BOOK OF MORMON

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDWARD WATSONS WEBWORLD"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDWARD WATS</B><B>ON'S WEBWORLD</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTRO"><U><B>INTRO</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KNOWING TRUTH"><U><B>KNOWING TRUTH</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHY MORMONS?"><U><B>WHY MORMONS?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTELLECTUAL APPEAL"><U><B>INTELLECTUAL APPEAL</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PURPOSE AND USAGE"><U><B>PURPOSE AND USAGE</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ADAPTABILITY"><U><B>ADAPTABILITY</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT IS MORMONISM?"><U><B>WHAT IS MORMONISM?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"><U><B>THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL EXPERTS"><U><B>BIBLICAL EXPERTS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IS MORMONISM A CULT?"><U><B>IS MORMONISM A CULT?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORICAL REFUTATION VS SCRIPTURAL REFU"><U><B>HISTORICAL REFUTATION VS SCRIPTURAL REFUTATION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CREDENTIALS"><U><B>CREDENTIALS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL VIEW"><U><B>BIBLICAL VIEW</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PERSONAL NOTE"><U><B>PERSONAL NOTE</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>BOOK OF MORMON</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABBREVIATIONS"><U><B>ABBREVIATIONS</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> BOOK OF MORMON</div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTRO"><U><B>Introduction</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KNOWING TRUTH"><U><B>The best way to know the Truth</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHY MORMONS?"><U><B>Why are we called “Mormons”? </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTELLECTUAL APPEAL"><U><B>The intellectual appeal of Mormonism</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PURPOSE AND USAGE"><U><B>What these books are for and how to use them</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ADAPTABILITY"><U><B>The adaptability of Mormonism</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT IS MORMONISM?"><U><B>What is Mormonism?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"><U><B>The Church is the Bride of Christ!</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL EXPERTS"><U><B>The four types of biblical experts</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IS MORMONISM A CULT?"><U><B>Is  Mormonism a Cult?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORICAL REFUTATION VS SCRIPTURAL REFU"><U><B>Historical refutation vs Scriptural refutation</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CREDENTIALS"><U><B>The issue of credentials </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL VIEW"><U><B>My view of the Bible</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PERSONAL NOTE"><U><B>A personal note</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOOK OF MORMON"><U><B>Coming back to the Book of Mormon</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. lxxxix-xci. MORMONISM: Series Introduction. All rights reserved.]</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Coming back to the Book of Mormon</B></div> <bR> <div>      Everything boils down to whether the Book of Mormon is true or not. <B>I am not intellectualizing Mormonism.</B> I actually reject such a methodology because it usually deviates from the Scriptures and from relying upon the Holy Ghost for spiritual guidance. These volumes are written to show that we have very good answers to the most difficult questions our enemies may throw at us. However, things of the Spirit can only be understood by the Spirit and not by the finite understanding of men.<I> </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>  </I>Knowing how to answer the arguments of our critics is only secondary to getting a solid testimony of the gospel, which can only come about through scripture study and sincere prayer. It's nice to know how to refute the arguments our critics use which they say proves the Mormon church to be false, but these answers aren't necessary for our salvation. </div> <bR> <div>      I testify to all that <B>I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the</B> <B> true church of God</B>. I came to this conclusion not by my own intellect, but because I went down on my knees and asked Heavenly Father in sincere  prayer if the Book of Mormon was his word. The Holy Ghost testified to me that it was, and my life changed forever. I know I experienced a Spirit to spirit communication and despite not knowing all the answers when challenged by the critics, I never lost my testimony. I continued to pray, read the Scriptures and try to live as best I can. The Lord eventually decided to teach me more on his own time. I'm especially grateful to him for allowing me to go on a mission because that's where my testimony and knowledge of the gospel solidified.</div> <div>      Whoever wants to know the real teaching of the Bible has to examine all the passages that refer to any topic and not just one side.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT> The majority of anti-Mormons realize this and thus go to great lengths quoting different biblical verses in their attempt to disprove us but will hardly mention in their books the different biblical passages we use to show our side. Why do they do this? Because they know most people, including practicing Christians are not familiar with the Bible and want to give the impression that our doctrines are not based on the Bible. They deliberately stack the decks against us.</div> <div>      It's one thing to write books that build up an idea or organization, and it's another thing to publish books ridiculing and tearing down the faith of others. Why do they find it necessary to put down others? Why do the anti-Mormons produce so many anti-Mormon tracts, books and videos? Are they doing it out of the love of their hearts or because of the financial benefits and prestige attached for doing so? These aren't inconsequential considering the money they receive from giving anti-Mormon lectures all over the world. I attended an anti-Mormon lecture given by  Walter Martin  in Langley, British Columbia and was amazed at how much money he received in the offering that was passed around. It was a very lucrative evening for him despite the fact that his knowledge of what Mormonism really teaches was laughable and could only convince those completely ignorant of the real teachings of the LDS church.</div> <div>      Nearly all the biblical passages quoted in these volumes are from the Authorized King James Version (AV) and those repeated in the commentary area are my own wording. If a reference appears murky, try using other versions since I used many versions in writing these books. When examining the references given, try to utilize many different versions of the Bible since the language of the AV is often archaic and difficult to grasp to readers familiar with current English. For me, the AV's language is the most exalting and majestic towards God and speaks in a manner that gives honor to God,  and causes reverence in those hearing it being read. This is why the LDS church uses it. However, for clarity and accuracy to the earliest Hebrew and Greek versions, it is necessary to read in conjunction with the AV, other newer versions such as the Jerusalem Bible, the New American Bible (whose references and index are excellent) and especially The WORD Bible (From 26 Translations) since the AV was written in 1611 and many discoveries in the last century such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Codex Sanaiticus and Vaticanus has given us need to have Bibles that are closer to the earliest biblical texts that the AV didn't have the luxury of accessing.</div> <div>      I have been asked by anti-Mormons what would I say to God at the Last Day if I found out the Mormon church was false despite “feeling” the Book of Mormon to be true and will be condemned to hell for refusing to abandon the Mormon church. I replied:</div> <bR> <div>   “I would ask God why he lied to me or why he allowed me to be deceived by Satan when I came to him in sincere prayer. I will then gladly go to hell than be a servant of such a god.”</div> <bR> <div>      I really know such a scenario could not happen at the Last Day because of the firm certitude I have of receiving an answer from the Holy Ghost and because (as these volumes will demonstrate), the Bible clearly supports the doctrines of the LDS church.</div> <div>      My prayer is that the MORMONISM Series will help the members and missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints become stronger in the faith and be grateful for what they have. I hope all the pure in heart everywhere will study the issues raised in these books and use prayer to Heavenly Father as the guide for Truth. <B>Those who seek the Truth will find it in the</B> <B>true church of Jesus Christ.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>[ENDNOTES]:</B></div> <bR> <div> 1.WBRS. p. 226.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca"><U>e-mail me!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>