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Jan 19, 2014 · Summarizing, then-although there are happy, positive teachings, and many people may feel genuinely encouraged and uplifted by the book Visions of Glory, there are cautions that Latter-day Saints need to be aware of-as clearly stated by authorized leaders of the Lord’s latter-day kingdom.
- Summary
- I. Introduction
- II. Troubling Claims
- III. Claims Regarding Christ’s Return
- IV. Spreading Fear
- V. False Doctrine and Troubling Claims
- VI. The Problem with Anonymity
- VII. Pontius’ Disclaimers
- VIII. Prophets and Apostles Warn of Tactics
- IX. Conclusion
Visions of Gloryis written by John Pontius and recounts several visions and spiritual manifestations. Their recipient is an anonymous informant called “Spencer” in the book. It includes an account of visions of the spirit world, a series of vignettes of apocalyptic last-days scenarios, and describes Spencer’s foretold role in preparing the world fo...
Within two months of the Church’s restoration, Hiram Page was claiming to receive revelation about the New Jerusalem and other matters concerned with the last days.4 This early crisis led to the revelation of what is now D&C 28, in which Joseph and the fledgling Church were told: This is not a risk that is safely in the past. In 1913, the First Pre...
Besides claiming to have seen himself at that meeting in the Conference Center with Christ (119), Spencer sees a deceased member of the Quorum of the Twelve pleading to God on his behalf (54). The same apostle comes to see him on his sickbed, and sits for forty-five minutes saying nothing, only to finally give Spencer a message from God (65). A spi...
In vision, Spencer attends a meeting for which he is given a ticket to a specific session of general conference—not everyone is chosen to attend. This final session is attended by a resurrected Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other Church leaders. The keynote speaker at the conference is the risen Jesus Christ: “Now in this unexpected moment, seat...
I can keep a secret till Doomsday. – Joseph Smith8 Much of Spencer’s account seems calculated to cause fear, induce worry, and promote a preoccupation with terrible events of the future, from which no one is safe. Pontius assures the reader that Thus, his account claims to downplaythe suffering and disaster, and to exclude anything that could predi...
As we noted, there are some true and beautiful scriptural doctrines repeated by Spencer’s book. These include the idea that we are God’s “work and glory,” (31), and the centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s plan (see 19). However, besides the issues discussed above, there are some other ideas that do not seem reliable, and some seem to contradict eit...
Visions of Glory is doubly anonymous—it was written by John Pontius, a now-deceased LDS author.14We cannot, therefore, check with Pontius to verify his story. Secondly, Pontius claims to “have prayerfully condensed…an account of Spencer’s journeys beyond the veil.” The identity of “Spencer” is not revealed. It is possible that he is not even a real...
At the beginning of the book, Pontius sets out to resolve the concerns readers may have about Spencer’s anonymity. He tells us that Spencer has asked that his name not be used “for several reasons” (13). We will list and comment on each reason. “First, he sustains the living prophet and his preeminent calling in revealing the word of God to the Chu...
We cannot know if Spencer and Pontius have willfully set out to deceive others, or whether they have been sincerely deceived. Furthermore, if they are sincerely mistaken, it is difficult to know if they have deceived themselves, or whether they have received revelation from a false source. Apostles and prophets have described some tactics of which ...
Spencer’s account contradicts revealed scripture and doctrine. Any true visions about many of these matters should not be disclosed publicly without the President of the Church’s approval. Despite efforts to paint Spencer as humble and spiritual, there is a thread of elitism that runs through his account. He portrays himself on intimate terms with ...
Sep 18, 2015 · The book is an account by a Church member (who some believe to be Thomas G. Harrison of Salt Lake City) who claims to have seen visions of events that will happen in the near future involving ...
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Mar 19, 2015 · I found some people take his vision very literally, while others completely dismiss it. My Current Thoughts. Throughout the book, I didn’t notice very many glaring contradictions to what I have learned throughout my life in the church. I don’t think the book is perfect and I don’t expect it to be.
Jan 13, 2013 · Third point: nothing in Visions of Glory goes against what modern prophets or the standard works say. In fact, the visions Spencer saw align beautifully. I continue to be amazed at the virulent response some have to a man who received beautiful visions and then was allowed by the Lord to share them.
May 31, 2013 · Visions of Glory teaches doctrines that contradict LDS scripture and prophets. Prophets and apostles have repeatedly taught that it is inappropriate for members to publicize such material without permission from the President of the Church.
Jan 18, 2017 · By Robert L. Millet January 18, 2017 09:48 AM MST. In this excerpt from Precept upon Precept, Robert L. Millet explores the experience of the prophet Joseph Smith along with his scribe Sidney Rigdon as they received one of the most remarkable revelations from God—the vision of the degrees of glory.
