When the book was first published it was done so without an editor or any review by the Church. Most of the changes made from the first edition to the second were in tone. There were only a few fundamental “errors” in Mormon Doctrine (though it is controversial, so you might get a different answer from someone else). Of course with that assumption a restoration of things like the LDS faith teaches is both logical and necessary to restore what was altered.Īnyway Robert, I hope I was able to help you and give you things to ponder as you prayerfully ask the Lord how you should answer the inquirer you have.I’ve heard that there are a lot of errors in both editions of McConkie’s “Mormon Doctrine.” What exactly are those errors? Furthermore, how could the Church allow him to publish a book with so many errors and call it “Mormon Doctrine”? Isn’t that a bit misleading? It is much more logical to take those verses and assume that somewhere someone did add to and did take away and did get the plagues added to them and did get their name taken out of the Book of Life, and the Holy City, etc. That understanding make no sense whatsoever based on what the verses say. Have we ever seen anywhere in the scripture where God gives a command and a punishment for breaking that commandment, and then says “Never mind I will simply make it so you can’t break my commandment after all?” I have never found that anywhere else in the scriptures, but that is what they require in this case. However the logical wrestling one must do with those scripture to reach that conclusion makes my head hurt. Since the LDS faith believes that truths were lost because it was altered, if God said He will not allow His word to be altered then the LDS faith has a problem. The second understanding is that God will not allow His word to be altered. He added more scriptures after Revelation and I think we can trust his understanding. He then after words wrote the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John, so the very Apostle who wrote those verses did not understand it that way. In addition, according to our best understanding of when the Book of Revelation was written by John. Yet that is what their logic demands when applied to Deuteronomy. Most Christians will rightfully protest that the New Testament should be tossed out as an addition of men. So by the logic and reasoning that they use to say Revelation says no more word will be given and everything else must be false addition, then our Bible should stop at Deuteronomy. The only thing Deuteronomy lacks is the penalty for doing so. It is the same scripture commanding men not to add or remove from the words God has given them. Second we have an issue with another scripture in this case Deuteronomy 4:2Ģ Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. It says nothing about God stopping the revealing of His word. It is a warning against man altering, adding, or subtracting from the Word of God. First and foremost it does not accurately say that anywhere. There are a few problems with this understanding. This understanding makes it so that the Book of Mormon and other modern revelations simply can not be true. That anything else is an addition by man. The first interpretation we commonly get is the idea that God has said no more words will be given That God is done speaking to man and giving His word. So I am going to assume a sincere inquirer and I am going to cover the two understandings I have found to be the most common.įirst lets reference the scripture I believe you to be talking about.ġ8 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:ġ9 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. You did not include how your non-Mormon inquirer understood it themselves. Plus it has been my experience that people interpret those scripture differently and therefore different answers are required. If you feel your friend is sincerely looking for an answer versus simply trying to attack your faith, different answers are warranted. How you should answer depends entirely on what you think this person might be attempting to understand. When John says “Do not add to this book,” what is he referring to and how do I answer a non-Mormon’s inquiry?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |