2 Nephi 27:25

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 27:25

25 Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men—

Quotes for Discussion

Have Removed Their Hearts Far From Me…Fear toward Me Taught By the Precepts of Men

What was the condition of the religious world, which professed to believe in and practice the doctrines of the Redeemer, when the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith and instructed him?...Some of the leading teachings and practices were as follows:

1. That God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are not three personages, but one ethereal, immaterial God, unknown and unknowable to man, who fills the immensity of space.

2. That the canon of scripture is full and complete, and since the passing of the apostles there was to be no more revelation, no opening of the heavens and communications by angels, but the people were left to rely on what was written in the Bible or taught by their priests.

3. That baptism is to cleanse us from “original sin,” and that all little children had to be “regenerated” by baptism and if not baptized they will perish.

4. That baptism is an ordinance acceptable to the Lord by sprinkling or pouring water on the heads of unbaptized adults or infants.

5. That men may take upon themselves the authority to be ministers of the word of God, without a divine appointment by one duly authorized by Jesus Christ.

6. That the organization of the Church as established in the days of Jesus Christ and his apostles is no longer necessary; there were to be no more apostles, prophets, and gifts of the spirit.

7. That man was not created in the image of God in form, for God is not an anthropomorphic being.

8. Other doctrines, such as the necessity for keys for the restoration of Israel, the need of the coming of Elijah, as proclaimed in the scriptures, are not necessary.

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, ed. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 3:284-85

As I finished my first mission over in Amsterdam,…I was invited into the home of one of the Saints to talk to her neighbor. When my companion and I arrived, the neighbor was there but she had her minster with her…and right there he challenged me to a debate in his church the next Saturday night.

When we arrived, the church was full….The minister stood up and said, “Now, inasmuch as Mr. Richards is a guest in our church, we will accord him the privilege of opening this debate, and we will each talk for twenty minutes. Is that agreeable with you, Mr. Richards?”…

I hurried over faith and repentance—I thought they believed in them. I spoke on baptism by immersion for the remission of sin until everybody was giving me accord.

Then it came to the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. And they didn’t believe that. I never found a church that did believe it outside of our Church—they think the Holy Ghost comes just like the breezes that blow over the head. I quoted them the passage saying that when the Apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God through the preaching of Philip, they sent Peter and John. And when they came, they prayed for them, they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost… (Acts 8:19-20.)

And then I gave them a few more references on the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and sat down.

The minister stood up and talked for twenty minutes, and he never once mentioned a word I had said. He started on the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the “Mormon Bible,” and stated that Joseph Smith had admitted he had made many mistakes; and then in a most courteous manner, he said: “Now if Mr. Richards will enlighten us on these matters, I am sure this audience will be most appreciative.”

I was on my feet just like that….I said, “If I understand a debate, it is the presentation of argument and the answering of those presentations. Has this man answered any of my arguments?” Everybody said, “No.”

I said, “All right, my friend, you may have your twenty minutes over again.” He couldn’t do it, and I knew he couldn’t.

Finally his wife stood up in the audience, and she said, “What Mr. Richards is asking you is fair. You ought to answer him.”

But he couldn’t do it….I met him on the street a number of times after that, but he would duck his head so he didn’t need to speak to me!

Now that is what Isaiah meant when he said they would teach for doctrines the precepts of men.

LeGrand Richards, Ensign, May 1982, 30-31