Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Is Mormonism right that Jesus visited the Americas after his ascension? Part 2


A Mormon depiction of the Mormon Jesus visiting Americans after his ascension. Note the non-Jewish Mesoamerican pyramid in the background supposedly built by Jews per Mormonism.

In Part 1, we read Acts 3:20-21 in the JST and how this teaches that Jesus did not leave heaven after his ascension, thus he did not come to the Americas and the Book of Mormon ironically contradicts the JST on this pivotal point.

Now we will consider some supporting scriptures, the first being John 14:19. This says in the JST:
"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me; because I live, ye shall live also."
This reads the same as the KJV. Other translations offer clearer readings, like the NASB:
"After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also."
 The NWT (New World Translation) reads similarly:
"A little longer and the world will behold me no more, but YOU will behold me, because I live and YOU will live."
Jesus uttered these words before his sacrificial death. What did he mean? Simply put, Jesus will be in the spirit realm where no human can peer into. Additionally, Jesus will appear to them in human form after his resurrection, but before his ascension 40 days later (Acts 1:9), and at the appointed time he will resurrect them to life with him in heaven as fellow spirit creatures.

Thus, there is no time for Jesus to return to earth after his ascension before his apostles are in heaven. Again, the JST agrees with this, maintaining this conspicuous contradiction within the Mormon canon.

Another event that seems to support this is recorded in the Synoptics (Matthew 26:29 [JST 26:26], Mark 14:25 and Luke 22:18), where Jesus said "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall come and drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom," in Matthew, or in Luke: "For I say unto you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." The point seems clear, and is harmonious with John 14:19, that there is no time for Jesus to return to earth after his ascension before his apostles are in heaven.

Apparently, when Joseph Smith prepared his new inspired translation, he did not think these scriptures through to their logical conclusion, and unintentionally contradicted himself on this defining point.

Down the drain...

Link to Part 1:
http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2010/06/is-mormonism-right-that-jesus-visited.html


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