"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18 Many Christians wonder if this passage speaks directly to the extra biblical books of Mormonism, specifically the Book of Mormon. In our opinion it does not. The context of verse 18 seems to speak directly to the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible written by the apostle John while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. In the November 20, 1999 issue of the LDS Church News (p.14), an article entitled "Warning applies to the book of Revelation" quotes LDS president Howard Hunter, who, while serving as an apostle for the LDS Church, responded to this query by saying, "A careful reading of the words makes it clear that the warning against adding or taking away does not refer to the whole Bible or even to the New Testament, but to use John's words, on the words of the 'book of this prophecy.' That is, the prophecy contained in the book of Revelation." We would agree. Still, confining this warning to just the book of Revelation does not get Joseph Smith off the hook entirely. Actually, the Bible contains other warnings regarding those who would attempt to put words in God's mouth. These include Deuteronomy 4:2; "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God ...
Tags: Mormonism, Revelation, Bible, LDS
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