The discussion on Facebook continues about Mormon’s and Christianity but has moved more to our belief in the Book of Mormon:
My friends response to my last message:
Nate, good question in regards to Ephesians 4:5. I must say that I do not have an answer without more questions coming to the surface. It does seem the early church (Acts) and the apostle Paul had firm grip on One Lord, faith, and baptism. Acts provides a great narrative of what the early church looked like. To me they identified with the Gospel in that many of them were eyewitnesses but also they recognized that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus was more than His work but that they needed to partake with Him ie. repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Personally I can’t allow the variety of Christians and doctrines keep me from believing that the early church did not unify on a central saving truth. Their unity was able to turn the world upside down. Must have been incredible to see.
Do you view the Book of Mormon as providing salvation apart from the Bible? Can a person be saved without believing in it? or is it a Testament of the Bible to you? extension?
I realize the Bible was gathered from over 5,000 manuscripts however, the only way that a book was accepted in the canon was by the fact that it was widely accepted among the believers. Also as you already probably know, there have been significant discoveries verifying books in the Bible. (dead seas scrolls.)
Great talking with you Nate. Hope I did not ramble to much.
My response:
No, you didn’t ramble at all 🙂 (and I hope I don’t either)
I too believe what you said that Paul and the other Apostles had a firm grip on Christ’s Gospel because they were there – they saw the miracles He performed and were true followers of His teachings. It would have been amazing to see all the things that happened when Christ was on the Earth.
In response to the Ephesians question, what we believe happened is known as the Apostasy. (Isa. 24:5; Amos 8:11-12; Matt. 24:4-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 14-15) After Christ died, the apostles were killed and doctrines of Christs gospel were changed and some were just dropped because of inconvenience. The authority to act in the name of God was also lost because Christ’s apostles were killed.
We believe that Christ’s gospel was restored, though, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. We believe he was called of God to restore what had been lost for many years.
Although Joseph Smith was just a man and was not perfect, we believe his “fruit” is the Book of Mormon, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”. We believe he translated this book by the power of God and that it was written by prophets who lived in the Americas. (http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/bofm-title?lang=eng)
One of our Articles of Faith says this about the Book of Mormon and the Bible: “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.”
The main purpose of the Book of Mormon is stated here:
“…to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations” (Title Page of the Book of Mormon).
Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon helps me know and understand Christ’s teachings more clearly – it is truly Another Testament of Jesus Christ and works in conjunction with the Bible, both Old and New Testament. It confirms what the Bible teaches just as a mother and father support one another in teaching their children.
One of the things I shared most when I was on a mission for our church in Santiago, Chile was this:
“We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5 – http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.3-5?lang=eng#2)”
I really enjoy talking with you too Brian and have always wondered what you believe. I look forward to further discussion.
I’m grateful for this opportunity and feel as members of the Church in Utah, we don’t get ask enough questions like this that cause us to think and reflect on our beliefs.
Stay tune…
Nate
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