Roberts, a president of the seventy and one of the foremost mormon scholars of the early twentieth century, elaborated. Hopkinss biblical mormonism is the only comprehensive attempt to reconcile mormon beliefs with the bible, with little or no reference to mormon scriptures. However, another form of modalism that existed at the time of joseph smith may be more relevant. To be honest, the majority of my most favorites turned out to all be pretty common. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present with millions of global adherents. Join popular author, speaker, and scholar alonzo gaskill in this enlightening examination of the most oftforgotten doctrines that lead to eternal life. Specifically, lets look at god in the first chapter of nephi and consider the various names and descriptions that are. Mormons claim that joseph smith translated or transliterated golden plates and that the result of this work was the book of mormon. Most discussions of this issue assume a sabellian view of modalism in which the father became the son who then became the holy spirit. Gospel insights from general authorities and religious educators. Bible verses every successful lds missionary needs to know.
Swedenborg s modalism then is a modalism of expansion rather than sequential manifestation, and it is similar to what we find beginning to happen in the book of mormon, although joseph does not seem as clearly settled on this solution, since he has left room for a sequential modalism at places like the baptism and descent to the new world. Inspiring and informative, this is a mustread book for all. So it shouldnt surprise you that some critics suggest the book of mormon adopts a modalistic view of god. The book of mormons doctrine of deity the millennial star. Bible verses every successful lds missionary needs to know kindle edition by grant, michael.
Fair study aidsgospel doctrinebook of mormonlesson one. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading bible verses every successful lds missionary needs to know. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Joseph smiths first great prophetic project was the book of mormon. Does the book of mormon teach mainstream trinitarianism. The doctrine of god the father in the book of mormon. Top 40 inspirational book of mormon scriptures the lifey app. If the same person is merely appearing in multiple forms simultaneously, there are some weird situations in scripture that result, and have implications that are dicey. A modalist would believe that jesus prayers were meant solely for the benefit of. He may rightly be regarded as the leading figure in popular mormon apologetics. In reality, the book of mormon denies all of the popular existing theologies about god. Although modalism is the best description for book of mormon theology generally, it is not apt in every. The likelihood of such a setting was greatly strengthened by john l. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement.
Widmers research shows where this is incorrect, and instead, there is a progression from modalism seen throughout the book of mormon to what widmer calls cosmic henotheism worship of a small subset of gods among a pantheon of gods. In the 1837 edition, joseph smith changed that into the mother of the son of god book of mormon 20, p. In biblical mormonism, hopkins understands trinitarianism to mean that the father. A new translation with interpretive keys from the book of mormon. Early mormonism taught a form of modalism, as is evident in joseph smiths retranslation of the bible the jst and the 1830 version of the book of mormon.
Religious studies center, brigham young university. Clips from the book of mormon musical on 60 minutes youtube. Popular mormon apologetics staking claims on christian. Mormons usual synopsis to introduce books and major records is missing see brent lee metcalfe, the priority of mosiah. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. By your logic, the popular brands apple, cocacola, budweiser, and disney shouldnt advertise, yet they are some of the biggest ad spenders in the u. Portrayals of god in popular media p religion world. Jerry grovers book, which uses geological principles to explain the occurrence of natural events in the book of mormon, is not as widely known. Early mormonism taught a form of modalism, as is evident in joseph. Sorensons groundbreaking book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, published in 1985.
The book of mormons doctrine of deity mormon matters. Given that the book of mormons trinitarian doctrine is social and not modalist as some have erroneously claimed, it is interesting to further note. The eternal life and death of god interfaith now medium. I recently decided to go through the entire book of mormon, and in green, i highlighted all of the scriptures that made me glad. According to modalism, during the incarnation, jesus was simply god acting in one mode or role, and the holy spirit at pentecost. Modalism, also called sabellianism, is the unorthodox belief that god is one person who has revealed himself in three forms or modes in contrast to the trinitarian doctrine where god is one being eternally existing in three persons. The prophet joseph smith, the first president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was called by god to restore the gospel of jesus christ on the earth and to translate the ancient record on gold plates that became the book of mormon. Oneness modalism, the popular belief in ancient christian. In march 2011, a religious satire musical opened on broadway entitled the book of mormon. Modalism is the name given to an ancient heretical teaching that denies that father, son, and holy spirit are distinct persons within the one divine being or godhead. Recently when i was teaching the book of mormon in an adult sunday school class we discussed mosiah 15. Does the book of mormon teach mainstream trinitarianism or. The doctrine of exaltation which is referred to in the book of mormon but taught much more explicitly in the new testament tends to make modalism rather silly.
However, if the book of mormon teaches modalism, it. Oneness modalism, the popular belief in ancient christian theology, response to dr. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the. The book of mormon speaks of only one god who could manifest himself either as the father or the son. This video is part two of my eleven part response to trinitarian apologist steve morrisons lectures on prenicene christian history. A readers edition, edited by grant hardy, mormonism. The second volume contains paulsens writings on the nature of god, including early mormon modalism and other myths, the social model of the trinity in 3 nephi, the corporeality of god, divine determinateness, and the logically and ontologically possible proofs of gods existence. Apostolic friends forum the sanctuary deep waters mormonism 101. The historical evidence proves that there were no true trinitarians living before. In fact, modalism in the book of mormon had shaped my personal theology for. Essentially the book of mormon teaches modalism also known as sabellianism. Here is another post on the book of mormon and were going to tackle the big issue right up front. Swedenborgs modalism then is a modalism of expansion rather than sequential manifestation, and it is similar to what we find beginning to happen in the book of mormon, although joseph does not seem as clearly settled on this solution, since he has left room for a sequential modalism at places like the baptism and descent to the new world.
New approaches to the book of mormon brent lee metcalfe, editor. Modalism refuted, sabellianism, jesus name baptism duration. Conceived by trey parker, matt stone, and robert lopez, the play tells the story of two young mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in northern uganda, where a brutal warlord is threatening the local population. The book of mormon is considered by mormons to be scripture and the most correct book of any on earth history of the church, vol. The dangerous doctrine of modalism stand up for the truth. In other words, oneness theology does not recognize the distinct persons of the godhead. Although modalism is the best description for book of mormon theology generally, it is not apt in every instance. A note on book of mormon trinitarianism ploni almoni. The top voted comments are all respectful, and the handful of comments that. Modalism is an old heresy that attempts to defend monotheism, but does so at the expense of confounding the persons within the godhead. Citing brant gardner and mark wright, the book of mormon central.
The idea of modalism is simple enough god has different modes of being, kind of like an actor who simply appears with different masks in different situations 1. This concept clearly could not have come from view of the hebrews, but persuitte never discusses it. Explorations in critical methodology salt lake city. Too many times christians have no clue how to explain why modalism is a damnable heresy because they do not understand its conclusions. A popular reference work that was housed in the manchester, new. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. It is popular and theologically appropriate to claim that the book of mormon was written for our day. According to its first introduction, joseph smith is the author and proprietor. Modalism is the denial of the trinity and the affirmation that instead god exists as just one eternal person who takes on three different modes or.
Indian origins and the book of mormon by dan vogel. Why modalism is a damnable heresy ehuds 18 inch dagger. Regarding this book, joseph smith said, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than by any other book. A number of passages in the book of mormon appear to contradict the modalistic thesis proposed by vogel, and support the interpretation proposed by the first presidency and the twelve apostles in 1916. A documented history of joseph smiths first vision. Why modalism is a damnable heresy in light of the recent t. For example, god is revealed as father in creation, son in redemption, and holy spirit as the giver of grace. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, by david persuitte. Numerous scholars have recognized that the theology of the 1830 book of mormon is modalism or sabellianism, the belief that the father, son, and holy spirit are not distinct persons, but are three modes of the one god. Some places its modalistic and militates against trinitarian theology in other places like 2 nephi 31 its consistent with the biblical doctrine of the trinity.
Interview of joseph smith by peter bauder, recounted by bauder in his book the kingdom and the gospel of jesus christ, printed in 1834, pp. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. What are the most ridiculous parts of the book of mormon. In any case, the best evidence against bom modalism is found in the testimony of jesus christ himself in third nephi, where he distinguishes himself from the father quite explicitly. The jesus only movement, also known as oneness pentecostalism or oneness theology, teaches that there is only one god, but denies the triunity of god. However, taken as a whole, the book of mormon lends itself more to a modalistic understanding of god rather than trinitarian. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Perhaps some of the reason these brands are popular is bec. Clips from the book of mormon musical on 60 minutes from cbs. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
The truth about what the book of mormon teaches about the trinity. The book of mormon speaks of christ as the father and the son, an idea known as modalism. It has various formssome see jesus christ as the one god. In my post on book of mormon doctrine of deity, divine investiture, representational modalism, i mentioned the idea that some people hold up mosiah 15. One student of the book of mormon van hale, defining the mormon doctrine of deity, sunstone, 27, although recognizing modalism in the passages cited above, has expressed caution about. However, another form of modalism that existed at the time of joseph smith merits. Jakes controversy and modalism i decided to write this article to better explain the problem with this heresy. And i think its important to recognize that the book of mormon is internally inconsistent. Bickmore this definition is not some overly convenient redefinition of monotheism. Any and all of these books will provide more than enough of the information i believe you are seeking. While the book of mormon was indeed written for our, it is important to remember that the book of mormon was not written in our day.
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