Within the formal teachings of the mormon church, jesus christ himself, and not the. We must conclude, based on our study of the doctrine of god, that mormonism and traditional christianity are indeed two different religions. Full text of mormon doctrine 1966 internet archive. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Religion mcconkies mormon doctrine is popular but polarizing. Explore around to see how the book of mormon can bless your life. Learn four quick basics of the book of mormon, including how you can know that its true. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. God will do a marvelous work and a wonder, speaking out of the dust. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional.
Evidence from history, archaeology, and other fields of study prove that the bible is a collection of ancient writings and confirm much of its historical claims. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. However, he also wrote significant articles and books discussing and defending mormon doctrine. One would have to approach this verse with a preconceived notion of preexistence to draw this conclusion. Mormon doctrine is an excellent reference book for talks, personal study, research, and gaining gospel knowledge. He had such an encyclopedic knowledge of the scriptures that he was able to call upon in delineating lds doctrine. According to lds doctrine, the lds church is the only true church on the earth today. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Mormonism and the nature of godinfinite regress of gods. This book had a profound impact on a generation of church members after publication.
Latterday saints doctrine of exaltation is often similarly reduced in media to a. It might be the funniest thing in the world to me when someone tells me with absolute certainty that the book of mormon isnt true after having admitted never actually reading the book themselves. Ive decided that perhaps a key piece was missing and should be covered first. If mormonism did not claim to be true based on historical facts bom, there would be no issue. Last week marked the oneyear anniversary of the quiet removal of bruce r. Later in his life in 1980, mcconkie detailed in a ninepage letter on. The book of mormon consistently goes beyond the bible in its teachings, but is certainly in harmony with it. The mormon community refers to joseph smith as a prophet and has also named other important people in the history of their church as prophets.
This post is a doctrinal explanation of why this scripture study habit was so life changing for me. My wife and i were members of the mormon church for 22 years. The book of mormon contains doctrinal and philosophical teachings on a wide range of topics, from basic. The mormon who holds to the doctrine of preexistence assumes that this is referring to the second leg of a round trip. Christianity was apostate fallen away between about the second century and 1830, the year that joseph smith organized the lds church. The book of mormon both illuminates the teachings of the master and exposes the tactics of the adversary. The prophet joseph smith said the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth. Landmark mormon doctrine goes out of print the salt lake tribune. During the video, you will meet cari ardeani and professors james walker and brian boyles as they discuss the mormon faith. This book recounts the truelife experiences of a mormon bishop, who for over thirty years was a high priest, elders quorum president, and a member of three high councils for the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the mormons. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. B events of the bible and book of mormon visavis the archaeological record. This new format suited for every age and stage of life makes meaningful scripture study an attainable goal for every family.
These would include the bible, the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants, the pearl of great price. Book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, pearl of great. Mormon doctrines changed in my lifetime jonathan ellis. There was always this strong tie to anyone with brown skin as a lamanite. And take unto thee aaron they brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of israel, that he may minister unto me in the priests office, even aaron, nadab and abihu, eleazar and ithamar, aarons sons. In the present article i go on to examine all other book of mormon references to the six elements in this formula. Why the mormon church is not the true church jesus christ. A very detailed book on church doctrine but not everything in it is accurate. Book of mormon artwork was also depicted this way, heck even singing the book of mormon song we made the signs with our hands that depicted feathers in our heads. So that means we can put the book of mormon to the test. Its best to fact check information before using the material as part of a talk or lesson.
Book of life the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The text gives an account of ancient prophets who lived. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. This book recounts the truelife experiences of a mormon bishop, who for. Kolob is mentioned in the book of abraham, a mormon scripture that is part of the. It has been set up to be an all or nothing campaign, where if the book is true, then joseph smith was a prophet and if he was the prophet, then he restored the only true church. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of god, as was aaron. False story removed from newest book on the life of mormon. I originally intended to make this 2nd part about how i personally use the method outlined in part 1.
In the case of each doctrine considered, it is the book of mormon and not the bible that establishes the doctrinal position of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The book of mormon is true, just what it purports to be, and for this testimony i expect to give an account in the day of judgement. He wrote many other books, including a series about the life and ministry. Mormons believe and strive to follow the ten commandments and the articles of faith. This passage, though, merely shows how life exists beyond death. There is a promise in the book of mormon in moroni 10. Continue reading the scriptures, particularly the book of mormon, throughout your life. Among those were sunday school president, young mens president, elders quorum president, executive secretary, ward clerk, and second counselor.
Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to. The book of mormon fulfills biblical prophecies that. Therefore, let us examine what the bible says about the claims that joseph smith was a prophet anointed by god, the book of mormon is inspired scripture, and mormonism is the true path to salvation. Lds leaders who admit mormonism isnt true life after. Historicity, geography, and methods of authorship continue to be hotly debated among mormons and exmormons as a way to prove that the book is true or false. It was intended primarily for a latterday saint audience and is often used as a reference book by church members because of its comprehensive nature. The church has confined the sources of doctrine by which it is willing to be bound before the world to the things that god has revealed, and which the church has officially accepted, and those alone. Mormons believe that the book of mormon confirms information found in the holy bible. Visit book of mormon central at follow us on facebook and now, behold, this is the doctrine of christ, and the only and true doctrine of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost, which is one god, without end. The most obvious example of changing doctrine is that until 1978, the church consistently taught that blacks were the seed of cain, as recorded in the. However, the scriptures also indicate that a heavenly record is. In a 1991 byu studies article, i identified and analyzed three core book of mormon passages in which the gospel or doctrine of jesus christ is defined.
Over the years of being a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, ive frequently been chided for the supposed arrogance of the churchs claim to be the only true and living church of christ. In all these scriptural passages, the gospel or doctrine of christ teaches that. No more spin doctrine on the spaulding manuscripts. Christs gospel is the only true gospel, and there shall be no other name. Divides the book of mormon into brief, sequential sections. Haws said true doctrine is what stands the test of time and the course of years. The doctrine of christ, of scripture stories coloring book. In one sense the book of life is the total of a persons thoughts and actionsthe record of his life. The book of life kept for each individual is the complete record of the persons life on earth. Uses the actual scriptural text and recognizable versecolumn format. Some people loved itand some people hated itbut at the end of the day, the experiences i shared are so tangible to me that ill never be able to forget or deny their. It contains some of mormonisms most distinctive doctrines such as baptism for the dead and celestial marriage. In later printings of the second edition, changes were. Lds scripture study aids books that help you understand.
Roberts wanted to summarize and consolidate all his. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the. In the articlei gave my personal experience with the book of mormon in my college years and also laid out some of the logical reasons why i believe the book to be true. You will rediscover the treasures of the scriptures again and again, finding new meaning and application in them as you study them at different stages of life. The church has a committee called the strengthening church members committee, which is sort of like a mormon version of the nsa. Is it true that mormon doctrine teaches a genealogy of gods, in which god the father hadhas a god, and this god had a god, and so forth. During those years i held numerous positions or callings from god as the church refers to them. Each of these passages presents the gospel as a sixpoint formula or message about what men must do if they will be saved. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. Mormon doctrine was an encyclopediastyle reference book written in the. The evidence for smiths prophetic calling from god is damning when we examine who really wrote the bom. Though i cannot say i have read it from cover to cover i can say i have spent many hours bruce r mcconkie was one of the greatest lds scholars. Photo of the mormon doctrine, which was published in 1958. Mormon doctrine on this point is not clear, and mostly speculative.
Scattered israel will be gathered in the latter days and how that will be done. A basic belief in these truths is the foundation of a testimony of the mormon church. It makes a good reference to use for sacrament meeting talks or personal study. At the core of a mormons testimony is faith in god, jesus christ, the holy ghost, and joseph smiths restoration of the true church on earth. The stick of judah and the stick of joseph will become one. Lehis and nephis dreamvision of the tree of life serves as a lesson and encouragement about christs atonement.
When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. There are many entries which are clearly more to do with bruce r. True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. I believe that in 1978 god changed his mind about black people, which is basically true. A mormon who writes articles or makes public statements against the church can get in a lot of trouble, and the church is ready to stop them. No more spin doctrine on josephs many affairs and need for polygamy to suddenly be the solution. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 1986. Mormon doctrine originally subtitled a compendium of the gospel is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r. Islanders of the pacific were tied to the explorations of hagoth. If you would like to learn more about them and what they believe, please join us for this thorough and thought provoking discussion. Not all latterday saints accept the ideas which suggest a regression of divine beings. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Gospel of jesus christ the encyclopedia of mormonism.
Having an overview in our minds of what nephi taught about the doctrine of christ, and then discussing possible meanings and interrelationships of different elements of that doctrine, may help us gain important insights concerning the only and true doctrine through which man can be saved in the kingdom of god 2 nephi 31. A book exploring the life and teachings of russell m. Do mormons actually believe they are the only true church. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. By contrast, the evidence shows that the book of mormon is not translated from ancient scriptures but is a nineteenthcentury fiction. Reynolds, the true points of my doctrine, journal of book of mormon studies 5, no. This brings us to the next mormon distinctive that differs from orthodox christianity the jesus of mormonism. All references to it had already been expunged from the. Mcconkies compendium mormon doctrine from deseret booktores.
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