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Countercult ministries/Watchman Fellowship/Section 10
| Section 9 | A FAIR Analysis of: Watchman Fellowship A work by author: Tim Oliver
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Index of Claims in "Testing the Book of Mormon by Moroni 10:4"
Claim
Moroni 10:4 directs one to ascertain truth and gain knowledge by a method and a standard nowhere recommended in the Bible. To the contrary, the Bible teaches that the standard by which the truth of anything is to be known is the scriptures. Source: Luke 24:27; Acts 17:11; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3.
Author's source(s)
Response
- The author accuses the Book of Mormon of employing circular reasoning, yet uses the same argument to support the Bible!
- The author claims that the the truth of anything is to be known by using the standard of the scriptures: the Bible.
- The author claims that the Book of Mormon (Latter-day Saint scripture) cannot be proven by any test of its own devising.
- The Bible does tell us how to gain knowledge, and it is a scripture that Joseph Smith himself noted:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1꞉5-6)
- For a detailed response, see: Moroni's promise
Claim
“Moroni 10:4 is not so much of a promise as it is a manipulative device” because if one allows that the verse may be true, then the only possible explanation for failing to obtain the result promised means that “one must lack a sincere heart, and/or real intent, and/or faith in Christ.”
Author's source(s)
Response
- We once again refer to the Bible for a response to this assertion. This time we emphasize the important part:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1꞉5-6) (emphasis added)
- For a detailed response, see: Moroni's promise
Claim
There being no Biblical warrant for proceeding as Moroni 10:4 directs, one cannot do so without invalidating the sincerity upon which the answer depends.
Author's source(s)
Response
- There is a Biblical warrant for proceeding as Moroni 10:4 directs. One more time:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1꞉5-6) (emphasis added)
- For a detailed response, see: Moroni's promise
Claim
Because the Book of Mormon cannot be proven by any test of its own devising (it must be tested by the Bible), Moroni 10:4 itself, weighed in the balance and found wanting, is sufficient evidence to prove the Book of Mormon false.
Author's source(s)
Response
- This is simply bizarre reasoning.
- For a detailed response, see: Moroni's promise