Sunday, January 28, 2018

Galatians 8:1

  Perhaps no other scripture is used against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints more than Galatians 1:8. To me, though, that is a scripture that rather than testifying against the church, testifies the church is true. 
  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the most biblical of churches, following the Bible more completely than any other belief system I run across. Not only do its practices and doctrines more closely follow the Bible, but there are scriptures in the Bible that surely seem to be referring to the LDS faith. 
  You are probably aware of one, Rev. 14:6. "And, I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Have we any other event since the time of Christ that so fits this description, or even comes close? For, surely, if the Bible said it would happen, it must happen. Do we have anything other than the angel Moroni's visit that matches the revelation? The gospel was restored through an angel, even as the revelation said it would be.
  You might suggest the Bible also warns against an angel from heaven preaching any other gospel, and that is fine. But, it does not overrule the fact that the Bible says an angel would come, bringing the gospel. If the Bible is true, both scriptures are true, not just one. I can tell an angel did restore the gospel, even as it says in Rev. 14. That gospel is going forth unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people, just as the revelation said it would. This is revelation fulfilled, scripture fulfilled. The Church of Jesus Christ has one of the most expansive missionary forces in the world, which fits with the prophecy saying the gospel would go forth to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. 
   What of Galatians 1:8, then? "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." It is worthy to note that Paul places himself and the other leaders of the church in the same category as the angel from heaven. "Though we or an angel," he says. We have no more reason to assume the angel Moroni brought a false gospel than we do to suppose Paul preached a false gospel. That Paul named the church leaders of that time in the same phrase as an angel from heaven is significant.  Even as Paul is worthy, so is the angel Moroni. And, even as Paul surely does not lead us astray, neither does the angel Moroni. Did Paul know of the angel Moroni that he should be referring to him? I only say that the angel Moroni is alluded to in Rev. 14. And, I only say that those who quote Galatians 8 say he was referring to Angel Moroni. So, it is of their own admission. 
   Galatians 8:1 seems to me more of a witness of the LDS faith, than it is a witness against it.

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