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 Isaiah 2 to 14 are found in the Book of Mormon. Isaiah 1 is noticibly missing and it has my favorite Bible verse: " Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Also, the Bible has the best and simpliest definition of the gospel message, (1Cor 15:1-4). Why does the Bible have this awesome Bible verse Isaiah 1:8 and the simple defintion of the gospel? Also the Bible has a warning about angels who bring false messages (Gal. 1:6-8) and the Book of Mormon does not. Why?
Answer Hi Matt,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the original Church of Christ that believes in the BoM (Book of Mormon) as well as the Bible.
In answer to your questions...
You are correct that the BoM does not contain quotes from Isa 1. Remember Nephi was preaching a sermon and using quotes from Isaiah (which he had copies of) and not reteaching the entire book of Isaiah. Nephi's sermon was focused on the role his people had and how they were a branch of Israel being planted in another land. I agree Isa 1 is a beautiful passage though the BoM has other beautiful passages that are not in the Bible.
I disagree with your assessment of 1 Cor 15:1-4 as representing the simplest form of the Gospel. Yes, grace is an essential COMPONENT of the gospel... but the gospel covers a much more broader spectrum of the teachings of Christ than just grace alone. The gospel also teaches faith, repentence, baptism by immersion, laying of hands for the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end, and being judged according to our works according to the books.
Remember Jesus prophecied that many shall say to him "Lord Lord" yet he will reject them as workers of iniquity. Jesus states that broad is the way that leads to destruction and many find it, and narrow the way that leads to salvation, and only few find it. What is the narrow way? Jesus states it is those who "Heareth my sayings and doeth them". Those who trust in grace only may find themselves in trouble if they continue in iniquity.
Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
I also disagree with the Evangelical accusation that the BoM teaches "another gospel" or a different gospel. Doctrine for doctrine the BoM teaches the very same gospel. Evenagelicals or antis believe the BoM teaches various LDS Utah Mormon (which I am not) doctrines and it utterly does not. It even strongly teaches AGAINST many LDS doctrines such as polygamy (which the BoM terms is a whoredom and abomination to God, no exceptions), Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, the 1st Presidency, a Changing God, man becoming Gods etc. etc. You see, the LDS do not follow their own BoMs. They follow their leaders no matter how outrageous and ridiculous the teachings are of those leaders.
The BoM does warn about false angels and false doctrines:
2Nephi 9:9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
2 Nephi 28:15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
I can't think of a better representative of that last verse than Brigham Young homself. Unfortunately his horrible examples have turned millions against the beautiful gospel that the BoM has.
I hope this helps answer your questions, feel free to ask other questions or for scriptural cites if you like.
