Originally posted by telerionIf I am not mistaken John Smith expounded on prophecies regarding Revelation thus marking him for condemnation for ignoring the commandment to not do so.
You're interpreting "book" to mean "the 66-book version of the Bible that you grew up with." In that passage however John means the book of Revelation. So this isn't a problem for our Mormon, Zelda.
Originally posted by LinkHyruleI am not attempting to trash you either, but I have one question for you. Why was it necessary for John Smith to expound upon the Bible by writing his own? What new revelation was needed that the Bible simply failed to cover? Also where in the Bible is John Smith prophesied to come and devulge a latter day revelation of such magnitude?
He wasn't trashing me.
Originally posted by FreakyKBHAre you suggesting that since an earlier version of the work exists with many undeniable similarities, it somehow dictates the second borrowed from the first? hmmmmm. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I've heard that argument somewhere else.
I've a simple two-part question. Who is Solomon Spalding, and what do those of the Mormon persuasion make of the book, "Manuscript Found," which he wrote in 1812?
Originally posted by LinkHyruleAt length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at lenngth came to the determination to "ask of God," concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not unbraid, I might venture.
An ancient prophet, Moroni, deposited the record of his people in the hill Cumorah at about 421 AD. In 1820, there was a revival occuring in the U.S. It was a time when many questioned the churches they attended. The Quaker religion was another religion spawned by this religious confusion. At fifteen, Joseph's family were of the Presbyterian faith, at lea ...[text shortened]... estion by an appeal to the Bible.
Edit: I'll be back a little later for the rest, gotta go.
So in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attemt to pray vocally.
After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction--not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being form the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in my being--just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all discription, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him!
My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might knoww which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (nfor at this time it had never entered into my heart that they were all wrong)--and which church I should join.
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those proffessors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."
He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time."
This is a continuation of my previous post.
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Originally posted by XanthosNZOne night, while Joseph Smith was praying, an angel appeared in his room. He told him there was a record deposited, written on gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of the American continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants. This record had been compiled by the angel's father, Mormon. The angel's name was Moroni. He told Joseph that there was a certain spot on a hill not far from his house. At this spot the plates were hidden. He also was told that he would help to restore the gospel upon the earth. After a period of time, the plates were acquired by him. After the translation of the book, Joseph gave the plates back to Moroni, and Moroni has them to this day.
How about you explain how the Book of Mormon was 'uncovered' and whereabouts the plates of Nephi are now.
Originally posted by whodeyThe Book of Mormon is not the Bible, nor an addition to the Bible. It is another witness of Jesus Christ and a companion to the Bible, not adding to it or taking it's place. I believe the Bible, yes.
Do you believe what the Bible says? If so, how do you respond to this verse in Revelation 22:18? "For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall ADD to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book." So what of the book of Mormon? How can John Smith add to the Bible and not escape condemnation if this scripture is true?
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Originally posted by Hand of HecateYour observations are of "Mormons" who are not following the gospel. They are not setting a good example at all as we denounce any racial discrimination.
That is not consistent with my observations that my Mormon neighbours will not let their kids play with the Jewish kids or the Mexicans on our street.... you must be wrong.
In addition to being wrong, please address the concerns Whodey expressed regarding Revelations 22:18. For reference, this is where he eviscerated the entire basis of the Mormon faith.
Originally posted by whodeyYou know that the Bible was retranslated and retanslated and retranslated over and over and over since it was written. After all of those translations, a lot of it got left out. Also, a couple of times, leaders who didn't like some of it would take it out before letting it be printed. Joseph Smith did not write his own Bible. The Book of Mormon is a history of a branch of descendents of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt. Read Mal. 3:1 It speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Second Coming. This is Joseph Smith.
I am not attempting to trash you either, but I have one question for you. Why was it necessary for John Smith to expound upon the Bible by writing his own? What new revelation was needed that the Bible simply failed to cover? Also where in the Bible is John Smith prophesied to come and devulge a latter day revelation of such magnitude?