Book of Mormon: The Bigger Picture by Shell Abegglen

[DWhitmer]

I'm amazed how many people feel driven to share what they know about the Holy Book of Mormon. Case in point, the recent title by Shell Abegglen called "Book of Mormon: The Bigger Picture."



Unfortunately, no matter how many authors share what they've learned, they entirely miss the meaning of the Book of Mormon because all their learning has been filtered through the glass darkly of Mormonism.

The most obvious teaching overlooked is that the Book of Mormon is a closed canon; its gospel is not to be added to:

40 Whoso shall declare more or less than this [Book of Mormon] and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil...and the gates of hell stand open to receive such. (3 Nephi 11)

13 Whoso among you shall do more or less than [Book of Mormon]...the gates of hell are ready open to receive them. (3 Nephi 18)

62 I will bring to light my gospel [Book of Mormon]...yea, the only doctrine which is in me. (D&C 10, Summer 1829)

The next example comes from p. 181 of Abegglen's book:

"At one point, while the disciples were journeying, preaching, and baptizing, they were united in fasting and prayer when Christ came and stood in their midst. They told him that there were some disputes among the people as to what the church should be called. Christ told them that if it be Moses' church then call it by Moses' name, 'but if it be called in my name then it is my church.' Christ made it quite clear that every thing they should do, should be done in his name, including the naming of his church, therefore it should be called The Church of Jesus Christ. (3 Nephi 27)"

Abegglen failed to include the second part of that equation:

8 But if it be called in my name then it is my church, IF it so be that they are built upon my gospel. (3 Ne. 27)

Most readers in this forum know the true facts regarding the changes with the name of the Mormon Church. First it was rightly called "Church of Christ," then, (after joining Sidney Rigdon) it was changed to "Church of the Latter-day Saints" and the name of Christ was removed entirely. Only later was it added back in.

Built On My Gospel

This point was left out by Abegglen (like other BoM authors) entirely. Have any compared the gospel of the Book of Mormon with the gospel of the D&C? I have said many times, Mormons don't follow a single doctrine in the BoM and they are under condemnation because of it. (D&C 84:54-57, 1832)

Name of Christ

7 Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; (3 Ne. 27)

If the efficacy of the ordinances of Mormonism were judged on the mandate in 3 Ne.27:7, how many would pass? None.

All ordinances in the Mormon Church include this (as if the name of Jesus were not enough):

"By the power of the [M. or A.] priesthood I hold."

If a person will remove the glass darkly of Mormonism and read the Holy Book of Mormon, they will find that it condemns Mormonism, not support it. And the greatest benefit - if they choose to follow its teachings and come out from under the curse of (D&C 84:54) - they will !AVOID HELL!

Hopefully Abegglen will come here and try to defend his book.

[Indy Coug]

40 Whoso shall declare more or less than this [Book of Mormon] and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil...and the gates of hell stand open to receive such. (3 Nephi 11)

13 Whoso among you shall do more or less than [Book of Mormon]...the gates of hell are ready open to receive them. (3 Nephi 18)

62 I will bring to light my gospel [Book of Mormon]...yea, the only doctrine which is in me. (D&C 10, Summer 1829)

Just exactly on what are you basing your [Book of Mormon] parentheticals above?

[DWhitmer]

Just exactly on what are you basing your [Book of Mormon] parentheticals above?

Only the facts in the verse.

[Indy Coug]

Only the facts in the verse.

What facts? You have extrapolated. There are no facts to support your extrapolation.

[MarkGrace]

Unfortunately, no matter how many authors share what they've learned, they entirely miss the meaning of the Book of Mormon because all their learning has been filtered through the glass darkly of Mormonism.

The most obvious teaching overlooked is that the Book of Mormon is a closed canon; its gospel is not to be added to:

[DWhitmer]

What facts? You have extrapolated. There are no facts to support your extrapolation.

Perhaps you're right. I'll double check...not.

Absolutely. That position would have gotten me banned on many other forums. Readers here are more secure and open minded. It's awesome!

[wuapinmon]

Perhaps you're right. I'll double check...not.



Absolutely. That position would have gotten me banned on many other forums. Readers here are more secure and open minded. It's awesome!

Yeah, dude, we're open-minded when someone's willing to defend their statements. Indy asked you a decent question. If you want to take the time to answer it, I'd be interesting in knowing how you're reading the passage you cited. Otherwise, you sound pedantic.

[DWhitmer]

Yeah, dude, we're open-minded when someone's willing to defend their statements. Indy asked you a decent question. If you want to take the time to answer it, I'd be interesting in knowing how you're reading the passage you cited. Otherwise, you sound pedantic.

Here it is in full for those too lazy to look it up:

31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.
32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.
34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.
37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.
38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.
41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth. (3 Nephi 11)

And:

1 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.
2 And while they were gone for bread and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.
3 And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.
4 And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.
5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.
6 And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.
7 And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
8 And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.
9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.
10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.
11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.
13 But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and the gates of hell are ready open to receive them. (3 Nephi 18)

[Commando]

Perhaps you're right. I'll double check...not.



Absolutely. That position would have gotten me banned on many other forums. Readers here are more secure and open minded. It's awesome!

So if somebody takes an opposing view on something they're closed minded. It's awesome!

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think the novelty is wearing off...

[Pheidippides]

What facts? You have extrapolated. There are no facts to support your extrapolation.

I don't always agree with Indy Coug, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis. Or something like that.

Having spent a significant amount of time studying those particular verses over the past week, I see zero textual support for DWhitmer's position. But I'm sure I'm just a Mormon shill.

[jay santos]

I actually lol'd at the closed canon thing. Good work.

[Lost Student]

Lol. Around here, we refer to it as the HBoM

[Lost Student]

You do realize, don't you, that every returned missionary has heard this same tired argument many times for why the HBoM is not scripture and Mormons are damned to hell?

[wuapinmon]

This dude keeps citing the D&C, but doesn't he feel that Joseph was only called to bring forth the Most Holy Book of Mormon? If so, why ever use D&C?