More scripture than just the Bible

[prisonchaplain]

On the home page of mormonhub.com is an article listing 5 things LDS believe that other Christians should be open to. The first is that there is more scripture that came after the Bible. As a Pentecostal, I believe in modern revelation, so sure, it is not impossible that God could take certain modern prophesies and add them to the canon of scripture. My question then: What teachings or new revelations does the BoM contain that encourage/bless/guide you?

Edited July 14, 2018 by prisonchaplain

[Jane_Doe]

Clarification: For me, two huge ones are clarifying what went down in the Garden and how this fits into God's plan, and also Christ's fun embrace/saving of little children who are without sin.

Both of these things bring me much clarity and confront.  Other points of confront... can I say mostly the whole thing because it's awesome to hear God's words and that brings me a ridiculous cheezy level of joy?

[Fether]

3 hours ago, prisonchaplain said:

On the home page of mormonhub.com is an article listing 5 things LDS believe that other Christians should be open to. The first is that there is more scripture that came after the Bible. As a Pentecostal, I believe in modern revelation, so sure, it is not impossible that God could take certain modern prophesies and add them to the canon of scripture. My question then: What teachings or new revelations does the BoM contain that encourage/bless/guide you?

Mode of baptism and knowledge that children ought not be baptized. And a deeper understanding of what all occurred in Christ’s Atonement

[prisonchaplain]

The Age of Accountability doctrine (that children who are not yet old enough to be accountable for knowing right from wrong are innocent and redeemed) is a belief held by many Protestant churches. Yet, we recognize that the scriptural support for the teaching is pretty weak (in the Bible). It is interesting that the BoM bolsters that doctrine. Likewise with the belief in water baptism by immersion for those who are already in the process of knowing conversion. Question for @Fether: How does the BoM provide a deeper understanding of the atonement?

[Fether]

8 hours ago, prisonchaplain said:

. Question for @Fether: How does the BoM provide a deeper understanding of the atonement?

I have always found the description of the Atonement of Christ rather vague in the Bible. There are some great gems in every book but I always felt most of what was said about it covered WHAT happened and not much else. Or in the letters, the apostles would tie the Atonement in to all their letters, but not dive into the Atonement itself. Also while serving my mission, I never talked to a Christian that spoke of the Atonement beyond John 3:16 and the concept of grace. The events in the garden of gethsemane seem to be over shadowed by the death on the cross.

In the Book of Mormon we have some amazing and explicit verses that speak of the Atonement of Christ.

Alma 7

2 Nephi 9

2 Nephi 2

In making this list, I realize the Book of Mormon also speaks extensively of the Fall of Adam as well. 

[Traveler]

14 hours ago, prisonchaplain said:

On the home page of mormonhub.com is an article listing 5 things LDS believe that other Christians should be open to. The first is that there is more scripture that came after the Bible. As a Pentecostal, I believe in modern revelation, so sure, it is not impossible that God could take certain modern prophesies and add them to the canon of scripture. My question then: What teachings or new revelations does the BoM contain that encourage/bless/guide you?

I would list two things:

First: That scripture is not just about doctrine.  There is more to scripture than data and information.  In part as is said, "The devils also believe and fear and tremble".   The scripture being an open living source of witness - both to a Living G-d and a Living Kingdom (church) which includes - the Law, the Ordinances and the covenants.

Second:  is prophesy specific to our culture, age and time.  This being the Last-Days - continuing scripture is the unification of all believers preparing for what is next.

 

The Traveler

[prisonchaplain]

@Fether Thank you for the references. I ready through Alma 7 and, yes, there is a clear description of the anguish Jesus suffered. Additionally, our need to repent, be born again, and live for Christ (obey commands, etc.).

 

@Traveler asks an interesting question about prophesies and their cultural/generational setting. Some (in the Protestant community) have taken that question and run with it. They argue that we no longer should rely on the Bible--or, at minimum--that we should interpret in light of our culture, rather than letting the Bible interpret our culture. They would use this reframing to permit same-sex weddings, transgenderism, etc. So, an interesting question for both Pentecostals/Charismatics and LDS is: Just why do we have modern day revelation, and to what extent do we find already-revealed scripture to be insufficient?  I (and, I believe, most Pentecostals) would contend that modern revelation be interpreted subservient to the canon of revealed scripture. We do not "discern the Spirit" of scripture, but we are commanded to do so with spiritual prophesies and interpretations, for example.

[Jane_Doe]

23 minutes ago, prisonchaplain said:

So, an interesting question for both Pentecostals/Charismatics and LDS is: Just why do we have modern day revelation, and to what extent do we find already-revealed scripture to be insufficient?

We have modern revelation to guide today.  Among other things, this helps with that exact question you ask: untangling giving us instructions of "this is wrong because it's just flat out wrong" (example: homosexuality) versus "this is speaking about the culture for there" (ex: women head covering in church).   God's Truth never changes, but sometimes His instructions on how to do things do, to better facilitate our learning for where we are spiritually at that time (example: kosher).  

[Traveler]

On ‎7‎/‎14‎/‎2018 at 11:34 AM, prisonchaplain said:

@Traveler asks an interesting question about prophesies and their cultural/generational setting. Some (in the Protestant community) have taken that question and run with it. They argue that we no longer should rely on the Bible--or, at minimum--that we should interpret in light of our culture, rather than letting the Bible interpret our culture. They would use this reframing to permit same-sex weddings, transgenderism, etc. So, an interesting question for both Pentecostals/Charismatics and LDS is: Just why do we have modern day revelation, and to what extent do we find already-revealed scripture to be insufficient?  I (and, I believe, most Pentecostals) would contend that modern revelation be interpreted subservient to the canon of revealed scripture. We do not "discern the Spirit" of scripture, but we are commanded to do so with spiritual prophesies and interpretations, for example.

I think there is a little misunderstanding of what I have tried to understand as “living” scripture.  The example you have provided as interpreting scripture in light of modern culture is not at all what I had in mind.  Rather it is the reverse.  That scripture is prophetic.  I will try this by giving an example that I am sure you already know because it is so obvious:

First the ancient prophesy in Psalm 107:23-30:

Quote

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Now we go to the first prophetic fulfilment which is testified to in Matthew 8:23-27

Quote

23 ¶ And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

With my single example we now have a witness of the prophetic nature of scripture – however, because we are dealing with “living” prophecy or scripture – this prophesy will be fulfilled again during what is called the “time of restitution of all things”.  And just as prophets testified of the first fulfillment – which have been added to scripture.  So also shall the witness of prophets yet reveal and witness to fulfillment of many more things that witness of G-d’s hand and his kingdom moving in our day as in the days of Moses, Isaiah and other prophets.

 

The Traveler

[prisonchaplain]

Thank you, @Traveler. Your explanation helped greatly. "Living" has been used by some to suggest that historic documents, including the Bible and the U.S. Constitution, can be interpreted through our current cultural/value perspective. The contrast are originalists, who believe that we should interpret such writings in their original setting to determine their meanings. So, when you spoke of living scriptures, I took a sharp left turn.

[wenglund]

In addition to some of the things already mentioned, there is Lehi's dream, (which expounds upon the Tree of Life), the parable of the Olive Tree (which expounds upon the scattering and gathering of Israel), the pre-mortal and post-mortal appearances of Christ in America, which not only illuminates the Saviors promise to visit "other sheep not of this fold," but it also testifies to the anthropomorphic nature of God, thereby adding meaning to notion of being created in the images and likeness of God.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-