King James Version

The Sego Lily 

OUR COMMITMENTS

  • Tell the Truth: Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25).
  • Teach the Truth: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (John 8:31–32)
  • Turn to the Truth: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto 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, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes 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

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon 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 given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is truth.

 

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is historically accurate.

 

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain (1 Corinthians 15:14).

 

Every word of God is pure (Proverbs 30:5).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It informs our emotions.

 

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? (John 20:15)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is more trustworthy than our hearts.

 

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered (Proverbs 28:26).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is true even if it contradicts reason.

 

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee 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 unto it (Psalm 139:6).

 

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out (Romans 11:33)!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is clear—even a child can understand it.

 

…from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It is trustworthy.

 

[An overseer should be] holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (Titus 1:9).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

It has been preserved for us.

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall 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

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

What does God say to these fears?

Isaiah 51:7-9

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.

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.