Dr. Laura's Bible

Several years ago someone sent a letter to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the talk show host. That letter was quoted in Playboy and mentioned in a dialog on the TV show The West Wing. I find it humorous and something to consider when pondering New Testament versus Old Testament. Here is the letter:

Thank you for doing so much to deducate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to follow them.
(1) When I burn a bull as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is, my neighbors claim the odor is not pleasing. Should I smite them?
(2)I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
(3) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstral uncleanliness (Lev. 15: 19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
(4) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed posses slaves, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
(5) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obliged to kill him?
(6) A friend feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. Can you settle this?
(7) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the alter of God if I have a defect in my sight. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there wiggle room?
(8) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around the temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
(9) I know from Lev. 11:7-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
(10) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton-polyester blend). Is it necessary to get the whole town together to stone them (Lev. 24: 10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their inlaws (Lev. 20:14)?
I know that you have studied this, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

My own take on this is that many of the Old Testament laws were fulfilled by Jesus the Christ when he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and then died on a cross. Also, many of the laws given in Leviticus and Exodus applied only to the Levites, who where the priests for the rest of Israel. Some Christians tell me that Jesus did away with the Old Testament to include the Ten Commandments. Others tell me that the Ten Commandments were given to us to show us that we are not perfect and need a savior.

Consider this, God doesn't change but man does. God gives us commandments and takes them away according to our abilities to obey them. God is not going to condemn us by giving us commandments that our civil governments will not allow us to obey. In Old Testament days the church was also the government. This is no longer true for most of the world. Thus, the church can no longer condemn someone to death for breaking some Biblical law. This is probably a good thing. Also, I have serious doubts about how many of these laws really came from God! I think that some of these laws were based more on tradition, or the personal preferences of the prophets, than on any divine revelation. I personally believe that the Bible contains the word of God, but I won't go as far as to say that it is the word of God! The Bible also contains the words of men, angels, Lucifer, and even a talking donkey!

That is my rant for today!

The 13 Articles of Faith of the LDS Church

Some people ask me what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) actually believe. Others tell me what we believe and then try to prove that what they just told me is false. It is a game of "straw man". So, to set the record straight, I have decided to quote our 13 Articles of Faith.

1) We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2) We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3) We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4) We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5) We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6) We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7) We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8) We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9) We believe all that God has revealed, all He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10) We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.

11) We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12) We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13) We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

I hope that this sets the record straight on a few things. Yes, we do believe that the Book of Mormon is scripture equal in authority to the Bible, but it is not a replacement for the Bible. It is a companion and a supplement. The Book of Mormon tells the history of the New World just as the Bible tells the history of the Old World. God gave revelation to prophets on both continents. Each book contains a record of God's revelations. Eventually the lost Ten Tribes of the northern kingsom will be found and their records will be found along with them. When these records are found they will be added to the Bible. I personally believe that publication of these lost records will shake up many current Christian churches and doctrines.