This booklet is a collection of resourses to address a number of questions and criticisms. The following is a synopsis of the contents:
The reasons for so many divergent Bibles are discussed with tables showing that within mainstream Christianity, depending upon where and when, the Bible has included as many 96 books or as few as 51.A collection of statements by New Testament scholars acknowledges the numerous variants among the many manuscripts which have survived.
Some interesting examples are given of passages rendered differently in various Bibles which support divergent theological positions.
Book of Mormon changes are addressed including the claim that the doctrine of God was changed in the second edition.
Many expect a prophet to be perfect and infallible. Numerous Biblical references are provided pointing out the human weaknesses of prophets. Included are 22 references from the D&C and statements of Joseph Smith acknowledging his imperfections and weaknesses.
A collection of references demonstrates that there are many questions with more than one Biblical answer.
An anti-Mormon campaign in Salt Lake City in 1889 lead to two weeks of hearings regarding LDS belief and practice resulting in an Official Statement by the First Presidency and the Twelve and an Associated Press interview with President Wilford Woodruff. Topics addressed include such alleged practices as: an oath of vengeance in the Temple ceremony; blood atonement; killing of apostates; Church interference with political rights; hostility toward the U. S. Government; and the Church position on the separation of the Church and civil government.
The explanation, by President Woodruff and President Cannon, of events which lead to the Manifesto discontinuing plural marriage given at October Conference 1890 are included.
Polygamy in the Bible is discussed giving references to 21 polygamists and Old Testament rules to govern polygamous marriages. Also, the divergent views toward the practice in the first century AD and various translations of 1 Timothy 3:2 are given.
From the law of Moses, 28 passages are cited giving laws and ritual declared to be permanent, which were rescinded at the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.
Interesting facts are given regarding the major events in the chronology of the canonization of LDS scripture.
Van Hale has been hosting a radio show in Salt Lake City entitled Mormon Miscellaneous for 24 years. He has written many articles and papers on Mormon history and doctrine and has been published in various journals including BYU Studies and Dialogue.
Title: Mormon Miscellaneous Apologetic Resources, No. 1
Van Hale, Sandy, Utah: Omega Publishing, 2004, 8x11" softbound, 26 pages.