Why Dont Christians Accept the Book of Mormon as Valid?

[Katzpur]

If a man was on a deserted Island and found the Bible and began to walk with Jesus each day would he be saved?
Or would he also need to have the book of Mormon as well?

Neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon is going to save anyone, as I'm sure you will agree. On the other hand, both of them will provide the individual seeking to better know Jesus Christ and to better understand His gospel with some valuable information. From my perspective, more knowledge is better than less knowledge. Some knowledge is better than no knowledge.

I'm sure we can all agree that everyone will be judged according to the amount of truth we know and if we can call Jesus friend and he can claim the same.
I think the most important part of being a 'Christian' is our Relationship with Jesus.

I can't argue with you there, RemanteK.

 

[RemnanteK]

Neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon is going to save anyone, as I'm sure you will agree. On the other hand, both of them will provide the individual seeking to better know Jesus Christ and to better understand His gospel with some valuable information. From my perspective, more knowledge is better than less knowledge. Some knowledge is better than no knowledge.

Amen. So more to the point of this threads discussion.

Why Dont Christians Accept the Book of Mormon as Valid?

I don't 'not' accept it, I just don't feel it is a subject of my salvation at this point in time.

I'm still focusing on 'abiding' in the one that is my salvation.
One step at a time.

 

[edward]

Is a Christian who loves Christ not ready to accept the Gospel? Or are you saying that the Book of Mormon is the Gospel?

How can anyone be a Christian if they don't accept the Gospel?

I thought the question was to ask if the Book of Mormon is true. How would that be the wrong question?

I believe that the question to ask is if the Book of Mormon is NOT true. Isn't that what their text says? "Moroni 10:4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."
If this is accurate, then I concur. I believe that the Holy Ghost can and does reveal that he Book of Mormon is NOT true.

 

[tomspug]

I actually think that the Bible alone can save someone. If you received a love letter from God, isn't that all you need to know that God loves you and that you need him? That's what the Bible is.

The real illusion is that WE (as individuals) have the power or authority to save others, which is not true.

 

[edward]

Wow, you've gone back a long way on this thread. I couldn't even remember that post when I first read it. It was, in fact, misleading. An ex-Mormon can definitely be a Christian...

I was trying to get some more background on the topic. Thanx for your reply. I hope your week-end was nice.

Edward

 

[Watchmen]

I actually think that the Bible alone can save someone. If you received a love letter from God, isn't that all you need to know that God loves you and that you need him? That's what the Bible is.

The real illusion is that WE (as individuals) have the power or authority to save others, which is not true.

I don't think a book saves anyone. Christ saves.

 

[McBell]

I don't think a book saves anyone. Christ saves.

I do not believe that either one (The Bible or Jesus) actually DO anything to save you.
You save yourself by believing in Jesus Christ.

 

[ἀλήθεια]

LDS and non-LDS agree that the scriptures are the power of God unto salvation:

LDS:
The holy scriptures are the word of God given to us for our salvation. The scriptures are essential in receiving a testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. The scriptures given to us by God in these latter days are the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These sacred records bear testimony of the Savior and lead us to Him. That is why great prophets like Enos cried unto the Lord in faith to preserve the scriptures.
- Robert D. Hales, “Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 24


BIBLE:
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

 

[sojourner]

I believe that "the gospel" is God's Plan of Salvation. While I love the Bible (I actually enjoy reading the four gospel accounts more than I enjoy reading much of the Book of Mormon), I believe that it does not cover the Plan of Salvation to the same degree the Book of Mormon and latter-day revelation do. Certain doctrines, such as the Pre-mortal existance of man and the Spirit World are alluded to in the Bible but are not explained as fully as they might be.

And what is that, exactly? Could someone please lay out for me what exactly constitutes the gospel message (which is, according to you) "God's 'Plan of Salvation.'" What is that plan? Secondly, in what way are the canonicals inadequate to proclaiming that message?

 

[Katzpur]

I believe that the question to ask is if the Book of Mormon is NOT true. Isn't that what their text says? "Moroni 10:4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

Edward, I think you're twisting that to mean something other than what it really means. Let's say I inadvertantly left my car keys on a counter at at a store when I paid for my purchase and then walked off. The clerk, knowing I was the last person she had helped, picked up the keys and caught me just as I was leaving the store. She could say, "Aren't these your keys?" Or she could say, "Are these not your keys?" In either case, she is assuming that they are, in fact, my keys. The word "not" or the use of the word "aren't" which is simply a contraction for "are not" implies that she believes they are my keys as simply wishes to confirm that. When a person asks God if "these things are not true," the assumption is that they are. "Is this book not the truth?"

If this is accurate, then I concur. I believe that the Holy Ghost can and does reveal that he Book of Mormon is NOT true.

The Holy Ghost would only be expected to reveal that the book is true under the following conditions: (1) The person asking must have read it. (2) The person must be asking God with a sincere heart and real intent to know. (3) The person must have faith in Christ. What, specifically, about the Book of Mormon did the Holy Ghost reveal to you was not true? I can't believe that you would have much argument with it's general premise -- that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. The Holy Ghost didn't reveal to you that that was false, did He?

 

[Katzpur]

I do not believe that either one (The Bible or Jesus) actually DO anything to save you.
You save yourself by believing in Jesus Christ.

It would make no sense to believe in someone who was powerless to raise you from the dead or cleanse you of your sins, though.

 

[tumbleweed41]

Katzpur, a few questions for you.

1. Does LDS teach that God(the father) is flesh and bone?

2 Does the LDS teach that God lives or lived on a planet named Kolob?

3. Does the LDS teach in the belief in a mother God, or Queen of Heaven?

4 Does the LDS teach that God had physical (not a violation of natural law) sex with Mary?

5 Does the LDS teach that Women must have children to provide vessels for unborn spirit children?

A yes answer to any of these questions will also provide the answer you seek as to why most Christians will not accept the book of Mormon

 

[ἀλήθεια]

Pertaining to salvation the Book of Mormon says:

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25:23)

Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (3 Nephi 12:20)


The Third Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints states, "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

If you are puzzled about "the laws and ordinances of the Gospel," those are the laws and ordinances of the LDS church. The Book of Mormon does not mention temple covenants nor the Celestial Kingdom where Heavenly Father is said to dwell.

Paul’s statement, "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8–9), has been misunderstood. Some have interpreted it to mean that works are not necessary. This is an erroneous conclusion.

The truth is that we are saved by grace only after all we ourselves can do. (See 2 Ne. 25:23.) There will be no government dole which can get us through the pearly gates. Nor will anybody go into the celestial kingdom who wants to go there on the works of someone else. Every man must go through on his own merits. We might just as well learn this here and now.
- Marion G. Romney, "‘In Mine Own Way’," Ensign, Nov 1976, 123

"We have made covenants so to do solemn, sacred, holy covenants, pledging ourselves before gods and angels. We are under covenant to live the law of obedience. We are under covenant to live the law of sacrifice. We are under covenant to live the law of consecration. It is our privilege to consecrate our time, talents, and means to build up his kingdom. We are called upon to sacrifice, in one degree or another, for the furtherance of his work. Obedience is essential to salvation; so, also, is service; and so, also, are consecration and sacrifice."
Bruce R. McConkie, "Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice", Ensign, May 1975, 50

Obedience to the law of heaven is an essential condition of salvation, and an essential condition in heaven." — Rulon S. Wells, "Conference Report", April 1936, p.39

"The Savior’s blood, His atonement, will save us, but only after we have done all we can to save ourselves by keeping His commandments. All of the principles of the gospel are principles of promise by which the plans of the Almighty are unfolded to us" (Ye Are the Light of the World, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 245).
Richard G. Scott, "Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge," Ensign, Nov 1993, 86

Justice guarantees that you will receive the blessings you earn for obeying the laws of God. Justice also requires that every broken law be satisfied. When you obey the laws of God, you are blessed, but there is no additional credit earned that can be saved to satisfy the laws that you break.
- Richard G. Scott, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness," Ensign, Nov 2006, 40–42

I believe that this may be one of the reasons that there is such a huge gulf between Evangelical Christianity and Mormonism.

 

[tumbleweed41]

Pertaining to salvation the Book of Mormon says:

Understood, what I am pointing out is that many Christians doubt the LDS, and therefor, the Book of Mormon, because of what they would consider very strange beliefs and practices within the LDS.

 

[ἀλήθεια]

Katzpur, a few questions for you.

1. Does LDS teach that God(the father) is flesh and bone?

He has a glorified body of flesh and bone, but no blood.

2 Does the LDS teach that God lives or lived on a planet named Kolob?

No, Kolob is a star near to where God is said to live.

"saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto the throne of God;....and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for I am the Lord thy God: I have set this one to govern all those which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest." (Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham 3:2-3.)

3. Does the LDS teach in the belief in a mother God, or Queen of Heaven?

A mother God is not mentioned in any of their scriptures. Occasionally reference is made to one.

4 Does the LDS teach that God had physical (not a violation of natural law) sex with Mary?

Not recently.

5 Does the LDS teach that Women must have children to provide vessels for unborn spirit children?

Parents provide bodies for children. The story of the birds and the bees tells you that both parents are involved in that.

Katzpur will surely correct me if any of those answers are incorrect.

 

[tumbleweed41]

Thank you for your honest response. You can see how this would be hard for most of those raised in the traditional Christian faith to accept.

 

[ἀλήθεια]

Thank you for your honest response. You can see how this would be hard for most of those raised in the traditional Christian faith to accept.

I would say that it would be difficult for any Evangelical Christian to accept, raised traditionally or not, who believes in the validity and sufficiency of the Bible. There are converts to Evangelical Christianity who would also have difficulty with the LDS teachings.

 

[McBell]

It would make no sense to believe in someone who was powerless to raise you from the dead or cleanse you of your sins, though.

It is my understanding that Jesus ALREADY did everything required ON HIS PART for you to be saved.

It is NOW up to each individual to accept Jesus.
So who saves you?
Not Jesus, Jesus merely opened the door.
YOU have to walk through it.

 

[Quiddity]

It is my understanding that Jesus ALREADY did everything required ON HIS PART for you to be saved.

It is NOW up to each individual to accept Jesus.
So who saves you?
Not Jesus, Jesus merely opened the door.
YOU have to walk through it.

I don't know if this applies in LDS (although I suspect that it does as it is a basic Christian belief just explained in different ways) but in Eastern Orthodox they use a term called "theosis". It's a synergy between God and man working together. Saying it is just God or just man would be false in most of the Christian world.

 

[McBell]

Saying it is just God or just man would be false in most of the Christian world.

I disagree.
Because everything has been done EXCEPT your choosing to walk through the door.