Pages: 1

Difficult questions for Mormons to answer

(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: MarvellousWork

Hi all,

I encountered this exhaustive list of 'Difficult Questions for Mormons to Answer' on a Canadian Bible site. They were not too difficult for me to answer.

Have a nice day,





General questions:

1. Why did the angel take Nephi Plates back to heaven? Do they not belong with man? Would not their existence prove once for all that Mormonism is truth?
A: Yes, the presence of the plates would prove (to some) the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon record. But, God wants the truthfulness to be known by a person's faith and gaining a witness from God that it is true. The same situation is shown repeatedly in the New Testament where Christ encounters people posessed by evil spirits. The spirit(s) inevitably recognize Christ as the Son of God and proclaim him as such, and are promptly silenced by Jesus. A person should gain a witness from God about the Messiahship of Christ, not from external sources. This is also shown in Matthew 16:13-17 where Peter learns about the Messiahship and Divine Sonship of Jesus from God, not from flesh and blood.
2. "Will you, as a Mormon, please read the Bible cover to cover and ask God to reveal to you that it contains all of God's message to man and that parts are not lost or altered and that the Book of Mormon is false?"
A: It would be foolish for a person who has already obtained a witness from God of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to ask God if it is false. If the Book of Mormon be true then by association Joseph Smith is a prophet, he saw God the Father and His risen Son, the Bible is true (as far as it is translated correctly), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.
3. If the original 1830 Book of Mormon was inspired than why were there so many errors and changes and additions and deletions, when compared to current editions?
A: With the power of the Internet, anyone can do a comparison of the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon to the current edition and see the changes. It would take a tremendous imagination to suppose that any of the changes are anything but printer's errors or minor corrections. Try it for yourself.
4. How can we be assured that the translation of the B of M into French or any other language is correct? Only the English translation is claimed to be inspired!
A: We believe not only that Joseph Smith was a prophet, but that his successors as presidents of the Church are prophets also. While the current prophet does not spend all his time translating the scriptures in to the many languages of the church, he does approve or disapprove all translations, thus ensuring by inspiration their correct interpretation.
5. How do you account for the stunning parallels in both content and order between the B of M and the View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith? Published in 1823 (7 years before the B of M) less than 100 miles from the Joseph Smith's parents home.
A: The text of the View of the Hebrews book is now available online, the copyright having fallen in to public domain. Check it out for yourself and note any "stunning parallels." The only parallel I see is the fact that Ethan Smith speculated that the Native Americans came from one of the lost tribes of Israel. If anyone would like to show me more parallels, please do.
6. Mormon 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." Why do you only add the phrase, "as far as it is translated correctly" to describe the Bible and not after the book of Mormon when in fact there are far more translating errors in the Book of Mormon than the Bible?
A: The assertion that there are more translation errors in the Book of Mormon than the Bible is interesting. I trust that the author of this question has done their own translation from the Book of Mormon plates themselves and has counted the translation errors, and compared them to the number of translation errors in the Bible. Truth be known, we believe that the BoM translation was done through the instrumentality of God, and that the Bible translations were done by men. Not that current Bible translations are not mostly accurate, but men do make mistakes. The phrase in the articles of faith here reflects that.
7. If the Book of Mormon is true, then why has the Mormon church changed it? Examples are: 1 Nephi 11:21; 19:20; 20:1 and Alma 29:4. Compare these with the original Book of Mormon. (Gerald and Sandra Tanner have counted 3913 changes in the book of Mormon, excluding punctuation changes.)
A: See the answer to #3 above.
8. How did Joseph Smith carry home the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, and how did the witnesses lift them so easily? (They weighed about 230 lbs. Gold, with a density of 19.3 weighs 1204.7 lbs. per cubic foot. The plates were 7" x 8" by about 6". See Articles of Faith, by Talmage, page 262, 34th ed.)
A: Although the BofM plates are often labeled, "The Gold Plates", there is no indication that the material was pure gold. The gold alloy composition, as well as inclusion of other metals is unknown. Gold is very heavy, but gold alloys are strikingly lighter. A destructive analysis of the material would have to be done.
9. If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God? (Doc. & Cov. 132:17,37)
A: As far as we know, Moroni has not been resurrected. If he has been resurrected, I am sure he is waiting for the final judgement like the rest of us.
10. Why do Mormons emphasize part of the Word of Wisdom and ignore the part forbidding the eating of meat except in winter, cold or famine? (Doc. & Cov. 89:12,13).
A: Good question. It is assumed that the authorities of the Church that we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators would reveal to the church membership a message from God if the membership was not living this portion of the Word of Wisdom and that we ought to live it more fully. There is emphasis on the "do nots" in the Word of Wisdom because these are substances that may affect the body in such a way that a person may not have fullest access to the Spirit of God.
11. When Christ died, did darkness cover the land for three days or for three hours? (Luke 23:44 and 3 Nephi 8:19, 23).
A: The answer here should be simple to any thinking person. The Nephite record talks about three days of darkness in the land of the Americas. The NT record talks about three hours of darkness in the Near East.
12. Joseph Smith said that there are men living on the moon who dress like Quakers and live to be nearly 1000 years old. Since he was wrong about the moon, is it safe to trust him regarding the way to Heaven? (The Young Woman's Journal, Vol. 3, pages 263-264. See repreint in Mormonism --Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, page 4.)
A: This is a great quote and instructive to church members. Joseph was worried that members of the church in his day were taking every word he said as the word of God, even when he was talking as a man and not as a prophet. So, he told a story about Quakers on the Moon and said, "Now go home and pray about it!" Note that the Tanners neglect the pray about it part.
13. Joseph Smith prepared fourteen Articles of Faith. Why has the original No. 11 been omitted? (Joseph Smith Begins His Work, Vol. 2, three pages after page 160, among the photos.)
A: Joseph Smith wrote what we today know as the articles of faith in a letter to a newspaper editor concerning the rise and progress of the Church. This is known as the Wentworth Letter, named after the Editor of the Newspaper. The original copy of the letter lists 13 summary statements of our faith at the end that have today been numbered and called the Articles of Faith of the Church. Other LDS authors both prior to, and after Joseph's penning these 13, made publications on the basic belifs of the church. In some of these, there are 14 or another number. The fact is that Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Church, wrote 13. These articles are not meant to provide an exhaustive review of all LDS doctrines, but serve as a template of our beliefs.
14. Why did the Nauvoo House not stand forever and ever? (Doc. & Cov. 124:56-60).
A: Because the members of the Church left Navoo where the house was.
15. How can a man who is not a descendant of Aaron hold the Aaronic Priesthood? (Numbers 16:40; Heb. 7:13,14).
A: The same reason that a person, not a descendant of Israel, can live the Gospel of Christ and become heir to the promises of Abraham.
16. Since Mormonism teaches that only God the Father had a physical body at the time Adam was created, why did God say, "Let us make man in OUR image"? Why didn't He say, "Let us make man in MY image?" (Gen. 1:26).
A: This is answered in the Book of Mormon in Ether chapter 3 where a prophet sees the spirit body of Jesus millenia before His birth. That the spirit is in the same image as the body is an LDS doctrine. I am interested to know how non-LDS folks interpret that statement in Genesis if they believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are all the same person?
17. If Jesus was conceived as a result of a physical union between God and Mary, how was Jesus born of a virgin? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 50).
A: Mary was a virgin because the Bible (and Book of Mormon) says so. We don't know the details about the union of God and Mary.
18. How did Nephi with a few men on a new continent build a temple like Solomon's while Solomon needed 163,300 workmen and seven years to build his temple? (1 Kings 5:13-18 and 2 Nephi 5:15-17).
A: Nephi's temple is mentioned before he gives a date of 569BC (see vs 28). If you subtract eight years' journey, that leaves Nephi and company about 22 years in which to build the temple. Note also that the temple is like Solomon's, but without so many precious things. The size of this temple also we do not know.
19. Why was Joseph Smith still preaching against polygamy in October 1843 after he got his revelation in July 1843 commanding the practice of polygamy? (Doc. & Cov. 132; and History of the Church Vol. 6, page 46, or Teachings of the Prophet, page 324).
A: Only those persons specifically authorized to do so practiced polygamy in the church. For those unauthorized, it was sinful and worthy of condemnatory sermons. For illustration, consider that at its height, only between 2 and 5 percent of the members of the church ever practiced polygamy.
20. God rejected the fig leaf aprons which Adam and Eve made (Gen. 3:21). Why do Mormons memorialize the fall by using fig leaf aprons in the secret temple ceremonies?
A: Good luck getting a faithful Latter-day Saint to try to explain to others the Temple endowment. It is considered sacred. While I as a person know by the revelation of the Holy Spirit why temple partons don the aprons representing Adam and Eve's, I feel no urge to explain it to those who have not had the same revalatory experience. Same with all aspects of Temple worship.
21. How do you explain the fact that 2 Nephi 16:2 is copied from an older version of the KJV of the Bible in Isa 6:2? This is proven because this older KJV (the mistake is corrected in current versions) made a rare gramatical error by using the incorrect plural form of "seraphims" rather than "seraphim".
A: Isaiah 6:2 reads 'seraphims', the Nephite text reads 'seraphim'.

Book of Mormon Culture

1. Why does the Book of Mormon mention Silk (Alma 1:29)? LDS Apologist John Welch cites several New World fabrics as possible matches for Linen and Silk (Reexploring the Book of Mormon, pg. 162). Agave fibers and fig bark for Linen? Ceiba fibers, pineapple fibers and rabbit hair for Silk? Welch concludes with the staggering claim 'Mesoamerica evidently exhibits almost an embarrassment of riches for the "silk" and "linen" of Alma 1:29. All but the most trivializing critics should be satisfied with the parallels.' (pg. 164) My response to Welch: You'll have to forgive my trivializing nature but rabbit hair doesn't equal silk in my book.
A: We don not know the exact nature of the 'silk' mentioned in the BoM. Joseph Smith simply related the material in words that he knew.
2. What about Chariots (Alma 18:9)? There is no evidence of actual wheeled vehicle usage in the 2,000 BC to 400 AD time frame in Ancient America.
A: I'm not sure what remnants of a wheeled wooden vehicle would survive over 1400 years of decay. Keep in mind that Latter-day Saints accept only one 'evidence' of the Book of Mormon, that is the personal witness to the individual from the Holy Ghost that it is true.
3. Why does the Book of Mormon imply a seven day week (Mosiah 13:18) when it was not known to Ancient Americans? The Mesoamericans used a variety of calendars, none of which match the Old World calendar. The Maya seemed to be oversupplied in the calendar department. One calendar consisted of a 260-day cycle divided into 13 'months' of twenty days. (This calendar was used by most of the ancient Mesoamericans). Each day was presided over by it's own god. Another consists of a 365-day cycle, also divided into 'months' of twenty days, eighteen of them in fact. The five leftover days were called the 'resting, or sleep of the year'. Another consists of a 3276-day cycle divided into four quadrants of 819 days (the product of 7*9*13, all sacred numbers to the Maya). And then, of course, there was the so-called 'long count' calendar, which simply counted days from the creation of the world (August 11, 3114 BC, if anyone wants to know). (Linda Schele, 'A Forest of Kings', pg. 78).
A: The scripture in Mosiah alluded to here is a direct quote from the Ten Commandments, which alludes to a seven-day week. It is assumed that the Nephites had the books of Moses at least, where God instates a seven-day week. Since this information is not known after ~400AD when the Nephites were destroyed, it can be assumed that other calendaring systems were employed.
4. Why are Cimeters, an Old-World weapon of war, mentioned in Mosiah 9:16 and other verses when none have been found to exist in the New World? John Sorenson cites a Mesoamerican 'maccuahuitl' for a Cimiter (An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, pg. 262). The Maccuahuitl was a hardwood club with obsidian blades. A Cimiter is a heavy, two-handed steel blade. What's wrong with this picture?
A: Keep in mind that much Old-world knowledge was taken to the new world when Lehi's community left. Also the weapon may not be a Cimeter as we know it today, see answer to #1 above. As for remains, see #2 above.
5. Why have some (like Elder Peterson and Elder Brewerton) used the Quetzalcoatl legend to "prove" the Book of Mormon's Christ when the Quetzalcoatl (or feathered serpent) legend dates to 1,000 years before the Book of Mormon's Christ?
A: I would hope that missionaries (who I am assuming that these Elders are) know enough about their religion to know that the 'proof' of the Book of Mormon comes to the individual from the Holy Ghost and not from external sources. It is true that there are some external evidences that may be corroborated to BoM articles, but basing a spiritual belief on temporal things like this would be dangerous at best.
6. When the Nephites landed in the Americas there were already millions of inhabitants in the land with large cities and infrastructure. Why are these people not mentioned? The Book of Mormon seems to indicate that the continent was empty at the time. 2 Nephi 1:8 One wonders if 'knowledge' of the land had been kept from the natives who had already been there for thousands of years?
A: We don't know that there were any other people living in the Americas at the time Nephi and company arrived, except Coriantumr in the book of Ether.
7. Why didn't Nephi compare and contrast the New World with Jerusalem? These were two vastly different places.
A: I think Nephi put this plainly when he said that he desired the room on the plates to write spiritual things.

Book of Mormon Metallurgy

1. Why does the Book of Mormon mention Bellows (1 Nephi 17:11), Brass (2 Nephi 5:15), Breast Plates & Copper (Mosiah 8:10), Iron (Jarom 1:8), Gold and Silver currency (Alma 11), Silver (Jarom 1:8), and Steel Swords (Ether 7:9)? No evidence indicates that these items existed during Book of Mormon times. Tom Ferguson: "Metallurgy does not appear in the region until about the 9th century A.D."
A: Bellows in pretty simple. No doubt the ancient Israelites used metals, and this knowledge was brought with them to the new world. As to the exact alloy or composition of the various metals, see the answers to General Questions #8 and BoM Culture #1.
2. Why doesn't the art (which is abundant) of the supposed Book of Mormon cultures portray the existence of metallurgical products or metallurgical activity?
A: It does. Have a closer look. Existing art also confirms many other aspects of the BoM that nay-sayers like to nay-say, instead of invoking the faith required to get an answer from God of the book's truthfulness.

Book of Mormon Animals

1. Why does the Book of Mormon mention the following animals: ***, Bull, Calf, Cattle, Cow, domestic Goat (the Nephites claimed to have found the domestic goat!), Horse (the horse plays a major role in the Nephite and Lamanite societies), Ox, domestic Sheep, Sow, Swine, & Elephants (contrary to the dated information on this site, non-LDS indicate that there is no evidence of elephants in the New World and the mammoth and mastodon of North America have been extinct for thousands years--see Stan Larson's "Quest for the Gold Plates" pages 184-188? None of these animals even existed in America during the era and timescale of Book of Mormon times.
A: I don't see anywhere that a domestic goat is mentioned. Nephi mentions 'Goats and wild goats,' indicating that there are at least two categories. There are other evidences that ancient American inhabitants rode horses, etc. Again, if a person is looking for 'proof' of the Book of Mormon, they may not find it in secular learning. If God tells me that the Book of Mormon is true, and the Book of Mormon says that elephants inhabited the land, then I believe it. This is called faith, something with which many people may not be posessed of.
2. Why aren't animals such as Coatimundis, Deer, Jaguars, Tapir, Monkeys, Sloths, Turkeys, etc.. mentioned when they were animals that existed? They were unknown to Joseph Smith, but later discovered to have lived here at the time the Nephites were supposed to have co-existed with them.
A: See the answer to Culture #7 above. For an author to list every species of animal that lived on a vast continent like N or S America would fill the whole book.

Book of Mormon Crops

1. Why is plow agriculture such as Barley (Alma 11:7) and Wheat (Mosiah 9:9) included in the Book of Mormon when it didn't exist during that time period? "There's a whole system of production of wheat and barley . . . It's a specialized production of food. You have to know something to make flax [the source of linen], and especially in tropical climates. Grapes and olives . . . all these are cultures that are highly developed and amount to systems, and so the Book of Mormon is saying that these systems existed here." (BYU anthropology professor, Dr. Raymond T. Matheny, August 25, 1984 Sunstone conference in Salt Lake City). Welch claims barley existed in the Book of Mormon based on one find in Phoenix, Arizona! Arizona is hardly the setting of the Book of Mormon.
A: See the answers to Metallurgy, Animals and others
2. Why aren't the foods known to ancient America such as chocolate, lima beans, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, manioc, etc. included in the Book of Mormon?
A: See the answers to Animals #2, Culture #7.

Book of Mormon Geography

1. Why isn't the terrain of Central America described?
A: See Culture #7.
2. Why is it that numerous LDS books and papers describe proposed Book of Mormon locations for cities and the "narrow neck of land"? No city has been identified as being Nephite, Lamanite, Jaredite, etc. For example, Zarahemla was occupied for hundreds of years, but we still don't have any real evidence of it ever existing. The Book of Mormon describes a time period from 2000 BC to 400 AD and millions of people. No city they occupied has yet to be found.
A: Several LDS authors have tried to propose or find out where a particular city or geographic feature existed. Geographic features changing could be attributed to 3 Nephi 8. I was travelling in the DR the other day, when I saw this large wooden sign saying, 'Here is the ancient Nephite village of Moronihah.' Just joking -- I would not expect identifiable features to last 1600 years.
3. Why didn't any of the place names from the Book of Mormon still exist when Columbus arrived?
A: See the answer to #2.
4. Where was the Hill Cumorah? Was it in New York or Central America? If it was in Central America, why hasn't it been found? If it was in New York, how did they move that quickly and where are all the remains?
A: There is no consensus on this. If in Central America I would ask if any hills have been found in Central America? If in New York, then 1600 years is a long time for human remains to be removed or decompose.
5. Why don't gaps exist in the archeological record of Mesoamerica if these missing people existed?
A: An archeological record of Mesoamerican peoples would be sparser in detail than the Book of Mormon.
6. Did the Book of Mormon take place outside of Mesoamerica? The History of the Church records an incident from June, 1834 in which JS identified a skeleton found in an Indian burial mound in Illinois: ". . . the visions of the past being opened to my understanding by the Spirit of the Almighty, I discovered the person whose skeleton was before us was a white Lamanite, a large, thick-set man, and a man of God. His name was Zelph . . . who was known from the Hill Cumorah, or eastern sea to the Rocky mountains." (HOC 1948 ed., II: 79-80).
A: The Book of Mormon record seems to indicate the people lived all over North and South America.
7. Why don't any archeologists theorize any Hebrew or Egyptian linkages or influences in Mesoamerica?
A: If they did, they would have to acknowledge the Book of Mormon. An LDS archeologist would have no problem with this I think, but a secular archeologist wouldn't be caught dead saying that something existed that the BofM talks about.

Book of Mormon Script

1. Why are Greek names such as Lachoneus, Timothy, Jonas, and Alpha & Omega in a book that should have absolutely no Greek influence?
A: The first three here are not exclusively Greek. For Alpha and Omega, see Culture #1. Also, did Joseph Smith know Hebrew? There are many examples of Hebrew names and places, like Nahom or Shazer, etc. Did Joseph Smith know Egyptian? See names like Pahoran, Paanchi, Pacumeni, etc. Where did he get this stuff years before Egyptian was well known? Good imagination I suppose.
2. Why aren't there other examples of "Reformed Egyptian" in Ancient America?
A: We don't know that there are none, since we don't have any RE script to compare Ancient American writings with.
3. Why doesn't a linguistical relationship exist between any native American language and ancient Egyptian or Hebrew?
A: Good question. I think that no linguistical relationship exists between ebonics and the English that George Washington spoke, and that is just over 230 years of language evolution. Imagine 1600 years worth!
4. How did the Book of Mormon language evolve so rapidly into non-related Indian languages? Indo-European is much older than the Book of Mormon time period, yet vestiges of Indo-European exist through all of Europe and parts of Asia.
A: "so rapidly" = 1600 years. See Answer to #3.
5. Why are only four main types of Mesoamerican writing systems known (and none in pre-Columbus North America): (Aztec, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Maya)?
A: See Answer to #3, but use the phrases 'txt msg' and 'Olde English'.
6. Why can't the Anthon transcript (which contains copies of the supposed Reformed Egyptian characters) be identified with any forms of Egyptian? The only three Egyptologists that have looked at it say it does not contain any Egyptian (Ferguson Collection, BYU)
A: Because it was reformed.
7. If the Book of Mormon took place outside of Mesoamerica (like in New York where the Hill Cumorah supposedly is), why are written languages of ancient America only found in Mesoamerica?
A: It seems that the people that lived outside central American regions had no written language, except Nephites. See Mosiah 24:1-6 where those who known not the Lord first begin to read and write.
8. Why haven't any of the Book of Mormon proper names such as Nephi, Laman, Zarahemla, etc. been found in all of the many writings that have been found in Mesoamerica?
A: How would you know then when you found them? Who knows which symbol glyph corresponds to the name Nephi?

Book of Mormon Races

1. If the Book of Mormon is true, why do Indians fail to turn white when they become Mormons? (2 Nephi 30:6, prior to the 1981 revision).
A: Good question for God.
2. Why aren't any of the Indian tribes racially or genetically the same as Hebrews? American Indians are all of Mongoloid origin.
A: DNA testing on Indian and other native peoples was non-conclusive. I think it is easy to match DNA to the perpetrator of a crime, but to trace DNA similarities back over 2600 years would be a trick indeed!
3. Why did Joseph Smith send missionaries to the "Lamanites" if the American Indians at the time weren't really "Lamanites"? (D&C 10:48, 28:8, 54:8, etc.) He certainly considered the Indians to be Lamanites (even if the current leaders of the church no longer believe them to be so). ' The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians. By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 17). 'He told me of a sacred record which was written on plates of gold, I saw in the vision the place where they were deposited, he said the Indians were the literal descendants of Abraham.' (Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, Diary 1835-1836, pg. 76). (Note - this was one of Smith's 'founding visions'. Apparently, Moroni was not aware that there were other, non-Semitic natives in America either).
A: God directed Joseph to send missionaries to the Lamanites. We believe that Native Americans are descendants of Lamanites.

Book of Mormon Witnesses

1. Why were the witnesses only allowed to see the plates with "spiritual eyes"?
A: The testimony of the three witnesses is pretty clear here. They saw the plates with their natural eyes. The eight witnesses both saw and handled the plates.
2. If the plates were real, why would it take faith to see them? (D&C17:2) (How could he have translated without the plates, as his scribes said, if he was doing a literal translation of a physical object?)
A: The scripture here indicates that the three witnesses had to have more faith if God was to show the plates to them.
3. Why does the church now extol the witnesses when Joseph Smith condemned them?
A: While Joseph said some condemnatory statements about at least one of the witnesses (becuase of that persons bad concuct), these folks saw the BofM plates. Their witness stands before the world.
4. Why would most of them leave the church?
A: Bad judgement I guess. "Most" of them did not leave the church. Some did, and some came back. Interesting that they never denied their testimony, even while far removed from the Church.
5. Why did Brigham Young say that the 3 witnesses doubted and disbelieved in their experience? "Some of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, who handled the plates and conversed with the angels of God, were afterwards left to doubt and disbelieve that they had ever seen an angel." (JOD 7:164 1859).
A: Because they did? Interesting to note that none of them ever denied their testimony.
6. Why were all of the witnesses (except Martin Harris) related to Joseph Smith or David Whitmer?
A: God chose the witnesses. Why were all the Apostles (except one) from Galilee?

Book of Mormon Style and Inconsistencies

1. If God was inspiring the translation process of the Book of Mormon, why were 4,000 changes necessary?
A: See General Questions #3.
2. Why do the stories and the characters in the Book of Mormon repeat with only minor variations in content and different names given to the characters? Example: Nephi and Moroni sound and act like the same character. "There were other Anti-Christs among the Nephites, but they were more military leaders than religious innovators . . . they are all of one breed and brand; so nearly alike that one mind is the author of them, and that a young and undeveloped, but piously inclined mind. The evidence I sorrowfully submit, points to Joseph Smith as their creator. It is difficult to believe that they are the product of history, that they come upon the scene separated by long periods of time, and among a race which was the ancestral race of the red man of America." (B. H. Roberts - Studies of the Book of Mormon, page 271).
A: Read the Book of Mormon and find out.
3. Why was the Book of Mormon cast into the KJV style? "...there is a continual use of the 'thee', 'thou' and 'ye', as well as the archaic verb endings 'est' (second person singular) and 'eth' (third person singular). Since the Elizabethan style was not Joseph's natural idiom, he continually slipped out of this King James pattern and repeatedly confused the norms as well. Thus he lapsed from 'ye' (subject) to 'you' (object) as the subject of sentences (e.g. 'Mos. 2:19; 3:34; 4:24), jumped from plural ('ye') to singular ('thou') in the same sentence (Mos. 4:22) and moved from verbs without endings to ones with endings (e.g. 'yields . . . putteth,' 3:19)." (The Use of the Old Testament in the Book of Mormon, by Wesley P. Walters, 1990, page 30).
A: Joseph simply used the religious language that he was familiar with to express the language on the plates.
4. Was there a room full of plates in a secret chamber in the hill near Joseph's house as he and Brigham Young said?
A: Don't know. I haven't been in it. Go find out.
5. Why were cliched Indian phrases like "Nine Moons" in (Omni 1:21) or "Great Spirit" in (Alma 19:25-27) included?
A: These can be looked at as a proof that these concepts (measuring moons as a measure of time, the false concept that God is a spirit only) originated with the Lamanites in their apostasy.
6. How did the Jaredites come up with the same rare idea of writing on plates 2,000 years before Lehi when such a record keeping system is virtually unknown?
A: There are literally hundreds of historical ancient writings on plates of various metals discovered in the last hundred years or so. The British Museum literally has a whole floor dedicated to this topic. Consider the copper scroll in the Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. This argument doesn't hold steam anymore.
7. Why include the ridiculous prayer of the Zoramites in Alma 31?
A: For several reasons: to show the foolishnes of rote prayers, the loss of the true nature of God among the Zoramites, how the missionaries deal with this kind of apostasy, etc.
8. Why is the Passover mentioned 71 times in the Bible, but -0- times in the Book of Mormon?
A: The passover as a celebration is not mentioned in the BofM, but the recital of Moses freeing Israel from bondage, etc is recited. Keep in mind that the writers had little room to make all their records, so picked the material to include that was of most spiritual importance, and was not necessarily had among the intended audience. See for example Ether chapter 1 where Moroni skips the account of the creation and Adam and Eve because he figures we already have it.
9. How did Book of Mormon characters get the priesthood when they weren't from the tribe of Levi?
A: Book of Mormon peoples held the higher, or Melchizidek, priesthood which Lehi held before his departure. They did not have the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood.
10. Why was Shakespeare used?
A: It wasn't.
11. What was the purpose in Moroni taking the plates back? Similarly, what ever happened to the parchment written by John of the New Testament? (D&C 7) Why weren't the supposed writings of Abraham (which were actually common A.D. funerary texts) also taken similarly back?
A: See the answer to General #1. Why wasn't the Book of Abraham parchment taken back? I don't know except to say that the majority of it was presumably destroyed by fire.
12. Why did Joseph's own accounts confuse whether he was visited by Moroni or Nephi. "He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Nephi." (J. Smith - Times & Seasons Vol. 3, p. 753 1842) also (J. Smith 1851 PoGP p. 41).
A: This is obviously a printer's error in the Times and Seasons. There are at least ten extant accounts of Joseph Smith's testimony (nine published), and they all say Moroni. D&C backs this up later, also.

Prophecies in the Book of Mormon

1. Why are the prophecies in the Book of Mormon dealing with events that already occurred unrealistically specific?

o Three Witnesses.
o Charles Anthon story.
o Columbus described.
o Joseph Smith's name given.
o Smith called to be the translator of the Mormon record.
o Jerusalem destroyed.
o 600 years until Jesus is born.
o Martin Harris and the lost manuscripts. (1 Nephi 9, Words of Mormon)

A: These are no more unrealistic than the prophesies of Christ's life and mission in the OT are to us. Some of these were translated at about the same time they were fulfilled (Martin Harris story, etc).

o Why do the unfulfilled prophecies in the Book of Mormon remain unfulfilled? Example: Jews becoming Christian in mass.

A: Just wait.

1. Why is the Book of Mormon quite specific about Christ but does not add anything that the New Testament does not address (for example, what Christ did from age 12 - 30)?
A: Does not add anything? The Book of Mormon it the clearest record of the purpose and nature of man's fallen state, the relationship of the fall to the Atonement, the clearest record on the telationship between the Father and the Son, the clearest record of the purpose of Christ's atonement that I know of. The proposer of this question obviously has not read the Book of Mormon. The purpose of the Book of Mormon is to bring people to Christ.
2. Why does the Book of Mormon prophesy that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance if they believed in Christ (they are occupying it now w/o believing in Christ)? (2 Nephi 10:7)
A: The Book of Mormon states that the Jews would be restored to the land of their inheritance when they begin to believe in Christ. Consider the status of Jesus of Nazareth to the Jews of today; though they do not yet recognize Him as the Messiah, they certainly have more accepting feelings of Christ than they did 50 years ago.
3. Why did Alma not know when Christ was coming (Alma 13:21-26) even though he possessed plates and Lehi and Nephi had written precisely when he would arrive?
A: See v24, this talks about Christ's coming "in his glory". I don't know when that will be either. Perhaps you do?

Influenced by Joseph Smith's background

1. Why are themes of the revolutionary war and patriotism (liberty, freedom, country, religion, flags, etc.) woven throughout a book supposedly written over a thousand years before the revolutionary war?
A: These themes are (should be) important to every person who believes in Christ. Whether they be ancient Nephites or modern voting Americans.
2. Why is an agrarian society similar to the society Joseph was most familiar with described as the setting for the entire book?
A: Simply that that is the society that the Nephites lived in, along with most ancient civilizations. I wonld not expect the Book of Mormon to talk about a high-tech society.
3. Why is a democracy after a monarchy described? (Mosiah 23, 29) - As happened in the history of the U.S.
A: The heierarchical structure of the judges system spoken of in the BoM is hardly comparable to the U.S. structure of government, with our three disstinct bodies. The Book of Mormon system is more a Rupublic than a Democratic system.
4. Is it purely coincidental that there was much speculation in Joseph Smith's area about Indian Mounds and battles?
A: Yes, if there was any speculation at all.
5. Why does the Book of Mormon describe wood forts with pickets to protect people--much like the forts of frontier?
A: See the answer to #4. Also, I suppose that each people group in the question used what materials were available. Maybe the frontiersmen should have used plexiglass and sheet metal?
6. Is it purely coincidental that Lehi had six sons as did Joseph Smith Sr., Sam/Samuel were sons of both, and Nephi and Joseph Smith Jr. were so similar?
A: Yes. If Joseph was making this all up based on his family, I wonder where he got the idea of Laman and Lemuel from? The number of sisters is different also.
7. Why did Mormon, Nephi and other "heroes" of the Book of Mormon have so many common traits with Joseph Smith? (large in stature, had visions while a teenager, etc. -- see "The Refiner's Fire" by John Brooke for many more similarities)
A: While being large in stature certainly applied to Nephi (he said so), there seems to be no indication that it applied to others. As far as having visions goes, that is what prophets do (i.e. Nephi, Moroni, Joseph Smith, etc).
8. Why does the Book of Mormon repeatedly addresses 19th century readers?
A: Because it was written for 19th century (and beyond) readers. The Book of Mormon addresses moder-day readers, not just those of the 19th century. The writers spcifically state this.
9. Why is the anti-Masonic excitement that arose near Smith's home in 1827 reflected? (Gadianton Robbers / Secret Combos)
A: The secret combinations talked about are not something that is some exclusive feature of Freemasonry. The death of John the Baptist is a good Biblical reference, as is Cain's conspiracy to kill Abel. This sort of evil is prevalent throughout most of the world, and the BoM does a good job at warning readers about them.
10. Why is infant baptism (a much discussed issue in the early 19th century) condemned in Chapter 8 of Moroni when it wasn't even an issue in the Bible?
A: This was not an issue in early Christianity until about 300 or so AD when it was initially proposed, so it would not be in the Bible. That it is an erroneous practice is evident by most thinking persons, including some early Christian writers, and emphasised by Mormon.

Influenced by the KJV of the Bible

1. Why does the B of M use old KJV type English at a time when it was not currently used.
A: Joseph Smith translated the BoM into religious language that he was familiar with.
2. Why is about 1/8th of the B of M copied directly from the KJV (1611AD) when it was alleged to have been written some 1200-2000 years before the KJV existed?
A: 1/8th is a big number here, and probably not accurate. True, there are some quotations of Biblical and non-Biblical prophets (Isaiah is a good example). These quotations were originally penned many hundred years before Christ, not 1611AD. It is not unheard of for a prophet or teacher to quote a previous prophet; Matthew is pretty good at this.
3. How do you explain the fact that Joseph Smith copied from the KJV but deleted the italicized words in the KJV because he figured they were not in the original? "Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips" Isa 6:5, The words "is & am" are deleted in the Book of Mormon.
A: The words quoted here are not deleted from the BoM.
4. Why are portions of Isaiah quoted off of the plates of brass when these items weren't written until after Nephi supposedly got the plates out of Laban's treasury?
A: The proposer of the question must have missed that class in OT history 101. Isaiah lived and wrote about 725 or so BC. The plates of brass were taken by Lehi and company when they left Jerusalem 600BC. Do the math.
5. Why was Paul referred to before his time? (Paul said, "Death where is thy sting")
A: There is no reference to Paul in the Book of Mormon.
6. Why is it that of the 350 names in the Book of Mormon, 100 are found in the Bible, others are place names found on early 19th century maps, and the rest are derivatives of Bible names?
A: I count 308 proper names in the Book of Mormon. This is a rough count, and I have counted names of places as they were usually named after people. I have not counted lineage-related names like Nephite, etc. Proper name-related studies on the Book of Mormon would occupy many pages.
7. Why didn't Joseph Smith ever acknowledge using the KJV of the Bible to "translate"?
A: Because he used the Urim and Thummim to translate.
8. Why were the following phrases used out of the New Testament supposedly before the New Testament was even thought of--much less written?

o 1. "oh wretched man that I am" Romans 7:24 / 2 Nephi 4:17
A: 2 Nephi is in Hebrew poetic style. (Joseph knew Hebrew poetic styles?) The same phrase is in Romans, but in a totally different context.
o 2. "earthquake, rocks rent" Matt 27:51 / 1 Nephi 12:14
A: These two scriptures describe the turmoil of the earth when Christ was slain. Perhaps Nephi should have said "earthshake, boulders broken" If he did, someone would question why it doesn't have the same words as in Matt 27.
o 3. "old serpent, which is the devil" Rev 20:2 / 2 Nephi 2:18
A: Note 2 Ne 2:17 where Lehi says he gets his information from "the things which I have read". It is not surprising that the same old scripture (which doesn't seem to be in our current Bibles) was known and used by both John and Lehi.
o 4. "one faith, one baptism" Ephesians 4:5 / Mosiah 18:21
A: I would think that men inspired of God to teach the gospel of Christ, even though they be separated from the Near East by thousands of miles, would teach using the same words of God.
o 5. "One man perish" Jesus/Laban / John 11:50 / 1 Nephi 4:13
A: These are two different contexts, but both use the words "one man".

1. Why is a Greek word like "Christ" used throughout the Book of Mormon?
A: See See BoM Style and Inconsistencies #3
2. Why does the Book of Mormon always follow KJV errors?
A: Ooooh! The Book of Mormon differes in many instances of quoted scripture, especially Isaiah. (Of the 1/3 of Isaiah that is quoted in the BofM, 2/3 is different.) BofM quotes of Isaiah are closer to Dead Sea Isaiah MSS and other copies than those used for the KJV.
3. Why don't the Book of Mormon quotes from out of the Old Testament agree to earlier Latin, Syriac, Coptic, or Patristic texts?
A: See #2 above. Also, the brass plates date to at least 600BC, so are more early than all OT MSS we have today. It is apparent that errors crept in between 600BC and the early dates of the Latin, etc texts.
4. Example: Matthew 5:27 and 3 Nephi 12:27 "by them of old time" not included in earliest Greek (should have said "to them of old")
A: Non issue here, go ahead and read both.
5. Matthew 6:4, 6, 18 and 3 Nephi :4, 6, 18 "openly" added later
A: Go ahead and read both.
6. Matt 6:13 and 3 Nephi 13:13 "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" should have said, "and do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one".
A: Again, go ahead and read both.
7. Why does the phrase "the lamb of God" appear only in the New Testament portion of the Bible yet it appears in the Book of Mormon over 30 times--28 times in 1 Nephi alone?
A: It makes sense to me that if God revealed to his prophets that Christ was the "Lamb of God" to one prophet, he just may darn well reveal the same thing to another prophet, despite those two prophets being seperated by time and distance. The fact that the same phraseology is used is a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon record. I am sure that if different words were used, the proposer of this question would cry foul, that the records are inconsistent.
8. Why do the words of Malachi 4:1 appear in 1 Nephi 22:15 over a hundred years before Malachi wrote them?
A: Nephi here is obviously quoting an earlier prophet that Malachi also quoted. "Behold, thus saith the prophet..."
9. Why do so many stories seem like exaggerated borrowings from the Bible? Examples:

o Ammon killed six sheep rustlers with a sling (Alma 17:36) vs. David's killing of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:50)
A: You are right. Ammon should have used a boomerang or musket, not the weapons that were common among them.
o Pillar of Fire. (Exodus 13:21) vs. (1 Nephi 1:6)
A: The fact that the Lord would appear to two different servants the same way is a good indicator that the Book of Mormon record is true.
o Lord instructs Noah to build the Ark (Genesis 6:14) / Lord instructs Nephi to build ship (1 Nephi 17:8) / Lord instructs Jaredites to build barges (Ether 2:16)
A: Good one. Maybe Nephi should have built a plane?
o Jaredites brought flocks, two of a kind, seeds. (Ether 2:1) vs. Noah doing the same in (Genesis 7:9)
A: Good catch here! The Jaredites should have brought only one of every animal. Or, maybe three.
o Raising dead. (Matthew 10:8) vs. (3 Nephi 19:4)
A: The disciples of Christ can raise the dead, no matter what continent they are on. The fact that the same miracles are performed in each hemispere shows that Christ is the same no matter where you live.
o Temple of Solomon supposedly took 180,000 people seven and a half years to build (1 Kings 5, 6) / The few in number Nephites supposedly did it in less than 20 years after arriving (2 Nephi 5).
A: I answered this one above.
o Calming Storm (1 Nephi 18:8-21) vs. (Matthew 8:23-27).
A: These are getting old.
o Men in Fire (Helaman 5:22-24) vs. (Daniel 3).
A: Daniel -> People put in fire. Helaman -> Fire is the glory of God surrounding his servants. Different.
o Feeding Multitude (3 Nephi 20:3-7) out of nothing / In Bible, Christ multiplied existing food (Matthew 14).
A: You are right. If Christ really had appeared to additional people, besides those in the Holy Land, I am sure he could do no miracle. At least if He appeared to you.
o Christ heals masses in Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 17:9) / in Bible Jesus healed as he encountered (Luke 9:42).
A: The reasons for the differences are found in vs 8 (faith). See also the answer to the feeding multitude question.
o Multitude feels wounds in Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 11:13) / In Bible, Thomas felt wounds (John 20:27).
A: You are right. If Christ really had appeared to people besides those in the Holy Land, I am sure the wounds would have been healed.
o Book of Mormon prophecies of Christ specific / Bible prophecies veiled (actually non-existent unless scripture misquoted or "prophecies" stretched to have two meanings).
A: Any person that thinks that the Bible prophecies of Christ are veiled has not read the Bible.
o Book of Mormon Christ is completely accepted / In Bible he is rejected.
A: All of the wicked had been destroyed! See 3 Nephi ch 8-10.
o Aminadi deciphered writing on the wall (Alma 10:2-3) like Daniel (Daniel 5).
A: Christ's servants do the same works on different continents.
o Daughter of Jared danced before the king (Ether 8) like the daughter of Herodias (Matthew 14) (decapitation followed in both cases).
A: Decapitation did not follow in the Ether record. Please read it again. The Book of Mormon is specific here to warn readers of the secret combinations. You can see these secret combinations in the accounts of Cain/Abel, Herodias, Jewish leaders in the time of Christ, etc. Here is a real valuable teaching of the Book of Mormon that is not found in the Biblical record.
o Daughters of Lamanites abducted like the daughters of Shiloh.
A: Similar incident, different continent.
o Jews of Old Testament were monotheists / Pre-Christ Jews of Book of Mormon were not.
A: This doesn't look like a "borrowing form the Bible" to me. Yes they were anyway to both peoples.

Influenced by happenings of early 19th century America

1. Why does the Book of Mormon confuse the Old and New Covenants? It stresses that before Christ, the faithful kept the Law of Moses (2 Nephi 5:10; 25:23-25, 20; Alma 30:3), yet they also established churches, taught and practiced Christian baptism, and were conversant with New Testament doctrines and events (e.g. 2 Nephi 9:23; Mosiah 18:17). In the Bible, the Old Covenant is taken away to establish the New according to Paul and his followers (Heb. 10:9). The Book of Mormon intermingles the covenants. Paul was the man who first tried to reconcile the Old to the New convenant--not anyone during Old Testament times.
A: I think that the Book of Mormon is very clear that the Old Covenant, including the Law of Moses, is meant to point the believer forward to the coming of Christ. The Nephites got it, the Jews did not.
2. Why does the Book of Mormon discuss the concept of infinite sins paid by an infinite being? (Alma 12) This idea was originated by Anselm of Canterbury and was a raging debate during the time of Joseph Smith.
A: This idea originated before the world was, not by Anselm.
3. Why does the Book of Mormon's teachings reflect the religious conflicts of the early 19th century including: grace, infant baptism, ordination, authority, repentance, resurrection, eternal punishment, fall of man, nature of man, fasting, etc.?
A: The Book of Mormon's teachings reflect the religious traditions that were extant in the 19th century, and up to the coming of Christ.
4. Why were there missionaries in the Book of Mormon before Christ? That certainly wasn't the case in the Old World.
A: There is no Bible record that clearly states missionary work in the OT times, but is implied in Genesis 12:5, etc. We believe that God has always sent missionaries to other peoples to tech His message, even though the records are sparse.
5. Why is King Benjamin's oratory like a 19th century camp meeting?
A: Because you like to think it is so.
6. Revival gathering (Mosiah 2)
7. Guilt ridden falling exercise (4:1-2)
8. Petition for spiritual emancipation (4:2)
9. Absolution and ecstasy (4:3)
10. Repentance (4:4-8)
11. Born again (5:7)
12. Take name of Christ (5:8-15)
13. Why do other works early in Joseph Smith's lifetime teach that the Indians were descended from the Hebrews?
A: See General Questions #5.
14. Was "View of the Hebrews" one of the sources? B. H. Roberts (Studies of Book of Mormon pp.240,242) said, "But now to return . . . to the main theme of this writing -- viz., did Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews furnish structural material for Joseph Smith's Book of Mormon? It has been pointed out in these pages that there are many things in the former book that might well have suggested many major things in the other. Not a few things merely, one or two, or a half dozen, but many; and it is this fact of many things of similarity and the cumulative force of them that makes them so serious a menace to Joseph Smith's story of the Book of Mormon's origin . . ."
A: Nope. See General Questions #5.
15. Was Josiah Priest's book "The Wonders of Nature and Providence", copyrighted by him June 2nd, 1824, and printed soon afterwards in Rochester, New York, only some twenty miles distant from Palmyra a source?
A: No.
16. Was James Adair's "A History of the American Indians" a source? On pages 377-378, he wrote the following about the Indians: "Through the whole continent, and in the remotest woods, are traces of their ancient warlike disposition. We frequently met with great mounds of earth, either of a circular, or oblong form, having a strong breast-work at a distance around them, made of the clay which had been dug up in forming the ditch on the inner side of the inclosed ground, and these were their forts of security against an enemy... About 12 miles from the upper northern parts of the Choktah country, there stand...two oblong mounds of earth...in an equal direction with each other... A broad deep ditch inclosed those two fortress, and there they raised an high breast-work, to secure their houses from the invading enemy." In Alma it states, "Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort: throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies...the Nephites were taught...never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy... they had cast up dirtround to shield them from the arrows...the chief captains of the Lamanites were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security...they knew not that Moroni had fortified, or had built forts of security in all the land roundabout ...the Lamanites could not get into their forts of security...because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of the ditch which had been dug round about...they (the Lamanites) began to dig down their banks of earth...that they might have an equalchance to fight...instead of filling up their ditches by pulling down banks of earth, they were filled up in a measure with their dead...And (Moroni) caused them to erect fortifications that they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land...And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch: and they did cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers".
A: No, but the fact that an outsider notices artifacts in the Americas that match the Book of Mormon record is a good indicator of the BofM record.
17. Why are there other direct word parallels between Adair and the Book of Mormon such as Omni 1:21 and page 125 of Adair which says, "...for the space of four moons..." or page 122 which says "for the space of three days and nights..." and Alma 36:10.
A: Because you are imagining up excuses for not reading the Book of Mormon in depth and asking God if it is true.

Main themes of Mormonism not in Book of Mormon:

1. Why isn't the Elohim (God) being the father of Jehovah (Jesus) and being once a mortal man discussed? (In fact, God and Jesus appear to be one in the same being in the Book of Mormon--especially in the first edition).
A: God as the Father of Jesus is discussed pretty plainly in the BofM.
2. What about God having a body of flesh and bones, God being married, men becoming Gods, temple participation necessary for exaltation, baptism for the dead, Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, word of wisdom, and 3 degrees of glory?
A: See Alma 26:22
3. Why is polygamy condemned in the Book of Mormon, but condoned in the D&C and still believed to be necessary in church doctrine for exaltation in the after-life?
A: It is not condemned in the Book of Mormon. Read it again. In fact, polygamy is endorsed in the Book of Mormon when authorized by God.
4. Where are such doctrines as a man having to marry in order to be exalted, member having to wear sacred undergarments, official doctrine being voted upon by the general membership, God being the offspring of another God, etc.?
A: See Alma 26:22

Treasure Hunting and Magic

1. Why was Joseph Smith arrested for "money digging" and convicted of being a disorderly person? He admitted to being a money digger, though he said it was never very profitable for him (History of the Church, V. 3, p. 29). He and his father's money digging continued until at least 1826. On March 20th, 1826, Joseph was arrested, brought before a judge, and charged with being a "glass-looker" and a disorderly person. The laws at that time had what was known as the "Vagrant Act." It defined a disorderly person as one who pretended to have skill in the areas of palmistry, telling fortunes or discovering where lost goods might be found. According to court records Justice Neely determined that Joseph was guilty, though no penalty was administered, quite possibly because this was a first offense (Inventing Mormonism, Marquardt and Walters, SLC: Signature Books, 1994, pp.74-75).
A: Although arrested about 47 times (by my count) for various charges, Joseph was never convicted of any charges. They were all trumped-up, the same as the righteous are brought to trial on false charges in all ages of time. See New Testament.
2. Why did Joseph Smith have to use a seer stone both before and after being called as a prophet?
A: The Urim and Thummim were given to Joseph Smith when he was given the Book of Mormon plates in 1827. He was called as a phophet in 1820 with his first vision.
3. Why did the Book of Mormon have to be translated while he looked into the seer stone placed in a black top hat? D. Michael Quinn writes: "During this period from 1827 to 1830, Joseph Smith abandoned the company of his former money-digging associates, but continued to use for religious purposes the brown seer stone he had previously employed in the treasure quest. His most intensive and productive use of the seer stone was in the translation of the Book of Mormon. But he also dictated several revelations to his associates through the stone" (Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, D. Michael Quinn, Signature Books, SLC, 1987, p. 143). Richard S. Van Wagoner writes: "This stone, still retained by the First Presidency of the LDS Church, was the vehicle through which the golden plates were discovered and the medium through which their interpretation came" (Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess, Signature Books, SLC, 1994, p.57).
A: We don't know the exact method through which the Book of Mormon was translated, false accuastions of church apostates to the contrary.
4. Why would a prophet need to send members to seek for treasure seen in a vision? See D&C 111. Why wasn't any found when the revelation states they would?
A: Joseph and some early church members when to MA to look for money on their own accord, not by revelation. The revelation given in D&C 111 planely states that the real treasures in the region are the souls of men. Better read it again!
5. Did the Jaredites magic stones have anything to do with Joseph's acquaintance with magic stones?
A: The Jaredite stones were not magic stones. Better read it again.
6. Why does the Book of Mormon discuss "slippery treasure" so much?
A: Only that the Lord commanded that it be included when Mormon and Moroni made the record.

First Vision

1. Why do the accounts differ with respect to who was in the vision? See "The New Mormon History : Revisionist Essays on the Past " for more on this.
A: See Book of Mormon Style and Inconsistencies #12.
2. Why doesn't Jesus show up (separate from God) until after the God doctrine had evolved into a plurality of Gods? (i.e., after 1835)
A: There is a good web site that shows all nine published accounts, boap dot org. Go check it out and let me know which one does not have Jesus appear?
3. Why don't the early "prophets" even know the story accurately? "The Lord did not come with the armies of heaven...But he did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith jun...and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong" (B. Young - JOD Volume 2 p.171 1855).
A: They do. The visitation to Joseph by an angel stated here by Brigham Young is apparently a later visitation.
4. "How did it (the organization) come? By the ministering of an holy angel from God, out of heaven, who held converse with man, and revealed unto him the darkness that enveloped the world...He told him the Gospel was not among men, and that there was not a true organization of His kingdom in the world." (Wilford Woodruff - JOD Volume 11 p.196 1855).
A: This seems to have reference to the restoration of the Priesthood by angels.
5. "How did the state of things called Mormonism originate? We read that an angel came down and revealed himself to Joseph Smith and manifested unto him in a vision the true position of the world in a religious point of view. He was surrounded with light and glory while the heavenly messenger communicated these things to him." (John Taylor - JOD Volume 10 p.127 1863).
A: Same.
6. "When the holy angel appeared, Joseph inquired which of all these denominations was right and which he should join, and was told they were all wrong." (George A. Smith - JOD Volume 12 p.334 1863).
A: Same.
7. Why doesn't any published source mention the "official" first vision account until 1842--22 years after the "official" event supposedly happened?
A: The official version was written in 1838.
8. Why doesn't the 1st vision play an important role in Mormon history until the 1860s? No one seems to mention it before then even though it is now deemed by Mormons to be the most important event in almost 2,000 years.
A: It does.
9. Why isn't there evidence to support the revival described by Joseph Smith in early 1820--yet there is evidence to support revivals several years later? Joseph Smith's neighborhood experienced no revival in 1820 such as he described, in which great multitudes joined the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches. According to early sources, including church conference reports, newspapers, church periodicals, presbytery records and published interviews, nothing occurred in 1820-21 that fits Joseph's description. There were no significant gains in church membership in the Palmyra-Manchester, New York area, during 1820-21 such as accompany great revivals. For example, in 1820, the Baptist Church in Palmyra only received 8 people through profession of faith and baptism, the Presbyterian church added 14 members, while the Methodist circuit lost 6 members, dropping from 677 in 1819 to 671 in 1820 and down to 622 in 1821 (see Geneva area Presbyterian Church Records, Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA; Records for the First Baptist Church in Palmyra, American Baptist Historical Society, Rochester, NY; Minutes of the [Methodist] annual Conference, Ontario Circuit, 1818-1821, pp. 312, 330, 346, 366).
A: There is a good wikipedia article on the Second Great Awakening. Take a look. Looking for excuses?
10. Why does Lucy Smith (his mother) indicate that the revival occurred around 1824? Her son, Alvin died on November 19, 1823, and following that painful loss Lucy Smith reports that, "about this time there was a great revival in religion and the whole neighborhood was very much aroused to the subject and we among the rest, flocked to the meeting house to see if there was a word of comfort for us that might relieve our over-charged feelings" (First draft of Lucy Smith's History, p. 55, LDS Church Archives). Church records from that time period show outstanding increases in membership due to the reception of new converts. The Baptist Church received 94, the Presbyterian 99, while the Methodist work grew by 208. "You will recollect that I mentioned the time of a religious excitement, in Palmyra and vicinity to have been in the 15th year of our Brother J. Smith Jr's, age that was an error in the type- it should have been the 17th...This would bring the date down to the year 1823." (Oliver Cowdrey - Times & Seasons Vol. 2, p. 241 1840). For further details see, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Spring 1969, pp. 59-100.
A: See the answer to #9.
11. Why does his first autobiography not even mention the "first vision"?
A: Which of the 10 versions are you referring to?
12. Why does Joseph Smith have Lehi make such a statement as 1 Nephi 8:2? Is he equating a dream to an actual, physical vision or visitation from God?
A: Good question. It seems that God can administer to his servants by actual visitation, vision, dreams, etc. Lehi's major instructions came by dream.


Posted by: Christian Commando

Marv.Work-

I can appreciate the time you put into printing this up for a thread, but, you still have not proven your points we brought up from before about the BoM being truely of God, therefore, this thread bears o worthiness of being replied to, since proof beyond a doubt from earlier ones were not shared on such things before.

Even satan quoted Scriptures of God when tempting Christ, so he knows God's Word by heart too, yet that does not prove he is enlightened by God to share the Truth of God. but knows how to twist it for his own prideful selfish reasons.

Thus, I suggest you give up on trying to prove a doctrine of satan can be of God, without that "enlightenment" of the Holy Spirit to provide that proof.

Thank you for your time


Posted by: Rachel R

Jesus is Lord.

The Bible is the ONLY Word of God.

Nuff said.

What an awful waste of time for you!

Are you trying to convince people that the Mormon thing is somehow of God?

No where near.

Sorry, but all that stuff you wrote is just circles in wheels.

Rachel R


Posted by: Rachel R

Here's one for you:

The Bible is the Word of God.

Jesus is the Word made flesh.

Why would we need another book?

Rachel R


Posted by: JeriRose12

I did not read your entire post....but I noted that you were quoting Mormon sites and books as the proof of these questions. Of course Mormon sources will answer these questions, supposdely in a way that makes sense.

I am with Rachel. It seems like circles. You seem to keep slipping through loop holes....can never be pinned down on anything.

If the Jesus of the BoM is not the Jesus of The Bible, then something is wrong. One book is wrong. Which is TRUTH, is the real question? You keep saying to read the Bible next to the BoM, but these books do not agree....so why do you keep on saying this? You have a lot of sneaky ways of addressing this, as if the two books do agree. But they simply DO NOT.

Jesus is TRUTH. HIS WORD is TRUTH. Jesus is The Word made flesh....we do not need "another testement of Jesus." ANOTHER means a DIFFERNET. Anyone who preaches a DIFFERENT Jesus (than The One in The Bible) is wrong and needs to get saved.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8) and also, And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

~JeriRose~
In HIM in 2007


Posted by: MarvellousWork

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeriRose12
I did not read your entire post....but I noted that you were quoting Mormon sites and books as the proof of these questions. Of course Mormon sources will answer these questions, supposdely in a way that makes sense.
The answers I posted came from me and my own understanding, and some appeals have been made to the Book of Mormon or other places to clarify my own answer. The proof I leave to the reader, as I hope not to prove anything to anyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeriRose12
I am with Rachel. It seems like circles. You seem to keep slipping through loop holes....can never be pinned down on anything.
How so? I think that my beliefs, like most Latter-day Saints, are fairly concretely stated and expressed; if not by myself in the few words that I am capable of, then by the stated beliefs of the Church itself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeriRose12

If the Jesus of the BoM is not the Jesus of The Bible, then something is wrong. One book is wrong.
I agree with your If.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeriRose12
Which is TRUTH, is the real question? You keep saying to read the Bible next to the BoM, but these books do not agree....so why do you keep on saying this? You have a lot of sneaky ways of addressing this, as if the two books do agree. But they simply DO NOT.
I simply believe that they do agree by my own study of both, and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

I hope readers would read the Book of Mormon for themselves to see, with prayer and invitation to the Lord to show them the truth/error of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeriRose12

Jesus is TRUTH. HIS WORD is TRUTH. Jesus is The Word made flesh....we do not need "another testement of Jesus." ANOTHER means a DIFFERNET. Anyone who preaches a DIFFERENT Jesus (than The One in The Bible) is wrong and needs to get saved.
LDS do not believe that the testimony of Christ found in the Book of Mormon is different than the testimony of Christ found in the Old and New Testaments. It is another.
Because the four Gospel accounts are each a testament of Christ, it does not mean that the Christ they testify of is different in each.

I hope this clarifies.


Posted by: ninababy73

Austin, how sad for you to spend so much time trying to I guess convience us that somehow Mormonism is true.

I feel really sorry for you.

The only truth that matters is God's Word. That's it. There is nothing else. It is absolute.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I pray that one day you will finally see the light and realize that God is the only way. I will continue to pray for your salvation.


Posted by: MarvellousWork

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel R
What an awful waste of time for you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ninababy73
Austin, how sad for you to spend so much time...
Actually it was a good exercise for me personally.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel R
Are you trying to convince people that the Mormon thing is somehow of God?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ninababy73
...trying to I guess convience us that somehow Mormonism is true.
Not trying to convince anyone.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel R
Why would we need another book?
Read it and see for yourself.


Posted by: Rachel R

Dear One,

We love and care for you, but it is not our responsibility to research your deception.

I would have no reason to invest my precious time that way.

Jesus died for all, and the enemy has an endless number of books and theories that try to distract from that.

The simplest answer is often the answer.

Sorry, I have no need to know what the book of mormon says.

I'm still working on hiding God's Word in my heart!

Love to you and all the dear mormom folks.

Rachel R


Posted by: Rmartel

I find it very incredibly contrary; that artifacts are never found that confirm the Bof M.
For instance the "Temple" suppose to be built like Solomon; or where are these
"plates" ;or the "Gold coin of shinar" and the other coins. Have any farmers of construction workers dug these up???? Lets face it none to date have been dug up. Does that not tell you something. And you say you need to be inspired and just believe. With no facts hmmm??
Yet a true beleiver in Jesus gets confirmations all the time.
And yet to date the "Dead sea scrolls " along with the book of psalms and other books have been found confirming the Bible. the Arc Noahs lies in a mountain in turkey. There has been movies on the real mount Sinai.
There has been coins found from Roman days and earlier.Thomas built a church in the southern region of India still standing today.There is so much to confirm the bible as well as prophecy being reveal such as with Isreal (1948) God gathering up his people.
Where is the prophecy of the Mormons?
What about being born again John chapter 3 instead of networking.
I claimed to be Inspired and when I went into a Mormon temple and heard the "letter of the law brings death" I got what the Holy Spirit was telling me.
This explains the high suicide rate among Mormon teenagers in Sault lake City Utah.They are attempting to buld their own temples under the Law.
Does the man still call the woman from the grave to be resurrected?
(A Mormon belief. )Sure keeps the woman in line huh? What about the holy under wear?
Yes it is true the Mormons do good works for all to see; networking to other Mormons and attempting to bring in as much Rich people as possible.

What about some of your top people who have left for Good and tell what is really going on at the top level. Who is it they really worship?
I will give you a hint surely not Jesus or his Father in heaven.
But you will have to get to the top of that Pyramid to find out as it is done in secret; much like the Masons and the Shriners.Why do the shriners wear a red cap with the moslem symbols on. Well glad you asked when 50,000
christians were killed at "Festus "the moslems dipped the hats in the blood of the christian men; woman and children that were slaughtered and thus the Shriners hat is red a symbol of this event.
Now in the Book of Daniel the Angel Gabriel was warring with the prince of Persia for 21 days. So where is Persia today Hmmmm?
Syria Iran Iraq maybe? And what religion are they?
True Christian believers still get Revelation my friend. I hope you may also.
But one has to inquire of the true God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob; and this is done through our Savior Lord and King Jesus.
Come into the Eternal by being born again and be salvaged from the storm
and flood of fiction writers.
I have seen come to speak to a very prophetic friend of mine;they were still in there twentys. He actually felt insulted that they would send so young but I suppose they need to be evangilized too by my friend.
I have invited in the Jehovah witnesses along with Mormons to evangilize them as well. Afterall the word of God stands forever and does not return void. I could tell they were pondering the truth when I spoke it to them.
One day Jesus will truly take over the helm and rudder of this ship the Mormon Religion and I pray for this as well.You and your Elders with their rule over the church truly under estiamte the heart of a true christian believer. Better luck next time. I will keep you in prayer and ask that the true God claims your soul and salvation.
Rmartel


Posted by: MarvellousWork

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
I find it very incredibly contrary; that artifacts are never found that confirm the Bof M.
For instance the "Temple" suppose to be built like Solomon; or where are these
"plates" ;or the "Gold coin of shinar" and the other coins. Have any farmers of construction workers dug these up???? Lets face it none to date have been dug up. Does that not tell you something.
There have been scores of artifacts that show that an ancient civilization lived in the American continents during the time span that the Book of Mormon covers. What exectly are you looking for, outside of finding an ancient pottery shard stamped with "Made in Zerahemla" on the bottom?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
And you say you need to be inspired and just believe. With no facts hmmm??
Contrarily, Latter-day Saints believe that physical evidence serves to verify truth. There are some things for which there is no physical evidence, but for which a witness from God is the confirmer of truth. See this quote from Matthew 16:

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.


In other words, many saw Jesus heal and do miracles, but Peter knew from God that Jesus was Christ and not by physical means (flesh and blood).

We believe that the Holy Ghost tells people truth. External evidence serves to verify truth, but is not the source of truth.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
Yet a true beleiver in Jesus gets confirmations all the time.
And yet to date the "Dead sea scrolls " along with the book of psalms and other books have been found confirming the Bible. the Arc Noahs lies in a mountain in turkey. There has been movies on the real mount Sinai.
There has been coins found from Roman days and earlier.Thomas built a church in the southern region of India still standing today.There is so much to confirm the bible as well as prophecy being reveal such as with Isreal (1948) God gathering up his people.
Latter-day Saints are in agreement here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
Where is the prophecy of the Mormons?
You mean where is the confirmation of my faith?
The first and foremost is the Holy Spirit confirming to the individual of truth.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
What about being born again John chapter 3 instead of networking.
Here is what "Mormons" believe about being born again:

Alma 7:14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

Mosiah 27:25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

etc.

I don't know much about networking, except with other people with my job background.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
I claimed to be Inspired and when I went into a Mormon temple and heard the "letter of the law brings death" I got what the Holy Spirit was telling me.
First, you got into a Mormon temple?

Second, we believe, like other Christians, that the letter of the law brings death, but that Christ brings life. (See the New Testament).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
This explains the high suicide rate among Mormon teenagers in Sault lake City Utah.
I didn't know that there was a high suicide rate among Mormon teenagers in SLC. Please give a link to the data. Was this a high suicide rate for non-LDS youth in SLC?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
They are attempting to buld their own temples under the Law.
Perhaps. We believe in building an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ and with our families.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
Does the man still call the woman from the grave to be resurrected?
(A Mormon belief. )Sure keeps the woman in line huh?
Not sure. I haven't been dead and resurrected and haven't had to resurrect my wife.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
What about the holy under wear?
What about it? You can take a look at Leviticus chapter 8 and others to learn about clothing worn in the Temple.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
Yes it is true the Mormons do good works for all to see; networking to other Mormons and attempting to bring in as much Rich people as possible.
While I think that Mormons do many good works, we are under the direction of Jesus in Matthew 6:1 when we do them.

As for networking, we have no doctrine or practice of networking. We do believe in fellowshipping each other in Christ.

Our missionaries preach to everyone they meet, rich and poor. There is no effort to proselytize on rich people. In fact, most converts to the church are not well-to-do. Anyone who has tried to teach Jesus to a person who trusts in their riches will know what I am talking about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
What about some of your top people who have left for Good and tell what is really going on at the top level. Who is it they really worship?
I will give you a hint surely not Jesus or his Father in heaven.
True, that people who give up a life of service to God and Christ in favor of critisizing others do not worship God or Christ.

As for me personally, I worship God and Christ.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
But you will have to get to the top of that Pyramid to find out as it is done in secret; much like the Masons and the Shriners.
I have served in leadership roles in the church, and been associated with others, so, yes, I know what goes on. There is a constant desire to serve God and help others come unto Christ.

As for Masons, I am not a Mason and don't know much about them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
Why do the shriners wear a red cap with the moslem symbols on. ...
This has nothing to do with my OP or the conversation. Thanks anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
Now in the Book of Daniel the Angel Gabriel was warring with the prince of Persia for 21 days. So where is Persia today Hmmmm?
Syria Iran Iraq maybe? And what religion are they?
I'm not sure where you are going here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
True Christian believers still get Revelation my friend. I hope you may also.
Yes, I get revelation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
But one has to inquire of the true God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob; and this is done through our Savior Lord and King Jesus.
Come into the Eternal by being born again and be salvaged from the storm
and flood of fiction writers.
I agree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
I have seen come to speak to a very prophetic friend of mine;they were still in there twentys. He actually felt insulted that they would send so young but I suppose they need to be evangilized too by my friend.
I am assuming that your friend had contact with LDS missionaries and was insulted that they were so young? See 1 Corinthians 1:27 : "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" Good to know we are teaching the Gospel in a way approved by Jesus and his Apostles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmartel
I have invited in the Jehovah witnesses along with Mormons to evangilize them as well. Afterall the word of God stands forever and does not return void. I could tell they were pondering the truth when I spoke it to them.
One day Jesus will truly take over the helm and rudder of this ship the Mormon Religion and I pray for this as well.You and your Elders with their rule over the church truly under estiamte the heart of a true christian believer. Better luck next time. I will keep you in prayer and ask that the true God claims your soul and salvation.
Rmartel
Thanks for your input and prayers.


Posted by: MarkSentMe

1) Did Joseph Smith ever give a false prophecy? Answer: Yes!
(A) Temple in Independence, MO, " in this generation" (D&C 84:5)
(B) Return of Christ by 1891 (History of the Church, Vol. 2, Pg. 182 / D&C 130:15)
Plus many, many others. (Read: Deuteronomy 13:1-5 / 18:20-22)

2) Are there any contradictions in the Standard Works? (Book of Mormon; Doctrines & Covenants; Pearl of Great Price) Answer: Yes!
Polygamy- Jacob 2:24-28 (Pg. 121) vs. D&C 132:38 (Pg. 270)
Polytheism - Alma 11:26-29 ( Pg. 235-236) vs. History of the Church, Vol. 6, Pg. 474
Pearl of Great Price: Book of Moses 2:1-31 vs. Book of Abraham 4:1-31 (plus many others)

3) Do the LDS teach that the Bible is corrupt and untrustworthy? Answer: Yes!
1 Nephi 13:24-34 / History of Church Vol. 1, Pg. 245 (plus many others), vs. Matthew 24:35 / I Peter 1:23-25

4) Do the LDS teach that the Bible is incomplete? Answer: Yes!
II Nephi 29:10 vs. II Peter 1:3

5) Why does the Book of Mormon teach that these were in the Americas from 600BC to 400 AD: Horses, elephants, sheep, chariots, steel swords, wheat, barley; when archeologists agree that most came with the Spaniards in the 1500s? (They also teach that the American Indians are Hebrew!)

6) Have the LDS found one single ancient city (600BC – 400AD) mentioned in the Book of Mormon? Answer: No!
That is why there are no maps in the Book of Mormon. According to the Smithsonian Institute, no person, place or thing mentioned in the Book of Mormon has ever been found.

7) Do the LDS teach that God used to be a man? Answer: Yes!
LDS slogan: "As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be." But since the LDS believe that God created man... how could He have been a man, then became a God, then created the species that He used to be? It’s not only illogical, it is impossible! History of the Church, Vol. 6, Pg. 305 (many others)

8) Since the LDS teach that God is just an man, do they also teach that God had sex with the Virgin Mary to "sire" Jesus Christ? Answer: Yes!
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, Pg. 50-51; and Vol. 4, Pg. 218 / Mormon Doctrine, Pg. 546-547 / Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, Pg. 141 / Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, Pg. 18 (plus many others)

9) Do the LDS teach that Jesus killed people? Answer: Yes!
III Nephi 9:11 vs. Luke 9:54

10) Do the LDS teach that salvation is attained by obedience to the laws of their "gospel"? Answer: Yes!
Articles of Faith, #3 (plus others) vs. Ephesians 2:8&9 / Titus 3:5 / Galatians 2:16

11) Do the LDS teach racism? Answer: Yes!
II Nephi 5:21 / I Nephi 12:23 / Alma 3:6 / Jacob 3:5&8 / III Nephi 2:15 / Journal of Discourses Vol. 10, Pg. 110 (plus many, many, many others)

12) Do the LDS teach that all other churches’ beliefs/creeds are an abomination to God? Answer: Yes!
Joseph Smith- History 1:18-20 ( Pearl of Great Price, Pg. 49)
*The Book of Mormon also teaches that all other Churches are of the Devil!
I Nephi 14:10 / IV Nephi 1: 27-28 / D&C 10:56

13) Did Joseph Smith correctly translate the Book of Abraham? Answer: No!
And since he didn’t get one word right (including the facsimiles), how can we trust his translation of the Book of Mormon?

14) Do the LDS teach that there is a plurality of Gods, and that they can become Gods, too? Answer: Yes!
History of the Church Vol. 6, Pg. 474 and Pg. 305-306 (and many others) vs. Isaiah 43:10 / I Corinthians 8:4 / I Timothy 2:5 / James 2:19 / Ephesians 4:4-6

Proverbs 30:6 "Don’t add unto God’s words, lest He reprove you, and you be found to be a liar"



Please read the following for all of the above verses quoted in their entirety
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abbreviations:
BOM = Book of Mormon
D&C = Doctrines and Covenants
POGP = Pearl of Great Price
HOTC = History of the Church (LDS)
JOD = Journal of Discourses (The JOD is a record of sermons by the LDS Prophets/Presidents. It is printed by the LDS church and has historically been universally endorsed by the LDS Church. Brigham Young even said [right in the JOD], "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture." JOD, Vol. 13, Pg. 95 )

Verses Chronologically Quoted in "14 Basic LDS Questions"

1) D&C 84:3-5 (Pg. 153), "Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For this generation shall not pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house." {To this very day, there is no temple on Temple Lot in Independence, MO, and the LDS church doesn’t even own the land anymore!}

HOTC,Vol. 2, (Pg. 182), "President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. He then gave a revelation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion – our trials, sufferings; and said that God had not designed all this for nothing, but He had it in remembrance yet; and it was the will of God that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh, even fifty-six years should wind up the scene. (February, 1835)

D&C 130:15 (Pg. 265), "Joseph my son, if thou livest until thou art 85 years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man." Smith’s god didn’t know if Smith would live to be 85 years old or not!

(BIBLE) Deuteronomy 13:1-5, "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul... and that prophet ... shall be put to death."

(BIBLE) Deuteronomy 18:20-22, "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing followeth not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."

2) BOM, Jacob 2:24-28 (Pg. 121), "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord... (27) for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; (28) For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of hosts."

D&C 132:38 (Pg. 270), "David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me."

BOM, Alma 11:26-29 (Pg. 235), "And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No."

HOTC, Vol. 6, (Pg. 474), "I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express purpose. I wish to declare I have always and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders for fifteen years." (Joseph Smith ; June, 1844)

POGP, Book of Moses, 2:1-31 (Pg. 5-7), "And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...And I, God...

POGP, Book of Abraham, 4:1-31 (Pg. 38-42), "And the Gods...And the Gods...And the Gods...And the Gods...And the Gods...And the Gods...And the Gods...

3) BOM, I Nephi 13:24-34 (Pg. 25-26), "And the Angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it 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; and they bear record according to the truth which is the Lamb of God. (25) Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God. (26) And after they go forth by the hands of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. (27) And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. (28) Wherefore, thou seest that 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. (29) And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goes forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest- because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God- because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them... (32) Neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that awful state of blindness, which thou beholdest they are in, because of the plain and most precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen... (34 b) and after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb."

HOTC, Vol. 1, (Pg. 245), "Upon my return from Amherst conference, I resumed translation of the Scriptures. From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled."

(BIBLE) Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Jesus speaking)

(BIBLE) I Peter 1:23-25, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

4) BOM, II Nephi 29:6-10 (Pg. 110), "Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no 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."

(BIBLE) II Peter 1:3, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

(5&6) There are far too many resources that document the lack of archeological evidence for the BOM to mention them all, and the average Mormon would not accept the opinion of a "Gentile" (any non-Mormon), anyway. So our favorite resource is one of their own archeologists, Thomas Stuart Ferguson, the founder of the New World Archeological Foundation at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Furguson spent untold amounts of money and twenty-five years of his life searching for legitimate evidence for the BOM. He presented a summation of his work to the LDS church that was recently published in a book by Stan Larson, called "Quest for the Gold Plates". In this book, Stan Larson reproduces the entire report by Ferguson (in Appendix A), wherein Ferguson describes the archeological evidence of the BOM as non-existent.

7) This slogan is usually attributed to their fifth President/Prophet, Lorenzo Snow. (Latter Day Christianity; Ten Basic Issues, Pg. 25)

HOTC, Vol. 6 (Pg. 305), "God was once as we are now, and is an exalted man." (J. Smith)

8) JOD (Vol.1, Pg. 50-51), Brigham Young, Second LDS Prophet/President, taught,
"...Now remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. I will repeat a little anecdote. I was in conversation with a certain learned professor upon this subject, when I replied, to this idea "if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children, and be palm upon the Elders by the people, bringing the Elders into great difficulties"

JOD (Vol. 4, Pg. 218), Brigham Young taught, "When the time came that His first-born, the Savior, should come into the world and take a tabernacle, the Father came Himself and favored that spirit with a tabernacle instead of letting any other man do it. The Savior was begotten by the Father of His spirit, by the same Being who is the Father of our spirits, and that is all the organic difference between Jesus Christ and you and me."

Mormon Doctrine (Pg. 546-547), under the subject head of "Only Begotten Son" , LDS Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie taught, "These name-titles all signify that our Lord is the only Son of the Father in the flesh. Each of the words is to be understood literally. Only means only; Begotten means begotten; Son means son. Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers.

Doctrinal New Testament Commentary (Vol. 3, Pg. 141), Bruce R. McConkie taught, "Begotten means begotten; it means that Christ’s mortal body was procreated by an Eternal Sire; it means that God is the Father of Christ, "after the manner of the flesh." (I Ne 11:18)

Doctrines of Salvation (Vol. 1, Pg. 18), 10th LDS Prophet/President, Joseph Fielding Smith taught, "Christ was begotten of God. He was not born without the aid of Man, and that man was God!"

9) BOM, III Nephi 9:1-15 (Pg. 424-425), "And it came to pass that there was a great voice heard... (VERSE 3) Behold that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire and the inhabitants thereof... (Verses 4 through 14 go on to tell of someone destroying 16 of the ancient Book of Mormon cities. Verse 15 then identifies who this Great Destroyer is)
(VERSE 15) "Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God."

BIBLE, Luke 9:51-56, "And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. (52) And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. (53) And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. (54) And when his disciples, James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."

10) POGP, The Articles of Faith (Pg. 60), Article #3 states: "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

BIBLE, Ephesians 2:8&9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." >BIBLE, Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

BIBLE, Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

11) BOM, II Nephi 5:21 (Pg. 66), "And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them."

BOM, I Nephi 12:23 (Pg. 23), "And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations."

BOM, Alma 3:6 (Pg. 214), "And the skin of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark that was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their bretheren..."

BOM, Jacob 3:5 & 8 (Pg. 122-123), "Behold, the Lamanites your bretheren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skin... (8) Oh my bretheren, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins that their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God."

BOM, III Nephi 2:15 (Pg. 410), "And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites."

JOD (Vol. 10, Pg. 110), Brigham Young taught the following: "Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his seed with the seed of Cain {the black race}, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so."

12) POGP, Joseph Smith – History 1:18-20 (Pg. 49), "... I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong) – and which I should join. (19) I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: 'they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.' (20) He again forbade me to join with any of them..."

BOM, I Nephi 14:10 (Pg. 28), "And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the Church of the Lamb of God [the LDS church], 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."

BOM, IV Nephi 1:27-28 (Pg. 467), "And it came to pass ... there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness. (28) And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts."

D&C 10:56 (Pg. 20), "But it is they who do not fear me, neither keep my commandments but build up churches unto themselves to get gain, yea, and all those that do wickedly and build up the kingdom of the devil – yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that it is they that I will disturb, and cause to tremble and shake to the center."

13) It is a well known documented fact that Joseph Smith did not get one single word right in the translation of the Book of Abraham (BOA). He claimed that he had the ability to translate an Egyptian papyrus that he bought from a traveling mummy show in 1835. To everyone’s surprise, he also claimed that it was personally hand written by the Jewish patriarch, Abraham! In Smith’s day there was no one to challenge his "translation" because they hadn’t cracked the hieroglyphic codes yet. But there are hundreds of Egyptologists now, and many have translated the same papyrus that Smith translated into the BOA,with amazingly different conclusions than Smith. There is unanimous consensus that the name Abraham is not even mentioned in the papyrus, anywhere! What Smith had was an ancient Egyptian (pagan) funeral text. Now, if you talk to the leadership of the LDS church, or maybe a BYU professor, their first line of defense is to say that they don’t even have the actual papyrus that Smith translated into the BOA. This is not true, but rather than argue the point, one simply can ask if Smith correctly translated the facsimiles (pictures) that are printed in the BOA. The answer is a resounding NO! He did not get one single word right! So the question is: if we can’t trust the BOA, how can we trust the Book of Mormon?

14) HOTC, Vol. 6 (Pg. 474), "I will preach on the plurality of Gods... when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods."

HOTC, Vol. 6 (Pg. 305-306), "... for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see. (Pg. 306) ... and you have to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you..."

BIBLE, Isaiah 43:10, "...before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me"

BIBLE, I Corinthians 8:4, "... there is none other God but one."

BIBLE, I Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God..."

BIBLE, James 2:19, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well..."

BIBLE, Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is...One God and Father of all, who is above all..."


Posted by: Christian Commando

Well, good to see you back MarvelousWork. But here are some problems-

1- There are sacrificial altar type pyramids found in areas scattered thru out the US. The arcitecture of those pyramids are of Egyptian style, with same hyrogliphics, build design and more.

2- It is well documented, the ancient Mayan and Aztec Indian tribes existed here way back to the BC era, and one was traced to have come over at the Bering Sea up North and the other across to the southern tip od South America. Both working thier ways across the Continents to have existed at one time on this North American Continent.

3rd- There are also ancient ruins existing in North and south Americas of the incredibly huge cities they had eventually settled and built. They were clearly too uncivilized to be the people talked of in the BoM.

4- Source of Truth. Quite correct. But, you forget that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God". But, it comes first by the "hearing" of the Word, then the Holy Spirit enlightens us to have the faith to believe what is heard. Acts 10 as well with Peter sharing the Gospel with Gentiles recieved Salvation and outward evidence proves this, as they believed what was spoken.

5- Theres another problem of the followers recieving confirmation. The LDS- (Mormons), teaches that only the Leaders or Elders can interprete the Truth of Scripture.

6- Confirmation of Mormonism- No, that is out of context, before proof is given, as Jesus Christ appearing on earth and Ministering and rest of His mission for us was the confirmation of the Old Test Prophecies- "I come not to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them." In which case, this is not the case for the BoM or thier doctrine.

7-"Letter of the Law brings death."- Wrong again. God does not declare His Word- (the "Law"), brings death. Rather, the Law cannot save us from death, but Christ can. Instead, the "Law" teaches us how to live after recieving Life from God thru Christ, as the "Law" shows us our sins and guides us generally how to avoid it.

8- Explain the Mormons wanting to build a Temple on the NA Continent because the BoM teaches us the new City of Jerusalem is claimed to set down on North America, when God's Word teaches us, the New Jerusalem will be set down right back in place of where the old City was located on the old earth- in Isreal, not on North America

9- Ressurrected man calling wife back to life. If Mormons believe this, its also out of context to God, for God and christ declare there is no marriage in Heaven or any given in marriage. But people shall be as the angels are- single existing spirit creatures.

10- Sacred under garments- As dictated in your reference, this is no longer relevant and put away for the New Covenant era, for the Temple was no longer a building or portable structure, but now became our bodies when the Holy Spirit came to dwell within us. Therefore, like the belief the Urim and Thumim Stones could be accepted s used by Joseph Smith was done away with in Old Test times and is now against God in the New Covenant era.

11- Mormon slogan- (by MarkSentMe)- its true they believe this, as Mormons teach that men when die some day, will be given a planet, gain one or more spirit wives, have spirit children and this same situation with God, Adam, Eve, Lucifer and Jesus will happen all over again.

Good try my friend Marvelous Works.

Take care-

CC