Those Who Question BoM are Enemies and Sons of Belial

12 October

The Improvement Era, Vol. 64, No. 12, December 1961, pp. 924-925; “During the past week or two I have received a number of letters from different parts of the United States written by people, some of whom at least are a little concerned because they have been approached by enemies of the Church and enemies of the Book of Mormon, who have made the statement that there have been one or two or more thousand changes in the Book of Mormon since the first edition was published. Well, of course, there is no truth in that statement.

“It is true that when the Book of Mormon was printed the printer was a man who was unfriendly. The publication of the book was done under adverse circumstances, and there were a few errors, mostly typographical – conditions that arise in most any book that is being published – but there was not one thing in the Book of Mormon or in the second edition or any other edition since that in any way contradicts the first edition, and such changes as were made were made by the Prophet Joseph Smith because under those adverse conditions the Book of Mormon was published. But there was no change of doctrine.

“Now, these Sons of Belial who circulate these reports evidently know better. I will not use the word that is in my mind.” – Joseph Fielding Smith

1 Corinthians 15:1-4; “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”.

The fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians is of course, known as the ‘Resurrection Chapter’ of the Bible. In it believers can find Paul’s exhortation to keep his explanation of the gospel close in your heart. The remainder of this chapter is vitally important when witnessing to Mormons as it contains a few key doctrinal truths from God’s word which Mormons flat out preach against.

I pray that as you witness to Mormons, you’ll remember Paul’s words in the first four verses.

Our Mormon reference today comes from a talk given in 1961by then Church Historian, Joseph Fielding Smith. Earlier that same year he stated at a conference in Hawaii that we’d never get a man to the moon. Smith was the grandson of Hyrum Smith (brother of Joseph Smith), the son of Joseph F. Smith (6th Prophet/President of the Church). and served as the Church’s 10th Prophet/President from 1970-1972.

With the background info on Mr. Smith, does it seem reasonable a well educated Mormon expert, wouldn’t know about the many changes in the Book of Mormon?

The way he referred to those who wrote to him about the BoM makes my heart sad. Those who put their trust in this man would have to wonder if he’d call them names if they questioned the book’s authenticity.

Remember beloved, God never expects us to blindly follow anyone, and if fact He tells us to study His word like the Bereans in Acts 17:11.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

Tags: , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply