Category: Standard Works
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Amos 3:7: Prophets
By Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson
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Ezekiel 37:15-19: Books or Sticks?
By Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson
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Martin Harris: A Sincere Book of Mormon Witness
Mormon defender Daniel Peterson recently published an article about Book of Mormon witness Martin Harris. Appearing in the LDS-owned Deseret News, Dr. Peterson’s article, “Defending the Faith: Martin Harris: ‘Native honesty’ and life-long testimony,” is summarized: “A recently republished document written by a man who disliked Mormonism but knew Martin Harris testifies yet again to…
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From the Mailbag (Isaiah and Idols)
Hello Sharon, Now, Isaiah 43:10-11. It looks so simple and clear when you read it, but can it have MORE than one LOGICAL interpretation? If you ask me, I will tell you that YES!…in the Bible gods sometimes mean people, sometimes idols or false gods. Israelites had a history to make false gods/golden calf/, other…
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Should you pray about the Book of Mormon?
If you’ve ever spoken to a Mormon missionary, there is no doubt that you have been challenged to read the Book of Mormon and pray about its message. A verse in the Book of Mormon, along with a verse from the biblical book of James, is used to support this view. For those Christians who…
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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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Problems with the Gold Plates in the Book of Mormon
Just what exactly were the gold plates made from. In this article that first appeared in Christian Research Journal, volume 34, number 02 (2011), Bill McKeever considers the possibilites and shows why it is impossible that Joseph Smith was given plates made of real gold.
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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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Urim and Thummim (Defined)
Urim and Thummim. Described by Joseph Smith as “two stones in silver bows…fastened to a breastplate” (Joseph Smith-History 1:35).He said, “With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called ‘Urim and Thummim,’ which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast plate. Through the…
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Triple Combination (Defined)
Triple Combination: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price bound together in one volume. Return to dictionary here.
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Standard Works (Defined)
Standard Works: Four written scriptures, comprised of the Bible (officially, the King James Version), the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.Return to dictionary here.
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Scripture (Defined)
Scripture: The four written works (Bible, Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price) are called the Standard Works. In addition, this could also include the inspired words of the living prophet, official church writings, and General Conference addresses. As tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith explained, “WHAT IS SCRIPTURE? When one…
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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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Quad (Defined)
Quad. All four of the Mormon standard works — the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price — bound together in one volume. Return to dictionary here.
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Pearl of Great Price (Defined)
Pearl of Great Price. One of the four Standard Works. Contains books such as the Book of Abraham, Moses, Joseph Smith’s history, and Smith’s retranslation of a portion of the gospel of Matthew. For more information, see here. Return to dictionary here.
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Open Canon (Defined)
Open Canon. The teaching that scriptue does not end with the Holy bible but continues even in latter days through God’s prophets.For more information, see here.Return to dictionary here.
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Nephites (Defined)
Nephites. The followers of Nephi, a righteous son of Lehi. The Nephites are said to have been exterminated by the Lamanites at the battle at the Hill Cumorah. Supposedly Joseph Smith had a great knowledge of these people, even though he had nothing to study. His mother reported, “During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally…
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Moroni (Defined)
Moroni. The son of Mormon who supposedly buried the Gold Plates containing the record of the Nephite people. In 1823 Moroni is said to have appeared to Joseph Smith and revealed to him the location of the buried plates.
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Mormon (Defined)
Mormon. Claimed by Latter-day Saints to be an ancient Nephite prophet who abridged and compiled the records of his people known today as The Book of Mormon. In addition, the term “Mormon” was a derogatory term given to followers of Joseph Smith. Today it is a non-offensive nickname commonly used to describe either The Church of…