Using this Study
Welcome friend. This study is made up of several logical sections, which we will present in order. At the bottom of each section you will notice a feedback questionnaire. Please complete each questionnaire with care. The feedback you provide will assist us to improve Sunshine and Shadow Bible Studies. When we receive your feedback, we will:
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Context
Gone Fishin’
A warm Sunday afternoon found me cruising on my Harley in search of Mormons. They all need to hear the good news of the gospel. There is so much to do and so little time. As I passed a city park, I noticed seven young adults sitting around a picnic table. Five were in white shirts and ties. The remaining two wore light summer dresses.
It thrilled me to see this gathering of Mormons. You see, it was fishing season. The Holy Spirit gave me a fishing license, and my Harley is a trolling boat, so to speak. I use it to roam LDS communities in search of gospel discussions.
Because I am a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19), I did a quick U-turn, pulled to a stop, and approached.
As I drew near, I inquired about the possibility of asking questions about their faith. They appeared eager to talk and made space for me at the table. We began with introductions and small talk. I found each of them to be gracious, welcoming, and wonderful.
The mood changed when the conversation moved to gospel topics. It saddened me to see their friendly demeanor darken and become guarded. Unfortunately, this is common among the Mormon people. They claim that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth. Yet, most resist every attempt to explore deeper theology. As their discomfort grew, mild aggression began to boil up.
Mormons claim to have the truth.
Is a gospel worth believing equally worth sharing?
Mormonism Attacks the Bible
Mormon doctrine says a restoration of the truth was necessary. It claims biblical corruption created a need to recover lost truths.
The LDS church says Jesus and the twelve disciples had a book of scripture. The claim is that it contained the “fullness of the gospel”(Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:24). Mormonism claims the Christians lost the gospel fullness that existed in Jesus’ time. If this claim is true, how can we confirm it? Does available evidence support or reject this assertion? This is the question we must ask and answer. And so we shall!
What book of scripture did Jesus use? It included the first five books of the Bible known as the Torah or Pentateuch. Also included were the books of history, poetic wisdom, and the prophets. How can we prove Jesus used these Bible sections? It’s simple, read the New Testament and see who was routinely quoted.
These scriptures were available in two forms. Hebrew scrolls were common in every synagogue. A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Septuagint, was also in wide use by Jesus and the apostles.
The Mormon narrative presents a tale of biblical corruption and blames wicked Gentiles. We read, “for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away” (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:26).
Other records support the Mormon claim of biblical corruption. The Articles of Faith say the Bible is trustworthy “as far as it is translated cor- rectly” (Joseph Smith, Articles of Faith, 8th). Joseph Smith said, “I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors” (Joseph Smith. History of the Church. Ed. by B H Roberts. 1839, 6:57).
The Book of Mormon says a “great and abominable church” arose after Jesus and the twelve died. Mormonism alleges that this abominable church removed many “plain and precious” parts of the Bible (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:28-29).
Paul, among others organized the Christian church. This church became the keeper of God’s sacred Word. The Mormon church accuses Christian scribes, translators, and priests authoring biblical corruption.
Test Every Spirit
In the city park, one young man became the de facto spokesperson for the group. To take control of the conversation, he asked, “How do you explain the Book of Mormon?” He asserted, given Joseph Smith’s limited schooling and young age, how could he be the author? Could he complete the book in only two or three months without the aid of God? His questions were worthy of an honest answer.
I began my response with an observation. If the Book of Mormon is true, it follows that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God. If he was God’s prophet, we know the Mormon Church is true. Conversely, if the Book of Mormon is not true, Mormonism and Joseph Smith cannot stand. Reluctantly, they each agreed. This common agreement became the pad from which we launched our discussion.
I relented, explaining that the Book of Mormon can be difficult. Several faces beamed, sensing a minor victory. Looking around the table, I said, “We are not called to explain. God called us to a higher task. He has instructed us to test” (Acts 17:11).
Biblical Unity
Per the Apostle John, we must evaluate the Book of Mormon according to established biblical principles.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. –1 John 4:1, BSB
John’s warning is neither new nor original. It confirms the words Moses wrote some 1500 years earlier. He warned against prophets and dreamers who lead people to false gods (Deuteronomy 13:1-2). Moses further cautioned, failing to identify and reject false prophets proves a lack of love for God(Deuteronomy 13:3).
Others issued similar instructions. Most notable is Brigham Young. He said, “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test”(Journal of Discourses. F. D. and S. W. Richards, 1853, vol. 16 p, 46).
In light of the requirement to test, I asked,
- Do you believe we should test everything according to the pattern prescribed by John and Moses?
- Do you believe we should test the religion of the Latter-day Saints as Brigham directed?
When I suggested that we test the Book of Mormon, some shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Eventually, each one reluctantly agreed. So it began!