Joseph Smith started the Mormon church in October 1827 in Pennsylvania, after he claimed that he was showed the location of a buried book made of golden plates by an angel Moroni in 1823. Despite Joseph Smith's conviction there has been no proof for any of his claimed historic accounts of the Americas which he claimed to have copied and translated directly from the golden book that was written in Egyptian hieroglyphs. He later hired himself as a treasure finder, which at the time was a very shady business because of the remoteness of finding treasure and the superstition involved. As a self-proclaimed prophet, Joseph Smith employed the same means he used for treasure finding, which was placing a "seer stone" within his hat and then cupping the hat to his face.
Using these questionable means he came up with doctrines such as God producing human spirits by having spitual children with his wives on another planet, people color being rebel spirits before being born into physical bodies, polgamy, temple rites, rites for the dead, and many, many more. Because of these outlandish doctrines, Mormons found themselves shunned and persecuted a people. Joseph Smith himself was attacked by a mob at the jail he was held at and was shot to death.
Unfortunately his doctrines live stubbornly on because of many of the splinter groups that resulted from the death of their leader. While these splinter groups, largest of which is the one headed by Brigham Young, all differ on which doctrines of Joseph Smith they decided to hang onto, they all still hold Joseph Smith as a prophet and his writings of the Book of Mormon as inspired. However what few Mormons realize is that the two are completely at odds with each other on doctrine as you will see below. Therein lies the Archille's heel of this occult.
Refs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_smith, Mormons in Transition, Decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, http://www.mrm.org/rlds, http://www.mscbc.org/afterlife.htm
Using these questionable means he came up with doctrines such as God producing human spirits by having spitual children with his wives on another planet, people color being rebel spirits before being born into physical bodies, polgamy, temple rites, rites for the dead, and many, many more. Because of these outlandish doctrines, Mormons found themselves shunned and persecuted a people. Joseph Smith himself was attacked by a mob at the jail he was held at and was shot to death.
Unfortunately his doctrines live stubbornly on because of many of the splinter groups that resulted from the death of their leader. While these splinter groups, largest of which is the one headed by Brigham Young, all differ on which doctrines of Joseph Smith they decided to hang onto, they all still hold Joseph Smith as a prophet and his writings of the Book of Mormon as inspired. However what few Mormons realize is that the two are completely at odds with each other on doctrine as you will see below. Therein lies the Archille's heel of this occult.
Refs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_smith, Mormons in Transition, Decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, http://www.mrm.org/rlds, http://www.mscbc.org/afterlife.htm
1) Do preach of other gods (polytheism)
Joseph Smith teaches that there are a myriad of different gods. And God the Father was made a god by other more ancient gods. The Father in turn made Jesus a god. So instead of the Bible saying that there is only ONE God you have an innumerable number of gods.(see Section 6)
Ironically the Book of Mormon refutes this completely:
The testimony of the Three Witnesses concludes with "And honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God."
Joseph Smith teaches that there are a myriad of different gods. And God the Father was made a god by other more ancient gods. The Father in turn made Jesus a god. So instead of the Bible saying that there is only ONE God you have an innumerable number of gods.(see Section 6)
Ironically the Book of Mormon refutes this completely:
The testimony of the Three Witnesses concludes with "And honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God."
2) Do they teach that Jesus is God(Trinity) and that he died and rose again?
Joseph Smith taught Jesus and God are two completely different gods and they each have a body of their own. Mormons do not believe in the Holy Spirit is anything more than a presence. Joseph Smith also preached that God the Father had physical union with the virgin Mary to produce a physical body for Jesus.
The problem is Mary would no longer be a virgin because according to Joseph Smith God the Father has a physical body with which to mate with Mary. This would amounts to adultery committed by God the Father, meaning he broke his own 10 commandments which says 'Thou shalt not commit adultery'. The Bible is clear that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus. However she did not remain a virgin because Joseph and Mary had many children afterwards, as proved by all the brothers and sisters Jesus had.
Basically Mormons don't believe in the Trinity(1 God in 3 persons), because Joseph Smith taught there are many gods. Ironically the Book of Mormon says that there is only one God. (see section 6)
Joseph Smith taught Jesus and God are two completely different gods and they each have a body of their own. Mormons do not believe in the Holy Spirit is anything more than a presence. Joseph Smith also preached that God the Father had physical union with the virgin Mary to produce a physical body for Jesus.
The problem is Mary would no longer be a virgin because according to Joseph Smith God the Father has a physical body with which to mate with Mary. This would amounts to adultery committed by God the Father, meaning he broke his own 10 commandments which says 'Thou shalt not commit adultery'. The Bible is clear that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus. However she did not remain a virgin because Joseph and Mary had many children afterwards, as proved by all the brothers and sisters Jesus had.
Basically Mormons don't believe in the Trinity(1 God in 3 persons), because Joseph Smith taught there are many gods. Ironically the Book of Mormon says that there is only one God. (see section 6)
3) Do they place God as the focus of their message or man?
The main focus of Mormonism, is to progress to your own godhood and get a planet of your own to rule. Joseph Smith taught that God was once a man and so what God currently is, man may become. In essence Joseph Smith taught the lie of the serpent, in the Garden of Eden.
The main focus of Mormonism, is to progress to your own godhood and get a planet of your own to rule. Joseph Smith taught that God was once a man and so what God currently is, man may become. In essence Joseph Smith taught the lie of the serpent, in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:4-5 (KJV)
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. |
4) Do they do it for monetary gain or any personal gain?
According to historians, Joseph Smith had convient way of giving prophecies that benefited himself, namely the issue of polygamy. When Joseph Smith authored the Book of Mormon, polygamy was condemned. However, when he wished to engage in polygamy later in life, he did an about face and taught that it was completely acceptable.
According to historians, Joseph Smith had convient way of giving prophecies that benefited himself, namely the issue of polygamy. When Joseph Smith authored the Book of Mormon, polygamy was condemned. However, when he wished to engage in polygamy later in life, he did an about face and taught that it was completely acceptable.
The Book of Mormon |
Mormon Doctrine |
The Bible |
There is only one God.
Mosiah 15:1, 5; Alma 11:28; 2 Nephi 31:21. |
Mormonism teaches there are many gods.
Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 5. |
There is only one God.
Deu 4:35,39; 6:4; 32:39, 2Sam 7:22, 1 Kings 8:60, Mark 12:29-34, John 17:3, Gal 3:20, 1 Tim 2:5, more |
The Trinity is one God.
Alma 11:44; Mosiah 15:5; 2 Nephi 31:21. |
The Trinity are three separate gods.
James Talmage, Articles of Faith, 1985, p. 35. |
God is a trinity but one.
Genesis 1:26,Isaiah 6,Luke 3:22,2Cor 13:14 |
God is unchanging.
Mormon 9:9, 19; Moroni 8:18; Alma 41:8; 3 Nephi 24:6. |
God is increasing in knowledge.
Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 120. |
God is all knowing
Job 28:24 & 37:16, Psalm 139:4 & 147:5, 1 Samuel 2:3, Isaiah 46:9 & 55:9, Matt 10:30, 1 John 3:19-20, Hebrews 4:13 |
God is spirit.
Alma 18:24, 28; 22:9, 11. |
God has the form of a man.
Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 3. |
God is spirit.John 4:24, 1 Cor 2:11
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Eternal hell
Jacob 3:11; 6:10; 2 Nephi 19:16; 28:21-23. |
Hell is not eternal.
James Talmage, Articles of Faith, p. 55. |
Eternal Hell
Matt 3:12 & 18:8, Luke 3:17, Mark 9:43, 2 Thess. 1:9, Jude 7, Rev. 14:11 |
Polygamy condemned
Jacob 1:15; 2:23, 24, 27, 31; 3:5; Mosiah 11:2, 4; Ether 10:5, 7. |
Polygamy was taught and practiced.
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 266. |
Polygamy prohibited
Gen 2:24, Deu 17:17, Deu 21:15, 1 Cor 7:1–16, Eph 5:25–33, Timothy 3:2&12,Titus 1:6 |
A Mormon's own Book of Mormon does not teach what he believes. So either you have to reject his doctrine in order to believe his book or you would have to reject his book to believe his doctrine. A few verses from the Book of Mormon contradicting Mormon doctrine.
7) Lastly does what they foretell come to pass?
Prophecies and their outcomes
Prophecies and their outcomes
1.
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The Coming of the Lord
Joseph Smith prophesied in 1835 that Jesus would return in 56 years (1891).(History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 182) |
2.
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David W. Patten to go on a mission
Joseph Smith prophesied on April 17, 1838 that David W. Patten and 12 others would go on a mission trip the next spring. (Doctrine & Covenants 114:1) David W. Patten died in October of 1838 |
3.
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The United States Government to be overthrown in a few years
Joseph Smith prophesied on May 6, 1843 that unless the US Government redress the wrongs done to Mormons in Missouri by its officials, it would be "utterly overthrown" and wasted.(History of the Church, Vol. 5, page 394) The United States Government NEVER has redress any of the wrongs committed against the Mormons in Missouri, and now over 170 years later, the U.S. Government still stands. |
4.
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Finding Treasure in Salem, Massachusetts
Joseph Smith prophesied on August 6, 1836 as the LDS church leaders were heavily in debt, that "much treasure in this city" would be found to get them out of financial trouble.(Doctrine & Covenants Section 111) No treasure was ever discovered in Salem, nor did Salem ever fall into the hands of the Mormons. |
5.
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Temple to be Built in Zion, Missouri
Joseph Smith prophesied on September 22 and 23, 1832 that "this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it" in "the western boundaries of the State of Missouri".(Doctrine & Covenants Section 84) The Mormons were forced to flee Missouri due to persecution and a temple was never built on the "temple lot" in the lifetime of Joseph Smith or within the generation of his contemporaries. |
More in depth study on Joseph Smith's prophecies are found: https://mit.irr.org/failed-prophecies-of-joseph-smith &
http://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-Mormon.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-Mormon.html
Conclusion
Joseph Smith was a self-proclaimed prophet, but based off unBiblical teachings of polytheism, man being fledging gods, polygamy, failed prophecies, and introduction of a replacement for the Bible, it is safe to assume he was definitely not a prophet sent by the one true God of the Bible. The simple fact that he even was at odds with his own book shows the utter confusion of this man. To this end his followers should be pitied and guided back to God for the true God of the Bible is love, grace, and justice.
For all who go to the God of the Bible by believing in the divine Jesus, who was one with the Father, will be saved and adopted, not as gods, but rather as children of God and allowed into Heaven. The great news is this gift of salvation and adoption can be yours because it is a FREE gift of God free of any works any of us can do. Won't you accept this gift by praying?
Joseph Smith was a self-proclaimed prophet, but based off unBiblical teachings of polytheism, man being fledging gods, polygamy, failed prophecies, and introduction of a replacement for the Bible, it is safe to assume he was definitely not a prophet sent by the one true God of the Bible. The simple fact that he even was at odds with his own book shows the utter confusion of this man. To this end his followers should be pitied and guided back to God for the true God of the Bible is love, grace, and justice.
For all who go to the God of the Bible by believing in the divine Jesus, who was one with the Father, will be saved and adopted, not as gods, but rather as children of God and allowed into Heaven. The great news is this gift of salvation and adoption can be yours because it is a FREE gift of God free of any works any of us can do. Won't you accept this gift by praying?
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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