Bruce R. McConkie

Bruce Redd McConkie (July 29, 1915–April 19, 1985) was an influential theologian and apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Image File history File linksMetadata Mcconkie. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Mcconkie. ... July 29 is the 210th day (211th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 155 days remaining. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Theology is literally rational discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, rational discourse). By extension, it also refers to the study of other religious topics. ... This is the current Mormon collaboration of the month! Please help improve it to meet the ideal article standard. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ...

McConkie served in the First Council of the Seventy from 1946 until his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972, where he served until his death in 1985. During his service as a General Authority, he published several doctrinal books and articles and wrote the chapter headings of the LDS standard works.^[1] In Mormonism, a Quorum of the Seventy is one of a group of up to seventy traveling ministers charged with the mission of preaching to the entire world, under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a general authority is a member of a select body of approximately 100 men with administrative and ecclesiastical authority in the church. ... The Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) consists of several books that constitute its open, scriptural canon, and include the following: The Holy Bible (King James version)* The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ The Doctrine and Covenants The Pearl...

McConkie received a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Utah. He spent his childhood between Monticello, Utah; Salt Lake City; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He married Amelia Smith, daughter of Joseph Fielding Smith. Bachelor of Arts (B.A., BA or A.B.), from the Latin Artium Baccalaureus is an undergraduate bachelors degree awarded for either a course or a program in the liberal arts or the sciences, or both. ... Juris Doctor (Latin for Teacher of Law) or J.D. is a degree in law offered by universities in a number of countries. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU) is a public university in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... Monticello is a city in San Juan County, Utah (USA). ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Salt Lake Citys top tourist draw. ... For the railroad company, see Ann Arbor Railroad. ... Joseph Fielding Smith (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. ...

Early Years

Bruce was born on July 29, 1915 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Oscar Walter McConkie and Margarat Vivian Redd. Before he was a year old, his family moved to Monticello, Utah. In 1925 his family moved back to Ann Arbor where his father continued studying law, then in 1926 they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Bruce attended Bryant Junior High School and LDS High School, where he graduated at age 15. He attended three years of college at the University of Utah before serving a Church mission. He grew to be a tall man at 6 ft. 5 in. July 29 is the 210th day (211th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 155 days remaining. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... For the railroad company, see Ann Arbor Railroad. ... Monticello is a city in San Juan County, Utah (USA). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Salt Lake City redirects here. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU) is a public university in Salt Lake City, Utah. ...

Eastern States Mission

On September 6, 1934, Bruce received a call to serve in the Eastern States Mission under President Don B. Colton. His first assignment was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From May 1 to July 24, 1935, he served in the Cumorah District in Palmyra, New York as part of an intensive missionary campaign tied to the dedication of a monument to Moroni on the Hill Cumorah. Elder McConkie then served in the Seneca District and later presided over that same district. September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: Steel City, Iron City, City of Champions, City of Bridges, City of Colleges, P-Burgh, The Burgh Motto: Benigno Numine Location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Allegheny County Founded 1758 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) Area    - City 151. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Palmyra is a village located in Wayne County, New York. ... Bern Switzerland Temple Statue of Angel Moroni Moroni [mÉ”rounai], according to the Book of Mormon, was the last Nephite prophet and military commander who lived in North America in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. ... The Hill Cumorah is a place from the Book of Mormon where the Nephites were destroyed in a final battle with the Lamanites, and according to Joseph Smith, it was a place where many Nephite records and other artifacts were kept in a cave. ...

In 1936 Elder McConkie participated in the first Hill Cumorah Pageant which was attended by his future father-in-law, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith. At the end of his second year of missionary service, Elder McConkie "extended his mission for six weeks to travel, without a companion, from town to town throughout the mission, teaching investigators and missionaries" at the request of his mission president.^[2] 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Joseph Fielding Smith (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. ...

Education, Marriage, and Family

Bruce met Amelia Smith, daughter of apostle Joseph Fielding Smith, before his mission while attending the University of Utah. He and Amelia graduated from that institution in June 1937, he with a Bachelor of Arts degree and she with a bachelor's degree in bacteriology and pathology. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple by Amelia's father on October 13, 1937. Together they had nine children: Bruce (1938), Vivian (1940), Joseph (1941), Stanford (1944), Mary (1946), Mark (1948), Rebecca (1950), Stephen (1951), and Sara (1957). Their oldest child, Bruce, lived less than two months. This is the current Mormon collaboration of the month! Please help improve it to meet the ideal article standard. ... Joseph Fielding Smith (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU) is a public university in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Bachelor of Arts (B.A., BA or A.B.), from the Latin Artium Baccalaureus is an undergraduate bachelors degree awarded for either a course or a program in the liberal arts or the sciences, or both. ... A bachelors degree (Artium Baccalaureus, A.B. or B.A.) is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ... Microbiology (in Greek micron = small and biologia = studying life) is the study of microorganisms, including unicellular (single-celled) eukaryotes and prokaryotes, fungi, and viruses. ... Pathology (from Greek pathos, feeling, pain, suffering; and logos, study of; see also -ology) is the study of the processes underlying disease and other forms of illness, harmful abnormality, or dysfunction. ... Salt Lake Temple is the centerpiece of the 10 acre (40,000 m²) Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Bruce graduated with his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1939 and ranked third out of seventy-five on the bar exam. His degree was automatically upgraded to Juris Doctor in June 1967. The degree of Bachelor of Laws (or Baccalaureate of Laws) is the principal academic degree in law in most common law countries other than the United States, where it has been replaced by the Juris Doctor degree. ... Juris Doctor (Latin for Teacher of Law) or J.D. is a degree in law offered by universities in a number of countries. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...

Military Service

Bruce enrolled in Army ROTC while at the University of Utah. With the advent of World War II, he was called to active duty service on March 5, 1942. He served in military intelligence at Fort Douglas for the duration of the war and received the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at his discharge on February 26, 1946, one of the youngest in Army Intelligence to hold that rank. The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a training program of the United States armed forces present on college campuses to recruit and educate commissioned officers. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU) is a public university in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33... March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (65th in leap years). ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Fort Douglas is a fort in Utah, established in 1862 for the purpose of protecting the Overland Mail Route and telegraph lines from attacks from hostile Indians. ... American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1942 by order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... WWII Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. ... Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel is a rank of the United States armed forces which is currently used by the United States Army, United States Air Force and United States Marine Corps. ... February 26 is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Army intelligence logo. ...

Call to the Seventy

Bruce worked for a time as a reporter for the Deseret News. While covering the proceedings of General Conference on October 6, 1946, Bruce was interviewed by President David O. McKay to fill a vacancy in the First Council of the Seventy created by the death of Elder John H. Taylor. His name was presented for a sustaining vote by the membership of the Church that same day and on October 10, he was ordained and set apart by President George Albert Smith. He served as a member of the First Council of the Seventy for twenty-six years. The Deseret Morning News is a newspaper published in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Utahs oldest continually published daily newspaper. ... In Mormonism, a general conference is a meeting open to all members of a particular Latter Day Saint denomination. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... David Oman McKay (September 8, 1873 – January 18, 1970) was the ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon), serving from 1951 until his death in 1970. ... In Mormonism, a Quorum of the Seventy is one of a group of up to seventy traveling ministers charged with the mission of preaching to the entire world, under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years). ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... George Albert Smith (April 4, 1870 – April 4, 1951) was an influential religious leader and the eighth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... In Mormonism, a Quorum of the Seventy is one of a group of up to seventy traveling ministers charged with the mission of preaching to the entire world, under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. ...

On June 11, 1961, Elder McConkie was ordained a High Priest by President Henry D. Moyle. This was in accordance with a new policy requiring the First Seven Presidents of Seventy to assist the Twelve in setting apart stake presidents, high councilmen, and bishops. June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a high priest is a member of the priesthood (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) who holds the same priesthood authority as that of an Elder, but who is ordained to the office of a high priest. ... Henry Dinwoodey Moyle (April 22, 1889–September 18, 1963) (commonly known as Henry D. Moyle) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ...

Mormon Doctrine

In 1958 Elder McConkie published a book entitled Mormon Doctrine: A Compendium of the Gospel, which he described as "the first major attempt to digest, explain, and analyze all of the important doctrines of the kingdom" and "the first extensive compendium of the whole gospel--the first attempt to publish an encyclopedic commentary covering the whole field of revealed religion." He included a disclaimer that he alone was responsible for the doctrinal and scriptural interpretations, a practice unusual at the time.^[3] Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In writing the book, Elder McConkie relied heavily upon the scriptures and recognized doctrinal authorities including, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, and Joseph Fielding Smith.^[3] Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Orson Pratt Orson Pratt (September 19, 1811 – October 3, 1881) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ... Joseph Fielding Smith (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. ...

On January 5, 1959, Elder Marion G. Romney was assigned by President David O. McKay to read and report on the book. His report was delivered on January 28, which mainly "dealt with Elder McConkie's usage of forceful, blunt language; some strongly worded statements about ambiguous doctrine and matters of opinion; and the overall authoritative tone throughout the book, though in general Elder Romney had a high regard for Mormon Doctrine and felt it filled an evident need remarkably well."^[3] The report concluded, "notwithstanding its many commendable and valuable features and the author’s assumption of ‘sole and full responsibility’ for it, its nature and scope and the authoritative tone of the style in which it is written pose the question as to the propriety of the author’s attempting such a project without assignment and supervision from him whose right and responsibility it is to speak for the Church on 'Mormon Doctrine.'" January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Marion George Romney (September 19, 1897-May 20, 1988) was a high-ranking official of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... David Oman McKay (September 8, 1873 – January 18, 1970) was the ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon), serving from 1951 until his death in 1970. ... January 28 is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Nearly a year later, after meeting to discuss the book, the January 8, 1960 office notes of President McKay reflect that: January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ...

"We [the First Presidency of the Church] decided that Bruce R. McConkie’s book, ‘Mormon Doctrine’ recently published by Bookcraft Company, must not be re-published, as it is full of errors and misstatements, and it is most unfortunate that it has received such wide circulation. It is reported to us that Brother McConkie has made corrections to his book, and is now preparing another edition. We decided this morning that we do not want him to publish another edition."^[4] In Mormonism, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy of several Latter Day Saint denominations. ...

President McKay called President Joseph Fielding Smith on January 27, 1960 at 3:00 p.m. to inform him of the decision: Joseph Fielding Smith (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ...

[President McKay] then said: "Now, Brother Smith, he is a General Authority, and we do not want to give him a public rebuke that would be embarrassing to him and lessen his influence with the members of the Church, so we shall speak to the Twelve at our meeting in the temple tomorrow, and tell them that Brother McConkie's book is not approved as an authoritative book, and that it should not be republished, even if the errors...are corrected." Brother Smith agreed with this suggestion to report to the Twelve, and said, "That is the best thing to do."^[3] In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a general authority is a member of a select body of approximately 100 men with administrative and ecclesiastical authority in the church. ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ...

When the First Presidency met with Elder McConkie about their decision, he responded, "I am amenable to whatever you Brethren want. I will do exactly what you want. I will be as discreet and as wise as I can."^[3] In Mormonism, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy of several Latter Day Saint denominations. ...

In his biography of his father, Joseph Fielding McConkie, states that: Joseph Fielding McConkie is a professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. ...

"On July 5, 1966, President McKay invited Elder McConkie into his office and gave approval for the book to be reprinted if appropriate changes were made and approved. Elder Spencer W. Kimball [of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles] was assigned to be Elder McConkie’s mentor in making those changes. ... My father told me that President McKay had so directed him. In addition to that, I am in possession of handwritten papers by my father affirming that direction."^[2] July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Spencer Woolley Kimball (March 28, 1895 – November 5, 1985) was the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1973-1985). ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ...

The second edition of Mormon Doctrine, with its approved revisions, was published in 1966. Horne states, "The most obvious difference between the two editions is a more moderate tone."^[3]

Another revision was made to the book in 1978 after President Spencer W. Kimball received the revelation on the priesthood being extended to all worthy male members.

Much of the Bible Dictionary included with the Church's publication of the Bible in 1979 borrows from Mormon Doctrine. For example, the entry for "Abraham, covenant of" in the Bible Dictionary is exactly the same as the entry for "Abrahamic covenant" in Mormon Doctrine except for one paragraph. Many other Bible Dictionary entries teach identical concepts with closely paralleled wording as corresponding entries in Mormon Doctrine.^[3]

Mission to Australia

Elder McConkie received a call from the First Presidency to preside over the Southern Australian Mission of the Church, which encompassed all of western and southern Australia, on February 9, 1961. He disclosed the call to his wife, Amelia, only after a hike up Ensign Peak that same day. Their daughter, Vivian, was married and Joseph was serving a mission to Scotland, so six of their children accompanied them to Australia. In Mormonism, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy of several Latter Day Saint denominations. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ...

In October 1962 President McConkie reported "an all-time high mark in mission converts and willingness of members to build new chapels. ... There has been no difficulty getting six building missionaries to work on each chapel under the supervision of supervisors called from the states."^[3] 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ...

The mission decided upon a motto of "Seek the Spirit" and President McConkie taught the missionaries what it is to be humble and hear the whisperings of the Spirit.

Elder McConkie resumed his duties as a Seventy after returning in 1964. 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ...

Call to the Twelve

President Joseph Fielding Smith passed away on July 2, 1972. The First Presidency was subsequently reorganized with Harold B. Lee as President, leaving a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In October 1972, Elder McConkie was invited to President Lee's office "where President Lee put his arms around him by way of greeting and said, 'The Lord and the Brethren have just called you to fill the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve.' Bruce responded, 'I know. This is no surprise to me. I have known it for some time.'" In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... Joseph Fielding Smith (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. ... July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... In Mormonism, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy of several Latter Day Saint denominations. ... Harold Bingham Lee (March 28, 1899 – December 26, 1973) was born in Clifton, Idaho but spent the great bulk of his life in Utah where he rose to head The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ...

Elder McConkie served in the capacity of an Apostle until his death in 1985. The Twelve Apostles (in Koine Greek απόστολος apostolos [1], someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Galilean Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Grave marker of Bruce R. McConkie.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2576x1932, 1571 KB) Grave marker of Bruce R. McConkie. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2576x1932, 1571 KB) Grave marker of Bruce R. McConkie. ...

Poetry

Elder McConkie wrote several poems, a few of which he read in various General Conference addresses. One for which he is especially remembered is the poem I Believe in Christ, delivered in a 1972 General Conference address, "The Testimony of Jesus". It was later set to music and published in the LDS Hymnal, as Hymn #134, "I Believe in Christ" and has since gained popularity among members of the church. In Mormonism, a general conference is a meeting open to all members of a particular Latter Day Saint denomination. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... In Mormonism, a general conference is a meeting open to all members of a particular Latter Day Saint denomination. ... This article is about the named book (hymnal) specifically, for general information about said church hymns, see The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hymns. ...

Elder McConkie also penned the fourth verse to Hymn #21, "Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice".

General Conference Talks

Elder McConkie gave several influential general conference talks. Among them was his well-known last conference talk in 1985, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane." The oft-quoted closing of the talk reads: In Mormonism, a general conference is a meeting open to all members of a particular Latter Day Saint denomination. ...

And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.

I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.

But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.

Criticisms

Elder McConkie's works in general are characterized by their authoritative tone. Elder McConkie himself wrote to a Mormon intellectual in 1980, "It is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent."^[5] In his best selling Doctrinal New Testament Commentaries and Messiah series, the sources that are most frequently cited as authority for his interpretational positions are other works authored by Bruce R. McConkie himself.^[6] 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ...

One of the most controversial topics that Elder McConkie defended in his writings was the church's policy of limiting the priesthood to men of non-African descent until 1978. This policy was known informally as the "Negro doctrine." In 1958, he wrote: From 1830-1833, the Latter Day Saint movement had no policy whatever regarding race. ...

In the pre-existent eternity various degrees of valiance and devotion to the truth were exhibited by different groups of our Father's spirit offspring. One-third of the spirit hosts of heaven came out in open rebellion and were cast out without bodies, becoming the devil and his angels. The other two-thirds stood affirmatively for Christ: there were no neutrals. To stand neutral in the midst of war is a philosophical impossibility.

Of the two-thirds who followed Christ, however, some were more valiant than others. Those who were less valiant in pre-existence and who thereby had certain spiritual restrictions imposed upon them during mortality are known to us as the negroes.

Negroes in this life are denied the priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty.

The present status of the negro rests purely and simply on the foundation of pre-existence. Along with all races and peoples he is receiving here what he merits as a result of the long pre-mortal probation in the presence of the Lord. The principle is the same as will apply when all men are judged according to their mortal works and are awarded varying statuses in the life hereafter.^[3]

On January 10, 1970 the First Presidency affirmed the priesthood restriction as follows: January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

From the beginning of this dispensation, Joseph Smith and all succeeding presidents of the Church have taught that Negroes, while spirit children of a common Father, and the progeny of our earthly parents Adam and Eve, were not yet to receive the priesthood, for reasons we believe are known to God, but which He has not made fully known to man.^[3]

On June 1, 1978, Elder McConkie was present in the Salt Lake Temple when a revelation was received by the First Presidency and the Twelve "that the time had now come to extend the gospel and all its blessings and all its obligations, including the priesthood and the blessings of the house of the Lord, to those of every nation, culture and race, including the black race."^[3] This revelation was announced to the world on June 8, 1978. June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Salt Lake Temple is the centerpiece of the 10 acre (40,000 m²) Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

Some of Elder McConkie's statements and those of other church leaders implied that the priesthood restriction might never be lifted in mortality. To this, Elder McConkie explained:

There are statements in our literature by the early Brethren that we have interpreted to mean that the Negroes would not receive the priesthood in mortality. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, "You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such?" All I can say is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or George Q. Cannon or whoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.

It doesn't make a particle of difference what anybody ever said about the Negro matter before the first day of June 1978. It is a new day and a new arrangement, and the Lord has now given the revelation that sheds light out into the world on this subject. As to any slivers of light or any particles of darkness of the past, we forget about them. We now do what meridian Israel did when the Lord said the gospel should go to the Gentiles. We forget all the statements that limited the gospel to the house of Israel, and we start going to the Gentiles.^[3]

Published Works

• Doctrines of Salvation, by President Joseph Fielding Smith, compiled by Bruce R McConkie: Volume 1, 1954; Volume 2, 1955; Volume 3, 1956.
• Mormon Doctrine, A Compendium of the Gospel, 1958.
• Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition, 1966.
• Doctrinal New Testament Commentary: Volume 1, The Gospels, 1965. Volume 2, Acts–Philippians, 1970. Volume 3, Colossians–Revelation, 1972.
• The Promised Messiah, 1978.
• The Mortal Messiah, four volumes, 1979-1981.
• The Millennial Messiah, 1982.
• The Messiah Series, six-volume set that includes the three Messiah titles listed above
• A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 1985

Elder McConkie also wrote numerous articles for the Church News and Church magazines, and handbooks, pamphlets, and manuals for the Church. He wrote the chapter headings for all chapters in the Church-published standard works and contributed to the Bible Dictionary.

References

• McConkie, Joseph Fielding (2003). The Bruce R. McConkie Story: Reflections of a Son. Deseret Book. ISBN 1-59038-205-6. 
• Horne, Dennis B. (2000). Bruce R. McConkie: Highlights From His Life & Teachings. Eborn Books. ISBN 1-890718-01-7. 
• Benson, Steve. Bruce R. McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine" An Embarrassment to the LDS Church and Officially Repudiated. Retrieved on 2006-05-02.
• Barlow, Philip L. (1997-02-27). Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-510971-6. 
• Buerger, David John (March 1985). "Speaking with Authority: The Theological Influence of Elder Bruce R. McConkie". Sunstone Magazine (47): 8-13. Retrieved on 2006-05-24.
• (2004-05-11) "The Bruce R. McConkie Story: The Mormon Doctrine Saga". Meridian Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-02-19.
• (June 1985) "Speaking with Authority: The Theological Influence of Elder Bruce R. McConkie". New Era: 8. Retrieved on 2006-08-01.
• (June 1985) "Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Preacher of Righteousness"". Ensign: 15. Retrieved on 2006-08-01.

Joseph Fielding McConkie is a professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. ... Stephen R. Benson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal U.S. editorial cartoonist for The Arizona Republic. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ...

External links

• The Seven Deadly Heresies (This fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 1 June 1980) (MP3)
• Excerpt from The Bruce R. McConkie Story: Reflections of a Son, by Joseph Fielding McConkie
• The Bible, a Sealed Book, by Bruce R. McConkie - BYU, 1984

Footnotes

1. ^ (2003-05-05) "From Father to Son: Joseph F. McConkie on Gospel Teaching". Meridian Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-11-03.
2. ^ ^{a b} McConkie, Joseph Fielding (2003). The Bruce R. McConkie Story: Reflections of a Son. Deseret Book. ISBN 1-59038-205-6. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Horne, Dennis B. (2000). Bruce R. McConkie: Highlights From His Life & Teachings. Eborn Books. ISBN 1-890718-01-7. 
4. ^ Benson, Steve. Bruce R. McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine" An Embarrassment to the LDS Church and Officially Repudiated. Retrieved on 2006-05-02.
5. ^ Barlow, Philip L. (1997-02-27). Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-510971-6. 
6. ^ Buerger, David John (March 1985). "Speaking with Authority: The Theological Influence of Elder Bruce R. McConkie". Sunstone Magazine (47): 8-13. Retrieved on 2006-05-24.