Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Tue, 7 Apr 1992 14:06:58 PDT
From:         Doug Gould <5315P@NAVPGS.BITNET>
Subject:      Confirmation of the Spirit

Hi, Liz.  In reply to what you wrote on

>Date:         Fri, 13 Mar 1992 20:18:00 EST
>From:         LIZ MOREAU <EMOREAU@UMASSD.BITNET>
>Subject:      Re: Fullness of the Gospel

>dg>This is an ironic twist of the words of the Lord, Himself, for it was He
>dg>who told Joseph all the modern Christian sects were wrong.  I realize this
>dg>is a matter of belief, or faith in what is true.  But what if the Lord
>dg>really did say what the Prophet Joseph tells us He said?  Then we must
>dg>draw the conclusion, from what Walter Martin says, that God is the one who
>dg>has "declared theological war on Christianity" in its present form.  The
>dg>thought that God may not be pleased with modern Christianity should give
>dg>pause to ponder and reflect.

>Hi Doug!

>Just some thoughts when I read this over.  The Bible is available to
>all who want to read it and seek the Lord.  He told us in many places
>that He would reveal His word to us and give us understanding and
>wisdom of what we read.  My first question is why do you need someone
>else to interpret what Jesus said would be revealed to each and every
>one of us?  Its been drilled into me by different Bible teachers in
>classes I've attended, not to take their Word or their interpretation,
>but to study for myself and research myself because eventually I will
>stand before the Lord and answer for myself.

You raise some good issues, Liz.  I agree completely.  We should not take
as final the word of anyone who claims to be an authority on interpreting
the scriptures.  But, in view of the hundreds of Christian denominations
and myriad interpretations of many of the fundamental truths taught in the
Bible, the Lord has blessed us with his spokesmen to help us know which
interpretation is correct.  The Lord's house is a house of order.  Truth is
not a mass of confusion.  Even as the Israelites had prophets in olden
times to help them know the truth, we have a modern prophet and twelve
apostles to help us determine truth in our day.

But we are not expected to take even the prophet's word for ultimate truth
without studying it out in our mind, and praying to the Lord for
confirmation by the same Spirit that inspired the scriptures originally.
Yes, we will stand before the Lord and answer for ourselves, at the last
day.  How much better we will stand, Liz, if we reach that Judgment Day
without having been led astray by "every wind of doctrine."  Indeed, Paul
taught us in Ephesians, chapter 4:

          v11 And he gave some, _apostles_; and some, _prophets_; and
     some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
          v12 _For the perfecting of the saints_, for the work of the
     ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
          v13 _Till we all come in the unity of the faith_, and of the
     knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
     of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
          v14 _That we henceforth be no more_ children, _tossed to and
     fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine_, by the
     sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait
     to deceive; [emphasis added]

Liz, how wonderful it would be to realize we have apostles and prophets in
these latter days to help us come to a unity of faith, don't you agree?

>If the Lord wanted us to know more or thought that the Bible wasn't
>sufficient or that we need someone's interpretation, He would of made
>Bible #2 available to all.

He does want us to know more--to know the fullness of the Gospel.  He has
made Bible #2 available to all, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of
Jesus Christ.  And He promises anyone who reads it with an open heart will
know it to be His word.

>He wouldn't of left it to someone who would of started a new church with
>totally new theology.  He would of also given these words to other
>prophets so that all His people would be saved and could grow in His Word.
>He originally sent his apostles out to ALL people and it just wasn't to
>one person that He revealed His truth.

He left it to Joseph Smith, Liz, who didn't start a new church.  Rather, he
restored the ancient Christian Church, with the fullness of the everlasting
Gospel.  And the Lord has sent His apostles in these latter days to ALL people,
just as in ancient times.  It's true, Liz.  Allow the possibility in your
heart; ask the Lord in humility, and He will reveal His truth to you, too.
I have done just that; and I know it to be true.

>Doug, I feel that most of the people who put out questions are really
>sincere in trying to understand different faiths better.  I hope you
>don't take this post as a flame or starting a war.  I've truly
>wondered about the above.

I sense the sincerity of most of the participants on Christia, too, Liz.
And I appreciate their willingness to try to understand different faiths
better.  I'm pleased you expressed your desire to understand these matters.
I sense your sincere desire to promote peace and good will among all of
God's children.

In His Love,

.+++++++++++++++++++++.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.
| Doug Gould          | Jesus: "Come unto me...my yoke is easy, |
| 5315P@NAVPGS.Bitnet | and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30 |
`+++++++++++++++++++++^+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++'
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU