Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints

[MightyIsTheLord]

Hi all, i went to a different church gathering yesterday, i was invited by a mormon to attend their church gathering and i went. I have to say the church of the latter day saints is so filled with love and unity i became interested. This elder who's been helping me learn more about it called Elder Evans gave me a copy of the book of mormon. Anyway, i knew it was God who put me in the path of the mormon, he definately wanted me to attend that church (Well it wasn't in the church because thats only just bin completed, goin to the proper one next week), when i was there i felt the holy ghost from head to toe, there all such loving caring people. I've decided to join the church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints. I believe that Jesus Christ did visit America shortly after his ressurection. I mean, the book of mormon has characteristics of other books from prophets found in the holy bible. E.g. prophecies, similar subjects. The book of mormon even prophecied about the civil war in america between the northern and southern states.

Anyhow, I just wanted to ask what you guys think of the book of mormon and the church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Yesterday was the best church meeting i've ever been to, i mean, we even did bible talks afterwards and discussed the second coming. I've found one thread on worthy that mentions mormons but they seem to put them in a bad light. i mean. why? How do you know that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet?

Thanks. any replies appreciated.

[Guest Butero]

You are likely about to get jumped on for promoting a cult religion, but before that happens, I want to give you an honest answer to your sincere question. The Mormon church was founded by Joseph Smith, who claimed to be a prophet from God. He claimed that an angel led him to some golden tablets and God supernaturally allowed him to interpret them into what became the Book of Mormon. After Joseph Smith wrote this book and started his church, he later claimed to be given additional revelations. Many of these things contradict what was written in the Book of Mormon, like polygamy for instance. This practice was forbidden in the Book of Mormon, but later on, Joseph Smith claimed God told him to take another wife besides the one he already had, and started promoting polygamy as the will of God.

Now to the Book of Mormon itself. I have a copy of that book that I got from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I requested a free copy from one of their tv ads. I read a pretty good bit of it, and was fascinated by how differen't the doctrine in the book was from the teachings of the church today. If you simply go by what I read in the Book of Mormon, the trinity is a reality, and so is the diety of Christ. Both of those teachings are rejected by the Latter Day Saints today, because their teachings are based more on the latter prophecies of Joseph Smith than the book they promote. In reality, it is like they are apostates against their own religion. They claim that if a sincere person reads the Book of Mormon, God will show them it is real. Here are my impressions, and I was giving it a fair read.

In the first part, it appears Joseph Smith tried to create a story to show how the golden tablets came into being, and why we should trust the book. The story is mildly credable. As you read on, the book goes from this story to Joseph Smith simply taking portions of known scripture, placing it in the text, and commenting on it. Based on what I have seen, here is my opinion.

1. I do not believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.

2. I believe Joseph Smith wanted to start a religion, and came up with a scheme whereby he created the book of Mormon. This made him unique, so if you believed his story, his was the only true church.

3. I believe Joseph Smith later decided he didn't like some of the doctrines he had made up in the Book of Mormon so he simply changed them later on, and his followers like ignornant sheep, went along with what he said, with no regard to the contradictions.

Even if I was to believe the Book of Mormon was of God, and I don't, I would have to reject the Latter Day Saints as apostates. I would have to form a new church based on the actual teachings of the Bible and Book of Mormon to set them straight again. Of course, the Book of Mormon loses some of it's credibility when you consider the contradictions by the man who wrote it, and the fact that the golden tablets were mysteriously taken away, supposedly by angels. My advise would be to find a differen't church.

[MorningGlory]

I hope you change your mind because Mormons are not Christians. It's a cult founded by a false prophet, very much like islam. I hate to think of you losing your salvation because of this. Have you considered talking to a minister?

[MightyIsTheLord]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

Well i've not read much of the book of mormon yet but in the church service i attended yesterday they do promote the trinity and the deity of christ. They even finished the prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. As for the credibility of the book, there are some parts of the book of mormon called "The Testimony of Three Witnesses" and "The Testimony of Eight Witnesses" which see people who have signed the documents, who God allowed to see the golden plates before they were taken up.

If it is a false religion, why was i filled with the holy ghost when i went to that church meeting. When i first met Elder Evans, me and my friend were waiting in town, watching them and my mate wanted to go home but i wanted to stay for some reason, so we started talking to them and Elder Evans phoned me up asking if i wanted to attend their church gathering, so i did. After the service i was asked if i wanted to stay for the group discussion on the bible and the book of mormon afterwards, i kind of wanted to go home but for some reason i stayed. I believe that it is true because i wanted to do the opposit of what i did, almost as if the holy spirit was convicting me to stay.

[Shiloh62]

Hi all, i went to a different church gathering yesterday, i was invited by a mormon to attend their church gathering and i went. I have to say the church of the latter day saints is so filled with love and unity i became interested. This elder who's been helping me learn more about it called Elder Evans gave me a copy of the book of mormon. Anyway, i knew it was God who put me in the path of the mormon, he definately wanted me to attend that church (Well it wasn't in the church because thats only just bin completed, goin to the proper one next week), when i was there i felt the holy ghost from head to toe, there all such loving caring people. I've decided to join the church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints. I believe that Jesus Christ did visit America shortly after his ressurection. I mean, the book of mormon has characteristics of other books from prophets found in the holy bible. E.g. prophecies, similar subjects. The book of mormon even prophecied about the civil war in america between the northern and southern states.

Anyhow, I just wanted to ask what you guys think of the book of mormon and the church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Yesterday was the best church meeting i've ever been to, i mean, we even did bible talks afterwards and discussed the second coming. I've found one thread on worthy that mentions mormons but they seem to put them in a bad light. i mean. why? How do you know that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet?

Thanks. any replies appreciated.

I think that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal saviuor, and asked for Him to forgive your sins, then thats whats important. I can't comment on the rest,its unfamiliar waters.

[Guest Butero]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

Well i've not read much of the book of mormon yet but in the church service i attended yesterday they do promote the trinity and the deity of christ. They even finished the prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. As for the credibility of the book, there are some parts of the book of mormon called "The Testimony of Three Witnesses" and "The Testimony of Eight Witnesses" which see people who have signed the documents, who God allowed to see the golden plates before they were taken up.

If it is a false religion, why was i filled with the holy ghost when i went to that church meeting. When i first met Elder Evans, me and my friend were waiting in town, watching them and my mate wanted to go home but i wanted to stay for some reason, so we started talking to them and Elder Evans phoned me up asking if i wanted to attend their church gathering, so i did. After the service i was asked if i wanted to stay for the group discussion on the bible and the book of mormon afterwards, i kind of wanted to go home but for some reason i stayed. I believe that it is true because i wanted to do the opposit of what i did, almost as if the holy spirit was convicting me to stay.

When you say they believe in the deity of Christ, do they go so far as to say Jesus is God? The Book of Mormon does, but I have always heard the Latter Day Saints do not. I have heard they will acknowledge him as the Son of God, but not deity. You might want to ask someone to be sure.

As I said, the Book of Mormon does claim Jesus is God. 2 Nephi 11:7 says,

For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

then there is 2 Nephi 19:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Don't assume the Latter Day Saints acknowledge the diety of Christ because they speak of Jesus. Ask someone directly, "Do you believe Jesus is God?" If they say no, he is the Son of God, you will know their doctrine contradicts their own book. Their own book is largely made up of passages of Old Testament scripture, and anyone could have made up a story like Joseph Smith did, mixing a tale of jesus making himself known to native Americans and mixing scripture with it.

Another thing to consider is the fact Joseph Smith was a polygamist, and the Book of Mormon prohibits the practice. I don't know the verse off the top of my head that does that, but I will try to find it. If Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and believed the Book of Mormon was real, why didn't he follow it?

[MightyIsTheLord]

Ok well Elder Evans and Elder Granger are coming to my house again tonight i will ask them then.

I've already got some good questions to ask them. And i pray that the Almighty Father will lead me to the truth, and reveal to me whether he did indeed make Joseph Smith his prophet.

I'll ask the Elders when they arrive about the polygamy.

[tigger398]

You are likely about to get jumped on for promoting a cult religion, but before that happens, I want to give you an honest answer to your sincere question. The Mormon church was founded by Joseph Smith, who claimed to be a prophet from God. He claimed that an angel led him to some golden tablets and God supernaturally allowed him to interpret them into what became the Book of Mormon. After Joseph Smith wrote this book and started his church, he later claimed to be given additional revelations. Many of these things contradict what was written in the Book of Mormon, like polygamy for instance. This practice was forbidden in the Book of Mormon, but later on, Joseph Smith claimed God told him to take another wife besides the one he already had, and started promoting polygamy as the will of God.

Now to the Book of Mormon itself. I have a copy of that book that I got from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I requested a free copy from one of their tv ads. I read a pretty good bit of it, and was fascinated by how differen't the doctrine in the book was from the teachings of the church today. If you simply go by what I read in the Book of Mormon, the trinity is a reality, and so is the diety of Christ. Both of those teachings are rejected by the Latter Day Saints today, because their teachings are based more on the latter prophecies of Joseph Smith than the book they promote. In reality, it is like they are apostates against their own religion. They claim that if a sincere person reads the Book of Mormon, God will show them it is real. Here are my impressions, and I was giving it a fair read.

In the first part, it appears Joseph Smith tried to create a story to show how the golden tablets came into being, and why we should trust the book. The story is mildly credable. As you read on, the book goes from this story to Joseph Smith simply taking portions of known scripture, placing it in the text, and commenting on it. Based on what I have seen, here is my opinion.

1. I do not believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.

2. I believe Joseph Smith wanted to start a religion, and came up with a scheme whereby he created the book of Mormon. This made him unique, so if you believed his story, his was the only true church.

3. I believe Joseph Smith later decided he didn't like some of the doctrines he had made up in the Book of Mormon so he simply changed them later on, and his followers like ignornant sheep, went along with what he said, with no regard to the contradictions.

Even if I was to believe the Book of Mormon was of God, and I don't, I would have to reject the Latter Day Saints as apostates. I would have to form a new church based on the actual teachings of the Bible and Book of Mormon to set them straight again. Of course, the Book of Mormon loses some of it's credibility when you consider the contradictions by the man who wrote it, and the fact that the golden tablets were mysteriously taken away, supposedly by angels. My advise would be to find a differen't church.

I have to agree with Butero on this one. it is a cult like the watch tower I consider a cult as well.

[stacey c]

Brother please do not be decieved!!!!!

I have dealt with mormons before, and had on going "roundabouts" with a team of them for several weeks a few years ago.

They donot believe that Jesus is God, they believe He is the son of God BIG difference. They also believe Adam and Eve were a god and goddess and it is towards there own godhood that they strive. The more wives and children they have the greater their godhood in the next life.

As far as you feeling the Holy Ghost, donot be decieved, satan comes as an angel of light. They visit other churches and infuses christian terminology into their convos to confuse new converts or hopefuls.

Believe me brother, at my last convo with that team the Holy Ghost really had me go at them with the Word of God and I never heard from them again.

[Guest Butero]

I found the passage I was looking for. From Jacob 2:27,28 of the Book of Mormon:

27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: 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 chastity of women, and whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

Joseph Smith later claimed God wanted him to take another wife to the one he already had and started promoting polygamy. That is why some Mormons to this day continue the practice. If the Book of Mormon is of God, then one would have to conclude that Joseph Smith and his followers became apostates after he completed the translation. You might want to ask someone about that as well?