The Church wasn't fully restored in Joseph's Time?

Latter-day Saint Prophet, Wife and Apostle Share Insights of Global Ministry

A Telling Comment from a Prophets Wife

Latter-day Saint Prophet, Wife and Apostle Share Insights of Global Ministry

Article of Faith 6

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

Jesus Christ personally visited his apostles and disciples in the old and new worlds, that is Jerusalem and the Americas. They were actual witnesses of Jesus Christ. They saw Him, they walked with Him, they learned from Him.

Then the great apostasy came. All of the prophets, apostles, and disciples were killed off. The truth was taken from the Earth and the dark ages came.

Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet. He saw Jesus and God in a grove of trees near his home. They told him all churches were false and they denied the doctrine of Christ. None of them were to be accepted as the truth church.

Joseph eventually called apostles, twelve men to occupy the twelve vacancies that had been left when the others were killed of. The church had been restored to the Earth and it organization continued on from the old days.

Why did Jesus not personally visit and call these apostles Himself? It was how He did things in the days of old. Why not continue on with that? Is He not a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.¹ His ways never changing?

There are those who would cite the Doctrine and Covenants:

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.²

If the apostles of old had received such a persona witness of Christ, why do the apostles today not receive that same personal witness? Prophets in these latter days, after Joseph Smith, do not declare they have seen Jesus as Joseph once did. Why is that? Is it not the same church that was established like that of old? Would it not be the same way?

1. Hebrews 13:8

2. D&C 1:38

It's not the victim's fault... until it is

Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse, Richard G. Scott, April 1992 General Conference

An Opposition In All Things

Long has been the story told about how there must be an opposition in all things. From the pre-existence there was Satan, Lucifer the Son of the Morning. In the beginning we were with God in his presence. We learned all we could while there. Until the moment we couldn’t progress any more, we were unable to become like God. So, we were given the opportunity to come to Earth to gain a body. A Savior would be provided to atone for our sins enabling us to come back to the presence of God.

The idea that an opposition must be in all things comes from 2nd Nephi:

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. 1

It was Satan who did not understand the mind of God.2 He caused 1/3 of the hosts of heaven to leave the presence of God, to be banished down to Earth without a mortal body and to endure life without the possibility to achieve Godhood and the Celestial Kingdom.

Now some would say that God created evil, I’m on the fence about this. God created Satan, yes this is true. But Satan chose his path. God did not tell Satan to follow the path which he chose. He and his followers were punished for choosing to fight against the Lamb of God.3

So, what was the opposition that landed Satan into hot water exactly? I mean, he must have ticked God off pretty good to be sent to Outer Darkness and banished to the Earth without a body, labeled a Son of Perdition.

It’s quite simple.

And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. 4

Satan wanted to save everyone, no matter what would happen during this life. He wanted all to be able to come back to God and live with God forever. God wanted his children to have agency and to choose for themselves the path which they would walk. The concept of agency has been around since before the beginning of the world was.

Because of agency Satan was able to stand before God and the rest of God’s children and present his idea for the plan of salvation. One which did not require an atonement. In fact, Satan wanted to destroy man’s agency.5 In return, Satan wanted God’s honor. We learn that those who follow God in righteousness is attributed to God’s power and glory. His honor as it were. Surly Satan wanted people to follow him, and follow him they did right down to hell.

Because of this, Satan spends all his days trying to lead the children of God down to hell. He is miserable and wishes God’s children to be miserable like he is.6 He has his minions working for him for they too are miserable.

So, God created the Earth and populated it with Adam and Eve. Satan was allowed to roam among them where he enticed them to partake of the forbidden fruit. Because an opposition was needed, God needed Satan to tempt Adam and Eve. He needed them to eat of the fruit so they would be kicked out of the Garden of Eden in order to follow God’s commandments to multiply and replenish the Earth.

We learn that before they partook of the fruit and fell, blood didn’t flow through their veins.7 They were unable to have children and the spirits of God wouldn’t be able to come to Earth thus putting a stop to God’s plan. But, Satan did his job and Adam and Eve partook of the fruit; and here we are because of it.

I wonder if God would have found another way to accomplish His plan of salvation had Satan not turned against Him. But one can only speculate in regards to that.

There are other examples in the Bible of an opposition in things. The betrayal of Jesus comes to mind. Judas was needed to betray Jesus to be arrested and hung on the cross at Calvary. It was all done because it had to be done. There could no other way be for the purposes of God to be accomplished and finished according to the law.

Throughout the ages of the world, there have been those who have been in opposition to the work of God. But the work of God will not be disturbed or halted, no matter what happens. His ways are eternal and will forever be moving forward like a stone cut out of a mountain without hands and it will continue until it covers the whole Earth.

1. 2 Nephi 2:11

2. Moses 4:6

3. Revelation 12:7-9

4. Moses 4:1

5. Moses 4:3

6. 2 Nephi 2:27

7. When Adam was in the Garden of Eden, he was not subject to death. There was no blood in his body and he could have remained there forever. This is true of all the other creations” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:76–77).

Blacks Rejected The Priesthood in the Pre-Existence

 

For What Purpose - President Alvin R. Dyer - 1962

Alma 13:3-5:

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

Article of Faith 11

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

For a church that claims the privilege of worshiping God according to the people’s own understanding and dictates, it sure has a funny way of showing it. Once you go off the beaten path, you are labeled an apostate. You no longer care about the truthfulness of the gospel no matter what your heart and mind tells you. If you are not following the Lord’s True Church, you are basically going to Hell.

Naturally the nature of God has grown over the years from Joseph Smith’s first understanding. From his first vision experience, Joseph changed the story up. From 1832 he stated the Lord spoke to him, in 1838 he stated it was God and Jesus who spoke to him. Then there are the changes in the Book of Mormon where it talks about God vs the Son of God. So yes there have been changes in thought over the years regarding who God is and was.

But if as Joseph taught, “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves,”¹ is the correct way of teaching, then we need to be under that way of thinking. Simply because people do not agree with the theology of the church, they shouldn’t be punished because of it. It goes back to the thought of, think all you want just don’t bring it up during a meeting and don’t air it for the world to see.

So in actuality, when people worship God according to their own beliefs and dictates they are not following what the prophets and apostles have prescribed. It is either you follow their way of thinking and at times follow blindly with faith hoping that someday things will be made clear, or you simply do not follow them at all.

The choice is up to you. Don’t ever forget that. You have a voice, you have a choice in it all.

1. Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 3:54.

Article of Faith 1

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

The first article of faith deals with the godhead. Some faiths call this the trinity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not hold to a trinitarian view on the godhead. They believe that the godhead is made up of three individual beings, separate in body and mind¹ but one in purpose.

It would appear that the nature and thought of God has changed over the years. Oliver Cowdery once taught:

The language in which this record² is written is very comprehensive, and many of the hieroglyphics exceedingly striking. The evidence is apparent upon the face, that they were written by persons acquainted with the history of the creation, the fall of man, and more or less of the correct ideas of notions of the Deity. The representation of the god-head—three, yet in one, is curiously drawn to give simply, though impressively, the writers views of that exalted personage.³

It is interesting how he phrases the notion of the godhead, “three, yet in one” and defines it as what appears to be one “exalted personage.” He does not state they are three separate beings, but one. Is this on purpose? Or did he not understand the godhead as it was presented in the Book of Abraham?

Perhaps it was defined as one god, but Joseph Smith changed the writings to be gods instead? Who is to say what was done as he was translating⁴ the record.

Another example of Jesus and God being one is found in 2^nd Nephi:

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.⁵

Now, we are taught that they are one in purpose not one in body or spirit. Yet it would be interesting to know they the author didn’t mention this outright and explain it. People in bible times stated that they saw God and Jesus on the right hand of God while being in the spirit. Even at Jesus’ baptism it states that the Holy Ghost descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and a voice was heard from heaven which is assumed to be God. I find it interesting the words “which is one God.” If we are to believe they are three distinct and separate individuals, it needs to be defined as such. Why else do you think there is so much confusion even within the Latter-day Saints about the nature of God at times. I remember in seminary people had asked this question, and the answer was always “one in purpose not in body.” Well say it then.

From the Lectures on Faith we learn the nature of God and Jesus Christ.

The Father being a personage of spirit, glory and power: possessing all perfection and fulness: The Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, a personage of tabernacle, made, or fashioned like unto man, or being in the form and likeness of man, or, rather, man was formed after his likeness, and in his image;⁶

This goes contrary to the teachings in the Doctrine and Covenants about the nature of God and Jesus Christ it would seem:

The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.⁷

It makes one wonder, which teaching of God is correct and true? They cannot both be truth, for one says that God is a spirit while the other claims that God has a body of flesh and bone like the Son. Perhaps it is simply one of those things which cannot be understood at this time. If that is the case, then it is one of those things which should be understood later in life and is not important at this time. However, if we are to worship such a being...would it not be easier to have an understanding of such a being?

The reason for the Holy Ghost being a personage of Spirit is so he can dwell in us. Now I’m assuming this is not to be possessed of the spirit, but more of feeling the spirit as those good feelings that people experience.

So even with all the answers we have regarding the Godhead, we still have questions. I suppose that is okay for now, but eventually answers will be needed.

1. Joseph Smith once taught that the Holy Spirit was the mind of God and Jesus and there were only two beings in the godhead. This can be found in Lectures on Faith 5.

2. The record of which is being talked about is the Book of Abraham

3. Messenger and Advocate, Page 236

4. Recently, it’s been determined that translating is not the same as translating as is known today. In this reference, translation is actually revelation using the papyri as a catalyst for the revelation and inspirations from God.

5. 2 Nephi 31:21

6. Lectures on Faith 5:2

7. D&C 130:22

Messenger and Advocate page 236

Temptation Bible vs Book of Mormon

In the Bible in 1 Corinthians 10:13 we find:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

But what might seem as a contradiction is found in Alma 13:28

But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

So, which is it? Either God tempts you to a point and stops, or you have to actively pray not to be tempted beyond that no return point. Which is it?

Angel with drawn sword threatened Joseph Smith regarding Polygamy

“Lesson 20: Plural Marriage,” Foundations of the Restoration Teacher Manual (2015)

1886 Revelation To John Taylor

Examples of Common Consent

Conference Report 1904

Mixing Seed

Brigham Young, (March 8, 1863.) Journal of Discourses 10:110

Curse of Blackness

21 And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.

22 And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.

23 And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.

2 Nephi 5:21-23

It is not taught in these days that the curse was of dark skin, but more that it was a blindness that came upon the people of the land. But back in the day when the Book of Mormon was translated, that’s exactly what it meant. There have been changes to the headers of the chapters as well.

Verse 23 also makes sense of why Brigham Young taught the following:

Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so. The nations of the earth have transgressed every law that God has given, they have changed the ordinances and broken every covenant made with the fathers, and they are like a hungry man that dreameth that he eateth, and he awaketh and behold he is empty.

Brigham Young, (March 8, 1863.) Journal of Discourses 10:110.

The Book of Mormon is a racist document. Those who teach that the curse was not a skin curse need to read the footnotes and compare the scriptures associated with it. We are taught that the Lamanites were different in color from the Nephites so they would not be desirable. The book talks about how when the Lamanites became righteous, they became white like unto the Nephites. (3 Ne. 2:14–16)

Now you could say that the prophets and apostles of old were simply doing the best that they knew how, you easily could say that. But they could have easily taught against such notions and continued on without such teachings.

Divine Love is not Unconditional Love

Divine Love, Russel M. Nelson, Ensign February 2003

Speaking out against the Church

In an interview with Larry King, President Gordon B. Hinckley had some things to say about people who speak out against the church:

LK: Are people ever thrown out of your church?

GBH: Yes.

LK: For?

GBH: Doing what they shouldn't do, preaching false doctrine, speaking out publicly. They can carry all the opinion they wish within their heads, so to speak, but if they begin to try to persuade others, then they may be called in to a disciplinary council. We don't excommunicate many, but we do some.

So people can have all the thoughts they wish, but they cannot publicly speak out against the church publicly. It’s an interesting thought to be sure. But aren’t we told that we have to watch our thoughts regarding things? That God knows our thoughts and because of this, we will be judged according to those thoughts? So in reality, we can’t have those thoughts...or shouldn’t rather. It doesn’t matter if a person has thoughts or not. If they are against the church, they are wrong. Isn’t that what we were taught?

Monson - You are a Mormon, so you just stand here!

Dare to Stand Alone, Thomas S. Monson, October 2011 General Conference

Swedish Rescue

I’ve read over the transcript of the “Swedish Rescue.” There was a time in Sweden where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had questions. They felt they weren’t receiving any answers to their questions. The church responded by sending church historians out to meet with the members who had doubts and questions.

After reading the transcript, I came away with the following answer from it all.

The church doesn’t know the answers to the questions they are asked. Several times during the course of the evening, the church historians stated there was no official word from the church on the subject or question at hand. They didn’t have any answers. Only to double down and believe, that in time after telling yourself it was true you would come to the same conclusion and not worry about it anymore. It was an eye opening experience.

Another theme that I saw was how information was presented. It was told that the history was told by the historians differently generation after generation as more people learned more things. The historians said not to put it on the prophet, it was the duty of the church historians to set people straight basically. I don’t know about you, but that’s not what I learned in church. The prophet is the only one who can speak for the Lord and for the church. It has to rest on his shoulders and his shoulders alone in what is taught, to ensure that correct doctrine is taught.
 
It’s an interesting read for those interested. I’d give it a read or two, but you don’t have to take my word for it.

A Literal Translation

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Shock Therapy at BYU

Jesus Begotten from Adam

Brigham Young, JOD 1:50

Did Joseph Smith insert himself into the Bible?

Mormonism, One Fundamental Principle of

Joseph Smith's teachings : a classified arrangement of the doctrinal sermons and writings of the great latter-day prophet

Mormon - Make it shine with added luster

Mormon Should Mean 'More good', Gordon B. Hinckley

October 1990 General Conference

Brigham, where are your other wives?

Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Brigham Young

Prophets Speak God's Word All The Time

Mormonism and the Negro, page 19

Mormonism...Not Ashamed

 

"Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 8 September 1842," p. 1, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 9, 2018, http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-james-arlington-bennet-8-september-1842/1

LDS Church Style Guide Changes

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/style-guide

Thus Shall My Church Be Called

If we allow nicknames to be used or adopter or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.

To remove the Lord's name from the Lord's church is a major victory for Satan.¹

Those two quotes were spoken by a prophet of God. So we are to believe that Satan prefers the term Mormon be used. If this is the case, why was the “I’m a Mormon” campaign even created? The previous two prophets, Gordon B. Hinkcley and Thomas S. Monson, had no issues with using the term Mormon to refer to the church or calling themselves that. Were they being led by Satan? I would hope not. To say such a thing would be contrary to the will and mind of God.

Joseph Smith even declared that Mormonism is truth.² So again, why didn’t God truly set the record straight back in the 1830s before all of this was able to get away from the leaders of the church? If nicknames are of Satan as the prophet suggests, then why was it allowed for so many years? The church was restored in 1830. So that’s how many years exactly? 188 years. It took God 188 years to correct a nickname.

This was after the 2011 I’m a Mormon campaign.

People keep saying how revelatory it is that President Nelson is making these changes. If we take a look at the definition of revelatory it says:

revealing something hitherto unknown.

But the name of the church has been known for many years. This is not revelation from God. Back in 1990, then Elder Nelson made a similar comment about the church’s name. How important it is. Six months later, then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley stated that it was okay to be called Mormon. So there seems to even have been some confusion among the brethren. Was President Nelson simply waiting until the became president of the church to reemphasize the name of the church?

We may not be able to change the nickname, but we can make it shine with added luster.

After all, it is the name of a man who was a great prophet who struggled to save his nation, and also the name of a book which is a mighty testament of eternal truth, a veritable witness of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.³

Let’s see where else from General Conference the term “Mormon Church” was used and, based on President Nelson’s talk, it offended God and allowed Satan to rejoice.

My beloved brothers and sisters and, particularly, nonmember friends, you are listening to the proceedings of a session of the annual April general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, frequently referred to as the Mormon Church.

The nickname Mormon is associated with the Church and its members because we accept as scripture a book titled the Book of Mormon. This book is a translation of an ancient record inscribed on gold plates which, in September 1827, were delivered by an angel to Joseph Smith, a twenty-one-year-old youth.⁴

I’m reminded of the old commercials, where it would state the full name of the church, and then underneath those words, it would state “The Mormons.” So, did the church not bring this upon itself through media? Telling people it’s okay to call your a Mormon?

Because of the Book of Mormon, we are frequently called the Mormon Church, a title we do not resent, but it is really not accurate.⁵

Eventually, to Joseph Smith appeared the men who were the last authorized servants to direct the church of Jesus Christ—Peter, James, and John. These glorified beings ordained Joseph Smith with the same authority they had received from Jesus, so that once again there was a prophet of God on the earth who could say, “… thus saith the Lord.” (D&C 44:1.) Joseph Smith ordained others with the authority that he had received, and so the church of Jesus Christ was restored in these latter days—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church.⁶

Today twenty thousand missionary-messengers of truth and the three million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the Mormon Church—bear witness that God has again spoken from the heavens, that Jesus Christ has appeared again unto man, that the resurrection is a reality.⁷

There are other examples in the church’s official magazine of where if people ask if you are a Mormon that you can be enthusiastic and say yes you are. Again, why are these changes being made so important at this time now? It makes no sense at all. Yet to say otherwise and against the prophet and apostles is ground for apostasy.

1. Russel M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 7, 2018 General Conference Sunday Morning Session

2. Joseph Smith, Liberty, MO, to Isaac Galland, [Commerce, IL], 22 Mar. 1839, in Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, 1:53, 55–56

3. Gordon B. Hinckley, Mormon Should Mean “More Good”, October 1990 General Conference

4. Marion G. Romney, “We, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 1979 General Conference

5. Boyd K. Packer, “Guided by the Holy Spirit”, April 2011 General Conference

6. Ezra Taft Benson, “Listen to a Prophet’s Voice”, October 1972 General Conference

7. Ezra Taft Benson, “Life Is Eternal”, April 1971 General Conference

Let's take a look at mormon.org's html tags shall we?

Church of the Latter-day Saints - Joe, you got it wrong man

“Chapter 11: The Organization and Destiny of the True and Living Church,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 135–47

2 Hour Church

Here’s an interesting…. Quandary

In Isaiah 45:7 we read:

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Then there’s a footnote on evil, in LDS scripture, to the following scriptures:

Amos 3:6

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

Alma 5:40

For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.

Moroni 7:12

Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

Obviously one would need to read these in context right? Because the way they’re laid out here seems to state the Lord created evil. But then it states that evil is from the devil. The Lord cannot be the devil right? (I sure hope He wouldn’t be!) Either way, it is an interesting thing.

I mean, God did create Lucifer aka Satan, but it was Satan who chose to have agency to disobey God and lead 1/3rd of the hosts of heaven down to hell as it were. So in effect, God didn’t create evil? He allowed it to grow and flourish...until a time when it will be stopped. Someday right?

What Exactly Is Truth?

Truth comes in a variety of flavors, styles, colors, whatever you wish to call it. Sometimes truth is a simple statement when other times it takes a bit longer to grasp and understand. Whatever the truth is, it is the truth and must be learned. Even in the topic of religious belief.

When compared to other truths from the past, the present truth might not always match up with everything. Sometimes that is due to the changing times. Other times it shouldn’t happen. Experiences shouldn’t change over time. Retelling of those experiences shouldn’t include new ideas or thoughts that weren’t presently there to begin with.

There are examples of things that don’t change over time. The Bible story for example. It hasn’t changed. It always starts off with the same words. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”¹ There can be no other explanation for it. God created the heavens and the earth, this was in the beginning. It is the same across the different bibles. Maybe not the exact same words? But the idea is the same. It says God created the heavens and the earth, it doesn’t change to well angels did it, or well God had some other Gods help out. It says God created it. We accept it and we move on without questioning the validity of it.

Take a look at the following examples:

New International Version

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

New Living Translation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

English Standard Version

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Berean Study Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

New American Standard Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

King James Bible

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Christian Standard Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Contemporary English Version

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Good News Translation

In the beginning, when God created the universe,

Holman Christian Standard Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

International Standard Version

In the beginning, God created the universe.

NET Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

New Heart English Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation

In the beginning God created heaven and earth.

JPS Tanakh 1917

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

New American Standard 1977

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Jubilee Bible 2000

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

King James 2000 Bible

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

American King James Version

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

American Standard Version

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Douay-Rheims Bible

In the beginning God created heaven, and earth.

Darby Bible Translation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

English Revised Version

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

World English Bible

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

As you can see, they all say the same thing. They are different translations of the bible, but they say the same thing. They are like minded in this aspect. There is no confusion regarding this thought. As it should be.

Another example are the experiences of Jesus’s life as recored in the four gospels. The four gospels were written at different times, yet they tell the same story. Some of the gospels have more stories than the others, but that’s fine. They still tell the same story of the same Son of God who walked this Earth. If they don’t differ in the telling of the stories, we can assume they are accurate. Yes, truths have been taken from the bible but they are still accurate.

Critics complain that the Bible has been changed over the years by evil doers but don’t take into account their own scripture they use along with the Bible has been changed as well. Either they are ignorant of the facts or they do not care. I don’t know which is the case for the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants among people. It can be a tricky path to tread at times.

People say the Book of Mormon hasn’t changed. But it has. The Doctrine and Covenants before it became the D&C when it was still the Book of Commandments, had also undergone revisions. You try and explain that to people and they deny it. Showing them proof, in black and white text doesn’t even sway their opinion of the matter. So be it, they wish to be left in the dark let them be. The truth will eventually prevail. How long that will take? I do not know. But that is okay.

1. Genesis 1:1

It does not matter that the Criticism is True

Criticism, Dallin H. Oaks, 1987

Punishment for those not Valiant

Elder George F. Richards, CR April 1939, pp 58-59

Cha Cha Cha Changes

Printer Manuscript, Joseph Smith Papers