Secrecy
LDS Summary:
The LDS performs several activities / services in secret
RLDS Summary:
The RLDS has no secret activities / services and discourages members from participating in any organization that promulgates secrets
 Scripture Comparison:Both the King James and Inspired Versions agree that Jesus did nothing in secret chambers | |
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King James Version, Matthew, Chapter 24 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. |
Inspired Version, Matthew, Chapter 24 26 Behold, I have told you before, Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth, or, Behold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not. |
Scripture ComparisonBoth the King James and Inspired Versions agree that the doctrine of Jesus is not kept secret | |
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King James Version, John, Chapter 18 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. |
Inspired Version, John, Chapter 18 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. |
Scripture ComparisonBoth the LDS and RLDS Book of Mormon speak of secrecy as against the will of God. All secrets will be revealed. There is no reason to keep anything secret because they will eventually be brought into the light. | |
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LDS Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 20 16 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. LDS Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 30 17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed. LDS Book of Mormon, Helaman 6 22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant. 23 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God. 24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen. 25 Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction. |
RLDS Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 6 23 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was declared, have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his Spirit hath sent me. RLDS Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 12 97 There is nothing which is secret, save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness, save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth, save it shall be loosed. RLDS Book of Mormon, Helaman 2 146 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do, he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant; 147 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms, and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God; 148 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band, should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen. 149 Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants, which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction. |
January 21, 1836The LDS describes the ordinance of washing bodies and it's published (not a secret) in the History of the Church. | |
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LDS Church History, Volume 2, Chapter 27, page 379 About three o'clock, p. m., I dismissed the school, and the Presidency retired to the attic story of the printing office, where we attended the ordinance of washing our bodies in pure water. We also perfumed our bodies and our heads in the name of the Lord. |
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March 29-30, 1836Both the LDS and RLDS agree that the ordinance of washing feet in the Kirtland Temple was open to 300 people and the event has been published in the History of the Church. | |
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LDS Church History, Volume 2, Chapter 30, pages 430-431 Tuesday, 29....Accordingly we proceeded to cleanse our faces and our feet, and then proceeded to wash one another's feet. President Sidney Rigdon first washed President Joseph Smith, Junior's feet, and then, in turn, was washed by him; after which President Rigdon washed President Joseph Smith, Sen., and Hyrum Smith. President Joseph Smith, Jun., washed President Frederick G. Williams, and then President Hyrum Smith washed President David Whitmer's and President Oliver Cowdery's feet. Then President David Whitmer washed President William W. Phelps' feet, and in turn President Phelps washed President John Whitmer's feet. The Bishops and their Counselors were then washed, after which we partook of the bread and wine. The Holy Spirit rested down upon us, and we continued in the Lord's House all night, prophesying and giving glory to God. Wednesday, 30.--At eight o'clock, according to appointment, the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventies, the High Council, the Bishops and their entire quorums, the Elders and all the official members in this stake of Zion, amounting to about three hundred, met in the Temple of the Lord to attend to the ordinance of washing of feet...Tubs, water, and towels were prepared, and I called the house to order, and the Presidency proceeded to wash the feet of the Twelve, pronouncing many prophecies and blessings upon them in the name of the Lord Jesus; and then the Twelve proceeded to wash the feet of the Presidents of the several quorums. |
RLDS Church History, Volume 2, Chapter 2, page 46 Tuesday, March 29,1836, there was a meeting of some of the leading men held in the temple, at which time the ordinance of washing of feet was attended to, and the Lord's supper administered. On the 30th official members of the church to the number of about three hundred met and attended to the ordinance of feet washing, continuing all night in session. |
April 16, 1907The RLDS states that members are not to participate in organizations that promote secrets | |
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General Conference Resolution 593 No. 593. That we discourage members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from holding membership in any society or order which requires the taking of oaths or the entering into covenant or obligation to guard the secrets, purposes, or doings of its organization. |
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