by John P. Pratt
Thu 6 Feb 2014
©2014 by John P. Pratt. All rights Reserved.
| 1. Nephi's Prophecy |
| 1.1 Plain & Precious Parts Removed |
| 1.2 Plain & Precious Parts Restored |
| 2. Obvious Missing Parts |
| 2.1 Baptism? |
| 2.2 Church? |
| 2.3 Holy Ghost? |
| 2.4 Atonement? |
| 3. Parts Restored |
| 3.1 Pre-restoration |
| 3.2 Book of Mormon |
| 3.3 Doctgrine & Covenants |
| 4. Conclusion |
| Notes |
Near the very beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi prophecied that some "plain and precious" parts of the Book of the Lamb would be removed before it went forth to the world, but that the information would be restored. Just what is it that was lost? And has it been restored?
This article represents the author's opinion on that subject, after attempting to forget all that he has heard preached about other people's interpretations, and just writing his own, taken from exactly what is stated in the Book of Mormon. The exercise of attempting to forget all that one has learned and start from stratch is incredibly difficult, and this author makes no claim that he has succeeded. Nevertheless, it is an interesting exercise, which is recommended to all. This article summarizes my tentative conclusions [with my interpretations shown in brackets]; readers are encouraged to repeat the experiment to arrive at their own conclusions. This article is not an exhaustive analysis, it represents only some of my first impressions.
After Lehi had his vision of the "Tree of Life", his son Nephi prayed that he too could have the same vision. When that request was fulfilled, along with it he received a great vision of the future of his descendents, and those of his father. This article focuses on just a small part of that vision, that found in 1 Nephi 13"x-y.
Nephi saw that after most of his descendants were destroyed and only those of his brothers were left, that the Gentiles [from Europe] would cross the sea [Atlantic] and found a great nation [the United States]. He saw that his brothers' seed [American Indians] would be scattered and smitten by the Gentiles.
He saw that they brought with then a book [Bible]. The angel explained that it contained much of what was in his brass plates, including many of the prophecies of the prophets, but not so many. [As one reads the Book of Mormon, the prophets Zenos and Zenock and others are quoted, not found in the Old Testament]. He says this book will be of great worth unto the Gentiles. The angel then adds that the book also has writings of the twelve apostles of the Lamb [such as Matthew, John, and Peter].
First the bad news. The angel states that while this book was in the hands of a great and abominable church that certain "plain and precious" parts were removed. This was done intentionally to blind the eyes and to bring readers into captivity. This was done before the book went out to "all nations". [That would mean it was done at or before the Nicean Council of AD 325, after which the Bible was put into the form it was distributed to the entire Roman Empire, and thence to the rest of the world.]
The angel does not explicitly say that any text was modified, except that might be implied because he says the revelation shown to the apostle John [the Book of Revelation] was easy to understand when it was first written. Few readers would say that now. What is explicitly stated is that several parts were just removed. The emphasis is placed on the parts that were removed contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lamb. [So New Testament books/parts that were deleted.]
Now for the good news. The angel adds that the Lord would not leave us Gentiles to be blinded and stumbling forever. In the mercy of God, the Lord would restore those plain and precious parts of the gospel so that the we've have the fulness of the gospel. Nephi was explicitly told how this would occur. First, the writing of his descendants would be preserved and come forth describing the visit and ministry of the Savior to them. In other words, the Savior would start his church in the Americas, presumably in a similar fashion to his church in Jerusalem, and this time the plain and precious parts wouldn't be deleted.
Second of all, Nephi was told that other sacred writings would come forth through the Gentiles themselves which would contain some precious truths which are part of the fulness of the gospel. To me that sounds like the revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith, many of which are contained in the Doctrine & Covenants. It doesn't not sound like Dead Sea Scrolls to me, which were written for the most part by descendants of Israel. Even though there is evidence that Joseph Smith may have been descended from Ephaim, in the Book of Mormon, those of European stock are called Gentiles.
So, given these interpretations, here is the question. Exactly what parts of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants fill in the missing parts of the fulness of the gospel which were deleted from the Book of the Lamb before the New Testament was completed?
One way to identifiy the obvious missing parts is to look at the differences between various Christian Sects. Each claims to be founded on the Bible and yet their practices are so different. Another question to ask is that if the gospel has been restored, exactly what parts of it constitute the fulness of the gospel?
For starters, consider baptism. Is it an official ordinance of the gospel? Are there any official ordinances of the gospel? If so, what are the requirements for it? Does it have to be done with authority from Jesus Christ? Is it required to join his Church, or just an outward show of repentance? Is it to be done by immersion or sprinkling or otherwise? Was Jesus refering to baptism when he told Nicodemus that unless a man be born again that he cannot enter into the kingdom of God? Should little children be baptized? What is the symbolism of baptism? Does it represent being washed clean or is it symbolic of death and resurrection? Or does it symbolism being born again?
One huge gap is found between the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) and all the epistles of Paul. Jesus is depicted in the four gospels as a very wise man, great prophet, healer, teacher, and a perfect example to follow. He was one with his Father and told us we could be too, He gave many new commandments to live by, as in the Sermon on the Mount. Then he sufffered greatly and was crucified and resurrected. Then he gave instructions to the apostles for forty days (Acts 1:1-3), but we are not given any details of what was taught.
He called twelve disciples and gave them power to do miracles such as healing, casting out evil spirits, etc. They also baptized people unto repentance as did John the Baptist. But there is no record that John the Baptist started a church, and none that Jesus did either. The word "church" only appears twice in the four gospels. The first is where Jesus says to Simon, "Thou art Peter, and upon the rock I will build my church..." (Mat. 16:18). Note the word "will" is future tense. This was stated about six months before Jesus was crucified, and apparently he had not yet started his church, but began to tell Peter on what it would be founded. The second time was shortly after, instruction on when someone should confess in church (Mat. 18:17)
But by the time Paul enters the picture, there is a "church". At first he held coats for those persecuting the "church" (Acts 8:1) and then after his conversion, his letters are written to the already-formed churches, instructing them how to act.
The huge gap is: when was the church founded, and how does it work? All we are told are various names of offices such as bishop, elder, and deacon, but there is no beginners start-up manual. All we have is a maintenance manual. Let's lump all the descriptions of the various offices and hierarchy of the church, questions about priesthood, as well as the ordinances in this section.
Another question concerns the Holy Ghost. Is the Holy Ghost a necessary part of the Church? Jesus made a point that his disciples did not enjoy the company of the Holy Ghost while he was with them (ref), but promised the Comforter after his resurrection (ref). Luke notes that even after the forty days of instruction after the Resurrection, Jesus told them to wait before departing Jerusalem until they were baptized by the Holy Ghost which would happen soon afterward. That occurred seven weeks after the Resurrection on the Day of Pentecost. If the Holy Ghost is necessary for the church, then apparently there was no church until the day that gift was given.
Let's put all the unknows about exactly what the gospel really is into this section. Exactly what is it that Jesus did for everyone? Who will be resurrected? What is necessary to go to the Kingdom of God? Jesus talked a lot about that, but rarely mentioned ordinances. Above we noted that even a possible reference to baptism to Nicodemus was veiled. What must be done to be saved? When the rich young man asked that, the was told that he lacked one thing, which could be obtained if he gave away all his riches to the poor. Do we all need to do that? Another time his apostles were arguing over which of them would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus told them that unless they became as little children, they wouldn't even be in the Kingdom of Heaven. He was talking to his apostles. Surely they had been baptized; they were baptizing others. So exactly what is necessary? And what is all this about his suffering for us, or at least for those who repent? Who did he suffer for and what did that accomplish? Was it done on the cross? Thousands of people were crucified by the Romans, what made Jesus' death different? Or was the real suffering done in the Garden of Gethsemane when He bled from every pore? And if so, what happened there?
If I had any sense, I'd end this article here and leave all the part about determining what was restored to be an exercise for the reader. There is lttle chance for me to get this right, but it was very interesting doing the reading in the scriptures and that will be the worth for readers too to do for themselves. But I'll venture into the discussion if only to set up a target for others to shoot down, allowing readers the privilege of finding the "correct" answers. If that happens, then I have accomplished my purpose.
During the reformation when many Christians realized they had been blinded and been in captivity to a single reading in a foreign language (Latin) of the Bible, they decided to translate it into their own languages and set up churches more in accordance with what the Bible described. Here is where the great confusion came because of the stumbling block that the fundamental principles of the Church (the instruction manual) had been deleted from the text.
Thus, the multitude of resultant churches had a wide variety of names for their ecclesiastical leaders, differences in what ordinances were required and how to perform them, where priesthood authority came from or if it was even necessary, etc.
Possible church offices: apostle (Paul-Rom. 1:1, 2 Cor. 1:1, ordained-1 Tim. 2:7, 1 Peter 2:25, Christ is an apostle- Heb. 3:1, Peter is one-1 Peter 1:1), bishop (1 Tim. 3:1, Titus 1:7), elder (Peter is an elder and witness of Christ 1 Peter 5:1) as was John (2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1); deacon (1 Tim 3:10, 13), evangelist (Acts 21:8, 2 Tim 4:5), preacher (Paul ordained to be - 1 Tim. 2:7), prophet (1 Cor. 12:29, Eph. 2:20, Eph.4:11), teacher (Eph 4:11).
God set some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers (1 Cor. 12:28)
Priesthood: ye are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). And that's all about priesthood in the New Testament, except Hebrews referring to that of Levi.
Okay, so most of the Christian churches before the appearance of the Book of Mormon knew something about the importance of faith and nearly all had baptism are a requirement.
lay on hands for sick (Mark 16:18)
holy ghost by laying on of hands (Acts 8:18)
Were there any gross oversights in most of the Christian creeds? There were probably many, but let me suggest one feature that sounds pretty important and to my knowledge has been overlooked in nearly every Christian church as a fundamental requirement for salvation. One day the twelve disciples were arguing over which of them would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus placed a child in their midst and told them if they did not become as a little child they wouldn't even be in the Kingdom of Heaven (Mark x:x). Whoa! Let's run that by again.
We are talking about the twelve. These men have been baptized, and been given the authority of Jesus Christ to baptize others, to heal the sick and cast out devils. They had assumed they were home free and were now arguing about who would deserve the biggest mansion. And Jesus stuns them by saying that in their present condition they can save their breath because they won't even be in the Kingdom of Heaven at all.
So where is "become childlike" on the lists in the creeds of Christian churches?
Gift of Holy Ghost? Jesus says He will baptize with Holy Ghost (3 Nep. 12:2)
Offices: Priests & elders ordained by Alma by laying on of hands according to order of God to preside and watch over the church (Alma 6:1); high priest is over entire church (Mosiah 23:16, Alma younger ordained by father Mosiah 29:42)
lay hands on sick (Morm. 9:4), lay hands on to give the Holy Ghost, for thus do the apostles (Moro. 2:2)
Lest we smugly sit back in our chairs and say that we already know the answers in advance because we know the gospel, have memorized the articles of faith, and pretty much understand what the gospel is, let's take a one question quiz: When Jesus appeared to the Nephites, one of the first things he did was to review the very most fundamental parts of His gospel. He said, "... ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and ___________________________, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." Fill in the blank.
Not quite sure?? Okay, let's make it multiple choice:
a. have faith in Jesus Christ
b. receive the Holy Ghost
c. endure to the end
d. become as a little child
What's that? You can eliminate "d" but the first three all sound pretty good? Give up?
Well, the answer is "d. become as a little child". Surprised? No, it wasn't a trick question. Apparently the Nephites needed to hear this too, so apparently some of them might have missed it too. And above we discussed how the twelve apostles of Jesus also needed to hear the same thing.
And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (3 Nephi 11:38)
lay on hands for Holy Ghost (D&C 20:41)
Apostles are Elders. Head of the Church is President of High Priests.
All three agree an apostle is an elder!
- Repent of sins
- Have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
- Baptism by immersion
- Endure to the end