LDS Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible

PrincetonGuy · Aug 1, 2020

Some further thoughts about the JST: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the KJV of the Bible with its vast number is mistakes is Canonical, but that the KJV stopped being Canonical when the mistakes were corrected. And not only that, in about 1900, the corrected KJV stopped being a “standard work” and became a substandard work even though, according to Joseph Smith, the corrections were given to him by the Holy Spirit. Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now teach that the Holy Spirit is a substandard spirit?

He is the way · Aug 1, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
Joseph Smith lacked the benefit of computer technology to help him be consistent in the things that he wrote. Therefore, he made the same sort of mistakes that other writers of his day made. He also lacked the benefit computerized Bible study programs to help him in cross-referencing and consequently experienced serious difficulty in putting together the teachings of the Apostle Paul. His serious mistake in understanding what Paul taught about justification by faith is one of many examples.

However, Joseph Smith was neither the first nor the last writer to get it horribly wrong. Paul wrote,

Τῇ γὰρ χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι διὰ πίστεως· καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐξ ὑμῶν, θεοῦ τὸ δῶρον·
οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἵνα μή τις καυχήσηται.

Eph. 2:8. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God--
9. not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (NRSV)

Many careless readers have misunderstood Paul to be teaching here that no works of any kind are necessary for salvation. However, when we read these two verses in the context of his teaching as a whole, we learn that when Paul wrote of works, he was ALWAYS writing of “works of the Law” (ἔργων νόμου ), and circumcision in particular. (He used the word “circumcision”—in our English translations—30 times in 26 verses, and the word “circumcised” 11 times in 9 verses). Indeed, Paul (and only Paul) used the expression ἔργων νόμου eight times:

Romans 3:20
Romans 3:28
Galatians 2:16 (three times)
Galatians 3:2
Galatians 3:5
Galatians 3:10

Joseph Smith was, of course, unaware of this and assumed that the words “after all we can do” had been deleted from the Bible.

However Paul did show that the works of the law are very important (see Romans 6) as did Jesus Christ (see John 14) I have said many times we are not saved by works, neither are we saved without them. This I know because of these scriptures:

(New Testament | 1 John 2:4)

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

(New Testament | John 17:3)

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

(Old Testament | Ecclesiastes 12:13 - 14)

13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

He is the way · Aug 1, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
Some further thoughts about the JST: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the KJV of the Bible with its vast number is mistakes is Canonical, but that the KJV stopped being Canonical when the mistakes were corrected. And not only that, in about 1900, the corrected KJV stopped being a “standard work” and became a substandard work even though, according to Joseph Smith, the corrections were given to him by the Holy Spirit. Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now teach that the Holy Spirit is a substandard spirit?

Do you believe that the Apocrypha should have been included in the Bible? Joseph Smith petitioned the Lord concerning the Apocrypha and got this answer:

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 91:1 - 6)

1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha—There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly;
2 There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men.
3 Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated.
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.

The reason I mention this as part of the answer is because although the Bible was corrected by the JST and included in our scriptures in the footnotes and in the index, we do not see the KJV as substandard even though it has been corrected. Neither do we see the Holy Spirit as substandard. The scriptures were given to us through the Holy Spirit.

(New Testament | John 14:26)

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

PrincetonGuy · Aug 2, 2020

He is the way said:
Do you believe that the Apocrypha should have been included in the Bible?

When we compare the Bibles used by various Christian groups, we find the following writings that are not found in the Protestant Canon but which are found in the Bibles of other Christian groups:

Books and Additions to Esther and Daniel that are in the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Slavonic Bibles
Tobit
Judith
The Additions to the Book of Esther found in the Greek Version
The Wisdom of Solomon
Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach
Baruch
The Letter of Jeremiah (Baruch ch. 6)
The Additions to the Greek Book of Daniel
The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews
Susanna
Bel and the Dragon
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees

Books in the Greek and Slavonic Bibles; Not in the Roman Catholic Canon
1 Esdras (2 Esdras in the Slavonic Bible, 3 Esdras in Appendix to the Vulgate)
The Prayer of Manasseh
Psalm 151
3 Maccabees

A composite book in the Slavonic Bible and in the Latin Vulgate Appendix
2 Esdras (3 Esdras in the Slavonic Bible, 4 Esdras in the Vulgate Appendix; “Esdras” is the Greek form of “Era”)
(Note: In the Latin Vulgate, Ezra- Nehemiah are 1 and 2 Esdras.)

A book in an Appendix to the Greek Bible
4 Maccabees (This book is included in two important Bibles from the fourth and fifth century.)

It is extremely unfortunate that an organization that calls itself “Christian” knows virtually nothing about the Bible.

PrincetonGuy · Aug 2, 2020

He is the way said:
However Paul did show that the works of the law are very important (see Romans 6) as did Jesus Christ (see John 14) I have said many times we are not saved by works, neither are we saved without them. This I know because of these scriptures:

(New Testament | 1 John 2:4)

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

(New Testament | John 17:3)

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

(Old Testament | Ecclesiastes 12:13 - 14)

13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Rom 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Gal 2:15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners;
Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Gal 2:19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.
Gal 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Gal 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)

Rom 7:1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
Rom 7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Rom 7:3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.” (ESV)

Paul tell us here that we, in our old self (Rom 6:6), “have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that [we] may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But notice that if our old self (ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος) has not died, we are still married to the law and we are therefore committing adultery with Christ. However, if our old self dies, we are free from the law and our marriage to Christ is sanctified.

As for 1 John 2:4,

1 John 2:1. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2. and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3. Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. (NRSV)

The antecedent of the pronoun “his” is “Jesus Christ the righteous.” Therefore, it is NOT the law that is spoken of here, but rather the commandments of Jesus.

As for Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, it is, as you have written, from the Old Testament—that is the Old Covenant that Jesus has made obsolete by mediating a new covenant,

Hebrew 9:15. For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. (NRSV)

He is the way · Aug 2, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
Rom 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Gal 2:15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners;
Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Gal 2:19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.
Gal 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Gal 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)

Rom 7:1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
Rom 7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Rom 7:3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.” (ESV)

Paul tell us here that we, in our old self (Rom 6:6), “have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that [we] may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But notice that if our old self (ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος) has not died, we are still married to the law and we are therefore committing adultery with Christ. However, if our old self dies, we are free from the law and our marriage to Christ is sanctified.

As for 1 John 2:4,

1 John 2:1. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2. and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3. Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. (NRSV)

The antecedent of the pronoun “his” is “Jesus Christ the righteous.” Therefore, it is NOT the law that is spoken of here, but rather the commandments of Jesus.

As for Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, it is, as you have written, from the Old Testament—that is the Old Covenant that Jesus has made obsolete by mediating a new covenant,

Hebrew 9:15. For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. (NRSV)

You said: "Paul tell us here that we, in our old self (Rom 6:6), “have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that [we] may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But notice that if our old self (ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος) has not died, we are still married to the law and we are therefore committing adultery with Christ. However, if our old self dies, we are free from the law and our marriage to Christ is sanctified."

I believe that Paul is telling us that through Baptism for the remission of sins, our sins have been forgiven. We have been reborn through the grace (atonement) of Jesus Christ. Henceforth we should not sin:

(New Testament | Romans 6:6)

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

(New Testament | Romans 6:15 - 16)

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Those who continue to sin after being washed (baptized) will be worse off:

(New Testament | 2 Peter 2:21 - 22)

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Jesus said:
(New Testament | John 14:15)

15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

(New Testament | Matthew 5:17 - 19)

17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Dale · Aug 2, 2020

He is the way said:
The JST was finished from Genesis to Revelation.

LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie gives us reason to believe that the JST was not finished.

From Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, under Inspired Version of the Bible:

<< As all informed persons know, the various versions of the Bible do not accurately record or perfectly
preserve the words, thoughts, and intents of the original inspired authors. (Eighth Article of Faith; 1 Ne.
13.) In consequence, at the command of the Lord and while acting under the spirit of revelation, the
Prophet corrected, revised, altered, added to, and deleted from the King James Version of the Bible to
form what is now commonly referred to as the Inspired Version of the Bible. (D. & C. 35:20; 42:56-60;
45:60-61; 73:3-4; 93:53; 94:10; 104:58; 124:89.) >>

<< This inspired revision of the ancient scriptures was never completed by the Prophet, and up to the
present time none of his successors have been directed by the Lord to carry the work forth to its final
fruition. >>

<< Neither the world nor the saints generally were there or are now prepared for the fulness of Biblical knowledge. >>

Now that's interesting.

<< The fact that some changes were made in a particular passage or chapter does not mean that all needed corrections were given even in that portion of the Bible. Important changes were made in several thousand verses, but there are yet thousands of passages to be revised, clarified, and perfected. After his work of revision, the Prophet frequently quoted parts of the King James Version, announced that they contained errors, and gave clarified translations - none of which he had incorporated into his prior revisions of the Bible. >>

<< There will be a not too distant day when all necessary changes shall be made in the Bible, and the
Inspired Version - as then perfected - shall go forth to the world. >>

PrincetonGuy · Aug 2, 2020

He is the way said:
You said: "Paul tell us here that we, in our old self (Rom 6:6), “have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that [we] may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But notice that if our old self (ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος) has not died, we are still married to the law and we are therefore committing adultery with Christ. However, if our old self dies, we are free from the law and our marriage to Christ is sanctified."

I believe that Paul is telling us that through Baptism for the remission of sins, our sins have been forgiven. We have been reborn through the grace (atonement) of Jesus Christ. Henceforth we should not sin:

(New Testament | Romans 6:6)

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

In Romans 1:16-7:25, Paul progressively presents his position that true Christians have died to the law and are, therefore, entirely free from it and its power to elicit sin (1 Cor. 15:56). Christians who tenaciously hold on to the law are committing adultery with Christ. However, Mormonism teaches the very opposite of what Paul taught. Indeed, in their reference edition of the King James Version published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they serious alter the KJV to make it falsely appear that it agrees with their erroneous position.

The chapter headings for Romans 7 in the KJV read as follows:

1 No law hath power over a man, longer than hee livith. 4 But we are dead to the law. 7 Yet is not the law sin, 12 but holy, just, and good, 16 as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it.

The chapter headings for Romans 7 in the King James Version published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read as follows:

Law of Moses is fulfilled in Christ—Paul delights in the law of God After the inward man.

Notice that the chapter headings for Romans 7 in the real KJV do NOT specify the identity of the “I” in vv. 7-25, but the chapter headings for Romans 7 in the King James Version published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints erroneously specify the identity as being Paul! Paul most certainly did NOT delight in the law of Moses and its power to elicit sin! Paul delighted in the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that had set him free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)

He is the way · Aug 2, 2020

Dale said:
LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie gives us reason to believe that the JST was not finished.

From Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, under Inspired Version of the Bible:

<< As all informed persons know, the various versions of the Bible do not accurately record or perfectly
preserve the words, thoughts, and intents of the original inspired authors. (Eighth Article of Faith; 1 Ne.
13.) In consequence, at the command of the Lord and while acting under the spirit of revelation, the
Prophet corrected, revised, altered, added to, and deleted from the King James Version of the Bible to
form what is now commonly referred to as the Inspired Version of the Bible. (D. & C. 35:20; 42:56-60;
45:60-61; 73:3-4; 93:53; 94:10; 104:58; 124:89.) >>

<< This inspired revision of the ancient scriptures was never completed by the Prophet, and up to the
present time none of his successors have been directed by the Lord to carry the work forth to its final
fruition. >>

<< Neither the world nor the saints generally were there or are now prepared for the fulness of Biblical knowledge. >>

Now that's interesting.

<< The fact that some changes were made in a particular passage or chapter does not mean that all needed corrections were given even in that portion of the Bible. Important changes were made in several thousand verses, but there are yet thousands of passages to be revised, clarified, and perfected. After his work of revision, the Prophet frequently quoted parts of the King James Version, announced that they contained errors, and gave clarified translations - none of which he had incorporated into his prior revisions of the Bible. >>

<< There will be a not too distant day when all necessary changes shall be made in the Bible, and the
Inspired Version - as then perfected - shall go forth to the world. >>

We do not claim that God has revealed all that is to be revealed:

(Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:9)

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Even Paul has said this:

(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 3:1 - 2)

1 AND I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

When Jesus Christ was on the earth He revealed things that had not yet been revealed. God will decide when and where He will reveal more of His word. It won't be until we are ready.

He is the way · Aug 2, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
In Romans 1:16-7:25, Paul progressively presents his position that true Christians have died to the law and are, therefore, entirely free from it and its power to elicit sin (1 Cor. 15:56). Christians who tenaciously hold on to the law are committing adultery with Christ. However, Mormonism teaches the very opposite of what Paul taught. Indeed, in their reference edition of the King James Version published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they serious alter the KJV to make it falsely appear that it agrees with their erroneous position.

The chapter headings for Romans 7 in the KJV read as follows:

1 No law hath power over a man, longer than hee livith. 4 But we are dead to the law. 7 Yet is not the law sin, 12 but holy, just, and good, 16 as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it.

The chapter headings for Romans 7 in the King James Version published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read as follows:

Law of Moses is fulfilled in Christ—Paul delights in the law of God After the inward man.

Notice that the chapter headings for Romans 7 in the real KJV do NOT specify the identity of the “I” in vv. 7-25, but the chapter headings for Romans 7 in the King James Version published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints erroneously specify the identity as being Paul! Paul most certainly did NOT delight in the law of Moses and its power to elicit sin! Paul delighted in the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that had set him free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)

While Jesus did atone for our sins that we did before we were baptized for the remission of sins, we are still responsible for the sins we commit after we are baptized. It is not as if we can continue to sin and not be punished. Paul made that clear in Romans 6. This is what these scriptures mean:

(New Testament | Romans 6:1 - 6)

1 WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

(New Testament | John 5:14)

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

(New Testament | Hebrews 10:26)

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

(New Testament | James 4:17)

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Romans 7:1 states this:

(New Testament | Romans 7:1)

1 KNOW ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Your Bible headings are indeed different than ours. It is our duty to be perfect and overcome the world.

Dale · Aug 2, 2020

He is the way said:
We do not claim that God has revealed all that is to be revealed:

(Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:9)

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Even Paul has said this:

(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 3:1 - 2)

1 AND I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

When Jesus Christ was on the earth He revealed things that had not yet been revealed. God will decide when and where He will reveal more of His word. It won't be until we are ready.

It is one thing to say that there are mysteries that God has not revealed. Few would claim otherwise. It is something else entirely to say that the scripture has been corrupted and that the church, having the spirit of prophecy, could correct the corrupted scripture but hasn't gotten around to it yet. It has been over 170 years since the death of Joseph Smith but no president of the church has gotten around to finishing the job of straightening out the scripture.

Dale · Aug 2, 2020

What sort of corrections did Joseph Smith make to the Bible, or KJV?

Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine under Elias:

<< Correcting the Bible by the spirit of revelation, the Prophet restored a statement of John the Baptist
which says that Christ is the Elias who was to restore all things. (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) By
revelation we are also informed that the Elias who was to restore all things is the angel Gabriel who was known in mortality as Noah. (D. & C. 27:6-7; Luke 1:5-25; Teachings, p. 157.) >>

With Bruce McConkie interpreting Joseph Smith, in one short paragraph, it looks like they have confused the OT Elias with his mentor, Elijah, and followed that up with two contradictory explanations of who Elias is. Both explanations of Elias (or Elijah?) from JS contradict the Bible.

Under the same heading:

<< "And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him:
Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not that he was Elias; but confessed, saying: I am not the
Christ. And they asked him, saying: How then art thou Elias? And he said, I am not that Elias who was to restore all things. And they asked him, saying, Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. ... And they asked him, and said unto him: Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias who was to restore all things, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying: I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is of whom I bear record. He is that prophet, even Elias, who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose, or whose place I am not able to fill; for he shall baptize, not only with water, but with fire, and with the Holy Ghost." (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) >>

He is the way · Aug 2, 2020

Dale said:
It is one thing to say that there are mysteries that God has not revealed. Few would claim otherwise. It is something else entirely to say that the scripture has been corrupted and that the church, having the spirit of prophecy, could correct the corrupted scripture but hasn't gotten around to it yet. It has been over 170 years since the death of Joseph Smith but no president of the church has gotten around to finishing the job of straightening out the scripture.

Like I said "God will decide when and where He will reveal more of His word. It won't be until we are ready." If there are more corrections to be revealed, it will be in His own due time.

He is the way · Aug 2, 2020

Dale said:
What sort of corrections did Joseph Smith make to the Bible, or KJV?

Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine under Elias:

<< Correcting the Bible by the spirit of revelation, the Prophet restored a statement of John the Baptist
which says that Christ is the Elias who was to restore all things. (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) By
revelation we are also informed that the Elias who was to restore all things is the angel Gabriel who was known in mortality as Noah. (D. & C. 27:6-7; Luke 1:5-25; Teachings, p. 157.) >>

With Bruce McConkie interpreting Joseph Smith, in one short paragraph, it looks like they have confused the OT Elias with his mentor, Elijah, and followed that up with two contradictory explanations of who Elias is. Both explanations of Elias (or Elijah?) from JS contradict the Bible.

Under the same heading:

<< "And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him:
Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not that he was Elias; but confessed, saying: I am not the
Christ. And they asked him, saying: How then art thou Elias? And he said, I am not that Elias who was to restore all things. And they asked him, saying, Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. ... And they asked him, and said unto him: Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias who was to restore all things, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying: I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is of whom I bear record. He is that prophet, even Elias, who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose, or whose place I am not able to fill; for he shall baptize, not only with water, but with fire, and with the Holy Ghost." (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) >>

Your quote did not go far enough and was taken out of context:

Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine under Elias:

<< Correcting the Bible by the spirit of revelation, the Prophet restored a statement of John the Baptist
which says that Christ is the Elias who was to restore all things. (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) By
revelation we are also informed that the Elias who was to restore all things is the angel Gabriel who was known in mortality as Noah. (D. & C. 27:6-7; Luke 1:5-25; Teachings, p. 157.) From the same authentic source we also learn that the promised Elias is John the Revelator. (D. & C. 77; 9, 14.) Thus there are three different Revelations which name Elias as being three different persons.... Was it one man? Certainly not.>>

PrincetonGuy · Aug 3, 2020

He is the way said:
Your Bible headings are indeed different than ours. It is our duty to be perfect and overcome the world.

The chapter headings in “my” Bible are the chapter headings written by the translators of the KJV and included in that version as a part of that version. The chapter headings in “your” Bible are fraudulent and radically incorrect—making the Apostle Paul out to be a worse sinner after his baptism than before!

Many years ago, I was called upon to teach a yearlong Bible study of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. This was well before I acquired my education in the exegesis of the Greek New Testament, and therefore I purchased thirteen commentaries on Romans to assist me in my study and teaching of the epistle.

As I was teaching on chapter 6 and paying very close attention to it, chapter 7:14-25 came to my mind and I began to see for the first time the stark contrast between what Paul wrote in chapter 6 and what he wrote in chapter 7. I prayed about this contrast and the Holy Spirit very clearly and unmistakably told me that the experience in chapter 7:14-25 was not Paul’s experience as a Christian. I had never heard that teaching before, and out of curiosity, I checked to see what the thirteen commentaries on Romans had to say about the issue. Twelve of the thirteen commentaries said that Romans 7:14-25 was a depiction of Paul’s experience as a Christian; the other commentary avoided the issue.

I found myself knowing what the Holy Spirit had taught me but not only not having any academic support for that teaching, but an abundance of academic support for an opposing view! Consequently, I prayed, “But God, ….”, but God was not at all pleased with this prayer and He firmly rebuked me for my lack of faith. I knew then, for an absolute and incontrovertible fact, that it was the Holy Spirit who had spoken to me, and that what He said was true. Therefore, when it came time for me to teach on chapter 7:14-25, I expressly taught that experience in chapter 7:14-25 was not Paul’s experience as a Christian.

Some time later, I purchased the six-volume commentary on the Bible by Adam Clarke; and out of curiosity, I checked to see what he had to say about chapter 7:14-25 in Romans and read,

It is difficult to conceive how the opinion could have crept into the Church, or prevailed there, that “the apostle speaks here of his regenerate state; and that what was, in such a state, true of himself, must be true of all others in the same state.” This opinion has, most pitifully and most shamefully, not only lowered the standard of Christianity, but destroyed its influence and disgraced its character. It requires but little knowledge of the spirit of the Gospel, and of the scope of this epistle, to see that the apostle is, here, either personating a Jew under the law and without the Gospel, or showing what his own state was when he was deeply convinced that by the deeds of the law no man could be justified, and had not as yet heard those blessed words: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way, hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, Act_9:17.

As I am typing this post, I now have in my private library 268 commentaries on Romans—including every exegetical commentary on the Greek text of that epistle that has ever been published in English (and there are many of them). All thirteen of the commentaries on Romans that I owned back then were purchased from a Christian bookstore that specialized in writings by Reformed authors. Moreover, all thirteen of the commentaries on Romans that I purchased back then were written by men who chose to listen to Reformed theology rather than the Holy Spirit.

For the first three centuries after Paul wrote his epistle, chapter 7:14-25 was understood to be the words of an unregenerate Jew striving to obey the law but finding that he is unable to do so. Paul is here putting himself in the place of such a Jew in order to “connect” with such Jews and assist them in accepting his teaching of justification apart from the works of the law. This rhetorical device, known as “speech in character,” was commonly used in ancient Greece and is used today around the world.

Saint Augustine was aware of this and interpreted chapter 7:14-25 accordingly. However, during his debates with Pelagius, he changed his mind and taught that in chapter 7:14-25 Paul was writing about himself as a Christian. This second, and very incorrect view, is found in the Retractions of Saint Augustine. The Roman Catholic Church continued to understand chapter 7:14-25 as did the Greek Fathers of the Church, and they still do today. However, the early Reformers, especially Luther and Calvin, abandoned the interpretation of the Greek Fathers of the Church—being less than thrilled with the idea of agreeing with the Romans Catholics—and down to this day most Lutherans and Calvinists believe as did Luther and Calvin. Independent scholars with no system of theology to bow down to correctly recognize in chapter 7:14-25 the words of an unregenerate Jew striving to obey the law that he delights in but finding that he is unable to do so

Joseph Smith, having had a very limited education and no knowledge of such a rhetorical device misunderstood chapter 7:14-25 and felt a need to defend the Apostle Paul. To do so, he foolishly “corrected” chapter 7:14-25 by writing,

Rom 7:14 For we know that the commandment is spiritual; but when I was under the law, I was yet carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 But now I am spiritual; for that which I am commanded to do, I do; and that which I am commanded not to allow, I allow not.
Rom 7:16 For what I know is not right, I would not do; for that which is sin, I hate.
Rom 7:17 If then I do not that which I would not allow, I consent unto the law that it is good; and I am not condemned.
Rom 7:18 Now then, it is no more I that do sin; but I seek to subdue that sin which dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:19 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but to perform that which is good I find not, only in Christ.
Rom 7:20 For the good that I would have done when under the law, I find not to be good; therefore, I do it not.
Rom 7:21 But the evil which I would not do under the law, I find to be good; that, I do.
Rom 7:22 Now if I do that, through the assistance of Christ, I would not do under the law, I am not under the law; and it is no more that I seek to do wrong, but to subdue sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:23 I find then that under the law, that when I would do good, evil was present with me; for I delight in the law of God after the inward man.
Rom 7:24 And now I see another law, even the commandment of Christ, and it is imprinted in my mind.
Rom 7:25 But my members are warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:26 And if I subdue not the sin which is in me, but with the flesh serve the law of sin, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:27 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, then, that so with the mind I myself serve the law of God.

It does not require a Ph.D. in literary analysis from the University of Chicago to see the striking differences between this writing and the writing of Paul.

He is the way · Aug 3, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
The chapter headings in “my” Bible are the chapter headings written by the translators of the KJV and included in that version as a part of that version. The chapter headings in “your” Bible are fraudulent and radically incorrect—making the Apostle Paul out to be a worse sinner after his baptism than before!

Many years ago, I was called upon to teach a yearlong Bible study of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. This was well before I acquired my education in the exegesis of the Greek New Testament, and therefore I purchased thirteen commentaries on Romans to assist me in my study and teaching of the epistle.

As I was teaching on chapter 6 and paying very close attention to it, chapter 7:14-25 came to my mind and I began to see for the first time the stark contrast between what Paul wrote in chapter 6 and what he wrote in chapter 7. I prayed about this contrast and the Holy Spirit very clearly and unmistakably told me that the experience in chapter 7:14-25 was not Paul’s experience as a Christian. I had never heard that teaching before, and out of curiosity, I checked to see what the thirteen commentaries on Romans had to say about the issue. Twelve of the thirteen commentaries said that Romans 7:14-25 was a depiction of Paul’s experience as a Christian; the other commentary avoided the issue.

I found myself knowing what the Holy Spirit had taught me but not only not having any academic support for that teaching, but an abundance of academic support for an opposing view! Consequently, I prayed, “But God, ….”, but God was not at all pleased with this prayer and He firmly rebuked me for my lack of faith. I knew then, for an absolute and incontrovertible fact, that it was the Holy Spirit who had spoken to me, and that what He said was true. Therefore, when it came time for me to teach on chapter 7:14-25, I expressly taught that experience in chapter 7:14-25 was not Paul’s experience as a Christian.

Some time later, I purchased the six-volume commentary on the Bible by Adam Clarke; and out of curiosity, I checked to see what he had to say about chapter 7:14-25 in Romans and read,

It is difficult to conceive how the opinion could have crept into the Church, or prevailed there, that “the apostle speaks here of his regenerate state; and that what was, in such a state, true of himself, must be true of all others in the same state.” This opinion has, most pitifully and most shamefully, not only lowered the standard of Christianity, but destroyed its influence and disgraced its character. It requires but little knowledge of the spirit of the Gospel, and of the scope of this epistle, to see that the apostle is, here, either personating a Jew under the law and without the Gospel, or showing what his own state was when he was deeply convinced that by the deeds of the law no man could be justified, and had not as yet heard those blessed words: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way, hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, Act_9:17.

As I am typing this post, I now have in my private library 268 commentaries on Romans—including every exegetical commentary on the Greek text of that epistle that has ever been published in English (and there are many of them). All thirteen of the commentaries on Romans that I owned back then were purchased from a Christian bookstore that specialized in writings by Reformed authors. Moreover, all thirteen of the commentaries on Romans that I purchased back then were written by men who chose to listen to Reformed theology rather than the Holy Spirit.

For the first three centuries after Paul wrote his epistle, chapter 7:14-25 was understood to be the words of an unregenerate Jew striving to obey the law but finding that he is unable to do so. Paul is here putting himself in the place of such a Jew in order to “connect” with such Jews and assist them in accepting his teaching of justification apart from the works of the law. This rhetorical device, known as “speech in character,” was commonly used in ancient Greece and is used today around the world.

Saint Augustine was aware of this and interpreted chapter 7:14-25 accordingly. However, during his debates with Pelagius, he changed his mind and taught that in chapter 7:14-25 Paul was writing about himself as a Christian. This second, and very incorrect view, is found in the Retractions of Saint Augustine. The Roman Catholic Church continued to understand chapter 7:14-25 as did the Greek Fathers of the Church, and they still do today. However, the early Reformers, especially Luther and Calvin, abandoned the interpretation of the Greek Fathers of the Church—being less than thrilled with the idea of agreeing with the Romans Catholics—and down to this day most Lutherans and Calvinists believe as did Luther and Calvin. Independent scholars with no system of theology to bow down to correctly recognize in chapter 7:14-25 the words of an unregenerate Jew striving to obey the law that he delights in but finding that he is unable to do so

Joseph Smith, having had a very limited education and no knowledge of such a rhetorical device misunderstood chapter 7:14-25 and felt a need to defend the Apostle Paul. To do so, he foolishly “corrected” chapter 7:14-25 by writing,

Rom 7:14 For we know that the commandment is spiritual; but when I was under the law, I was yet carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 But now I am spiritual; for that which I am commanded to do, I do; and that which I am commanded not to allow, I allow not.
Rom 7:16 For what I know is not right, I would not do; for that which is sin, I hate.
Rom 7:17 If then I do not that which I would not allow, I consent unto the law that it is good; and I am not condemned.
Rom 7:18 Now then, it is no more I that do sin; but I seek to subdue that sin which dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:19 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but to perform that which is good I find not, only in Christ.
Rom 7:20 For the good that I would have done when under the law, I find not to be good; therefore, I do it not.
Rom 7:21 But the evil which I would not do under the law, I find to be good; that, I do.
Rom 7:22 Now if I do that, through the assistance of Christ, I would not do under the law, I am not under the law; and it is no more that I seek to do wrong, but to subdue sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:23 I find then that under the law, that when I would do good, evil was present with me; for I delight in the law of God after the inward man.
Rom 7:24 And now I see another law, even the commandment of Christ, and it is imprinted in my mind.
Rom 7:25 But my members are warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:26 And if I subdue not the sin which is in me, but with the flesh serve the law of sin, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:27 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, then, that so with the mind I myself serve the law of God.

It does not require a Ph.D. in literary analysis from the University of Chicago to see the striking differences between this writing and the writing of Paul.

The thing that I know to be true is that the laws of LOVE are right and should be obeyed. Paul said this:

(New Testament | Romans 3:31)

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

The main theme of the Bible is "keep the commandments". God gave commandments to man to help us learn how to LOVE one another, and to LOVE God. ALL of the law and the prophets hang on the first two great commandments of LOVE. Eternal life is dependent on keeping those two commandments:

(New Testament | Luke 10:25 - 28)

25 ¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

We also know that in order to be saved a person needs to endure to the end. there is no middle of the road salvation. Keeping the commandments is a lifetime task:

(New Testament | Matthew 24:13)

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Bible headings were not added until the 16th century. That is when the Bible was broken down into chapters. The headings were not written by the prophets and are not scripture. We believe that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God. He was able to accomplish much in his short lifetime. He was diligent in his endeavor to serve God. I believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Dale · Aug 3, 2020

He is the way said:
Your quote did not go far enough and was taken out of context:

Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine under Elias:

<< Correcting the Bible by the spirit of revelation, the Prophet restored a statement of John the Baptist
which says that Christ is the Elias who was to restore all things. (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) By
revelation we are also informed that the Elias who was to restore all things is the angel Gabriel who was known in mortality as Noah. (D. & C. 27:6-7; Luke 1:5-25; Teachings, p. 157.) From the same authentic source we also learn that the promised Elias is John the Revelator. (D. & C. 77; 9, 14.) Thus there are three different Revelations which name Elias as being three different persons.... Was it one man? Certainly not.>>

The Old Testament never says that Elijah (or Elias) will "restore all things." What the prophet Malachi actually says is that Elijah will come before "the day of the Lord," which in this case is the coming of the Messiah, or Christ. Jesus does say that "Elijah," or John the Baptist, "restores all things." Jesus meant that John the Baptist rejected the vacillations and hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and restored honest teaching of OT law.

Joseph Smith first refers to Elijah as Elias. Then JS forgets that Elijah is to prepare the way for the Messiah and instead decides that Elijah is the Messiah, and assigns him a few other functions as well. Matthew, Mark and Luke, the Synoptic Gospels, all agree that John the Baptist is the Elijah who paves the way for the coming of Christ. Why would I believe that Joseph Smith is right about this while Matthew, Mark and Luke are all wrong?

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Malachi 4:5-6 NIV

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Matthew 11: 11-15 NIV

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Mark 9:11-13 NIV

Gabriel says to Zechariah:
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:13-17 NIV

He is the way · Aug 3, 2020

Dale said:
The Old Testament never says that Elijah (or Elias) will "restore all things." What the prophet Malachi actually says is that Elijah will come before "the day of the Lord," which in this case is the coming of the Messiah, or Christ. Jesus does say that "Elijah," or John the Baptist, "restores all things." Jesus meant that John the Baptist rejected the vacillations and hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and restored honest teaching of OT law.

Joseph Smith first refers to Elijah as Elias. Then JS forgets that Elijah is to prepare the way for the Messiah and instead decides that Elijah is the Messiah, and assigns him a few other functions as well. Matthew, Mark and Luke, the Synoptic Gospels, all agree that John the Baptist is the Elijah who paves the way for the coming of Christ. Why would I believe that Joseph Smith is right about this while Matthew, Mark and Luke are all wrong?

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Malachi 4:5-6 NIV

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Matthew 11: 11-15 NIV

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Mark 9:11-13 NIV

Gabriel says to Zechariah:
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:13-17 NIV

(Guide to the Scriptures | E Elias.:Entry - A man in Abraham's dispensation)

ELIAS. See also Elijah

There are several uses of the name or title Elias in the scriptures:

Elijah: Elias is the New Testament (Greek) form of Elijah (Hebrew), as in Matt. 17:3–4, Luke 4:25–26, and James 5:17. In these instances, Elias was the ancient prophet Elijah whose ministry is recorded in 1 and 2 Kings.

Forerunner: Elias is also a title for one who is a forerunner. For example, John the Baptist was an Elias because he was sent to prepare the way for Jesus (Matt. 17:12–13).

Restorer: The title Elias has also been applied to others who had specific missions to fulfill, such as John the Revelator (D&C 77:14) and Gabriel (Luke 1:11–20; D&C 27:6–7; 110:12).

A man in Abraham's dispensation: A prophet called Esaias or Elias who apparently lived in the days of Abraham (D&C 84:11–13; 110:12).
(Guide to the Scriptures | E Elijah.:Entry)

ELIJAH. See also Elias; Salvation; Seal, Sealing

An Old Testament prophet who returned in the latter days to confer the keys of the sealing power on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. In his day, Elijah ministered in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kgs. 17-2 Kgs. 2). He had great faith in the Lord and is noted for many miracles. He prevented rain for three-and-a-half years. He raised a boy from the dead and called down fire from heaven (1 Kgs. 17–18). The Jewish people still wait for Elijah to return, as Malachi prophesied he would (Mal. 4:5). He remains an invited guest at Jewish passover feasts, where an open door and a vacant seat always await him.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said that Elijah held the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood and was the last prophet to do so before the time of Jesus Christ. He appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and conferred the keys of the priesthood on Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:3). He appeared again, with Moses and others, on 3 April 1836, in the Kirtland Ohio Temple and conferred the same keys upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C 110:13–16). All of this was in preparation for the second coming of the Lord, as spoken of in Malachi 4:5–6.

The power of Elijah is the sealing power of the priesthood by which things that are bound or loosed on earth are bound or loosed in heaven (D&C 128:8–18). Chosen servants of the Lord on earth today have this sealing power and perform the saving ordinances of the gospel for the living and the dead (D&C 128:8).

Sealed the heavens and was fed by ravens, 1 Kgs. 17:1–7. Commanded the widow's barrel of meal and cruse of oil not to fail, 1 Kgs. 17:8–16. Raised the widow's son from death, 1 Kgs. 17:17–24. Defeated the priests of Baal, 1 Kgs. 18:21–39. The still small voice spoke to him, 1 Kgs. 19:11–12. Ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire, 2 Kgs. 2:11. Malachi prophesied of his return in the latter days, Mal. 4:5–6 (3 Ne. 25:5). Appeared in the Kirtland Ohio Temple in 1836, D&C 110:13–16.

Rescued One · Aug 3, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
Some further thoughts about the JST: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the KJV of the Bible with its vast number is mistakes is Canonical, but that the KJV stopped being Canonical when the mistakes were corrected. And not only that, in about 1900, the corrected KJV stopped being a “standard work” and became a substandard work even though, according to Joseph Smith, the corrections were given to him by the Holy Spirit. Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now teach that the Holy Spirit is a substandard spirit?

Where did you obtain this information?

Rescued One · Aug 3, 2020

PrincetonGuy said:
Rom 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Gal 2:15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners;
Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Gal 2:19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.
Gal 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Gal 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)

Rom 7:1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
Rom 7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Rom 7:3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.” (ESV)

Paul tell us here that we, in our old self (Rom 6:6), “have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that [we] may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But notice that if our old self (ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος) has not died, we are still married to the law and we are therefore committing adultery with Christ. However, if our old self dies, we are free from the law and our marriage to Christ is sanctified.

As for 1 John 2:4,

1 John 2:1. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2. and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3. Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. (NRSV)

The antecedent of the pronoun “his” is “Jesus Christ the righteous.” Therefore, it is NOT the law that is spoken of here, but rather the commandments of Jesus.

As for Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, it is, as you have written, from the Old Testament—that is the Old Covenant that Jesus has made obsolete by mediating a new covenant,

Hebrew 9:15. For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. (NRSV)

The antecedent of the pronoun “his” is “Jesus Christ the righteous.” Therefore, it is NOT the law that is spoken of here, but rather the commandments of Jesus.
:amen:

LDS don't keep the law anyway. They are hung up on Joseph Smith's commandments.

LDS Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible

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...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me

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