Logic and 'The Grove'

Critics attempt to negate Joseph Smith's vision in the grove experience because various accounts have been found some by Joseph himself.  In fact not only critics of the Restoration movement but the issue has even caused division within ranks of Saints as well.

If by logic we must reject Joseph Smith's grove experience based on differing accounts of the grove experience then are we are obligated as just Christians to reject the crucifixion experience for differing accounts as well?. Which is it? 

Inconsistencies appear in scripture often.  Does their existance though cause us to reject the message of the Bible?

For example:

OR

 

One account says 'This is the King' another says 'Jesus of Nazareth the King' yet another says merely 'The King of the Jews.' 

Did it say anything at all?

Some accounts say Pilate wrote the title but Luke just said a superscription was written over him with no mention of Pilate. 

Was Pilate really there or not? 

What exactly did the personages say to Joseph?  Was there really two or just one? 

Do the Biblical variations of the crucifixion differ significantly from the grove experience in magnitude? 

Shouldn't we reject it all if we don't know? 

Hmmmm

Now do we really reject the crucifixion because the accounts do not agree?  Perhaps only one of the accounts was actually true and the other apostles were going from memory? Perhaps Matthew's or Mark's or Luke's or John's  were all mis-statements and details exist which were all recounted in error.  Will we ever know?  Does it change our faith in Christ as the risen Savior?  Was a doctrinal flaw introduced of eternal significance because inconsistencies exist?  If the logic holds true then countless Christians have been led astray because of the elusive truth contained in this precious passage. 

The problem is not that differing accounts logically prove an event false.  Rather the real problem becomes the logic we use to 'prove' the validity of an event.

We must use sound principles in applying sound logic to discern real truth and here is the underlying fallacy in the grove experience debate.  Our logic is not being applied evenly to events of the Latter-Day restoration as well as Biblical Christian history.  This is usually the tactic of how Satan stirs up doubt in the minds of believers.

Regarding the crucifixion I accept that a title was indeed placed over the head of Jesus. To some who witnessed it it bore the truth of His majesty; to others it was the target of His mockery.  What were the specific words written?  I may never know. 

But the inconsistency of the Biblical writers' accounts does not dilute my testimony that the event really and truly occurred nor should it dilute anyone else's testimony.  Where issues of doctrinal importance play a part in Salvation's plan God has marvelously spoken through two or three witnesses to make the issue clear.  (Ex.  See 2 Nephi chapter 13 for a clear explanation of the simple Doctrine of Christ if the New Testament writer's message was not always apparent.)

Likewise a young man who lacked wisdom sincerely sought his Heavenly Father in the woods of Palmyra New York.  From this boy's encounter with the Eternal Father the Lord poured out His Spirit in response and the world will never be the same.  Herein lies the truth of the issue.

 

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