AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
Question QUESTION: I currently have questions pretaining to the Book Of Morman. Now I know that Latter- day Saints believe in the Bible to be the word of God but they also believe the Book Of Morman to be the word of God as well. How is this so when the Bible says that nothing should be added to or taken away from the Bible. I agree with the majority of their believes because they believe that Jesus was the son of god but this one I have to differ. Also, please explain who Joseph Smith is and was he a phophet and from the teachings I have heard and please correct me if I am wrong that he while in the wilderness had a dream in which GOD,JESUS,and the Holy Spirit came to him and told him to write the Book Of Morman. Now, if this is so why is this not mentioned in the Bible and per the Bible no man has seen God's face. There were also 12 men that ate, walked, and slept with Jesus and they only have chapters in what we call the BIBLE. Please Advise. Thanks
ANSWER: Hi James,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon (and Bible). I will reply separately to each of your questions below...
1. Bible only folks often misunderstand John's commandment to not add or take away in the book of Revelation. What John was referring to was the book of Revelation itself... not the entire Bible. The Bible did not exist at the time John wrote that commandment, it was not compiled into one book until 100s of years later. There is a similar commandment in Dueteronomy given to Moses to not add nor diminish from the commandments of God... yet Moses kept on adding and adding. What God really means by these commandments is that "You man, do not alter MY commandments that *I* give unto you. However I am God and I change not and can command more to be written as I see fit, I am God." A side point... the LDS church has altered many of the early revelations given to the original church in the book they call the Doctrine and Covenants. These were not just spelling or versing changes but complete alterations of the intended context and meaning. The LDS also has an "inspired Bible" that alters many passages as well as has altered some Book of Mormon passages.
2. Actually there are many cases in the Bible where man saw God face to face. Moses saw God face to face in a cloud and the people were afraid. Other prophets seen the Father in a vision on a great white throne. Joseph Smith's accounts of this event have changed over time and he may have embellished his account as his beliefs changed over time.
3. Joseph Smith did not author the Book of Mormon, he only translated it. The Book of Mormon was written by many different authors (as they were led by God to write) and Mormon compiled their writings into one book and gave the work to his son Moroni who buried the plates in order to protect them from their enemies. There were more than just 12 apostles in the Bible. Mathias took Judas' place, and Paul and Apollos were called after as some died (from persecution). Today the Church of Christ has 12 Apostles (11 currently) just as the Bible Church of Christ had. Both Bible and Book of Mormon strongly teach God does not change nor even has a shadow of variableness... therefore if God wanted 12 Apostles as overseers of His church in AD33, He would have the same today.
4. Many of the problems you will have with the Book of Mormon is not with the book itself but with the LDS Utah Mormon church. They utterly have departed from the Book of Mormon and Bible teachings and follow the whims of their leaders. There are many beliefs that they have that the Book of Mormon never teaches and even strongly teaches AGAINST. Beliefs such as the past practice of polygamy which the Book of Mormon terms as a whoredom and abomination before God. Other beliefs such as baptism for the dead, Celestial Marriage, a Changing God, man becoming Gods, the 1st Presidency, altering revelations, etc. etc. are all condemned by the Book of Mormon. Doctrine for doctrine the Book of Mormon mirrors the Bible and is a witness the Bible is true. Unfortunately the mistakes of Smith, the crimes of Young and others through to today have done much to discredit the beautiful truth in the Book of Mormon.
There is much to explain and discuss about the origins and history of the restoration and the Book of Mormon. Feel free to ask other questions or for specific scripture quotes if you wish. I base all of my beliefs on the teachings and examples of Christ. If a church teaches something different they are in error and should be avoided.
God Bless,
Mike
technomn@msn.com
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QUESTION: Thank-you for you for your response for you have answered my questions execpt for one. I am still puzzled on why wasn't any mention of the "golden plates" and Moroni who has been explained to me as an "angel" that appeared to Joseph Smith and if the "golden plates = Book of Mormon" were supposed to restore the faith why wasn't this prolific event mentioned in the Bible. Also you stated that the bible wasn't written at the time but the bible holds accounts of things that is to come and haven't happened yet. Also I have read in the Book of Morman were they have actually mimic versus from the bible and added to it and taken away versus which differ form its original orgin. The bible says there is nothing new under the sun and I have been told by LDS members when I have asked these questions that they do not debate over the faith but this has been a debate since the beginning of time and will be until the end. Isn't our Heavenly father worth debateing and dieing for. Last thing, when LDS witnesses tell you about their faith they mention the Book of Mormon before the Bible and that's the handbook they pass out not the Bible. Thank you for you time and answers. GOD BLESS
Answer Hi James,
I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability. I am not sure I quite understand some of your questions though.
1. The word angel in the Bible simply means "messenger" in the original Greek, which could refer to a heavenly angel or a ressurrected human, or a living human. Remember in the book of Revelation Chapters 1 and 2 John speaks to the angels of the various churches he is simply referring to the pastors of those churches. Remember when Jesus and 3 of the Apostles were on the mount and were visited by Moses and Elijah... ressurrected humans. This is the same type of thing that happened when Moroni delivered the plates to Joseph Smith.
2. I am not sure of your statement about prophetic events in the Bible of things to come. Your question is??
3. There are many quotes of Isaiah in the BoM that are similar but not identical to the King James Isaiah. Nephi had much of the Old Testament in his possession including Isaiah (up to 600 BC) so I have no problem with him quoting the Old Testament... this does not mean plagarism at all. With the differences I attribute these differences to translational differences. The Book of Mormon was translated by divine power, the KJV Bible by a committee of men. Even though the KJV was translated by men I marvel at the closeness to the Book of Mormon passages. In all translations there are differences... just as verses today will read differently between the KJV, NASB, NIV etc. In the sermon on the mount between the Bible and Book of Mormon the doctrines are identical yet there are many stark differences due to cultural differences between the Nephites and the Jews. The Nephites had no Pharisees, Publicans etc. so these were not mentioned. Jewish phrases such as "pluck out thine eye" also were not known among the Nephites and not repeated. These similarities and differences are actually an EVIDENCE of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. The Jews used an oral tradition method of teaching and in the Bible sermon on the mount you see "it hath been said" many times. The Book of Mormon peoples relied more on a written method of teaching and you see this in the Book of Mormon sermon on the mount where "it hath been written" is recorded many times. These similarities and differences would have been missed and ommitted by an unlearned farm boy such as Joseph Smith.
4. LDS are afraid to debate doctrine because they have no leg to stand on other than "That is what our Prophet taught us" and that is ultimately their religion. Both Bible and Book of Mormon teach "Cursed is the man that trusts in man and makes flesh their arm". I am not afraid to debate doctrine and quite enjoy it so long as it does not involve the spirit of contention.
5. The LDS probably do not focus on handing out Bibles because most people already have one, or are not interested in any religion at all. I use the LDS KJV Bible because it is very well done and has excellent references though I do not use the Inspired version portions or any other of their books. Many LDS believe the Book of Mormon supplants the Bible YET THEY UTTERLY FAIL TO EVEN FOLLOW THEIR OWN BOOK OF MORMONS! Instead they follow their Doctrine and Covenants which often have altered revelations and are steeped in utterly false doctrines. On the other hand the Book of Mormon has no false doctrines at all. I have debated with 200 Evangelicals on an internet discussion board and they could not find one realistic or meaningful fault with the Book of Mormon... only with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and the Utah faction (complaints of which I often shared). Today there are some 100 different Restoration factions besides the Utah LDS church... most of these factions are much closer to a Bible only Protestant church than the LDS church. The church I ended up joining is the Church of Christ which is strongly based on Biblical Christianity. In some ways we are more Biblical than many Protestant Bible only churches.
6. I forgot to answer a previous question... the Bible does prophesy of a future book. In Isaiah 29 there is a very detailed prophecy of a marvelous work and wonder that shall come out of the dust (it would be buried), that will speak as (not with) a familiar spirit meaning the deceased Nephites will record their words in this book and speak to their descendents through it, that it will be profitable for reproof and instruction. Also, it exact fulfillment, Martin Harris copied some of the Book of Mormon characters (a modified Egyptian) and showed them to a professor Anthon and verified these were correctly translated and wanted to see the entire plates. He was denied and told it was sealed. Anthon said he could not read a sealed book... this literally fulfilled Isaiah 29 where the learned could not read a sealed book, but the unlearned (Joseph Smith) could. Ezekial 37 speaks of two sticks (or standards) and two nations that shall run together. Today only the United States runs with Israel. The standards or books... are of the tribe of Judah (Bible) and the tribe of Joseph (Book of Mormon). Of course Evangelicals will dismiss out of hand these passages but fail to provide any meaningful counter explanation for those passages. I agree the Bible does not spell out the Book of Mormon in specific detail, yet if it had how many frauds would have been created in order to mask the true event. Many of the prophecies of Christ were cryptic and could not be understood until after He fulfilled them... even His apostles could not understand the mission of Christ until after He was ressurrected and explained it to them.
