The Mormon belief about where the atonement took place is examined. The LDS claims the atonement took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, while the Bible says it took place on the Cross.
Ten reasons why Joseph Smith can’t be considered a true prophet of God. Follow the link at the bottom of the article for ten more reasons. ALL of these are good reasons which prove Smith was a false prophet.
The misinformation the LDS must tell to keep their “honor.” If you have to lie about your history, you are proving that you have something to hide.
Should Mormons Follow Their Living Prophets? The LDS answer is “yes” and “no.” The LDS doctrine is constantly in a state of flux.
What are the Fundamentals of Mormonism? They are in total contradiction to the fundamentals of real Christianity. As the article sums up, Any idea that Mormonism and biblical Christianity are fundamentally the same is mistaken. They proclaim different gospels and different gods.
LDS Professor Daniel Peterson’s examination of Thomas Marsh’s accusations against Joseph Smith leads him to dismiss Marsh altogether. This is necessary in order to defend Smith, but it ignores facts. Just another example of LDS revising history to cover up the actions of their false prophet.
Speaking of revising history, there are some more recent things that the LDS wish would just go away — such as sexual abuse against American Indian children in the LDS “Indian Student Placement Program.” The LDS, who claim that their president has unique knowledge on ANY subject and yet to get around the lawsuit they suddenly claim the president has no unique knowledge. So which is it? Is he or is he not a prophet of God? (The article has some amusement value when you read Spencer Kimball’s lies that Indians became “whiter” while in the program, reversing the curse of dark skin.)
Finally, we as Christians should challenge Mormons to agree with us and Moroni 8:18: “God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.”
If they agree with Moroni, then they have to disagree with Joseph Smith’s teachings that God is created by a previous God and that he continually changed until he became God himself! Oh, what tangled webs the LDS have woven!
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Witnesses and the Truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Joseph Smith’s testimony of the Book of Mormon and his calling to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth in the early 1800’s could definitely be argued and questioned if he were the only person telling the story. The purpose of witnesses, as with witnesses in a court trial, is to testify of the truthfulness of certain actions or events. The Lord knew in advance that this work would be questioned and doubted by many. So he yes, provided those witnesses to those who would doubt. Joseph, yes, was a man as we all are. He had his weaknesses, he made mistakes, he might have done some dumb things. But his testimony cannot be denied. If you want to disbelieve that, it is your prerogative.
The Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star - Volume 21 - Page 544…
Oliver Cowdery’s testimony: “I wrote, with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of the Urim and Thummim, or as it is called by the book, Holy Interpreters. I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was transcribed. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the Holy Interpreters. That book is true. ...It contains the everlasting gospel, and came forth to the children of men in fulfillment of the revelations of John, where he says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God on high.”
Of Faith and Reason- Michael R. Ash…
Oliver used his dying breaths to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Lucy P. Young, his half-sister, was at his bedside and reported: Oliver Cowdery just before breathing his last, asked his attendants to raise him up in bed that he might talk to the family and his friends, who were present. He then told them to live according to the teachings contained in the Book of Mormon, and promised them, if they would do this, that they would meet him in heaven. He then said, ‘Lay me down and let me fall asleep.’ A few moments later he died without a struggle.[3]
Oliver Cowdery to William W. Phelps, September 7, 1834, Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, October 1834, 15–16…
I have learned that Oliver Cowdery testified repeatedly that he received priesthood from ministering angels…Richard L. Anderson wrote that “a careful search of authentic documents on his life discloses an impressive number of declarations on priesthood restoration. These were made during his career in the Church as its second priesthood officer, in the midst of his personal trials and resentments outside of its organization, at his final reconciliation with the Church, and at the closing moments of his life…. One may choose to disbelieve such testimony, but no informed person can deny that it exists…”
Oliver Cowdery on restoration of Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods by John the Baptist and Peter, James & John…
“Joseph…was ordained by the angel John, unto the lesser or Aaronic priesthood, in company with myself, in the town of Harmony, Susquehannah County, Pennsylvania, on Fryday, the 15th day of May, 1829, after which we repaired to the water, even to the Susquehannah River, and were baptized, he first ministering unto me and after—I to him. but before baptism our souls were drawn out in mighty prayer—to know how we might obtain the blessings of baptism and of the Holy Spirit, according to the order of God, and we diligently saught for the right of the fathers and the authority of the holy priesthood, and the power to admin[ister] the same. . . . Therefore, we retired to the woods . . . and called upon the name of the Lord, and he answered us out of the heavens, and while we were in the heavenly vision the angel came down and bestowed upon us this priesthood; and then, as I have said, we repaired to the water and were baptized. After this we received the high and holy priesthood, but an account of this will be given elsewhere, or in another place.”
Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, 8–9, Church History Library.
He (Oliver) wrote that “[Joseph] was ordained by the angel John, unto the lesser or Aaronic priesthood, in company with myself, in the town of Harmony, Susquehannah County, Pennsylvania, on Fryday, the 15th day of May, 1829, after which we repaired to the water, even to the Susquehannah River, and were baptized . . . and while we were in the heavenly vision the angel came down and bestowed upon us this priesthood; and then, as I have said, we repaired to the water and were baptized. After this we received the high and holy priesthood.”
Oliver Cowdery to Phineas Young, March 23, 1846, Church History Library.
“I have cherished a hope, and that one of my fondest, that I might leave such a character as those who might believe in my testimony, after I shall be called hence, might do so, not only for the sake of the truth, but might not blush for the private character of the man who bore that testimony. I have been sensitive on this subject, I admit; but I ought to be so—you would be, under the circumstances, had you stood in the presence of John, with our departed brother Joseph, to receive the Lesser Priesthood—and in the presence of Peter, to receive the Greater, and look down through time, and witness the effects these two must produce.”
Testimony of Three Witnesses
“Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.”
Oliver Cowdery- David Whitmer- Martin Harris
Testimony of Eight Witnesses
“Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.”
Christian Whitmer--Jacob Whitmer--Peter Whitmer, Jun.--John Whitmer--Hiram Page--Joseph Smith, Sen.--Hyrum Smith--Samuel H. Smith
Charles Dickens, “In the Name of the Prophet—Smith!” Household Words, July 1851, 69…See Palmer, An Insider’s View, 217, 224–25--avid H. Cannon, autobiography, as cited in Cannon, “Priesthood Restoration Documents,” 198n10.
There have always been critics of Oliver’s testimony. The earliest ones made their case not by proving the testimony false but by assuming its absurdity. Charles Dickens, for one, noted what he thought was the unthinkable, that “in the age of railways,” Joseph Smith, “the ignorant rustic . . . pretends to communion with angels.” More recent critics selectively present hearsay statements made by people who said they “never heard” that angels restored the priesthood until years after the fact. Respondents cite the same men saying that years after the events took place they heard and believed that Oliver and Joseph were ordained by angels. “When the holy angel visited and ordained Joseph, Oliver was with him,” wrote William McLellin in 1847, adding a year later, “We hold that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, in May 1829, received the authority of the lesser priesthood, and the keys of it, by the visitation and the administration of the angel John, the Baptist.” In 1861, David Cannon visited Oliver Cowdery’s grave in Richmond, Missouri, with David Whitmer, who reiterated Cowdery’s testimony, saying “I know the Gospel to be true and upon this head has Peter James and John laid their hands and confered the Holy Melchesdic Priestood.” Cannon continued, “The manner in which this tall grey headed man went through the exhibition of what Oliver had done was prophetic. I shall never forget the impression that the testimony of . . . David Whitmer made upon me.”
The image below shows section 63 of the Doctrine and Covenants revealed to Joseph Smith in August 1831 and recorded by Oliver Cowdery. (Used by permission of L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.)
Christopher,
It would be nice if you didn’t use so many posts to comment — how about next time combining your citations into as few posts as possible? However, this is the last time I will allow so many LDS citations which prove nothing except circular reasoning to defend the indefensible. I decided to delete the last few because they gave no additional information from outside sources and were just more LDS citations.
The "witnesses" to the BOM are as questionable as the come, as I demonstrate in this article:
https://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2014/10/what-about-book-of-mormon-witnesses.html
And his testimony can certainly be denied because he totally contradicts what the Bible teaches about God and Christ. First, there was no need to "restore" a Church which never disappeared. Secondly, God would not give witnesses to false teachings.
Cowdery never saw the BOM plates and only trusted that Smith was doing as he claimed. All Smith did was put a hat over his face and claim that the stone in the hat gave him the translation of what was on the plates. Funny how that ended up with so much direct plagiarism from the KJV Bible. Cowdery only said what he was told to say. Cowdery was as deluded as they come.
About Cowdery’s claims about the various priesthoods, they are also false because, first, there is only ONE Melchizedek priest and that is Christ, and, second, there is no more priesthood.
I prove the LDS Melchizedek Priesthood is a fraud here:
https://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-melchizedek-priesthood.html
and here:
https://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2014/10/more-on-mormon-priesthood.html
The fraud of the LDS priesthood in general here: https://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2014/10/mormonisms-priesthood-fraud.html
And a real conundrum for the LDS here:
https://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2014/10/mormonisms-priesthood-fraud.html
And perhaps this one should give you pause for thought:
https://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2014/12/oops-there-goes-priesthood.html
The citations from LDS literature are not any more trustworthy than the BOM itself.
Oh, and by the way, people do NOT BECOME ANGELS!!!! That is a lie from the LDS
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