The Bible

Deciphering Scriptural Passages

9. And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.  (Mosiah 3:9)

From Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon by Millet & McConkie, Volume 2, page 148, we read about this verse:  "The popularized notion that salvation means one thing and exaltation another is without scriptural support in the Book of Mormon. Here, as in virtually every scriptural text, salvation is a synonym for exaltation."

Further, "How hard the hearts and blind the eyes of those given up to wickedness that God himself should be called a devil!  Thus those who know only darkness seek to be seen as angels of light and labor to clothe all that is light in the dark robes they wear."

And then from the same source, page 19, it states:  "Some read the scriptures seeking understanding, desiring a remission of sins.  Others quote scripture as a justification for their sins.  The devil and his legions are adept at quoting scriptures. 

Then from, "Sustaining and Defending the Faith," page 39: "The Bible is the most misused and misunderstood book ever written.  It has been used to justify all manner of impropriety, wickedness and falsehood.  Every spiritual fraud ever perpetuated in the name of Judaism or Christianity has claimed support from the Bible.  On the authority of the Bible, the Jews crucified Christ, stoned Stephen and imprisoned and beat the Apostles.  With the Bible as justification, Paul persecuted Christians unto death, binding and delivering unto prisons both men and women) (Acts 22:4).  After the death of the Apostles the Bible was taught by the authority of the whip and the sword.  To the Reformers it became the source of priesthood authority and the final will and testament of their mute God."