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Show [Side 2] <br><br> publication of a Bible of this kind; namely, the circulation among non-Mormons of a Bible which will seem to prove the acceptance by the Mormons of the Bible as the Word of God, while at the same time it carries with it a subtle form of Mormon teaching. The imprint of the Cambridge or Oxford Press and the name of James Pott & Co. are sufficient to allay suspicion, if any were aroused, with multitudes of ignorant or careless Christians. <br> The table of contents of the Ready References names many of the articles of belief most widely accepted by evangelical churches, including Personality of God, The Atonement, The Gospel, Faith, The Holy Ghost, the Resurrection. A few topics refer to distinctively Mormon beliefs, as The Ante-Mortal Existence of Spirits, yet this would not be evident to one unacquainted with the teachings of Mormonism. Each topic named in the table of contents is set forth under the Ready References by a series of texts from the Old and New Testaments with an occasional note by the editor. The teachings of the Mormon Church which are most generally known to the public, and more especially to the Christian public, are not referred to. <br> The existence of this Bible was first made known through a ringing protest issued by the Presbytery of Brooklyn in July, 1917. The Presbytery expressed regret that the Cambridge and Oxford Presses should ally themselves with the Mormon Hierarchy, and earnestly warned members and adherents of the churches "to exercise great care in the purchase of so-called Christian literature, making sure that it really is Christian and not truth mutilated or untruth in disguise." <br> To the vehement protest which reached the Presses in response to the statement issued by the Presbytery of Brooklyn the vice-president of the Oxford University Press replied that the Presses had supplied this Bible for the Mormon Hierarchy for several years, that its publication had been discontinued, and that "it would have been discontinued long ago had there previously been any protests." On the other hand, the Deseret Evening News*, the official organ of the Mormon Church, claims that both the Oxford and Cambridge University Presses applied for a revised copy of the Ready References in order that they might incorporate them in their respective Bibles; and the Deseret Evening News* editorially claims that this is indicative of a growing interest in the teachings of the Mormon Church and of an increasing demand for its literature on the part of the public. <br><br><br> THE SECOND BIBLE wears a plain garb of black cloth, though it also can be obtained in a leather binding. The title page tells us what it is: <br><br> The Holy Scriptures <br> Translated and Corrected by the Spirit <br> of Revelation <br> by Joseph Smith, Jr., the Seer <br> Lamoni, Iowa <br> Published by the Reorganized Church <br> of Jesus Christ <br> of Latter Day Saints <br><br> The preface states that the work of "translation and correction" was done by Joseph Smith through a direct revelation from God. It was begun in 1830 and finished in 1833. The reason for the revelation and the resulting translation and correction is found in a quotation from the Book of Mormon, 1st Book of Nephi, 3:40, which states that "many parts which are plain and most precious" have been "taken away from the gospel of the Lamb," while the Book of Mormon also declares that these omissions are to be restored by revelation. <br> It will be remembered that the break in the original body of Mormons, which is perpetuated in the two organizations known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, occurred after the death of Joseph Smith and was due to an irreconcilable difference of opinion in regard to his successor. The majority chose Brigham Young on the ground of his qualities for leadership. The smaller group asserted that the mantle of Joseph Smith should and must fall upon his son, Joseph Smith, Jr., and refusing to yield to the will of the majority, they chose Joseph Smith, Jr., as their President and Seer. They called themselves the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and claimed, as they still continue to claim, to be the true depository of the teachings of the Prophet. Later they removed from Illinois to Iowa and established themselves at Lamoni, which is still their headquarters. <br> The text which forms the basis of the Bible published by the Reorganized Church is the King James version. Both in the Old and New testaments there are many chapters and sections which are in exact accord with the King James version, but scattered throughout the Bible there are additions and interpolations. It would be necessary to read the entire Bible in order to secure an exact catalogue of all the changes. A few may be instanced here. <br><br><br> * Deseret Evening News is typed in a bold typeface. |
