Men and women of the Bible
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The apostle John did not die |
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Mormons
teach that the apostle John did not die but was given power over death. Here
is what we read in the Encyclopedia of
Mormonism: ‘Later, the Lord told Peter that John would remain (on earth)
until the Lord’s second coming, giving rise to the early Christian tradition
that John did not die. The prophet Joseph Smith confirmed and corrected that
tradition in a revelation that states that John, having been given ‘power
over death’, remains on earth as flaming fire and a ministering angel …. For
those who shall be heirs of salvation’ until the Saviour returns (D & C
7). The resurrected Christ also mentioned John’s continued earthly ministry
during his visit to the people of the Book of Mormon’ (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York-Toronto 1992, vol. 2, page
758). According to the ‘revelation’ of Joseph Smith, the power over death was
given by the Lord to John because John asked the Lord for it, as we read in Doctrine and Covenants: ‘And the Lord
said unto me, John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what
you will, it shall be granted unto you. And I said unto him: Lord, give unto
me power of death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. And the Lord
said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this
thou shall tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations,
kindreds, tongues and people’ (D & C 7:1-3. This revelation is a
translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden up by himself). |
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Confutation |
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The
Scripture teaches that the apostle John did die, for it is written: “So when
they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou
knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him
the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved
because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto
him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus
saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou
wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but
when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall
gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying
by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith
unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus
loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord,
which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him
saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I
will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow
thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple
should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will
that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things:
and we know that his testimony is true” (John |
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In
the light of the above mentioned Scriptures I affirm, therefore, that the
above mentioned revelation of Joseph Smith is a false revelation; reject it
for it has nothing to do with the truth. |