The booklet “Ask Your Bishop” by Ira T. Ransom asks 100 questions.
Many of these questions have already been responded to by FairMormon when posed from a different source:
Responses are below. To misquote Joseph Smith: “I might have rendered a more substantial response to this, but it is sufficient to suit my purpose as it stands.”
Question 1: Progression
The principle has not broken down, see the answers to the next two questions and this article on Deification before mortality
Question 2: Body
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- It is not contradictory for the Holy Ghost to be God, without a body. However it would contradict D&C 93:33 to say that the Holy Ghost has a fullness of joy without a body, therefore it can be reasonable inferred that the Holy Ghost will at some point receive a body.
- See also this related article on the Holy Ghost
Question 3: Jesus
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- It is not contradictory for Jesus to be God, without a body. However it would contradict D&C 93:33 to say that Jesus had a fullness of joy without a body, therefore it was necessary for Jesus at one point to have a body.
- See also this article on Deification before mortality
Question 4: Progression
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- For the Book of Mormon to contain the “fulness of the gospel”, it need not contain every element of doctrine.
- What is the gospel? Jesus said in 3 Nephi 27:27 “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.”
- See also this article on the Book of Mormon containing the fulness of the gospel
Question 5: Where
It can be inferred from the teaching of prophets that if God had a Father, he would have experienced the same progression as us, therefore before he was God he would have been with his Father in a pre-existence.
Question 6: Planet
There are two perspectives available within Mormonism to answer who created the planet that God lived on. One option is that God had a God, who was his Father and created the world he lived on. The second option is that God was divine prior to being “as man now is”, meaning he did not have a God but has existed as God eternally and at one point came to an earth he created himself.
Question 7: Beside
If this scripture is taken at face value then it contradicts other scriptures, which speak of other gods such as Psalms 82:1: God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
Isaiah’s scripture should be understood in its proper context meaning that God was expressing his supremacy and power.
See also this article on No God beside me
Question 8: Man
Latter-day revelation need not be canonised. The teaching that God was once a man is found in the King Follett discourse.
Question 9: Before
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This scripture should be interpreted from our point of view, and there is no God before or after to us.
- See also this article on Isaiah 43:10
- See also this article on No God beside me
Question 10: Image
Either because he was talking to those who had bodies, or was speaking of the spirit form which has the same appearance as the physical body.
Question 11: Adam
This exact question is answered by FairMormon here
- Brigham’s Adam-God theory has been overwhelmingly considered incorrect
- Spencer W. Kimball said in 1976 “We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine.” – Spencer W. Kimball, “Our Own Liahona,” Ensign (November 1976), 77
Question 12: Ordinances
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- D&C 84:21-22 says: “And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”
- “Without this” is referring to the last thing mentioned, “the power of godliness” not the first thing mentioned, “the ordinances”.
- See this article on seeing God without the priesthood
Question 13: Flesh
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Saying that “God is a spirit” is a necessary but not sufficient description of God
- See also this article on God is a Spirit
Question 14: Elohim
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- It is anachronistic to expect modern LDS naming to be applied in the Bible
- See also this article on Elohim and Jehovah
Question 15: Fulness
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- For the Book of Mormon to contain the “fulness of the gospel”, it need not contain every element of doctrine.
- What is the gospel? Jesus said in 3 Nephi 27:27 “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.”
- See also this article on the Book of Mormon containing the fulness of the gospel
Question 16: Reproduction
Melvin J. Ballad said:
The nature of the offspring is determined by the nature of the substance that flows in the veins of the being. When blood flows in the veins of the being the offspring will be what blood produces, which is tangible flesh and bone; but when that which flows in the veins is spirit matter, a substance which is more refined and pure and glorious than blood, the offspring of such beings will be spirit children. By that I mean they will be in the image of the parents. They will have a spirit body and have a spark of the eternal or divine that always did exist in them.– Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness, pg. 211
Question 17: Sacrament
Because of D&C 27
2 For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.
Question 18: Wrong
This question is answered by FairMormon here
Mormonism is not the restored church “based upon the Bible”, it is the restored Church and believes in the Bible.
Question 19: Virgin
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Mormon doctrine is not tied to a physical union between God and Mary despite some statements from Church leaders.
- LDS leaders are entitled to express their opinions on any matter but does not becoming binding for the Church.
- See also this article on conception
- See also this response from Jeff Lindsay
Question 20: Marriage
There is no reason to think the Bible should include all aspects of the restored gospel.
Question 21: Translated
The First Presidency released this statement on the King James Version of the Bible
Robert J. Matthews said:
It is evident from the manuscripts prepared by the Prophet and his scribes, and also from the statements by the Prophet himself, that he did not correct all of the passages that could be corrected in the Bible. Hence, the new translation is not finished. It is not a perfect Bible.
In view of the fact that the Prophet did not complete the work, and because the new translation is published and copyrighted by the Reorganized Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not accept it as authoritative, although it is read by many Latter-day Saints. While it is true that the Prophet intended to make additional changes in the new translation, we also recognize that one can benefit from the many improvements that he did make. – Robert J. Matthews. 1972. Joseph Smith’s Inspired Translation of the Bible. [ONLINE] Available at:https://www.lds.org/ensign/1972/12/joseph-smiths-inspired-translation-of-the-bible?lang=eng. [Accessed 16 September 2016].
Question 22: 1891
This question is answered by FairMormon here
The revelation reads:
I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, when I heard a voice repeat the following: Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter. (D&C 130:14-15).
- This was a conditional prophecy and Joseph did not meet the criteria
- Joseph said in D&C 130:16: “I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face”
- Joseph died in 1844 and did not live until he was 85
- Joseph said in verse 17: “I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time.” and was correct
- See also this article on the alleged second coming of 1890
Question 23: Wedding
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Perhaps it was not the wedding of Jesus at all.
- If it was the wedding of Jesus, there would be nothing contradictory about him being called to the wedding.
Question 24: Hell
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- D&C 19 says:
And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless.
5 Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand.
6 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.
- Mormonism teaches that there is an endless punishment in “Hell” but this is within the context of a telestial glory.
Question 25: Thief
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Paradise is a temporary state between death and the resurrection, it is not a permanent state of being “saved”
Question 26: Solomon
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This question is based on a misunderstanding of the scripture.
- Nephi answers this criticism himself in 2 Nephi 5:15-17 and says he “did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon”
- To say that “the manner …was like unto the temple of Solomon” does not tie Nephi to having built a temple exactly the same as Solomon.
Question 27: Geography
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- For a geography to be established, there would need to be a consensus.
- So far there has not been a consensus due to not enough evidence to confirm any particular theory.
Question 28: Polygamy
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Joseph Smith did not preach against polygamy in October 1843.
- Joseph said in October 1843 (emphasis added):”… I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs otherwise.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Page 324)
- This is not a teaching against polygamy, it is a qualification for polygamy.
Question 29: Synagogues
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- There are good reasons to think Lehi would have known about synagogues
- Scholars believe synagogues had been around long enough for Lehi to have known about them
Question 30: Dead
- For the Book of Mormon to contain the “fulness of the gospel”, it need not contain every element of doctrine.
- What is the gospel? Jesus said in 3 Nephi 27:27 “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.”
- See also this article on the Book of Mormon containing the fulness of the gospel
Question 31: Prophecy
To be of God the Book of Mormon must not necessarily contain prophecy, however it does contain many prophecies. See this article on prophecies in the Book of Mormon
Question 32: Beards
This question is only valid if all Indians are descendants of Jews, but this is not a claim made by the Church. The introduction to the Book of Mormon says:
After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians
Question 33: Navajos
This question is only valid if all Indians are descendants of Jews, but this is not a claim made by the Church. The introduction to the Book of Mormon says:
After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians
Question 34: Indians
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This question is based on a misunderstanding of the scripture.
- 2 Nephi 30:6 says (emphasis added):
6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.
- The word white was changed to pure during Joseph’s lifetime. However irrespective of what word is used, the scripture is clearly metaphorical as it is speaking of the “scales of darkness” that “fall from their eyes”.
Question 35: Ores
2 Nephi 5:15-16 says (emphasis added):
15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.
16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.
These verses say that there were indeed precious ores available, but not so many as available to Solomon
Question 36: Sam
There appears to be no reason why Lehi would need to call his son Samuel rather than Sam in order to honor God.
Question 37: Chariots
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The Book of Mormon does not give much information on what these chariots were
- They were not mentioned in relation to war
- Whatever they were, they would probably be made of wood and therefore would not be preserved
- See also this article on chariots and wheels
Question 38: Church
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The base word “ecclesia” translated in Psalms 89:5 as “congregation” is translated as “church” in Matthew 16:18, meaning the word is not anachronistic in the Book of Mormon
Question 39: Italicized
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The italicized words from the KJV of the Bible also in the Book of Mormon are either accounted for because 1. Joseph used a Bible during those parts of the translation he saw was a quote from the Bible 2. He was inspired to include the italicized words in the translation. There may be others, but these are not problematic
Question 40: Adieu
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This was the modern word that correctly conveyed the meaning of the original text and was included in Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language.
- See also this article on Adieu
Question 41: Wrong
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- As Joseph Smith said “… I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs otherwise.”(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Page 324)
- Solomon was condemned as taught by Jacob
- See also this article on the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy
Question 42: Population
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Polygamy is not necessarily a provision for increasing population rapidly
- It can however be a provision for raising up a righteous posterity
Question 43: John
There is a difference between someone holding the priesthood and someone having the authority to exercise the priesthood. There is nothing contradictory about having 13 ordained apostles, but only 12 with the authority to lead the church
See also this article on the Priesthood on earth during the apostasy
Question 44: Omitted
This “Article on Marriage” was not a revelation from Joseph, it was statement was from Oliver Cowdery printed in 1835 when polygamy was not taught. It was removed in 1876 with the updated edition and
Joseph F. Smith said this article found its way into the of the Doctrine and Covenants without authority
See also this FairMormon article on the Doctrine and Covenants denying polygamy
Question 45: Angel
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This scripture is talking about angelic-like messengers not mortals
Question 46: Esaias
Joseph revealed that Esaias was a prophet who lived in the days of Abraham, see D&C 84:13
Question 47: Elias
Elias means a forerunner and the name Elias is not solely used in the New Testament to Elijah, see Matthew 11:13-15. D&C 77:14-15 mentions John the beloved as Elias.
Question 48: Elijah
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The name Elias is not solely used in the New Testament to Elijah, see Matthew 11:13-15.
- Elias means a forerunner
Question 49: Eight
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- A remission of sins is not the only reason for baptism
- Children are baptised at aged 8 to make a covenant with God and to fulfil Jesus’s teaching in John 3:5
Question 50: Atonement
Because he believes this is true. It was “taught of” but was not “taught”. Brigham Young said: “The wickedness and ignorance of the nations forbid this principle being in full force, but the time will come when the law of God will be in full force” – Journal of Discourses, 4:219
See also this article on Blood atonement
Question 51: Divorce
This is no longer true, see this article about the least divorced states in America
Question 52: Eden
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The Biblical description of the rivers mentioned in these scriptures do not match our current day geography so cannot be used as counter evidence
- See also this article on the Garden of Eden in Missouri
Question 53: 1832
The expression “this generation” is also used in the Bible in Matthew 24:34: “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” It is not to be understood as those who are alive today.
See this article on the Independence temple prophecy
Question 54: Agency
Mormon leaders do readily allow members to leave the Mormon system upon request
Question 55: Government
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- In the previous part of the quote from Brigham he says “If you desire with all your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, you will be polygamists at least in your faith”. There is no need to infer that those who become Gods must actually be polygamous
- See also this article on Polygamy after the manifesto
Question 56: Deseret
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This was a powerful political speech, it is unreasonable to assume that Heber C. Kimball was making a prophecy
Question 57: Plates
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Joseph Smith managed to carry the plates home because they were simply not that heavy.
- The dimensions described are correct, but the weight is based on the assumption the plates were made of solid gold.
- Those who held the plates described them as being around 60 lbs, not 230 lbs.
- There is no reason to think the gold plates were made of solid gold.
- See also this FairMormon article on the description of the plates
Question 58: Jack
Being sealed is necessary but not sufficient for the celestial kingdom
Question 59: Moroni
This question is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of exaltation. This question assumes that Moroni has already had enough time to become a God since he died. But this is contrary to the teachings of Joseph Smith (emphasis added):
When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. – King Follet Sermon, April 7, 1844
Question 60: Ministry
Maybe. Some people have claimed encounters with him.
Question 61: Wisdom
It is problematic to say that “Mormons emphasize” something. Does this mean the leadership? If so, which leadership? Or is it the members? If so what percentage of members? D&C 89:12-13 says (emphasis added):
12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine
It is difficult how to see how the phrase “it is pleasing unto me” can be described as “forbidding”.
Question 62: Darkness
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- It was dark for three days
- There is no reason to think God could not cause different darkness either side of the Atlantic
Question 63: Changes
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This question is based on a misunderstanding of truth and what is meant by the “original Book of Mormon”. Stating that the Book of Mormon is true does not mean it is free from error. Text changes in the Book of Mormon aim to restore the original meaning from Joseph’s translation, which is of course “the original Book of Mormon”.
- See this article on the Book of Mormon being the most correct book
Question 64: Prophet
Deuteronomy 18 doesn’t say that one false prophecy means a person is not a prophet. The standard used to claim Joseph made false prophecies would also condemn some Old Testament prophets.
See also this article on the prophetic test in Deuteronomy 18
Question 65: Revelation
If a revelation is for the church then it will only come to the prophet who has authority for the church.
Question 66: Voting
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Members of the Church vote to sustain a revelation
- This is a Biblical practice, see Joshua 24:24 “And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.”
Question 67: Sensen
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The Church has only a small fragment of the scrolls (around 13%)
- The Church announced within 2 months that the small fragment contained the funeral text
- There is great positive evidence for the Book of Abraham
- See also this article on Book of Abraham evidence (Part 1)
- See also this article on Book of Abraham evidence (Part 2)
- See also this article on Book of Abraham evidence (Part 3)
Question 68: Linguist
This is a type of argument from ignorance. Reformed Egyptian is the name the Nephites gave to the language, so the name is not expected to be used anywhere else
Question 69: Reformed
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Reformed Egyptian is the name the Nephites gave to the language, so the name is not expected to be used anywhere else
Question 70: Quakers
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- There are no contemporary accounts of Joseph saying this
- Prophets are allowed to have their own fallible opinions on scientific matters – as in the Bible
- This was considered ground-breaking scientific knowledge of the day but was then exposed as a hoax
- See also this article on Brigham and Joseph
- See also this article on the moon being inhabited
Question 71: Beer
The Word of Wisdom was not a commandment during Joseph’s life. Paul H. Peterson said
It appears clear that Joseph Smith never interpreted the [Word of Wisdom] revelation as demanding total abstinence, but stressed moderation and self-control….He had no objections to using
tobacco for medicinal purposes. With regard to wine and “strong drink” possibly the most accurate index to the Prophet’s position was expressed by Benjamin F. Johnson, who personally knew Joseph: “As a companion, socially, he was highly endowed; was kind, generous, mirth loving, and at times even convivial. He was partial to a well supplied table and he did not always refuse the wine that maketh the heart glad.
– Paul H. Peterson, “An Historical Analysis of the Word of Wisdom,” Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1972, 38. The cited material is [Letter from BF Johnson to George F. Gibbs, 1903.]
See also this article on Joseph and the Word of wisdom
Question 72: Hebrew
This question is answered by FairMormon here
RM comments:
- Many Mormons do study Hebrew and Greek
- The Church supports scholarship of Hebrew and Greek through the Church-owned University BYU
Question 73: Articles
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- As with scripture and revelation, Mormons do not believe in infallibility and the Articles of Faith were open to revision
- See also this article on Differing versions of the Articles of Faith
Question 74: Dozen
Mormonism does not believe in the inerrancy of scripture. The Articles of Faith were not an exhaustive list of beliefs and just like any other scripture is subject to revision. See also this article on Differing versions of the Articles of Faith
Question 75: Melchizedek
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The Biblical verse does not mean that it cannot be transferred, only that it is itself unchangeable
- See also this article Jesus is the only Melchizedek priesthood holder
- See also this article on the Priesthood being non-transferable
Question 76: Oaths
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The oaths are not the same, they are very different, Masonic oaths are primarily concerned with brotherhood rather than a commitment to God
- There seems to be no problem that “Divinely given” ceremonies can be changed. The ceremonies are not claimed to be inerrant or unchanging
- See also Article of Faith 9
Question 77: As
Matthew 22 is not talking about people in general, Jesus is talking about those of whom the Sadducees were referring to (eg. Those married for time only). See also this article on the topic
Question 78: Nauvoo
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- This question is based on a misunderstanding of the prophecy involved. The reason the Nauvoo House did not stand forever and ever is simply because it fell.
- D&C124:59 says (emphasis added): Therefore, let my servant Joseph and his seed after him have place in that house, from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord
- The wording here means there is no reason to think this was a prophecy that the Nauvoo house would actually stand forever and ever.
Question 79: Genealogy
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Genealogy is not condemned in the Bible, it is condemned when used to prove one’s own righteousness
Question 80: Sins
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Jesus teaches Biblically that sin against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven as in Matthew 12:32-32
- See also this article on Blood atonement
Question 81: Fig
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Mormons do not “memorialize the fall” by using fig leaf aprons in the secret temple ceremonies. The fig leaf is simply part of a symbolic reenactment in a sacred ordinance.
Question 82: Secret
The definition of secret is: something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
Jesus said in Mark 7:36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it
Question 83: Ezekiel
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The sticks can be nations, but this does not mean they can also be books of the nations
- See also this article on Book of Mormon as the stick of Ephraim
Question 84: 1830
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Acts 3:20,21 is not a prophecy about the restoration of Mormonism
Question 85: Tribulation
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Revelation is symbolic so should not be read as a chronological script
- Moroni is seen as preparatory to the tribulation
Question 86: Brothers
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- There is nothing inconsistent to say that Satan and Jesus have the same Father
- See also this article on Satan
Question 87: Cornelius
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- Mormons believe that anyone can feel the Spirit of the Lord, but the gift of the Holy Ghost is only for those who are baptised.
- The Holy Ghost comes by the laying on of hands by those in authority as in Acts 19:1-6
Question 88: Baptism
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- See also this article on Baptism for the dead
- See also this article on Baptism for the dead in early Christianity
Robert Boylan said:
The Greek text of 1 Cor 15:29 reads as followed (followed by my translation of the Greek):
Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν
Else why are the one’s being baptised on behalf of the dead ones? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are the one’s being baptised on behalf of the dead ones?
The Greek text does not have the pronoun “they.” Instead, it uses a present passive participle, literally, “the being baptised ones” (οι βαπτιζομενοι). Contra critics who harp on the pronoun “they” and their ignorance of the original language texts, the verse is entirely neutral towards the question of whether Paul himself was in favour of this doctrine (though some commentators argue that v.30 shows Paul associated himself with those who were baptised on behalf of the dead). – Robert Boylan. 2016. Responding to Matt Slick/CARM on 1 Cor 15:29. [ONLINE] Available at:http://scripturalmormonism.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/responding-to-matt-slickcarm-on-1-or.html. [Accessed 16 September 2016].
Question 89: Noah
D&C 138:32 says:
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
There is no exclusivity implied concerning Noah
Question 90: Bishop
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- The scripture is not necessarily saying the Bishop cannot have multiple wives
- Kevin L. Barney said that this scripture: “be read as excluding (a) the single, (b) the polygamous, (c) the divorced, [or] (d) those remarried after being widowed. The words can also convey the connotation ‘devoted solely to his wife
- See also these articles on Early Christians on plural marriage and Polygamy not Biblical
Question 91: Deacon
Even though Paul gives this qualification to the Church in the New Testament, there is no reason to think that God through his prophet cannot tailor the organisation of the priesthood offices to cater for the needs of the day.
George Q. Cannon said:
With our Elders even in these days it is a very uncommon thing to ordain, while out in the world, very young men to any office. Mature men are frequently ordained as Deacons and act as such.
The circumstances which surround us here in Zion are entirely different from those which surrounded the Saints in the days of Paul and of which he wrote. There is no impropriety whatever in young men, even as early as at the age of twelve or fourteen years, acting as Deacons…The cases to which Paul refers, therefore, and those that exist in Zion are not at all parallel. – Jan. 15, 1899, JI 34:48-49) (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, selected, arranged, and edited by Jerreld L. Newquist [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1987], 189.
Question 92: Murder
D&C 42:18 says:
18 And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come
This scripture is directed to the church and not a general principle
Question 93: Aaron
This requirement was no longer necessary when Jesus came and fulfilled the Law of Moses as predicted in Isaiah 66:21-22 “And I will also take of them for priests, and for Levites, saith the Lord. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain”
The encyclopedia of Mormonism says:
In the Restoration, the Aaronic Priesthood has not been restricted to those who are literal descendants of Aaron or of Levi, since those lineages are not at present identified and the priesthood authority that implemented the ordinances of the Law of Moses has been replaced by the higher priesthood and laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Beginning with the reorganization of the priesthood in 1877, the Church established the current practice of ordaining boys to the Aaronic Priesthood during their early teenage years, organizing them at the ward level into priesthood quorums by age group and priesthood office, and advancing them periodically to higher offices and eventually to the higher priesthood. – BALLANTYNE, VERDON W.. 1992. Aaronic Priesthood. [ONLINE] Available at: http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Aaronic_Priesthood. [Accessed 16 September 2016].
Question 94: Adam
The second article of faith says:
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression
This means it was not a sin, but a transgression
Question 95: Broad
This question is answered by FairMormon here
- There does not seem to be any evidence that this is taught by the Church
Question 96: Faith
This scripture is speaking of being saved from sins, not from physical death.
See also this article on Salvation by faith alone
Question 97: Works
Works are not sufficient for salvation.
See also this article on Salvation by faith alone
Question 98: Salvation
Salvation from sins.
Question 99: Romans
Romans 10:13 says:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
If this scripture is taken at face value, then it contradicts other scriptures and leads to an absurdity of an insincere deathbed prayer.
Question 100: Day
Titus 3:3-5 says:
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The context here is of those who were saved from their sins named in verse 3.