Category: Bible
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Matthew 19:16-22: Becoming Perfect?
By Eric JohnsonMany Latter-day Saints have pointed to the story of the rich young ruler to show that perfection is required in order to obtain salvation. The passage reads: 16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”17 “Why do you ask me…
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Common Bible Prooftexts Used by Latter-day Saints Index
Sometimes Mormons will use a Bible verse or passage to support their religious view. Here is a place for you to look and see answers that help you.
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Does 1 Corinthians 15:29 Teach Baptism for the Dead?
In 1 Corinthians 15:29, the apostle Paul wrote, “Else what shall they dowhich are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” President David O. McKay wrote,“Not a few commentators have tried to explain away [this passage’s] true significance; but its context proves plainly…
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King James Version of the Bible (Defined)
King James Version of the Bible. The official Bible version of the LDS Church. Although official Mormon sources also utilize the Joseph Smith Translation, or the Inspired Version, the church does not own the copyright and does not use this as its official version.For more information, see Joseph Smith Translation and the Bible.
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Inspired Version (Joseph Smith Translation) (Defined)
Inspired Version. Also known as the Joseph Smith Translation (JST). According to Doctrine and Covenants 73, Smith was commanded by God to work on a new translation of the Bible. It is said this was accomplished by way of revelation. While Mormon leaders have argued that the translation was not finished, the History of the Church reports that Smith finished his…
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Bible (Defined)
Bible. One of the four Standard Works. The official translation used is the King James Version of the Bible. According to the Eighth Article of Faith, the Bible is true only “as far as it is translated correctly.” Joseph Smith said, “Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors” (Teachings of…
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Does John 9:1-3 prove the preexistence is true?
In John 9:1-3 the disciples passed by a man blind from birth and asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answers, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Some Mormons have used this…
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Mormons and the Bible
In a discussion with an older Mormon missionary, Sister G learned that I had prayerfully read the Book of Mormon but had not found it to be the word of God. In her effort to discover what obstacle stood between me and Mormonism, we talked about a lot of different doctrinal issues. We discussed contradictions…
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Are the Evangelists of Ephesians 4:11 the Patriarchs of the LDS Church?
εὐαγγέλιον (yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on) is “gospel” in Greek. Consider: εὐαγγελιστής (yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace). Not knowing Greek, which do you think is the more likely accurate translation of the second word? 1. Someone who shares/communicates/brings the good tidings, the good news. 2. Someone who gives patriarchal blessings. Now consider how the term is used by Paul to Timothy: > 2…
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The Dilemma of Revelation 1:6
By Aaron Shafovaloff The KJV of Revelation 1:6 reads, > “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
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Understanding James 2:26
In the course of a study on Ephesians, Tabletalk magazine discusses the relationship between a person’s good works and his justification before God. Examining James 2:14-26 (“faith without works is dead”), the magazine offers good insight into James’ teaching. Since Mormons regularly misappropriate this Bible passage as a proof-text to support the LDS doctrine of…
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Archaeology and the Bible
By Eric Johnson Archaeology, or the scientific study of historic peoples and their cultures, is certainly a fascinating topic. Biblical archaeologists, as they were once called before the 1970s, have been able to locate many sites and artifacts in the Holy Land to help show how the cities and people listed in the Bible were…
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Ignorant Translators Commit Many Errors
Christian apologist Rob Bowman at the Institute for Religious Research’s Mormons in Transition web site has published a nine-page study of The Book of Hebrews and the Joseph Smith Translation. Mr. Bowman maintains, “My argument here is simple: a comparison of the JST [Joseph Smith Translation] to the KJV [King James Version of the Bible]…
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Bible Verses on Truth and Discernment
Myth as scripture Hougey on authority Tolkien among prophets? True and false prophets Ten lies Feelings Historicity vs.
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Bible Index
”If I were the devil, one of my first aims would be to stop folk from digging into the Bible… I should do all I could to surround it with the spiritual equivalent of pits, thorns, hedges, and man traps to frighten people off.” – J.I. Packer
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No “Comedy of Errors”
The game Chinese Whispers (known as Telephone in the US) is a long-time favorite at parties. Someone whispers a phrase or sentence to another, who in turn repeats the words to another, and so on until reaching the last player, who then says the words out loud. The fun of the game is in the…
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Regarding an Open Canon
Speaking at the 178th semi-annual General Conference in Salt Lake City (April, 2008), Mormon Apostle Jeffrey Holland gave what he called his defense against those who “erroneously” claim that the LDS Church is not Christian. In this talk Holland discussed what he called the “bold assertion that God continues to speak His word and to reveal His truth. Revelations…
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Do You Believe in the Bible?
Guest post One would think the title would need little explanation but it does. The 8th article of (LDS) faith states, “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.” By belief I mean,…
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Joseph Smith’s Genesis 50 Additions
I’ve recently completed a 2-year study of the Old Testament book of Genesis. What a rich, sacred history God has given us in the opening pages of His Word. Though the book is a mere 50 chapters, it’s so packed with amazing events, prophesies and wisdom I could easily spend many more years in a…