Mormonism Examined

[Nebuchadnezza10]

I have Some questions regarding the Mormon faith and would apreciate any help with them. I have done some study on Mormonism and find alot of it confusing.

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? God allowed the Jews to carry the 10 commandments for several centuries in their original physical form, written by the finger of God Himself!

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? (Around 3913 changes)

I have some more questions but i thought we would start with a couple at a time.

If anyone wishes to talk about this topic on MSN please give me a Buzz.

It's a lot quicker.

Nebuchadnezza10@hotmail.com

[nebula]

Well, if you are looking for someone in here to argue in favor of Mormonism, you are in the wrong place.

:baa:

[Nebuchadnezza10]

Oh well, I will have to look some where else

[Guest LCPGUY]

How could we answer your questions? If we even tried we would be admitting that the Book of Mormon is valid. Since it is not valid or inspired in any way, there can be no answers from people here. Consider it a book of fiction.

John

[Nebuchadnezza10]

Fair enough. I just was not sure if there were any Mormons on Forum?

[GymRose]

Nebuc 10 What ever happened in your life to make you so judgemental and want to argue with people this way?

[Nebuchadnezza10]

GymRose don't be so presumptuous about who I am. All I am doing is creating conversation and share the knowledge I have. Are you telling me that you don

[Hvnly1Rose]

Are you telling me that you don

[Hvnly1Rose]

I got this information from a tract "The Mormon Mystique" put out by the American Tract Society

A Brief History

Joseph 'Smith was born December 23, 1805 in the town of Sharon, Vermont. In his 15th year two glowing persons allegedly appeared to him, God the Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph received instructions to join no existing religious groups for they all were abominations in God's sight.

Again, on the evening of September 21, 1823, an "angel" named Moroni supposedly appeared three times to Joseph. Each time Moroni told Joseph that he was sent from God to reveal ancient gold plates inscribed with the history of the inhbitants of the Americas. With the plates were also two stones used to translate the characters on the plates. The nest day Joseph found the plates buried in a hillside, but was told that they would be given to him only when he became worthy.

It is interesting tonot that on March 20, 1826 Joseph Smith was found fuilty of fraud in Bainbridge, New Yourk. He had been selling his services by claiming to find buried treasure through the use of a "seer stone." When he failed to produce for several of his customers, he was convicted as an imposter. Joseph allegedly retrieved the golden plates on September 22, 1827. On April 7, 1829 he gained the help of Mr. Oliver Cowdery who copied as Joseph translated the plates using the "seer stones." Thus began the Book of Mormon.

Three witnesses originally testified to seeing the actual gold plates--Oliver Cowdery, Martin harris, and David Whitmer. Later, each of the three either left the church, or discredited Joseph Smith, or disavowed ever seeing the plates.

In March of 1830, the first edition of the Book of Mormon was published. In late 1829 or early 1830, Peter, James, and John allegedly appeared to Smith and Cowdery and restored to them the "Melchizedek priesthood." With this "authority" Joseph organized his church on April 6, 1830.

A branch church known as "The United Order of Enoch" formed in Kirtland, Ohio. It was in Kirtland that three important events occurred; 1. Joseph supposedly received revelationfrom God that forbade the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, hot drinks, and excessive eating of meat; 2. The first temple was dedicated in 1836; 3. Joseph became acquainted with a new convert, Brigham Young.

Internal schisms and external confilct eventually led to the slaughter of many Mormons and the jailing of Mormon leaders in Richmond, Missouri. On change of venue, Joseph and his fellow prisioners escaped from their guard, crossed the Mississippi River and founded the town of Nauvoo, Illinois.

Here Smith and his followers flourished until internal dissention produced dissidents who published and expose of the church leadershipls polygamy. After destroying the dissident presses, Smith fled from local militias that had surrounded Nauvoo. The terrified residents pleaded with Joseph to return and avert an imminent attack. He did return and then rode to Carthage, Illinois to face charges of riotiing.

The night before the preliminary hearing, militia stormed into the second floor cell where Joseph and his brother were held. Both were killed in a hail of bullets, but not before Joseph killed two men and wounded another with smuggled guns.

Led by Brigham Young, a remnant of Nauvoo citizens migrated to Utah and built Salt Lake City. From that desert arose the empire now known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

WITNESSING TO MORMONS

1. If you are serious about witnessing to Mormons, don't START with a Mormon missionary.

You most effective witness will be with acquaintances, not strangers. Befriend Mormans.

2. Realize that "godtalk" is decptive.

Terms like, sin, salvation, God, Jesus Christ, eternal life, atonement, grace, etc. have completely different Mormon meanings. You may think that Mormons believe what you edo unless you ask for definitions.

3. You must commit yourself to the long haul.

Effective witnessing requires building bridges between you and your Mormon friend, and that takes time. For a start, ask why he became a Mormon, what he thinks about the Bible, or how much he knows about Mormon doctrine.

4. Be bold in your contats with Mormons.

Not offensive--bold. Mormons respect authority.

5. Use the Book of Mormon to discuss God.

Mormons doubt the Bible's authority when it differs from their writings. However, the Book of Mormon presents a somewhat accurate view of God which cannot be reconciled to what the average Mormon is taught due to the constant accommodating changes that Mormon doctrine has suffered. Ask "Do you believe God has a body? Do you believe that He had a father and mother? Does your book teach that God and Christ are really two gods? Do you believe that 'As man is, God once was; as God is, man can become'?"

The Book of Mormon can support NONE of these claims because the following passages from it do present a biblical view of God: 2 Nephi 11:7; 26:12; 31:21b; Mosiah 15:2-5; Alma 11:22-29; 3 Nephi 11:27b, 36; Mormon 9:9-11, 19b; Moroni 8:18. If you can show a Mormon that his own book does not support what his church teaches, you may plant seeds of honets doubt about its truthful ness.

NOTE: 1. Be careful that your Mormon friends do not add their own interpetations to Mormon texts (for example, 2 Nephi 31:21b is sometimes interpeted by Mormons as "one God [in purpose]") 2. The Book of Mormon can usually be found in any used book store.

6. When your friend's doubt is fully kindled, share the Christ of the Bible.

A True Comparison

Mormonism

[mobile21]

I got this information from a tract "The Mormon Mystique" put out by the American Tract Society

A Brief History

Joseph 'Smith was born December 23, 1805 in the town of Sharon, Vermont.