Ancient writings support LDS doctrine and teachings (LDS Caucus)

Deseret News ^ | Monday, Apr. 28, 2008 | By Rodger L. Hardy

[restornu]

Ancient writings unearthed in the last century and a half, primarily in Egypt, are lending support to doctrines and teachings of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Brigham Young University professor of antiquities said Sunday.

C. Wilford Griggs, who has written extensively on Egypt and is working on excavating Christian burial grounds in Egypt, said scholars are now admitting that "Joseph Smith got into the antiquities" before experts in the field began their discoveries, but they won't accept his explanation.

Smith, an uneducated farm boy, claimed he translated the Book of Mormon from ancient gold plates using instruments given him by an angel, but scholars are refusing to believe that, Griggs said during a fireside, "Joseph Smith and the Egyptian Connection," at the Pleasant Grove Manila Stake Center. Some of the ancient writings have been found in the past few years.

Many scholars are now admitting that the book accepted as scripture by church members is an ancient book, but as one scholar of antiquities told Griggs, he had no problem with the gold plates and Smith's story would be acceptable "if you'd get rid of that angel."

Anciently, the fountain of Christian knowledge was Egypt and the Mediterranean region and for about 1,000 years 90 percent of the people were in the faith "until they were converted to Islam by the sword," he said.

"We are being flooded with (ancient) writings," Griggs said, describing many as coming from the biblical New Testament period. Many of the writings, now totaling about 8,000, are on papyri, but others are on metal plates. None are exactly alike, which lends historical credence to the finds.

The apostles scattered throughout the known world and established pockets of Christianity after the time of Jesus Christ, including Egypt, he said. Some of the best early Christian records were found in Egypt, where they survived because of the climate.

The traditional concept that the Bible is complete came about 400 A.D., he said. Before then Christians knew that many other writings existed.

Many of the Christian teachings found in Egyptian digs that are shared in common with Smith's teachings have to do with the temple "and how the heavens can be open to us," Griggs said.

Among those findings is the teaching of baptism by proxy for folks who have died without learning of Christ and his gospel, which centers on the resurrection.

Anciently, baptism was known as a "sealing" to go to heaven, he said. The word "sealing" is used today in LDS temples in similar fashion.

Most of the writings which have now been found were secret anciently and held back from the people until they proved their worthiness.

Some speak of the potential of their divinity, also a common theme Smith taught, which the first LDS prophet said was given to him by revelation.

"Several of the gospels ... show that revelation was alive and well in the ancient world. Revelation was a keystone," Griggs said.

Yet centuries later, revelation and temples were denounced by religious leaders, including Augustine, as unnecessary.

[wagglebee]

So, you DON’T think that Christians were compared to Caiaphas?

[wagglebee]

Such as hacked off etc that is telestial behavior saying things to demean and are inconclusive, just because the person could and did something that was over the line!

because one don't like something one thinks they can trash it all they want with out regards if it really accurate.

You mean like the Mountain Meadows Massacre?

[restornu]

because one don't like something one thinks they can trash it all they want with out regards if it really accurate.

You mean like the Mountain Meadows Massacre?

you saw how the movie wither because it was not accurate!

[wagglebee]

Are you claiming that the Mountain Meadows Massacre DID NOT occur?

[restornu]

So, you DON’T think that Christians were compared to Caiaphas?

Why are you still trying to rope in a group of people with the actions of a few individual?

[restornu]

No one was hacked off that is your opinion you are judging this by the world telestial standards which has nothing to do with the Lord will.

None of those who rebel against the Lord’s Church survived they became splinters which soon wither on the vine!

[wagglebee]

Boagenes wrote:

To: restornu

This one is a gutbuster.

84 posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:43:51 PM by Boagenes (I'm your huckleberry, that's just my game.)

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To which you responded:

To: Boagenes

That must have been how Caiaphas felt when dealing with the early saints!

86 posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:49:51 PM by restornu

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies | Report Abuse]

And I asked:

To: restornu; Boagenes

That must have been how Caiaphas felt when dealing with the early saints!

Are you now comparing Christians to Caiaphas because we do not subscribe to Mormonism?

97 posted on 04/29/2008 10:47:06 AM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

To which you responed:

To: wagglebee

It matters not if one is Christian or LDS should their behavior resembles that of the Caiaphas they are on the path of the Telestial!

I have met many Christian on FR who are on the Terrestrail path.

103 posted on 04/29/2008 10:59:44 AM PDT by restornu

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

Are you now denying that you compared Christians who question Mormonism to Caiaphas?

This one is a gutbuster.

That must have been how Caiaphas felt when dealing with the early saints!

That must have been how Caiaphas felt when dealing with the early saints!

Are you now comparing Christians to Caiaphas because we do not subscribe to Mormonism?

It matters not if one is Christian or LDS should their behavior resembles that of the Caiaphas they are on the path of the Telestial!

I have met many Christian on FR who are on the Terrestrail path.

[restornu]

I said the portrayal of the movies was not accurate!

Why are you always reaching for something that is not there it is very Telestial incline!

[wagglebee]

Few movies are completely accurate. Did Mormons commit a massacre of over 100 UNARMED men, women and children at Mountain Meadows in 1857? YES or NO?

[restornu]

It matters not if one is Christian or LDS should their behavior resembles that of the Caiaphas they are on the path of the Telestial!

It is still about individuals a clue should have dawm on you that we each are responsible for our actions and how we treat others.

It has nothing to do with group even those there might be a few in a group!

Now enough silly questions!

[wagglebee]

Now enough silly questions!

Since I seldom get answers, I will stop asking.

[restornu]

Did the Church NO, did a few LDS go Telestail yes!

[MHGinTN]

Okay, I surfaced the sub to read all six parts ... you could have saved me the trouble by noting that the postscript at the end of Part 6 condenses the ‘stuff’ to the proper conclusion. A most damning series of articles, by the way. Great find, Godzilla! Irish shorthand indeed!!

[wagglebee]

Very interesting indeed!

[wagglebee]

So, if Brigham Young or one of his lieutenants gives an order and it turns out okay it’s “good”, but if Young or one of his lieutenants gives an order and it turns out bad it’s just a few Mormons who got off the path? Is this like how polygamy was good and then it was bad (though it’s okay in Heaven), or how blacks and Indians were bad and then it turned out that they were okay?

[GOPJ]

So why would you question this and not that?

I DO question "that". It's shameful no matter what group does it... The former public editor of the New York Times (Okrent) called his own paper on this issue - and did a good job of it...

[festus]

Joseph Smith
Warren Jeffs
and
Mitt Romney to name a few.

But please wait until the ink on the ancient text dries completely before handling it so as not to smear it.

[conservativegramma]

Outstanding link!!!!!!!!! Well done sir. The Anthon manuscript is GAELIC! LOL! Not Egyptian. I can hear the nails pounding into the LDS coffin. Clear comparison:

The ogham code symbol on the left is from page 311 of the 14th century Book of Ballymote (the vertical line is merely a divider). The three symbols on the right are from the "Anthon transcript."

Naithair fria fraech ("Serpent through the heather") ogham code letter on left Book of Ballymote, p. 313. Two of several similar "Anthon transcript" symbols on right.

Beautiful!

[conservativegramma]

The only ones corrupting the Greek text of the Bible is the LDS.

http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=215

http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/triunity.html

http://www.ondoctrine.com/2jwh0006.htm

http://www.bereanfaith.com/articles.php?action=article&id=23

The ‘word’ triune may not be there but I assure you the ‘concept’ is!

P.S. The word ‘mormon’ can’t be found anywhere in the Greek text. But the word ‘mormo’ can be found in Anton LaFey’s satanic Bible.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“I’m puzzled. This thread isn’t marked as a closed LDS caucus. Am I allowed to participate or not?”

No.

Yes.

Well, maybe.