nosmelone Posted September 19, 2014 Posted September 19, 2014 So I was reading an article called "Living Scriptures from a Living God through Living Prophets and for a Living Church" by Neal A. Maxwell. In the article is this quote. "In his inspired translation of the King James Version, the Prophet Joseph Smith even gave us the otherwise missing definition of “the key of knowledge.” (Who would not want that key?) This “key of knowledge” is, in fact, “the fullness of the scriptures” (JST, Luke 11:53). And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou has seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved. (1 Nephi 13:40; italics added.)" So if the fullness of knowledge is obtained through the scriptures than until we receive the remaining sealed portion of the Book of Mormon would it be safe to say that the fullness of knowledge is unobtainable to mankind as we are today?
JLHPROF Posted September 19, 2014 Posted September 19, 2014 So if the fullness of knowledge is obtained through the scriptures than until we receive the remaining sealed portion of the Book of Mormon would it be safe to say that the fullness of knowledge is unobtainable to mankind as we are today? I would say that the fulness of knowledge is unobtainable today. We don't have all the scriptures. The Articles of Faith tell us there are many important things yet to be revealed. According to D&C 130 when we get to the Celestial Kingdom there will be even further knowledge that will become available (through the white stones). Personally, I don't believe there is any end to knowledge ever, and that even God continues to learn. 1
Robert F. Smith Posted September 20, 2014 Posted September 20, 2014 So I was reading an article called "Living Scriptures from a Living God through Living Prophets and for a Living Church" by Neal A. Maxwell. In the article is this quote. "In his inspired translation of the King James Version, the Prophet Joseph Smith even gave us the otherwise missing definition of “the key of knowledge.” (Who would not want that key?) This “key of knowledge” is, in fact, “the fullness of the scriptures” (JST, Luke 11:53). And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou has seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved. (1 Nephi 13:40; italics added.)" So if the fullness of knowledge is obtained through the scriptures than until we receive the remaining sealed portion of the Book of Mormon would it be safe to say that the fullness of knowledge is unobtainable to mankind as we are today? That is one interpretation of the phrase. However, one might want to consider other interpretations: What does Jesus mean when he says (Luke 11:52): kleida gnoseos“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” What is this “key of knowledge”? Cf. John 14:26, didaksei panta“. . . the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” I Corinthians 12:8, logos sophias ∥ logos gnoseos“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit” (∥Moroni 10:10). Moroni 10:5,“. . . by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” D&C 35:19,“. . . the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.” President James E. Faust, “The Key of the Knowledge of God,” Oct 2004 conference address, online at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/the-key-of-the-knowledge-of-god?lang=eng : “The greater priesthood administers the gospel and holds “the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.” What is the key of the knowledge of God, and can anyone obtain it? Without the priesthood there can be no fulness of the knowledge of God. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that the “Melchizedek Priesthood … is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of salvation and every important matter is revealed from heaven.” President Joseph F. Smith stated: “One who can truly affirm that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and Jesus is the Savior, has in his possession a prize beyond computation. When we know this we know God, and we have a key to all knowledge.”* * * *“To obtain the full portion of these supernal blessings and come to a full knowledge of God, a man must enter into and keep the oath and covenant of the priesthood.”* * * *“The key of the knowledge of God, administered by those who keep the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood, will enable us to come off as the sons of God.” 3
janderich Posted September 20, 2014 Posted September 20, 2014 No amount of books, by themselves, will ever bring us the fullness of knowledge. We could have the 116 pages, the sealed portion of the BoM, and the lost books of the Bible and some would not know the truth. They would continue to argue and bicker over points of doctrine, as ones "ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth". Joseph said, "The doctors (I mean doctors of law, not physic) say, 'If you preach anything not according to the Bible, we will cry treason.' How can we escape the damnation of hell, except God be with us and reveal to us? Men bind us with chains. ...I thank God that I have got this old book [the Bible]; but I thank him more for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have got the oldest book in the world; but I [also] have the oldest book in my heart, even the gift of the Holy Ghost" (TPJS p. 349). In Luke 11:52 I do not believe Joseph is saying that the key of knowledge is to have all the scriptures. Rather he is saying the lawyers have taken away the key of knowledge (ie. the revelations of the Holy Ghost). The Holy Ghost is the fulfillment or the fulness of the scriptures. Without the Holy Ghost the scriptures are simply words on a page without meaning. With the Holy Ghost even one passage of scripture can lead to the appearance of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. 3
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