In the introduction to the book of mormon we have a message which declares that the bible contains the fulness of the gospel while at same time declaring that the book of mormon is a restoration of the fulness of the gospel. Temple work has been heavy on my shelf for a while since its so illsupported. The introduction to the book of mormon declares that the bible contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Within the bible there is a lot we can infer, but only in the book of mormon do we find explicit instructions on how to perform these ordinances from christ himself the last book, the book of moroni is notorious for how short the first few. Although many people believe the book of mormon teaches the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ, if you were to ask, show me wherechapter and verse.
Why do we say that the book of mormon contains the fulness of the. Is the fulness of the gospel in the book of mormon. A common line of criticism against the book of mormon argues that it fails to teach a number of distinctive doctrines of the church of jesus christ latterday saints, even though the doctrine and covenants declares it to contain the fulness of the gospel doctrine and covenants 20. The book of mormon is an account of the former inhabitants of this continent that contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. The first publication of the book of mormon was completed only a few days before the church was organized. The book of mormon doesnt just teach about the fulness of the gospel, these passages contain instructions and examples of administration. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of.
The introduction to contemporary editions since 1981 of the book of mormon published by the church reads. In a revelation given in 1830, the lord declared that he had given joseph smith power from on highto translate the book of mormon. Rather, it means that in the book of mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Bible, old testament, isaiah, book of mormon, teaching abstract responses to the following questions appear here. How the book of mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ andthe holy ghost will confirm the truth of it time after time to anyone who, with a sincere heart, seeks knowledge unto the salvation of their soul. I believe both the bible and book of mormon contain the fullness of the gospel, but some truths can only be discerned by revelation, those who. Now if the bible contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel what exactly did joseph restore. The book of mormon and the fulness of the gospel fairmormon.
But shouldnt the fulness include ordinances and covenants made in the temple. Shortly after his resurrection, jesus christ appeared to some of the ancient inhabitants in the americas and said this. The book of mormon explains what this fullness means. It teaches of lifes purpose and explains the doctrine of christ, which is central to that purpose. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
Fulness of the everlasting gospel monologues in mormonism. Modern temple work is not supported in the book of mormon at all, as far as i can tell. I was reading the introduction to the book of mormon and in the first paragraph third line, it says. Where does the book of mormon declare the first principles. Once a reader knows that joseph smith likely got these ideas about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel from the book of mormon, the entire book opens up as a major source for better understanding these principles. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the everlasting. In a revelation given in 1830, the lord declared that he had given joseph smith power from on high. Fullness of the gospel mormonism, the mormon church. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ andthe holy ghost will confirm the truth of it time after time to anyone. Although we do not know everything about the process of its coming forth or its translation, the book of mormon is open to full scrutiny. Before the revelation was received on the organization of priesthood quorums, before the vision of the three degrees of glory.
But it is a fundamental of mormonism that the plain and simple truth, the fullness of the gospel, was substantially lost after the death of the apostles and mormonism is. Has the fact that we have had the book of mormon with us for over a century and a half made it seem less. Foundational teachings from the book of mormon sperry symposium 2003 brigham young university on. The fulness of the gospel religious studies center. Fulness of the gospel lds gospel discussion thirdhour. In its most basic book of mormon sense, the word doesnt refer to all of the ordinances and all of the specific doctrines held by the latterday. This statement has confused some latterday saints and, occasionally, given rise to criticism from those outside the church. Thus, the book of mormon can appropriately be said to contain the fulness of the gospel. Why do we say that the book of mormon contains the fulness. That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed.
Yongin spencer shin delves into the scriptures to explain the similarities and differences between the book of mormon and the bible with thoughtful clarity. Of particular importance in explaining the atonement are chapters 2 and 9 of 2 nephi, mosiah 15, and chapters 34 and 42 of alma. This, the argument runs, suggests that mormonism cannot be true if the. The lord has declared that the book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ doctrine and covenants 20. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of jesus christ among people in the western hemisphere soon after his resurrection. The bom does contain the gospel of faith, repentance, baptism, receive hg, endure to the end. It is likely that the book of mormon was the first place joseph smith saw this doctrine laid out in a systematic way. The true story of one family and one street in londons east end. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of. Does the book of mormon contain the fulness of the gospel. We testify that when used together, the bible and the book of mormon confound false doctrines teachings of ezra taft benson, p.
The book of mormon and the fulness of the gospel lightplanet. Does the book of mormon contain the fullness of the gospel. The book of mormon contains the most lucid and complete explanation of the atonement of christ and therefore clearly qualifies as containing the fulness of the gospel. For example, the book of mormon helps us know that baptism must be performed by immersion see 3 nephi 11. The lord revealed that it contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ.
The prophet joseph smith translated this record by the gift and power of god and first published it in march of 1830 as the book of mormon. What the fulness of the gospel may actually mean in the. The book of mormon was described by a heavenly messenger to joseph smith in 1820 as giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the fulness of the everlasting. Those teachings are detailed on this site, and they are very simple. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, for the purpose of convincing jew and gentile that jesus is the christ the lord declared that he had given joseph smith power from on translate the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, fairmormon answers, online at.
Within the bible there is a lot we can infer, but only in the book of mormon do we find explicit instructions on how. In the book of mormon, jesus christ gave a specific definition of the gospel. Book of mormoncontains the fulness of the gospel fairmormon. Shins unbelievably detailed articulation of each and every plain and precious truth restored through the book of mormon changed my life. The fullness of the gospel the book of mormon contains the most lucid and complete explanation of the atonement of christ and therefore clearly qualifies as containing the fulness of the gospel. But the phrase fulness of the gospel implies that periods have occurred when the gospel was not on the earth in its fulness, either in doctrine or in ordinance. So i guess the book of mormon does not contain the fulness of the gospel as taught by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, but it does contain a fulness of a gospelthe sort of gospel i might not mind being a part of if i could ever find a looslyorganized group that was practicing it. Book of mormon contains fulness of the everlasting gospel. The fulness of the gospel as contained in the book of mormon means that it contains those instructions a person needs to observe in order to be worthy to enter the presence of god in the celestial kingdom.
The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. The fulness of the gospel as contained in the book of mormon means that it contains those instructions a person needs to observe in order to be worthy to. If the book of mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. Shins monumental work locates and traces the threads of literally hundreds of doctrinal gems that comprise the fullness of the gospel of jesus christ. The book of mormon clarifies christs doctrine and brings the fulness of the gospel to the earth once again see 1 nephi. The real focus on the book of mormon should be on the details of the book itself, not on the details of the process by which it came forth. It occurs 9 times in the book of mormontwice in the introductory pages and 7 other times, all contained within 2 short spans. Fulness of the gospel the encyclopedia of mormonism. Journal of book of mormon studies volume 7number 1 article 11 7311997 book of mormon answers fulness of the gospel and familiar spirit john a. Interestingly, the majority of these references seem to be referring to the latterday restoration of the gospel the dispensation of the fulness of times. How, they ask, could the book of mormon contain the fulness of the gospel when it doesnt contain a number of unique lds doctrines. It is important to note here that the book of mormon appears to use the words gospel and doctrine of christ synonymously, as is. If the book of mormon contains the fullness of the gospel, why. The book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel in the sense that it teaches the doctrine of redemptionthat salvation is in christ and in him aloneand the principles of the gospel faith, repentance, rebirth, enduring, resurrection, and judgment more plainly and persuasively than any other book of scripture.
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