 1870
Truth [is] higher than all the priesthoods in existence. [We must] worship the truth and not the [person] who brought it, be he Jesus of Nazareth or the lowest and most untitled mortal in existence.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Conference Meetings”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 15th, 1870
The gospel with which we covenanted was one of progress. There was a spirit of boundless freedom and investigation in it. Its favorite sentiment was “prove all things.” Mormonism as taught to us comprised all truth; the believer in Mormonism was able to look every truth in the face, Our elders dared the world to bring forward principles which they were afraid to examine. This was the system which we accepted, and which alone we feel bound to stand by
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Why We Reject Modern Mormonism As A Whole”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 22nd, 1870
Ordinances, further than they may tend to convey or impress a principle of truth significantly on the mind, can do no particular good.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Baptism For The Dead”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 19th, 1870
It is a trait of low and ignorant persons that they always have a huge quantity of imaginary enemies; and it is a characteristic of religions with low and backward dogmas that they always fill the minds of their believers with the idea that everybody is their enemy.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Our Enemies”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, December 31st, 1870
Has not the age wondrously advanced, when the leading minds of the day can… question the unreasoning dogmas and creeds at the feet of which the wealth, intelligence, and influence of the civilized world have hitherto helplessly bowed, and still retain their position in the social world?
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“The Free Religionists”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1871
Our aim … is the demolishing of superstition, and the elevation of reason and the spiritual nature of [people] as the supreme arbiter as to what is divine truth, over and above all books, creeds, and priestly assumptions
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“The Free Religionists”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1871
As to “Josephism,” “legal successorship,” and “ordination” referred to in [a letter in Deseret News], we of course have nothing to do. We have no interest in proving that any [person] holds the “Authority,” and shall, therefore, not debate that ground. But while we respect the convictions of our “Josephite” brethren and all who believe in ordinations, we are past all that kind of thing. We care nothing about successors or non-successors. [Those] that [have] heart, brain, and spirit enough to inspire us with higher and more reasonable conceptions of God and Nature than we had before; [those] that can touch our souls with a purer love for humanity – fill us with a diviner and wider charity; and, in a word, bring us nearer to the fountain of inspiration for ourselves, is our prophet, if we have one, whoever [they] may be, and carries the evidence of [their] divine ordination with [them], if no priestly hands ever come without a mile of [their] head.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Making Them Squirm”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, February 25th, 1871
Frederick Thomas Perris
True religion is universally conceded by the thoughtful of every sect and denomination to be the practical working out and application to our everyday lives of the higher attributes of our natures, such as love, charity, mercy, justice, etc., and these are the fundamental principles requisite on which to rear a religious superstructure to educate humanity rather than a confining and trammeling set of dogmatic rules for religious observance.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Universalian Thoughts”, Mormon Tribune, April 9th, 1870
[Humanity] is as diversified in mental characteristics as in features or as nature is in all its varied grandeur and magnificence. Had the divine mind contemplated a perfect automatic system of thought and unity of action, why not have created all alike in the first instance, and thus have saved all the trouble of bringing it about by the tedious process of continued antagonism of mind against mind?
[Humanity] in [its] great variety is but a reflex of all other portions of nature, and in [its] diversity contributes to a harmonious whole. We see no two trees alike; each blade of grass and each grain of sand differ from the other, yet each contributes its share to make up the aggregate that constitutes a source of never-ending pleasure and gratification.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Universalian Thoughts”, Mormon Tribune, April 9th, 1870
My conceptions of a just and affectionate [god] will not permit the elevation of the one to a superior bliss and happiness over the other in consequence of… inequality of conditions. Justice would take into consideration the purity and purpose exhibited by each individual and credit them according to integrity.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Universalian Thoughts”, Mormon Tribune, April 9th, 1870
True religion will be universalian in its endeavors to educate to a standard, instead of forcing or coercing, by creating a feeling of fear of some dread result, or loss of some great blessing to be gained by obedience to priestly dictation.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Universalian Thoughts”, Mormon Tribune, April 9th, 1870
Universalian sentiments are an outgrowth of nations, nearer contact with nation, and are also a result of the liberalizing influences of traveling. [People] can now see [their siblings] of every clime, in all their various phases and peculiarities of religious and political organization in an almost inconceivably short space of time as compared with the facilities for doing so fifty years ago. Hence we find intelligent and observant travelers liberal in their ideas and sentiments as a rule.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Universalian Thoughts”, Mormon Tribune, April 9th, 1870
Instead… of circumscribing our ideas, by theoretically claiming the truths and good in the world and practically ignoring it, let us expand in our ideas and sense the fact that the world moved uninterruptedly along its grand development before our religious faith had an existence, and in all probability will continue to do so for countless ages to come.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Universalian Thoughts”, Mormon Tribune, April 9th, 1870
Reason eternally wars with false traditions and misconceptions of the truth
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Special Providences”, Salt Lake Tribune, November 5th, 1870
Now, which of the two ideas is most comprehensive and beautiful: The one that attributes all the extraordinary power to one individualized existence called God, or the other that teaches the doctrine that they are the united efforts of fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters in the higher life trying to aid and comfort and teach us better philosophy, the principles of which are more in harmony with our own innate cravings?
What more beautiful thought than the one which teaches that there is one indissoluble bond existing between earth and spirit-life the result of affection and which brings to our presence those who have been most interested in us during our lifetime; this feeling, when cherished, serves as a greater check to [people’s] actions than all the threats of eternal punishment.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“Special Providences”, Salt Lake Tribune, November 5th, 1870
Honest doubt leads to inquiry, and inquiries result in information, reading, [and] to more advanced ideas and better conceptions of truth. Without doubters humanity would be non-progressive.
Doubting has caused [humanity] to be benefitted by Galileaos and other reformers of false theories. Without this class of society the world would be at a stand still intellectually and socially. Lack of this element of mind has kept all creed-believers in nearly the same mental condition as when the creed was instituted. … It was Joseph Smith’s doubts as to the divinity of other creeds that led to Mormonism.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“The Benefits of Doubting”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 26th, 1870
Doubting and skepticism is a result of reasoning on dogmas and theories which have not sufficient internal evidence of truth to sustain them.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“The Benefits of Doubting”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 26th, 1870
The doubter is always more approachable than the bigot, and does not keep you at arm’s length by a haughtiness of manner, resulting from the supposed superiority of [their] opinions.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“The Benefits of Doubting”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 26th, 1870
Ignorance is always the parent of bigotry, and bigotry never makes concessions in favor of ideas which are not the offspring of its own limited comprehension. Hence we hear such logic as “it is so because it’s so.”
Frederick Thomas Perris
“The Benefits of Doubting”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 26th, 1870
Skeptics and doubters really are the beacon lights to society, because they point out the sands upon which credulous individuals drift and remain stationary. They open up and explore new fields of thought and labor continually to bring about a state of society that will be more rationalistic in its views of God and Nature.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“The Benefits of Doubting”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 26th, 1870
Every hypothesis assuming to define the nature and operations of the Spirit of God, necessarily varies with the understanding of what constitutes God.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“What Is The Spirit Of God?”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1870
Every church has its share of [the] Divine Spirit, but only to the extent that the results are brotherly love, kindness, and charity, thus creating happiness the ultimatum of all forms of religion.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“What Is The Spirit Of God?”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1870
Our conceptions lead us to realize the Spirit of God in all that produces happiness, in all that unites in fraternal ties, and in all that tends to uplift the degraded portion of humanity; whether the effort be of Catholic or Jewish teachings; we realize that it is the same. The effects would be equally productive of good, if inaugurated outside the limits of every church. We recognize the Spirit of God in all that is true of theology and in all the truths of science. We feel and sense the Spirit of God in all the higher and holier aspirations of the human soul, irrespective of creed or religion. We understand it as the force or principle actuating all the liberal sentiments, and find it manifesting itself in a thousand forms for the benefit and blessing of universal humanity. We find it welling up and dictating the good actions in every heart, and proclaiming itself coexistent and coeternal with all the wondrous creations of the infinite universe.
Frederick Thomas Perris
“What Is The Spirit Of God?”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1870
Joseph Salisbury
Adam is truly our father and a great patriarch of the [human] race. In this sense he is our “god,” and as such is worthy of our veneration. With other noble ones he rules in the realms of spirit-life, not as an absolute monarch whose fiat strikes terror into every heart, but as one who enjoys the entire confidence of those over whom he presides. His weapon is love, and justice, mercy, and truth are his governing sentiments. He is not the Adam now that he was when he made an apron of fig leaves. Thousands of years in the progressive conditions of spirit-life have developed him and lifted him up to the highest sphere of spiritual existence.
But not withstanding all this he is not the Creator of the Universe, with its endless varieties of life. There is above and beyond him, with all his knowledge and influence, a great creative power which Brother Pratt calls the “great first cause,” before which even Adam bows down in humble adoration, and to which the heavenly hosts offer up songs of eternal praise.
Joseph Salisbury
“Adam Our Father and God”, Mormon Tribune, March 12th, 1870
Revelations to all prophets of necessity have had to be more or less adapted to the traditions of their times, and to the conditions of society, as much new truth being developed at one time as the people can receive. It has always been the policy of the heavens not to make violent jumps in changing the foundations of religious faith, as thereby they would destroy ALL faith.
Joseph Salisbury
“Fabulous Conceptions”, Mormon Tribune, March 26th, 1870
The theory of an evil God is prehistoric; it was brought forth by the crude conceptions of ignorance, cradled in superstition, and matured by Christianity; it was a myth created, it existed as tradition and it is fast passing out of its earth-life to live in history as one of the absurd dogmas of ancient barbarisms.
Joseph Salisbury
“Fabulous Conceptions”, Mormon Tribune, March 26th, 1870
Spiritual covenants are based on certain conditions existing in the mind at the time of their being made and in harmony therewith. If those conditions are not fulfilled on either side, [both] parties are free. And as the minds of mortals is ever undergoing a series of changes, and the soul ever expanding in its grand unfoldment for the acquisition of higher truths, the stipulations adapted to [their] lower and undeveloped state are entirely unsuited to [their] more enlightened and advanced condition.
Joseph Salisbury
“Ordinations And Covenants”, Mormon Tribune, April 2nd, 1870
Unfolding before us is an age in which neither creed nor covenant can bind the daring intellect of [humanity]; an age, too, when such priesthoods as stand in the pathway of advancement must either move on or be overwhelmed by the mighty flood of human progress and, like Lot’s wife, become “pillars of salt” surrounded with stagnant pools impregnated with the bigotry and superstitions of past ages.
Joseph Salisbury
“Ordinations And Covenants”, Mormon Tribune, April 2nd, 1870
The world has outgrown the domination of Popes and Cardinals, and has learned to treat their threats of inquisitorial punishment with as much unconcern as through they merely said, – “OldBogey is coming.” This is an age of revelation and of light, a period of moral and spiritual power, an epoch in the word’s history in which men dare to doubt and investigate, and, throwing off the yoke of kingcraft and priestcraft, stand forth in the dignity of freemen, yielding no allegiance to any power on earth except that which they feel to be necessary for the preservation of fraternal friendship and good order in society, recognizing what God and mode of worship they please, holding themselves accountable to none but the Great Creator for their spiritual growth while passing through their rudimentary conditions of earth life.
Joseph Salisbury
“Ordinations And Covenants”, Mormon Tribune, April 2nd, 1870
Orthodoxy everywhere appeals to the lowest passion of the human mind – fear; and upon that alone it builds up its huge superstructures, at which intellect the world over is hurling its shafts with terrible effect.
Joseph Salisbury
“Earthquakes and Fanaticism”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 5th, 1870
It is a fact… that science has risen high enough to be able to shoot daylight through all theologies, and account for almost every phenomenon on natural principles.
Joseph Salisbury
“Earthquakes and Fanaticism”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 5th, 1870
If the personal coming of Christ were a fact instead of a myth we could not accept the evidence of earthquakes in favor of that event. We would much prefer to recognize as indications the remodeling of society, the abolishing of sectional hates, and the fraternizing of the human family everywhere. We might then reasonably suppose we were approximating nearer the conditions that would be congenial to the nature and sentiment of the Son of Mary.
Joseph Salisbury
“Earthquakes and Fanaticism”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 5th, 1870
If it can be shown that ten polygamic families out of every hundred can and do live in harmony, to that extent and to no greater is the institution divine. Monogamy is divine on precisely the same principle.
Joseph Salisbury
“Another Savior Needed”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, December 10th, 1870
Truth is bold and defiant, it seeks no subterfuge, it needs not a hiding place, it dares the criticism of the skeptic and invites the scrutiny of the world. That, therefore, which is too good to be investigated is too bad to be believed.
Joseph Salisbury
“Another Savior Needed”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, December 10th, 1870
The uniting of two souls which, by their natural affinities, are in eternal harmony – the counterparts of each other – is a divine act, performed by whomsoever it may… [but] the union of souls is not brought about by the laying on of priestly hands, neither is that true and lasting sympathy, which shall stand the test of time (to say nothing of the great hereafter) produced by the solemn benediction, “I seal you together as [spouses] for all eternity;” but it is the blending of responsive natures whose qualities are inborn in the soul
Joseph Salisbury
“Another Savior Needed”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, December 10th, 1870
William Samuel Godbe
No system of religion could possibly perpetuate itself unless it rises with the tide and moves with the current of human progress.
William Samuel Godbe
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 20th, 1870
Advanced thinkers are always in the minority, but being earnest and fearless in their search for truth, they soon wield the preponderating influence and mould the thoughts of the next generation, and do invariably succeed in leading the majority, who never lead but follow.
William Samuel Godbe
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 20th, 1870
Change is the sure and only indication of progress. Nature in all her operations on this planet is continually changing in her external manifestations, constantly striving at perfection, and why should not we change in our internal or mental condition, seeing we are so far yet from perfection? Constantly in the past has [humanity] been changing in their religious development, giving up long-cherished dogmas for ideas more in accord with the prevailing civilization. Why then should we cease doing so? Is it because we have reached the acme of perfection? Have we indeed obtained the “fullness of the everlasting gospel,” the final truth on all religious subjects, and therefore possess absolute knowledge that all who question the soundness of any principle advanced or policy adopted must be wrong? In a word, that orthodoxy and truth must ever be words of the same meaning and that heterodoxy is always equivalent to error.
William Samuel Godbe
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 20th, 1870
We believe in progression, and consequently that the fullness of the everlasting gospel was never revealed to any[one] – prophet or seer though [they] may be. Joseph Smith played a divine part in the world’s progress. He emancipated this people from much that was erroneous and superstitious. Brigham Young has also done his part in protecting the people in their weakness, and directing their energies in the development of their “mountain home.”
But [Brigham Young] has fallen into a fatal error in claiming the right to determine what we shall accept as true or reject as false; in setting himself up as the ecclesiastical head of the world, and as the supreme judge on earth of right and wrong. If you ask him whether the people have not the right to differ from the orthodox views on any subject, he will complacently reply that “you have no liberty to do wrong” – implying that it is wrong to differ from him. He has taught doctrines that are unscriptural and unreasonable; doctrines which contradict themselves, yet which he insists must be accepted under pain of eternal loss. … he has placed himself as a barrier in the path of human progress, as a dam in the mighty current of social and mental liberty that none must dare to remove or pass over.
William Samuel Godbe
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, March 6th, 1870
“Truth” … is the synonym of “God”, and whoso follows truth obeys God.
But it may be asked, “where shall we find truth and to whom shall we look for its precious light?” Truth is everywhere; above, below, around you, and deep in the recesses of your inmost being, – in the divine light of your own consciousness, – you may safely look for its unerring guidance.
William Samuel Godbe
“The Standard Of Truth”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 23rd, 1870
The good of the old has ever been bequeathed as a legacy to the new, and thus it is, that the accumulated wisdom of past generations is inherited and enjoyed by the present one.
William Samuel Godbe
“The Inevitable”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 5th, 1870
All churches and systems of religion have been and are divine. Not that their creeds were or are free from error, but their divinity consisted in their adaptation to the various classes of minds over whom they exercised control. Each in its turn served the good of [humanity] as an educator and developer of [their] immortal powers, and then passed away to be superseded by others a little more advanced.
Religions in the past… have lived out their day, contributed their quota of instruction, and when they have no longer kept pace with [humanity] in [their] progress, they became an obstacle thereto, and therefore had to perish.
William Samuel Godbe
“The Inevitable”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 5th, 1870
Joseph Silver
The eternal progression of [humanity] is a theme to be admired and must meet a happy response in the minds of all reflective persons. It is compatible with the wisdom of a God, and just as fast as divinity in [humanity] becomes developed, just so fast will [humanity] comprehend and appreciate the vastness of that wisdom.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Believe”, Mormon Tribune, June 25th, 1870
Jesus has come again, – not, it is true, as some would have had him come, in flaming fire to take vengeance on the wicked and ungodly; but to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, power to the lame to walk, and teach us again, as when in earth life, to love one another, to live as he lived, to bless and save humanity. And this we can all do more or less if we seek to cultivate pure charity for the human race.
The conception that… the members of this community and many others have had, not excepting even prophets and apostles, of what they have termed “The Second Advent of Christ”, is an erroneous conception and very soon circumstances will arise which will prove this to the world.
I said Jesus had come again. It is true. I do not, however, say that he has come with ten thousand of his saints to reign as a temporal prince. But he has come, and is still coming, and going and will continue to come. He is, with many of his brethren, a spiritual missionary. He does not confine himself to a time or place, particularly, or to one section or church, or to this prophet or that prophet, – but wherever and whomsoever he can impress with pure and holy thought, that he does. Be assured that he is no bigot. He is without a doubt a universalian. It would be inconsistent with the philosophy of spiritual existence and progress, to suppose that Jesus Christ, or any other being who has once dwelt with us in the flesh, could come again and reign as king or potentate among us. This dogma, therefore, must forever pass away.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Believe”, Mormon Tribune, June 25th, 1870
It is, doubtless, true that persons called Seers, both now and in former times, have seen angelic personages; but such saw them not with their natural but with their spiritual eye.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Believe”, Mormon Tribune, June 25th, 1870
Show me a [person], be [they] pope, cardinal, apostle, or bishop, who flatters [themselves] that [they are] never guilty of an error, and I will show you a [person] who is the very worst kind of bigot; and if [they are] a public [person] and a teacher of religion (there are more religious bigots in the world than of any other class) [they] will, beyond the possibility of a doubt, proclaim much more false doctrine, as a general thing, than anyone else.
Such a [person] for the life of [them], cannot see, outside of [their] own creed or profession, anything worth having; hence [they] will declaim against anybody and everybody who does not see as [they see. They] will even be found at times denouncing [people] belonging to [their] own church, although possibly, those very persons are far better than [themselves].
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Not Believe”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
Were we to admit that God or Adam required that Jesus should die, we should, to say the least, do both God and Adam a serious injustice. The idea that Jesus, of necessity, had to die an inhumane and ignominious death to appease the wrath of his own father or his God is preposterous. He did die, however; but would he have died could he have prevented it? It is true, like some [people] since his time, he could have recanted and thereby perhaps have saved his life. But no, he preferred death to recantation. He loved the truth, and for the sake of humanity and the truth he went about doing good regardless of consequences. If his prosecutors and murderers had loved the truth they would never have imbued their hands in his innocent blood, and he would have died a natural death.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Not Believe”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
I think no [one] should be found in the Church willing to offer so great an insult to [their] Creator as to even pray for the destruction of [their] supposed enemies, far less with [their] own hands spill the blood of [their] fellows.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Not Believe”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
I have not… a desire to find fault with Brigham Young or anyone else, but with the simple desire to have error exposed and truth made manifest. The reception of truth and the practice of good will save us from committing many blunders, and it is the only way I know of at present that will be the means of saving us from our sins and lifting us above the narrow creed by which aforetime we have been bound, and cause us to look upon ALL [people] as our [siblings].
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Not Believe”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
John S. Lindsay
While I know there is much divinity in Mormonism, I am compelled to the belief that it is not entirely divested of dogma and superstition – that we have been laboring under the erroneous idea that we had the gospel truth in the full blaze of its glory, when in fact we had only a few sparks.
Brethren, I have no desire (and pray God I never shall have) to turn my back upon any truth that has ever been presented to me and made plain to my understanding. What I do wish to do, however, is to thoroughly divest my mind of superstition – which is the offspring of ignorance – and venerate no creed or dogma, old or new, that does not fasten its claims to truth directly on my reason and common sense.
John S. Lindsay
“Card And Letter From John S. Lindsay”, Mormon Tribune, January 7th, 1870
There seems to be in human nature to cling to tradition and venerate whatever is clothed in the musty cobwebs of antiquity.
John S. Lindsay
“Card And Letter From John S. Lindsay”, Mormon Tribune, January 7th, 1870
The [person] who never doubts will never investigate. Doubt is the dawning of truth. It has been justly called the beginning of philosophy, and the accusing attorney in the court of Truth. No [one] should be afraid to doubt.
John S. Lindsay
“Card And Letter From John S. Lindsay”, Mormon Tribune, January 7th, 1870
I am infidel to everything that is grossly improbable and does not come in harmony with known truth, whether it be in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or any other book, or whether it be in the teachings of men.
John S. Lindsay
“Card And Letter From John S. Lindsay”, Mormon Tribune, January 7th, 1870
“Well, do you believe in the ‘New Movement’ (Godbeites)?”
Yes, so far as I have yet become acquainted with its teachings – and why? Because they appeal to my reason and my affection, to my head and heart, and are in beautiful harmony with everything I see in nature and humanity.
[People] may cry “Spiritualism,” “angels of darkness,” or “devil,” it matters not to me, that is a secondary consideration. …
The weary, thirsty traveler, when the clear, limpid brook crosses his dusty pathway, thinks not of its source ere he ventures to assuage his thirst. He drinks of it when it crosses his path. If it is pure and revives his drooping nature he knows the source must be good.
John S. Lindsay
“Card And Letter From John S. Lindsay”, Mormon Tribune, January 7th, 1870
The closest scrutiny and the severest criticism cannot injure truth, but doctrines that require letting alone or tender handling are sure to possess some inherent weakness.
John S. Lindsay
“Card And Letter From John S. Lindsay”, Mormon Tribune, January 7th, 1870
William Henry Shearman
We are not disposed ourselves to allow either our faith or our conduct to be circumscribed and governed in every particular by what even admittedly inspired and holy [people] said and did in ancient times; because they only received such truths as were adapted to the circumstances and capacities of the people to whom they were sent, and their consciences and lives were shaped by their limited views of divine truth: hence, many practices which they believed to be right, and which WERE right to them, we view as inhumane and debasing, and should be sorry to see society dragged back to the social conditions of the Mosaic or any other period. Therefore, we are not prepared to accept as binding upon us today every custom or law which may have been sanctioned or given by divine authority in past ages.
William Henry Shearman
“Is Successive Ordination Necessary?”, Mormon Tribune, April 2nd, 1870
The Lord has not been controlled by the narrow and arbitrary ideas of Priesthoods… but has reserved and exercised the right to speak through whom he would, whether these chosen mediums had received any priestly ordination at the hands of their fellow-men or not, and that if such choice has been made among presiding priesthoods it has been the exception and not the rule. This doctrine of the divine right and succession of priesthoods has ever been the parent of despotism, and is as much the enemy of human progress and liberty as is its twin doctrine of the divine right of kings, – both are powerful engines of oppression. It is, therefore, no wonder that ambitious and selfish [people] should seek to rivet them upon the minds of their ignorant followers.
William Henry Shearman
“Is Successive Ordination Necessary?”, Mormon Tribune, April 2nd, 1870
We see that history, both ancient and modern, proves that priesthoods, no matter how divine their origin, have in all ages, sooner or later, become corrupt. It also proves that, as a rule, the heavens have ignored existing priesthoods and have chosen [people], regardless of their birth or position, who were adapted to the work to be performed. Now as this has always been so in the past why may it not be so in our day?
William Henry Shearman
“Is Successive Ordination Necessary?”, Mormon Tribune, April 2nd, 1870
Any marriage, whether single or plural, that is entered into or continued from any other motive [than love], must be unholy in the sight of heaven
William Henry Shearman
“Marriage and the Rights of Women”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1871
All who are familiar with [the Bible] know that God is represented as giving, in different ages, such laws as were adapted to the circumstances and development of the people.
William Henry Shearman
“Marriage and the Rights of Women”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1871
If the wants of humanity have outgrown [their] traditions and their interpretation of sacred books, then [they] must and will be dispensed with.
William Henry Shearman
“Marriage and the Rights of Women”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 14th, 1871
Amasa M. Lyman
I learned to read the character of God in [God’s] works, the harmony of which taught me lessons of love and fastened on the sensibilities of my nature the deep and undying conviction that [the God] who cared for the raven was not unmindful of [humanity]; that [the God] whose smile is the glory of the sun’s light and warmth could not be unmindful of the human soul, that glorious reflection of [this God’s] own divine self, the crowning work of omnipotent wisdom, richly endowed with every germ of godly capacity and power, to be eternally subject to the developing agencies of omnipotent wisdom and love.
This I learned to be the character of the human soul in its undeveloped condition; from which low condition it was the mission of a heaven-originated gospel to elevate [humanity] to a higher place of being by calling into exercise [it’s] sentient qualities and thus opening the way for [humanity] to know [itself]. This gospel also teaches [humanity] the causes and purposes of [its] being, until [it] is enabled, through the power imparted by the awakening of thought and reflection, and the knowledge resulting therefrom, to walk forth and tread, with unfailing safety, the airy fields of boundless space in quest of the elements of the mind’s perpetual development and endless growth.
Amasa M. Lyman
“The Soul’s Capabilities”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 30th, 1870
The spirit of inquiry seems to be abroad among the people, many of whom are being awakened to the knowledge of facts which the teachings of past years have left them ignorant of; and thus experience is beginning to impart its lessons and to emancipate the victims of ignorance from its oppressive and soul-debasing slavery.
The cause of free thought is onward: its progress is evinced by an expressed dissatisfaction with the absolute and dictatorial spirit of the ruling priesthood and the poverty of the people in the elements of the soul’s growth consequent upon its exercise over them.
Amasa M. Lyman
“Letter from Elder A.M. Lyman”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, September 3rd, 1870
We do not want to interfere with the spiritual progress of our orthodox brethren, they can go along as slowly as they choose; and all we want in return is to be let alone and allowed, without reproach, to exercise all the freedom of thought with which we are inspired.
Amasa M. Lyman
“Report Of Friday Evening’s Meeting”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, October 15th, 1870
C.I. Godbe
Our religion is onward and upward, and casts to the four winds all dogmas and doctrines that cannot stand the full blaze of reason – God’s gift to [humanity]…
C.I. Godbe
“Correct Organization”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 30th, 1870
Were all human organizations based upon advanced and advancing laws, there would be no confusion, each gem of truth would find its place, and as in nature the tree provided for amid all changes, the flower succeeding the bud and the fruit the flower, so would each individual noiselessly fulfill [their] allotted mission. Each generation performing their part, all lending towards perfection. Thus is the grand and universal programme, divine in all its appointments, carried out.
C.I. Godbe
“Correct Organization”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 30th, 1870
Robert Richey
The noble and glorious stand you have taken to redeem this people from despotic hierarchy is sufficient to prove to the world, to the Church, and to the Heavens that you are the advocates of liberty, truth, and righteousness, for which your reward shall be great and your crown sure.
Robert Richey
Mormon Tribune, March 8th, 1870
William C. Gregg
The true [person] is the [person] of reason; in [them] is embodied power, worth, and usefulness; but what [are those] that never think? Gliding down the stream of time, saying yes to everything, nothing heeding, nothing caring, accepting every foolish dogma, and giving further currency to error by [their] cowardly admissions, can such be called a child of reason and truth? Methinks if [they] honored [their] title, [they] would cultivate the love of truth, and be its bulwark and rock of defense against all assailants. But alas! How few there are on earth who enjoy the blessings, or are willing to defend the claims of freedom and reason, preferring to live by the traditions of their [ancestors], and binding themselves and the generations to come, in chains of mental darkness and immorality.
W.C. Gregg
“Freedom And Reason”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, December 17th, 1870
Why do [people] content themselves with living upon the dry bones of the past, or making shift with the worn and faded wardrobe of their predecessors? We lie embosomed in the midst of nature, rich in the profusion of [its] gifts, all inviting us to live and not die, for all who will come, may come and partake of the waters of life freely. Then why not enjoy our original relationship to the universe, and study to perform our part aright? Think you not that [God] has purposes to perform in this generation, as well as in those that have preceded us? The signs of the times answer “yes;” the more sure word of prophecy answers “yes.” The people of olden times beheld God and nature face-to-face, but we content ourselves with the dead letter of their ancient records obscured by time; yea, worse, by the interpretations and opinions which uninspired [people] have formed of them. Why seek the truth through other other [people’s] eyes only? Let us use our own, and not be forever the miserable sycophants of tradition, but seek a religion of revelation, a philosophy of insight, and a science of social life, founded upon the laws of God and nature; yes, let us go to the fountain and drink for ourselves.
W.C. Gregg
“Freedom And Reason”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, December 17th, 1870
Robert F. Nichols
“He is a ‘miserable apostate'” – this is an expression very frequently made in reference to [people] who, once members of the Church, have conscientiously changed their views in relation to some points of doctrine. Now, to my mind, this is an evidence of a very narrow and contracted soul. The individuals may have toiled night and day, for years, to build up the Church, – they may have made their lives a living sacrifice to its principles; but this matters not, it is enough to know that they now differ from the authorities of the Church, to make their former associates eager to point the finger of scorn at [people] whom their souls are not large enough to appreciate. This sentiment predominates in [people] of a low order of intellect, who cannot appreciate the sensitive organizations of some natures. They have not sense enough to see a wrong, nor… courage to speak of it when they do see it. I hold that it is more honorable, if a [person] does differ in [their] views from the authorities of the Church, to give an honest expression of the same, and not wear the garb of hypocrisy, as many do today who are the most loud-mouthed in crying apostate.
Robert F. Nichols
“He Is a ‘Miserable Apostate'”, Mormon Tribune, February 14th, 1870
We have received a great many things as correct doctrine which have been since demonstrated to have been founded on the musty traditions of the past.
Robert F. Nichols
“He Is a ‘Miserable Apostate'”, Mormon Tribune, February 14th, 1870
Lars Peter Edholm
A domineering priesthood, wheresoever it is established, can never with their threats and anathemas scare [people] to heaven: as to their wholesale consignments to the opposite abode, they are simply the objects of contempt.
Lars Peter Edholm
Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 26th, 1870
Alfred Ward
What is salvation and where is heaven? By first pointing out this one great truth, that salvation is something that cannot possibly be conferred on any one by any being that exists, whether we call that being God or Christ. Hence, the idea which maintained by many Christians, that a murderer or other great sinner who simply repents and expresses a faith in Christ in [their] last hours on earth, can be prepared for heaven and have salvation conferred on [them], is a moral impossibility. And the belief of the Mormon that obeys those who preside over [them], irrespective of what they require [them] to do, secures for [them] salvation, is equally incorrect, because it is relying on the same false principle, viz: that salvation can be conferred on [them] by another. Here it may be remarked, that it is this false idea of salvation that has enabled the cunning and designing in all ages to bring others into subjection to their will, knowing that by the fear of their tremendous power of denying salvation and heaven to those who believed in their Almighty authority, they could accomplish all they desired of them. When the world of [humanity] has outgrown their superstitious ideas on this subject, [people] will no longer be able to impose on the credulity of the past.
Alfred Ward
“After Death, And The Conditions of Salvation” Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, January 21st, 1871
Eli B. Kelsey
Punishment is intended only to reform. The theory of a God of vengeance is supplanted by a God of love. Instead of a burning hell, where [people] are endlessly tormented in a manner out of all proportion to their offences, we understand that no punishment awaits [humanity] in the next life, except such as is calculated to lead them out of their darkness.
… All the arrangements of the next life are planned to regenerate and bless. Punishment is never administered in anger. If mental suffering is imposed it is with the purpose of exposing to the soul the evil of a degraded course, that it may arise above it, never to descend to its level again.
Eli B. Kelsey
“Record of the Movement”, Mormon Tribune, February 20th, 1870
Edward W. Tullidge
The very genius of Mormonism is liberalism. To the last degree it is not conservative in the sense of its being anti-progressional.
Edward W. Tullidge
“Mormonism Republican In Its Genius”, Mormon Tribune, March 12th, 1870