Resolving Concerns of Relegion

Resolving Concerns
Contents
144,000 saved..............................................................................................................................................1
"Another Gospel"........................................................................................................................................1
As man is, God once was.............................................................................................................................1
Authority/Already been baptized; Bible is ultimate authority.....................................................................2
Baptism by Immersion/Infant Baptism........................................................................................................3
Baptism is not essential...............................................................................................................................3
The Bible is the complete word of God........................................................................................................4
Blacks and the Priesthood...........................................................................................................................5
Book of Abraham Disproved?......................................................................................................................5
Born in Jerusalem........................................................................................................................................7
Changes in the Book of Mormon.................................................................................................................7
Children of God...........................................................................................................................................8
Church Leaders have weaknesses................................................................................................................8
DNA and the Book of Mormon..................................................................................................................10
Endless Genealogy.....................................................................................................................................10
Eternal Marriage........................................................................................................................................11
Evidence for Book of Mormon...................................................................................................................11
Exaltation...................................................................................................................................................11
Faith vs. Works...........................................................................................................................................12
False Prophecy?.........................................................................................................................................13
Garments...................................................................................................................................................13
“God Created the Earth, Not Jesus”...........................................................................................................14
God is a Spirit.............................................................................................................................................14
The Great Apostasy....................................................................................................................................15
Homosexuality...........................................................................................................................................16
I Don’t Believe in God................................................................................................................................16
I Don’t Need to go to Church to Worship...................................................................................................17
I Was Offended: Elder Bednar’s Answer....................................................................................................17
December 2013 version Page 1

Resolving Concerns
Jesus Christ is Jehovah...............................................................................................................................21
Did Jesus Drink Wine?...............................................................................................................................21
Joseph Smith Not Mentioned in the Bible.................................................................................................22
Lay Ministry...............................................................................................................................................22
My Family Will Disown Me if I Join the Church..........................................................................................23
No Man Can See God and Live...................................................................................................................23
No Prophets after Christ............................................................................................................................25
Non-members and Temples.......................................................................................................................26
One Mediator/Only Pray to Heavenly Father.............................................................................................26
No One True Church..................................................................................................................................27
Plurality of Gods........................................................................................................................................28
Polygamy...................................................................................................................................................28
Predestination...........................................................................................................................................29
Pre-Earth Life.............................................................................................................................................29
Resurrection for all....................................................................................................................................30
Sabbath on Sunday....................................................................................................................................31
Satan and Christ are Brothers....................................................................................................................31
Spirit World/ Baptisms For the Dead.........................................................................................................32
Do We Still Need Temples?........................................................................................................................32
Thief on the Cross......................................................................................................................................33
Three Kingdoms of Glory...........................................................................................................................33
Trinity........................................................................................................................................................34
You Can’t Trust Your Feelings.....................................................................................................................34
We All Believe in the Same God.................................................................................................................35
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People.............................................................................................35
Why Don’t We Have the Plates Today?......................................................................................................36
Women and the Priesthood.......................................................................................................................36
“You can’t add or take away from the Bible”.............................................................................................36

Resolving Concerns
In resolving concerns, it is important to ask whether the investigator is interested in all
that God has to say upon any doctrine/question/concern or only one scripture (the one
that the investigator may be “stuck” on). If they answer “all”, then bring in supporting
scriptures so that the doctrine/question/concern can be answered with the greatest
amount of light and knowledge available. (Elder Tad R. Callister)
144,000 saved
The Jehovah Witnesses teach that only 144,000 will be saved and be found in the kingdom of
heaven. This belief comes from Revelation 7:1-9, they say that 144,000 have been selected by God from
the time of Jesus’ apostles through to today. This doctrine is not only extremely selective in its
interpretation, but Matthew 8:11 tells us that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are in the kingdom of heaven,
all of which lived and died before the time of Christ.
Taking a moment to examine the doctrine that 144,000 will be saved, we see that in Revelation
14:1-4 they have to be men who are not defiled with women; so the same literal interpretation as is
used to determine that only 144,000 would be saved states that only men, of the house of Israel, and are
virgins can be saved. This is clearly incorrect and is false doctrine. God is no respecter of persons (Acts
10:35), anyone who follows the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be an heir to the kingdom of God.
"Another Gospel"
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we
have preached unto you, let him be accursed." - Gal. 1:8. Well, as we look at this verse, you must ask
yourself if Paul is condemning revelation. The answer is no! If you flip the page over and read verses 11
and 12, you will find out that revelation is how Paul came to know that the gospel is true. To help you
better understand this, in Acts 23:9, we find out that Paul had actually received instruction from an angel
previously. Also, look carefully at this verse, he says, "though we, or an angel..." Is Paul saying to not
listen to the apostles no either? That can't be what he means, as Paul is an apostle himself. The "other
gospel" is the point that Paul wants to make here. As you look back to this historical time period, you will
find that the Gnostic Christians are the "other gospel". And the apostles make reference to them or their
beliefs more than once in the New Testament. In 2 Thessalonians 2:2 it says, "That ye be not soon
shaken in mind or be troubled, neither by spirit..." Also in Colossians 2:18, it talks about "worshipping of
angels”. The beliefs of the Gnostic Christians were that men progressed by obtaining secret knowledge
through a hierarchy of angels. This is why Paul warns against believing angels that teach another gospel.
John also addressed the concern of the Gnostic Christians. The Jesus of the Gnostic Christians was only a
spirit personage. In 1 John 4:1-3, John says that any spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in
the flesh is of God, and those that express a contrary description of the Savior are not of God. If you
think about it, most of the Christian world today worships a spiritual version of Christ as the Gnostics did.
When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, he told him that Christ had come to the Americas in the flesh,
thus meeting the requirements to be from God. Another easy way to answer this concern is to show
them that we do not teach a different gospel. Thus this scripture is not relevant to Moroni appearing to
Joseph Smith. We can back up all of what we teach out of the Bible. Another concern that goes along
with his one comes from 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. Simply, reply with the same answer as stated above, or
show them Revelation 14:6-7. Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith is the fulfillment of this prophecy.

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As man is, God once was
"As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become" as stated by Lorenzo Snow coming from
a doctrine taught by Joseph Smith in the King Follett discourse. The concern surrounding this statement
comes from Psalms 90:2, "...even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art god." This doctrine is very
clear in the life of Christ. Christ, though a perfect being before the foundations of the world, came to
earth and became as man is—subject to physical death. Christ lived a perfect life yet while he was here
he "increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Christ was a man,
walked the streets of Palestine, grew in glory while he was here and yet remained the same in His
essential attributes of deity. (Heb. 13:8, Ps. 102:27; see also Ps. 90:2 since it is making reference to
Jehovah or Christ). So, almost in a rhetorical question, did Christ being a man lose the title God during
this time? No, "But unto the Son he [God] saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever..." (Heb. 1:8; Ps.
45:6-7). Christ is a God from everlasting to everlasting or, in other words, for ever and ever and yet very
clearly was also a man as we are.
So it is with the Father. Although we have no record of the Father's mortal ministry, we know
Christ can only speak truth and He tells us this happened, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what
he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also do the Son likewise" (John 5:19).
This works perfectly since most Christians believe in the trinity (so if they don't believe that God
was once a man they are denying that Christ came to the earth).
Authority/Already been baptized; Bible is ultimate authority

This is a very important aspect that sets our church apart. We claim divine authority from God.
We were given this authority by the laying on of hands. In Hebrews 5:4 it says, "And no man taketh this
honor unto himself, but he that was called of God, as was Aaron." Aaron was called by revelation from
God through Moses by the laying on of hands - Ex. 28:1. Another example of this was when Moses gave
Joshua the priesthood in Num. 27:18-23, "And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the
Lord commanded by the hand of Moses " Later in Deuteronomy 34:9 it says, "And Joshua the son of Nun
was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel
hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded." In Matthew 10:1, talking about Christ, it says,
"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to
cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Also in Mark 3:13-15 "And
he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to
have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." Also in Luke 9:1-2, "He called his twelve disciples
together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases." Why would this be
said in three of the gospels if it was not important? In 1 Timothy 4:14 it talks about the authority given
to the saints; "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on
of the hands of the presbytery." In John 15:16, Christ says, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen
you, and ordained you..." We cannot simply choose ourselves to have the authority of God. Even John
the Baptist did not try to give the Holy Ghost because he knew that he did not have that authority as
stated in Mark 1:6-8, "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost." In Luke 10:1, "the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face
into every city and place, whither he himself would come." And in verse 17 of that chapter it says, "The
seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
They had received the authority given to them through Christ to act in His name. In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul

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is reminding Timothy of the authority given to him by the laying on of hands, "I put thee in remembrance
that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." In Acts 6:6, there are
seven men chosen to assist in teaching the gospel and "they set them before the apostles; and when
they had prayed they laid their hands on them." Are you beginning to see a pattern here? In Acts 19:3-5,
it shows what happens when those without the correct authority attempt to cast out demons.
To illustrate importance of authority more fully, turn to Acts 18:24-25 and it talks about a man
named Apollos who convinced many of the Jews in Ephesus that Jesus was the Christ, and he had great
eloquence and knew the scriptures well. He then baptized them. At the beginning of the next chapter in
Acts 19:1-6 Paul passes through and has to re-baptize them with the proper authority. Even though
Apollos was sincere and taught true doctrine, but he did not have the authority to baptize. Other
scriptures include: Acts 1:24-26, Acts 13:3, Titus 1:5, Acts 8:14-20, etc.
For any who claim a prior baptism in another faith in as good as baptism by authority, the Savior’s
direction to others who had this same opinion early in the Church’s latter-day history was answered by
the Lord very clearly in DC 22: 1-4.
Baptism by Immersion/Infant Baptism

Let us first establish that baptism was performed by immersion. In every example it gives in the
New Testament of baptism, it is always by immersion. Christ's example is in Matthew 3:13-17, "...and
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." In Matthew 3:5-6 it says, "Then
went out to him (John the Baptist) Jerusalem, and all Judea and all the region round about Jordan, and
were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." They were baptized in the river Jordan. In John
3:23 it talks about John baptizing "in Ӕnon near to Salim, because there was much water there and they
came, and were baptized." In Acts 8:36-39 it says, "And they went down both in to the water, both Philip
and the Eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught away Phillip." And then, of course, we cannot forget the famous scripture in Romans 6:4;
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Clearly this is an analogy of
how we must be buried in the water, or be immersed, and then come out of the water as if we are being
resurrected into a newness of life. And in Ephesians 4:5, it tells us the there is "One Lord, one faith, one
baptism". Because they baptized by immersion in the teachings of Bible, then that is the one and only
way to baptize. Now, we immediately know that infant baptism is wrong because it would be dangerous
to dunk infants under water. But we will prove this through the teachings of Christ and His apostles. In
Mark 16:15-16 it says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall
be damned." We are taught that we first must believe and choose; infant baptism does not allow for
either belief or choosing. In Acts 2:37-38 it says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Infants are
incapable of repenting of their sins. Philip was preaching in Samaria, and "there was great joy in that
city"—Acts 8:8. Evidently this meant that many heard His message and believed. Note the scripture in
Acts 8:12 which says, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of
God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.” The greatest discourse in
the scriptures on infant baptism is found in Moroni 8.

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Baptism is not essential
Well, we must first look at what Christ taught. In John 3:5, He says, "...Except a man be born of
the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Did not Jesus Christ set the
perfect example to us? "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." —
John 13:15. Well, if you will recall in Matthew 3:13-17, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto
John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest
thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill
all righteousness. Then he suffered him." Christ was perfect and He had no sins to be washed away, but
He was baptized to show us the way back to our Father because baptism is essential. When Peter was
preaching to a group of 3000 people they respond, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in
their heart, and said unto Peter...Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ," Acts 2: 37-38. When Peter went
and preached to the Gentiles, the Holy Ghost came on them, "And he commanded them to be baptized
in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10: 47-48. Paul tells of his
story on the road to Damascus. Even after having Jesus Christ appear to him, in Acts 22:16 it says, "And
now why tarriest thou Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Paul still needed to be baptized because it is essential to have entrance into God's kingdom. In Luke
7:29-30, it says, "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with
the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves,
being not baptized of him." 1 Peter 3:21 states "Even Baptism doth now save us" we know it is not
baptism only that is why in Mark 16:15-16, it says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned."
In Hebrews 6:1-2 it lays out the gospel of Jesus Christ. In it, it includes "doctrine of baptisms" as
clearly identifying baptism as an essential to the gospel. Jesus also ends with His final instruction in
Matthew 28:19-20 saying, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Why would this be Christ's final instruction to His
apostles if it wasn't necessary?
Here are some other scripture references of accounts where people are baptized: Acts 8:38; Acts
9:18; Acts 16:15, 31-33; Acts 18:8; Acts 19; John 3:22,26; Acts 8:12; Acts 2:41,47; Gal. 3:27; Titus 3:5;
Rom. 6:4, etc...
The Bible is the complete word of God

See also “You can’t add or take away”
For those that believe this, the question then is which Bible is it that we need? Is it the King
James Version (KJV), the New International Version (NIV) or the New Standard Version (NSV) etc... They
all state the word of God differently, hence the mass confusion that is prevalent in the Christian world.
Then which version of the Bible is the only book that we need? The Bible from the Latin word for
"books" — wasn't compiled by a prophet but a council of men. It testifies of itself that it is not the
complete word of God (John 21:25; John 20:30). Clearly God doesn't mean to disqualify other scripture
as Paul says, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16). It is clear that our present day
Bible does not have the complete word of God. The following are examples of missing scripture or "lost
books": "The book of Nathan the prophet" (1. Chr. 29:29, 2 Chr. 9:29); "Is this not written in the book of

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Jasher?" (Josh. 10:13, 2 Sam. 1:18); Manasseh's dealings with God "are written among the sayings of the
seers" (2 Chr. 33:19); "Written in... the prophesy of Ahijah" (2 Chr. 9:29); An earlier Pauline epistle to
Corinth (1 Cor. 5:9); "The book of Gad the seer" (1 Chr. 29:29); "The book of the wars of the Lord" (Num.
21:14); "Written in... the visions of Iddo the seer" (2 Chr. 9:29, 12:15, 13:22); Read the epistle from
Laodicea" (Col. 4:16); "The book of Samuel the seer" (1 Chr. 29:29); "The book of the acts of Solomon" (1
Kings 11:41); "The book of Shemaiah the prophet" (2 Chr. 12:15); A previous epistle from Jude (Jude
1:3); "The book of Jehu" (2 Chr. 20:34); "And Enoch... prophesied of these..." (Jude 1:14). Just as the
Bible is not complete without the other books that it makes reference to, neither is it complete without
God's word upon the American Continent. Perhaps the easiest way to say it is "Can anything really be the
complete word of God?" Has He already told us all the wisdom that He has for us? Has His loved changed
in the years that span between then and now that He doesn’t want to guide us?
Blacks and the Priesthood

Here are some ideas to present to those who have this concern:
 Church doctrine never held that blacks were less than human or without souls, as some
denominations did.
 Baptism has always been offered to those of all races.
 Joseph Smith taught that any mental or economic weakness suffered by blacks was not due to
any in-born defect, but simply due to not having ample opportunity to advance and receive the
same education as whites.
 Church members were overwhelmingly abolitionist and were even persecuted and driven out of
Missouri because of their anti-slavery leanings.
 The Church never had segregated congregations; all members worshipped together.
 The Church supported equal civil rights for many years before the 1978 revelation. To the
Church, the issue of priesthood was not one of civil rights or granting status, but of revelation.
It is abundantly clear from the Bible and other scriptures that, in certain circumstances and for various
reasons, God has given certain privileges and responsibilities to certain groups and withheld them (or
allowed them to be withheld) from others. Examples of this include:
1. God made a special covenant with Abraham, and reaffirmed it with his descendants the
Israelites, beginning with Moses. While conversion to the Israelite religion was possible, it was
rare, and the Lord forbade Israel from intermarrying with the surrounding foreign nations (Deut.
7:3; Ezra 10:10-11).
2. Within the Israelite community itself, only the Levites were tasked with performing the
ordinances of the tabernacle, and later the temple (Num. 3:5-13; Num. 8:5-26).
3. During Jesus’ mortal ministry, He instructed His disciples to only preach to the Jews (Matt. 10:5-
6). It was only during the later apostolic ministry that Peter received a revelation authorizing the
gospel to go to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
There is no apparent reason why non- Levite Israelites in Old Testament times and Gentiles in early New
Testament times could not receive the same privileges as others. Sometimes God operates on a
timetable that He chooses not to explain. This is why the gift of revelation is so important as an element
in the true church. Sometimes statements need to be qualified or revised to meet certain conditions. An

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excellent article on this topic is at this website:
http://www.fairmormon.org/perspectives/publications/blacks-and-the-priesthood
Book of Abraham Disproved?

To address the question of the veracity of the Book of Abraham. On November 27, 1967, the
New York Metropolitan Museum of Art presented to the Church eleven recently rediscovered fragments
of papyri originally purchased by the Saints of Kirtland in July, 1835 (History of the Church, 2:235-36). A
twelfth fragment had been in the Church’s possession for many years, but the reappearance of those
eleven additional papyrus fragments has sparked a controversy which may linger for years to come. The
controversy centers around the authenticity of the Book of Abraham and Joseph Smith’s ability to
translate Egyptian hieroglyphics. Scholars who examined the eleven rediscovered fragments recognized
that they did not correspond to the Book of Abraham, but that they were funerary texts from the
Egyptian Book of the Dead (Book of Breathings). Anti-Mormon detractors immediately asserted that the
difference was proof that the Book of Abraham was a fraudulent work and that Joseph Smith did not,
and could not, translate ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Michael J. Hickenbotham, in his book “Answering
Challenging Mormon Questions”, gives a convincing rebuttal to the critics’ assertions, as follows: Soon
after the purchase of the original papyri, Joseph Smith stated that he “commenced the translation of
some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and … found that one of the rolls contained the writings of
Abraham, another the writings of Joseph of Egypt” (History of the Church, 2:236). In December of that
year, he said that “The Record of Abraham and Joseph, found with the mummies, is beautifully written
on papyrus, with black, and a small part red, ink or paint, in perfect preservation” (History of the Church,
2:348). Hugh Nibley points out that the Book of Breathing text is “entirely different” from the record of
Abraham described by Joseph Smith. The Book of Breathing papyri were neither beautifully written nor
well preserved and were devoid of rubrics (passages in red). Thus, on each of these three points, the
Book of Breathing manuscript conspicuously fails to qualify as the manuscript Joseph described (Nibley,
Judging and Prejudging the Book of Abraham, p. 6 and The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri, pp. 2-3).
Hugh Nibley further observed that one of the three or more original scrolls was described as
long enough that when “unrolled on the floor, [it] extended through two rooms of the Mansion House”
(Dialogue, vol. 3, no. 2, 1968, p. 101). He also noted that in 1906, Joseph F. Smith remembered ‘Uncle
Joseph’ down on his knees on the floor with Egyptian manuscripts spread out all around him … When
one considers that the eleven fragments now is our possession can easily be spread out on the top if a
small desk … it would seem that what is missing is much more than what we have (Judging and
Prejudging the Book of Abraham, as reprinted in They Lie in Wait to Deceive, p. 243). We should also add
that only one of the three Abraham facsimiles were among the rediscovered fragments. This fact alone
demonstrates that significant portions of the original scrolls are still lost. The traditional opinion held by
LDS scholars has been that the Book of Abraham papyri are among those fragments which are still lost.
An alternate view, which is either expressly stated or hinted at by several LDS writers, is that the text of
the Book of Abraham was not actually contained in the papyri purchased by the Saints. This opinion
revolves around the meaning of the work “translation” as it was used by Joseph Smith. Kirk Vestal,
Arthur Wallace, Eugene Seaich, and James Harris speculate that Joseph did not actually “translate” as we
define the term today, but instead produced the text through divine inspiration (History of the Church,
4:136-137). The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (D&C 76:15; 93:53; 94:10; 124:89; History of the
Church, 1:211, 215, 219, etc.) Illustrates this broader usage of the term translate. Joseph restored over
120 verses concerning Enoch to Genesis chapter 5 where only 5 verses exist in our modern Bibles

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(compare Moses chapter 6). He did not claim to translate this missing text from other ancient sources,
but restored it by revelation.
These scholars believe that the Egyptian papyri purchased by the Church did not actually contain
the text restored by Joseph Smith, but instead contained symbolic references to a more ancient primary
document dating from 2500 B.C. (Vestal and Wallace, The Finn Foundation of Mormonism, pp. 183-86).
Because of the three Book of Abraham facsimiles also contained many ancient symbols and allusions to
this primary document, Joseph Smith used them to illustrate his Abraham text. All of the authors cited
above seem to agree that the facsimiles were not part of the original Abraham text but were more likely
included because of the deeper symbolism they contained (Seaich, Ancient Texts and Mormonism, p.
106; Nibley, Judging and Prejudging the Book of Abraham, p. 7; Vestal and Wallace, The Firm Foundation
of Mormonism, pp. 183-86). What is important is not that the facsimiles and text are only remotely
related (because this is apparent from the Book of Abraham text) but that Joseph Smith explanations
attached to the facsimiles are accurate. Vestal and Wallace note that 25 of Joseph Smith 30 facsimile
explanations corresponded closely to the interpretation of Egyptologists, while the remaining 5 did not
conflict (Ibid., p. 188; see also p. 234 of this text).
That Joseph translation is so similar to those of Egyptologists is even more remarkable when one
considers that neither Joseph Smith nor his associates had any prior knowledge of either Egyptology or
Egyptian hieroglyphics. It appears that after the Book of Abraham was completed, Joseph Smith, W. W.
Phelps, and others tried to work out an Egyptian grammar and alphabet. In so doing, they attempted to
match up the translated text of the Book of Abraham with the Egyptian characters on the papyri. The
idea was apparently to use the Book of Abraham as a type of Rose Stone or sure translation (Nibley,
Judging and Prejudging the Book of Abraham, p. 6; The Meaning of the Kirtland Egyptian Papers). The
experiment was doomed to failure, but it nonetheless indicated that: (1) they had very little knowledge
of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, (2) they believed the text to be a true translation of papyri scrolls in
their possession, and (3) there was no attempt to deceive others by claiming a knowledge of Egyptian
hieroglyphics (see Hugh Nibley, Judging and Prejudging the Book of Abraham, p. 5 or Robert and Rose
Mary Brown, They Lie in Wait to Deceive, pp. 238-40). Though the above has been used in an attempt to
discredit Joseph Smith and the Church, it is clear to those that read the Book of Abraham and study
Joseph Smiths explanation of the three facsimiles that this work was inspired (Answering Challenging
Mormon Questions, pp. 212-14). This answer is from
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/answers/disproved.htm
Born in Jerusalem
The concern that Book of Mormon teaches that Christ was born in Jerusalem comes from Alma
7:10 "he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers..." The claim is that this
is clearly false prophecy since everyone knows Christ was born in Bethlehem. Simply put just as when
you are asked where you are from, if we are from a small town will typically say a larger city that is
nearby to someone who is unfamiliar with the region that you are from such is the case in the Book of
Mormon. This simplified geography also a very biblical thing, consider 2 Kings 14:20 "And they brought
him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David." Here the city of
David where Christ was born is made reference to as Jerusalem. The prophets of The Book of Mormon
"prophesy to the understanding of men" (Jacob 4:13) stating Bethlehem to men who had never been in
the Middle East would have told them nothing concerning the place of His birth, while Jerusalem land of
our forefathers gives them a clear reference point.

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Changes in the Book of Mormon
This concern comes from the introduction page of the Book of Mormon where Joseph Smith said
that the Book of Mormon "was the most correct of any book on earth, ...and a man would get nearer to
God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book." Note that Joseph Smith said "by abiding by its
precepts." He didn't say that it was a word perfect grammatical masterpiece. But if we follow its doctrine
and precepts, then we will draw nearer to God than by any other book. There have been several
corrections made in the Book of Mormon since the first edition was published. Almost every one of
these has been grammatical errors. In 1830, many words in the language had more than one accepted
spelling (ex. Saviour, and Savior). Also, as is common with translation, when the Book of Mormon was
translated, it was all one big run-on sentence (punctuation is normally not translated). The first people to
put punctuation in the Book of Mormon were those that were printing it—not by Joseph or any member
of the church. Many changes to the punctuation and grammar have been made to the Book of Mormon
since then. Remember that Joseph Smith had very little schooling up to this point when he translated
the Book of Mormon. The King James Version of the Bible was compiled by 52 of the finest scholars in
England and yet, it still has grammatical errors. In 2 Samuel 17:29 it says, "…The people is hungry..." Also,
2 Kings 19:35 gives an awkward use of words, "...and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they
were all dead corpses." Other references are in Lev. 11:21; Matt. 16:13; Gen. 18:2; Isa. 37:36 (same
error as 2 Kgs. 19:35); John 4:2, and Luke 7:21. You can simply explain that the grammatical errors in
the Bible do not take away from the doctrine or meaning of what it is saying. So it is with the Book of
Mormon. You may also note that there are some errors in the Bible besides grammatical ones. In Acts
9:7, it says that the men heard a voice, but saw no man. In Acts 22:9, speaking of the same story it says
the men saw a light but heard no voice. Also speaking of Judas' death, Matthew 27:5 says that he
hanged himself. But in Acts 1:18 it says that he fell-headlong and all of his bowels gushed out.
Children of God
“God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children.” (PMG pg. 31). Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”. In Hebrews 12:9 Paul says, “shall
we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live”. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, talking
about our bodies when we die, “the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” As well in Numbers 16:22,
the people in the congregation of Moses called upon God saying, “O God, the God of the spirits of all
flesh”. Malachi 2:10 speaks clearly “Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do
we deal treacherously every man against his brother?” These scriptures can only mean one thing; that
we are all the children of the same Father in heaven. In Acts 17:28 Paul teaches about God; “For we are
also his offspring.” Did you catch that word that was used? Moses also testifies to this doctrine, “Ye are
the children of the Lord your God” (Deut. 14:1). Hosea testifies alongside with Moses as in Hosea 1:10,
“Ye are the sons of the living God,” Christ teaches us about our relationship with God in John 20:17;
“Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I
ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Christ teaches us in another
instance of our relationship to Him in Matthew 6:6-9, when He uses the word “Father” four different
times. Isaiah 45:11 is God speaking to Isaiah and He tells him to “Ask me of things to come concerning
my sons”. Also in Psalms 82:6, David says, “Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”
Other scriptures to use: Gal. 4:6-7; Job 38:7; Job 1:6; Philip. 2:15; 2 Cor. 6:18; Jn. 3:1-2; Zech.
12:1, etc.

Resolving Concerns
Church Leaders have weaknesses
We know that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of god” (Rom. 3:23). Considering this,
obviously church leaders will have imperfections in their life, as did the prophets and apostles of old.
Does their imperfection suddenly mean that the church isn’t true? Obviously not. The apostle Paul
taught “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Cor.
1:26-27). The men that are called to lead in the church are called by revelation not by perfection. Biblical
prophets had flaws as well, yet still fulfilled their calling. Consider the following examples: Moses slew an
Egyptian (Ex. 2:11-14); Noah got drunk (Gen. 9:21); Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord rather than
deliver God’s message to Nineveh (Jonah 1:3); the chief apostle Peter denied Christ three times (Luke
22:54-62). Paul was persecuting the church and sent many saints to prison before his call to preach the
gospel (Acts 8:1-3); and Peter, James, and John all fell asleep while praying in the garden of Gethsemane
(Luke 22:40-46). Yet in each one of these cases their imperfections didn’t stop them from leading Christ’s
church after His ascension, Ieading Israel from bondage or being the father of the Law. Particularly from
the life of Joseph Smith anti-Mormon literature tends to take statements or events in the prophet’s life
out of context and bend them to portray whatever would appear to be deceptive and false. This
technique is apparent when one has a greater knowledge of the event or statement involved. Consider
however the following story using the above technique as it could have been written by a 1 st Century
writer:
"It is well known that the newly founded Christian religion is based upon the life and philosophy
of one Jesus of Nazareth and that their pernicious ways (notice the use of conclusive, emotive terms that
provide no supporting evidence) are a result of his instruction. It is this man that we will now consider.
Various reports raise questions about that nature of Jesus’ birth, because shortly after his birth
his parents fled to Egypt. They likely did this to hide something, perhaps the questionable factors
surrounding their son’s birth.
At any rate, at the age of 12, Jesus of Nazareth was often found in the temple confusing the
priests and even impersonating them! He is also known to have lied to his mother in public. This occurred
after he mysteriously disappeared for a considerable period of time from his home. When his mother
found him she demanded to know of his whereabouts. He told her that he was in the temple doing his
Father’s work. This was obviously a play to save face since it is well known that his father was actually a
carpenter, and would have no business in the temple.
Upon reaching adulthood he remained somewhat subdued for several years, but then he was
known to have consorted with a religious fanatic and social outcast known as John the Baptist. Some
reports even claim that Jesus was baptized by this pseudo-holy man who later ended up being executed
for offenses against the Queen.
In any event, Jesus now began to set up his own ministry and some, of weak conviction having
an irreligious nature followed after him. Indeed, there are many reports that inform us that he
associated with sinners, and defended the practice when pious Jews brought it to his attention.
At one point in his ministry he is known to have bound cords together and, charging into the
temple, he began to cruelly beat the Levitical Priest in a grotesque fashion. Later, Jesus gave his authority
to one Simon Peter who is known to have cut a man’s ear off in front of a large crowd of people, who can
testify to this tale’s truthfulness.

Resolving Concerns
At any rate, Jesus was eventually betrayed by one of his handpicked disciples and he was
crucified along with two other criminals after receiving a just hearing. During his trial Peter, his chosen
disciple, rejected him and claimed never to have known him. While Christians claim that their Jesus was
resurrected from the dead, there is a contrary report which reveals that his body was stolen from the
tomb by one of his followers (check Matt. 28:12-15).
The Christians celebrate the death of their leader by eating flesh and blood. It is obvious that this
peculiar cult is false, and should be opposed.” – (story by Elder John Andrew White).
To any Christian who has knowledge of Christ’s life this story is clearly blasphemous. Yet there
are no blatant lies in this story. The truth is bent and twisted to fit the views of the fictitious author. The
facts, as told in a slanderous way, could easily persuade an uninformed man that Christ was not the
perfect man that He was.
DNA and the Book of Mormon

This concern is quite complex, considering that it deals with genetic research. In short, the
studies that anti-Mormon literature sites state that since some studies performed on Native American
DNA does not match that of European DNA, or that of the MiddIe East where Lehi and his family
migrated from. These studies support the conclusion that the DNA that Native Americans have matches
that for Asian DNA. To truly understand the detail of this conclusion and the subsequent answer to that
concern requires knowledge of genetics. Considering those that bring up this concern will almost always
have no knowledge of science behind the studies, a strictly scientific answer with the details of the
studies will do you no good. Know that there is a great deal of scientific research that supports that
Native Americans did migrate from the Middle East, but in effort to give you the most useful concise
answer it is helpful to point out the following:
First, science evolves. Thousands of years ago, man’s greatest scientists came to the conclusion
that the earth was flat. Hundreds of years ago scientists stated that earth was the center of the universe.
Even easier, taking a chemistry book that your parents used in college and comparing it to a current one
will show you that science evolves. When it comes to genetics, just like scientists of old determining the
attributes of earth, we are in an infancy when it comes to this branch science.
Second, those that would bring this concern up that are from other Christian faiths fail to note that
science has “proven” the Bible wrong. Or has it? What would science say of the following?
 Adam and Eve were the parents of all humanity about 4,000 years before Christ.
 A word-wide flood exterminated all life except those that were in the Ark with Noah.
The scientific theory of evolution, which had much more “evidence”, doesn’t seem to rule out these
Biblical truths. When you ask them these questions, the answers they provide about this will provide you
grounds to bear your testimony. Perhaps it is best summed up with the idea that when science and true
religion disagree, all we need to do is give science time to catch up.
Endless Genealogy
This concern comes from 1 Timothy 1:4 “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies”
and Titus 3:9 “but avoid foolish questions, and genealogies”. The question would then be why is Christ’s
genealogy laid out in the New Testament (Matt. 1:2-17, Luke 3:23-38) Why is so much of the Old

Resolving Concerns
Testament devoted to long lists of genealogies? Why would God put it in Nehemiah’s heart to do such
work if it was evil? See Neh. 7:5. Perhaps it is because it is not the genealogy that is contrary to God’s
will but the way that it was used at the time that is as a way to justify righteousness or claim to salvation
because of the feats of their ancestors. We see this when Christ teaches “And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Then the Pharisees reply saying “we be Abraham’s seed,
and were never in bondage to any man: How sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” (John 8:33) The belief
was at the time that just because they were Abraham’s seed that they would be saved in the kingdom of
heaven.
We see another example of this belief in Luke 3:8 as John the Baptist preaches ”Bring forth
therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our
father...” The Bible shows us by example that genealogy is important. The confusion is that by virtue of
your genealogy you are more righteous than another.
Eternal Marriage
This concern comes from Matthew 22:23-33, Mark 22:23-30, Luke 20:27-34, where Christ
answers the question of the Sadducees who believe there is no resurrection (Matt. 22:23; Acts 23:8) The
Sadducees ask Christ which man would have a woman hereafter if seven men had her as their wife. It is
important to note that in Christ’s answer He is talking to the Sadducees—again, they don’t believe in the
resurrection. Marriage, in their laws and customs was not marriage by God’s power or being “sealed” so
their marriages would not last past the resurrection. Without the sealing ordinance they would be as
angels in heaven (D&C 132: 16). However, knowing the power of God, we know that God gave Adam his
wife, Eve (Gen. 2:18), and that “‘Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever” (EccI. 3:14). …neither is the
man without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord” (1 Cor. 11:11) as we are “heirs
together” (1 Pet. 3:7) this doctrine is repeated in Christ’s teaching in Matthew 19:6 when he declares
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”. The power to seal is clearly given
to His apostles “for whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matt. 16:19 see also
Matt. 18:18).
We also see eternal families in the story of Job that God rewarded him by doubling all that he
had (Job 42:10). He went from 7,000 sheep to 14,000. Also, he went from 3,000 camels to 6,000 camels,
etc. What about his children? Before all his children died he had seven sons and three daughters. After
the Lord blessed him for overcoming his trials, he was only given seven sons and three daughters, not
double of what he had before. Either God is a liar or Job’s children are sealed to him and God’s promise
is met.
Evidence for Book of Mormon

Evidence does not convince people to change their life. Evidence doesn’t help men draw closer
to God. Consider all the evidence that could be given of the Bible, yet the whole world is not Christian?
What about smoking? Sound scientific evidence shows it is horrible for your body, yet how many people
still smoke? Help your investigator understand that the Spirit is what will really make the difference, not
evidence (see 1 Cor. 2:10-14). However, let the investigator know that there is an abundance of
evidence for the Book of Mormon. There are far too many things to list; here are some sites that they
can get information for free on the internet, not to mention all the information that is available on the
Maxwellinstitute.byu.edu (formerly FARMS for Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies):
www.jefflindsay.com

Resolving Concerns
www.the-book-of-mormon.com
www.fairmormon.org
There are many more.
Exaltation
Christ commanded us “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect” (Matt. 5:48; see also Deut. 18:13; Gen. 17:1). Would God give us a commandment that is
impossible to keep? NO! Paul exclaimed “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
(Philip. 4:13). In fact Paul specifically addresses this point earlier on in his address to the Philippians “I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as
be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto
you.” (Philip. 3:14-15 see also verses 20-21) Christ supported this mind set when He quoted Psalms 82:6
in John 10:33-35. The key in the scripture found in John is that we need to have the word of God and
who is the word of God? Christ. (John 1:1) We see this teaching that we are the sons of God (John 1:12)
repeated throughout the scriptures (Deut. 14:1; Hosea 1:10; Rom. 8:16; Acts 17:28-29; Heb. 12:9;
Philip. 2:15; 1 Jn. 3:2; 2 Cor. 6:18). Christ also taught that as sons we will be made heirs (Luke 15:12-31;
Matt. 24:45-47); heirs to what is made clear when we have Christ in our life: Rom. 8:16-17; 2 Cor. 8:9;
Gal. 4:7; Philip. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 3:21-23; Luke 6:40; Rev. 3:21; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Eph. 1:10-11 (see whole
chapter). We will be made an heir in all things that Christ and the Father hath. To use somewhat of a
basic analogy, just as a kitten becomes a cat, a puppy a dog, an acorn a tree, so does a son of God
become a God through the grace of Christ. The fact that the letters of the New Testament are addressed
to new branches of the church made up of recent converts, and as Paul stated they need milk before
meat (1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14) then in both of those books he goes on to explain both the priesthood
and degrees of glory, we have to ask what is the meat? The Doctrine of Exaltation, although not clearly
taught as some of the other principles of the gospel; however, with the previous references, and the
following, it is clear that the Apostles and Christ himself both knew the doctrine and taught it. (2 Cor.
3:18; Gen. 3:5; Heb. 12:23; 1 Jn. 3:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:4; Rev. 3:21; John 17:21-24) Note also (1 Cor. 8:5-6) to us
there is but one God” when it comes to answering questions. We will not replace God who will always be
God, we can become God-like.
Faith vs. Works

It is made possible for us to be saved because of Christ and His infinite atonement for us, but in
order for us to qualify for “grace” we must do our part. In 2 Nephi 25:23 we learn that “we are saved by
grace after all we can do.” Legrand Richards put it like this, “By the grace of God it rains, but unless we
plant seeds, we receive no harvest.” This concern comes mostly from Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace ye
are saved…not of works, lest any man should boast.” But if you continue reading in verse 10 it says that
we are before ordained unto good works and that we should walk in them. This is a perfect example of
how a scripture can be taken out of context and misused. James 2:17-19 says “Even so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works, shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou
doest well: the devils also believe and tremble.” Luke 4:41 is an example of the devils recognizing Christ
as the Son of God, but that did not change their fate or grant them salvation. In Philippians 2:10-11, we
learn that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. But as you cross reference that with
Matthew 7:13-14, you will find that there will be few that will find eternal life. Therefore, confessing that

Resolving Concerns
Christ is the Lord is obviously not enough. In Matthew 7:21 it says “Not everyone that saith unto me
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.” Christ commands us to be perfect in Matthew 5:48. We don’t just become perfect as we
confess Christ as our Savior or just believe in him. James 1:22 tells us to “be ye doers of the word, and
not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” In Galatians 5:19-21 it tells us that anyone who
participates in adultery, fornication, idolatry, witchcraft, envyings, murders, drunkenness, etc..shall not
inherit the kingdom of God. These are just a couple of good examples in the Bible, there are a lot more
found in the Old and New Testament. To sum up everything, James 2:22, 24 puts it perfectly by saying
“Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Ye see then how
that by works a man is justified and not by faith only.” It is both: our works qualify us for the grace of
Christ!
Here are some additional scriptures to give you a good start: Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13; John
14:15; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:8; EccI. 12:13-14; Rev. 20:12-13; Philip. 2:12; Rom. 1:28-32; Rom. 6:1-2, 12-
13, 15-16; Rom 2:10,13; John 14:21; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; 1 Cor. 6:9,10,18,20; 2 Cor. 13:15; Matt. 25:31-46;
Matt. 28:20; Eph. 4:24-32; Eph. 6:8; Col. 1:10; Col. 3:2; Thes. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:14 ; Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7,14;
Titus 3:8,14; Heb. 4:10-11; Heb. 6:10; Heb. 10:24; Rev. 2:23; Rev. 22:12; 1 Pet 1:17; 2 Pet. 2:13; 1 Jn.3:7;
Ezek.33:18-20; Prov. 24:12; Ps. 62:12; 2 Sam. 22:21; Prov. 15:9; Ps. 25:10; Is 54:18; Jer. 25:14; Jer. 17:10.
But there are many more scriptures and ways to resolve this, FIND THEM!
False Prophecy?
The test of a false prophet that is commonly referenced in Deuteronomy 18:20-22 basically states
that if whatever the prophet speaks doesn’t come to pass then they are a false prophet. However, in
Jeremiah 18:7-10, it says that if a people or nation shall repent or fall from righteousness then the Lord
shall change what it is that He has spoken concerning that people.
The Bible has many examples of this that clearly provide understanding that things prophets,
modern or Biblical, state are conditional.
1. Jonah states that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days (Jonah 3:4) no mention is stated
unless they repent. Jonah’s prophecy of the destruction of Nineveh does not actually happen
because the people repented (Jonah 3:10).
2. In the 26,27,28 chapters of Ezekiel, Ezekiel prophecies the downfall of Tyre by King
Nebuchadnezzar note Ezekiel 26:12 where he states, “they shall make a spoil of thy riches” yet in
Ezekiel 29:17-20 it states “Yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus”.
3. Jeremiah prophecies that King Zedekiah would die in peace (Jer. 24:4-5) yet once again
conditions changed.
4. Nathan in 2 Samuel 7:5-17 prophecies that Israel (Country) wil be a land where Israel (Nation)
would no longer be afflicted and a place where they would have a kingdom established forever.
We know that is not currently the case.
5. The Lord told David that the men of Keilah “will deliver thee up [to Saul]” (1 Sam. 23:12). This
did not happen, however, because David fled from the city (1 Sam. 23: 13-14).
6. Isaiah told King Hezekiah, “Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and
not live.” (2 Kgs. 20:1) But after the king pleaded with the Lord, the prophet delivered a new
message, saying that fifteen years would be added to his life (2 Kgs. 20: 2-6).

Resolving Concerns
There are many other examples, but in the case that any accusation lies against Joseph Smith being a
false prophet, a complete look at the details will show that Joseph Smith is like the prophets of old that
are are obedient in delivering the word of the Lord.
Garments
The garments that we wear are an outward sign of our inward commitment to the Lord. Wearing
garments has not been practiced in these times only. There are instances in the Bible when it mentions
the garments that God’s children had. In Genesis 3:21 it says, “Unto Adam also and his wife did the Lord
God make coats of skins and clothed them.” In Exodus 28:1-4 it says, “Thou shalt make Holy Garments
for Aaron. This is also mentioned in Exodus 29:29; 29:45; 31:10; 35:19-21 and 40:12-15. Christ also gives
a parable of a wedding feast and the one without a wedding garment in Matthew 22: 1-14. In Daniel 7:9
it says “The Ancient of Days (Adam) did sit, whose garment was as white as snow”. In Revelation 3:5, it
says “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment”. Also in Revelation 16:15 it says,
“Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
Along those same lines in Revelation 3:18 it says, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold, tried in the fire that
thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear.” In verse 4 of that same chapter it says, “Thou has a few names even in Sardis
which have not defiled their garments”.
“God Created the Earth, Not Jesus”

John 1:1-3 says, “IN the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and with out him was not
any thing made that was made.” John is testifying that Jesus, The Word, was with God the Father in the
beginning, and that it was in fact Jesus that created the earth and all things on it. And if you continue
reading in John 1:10, it says “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew
him not.” Right there it is talking about Christ as it says “he was in the world”. In Ephesians 3:9 it says,
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world
hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” The phrase “all things” obviously includes
the earth. Also in Hebrews 1:1-2 it says, “God… Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom
he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Also look in verse 10 of that
same chapter. Colossians 1:13-16 is pretty clear that Christ created the earth. Just read these verses to
them and there will be no argument. Also, in Job 38:4 Christ says, “Where wast thou when I laid the
foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.” (See Jesus Christ is Jehovah concern)
Jesus created this world under the direction of our Heavenly Father as it testifies in these scriptures
above. Other scriptures include: Rev. 4:11; Acts 7:49-50; Isa. 40:28, etc…
God is a Spirit
This concern comes from the scripture in John 4:24 most of the time. This scripture states that
“God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” If we were to read that
scripture literally, then that would mean our spirit would have to leave our bodies to worship God. But
that is not the case. This scripture uses “spirit” to describe an attribute of God. Hebrews 12:29, says that
“God is a consuming fire”, and 1 John 1:5 says that God is “light”. But is God really just these things? No,
these scriptures describe attributes of God.
Genesis 1:26 says we are in the image and likeness of God and in Genesis 5:3 we are told that

Resolving Concerns
Seth is in the image and likeness of Adam. James 3:9 says that we are made after the similitude of God. 1
Corinthians 11:7 says we are in the “image and glory of God”. Hebrews 1:3 says that Christ is in the
express image of God. And also in Philippians 2:6 it says Jesus Christ is in “the form God”, We know that
Christ had a body as it says in Philippians 3:20-21 “who shall change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto his glorious body...”. Luke 24: 37-43 testifies of Christ having a body of flesh and
bone. In these scriptures the apostles even had the same concern (“they...supposed that they had seen a
spirit”), but the Savior himself resolved that concern quickly. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “If having a
body is not only not needed but not desirable by Deity, why did the Redeemer of mankind redeem His
body, redeeming it from the grasp of death and the guaranteeing it would never again be separated from
His spirit in time or eternity?”(Rom. 6:9) We also learn that Christ became perfect after His atonement
and resurrection in Hebrews 5:8-9.
Here are some examples in the scriptures where it references God having a physical body:
FACE: Genesis 32:30, Exodus 33:11
BACK (BODY): Exodus 33:23, Luke 24:36-39
MOUTH: Numbers 12:8
FINGERS/HAND: Exodus 31:18, 33:22
NOSE: Amos 5:21; Genesis 8:21
LEGS/FEET: Genesis 5:24, 6:9, Exodus 24:10
EYES: Psalms 34:15; 2 Chronicles 16:9
EARS: Psalms 34:15
The Great Apostasy

“You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don‘t even know the strength of your own position. It is
so strong that there is only one other tenable in the whole Christian world, and that is the position of the
Catholic Church. The issue is between Catholicism and Mormonism. If we are right, you are wrong; if you
are right, we are wrong; and that’s all there is to it... It is either the perpetuation of the gospel from
ancient times, or the restoration of the gospel in latter days.” – John A. Reiner, A Catholic theologian as
quoted by Orson F. Whitney (Through Memory’s Halls: The Life Story of Orson F. Whitney, as Told by
Himself).
We know that there was an apostasy from the early church due to the considerable evidence in
the scriptures. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 it says speaking of the second coming of Christ, “that day shall
not come, except there come a falling away first” Also in Mark 12:1-9, Christ gives a parable of the
pattern of the gospel throughout time, and prophecies that after He is crucified then he “will give the
vineyard unto others.” In Matthew 24:9, Christ tells the apostles that they will be hated and killed for His
name’s sake. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Timothy prophecies “the time will come when they....shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Also in Acts 20:28-30, Paul prophecies “after
my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves
shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.” In Galatians 1:6, Paul says,
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another
gospel:” in 2 Peter 2:1-2 it says, “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies,....and many shall follow their ways;”. There are also scriptures in the Old Testament
which prophesy of this. In Amos 8:11-12 “Behold, the days come saith the Lord God, that I will send a
famine in the land, ....of hearing the words of the Lord.....they shall run to and fro to seek the word of
the Lord, and shall not find it.” In Micah 3:5-7 it says, “Therefore night shall not have a vision; and it shall

Resolving Concerns
be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall
be dark over them.. ..for there is no answer from God.” As well in Acts 11:27-28, a prophet named
Agabus prophecies of a “great dearth throughout all the world.”
Or you could show signs of it already happening all throughout the New Testament. Every book
written in the New Testament after the book of Acts are epistles written to the saints who are distorting,
changing, or confused about doctrine and ordinances. For example, in 1 Cor. 1:10-15 “Now I beseech you
brethren.....that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you.....For it hath
been declared unto me of you,....that there are contentions among you.” And it goes on to explain about
baptism. Also in 3 John 1:9-10, “I wrote unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the
preeminence among them, receiveth us not...neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” Here you have a bishop who doesn’t
even support the apostles anymore and is excommunicating people from the church.
Here is a list of scriptures to start with; there are many more than these. Remember, almost half
of the New Testament supports this doctrine of the great apostasy. (1 Thes. 2:15; Acts 12:1-3; Rev. 2:2;
Rev. 13:7; Isa. 24:5; Jer. 12:10—12; Isa. 29:10,13; 1 Cor. 11:18; Gal. 8:6; 1 Tim. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:15; Titus
1:10,15; 1 Jn. 2:18; 1 Jn. 4:1; Jude 1:16; Acts 5:1-3; Acts 9:23; Mark 13:9; Gal. 3:1; Titus 1:16; 2 Pet.
2:15; 2 Pet. 3:17; 1 Tim. 5:15; 2 Thes. 3:11; James 2:6; 1 Cor. 5:1; 2 Cor. 12:21; James 4:4; etc…)
Homosexuality
Invite the person to check out www.mormonsandgays.org or check it out with them.
Here are also a couple talks to look up. Get them from ward mission leader or a member.
1. “Same Gender Attraction” by Dallin H. Oaks.
2. “When a Loved One Struggles with Same-Sex Attraction” by A. Dean Byrd.
I Don’t Believe in God

Excluding philosophical arguments, of which there are many; having a belief God is a very
personal subject. Seek to understand then to be understood. We know as in Alma 30:44 all things
denote that Alma 30:44; all things denote that there is a God (see also Alma 30; Alma 18:24-36).
The complexity of the earth, it size, orbit, and elements and the complexity of our body, brain,
eye, and its many systems working in order, exclude the possibility of just chance being involved. If you
venture and consider it all to exist by chance, then why is there all sorts of various organisms, plants
etc...? Why do we naturally believe in a higher power? Why do we think that there is, in fact, a purpose
in our existence? We believe this simply because it isn’t a random chance we are here on this earth.
When it comes to science, 1500 years ago we thought the world was flat, 500 years ago we
thought that the earth was the center of the universe, science just needs a little bit of time to catch up.
That is perhaps one of the strongest arguments, why do we feel bad when we do something that
we know is wrong, for example, when someone breaks the law of chastity, word of wisdom or violates
one of God’s serious commandments, they feel guilty or dirty inside. They did what they wanted, they
should feel great, but they don’t, why? Where would a conscience come in evolution? Why would it
come in?
A few examples:
Let’s say that you have a watch on your wrist, take it off so that they can see it. Explain that if you took
the watch apart which includes: numbers, color, hands, gears, cranks, links, face, battery, and all other

Resolving Concerns
pasts that are in the watch. If you put all of those parts in the bag and started shaking it, and shaking it
and shaking it; that watch will never put itself together. No matter how long you shake it, the watch will
never create itself. Just like this earth it didn’t just happen, and man didn’t just advance. We have a
Creator just like the watch on your hand has a creator.
Andrew Carnegie gave an example that illustrates the foolishness of this belief. A man walked
into the room of a renowned scientist and saw a beautiful model of the solar system working in all its
glory. Each planet was moving in its respective order and motion, revolving around the sun. The man
proceeded to ask who was responsible for such a magnificent creation as this. The scientist politely
replied, “Well no one created it.” The man then said, “No really, who created such a spectacular replica
of the solar system?” The scientist once again replied,” No one created that model of the solar system.”
The man gave it one last try and asked again, but this time the scientist confidently said, “Why will you
not believe me when I tell you that no one created this plain and simple model of the solar system, and
yet you can look at the world in all its beauty, glory, and majesty and believe that there is no creator
responsible for something so complex and beautiful.” The man stood dumbfounded as the scientist
expressed his belief of a Higher Power, the Creator, even Jesus Christ.
I Don’t Need to go to Church to Worship

Well, it is true that we can worship anywhere we want. But during the last few days of the
Savior's life, He instituted the sacrament. In Luke 22:19-20 it says, "And he took bread, and gave thanks,
and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do ye in
remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my
blood, which is shed for you." Here Christ tells us to take the sacrament in remembrance of Him (flesh
and blood). This is the main purpose of why we go to church on Sunday; because taking the sacrament is
a commandment from the Savior himself. In Ephesians 4:11-14, it talks about how Christ called His
officers in His church “for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: till we all come in the unity the faith". We go to church to edify one another, to help
perfect our faith in Christ, to bring us in closer unity, and for many other reasons. An example of this is in
Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul
preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. The
disciples took the sacrament and were all edified as they met together and heard the preaching of Paul.
Another example is given to us in Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where
they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of
God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither
said any of them that them that ought if the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all
things common.” Now who wouldn’t want that experience? Because they were assembled together, the
Lord could pour out His Spirit upon all present. David also counsels us in Psalms 111:1, “Praise ye the
Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”
Further, the Savior taught the Nephites to partake of the Sacrament and “meet together oft.” (3 Nephi
18:6-12,22) Moroni taught that “..the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one
with another concerning the welfare of their souls…and to partake of bread and wine.” (Moroni 6:5-6)
I Was Offended: Elder Bednar’s Answer

This talk comes from the November 2006 conference talk by Elder David A. Bednar of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “And Nothing Shall Offend Them”.

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This afternoon I pray that the Holy Ghost will assist me and you as we review together important gospel
principles.
One of my favorite activities as a priesthood leader is visiting members of the Church in their
homes. I especially enjoy calling upon and talking with members who commonly are described as “less
active.”
During the years I served as a stake president, I often would contact one of the bishops and
invite him to prayerfully identify individuals or families we could visit together. Before traveling to a
home, the bishop and I would kneel and petition our Heavenly Father for guidance and inspiration, for us
and for the members with whom we would meet.
Our visits were straightforward. We expressed love and appreciation for the opportunity to be in their
home. We affirmed that we were servants of the Lord on His errand to their home. We indicated that we
missed and needed them - and that they needed the blessings of the restored gospel. And at some point
early in our conversation I often would ask a question like this: “Will you please help us understand why
you are not actively participating in the blessings and programs of the Church?”
I made hundreds and hundreds of such visits. Each individual, each family, each home, and each
answer was different. Over the years, however, I detected a common theme in many of the answers to
my questions. Frequently responses like these were given:
“Several years ago a man said something in Sunday School that offended me, and I have not
been back since.”
“No one in this branch greeted or reached out to me. I felt like an outsider. I was hurt by the
unfriendliness of this branch.”
“I did not agree with the counsel the bishop gave me. I will not step foot in that building again as
long as he is serving in that position.”
Many other causes of offense were cited - from doctrinal differences among adults to taunting,
teasing, and excluding by youth. But the recurring theme was: “I was offended by…”
The bishop and I would listen intently and sincerely. One of us might next ask about their
conversion to and testimony of the restored gospel. As we talked, eyes often were moist with tears as
these good people recalled the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost and described their prior spiritual
experiences. Most of the “less-active” people I have ever visited had a discernible and tender testimony
of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. However, they were not presently participating in Church
activities and meetings.
And then I would say something like this. “Let me make sure I understand what has happened to
you. Because someone at church offended you, you have not been blessed by the ordinance of the
sacrament. You have withdrawn yourself from the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Because
someone at church offended you, you have cut yourself off from priesthood ordinances and the holy
temple. You have discontinued your opportunity to serve others and to learn and grow. And you are
leaving barriers that will impede the spiritual progress of your children, your children’s children, and the
generations that will follow.” Many times people would think for a moment and then respond: “I have
never thought about it that way.”

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The bishop and I would then extend an invitation: “Dear friend, we are here today to counsel
you that the time to stop being offended is now. Not only do we need you, but you need the blessings of
the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Please come back - now.”
Choose Not to Be Offended
When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated,
snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do
occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is
impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person
offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or
imposed upon us by someone or something else.
In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are things to act and things to be acted upon (see 2
Nephi 2:13-14). As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of
moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are
agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the
power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive of hurtful situation.
Thomas B. Marsh, the first President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation,
elected to take offense over an issue as inconsequential as milk strippings (see Deseret News, Apr. 16,
1856, 44). Brigham Young was an agent who exercised his agency and acted in accordance with correct
principles, and he became a mighty instrument in the hands of the Lord.
The Savior is the greatest example of how we should respond to potentially offensive events or
situations. “And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore
they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it, Yea, they spit upon him,
and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men” (1
Nephi 19:9).
Through the strengthening power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, you and I can be blessed to
avoid and triumph over offense. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend
them” (Psalm 119:165).
A Latter-Day Learning Laboratory
The capacity to conquer offense may seem beyond our reach. This capability, however, is not
reserved for or restricted to prominent leaders in the Church like Brigham Young. The very nature of the
Redeemer’s Atonement and the purpose of the restored Church are intended to help us receive precisely
this kind of spiritual strength.
Paul taught the Saints in Ephesus that the Savior established His Church “for the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 12-12).
Please note the use of the active word perfecting. As described by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, the
Church is not “a well-provisioned rest home for the already perfected” (“A Brother Offended”, Ensign,
May 1982, 38). Rather, the Church is a learning laboratory and a workshop in which we gain experience
as we practice on each other in the ongoing process of “perfecting the Saints.”
Elder Maxwell also insightfully explained that in this latter-day learning laboratory known as the

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restored Church, the members constitute the “clinical material” (see “Jesus, the Perfect Mentor,” Ensign,
Feb. 2001, 13) that is essential for growth and development. A visiting teacher learns her duty as she
serves and loves her Relief Society sisters. An inexperienced teacher learns valuable lessons as he
teaches both supportive and inattentive learners and thereby becomes a more effective teacher. And a
new bishop learns how to be a bishop through inspiration and by working with ward members who
wholeheartedly sustain him, even while recognizing his human frailties.
Understanding that the Church is a learning laboratory helps us to prepare for an inevitable
reality. In some way and at some time, someone in this Church will do or say something that could be
considered offensive. Such an event will surely happen to each and every one of us - and it certainly will
occur more than once. Though people may not intend to injure or offend us, they nonetheless can be
inconsiderate and tactless.
You and I cannot control the intentions or behavior of other people. However, we do determine
how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can
choose not to be offended.
During a perilous period of war, an exchange of letters occurred between Moroni, the captain of
the Nephite armies, and Pahoran, the chief judge and governor of the land. Moroni whose army was
suffering because of inadequate support from the government, wrote to Pahoran “by the way of
condemnation” (Alma 60:2) and harshly accused him of thoughtlessness, slothfulness, and neglect.
Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and his message, but he chose not to take offense. Pahoran
responded compassionately and described a rebellion against the government about which Moroni was
not aware, and then he responded, “Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great
afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul…And now, in you epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I
am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart” (Alma 61:2, 9).
One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the
weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an
expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended - and to say with Pahoran, “it
mattereth not.”
Two Invitations
I conclude my message with two invitations.
Invitation #1
I invite you to learn about and apply the Savior’s teachings about interactions and episodes that can be
construed as offensive.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless then that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?“
”And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more others? Do not even the publicans so?
“Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5: 43-44; 46-48).
Interestingly, the admonition to “be ye therefore perfect” is immediately preceded by counsel
about how we should act in response to wrongdoing and offense. Clearly, the rigorous requirements that
lead to the perfecting of the Saints include assignments that test and challenge us. If a person says or
does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then

Resolving Concerns
communicate privately, honestly and directly with that individual. Such an approach invites inspiration
from the Holy Ghost and permits misperceptions to be clarified and true intent to be understood.
Invitation #2
Many of the individuals and families who most need to hear this message about choosing not to be
offended are probably not participating with us in conference today. I suspect all of us are acquainted
with members who are staying away from church because they have chosen to take offense - and who
would be blessed by coming back.
Will you please prayerfully identify a person with whom you will visit and extend the invitation to once
again worship with us? Perhaps you could share a copy of this talk with her or him, or you may prefer to
discuss the principles we have reviewed today. And please remember that such a request should be
conveyed lovingly and in meekness and not in a spirit of self-righteous superiority and pride.
As we respond to this invitation with faith in the Savior, I testify and promise that doors will open,
mouths will be filled, the Holy Ghost will bear witness of eternal truth, and the fire of testimony will be
rekindled.
As His servant, I echo the words of the Master when He declared, “These things have I spoken
unto you, that ye should not be offended” (John 16:1). I witness the reality and divinity of a living Savior
and of His power to help us avoid and overcome offense. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Jesus Christ is Jehovah

The title “Jehovah” known by Latter-day revelation to be the ante-mortal name for Jesus Christ,
is generally translated to be LORD in the scriptures. However the term Lord can apply to either Elohim or
Jehovah as in Psalms 110:1 and Isaiah 53:10. It is clear, however, throughout the scriptures that Christ or
“Jehovah” is the God of the Old Testament.
Cross Referencing these scriptures from Old to New Testament make this abundantly clear:
Savior OT: Hosea 13:4; Isa. 43:11; Isa. 45:15, 2

NT: Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:11; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 5:31, Jn. 4: 14-15
Creator OT: Isa. 44:24; Isa. 45:11-12, 18
NT: John 1:1,3 14; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 11:3
Judge OT: Deut. 32:36; Judg. 11:27; 1 Chron. 16:33; Ps. 9:7; Ps. 96:13; Isa.
33:22
NT: Matt. 16:27; John 5:22-29; Acts 10:42; Rom 2:16; 1 Cor. 4:4; 2 Cor.
5:10;2 Tim 4:1; Jude 1:14-15; 1 Pet. 4:5
Redeemer OT: Isa. 49:26; Isa. 63:79
NT: Luke 1:68; Rom 3:24; Eph. 1:7
“I AM” OT: Ex. 3:6, 14; Ex. 6:3; Isa. 48:16
NT: John 8:58
Alpha & Omega OT: Isa 44:6
NT: Rev. 1:8; Rev. 21:6-7
Lord of the Sabbath OT: Isa. 58: 13-14
NT: Mark 2:28
Rock & Cloud that lead Israel OT: Deut. 32:4; Ex. 13:21-22
NT: 1 Cor. 10: 1-4

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Pierced OT: Zech. 12:10
NT: John 19:34, 36-37
In addition to all this, if being the true people of God requires you to know gods exact name then
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could not be saved (Ex.6:3) however Matthew 8:11 tells us “many shall come
from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of
heaven”.
Did Jesus Drink Wine?

While we are unsure whether or not the wine that was consumed by Christ at Cana was
alcoholic or really juice, we do know that God’s health laws have changed over time. Consider in Paul’s
time animals that were unclean in Moses time were “cleansed” (Acts 10:15 vs. Lev 11). If anything, this
example shows that God will continue to change things according to the time through His prophets. D&C
89:3-5 tells us that this revelation was given for “the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days” and
that this was done “In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of men in
the last days”. Considering this, it is likely that early saints of Christ’s church consumed wine just as the
saints of the early restored church did before the word of wisdom was revealed. God has always given
His people a health code, according the time that they live in. This Prophetic utterance gives counsel far
beyond the knowledge of any health experts in 1833. It is helpful to point that out when resolving any
concerns as it is a strong evidence of Joseph Smith’s calling.
While the Word of Wisdom is modern revelation, the Bible does, however, give many references
that speak unfavorably to the practice of drinking: for example: Lev. 10:9 says “Do not drink wine nor
strong drink, thou, nor thy Sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye
die: It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations”. Prov. 20:1 states, “wine is a mocker,
strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” Isa. 28:7 says “but they also have
erred through wine and through strong drink are out of the way; they err in vision, they stumble in
judgment.” Jeremiah 35:6 states “but they said, we will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our
father commanded us, saying, ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons forever”. Prov. 23:29-30
“Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds
without cause? Who hath redness of the eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek
mixed wine” Habakkuk 2:5 states “...because he transgresseth by wine...” See also Luke 1:15, Tim 3:3, Tit
1:7, Hos. 4:11, Judg. 13:4, Num. 6:3, Deut. 32:33, 1:17, Isa. 5:11, Isa. 24:9.
Joseph Smith Not Mentioned in the Bible

This concern comes from anti’s, and it usually won’t be a question just thought of by your
investigator but they will hear it elsewhere. To answer this question, ask them the question, “Who do all
the prophets testify of?” The answer is Jesus Christ. This is the purpose of the scriptures; to help us
better understand the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Did Moses ever testify of Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or
Ezekiel? Or did any of the prophets that preceded him testify of them? The answer is no! They all
pointed us toward the Savior and His teachings and life. But, you can teach them scriptures that talk
about the restoration of the gospel: Acts 3:19-21, Dan. 2:26-45, Isa. 2:2-5, Isa. 1 2, Mal. 4:5-6, Matt.
24:14, Eph. 1:10, Rev. 14:6-7, Rom. 11:25, Acts 1:6, Jer. 30:17-24 Micah 4:1-2, Acts 3:22. These
restoration scriptures are just to get you started, there are many more.

Resolving Concerns
Lay Ministry
We know, as true disciples of Jesus Christ, that Christ did not teach for money; neither did any of
His apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. Christ’s true church must be made up of a lay
ministry. The prophet Micah prophecies of a time when prophets will teach and prophesy for money,
“The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof
divine for money… Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become
heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest” (Micah 3:10-12). Christ, talking to
the apostles, says in Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:
freely ye have received, freely give.” In John 10: 11-13, Christ says, “I am the good shepherd: the good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the
sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them,
and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” He
gives us a parable of those that teach for money, that they don’t care about the people, but only for their
money. Acts 8: 14-20 is a story of when Peter gave the Holy Ghost to someone and Simon wanted to buy
that power from him. “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought
that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” In Acts 20: 33-35, Paul says, “I have coveted no
man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought
to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to
give than to receive.” Paul was a definite example to us of how we should preach for the love of God and
His children, not for money. His great example stands out further in 1 Corinthians 9: 18; “What is my
reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that
I abuse not my power in the gospel.” Peter testifies also to this lay ministry in 1 Peter 5: 2-4, “Feed the
flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” The Lord teaches us also through the writings of Isaiah, “…I will direct
all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, no for price nor reward, saith the Lord
of hosts” (Isa. 45: 13).
My Family Will Disown Me if I Join the Church

One of the most important things to do in this situation is to get the investigator FELLOWSHIP! It
is very important to bear testimony and promise many blessings. Matthew 19: 29 says, “And every one
that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for
my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Teach them that they will
become part of a ward family. In Matthew 12: 46-50, it says, “While he (Christ) yet talked to the people,
behold his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him,
Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and
said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his
hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will
of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” There is an immediate
support system upon entering the church with fellowship, home and visiting teachers, Bishops, Relief
Society, Elders Quorum, etc….. Remember that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of
me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” (2
Tim. 1:7-8). Fast and pray with your investigators and hearts will be softened and blessings will come.

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No Man Can See God and Live
This concern comes from the scriptures in Exodus 33:20 and John 1:18. These two verses read
that there is no man that can see God and live. We teach that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His
Son Jesus Christ. Well, John 6:45-46 clears up what these two verses are saying; “Not that any man hath
seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” So we learn here that you must be “of
God” to have the privilege of seeing Him. John later explains what he means in 3 John 1: 11; “Beloved,
follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil
hath not seen God.”
There are numerous instances in the Bible of where God has appeared unto man. We’ll start out
in the very beginning:
1. Genesis 3:8-10—“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of
the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the
trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid
myself” God was visiting Adam and Eve in the garden. They obviously hid themselves so that He
wouldn’t SEE them.
2. Genesis 17: 1—“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to
Abram, and said unto, I am the Almighty God”
3. Genesis 18-1—“And the Lord appeared unto him in the of Mamre:”
4. Genesis 26:24—“And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of
Abraham thy father:”
5. Genesis 32:30—“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face
to face, and my life is preserved.”
6. Exodus 24: 9-11—“Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the
elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel:”
7. Exodus 33:11—“And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.”
8. Numbers 12:6-8—“…The Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, … and he said, Hear now my
words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision,
and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth…”
9. Deuteronomy 5:4—“The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the
fire.”
10. 1 Samuel 3: 19-21— “And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to
Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”
11. Kings 11:4—“And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart turned from the Lord God
of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice.”
12. Isaiah 6:1—“In that year that king Uzziah died I was also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and
lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”
13. Ezekiel 1:28—“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the
appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory
of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”
14. Daniel 10:5-6—“Then I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen,
whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as
the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color
to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”

Resolving Concerns
15. John 20:16—“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.”
16. John 20:19— “When the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of
the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
17. John 20:26 — “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then
came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.”
18. John 21:1-- “After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of
Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.”
19. Acts 7:55-56- “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw
the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.”
20. Acts 9:3-6-- Story of Jesus Christ appearing to Saul when he was on the road to Damascus.
21. Acts 22:6-8-- Story of Jesus Christ appearing to Saul when he was on the road to Damascus.
22. Acts 23:11-- “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul:
for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”
23. Acts 26:16—Story of Jesus Christ appearing to Saul when he was on the road to Damascus.
No Prophets after Christ

This concern can sometimes come from the scripture in Matthew 11:13 (which is a
mistranslation). God has always revealed and restored His truth through Prophets. In Amos 3:7, it says
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealed his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Also in
Luke 1:70 he says, “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began” Jesus Christ is
the same yesterday, today, and forever,”—Hebrews 13:8. So if Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
forever, then why would He stop calling prophets and revealing His word to them? In Ephesians 2:19-20,
in says that His church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, If there are no
prophets after Christ, then this means that His church cannot be upon the earth. This is also explained
well in Ephesians 4:11-14, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ…”
There was great counsel given to us by the Master himself in Matthew 7:15-20. “Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits…” Why would Christ show us how to discern between a true prophet and a false
one if there were to be no more prophets after Him? Christ also says in Matthew 5:17, “Think not that I
am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Christ is not
replacing the prophets, but simply fulfilling the prophecies that they spoke of.
There are actually scriptural accounts in the New Testament of prophets after Christ. In Acts
11:27-28, “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of
them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the
world; which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.” Notice how it says prophets, which means
there were more prophets than just Agabus in those days which were after Christ. Also in Acts: 21:10 it
mentions the prophet Agabus again. It also talks about two more prophets in Acts 15:32, “And Judas
and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed
them.” As well in Acts 13:1, it lists off some more prophets at the time. As well, in Revelation 11:3, 6-10,
it says “I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and
threescore days….” And it goes on to tell what they shall do in that time and in the future time long after
Christ.

Resolving Concerns
Non-members and Temples
Let us first understand that God has always had certain qualifications to enter into His holy
house. The Levites were the only one permitted to enter into the temple in Moses’ and Aaron’s time.
They had the priesthood, and were sanctified to enter in. Therefore, they met the qualifications (Num.
3:5-13, Num. 8:5-26). In King Hezekiah’s time, he decided to reopen the doors of the temple that
Solomon had built and cleanse the temple. He called upon the priests to help him. But some were not
allowed to enter in. King Hezekiah said, “Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house
of the Lord God…” - 2 Chron. 29:5. Later, they were burning offerings to the Lord “But the priests were
too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help
them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were
more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.” —2 Chron. 29:34. Paul also purifies
himself before entering into the temple—Acts 21:26. So here we learn that ever since temples have
been built, there have always been qualifications to ensure the readiness of the individual to enter in the
Lord’s house. Christ says in John 10:1, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into
the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” We must accept God’s
terms and standards. It is for this reason that Christ says “it is written, my house shall be called the house
of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” – Matt. 21:16. Because the people entered in by some
other way than what God qualifies.
The temple is a refuge from the world, where only the sanctified can enter in. If everybody could
enter in, then that would take away the purpose of the temple. Just as we prepare ourselves to go to
graduate school, we must first complete college or just as we prepare ourselves to go to college, we
must first complete high school, so it is with the temple, we must first have faith in Christ, repent, be
baptized by proper authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, receive the Melchizedek Priesthood
(males only), and gain a current temple recommend before we enter into the temple. We make
covenants in the temple that we must be prepared to keep and if you have not even made the covenant
of baptism yet, then you will definitely not be ready for the covenants made in the Lord’s house. Also
note that some people don’t understand the difference between the temple and a church. Make it clear
that everyone is welcome to come to church.
One Mediator/Only Pray to Heavenly Father

Many people have been taught coming from a Catholic background that they should pray to the
Virgin Mary or to the “Saints”, or many people who have been taught with eastern religions pray to and
worship idols. We know very clearly through the scriptures that “there is one God, and one mediator
between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5). From the very beginning in the scriptures we
are taught who we should worship. In Exodus 20:4-5 it says, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
image or any likeness of anything….. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:” John
tells us “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 Jn. 1:2). In Colossians 3:17
it tells us, “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.” This also rules out any concern of having the Virgin Mary be our mediator. In
Luke 11:27-29 it says, “And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company
lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast
sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” The Savior of
the world already has resolved this concern for us. In Matthew 6:6-8, it repeatedly tells us 4 times to
pray to the Father. There is also the story in (Mark 3:31-35; Matt. 12:46-50) which says, “There came
then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him… the multitude…
said unto him, Behold, thy mother and they brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them,
saying, who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him,

Resolving Concerns
and said, behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my
brother, and my sister, and mother.” Christ is teaching us in these two stories that His mother and family
is no more important or blessed than any who keep the commandments of God.
No One True Church

“For God is not the author of confusion…” (1 Cor. 14:33). God has always called and authorized
His servants to establish his church on the earth. He gives them the priesthood power, or power to act in
His name. Hebrews 5:4 says “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God,
as was Aaron.” How did Aaron get this authority? By Moses, a prophet of God, who had the authority to
give Aaron priesthood power. (Ex. 28:1) Also, in Numbers 27:18-23, Moses gives Joshua authority and as
well gave him a “charge”. There are certain ordinances in the church that must be done by proper
authority: Baptism—John 3:5, Mark 16:16, and re-administered if not by proper authority—Acts 19:1-6,
Matt. 3:11-17; Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost—Acts 8:14-20.
We must then answer this question by teaching that Christ established His church on the earth.
In Ephesians 2:19-20 it says that the church is built upon “apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief cornerstone.” In Matthew 10:1, Mark 3:13-15, and John 15:16, Christ calls and ordains
His twelve apostles and gives them power or ordained them. In Ephesians 4:11-14 it talks about offices
in the church and how the church is to perfect the saints. Acts 2:42, Acts 1:47, 1Cor. 14:4-5, Eph. 1:22,
1Tim. 3:5, Matt. 16:18, Acts 5:11, Acts 11:26, Acts 12:1,5, and the list goes on of where it references in
the new testament to “the church”. This is “the church” that Christ establishes with apostles, prophets,
and authority.
Now that we understand that Christ establishes His church, think about when He was here on
earth. There were several different “denominations”, or beliefs. The Sadducees, Pharisees, Pagans,
Samaritans, Essenes, and Herodians were all different religious sects at the time that Christ lived. But did
Christ teach that as long as they believed in the same God, that they would be saved? No, He gave
specific instruction on how we can return to live with Heavenly Father again, and He established His one
true church with the correct authority, ordinances, and doctrine. He told His Apostles to go teach all
nations and baptize them (Matt. 28:19-20) to go to the Jews those that had a religion that Christ knew
well, and then, in time, to the Gentiles.
“To say that all churches are true is to say that all paths lead to the same place. It is to say there
is no agency, no power of action, no right of choice. It is to say that inactivity is to be as valued as
activity, that ignorance is to be as valued as intelligence, that good has no supremacy over evil, and that
Christ is no better than the devil.” “To those who act offended that we would say there is but one true
and living church, we might ask if these same people would, when sick, be willing to take any randomly
selected combination of drugs to cure what ails them or administer the same to their children? Would
they substitute sand for flour when baking bread, arguing that as long as they were sincere, it could not
possibly make any difference? Would they fill their gas tank with water, arguing that it too was a true
liquid and was also a creation of God and that God loved all liquids the same?..... We simply do not argue
that all doctors are the same, that all medicines are the same, that all exercise is the same, that all food
is the same. No one takes offense at such announcements. How strange is it that we take offense at their
spiritual counterparts?...... There can be no good save there is darkness. Success exists only where there
is the possibility to fail. Courage exists only where there is the temptation to flee with the cowards.
There can be truth only if there is that which is untrue. The two are not interchangeable; they do not and
cannot bring forth the same fruits.” —Joseph Fielding McConkie

Resolving Concerns
Plurality of Gods
This concern comes from the verses in Isaiah 43:10-11, 44:6, 44:8, 45:5-6, 45:18, 45:21, 46:9.
They are very similar in nature stating in effect “beside me there is no God”. As stated this seems to
cripple any thought that we could become like god or that there is more than one god in existence.
However, after considering similar passages in other parts of scripture it is clear that this
interpretation is incorrect. For example, Isaiah 47:8 (see also Isa. 47:10; Zeph. 2:15) depicts the city of
Babylon as saying: “Therefore hear now this, thou art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that
sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the
loss of children.” Certainly this phrase used by Isaiah doesn’t proclaim that either Babylon or Nineveh
(Zeph. 2:15) truly consider themselves to be the only city in existence but rather that they place
themselves above God is violation to the 1st of the Ten Commandments. If we take this view into
consideration and re-read Isaiah 43-46 we will see that God is speaking to Israel, His chosen nation
warning them from going after gods and idols of other nations. Isaiah here is not then excluding the
existence of other Deity, but of the fact that He is a God of gods and a King of kings (Deut. 10:17; Ps.
136:2; Rev. 19:16)
Basically the scriptures that state there is only one god are addressing the gods of other nations.
If they choose to go strictly by what the text states with a literal interpretation the following scriptures all
clearly state “gods”: Ex. 12:12, Ex. 15:11, Ex. 18:11, Ex. 20:3,5, Ex. 22:20, Ex. 22:28, Ex. 23:13, Ex. 23:24,
Ex. 23:32, Ex. 34:14, Num. 33:4,Deut. 6:14-15, Deut. 10:17, Deut. 28:14, Josh. 24:2, Josh. 24:14, Judg.
11:24, 1 Sam. 6:5, 1 Sam. 28:13, 1 Chron. 16:25, Ps. 82:1, Ps. 86:8, Ps. 96:4, Ps. 97:7, Ps. 135:5, Ps.
136:2, Jer. 1:16, Jer. 10:11, Jer. 25:6, Jer. 46:25, Zeph. 2:11.
Polygamy
It is important to understand that Polygamy is only permissible by commandment of God (2
Sam. 12:8; Jacob 2:30). This commandment was present around the time of the formation of the church,
it was also present in Old Testament times, considering the Law of Moses gives rules concerning it (Ex.
21:10; Deut. 21:15-17). While God’s purpose of bringing forth polygamy has never been revealed, it is
interesting to note that the time where polygamy is prevalent is around the time when God is raising up
a righteous seed. Polygamy was practiced in biblical times among God’s righteous people, Examples:
Abraham (Gen. 16:3; Gen. 25:1,6) Christ makes it clear Abraham is in the presence of God (Matt. 8:11;
Luke 13:28) Jacob (Gen. 29:21-30; Gen. 30:3-4,9) who is blessed of God (Gen. 32: 28-30; Matt. 8:11)
Moses (Ex. 2:21; Num. 12:1) and many more examples (see bottom). Note also 2 Samuel 12:7-8 Nathan
tells David that God gave him his wives: neither God nor His prophets would give David sin, or that which
would lead him to sin this was not his downfall. Taking a look at Acts 3:21 also shows that all things will
be restored before the coming of the Lord. For concerns with New Testament, God is the same
yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), Also in Matthew 19:5 note Christ is quoting Genesis 2:24,
Polygamy is condoned by Paul with a careful study of 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; 27-28.
Examples: Judg. 12:14; 2 Chron. 13:21; 1 Kgs. 20:3; 1 Chron. 4:5; Dan 5:2; 1 Kgs. 20:3; 1 Chron. 2:18-19;
1 Chron. 2:46,48; Gen. 36:11-12; 1 Sam. 1:2; Gen. 26:34; Gen. 28:9; 1 Chron. 4:17-18; Judg. 8:30; Hosea
1:3; Hosea 3:1; Judg. 12:9; 1 Chron. 7:4 Judg. 10:4; 2 Kgs. 24:15; 1 Chron. 2:26; 2 Chron. 24:3; Gen.
4:19; 1 Chron. 7:15-16; 1 Chron. 4:17-19; Gen. 22 20-24; 2 Chron. 11:18-23; 1 Sam. 14:50; 2 Sam. 3:7; 1
Chron. 4:27; 1 Kgs. 11:3; Jer. 38:23.
Predestination
Predestination is a Calvinist belief that is primarily supported by Ephesians 1:4 and Romans
8:28-30.Predestination is a belief that God has already chosen those who will be saved and therefore has

Resolving Concerns
also already chosen those who will not be saved. Predestination takes away our accountability for our
actions and is false doctrine. On the other hand, foreordination is that we were called to fulfill certain
calling or responsibilities before this life. To be foreordained is to be promised that if we live righteously
we can obtain these callings/responsibilities or blessings.
To address predestination: First, we know that God did not cause Adam to disobey Him; Genesis
2:16-17 states “and the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest
freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: For in the day that
thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”; Ecclesiastes 7:29 tells us “Lo, this only have I found, that God
hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” If God predestined them to partake
of the fruit, not only would he have been in the direct cause of sin but he would not have made man
upright.
Second, we know that God is just. Consider the following example to examine if predestination
allows God to be just. “A just parent cannot force his child to eat a cupcake and then slap the tar out of
him for eating it. It’s a different case when the parent says, “Don’t eat the cupcake”, then if the child
thinks about it and says to himself, “Dad really didn’t mean he’d punish me if I did eat it” or “I don’t care
what Dad says, I make my own decisions and I am eating the cupcake anyway” then the resulting
punishment is just.” Clearly God cannot be just and a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and still
predestine someone for eternal damnation based on nothing but his will.
Third by God’s emotions we know that God created agency or free will. Otherwise how could
God ever display displeasure at His children’s actions since they are following his predestined path? Yet
he does. Psalms 95:10 states “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, it is a people
that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” See also Ex. 32:9-10; Ps. 78:59; Ps.106:29;
Heb. 3:10; Heb. 3:17-19; Isa. 65:12.
Finally, in predestination there can be no temptation, or if it comes, it is from God’s will.
However James 1:13-14 states “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted when he is drawn
away of his own lust, and enticed.”
See also Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Kgs.18:21; Jer. 19:1-5; Jer. 29:13-14; Ezek. 18:23; Jonah 2:8;
Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34; Acts 17:27; Rev. 3:20.
Pre-Earth Life
Since you already know how to teach the Pre-Earth life, this answer will mainly focus on where
you can find references of our pre-earth life in the Bible. In Jeremiah 1:5, the Lord tells Jeremiah, “Before
I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee
and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” In Proverbs 8: 30-31, Solomon testifies that he was with
Christ before the world was, “Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the
sons of me.” – Read the whole chapter for better understanding. In Job 38:4-7 it says, “Where wast thou
when I laid the foundations of the earth… When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God
shouted for joy?” All of us were with God before this world was created. John 3:13 explains to us that
“no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven…” In Ecclesiastes 12:7 it is
talking about death: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto
God who gave it.” How could we return unto Him if we didn’t come from Him beforehand? There is a
story in John 9:1-3 that talks about a man blind from birth. “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master,
who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” These are Christ’s disciples asking this,
(those who know the doctrine). They are asking if this man sinned in the pre-earth life because he was

Resolving Concerns
blind since birth. In Genesis 1:26-27 God creates man spiritually first, and then in Genesis 2:7, He creates
man physically.
In Ephesians 1:4 it says that “he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” Also
in 2 Timothy 1:9 in says God, “hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,… before the world
began.” In Titus 1:2 it says “In hope of eternal life,… promised before the world began.” As well Romans
8:29 teaches us, “to them who are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also
did predestinate….” In all these scriptures it talks about how God called or promised us before the world
even began. Hence we lived with God before we came to this earth. Another scripture that testifies that
God knew us before this earth is in Acts 17:26, which says, “And hath made of one blood all nations of
men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitation.”
Resurrection for all

In Revelation 1:5, Acts 26:23 Colossians 1:18 and Isa. 25:8, it testifies that Christ will be
resurrected or be the firstfruits of them that slept. In Romans 6:9 it says that, “Christ being raised from
the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” This means that He has been
resurrected. Luke 24:36-43 is based after Christ was crucified and the apostles were gathered together.
Jesus appears in the midst of them and says, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle
me, and see; for a spirit hat not flesh and bones as ye see me have.” Christ testifies to the apostles that
He has a body again and that He has been resurrected.
Because of Christ’s resurrection, He has broken the bands of death and has given the free gift of
the resurrection to all. In Isaiah 26:19 it says, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall
they arise. Awake and sing… and the earth shall cast out the dead.” After Christ “yielded up the ghost”,
“the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves
after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matt. 27:51-53). In
Philippians 3:20-21 it says, “we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body…” And we know that His body is a resurrected body!
In 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 it says, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of
them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” In Acts 24:15, it says “And have a hope towards
god, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just
and the unjust.” Who is the just and the unjust? – Everybody! All will be resurrected. Christ also says in
John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall
hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they
that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” It also says in Daniel 12:12, “them that sleep in
the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt.” Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy of the resurrection, “Therefore prophesy and say unto
them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up
out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.” (Ezekiel 37:12) “And though after my skin
worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God;” (Job 19:26) David says, “As for me, I will behold
thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Ps. 17:5)
Sabbath on Sunday
The Sabbath was originally observed to reverence the creation of the world and was set the 7 th
day, since God rested the 7th day (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11). The Sabbath was observed from that time

Resolving Concerns
forth, however with the resurrection of the Savior on the 1 st day of the week (Matt. 28:1; John 20:1;
Mark 16:9) the Sabbath was changed to be in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection. Daniel testified to
this change stating, “He (God) changeth the times and the seasons” as part of his vision of the latter days
(Dan. 2:21). Hosea comments that the Lord will cause” her (Israel) Sabbaths” to cease (Hosea 2:11). In
addition to prophetic utterance we have the evidences of New Testament scriptures. Christ throughout
His ministry challenges the Scribes and the Pharisees on the Sabbath and its purpose (Mark 2:27-28), in
addition to the many miracles he performed on the Sabbath, He makes it abundantly clear that He is the
lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27; Matt. 12:8; Luke 6:5). As He is the lord of the Sabbath, He came not to
destroy the law but to fulfill (Matt. 5:17). The change in the observing is evident after His resurrection
and ascension for when the believers gather together it is upon the 1 st day of the week (Rev. 1:10; 1 Cor.
16: 1-2; Acts 20:7). As for instruction upon the matter, Hebrews 7:12, 19 tells us that the change in law
was necessary to help us “draw nigh unto God.” We are also told to “Let no man judge you in… respect of
the holy day” (Col. 2:16) to ease the concern of the change.
Also determining that the Sabbath is on Saturday as we know it, is rather sketchy as that
assumes that the calendar that we use has never changed. However it has changed, for example: In 1582
Pope Gregory changed the Julian calendar (365.25 days a year) which we use, by moving it up 10 days
because the Julian calendar was slightly too long.
However, the best ways to resolve the specific concern considering the lack of specific scriptures
on the subject is help you investigator understand that if Joseph Smith is a prophet of God then the
Sabbath has to be on Sunday as this was Gods direct instruction to him.
Satan and Christ are Brothers

Yes, all things were made by God. Did not God make Christ and Satan? Then how could they not
be brothers? Malachi 2:10 says, “Have we not all on father? Hath not one God created us?” This does
not change the divinity or mission of the Savior. We are all God’s children. Romans 8:16 sys, “The spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (refer to the children of God section)
In Isa. 14: 12-14 it says, “How art though fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!...... For thou
hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” Satan
was cast out of heaven because of his pride. He dwelt in the heavens with God until he sinned and tried
to exalt himself above God.
Also in Revelation 12:7-9 it says, “And there was a war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…. And the great dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him.” So there we learn that Satan as an angel. For he had all of his
angels with him and so did Michael. Some were good, and some were bad (because they chose to be).
The word “angel” is just another word for a child of our Heavenly Father. If they don’t believe that we are
angels, then read Revelation 1:1, “…. God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must
shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” Later in the book of
Revelations, it says in Revelation 19:9-10, “And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And
I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of
thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God.” This is the same angel that was sent to
John in Rev. 1:1.
Spirit World/ Baptisms For the Dead

Since you already know how to teach the spirit world, this answer will mainly focus on where
you can find the spirit world references in the Bible. The best way to resolve this concern simply after the

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principle has been taught is to use the example of when Christ is resurrected and appears to Mary. John
20:15-17 says, “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself…. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I
am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them I ascend unto my Father,
and your Father; and to my God, and to your God.” Where did Christ go for three days if He didn’t
ascend to His Father yet? He went to the spirit world. In 1 Peter 3:18-21, it tells us where Christ went for
those three days, “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” In 1 Peter 4:6, it tells
us why “the gospel (was) preached to them that were dead” talking about those spirits that Christ went
to in the prison. In Isaiah 24:22, it speaks of this same subject, “they shall be gathered together, as
prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be
visited.” Also in Isaiah 42:6-7, “…to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in
darkness out of the prison house.” Even Christ foretells this future event in John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and
they that hear shall live.” These were prophecies of Christ which were fulfilled as we see in 1 Peter 3:18-
21. Also in Revelation 20:13 it says, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”
Here it says they were delivered from “hell” to be judged. This explains a lot to us about the word “hell”.
There it talks about spirit prison and in Luke 23:42-43 it talks of spirit “paradise”. In Revelation 6:9-11, it
talks about the fifth seal being opened and “many that were slain for the testimony which they held..
and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and
their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” They are to wait in the spirit world
until their brethren have had the opportunity to live and die. This is only a temporary period as David
testifies in Psalms 16:10, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell”. The reason that Christ went and
preached to the spirits in prison is because they didn’t have that chance here on earth.
We know that “a man must be born of the water and of the spirit to enter in the kingdom of
God” (John 3:5). This is the reason that we perform baptisms for those that have passed on. The
background of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:29 is a story about the Sadducees who are doing
baptisms for the dead. The Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection. So Paul asks them “Else what
shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for
the dead?” Explaining that there is a resurrection and that this is the purpose of why we perform
baptisms for the dead. This is why Christ is “Lord of both the dead and the living” as it says in Romans
14:9. Hence all will have the fair opportunity to accept Christ and His gospel. Were it not for the spirit
world and the temple, this would not be possible and God would not be just.
Do We Still Need Temples?

The concern that we no longer need temples primarily comes from two places. The first is when
“the veil of the temple was rent in twain” (Matt. 27:51) which is interpreted to mean that there is now
nothing in the way of a direct relationship with God, no temples etc… The second is found in Acts 17:24
where Paul states “…he is lord of heaven and earth and dwelleth not in temples made with hands”.
Dealing with the less quoted of the two; Paul’s statement was made in Athens, Greece. If you
might recall in Greek Mythology there were, in fact, many gods and in Athens there is a temple for every
one of those gods. In each one of these temples they had a giant statue carved of the god to which the
temple was dedicated. In the verse he is addressing these Greek temples stating that they were idolatry,
and that God does not work in such ways. He goes on to explain that there is no need to carve God a
body as was done in these temples (see Acts 17:29)
When the veil of the temple was rent did that mean the end of the need for temples? The
following scriptures show the apostles still used the temple after the ascension of Christ: “And were
continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen” (Luke 24:53); “And they, continuing daily

Resolving Concerns
with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,…” (Acts 2:46); “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple
at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1); “And when they heard that, they entered into the
temple…” (Acts 5:42); “Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered
into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should
be offered for every one of them” (Acts21:26). The disciples continued to use the temple until it was
destroyed in 70 A.D.
Not only was it used after Christ’s ascension, but it was extremely clear that it will exist in the
last days. Consider the following prophecies about the last days: Isaiah 2:2 “And it shall come to pass in
the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains,
and shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations
shall flow unto it.” Malachi 3:1-2 “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before
me: and the LORD whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the
covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the
day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’
soap….” Revelation 7:15 “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in
his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
Thief on the Cross

In Luke 23:43 Christ says to the thief on the cross next to him “Today shalt thou be with me in
paradise”. Many Christians take this to be a support that all that is essential for salvation is to confess
Christ is Lord; however as we turn to John 20:17, we find that Christ did not spend that day in heaven, as
He said to Mary three days later, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father”. Christ had not
been in the presence of His father, neither had the thief, so his sole belief did not bring him immediate
salvation, rather Christ told him that he would be going to the spirit world (see spirit world concern).
Three Kingdoms of Glory

In the scriptures, it talks about the lake of fire and brimstone which ascendeth up forever and
ever, and hath no end. Well, this is referring to the spirit world. The only reason people believe in only
Heaven and Hell is because they don’t know what the spirit world is. (Refer to spirit world concern) But
there is considerable evidence in the scriptures in favor of the three kingdoms of glory. In 1 Corinthians
15:40-44 it says, “There are also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is
one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the
moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the
resurrection of the dead.” This scripture is talking about in the resurrection, that our bodies will be
different depending on our faithfulness here on earth, which will mean that we will enter into different
kingdoms. In 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul says that he knew a man “caught up to the third heaven”, which is
talking about the Celestial Kingdom. Christ says in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house there are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Christ also said In
Matthew 13:43, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.” In this
scripture he is talking about the celestial kingdom shining forth as the sun (1 Cor. 15:40-42). In 2 Peter
3:13 it says, “we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness.” If you recall, Jesus taught in Matthew 10:41, “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of
a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a
righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” If you were to add another reward to this, what
would be the next example? –An unrighteous man; and he would receive an unrighteous man’s reward.
Hence, there are three degrees of righteousness, and three different rewards.

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Trinity
In 325 A.D, The Nicene Creed established the doctrine of the trinity which states that God, Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Ghost are the same Being. They are believed by most Christians to be mysteriously
separate, yet unified at the same time… incomprehensible. This misconception comes from scriptures
similar to these: John 1:1, John 10:30, and John 14: 7-10.
Matthew 3:13-17 teaches us very clearly God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy
Ghost are three separate beings. You have the Father introducing His Son, who is being baptized, as the
Holy Ghost descends in the form of a dove. In John 17:1-5, Christ is praying to His Father, which is known
as the great Intercessory Prayer. In Matthew 17:5, the experience of the Mount of Transfiguration is told
to us. The Father introduces His Son. In Acts 7:55-56 as Stephen is being martyred; he looks up in the
heavens and sees Christ on the right hand of the Father. In John 6:38-39, Christ says “I came down from
heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.” John 5:19, John 14:10 says “the Son
can do nothing of himself, but what He seeth the Father do.” In Matt. 19:17 Christ says, “Why callest
thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” In John 14:28, He also says, “my Father is
greater than I.” Christ was praying in Matthew 26:39 to his Father asking if it was possible to let “this
cup” pass before Him. In Mark 13:32 Christ says not even Himself knows the time of the second coming,
only his Father. In John 8:17-18, Christ says that He and His Father constitute two witnesses. Finally in
John 17:21-23, Christ prays saying, “that they may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us:” Christ doesn’t want us all to become one big blob. He is saying that we need
to become “one” in purpose, just as He and His Father are “one” in purpose and power.
If they think that Christ is saying that the Father and Him are one being in John 14:7-10, then ask
them what John 1:18 means (because they will also believe that no man can see God and live.) There is
no way of compromising these two scriptures. Remember in John 17:3, Christ says “And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” For us to
receive eternal life, we need to know and understand our Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
Additional Scriptures (John 20:17; Matt. 27:46; Philip. 2:5-6; John 6:56; John 6:65; Gal. 3:28:
Eph. 1:20; Eph. 3:14; Col. 1:2,18; 1 Thes. 1:10; 2 Thes. 2:16 Titus 1:4; Heb. 1:2; Heb 3:2; Heb 5:4; John
14:24; Amos 4:11)
You Can’t Trust Your Feelings

This concern primarily comes from Proverbs 28:26; Proverbs 12:20; Jeremiah 17:9 and
Deuteronomy 11:16. These scriptures, paraphrased, say that the heart is evil and that only a fool would
trust in the heart. This is where the scriptures such as Mosiah 3:19 come in, a natural heart or forward
(habitual disposed to disobedience) heart (Prov. 11:20) is an abomination to the Lord, going after the
things of the flesh. Such is the address to the heart with Proverbs 28:26 and Proverbs 12:20. In Jeremiah
17:9 and Deuteronomy 11:16 they speak more to the fact that at one moment a heart can be committed
to obeying the Lord and yet in another moment when faced with temptation, the heart fails us and we
give in to sin.
God tells us that if we want to know the truth “ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray
unto me and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search with all
your heart” (Jer. 29:12-13). Paul declares “He that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the
spirit because he [the Holy Ghost] maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom.
8:27) The spirit will come as feelings of peace, joy, love, etc… (Gal. 5:22-23) and is even described as the
comforter (John 14:26). The Holy Ghost teaches not by the spirit of the world but by spiritual ways i.e.
feelings of the heart (1 Cor. 2:10-14). The spirit will guide you to truth (John 15:26; John 16:33). In fact
Paul goes as far as to say “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 12:3) This
is how Peter received his testimony of Christ, “For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my

Resolving Concerns
Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 16:16-18). Further evidence that the Holy Ghost works by feelings is in
Acts 2:37-38 where the people, that Peter and the rest of the apostles are teaching, are “pricked in the
heart” or in other words receive a witness. Again we see the Spirit working through feeling. In Luke
24:32 when on the road to Emmaus two of the apostles converse with Christ and say one to another
after He had vanished “Did not our heart burn within us”. Even the Christians who bring up this concern
fail to note the role of the heart is central to their view of salvation (Rom. 10:10)
Asking the question: “How do you know that you love your wife, children, girlfriend, parents
etc…?” usually helps people understand that it is by feelings that we are the most motivated and how we
know that we enjoy the things that we do. It is because feelings motivate us to provide for our family
and have concerns for their wellbeing that God will give us answers in our hearts and other feelings to be
able to help motivate us through times of temptation and discouragement.
Additional Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-9; Jer. 31:33; Job 38:36; Neh. 7:5; 1 Kgs. 19:11-12.
We All Believe in the Same God

True it is that we all believe in the same God. That’s because there is only one God. But that’s
not the message that we are teaching. We are teaching that we know more about God because he has
brought forth new scripture by a living prophet on the earth today who has the authority to act in God’s
name. All of the people that were on the earth when Christ lived all believed in the same God, but that
did not change the fact that Christ had more knowledge of God and that He, indeed, was the Son of God
teaching them more about the kingdom of heaven. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, it teaches us that “God is not
the author of confusion…” Clearly we cannot be at ease knowing that there are thousands of churches
on this earth that all teach different doctrines and principles of salvation. This is total confusion. Knowing
that fact, we cannot simply say that God doesn’t care, as long as we all believe in the same God. This
concern can be resolved using the No One True Church discussion in this booklet.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People

Let us first understand the eternal principle of agency. God has given us the ability to choose in
all that we do. He does not force us to do anything (that was Satan’s plan). If everyone was forced to do
good, then there would be no purpose to this life. We need to make our own choices in order to gain
experience, learn, progress, and grow. We must prove ourselves faithful to God in this life. Therefore,
because God gives agency to all men, then there will be people who choose evil rather than good. Along
with our choices come consequences of those choices. God will not take away the consequences of
choices made, because that is still part of agency that He gives us. Think about it, even you yourself
choose evil and cause suffering to others on a daily basis. Christ was the only perfect person on this
earth. One of the purposes of this life is to endure suffering and affliction, to be tempted, to overcome,
and to continue faithful in the gospel. Alma 14:9-11 teaches two reasons why God allows evil and
suffering to occur: the blood of the innocent will condemn the people and the righteous will go to
heaven. Also in Alma 60:13 it says, “For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and
judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost
because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God.” Consider the story
of Job. Job went through much affliction and endured it well, and he was blessed to hear the voice of the
Lord. In Job 42:10, “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” He was also that much of a
stronger man after all of his afflictions. As it says in 2 Nephi 2:2, “he shall consecrate thine afflictions for
thy gain.” God knows the situation of all His children and no suffering, pain and affliction will go
unnoticed. Christ has suffered below all and all things will be made fair at the last day when we will all
stand before Him to give an accounting of our choices made here on earth.

Resolving Concerns
Why Don’t We Have the Plates Today?
Where are the original manuscripts of the Bible? Do we need the originals for a legitimate
verification of the Bible and its authenticity? If we did have them would that automatically convert the
world to Christianity or if we were shown the original manuscripts of the Koran would that convert the
world to Islam? No, God will not force us into His gospel by proof, as that would destroy man’s agency.
The lesson of the apostle Thomas comes to mind: Thomas after hearing of Christ’s resurrection lacks
faith in the occurrence saying “Except I shall see… I will not believe” (John 20:25). When Thomas had the
chance to see Christ’s resurrected body, Christ teaches “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed” (John 20:29). We know faith will always
be a part of His plan (2 Cor. 5:7). We do have the testimony of the 3 and 8 witnesses fulfilling God’s
pattern “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Cor. 13:1).
Women and the Priesthood

The fact that men are given the priesthood does not in any way mean that women are not
capable of or responsible enough to bear it. If anything, the fact that men have the right to hold the
priesthood helps them to be on equal ground with women. Priesthood is the authority to act in God’s
name, something women already have. Women are given power as a co-creator with God, in child
bearing. In the child bearing and rearing process, women perform an irreplaceable service to their
offspring. They do this on behalf of God in bringing His children to the earth. This gives a mother and
child a great spiritual bond. What of the man then, what essential service can he do? Without the
blessing of the priesthood in a man’s life, there is nothing essential that he could do that a mother could
not. God is merciful unto men and gives them authority to perform ordinances on His behalf so they can
have a greater spiritual bond and have their love increased for His children by performing these services
for them.
Women as nurturers take the primary leadership of our children, the future of society. Men are
called to preside in positions of authority so they can learn the same skills of leadership and Christ like
attributes that women learn in the home. “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal,
mortal, and eternal purpose.” (Family Proclamation) We are each given the role that we need in order to
progress in the way that our Father in heaven would have us progress.
“You can’t add or take away from the Bible”

This concern comes for Revelation 22:18-19. We know that the adding to or taking away from
the book refers to the specific book of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). If we take the same reasoning that is used
in Revelation 22:18-19 to say that is the end of scriptures then by that same reasoning anything after
Deuteronomy 4:2 is excluded (see also Deut. 12:32; Prov. 30:5-6). Revelations 22:18-19 can’t be
referring to the Bible because when it was written there was no Bible as we know it at the time
Revelation was written. The New Testament wasn’t canonized until the 4 th century AD and when it was
done, it wasn’t done chronologically- it was done according to the topic of the book. The gospels came
first because they explain the life of Christ, next Acts because that was the next most important thing,
then the epistles according to author and length. Hebrews is the only out or place because Paul’s
authorship is in question. When it comes to Revelation, it is not an epistle; it is not anything like the rest
of the New Testament books, so where do you put it? At the end. Revelation was written in 95 AD, while
St. John and the epistles written by John were not completed until 96 A.D. If Revelation 22:18-19 is
referring to the end of current revelation, then you need to rip a few things out of your Bible. To quote
Elder Jeffery R. Holland, “The fact of the matter is that virtually every prophet of the Old and New
Testament has added scripture to that received by his predecessors. If the Old Testament words of
Moses were sufficient as some could have mistakenly thought them to be, then why, for example, the

Resolving Concerns
subsequent prophecies of Isaiah or of Jeremiah, who both follow him? To say nothing of Ezekiel and
Daniel, Joel, Amos, and all the rest. If one revelation to one prophet in one moment of time is sufficient
for all time, what justifies these many others?”
“In fact of the entire corpus of 5,366 known Greek New Testament manuscripts, only 35 contain
the whole New Testament as we now know it, and 34 of those were compiled after A.D. 1000. So how
could the end of Revelation possibly be referring to the standard 66 books of the Bible?”

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Resolving Concerns

December 2013 version Page 1

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Authority/Already been baptized; Bible is ultimate authority

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Baptism by Immersion/Infant Baptism

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The Bible is the complete word of God

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Blacks and the Priesthood

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Book of Abraham Disproved?

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DNA and the Book of Mormon

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Evidence for Book of Mormon

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Faith vs. Works

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“God Created the Earth, Not Jesus”

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The Great Apostasy

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I Don’t Believe in God

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I Don’t Need to go to Church to Worship

I Was Offended: Elder Bednar’s Answer

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Choose Not to Be Offended

A Latter-Day Learning Laboratory

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I conclude my message with two invitations.

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Jesus Christ is Jehovah

Savior OT: Hosea 13:4; Isa. 43:11; Isa. 45:15, 2

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Did Jesus Drink Wine?

Joseph Smith Not Mentioned in the Bible

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My Family Will Disown Me if I Join the Church

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No Prophets after Christ

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One Mediator/Only Pray to Heavenly Father

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No One True Church

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Resurrection for all

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Satan and Christ are Brothers

Spirit World/ Baptisms For the Dead

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Do We Still Need Temples?

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Thief on the Cross