There are clearly some things that have been mis-translated or deleted from the Bible, however, I could not personally tell you any Biblical passages that we do not accept. In fact, if you review my answers to questions and the multimedia presentations in MY BELIEFS which I have narrated on some of the basics of our faith, you will note that I largely quote from the Bible to establish the points of doctrine in which we believe. I maintain that our church and teachings adhere more closely to the Biblical scripture by far than any other church of which I am aware. I would not remain devoted to my beliefs, if I were not convinced that it is the same church and gospel that Christ established during his earthly ministry.

So, are we Christians? Well, the name of our Church and our claim that Jesus Christ appeared to the young prophet Joseph Smith and personally directed its restoration should be the answer. I must say, that often, one can attend our meetings where a particular subject may be the theme of the meeting or of the talks given, that the Bible is not mentioned, but the central point in every worship service is the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, where broken bread and water are passed to the members present in remembrance of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ as he offered himself as a sacrifice for us. If you were present in such a worship service, the fact that it was so new, may have been the reason you did not sense the importance of this part of the meeting. Jesus Christ is central to our faith.

Some say that we are not Christian because we do not accept some of the traditional so called Christian beliefs. An example is the very understanding and teachings concerning the nature of God. When God and Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and to Joseph and Sidney Rigdon in 1836 they were glorified, heavenly personages after whose images we are created (see Genesis 1:26) This was an affront to the religionists of the day and even now many contend we are not Christian because we do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity. Well, I can only say, that if believing in the Nicene Creed (which was formulated under the direction of Constantine, an atheist at the time of the Nicene Council in 325 AD) is required to be counted a modern Christian, then, I suppose we are not. I repeat, however, that Jesus Christ is central to our faith and I believe he leads the Church even today through the Prophet and Twelve Apostles now living.

The Book of Mormon, if quoted in a meeting, would be perfectly appropriate, as it is a record of scripture like the Bible which was written by prophets of God in Ancient America. Those prophets, though living on the opposite side of the world, were led by the Lord in teaching his true gospel. It is the very same gospel that Christ taught in the Biblical lands. Doesn’t that make sense? That is why The Book of Mormon carries the subtitle: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

When the Book of Mormon was translated, Joseph Smith, nor anyone else for that matter, understood the ancient hieroglyphics which was the language in which the ancient records were written. Only by divine revelation, could he translate and because of this we know that the words in the book are of God. There were three witnesses who were given a divine manifestation of the truth of this book. Here is their testimony:

THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES

1 BE IT KNOWN unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment?seat of Christ,

OLIVER COWDERY

DAVID WHITMER

MARTIN HARRIS

(Book of Mormon | Preface 3 Witnesses:Heading - 1)

Please do not let anything stop you from your investigation. The Lord promised that if you would : “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Matthew 7:7) To me this means to pray, study and to try it and the promise is that the Lord himself will let you know of the truth.”

Please realize that the members are people who are trying to work together to follow the Saviour. We all fall short.

Keep me advised and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


See related multimedia presentations