Plain and Precious Things

An angel of the Lord revealed to the prophet, Nephi, that the Bible, in its original form, contained “the fullness of the gospel of the Lord” (1 Nephi 13:24). Think about what that word “fullness” means. It means that all doctrines necessary for men to understand every doctrine essential to their salvation was once contained in the Bible.

But then the angel showed Nephi the rest of the story. He explained that in time, “many plain and precious things [would be] taken out of the Bible,“ and that this would be done intentionally in an effort to “pervert the right ways of the Lord . . . [to] blind the [spiritual] eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men” (1 Nephi 13:27).

Later in that same chapter, we find the angel telling Nephi that a merciful God, unwilling to let mankind forever grope in darkness for those lost gospel truths, would, in an act of mercy, bring forth “other books . . . [which would] . . . make known the plain and precious which have been taken away” (See 1 Nephi 13: 35-40).

After reading 1 Nephi 13 in its entirety there is no question but that the Bible no longer contains that “fullness” of the gospel. Thanks to the Book of Mormon and the other revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we do not need to rely solely upon that now incomplete Bible, for if we did, it would lead us into the same confused and contentious state in which we find all other Christian creeds.

Robert Millet and Joseph Fielding McConkie explain it this way:

“All doctrine and authority that we profess is rooted in revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith or his successors. It could be argued that we share the Bible in common with the historical Christian world, but in fact we do not. Joseph Smith stated the matter well when asked if Mormons believe the Bible: ‘If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does’” (Teachings, p. 119). We read the same words and tell our children the same stories about the faith of the ancients, yet we stand worlds apart in our understanding of the meaning behind what is being read. Where we accept scripture to be literal, the traditional Christian world often holds it to be figurative; where we accept scripture to be ever expanding, they declare it to be final and complete; where we hold gospel principles to be everlastingly the same, they hold them to be continuously evolving . . . In response to the question, How were the plain and precious parts taken from the Bible? we know enough to say that they were taken away quite deliberately. It is not scribal error that we are talking about, nor is it faulty translation. Both are matters of some concern, but they are not the major offense that purposely taking away verses, chapters, and whole books are” (Joseph Smith, the Seer).

The reason I am writing this is due to an event that occurred two days ago as I was visiting a ward in Salt Lake City. The gospel doctrine instructor was teaching from chapters 13-14 of 1 Nephi. When he began discussing the verses I mentioned earlier about “plain and precious things” having been removed from the Bible, a sister made the following comment:

“I think we’re being too hard on the Bible, too negative. I’ve found out for myself that the Bible contains every doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s all there. The only problem is that you need the Holy Ghost in order to understand it.”

She went on to say that in her home state of Texas, where much “Bible bashing” takes place, she has been able to hold her own against those not of our faith, defending Latter-day Saint doctrine solely through the teachings found in the Bible.

I almost fell out of my chair in disbelief. Did this woman really understand what she was saying? Did she realize she was claiming that the angel who spoke to Nephi was mistaken? That “plain and precious things” had not been removed from the Bible after all?

I wanted to ask her to show us—using only the Bible—references in the Bible that teach the following doctrines in plainness:

- That revelation is the “rock” Jesus referred to in Matthew 16:18.

- That God the Father has a tangible body of flesh and bones (D&C 130:22).

- The difference between angels and “spirits of just men made perfect” (D&C 129:1-3) and how to distinguish a a messenger sent from God and the devil (D&C 129:4-9).

- A detailed description of the three degrees of glory (D&C 76).

- The proper mode of baptism and the prayer to be said as prelude to that ordinance (3 Nephi 11:23-28).

- The approved name of the Church (3 Nephi 27:7; D&C 115:3-4).

- The actual name of the Melchizedek Priesthood (D&C 107:3-4).

- The meaning of the word “gospel” (3 Nephi 27:13-17).

- What happens to the spirits of all men after the death of their bodies (Alma 40:11-26; 11:42-45).

- What would have happened to Adam and Eve had they remained in the Garden of Eden (2 Nephi 2:22-23).

- The oath and covenant of the priesthood (D&C 84:33-41).

- Enoch’s call to minister, and the eventual establishment of the city of Zion (Moses 6-7).

- The prophecy made by Joseph, son of Israel (Jacob), of a latter-day seer also named Joseph and who was named after his father (2 Nephi 3).

- The baptism of Adam (Moses:6:64-65).

- The meaning of the Atonement and an explanation of justice and mercy (2 Nephi 2; 2 Nephi 9; Mosiah 3; Alma 7:11; and many more).

- What Christ suffered in carrying out the Atonement and the suffering that awaits those who do not take advantage of that great sacrifice by repenting of their sins (D&C 19:15-18).

- Why the plurality of wives was practiced in ancient times (D&C 132:1,37-39).

- The reason why Adam was commanded to offer sacrifices (Moses 5:5-7).

- An explanation of the differences in duties of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods (D&C 107:8,12,20).

- The differences between marriages sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise and those that are not (D&C 132:15-20).

And there are so very many more examples.

To my shame, I sat there in class and made no effort to correct what she’d said. Nobody else in the class said anything either. And to top it all off, the instructor actually thanked her for her comments! So there we are, folks—put away your Book of Mormon and forget all preaching about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. The Bible is complete!—at least according to her.

I related this experience to an LDS friend today. When he asked why I didn’t say anything to rebut what the woman had said, I replied, “Because I was just a visitor among strangers, and I didn’t want to create a scene by telling her she was wrong.”

At this my friend said, “You may have been a visitor, but you were still a member.” He was right. I had a duty to testify of truth—not to sit and consent to false teachings by my silence.

I am resolved to never let that happen again.