THE 95 THESIS AT TEMPLE SQUARE:
On October 31
or our Halloween
Dr. Martin Luther nailed to a door the
Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther
on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
of the Roman Catholic Church
So what is Reformation Day
to the LDS Church?
Here are my 95 Thesis offered as a
Disputation on the Authority of the Church
being hereby, directed to the attention of
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS
By Charlie Carle
October 31, 2007
In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
1) THE LDS CHURCH claims the Aaronic Priesthood. One of the 17 points of the LDS faith reads, "The true church must have the same organization as Christ’s church." Our LDS friends usually claim to be from the Tribe of Ephraim, however every Aaronic Priest is perpetually from the family of Aaron, tribe of Levi. (Exodus 29:9). This "perpetual statute" means God viewed Joseph Smith "as polluted, put from the priesthood" (Ezra 2:62).
2) THE LDS CHURCH looks to Joseph Smith in receiving the priesthood.
However, Joseph broke his leg as a child and that alone would disqualify him from the priesthood (Leviticus 21:17-23). The biblical list of blemishes also disqualifies many of LDS men who think themselves to be worthy today. 3) THE LDS CHURCH has the young and old in its priesthood.
However, any Aaronic Priest had the limitation of serving strictly from the ages of 25 to 50 (Numbers 8:23-26). Why do the LDS have 16-year old kids and many old men claiming to be Aaronic priests? 4) THE LDS CHURCH has no candles.
God would be looking for the perpetual incense in that system (Exodus 30:7-8). Where is it? 5) THE LDS CHURCH has re-established what God rejected.
How could there be the LDS Aaronic priesthood lasting forever when it has been already disannulled because of its "weakness and unprofitableness" (Hebrews 7:11-28)? Why would any rational religion try to revive what was replaced as unnecessary? 6) THE LDS CHURCH has no animal sacrifices for its priests.
The Aaronic Priests offered animals and birds to the Lord in sacrifice (Leviticus 1:1-17). The Book of Mormon says they offered "sacrifice and burnt offering according to the law of Moses" (Mosiah 2:3). How is the sacrifice of the LDS temple vow even remotely the same, by just not holding back teachings, time, money, or calling? 7) THE LDS CHURCH has people in the Book of Mormon who could never be priests.
The Nephites and Lamanites are identified as from the tribe of Manasseh in Alma 10:3, yet no one except from the Tribe of Levi could serve as priests (Exodus 28-31; Numbers 3:6-7; Nehemiah 7:63,65). 8) THE LDS CHURCH has many High Priests at one time, the Bible has one.
The church has a living prophet, the Bible had many serving as contemporaries. The church has many, claiming together to be Melchizedek Priests but the Bible soundly rejects them all. Who is your High Priest? Since Jesus Christ was from the tribe of Judah, the Bible is clear that He was never an Aaronic Priest (Hebrews 7:12-14). Rather, Christ is much greater as He lives as our great High Priest while holding the Melchizedek Priesthood forever (Hebrews 5:5-6, 10). Why turn down Christ as your High Priest for the LDS priests of mortality? All die but the living Christ is "a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (7:17, 23-24). No man has the qualifications for the Melchizedek Priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-4). The office remains taken forever as never to be shared, being non-transferable or transmissible. So clearly, Peter, James, and John never had it to pass on. 9) THE LDS CHURCH has abandoned the Faith.
Another word for that is apostasy. Understand that to abandon Christ’s eternal priesthood for the temporary ministry of Aaron is considered to be the same as to abandon the faith (Hebrews 5-9). God has spoken and the true God does not change to contradict His revelations. He can change in the economy of how He works (sort of like rearranging the furniture in a room, but it remains the same room with the furnishings), but God will never change His promises (Hebrews 13:8). The LDS church believes in continuing revelation, but if the Bible and the Book of Mormon agree on something, wouldn’t it be true? Alma 41:8 says, "Now the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved." 3 Nephi 24:6 says, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Mormon 9:9 says, "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and in him there is no variableness; neither shadow of turning." The Bible concurs exactly. Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the LORD, I change not". (Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17). God cannot change His mind so His commandments and revelations must all agree. It follows that if God said something in the past, then continuing revelation cannot say something different. The New Testament has to harmonize with the Old and ongoing revelation cannot contradict either one! The poor LDS people have had to be like a child with a parent forbidding them to play in the street one week and later commanding them to play in the street. This way then that way, it’s confusion. 10) THE LDS CHURCH struggles for authority.
Where do the LDS get their authority? Joseph Smith said he baptized Oliver Cowdery. Oliver baptized Joseph, then Joseph laid his hands on Oliver to ordain him to the Aaronic Priesthood. Then Oliver laid hands on Joseph to ordain him (PGP 56:68-71). What would the LDS think of another church baptizing like this? The LDS consider anyone not baptized as damned (D&C 84:74; 3 Nephi 11:33-34, 38) and without the Holy Ghost (PGP Moses 6:52). Only the baptized can baptize, so Oliver’s was invalid making Joseph’s invalid and the ordination of either man to be worthless. If Adam was baptized by the Holy Ghost a a heavenly figure (PGP Moses 6:64-44), then why wouldn’t John the Baptist baptize them himself? This messenger said he ordained them into the Priesthood but why did that fail since they immediately lost it? After their baptisms they still had to give it to one another again. For any of this to make any sense, the messenger would have conferred the Priesthood on them after their baptisms. 11) THE LDS CHURCH claims the Book of Mormon is in harmony with the Bible.
The Ether preface reads, "The language of the Jaredites is not confounded at the Tower of Babel. Ether 1:35 continues, "he did not confound the language of Jared." This contradicts Genesis 11:9 "because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth." If a language was never confounded, then it never existed. LDS missionaries claim the Book of Mormon is a supplement in agreement to the Bible, making the LDS either dishonest or unaware of the real truth. I bear witness that the Book of Mormon is false and the Bible is true! 12) THE LDS CHURCH evidently needs to educate the schools and universities of America.
Who discovered this country? Columbus, the Vikings, or the Jaredites of Ether? 13) THE LDS CHURCH has a problem with scholarship.
This is the first migration to America in the Book of Mormon. The timing in coming to America is identified as around the time of Babel, however Abraham in being the first Jew was not born until Genesis 11:26. His son was Isaac. Isaac’s was Jacob. Jacob’s was Joseph. How would the Jaredites who went to America know all about Jacob (4:14) and Joseph (13:6)? "Israel" in Ether 4:14 did not exist for the Hebrews to leave for the New World at the time of Babel. So ask the LDS church: When was Abraham born? Then when was Isaac born? When was Jacob born? Isaac’s name was changed to the first mention of Israel. God said, "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel" (Genesis 32:28). 14) THE LDS CHURCH has a problem with understanding prophecy.
Ether 1:43 has the Lord promising, "And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth." What "great nation"? Anyone reading the Book of Mormon learns about "the destruction of the people" (13:1), coming to an uninhabited new world and fighting themselves into extinction. So if they ceased to exist, so did their nation. Then they were "confounded" (1:37) after all and that god deceived them. What has been the greatest nation on the face on the earth? We see the Roman roads and Egyptian pyramids. We do not see Ether’s "mighty cities" (9:23). Abraham’s seed lives, but Jared’s "seed" (1:43) cannot be found. Jesus the Messiah came through Abraham’s seed. Israel has been God’s greatest nation (Genesis 15:1-5; 17:1-9, 19; 18:17-18). The Book of Mormon false prophecies and false promises bear witness that it cannot be from God. 15) THE LDS CHURCH has a problem with discerning credible information.
Chapter 2 starts out with a journey to the promised land on some little barges. Imagine a Princess Cruise where everybody brings their pets. American fish and birds are distinctly different than the Old World species. 16) THE LDS CHURCH needs to be aware that the American honey bee was first introduced by the Europeans.
Any professor of linguistics finds nothing of this word "deseret" (2:3) in either Egyptian or Hebrew! 17) THE LDS CHURCH seems a little naïve.
If breathing was a human problem and only solved by holes in the barges (2:19), how did they keep various species of fish (2:2) alive for nearly a year (6:11)? I’m trying to picture the fish tanks. 18) THE LDS CHURCH seems to add to its scriptures.
We find "serve him, the true and only God" or discover His "wrath" (2:8). To say it reads "the God of this world" is not even implied. The Pearl of Great Price claims there is a council of Gods (Abraham 4 & 5). While the devil is the god of this world and Moses was as a god to Pharaoh, God’s people do not trust in little "g" gods. A god that cannot create a single seed will never save your soul. Beware and be warned according to this verse! Does this put the LDS under God’s "wrath" for straying from only one true God? 19) THE LDS CHURCH does not appear to champion this message of the Book of Mormon.
Who is this true God of America? "serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" (2:12). 20) THE LDS CHURCH is looking for salvation through personal perfection.
LDS prophet, Kimball clarifies what is required, "the desire or urge to sin is cleared out of his life" and "We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect repeated forgiveness" (Miracle of Forgiveness, LDS prophet Spencer W. Kimball, p. 354-355, 360). "And the Lord said unto him: I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin anymore" (2:15). Do you know anyone who completely quit every sin, including the bad thoughts listed in Kimball’s book (p.25)? The LDS god is wrathful and threatening, preferring to punish rather than pardon. As Kimball said, he will not keep on forgiving. Then why would Jesus say to forgive 70 X 7 if God will not (Mat. 18:22; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 25:18; 86:5)? 21) THE LDS CHURCH has a god that failed to think to provide light and ventilation (2:18-19).
In a panic the brother of Jared complains about "the instructions of the Lord" (2:16). In contrast, Noah never corrected the Almighty in building the ark and Moses knew God’s instructions for the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. You can counsel a god but you’ll never correct God! "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36). Anyone charging God to be this ignorant had better read Job 38-40. 22) THE LDS CHURCH accepts a rather comical story.
Try to conceive an all-knowing God solving the ventilation problem by "a hole in the top, and also in the bottom" (2:20). They wouldn’t last a minute at sea! No wonder there is no record of these people making it to America! 23) THE LDS CHURCH faces a perilous position in Ether.
Is this truth or nineteenth century fiction? Windows "dashed in pieces" (2:23) and "glass" (3:1) in 2200 BC? The writer’s assumption trapped him because the Phoenicians had not yet invented glass. See point five from the Smithsonian Institute of Technology. 24) THE LDS CHURCH never made a movie of this brutal voyage.
They would lose everything. If some farmer listened to this tale inside a drafty barn, he might thing "maybe" but every sailor ought to know better. The story says these barges were "small" (2:16) and "the length of a tree" (2:17). They sink "as a whale in the midst of the sea" as "mountain waves" took them to "the depths." Joseph Smith only watched the mules pulling barges at the Erie Canal. Imagine as these barges like "eight" (3:1) little trailer homes try to travel together without sails, props, or rudders. Who would board a vessel, shaped like a dish (2:17) to spin and tumble through the water? It is further complicated by the fish, bees, birds, flocks and herds (6:4), elephants (9:19), plus the entire civilization for the new world! Joseph Smith being the "author" of the Book of Mormon (preface page 1830 ed.), what was he talking about? What are "floods" at sea (2:24)? What happens as a ventilation system shuts off on a train or ship? Stop by a hog farms and breathe deeply to imagine this voyage. How much dung builds up after a few months with a small herd in a barn? How did they get rid of dung and urine sloshing around during eleven months at sea (6:11)? Where did they store the huge supply of fresh water needed? 25) THE LDS CHURCH teaches you have to be worthy.
Here the brother of Jared cries, "O Lord . . . thou are holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually." We are never going to experience perfection (Matthew 5:48) without the imputed righteousness received by trusting Jesus Christ. 26) THE LDS CHURCH cannot have it both ways.
"The Lord had flesh and blood" (3:8) or "Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God" (Alma 18:28; 22:8-11). "Holy, holy, God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever" (Alma 31:15-38). What does it mean to be a spirit? Hear from Jesus, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39). "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). So know the truth and worship Him right! "God is not a man, that he should lie" (Numbers 23:19). "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit" (Isaiah 31:3). "I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee" (Hosea 11:9). 27) THE LDS CHURCH missionaries get offended in learning the church position on "the fall" (3:13).
Why doesn’t someone teach them? "Adam fell, but he fell in the right direction. He fell toward the goal. . .Adam fell, but he fell upward" (LDS Deseret News, Church Section, 31 July, 1965, p.7). 28) THE LDS CHURCH correctly teaches that Jesus and the Father are different Persons.
However, Ether 3:14 says, "Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son" (also 4:7-8, 12). Early on, Joseph Smith believed in the Modalism heresy, that God is one God (correct) and one person (wrong). The LDS have changed God to three gods (wrong) and three persons (correct). Isn’t this amazing! First, the LDS church completely changed God. Now they still aren’t right. 29) THE LDS CHURCH is exposed by the Book of Mormon.
Mormon Doctrine says, "All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity" (p.589). Allegedly, we were born as spirit children in a pre-existence. Although verse 14 errs in the first half, it properly corrects the LDS church in the second. You can only "become" God’s children if you honestly "believe" on the name of Jesus Christ instead of their human organization. Becoming a child of God is conditional, so there goes the doctrine of the pre-existence, being corrected by what is claimed to be the most correct book on earth (Book of Mormon introduction). 30) THE LDS CHURCH has little sense of time.
Ether 2:12 mentions "Jesus Christ". The name "Jesus" was never foretold as we see in Isaiah 9:6, "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." The title "Christ" is not the last name of Jesus. Christ means "The Anointed One" or the Messiah. It’s like Pharaoh could never mention the President of the United States. It was Joseph Smith who knew the name of Jesus Christ, not anyone thousands of years before His birth. After all, Joseph Smith was the Ether "author" (1830 edition preface). 31) THE LDS CHURCH missed taking the initiative to make Jesus known.
Jesus took the initiative to reveal Himself. Why? ". . . that this man might know that he was God" (3:17-18). Okay, if asked, "Who is God?" You should say, "Jesus". Then is there more than one God? The Book of Mormon corrects the LDS church. It says, "No" (Alma 11:27-29) and the Bible says "No". "Thus saith the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the LORD of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God" (Isaiah 44:6). Clear in this verse are two Persons, both being the LORD Jehovah but the "me" is one singular God. Mormon Doctrine says, "There are three Gods--the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost--who, though separate in personality, are united as one in purpose, in plan, and in all the attributes of perfection" (p. 317). Three Gods are not "one" God. One godhead of three Persons is never three gods. Take the Bible and the Book of Mormon and find one place where there are three Gods who are just one in purpose or in agreement. It is not there. 32) THE LDS CHURCH sees something here like a dispensation of no hope.
Why would God who cares for mankind hide truth by a language nobody could understand? God’s Word is meant for man. 33) THE LDS CHURCH reads of the Lord "lifted up upon the cross" (4:1) and yet diminishes the cross.
How could anyone at that time know about the cross? Crucifixion was unknown and meaningless until much later during about 300 years of Roman rule. The Book of Mormon never got history right. In contrast, see the prophetic accuracy of God’s Word in Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; and Zechariah 12:10. Even the angels did not have a prior understanding of the work of Christ on the cross so how could they give it to the Nephites? See (Romans 16:25-26; Colossians 1:26-27; Ephesians 3:3-5; 3:8-10). 34) THE LDS CHURCH needs to change the eighth article of faith.
The Book of Mormon isn’t 200 years old and if it was translated by a prophet word-for-word through a seer stone, what happened in Ether 4:1? "King Mosiah" was "king Benjamin" in the 1830 edition. However, since he was dead in the story line it had to be changed. Then which Book of Mormon edition should people pray about? For examples of great doctrinal changes from the 1830 edition, see the Title page; 1 Nephi 11:18; 1 Nephi 11:21; 1 Nephi 11:32; Alma 32:30. It also differs prior to 1981 to now (See Alma 32:30 with 35 words added and Alma 29:4 with eight words added). The Book of Mormon has 1000% more translation errors than the Bible and in just 3% of the time. Be honest enough to change the eighth article of faith from "as far as it is translated correctly" to put it at the end of the sentence where it belongs. 35) THE LDS CHURCH needs to teach the saving gospel to the LDS people.
Ether 4:3 warns of those who "have rejected the gospel of Christ." How do people miss the gospel? "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Notice how missing Christ’s true gospel is due to the blindness caused by the devil. The LDS gospel is different than Christianity. Was the gospel lost and restored by Joseph Smith? No, the Joseph Smith Translation reads the same as defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Verse two is clear that to believe this gospel without adding the extended LDS teaching is to be SAVED! "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 36) THE LDS CHURCH has another gospel.
God warns, "For if he that cometh preacheth. . .another gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4). The Book of Mormon claims the fullness of the everlasting gospel in the introduction but the church needs to admit that none of these doctrines have anything to do with the gospel since they are not in the Book of Mormon: God of flesh and bones, God is an exalted man, God organized the world, Eternal progression, Plurality of Gods, Hell is no threat, Pre-existence, Intelligences are eternal, Temple sealings and rituals, Marriage for eternity, Polygamy, Three heavens, Baptism for the dead, or a Heavenly Mother. The LDS church is strictly warned of a double curse for adding to the gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 3 Nephi 11:39-40). LDS leaders are in trouble and Joseph Smith was in trouble. Revelation 22:18-19 warns about adding to God’s Word. Compare the Book of Revelation in the Bible to the Joseph Smith Translation. He changed God’s Word to put him under the curse. 37) THE LDS CHURCH is built upon nineteenth century fiction.
The anachronisms in the Book of Mormon prove it was never written on ancient plates but rather after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For example, Shakespeare wrote about chiming clocks in "Julius Caesar" that did not exist in ancient Rome. 38) THE LDS CHURCH cannot possibly be this gullible.
Come on! Ether 4:16 is a fabrication drawn right out of Revelation, "revelations . . . by my servant John . . . the time is at hand." The Apostle John was on Patmos thousands of years future. 39) THE LDS CHURCH needs to apply the witness principle in the Ether 5 preface.
"Three witnesses and the work itself shall stand as a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon." Is truth is established by three witnesses? Read the "Testimony of Three Witnesses" in the beginning of the Book of Mormon. These they must be correct, right? God is three Persons as one God. Does the LDS church desire more witnesses? The forty writers of the 66 Books of the Bible wrote over 1600 years testifying that there is only one true God. Allegedly, around thirteen writers testify in the fifteen books of the Book of Mormon that there is only one true God. To illustrate, suppose we added paint to the Mona Lisa, would we improve it or mess it up? Then if 53 men of old testify to say there is only one true God, who is the LDS church to change the truth? Ether says, "three witnesses. . .the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record" (5:4). Calling for witnesses, it’s a long study to get past the historical revisions but the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon left the LDS church. None of the eight witnesses stayed with Joseph Smith except his relatives. How could Joseph Smith claim to hold the church together better than Jesus, saying, "Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I" (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408-409). If so, who are the RLDS now called the "Community of Christ"? Who is Warren Jeffs? And where did all the Mormon sects in Independence, Missouri originate? Be careful about bragging to be better than Jesus. Joseph Smith was killed shortly after this heated sermon. 40) THE LDS CHURCH needs to re-evaluate what is inspired scripture.
The Book of Mormon denies inspiration. The internal problems demonstrate the evidence. "I, Moroni, have written . . . according to my memory" (5:1) as he admits ". . . because of my weakness in writing" (12:40). 41) THE LDS CHURCH seems to believe less of the Book of Mormon than Christianity.
Is coming to Christ sufficient for the LDS to gain eternal life? "And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God" (5:5). You need to just come to the Lord. Here’s a second witness, "And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life" (Heleman 14:8). No temple works are necessary. The "kingdom of God" is the same as where God dwells (12:4 & 32), or heaven, eternal life, and everlasting life, synonymous in John 3:15-16. This is where Heavenly Father dwells (Ether 15:34; 1 Nephi 15:35; Alma 5:24; 40:26; Mormon 7:7; Moroni 9:6; Mosiah 5:15; 15:23; the Testimony of Three Witnesses). The LDS emphasis upon perfection and temple works to be sealed to your family in the celestial heaven is not consistent with reality. If a father has his own planet and ten sons have their planets and his daughter’s husbands have planets millions of miles apart, how are they together? And if another son lived a bad life and was in a lower level of heaven, how is that together? But if the father was not perfect, he would never reaches the celestial heaven anyway, so all of that about sealed for time and eternity in the temple was totally pointless. 42) THE LDS CHURCH never lights its temples by stones, right?
We find "eight" vessels in Ether 3:1. Each has "stones. . .one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels" (6:2). That’s a problem! Picture the massive loads with a light at each end with the complaining: "Hey, move over there! Who is blocking the light?" 43) THE LDS CHURCH emphasizes food storage to the point that many LDS families pick bugs out of their dry goods.
What about food storage on this long trip through the ocean? They "prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds" (6:4). Where were their big fresh water tanks to sustain the animals? A small herd of cattle during a short winter needs a big hay barn. If I was a bishop, I’d rather not discuss it. 44) THE LDS CHURCH compares these vessels to Noah’s Ark.
We might compare mini-barges to an aircraft carrier, lots of animals to two of each species, wooden crafts going to the bottom to a ship on top, large Jaredite families to eight people, and 344 days to waters that "prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days" (Genesis 7:24). 45) THE LDS CHURCH tries to impress us with its pioneers when that is just how the West was won.
But look at these pioneers! Whenever a Navy ship roll to the side there is often cursing but never singing. These people are in the greatest typhoons under mountainous waves, up and down they go rolling to the bottom of the sea. Imagine slipping around in the dark stalls knee deep in manure as the crafts went crazy "tossing upon the waves" (6:5). Would the stacks of feed smother them? Angry bees sting them? Falling animals kill them all? Sloshing waves of septic urine choke them? What hygiene for the teenage girls! But how angelic! Picture the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with them, how would they feel? These people struggling with unbelief, the awful state of wickedness, hardness of heart, and blindness of mind (4:15), just praise and praise and praise, singing and thanking the Lord day and night (6:9)! Seasickness didn’t matter! Job tried struggled to understand his trials but these people didn’t seem to care. Brigham Young could not get his wives to get along in the Beehive House. We cannot get a couple of miles down to the Titanic without powerfully built submarines, but here they are like twenty leagues under the sea. Singing is no option when you can’t breathe. The months dray by and "the wind did never cease to blow" (6:8). Were they lost in a zigzag course? No, the winds were always blowing "towards the promised land." That has to be about the slowest Trans-Atlantic cruise with "three hundred and forty and four days upon the water" (6:11). Did they travel in the Atlantic or the Pacific? It matters little. Divide 15,000 miles by 344 days and you have just 43 miles a day, or under 2 miles an hour. If furious winds drove them ten miles per hour, they would travel 82,560 miles or over three times around the world. They "shed tears of joy" to reach land (6:12). 46) THE LDS CHURCH missed the math.
How many people were packed in there? "And Jared had four sons; and they were called Jacom, and Gilgah, and Mahah, and Orihah. And the brother of Jared also begat sons and daughters. And the friends of Jared and his brother were in number about twenty and two souls; and they also begat sons and daughters before they came to the promised land; and therefore they began to be many" (6:14-16). The boats evidently served as maternity wards. It appears that these twenty-two friends boarded with their families. Add the sons of Jared and the sons and daughters of his brother. It sounds like a whole trailer court living in eight trailers for eleven months. Then someone offers, "Let’s bring our pets or the whole farm." They would "till the earth" (6:13) so maybe they hauled farm tools. Did God plan this trip? 47) THE LDS CHURCH and it did not "come to pass."
The church encourages testimonies to the extreme as small children bear witness to the truthfulness of Book of Mormon when they cannot possibly know for themselves. This is the technique to gain a toehold for mind control or brain-washing. No book repeats like the Book of Mormon, "And it came to pass . . . And it came to pass" (7:3). Inspiration or monotonous redundancy? It did NOT come to pass when Joseph Smith’s prophecies failed. 48) THE LDS CHURCH has a racist foundation.
It is not as clear in this chapter as Corihor "begat sons and daughters, and they became exceedingly fair" (Ether 7:4). Mormon scripture is about dark-skinned evil savages versus beautiful whites and changing colors. Lamanite never found the dictionary as Joseph Smith’s word for our Native Americans (Book of Mormon introduction; D&C 3:18-20; 19:27; 28:8; 32:2-3; 54:8; & 57). The Book of Mormon claims white is beautiful (1 Nephi 11:13; Mormon 5:17; 3 Nephi 19:25 & 30). Dark skin is evil and contemptible (1 Nephi 12:23; Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 5, pp.218-219). Good Indians turn white (1 Nephi 13:15; Jacob 3:8-9; Alma 23:18; 3 Nephi 2:14-16; 2 Nephi 30:6 where "white" changed to "pure" in 1981, but it cross references are still about skin in 1 Nephi 5:21; 3 Nephi 2:15; Jacob 3:8). That is why a Mormon prophet reported, "I saw a striking contrast in the progress of the Indian people today. . .they are fast becoming a white and delightsome people. . .The children in the home placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters on the reservation." (Spencer W. Kimball, Conf. Report, Oct. 1960, p.34) Where are these white LDS Indians? Wicked people are cursed with dark skin (2 Nephi 5:21; Jacob 3:5; Alma 3:6; Mormon 5:15). Insulting! Brigham Young added that anyone leaving Mormonism becomes "gray-haired, wrinkled, and black, just like the Devil" (Journal of Discourses 5:332). Marrying Indians brings a curse and mixed blood is cursed (Alma 3:8-9,14,19). The Pearl of Great Price heaps more scorn (Moses 7:12,22; Abraham 1:21,27). Joseph Smith founded a religion against dark skinned people (The Way to Perfection, pp. 110-111; Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 218-219). Our problem is "sin" not "skin" so the Bible opposes the LDS pre-existent curses as God is not partial. (Isaiah 43:25; Acts 10:34-36; Romans 3:22-24; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 7:9). But Joseph Smith rewrote the Bible to demean other races in his Joseph Smith Translation (Genesis 7:10,14,29; Genesis 9:30). True to LDS doctrine all of the Mormon prophets are white. The human race does not simply reduce down to black and white. Is it any wonder that the only American Indian serving as a General Authority in the LDS church exposed a deeply vile racism? George P. Lee, a Navajo warned, "You are slowly causing a. . .spiritual slaughter" promoting "white supremacy" (The Provo Daily Herald, Sep. 3, 1989). 49) THE LDS CHURCH needs to offer detailed maps in the Book of Mormon.
No one can find the "land of Moron" (7:5) or any of the 38 cities in the Book of Mormon? No wonder, its "near the land which is called Desolation" (6:6). You would think if the Book of Mormon was scripture that it would include at least one mention of the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Rockies, Niagara Falls, the Appalachians, or any of the great rivers anyone else uses to describe America. 50) THE LDS CHURCH needs to re-examine the Bible for credibility.
Where is "Ephraim" (Ether 7:9)? Rand McNally really missed this one, or is it just another town in Utah? Archaologists could better find the ruins of the bottomless pit than the lands of the Jaredites, Nephites, Mulekites, Zarahemla, or Bountiful. Where are Zarahemla (9:31)? Joseph Smith dedicated a whole chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants to a Zarahemla to be built in Iowa across from Nauvoo. So what is the zip code? Nobody ever heard of it! What are the missing cities from A to Z? Atlantis to Zarahemla! How could it be in LDS scripture as revelation? The faith-promoting rumors to support the Book of Mormon need any city. In contrast, we all know about Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Galilee, the Jordan River, Egypt, and Rome, even through secular documents. The pottery, coins, and swords are there. 51) THE LDS CHURCH betrayed Moroni.
Interestingly, Moroni is cited as the writer throughout Ether to express his concerns (8:20). The chapter heading reads, "Secret combinations are of the devil and result in the destruction of nations—Modern Gentiles are warned against the secret combination which shall seek to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries." The "oaths . . . had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning" (8:15). The strongest language continually denounces any kind of secret ceremony as from the devil, so why did Joseph Smith take their secrets into Mormonism? Moroni hated all of that. So what a tragic end and humiliation for poor Moroni to put his statue over LDS temples with secret ceremonies. The Salt Lake temple even the Masonic handshake at his feet. Not secret but sacred? That’s like not a car but a Toyota. Whatever it is, Moroni complains about the devastation from this point on. 52) THE LDS CHURCH enlists these "oaths" of the devil that "keep them in darkness" (8:16).
Outer darkness is enough to make you shudder! Never underestimate the power of the "devil"! Where can a hurting soul turn in leaving the LDS church? It puts "JESUS CHRIST" on the buildings but has the emphasis on "JOSEPH SMITH". Even on Easter Sunday in a Mormon ward, they forgot to talk about Jesus! Just turn your focus completely upon trusting and personally getting to know the Lord Jesus Christ as He is the One to take you from darkness to light. "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18). There is hope for you, friend. Trust Jesus and do find the welcoming arms to receive you in a Bible teaching church. 53) THE LDS CHURCH under Brigham Young practiced blood atonement.
(JofD, Vol. 3, p. 247). How wrong! "For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man" (Ether 8:19). What an evil doctrine. 54) THE LDS CHURCH should be alarmed at this warning!
The "Gentiles", non-Mormons, are instructed to do something about the evil secret ceremonies (8:23). Taken to heart, the Book of Mormon would be self-defeating. Where in the world are the Jews now Gentiles? In the shadow of the Mormon church. 55) THE LDS CHURCH does not have an eternal God.
The church says God over millions of gods in embryo who become God’s of their own planets. Go up a step and the Father of earth’s God had lots of children becoming Gods. Joseph Smith said: "Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also?" (June 16, 1844, Teachings of The Prophet Joseph Smith, p.373). Further up, the grandfather of earth’s God had maybe a million "God" children. It’s like pyramid marketing as up it goes for millions of generations of Gods forever. Millions and millions of Gods had millions and millions of children have millions and millions of children becoming Gods. There is never a top eternal God. That is why I inquire of Mormon missionaries, "Are you going to teach Mormon doctrine or Book of Mormon doctrine?" The Book of Mormon’s position about God ought to be sufficient to end the confusion. It warns, "the sword of justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you" (8:23). Who is the eternal God? The answer is on the preface or title page of the Book of Mormon. "JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD". The capitols for emphasis are provided in the text. Jesus Christ is either Lucifer’s brother or the eternal God and Lucifer’s creator. It can’t be both ways (Eph. 6:11-12; Col. 1:16; John 1:3)! Can a man change the eternal God? The "King Follet Discourse" of Joseph Smith refutes the Book of Mormon on this to sweep the foundation of the Mormon church right into the theological ashcan. (Compare Mormon Doctrine, p. 321 against the Book of Mormon: Mormon 6:22; 9:9-11; Mormon 7:22; 8:18; 2 Nephi 26:12; Alma 41:8; 3 Nephi 24:6). Joseph Smith added a goddess wife, a myriad of other Gods, and then to say you can become a God. The LDS god is not eternal, but the priesthood is eternal and matter is eternal (all backwards). 56) THE LDS CHURCH needs to learn the danger of lying.
Although President Hinckley included a chapter on honesty in "Standing for Something", he lied in the April 13, 1997 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle and in the August 4, 1997 Time Magazine article (p.56). Who is the source of credibility problems? "The devil, who is the father of all lies" (Ether 8:25). Status is irrelevant as all lies are from the devil. "Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell" (2 Nephi 9:34). Is there a second chance after death? To die in sin is to "remain in their sins" (2 Nephi 9:38). They "depart into everlasting fire" (Mosiah 26:25-27). Waiting to be right with God is fatal as "now is the time and the day of your salvation" (Alma 34:31,34-36). God’s Word says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). To become a Christian, you need to know the Lord who cares about truth. "Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie" (3:12). 57) THE LDS CHURCH teaches that exaltation comes through its temple work.
However, Ether 8:26 says "come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved." There is no hint of the LDS religion here, so to whom will you come? If we think to "be saved" is only resurrection it does not fit the context. Everyone is resurrected (John 5:29). This is to be saved from sin, from outer darkness and hell. Will you come to Jesus for salvation or to the temple? In unsparing and unmistakable terms we read, "this wicked and secret society that it had corrupted the hearts" (9:6). These chapters and elsewhere in the Book of Mormon are replete with dark descriptions of secret murderous combinations. Here they result in physical death. But for millions of precious LDS souls, it results in spiritual death and outer darkness forever. 58) THE LDS CHURCH needs education about animals.
Joseph Smith lists "oxen" in Ether 9:18. He said the ox was found in America in 600 AD in its wild state, "as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forest of every kind, both the cow and the ox" (1 Nephi 18:25). Are cattle and oxen separate species? Cattle were not here yet and the ox is the product of domestication and surgery. He lists "swine" as "useful for the food of man" (9:18). That is true but never to kosher Jews. He lists "horses" (9:19) but prehistoric horses were long extinct so not "useful". Horses were introduced by the Spaniards a thousand years later. If the Jaredites had baby "elephants" in their boats, they grow close to half their size in a year. What are "cureloms"? Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt explained on Dec. 27, 1868, "cureloms-or-mammoths". In the boats! What are "cumoms"? They must have slipped out the hole in the bottom. No one knows. 59) THE LDS CHURCH would become very defensive about "prophets" coming and "crying repentance" or "a curse" (9:28) to expose the "secret plans" (9:26).
"But the people believed not the words of the prophets, but they cast them out" (9:29). Sadly, that’s what happens to anyone who just gently wants to help to show the way. 60) THE LDS CHURCH surely would not teach this at a public lecture.
The "flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards the land southward" (Ether 9:31). Snakes do not increase in draughts. America has about 20 who die each year from snakebites. Exterminating flocks from snakes is not sensible. And of any animal, never expect the sheep to panic in the same direction. Snakes never cooperate together to drive animals. Where there are lots of people (10:21), lots of animals (10:19), and lots of farming (10:12), snakes would be thinned out. 9:34 says, "The people did follow the course of the beasts, and did devour the carcasses of them which fell by the way, until they had devoured them all." This was his idea of road kill but the snake epidemic does not square with reality. First, the Mosaic Law forbids eating animals that die in this way (Leviticus 17:14; Deuteronomy 12:23-25). How many people could eat that much. Imagine people herding flocks, the animals die and they eat all the scattered bodies in a few days! No one needs to pray about such a wild tale. 61) THE LDS CHURCH disregarded the Book of Mormon by practicing polygamy.
"Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines" (Ether 10:5). God does not change (Malachi 3:6; 3 Nephi 24:6) so if God hated polygamy, wouldn’t He hate "whoredoms and abominations" now (10:7)? Joseph Smith married five pairs of sisters, a mother and her daughter (No Man Knows My History, p. 336; Intimate Disciple, p. 317). He married other men’s wives and 14 year old Helen Himball (like Elizabeth Smart) when he was 37. That makes him an adulterous sinner for "many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord" (10:11). Why would the most correct book solidly condemn polygamy (Jacob 1:5; 2:22-27; 3:5; Mosiah 11:2)? The Book of Mormon is not a good barometer to judge the doctrines or history of Mormonism. It is no more a true representative of LDS doctrine than the Watchtower. It actually teaches against many key doctrines of the LDS church! If investigators were given the Pearl of Great Price or the Doctrine and Covenants to pray about them, they would likely know Mormonism was false immediately. 62) THE LDS CHURCH needs to use its wealth for excavation.
"And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land" (Ether 10:20). Where? Mormon leaders urge their members to leave their geography alone! There is discord between BYU and the LDS church but neither gets it right. 63) THE LDS CHURCH endorses the prophets teaching there were men on the moon and the sun.
Ironically, no one can find any of the gold, silver, iron, or copper mines from the Book of Mormon. (The Young Woman’s Journal, 1892, Vol.3, pp.263-264; Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Vol.3, p.166, typed copy at Utah State Historical Society; Journal of Discourses, 1880, p.271). Ether 10:23 claims, "And they did work in all manner of ore, and they did make gold, and silver, and iron, and brass, and all manner of metals; and they did dig it out of the earth; wherefore, they did cast up mighty heaps of earth to get ore, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of copper" (7:8-9; 1 Nephi 16:18; Ether 7:9). Smelting and casting were unknown until about 800 AD. Any civilization covering 3,000 years should have left millions of artifacts. Picture the American Indians using chariots and armor (Alma 18:9 & 12; 20:6; and 3 Nephi 21:14). Anyone approaching earth can soon identify where it has been mined, the Kennecott Copper Mine is a prime example. Mormon apologists read about hundreds of thousands of steel swords, but in frustration they cannot find any (15:22). LDS archaeologists lose the swords, but how could they lose giant mines and steel mills? Clearly, the Book of Mormon was written from an 1830 prospective. It claims steel way back to 2500 BC, a millennium before iron was made and steel came later. Americans find arrowheads too many to count, but not one of the multi-millions artifacts of anvils, axles, or weapons from three millenniums. Joseph Smith plagiarized many authors to write the Book of Mormon, including Ethan Smith’s, "View of the Hebrews" written seven years earlier and within a hundred miles. Following the same story line, he was misled about Native American metals. (See Mormon B.H. Roberts, Studies in the Book of Mormon). As someone put it, the LDS myth falls on its own sword (15:20). "And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth, both to plow and to sow, to reap and to hoe, and also to thrash" (10:25). Were they steel plows? And now they’re thrashing? It sounds more like nineteenth century New York. 64) THE LDS CHURCH with interest in sacred clothing is incompetent.
"And they did have silks, and fine-twined linen; and they did work all manner of cloth, that they might clothe themselves from their nakedness" (10:24,17). How? The silkworm moths had not been introduced from Asia. Linen? Cloth from flax never existed at the time. Read that again. Were they all naked until then or just poor grammar? 65) THE LDS CHURCH does not like to acknowledge Joseph Smith’s history with the Masonic Lodge.
After leaving the lodge, Joseph had it in his crosshairs. In Ether 10:33, the "robbers in the land . . . adopted the old plans, and administered oaths after the manner of the ancients, and sought again to destroy the kingdom." Secret societies brought destruction and the endless wars to obliterate an entire culture. The Masons were there to meet Joseph at the Carthage Jail after he stole their secrets. The LDS temple ceremony before 1990 included the Masonic thumb from the left ear drawn across the throat (Temple Mormonism, p.18). The LDS oath also promised to die rather than share temple secrets (p.207). It included the breast being torn open and the vitals torn out. In 1990, the penalties were removed but Mormons still agree not to discuss temple secrets. The silence violates their truest book (Alma 37:27, Helaman 6:22-26; 4 Nephi 42; 3 Nephi 12:34-36). Ether is a lot about secret groups and ceremonies being responsible for all the deviltry, royal family disputes, dynasty shifts, torturing kingships, imprisonment, starvation, beheading, and bloody wars. 66) THE LDS CHURCH confuses the Old and New Covenants.
Chapters 12 and 13 of Ether in places sounds similar to Hebrews and other quotes from the New Testament. 67) THE LDS CHURCH continually testifies that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.
It seems like that is the only way to make people believe it. If you are looking for a prophet, you might as well prefer the National Inquirer. There are at least 54 false prophecies by Joseph Smith but not one in the Bible. We read that Ether was "a prophet of the Lord . . . and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him" (12:2). What kind of prophet was he? A false prophet (1:43). Why would Jesus warn to "beware of false prophets" (Mat. 7:15)? Danger! Misinformation can hurt you more than you can imagine. What did Jesus mean by, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (7:16)? Are there no moral, caring and nice religious people in other churches? Is the danger identified by the prophet’s appearance, choirs, movies and commercials, or by his false predictions? What is the context? "Beware of false prophets, which come to you (bicycles, temples abroad) in sheep’s clothing (looking like Christians, smiling couples with white hair, young men in white shirts carrying Bibles), but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (vs. 15). What is obviously the "evil fruit" of a false prophet? Like bad plants it has to be their bad prophesies. What about the fruit of Joseph Smith? A temple was never built (D&C 84:1-5). A city was never given (D&C 111). God’s prophets are against sin and error (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:16-32; 27:15; Zechariah 13:2-5). 68) THE LDS CHURCH can learn to identify false prophets.
How does Scripture describe false prophets (explanations in parenthesis mine)? We see in Deuteronomy 18:20-22 "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word (just one word) in my name (such as "The Lord told me... "), which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods (Kolob, ad infinitum), even that prophet shall die (Severest censure as in 2 Corinthians 4:2; Galatians 1:6-9). And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? (Good question!) When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken (As in 1835, Joseph Smith said the Lord would come within 56 years. History of the Church, Vol.2, p.182), but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: (In contrast, the Bible has faultless prophecy. 2 Peter 1:19 while the Book of Mormon has false prophecy, 2 Nephi 3:14) thou shalt not be afraid of him." (If you can spot a deceiver you’re going to be safe in not following him). 69) THE LDS CHURCH avoids the gospel of the Book of Mormon.
Again, what it has is more like salvation by faith as in the Bible than the works of LDS doctrine. Ether 12:4 says, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." What glorifies God? - "whoso believeth" or "cometh in faith". This "place at the right hand of God" is to have the celestial heaven and eternal life with Heavenly Father. It comes by faith and has nothing to do with temples or the additions in the LDS gospel. 70) THE LDS CHURCH does not teach the sufficiency as in the Book of Mormon for people to come to the Lord.
Ether 12:6-8 says ". . .faith is things which are hoped for and not seen . . . that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift . . . if ye will but have faith." So to have faith is to become partakers. Faith’s meaning is explained in verse 18. ". . . faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God." But Mormonism says, "Christ became perfect through overcoming. Only as we overcome shall we become perfect and move toward godhood" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.210). 71) THE LDS CHURCH keeps its people oblivious to the change from the Levitical Priesthood to the New Covenant of the New Testament Church.
Allegedly, "the Lamanites . . . were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost" (12:14). Joseph Smith again had the wrong era, while plagiarizing the Bible. American Indians were supposed to have had Pentecost way before Christ was born, before Christianity (Acts 11:26), before God turned from Israel to the Church, and before the Spirit baptism of Pentecost (Acts 1:5- chapter 2). 72) THE LDS CHURCH bars the way to Heaven.
Of the scores of plagiarisms, this is from John 14:1-6. The rewording is more confusing but it implies that there is only one place to go, a place prepared in a general sense for the children of men. Faith is the key as Jesus laid down His life in order for us to live with Heavenly Father (Ether 12:31-33). The object for faith is the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, totally a New Testament concept. LDS temples mean nothing in gaining eternal life in the Book of Mormon. 73) THE LDS CHURCH conveniently endorses the Joseph Smith Translation but talks to the public from the King James Version.
Moroni says, "I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face" (Ether 12:39). Joseph Smith changed the Bible verses about no man seeing God in the JST to allow for God having a body of flesh and bones in the grove. 74) THE LDS CHURCH failed the Book of Mormon command to "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" (Ether 12:41).
Which is "this Jesus"? The Masonic Jesus, like the Bahai is a dead prophet like Mohammed. The Roman Catholic Jesus has to be contacted through His mother. Ekankar’s Jesus was the Ultimate Guru. Kenneth Copeland’s Jesus died as a demoniac on the cross and had to be born again. The Golden Ruler’s Jesus was just an example, so save yourself. The New Ager Jesus is the Christ consciousness within. The Christian Science Jesus is a Divine Idea. The Scientology Messiah of mankind is Hubbard. The Family (Children of God) Jesus was just another sinner. The Theosophy Jesus is the reincarnation of the world’s soul. The spiritist Jesus of the occult is the ultimate medium in the sixth sphere of astral projection. The Jehovah’s Witness Jesus is Michael the Archangel. The United Pentecostal Jesus is the Father and Holy Spirit. Who is the LDS Jesus Christ? President Gordon B. Hinckley clarified, "[Many] have said we are not Christians. ‘Mormons are not Christians,’ they say; they do not believe in the traditional Christ. No, I don’t. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak" (Church News, January, 1999; also June 20, p.7). Scripture warns, "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached" (2 Corinthians 11:4). 75) THE LDS CHURCH has a Jesus. Which one?
The Mormon Jesus is Heavenly Father (point 28 for Ether 3:14). He is a spirit child of a heavenly mother and father (Mormon Doctrine, p.129, 516, 751). He has a "fallen brother, Lucifer" (Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 216). He was just a sinner who progressed, "Christ attained Godhood while yet in pre-existence. . ." (Mormon Doctrine, p. 323). He is one god of three (Mormon Doctrine, p. 317). The Mormon Jesus is one god among many (Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 4-5). To illustrate, picture pyramid-marketing as each god has someone over him, grandfather gods, great-grandfathers ad infinitum. Each eventually has millions of children who have more children. No god is special since we rise to their level. The Mormon Jesus got married to become a god as LDS Apostle Orson Hyde clarified, "Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee. . .if Jesus was not the bridegroom on that occasion, please tell who was" (JofD, Vol.2, p. 210, 89). Why would the groom have to be invited if it was his own wedding? The Mormon Jesus from the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon is not the Son but the grandson of Heavenly Father, "the Son of the only begotton of the Father" (Alma 5:48, p. 236, line 29). The "of" makes Him to be His own Son. The Mormon Jesus is the son of Adam like Brigham Young taught at General Conference. He led the LDS to believe in Adam, a false god for about 25 years (JD, 1:50-51, 1854). What happens when spiritual leaders do not know God? If the prophet, seer and revelator was confused, what about Mormonism’s foundation or the prophets today? So Adam is God the Father who had physical sex with Mary and it was not the Holy Ghost who came over her, destroying the Virgin Birth (Mormon Doctrine, p.546-547). The Mormon Jesus had a heavenly mother, yet strangely God says He never knew her (Isaiah 44:8). Not one of the above is the Bible Jesus. Ether requires, "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" (12:41). Who did the ancient writers identify to be saved? "JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD" (preface or title page to the Book of Mormon). You will find two ways to die, with faith in the right Jesus or to die in your sins (John 8:24). If you have the same God as the disciples, you will be right for all eternity. Is He more than God to you? Make your relationship personal. Make Him "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Jesus as the good Rabii would have corrected him if what he said was wrong. Rather He affirms, exactly right! 76) THE LDS CHURCH has a testimony of three.
Ether 12:41 says, "that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen." We find the trinity being, "Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God" (Alma 11:44; see the Testimony of Three Witnesses). Jews and Christians are monotheists. The deciding question is, "Will you commit yourself to one God or to the many gods of polytheism?" Some searching for truth try to understand the Trinity first, but is that how God directs? Read through John and underline everything about who Jesus is and how to have eternal life. Is it through trusting in the Trinity or by trusting Jesus Christ? Even if you discover that Jesus is God, this does not prove the Trinity, right? Inquiring friend, find out who Jesus is, trust Him, and then everything else will fall into place. Is one God three Persons? The Father and Son are two Persons, both being Jehovah (LORD) in Isaiah 44:6. (2 Cor. 3:17 includes the Holy Spirit). "One" God in Deuteronomy 6:4 is the Hebrew for a composite unity of one, not the word for one in singularity (one person). For example, a family of three is what? One family but three persons. A Godhead of three is what? One Godhead with three Persons. The composite unity is three (persons) who are one God. The same word is used to say "one" crowd or "one" army, where two or more come together in oneness (Ezra 3:1). Marriage is two people united as one couple (Genesis 2:24). The other Hebrew word for "one" in singularity is never used for God. The true God of the Bible is three Persons who are a composite unity as one God. If the Bible trinity is wrong, why wouldn’t Joseph Smith clear it up in his own translation? The JST reads like the KJV in 1 John 5:7. Trust this Jesus as God. What is the "record"? God’s "record" is in 1 John 5:10-13. Again, the KJV and JST are nearly word-for-word for God’s testimony on how to gain eternal life. 77) THE LDS CHURCH needs 170 year old builders.
We read, "Ether speaks of a New Jerusalem to be built in America by the seed of Joseph" (Ether 13 introduction; 13:6). Ether was a defective prophet. God’s prophets must be one hundred percent. Any failure is to be disqualified (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). The Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5 (more in the introduction) explains about a temple in Independence, Missouri. This is Joseph Smith prophesying that a temple would be built during his generation. What an embarrassment to the Mormon church as there is no temple. Where are the walls of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16)? Can "generation" stretch into nearly two centuries? LDS leaders clarified that he meant the people of his lifetime (LDS apostle Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, vol.4, p.112; LDS Apostle Orson Pratt, JofD, vol.14, p.275). So now to build, the LDS church needs men over 170 years old from Joseph Smith’s "generation" to slap the brick and mortar! There can never be an Independence temple until the LDS can buy it from another brand of Mormonism called "The Church of Christ Temple Lot". They won’t to sell the property! I bear testimony that Joseph Smith was a false prophet, Book of Mormon prophecies are false, and the Doctrine and Covenants prophesies are false! 78) THE LDS CHURCH – confounded again!
"And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land . . . a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away" (13:6-8). Who was confounded in Independence, the Mormons or the people who drove them out? Who was confounded at the Carthage Jail, Joseph Smith or the men who shot him? "And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded" (2 Nephi 3:14-16). The Masons killed him on June 27, 1844. Killing two, was Joseph Smith a martyr - or a gunfighter? God’s martyr was godly Stephen in Acts 7:51-60 who never threw stones back. 79) THE LDS CHURCH is based on suspicious records.
The Book of Mormon teaches that the white and dark races of the Americas spoke and wrote languages based upon Hebrew and Egyptian until as late as AD 400. Ether claims, "And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether" (13:13). Did millions of ancient Americans leave written records on plates (15:5; 1:2-6; 13:13-14)? Show us! America’s ancient Indian writings are primitive paintings and symbols on walls. Does the Mormon church believe the Indians had books? "Epistle" speaks of a writing system (15:4-5,18). Considering an estimated 169 Native American languages plus dialects, why is there an absence of Egyptian and Hebrew? Why are there no linguistic relationships to the native tongues? Egyptian was a cursed religion to the Jews and not used. The Israelites who knew it died in the wilderness. The Book of Mormon references official records (Helaman 3:5), a scroll (Mormon 5:23; 9:2), the Alpha and Omega (3 Nephi 9:18), and the jot and tittle (3 Nephi 12:18). Did these people use the Greek terms that did not exist? No. However, Joseph Smith could get these terms right out of the Bible. 80) THE LDS CHURCH is looking for Book of Mormon locations.
We seem to have discovered Moron, evidently near Palmyra, NY (6:5; 7:5; 14:6,11). Mormon apologist David A. Paimer wrote, Despite the fact that the "Morons" possessed weapons of steel, they didn’t do too well. In the year 2430 B.C.E. the "Moron population (was] reduced to 30 by wars" (David A. Palmer, In Search of Cumorah: New Evidences for the Book of Mormon from Ancient Mexico (Bountiful, UT: Horizon Pub., 1981), 128. 81bid., 128). 81) THE LDS CHURCH needs the Book of Mormon view of temples.
"Gilead, also received great strength to his army, because of secret combinations. And thus we see that the Lord did visit them in the fulness of his wrath, and their wickedness and abominations had prepared a way for their everlasting destruction" (14:8,25). Are "secret" ceremonies good? The activity in the LDS temple in no way resembles God’s temple. Why aren’t the LDS temples open to the public? When Christ died on the cross "the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom" (Mark 15:38). God opened the way for direct access in worship while abolishing the temple ceremonies. "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet" (Acts 7:48). Will you believe God or man? "God . . . dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24). Where shall we look for God’s temple? "And the temple of God was opened in heaven" (Revelation 11:19). Where is the temple of God on earth? The LDS church has over a hundred man-made temples, but a good-sized Christian Church has over a hundred temples since the heart of the Christian is the temple where the Spirit of God dwells. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you (1 Corinthians 6:19)? Does the Mormon church teach people to pray the righteous temple prayer? "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:10-13). 82) THE LDS CHURCH has some unique invitations.
"Coriantumr . . . did sound a trumpet unto the armies of Shiz to invite them forth to battle" (14:28). Gentlemen armies? Was Japan’s strategy to invite America to prepare and meet them at Pearl Harbor? Did Nephites and Lamanites have trumpets? The LDS church trains its missionaries at Temple Square to bear witness of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the Mormon church. You would assume that Temple Square is a good place to talk about spiritual things, right? Wrong! False religion fears the affects of Word of God and the witness of God’s people upon their people’s lives. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth . . ." (Romans 1:16). Why are they scared to talk? "There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous" (Psalm 14:5). So you’re just having a nice visit with a Mormon missionary and LDS security shows up. After explaining that the witnessing is all one way they say forcefully, following you to the gate, "We invite you to leave! " 83) THE LDS CHURCH changed the heading for Ether 15.
The chapter is about the Hill Cumorah. The heading before 1981 clarified that it is "The hill Ramah or Cumorah." Now the unsettling question within Mormonism is, where is Cumorah? Today the Book of Mormon lands are usually thought of to be the Mexico-Guatemala-Honduras areas in Middle America. Mormon apologists of FARMS think of two differing Central American locations to be Cumorah. It’s like a truckload of tangled fishing line as the scholars try to unravel the problems! What about the Mayan and Yukatan areas? LDS archaeologists overstate their amateur sounding claims. Pictures are shown as if these are the trophies proving the Book of Mormon. However, the inscriptions are all pagan, idol worship, cannibalism, human sacrifice, witchcraft and animism. Nothing of Jesus! And the symbols are not like the ones Joseph Smith said he copied from the Golden Plates. For whether the Book of Mormon took place in Mesoamerica, consider the Zelph factor. The Cumorah battle between the Lamanites and Nephites allegedly occurred in 385 AD (Mormon 6:9-15; 8:2-3). Joseph Smith was about a hundred miles north of St. Louis and found an Indian burial mound. He said, "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." (History of the Church, June 3, 1834, 2:79-80; Times and Seasons, 6:788.) You have to wonder, why would a warrior with an arrow between his ribs travel 1,800 miles from Central America or 700 miles from New York to die in Illinois? If Joseph Smith walks along with a shovel and uncovers evidence, why can’t Mormon archaeologists find a bit of legitimacy? If Smith in 1834 could find a skeleton with the bones still intact, where are the skeletons of the ones who died in New York? And why could Joseph find a dead "white Lamanite" but none who were the living? 84) THE LDS CHURCH evidences are convincing to the LDS.
Now chapter 15 reads at the heading, "Millions of the Jaredites are slain in battle . . ." Conservatively, at least "two millions of his people" fought without even leaving a trace of war (15:2). Then add the Lamanite opposition and it gets to about 6-10 million including the aged and infants. That’s enough people to fill the LA basin! Compare a 2005 perspective of NYC at 8,084,316 people; Syracuse: 165,164; Rochester: 217,158). A thousand years later, at least 230,000 died there in Mormon 6 and 8. Great empires that flourished for centuries completely disappeared. 85) THE LDS CHURCH ought to know the right hill.
In Ether 15:11 reads, "And it came to pass that the army of Coriantumr did pitch their tents by the hill Ramah; and it was that same hill where my father Mormon did hide up the records unto the Lord, which were sacred." And see Mormon Doctrine, p.175. This is the same hill where Joseph claimed to discover the Golden Plates. Joseph Smith also claimed to be digging a well when he found "a chocolate-colored, somewhat egg-shaped stone" to become his "seer stone" (Comprehensive History of the Church, B.H. Roberts, vol.1, p.129). The next day he found the tablets. Mormon Archaeologists searched for years for any evidence to the Book of Mormon but Joseph Smith just turned over a stone then uncovered the Gold Plates? If millions of weapons left nothing there, I’d have to wonder about the reality of the plates. Gold weighs 1204.7 pounds per cubic foot and Joseph’s plates are said to be 7 X 8 X 6 inches, to weigh over 200 pounds. So the young Joseph Smith carried them under his arm and ran for miles? Let’s engage our common sense. Mormon leaders nervously change their minds about the Book of Mormon locations. How odd that a wealthy church with its own revelator cannot even find Cumorah! Apparently they do not believe the Mormon records either. Why? Because the LDS are told exactly where to look, in Palmyra, New York) (Mormon Doctrine, p.174-175; "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" p.7; Book of Mormon old editions; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 232-243; Mormon 6 & 8 battle of 385 AD). That hill was the object of a boy’s overactive imagination within a few miles of their family home. Try to imagine the little hill as the place where two civilizations, the Nephites and Jaredites a thousand years apart fought themselves into extinction, being two of the greatest wars in the history of our hemisphere (Ether 15:2 and Mormon 6:9-15; 8:2-3). Cumorah is at Palmyra. Why would the LDS church hold an annual theatrical celebration about fraudulent history? The LDS visitor’s information center says that is the place. 86) THE LDS CHURCH looks at the artifacts and the anti-facts but will not excavate.
Wouldn’t you expect a little hill with millions of weapons to have a mountain of armor? Ether 15:15 and 20 reads, "And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together . . . armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breastplates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war . . . and when the night came they slept upon their swords." Why won’t the LDS church invite National Geographic to lay the controversy to rest? If Cumorah had the greatest battle in the history of our hemisphere, then dig! It has a history of farming and construction, a visitor’s center halfway to the top, a four-lane road and paving. Why the LDS skepticism? Not a single unusual artifact has ever been found! The sticks and stones and arrowheads are from other cultures. With that much metal, oxides and rust, there should be enough for a magnetometer on a satellite to verify it. With that many bones, there should be enough decay for phosphate fertilizer. But the LDS say the acid in the soil destroyed it all. If you want to see some smiles, try to convince that yarn to people in that area of New York State. 87) THE LDS CHURCH excludes the intelligent resources available.
The National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institute of Technology hav no ax to grind but say there is no ax to find. LDS scripture is folklore. Many LDS, eager to support the Book of Mormon, claim that the Smithsonian uses it as a guide into American archaeology. The Smithsonian finally grew irritated enough to provide a basic statement. Letters of Smithsonian responses are available at: http://www.answeringlds.org – Click on "archeology".
http://www.mrm.org/ – Write "Smithsonian" at the top in the box.
http://www.utlm.org – Click on "topical index" and write in "Smithsonian".
In summary, the disclaimer essentially says:
1) The Smithsonian never uses the Book of Mormon as a guide.
2) Indians are physically Mongoloid.
3) The Norsemen were the first to come at around AD 1000.
4) The Book of Mormon animals and plants were not present here.
5) Iron, steel, silk, & glass – none would be here.
6) There was no early American connection to the Egyptians or Hebrews.
7) Mexico has no relationship to Egypt in early America.
8) Any of the LDS archaeological claims do not stand under investigation.
9) And yes, they do have a copy of the Book of Mormon.
88) THE LDS CHURCH has a lot to learn about wars.
We read, "And on the morrow they fought again; and when the night came they had all fallen by the sword save it were fifty and two of the people of Coriantumr, and sixty and nine of the people of Shiz" (15:23). Joseph Smith had a fertile imagination. When have two giant armies fought down to 52 on one side and 69 on the other? What kind of murderous barbarians were they to kill every woman, child and baby? 89) THE LDS CHURCH has an unusual faith.
Any credible faith is based upon the foundation of relevant information. This kind of faith believes based only on a claim of truth, or by simply wanting it to be true! What if someone claimed to cut the head off a chicken, and then it rose up and tried to breathe? You would consider the guy to be some kind of a nut! Ether continues, "And it came to pass that when they had all fallen by the sword, save it were Coriantumr and Shiz, behold Shiz had fainted with the loss of blood. And it came to pass that when Coriantumr had leaned upon his sword, that he rested a little, he smote off the head of Shiz. And it came to pass that after he had smitten off the head of Shiz, that Shiz raised up on his hands and fell; and after that he had struggled for breath, he died" (15:29-31). Who honestly believes this? Shiz, without a brain stood, controlling his balance? Then imagine the mess at his throat as tries to breathe. What is anyone’s determination without any ability to determine? Little wonder many Science fiction writers are LDS. Trying to promote faith the missionaries ask, "Have you read the Book of Mormon and prayed about it?" We might respond, "Have you read the Book of Mormon?" 90) THE LDS CHURCH discounts a long confrontational history against Christianity.
We read in Ether of massive wars and devastation. The real sorrow is how this faith puts precious LDS people into a position against God’s way of eternal life. All of the LDS scriptures recognize the church’s authoritative position. Joseph Smith had no tolerance. He began bashing from the inception to say, ". . . all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that their professors were corrupt. . ." (Joseph Smith—History 1:19, Pearl of Great Price). The Book of Mormon calls Christianity, "the church of the devil . . . the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth" (1 Nephi 14:10; chapters 13-14). The Doctrine and Covenants claims that Christians "build up the kingdom of the devil" (10:56). Brigham Young preached with contempt, "The Christian world, so called, are heathens as to their knowledge of salvation of God." And "With regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (JofD 8:171, 199). Then why are the LDS surprised or insulted whenever a Christian asks incredulously, "When did the LDS become Christians?" There has been no apology, no recanting or no repentance. The Mormon faith has many defenders but no defense. Christians try not to offend LDS friends but just discussing who is Christian is a sure way to do it. The Christian world looks at the LDS church with dismay, being appalled, alarmed, and shocked over an utter lack for truth and continuity. Now the religion wishes to be included with Christians while every one of the doctrines opposes God’s Word. The religion several times aspired to change the eternal God. All of the major works changed in their brief history. The "living prophet" never prophesies and never writes scripture. Unlike in the Bible prophets, the LDS prophets speaking in the name of the Lord are replete with contradictions. Those who have prophesied rarely were even close to getting anything right. The LDS church can never be another Christian denomination until it honestly denounces the heresy. 91) THE LDS CHURCH has Ether’s last word on being saved.
"Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen" (15:34). That conclusion is to be warned because little else matters except to be "saved in the kingdom of God." By definition "saved" is more than resurrection. The Bible word is to be saved from all of our sin (original and personal), to be delivered from outer darkness or hell, and to be redeemed in order to live and abide with Heavenly Father. 92) THE LDS CHURCH claims that "the glory of God is intelligence."
Ether being the example, we find the Book of Mormon to be without substance, except wherever it quotes the Word of God in the Bible. The book is the baited hook of the LDS church to lure thousands into the faith. Although it is replete with scientific impossibilities, anachronisms, and logical contradictions, the missionaries repeat its fantastic stories from nearly 200 years ago. After grasping to defend it, they uncomfortably retreat to "ask God if these things are so." The motto of education for the LDS church is, "The glory of God is intelligence." Okay, then use it. To have faith in the absence of facts and to contradict the Bible is an insult to a holy God. Anyone can study the Bible, even as a total atheist and discover its historical accuracy. What about the missing cities of Israel? They are just under the surface when people dig. There is a real Hebrew language. If the scriptures were lost and reinterpreted into endless error, what are the Dead Sea Scrolls? The Bible is evidenced by 25,000 archeological sites (see Halley’s Handbook). Jesus made a promise, which means I have to choose between Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith, "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18). 93) THE LDS CHURCH urges you to pray about the Book of Mormon.
Is that is all that is required to establish truth (Moroni 10:3-5)? Feelings? The Book of Mormon is in direct opposition to the Bible. Feelings can be sinful and untrustworthy (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 17:9). The LDS overlook the context of James 1:5 dealing with gaining wisdom to handle trials. There are religions with millions of members who feel they are right. But God’s Word provides accurate and objective ways to measure the truth of the doctrine and prophets. The LDS methods are subjective and unreliable as experience bears out. We can feel like someone loves us when actually they love another. We subjectively misinterpret actions. If we are so easily deceived in human relationships, why trust our immortal souls with the same unreliable methods? "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). How do we know who is right, in the midst of earnest feelings? The Bible says of itself, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). "The word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:25). Examine the Bible by its consistency through 1600 years of writing, check it out prophetically, through history, by archaeology or whatever means you like. It is the Word of God! The Book of Mormon threatens condemnation for rejecting it, but to pray to any false god about a false book, then what are you going to get? A false answer! Would you pray about the Koran or a satanic book? If the LDS faith is right, it is right for all eternity, but if it is wrong, it is wrong for all eternity. Ether underscores about what matters the most. Is it your family’s approval? Acceptance for the brevity of life in a Mormon culture? Or to embrace the Jesus and the Faith of the Bible to gain eternal life rather than outer darkness? You are at the crossroads as to what you intend to do, to listen to the devil (8:25) or listen to God (3:12). Bow before the crucified and risen Lord and by faith take the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ to draw you into the Kingdom of God. 94) THE LDS CHURCH maintains that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.
In what sense is the Book of Mormon "another"? I have to agree that it is, considering there are two different meanings for the word "another". When picking mushrooms, a child may come running with "another". But this time what he holds in his hand is a deadly poison. It is another kind that will destroy a life forever! The Book of Mormon is "another" of a different kind. 95) THE LDS CHURCH and the people who are living today can still turn to God before its too late.
Gordon B. Hinckley who follows Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and that long line of LDS apostles and prophets, will all hear from Heaven on that great judgment day. "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6). Contact through charliecarles@yahoo.com
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment