What is Scripture?
1. "And this is the ensample unto them,
that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And
whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall
be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord,
shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of
God unto salvation." Doctrine and Covenants 68:3–4
2. "For the prophecy came not in old time
by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost" 2 Peter 1:21
Our scriptures are a compilation of the parchments,
scrolls, and animal skins over thousands of years. Glen Kimball said: "These
documents were not written by the churches of the world, or by journalists,
scientists or historians. They were written by the imperfect friends and family
of Jesus himself -- those who wanted us to know Him as they did."[i]
The Past of Scripture
- Sources
of the Holy Bible: Following the crucifixion, upon skins, scrolls,
letters, in the basements of churches[ii]
- Sanhedrin
- A body of 71 men, consisting of mostly wealthy Pharisees, but lead by
Annas and Caiaphas who were Sadducees. The Sadducees determined that the
only scripture they used were the 5 books of Moses. All other prophetic
writings of the 24 prophets since Moses were not to be found in Jerusalem,
but in the library of Alexandria in Egypt[iii]
- Secret
Combination formed after crucifixion to remove women from scriptures. In
200 AD, sacred documents by and about women were burned[iv]
- Roman
Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the official religion in 313 AD.
[v]
- Rumors
of the 2nd coming, but didn't happen. He took opportunity to
declare himself as a deity and of apostolic descent, diminishing Christ's
role. [vi]
- Constantine
calls the council of Nicea in 325 AD. This Council was politically charged
and combined the parchments, scrolls, and skins that suited their
political agendas into what we call our modern bible. [vii]
- Those
who spoke against the new Trinity doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, and the
Holy Ghost as a single being were called heretics. One man named Arius tried to encourage the inclusion
of sacred texts from Alexandria in Egypt, and was vocal in support of God
the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Ghost as individual beings. At one
meeting a man named Nicholas punched Arius in the face. [viii]
- In
325 ad the text was canonized and anyone who spoke in favor of adding
additional records were called heretics[ix]
- The
letters, journals, and firsthand account documents that failed to be
included became known as "Apocrypha" which means
"Hidden" or "Secret". Some argue these writings
contain more of the words and accounts of Jesus than are included in the
Bible, and more are being found all the time.
·
The
word "Apocrypha" has a bad connotation in many circles, but it is
good: "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; There are many things contained therein
that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men.
Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should
be translated. Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for
the Spirit manifesteth truth; And
whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not
needful that it should be translated. Amen." Doctrine and
Covenants 91
- During
the 18 years of absence of Jesus in the New Testament, the young Savior of
the world was traveling with his brother Joseph of Arimathea to India,
throughout the Roman Empire which included basically the Mediterranean,
and went as far west as Briton.
- While
on those journeys, writings and accounts of Jesus were written and are
included in many apocryphal writings, as well as Buddhist and Hindu
records, and are included in the Islamic Quran. Because those writings are
recorded among other world religions' records they are largely rejected by
mainstream Christians.
Are the Scriptures
Complete?
Joseph Smith said: “…
‘Is not the canon of the Scriptures full? If it is, there is a great defect in
the book, or else it would have said so.”[x]
The Present of Scripture
Canon - A word of Greek
origin, originally meaning “a rod for testing straightness,” now used to denote
the authoritative collection of the sacred books used by the true believers in
Christ.[xi]
- The
Holy Bible
- The
Book of Mormon
- The
Doctrine and Covenants
- The
Pearl of Great Price
*Going back to original
definition, anything spoken "when moved upon by the Holy Ghost".
Regardless of Gender, or church position
The Future of Scripture
"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." Articles of Faith 1:9
Neal A. Maxwell said: “Lost
books are among the treasures yet to come forth. Over twenty of these are
mentioned in the existing scriptures. Perhaps most startling and voluminous
will be the records of the lost tribes of Israel (see 2 Ne. 29:13). We would not even know of the impending third witness for
Christ except through the precious Book of Mormon, the second witness for
Christ! This third set of sacred records will thus complete a triad of truth.
Then, just as the Perfect Shepherd has said, “My word also shall be gathered in
one” (2 Ne. 29:14). There will be “one fold and one shepherd” (1 Ne. 22:25) in a welding together of all the Christian dispensations of
human history (see Doctrine and Covenants 128:18).”[xii]
2 Nephi 29: 6-14
6 Thou fool, that shall
say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye
obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
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.
9 And I do this
that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and
forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own
pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose
that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither
shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and
forever.
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.
11 For I command all men, both in the east and
in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea,
that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for
out of the books which shall be written I will judge the
world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.
12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and
they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites
and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes
of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I
shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write
it.
13 And it shall
come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and
the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost
tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of
the Nephites and the Jews.
14 And it shall
come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be
gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall
be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word
and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God,
and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember
his seed forever.
What will it look like when additional scripture comes forward?
We've heard the Joseph
and Moroni story so many times that I'm concerned if scripture comes to us in a
different way that we may refuse it. I encourage an open mind, and above all,
follow the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:5).
Glen Kimball said: "The Christians of today walk around with Jesus on their
lips, but with rejection of the extra-Biblical stories of Jesus, just like many
Jews did in Jesus' time. Reading material outside the Bible is considered 'heresy' for Christians to this day."[xiii]
How will Father in Heaven unite the nations and religions of the
world? Will it not be through scripture?
Would
it be shocking to learn that during those missing years of Christ from the New
Testament, that he was traveling with his brother Joseph of Arimathea and not
only lived among Buddhists and Hindu's, but became respected, and even deified
in those religions? By some accounts Jesus Christ is the great Buddha Isha. By
other accounts Jesus is the Hindu God Krishna. He is Jehova, the God of the
Jews; and he was highly regarded among Islam and Mohhamed as a prophet, as well
as other stories from the New Testament. As with other mythology and folklore,
impure traditions have crept into these stories, but earnest seeking and asking
may verify the truth of this idea.
I
see a future time at the Savior's return when only he can pronounce to all the
major religions of the world, that He has been in their scriptures for 2,000
years or more, and we knew him not, and that he longs to gather us as a hen
gathereth her chickens. 3 Nephi
10:5–6.
Only then can all the inhabitants of the earth truly know He is our God,
Savior, and the rightful King of the earth. Only then will we see as the
Apocryphal prophet Zenos said in the allegory of the Olive Tree that the
vineyard we all live in was once pure, and the fruit of the vineyard has indeed
become corrupt, and it is time to go back to our mother tree, the House of
Israel (see Jacob 5, and 6).
I
know for myself that more scripture will come forward, and even already has.
With all the unexplored ruins in the America's it is likely additional
scripture from the Lamanites and Nephites will come forward. With all the
missions and church investment in the Phillipines, more is likely to come from
there. With the near complete silence of Christ's presence in mainland Asia we
are likely to see records from there, and in fact, already have. And I've
received personal witness that additional records will come forth from Briton,
which will validate the truths contained in British Folklore and Legend. All of
which will no doubt validate the divine role of the Savior, and help to
establish him as the true King of Kings of the whole earth and beyond.
[i]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus Vol 1", 1999
printing; pg. 15
[ii]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus Vol 1", 1999
printing; pg. 19
[iii]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Politics of the Crucifixion", 1998; pg 59
[iv] Glenn
Kimball, "Hidden Politics of the Crucifixion", 1998; pg 61
[v]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus Vol 1", 1999
printing; pg. 20
[vi]
Laurence Gardner, "Bloodline of the Holy Grail", 2001; Pg. 139
[vii]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus Vol 1", 1999
printing; pg. 28
[viii]
Laurence Gardner, "Bloodline of the Holy Grail", 2001; Pg. 139
[ix]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Politics of the Crucifixion", 1998; pg 61
[x] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 121
[xi] LDS Bible
Dictionary: "Canon", accessed https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/canon
[xii] Neal A.
Maxwell, “God Will Yet Reveal” October 1986 General Conference Talk
[xiii]
Glenn Kimball, "Hidden Politics of the Crucifixion", 1998; pg 61
Thanks Eric for sharing your research.love your contributions to the podcasts.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to you and Julie for this inspired podcast. For sharing your spiritually guided and learned teachings, inspiring those willing to hear added witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ. With Love Australian Family
ReplyDeleteWhere did you read about Annas and Ciaphas? The Glenn Kimball books?
ReplyDeleteYes, Glenn Kimball opened my eyes on that, but his books are also cited so you can search the primary source material further by gleaning through his bibliography. Happy hunting.
DeleteGood job Eric!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteYou are a treasure
ReplyDelete..thanks for your faith and good works
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI have a question about discussions you and Julie had on her podcasts. But before I get to the question I wanted to tell you that I've been listening to the podcasts for only a few weeks now and have found them fascinating and insightful. Especially, podcast #69 "The hidden bloodline of Christ." I've been reading and listening to Julie since 2014 when her first two books came out and have told her on a couple different forums how much her experiences and words have meant to me. Her testimony really helped me when I was at a low point spiritually and helped motivate me to get mentally, temporally, and most importantly spiritually prepared for the tribulations and the second coming of our Lord.
That said, I will ask my question. In podcast six "What I see in the Western States" Julie is making a point about Lehi not being the "prophet" before the destruction of Jerusalem. She says that Jeremiah is the prophet yet both were prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem. Her point being that other people besides the prophet see things that will happen in the future, which I agree with. I am a member of AVOW and I believe many are seeing things that will soon come to pass. Julie goes on to say that Lehi took his family and escaped the destruction of Jerusalem, but that "Jeremiah perished with his people, and that was his mission." (episode #6, minute mark 45:29-45:35).
Later in podcast #69 "The Hidden bloodline of Christ" you relate that your research concluded that "Jeremiah flees to Britain" with one of the daughters of Zedekiah. Julie confirms what you've said when she agrees and says "the Sacred bloodline fled to Europe." (episode 69, minute mark 5:10-5:55 and 6:01-6:40.
So I'm left to wonder: well which is it? Did Jeremiah die with his people in Jerusalem or did he flee to Britain? I hope you will forgive me if you've answered this question before. Also, can you give me the reference material you used. I know some of it is apocryphal writings and your own experiences, but is there more?
Thank you for all you do,
David Poulton
Hi David,
DeleteI'd prefer comments here to relate to Doctrinal Essays, but I love the subject so much I can't help but address it.
I can't speak for Julie. I know that light and knowledge often comes gradually to each of us, and don't consider her an exception to that rule (although she has more knowledge than anyone I personally know).
With regard to #69, I have found a few sources indicating that Jeremiah and King Herrod's daughtor Tamar went to Briton. I have not engaged primary sources, but found that all my secondary source material referenced the same primary sources which are listed in this blog at the end. Still, these are all extra-biblical accounts and could easily be false. My feeling is that Jeremiah actually did go to Briton. In the end, what Julie or I say should never be considered conclusive, but rather food for thought.
Thanks for posting. I hope you enjoy my essays.
Thanks Eric!
Delete