The Latin Bible and General Handbook

 We look back in history and see the priests of the Catholic Church preaching from the Latin Bible. This kept the people dependent upon the priests for light and knowledge. The sacrifices of faithful men and women brought about the Bible in English and that created a revolution as the people were able to read the Bible and interpret it for themselves. The Lord inspired these reformers to sacrifice everything to get the word of God into the hands and hearts of the people. 

Now the high priests of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are following a similar tactic as those who kept the Bible in Latin. They do this with the General Handbook.

For example, the current handbook cautions heavily against listening to conspiracies, however, Mormon was clear about the downfall of two great nations in the Book of Mormon and taught that there would be a great secret combination that would get above us and seek the overthrow of freedom in all nations (see Ether 8 and the entire Book of Mormon). 

He did this because the Lord showed us to him. He saw our day and wrote those things that were most pertinent to us. 

The recently revised handbook for the church clearly teaches us to be very cautious about conspiracies. It’s interesting that Mormon was not as concerned about caution in listening to conspiracy theories. His focus was on preserving agency and the whole purpose of our mortal existence, to become like God. Ezra Taft Benson taught that there is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon, only conspiracy fact. It’s been removed from the current version of the Book of Mormon study guide for the institute. I took a photo of it and put it in my scriptures as a youth. 

Mormon was shown our day and that is why he spoke so clearly about the secret combinations, the conspiracies, that would get above us. Now the general handbook is fighting against Mormon’s compilation of prophetic warnings to us. 

Here is the handbook...

“38.8.45

Seeking Information from Reliable Sources

In today’s world, information is easy to access and share. This can be a great blessing for those seeking to be educated and informed. However, many sources of information are unreliable and do not edify. Some sources seek to promote anger, contention, fear, or baseless conspiracy theories (see 3 Nephi 11:30; Mosiah 2:32). Therefore, it is important that Church members be wise as they seek truth.

Members of the Church should seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information. They should avoid sources that are speculative or founded on rumor. The guidance of the Holy Ghost, along with careful study, can help members discern between truth and error (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:12; 45:57). In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the authoritative sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook.”

He that hath eyes to see and ears to hear...

Your eyes and ears change with experience. Veils of unbelief are revealed to ourselves as we come unto Christ. He is the true light Who reveals every hidden thing of darkness. 

The new Latin Bible is the General Handbook of Instruction for the church. It’s the new great method to keep the members of the organization dependent upon them and conforming to their cultural beliefs instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (I share what Jesus taught was the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ on a previous blog post: https://bilbaochristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-fulness-of-gospel-of-jesus-christ-3.html) The fulness of the gospel is definitely not the words of committees creating new policies according to political correctness, some scriptures and maintaining 501C3 tax status. 

I remember many verses of scripture describing prophets thrown into fire, prison and dens because of standing up and teaching the truth. I don’t remember any of them being politically correct, doing those things that would keep them out of the line of fire. If I remember correctly, Jesus Christ (the way, the truth and the life), was so unpopular that His own people handed Him over to be nailed to a cross to be murdered. 

We must repent of our idolatry, holding up men as gods, and turn to the Lord, Jesus Christ. He cautioned His apostles about the last days. “whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived” (JS—Matthew 1:37).

The word of God may as well be written in Latin for those of us who don’t take the time to study it for ourselves. We remain in darkness and ignorance if we don’t search the words of those who spoke to God and received His words.

Joseph Smith Jr. said, “A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.

Joseph Smith Jr., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

It’s interesting to note that Joseph Smith Jr. shared openly that He saw God and communed with Him regularly. He spoke clearly about the revelations He received from God for he had them written in the voice of the Lord. It wasn’t too sacred to share. All true prophets speak in the name of the Lord.