Examples from the book of mormon illustrate how the lord adapted his means of revelation from earlier ancient near eastern patterns to patterns found in precolombian. Mormonism and the nature of godgod is a spirit fairmormon. Jun 22, 2011 from the tony award winning broadway musical the book of mormon. In june of 1840, snow declared, as man is, god once was. The falsity of mormonism and the book of mormon god on the. Quoted in annotated book of mormon by hocking and meldrum page 22. The book of abraham is traditionally held by several latter day saint denominations as having been translated from an egyptian papyrus scroll by joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement. The book of mormon teaches that god the father, and his son jesus christ, and the holy ghost are one, with jesus appearing with a body of spirit before his birth, and with a tangible body after his resurrection. Ether 3 is the only book of mormon text cited in the 2014 article in defense of the mormon doctrine that god and human beings are the same species or kind of being. Mormonism and the nature of godgod is a man fairmormon.
Specifically, the book of mormon was prepared for our day so that we would learn and grow by readings the words of ancient prophets in the americas. Does the doctrine that god has a physical body contradict the bible. We believe that god has revealed his word to all people in all generations and the book of mormon is simply a record of his dealings with a different nation than that of the bible. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1999, 119120. The historic understanding of this strongly implies that god the father was once a sinner, and that we ourselves may model our mortal experience unto godhood after the mortal experience he once participated in. This included having human feelings or at least the ascription of human feelings and passions to deity.
Nov 01, 2016 the title of my talk today is the book of mormon. He was not born without the aid of man, and that man was god. And joseph smith, the prophet, the instrument whom god used to translate this record, testified 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. In the book of mormon, a prophet saw the finger of the lord and was. 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. This doctrine, eternal progression is central to mormonism, as stated in one of their frequentlyused quotes.
It holds that god and man are essentially of the same species, and that god the father has a body of flesh and bones. Remember, smith maintained the inspiration and truth of the book of mormon at the. The falsity of mormonism what about the book of mormon. Early in his career as prophet, seer, and revelator of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, smith wrote the book of mormon, which he claimed to be the fullness of the everlasting gospel. We have imagined and supposed that god was god from all eternity.
In fact, the lds church believes our god, was once a man and attained godhood. Pinnock, finding biblical hebrew and other ancient literary forms in the book of mormon provo, ut. Interesting quotes from joseph smith, the founder of. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. The book of mormon is essential to gods latterday work. So god created man in his own image, in the image of god created he him. Sep 26, 2012 perhaps the book of mormon is neither of god nor of the devil. Ether 3 and the mormon doctrine of god and man mormons. Joseph smith taught that god was once a man on another planet before being exalted to godhood. It is a general instruction or rule for action, a maxim, esp. A book of mormon prophet named alma the elder worries about his son, who is rebelling against god and setting a bad example for the people.
Mormons hope to become gods of their own worlds procreating endless numbers of children quotes from lds leaders by sandra tanner. Nor does the doctrine of jesus christ being the spirit brother of lucifer. Its largest denomination is headquartered in utah and goes by the name the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This continues to make it difficult to sustain the notion that either millet personally, or the mormon church corporately, are moving away from mormonisms nonbiblical and unchristian definition of god. Hunter mormon seventy the gospel throughout the ages, p. Lds what are the precepts taught in the book of mormon. Joseph smith, who translated the gold plates from which the book of mormon came, had this to say.
The book of mormon is not discussing nicene trinitarianism, and does not contradict the doctrine that god or jesus possess a physical body critics who object to the lds position that god has a physical body claim that the latterday saints are being inconsistent, since the book of mormon teaches that god. It seems reasonable to assume that if smith was a prophet of god and was translating the book of mormon under divine inspiration, he would have known about the errors found in the king james version, and would have corrected them for when passages from the king james version appeared in the book of mormon. The doctrine that god is nothing more than an exalted man with a body of flesh and bones appears nowhere in the book of mormon. Indeed, the book of mormon sounds a solemn warning to any who deny the spirit of revelation. Millet was associate professor and department chairman of ancient scripture at brigham young university when this was published president ezra taft benson has observed. References for mormon and biblical beliefs about god. The book of mormon is a book of scripture that details god. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional. Other book of mormon scriptures speak in similar terms. The real question should be, is president snows couplet an accurate reflection of lds doctrine. Mar 06, 2020 mormon fauxscriptures are not god s words. A dynamic, interactive, webfriendly presentation of the book of mormon.
Photograph of the book of mormon by jasmin gimenez rappleye. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. The book of mormon makes clear that which is unclear to much of the christian world, said brother callister. They preach that god was once a man who became exalted after living a righteous life and doing good works teachings of the prophet joseph smith, p. How can the book of mormon help me draw closer to jesus. Lds what are the precepts taught in the book of mormon that will bring a person closer to god. The book of mormon affirms that god spoke to the scattered remnants of israel anciently and testifies that he will continue speaking to those willing to hear his voice until the end of time. In 1841 joseph smith declared that the book of mormon was the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than by any other book teachings of the prophet joseph smith, 194.
Kolob is a star or planet described in the book of abraham, a sacred text of the latter day saint movement. Ether 3 and the mormon doctrine of god and man mormons in. Yet as we have seen here, ether 3 actually presents a doctrine contrary to the current mormon doctrine of god and man. The book of mormon teaches that god the father, and his son jesus christ, and the holy ghost are one, with jesus appearing. Book of mormon the book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, vol. God s progression from man to god is clearly stated throughout mormon literature. And after god had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had. The founder of mormonism said the book of mormon was the most correct book of any book, including the bible history of the church, vol. In it are passages that proclaim there is only one god and that god cant change. Why would god choose an uneducated man to translate the book.
Regarding this book, joseph smith said, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this 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. Gods progression from man to god is clearly stated throughout mormon literature. Is president snows statementas man now is, god once was. Everything latterday saints teach about god is in agreement with the rest of the christian world, with the exception of his nature. Among the questions that have rarely been addressed by the professors of religion, but which we hunger for answers, are these. In orthodox mormonism, the term god generally refers to the biblical god the father, whom. 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, history of the church, vol. All men and women are literally the sons and daughters of god. The lds scriptures declare that the ultimate goal of a mormon is to become a god and procreate for all eternity.
God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. The prophet joseph smiths statement, 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, may be one of his most recognizable quotes. Becoming like god the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of christ until he knows why he needs christ. At the end of the book of mormon, which is a book of scripture from the ancient americas that joseph translated, there is a promise that states if a person will read the book and ask god if it is true, having real intent and a sincere heart, god will manifest the truth of it to that person.
Test your knowledge of the book of mormon mormonism. Mormon apologists give the impression that mormon doctrine does not include the belief that god was once a man. Jul 23, 2011 do mormons believe god was once a man. This witness of all witnesses bears powerful testimony to the honest in heart that this book is not man made but god given. God the father according to mormonism mormonism research. Jan 06, 2017 in response to the criticism of some early church leaders, the lord emphatically revealed that revelations come in according to the language and understanding of his people, a principle nephi taught in the 6th century bc. And all the nations that fight against zion or the kingdom of god, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision. Millet was associate professor and department chairman of ancient scripture at brigham young university when this was published.
Joseph smiths statement avers that a person will draw nearer to god by abiding by the precepts of the book of mormon than by any other book. Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents. Missionary names changed to protect their identities. Again and again the book of mormon comes to the rescue, giving answers and restoring many plain and precious truths about baptism that were distorted or lost during the apostasy. Oct 31, 2016 the book of mormon makes clear that which is unclear to much of the christian world, said brother callister. Alma the younger and the sons of mosiah persecute the. According to lds theology, eternal life is synonymous with exaltation and godhood. Mormon, the man and the message religious studies center.
He is not uniquely selfexistent, transcendent, or eternal. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. The mormon doctrine of god is not the same as the historic christian view. It is the word of god and, like the bible, gives us guidance and inspiration in our daily lives.
Jun 24, 2019 christopher columbus was inspired of god to persevere as he did to discover this continent, and thus prepare the way for a class of people upon whom the spirit of the lord moved to follow. The book of mormon contradicts itself and other inspired mormon writings. Christopher columbus was inspired of god to persevere as he did to discover this continent, and thus prepare the way for a class of people upon whom the spirit of the lord moved to follow. 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. A precept is a command, a mandate, an order pertaining to proper behavior. They preach that god was once a man who became exalted after living a righteous life and doing good works teachings of. However, the book of mormon not only lacks the inspiration of the holy spirit, it is also full of lies. Mormonism claims to be a christian religion, the only true christian religion. Jan 19, 2020 not only do history and reason confirm the truth of the book of mormon, but much more importantly, the power of the spirit does. Joseph smith said of his teaching that day, 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. The godordevil dilemma argument for the book of mormon.
Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a. In order to make the god or devil dilemma work, callister would need to show that a book that claims to be the word of god but is not would have to be inspired by the devil. Callister, sunday school general president for the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, discussed the book of mormon s validity by deconstructing criticism of the book of mormon at this weeks. The book describes the spirit of the lord in the form of a man and speaking as a man would. Joseph smith said the book of mormon was more correct than the bible.
Callister, the book of mormon a book from god to consider that everything of saving significance in the church stands or falls on the truthfulness of the book of mormon and, by implication, the prophet joseph smiths account of how it came forth is as sobering as it is true. In the book of mormon zeezrom asks amulek, is there more than one god. Nephi speaks of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost, which is one god 2 nephi 31. Another thing to consider is that prophets are more than mere paper delivery boys, tossing the news from heaven right to our doorsteps without taking much thought for what that news might be. The bible the bible says that jesus is god incarnate. No wonder the book of mormon proclaims with boldness, and if ye shall believe in christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of christ 2 nephi 33. The book of mormon is an entirely different book of scripture. Submitted to the 2016 book of mormon central art contest. Does the lds church still teach that heavenly father was once a. It serves as a companion to the bible, reinforcing the witness of jesus christ, and adding new insights into his sacred mission. Not only do history and reason confirm the truth of the book of mormon, but much more importantly, the power of the spirit does. The traditional mormon view of god is summed up by the famous lorenzo snow couplet, as man is god once was, as god is man may be see the teachings of lorenzo snow, p. Joseph smith introduced new scripture, the book of mormon which.
When i asked does the mormon church teach that god was once a man, he said no. 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. Jul 30, 2019 book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. If god has always existed, but we only just came into existence a few thousand years ago as a race, what continue reading do mormons believe god was once a man. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. Callister then, of the presidency of the seventy general conference october, 2011 years ago my greatgreatgrandfather picked up a copy of the book of mormon for the first time. Nov 01, 2016 highlighting the fact the book of mormon contains doctrine distinct from common religious beliefs of the time, brother callister suggested that the doctrinal truths found within the book of mormon clearly show its divine authenticity.
Mormon prophets have continuously taught the sublime truth that god the eternal father was once a mortal man who passed through a school of earth life similar to that through which we are now passing. Together with the bible, the book of mormon is an indispensable witness of the doctrines of christ and his divinity. 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. The mormon church teaches that god was once a man who achieved godhood. Devil, the the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. Top 40 inspirational book of mormon scriptures the lifey app. In reference to the record that mormon helped to produce, joseph smith stated in nauvoo, 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 hc 4. Joseph smiths confusing understanding of the nature of god presents a classic. That is why the prophet mormon declared, ye shall have hope through the atonement of christ moroni 7. The book of mormon contradicts itself and the bible. It was founded by a convicted con man named joseph smith jr. Besides correctly illustrating the latterday saint teaching that god was once a mere mortal man, this couplet also declares that man has the potential to become god.
To us, speaking in the proper finite sense, these three father, son, and holy ghost are the only gods we. Brother snow, that is a true gospel doctrine, and it is a revelation from god to you. Portrait of a man, said to be christopher columbus by sebastiano del piombo, ca. Such euphemisms are used because the idea of men becoming gods is.
Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not god breathed. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Contradictions in lds scriptures pdf version click here one god. In 2 nephi 27 nephi begins by writing of a universal apostasy from the things of god in the last days consider nephis words. Many mormon beliefs contradict key principles of the christian faith. Oct 17, 2017 19 for the natural man is an enemy to god, and has been from the fall of adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the holy spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of christ the lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to. Remember, smith maintained the inspiration and truth of the book of mormon at the same time he believed the following.
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