Friday, June 25, 2010

Is Mormonism right that Jesus visited the Americas after his ascension?


A popular depiction of the Mormon teaching of Jesus appearing to Americans after his ascension to heaven. Does this harmonize with Bible teaching that Joseph Smith agreed with? Or is there an unsolvable contradiction?

Acts 3:20-21 in the JST (Joseph Smith Translation) says about Jesus:
"20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom ye have crucified; 21 Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
This reads the same as the KJV for verse 21:
"Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things..."
Thus, Joseph Smith unintentionally preserved the teaching that Jesus must remain in the heavens until all Bible promises are fulfilled, and consequently, unintentionally contradicted himself.

The NIV: "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything."


Additional points to consider are in Part 2: http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2010/06/is-mormonism-right-that-jesus-visited_29.html

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