Beliefs > Question & Answer > Modern Day Revelation

Question

At the age of 27, I gave my life to Christ and was baptized in the Baptist Church. I chose this denomination because of their belief that we as individuals have direct access to our Heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And that we are free to interpret the Bible as the Holy Spirit leads us. I used to have a copy of the Book of Mormon which I began reading, only to quit because I became even more confused by what seemed to me to be contradictions with the Bible. Like you, I believe that the Bible is divinely inspired, but fallible. It was, after all, written by human hands. And we as humans are fallible. But I find myself thinking the same to be true about the Book of Mormon. It would have to be wouldn't it? Which brings me to another question. Your church believes in modern-day prophets, but in the Bible Christ warns against false prophets who would speak in His name. How can you be sure that the leaders of your church are true prophets of Christ? According to your beliefs, once a couple has been sealed can they be "unsealed"? How does that work?

Response

I am happy to know of your decision to join the Baptist Church. I believe that all churches who invite men and women to come unto Christ and take upon themselves His name do great good in this troubled world of ours. Your comment that we are free to interpret the Bible as the Holy Spirit leads us, prompts me to say that this is what Joseph Smith’s whole question was during his younger years. While we have the right to interpret scriptures as we see it, there do appear to be some things that are of no private interpretation. These are absolutely the words of God, such as the necessity for baptism, repentance, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. "Things as they really are" are an essential part of how one focuses in on "what is truth?" One of the differences between the Bible and the Book of Mormon is that the Bible was compiled into book form and translated from the original Hebrew in approximately 900 AD. The original writing was first in Greek, then in Latin. During the 1500’s it was translated into English. Since that time there have been subsequent editions edited and altered to suit the purposes of the editors. Even today we have several versions of the Bible beyond the King James Version. The Book of Mormon, on the other hand, was translated by the gift and power of God through the prophet Joseph Smith from its original reformed Egyptian characters directly into English. As you have rightly said, there surely could be some fallibility in its original writing. After all, prophets are also men. But, our perspective is that when a prophet speaks in the name of God those words are infallible because they are not the prophet’s words, but in fact they are God’s words. If a prophet was not schooled in grammar, spelling, or punctuation, those slight fallibility's would do little, if anything, to change the power of the message. As you have said, our church believes in modern-day prophets. But, in the Bible, Christ warns against false prophets. You asked how we could be sure that the leaders of our church are true prophets of Christ. I take no offense at that question. I sense your good faith and sincerity. I think the words of Christ on this subject are probably the best answer. He says, "By their fruits, ye shall know them." In Acts chapter 5, Peter and John provoked those Jews that wanted to kill Christ. One member of their group was a Pharisee named Gamaliel who had great influence. The thirty-eighth verse reads, "Refrain from these men and let them alone. For if this council or this work be of men, it will come to naught, but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." I guess, Debbie, that I would repeat those same words relative to the growth of this church, considering what has happened from its rate of growth and the teachings of our prophet. Your last question had to do with the LDS belief on divorce. Naturally, like your own church, we discourage it when it appears to be only "an easy way out of a frustrating relationship." As you know by your experience with the sad decision of divorce, it would be inappropriate for me to go into any detail regarding Marie’s divorce and recent separation. I assure you that those two decisions were not done easily, but you might be happy to know, and maybe you’ve already heard or read it in the press that she and Brian are back together working out differences. I applaud their efforts and I look up to both of them to make reparation for not only their sake but for their seven children’s sake as well. You asked if once a person is sealed in the temple could they be unsealed? The answer is yes. Specifically, they must appeal to the First Presidency of the church for a "cancellation of sealing." This is usually granted based on the merits of the situation. I hope all of this is helpful to you. Sincerely, Donny Osmond See related multimedia presentations

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