"For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are writtten in this book; v.19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

You and your family are such wonderful people, we all want you in heaven with our Heavenly Father. Please consider this information, it is not too late to trust in God's son, Jesus Christ, who died so that you may have eternal life.

This scripture has been used to attempt to invalidate the sacred writings found in the Book of Mormon for many generations, and I can see how one would think that this passage applied to all of the Bible. The truth, however, is that this warning refers to the prophecy of the book of Revelation, or as defined in the next sentence "the book of this prophecy". Please note that Moses wrote a similar warning concerning the "work which I command you": He writes, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2)

It isn't known exactly when John wrote the Book of Revelations but it was while he was banished to the Isle of Patmos and it is known that the text of the New Testament was compiled much later. In other words, the Bible was not compiled chronologically.

The prophecies written by John, were certainly reserved for him to write as is confirmed in a heavenly vision by the Prophet Nephi about 580 BC as recorded in the Book of Mormon. In the vision, an angel of the Lord showed him the future John who was to write these prophecies. He wrote: "And the Angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been. And he shall also write concerning the end of the world. Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men. And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see. But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them. (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 14:20 - 25)

I must tell you, that my conversion to the Book of Mormon is very personal to me. I have studied these sacred, ancient writings of Prophets whose fathers left Jerusalem and were led to Ancient America ever since I as 16 years old and have come to a pure conviction of its truth. This conviction comes not from the massive archeological evidence that has been uncovered after the Book of Mormon was published. It does not come from the Biblical references to these people and their separation to the western hemisphere (see Genesis 49:22,26) nor of the prophecy of their writings (see Ezekial 37:15-17). It does not necessarily come even from the statement of the Lord himself that he would visit his "other sheep" and they would hear his voice: (see John 10:16). It does come from the witness of the Spirit as promised: "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. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:4-5)

Thanks again for bringing this question to light again. I hope this answers it to your satisfaction.

I am narrating several Multimedia presentations on My Beliefs defining in a more organized way some of the basic gospel subjects as I see them. A full presentation on the Book of Mormon is now available. http://www.donny.com/info/beliefs_multimedia

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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