I recently had a discussion with a very good friend of mine on the topic of Religion. I thoroughly enjoy talking with people on this subject. I haven't written on this blog for a few weeks because I simply ran out of ideas but our conversation has produced some spark in me to write about our main topic of conversation that day.
We got on the topic of a passage of scripture in Revelations Chapter 22 vs. 18-19. Some people have used this passage to defend the idea that there can be no more revelation or scripture after the Bible because that would be adding to the Bible. In this way they try to discredit the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Moses, wrote the same about his books (Deuteronomy 4:2). If those words of Moses were interpreted in the same way some have interpreted what John wrote, then there would be no Bible after the first five books. John, like Moses, was simply referring to what God had directed him to write—the book of Revelation.
To me it just makes so much sense that God would communicate with His people today as He has since the beginning of time. Why would one generation of people be more favored of the Lord if He was the same yesterday, today, and forever? Why would one nation (Jews) be more favored than another? (The Ancient Americans) The testimony of two nations stands as a greater witness that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The great thing about all of this confusion is that we can know the truth for ourselves regarding the scriptures and their meaning. In James 1:5 we are told that 5 aIf any of you lack bwisdom, let him ask of God, that cgiveth to all men liberally, and dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Also in Luke 11: 9-10 it says, "9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
I believe that God answers our prayers through scriptures most definitey but we can also recieve personal revelation from God through the Holy Ghost. In John 14:26 Jesus says, "But the aComforter, which is the bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my cname, he shall dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." In Galatians 5: 22-23 we are taught, "But the afruit of the bSpirit is clove, djoy, epeace, flongsuffering, ggentleness, goodness, hfaith,
I have a very firm and strong testimony that we can recieve a witness that God has revealed his truths to His servants in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, and continues to reveal things to His servants, the prophets, in our day. God IS the same yesterday, today, and forever. I have recieved a personal witness from the Holy Ghost that the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated correctly, the Book of Mormon IS another testament of Jesus Christ, and that God does indeed speak to His Prophets in our day. Joseph Smith did indeed pray in a grove of trees to know which church to join and was visited by God, our Father, and His son, Jesus Christ. His Gospel has been restored on the earth today through the prophet Joseph Smith. Christ is the head of His church on the earth today: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We have a Prophet and Apostles who teach us God's will and truth's in our day just as in times of old. God has provided a way for us to know His truth's through the power of the Holy Ghost.
I issue an invitation to everyone who has not gained a personal witness for themselves of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of continued revelation through His holy prophets, that they experiment on the word of God and indeed, "Ask God in faith" and He will let you know the truth through the power of the Holy Ghost.
