Mormon Dilemma 531

Bible Bashing 101

Not My Will, but Thine; “Belief in Deity and in the literal resurrection are usually the first beliefs to be discarded when faith diminishes. Ironically, though we gratefully accept the Bible as the word of God, the very process of its emergence—resulting in a dilution or loss of plain and precious truths—has, alas, led to a slackening or weakening of the Christian faith on the part of some—naturally, with an accompanying diminution of obedience to God’s commandments. Because available Bible sources are not “originals,” however, but represent dated derivations and translations, the “other books” of scripture which have come to us directly are even more to be prized.” – Neal Maxwell

2 Timothy 2:3-4, 15; “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

Interestingly the Church qualifies for those with diminishing faith according to their own standards. 

The Mormon Church does not believe in the Triune God of the Bible that has been taught not only by the Christian church, but Jesus as well. Their deity is one made up of an exalted man, a sexually begotten son and a spirit that’s still waiting for a body. 

Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith Teachings, pg. 321; “But the Holy Ghost is yet a spiritual body and waiting to take to himself a body, as the Savior did or as God did or the gods before them took bodies; for the Savior says the work that my Father did do I also. . . . He took himself a body and then laid down his life that he might take it up again. (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 382; standardized).” 

Furthermore, their comment about the Bible is very troubling. How patronizing they are in their comment about God’s word. Here He’s gone to the trouble of providing us with directions on how to know Him, how to obey Him, how to spend eternity with Him and why He did all these things and the Church has systematically thrown it back in His face by making comments like this. 

Basically what they’ve said here is that even though they say they accept the Bible they really don’t and believe what they’ve taught is much, much better. Is it ironic? No, it’s not ironic at all. There’s no irony in lying; either you believe in God’s word or you don’t. 

Where’s the proof the Bible lost many of its “plain and precious things”? 

Specifically what “plain and precious things” are they referring to? 

Specifically which Christian’s faith has slackened or weakened? Names please. 

Specifically, what Christian’s obedience has diminished because of the unnamed “things” that are missing? 

While going out of their way to cast doubt on God and what He has said, they’ve forgotten to take a good hard look in the mirror. 

Are we without extant copies of the original transcripts from the Bible?  Yes, we are. Are we without copies of those original writings that were made near or at the same time the originals were made? No, we are not. 

And even more incredible is what we’ve found in recent history (i.e. Dead Sea Scrolls) corroborating the Bible we use today that serves as proof we can trust God’s word. 

May I suggest the Mormon Church ponder these things while in their reality not one single page of papyrus or brass or golden plate from which the Book of Mormon was supposedly taken has ever been seen? It’s not that they’re no longer in existence; they can’t even prove they existed to begin with.