Sunday, September 27, 2009

1 Corinthians 14

We don't know if there was an excessive use of speaking in tongues, or if someone asked Paul about it and that is why he is addressing this topic. The message seems to be, speaking in tongues can sometimes be effective with non-members while prophecy is more valuable, especially for members because prophecy will teach doctrine. In the Joseph Smith Translation, the word another replaces unknown. This makes more sense, especially when you consider a perfect example of purpose of speaking in tongues is found on the Day of Pentecost. There, the apostles were able to speak in their own language, but everyone who spoke a different language was able to understand them. But prophecy is the greatest spiritual gift. According to Elder McConkie, "Prophecy stands supreme, the greatest of all the gifts of the Spirit. Prophecy is revelation; it is testimony; it is Spirit speaking to spirit; it is to know by revelation that Jesus is the Lord, that salvation is in Christ, that he redeemed us by his blood."

In this chapter, there seems to be a mistake. It says that women are not permitted to speak in church. Yet in 11:5 of Corinthians it talks of women praying and prophesying. Once again, the JST helps us by using the word rule in place of the word speak. This makes more since since the priesthood is the governing organization of the church and no one should usurp that including women.

An important verse to me is 33. "God is not the author of confusion..." I do not believe God would create a thousand different churches with thousands of different and conflicting doctrines about himself. I do believe he will work with individuals and the amount of truth they have to bring them to a knowledge of the true gospel.

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