What Do Mormons Really Believe?: Part VIII
Article of Faith #8
This is Part Eight of my series on what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, sometimes called "Mormons", believe. Please remember that though I am an active member of the church, my disclaimer is that I do not claim to provide the official view from the church; I'll leave it to the church to do that (see www.mormon.org).
The intent of these articles is not to attack or demean other faiths or to cause any kind of contention or argument. They are written to simply outline the beliefs of church members in as straightforward a way as possible. I have no intention to convince, trick or deceive anyone. Indeed, this is far from the mind of any faithful member of the church. We realize full well that spiritual matters are deeply personal and can only be accessed through study, reflection, and with the aid of the Divine.
The Articles of Faith were written by Joseph Smith Jr., whom church members take to be a prophet and the first leader of the church in our time. They were written to clarify the church's position about many fundamental issues.
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Article of Faith #8
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
In a word, the Holy Bible is a miracle. Think of its amazing history. Beginning as a collection of writings from prophets and poets--sometimes both at the same time, and moving through to include histories and letters from some of God's choicest leaders. It has slowly moved through the centuries until we have it today. Think of the deaths of those who gave their lives so we could have it! Think of the long hours of studious, tedious work put forth by scribes as they translated, copied and illuminated it. Realistically speaking, it really shouldn't be here at all. It didn't stand a chance. It's a miracle. Members of the church firmly believe this. It a book that we can pretty well say that God wrote--through His servants' hands.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints love the Holy Bible. In our Sunday classes, we read from it regularly and study it. Two out of every four years is devoted to its intense study in our Sunday Schools, first the Old Testament, and then the New. We pour over the stories and love to tell them to each other: Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lion's Den, the stories of Jesus, and so many more. I can personally tell you that I've read the whole Bible from cover to cover, and I love this book. It has given me strength, wisdom, and knowledge. It has helped me build my faith. I can safely say that most church members feel as I do. The Bible is a miracle and a gift from God.
Elder M. Russell Ballard, a church leader and modern day apostle, recently said:
I am sure many of you have had the experience of hearing people say that "Mormons are not Christians because they have their own Bible, the Book of Mormon." To anyone harboring this misconception, we say that we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and the author of our salvation and that we believe, revere, and love the Holy Bible. We do have additional sacred scripture, including the Book of Mormon, but it supports the Bible, never substituting for it . . . I am puzzled by any who would question this Church's belief in the Bible and our position as Christians. The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our last general conference, our Church leaders quoted from the Bible nearly 200 times. This Church is organized and functions like the Church that Christ and His Apostles established in the New Testament. Seated on the stand today are the prophet and the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. I bear solemn witness that we are true and full believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His revealed word through the Holy Bible. We not only believe the Bible—we strive to follow its precepts and to teach its message.
Early in the church's history in modern times, Joseph Smith Jr., a prophet of God privvy to revelation from God, undertook to translate the Holy Bible through the gift and power of God. As can be expected for a book that is literally thousands of years old (at least parts of it), he did find errors that had crept into some of the passages. Despite these errors and his translation, the church uses the King James version of the Holy Bible--one of the most respected translations ever completed.
Just as the Holy Bible is an assembled record of holy words from holy prophets of God, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is such a record, but from people in the New World from about 600 BCE to abaout 400 AD. God's dealings with these people give further profound witness, in addition to the Bible, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The book begins with a prophet named Lehi, who lived in Jerusalem just before it was destroyed by the Babylonians. Lehi, being warned of God in a dream, took his family away from Jerusalem and eventually to the New World. He had several sons, some of whom were righteous and some of whom made evil choices. Eventually, the descendants of these brothers became enemies and founders of their own societies. Many of their wars and battles are recorded in the Book of Mormon. The righteous people, called the Nephites, were told that as long as they remembered the Lord and kept His commandments, they would prosper in the land and be protected. If they ever strayed, however, they would face destruction. Eventually, this happened. It is very important to note, however, that many of the more wicked society, the Lamanites, converted to the gospel. Once converted, they never strayed.
One special part of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ describes the visitation of Jesus Christ to the people in the New World just after His death, resurrection and ascension as described in the New Testament. It is personally one of my favorite parts of the book, as we can see the Lord minister to the people, blessing, healing and teaching them.
Many prophets in the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ. Here are a few of their words:
The prophet Nephi wrote:
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
From a prophet known as Samuel the Lamanite:
And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance; And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name. And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.
From a prophet-king named Benjamin, who gave one of my favorite speeches of all time:
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning.
And from the prophet Mormon, who assembled the records into the compilation that we now call The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ:
Believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead . . . And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom . . . in a state of happiness which hath no end. Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles bfrom the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles cunto you. For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also . . .
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is often referred to as the "keystone" of our religion. It is thus called because of this simple reason: if the book really is true and really is the word of God, then that means that Joseph Smith really was a prophet of God because as a prophet, he translated it through the power of God. If that be true, then follows the joyful message that the true church of Christ really has been restored to earth, and that this is it. It all hinges on this book: The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The entire premise of the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is based on the book's verity. We boldly--yet in humility--ask people to read it--to test for themselves whether or not it is what we say it is: another true testament of Jesus Christ. But how can one test such a claim?, some may ask. This is no ordinary book. It has a promise--it contains within it a means for testing, written by Moroni, the son of Mormon and the last prophet of once great people:
Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
So what's the test? Read it. Ponder it. Study it. Then ask with real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ if it is true or not. I have. I did. It is. I have personally received that witness through means that are sacred and holy to me. I ask that you forgive my boldness, but I can, in the name of Jesus Christ who is holy and of whom the book testifies, also give my testimony that it is true. It is scripture. Like the Holy Bible, it contains the word of God.
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If you are a member of the church, you might consider leaving your own personal testimony in a comment below.
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You can order a free copy of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by clicking here. There is a link at the bottom of the page.
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Next stop: Article of Faith #9. It's all about one of the key features of the church: Revelation from God. If you read the above, you know by now that revelation from God is central to Mormon belief. Does God talk to prophets today just as He did in days of old? Can He communicate with you or me?
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Contents to articles:
What Do Mormons Really Believe?: Introduction
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Comments: 8
I have seen these articles posted and have never delved in...since I think you are a wonder and a man whom I respect, I will take the time to read and in time, ask you questions. You are such a diverse soul...
If the bible is often translated and interpreted incorrectly, isn't there just as much chance that the Book of Mormon will be incorrectly interpreted?
What about your church's view toward women and blacks? Are they still denied the priesthood?
As to your first question, the Book of Mormon was translated from its source directly through the power of God while the Bible was translated several times from copies of copies of copies, so there is much more tendency for the Bible to have been translated incorrectly. Let me stress again, however, that we use the Bible daily. We do not consider it a book full of many errors. And we still use the King James Translation.