Emergencies don’t last for 2 years, wars do.
The people of the world are under attack, make no mistake. We are at war against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
We will still be meeting, as usual.
Since forced COVID vaccination is the latest weapon formed against the people, what follows is a brief outline of of the Zarahemla Foundation’s position on this issue in 4 points:
1) In ancient times, our ancestors were frequently tempted to stray from our God and his laws; laws which he gave to us as a peculiar people. In particular, the ancient Israelites were tempted by the religious and social practices of the people surrounding them. These practices are considered abominable by our God, Yehovah, and he forbade the Israelites from imitating them.
“So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life.” (Leviticus 18:3)
Chief among these practices was the sacrificial murder of innocent children to the pagan god, Molech. Like all ancient sacrifices of this type, the horrific reality of the situation was justified in the assumption that the favor of Molech would be bestowed upon the larger community as a result. While this may have been an acceptable practice among the Canaanites, it is a tremendous abomination in the eyes of God, and the Israelites were repeatedly forbidden from doing such things. Here is one of many examples:
“And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am Yehovah.” (Leviticus 18:21)
The modern counterpart to this ancient practice is the sacrificial murder of babies, and sale of their body parts for scientific and medical experimentation – even if the horrific reality of the situation is justified in the assumption that various benefits will be bestowed upon the larger community as a result. We are not to participate in such things, and this participation extends to deriving benefit from such things.
All of the available COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, researched, tested, or produced using murdered human babies. We find this is morally repugnant.
We are aware of lists of other common medicines (such as aspirin, TUMS, Tylenol, ivermectin, ibuprofen, etc.) that erroneously claim that they were likewise developed using aborted human children, and therefore that using these medicines is morally equivalent to the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Such lists present a false moral equivalence, and are nothing more than a vain and grasping attempt to bully Christians, and others with religious objections, into submission. These additional medicines were not developed in the same way the vaccines were; not at all. While it is true that these medicines have been used in experiments on aborted fetal cell lines long after these drugs were already developed, and in wide spread use, this does not morally taint their use any more than using an umbrella is morally tainted because umbrellas have been used to murder people (after they were already developed and put into use). See here for one such example.
Note that there is an additional distinction made here between the willing sacrifices of many people in times past for the greater good of society. This type of sacrifice is laudable and even sacred. Indeed, the chief cornerstone of our religion is the willing sacrifice of the only innocent man who ever lived, Jesus of Nazareth, who gave himself a willing sacrifice for the sins of the world. Taking this position however, does not make any allowances for participation in, and benefiting from, the unwilling, unconsenting, murder of innocent humans.
2) “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Our God, Yehovah, is concerned not only with our conduct and thoughts towards him, but also towards our fellow man, and also to ourselves. Indeed, all the other commandments hang upon loving God (Deuteronomy 6:5) and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18). Thus, we are not to pollute the relationship to our God by allowing any impure things between us, we are not to pollute relationships with our fellow man by allowing impure things between neighbors, and we are additionally not to pollute or damage our own persons (not in body, mind, or spirit).
Among the impurities which we are commanded to abstain from, one is deceiving sorceries.
“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” (Revelation 18:21-24 See also Revelation 9:21 and Galatians 5:20)
These sorceries are a part of the Great Babylon (as mentioned in the verses above), which we are called to live apart from. What are these deceiving sorceries? The word, “sorcery” brings to mind magic wands, talismans, and casting spells, but this is not the meaning of the word (or at least not the only meaning). The Greek word translated as “sorcery” (or witchcraft) is: φαρμακεία (pharmakeia). Thus, there will be pharmaceutical products, that are a part of the Great Babylon (associated with the secular governments of the world), that will deceive all the peoples (nations) of the earth, and we believe that the COVID-19 vaccines are a part of all of this, and that for us, it would be a defilement of our bodies, minds, and spirits to partake.
3) The agency of mankind is a central tenant of our religion. Indeed, we believe the war in heaven was fought over this very issue.
“Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;” (Moses 4:3)
This war, which started in heaven, prior to our earthly mortality, continues on the earth, and history can provide ample attestation to this fact. Humans have mostly been subjects of tyrants, monarchs, and dictators for a large portion of human history. This has happened largely because of the influence of the Common Enemy of Mankind upon the fallen natures of men. Indeed:
“We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:39)
Many Americans, revere the founding documents and principles of our nation, but for us the divine inspiration of those men, those principles, and those documents is a tenant of our faith. It is enshrined within our books of scripture:
“Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.” (Doctrine & Covenants 109:54)
Furthermore, Yehovah has spoken to us saying:
“According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment…And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (Doctrine & Covenants 101:77-80)
There are other examples that could be cited but this will be sufficient to illustrate that we believe in the divine inspiration of the founding fathers of this nation and in the founding documents they produced. Furthermore, we hold, as a tenant of our faith, the reality of God-given individual rights and agency, that these rights are not fully enumerated in any document, and that among these rights is the right to bodily autonomy.
Our government has not been given any authority; not by God, nor by man, over the individual bodies of its citizens. There are absolutely no powers delegated to the federal government, let alone the executive branch, to require or enforce the mandates and lockdowns that have occurred. Furthermore, there is no other governmental, nor private, organization that has the authority to force such things as there is zero compelling need. The overall response of our politicians and medical experts has not been wise nor thoughtful. Rather, they have been foolish, greedy, and tyrannical. The vaccines certainly do not prevent the spread of any disease, and seem mostly to be benefiting the Great Babylon mentioned previously.
4) Lastly, it is a sin for us to add strength to tyranny, or to embolden the majority to do that which is evil. We are commanded, as ancient Israel was:
“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Exodus 23:2)
Despite the course the world is generally taking, we are held to a different standard. We are called to live the laws of God, rather than to be swayed by the changing tides of society and public opinion, and to plant our feet firmly on the Rock, rather than building houses on shifting and sandy foundations.
Our sacred scriptures not only affirm the inspiration of the Constitution, as mentioned above, but also inform us that any secular law that is unconstitutional is to be forsaken by us as an evil thing.
“And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil. I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil.” (Doctrine & Covenants 98:5-11)
For all these, and other reasons, the forced COVID-19 vaccination requirements, and other similar measures, are contrary to our firmly held religious beliefs.
Restoration Torah Conference 