Together with the old and new testaments, the book of mormon supports an unequivocal testimony of jesus christ. And there are also many other things which jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, i suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be writt. Ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. The text gives an account of ancient prophets who lived. But these are real characters with real beliefs and thats why the book of mormon is really good. One of the many areas in which mormons fall short of saving faith is their belief that god is merely an exalted man who earned his position by good works mormon doctrine, p.
Sure, its protagonists are a pair of missionaries in africa. If joseph smith was correct, then the mormon may want to consider joining the united pentecostal church, as this aberrational group is more in line with the book of mormons view of the godhead. Josephs plagiarism in book of mormon and other revelations. At the very last verse from the gospel of john, we read.
It is an interesting paradox that those so anxious to label us a nonchristian cult are offended by the book of mormon because it is so christcenteredin their view, anachronistically so on this latter issue, see the essay of kent p. Lds are key lds teachings derived from the book of mormon. The bible, the book of mormon, and continuing revelation duration. Anachronistic christian doctrine in the book of mormon lds. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon from gold plates. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. The mormon jesus doctrine twisting this leads me to what is perhaps the most problematic matter facing mormons with regard to their view of christ. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible.
Roberts 18571933, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which examine the validity of the book of mormon as a translation of an ancient american source. The book of mormon conveys a christianity very similar to that of the new testament. These facts alone are enough to cast much doubt on the veracity of the book of mormon. The writers of the book of mormon musical focus their story on two groups of people, but it is clear from the text that they, themselves, are outsiders of both. Mormons claim the book of mormon is the most perfect book ever written. Smith endowed the book of mormon with status equal to the bible. Examining the book of mormon a christian view the mormon story. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas, and contains, as does the bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon and the gift and power. An insiders view of mormon origins is a fascinating read with many compelling proofs against the claims of the church. Why isnt the book of mormon accepted by many christians.
Mormon theology is about many gods, god being a man, men and women potentially becoming gods, but the book of mormon is basically christian in its teachings. Does the book of mormon support the idea of the trinity. Devil, the the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. According to smith, god the father and jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that the christian church had been corrupted and they were giving him a new revelation so that he might lead the church back into the truth. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm. Doctrinal details aside it testifies of the divinity of christ, of the atonement, of the gospel of repentance and redemption, etc.
Book of mormon in a biblical culture the encyclopedia of. The book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5. While kimballs book is not scripture, he did utilize his churchs scriptures. Gardner earned a masters degree in anthropology and mesoamerican ethnohistory from the state university of new york at albany. Bushman, joseph smith and the beginnings of mormonism, p. The book of mormon claims that jesuss atonement provided for the immortality for all people. This is the place to learn about the holy book of mormon, without church bias. The tanners have listed, one by one, 400 verses and portions of verses quoted from the new testament in the book of mormon in their book, the case against mormonism. One does not need to look beyond the prevailing revivalist sects in america to discover why the earliest mormon elders won an immediate hearing for their sacred book. This book does not address all of them, but specifically addresses origins of the book of mormon and the religions organization, including contemporary sources, writers, and influences of religions in joseph smiths day.
According to mormon apostle bruce mcconkie, author of the book mormon doctrine, the gospel is the plan of salvation that embraces all of the laws, principles, doctrines, rites, ordinances, acts. Mormons accept the bible, the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price as works of scripture. Examples in the book of mormon that tend to describe god in a modalistic manner include the following. You may be wondering why a christian would go to see such a thing, but yeeees changing the subject in the same manner as a mormon asked why joseph smith wouldnt let anyone else see the original golden plates on which the book of mormon was allegedly. In the first vision story, joseph smith claimed that jesus and god the father. These include endowments, celestial marriage, and specific tithing. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from godif false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deeplaid impositions ever palmed upon the world. Are mormons christian truth in love ministry witnessing. Modalism in the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. We talk of christ, we rejoice in christ, we preach of christ, we prophesy of christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their. It also allows us to evaluate mormonism on the basis of its official doctrine. To establish doctrine and to understand the biblical text, latterday saints turn to living prophets and to additional books of scripture. Roberts privately researched the link between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews, josephs father having the same dream in 1811 as lehis dream, and other sources that were available to joseph smith, oliver cowdery, martin harris and others before the publication of the book of mormon.
What are the important points from the book of mormon. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. Mormons explicitly deny that the atonement is the basis for salvation. While considering ways of making the precepts of this divine book more readily available to the reader, a distinguishing format was devised to isolate the doctrinal precepts and at the same time render this rather complex volume of scripture more. The book of mormon, with its deep satirical sensibility, songs that beg to be played on repeat and goodnatured poking of fun at all things sacred, is thus the perfect show for local audiences. The book of mormon is a vulgar, ugly, offensive and truly.
Mcconkie, a comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional teachings on the doctrines of salvation, in the book of mormon. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Plus, they let a plucky mormon hero proudly assert some of the more eyebrowraising minutiae of that religion with a julie andrewslike confidence. Mar 02, 20 ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. Opinions on the latest trends, topics, news and culture from a christian perspective. These plates were supposedly written 1,400 years ago and detailed the history of the jewish nephites from 600 b.
What are the key differences between mormonism and christianity. The mormon view of jesus christ the bottomline guide to. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the son of god. The book of mormon is crude, offensive and shocking. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional. If joseph smith was correct, then the mormon may want to consider joining the united pentecostal church, as this aberrational group is more in line with the book of mormon s view of the godhead. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. Aug 26, 20 the book of mormon claims that jesus visited the nephites in the americas several separate times, destroyed whole cities of the wicked, preached to the righteous, and formed a church for them. The contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the book of mormon as latterday scripture supplemental to the bible. Feb 03, 2020 a mormon who may not like the difficult teachings of the miracle of forgiveness might argue it is not one of the four official standard words. Mar 12, 2020 at the very last verse from the gospel of john, we read. What is a biblical perspective on the book of mormon. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
But to achieve exaltation or godhood it is available only to mormons who obey the teachings specific to the book of mormon. Mar 16, 2009 the mormon jesus doctrine twisting this leads me to what is perhaps the most problematic matter facing mormons with regard to their view of christ. Actually, much of the christian world could accept the book of mormon because joseph smith filled it with standard and highly orthodox and credal christian theology. I applaud traditional view lds apologists who do work to attempt to show that christian doctrine was known anciently, to show precedent for the book of mormon. The book of mormon 1830, which codifies the earliest mormon doctrine, was intended, in part, to settle ongoing doctrinal disputes among contemporary christian denominations and to create a single shared theology. Pre1830 works that possibly influenced the book of mormon a list of books available in joseph smiths time written about topics present in the book of mormon. Firm calls for personal righteousness and obedience to the moral requirements of the judeo christian scriptures were by 1830 the dominant motifs in all protestant communions. The issue then quickly descends into whether or not the book of mormon could possibly be an authentic ancient record. The prophet joseph smith declared a person would get nearer to god by abiding by the precepts of the book of mormon than by any other book. If this show were a spoof, it wouldnt be the success that it is. One passage says that the book of mormon shall establish the truth of the bible and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the lamb of god is the son of the eternal father, and the savior of the world. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version.
Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. How i escaped the mormon temple christianity today. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason to doubt its claims. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a sinful nature moroni 8. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up. Rarely does a show have people rolling in the aisles, but book of mormon does. How are the beliefs of mormons different from the beliefs of christians. Book of mormon the book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, vol. The book of mormon approach strongly endorses and even provides an otherwise missing explanation for the persistent ideas of signs and covenants associated with baptism in the christian tradition. The mormon view of jesus christ mormonism, the mormon. Mormons believe moroni appeared to joseph smith in 1823 as a glorified resurrected being.
May 27, 2002 some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. Some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. Should a follower of jesus christ pray about the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 170,933 views 2. A quick christian guide to the mormon holy book anderson, ross on. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. The prophet never denied having once participated in folk practices during his youth, but, as this knowhy explores, claims that he was fundamentally influenced by magical beliefs is a misleadingly simplistic approach to a very complex topic. What my friend experienced is similar to the mormon plea to pray about the book of mormon. Well, in context, one finds reference to the testing of ones faith by trials and temptations see verses 23, 12.
What is the difference between the mormon jesus and the jesus. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988, 7390. Apr 10, 20 rarely does a show have people rolling in the aisles, but book of mormon does. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. Should a follower of jesus christ pray about the book of. We believe in god, the eternal father, and in his son, jesus christ, and in the holy ghost. My husband and i had joined the lds church at age 25 after mormon missionaries knocked on our front door. The opening song, hello, where missionary trainees practice their doorbellringing skills is a hoot, and another number, where the villagers confuse mormon history with star wars, among other things, will make your sides hurt. Mormons regularly proselytize individuals actually or nominally within the christian tradition, and some christians, especially evangelicals, proselytize mormons. Group christians whitmerites josephites brighamites rigdonites leader jesus christ david whitmer joseph smith brigham young sidney rigdon church church. It is true that smith is central to mormons view of reality, but it is also true that jesus christ is central to the book of mormon. Mormons believe that the book of mormon confirms information found in the holy bible.
They try to make connections between the book of mormon and ancient writings, be it biblical or other ancient nonbiblical writings such as the dead sea scrolls or apochrypha. However, mormon scriptures, doctrines and practices contradict the essential doctrines of christianity taught in the bible. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints claims to be a christian denomination. This may be the view of faith in the book of mormon, but it is decidedly not the biblical view see john 20. Understanding christian baptism through the book of mormon. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. There it is againthe fullness of the everlasting gospel. Typically bound in a blue leather cover with the name inscribed in gold it resembles many bibles. Mormon apostle orson pratt wrote in 1851, the book of mormon claims to be a divinely inspired record.
Upon first glance, the book of mormon appears rather unthreatening. Tongan r ather than providing evidence to support the book of mormon, mormons often ask christians to read the book of mormon and pray to see whether or not it is from god. Though we are called to pray always 1 thessalonians 5. What is the difference between the mormon jesus and the. Mar 09, 2020 the book of mormon does not contain the information a mormon needs to be exalted or to have eternal life. Articles of faith 1 mormons do not believe in the traditional doctrine of the trinity precisely because thats what it is tradition.
The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. Early mormon apostle orson pratt made a statement concerning the book of mormon. The mormon view of the canon of scripture the bottomline. While the book of mormon does indeed contradict the orthodox version of the trinity, it also rejects mormonisms current view of god. However, it is this very likeness that should raise suspicion.
And when ye shall receive these things, i would exhort you that ye would ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if these things are not true. Another testament of jesus christ which claims to be a record of gods. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne. The mormon story is that the nephite military commander and prophet moroni buried a history of his people, written on gold plates, in the hill cumorah in ad 421. Third nephi 89 book of mormon teaches that jesus brought death and destruction with the cross and that his death on the cross meant wrath and destruction for historical cities like mocum, onihum, etc. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe ministries. Ever since the book of mormon was first published in 1830, its origins have been disputed. As joseph smith, the founder of the rapidly growing church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon. The book of mormon does not contain the information a mormon needs to be exalted or to have eternal life. The book of mormon claims to be a translation of ancient writing on gold plates. The intrigue has come from the fact that latterday saints lds are so similar and yet so different.
Oct 31, 2019 did a magic world view influence joseph smith and the coming forth of the book of mormon. Most christian apologists see mormonism as a christian heresy that takes core aspects of christian doctrine but twists them beyond recognition by adding in new teachings that smith claimed to have learned when he found mormon scriptures buried in western new york. In addition, the very content of the book of mormon makes it impossible to accept it as divine revelation. Book of mormon authors did not see baptism as an infusion of grace from god but rather as a converts witness to god of a covenant or promise made. In fact, the writing inside shares many principles of biblical doctrine. This is more appropriate because it focuses on the teachings of the mormon church rather than on the beliefs of an individual mormon. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. The book of mormon is said to have been discovered and translated by the mormon prophet joseph smith in the early 1800s. Mormonism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen. Mormons have a very complex, and often changing, view of the atonement. Joseph smith stated, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than any other book. From then on, the prophets in america leading a branch of israelites predict the coming of christ, and also teach of his redeeming grace.
You see, in their attempt to evade charges of polytheism which, of course, is the belief in or worship of more than one god mormons end up prohibiting prayer to jesus. Many concepts from the book of mormon are present in this book notably 2000 stripling warriors, a liahonalike description of a metal device, the freeman movement, rod of iron, standard of liberty, brass plates, cataclysmic earthquakes followed by great darkness, chiasmus, and many, many more. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to. The following information is in the book of mormon. The introduction tells you that the book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. I would that ye should understand that god himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th century though not published until 1985 by b. Mormons do not accept nonmormon baptism nor do nonmormon christians usually accept mormon baptism. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible.
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