One of the unique aspects of mormonism is their approach to the divine nature. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. The mormon jesus was a preexisting spirit who was exalted, just as mormon followers hope to be exalted someday. Study guide 1 1 the book of mormon a says that silk, steel, iron, and coins were all used for almost a thousand years in america from 600 bc to about 421 ad, but. Landmark mormon doctrine goes out of print the salt lake tribune.
It presents twelve simple statements that identify as succinctly as possible each of the twelve reasons. The church pushes people to say they know the church is true. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of christian belief is the concept of the virgin mary giving birth to jesus. It refers to them as other books and last records which establish the truth of the bible and make. The king follett discourse and the book of mormon contradict one another. It makes a good reference to use for sacrament meeting talks or personal study. Mormon doctrine was an encyclopediastyle reference book written in the. These heterodox teachings, and many others like them, appear nowhere in the book of mormon. Reynolds, the true points of my doctrine, journal of book of mormon. The holy ghost bears witness of the father and the son, reveals the truth of all. Book of mormon central, what is the doctrine of christ. It testifies of christ by affirming the reality of his life, mission, and power.
Throughout the history of the church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the church. Digitizing sponsor internet archive contributor internet archive language english. Lastly, i need to explain the big picture for this website. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept.
The anthon transcripts and the translation of the book of mormon. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. While this may be the core of past and modern day christianity, it is disavowed by the mormon doctrine. A central purpose of the book of mormon is to convince all people that jesus is the christ see title page of the book of mormon. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. It teaches true doctrine concerning christs atonement the foundation for the plan of salvation. I would give this book a much higher rating if it was actually mormon doctrine and not bruce rs opinions of mormon doctrine. The book of mormon consistently goes beyond the bible in its teachings, but is certainly in harmony with it.
First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. But of course to find absolute truth, all ideas and comments made in the text must be compared with what is in the scriptures and what. The devil the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. Mormon doctrine is derived from four primary sources. The scripturesthe bible, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl. His opinion in the end may turn out to be correct but that doesnt make it doctrine currently. Mcconkies mormon doctrine, one of the most influential lds books. The true points of my doctrine book of mormon central. No official church doctrine but a great book never the less. In fact, pivotal mormon doctrines are flatly refuted by the book of mormon. Ask yourself if the following scriptures from the book. Exalting man to god status is apparently alright, but jesus christ is not acknowledged as the eternal son of god in the mormon church.
Full text of mormon doctrine 1966 internet archive. I view the book of mormon as the culmination of the christian debates, which started with paul moved through augustine and pelagianism, honed through the catholic period, picking back up with the reformation with contributions from luther, calvin, arminius, wesley, and finally alexander campbells restorationism. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. They try to make connections between the book of mormon and ancient writings, be it biblical or other ancient nonbiblical writings such as the dead sea scrolls or apochrypha. Mormon theology is about many gods, god being a man, men and women potentially becoming gods, but the book of mormon is basically christian in its teachings. This work on mormon doctrine is designed to help persons seeking salvation to. He had such an encyclopedic knowledge of the scriptures that he was able to call upon in delineating lds doctrine.
The following information is in the book of mormon. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. I applaud traditional view lds apologists who do work to attempt to show that christian doctrine was known anciently, to show precedent for the book of mormon. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon. The book of abraham, included in the doctrine and covenants, is represented. This has been laid out most extensively in the writings of noel reynolds. The book of mormon restores plain and precious truths that were lost over the centuries. This article has been taken from chapter 4 preexistence and the second estate in the book mormonism 101.
Why would the church allow mcconkies mormon doctrine to. In fact, the writing inside shares many principles of biblical doctrine. After he died i heard a rumor that he died because he was not worthy, taken by the will of the lord. This gospel compendium will enable men, more effectively, to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. The book of mormon is a great asset for the lds church. In a revelation given to the prophet joseph smith in 1829, the lord declared to joseph that this generation shall have my word through you doctrine and covenants 5. Mormon doctrine originally subtitled a compendium of the gospel is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r.
Last week marked the oneyear anniversary of the quiet removal of bruce r. Mckonkie, seemed to be a valid and true author as well as an apostle, is his workbook still a valid source of inspiration and true to the mormon creed of joseph smith. 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. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Mormon doctrine is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. No virgin birth one of the most controversial mormon beliefs. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church.
The belief of mormons that god was once a man who achieved exaltation sets. I cant deny the spiritual and logical reasons that were presented to me as part of my testimony of that books truthfulness. This work on mormon doctrine is designed to help persons seeking salvation to gain that knowledge of god and his laws without which they cannot hope for an inheritance in the celestial city. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Growing up mormon in the 80s, i remember everything book of mormon was literally related to the mayans or the native americans. It has never been an official publication of the church, and it has been both heavily criticized by some church leaders and members and well regarded by others. For a fuller but still brief explanation of each point, you can click on the opening sentence to jump to the page where the. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism.
I do not take the entire book as hard doctrinal fact, however, but consider it a good book to read from and learn from, with a clear understanding that some of the information might be personal opinion of the author. All references to it had already been expunged from the. Book of mormon artwork was also depicted this way, heck even singing the book of mormon song we made the. For a moment i invite you to take a test that will help you determine the true nature of this book. Although he is correct in many instances he is also very far off the actual doctrine in others.
See the individual articles for the true, sealed portion of the book of mormon. The revelation was given in the context of the translation of the book of mormon. How does the doctrine of christ relate to the ancient. But if i found out that the book of mormon is truethen everything was going to change. Anachronistic christian doctrine in the book of mormon. However, it is this very likeness that should raise suspicion. The gospel is true, the bishop is true, the book of mormon is true, and on and on. While mcconkies book was the goto for those a halfcentury ago, haws said true doctrine is what stands the test of time and the course of. Book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, pearl of great.
Reynolds, the gospel of jesus christ as taught by the nephite prophets, byu studies 31, no. Book of mormon the book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, vol. Official declaration 2, 1978 the book of mormon teaches that all are alike unto god, including black and white, bond and free, male and female 2 nephi 26. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional. Examining the religion of the latterday saints baker, 2015, cowritten by the two authors. Book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, pearl of great price book. Temple works of washings, anointing, endowments, sealing.
A basic belief in these truths is the foundation of a testimony of the mormon church. It contains some of mormonisms most distinctive doctrines such as baptism for the dead and celestial marriage. The book of mormon testifies of modern books of scripture. Many articles we currently have in the bible dictionary either are taken exactly from, or close to, the entries from mormon doctrine. 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.
Women aside from references to biblical figures like mary, the book of mormon refers to a total of three women by name. Likewise, we must make a simple choice with the book of mormon. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. Abish, the servant of lamoni s unnamed wife, isabel the harlot and sariah, nephis mom who is most famous for complaining in the wilderness. The deity of jesus christ is a fundamental doctrine of christianity, yet the mormons deny this truth. Mcconkies compendium mormon doctrine from deseret booktores.
Mormons believe and strive to follow the ten commandments and the articles of faith. This article provides an overview of twelve major reasons why biblebased christianity is true but the mormon religion should not be accepted as true christianity. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Typically bound in a blue leather cover with the name inscribed in gold it resembles many bibles. By contrast, the evidence shows that the book of mormon is not translated from ancient scriptures but is a nineteenthcentury fiction.
First, if the book of mormon is true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it. Basic doctrines the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. We are pleased to announce that every chapter of the new testament, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price has complete commentary.
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