My question has to do with why are we not trying to bring in the other Gospels? What I mean is; I have been question throughout my life on how the LDS could add the Book of Mormon as a Gospel when the Bible states that we cannot add to the Bible. I have always said that the Bible was changed by Constantine to just the four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and that during the time of Constantine the rule became that nothing could be added to the Bible.
That rule was not done by a prophet and not even a follower of God as much as a follower of Constantine.
My question there is why we still have not tried to bring into the church the other Gospels like the Gospel of Tom, Judas, or Mary?
Michael
Michael,
Good questions. Let’s look at these one at a time.
Did the LDS add The Book of Mormon “as a Gospel” when the Bible states that we cannot add to the Bible?
First, the Lord instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith to translate the record of the Ancient Americans. It is a foundation of our faith and another testament of the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have we added to the Bible?
Now, you have stated that the Bible says we can’t add to it AND that there was a rule during the time of Constantine that one cannot add to the Bible.
Remember that the word Bible literally means many books. In Revelation, it states:
Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 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.
The LDS church has never altered the words of the Book of Revelation.
But, let’s assume for a minute that it meant the whole Bible. What would this verse mean?
Deuteronomy 4:2
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye dimminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
If that was meant in the same way you read Revelation, then the Bible would only consist of the first five books of Moses. We wouldn’t have Isaiah (whom the Lord quoted often), nor would we have the original Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
You can also read 2 Nephi 29 for more on how the Lord feels when men feel they should limit how much inspired word the Lord should make available to them.
Why haven’t we tried to add other inspired ancient words to our cannon of gospel? We can learn from the revelation given to Joseph Smith regarding the Apochrypha.
Doctrine & Covenants 91:
1 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;
2 There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men.
3 Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated.
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.
Perhaps we should read, appreciate and apply what has already been revealed, before asking for more.
Gramps
