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 Today there are many Bible versions. WHy do Mormans seem to use the JKV? Will they use any other versions? Are there any Bible vertions they wil not use? If so why?
Answer Hi Gordon,
The LDS folks use the King James version, since I have not been a member of their church since 1983 I am not exactly sure as to why they use that version only. The Church of Christ also uses the King James version... primarily because the Book of Mormon was translated into the same Jacobian style of English with the "thees" and "thous" etc. Also the Book of Mormon quotes Isaiah and the Sermon on the Mount is retaught (same teachings yet with cultural differences) using the same Jacobian language. By this we believe God gave His tacit approval for the King James version and is why we stick with it.
This does not mean the King James version is flawless, or the Book of Mormon. There are mistranslations and the mistakes of men in both books, however the gospel truths are still able to shine forth from both books. The Book of Mormon states we should not condemn the things of God because of the weaknesses of men.
Many in our church use other versions for study references. I use the Lamsa, Hebrew Roots, Greek Interlinear and other Bibles. A minority in our church use Joseph Smith's inspired version but we have found too many doctrines in this version that are not agreeable to either Book of Mormon or KJV Bible and reject it.
Some of the newer versions we won't use such as the feminist's unisex Bible with paints God as a heavenly "it" rather than the heavenly Father or Jesus as the Son of God. Other Bibles such as the NIV correct some of the errors or poorly translated portions of the KJV, but also introduce errors of their own. I've seen many lengthy arguments on internet discussion groups about which version to use... I don't worry about it... the KJV is plenty good enough to understand God's will for our lives.
