SoHo wrote:It is true that answers have been provided for most criticisms. The problem is not with the lack of answers, the problem is in the quality of the answers. "The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel, but it only speaks to those portions of the fullness that it covers ..." is not very convincing.
Here is what WW and Why me miss: "it contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel".
No, it does not "contain the fullness". It contains the basics and misses much of the "fullness".
A person doesn't even come close to exaltation without the temple ordinances and such teachings are nowhere in the Book of Mormon.
Although I am no longer a Mormon, you could argue that the Book of Mormon is more of a "Stepping-stone" into LDS religion, rather than an actual "keystone". So much more comes with the 'add on' doctrines and Temple Endowments.
Whilst the Introduction page to the Book of Mormon clearly states that it "contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. That sentence alone is questionable. The Bible certainly does not contain the 'fullness' of the gospel, if it did their would have been no need for the Book of Mormon. Even the two books side by side can only be said to be the foundation of the Mormon interpretation of the Gospel.
I would aver that the "keystone" in Mormonism is the Temple, one is not truly Mormon until you have your Temple Endowments. Now as an ExMo I see the Bible as the keystone to Christianity.
We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. T.S.Eliot
A keystones job is to keep the arch from falling. Without it an arch will fall, so yes the Book of Mormon can be seen that way, but Joseph Smith is the real keystone for the LDS.
1. God the Father has a body of flesh and bones 2. three Gods in the godhead
That flesh and bones without blood presents problems on so many levels. It is illustrative of the need to examine speculations more thoroughly before committing them to paper.
While the Trinitarian idea was supported in the Book of Mormon, did you know there are about an equal number of scriptures in the Bible supporting the current Mormon viewpoint?
The Book of Mormon is correct in the doctrines and principles it teaches, but it does not claim to contain all truth. Its own self-described purpose is to "the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations" (title page), and that these teachings are "plain and precious" (1 Nephi 13:35,40; 1 Nephi 19:3).
What is ironic (in a hilarious kind of way) is that the Book of Mormon doesn't even achieve the declared purpose! How many Mormons when asked would declare that Jesus Christ is the Eternal God? A few, but not many.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
moksha wrote:That flesh and bones without blood presents problems on so many levels. It is illustrative of the need to examine speculations more thoroughly before committing them to paper.
Jeffery Holland taught:
If the idea of an embodied God is repugnant, why are the central doctrines and singularly most distinguishing characteristics of all Christianity the Incarnation, the Atonement, and the physical Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? If having a body is not only not needed but not desirable by Deity, why did the Redeemer of mankind redeem His body, redeeming it from the grasp of death and the grave, guaranteeing it would never again be separated from His spirit in time or eternity? Any who dismiss the concept of an embodied God dismiss both the mortal and the resurrected Christ. No one claiming to be a true Christian will want to do that”
I'm assuming then that you do not believe in or at least have a hope regarding the actuality/reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Regards, MG
Last edited by _mentalgymnast on Tue May 11, 2010 2:11 am, edited 2 times in total.
Wiki Wonka wrote:The Book of Mormon is correct in the doctrines and principles it teaches, but it does not claim to contain all truth.
Why are potential converts asked to pray about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon if it does not claim to contain all truth?
Why should it containing every single truth be a prerequisite for praying about it?
"I'd say Joseph, that your anger levels are off the charts. What you are, Joseph, is a bully." - Gadianton "Antley's anger is approaching...levels of volcanic hatred." - Scratch
1. God the Father has a body of flesh and bones 2. three Gods in the godhead
That flesh and bones without blood presents problems on so many levels. It is illustrative of the need to examine speculations more thoroughly before committing them to paper.
While the Trinitarian idea was supported in the Book of Mormon, did you know there are about an equal number of scriptures in the Bible supporting the current Mormon viewpoint?
I am aware of the concept of the Trinity supported by the Bible and have seen several references in the Book of Mormon that seem to support that also. However, my understanding is that Mormons do not accept and teach that concept. My understanding is that Mormons teach that there are 3 separate Gods that are 1 in purpose.
I am not certain if that is what you are referring to or not.
scripturesearcher wrote: That flesh and bones without blood presents problems on so many levels. It is illustrative of the need to examine speculations more thoroughly before committing them to paper.
Jeffery Holland taught:
If the idea of an embodied God is repugnant, why are the central doctrines and singularly most distinguishing characteristics of all Christianity the Incarnation, the Atonement, and the physical Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? If having a body is not only not needed but not desirable by Deity, why did the Redeemer of mankind redeem His body, redeeming it from the grasp of death and the grave, guaranteeing it would never again be separated from His spirit in time or eternity? Any who dismiss the concept of an embodied God dismiss both the mortal and the resurrected Christ. No one claiming to be a true Christian will want to do that”
I'm assuming then that you do not believe in or at least have a hope regarding the actuality/reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Regards, MG[/quote]
Sorry, not sure who you are addressing this question to, but the quote above attributed to "scripturesearcher" was not from me. I believe that part that was quoted was by "moksha".
In case the question was meant for me, my answer is that I do believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.