"God ordered killings" in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon.

[KingDavid]

Apparently not much goes on here. Nothing added since April 2009!

Pastor Bob, the "spirituallizing" of the Bible (i.e., converting much or all of what was meant to be understood literally) is as old as the house of Israel. Jacob (younger brother of Nephi) pointed this out—

13 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.

14 But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by LOOKING BEYOND THE MARK, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble.

15 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying; for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation.

(Book of Mormon | Jacob 4:13 - 15)

Jesus, himself, also pointed out how "the Jews" (i.e., the house of Israel) had (as you do) disbelieved the scriptures (supposing them to be either less than they are or something different from what they are)—

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken
(New Testament | Luke 24:25)

[PastorBob]

"But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by LOOKING BEYOND THE MARK, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble."

I am quite familiar with that paragraph directly from the ritual itself.

Order of Mark Master Masons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[KingDavid]

PastorBob,

The quote I gave is from the Book of Mormon. Are you calling that book of scripture a "ritual", or are you referring to something else?

[PastorBob]

The verse you highlighted were borrowed directly word for word from the rites, Joseph Smith was a 33rd Freemason.

Also see 1st Nephi chapter 8 verses 19-24.

"Now then our Brethren, having the true Keys of all religion; namely that all cults typify either the Mysteries of Lingam and Yoni or of Sol, Luna, and Terra, can for themselves interpret all rites, create new faiths and new feasts, ruling the world in justice and righteousness..."

"Was not Lao-Tze thrust forth from his city? Did not Buddha go begging in rags? Did not Mohammed flee for his life into exile? Was not Bacchus (Jesus) the scandal and the scorn of men? Than Joseph Smith Had any man less learning? Yet each of these attained to do his Will; each cried his Word, that all the Earth yet echoes it! And each was able to accomplish this by virtue of that very circumstance which seems so cruel..."