Topic: Is the moon and sun inhabited by men? (Read 2350 times)

Bdean · « **on:** December 11, 2005, 02:39:08 PM »

Did Brigham Young teach that the moon and sun is inhabited by men? I got this idea from the Journal of Discourses http://journalofdiscourses.org/Vol_13/JD13-268.html - a compilation of sermons by LDS presidents and apostles. Do many among the LDS believe that the sun is inhabited by men?

valerie · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2005, 05:45:43 PM »

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Do many among the LDS believe that the sun is inhabited by men?

I don't know any Mormons that do but I don't know every Mormon. Who knows, maybe BY was right. We don't really have any concrete proof either way.

Bdean · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:22:03 PM »

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I don't know any Mormons that do but I don't know every Mormon.

Thanks for replying Valerie. So I am guessing that this Journal of Discourses isn't considered a very authoratative source for teaching/learning among yourself and some of the Mormons that you know. It was a new source to me, and I wondered if the contents was valued among Mormons. I noticed in one portion of the Journal of Discourses that BY described the JOD as having equal value to what is contained in the Bible, but from your statement, it is evident that at least some Mormons don't agree with BY on the view that the JOD is especially authoratiative and reliable information.

That leads me to ask another question. Since you can't answer for every Mormon, how do you break down the level of authority and reliability of the different sources of teaching (JOD, Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenats, Pearl of Great Price, others?). Are some considered to have more authority than others? Are some considered to have errors or to be without errors? I have always had difficulty understanding the role of each of these texts and what is believed about each of them from a LDS perspective. I would really appreciate it if you could help me out with this.

valerie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:37:54 PM »

For the most part the only true scriptures, from an LDS pov are the KJ Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.

Every six months the LDS church holds a General Conference in which the Prophet, 12 Apsotles and a few others from the General Quorums speak. Their talks are considered scriputure, most specifically valuable for this 6 month time frame and often beyond.

The JOD is not itself used or considered to be scripture although any specific talk might at some point be included in that category based on the above criteria.

Bdean · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:53:13 PM »

Valerie,

Thanks again for fielding my questions. This is very helpful.

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For the most part the only true scriptures, from an LDS pov are the KJ Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.

So, are each of these books seen as having equal authority and reliability?

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Every six months the LDS church holds a General Conference in which the Prophet, 12 Apsotles and a few others from the General Quorums speak. Their talks are considered scriputure, most specifically valuable for this 6 month time frame and often beyond.

Are these talks considered equal to each of the books described above, of greater authority, lesser authority?

Also, who (and maybe how) determines if the talks are considered valuable beyond the 6 month time frame? Is this a system/structure that was established in one of the books that you mentioned above (KJV, BOM, POGP, DAC)?

valerie · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2005, 08:27:38 AM »

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So, are each of these books seen as having equal authority and reliability?

Yes, but there is a however. The KJ Bible is held to be the most correct Bible available but it is still believed that important pieces were translated incorrectly and/or omitted. Very little scripture (compared to the total Bible) falls into that category, however. All four books stand together as a testimony of Jesus Christ and his true gospel. Each book is equal in authority and reliability.

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Are these talks considered equal to each of the books described above, of greater authority, lesser authority?

In many respects they are more important because they are the current counsel given to the members that specifically meet the needs at that time. Let me use an example to illustrate. Back in Brigham Young's days he was responsible for moving the saints to the West. There was a great deal of counsel given at the time to facilitate this endeavor. It was of great importance that the saints follow the counsel exactly as given. Today, however, we are not engaged in such an endeavor and much of the counsel given at that time would be out of place today.

Another example would be counsel given just a few months ago. Elder Holland of the 12 Apostles gave counsel regarding Sunday, Church attire, "Our clothing or footwear need never be expensive, indeed should not be expensive, but neither should it appear that we are on our way to the beach." This was reflective of the onslaught of flip flops that has made it's way into youth attire. This counsel is only valid today. Members 100 years ago wouldn't have been caught dead in something like flip flops, especially at Church!

Gospel truths, however, span eternity. A talk given by Brigham Young on the atonement would still hold true today, in fact might be referenced by the current Prophet. Those talks and any current counsel are held in equal value with the four books mentioned previously. With the caveat that current counsel may only be applicable to the current time frame. Whereas the scriptures (the four books) always hold as scriputure.

Bdean · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2005, 11:11:31 PM »

Thanks again for entertaining my questions Valerie.

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The KJ Bible is held to be the most correct Bible available but it is still believed that important pieces were translated incorrectly and/or omitted. Very little scripture (compared to the total Bible) falls into that category, however.

Which specific KJ Bible verses/passages do you (perhaps according to LDS teaching from the other authoritative sources) think were translated incorrectly? Also, are there also LDS teachings suggest speicifc passages that represent these omissions that you mentioned?

valerie · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2005, 06:42:15 AM »

The following links will direct you to the most of the re-translated sections of the bible. Often in the headers of these sections you can find more information regarding the direction Joseph Smith received in providing them.

The first two are included in the Pearl of Great Price.
http://scriptures.lds.org/js_m/1
http://scriptures.lds.org/moses/1
This last link directs you to other sections that were too lengthy to include in footnotes of "our" scriptures.
http://scriptures.lds.org/jst/contents

If you happen upon a "Mormon" KJ Bible you will notice that some Joseph Smith Translations are included in footnotes. The actual text of the KJ Bible remains in tact allowing the reader to compare the two translations.

A little light · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2005, 09:52:18 PM »

Val,

I was reading what was written in this section of the forum. I want to ask, which parts of the bible do you consider to be incorrect.

As I have the bible in the original greek. I am curious.

valerie · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2005, 06:52:58 AM »

Hi light,
As you see from my previous post I put links to the largest portions of correction. There are other small footnotes of correction in an LDS scripture set. If it is not listed in my post or among footnotes, we believe it to be correct. If you want more details you would have to pick up an LDS edition of the KJ Bible and do some comparison. It would be difficult to list all that we believe to be correct since we believe most of it to be so.

If there is a particular area/passage you are interested in to see if there is any correction I would be happy to share it with you.

Stathei · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2006, 01:11:43 PM »

Author Topic: Is the moon and sun inhabited by men? (Read 2350 times)

Stathei