LDS and ancient record...

[Telstar]

I find your interpretation of these Bible verses interesting and a reasonable. However, most of it is based on opinion such as “the angel that brings it to the earth is the Catholic Church.”

My interpretation is also believed by many others, just as your interpretation is that the ‘angel’ refers to ‘Moroni’ preaching the BoM, the ‘new gospel’.
** [Galatians 1:[6] I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel. [7] Which is not another, only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. [9] As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema. [10] For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. **St. Paul was so adamant when writing his Epistle, that we not listen to any other gospel that was not preached by the original Apostles, that he repeated twice, “let him be anathema”. That’s a serious condemnation of anyone that would dare to do it. Anyone that refuses to heed that admonition is on very shaky ground, spiritually.

When John received “The Revelation” he was one of the last living apostles. In Rev 14:6-7 he saw that an angel in heaven had the everlasting gospel to preach to those on earth shortly before Christ returns “for the hour of his judgement is come.” I was pointing out that this missionary effort had similar to timing to “the resitution of all things” which would occur shortly before “the presence of Lord” (see Acts 3:19-20)

The missionary efforts of the Catholic Church have never stopped, and neither has the spreading of the Gospel that is Her primary mission in this world. She is the one that gave the Gospels to the whole world when She gathered them together with the OT Scriptures, in the Holy Bible. She still takes that mission very seriously to this day. It’s solely Her responsibility to guard it from error, and to spread it over the whole world. The Holy Spirit guides Her in that mission.

The diciples asked Jesus: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what will be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt: 24:3)

Jesus told his disciples that many things would happen before he came but then he told them “be not troubled; for these all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matt 24:6-7)

Your tidbit from line 6-7 is His reference to “wars and rumors of wars”, which He says they shouldn’t be concerned about because there will always be wars, famines and pestilence. But they are just the “beginnings of sorrows”. He goes on to describe the many sufferings that will befall all those that will follow Him, for generations. He is speaking of the ‘future’ that is not just in the next few years, but long after He and they are gone from the earth. Then, He also refers to the many other things that will happen over many centuries before the end comes. They didn’t understand that He was speaking of such a great time span, but He certainly was. But, some things that He spoke about have already happened, like the destruction of the Temple, and many other things are yet to come in our future.

He then told them exactly what we should look for to know that the end is near. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt.24:14) Again, this seems to indicate that a large missionary effort will happen shorthly before Christ returns.

As I already said, the Church has been spreading the Gospel from the very beginning, but He knew that it would take centuries to fully accomplish that mission, which is still continuing, now. I don’t think He was just referring to the present time because He knew very well that it would take millennium to accomplish it all. **[23] Then if any man shall say to you: Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. [24] For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. [25] Behold I have told it to you, beforehand.

[26] If therefore they shall say to you: Behold he is in the desert, go ye not out: Behold he is in the closets, believe it not. [27] For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even into the west: so shall the coming of the Son of man be.**When Jesus returns, every man that has ever existed on this earth will know it and will see Him return in His glory, surrounded by all the angels and saints of Heaven. **[30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. **It won’t be a secret, only to be seen by a few ‘chosen’ individuals. It’s going to be awesome!

 

[mtolympus]

My interpretation is also believed by many others, just as your interpretation is that the ‘angel’ refers to ‘Moroni’ preaching the BoM, the ‘new gospel’.

Did I say anything about Moroni??? I try to only show what the Bible says and then allow the reader to decide for himself/herself what it might mean. I have been trying to make only one point. In Rev 14:6-7 John saw that an angel in heaven had the everlasting gospel to preach to those on earth shortly before Christ returns “for the hour of his judgement is come.” And that this missionary effort had similar to timing to what Peter called “the restitution of all things” which also would occur shortly before the coming of “the presence of Lord.” (see Acts 3:19-20)

Your tidbit from line 6-7 is His reference to “wars and rumors of wars”, which He says they shouldn’t be concerned about because there will always be wars, famines and pestilence. But they are just the “beginnings of sorrows”. He goes on to describe the many sufferings that will befall all those that will follow Him, for generations. He is speaking of the ‘future’ that is not just in the next few years, but long after He and they are gone from the earth. Then, He also refers to the many other things that will happen over many centuries before the end comes. They didn’t understand that He was speaking of such a great time span, but He certainly was. But, some things that He spoke about have already happened, like the destruction of the Temple, and many other things are yet to come in our future.

Jesus told His disciples that there would be wars and rumors of wars, famines and pestilence in the future but to be not troubled, because these things would occur regularly over the course of 2000 years and therefore, they could not be relyed upon to to show the nearness of His coming. Likewise, a missionary program occuring over the course of 2000 years would have little value in telling us the nearness of Christ’s coming. Only a large missionary effort occuring shortly before Christ’s second coming could do this:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt.24:14)

Rev 14:6-7 and Matt. 24:14 both seem to indicate there will be a large missionary effort shortly before His coming. The Bible also foretold another major event which, like “the times of restitution of all things” would occur shortly before the Lord’s second coming.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful dayof the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5)

Latter-day Saints believe that Elijah the prophet had a major role in the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

 

[vera_dicere]

I see ‘good fruits’ from the LDS tree, in the lives of the LDS I know.

I see “good fruits” harvested from the atheists I know, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to run off and forsake the truth.

Good people can beleive stupid, evil things, and still have good things in their life.

Just not the Truth.

 

[Telstar]

Did I say anything about Moroni??? I try to only show what the Bible says and then allow the reader to decide for himself/herself what it might mean. I have been trying to make only one point. In Rev 14:6-7 John saw that an angel in heaven had the everlasting gospel to preach to those on earth shortly before Christ returns “for the hour of his judgement is come.” And that this missionary effort had similar to timing to what Peter called “the restitution of all things” which also would occur shortly before the coming of “the presence of Lord.” (see Acts 3:19-20)

Are you saying that you weren’t implying that Moroni was the angel that you were referring to when you gave your quote about the angel bringing the “everlasting gospel”? That was my impression as soon as you quoted it. Was I not supposed to give away your implied meaning to the rest of the readers? I’m guessing it was probably pretty obvious to anyone else that read it. So, why are you giving me grief for stating the obvious?

Jesus told His disciples that there would be wars and rumors of wars, famines and pestilence in the future but to be not troubled, because these things would occur regularly over the course of 2000 years and therefore, they could not be relyed upon to to show the nearness of His coming.

Isn’t that what I already said, too? Except, Jesus never gave any indication of a specific time-frame. All He ever said was to keep watch and pray, because no man knows the hour that He will come.

Likewise, a missionary program occuring over the course of 2000 years would have little value in telling us the nearness of Christ’s coming. Only a large missionary effort occuring shortly before Christ’s second coming could do this:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt.24:14)

Rev 14:6-7 and Matt. 24:14 both seem to indicate there will be a large missionary effort shortly before His coming. The Bible also foretold another major event which, like “the times of restitution of all things” would occur shortly before the Lord’s second coming.

Why do you assume that the spreading of the Gospel over the past 2000 years, and however long into the future, wasn’t exactly what was referred to in the Apocalypse? First of all, there is only one Gospel (NT Bible). Jesus also said that the future is now. There is no indication that there will be a “large missionary effort” just before the Second Coming. You’re just trying to fit the prophecies into your LDS interpretation of their meaning. The prophecy merely states the fact that the Gospel will be spread to the whole world before Jesus returns. It doesn’t say anything at all about how long that will take. In fact, Jesus sent the Apostles out to preach the Gospel while He was still walking the earth. When was there ever a gap, in all this time, when the Gospel was not continuously preached, every single day? Please, tell me.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful dayof the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5)

Latter-day Saints believe that Elijah the prophet had a major role in the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

I sure hope you’re not implying that Joseph Smith was the coming of Elias. That would be… I won’t say it. :ehh:

 

[KathleenGee]

Astute observation here, Telstar.

Americans do not realize how much they are missing when Christ said He prayed that we may be one…so that the world will believe.

John Paul II instructed the Church not to accept any other angel not mentioned in Scripture.

People also do not realize what it means when Scripture says, ‘at the fulfilled time’…the Jewish people – and humanity, through the Holy Spirit were all being prepared for the coming of the Messiah.

Subsequently, all the authentic personages of Sacred Scripture, including the Holy Angels, were also likewise revealed.

And, — just because people are nice and work at it doesn’t mean they are operating on Christ’s grace and power…we can recognize universal fruits of the Holy Spirit at work in pagan people who have not yet come to Christ…but once you arrive at the door where you can ponder Christ…then integrity and authenticity of Christ are most critical…the reason the Church at 100 AD had Christ given worship – not man made, authentic administration based on the chosen successors of the Apostles, and the Apostles Creed…where a document referenced SS Peter and Paul composing the Creed…and they in essence, are buried in Rome, shows the deep anxiety by the early Church to insure that the one True Lord’s Church would endure.

The remains under the altar of St. Peter are being examined for verification of indeed those of St. Peter; likewise, there is a sarcophogus of St. Paul that is also being scientifically examined. To say that everything quit at their deaths is ludicrous.

Like, at the death of George Washington, true America and its governance broke down and what we have is an apostate government since Washington’s death…of course we don’t think that.

Yet Mormons think that Christ’s mission failed…so you believe in a different Christ, not God.

 

[Miriam1947]

. . .

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful dayof the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5)

Latter-day Saints believe that Elijah the prophet had a major role in the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Mormons believe many things. I hadn’t heard about the Elijah one before. But, there is a huge problem with your belief. You cannot restore that which is not lost.

[BIBLEDRB]Malachi 4:5[/BIBLEDRB]

2000 years is nothing compared to eternity. How long were we on earth before Christ? How old was the earth before we were created?

 

[RebeccaJ]

Joseph Smith’s narcissism comes through in the fact that he attributes scripture that is speaking about the Messiah, to either himself or the stories he built around himself. The prophecy of Elijah being one example.

 

[Telstar]

Joseph Smith’s narcissism comes through in the fact that he attributes scripture that is speaking about the Messiah, to either himself or the stories he built around himself. The prophecy of Elijah being one example.

That certainly seems to be what he wanted everyone to think… that he was ‘another Christ’ that came along to fix what his ‘big brother’ messed up for almost 2000 years.

 

[mtolympus]

Are you saying that you weren’t implying that Moroni was the angel that you were referring to when you gave your quote about the angel bringing the “everlasting gospel”? That was my impression as soon as you quoted it. Was I not supposed to give away your implied meaning to the rest of the readers? I’m guessing it was probably pretty obvious to anyone else that read it. So, why are you giving me grief for stating the obvious?

I really can’t say that the angel in Rev.14 6-7 refers to any specific angel. Maybe you are right but the Bible doesn’t say it was Moroni so I think you may be jumping to conclusions. My only point was that John saw in a vision an angel who had the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation “for the hour of his judgement is come.”

Why do you assume that the spreading of the Gospel over the past 2000 years, and however long into the future, wasn’t exactly what was referred to in the Apocalypse? First of all, there is only one Gospel (NT Bible). Jesus also said that the future is now. There is no indication that there will be a “large missionary effort” just before the Second Coming. You’re just trying to fit the prophecies into your LDS interpretation of their meaning. The prophecy merely states the fact that the Gospel will be spread to the whole world before Jesus returns. It doesn’t say anything at all about how long that will take. In fact, Jesus sent the Apostles out to preach the Gospel while He was still walking the earth. When was there ever a gap, in all this time, when the Gospel was not continuously preached, every single day? Please, tell me.

Jesus told us the one thing to look for to know the nearness of his coming: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt.24:14) Jesus excluded things that that would occur over the whole 2000 year period saying “but the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:6-7) I believe this implies there will be a large missionary effort that will spread the gospel around the world shortly before the Lords second coming. You don’t have to agree with me. I dont expect you to.

I sure hope you’re not implying that Joseph Smith was the coming of Elias. That would be… I won’t say it. :ehh:

Joseph Smith is not the coming of Elias. Chapters 3 and 4 of Malachi is a prophecy that is telling us of things which will must occur in preparation for the second coming of Christ. (the great and dreaful day of the Lord). Anyone who is interested in this subject should read these chapters. They are the last two chapters in the Old Testament.

 

[mtolympus]

That certainly seems to be what he wanted everyone to think… that he was ‘another Christ’ that came along to fix what his ‘big brother’ messed up for almost 2000 years.

Moroni prophecied before the LDS Church was even organized that the name of Joseph Smith wound be had “for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.” (JS History 1:33) You may choose to study either side you wish.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Moroni prophecied before the LDS Church was even organized that the name of Joseph Smith wound be had “for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.” (JS History 1:33) You may choose to study either side you wish.

There is no evidence that a “Moroni” prophesied anything, all we have is a book published by the subject of purported prophesy. A prophecy that could be put to good use anytime someone might speak poorly of the man and his claims, after all that would just “prove” the prophesy wouldn’t it.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Moroni prophecied before the LDS Church was even organized that the name of Joseph Smith wound be had “for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.” (JS History 1:33) You may choose to study either side you wish.

Their is no specific mention of Moroni but from Joe Smith foward.

History is based on archaeology/geography/written-testament/oral-testament, and where is its actual proof, but in a prophet with no Historical validation of anything he stated but from his existence foward, with no physical proof? When you study Joe Smith back, nothing supports anything he claimed. How is it anything but myth, vague interpretation, and to allude to scripture in what it means only to you? Nothing in the USA can be validated as reported in the BoM pre-existing history, where is the proof?

The question becomes a constant, where is the “physical” proof.

Can we say the Book of Mormons is a great work of literature? For sure, without a doubt. But there’s no, absolutely no physical evidence to support any of it but the “word” of Joe Smith himself…Foward.

Joe Smith back in time what exists? Anything? Something?

 

[RebeccaJ]

Moroni prophecied before the LDS Church was even organized that the name of Joseph Smith wound be had “for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.” (JS History 1:33) You may choose to study either side you wish.

Yes, Joseph Smith “prophesying” about Joseph Smith. As I said, sometimes his narcissism really comes through.

 

[Jerusha]

Can we say the Book of Mormons is a great work of literature? For sure, without a doubt.

No. The BoM is not a great work of literature. It is as a breath of sulfurous air next to Tolkien, Shakespeare, and the Bible. However, it is a historical document in that it records the mentality of the early nineteenth century in North America. For that reason alone, it has great value.

 

[Telstar]

I really can’t say that the angel in Rev.14 6-7 refers to any specific angel. Maybe you are right but the Bible doesn’t say it was Moroni so I think you may be jumping to conclusions. My only point was that John saw in a vision an angel who had the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation “for the hour of his judgement is come.”

I don’t know why you “can’t say” it, but that doesn’t mean you don’t believe it. It’s been stated on this forum and others that ‘Moroni’ is believed by LDS to be that angel. But, you are correct that the Bible certainly doesn’t say it. In fact, the name Moroni doesn’t appear anywhere in the Bible. I did a search in the Douay-Rheims online, and was not surprised that there is no mention of anything like that name. Am I really jumping to conclusions? Maybe. But, if I am, then so did Gordon B. Hinckley:*"John the Revelator ‘saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people’ (Rev. 14:6). That angel has come. His name is Moroni. His is a voice speaking from the dust, bringing another witness of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Stay the Course—Keep the Faith October 1995 Address.)*The ‘gospel’ that LDS refer to in that passage is the BoM, not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible. There is a huge difference in the entire LDS interpretation of the Apocalypse, and all other Bible prophecies, as a result of that one, seemingly insignificant error.

Jesus told us the one thing to look for to know the nearness of his coming: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt.24:14) Jesus excluded things that that would occur over the whole 2000 year period saying “but the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:6-7) I believe this implies there will be a large missionary effort that will spread the gospel around the world shortly before the Lords second coming. You don’t have to agree with me. I dont expect you to.

Jesus didn’t really exclude anything. He only said that the typical wars, earthquakes and other things that are constantly occurring in the world, were merely “the beginnings of sorrows”. They’re the things that are not necessarily imminent ‘signs’, but could be seen as a continuation of the effects that sin has on the earth. As I said, LDS speak only of the BoM when they refer to the ‘gospel’ that they believe will be spread by them in a ‘large missionary effort’. In looking at it from that perspective, they may very well be correct that the spread of the BoM could actually be a ‘trigger factor’ in the Second Coming and the end of the world, when “the hour of His Judgement is come”.

Joseph Smith is not the coming of Elias. Chapters 3 and 4 of Malachi is a prophecy that is telling us of things which will must occur in preparation for the second coming of Christ. (the great and dreaful day of the Lord). Anyone who is interested in this subject should read these chapters. They are the last two chapters in the Old Testament.

Well, I’m glad that you don’t think JS was the coming of Elias, because that would certainly be preposterous. I will certainly have to read those chapters of Malachias, since I don’t believe I’ve ever read that whole book. But, that’s not the last book of the OT in my Bible. The OT in mine ends with the two books of Machabees.

 

[Telstar]

No. The BoM is not a great work of literature. It is as a breath of sulfurous air next to Tolkien, Shakespeare, and the Bible. However, it is a historical document in that it records the mentality of the early nineteenth century in North America. For that reason alone, it has great value.

I have to agree that the BoM is not a great literary work. I love reading the old classics that were written in archaic forms of English, but the BoM is so annoyingly repetitive, and uses such bizarre euphemisms, that it just gets on my nerves when I try to read it. It’s like someone dragging their fingernails across a chalkboard to me.

 

[Miriam1947]

I have to agree that the BoM is not a great literary work. I love reading the old classics that were written in archaic forms of English, but the BoM is so annoyingly repetitive, and uses such bizarre euphemisms, that it just gets on my nerves when I try to read it. It’s like someone dragging their fingernails across a chalkboard to me.

truthandgrace.com/twainbom.htm

Mark Twain on the BOM - 1861

“I am not given to exaggeration, and when I say a thing I mean it.” Page 85

Roughing It – Chapter 16, pages 107-115

All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the “elect” have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so “slow,” so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle–keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. If he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously-engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason.

The book seems to be merely a prosy detail of imaginary history, with the Old Testament for a model; followed by a tedious plagiarism of the New Testament. The author labored to give his words and phrases the quaint, old-fashioned sound and structure of our King James’s translation of the Scriptures; and the result is a mongrel–half modern glibness, and half ancient simplicity and gravity. The latter is awkward and constrained; the former natural, but grotesque by the contrast. Whenever he found his speech growing too modern–which was about every sentence or two—he ladled in a few such Scriptural phrases as “exceeding sore,” “and it came to pass,” etc., and made things satisfactory again. “And it came to pass” was his pet. If he had left that out, his Bible would have been only a pamphlet.

I only supplied the link because that is the source for the Mark Twin comment. This is not a site I recommend to others.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Malachi is a prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. St. John the Baptist fulfilled the role of Elijah.

Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10
This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.’
11
Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.
13
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
14
**And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
**15
Whoever has ears ought to hear.(Matthew 11:9-15)

 

[RebeccaJ]

Jesus told us the one thing to look for to know the nearness of his coming: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt.24:14) Jesus excluded things that that would occur over the whole 2000 year period saying “but the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:6-7) I believe this implies there will be a large missionary effort that will spread the gospel around the world shortly before the Lords second coming. You don’t have to agree with me. I dont expect you to.

God, being the Creator of time, exists outside of it. And so Catholics don’t view the coming of Jesus Christ as a linear event. The coming of Jesus Christ, was, is, and will be, all at the same “time”. The Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist is this event, the coming of Jesus Christ is made present to us at every Mass. The Greek word “perusia” invoking both a sense of coming and presence.

“Come Lord come!” Marantha! is an ancient and still used plea, which God hears and answers consistently and persistently. When Jesus comes in glory, to judge the living and the dead, all will be fulfilled in Him, with Him and through Him. Just as everything was fulfilled in the same Way, and is fulfilled in the same Way.

Jesus, in Matthew, is prophesying the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (verses 1&2). Clearly, this is devastating to the disciples ears and how they understand and believe. In Jesus’ explanation, He is not only speaking of this event, but of HIMSELF. As you will remember, He also speaks of the temple being destroyed and built in three days, which helps us to understand, JESUS is the fulfillment of the temple, and through Him the purposes of the temple are fulfilled.

He then turns the conversation as looking for the return of HIMSELF (NOT the return of temple worship).

Hope that helps.

 

[Telstar]

truthandgrace.com/twainbom.htm

Mark Twain on the BOM - 1861

“I am not given to exaggeration, and when I say a thing I mean it.” Page 85

Roughing It – Chapter 16, pages 107-115

All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the “elect” have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so “slow,” so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle–keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. If he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously-engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason.

The book seems to be merely a prosy detail of imaginary history, with the Old Testament for a model; followed by a tedious plagiarism of the New Testament. The author labored to give his words and phrases the quaint, old-fashioned sound and structure of our King James’s translation of the Scriptures; and the result is a mongrel–half modern glibness, and half ancient simplicity and gravity. The latter is awkward and constrained; the former natural, but grotesque by the contrast. Whenever he found his speech growing too modern–which was about every sentence or two—he ladled in a few such Scriptural phrases as “exceeding sore,” “and it came to pass,” etc., and made things satisfactory again. “And it came to pass” was his pet. If he had left that out, his Bible would have been only a pamphlet.

I only supplied the link because that is the source for the Mark Twin comment. This is not a site I recommend to others.

I always loved Mark Twain’s sense of humor.