Mormons only! Why is it so hard for me to get a copy of Doctrines and Covenants . . .?

Question

and the Pearl of Great Price? The standard practice is to give the inquisitive prospect a copy of the Book of Mormon, which for the most part is in the genre of historical narrative, have the person read 3 Nephi 11 and Alma 32 and 34, and then ask the person to take Moroni's challenge and pray to see if these words are true. It's not like I can't find them on the internet, but I still don't understand why Mormons are so stingy with the other two books that are claimed to be God's revelation to a prophet?

I have my own thoughts, but I want some feedback. Serious answers only, please.

Does it have anything to do with Joseph Smith's assertions that there are multiple gods, or that Jesus is Jehovah, or that Elohim has a body of flesh? Or that Joseph Smith claimed to be descended from one of Jesus' three wives? Or Smith's explanation of the origin of the "white and delightsome" race and the spiritual cause for the ***** race?

The following, which cites Brigham Young, is from http://www.religionnewsblog.com/17063/book-says-joseph-smith-came-from-jesus-family-tree

To support this claim, Swanson cites public statements from 19th-century LDS Church leaders, including Brigham Young, who wrote in 1859, “Hidden in the blood of many LDS runs the blood of Israel from numerous directions, including that of the Savior. But it is specifically through the divine blood-right of Christ through Joseph Smith Jr. that all members of the Church are lawful heirs of the promise.”

In 1899, LDS Church apostle George Q. Cannon reportedly told a Salt Lake Temple assembly, “There are those in this audience who are descendants of the old Twelve Apostles - and shall I say it, yes, descendants of the Savior himself. His seed is represented in this body of men.”

Answer 1

The only observation that a non-Mormon might make regarding this question is simply to acknowledge that Mormons themselves claim to be nontrinitarian Christians; that is, they believe that Jesus the Son is a distinct person from God the Father. However, Mormons do not believe that the "God" of the so-called "New Testament" is the same "God" of the so-called "Old Testament"; Mormonism teaches that the pre-human Jesus is the "God" or "Jehovah" of the so-called "Old Testament".

This is obviously a fundamentally different theology than the other great nontrinitarian Christian religion, Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bible to teach that there are several references to Jesus in the so-called "Old Testament" which indicate that he is distinct from the "God" or "Jehovah" of the so-called "Old Testament". It is not enough to simply assert that a doctrine is true, and so Jehovah's Witnesses reason from the Scriptures on the matter...


It seems rather obvious that the apostle Luke at Acts 4:25-27 quotes from Psalms 2:1,2. Although these passages are part of the Christian and Hebrew Scriptures respectively, BOTH passages make it plain that there is an "anointed one" who is distinct from God. The Psalm plains calls that God by the name "Jehovah" (explicitly using the Tetragrammaton) and Acts plainly calls the anointed one by the name "Jesus".

(Psalm 2:1,2) [David wrote] Why have the nations been in tumult and the national groups themselves kept muttering an empty thing? 2 The kings of earth take their stand And high officials themselves have massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one

(Acts 4:24-27) [Peter, John, and fellow Christians] with one accord raised their voices to God and said: “Sovereign Lord, you are the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, 25 and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, ‘Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate upon empty things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one.’ 27 Even so, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with men of nations and with peoples of Israel were in actuality gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus


Similarly, the apostle Paul at 1 Cor 2:16 and Rom 11:33,34 paraphrases Isaiah 40:13. Note that Isaiah explicitly uses the name "Jehovah" (the Hebrew Tetragrammaton), and 1 Corinthians plainly CONTRASTS the mind of Jehovah with the mind of Christ Jesus.

(1 Corinthians 2:16) For “who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, that he may instruct him?” But we do have the mind of Christ.

(Romans 11:33-34) O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and past tracing out his ways are! 34 For “who has come to know Jehovah’s mind, or who has become his counselor?”

(Isaiah 40:13) Who has taken the proportions of the spirit of Jehovah, and who as his man of counsel can make him know anything?

Answer 2

It has nothing to do with your assumptions. The reason they give the Book of Mormon first is because it is the cornerstone of our religion. If you read and come to believe that the Book of Mormon is true, then other things begin to fall into place. That being said, I have never known a missionary not to get someone a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants if an investigator asked for it (especially if they were sincere and wanted to learn). Additionally, I think you could probably call a number on Mormon.org and speak to someone and ask for missionaries to bring you a copy of those books. It would be silly if they wouldn't and wouldn't have anything to do with the actual churches stance on the matter, as they are happy to have anyone read their books (because, contrary to your suggestions, there is nothing to hide). Some teachings of the church are more difficult to understand, and buy, unless you have a good foundation in the more basic teachings. That is why missionaries start simple and work their way forward (it's like learning math, you start with addition and continue until you get to the algebra). Good luck.

Answer 3

Give me your address, I will send you both...I am not sure who you have been asking for these two books...you should be able to get them no problem.
But really, I could send those two books for free...

I am not sure the second part of your question - why would we not give you those books? And when did Joseph Smith claim to be a descendant of Jesus???

Answer 4

I think you could ask the missionaries to get you copies if you don't mind used. Members quite often have used copies of scriptures that they might be willing to donate.

Answer 5

It just isn't standard procedure... we aren't stingy though. You can get them if you ask for them, but you will understand them better if you have read the Book of Mormon and taken Moroni's challenge. That is why it isn't given out with the BoM.

Answer 6

If you're so desperate for the D&C, why don't you go buy one.
Seagul bookstore or deseret book store have tons of it.
You're not stingy about a few bucks are you??

You forgot that, to give is the giver's choice, the giver do have a right to give to whoever they please. It is not a commandment to give you a free copy.

Maybe you're not sincere enough, and from the attacking statements you made concerning our faith, no wonder you did not get the free copy.

Answer 7

Because of the content of the other books. The book of moron is hard to believe as is and the other books are just as coo coo. The book of moron is a poor attempt at creating a new religion. First of all why would it be translated into poor 15th century English. The grammar was poor the spelling was poor and the stories were very poor. They believe their going to get their own planets for being good morons. They believe God was just a man from another planet who got his own planet to rule after being a good moron. They even fell for a story about a Magical Salamander that spoke to their beloved prophet Joseph Smith. They follow delusions. They also have a very high suicide rate. You won't see those other books til you become a moron. Oh, and Joseph Smith claimed to be a descendant from the tribe of Joseph.

Answer 8

There are Mormon bookstores all over the place. Find one, and get the books. Or, keep thinking there's a big conspiracy against you. Your choice.

Answer 9

OK, I'm getting tired of the Mormon's only stuff, get over it would you?