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 I have several friends who are LDS and I talk a lot with them about the religion. I was wondering if you could help clarify the idea of modern revelation. I like it and believe in it myself but would like some other input.
Answer Hi Byran,
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.
There are some 100 Restoration factions that exist today, including the LDS and Church of Christ and they practically all believe in Latter Day Revelation. They would have to if they profess the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon itself is not Latter Day Revelation because it was written by the ancestors of today's Native Americans and translated by Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith did receive messages by angelic visitors as well as latter day revelations which instructed him on where to find the book of Mormon plates and instructions on how to establish the Church of Christ (as it was named in 1830).
Where the LDS and the Church of Christ greatly differ on is that while we both believe in latter day revelation, the LDS accept many revelations through their prophets that contradict Bible and Book of Mormon teachings. We reject all such revelations. We do accept new revelations that amplify existing scriptures, or teach new prophecies of the future, or give personal or churchwide instruction, we do not accept revelations that directly oppose scriptures we already know to be true. Joseph Smith himself stated that some revelations are of God, some of men, and some of the devil.
The LDS believe in many revelations contained in their Doctrine and Covenants such as the past practice of polygamy, the current practices of Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, the 1st Presidency and other doctrines that both the Bible and Book of Mormon strongly oppose. We believe that God does not change as the scriptures teach... not even a shadow of variableness. What is right is always right, what is wrong is always wrong.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are various Bible only churches that say they believe in the New Testament but reject other scriptures from coming forth. Yet the New Testament teaches that the church should have the gifts of prophecy, revelation, speaking in tongues etc. which are all forms of latter day revelation. Some of these churches even speak in tongues but for some reason do not consider these gifts latter day revelations.
The Book of Mormon teaches that all of the gifts of the spirit shall exist until the end of time so long as their is a single person who exercises faith, and that the gifts only cease because of iniquity and unbelief.
I hope this helps answer your questions, feel free to ask other questions if you like.
