Hello, I’m Danny and I was a Latter-day Saint for 6 decades. In this video, I am going to discuss yet another of many anachronisms and contradictions between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. This one is about the “mystery of Christ.” It is one of the most important historical and theological concepts to understand. What is the “mystery of Christ?” The Greek word “mystirio” or “mysterion” literally means “a divine secret.” A divine secret previously hidden but now revealed following Christ’s resurrection. The apostle Paul used the word “mystery” numerous times in his Epistles. In each case, the “mystery” involved a wonderful declaration of spiritual truth, revealed by God through divine inspiration. In fact, I’m going to read a key passage from the New Testament that directly talks about the “mystery of Christ.” This is from Apostle Paul’s writing in his wonderful epistle to the Gentile Converts in Ephesus. Ephesians 3:3-9 “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” This “mystery” is that the Gentiles will have equal standing and equal privilege within the body of Christ - without any restrictions. Paul along with Peter are the very first to receive this information because throughout history this hasn’t occurred yet. In the past, Gentiles were allowed to convert to Judaism and be allowed in the covenant community of Jews - but with certain conditions. Even then, they were not completely in full equal standing with the Jews. But that was all about to change with this new revelation from God. It stated in vs 5 “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” Paul is making a point here, which is a chronological distinction - that at no time, place, or person in the past could this “mystery” have been known. This is also an important theological issue we are talking about. Paul is certain that no previous Old Testament prophets or anyone else in the entire world could have known about these things. He said the same thing in Colossians 1:26 “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints.” Paul is talking about “now” being in the first century apostolic era of the New Testament under the New Covenant - in which it has been first revealed. He is trying to be literal and clear. It was a fact of history that these things had not been revealed - but have now been revealed. Romans 16:25-26 “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” So, there is no room left for doubt about this matter. We have a pivotal text in Acts chapter 10, which when combined with Ephesians chapter 3, gives us historical clarity - that this “mystery” was not known until the first century AD. We recall back in Acts chapter 2 on the Day of Pentecost, that the Holy Spirit was poured out - primarily on the Jews. But now in Acts chapter 10, it is beginning to be poured out upon the Gentiles. Here, Peter was shown in a vision – three times - from God that he needed to go to the house of Cornelius, who was a Gentile. This was so new and unexpected that Peter had to be told by God three times before he finally gets it. And Peter obeyed. Vs 27-28 “And as he (Peter) talked with him (Cornelius), he went in and found many that were, come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Vs 34-35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Vs 44-45 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (the Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Why didn’t any of the apostles before this event recorded in Acts 10, seem to recognize “the mystery” prior to Christ’s resurrection? They had been three years with Jesus, and they never anticipated it. That’s because He wasn’t trying to reveal this mystery to the apostles during His earthly ministry. It was to be revealed following His resurrection and after Pentecost. If Paul could have derived from the Old Testament that this mystery had not been hidden, why didn’t he pick up on it? It’s because it was deeply hidden. Even Paul who was an expert in the Law and the Hebrew Scriptures, had absolutely no clue that the Gentiles would become equal with the covenant people of God. But once it was revealed to Paul, he went on to declare in Galatians 3:28 "There is no longer Jew or Greek" that’s echoed in Romans 10:12, signifying that in Christianity - ethnic, cultural, and social divisions—specifically between Jews and Gentiles - are irrelevant regarding salvation and status before God. It declares absolute spiritual equality and unity in Christ, where believers are of one body. We know that Old Testament prophets eagerly tried to figure out the details of the Messiah’s coming and salvation, but they couldn’t fully understand it because the answers were saved for the people of God in the future. However, the heroes of the faith in the Old Testament did trust in God’s promises. They got glimpses and yet, died without seeing the ultimate fulfillment of those promises in Christ. Hebrews 11:13, 39-40 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Now, the LDS will immediately disagree with what I just read from the Bible. Part of their confusion is linked to their preconceived beliefs and indoctrination that all the prophets from the beginning and throughout time had the fulness of the gospel. As an active Latter-day Saint, I taught “Mission Preparation” class in two different LDS Stakes. I know that in Preach My Gospel chapter 3 lesson 1, it states, “From the beginning of the world, God has revealed the gospel to His children through prophets. He has done this through His Son, Jesus Christ. Anciently, Jesus revealed the gospel to prophets such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. But many people rejected it.” This is a total denial of what Paul said - that it was previously concealed but has now been revealed. It also contradicts what I just read in Hebrews about those in the Hall of Faith, who were not given that knowledge. With that being said – there are many passages in the Old Testament that foreshadowed the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 22; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Zechariah 9:9) and foreshadowed salvation for all mankind, including the Gentiles. (Joel 2:32; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Isaiah 52:7-10; Isaiah 53:11-12). Even verses that foreshadowed Gentiles being saved (Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 56:6-7; Isaiah 60:3; Amos 9:11-12; Zechariah 2:11; Malachi 1:11). But the Old Testament never once predicted the Gentiles being on complete equal ground with God’s chosen people. The Bible disagrees with Preach My Gospel - that the Old Testament prophets had a full knowledge of Christ. It is entirely anachronistic and simply not true. Now, let’s turn to the Book of Mormon to see what it has to say. What I’m about to read is Nephi recounting his father Lehi’s words in, 1 Nephi 10:4-5 “Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world. And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world.” Lehi’s reference to the “Messiah” as being “Redeemer” of the WHOLE world, not just of Judah is anachronistic. The entire Christology of the Book of Mormon is anachronistic in the same way. One of the primary themes in the Book of Mormon is its claim that prophets had a clear knowledge of Christ, way before his birth. Continuing on in, 1 Nephi 10:11,14 “And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.” If what Nephi and Lehi taught was actual scripture, then there is no “mystery.” Because it was supposedly known to the Book of Mormon peoples as early as 600 BC. – long before Peter and Paul learned about it from God. Listen, we know that Joseph Smith was familiar with King James New Testament. And it’s apparent, he borrowed directly from Paul’s own words in Romans 11:24-25 about the grafting of the olive tree and the fulness of the Gentiles. “For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” There are many more examples of this anachronistic language in the Book of Mormon. But none of it supports Paul’s timeline in Ephesians chapter 3. Instead, it obviously contradicts it. The Bible is absolutely clear - that “the mystery” wasn’t to be revealed UNTIL it was given to the apostles Paul and Peter – initially and specifically. Not to American Nephites in 600 BC. long, long before Christ’s birth. Paul started off his epistle to the saints in Ephesus with speaking of Jesus Christ in, Ephesians 1:9-10 “Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ. As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.” Then in, Ephesians 6:19 “And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” Again, what is “the mystery of Christ?” What is “the mystery of the gospel?” What was hidden from all “past generations” that God revealed for the first time to His apostles in the first century AD, following Christ’s resurrection? Ephesians 3:6 “That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” This “mystery” wasn’t to be revealed until after Christ’s resurrection. If what Paul said is true in the first-century AD, why wouldn’t you believe HIS words over Nephi’s? I mean, who do you really trust – Peter and Paul or Nephi and Lehi (who was really Joseph Smith)? If you are an honest truth-seeking Latter-day Saint, you have an important choice to make in this matter. It is impossible for you to agree with the Book of Mormon and with the New Testament teaching on this important issue - because they contradict each other. There is only one clear option as far as I can see. If you accept what Paul has taught – then the Book of Mormon must be false, because it contradicts Paul. If you accept what the Book of Mormon says – then Paul and the Holy Spirit have lied to the world. I suggest the word of God in the Bible is consistent. And there is no need for Book of Mormon anachronisms and plagiarisms - claiming to be a “another witness.” The Book of Mormon Title Page says this, regarding the Book of Mormon “…And now, if there are faults, they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.” I argue that this doctrine in the Book of Mormon about the “mystery of Christ” cannot be excused away as a fault or a mistake of men. It was intentional. A person’s faith should be rooted in something real. Not in a theology of a fictional book - purporting to be scripture. Joseph Smith claimed the Book of Mormon to be “the most correct book on earth.” But, once again it has proved itself to be nothing more than a 19th century fabrication of plagiarized anachronistic passages taken from the New Testament. Which contradicts and not supports the Bible. It claims to contain the fulness of the gospel, but instead – it teaches a different gospel, which Paul himself warned against in Galatians 1:6-8. I know, I’ll get push back from some LDS as - I continue to critically examine the Book of Mormon. I understand that I’m ruffling feathers in doing so. But I do it out of love and concern - so that Latter-day Saints and anyone investigating Mormonism will be more fully informed. I hope you’ll stay tuned for more videos like this one on You Tube or at Talking to Mormons. com. And until next time – God Bless!
Danny's Weekly Word