The Sego Lily 

OUR COMMITMENTS

  • Tell the Truth: Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:25).
  • Teach the Truth: If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31–32).
  • Turn to the Truth: This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3–4).

Foundations:

Some look to Experience

OPRAH WINFREY

“Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.”

Foundations:

Some look to REASON

IMMANUEL KANT

“All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to understanding,
and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.”

Foundations:

Some look to INTUITION

LANCE ARMSTRONG

“To continue believing in yourself ... believing whatever I
chose to believe in, that was the most important thing.”

Foundations:

GOD points to his word

Psalm 19:7–8

“The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes”

Foundations:

JESUS POINTS TO HIS WORD

Matthew 7:24–27

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Stop: Let’s INTERACT

STOP: LET’S INTERACT

  • What’s the main difference between God’s foundation and the first three listed (Oprah, Kant, & Armstrong)?
  • God says the Old Testament is trustworthy; Jesus says the same of the New Testament. These Testaments combine to form the Bible.
    • What is your experience with the Bible?
    • Do you own a copy of it?
    • What is your opinion of the Bible?
    • What does the Bible say about itself?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is God’s Word.

 

All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is truth.

 

Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth (John 17:17).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is historically accurate.

 

If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain
(1 Corinthians 15:14).

 

Every word of God proves true (Proverbs 30:5).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It informs our emotions.

 

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (John 20:15).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is more trustworthy than our hearts.

 

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered (Proverbs 28:26, NKJV).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is true even if it contradicts reason.

 

And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not” (Numbers 11:23).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is beyond complete comprehension.

 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it (Psalm 139:6).

 

How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways (Romans 11:33).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is clear—even a child can understand it.

 

...from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is trustworthy.

 

[An overseer] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine (Titus 1:9).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It has been preserved for us.

 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Matthew 24:35).

Stop: Let’s REVIEW

Let’s REVIEW

  • The Bible claims to be God’s Word, which is clear, historically accurate, preserved truth.
  • The Bible claims to be more trustworthy than my reason, my experiences, and my feelings.
  • Many Latter-day Saints struggle to agree with the above statements. Why?

THREE Lds Objections

THREE LDS objections

  1. Latter-day Saints are taught to put great confidence in powerful feelings, emotions, and experiences.

 Doctrine and Covenants 9:8. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed November 11, 2018, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9?lang=eng.

Doctrines and covenants 9:8

THREE LDS OBJECTIONS

  1. Latter-day Saints are taught to put great confidence in powerful feelings, emotions, and experiences.
  2. Latter-day Saints are taught that the Bible may have several translation errors that affect our understanding.

Article 8: “The Articles of Faith,” The Pearl of Great Price. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed November 11, 2018, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1?lang=eng.

Eighth Article of Faith

THREE LDS OBJECTIONS

  1. Latter-day Saints are taught to put great confidence in powerful feelings, emotions, and experiences.
  2. Latter-day Saints are taught that the Bible may have several translation errors that affect our understanding.
  3. Latter-day Saints are taught that early church leaders removed certain elements from the Bible.

 1 Nephi 13:28, The Book of Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed November 11, 2018, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/13?lang=eng.

1 NEPHI 13:28

In a moment…we’ll ask you
To agree to the following

  • The Bible should have authority over my feelings.
  • If there are questions about translation, we can find answers.
  • That regardless of what may (or may not) have been removed, we can trust that what remains is the Word of God.

Even though most Latter-day Saints agree with
the statements above, they can still be afraid. Why?

A LOT OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
FEEL LIKE THIS…

  • LDS Friend A: “I have a good life! I shouldn’t risk all of that!”
  • LDS Friend B: “I’ve come to terms with the fact that there are inconsistencies in the LDS Church. Life is just easier if I don’t dwell on them.”
  • LDS Friend C: “I guess I can read the Bible … I probably shouldn’t be afraid of it.”
  • LDS Friend D: “Yeah, I have doubts. But what I really should do is practice what I've been taught and wait for answers.”

What does God say to these fears?

2 Timothy 1:7

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of
power and love and self-control.

Deuteronomy 31:8

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

What does God say to these fears?

Isaiah 51:7-9

Fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago.

CAN YOU agree to the following?

  • The Bible should have authority over my feelings.
     
  • If there are questions about translation, we can find answers.
     
  • That regardless of what may (or may not) have been removed, we can trust that what remains is the Word of God.