Question #1

I grew up in Las Vegas, NV and have had several work mates, school mates, and employers who were LDS. I have asked primarily two questions of many LDS and I so far I have not had any two LDS agree or give me similar answers. So I'm interested in hearing your view on these matters.

It is widely known that LDS believe the Bible to be true so far as it is translated correctly. Your website quotes "Jesus Christ explained that because of the changes made in His original doctrine it would be necessary to restore His true church and teachings to the earth."

This creates a problem. It emphasizes the need for 'truth' but does not tell us what is true and false inside the Bible. So how does a person read the Bible and discern the difference between what is true and false in the Bible? It creates a dilema for the reader.... like saying 'here is a delicious and nutrious meal except parts of it have been poisoned and you should avoid eating those'.

So what parts of the Bible are translated correctly and what parts are false? Whatever your answer is, how do you prove it?

Question #2

Jesus corrected Peter when he pulled his sword and cut off the ear of the slave of the high priest. He said, 'Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword".

Why do LDS go to war and kill their fellow man?

Acts 5:29 says 'We must obey God as ruler rather than men'

One last note, I believe you are sincere in your beliefs (It sounds like you from what I read on the site) and I am hopeful that you are willing to learn more and to clarify your understanding of God's word. I have been helping people come to know the Bible more fully for about 20 years now as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I hope that you can give a consideration to our beliefs and find that they are actually based upon the original meanings of the teachings of the Bible. That is why we don't believe in the Trinity, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and many other false concepts. Anyone that spends time researching these teachings in their local library will find they have Pagan origins. I hope you take the time to do further research.

Proverbs 1:5 "A wise person will listen and take in more instruction, and a man of understanding is the one who acquires skillful direction."

I look forward to your reply. Thanks again for your time.

But first, let me emphasize that there is very little in the Bible that we do not accept. It is documented that the versions of scripture we currently have, has gone through 16 or more translations, depending on which version we use. Many of these translations were completed by many language scholars over long periods of time. Reason tells us that in translation, words are converted to thoughts than back to words in the new language. It is inevitable that interpretations or slants of the translator's own beliefs creep into the new words. Even passages in the King James version and the New Standard Versions vary in the meanings based on the understanding of the persons who did the translation.

Even today, there are over 1000 Christian churches that claim that their understanding of the Bible is the right way and then they organize a religion based on that understanding.

Now, back to the question, how can a person discern the true meaning in the Bible or in life, for that matter. The Bible itself, in a number of passages, suggests that we inquire of the very source of truth, God himself and that we can receive true understanding by the spirit. Here are a few:

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:7 - 11)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5-6)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9 - 11)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you... But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:15-17; 26)

In the last chapter of the Book of Mormon, an ancient American prophet named Moroni wrote: 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)

In response to your second question, please know that we abhor war, but not as much as we resist the suffering caused by wicked tyrants who under the inspiration of the devil, attempt to destroy the agency of people. We will therefore take up arms "...in the defense of their freedom, that they might not come into bondage." (Book of Mormon | Alma 62:5). I personally cannot imagine a stand that would suggest our not taking our place besides the defenders of freedom in this world. The Lord and the Father have so much a larger perspective of eternity and of life and death than us. In the scriptures the Lord commanded the people through prophets, such as Joshua, to wage war in order to bring about his righteous purposes. The Lord said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) How better could one show this love than to be willing to lay down his life for his friends, than in the defense of their wives, their children and their freedom.

On your final note, I hope to be learning all of my life. I am grateful that you have made a study of the scriptures. We try to have daily scripture study, also. I believe it is one of the keys, along with prayer and righteous living (seek, ask, knock) to receiving direction from the Holy Ghost.

The holidays you mention, some of pagan origin, are not a formal part of our religion but we still celebrate them for their positive aspects. Some of these holidays, along with President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Mother's Day all have some positive sides especially family togetherness and unity. If we can look for the positive then they are worth celebrating. Our family loves to get together on these occasions. I recommend such involvement to all families.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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