Here is another post on the book of mormon and were going to tackle the big issue right up front. The likelihood of such a setting was greatly strengthened by john l. 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 book of mormon speaks of christ as the father and the son, an idea known as modalism. Mormons usual synopsis to introduce books and major records is missing see brent lee metcalfe, the priority of mosiah. Apostolic friends forum the sanctuary deep waters mormonism 101. 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.
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. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Why does the massively popular broadway show book of. A new translation with interpretive keys from the book of mormon. Although modalism is the best description for book of mormon theology generally, it is not apt in every instance. The truth about what the book of mormon teaches about the trinity. Does the book of mormon teach mainstream trinitarianism. Religious studies center, brigham young university. 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. 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.
Most discussions of this issue assume a sabellian view of modalism in which the father became the son who then became the holy spirit. 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. This video is part two of my eleven part response to trinitarian apologist steve morrisons lectures on prenicene christian history. Why modalism is a damnable heresy in light of the recent t. In orthodox mormonism, the term god generally refers to the biblical god the father, whom. It is popular and theologically appropriate to claim that the book of mormon was written for our day. Bible verses every successful lds missionary needs to know. Bible verses every successful lds missionary needs to know kindle edition by grant, michael. 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. Explorations in critical methodology salt lake city. Recently when i was teaching the book of mormon in an adult sunday school class we discussed mosiah 15.
Early mormonism taught a form of modalism, as is evident in joseph. The book of mormon s understanding does clearly appear to be that the son is the eternal father with a human body added on. Join popular author, speaker, and scholar alonzo gaskill in this enlightening examination of the most oftforgotten doctrines that lead to eternal life. In other words, oneness theology does not recognize the distinct persons of the godhead. Clips from the book of mormon musical on 60 minutes from cbs. 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. Modalism in the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. 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.
A modalist would believe that jesus prayers were meant solely for the benefit of. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. The doctrine of god the father in the book of mormon. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Joseph smiths first great prophetic project was the book of mormon. According to its first introduction, joseph smith is the author and proprietor. 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.
December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Bickmore this definition is not some overly convenient redefinition of monotheism. Perhaps some of the reason these brands are popular is bec. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading bible verses every successful lds missionary needs to know. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, by david persuitte. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Although modalism is the best description for book of mormon theology generally, it is not apt in every.
For example, god is revealed as father in creation, son in redemption, and holy spirit as the giver of grace. Roberts, a president of the seventy and one of the foremost mormon scholars of the early twentieth century, elaborated. But in doing so, i found some pretty awesome scriptures that i absolutely love. Clips from the book of mormon musical on 60 minutes youtube.
When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. 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. In march 2011, a religious satire musical opened on broadway entitled the book of mormon. New approaches to the book of mormon brent lee metcalfe, editor. Jakes controversy and modalism i decided to write this article to better explain the problem with this heresy. 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. I recently decided to go through the entire book of mormon, and in green, i highlighted all of the scriptures that made me glad. Jerry grovers book, which uses geological principles to explain the occurrence of natural events in the book of mormon, is not as widely known.
And i think its important to recognize that the book of mormon is internally inconsistent. 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. So it shouldnt surprise you that some critics suggest the book of mormon adopts a modalistic view of god. Hopkinss biblical mormonism is the only comprehensive attempt to reconcile mormon beliefs with the bible, with little or no reference to mormon scriptures. Popular mormon apologetics staking claims on christian. 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. The book of mormons doctrine of deity mormon matters.
Oneness modalism, the popular belief in ancient christian. Any and all of these books will provide more than enough of the information i believe you are seeking. However, another form of modalism that existed at the time of joseph smith may be more relevant. Too many times christians have no clue how to explain why modalism is a damnable heresy because they do not understand its conclusions. In biblical mormonism, hopkins understands trinitarianism to mean that the father. To be honest, the majority of my most favorites turned out to all be pretty common.
The historical evidence proves that there were no true trinitarians living before. This book clearly describes the mormon system of the godhead and their views on exaltation becoming a god. In fact, modalism in the book of mormon had shaped my personal theology for. 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.
The top voted comments are all respectful, and the handful of comments that. Modalism refuted, sabellianism, jesus name baptism duration. Modalism is an old heresy that attempts to defend monotheism, but does so at the expense of confounding the persons within the godhead. 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. 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. Sorensons groundbreaking book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, published in 1985. However, if the book of mormon teaches modalism, it. 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. What are the most ridiculous parts of the book of mormon. Mormons claim that joseph smith translated or transliterated golden plates and that the result of this work was the book of mormon. 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. Citing brant gardner and mark wright, the book of mormon central. Indian origins and the book of mormon by dan vogel.
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 theology, response to dr. 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. 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. The book of mormons doctrine of deity the millennial star. The eternal life and death of god interfaith now medium. Essentially the book of mormon teaches modalism also known as sabellianism. 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. It has various formssome see jesus christ as the one god. A prelude to book of mormon exegesis, in brent lee metcalfe, ed. In the 1837 edition, joseph smith changed that into the mother of the son of god book of mormon 20, p. However, another form of modalism that existed at the time of joseph smith merits. Portrayals of god in popular media p religion world. Given that the book of mormons trinitarian doctrine is social and not modalist as some have erroneously claimed, it is interesting to further note.
He may rightly be regarded as the leading figure in popular mormon apologetics. Why modalism is a damnable heresy ehuds 18 inch dagger. Gospel insights from general authorities and religious educators. Top 40 inspirational book of mormon scriptures the lifey app. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Fair study aidsgospel doctrinebook of mormonlesson one. A documented history of joseph smiths first vision. In reality, the book of mormon denies all of the popular existing theologies about god. This concept clearly could not have come from view of the hebrews, but persuitte never discusses it. 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 book of mormon speaks of only one god who could manifest himself either as the father or the son. A popular reference work that was housed in the manchester, new. Inspiring and informative, this is a mustread book for all.