Hold Fast – Paul M. Williams

Part 4 The Mormon Church claim that over the centuries, the Bible has suffered the loss of many plain and precious parts.  They believe that the most reliable way to measure the accuracy of the biblical text is not by comparing the many translations available today, but by comparing the Bible with the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is the measuring stick for truth, and according to Joseph Smith, it is the most correct of any book on earth.  That is a very bold claim!   As we continue to examine the Book of Mormon, consideration shall be given to its historical reliability.  What artefacts (if any) have archaeologists unearthed to support the historicity of the Book of Mormon?  How does one explain the historical errors contained within it?  How did whole portions of the 1769 King James Bible make their way into the Book of Mormon if the gold plates from which the book claimed to be translated predate the King James Bible by more than a millennium?  These questions and more are answered in this fourth teaching on Mormonism.   Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/4_The_Book_of_Mormon_Pt_2.pdf

Genesis 6:9 Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, Sunday 12th October, 2025. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 

Part 3 The Book of Mormon is just under one and a half times larger than the New Testament. It comprises 15 books, which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say were written by Nephite prophets.  The LDS Church believes that whilst the Bible documents the events of God’s chosen people, Israel in the Eastern Hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the Israelites inhabiting the Western Hemisphere, namely the ancient Americas.  Interestingly, much of what the LDS Church believes doctrinally is not actually found in the Book of Mormon but in the other writings of Joseph Smith: Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.  Despite this, Joseph Smith said of the Book of Mormon: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than any other book.” Joseph Smith was known for making bold statements, and the quote above is surely numbered among them.  As with any claim, it ought to be able to withstand scrutiny and examination.  In this teaching, the Book of Mormon will be held to the standard of modern science to see if indeed it is the most correct book on earth.    Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/3_The_Book_of_Mormon_Pt_1.pdf  

Revelation 2:24-25 Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, Sunday 5th October, 2025. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 

Matthew 28:1-10 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 

Part 2 Like every movement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a beginning, a period of development, and a time of stability.  The LDS Church has typically been separated into three distinctive periods. 1.    “Early History” under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr.  2.    “Pioneering era” under the leadership of Brigham Young. 3.    “Modern Era” beginning around the turn of the 20th century The purpose of this second teaching part is to explore this history.  To understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, one must first understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it began and developed.  The Church makes great claims for itself and prides itself on outlandish doctrines which run counter to the Word of God.  It had a founding prophet who claimed to be visited by God the Father and  Jesus Christ His Son, along with a whole host of biblical characters who have long departed from this world – John the Baptist, Peter, James and John.  It claims to have restored the fullness of the lost Gospel, even though it was never lost.  It has three additional books of authority besides the King James Bible  -- The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.  This is more sources of extra-biblical revelation than any other cult.  Such claims call for a thorough examination, and what better way to begin to do this than to start at the beginning.   Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/2_History_of_Mormonism.pdf

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.  Visit us here and subscribe to the latest ministry updates: http://www.bethesdashalom.org      

1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth

The Sanctuary Conference 2025@Cloverley Hall 

The Sanctuary Conference 2025@Cloverley Hall