In Defense of Elder McConkie
Posted by Wade on December 15th, 2005
Our friend and co-blogger Ryan recently raised some questions concerning the veracity of two points of doctrine allegedly taught by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in his book Mormon Doctrine. Both doctrines were ascribed to Elder McConkie by a gospel doctrine teacher in Southern California - who apparently takes the liberty of referring to Mormon Doctrine for substantive class material. The two points are: 1.) In the millennium, Satan will be bound, but the binding will not necessarily be due to the righteousness of the people, rather it will be a physical binding place upon him; and 2.) “All things” will be revealed at the beginning of the millennium. I would like to respond to these points and come to the defense of Elder McConkie because after actually looking into these issues I think there has been some general mischaracterization and misunderstanding.
First, it is common knowledge in the Church that Satan will indeed be bound during the millennium, but the manner and mode of this binding is not so clear. After reading the Millennium entry in Mormon Doctrine myself, I have to say I agree with McConkie’s view. He states, “The plan does not call for men to turn voluntarily to righteousness thereby causing the thousand year era of peace to commence. Rather, the millennium will be brought about by power; the wicked will be destroyed; and those only will remain on earth who are sufficiently righteous to abide the day of the Lord’s coming….” Referring to Nephi’s statement about the righteousness of the people as the binding force, McConkie says Nephi’s proclamation refers to “the period after the commencement of the millennium.” This makes perfect sense to me. It’s only logical that the binding of Satan can only initially occur as the result of a force other than the righteousness of the people on earth - it is also common knowledge that the world will only get more wicked as we near the millennium, not vice versa. However, after the wicked have been destroyed and Satan has been bound through this power of God, then I think the righteousness of those who remain will prevent him from having “power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness” (1 Ne. 22:26). Therefore, I think it is correct to say that the power of God and the righteousness of the people will bind Satan.
Second, upon first hearing that someone claimed “all things” will be revealed at the beginning of the millennium, it was hard for me not to laugh. Furthermore, after thinking about it I became even more sure that this claim cannot be true - in fact, the allegation that this was taught by Elder McConkie is what actually got me to crack open Mormon Doctrine for myself. And, for the record, Elder McConkie did NOT teach that! He distinguishes between a fullness of the gospel and a fullness of the truth. We have the fullness of the gospel because we have all the saving truths and power to obtain the Celestial Kingdom; but we obviously don’t have a fullness of the truth because, as he puts it, “many glorious gospel doctrines have been known and taught in previous despensations which have not as yet been restored to us.” He then quotes Acts 3:21, and uses this language: “But with the dawning of the millennium, the restoration of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began,’ shall be completed.” Thus, it is true that “all” things will be revealed at the beginning of the millennium, but the word all refers to everything that has previously been revealed in past dispensations to men on earth - NOT all truth, rather all previously revealed “gospel truth”.
Personally, I think McConkie all too often gets a “bad rap” from a lot of “intellectual” members. This is so because either they don’t read him right, or because the majority of average members typically refer to McConkie as their source for authority and spout off their own understanding of what McConkie has written (gospel doctrine teacher example sited above) and then the intellectuals simply dismiss McConkie as a General Authority who opined too much. As a result, there is an unfortunate disconnect between some Mormon thinkers and the excellent scholarship McConkie has left behind (it’s unfortunate because I don’t know of any “doctrine” he got wrong other than the infamous blacks and the priesthood claim). So, I’ve decided to become a McConkie defender.
As for the length of the millennium being a thousand years, could this be a symbolic number? I know numbers are quite symbolic. I’ve always wondered about the “coincidence” of the whole 40 days and 40 nights thing: Moses in the mount, Christ in the wilderness, Noah in the ark, etc… Any thoughts on this?
Here’s the response I got from Alan Morgan on the Binding subject:
1 Nephi 22:26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.
(The context of the above verse is clearly Millennial.) Why will Satan have no power? For the same reason we can make it so he has no power over us today, and why Christ overcame him: Christ paid him no heed. If we pay him no heed, he has no power over us. If we have the righteousness of Christ, then Satan’s power is gone.
D&C 45:55 And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.
…because the people will pay him no heed.
D&C 101:28 And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.
…because the people will pay him no heed.
D&C 29:22 …when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God…
Mankind will make a conscious choice to listen to Satan again. Why not until after the 1,000 years? Why did the Nephites take 200 years? Does it matter?
4 Nephi 1:15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
The love of God blocks the temptations of Satan. Satan was not bound in any way during this 200 years of peace, and yet he had no place in their hearts. Why would the Millennium be any different? What would be the point of Satan being physically restrained if the people don’t listen anyway? They had four generations of people that made it through, and the Millennium will have more. I don’t see the difference.
4 Nephi 1:24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride…
Aha! Now we know what causes the backslide toward listening to Satan again. Is it any wonder that pride is denounced so often in the scriptures?
I’m not sure how much more clear the scriptures can be on this. McConkie is free to put forth his opinion, but that doesn’t make it so.
Comment # 1 left by Ryan on December 16th, 2005
I actually agree that Satan will be bound because of the righteousness of the people during the millennium. However, I think some of the verses quoted from actually disprove the point that he will be initially bound because of righteousness.
D&C 45:55 And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.
I think the word “that” denotes the same meaning as “so” in this context.
So, I think there is a difference between Satan’s initial binding (done through God’s power), and how he will remain bound during the millennium (through the righteousness of the people).
Also, if Satan is bound I assume there will be NO temptation. Yet, if there is no temptation, how is it that anyone can ever make the concious decision to deny God? As I understand, opposition must exist as a fundamental for agency to exist. So, how is it that Satan is “loosed” at the end if the people can’t be tempted by him because they are all righteous? Is it because they are all still constantly tempted during the millennium, but none of them ever give in to the temptation until the end?
Comment # 2 left by Wade on December 16th, 2005
So, how is it that Satan is “loosed” at the end if the people can’t be tempted by him because they are all righteous? Is it because they are all still constantly tempted during the millennium, but none of them ever give in to the temptation until the end?
Precisely. A la the 200 years of righteousness following Christ’s visit to the americas. If I recall correctly. The turn from complete righteousness was nearly overnight”
D&C 45:55 And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.
I think the word “that” denotes the same meaning as “so” in this context.
I disagree. Which is clearly convenient for me since it precludes you from beating my argument
One other scripture that Alan didn’t mention that I think is applicable:
Rev. 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
It just seems to me that the scriptures really emphasize that the way to diminish/bind the power of Satan is through righteousness. I don’t see any compelling evidence scripturally that the Lord will somehow put a barrier between Satan and ourselves that will make life suddenly nice and easy. Unless you consider the binding action that of cleansing the earth of anything telestial and so Satan can still tempt but his “power” is diminshed because his resources are gone. sort of like a mechanic might have the knowledge or capacity to fix my car but if all his tools are taken away, his ability to work on my car is diminshed to what he can do with his hands.
Comment # 3 left by Ryan on December 16th, 2005
Unless you consider the binding action that of cleansing the earth of anything telestial and so Satan can still tempt but his “power” is diminshed because his resources are gone.
Yes, there is clarity for me in this statement. The reality at the beginning of the millennium is that ALL wicked people will be killed (similar to what happened in the flood - but this time by fire). These people are indeed the tools of the devil - the infamaous “evil and conspiring men”. Without them, the earth is made terrestrial and thus Satan’s power is very limited. This limitation comes from God’s cleansing of the earth. However, the real, or ultimate binding is, as you say, through the righteousness of the people.
Comment # 4 left by Wade on December 16th, 2005