Correction: the Book of Mormon is Scripture and a
Keystone for Spirit-filled Living
TO Charisma Magazine
charisma@strang.com
Re: "It's Time for Some Spiritual Housecleaning"
Dear Editor,
One of the most ironic pitfalls found among Charismatics is the spurning of the Book of
Mormon. They make the mistake of thinking that just because some ignorant Mormons so often
deny the grace of Jesus Christ that the root cause must be the book that is supposedly the
"keystone" of their religion.
The fact is that the Book of Mormon is profoundly Jesus Christ-centered and is filled
with doctrine and examples pertaining to Spirit-filled living. Its teachings about the
baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, the mighty change of heart, being born again, and
the gifts of the Spirit that attend those who believe are so plain that one has to scratch
his head when observing the Mormon culture's general ignorance of these profoundly key
doctrines of Christ.
Like the Jews anciently who had been given so much but who had strayed so far from the
mark, Mormons today have strayed far from the pure doctrine that has been given them and
the gifts of the Spirit which were poured out so abundantly at the time of the founding of
their Church.
A compelling argument can be set forth that today's Charismatic movement which had its
origin in Missouri and then Azusa street, California, was a shift of the power of the
Spirit from Mormons to the Charismatics, as the Mormons had departed as a body even that
early from the foundation on Jesus Christ, anchored through the mighty change of heart
that comes with the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
In matching the Book of Mormon with a people today whose beliefs and lives most closely
correspond to its teachings about the Holy Ghost and gifts of the Spirit, in many regards,
some Charismatics bear a closer resemblance than do the Mormons. Several Book of Mormon
stories tell of the Spirit laying people out flat on the ground, sometimes for several
days. You never see that in Mormondom!
It is time some Charismatics let go of their Protestant programming that has poisoned
their attitude about the Book of Mormon, and take a fresh look at this book that should be
as precious to them as the Bible, whose co-testament it is.
Humbly, your brother in Christ,
Sterling D. Allan; Alpine, Utah; January 27, 1998
