We believe...Articles 8, 9

8- "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."
9- "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."

I apologize for posting these two articles out of order and at the same time. I feel prompted to do so for a number of reasons:

• As I reviewed the history of the Bible I came to understand that the Bible was not a book that was written over a short period of time by a single author or even a single editor. Variations of the Bible have come forth over periods of time. Catholics have a version that isn't quite consistent with that of the Presbyterians. 
• Another issue that constantly comes up is the Book of Revelation. It is common to hear from people when discussing the Bible that "according to the Book of Revelation 22:18 '...,If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." If further investigation is done regarding the Bible a diligent and thorough student would realize that:

1. The Bible as we know it wasn't written in one sitting or even a short period of time. It was written by many men and women,over many centuries, then compiled into one around the third century. According to one website, biblestudytools.com, there were at least 4 books or letters written after Revelations and there may have been more. 
2. The Old Testament has a similar scripture found in Deuteronomy 4:2 "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it..." If the same logic is equally applied anything after Deuteronomy would be null and void. Using Revelations as a discussion point is a weak one.

Regarding Article 9- "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."

One of my fundamental questions that I had growing up was why weren't there prophets now as there were up to the time of Jesus? In fact even during the time of Christ, John, called the Baptist, was considered a prophet. Jesus even states in Matthew 11:11 "Verily I say unto you, Among that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist..." Following the death, resurrection and ascension of the Savior, the Apostles carried on the work of the Savior. Miracles continued to be wrought. Jesus continued to play an active part of guiding His church through the twelve Apostles. He also had direct involvement in giving Saul, later to become Paul, a course correction.

Does a loving Heavenly Father want to leave us on our own or does he have a life-line for us to grasp? Are we too arrogant as the human race to think that we can do it on our own with out the help and love of a Heavenly Father? Is there a Prophet today he directs His church as did Peter of old?

To read a previous post relating to this discussion read "A light shining in darkness..."

To hear a modern day Prophet speak this weekend is the semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is broadcast on cable networks around the country, normally on the BYU channel, and carried live at the www.lds.org. It's on Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. MST. As it was to listen to Peter as he taught at the temple following the day of Pentecost, it will be exciting to hear a Prophet's voice...his name is Thomas S. Monson...

jsf