“If Any Man Shall Add Unto These Things” (Revelation 22:18)

Many critics of the Church use this scripture from the book of Revelation to claim that there can be no more scripture. That an open canon would be going against the ways of God. Biblical scholar Lee M. McDonald said:  “On what biblical or historical grounds has the inspiration of God been limited to the written documents that the church now calls its Bible? … If the Spirit inspired only the written documents of the first century, does that mean that the same Spirit does not speak today in the church about matters that are of significant concern?”  Latter Day Saints humbly suggest, as I suggest to you now my dear reader, that there exists an open canon of scripture. God speaks now as He did in Biblical times and what He says is scripture. So what exactly did John mean when he wrote the above verse if not to discourage people from esteeming other works beyond the Bible as scripture? Let us begin, as I often like to, in the Old Testament.

When we examine the Old Testament we learn that Revelation is not the only place where we could interpret the words of a prophet of God, to say that we should not add to God's revelations. In Deuteronomy 4:2 Moses is speaking to Israel regarding the revelations he’s received. He says “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord you God which I command you.” If we were looking at this verse with the same view as individuals often look at Revelation we could argue that all books after Deuteronomy are false; that the New Testament goes against what Moses is saying in this verse. However, if we approach it as we should, as an admonishment not to tamper with the revelations of Moses coming from Moses himself then Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Denial and others are what we esteem them to be, that is, prophets recording the word of God as it was given to them.

What about the verse in Revelation? Many Biblical scholars of today will agree that the New Testament as we know it does not place the books in chronological order. The Bible-one collection of texts bound in a single volume- did not exist when John wrote this particular book. In fact, John wrote many of his own books after the book of Revelation. The word “Bible” comes from the Koine Greek word τὰ βιβλία-ta biblia which translates into "the books". The New Testament was compiled by various individuals into different combinations that circulated among the people all through the centuries. Thus, if the scripture in Revelation was intercepted the way many lovers of the Bible interpret it that would make even some of John’s own books null and void. I submit to you that John is talking about the book of Revelation alone.

Critics always point out the Book of Mormon as a blasphemous book because of the verse in Revelation which we’ve already discussed. My question to you is: “what about the other books and writings?” I’m sure many would respond: “what other books and writings?” Consider for a moment, The Dead Sea Scrolls. A collection of 972 texts consisting of biblical manuscripts from what is now known as the Hebrew Bible and extra-biblical documents found between 1946 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name. They were specifically located at Khirbet Qumran in what was then British Mandate Palestine, and since 1947, what has been known as the West Bank. There are texts that come from the Hebrew Bible and texts that come from the Second temple period that include the Book of Enoch and additional Psalms. By Biblical scholars these texts were received with interest and enthusiasm. However, those who claim there can be nothing else except what is contained with the Bible at this time seem to simply turn their nose up at the thought of there being more. I can tell you as someone who makes it their life to study ancient texts that there is scripture out there that we have yet to discover and understand, who are we to question the ways of God?

For those who have not walked away from their computers yet I ask you to humor me a moment and find a way to look up 2 Nephi 29 in a Book of Mormon (you can do so online if you do not have a physical copy within reach).  In this chapter it is prophesied that many shall reject the Book of Mormon saying “A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible” (verse 3). Yet the Lord Himself gives a better explanation than any logic or physical proof could ever do. He says in response: “Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord you God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the Earth beneath ; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the Earth. Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? “ (verse7-8) Here the Lord references the law of witness that Paul puts forth in 2 Corinthians 13:1 which says “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The Book of Mormon acts as that second witness of Jesus Christ, its writings establish that Jesus is the Christ that He lived and died that we might live again.

The Lord goes on to give a reason for the Book of Mormon, something that often escapes many: “And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever” (2 Nephi 29:9). I know that many people love and the revere the Bible so much that they feel they must defend it against any thing that has potential to contradict it. To you I say, I stand with you; as do all Latter Day Saints.  The Bible is the word of God; a testament of His goodness and greatness to the world.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, which is also esteemed as modern day scripture and revelation, the Lord says: “And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel [The Book of Mormon] to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received [the Bible], but to build it up” (D&C 10:52). I invite anyone who has not already done so to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. Read it. Study it. Pray about it. Discover the sweet peace that it will bring to your life. Taste of the doctrines, so clear and pure when standing next to the Bible that it is impossible to deny it to be the word of God. I give you the same challenge Christ gave in the New Testament, that is: drinketh of the water that I shall give” (John 14:4). Drink of the sweet truths of the Book of Mormon my dear readers. By rejuvenated by its testimony and uplifted by all that it teaches.

Those who approach the reading and studying of the Book of Mormon with a desire to know and the intention of acting upon the knowledge they will receive will come to know that the intent of this book as well as those who revere it as scripture is to “talk of Christ, to rejoice in Christ, to preach of Christ, to prophesy of Christ… that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26). I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That God speaks to us through prophets and scripture as He did in ancient times for He is the same yesterday today and forever. Read it. Taste of its sweetness. Learn of its truth. May God be with you until you read again.