Despite the benefits of an infallible path of communication between god and man, the lds church believes no one but jesus christ has been or. Some of the storiesprinciples in the bible are based on truth, but the bible is not to be accepted in full. Gods word, final, infallible and foreverfrom mormon illusion to gods love. I wish to speak today of a special dimension of the gospel. They think that after the death of the apostles the church strayed. Our authorized church works are the bible, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price. When you read the book of mormon you start to see that the book of mormon came to us in a day when we needed it most. The only thing different from the book of mormon and the bible is the people and their expderiences.
Mormon quotes on the infallibility of prophets mormonthink. According to smith, god the father and jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that the christian church had been corrupted and they were giving him a new revelation so that he might lead the church back into the truth. These include the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, the pearl of great price, and the bible. Arguing for a fallible canon also means that sproul has no basis to deny the canonicity of other religious writings such as the book of mormon, etc. In 20, smoot published an article the imperative for a historical book of mormon, in which he lays out his case for the requirement for the book of mormon to be ancient and historical in order for the book to be true and joseph smith to be prophet recently, in oct 2018, smoot reworked and republished the article. A mormon prophet is infallible, then, only when he is issuing official doctrine on eternally significant topics. This doctrine resides in the four standard works of scripture the holy bible, the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price, official declarations and proclamations, and the articles of faith. The novel mormon doctrines can be found in the last two books in. This week, laura hales published a podcast episode with stephen, and a. We are passionate about making your scripture study more meaningful.
They claim anything in the bible which denies mormon teaching is incorrectly translated. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Among the many evidences found in this meticulously researched book, are what have been called infallible proofs of the book of mormonliterary, linguistic, archaeological, doctrinal, historical, propheticalong with many beautiful stories of conversion. The holy spirit confirmed to my soul that he was called of god to be his prophet. We strive to make research, videos, and media on the book of mormon accessible and integrated into your scripture study learn more about book of mormon central explore the broader ecosystem. Jerald and sandra tanner, the changing world of mormonism moody press, 1979, 337. Gods word, final, infallible and foreverfrom mormon illusion to. The title page to the book of mormon announces the book to be the result of the spirit of prophecy and of revelationwritten by way of commandment. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that the limited geography is only a late, desperate attempt to defend the book of mormon question. Christians believe that the bible is inspired by god through the holy spirit, inerrant in its original form, and infallible in all that it teaches.
He is forever one god in three persons, and forever one, yet in three persons. Mormons told to follow the prophet the salt lake tribune. Did joseph smith teach a hemispheric, rather than a limited, geography model for the book of mormon. According to mormon doctrine, these church leaders are infallible while giving relevations from god. Oct 09, 2018 claims and controversies of book of mormon translation, sunstone, december 2010, 2029. Callister speaks on book of mormons divine origins. Without a welldefined process or rule book, such as the roman catholic papal infallibility, we are always left to decide and discern for ourselves. Why are modern book of mormons different than the original. What does the lds church teach about infallibility. May, 2016 even if someone makes a mistake, the authors of the book of mormon did not claim to be infallible or flawless. The book of mormon might quote from the bible some, but it is based on what joseph smith said or put together i believe.
Cook, the words of joseph smith brigham young university religious studies center, 1980, p. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional. Criticisms related to president hinckleys inability to detect the mark hofmann forgeries are raised in the following publications. The book of mormon and mormonism has false doctrine because it is and always has been. Mormons believe that the bible is sacred, but not infallible. The holy ghost must ever be the chief source of evidence for the truth of the book of mormon. A twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon. The bible needed the book of mormon to act as a second witness just a paul tells the corinthians that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. Bringing together fifteen timely and thoughtprovoking discussions of mormon canon, the word of god asks to what extent scripture is historical and infallible and what it tells us about the nature of revelation. Try exploring some of the other projects in book of mormon centrals ecosystem, dedicated to the thoughtful study of gods word. Additionally, we believe the book of mormon bom, another testament of jesus christ, to be the word of god. Church is immutable, and infallible life after ministry. There is surprisingly little of that and most ends up in one of the books of scripture the mormons use.
The final truth in the history of revelation is in them, or will come through them. In fact, the book itself apologizes for the deficiencies of the people writing it. Gods word, final, infallible and foreverfrom mormon illusion to gods love mass market paperback january 1, 1985 by floyd mcelveen author 4. I cant figure out why critics spend so much time attacking other aspects of the church. No arrangement of evidence, however skilfully ordered. There were things that joseph smith and scholars of the day did not know that are contained in the book. One of the major, recurring messages of the book of mormon is that the lord repeatedly sends prophets. Im not so concerned with the testimony of the detractors as i am with the testimony of the many more numerous friends who loved and revered the prophet. While witnessing to mormons it is essential to know that mormons do not believe the bible is infallible. Each mormon is taught first to pray to know if the prophet is truly the prophet. Making sense or not of isaiah in the book of mormon.
Good news for lds is a 501c3 nonprofit outreach, and financial gifts above the fair market value of the dvd or book are taxdeductible. If you are to ask most professing christians, they will tell you that they believe the bible to be the infallible word of god. Official, canonized doctrine is infallible because it comes directly from god. But the miracle of its existence remains the keystone of our religion even today. These scriptures include the bible, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price. Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the god of the land. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. If the book of mormon proves to be a false gospel, then it is impossible for anyone to understand and obey the true gospel of the lord jesus through it. Joseph smiths dictated text with hundreds of corrections from royal skousens study of the original and printers manuscripts. Therefore the bible has the true jesus and the only true gospel. Title page the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. It does not change anything about the message of the book nor does it change our understanding of the history of benjamin and mosiah. This is very hard for lds people to fathom because they believe otherwise.
Joseph smith told of receiving a revelation condemning the whole church for treating the book of mormon and the former commandments lightly. Gods word, final, infallible and foreverfrom mormon. What is the evidence or testimony from early mormon members. If you believe the bible, then why not the book of mormon. Polygamy needed to become a god journal of discourse, vol. We hope that day will not be the first time the book of mormon is truly unsealed and laid opened. There can be nothing prior to the one and eternal god so that there is nothing that can contribute to his being. They have four texts that they believe to be scripture inspired by god.
The olive leaf foundation 2017 a new approach to studying the book of mormon. Gospel topics, bible, inerrancy of the church of jesus christ of. While we consider the teachings of both these books to be sacred, we recognize that neither is infallible. Most christians claim that the bible is infallible and that every single word written therein is exactly what god wants us to have and there can be no more scripture. God who cannot lie is thus forever truth, and all that he is and does is truth. Mormons dont use the term infallibility to refer to their leaders and readily acknowledge that they are imperfect men. Four holy books of mormonism is mormonism christian. Feb 09, 2021 i know the book of mormon is true based on my spiritual witness by the holy ghost. This is why we are testing the book of mormon by testing its historical claims. The challenge the book of mormon makes to the world. What is the connection between mark hofmann and martin. Book of mormon prophets emphatically rejected the notion of infallible scripture. What is the evidence or testimony from early mormon. If you would like to have a copy of the jesus christjoseph smith dvd, or the book dvd combination, they can be ordered here.
President nelson and the problem of prophetic infallibility by. There is no problem with lds prophetic infallibility because history plainly shows lds prophets are not infallible. Stephen smoot on the imperative for book of mormon. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. As god has spoken it, these words will stand as a bright testimony at the judgment mosiah 3. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
The book of mormon transcends the bible in relevance, correctness, and completeness. Why do mormons follow the book of mormon over what the holy. Roger nicholson, the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book. The book of mormon will speak for itself faith matters. May 20, 2012 we do not follow the book of mormon, or the bible, as much as we follow god, and jesus christ, thru their living prophets. Orson was called to be the first elders quorum president in this dispensation. This means that, if the canon of scripture is infallible, its determination had to come from an infallible source as well.
In 20, smoot published an article the imperative for a historical book of mormon, in which he lays out his case for the requirement for the book of mormon to be ancient and historical in order for the book to be true and joseph smith to be prophet. The word of god essays on mormon scripture edited by dan vogel. Why do mormons follow the book of mormon over what the. The bible is the right book and the only holy religious book that is absolutely true and infallible. Callister delivered the byu devotional address on nov. The book of mormon is not a substitute for the bible. This is, in part, because church members believe the bible was the result of a multiplestep translation process and the book of mormon was not. We strive to make research, videos, and media on the book of mormon accessible and integrated into your scripture study. Proceeds from all book and dvd purchases go to cover actual project expenses. Critics of the book of mormon but the miracle of its existence remains the keystone of our religion even today. Feb 04, 2016 if the prophet cant lead us astray, thats the mormon way of saying hes infallible. When god reveals anything it is truth, and truth is infallible. Book of mormon geography matters the lord gave a divine promise to the ancient inhabitants of this favored country the united states. I make no claim of infallibility, said president spencer w.
Mormon articles of faith say, we believe the bible to be the word of god as far as it is translated correctly. We make no claim of infallibility or perfection in the prophets, seers, and revelators. Jun 06, 2011 the journal of discourses is a book from the early years of mormonism containing the text of every sermon gives by the prophets and apostles from the first forty years or so in mormon history. Eleven eyewitnesses to book of mormon support its claim to be from god. Among the many evidences found in this meticulously researched book, are what have been called infallible proofs of the book of mormon literary, linguistic, archaeological, doctrinal, historical, propheticalong with many beautiful stories of conversion. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. It turns out my own faith practices the same dogma, just using a different lexicon. Why the bible needs the book of mormon greg trimble. We are gods hands upon the earth, and we are weak, faulty beings. Quotes on north american geography book of mormon evidence. If the book of mormon proves false, then it is impossible to know god by means of it. Infallibility, then, depends on the context of the information. Many ive met who refuse to believe in the book of mormon base their disbelief on some human frailty or statement made by a prophet in some informal setting or a statement made to one group of people that is then taken as to apply to everyone.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to latter day saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. The infallibility of the bible, book of mormon, other. Nov 25, 2008 these scriptures include the bible, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price. Leaders of the church are not perfect or infallible, but. They would have written the opposite based on the science of the day. He spoke about the book of mormon and its divine origins, discrediting theories joseph smith.
Thats very clear in my maxwell institute study edition of the book of mormon, another book you ought to buy. Latterday saints believe in an open scriptural canon, which means that there are other books of scripture besides the bible such as the book of mormon and that. Both the koran and the book of mormon purport to be in continuity with the bible, so they begin by making a claim to a final place in the history of revelation. Such a revelation is the book of mormon, orson wrote. Nov 01, 2016 general sunday school president tad r. Was the limited geography model created in response to dna claims. Gentiles to stumble because plain and precious parts of gospel are taken away 1 ne. Joseph smith could not have written the book of mormon in 1830. We love the book of mormon and believe that scholarship can support its history and enrich our understanding.
The book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5. None of this meant that joseph smith was infallible or even that the book of mormon was infallible. What is the connection between mark hofmann and martin harris. The baptism for the dead done in holy temples mormon doctrine pp. May 10, 1988 the words of the book of mormon will figure prominently on that day, for they are the words by which you and i will be judged. Mormonism and doctrineprophets are not infallible fair.
It shows that the book of mormon is not utterly infallible, but no one ever said it was. This contains the complete text of the 1981 edition, but with more modern text formatting. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. This is among the reasons we dismiss works such as the book of mormon.
I hereby repent of ever having a disparaging thought concerning the dogma of infallibility. Readers should therefore focus on how they can personally benefit from the profound. Michael r ash discussed this question in his excellent article the problem of fundamentalism. The challenge is written to help brighten the flame of testimony in everyday. They claim anything in the bible which denies mormon teaching is. The book of mormon is said to have been discovered and translated by the mormon prophet joseph smith in the early 1800s. Apr 20, 2012 nobody ever claimed the book of mormon to be free of errors or any scripture to be infallible, the book of mormon s main author states if there are mistakes they are the mistakes of men and joseph smith called it a most correct book rather than a perfect book.
Book of mormongeographynew worldlimited geography theory. All other evidence is secondary to this, the primary and infallible. Celestial marriage which no unworthy member or outsider can attend mormon doctrine pp. The importance of inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility. So, the things that current church leaders teach takes precedence over any scriptural canon in the mormon church.
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