An Email question I recived.

Below is a question I recived via E-mail. I answer all E-mail questions. I removed the Persons last name and E-mail Address. First is His question then my reply. I am posting this in hopes that it will help someone with the same type of question, We are still talking and he is still asking other questions. I think it is great to be used by God like this.

Dear Mister Rick

Im a 20 year old portuguese student and I've discovered today your blog through the Mormon Coffee Blog.

Im a child of God, according to John 1:12.

I've accepted Jesus in my heart when I was 12 and since then, I've been growing in His Word, the Holy Bible.
I'm an active member of my Protestant Evangelical church and I also take part of the "sacrement" (I'm not sure if it's called that way in english when you eat and drink the bread and wine representing Jesus' Body and Blood.)

I'm sorry for taking your time, but I have an important question to ask you.

In October 2006, two missionaries knocked at my dor. They told me about the restauration (again, not sure if this is the right word ;] ) of the Gospel, the profet Joseph Smith and their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS.

Since that day, I've been spending a lot of time not only with the missionaries, but also with many members of their church.
The reason that made me receive those missionaries at my house is that I love to talk about Jesus and my faith.

At the first meeting they gave me the Book of Mormon, which I'm trying to read every time I can.
Their deal was in simple words "read this, pray about it, get the answer of the Holy Spirit and get baptized".

So they asked me if I would want to mark a day in the calendar for my baptism, so it would be a proof of faith, and my answer would come easier.

Logically I declined the offer. I would never commit myself for baptism if I wouldnt be sure God would be leading me that way.

As our meetings became inumerous, I realized how far their doctrines were from the one's I had been taught, and how really a "big deal" it would be to become a member of their church.

So far, they talked about many subjects such as "Many Gods", "Baptism of the Dead", "Salvation with works", "Eternal Marriage" etc, etc...

But there are some reasons that made me keep on meeting with them. I've noticed some things in their church that I do not see in mine:
1. One only doctrine (in Portugal we have a LOT of evangelical churches with different doctirnes like "the Assembly of God", "Pentecostal", "Baptists", "Metodists"...)
2. The members' friendship, example and devotion
3. An impressive Missionary work

And also the though "If the Book of Mormom is wrong, where and how did it came from?"

But the most important issue for me is their teaching about how the Bible was corrupted in the sixth century, taking as the Book of Mormon says "some precious parts out of it".

So till now, they couldn't impress me with biblical proof, but... And here comes my question:
How can I know that the Bible is 100%, with every single letter, correct?

I would really be gratetful if you could somehow give me a breef comment about my issue, but if you don't have the time, I understand it.


I hope God may bless you*

Your brother Marvin

This was my answer to him,



Hello Marvin,
You were asking about how you can know if the Bible is really Gods word. Let me point out a few verses about what the Bible says about it's self. Let me add also, Mormons or people in general might say, well if the Bible says something about it's self how can it be trusted.

First off, the Bible is 66 books written by 40 different authors over 1000's of years. So lets read these verses here.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Here in John 1, it tells us, the Word is God. But Who is the Word? The Word is Jesus, because we know Jesus is God. Now if Jesus is the Word and we read in Psalm 138:2 that God places His Word above His name,

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

And we know that God according to the Ten Commandments takes His name very seriously and we will be held accountable for taking it in vain, then He is even more serious about His word. So if the Word is God, then we can and Should be able to trust it.

Something I believe the Mormons have not seriously thought about is this, They will tell you According to A. of F. 8 the Bible is the Word of God in so far as it is translated correctly. Then they will go on to say, But the Book of Mormon is THE WORD OF GOD.

Yet they never point out to anyone that their are around 4,000 changes to the Book of Mormon. So if the want to use A. of F. 8 then I suggest they either re-word it to say Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are trustworthy and are the Word of God, or neither can be trusted, or simply remove it all together, Yet I believe the LDS are being dishonest by knowing this and not saying anything. Lets add to that, the LDS have a copy of what is Called the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, Sadly they never use it. Oh they will tell you they do, And really they only use it as footnotes in the Book of Mormon. I did an in depth article on my Blog about that issue. Briefly, Joseph Smith "Corrected" the Problems in the Bible as God commanded him to do by way of Revelation in the Doctrine and covenants, So why don't the LDS pass that out and carry it with them?

We read in the Bible Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Notice they did not pray for truth, they searched the Scriptures. Have you ever noticed, Jesus and the Apostles Quoted from OT prophets and sources, They talk about Moses, King David, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob And many others. Notice Jesus and the Apostles never quote from the Book of Mormon Prophets, I have to wonder why? I say it is because the Book of Mormon is not real. Their is an account of the Tower of Babel in the Book of Mormon, and time lines in the Book of Mormon Place some events to times to around 4,000 plus years ago, if these are real, why did Jesus Not quote them.

Then add to that, the Hall of Faith in the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, Not one Book of Mormon person ever mentioned in the Hebrews hall of Faith, Again I ask, Why? I believe this is evidence to Prove the Bible is real and the Book of Mormon is false.

A few more Bible verses, John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

I have read all 4 standard works by the LDS Church, Nothing of theirs makes this kind of Claim.

2Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

If the Bible cannot be trusted, How can I use it then to Correct error?

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

How can Hebrews be true if the Bible cannot be trusted? The Book of Mormon does not make these claims.

Now lets move on to an interesting topic here, Archaeology. An Author named Robert cornuke, He wrote a book called (The Lost Shipwreck of Paul). This guy used the Bible as a guide, He read the account of Paul on the Ship heading to Rome, Before the Ship was wrecked, they dropped to Anchors and then headed to Shore, the Island of Malta, Well after all these years they found the two anchors and cleaned them up and gave them to the president of the Island as a gift. Can the LDS use the so called details of the Maps found in the Book of Mormon to find stuff? The simple answer is no they have not and cannot. You can buy the Book I mentioned from amazon.com If you want a copy. Here is a story from the Book of Mormon that poses problems.

THE BOOK OF ETHER
CHAPTER 15
Millions of the Jaredites are slain in battle—Shiz and Coriantumr assemble all the people to mortal combat—The Spirit of the Lord ceases to strive with them—The Jaredite nation is utterly destroyed—Only Coriantumr remains.

1 And it came to pass when Coriantumr had recovered of his wounds, he began to remember the words which Ether had spoken unto him.

2 He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart; yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children.

This massive battle would be modern day New York. Yet of the over two million dead, their is not even one Single coin found to prove this battle took place, LDS have never found one single shred of Evidence in the way of, Coins, Artwork, City's ,nothing. Christians have much in the way of evidence, They have even uncovered the Entire City of Nineveh. Yet the LDS have Nothing.

Lets look at the Dead Sea Scrolls, We found the dead sea Scrolls, these prove the Bible is the Word of God. We can compare the texts of our modern days to the really old, thousands of years old, Sea Scrolls and compare that the Word of God is intact.

But now lets look at the Book of Mormon. Not only is the issue of 4,000 Changes a big deal but, the LDS try and say, it is only minor Changes like, little words, IF and AN or BUT, or nothing more than grammar. This might be true, but here is why it is still a very big deal.

This an an account of how the Book of Mormon was translated.
From David Whitmer's An Address to All Believers in Christ (about 2/3 down the page, a few paragraphs above Whitmer's quoting of the preface of the Book of Mormon)


QUOTE
I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man.

Now Not all LDS agree on this being true. But if it is true, then their could not be one single mistake ever in the Book of Mormon, not even with one Single letter. Then their are a few Doctrinal Mistakes. The LDS deny the trinity, yet the Original Book of Mormon state Jesus IS GOD, Now they say Jesus is A God. So that is simply more evidence the Book of Mormon is not the Word of God.

Then we can cover the Issue of Prophecy.
Lets look at one false Prophecy by the LDS.

This false Prophecy was taken from Doctrine and covenants chapter 84
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832. HC 1: 286–295. During the month of September, elders had begun to return from their missions in the eastern states and to make reports of their labors. It was while they were together in this season of joy that the following communication was received. The Prophet designates it a revelation on priesthood.
1–5, The New Jerusalem and the temple shall be built in Missouri; 6–17,

1 A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.

2 Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.

3 Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.

4 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.

5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

6 And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro.

Not only has this temple never been built, but the LDS no longer even own the Land. The average LDS will give some sort of excuse as to how this will still be yet fulfilled, Sadly though it is still a false Prophecy. Notice also that it states this is a Word Given by God. If God really said it, it would have come to pass, Now to date it has been 200 plus years, That is a long, long generation.

Now lets look at some Prophecy from the Bible that has been clearly fulfilled.

SUBJECT PROPHECY FULFILLMENT
The Messiah would heal the blind Isaiah 35:5a Mark 10:51-52

The Messiah would heal the deaf Isaiah 35:5b Mark 7:32-35

The Messiah would heal the lame Isaiah 35:6a Matthew 12:10-13

The Messiah would be the messenger of the new covenant Malachi 3:1c Luke 4:43

The Messiah would be the new covenant Isaiah 42:6c Matthew 26:28

The Messiah would be the new covenant Jeremiah 31:31 Matthew 26:28

The Messiah would come to make an end to sins Daniel 9:24a Galatians 1:3-5

The Messiah would provide freedom from the bondage of sin and death Isaiah 61:1-2c John 8:31-32Isaiah 61:1-2c

Over all Marvin, the Bible has around 1,800 prophecy that have either been fulfilled or are going to be, can the Book of Mormon do that? Nope, not even close.

I hope this helps you, I will try and help you if you have any other questions, Just write me. Rick b