Book of Mormon: Day 69: Continuing Revelation

Today’s Reading: 2 Nephi 29

3 And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people…

7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

I sat on a hard bench at our lunch table as an insecure 7th grader, surrounded by peers, eating my home- packed lunch.  My “friend” started quizzing me regarding how I could possibly believe in the Book of Mormon?  After all, she said, the Apostle John did say that you shouldn’t add or take away from the Bible.  “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  [i] This was news to me!  I had never heard such an assertion. I sat tongue tied, not knowing how to respond and unprepared with any sort of thought on the matter.   I remember suffering deep embarrassment that I did not have the tools or understanding to defend the Book of Mormon, which I had read through with my family several times over the years and which was sacred to me.  The looks of pity, from my peers, were evident and the accuser seemed quite expert in her understanding of the scriptures that she felt so strongly condemned me and my faith.

I later learned that the church my accuser attended taught an actual course on how to confound Mormons.  I was astounded that a religion would do such a thing but I was determined to be better prepared to respond to her or anyone else should I be given the opportunity to defend sacred writ in the future.

That night, my dad explained to me her misinterpretation of John’s words.  His council and explanation sounded much like this from President Howard W. Hunter:

A careful reading of the words makes it clear that the warning against adding to or taking away does not refer to the whole Bible or even to the New Testament, but to use John’s words, only to the words of “the book of this prophecy.” That is, the prophecy contained in the book of Revelation. This is substantiated by the fact that some of the books of the New Testament had not yet been written when John wrote the book of Revelation, and even those that had been written and were in existence at that time had not yet been gathered into one compilation.

I showed up to school the next day, infused with confidence (from my dad), prepared with scriptures (that my dad taught me), and possessing a more thorough understanding (thanks again dad!) of the question at hand, but it was obvious that my “friend” was smug and felt there was no need for further conversation.  My heart sank and to this day I anguish that I did not testify of the things that I did know in the moment of accusation.

Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?

I have since marveled that anyone would complain that there are more scriptures. Don’t we all have the same Heavenly Father and Savior?  Doesn’t He love all of His children?  Is it truly that unfathomable to believe that the Savior manifested Himself on the American continent and to other nations, as well as to the Jews? Do we not yearn to learn more about our Heavenly Father and His ways?

7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

Having studied both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, I have found that they both testify of Christ.  They are both powerful witnesses. They compliment each other and give light and understanding to the gospel and doctrines of Jesus Christ.  There is no conflict in believing in both as they are truly companions.

Personal Revelation

I would like to ask my friend the following, “If there is no more revelation and there should be no more scriptures then do you believe in personal revelation?”  Such thinking would suggest not and if this is the case then my heart aches for her because personal revelation has taught me glorious things!  Personal revelation has guided my steps, lightened my understanding, provided comfort and made light pierce the blackest of nights.  I can say that personal revelation is part of my daily life and being able to communicate with Deity is more important to me than breath itself.  I have come to know the truthfulness of Moroni’s words when he said,

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Whether it be by scripture, modern day prophet, or kneeling beside our bed, revelation lives today.  Whether or not we recognize it, the Heavens flood our lives with blessings due to revelation daily and it is our privilege to accept or reject this spiritual gift.