“Our numbers are small. There are a few here locally nearby you [in the Los Angeles area] but we are worldwide. At the moment we are composed mostly of former Mormons, and I’m really getting tired of talking to former Mormons. I would like to talk to Baptists, and to Lutherans, and a Methodist – particularly if they’ve made Wycliffe’s material a matter of study –you would add so much to a discussion among fellowship groups.
“Mormons know a lot, but Christians know a lot about the Bible. We would love to see a cross-fertilization of the Christian ideal in which we can bring to you some things that we have learned about the Christian faith and in turn hear from you what you have to share in fellowships. We want other Christians to fellowship with us.”
Source: Lecture one, 500th Anniversary of Christian Reformation. (page 8, paragraph 4)
“All are invited to attend a series of talks, which are free and open to the public, requiring no ticket, rsvp, or reservation. These talks will be delivered by Mr. Denver Snuffer who will discuss Christian history, the Reformation, Christianity since the Reformation, the Restoration movement, and Joseph Smith as a Christian thinker and Biblical preacher.
“Smithsonian Magazine identified Joseph Smith as the most significant religious figure in American history. Yet he remains misunderstood by most Christians, primarily because his legacy has been regarded as Mormon property. In many ways his life mirrors the Apostle Paul. He belongs to the Christian community as much as St. Francis of Assisi, Luther, Tyndale, Wesley, Knox, Williams, and Calvin.”
The Focus is on the Savior
I wish I could go to the second lecture in Dallas. I attended the first one here in the Los Angeles area. I have attended many of Mr. Snuffer’s lectures, read his books and have always felt his focus is on Christ and how we can increase our faith in the Lord. I have a cousin who is a Presbyterian minister. My mother’s family was mostly Presbyterian while my Father’s were mostly Baptist, including several ministers. I love how open they were about their belief in Christ, as evidenced by stories in our family histories from Texas, Tennessee and Alabama.
My family joined the LDS Church here in California when I was young so I grew up studying both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I married a fifth-generation Utah girl and remained a member of the LDS Church until a few years ago. I still attend LDS services on Sunday with my wife and enjoy singing in the choir. However, I’m now considered an apostate because I read Mr. Snuffer’s books and wrote about them in this blog over the years. Rather than be excommunicated for my beliefs, I resigned. Sadly, many of my friends who share my love of the Savior, are now being targeted by some of the LDS Church leadership.
Evidence of Concern is Increasing
The leadership of the LDS Church is becoming increasingly concerned about the loosely organized “Remnant Movement.” Mr. Snuffer is characterized as the de facto leader of the movement, although there is no official organization and no hierarchy in the movement. You can read more on Mormonleaks, including details of communications between Stake Presidents and General Authorities on how to handle the growing problem of those who participate in the “Remnant Movement.”
I share a concern expressed by one of my friends that our private worship practices are now being tightly scrutinized and condemned by some in the LDS Church leadership. What we read and what conferences we attend should not be subject to censure, even if we share our experiences on social media. The facts that we have been re-baptized and partake of the sacrament in our homes are especially frowned upon. I have no hesitation in labeling this scrutiny as Anti-Christ behavior. I don’t believe private practices worshiping Christ or inviting others to do so should be considered grounds for excommunication, do you?
Warnings From LDS Church Leaders
When I interviewed Mr. Snuffer a few years ago, I asked him directly if he considered himself a prophet. He was clear to point out that he preferred being referred to as a servant of the Lord or simply as a teacher. And, if you like, you can conjecture and infer even more by referring to this revelation presented for canonization by those active in the Remnant movement: The New Name David.
The image in this section is taken from a PowerPoint presentation prepared for instructing local leaders on false beliefs of those considered to be on the far right of the conservative spectrum. Note how Denver Snuffer is listed right next to False Prophets. In addition, I note it is apparently now also a sign of apostasy to study the last days or signs of the end-times. Can you image that, being condemned for wanting to be prepared for the last days?
If you click on the image in this section you can submit any question you would like to have Mr. Snuffer address in the next talk scheduled for this Thursday 10-19-17 in Dallas TX. I have been to a couple of Sunstone conferences where Mr. Snuffer was asked and answered all kinds of questions, including one seemingly controversial question on multiple mortal probations. He did not hesitate to answer openly.
I have thought a lot about why Mr. Snuffer would express his desire to talk with Christians other than former Mormons. Those who have come from a background in the LDS Church are often stuck on the idea that certain subjects are taboo to discuss in just about any forum, especially in a classroom setting. Its no wonder so many feel stifled and unfulfilled in the LDS Church. In the ten years I have been blogging about Mormonism I still get asked the same question, “Why don’t you follow the Brethren?”
Let No Man Come Between You And Christ
When I was discussing my church membership with my bishop just before I resigned, I remember distinctly asking him why the focus of the LDS Church seemed to be centered so much on following the Brethren. One cannot enter into the LDS Temples without swearing an “oath-like” allegiance to live by every word that proceeds from the mouths of the fifteen men who preside over the LDS Church. The practice of sustaining leaders in General Conference seems to place them between us and the Lord.
It seems idolatrous to place someone between you and the Lord. If you have accepted the Lord as your Savior and demonstrated it through baptism, it seems to me the Lord will then teach you what you should do to continue on the path to heaven until you reach His presence, or so I have read many times in the Book of Mormon. We must feast on the words of Christ and they will teach us all things we must do, including receive the Holy Ghost until He, Christ shall manifest Himself unto us in the flesh.
Can you tell me what Denver said about Multiple Mortalities?
The audio of Sunstone session 331 (Summer 2017) is available in MP3 for $5 at this link: https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/purchase-audio/
The text of the session is on Denver’s site, but I’m not aware of anyone who has transcribed the Q&A which contains his astonishing response to the question on MMP. I have a copy of the audio, including the Q&A. If you want to transcribe at least the one Q&A, I’d be happy to share it via DropBox or OneDrive.
Link to the second lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duoyCVl2MFY
For those who asked, a reader was nice enough to transcribe the Q and A from the July 2017 Sunstone Symposium. Here is a link to the PDF. Note especially his answer to question two: http://3tcm.net/2017-7-29-DS-Sunstone-Talk-Q-and-A.pdf
I find it kind of funny that you consider the notion of “following the brethren” as putting something between you and the Lord, but then you hang on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Denver Snuffer. Skip all the semantics about how he doesn’t consider himself a prophet and how you’re not bound to do what he says (like the Mormon sheeple following their prophet). That’s all semantics and the reality is all you’ve done is given up one prophet for a different one. We both know that our most important relationship is with the Lord, and we also both know the proper role and importance of prophets. We also both know WHY the Lord gives us prophets instead of just dealing directly with us (think: Moses, D&C 84:24). Just because the Mormons, for the most part, put TOO MUCH emphasis on the prophet, don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. I’d say that the Remnant adherents are just as guilty of the same. After you finish telling me that the Mormon prophets aren’t the real prophets dating back to Brigham Young (etc.) I would point out to you that those “false” prophets did, in fact–even with their shortcomings–lead you exactly where you needed to go: To a deeper dive into the scriptures and a realization that Salvation comes through Christ alone. That was the fruit. You ARE the fruit. You can’t deny it. But you may want to carefully consider whether or not your pride ascribed the credit for finding that fruit to yourself (and Snuffer) rather than a fruit of the Church. I’m sure you’ll say “No, it was the Lord/HG, not Snuffer or the Church that led me here. I challenge you to carefully reconsider that thought. There are many, many of us out here who have been “enlightened” without turning our backs on the path that led us here.
valid point. well taken. thanks for sharing.