Expressions of Support for Denver Snuffer

LDCPostsOnDenverSnufferYesterday, I and many others received letters of support for Denver Snuffer in the face of his upcoming disciplinary action. Many people have said that their reading of “Passing the Heavenly Gift” helped them reconsider plans to leave the church. These good people are willing to give credit to Denver’s book for helping them through a difficult time. I have read accounts of many individuals who have resolved their feelings of deception upon learning certain things about our church history. [Note: this is an edited opening paragraph from the original sent to subscribers,]

No Need to Defend Denver

This morning, Denver explained why he posted the disciplinary summons on his website. He said he wanted to make sure that anybody planning to attend any of his lectures was aware of his status with the church – either pending or accomplished. He also said that we need not defend him with such heartfelt letters because he said they would do no good and may result in the church taking notice of those who step forward. He doesn’t want that to happen to anyone else.

Let This Run Its Course

“No matter your own sentiments, it would be best to just let this run its course without involving anyone other than me.” I am amazed about the outpouring of sentiment I have seen on both my blog and in the private online groups who discuss Denver Snuffer’s readings. Many of you are not old enough to remember the kinds of public demonstrations held outside the disciplinary councils of the September Six. Like Denver said, it does no good except draw media attention.

Media Attention Inevitable

I suspect Denver’s lecture tour will draw media attention enough. As I have pointed out several times before, I show up second on a Google search for Denver Snuffer. I did not intend this to happen but feel some responsibility since it is a fact. I am a simple regular member of the church who likes to read and review books. I have thought about what I wrote yesterday about how I would answer the temple recommend question about loyalty should Denver be excommunicated.

My Writings on Denver Snuffer

Taking Denver’s advice, I have no plans to write a letter to his stake president defending what I feel are the writings of a man who has helped me in so many ways. My blog is public. You can find everything I have written over the last year and a half about Denver since I started reading his books. My Bishop can read them, my Stake President can read them and so can any member of my ward or stake. Many of them do. I know because of their public and private comments.

Reading Books of Former Members

Should Denver be excommunicated, I will continue to read his writings. I still plan to find some way to get up to Utah to hear at least one of his lectures. I intend to continue to buy each of the offered recordings. I have made up my mind where I stand. I do not feel he is an apostate. I have learned more from reading his books than I have from just about any other LDS writer. I read the works of other excommunicated LDS writers and have never felt that makes me an apostate.

The Temple Recommend Question

I can see how a Bishop or Stake President could feel otherwise, but I cannot believe that temple recommend question was intended to weed out those who read controversial material about the church. Some of the articles in the Salt Lake Tribune would qualify for that restriction. We are counseled to be informed. How can one have an informed and educated opinion without reading the source material of the subject in question? Otherwise your opinions are simply ignorant.

Links to my Denver Snuffer Posts

But just to make it easier for anyone to find what I have written about what I have read in his books, you can read any one of the following essays written and posted here on my blog. I think it is clear that I have enjoyed analyzing what I have read in Denver’s books since my former Bishop first introduced them to me in January of 2012. He simply asked my opinion what I thought of Passing the Heavenly Gift. How could I give an opinion without reading it? Here’s the list:

01. August 23 2013 – Denver Snuffer Disciplinary Council – Summons announcement
02. August 19 2013 – Max Skousen Excommunicated Twice – Material halfway down
03. July 20 2013 – The Lord Prepares Groups of People – Angels gathering the elect
04. June 12 2013 – A Few More Quotes From Denver Snuffer – Taken from his blog
05. June 10 2013 – A Few Quotes from Denver Snuffer – Intended this to be a series
06. June 1 2013 – In the Tops of the Mountains – Where will Zion first be gathered?
07. May 15 2013 – Progress Report on Denver Snuffer – Thoughts on my readings
08. April 17 2013 – Remembering the Covenant – Thoughts upon receiving the books
09. March 24, 2013 – Overview of The Second Comforter
10. March 9, 2013 – A New Star Will Shine Forth
11. March 3, 2013 – All Are Invited to the Feast
12. December 25, 2012 – The Four Phases of Mormonism
13. December 11, 2012 – What Denver Snuffer Teaches
14. July 7, 2012 – Deceived by an Angel of Light
15. May 12, 2012 – Orthodox Mormonism
16. May 5, 2012 – Ten Parables by Denver Snuffer
17. April 8, 2012 – Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil
18. February 26, 2012 – Loss of the Sealing Power

10 thoughts on “Expressions of Support for Denver Snuffer”

    1. Chino! So good to see you again. It’s been a long time. I have fond memories of our online chats back in the day (2008) Always enjoy your visits. Thanks for stopping by.

  1. But we can a) buy a copy of the book while we still can. I just bought my second, having lost my original copy in a household move. and b) post a favorable review on the web site of the merchant where it was purchased from. I have heard that others are doing this too. It’s unbecoming to the dignity of the Church to act like this, although I know they’ve done it in other cases (see Annalee Skarin, for example). SLC should not be acting like the old Kremlin. It discredits them, not Denver Snuffer. They come off looking like a big corporate bully, and the people who love the church most should be loudest in their wishes for this ham-handed case to be dropped.

  2. Matthew 7:3-5
    King James Version (KJV)

    3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

    4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

    5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

    Does the LDS Church as an institution need to consider whether it has a beam in its eye?

    1. Oh, Tom, the LDS Church is fulfilling it’s destiny, is doing what it does best – maintain and enforce (yes, I mean that) orthodoxy as perceived by men we sustain as apostles and prophets. If they want to discipline Denver for writing Passing the Heavenly Gift, then they must have a good reason. We’ll never know because they won’t tell us. Everyone knows Denver is not going to cancel his lecture tour, nor do I believe will he cease to offer his book for sale. I just happen to enjoy reading what he writes so I’m not going to stop. I’m not looking for weakness in either the church or in Denver. I’ll leave that up to others. I simply want to do as the Lord did, treat everyone who comes into my little world with kindness and without judgment. I am convinced I have been sent angels to test me both in person and online (privately). I don’t want to fail the test. Thanks for your enjoyable comments and for sharing scriptures for us to consider. Food for thought. God bless you.

  3. Dear Brother, Hope you are doing well. I enjoy reading your posts and learning more. I am a convert who went inactive some time ago. Won’t bother you with the details. When I went inactive, I gave away the LDS library I was building at the time. Since I am trying to become active again, (my current wife does not believe in organized religion so am still trying to get her to agree to me going back to Church again), I need to start over with my library and relearn some of the things I used to know. Church History is important and interesting, but I prefer more ‘spiritual/theological/philosophical’. If that makes sense. What would you recommend for rebuilding my library? Thank you in advance. Take care. Fraternally, James Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 15:35:41 +0000 To: jamesdean_73@hotmail.com

    1. I’m not Tim, however, I would recommend “The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil” and “Come, Let Us Adore Him,” both by Denver C. Snuffer Jr. “Nephi’s Isaiah” is also good.

    2. You ought to include the book, : Best Kept Secrets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by Lawrence D. Gardner. I think every member of the “church” should read it. I’m giving it to all my siblings. Great book!

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