Mcconkie, understanding the book of revelation, ensign september 1975. Joseph smith mentioned several times that he translated the book of mormon record through the gift and power of god by means of the urim and thummim, but the term was used ambiguously. Instead of referring to moroni and any other event from the past, there is no doubt that revelation 14 is talking about events in the future. Snow, facing the future with hope, ensign december 2007. For some parts of the book of revelation, joseph smith, first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, often inadvertently called the mormon church, went to the lord with direct questions. Understanding the book of revelation, ensign, september 1975. Mcconkie says, are we expected to understand the book of revelation. The work of salvation today and in the book of mormon, p. Revelation the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
The scriptural canon is open due to the latterday saint belief in continuous revelation. Book of abraham and related manuscripts is a book you will want to own. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. We are a nonprofit organization supported by people like you. At this point, the printing of the book of mormon was paid in full. May 16, 2011 2 as edward kimball said in the article lds give lip service to the idea that the brethren are human and fallible, but have a difficult time really believing it.
Nov 15, 2018 the latest volume of the joseph smith papers project is revelations and translations, volume 4. With brief, easy to understand versebyverse notes, renowned educator and seasoned gospel scholar david j. Elder mcconkie once said, if you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the plan of salvation as it is set out in the apocalypse, you are one of the favored few in the church. Latterday saints are fortunate that the restoration has provided many keys to interpret this book. The book of revelation, also called revelation to john or apocalypse of john is the last canonical book of the new testament in the bible. Mar 17, 2017 nephi prophesied that after the book of mormon would come forth unto the gentiles, there would be many who would believe the words which are written. The broader our knowledge of the gospel and the scriptures, the plainer the book of revelation becomes. Oct 10, 2017 the book of revelation can be captivating, if not a bit bewildering. Yet a careful look at the interpretations and applications of these symbols and prophecies is one key to preparing for the second coming and enjoying a study of johns panoramic vision. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1985, 251. It was released by the church to help explain how the book of mormon was translated, and to explain why the true story of the translation differs so greatly from the official church narrative taught since its founding.
Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the revelation of john for the latter days. Through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a urim and thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation dallin h. John, revelations of the encyclopedia of mormonism. Although some church writers and scholars have suggested that the book of revelation may be the vision john was to write, the matter is not entirely clear. Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. If worthy, we are entitled to receive revelations for ourselves, parents for their children, and members. Latter day saints teach that the latter day saint movement began with a revelation from god. Scott 19282015 of the quorum of the twelve apostles, to acquire spiritual guidance, ensign, nov.
Lds series fhe lesson 6 a must read excerpts from lds. They feel like they have to say that lds leaders could be wrong about what god wants revelations because, well, its obvious. Lds discussions blog we are still working on getting more content up and covering more issues beyond the lds essays and basic truth controversies, and we wanted to launch a blog to make quick posts about topics that are either in the news or due to releases from the lds church. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints, ensign, december 2019. Every person that is researching and finding truth, that it is in fact the truth. How joseph smith received the book of abraham papyri. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith, teaches us that we were meant to have johns description of the events leading up to the. The ensign of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints september 2014 the work of salvation today and in the book of mormon, p. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. But in a study of the book of revelation, the interpretation of symbols becomes essential.
Many christians wonder if this passage speaks directly to the extra biblical books of mormonism, specifically the book of mormon. If verses 6 and 7 refer to events that have already happened the introduction of the book of mormon to the earth, then the mormon is obligated to explain these additional symbolic references. We found the following mentions that the joseph smith papyri does not contain the text of the book of abraham on lds. The church news is an official publication of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mar 09, 2014 basically, the ensign editors butchered his original article, so he published it in its complete form in his book. Life after ministry leading mormons to the real jesus christ. It is likely disease and earthquakes had always existed, but the the devastation is a result of how these natural occurrences are magnified due to mans changing living conditions. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. Meanwhile, the ensign article will get the missionaries starting to think and they can study c. Note that the words resurrection and restoration are used interchangeably in the book of mormon as in alma 4041, which is not surprising because resurrection is a type of restoration. It explains the development of the book of abraham, from the time joseph smith and others purchased egyptian papyri in 1835 through the publication of the book of abraham text and accompanying illustrations in the times and seasons in 1842. Is the book of revelation the remainder of the vision nephi recorded.
If you love the book of mormon, consider donating to book of mormon central and becoming part of this exciting movement. Jan 10, 2010 joseph smith was told by god that the 7 seals are 7 year periods of the earth history. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. The great and abominable church is identified as being synonymous with the whore of babylon described in chapter 17 of the book of revelation. Is it possible for the book to be made easier for latterday saints to understand. Seeking and receiving personal revelation seeking and receiving personal revelation, ensign, apr 2010, 7. The standard works of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church are the four books that currently constitute its open scriptural canon. Mcconkie 191585 of the quorum of the twelve apostles, 1 and seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation, by gerald n. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever. The context of verse 18 seems to speak directly to the book of revelation, the last book of the bible written by the apostle john while he was in exile on the island of patmos. The words urim and thummim did not appear in the book of mormon, early revelations, or early newspaper accounts.
Go back please check the url for proper spelling and capitalization. Lund, insights from the jst into the book of revelation, in the joseph smith translation. Jointly published by the deseret news and the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the church. What the book of revelation is laid out according to the plan of.
All of this, however, is not meant to imply that the book of revelation is simple or easily understood. Joseph smiths use of seer stones ensign magazine, october 2015joseph the seer. It too has a frontispiece, only in this case it is. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Education system chart and was adapted for ensign use by jay a. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection of modern revelations called the doctrine and covenants. What role does the book of mormon play in missionary work. What a lifelong mormon learned about the faith he was raised in. Learning the language of the scriptures is a lot like learning a foreign language. It is a witness to those that doubt that lds is not the restored church. Whether you are a scholar, a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, a member of one of the other restoration churches springing from joseph smith, or just an interested student of 19th century religious movements, the jsp revelations and translations vol. Some christian scholars in later centuries questioned its authorship, objected to some of its doctrines for instance, its teachings about the millennium or its teaching that people would be judged according to their works, and found its.
It is being shared again to celebrate the 190th anniversary of the publication of the book of mormon. Hence its title in english, the book of revelation or the uncovering or unveiling. In the latter day saint movement, the great and abominable church also called the great whore of all the earth is a church described in the book of mormon and other revelations by joseph smith. This book is an invaluable resource for any home library.
Joseph smith and the book of revelation, ensign, december 2015, 6065. Jan 22, 20 ensign magazine discusses changes to revelations excerpts of great and marvelous are the revelations of god, gerrit dirkmaat, ensign magazine the ongoing joseph smith papers project at the church history library has highlighted the essential role that joseph smiths revelations played in building the faith of early members of the church. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. Mormonism and historycensorship and revisionhiding the. A testament to the lamb of god, ensign, december 2019.
Latterday saints have a distinct advantage over the rest of the christian world because modern prophets have revealed much that directly helps us interpret the mysteries revealed in the apocalypse. Ridges shares his highly acclaimed approach to teaching the scriptures in this volume of the awardwinning gospel studies series, the book of revelation made easier. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. Oaks, scripture reading and revelation, ensign, jan. For many early church members, the book of mormon was a key factor in their conversion, and through the inspired teachings of modern prophets, it now plays an unprecedented role in missionary work through the world. The book of commandments is the earliest published volume said to contain the revelations of joseph smith jr. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints. Text published in the book of commandments is now considered scripture by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church as part of the larger doctrine and covenants. A book of breathings text that closely matches the joseph smith version and there are precious few of them is the socalled kerasher book of breathings. They also teach that revelation is the foundation of the church established by jesus christ and that it remains an essential element of his true church today. The 7 seals make mention of the emergence of disease and earthquakes.
Further, one can note the calendrical similarity of the events of the week prior to april 3, according to the chronology presented in part 1. Christians outside the mormon church often quote the following scriptures to condemn lds doctrine and open scripture. It shows how god works and that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. One of the more egregious things put out by the church at the april 2020 conference was an updated proclamation. How the book of mormon design has changed over the last 100 years kelsey berteaux editors note. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned. The book of revelation made easier in bible lds bookstore.
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