A Survey of the Old Testament Law--Deuteronomy 1-5 (Part 2)

Deuteronomy 4:32-35—32 “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard. 33 Did any people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? 34 Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 35 To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.” In the 1800s, Joseph Smith invented a “God” more to his own liking, and this “God” is worshipped by many Mormons across the globe. Temples have been built to him, universities have been built proclaiming to teach about this “God” to many unsuspecting followers. But this “God” is the invention of a man’s imagination—He doesn’t exist, He can do nothing for anyone, and the “gospel” that is offered to the followers of this “God” can save no one, as these worshippers follow a false god who does not exist, and has never existed except in the mind of a money-digging polygamist.

This “God” is one of millions of “Gods” who rule over millions of universes, and had to learn how to be a “God” himself. In what is known as the “King Follett Discourse”, Joseph Smith elaborated on what he believed and taught to be the nature and person of God, how He was once a man and progressed to godhood:

In the sermon, Joseph taught about divine nature and eternal progression. He countered the long-standing theological tradition that treated God as wholly different than humanity. He explained that “if men do not comprehend the character of God they do not comprehend themselves.” He taught that God “was once as one of us” and that “all the spirits that God ever sent into the world” were “susceptible of enlargement,” having the capacity to become like God in the eternities. Joseph also taught that a core part of each person is coeternal with God, comparing this divine core to a ring, without beginning or end. The King Follett sermon was the most direct, public explanation of these doctrines, but it was not the first time they had been introduced. The Book of Mormon and the book of Moses both contain passages that stood at odds with the theological position dominant in Joseph Smith’s day that God is “without body, parts, or passions.” Revelations received by Joseph Smith as early as 1832 taught that spirits existed “in the beginning with God” and that through the power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, individuals could “receive their inheritance and be made equal with him,” becoming gods. Joseph Smith had elaborated on these revelations in various settings, helping others grasp the implications of his teachings.

(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/king-follett-discourse?lang=eng)

This speech was based on the famous couplet spoken by Lorenzo Snow, “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith himself publicly taught the doctrine the following year, 1844, during a funeral sermon of Elder King Follett: “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! … It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1938, pp. 345–46.)

(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1982/02/i-have-a-question/is-president-snows-statement-as-man-now-is-god-once-was-as-god-now-is-man-may-be-accepted-as-official-doctrine?lang=eng)

This is nothing more than self-worship, and goes against the clear teaching of Scripture, that YYHVH alone is God, that nothing and no one can become God, and that “there is none other besides Him.” God did not have to “learn” how to become God, He has always been God. None can become God, for He alone is, was, and always will be God. This was a lesson the people of Israel would have to be reminded of many times throughout their history, and one which many humans today need to be reminded of.

In Deuteronomy 5:1-33, Moses repeats what we call the Ten Commandments, and reminds the people that these are the words of the covenant God made with them, to make them a people of God, set apart to Him, simply for His good pleasure. You will hear many today speak against the doctrine of Sovereign Election—that God chooses those whom He will save—and say that “it’s not fair!” Well, was it “fair” for God to only choose this people to receive His Law and be brought into a covenant with Him? What of the Ammonite, or the Moabite? Would it not have been “fair” for God to tell them His law and how to please Him and how to atone for their sins? Was it “fair” for God to only choose—not all the descendants to Abraham, not all the descendants of Isaac—but only the descendants of Jacob to be His people? For He did not enter into an everlasting covenant with the descendants of Ishmael; He did not enter into an everlasting covenant with the descendants of Esau; He only entered into such a covenant with the descendants of Jacob (Israel), and it was only these with whom He made a covenant that these should be His people.

And this Law that He gave—the Ten Commandments and the other 513 commands—were the rules they were to live by in order to continue to be considered His people. These commands were not burdens, they were not grievous. They were how all people should act in accordance with the holiness and righteousness of God. If someone does not want to obey these commands, they cannot be a child of God. If they want to steal; if they want to murder; if they want to defile their neighbor’s wife; if they want to commit acts of homosexuality, then they cannot be called the people of God. Because these things go against everything He is and that person will not prosper as a child of God. As it says in Deuteronomy 5:32-33—32 “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.” I’ll finish with these words from Matthew Henry—

Seeing God had shown himself so tender of them, and so willing to consider their frame and gratify them in what they desired, and withal so ready to make the best of them, - seeing they themselves had desired to have Moses for their teacher, who was now teaching them, - and seeing they had promised so solemnly, and under the influence of so many good causes and considerations, that they would hear and do, he charges them to walk in all the ways that God had commanded them, assuring them that it would be highly for their advantage to do so. The only way to be happy is to be holy.

Deuteronomy 5:6-22—6 “' I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 7 You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 11 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 12 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. 16 Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. 17 You shall not murder. 18 You shall not commit adultery. 19 You shall not steal. 20 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 21 You shall not covet your neighbor's wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.' 22 These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.”

Here we come to the crux of this entire study—the Law and its application to our lives today. Here we have Moses repeating the Ten Words (Ten Commandments) that God gave to him atop Mt. Sinai. These were the terms and conditions of this covenant that God made with the people of Israel. But what of the other 513 commands in the Law? Were the people to keep them too, and if they didn’t, what would happen to the people? And why were these ten given apart from the other 513? And most importantly for us, what do they mean for us today? Are we supposed to keep them? All good questions, so let’s address them.

“What of the other 513 commands in the Law? Were the people to keep them too, and if they didn’t, what would happen to the people? And why were these ten given apart from the other 513?” First, let’s talk about these ten in relation to the entirety of the 613 commandments contained in the Law. The Ten Commandments were given to all the people atop Sinai as the cornerstone of the entire Law. But these Ten Commandments don’t include the commands against homosexuality, bestiality, and incest. The Ten Commandments were the first ten spoken by God to the people, and written by God onto tablets of stone. Moses then brought these tablets down to the people, who said “It is enough! You alone go up and speak with God! We will wait down here! We are frightened by the voice of God.” So Moses went back up Sinai to receive the rest of the Words spoken by God. And what we have as Exodus 20:22-Leviticus 27:34 (with the exception of a few places) was the other 513 commandments, also spoken to Moses by God within that same time frame. So really, all 613 Commandments of the Law were given to Moses upon Mt. Sinai within those 40 days and 40 nights that Moses was at the summit. And the penalties for breaking these commands, which were included with the giving of the commands, were to be carried out against the violators of the commands—whether considering the person unclean until sundown, or cutting the person off from the people, or the death of the perpetrator.

“So why does Moses only mention the Ten Commandments here?” Two reasons. First, these were the only ten that the people heard spoken at the mountain before they got scared of hearing God’s voice, so Moses received the other 513 commandments after he ascended back up the mount. Exodus 21:1—“Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them.” God continued giving His law to Moses even after the people said they did not want to hear the voice of God lest they be consumed (Exodus 20:18-21). The other reason Moses only restated the Ten Commandments was for the sake of time. Do you think it would have behooved Moses to speak the entirety of the book of Leviticus at this time? To again write all the words he wrote in that book? No, it was sufficient for him to only speak and write the words which the people heard, as they could understand the rest when he later wrote Deuteronomy.

“So what does this mean for us today? Are we supposed to keep the entire Law, or just the Ten Commandments?” This is where we need to slow down and let the Scriptures speak. These were the words of the covenant that God made with the people of Israel, the covenant which they broke (Jeremiah 31:32). Once this covenant was broken, God would make a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31). So God began preparing the way for the new and better covenant to come into being. Malachi 3:1—"Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. This is speaking of John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:3). He would announce to the people of Israel that the time of the establishment of the New Covenant was at hand, that God was going to establish a new Way for the people’s sins to be forgiven. John 1:29—“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” No longer would the people have to bring bulls and goats to the temple of God for them to be slaughtered and butchered in a particular way. God was providing His own Lamb, upon whom the sins of all the believing would be laid, and He would take those sins to God for them to be expiated. And in this new covenant, there were not 613 commandments which were to be followed to the letter, but rather only two simple commands. Matthew 22:36-40—36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Whereas the Torah observant Jews were trying to keep the covenant that their fathers had already broken, Jesus was going forth announcing a new covenant which they refused. While the old covenant was mediated by Moses (Galatians 3:19), this new covenant would be mediated by God Himself—the Second Person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ our Lord (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24). And just as at the base of Mt. Sinai the people did not want to hear the voice of God lest they be consumed, now they did not want to hear the voice of God because it spoke against them and their inability to uphold the covenant that God made with their fathers.

So Jesus spilt His blood, ushering in the New Covenant. Now, what did this New Covenant say about the Old Covenant? It says that a new and better covenant may be established, that the Old Covenant is ready to be done away with (Hebrews 8:13). Included in that Old Covenant that is being done away with are the commandments contained therein—the Old Testament Law. “So you’re saying this Law was done away with?” Yes, that is what I am saying—but only for those who believe. There are many who are afraid to say that, thinking that saying this will give people carte blanche to act however they want to according to their desires. But let’s discuss this for a minute. First, what else would the apostle Paul mean when he said in Romans 6:14, when he said For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace? His words are clear, that the Law does not hold sway over us as believers in Christ. You are not under law. Plus, when we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, leading us in the ways of righteousness, and convicting us of sin, so that if we do sin our hearts will be heavy and we will go to God and ask for forgiveness, which will be provided to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

“Yes, but in Romans 6:14, when Paul uses the word ‘you’, he is writing to believers. We believers are not under law, but what of unbelievers?” The unbeliever is still under that Law, and it will hold him accountable to God. “Explain.” I will. He writes to Timothy in 1^st Timothy 1:9-10—9 Knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. The Law will judge those who continue to commit sin and whose sins are not taken away by the blood of Christ. If your sins have been paid for by Christ, they will not again be brought up before God when you die—You are not under law—the blood of Jesus has taken away those sins, and you will stand righteous and accepted by God  (Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:19). But if Christ’s blood has not washed away one’s sins, and one dies in those sins, how is God to judge that person for those sins? What standard is He to use? He will use His Law. The law is not made for a righteous person, but…for sinners. The sinner, in the New Testament, is one who does not have faith in Christ as His payment for sins. That is who the Law is now for—the one who stands naked and open to God, their sins still clinging to them like refuse, and that person will be judged by His Law.

Paul says in another place, What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions (Galatians 3:19). God gave His Law because of sins. He did not give the Law in order to make people righteous, but rather because people are unrighteous. He gave it to the people of Israel because He chose them, out of all the people in the world. He did not give it to the Edomites. He did not give it to the Amalekites. He did not give it to the Hivites or the Perizzites or the Girgashites. He gave it to the Israelites, not because they were any better than their neighbors, but to show their neighbors how sinful those neighbors were. Moses would tell the people in Deuteronomy 9:4-6—4 “Do not think in your heart, after the LORD your God has cast them out before you, saying, 'Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land'; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out from before you…6 Therefore understand that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.” That must have been a blow to their pride. And this is the effect the Doctrine of Election should have on us. That God chose us, not because we were good enough or righteous enough—for we are neither, at heart—but because we are unrighteous, there being nothing in us that would commend us to God. But we are all, each and every human being, a stiff-necked people that shrink away from God every chance we get.

And it is this Law that shows us so. In our unregenerated state, we want nothing to do with God. We make for ourselves idols that we will desire against and above God. We want what we want, and we will kill and steal and covet until we have it. “But what about people that do not kill and steal?” James 2:10-11—10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Do they believe in God? No? Then they have created for themselves a God they worship even if they don’t believe they do. They say they do not believe in any gods, but they do. If they believe that the human race is the pinnacle of everything, then they believe that the human race created itself, thus setting up the human race as their god. These are the people that the Law will condemn when they stand before God on the last day.

The roots Mormonism shares with Rome (part 3)

Finishing up our look at how Mormonism and Roman Catholicism are, basically, theological cousins. Maybe not first cousins, more like third cousins twice removed. But they both spring from the same tree, and they both have the same father (small-'f').

They both teach that the blood of Christ is not the only way to pay for our sins

--Catholicism teaches that the person must pay for some sins themselves in Purgatory.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), paragraphs 1030-1031--1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. 1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent...we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come."

--Mormonism teaches forgiveness beyond the grave

Gospel Principles (GP), 1997 ed., chapter 45, p. 292-293--"In the spirit prison are the spirits of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. These spirits have agency and may be enticed by both good and evil. If they accept the gospel and the ordinances performed for them in the temples, they may prepare themselves to leave the spirit prison and dwell in paradise. Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it was preached to them on earth or in the spirit prison...After suffering in full for their sins, they will be allowed to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is the telestial kingdom."

--Early Mormon leaders also taught the doctrine of "Blood Atonement", which means that a person can commit a sin that can only be forgiven by them shedding their own blood. (PSSTT--Remember last week, we saw that in the Mormon church and the Roman Catholic church there are things that aren't "official doctrine" even though they are taught over and over and over again? This is one of them!)

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses Volume 3 Page 247 (1856)--"Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins and be received into the kingdom of God."

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1 Page 133--"But man may commit certain grievous sins...that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail."

Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pages 92-93, 1966 edition--"But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not [pay for], and the law of God is that men then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins."

You can read more words of Mormon leaders on "Blood Atonement" here.

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They both teach that one must honor their leader

--Catholicism teaches that one must honor the Pope.

CCC, paragraph 882, 889--"For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered...the People of God, under the guidance of the Church's living magisterium, unfailingly adheres to this faith."

Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam, 468, [quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 4, Chapter 4]--"If, therefore, the Greeks or others say that they are not committed to Peter and to his successors, they necessarily say that they are not of the sheep of Christ, since the Lord says that there is only one fold and one shepherd (Jn.10:16). Whoever, therefore, resists this authority, resists the command of God Himself."

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ July 18, 1870 Chapter 3--"[I]f anyone says that the Roman pontiff has merely an office of supervision and guidance, and not the full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole church...or that this power of his is not ordinary and immediate both over all and each of the churches and over all and each of the pastors and faithful let him he anathema."

Pope Leo XIII, Acts of Leo XIII, Satis Cognitum, Rome, Vatican Press, 1896--"[T]hose who refuse to asso­ciate in communion with the Chair of Peter belong to Antichrist, not to Christ. He who would separate himself from the Roman Pontiff has no further bond with Christ."

Fifth Lateran Council, session 11, On the abrogation of the Pragmatic Sanction, December 19, 1516--"[S]ubjection to the Roman pontiff is necessary for salvation for all Christ's faithful..."

Pope Pius XI Papal Teachings – The Church, Mystici Corporis, St Paul Editions 1962 para 1040-1041--"To be Christian, one must be Roman, governed by Christ's Vicar on earth. The Church does not rest on Christ alone, but also on Peter. That Christ and His Vicar constitute only one single Head is solemn teaching. Therefore, those who think they can ac­cept Christ as the Head of the Church without ad­hering faithfully to His Vicar on earth are in dan­gerous error."

To read more about the Roman Catholic teaching that if one does not honor the Pope they are Anathema, see here.

--Mormonism teaches that one must honor Joseph Smith in the same way they honor Christ.

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses (7:289)--"From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are--I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent."

1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p.142--"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]."

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190--"[There is] no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., p.134; quoted in “Joseph Smith: Restorer of Truth,” Ensign, Dec 2003, 17--“The day will come – and it is not far distance, either – when the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith will be coupled with the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…”

James E. Faust, “Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Jan 1996, p. 2--"A person will never be truly on the road to conversion until he has at least a beginning witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. Further, members of this Church must accept, and its missionaries must teach, some absolutes. These absolutes are: (1) That Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer of all mankind through his atonement; (2) That through Joseph Smith, a prophet of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in its fulness."

A. Theodore Tuttle, Joseph Smith re-established fullness of true gospel, Church, Church News, March 17, 2001, p.14--"Every man who has lived since the days of Joseph Smith is subject to accepting him as a prophet of God in order to enter into our Heavenly father’s presence."

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They both teach that their leader (Pope, Prophet/President) is still giving new, authoritative revelations today.

--The Catholic Pope speaks ex cathedra

CCC, paragraph 891--"The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals...'The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium', above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself."

Vatican I, Session 4, chapter 4, paragraph 9--"Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the Christian religion, for the glory of God our Savior, for the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the salvation of the Christian people, with the approval of the sacred council, we teach and define that it is a divinely revealed dogma that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks "ex cathedra," i.e., when exercising his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians he defines, by his supreme apostolic authority, a doctrine of faith or morals which must be held by the universal Church, enjoys, through the divine assistance, that infallibility promised to him in blessed Peter...So then, should anyone have the temerity to reject this definition of ours: let him be anathema."

--Mormonism teaches strict adherence to the word of the Prophet/President

Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 132:54--"And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law."

Elaine Cannon, If We Want to Go Up, We Have to Get On, Ensign, Nov 1978, p.107--"Personal opinions may vary. Eternal principles never do. When the prophet speaks, sisters, the debate is over."

Elder Eldon Tanner references this quote in an later article (N. Eldon Tanner, 'The Debate Is Over', Ensign, Aug 1979, p.2)--Recently, at the Churchwide fireside meeting held for the women of the Church, Young Women President Elaine Cannon made the following statement: "When the Prophet speaks, sisters, the debate is over." I was impressed by that simple statement, which carries such deep spiritual meaning for all of us. Wherever I go, my message to the people is: Follow the prophet."

President Henry D. Moyle, “Beware of Temptation,” as quoted in Teachings of the Living Prophets, Religion 333 Student Manual, p. 19--“The older I get and the closer the contact I have with the President of the church, the more I realize that the greatest of all scriptures which we have in the world today is current scripture. What the mouthpiece of god says to His children is scripture. It is intended for all the children of god upon the earth. It is His word and His will and His law made manifest through His ordained and anointed servant to the world. What the President says is scripture, and I love it more than all other. It applies to me today specifically, and to you all.”

Teachings of the Living Prophets: Religion 333 Student Manual, p. 20--"Occasionally misinformed members of the Church will maintain that, although they accept the standard works as divinely inspired, they are reluctant to give equal credence to pronouncements of the living prophet. Such individuals are pursuing an inconsistent course and 'err, not knowing the scriptures' (Matthew 22:29), for the scriptures themselves plainly testify of the fact that we must give heed to the living prophets (see D&C 1:14, 38; 21:1, 4-5)."

For more quotes concerning the need to follow the living "Prophet" see here.

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So, in conclusion, we see that--
Catholics believe that indulgences can be made for the dead. Mormons believe that one can be baptized for the dead.
Catholics believe that the Pope and the Magisterium hold the "Keys of the Kingdom" and speak for God. Mormons believe their Prophet/President holds the "Keys of the Priesthood" and speaks for God.
Catholics believe that the Bible alone is not sufficiently authoritative--you need the Bible AND Tradition AND the Catechism to know the truth. Mormons believe that the Bible alone is not sufficiently authoritative--you need the Bible (so far as it is correctly translated) AND the Book of Mormon AND the Doctrine and Covenants AND the Pearl of Great Price AND the words of the living "Prophet" to know the truth.
Catholics believe we are saved by grace AND "good works". Mormons believe we are saved by grace "after all that we can do."
Catholics believe their church alone is the continuation of the church founded by Christ. Mormons believe that their church alone has restored the church founded by Christ.
Catholics believe wrongly about Mary (that she was born sinless, that we must believe rightly about her to be saved). Mormons believe wrongly about Mary (that she was impregnated by God the Father).
Catholics and Mormons both believe that some sins cannot be paid for by the blood of Christ, but may be (or may need to be) paid for by the person themselves (or by someone else on their behalf) after they die.
Catholics believe that if one does not honor the Pope properly, they are not saved. Mormons believe that if one does not honor Joseph Smith (as well as the living "Prophet") properly, they may not be saved.
Catholics believe that one must dogmatically accept the teachings of the Pope. Mormons believe that one must dogmatically accept the teachings of the living "Prophet."

So, as you can see, as much as the early Mormon leaders decried the Romish church, they have more in common with Rome than they do with (small-'o') orthodox Christianity. And hopefully you can see, now, how deeply the roots of Mormonism and Catholicism are intertwined. After all, they grow from the same family tree.

The roots Mormonism shares with Rome (part 1)

When Satan wants to lead people away from God, he doesn't necessarily put up a new building--he simply changes the name of the business and hangs a new sign out front.

"She is termed, in other places, by the same prophet, "The whore of all the earth," making the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Some three centuries ago there came out sortie excellent men, named Martin Luther, John Calvin and many others that might be mentioned, who protested against the wickedness and abominations of the Church wherein they had been educated, and of which they had been members. Because of their protestations against the mother Church they were called Protestants."--Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses Vol. 14, p.346

Orson Pratt is, in the above quote, making an obvious reference to the Roman Catholic Church. And lest you think this is simply his opinion, this thought is recorded in Mormon "Scripture" in two places. Furthermore, you can find many other quotes from early Mormon leaders referring to the Vatican in like manner at this link.

Doctrines and Covenants (D&C) 88:94--"And another angel shall sound his trump, saying: That great church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, that persecuteth the saints of God, that shed their blood—she who sitteth upon many waters, and upon the islands of the sea—behold, she is the tares of the earth; she is bound in bundles; her bands are made strong, no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. And he shall sound his trump both long and loud, and all nations shall hear it."

1 Nephi 14:10-11--10 And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. 11 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

Granted, Mormonism did not spring forth from the Roman church--but they are, shall we say, born from the same root system, and they both have the same father. And whether they want to admit it or not, the LDS church has more in common with the Roman church than they do with true Christianity. It is as if Satan led Joseph Smith to simply take the structure and hierarchy of Romanism, throw in some Hinduism with it, plagiarize the King James Bible, and sprinkle in just enough Christian terminology (not to mention repeating the phrase "And it came to pass" ad nauseum) to fool countless numbers of folks.

The purpose of this post is not to defend the Vatican. Nor is it to begin a debate about Romanism. What I endeavor to do, though, is to show that as much as the early Mormon church railed about the Romish church being "The Whore of Babylon" and so forth, there are many beliefs and structures in Mormonism that show that the Mormon church is not that different from their Papal cousins.

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They both teach that after you die, someone else can come along and perform rituals that will help improve the state you are in.

--Catholicism has indulgences.

• 2nd Maccabees 12:43--And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection.

--Mormonism has baptism for the dead.

• D&C 128:18--It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also.

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They both have one man whom they claim to be "speaking for God." Around him is a group of men who claim to hold the "Keys to the Kingdom" and who choose his successor.

--Catholicism has the Pope and the College of Cardinals.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), paragraphs 881-883--881 "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head"...882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." 883 "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." As such, this college has "supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff."


• CCC 100--The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church , that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.

--The Mormon church has their prophet/president along with the Quorum of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

• D&C 107:9-10, 33-35--9 The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. 10 High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things...33 The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church...to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations...34 The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations; 35 The Twelve being sent out, holding the keys, to open the door by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.


• History of the Church, Volume 2, chapter 27--"Also the Twelve are not subject to any other than the first Presidency...and where I am not, there is no First Presidency over the Twelve."


• Church News, June 20, 1992, page 3--"The most reliable way to measure the accuracy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day revelations." (Letter from the First Presidency to all member churches).


• Ensign, July 1973, p. 18--"But it is a great thing to believe in the living prophets. Our salvation is contingent upon our belief in a living prophet and adherence to his word...His words, above those of any other man, ought to be esteemed and considered by the Church as well as by the world...Someone has said, 'That person is not truly converted until he sees the power of God resting upon the leaders of this church, and until it goes down into his heart like fire.' Some may wonder at such power and authority being vested in one man. 'Could he not lead us astray?' they ask. President Wilford Woodruff once said, 'The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so he will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty.' (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff [Bookcraft, 1946], pp. 212–13.) President Henry D. Moyle has said, 'The older I get and the closer contact I have with the President of the Church, the more I realize that the greatest of all scripture which we have in the world today is current scripture. What the mouthpiece of God says to his children is scripture. It is his word and his will and his law made manifest through scripture, and I love it more than all other.'" (BYU tri-stake fireside, January 1963.) (Online Source).

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They both teach that you need other teachings besides the Bible. In fact, they say, you cannot understand the Bible without their own teachings and Traditions.

--The Catholic church has added the Catechism and Traditions.

• CCC 80-82--80 "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together, and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing out from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing, and move towards the same goal." Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own "always, to the close of the age". 81 "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit." And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching." 82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."

--The Mormon church denies the accuracy of the Bible, and adds their Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price--along with the words of the current prophet/president.

• Article of Faith #8--We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.


• Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.10--"It was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled."


• Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 327--"I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors."


• Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:24, 26,28--24 "The book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew...it contained the fullness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record...26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church...28 after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God. And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles."


• Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 29:3,10--"3 Many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible...10 Wherefore because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written."


• Church News, June 20, 1992, page 3--"The most reliable way to measure the accuracy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day revelations." (Letter from the First Presidency to all member churches).


• Ensign, November 1984, p. 7--"Men can get nearer to the Lord, can have more of the spirit of conversion and conformity in their hearts...can gain a better understanding of the doctrines of salvation through the Book of Mormon than they can through the Bible...there will be more people saved in the kingdom of God - ten thousand times over - because of the Book of Mormon than there will be because of the Bible."

More next week.

50 Answers to 50 Mormon Answers to 50 Anti-Mormon Questions (Answer 28)

Tower To Truth Question:

28. If marriage is essential to achieve exaltation, why did Paul say that it is good for a man not to marry? (1st Corinthians 7:1)

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FAIR Answer:

Paul does not say it is good not to marry, but quotes the Corinthian Saints' comments in a previous letter to him. Paul is responding to this claim, and he critiques it.

To learn more: Paul says good not to marry?

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My Response:

Methinks FAIR is misunderstanding Tower's intentions in asking this question. It's almost the same misunderstanding Catholics have with us Protestants when we deny the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity. They seem to be under the impression that we think sex (or, in this case, marriage) is a shameful thing and that we think it is "icky."

On the contrary. We are not saying that marriage is a "bad" thing. Neither is Paul. And above all--knowing that the Scriptures were God-breathed--neither is God! And if FAIR knew their Bible, they would have gone immediately to Hebrews 13:4--Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled. Or even 1st Timothy 4:1-3--Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry... (Not to say anything about Catholics forbidding their priests from marrying, mind you...[/sarcasm]) But, the Mormon cannot get around the fact that Paul said he would have men to be as he was (i.e., unmarried). But, let's dive into the text, shall we?

What is the first thing we need to consider before we examine ANY text from the Bible? Say it with me kids! CONTEXT...CONTEXT...CONTEXT. What is the context of 1st Corinthians 7? There had come up some question(s) in the church at Corinth concerning marriage. One of them seems to be what Paul is quoting in verse 1, that it is good for a man not to touch a woman. And, if it is good for a man not to touch a woman, does that mean that one should abstain from even marrying? But Paul tells them they have misunderstood his point. What he meant was that it is good if a man does not touch a woman he is not married to. But, if he IS married, then he should render to his wife due benevolence (in the biblical sense of "knowing" her, verse 3. And speaking of Catholics, doesn't this mean that Joseph should have rendered his "due benevolence" unto Mary? Just sayin'...).

So, why does Paul say it is good for men not to marry? Now, slow down there my Mormon friend! Because, contrary to what you will accuse me of saying, he is NOT saying it is BAD if you DO marry! The answer to the question of why he says it is good not to marry is found in 1st Corinthians 7:33-35--But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. Now, we could do an entire study of these verses but we won't.....today. But notice the parts that are in bold. The reason Paul advises them to not marry is simple--so that they may serve the Lord unhindered. 2nd Timothy 2:4--No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

But, there's another thing we need to notice about this passage. Look at verse 4. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. So, this means that Emma Smith had authority over Joseph's body, yes? So, knowing that Joseph Smith's fleshly lust was pretty strong, how could he go out and have sex with all the girls he wanted to have? "Hey!! I've got it!! I'll have "God" speak a commandment to Emma, telling her that she must let me have as many women as I want, or God will destroy her!! Doggone, I'm getting good at this "prophet" stuff!!" So, he comes up with Doctrine and Covenants 132:52-54--And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God. For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been faithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him. And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law. "See that, honey? This ain't me talking, this is God!! And, ya know, ya gotta obey what He says! I mean, hey, it's not that I want to go sleeping with a bunch of wives, but if God said it, hey, I'm good with it! I, uh, I mean, I guess I'll do it!"

And, to justify his lust, he decided to let "God" allow him to have his 33 wives in D&C 132:61-62--"And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified." This passage has been covered under one of the other questions, so for more click here. But here's another thing: It says if any man espouse a second wife who is a virgin. Um, if any Mormon historian can tell the truth here: were ALL of Joseph's wives virgins who had not been espoused to other men? No? Well, then I guess he'll just have to be destroyed. Sorry. Those are the words of your "God."

Now, as far as relating this to 1st Corinthians 7:2 says--Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. See that word "wife"? What do you notice about it? Is it plural? No. It is singular. "WIFE" not "WIVES." Therefore, D&C 132 goes against what is clearly spelled out in this passage. But, I guess this was just Paul's idea. Or, perhaps, it was one of those "truths, plain and most precious that were removed from the gospel of the Lamb."

Update on raid on Texas perverts

Now, we find out that more than 400 CHILDREN have been exposed to perverts calling themselves "saints of God" (FOXNews):

ELDORADO, Texas — A polygamist compound with hundreds of children was rife with sexual abuse, child welfare officials allege in court documents, with girls spiritually married to much older men as soon as they reached puberty and boys groomed to perpetuate the cycle.

The documents released Tuesday also gave details about the hushed phone calls that broke open the case, by a 16-year-old girl at the West Texas ranch who said her 50-year-old husband beat and raped her. Days after raiding the compound, officials still aren't sure where the girl is.

Officials have completed removing all 416 children from the ranch and have won custody of all of them, Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner told reporters in San Angelo, about 40 miles from the compound in Eldorado.

Don't think there aren't Mormons out there that want to legalize the kind of sick perversions Joseph Smith gave us? Read the comments at this site.

Like a duck is different from a Dodge

Good ol' Elder Ballard could have gone on and on about how Mormon beliefs differ from the truth. But, he only had time for three. And they are...



Well, these beliefs are wrong. Nothing needed to be "restored," those "additional scriptures" were invented by Joseph Smith, and we are not all "spirit children" of God.

He could have also mentioned:

• Mormons believe God the Father had to "progress" to be the God He is now.
• Christians believe He has always been the God He is now.



• Mormons believe there are many "Gods."
• Christians believe there is only one God.



• Mormons believe Jesus and Lucifer are "spirit brothers."
• Christians believe that all things were created by Christ, and this includes the angels (one of which was Lucifer).



• Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was a "prophet of God."
• Anybody who has studied enough knows that Joseph Smith was a fraud.



• Mormons believe the Bible is only to be trusted "as far as it is correctly translated" (8th Article of Faith).
• Christians believe that we still have the perfect written word of God (and contrary to Elder Ballard's assertion, nothing had to be "restored").



• Early Mormons believed that you had to have a bunch of wives in order to get to the highest heaven (The Celestial Kingdom. And don't think they wouldn't like to be able to do that again).
• Christians believe that polygamy is a sin. Besides, you only need to repent of your sins and trust Christ as your Savior in order to go to Heaven (of which there is only one).



• Mormons believe that Brigham Young was a "prophet of God."
• The Mountain Meadows Massacre showed that Brigham Young was a cold-blooded murderer.



• Mormons believe that Joseph Smith had the "gift of translation."
• The Kinderhook Plates showed this was a lie.



• Mormons believe that only the "worst" sinners will go to Hell.
• Christians believe that anyone who does not trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord will spend eternity in Hell.

Well, I guess we'd better let Elder Ballard get started on that next video where he discusses these issues. What, you don't think he will? What, you think the LDS church has something to hide?

[/sarc]

Mormon church finally admits polygamous past

Just in time for the Florida primaries, comes this article from the Salt Lake Tribune about the Mormon church admitting--finally--that Joseph Smith was a polygamist.

Uh......yeah.

Like we who study Mormonism have been trying to tell people for years.

Of course, the LDS Authorities put their own spin and damage control teams to work right quick. Here's the gist of the article (HT: Mormonism Research Ministry Blog):

For the first time in recent memory, a new manual Mormons will use to study the writings of founder Joseph Smith acknowledges Smith's role in introducing the practice of polygamy.

The acknowledgment may not seem groundbreaking to many Mormons or historians, nor will it likely satisfy most critics, but its inclusion in an official course of study is a departure from past practices and may signal a new openness about Mormon history.

The change is "not a response to critics who think the church has not been straightforward about its involvement with plural marriage in the 19th century," said David Marsh, manager of curriculum development for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "It is included . . . to illustrate a few of the doctrines or principles that do not have application to our day and which are therefore not included in the book."

Still, it is noteworthy.

Noteworthy? Yeah, you could say that. The Mormon church being honest and upfront about anything is noteworthy. It don't happen too much, so mark your calendars for this one.

But, no, it wasn't in response to critics or anything. Just like the change they made in the intro to the Book of Mormon wasn't a response to studies that have been debunking the BOM for years.

Are Mormons Christians? Part 2

What is the basis and foundation of Mormonism? What do they base all of their beliefs upon? You would think it would be the Word of GOD given to us by the Holy Spirit. Well, they do trust the Bible..."so far as it is correctly translated." However, the rock and foundation of Mormon beliefs are built upon the "First Vision" of Joseph Smith. Gordon Hinckley:

“Our whole strength rests on the validity of that vision. It either occurred, or it did not occur. If it did not, then this work is a fraud. If it did then it is the most important and wonderful work under the heavens.”

In other words, the whole of Mormonism rests on the truthfulness of a 14-year-old money-digger who dabbled in the occult.

Sorry, but I would rather base my beliefs on the word of GOD, not the Book of Mormon. You see, many people have seen the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts which make up the Christian canon. But where are the "golden plates" that Joseph used to "translate" the Book of Mormon? Apparently, the angel Moroni has them. As a matter of fact, who has ever seen the "plates"? Martin Harris, who acted as Joseph's scribe, said,

These plates were usually kept in a cherry box made for that purpose in the possession of Joseph and myself. The plates were kept from the sight of the world, and no one, save Oliver Cowdery, myself, Joseph Smith, Jr., and David Whitmer, ever saw them. (Early Mormon Documents, vol. 2, p. 306).

Ever hear kids argue, one says they got a new toy or something. The other kids say, "Yeah? Prove it! Let's see it!" The child making the claim says something like, "Nah, you don't deserve it!" Usually because he knows he's caught in a lie. Kinda like Joseph.

Also, consider this: In the Book of Jeremiah, (long story short) the prophet dictates to his scribe Baruch. The scroll is read to king Jehoiakim, who doesn't cotton too well to what Jeremiah prophesied. So he burns the scroll. What does Jeremiah do? Does he panic? Of course not! He trusts in GOD, and GOD leads him to dictate a new scroll, word for word, by way of the Holy Spirit. Contrast this with this catastophe that befell Joseph Smith:

Joseph... inquired of the Lord to know if he might do as Martin Harris had requested, but was refused.... Joseph inquired again, but received a second refusal. Still, Martin Harris persisted as before, and Joseph applied again, but the last answer was not like the two former ones. In this the Lord permitted Martin Harris to take the manuscript home with him... Mr. Harris had been absent nearly three weeks, and Joseph had received no intelligence whatever from him... we saw him [Harris] walking with a slow and measured tread towards the house... Harris pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out, in a tone of deep anguish, "Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!"

Joseph... sprang from the table, exclaiming, "Martin, have you lost that manuscript?..."

"Yes, it is gone," replied Martin, "and I know not where."

"Oh, my God!" said Joseph, clinching his hands. "All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned..." He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually... what could I say to comfort him, when he saw all the family in the same situation of mind as himself, for sobs and groans, and the most bitter lamentations filled the house. However, Joseph was more distressed than the rest... he continued, pacing back and forth, meantime weeping and grieving, until about sunset...

The manuscript has never been found; and there is no doubt that Mrs. Harris took it from the drawer... (Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, 1853, pp. 117,118,120-123)

I'll be adding sermons in the next couple weeks that deal in-depth with the problems of Mormonism. Suffice it to say for now that I hope you don't get caught up in it. It's kinda like a rip current. It looks smooth on the surface. But, much like the rip current can drag you far from shore, Mormonism will drag you far away from the truth.

Joseph Smith's "first vision"--truth or fairy tale?

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Most likely the wild imagination of a fourteen-year-old storyteller. See for yourself at Mormon Research Ministries.