Elder Nelson's Book of Mormon Blog
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:13 am
The church's most recent mass emailing includes a link to this blog by Elder Nelson that asks the question, "What would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? https://www.lds.org/blog/what-would-yo ... 917_CTA10
It includes Elder Nelson's list of reasons the Book of Mormon is so important and necessary. He tries really hard to find Mormon doctrine in the BoM but I think he mostly shows that it isn't there. Here's his list with some of my comments in bold:
It includes Elder Nelson's list of reasons the Book of Mormon is so important and necessary. He tries really hard to find Mormon doctrine in the BoM but I think he mostly shows that it isn't there. Here's his list with some of my comments in bold:
My Book of Mormon Lists
The Book of Mormon Is:
-Another testament of Jesus Christ. Its major writers—Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, and Moroni—and its translator, Joseph Smith, were all eyewitnesses of the Lord.
-A record of His ministry to people who lived in ancient America.
-True, as attested by the Lord Himself.
The Book of Mormon affirms:
-The individual identity of Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. (but not nearly to the degree that it affirms the trinity)
The necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve, that men might have joy. (i.e. denies all scientific evidence of the age and evolution of the human race)
The Book of Mormon refutes notions that:
Revelation ended with the Bible. (a common theme in burnedover preaching)
Infants need to be baptized. (19th century protestantism)
Happiness can be found in wickedness. (only an ancient American prophet could come up with something like that!)
Individual goodness is adequate for exaltation (ordinances and covenants are needed). But the BoM doesn't actually include those ordinances - Elder Nelson is sneaking that in there to make it sound like the BoM actually talks about them. It only has baptism for the remission of sins)
The Fall of Adam tainted mankind with “original sin.” (more anit-science)
The Book of Mormon fulfills biblical prophecies that:
“Other sheep” shall hear His voice. (misreading of biblical reference)
God will do “a marvelous work and a wonder,” speaking “out of the dust.” (kinda not too specific)
The “stick of Judah” and the “stick of Joseph” will become one. (misreading of biblical reference)
Scattered Israel will be gathered “in the latter days” and how that will be done. (misreading of biblical reference)
The land of inheritance for the lineage of Joseph is the Western Hemisphere. (Elder Nelson should take this up with Simon Sutherton)
The Book of Mormon clarifies understanding about:
Our premortal existence. (actually, it doesn't say anything about it. He's talking about Brother of Jared seeing the godly finger)
Death. It is a necessary component of God’s great plan of happiness. (what would be really interesting would be if it gave you an option besides death)
Postmortal existence, which begins in paradise. (does it really say this anywhere?)
How the resurrection of the body, reunited with its spirit, becomes an immortal soul. (19th century protestantism)
How our judgment by the Lord will be according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts. (19th century protestantism)
How ordinances are properly performed: for example, baptism, sacrament, conferring the Holy Ghost. (19th century protestantism)
The Atonement of Jesus Christ. (19th century protestantism)
The Resurrection. (19th century protestantism)
The important role of angels. (pretty much believed by everyone in an Abrahamic tradition)
The eternal nature of priesthood. (what? I don't think the BoM even mentions priesthood. Alma just baptized because he wanted to. It does say a lot about priestCRAFT though)
How human behavior is influenced more by the power of the word than the power of the sword. (e.g Laban?)
The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown:
Baptisms were performed before Jesus Christ was born. (unless it was written in the 19th century)
Temples were built and used by people in ancient America. (no actual evidence of this)
Joseph, 11th son of Israel, foresaw the prophetic role of Joseph Smith. (hmmm, I wonder how that might have gotten in there?)
Nephi (in 600–592 BC) foresaw the discovery and colonizing of America. (unless it was written in the 19th century)
Plain and precious parts of the Bible have been lost. (convenient)
The Light of Christ is given to each person. (19th century protestantism)
The importance of individual agency and the need for opposition in all things. (is this news?)
Warnings about “secret combinations.” (like secret swearing to masonic oaths?)