Non-Mormon meeting with Missionaries

[bytebear]

First I'll give you your due: Then, I'll point out the obvious...those passages surely provide subtle comfort to LDS who are already convinced of the multiple kingdoms of heaven, and of the Father's physical body...but surely they are not where the Church came up with these two very distinctive LDS doctrines.

Many distinct doctrines, from the LDS perspective, were revealed to Joseph Smith as he pondered Biblical verses. There is a section in the D&C where Smith literally does a Q & A with God about the meaning of the symbolism of the book of Revelation. Fascinating when you consider the LDS belief of a prophet receiving revelation rather than a more traditional (inspired) interpretation by a minister.

[Blackmarch]

First I'll give you your due: Then, I'll point out the obvious...those passages surely provide subtle comfort to LDS who are already convinced of the multiple kingdoms of heaven, and of the Father's physical body...but surely they are not where the Church came up with these two very distinctive LDS doctrines.

Indeed they are not clear enouogh to completely support the principle enough on their own, but they are a great support and evidence of it.

Altho I'd like to point out a lot of the revelations that we have in modern times is because the bible inspired the prophets to ask God questions in regards to what certain things mean or how they work out... So in effect if those scriptures were not in the bible we would not have the revelations that clarify and expand what is given in the bible.

[jlf9999]

Many distinct doctrines, from the LDS perspective, were revealed to Joseph Smith as he pondered Biblical verses. There is a section in the D&C where Smith literally does a Q & A with God about the meaning of the symbolism of the book of Revelation. Fascinating when you consider the LDS belief of a prophet receiving revelation rather than a more traditional (inspired) interpretation by a minister.

This kind of gets down to the bottom line doesn't it? The difference between LDS theology and traditional Christian understanding of the gospel is one comes directly from God through His witnesses and prophets and the other is handed down over the centuries by men through countless iterations out of which we get 2400 different Christian denominations and dozens of versions of the bible. One is either forced to accept that men, over time, got it right or that they got it wrong too often and God had to step in to fix it all. Traditional Christianity says their traditions are the only way to understand God and mankind's relationship with Him and the other says put what we say to the test - ask God yourself.

Edited April 8, 2011 by jlf9999

[apexviper13]

Also, the Book of Mormon answers 2 subjects the Bible barely touches on.

1. Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion:

the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

In Isaiah 37 we learn there were people that escaped Jerusalem. In the last part of verse 32 it states "the zeal of the lord of hosts shall do this." In other words, that remnant would be led on their journey by the Lord. However, the Bible does not mention once who these people were.

1 Nephi 1:4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

1 Nephi 2:2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.

3 And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.

4 And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.

2 John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be cone fold, and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

You notice in John 10 Jesus says he has sheep that are "not of this fold". There is no answer on who this fold is because the Jews murmured among each other against Jesus. The answer is found here:

3 Nephi 15:16 This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them:

17 That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

18 And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.

19 But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you.

20 And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them.

21 And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

22 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.

23 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.

24 But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.