From what we have heard we are led to believe that the spirit is abroad in the earth, and is making some headway among the Latter-day Saints, to look with reproach upon women with large families, and the desire seems to be growing among some of the younger population, to desire only one or two, and not to exceed three, children. We have heard that many of the diabolical practices of the world have been introduced ... among some who profess to be Latter-day Saints, to prevent the bearing of children. No sin, unless it be that of murder, will meet with a greater condemnation from God than this evil of tampering with the fountains of life. Such sins will destroy the strength of any people that practices them, and the nation whose people yield to such vices is in great danger of destruction. No Saint can practice or encourage such corruption without incurring the displeasure of an offended God. George Q Cannon, Gospel Truth 2:128
If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him. George Q Cannon, cited Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide p142, 1988
It is a fact worthy of note that the shortest lived nations of which we have record have been monogamic. Rome ... was a monogamic nation and the numerous evils attending that system early laid the foundation for that ruin which eventually overtook her. George Q Cannon, Journal of Discourses XIII:202
We are told, and very plainly too, that hot drinks – tea, coffee, chocolate, cocoa and all drinks of this kind are not good for man ... We must feed our children properly ... We must not permit them to drink liquor or hot drinks, or hot soups or to use tobacco or other articles that are injurious. George Q Cannon, Journal of Discourses XXII:22
... after the people had fasted all day, they sent out and got wine and bread ... they ate and drank ... some of the High Counsel of Missouri stepped into the stand, and, as righteous Noah did when he awoke from his wine, commenced to curse their enemies. George A Smith, Journal of Discourses II:216
He sought the Lord by day and by night, and was enlightened by the vision of an holy angel. When this personage appeared to him, of his first inquiries was, ‘Which of the denominations of Christians in the vicinity was right?’ George A Smith, Journal of Discourses XIII:77-78
I requested Brothers Snow and Little and Sister Eliza to lay hands on me. George A Smith, diary entry 9th January 1873
We breathe the free air, we have the best looking men and handsomest women, and if they envy us our position, well they may, for they are a poor, narrow-minded pinch-backed race of men, who chain themselves down to the law of monogamy and live all their days under the dominion of one wife. They ought to be ashamed of such conduct, and the still fouler channel which flows from their practices; and it is not to be wondered at that they should envy those who so much better understand the social relations. George A Smith, The Deseret News 16th April 1856
When Joseph Smith was about fourteen or fifteen years old ... he went humbly before the Lord and inquired of Him, and the Lord answered his prayer, and revealed to Joseph, by the ministration of angels, the true condition of the religious world. When the holy angel appeared, Joseph inquired which of all these denominations was right and which he should join, and was told they were all wrong. George A Smith, Journal of Discourses XII:333-334
Brothers and sisters would marry each other in this church. All our horror at such a union was due entirely to prejudice, and the offspring of such unions would be as healthy and pure as any other. Lorenzo R Snow, sermon 15th July 1886
That exalted position was made manifest to me at a very early day. I had a direct revelation of this. It was most perfect and complete. If there ever was a thing revealed to man perfectly, clearly, so that there could be no doubt or dubiety, this was revealed to me, and it came in these words: ‘As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be’. This may appear to some minds as something very strange and remarkable, but it is in perfect harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and with His promises. Lorenzo R Snow, Unchangeable Love of God 18th September 1898
The Prophet Joseph Smith there and then explained to me the doctrine of plurality of wives; he said that the Lord had revealed it unto him, and commanded him to have women sealed to him as wives; that he foresaw the trouble that would follow, and sought to turn away from the commandment; that an angel from heaven then appeared before him with a drawn sword, threatening him with destruction unless he went forward and obey the commandment. Lorenzo R Snow, affidavit
God was once man in mortality, and that the only difference between Gods, angels and men is a difference in education and development. Orson F Whitney, YMMIA annual conference 9th June 1895, ‘Evidences of Truthfulness’
If a woman is requested to lay hands on the sick with her husband or with any other officer holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, she may do so with perfect propriety. It is no uncommon thing for a man and wife unitedly to administer to their children, and the husband being mouth, he may properly say out of courtesy, ‘By authority of the holy priesthood in us vested’. Joseph F Smith, Improvement Era p308 10th February 1907
I regret, I think it is a crying evil that there should exist a sentiment or a feeling among any members of the Church to curtail the birth of their children. I think that is a crime wherever it occurs, where husband and wife are in possession of health and vigor and are free from impurities that would be entailed upon their posterity.
I believe that where people undertake to curtail or prevent the birth of their children that they are going to reap disappointment by and by. I have no hesitancy in saying that I believe that this is one of the greatest crimes of the world today; this evil practice. Joseph Fielding Smith, Gospel Doctrine pp.278-279, 1919
While man was yet immortal, before sin had entered the world, our Heavenly Father Himself performed the first marriage. He united our first parents in the bonds of holy matrimony and commanded them to be fruitful and to multiply and replenish the earth. This command has never been changed, abrogated or annulled; but it has continued in force throughout all the generations of mankind. Joseph Fielding Smith, Juvenile Instructor vol 37 p400
I have heard many Mormons who attended the dedication, or endowment of the Temple, say that very many became drunk ... The Mormon leaders would stand up to prophesy and were so drunk they said they could not get it out, and would call for another drink. Over a barrel of liquor was used at the service. Mrs Alfred Morley, Naked Truths About Mormonism p2, April 1888
A liberal in the Church is merely one who does not have a testimony. John A Widtsoe
The doctrine of the common origin of life on earth is but a scientific theory and should be viewed as such. Clear thinkers will distinguish between the general law of change or evolution accepted by all, and the special theories of evolution which, like all scientific theories, are subject to variation with the increase of knowledge. Honest thinkers will not attempt to confuse law and theory in the minds of laymen. The man, learned or unlearned, who declares the doctrine of the common origin of life to be demonstrated beyond doubt, has yet to master the philosophy of science. The failure to differentiate between facts and inferences is the most grievous and the most common sin of scientists. John A Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations
The having of children and the rearing of a family entail expense, especially while the children are young. That goes without saying. Yet, the economic excuse for birth control is seldom convincing. A way is usually found to meet family costs, if the desire for children is stronger than for the new piano, let us say. Sacrifices for a time on the part of the parents and on the part of the older children if there be any, will usually provide the necessary means. The economic excuse roots, in the majority of cases, in selfishness. Yet, it should be said that society, which benefits from its citizens, should make provisions by which the expense incident to motherhood would be within the reach of the poorest. John A Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations
Those who practice birth control to further their personal ambitions are of course motivated wholly by selfishness. They might well be asked why they married. ibid.
The self-called liberal is usually one who has broken with the fundamental principles or guiding philosophy of the group to which he belongs ... He claims membership in an organization but does not believe in its basic concepts; and sets out to reform it by changing its foundations.
It is folly to speak of a liberal religion, if that religion claims that it rests upon unchanging truth. Dr John A Widtsoe
Whenever a drink is advertised to ‘give you a lift’, the ‘lift’ is likely to be caused by the drug which it contains. Such soft drinks are decidedly harmful and habit-forming, even though sold by the millions. Such caffeine-containing drinks, offered by every soda fountain and most eating places, and consumed in large quantities, should be known and avoided. Elder John A Widtsoe, The Word of Wisdom: A Modern Interpretation p97