Tuesday, July 18, 2023

D. Charles Pyle on the Lack of an Explicit Theology of Theosis in the Book of Mormon

  

The reason for the apparent lack of texts concerning deification seems answered adequately by 3 Nephi 26:1-12, which verses in the passage say that only the lesser things [the basic teachings] are to be found in the main text of the Book of Mormon On the other hand, there are those texts which do hint at the doctrine. One of them is found at 3 Nephi 28:10, where the disciples are told that they would be as Christ, who is as God is, and that they would be filled with a fullness of joy like both God and Christ. D. Charles Pyle, I Have Said Ye Are Gods: Concepts Conducive to the Early Christian Doctrine of Deification in Patristic Literature and the Underlying Strata of the Greek New Testament (Revised and Supplemented) [North Charleston, S.C.: CreateSpace, 2018], 7 n. a)

 

3 Nephi 26: 1-12, referenced above, reads thusly:

 

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small.  And he saith: These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they  should be given unto future generations.  And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory-- yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away; And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil--If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began. And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me.