Christmas Book Citations Joseph Smith Part 3

Point is to examine the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints viewpoint when Mormonism is sponsored by Mormonism research ministry since 1979 Mormonism research ministry has been dedicated to equipping the body of Christ with answers regarding the Christian faith in a manner that expresses gentleness and respect. And now, your host for today's viewpoint on Mormonism is the book of Mormon, the most correct of any book on earth. Welcome to this edition of viewpoint on Mormonism. I'm your host, Bill McKeever, founder and director Mormonism research ministry and with me today is Eric Johnson.

My colleague at MRM we continue looking at books that were given away as Christmas gifts by the first presidency between the years 1981 in 2017 this week we've been looking at one of those gifts. It was titled teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Even though this particular Christmas gift was a soft leather bound volume. You can still find the contents of this book in a hardbound volume that is available, it just about any Deseret book store that's owned by the LDS church so a lot of the page numbers that we are giving in this series regarding this book are exactly the same.

There have been no alterations between the Christmas gift book in the book that's available to the general public. Today were going to begin with a statement that Joseph Smith made regarding the book of Mormon page 194. He said I told the brother that the book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get near to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book. This statement has always intrigued me Eric because when you look at the book of Mormon. You don't find a lot of the truly unique teachings of the LDS church.

I've often said that when I read the book of Mormon.

I don't get the impression that I'm reading a story about ancient Mormons. They sound to me more to be like confused Protestants. They seem to be wrestling with a lot of the controversies of the New Testament era and post New Testament era rather than issues. You would think it would've been important to people living in ancient America as the context implies, but when he says the most correct of any book on earth. This was supposedly translated by the gift and power of God but yet we have find that the LDS church has seen fit over the years to make corrections to the book of Mormon that it doesn't read exactly the same as the 1830 edition which was that of course the first edition of the book of Mormon words have been changed. Words been added.

Words have been deleted, so it's not exactly the same now Mormon might argue, will doesn't change the meaning. All that much. It doesn't.

When you add the word not for instance, does that not change the meaning of the sentence quite substantially.

When you insert words that change the original understanding I would say that does seem to be kind of significant but when he says that it's the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book. If that statement is true, could I do not draw the conclusion that the book of Mormon by abiding by its precepts is more important than, let's say by following the doctrine and covenants, or perhaps even the pearl of great price or even conference messages that are given by leaders in the LDS church would this not be more important than even those teachings that we find in those other areas now. The reason I bring this up is no Mormons going to say that they consider all important, but if I can get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts.

What would a latter-day St. think being nearer to God would even mean I think most Latter Day Saints would understand that this would mean being exalted in the celestial kingdom were you become a God and you inherit the world after your judgment for your good works in your following the precepts of God. The problem is those precepts are found in the book of Mormon.

I remember asking a latter-day St. many years ago when I set it on the show before I asked him if I was to do what Joseph Smith said here if I abided by the precepts of the book of Mormon other than any other book would I find exultation in the celestial kingdom and he said yes and I said that's because I wouldn't even know there's a celestial kingdom. Shoot for because it's not mentioned in the book of Mormon. It doesn't mention. For instance, 3° of glory, the celestial, terrestrial and T celestial kingdom. That wouldn't be something I would think a neophyte if they really existed, would be shooting for.

And yet, the book of Mormon is supposed to be talking about real people, real places and real events. When I come to the conclusion by reading the book of Mormon that I could become a God in the next life. No, because that's not in their what I find anywhere in the book of Mormon. For instance, that God when they call heavenly father or Elohim was once a human being like us who was not always God became God at some point in time when, exactly, were not even sure what I from the book of Mormon know that I need to be married in the temple for time and eternity with my wife. I wouldn't understand that concept at all. If all I had was the book of Mormon because it's not mentioned in their or how about this idea of the preexistence that all of us as human beings are the literal offspring of a heavenly father in a heavenly mother.

People heavenly mother is not only not mentioned in the book of Mormon. She's not mentioned in any Mormon scripture Bruce McConkey Mormon apostle referred to heavenly mother as an un-spoken truth. She got mentioned anywhere. But that has to be thrown in there for a latter-day St. to try and make some kind of sense out of this idea that all humans are the literal offspring spirit children I should say of a heavenly father as well as a heavenly mother because you can't have children here on earth.

Unless you have a man in a woman. So what does the statement really mean at will. To me it means virtually nothing when you really examine it closely. I think this is a great quote for an evangelical Christian to bring up to their LDS friend or relative and ask if the latter-day St. believes that what Joseph Smith said was true that the book of Mormon is the keystone of the LDS religion and a man could get near to God by abiding by his precepts, than by any other book bill you have just listed several important doctrines that are crucial to Mormonism that make Mormonism unique and I think a lot of Latter Day Saints spend a lot more time reading the book of Mormon than they do. The Bible and I think they just assume these things are there, and when you asked him about what where is preexistence. For instance, found in the book of Mormon, though say what's in there somewhere, but they can't really point a specific place that you can use and so we have an article on our website that talks about what you just said Bill 10 top 10 teachings of Mormonism not supported by the book of Mormon and you go to MRM.org/book of Mormon doctrine's book of Mormon doctors has hyphens between the words you'll see an explanation of what you just talked about these past few minutes.

One of the doctrines that I did not mention in that list that I just gave was the doctrine of baptism for the dead. What is teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 193 have to say about that subject.

This doctrine presents in a clear light. The wisdom and mercy of God in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead, being baptized by proxy.

Their names recorded in heaven and they judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine was the burden of the Scriptures. Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.

So if you do not practice baptism for the dead on behalf of your dead relatives. Your failure is going to be at the peril of your own salvation. We find that in the book of Mormon now know we don't find baptism for the dead. In the book of Mormon at all. In fact I would argue that if a Mormon wants to believe the book of Mormon. Almost 34 tends to refute the notion because it says that if you die in your sin, the devil has sealed you his and that the final state of the wicked, so if these people who are being baptized by curiously by a latter-day St. died in their sins. It would seem that the book of Mormon is true that it wouldn't make any sense. It wouldn't do any good for those individuals. It's interesting when it comes to baptism for the dead, because that is one of the main works that are done and all the temples that are being built in it, how the church is continually building thousands of new temples so that people can go through for themselves.

One time so that they get sealed to their husband or wife, but mainly what is for is for people to do work and they even get the teenagers involved in the baptism for the dead. And if it's not even talked about in the book of Mormon, and in the Bible.

One verse is taken out of its context. First Corinthians 1529 and make a whole doctrine out of it. I think this is troubling that the LDS church takes such important concept and has no backing forth from their own Scriptures. What's interesting that you bring up. First Corinthians 1529 because you and I have visited many temples when they have their temple open houses, they will usually open them up to the public prior to being dedicated and for the use only for those who were considered worthy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The one Bible verse that they seem to have on the tour of those temples is first Corinthians 1529, which we would argue is wholly torn from its context because it gives you the impression that baptism for the dead was something that early Christians did, but first Corinthians 1529. Wouldn't seem to prove that, by the Very Way, Paul writes about it when he says what shall they do, which are baptized for the dead. If the dead rise not at all. Why are they then baptized for the dead. Now I just quoted it in the King James English because that's what Mormons respect. But how do you explain that latter-day St., if it's really the most glorious subject pertaining to the everlasting gospel as Joseph Smith claimed in the doctrine and covenants.

Why is Paul seemingly excusing himself from this practice by saying they why doesn't he say we you would think he would if he was engaged in this practice I think Paul purposely uses the word, they because this was not a practice of the early Christians. Whoever was doing it. We don't know we don't even know what exactly Paul is referring to. That's how vague this passage is and it's dangerous to make a doctrine out of a vague passage but yet that's exactly what the LDS church has done with first Corinthians 1529 bill if anybody would like to help our radio ministry out. We have a special offer that they might like to consider for a generous gift of any size organist send you a an electronic copy of Bill McKeever's in their own words a compile relation of LDS citations that's close to 400 pages in length that you just need to go to MRM.org go the donate button on the right side of the top page and put in your amount in the added note section. If you put the letters PDF and then provide your radio station call letters or your city and state or, if you listen on podcast as much of the state where you live, and that will help us immensely thank you for listening you would like more information regarding this research ministry. We encourage you to visit our website www.mrm.org you can request a free newsletter Mormonism research.

We hope you will join us again as we look at another viewpoint is have you ever wondered what you can going downtown Salt Lake City to browse the largest inventory of Christian books on the Mormon religion. Well, the answer is that Utah lighthouse bookstore located at 1358 S. and West Temple just across the street from the Smith ballpark whether you looking for a basic introduction for more scholarly work. Sandra Tanner and her staff will assist you in finding the appropriate resources so you can better understand the LDS religion Utah lighthouse bookstore also carries dozens of books that Sandra and her husband Gerald have written over the past five decades is includes their comprehensive work. Mormonism shadow will reality. So once again, if you have questions about the LDS faith there is always somebody behind the desk you would be more than happy to assist you. Utah lighthouse bookstore is open Monday through Friday 10 AM to 5 PM and on Saturdays from 1 to 5. Remember when in Salt Lake City.

Be sure to come check out Utah lighthouse bookstore located right there at 1358 S. and West Temple