Gospel Question

[Maygraceabound]

I have only been a member for a week or so and I have learned much. At first I was a little aggravated that when I posted scripture from the KJV Bible to make a point and very little weight was given to it. In one thread I learned out why. The poster mentioned that the LDS doubt the content of the KJV Bible. In that same thread other posts went as far as to making the versus in the KJV that I and others referenced to into a punch line. They took great pride in doing so. Even though I was shocked, I will defend your right ( even to death ) to have the freedom of speaking freely. So, I found out that the basis of our disagreements was that we have different sources for what we believe is the Word of God and the Gospel in each source is polar opposites. So my question for the LDS members is this: Assume the KJV of the bible is the only true Word of God available. All of it's content is reliable as truth. What would that Gospel (good news) look like?

[Justice]

Luke 2: 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it's simplicity.

With this simple declaration comes the truth that it was this Jesus of Nazareth that, in His pre-mortal condition, created the earth and is the very God of the Old Tesatament. He lived a perfect life. He atoned for the sins of all mankind. He gave His life on the cross. He overcame death and took up His body again and will pass this resurrection on to all men. His perfect life, atonement, death, and resurrection also make it possible for all men to gain eternal ife, or life in the eternities with the Father.

This is also what the Book of Mormon teaches. This is also what the Doctrine & Covenants teaches. This is also what the Pearl of Great Price teaches. This is also what all modern prophets from Joseph Smith Jr. to Thomas S. Monson teach.

Jesus Christ is the living hinge on which all of man's hopes are opened.

[john doe]

From our Articles of Faith:

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

To claim that we put very little weight on the Bible is blatantly false. To claim that we doubt the content is blatantly false. However, to claim that the KJV, or any other version contains the fulness of the Gospel and that the Bible is inerrant, is pure fallacy. Even Bible scholars will agree that many passages found in various versions don't fully match each other. As LDS, when we are in doubt as to a certain Bible scripture's veracity or meaning, we look for help in alternate or original translations of that passage from more reliable texts and modern revelation through Prophets of God.

Your premise is flawed, making this conversation moot.

[Seminarysnoozer]

I have only been a member for a week or so and I have learned much. At first I was a little aggravated that when I posted scripture from the KJV Bible to make a point and very little weight was given to it. In one thread I learned out why. The poster mentioned that the LDS doubt the content of the KJV Bible. In that same thread other posts went as far as to making the versus in the KJV that I and others referenced to into a punch line. They took great pride in doing so. Even though I was shocked, I will defend your right ( even to death ) to have the freedom of speaking freely. So, I found out that the basis of our disagreements was that we have different sources for what we believe is the Word of God and the Gospel in each source is polar opposites. So my question for the LDS members is this: Assume the KJV of the bible is the only true Word of God available. All of it's content is reliable as truth. What would that Gospel (good news) look like?

This is the point at which Joseph Smith found himself. He believed the Bible and followed it's direction. Reread the Joseph Smith story and then your question will be answered. ... He found there was something more.

[pam]

http://www.lds.net/forums/daily-lds-quotes/43179-november-3-2011-bible.html

[bytebear]

Mormons, I have found are very well versed in the Bible. What will often happen is a verse is thrown out without context to hammer the head of the reader. We tend to ignore such attempts to "prove" your case. It takes far more than just throwing a random verse out here and there without context and meaning behind them. As an example, if you say "God is a spirit" then you better be prepared to explain how Jesus showed his hands and feet to his disciples and said "A spirit hath not flesh and bone as you see me have." (now, please, let's not start discussing the nature of God since this is just an example)

[NeuroTypical]

So my question for the LDS members is this: Assume the KJV of the bible is the only true Word of God available. All of it's content is reliable as truth. What would that Gospel (good news) look like?

Here is my understanding of what the Gospel is:

* From old English "god spel" = "Good news"

* The Good news, is that there is a God, and He is good and loves us. We are apart from Him, but can return to Him in Heaven if we get rid of our sin, because sin cannot dwell in the presence of God.

* We cannot get rid of our sin alone, so God sent His son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. We can avail ourselves of the atonement of Jesus Christ, be washed clean of our sins, and return to God in heaven.

Everything else is just details.

We mormons have a few sort of large other details, like information about different kingdoms in heaven, and how to gain exhaltation vs. just being saved. You and I differ on some details, like the nature of God (trinity vs godhead), or the eternal nature of the family.

[HiJolly]

I think the problem might be that those who read your KJV references, got the impression that your were Proof-texting. Prooftext - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's bad form in internet conversations / dialogue.

It's been said before that 'context is everything'. That goes for the scriptures, too.

HiJolly

[tubaloth]

We view the scriptures as a whole unit. This means we view each verse in light of all other verses. This is how we view the Gospel, and how we view Modern Revelation.

[annewandering]

where did you get the idea that our scriptures, other than the bible, are polar opposites of the bible? i am trying to see a way that means something other than saying our scriptures speak against God and all of His teachings. Could you explain that in some way that means something else?

[mnn727]

So my question for the LDS members is this: Assume the KJV of the bible is the only true Word of God available. All of it's content is reliable as truth. What would that Gospel (good news) look like?

Sorry, but thankfully it's not 'the only true Word of God available'

And the problem is not so much with the Bible, its mainly with peoples interpretation of the Bible.

Edited November 5, 2011 by mnn727

[Justice]

This is the Gospel in any language from any source:

LDS.org - Mormon Message Gallery

[Maygraceabound]

Thank you everyone who responded. I have another question. Is everyone saved or do we need to do something to receive salvation?

[Vort]

Thank you everyone who responded. I have another question. Is everyone saved or do we need to do something to receive salvation?

We need to accept salvation. Accepting salvation means much more than saying, "Lord, I believe! I receive you into my heart, Jesus!" We must love the Lord. And as Jesus taught, if you love him, you will keep his commandments.

[Vort]

Let me also point out that people were not ignoring or dismissing the Biblical scriptures you posted. They seem to have been disagreeing with your interpretation of those scriptures. Much different.

[Maygraceabound]

Thank You Vort, if someone does not choose to receive salvation, then what happens to that person when they die?

[Vort]

Thank You Vort, if someone does not choose to receive salvation, then what happens to that person when they die?

I suppose then they are not saved.

[Maygraceabound]

Vort, would that also be the LDS position?. ...and if not saved would that mean hell?

[Guest]

That's just the question: what do you mean by "saved"?

[bytebear]

Thank you everyone who responded. I have another question. Is everyone saved or do we need to do something to receive salvation?

Jesus already paid for the sins of the world. Regardless of whether I accept Him or not, he still paid for my sins. So, salvation is not just about his Sacrifice. We must accept Him, and for certain blessings in the next life we must covenant with Him (via Baptism). There are degrees of glory as described in 1 Cor. 15.

[Maygraceabound]

So, John 3:16 says that if we believe on Jesus we will receive eternal life, so for those that choose to reject Jesus, do they also get eternal life?

[NeuroTypical]

No, they'd get eternal death - in other words, an eternity of spiritual death - outside of God's presence.

Not too much difference between us and you here, is there?

[Maygraceabound]

So, if I live a good moral life but reject Jesus, I would spend eternity in hell? In torment?

[annewandering]

So, if I live a good moral life but reject Jesus, I would spend eternity in hell? In torment?

Well eventually you would accept Christ even if it takes to the next life to do it. Since you would have led a good life I am guessing you would spend it in the Middle Kingdom.

[Spartan117]

So, if I live a good moral life but reject Jesus, I would spend eternity in hell? In torment?

You are not living a good and moral life if you openly reject Christ, in the sense you are talking about. Denying that Jesus is the Christ (under the right conditions) is a sin that can never be forgiven.