The Preparatory versus the Fullness of the Gospel

[_Mittens]

Pearl Of Great Price
34 He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;

D&C 20:
9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;

D&C 27:
5 Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;

D&C 42:
12 And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.

D&C 135:
3 Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth;

If the Fullness of the Gospel is found in the Book of Mormon why aren't these teachings found there
1. The plurality of Gods (Mormon Doctrine pp. 576, 577)
2. The baptism for the dead done in holy temples (Mormon Doctrine pp. 72,73)
3. Celestial marriage which no unworthy member or outsider can attend (Mormon Doctrine pp. 117, 118)
4. Polygamy needed to become a God (Journal of Discourse, Vol. II p. 269)
5. Blacks were cursed with a dark skin (Mormon Doctrine p. 109)
6. You can become a God if you are worthy; celestial marriage required (Mormon Doctrine p. 118)
7. We were all pre-existent spirits (Mormon Doctrine p. 589)
8. God has a body of flesh and bones (Mormon Doctrine p. 289)
9. We have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father (Mormon Doctrine p. 516)
10. There are three levels of heaven. To go to the highest kingdom, you must be a Mormon. Honorable persons go to the Terrestrial kingdom. The dishonest, liars, sorcerers, adulterers and whoremongers go to the Telestial kingdom. (Mormon Doctrine pp. 420, 421)
11. God and his wife achieved a celestial marriage (Celestial Marriage Manual p. 1)
12. Heavenly Father died just like Jesus (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 346)
13. God was once just like us and progressed to godhood (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 345)
14. God has a father and His Father has a Father, etc. (Mormon Doctrine p. 322)
15. Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers (Mormon Doctrine p. 192)
16. Jesus and Lucifer each had a plan to people the earth. Jesus' plan was chosen and caused Lucifer to rebel and he and the angels that followed him were cast out of heaven. (Mormon Doctrine p. 193)
17. God lives near a star called Kolob (Mormon Doctrine p. 428)
18. Temple endowments are so sacred that you must be worthy to enter (Mormon Doctrine pp. 619, 620)
19. Jesus was not able to keep his church together (History of the Church Vol. 6 pp. 408, 409)
20. In the future, you will need Joseph Smith's consent in order to enter the celestial kingdom (Journal of Discourse Vol. 7 p.289)
21. Not everything you'll need to know concerning salvation will be recorded in the Bible but there will be additional scriptures (Mormon Doctrine p. 83)"


The Preparatory gospel seems to found in Book of Mormon but not the fullness

D&C 84:26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.


but not the fullness:

COUNSEL GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CHARLES W. PENROSE

Now, some of our brethren have taken up quite a discussion as to the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We are told that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, that those who like to get up a dispute, say that the Book of Mormon does not contain any reference to the work of salvation for the dead and that there are many other things pertaining to the gospel that are not developed in that book, and yet we are told that the book contains "the fulness of the everlasting gospel." Well, what is the fulness of the gospel? You read carefully the revelation in regard to the three glories, Section 76, in the Doctrine and Covenants, and you find there defined what the gospel is. There God, the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, his Son, and the Holy Ghost, are held up as the three Persons in the Trinity—the one God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you get the fulness of the gospel for this reason: If you really believe so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, and will hear him, you will learn ail about what is needed to be done for the salvation of the living and redemption of the dead.

When people believe and repent and are baptized by divine authority, and the Holy Ghost is conferred upon them as a gift, they receive the everlasting gospel. We used to call it, and it is now called in the revelations, the "gift of the Holy Ghost," the Holy Spirit that proceeds from the Father through the immensity of space, which guides, directs, enlightens, which is light in and of itself, which is the Spirit of intelligence, the light of truth. (General Conference Report, April 1922, pp. 27-28.)

These teachings and doctrines are in accord with the statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith that the principles of the gospel are “according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 16.) The fulness of the gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon means that it contains those instructions a person needs to observe in order to be worthy to enter the presence of God in the celestial kingdom.
The Ensign 09/1985

Fulness of the Gospel,, by fullness of the gospel, is meant all the ordinances and principles that pertain to the exaltation in celestial kingdom…Doctrine of Salvation Vol. 1 page 160 Joseph Fielding Smith.
Sept 1976 Ensign I have a Question


PRESIDENT CHARLES W. PENROSE did say the Trinity was found in the Book of Mormon and that was the meaning of the fullness, now he is correct that the Trinity is found there:


2 Nephi 31:
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.



Alma 11:
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.


Mormon 7:
7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

The Testimony of Three Witnesses
And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
Oliver Cowdery
David Whitmer
Martin Harris

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/short ... ramid.html

[_ldsfaqs]

If the Fullness of the Gospel is found in the Book of Mormon why aren't these teachings found there

Because the "Gospel" is the "Good News", that of Jesus Christ OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

The "fullness of Gospel" truth as so far revealed is a different CONTEXT.
Anti-mormons really should learn the meaning of CONTEXT. They understand it when it concerns their own faith, as to Atheist anti-christian attacks, but don't understand it because of their bigotry when it concerns Mormonism.

As to your other quote mined out of context claims....

1. The plurality of Gods (Mormon Doctrine pp. 576, 577)

It's in there and the Bible, the Father and Son are TWO GODS because they BOTH are called "God", but ALSO ONE GOD.

2. The baptism for the dead done in holy temples (Mormon Doctrine pp. 72,73)

Found in the Bible, and it's indirectly found in the Book of Mormon, because we cannot be saved unless we ALSO are Baptized.

3. Celestial marriage which no unworthy member or outsider can attend (Mormon Doctrine pp. 117, 118)

Whatsoever is bound on earth is also bound in heaven by God's authority. Again, not explisit, but it's there.

4. Polygamy needed to become a God (Journal of Discourse, Vol. II p. 269)

More out of context anti-mormon lying.

Wickedness cannot be sealed unto righteousness. If there are more worthy in the Kingdom then others, then there will be plural sealings.

5. Blacks were cursed with a dark skin (Mormon Doctrine p. 109)

"Blacks" were not "cursed" with a black skin.

The "curse" was from the Priesthood. Black skin was a "sign" of the curse, but not the curse.
Blacks of INDIA, ASIA, ISLANDS, some of CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA etc. WERE GIVEN THE PRIESTHOOD because they were not under the "lineage" that was under the curse.

Do you love lying for God???

6. You can become a God if you are worthy; celestial marriage required (Mormon Doctrine p. 118)

It's in there, what do you think "joint heirs with Christ" means? We can't inherit God's Gifts that Christ also has unless we will be GODS.

7. We were all pre-existent spirits (Mormon Doctrine p. 589)

It's in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, clear as day. Just because your religions don't teach you the scriptures, doesn't mean it's not there.

8. God has a body of flesh and bones (Mormon Doctrine p. 289)

Both Bible and Book of Mormon teach it, indirectly. Christ IS God after all. Everything Christ is, so is the Father. Bodies have a eternal purpose.

9. We have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father (Mormon Doctrine p. 516)

The Bible pretty much teaches it, but yes, not really found in the Book of Mormon.

10. There are three levels of heaven. To go to the highest kingdom, you must be a Mormon. Honorable persons go to the Terrestrial kingdom. The dishonest, liars, sorcerers, adulterers and whoremongers go to the Telestial kingdom. (Mormon Doctrine pp. 420, 421)

Obviously if Mormonism is actually "true" then everyone who is worthy will be Mormon. Of course, that's an oxy-moron because Heavenly understanding will be FAR beyond Mormonism. Thus, saying you must be "Mormon" is a big misrepresentation.

...... blah blah blah

I'm bored....

This "list" (the ones that are accurate) are what are called "Doctrines" or "truths". They are not "fullness of the Gospel". In the fullness of the restored Gospel, yes they are, but that's not the "fullness of the Gospel of Christ" that is being spoken of in the other context.

Would you fault the Jews if they said they had the "fullness of the Gospel" even though that didn't exist until Christ actually came along? Nope, because they were the authorized church with the fullness as so far revealed.

The Preparatory gospel seems to found in Book of Mormon but not the fullness

The preparatory Gospel is the fullness of the Gospel of Salvation which is what Christ brought.
Christ did not per-se teach the principles of Exaltation. He did in some forms, but his focus was on the salvation of mankind.

So, you're right in a way with the above statement, but also wrong.
There are several restored doctrines in the Book of Mormon for which are no longer found in the Bible, or not clear. Every scripture has a purpose.

It would be nice if you learned Mormonism instead of bigotry from bigots, then you might start understanding how it makes sense.

[_Albion]

ldsfaqs, I see nothing in the chapters you referenced about confronting error, be it Mormon error or anything else. Could you clarify your point?

[_Albion]

Please ignore this post. I'm confusing threads.

[_Albion]

ldsfaqs says: "..two Gods because they both are called God, but also one God." And the Trinity doctrine is confusing?

[_moksha]

The "fullness of Gospel" truth as so far revealed is a different CONTEXT.
Anti-mormons really should learn the meaning of CONTEXT.

They too should get full of the Gospel.

[_Mittens]

ldsfaqs says: "..two Gods because they both are called God, but also one God." And the Trinity doctrine is confusing?

It shouldn't be confusing since Book of Mormon and pre-1835 Joseph Smith JR taught the Trinity

2 Nephi 31:
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

Alma 11:
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

Mormon 7:
7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

The Testimony of Three Witnesses
And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
Oliver Cowdery
David Whitmer
Martin Harris

Doctrine and Covenants 20 :
28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.

[_ldsfaqs]

"God" is One God, as a "GodHead".

God is One God as an individual and the others are also God's as individuals. (though we don't know much about the Holy Ghost) Technically we only know Christ as also God, or Jehovah as he's called in the Old Testament, and the Father is Elohim.

Funny, the Jews knew there were two God's for a good while. Why don't "Christians"?

[_ldsfaqs]

ldsfaqs says: "..two Gods because they both are called God, but also one God." And the Trinity doctrine is confusing?

Not confusing at all..... They are One God as a GodHead (obviously)

And they are each "God" in their individual rights as exalted beings and authority.

Easy

The Nicene Creed makes things nonsensical (well technically it's the later additions/changes, the original is still Mormon)

Resurrection has a purpose, a body has a purpose, and not just in this life, hence the Resurrection. Christ is the example of who God is. Christ has a body.