Doctrine and Covenants 19

D&C 19:6-12

According to this, "endless" and "eternal" do not mean without end. These verses explain that these words are used because, "it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men." Without this explanation in D&C, what would be the likely understanding of the words "endless" and "eternal"? Is it honest communication to use these words in other scriptures when, according to this, the common meaning of the words is not the actual meaning?

The verses found in Luke 22:43-44 are not found in the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of Luke. These were likely added in later as a response to Marcionism. Since verse 44 has some of its ideas echoed in Mosiah 3:7 and D&C 19:18, this becomes even more problematic regarding the reliability of LDS scriptural texts.

Verses 21-22 explain it is appropriate to teach more basic principles ("milk") before teaching weightier subjects ("meat"). This is hardly unique to Mormonism. This is also taught in 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 and Hebrews 5:11-14. As one bishop and institute director put it in 1986, "Throwing a person into deep water doesn’t help him learn to swim; it may even give him an aversion to going near the water. Similarly, without a proper foundation in the basic truths of the gospel, a person usually isn’t ready for heavier doctrines. That’s why the Lord counsels us to give people milk before meat" (Steve F. Gilliland, September 1986 Ensign, "What is an appropriate way to respond to unfriendly questions about the Church?").

However, I see the above analogy as weak or even misleading. In deep water, the physics of the situation may doom a person who does not know how to swim or tread water. But, when it comes to ideas, principles, and learning; outside of religion, how many have been harmed by being put into the "deep" teachings? When I was about 7 years old, I read some algebra homework of an older student and tried to make sense of it. It seemed ridiculously unintelligible to me. Did this mathematical meat harm me? No. I went on to study Calculus in high school and college. Mathematics was among my favorite subjects, and went on to do well in it.

I would argue that this idea of milk before meat is a harmful teaching, at least inasmuch as it is practiced in the LDS Church. The Mormon Church seems to use this to avoid full disclosure, and think of the implications of not disclosing all relevant information. "Man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other [opposing things]" (2 Nephi 2:15-16). If one does not have full disclosure, then it would seem agency itself is at risk. Back to that Ensign article, Steve F. Gilliland said, "In their efforts to turn people away from the Church, some antagonists focus on doctrinal half-truths, distorting some of our richest and most precious doctrines that people aren’t ready to understand." Steve, I don't think it's the half-truths and distortions of the Church's antagonists that drive most people away from the Church.

This verse says the Lamanites are a remnant of the Jews, yet there is no evidence to support the claim that any such people ever existed in the Americas. For more information on the lack of evidence for this claim, see “Is lack of DNA evidence a major challenge to Book of Mormon truth claims?” .

According to Merriam-Webster, tenet is: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true; especially: one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession.

Is this used in some other sense here? If not, when did the apostles and prophets of the LDS Church stop following this directive to not talk of tenets?