LDS people value the Bible (Mormon - Open)

BYU Daily Universe ^ | Aug. 18, 2010 | David Mortimer

[Colofornian]

To begin his series titled “Myths and Realities about Mormonism,” Robert L. Millet, professor of ancient scripture and former dean of Religious Education at BYU, addressed the myth that Latter-day Saints disrespect, reject and contradict the Holy Bible.

After quoting extensively from an April 2007 general conference talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, titled “The Miracle of the Holy Bible,” Millet explained that part of the public’s misconceptions about the LDS view of the Bible might be a result of church members spending too little time with it.

“The fact of the matter is that the Holy Bible is deeply significant in our family of scripture,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t love one member of the family more than any other.”

Millet next addressed the eighth Article of Faith, a common passage church members use to describe that they believe in the Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” He acknowledged that though translation is a difficult process and errors are a concern, he believes there is an added layer of meaning to the verse.

“I’m convinced that Joseph Smith, as much as anything, meant transmission — that’s moving from one generation to the next,” he said.

Millet added that conversion is not entirely dependent on scripture, though it is an important element in the conversion process.

“A person doesn’t become fully a Christian by reading, nor do they become a Christian by having a certain vocabulary,” he said. “I don’t think salvation comes by proper vocabulary.”

To wrap up his discussion on translation, Millet quoted President George Q. Cannon, a counselor to four early presidents of the Church: “The clause in the Articles of Faith regarding mistakes in the translation of the Bible was never intended to encourage us to spend our time in searching out and studying the errors, but to emphasize the idea that it is the truth and the truth only that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts, no matter where it is found.”

Next, Millet addressed how The Book of Mormon and other modern revelation establish the truth of the Bible. He cited Doctrine and Covenants 20:5-11, which recounts Joseph Smith’s efforts to bring forth The Book of Mormon, “which was given by inspiration … proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true.”

“What holy scriptures would have been around in 1830?” Millet asked. “The Bible.”

This idea of establishing truth, Millet added, is evident in the number of biblical allusions made by those who wrote The Book of Mormon.

“If you and I read The Book of Mormon carefully,” he said, “we will see that The Book of Mormon writers presupposed that we had a Bible.”

By a careful, systematic study of both the Old and New Testaments, Millet said church members can use them to clarify passages in modern scripture. One example he gave was 3 Nephi 23:14, which states that Jesus “expounded all the scriptures in one.” To understand this phrase better, Millet directed the audience to Luke 24:27, in which the resurrected Savior walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Without revealing His identity, the verse reads, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Millet acknowledged that many Latter-day Saints frequently do the opposite: use modern-day scripture to clarify the Bible. He exhorted them to apply that idea in reverse, as well.

“I promise you there are scores and hundreds of [examples],” he said. “That’s just as it should be. The greatest commentary on scripture is scripture, and it needs to work in both directions.”

To conclude his remarks, Millet quoted Joseph Smith: “He that can mark the power of omnipotence inscribed upon the heavens can also see God’s own handwriting in the sacred volume [the Bible]. And he who reads it oftenest will like it the best.”

Millet added his testimony of the truthfulness of the Bible and its importance in the LDS canon.

“The Bible is a part of the family of holy scripture,” he said. “Never, never, never let us treat it as an ugly stepsister.”

[magritte]

Very few Christians have the background, or the inclination, to study the roots of Christianity and the role of Paul...they look at what is presented to them in their churches and accept it...Joseph Smith is a modern-day Paul...we are fortunate enough to have a much more literate society that’s able to discern his falsehoods...magritte

[Elsie]

 

Christians don't sing "Praise to Paul".

 

Click it!

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Praise to the Man!

 

 

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

 

 

Praise to his mem'ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assasins,
Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

 

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

 

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again.

 

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

[Elsie]

There are probably some of my fellow LDS Christians that personally give one scripture source more weight than another.

Jumbo Shrimp

Military Intelligence

...

[Elsie]

Given proper interpretation though they are all equally good and Holy.

...and so forth.

[Elsie]

Given proper interpretation though they are all equally good and Holy.

(Mormon spin)

[svcw]

M you are so funny, trying to distort your lds affiliation.

[svcw]

Why when yo don’t think its translated correctly.

[blasater1960]

..."Paul and the early Christians to convince Gentiles of the importance of Jesus...there are many more examples like this...it’s all out there to find...magritte"

Exactly right. It is not an easy thing to come to terms with, after believing a certain doctrine since childhood. In the era of the internet....those days are over for the truth seeker. It is all out there. Great point!

[svcw]

Show me.

[svcw]

.Joseph Smith is a modern-day Paul.

[blasater1960]

Are you asking for links?

[magritte]

LOL !! You are truly a hoot ! I've told you my true faith. Mormons, Protestants, Catholics, etc.(I'm not sure which one you are, but most of the anti-Mormons I come across are those phony baloney Church of the Rock of the Lamb types ran by their Uncle the Pastor who pick and choose a few books and verses out of the "New Testament" & "Old Testament and rant and rail against the Heathens)follow a false theology ... don't worry though...the real G-D isn't the petty one created to control the Christians...he loves all...magritte

[magritte]

LOL !! You are truly a hoot ! I've told you my true faith. Mormons, Protestants, Catholics, etc.(I'm not sure which one you are, but most of the anti-Mormons I come across are those phony baloney Church of the Rock of the Lamb types ran by their Uncle the Pastor who pick and choose a few books and verses out of the "New Testament" & "Old Testament and rant and rail against the Heathens)follow a false theology ... don't worry though...the real G-D isn't the petty one created to control the Christians...he loves all...magritte

[svcw]

Sure. Or even you own words. I have lots of Jewish friends (from Orthodox to liberal) and have never met one who is angry about the New Testament and Jesus. So I am curious why you are.

[svcw]

Wow. I wonder how anyone could be a wrong as you, you have said your faith, your actions speak lds. It is mormonISM not anti-mormon. You scream I know I know I know, yet.............

[blasater1960]

and have never met one who is angry about the New Testament and Jesus. So I am curious why you are.

Where did you get that impression? I have not used ad hominem attcks, just statements backed up by scripture. It is a polemic discussion.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Judaism, of course...or in my case, as a Gentile, Noahidism...G-d gave us a great chance and the final word a long time ago...”

So, how often do you perform blood sacrifices for remission of your own sin magritte?

Oh, no wait.

Those sacrifices were supposed to be performed in the Temple, which was destroyed.

Guess you’re living in sin, kid.

ampu

[greyfoxx39]

Some posts just seem word for word, don’t they? ;)

[svcw]

My impression come from your posts.