Encyclopedia of Mormon Doctrine No Longer Available

The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Saturday, May 22nd, that the Encyclopedic volume titled Mormon Doctrine will no longer be printed because the sales have been down, saying that “the demand is no longer there,” and thus it is no longer profitable for the Church.

We think that the real reason for not making this volume available any longer is that it… listed all major Mormon doctrines in alphabetical order.

The First printing of Mormon Doctrine was 1958, and since then it has gone through 40 printings, proving its popularity among members as well as others who wanted to know what the Mormon Church believes and teaches.

In the Preface of this First Edition, [Mormon theologian] Bruce R. McConkie commented, “Observant students will note that the standard works of the Church are the chief sources of authority quoted and that literally tens of thousands of scriptural quotations and citations are woven into the text material. Where added explanations and interpretations were deemed essential, they have been taken from such recognized doctrinal authorities as Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Orson Pratt, John Taylor and Joseph Fielding Smith,” (who was McConkie’s father-in-law and later the President of the Church). McConkie continued, “Important counsel has also come from Milton R. Hunter and Thomas S. Monson” (the current LDS prophet, seer and revelator). Both Hunter and Monson also agreed that the information in this book is supported by LDS scriptures, and what has been taught by the leaders of the LDS Church since the times of Joseph Smith.

It is interesting to note that even though there have been many LDS people critical of McConkie, especially because of his sharp language, they could not point out any doctrinal errors. He spoke the truth about what they all believe. After all, as McConkie pointed out in the Preface, he was taking his information from the scriptures and quoting the Church’s sustained prophets, seers, and revelators that he himself was one of… I would also like to remind you that....every April General Conference the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are ALL sustained by the members of the Church as prophets, seers, and revelators. They all are entitled to receive revelations from the Lord for the Church, even though it is the President of the Church who presents them to the membership. (Teachings of the Living Prophets, [Student Manual, Prepared for the Church Educational System, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, chapters 1 and 2]).

The Tribune article also made a big deal about “McConkie’s views of blacks,” that anyone familiar with LDS teachings and conference sermons prior to 1978, knows to be the same as all LDS leaders views have been, including apostle Mark E. Petersen, quoted in this Tribune article as one, who, with Marion G. Romney, had reviewed Mormon Doctrine of 1958 for corrections in these matters.

This same LDS apostle, Mark E. Petersen said, “Is there reason then why the type of birth we receive in this life is not a REFLECTION OF OUR WORTHINESS OF IT IN THE PRE-EXISTENT LIFE? … We cannot escape the conclusion that BECAUSE OF PERFORMANCE IN OUR PRE-EXISTENCE some of us are born as CHINESE, some as JAPANESE, some as Latter-day Saints…a CHINESE, BORN IN CHINA WITH A DARK SKIN, and with all the HANDICAPS OF THAT RACE seems to have little opportunity. But think of the mercy of God to Chinese people who are willing to accept the gospel IN SPITE OF WHATEVER THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE IN THE PRE-EXISTENCE TO JUSTIFY BEING BORN OVER THERE AS CHINAMEN. If they now, in this life, accept the gospel and live in the rest of their lives they can have the Priesthood, go to the temple and receive endowments and sealings, and that means they can have exaltation. Isn’t the mercy of God marvelous? Think of the Negro, cursed as to the priesthood…THIS NEGRO, WHO, IN THE PRE-EXISTENCE LIVED THE TYPE OF LIFE WHICH JUSTIFIED THE LORD IN SENDING HIM TO EARTH IN THE LINEAGE OF CAIN WHITH A BLACK SKIN, AND POSSIBLY BEING BORN IN DARKEST AFRICA…IN SPITE OF ALL HE DID IN THE PRE-EXISTENT LIFE, the Lord is willing, if the Negro accepts the gospel with real, sincere faith, and is really converted, to give him a blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. IF THAT NEGRO IS FAITHFUL ALL HIS DAYS, he can and will enter the celestial kingdom. HE WILL GO THERE AS A SERVANT, but he will get celestial glory.” (Quoted from LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen’s address delivered at BYU, Utah, 8/27/1954).

(Rauni & Dennis Higley, H.I.S. Ministries June Newsletter, June 1, 2010).